74 SKETCHES
The ticket inspector: . . . . . . . . . .76
Tea break: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
The King of Boonland: . . . . . . . . .78
The restaurant: . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
The doctor: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
Gussett and Rose: . . . . . . . . . . . .84
Hotel Splendido: . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
The passport office: . . . . . . . . . . .86
Fire practice: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
The post office: . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
Mr. Jones: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
The shoe stall: . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94
The check-in desk: . . . . . . . . . . .96
The police: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98
The bus stop: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100
A ticket to Birmingham: . . . . . . . .102
SKETCHES 75
Gerry Thatcher's party: . . . . . . . .104
The army: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106
The dentist: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108
Mr. Williams and the postman: . . .110
Tourist information: . . . . . . . . . . .112
The bank: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
The Superlative vacuum cleaner: . .116
Superman and the psychiatrist: . . .118
The lost property office: . . . . . . . .120
The travel agency: . . . . . . . . . . .122
Gerry Brown's driving test: . . . . . .124
Giovanni 's café: . . . . . . . . . . . . .126
Shakespeare's house: . . . . . . . . .128
Mr. Universe: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130
The new James Bond film: . . . . . .132
World record: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134
76 SKETCHES
The ticket inspector
Scene : A compartment on a train
Characters: A passenger on a train, a
ticket inspector,a steward and
a waiter
The passenger is sitting in a compartment on
a train. He is reading a newspaper. The steward
opens the door.
Steward: Coffee!
Passenger: No. thanks.
(The passenger closes the
door, and continues reading.
The waiter opens the door.)
Waiter: Seats for dinner!
Passenger: No, thanks.
(The passenger closes the
door again, and continues
reading. The ticket inspector
opens the door.)
Inspector: Tickets!
Passenger: No, thanks.
Inspector: Pardon?
Passenger: I don't want a ticket, thank
you.
Inspector: I'm not selling tickets, sir.
Passenger: No?
Inspector: No, I want to see your ticket.
Passenger: Oh, I haven't got a ticket.
Inspector: You haven't got a ticket?
Passenger: No. I never buy a ticket.
Inspector: Why not?
Passenger: Well, they are very expensive,
you know.
Inspector: Sir, you're travelling on a train.
When people travel on a train,
they always buy a ticket.
Passenger: Er
Inspector: And this is a first-class compartment.
Passenger: Yes, it is very nice, isn't it?
Inspector: No, sir. I mean: This is a firstclass
compartment. When
people travel in a first-class
compartment, they always buy
a first-class ticket.
(They look at each other for a
moment.)
Passenger: No, they don't.
Inspector: What?
Passenger: A lot of people don't buy tickets.
The Queen doesn't buy a
ticket, does she' Eh? Eh?
Inspector: No, sir, but she's a famous
person.
Passenger: And what about you? Where's
yours?
Inspector: Mine?
Passenger: Yes, yours. Your ticket. Have
you got a ticket?
Inspector: Me, sir?
Passenger: Yes, you.
Inspector: No, I haven't got a ticket.
Passenger: Ooh, are you a famous person?
Inspector: (Flattered) Famous? Well, not
very (Back to normal) Sir, I
am a ticket inspector. I inspect
tickets. Are you going to show
me your ticket?
Passenger: No, I haven't got a ticket.
Inspector see.
(The ticket inspector puts his
hand into his pocket.)
Passenger: 'What are you going to do?
Inspector: I'm going to write your name
in my book.
Passenger: Oh
Inspector: What is your name, sir?
Passenger: Mickey Mouse,
(The inspector begins to
write.)
Inspector: Mickey
Passenger: Mouse. M-O-U-S-E.
(The inspector stops writing.)
Inspector: Your name, sir?
Passenger: Karl Marx? William
Shakespeare? Charles
Dickens?
Inspector: I see, sir. Well, if you're not
going to tell me your name,
please leave the train,
Passenger: Pardon?
Inspector: Leave the train.
Passenger: I can't.
Inspector: You can't what?
Passenger: I can't leave the train.
Inspector: Why not?
Passenger: It's moving,
Inspector: Not now, sir. At the next station.
Passenger: Oh.
Inspector: It's in the book, sir. When you
travel by train, you buy a ticket,
and if you don't buy a ticket,
you
Passenger-Inspector: leave the train.
Inspector: Here we are, sir. We're coming
to a station. Please leave the
train now.
Passenger: Now?
Inspector: Yes, sir. I'm sorry, but
Passenger: Oh, that's OK.
Inspector: it's in the book, and what did
you say?
Passenger: I said: That's OK.'
Inspector: OK?
Passenger: Yes, this is my station.
Goodbye.
(The passenger leaves the
train.)
SKETCHES 77
Tea break
Scene: A rehearsal room in a theatre
Characters: Five actors taking a tea break:
Tom, Jerry, Jane, Martin, Sara
Jerry: All right. That's enough. It's time for
a cup of tea.
Tom: Oh, good, A cup of tea. I can't wait.
(Jerry, Jane, Martin and Sara sit
down, there is no chair for Tom)
Jane: OK, Tom, make the tea
Tom: Me
Sara: Yes, make the tea.
Tom: Make the tea? Me?
Jane: Why not?
Tom: All right. What do I have to do? I
mean, how do you make tea?
Jerry: Huh! He doesn't know how to make
tea!
Tom: OK, Jerry. How do you make tea?
Jerry: Er...I don't know.
(The others laugh)
Martin: Listen, Tom - it's easy. Put some
water in the kettle.
Sara: Put the kettle on the stove.
Jane: Light a match.
Martin: Turn on the gas.
Sara: And light the gas.
Jane: Then put some tea in the teapot -
Tom: It sounds a bit complicated.
Jane: Oh, come on! It's easy!
Martin: Listen, Tom. You don't have to make
the tea.
Tom: Oh, good.
Martin: You can get some from the cafe.
Tom: Oh. OK. See you later.
(Tom goes towards the door.)
Jerry: Wait a minute!
Tom: What?
Jane: You don't know what we want yet.
Tom: Oh, yes. Sorry. What do you all
want? Sara?
Sara: I'd like a cup of tea - with no milk
and no sugar.
Tom: One tea - no milk, no sugar. Jane?
Jane: I'd like a cup of tea - with lots of milk
and no sugar.
Tom: Lots of milk - no tea Right.
Jane: No sugar!
Tom: No sugar. Right. Jerry?
Jerry: I'd like a lemon tea and a big cream
cake.
Tom: A lemon cake and a cream tea.
Jerry: Careful!
Tom: What do you want, Martin?
Martin: A whisky and soda.
Tom: With milk and sugar?
Martin: Of course.
(Tom wants to check the orders.)
Tom: OK. Let me get this right. Sara, you
want a cup of tea, with no milk and
no sugar.
Sara: Yes. Oh...No. On second thoughts, I
think I'd prefer coffee.
Tom: Coffee.
Sara: Yes, a cup of coffee - with milk and
sugar.
Tom: Right. So - it's one coffee with milk
and sugar, and one tea with milk and
sugar.
Jane: No sugar!
Tom: No sugar. Right. Jerry, you want a
lemon tea and a big cream cake.
Jerry: That's right.
Tom: And Martin - you want a whisky and
soda.
Martin: With milk and sugar.
Tom: With milk and sugar. Right. OK. See
you in a minute.
(Tom leaves. Very soon, he comes back.)
Tom: Right, Here you are. One coffee and
soda, one whisky and cream, one
lemon and milk, and one big sugar
cake. All right?
Jane: Martin?
Martin: Yes?
Jane: Go and make some tea.
78 SKETCHES
The King of Boonland
Scene: In front of Buckingham Palace
Characters: A guard, a sergeant, the King
of Boonland
The guard and the sergeant march to the
sentry-box.
Sergeant: Quick march! Left, right, left,
right, left, right, left, right!
Halt!... Right turn!. Bradshaw!
Guard: Sir!
Sergeant: You are guarding Buckingham
Palace.
Guard: Yes, sir!
Sergeant: Don't forget!
Guard: No, sir!
(The sergeant leaves. The guard
stands silently. The King of Boonland
comes up to the guard.)
King: Good morning...Hello!...Nice day,
isn't it?...Do you speak English?...
Sprechen Sie espanol?.I think he's
deaf. Oh, well...
(The King starts to go into the
Palace.)
Guard: Oh
King: Oh! He can talk!
Guard: Where are you going?
King: I'm going into Buckingham Palace.
Guard: Stand there!
King: I don't want to stand there. I want to
go in there.
Guard: Stand there!!
King: Oh, all right,
Guard: Who do you think you are?
King: I'm Fred, King of Boonland.
Guard: Well, listen to me, Fred King -
King: No, no, my name isn't Fred King. I
am King Fred.
Guard: Are you trying to tell me that you
are a real king?
King: Yes. I am the King of Boonland
Guard: Boonland?
King: Yes
Guard: And where exactly is Boonland?
King: Huh! You don't know where
Boonland is?
Guard: No.
King: Oh. OK, look at my map...
(The King finds his map.)
King: Yes, here we are. Now, this is a map
of the world.
Guard: Yes.
King: And Boonland is here.
Guard: That is the Atlantic Ocean.
King: Yes - and Boonland is in the middle.
Guard: What? In the middle of the Atlantic?
King: Yes.
Guard: I don't believe you.
King: Eh?
Guard: I think you are trying to get into
Buckingham Palace.
King: That's right. I am.
Guard: Well, you can't.
King: Yes, I can. Wait a minute - I can
prove I'm the King of Boonland.
Look!
Guard: It's a five-pound note.
King: No, it's not five pounds.
Guard: Isn't it?
King: No, it's five boonos.
Guard: Five boonos?
King: Yes.
(The guard looks at the note.)
Guard: Oh, yes! Five boonos. So this is the
money you use in Boonland.
King: Yes, it is.
Guard: How many boonos are there in a
pound?
King: Half a million.
Guard: Half a million?
King: Yes, and there are one hundred
boonitos in a boono.
Guard: Now, listen to me -
King: Ah! I can prove I'm the King of
Boonland. There's a picture of me on
the one-boonito coin. Um...Have you
got change for ten boonitos?
Guard: No, I haven't!
King: Oh. It's all right. Look - one boonito
coin, with a picture of me on it.
Guard: Oh, yes. A picture of you. (The King
nods.)
Guard: Tell me - why do you want to go into
the Palace?
King: I am here to bring the Queen the
good wishes of the people of
Boonland.
Guard: The good wishes of the people of
Boonland?
King: Yes.
Guard: How many people are there in
Boonland?
King: Well, there's me, and my mother,
and -
Guard: No, No! All together! What's the
population of Boonland?
SKETCHES 79
King: Ah - well, there are the people in the
capital -
Guard: In the capital?
King: Yes, Boonland City. And there are
the people who live in the mountains
- we call them 'the mountain people'.
Guard: Very clever.
King: And there are the people who live in
the lake,
Guard: In the lake?!
King: Yes
Guard: What do you call them?
King: Stupid.
(They laugh.)
Guard: So, there are the people in the capital
-
King: Boonland City.
Guard: And the people who live in the
mountains -
King: The mountain people.
Guard: And the people who live in the lake.
King: The idiots.
Guard: How many is that all together?
King: Um. ..Fourteen.
Guard: Fourteen?!
King: Yes. And we want to give the Queen
a special Boonese present,
Guard: A special present from Boonland?
King: Yes - here it is!
(The King takes a banana from his
bag.)
Guard: But that's a banana.
King: I know.
Guard: What's so special about a banana?
King: It isn't an ordinary banana.
Guard: Isn't it?
King: No. Put it in your ear.
Guard: What?!
King: Put the banana in your ear.
Guard: Why?
King: Just put the banana in your ear!
Guard: All right.
(The guard puts the banana in his
ear.)
King: Can you hear anything?
Guard: Oh, yes!
King: What does it sound like?
Guard: It sounds like an elephant with
toothache.
King: What?! That is the National Song of
Boonland. (He sings) Oh, Boonland!
Guard: Oh!
King: It's all right - I'm speaking Boonese.
*/!* is a word in Boonese.
Guard: And what exactly does */!* mean?
King: It means 'land of sunshine and
bananas'
(The King sneezes.)
Guard: What does that mean?
King: It means I've got a bad cold. Now
give me the banana, because I don't
want to be late for tea with the
Queen.
Guard: Oh, right, sir. Here you are, sir.
(The guard gives back the banana.)
King: Thank you very much. Oh, this is for
you.
Guard: What is it?
King: Half a million boonos.
Guard: Half a million boonos?!
King: Yes. Go and buy yourself a cup of tea
80 SKETCHES
The restaurant
Scene: The customers' home in
London, and then a restaurant
in London
Characters: Customer A, Customer B, the
manager of the restaurant
Manfred Schmidt, a Spanish
guitarist
A and B are at home.
Customer A: Let's go to a restaurant
tonight.
Customer B: OK.
Customer A: Somewhere different.
Customer B: All right. Let's have a look in
the newspaper.(B opens the
newspaper.)
Customer B: Er... Cinemas... Theatres...
Restaurants. Ooh, this sounds
nice. (Reading) 'London's
newest restaurant. The
Trattoria Romantica'
Customer A: It sounds good.
Customer B: The Trattoria Romantica. The
best French restaurant in
London.
Customer A: French?
Customer B: Yes.
Customer A: 'Trattoria Romantica sounds
Italian.
Customer B: It says French here.
Customer A: What else does it say?
Customer B: 'Open every evening -'
Customer A: Good.
Customer B: 'from 7.30 to 7.45.'
Customer A: What? Fifteen minutes?
Customer B: It must be a mistake.
Customer A: I hope so. Anything else?
Customer B: Yes. 'Music every evening -'
Customer A: Good.
Customer B: ' from our Spanish guitarist '
Customer A: Spanish guitarist?
Customer B: 'Manfred Schmidt.'
Customer A: Manfred Schmidt?!
Customer B: Yes. Oh, and there's a picture
of the manager.
Customer A: What's his name?
Customer B: Stavros Papadopoulos.
Customer A: Stavros Papadopoulos?
Customer B: Yes.
Customer A: But that's a Greek name.
Customer B: Yes.
Customer A: So it's an Italian restaurant,
serving French food...The
Spanish guitarist has got a
German name...And the manager's
Greek.
Customer B: That's right. It sounds very
international. Let's try it.
Customer A: All right,
(Later, They arrive at the
restaurant.)
Customer B: Well, here we are - the
Trattoria Romantica.
Customer A: There's no one here, (Calling)
Hello?
(The manager appears. He is
not very friendly.)
Manager: Yes?
Customer A: Oh, good evening. Is this the
Trattoria Romantica!
Manager: I don't know. I only work here,
Customer A: Pardon?
Manager: Yes, yes, yes. This is the
Trattoria Romantica, but we're
closed for lunch.
Customer B: Closed for lunch? But it's nine
o'clock.
Manager: Ah. In that case, we're closed
for breakfast.
Customer B: It's nine o'clock in the evening.
Manager: (Friendly) Yes, of course it is.
Just a little joke. Allow me to
introduce myself. I am Stavros
Papadopoulos, the manager of
the Trattoria Romantica. What
can I do for you?
Customer B: We'd like a table for two,
please.
Manager: Have you got a reservation?
Customer B: Er...No.
Manager: Ah. That's a problem.
Customer A: But the restaurant is empty,
Manager: Is it? Oh, yes. Er.. .a table for
two...
(He looks around the restaurant.)
Manager: Yes, Here you are a lovely
table for two.
Customer A: Thank you.
(A and B sit down at the
table.)
Manager: Is everything all right?
Customer B: Yes, thank you.
Manager: Good. That's £12.50, please.
Customer B: What?
Manager: £12.50.
Customer A: What for?
Manager: For the chairs.
Customer A: The chairs?!
Manager: Yes, £6.25 each
Customer B: There must be some mistake.
Manager: Oh, sorry, £6.30. That's
£12,60 altogether. And of
course £37 for the table,
Customer B: £37 for the table?!
Manager: That's…er...£49.60 altogether.
Customer A: Look here.
SKETCHES 81
Manager: Service not included.
Customer B: Service?!
Manager: Would you like to pay separately
or together?
Customer A: Look - we don't want the table
or the chairs.
Manager: Oh, you want to sit on the
floor,
Customer B: No, we don't want to take
them away,
Manager: That's good. We don't have a
take-away service.
Customer B: We want to sit here and eat
something.
Manager: Eat something?
Customer B: Yes
Manager: Ah.
Customer B: Can we see the menu, please?
Manager: Er...yes. There you are.
(He gives them a very small
menu.)
Customer A: It's a very small menu.
Manager: It's a very small restaurant.
Now, what would you like?
Customer B: (Looking at the menu) let's
see, (Reading) 'Egg and chips.
Double egg and chips, Double
egg and double chips.'
Customer A: Um... Isn't this a French
restaurant'
Manager: Oh, yes. Sorry. Give me the
menu.
(The manager takes the
menu)
Manager: Thank you. Have you got a
pencil?
Customer B: Here you are
(B gives the manager a pencil.)
Manager: Thank you.
(He writes on the menu.)
Manager: There is a French menu.
(He gives the menu back to B.)
Customer B: (Reading) 'Oeuf et pommes
frites. Deux oeufs et pommes
frites. Deux oeufs et deux
pommes frites.'
(B puts the menu on the
table.)
Customer A: What if you don't like eggs?
Manager: Have the chips.
Customer B: What if you don't like chips?
Manager: Have the eggs.
Customer A: What if you don't like eggs or
chips?
Manager: Have a sandwich.
Customer B: A sandwich?
Manager: Yes, I've got one here in my
pocket
(He puts a sandwich on the
table.)
Customer B: Thank you. Er...what's in this
sandwich?
Manager: Sand.
Customer A- Customer B: Sand?!
Manager: Yes, sand. That's why it's
called a sandwich - because of
the sand which is inside it.
Customer A: (To B) Come on, let's go.
Manager: What's the matter? You're not
going already, are you?
Customer B: Yes.
Manager: Why?
Customer A: Because this must be the
worst restaurant in London.
Manager: No, it isn't.
Customer B: Isn't it?
Manager: No. I've got another one round
the corner. It's much worse'
than this one. Anyway, people
don't come here for the food.
Customer A: I'm not surprised.
Manager: No, they come here for the
music.
Customer B: The music?
Manager: Yes. Allow me to present
Manfred Schmidt and his
Spanish guitar.
(Manfred comes in with his
guitar.)
Manfred Ole! Guten Abend,
meine Damen und Herren
Customer A: Stavros?
Manager: Yes?
Customer A: What can Manfred play?
Manager: Anything you like.
Customer A: Really?
Manager: Yes, anything at all,
Customer A: Good. Tell him to play football.
Manager: Football? What do you mean?
Customer A: We're leaving. Goodbye,
Manager: Oh, goodbye. Do come again.
Don't forget, to tell your
friends!
(A and B leave the restaurant.)
Manager: That's the trouble with English
people, Manfred.
Manfred: What's that, Stavros?
Manager: They don't know a good
restaurant when they see one.
82 SKETCHES
The doctor
Scene: A doctor's consulting-room
Characters: The doctor, a student-doctor, a
patient
The doctor is sitting at his desk. The telephone
rings, the student-doctor is calling.
Doctor: Hello?
Student: Doctor Watson?
Doctor: Yes?
Student: My name's Smith.
Doctor: What's the matter with you?
Student: Nothing, doctor. I'm fine,
Doctor: Really? In that case, why are you
calling?
Student: Well, I'm a doctor.
Doctor: You're a doctor?
Student: Actually, I'm a student-doctor.
Doctor: You're a student?
Student: Doctor.
Doctor: Yes?
Student: Er... I'm a student-doctor.
Doctor: Ah! A student-doctor!
Student: Yes, I'm studying to be a doctor,
doctor.
Doctor: A doctor-doctor? What's a doctordoctor?
Student: Well, you're a doctor, doctor.
Doctor: Am I?
Student: Yes, and I'd like to come and watch
you working.
Doctor: Fine. Come any time. Goodbye
(The doctor puts the telephone
down. There is a knock at the
door.)
Doctor: Come in!
(The patient enters. He has one
arm in a sling.)
Patient: Good morning, doctor.
Doctor: (To the patient) Ah, you must be
the student-doctor.
Patient: Pardon?
Doctor: Student-doctor.
Patient: Student-doctor? No. actually. I'm -
Doctor: Sit down.
(The patient sits down)
Doctor: Now, you want to watch me working.
Patient: Er...No, actually, I'm not a -
(There is another knock at the
door.)
Doctor: Ah, That'll be my first patient.
Come in!
(The student-doctor comes in.)
Student: Good morning, doctor,
Doctor: Good morning (To the studentdoctor,
indicating the patient) This
is a student-doctor. He's come to
watch me working, (To the patient,
indicating the student-doctor) This
is a patient, I'm going to ask her a
few questions,
Student: Doctor?
Doctor: Yes?
Student: I'm a student-doctor,
Doctor: Really?
Student: Yes
Doctor: (To the patient, indicating the student-
doctor) she's a student-doctor,
like you
Patient: I'm not a student-doctor,
Doctor: You're not a student?
Patient: Yes?
Student: I think he's a patient, doctor.
Doctor: A patient doctor? That's marvelous!
Patient doctors are the
best kind.
Student: No! I'm a student-doctor - he's a
patient.
Doctor: I'm a student-doctor - he's a
patient.
Patient: No! I'm a patient - you're a doctor.
Doctor: I'm a patient - you're a doctor,
Patient-Student: No!!
Student: You're a doctor- he's a patient!
Doctor: You're a doctor, he's a patient!
Patient- Student: No!!
Patient: You're a doctor - she's a studentdoctor.
Doctor: You're a doctor - she's a studentdoctor.
Patient Student: No!!
Student: (Indicating) Student-doctor... doctor...
patient, doctor.
Patient: (Indicating) Patient... doctor... student-
doctor, doctor.
(Doctor Pointing in various directions):
Doctor, doctor, doctor, doctor,
doctor, doctor! (Indicating correctly)
Patient... doctor... studentdoctor.
Student-Patient: Yes"
Doctor: Well, I'm glad that's all clear.
Goodbye.
Student: Doctor?
Doctor: Yes?
Student: I think you should examine the
patient.
Doctor: Examine him?
Student: Find out what's wrong.
Doctor: What a good idea! Now, when you
examine a patient, the first thing
you must do is tell the patient to
sit down. You try it.
Student: (To the patient) Sit down.
Patient: I'm already sitting down.
Student: He's already sitting down.
Doctor: Ah, this is a very common problem.
If the patient is already sitting
down, don't tell him to sit down.
Student: Oh. (To the patient) Don't sit
down.
Patient: Oh. Right.
(The patient stands up.)
Doctor: Sit down!
Patient: Right.
(The patient sits down.)
Doctor: Now, when the patient is sitting
down, what's the first thing you
SKETCHES 83
should do?
Student: Take his temperature?
(She feels the patient's forehead.)
Doctor: No.
Student: Feel his pulse?
(She feels the patient's pulse) (on
his good arm).
Doctor: No.
Student: Tell him to say 'Aah'?
Doctor: Pardon?
Student: Say 'Aah'.
Doctor: 'Aah!'
Student: No - him.
Doctor: 'Himmm!'
Student: No! Tell him to say 'Aah'.
Doctor: Ah! Him! (To the patient) Say
'Aah'.
Patient: Pardon?
Doctor: Say 'Aah'.
Patient: Good!
Patient: Actually, doctor, the problem is my
arm -
Doctor: Now we can ask the patient some
questions.
Student: Questions?
Doctor: Yes - and here they are.
(The doctor gives the student doctor
a list of questions.)
Doctor: Go on - you can ask him the questions.
Student: Oh. Right.
Doctor: (To the patient) now listen very
carefully, because we have some
very important questions for you.
Patient: But doctor, the problem is -
Doctor: (To the student-doctor) Read the
first question.
Student: Are you Mrs. Elisabeth Robinson of
45 Shakespeare Avenue?
Patient: No.
Doctor: Correct.
Student: Is this your first baby?
Patient: What?
Doctor: Try the next one.
Student: What is the capital of Uruguay?
Patient: Montevideo.
Doctor: Correct. Well, there's nothing
wrong with his South American
geography.
Patient: But doctor -
Doctor: You're fine. You can go now.
Student: Doctor!
Doctor: Yes?
Student: I really think you should examine
the patient.
Doctor: Good idea.
(The doctor places his stethoscope
on the patient's chest.)
Doctor: Cough. (The patient coughs.)
Doctor: Cough.(The patient coughs.)
Doctor: Cough.(The patient coughs.)
Doctor: Cough (The patient coughs.)
Doctor: Cough (The patient coughs.)
Doctor: I know what's wrong with him,
Student: What'
Doctor: He's got a cough
Student: He's got a cough?!
Doctor: Yes and I, Doctor Watson, have got
the answer.
(The doctor produces a bottle of
medicine from his pocket.)
Doctor: (Pointing at the bottle) 'Doctor
Watson's Universal Cough
Remedy.'
Student: 'Doctor Watson's Universal Cough
Remedy?
Doctor: Yes
Student: But what about his arm?
Doctor: Er.. (Pointing at the bottle again)
'Doctor Watson's Universal Cough
and Arm Remedy,'
Student: 'Universal Cough and Arm
Remedy'?
Doctor: Yes - and this is how it works. He
can drink it
(He makes the patient drink some
of the medicine.)
Patient: Aaargh!
Doctor: But it tastes horrible. Or he can
rub it on his back -
(He rubs some of the medicine on
the patient's back.)
Doctor: But he must mix it with water first.
Patient: Aa...aaa...aaargh!
Doctor: As you can see, he's feeling much
better now. All he needs is six
months in hospital. Let's take him
away.
Student: Where? To the hospital?
Doctor: No, to the bus stop. Come on!
(The doctor and the student-doctor
help the patient to his feet, and
they all leave.)
84 SKETCHES
Gussett and Rose
Scene: A street
Characters: Two Englishmen: Albert
Gussett and Harold Rose
The two men pass in the street.
Rose: Goodness me!
Gussett: Well I never!
Rose: Herbert Bishop!
Gussett: Arthur Trigwell!
Rose: No...Actually my name's Harold
Rose.
Gussett: I'm Albert Gussett, as a matter of
fact.
Rose: Albert Gussett, Of course
Gussett: And you're Harold Rose. Of course
you are,
Rose: Well I never!
Gussett: Goodness me!
(They hesitate for a moment.)
Rose: Well, how are you, then?
Gussett: Fine, fine, How's Alice?
Rose: Alice?
Gussett: Yes, Alice, Your wife's name's
Alice, isn't it?
Rose: No, no...Gloria, actually,
Gussett: Oh, yes. Gloria Trigwell
Rose: Er… Rose.
Gussett: Rose Trigwell?
Rose: No, Gloria Rose,
Gussett: Gloria Rose, Of course. How is she?
Rose: She's very well. How's,. ,er...
Gussett: Doris?
Rose: Yes, Doris, your wife. How is she?
Gussett: Oh, she's very well.
Rose: Good, good.
Gussett: - but she isn't my wife.
Rose: No?
Gussett: I'm not married.
Rose: Oh.
Gussett: Doris is my sister.
Rose: Oh, yes
(They hesitate again for a
moment.)
Rose: Well, it is a small world, isn't it,
Herbert?
Gussett: Albert.
Rose: Albert, yes. It seems like yesterday.
Gussett: Yes, it certainly does...
Rose: When we were at that awful school
together.
Gussett: School?
Rose: Yes. Doesn't time fly?
Gussett: We weren't at school together.
Rose: Do you remember that awful
English teacher with black teeth?
Gussett: We weren't at school together.
Rose: Weren't we?
Gussett: No, we were in the Army together.
Rose: We weren't,
Gussett: Weren't we?
Rose: I was in the Navy.
Gussett: Oh
(They hesitate again for a
moment.)
Rose: Er... Albert, I mean Herbert -
Gussett: No, no, Albert's my name.
Rose: Er, yes...Albert, how do we know
each other?
Gussett: I was just wondering about that
myself, er...
Rose: Harold.
Gussett: Yes, Harold. Er...Are you an architect?
Rose: Yes! Are you an architect?
Gussett: No, I'm a taxi-driver.
Rose: Oh.
(They hesitate again.)
Gussett: Are you interested in boxing?
Rose: No, not at all.
Gussett: Ah
Rose: Do you go to the theatre?
Gussett: I went once about twenty years
ago.
Rose: I see.
Gussett: Do you take your holidays in
Brighton?
Rose: No, never.
Gussett: Mmm.
Rose: Do you play golf?
Gussett: No, I don't.
Rose: Well, that's not it then.
(They hesitate again.)
Rose: Do you know. Albert. I don't think
we've met before.
Gussett: No, you're right. We haven't.
Rose: Well, er...l'm Harold Rose,
Gussett : And I'm Albert Gussett.
Rose: How do you do?
Gussett: How do you do?
(They shake hands.)
SKETCHES 85
Hotel Splendido
Scene: The reception desk at a hotel
in England
Characters: The receptionist, an English
tourist
The tourist arrives at the reception desk; he
is wearing shorts and a very bright, multicoloured
shirt.
Receptionist: Good afternoon, sir. Welcome
to the Hotel Splendido.
Tourist: Thank you.
Receptionist: Pointing at the tourist) Good
heavens! Look at that!
Tourist: (Alarmed) What? Look at
what?
(The receptionist indicates the
tourist's shirt.)
Receptionist: Your shirt!
Tourist: My shirt?
Receptionist: Yes!
Tourist: Do you like it?
Receptionist: No!
Tourist: No?
Receptionist: No, It's horrible.
Tourist: I beg your pardon?
Receptionist: It's horrible! But for you, it's a
good shirt,
Tourist: Thank you.
Receptionist: Because when people look at
you, they look at the shirt.
Tourist: I know.
Receptionist: And that's good - because if
they look at the shirt, they
don't look at the shorts.
Tourist: What?
Receptionist: And the shorts are really horrible.
Tourist: Now, listen. I didn't come here
to be insulted by you.
Receptionist: Oh, you want somebody else
to do it, (Calling) Hey, George,
come here for a minute!
Tourist: Stop! Look, I want to book a
room.
Receptionist: Book a room?
Tourist: Yes. Have you got one?
Receptionist: What? A book or a room?
Tourist: A room! Have you got a room?
Receptionist: Yes, we've got lots of rooms.
It's a big hotel.
Tourist: Yes, but have you got a room
free?
Receptionist: Free?
Tourist: Yes.
Receptionist: No! You have to pay for it!
Tourist: I mean, Have you got a room
with no one in it?
Receptionist: I don't know.
Tourist: Well, can you have a look in
the book?
Receptionist: Pardon?
Tourist: Have a look in the book.
Receptionist: A look in the book?
Tourist: Yes. Have a look in the book.
Receptionist: OK.
(The receptionist picks up the
guest registration book, opens
it, looks quickly at it and closes
it again.)
Receptionist: OK. I've had a look in the
book.
Tourist: And what do you think?
Receptionist: It's a nice book.
Tourist: Look! Have you got a room, or
haven't you?
Receptionist: OK, OK. OK!
(The receptionist looks at the
book again.)
Receptionist: Yes, we've got a room.
Tourist: Good.
Receptionist: A single room.
Tourist: No good, I need a double room
Receptionist: Ah yes, for you and your shirt.
Tourist: No! For me and my wife. She's
arriving this evening.
Receptionist: Ah (Looking at the book again)
Yes. we've got a double room.
Tourist: Good! How much is it?
Receptionist: How much?
Tourist: Yes
Receptionist: (Demonstrating with her
arms) It's about this long and
about this wide and about this
high.
Tourist: No! Not how big, how much?
Receptionist: Ah! Ten pounds.
Tourist: Ten pounds.
Receptionist: Yes. Ten pounds for you, ten
pounds for your wife, and fifty
pounds for the horrible shirt.
Tourist: Fifty pounds for the shirt?!
That's ridiculous!
Receptionist: It's a ridiculous shirt!
Tourist: Now you listen to me. I don't
like your attitude.
Receptionist: I don't like your shirt,
Tourist: I'm going to complain to the
manager.
Receptionist: She's not here.
Tourist: Where is she?
Receptionist: In hospital.
Tourist: In hospital? Oh dear. Did she
have an accident?
Receptionist: Not exactly. She had dinner in
the hotel.
Tourist: Well, I would just like to say
that you are the most unhelpful,
the most unpleasant, the
worst receptionist that I have
met in my life.
Receptionist: (Pleased) Thank you very
much.
Tourist: And I am going to report you
to the manager!
Receptionist: Fine. Shall I give you the
phone number of the hospital?
Tourist: Right, that's enough! My wife
and I are not going to stay at
this hotel, I'll go and book a
room at the hotel next door.
Receptionist: OK. See you there.
Tourist: Pardon?
Receptionist: I'll see you there.
Tourist: What?
Receptionist: This is my last day at this
hotel. I lost my job this morning,
I start work tomorrow at
the hotel next door.
Tourist: (Leaving) Oh, no!
Receptionist: See you tomorrow!
86 SKETCHES
The passport office
Scene: A passport office in Britain
Characters: The passport office clerk, a
man who wants a passport,
the man's girl-friend
The clerk is working at her desk. The man
comes in and coughs twice.
Clerk: Oh, good morning. Can I help you?
Man: Yes. Have you got any passports?
Clerk: Yes, we have.
Man: Oh, good. The shop next door hasn't
got any. I'd like twenty, please.
Clerk: Twenty?
Man: Yes. All different colors.
Clerk: I'm sorry. That's impossible.
Man: All right. All the some color.
Clerk: No, no - it's impossible to have
twenty passports.
Man: Is it?
Clerk: Yes. You can only have one.
Man: Oh, all right. One passport, please.
(He offers some money.)
Clerk: Just a minute. It isn't as easy as
that. You have to answer some
questions.
Man: Oh,
Clerk: What kind of passport do you want?
Man: What kind of passport?
Clerk: Yes
Man: A big round yellow one.
Clerk: We've only got small blue rectangular
ones. When I say 'What kind?' I
mean: How long?
Man: How long?
Clerk: How long? Five years? Ten years?
Man: I want it today,
Clerk: No, I mean: How long do you want it
to last?
Man: How long do I want it to last?
Clerk: Yes
Man: A hundred years.
Clerk: A hundred years?!
Man: Yes.
Clerk: You can't have a passport for a hundred
years.
Man: Why not?
Clerk: Er...I don't know. All right - a passport
for a hundred years. Now, we
have to fill in this form, Er..Do sit
down.
Man: Oh, thank you. He sits down.
Clerk: Now...first question. Name
Man: William Shakespeare.
Clerk: William Shakespeare?
Man: Yes
Clerk: Is that your name?
Man: No, but it's a very nice name.
Clerk: Yes, but what's your name?
Man: Oh, my name. Sorry.
Clerk: Well, what is it?
Man: Smith.
Clerk: (Writing) Smith,
Man: (In a high voice) That's right. Smith,
S-M-I-T-H.
Clerk: Pardon?
Man: Smith, that's right.
Clerk: And what's your first name, Mr.
Smith?
Man: (In a high voice) Charles.
Clerk: Pardon?
Man: Charles.
Clerk: (Writing) Charles.
Man: (In a low voice) That's right.
(The clerk is puzzled.)
Clerk: Mr. Smith?
Man: (In a high voice) Yes?
Clerk: There's something rather strange
about the way you speak.
Man: Is there?
Clerk: Yes. When I say your family name -
Man: Smith,
Clerk: Yes, Smith
Man : (In a high voice) Yes?
Clerk: Your voice goes up.
Man: Does it?
Clerk: Yes. And when I say your first name
Man: Charles.
Clerk: Yes, Charles
Man: (In a low voice) Yes?
Clerk: Your voice goes down.
SKETCHES 87
Man: Er...yes, it's true. It's a very big
problem when I'm having a conversation.
Clerk: That's right.
Man: But there is a solution.
Clerk: What is it?
Man: You can call me by a different name.
Clerk: A different name?
Man: Yes. Then we can have a normal
conversation.
Clerk: Oh, good. What name would you
like?
Man: Brunhilde.
Clerk: What?
Man: Call me Brunhilde.
Clerk: Brunhilde -
Man: Schwarzkopf.
Clerk: I beg your pardon?
Man: Schwarzkopf.Brunhilde Schwarzkopf.
Just write it down.
Clerk: (Suspicious) Write it down?
Man: Oh, yes - you must write it down.
You see, if I see my real name on a
piece of paper, my voice goes funny.
(In a high voice) Look, there it is
(He tops the form.)
Man: (In a high voice) - Quick! Smith!
Cross it out! Cross it out!
Clerk: Oh. Right.
(The clerk crosses out his name.)
Man: That's better.
Clerk: (Writing) Now...Brunhilde
Schwarzkopf. Well, Miss
Schwarzkopf, there are one or two
more questions. Er...Question two:
Address.
Man: Pardon?
Clerk: Address.
Man: No, it isn't.
Clerk: What?
Man: It isn't a dress. I'm not wearing a
dress. It's a raincoat.
Clerk: No, no - address, address!
Man: No, no - a raincoat, a raincoat!
Clerk: Look - where do you live?
Man: Oh, where do I live?
Clerk: Yes.
Man: Round the corner.
Clerk: Can you be more exact?
Man: Er...just round the corner.
Clerk: Brunhilde! What is your address?
Man: OK,OK. My address is 14...Brunhilde
Street.
Clerk: (Writing) 14, Bain - Ah! That means
14 Smith Street, doesn't it?
Man: (In a high voice) No - 14, Charles
Street.
Clerk: 14, Charles Street.
Man: (In a low voice) That's right.
Clerk: Now. ..nationality.
Man: Er...just write 'British'.
Clerk: Are you British?
Man: It doesn't matter. Just write 'British'.
Clerk: Brunhilde, are you or are you not
British?
Man: That is a very good question.
Clerk: And what is the answer?
Man: It's a bit complicated.
Clerk: All right, then. Let's start at the
beginning. Where were you born?
Man: I don't remember.
Clerk: You don't remember.
Man: No
Clerk: Why not?
Man: I was very young at the time.
Clerk: Well, what about your father and
mother?
Man: They were older than me.
Clerk: Brunhilde! Tell me about your mother.
Man: She was very nice...tall, with a long
black beard.
Clerk: Your mother?
Man: Oh no, that was my father...
Clerk: (Angry) All right! That's enough! I
don't want to hear any more! Just
take your passport
Man: Oh, thank you.
(She gives him a passport.)
Clerk: put a photograph in it, and go anywhere
in the world. But don't come
back here!
(She leaves the office.)
Man : Hmmm...A British passport, in the
name of Brunhilde Schwarzkopf.
Excellent. Brunhilde!
(His girl-friend Brunhilde, comes in.)
Brunhilde: Ja?
Man: I've got a passport for you.
Brunhilde: Ja?
Man: Now we can go anywhere in
the world.
Brunhilde: Ja?
Man: What about a holiday in the
sun?
Brunhilde: Ja?
Man: (To himself) She doesn't
understand a word I say,
Brunhilde: Ja?
88 SKETCHES
Fire practice
Scene: A fire Station
Characters: Boggins, Coggins, Foggins
The fire chief is in the fire station.
Someone knocks loudly at the door.
Fire chief: Come in! (Foggins comes in.)
Foggins: Don't panic!!!
Fire chief: Can I help you?
Foggins: Yes, I want a job.
Fire chief: You want a job?
Foggins: Yes. I want to be a fireman.
Fire chief: You want to be a fireman?
Foggins: That's right.
Fire chief: Why do you want to be a fireman?
Foggins: Well, I like smashing things - like
doors, and windows, and tables.
Fire chief: Well, I don't know...
Foggins: Please
Fire chief: What's your name?
Foggins: Foggins.
Fire chief: Foggins?
Foggins: Yeah, 'Smasher' Foggins.
Fire chief: Well, Mr. Foggins, do you know
anything about the Fire Service?
For example, what is the most
important thing in a fireman's
equipment?
Foggins: What is...the meaning of the word
'equipment'?
Fire chief: Equipment...you know...things,
What is the most important thing
a fireman's got?
Foggins: His axe.
Fire chief: Wrong.
Foggins: What is it, then?
Fire chief: His telephone.
Foggins: His telephone?
Fire chief: Yes, Foggins.
Foggins: You can't smash doors with a
telephone.
Fire chief: That's right, Foggins, But when
this telephone rings, someone is
in trouble. When this telephone
rings, someone needs help. When
this telephone rings, someone
needs the Fire Service.
(The telephone rings. The fire
chief answers it.)
Fire chief: Not now, I'm busy.
(He puts down the telephone.)
Fire chief: (To Foggins) So, Foggins, the
most important part of our equipment
is,
Foggins: the telephone.
Fire chief: Right! OK, Foggins, I've got an
idea, you can do fire practice
today with the new firemen.
Would you like to meet them?
Foggins: Yes, please,
Fire chief: Good. Boggins!
(Boggins comes in.)
Boggins: Sir!
Fire chief: Coggins!
(Coggins comes in.)
Coggins: Sir!
Fire chief: Foggins, This is Boggins and
Coggins. Boggins, Coggins and
Foggins, Coggins, Foggins and
Foggins.Right - fire practice.
Question one. Boggins!
Boggins: Yes, sir!
Fire chief: Where do most fires start?
Boggins: In a box of matches, sir.
Fire chief: No. Coggins?
Coggins: Don't know, sir.
Fire chief: Foggins?
Foggins: What was the question again?
Fire chief: Where do most fires start?
Foggins: At the fire station.
Fire chief: No, Foggins. The answer is: In
your house.
Foggins: What?!
Fire chief: Yes, Foggins. In your house.
Foggins: Well, I'm not staying here, then.
(Foggins goes towards the door.)
Fire chief: Where are you going?
Foggins: I'm going home.
Fire chief: Why?
Foggins: You said most fires start in my
house.
Fire chief: Not in your house, Foggins, In
everybody's house
Boggins, Coggins, Foggins: What?!
(They panic. The fire chief blows
his whistle.)
Fire chief Look - don't panic. It's just an
expression. It means 'houses in
general'.
Boggins, Coggins, Foggins: Oh!
Fire chief: Now, question two, Coggins!
Coggins: Sir!
Fire chief: What should you do if there's a
fire in your house?
Coggins: Go next door, sir.
Fire chief: No, Coggins. You should call the
Fire Service.
Coggins: Ooh, good idea, sir.
Fire chief: And that's where we start work.
Because the most important part
of our equipment is..
SKETCHES 89
Boggins Coggins Foggins: the telephone!
Fire chief: Right! Now, telephone practice.
Boggins!
Boggins: Sirl
Fire chief: Give the telephone to Coggins.
Boggins: Sir!
(Boggins gives the telephone to
Coggins.)
Fire chief: Coggins!
Coggins: Sir?
Fire chief: You are the telephone. Foggins!
Foggins: What?
Fire chief: You are the telephone bell.
Foggins: What do you mean?
Fire chief: When I blow my whistle, make a
ringing noise. Telephone practice
- begin!
(The fire chief blows his whistle.
Foggins makes a noise like an
ambulance.)
Fire chief: Not an ambulance, Foggins - a
telephone! Start again.
The fire chief blows his whistle
again.
Foggins: Ring, ring. Ring, ring.
Fire chief: Boggins,
Foggins: Ring, ring.
Boggins: Yes, sir?
Foggins: Ring, ring.
Fire chief: The telephone's ringing,
Foggins: Ring, ring.
Boggins: No, it isn't sir.
Foggins: Ring, ring,
Boggins: It's Foggins, sir. He's going 'Ring,
ring', sir.
Foggins: Ring, ring.
Boggins: There you are, sir.
Fire chief: Boggins, answer the telephone!
Foggins: Ring, ring.
Boggins: All right, sir.
Boggins picks up the telephone.
Foggins: Ring, ring. Ring, ring,
Fire chief: Foggins!
Foggins: Ring, what?
Fire chief: Stop it!
Foggins: Brrrrrr.
Boggins: Nobody there, sir.
Fire chief: Let's start again.
(Boggins puts down the telephone.)
Fire chief: Telephone practice - begin!
The fire chief blows his whistle
again.
Foggins: Ring, ring. Ring, ring.
(Boggins picks up the telephone.)
Boggins: Hello?
Fire chief: Fire station.
Boggins: Oh, hello fire station!
Fire chief: No, Boggins! You are the fire station.
Boggins: Oh, yes. Sorry, sir. Hello? Fire station.
Fire chief: (In a high voice) Help! Help!
Boggins: Is something wrong, sir?
Fire chief: No, Boggins. I am an old lady. I'm
an old lady, and my house is on
fire. That's why I'm calling the
fire station
Boggins: I see, sir.
Fire chief: Continue.
Boggins: Hello, old lady. Can I help you?
Fire chief: (In a high voice)Yes. There's a
fire in my kitchen.
Boggins: OK, We're on our way.
(Boggins puts down the telephone.)
Boggins: Was that all right, sir?
Fire chief: Boggins, where is the fire?
Boggins: In the old lady's kitchen, sir.
Fire chief: Where is the old lady's kitchen?
Boggins: In the old lady's house, sir.
Fire chief: Where is the house?
Boggins: Oh, dear!
(The telephone rings.)
Fire chief: Foggins, stop making that noise
Foggins: It's not me, it's the telephone.
Fire chief: Is it? Oh, right. Coggins!
Coggins: Sir?
Fire chief: Answer the telephone,
Coggins: Sir!
(Coggins answers the telephone.)
Coggins: Yes...Yes...Yes...Yes...Yes...Yes.
OK, we're on our way.
(Coggins puts down the telephone.)
Fire chief: Very good, Coggins. What is it?
Coggins: A fire, sir.
Fire chief: Did you get the name?
Coggins: Yes, sir.
Fire chief: Did you get the address?
Coggins: Yes, sir.
Fire chief: Do you know how to get there?
Coggins: Yes, sir.
Fire chief: Right. Get in line and don't panic.
This is your first fire. Coggins,
where's the fire?
Coggins: In Railway Street, sir,
Fire chief: In Rail - In Railway Street?!
Coggins: Yes, sir.
Fire chief: What number?
Coggins: Number 44, sir.
Fire chief: What?! Quick! Hurry up! Get out
of here and do something!
Foggins: All right, all right you said 'Don't
panic'
Fire chief: Never mind 'Don't panic'. Panic!
Boggins: What's the matter, sir? It's just a
house on fire.
Fire chief: Yes, but it's my house! Panic!
(They panic.)
90 SKETCHES
The post office
Scene: A post office in Britain
Characters: The post office clerk, a customer
The clerk is behind the counter. Some distance
from the counter, there is a sign which
says 'Wait here'. The customer enters and
waits by the sign.
Clerk: Good morning.
(The customer does not react.)
Clerk: Good morning!
(The customer still does not
react.)
Clerk: Can I help you?
Customer: Pardon?
Clerk: Can I help you?
Customer: I can't hear you!
Clerk: Can I help you?!
Customer: I can't hear you. You're too far
away
Clerk: Well, come over here.
Customer: Pardon?
Clerk: Come over here!!
Customer: Come over there?
Clerk: Yes!!!
Customer: I can't. I've got to wait here.
Clerk: No, you haven't.
Customer: Yes I have. This sign says 'Wait
here'.
Clerk: Yes, but you're the only customer.
So you can come over
here!
Customer: Oh. Right.
(The customer goes to the
counter.)
Clerk: Now...can I help you?
Customer: Can I send a parcel to Australia?
Clerk: Yes, you can
Customer: Good, I want to send this to my
daughter.
(The customer produces a large
parcel from her bag. The parcel
is shaped like a fish.)
Clerk: What's this? (Reading the label
on the parcel) 'Contents: One
coffee-pot. A coffeepot?
Customer: Yes.
Clerk: It doesn't look like a coffee-pot.
Customer: Doesn't it?
Clerk: No.
(The clerk bangs the parcel on
the counter.)
Customer: Be careful
Clerk: And it doesn't sound like a coffee-
pot. And...(Sniffing the parcel)
...it doesn't smell like a coffee-
pot. It smells like a fish,
Customer: All right, all right, it's a fish.
Clerk: Well, I'm sorry, you can't send a
fish by post.
Customer: Why not?
Clerk: Look. It's in the book: 'No food
by post.'
Customer: (Reading from the book) 'No
food by post.' Food?! This isn't
food! This is Napoleon!
Clerk: Napoleon?
Customer: Yes, Napoleon. He's my daughter's
fish. And my daughter lives
in Australia. That's why I want
to send him to Australia.
Clerk: Well, you can't send him by
post.
Customer: Please!
Clerk: No
Customer: Please!!
Clerk: Oh, all right. But there's no
name on the parcel.
Customer: Oh, sorry, (She starts writing)
'Nap-o-le-'
Clerk: Not the name of the fish, Your
daughter's name. What is your
daughter's name?
Customer: Josephine,
Clerk: Josephine, and what is her second
name?
Customer: Elisabeth.
Clerk: No - when I said 'her second
name', I meant her family
name. What is her family name?
Customer: It's the same as mine.
Clerk: Yes. But what is it?
Customer: Wellington
Clerk: Wellington.
Customer: Yes.
Clerk: So...your daughter's name is
Josephine Elisabeth: Wellington
Customer: Yes
Clerk: Address?
Customer: Pardon?
Clerk: Address, Where does she live in
Australia?
Customer: Er...
Clerk: Sydney?
Customer: No
Clerk: Melbourne?
Customer: No.
Clerk: Adelaide?
SKETCHES 91
Customer: Adelaide!
Clerk: Adelaide,
Customer: No. Ah, I remember - Vienna!
Clerk: Vienna?
Customer: Vienna.
Clerk: Vienna's in Austria.
Customer: That's what I said.
Clerk: No, you didn't. You said
'Australia'.
Customer: Did I?
Clerk: So this is going to Josephine
Wellington in Vienna, Austria.
Customer: Yes, How much is it?
Clerk: That depends on the weight.
Customer: Pardon?
Clerk: Weight,
Customer: Oh. OK.
(The customer starts walking
back to the 'Wait here' sign.)
Clerk: No! I didn't say (Indicating the
sign) 'wait'. I said (Indicating
the scales on the counter)
'weight'.
(The clerk weighs the parcel.)
Clerk: Two and a half kilos. That's
£17.50.
Customer: £17,50?! That's very expensive,
Clerk: Well, he is going by air.
Customer: By air? Napoleon can't go by air!
Clerk: Why not?
Customer: He's a fish, not a bird.
Clerk: No, he's going on an aero plane
Customer: On an aero plane?
Clerk: Yes
Customer: How extraordinary! I'm going on
an aero plane today.
Clerk: Really?
Customer: Yes. I'm going to visit my
daughter.
Clerk: Your daughter Josephine?
Customer: Yes.
Clerk: In Vienna?
Customer: Yes.
Clerk: Well, why don't you take
Napoleon with you?
Customer: Take Napoleon with me?
Clerk: Yes. On the aero plane.
Customer: Take Napoleon with me on the
aero plane?
Clerk: Yes! To Vienna!
Customer: Of course! Take Napoleon with
me on the aero plane to Vienna!
Clerk: Yes!
Customer: And then when I get to Vienna,..
Clerk: Yes!!
Customer: ...I can post him from there!
(The customer picks up the parcel
and leaves.)
92 SKETCHES
Mr. Jones
Scene: An office, at four o'clock one
afternoon
Characters: A girl, Mr. Charles Jones, a
second 'Mr. Jones', a third 'Mr.
Jones'
Mr. Jones goes into an office.
Mr. Jones: Good afternoon.
Girl: Good afternoon.
Mr. Jones: My name's Jones. Charles
Jones. I come from Wales,
from Cardiff. I saw an advertisement
in the newspaper. It
said: 'Charles Jones. Money.
Four o'clock. Tuesday afternoon.'
And it gave this
address.
Girl: Ah yes. Wait in here please,Mr.
Jones.
(She takes Mr. Jones into
another office.)
Mr. Jones: Thank you.
Girl: With these two gentlemen.
Mr. Jones: Oh, thank you.(The girl goes
out.)
Mr. Jones: Good afternoon.
Mr. Jones 2: Good afternoon.
Mr. Jones: Good afternoon.
Mr. Jones 3: Good afternoon.
Mr. Jones: Nice day, isn't it?
Mr. Jones 2: Yes.
Mr. Jones 3: Yes, it is.
(The girl comes in.)
Girl: Now - Mr. Jones?
Mr. Jones, Mr. Jones 2, Mr. Jones 3: Yes?
Girl: Mr. Jones?
Mr. Jones Mr. Jones 2 Mr. Jones 3: Yes?
Girl: Which one of you is Mr. Jones?
Mr. Jones: I am
Mr. Jones 2: So am I,
Mr. Jones 3: So am I.
Mr. Jones: No, my name's Jones,
Mr. Jones 2: So's mine.
Mr. Jones 3: So's mine,
Girl: I want to speak to Mr.
Charles Jones
Mr. Jones: Charles Jones! That's
me!
Mr. Jones 2: No, I'm Charles Jones.
Mr. Jones 3: That's my name, too!
Girl: Charles Edward Jones.
Mr. Jones: Yes! My name is Charles
Edward Jones.
Mr. Jones 3: So's mine.
Mr. Jones 2: Mine is, too!
Girl: I want to speak to Mr. Charles
Edward Jones from Cardiff.
Mr. Jones: That's right. I come from
Cardiff.
Mr. Jones 2: So do I
Mr. Jones 3: So do I.
Girl: The Mr. Jones I want to see
has got three children.
Mr. Jones: Yes, that's me! I've got three
children.
Mr. Jones 3: So have I.
(The other man hesitates.)
Girl: What about you?
Mr. Jones 2: I've got three children.
Mr. Jones: You haven't! What are they
called?
Mr. Jones 2: What are yours called?
Mr. Jones: Alan. Michael and David.
Mr. Jones 2: So are mine.
Mr. Jones 3: What a coincidence! So are
mine.
Girl: So you all say you're Mr.
Jones?
Mr. Jones 2, Mr. Jones 3: Yes.
Girl: And you all saw the advertisement
in the newspaper.
Mr. Jones 2 : Yes.
Girl: (Very seriously) Well, Mr.
Charles Edward Jones, who
lives in Cardiff, and has three
children, hasn't paid any tax
for the last five years. He must
pay the government five thousand
pounds.
Mr. Jones 2: Er... actually my name isn't
Jones,
Mr. Jones 3: Nor is mine, and I don't live in
Cardiff, either.
SKETCHES 93
Mr. Jones 2: Nor do I. I live in...Edinburgh,
as a matter of fact. I didn't
understand the advertisement.
Mr. Jones 3: Nor did I, I didn't realize it
meant Charles Edward Jones.
Mr. Jones 2: Nor did I. My name isn't
Charles Edward Jones.
Mr. Jones 3: Nor is mine. He's the man
you're looking for.
Mr. Jones: Oh dear.
Mr. Jones 2: Yes, of course he is! Sorry to
have troubled you. Goodbye.
Mr. Jones 3: Yes, sorry to have troubled
you. Goodbye. (The two men
leave)
Girl: So you're Mr. Jones,
Mr. Jones: Yes.
Girl: Congratulations!
Mr. Jones: Eh?
Girl: You're a rich man.
Mr. Jones: I'm not!
Girl: Yes, you are. You've got a lot
of money!
Mr. Jones: I haven't. I can't pay that tax.
Girl: There isn't any tax!
Mr. Jones: I haven't got - No tax?
Girl: No. That was just a story. I
had to find the real Mr. Jones.
Mr. Jones: Why?
Girl: Because the real Mr. Jones is a
very rich man.
Mr. Jones: I don't understand.
Girl: Mr. Jones - Charlie. Your greatuncle
Max died last week.
Mr. Jones: Oh, no...
Girl: And his money goes to you!
Mr. Jones: To me? But great-uncle Max
was a millionaire!
Girl: That's right.
Mr. Jones: So now I'm a millionaire?
Girl: Er...no.
Mr. Jones: Oh.
Girl: You're half a millionaire.
Mr. Jones: Half a millionaire? Which half?
The top half or the bottom
half?
Girl: No, no, no. You share the
money with one other relation.
Mr. Jones: Half a millionaire! Who do I
share the money with?
Girl: Me!
Mr. Jones: You?
Girl: Yes, I'm your cousin Jane.
Mr. Jones: Cousin Jane? Really? You've
grown up!
Girl: So have you.
Mr. Jones: And now you're half a millionaire.
Girl: And so are you! Let's go out
and celebrate.
Mr. Jones: Good idea! Let's go out and
celebrate! Come on!
(He opens the door.)
Mr. Jones: Oh...er...Jane?
Girl: Yes?
Mr. Jones: Have you got enough money
for the bus fare?
94 SKETCHES
The shoe stall
Scene: A shoe stall in a street market
in Britain
Characters: Honest Harry, the stallholder, a
customer
The stallholder is standing at his stall; he has
a small card in his hat, saying 'Honest Harry'.
The customer comes to the stall, carrying a
shoe-box.
Harry: Good morning, madam. Can I
help you?
Customer: Are you Honest Harry?
Harry: E... maybe. Why?
Customer: I want to make a complaint to
Honest Harry.
Harry: A complaint?
Customer: Yes
Harry: In that case, I'm not Honest
Harry.
Customer: What?
Harry: Honest Harry's on holiday.
Customer: Oh, (Noticing the card in his
hat) Wait a minute - your hat
says 'Honest Harry'.
Harry: Oh, yes this is Honest Harry's
hat. I'm wearing it while he's
on holiday.
Customer: What?!
Harry: I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll give
you Harry's telephone number,
in Argentina.
Customer: Now listen to me.
Harry: All right, all right, all right. I
am Honest Harry. What's the
problem?
(The customer puts the shoebox
on the stall.)
Customer: Well, my husband came here
yesterday,
Harry: Oh, really?
Customer: Yes. And he bought these
shoes.
(The customer takes two
shoes from the box (one is
red, the other is green) and
closes it.)
Harry: Yes?
Customer: Well, my husband can't wear
these.
Harry: Why not? Are they too big?
Customer: No.
Harry: Too small?
Customer: No.
Harry: So what's the problem?
Customer: They're not the same colour.
Harry: Not the same colour?
Customer: That's right.
Harry: Not the same colour as what?
Customer: They're not the same colour as
each other! One of them's red
and the other one's green.
Harry: Oh, yes! One of them's red
and the other one's green,
Customer: Yes!
Harry: I see! So which one are you
complaining about?
Customer: Pardon?
Harry: Which one don't you like?
Customer: Look, there's nothing wrong
with the shoes -
Harry: Good.
Customer: but they're not a pair,
Harry: No, you're right, madam.
They're not a pear. This is a
pear.
(Harry produces a pear and
bites it.)
Harry: Mmm, delicious!
Customer: I don't think you're taking this
very seriously.
Harry: Sorry, madam. Let's start at
the beginning. Your husband
bought these shoes.
Customer: Yes.
Harry: From me.
Customer: Yes.
Harry: And you're not satisfied with
them.
Customer: That's right. I'm not satisfied
at all.
Harry: What do you mean, exactly?
Customer: What do you mean: 'What do I
mean'?
Harry: What do I mean what do you
mean?
Customer: Yes.
Harry: What I mean is this; Are you:
(A) 'Unhappy', (B) 'Annoyed',
(C) 'Angry', or (D) 'Suicidal'?
Customer: Well, I'm unhappy
Harry: You're unhappy.
Customer: Yes.
Harry: You're not annoyed.
Customer: No, well, yes, I am.
Harry: So you're annoyed.
Customer: Yes.
SKETCHES 95
Harry: You're not just unhappy -
you're annoyed.
Customer: Yes.
Harry: But you're not angry.
Customer: No.
Harry: You're sure?
Customer: Yes.
Harry: Oh, you are angry.
Customer: No! I'm sure I'm not angry!
Harry: You're not angry.
Customer: I'm not angry!
Harry: Well, you look angry to me.
Customer: All right, I'm angry!
Harry: You're angry! Right. But not
suicidal.
Customer: That's right.
Harry: Good. You're angry!
Customer: Yes!
Harry: Now. are you: (A) 'Very
angry', (B) 'Very very angry',
(C) 'Extremely angry', or (D)
Absolutely furious'?
Customer: Look, this is stupid.
Harry: Oh, it's stupid, is it?
Customer: Yes, it's stupid.
Harry: I see. Would you say it's: (A)
'Very stupid', (B) 'Very very
stupid', (C) 'Completely stupid',
or (D) 'Absolutely idiotic'?
Customer: Look, all I want to do is change
these shoes.
Harry: Change the shoes? Well, why
didn't you say so? You're very
lucky, madam, because I have
here another pair of shoes that
are very similar.
(Harry produces the corresponding
red shoe and green
shoe, and puts them on the
stall.)
Customer: No. wait a minute - that's a
red one and a green one as
well.
Harry: You're quite right. OK. let me
change this red one for this
green one.
(He does so, making a red pair
and a green pair.)
Customer: Thank you.
Harry: And this green one for this red
one.
(He does so, making two
mixed pairs again.)
Harry: Satisfied?
Customer: No.
Harry: All right then. I'll change this
green one for this red one...
(He does so, making a red pair
and a green pair.)
Harry: ...and this red one for this
green one.
(He does so, making two
mixed pairs again.)
Customer: Look -
Harry: Just a minute - I've got a better
idea. Your husband bought
this pair of shoes...
(He indicates one mixed pair.)
Harry: ...so if you buy this pair as
well...
(He indicates the other mixed
pair.)
Customer: Yes?
Harry: ...you can have one pair, and
your husband can have the
other.
Customer: All right. (Putting the two pairs
into her bag) One pair...two
pairs. How much is that?
Harry: Twenty pounds.
Customer: Twenty pounds. (Giving Harry
a £20 note) Here you are.
Harry: No - it's twenty pounds a pair.
That's forty pounds.
Customer: Forty pounds?
Harry: Yes.
Customer: But my husband paid you
twenty pounds yesterday.
Harry: Did he?
Customer: Yes. So you owe me twenty
pounds.
Harry: (Confused) Do I?
Customer: Yes.
Harry: Oh. (Giving back the £20 note)
Here you are then.
Customer: Thank you. Goodbye.
(The customer leaves.)
Harry: Goodbye.
(Realizing his mistake)
Er....no...just
a minute...
Come back!
He runs after
the customer.
96 SKETCHES
The check-in desk
Scene: The 'Elephant Airlines' check-in desk
at an international airport in Britain
Characters: The check-in clerk, an
English traveler, Captain Strange (a
pilot)
The traveler comes to the check-in desk. He
is carrying just one small bag, as hand luggage.
Clerk: Good morning, sir. Can I help
you?
Traveler: Monte Carlo!
Clerk: Pardon?
Traveler: Monte Carlo!
Clerk: Oh! Hello, Mr. Carlo.
Traveler: No! I want to fly to Monte Carlo.
Clerk: Oh, I see!
Traveler: Can I check in here?
Clerk: For the flight to Monte Carlo?
Traveler: Yes.
Clerk: Who are you flying with?
Traveler: Pardon?
Clerk: Who are you flying with?
Traveler: Nobody - I'm going by myself.
Clerk: No, sir. I mean, which airline are
you flying with?
Traveler: Oh. Elephant Airlines, Here's my
ticket.
Clerk: Thank you.
Traveler: This is my first flight, you know.
Clerk: Well, I'm sure you'll enjoy it, sir.
(Reading from the ticket)
Elephant Airlines, Flight 999 to
Monte Carlo.
Traveler: Err...Why is it called 'Elephant
Airlines'?
Clerk: Well, sir, the planes are very big.
Traveler: (Pleased) Ah.
Clerk: They move very slowly.
Traveler: (Uneasy) Ah.
Clerk: And they make a strange noise.
Traveler: A strange noise?
Clerk: Yes. A noise like an elephant.
(The clerk makes an elephant
noise.)
Traveler: What?! Your planes sound like
elephants?!
Clerk: Yes, sir.
Traveler: But - But - But -
Clerk: Take it easy, sir. They're quite
safe. Now... (Reading from the
ticket) ...Mr Right.
Traveler: Pardon?
Clerk: Mr. Right.
Traveler: No, that's wrong.
Clerk: Pardon?
Traveler: My name isn't Right, It's wrong.
Clerk: Your name is Wrong?
Traveler: Yes.
Clerk: Well, Mr. Wrong -
Traveler: No! My name isn't right on the
ticket.
Clerk: Yes, it is. Look... Mr. Right.
Traveler: No... my name isn't Right!
Clerk: Ah! Your name isn't Right!
Traveler: Right!
Clerk: Right! What is your name?
Traveler: Watt
Clerk: Your name.
Traveler: Watt!
Clerk: What is your name?!
Traveler: Yes! Watt is my name!!
Clerk: Ah! Right!
Traveler: No! Watt!
Clerk: Right! Watt!
Traveler: Yes (Pointing at the ticket) Write
Watt!
The clerk corrects his name on
the ticket.
Clerk: Right. Any luggage, Mr. Watt?
Traveler: Pardon?
Clerk: Have you got any luggage?
Traveler: Just this little bag.
Clerk: That's fine. Now, smoking or nonsmoking?
Traveler: Non-smoking, please.
Clerk: Eating or non-eating?
Traveler: Pardon.
Clerk: Eating or non-eating? Do you
want a meal on the plane?
Traveler: Oh, Yes, please.
Clerk: Er...Here you are.
(The clerk produces a plastic
chicken.)
Traveler: What's that?!
Clerk: Your lunch.
Traveler: But that's a chicken.
Clerk: Yes.
Traveler: I can't eat that. I'm a vegetarian!
SKETCHES 97
Clerk: Oh, Well, in that case...er...you
can have this carrot.
(The clerk gives the traveler a
large carrot.)
Traveler: (Confused) Thank you.
Clerk: Well, everything seems to be in
order. So...your seat.
Traveler: Yes.
Clerk: Where is it?
Traveler: Pardon?
Clerk: Where's your seat?
Traveler: My seat?
Clerk: Yes. Have you got one?
Traveler: Aren't there any seats on the
plane?
Clerk: (Laughing) Seats...on the plane?
Traveler: Yes.
Clerk: No. You have to take your own.
Traveler: I haven't got a seat.
Clerk: No seat?
Traveler: No.
Clerk: You've come to the airport without
a seat?
Traveler: Well, it is my first flight...
Clerk: Well, never mind - you can borrow
mine.
(The clerk gives the traveler her
chair.)
Traveler: But wait a minute, this isn't an
aero plane seat, is it?
Clerk: Well, it's a seat - you put it on an
aero plane - it's an aero plane
seat.
Traveler: What about a seatbelt?
Clerk: Here you are.
(The clerk produces a belt.)
Traveler: Look - that isn't a seatbelt. Is it?
Clerk: It's a belt - (Putting it on the
seat) you put it on a seat - it's a
seatbelt.
Traveler: Thank you. Is that everything?
Clerk: Yes, sir, you've got your seat,
you've got your seatbelt, and
you've got your carrot.
Traveler: Where do I go now?
Clerk: To the Departure Gate.
Traveler: The departure gate.
Clerk: Yes. Gate Number 13,
Traveler: Thank you.
Clerk: Have a good flight, sir.
Traveler: (Still confused) Thank you
(The traveler starts to leave. The
clerk bursts out laughing.)
Traveler: What's the matter?
Clerk: I'm sorry, sir, You didn't believe
all that, did you?
Traveler: All what?
Clerk: All that about the seat and the
seatbelt - and the carrot.
Traveler: What do you mean?
Clerk: Sir...it was all a joke.
Traveler: A joke?
Clerk: Yes. You see, you are the onemillionth
passenger to fly with
Elephant Airlines, so we thought
we'd have a bit of fun!
Traveler: Oh! So it's not true: the seat, the
seatbelt - and the carrot!
Clerk: No, sir-flying isn't like that
Traveler: I thought it was a bit strange!
Clerk: Yes.
Traveler: But this is my first flight,
Clerk: Yes,
Traveler: You must think I'm a complete
idiot!
Clerk: Yes. Anyway, you're the one-millionth
passenger, so the captain
himself is going to accompany
you to the plane.
Traveler: The captain? You mean the pilot
himself?
Clerk: That's right, sir.
Traveler: Wonderful!
Clerk: I'll call him, Captain Strange!
(Captain Strange enters, singing
'Flying, up above the clouds'. He
is rather strange.)
Traveler: Is that the captain?
Clerk: Yes, sir. Captain Strange is the
best pilot with Elephant Airlines.
In fact, he's the only pilot with
Elephant Airlines. Er...Captain
Strange!
Captain: Yes?
Clerk: This is Mr. Watt, your very special
passenger for today's flight.
Captain: Mr. Watt! How nice to meet you!
How very, very nice!
Clerk: You go with the captain, Mr. Watt.
He'll take you to the plane.
Captain: The plane, yes. Where is it?
Traveler: What?!
Captain: The plane.
Traveler: I don't know!
Clerk: It's at Departure Gate 13,
Captain.
Captain: Thank you. Tell me, Mr.
Watt...Have you ever flown a
plane before?
Traveler: No. Why?
Captain: Well, I'm not feeling very well. I
thought that perhaps you could
fly the plane.
Traveler: What?!
Captain: Take it easy, Mr. Watt. Flying a
plane is no problem.
Traveler: But -
Captain: Come on, Mr. Watt. Let's go.
Traveler : Aaargh!
(The traveler leaves, accompanied
by Captain Strange, singing
'Flying, up above the clouds'.)
Clerk: Have a good flight, sir!
98 SKETCHES
The police
Scene: A public meeting at which
Inspector Black is giving a talk
about the British police force
Characters: Inspector Black, PC Green,
WPC Brown, PC Grey
Black: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
My name is Inspector Black,
and I've come here tonight to talk to
you about the police force in Great
Britain. The police force in Great
Britain is very professional, very
intelligent and very...professional.
So, I'd like you to meet some of my
very professional and intelligent
police officers. First of all, I'd like
you to meet PC Green. Ladies and
gentlemen, PC Green.
(PC Green enters.)
Black: Good evening, PC Green.
Green: Good evening, Inspector Black.
Black: Now, what does PC mean? Tell them,
Green.
Green: I beg your pardon, Inspector?
Black: Tell them.
Green: Tell them what, Inspector?
Black: What do the letters 'PC' stand for?
Green: Oh! 'PC' stands for 'Peter
Christopher'.
Black: What?
Green: It's my name, Inspector. Peter
Christopher Green - PC Green.
Black: Green...
Green: Yes, Inspector?
Black: Do you think that we call you 'PC
Green' because your name is Peter
Christopher Green?
Green: Yes, Inspector.
Black: Well, you're wrong. 'PC' stands for
something else.
Green: Really?
Black: Yes. Now think: What does 'PC'
stand for?
Green: Postcard?
Black: No!
Green: Personal computer?
Black: No!!
Green: Oh, I know! Prince Charles!
Black: Green, 'PC does not mean 'Prince
Charles', or 'postcard', or 'personal
computer'. It means 'Police
Constable'!
Green: Really' I didn't know that.
Black: You are Police Constable Green.
Green: Thank you, Inspector.
Black: Now, ladies and gentlemen, I'd like
you to meet another British police
officer: WPC Brown.
(WPC Brown enters.)
Brown: Hello.
Black: Now,if 'PC' means 'Police Constable',
what does 'WPC' mean?
Brown: 'Wife of Police Constable.'
Black: Don't be stupid, Brown! You are not
'Wife of Police Constable'!
Brown: Yes, I am, Inspector. I'm married to
PC Green.
Green: That's right, sir. We're very happy.
Black: 'WPC' means 'Woman Police
Constable'. Now, ladies and gentlemen,
as you can see.
(Green and Brown are wearing nice
blue and white uniforms.)
(Green and Brown demonstrate their
uniforms like fashion models.)
Black: Hat - or helmet. Blouse - or shirt.
Skirt or trousers. Boots...or boots.
So, this is a police uniform. But
there are a lot of police officers out
there in the street with no uniform.
Green: No uniform?!
Brown: They must be very cold, Inspector.
Black: No! They're wearing normal clothes.
Brown: Why's that, Inspector?
Black: They're wearing normal clothes
because they want to look like normal
people. So...here is a police officer
dressed exactly like a normal
person. Ladies and gentlemen. PC
Grey.
(PC Grey enters. He is wearing a
police helmet and boots, and a pair
of long shorts and a brightlycoloured
shirt.)
Black: Now. as you can see, there is no way
that you would know that PC Grey is
a police officer.
Brown: Except for the helmet.
Black: Except for the helmet.
Green: And the boots.
Black: And the boots. Except for the helmet,
and the boots, there is no way
that you would know that Police
Constable Grey is a police officer.
(PC Grey does not look very
pleased.)
Black: Now, Grey - tell these people what
it feels like to be a police officer with
no uniform.
Grey: It feels stupid.
Black: What?
Grey: It feels stupid, I mean, I'm a police
officer: I want to wear a uniform!
Grey: No uniform, no notebook, no whistle
and no truncheon! (The Inspector
blows his whistle.)
Black: That's enough. Grey.
SKETCHES 99
Grey: I don't want to walk the streets looking
like this!
Black: Grey! Get back in line!
Grey: Would you walk the streets looking
like this?
(The Inspector blows his whistle.
Grey gets back in line.)
Black: Green! Brown! Grey! It's time for
equipment demonstration.
Green-Brown-Grey: Equipment
demonstration!
Black: Now, every police officer has three
important pieces of equipment. A
whistle, a truncheon and a notebook.(
Green produces a whistle,
Brown produces a truncheon, Grey
produces a comic.)
Black: A notebook, Grey, not a comic.
Grey: They didn't give me a notebook.
Black: I see.
Grey: No uniform, no notebook. It's ridiculous!
(The inspector blows his whistle.)
Black: That's enough, Grey! Now, what are
these very important pieces of
equipment for? First of all, the whistle.
The whistle is used to attract the
attention of other police officers.
Like this:
(Green blows his whistle.)
Green: Oi!
(Brown blows her whistle.)
Brown: Oi!
(Grey has no whistle.)
Grey: No uniform, no notebook and no
whistle!
Black: And now, the truncheon. Green,
Brown, Grey - ready with your truncheons!
Green: Sir
Brown: Sir!
(Grey has no truncheon.)
Grey: No uniform, no notebook, no whistle
and no truncheon!
Black: Right! forget the truncheons, the
notebook, Green!
Green: Yes, Inspector?
Black: What is the notebook for?
Green: For making notes, Inspector.
Black: Very good, Green. Brown?
Brown: Yes, Inspector?
Black: Have you got anything in your notebook?
Brown: Yes, Inspector,
Black: Good, Read it.
Brown: Oh, All right. (Reading) ' "What I did
today", by Woman Police Constable
Brown, aged twenty-five...and a
half. Got up. Said "Hello" to Police
Constable Green, Made a cup of coffee
-
Black: Thank you, Brown. Grey?
Grey: Yes, Inspector?
Black: Have you got anything in your notebook?
Grey: (Holding up the comic) You mean
this?
Black: Yes
Grey: Yes, (Reading) "Mickey Mouse goes
for a picnic." On Saturday, Mickey
and his friends -
Black: Grey! I mean: Have you written anything
in it?
Grey: No.
Black: Why not?
Grey: Because they didn't give me a pen!!
Black: All right, all right, all right. Here you
are.
(The Inspector gives Grey a pen.)
Grey: Thank you, Inspector.
Black: Now, have you all got everything
you need? Whistle?
Green: Yes!
Brown: Yes!
Grey: No!
Black: Truncheon?
Green: Yes
Brown: Yes!
Grey: No!
Black:
Notebook?
Green: Yes!
Brown: Yes!
Grey: No!
Black: Boots?
Green: Yes!
Brown: Yes!
Grey: Yes!
Black: Helmet?
Green: Yes!
Brown: No!
Grey: Yes!
(Slightly confused)
Well, that
seems all right. Now it's time for
action!
Green-Brown-Grey: Action! Right!
Black: I want you to get out there, in the
street!
Green-Brown-Grey: In the street! Right!
Black: And find some criminals!
Green-Brown-Grey: Criminals! Right!
Black: And when you find them. You know
what to do!
Green-Brown-Grey: What?
Black: You arrest them!
Green-Brown-Grey: Arrest them! Right!
Black: And then there won't be any criminals
left!
Green-Brown-Grey: Right! Left! Right! Left!
Right! Left! Right!.
(They all march away)
100 SKETCHES
The bus stop
Scene: A bus stop
Characters: an old lady, a robber, student, a
policeman
The robber is waiting at the bus stop. The old
lady joins him.
Old lady: Excuse me.
Robber: Yes?
Old lady: The 44.
Robber: The 44?
Old lady: Yes, The Number 44 bus. Does it
stop here?
Robber: I don't know.
(He looks at the notice on the bus
stop.)
Robber: Um...39...40...41...42...43...45.
No, it doesn't.
Old lady: Pardon?
Robber: The 44 doesn't stop here
Old lady: Oh, good.
Robber: Pardon?
Old lady: I said 'Oh, good'. I'm very
pleased.
Robber: What do you mean?
Old lady: I don't want to catch a 44.
(She laughs. The robber is not
pleased, and stands with his back
to her.)
Old lady: Excuse me again.
Robber: Yes?
Old lady: The 46.
Robber: The 46?
Old lady: Yes, The Number 46 bus. Does it
stop here?
Robber: Do you want to catch a 46?
Old lady: Um...Yes,
(The robber looks at the notice
again.)
Robber: 42, 43, 45...45A, 45B, 45C,
45D...46, Yes. Yes, the 46 stops
here.
Old lady: Oh, good.
Robber: Ah, here comes
a 46 now
(A bus passes
very fast.)
Old lady: It didn't stop!
Robber: I know
Old lady: But you said the
46 stopped here.
You're telling lies!
Robber: No, I'm not. That
one was full. Ah,
here comes another
one.
Old lady: A Number 1 ? I don't
want a Number 1. I
want a Number 46.
Robber: I didn't say 'A Number 1'. I said
'Another one'. Another Number
46.
Old lady: Oh, I see.
Robber: This one will stop.
(Another bus passes very fast.)
Old lady: It didn't stop!
Robber: I know.
(The robber stands with his back
to the old lady.)
Old lady: Excuse me again.
Robber: No!
Old lady: Pardon?
Robber: No! The 47 doesn't stop here.
Old lady: No, no, no.
Robber: Or the 48, or the 49, or the 50!
Old lady: No, you don't understand. I want
to ask you a question.
Robber: Oh, yes?
Old lady: Are you a doctor?
Robber: What?
Old lady: Are you a doctor?
Robber: No, I'm not.
Old lady: Are you sure you're not a doctor?
Robber: Yes, I am!
Old lady: Oh, you are a doctor!
Robber: No! I'm sure I am not a doctor!
Old lady: Oh. What a shame. You see, I've
got this terrible pain in my back
Robber: Well, I'm sorry. I am not a doctor.
I am a robber.
Old lady: A what?
Robber: A robber, a thief.
Old lady: Teeth? No, no, not my teeth - my
back. The pain's in my back. My
teeth are all right.
Robber: No! I didn't say 'teeth'. I said
'thief. Thief- robber! I am a robber.
Look - here's my card.
He gives her his card.
SKETCHES 101
Old lady: (Reading) 'Sam Poskins. Robber.
Banks a speciality.' Oh, you're a
robber.
Robber: That's right.
(He takes back his card.)
Old lady: Help!
Robber: What's the matter?
Old lady: Police!!
Robber: Stop it!
Old lady: Murder!!!
Robber: Look - be quiet. It's all right. I rob
banks. I don't rob people. And I
certainly don't rob old ladies.
Old lady: Old ladies!
Robber: Yes.
Old lady: Old ladies! I'm not an old lady.
I'm only 92.
Robber: Well, I don't care if you're 92 or
192. I am not going to rob you.
Old lady: I don't believe you.
Robber: What?
Old lady: I don't believe you're a robber.
Robber: Well, I am.
Old lady: No, no, no - impossible.
Robber: What do you mean?
Old lady: You're too small.
Robber: What do you mean - I'm 'too
small'? I am not too small.
Old lady: Yes, you are. You're much too
small.
Robber: No, I'm not. And anyway, I've got
a gun. Look!
(He takes out his gun.)
Old lady: Oh, yes. You've got a gun.
Robber: That's right.
Old lady: Help!
Robber: It's all right. It's not real.
Old lady: Not real?!
Robber: No
Old lady: You call yourself a robber! You're
too small, your gun isn't real, and
you can't even rob a 92-year-old
lady at a bus stop!
Robber: All right, all right, all right! I'll
show you. I will rob the next person
who comes to this bus stop.
Old lady: Oh, good!...Look - here comes
someone.
Robber: Right. Watch this.
(The student stands at the bus
stop, holding a book.)
Robber: Excuse me.
Student: Yes?
Robber: Put up your hands.
Student: I'm sorry. I don't speak English
Robber: Oh, Er...Give me your money.
Student: What?
Robber: Your money!
Student: Money?
Robber: Yes - money, money, money!
Student: Ah! No, it's not Money...it's
Tuesday.
Robber: No, no, no, I didn't say 'Monday'.
I said 'money'. Money!
Student: No, I told you - it isn't Money, it's
Tuesday. Look - it's in this book.
(The student opens the book.)
Student: (Monday, Tuesday...)
(The robber takes the book)
Robber: What is this book? 'English for all
situations'. Oh, good, He looks
through the book.
Robber: Um...'In a restaurant'...'On a
train... Ah, yes - this is it: 'Unit
16, The robbery,' Good, Look -
here. 'Dialogue 1: Give me your
money
(The student reads in the book
too.)
Student: Ah, money! Um...'Are you trying
to rob me?'
Robber: 'Yes, I am.
Student: 'Are you a robber?'
Robber: 'Yes, I am.'
Student: 'I will call a policeman,
Robber: 'No, you won't.
Student: 'Yes, I will.'
Robber: 'No, you won't. 'Policemen are
like buses. You can never find one
when you want one.
Student: 'No. you are wrong. There's a
policeman standing behind you.'
This is true.
Robber: Ha, ha! I don't believe that...Oh.
Policeman: Now, what's going on here?
Robber: Ah. Er...well...
(The robber, the student and
the old lady all talk at once.
The policeman blows his whistle.)
Policeman: Right. You can all come with
me to the station.
Robber: Oh, no!
Student: Oh, yes, 'Unit 17: The police station.'
Old lady: Station? I don't want to catch a
train. I want to catch a Number
46 bus.
Policeman: Not the railway station,
madam - the police station.
Old lady: Oh, the police station! Yes, I know
it. It's very near my house. Come
on, everybody!
(The robber, the student and the
old lady walk away, all talking at
once again. The policeman follows
them, blowing his whistle.)
102 SKETCHES
A ticket to Birmingham
Scene: A Railway Station in Britain
Characters: A traveler, a British Rail
employee
The BR employee is sitting at a table, reading
a newspaper. The traveler comes in.
Traveler: Excuse me.
BR employee: Can I help you?
Traveler: Yes, I want a ticket.
BR employee: A ticket?
Traveler: Yes. I want a ticket to
Birmingham.
BR employee: A ticket to Birmingham?
Traveler: Yes.
BR employee: Why?
Traveler: Why what?
BR employee: Why do you want a ticket to
Birmingham?
Traveler: Well...
BR employee: Birmingham's a terrible
place! It's awful! If I were
you, I wouldn't go to
Birmingham.
Traveler: I live there.
BR employee: Now, Oxford's a very nice
place.
Traveler: I live there.
BR employee: Why don't you go to
Oxford?
Traveler: I live there!
BR employee: What? In Oxford?
Traveler: No! In Birmingham!
BR employee: Oh.
Traveler: And I want to go to
Birmingham today.
BR employee: Impossible.
Traveler: What?
BR employee: It's impossible. It'll take you
three days.
Traveler: Three days?
BR employee: Oh, yes. It'll take you at
least three days - walking.
Traveler: Walking?! I don't want to
walk to Birmingham!
BR employee: You don't want to walk?
Traveler: No
BR employee: Oh, I understand.
Traveler: Good.
BR employee: You want to run.
Traveler: Run?!
BR employee: You'll get very tired if you
run
Traveler: Listen -
BR employee: If I were you, I'd walk.
Traveler: I don't want to walk, and I
don't want to run. I want to
take the train.
BR employee: The train? Ha! You'll get
there much faster if you
walk.
Traveler: Now, don't be ridiculous. I
want a ticket for the next
train to Birmingham.
BR employee: The next train to
Birmingham?
Traveler: Yes. When is it?
BR employee: Pardon?
Traveler: What time is it?
BR employee: I don't know. I haven't got a
watch.
Traveler: No! I mean: What time is
the train? What time does
the train leave?
BR employee: Oh, I see. Sorry. I'll check.
He picks up the telephone
and dials a number.
BR employee: Take a seat.
Traveler: Thank you.
The traveler sits down.
BR employee: (On the phone) Hello?
Bert?.. Who's that? Oh,
hello, Charlie… Where's
Bert?...Is he? Oh, well, is
Eric there?...
Hello Eric?...Isn't Bert
there?...Oh, dear - very
sad. Is Arthur
there?...Hello?
Arthur?...Who? Oh, hello,
Charlie. Is Bert there?
(The traveler is getting
impatient.)
Traveler: Look - can you please find
out when the next train to
Birmingham leaves?
BR employee: Yes, all right. (On the
phone) Er...Charlie...Who's
that? Eric?...Oh, Arthur. Can
I speak to Dave?...Yes OK,
I'll hold on.
(The traveler is getting
more impatient.)
Traveler: Look!
BR employee: It's all right, I'm holding
on, (On the phone)
Dave?...Hello, Dave. This is
Sid. Very well, thanks - and
you?...Good, Listen, Dave,
there's something I must
SKETCHES 103
ask you. How's your wife?
Did she?
Traveler: The next train to
Birmingham!
BR employee: Oh, yes. (On the phone)
Dave, I've got a young man
here. When is the next train
to Birmingham? Yes... Yes...
Yes... Yes... Yes. Thanks,
Dave. Hold on.
Traveler: Well?
BR employee: He doesn't know.
Traveler: He doesn't know?
BR employee: No.
Traveler: Why not?
BR employee: Well, Dave doesn't work at
the station.
Traveler: He doesn't work at the station?!
BR employee: No. Dave works at the cafe
across the road. You should
never ask Dave about
trains.
Traveler: I didn't ask him. You asked
him!
BR employee: Eric's the one who knows
about trains.
Traveler: Well, ask Eric then.
BR employee: Right. (On the phone)
Er...Dave, can you put Eric
back on?...Eric?...Eric, I've
got a young man here. It's
about trains to
Birmingham. When is the
next one?...
Right...OK...Fine...
Super...Smashing...
Super... Fine... OK... Right.
Thanks, Eric. Bye. (He puts
down the telephone.)
Traveler: So, when is the train?
BR employee: The train, yes. Well, there's
a small problem.
Traveler: What's that?
BR employee: They can't find it.
Traveler: They can't find what?
BR employee: They can't find the train. It's
lost.
Traveler: Lost?!
BR employee: Well, it's not exactly lost.
They know where it is.
Traveler: Well, where is it?
BR employee: It's somewhere between
here and Birmingham.
Traveler: This is terrible.
BR employee: Yes, but it happens every
day. If I were you, I'd start
walking.
Traveler: But I'm in a hurry.
BR employee: Well, run then.
Traveler: I don't want to run.
BR employee: Well, take a taxi!
Traveler: I don't want to take a taxi!
(The telephone rings. The
traveler answers it.)
Traveler: Hello!!!...It's for you.
The BR employee takes the
telephone.
BR employee: Thank you (On the phone)
Hello? Sid speaking. Who's
that?...Eric! Hello! What is
it?...The train to
Birmingham?...What?
...Marvelous. Where was it?
At Platform 2? It was there
all the time. Amazing...OK,
Eric, I'll tell him. Bye. (He
puts down the telephone.)
BR employee: Well, there is a train to
Birmingham.
Traveler: Marvelous.
BR employee: It's at Platform 2.
Traveler: Wonderful.
BR employee: And it's leaving any minute
now.
Traveler: Oh, good. A second-class
single to Birmingham,
please.
BR employee: Pardon?
Traveler: Can you give me a secondclass
single to Birmingham?
BR employee: No. I can't.
Traveler: Why not?
BR employee: Well, this isn't the ticket
office.
Traveler: What?!
BR employee: The ticket office is next
door.
Traveler: Oh, no!
BR employee: What's the matter?
Traveler: I'm going to miss the train!
BR employee: Don't worry. You've got
plenty of time.
Traveler: Plenty of time? The train's
leaving any minute now.
BR employee: Yes, but there's no hurry.
Traveler: Why not?
BR employee: Because I'm the driver.
Traveler: You're the driver?!
BR employee: Yes. The train can't leave
without me, can it?
Traveler: No.
BR employee: Now, you come with me.
Traveler: Platform 2?
BR employee: No. Dave's cafe.
Traveler: Oh, right.
BR employee: We'll have a nice cup of tea
and a sandwich before we
go.
Traveler: Lovely.
BR employee: And I'll introduce you to
Dave and his wife. I think
you'll like them...
(They leave, chatting.)
104 SKETCHES
Gerry Thatcher's party
Scene: A smart party
Characters: Gerry Thatcher (the host),
Maxwell (Gerry's butler),
Horace Smith-Amanda
Spencer (guests at the
party)
The doorbell rings. Maxwell opens the door.
Maxwell: Yes, sir?
Horace: Er...Hello, Is this Gerry
Thatcher's house?
Maxwell: Yes, sir.
Horace: Oh, good. I've got an invitation
to Gerry's party. My name's
Horace Smith.
Maxwell: In that case, please come in, sir.
Horace: Thank you.
Maxwell: Mr. Thatcher is in the lounge.
This way.
Horace: Er...Thank you
(They go into the lounge where
the party is in progress. Horace
sees Gerry.)
Horace: Er... Hello.
Gerry: George!
Horace: What?
Gerry: George Wilberforce!
Horace: Pardon?
Gerry: How are you, George?
Horace: Actually, I'm not
Gerry: Good, good, good!
Horace: No, just a minute -
Gerry: How's your wife?
Horace: I'm not married.
Gerry: Good, good, good!
(The doorbell rings again.)
Gerry: Maxwell, give George a drink, I'll
go to the door.
Maxwell: Yes, sir.
(Gerry opens the door.)
Amanda: Gerry!
Gerry: Amanda! How are you?
Amanda: Fine.
Gerry: Good, good, good! Come in,
come in, come in.
Amanda: Thank you.
(Gerry brings Amanda over to
Horace.)
Gerry: Amanda, I'd like you to meet
one of my oldest friends -
George Wilberforce.
Amanda: How do you do, George.
Horace: Actually, my name isn't George.
Gerry: Isn't it?
Horace: No.
Gerry: What is it, then?
Horace: It's Horace Smith, actually.
Gerry: Of course it is! Amanda, I'd like
you to meet one of my dearest
friends, Horace Smith-Actually.
Horace: It's just Smith, actually.
Gerry: That's what I said,
Amanda: I'm very pleased to meet you,
Mr Actually.
Horace: No, it's Smith, actually.
Amanda: Oh, yes. Mr. Smith-Actually.
Horace: No, no, no...My name isn't
Smith-Actually, actually. It's just
Smith, actually.
Gerry: I'm sure it is, Have a drink,
Amanda?
Amanda: Yes, Gerry.
Gerry: Come and have a look at the
garden.
Amanda: OK.
(Amanda goes into the garden
with Gerry.)
Maxwell: Your drink, sir.
Horace: Thank you. She's very nice, isn't
she?
Maxwell: Yes, sir. Very nice indeed,
Horace: I'd like to go out with her.
Maxwell: Would you, sir?
Horace: Yes, very much. The trouble is, I
never know what to say when I
meet people.
Maxwell: In that case, sir, I think you need
this book.
(Maxwell shows Horace a book.)
Horace: What is it?
Maxwell: 'English for all situations', sir. It's
full of useful expressions. Look -
'Unit I: In a restaurant.'...'Unit
2: On a train.'...'Unit 3: At a
party. Useful expressions in
English, when you meet someone
at a party.'
Horace: Wonderful.
Maxwell: (Reading) 'Are you doing anything
on Saturday night?'
Horace: No, I'm not, actually.
Maxwell: No, sir. That's the first question.
Try it.
Horace: Ah. Are you doing anything on
Saturday night?
Maxwell: Good. 'How about going to the
cinema?'
Horace: How about going to the cinema?
Maxwell: 'What time shall I pick you up?'
Horace: Pardon?
Maxwell: That's the next expression.
Horace: Ah. What time shall I pick you
up?
Maxwell: I think, sir, that you should suggest
doing something before
going to the cinema.
Horace: Good idea. What, for example?
SKETCHES 105
Maxwell: Well, going to a restaurant - an
Italian restaurant, perhaps.
Horace: OK
Maxwell: So you say: 'Do you like Italian
food?'
Horace: Do you like Italian food?
Maxwell: She'll say 'Yes', because everyone
likes Italian food. So you
say. 'So do I.'
Horace: So do I.
Maxwell: 'Let's have spaghetti alle vongole
before we go.'
Horace: Let's have spaghetti on a gondola
before we go.
Maxwell: Hmm...And finally you say: 'See
you on Saturday!'
Horace: See you on Saturday!
Maxwell: Good. Now let's practice.
Horace: Right. Um...Are you doing anything
on Saturday morning?
Maxwell: Night.
Horace: Oh, good night.
Maxwell: Saturday night, sir. Try again.
Horace: Are you doing anything on
Saturday night?
Maxwell: (In a high voice) No. I'm not.
Horace: What?...Oh, I see. Er...good.
How about going to the cinema?
Maxwell: (In a high voice) I'd love to.
Horace: What time...shall I pick you up?
Maxwell: (In a high voice) Eight o'clock?
Horace: Do you like Italian food?
Maxwell: (In a high voice) Yes, I love
Italian food.
Horace: So do I. Let's have...spaghetti
alle vongole before we go,
Maxwell: (In a high voice) That would be
lovely.
Horace: See you on Saturday!
Maxwell: Very good, sir. Now, take the
book, and have a little practice
before she comes back.
Horace: Right. Thank you.
(Horace concentrates on the
book. Gerry and Amanda come
back from the garden, laughing.)
Amanda: Oh, Gerry, you're awfully funny
Gerry: Yes, I know. Amanda?
Amanda: Yes, Gerry?
Gerry: Are you doing anything on
Saturday night?
Amanda: No, I'm not.
Gerry: Super! How about going to the
cinema?
Amanda: Oh, Gerry, that would be wonderful
Gerry: Super! What time shall I pick
you up?
Amanda: Eight o'clock?
Gerry: Super!
(The doorbell rings again.)
Gerry: It's all right, Maxwell - I'll go.
See you on Saturday, Amanda!
Amanda: OK, Gerry.
(Gerry goes to open the door.
Amanda goes over to Horace.)
Amanda: Oh, hello. I don't think we've
met.
Horace: Yes, we have Amanda, It's me
Horace
Amanda: Horace?
Horace: Yes, Horace Smith,
Amanda: Oh, yes - Mr. Actually.
(They laugh.)
Horace: Er... Amanda?
Amanda: Yes, Horace?
(Horace looks at the book.)
Horace: (Reading) 'Are you doing anything
on Saturday night?
Amanda: Yes, I am.
Horace: (Still reading) 'Good. How about
going to the cinema?'
Amanda: Actually, I'm going to the cinema
with Gerry on Saturday night,
Horace: 'What time shall I pick you up?'
Amanda: Horace, I'm going out with Gerry
on Saturday night,
Horace: 'Do you like Italian food?'
Amanda: No, I hate Italian food.
Horace: 'So do I, Let's have spaghetti on
a gondola before we go.'
Amanda: Oh, Horace, you are funny. Why
don't we go for a walk in the garden?
Horace: See you on Saturday!
Amanda: (Laughing) Oh, Horace
(They go into the garden)
106 SKETCHES
The army
Scene: A British army base
Characters: 'A Captain, Private Large,
Private Small, Private Potter
The Captain, Private Large and Private Small
arrive, marching.
Captain: Left, right! Left, right! Left, right!
Halt! Attention!...Private Large!
Large: Sir!
Captain: Private Small!
Small: Sir!
Captain: Private Potter!... Private Potter!...
Where is Private Potter?
Large: I don't know, sir!
Small: Haven't seen him, sir!
Captain: Private Potter!!
(Potter arrives in not-very-military
style.)
Potter: Here I am! Hello! Sorry I'm a bit
late - I couldn't find my cap.
Captain: Get in line, Private Potter! Left,
right! Left, right! Left, right!
Attention!
(Potter is now in line with Large
and Small.)
Potter: (To Large and Small) Did you take
my cap?
Captain: Private Potter!
Potter: Yes?
Captain: Yes, sir.
Potter: Captain, you don't have to call
me 'sir' - I'm a private.
Captain: Private Potter, when you
speak to me, you call me
'sir'!
Potter: Oh, sorry, I
forgot...sir.
Captain: That's better. Now, I
want to talk to you.
In fact, I want to
talk to all of you.
You're in the
army, right?
Large -Small - Potter:
Right!
Captain: And in the army,
there are some things
you must do, and
some things you
mustn't do. Isn't that
right, Private Large?
Large: Pardon, sir?
Captain: In the army, there are
some things you
must do and some
things you mustn't
do.
Large: Yes, sir!
Captain: Give me an
example!
Large: I don't know, sir!
Captain: Private Large?
Large: Yes, sir!
Captain: You're an idiot!
Large: Thank you, sir!
Captain: Private Small!
Small: Yes, sir?
Captain: Give me an example!
Small: An example of what, sir?
Captain: An example of something you
must do in the army!
Small: Oh right, sir. Er...
Captain: Come on!
Small: You must get up in the morning,
sir!
Captain: What?
Small: You must get up in the morning,
sir!
Captain: No, Private Small, that's wrong.
Correct him, Private Potter.
Potter: You mustn't get up in the morning?
Captain: No!... Private Large!
Large: Yes, sir!
Captain: Did you hear Private Small's
example?
Large: Yes, sir!
Captain: It was wrong, wasn't it?
Large: Yes, sir!
Captain: Why was it wrong?
Large: I don't know, sir!
Captain: Private Large?
Large: Yes, sir?
Captain: You're still an idiot!
Large: Thank you, sir!
Captain: Listen. Getting up in the morning
is not just an army rule;
everyone has to get up in the
morning.
Potter: Not necessarily, sir. A lot of
people don't have to get up in
the morning.
Captain: You mean lazy people,
Private Potter?
Potter: No, not lazy people -
people who work at
nights.
Small: Or in the afternoon.
Large: Or in the evening!
Captain: Silence! All right, all
right. The rule in the
army is this: You must
get up at five, o'clock in
the morning. Isn't that
right. Private Large?
Large: Yes, sir!
Captain: Isn't that right, Private
Small?
Small: Yes, sir!
Captain: Isn't that right, Private
Potter?
Potter: Yes, sir!...But it's stupid.
Captain: What was that?
SKETCHES 107
Potter: It's stupid getting up at five
o'clock in the morning.
Captain: Why is it stupid getting up at five
o'clock in the morning, Private
Potter?
Potter: It's too early.
Captain: Too early?!
Potter: Yes. It's much too early.
Large: I agree, sir!
Small: So do I, sir!
Potter: Why can't we stay in bed until
seven o'clock?
Small: Or eight o'clock?
Large: Or lunchtime?
Captain: Silence! You have to get up at five
o'clock in the morning because -
Large -Small-Potter:Yes?
Captain: Because we may be attacked by
the enemy!
Large Small: Ah!
Potter: But that's also stupid.
Captain: What?
Potter: If the enemy know that we get up
at five o'clock
Large-Small: Yes?
Potter: They'll attack us at four o'clock.
Large-Small: Oh yes
Potter: So...if we stay in bed until twelve
o'clock midday
Large Small: Yes?
Potter: The enemy will come at eleven
o'clock!
Large-Small: Oh yes
Potter: And that's a much better time to
be attacked.
Large: I agree, sir!
Small: So do I, sir!
Potter: And another thing -
Captain: Silence! Private Potter, you are
wrong! You must get up at five
o'clock!
Potter: But why?
Captain: Because you're in the army. It's
an army rule. Now, can anybody
tell me something you mustn't do
in the army?
Small: Yes, sir!
Captain: Well done, Private Small. Let's
have your example. What mustn't
you do in the army?
Small: You mustn't cross the road, sir!
Captain: Eh?
Small: When the little man is red, sir!
Captain: What?
Small: You mustn't cross the road when
the little man is red, sir.
Captain: What little man, Private Small?
Small: The little man on the crossing, sir.
On the red light, sir.
Large: He's right, sir. You must wait until
the little man is green, sir.
Captain: Private Large!
Large: Yes, sir?
Captain: You know I said you were an
idiot...
Large: Yes, sir?
Captain: I was wrong,
Large: Thank you, sir!
Captain: You and Private Small are both
idiots!
Large-Small: Thank you, sir!
Captain: You mustn't cross the road when
the little man is red,' Do you really
think that's something you
mustn't do in the army?
Small: Yes, sir.
Captain: Private Small, you must understand
the difference between
general rules and army rules.
There are special rules just for
the army.
Large: Can you give us an example, sir?
Captain: Yes, Private Large - an example.
You must never give information
to enemy agents!
Large, Potter, Small: You must never give
information to enemy agents
Small: Excuse me, sir.
Captain: What is it, Small?
Small: How do you recognize an enemy
agent, sir?
Captain: Well, they are either men
Large, Potter, Small: Yes
Captain: Or women.
Large, Potter, Small: Oh
Captain: Some of them wear dark glasses-
Large, Potter, Small: Yes
Captain: Some of them wear ordinary
glasses -
Large, Potter, Small: Oh
Captain: And some of them -
Large, Potter, Small: Yes
Captain: Don't wear glasses at all!
(Large, Small and Potter panic.)
Captain: Silence! Now, what have we
learnt about life in the army?
Private Large!
Large: You must get up at five o'clock in
the morning, sir!
Captain: Correct. Private Small!
Small: You must never give information
to enemy agents, sir!
Captain: Correct. Private Potter!
Potter: You must always call the Captain
'sir'...sir.
Captain: Right! It's time for lunch. We can
all go down to the pub. And don't
forget the most important rule of
all.
Potter: What's that?
Captain: You must all buy me a drink! Left,
right! Left, right! Left, right!...
(They all march away.)
108 SKETCHES
The dentist
Scene: A dentist's waiting-room
Characters: Two patients (a man and a
woman) a 'dentist', the real
dentist
The man and the woman are sitting in the
waiting-room. The woman is calm, but the
man is very nervous.
Man: Um....is he good?
Woman: Pardon?
Man: The dentist. Is he good?
Woman: I don't know,
Man: You don't know?
Woman: No. I haven't seen him before.
He's new.
Man: New!?
Woman: Yes, It's his first day.
Man: Oh…This is my first visit, you
know.
Woman: Oh, really?
Man: It's the first time I've been here.
Woman: Oh.
Man: Don't you understand? It's the
first time I've been to the dentist
in my life!
Woman: I see.
(The man looks at his watch.)
Man: He's late, isn't he?
Woman: Well, it is his first day.
Man: Oh well, perhaps I won't wait. I
can come back tomorrow...or the
next day.
(They hear the dentist coming.)
Woman: Ah. Here he comes now,
Man: (Disappointed) Oh, good.
(The 'dentist' comes in, carrying a
large bag.)
'Dentist': Ah, good morning, good morning,
good morning. Sorry I'm late.
Now, who's first?
Woman: He was here first.
Man: Oh no, after you.
Woman: No, no, you were before me.
Man: No, no, ladies first.
'Dentist': Now, now, what seems to be the
matter?
Man: I've got a bad tooth.
Woman: So have I.
'Dentist': Well. I can do you both at the
same time.
Man-Woman: Both at the same time?
'Dentist': Yes. I've got two pieces of string.
Look!
Woman: String? To take out a tooth? Have
you done that before?
'Dentist': Not on people, no. But I tried it
this morning on the cat.
Woman: And was the cat all right?
'Dentist': Oh, yes! It got up, ran across the
room, and jumped out of the window.
And we live on the thirteenth
floor.
Woman: The thirteenth floor?
'Dentist': Don't worry, the cat's not superstitious.
Man: But dentists don't use string to
take out teeth!
'Dentist': Don't they? What do you want,
then?
Man: Well, to begin with, I'd like an
anesthetic.
'Dentist': Oh, you'd like an anesthetic,
would you?Just a minute.
(He takes a hammer out of his
bag.)
'Dentist': Ah, yes. Here we are.
Woman: What's that?
'Dentist': A hammer.
Man: Ah! Is that the anesthetic?
'Dentist': I'm not sure. It's the first time
I've given an anesthetic. Sit still.
(He hits the table; this frightens
the man, who faints.)
Man: Oh! Ohh!
'Dentist': Oh, it works!
(He puts the hammer down.)
SKETCHES 109
'Dentist': Now, madam, what's the matter
with you?
Woman: I've got a pain.
'Dentist': Where?
Woman: In my mouth.
'Dentist': Yes, I know it's in your mouth,
but which tooth?
Woman: This one here.
'Dentist': Ah yes, a molar.
Woman: What are you going to do?
'Dentist': I'm going to take it out.
Woman: How?
'Dentist': I don't know.
Woman: You don't know?
'Dentist': No. This is the first time I've
taken out a molar. In fact, it's the
first time I've taken out a tooth.
Woman: The first time you've taken out a
tooth!
'Dentist': Yes. This is a very important day
for me - my first extraction. Now,
where's that hammer?
Woman: Listen, I don't want the hammer
and I don't want the string. I
want you to take my tooth out
with a pair of...
'Dentist': A pair of scissors?
Woman: No.
'Dentist': A pair of socks?
Woman: No.
'Dentist': A pair of trousers?
Woman: No
'Dentist': Oh. Just a minute.
(He looks inside his bag, and
takes out a large pair of forceps.)
'Dentist': These?
Woman: Yes, I suppose so.
'Dentist': Right then. Open your mouth
Woman: But what about the anesthetic?
'Dentist': Oh yes. Pass me the hammer.
Woman: I don't want the hammer! I want
a proper anesthetic. I want an
injection.
'Dentist': An injection?
Woman: Yes.
'Dentist': Just a minute
He looks inside his bag again, and
takes out a large syringe.
'Dentist': Ah yes, this is for injections, isn't
it? How does it work?
Woman: Well, you're the dentist. Don't you
know?
'Dentist': No, It's the first time I've used
one of these. Oh well, I'll have a
try. Open your mouth!
Woman: Er, no... I don't think you really
know... er... no, no, I'll come back
another day. I...
(The man wakes up.)
Man: Where am I? Hey, what are you
doing?
'Dentist': I'll be with you in a moment, sir.
Now, just sit still, madam...
Man: No, no, stop that! You're
absolutely crazy!
Woman: I agree. He's absolutely crazy,
completely mad. Let's get out of
here.
Man: Oh yes, good idea.
'Dentist': So you don't want me to take out
that molar?
Woman: Certainly not (To the man) Come
on
Man: Yes, Good idea.
(The man and the woman leave.)
'Dentist': Hmm, that worked very' well.
(He puts his things into the bag,
laughing to himself.)
'Dentist': 'But dentists don't use string to
take out teeth! 'Oh, you'd like an
anesthetic, would you?'
(The real dentist arrives.)
Dentist: Oh, good morning. Sorry I'm late.
It's my first day. It's the first time
I've been here. Are you the only
one?
'Dentist': Yes, there's just me
Dentist: Right. You can come straight in,
then.
'Dentist': Oh, good, I hate having to wait.
110 SKETCHES
Mr. Williams and the
postman
Scene: The front door of 65
Shakespeare Avenue, early
one morning
Characters: A postman, Mr. Henry
Williams, Mrs. Agnes Williams
The postman walks up to the front door. He
knocks at the door and rings the bell.
Postman: Good morning! Hello! Wake up!
Mr. Williams opens the door.
Postman: Ah, good morning!
Henry: Good morning.
Postman: Mr. Williams?
Henry: Yes.
Postman: Mr. H. Williams?
Henry: That's right.
Postman: Mr. Henry Williams of 65
Shakespeare Avenue?
Henry: Sixty-five? Er...yes. Have you got
anything for me?
Postman: No.
Henry: No?
Postman: No.
Henry: Then why did you wake me up?
Postman: It's part of my job.
Henry: What? Waking people up?
Postman: Yes. It's a new service from the
Post Office.
Henry: Hmmm. Listen - you're a postman.
Postman: Yes.
Henry: And postmen bring letters.
Postman: Yes.
Henry: But you haven't brought any for
me.
Postman: Wait a minute, Mr. Williams. I'm
sure I can find something for you.
Um...
(He takes three letters out of his
bag.)
Postman: Ah yes, here we are. Three letters.
Which one would you like?
The red one, the white one, or the
blue one?
Henry: But those letters aren't for me.
Postman: No, Mr. Williams, but this is
another new service from the
Post Office - a new service for all
those unhappy, unfortunate people
who never get any letters.
Henry: Oh
Postman: And you, Mr. Williams, you never
get any letters, do you?
Henry: No, I don't.
Postman: All right then, which one would
you like? The red one, the white
one, or the blue one?
Henry: Mm...I'll have the red one,
please.
Postman: The red one is yours - if you can
answer a simple question.
Henry: A question?
Postman: Yes. Where does Queen Elizabeth
the Second of England live?
Henry: Why? Have you got a letter for
her?(He laughs.)
Postman: No, Mr. Williams. That was the
question. Where does Queen
Elizabeth the Second of England
live?
Henry: Ah. Where does Queen Elizabeth
live?
Postman: Yes.
Henry: I don't know.
Postman: Mr. Williams! It's easy! B-B-BBuck
-
Henry: Oh, yes! Buckingham Hotel.
Postman: No, no! Palace!
Henry: Palace Hotel.
Postman: No!
Henry: I know! Buckingham Palace!
Postman: That's right! You've won the red
envelope!
Henry: Oh, thank you! This is very exciting!
(Mr. Williams opens the red envelope.)
Henry: There's nothing in it.
Postman: No, there's never anything in the
red one.
Henry: This is ridiculous!
Postman: No, it isn't. There are still two
more envelopes.
Henry: Yes, but is there anything in
them?
Postman: Of course there is.
Henry: All right. The blue one.
Postman: Very well, Mr. Williams. Here is
the question for the blue envelope.
What is the approximate
population of Great Britain?
Henry: Er...thirty-five million?
Postman: No. Higher.
Henry: Eighty-five million?
Postman: No. Lower.
SKETCHES 111
Henry: Fifty-five million people!
Postman: is the correct answer! You've won
the white envelope!
Henry: I don't want the white one. I want
the blue one.
Postman: Oh, go on. Take the white one.
Henry: I don't want the white one!
Postman: Oh, all right. Here's the blue one.
Henry: Thank you.
(Mr. Williams opens the blue
envelope.)
Henry: Hmm. Just a piece of paper.
Postman: What does it say?
Henry: It says: 'You should have taken
the white one.'
Postman: I told you,
Henry: This is very silly. I'm going back
to bed.
Postman: Wait a minute, Mr. Williams.
Today's star prize is in the white
envelope.
Henry: The star prize?
Postman: Yes.
Henry: All right then, ask me the question.
Postman: Now listen carefully. If a man
walks at five miles an hour, in the
same direction as a car which is
traveling at thirty miles an hour,
how long will it take for the car to
be 107 miles from the man?
Henry: Eh?
Postman: Mr. Williams! Concentrate! If a
man walks at five miles an hour,
in the same direction as a car
which is traveling at thirty miles
an hour, how long will it take for
the car to be 107 miles from the
man?
Henry: I don't know. Three days?
Postman: No, no. Mr. Williams. Look, why
don't you ask your wife to help
you?
Henry: All right. Agnes!
Agnes: Yes?
Henry: Come here!
Agnes: All right. I'm coming.
(Mrs. Williams comes to the
door.)
Postman: Ah, good morning, Mrs. Williams
Agnes: What's going on?
Henry: I'm trying to win the white one,
Agnes.
Agnes: The white what?
Henry: The white envelope. I've already
won the red one and the blue
one.
Agnes: Henry, what are you talking
about?
Henry: It's a competition. We answer
questions and win prizes - and
the star prize is in the white envelope.
Postman: And here is the question for the
white envelope. If a man walks at
five miles an hour, in the same
direction as a cat which is traveling
at thirty miles an hour, how
long will it take for the car to be
107 miles from the man?
Agnes: That's easy. Four hours, sixteen
minutes and forty-eight seconds.
Postman: Four hours, sixteen minutes and
forty-eight seconds is the correct
answer! You have won today's
star prize. Here you are.
Agnes: Ooh, thank you!
Henry: Well done, Agnes,
(Mrs. Williams opens the white
envelope.)
Henry: What is it?
Agnes: It's just a piece of paper.
Postman: No, it isn't.
Henry: Yes, it is. Look! Just another piece
of paper!
(They give the postman back the
envelope and paper.)
Postman: But, Mr. Williams....Mrs.
Williams...
Henry: Stop wasting our time. Come on,
Agnes; let's go back to bed,
Postman: But come back! I can explain!
(Mr. and Mrs. Williams go back
into the house.)
Postman: I'm sure it's not just another
piece of paper. There's always a
prize in the white one. Let's have
a look....It's a cheque...for £500!
Mr. Williams! Mrs. Williams!
Henry: Go away!
Postman: But Mr. Williams, you've won the
star prize!
Henry: Go away!!
Postman: Oh...Well, if Mr. Williams doesn't
want the £500, I think I'll keep
it...It's a lovely day today...
112 SKETCHES
Tourist information
Scene: A tourist information office at an
international airport in England
Characters: Rita, the tourist information officer,
an Australian tourist
Rita is behind her desk, on which
there is a sign saying 'Rita's Tourist
Information Office'. The tourist
arrives.
Tourist: G'day
Rita: Pardon?
Tourist: G'day!
Rita: Sorry, sir, I only speak English.
Tourist: I am speaking English. 'Good day.''
It's Australian. It's Australian for
'Hello'.
Rita: Is it?
Tourist: Yes.
Rita: Oh, I see. 'G'day'
Tourist: (Holding out his hand) Wallaby.
Rita: Pardon?
Tourist: Wallaby.
Rita: Ah! (Shaking his hand) 'Wallaby'
Tourist: No, no, no. Wallaby is my name.
Rita: Oh, I see. Pleased to meet you, Mr.
Wallaby.
Tourist: I've come from Sydney.
Rita: Sydney?
Tourist: Yes,
Rita: Sydney who?
Tourist: What?
Rita: Sydney Watt? Who's Sydney Watt?
Tourist: No, no - Sydney is in Australia.
Rita: Sydney's in Australia.
Tourist: Yes.
Rita: Oh, I see. So he couldn't come to
England.
Tourist: What?
Rita: You've come, but Sydney hasn't
Tourist: No, no, no, no! Sydney is the place
where I live.
Rita: Oh, I see.
Tourist: At last!
Rita: Sydney is the name of your house.
Tourist: (Giving up) Yes, all right.
Rita: So which town do you come from?
Tourist: Sydney!!
Rita: So Sydney is the name of your
house and the name of your town!
What a coincidence! So how can I
help you?
Tourist: I'd like some information.
Rita: Some information?
Tourist: Yes, some tourist information.
Rita: OK, sir. Welcome to Rita's Tourist
Information Office. I can answer all
your questions.
Tourist: Good.
Rita: But it will cost you five pounds.
Tourist: Pardon me?
(Rita toots a horn and reveals a
sign saying '£5')
Rita: Five pounds. Ask me anything you
like, the questions are five pounds
each.
Tourist: Five pounds each?
Rita: Was that a question?
Tourist: Yes.
(Rita toots the horn again and
changes the sign to '£10'.)
Rita: That's ten pounds.
Tourist: Just a minute! Do I have to pay you
five pounds for every question?
(Rita toots the horn again and
changes the sign to '£15'.)
Rita: Pardon?
Tourist: I said: Do I have to pay you five
pounds for every question?
(Rita toots the horn again and
changes the sign to '£20'.)
Rita: Yes, sir.
Tourist: But is this normal?
(Rita toots the horn again and
changes the sign to '£25'.)
Rita: Oh yes, sir. It's quite normal.
Tourist: Is it?
(Rita toots the horn again and
changes the sign to '£30'.)
SKETCHES 113
Rita: Yes, sir.
Tourist: No, come on - this is a joke, isn't it?
(They both laugh. Then Rita toots
the horn again and changes the
sign to '£35'.)
Rita: No, sir.
Tourist: Look - all I want is some information.
Rita: What did you say?
(Rita toots the horn again and
changes the sign to '£40'.)
Tourist: I said - Wait a minute! I didn't ask
a question then.
Rita: Didn't you?
(Rita toots the horn again and
changes the sign to '£45'.)
Tourist: Look! You've just asked two questions
and I'm paying for them.
Rita: OK, I'm sorry, sir. You can have two
free questions.
Tourist: Can I?
Rita: That's one.
Tourist: Er...now, what do I want to know?
Rita: And that's two.
Tourist: Look, what is going on here?!
(Rita toots the horn again and
changes the sign to '£50'.)
Rita: Fifty pounds! Congratulations, sir.
You now owe me fifty pounds. Now,
you can pay me the fifty pounds or
you can answer one simple question
and double the fifty pounds to
one hundred pounds!
Tourist: (Confused) Er.
Rita: Here's the question: How old are
you?
Tourist: Twenty-six.
(Rita toots the horn.)
Rita: is the correct answer!
(She changes the sign to '£100'.)
Rita: You now owe me one hundred
pounds!
(The tourist gives her £100.)
Tourist: There you are.
Rita: Thank you, sir.
(Rita removes the £100 sign.)
Rita: Enjoy your stay in England.
Tourist: Thank you.
(The tourist starts to leave but then
comes back.)
Tourist: Wait a minute - I haven't had any
information yet
Rita: Don't worry, sir. Ask me anything
you like - but don't forget: it
costs...
Tourist: ...five pounds a question.
Rita: Right. Five pounds a question.
Tourist: Er...Can you tell me
(Rita is going to toot the horn.)
Tourist: No, no, no, no.. .Do you know
(Rita is again going to toot the
horn.)
Tourist: - no, no, no. no, no...Ah. Five
pounds a question. Right. I'd like to
rent a car.
Rita: You'd like to rent a car?
Tourist: Yes. And I'd like you to tell me
where I can do it.
Rita: You'd like to rent a car?
Tourist: Yes.
Rita: Well, sir, there is a car rental company
in the airport.
Tourist: Good (Looking around) and it's -
Rita: right here!
(Rita changes the 'Tourist
Information Office' sign to a 'Renta-
Car' sign.)
Rita: Welcome to Rita's Rent-a-Car.
Tourist: Oh.
Rita: We have cars from all over the
world. And I have here, in my
hand, the keys to a Rolls-Royce.
Tourist: A Rolls-Royce! Yes, please!
Rita: (Giving him the keys) Here you are,
that's fifty pounds.
Tourist: (Giving her the money) Here you
are, Fifty pounds for a Rolls-Royce!
Rita: No, sir. It's fifty pounds for the
keys.
Tourist: Oh.
Rita: Now, sir - do you have any more
questions?
Tourist: Well, I've only got five pounds left.
Rita: So you can have one more question.
What would you like to know?
Tourist: What time is the next plane back to
Australia?
(Rita toots the horn.)
Rita: I don't know, sir.
(Rita takes his £5 note.)
Rita: Thank you very much. Goodbye.
114 SKETCHES
The bank
Scene: The manager's office in a bank
Characters: Miss D. Posit: the bank manager,
Monica: Miss Posit's secretary,
Mr. Moore: a customer,
a bank robber
(Miss Posit is sitting on her desk. The intercom
buzzes.)
Miss Posit: Yes, Monica?
Monica: Miss Posit, there's a gentlemen
to see you. Mr. Moore.
Miss Posit: Ah, yes. Mr. Moore. Bring him in
please, Monica.
Monica: Yes, Miss Posit.
(Monica brings Mr. Moore in.)
Miss Posit: Good morning, Mr. Moore.
Mr. Moore: Good morning.
Miss Posit: Thank you, Monica,
(Monica leaves the office.)
Miss Posit: Do sit down, Mr. Moore.
Mr. Moore: Thank you.
(He sits down.)
Miss Posit: Now, Mr. Moore, the situation is
like this. Your account is in the
red.
Mr. Moore: Pardon?
Miss Posit: In the red.
Mr. Moore: I'm sorry, I don't understand.
Miss Posit: In the red. Overdrawn.
Mr. Moore: Overdrawn. No, I'm sorry, I've
never heard that word before in
my life.
Miss Posit: It's very simple, Mr. Moore. It
means that you've taken more
money out of the bank than
you've put in.
Mr. Moore: Oh, I see. Thank you very much.
Miss Posit: I don't think you quite understand,
Mr. Moore. It means that
you've put in less than you've
taken out.
Mr. Moore: Oh!
Miss Posit: Your account is overdrawn. £200
overdrawn.
Mr. Moore: £200 overdrawn. I see. Well,
don't worry. I can put that right
immediately.
Miss Posit: Oh, good.
Mr. Moore: Yes, I'll write you a cheque, shall
I?
(He takes out his cheque-book
and begins to write.)
Mr. Moore: Now... two hundred pounds...
Miss Posit: Mr. Moore, Mr. Moore, if you
write me a cheque for £200,
you'll be overdrawn more, Mr.
Moore.
Mr. Moore: I beg your pardon?
Miss Posit: More, Mr. Moore. M-O-R-E, more
Mr. Moore: No, no...double-O...M-double-OR-
E, Mr. Moore. It is my name.
Miss Posit: Mr. Moore, I don't think you
quite understand the situation.
You see -
(The robber comes in suddenly.)
Robber: Nobody move!
Miss Posit: you see, if you write me a
cheque for £200 -
Robber I said: 'Nobody move!
Miss Posit: Can I help you?
Robber: That's better. You
Mr. Moore: Me?
Robber: Yes. Read this.
(He gives Mr. Moore a note.)
Mr. Moore: Oh. OK. Er... (Reading) Two
pounds of tomatoes, six eggs,
and a packet of chocolate biscuits.'
Robber: No, no, no. The other side.
Mr. Moore: Oh, sorry. Er,..(Reading) 'Give
me all your...honey, or I'll...kiss
you.'
Robber: Not honey - money.
Mr. Moore: Oh, sorry. (Reading) 'Give me all
your money, or I'll kiss you.'
Robber: Not kiss - kill
Mr. Moore: Oh. Er...Miss Posit, I think this is
for you.
(He gives the note to Miss Posit.)
Miss Posit: (Reading) Give me all your
money, or I'll kill you.' I see.
Would you sit down for a
moment?
Robber: Sit down?
Miss Posit: Yes, I'm very busy at the
moment. Please sit over there.
Robber: But
Miss Posit: I'll be with you in a moment.
(The robber sits down.)
Miss Posit: Now, Mr. Moore. How much do
you earn?
Mr. Moore: £35 a week.
Robber: Excuse me.
Miss Posit: Just one moment, please!...So
you earn £35 a week. How much
do you spend?
Mr. Moore: £70 a week.
Robber: Excuse me -
Miss Posit: One moment, please!!...£70 a
week. So you spend twice as
much as you earn.
Mr. Moore: Yes, I earn half as much as I
spend.
Miss Posit: How do you do it?
Mr. Moore: It's easy. I use my cheque-book.
Miss Posit: Exactly, Mr. Moore!
Robber: Excuse me.
Miss Posit: Yes!!
Robber: I make £2,000 a week.
SKETCHES 115
Miss Posit: £2,000 a week? And how much
do you spend?
Robber: £1,000 a week.
Miss Posit: Really? So you save £1,000 a
week.
Robber: Yes.
Miss Posit : (Very politely) Would you like to
sit here?
Robber: Thank you.
Miss Posit: Mr. Moore, would you sit over
there for a moment?
(The robber and Mr. Moore
change places.)
Miss Posit: So you save £1,000 a week.
Robber: Yes.
Miss Posit: Tell me...where do you keep this
money?
Robber: Here. In this bag.
(He puts a large bag full of
money on the desk.)
Miss Posit: Oh. Oh, yes. Very nice.
Um...would you like to open an
account, Mr....?
Robber: Mr. Steele.
Miss Posit: Steele. I see. S-T-double E-L-E?
Robber: Yes, that's right.
Miss Posit: Well, just excuse me one
moment, Mr. Steele, and I'll get
the necessary papers.
Robber: Certainly.
Mr. Moore: Excuse me...
Robber: Yes?
Mr. Moore: You make £2,000 a week.
Robber: Yes.
Mr. Moore: How do you do it?
Robber: I rob banks.
Mr. Moore: Oh, I see. You rob banks and
steal the money.
Robber: Yes
Mr. Moore: How do you do it?
Robber: It's easy. You take a gun.
Mr. Moore: I haven't got a gun.
Robber: Oh...well, borrow mine.
Mr. Moore: Thank you very much.
(Mr. Moore takes the gun and
fires it.)
Robber: Be careful! You take a gun and
you take a note.
Mr. Moore: Oh, yes, the note. That's very
good. I like that. (Reading) Two
pounds of tomatoes, six eggs
Robber: The other side!
Mr. Moore: Oh, yes. (Reading)
'Give me all your
honey, or I'll kiss
you!'
Robber: 'Money' and 'kill'
Mr. Moore: Oh, yes.
Robber: You take
the note,
go into the bank,
and put the note
on the bank
manager's desk.
Mr. Moore: Is that all?
Robber: Yes. Mr. Moore.
Mr. Moore: I see.
(Miss Posit comes back into the
office.)
Miss Posit: Ah. yes. Now, Mr. Steele
Mr. Moore: Give me all your honey...money,
or I'll kiss...kill you.
Miss Posit: Money, Mr. Moore? Certainly.
Take this bag.
(She gives Mr. Moore the robber's
bag.)
Mr. Moore: Oh, thank you. That was easy.
Robber: Yes, but
Miss Posit: Mr. Moore, your account is still
£200 overdrawn.
Mr. Moore: Oh, yes. Well...um...Here you
are.
(He gives her £200 from the
robber's bag.)
Mr. Moore: £50... £ 100... £ I 50.. .£200.
Robber: But... But...
Miss Posit: Thank you, Mr. Moore.
Mr. Moore: Goodbye.
(Mr. Moore leaves.)
Miss Posit: Now, Mr. Steele - your account
Robber: But...But...But...
Miss Posit: Mr. Steele...
Robber: Just a minute! I think something's
gone wrong. Hey, you!
Come back! Bring back my
money - and my gun! Come
back!
(He runs after Mr. Moore.)
Miss Posit: (On the intercom) Monica, would
you bring me some coffee,
please? Some strong black coffee...
116 SKETCHES
The Superlative vacuum
cleaner
Scene: The hall of a house
Characters: A vacuum cleaner salesman, a
housewife
The salesman rings the doorbell several
times.
Housewife: Yes, I'm coming.
(She opens the door.)
Housewife: Good morning.
Salesman: Good morning, young lady. Is
your mother in?
Housewife: My mother? I'm the mother in
this house. What do you want?
Salesman: Dust, madam.
Housewife: Dust?
Salesman: Yes, madam. Dust.
Housewife: I haven't got any dust.
Salesman: Oh yes you have!
(He shakes dust onto the floor
from a paper bag.)
Salesman: All over your carpet!
Housewife: Hey! I've just cleaned this carpet!
Why are you putting dust
all over it?
Salesman: Don't worry, madam. I've got
the answer to all your problems
here! The Superlative vacuum
cleaner!
Housewife: The Superlative vacuum cleaner!
Why's it called 'Superlative'?
Salesman: Because, madam, everything
about it is superlative. It's the
quickest, the cleanest, the
cheapest, the smallest, the
smartest, the most economical,
the most effective, the most
beautiful, the most revolutionary
vacuum cleaner in the
world. And it's only £65.
Housewife: Are you trying to sell me a vacuum
cleaner?
Salesman: Yes, madam.
Housewife: Well, go on, then.
Salesman: I've finished, madam.
Housewife: Finished? You haven't said very
much. What sort of a vacuum
cleaner salesman are you?
Salesman: Not a very good one, I'm afraid.
Housewife: I can see that.
Salesman: No, I'm a very bad vacuum
cleaner salesman. In fact, I'm
the worst salesman in our company.
Housewife: The worst?
Salesman: The worst, I sometimes think
I'm the worst vacuum cleaner
salesman in the world.
Housewife: Oh, dear. Do you like your job?
Salesman: Like my job? No, madam, I
detest my job. It's the most
boring job in the world. Every
day it's the same: 'Good morning,
young lady. Is your mother
in?...The Superlative vacuum
cleaner...The quickest, the
cleanest, the cheapest, the
smallest...'
Housewife: Well, is it the quickest?
Salesman: No, it's probably the slowest.
Housewife: Is it the cleanest?
Salesman: Cleanest? Don't make me
laugh! I don't think there's a
dirtier vacuum cleaner on the
market. And it certainly isn't the
cheapest either.
Housewife: No, no, no. This is no good at
all.
Salesman: Pardon?
Housewife: Look, do you want to sell this
vacuum cleaner or don't you?
Salesman: I suppose so.
Housewife: Well, your sales technique is all
wrong.
Salesman: Is it?
Housewife: Yes. I could sell vacuum cleaners
better than you,
Salesman: No, you couldn't.
Housewife: Yes, I could. I'll show you. You
come into the house, and I'll
ring the bell and sell the vacuum
cleaner to you.
Salesman: You'll sell the vacuum cleaner to
me?
Housewife: Yes.
Salesman: OK. But it isn't as easy as you
think.
Housewife: We'll see. Go inside and shut
the door.
SKETCHES 117
Salesman: All right,
(The salesman goes into the
house and closes the door. The
housewife rings the bell. The
salesman opens the door.)
Salesman: Not today, thank you,
(He closes the door. The housewife
rings the bell again. The
salesman opens the door again,
and speaks in a high voice.)
Salesman: Yes?
Housewife: Hello!
Salesman: Hello,
Housewife: My goodness me, what a beautiful
house you've got!
Salesman: Ooh, do you like it?
Housewife: Like it? It's the most beautiful
house I've seen for a long time.
Salesman: Thank you very much, may I
come in?
Salesman: Er ..
Housewife: Thank you, Oh, what a colorful
carpet!
Salesman: Yes, it's lovely, isn't it?
Housewife: It's the most colorful carpet I've
seen. I should think it was
expensive.
Salesman: The most expensive one in the
shop.
Housewife: And I suppose you've got a very
good vacuum cleaner to look
after it.
Salesman: A vacuum cleaner? No, I
haven't.
Housewife: You haven't got a vacuum
cleaner?
Salesman: No.
Housewife: Well, madam, this is your lucky
day, because I have here the
best vacuum cleaner that
money can buy: the Superlative
vacuum cleaner.
Salesman: Is it really good?
Housewife: Good? Good? It's the...the...
Salesman: (In his own voice) Quickest
Housewife: ...the quickest, the...
Salesman: Cleanest,
Housewife: ...the cleanest, the cheapest,
the smallest, the smartest, the
most economical, the most
effective, the most beautiful,
the most revolutionary vacuum
cleaner in the world.
Salesman: (In a high voice again) Ooh!
How much is it?
Housewife: Just £65 to you, madam
Salesman: I'll buy one.
Housewife: Good
Salesman: (In his own voice) Er...where's
the money?
Housewife: It's in my handbag on the
kitchen table.
Salesman: Oh, right. (In the high voice) I'll
just go and get some money.
He goes to the kitchen to get
the money.
Housewife: Good idea, madam. You've
made the right decision.
(The salesman comes back,
speaking in his own voice.)
Salesman: Do you know, you're a fantastic
saleswoman.
Housewife: Ooh!
Salesman: You've got a fantastic sales
technique.
Housewife: Do you think so?
Salesman: Yes, you've got the best sales
technique I've seen all day.
Housewife: Thank you!
Salesman: Thank you, madam.
(He leaves and closes the door.)
Salesman: (Speaking to himself, counting
the money) Ten, twenty, thirty,
forty, fifty, sixty, sixty-five. Now
that's the way to sell a vacuum
cleaner.
118 SKETCHES
Superman and the
psychiatrist
Scene: A psychiatrist's consulting
room
Characters: A psychiatrist, Angela (the
psychiatrist's receptionist), Mr.
Wilkins, Superman
The receptionist comes in.
Psychiatrist: Who's next, Angela?
Receptionist: There's a man to see you, doctor.
His name is Wilkins. He
says he can't talk quietly. He
can only shout.
Mr. Wilkins: Can I come in?!!
Psychiatrist: Hmm. Yes, I see. Ask him to
come in.
Receptionist: Come in, Mr. Wilkins.
(He comes in. The receptionist
goes out.)
Mr. Wilkins: Thank you! Hello, doctor. Sorry
to trouble you.
Psychiatrist: That's all right, Mr. Wilkins. Do
sit down. Now... what seems
to be the trouble?
Mr. Wilkins: Er...Well, doctor, I can't talk
quietly, I can only shout.
Psychiatrist: (Shouting) How long have you
been like this?
Mr. Wilkins: Pardon?
Psychiatrist: (Back to normal) How long
have you been like this
Mr. Wilkins: About a week.
Psychiatrist: Well, don't worry. I think
you've got a very nice shouting
voice.
Mr. Wilkins: But I can't go on like this. I'll
lose my job.
Psychiatrist: What is your job?
Mr. Wilkins: I'm a librarian. I work in a
library. I can't shout at work,
you know.
Psychiatrist: In that case, Mr. Wilkins, I
think you should change your
job.
Mr. Wilkins: But what can I do? No one
wants a man who can only
shout.
Psychiatrist: You could get a job as an
English teacher.
Mr. Wilkins: An English teacher?
Psychiatrist: Yes, they shout all the time.
Mr. Wilkins: All right, doctor. I'll do that.
Goodbye.
Psychiatrist: Goodbye, Mr. Wilkins.
(He leaves, still shouting.)
Mr. Wilkins: Hey, you! Write down this
verb!
Receptionist: Goodbye, Mr. Wilkins.
The receptionist comes back
into the room.
Receptionist: Is Mr. Wilkins all right, doctor?
Psychiatrist: Yes. He's going to be an
English teacher.
Receptionist: Oh.
Psychiatrist: Who's next?
Receptionist: Superman.
Psychiatrist: Superman?
Receptionist: Yes.
Psychiatrist: Oh, I see,. someone who
thinks he's Superman.
Receptionist: No, doctor. He really is
Superman.
Psychiatrist: What? The big, strong man
who flies through the air?
Receptionist: Yes.
Psychiatrist: Oh, I see. Ask him to come in.
Receptionist: Yes, doctor. (To Superman)
Come this way, please.
(Superman comes in, very
tired and out-of-breath.)
Superman: Thank you.
Psychiatrist: Thank you, Angela.
(The receptionist goes out.)
Psychiatrist: Good morning, Mr...er...
Superman: Superman.
SKETCHES 119
Psychiatrist: Yes, Superman. Do sit down.
(Superman sits down.)
Superman: Thank you.
Psychiatrist: Well, what seems to be the
trouble?
Superman: Well, doctor, I'm Superman.
People think I can do everything,
but I can't. I can't do
anything any more.
Psychiatrist: What can't you do?
Superman: I can't climb buildings, I can't
lift cars...and I can't fly.
Psychiatrist: Well, don't worry. A lot of people
have that problem.
Superman: But you don't understand. I'm
Superman. If you can't fly, you
can't be Superman. It's in the
contract.
Psychiatrist: Ah yes, I see.
Superman: In the old days, when people
called for Superman, I could
run into a telephone box, take
off my boring grey city suit,
and become Superman, all in
ten seconds. Yesterday, I went
into a telephone box, and it
took me fifteen minutes just to
take off my trousers. And
when I came out, I couldn't
remember where I was going.
What do you think of that?
(The psychiatrist is asleep.)
Superman: Eh?
Psychiatrist: (Waking up) Er. What? Pardon?
Superman: What do you think?
Psychiatrist: I think you should change your
job.
Superman: But what can I do?
Psychiatrist: Well, you've got a very nice
face. You could be a pop
singer.
Superman: A pop singer?
Psychiatrist: Yes, I can see it all now. Your
name will be in lights! You'll be
famous!
Superman: But I am famous. I'm
Superman.
Psychiatrist: Not any more. From today,
you are Rocky Superdazzle!
Superman: Do you think it's a good idea?
Psychiatrist: Yes, of course...Rocky,
(The receptionist comes in
again.)
Receptionist: Doctor
Psychiatrist: Yes, Angela?
Receptionist: Mr. Wilkins is back again,
(Mr. Wilkins comes in, shouting
as before.)
Mr. Wilkins: Yes, I am. I've changed my
mind. I don't want to be an
English teacher. What else can
I do?
Psychiatrist: Don't worry, Mr Wilkins. I've
got another job for you. You
can work with Rocky
Superdazzle here.
Superman: How do you do?
Mr. wilkins: Rocky Superdazzle? That's not
Rocky Superdazzle! That's
Superman, I saw him in a telephone
box yesterday.
Superman! Huh! It took him
fifteen minutes just to take off
his trousers.
Psychiatrist: Well, he was Superman, but
he's not Superman any more.
I think you can both work
together...
(A few weeks later, at a pop
concert.)
Mr. Wilkins: Ladies and gentlemen, you've
heard of Rod Stewart! You've
heard of Mick Jagger! You've
heard of...Queen Elizabeth the
Second of England! Well,
tonight we present a new star
on the pop scene. He's cooler
than Rod Stewart! He's wilder
than Mick Jagger! And
he's...taller than Queen
Elizabeth the Second of
England! Ladies and gentlemen
- Rocky Superdazzle!
(The audience screams and
applauds.)
Superman: Thank you! Thank you very
much! Thank you!
120 SKETCHES
The lost property office
Scene: A lost property office
Characters: The lost property office clerk,
a gangster, a policeman
The gangster runs into the lost property
office. There are police cars passing in the
street at high speed.
Clerk: Can I help you?
Gangster: Where am I?
Clerk: You're in a lost property office.
Gangster: A lost property office?
Clerk: Yes. Have you lost something?
Gangster: Probably.
Clerk: What have you lost?
Gangster: I've lost my...umbrella.
Clerk: Ah, you want the Umbrella
Section.
Gangster: The Umbrella Section?
Clerk: Yes. Go out into the street, turn
left, and it's on the left.
Gangster: Into the street?
Clerk: Yes. You see, this isn't the
Umbrella Section. This is the
Animal Section.
Gangster: The Animal Section?
Clerk: Yes.
Gangster: In that case, I've lost my dog.
Clerk: You've lost your dog?
Gangster: Yes.
Clerk: Well, in that case, you want the
Small Animal Section.
Gangster: The Small Animal Section?
Clerk: Yes. Go into the street, turn
right, and it's on the right.
Gangster: Into the street?
Clerk: Yes. You see, this isn't the Small
Animal Section. This is the Large
Animal Section.
Gangster: The Large Animal Section?
Clerk: Yes.
Gangster: In that case, I've lost my elephant.
Clerk: You've lost your elephant?
Gangster: Yes.
Clerk: I see. Well, I'll need a few
details. Would you like to sit
down?
Gangster: I'd love to.
(The gangster sits down.)
Clerk: Now, first of all: Name.
Gangster: Er... Winston.
Clerk: Well. Mr Winston -
Gangster: No, my name isn't Winston. The
elephant's name is Winston.
Clerk: I see. And what is your name?
Gangster: Churchill.
Clerk: (Writing) Churchill. Address?
Gangster: Er...Churchill's Circus.
Clerk: Oh, I see. It's a circus elephant.
Gangster: Is it?...Yes. Yes, it is!
Clerk: When did you last see him?
Gangster: Who?
Clerk: The elephant.
Gangster: Oh, Winston. Well, we were on a
bus yesterday
Clerk: On a bus?!
Gangster: Yes.
Clerk: How did Winston get on a bus?
Gangster: How did Winston get on a bus?
Clerk: Yes
Gangster: That's a very good question.
Well...He waited at the bus stop,
and when the bus came along,
he put out his arm. And when
the bus stopped, he got on.
Clerk: I see. And then what happened?
Gangster: Well, we were upstairs on the
bus
Clerk: Upstairs?!
Gangster: Yes. Winston wanted to smoke a
cigarette.
Clerk: A cigarette?!
Gangster: I know - I tell him every day:
'Winston, smoking is bad for
you." But he never listens.
Clerk: Hmm. What happened then?
Gangster: Well, I fell asleep.
Clerk: You fell asleep?
Gangster: Yes.
Clerk: I see. And then what happened?
Gangster: I don't know - I was asleep. But
then I woke up, and Winston
wasn't there.
Clerk: Hmm. Well, I'd better ask you a
few questions about him. What
kind of elephant is he?
Gangster: Oh, he's very nice - generous,
loving...he likes collecting
stamps.
Clerk: No - when I say 'What kind of
elephant?' I mean: Is he an
African elephant?
Gangster: Oh, no.
Clerk: So he's an Indian elephant.
Gangster: No.
Clerk: What kind of elephant is he?
Gangster: Scottish.
Clerk: A Scottish elephant?!
Gangster: Yes. He wears a kilt.
Clerk: I see. What color is he?
Gangster: Color? Well, he's elephant-colored.
Clerk: And what color is that?
Gangster: Blue.
Clerk: Blue?!
Gangster: It was very cold yesterday.
Clerk: Yes, it was. Next question: Color
of eyes.
Gangster: Well, you know, like an elephant.
Clerk: What color is that?
Gangster: Red,
SKETCHES 121
Clerk: Red?!
Gangster: Green.
Clerk: Green?!
Gangster: One red, one green.
Clerk: One red, one green?!
Gangster: Yes. We call him 'Traffic Lights'.
Clerk: I see. Color of hair?
Gangster: Hair?
Clerk: Yes
Gangster: He hasn't got any hair.
Clerk: I see. (Writing) Bald...So we're
looking for a bald, blue, Scottish
elephant, wearing a kilt and
smoking a cigarette.
Gangster: Yes.
Clerk: Is there anything unusual about
him?
Gangster: No, nothing at all.
Clerk: Good. Now, Mr. Churchill, what
should we do if we find Winston?
Gangster: Well...Put a banana in your
hand, walk up to Winston, and
say 'Kootchie-kootchie-koo'
Clerk: What will Winston do?
Gangster: Well, if it's Winston, he'll sit
down and he'll eat the banana.
Clerk: All right, Mr. Churchill. Just wait
a moment, and I'll call the
Elephant Section.
Gangster: Fine.
(The clerk picks up the telephone
and dials a number.)
Clerk: Hello? George?... It's Brenda...
l'm fine, thank you - and you?...
Good. George, have you got any
elephants?... You haven't? Hold
on a moment. (To the gangster)
He hasn't got any elephants.
Gangster: No elephants? Well, not to
worry. Sorry to have troubled
you. Thank you for your help. I'll
be on my way. Goodbye.
(He gets up. A police car passes
in the street. He sits down
again.)
Gangster: Er...Ask George to have another
look.
Clerk: All right. (On the phone)
George, can you have another
look?
Gangster: Tell him to look under the table.
Clerk: Look under the table...What?...
(To the gangster) He's got one.
Gangster: A table?
Clerk: No, an elephant.
Gangster: An elephant.
Clerk: Yes. It was under the table.
Gangster: Really?
Clerk: (On the phone) Yes, George, I'm
listening...Yes...Yes...Yes...Yes...
Yes. Hold on.(To the gangster)
He's got a bald, blue, Scottish
elephant, wearing a kilt and
smoking a cigarette. It sounds
like Winston.
Gangster: What about the banana?
Clerk: Oh, yes. (On the phone)
George...I want you to put a
banana in your hand, and say
'Kootchie-kootchie-koo'...No,
not to me - to the elephant.
OK?...What?...Oh, no!
Gangster: What's the matter?
Clerk: The elephant sat down.
Gangster: Good.
Clerk: On George.
Gangster: Tell George to give Winston the
banana!
Clerk: Right. (On the phone) George?
George! Get up and give the
banana to the elephant...Hello?
What? Oh, no!
Gangster: What is it?
Clerk: He's eaten the banana.
Gangster: Who? Winston?
Clerk: No. George.
Gangster: Oh, no!
Clerk: (On the phone) George, I think
you should bring the elephant
down here. The owner is waiting
to take him away.. .OK...Bye.
(The clerk puts down the telephone.)
Clerk: Don't worry, Mr Churchill. Your
elephant will be here in a
moment.
Gangster: Look - before this elephant
arrives, there's something you
should know -
(They hear the sound of an elephant.)
Clerk: Ah, that must be Winston.
(They hear the sound of someone
falling over.)
Clerk: And that's George.
(Someone knocks at the door.)
Clerk: Go on, Mr. Churchill. Open the
door.
Gangster: Oh, all right.
(He opens the door.)
Gangster: Hello, Winston. Kootchiekootchie-
koo!
Policeman: Mr. Churchill?
Gangster: But...this isn't an elephant. It's a
policeman.
Policeman: Very good, sir. Now, if you'd like
to follow me...
Clerk: Goodbye, Mr. Churchill. And
don't forget: If you lose your
elephant again, the Lost
Property Office is here to help
you.
Gangster: Oh, good. I'll remember that,
(He leaves with the policeman.)
122 SKETCHES
The travel agency
Scene: A travel agency in London
Characters: A travel agent, Martin and
Brenda Spencer
The travel agent is sitting at his desk in the
travel agency. The phone rings.
Travel agent: (On the telephone) Honest
Harry's Happy Holidays. Can I
help you? Oh, it's you,
sir...This is Perkins speaking,
yes...The holidays in Brighton?
Well, I haven't sold very
many...I'm doing my best, but
people aren't interested in
Brighton these days. My job?
Yes, I do like my job...Yes; I do
want to keep my job...Yes, sir.
All right, I'll sell some holidays
in Brighton. Yes, sir. Yes, sir.
Goodbye.
(He puts the phone down.)
Travel agent: Oh, dear.
(Martin and Brenda come in.)
Martin: Go on, Brenda.
Brenda: Excuse me, is this a travel
agency?
Travel agent: No, madam. It's a fish and
chip shop.
Brenda: Oh, sorry. Come on, Martin.
Travel agent: No, no, this is a travel agency.
Just a little joke.
Brenda: Oh.
Travel agent: Yes, welcome to Honest
Harry's Happy Holidays. Do sit
down.
Brenda: Thank you.
Martin: Thank you.
(They sit down.)
Travel agent: What can I do for you?
Brenda: We'd like some information
about holidays.
Travel agent: Oh, good.
Martin: Yes, we'd like to go somewhere
interesting.
Travel agent: Somewhere interesting? Have
you been to Brighton?
Martin: Brighton? No, we haven't -
Travel agent: Really?
Brenda: and we don't want to, either.
Travel agent: Why not?
Martin: Well, it's not exciting. We want
to go somewhere exciting.
Travel agent: Oh, I see. How about the
Sahara Desert?
Brenda: The Sahara Desert?
Travel agent: Yes, Have you ever been
there?
Martin: No, we haven't,
Travel agent: Well, this is the holiday for
you. Forty-five days in the
middle of the Sahara Desert.
Brenda: In the middle of the Sahara
Desert? Is there anything to
do?
Travel agent: Oh yes, there's plenty to do.
Have you ever been in a sandstorm?
Martin: A sandstorm? No, we haven't,
Travel agent: Oh well, it's very exciting.
There are sandstorms nearly
every day. And lots of dangerous
snakes. Have you ever
been bitten by a dangerous
snake?
Martin- Brenda: No!
Travel agent: Oh well, it's very exciting.
Brenda: No, I don't think we'd like
Travel agent: Sandstorms, dangerous
snakes, and, on the last day,
a stampede of camels!
Martin: A stampede of camels? What's
that?
Travel agent: Haven't you ever seen a stampede
of camels?
Martin: No.
Travel agent: Oh, it's very exciting. You
stand in the middle of three
hundred camels; someone
fires a gun in the air - Bang!
and all the camels get frightened
and run away.
Brenda: With us standing in the middle?
Travel agent: Yes. Have you ever seen a
frightened camel?
Brenda: No. Is it exciting?
Travel agent: Exciting? It's terrifying!
Martin: Isn't it dangerous?
Travel agent: Of course it's dangerous!
That's what makes it exciting!
Martin: Er...how much is it?
Travel agent: £800.
Brenda: £800!
Travel agent: And £5 extra for the stampede
of camels.
Brenda: That's very expensive.
Travel agent: Ah, I see. You want something
cheaper. Um...how about the
Arctic Ocean? Have you ever
been to the Arctic?
Martin: No, we haven't,
Travel agent: Well, we can give you three
weeks in a small boat in the
Arctic Ocean. Each boat has a
small hole in the bottom.
SKETCHES 123
Brenda: A hole in the bottom?
Travel agent: and you have enough food for
ten days.
Martin: Ten days?
Travel agent: That's right.
Martin: But the holiday is for three
weeks.
Travel agent: That's what makes it exciting!
And it's only £600.
Brenda: £600! It's still much too
expensive for us.
Martin: Have you got anything a little
bit cheaper?
Travel agent: Cheaper...well, I don't know.
Let me see...Um...Oh, yes.
Now this is a holiday to
remember. The Amazon jungle.
Have you been to the
Amazon jungle?
Martin: No, we haven't.
Travel agent: Well, this may be the holiday
for you. We drop you into the
middle of the Amazon jungle
by parachute.
Martin: By parachute!
Travel agent: Yes, we drop you into the middle
of the Amazon jungle, with
a map.
Brenda: Well, at least you get a map.
Travel agent: with a map of the London
Underground.
Brenda: Oh. I don't think we'd like that.
It sounds very dangerous.
Travel agent: Yes, but it's very exciting! This
is the twentieth century.
People want exciting holidays.
You said you wanted an exciting
holiday.
Martin: But all your holidays are dangerous,
expensive, and too far
away from home.
Travel agent: Oh, I see. Now you want
something nearer home.
Martin: Er...yes.
Travel agent: Have you ever been to Spain?
Martin: No, we haven't.
Travel agent: We can offer you a month,
fighting the strongest bulls in
Spain.
Brenda: Bullfighting? No, I don't want
to do that.
Travel agent: Oh. Have you ever been to
Paris?
Martin: No, we haven't.
Travel agent: What about ten days in
Paris?...
Martin: That sounds marvelous!
Travel agent: ...painting the outside of the
Eiffel Tower.
Brenda- Martin: No, thanks!
Travel agent: Well, what about two weeks in
Brighton?
Brenda: No, thanks!
Martin: Just a minute. Did you say
'Brighton'?
Travel agent: Yes. How about two weeks in
Brighton, staying in a nice
quiet hotel by the sea?
Brenda: Well, yes...
Martin: Yes, that sounds wonderful!
Travel agent: It's not very exciting. No
camels, no snakes, but you
can't have everything, can
you?
Brenda: No. That's very nice. We'll take
it.
Martin: How much is it?
Travel agent: £50 each, please. Could you
just sign this form for the
reservations?
(He gives Martin a form.)
Travel agent: Just here, please. Alarm signs.
Travel agent: Thank you. And here. And
here. And here. And... here.
Thank you.
Brenda: Thank you very much.
Martin: Goodbye.
Travel agent: Goodbye and I hope you enjoy
your holiday.
(Martin and Brenda leave. The
telephone rings.)
Travel agent: On the telephone Honest
Harry's Happy Holidays. Can I
help you?... Well, we've got
some very nice holidays in
Brighton, as a matter of fact...
124 SKETCHES
Gerry Brown's driving test
Scene: A car
Characters: Gerry Brown, Brian Smith,
Gerry's friend, a driving examiner
Brian has just arrived at the test centre in his
car. He is sitting in it, waiting for Gerry.
Brian: Hmm...Three o'clock. Where is he?
Ah, there he is. Gerry! Gerry! (Gerry
comes to the car.)
Gerry: Ah, hello!
Brian: Hello, Gerry,
(Brian gets out of the car.)
Brian: Well, the big day, eh?
Gerry: Yes, my driving test. It's very good
of you to lend me your car.
Brian: Oh, that's all right, Gerry. You have
had driving lessons, haven't you?
Gerry: Oh, yes. Well...I had one.
Brian: One?
Gerry: Yes, I had one last night. It was very
good.
Brian: That's not enough. You should have
had at least ten!
Gerry: Now don't worry. I've flown aero
planes, you know, and it's all more
or less the same. You just jump in,
switch on, and up she goes!
Brian: Yes, but this isn't an aero plane. It's
a car. My car!
Gerry: Oh yes, I can see that.
Brian: Hmm...that's another problem.
Gerry: What?
Brian: Your eyes.
Gerry: What's the matter with my eyes?
Brian: Well, they're not exactly perfect, are
they?
Gerry: Well, I know I can't see very well,
but -
Brian: But you told the authorities that
your eyes were perfect. You shouldn't
have done that.
Gerry: Yes, I know. But don't worry, everything
will be all right. I borrowed
these glasses from my uncle, and he
says they're marvelous.
Brian: Your uncle's glasses! But Gerry, you
should have brought your own
glasses
Gerry: I haven't got any of my own. But
don't worry, my uncle has worn
these for twenty-five years, and he's
a brain surgeon.
Brian: Gerry -Gerry!Look, I'll put them on.
(He puts on the glasses.)
Gerry: There, Oh...Um...Brian?...Brian? (He
bumps into the car.)
Gerry: Oh.
Brian: Gerry, look, here comes the examiner.
Gerry: Oh yes, I see. He looks like a very
nice man.
Brian: Gerry, it's not a man. It's a woman.
Gerry: Oh.
Brian: Now listen, Gerry. There's only one
way you can pass this test.
Gerry: Yes?
Brian: Be polite.
Gerry: Be polite and
Brian: Shhht, Gerry. Here she is,
(The examiner arrives.)
Examiner: Mr. Brown?
Gerry: Er…yes.
Examiner: I'm the examiner. Shall we get
in?
Gerry: Er...yes. Allow me to open the
door for you
(He opens the door and the
examiner gets into the car.)
Examiner: Thank you.
Gerry: Was that all right?
Brian: Very good, Gerry. But I think
I'll come with you, just in case.
Gerry: All right.
(Gerry and Brian get into the
car. Brian sits in the back.)
Examiner: Now, Mr. Brown. I'd like you to
drive the car straight down the
road.
SKETCHES 125
Gerry: Straight down the road. Yes.
(He tries to drive away. The
car stops.)
Gerry: Oh. Sorry,
(He tries again, and drives
away very fast.)
Examiner: Turn right, Mr. Brown. (Gerry
turns left.)
Brian: Gerry! You turned left. She
said 'Right'. You should have
turned right.
Gerry: (Cheerfully) Sorry!
Examiner: Turn left, Mr. Brown.
(Gerry turns right.)
Brian: Gerry! You turned right. You
should have turned left.
Examiner: The traffic lights are red, Mr.
Brown.
Brian-Examiner: Red!
(Gerry stops the car at the
traffic lights.)
Gerry: Ha, ha! Very good, eh?
Straight on?
Examiner: Er...n-n-no, Mr Brown. I think
I'll get out here.
Gerry: Oh. Allow me to open the door
for you.
Examiner: No, no, thank you. That won't
be necessary.
She gets out of the car and
walks away.
Examiner: I should have stayed in bed
today. I knew it...I knew it was
going to be a bad day.
Gerry: Oh, dear.
Brian: I told you you should have had
more lessons, Gerry.
Gerry: Ah, green!
Gerry drives away very fast.
Brian: Gerry! Gerry! Slow down,
Gerry! Gerry!!
126 SKETCHES
Giovanni 's café
Scene: A pavement cafe in Rome
Characters: Geoffrey Burton, Dorothy
Burton (Geoffrey's wife),
Teresa Pilkington, Giovanni
Geoffrey and Dorothy are sitting at a table in
front of the cafe.
Geoffrey: Well, here we are in Rome. The
sun is shining, and we haven't got
a care in the world.
Dorothy: Yes, Rome is so beautiful.
Geoffrey: And it's such a beautiful day.
Dorothy: This square looks lovely in the
sunshine.
Geoffrey: And it's so nice, sitting here with
you. No trains to catch...
Dorothy: No telephones to answer...
Geoffrey: No boring business people to talk
to...Do you know, this is the first
holiday we've had for five years -
since we were married.
Dorothy: And it's our first visit to Rome,
too. It's like a second honeymoon.
Geoffrey: Yes, and now we're alone together,
with all the time in the world.
Dorothy: Yes.
Geoffrey: Just you, and me, and romantic
Rome.
Dorothy: Yes.
(Teresa comes to their table.)
Teresa: Excuse me, do you speak
English?
Geoffrey: Yes.
Teresa: May I sit here?
Geoffrey: Er...oh...yes.
(Teresa sits down.)
Teresa: Thank you. Just a minute it's
Geoffrey, Geoffrey Burton!
Geoffrey: Good God! Teresa Pilkington!
Teresa : Geoffrey, darling! How lovely to
see you! It's been so long since
we..
Geoffrey: Er...Teresa, this is my wife,
Dorothy.
Teresa: Oh, your wife. Delighted to meet
you.
Dorothy: So you know Geoffrey, do you?
Teresa: Oh yes, Geoffrey and I are old
friends, aren't we, Geoffrey?
Geoffrey: No. Er...yes. Er...what are you
doing in Rome, Teresa?
Dorothy: You're old friends, are you?
Teresa: Oh yes, I've known Geoffrey for
years and years, since we were
both young and innocent.
Geoffrey: Goodness me! Look at that
remarkable statue!
Dorothy: Geoffrey!.Tell me, Miss Pilkington,
what exactly do you mean by
'young and innocent'?
Teresa: Well, darling, before Geoffrey met
me, he was just an innocent boy.
Geoffrey: Er...yes...we met at kindergarten.
Teresa: Oh, Geoffrey, you know that's not
what I mean.
Dorothy: Well, what exactly do you mean?
Geoffrey: Good Lord! Look at that magnificent
telephone box.
Dorothy: Geoffrey!
Geoffrey: Well, you don't see telephone
boxes like that in England, do
you?
Teresa: Poor Geoffrey! Before he met me,
his life was so boring. He was a
student at an awful college in the
mountains, and he hated every
minute of it.
Dorothy: But Geoffrey - you told me you
loved that college in the mountains!
Teresa: Oh yes, that's because he met me
there.
Dorothy: What - at the college?
Teresa: No, in the mountains.
Geoffrey: Er, Dorothy, I think we'd better
go. The Colosseum closes at six
o'clock, you know.
Dorothy: Sit down, Geoffrey. It's only half
past eleven.
Teresa: Yes, I remember that day so well
- the day that we met. The mountains
were so beautiful, the sky
was so blue -
Dorothy: and Geoffrey was so green, I suppose.
Teresa: 'Green'? What do you mean?
Dorothy: 'Green.' Young and innocent. Just
the way you like them, I suppose.
Teresa: Well, really!
(Teresa gets up.)
Teresa: Excuse me!...Goodbye, Geoffrey.
(Sarcastically) Delighted to have
met you, Mrs. Burton
Geoffrey: Teresa... um...
SKETCHES 127
Teresa: Goodbye, Geoffrey.
(Teresa leaves.)
Geoffrey: Oh, dear.
Dorothy: So before you met her, you were
just an innocent boy! You told me
I was the first woman in your life,
and I believed you...and I've been
so honest with you.
Geoffrey: Yes, Dorothy. Dorothy, I've told
you everything.
Geoffrey: Yes, Dorothy, I know. I was the
first man in your life.
Dorothy: The first and only man, Geoffrey,
(Giovanni comes to the table.)
Geoffrey: Oh...waiter. I'll have a Martini,
please.
Giovanni: Certainly, sir. And for you,
madam? Oh! Dorothy!
Dorothy: Giovanni!
Giovanni: Dorothy!
Geoffrey: Giovanni?
Giovanni: Dorothy, it's wonderful to see you
again!
Geoffrey: Dorothy, have you met this man
before?
Dorothy: Well, Geoffrey -
Giovanni: Dorothy, it must be five years!
Dorothy: Six, Giovanni, six!
Giovanni: And now you've come back to
Rome!
Geoffrey: Come back? What's he talking
about?
Dorothy: Well, Geoffrey -
Giovanni: Come with me, Dorothy. We've
got so much to talk about!
Dorothy: Oh...er, yes...um...excuse me,
Geoffrey.
(Giovanni and Dorothy leave.)
Geoffrey: Dorothy! Dorothy!
128 SKETCHES
Shakespeare's house
Scene:
The living-room of a house
in Stratford-upon-Avon,
the town where Shakespeare
was born
Characters:
Sidney and
Ethel (tourists),
a man
Sidney and Ethel come into
the room.
Sidney: Well, Ethel, here we are in
Shakespeare's front room. This
must be where he wrote all his
famous tragedies.
Ethel: I'm not surprised, with furniture like
this.
Sidney: What do you mean?
Ethel: Well, look at that armchair. He can't
have been comfortable, sitting
there.
Sidney: Don't be silly! He probably sat at
this table when he was writing
tragedies.
Ethel: Oh. yes...Look!
(She shows Sidney a typewriter.)
Ethel: This must be Shakespeare's typewriter.
Sidney: Shakespeare's typewriter?
Ethel: Yes. He must have written all his
plays on this.
Sidney: Ethel! That can't be Shakespeare's
typewriter.
Ethel: Why not?
Sidney: Because Shakespeare didn't use a
typewriter.
Ethel: Didn't he?
Sidney: No, of course he didn't. He was a
very busy man. He didn't have time
to sit in front of a typewriter all day.
He probably used a tape-recorder.
Ethel: A tape-recorder?
Sidney: Yes. I can see him now. He must
have sat on this chair, holding his
microphone in his hand saying: 'To
be, or not to be.'
Ethel: What does that mean?
Sidney: Ah well, that is the question.
Ethel: Sidney, look!
Sidney: What?
Ethel: Over here. This must be
Shakespeare's television.
Sidney: Shakespeare's television?
Ethel: Yes. It must be. It looks quite old.
Sidney: Shakespeare didn't have a television.
Ethel: Why not?
SKETCHES 129
Sidney: Why not? Because he went to the
theatre every night. He didn't have
time to sit at home, watching television.
Ethel: Oh.
(They hear someone snoring.)
Ethel: Sidney, what's that? I can hear
something. Oh, look!
Sidney: Where?
Ethel: Over there. There's a man over
there, behind the newspaper, I think
he's asleep.
Sidney: Oh, yes. He must be one of
Shakespeare's family. He's probably
Shakespeare's grandson.
Ethel: Ooh!
Sidney: I'll just go and say 'Hello'.
(He goes over to the man and
shouts.)
Sidney: Hello!
Man: What? Eh? What's going on?
Sidney: Good morning.
Man: Good mor- Who are you?
Ethel: We're tourists.
Man: Tourists?
Sidney: Yes.
Ethel: It must be very interesting, living
here.
Man: Interesting? Living here? What are
you talking about?
Sidney: Well, it must be interesting, living in
a famous house like this.
Man: Famous house?
Ethel: Yes, there must be hundreds of people
who want to visit Shakespeare's
house.
Man: Shakespeare's house? Look, there
must be some mistake.
Sidney: This is Shakespeare's house, isn't it?
Man: This is Number 34, Railway
Avenue...and I live here!
Ethel: Yes. You must be Shakespeare's
grandson.
Man: Shakespeare's grandson?
Ethel: Yes.
Sidney: Ethel! Look at this!
Ethel: What is it?
Sidney: Look at it!
(He is holding an ashtray.)
Ethel: Ooh, Shakespeare's ashtray!
Sidney: Yes, William Shakespeare's ashtray!
Mr. Shakespeare, I would like to buy
this ashtray as a souvenir of our visit
to your grandfather's house.
Man: For the last time, my name is not -
Sidney: I'll give you ten pounds for it.
Man: Now listen...Ten pounds?
Sidney: All right then - twenty pounds.
Man: Twenty pounds for that ashtray?
Ethel: Well, it was William Shakespeare's
ashtray, wasn't it?
Man: William Shakespeare's...Oh, yes, of
course. William Shakespeare's ashtray.
(Sidney gives the man twenty
pounds.)
Sidney: Here you are. You're sure twenty
pounds is enough...
Man: Well...
Sidney: All right then. Twenty-five pounds.
(He gives the man another five
pounds.)
Man: Thank you. And here's the ashtray.
(The man gives Sidney the ashtray.)
Sidney: Thank you very much.
Ethel: I hope we haven't disturbed you too
much.
Man: Oh, not at all. I always enjoy meeting
people who know such a lot
about Shakespeare. Goodbye.
Ethel: Goodbye.
(Ethel and Sidney leave.)
130 SKETCHES
Mr. Universe
Scene: The Mr. Universe Competition
Characters: Gloria Sparkle: Arnold Higgins,
Elvis Smith, Ernest Bottom
(the contestants)
The competition is just beginning.
Gloria: Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it's time
once again for the 'Mr. Universe'
competition - the competition to find
the most fantastic, the most incredible,
the most amazing man in the
world. Who will be this year's Mr.
Universe? Our three judges will
decide. But first let's meet the contestants.
Contestant number one -
Arnold Higgins!
(Arnold Higgins enters, carrying a
bucket and a sponge.)
Gloria: Ladies and gentlemen, this is Arnold
Higgins.
Arnold: Hello!
Gloria: (Reading from a card in her hand)
Arnold is 63 years old.
Arnold: What? No, no, no. 36, not 63.
Gloria: Sorry, Arnold.
Arnold: That's all right.
Gloria: Arnold is 36 years old. Tell me,
Arnold - what do you do?
Arnold: I'm a window cleaner.
Gloria: He's a window cleaner, ladies and
gentlemen! And tell me, Arnold -
how long have you been a window
cleaner?
Arnold: Well, Gloria, I'm 36 now, and I started
cleaning windows when I was 33.
So I've been cleaning windows
for...er...
Gloria: Three years?
Arnold: Yes. How did you know?
Gloria: It's written on this card. Do you like
it?
(Arnold looks at the card.)
Arnold: Yes. It's a very nice card.
Gloria: No, no - not the card. Do you like
cleaning windows?
Arnold: Do I like cleaning windows?
Gloria: Yes.
Arnold: Do I like cleaning windows?
Gloria: Yes.
Arnold: Do I like cleaning windows?
Gloria: Yes.
Arnold: No! I don't like cleaning windows - I
love it!
Gloria: You love it.
Arnold: Yes, I love it. Big windows, small
windows, broken windows -
Gloria: Yes, I see.
Arnold: Windows are my life! I've cleaned
windows all over the world.
Gloria: Really?
Arnold: Yes. Do you know Buckingham
Palace?
Gloria: Yes
Arnold: Do you know the windows of
Buckingham Palace?
Gloria: Yes. Arnold, have you cleaned the
windows of Buckingham Palace?
Arnold: No - but I'd like to.
Gloria: Ah, so your ambition is to clean the
windows of Buckingham Palace.
Arnold: Yes.
Gloria: Thank you, Arnold.
(She wants Arnold to go.)
Arnold: Before I go, I'd like to tell you about
my hobby.
Gloria: What's that, Arnold?
Arnold: My hobby is writing poetry. I'd like to
read one of my poems.
Gloria: Oh.
Arnold: It's about windows.
Gloria: Ah.
Arnold: (Reading) 'Oh, windows! Oh, windows!
Oh, windows!'
Gloria: Oh, no!
Arnold: 'Windows, windows, big and small!
Windows, windows, I love you all!'
Gloria: Thank you, Arnold.
Arnold: There's a bit more.
Gloria: No, thank you, Arnold - that's quite
enough. Ladies and gentlemen, the
first contestant: Arnold Higgins!
(Arnold leaves.)
Gloria: Now let's meet the second contestant,
who also wants to be this year's
Mr. Universe! Elvis Smith enters. He
is wearing short trousers and is
rather shy.
Elvis: Er...Hello.
Gloria: What is your name?
Elvis: Elvis.
Gloria: Elvis?
Elvis: Yes. Elvis Smith.
Gloria: How old are you, Elvis?
Elvis: 42.
Gloria: And what do you do?
Elvis: Nothing. I'm still at school.
Gloria: Still at school?
SKETCHES 131
Elvis: Yes.
Gloria: What do you want to do when you
leave school?
Elvis: Go to university.
Gloria: I see. And what is your hobby, Elvis?
Elvis: My hobby?
Gloria: Yes. What do you like doing in your
free time?
Elvis: Oh well, I like meeting people. Hello,
Gloria.
Gloria: Hello, Elvis,
Elvis: And I like fishing Gloria
Elvis: And swimming.
Gloria: Thank you, Elvis.
Elvis: And collecting stamps, and playing
football, and dancing -
Gloria: Thank you, Elvis.
Elvis: And climbing mountains, and waterskiing,
and boxing -
Gloria: Thank you, Elvis! Ladies and gentlemen,
Elvis Smith!
(Elvis leaves.)
Gloria: Well, ladies and gentlemen, that was
Elvis Smith. Now let's meet the last
contestant.
From Liverpool: Ernest Bottom!
(Ernest Bottom enters.
He is not very friendly.)
Gloria: Well, Ernest, it's wonderful to have
you here -
Ernest: All right, get on with it!
Gloria: Oh. Well...Ernest, would you like to
answer a few questions?
Ernest: No.
Gloria: Oh, come on, Ernest!
Ernest: All right - just a few.
Gloria: Thank you. Tell me - what do you
do?
Ernest: What do I do?
Gloria: Yes.
Ernest: Nothing. I'm unemployed.
Gloria: Oh.
Ernest: I used to be a bus driver.
Gloria: Did you?
Ernest: Yes. But I lost my job.
Gloria: Why?
Ernest: I can't drive.
Gloria: Oh, I see. What do you like doing in
your free time?
Ernest: Nothing.
Gloria: Oh, come on, Ernest! Haven't you
got any hobbies?
Ernest: Well... I've got one. I like gardening.
Shall I tell you about my garden?
Gloria: Yes!
Ernest: Well...it's...
Gloria: Yes
Ernest: It's...
Gloria: Yes?
Ernest: It's green!
(Gloria sighs.)
Gloria: Well, thank you, Ernest. That was
fascinating. Ladies and gentlemen,
Ernest Bottom. Ernest leaves.
Gloria: Well, now we've met the three contestants,
and our judges are ready
with their votes. For Arnold Higgins:
one vote. For Elvis Smith: one vote.
And for Ernest Bottom: one vote.
Well, this is sensational, ladies and
gentlemen! This year, we have three
Mr. Universes! So, congratulations to
our three contestants, and thank
you to our judges: Mrs. Doris
Higgins, Mrs. Brenda Smith and Mrs.
Margaret Bottom. From all of us
here, good night!
132 SKETCHES
The new James Bond film
Scene:
Hank
Cannelloni's
office
Characters:
Hank
Cannelloni;
the director of
the film,
Linda Stone,
Romeo Higgins
:the stars of the
film, a painter
Hank is in his office. There is a
knock at the
door.
Hank: Come in! (Linda comes in)
Linda: Hi, Hank!
Hank: Linda! Hi!
Linda: So, Hank, why do you want to see
me?
Hank: Linda, I want you to be the star of
my new film.
Linda: Great! Tell me about it.
Hank: I am going to direct the new James
Bond film.
Linda: The new James Bond film!
Hank: Yes. It's going to be a great film -
and you're going to be a big star!
Linda: I am a big star, Hank.
Hank: Yes, Linda, of course you're a big
star. But you're going to be an even
bigger star!
Linda: Great! Er...Hank...
Hank: Yes, Linda?
Linda: Who's going to play James Bond?
Hank: Well, we decided that we wanted
Tom Cruise -
Linda: Tom Cruise?
Hank: Yes
Linda: That's great!
Hank: But there's a small problem.
Linda: What's that, Hank?
Hank: Well
(There is a knock at the door.)
Hank: Come in!
(Romeo opens the door.)
Romeo: Hello! Is anybody there?
Hank: Oh, hi, Romeo. Come in.
Romeo: Hello, Mr. Macaroni.
Hank: Cannelloni.
Romeo: Cannelloni, yes. Sorry.
Hank: Romeo, come over here.
Romeo: Right. (To Linda] Oh, hello. I don't
think we've met. I'm Romeo Higgins.
Linda: Romeo who?
Romeo: Higgins. H-I-GLinda:
Hi, Romeo. (To Hank, quietly) Hank,
who is Romeo Higgins?
Hank: (To Linda, quietly) He's...er...he's ...
Romeo: I'm very pleased to meet you.
Linda: I'm sure you are.
Hank: Romeo is...er...starring in the film
with you.
Linda: What?
Hank: Yes. He's going to be the new James
Bond.
Linda: The new James Bond?
Romeo: Yes. I'm very excited about it.
Linda: (To Hank, quietly) What happened to
Tom Cruise?
Hank: (To Linda, quietly) He's busy.
Linda: Oh, no!
Hank: OK, let's talk about the film. The film
takes place in Honolulu.
Romeo: Great! Honolulu, Linda!
Hank: But we're not going to film it in
Honolulu.
Linda: We're not going to film it in
Honolulu?
Hank: No.
Linda: Where are we going to film it?
Hank: In Manchester.
Romeo: Great! My grandmother lives in
Manchester. Er...Mr Macaroni?
Hank: Cannelloni! The name is Cannelloni!
Romeo: Oh, I can't tell the difference
between macaroni and cannelloni.
Hank: What is it?
Romeo: Well, I know they're both types of
pasta...
Hank: No, I mean: What do you won’t?
Romeo: Am I really going to be the new
James Bond?
Hank: Yes, Romeo. Here's your script.
(Hank gives Romeo a script.)
Romeo: Oh, thank you,
Hank: And Linda...
Linda: Yes, Hank?
Hank: You play Barbara, another secret
agent.
(Hank gives Linda a script.)
Linda: Thanks, Hank.
(The painter enters with a ladder.)
Painter: Is there anyone here called
Macaroni?
Hank: Cannelloni! The name is Cannelloni!
Painter: Is that you?
Hank: Yes!
Painter: Telephone call for you, Mr.
Cannelloni
Hank: Tell them I'm busy.
Painter: It's Hollywood.
Hank: Hollywood! Right - (Starting to
leave) - I'll be back in a minute,
Painter: Mr. Hollywood - your bank manager.
Hank: Ah. (Coming back) Right, Never
mind.
Painter: Can I finish painting this wall?
Hank: Go ahead!
(The painter sets up his ladder and
starts painting.)
Linda: Hank!
Hank: What is it, Linda?
Linda: I've just noticed the title of this film.
It's called 'Bond Eats Mr. Big'.
SKETCHES 133
Painter: 'Bond Eats Mr. Big.' What a great
title!
Hank: That's a typing mistake.
Romeo: A typing mistake?
Hank: Yes. It should be 'Bond Meets Mr.
Big'.
Romeo: Oh, yes - a typing mistake. There
are hundreds of typing mistakes.
The typing is really terrible. Who
typed this rubbish?
Hank: I did.
Romeo: Oh!
Hank: Just do your best. Now, let's look at
one of the important scenes. Scene
6 -(Hank, Linda and Romeo find
Scene 6 in their scripts.)
Hank: where Bond -
Romeo: Yes.
Hank: and Barbara -
Linda: Yes.
Hank: go into the office of Mr. Big.
Romeo: Mr. Who?
Hank: Mr. Big.
Romeo: Who's Mr. Big?
Hank: He's the biggest, most dangerous
criminal in the world,
Linda: Who's playing Mr. Big in the film?
Hank: I am.
(The painter laughs.)
Hank: What's the matter with you?
Painter: Changing his laugh into a cough)
I've got a cold.
Hank: OK, remember: I'm Mr. Big.
So...lines, everybody.
Romeo: (To Linda) What did he say?
Linda: I don't know. (To the painter) What
did he say?
Painter: I think he said 'lions'.
(Romeo and Linda make the sound
of lions roaring; the painter joins in.)
Hank: I said lines, not lions!!
Romeo - Linda: Sorry, Hank.
Hank: OK, let's begin. (Reading from his
script, in a strange voice) 'Ah-ha!
Who are you?'
Linda: (To Romeo) What did he say?
Romeo: I don't know. (To the painter) What
did he say?
Painter: 'Who are you?'
Romeo: Romeo Higgins.
Painter: How do you do?
Romeo: How do you do?
Hank: Romeo! Lines! Just read the lines]
Romeo: What? Oh. Yes. (Reading) 'My name
is Pond 'James Pond.'
Hank: What did you say?
Romeo: 'My name is Pond - James Pond.'
Linda: It's not James Pond, it's James
Bond! Idiot!
Romeo: (Pointing of his script) It says Pond'
here
Hank: Just get on with it! 'Ah-ha, Bond!
This is the moment I've been waiting
for!'
Romeo: (To the painter) What did he say?
Painter: I'm not sure, but I think he said:
(Imitating Hank's strange voice)
'Ah-ha,
Bond!: This is the moment I've been waiting
for!"
Romeo: Thanks.
Linda: Look out, Bond! He's got a gun.'
Painter: No, I haven't. It's a paintbrush.
Romeo: I'm not afraid of you, Mr. Pig.
Painter: Mr. Big!
Romeo: 'Mr. Big.'
Linda: 'Bond! Look out!'
Romeo: 'What is it, Banana?' Er...Barbara?
Linda: 'He's got a gun. He's going to shout!'
Painter: Not 'shout' - 'shoot'! 'He's going to
shoot' - with his gun!
Romeo: 'Don't shoot, Mr. Bag!' - 'Mr. Big!'
Hank: ' Ah-ha! Why not!'
Romeo: 'Because...'
(Hank, Romeo and Linda all turn
over a page in their scripts.)
Romeo: '...I've got something I want to show
you. It's here - in my rocket.'
Painter: Not 'rocket' - 'pocket'! 'It's here in
my pocket.' Oh! Stop everything!
I've got something I want to show
you! It's here in my pocket!
(The painter takes a telegram from
his pocket.)
Painter: It's a telegram for you, Mr.
Cannelloni - from the producer, Mr.
Broccoli.
Hank: From the producer?! Read it!
Painter: OK. (Reading) 'Hello, Stop. How are
you? Stop. Have you started the film
yet? Stop. If you've started -
Comma - stop. Stop. If you haven't
started - Comma - don't start. Stop.
Stop. Stop, Signed: The Producer.
Stop.'
Romeo: I didn't understand a word of that.
Linda: It means there's no film. (Leaving)
Bye, Hank.
Hank: Er...Bye, Linda.
Romeo: No film?
Hank: That's right.
Romeo: Do you mean I'm not going to play
James Bond?
Hank: I'm afraid not, Romeo.
Romeo: Oh, no! That means I haven't got a
job.
Hank: You haven't got a job! What about
me? I haven't got a job either!
Painter: Hank, Romeo, don't worry.
Hank: What do you mean?
Painter: I can give you both a job.
Romeo: Really?
Painter: Yes. Hank, you take this paintbrush...
(He gives Hank his paintbrush.)
Hank: What?
Painter: And Romeo, you take the ladder...
He gives Romeo his ladder.
Romeo: Eh?
Painter: Call me when you've finished. I'll be
in the canteen.
134 SKETCHES
World record
Scene: A TV studio
Characters: Michael Moonshine, Albert
Hargreaves, Daisy Hargreaves
(Albert's wife), Mabel Phillips,
a man
Michael: Thank you. thank you, thank you.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this is
the program that gives you the
chance to break a world record. We
have here in the studio tonight two
people who are trying to break
world records. Let's meet them
and see what they're doing. Tell
me, sir, what is your name?
Albert: Albert Hargreaves.
Michael: Albert Hargreaves. Well, Albert,
what are you doing?
Albert: I'm standing on one leg in a bucket
of hot soup.
Michael: Ladies and gentlemen, he's standing
on one leg in a bucket of hot
soup!
(The audience applauds.)
Michael: Albert, how long have you been
standing on one leg in that bucket
of hot soup?
Albert: I've been standing here for six
hours and fifty-eight minutes.
Michael: And what is the world record for
standing on one leg in a bucket of
hot soup?
Albert: The world record is seven hours
and three minutes, Michael.
Michael: Seven hours and three minutes!
And you've been standing there for
six hours and fifty-nine minutes
now. Well, Albert, you've only got
four minutes to go!
(The audience applauds.)
Michael: Albert, you've been standing on
one leg in that bucket of soup for
almost seven hours now.
Albert: That's right, Michael.
Michael: Tell me - is the soup still hot?
Albert: Yes. My wife's been coming in
every half-hour with more hot
soup. Here she comes now.
(Mrs Hargreaves comes in.)
Daisy: Here you are, Albert.
(She pours some hot soup into the
bucket.)
Albert: Aaaargh!
Michael: Well, I'm glad it's your leg in the
soup. Albert, and not mine.
(The audience laughs.)
Michael: Now we have another contestant in
the studio, a very charming young
lady. Can you tell the viewers your
name?
Mabel: Mabel Phillips.
Michael: Mabel Phillips. Well, Mabel, what
are you doing?
Mabel: I'm leaning on this brush.
Michael: She's leaning on a brush, ladies
and gentlemen!
(The audience applauds.)
Michael: Mabel, how long have you been
leaning on that brush?
Mabel: I've been leaning on this brush for
three hours and seventeen minutes.
Michael: She's been leaning on the brush for
three hours and seventeen minutes.
What is the world record for
leaning on a brush, Mabel?
Mabel: Thirty-seven hours and fifty-six
minutes.
Michael: Thirty-seven hours and fifty-six
minutes! And you've been leaning
on that brush for three hours and
seventeen minutes, Well, Mabel,
you've got...three, four, five, six -
you've got a long way to go!
(The audience laughs.)
SKETCHES 135
Michael: Well, Albert has been standing on
one leg in his bucket of hot soup
for seven hours and one minute, so
he's only got two more minutes to
go! Poor Mabel's got a long way to
go...And here is another young
man - and he hasn't got any
trousers on.
(The audience laughs.)
Michael: Now, sir, what are you doing?
Man: I'm looking for my trousers.
Michael: I can see that. And how long have
you been looking for your
trousers?
Man: I've been looking for my trousers
for five minutes.
Michael: And what's the world record?
Man: Pardon?
Michael: What's the world record for looking
for trousers?
Man: I'm not trying to break a world
record. I took my trousers off to
have a bath, and when I got out of
the bath, my trousers were gone.
Michael: I see. Get out of the way! We're on
television! The audience laughs.
Michael: Sorry about that, ladies and gentlemen.
Now back to Albert
Hargreaves. Albert, you've been
standing in that bucket of hot soup
for seven hours and two minutes.
Only one more minute to go, and
you will break the world record.
And here comes Mrs. Hargreaves
with more hot soup!
Daisy: Here you are, Albert.
(She pours some more soup into
the bucket.)
Albert: Aaaargh!
Michael: Tell me. Albert, how does it feel?
Albert: Hot!
(The audience laughs.)
Michael: No, no, no! How does it feel to be
approaching the world record?
Albert: Well, Michael, I've been dreaming
about this moment, I've been
thinking about nothing else
Michael: Yes, Albert.
Albert: I've been practicing every day
Michael: Yes, Albert.
Albert: Twice on Sundays!
Michael: Yes - and here comes Mrs.
Hargreaves
Albert: Oh no, not again!
Michael: It's all right, Albert, she's only
looking at her watch!
(The audience laughs.)
Daisy: Albert! Albert! Only ten seconds to
go! Ten, nine, eight, seven (Mabel
pushes Albert.)
Mabel: (Ironically) Congratulations,
Albert!
Albert: Aaaargh!
Albert falls over.
Michael: Well, ladies and gentlemen, Albert
Hargreaves hasn't broken a world
record, but he has broken...his
leg!'
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