A Different and Better Ending

Ricky’s Slide

A Dramatic Reading

ACT 3.

A Different and Better Ending

Parts:

Played by:

Narrator

-

Ricky

-

Ruth (Ricky’s friend)

-

STAGING

Narrator: Stage right

Ricky: Stage right

Ruth: Stage left

Teacher: Stage left

1

NARRATOR

Remember Ricky, who had given up on school? Lets see what a good friend might have been able to do.

Here comes Ricky now. Let us listen. See if you can hear him trying to focus blame and error on other people ... Watch as the girl ignores his “Reasons.”

2

RUTH

“Hey, Ricky, how’s it going? Are you ready for the English test today/”

3

RICKY

ASIDE: (What test? Is there a test today?”)

4

NARRATOR

Ricky is too ashamed to admit that he forgot about the test.

5

RICKY

Ahhh - those tests are - - - are like so stupid! Why do we have to study English anyway? I don’t see how being forced to learn those stupid parts of speech will ever help me! I knows how to talk English! Teachers! I HATE them! They want to make me work hard for no good reason!

6

RUTH

But Ricky, aren’t you afraid of flunking!??

7

RICKY

Nah. And besides, like ... I don’t want kids to think I’m a nerd ... ya know ... or a teacher’s pet!

8

NARRATOR

A logically sounding “reason” to make himself feel better about himself. Ruth ignores it, because she knows it is not real! Notice how Ruth first lets Ricky know she understand how he feels. That is VERY important!

9

RUTH

I can see you are really turned off to school! You must be pretty stressed out and discouraged! I had some trouble myself earlier this year, so I know how you feel. Ricky, you are my friend. I care about you! I would hate to see you flunk! Can I help you during lunch today to get ready for the test? Please let me!

10

RICKY

Yah, I guess so, if you really want to.

11

RUTH

I DO want to help. Meet you at lunch. Bring your book. Bye!

12

NARRATOR

Ricky’s downhill slide has been stopped for the moment. And if he continues to get help from Ruth, other of his friends, teachers, or parents, he will be fine!

13

NARRATOR

The Happy End

14

TEACHER

Ruth has acted in a very positive and constructive way. She saw a friend having difficulty, and using her friendship, stepped in to genuinely help!

We can never know how much our efforts will help. Sometimes, just a little bit of help and encouragement can make a very big difference.

But we know this for certain: If we don’t make an effort, then we have not helped, and we have not made a difference.

Remember it is not a TV show you are watching.

THIS IS YOUR FRIEND'S LIFE!

Page TOP - - - Motivation Contents - - - Master Contents

Parts:	Played by:
Narrator	-
Ricky	-
Ruth (Ricky’s friend)	-

	*STAGING*	Narrator: Stage right Ricky: Stage right Ruth: Stage left Teacher: Stage left
1	NARRATOR	Remember Ricky, who had given up on school? Lets see what a good friend might have been able to do. Here comes Ricky now. Let us listen. See if you can hear him trying to focus blame and error on other people ... Watch as the girl ignores his “Reasons.”
2	RUTH	“Hey, Ricky, how’s it going? Are you ready for the English test today/”
3	RICKY	ASIDE: (What test? Is there a test today?”)
4	NARRATOR	Ricky is too ashamed to admit that he forgot about the test.
5	RICKY	Ahhh - those tests are - - - are like so stupid! Why do we have to study English anyway? I don’t see how being forced to learn those stupid parts of speech will ever help me! I knows how to talk English! Teachers! I HATE them! They want to make me work hard for no good reason!
6	RUTH	But Ricky, aren’t you afraid of flunking!??
7	RICKY	Nah. And besides, like ... I don’t want kids to think I’m a nerd ... ya know ... or a teacher’s pet!
8	NARRATOR	A logically sounding “reason” to make himself feel better about himself. Ruth ignores it, because she knows it is not real! Notice how Ruth first lets Ricky know she understand how he feels. That is VERY important!
9	RUTH	I can see you are really turned off to school! You must be pretty stressed out and discouraged! I had some trouble myself earlier this year, so I know how you feel. Ricky, you are my friend. I care about you! I would hate to see you flunk! Can I help you during lunch today to get ready for the test? Please let me!
10	RICKY	Yah, I guess so, if you really want to.
11	RUTH	I DO want to help. Meet you at lunch. Bring your book. Bye!
12	NARRATOR	Ricky’s downhill slide has been stopped for the moment. And if he continues to get help from Ruth, other of his friends, teachers, or parents, he will be fine!
13	NARRATOR	The Happy End
14	TEACHER	Ruth has acted in a very positive and constructive way. She saw a friend having difficulty, and using her friendship, stepped in to genuinely help! We can never know how much our efforts will help. Sometimes, just a little bit of help and encouragement can make a very big difference. But we know this for certain: If we don’t make an effort, then we have not helped, and we have not made a difference. Remember it is not a TV show you are watching. THIS IS YOUR FRIEND'S LIFE!