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Roco in the dumps

Dino Mahoney

In last week's Songbirds episode entitled The Joker, Roco went out on a second date with Carol. Carol was feeling tense as she had promised her sister Bella that she would dump Roco at the end of the evening and tell him the whole thing was just a joke. But she could not bring herself to tell Roco the two dates had been a pre-planned trick. However, when Roco telephoned Carol later, Bella pressured her to tell Roco she had only gone out with him as a joke.

In this week's episode, Roco is feeling depressed since Carol has dumped him.

Below is the script for the first section of tonight's episode for you to follow as you listen to Songbirds on RTHK Radio 4 (FM 97.6) at 9.30pm.

Roco: What medicine would you give a sick ant? ... ANTibiotics! (Silence) Um ... how do you start a teddy bear race? ... Ready, teddy, go! (Silence) You're not laughing.

Carol: I'm not in the mood.

Roco: I know one that will make you laugh. What's the difference between a fish and a piano? .. You can't tuna fish! Get it?

Carol: Let's go.

Roco: We haven't finished eating.

Carol: I've got to get back. I said I'd help my sister with something.

(SFX: Front door slams shut)

Bella: Is that you, Carol?

Carol: Yes.

Bella: Come here! Tell me everything! What did he say when you dumped him?

Carol: Can't remember.

Bella: You did tell him, didn't you?!

(SFX: Carol's mobile phone rings)

Bella: That'll be Roco ... wanting you to come back. Now's your chance. Tell him that dating him was all just a joke.

Carol: Hello.

Roco: Carol, it's me, Roco.

Carol: Hi.

Roco: Look, sorry to bother you, but ... well ... I just wanted to say sorry.

Bella: (In a loud whisper) Tell him, Carol ... tell him it was a joke!

Roco: When can I see you again?

Bella: (In a loud whisper) Tell him, Carol! Go on! Tell him!

Carol: Look, Roco, can't you understand ... I only went out with you as a joke.

(She cuts off the phone call)

Bella: Fantastic! Well done, Carol! That was brilliant! What did he say?

Carol: I'm going to bed.

(SFX: Carol's bedroom door slams shut)

Cindy: Is that you, Roco? (Silence) Hello, I'm here ... say something ...

(SFX: Door slams shut)

What's wrong with him?

(SFX: Phone rings)

Cindy: Hello.

Bella: She did it! She dumped Roco and told him the whole dating thing was just a joke.

Cindy: (In a whisper so Roco won't hear) Roco's just come home.

Bella: What did he say?

Cindy: Nothing, he went straight to his room and slammed the door.

Bella: Now he knows what it feels like!

Cindy: I don't know, Bella, I sort of feel sorry for him.

Bella: After all the things he's done to you?

Cindy: I know, but I think he really liked Carol.

Bella: He'll get over it.

Cindy: And I think he might be in some kind of trouble.

Bella: What do you mean?

Cindy: His best friend Billy and Billy's father came round last night. They wanted to talk to mum.

Bella: What about?

Cindy: They didn't say.

Bella: He's probably played some more silly tricks or something.

Cindy: I'd better go and talk to him.

Bella: Don't tell him we thought up the idea of Carol going out with him.

Cindy: I won't.

Bella: I don't want him playing any tricks on me.

Cindy: I'll talk to you later, Bella.

Bella: Okay.

Cindy: Bye.

(SFX: Puts the phone down)

(SFX: Knocks on Roco's bedroom door)

Cindy: Roco ... Roco, can I come in? (Silence) (SFX: Knocks again) Roco? Please ... let me in. (SFX: Cindy continues to knock) Roco ... Roco, let me in...

Mother: Roco! Wake up!

Roco: (Groans)

Mother: Come on, get up before you're late for school.

Roco: (Sleepy voice) I'm not feeling well.

Now listen to the rest of the Songbirds episode and answer the following questions:

1. Roco cannot get up because ...

a. he has a cold

b. he is depressed

c. he has a temperature

d. he is very tired

2. Which of the following statements is true?

a) Mr Chan forgave Roco for playing the trick on him with the exploding chalk.

b) The headmaster told Roco's mother that her son would be demoted a year.

c) Roco was told that he was being expelled for playing dangerous practical jokes.

A repeat of tonight's Songbirds can be heard on Saturday at 5.30pm on Radio 4. You can also find the full Songbirds script or listen to the programme again by visiting: www.rthk.org.hk

(Answers: 1b, 2c.)

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