INTRODUCTION TO ACT I
Today on TUNING IN THE U.S.A., Susan Stewart is in her office. She’s having a business meeting with a film producer named Mike Davillo. He’s making a movie. It is an animated movie with cartoon characters. Mr. Davillo wants Susan to design a toy that looks and sounds like the leading character in his film. He shows her part of the film and invites her to come the movie studio in California.
Act I
Bad Character: Oh, no! It’s Maxy Manners! He’s coming in my direction. I’m getting out of here!
Maxy Manners: Good-bye, Mister Meanie. Thank you for leaving and please don’t come back again.
Movie Announcer: So once again the kingdom was ruled by kind people, and Maxy Manners lived happily ever after.
Davillo: [he stops the film.] Well, that’s him-Maxy Manners-our lovable little character.
Susan: He’s cute. Kids will love him.
Davillo: And he’s polite! The parents will like him, too. That’s the reason we call him Maxy Manners-like “maximum manners”-the most polite of all.
Susan: Mr. Davillo, you are producing a film, an animated film, that stars this little character. And you want me to design a toy that looks like Maxy Manners?
Davillo: You got it! We want the toy to be sold in toy stores at the same time that the film is shown in theaters.
Su: Ah.
Davillo: I’ve heard that the Universe Toy Company makes the best quality toys.
Susan: Thank you, Mr. Davillo.
Davillo: We’ll need some special engineering on this toy.
Su: Now I’m a little confused. Why should this toy animal require special engineering?
Da: So it can talk, of course.
Su: So you want a talking toy?
Da: Of course. He’s Maxy Manners! You see, It’s his voice. He says “please” and “thank you” very often. And that way of speaking helps make him special.
Su: Mmm, I understand. Maxy Manners isn’t himself unless he can talk.
Da: Right! Are you interested?
Su: I think my company would be interested. But I’ll need more information before I can make a presentation of the idea.
Da: I understand. If you could come to our studio in California, I think you could get all the information you need.
Su: That sounds like a good idea. Let me check my calendar. [She checks the calendar.] How about the first week of next month?
Da: Whenever you can make it.
Su: Ok. I’ll make airline reservations for that first Monday.
Da: We’re all set. Thank you, Ms. Stewart.
Susan: Thank you Mr. Davillo. Will I get to meet the man behind Maxy’s voice?
Da: Ah…you’ve already met him!
Susan: [she is surprised.] You’re Maxy!
Da: Yeah! [They both laugh.]
INTRODUCTION TO ACT II
This time on TUNING IN THE U.S.A., Susan Stewart is at a movie studio in Los Angeles, California. She is there to do business with a film producer, Mike Davillo. But before they begin working, they watch the making of a movie. Later, Susan and Mike talk about ideas for a special toy. It will be a talking toy animal that looks like a character in Mike Davillo’s new movie.
Act II
[They are both walking]
Davillo: Can I carry that bag for you, Ms. Stewart?
Susan: Thank you. But call me Su, Please.
Da: All right, Susan. And I’m Mike. Well, this bag isn’t too heavy.
Susan: I’ve brought some things to show you. They are examples of toys that talk or make sounds.
Davillo: Have you ever been to a film studio before?
Susan: No. This is big building! What happens behind all these closed doors?
Da: Movies are made. Do you want to look in on one? [He opens the door to a sound stage.] They’re about to finish shooting this picture. You might recognize some of the stars.
Su: Oh! Isn’t that Linda Barrett, the actress from Lost Romance?
Da: Yeah, that’s her.
Director: [calling] Actors, take your places!
Da: She’s the director. Want to stay and watch a minute? We’ll have to be quiet.
Susan: Yes, I’d love to.
Director: [calling] quiet on the set! Take two. Cameras, roll. Action!
Actor: But I can’t leave you here alone! It’s not safe! The storm is getting worse!
Actress: You have to leave me! You must to! The rescue team will never find the cabin. Only you know the way.
Actor: All right. I’ll go! But just remember. I love you!
Director: [calling] Cut! Let’s take that again.
Susan: Oh, this work looks like fun.
Da: It can be. Shall we go meet Maxy Manners now?
Susan: What a great idea! [They leave to see Maxy Manners.] I’m hungry, Mama.
Talking Toy: [It laughs.]
Susan: So, you see, there are a few ways to give sounds and voices to toys.
Da: I like the way this one works.
Talking Toy: I’m Captain Xenon. Captain Xenon, here.
Susan: The voice on that one is easy to understand. I think that’s a good choice, Mike.
Davillo: These are drawings I promised you. I think they should give you a good picture of Maxy Manners.
Su: They look fine. Can I take these drawings back to New York?
Da: They’re for you. Along with this. [He gives her a cassette.]
Maxy Manners: [he speaks on tape.] “It is my pleasure.”
Susan: A tape of Maxy Manners’ voice. Thank you. That will help a lot.
Da: You’re welcome. Or, as Maxy says, “It is my pleasure.” |