arcadia - icconegliano2cima.gov.it is kept far away from the script ... musical number: the american...
TRANSCRIPT
ARCADIAwe’re communicating
WELCOME TOAMERICA
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WELCOME TO AMERICA
Main Characters
Luca Ricci Italian immigrantOfficial ImmigrationOfficialNarratorStatue StatueofLibertyVito VitoCorleone,TheGodfatherAl AlCaponeHorace anElvisPresleylook-alikeDoris awaitressinadinerJohn abankerfromSanFranciscoGary abankerfromSanFranciscoPresident PresidentoftheUnitedStatesofAmericaMrsJones ThePresident’soldestmemberofstaffNeil NeilArmstrong,thefirstmanonthemoonDirector DirectorofNASAFred silentfilmdirectorValentino RudolphValentino
WELCOME TO AMERICA byGrahamSpicer©Allrightsreserved
ARCADIA PRODUCTIONS s.a.s.viaVespriSiciliani16/4,20146Milanotel:024231459
www.arcadia.info
Welcome to America
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NOTES FOR TEACHERS
WelcometoAmericaisanintroductiontoAmericanlifeandhistory.WhiletouchingonmanyofthetopicsthatItalianschoolteacherscoverintheclassroom,itdoessoinafunway:entertainingandeducative.
Politicsiskeptfarawayfromthescript,thoughvariousmoralissuesarementioned,andpartsoftheAmericanConstitution-similartothatoftheItalianConstitutionandmanyothers-areusedwhichcontaintheuniversalprinciplesofequalityandfreedom.Inthiscontext,AbrahamLincolnandtheabolitionofslavery,andMartinLutherKingandtheendofsegregation,arepresentedtotheaudience.
TherearescenesaboutsomeofAmerica’sgreatestachievements(spaceresearch,Hollywood),someofitsstereotypes(cowboys,mafiabosses),itsmusic,fastfood,andsoon.Duringthe“MultimediaTours”betweenscenesweseeandhearAmericanlifewithitsnature,cities,monuments,history,icons,etc.AllofthisisseenviathestoryofanItalianimmigrantwhohasarrivedinNewYorktofindtheAmericanDream.
SpellingsthroughoutareinBritishEnglish,notAmerican.PronunciationiswithaverylightAmericanaccenttomakeeverywordclear,thoughinsomeparts(thecowboysceneandthemafiascene)useismadeofregionalac-centsforcomiceffect.
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ACT ONE
ELLIS ISLAND
In the main reception hall on Ellis Island. A United States official is finishing questioning a young Irishman.
Official WhatisyourdestinationMrO’Brien?WheredoyouwanttogoinAmerica?
O’Brien I’mgoingtoBoston,Sir.I’malabourer;I’llhelpbuildthenewroads.
Official Good.Well,that’sthelastquestion,MrO’Brien.(hestampsapieceofpaperandgivesittohim)WelcometoAmerica!
Next!
O’Brien exits. Luca Ricci has arrived from Italy and is the next in line.
Official GoodmorningMr…?Luca Ricci…LucaRicci.Official (writing)L-u-c-aR-i-c-c-i.Age?Luca 35.Official Height?Luca 1.77m.Official (helooksatachart)That’s…err…5foot10inches.Colour
ofeyes?Luca Brown.Official Hair?Luca Brown.Official Andcanyoureadandwrite,MrRicci?Luca InItalianIcan.Englishitisnotsoeasy.Iamlearning.Official Howmuchmoneydoyouhave?Luca 25dollars.Official Whatisyourjob?Luca Myjob?Official Youroccupation.WhatdoyouwanttodoinAmerica?Luca I’macook.Official Spaghetti?
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Luca (helaughs)Yes,spaghetti…butmanyotherthingstoo.Official AndareyoumarriedMrRicci?Luca Yes,Sir.Official Children?Luca Yes,Sir,five.Threegirlsandtwoboys.Official Aretheyherewithyou?Luca NoSir,theyareinItaly.Ihopethattheywilljoinmenext
year.Official Sowhydidyouleaveyourwifeandchildrenandtravel
morethan4,000milestocometoNewYork?
We hear a short extract of the song “The American Dream” and see images of America at the beginning of the 20th Century: Statue of Liberty, Ford Car, people working in offices etc
MUSICAL NUMBER: THE AMERICAN DREAM (from “Miss Saigon”)
What’s that I smell in the air… The American dream? Sweet as a new millionaire… The American dream? Pre-packed, ready-to-wear… The American dream? Fat, like a chocolate éclair, as you suck out the cream, Luck by the tail! How can you fail? And best of all, it’s for sale, the American dream!
Official MrRicci…MrRicci…MRRICCI!Luca (awakesfromhisdream)I’msorry.Whatdidyousay?Official MrRicci,whydidyoutravelmorethan4,000milestocome
toNewYork?Luca IwanttolivetheAmericanDream.Official AndwhatistheAmericanDream?(Lucatakesapieceof
paperoutofhispocket)What’sthat?Luca WordsfromtheDeclarationofIndependence.Itsays,“…
allmenarecreatedequal”;itsaysthatallpeoplehavetherightto“Life,Liberty,andthePursuitofHappiness”.
Official Verygood,MrRicci.Luca AbrahamLincolnwasborninalogcabin,hisfamilylivedin
justoneroom,andhebecamePresident!Official Yes,you’reright.Luca That’stheAmericanDream…that’smydream.
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Official YouwanttobecomePresidentoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica?
Luca (helaughs)No,Sir.Iwanttoworkhard.Iwanttohavemyownrestaurant.Iwantmyfamilytobehealthyandhappy.
Official That’sagooddream.Luca SorryformyEnglish.Official YouspeakEnglishverywellMrRicci.Complimenti!There,
yousee,ItoohavelearntalittleItalian.EverydayImeetItalians…Germans…Russians.Hundreds,thousands,nomillionsarecomingtoAmerica.
WhatisyourdestinationMrRicci?Luca IwanttostayhereinNewYork.Iwanttoworkina
restaurant.Official Well,that’sthelastquestion.(hestampsapieceofpaper
andgivesittoLuca)WelcometoAmerica!
The song The American Dream starts again and finishes the scene. The office disappears and Luca is left alone in the darkness.
The Narrator, talks to the audience.
Narrator ThisisthebeginningofLuca’sAmericanadventure.Theyearis1922.Morethan4millionItalianscametoliveinAmericabeforeLuca.HeleftasmallItaliantownandisnowabouttoenteranenormousAmericancity:NewYork,hometo3millionpeople.
We see an image of a crowded street in 1922.
ThisisMulberryStreet,anareaofNewYorkthateveryonecalls“LittleItaly”.10,000Italianslivehere.LucahasbeenstudyingandhehaslearntEnglish,butmostpeoplewholivehereonlyspeakItalian.TheyeatItalianfood,wearItalianclothes…itreallyisa“LittleItaly”.
Lucanowhasadocumentthatsaysthatheisalegalimmigrant.HecanleaveEllisIsland.
As Luca walks out of the building, he sees the Statue of Liberty.
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The Statue of Liberty
Narrator NexttoEllisIslandistheStatueofLiberty.ItwasthefirstthingthatLucasawfromtheboat.Shewelcomesimmigrantsarrivingfromabroad,andsheholdstheAmericanDeclarationofIndependence…ItisLuca’sdream:“Allmenarecreatedequal”,allmenshouldhavethesameopportunitiesinlife.
The Statue of Liberty speaks to Luca.
Statue You’relookingworried.Luca Youspeak?Statue Sometimes,whenIfeellikeit!Sowhyareyouworried?Luca I’mscared.Statue Why?Luca Thisistoomuchforme.IcomefromasmallItaliantown.
Therearetoomanypeoplehere,itistoofarfromhome,everythingistoo…big!Eventhestatuesaretoobig!
Statue Sorry.Luca No,you’rebeautiful,but…big!AndmaybetheAmerican
Dreamdoesn’texist.Statue RememberAbrahamLincoln!Luca Maybeitdoesn’texistforme:I’m6,000kilometresaway
fromhome,inacountryIdon’tknow…itisn’tadream,it’sanightmare.
Statue What’schanged?Youwereexcitedbefore.Luca I’mscared.I’mworried.Ifthisdoesn’tworkout,whatwillI
do…whatwillmyfamilydo?Statue Butitisworkingout,formillionsofpeople.Luca Isthattrue?Statue Sure,it’strue.
The Narrator speaks to the Statue. Luca doesn’t hear them.
Narrator Heseemsdowncast.Statue He’snervous.Thisisabigadventureandhe’sallby
himself.Narrator Thenlet’sshowhimthatitwillbeok.Statue How?
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Narrator Let’sshowhimAmerica.Americainhistime–1922–andAmericanow…mytime.
Statue Atour?Narrator Yes,atour!HecanseewhatAmericais,andwhatitwill
become.Forgoodandforworse.Statue Thesuccesses…Narrator Andthefailures.Statue Wecanshowhimthecities…Narrator Nature…Statue Presidents…Narrator Filmstars…Statue Technology…Narrator Music…ComeonLuca.Smile.Thingswillbeok.Statue Luca…WelcometoAmerica!Narrator WelcometoNewYork!
MULTIMEDIA TOUR: NEW YORK
We hear a medley of songs about New York and see images of the city as it is today: skyscrapers, Times Square, Ground Zero and so on, and at the end we go back in time to the early 1930s in Little Italy.
LITTLE ITALY
The Godfather, Vito Corleone, is eating lunch in Ciro’s Trattoria in Little Italy, New York. He has a large plate of spaghetti in front of him. Johnny, the waiter, is grinding pepper on it.
Vito Johnny,getmethephonewillyou?Johnny Yes,Godfather.
Johnny returns with the phone.
Vito DialAlCaponeinChicago?
Johnny dials. Al Capone appears and answers the phone.
Al Yeah?Vito AlCapone?Al Yeah…
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Vito HiAl,it’sVitoCorleone.Al Godfather!How’sLittleItaly?Vito Fine,fine.AndtheWindyCity?Al Chicago’sjustgreatVito.Vito Business?Al Ok.Butitcouldbebetter.Vito ItcanalwaysbebetterAl...I’vegotaplan.Al Yeah?Vito Yeah.You…me…acollaboration.Apartnership.Al Youwanttostealmycustomers?Vito Al,doIseemlikeadishonestman?WouldIsteponyour
territory?WouldIstealyourclients?Al YeahVito.Yeah,Ithinkyouwould.Vito Al,havefaith.Justcomeandjoinmefordinner;hearme
out.Al Isthisatrap?Vito Al,I’mtellingyou,it’sabusinessproposition.Al Whydon’tIbelieveyou,Vito?Vito Al…Al!Comeon,alittlefiduccia.Whatbusinessareyouin
rightnow?Al Theusual.Bootlegging...Vito Illegalwhisky!Al ...andgambling.Vito Illegalgambling!Theold-fashionedmafia.Ihaveanidea
foramodernmafia.Al Amodernmafia?Vito Yeah,that’sright.So,areyoucomingtoNewYorkfor
dinnerornot?Al Tellmemore.Vito Overdinner…Ciro’sinLittleItaly.8o’clock.Tomorrow
night.Al OkVito,Ciro’s.8pm.Notricks.Vito Notricks.A domani.Al Ciao Vito.
The next day at Ciro’s Trattoria: Vito is sitting at the table and Al enters.
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Vito Al!Al!
They do the stereotype greetings that are seen in American gangster films.
Sitdownandjoinme.Al NothanksVito,I’mnothungry.Vito I’mnotgoingtopoisonyourfood.Sitdown.Al I’llstand.Vito Ok,ok.Youdowhatyouwant.I’mhungry.Johnny!
The waiter arrives to take his order.
Spaghetti al pomodoro,Johnny,andaglassofwater.Johnny Yes,Godfather.Al SowhatisyourpropositionVito?Vito Slowdown.We’vegotallevening.Don’tyouboyseatin
Chicago?Al Tellmeyouridea.Vito Well,Al,Ithinkyoucanhelpme.Al AndwhyshouldIhelpyou?Vito Friendship.Al Friendship?Vito Yeah,friendship!
MUSICAL NUMBER: FRIENDSHIP (from “Anything Goes”)
If you’re ever in a jam, here I am, If you’re ever in a mess, SOS, If you ever feel so happy you land in jail, I’m your bail,
It’s friendship, friendship, Just a perfect blendship, When other friendships have been forgot, ours will still be hot.
If they ever black your eyes, put me wise If they ever cook your goose, turn me loose If they ever put a bullet through your brain, I’ll complain
It’s friendship, friendship, Just a perfect blendship, When other friendships have been forgit, ours will still be it!
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Al Ok,sowhat’stheidea?Vito Allright,allright.YouknowHarryWinston,thejewellerson
FifthAvenue?Al Ofcourse,everyoneknowsHarryWinston’s.Vito Well,theyhaveadiamondnecklaceinthewindowworth
30,000dollars.Iwantthatdiamondnecklace.Al Ok.(interested;hesitsonachair)Yougottaaplan?Vito Yeah.Youwannatoeat?Al Justtellmetheplan.Vito Ok.WewillgetRubberfaceRinoasthedriver.Hewillwait
inthegetawaycaroppositethejewellers.Al Ok.Vito Thenyou,Al,willgointothejewellersandasktoseethe
necklace.Al Yeah?Vito Whileyouarelookingatthenecklace,FatmanFrancowill
gointothejewellerswith30,000dollarsinhispocket.Al Then?Vito Thenhe’llgiveyouthemoneyandyouwillgivethemoney
tothejeweller.ThejewellerwillgiveyouthenecklaceandandyouandFatmanFrancowillwalkoutoftheshop.
Al ButI…?Vito Don’tinterruptme.Yougetinthegetawaycarand
RubberfaceRinowilldriveyouher,toCiro’strattoria.Youwillenterthetrattoria,joinmeatthistable,andgivemethediamondnecklace.
Al That’sit?Vito Whatdoyouthink?Al Idon’tgetit.Whydowegivethejewellersthemoney?Vito Wellthey’renotgoingtogiveusadiamondnecklaceifwe
don’tpayforit,arethey!Al No…that’swhywestealit!Vito Stealit?Butthat’sillegal!Al Yeah.Vito Youcan’tstealthings,Al.It’swrong.Al What?Vito Timeshavechanged…we’vemodernised.
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Al LookVito,wegointherewithagun…Vito Agun?Areyoucrazy?Gunsaredangerous!Al But…Vito Thisisthemodernmafia.Al Well,wecouldsmashthewindowofthejewellersandgrab
thenecklace…Vito Smashandgrab?Someonecouldcutthemselvesonthe
brokenglass.Al But…Vito Thisisthemodernmafia:nostealing,noguns,noviolence.Al (Alslumpsintohischair)Sohowdowegetmoney?Vito I’vethoughtaboutthat…Al …and…?Vito …wework.Al Likearealjob? Doingwhat?Vito I’vethoughtaboutthattoo.We’rebothgoodwithmoney,so
Ithoughtwecouldworkinabank.Al Iunderstand.Weworkatthebankandafterafewweeks
weblowupthesafeandstealallthemoney.Vito No.Afterafewweeks,theygiveusanenvelopewith
moneyinside.Al Ah-ha…butwhy?Vito It’scalledawagepacket…busta paga.Al Whydon’twejustrunoffwithallthemoneytoSouth
America?Vito I’vealreadytoldyou,stealingisillegal,andthis…Both …isthemodernmafia.Al Johnny,Ineedadrink.Bringmeawhisky.Vito Al!Al Ohyeah,whiskyisillegal.Vito Bravo.Al Johnny,bringmeaglassofwater.Vito (toJohnny)Makethatsparklingwater,Johnny(toAl)It’s
mytreat.(hestartseatinghisspaghetti)Al Vito?Vito Yes?
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Johnny pours Al a glass of water, which he drinks.
Al What’sthediamondnecklacefor?Vito Tomorrowismywife’sbirthday.Iwanttogiveheranice
present.
Al starts choking, and grabs at his throat.
Johnny.Johnny Yes,boss?Vito There’saproblemwiththewater.Alseemstobechoking.
Didyougivehimsparklingwater?Johnny Yes,boss.
Johnny gives Vito the bottle, he turns it round, and we see the label, “Poison”. Al collapses on the floor.
Vito OhAl…themodernmafia?(heandJohnnylaugh,andsing)
It’s friendship, friendship, Just a perfect blendship, When other friendships have been forgot, ours will still be hot.
MULTIMEDIA TOUR: MUSIC
A montage of American popular music moving from the black music of spirituals to jazz to rap; country music; pop music from Frank Sinatra to Katy Perry; finishing with the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley.
AT THE DINER
The lights come up on an American Diner. It’s the 1960s and Elvis Presley is King!
A waitress, Doris, is serving food and a man, Horace, who is dressed like Elvis, sits at a table by a jukebox. He puts on a record and Elvis sings “All Shook Up”; all the music at the beginning of this scene is sung by Elvis; Horace never speaks.
“All Shook Up” A well I bless my soul
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What’s wrong with me? I’m itching like a man on a fuzzy tree My friends say I’m actin’ wild as a bug I’m in love I’m all shook up!
Doris GoodeveningSir,welcometoTheHappyDiner.Wouldyouliketoseethemenu?
Doris has a big cut-out smile that she holds in front of her face after every sentence; she gives him the menu and goes to get cutlery. Horace puts on another record.
“It’s Now or Never” It’s now or never, Come hold me tight Kiss me my darling, Be mine tonight Tomorrow will be too late, It’s now or never My love won’t wait.
Doris (shereturns)Elvis!TheKing!So,haveyoudecided,Sir?MayItakeyouorder?(smile)
“Love Me Tender” Love me tender, Love me sweet, Never let me go. You have made my life complete, And I love you so.
Doris That’simpossible,you’vejustmetme…
Love me tender, Love me true, All my dreams fulfilled. For my darlin’ I love you, And I always will.
Doris (gettingangry)PleaseSir,we’reverybusytoday.Ineedtotakeyourorder.(smile)
“Don’t Be Cruel” Don’t be cruel to a heart that’s true.
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I don’t want no other love, Baby it’s just you I’m thinking of.
Doris (shoutingangrily)Stopit!Ineedyourorder!(smile)
“Love Coming Down” If you can find it in your heart to forgive me I’ll try to keep both my feet on the ground
Doris Good.Sowhatwouldyouliketoorder,Sir?(smile-shereadsthemenu)Wehavehamburgers,cheeseburgers,chickenburgers?
Horace points at the menu.
Doris Hamburger.Andwouldyoulikeitrare,medium-rareorwell-done?
Horace points.
Doris Medium-rare.Andwouldyoulikeitwithlettuce?Bacon?Tomato?Onion?Pickles?Cheese?(Horacepointsonebyone,untilhehaschosenallthefillings)Andwhatwouldyoulikeonit:mustard?Mayonnaise?Ketchup?Relish?(againhechoosesthemall.Dorisreadsbacktheorderquickly).Right,sothat’sahamburger,medium-rare,withlettuce,bacon,tomato,onion,picklesandcheese,withmustard,mayonnaise,ketchupandrelish.Andwhatwouldyouliketodrink?
“Shake, Rattle And Roll” Well I said shake, rattle and roll, I said shake rattle and roll.
Doris Ok,sothat’sonemilkshake.Flavour?
“Tutti Frutti” Tutti Frutti, aw rooty, tutti frutti, aw rooty1, Wop-bop-a-loom-a-boom-bam-boom
Doris Verygood,Sir:atuttifruttimilkshake.
“Shake, Rattle And Roll” Well get in that kitchen Make some noise with the pots and pans
1 aw rooty = all right
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Doris Yes, Sir. Coming right up! (she goes into the kitchen)
Horace goes towards the audience.
“I’m All Shook Up” My hands are shaky and my knees are weak I can’t seem to stand on my own two feet Who do you thank when you have such luck? I’m in love, I’m all shook up
Horace sits at his table. Doris arrives with an enormous hamburger! As she puts it in front of him, she repeats very quickly his order.
Doris Here’syouare:ahamburger,medium-rare,withlettuce,bacon,tomato,onion,picklesandcheese,withmustard,mayonnaise,ketchupandrelish,andatuttifruttimilkshake!
Horace presses a button on the jukebox and drops to his knees in front of Doris.
“You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me” You don’t have to say you love me Just be close at hand You don’t have to stay forever I will understand.
Doris presses a button on the jukebox, and the songs she chooses are sung by Barbra Streisand. They have a conversation in song.
“Down With Love” Down with eyes romantic and stupid, Down with sighs, down with cupid. Brother let’s stuff that dove, Down with love!
Horace “Can’t Help Falling In Love” Wise men say only fools rush in but I can’t help falling in love with you.
Doris “No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)” Enough is enough is enough I can’t go on, I can’t go on no more no.
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Horace “Blue Suede Shoes” Well, you can knock me down, step in my face, Slander my name all over the place.
Doris “So Long Dearie” (from Hello, Dolly!) Goodbye, Goodbye, Goodbye. Don’t try to stop me Horace, please... Wave your little hand and whisper So long dearie You ain’t gonna see me anymore
Horace “Don’t Leave Me Now” Don’t break my heart This heart that loves you They’ll just be nothing for me If you should leave me now
Doris “I’ll Know” (from Guys And Dolls) I’ll know when my love comes along I’ll know then and there...
Horace “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me” You don’t have to say you love me Just be close at hand.
Horace takes Doris’ hand.
Doris “He Touched Me” He touched me, He put his hand near mine And then he touched me.
Horace “All Shook Up” She touched my hand what a chill I got Her lips are like a volcano that’s hot I’m proud to say she’s my buttercup I’m in love, I’m all shook up!
Doris “Taking A Chance On Love” Here I go again I hear those trumpets blow again All aglow again Taking a chance on love
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Doris and Horace press the same button on the jukebox (and Presley and Streisand sing a duet)
“Love Me Tender” Love me tender, love me dear, tell me you are mine. I’ll be yours through all the years, till the end of time.
They both hit another button and to the music of “Jailhouse Rock” they dance together as the scene finishes.
MULTIMEDIA TOUR: NATURE
We see a film compilation of the American landscape. Luca was right, everything is big: Niagara Falls, Yellowstone National Park, the Mississippi river, deserts, mountains, lakes. We finish in the desert near the Grand Canyon and see images of Native American Indians, cowboys, gold-diggers, and an old Western town.
COWBOYS
John and Gary are visiting a Ghost Town in Arizona. There is a large cactus, a saloon, a horse etc. John enters and Jimmy follows him nervously.
John Well,hereweare!Gary Where?John StoneCreek.Gary Andwhyarewehereagain?John Wetalkedaboutthis.Gary Remindme,becauserightnowitdoesn’tseemagood
idea.John We’veleftthecityandcometoStoneCreektoremind
ourselveshowlifewasfortheearlypioneersinAmerica:norunningwater,notelevision,rattlesnakes…
Gary SoundsabadideaJohn.John Don’tbeafraidpartner!(hesaysinaSouthernaccent)Gary Whyareyouspeakinglikethat?John That’showcowboysusedtospeak.
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Gary We’renotcowboys.John Justfortodayweare.Comeon,putonthiswaistcoat,the
scarf,thehat…(theygetdressedascowboys)Gary Itseemsdangeroustome.John Dangerous?Nooneliveshere,that’swhyit’scalleda
GhostTown.Gary Ghosts?John It’scalledaGhostTownbecausenooneliveshere
anymore.It’sabandoned.Gary Thenwhyissmokecomingoutofthatchimney.John It’sstufftheydoforthetourists.Seethatcactus?It’sjust
plastic.Seethatrock?It’smadeofpolystyrene.Gary Itlooksrealtome.John Well,ofcourseitlooksreal,stupid.Gary Whydon’twegotoLasVegas?It’sjust5milesaway.
Comeon…electricity,taxis,restaurants,showers…(hesniffsunderhisarm)Eurgh,theseclothesstink!
John Gary,youhavenospiritofadventure.Thankgoodnessyouweren’tapioneer.
Gary Iliketobecomfortable.John Putontheboots.Gary Johnplease…John Hurryup.
Gary takes of his shoes and picks up a boot.
Gary PhewJohn!Whatanawfulsmell.Wheredidyougetthese?
John Theywereinthesaloon.Gary Areyousurethatwecanjusttakethem?John Ofcourse,they’reforthetourists.Gary Ok.(heputsonthebootsandwalksveryuncomfortably)
Can’tIwearmytrainers?John ShutupGary.(Johnopenshisguidebookandreads)
“StoneCreekwasaminingtownfromthe1860s…”AreyoulisteningGary?“There’sgoldinthemtharhills!”
Gary Willyoustopdoingthatridiculouscowboyaccent?John Sorry.(reads)“Therewasabank,ahotel,ageneralstore,
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andasaloon.Thesaloonservedminers,fur-trappers,gamblersandcowboys.”That’sus.
Gary NoJohn,that’snotus.WearetwobankersfromSanFrancisco.
John Gary,youcanbesoboring!(wehearametalplatefallontheground)
Gary Didyouhearsomething?John What?Gary Therewasanoise.There’ssomeoneinthesaloon.John It’sprobablyjustthewind.Orarat.Theremustbe
hundredsofrats.Gary Rats?Thisismeanttobeaholiday!AndIdefinitelyheard
anoise.(hestartsbackingaway,nervouslylookingattheentranceofthesaloon)
John (reading)“Thetownwasabandonedin1940afterthegoldranout.”Yousee,there’snooneherebutus.
Gary keeps walking backwards and reverses into the cactus. He yells.
Gary Aww!John Whatisitnow?Gary Thecactus.Yousaidthatitwasplastic!(heturnsround
andhehascactusneedlesstickingoutofhisbottom)John (laughing)Youlooklikeaporcupine.Gary Forthetourists…hah!It’snotplastic,John,it’sreal.John Ok,keepcalm…andkeepstill.(hepluckstheneedlesout
ofGary’sbottom)Better?Gary Justperfect!Comeonlet’sgo.(heturnstoleave)Agghh!John Whatnow?Gary Asnake!(weheararattle)It’sarattlesnake!John Gary…Gary Yes?John Whatisit?Gary Arattlesnake!John Yes,butmadeof…?Gary Plastic?John Yes,aplasticrattlesnakeforthe…?
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Gary Tourists?John GoodGary.Listen,“Rattlesnakesrarelybiteunless
provokedorthreatened;iftreatedpromptly,thebitesarerarelyfatal.”
Gary Fatal!John Andplasticsnakesneverbite,socalmdown.Gary (panicking)Calmdown…calmdown…John Areyoucalm?Gary Yes.John Heylook!(Johnfindssometincansontheground)Come
on,let’sdosometargetpractice.(helinesthemuponarock)
Gary Whatwith?John Withagunstupid.(herunsintothesaloonandreturnswith
agun)Gary John,wheredidyougetthat!John OnthetablewhereIgottheclothesandboots.Gary Forthetourists?John Ofcourse.Youtryfirst.
Gary points the gun at the tin cans. His hand shakes. We hear the rattling noise again, and the snake appears on the cactus, by Gary’s head.
Gary What’sthatnoise?John It’syourhandshaking.Gary Itsoundsliketheplasticsnake.John Concentrate!
The rattling gets louder and Gary slowly turns and is face to face with the snake. His gun goes off and there is a scream offstage. The snake disappears.
(laughing)Notevenclose!Myturn.
He aims, fires, and hits a can, which flies off the rock.
John There!That’showyoudoitcowboy!Goon,tryagain.
Gary trembles, the snake appears from the cactus making a very loud rattle, and again he turns and is face to face with the snake. Slowly he backs away from it. There is a whooshing sound as an arrow flies across the stage, close
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to Gary’s head, and sticks into the wall of the saloon. He turns quickly and his gun goes off, firing into the saloon. There is another shout.
Gary Didyouseethat!Anarrow…anarrow!Isthatforthetouriststoo?!
John Probably.Gary John,thatisnotfortourists,andit’snotplastic.Thatis
arealarrow.I’mgettingoutofhere.ThereareIndiansnearby.
John Gary,calmdown.StoneCreekisaGhostTown.
Voices from the saloon:
Cowboy1 Wherearemyclothes?Myboots?Cowboy2 Who’sstolenmygun?Cowboy1 Whotriedtoshootus?Gary Soundeffects…?John …forthetourists.
Gary picks up a sign lying on the ground. It says “Welcome to Death Hollow”.
Gary John…John “WelcometoDeathHollow”.Sowe’renotinStoneCreek?
(heopenshisguidebook)That’sfunny,Imusthaveturnedofftheroadtoosoon…
Gary Thisisnotimeforlookingatthemap.That’sarealarrow,that’sarealsnake,andIshotarealbulletatarealIndian(hepointspastthecactus)andrealcowboys(hepointsatthesaloon)…andwearewearingtheirclothes.
John Andyou’vegotoneoftheirguns!(GaryyellsandthrowstheguntoJohn,whothrowsitback)
Cowboy1 Look,theretheyare,andthey’rearmed.
The Cowboys start firing bullets from the saloon, the Indians on the other side start firing arrows. John and Gary, crouch on the ground, taking off the cowboys’ clothes, and crawl off stage saying “Sorry, sorry… big mistake… sorry…” The remaining tin cans fly in the air. Then there’s silence. John slowly and cautiously crawls back.
Gary (fromoffstage)Whatareyoudoing?John Myguidebook!
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John picks up the book and the snake drops on to his shoulders from the cactus; he yells and throws it into the saloon; the shooting starts again. John dodges the bullets and arrows as he runs offstage. A cowboy enters laughing. Picks up the clothes and the plastic snake.
Cowboy1 Hahaha…Ilovefoolingtourists.(heusestheplasticsnakelikeaventriloquist’sdummy)“SodoI!”Hahaha…(hegoesintothesaloon,roaringwithlaughter)
MULTIMEDIA TOUR: BROADWAY MUSICALS
A short montage starting with Oklahoma and other Western musicals, followed by clips of some of the most famous American shows.
BROADWAY FINALE
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ACT TWO
MULTIMEDIA TOUR: HISTORY
A film compilation of Christopher Columbus discovering America, and other important historic events, finishing with Martin Luther King making his “I have a dream” speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC.
Narrator Ahyes,Luca,everyonehasadream! MartinLutherKingwasaleaderoftheAfrican-American
CivilRightsMovement,andinfrontoftheLincolnMemorial–AbrahamLincolnwasthePresidentwhoabolishedslavery–hesaid,
LutherKing “I have a dream... It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.” I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.”
Narrator Thedatewas1963.HisdreamwastoendracismintheUnitedStates.Hewantedallmen,blackandwhite,tobeequal.That’sLuca’sdreamtoo:allmenshouldhaveanequalchanceinlife.
ThePresidentin1963wasJohnFKennedywhowatchedthespeechonTVintheWhiteHouse,whichisjustashortwalkfromtheLincolnMemorial.Kennedy,too,hasadream,andwastryingtopassalawtoabolishdiscriminationbasedonrace,colour,religion,sex,ornationalorigin.
Exactly100yearsbefore,in1863,PresidentLincolngavehisfamousGettysburgAddress.InthatspeechLincolnremindedhislistenersofthecontentsoftheDeclarationofIndependence-thewordsthatLucalovessomuch-thatallmenarecreatedequal,thereforeslaverymustend...anditdid.
Let’sseewhoisintheWhiteHousetoday.
Welcome to America
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THE WHITE HOUSE
NOTE: This seems a complex scene in the script because it is very visual; in the theatre it is very simple to follow.
A modern President is meeting his staff to finalise plans for the White House Open Day on 4 July, Independence Day. He illustrates what he is saying with a slide-show presentation.
President Goodmorningeveryone.I’vecalledthismeetingtoexplaintoyouallwhatwe’regoingtodoontheFourthofJulyhereattheWhiteHouseandinWashingtonDC.
Asyouknowandweareexpectingmanyimportantguests.WewantthistobeanthrillingexperienceforeachoneofthemandIhavemanyexcitingplans!
He puts on a tall hat and a jacket.
I,forexample,willbeAbrahamLincoln!AndMrsJoneswillbeMary,Lincoln’swife.(hecalls)MrsJones,pleasecomein…(pause)MrsJones?(nothing)She’sabitdeaf.
He speaks in the intercom
CanyousendinMrsJonesplease?
The door opens and Mrs Jones enters. She is very old, and dressed as Mary Todd Lincoln.
YouallrememberMrsJones,thelongestservingmemberontheWhiteHousestaff.HowlonghaveyouworkedhereMrsJones?(silence;heraiseshisvoice)Isaid,howlonghaveyouworkedhere?
Jones Nearlyeightyyears.President (loudly)Eightyyears!Sotelleveryonehowoldyouare.Jones Ninety-six.President Ninety-six!MrsJoneswillbeMaryToddLincolnforuson
theFourthofJuly.(loudlytoMrsJones)Youlookwonderfulinyourcostume,butwhere’syourhat?
Mrs Jones hands him a large bonnet that the President puts on her head. Every time she moves it flaps around, and she has an old person’s tremor in her hands, and she walks very slowly.
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Perfect.
The President returns to the conference table. As he speaks Mrs Jones walks very slowly toward him with a piece of paper, which shakes and makes a noise.
SoIwillbedressedasLincoln,MrsJonesasMary,andwewillbehereintheOvalOfficeandtalkabouthowAbrahamLincolnbroughttheAmericanCivilWartoanendandabolishedslavery.
Mrs Jones arrives at the table with the piece of paper. The President takes it.
Mylines…thankyouMrsJones.(shegoesbacktowardsthedoorveryslowly)IthoughtI’dstartwiththeopeningofthehistoricGettysburgAddress,whichLincolnreadin1863honouringthesoldierswhohaddiedattheBattleofGettysburg:
“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”
Oh,MrsJones…MRSJONES!!!(shehasreachedthedoorandsheturns)CouldIhaveacupofteaplease?(shecan’thearandwalksbacktowardsthetable)ACUPOFTEA!(shecarriesonwalking)No,staywhereyouareMrsJones.STAYTHERE!(shearrivesbythePresident)Isaid,couldIhaveacupoftea?
Jones Tea?President Yes,MrsJones,tea.Jones Ofcourse.Youjusthavetoask.
She begins her long walk out of the room while the President speaks.
President SoI’llstartwiththespeech,thenwe’llshowourguestssomephotosofLincoln(weseethephotos),hiswifeMary,theCivilWarandthefreeingoftheslaves.ThenI’llreadtheendoftheGettysburgAddress:
“…This nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
(thestaffapplaud)Thankyou,thankyou.
Welcome to America
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Mrs Jones enters pushing a trolley with teapot and cups. She starts pouring tea into a cup.
President MrsJones…MRSJONES!
She turns, but keeps pouring, and the tea goes all over the floor.
MrsJones,whatdoyousay?WHATDOYOUSAY?
She puts down the teapot and cup and slowly walks to the President.
SoIfinishtheGettysburgAddressandMrsJonessays:Jones Ibegyourpardon?President No,MrsJones,youdon’tsay“Ibegyourpardon”,yousay:Jones Ididn’thearyou.President YOURLINESMRSJONES.WHATDOYOUSAYAFTERI
FINISHREADINGTHEGETTYSBURGADDRESS?Jones “WelcometotheWhiteHouseeverybody”.(thestaff
applaud)President Good!Canyoukeepthissafe?
The President gives her the piece of paper and she slowly walks back to the trolley, the piece of paper shaking noisily in her hand.
Now,Peter(hepointstooneofhisstaff)willwearaGeorgeWashingtoncostumeandgreetvisitorsbytheWashingtonMonument,(weseeaphoto),whichisthebiggestobeliskintheworld.
Mrs Jones pours the tea and takes it to the President making a loud rattling noise during the next part.
PeterwillexplainhowtherewasrivalrybetweentheNorthofAmericaandtheSouth,sothefirstPresidentoftheUnitedStates,GeorgeWashington,decidedtocreateanewcitytobethecapitalcityofAmerica.
Mrs Jones hands him the cup.
Thankyou.CouldIhaveabiscuit?ABISCUIT?Jones Yes,Sir.I’llgoandgetthem.
She walks slowly back to the trolley.
President ThisnewcitywasnotinaState,butbetweentwoStates
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andhecalledthisareatheDistrictofColumbia.WhyColumbia?BecauseitwasnamedafterChristopherColumbus.ThecitywascalledWashington,afterthefirstPresident,andthat’swhywecallit“WashingtonD.C.”!
Mrs Jones puts very hard biscuits on a china plate, which makes a lot of noise. Then she walks over to the President, but her tremor makes all the biscuits fall on the floor, one by one.
President Thenyou,Anne,willbeinfrontofthegovernmentbuilding,theUnitedStatesCapitol(anotherphoto)dressedastheStatueofFreedom2andcantellourvisitorsaboutwhywecelebratetheFourthofJuly.Youwillexplainthatit’sbecauseitwasonthatday,in1776,thatAmericadeclareditsindependencefromGreatBritain.
Mrs Jones hands him the empty plate. The President gives up.
Ok,MrsJones.That’sall.Youcangonow.Jones Isthatall?President YESMRSJONES.YOUCANGO.Jones I’llgothen.
She slowly walks out with the trolley and closes the door.
President Thedaywillfinishwiththetraditionalfireworkdisplay,likethousandsofothercitiesalloverAmerica,andthebandwillplayThe Stars and Stripes Forever.
Thenwewillcomebackhereforaglassofchampagne.Nowwhoisresponsibleforcatering?(hepressestheintercom)CanyousendinthecatererfortheFourthofJulypartyplease?
The door opens and Mrs Jones walks in again.
Jones Yes?President Ohno!Itwillbethelongestpartyinthehistoryofthe
UnitedStates!Jones Anothercupoftea?President NotnowMrsJones.Meetingclosed!
2 The Statue of Freedom is the statue on the dome of the United States Capitol building.
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The President and his staff exit. Mrs Jones sees that she is alone in the Oval Office, and suddenly becomes much quicker and sings and dances.
MUSICAL NUMBER: Thank God I’m Old (from “Barnum”)
When you see the shape the world is in, When the way it is ain’t what it’s been, When folks just care for gold, Thank God, I’m old! When you see the way folks misbehave, When it’s only good times that they crave, When kids are much too bold, Thank God, I’m old!
MULTIMEDIA TOUR: CITIES
A film compilation of American cities is shown: Washington, San Francisco, Las Vegas etc, finishing in Houston in Texas at the NASA Headquarters. We see the 1969 film of Neil Armstrong stepping onto the moon, and he says his famous phrase: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
FIRST MAN ON THE MOON
It is 1969. At first, it seems as though Neil Armstrong is on the moon surface: coming out of the Eagle Lunar Module, walking in slow motion to plant the American flag. However, it is just a set for astronaut practice. Then the Director of NASA walks past him at normal speed.
Director StillpractisingNeil?Neil Yes,Sir.Director Isn’titabitlate?Gotobed.Tomorrow’sthebigday!Neil Iknow.Director Andon21July1969,you’llbethefirstmantowalkonthe
moon.Neil Yes,butI’mworriedIwon’tgetitright.Director Getwhatright?Neil Well…thefirstmanonthemoon.It’sabigresponsibility.Director OfcourseitisNeil,butyou’vebeenthroughthetraining
programme.Youareprepared.Neil Iknow,butit’sthethoughtofallthosepeoplewatchingon
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television.Director Halfabillionpeople.Neil Don’tremindme.Director Fivehundredmillion!Neil Yes,Iunderstoodthefirsttime.Director Itwillbeok.Neil ButwhatwillIsay?Director Whatdoyouwanttosay?Neil Idon’tknow.Director Whatwillyoufeellikesayingwhenyoustepontothe
moon?Neil “Yeah,Imadeit!”Director Neil,yousay,“Yeah,Imadeit!”whenyoucatchthelast
trainhome…yousay,“Yeah,Imadeit!”whengetindoorsjustbeforeathunderstorm…youdon’tsay,“Yeah,Imadeit!”whenyou’vetravelled240,000milesandlandedonthemoon!Tryagain.
Neil (pauseashethinks)“Wow,it’slonelyuphere!”Director Great…whydon’tyoujustsay,“WherearetheMartians?”Neil Butit’sthemoon,Sir;MartiansareonMars.Director Neil,itwasajoke.Youcan’tjustsay,“Hey,it’slonelyup
here.”Comeon,don’tyouhaveanyotherideas?Youstepontothemoonandsay…
Neil “HiMom!”Director Therewillbehalfabillionpeoplewatching!Youcan’tsay
hellotoyourmotherinfrontofhalfabillionpeople!Neil Ohyeah,right.Director Thinkofsomethingmeaningful.Neil Errr…Director Somethingimportant.Neil Errr…Director Somethingthatpeoplewillremember.Neil Nope.Sorry.Can’tthinkofanything.Director Well,gobackinsidethelunarmodule,andcomeoutagain.
Maybeyou’llbeinspired.Neil Ok,Sir.(hestartstowalkinslowmotiontowardsthelunar
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module)Director Neil,you’renotonthemoon.Hurryup.Neil Sorry,Sir.(herunstothelunarmodule)Director Ok,nowcomeout(Neilopensthedoor),andwalkdown
thesteps(hedoesso)andputyourfootonthesurfaceofthemoon.Ok,nowwhatdoyousay…
Neil Ow,I’vegotcramp!Director Beserious!Neil Noreally,I’vegotcramp!Ouch.That’sagiantstep.Director Noit’snot;youmissedone.Neil Ohsorry…(hecomesdownastep)That’sbetter.Director Sonowtakethelaststepdownontothemoon,andthen
saysomething.Neil Right,soItakeonesmallstep,andthenI’llsaysomething.Director Yes!That’sit!Neil Ok.Director No,thatisit!That’sonesmallstepforyou,butit’sagiant
leapformankind.That’swhatyoucansaywhenyoustepontothemoon.
Neil Areyousure?Director It’severythingwewant:it’smeaningful,important,and
somethingthatpeoplewillremember.Try.
Neil takes the small last step.
Neil That’sonesmallstepforyou,butit’sagiantleapformankind.
Director Notme!You.Neil Isaidyou.Director AreyousureyoupassedtheAstronautIntelligenceTest?Neil Idon’tunderstand.Director Youareaman,andyou’resteppingonthemoon,it’sonly
asmallstepforyou,yes,butformankindit’sagiantleap:afteryearsofresearchandexperimentswe’vefinallydoneit,putamanonthemoon!
Neil Isee.Director Tryagain,Neil…
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Neil goes up on the first step, and tries again. As he steps down we see the 1969 film again of him stepping onto the moon, and he says: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
MULTIMEDIA TOUR: ICONS
We see a montage of American Icons: the American Bald Eagle, Uncle Sam, the Dollar Bill, Baseball, and so on, finishing with movie images (Marilyn Monroe and her white dress etc), and the Hollywood sign.
HOLLYWOOD
We are on a film set in Hollywood in 1922 where the Italian heartthrob, Rudolph Valentino, is filming one of his greatest hits, “Blood and Sand”. His co-star Nita and director Fred are on set with him.
Fred Valentino,whereareyou?Valentino,everyone’swaiting!Valentino!
He opens Valentino’s dressing room door and Valentino is wearing a dressing gown and putting gel on his hair.
Areyounotready?Valentino Idon’tthinkIcanacttoday.Fred ButRudi,everyoneishere:thecameraman,thelighting
man,Nitayourco-star...theyareallwaitingforyou.Valentino Idon’tlikemycostume.Ifeelridiculous.Fred Why?
He throws off his dressing gown and he is wearing the costume of a toreador.
Valentino Lookatthejacket…Fred …tooflashy?Valentino Notflashyenough!Itneedsmoregold,moresparkle.And
lookatthetrousers…Fred …tootight?Valentino Nottightenough.Fred Oh…Valentino Ican’tactinthis.Fred ButRudiyoulookgreat!
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Valentino DoI?Fred Yes.Youlookmagnificent.Valentino Youthinkso?Fred Yes.Valentino Ok,Idoit!
Valentino uses a last touch of hairspray, walks out of his dressing room and onto the movie set. Fred follows him and yells, “Action!” A pianist starts playing...
Valentino Stop!Icannotdoit.
He returns to his dressing room. Fred follows.
Fred Whatnow?Valentino Ican’tdoit.Fred Why,Rudi,why?Valentino Idon’tlookgoodtoday.Fred Don’tlookgood?Don’tlookgood?!Don’tbefoolish.Idon’t
lookgood,notyou.EverywomanisinlovewithRudolphValentino:youarethemosthandsomemoviestarintheworld.
Valentino Nottoday.Fred Rudiplease.Ithinkyoulookgood.Valentino Youdo?Fred Yes.Valentino Well,whatdotheythink?Fred Who?Valentino Them.(hepointsattheaudience)Fred Whatdotheythinkofwhat?Valentino DotheythinkIlookgood?Fred Idon’tknow.Valentino Wellask.Fred Why?Valentino TheyareItalian,theyhavegoodtaste….buon gusto.Fred Allright.(hetalkstotheaudience)Hello,I’msorry
todisturbyoubutValentino…(toValentino)Thisisembarrassing…
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Valentino Justask.Fred …Valentinowouldliketoknowifhelooksgoodtoday.(he
getsapieceofpaperoutofhispocketandimprovisesaccordingtotheschoolspresent)IsthereaschoolherefromVerona?
Kids Yes!Fred Great.NowdoyouthinkValentinoislookinggoodtoday?
The children will yell ‘yes’ or ‘no’ etc and the scene becomes improvised.
(toValentino)There,theysaidyoulookgood.Valentino Ihearda‘no’!Fred Thatwasjustsomeonebeingfunny.Valentino Well,it’snotenough.Fred Notenough?Valentino IamRudolphValentino,themosthandsomemoviestarin
theworld.Ineedtobemorethangood.Fred Morethangood?(Valentinonods;Fredtalkstothe
audienceagain)I’msorry,butIneedyourhelpagain.IsthereaschoolfromPadua?
Kids Yes!Fred Great.NowdoyouthinkValentinoislookinghandsome
today?(theaudiencecallsoutasbefore)Good.(toValentino)Yousee,theyallthinkyou’rehandsome,especiallythatteacherinthethirdrow.
Valentino (Valentinolookattheteacher)Areyousure?ShethinksI’mhandsome?
Fred Shethinksyou’reveryhandsome.Valentino Butitisstillnotenough.Fred Stillnotenough?Valentino No,IamRudolphValentino,theoriginalLatinLover,3 I
needtobemorethanhandsome.Fred Morethanhandsome?(Valentinonods;Fredtalkstothe
audienceagain)Sorry,thisisthelasttimeI’llbotheryou.IsthereaschoolfromPiacenza?
Kids Yes!Fred Great.NowdoyouthinkValentinoislookingattractive
3 Th term “Latin Lover” was coined for Rudolph Valentino.
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today?(theycallout)Valentino More…Fred DoyouthinkValentinoislookingfabuloustoday?Valentino More…Fred Beautiful?(Valentinoshakeshishead)Magnificent?
(shakesitagain)Wonderful?(Valentinowhispersinhisear)Ok,allofyou,fromVerona,PaduaandVicenza,doyouthinkValentinoislookingPERFECTtoday?(theycallout)There,theyallsaidyoulookperfect.
Valentino Allofthem?Fred Yes,everysinglepersonherethinksyou,Rudolph
Valentino,lookperfect.Valentino Andher?(heindicatestheteacherinthethirdrow)Fred Oh,theteacherinthethirdrow?Yes,especiallyher.(he
callsouttotheteacher)Don’tyouthinkhelooksperfect?Teacher Yes!Valentino Ok,Idoit!
Valentino uses the hairspray and goes back on the set. The music plays and Fred yells, “Action!” and instructs Valentino:
Fred Youputonyourtoreadorhat…(hedoesso)Youputonyourtoreadorcloak…(Valentinowavesitlikeabullfighter)andNitawatchesyousecretly.Younoticeher...(ValentinoturnstoNita)youbowtoher…youtakearoseandgiveittoher…yousay“Iloveyou!”...(Valentinomouthssilentlythewords)Nitasays“Iloveyou!”...(Nitadoesthesame)andyoukiss…(theirlipsmoveslowlytowardeachotherbutValentinostops)
Valentino Stop!Icannotdoit.
He returns to his dressing room like before. Fred follows.
Fred Whatnow?Valentino Ican’tdoit.Fred What?Valentino KissNita.Fred Why?Valentino Herbreathsmells.(hepointsattheteacherinthethirdrow)
Iwanttokissher.
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Fred Youcan’t.Valentino Whynot?Fred She’sateacher.She’snotintheplay.You’vegottokiss
Nita.It’sinyourcontract.Valentino Contract…blah,blah,blah.Allright,I’lldoit(totheteacher)
butI’llbethinkingofyou!
Valentino goes to join Nita. The music starts.
Fred Yousay“Iloveyou!”...(Valentinomouthsthewords)Nitasays“Iloveyou!”...(Nitadoesthesame)andyoukiss…(theirlipsmoveslowlytowardeachother,Valentinoturnstolookattheteacher,andNitagrabshisheadandkisseshim).
Valentino and Nita dance a comic tango, and slowly it becomes the film itself.
RETURN TO ELLIS ISLAND
Luca is watching the Valentino film.
Narrator Doyoulikeit.Luca Valentino!I’veseenhisphotointhenewspaper.He’sItalian
likeme.Narrator It’shislatestmovie.Luca I’veneverseenamovie.Thereisn’tacinemainmytown.Narrator ThisisnothingLuca,inafewyearstherewillbesound,
thencolour,and3D.
Luca picks up his bag and the document he received from the Customs Official.
Whereareyougoing?Luca ToNewYork.I’mreadynow.Thankyou.Narrator Forwhat?Luca ForshowingmeAmerica.Narrator Goandfindyourdream,Luca.Luca Iwill…andI’llgotothemoviestoo.Narrator Moviesareallaboutdreams.
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The Narrator steps into the light of the cinema projector and the movie plays on his face and clothes.
It’sallfiction.Justplay.Dreamsprojectedonawhitescreen...
MOVIE FINALE
We see short tributes to the most famous American movies of all time: Gone with the Wind, Titanic, Star Wars, Singin’ in the Rain, Psycho, Wizard of Oz, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, The Lion King, Ben-Hur, The Sound of Music, Avatar, Pirates of the Caribbean, etc.
Luca Wow.Narrator YouseeLuca,inthecinema,anything’spossible.Luca Fantasy...Dreams…Narrator Nowgoandfindyourdream.(theyshakehands)Luca Ciao.Narrator Ciao,Luca.
Luca with his bag and permit leaves the Ellis Island. The Statue of Liberty comes in to view, the Declaration of Independence in her hand, and says:
Statue “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
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ARCADIA PRODUCTIONS sasvia Vespri Siciliani 16/4, 20146 Milanotel: 02 4231459 fax: 02 700419101
email: [email protected]