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Family Album USA - Episode 20 - Quality Time


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Family Album USA - Episode 20 - Quality Time



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Act II: Download
Act III: Download


Family Album USA: Episode 20 - Quality Time


Act I

In Act One, Philip comes home late from work at hospital. And although it is quite late, Ellen isn't home yet. Robbie sees that his parents are very busy. A little later, Robbie talks to Grandpa. What do they talk about?

RobbieWhere's Mom?
GrandpaShe went to a school-board meeting.
RobbieI don't know how she does it. She sure keeps busy.
GrandpaIt's import to her.There are lots of places to go, lots of things to do. She can't sit around and do nothings to do. She can't sit around and do nothing. Philip works late.
RobbieI guess you're right. I wish I had her energy.
PhilipAnybody home?
RobbieWe're in here, Dad.
PhilipOh. Hi, gang.
GrandpaHello, Philip. How was your day?
PhilipMy day was just fine. So was my night. It's almost ten 0'clock. Mmm.I'm starving. Um...where's Mom?
RobbieShe went to a school-board meeting.
GrandpaThere's a note for you on the refrigerator.
PhilipOh?
PhilipDid you have dinner, Robbie?
RobbieYeah. Mike and I had a hamburger at the diner. I came home a little while ago. You've been working late almost every night this week, Dad. Aren't you exhausted?
PhilipI don't have time to be exhausted.
RobbieYou and Mom haven't had dinner together with us in almost a full week.
PhilipYeah, I feel bad about us not having dinner with the family, but our schedules are so different. Either I'm at the hospital doing paperwork, or Mom is at a committee meeting. I frankly don't know what to do about it.
RobbieI'm worried about you and Mom. You really have been working too hard.
PhilipWell, I think I've had enough of that sandwich.
RobbieYou didn't finish it.
PhilipIt's not good to eat before going to bed. A cookie can't hurt, though.
PhilipWell, I'm heading off for bed and a good night's sleep.
RobbieWell, good night.
PhilipGood night, son. Good night, Dad. I'm going to bed.
GrandpaGood night, Philip.
PhilipHaven't you finished balancing that checkbook?
GrandpaI found another mistake. I'll be off to bed myself in a minute.
PhilipOK.Good night.
RobbieI'm really concerned about them, Grandpa.
GrandpaConcerned about whom?
RobbieAbout Mom and Dad. They hardly ever see each other. Dad often works late, and Mom has all these committees she's on.Grandpa: What do you propose to do about it? You have that look in your eye.
RobbieI don't know, but there must be a way of getting them to spend more time together. Quality time.

Act II

In Act Two, Robbie tells Ellen how he feels. Robbie wants his parents to spend some time together. But Ellen knows that she and Philip are too busy to take a vacation. So Robbie tries again. What is Robbie's idea?

EllenHello there, Robbie. What are you doing up this late?
RobbieReading.
EllenReading? At this hour? Ah, come on, Robbie. What are you doing up this late?
RobbieThings on my mind.
EllenDo you care to talk about them?
RobbieSure, if you don't mind listening.
EllenRobbie, Robbie, remember me? I'm your mother. If you have something you want to talk about, I'm always prepared to listen.
RobbieYou haven't been around much lately.
EllenSo that's it. OK, let's talk.
RobbieYou and Dad are like ships that pass in the night. Dad works hard, and he works late. You work hard on all your committees, and you work late.
EllenI thought you were pround of the work I do.
RobbieI am, Mom. Real proud. You are one fantastic mom, but...but I've been noticing how little quality time you spend with Dad and me... and the family.
EllenIt's a real problem, Robbie. I know it.
RobbieI'm concerned. There must be a way that Day and you can spend mor time together.
EllenWell, we always talk about taking a vacation together with the family.
RobbieI think you ought to take a vacation away from the family-alone. Kind of a second honeymoon.
EllenIt would be wounderful, but our schedules won't allow it.
RobbieI think I have an idea.
EllenYou do?
RobbieYup. I think I have an idea that will bring Dad and you together in a more scheduled way.
EllenWhat is it?
RobbieWell, you know how Dad is always talking about the kids in the ward and how important it is for them to be paid attention to?
EllenYes.
RobbieWell...and how hard it i because the doctors and murses are so busy?
EllenYes.
RobbieWell, how would it be if you took some time to work with Dad towards solving that problem?
EllenI don't get it.
RobbieLike setting up a regular weekly reading program. You and Dad. You and Dr.Philip Stewart-going to the children's ward once or twice a week and reading to them.
EllenNot bad. Not a bad idea, Robbie. As a matter of fact, it fits right in with something I'm working on right now with the school-board committee.
RobbieWhat's that?
EllenI've been trying to work out a program in the public school that will bring parents and teachers together once a week to read to the students-their own children, really. By doing that, it will enoourage reading.
RobbieSo it might fit in with a program for reading to the kids in the hospital.
EllenYou're right. We'll do it! I'm going to talk to Daddy about it right now.
RobbieBut Dad was so exhausted when he came home from work. Why don't you talk to him about it tomorrow?
EllenYou are a very smart young man, Robbie. I think I'll wait until tomorrow.
RobbieYou won't forget, will you?
EllenBelieve me, I won't. It is a great idea, and I promise you I won't forget.
RobbieThanks, Mom.
EllenThank you, Robbie.

Act III

In Act Three, Ellen tells Philip about her project. Philip thinks the project would work in hospitals. So Ellen and Philip agree to work together. What will Ellen and Philip read to the children?

EllenGood morning. What a wonderful morning! Don't the flowers smell wonderful?
PhilipGood mrning, Ellen. Yes, they do. That's why I'm reading my paper and having my coffee on the patio this morning. Ah, it does smell sweet. How was your school- board meeting last night? You must've come home very late.
EllenDid you find the sandwich I made for you?
PhilipThanks, dear. I was so tired I didn't even finish it.
EllenPhilip, I've been working on this special project with the school board, and I'd like your opinion about it.
PhilipWhat is it?Ellen: I've been trying to find a way to encourage reading.
PhilipGood luck!
EllenWell, I think I may have found a way to do it.
PhilipTell me about it. I work with families every day, Ellen. I see how people spend their leisure time-young and old.
EllenMostly watching television. Well, that would be OK if , and I repeat, if people took the time to read.
PhilipI couldn't agree with you more.
EllenThe question is, how do we get them to read more?
PhilipI think you're going to give me the answer to tha question. You have that lookin your eye.
EllenI do have an answer, Philip. Or at least I think I do.
PhilipWell, tell me about it.
EllenThe plan is a simple one. Involve the entire family in a reading project.
PhilipIn the home?
EllenYes, in the home. But first in the school-rooms.
PhilipHmm, interesting. But how do you plan to do that?
EllenBy arranging with the public schools to schedule one hour a week-to start with. During that time parents are invited to attend-and to read along with the children- their children.
PhilipIt can go beyond the school system, Ellen.
EllenReadlly?
PhilipI guarantee you it would go very in the hospitals.My patients-mostly kids-would love to read and be read to.
EllenYou think so?
PhilipI know so.
EllenMay be we can experiment with your patients and see how the plan works.
PhilipI love the idea. Would you work with me?
EllenI would love to, Philip.
PhilipAnd that way, we'll spend more time together, Ellen. We just don't see each other anymore.
EllenYou and I are very busy these days. This is true. We need to find time to be together more, to do things together more-you and I. This would be a wonderful way to accomplish that.
PhilipI have a question.
EllenYes?
PhilipWhat do we read?
EllenTo the patients in the ward?
PhilipYes.
EllenWell, let you and I talk about it. What would you like to read to them?
PhilipMrs. Setwart and I will read a poem by Robert Frost.
EllenIt's called"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening."
PhilipWould you begin, Ellen?
EllenAll right. "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"by Robert Frost. Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here to watch his woods fill up with snow.
PhilipMy little horse must think it queer. To stop without a farm house near between the woods and frozen lake. The darkest evening of the year.
EllenHe gives his hamess bells a shake to ask if there is some mistake. The only other sound's the sweep of easy wind and downy flake.
Ellen&PhilipThe woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.
GrandpaYou two belong on stage! That was wonderful!
EllenGrandpa!
PhilipDad...Robbie. When did you come?
GrandpaWe've been listening to you both. These are lucky kids.
RobbieDo you enjoy reading together?
PhilipWell, we may read together aloud at home.
GrandpaYou were right, Robbie.
RobbieI know.

More information about Family Album USA video series at Family Album USA.

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