(Next day and Robert wakes up very excited because it’s his birthday, he gets dressed and goes downstairs where his parents are eating breakfast.)
Robert: (happily) Good morning!
Shelly: Morning Robert, you seem very cheerful today? You’re usually half asleep at this time in the morning.
Robert: (laughing) Am I not allowed to be cheerful on my birthday? – When can I open my presents?
Colin: (looks extremely worried) Well…
Robert: Can I open them now? Where’ve you put them?
Shelly: Hmm…Well…Robert I think that we both kind of forgot what the date was.
Colin: (convincingly) It’s not that we forgot when your birthday was! – It’s just that we’ve both been so busy with work recently we haven’t been keeping track of what the day is.
Robert: (shocked) You mean… you forgot my birthday?!
Shelly: No! We just haven’t had the time to get you a present yet.
Robert: I can’t believe it! My own parents forgot my birthday!
(Shelly walks over to Robert to try and comfort him but Robert shrugs her off)
Shelly: I know, why don’t we all go a shop now and we can buy you a present?
Robert: Because its Sunday and all the shops are closed.
Shelly: So it is, I forgot what day it was.
Robert: (angrily) I noticed!
Colin: We’re really sorry Rob, you know how busy we’ve both been.
(Mary enters, having heard the noise)
Mary: What are you shouting about?!
Robert: Don’t tell me you forgot too!
Mary: Forgot what?
Robert: It’s my birthday!
Mary: Is it? I thought it was the 8th today? Not the 9th.
Robert: Well it’s the 9th, and you all forgot!
Mary: Oh, sorry Rob, I didn’t realise.
Robert: Don’t expect me to remember any of your birthdays!
(small awkward silence)
Colin: I know we’ll take you out to the pub for a Sunday lunch, and I’ll buy your present tomorrow.
Robert: (sulkily) Fine.
(Later that morning the doorbell rings and Mary goes to answer it)
Mary: (shocked) Hi Uncle Craig!
Craig: (Australian accent) Hello Mary, how are ya?
Mary: I’m fine thanks! (louder) Muuuuum uncle Craig’s here from Australia!
(Shelly comes to the door)
Shelly: Who? I thought you said Craig! (laughs to herself)
Craig: (smiling) She did.
Shelly: (shocked) Oh my god, Craig! Wh…Wh…Why are you here?
Craig: Well for Roberts birthday of course! Where is he?
Shelly: He’s in his room. But he’s going to be so pleased to see you! Have you come all this way just to see Robert on his birthday?
Craig: That’s right! I thought I’d surprise you all.
Mary: Well you’ve definitely done that!
Shelly: Well come in, have a drink, make yourself at home.
(They all go into the living room to join Colin)
Colin: Hello Craig, how are you? This is certainly a surprise!
Craig: I’m doing great thanks, how ‘bout you Colin?
Colin: Not bad. Not bad.
Mary: I’ll go and fetch Rob.
.
(Mary leaves to get Robert)
Craig: So what present did you get Rob?
Shelly: (sheepishly) Oh, we haven’t got it yet.
Colin: Were getting it tomorrow though.
Craig: Oh alright then, I hope he likes the present I got him!
Shelly: I’m sure that he will.
(Mary and Robert come back downstairs)
Robert: (very excitedly) Hi uncle Craig! (gives him a hug) what are you doing here?
Craig: For your birthday of course! Did you forget? (laughs)
Robert: (sarcastically) I didn’t, but I know somebody who did.
Craig: What do you mean?
Robert: Didn’t they tell you? They forgot that it was my birthday today!
Craig: (looks at Colin in surprise) Really? That’s terrible!
Colin: We lost track of what day it was.
Craig: I’m sure he won’t mind if you get a present tomorrow then. Will you Robert?
Robert: No, I suppose not.
Craig: Now, do you want to see what I got you?
(Robert suddenly seems more excited again)
Robert: oooh yes please!
(Craig hands Robert a long wrapped up present, which Robert begins to unwrap)
Robert: Wow! A didgeridoo! Thanks Craig, that’s amazing!
Craig: Glad that you like it Rob.
(The family all watch in amusement as Robert attempts to play the didgeridoo)