Mr. J: (Calmly) Stop the excitement! Your mum proposed a quiet…
H: (Interrupts) …The Mountain Action – yeah, it’s a real escape from the hustles and bustles of everyday life.
Mr. J: (A grimace on his face) That was not what we had in mind…your mum and I agreed that this time round, we’ll go for the Mediterranean Cruise.
(Murmuring to himself) A long, relaxed, serene cruise in the middle of the vast ocean; you, your mum and myself. And of course the roaring engine…how wonderful!
H: How boring! That stinks! That’s for old folks, not for me. I don’t want another replica of Hawaii!
Mr. J: Would you mind giving me a chance to speak? And don’t you dare raise your voice at me; I am your father, not your age mate.
H: Sorry Dad…but…
Mr. J: Firstly, we’ll chance to sail in the most prestigious, “Eugenio Costa,” then we’ll stroll around the beautiful city of Venice…
H: …Look here, Dad, we need a life! In Mountain Action, there are fantastic ranges of mountain sports - hiking, mountain-biking, horse-riding, windsurfing…
Mr. J: (flaming with anger) Enough! You’re young, we’re old, and it’s not possible for us to do such activities.
H: (Pleadingly) But all this Dad, makes a complete holiday rather than a lonely cruise.
Mr. J: (Ignores his son and continues) The archaeological splendours of the marvelous city, Katakolon in Greece will help you in your history lessons.
H: (Whispering to himself) As if I like history!
Mr. J: (stunned) Me goodness! Where are your manners?
H: (muttering to himself) They’re lost!
Mr. J: What did you say?
(Goes on) …anyway, you’ll like the sight of Santorini – sheer, black cliffs dipping deep into the blue Aegean then spend an exciting time in the liveliest of the Cyladic Islands, Mykonos and have a superb time in Rhodes – the most beautiful Greek Island with its beautiful beaches and pretty cafes…
H: (Puts in hurriedly)…there are many kinds of water sports too in Mountain Action like windsurfing, water-skiing, canoeing and hydro speed
Mr. J: You’re not trying to understand! You’re just a kid, you don’t decide for the family where we should go on a holiday.
(Pause)
(Voice rising) Besides, I will be the one who’ll shoulder the expenses and I don’t even think that I should be asking for your opinion!
H: (Remorseful) Fine! I’m just a kid! I don’t even have a right o say anything!
(Enter Mrs. James)
Mrs. J: What’s going on here? And Harry, what are you doing in those muddy rugs?
(Harry glances at his father and storms out of the room)
Get yourself cleaned, NOW! (She shouts after him)
Mr. J: We have raised a stubborn boy!
Mrs. J: What happened?
Mr. J: (Raging with anger) Oh! You’re son… I mean, our son wants to go for Mountain Action…now you know we…
Mrs. J: James, did you have to be so harsh on him? How many times have I told you?
Mr. J: If he only knew how to listen then I wouldn’t be behaving so strictly with him.
Mrs. J: Did you have to vent all your anger on the innocent boy?
Mr. J: ‘Innocent?’ …He…he…He had the audacity to raise his voice at me, and you call him, ‘innocent?’
Mrs. J: You have to sympathise with him, he’s only a growing boy…
Mr. J: Who doesn’t know how to respect his parents!
Mrs. J: James, now you stop being stubborn…I’m calling him, I want you to apologize to him.
Mr. J: (taking a sip of his tea) But…
Mrs. J: No buts! …Harry! Oh, Harry! Please come downstairs, your father has something to say to you!
(She approaches the staircase)
(Silence)
Mr. J: (Dashes towards the staircase) Harry, please come down, I have something to tell you.
H: (Weeping) Go alone with mum! Who cares about me anyway! (His voice echoes across staircase)
Mr. J: Hey big boy…I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings…it’s just that I don’t want to go for Mountain Action this time and neither does your mum…but I promise we’ll go the following holiday!
(Harry sprints down the staircase to his parents)
H: Really??
Mrs. J: Yes dear…
H: …You promise?
Mr. J: (Smiling) I promise!
(Soft piano music commences and they all hug)
