Prime Time 1, Coursebook

Scene 4: A cure for the King’s hiccups Listening Listen to scene 4 of the play. The KING is with the QUEEN, PEMBRIDGE and his SERVANTS in the dining room. On a table there is a lot of jub-jub fruit, and there are also some turnips and cabbages. King: Mmmmm. You know, Pembridge, this jub-jub fruit is ab-sol-ute-ly delicious! Pembridge: But Sir, we planted ten thousand jub-jub trees, and the people can only eat cabbage and turnips. Queen: (angry) I’m the Queen, and I can only eat cabbage and turnips! King: I know. Ah, it’s wonderful to be King! (He continues to eat.) The GUARDS enter with THE CHILDREN, the WIZARD and the WITCH. Some VILLAGERS also come in. King: I thought I told you to take them to prison, Chief Guard. That silly Witch and Wizard too! Rory: But we can cure your hiccups, Sir! King: Nobody can cure my hiccups, boy! Jemma: Yes, we can. (She takes a glass of water from the table.) You must put your head between your knees, Sir, and drink this glass of water. The King is not sure. He looks at Pembridge and the Chief Guard and the Queen in turn. They each say ‘yes’ with their heads, ‘Yes!’ The King takes the glass of water, sits down, takes off his crown, and puts his head between his knees. He drinks the water with difficulty. While the King drinks, all the others clap together and say: “Drink it down, drink it down!” The King stands up. Everyone comes around to see if he is cured. Rory and Jemma look very worried. A pause. King: (smiling) I think … I think … yes, it worked! I’m cured! But then the King gives a very loud hiccup. Repeat The ROUTINE . King: (very angry) Guards, take them all back to prison! Sam: Wait, please, Sir, we have another cure! King: Hmph! Another cure? Rory: Please stand here, Sir. (He points to the front of the stage.) The King is not sure. He looks at Pembridge and the Chief Guard and the Queen in turn. They each say ‘yes’ with their heads, ‘Yes!’ The King stands at the front of the stage. Rory: Now close your eyes, King Grump. The lights go down. It is very dark. Rory goes behind the King. Rory: Keep your eyes closed, Sir! King: (very afraid) It’s … It’s very dark … Oooh! … Mummy! The King opens his eyes and cannot see anybody. Behind him, Rory suddenly says “BOO!” King: (jumps) Argh! …My heart, my heart! wp6xd4 8 3.20 9pd2r5 3.21 100 12 Unit Adventure in Grumpland – a play one hundred Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv