JABBERWOCKY

Opening Scene - part six


 Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Part Seven

 

Father                    Why do they pick on you Ned?

Ned                         I don't know  dad. They can't find anyone else I suppose!

Father                    You should try to stand up to 'em a bit more son. Show them what you're made of.

Ned                       (He looks ruefully at his handkerchief.) I think that they're trying to find that out for        themselves!

Father                     But do you give as good as you get?

Ned                         He hurt his hand when he hit me this time!

Father                     It's no good lad. We really will have to try and do something about you. If you're         going  to get yourself into these scrapes then you've got to learn how  to look after         yourself.  We could start by building up your muscles a bit - and that's where this         present I've  bought you comes in.

Ned                        (Interested) A present! What have you got me dad?

Father                     (Impressively) This! (He produces the barbell.)

Ned                         Oh ... oh? (Genuinely confused) What is it?

Father                     It's a barbell son.

Ned                         Mmmmmm ... . What does it do dad?

Father                     Oh dear ... it doesn't do anything Ned. It's what you do with it!

Ned                          Oh ...what do you ...?

Father                      Don't bother - I'll show you. You use it to strengthen your muscles. Half an hour's          exercise with this every day and you'll soon notice the difference. Here's what you          do: (he proceeds to demonstrate the 'perfect lift') you stand over it like this; bend          down; grab hold of it - remember to keep your back nice and straight - and then          heave! (He lifts the weight easily) See - that's all there is to it!

Ned                          I don't think that I'm going to be very good at this.

Father                     Nonsense. Come on, you have a go now. (Reluctantly Ned approaches the barbell)        Of course this one is only light but you can build up to heavier ones later. Now,        take hold of the bar, bend your knees, (Ned does so) and lift!

Ned                         I already am lifting! (The barbell remains firmly on the ground.)

  Father                    Well ... don't try to lift it over your head; up to your shoulders will do.

Ned                       (Breaking off his attempt) You don't think that we're being^ a bit ambitious do       you dad?

Father                   Come on son, you've got to put some effort into it if you want to be big and strong like      me. I mean, what could I have done the day the dragon came if I had been all thin and      weedy? (What follows is an obviously well rehearsed routine, which Ned imitates in the       background) Oooh, I remember it just like yesterday: the fiery breath, the monstrous      roar and the reek and stench of its foul body as it pounced on top of me! Any man      would be frightened by such a sight, and I was - but not so frightened that I didn't know      what to do! A kind of icy calm came over me then as quick as a flash - so fast that even      I was surprised! - I got my pitchfork and thrust it into the beast's belly. The scream of      that creature as it crashed to the ground beside me will live in my memory forever. It      was horrible - all sort of angry and sad at the same time... (He ponders this point)      horrible. Anyway, if I hadn't had the strength to kill it, it would have burnt the village to      the ground and most likely slaughtered all of us. Do you see my point?

Ned                        Yes dad.

Father                    So come on; another go. (Ned prepares himself) Ready? Right’ now  heave!

Ned                        (Straining with the effort) Eeee urghh! (The weight does not move)

Father                   Heave!

Ned                        I'm heaving! I'm heaving! Eeurghh!

       (Mother enters holding a tray with assorted dishes etc. As soon as she sees what         is  happening she rushes over to just behind Ned)

Mother                 Edmund, Edmund! What are you doing? Stop it at once!

                                   (Part Seven)

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