INTRODUCTION TO ACT I
Today on TUNING IN THE U.S.A., Robbie Stewart tries to get a job. He wants to earn money to buy a car. We join Robbie at the offices of his hometown newspaper. He would like to work at the newspaper as a reporter. But the newspaper needs to fill a different job.
ACT I
Robbie: Here’s my job application.
Secretary: Let me see. Do we have all the information? Robbie Stewart, age seventeen, 46 Linden Street, Riverdale, New York, Telephone?
Robbie: 555- 3090. That’s my parents, phone, of course.
Secretary: And they are [ reading ] Philip and Ellen Stewart. Do you have other work experience?
Robbie: Just helping around the house. I have certain things to do every week, liking washing the car. And then my dad pays me extra or jobs like painting and mowing the lawn.
Secretary: I see. Well, that sounds just fine.
Robbie: That’s good enough?
Secretary: I think so. But I have to give your application to Mrs. Ling. She’s in charge of hiring new workers. She’ll call you in a few days.
Robbie: Is that all?
Secretary: That’s all!
Robbie: Thank you.
Secretary: Oh, one more thing. Do you have our own bicycle?
Robbie: Yes. Why do you ask that?
Secretary: Well, you’ll need a bike to deliver the papers to the homes of our readers. Some of our newspaper delivery routes are quite long.
Robbie: Newspaper delivery routes?
Secretary: Yes. I think Mrs. Ling will be very pleased with your application. We need good, strong riders.
Robbie: [ He laughs.] Wait a minute! I wasn’t looking for that job.
Secretary: No?
Robbie