PROGRAM 18 “ Go West, Young Man”
INTRODUCTION TO ACT I
Today on TUNING IN THE U.S.A., we’re at the Stewarts’ home in Riverdale, New York. The mail has just arrived. And in the mail is a cassette tape from Richard Stewart. Richard and his friend Andreas Pappas have sent a recorded message about their travels across the country. As Robbie and Grandpa play the tape, Grandpa remembers his travel adventures when he was a young man. And then Grandpa surprises Robbie with an idea for a new adventure.
ACT I
Robbie: Grandpa, the mail’s here! We got another cassette tape from Richard.
Grandpa: Great! Let’s play the tape, where is this one from?
Robbie: Let’s see.[ He puts the tape in the cassette recorder and turns it on.]
Richard’s voice: Hell, everybody. This is Richard ----out West. Say “ hello” Andreas.
Andreas’s voice: Hello, everybody.
Richard’s voice: We’re having a great time. I’ve taken hundreds of photographs.
Andreas’s voice: And I’ve recorded all kinds of music.
Richard’s voice: We’re looking forward to seeing Grandpa in Denver next week. Right now, we’re in Texas, at a small Baptist church.
Andreas’s voice: In a few minutes, we’re going to hear some gospel music.
Richard” voice: Oops! The church service is starting. I’ll tell you more after we go hear the music. Good-bye for now.
[ The tape stops.]
Grandpa: It sounds like they are having a fine time!
Robbie: And Richard’s looking forward to seeing you out there next week. You’ll have a great time, I’m sure. [ He thinks.] Colorado. I’ve never been there.
Grandpa: Denver. The Rocky Mountains. I remember when I went west as a young man. That was in 1938.
Robbie: What did you find out there?
Grandpa: I found a job with the U.S. Forrest Service.
Robbie: What kind of job was it?
Grandpa: I helped fight forest fires.
Robbie