WHAT A TRAFFIC JAM!

PERHATIAN: Semua nama yang disebutkan dalam puisi ini hanyalah karakter fiktif. Bagi Anda yang kebetulan memiliki nama sama, DILARANG KERAS marah, apalagi ge-er.

Here I am, driving within the traffic jam of Jakarta
Calmly, no use to fuss
Three hours has passed
I haven't gone anywhere
Honk! Honk! Beep! Beep!
My tape has played Nidji's songs three times
Bajaj, angkot, ojek, metro mini, pedestrians, hawkers
Oh, how I dream of flying cars and magic carpets
I try to read but I get dizzy
Feeling the pain after the break up with Jodi
I try to relax and fly with my imagination
I think of places I've dreamed to see,
And remember people who have made me happy
Well, maybe it's not that bad
I think, life is good, yes, very good
Well, Jodi is not the only guy on earth
Bram is also very nice, not so bad-looking
And Arsal... quite attractive and mysterious
Hmmm...
Honk! Honk! Beep! Beep!
Damn!
The moment is gone
I'm stuck in a vast sea of vehicles

Alone

And lonely

KUASA WAKTU

Untuk Heripurwoko

Saat beban menggayut
Waktu merangkak begitu lambat
Ketika dunia tersenyum lembut
Aku ingin waktu berhenti dalam genggam erat

BUKU BUTUT

Nurlaila adalah staf administrasi yang menikmati kerja keras. Dia tidak pernah tertarik pada gosip apapun di kantor dan cenderung telmi. Dia tidak suka menguping berita-berita terkini tentang warga PT. Untung Selalu, tempatnya bekerja. Dia bahkan tidak ingat nama-nama anggota Dewan Komisaris. Dia hanya sibuk memikirkan apa yang menjadi porsinya, pekerjaannya sendiri. Baginya, asal hubungannya dengan atasan langsung berjalan baik, itu sudah cukup. Siapapun yang jadi bos besar, dia tidak peduli. Masalahnya sendiri sudah terlalu banyak, tidak perlu ditambah dengan hal-hal kecil yang tidak penting. Bahkan ketika atasan langsungnya mengomelinya, dia berusaha tidak terpengaruh. Setiap hari adalah anugerah, sayang kalau harus dirusak dengan perasaan tidak enak.

Suatu hari ketika dia sedang bersiap-siap pulang, sebuah buku butut bergambar Hello Kitty tergeletak di meja rapat. Keadaan buku itu sangat mengenaskan. Warnanya sudah pudar. Lembar-lembarnya kusut seperti baru dikunyah-kunyah oleh brontosaurus yang seminggu belum makan. Ujung-ujung halamannya sudah keriting. Di sampulnya tertulis Yudi.

“Oh, barangkali punya Yudi Purnomo, karyawan baru yang slebor itu,” ujarnya pada diri sendiri. Sontak dia berteriak, "Yudi, Yudi!!! Buku loe ada ama gue, niy! Gua itung ampe lima ya? Kalo gak loe ambil, gua jadiin bungkus kacang!!!!!!” Lalu Ibu Yudi Astuti, Manajer Operasional yang baru, muncul dari ruangan atasan Nurlaila dengan tatapan sedingin es.

"Bisa tolong kembalikan buku butut saya? Kacangnya bisa kau taruh di sini," ujarnya seraya menyorongkan sehelai kantong plastik hitam.

HOW STUPID

I’ll never forget the moment when I first met him. It was a fine evening and the streets were not as crowded as usual. Ayu and I were talking and enjoying our coffee and snacks at the El Diablo Coffee Shop. The place has always been a favorite place for us, members of Teater Ketjoeboeng. We like to sit together and exchange ideas there. It’s very cozy and the prices are reasonable. Last but not least, we have the freedom to sit and chat as long as we wish.

At the coffee shop that night, there were only Ayu and I. Neither of us was involved in the next play: “The Screaming Heart”. We had told Sasi, the scriptwriter, that we couldn’t participate. Actually, Sasi had offered us challenging roles, but we refused because we wanted to look for a permanent job. Surprisingly, Sasi didn’t get upset. She was very understanding. That evening the cast was rehearsing for the next play.

The next moment, Ayu was talking about how I should prepare myself for interviews. “You should kiss your ponytail goodbye and have your hair cut short, Sekar. It’ll make you look neat,” Ayu said. Suddenly, a shy good looking young man stepped in. Ayu and I looked at each other naughtily. Ayu whispered, “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” I whispered back, “Of course.” Then we started to stare at the shy good-looking young man. Believe it or not, it worked. He was standing near the salad bar. Realizing that there were two girls staring at him, he started to blush and look awkward. He was very self-conscious. We wouldn’t stop staring at him until he got to the counter to get his coffee. It may sound strange but we burst into laughter when the guy spilled his coffee and dropped his cup. Ayu shouted, “Oh, poor baby!”

“Let mama clean your lovely shirt!” I yelled. Then we ran to the rest room and continued laughing. The shy good-looking guy paid his coffee and left the Coffee Shop.

Funnily enough, I met that shy good-looking guy again during my job interview the next morning. He interviewed me!

WAITING

My anxiety is killing me
I’m a far cry from feeling peaceful
For my body is stuck on this very cubicle
While my mind is wandering somewhere afar

I’ve reached the crossroads
Where I have to decide where to go
And there’s nothing I can do without your verdict

It’s your answer that I’m after
Just a simple YES
Or NO
Then I'll go

Ah, well...
I’ll just stop and enjoy the glimmering traffic lights
At least for the time being

Fun With English -- WHAT A DIFFICULT CHOICE!

An Educational Drama
Combining English Lessons with Entertainment

Written in conjunction with Lembaga Bahasa LIA’s English Language Program

Produced by Citra Studio

Intermediate 1, Lesson 8

CAST OF CHARACTERS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE

Betty, Cathy, Ayu, Oleg, Nadya, Yudi, Masami, Ida, Bob, Cika, Tsubasa, Bayu, Agung, Gunawan

SCENE 1: BETTY’S LIVINGROOM – MORNING

Betty’s busy browsing through recipes in the cookbooks and recipe files scattered on the table. She looks restless, scratching her head and keeps looking at her guest list and the clock. She finally decides to call Kathy.

DIVIDE THE SCREEN INTO 2 PARTS. ONE FOR BETTY, THE OTHER ONE FOR CATHY. CLOSE-UPS

BETTY
Hello, can I speak to Kathy?

KATHY
Oh hi, Betty. How is it going?

BETTY
Okay but not okay.

KATHY
(curious)  What do you mean?

INSERT SUBTITLING: Comparing Options
CLOSE UP: BETTY

BETTY
You see, I’m throwing a party for the dancing club members. There will be 20 of them.

KATHY
Good, they’ll finally get the chance to try Karsiyem’s special ‘soto ayam’.

BETTY
That’s exactly what the problem is. Karsiyem is confined to bed because of her bad cold. I can always prepare steak and salad but I don’t feel like it. I want to surprise my Indonesian friends with ‘soto ayam’, ‘gurame goreng’, ‘lalap’ and ‘tumis kangkung’.

KATHY
Well, that’ll be kind of complicated to prepare.

BETTY
Actually, I can try without Karsiyem’s help. But what if it doesn’t turn out well?
The Indonesians would think I haven’t prepared things seriously
and the foreigners would get a bad impression about Indonesian food.
Tracking down a caterer at such a short notice isn’t a good idea.
I’ll be charged double and I ...


CLOSE UP: KATHY


KATHY
Wait, wait. How about asking Ayu to help out? She’s a fabulous cook.’

BETTY
Do you think she’d mind?

KATHY
Go talk to her and find out.

SCENE 2: BETTY’S KITCHEN – LATE AFTERNOON

Betty’s and Ayu are busy preparing things. They’re both wearing aprons. Ayu’s frying the fish and Betty’s cleaning her silverware.

AYU
What time did you say they were coming?

BETTY
At seven. What time is it?

AYU
Don’t worry. Everything will be ready by then.

BETTY
(hugging Ayu) Thanks a million, Ayu. What would I do without you?

AYU
Don’t mention it. My pleasure. Just enjoy the party.

BETTY
Thanks. Oh, I have some brownies for Cika in the fridge.

AYU
(opening the fridge, looking naughtily tempted) I think my daughter’s going on a very, very strict diet.

BETTY
(putting her arm on Ayu’s shoulder) Oh, I take that as a compliment!


SCENE 3: BETTY’S DINING ROOM


FOCUS ON TABLE

Voices are emerging from the living room, people talking, glasses clinking. The table is set and all the food looks tempting.

SCENE 4: BETTY’S LIVING ROOM – EVENING

MUTE SCENE
LONG SHOT of people talking in small groups. Slow music is playing.
FOCUS ON the sofa. Oleg, Nadya, Ida and Masami are having fruit cocktail.

OLEG
I loved the fish. It was tasty and crispy.

NADYA
You know what? He never wanted to eat fish before. He usually prefers meat and pork.

OLEG
Yeah, but this was different.

YUDI
And the ‘bolu pandan’ was the fluffiest, tastiest I have ever had.

MASAMI
Which one is ‘polu bandan’?

IDA
Bo-lu pan-dan. It’s the green cake. Bolu means cake. Thanks to Betty I screwed up my diet.

NADYA
I love this fruit cocktail. It’s so tasty and has a very characteristic aroma.

ZOOM IN, FOCUS ON OLEG’S SPOON

OLEG
(showing the mango in his spoon) Yeah, I agree. Must be because of this yellow stuff.  We don’t have anything like this in Russia.


ZOOM OUT, FULL SCREEN ON IDA, YUDI, NADYA

IDA
It’s a kind of mango called ‘mangga kweni’ (slurping) So fresh!

YUDI
(to Nadya) What fruit is typical in your country?

NADYA
The blue oval-shaped grapes. Very tasty.

IDA
I’ve never seen any blue grapes anywhere in my life!

YUDI
She’d better not. If she does, she’d probably hang them on her ears.

ZOOM IN, FOCUS ON IDA’S EARRINGS
Yudi touching Ida’s really big flower-shaped earrings

IDA
(giving Yudi a dirty look) Yeah, right. And you’d use my earrings to decorate your plain walls.

FOCUS ON MASAMI
Masami giggling

MASAMI
You’re so funny. (checking herself) Reminds me of the flowers we eat in Japan.

YUDI
Don’t ever let Ida go to Japan or your flowers will become extinct.

FOCUS ON IDA’S EARRINGS then FADE OUT

SCENE 5: BETTY’S LIVING ROOM – THE SAME EVENING

LONG SHOT of people saying their good-bye’s.
Then FULL SCREEN on Oleg, Nadya, Betty and Bob.

NADYA
Thank you very much, Betty. Everything was so delicious.

BETTY
Thanks. But the compliment should go to Ayu, actually.

OLEG
Who’s Ayu?

BOB
Our neighbor. She’s very good at cooking Indonesian food.

BETTY
Not only Indonesian food. She knows so much about food and drinks from all over the world. Japan, India, Italy. . .

OLEG
Russia?

BETTY
I believe so. At least she knows about Russian bagels. What do you call them?

OLEG and NADYA
‘Bublik’

BOB
Oh yeah. And she also knows how to make Russian pancakes. Ummm. . . (thinking) Don’t tell me. . . ‘bliny’! She told us people in Russia eat them to welcome the springtime.

NADYA
Wow. She sounds so professional. Will you give her our phone number?
Tell her we’re having a party next Saturday night and would like her
to cater it if possible. I’ll be too busy to cook by myself.

BETTY
Sure.

BOB
Don’t worry. We will.

OLEG
Oh, and please tell her also that we won’t be so fussy about the price.  Thanks again.

NADYA
Thanks, bye.

BETTY and BOB
Bye. Drive carefully.

SCENE 6: GUNAWAN’S GARDEN – SUNDAY MORNING

FOCUS ON Ayu and Gunawan who are very much absorbed in gardening. Then FOCUS ON Cika.

Cika comes running on her way in from the living room

CIKA
Mooooom!

AYU
What’s up, honey?

CIKA
There’s a woman named Eleni calling. “Is this Ayu’s catering?” (mimicking Eleni’s Greek accent)

SCENE 7: GUNAWAN’S LIVING ROOM – SUNDAY EVENING

The Gunawans are watching “Charmed”. Then the phone rings. It’s from Tsubasa Kawai.

CIKA
That must be for you again, mom.

DIVIDE THE SCREEN INTO TWO

BAYU
Gunawan’s residence

TSUBASA
Is this Ayu’s catering?

BAYU
(giggling)  Not yet. Maybe one day it will be.

TSUBASA
(puzzled)  Can you repeat that, please?

BAYU
Never mind. I’ll go get her.

FOCUS ON Ayu walking from the sofa towards the phone

AYU
Hello, this is Ayu. Can I help you?

TSUBASA
I’m Tsubasa, one of the guests at Oleg’s party.

AYU
Oh, yeah, I remember. How are you?

TSUBASA
Just fine. I was wondering if you could cook for Masami and I this coming Wednesday. Nadya said you would find no trouble cooking Japanese food.

AYU
Well, what can I say. Honestly speaking, I’ve cooked Japanese food only for my family. And that’s once in a blue moon.

INSERT SUBTITLING: Once in a blue moon = not very often, once in a while

TSUBASA
Please say ‘yes’. I know you can do it. All I need you to make is . . .

FOCUS ON Bayu and Cika

BAYU
(teasing Cika, shouting excitedly)  Mom’s gonna ccook for a samurai!

CIKA
(responding to Bayu, bowing repeatedly)  ‘Arigato gozaimasu. Anata wa bagero’.

Bayu and Cika laugh excitedly, bow to each other.

FOCUS ON Ayu and Tsubasa.

AYU
(Putting the phone away from her face)  Ssssshhh!!! Be quiet.

TSUBASA
Hello?

AYU
I’m sorry. I was just talking to my kids. Let me check once again. Beef ‘teriyaki’. . .

TSUBASA
‘Haik’

AYU
Shrimp ‘udon’. . .

TSUBASA
‘Haik’

AYU
‘Ogura’ ice cream

FADE OUT


SCENE 8: KATHY’S ROOM – SUNDAY AFTERNOON

Kathy comes back from shopping. In front of her door she meets Ayu.

AYU
Hi, how was your shopping trip?

KATHY
Great. I also bought a Hungarian cookbook for you.

AYU
Oh, thanks, Kathy. You’re so sweet.

KATHY
Come inside, I’ll show you what I got.

Inside the room, Kathy’s stuff is scattered on her bed: books, cassettes, realias for teaching at LIA.

LONG SHOT of Kathy and Ayu having conversation (MUTE SCENE).
Kathy’s showing her stuff. Ayu tried to be enthusiastic but finally couldn’t help looking hopeless.

AYU
(sighs)  Hmphhhh . . .

KATHY
Hey, cheer up. What’s the problem?

INSERT SUBTITLING: CONSIDERING DIFFERENT FACTORS BEFORE MAKING A DECISION

AYU
I’m confused. I’m faced with two choices. One is keeping my job as an aerobics instructor, and the other is starting a new job as a caterer.

KATHY
Lucky you! Which one will you choose?

SCENE 9: GUNAWAN’S GARDEN – SAME AFTERNOON

Betty and Bob were passing by, carrying shopping bags. Suddenly Bob stops.

BOB
Ssssshhhh! Did you hear that, honey?

BETTY
Oh, c’mon Bob. You’re acting like a fool. How would you feel if people eavesdrop our conversation?

BOB
(ignoring Betty)  It’s nothing personal. Ayu’s only a little bit confused.

BETTY
(shaking her head)

FOCUS ON Bob

BOB
(to the viewers)  Well, maybe we can try to understand what she’s going through.

FULL SCREEN of the following texts:
Factors to consider
As a caterer
As an aerobics instructor


BOB
(OS, the table keeps on appearing when Bob is talking) Copy this, then keep watching and listening to Kathy and Ayu.  Help her consider all the factors so that she won’t have to get confused for so long, okay?
Are you ready? Let’s get started.

FOCUS ON Bob and Betty

BOB
Where were we, honey?

BETTY
Kathy was asking Ayu which one she would choose.

SCENE 10: KATHY’S ROOM – SAME AFTERNOON


KATHY
Lucky you! Which one will you choose?

AYU
That’s the problem. It’s a difficult decision to make because both jobs have their own advantages.

KATHY
If I were you I would choose the one I enjoy more.

AYU
It’s not that simple. I love exercising as well as cooking. I could get tips as a caterer but...

KATHY
Which job do you think would allow you more time for your family?

AYU
Well. . . (smiling) working as a caterer would be a lot more hectic than working as an aerobics instructor, especially on holidays. It would probably be more stressful, too (excited), but it might be more challenging.

KATHY
What about as an aerobics instructor?

AYU
The work is certainly less stressful, it only gets hectic when my students are joining a tournament. I could still play tennis with my friends.

KATHY
Have you thought of how many hours you’d have to work?

AYU
Working as an aerobics instructor allows a regular schedule and I only have to work 15 hours a week. As a caterer I probably would have to work for 40 hours a week and I wouldn’t be able to set my schedule the way I like. I might have to work even more on holidays, but I’d get extra money for that. Anyway, I might need to hire people if the business expands.

KATHY
You have a difficult choice. Which one do you think would be more interesting?

AYU
Well, as a caterer I’d meet many people every day
so I could learn how to deal with different kinds of people.
I’d get to know some of them well because they are regulars.
As an aerobics instructor I’d meet less people.
Which job do you think I should choose?

KATHY
It’s not for me to decide. You have to make your own decision.
But for me, it’s better to bake a cake and have it fall
than never to have baked at all.
New things are worth trying.

SCENE 11: GUNAWAN’S DINING ROOM – LATE AFTERNOON

Ayu is busy with her agenda, counting prices of cooking materials, checking schedules, etc.
The TV is on but nobody’s watching. Agung comes home from work looking tired. Then he turns off the TV
.
AGUNG
What’s for diner, mom?

AYU
I’ve bought some ‘nasi uduk’. Check it out in the cupboard.

AGUNG
Oh, no! Not ‘nasi uduk’ again. Mom, I miss your cooking.

CIKA
(coming from her room)  You’re acting like a silly little kid. Can’t you see she’s busy? (walking to the living room)

SCENE 12: GUNAWAN’S LIVING ROOM – SAME LATE AFTERNOON

Then CIka turns on the TV. Bayu and Agung sit around her with ‘nasi uduk’ in their hands.

CIKA
(shouting)  Mom, come quick! “Charmed” is on. They’ve changed the schedule!

AYU
(absorbed in her work)  In a minute, sweetheart.

AGUNG
Isn’t it nice, miss righteous?

BAYU
What?

AGUNG
Being ignored. I bet she’ll never have time watching that stupid thing with you again.

CIKA
She will and it’s not stupid!

AGUNG
Will not!

CIKA
Will to!

AGUNG
Will not!!

CIKA
Will to!!!

BAYU
(covering Agung and Cika’s mouths with his hands)
We’ll see. . .

GUNAWAN
(loudly)
I’m hooooome!

Cika and Bayu giggle, then Bayu responds to his dad.


BAYU
(immitating Tarzan)  Aaaaah oooh aaaaah oooh wooooo!

Agung pretends not to see or hear anything, busy eating and watching TV.

SCENE 13: DINING ROOM

Gunawan’s eating. His kids sit around him.

AYU
Eleni’s phone number’s on the fridge. I’ll try to get home as soon as I can.

AGUNG
Yeah, right!

GUNAWAN
Agung! (staring) Go help your mom with her things.

Agung stands up with long face, followed by Ayu who keeps on imitating playfully what his brother does (instead of helping out)

GUNAWAN
Take care, see you tonight.

AYU
Sorry for leaving you again.

GUNAWAN
I’m happy if you’re happy. Just go.

CIKA
Bye, mom.

AYU
Bye, sweetie.

Ayu has left. Gunawan and the kids are doing their homework together at the dining table. Agung’s playing with a computer game near the dining table.

CIKA
Dad, do you think mom’s doing the right thing?

AGUNG
Certainly not. We’ve been eating ‘nasi uduk’ for ages.

BAYU
The worst thing is she doesn’t even have time to talk with us anymore, dad.

CIKA
Yeah, she didn’t even come to uncle Eko’s wedding. Don’t you think that’s a bit too much?

GUNAWAN
She’s just started something new. She’s trying to adjust to the new situation. You guys shouldn’t make her more confused.

CIKA
Yeah, but. . .

GUNAWAN
(ignoring Cika, musing)  It all seems like yesterday. . .

BAYU
(moving his hand in front of his father’s face)  Seeing Cika sing on the street? (acting out, using his book lika a tambourine, singing some ‘dangdut’ song)

AGUNG and CIKA
Ssssshhhhh!!! Stop it!

GUNAWAN
(smiles)

CIKA
What, Dad?

GUNAWAN
Seeing you born, learning to walk and talk. Suddenly you’ll have steady date, get married one by one and leave us.

BAYU
Oh, c’mon, Dad. We’ll never really leave you. How could we?

GUNAWAN
No, the point is, it’s about time your mom and I learned to let you go. I don’t feel she’s abandoning me. Why do you have to feel that way? Is it too much to ask letting us do something we like, so we don’t have to feel that lonely when you’re away one day?

BAYU and CIKA
No, Dad.

AGUNG
I’m sorry, Dad.

SCENE 14: GUNAWAN’S GARDEN – EVENING, PARTY

LONG SHOT on Gunawan and Ayu shaking hands with the guests who are congratulating them. Some of the guests are eating and singing together.


SCENE 15: GUNAWAN’S LIVING ROOM – SAME EVENING

There are Agung, Bayu, Cika and Kathy with food and drinks in their hands.
We see some full shopping bags on the table.

KATHY
What a terrific couple your parents are! (smiling)

AGUNG and BAYU
Yeah (contemplating)

CIKA
(excited, shopping bags in her hands)  Kathy, have you seen what we bought for Mom and Dad?

KATHY
Show them to me.


BAYU
(giggling)  Don’t worry. She will.

AGUNG
Not only to you, to everybody.

CIKA
C’mon, I’m not that childish!

KATHY
You’re not, Cika. Just don’t worry about that.

BAYU
(grabbing the shopping bags from Cika)  Just worry about how to behave.

KATHY
(touching the bags)  C’mon, Bayu. I wanna see them.

BAYU
(putting the bags down, opening the stuff)  Will you help us wrap these, Kathy?

AGUNG
Yeah, you’ve always been creative with wrapping papers.

KATHY
I’ll be glad to.

MUTE SCENE of Kathy and Cika wrapping the gifts. Agung and Bayu are busy with their food again.

SCENE 16: GUNAWAN’S GARDEN – SAME EVENING

Bayu’s playing guitar, Agung and Cika are singing along. Ayu, Gunawan and Kathy are listening. After that Agung gets the first present and approaches the parents followed by Bayu and Cika.

AGUNG, BAYU and CIKA
Mom, Dad, happy anniversary.

AYU and GUNAWAN
(kissing, hugging)  Thank you.

Then Ayu and Gunawan open the present and find a pair of watches. They wear their watches immediately and smile.

KATHY
You guys really have sweet kids.

GUNAWAN
Thank you, Kathy. And I also have something for my sweet wife, the woman who gave birth to my sweet kids.

KATHY
(smiling, touched)  Ooooh. . .

GUNAWAN
(taking the check out of his pocket)
With this check I hope you could get serious with your catering business without having to worry about the capital. Go for it. Set up a real business.

AYU
(looking absolutely surprised, dumbfounded, then holds her husband’s hand)
Thank you.

AGUNG
We also have something else for you, Mom.

Bayu hands the bigger present to his mother, smiling.

CIKA
(coming closer to her mom)  Open it, Mom.

AYU
(after opening the present)
Oh, I really don’t know what to say. (kissing her kids one by one) I feel so ashamed of having abandoned you all lately. I’ve been so selfish.

GUNAWAN
(calming her down)
Ssssshhhh. . .

KATHY
No, you haven’t Ayu. Your kids are big. They’re also very helpful.

BAYU
Yeah, especially me!

AGUNG and CIKA
Be quiet!

CIKA
Kathy’s right, Mom. Open a restaurant. We’ll help out.

BAYU
Yeah, or maybe just a bakery or ice cream parlor.

AGUNG
Ice cream parlor is not a good idea.

BAYU
You say that because you don’t like ice cream.

CIKA
(singing)
An ice cream a day keeps my brother away.

AYU
I must be out of my mind. I should be happy with all this.

GUNAWAN
What’s going on, honey? What’s boggling your mind?

AYU
Sorry for not telling you (sighs) but I’ve decided to give up catering and go back teaching aerobics (looking sad and guilty)

GUNAWAN
Well, what makes you happy makes me happy. Don’t worry.
You can use the money for something else.

AYU
I feel like a fool. I’m sorry. I’ve made up my mind.

CIKA
Don’t be sorry, Mom. You can always lend these (pointing at the cooking utensils) to Bayu for his props in drama class.

AGUNG
You can still use all these stuff anyway, Mom. You’ll need them, you’ll see.

AYU
Ooooh, it must’ve cost a fortune.

KATHY
But it’s worthwhile. Don’t give us that look, please? You should feel relieved instead. Finally you can speak your mind.

Then Betty and Bob come. They smile cheerfully.
BETTY and BOB
Congratulations! Happy wedding anniversary! (shaking hands, Betty kisses Ayu)

AGUNG
(standing up, giving his seat to Betty)  Have a seat, please

Bayu gives his seat to Bob.

BOB and BETTY
Oh, thanks.

BETTY
(looking at the paraphernalia on the table)  It’s good that you’ve finally decided, Ayu...

AYU
But I. . .

BOB
Actually we’re not gonna sit here too long, kids. We’re taking your mom and dad out.

GUNAWAN
Where to?

BETTY
Won’t be a surprise if we tell. We’re happy for you, Ayu.

AYU
But I. . .

BOB
The setting up of your catering business calls for a celebration.
You’ll meet a lot of prospective clients there.

FOCUS on Ayu looking cornered
FADE OUT

SCENE 17: KATHY, CLOSE UP

KATHY
How do you like the film? If I were Ayu, I would get confused, too.  What do you think she should do? What would you do if you were her?  Discuss with your friends and teacher. See you again.

THE END

JACK SI PEMBERANI (Bloody Jack)

Penulis: L.A. Meyer

Penerjemah: Ratih S. Jatmiko

Penerbit: Serambi

Aku hanya ingin sebuah kapal kecil,” kataku, “yang bisa mengangkut muatan yang layak dan bisa dioperasikan hanya oleh beberapa—“

“Kami tahu apa yang kau mau, Jacky,” kata Davy. “Simpan saja kata-katamu.”

“Tutup mulutmu, Davy,” semprotku marah karena dia memotong pembicaraanku. “Suatu hari nanti, budak jelek, jika perang telah berakhir dan kau terdampar di suatu tempat, kau akan menjumpai kantor yang bagus milik Perusahaan Angkutan Laut Internasional Faber dan berkata, ‘Apa ada lowongan, Jacky?’ dan aku akan menolakmu.”
Davy tertawa, “Kau harus menerimaku, Jack, karena kita sudah mengangkat sumpah Persaudaraan.”

“Kalau begitu, kau akan kupekerjakan sebagai pesuruh kapal dan kau akan tetap menjadi pesuruh kapal sampai kepalamu botak dan punggungmu bungkuk, dan kau akan menggosok kepalamu sampai berkilau, demi Tuhan!”

Mereka menertawakan, mencemooh dan mendengus mendengar ideku tentang Perusahaan Angkutan Laut Faber. Akan kubuktikan kata-kataku, kawan-kawan. Lihat saja nanti.

Kembali kumainkan jemariku pada serulingku. Jika angin bertiup sepoi-sepoi dan laut tenang begini, aku bisa meniup serulingku dengan lembut di atas sini. Kumainkan lagu-lagu dansa ”Bergegas Menikah” dan “Kelinci Di Kebun Jagung”, lalu lagu sedih “Bonnie-ku Si Penunggang Kuda” yang mendalam, sedih, dan indah. Tapi lagu ini tidak menceritakan tentang seorang gadis yang dibunuh dan dicampakkan ke kuburan sepi, melainkan seorang pemuda yang mati dalam peperangan.
Kawan-kawanku kembali membual tentang bagaimana mereka akan tumbuh menjadi kelasi yang terhormat dan tentang betapa beraninya mereka dalam pertempuran yang lalu. Tapi Jaimy diam seribu bahasa dan aku tahu bahwa ia tidak suka memikirkan apa yang ia lakukan dalam pertempuran di kapal bajak laut itu. Atau barangkali ia memikirkan hal lain.

Anda ingin tahu kelanjutan ceritanya? Dapatkan bukunya di sini.

A NEW BEGINNING

Produksi ke 5 TONIL KAMPRET (Kami Pramuka English Teachers)
dalam acara peluncuran kembali majalah C ‘n S

(setelah berganti nama dari Contact ka C'nS)

Jakarta, 20 Agustus, 2001,

Pemain:

1.David Togatorop -- Toni

2.Sinta Maria Sinaga -- Ibu

3.Kurniawan Surya -- Bapak / Oje

4.Sherly Swissa Rustam -- Alin

5.Kenny Dewi Juwita -- Devina

6.Nurlaela -- Nunik

7.Sari Tondi Desiona Tobing -- Puti

8.Retno -- Barbarita

'

Pasukan di balik layar:

1.Fiffia Mirtasari -- stage manager, penata rias

2.Novi Safitri -- penata artistik

3.Sekolastika -- bendahara, konsumsi

4.Gandi Faisal Maha -- penata musik

5.Ratih Sumiratingratri -- penulis naskah

Properti :

4 seragam SMU, 3 ce 1 co + 4 tas sekolah, meja lipat, 2 cangkir teh, 1 piring kue, 1 piring rujak, pisau, kemoceng dan lap, majalah CONTACT vol.8 no 50 (lipat hal.14& 40), CONTACT vol.8 no 51 (lipat hal. 32), C ‘n S vol.1 no 1 (lipat hal. 20)

PEMBUKA

Musik 7 detik mengiringi Toni berjalan dengan jumawa dan sok kecakepan.

Toni :
Howdy, ma’am. (winking) My name’s Tony. What’s yours? (flirting)
(serious) Do you agree if I say that men never grow up? (pause, walking around) Playing is the center of their lives. (smiling) they like everything
that feels like a game. What can I say? You can’t blame them if
commitment freaks them out.

(singing ‘Don’t Stop Me’ à Queen)

Don’t stop me now
I’m having such a good time
I’m having a ball
Don’t stop me now
If you wanna have a good time
Just give me a call
Don’t stop me now

Musik 5 detik, mengiringi Toni berdansa
Toni :
Many people like to collect things. Some of them collect stamps, some
Collect Insects but I! I have collection of girls’ telephone numbers. Oh
no, you can’t blame me, baby! You know why? ‘Cause it takes two to
tango.

Musik 4 detik, Toni undur diri sambil bergenit-genit sama penonton


ADEGAN 1: RUMAH ALIN

Musik 5 detik, MUTE SCENE: Alin bersolek, Bapak dan Ibu minum the sambil ngobrol
(singing ‘Our Baby’, tune: "Siapakah Kau" - Jean Pattikawa)

Bapak:
Time passes by
She’s now a big girl
I hope she’ll find
Happiness, joy and peace of mind
In this unfair life

Ibu :
Time passes by
She’s now a big girl
And I have doubts
Thinking if she can see what’s good and what’s bad for her

B & I :
Our baby’s grown up now
It seems like yesterday
We held her in our arms
And taught her to walk

Our baby’s grown up now
It seems like yesterday
We sing her lullaby
Now she’s turned into a woman


Musik 5 detik
MUTE SCENE: Alin mencium tangan Bapak & Ibu lalu ngacir dengan langkah riang (ganti seragam SMU). Ibu mengangkati cangkir teh dan kue-kue. Bapak ganti seragam SMU.


ADEGAN 2: ON THE WAY HOME FROM SCHOOL

Devina :
Did you read ‘Guys versus Girls’, Nunik?

Nunik :
I did! I like that article very much.

Alin :
Hey, what are you talking about?

Nunik :
It’s called ‘The Way I See It’, an article in CONTACT.

Devina :
I read that to see different opinions on how girls see guys and vice versa.

Alin :
You mean, experts’ opinions?

Nunik :
Nope! Readers’ opinions. Actually it’s based on the result of a poll.

Alin :
Yeah, only LIA students can get that magazine.

Devina :
That’s not true! You can also subscribe if you want.

Nunik :
Just bring these with you. (ambil dari tas vol.8 no 50-51) My sister’s also a LIA student. I can read hers.

Alin :
Gee, thanks! (browsing through the pages)

Devina :
So, if you had been interviewed, what would you have said? What would be your priority?

Nunik :
I’d say personality.

Alin :
Yeah, right. (skeptical) Like you won’t be drooling when you see Keanu Reeves

Nunik :
Hey, how about your boyfriend? He only has the look. I don’t think he’s a loyal type.

Alin :
How would you know?! (changing topic, pointing at page 40 of vol.8 no 50) Hey, I think this one is good.

Devina :
(grabbing the magazine from Alin’s hands) Together Forever? (teasing) Do you think you can be together with Toni? Forever?!

Nunik :
(concerned) I’m not sure about that, Alin. I’ve never liked that guy.

Alin :
C’mon, cut it out! Toni’s not the issue here!

Devina :
(teasing) But you reffered to him didn’t you?

Alin :
Look (cornered), the point is: I like the article. Period! End of discussion.

(singing ‘The Way I See It’, tune: Sinchan, dancing)
What I see in guys will never be the same as what you see in guys
But it’s good ‘cause it means
We will never fight over a guy
What I see in guys will never be the same as what you see in guys
All we can say
We agree to disagree


ADEGAN 3: ALIN’S HOUSE

Musik 4 detik MUTE SCENE: Ibu dan Alin mengerjakan pekerjaan rumah tangga, Alin super letoy

Ibu :
What’s going on, Alin?

Alin :
Nothing, mom.

Ibu :
You can’t fool me. It must be because Toni hasn’t shown up for quite some time. Am I right or am I right?

Alin :
How would you know?

Ibu :
Well, I used to be young myself. You can rest in your room for a while if you want to.

Alin :
Thanks, mom. You’re the best.

Ibu :
(to the audience) Actually, I don’t really know what’s going on. I just can’t stop worrying.(pause, contemplating) When her father and I were going steady things were … (pause, shy) Well, you know. Things were so different. God, I hope she’ll be okay.

Musik 4 detik MUTE SCENE: Ibu bawa pergi alat-alat rumah tangga


ADEGAN 4: TAMAN

Musik 4 detik MUTE SCENE: Puti dan Toni bermesraan

Puti :
Toni… (coquettishly)

Toni :
Hmm ? (acuh-acuh butuh)

Puti :
Of all the girls you know, why did you choose me?

Toni :
You’re not just beautiful. You’re such a unique individual.

Puti :
Oh, cut that crap! It’s non-sense. Every single person in the world is unique individual. What about the girl with long curly hair. You also consider her a unique individual?

Toni : You mean Alin? She’s my cousin!
(singing, tune: "Tu Wa Ga Pat" - Project POP)

Don’t think I would lie to you
Because I never did and I will never do

Puti :
three, four, five, six

Toni :
Yo, sutralah, let’s do it again (grabbing Puti’s hands with a quick move)

Alin, Nunik & Devina passing by. MUTE SCENE: chatting

Puti :
Hey, Toni. Look! That’s Alin. And she’s with my cousin Devina.

Toni :
Let’s get out of here, baby. We need some privacy.

Puti :
(ignoring Toni) Devina!

Alin, Nunik & Devina approaching, silence (3 detik) Nunik dan Devina saling bertukar pandang
(cemas), Alin : pandangan kosong dan BT

Puti :
(insensitively, still holding Toni’s arm) Why don’t we all go to the movie. Is this Nunik?

Alin :
(ignoring Puti, venting her rage at Toni) So, this is what makes you busy these days, huh?! You didn’t even bother to call!!! (Alin slapping Toni, Puti stepping away)

Toni :
Ouch! Lagi dooooong… (Alin leaves the others angrily, Nunik and Devina follow, Toni ngeliatin Puti dg pandangan gombal-gombal sendu)

Puti :
(tolak pinggang) What do you have to say now?! Do you think I’m fool enough to be one of your toys?!!! Buzz off and get off my sight! I deserve a better one!

Toni :
(diri di tempat, mo’ ngeles) You have to know. I love you very much.

Puti slaps Toni
Musik 4 detik MUTE SCENE Toni mengejar Puti (Indian style, slow motion norak), akhirnya Puti
lenyap dari pandangan.

Toni : (singing ‘Sinchan’, reffrain)
Kalau begini akupun jadi sibuki
Berusaha mengejar-ngejar dia
Matahari menyinari semua perasaan cinta
Tapi mengapa hanya aku yang dimarahi

Musik lanjut sampe lagu selesai, Toni memble trus undur diri


ADEGAN 5: RUMAH DEVINA

(phone ringing, a plate of rujak is on the table)

Devina :
Hello, Nunik? (pause) Alright (pause) Tell Alin I said hi. (pause) It’s okay (pause) I really wish you both could come though? (pause) Saving some food for you? I can’t promise! (pause) Okay, I will. Bye-bye. See you in school.

(door knocked)

Oje :
Hi Dev, where are Alin and Nunik?

Devina :
They couldn’t make it. Something came up.

Oje :
So, it’s just the three of us then.

Barbarita:
Which means you can get a bigger portion of rujak. By the way, how much rujak do you have, Devina?

Devina :
Not too much if Oje’s here (teasing Oje) So, how do you like living in Indonesia, Barbarita?

Barbarita:
Well, despite all the chaos and conflict, your country is so beautiful.

D & O :
Thank you!

Barbarita:
Hey, why don’t we arrange a trip to Ujung Kulon. I read an artricle in CONTACT about it. I can’t wait to go there myself.

Devina :
What? Did you say you read CONTACT?

Barbarita:
Yeah, I subscribe it for a year. I always need to read magazine to balance novels, you know? The other English magazines are much more expensive than CONTACT and they don’t tell anything about things in Indonesia. I think it’s a very good magazine, you know?

Oje :
Yeah that’s what we think about it also.

Barbarita:
You do? Oh, you guys are LIA students! How can I forget that!

Devina :
Shall we eat now?

O & B :
Eat! Eat! Eat! (Devina teasing them with the plate of rujak)

Devina :
Ijo! Ijo! Ijo!


ADEGAN 6: KAMAR ALIN

Alin is devastated, mainan pisau

Alin : (singing: modified ‘Posesif’ - NAIF)
Bila ku mati, kau juga mati
Kalo nggak mati, aku matiin
Mengapa kamu selingkuh?
Apakah ku kurang cantik?

Musik 7 detik MUTE SCENE:Alin mau bunuh diri tapi trus mengurungkan niat, ngebolak-balik majalah (vol.8 no 51) dan brenti di halaman 32, baca dan terkaget-kaget, sedih

Alin :
You know what? After reading this story, I feel ashamed of myself. The story’s about a girl named Dena who was not only dumped by her boyfriend but was also given the most horrible thing by him: HIV!!! I should feel lucky that I found out the truth about Tony before I meet his folks and things get serious.

Puti approaches
Puti :
Alin, I’m sorry about what happened. I had no idea you were Toni’s girlfriend.

Alin :
It’s okay, Puti. I’m not the only one who got hurt here. Besides, I lost my boyfriend but I’ve got a new friend.

Puti :
Who?

Alin :
You, silly! Toni’s not worth fighting for. How about you, Puti? Are you doing okay?

Puti :
I’m alright. Don’t worry about me. We dated only 2 months. He had been your boyfriend for much longer time.

Alin :
How did you find out?

Puti :
Devina told me. We’re cousins.

Alin :
Small world! If you’re doing okay, why do you look so gloomy?

Puti :
‘Cause I’m the greatest procrastinator in the universe and I have sooo much work to finish for school tomorrow.(sigh)

Alin :
(laughing) Then why are you here? You should be at home doing your assignments!

Puti :
I know. (embarrassed) Is it too much too ask if I say I need you help?

Alin :
Of course not! I’ll be glad to help you out.

Puti :
Let’s go to my place. I have some fruit cocktail at home.

Alin : Mmm… yummy!

Puti and Alin walk away, 5 detik

Puti :
have you checked the new C ‘n S? (handing vol.1 no1 for Alin)

Alin :
It looks like CONTACT!

Puti :
It used to be CONTACT. They changed the name.

Alin :
I think C ‘n S is a much better name. It really suits the content and image and… (opening the magazine to page 20, giving naughty smile)

Puti :
What?!

Alin :
You must read this (showing the open page to Puti) Don’t be such a procrastinator!

P & A : Ha ha ha !


PENUTUP

All players sing ”C ‘n S, The New Beginning”, song and lyrics by Ratih S. Jatmiko

C ‘n S, oh C ‘n S
You’ve come to brighten up my days
All the best for the new beginning
All the best for the new image
Good luck!

(don't) SHOP 'TILL YOU DROP

Some people, no matter what their level of income is, view shopping as a hobby. They buy stuff on impulse: they go into a supermarket for detergent, rice, sugar, coffee, and eggs but come out with a package of colorful magic markers. Such habits may lead these people to lose control and become shopaholics. Shopaholics, or compulsive shoppers, are people who suffer from uncontrolled overspending. They shop when they are feeling emotionally distressed, and use spending as a coping mechanism. Compulsive buying may not sound as scary as drug abuse, drinking or smoking, but if things get out of hand, it could destroy their lives. While compulsive shopping can be destructive for several reasons, it can be controlled and treated.

Dolorosa Sinaga—A Sculptor with Myriad Achievements

(based on my interview with Dolorosa Sinaga at her studio)

Dolorosa Sinaga is a unique person who has had a very colorful life. Dolo—that’s how her friends and family call her—is a sculptor with many dreams. She was born in Sibolga in 1952. She is married to Arjuna Hutagalung. They met in IKJ where Juna, his nickname, studied in the faculty of music. Dolo was in the faculty of fine arts. Being an art lover, Juna has always been very attentive and has always given constructive criticism to her works. Juna has never been unconcerned about his wife’s art. When still in IKJ, Dolo took sculpture because she thought that through statues she could totally express her emotions. Besides, the physical activity in the making of statues gives her satisfaction.

Salim Bungsu--A Bouncing Ball of Teater Koma

(based on a backstage interview at GKJ and Teater Koma)

A little girl hurried home only to find that her father had been shot to death. She cried miserably. Everybody was terribly sad to witness the sudden death of the loving father. Little Salim was furious. He disliked the idea that the Dutch soldier had killed the little girl’s father. For a moment he wanted to hit the soldier but realized it was only a play. The play that Salim was watching on that Independence Day really affected him.

Asam di Gunung, Garam di Laut

KORAMIL (KOlaborasi RAtih dan jaMIL)

ASAM (Ratih Sumiratingratri)


Orang datang ke bank untuk membuka rekening dengan membawa setumpuk uang tentu bukan hal yang aneh. Tapi lain halnya bila orang itu menyimpan uangnya di dalam ember plastik, lalu menutupinya dengan gumpalan kertas koran. Sungguh cara yang brilian. Tak seorangpun akan menduga apa yang dibawanya di dalam ember jelek itu. Apalagi dengan pakaiannya yang dekil. Kalau saja hari itu aku tidak sedang jengkel, mungkin aku akan bisa menikmati "kegilaan" laki-laki separuh baya itu dan menganggapnya sebagai intermezzo yang menghibur. Tapi...


"Neng, saya mau buka rekening."

Lamaran

akibat menelan curhat seseorang di suatu situs pertemanan

Menanti surat balasanmu
Lebih mendebarkan daripada mendaki gunung Lawu dengan mobil tua 800 cc
Ketika aku hampir mati dimakan resah
Tiba-tiba kau menelepon dan mengajak menikah
Ahh...

Fevent Obsession

(akibat curhat panjang seseorang di YM)

I cannot make you love me
I know your heart is not for me
And your love is not for me
But, you cannot make me stop loving you
You cannot blame me for loving you
For I always have butterflies in my stomach
whenever you're around

People say I'm foolish
Maybe I am
Isn't it foolish to go through all the sleepless nights
thinking how you are doing while you don't even remember me?
Isn't it foolish to let this aching heart hope for your attention?

I love you
I can't get your face out of my mind
I love you!
But, it's killing me and I hate it!!!

Menanti Hasil

Detik-detik bergulir begitu lama
Menit-menit lewat, terasa menyiksa
Pada hasil kutanamkan harapan
Setelah keringat menetes berbulan-bulan

Waktu diam
Serasa berhenti
Aku diam
Tak mengerti

Apa gerangan yang akan terjadi?
Haruskah aku terus berusaha sambil berdoa
Atau berhenti, berkaca, dan menelan kegagalan berikutnya?

Allahku...
Betapa aku tak pernah tahu kapan kisah hidupku akan berakhir
Atau ke arah mana kisahku akan berkembang
Betapa aku tak pernah tahu apa yang Kau simpan di balik tabir-tabir pergantian hari
Berdosakah aku jika selalu mendamba hanya rasa manis saja
Yang akan muncul dari baliknya?