A Drama Sketch : The Sound Machine

Klausner, the paranoid inventor, is testing his latest invention, THE SOUND MACHINE. He wants to find out if the machine actually works.

KLAUSNER : I must know if the tree can produce any sound. If the machine really works, I should get the same result as before. Hmmm… where’s my axe. Aha! Here it is. Time to go to the park.

Klausner walks to the park, checks every direction before he puts his earphone on and swings the big and heavy axe at the tree.

TREE : AAAAAIIIIiiiiiiiyoooooyoooooooo, who’s cutting me so deep? That’s killing meeee……. OOOOOOUUUUUUccccchhhhhhh………..

KLAUSNER : Oh my god! That’s it? That’s the scream of a tree? That sounds painful. Oh dear! what have I done? I’ve killed the tree!

Klausner uses his fingers to touch the gash of the wood.

KLAUSNER : Tree… oh, tree… I am sorry … I am so sorry … but it will heal … it will heal … it will heal fine …, wait! I know what I can do.. I’ll call my friend, the doctor. Just you wait here, I’ll be back with help!”

Off he dashes back home, Klausner picks up the phone and dials for Dr. Scott.

DR. SCOTT : Aheemm, hello, Dr. Scott here. How can I help you?

KLAUSNER : Dr., Quick! Tree… Sound… Hurt! Come! Soon!!

DR. SCOTT : Klausner, is that you? Calm down, calm down. Are you alright? O.K., O.K., I’ll come right away.

KLAUSNER : Dr……., please, hurry!

Dr. Scott and Klausner are at the park, under the tree.

DR. SCOTT : What’s going on?

Klausner spoke softly into Dr. Scott’s ear.

DR. SCOTT : WHAT??!! Say that again?

KLAUSNER : …………

DR. SCOTT : But, but that’s IMPOSSIBLE!

KLAUSNER : (nods gleefully)

DR. SCOTT : How can it be? I don’t believe you…..

KLAUSNER : Try it on, you’ll see what I mean.

DR. SCOTT : Fine. If it’s not working, you must end this nonsense once and for all.

KLAUSNER : O.K.

Dr. Scott puts on the headphone.

DR. SCOTT : I hear nothing.

KLAUSNER : Hold on, I’ll try this again.

Klausner picks up the axe and swings at the tree for the second time.

TREE : Aaaaiiiiiiiiiyoooyooo……OH NO, not again?!!!! …..Aaiiiiyayaaaa!!!

The tree branch breaks and falls onto the SOUND MACHINE. The men leap away but the machine shatters into pieces.

KLAUSNER : My machine is broken. Tree…Oh no… It’s hurt! Hurry, heal the poor thing!

DR. SCOTT : Huh? (scratching his head) What do you mean?

TREE : (weak and slow) Aaaaiiiiiiiiiyoooooyoooooooo!!

DR. SCOTT : I don’t understand….

KLAUSNER : No time to explain… put some iodine on the cut. It’s in pain.

DR. SCOTT : Uhhhh…. Well, alright then.

TREE : (weak and slow) Aaaaiiiiiiiiiyoooooyoooooooo!!

KLAUSNER : Nice and slow, doctor. The tree is in great pain. (Shaking head) It’s all my fault, it’s all my fault.

TREE : Ouch, ouch, ouch! Don’t be so rough with the cut! I have feelings too, you know…. Boohoo…

DR. SCOTT : O.K. It’s all done. Why don’t you come with me?

KLAUSNER : (Shaking head) It’s all my fault, all my fault……

By CBL

A Letter about the Trip to Melacca

3014,Jalan HB,

Taman CCC,

56100 Kuala Lumpur

3 June 2005

Dear Micheal,

How are you?I believe your summer holiday in America is going to begin soon,but my holiday has just ended. I am sure you must be curious about I spent my holiday so here it is.

During the school holiday, I was in Malacca with my family.Malacca is known as the historical city of Malaysia because it used to be a famous port hundred of years ago. Other than that, it is also rich in culture and delicious culinary delights.

We stayed in a luxurious five-star hotel. The first destination we headed to was A Famosa which was a famous historical site built by the Portuguese in 1411. It used to be a grand fort but it was destroyed by another occupying force. Now it is only a small portion left. Over there, we bought some interesting souvenirs.

Next, we went to the Crocodile Farm to see the famous reptiles. We saw many species of crocodiles that we do not usually see. Some of them even come from America! (which should be called alligators instead of crocodiles) The most exciting moment was during the crocodile feeding session. The trainer was so amazing that he put his hand into the crocodile’s mouth for over a minute. Isn’t that scary?

Opposite our hotel, there is a shopping center called Mahkota Parade. It is a large shopping complex. We could shop there for a whole day but we became tired, so we watched a movie in the complex instead.

Finally, on the last day of our visit, we traveled to A Farmosa Waterworld. My family and I enjoyed all water games such as water ball, slides, surfing, swimming, diving and so on. We even had a picnic there.

So, this is how I spent my school holidays. I hope you enjoy your upcoming summer holiday. Don’t forget to write to me about it.

Yours sincerely,

CBL

A Wedding

Last month, I attended my cousin's wedding held in Johor Bharu. All family members from different parts of the country were invited so it was like a big family reunion. I was also looking forward to seeing my cousin in a white gown which was indeed a rare occasion.

My family and I drove all the way from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bharu to attend the tea-ceremony at the bride's house in the morning. the groom arrived later with his gang of best men to face the fun challenges arranged by the womenfolks. He must first submit a huge angpow in order to enter the house and see the bride. Then came the tea-ceremony where the couple would present cups of Chinese tea respectfully to every elders in the house. Finally, the bride would officially leave her home by following the husband-to-b to the new home.

In the evening, after a few hours of interval, the ceremony continued in the form of a dinner banquet. During then, I could see the newly-weds were dressed in traditional wedding costumes while they were busy attending to every guest. Although I was more focused on the many delicacies served on the dinner table. There were abalones, sharks fins soup, roasted pig, lobster, crabs and so on. My mouth watered just thinking about all those wonderful food.

Other than that, the other less interesting highlight of the night was the toasts that the newly-weds had to make at every dinner table. It was a gesture of gratitude to all the guests who came. Judging from the vast number of guests there that night, I wondered why the couple did not become totally drunk at all. it was much later when I was told that they were only drinking tea instead of wine.

At the end of the day, the party was over and people started returning home. Everybody left with a full stomach not forgetting to greet the newly-weds with many good wishes and blessings. For me, I hope my cousin and her husband will live happily ever after like the couples in the fairy tales we often hear about.

by CBL

Ok I get the picture..

HS was trying to help me visualise the taste of Yam mooncake which I have never tasted before. Thanks a lot, HS! Here's a thought, taste and memory actually blends well together. If you ever have to try to cram some notes that are just gibberish after many attempts of memorizing them, do so with the help of strong-tasting tidbits. Not that it's the only viable method or even short cut, actual studying effort is still very much required, ok? Besides, full understanding on the topic you're studying in order to retain the information is far more effective than just stamping the material in your head.