Pickles Goes Home
1Characters: Jun, Daniela, Ms. Okafor (their teacher), Grandma Kim. Scene 1: Friday afternoon in Room 12. A guinea pig named Pickles sits in a cage by the window.
2MS. OKAFOR: Who would like to take Pickles home for the weekend?
3JUN: (waving his hand high) Me! I've read the whole care sheet twice. I don't need any help.
4DANIELA: (quietly) I have two guinea pigs at home. I could give you some tips.
5JUN: Thanks, but I've got it. Pickles will be fine.
6MS. OKAFOR: (handing Jun the care sheet) Then Pickles is yours until Monday, Jun. Remember, a new place can feel strange to a small animal.
7Scene 2: Saturday morning in Jun's kitchen. The cage sits on the counter next to a loud blender.
8GRANDMA KIM: (frowning at the cage) Jun, your little friend has not come out of her wooden hut all morning.
9JUN: (pacing) I gave her fresh hay and water, just like the sheet says. I even put her right here so I can talk to her while I eat. Why won't she come out?
10GRANDMA KIM: Maybe you should ask someone who knows guinea pigs.
11JUN: (sighing) Daniela offered to help. I told her I didn't need it. (He stares at the phone for a long moment, then picks it up.)
12Scene 3: A few minutes later. Jun is on the phone with Daniela.
13DANIELA: Is the cage near anything loud? Guinea pigs get nervous around sudden noises. Try a quiet corner, and cover part of the cage with a towel so she has a shady spot.
14JUN: (carrying the cage to the den) The blender! Grandma makes smoothies every morning. (He drapes a towel over one end of the cage.) Thanks, Daniela. I should have listened yesterday.
15Scene 4: Monday morning in Room 12.
16MS. OKAFOR: How was Pickles's weekend?
17JUN: She hid at first, but by Saturday night she was eating and squeaking. Daniela helped me figure out what was wrong. (He turns to Daniela.) Do you want to take Pickles home next weekend? You know more than any care sheet.
18DANIELA: (smiling) Only if you come over and help.