ACT I
(In New York Harbor)
Richard:Excuse me. My name is Richard Stewart.I'm a photographer.May I take a picture of you and your little boy?
Vann:What's it for?
Richard:It's for a book.
Vann:You're writing a book?
Richard:It's a book of pictures.I call it Family Album, U.S.A.
Vann:Oh, that's a nice idea.Well, it's fine if you take our picture.I'm Martha Vann.
Richard:Thank you. I appreciate your help.I'm Richard. What's your name?
Gerald:Gerald.
Richard:How old are you, Gerald?
Gerald:Five.
Richard:And where do you live?
Vann:We live in California.
Richard:Well, welcome to New York.OK, just a second.I'm almost ready here.
Alexandra:Can I help you?
Richard:Oh, please.Hold Gerald's hand, please. Great!Now point to the buildings.Terrific!Give Mommy a kiss, Gerald.
Nice!Thank you, Gerald.And thank you, Mrs. Vann.
Vann:Oh, my pleasure.We'll be looking for your book.
Richard:Thank you. Good-bye. Bye, Gerald.Thanks again.
Alexandra:Oh, you're welcome.
Richard:Hey, let me take your picture!
Alexandra:Wonderful. Please.
Richard:Are you from New York?
Alexandra:No, I'm from Greece.I'm an exchange student.
Richard:When did you come here?
Alexandra:Three months ago.
Richard:Your English is very good.
Alexandra:Thanks.I studied English in school.
Richard:Would you like some coffee?
Alexandra:No, thank you.Tell me about your book.
Richard:Oh, it's not finished yet,but I have some of the pictures.Would you like to see them?
Alexandra:Yes. I'd like that.
Richard:Here they are. Family Album, U.S.A.It's an album of pictures of the United States:the cities, the special places, and the people.And these are pictures of people working:steelworkers, bankers, police, street vendors,ambulance drivers, doctors....Oh, this is my father. He's a doctor.This is my mother.
Alexandra:What's her name?
Richard:Ellen.My younger brother, Robbie.He goes to high school.This is my sister Susan.She works for a toy company.Here's my grandfather. He lives in Florida.And this is my wife Marilyn.
Alexandra:Oh, she's very pretty.
Richard:Thanks. And what about your family?
Alexandra:They are in Thessaloniki.That's a large city in northern Greece.But now I'm living in the Bronx.
Richard:With a Greek-American family?
Alexandra:No. Hispanic.
Richard:Oh no! It's five thirty.Will you excuse me?I have to meet my wife.
Alexandra:It was nice meeting you.
Richard:It was a pleasure meeting you, too.Thanks for your help.And good luck! I've got to go.By the way, I'm Richard.What's your name?
Alexandra:Alexandra.
Richard:Bye-bye, Alexandra. Thanks.
Alexandra:Bye-bye. Richard! Richard! You left your bag!