Ａｃｔｏｒｓ：

Narrator

John-father
Susan-mother
Jason-son
Michelle-eld sister

Johmson
Eddie
Joe

Gangster 1
Gangster 2

Ambulanceman 1
Ambulanceman 2

Policeman 1
Policeman 2

Young girl 1
Young girl 2

Ａｃｔ　　１-The home of the Chen family

Narrator-John is a businessman.His wife Susan is a civil servant.
The have two children,Jason,16,and Michelle,17.Both of them go to
a private high school students in the south of Taiwan.The family
is rich but they are not happy.

(John is working at his desk.Susan is cooking.Jason comes home and
throws his schoolbag on the floor.)

Jason-I’m sick of school.It’s boring.We have classes again on
Saturday and I’ve three hours of homework to do tonight.I’m fed up!

John-(angrily)Are you complaining again?How many times have I told
you!You have to study hard!Then you can go to a good university,get
good job and earn a lot of money!

Jason-Money,money,money!That’s all you think about!It’s your God,
isn’t it?You worship it.Money’s your God!I want to have fun.

John-(stand up,goes to Jason and hits him across the head)
Shut up!Don’t you talk to me like that.

(John storms out of the room.Jason collapses on the floor crying.
Susan goes comfort him.)

Susan-Jason,you mustn’t talk to your father like that.He works hard
so you can have a good education.

Jason-But I never see him.He never has time to talk to me.All he does
is shout anh hit me.I wish I’d never been born!(Jason gets up and leaves)

Michelle-Mom,Dad promised to take us to Pintung on Sunday.Are we going?

Susan-No I’m sorry,your father has to work.He’s under a lot of pressure at 　　the moment.And,I’m afraid I’m going to be busy on Sunday,too.I have to write a report for Monday.We can go another time.

Michelle-oH,not again.We never do anything as a family.

Susan-Look,here’s 200dollars for you and Jason.You can buy some
stationery for school.

Ａｃｔ　２-The internet caf’e.

(Jason goes to the internet caf’e.Three of his friends cme over to talk to him.)

Joe-Hi,Jason.So you managed to get out of the house?Do your parents
know you’re here?

Jason-No,of course not - they don’t care where I am.I told me my mom
I was going round to your place.She couldn’t care less.

Johnson-How long are you playing for?

Jason-Not long as usual.My father never gives me any money.He’s
loaded but he’s so mean,he never gives me enough cash for myself.

Joe-Hey you ought to do what Eddie’s done.He’s not short of cash now...

Eddie-That’s right,I borrowed my dad’s credit card-without him knowing it of course.I drew out 5,000 dollars from an ATM.Now I’m in gamers heaven.I can play all day and all night.

Joe-Hey want a cigarette?

Narrator-Later that night,Jason creeps into the room and steals the credit cards from his father’s wallet.In the morning he has gone.After drawing out150,000 dollars from his father’s account,he goes to Taipei where he is drawn in by the bright lights of the pachiko parlours,internet cafes and bars.

Ａｃｔ　３-At a disco pub in Taipei.Jason is sitting at a table
having a drink.Two young girls come and sit next to him.

Young girl 1-Hi,you are new in town?

Jason-Yeah,I came here last week.I’m from Madou.I was bored living in
that small country town.So I decided to come to Taipei and see some
action.What about yourselves?

Young girl 2-Similar to you.We’re from Taichung.We’ve both run away
from home.My mom never has any time for me.My dad walked out on us
three years ago.He found another waman and just left us.We’ve had no
contact from him since he left my mom has started drinking.She’s every night.

Jason-And what about you?

Young girl 1-My mom and dad live together but they never have time
for me.They’re only interested in making money.They work every day
and when they finish,they are always tired.They only care about my
elder brother-they do everything for him.Anything he wants,he gets!
Do you think you could buy us a drink?

Jason-Yes,of course.Excuse me,waitress!

Waitress-Hi,handsome.What can I do for you?

Jason-A bottle of chanpagne - and three glasses.

Waitress-Sure.That will be8,000 dollars,lover boy.

Jason-8,000 dollars!That’s expensive isn’t it?

Waitress-We serve only the best champagne.If your short of money...

Jason-It got it.No problem.(Taking out wallet.)

Young girl 1-(To her friend)Wow!Have you seen how much money he has-he’s loaded.

Young girl 2-I know.

Young girl 1-Er,Jason.Do you think you can help us out.My friend is
really in debt.She owes three months rent and she borrowed some money
from a loan shark.He says if she doesn’t pay him back in a week’s
time he will cut up her face.He says she will never want to look in
a mirror again.

Young girl 2-Please help - we’re desperate.

Jason-er.....year...okay.I’ll try to help.How much do you need?

Young girl 2-I need 24,000 dollars.

Jason-24,000 dollars?Er...right...okay.Here you are...

Young girl 2-Thank you so much.You’re so nice!Excuse us,we just need
to go to the bathroom.We won’t be a moment.(The girls leave.)

Young girl 1-What a sucker!We won’t see us again.

Young girl 2-That was so easy!That’s the second one this week.

Gangster 2(To Jason)-Hi!Are you new to Taipei?

Jason-Yes,I came up last week.

Gangster 1-Wanna try some of these?

Jason-What are they?

Gangster 2-Just some pills.They’ll help you to stay awake.
They give you energy for dancing.

Jason-Yeah,okay-I’ll try them.What have I got to lose.
(Takes pills and starts dancing,Jason dances furiously.The music is loud.)

Jason-Oh,I feel dizzy.

(He collapses on the floor.Gangster 1 goes through Jason’s pockets.
He takes out 100,000 dollars and Jason’s ID card.)

Gangster 2-Hey!Give us that money you scumbag.(Take out knife,the two men struggle.The knife strikes ganster 2 in the chest.He collapses on floor sound of siren.)

Police Captain(fire gun in air)-Okay,nobody move.This is a raid.
We believe there are drugs on these premises.You’re all under arrest!
You’re all coming down to the police station.

(Two ambulancewomen run in with a stretcher.)

Ambulanceman 1-How is he?

Ambulanceman 2-There’s no pulse.

Ambulanceman 1-Any ID?

Ambulanceman 2-Yes,there a card here.It says his name is Jason Chen.

Ａｃｔ　４-John and Susan are working in the house.There is a knock
on the door.There are two policemen standing there.

Susan-Yes,what is it?

Policeman 1-Are you the mother of Jason Chen?

Susan-Yes,why?

Policeman 2-Do you mind if we come in?

Susan-Er,yes,okay.

Policeman 1-It’s about your son,Jason.

John-Oh,what’s he done now?That stupid boy!What troublehas he
caused now.I’m sick of that child.

Policeman 2-I’m sorry sir.We have bad news,I’m afraid.Your son
is dead.There was a fight in disco pub in Taipei last night.
Your son was stabbed and died from his wounds.

Susan-(Screaming)Oh,no I don’t believe it!Not Jason!Please!

Policeman 1-I’m afraid it’s true.I’m sorry.

John-Oh,my God.What have I done to my children.All my life I have put
myself first.All my spare time I have spent working.Now my son is
dead.I never knew him.It’s too late.What a fool I have been.

Narrator-Meanwhile Jason has recovered from the effects of the drugs.
He realizes what a fool he’s dbeen and decides to return home.

Jason-Papa I’m sorry.I am not worthy to be your son.Please forgive me.

John(running over to hug him)-You’re alive!Oh,my son,how precious you
are to me.Of course I forgive you.

Jason-But I have wasted all your money.

John-That doesn’t matter -from now on we will be one family.I am going to sell my business.The money from the sale will support us and we will have more time together as a family.I have realized that the most valuable thing we have in this world is each other.

Jason-This is really difficult for me to say but I have to say it.Dad I love you.

John-Oh...,and I love you,too.Now,what about that computer you’ve
been asking me about the last two years?

Michelle-We are family.

Susan-I guess we are.

(The family hugs each other.Cue music.)

**The story tells us.....