Ginger: (Thinking aloud) It doesn’t do much good to complain. No one wants to listen! (Continues to eat… looks at watch) Not much time anyway, that darn school bus will be here in 10 minutes and they don’t wait for anyone. I barely have time to get up and get dressed every morning. Rush! Rush! Rush!
Dad: (Enters hurriedly carrying brief case in one hand and coffee mug in the other.) Just enough time for a quick sip of coffee before I leave for work. Oh, Hello Ginger. I’ve got to run. (Walks toward door).
Ginger: Dad, there’s something I want to talk with you about before you leave.
Dad: Not now honey, my boss is a regular ogre if anyone is late to the office. I can’t afford to get in trouble now. They’d can me in a minute. We’ll talk another time.
(Pats Ginger on head and exits hastily).
Ginger: Sure, Sure. (Disappointedly) Another time. (Under breath) That’s what you said the last ten or twelve times.
Todd: (Enters wearing back pack, writing on note pad.)
Ginger: Good morning Todd. Doing your homework from last night?
Todd: Yeah, I’ve got this paper due this morning and got in too late from the ball game last night to do it. I’m gonna catch it if this is not finished before class. (Scribbles notes on pad). This professor is really tough and won’t accept any excuses.
Ginger: Todd can you help me with something?
Todd: I can’t be bothered with that little kid stuff. I’m in college now. Talk to Mom or Dad. (Looks off stage) There’s the guys to pick me up now. Tell Mom I will probably be late again tonight; basketball practice. (Takes donut from box on table) and exits hurriedly) Wait guys, (horn blows) I’m coming, I’m coming.
Ginger: Doesn’t anybody hear me when I speak? Can’t anyone just stop and listen?
Mom; (Enters carrying a small box) Good morning dear. (Quick hug) Have you had breakfast? Don’t forget to eat something before you leave for school. I’m volunteering at the Hospital this morning. (Raises box for Ginger to see). We’re doing arts and crafts for the children. They really need a lot of love and attention. (Starts for door)
Ginger: Mom. Can I talk to you about something? I just need a few minutes.
Mom: I’m sorry honey, I have to drive over and pick up Charlotte and Annie. They both need rides this morning. Seems like I’m the only one they ever ask when they need some help. I’ll be home before nine tonight, maybe we can talk then. I’m sure it will wait. (Exits)
Ginger: It always does. There’s the school bus now. (Picks up books, walks to opposite side of stage to school bus.)
Tom: Good Morning. You’re the new transfer student aren’t you?
Ginger: That’s me. My name is Ginger.
Tom: My name is Tom. I’ve been meaning welcome you, but with a bus full of kids I don’t get much time to do anything but drive, try to keep order and not miss any stops. I’ve been on this route for a long time and we’ve never been so busy. We’ve got a lot of new kids and I have a complicated route to follow.
Ginger: That must be hard.
Tom: It is. Especially when I’m trying to get to know the kids. Oh well, (shrugs) I’ll get to know you all eventually. (Pretends to start & drive bus).
Ginger: (Sarcastically to self) Yeah, like December of 2099.
Students: Bus stops: Susan and Cathy get on, pass by Ginger without speaking, and give her disapproving glances. (Take seats in back row)
Ginger: (Smiling) Hi! I’m Ginger. I just transferred here two weeks ago. (Offers handshake that is ignored by Susan and Cathy. Both turn up noses, look at each other and wink.
Cathy: I hear there are some of THOSE people transferring to our school from the poorer districts.
Susan: From the way they dress and fix their hair I’d say the POOREST districts. (Both look at Ginger and snicker.) Susan and Cathy continue to talk in low semi-audible tones, frequently looking at Ginger and giggling). Not one of us!
Ginger: (Sits back down uttering an downhearted sigh).
April: (Bus stops and April gets on and sits next to Ginger.) You’re the new girl; I’m April. (Extends hand, which Ginger accepts.)
Ginger: You the first one to act friendly and I’ve been on the bus for two weeks now.
April: Don’t let them bother you. (Nods toward Cathy and Susan. They are the two biggest snobs in school. Families have money and lots of influence, you know.
Ginger: I’m beginning to think I’m not wanted anywhere. I feel so alone and hopeless. I don’t know what to do. I try to talk to my Parents but they have no time. I know they love me, but they have jobs and responsibilities. The School counselor can’t see me for two weeks, that is if I have an appointment. No one else really seems to care. Grownups don’t understand that we have real problems too.
April: I know what you’re saying. Every time I try to talk to my folks they are always too busy. “We’ll talk about it later” is what say; and they never do it.
Ginger: What do you do? How do you cope with it? Is there a place I can go where someone will just listen?
Tom: (Interrupts looking back over shoulder) Give it to God!
Ginger: What?
Tom: I said, “Give it to God” That’s what I do whenever I’m down and out, have a problem or just feeling blue.
Ginger: What do you mean?
Tom: Prayer, Ginger! That’s what I mean. Don’t you know that God wants to hear from you? The bible says, “The prayer of the upright is His delight.” Can you imagine God being delighted to hear from me? Well, I trade my burdens to God in prayer every night and he gives me peace in exchange.
