Family Album USA - Episode 9 - It's Up to You

 

Family Album USA: Episode 9 - It's Up to You


Act I

In the first act, Robbie is writing a story for the Riverdale high school newspaper. Robbie will have to make some decisions. What does he want to do after graduation? Philip would like Robbie to go to the University of Michigan. So he schedules an interview for Robbie with the Dean of Admissions. But Robbie may not want to go to the same school that his father and grandfather attended. 

What does Robbie want to do?

Robbie	Who is it?
Philip	Dad.
Robbie	Come on in, Dad.
Philip	I thought you might be hungry. I brought you a chicken sandwich and a glass of milk.
Robbie	I am hungry. Thanks, Dad. What time is it, anyway?
Philip	Ten 0'clock. What are you working on?
Robbie	I'm writing a story for the high-school paper.
Philip	Can't you finish it tomorrow?
Robbie	No, I have to turn it in in the morning.
Philip	What's it about?
Robbie	I'm writing an article on the feelings abuot graduation.
Philip	And...how do you feel?
Robbie	Me? A little scared. And exceted, too.
Philip	I felt the same way.
Robbie	The scary part's leaving home and moving to college.
Philip	Oh, leaving home is part of growing up. Well, don't workall night.
Robbie	I don't mind. I enjoy writing.
Philip	Well, maybe you should think about becoming a writer.
Robbie	Maybe I should.
Philip	You have lots of time to decide.
Robbie	That's the worst part-making decisions.
Philip	You'll be OK. Good night, Son.
Robbie	Good night, Dad. Grangpa&
Philip	"Hail to the victors valiant, Hail to the conquering heroes, Hail, Hail to Michigan, The champions of the West!"
Philip	Ah, good morning Robbie.
Robbie	Good morning, Dad.
Grandpa	How's my grandson?
Robbie	Fine, Grandpa. Fine! What's all the cheering about? Did the University of Michigan win another football game?
Grandpa	Better than that. Tell him Philip.
Philip	I just spoke with Charley Rafer.
Robbie	Who's Charley Rafer?
Philip	He's the Dean of Admission for the University of Michigan.
Grandpa	And it turns out he's a classmate of Philip's.
Philip	We were both on the tennis team.
Robbie	Great!
Philip	It is great. He's going to be in New York tomorrow to interview applicants for admission.
Grandpa	And he's agreed to fit you into his schedule.
Robbie	But I may not want to go to Michigan.
Philip	It's one of the best schools in the country, Robbie. I studied medicine there. Your grandfather went to the Englieering School there.
Robbie	I know that, but...
Grandpa	You said you wanted to be a doctor like your father.
Robbie	Not exactly.
Grandpa	You couldn't pick a finer medical school than Michigan.
Robbie	Yes, I know that.
Philip	Let's meet with Charley at the university club. Ten 0'clock tomorrow morning. It doesn't mean you're going Michigan.
Grandpa	It doesn't mean you have to be a doctor. But the inteview will be good experience for you.
Robbie	In that case, it's OK. Dad, growing up means making my own decisions, doesn't it?
Philip	You're right, Robbie. But, like your Grandpa suggested, have the interview.
Grandpa	And then make your own decision.
Robbie	That sounds fine.
Philip	I know it's sudden, Robbie, but this is an important opportunity. We'll head down there first thing tomorrow morning. OK?
Robbie	Sure, Dad.
Philip	I want you to know something, Son. I'm...very proud of you.
Robbie	Thanks, Dad.
Philip	Well, I've got an appointment at the hospital. I'll see you all at dinner time.
Robbie	Bye, Dad.
Grandpa	Is something still wrong, Robbie?
Robbie	I'll be OK.
Grandpa	Going away to college for the first time always makes one a little nervous.
Robbie	I guess so. I'll be OK. I just need time to think.

Act II

Coming up in the second act, Robbie has an interview with Dean Rafer. Dean Rafer asks Robbie about his activities in high school. As they talk, the dean sees that Robbie is uncertain about going to the University of Michigan. 

What will Dean Rafer say to Robbie?

Philip	Sorry, Robbie. Sorry to be late this morning, but, well, we've sitll got some time for a cup of coffee. I can't wait to see my old pal Charley Rafer.
Robbie	Neither can I.
Philip	So you thought about it, huh?
Robbie	Yes, I have, Dad.
Philip	Well, I'm glad. I knew you'd realize that this interview could be an important experience for you.
Robbie	I came to tha conclusion.
Philip	That's very wise, Robbie. Very wise. Now let's head off for the city and the university club.
Robbie	Thanks, Dad.
Philip	Thanks...for what?
Robbie	Thanks for hearing me out. And...
Philip	And...?
Robbie	And thanks for being such an understanding father.
Philip	Well, thank you, Robbie. Thank you.
Dean	Philip Stewart! It's great to see you!
Philip	Charley Rafer-you look as young as ever.
Dean	You must be Robbie.
Robbie	Hi.
Philip	Yes, this is my youngest son Robbie. Robbie, I want you to meet one of the best tennis players on the Michigan team-Charley Rafer.
Robbie	Nice to meet you, Dean Rafer.
Dean	Well, are you as good a tennis player as your dad?
Robbie	No, I'm not very good at it.
Philip	Frankly, neither was I. Charley was the star of the team.
Dean	Yeah.Thanks. Well, how've you been, Philip?
Philip	Oh, working too hard.
Dean	Doesn't show. How's Ellen?
Philip	Fine, thank you. And how's Marge?
Dean	She's still giving the toughest English history exams in the school and loving every minute of it. And speaking of minutes, I have interviews until noon, so why don't we get right to work?
Philip	Can you have lunch with us later?
Dean	I'd love to , Philip, but I'm afraid I can't. I'm only here two days, and I have interviews with twenty-six applicants.
Philip	I understand. Well, thanks. I'll walt outside. Good luck, Son.
Dean	Did you bring your transcript from high school?
Robbie	Yes, sir. Right here.
Dean	Thank you. Please sit down.
Dean	I see under "activities" that you've been writing for the school paper.
Robbie	Yes, sir.
Dean	What kinds of artcles have you written?
Robbie	All kinds-sports, editorals, theater reviews. You name it, I've written it.
Dean	Hmmm. Well, have you ever thought of becoming a journalist?
Robbie	A profesional writer? Not until recently.
Dean	Michigan has a fine School of Joumalism.
Robbie	Yes, I know that.
Dean	You seem to have some reservations.
Robbie	I'm a little uncertain.
Dean	It's been very nice talking to you.
Robbie	Nice talking to you, sir.
Dean	One piece of advice. The most important thing is for you to decided your own future.
Robbie	Yes, sir. Good-bye. Dean Rafer.
Dean	Good-bye. Robbie. Good luck.

Act III

In the third act, Robbie's friend Mike tells Robbie about his interview. And Robbie tells Mike that he likes to study journalism. Later, Robbie talks to his father about his decision. 

How would Philip feel about Robbie's decision?

Mike	I had an interview today, too. I had a great interview with Admissions at Columbia University.
Robbie	Really? What did they say? Will you get into the school?
MIke	Well, they didn't say anything for sure.But I figure that with my grades and with my personality, I'll have no problem.
Robbie	Columbia's a terrific school. What are you going to do?
Mike	Do? I don't know. I also applied to NYU.
Robbie	You sound excited about Columbia. What's your problem, Mike?
Mike	Indecision. Indecision.It's not easy, and this is an important decision we have to make. What about you? How as your interview with Michigan?
Robbie	The interview was fine.
Mike	It's a great college.
Robbie	It is. My father would like me to go there. He and my Grandpa both went there.
Mike	Great medical school, too.
Robbie	I know.
Mike	You can follow in your father's footsteps.
Robbie	Ah! I'd like to follow in my own footsteps, Mike.
Mike	What do you want to study?
Robbie	I've been thinking. I think I want to study journalism to be a reporter-a newspaperman.
Mike	You do a pretty good job on the Riverdale High School paper.
Robbie	And I've been thinking about it a lot lately.
Mike	Have you discussed it with your parents?
Robbie	No. But I have to.
Mike	OK. Let's talk.
Philip	Hi, Dad. Everything's fine. I was just waiting for your to get home so we could talk.
Philip	Anything special you want to talk about?
Robbie	There is, Dad.
Philip	I'm listening.
Robbie	Well, I know you and Mom have given up a lot to save money for my college tuition.
Philip	We want you to go to college, Robbie.
Robbie	I know. I do.
Philip	But?
Robbie	Well, I've Thought a lot about which college, and one of them is Columbia.
Philip	Columbia? Why Columbia?
Robbie	First, they hav an excellent School of Journalism.
Philip	They do. And your friends are planning to go to Columbia?
Robbie	That's only part of it. It's complicated. I'll try to explain. Mike and I had a hamburger this afternoon, and we talked.
Philip	Yes?
Robbie	Well, we talked about a lot of thing .He applied to Colurnbia, and his interview was very successful. He thinks he'll be accepted, and he relly wants to go there.
Philip	Dean Rafer called me today. He told me he was very impressed with you.
Robbie	He's a nice man. He was very kind.
Philiop	He told me you had some doubts about wanting to go to Michigan.
Robbie	Yes. I do. I'm just not sure about what I want to do.
Philip	That's OK.
Robbie	You understand?
Philip	Let me tell you something, Robbie. Something that might be surprising to you.
Robbie	What? Tell me.
Philip	Well, Grandpa wanted me to study engineering, like him. Well, I wasn't clear about my future, but I knew engineering was not for me.
Robbie	What did you tell Grandpa?
Philip	The truth.
Robbie	Then you're not upset about my not wantin to go into medicine?
Philip	I'm not upset at all. I'm just happy that we're able to talk about it.
Robbie	I am too, Dad.
Philip	I suppose you want to apply to Columbia.
Robbie	Yes, but I also wanted to apply to several other colleges.
Philip	I thought you wanted to go to Colurnbia.
Robbie	Well, I might want to go to Columbia. But I might not. I just want to be able to make my own decision.
Philip	You're a real Stewart!
Robbie	And if I think about it long enough, you never know...
Philip	Never know what?
Robbie	If I make my own decision, I might choose Michigan.
Philip	Robbie, you're something! You know, when I was your age, said exactly the same thing to Grandpa.

More information about Family Album USA video series at Family Album USA.