OFF
Charlie Brown
CHARLIE BROWN: Go for it, Linus. (Linus claps his hands twice. Nothing happens.) See, I can’t even get the Clapper to work. (Charlie Brown buries head in his hands.) LINUS: (Solemnly) We are so close to controlling millions of light bulbs in homes all across America. (Sally enters.) SALLY: Hi, Linus. You look very nice today. What’s the matter with you, big brother? (She begins to fiddle with the lamp.) You’re looking a little depressed. How’s your energy project going? CHARLIE BROWN: I am depressed. I can’t do anything right. First, I lost the ball game and now I can’t get my Clapper to work. SALLY: It wasn’t your fault the other team scored. The ball knocked you out. CHARLIE BROWN: But it was my first pitch. I’m a born loser. Now that you’ve fiddled with the lamp, I’ll try it again. (Claps hands twice. The light comes on.) Oh, good grief. Even my little sister is better than I am. I’m a failure. LINUS: Charlie Brown, I’m sure you can be a winner at something. ADULT VOICE: Wah...wah...wah...wah...wah. CHARLIE BROWN: A bath! See what I mean? Baseball players get sent to the showers. I have to take a bath. LINUS: Lucy says baths waste energy. She takes showers instead. Is she right, Charlie Brown? CHORUS: Saving energy’s smart. Here’s one way to start. CHARLIE BROWN: Not necessarily, Linus. Long showers waste hot water, too. And in the winter, the hot water in the tub can help heat the room, saving energy. Short showers save energy, too. LINUS: You sure know a lot about energy conservation, Charlie Brown. (There is a knock at the door.) CHARLIE BROWN: Come in. (Lucy enters.) LINUS: Gee, Charlie Brown, if you could help all those energy losers learn about conservation, you’d be a winner, then, wouldn’t you? LUCY: Charlie Brown, a winner? That’s a joke. What about that ball game this morning? You shoulda beaned that guy, like I told you. You need professional help, Charlie Brown. (Lucy sets up “The Psychiatrist Is In” sign.) CHARLIE BROWN: Maybe I do need help.
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Energy on Stage