Peace Child Generic Script - 2018

1

Generic Peace Child Script (2018) by

David Woollcombe Songs & Lyrics by David Gordon Based on The Peace Book by Bernard Benson Time: 2050 Location: Your Town / Country / Village: the Peace Child story imagines Peace Day being celebrated in towns and villages across the world. This script was created for a theatre company in Moscow: the challenge for you is to imagine your young people starting it in your community. You have to re-invent the story, using local names for your characters, your language, your president, and your ideas for how the story could happen.

Stage Setting: Bare Stage – screen at back; Peace Child symbol projected on the screen; Cast: For this version, the 8 x Named Characters have Russian names: Marina, Vanya, Nina, Yegor, Nadia, Misha, Zhenya, Sasha. For your production, you will need to re-name them with names local to your country; there other male and female performers (minimum 8 – no maximum) – who dance, sing and play the Story-teller, Professor, President, Aides, Secretary-General, Diplomats etc. If possible, there are also, 4 x young children who sit with the Story-teller.

Scene ONE: Peace Day 2050: SONG ONE: Come into my Joy / As I go through my years / Peace Day SCORE

VIDEO

AUDIO

INSTRUMENTAL

Lights go down. Screen goes dark. Wait until the audience fall completely silent. Beat – then Opening Chord: Peace Child symbol with title: PEACE DAY 2050 comes up on screen. A spotlight splits the darkness & picks out the figure of the Girl singer down stage Right. She comes forward and sings: Girl:

Come into my joy!

A second spotlight picks out the Boy singer, down stage Left: Boy:

Come into my pain!

They move towards each, other, reaching out and joining hands: Girl:

Come – you be a friend of mine!

Boy:

I’ll be the same! (repeat x 2)

Girl:

As I go through my years with many thousand tears I never see my guiding light The clouds in front of me won’t ever let me see I’ve grown so weary of the night

Boy:

I’ve tried so many times to read between the lines But the words keep turning round And a thousand fears keep ringing in my ears And I’m so weary of the sound –

Girl & Boy:

So give me Peace Enough, Peace Enough, Peace Enough!

So give me peace enough, for peace of mind Everything’s coming up sunshine! (x2)

2

They come forward, clapping their hands as the house lights come up and the Chorus / Company dance in down the aisles, singing and greeting the audience: Company:

Come into my joy. Come into my pain.

Come you’ll be a friend of mine I’ll be the same (x2)

The dancers process on to the stage and perform the spirited, upbeat Peace Day dance: Company:

(Majestic) Peace Day, Peace Day we all say Happy world. Happy Day Wear a leaf and show the way Celebrating this peace day Peace Day Peace Day we all say Happy world, holiday, Wear a leaf and show the way Celebrating this Peace Day! Peace Day, Peace Day – sing and dance It will be a big romance People of the world as one Peace Day, Peace Day has begun.

Celebrations, jubilations Laughter, shouting – lots of fun.

Singing dancing – take your partner Celebrations have begun.

Celebrations, jubilations Laughter shouting – join the fun!

Smiling dancing – take your partner Happiness for everyone!

Peace Enough for all mankind Healthy body, happy mind Faith and love, the world as one – Peace Day, Peace Day has begun.

Come into my joy. Come into my pain.

Come you’ll be a friend of mine I’ll be the same X 2 Come into my joy. Come into my pain.

(Ralentando) Come you’ll be a friend of mine.

I’ll be the same.

They hold a tableau for applause then turn and fall into each other’s arms, wishing each other: ALL:

Happy Peace Day! Happy Peace Day!!

Into this melee walks the Story-teller, a mystical figure in a long, colourful cloak. S/he stands unnoticed at the back of the throng, until one of the child members of the company notices him/her: Child 1

Hey Look!! It’s the Story-teller!

They all stop and turn, amazed – happy! Then they all surround and greet him/her:

3

Company:

Happy Peace Day! Happy Peace Day Story-teller!!

Storyteller

Thank you, thank you – and Happy Peace Day to all of you! (They applaud!)

Welcome to Peace Day 2056 here in Moscow!! So – can anyone tell me what Time is it?

Everyone consults their watches; Company:

(variously): ‘bout ten past seven-forty…. Yeah! 19.40 – just gone half-past seven…. Etc.

ST

No – what TIME is it? – what stage in Human Development are we in right now? Is it the Stone Age?

Company:

No!!

ST

A Time of War?

Company:

No!!

ST

What Time then?

Marina:

A Time of Peace!

Vanya:

A Time of Collaboration!

Youth 3:

A Time of Harmony between Humanity and the Environment!

Youth 4:

Green Peace Time!

ST

A good time to be alive then?

Youth 5:

The Best! (All nod and cheer in agreement!)

Youth 6:

Think back to your childhood, Storyteller: could you imagine a Palestinian football team beating Tel Aviv at a Cup Final in Eilat and being cheered by Israeli fans in Jerusalem?!

Youth 7:

Or a world in which climate change is a distant memory.

Youth 8:

Or one where they closed down the UN Refugee agency because there are no more refugees;

Youth 9:

And the World Food programme!

Marina:

Did they close that?

Youth 9:

Yeah! No more hungry people!

ST

That’s incredible, isn’t it. So – no more challenges for your generation?

Vanya:

Oh sure!! School’s are still in deep trouble!

Youth 3:

– and the Health Service is close to collapse

Youth 4:

– and we’ve still got too many people driving around in stinky old petrol cars

Youth 5:

And aeroplanes.

Youth 6:

Youth unemployment is still way too high!

Youth 7:

Too many jobs are done by robots and computers

Youth 8:

And there’s way too many places where there’s not enough fresh water!

Youth 9:

And the rich are still too rich –

Marina:

– and the poor are still too poor

Vanya:

Yeah! Inequality sucks.

ST

Sounds tough!

4

Vanya:

But nothing like as tough as what you guys had to sort out in the early part of the century.

Youth 3:

I can’t believe that people of our age were actually told to go and fight and kill people!

ST

That was what wars are all about!

Youth 4:

What’s worth dying for?!

Youth 5:

Thank God we have peace is all I say.

ST

Thank God indeed. But people helped. My generation helped, didn’t we? You still want to hear the story of the Peace Child do you?!

Company

(Uproariously) YES! – Please! Go on! – Let’s do it!!

Youth 6:

We know all the parts!

Youth 7:

And some of these guys won’t have seen it. (pointing at the younger children & audience)

Youth 8:

They have to learn it like we did.

ST

So – you really do all know all the lines?

Youth 7:

We could do this story in our sleep!

ST

So – let’s choose who’s going to play which part? We’ll do it in the old way, in a circle. That’s right! Give me the basket…

MUSIC

The cast kneel in a circle around the Story-teller. One of them hands him a basket full of coloured leaves with the character’s names on them. Quietly, they all sing as the Storyteller scatters the leaves – which they either catch or pick up from the floor.

SONG TWO: Now if you close your eyes SCORE

VIDEO

AUDIO

INSTRUMENTAL

Now if you close your eyes, you can be what you want, And if you close your mind, you can feel what you need – Don’t you see, it’s your destiny – Can’t you see, it was meant to be – It’s happening everywhere!

People waking up!

Together facing a great new dawn – Reaching out for Love!

Do you believe in miracles?

– have faith in things unseen?

Take a good look around you now – – no, no! It’s not a dream.

So open up your eyes – and fly beyond the sky!

And open up your mind – you can feel beyond your dreams!

Now open up your hands – you can touch the Universe!

Then put your hands in mine and behold: – a brand new world!

During the song, the Cast stand in a tableau with the Story-teller – holding hands. Fade to Black

Scene TWO: History Lesson: Year 0 to 2019:

The Storyteller takes a big, old Story book and sits on the downstage right corner of the stage, perhaps with some children from the audience on stage. The Storyteller opens the book and starts to read:

5

ST

Once upon a Time, a long time ago – When our Universe was young Our world was a paradise made of love According to a heavenly plan Soon there came a light from the universe As bright as bright could be – Making Man out of dust and earth And leaving him to Destiny.

A pattern soon emerged of things to come, And problems Man would face: Tribes of men – not quite the same – Would compete for food And the best bit of land Starting off the game called “War”

[MUSIC starts]

It began with a stone, then came a stick Soon there was an axe and a spear Then came a club, then an arrow – then a gun! – And bullets were flying everywhere!

Conflict raged all over the world Hatred and envy in every land!

Tribe against tribe, man against man!

Nobody seemed to care!

With each generation passing by Men found new skills of war Hydrogen and cluster bombs, Mercenaries and terrorists; Cold wars, dirty wars, Underground – overground In the air – out in space!

WAR! – set out to kill the human race!

Dancers emerge, dressed as soldiers down the ages, with murderous intent. The music builds to the choral entry and the stage fills with marching people either side, with flags, banners and weapons of war.

SONG THREE: SCORE

VIDEO

WAR

AUDIO

INSTRUMENTAL

We’ll fight our way to distant hills, A bloody battle have We’ll raise our sword and kill them all] We’ll raise our countries flag!

We’ll kill our brothers, kill our friends, Kill each other till the end!

We’ll kill our women, children too, Kill them all until we’re through Kill them all until we’re through.

The Dancers kneel facing the audience. As a group, they raise their hands and faces in prayer, singing the Prayer: God save our land, long live our flag,

6

On to the war we go – praise to our dead But who says we’re right, who says we’re wrong Honour and pride – to this we belong!

The Battle – the soldiers fall on each other, murdering, maiming until all lie dead. Screams of pain, howls, wailing – then a massive drum roll crescendos into a roaring explosion, and the mushroom cloud appears on the screen. Bodies fly everywhere and writhe in pain, as the chorus, quietly sung: Oh come and save us! Oh come and save us!

Oh come and save us from what we do!

Our world is through!

The cast rise up, looking to the audience, moving down stage slowly, appealing: But who can save us! But who can save us?

But who can save us from what we do?

God – where are you?

The chorus hold their look a moment. A hail of machine gun fire; the chorus disintegrate in terror running from the stage through the audience or into the wings. Lights Fade to Black. Spotlight on the Storyteller and the younger children.

ST

Where indeed?! But there was another war going on – the war between mankind and the environment. A war which mankind showed every sign of winning. A war that would destroy the very eco-systems that allowed humanity to live. But none of us knew much about it back then. It wasn’t the slightest bit important to us! We had other battles to fight!

Scene THREE: 2019 – The Story Begins:

Two girls, Nina and Nadia, walk across the stage dressed for a party. They pause, chatting: Nina

You didn’t?! Where??

Nadia

At the park gate. It was the best kiss ever!

Nina

You’re kidding me! Vanya?!

Nadia

The very same!

Nina

So – did you – when – did….?

Nadia

No – nothing. Zhenya moved in on him after that – and I was out of the picture. But I’ll always have that one kiss….

Nina

You lucky beast! Do you think he’ll like this top?

Nadia

It’s fine! You look great in it.

Nina

So – you think he might notice me?!

Nadia

As much as if you put a big flashing light on your head saying: “I’m Available, Vanya!”

Nina

Aww! You’re so lucky: you’ve got Yegor waiting for you – all dark and handsome with eyes only for you!

Nadia

Mmmmm! I know. He is gorgeous, isn’t he?!

Nina

I s’pose! For an Armenian low-life….

Nadia

(slapping her playfully) – Let’s go do battle!!

They head up stage where the curtains open and a raucous disco party spills out with the whole cast getting down and dancing to latest disco beat – or live song. MUSIC

7

SONG FOUR: Party Song (to be chosen by Russian producers) SCORE

VIDEO

AUDIO

INSTRUMENTAL

In the chaos of the party – we meet the characters of the Core Cast: Nadia, Nina and Zhenya – three attractive young women in their late teens; Vanya – an attractive football jock; Misha – a nerdy student; Yegor – a longhaired, dark, art student type and Sasha – a bearded serious philosopher type. In this party scene, we see a neatly choreographed changing of partners as Zhenya dances with Vanya – then hits on Yegor; Nina moves in on Vanya – who is impressed with her, and Nadia looks really pissed as Zhenya and Yegor dance in each other’s arms. The shy, spotty Misha taps Nadia on the shoulder and, reluctantly, she starts to dance with him.

Meanwhile – the party rages on – people drinking and chatting at the side of the stage, having a great time!

The dance number ends – Nina is in a deep embrace with Vanya. Nadia wants to go home: Nadia

C’mon, Nina! We’ve got Lectures tomorrow ….

Nina – waves her away, irritated. Her mind is only on kissing Vanya.

Misha

(to Nadia) I’ll walk you to the bus….

Nadia looks at her friend jealously. Looks back at Misha.

Nadia

(angry, but resigned) Oh – OK then!

They Exit

BLACK OUT

Scene FOUR: 2019 – The AWAKENING:

The Storyteller comes forward into the spotlight – the background changing behind her to a picture of the earth from space: ST

So much the environment! We didn’t care! We were blissfully unaware that anything was going on – a hot war which, every day, was inflicting terrible damage on our World and destroying the very possibility of a future life for us and for our children. Out of sight – Out of mind – until the day one of our Professors insisted that we come to the main Lecture Hall of Moscow University to hear a speech by a woman we’d never heard of. Christiana Figueres! She’d been the UN’s leading coordinator for some big agreement on Climate Change. None of us really knew what to expect: but, as obedient students, we did what we were told – and went along.

As the Storyteller speaks, a lecturer who looks like Christiana Figueres comes on to the stage and speaks in English through the PA. The story-teller withdraws and the Lecturer’s voice takes over – as Climate Change slides come up behind her.

Lecturer:

…. And as we can see, the Arctic Ice Cap has shrunk by over 1000% in area and volume in the last 30 years. In the United States, there are many who will tell you that Climate Change is not happening. Well it is – and here is the evidence.

On the PA, her voice fades down and the voice of a Russian translator takes over, explaining these slides: More slides come illustrating the dreadful things that will happen to the Planet: MUSIC Starts Lecturer:

(Translator) There is plenty of other evidence – more Hurricanes, more forest Fires like those in California which have increased massively in number as temperatures rise – more rain bombs like this one over Houston Texas which flooded the city with as much water in one day as flows over Niagara Falls in 3 days. And droughts – endless droughts which cost farmers billions and drove thousands to commit suicide, and millions off their lands and into the cities…..

Fade the lecturer’s voice; fade up the music of the Song – slides continuing in rhythm with the music – and the dancers acting out with movements that reflect the content of the lyric and the pictures.

8

SONG FIVE: World SCORE

VIDEO

AUDIO

INSTRUMENTAL

World – look at the way we are Look at the things we do Look at the words we say Life! – look at the way we live Look at the love we had Look at the things we’ve made Gone, gone are all those lovely days Gone are all the peaceful ways All that’s left is old and grey And our world is fading Our world is dying – today!

Can’t you see the tide is changing?

Don’t you know that truth is fading?

People coming out from under Slowly rising to the thunder Listen to the shouting people Broken churches, broken steeple There’s no one for them to follow Every one’s a God tomorrow Can’t you see the world is dying?

Repentant people all are crying Law and order has been drowned Chaos rules and has been crowned!

World – look at the way we are Look at the things we do Look at the games we play Life! – look at the way we live Look at the things we build Look at the love we’ve killed Gone, gone are all those lovely days Gone are all the peaceful ways (Diminuendo) All that’s left is old and grey (Diminuendo / ralentando) And our world is fading (Softly) Our world is dying – today!

Lecturer:

…. So this, Ladies and Gentlemen, is our challenge: preventing this – from becoming this.

Or rather it’s your challenge – your generational challenge. Our generation has analysed the problem. We’ve created the technologies that can solve the problem and, in the Paris Agreement, we have created the framework of a political agreement that can drive forward the solutions. But it is your generation which is going to have to take the driver’s seat – because, right now, there is a vacancy. No one is pushing it. So – are you up for it?

Audience

Yes (weakly)

Lecturer

I’m not convinced. Are you up for it?!

9

Audience

Yes! (Slightly stronger)

Lecturer

One more time: ARE YOU UP FOR IT?!!

Audience

YES!!

Lecturer

That’s better. Thank you! Any questions??

Marina

Thank you. Thank you very much. I knew nothing about this – and now you’ve got my attention. So – what do you want us to do to ‘rise to our generational challenge?’

Lecturer

Simple: show these slides to everyone. Tell your friends. Tell your family. Make them feel that it’s as important as you and I do.

Marina

Raise awareness. I thought you’d say that. It’s important, yes – but it’s not going to change any one’s mind politically, is it?

Vanya

I mean – you were the head of the UN Climate Agency – and if you can’t force those changes, how on earth is a bunch of kids like us supposed to do it?

Nina

We wouldn’t know where to start!

Marina

In Russia, we trust our government to get decisions like this right….

Vanya

There’s nothing kids can do about climate change….

Lecturer

There’s plenty you can do! In your lifestyles – become vegetarian; recycle – don’t fly or use the cars too much. Walk, bicycle, take a train. And you can do as I say: tell people to do the same as you. To live sustainable lifestyles.

Vanya

But – if this climate crisis is so serious, we want to do more than that, don’t we!?

All

YES!

Lecturer

Thank you. Thank you for your concern – and for your questions. I don’t know what the situation is here in Russia – but I know what my choice has been, ever since I first learned about the problem. I have taken a decision to devote every hour of the days I have left on this earth – to give my life – to solve this problem. And to you, I make the same request: Give your life. Thank you….

They applaud. And Stand up – applauding loudly. And the Lecturer bows, and takes her leave. The young people all cluster round Marina – who is a very bright, attractive young woman.

Vanya

Great question!

All

Yeah! – well done; good job! etc.

Marina

(Challenging them) So – are you?

Vanya

Are we what?

Marina

Going to give your lives?

Vanya

I don’t know. Are you?

Marina

I’m thinking about it. I’d like to talk about it.

Vanya

So would I.

Zhenya

So would I

All

Yeah – me too! Let’s do it.

Marina

So – let’s talk. She doesn’t know Russia. We do! There’s got to be something that we can do to show leadership on this issue

10

Nadia

Right! Starting, as she says, with finding out more about it!

Zhenya

Yeah! Why didn’t we get more lessons about this in school?!

Misha

It’s all there on the web if you want to find out.

Yegor

It’s all so scary!

Sasha

Too scary for kids to worry their pretty little heads about!`

Marina

But – it isn’t just scary: like she said, so much of the new technology is really exciting!

Vanya

We have to get our heads around this. This is our future.

Misha

But Russia’s prosperity depends almost entirely on oil.

Marina

For now! Our future depends on us becoming a world leader in building the green economy!

Yegor

That’s our challenge, guys: what are we going to do with our lives to change all that?

Nina

I have NO clue!

Zhenya

So let’s get down to the café and talk about it right now!

They EXIT. Drum Roll

Scene FIVE: 2019 – What we gonna do?

Music begins – the powerful introduction to “I who am I?” Sasha & Marina come forward and sing:

SONG SIX:

I WHO AM I ?

SCORE

VIDEO AUDIO I who am I? What is this world Why am I here?

I what am I? What is my cause?

Why must I be?

INSTRUMENTAL

Is there a reason for living And having this place of our own?

What power conceived me Abandoned me to the unknown?

We, who are we, what is this place?

Why are we here?

We, who are we to be so lost And all alone?

Is there a reason for living And having this place of our own?

What power conceived me Abandoned me to the unknown?

Vanya

I, who am I, what is this place?

Why am I here?

As the song ends, the soloists bow and go back around the stage to join the group of Youth as they come forward, carrying chairs and a table, led by an old professor. They set up the chairs and table as though in a small bar or café, and sit down chatting – sipping their beers or coffee: Yegor

What is a “generational challenge” anyway?

11

Professor

Well – for some generations, it was winning a war against fascism; for others – it was building an empire; for others – creating an industrial revolution. For your generation, she’s probably right: saving the world from catastrophic climate change by building a green, sustainable economy is probably your main generational challenge!

Zhenya

But how on earth do we do that – ?

Misha

– in a country where 48.5% of our exports are petroleum products?

Professor

That figure is reducing. Other exports are rising much faster than oil and gas.

Nadia

I heard that the Gulf States are reducing their dependency on oil exports

Misha

Yeah right: the Emirates used to be just about 100% dependent on oil. Now that’s down to less than 3%.

Professor

It’s going to take a while for Russia to reduce its dependency that far.

Vanya

There are so many jobs in petroleum – extraction, sales, refining. It’s a huge part of our economy.

Nina

I read that, in Germany, there are more people working in the Green Economy than making cars!

Zhenya

What is a “green economy”?

Prof/Yth 1

Renewables… you go! / No you…

Sasha

It’s every human activity that conserves, heals and enriches the natural environment while fulfilling human needs.

Marina

Sustainable development, right?

Vanya

Right – building windmills

Nadya

Hydrogen fuel cells!

Yegor

Solar parks!

Misha

Internet and cloud-based service companies

Professor

You’re right. All right. And it’s true – far more jobs will be created by a Green Economy than were ever created by the brown, fossil-fuelled economy. And much more wealth! The billionaires of your lifetimes will be the people that lead the creation of a green economy.

Sasha

Not here in Russia! Germany – China – they’re way ahead of us

Marina

And the USA: President Trump may have pulled out of the Paris Climate agreement, but all over the USA, there are people and companies building solar cities, electric cars, hyperloop trains – they know the way the wind is blowing.

Nadia

Scandinavia leads on a lot of this stuff too…

Professor

But it all started in Russia! You know who Vladimir Ivanovich Vernadsky was?

All

Of course!

Professor

Well – he is often called the “Father of Sustainability” – because, as a scientist, he took the thinking of Teilhard de Chardin about human consciousness and the Noosphere – and linked it to the biochemistry of evolution. In simple terms, that is sustainable living – not drawing down the natural capital of our planet and leaving nothing for future generations to live on.

Zhenya

And that’s the mistake that previous generations have been making?!

12

Sasha

Thinking that the earth’s resources were infinite!

Vanya

And that we could merrily plunder them for ever!

Marina

With no thought for tomorrow!

Vanya

That’s what we have to change!

Zhenya

But how? That’s the only lifestyle most of us know!

Professor

It’s a change of mindset that we need. Instead of “Me – Me – Me! / Now – Now – Now!” – we need to think of the future! The leadership that our country can give to the world now that leads us all towards a sustainable future.

Nina

Like Vernadsky did?

Professor

Exactly!

Marina

Russia’s the world’s biggest country by land mass –

Yegor

– by a wide margin, isn’t it?

Misha

Yes – the next biggest is Canada, and we’re double the size of that.

Vanya

So we should be the biggest contributor to the creation of a green economy, right?

All

Yeah!

Marina

We should lead the building of it!

All

Right!

Zhenya

I think I know exactly where to start….

They run off – taking the café tables and chairs with them.

Black Out.

Scene SIX: In the Office of the Promoter

They drag on a huge desk – behind which sits the elderly character of the Promoter. The kids are shown in by an attractive secretary. They are very nervous in the presence of the great man!

Zhenya

It’s so kind of you to see us1

Promoter

It’s my job to see new talent. Why wouldn’t I see you?! How can I help?

Sasha

Well –

Vanya

Our world is dying!

Marina

And we want to save it!

Promoter

And – ?

Misha

You see – it’s all about Climate Change –

Nadia

It’s killing our Planet

Yegor

But we knew nothing about it

Nina

Because our teachers didn’t want to worry our pretty little heads about it!

Sasha

But we think we should know about it

Zhenya

All the kids – in every country in the world!

Marina

And Russia should be leading the building of the Green Economy

13

Misha

Because Vernadsky was Russian!

Promoter

Vernadsky?! –

All

Yes!

Promoter

Climate – Green Economy?! What the hell are you talking about?! I thought you were going to sing me a song!!

Yegor

(hurrying to the piano) We are – we are !

Sasha

We wrote you a whole song – all about it!

Zhenya

Because we want you to do it?

Promoter

What?!

Marina

A Rock Festival

Vanya

A Festival for our Future

Nina

A Festival to save our world!

Yegor starts to play – and the kids come forward, singing:

SONG SEVEN: We want this world to survive for ever SCORE

VIDEO ( – go to end) AUDIO All the time through the day and through the night I think about my life in this world So many times I’ve tried to find A way to live my life – a way to ease my mind

INSTRUMENTAL

I know this world could die for ever And people are the reason why Children and parents lovers and poets They just can’t hear our planet cry – We want this world to survive for ever And all the people join their hands together In a bond of love, kindness and friendship We can make peace with the earth Too many people have died in wars And we want that no one else should suffer Not again.

Half the world lives in despair We’ve got to show them, show them that we care!

We know our World is a wonderful place And we must help to keep it so I want to believe that this world will be A peaceful place for all to grow!

We want this world to survive…. etc.

Let’s join our hands together Let’s make peace throughout our world!

The Promoter waits while the applause dies down. He lets the silence settle – then he stands and claps slowly, walking around the kids – looking at them very seriously:

14

Promoter

So you want me to put together a Rock Festival to raise awareness around the world of the problem of climate change?!

Kids

Yes!

Promoter

Streamed globally – with top rock stars from around the world?!

Vanya

Exactly!

Promoter

“Rock for the Future!”

Zhenya

You got it!

Promoter

I like it! I’ll do it!!

The kids are stunned.

Marina

You’ll do it?!

Promoter

Yes.

Nina

That’s amazing!

Nadia

Incredible!!

Slowly the realization dawns on the Kids. A slow “Whoop” starts with Nadia – and spreads as they all jump for joy. The Promoter stands back – watching happily at the pleasure he has created.

Marina

(to the promoter) Thank you!

Storyteller Interlude

A spotlight comes up on the Storyteller downstage right as s/he explains to the children: Storyteller

So – two months later, the Olympic Stadium in Moscow was filled to the rafters with screaming crowds, all eager to hear their favourite rock groups – and to learn about the threats to the future.

Child

What about the Kids?

Storyteller

They were the hosts! – watch….

Scene SEVEN: 2019 – “Rock for the Future”

On the screen behind, a large Banner is being erected saying “Rock for the Future” – music starts and the band comes on stage as though playing at an open air rock concert. The company watch from the side as they sing:

SONG EIGHT: Contemporary Russian Rock song SCORE

VIDEO

AUDIO

INSTRUMENTAL

As the song ends, four of the Kids come forward to speak to the Crowd Zhenya

Thank you! Thank you so much! Who ever would have thought we’d fill the Luzhniki Stadium for a Concert about Climate Change? – and have 30 million people watching around the world on TV. This is as good as the World Cup!!

Misha

Climate Change has been good to Russia! It’s opened up the Transpolar Sea Route – the TSR – which will bring billions to our economy!

Nadia

It’s melted the permafrost opening up millions of acres for farming and cultivation;

Sasha

And it’s enabled year round fishing and fish-farming in seas that were previously closed to us!

15

Zhenya

But it’s not all good news!

Nadia

As sea levels rise, cities like St Petersburg will need massive sea walls just to stay alive. And the cities servicing the TSR shipping lanes may also suffer…

Misha

But the biggest danger is that global warming will melt the Himalayan Ice fields which feed the seven great rivers of South Asia – and feed over 2 billion people in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and IndoChina.

Sasha

When those rivers dry up – as they surely will some time in the future – 2 billion people will be forced to move. And there’s only one place for them to go….

Misha

North. To Russia.

Nadia

To the vast empty spaces of Siberia.

Zhenya

And when they arrive, we must be ready for them. Russia must be ready for the biggest migration the world has ever seen. And when they arrive – we want them to be HAPPY!

The Band strikes up and sing – as the entire company does a spectacular dance number!

SONG NINE: We want you to be happy now / Mwi zhelayem schastya vam SCORE

VIDEO AUDIO Mwi zhelayem shastya vam Shastya vetom meeryeh balshom Kak sontse pa ootram Poost anaw za khaw deet vdawm

INSTRUMENTAL

Mwi zhelayem shastya vam Ee anaw dolzhnaw bweet takeem Kawg da twee shastleev sam Shastya paw delee zdroo geem!

The 4 x other kids come forward, breathless, acknowledging the applause, waving – Happy! They then become very earnest as they communicate their newly-discovered knowledge: Marina

Ladies and gentlemen: we need your help to rise to the biggest challenge our country – and our world! – has ever faced.

Vanya

Our country has one of the biggest oil and gas reserves in the world!

Nina

And it would be so simple if we could just use all that up – build a green economy based on renewable energy using it, and then transition to 100% renewables once it’s all gone!

Yegor

Yes – but the bitch of it is – if we are to avoid catastrophic climate change, we – and the rest of the world – have to NOT use 80% of what we’ve found.

Nina

But half the world’s economy is based on oil and gas!

Vanya

It’s what’s made Russia rich!

Marina

So today, we’re rocking for the future! And that future has got to be green – if there’s going to be any future for our generation – and any future generations.

Yegor

We’ve got to do this thing guys! The old guys will help us – and they’ve done a lot of the ground work. But they’ll all be dead before this shit hits the fan – and it will be us, and our children and grand-children who will have to make the Green Economy happen.

Vanya

(reflective) It’s a daunting task, my friends: but we want to join with our friends around the world – in every country! – One World in Freedom working together, not for ourselves, but for our future. For the future of our entire human family.

16

Marina

I’m from the very far East of this country – 11 time zones away. My family is watching this over their breakfast! And yet I know that, on this, we, and all the young people of the world, are united. In Eastern Siberia, we have a rich history and culture and, if I think of the generational challenges faced by my ancestors just to stay alive, and bring me into the world – I know that we can, all of us together, rise to this challenge. And achieve it. In friendship

SONG TEN: Siberian Folk Song SCORE

VIDEO

AUDIO

INSTRUMENTAL

One solo dancer expresses the mood of the song through the first two verses. Then it grows and grows, involving more singers, building to a spectacular climax.

Scene EIGHT: Intercontinental TV Talk Show

In English – a voice comes over the Tannoy: “Looks Great! We’re ready – Let’s GO! 4 – 3 – 2 – 1!” Music starts – Lights come up on a TV Studio with Cameras downstage right and left and an empty stage in the middle. The Company come on dressed in sharp suits, as oil executives. They do a vibrant up-beat dance number, with images of oil refineries and oil infrastructure behind them:

SONG ELEVEN: Military Industrial / Petroleum Energy Complex SCORE

VIDEO AUDIO It’s a petroleum energy complex Get on and get trained – join this gravy train!

Get passionate about making money!

You’re all in a state! – the climate can wait!

INSTRUMENTAL

You’re out of your depth in this jungle Get into our game! – or you’ll take the blame – When it ends up in a horrible shambles!

At least you’ll have fun – before your life is done!!

Oh – what a hopeless case you are!!

Your heads are in the clouds!

Oh – what a crazy lot you are!

Thinking should NOT be allowed!

Because – unless in your schools You live by the rules And do what you’re told You’ll never win the gold!!!

You broke the generational contract!

Get back to your schools – start obeying those rules!

We’re out here trying to make you some money Where the money all goes – Nobody knows!

Get back to your schools and get learning If the money is made – you’ll make your grades!

Your mums and your dads and your teachers Want success for you now – so don’t make a row!!

Oh – what a hopeless case you are!!

Your heads are in the clouds!

Oh – what a crazy lot you are!

Thinking should NOT be allowed!

17

Chuck

Because – unless in your schools You live by the rules And do what you’re told You’ll never win the gold!!!

(The Oilman walks on – clapping them) Thanks a lot, guys! Well done! That’ll show ‘em! Kids!

And climate change! What a pain in the ass!

BLACK OUT

Storyteller Interlude

A spotlight comes up on the Storyteller and a small group of children: Child

What did he say?

ST

Just that his whole company is not a big fan of climate change! Or kids! Because – if what the kids were saying was true – the Oil Companies risked going out of business. So – they were understandably angry! The Kids had become such big media celebrities because of the concert, TV stations were keen to put them up against these oil company executives so they could get a nice fight going between them.

Scene EIGHT: Intercontinental TV Talk Show: (contd.)

In the Black-out, they bring on three chairs and a coffee table. As the lights come up, Marina and Vanya come on and sit in the chairs with an older Chat Show Host. Logo of a famous Russian chat show is projected on the screen. The host introduces the show and they talk – in Russian: Host

Welcome to the <<-??->> show where tonight we welcome the hosts of the Rock for the Future concert!

APPLAUSE! Prompt flashes on the Screen. Marina and Vanya acknowledge Host

So – what drove you to do the Concert?

Marina

Climate change is our biggest generational challenge!

Vanya

So we thought that our generation should be aware of it.

Marina

Not as a classroom – schooly thing but as something fun, something sexy

Vanya

Something full of opportunities.

Host

Well we’ll be joined in a moment by our friends in America who gave us that song which introduced our show, and I think they’ll disagree with that assessment. But what has been the reaction since? What kind of audience response have you had?

Marina

Overwhelming!

Vanya

You’ve seen yourself – the social media traffic: over a million hits from Russians alone!

Marina

And the comments – 99% supportive and wanting to help

Vanya

I think we’ve created a million vegetarians overnight!

Marina

But outside Russia too: we’ve logged about a hundred thousand comments from about 130 countries since the Concert. The people of the world are right behind us on this issue.

Vanya

The world is looking to Russia for leadership on all this

Marina

It’s a great feeling!

Host

I can imagine. But, as you know, there are many in the multi-national oil and coal industry who think that you are seriously misguided. So let me introduce now Chuck Hazard, CEO of the World Oil & Coal Consortium who joins us via the magic of our new voice translation

18

system from Houston. Let me ask you first, Chuck – what are your thoughts on Climate Change?

Chuck

(On the screen – speaking in English, but we hear him in Russian) Well – it’s a bunch of hogwash, isn’t it? There’s absolutely zero scientific proof that the changes we are seeing in the climate is being caused by the Oil Industry. The climate changes naturally all the time!

Vanya

99% of the world’s top scientists would disagree with you.

Chuck

Well I don’t know who’s paying those scientists to say that, but I know what my scientists tell me, and its 100% convincing.

Marina

Well – we all know who’s paying them!

Host

Fair Point, but you’re never going to agree on the science. So if we accept that something’s happening – what would you like Chuck and his friends to do?

Vanya

Stop digging coal. Stop drilling for oil!

Marina

Come with us to all the world’s major capitals – and lobby governments to levy massive taxes on fossil fuels – and support and subsidise the building of a Green Economy in every country, based on renewable energy.

Vanya

We have the technology! We just need governments to legislate for it – and company’s like those Chuck represents to make it.

Host

What do you say to that, Chuck?

Chuck

I say to you kids, GET REAL! Fossil fuels are cheap and abundant!

Marina

No they’re not!

Vanya

They’re going to be all run out in 20 years!

Chuck

That’s NONSENSE! We’ve got enough oil and coal to last us at least a thousand years, maybe longer! And it’s cheap and its plentiful – and it drives our cars and our industries, warms our homes in winter and keeps them cool in Summer. Can you imagine what would happen in the markets if we suddenly said we were not going to mine our existing reserves but leave them in the ground because some silly kids were worried about Climate Change?! It could cause total meltdown in the markets! You could kiss goodbye to all the profits we make for your pension funds! It would decimate industry and agriculture. It’d be the end of the world as we know it!

Marina

It will be the end of the world as we know it when we lose trillions of dollars-worth of coastal real estate to sea-level rise –

Vanya

– and billions of dollars every year due damage by hurricanes and extreme weather.

Marina

Not to mention food and fresh-water losses

Vanya

And ocean acidification.

Chuck

You kids have no idea what you’re talking about!

Marina

I’m sorry, sir! We know exactly what we’re talking about

Vanya

– and you don’t want to talk about it because the only people you’re talking to are the people whose profits are paying your salary?!

Marina

Whose profits are destroying our planet – and Our Future!

Host

You’re very aggressive!

Vanya

We care about our future! We’ve got to live in it – you won’t!

19

Marina

You’ll be dead! But we didn’t come here to argue with Chuck: right now, all we want is for him to stop being part of the problem and become a big part of the solution.

Chuck

How do I become ‘Big part of the solution’?

Vanya

By shifting your business into non-carbon, renewable energy.

Host

What do you say to that Chuck?

Chuck

A few windmills pissing in the wind!? You’re kidding me, right? I can make more money out of one day’s tar sands mining than a whole year of putting up windmills.

Marina

I don’t think that’s true.

Vanya

The Danish and German wind industries have consistently been posting higher returns on their renewable investments compared to that of the oil and coal companies.

Chuck

I’m not German or Danish: with the tax system we have in this great country – I can make more money mining oil than covering the scenery with hideous windmills.

Host

So – the problem is with the US tax system?

Marina

Exactly! The US and many other governments are so completely bought and paid for by the big corporations like the ones that Chuck represents, they cannot possibly do the right thing!

Vanya

Unless, Chuck, you come and help us! The Green Economy will create millions of jobs – will conserve the fisheries, improve agriculture, enrich communities, help eradicate poverty.

And you can be a pioneer of that Green Economy – and be a hero.

Marina

Not a dinosaur…

Chuck

And how exactly do I change from dinosaur to hero?

Vanya

Join us! Help us! Kids can’t build the infrastructure of a Green Economy. Only big companies can do that. And, with your help, we can work out a tax and subsidy regime that makes it more profitable for your company to invest in the green economy rather than in the old, brown polluting economy!

Chuck

I can’t do that!

Vanya

You can!

Host

He’s never going to do that!

Chuck

You’re Mad!

Marina

No, Chuck! Extremely sane. If you’d said a century ago: “We’re not going to invest in roads and cars – because Railways and Canals are what we’ve always done…” – you’d be bankrupt. Same with energy now! All the smart people are already investing in renewables – building windmills, investing in solar voltaics, ground source heat-pumps. That’s where the profits are going to be made this century.

Vanya

Chuck, I hear your new wife just gave you a baby daughter. Flossie!

Chuck

Ah, Flossie – she’ll be the death of me!

Marina

No, Chuck! You’ll be the death of Flossie unless you change what you’re doing here.

Chuck

That’s not fair!

Host

– don’t be offensive, guys.

20

Vanya

It is true, Chuck – and you know it! 99% of the world’s scientists are not wrong!

Marina

It’s like you’re putting a gun to her pretty little head and squeezing the trigger…

Vanya

But – you don’t have to! Instead of being the bad guy in all this, you could be the Hero, leading the way to a bright, sustainable future!

Marina

Clean, sustainable energy – warming the homes of your nation and our’s for generations.

Vanya

Bringing us prosperity we can live with – not profits that will kill us all.

Marina

Come on, Chuck! You know it makes sense!

Chuck

I don’t know what to say?

Vanya

Say Yes! – Yes to Life! Say “Yes!” to your daughter’s Future!

Marina

No to poverty, pollution, desolation and death! No to the end of the world as we know it!

Host

How are you guys so certain? You’re just kids! I wasn’t that certain about anything when I was your age?

Vanya

Look at this: [The Arctic circle slides flash up on the screen] The Arctic ice-cap in 1980 – and the Arctic ice-cap now.

Marina

That’s not some ice-eating bug, munching away the Ice-cap. That’s global warming.

Vanya

We can’t reverse that – and may be the TSR will be good for Russia, and good for the world.

Marina

But that’s not the point here

Host

What is the point?

Vanya

The point is: we’ve got to start building a worldwide energy grid NOW!

Marina

Providing renewable energy to every home and factory in the world – 24/7!

Vanya

– bringing energy from places where sun and wind are plentiful, like in the desert – to places where we need it.

Marina

And when we’ve done that – we’ve got to build a worldwide water grid bringing fresh water from places that are flooded to places where there are droughts!

Vanya

Those are HUGE infrastructure projects?

Marina

Projects that only companies like the ones Chuck represents can do! And it will make them immense profits – which they will richly deserve because they will be saving humanity.

Vanya

Surely that makes business sense, doesn’t it Chuck?

Host

Makes sense to me. Does it make sense to you, Chuck?!

Chuck

[firmly, decisively] No. It doesn’t and it never will! Because I believe my scientists, not your’s.

And even if I was able to persuade my government that you’re right, there’s no way we would persuade all governments to change. The Saudis, the Chinese – Venezuela?! They’ll never agree. And unless we all do, none of us can! Believe me – I see where you’re coming from, and a big part of me admires you and wants to help you! But I can’t. And I know my share-holders – the big ones anyway, and they’d think I’d gone soft in the head if I start talking to them about transitioning to Green Energy. They’d sack me in a heartbeat – and then I’d be no use to you! Sorry kids!

Host

Well that about wraps it up for this evening. I hope you’ve enjoyed this as much as I have!

I’m tempted to give a points victory to the kids – because I think you touched the heart of an oilman, didn’t they Chuck!

21

Chuck

I love kids so of course they touched me! But they didn’t change my mind…

Vanya

We will, sir, we will!

Marina

Give us time!

Host

Thank you all – and thank you for watching. Good night and Good Luck!!

Black Out

Scene NINE: In the Green Room

The lights come up – and a table is set up with soft drinks. The Host and Marina & 2 com in and help themselves to glasses of water. They talk about the show.

Host

You know – I think you might have turned him!

Marina

Thank you! We certainly threw everything at him.

Host

Well – like I said, a points victory if not a knock-out punch. So what’s next?

Vanya

We’ve got a ton of social media to sort through!

Marina

Everyone wants us to do everything!

Vanya

Tomorrow!

Host

Well my producer had a suggestion: she’d like you to come with me to the next Climate Change Conference of the Parties – be a part of the talent team.

Marina

Are you serious?!

Host

Not sure – but if you’re up for it, I’ll try to push it through. You’re a good team. If the ratings from tonight are as good as I think they will be, there shouldn’t be a problem.

Vanya

Show us where to sign!

Host

So – you’d be up for it? It wouldn’t get in the way of exams or anything…?

Marina

The Hell with exams!

Vanya

This is our life’s work! We have to do it!

Marina

Just one question: how does that translation thing work?

Host

It’s a new thing – sort of Google Translate, but with real-time voice translation.

Marina

Does it do other languages?

Host

Of course! Do you want to see?

Vanya

Please.

Host

(Speaking into his lapel mike) Control Room: can you give me playback in Japanese. (The screen flickers – and then comes back to the Chat Show, with the voice track in Japanese). Try Swahili?! (the chat show continues in Swahili.) Portuguese? (He looks at them, listening on his ear piece) European or Brazilian?

Marina

Brazilian! (It continues in Portuguese) That’s brilliant!

Vanya

Can we get that show out online to our Social Media network around the world – with the translation widget attached??

Host

I’ll see what can be arranged.

Marina

Thank you! Thank you very much

Host

My pleasure. You’re doing great work! Good luck!!

22

They Exit

Story Teller Interlude:

The Storyteller comes forward with the group of younger children. S/he reads from the Storybook as behind him/her – images of a big UN COP meeting, with huge conference rooms, panel speakers, vast audiences – and the Kids, talking in corridors, holding microphones in people’s faces, sitting in make-shift studios, interviewing important-looking people, asking questions at Press Conferences etc.: ST

The host was as good as his word. Five of them travelled to <<-??->> for the 22nd Conference of the Parties to the UN’s Paris Climate Change Accords. It was the team’s first experience of a big UN meeting – thousands of people, chattering away – mostly in English, about obscure bits of language and science that didn’t seem to bear any relationship to the reality that Christiana Figueres had explained in such simple, direct terms. But the Kids were celebrities amongst the non-government delegates – especially amongst the youth delegates, all of whom had seen their programme in their own language on social media. They looked to them for leadership – which they were eager to give, but – since their English wasn’t very good, they found themselves floundering.

Marina

(coming on with Vanya) Job ONE: Learn better English!

ST

Speaking through translators, they made a big impression – and because they were getting youth leaders from around the world, and rockstars interviewed on Russian Television – they found themselves immensely popular. At the end, no one was quite sure what had been agreed. But everyone was very jolly – and waved “Goodbye” saying: “See you next year!” Back home, the team started thinking:

Scene ELEVEN: The Café:

The Storyteller and the younger children withdraw as the Company take centre stage Misha

Did any of that achieve anything?

Zhenya

Is that the best way to get the change we need?

Marina

I don’t think so….

Vanya

I absolutely KNOW it’s not so….

Nina

So – what are we going to do?

Nadia

Hey! It’s Christmas! We’re on holiday. Let’s think about it over the holiday, put together a list of ideas – and meet again in January to figure it out.

Yegor

You mean like another Rock for the Future?

Sasha

Not that again!

Zhenya

That was soooo much work!

Nina

Whatever we do, it’s going to be hard work.

Vanya

But that’s what we’re here for. That’s our generational challenge – to do the heavy-lifting!

Sasha

We can do it!

Zhenya

‘Course we can! Happy Christmas everyone!

Scene TWELVE: Vanya at Home

Black Out

The lights come up on a domestic scene. A table is laid for a Christmas dinner – and the company dress up as family members. The old father sits and strums a balalaika, singing a Siberian folk song as his wife brings in the traditional Christmas dinner, followed by two younger children, Katya and Volodya, and their elder brother: Vanya. The song ends, they sit down, thank God for the food – and start eating.

23

Mother

We are all so proud of you, Vanya. Already you’re more famous than we’ll ever be!

Father

(to his younger children) – You must follow his example: work hard, pass your exams – and get to the University in Moscow!

Vanya

– or St Petersburg, or Kazan, or Ekaterinberg. They’re all very good!

Mother

But you got a scholarship to the best! (to the younger children) – and he worked very hard for it. No time-wasting on computer games…

Vanya

C’mon, Mum! I wasn’t perfect! I got told to leave two of my schools….

Father

That’s because you were too good for them, my boy! You showed up the others for how rubbish they were!

Volodya

Was it fun being on TV?

Vanya

It was terrifying, actually!

Katya

But it must have been fun going on the big airplane!?

Volodya

I’ve never been on an airplane!

Vanya

It’s not good to travel too much: you should only go on an airplane if you absolutely have to! Otherwise it’s better to cycle or go by train.

Father

It’s all good experience for you – and I hope good fun. But next year, you must knuckle down, work hard and get a good degree. Then I want you to go get some experience working for some of our competitors – before you come back and take over the family business – at a salary much higher than mine!

Vanya

You’ve got it all worked out, haven’t you Dad: but you know I could never in a million years work for your company. You mine and sell coal, for God’s sake! And that’s killing the environment. I could never do that! If you force me to work for your company – I would force you to close it down.

Mother

Don’t you dare talk like that to your father!

Vanya

But it’s true, Mum! You know I love you both more than life itself – and I’m incredibly grateful for all the sacrifices you’ve made to allow me to go to University. But at university, I have learned about what we’re doing to our future. And that big Concert I did was all about closing down companies like Dad’s!

Father

My son – if you have a family, as I hope you will, your duty, like mine, will be to put food on the family table.

Vanya

I will, Dad, but there are million other ways of doing that which do NOT involve killing the planet!

Father

My company is NOT killing the planet!! Who’s been putting these wicked ideas in your head?

Mother

It’s that girl, isn’t it – the Mongolian one from the East?

Vanya

She’s part of the team, yes! But we all feel that way…

Katya

Are you in love with her?

Vanya

I think I am – a little. Rather a lot, actually!

Father

Get rid of her! Get rid of ALL of them!! They’re a bad influence on your. They’ll get you all thrown out! This country’s success is based on its oil and coal. No one’s going to be successful if they try to close it down.

24

Vanya

We have to, Dad! That’s the challenge facing our generation. To build renewable energy systems to replace the one’s you built?

Father

But – if there’s nothing wrong with our system, why waste time and money changing it?!

Vanya

Because everything’s wrong with it, Dad. Everything!

Mother

They have some funny ideas out East

Father

Choose a local girl, my son: one who shares our values and our culture…

Vanya

Dad: you may decide many things in my life, but NOT who I marry. (To the younger children) You must not let him push you around. And when I’m not here, always remember that I’m out there not larking about on big planes and TV for the fun of it: I am working for YOU! For your future!! We have to change the way we do things as a human family – the way we generate our energy, the way we grow our food, the way we do our politics so that we have peace with other neighbours. You do understand that, don’t you? (They nod – music starts. He gets up and moves to the side of the stage as his father starts to sing)

SONG TWELVE: Father & Son Father:

SCORE

VIDEO AUDIO It’s not time to make a change Just relax, take it easy You’re still young, that’s your fault There’s so much you have to know Find a girl, settle down If you want you can marry Look at me, I am old, but I’m happy

INSTRUMENTAL

I was once like you are now, and I know that it’s not easy To be calm when you’ve found something going on But take your time, think a lot Why, think of everything you’ve got For you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not Vanya:

How can I try to explain, cause when I do he turns away again It’s always been the same, same old story From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen Now there’s a way and I know that I have to go away I know - I have to go

Father:

It’s not time to make a change Just sit down, take it slowly You’re still young, that’s your fault There’s so much you have to go through Find a girl, settle down If you want you can marry Look at me, I am old, but I’m happy

Vanya:

All the times that I cried, keeping all the things I knew inside It’s hard, but it’s harder to ignore it If they were right, I’d agree, but it’s them they know not me Now there’s a way and I know that I have to go away I know - I have to go

Vanya EXITS – watched sadly by his family.

Slow FADE to Black-out

25

INTERMISSION Scene THIRTEEN: At the Café:

The Company come on with chairs and tables – to set up the same café as Scene FOUR. They greet each other with hi-fives, and whoops of glee!

Vanya

Hey! Happy New Year!

Company

(to each other) Happy New Years!

Yegor

So – how we all doin’?!

Nina

Don’t ask!

Nadia

My family think I’m quite mad!

Zhenya

Mine too

Vanya

It’s tough work being a celebrity but some one’s got to do it!

Marina

Did any one do the analysis of the Social Media over Christmas?

Misha

We did!

Nadia

About 14,800 requests to us to come speak at Russian Schools, Universities and community groups and 3,782 requests from foreign schools, universities and community groups.

Misha

And some of whom are willing to pay us – IF – we can do our presentations in English….

Vanya

Do we have to bother about that if we have the TV company’s translation gizmo?

Zhenya

We should. You speak pretty good English, don’t you?

Vanya

Not as good as her!

Marina

I vote we split up the work and get back to as many of them as we can

Nina

Especially the international ones!

Sasha

Was there ever a time when so many people wanted to hear from Russians!

Nadia

Not since Pussy Riot! (They laugh!)

Vanya

But what are we telling them?

Sasha

Yeah! What’s the gig?

Marina

It has to be a message of Hope!

Yegor

Accentuate the positive!

Zhenya

Sure – but remember what got our attention was being scared shitless by that woman!

Sasha

Yeah – we must make them aware of the dangers!

Marina

I agree – but then our goal is to get them really, really excited about the challenge our generation has to rise to with the building of the green economy….

Nina

– and how much money we’re all going to make from it!

Nina offers a hi-five, and they move into a huddle round the table, chatting – as a spotlight comes up on one who starts to sing:

26

SONG THIRTEEN: PEACE TRAIN SCORE

VIDEO AUDIO Now I’ve been happy lately, Thinking about the good things to come And I believe it could be, Something good has begun

INSTRUMENTAL

Oh we’ve been smiling lately, Dreaming about the world as one And we believe it could be, Some day it’s going to come Cause out on the edge of darkness, There rides a peace train Oh peace train take this country, Come take me home again Lights come back on the Café table where the kids talk – Vanya

You mean an International Tour?

Zhenya

Yeah – with Rock ‘n Roll

Marina

Let’s take Rock the Future on the Road!

Company

Yeah! – brilliant! Love it! Let’s do it!

Sasha

But what about our exams?

Nina

We’ll delay them for a year

Nadia

And who’ll pay for it all?

Zhenya

We’ll find sponsors!

Misha

If they want us, let them find sponsors: this could be good business!

Sasha

But a lot of these requests are from Low Income Countries

Nadia

They could never sponsor us!

Misha

And we really need to reach out to them

Marina

So let’s put together a budget

Vanya

– get some great bands together!

Nina

And put this show on the road! (They turn and start to sing / dance!)

SONG THIRTEEN: PEACE TRAIN (contd.)

SCORE

VIDEO AUDIO Get your bags together, Go bring your good friends too Cause it’s getting nearer, It soon will be with you Now come and join the living, It’s not so far from you And it’s getting nearer, Soon it will all be true Cause out on the edge of darkness,

27

INSTRUMENTAL

There rides a peace train Oh peace train take this country, Come take me home again

Storyteller Interlude The Storyteller comes forward as the dancers pull to the back of the stage. The music continues under and slides come up on the screen – showing the places the Storyteller describes: Storyteller The first stop on the Peace Train ‘Rock the Future’ tour was China!! – home to the fastest growing economy the world has ever seen, and home to some of the most amazing efforts to build a green, sustainable economy….

Scene FOURTEEN – Rock the Future World Tour:

Two of the Company put on Chinese tunics and play the Chinese student Hosts to the Russian visitors. Images on the screen of the Shanghai Skyline mix across to the Forbidden City to the Great Wall to massive freeways and Beijing Airport. Music evokes the culture of China.

Misha

(Looking about in wonder!) Wow!

Zhenya

It looks like America – only cleaner!

Sasha

And check out the motor scooters: are they electric!?

China 1

Sure – we’ve been running electric motor scooters for twenty years now: I cannot understand why they have not caught on in other Countries?

Vanya

‘Cos we couldn’t live in Moscow without the smell of smoke in the air!

China 2

China is building more Eco-Cities than anywhere else in the world!

Marina

And are they all totally zero-carbon?

China 1

Yes! China believes deeply in green economy – we are building cheapest solar voltaic sheets and wind turbines in the world.

China 2

And our 5-year plan sees 100,000 electric cars on the roads by 2020 – more than the rest of the world put together.

Yegor

But you’re still opening a new brown coal power station every week?

China 1

Not so much now – and it will get less

China 2

We still have many millions people living in bad poverty in West of China!

China 1

A green economy must continue the work to eradicate their poverty.

Nadia

And you think you can eradicate poverty and build a sustainable, green economy at the same time?

China 2

That’s why we build so many Eco-cities – right across the country.

Nina

That’s great!

China 1

You like? By 2050 – we have a thousand zero carbon cities – like this one.

China 2

With vertical farms on every corner.

Sasha

Sweet!

Marina

You plan to grow food right in city centres?

China 1

It is more efficient, yes!

China 2

Farm above – food shopping on the ground floor

28

Vanya

Total integration. Brilliant

Marina

The world must learn from you!

China 1

We are happy to share our experience – good and bad – with all members of the Shanghai Cooperation Group.

Zhenya

What’s the Shanghai Cooperation Group?

Marina

India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Bangladesh – most of South Asia….

Misha

That’s half the world’s population right there.

China 1 & 2 Yes, yes!

Nadia

So, when we get them to go zero carbon, that’s the climate change battle half won!

They hi-five each other, and their Chinese Hosts take off their Chinese tunics, and turn and start to sing / dance with the others:

SONG THIRTEEN: PEACE TRAIN (contd.)

SCORE

VIDEO AUDIO INSTRUMENTAL Now I’ve been smiling lately, Thinking about the good things to come And I believe it could be, Something good has begun Oh peace train sounding louder Glide on the peace train Come on now peace train Yes, peace train holy roller Everyone jump upon the peace train Come on now peace train

Storyteller Interlude:

The company scatter back to the wings, as the Storyteller comes forward: Storyteller

Next Stop, Dubai and the United Arab Emirates where they were holding a massive World Expo on the theme: “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future” – with showcases on Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability. Dubai had just opened the amazing “Museum of the Future” – designed to be a “an incubator for ideas and a driver for innovation.” It’s silver loop construction provided a perfect backdrop for a Russian Rock the Future Concert:

Scene FOURTEEN – Rock the Future World Tour – Dubai: (contd.)

The gleaming backdrop of the egg-shaped museum comes up on the screen as laser and disco lights play across the audience, bringing the audience to their feet with a rousing rock song. As it finishes, one of the Company puts on a dish-dash and comes forward with one of the others, addressing the audience who cheer and clap: Arab

We thank you! Thank you for rocking up here in Dubai and exploring our ideas for an exciting, sustainable future! From our Expo here, you will see, I hope, that it is possible for an oil-based economy to transform itself into a centre of sustainability, peace and hope!

Marina

We do! And we congratulate you on your great progress! –

Vanya

And we want our country – and the rest of the world to learn from your extraordinary success!

29

Nadia

What is completely amazing is how quickly you have done it!

Misha

In just a few short years, you have gone from a desert oil economy, to a completely diversified mixed urban economy!

Sasha

How the hell did you do that??

Arab

(very excited) Come see – at our Museum for the Future! We will tell you everything!

Storyteller Interlude:

The company follow the Arab into the wings, as the Storyteller comes forward: Storyteller Inside – they saw and played with all the staggering displays – and met an American who insisted that they come visit his Clean-Tech Open Trade Show in California – and stage a Rock for the Future concert there. They agreed – but, first, they had an appointment in Africa to see for themselves how they could help young people in one of the poorest countries in the world build more prosperous, peaceful, sustainable livelihoods for their families.

Scene FOURTEEN – Rock the Future World Tour: (contd.)

The backdrop changes to an African Savannah. The company come on – with two dressed as African farmers – led by the Arab in the dish-dash: Zhenya

So – these are your farms in Africa?

Arab

Yes! And see! They’re growing very well. [to an African] Aren’t they?

African 1

Very good. We make good money now.

Arab

And how is the Health Clinic?

African 1

Wonderful. Wonderful – thank you! We have had no child deaths at all so far this year – praise the lord!

Arab

Allah al Akhbar! Yes – and your family is well?

African 1

Better than ever, sir! – and we have only you to thank for that….

Marina

Our friend here does not seem so convinced?

African 2

No – it is good. No doubt we are living better than we did before. But now – again – we are slaves to a foreign master.

African 1

Ach! – No – he is joking, sir, Joking!

African 2

Not joking! This land belongs to me – to my father and all my ancestors stretching back thousands of years. Just because you people have money does not mean that you can own our land. Land is the only thing we Africans have. We should not sell it for money….

Arab

But we gave you good price –

African 2

My land has no Price! It is part of my soul! You cannot buy my soul…

Marina

He’s right, isn’t he?

All

Of course!

Arab

But we try to help, Yes?

African 1

Yessah. Very much sah!

Sasha

You help yourselves first by growing the food you cannot grow in the desert.

Nadia

The help you give them is an after-thought.

30

Marina

A sustainable society is one that is fair to all

African 2

I have my family, my language and my land. That is all I have and I will fight to keep it!

African 1

No talk of fighting. We are peaceful people!

African 2

But peace is poisoned by hate. And I hate him for taking my land! My earth! My soul!

African 1

No talk of hating, Please !

African 2

But I hate him for taking my land! My earth! My soul!

Vanya

We must learn from you to help without generating resentment!

Zhenya

Development is NOT sustainable if it does not build peace and friendship!

African 2

This work does not build peace. It could lead to War – and war is the worst thing on earth.

The company turn and, in a dance that recalls the War song of Scene TWO – they sing / dance:

SONG THIRTEEN: PEACE TRAIN (contd.)

SCORE

VIDEO AUDIO Now I’ve been crying lately, Thinking about the world as it is Why must we go on hating, Why can’t we live in bliss

INSTRUMENTAL

‘cos out on the edge of darkness, There rides a peace train Oh peace train take this country, Come take me home again

Storyteller Interlude:

The Storyteller comes forward as the slides change to show San Francisco and the Cleantech Open site: Storyteller Onward to California – where they found Russia listed second from bottom in the forty countries assessed for innovative green economy start-ups! But the Americans were embarrassed as their President had just announced that he’d decided to withdraw from the Paris Climate Change agreements. They, too, were not happy with their government:

Scene FOURTEEN – Rock the Future World Tour: (contd.)

Amer. 1

(Coming forward, dressed in American jeans and a cowboy shirt) You’ve got to understand that the business of America is making money – and we’re all here because we KNOW we can make money from the Green economy.

Amer. 2

And make Peace, Justice and Prosperity for all at the same time!

Amer. 1

Have a lot of fun! Make a lot of Money! And help to save the world – That’s our motto!

Misha

Makes sense to me!

Nadia

You’ve got some pretty amazing innovations here!

Amer. 2

All commercially available madam!

Nina

(in Russian) Here’s a car that will go a thousand miles on one battery charge!

Sasha

(in Russian) And a wave generator that will power a whole village for ever from just sitting in the sea!

31

Zhenya

(in Russian) Look at this house which will stay warm through the winter just from body heat and a single cooking stove!

Nina

(in Russian) It’s unbelievable what they can do! A whole disco that is powered just by the energy of people dancing!

Misha

(in Russian) Look at this! A Solar Plane that will fly around the world just using the power of sunlight!

Amer. 1

(in Russian) It’s done it already! Now we are looking into commercial applications of the technology!

Marina

How do you speak Russian??

Amer. 1

Most of the people here are from somewhere else! Koreans, Japanese, Brazilian – the digital economy knows no borders!

Vanya

Are you coming to the COP?

Amer. 1

I try not to get involved in those things: politicians give me a pain, right about here! (he points at his bottom)

Vanya

We know what you mean, sir!

Marina

They are the problem!

Misha

YOU – are the solution!

Amer. 1

Thank you!

Youth 5

We’ll tell them all about you.

American

You do that.

SONG THIRTEEN: PEACE TRAIN (contd.)

SCORE

VIDEO AUDIO Now we’ve been smiling lately, Thinking about the good things to come And we believe it could be, Something good has begun

INSTRUMENTAL

Oh peace train sounding louder Ride on the peace train Come on now peace train Yes, peace train holy roller Everyone jump upon the peace train Come on now peace train The Company come forward in a spectacular tableau – celebrating the Peace and Prosperity they believe is within their reach.

FADE TO BLACK-OUT

Storyteller Interlude:

The storyteller leads her group of children forward as the Company moves back and faces the screen. The storyteller explains: ST

The Rock for the Future tour visited many, many countries – and everywhere they went, they found people, especially young people, ready to rise up to their ‘Generational Challenge’ of creating a Green Economy.

Child

So – why didn’t they just do it?

32

ST

Because they didn’t have the money. They didn’t have the power!

Child

But – didn’t they just tell the grown-ups how stupid they were being?!

Child

I do it very politely – but if I keep at it, I usually get my way with teachers and parents!

Child

Why were they called Peace Child?

Child

They were almost grown-ups, weren’t they?

Child

Not children at all!

ST

Wait and see. They hadn’t got a name, yet! And yes – they did get their way, eventually.

Otherwise none of us would be here!

The slide comes up of a huge conference room – with thousands of people sitting in rows listening, It is the Climate Change Conference of the Parties – and the Company come forward watching, arms folded, disconsolate. They look at each other, glumly, as music starts – softly: ST

The next Conference of the Parties to the Climate Change agreement was held in Katowice, Poland The team were there, as usual. But this time, more than ever, they were angry.

Angry that the governments showed none of their commitment and sense of urgency that they had found around the world – especially amongst young people. For governments – climate change came near to the bottom of their priority list. And the kids knew they had to change this. For dealing with it together – across borders, across religions, ethnicities, cultures – that was the way to build peace without which no development – sustainable or otherwise – could be achieved:

Scene FIFTEEN: Disillusion:

The Company comes forward, singing – angry, pointing the finger at the audience.

SONG FOURTEEN: World So Blind SCORE

VIDEO AUDIO For every gain there is a natural loss In every church a temple and a mosque For every paradise there must be a hell In every saint the devil dwells For every mountain the must be a plain In every sea a piece of land But what we gonna do when it all runs out What we gonna say when its to late Are we going to blame it all on someone else Just not ourselves World so blind, pretending as if nothing is wrong Hey there man ! I’m talking to you!

Wait a minute, don’t walk away now Yes its you! not someone else on a different floor I mean you! they’ll be breaking down your door Blaming you forever more Hungry children with their sunken eyes Holding out their hands in vain Wealthy nations with their mountains of food Excuses flaunted without shame No one seems to be responsible No one wants to take the blame

33

INSTRUMENTAL

But what we gonna do when it all runs out What we gonna say when it’s to late Are we gonna blame it all on someone else Just not ourselves World so blind, pretending as if nothing is wrong Hey there man, I’m talking to you Wait a minute don’t walk away now Yes it’s you, not someone else on a different floor I mean you, they’ll be breaking down your door Blaming you forever more Little families in their broken down boats Going for a sail today they’d say Tankers laden with the wealth of the world They wave then turn away Countries argue over who when and where But do they really care And what we gonna do when it all runs out….

What we gonna say when it’s too late Are we gonna blame it all on someone else Just not ourselves World so blind, pretending as if nothing is wrong Hey there man, I’m talking to you Wait a minute don’t turn away now Yes it’s you, not someone else on a different floor I mean you, they’ll be breaking down your door Blaming you forever more The cast hold a tableau pointing fingers at the end of the song.

BLACK OUT

Scene SIXTEEN: The Victoria Café, UN Secretariat:

Coffee tables and chairs are set up across the stage; Vanya and Marina, Sasha and Zhenya, Nadia and Misha are sitting disconsolate at a table. Around them diplomats are talking enthusiastically.

Vanya

(Putting down a thick report) I think I shall go mad if I have to read any more of this bullshit!!

Zhenya

Why do they have to make it so complicated?!

Misha

Because it is!

Nadia

Not that complicated! They make it more complicated than it really is so that they can confuse the heck out of their bosses and make them feel that they are earning their money!

Vanya

All I know is that it is doing my head in!

Marina

And it’s not working. They use reports like these to inhibit progress rather than accelerate it.

Misha

I don’t what you guys are complaining about: the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals were two of the greatest successes the UN has ever seen!

Sasha

So – what are you suggesting Misha? We just declare victory and move on??

Nadia

We have spent almost a year on this –

34

Marina

– and we’re really no further forward.

Vanya

We’ve raised a lot of awareness!

Sasha

Yeah – but much good it did us!

Nadia

Yegor and Nina had the right idea?!

Vanya

Yeah?! – I wondered where they’d gone?!

Nadia

Nina’s having a baby: so they’ve gone back to Moscow to finish their exams.

Marina

Just like that!

Sasha

Didn’t bother to tell any one!

Nadia

Well – they told me: but I think they were a bit embarrassed.

Marina

It wasn’t exactly planned!?

Nadia

That’s putting it mildly….!

Vanya

Good for Nina!! So – what do we think guys? Let’s go make babies – and put this climate shit behind us!

Marina

It would be kind of responsible to finish our studies.

Sasha

There’s nothing to keep us here?!

Nadia

Well – the youth caucus does kind of rely on us.

Zhenya

– and we have got funding to last us through the end of the year.

Vanya

But what then?! More reports! More meetings!!

Marina

More faffing around!!

The Promoter and Chuck walk in with coffees and sit down at a table close to them, deep in conversation.

They don’t notice the Kids…

Zhenya

Look who just walked in?!

Sasha

– and LOOK!! Look who’s with him!

Marina

(leaping up and going to their table!) Hey guys! – what the hell are you doing here?!

Chuck

(in perfect Russian) Well – Hi!! How great to see you all!!

Promoter

We were just talking about you??

Zhenya

Wait a minute: Chuck – what are you doing speaking perfect Russian??!!

Chuck

I thought you knew?! They put me on the show because they knew that I would understand what’s going on. I’ve lived in Texas for 20 years – but we still speak Russian at home!

Marina

The bastards! They could have told us?!

Chuck

Get over it! You changed my life that night!

Marina

You’re kidding me?! Is that why you’re here?!

Chuck

I’m a part of the UN’s Sustainable Energy for All programme. It’s me, representing the oil industry, UNIDO, the World Bank, the European Commission, a few other donors and the Bank of America – it’s a great team!

Vanya

I heard! (to the promoter) But why are you here?

35

Promoter

After the success of your tour, Chuck wants me to do something to promote his work!

Marina

Success – Ha!!

Chuck

What do you mean, kids?! You’ve done more to bring climate change to the world’s attention than any other group in the world?! You changed my mind, for God’s sake!

Promoter

And mine!

Chuck

And my board! They’re all thrilled with the work I’m doing here at the UN!!

Promoter

You should be really proud of yourselves….

Zhenya

(Sadly) If you say so!

Chuck

So – what’s the next big idea?!

Promoter

I heard your Youth Delegation walked out of the last Summit!

Sasha:

We did!

All

Sorry….

Chuck

Don’t be sorry!! It was great!! It’s about time those lazy, good-for-nothing Member State governments got a good kicking. They’re holding us all back. What are you planning now? I heard you raised a good bit of money on the back of your Rock for the Future tour?

Misha

We did – and we’ve got a good bit of it left.

Zhenya

Truth is – we don’t know what to do now.

Sasha

Yeah: we’re at a bit of a dead end.

Vanya

– and my Mom and Dad are pestering me to get back and finish up my exams.

Nadia

Mine too.

Marina

It is kind of over for us!

Chuck

Over?!! Did you say “OVER”???!!!

Marina

Yes

Chuck

No Way!! It’s Just beginning! You can NEVER give up! Ever?!

Promoter

Did any one ever tell you the secret of a happy marriage?

All

(Smiling, laughing) No!

Promoter

The husband has to be scared to death of the wife. That’s why my third marriage has lasted so long! I’m scared shitless of my wife!

Marina

(They laugh) So – we’re not married!

Vanya

So what’s that got to do with us!?

Chuck

EVERYTHING!!! You walked away from their precious Summit so now they’re all scared to death of you.

Promoter

Your job is to make them a whole lot more scared. You’ve got to do something HUGE! Tahrir Square – Occupy – Arab Spring – Indignadoes – March for our lives!… Wrap it all up into one huge Action and blow the governments away! It has to be – has to be….??

Chuck

AMAZING!

Promoter

Yes.

Marina

If you say so.

36

Chuck

But you must DO so! I can’t – and neither can the UN. They’re trussed and tied by bureaucracy and the fact that they have 193 bosses. You – the youth! – are free agents: and look at you, travelling around the world, uniting peoples and nations across borders with your smiles and your music in a way that diplomats can only dream of! You can make the UN work – and you must, because you and I need this organisation to work for our future….

Vanya

How?

Chuck

I don’t know how!!

Promoter

You did Rock for the Future. That did more to unite nations than the UN’s done in years!

Misha

You did that for us!

Promoter

Yes – but it was your idea!

Chuck

You know all these clever internet things. You’re on Facebook, Facetime, What’s App – instagram! You have to do it – because sure as hell, these guys here won’t.

Marina

So what do you suggest?!

Chuck

If you have to rely on us for ideas, we’re dead already!

Promoter

You have to come up with the ideas. We’ll help!

Chuck

I have got whole teams of people who will help!

Promoter

Me too – but it has to be led by you! Invented by you!

Chuck

But it has to be HUGE!

Promoter

So STOP thinking that it’s over: it’s never over until you’re dead

Chuck

– and even then, you can do stuff online from beyond the grave!

Vanya

But what the hell can we do?!

Misha

We’ll think of something…

Chuck

COURSE you will!!!! You kids are the greatest! You changed my life! You will change the world. I KNOW you will!

Promoter

Let us know if there’s anything we can do.

Chuck

Money – Contacts in the US – contacts in the UN – contacts pretty much anywhere!

Promoter

We’re there for you!

All

Thanks (they shake hands)

FADE FAST TO BLACK

Scene SEVENTEEN: The Victoria Café – Later:

Chuck and the promoter leave in the black out, along with every one else, apart from Vanya and Marina.

Lights come up slowly on them as Vanya looks in shock at Marina.

Vanya

What do you mean, “Yes!”

Marina

(She slowly turns to him) “YES!” – I love you! “YES!” – I will marry you!

Vanya

Just like that?! (he gets up, knocking over his chair)

Marina

No! I loved you from the moment you came up to me after that lecture.

Vanya

(turning back to her) Why?

37

Marina

You had kind eyes! And you looked as though you really wanted to do something good with your life but weren’t sure quite what: and I felt immediately: ‘This is someone I could live the rest of my life with – searching to do good things…”

Vanya

Love at first sight?

Marina

I guess.

Vanya

That’s how it was for me! Why did you never tell me?!

Marina

You never asked!

Vanya

I do now…

Marina

(getting up and coming to him) And I tell you – Yes, yes, yes!

Vanya

That’s… that’s wonderful (they kiss). I feel I should get down on my knees….

Marina

If you want. (They kneel, facing each other, arms on each other’s shoulders)

Vanya

I promise – to love – to honour – and to care for you – in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, from this day forth, until death do us part.

Marina

I promise…. The Same! (She gets up!) But – you know the best thing? In all this good work we want to do – the fuel that drives everything is Love!

Vanya

Yes! – and it’s free and totally non-polluting!!

Marina

So – if we fill the hearts of every person on this planet with love – love for each other, love for the planet, love for the future – peace will be the result.

Vanya

Peace is the inevitable by-product of Love

Marina

So we will be peace-makers as well as future-savers!

Vanya

And “Blessed are the Peace-makers, for they shall be called the Children of God’

Marina

And our own children …. You do want children?

Vanya

Desperately!

Marina

They will be peace-makers?

Vanya

I hope so. Nina said she’d like to raise a Peace Child.

Marina

When?

Vanya

She wrote back to me when I sent her an email congratulating her.

Marina

That! – that’s a great name for our group?

Vanya

What do you mean?

Marina

Peace Child…

Vanya

Singular?

Marina

Yes – you don’t say “Facesbook.” You say Facebook!

Vanya

Peace Child! Creating Peace for each child!

Marina

And love – our love –

Vanya

– Everyone’s Love!

Marina

Will bring us Peace

Vanya

Because Love is the most powerful force in the world

Music starts

38

Marina

More powerful than the biggest nuclear bomb!

SONG FIFTEEN: Love will teach you this SCORE

VIDEO AUDIO Love, love will teach you this Hold on to every smile and kiss You never know how long it will last Before your paths will have to part And sorrow will overwhelm your soul And you will feel no purpose to go on

Marina

Vanya

INSTRUMENTAL

Love, love has brought me this Pain most often follows bliss Emptiness when he’s not there Ecstasy when he re-appears And I am happy by his side As I fall into his arms, Tears and smiles

The Company come on in the background, and sing – softly – with them: Love, love will bring you this Love, love will make you rich A new beginning to your life there will be A paradise before your eyes you will see And there you will abide For as long, as long as it will last With a feeling that you have lived As the song ends, the Company bring forward chairs to their table. They crowd round Vanya and Marina, slapping them on the back. Yegor pops a champagne cork: they toast the happy couple!

Sasha

Long life – and happiness!

Yegor

Congratulations!! (to Vanya) – I never thought you’d have the guts to ask!

Marina

He almost didn’t!

Zhenya

I wish you many children! The world needs more people like you!

Nadia

Peace Children!

Marina

Right! We thought of a new name for our group:

Nina

Peace Child ??

Marina

Exactly!

Vanya

We think it’s perfect! Peace! — Child!!!

Sasha

What’s wrong with Rock the Future!?

Vanya

We think it’s a bit aggressive

Nadia

But Peace Child!?

Sasha

We’re not children!

Zhenya

– and we work to stop Climate Change – not Peace!

Nina

But we work for the children

Vanya

It was Nina’s idea: we’re working for her baby – for future generations.

39

Marina

And it’s not just climate change – it’s ending poverty, health for all, education for all

Nina

Human rights for all

Vanya

LOVE for all! And – if you do all that, you have Peace!

Marina

So – Peace Child. Like Face Book!

Zhenya

I like it!

Sasha

I think it’s a bit soppy…

Nina

What do the rest of you think?

Misha

It’s good branding!

Nadia

I think it could fly!

Zhenya

It’s better than Rock for the Future!

Misha

I was never happy with that!

Vanya

Yeah! – we need to re-brand! (They all murmur their agreement.)

Zhenya

I thought we were closing down – going back to get on with exams…??

Vanya

But Chuck wants us to do something HUGE ….!

Nina

He has no clue what?

Vanya

I’m fresh out of ideas too!

Nadia

I don’t see that there’s anything we can do!

Misha

So may we should all just go home, get on with our studies and forget about it?!

Yegor

Like everyone else seems to have done!

Marina

You’re kidding, right?! (The Promoter comes in at the back, listening. They don’t see him)

Misha

Not really! Look! – we’ve done Rock for the Future in 30 cities on five continents

Nina

– mobilised millions of young people around the world to think about climate change!

Zhenya

But our governments have done fuck nothing!

Sasha

And unless they make it a priority to address climate change above all the other thousands of things they have to do – we’re toast!

Misha

And look at the latest Science report: government commitments made in Paris have us heading for 5.4 degrees of warming. The scientists say we have to get it down to 1.5!

Nadia

Science is here – governments are there!

Vanya

So, you’re saying there’s no way we’re going to close that gap?

Zhenya

What is it that the oil companies have to do: write off 80% of their proven reserves?!

Misha

Yes! Trillions of dollars worth of assets.

Nadia

They’re never going to do that…..

Yegor

Not in a million years!

Vanya

So – there’s nothing else we can do.

Misha

We’re done!

40

Marina

I can’t believe I’m hearing this!! I said I’d marry you because you get shit done!! If you think I’m going to go back to my studies, graduate – have a big white wedding, get a nice flat, have babies and make you nice dinners – while our planet slowly fries…. Well, you just signed up to the shortest engagement in history!

Vanya

I’m sorry! It’s just so hard…..!

Yegor

We’re not miracle kids?!!

Marina

We are!! We have to be!! “The impossible we do immediately! Miracles take us a little longer….” We just have to keep working at it.

Sasha

Well – you can. But my head’s getting a bit sore from banging it against brick walls….

Marina and Vanya look at each other, blankly – as the others wait for them to say something.

Promoter

(Coming forward) What would Gandhi do? [They all turn, surprised, and look at him]

Yegor

Gandhi??

Promoter

Mahatma Gandhi – yes!

Nadia

What the fuck’s Gandhi got to do with any of this?

Promoter

It’s just a question people ask. Some ask “What would Jesus do?” We used to ask: “What would Lenin do?” I ask “What would Gandhi do?” – because he liberated India from the British – which everyone said was impossible.

Vanya

You’re right: they all changed the world?! How did Gandhi do it??

Misha

Hunger strikes!

Promoter

Yes!

Yegor

Oh great! Now you’re suggesting we all starve ourselves to death?!

Nina

That’s well sustainable!

Marina

Wait! Think about it: a Consumption strike! We tell our elders: “NO! – we’re not going to consume your stupid goods! We’re not going to buy your stupid cars or TVs…

Vanya

“We’re not going to go to your stupid schools and learn your stupid lessons that teach us so much crap about useless information….!

Marina

“We’re going to have a revolution!”

Promoter

You’re going to “Be the Change you want to see in the world!”

Misha

Did Gandhi say that?

Promoter

Hi did! – he was all about empowering young people.

Nadia

We could go on Strike!

Yegor

But we would still eat!?

Vanya

Sure – but only vegetarian!

Zhenya

So what we go on strike for?

Marina

To get our governments to listen to us!

Vanya

Gandhi never had the global connections we have! We’re a billion strong on Facebook. We can reach every kid in the world –

41

Marina

– and if every kid in the world tells the idiot adults and governments who haven’t got time to deal with Climate Change – to think about our future security, they’ll have to listen to us.

Sasha

We can demand a meeting of the UN Security Council –

Zhenya

– to secure our future security.

Marina

Our Planet’s Security

Nadia

They’d never let kids into the UN Security Council?

Promoter

They did for that Youth Peace and Security group.

Nina

A billion kids out on strike

Marina

– demanding that governments do what it takes to secure our planet’s future?

Zhenya

That’s a much bigger issue.

Yegor

It’s more than one speech at the UN Security Council

Sasha

It’s about creating a United Nations that works!

Nadia

– a United Nations that does things!

Marina

It’s a complete re-building of the world’s economy.

Misha

Problem: no one in government knows how to do that?

Sasha

But those groups we met on our tour do! In Dubai – in California, in China.

Promoter

They’re doing it – but not nearly fast enough.

Vanya

And every kid needs to know that it is possible to do it.

Nina

Like we do!

Marina

But to do it, we have to have peace!

Yegor

No more wars!

Misha

– to give us the time and money to do it!

Nina

Peace Child!

Vanya

Right! Let’s drink to Peace Child!

All

We can do it! (They raise their glasses and drink a toast….)

Misha

(doubtful, suddenly) Can we?

Marina

We’ll make Draft Treaties – so that every one knows what we need to do?

Youth 3

We can make a movie –

Youth 6

Tweets – whatsapp and facebook groups in different languages….

Marina

And we have one amazing secret weapon!

Nadia

What’s that?

Marina

This!! (she holds up a flash drive!)

Yegor

What?

Vanya

(smiling) The email addresses of every youth leader and NGO in every UN member state!

Marina

The one hundred million youth we’ve been in touch with over our campaign so far!

Misha

So we can bring every Kid in the world out on Strike!

42

Sasha

Kids on Strike!!

Zhenya

Right!

Nina

Sounds Fun!

Nadia

Kids on Strike!

Yegor

Sounds cool!

All

Kids on Strike – Kids on strike!! – Kids on Strike!!!!!!!

BLACK OUT

Scene EIGHTEEN: Kids on Strike Central:

A Committee room in an office somewhere in New York. The kids come on stage – Misha carrying a laptop computer.

Sasha

This is never going to work!?

Misha

‘Course it is!

Zhenya

You’d join a school strike for time off school, wouldn’t you?

Nina

‘Course I would!

Yegor

It’s a no-brainer!

Marina

But that’s exactly NOT the point: the point is that while they are off school, they’ll take the time to learn about Climate Change, how to build a Green Economy

Nadia

Human rights – peace-building, conflict transformation …

Misha

Sustainable behaviours, AI – robotics….

Vanya

The things that really matter!

Nina

OK, OK! I know! But for normal kids, the way to get them involved in all this is to tell them that it is a way to get time off school! Am I right?!

Marina

So we don’t even tell them that our goal is to get the UN Security Council to consider our draft treaties –

Yegor

We tell them –

Nina

But in the small print!

Zhenya

The headline appeal has to be: “Take a holiday from school!!”

Misha

So – shall I push the button?

Marina

Wait: it sounds awfully trivial to me!

Vanya

The governments are really going to hate us!

Zhenya

They hate us already!

Yegor

What’s all this talk of Hate?! This is an act of Love for the Planet.

Sasha

For future generations!

Nina

We’re Peace Child!!

Marina

– and we must take the moral high ground, defending our strike as a way of educating young people about the most important challenge of their lives!

43

Vanya

Their ‘generational challenge!!’ And the minute the governments call us a Security Council Meeting at the UN, the Strike is off!

Misha

Are we agreed?! (they all look at him silent, nervous. One nods) So I’m going to push the button!

Misha pushes a big red button at the centre of the screen. A spiders web spreads out across the map Nina

What have we done?!

BLACK OUT

Storyteller Interlude:

The Storyteller comes forward as the slides change to show San Francisco and the Cleantech Open site: Storyteller

Not much, as it happened! A bunch of e-mails went out around the world – and the impact was a big fat NOTHING! Nobody thought they were serious….

Child

So what did the kids do?

Storyteller

Two things. First – they appointed youth Strike Leaders in every UN Member State to lead the campaign locally. Second – they worked up a series of treaties for governments to sign when they met at the UN Security Council.

Child

How did they do that?

Storyteller

Well – the translation gizmo helped….

Scene NINETEEN: Kids on Strike Central:

A Committee room in an office somewhere in New York. The kids sit round the table, working the phones.

Sasha

(shaking the phone) The Japanese is not working!

Over the PA, we hear a torrent of Japanese coming over the phone. Misha comes over and pushes a few buttons. Suddenly the voice starts coming through in Russian. Sasha smiles his thanks to Misha.

Japanese Voice Sasha

But it’s a matter of life and death! None of us know enough about it. Do your teachers give you any lessons on climate change?? Do you do exams on it??

Japanese Voice Sasha

No. But we hear about it on the news!

That’s my point! We all know a little bit about it – but none of us know enough! The school strike gives us all a chance to learn….

Japanese Voice Sasha

Japanese youth are very obedient people. They can never strike like you suggest!

Well I shall put your points to our government liaison. They will know what to do

But they don’t!! They won’t do anything – unless you take extreme action!

Japanese Voice

We trust our government to do the right thing… Thank you and good-bye!

Sasha

Aaaargh!! It’s useless –

Yegor

You think you’ve got problems: look at this interview in France:

The interview plays on the screen above them – they watch, as the simultaneous translation comes through in Russian– the interviewer is female, the teacher is male Interviewer

Let me ask you this: where in your curricula do you teach the challenge of the 2 degree threshold – or if it should be the 1.5 degree threshold?

Teacher Interviewer

We – er….

And what do you teach them about the impact of the disappearance of the Arctic ice-cap – ocean flip-flop and all that?!

44

Teacher

It’s – er….

Interviewer

… nowhere in the current French curricula, is it? You don’t have a clue what we’re talking about, do you?

Teacher

Er….

Interviewer

That’s our point!! – NOT to stop kids learning but rather to start them learning all the things that are absolutely VITAL to their future – like limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees!

Teacher

Mm. We show them how to use a thermometer in physics….

The kids all laugh – then the screen reverts back to the huge blank world map Marina

It’s not funny!

Vanya

Not one single country has come through for us

Misha

It’s early days yet….

Nadia

Give it time! Have Faith?

Marina

Do you have faith?

Nadia

I do, actually! I’m a Christian

Zhenya

I’m a muslim – and if I didn’t believe that Allah absolutely does NOT want human beings to ruin his lovely planet through climate change – I wouldn’t be doing this stuff.

Yegor

I’m Jewish – and I believe EXACTLY the same thing. Judaism is all about stewardship of the earth.

Nina

I didn’t know you were Jewish.

Yegor

Is that a problem??

Nina

No!! It’s lovely…

Marina

You religious folk are weird! I mean – it’s not like as if there’s some one up there who’s going to come down in a cloud and magically make it all happen!

Sasha

Not as weird as putting your faith in that the bunch of bozos we were with at the UN last month!

Zhenya

If you believe they’re going to come up with the solution, you’re seriously deluded.

Marina

I prefer to believe that rational argument, people seeing the SENSE in what we’re talking about, will cause the break-through ….

Nadia

Is there a problem with doing both?!

Marina

We’d be foolish not to ….

Vanya

I pray that God sorts this out for us – but I will also use every ounce of energy I have to make it work.

Sasha

Let us all pray – ‘cos this thing’s going to take a miracle!!

With a “Ping!” – a small patch goes red on the map above them.

Marina

Shit – what does that mean?!

Misha

It’s Estonia! They’ve called the kids out on Strike!!

Nadia

It means it’s happening!

45

Nina

We’re on our way, guys!

Zhenya

Have faith. Please – have faith! Allah – God – does NOT want us to fry our world!

Yegor

That’s the best thing! Christians, Jews, Muslims, atheists – we ALL have to work together on this thing.

Marina

Serious peace-building!

Sasha

It’s still a ridiculously impossible task we’ve set ourselves!

Nadia

That’s why we’ve got to have faith!

Zhenya

No amount of logic is going to win the battle!

Marina

And we all knew it was never going to be easy

Vanya

– or be quick!

Sasha

“Give your life!” – remember!

Nadia

But however bad it gets, I know – I KNOW – we’re going to make it!

Zhenya/Yegor Me too!

MUSIC STARTS

They join their hands together and move forward, singing, and, as they sing – more and more countries on the map above them splash red:

SONG SIXTEEN: I BELIEVE SCORE

VIDEO AUDIO INSTRUMENTAL If the sun lost it’s shine – and the trees started to die!

I guess I’d still be full of hope – and yes, I know the reason why!

If the wind grew too old, and the seas started to dry Yes I would still be full of love – don’t ask – don’t ask me why!

I still believe in God I still believe in us His people!

And if you really want to know I still believe in this His world So don’t turn your head away – don’t give up on who you are Just keep loving more each day – and the world will shine for you!

I guess it’s all in the mind – what you feel is what you see So within your heart just sing these words Come sing – come sing with me!

We believe in God We believe in us His people!

And if you really want to know We still believe in this His world We believe in God We believe in us His people!

And if you really want to know I believe – Yes we believe I believe – Yes we believe We believe in this His LAND!

As the song ends, they look around at the map – and are gobsmacked. Then they all fall into each other’s arms and hold a tableau in a group hug. BLACK OUT

46

Scene TWENTY: In the Office of the Foreign Minister:

A large desk is set up centre stage. The National Flag and Seal appear on the Screen behind, The Foreign Minister sits at his desk. 2 x Aides nervously approach him from stage left: Aide 1

Sorry to disturb you, Excellency…

Foreign Minister

What is it?

Aide 2

This business of the school strike.

Aide 1

You’ve heard about it?

FM

Yes? As you know, my children are beyond school age, so I have not paid it much attention.

Aide 2

It’s quite serious

Aide 1

Over a billion students are now out on strike

Aide 2

– including about half the students in the Russian Federation.

FM

I share your concern – but it’s a domestic matter. Nothing to do with my ministry.

Aide 1

Except that – they are demanding a meeting of the UN Security Council

FM

Why?

Aide 2

To discuss their recommendations on Climate Change –

Aide 1

– and other things.

FM

We can’t go calling on Security Council Meetings to discuss random children’s ideas…

Aide 1

Except that, if it gets the students to call off their strike, we shall earn the gratitude of many UN member state governments.

Aide 2

We have called the Perm Reps of China, USA, UK and France – and they would all support the call.

FM

So – why don’t they call it?

Aide 1

They’re waiting for your response, Excellency.

FM

Do we have to do anything about their recommendations?

Aide 2

Of course not, sir. Just ‘consider’ them….

FM

So – what might be the downside if we called it?

Aide 1

Our Perm Rep might have to make an introductory speech …

FM

We can manage that, don’t you think?

Aide 2

Of course, Excellency!

FM

(pleased with himself) I might even make it myself! Thank you! Go do it. Good to show some positive Russian leadership in the P-5, don’t you think?

Aides 1 & 2 Definitely, Excellency!

They back away, deferentially.

BLACK OUT

Scene TWENTY-ONE: Kids on Strike Central: 47

A Committee room in an office somewhere in New York. The kids sit round the table, looking at a beautifully bound document: Marina

So this is it?

Nina

It’s beautiful!

Nadia

Beautifully written at least: who wrote it?

Misha

It builds on “Statements” produced by 400 UN-related international meetings of young people over the last 20 years. From these, we prepared a draft of “Generational Priorities” which were sent out in 78 different languages to every kid who joined the school strike.

Sasha

It also went to media outlets in all 193 UN Member states.

Misha

Over a billion responses were received and analysed by our software. This document represents the best expression of the consensus views of the current generation of citizens under the age of 25 that the world has ever seen.

Vanya

But – what do we all feel? Is it any good?

Misha

I like it because it’s an “Action Plan” – not just random statements.

Marina

I like it for its priorities: peace, good and honest governance,

Nina

Health, education, jobs, human rights – safety and security for all.

Zhenya

But climate change is way down the list.

Yegor

At least it’s on the list!

Nadia

In the UN’s MyWorld2015 survey – it almost wasn’t.

Vanya

Doesn’t matter guys! We’re not representing ourselves at this meeting: we’re representing every single kid on this planet who has chosen to support us!

Misha

So – shall we send it out!?

Sasha

Just to the Security Council Member States….

Nina

Why not all of them?

Zhenya

And the Media?

Misha

Because it’s more of a story once the Security Council has reacted.

Marina

So – we just send it to the Permanent Representatives of the 15 Security Council Members?

All

Yes.

Misha

Now?

All

Now!

Misha

(Touches the screen on his smart phone) Done!

Scene TWENTY-TWO: At the UN:

BLACK OUT

Lights change – the Big UN symbol appears on the screen at the back of the stage. The Company is split between those in dark suits, playing diplomats, and those in jeans who come as youth activists. Chuck and the Promoter come on with the diplomats, and greet the Youth Activists.

Marina

I don’t believe it! – you came!

48

Chuck

Of course I came!

Promoter

We are so proud of you guys!

Vanya

Thank you!

Chuck

No – thank YOU! This is HUGE!

Sasha

Do you think they’ll listen?

Promoter

Let’s wait and see – but at least you got their attention!

The diplomats sit down around a horseshoe table designed to represent the UN Security Council Chamber.

The Secretary General sits at the apex of the table and raps his gavel: SG

Good morning everyone. We are gathered here to listen to the ideas of young people – who, as we have seen, have added a welcome element of urgency to our task of combating climate change and building a Green Economy. I am pleased to declare this Special Session of the UN Security Council “Open!” (She slaps the gavel.) Before we hear from the young people, I call upon the Government of the Russian Federation, who requested this meeting, whose Foreign Minister we are privileged to welcome to this chamber this morning. Your Excellency?

FM:

My government’s reasons for calling this meeting were both pragmatic – to get our Young People to go back to school! – and idealistic: we have read their Action Plan and, though naïve in parts, it expresses both the sense of urgency your excellency referred to, and a sense of the holistic approach we have to adopt in relation to these challenges. So – please: join me in welcoming these young people to this important meeting! (Polite applause)

SG

I call upon the leaders of the Young People’s delegation to address us:

Marina:

It is an awesome honour to address your Excellencies in this iconic chamber! As we say in the Preamble to our Call, humanity stands at a crossroads: one way leads to prosperity and security in a green economy. The other leads over a precipice to human extinction along with the extinction of many of the great creatures with whom we share this planet.

Vanya:

We called the world’s young people out on strike because we wanted them to know first: that the precipice exists and we are very close to it. Second: HOW we’re going to work together to avoid going over it …

Yegor

Lessons none of us were really learning at school

Nadia

But it’s probably the most important lesson that any child born in the world today needs to learn. And now – through our action – they do know.

MUSIC starts

Marina

And – in the process – we have learned how to Unite Nations –

Sasha

… how to care for each other, leave no one behind, and Unite the world’s major religions.

Zhenya

More than that – we have found amongst us the Peace that this great organisation was set up to secure.

Yegor

We now know we can save ‘succeeding generations from the scourge of war.’

Marina:

In this building, you agreed the Sustainable Development Goals – Goals designed to bring us together as one big human family.

Vanya

The Action Plan we set before you today is designed to achieve those goals – to achieve peace and prosperity for every member of our human family.

49

Misha

The current dangers are great and, as your reports have often told us, the very survival of the human family is at stake.

Nina

That’s very frightening to a young person.

Marina

Through our studies, we’ve learned that we can survive. But we need your help! We cannot do it without you.

SONG SEVENTEEN: We want this world to survive for ever SCORE

VIDEO ( – go to end) AUDIO All the time through the day and through the night I think about my life in this world So many times I’ve tried to find A way to live my life – A way to ease my mind

INSTRUMENTAL

I know this world could die forever And people are the reason why Children and parents, lovers and poets We just can’t hear our planet cry!

We want this world to survive forever And all the people join their hands together In a bond of love, kindness and friendship We can make peace with the earth So many people have died in wars And we want that no one else should suffer – not again We mustn’t forget that many are poor And half of our children lack even food!

We know this world is a wonderful place It’s our home – where we live and where we grow!

I want to believe that this world can be Peaceful, free – and happy home for all We want this world to survive forever And all the people join their hands together In a bond of love kindness and friendship We can make peace with the earth.

Let’s join our hands together Let’s make Peace throughout our World!

SG

Thank you: I’ve rarely been so moved by a presentation in this chamber. Thank you – and now, Excellencies, may I suggest that we go through the Children’s Action Plan line by line – and see where we can find consensus?

Marina

(whispers) Why do they keep calling us ‘Children’?!

Diplo 1:

With respect, Secretary General, may I raise a Point of Information?

SG

Go ahead:

Diplo 1:

Does this meeting today mean that any interest group can use a campaign of civil disobedience to get access to this chamber?

SG

Absolutely not.

50

Diplo 1:

Thank you – and having trotted through their naïve little litany of proposals, can we have some kind of guarantee that their campaign will be called off?

SG

The campaign is already called off, as you must know, Excellency: it was called off the minute that this meeting was announced.

Diplo 1:

Good. Just let it be registered that my government regrets profoundly that the United Nations has allowed an interest group to put a gun to our head to force this meeting upon us.

SG

Your regrets are noted, Excellency –

Diplo 2:

A further point of information, Chairman: my government has a representative system of local, regional and national youth councils that allow the voice of youth to be heard in government. Are any of the views expressed in this Acton Plan the result of deliberations within such representative systems? – or any process that would give them some democratic legitimacy?

SG

Were national youth councils involved in the development of your Call?

Marina:

As we explain in the preamble, the Action Plan is based on youth statements and declarations going back over 20 years – revised and edited with comments and input from many millions of young people in every UN member state.

Sasha

We reached out to all of them, your excellencies. But, as we found with other elected officials, long-term issues like those in this Action Plan are not priorities for them. (murmurs of laughter around the room.)

Vanya

Some youth councils drove consultations in their countries; most did not.

Diplo 2:

Thank you. (to his fellow diplomats) As I suspected, this Call for Action has no democratic legitimacy. We are only discussing it because we’ve been forced to do so by civil disobedience

Yegor

(In a loud whisper) Isn’t a Billion Young People out on Strike enough legitimacy?

Diplo 3:

Forgive me, Secretary General, just one other procedural point of information:

SG

Of course?

Diplo 3:

The diplomats around this table represent governments elected by citizens over the age of 18 or 21. Why, then, are we being asked to discuss an Action Plan prepared by, and informed by input from, citizens who are not constitutionally allowed to vote for the governments we represent?

FM

That is the point, Excellency! We are considering the ideas of the citizens whose future we are required to secure.

Diplo 3:

I still submit this meeting is unconstitional – which is regrettable (murmurs of assent.)

SG

Your points are noted, Excellency. Shall we proceed? (in a tired voice) Blah – bla-blah-blaBlah!

Diplo 1

(equally tired and disinterested) Bla-bla-bla-Blah! Blah! Blah! Bla-bla-bla-Blah!

Diplo 2

(a little heated) Bla-bla-bla-Blah! Blah! Blah! Bla-bla-bla-Blah!

Diplo 3

(responding angrily) Bla-bla-bla-Blah! Blah! Blah! Bla-bla-bla-Blah!

Diplo 1

(pouring calming oil on troubled waters) Bla-bla-bla-Blah! Blah! Blah! Bla-bla-bla-Blah!

Diplo 2

(wrapping up the conversation) Bla-bla-bla-Blah! Blah! Blah! Bla-bla-bla-Blah!

51

SG

Thank you. Your excellent points are noted. If Excellencies agree, a report of this session will be delivered to the 3rd Committee in the Autumn. At the Committee’s sole discretion, a resolution may be drafted and forwarded to the General Assembly at its session next year – and, if carried, will have advisory status to member states. Is that acceptable to members?

Vanya:

Next year!!!??

SG

Given that there is no particular urgency, I suggest we take a coffee break now – and return to consider the Action Plan in detail in our second session. We resume in twenty minutes. Thank you! (he slaps the gavel – and they all EXIT)

The kids remain – looking at each other, trying to smile, but all a little shell-shocked Sasha

What – was that all about??

Nina

All that Blah-blah!

Nadia

Where are the grown-ups?!!

Yegor

If these are the people we’re trusting to save the world – we’re toast!

Zhenya

“No particular sense of urgency…” Which planet did he come from?

Vanya

Come on – she was the one decent one amongst them!

Misha

But here – look at this: (going through the papers on one desk) “Instructions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: “On No Account allow serious consideration of the Children’s Treaties…”

Sasha

Bastards! – they never were going to do anything…

Nadia

They’re just going through the motions to get us to call off the strike!

Misha

Wouldn’t you do that in their position?!

Vanya

We shouldn’t have made those promises about ‘No Pre-conditions’

Marina

They have betrayed us.

Zhenya

The UN has let us down every step of the way

Misha

Copenhagen, Rio+20

Marina

– even Paris

Yegor

And the SDGs.

Nina

No one’s serious about those

Misha

We need new governments…. New people to sit in these chairs!

Sasha

(grinning mischievously) Well! – Look – that sign says Russian Federation. I know I can do a better job of representing my country than that guy with all his Blah-blah!

Nadia

That sign says China – one of my grandfathers came from there….

Quickly, they fill the chairs around the horseshoe table. Marina & 2 go to the SG’s chair Marina & Vanya: Can we be your gender-balanced co-chairs?

Zhenya

Great idea! – all those in favour? (All raise their hands)

Vanya

(slapping the gavel) We call this meeting of the Young People’s UN Security Council to order!

Marina

First motion, please!

52

Sasha

I move we agree our Climate Change target of 350ppm and the $43 Trillion dollar Investment Fund for the immediate transition to a Green Economy. Do I have a seconder?

Nina

I second that on behalf of Future Generations!

Vanya

All those in favour? Come on – raise those hands!

All raise their hands. The Boy slaps the gavel: Marina

Agreed! Unanimously!! Next – ?

Nadia

I move our Sustainability Education bill – to “Re-orient Education towards sustainability!”

Yegor

“That every Youth is instructed in the science of sustainability from the day they enter primary school to the day they graduate university and that they be assessed for their competence in this subject as a key requirement of graduation!” I second!

Marina

All those in favour? (all raise their hands. The Girl slaps the gavel)

Vanya

Agreed! Next – ?

Misha

I move our comprehensive Peace, nuclear disarmament and de-militarisation Treaty –

Yegor

Remind me…

Nadia

The UN Standing Army?

Misha

No! – the UN Police Force designed to police the referendums in Kashmir, Nagorno Karabakh and Western Sahara within 12 months; to secure the South Asian Common Market; to broker the 2-state solution for Israel / Palestine with Jerusalem hosting both capitals; the African Great Lakes Union – the expansion of Mercosur and ECOWAS plus the re-distribution of permanent seats on the UN Security Council to regional blocs.

Zhenya

It runs to 18-pages: its pretty comprehensive.

Nina

I know – we all supported it. I second…

Vanya

All those in favour? (all raise their hands. He smacks down the gavel!) Agreed!

Marina

Next?

Sasha

I move our Development Treaty –

Yegor

Remind me

Nadia

That was the one about the Tobin Tax, giving the UN authority to raise and spend direct taxes to create a global welfare and energy safety net;

Sasha

And the whole scandal about debt – and preventing Vulture Funds suing governments for debt that they have bought at knock-down prices.

Zhenya

I remember – That’s appalling! I second!

Marina

Great. All those in favour? (all raise their hands; the gavel smacks down!) Agreed!

Vanya

Next – ? – we’re running out of time here –

Zhenya

The Environmental Security Council

Vanya

That was my idea! I second that from the chair!

Marina

All those in favour? (all raise their hands. He smacks down the gavel!) Agreed!

Vanya

Great! Time for one more – if we’re lucky!

Misha

R2P?

53

Marina

Sure – go for it!

Nina

It’s a bit fuzzy this one…

Misha

Not fuzzy at all: “We hold it our sacred duty as citizens of planet earth to protect the human rights and dignity of all the peoples with whom we share this earth. We therefore commit to serve and protect those rights against all who would try to violate them – individually, communally, nationally, regionally and globally.”

Marina

I think that’s pretty clear!

Zhenya

We’re talking about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights actually meaning what it says. I second that!

Yegor

Me too!

Marina

All those in favour! (all raise their hands) Agreed (He slaps the gavel as the Diplomats come in, led by the Secretary-General. They stop, astonished at the young people occupying their chairs at the Summit table.)

SG

What the – ? What’s going on here??!!

Zhenya

We decided we’d help things along a bit –

Nina

– get done in your coffee break what might take you guys 40 years to do!

Nadia

By which time, you’ll be dead and our world will be fried!

Diplo 3:

This is outrageous – they’ve been looking through our confidential briefings!

Misha

Yeah! – embarrassing isn’t it: to know you planned to agree absolutely nothing!

Diplo 1:

Get these kids outta here! Call Security!!

Zhenya

No – we should call security on you! You are the threat to OUR security!

Nina

We’re no threat to your’s!

Diplo 2:

Mr Secretary General: you must agree! This is a most shocking breach of UN security – you must allow us to eject these Children immediately.

SG

Not a breach of security, but a breach of protocol, certainly, so I think our young friends had better leave.

Yegor

And let you faff around for another 40 years!

Sasha

Not likely.

Diplo 3:

Their insolence is insupportable. Call Security!

Diplo 2:

Eject them!

Misha

I suggest you re-consider: one click on my I-phone here and the billion young people who’ve been on strike these last weeks will come out again, baying for your blood! Think how that will make you look in the media?!

Vanya

And to your governments back in your capitals – for whom you were supposed to solve the problem!

SG

What would you have us do?

Marina

We would like you to sit with us, quietly, with open minds – and go through every element of our Draft Treaties

54

Vanya

We know we’re naïve! We need your experience in the art of the possible. But you also need our energy – our idealism – our thirst for a future that works!

Nina

Please! You were Children once.

Zhenya

You looked forward to lives filled with happiness, love and security!

Misha

Lawyers would call your failure to act on climate change an ‘intergenerational crime!’

Sasha

We should probably sling you in jail for murdering our future. (music starts…)

Nadia

Instead, we ask you to talk to us – to work with us!

Zhenya

It’s all we ever asked!

Vanya

To work with us to make the Future we Want!

Marina

The Future we need to survive

One comes forward and sings. During the song, the diplomats are bewitched and led like lambs to the table where they sit together with the youth – reading through the papers, looking to each other for clarifications, working together, elders and youth – working it out. Together.

SONG EIGHTEEN: CHILD FOR A DAY SCORE

VIDEO AUDIO I was a child who ran full of laughter I was a child who lived for a day My eyes full of sunshine My heart full of smiles I was a child for a day.

INSTRUMENTAL

We were the children who ran in the morning We were the children who laughed at the sun Who listened to those who spoke with their wisdom We were the ones we would say.

We’re getting older as time goes by A little older every day We are the children of yesterday.

We are the men who worry of nothing We are the men who speak without aim Who listen to no one yet speak of their wisdom We were the ones we would say.

We’re getting older as time goes by A little older every day We are the children of yesterday.

I was a child who ran full of laughter I was a child who lived for a day My eyes full of sunshine My heart full of smiles I was a child for a day.

We’re getting older as time goes by A little older every day We were the children of yesterday.

The lights fade very slowly on the scene of the elder diplomats and the youth working together. On the screen behind them, the UN Symbol ripples into the Peace Day 2050 symbol

55

Scene TWENTY-THREE: Peace Day 2050:

The spotlight picks out the Story-teller and her group as they return to the stage watching the diplomats and youth at work around the horse-shoe table. During the scene – they, and the Chorus – slip away and the stage is cleared.

Child 4

So – was that it?

Child 3

All done and dusted in a 20-minute coffee break?

ST

No – silly! We were stuck in that stifling room for weeks. As you saw – we didn’t have much respect for diplomats at the start – and they were furious with us! But after a month of working together, we began to realise how much we needed each other.

Child 1

So – were you friends!?

ST

Good friends! We laughed a lot – I don’t think laughter had ever been a big feature of the UN Security Council until we got there. And we sang, and we chatted and we banged heads together: we refused to take ‘No!’ for an answer.

Child 2

What happened to Vanya and Marina?

Child 3

Did they stay married?!

ST

They did – had three children, I think! Their daughter’s a reporter on Channel 1 news; one of their sons is something in the government – and their other son’s in Japan somewhere.

Child 4

But what did they do?

ST

They bought a big farm back East – raised their family, farmed, lived quietly and were very happy, I think!

Child 5

Don’t you see them?

ST

Once in a while! We had a reunion a few years back and it was great! Once a Peace Child – always a Peace Child! But we went our separate ways – most of us. I became a teacher – another became a university professor. One runs a green business in Germany…

Child 6

But – how did you ever stop?

ST

Stop what?

Child 1

Changing the world?

ST

Very easily! It’s exhausting – something to do when you’re young, like you! And you should only change those things that MUST be changed. Otherwise – just back off and let people get on with their lives….

Child 4

Thank you!

ST

For what?

Child 6

For being a Peace Child.

Child 2

Did you ever hear about that other one?

ST

What other one?

Child 1

The one in Papua New Guinea?

Child 1

Surely you know the story?

ST

No – did I miss something?

Youth

In school, when you learn your story, they tell you the Papua New Guinea story first.

56

ST

Tell me!

Youth

“When indigenous tribes made peace, they sealed it by exchanging a baby: each baby grew up with the other’s tribe and if, in the future, conflict threatened, each tribe would send out that child to negotiate a peace.

Child 1

Such a child was called a ‘Peace Child’!

ST

I didn’t know that.

Youth 4

It was a Christian Missionary who discovered the story: he used it to explain why God sent his only son, Jesus – to be a Peace Child between God and Human beings.

Youth 6

Our teachers use the story to show that young people can shoulder big responsibilities – even when we’re young.

Marina

Like you did.

ST

Fascinating! Perhaps that’s a better reason to celebrate Peace Day than my story. Because every child must learn to be a Peace Child?

Child 1

That’s our job, isn’t it?

ST

I guess!

Child 5

Don’t worry! We can do it –

Child 3

– if ever you need us to do it again.

ST

That’s very comforting. Thank you.

MUSIC starts

Child 5

Come on – the party’s starting. You don’t want to miss the Peace Day Party, do you?

ST

Never!

Children

Happy Peace Day – and thank you for what you did! (They gather round him/her in a hug)

ST

Happy Peace Day Everyone!

Cast & Chorus enter at the back of the theatre, dancing down the aisles – the dance troupe enter on stage, reprising the dance from the top of the show

SONG NINETEEN: S I N G !

SCORE

VIDEO AUDIO Sing! I do wish the world would sing!

I do wish the world would say How they love to live and play How they need each other’s – Peace! That is all we want to have, That is all we want to share Let us live our lives in peace Oh let us give this life a chance to – Love! – love is all I need, Love is all I want, Love is everywhere Peace! – Peace is all I want, Peace is all I need, Peace – everywhere!

57

INSTRUMENTAL

During the instrumental interlude, Youths 1 & 2 are hoisted on the shoulders of two leading chorus members.

The Girl on the other side is likewise raised up, and the chorus process out through the aisles while the dancers fill the stage with a festive finale, flanked by the solo singers.

Come into my joy!

Love! – love is all I need, Come into my pain!

Love is all I want, Come you be a friend of mine, Love is everywhere!

I’ll be the same!

Come into my joy!

Peace! – Peace is all I want, Come into my pain Peace is all I need, Come you be a friend of mine!

Peace – everywhere!

I’ll be the same!

(Repeat x 2)

THE

END © Peace Child International – October 2018

58