The Million Pound Bank Note

Act I, Scene 4

(Outside a restaurant Henry looks at the envelope without opening it and decides to go in. He sits down at a table next to the front window.)

OWNER:   (seeing Henry's poor appearance) That one's reserved. This way, please. (to the waiter) Take this gentleman's order, Horace.

HENRY:     (after sitting down and putting the letter on the table) I'd like some ham and eggs and a nice big steak. Make it extra thick. I'd also like a cup of coffee and a pineapple   dessert.

WAITER:   Right, sir. I'm afraid it'll cost a large amount of money.

HENRY:    I understand. And I'll have a large glass of beer.

WAITER:   OK. (The waiter leaves and soon returns with all the food.)

HOSTESS:  My goodness! Why, look at him. He eats like a wolf.

OWNER:   We'll see if he's clever as a wolf, eh?

HENRY:   (having just finished every bit of food) Ah, waiter. (waiter returns) Same thing again, please. Oh, and another beer.

WAITER:   Again? Everything?

HENRY:    Yes, that's right. (sees the look on the waiter's face) Anything wrong?

WAITER:   No, not at all. (to the owner) He's asked for more of the same.

OWNER:   Well, it is well-known that Americans like to eat a lot. Well, we'll have to take a chance. Go ahead and let him have it.

WAITER:   (reading the bill after the meal) All right. That's two orders of ham and eggs, two extra thick steaks, two large glasses of beer, two cups of coffee and two desserts.

HENRY:    (looking at the clock on the wall) Would you mind waiting just a few minutes?

WAITER:   (in a rude manner) What's there to wait for?

OWNER:   All right, Horace. I'll take care of this.

HENRY:    (to owner) That was a wonderful meal. It's amazing how much pleasure you get out of title simple things in life, especially if you can't have them for a while.

OWNER:   Yes, very interesting. Now perhaps, sir, if you pay your bill I can help the other customers.

HENRY:    (looking at the clock on the wall again) Well, I see it's two o'clock. (he opens the envelope and holds a million pound bank note in his hands. Henry is surprised but the owner and waiter are shocked) I'm very sorry. But ... I ... I don't have anything smaller.

OWNER:   (still shocked and nervous) Well .. er ... just one moment. Maggie, look! (the hostess screams, the other customers look at her and she puts a hand to her mouth) Do you think it's genuine?

HOSTESS:  Oh, dear, I don't know. I simply don't know.

OWNER:   Well, I did hear that the Bank of England had issued two notes in this amount ... Anyway, I don't think it can be a fake. People would pay too much attention to a bank note of this amount. No thief would want that to happen.

HOSTESS: But he's in rags!

OWNER:   Perhaps he's a very strange, rich man. (as if he has discovered something for the first time) Why, yes! That must be it!

HOSTESS: (hits her husband's arm) And you put him in the back of the restaurant! Go and see him at once.

OWNER:   (to Henry) I'm so sorry, sir, so sorry, but I cannot change this bank note.

HENRY:    But it's all I have on me.

OWNER:   Oh, please, don't worry, sir. Doesn't matter at all. We're so very glad that you even entered our little eating place. Indeed, sir, I hope you'll come here whenever you like.

HENRY:    Well, that's very kind of you.

OWNER:   Kind, sir? No, it's kind of you. You must come whenever you want and have whatever you like. Just having you sit here is a great honour! As for the bill, sir, please forget it.

HENRY:    Forget it? Well ... thank you very much. That's very nice of you.

OWNER:   Oh, it's for us to thank you, sir and I do, sir, from the bottom of my heart. (The owner, hostess and waiter all bow as Henry leaves.)

Each year, the National Council of Teachers of English（NCTE）presents several awards to recognize outstanding books written for all age levels. Earlier this month at a book awards luncheon（午宴）held during their 107th Annual Convention，they announced the winner of the 2018 Charlotte Huck Award for Outstanding Fiction for Children.

Dan Santat was named the winner of the 2018 Charlotte Huck Award for his novel AFTER THE FALL, the inspiring epilogue（后记）to the beloved classic nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty. The Charlotte Huck Award was established in 2014 to promote and recognize fiction that has the potential to have a positive effect on children’s lives. The award honors Dr. Charlotte Huck, a professor at Ohio State University who devoted her career to promoting the role of children’s books in young people’s academic, social, and emotional development. Each year，the committee selects a winner and recommended titles appropriate for children.

“Charlotte Huck was a supporter for children’s books as teaching tools,” says Erika Dawes, chair of the Charlotte Huck Award committee. “Books like these award winners, books that promote imagination, wonder and sympathy, fill a critical need in our classrooms.”

Jason Chin was named winner of the 2018 Orbis Pictus Award for his book GRAND CANYON, an illuminating（启蒙的）look at one of the planet’s most fascinating features. The Orbis Pictus Award, established in 1989, is the oldest children’s book award for nonfiction.

Honor and Recommended Books in each category were also announced at the awards luncheon, where the 2017 winners（Jason Reynolds and Melissa Sweet）delivered speeches. Dan Santat and Jason Chin are invited to speak at next year’s Annual Convention.

From the cheeky sound of a whoopee cushion to a spring-loaded spider rocketing from a glass, pranks (恶作剧) are a popular way of making fun of others and getting a laugh. While some experts point out potential negatives, pranking can also decrease stress, raise a smile, and strengthen relationships.

It’s little wonder that best-selling children’s author Matt Stanton has shaped his latest book around pranks for young jokesters. Part of his Funny Kid book series, Prank Aliens, is about a boy named Max who is searching for the greatest prank of all time. Stanton said that pranking in the home can build strong relationships between parents and kids.

“Some of the best relationship-building moments I have with my own kids are when I enter into their space,” Stanton said. “An adult joining in their games can be surprising for kids and bring wonderful moments of joy. It’s a great way to demonstrate to our kids that we can laugh at ourselves and still feel loved and secure,” he added.

But playing tricks can come with unintended consequences, said psychiatrist Mark Cross. Pranks that are intended to harm or embarrass can anger the target and even ruin a relationship. However, Cross also added “Pranking can be good when the outcome is laughter for everyone, including the pranked person. It can be a great release of stress. When you laugh, you breathe deeper, which helps ease anxiety.”

So why not try some pranks? Wrapping vegetables and shoes up as presents for kids on their birthdays always gets a great reaction. Putting plastic spiders in guests’ drinks or placing a whoopee cushion on an unsuspecting person’s chair is sure to cause a belly laugh. All these might just be good for you and everyone involved.