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Brandl, Dave (American playwright, 1957- ), "How Can They Call It A Fixed Income When We're Always Broke?"

a 5-minute comedy in English, a 25-minute comedy in English, set in Herbert and Emma Swanson's living room, 1991

1m,

©1995 by Dave Brandl, telephone (home) 303-333-7018, e-mail davebrandl@yahoo.com; script/rights available from Encore Performance Publishing, P.O. Box 692, Orem, Utah, U.S.A. 84057, telephone 801-225-0605. Cited by Dave Brandl via ftp, November 26, 1997; Brandl says,

Synopsis "Herbert and Emma Swanson are in their seventies, retired, and a bit ornery. Married nearly fifty years, their sarcastic banter towards one another is a way of expressing love. Into their modest home come lottery winners George and Mary Williams, who host a radio show where they give money to people in need. George and Mary were contacted by the Swanson's daughter, Marcia, who pleaded on behalf of her parents, citing their sacrifices and contributions for her as she grew up. Marcia desperately wants to honor her parents for all they did, especially now, in their so-called ‘golden years,’ but she barely manages with her own family. Mary presents a $25,000 check to the Swansons. Emma is thrilled by the prospects: a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, new furniture, and some comfort, but Herbert adamantly refuses to accept charity, causing Emma to question both his love for her and whether he has lost his mind."

Themes charity, check, family, golden years, lottery, love, marriage, old age, radio show, retirement, sacrifice, sanity, winner.

See also Dave Brandl's:

• “Bus Stop Baptism,” a 15-minute comedy set at a downtown bus stop, early evening, 1992, 1m1f
• “An Encounter with an Interviewer,” a 10-minute comedy, in English, set in Mark Twain’s home, the late 1800’s, 1m1f
• “The Facts Concerning the Recent Carnival of Crime in Connecticut,” a 20-minute comedy in English, set at Mark Twain's home, morning, last century, 1m2f
• “Places, Please!” a 20-minute comedy set at a table in an intimate lounge, evening,1996, 2m2f
• “A True Story Repeated Word for Word as I Heard It,” a 10-minute comedy-drama in English, set at the home where Rachel works, after the Civil War, 1f
• “The Undertaker's Chat,” a 5-minute comedy in English, set at a small town funeral home, last century, 1m

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Page updated May 17, 1998, and  June 20, 2000, by the site Webmaster.
 
 

by Lewis W. Heniford
(Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 1995), ISBN 0-8108-2985-1, $39.50, plus s/h
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