Scripts

Scripts EAE Portfolio By: Oh Jing Xuan



Contents DNA of My Community--------------- (4) Afterword on DNA of My Community-------------------------- (6) The Legend of Chinese New Year-- (7) Afterword on The Legend of Chinese New Year---------------- (15) The Lost Train------------------------- (16) Afterword on The Lost Train-- (20)

DNA of My Community “Regardless of race, language or religion”. A known term in the pledge that every Singaporean knows, written by one of our founding leaders, the late S.Rajaratnam. But what does this signify to us, Singaporeans? What does this mean to be part of our DNA? And what makes us stand out from the rest of the world? Firstly, our multiracial society. This is a common answer amongst every Singaporean. Chinese, Malay, Indian, Eurasians, etc. This is one of our specialties of what makes up Singapore. If we take a step back to look at other countries, such as the Americas, the stereotype of white supremacy always remain dominant, until President Obama took presidency. This changed the stereotype of white supremacy. In an interview with President Obama, he explained that “There is not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America—There is the United States Of America”. His reply sparked a unity between the Americans, regardless of race. Looking at Singapore, we are fortunate to not have any discrepancies among other races. Singapore in fact, promotes racial integration and harmony. For example, of how we live, the Ethnic Integration Policy. This policy, in coherent to the multiracial society, maintains a good ethnic mix among Singaporeans. Of course, this is only one way to promote a multiracial society. Having a multiracial society does pass on to the younger generation, who celebrates Racial Harmony Day in schools by wearing different ethnic costumes and to taste a bit of different cultural food. In public, we tend to see friends of different ethnic groups coming together, enjoying their time. All these actions build the harmony amongst different racial groups and, that flows in everybody’s veins. In a United Nations speech by RM of BTS, he mentioned, “No matter who you are, where you’re from, your skin colour, your gender identity, just speak yourself”. Indirectly, he specified unity amongst different people from different backgrounds. No matter where we are from, no matter what social status we have, we are still one people, unified by a diversity of races. Secondly, language. In Article 14 of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore, it guarantees Singapore citizens the right to have the freedom of speech and expression, peaceful assembly without arms and association. We have our freedom in our language use wherever we are, and we are more fortunate than what we expect. In other countries, some do not even have the right to speak up for their own opinion, and have to comply with their leader’s orders. A small mishap on the citizen’s part, who knows what will happen to them. Whereas in Singapore, we speak up to the government for what we think can be changed. Our opinions are never wrong to anyone and that it gives everyone the chance to speak up for their rights. Everyone’s opinion is cherished among Singaporeans and we can think for ourselves, our opinions and how we change Singapore in the coming future. Similarly, in Singapore’s recollection, “They spoke a dozen different tongues. Though their dreams were all the same. But their hopes for a better life were lost. When war and invasion came.” It talked about our people coming from all walks of life who spoke different tongues but yet, they still were together despite all odds. In our everyday life, we walk pass many different people who spoke dialects, different languages and Singlish. Singlish, is what Singaporeans say to show our uniqueness. It is a combination of many different languages, in which we ‘rojak’ them together to form Singlish. No matter where you are in the world, when you here a “lah”, “lorh” and other Singlish terms, it represents our way of life, to stand out on a

global level. May it not be an official language known to others, or we face some who disagree on the use of Singlish, Singlish is a term that we should all be proud of as this is our specialty, our identity and our pride as one nation. Thirdly, our history. Our DNA comes from our ancestors who build Singapore to where it stands today, a utopia. We are the future generations of how Singapore is going to be in the coming years. If we take look back, we had come far, 54 years to be exact, since our independence. This year, we celebrate the bicentennial of our country, ever since Sir Stamford Raffles first stepped foot on this island-turned-metropolis. Now, Singapore is a first-world country. In one of the old National Day song, We Are Singapore by Hugh Harrison in 1987, the first line quoted, “There was a time when people said that Singapore won’t make it, but we did”. The line spoke of our early post-war Singapore, where troubles arise often. The people back then suffered so much blood, sweat and tears to build what stands now. We can still see these pioneers of the 20th century from our Grandparents and even parents. Who’ve been through the tumultuous times during the Second World War. Thankfully, the history of Singapore is passed on to the younger generation, who now appreciate the ancestors who trudged along the Temasek rivers, hoping for a community who will last long through the years that come. Singapore faced many revolutions, people who shaped the country, and those who help along for the future generations. One major revolution was the call of “Merdeka!” The man who started it all is the founder of the nation, the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew. He was a man who wanted self-governance for the people. In one of his early rallies for Singapore, he explained that “Once in a long while in the story of a people, there comes a great moment of change. Tonight is such a moment in our lives. We begin a new chapter in the history of Singapore”. He shaped Singapore to what we see now, a city in a garden. Unfortunately, he passed on before witnessing the Jubilee year for Singapore, our 50 years of independence. However, his efforts did not go to waste and we can see that he paved the way for many influencers to guide Singaporeans to a greater future. And without him, our Singapore would not survive. With all this history, it comes celebration. To celebrate our achievements as a country and reflect on what we can do better. This is a time to be happy for one another, cherish our friends who stood beside us, to reflect on what we can do better and finally, be proud to be one Singapore.

Afterword on DNA of My Community This script was for a competition I attended, Plain English Speaking Competition, or PESA for short. For the upper secondary category, the theme given was “DNA of My Community”, hence the title. We are to speak about what makes Singapore unique as compared to the other countries. Of course, I spoke about our multiracial family, our plethora of languages spoken and our humble beginnings. Although I did not enter the semi-finals, it was still an amazing opportunity to be filmed with the other hand- picked juniors. In fact, I was the only upper secondary student to be chosen by my teachers to represent the school in such a competition. Nonetheless, I learned many interesting ideas from my juniors’ speech, ideas that sprang out of the box, even for me to comprehend. This competition was really an experience to participate in since the school rarely allow us to participate in English related competitions. But I am proud that I have entered this competition with a heart of pride.

The Legend of Chinese New Year Narrator There isn’t a single spirit who doesn’t know about Chinese New Year. It is a tradition of happiness, good will, prosperity, and for some… Money. Every year, the Chinese welcome relatives for house warming. Whether to play Mah-Jong, to reconcile with relatives that you didn’t know existed, or to exchange red packets to replenish that miniscule bank, everyone is still happy! But not many know the legend that surrounds Chinese New Year. A freak that torments the people, a beast that strikes fear into the hearts of villagers, a ferocious monster who many calls, “Nian”. This is the story of the Legend of Chinese New Year.

Scene 1 There will be 4 people ‘playing’ Mah-Jong, a group of people (5) surrounding a dinner table, enjoying drinks. The atmosphere is lively, with the family talking very excitedly Doorbell rings Relative: 他们终于来了！ The people would line up in a straight row to welcome a family of 4 (Mother, Father, a 17 year old teenager and his younger sibling who is 8 years old) The family would shake hands with the relatives, giving the children red packets. The younger sibling would reach the last person, their grandmother, and hold up an orange. Younger Sibling: 阿妈，新年快乐，万事如意，心想事成，身体健康！ Grandmother: 乖孩子 In return, Grandmother gave the child a red packet Everyone goes back to their original positions, the teenager with the 5 people and the younger sibling with their grandmother Relative So how is your O-Level? Where you planning to go ah? Can go JC or not? The teenager shyly smiles at his relative, shrugging and refusing to answer Younger Sibling: 阿妈，why do we have to celebrate Chinese New Year one ah? Isn’t it just to give red packet then say hi hi then go home already? Grandmother 孩子呀，It’s not just give only. You also have to appreciate Chinese New Year. If not the Nian come eat you! Younger Sibling

Nian? What is that? Can eat one anot? Is it 年糕？年饭? 年菜? Eeee then I don’t want already Grandmother No… Nian is an ancient Chinese legend. Many people say this monster come every lunar month to hunt the villagers. He even kill animals one. Younger sibling Wah what’s that sia. Eh tell me leh，阿妈. Grandmother 哎哟，ok ok I tell you 从前，在中国的古老传说里，有一个乡村。。。

Scene 2 The background is an old village. The village is scrambling to run back into their homes. There is still an old lady who is still attempting to walk home Announcer 除夕降至，诸家戒防！ 奶奶在这儿是要被年吃了吗？赶紧回家！ The old lady shakes her head in disappointment as she continues to limp home. An old man suddenly appeared, wandering around the streets. He stopped the old lady, attempting to question her Old Lady 请问老伯在这儿是来做什么？为什么不回屋子呢？ Old Man 啊，老伯不是来自这乡村的，我是从东部来到这。请问乡村的人都跑去哪儿了？为什么乡 村这么安静？ Old Lady 难道你不知道吗？年要来了，每个人都躲在屋子里了。 Old Man 原来如此 The Old Man walked around the Old Lady, seems to be thinking of something. Until he suddenly halted in his steps. Old Man 我知道了！我知道怎样打败年了！我只要一晚，我答应你我会解决它！ Old Lady 你疯了吗？年不是人，又不是什么动物。年是一个怪物！你还有勇气说你会解决它？你真 是疯了！ The Old Lady attempted to leave but was stopped by the Old Man again Old Man

奶奶，请相信我。我答应你，我会打败它。但如果我失败的话，我会让年吃我！ Old Lady 要不您来我家休息一会儿，不必想太多。年太危险了，世界上哪儿有人可以打败它？真是 的！ Old Man 奶奶不必担心，看我打败年！ The Old Man flexes his non-existent muscles Old Lady 不不，我赶紧回家。如果您要打败年的话，去吧！我不要死！ The Old Lady leaves the stage, but before she left, she commented on the Old Man. Old Lady 真是有病了！

Scene 3 Old Man 为什么奶奶不相信我呢？怪物也有弱点的吗！乡村这么暗，都没什么灯。它天亮时都不会 出现，但在天暗时出现。它只在这一晚出来。不是很怪吗？这就在说：年怕灯！怕亮！怕 红！ 这是因为年只在这一晚吃人，这表现出年不想让人们庆祝新年。所以，它讨厌新年！为了 打败年，我们必须用它讨厌的东西来解决它！你们听得懂吗？ The Old Man questions the audience Old Man 不必担心！你们看就行了。 The Old Man takes out red strips of paper from his bag and starts pasting it around the walls of the stage. He then proceeds to take out fake firecrackers and place it around the houses. Old Man 现在，我们等待年吧！ After the Old Man’s preparations, he hides behind a table tennis table, wielding a firecracker, waiting for Nian.

Scene 4 Nian appears on stage, creepily wandering around the houses, sniffing out for prey. A firecracker is suddenly heard in the distance. Nian shot up immediately, drawn to the mysterious sound and starts to walk towards the sound. In the meanwhile, the villagers start to move some table tennis tables with red paper on it behind Nian. When Nian gets too close to the sounds, the Old Man jumps out from his hiding spot, shoving a firecracker in its face. Firecrackers starts imploding Nian shrieks in horror as it backs up slowly. Unfortunately, Nian crashes right into the table tennis table behind it that is covered in red papers. The Old Man intimidates Nian by teasing it with the firecracker, attempting to ‘feed’ it. Nian becomes trapped within bright flashes of light and bright red papers. Being encapsulated, Nian tries to run away, attempting to find an escape route. When all seems futile, it runs down the steps of the stage and runs backstage. The crowd of villagers and the Old Man continues to chase Nian, following it backstage too.

Scene 5 Grandmother And that’s how the Legend of Chinese New Year came to be. Nian was the one who started it all and the one to be ended. I hope you learnt more about the tradition of Chinese New Year, have you? The Younger Sibling nods faithfully and with excitement. Relative 饭煮好了！每个人来吃吧！ Grandmother 来，Jia Beng! (Hokkien dialect for let’s eat)

Afterword on the Legend of Chinese New Year This script was really fun to make for Chinese New Year 2020. My Higher Chinese teacher was looking for ideas on how to make this year’s CNY interesting, since every year was almost the same and students are falling asleep during assembly. I raised the idea of having a short skit as a final project together as HCL Class of 2019. My teacher was immediately hooked onto the idea of a performance and we collaborated with our juniors to play a mini part in a video skit. Although the actual video is totally different from my original script, but the gist of it was there. My teachers commended me for saving their headaches of finding talents for CNY 2020, since this script takes almost half the show! Regardless, I was pleasantly surprised that the school enjoyed the performance, since they can laugh at their friends in the video for doing weird antics. In the end, it was indeed a wondrous final project as a HCL student, since I took at least half the credit for writing a new story to life, and saving the sanity of my teachers. ~

The Lost Train The window frosted around me train window pane, another winter I guess. Seems that it keeps chasing after me, another frostbite, another cold season. “Sorry old man, may I sit here?” Old man? What old man? I’m merely just a 50 year old man! Who dares call me an old man? I turned to see which wretched person dared say that… A young girl… “Sit, sit… Just sit” “What ye looking at, little girl?” She was looking at me. “Oh, it’s my habit to look at other’s facial expressions. You look sad.” “What ye talkin about? I a happy man! And ye know it’s rude to stare at other people ye know!” “Oh… I didn’t know that… I’m sorry that you are not sad” What? That’s not what I mean! “Whatever. What ye name little girl?” “Wendy” “Wendy eh? Where ye parents?” She did not reply. What is with this girl? An ordinary girl with two ponytails and a small dress… Why do I feel so uncomfortable around her? “What’s your name, old man?” “Jonas” Wendy sudden laughed. “What so funny about my name eh girl?” “It’s so funny because it reminds me of my uncle named Uncle Jonas! I would always call him cranky because he’s always cranky… like you!” Humph! She dare call me cranky! I ain’t a cranky man! “Look kid, where ye parents?”

“Are you happy? Uncle Cranky Jonas? About your life?” What is with her? Asking such deep questions. “I a happy man, I say! Why? Do you think I’m not?” “People often think they are happy when they live in denial. I don’t understand why they should. Oftentimes the people I see here are all unhappy, I tried talking to them but they either shoo me away or ignore me. You’re the first, Uncle Cranky Jonas, who ever listened to me after so many years” “How old are ye Wendy?” “Have you ever caught a falling maple leaf? They say when you catch one, you will fall in love with the person you’re walking with!” “That probably just a myth kid. Ye still young, you will understand when you get older” “No! It’s true! I seen that happen! My parents did it and they fell in love!” “Whatever, kid” “Have you ever held hands with your parents?” “When I was young” “That’s good… How did that feel?” “That feels very connected ye know. Having that relationship with ye parents is a once in a lifetime experience, ye know?” “Why once in a lifetime? Shouldn’t you hold their hands till they move on?” “Err, that’s a bit embarrassing. A grown up holding their parents’ hands. It look as if ye still being pampered” “How’s the relationship now?” “We kind of drifted ye know. I’m goin back to me countryside home soon. Can’t wait to see me wife and kids” “So why not meet your parents before getting back? They are your family after all” “Err, no thanks kid.” “Well, I don’t have my parents anymore… Because they were killed in a fire by some lunatics and I… well have nowhere to go except here. Oh how much I wish to see them again… To hold their hands once I reach there” Reach where? What is with this kid? She looks so sad.

“Err, Wendy, would ye like to play 5 stones?” Wendy’s eyes immediately lit up. “Yes! Uncle Cranky Jonas! I played it when I was still living in that house!” I threw the stones at her and watched her play. She was a professional at 5 stones, instantaneously catching all the stones in her small palm. She played as I witnessed her ability. Reminds me of how I taught my kiddos back at home how to play. They weren’t as good as her though. I grinned as she boasted her skills to me. She played along for at least an hour before I had to stop her. “I gotta go now kid. It’s me station now” “Uncle Cranky Jonas, did your parents taught you how to play 5 stones?” “Ye, they did” “Perhaps you should teach them again! I think they forgotten how to play. And in the meanwhile, you should catch up on them to see how they are! Their health is deteriorating, and they miss you. Go on ahead, catch up on their lives again, Uncle Cranky Jonas” Thinking about it, maybe I should. I nodded at her as I stood up to leave. “Thank you, Uncle Cranky Jonas. Because of you, I can finally meet my parents” “Erm, okay. Nice to meet you too, Wendy” I exited out of the train to only meet the train conductor. Worried about Wendy, I decided to ask where she was headed to. “What girl? Ye okay mate? I ain’t seeing any small girl with two ponytails around the train.” I was confused to the train conductor’s reply as I headed to my parents’ home. As I reached my parents’ home, they felt relieved that I came back. “Boy, who asked you to come back home?” “A young girl named Wendy that I met on the train told me to meet you” The two suddenly became shocked at the name. “Did ye say Wendy, boy?” “Is something matter?” “There was once a girl named Wendy that we met on the train when ye mom and I met. She told us that we will have a love at first sight and indeed we met on the train.”

“What is most peculiar is that, boy… She was killed by accidentally falling onto the train tracks on a incoming train a few years before ye mom and I met. Rumours say that she haunts the train station, waiting for people to push them down the traintracks… Boy, are ye sure that her name is Wendy?” “Absolutely. But she looked nice, and we had a conversation. She is the nicest girl I ever met! And I believe that, mom, dad… She is finally with her parents once again”.

Afterword on the Lost Train This was my first ever attempt in writing a script out of leisure. I got the inspiration of a train after watching an emotional horror movie, Train to Busan, casted by Gong Yoo and Kim Soo-Ahn with many others. I attempted to create a slight horror at the end where Wendy was actually a vengeful spirit “manipulating” Jonas. In the end, it was helping Jonas to link back with his parents. But nonetheless, it was a first attempt; so many ideas will clash around and change the whole story in one sentence. I also decided for some odd reason that Jonas was an old Western Texan man with a strong accent and a bad temper. That amplifies the soft heart of Jonas when encountered with a cute innocent girl. I was relatively impressed that I was able to complete this script during the holidays, instead of just scrapping it. Now, I am glad that I have written this script for you, readers, to read! ~