LECTURE WEEK 6 BY LIM JIE ROU

 TASK 1

Scene: After a chaotic shift, in the break room

Marcus (half-laughing, tossing his apron on a chair):

“Well, that was a trainwreck in three acts.”

Cherry (tight-lipped, wiping her hands):

“Thanks for the support.”

Marcus (raising an eyebrow):

“Hey, I’m just saying—next time the register explodes, maybe don’t freeze like a deer in headlights.”

Cherry (sharply):

“I didn’t freeze. I was figuring it out.”

Marcus (grinning, poking):

“Sure. After standing there like you forgot what a latte was.”

Cherry (snaps):

“I held the floor when you disappeared to ‘fix the blender’ for twenty minutes.”

Marcus (mock offended):

“Excuse me, I was performing essential duct tape-based maintenance.”

Grace (stepping in, calm but firm):

“Zane, lay off. She held it together. Better than most would.”

Marcus (shrugging):

“Relax, it’s just banter.”

Cherry (coldly):

“Maybe don’t call it ‘banter’ when it’s punching down.”

Marcus (pausing, expression shifting slightly):

“…Fair.”

Grace (softly, to Cherry):

“Don’t let him get to you. Today was rough, but you showed up. That counts.”

Cherry (quiet, but firm):

“I’m not here to be a joke. I’m here to get better.”

Task 2

Write a short character sketch of someone in your family. Write a monologue in which that person tells you an anecdote from his or her childhood.

Character Sketch: My Grandfather

My grandfather, Paul, is a tall, wiry man with a weathered face and kind, crinkled eyes. His silver hair is always neatly combed, and he walks with the steady grace of someone who’s seen the world change many times over. Paul has a quiet strength—he doesn’t speak much unless he has something meaningful to say, but when he does, everyone listens. He loves old music, gardening, and telling stories from "the old days" with a twinkle in his eye. Though time has made him slower, it hasn’t dulled his sharp wit or warm heart.

Monologue: Paul’s Story

Paul settles into his armchair with a sigh, clasping his hands over his walking stick.

Paul:

Ahh, you want to hear a story, do you? Alright, let me tell you about the time I almost got suspended from school—me, your strait-laced old Paul!

I was about your age—twelve, I think. It was the year the monsoon came early. The schoolyard was flooded for weeks, and we had to take off our shoes and roll up our pants just to get to the classrooms. One morning, my best friend Francis and I had this brilliant idea. We thought, "Why not build a raft from the old bamboo behind the storeroom?"

So, we skipped our first class and did just that. Found some rope, lashed the poles together—it wasn’t exactly seaworthy, but it floated. We were so proud. We paddled across the muddy schoolyard like explorers crossing the Amazon.

Of course, we didn’t see the headmaster watching from the office window.

When he caught us, I thought it was the end of my academic career. He shouted, “You two think this is a picnic? A resort?” I was shaking. Rafi tried to blame it all on me—traitor! But instead of suspending us, the headmaster made us give a speech at morning assembly… about water safety.

You know, sometimes the consequences aren't what you expect. That speech? It’s when I realized I liked talking to people. Maybe that’s why I ended up a teacher, huh?

He chuckles to himself, then looks at me with a wink.

So, remember—adventure is good. Just maybe don’t get caught.