An Intermediate duologue. Two buskers find themselves in conflict over who has the right to use a particular corner to do their busking. There is some one-upmanship involved until eventually they come to a compromise.
BUSKING
(INTERMEDIATE DUOLOGUE)
Michele Lourie c 2015
(Busker 1 walks on and starts to set up. Busker 2 arrives and is surprised)
BUSKER 2: Excuse me, but you can’t set up here.
BUSKER 1: (looks around) Why not?
BUSKER 2: Because this is my corner. I busk here every week.
BUSKER 1: But you don’t own it, do you? I mean I can’t see you’re name
anywhere as if you’ve reserved it.
BUSKER 2: No of course not. But I always play here.
BUSKER 1: So you said, but I’m afraid that doesn’t exclude anyone else from
playing here.
BUSKER 2: You don’t understand. The people who pass by here regularly
know my music and support me.
BUSKER 1: Maybe those regulars would like a change.
BUSKER 2: That’s not a nice thing to say. Those people always drop a lot of
coins into my cap.
BUSKER 1: Good, then I’d better get set up quickly and start playing so I
don’t miss out.
(Busker 2 moves away and starts setting up. The two buskers glare at each other)
BUSKER 2: (sings) La, la, la, la …..
(The buskers continue to glare at each other and use their instruments as threatening objects)
BUSKER 2: (calls out) I’m going to do a dance when I play some of my songs.
BUSKER 1: (calls back) Dance all you like. I will do my tricks like playing with a
blindfold.
(There is a short pause as they finish setting up – then Busker 1 moves over to Busker 2)
Truce? I just had an idea.
BUSKER 2: (suspiciously) What?
BUSKER 1: Why don’t we join forces. I’ll do my tricks and you do your dancing
as we play.
BUSKER 2: Yes, great idea! Let’s do it, let’s work out a program.
(They hi-five)
