The B.A.N.G Gang: Scene 1 Act 2
"I have an idea for a cool skill I can teach! I’ve even got a book about it. It’s the ancient Japanese skill of origami!"
ARON, a slow-moving fellow who likes to take life easy
BORUCH, trying to cope with a big sister who always knows better
NOSSON, clever and articulate, often talks in italics to make a point
GERSHON, creative and quick to think of new ideas
GERSHON: Hi, anyone on the line yet?
NOSSON: Yeah, me — Nosson.
[click — enter Boruch]
BORUCH: Hi there, it’s Boruch! I just barely managed to escape my big sister’s clutches. She was giving me yet another lecture on keeping my room tidy, yada yada yada.
GERSHON: [sympathetically] Oh, boy. So we’re just waiting for Aron now. Aron?
ARON: [yawning loudly] Hey, chill, guys, I’m here. I was just making myself comfortable on the couch.
GERSHON: Okay, guys, to business. Given the success of the B.A.N.G. Gang’s mission—
[mutterings are heard containing the words “oh, yeah?” and “what about the flood?” “shoe polish” and “dogs”]
GERSHON: Hey, guys, can we think positive here? The B.A.N.G. Gang, represented by Nosson, scored a hit recently, and that’s what matters. Now, it’s time for a new project. I’ve been thinking: you know how it gets boring around here in the afternoons, once all our school teleconferences are finished? Well, why don’t we teach each other new skills!
BORUCH: [doubtfully] New skills? What type of skills d’you mean? Like, my older sister does flower arranging, and my other sister knits....
[dismissive sounds show what they think]
NOSSON: I have an idea for a cool skill I can teach! I’ve even got a book about it. [He pauses for effect] It’s the ancient Japanese skill of origami!
[a bemused silence greets his announcement]
BORUCH: What? Isn’t that some kind of big ocean wave?
GERSHON: Nah, that’s a tsunami.
NOSSON: Origami has nothing to do with ocean waves. It’s about folding paper into interesting shapes. Like, you can make a bird out of paper by folding it, without any cutting or gluing.
BORUCH: Who needs a paper bird?
NOSSON: [leafing through his book] That was just an example. Hey! Listen to this! It says, “Blast off with this easy origami rocket.”
GERSHON: Hey, I wouldn’t mind making a rocket.
[there are general noises of consent]
NOSSON: Okay, everyone, grab a sheet of paper, and I’ll instruct you over the phone.
[Gershon and Boruch hurry off in search of paper. Nosson snatches up a sheet lying nearby, with some vague scribbles on it]
NOSSON: Ready, everyone?
the other boys: Yeah!
NOSSON: Okay. Take your paper, fold it in half — left to right — and unfold.
ARON: [mumbling to himself] What did Nosson say? Left to right or right to left? I don’t suppose it makes a difference.
NOSSON: Now fold the paper in half again, top to bottom, and unfold.
BORUCH: What?
NOSSON: Shh, I’m onto the next step already. Fold the top edge to the center.
GERSHON: What d’you mean?
NOSSON: Exactly what I said. Now, turn the paper over. Fold the top left and right corners to meet at the middle.
ARON: You lost me.
NOSSON: Pay attention, will you? Now fold the left and right edges to meet at the middle. We’ll fold out these flaps next.
ARON: I give up. I’m going back to my couch — oh, right, I’m already on it.
BORUCH: Are you sure this is meant to be a rocket? Mine looks like a moldy banana.
GERSHON: Mine looks like a squashed tomato.
ARON: Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
NOSSON: Well, if you’d follow my instructions —
BORUCH: It’s all very well for you. You’ve got the pictures to help.
NOSSON: I’m sure I’d manage even without. Now, fold—
[a loud screech is heard. Enter Nosson’s kid sister Kayla]: WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
BORUCH: [holding the phone away from his ear]: Ouch! What’s going on?
GERSHON: I need earplugs! Nosson? What’s happening?
NOSSON: Yikes!
KAYLA: You took my paper! An’ you’re squashing it up!
NOSSON: Sorry! I didn’t know it was yours, honest. I just saw this paper lying around, all scribbled up, and I thought nobody needed it.
KAYLA: Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!! Nosson’s saying mean things about my picture!
[enter Nosson’s mother]: Nosson?
All 4 boys: Bye!
To be continued…
(Originally featured in Mishpacha Jr., Issue 814)
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