FATHER
MOTHER
BABY
YOUNG CHILD

Tonight we present a message that spans the centuries; a message that has survived the ice age, the black plague, the Spanish inquisition, the holocaust, and just might survive the 20th century.

HAPPY FAMILIES!!  Happy Families?  (breaking into song)  "Can't live with 'em.  Can't live without 'em."

There are many facets that make up family life in this great decade of the 90s.  It is certainly one of life's greatest mysteries, and nothing less than a miracle that the family unit has stood the test of time as the backbone of society. 
(Lights on baby playing on the floor) 
As a family begins to grow, the joys of procreation are well balanced by the tensions that rise when independence begins to challenge strong family ties.
(Father enters, and begins playing with child). 
What we see developing in this loving household is the very first signs of a love-hate relationship between child and parent. 
(As Father touches child on the cheek, child bites Father on the finger. Father holds back a scream as he shakes his finger wildly) 
These kinds of relationships can become quite complex at times. 
(Father is about to throttle child, when child starts crying. Mother storms in to the child's rescue, and it's on for young and old. Father cowers off stage with Mother in hot pursuit.)

TEENAGER
FATHER

Years later, this love-hate mentality reveals itself in different forms.

(Well-dressed Father enters, fixing tie and checking briefcase in preparation for work. Teenage son enters.)         

TEEN (attempting to butter Dad up)  Hey Dad, I dig your tie! What a smooth- looking business man. Oh, by the way, I should have the lawn and  edging done today.

DAD  (looking pleasantly surprised) Oh, that's good Son.

TEEN  Ah, Dad...a few of me mates were going down to Timezone tonight. Do you think I could..?
DAD  You know the rules. No play till the work's ...

TEEN (outraged)  Rules! Rules! Rules! You parents are all the same!  You never let us do anything.  I wish you'd just drop off the face of the earth! (Walks out in disgust.)

FATHER
MOTHER
2 OR 3 CHILDREN

Now here's a scene you'll be familiar with.  The dining table is the traditional place where strong and lasting relationships are built in the family through open communication, a strong sense of trust, and a loving, caring atmosphere.

(LIGHTS on to reveal a family at the dining table.  The TV is blaring, Dad is reading the paper, two kids are fighting, Mum is dishing up slop and yelling at the kids. Every now and then Dad says "Shut up!" or clouts one of the kids.)

This kind of caring environment not only builds trust and security, but reinforces the authority of the parents, who are the true leaders of this important embryo of society.  John McEnroe is a man who has always understood the need for authority in family life, and this has stood him in good stead in all other areas of life.

JOHN McENROE
MRS. McENROE
MR. McENROE

(John's father and mother are sitting at the table eating breakfast.  John jogs in with tennis racquet, sits at the table and spills his orange juice.) 

MRS. McENROE John, you spilt your orange juice.

JOHN Mother, I did not spill my orange juice.

MRS. McENROE John, I saw you spill your orange juice.

JOHN (agitated)  I don't believe it!  I need a second opinion on this!  Father, did I spill my orange juice?

MR. McENROE Yes, son, you spilt your orange juice.

JOHN (in outrage)  Oh, you guys are the pits of the earth!  I'm going out to kill an umpire!  (Storms out)

2 YOUNG SISTERS

We continue our Theme of "Happy Families" with a side of family life that only a few manage to escape - Sibling Rivalry.

(2 girls fighting over dress, saying phrases like,"It's my dress, it's my dress...")

THE SAME 2 SISTERS - NOW OLDER

It is encouraging to know that children almost always grow out of this phase, and in adult years the real love that has been hidden begins to shine forth like a beacon in the night, to bloom like a field of daffodils.

VOICE OVER Ah, shut up!

SISTER 1 (emotionally, tearfully) I can't believe I'm going to see my sister again ...after all these years.  Any moment now she's going to walk through that door! I'm going to lose it. I just know I am!

(Sister 2 enters.  They both scream and run towards each other, throwing their arms around each other with uncontrollable emotion, and using emotional words of greeting. Suddenly they stop, step back from each other and look at each other's dress, horrified.) 

TOGETHER (with contempt)  That's MY dress!!

YOUNG MALE

Freedom from Mum and Dad as a child grows through adolescence and into adulthood; bringing with it a sense of independence, capability and responsibility.  At this point, the rewards of a strong family upbringing are finally reaped in a young adult's life.

(Sloppily dressed young adult man enters, rummaging through unfolded clothes, sports equipment, papers, etc.)

YOUNG MALE (frustrated)  Where did I put that? ...Oh, no I've run out jocks again.

(Throwing things around the room as he searches, picks up the phone and dials. Pause.)

YOUNG MALE Mum, my washing machine's broken down... You don't suppose I could drop a load of washing over on my way to Uni?...Mum?...Mum?...(tapping phone)

MRS. LANGER
ALFIE LANGER

Some people find that family ties are so strong, they prefer to stay within the walls of security that the family offers.  This well-known young man is a fine example of what we term 'Mama's Little Boy.'

(Mrs. Langer working in the kitchen.  A football hurtles across the stage and she ducks to miss it.  Alfie jogs in.)

MRS. LANGER Now Alfie, you know the rules...You can't play until you've had your Captain Mighty Bread.

ALFIE OK Mum.  (She hands him a sandwich and gives him a kiss, passing him the football.  He runs off.)