Crossroads introduction

by Pickles Company

Summary

Fate or coincidence? Right or left? Yin or Yang? How much choice do we really have in the things that happen to us?

If Mel had arrived 5 seconds later, he never would have met Sinead, he might have met someone else or maybe he would have met nobody. If he hadn’t mixed up the day of his interview, he could have…

Are we really free from our destiny? Isn’t it essential to find happiness and bring happiness to the people around us? That’s already a big enough task!

Short story

A boy runs into a girl on his way to a job interview. She is an environmental activist. Their encounter will change things. The boy will have to make decisions, but which is the right one?​

Why is this play called “Crossroads”, according to you?​

Characters

MEL

A young man, a Dublin local, recently finished his studies in computer programming and web design. Desperately in the search for a job so

he can help his mother look after his granny. Frazzled and forgetful, he ends up in the wrong (or the right) place all the time. Caring and

loyal, Mel defends those he holds dear and will go out of his way to help them.

Characters

SINEAD/SKYE

Skye, aka Sinead, is a young woman with a cause; on the run from her past - running so fast she moved from Cork to Dublin to escape it.

Sinead has a knack for taking things that aren’t hers - both accidentally and on purpose. An activist for Greenpeace, she ended up biting off more than she can chew.

Characters

MAXINE

Maxine, also a young activist, is on the pursuit of Skye. A sell out and betrayer - she betrays her friends and fellow activists for money, but

also for the opportunity to be listened to. An old friend, perhaps an old lover of Skye, the friendship turns sour when Skye discovers her

betrayal and her plans.

Characters

BOW

Brute like, Bow will go to any means to get what she wants. The boss/the leader of Maxine - she has to answer to Bow.

Characters

GRANDMOTHER MARGARET: The grandmother of Mel who lives in a retirement village. She suffers from Alzheimer, but is as sharp as a tac.

SECRETARY: The woman organising the interview slots for Mel’s programming job interview. Stern and efficient.

NURSE: Looks after grandmother Margaret in the retirement home.

Vocabulary

Question 1:

Complete the following lines from the play with the appropriate word (mind, stick, sucker, fancy, count, hospitality).

Fill in the Blanks

I don’t want to

my chickens.

(mind, stick, sucker, fancy, count, hospitality)

Fill in the Blanks

running into you.

(mind, stick, sucker, fancy, count, hospitality)

Fill in the Blanks

We can't

around here.

(mind, stick, sucker, fancy, count, hospitality)

Fill in the Blanks

You're the new tea boy, aren't you? You're the new

.

(mind, stick, sucker, fancy, count, hospitality)

Fill in the Blanks

your own business. It would be better for everyone.

(mind, stick, sucker, fancy, count, hospitality)

Fill in the Blanks

I don't want to abuse your

. I'll leave early tomorrow morning.

(mind, stick, sucker, fancy, count, hospitality)

Vocabulary

Unscramble the letters to find the word corresponding to the definition.

Fill in the Blanks

An advocate for a cause

VICTASTI

Fill in the Blanks

Someone who deceives another

DRUAF

Fill in the Blanks

A senseless pursuit of something unattainable.

LIWD OOGES SEACH

Fill in the Blanks

The advocation for the protection of natural resources.

GLOOCEY

Fill in the Blanks

In disarray.

SEMEDS UP

Fill in the Blanks

An ignorant, silly or foolish person.

STNOMILPE

Open Ended

What is deforestation?

Open Ended

What is overfishing?

Open Ended

What are endangered species?

Open Ended

What is fast fashion?

STATEMENTS GAME

EVERYBODY, STAND UP

There is no such thing as free will. Everything is fated to happen.​

Extreme activism is okay if it is for the right cause.​​

It’s the younger generation’s responsibility to look after the older generation.​​​

Stealing is sometimes okay.​​​​

If something happens by accident, it’s not your responsibility to fix it.​​​​​

ENJOY THE PLAY!