Yo-yo G.E.M.
Puppet Play Script

Music intro
As music fades Wanda appears holding a stuffed toy.

Wanda
(looking at pictures on the wall and pointing at the fangs)
Wow look at those big white fangs! They ‘re so sharp, they could chomp a little Dandhan like me with no problem. Sammy at school says that these nasty Munghans eat us Dandhans for midnight snacks! I’m glad The Bergomungha is away on business, he’s really scary. Miss Bertha seems nice so far, but she could be just waiting till the Bergomungha gets home.
(starts walking toward front of stage)
How could Dad send me away here all by myself? Toby gets to stay home just ‘cause he’s older. It’s not fair! Why did Mom have to get so sick? Everything bad happens to me!
(door Slams) Oh! (to stuffed toy in her arms) Shhhhhh! At least I have my puppy with me.
(gets to front of stage and notices audience)
Oh, hi I’m glad you guys are there.
(pauses, sighs, leans on front rail)
Ever feel like a yo-yo, up, down, up, down? Remember when I was so upset because I couldn’t play soccer very well? I was mad and sad all at the same time. Until my big brother Toby came home and told me that I was just the way God made me - I’m one of God’s Extra-special Me’s. Then I felt so happy and glad. Toby started calling me GEM as a nickname. (pause) Now my Mom is really sick and I get shipped off over here into the lions’ den - well they’re not lions, but with those big fangs (pointing at photos) they might just as well be - I could still end up being a munchy Munghan meal!

(stage whisper to audience)
Hey, wanna see what I found when I was snooping around in the basement? C’mon follow me downstairs, but be real quiet so Miss Bertha doesn’t hear us.
(goes down below and pokes her head out of the curtains over top of the treasure chest)
See, look at this. It’s a treasure chest just like the one Toby has. But I bet it doesn’t have gems inside. Know what I think? I think it has (gulps) bones - yup, I bet it has all the bones of the Dandhans they ate for snacks! Should I open it up?
       (just as Wanda reaches for the lid she hears Miss Bertha call her name and she jumps back inside the curtain)

Bertha
(not seen, yelling loudly and sternly) Wanda. Wanda what are you doing down there?

Wanda
Oh no, here she comes!

Bertha
You found my treasure chest? My treasure! Help me drag that back here, we may need that later.

Wanda
(under her breath as they drag the chest back in through the curtains.) Oh, no!

Bertha
Now, run along upstairs. I have to check the oven and then I’ll be right up. We’ll have a nice chat. You’ve been so upset about your Mom and I’ve been so busy with preparations for you we haven’t gotten to know each other yet. (Bertha goes off thinking out loud) Now, let me see I need to get the spices and sharpen the carving knife and ....
(voice trails off , hear Wanda running up the stairs)

Wanda
(out of breath as she appears on stage) I’m sooooo scared! I wish Toby was here. He’d know what to do. Maybe the GEM song will make me feel better. (weakly starts to sing chorus)
I’m a GEM, I’m a GEM one of God’s extra-special Me’s
I’m a GEM, I’m a GEM one of God’s extra-special Me’s
(urks and stops singing abruptly when Bertha speaks)

Bertha
(enters quietly holding carving knife as Wanda sings second line)
Wanda, I like that song. It’s delicious to hear you singing about how you are one of
God’s Extra-special Me’s. I’m a GEM too you know.

Wanda
(doubtful) You are? But your fangs........

Bertha
Yes, aren’t they wonderful? God just knew that they would be perfect for the kind of food that we Munghans eat.

Wanda
(cringes away from Bertha, whimpering)
I wanna go home, I wanna go home.

Bertha
There, there now Wanda. I know how terrifying it is to be far away from your family and all but - oh,that reminds me ... Toby knew how upset and worried you would be, so he sent you an e-mail. Stay right there while I run down and print it for you.
(exits)

Wanda
(rubbing tears from her eyes) Wow! God must have heard me all the way over here in Mungha-Mungha! Thank you God, thank you Toby. But, wait a minute - we don’t have a computer. Ours got broken. How could Toby send me an e-mail? Is this some kind of a trick?
Can I trust Miss Bertha?