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Dino Mahoney

Tune in tonight at 9.30 for the fourth episode of the Songbirds comic fantasy, The Oil Drum Genie.

The genie has granted Marco and Sam three wishes. Marco wishes  for two jumbo fish burgers. The genie makes a quick  call on his mobile phone and a helicopter arrives and lowers down the giant fish burgers which Marco and Sam gorge on. When the genie asks Sam for his wish, he is too full of food to think clearly. Just then, Willy the Worm pops out with a wish of his own.

Below is a part of tonight's  Songbirds episode (RTHK Radio 4, 97.6 FM) for you to read either before or while listening to the programme.

Genie: And now for your wish. Just say, 'I wish ...'

Marco: I wish for two of the biggest, juiciest, tastiest fish burgers that ever were ... one in each hand.

Genie: Two jumbo fish burgers on their way.

(SFX: Pushing the buttons of his mobile phone. Phone rings)

Voice: Good evening, Sir.

Genie: Look, I'm in Hong Kong on the harbour front and I want you to airlift, with immediate effect, and I mean, immediate, two jumbo fish burgers.

Voice: Certainly, Sir.

Genie: (To boys) Shouldn't be long now.

(SFX: The sound of a helicopter.)

Ah ... let me see ... Yep, that's one of mine.

Marco: Look, Sam, that helicopter's got all of Harvey's names on it!

Sam: And look, Marco! Something's being lowered out of the helicopter! I think it might be your fish burgers!

Marco: I don't believe it!

Genie: (Calling up) A bit to the left ... that's it ... now a bit to the right ... okay ... now lower ... lower.

(SFX: Helicopter flies up and away into the distance)

Genie: Your jumbo fish burgers, Master Marco.

Marco: Wa! They're so big I can hardly hold them! Here, Sam, this is the one with hot chilli sauce.

Sam: Wa! How am I going to eat all of that?

Marco: Like this. Three, two, one, go!

Genie: Is everything satisfactory, Master Marco?

Marco: (Speaking with his mouth full) You bet, Harvey! These are the best fish burgers I've ever eaten!

Genie: Don't forget your Cola.

Marco: Thanks! (Slurping sound as he drains his Cola)

(SFX: Fade on noisy eating and drinking sounds)

Marco: (Groaning) I couldn't eat another thing.

Sam: (Groaning) Me neither.

Genie: May I take it, Master Marco, that wish number one has been successfully completed?

Marco: You bet, Harvey.

Genie: Now, Master Sam, would you care to make your wish now?

Sam: My wish? Wa, I'm too full ... I don't think I can think right now.

Worm: Pssst. Pssst.

Sam: Ugh?

Worm: (Urgent whispering) Down here in your pocket!

Sam: Oh, hello, Willy ... I'd almost forgotten about you.

Worm: Sam, did you say you couldn't think of a wish?

Sam: That's right, Willy, I'm too stuffed full of food to think.

Worm: I can think of a wish.

Sam: Can you, Willy? Okay, go ahead, what is it?

Worm: Remember that apple ... the one you found me in?

Sam: Yes.

Worm: What about wishing for another apple just like that first one?

Sam: (Groans) Willy, please don't talk about food. I'm stuffed.

Worm: It's not fair. You and Marco ate those huge fish burgers and what did I get to eat? Nothing! Absolutely nothing!

Sam: But, come on, Willy, be fair ... worms don't eat fish!

Worm: But worms do eat apples, Sam!

Sam: I'll give you an apple when we get home.

Worm: When we get home? You rescued me from drowning and being swallowed by a fish only to starve me to death in your pocket!

Sam: But we'll be going home soon.

Worm: How soon? You've got to make two more wishes and that could take forever!

Sam: Don't get so worked up about things, Willy.

Worm: (Offended) Very well ... I can see that you don't care what happens to me. I'll just go back into your pocket and die.

Sam: Listen ... do you really want me to wish for that apple?

Worm: You know I do.

Sam: Okay then, Willy, I will.

Worm: Will you Sam, will you, will you?

Now listen to the rest of the Songbirds drama and answer the following:

1. Complete the full name of the genie.

Harvey (a) __________ Johnston Poliartes (b) __________ The Second

2. Sam asks Marco to change his wish. He tells him to ask for ...

a) An additional giant hamburger

b) An extra giant fish burger

c) A giant packet of fries

d) A giant sachet of tomato sauce

To listen to or read past Songbirds drama episodes, visit the Radio 4 Songbirds section of the RTHK website at www.rthk.org.hk

Answers: 1. a) Robert b) Junior; 2. b)



Boys feast on burgers