Episode 9: It's Up to You

It's Up to You
Act 1.
Robbie: Who is it?
Philip: Dad.
Robbie: Come on in, Dad.
Philip: I thought you might be hungry. I brought you a chicken sandwich and a glass of milk.
Robbie: I am hungry. Thanks, Dad. What time is it, anyway?
Philip: Ten 0'clock. What are you working on?
Robbie: I'm writing a story for the high-school paper.
Philip: Can't you finish it tomorrow?
Robbie: No, I have to turn it in in the morning.
Philip: What's it about?
Robbie: I'm writing an article on the feelings about graduation.
Philip: And...how do you feel?
Robbie: Me? A little scared. And excited, too.
Philip: I felt the same way.
Robbie: The scary part's leaving home and moving to college.
Philip: Oh, leaving home is part of growing up. Well, don't work all night.
Robbie: I don't mind. I enjoy writing.
Philip: Well, maybe you should think about becoming a writer.
Robbie: Maybe I should.
Philip; You have lots of time to decide.
Robbie: That's the worst part-making decisions.
Philip: You'll be OK. Good night, Son.
Robbie: Good night, Dad.
Grandpa&
Philip: "Hail to the victors valiant, Hail to the conquering heroes, Hail, Hail to Michigan, The champions of the West!"
Philip: Ah, good morning Robbie.
Robbie: Good morning, Dad.
Grandpa: How's my grandson?
Robbie: Fine, Grandpa. Fine! What's all the cheering about Did the University f Michigan another football game?
Grandpa: Better than that. Tell him Philip.
Philip: I just spoke with Charley Rafer.
Robbie: Who's Charley Rafer?
Philip: He's the Dean of Admission for the University of Michigan.
Grandpa: And it turns out he's a classmate of Philip's.
Philip: We were both on the tennis team.
Robbie: Great!
Philip: It is great. He's going to be in New York tomorrow to interview applicants for admission.
Grandpa: And he's agreed to fit you into his schedule.
Robbie: But I may not want to go to Michigan.
Philip: It's one of the best schools in the country, Robbie. I studied medicine there. Your grandfather went to the Engineering School there.
Robbie: I know that, but...
Grandpa: You said you wanted to be a doctor like your father.
Robbie: Not exactly.
Grandpa: You couldn't pick a finer medical school than Michigan.
Robbie: Yes, I know that.
Philip: Let's meet with Charley at the university club. Ten 0'clock tomorrow morning. It doesn't mean you're going Michigan.
Grandpa: It doesn't mean you have to be a doctor. But the interview will be good experience for you.
Robbie: In that case, it's OK. Dad, growing up means making my own decisions, doesn't it?
Philip: You're right, Robbie. But, like your Grandpa suggested, have the interview.
Grandpa: And then make your own decision.
Robbie: That sounds fine.
Philip: I know it's sudden, Robbie, but this is an important opportunity. We'll head down there first thing tomorrow morning. OK?
Robbie: Sure, Dad.
Philip: I want you to know something, Son. I'm...very proud of you.
Robbie: Thanks, Dad.
Philip: Well, I've got an appointment at the hospital. I'll see you all at dinnertime.
Robbie: Bye, Dad.
Grandpa: Is something still wrong, Robbie?
Robbie: I'll be OK.
Grandpa: Going away to college for the first time always makes one a little nervous.
Robbie: I guess so. I'll be OK. I just need time to think.

Act 2.
Philip: Sorry, Robbie. Sorry to be late this morning, but, well, we've still got some time for a cup of coffee. I can't wait to see my old pal Charley Rafer.
Robbie: Neither can I.
Philip: So you thought about it, huh?
Robbie: Yes, I have, Dad.
Philip: Well, I'm glad. I knew you'd realize that this interview could be an important experience for you.
Robbie: I came to the conclusion.
Philip: That's very wise, Robbie. Very wise. Now let's head off for the city and the university club.
Robbie: Thanks, Dad.
Philip: Thanks...for what?
Robbie: Thanks for hearing me out. And...
Philip: And...?
Robbie: And thanks for being such an understanding father.
Philip: Well, thank you, Robbie. Thank you.
Dean: Philip Stewart! It's great to see you!
Philip: Charley Rafer-you look as young as ever.
Dean: You must be Robbie.
Robbie: Hi.
Philip: Yes, this is my youngest son Robbie. Robbie, I want you to meet one of the best tennis players on the Michigan team-Charley Rafer.
Robbie: Nice to meet you, Dean Rafer.
Dean: Well, are you as good a tennis player as your dad?
Robbie: No, I'm not very good at it.
Philip: Frankly, neither was I. Charley was the star of the team.
Dean: Yeah. Thanks. Well, how've you been, Philip?
Philip: Oh, working too hard.
Dean: Doesn't show. How's Ellen?
Philip: Fine, thank you. And how's Marge?
Dean: She's still giving the toughest English history exams in the school and loving every minute of it. And speaking of minutes, I have interviews until noon, so why don't we get right to work?
Philip: Can you have lunch with us later?
Dean: I'd love to , Philip, but I'm afraid I can't. I'm only here two days, and I have interviews with twenty-six applicants.
Philip: I understand. Well, thanks. I'll wait outside. Good luck, Son.
Dean: Did you bring your transcript from high school?
Robbie: Yes, sir. Right here.
Dean: Thank you. Please sit down.
Dean: I see under "activities" that you've been writing for the school paper.
Robbie: Yes, sir.
Dean: What kinds of articles have you written?
Robbie: All kinds-sports, editorials, theater reviews. You name it, I've written it.
Dean: Hmmm. Well, have you ever thought of becoming a journalist?
Robbie: A professional writer? Not until recently.
Dean: Michigan has a fine School of Journalism.
Robbie: Yes, I know that.
Dean: You seem to have some reservations.
Robbie: I'm a little uncertain.
Dean: It's been very nice talking to you.
Robbie: Nice talking to you, sir.
Dean: One piece of advice. The most important thing is for you to decided your own future.
Robbie: Yes, sir. Good-bye. Dean Rafer.
Dean: Good-bye. Robbie. Good luck.

Act 3.
Mike: I had an interview today, too. I had a great interview with Admissions at Columbia University.
Robbie: Really? What did they say? Will you get into the school?
Mike: Well, they didn't say anything for sure. But I figure that with my grades and with my personality, I'll have no problem.
Robbie: Columbia's a terrific school. What are you going to do?
Mike: Do? I don't know. I also applied to NYU.
Robbie: You sound excited about Columbia. What's your problem, Mike?
Mike: Indecision. Indecision. It's not easy, and this is an important decision we have to make. What about you? How as your interview with Michigan?
Robbie: The interview was fine.
Mike: It's a great college.
Robbie: It is. My father would like me to go there. He and my Grandpa both went there.
Mike: Great medical school, too.
Robbie: I know.
Mike: You can follow in your father's footsteps.
Robbie: Ah! I'd like to follow in my own footsteps, Mike.
Mike: What do you want to study?
Robbie: I've been thinking. I think I want to study journalism to be a reporter-a newspaperman.
Mike: You do a pretty good job on the Riverdale High School paper.
Robbie: And I've been thinking about it a lot lately.
Mike: Have you discussed it with your parents?
Robbie: No. But I have to.
Mike: OK. Let's talk.
Philip: Hi, Dad. Everything's fine. I was just waiting for your to get home so we could talk.
Philip: Anything special you want to talk about?
Robbie: There is, Dad.
Philip; I'm listening.
Robbie: Well, I know you and Mom have given up a lot to save money for my college tuition.
Philip: We want you to go to college, Robbie.
Robbie: I know. I do.
Philip: But?
Robbie: Well, I've Thought a lot about which college, and one of them is Columbia.
Philip: Columbia? Why Columbia?
Robbie: First, they have an excellent School of Journalism.
Philip: They do. And your friends are planning to go to Columbia?
Robbie: That's only part of it. It's complicated. I'll try to explain. Mike and I had a hamburger this afternoon, and we talked.
Philip: Yes?
Robbie: Well, we talked about a lot of thing .He applied to Columbia, and his interview was very successful. He thinks he'll be accepted, and he really wants to go there.
Philip: Dean Rafer called me today. He told me he was very impressed with you.
Robbie: He's a nice man. He was very kind.
Philip: He told me you had some doubts about wanting to go to Michigan.
Robbie: Yes. I do. I'm just not sure about what I want to do.
Philip: That's OK.
Robbie: You understand?
Philip: Let me tell you something, Robbie. Something that might be surprising to you.
Robbie: What? Tell me.
Philip: Well, Grandpa wanted me to study engineering, like him. Well, I wasn't clear about my future, but I knew engineering was not for me.
Robbie: What did you tell Grandpa?
Philip: The truth.
Robbie: Then you're not upset about my not wantin to go into medicine?
Philip: I'm not upset at all. I'm just happy that we're able to talk about it.
Robbie: I am too, Dad.
Philip: I suppose you want to apply to Columbia.
Robbie: Yes, but I also wanted to apply to several other colleges.
Philip: I thought you wanted to go to Columbia.
Robbie: Well, I might want to go to Columbia. But I might not. I just want to be able to make my own decision.
Philip: You're a real Stewart!
Robbie: And if I think about it long enough, you never know...
Philip: Never know what?
Robbie: If I make my own decision, I might choose Michigan.
Philip: Robbie, you're something! You know, when I was your age, said exactly the same thing to Grandpa.

选校风云

ACT 1
罗比：谁呀？
菲利普：我，你爸爸。
罗比：爸爸，请进来。
菲利普：我想你可能饿了。我给你拿来了一块鸡肉三明治和一杯牛奶。罗比：我确实饿了。谢谢你，爸爸。究竟几点钟了？
菲利普：[他看了看手表。]十点了。你在忙什么？
罗比：我在给中学校刊写一篇文章。
菲利普：明天再接着写完它不行吗？
罗比：不行，我明天一早就得交卷。
菲利普：是关于什么的？
罗比：我在写一篇谈毕业的感受的文章。
菲利普：那么……你自己是怎么想的？
罗比：我吗？有点儿害怕，也有点激动。
菲利普：我那时的感觉也是这样。
罗比：害怕的是要离开家去到大学里住了。
菲利普：噢，离开家是成长的一个组成部分。好吧，不要熬一个通宵。罗比：我不怕。我喜欢写东西。
菲利普：那么，也许你应该考虑当作家。
罗比：也许该是这样。
菲利普：你时间还长，可以不忙决定。
罗比：最伤脑筋的就是这一点——做出决定。
菲利普：你一切都会很好的。晚安，儿子。
罗比：晚安，爸爸。
第二天早上，罗比在厨房里吃早饭，爷爷和菲利普进来了，他们在唱密歇根大学校歌。
爷爷和菲利普：
“欢呼勇敢的胜利者，
欢呼战胜的英雄，
欢呼，欢呼密歇根，
西部的冠军们！”
菲利普：啊，罗比，早上好。
罗比：爸爸，早上好。
爷爷：我的孙子，你好吗？
罗比：很好，爷爷，很好！你们为什么这样兴高采烈？是不是密歇根大学又赢了一场橄榄球比赛？
爷爷：比那还要好。菲利普，你告诉他。
菲利普：我刚和查理•莱弗尔谈过了。
罗比：查理•莱弗尔是谁啊？
菲利普：他是密歇根大学的招生办公室主任。
爷爷：没想到他是菲利普的同班同学。
菲利普：我们都是校网球队的。
罗比：好极了！
菲利普：确实好极了。他明天要到纽约来同申请入学的学生面谈。
爷爷：他还答应了把你安排到他的日程里。
罗比：可是我也许不想上密歇根大学。
菲利普：那是全国最优秀的大学之一，罗比。我就是在那儿上的医学院。你爷爷是在那儿念的工学院。
罗比：这我都知道，可是……
爷爷：你说过你要像你爸爸一样当医生。
罗比：不完全是那样。
爷爷：你再也挑不出比密歇根还好的医学院了。
罗比：是的，我知道。
菲利普：咱们到密歇根大学校友俱乐部见一见查理吧，明天上午十点钟。这并不是说你一定就上密歇根大学了。
爷爷：也不是说你一定要得当医生。可这次面谈对你来说将是一次有益的经历。
罗比：要是那样的话，就这么办吧。[对菲利普说]爸爸，长大成人就意味着我要为自己做出决定，不是吗？
菲利普：你说得对，罗比。可是，正像你爷爷建议的那样，去面谈一下。
爷爷：然后再做出你自己的决定。
罗比：这听起来很不错。
菲利普：我知道这太突然了，可这是一次重要的机遇。我们明天一早就奔那儿去吧，好吗？
罗比：当然，爸爸。
菲利普：我要告诉你一句话，孩子。我……我为你感到很自豪。
罗比：谢谢你，爸爸。
菲利普：好，我在医院还约好了给人看病。晚饭时再谈。
罗比：再见，爸爸。
[菲利普走了。]
爷爷：罗比，还有什么觉得不对的地方吗？
罗比：我没什么。
爷爷：头一次离开家上大学，总是叫人有点紧张。
罗比：我想是吧，我一切都会很好的。我只是需要时间想一下。

ACT 2
菲利普：抱歉，孩子。今天早上来晚了，很对不起，可是，嗯，我们还有时间喝一杯咖啡。我迫不及待地想见到我的老伙伴查理•莱弗尔。
罗比：我也等不及地想见到他。
[他们到厨房里去。]
菲利普：那么你想过了，呃？
罗比：是的，爸爸，我想过了。
菲利普：好，我很高兴。我知道你会明白这次面谈对你来说可能是一次有益的经历。
罗比：我是意识到了。
菲利普：那很明智，罗比，很明智。现在咱们就直奔市里，上校友俱乐部去吧。
罗比：谢谢你，爸爸。
菲利普：谢谢我……什么？
罗比：谢谢你耐心听取我的意见。还有……
菲利普：还有……？
罗比：还要谢谢你，你真是个能理解人的好父亲。
菲利普：呃，谢谢你，罗比，谢谢你。
在校友俱乐部的一间办公室里，招生办公室主任查理•莱弗尔迎上前去向菲利普和罗比问候。
主任：[走进来]菲利普•斯图尔特！见到你真高兴。
菲利普：查理•莱弗尔！你还是那么年轻！
[他们俩互相拥抱。]
主任：你一定是罗比了？
罗比：嗨。
菲利普：对，这是我的最小的孩子罗比。罗比，我要你见见密歇根大学网球队最优秀的网球手之一——查理•莱弗尔。
罗比：认识你很高兴，莱弗尔主任。
主任：呃，你的网球打得和你爸爸一样好吧？
罗比：不行，我打得不太好。
菲利普：老实说，我打得也不太好。查理是我们队的明星选手。
主任：谢谢你。嗯，菲利普，这些年来你好吗？
菲利普：噢，工作得太紧张了。
主任：倒是看不出来。埃伦好吗？
菲利普：她很好，谢谢你。玛吉怎么样？
主任：她还是在学校里出最难的英国史考试题，每一分钟都是乐此不疲。谈到每一分钟，我面谈一直排到了中午，咱们马上谈正事怎么样？
菲利普：一会儿和我们一起吃午饭可以吗？
主任：我其实很乐意的，菲利普，可是恐怕不行。我来这儿只能呆两天，而要面谈的申请人倒有26个。
菲利普：我理解。那么，谢谢了。我到外面去等。[对罗比说]孩子，祝你好运气。[他出去了。]
主任：你把高中的成绩单带来了吗？
罗比：在这儿呢，先生。
主任：谢谢你，请坐下。我看到在“课外活动”一项下面你写了你曾给校刊写稿子？
罗比：是的，先生。
主任：你都写了些哪方面的稿子？
罗比：什么方面的都有——体育、社论、戏剧评论。各式各样的，我都写过。
主任：嗯嗯。那么，你有没有想过当新闻记者呢？
罗比：职业写作者？直到最近以前没有想过。
主任：密歇根大学的新闻学院很不错。
罗比：是的，这我知道。
主任：你好像还有些保留。
罗比：我有点拿不定主意。
[我们看到菲利普紧张地在办公室外面等候。莱弗尔主任和罗比面谈已经结束了。]
主任：[对罗比说]和你谈得很愉快。
罗比：我和你谈得也很愉快，先生。
主任：请容许我给你一句忠告。最重要的是你要为你自己的未来做出决定。
罗比：是的，先生。再见，莱弗尔主任。
主任：再见，罗比。祝你好运。

ACT 3
麦克：我今天也去面谈了。我和哥伦比亚大学的招生办公室谈得很好。
罗比：真的？他们怎么说的？你能入学吗？
麦克：嗯，他们没有肯定说什么。[开玩笑]但是我猜想以我的分数和我的品行，我不会有问题的。
罗比：哥伦比亚大学是一所了不起的大学。你准备怎么办呢？
麦克：怎么办？我不知道。我还申请了纽约大学。
罗比：听起来你对哥伦比亚大学兴趣很大。问题出在哪儿，麦克？
麦克：下不了决心，下不了决心。事情不容易，我们必须做出的决定又非常重要。你怎么样？你跟密歇根大学的面谈进行得怎么样？
罗比：面谈谈得很好。
麦克：那是一所很好的大学。
罗比：是的，我父亲想让我上那儿。他和我爷爷都是上的那儿。
麦克：那儿的医学院很好。
罗比：我知道。
麦克：你可以走你父亲的路当医生。
罗比：唉！麦克，我到愿意走我自己的路。
麦克：你想要念什么？
罗比：我一直在想。我想我要念新闻专业，当记者——当新闻从业员。
麦克：你在里弗代尔中学校刊上干得很不错呢。
罗比：而且我最近一直对这事想得很多。
麦克：你跟你父母讨论过了吗？
罗比：没有。可是我不能不跟他们谈了。
麦克：好吧，咱们好好谈一谈。
[他们走开了。]
当天晚上，罗比在他家起居室里坐着，菲利普进来了。
菲利普：嗨，孩子，一切都好吧？
罗比：嗨，爸爸，一切都好。我在等你回家，好跟你谈一谈。
菲利普：有什么特别要谈的事吗？
罗比：有，爸爸。
菲利普：说吧，我听着呢。
罗比：嗯，爸爸，我知道你和妈妈为攒钱供我上大学，做出不少牺牲。
菲利普：我们想要你进大学，罗比。
罗比：我知道，我想要上大学。
菲利普：然而？
罗比：嗯，我想了很久上哪所大学好，其中有一所就是哥伦比亚大学。
菲利普：哥伦比亚大学？为什么是哥伦比亚大学？
罗比：首先，他们的新闻学院非常优秀。
菲利普：不错。你的朋友们也计划要上哥伦比亚大学吗？
罗比：这只不过是一部分理由。事情很复杂，我尽力解释一下试试。今天下午麦克和我一起去吃了汉堡包，我们好好谈了一下。
菲利普：结果呢？
罗比：我们谈了不少事。他申请了哥伦比亚大学，他的面谈十分成功。他认为他会被录取入学的，而且他也真想上那儿。
菲利普：今天莱弗尔主任给我来电话了，他对我说他对你的印象很不错。
罗比：他人很好，对我很和蔼。
菲利普：他告诉我说你对于是否上密歇根大学还拿不定主意。
罗比：是的，我还拿不定主意。我对我将来要当什么还不能肯定。
菲利普：那是没关系的。
罗比：你理解我吗？
菲利普：听我告诉你一件事，罗比。这事也许你听了会感到惊讶。
罗比：什么事？请告诉我。
菲利普：是这么回事，当初你爷爷想让我和他一样学工程。嗯，我当时对自己的未来也不很清楚，但我知道我不该学工程。
罗比：你对爷爷怎么说呢？
菲利普：我说了实话。
罗比：那么说，你对我不想搞医学并不感到不好受了？
菲利普：我一点也不感到不好受。我只是为了咱们能把问题谈清而高兴。
罗比：我也很高兴，爸爸。
菲利普：我猜想你想申请上哥伦比亚大学了？
罗比：是的，可我也想申请几所别的大学。
菲利普：我本以为你想上哥伦比亚大学的。
罗比：嗯，我也可能想上哥伦比亚大学，可也可能不想上那儿。我只想要能自己做出决定。
菲利普：你真是斯图尔特家的人！
罗比：再说，如果我考虑的时间够长的话，说不定……
菲利普：说不定什么？
罗比：要是让我自己做出决定的话，我也有可能选择密歇根大学的。
菲利普：罗比，你真是了不起！你知道，我像你那么大时，我对你爷爷说的话跟你现在说的一模一样。
[他们俩笑了。]

Act1
Act2
Act3