Syazwani

POVERTY By   Mahirah, Zaleha and Syazwani CHARACTERS: -STUDENT 1 -STUDENT 2 -MR ALLEN (30 years old) -ALLEN (13 years old) -ANNE (9 years old) -DEBTOR 1 -DEBTOR 2 -OLD MAN

Allen is just a 13 year old teen who has to quit from school and work to support his family due to poverty. His parents died a few months ago stranded at the sea. He only has a little sister, Anne who is just 8 years old. Besides, he had to bear the burden of debt left by his father when he still alive. He enforced to collect reuse can and box to support their live. They live at a slump housing area which is located near a city. One day, he was separated with Anne because he was unable to pay the debt. Anne was kidnapped by the creditor. He was very sad as he can’t be a good brother. He decided to change his live and save his sister. He worked hard until he manages to open a recycling centre at the city. After he was successful, he found his sister back when they bump in front of the bank. Anne was asking for money there.


 * Scene 1:**

Lighting is bright. There is interview section between two students and the owner of the recycling centre .They set on a set of sofa which located at the corner of the office.

STUDENT 1 Mr. Allen, If you don’t mind can you share with us the secret of your success?

MR ALLEN Of course. Actually there is no secret to success in life. You just have to be very strong and hard working in whatever you do. I’ll share with you the story behind my success.

STUDENT 2 RECORDS THE INTERVIEW. FLASH BACK STORY…


 * Scene 2:**

There is dining table in the kitchen. Allen was having dinner with his little sister, Anne. They only have rice and ketchup for the dinner. The kitchen is dimmed as there is no lamp. They just had a candle on the centre of the table.

ANNE Bro, err…. my teacher asks to pay the school fee as soon as possible. ALLEN Anne, please be patient. Ask your teacher to give some more time. I’ll try to find some money to pay for the fee. ANNE My shoe was torn already. Can I have the new one? ALLEN Anne, we don’t have enough money right now. Use the old one first. Besides, we have to settle all our late parent debt immediately. I hope you understand. ANNE Its ok, I understand. Tomorrow I don’t want go to school. I want to help you collecting the tin and box. ALLEN No, you can’t. You must go to school. Suddenly, the door was knocked. TOK… TOK..!!! Allen washes his hand and opens the door. A few brutal men are standing in front of the door. CREDITOR 1 Where is the money? (He holds Allen’s shirt) ALLEN Please help me. I still don’t have money to pay the debt. Give me some time. RM 100000 is not a small amount to me. Anne felt scared. She hide bellow the table. The Creditor 2 entered the house and come to Anne. Anne screamed. Allen wants to help her but he was kicked and battered by the Creditor 1. CREDITOR 1 Do we care? I want the money right now. If not, we will sell your sister. ALLEN Please!!! I’m begging you don’t take her. The Creditor 2 put handkerchief with chloroform to Anne’s mouth. Anne fainted. He carries her and takes her away. Allen can’t do anything. He was injured.


 * Scene 3:**

Allen is collecting cans and boxes at an alley in the city. He moves from a dustbin to another. After tired, he set down at the side drain a bit far from the dustbin at the back of a stall. He is crying. He still feels sad as he can’t save Anne that night. Suddenly, an old man who is the owner of the stall came near him and sits down beside him. OLD MAN Hey young man, why are you crying? ALLEN I’m useless. My sister was kidnapped because of I can’t afford to pay our late father’s debt. Why must our live be like this? OLD MAN You can’t think like that. This is just a test in your live. You have to be patient and strong. Don’t give up young man. Allen is still crying. ALLEN I don’t have anything left in this world. I’m useless. I better die. OLD MAN How come you easily give up, young man? Take this word as your inspiration. As you know a loser will only just let the things happened, but winners will always try to make that things happened. So, I want you to wake up and work hard to survive. Take this (he gives RM 500 to Allen) and use it as your capital to start your own business. ALLEN Sorry sir, I can’t receive this huge amount of money. OLD MAN It’s for you. I sincerely want to help you. Allen can’t say anything. He takes the money and buys a small trolley to ease him collecting other recycling items from door to door. After a few years of hard word he decided to open a recycling centre. Later, his business becomes successful. The recycling centre is well known in the city. Many people come there to sell the recycle items like newspapers, boxes, can and aluminium.


 * Scene 4:**

Allen was on his way to the bank to save his money in the bank. In front of the bank, a young teen is set on the floor waiting for anybody to give her some money. She is hoping for other people sympathy. Allen walks toward the teen. He wants to give some donation to her. ALLEN Anne, is that you? ANNE Who are you? ALLEN You don’t remember me? I’m Allen your brother. ANNE ……… (Speechless while thinking). Suddenly, she remembers Allen and immediately hugs his brother. They are hugging while crying. They feel very happy as they met again after separated for a few years.

In the recycling centre office. MR ALLEN I’m really happy as my family is complete again. STUDENT 2 How is Anne right now? MR ALLEN Oh, now she is studying at Taylor’s College and taking preparation to pursue her studies in over sea. STUDENT 1 Wah, congratulation to her. Hopefully, we can be like her one day. MR ALLEN I pray both of you can achieve success in your life. STUDENT 2 Thanks sir for spending your time with us. We really appreciate it. MR ALLEN My pleasure. J THE END J
 * Scene 5:**