Chapter 3

“Why don’t we all start on the drama thingy now…30th May is not really that far away.” Man Yi suggested from the sofa. “Yeah lah…only know how to play soccer! Huoi yoh.” Chin Hong said, referring to Jun Xiang.
“Hey everyone, I got an idea…why don’t we….”Melvrick suddenly exclaimed. That started a real discussion and the class got absorbed in providing ideas for the play. As it was a warm afternoon, everyone decided to move to the conference room where Jun Xiang then proceed to type the script out using the one computer there. After a lunch of spicy Mee Goreng cooked by Melvrick, more discussion on the roles and editing of the script follows. At about 2.30, the script was agreed upon and a few copies were printed out. “Do we need to go out to buy the things needed forr the props” Jun Xiang asked in his usual stumbling voice. “Nonononono… ….Use your shorts and underwear for the props…” Gabriel answered cheekily. “You are asking the obvious, right?” “Okie…What do you need? Cardboard, markers, and still got what?” Jun Xiang asks again. The materials needed was discussed and finally, a long list emerged. Some of the things were already available, thus the rest have to be bought at the bookstore down the lane. Gabriel and Yee Yew then volunteered to go out and buy while the Jialing and the other ‘artists’ draw out the props on the paper as a draft first. When the two were back, it was already about 5 plus. Thus everyone decided to continue after dinner, which Jun Xian was already cooking then.
After a dinner of Bak Koo Teh and rice and slightly burnt omelette, the making of the props began. Everyone was doing some things or others, making the props which are tress, boats….etc. Jun Xiang actually found a large tree branch on his way to the bookstore to get more glue. As he carried it through the front gate, Melvrick who was clearing the dustbin into the rubbish chute looked on in surprise. “What the HELL is that for?!?!” Tiong Peng, also there to help Melvrick, asked in surprise. “Doesn’t it look perfect for a tree?” Jun Xiang exclaimed proudly walking through the front door. Everyone by then have heard the commotion and have came out to find out what it happening “Hey, wait…Switch off this FAN before you move” Chin Hong shouted as he saw the branches barely touching one spinning fan above Jun Xiang. “This is good for the tree, but how do we get it to zhan qi lai?” Cindy asked as she went to switch off the fan. Jun Xiang was then trying to get the ‘tree’ to lie down on the floor, but it seems to create a mess on the carpet by its falling leaves. “Create one solid base on the bottom of the tree lah…”Melvrick answered. “Wait, wait wait, before we do that, can we make the tree look nicer by sticking back the leaves on the branches? By the way Jun Xiang is handling it, all the leaves are gonna be gone when the play is done and we would be left with a botak tree.” Matthew interrupted him. “The first sentence I heard from momo Matthew that sounds a bit sensible” Alvin quoted.
Everyone continued their work after the fuss about the tree till about 2am when most of the props were done or half done and the tired them went to bed one after another. May Yee and Adina had also done sticking the leaves back on the trees using scotch tape and too went to bed leaving the ‘tree’ in the living room.