[00:00.01]23-1 The Community Center ACT I[00:22.65]Morning, Grandpa.[00:29.69]Is something the matter, Grandpa?[00:37.17]The editorial in this paper has my friend Nat Baker real upset.[00:43.75]Ah! I'll read it to you.[00:46.15]"The old library building on Chestnut Street,[00:49.67]which has been vacant for over a year now,[00:52.55]was supposed to be made into a community center[00:55.84]to serve the senior citizens[00:57.69]as well as the younger people of Riverdale.[01:00.57]Due to lack of funds[01:01.96]for the repainting of the interior of the building[01:05.40]and for the furniture needed,[01:07.29]the plans for the community center[01:09.68]have been postponed indefinitely."[01:14.59]He's coming over to talk about it.[01:16.86]Is it that serious a problem, Grandpa?[01:19.89]It is.[01:22.49]Nat's not as lucky as I am, Robbie.[01:24.54]He doesn't have any family with him.[01:27.82]He lives alone[01:29.40]and depends on places like a community center[01:32.67]to be with people--people his own age.[01:37.05]But there's the old community center on Elm Street.[01:40.30]It's small,[01:41.95]and the problem is that it's set up primarily for kids to play.[01:48.31]Ping-Pong tables, soda machines, and lots of music.[01:54.07]It's too noisy for some older people like Nat.[01:57.80]I never realized that.[02:00.32]It's hard for some older people to take all that noise.[02:04.25]That's why the new community center is a good idea.[02:07.38]Part of the building for older people,[02:09.26]part of the building for younger people.[02:12.29]I see what you mean.[02:16.12]That must be Nat.[02:17.80]It could be Alexandra.[02:19.02]She's coming over this morning to help me with my math.[02:28.72]Hi, Robbie.[02:29.42]Hi, Alexandra. Come on in.[02:34.95]Do you want something cold to drink?[02:36.57]I'd love some cola, please.[02:38.72]Cola coming up.[02:41.35]I really appreciate you coming over to help me with my math.[02:44.56]My final exam is next Tuesday.[02:47.71]You're so good in all your other subjects.[02:50.05]I just can't understand[02:51.08]why you have so many problems with math.[02:54.20]Hi, Alexandra.[02:55.29]Hi, Mr. Stewart.[02:57.26]I thought that was Nat Baker who rang the front doorbell.[03:00.90]Don't let me interrupt you.[03:02.33]No problem, Grandpa.[03:03.72]We're just having some cola[03:05.16]before getting to the tough stuff--math.[03:08.03]He'll do anything to avoid getting down to math lessons,[03:11.92]Mr. Stewart.[03:13.56]I was the same way.[03:15.72]Really, Grandpa?[03:16.62]Really. I didn't like math.[03:20.09]I wasn't good at it, and I didn't like studying it.[03:23.68]But you had to be good at math.[03:25.42]You graduated from engineering school.[03:27.79]I was. But not in high school.[03:30.71]For some reason, I couldn't get a handle on it.[03:33.71]Then, in college, I became good at it.[03:37.22]Then there's hope for Robbie.[03:39.16]I can't wait.[03:40.85]You think I can just skip it now and get to it at college?[03:44.07]You'll never get to college to find out, Robbie,[03:46.70]if you skip it now.[03:49.77]That must be Nat.[03:53.60]Sit down, Robbie. Let's get to work.[04:07.97]I'd like you to meet my friend Nat Baker.[04:10.59]This is Alexandra Pappas, and this is my grandson Robbie,[04:14.30]whom I think you've met once or twice before.[04:16.76]Nice to meet you, Mr. Baker.[04:18.29]Hi, Mr. Baker. We met before.[04:20.49]Where?[04:21.48]In town. At the hardware store.[04:24.41]I remember now. Right. Hi.[04:28.91]Hello, Alexandra.[04:31.19]Don't let us keep you from your math tutoring, Robbie.[04:34.04]I know you want to get to it.[04:35.66]Stay ... stay.[04:37.53]I told you. He'll use any excuse to avoid math.[04:41.87]Did you read the story in the paper, Malcolm?[04:44.24]I did.[04:44.98]It's a serious matter for a lot of us.[04:47.32]A serious matter.[04:49.43]It is. Come on out to the patio.[04:50.86]We'll talk about it out there.[04:52.24]Thanks. Nice to meet you ... again.[04:57.97]What's the problem?[05:00.21]Come on! You'll hear about it.