ACT 2 — THE BEST PLAYERS

Running Time: Approximately 1 minute

Storyboard 5 — The Best Players

Time: 20 seconds

Illustration

Three Year 6 boys walk casually towards the handball squares.

Each carries a small green handball.

Children notice them immediately.

Some smile.

Some quietly move closer to the squares.

Everyone knows some great games are about to begin.

Narration

The little Year 3 boy wasn't excited because famous people had arrived.

He was excited because...

every lunchtime...

at almost exactly the same time...

the best handball players in Year 6 walked down that path.

One child smiled.

"Bo's here."

Another whispered,

"There's Ron."

Then someone pointed.

"And Moze!"

Nobody made a big fuss.

It was simply...

part of lunchtime.

Performance Notes

• Speak naturally.
  
• These are ordinary children who happen to be very good at handball.
  
• Smile often.
  
• Let the audience discover them naturally.

Sound Suggestions

Narrator softly imitates:

• Footsteps.
  
• A gentle handball bounce.
  
• Normal playground sounds.

No music.

Storyboard 6 — ACE

Time: 18 seconds

Illustration

Bo quietly steps into the ACE square.

He gently bounces the handball once.

Children gather around the square.

Nobody argues.

Everyone simply watches.

Narration

Bo wasn't loud.

He never showed off.

He didn't have to.

Every lunchtime...

he quietly stepped into ACE.

(Bounce the handball once.)

Tok...

Nobody complained.

Nobody argued.

Everyone knew...

Bo had earned that place.

At least...

for today.

(Smile.)

Performance Notes

• Bounce the real handball if possible.
  
• Keep the moment relaxed.
  
• Bo should appear humble, not proud.

Sound Suggestions

One gentle handball bounce.

No music.

Storyboard 7 — Annie

Time: 20 seconds

Illustration

A Year 6 girl stands quietly beside the handball squares.

She holds her own green handball.

She watches every game carefully.

She isn't jealous.

She is learning.

Narration

But someone else...

was watching too.

Not because she wanted Bo to lose.

Not because she wished his place was hers.

She simply loved the game.

Let's call her...

Annie.

Every lunchtime...

she watched.

She learned.

She practised.

Every clever serve.

Every great return.

Even every mistake.

Because Annie had a dream.

One day...

she wanted the chance...

to stand in ACE.

Performance Notes

• Slow your pace.
  
• Annie now becomes the heart of the story.
  
• Introduce her warmly.

Sound Suggestions

Soft playground ambience.

Occasional handball bounces.

No music.

Storyboard 8 — Earning Her Chance

Time: 20 seconds

Illustration

A montage of Annie playing several friendly games.

She wins fairly.

Different opponents congratulate her.

There are smiles, fist bumps and good sportsmanship.

With each game she moves one square closer to ACE.

Narration

That lunchtime...

something different happened.

Annie played really well.

She won one game.

Then another.

Then another.

Each game became a little harder.

Each opponent...

a little better.

Sometimes she won with a clever shot.

Sometimes she won because she stayed patient.

Little by little...

she moved closer...

to ACE.

Performance Notes

• Build the excitement gradually.
  
• Let the audience begin hoping Annie reaches the final square.

Sound Suggestions

Narrator creates a gentle rhythm.

Tok!

Tok!

Tok!

Children calling,

"Nice shot!"

"Good game!"

Laughter.

Storyboard 9 — The Challenge

Time: 18 seconds

Illustration

Moze smiles and steps aside.

He gestures towards the ACE square.

Bo is already waiting.

Annie looks up.

Children quietly gather around the square.

Everyone senses something special is about to happen.

Narration

Finally...

Moze missed.

He laughed.

Raised both hands.

Then pointed towards ACE.

Annie looked up.

Bo was already waiting.

He smiled.

"I'm glad it's you."

Annie looked surprised.

"Really?"

Bo nodded.

"I've been watching."

(Short pause.)

"You've been getting better."

Then he smiled.

"Come on..."

"Let's have a great game."

Performance Notes

• Bo should sound encouraging.
  
• Smile naturally.
  
• End the act with quiet anticipation.

Sound Suggestions

The playground gradually becomes quieter.

One gentle handball bounce.

Then...

silence.

End of Act

Running Time

Approximately 1 minute

Emotional Journey

Respect → Hope → Determination → Anticipation