SCENE FIVE - MEETING ROOM - DAY 15 - WED 8PM

(It is the day after the lottery win, and the committee have an 'emergency' meeting. Only the Secretary
Debra knows the good news and has arranged for Monty from the Lottery Office to attend the
meeting. Audrey is absent from the meeting.)

DICK: So what's this all about? It's only been two weeks since the last meeting.

BUDDY: Debra has a very special announcement and a special guest. She just said to trust her.
And I do.

DICK: This had better be good. I waste too much of my valuable time around here.

PENNY: You don't have to you know.

DICK: Mum wants me to be here to keep an eye on you lot. She likes to know what's going
on.

BUDDY: And how is your mum going these days, Dick?

DICK: Hanging in there, Buddy. She has her good days and bad.

BUDDY: Yeah. Sorry to hear about the cancer coming back. We really miss Ingrid around here.
Your mum was a bit of a local legend in her day.

DICK: Thanks buddy. I just wish she was as nice to me as she was to you theatre people.

PENNY: Maybe she knows what you're like?

JJ: Ah, here is Debra. With a visitor. Looks official.

(Debra enters with Monty from the Lottery Office)

DEBRA: Hi everyone. Thanks for all coming in tonight for this special meeting, but I promise
it will be worth it. Where's Audrey?

BUD: With Ingrid. She's pretty crook.

DEBRA: Yeah? Sorry about your mum Dick. But I've got some news that will definitely cheer
you up a bit. I'd like to introduce you all to my new best friend - Monty Banks from the State Lottery
Office.

JJ: Lottery?

DEBRA: That's what I said. Lottery. Monty here has got some good news for us.

DICK: Exactly how good?

DEBRA: Very, very good. Monty, this is Buddy, our committee President.

MONTY: Hi Buddy. Very pleased to meet you. All of you. Like your secretary Debra said, I
have some very good news for you.  As Debra is the spokesperson for your lottery syndicate, it was
my pleasure to call her this morning to tell her that the numbers on your ticket this week matched the
numbers of last night's draw.
DICK: Just tell us how much?

JJ: Sshh! Dick! Let him speak!

MONTY: I know, I know. It's very exciting. Well, as you may or may not know, our weekly
jackpot was up to six million dollars. And I am terribly pleased to tell you that it was not shared. Your
syndicate is the only winner!

DEBRA: Did ya hear that, punters? Six million smackeroonies!

PENNY: Holy crap! You're serious?

BUDDY: Debra! This isn't one of your famous pranks, is it?

DEBRA: Nope. Tell em, Monty.

MONTY: Yep. I can assure you that I'm quite serious. I do this every week. Here is the official
documents and some forms for you all to sign before we transfer the money.

DICK: Don't we each get our own cheque or something?

MONTY: Not for a syndicate, no. The money will go into your nominated account which I
believe is the theatre committee account?

BUDDY: That will be fine. Any winnings we've had get spent on the theatre anyway.

DICK: But never this much. You're not having my share!

DEBRA: It's what we've always agreed on, Dick.

BUDDY: This is really gonna help us out a lot.

JJ: Help us out? This is gonna save the theatre!

PENNY: We have to celebrate. Let's have a party for all the members. No, the whole town!

MONTY: Well actually, the Lottery Office asks you if you wouldn't mind participating in a
press conference to make a public announcement? It's pretty common practice for syndicates.

DEBRA: You mean like you see on tv with those huge big ass cheques and microphones and
what not?

MONTY: Yes, precisely. If you agree. It's good P.R. for both of us. Would you like to?

BUDDY: For sure. When?

MONTY: How about Saturday?

DICK: Um, Monty? When will the money be available?

MONTY: If the forms are complete, then the money is transferred within a few days. So you
can usually access the funds within seven business days.

DEBRA: Excellent! Well, it looks like we've got a party to organize. I'll arrange the catering!
PENNY: My friends and I will clean the place up and decorate.

JJ: I'll ask my band to play.

BUDDY: Someone had better tell Audrey. She's gonna be so happy.

DEBRA: She's been so depressed with Ingrid so sick. They've been friend along time.

DICK: (He has been on his phone) Well, I gotta go people. See you Saturday.

MONTY: Yes, okay then. Well, it seems my job here is done. It sounds like you've all got stuff
to do. I will see you all on Saturday.

BUDDY: Okay. Thanks Monty. See you then.

DEBRA: Yes. Thanks so much for coming, Monty. You've changed our lives.

MONTY: My pleasure. Good night! (He exits)

PENNY: Oh. My. God. Did that just happen? Is this real-life right now?

JJ: It's a miracle. This honestly changes everything.

BUDDY: Yes, JJ. It sure does. But just keep it quiet for the time being, okay. Until the press
conference on Saturday.

DEBRA: Right! Well I've got a party to plan. (She exits)

BUDDY: And I've got some phone calls to make. Our accountant, the lawyers, the council.
Who else? Oh, I can't wait to tell Audrey. And … oh boy… this is good news. (He exits)

PENNY: We'd better go and tell Duncan. Although he's had a huge silly grin on his face all
day. Do you think maybe he already knows? (Penny and JJ exit)