The scene opens on a modern kitchen, Father is seated on a barstool at a kitchen island, surrounded by state of the art appliances, his dog Buster sits in a dog bed by his side.
FATHER
Well, there’s not long now until the start of our famous New Years Eve party, and I can already tell it’s going to be a great 2016. Everything’s gone green now – the house is powered by solar panels on the roof, all our garbage gets recycled so there’s no waste, and even the car is electric – and it drives itself! Sure makes road trips easier! And our appliances have gotten a whole lot smarter too, the thermostat makes sure the house is nice and cool before we get home, and the refrigerator knows we’re out of milk before I do! Refrigerator, how are we doing for milk?
REFRIGERATOR
MILK STATUS: 0.8 GALLONS
FATHER
See?
REFRIGERATOR
SOY MILK STATUS: LOW
FATHER
Thank you.
REFRIDGERATOR
ALMOND MILK STATUS-
FATHER
Sleep mode! Whew, if only they could invent a machine to create some peace and quiet!
GRANDMA (Unseen voice)
Hawaii was beautiful! They had this buffet – your grandfather must have put on ten pounds!
FATHER
Thanks to the wonder of HD video calling, it’s like our relatives are always here. And believe me, it’s like they’re always here.
The left room illuminates to show Patricia skyping with Grandma in their Office.
GRANDMA (On computer screen)
And here’s your grandfather and I parasailing, and here’s us rock climbing, oh and this is a video of us hula dancing! You and that boyfriend of yours should give it a go, what’s his name? Don?
PATRICIA
David, Grandma. And maybe we can try it on our honeymoon next Summer.
FATHER
The internet has totally revolutionized our lives, now it’s easier than ever to stay in touch and share the important things.
GRANDMA
And here’s a picture of Fluffy napping in my slipper.
FATHER
…and the not so important things.
GRANDMA
I heard that, young man!
Left room dims.
FATHER
Sorry Mom! Anyhoo, we’re all glued to our phones now, myself included, but these things are extraordinary! With the touch of a button, I can order groceries, book plane tickets -
MOTHER
Check your football scores in the middle of dinner with my parents….
Right room illuminates, revealing Mother in the living room, hanging decorations with Jimmy.
FATHER
I was checking my work email!
MOTHER
Don’t lie John, you’re bad at it. (she laughs) I need your help getting everything ready for tonight; I need to tell everyone to come over at 8.
Father picks up his phone and presses some buttons.
FATHER
Done.
MOTHER
I need a reminder to take the appetisers out of the oven at 7:30
Father presses more buttons.
FATHER
Done.
MOTHER
And Buster needs to be taken for a walk.
Father looks at his phone and hesitates.
FATHER
Well I guess there isn’t an app for that yet, how about we do it the old fashioned way, boy?
Buster barks
FATHER
Well, here’s a to a new year, I can’t imagine what they’re gonna think of next!
ALL
There’s a great, big beautiful tomorrow,
Shining at the end of every day,
There’s a great, big beautiful tomorrow,
And tomorrow is just a dream away,
Man has a dream and that’s the start,
He follows his dream with mind and heart
And when it becomes a reality,
It’s a dream come true for you and me,
So there’s a great, big beautiful tomorrow,
Shining at the end of every day,
There’s a great, big beautiful tomorrow,
Just a dream away!