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Airtime - Michael Pryor

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Michael Pryor says...
See how Airtime begins

Cover blurb:
Phil always has the bright ideas. But can he and Marco really run a community radio station with no experience, one CD called 'Great Whale Songs' and a collection of over-enthusiastic musicians with no talent?
'I always say there's no one like you, Phil,' says Marco.

Michael Pryor says:
Air Time is really based on the old comedy tradition of the straight man and the funny man.Phil and Marco fit that pattern, and you can decide who's who!
Show biz, the entertainment industry, music, they're all perfect material for comedy because secretly, deep down, we all wanna be a star.

'Airtime' begins:

'I belong in show biz,' Phil said suddenly.

'Uh huh,' I said carefully. He had that strange look in his eyes again.

'Fame, money, awards - I deserve it,' he continued, becoming more and more excited. 'It's in my blood, I tell you. I'm a born performer. I was meant to be a star. I owe it to the public, those adoring millions who just want me so much.'
'Sure, Phil,' I said. 'Now get down off the table. People are staring.'

We were in the school lunch room. Phil had a half-eaten salad roll in one hand and he was waving his other hand around like a traffic cop. People definitely were staring, but not for long. It was Phil, after all, and most of the school was used to him.
This time he was really going. Standing there on the table, his eyes were wide, his fists were clenched. He had a dream.
Then someone threw an apple core at him. 'Get off the table, Harris!'

Phil looked puzzled as the apple core bounced off his head. Everyone laughed as he climbed down, but it didn't seem to bother him. He sat down and grabbed my arm, hard. 'Marco,' he said urgently. 'I say one word to you: radio.'

'And I say eight words to you: there's a bit of apple on your ear.'