A Prairie Home Companion: February 19, 2005

Brain script
Saturday, February 19, 2005
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(MUSIC)

Garrison Keillor: Where does talent come from? When you were a kid, people thought it was something you either had or you didn't have — they referred to it as "God-given talent" — but now we know much more about talent and we're able to implant it through brain surgery.

(MUSIC)

Tim Russell: (CLINK OF SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, VENTILATOR) Looking for the talent cortex — the rhythm ganglion — oh, there it is.

Sue Scott: You sure?

TR: Isn't that the right side?

SS: No, I think it's here. That's the libido. You want the talent cortex— here—

TR: Oh. You're right. (POWER DRILL START AND STOP)

SS: What's wrong?

TR: I gotta get part of the whatchamacallit too. And put in the rhythm genes—

SS: But this guy wanted to be a singer-songwriter—

TR: So I shouldn't put in the rhythm—?

SS: Not that much.

TR: Hmmmm. Too late— let me just — (POWER DRILL REVS UP, DRILLING)

SS: Hey. Wait!

TR: (DRILLING STOPS) What's the matter?

SS: Isn't that the nerve that — oh well, never mind. (MUSIC)

GK: The very next night—

Tom Keith (SINGS): Gotta dance! Gotta dance! (TAP DANCING, AND OFF, DOWN STAIRS, AND AWAY)

TR: Sid is a whole different guy since the operation.

SS: He's much happier. He's a pain in the butt to be around but he's happier.

TR: He ought to try out for a show or something. He's got the talent.

SS: First, they have to do something about him scratching his head with his foot.

TR: I noticed that, I didn't want to say anything about it.

GK: Every year, we're learning more and more about the human brain, and someday talent may be available to you. Ask your brain surgeon. A message from O. B.S. The Organization of Brain Surgeons.