Read the stage direction from act 1 of the monsters are due on maple street. narrator's voice maple street, u. s.a., late summer. a tree lined little world of front porch gliders, hop scotch, the laughter of children, and the bell of an ice cream vendor. there is a pause and the camera moves over to a shot of the good humor man and two small boys who are standing alongside just buying ice cream. based on this stage direction, readers should picture maple street as a mysterious place. quiet place. chaotic place. charming place.