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Merchant of the Valley





Written by: Gail Elizabeth Clarke

©2006























Act I: Scene I



Breakdown



Scene I



Marcus and Jackie (mother) are at home alone. Jackie is preparing dinner in the kitchen while Marcus is completing his homework assignment. Marcus has headphones on, and he is bobbing his head as he is working.



Jackie: How was school today Marcus?



(He is Still dancing and bobbing his head)



Jackie: Marcus! (Pause) I swear I don’t how he can think with all that noise in his head. (She walks over to him)



Marcus! (She startles him)



Marcus : - Oh! Yeah momma.



Jackie: I was trying to ask you how school was today.



Marcus: Sorry I couldn’t hear you.



Jackie: I know. (Sarcastically)



Marcus: school was cool you know. The same-o-same-o



Jackie: Seriously Marcus, how do you get the good grades you do, when you study with all that noise in your head.



Marcus: well momma, this music helps me to concentrate, it makes studying fun and time go by faster.



Jackie: well I guess if it works it works, because it shows. You make me so proud baby, just stay on the path you are on and your going to make it. By the way how was basketball practice today?



Marcus: Mama you shoulda seen me, I was burning up the rims. (He gets up to demonstrate) I was like this, and I was like that. I was hurting them mama. Yeah



Jackie: you got some smooth moves, you all right. But you got them from me.



Marcus: from you?



Jackie: oh yeah that’s right baby; when I was in high school I was tough stuff. I was on the girls basketball team, I was bad, and even the boys couldn’t handle me. One of these days I’ll take you on, and show you a few of my moves. (She demonstrates a few)



Marcus: I hear you, but we gonna see.



Jackie: don’t underestimate the great Jackie Collins



Marcus: oh its like that, huh



Jackie: that’s right, you better recognize



Marcus: momma, you aright with me. Thanks for being there for me momma.



Jackie: you’re welcome baby, you know I love you, and as long as I am able to, I am gonna be there. (She shows affection, walks away and then pauses) We just gotta get your brother to act right. Don’t you know Eric ain’t been in school all week, and the school called and left three messages on the answering machine. I can’t wait till his narrow behind gets home.



Marcus: now you know he gonna lie



Jackie: well we gonna see about that. Dinner is ready baby; imma get ready for work.



Jackie leaves the room; Eric enters in flamboyant clothing and jewelry.



Eric: what’s up nerd? (Marcus rolls his eyes. Eric picks with Marcus’s books and papers flips through them and slams them down)



Is that all you do?



Marcus: since you don’t go to school, you wouldn’t know anything about this.



Eric:  Sshhh! Keep it down, momma might hear you. I don’t need no drama today.



Marcus: Too late! She already knows



Eric: Big mouth! You told her didn’t you?



Marcus: I shoulda told her, the school been calling here, leaving messages. So you better have a good excuse for skipping school.



Eric: I am a grown man, and I ain’t gotta answer to nobody.



Marcus: oh yeah, we gonna see how grown you are when momma get through with you



Phone rings



Eric: whatever, Answer your phone man.



Marcus: Hello. This is Marcus. Uhh huhh. For real! Yes I’ll be there. Thank you, thank you, yes I’ll let my mother know. OK, bye. Yes, I got inducted!



Eric: In-duc-ted? What’s that?



Marcus: inducted to the National Honor Society!



Eric: The National Honor Society ain’t nothing but a bunch of pimple faced, four eyed nerds.



Marcus: whatever man quit hating! All I know is I can’t wait to go to college! (He looks dreamy eyed)



Eric: College? Man you stupid! It’s gonna take you four to five years to start makin money. You need to hook up with me and my daugs and start makin some paypa right now. You see I stay fresh to death, and look at this bank roll.

(Eric pulls out money) on the real though lil bro, (Marcus looks somewhat fascinated) me and my daugs makin 2 to 300 dollars a day; and all the honies be on us.



Marcus: for real man, it’s like that?



Eric: Yeah man, more money, more honey.



Marcus: oh man, I have to admit, that sounds aright.



Eric: yeah man, that’s why I’m quitting’ school.  



Marcus: What! Naw you the one stupid, that mess gone git you caught up just like pop’s. I’m straight you can have that drama.



Jackie enters the room



Eric: whatever man when you git tired of the hard road you can roll with me and my  . . .oh what’s up ma, you on your way to work?



Jackie: yes, and I need to. . .



Eric: ain’t you tired of them stupid jobs mama? How many of them you got now? Two, three?



Jackie: I said I need to tal . . .



Eric: Here you need some money, here you go mama. I can slip you a few Benjamin’s Grants you know . . .



Eric pulls out his wad of cash and tries to give some to his mother. Who cuts him off in dialogue



Jackie: Boy, where you get all that money? I know you ain’t out there selling them drugs. I taught ya’ll better than that!



Eric: I ain’t selling no drugs mama, you trippin’. You know I been working down at the library.



Marcus: yeah right!



Jackie: Marcus, I got this!



Eric: that’s right stay outta my business little bro



Jackie: I ‘m bouta get in your business. You ain’t making all that money working at no library, and the school been calling here leaving messages saying that you ain’t been at school all week.



Eric: mama they lying, I been at school, who you gone believe, them or me?



Jackie: boy I ain’t crazy! I know you ain’t been at school and from now on you coming straight home after school, cause you grounded!



Marcus: ahhh, haahh



Eric: what! Mama I ain’t no little kid no more. And as a matter of fact I’m dropping out of school; cause I ain’t gone be broke working two three jobs like you; Like some Jamaican.



Jackie: I know you didn’t . . .



Eric: You ain’t even been able to take care of us since daddy died; momma you stupid!



Marcus: don’t be talking to my momma like that, you crazy? (Marcus gets up and goes fast towards Marcus)



Eric: shut up punk before I blast you in your grill! Lil mama’s boy.



Marcus squares off with Eric ready to fight.



Marcus: what’s up then huh, you wanna scrap?



Eric: I’ll break your face little busta!



Marcus: come on with it then, what’s up?



Jackie: Marcus sit down



Marcus ignores



Jackie: Marcus I said sit down!



Enter Aunt Faye

Faye: What in God’s name is going on up in here? What cha’ll hollerin at each other for?



Marcus: Eric in here being disrespectful, talking to mama like he crazy.



Eric: shut up punk!



Faye: what is wrong with you Eric? Why you carrying on like that?



Eric: ain’t nothing wrong with me auntie; something wrong with them fools.



Faye: boy you better watch your mouth. You know better than to be talking to your mother like that.



Eric: she ain’t my mamma; that’s his mama; she always treated him better than me!



Jackie: What! I know you didn’t fix your face to say that, I treat both of you the same



Eric cuts her off.



Eric: no you don’t! You always take his side!



Jackie: Eric, if you would just listen and stay out of trouble I wouldn’t have to get on your case all the time.



Eric: yeah whatever!



Faye: All right that’s enough! Eric you sit your tail down somewhere and be quiet! This is the Lords house and you gonna act like it.



Eric: don’t be trying to put the ‘Lord’ in this; you ain’t nothing but a hypocrite anyway.



Jackie: Eric!



Faye: Oh no you didn’t; you got one more time to disrespect anybody in this house and you gotta go.



Jackie: that’s right!



Eric: oh yeah? I don’t care, I’ll leave. I got somewhere to go.



Marcus: well bye! Get out then!



Jackie: Marcus stop! (To Eric) So you think you a man huh?



Eric: I am a man. Not like this sissy!



Jackie: So you think cause you got a little money and them tired looking clothes, and that little raggedy jewelry on make you a man?



Eric: my gear is tight. I don’t know what you talking bout (slightly mumbling)



Faye: and them lil fast tail girls in your face got you thinking you all that.



Eric: I am all that, and then some



Jackie: you wanna end up like your daddy in prison somewhere?



Faye: Or in the cemetery!



Eric: at least he was down for his, not like ya’ll, a bunch of stupid broke low lives. Ya’ll lucky I won’t put the beat down on all ya’ll.



Marcus: say what?



Jackie: whatcha gonna do, huh, whatcha gonna do?



Eric: all right, ya’ll better get her, ya’ll better get her.



Jackie: they ain’t gotta get nothing; cause I wish you would call yourself raising a hand at me!



Eric: Girl you better sit down somewhere, before I –



Jackie slaps him very hard.



Faye: that’s what I’m talking bout girl! Check em, check em!



He grabs his face then he tries to go after her but Marcus grabs him and they tussle for a moment.



Eric: Get off me punk! (Eric gets loose) I’ma remember that mama, I’ma kill all ya’ll!



Eric runs out of the house.



Jackie: Eric  . . .I’m sorry!



Faye: sorry? Child please, he lucky it wasn’t me, I’d beat him down! he woulda never . . .

Jackie goes and sits on the couch, puts her hands on her face and begins to cry.



Marcus: It’s gonna be alright mama, don’t cry.



Faye: no let her cry baby, those who sow in tears will reap a harvest of joy. Everything is gonna be alright, it’s just time to put him in Lord’s hand.



Jackie: I don’t know what to do with that boy. I’ve worked my fingers to the bone to provide the best for these boys since their daddy passed away. What am I doing wrong?



Faye: you’re not doing anything wrong, you are doing an excellent job with your boys, look at Marcus; and Eric’s gonna be fine too; I know it doesn’t look like it, but just let God work it out.



Jackie: well, I’ve tried all I know to do; I guess that’s what I’ma have to do . . . put him in god’s hands.





CLOSE CURTAINS







Poem (spotlight is on Eric)





Mama!

Why you stressing me

Can’t you see how

These streets pressing me

Everybody telling me how to be grand

But they don’t understand

I don’t know

and  mama you can’t show

me how to be a man

Daddy done died

I feel like I been left all outside

But that’s alright

I got my boys on the side

Honeys stroking my pride

Got my gangster lean

in my pimped out ride

Pockets ain’t got no jingle

Only the kind that crinkle

Yeah, that’s what I know

That’s how I do it

Blow for blow

You say I am a coward

But from what I see here

Ya’ll got talk(pulls out his gun and cash)

I got the power







End of Act I: Scene I



Act I: Scene II



CIRCUS



Scene opens at a party scene. Music is playing, people are dancing and socializing. There is a short choreographed dance scene.



Background Talk

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Party person 1:  Hey, pass that good stuff over here!

(a plate of powder is being passed around, guests are taking a sample; Some are smoking marijuana, and drinking)



Party person 2: hold up, don’t get pressed man, you going to get yours.



Party person 3: pssst pssst hey, shaniqua!.



Female 1: what?  



Party person 3: slide over here let me holler at you. (female goes over)



How come you ain’t call me?



Spoon:  Sniff, sniff, Sniff (He goes after the plate in a humorous chase)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Down center stage (J-Blaze)

Other gentlemen in the room are propositioning Lady 1 and 2, when they see J-Blaze, and he gets all of their attention.



J-Blaze: That’s right ladies, I am the man with the plan. I got all the big money in my hand. (Female 1 and 2 walk over)



Lady 2: let’s see it big daddy, let’s see it.



(He reaches into his pocket and change falls out) (Lady 1 attempts to pick it up.)



No don’t pick that up. We don’t need no crumb change, when we got the whole roll.



(He pulls out a wad of cash which impresses the ladies.) (Spoon picks up the change when they are not looking)



Lady 2: Ohhh baby!



J- Blaze: That’s what I’m talking about ladies.



Lady 1: Ohhh you are the man!



J-Blaze: yeah, you don’t know how true that is.



Lady 2: Well show me baby, show me



Lady1: You better get in line, I got this



Lady 2: Say what? You better step off with your fake behind.



Lady 1: I ain’t fake!



Lady 2: Fake hair, fake lashes, fake nails; You fake!



Lady 1: I know you didn’t! with your just got outta bed nappy head.



(J-Blaze is amused about the brazen attention)



Lady 2: my hair ain’t nappy! You just hating cause I am all natural . . . .



Lady 1: Yeah you Super-Natural!

(They are about to scrap when he interrupts)



J-Blaze: Hey ya’ll calm down; you ain’t got to fight over the J-Blaze. There is more than enough to go around. (The girls are resistant at first)



Come on now ya’ll, J-Blaze likes all the flavors. (Add lib) So don’t fight over your differences. We’ve got too much in common . . .We were talking about my manly ability. (Ladies respond in turn)

(They walk off towards the back of the stage, but not off) music turns back up as small talk continues.



During this time Spoon is still scampering around trying to get the drugs.

She has her hand in purses and is trying to pick pockets. She takes an object from a ladies purse (a cell phone). As she is still pursuing a free hit Ron-C notices.



Ron-C: Hey! Hey! Spoon! What you doing . . . how you get in here?



Spoon: Hey man, I was just came to ahhh, have a good time with all you nice folks heh, heh . . .heh, heh . . .



Trigger: Ain’t nobody invited you, so get out before you get jacked up by me and my crew!



Spoon:  I was invited, yeah, yes I was.



Eric: ain’t nobody invited your stank behind!



Spoon: I was supposed to sing happy birthday.



Trigger: Happy Birthday!? To who?



Spoon: To Jo-Anne



Trigger: Joanne? Who the



Spoon: just listen I am supposed to sing, I told you, hold on, hold on.



Hap-py birth-day to you, hap-py birth-day to youuuu . . . hap-py birth-day to Mary Jane- . . . . (She continues the song briefly. They all laugh)



Trigger: man, shut the heck up, before you give me a head ache



Spoon: Hey man, do me a favor this one time, you know hook a sister up sniff, sniff. . .

(she motions towards the plate of dope)



Trigger: I know you ain’t trying to get some of my stuff . . .for free?!



Spoon: Well I mean, just this one time; I ain’t gonna ask you no more, come on man . . .



Trigger: Heck’s no!



Spoon: I got something for you man



Trigger : What you got?



Spoon: I got some money! Right here



Ron-C: you ain’t got no money, cause you ain’t got no job



Enter Eric (he high fives his partners)



Spoon: yeah, yeah, yes I do got some money, here it is, here it is, right here.

(She proceeds to count out the change in her pocket consecutively)



Twenty five, fifty, fifty five, fifty six, fifty seven, fift . . . .

(at this point, Trigger knocks the change out of his hand)



Trigger  : man, don’t play with me!! (He approaches as he speaks)



Spoon: hold on, hold on man, I, I, I got something else, ahhh I got a  . . .

(Just then a cell phone begins to ring, he begins staring into space as if he does not hear it)



Trigger: ain’t you gonna answer that?



Eric:: I know she ain’t got no cell phone!



Spoon: Hold on, hold on ya’ll, I got a call. Hell hell, hello. (Ron-C Eric and Trigger close in on Spoon) Hold on; hold on man this is a business call. Who? Nahh she ain’t here. I ain’t got time to take no message! What? What’s my name? You called me, what’s your name?



Meanwhile female 3 is searching for her phone and realizes that Spoon has her phone; she snatches the phone from Spoon and wipes it off)



Female 3: hello, yeah what’s up girl? Naw, that ain’t my friend just some crazy crack head stole my phone and had the nerve to answer it! (She glares at Spoon)



Trigger: What! You come up in my house party stealing from me and my people?!! Huh, huh?! (he then pulls a gun in her face)



Spoon: I, I, I ain’t never seen that there phone in my life. Somebody planted that on me . . .



Male 1 cuts her off



Trigger: (with a gun in her face) you ain’t gonna see tha rest of yo life either if you don’t get your stank, stealing behind outta here! As a matter of fact I should . . .





Spoon: (spoon begins to act as if he is in pain and holds his head) ohm, ohhh, oooh. See there, my nerves, my nerves, I’m stressing out!! (She begins to plead shamelessly)

See there I told you, I need that stuff man. Please man, I am begging you don’t kill me, I just need a hook up just this one time. (Trigger presses the gun into her forehead) Trigger don’t pull the trigger. Trigger don’t pull the trigger!I ain’t even worth the bullet. You gonna have to clean up all that mess, you don’t wanna deal with all that. Please man just hook me up. Help a sister out.



Trigger snaps his fingers and two males carry her out aggressively.



(They draw her up and drag her out of the house)



(You can still hear her hollering off stage while the rest of them laugh at the scene)



Eric:  Ooh wee that girl knows she is lying stealing junky!



Female 1: Ain’t she though. It’s a shame, she used to be some honor student or something back in high school, got a basketball scholarship to Spellman College, and messed it up. Now he/she ain’t shooting nothing but dope.

(They all laugh about her demise)



Female 2: I feel bad for her though, I really do.



Female 3: Well I don’t. Now I got to go disinfect my phone.



Trigger: Well that’s her fault for getting hooked. We are just the deliverymen. Ain’t that right?



Ron-C: The well-paid deliverymen! Heh, heh.



Eric: yeah, that’s right man



Female2: don’t she got some kids?



Female 1: yeah she got four, two boys, two girls and she ain’t seen them for three years. But I heard they took them away causa her ‘problem’ you know.



Female 2: didn’t she used to be married.



Female 1: yep, but he left her, cause she was more in love wit crack than she was with him.



Trigger:  well her problem ain’t our problem. If she didn’t come to us, it would be someone else. We just getting our piece of the pie. Its her job to take care a her own kids and her man. (He goes over to the back of the room and gets a big duffle bag)



Others reply: “yeah man you right” “ it ain’t our fault”



Trigger: (looks at his watch) hey little man, come over her. Yeah, both of you. Ya’ll wanna be down with us?



Youth 1: yeah man, yeah!



Trigger  : well I got a job for you, but I gotta know I can trust you with it,



Youth 2: yeah you can trust me man, I won’t let you down.



Youth 1: me either man, you can trust me



Trigger : if you do this and don’t mess it up. I’m gonna have you working for me personally.



Youth 1&2: thanks man, we ain’t gonna let you down, we promise!



Trigger: alright, alright, listen! Take this over to Stonewall St. and you gonna see my boy Medicine Man at the corner, under the weeping willow tree.  He gonna be expecting this package



Youth 2: we got it man, we got it!



Trigger: LISTEN! That’s your first lesson. If you learn to listen and do exactly what I say we gonna get along fine. So more listening and less talking.

(They nod their heads earnestly)

He gonna give you another package; you better not open it and you better come straight back; and don’t stop to talk to nobody, not even your momma. You got that?



Youth 1&2: yea man, I got it, I got it!



Trigger hands the rather large conspicuous package to the young man wich is so heavy that he almost falls, therefore they have to carry it together.



Two boys exit



Enter Miss Jenkins:



Miss Jenkins: FELIX JENKINS!

(Just then J-Blaze hides behind the ladies while Eric & Ron-C approach her to intimidate)



Miss Jenkins: Get back . . .get back! (Swinging her umbrella) I don’t want no trouble, I just want my son!



Eric: hey watch it! (Dodging her umbrella) We ain’t got no Phillips up in here lady, so you need to leave



Miss Jenkins: I said Felix Jenkins! And I know he in here too



Ron-C: Look Big Mamma you got the wrong address, so I suggest you step before things get ugly



Miss Jenkins: My name is Miss Lula-Mae Jenkins young man, and I ain’t leaving without my son. FELIX! FELIX! FELIX! (She is trying to see past the men into the room)(Trigger gets up and approaches the commotion)



Trigger: Look Miss Jenkins, my boys told you that you got the wrong address, don’t make it a permanent stop. (He says threatening)

(Miss Jenkins begins swinging her umbrella again)



Miss Jenkins: I ain’t scared, I, I ain’t scared of none a you! (She continues swinging her umbrella)



Eric: I think she is straight up crazy man.



Miss Jenkins: Yeah I’m crazy! Can’t sleep at night with these gun shots popping off while my child out in the street. He selling drugs and hanging out with ya’ll knuckleheads. And all these crack heads stealing from me. I woke up this morning and my microwave and my brand new television was gone. Yes, that is enough to make any mother crazy! Crazy enough to take action!



Eric: Look big momma, it ain’t our fault, we just deliver the goods. We supply the demand. It’s the powers that be that create all this, (he motions to the drugs) you know.



Trigger: Yeah we just trying to make a living. So don’t come up in here trying to get all self-righteous and judgmental with us! (He tries to get in her face)



Miss Jenkins: I ain’t the one who is gonna judge you. Cause you making a so-called living by killing a generation. Your own people! Ya’ll need to repent to God, before all ya’ll go to hell!

(They are offended by her statement, and attempt draw their guns)



Eric: You got a big mouth fat lady, that’s about to get shut permanently if . .

(J-Blaze cuts them off)



J-Blaze: Mama, mama, why you in here?



Miss Jenkins: Boy, come on out here! You see all this trouble you got me in.



Trigger: This, is your mama?



J-Blaze: Yeah man.



Eric: Your name is Felix? . .

(He nods embarrassed)



Miss Jenkins: Felix Alloweaxious Jenkins!



Eric: No wonder you hiding!

(They laugh him to scorn)



Trigger: You lucky, your momma was bout to get popped.



J-Blaze: Ya’ll she ain’t take her medicine yet, and that make her kinda testy you know, she go off sometimes. . .



Miss Jenkins: Boy, ain’t nothing wrong with me! But I’m bout to go off on your behind! (She removes a belt from her purse and begins to spank him)



J-Blaze: Mama why you tripping?!

(They all laugh hilariously at the scenario)



Miss Jenkins: I didn’t raise you to be no drug dealer or no whoremonger! All the hard work I put into raising you. I be darned if I let you go out like this. I’ll take you out myself before I let you sell out to the devil!



J-Blaze: Mama quit embarrassing me in front of my friends!



Miss Jenkins: Friends? Embarrass? You ain’t embarrassed to be associated with gangsters and drug dealers. You proud of that huh? You ought to be ashamed of yourself; and you better not be taking none of that stuff neither! I’ll slap that taste outta your mouth (She begins hitting with the belt again, he runs away from her around the room)(He grabs the belt to stop her from hitting,)



J-Blaze: Mama I am grown man, (he is trying to conceal that he is crying) you can’t whoop me no more, and you can’t tell me what to do!

She slaps him upside his head, and while he is grabbing his ear she grabs him by the other towards the exit, then stops)



Miss Jenkins: boy you ain’t but sixteeeen years old . . . Therefore I have the right to major on your minor behind. (She beats him with the umbrella) LET’S GO!



Female 2: I thought he was twenty one



RON- C: That’s child abuse!



Miss Jenkins:  I – know – you - didn’t! Well call the police. Call em! I bet you won’t . . . Come on Felix!



Trigger: Man I had enough of your mouth! (He is attempting to get his weapon)



Eric: Let her go man, it ain’t worth it. That’s our boy’s mom, even if she is crazy and talks a lot of junk.



J- Blaze: AHHH! My ear!

(The lot of them laugh out loud as she leaves)



Eric: Man, this is the craziest party you ever had!



Trigger: Yeah all these crazy desperate folks coming up in here.



Eric: That woman was on a suicide mission for sure.



Ron- C:  And ahhh FELIX got punked hah, hah! Man that was funny. He mimics J-Blaze. (They laugh)



Female 2: Oooh girl he only sixteen. I might be wild, but I ain’t no cradle robbing player.



Female 1: he fronting like he was man with the plan. Now he Felix the kitty in mommas hand. (laugh)



Trigger: Man my momma would never do nothing crazy like that. She know better. Cause she recognizes that I am a man cause I brings home the green, you know what I am saying? (Eric and His boys high five him)



Eric: you lucky, my momma tripping man. She putting me out for making my own paypa



Trigger: man please, when hard times really hit, that green gonna look like gold.



Eric: yeah.



Female 2: Trigger you gotta to give it to Miss Jenkins though. She gots to love her son, to be coming up in here bold like that.



Female 3: That’s some crazy kind of love.



Female 2: My momma don’t know where I am or even care to know, much less to come find me. . . Please.



Trigger: That shouldn’t matter to you, cause we your family now. Right?!

(She does not answer)(Everyone else answers)



Trigger: RIGHT? !



Female2: Oh yeah, right. (There is an uncomfortable silence)

(Just then Spoon pokes his head in)





Spoon: Pssst, pssst. Any of ya’ll wanna buy a fan, for five dollars?



Everyone: HECKS NO! Get outta here!





Act I: End Scene II



Poem: Female 2





Act I: Scene III



Face-Off





Scene opens with Marcus folding laundry and dancing to an upbeat gospel song. Marcus sings as if with a microphone as he sings the lyrics. Donnie Mclurkin ‘walking in authority’



Enter Eric. He watches Marcus quietly for a while shaking his head. He goes over and turns off the radio. Marcus sings the last part of the verse without music. He goes over to turn it back on.



Marcus: Get out of my way man! You ain’t even supposed to be here. You know what momma said . . .



Eric: she don’t run me! and I ain’t finished with you yet. You was fronting me and talking all-bold in front of mom’s and auntie.

(Eric is in Marcus’s face)



Marcus: Ain’t nothing changed bro, I ain’t scared of you.



Eric: mmm, so you tough now huh? You think you something special just because you in some national nerd society.. You ain’t Jack!



Marcus: Man please, you just hating cause you ain’t nothing but a poison peddling boot leg wearing pimp!



Eric: Man shut up! At least I am paid! You looking like some broke joke. I told you it’s gone take you four to five years to get paid half of what I get now. (He sits on the sofa and puts his leg up on the coffee table) By then I will be retired and chilling with my flavor of the month or should I say flavor the week.



Marcus: Yeah you will be retired all right, in the grave or in jail. You know there are only two possible endings to the story. You better wake up get out while you can . . . before you end up like pops in jail or . . .



Eric: (Eric stands up) don’t be talking bout my old man. At least he was a true player, true to the game, not some sell out chump like you.



Marcus: He was my pops too, but I ain’t ending up like him! I want more out of life, and you should too. . .



Eric: whatever man, you just scared cause you too weak to handle the thug life. You always been a punk! (Says with disdain)



Marcus: Yeah, and you just scared to face real life.



Eric: I ain’t scared of nothing



Marcus:  Yes you are, you scared you won’t make it in the real world. Hiding behind your gang symbols, gang colors, violence and anger.



Eric: man you don’t know what you talking bout. It’s about territory. Protecting what’s yours.



Marcus: Ya’ll fight over territory cause ya’ll don’t think you can have more than what you see. Fighting over a fish bowl, when there is a whole ocean out there. You the one scared.  



Eric: I ain’t scared of nothing! You the one always hiding under mommas covers, little mommas boy, just scared; you was always scared of Freddie Cougar and Jason hiding under the bed. cchh, cchh, chhh, chhh, hahh, hahh, hahh, hahhh, cchh, cchh, cchh, cchh, (he laughs, while Marcus shows outward expression of nervousness)



Marcus: Quit it, all right! Not all fear is bad Eric. It keeps you outta trouble . . . .But you know what, I am scared



Eric: See, I knew . . .



Marcus: Of doing nothing with my life! Becoming a statistic, a non-entity, and letting momma labor hard for nothing. I am scared of failing Eric. I am scared of qualifying the labeling lye permeating through the system that says I won’t make it. But I ain’t petrified of you or Freddie Cougar Big bro. Most of all I am scared of not pleasing God.



Eric: I don’t care what you say with your big fancy college boy words, I still say you scared like a little chicken head. (He goes back to the sofa)



Marcus: Don’t get comfortable, momma gonna be here in bout fifteen minutes.



Eric: And?



Marcus: Tell me something. If you make so much money, where is your house, in your name? Where is your savings and checking account in your name?



Eric: Man I don’t need no bank. I am my own bank. I don’t need no man telling me how to save and count my own money. Get outta my face withal that crap. I can get me a house any time I want. I am just laying low with one of the honeys right now.



Marcus: You spend every dime you make on pimping your ride, clothes, whores, and jewelry. And none them tricks would want you if you was broke. In fact you are broke. You earn it fast, you spend it fast.



Eric: You earn it slow, and it shows.



Marcus: Well at least its legal.



Eric: Don’t hate cause I wear the best, drive the latest, date the finest, and I am never pressed. While you looking like Urcle on a bad day. (laugh) You see I don’t chase pipe dreams like you little bro’. I gots to get mine, now! (He mumbles the rest) I ain’t got time to waste in no school.



Marcus: It ain’t gonna last man. Mark my words, you gonna wish you listened to mom’s and auntie. (Uncomfortable silence)



Eric: Hey! The proof is all I see! The proof is all that matters. I’m paid, and you a broke joke. I’m fly and packing while you jacked up and slacking. All the ladies tagging me but you ain’t it and still waiting your turn. . Keep it real bro; every man including you wants to be me  . . .(he walks down stage looking dreamy eyed)

I am living the great American dream!



Marcus: Man you living the great American lie, you better get up before you wake up in prison.



Eric: (scoffs). Whatever little boy, go study your books cause you too dense to get this. If you was any kind of man you would be taking care of momma so she could at least drop one of them jobs she got.



Marcus is still packing while they dialogue



Marcus: I am a man thank you. I just don’t wanna be looking over my shoulders for the rest of my life, ain’t no sense making all that money if you have to hide it?



Eric: There you go with that cross the track thinking again, sees there you brainwashed.  



Marcus:  You the one need to have your brain washed.



Eric: You a slave to the system. You got to free your mind bro. This is the land of opportunity. But you limit yourself.



Marcus: The American dream is freedom, but you are a slave to the game man, a slave to the dollar. When I get mine, its gonna be legal, I won’t have anything to hide. Won’t be no cops kicking down my door. You won’t see me running when I hear police hear sirens.

(Just then the sound of sirens) (Eric is nervous but tries not to show it)



Eric: Man please that only happens to week stupid brothers, who don’t know how to play the game. I ain’t going to jail cause I am smarter than them 5-0 pigs. I ain’t getting shot cause my boys got my back.



Marcus: All right I hear you, so, which one was pops, weak or stupid?



Eric: What you say punk?



Marcus: I didn’t stutter, and don’t call me punk no more, cause that ain’t me alright!



Eric: What you gonna do little boy, call ma-ma.  The only reason pops got caught, was because of weak, sell outs like you!



Marcus: You the one with the problem always stressing moms out when all she try to do is help you. You are the one who is a sell out. Every thing she taught us you done the opposite. You breaking her heart just like pops did!



Eric: what you say punk?

(Eric pushes Marcus)

Marcus: that’s the last time you gonna call me that

They began to fight until when the home phone and the Eric’s cell phone go off at the same time they both say hello simultaneously.



Marcus: Yeah what’s up man? Say what (beat) Darnel shot! When? Just half hour ago, where at? Oh god please no! Where he at now? On his way to Covenant. All right I am on my way.



Eric: Man what happened? . . . Carver and them from the west side was on our turf starting beef! What! Its on now. Yow man, meet me over at Bucker’s. Yeah we gotta take care of business…. hey man, bring your piece.



Eric: Where you think you going? Darnel is a true player; don’t try to act like you down with him now. I’ll go, he don’t need no sell outs in his face while he on his deathbed.



Marcus: Deathbed? You just gonna sentence him like that. We gotta pray, Come on man. (He tries to hold Eric’s hand but he rejects him)



Eric: Praying is for week brothers. I answer my own prayers. (He pulls put his gun) This my answer right here! So pray by yourself, for yourself. (He walks and then turns) Even if he dies he went out like a true player / baler.



Marcus: If he wasn’t saved man its gonna be hell



Eric: this ghetto is hell man. Wake up! So you better try to get a piece of heaven while you can. (Eric cock his gun and walks towards the door, just then his mother comes in and sees the gun)



Jackie : Oh my god what’s going on here? Eric what you doing here, and why do you have a gun? What’s going on? Marcus baby are you all right?



Eric: Yeah mom your precious little boy is all safe and sound, for now.



Marcus: I ain’t no little boy!



Eric: Just shut up! You lucky the phone call saved you, I was gonna break you down boy.



Marcus: you wasn’t gonna do nothing!



Mother: that’s enough! Eric baby please don’t do anything stupid. .



Eric: (gives her the hand) don’t even try it moms, like you care about me. It’s a little too late for that, don’t you think.

(He exits)



Mother: Marcus what happened, what’s going on?



Marcus: some gang members from the west side shot Darnel and Eric is going to meet his boys to plan the revenge.



Mother: What you mean revenge? Is that why he had a gun? Are they gonna kill these other youngsters.



Marcus: they are not youngsters’ momma.



Mother: yes they are, they may be acting grown but most of them are still children



Marcus: maaa don’t you get it. They are not youngsters, they’re gangsters, armed and dangerous. And yes they are gonna try to kill them.

(Sound of police sirens in the background)

Oooh I can’t wait to get outta here and go to school.  



Mother: Oh god where did I go wrong, what did I do? What did I do? (crying)



Marcus: Stop blaming yourself momma. You raised us right.



Mother: he is so defensive and angry with me. Why? It’s as if he hates me.



Marcus: I think he hates himself mama. That’s why he shows so much hatred towards us. You can’t love anybody right till you love yourself right. And you can’t love yourself until god shows you how.



Mother: Boy, when did you get so smart?



Marcus: I’m not. I heard it in Sunday school last week.

(Jackie chuckles)



Jackie: lets go we gotta get to the hospital. (They grab their things as they dialogue)



Marcus: I hope Darnels gonna be alright.



Lights out, close curtain, spotlight on newscaster.



Newscaster: just in. shooting reported on the east side of Saginaw.  It is said this was a gang related incident. A seventeen-year-old male victim is in critical condition. . Police are investigating but there are no suspects at this time. We have here Tywone the owner of JO-JO’s market. Mr. Tywone can you tell us what you saw.



Tyrone:  My name is Ty-Rone. That’s it ain’t no extra .



Newscaster: oooo, kaayyy. Ty- Rone. So you were present when all this went down.



Tyrone: I sure was



Newscaster:  Can you share with us . . . . what happened? Ty-rone, hello.

(Tyrone is posing in front of the camera as she speaks.)



Tyrone: what’s up momma? oh yeah, I was just giving a shout out to my moms. Is that all right?



Newscaster: whatever



Tyrone: anyway, what had happened was, this shorty was in my store at the register buying some coolers when an argument broke out between his friend and this other fella. Next thing I know the two dudes started scrapping,



Newscaster: scrapping?



Tyrone: yeah you know fighting, hitting and stuff.  



Newscaster: oohhh,



Tyrone: you ain’t from around here huh? Anyway, little man tried to intervene and help his friend out. Then . . .



Newscaster: then what happened?



Tyrone: I’s trying to tell you but you ain’t listening. Then that other fella pulled out his gat



Newscaster: his gat?



Tyrone: Yeah you know, his strap, thumper, heater, bumper, burner . . .



Newscaster: could you clarify that



Tyrone: gun. (he shakes his head) like I’s saying, then the two shorties,  turned to run outa the store. Ooo then that other dude popped both of them. Pop, pop. He got one of them real good right in the gut then grazed the other on his side.



Newscaster: the police say the same bullet went through both victims, is that true?



Tyrone: heck’s if I know



Newscaster: well you did see the shooting.



Tyrone: hecks naw. Ain’t no black man gonna stand and look when no guns shooting off. I’s on the floor behind the counter, I ain’t crazy! You ain’t from around here is you?



Newscaster: You said you were present



Tyrone: I was , on that floor.



Newscaster: so how is it you know much about what happened.



Tyrone: well everybody know. My cousin June–bug and Pukie, was across the street watching ev’thing. That’s how I know.  . .



Newscaster: I see, thank you Tyrone.



Tyrone: psst hey! you know you kinda cute. You bujouah, but you kinda fine. Let me get your number.



Newscaster: not! Thank you Tywone!



(Tyrone is still looking into the camera while she is speaking) Police report it is doubtful that the young victim will survive due to the severity of the injury. We will have updates in our 11 pm news broadcast.  I am Denise Wanabee . . . .



Tyrone: you got that right

Newscaster: . . . .We will now have weather with Meteorologist Bob Carrington.



Background: cut!



Newscaster: oh my gosh, please edit that!

  

Lights out, open curtains  



End of Act I Scene III



















































































Act I: Scene IV



Scene opens in a funeral home with classic accompanying organ music. There is a viewing for the body of Darnel. Mourners are passing by the body one by one and making their comments.



Viewer 1:

(In a sobbing tone) you was all right with me man, Taking that bullet for me and everything. Like a real bro! I mean you really had my back, even though you got it in the back, but you were the man though for real, you my boy! Thanks man . . . (walking away then pausing) I’m just saying you know, I don’t know if I woulda done that for you though, but thanks anyway. By the way, I ‘m gonna take real good care of old girl Shantay! Ohhh whhee! I’m sure you don’t mind since you dead and everything. Now here is a secret . . . I always been sweet on her, and now I’m not saying I am glad you gone but, it’s a mixed emotion you know. Kinda tears me up inside. But I ain’t gonna be pressed over it you know, cause you is dead for real. Well for what it’s worth, I hope you in a better place. Peace out!



A few viewers continue passing in between



Viewer 2:

(In a sobbing poster and shaking her head) that was just dumb, dumb, dumb! Don’t you never do nothing stupid like that again. Taking a bullet for your boy. He don’t even like you. You know he tried to holler at your girl as soon as you was gone. Mmm, hmm. Next time you look out for yourself, cause that was just plain stupid. (About to walk away) Well, there won’t be a next time for you now will there. Well, I hope wherever you are you make better choices, cause now you dead and all they gonna do is use you as an excuse for more violence.



Viewer 3:

Baby why! Why! Take me with you baby! Take me. Take me!!! I can’t live without you Big ‘D’. whyyyy? Wahhhhh!



She sobs into the casket.



Bystander 1: Poor girl, she pregnant and the child gonna be born with no daddy.



Viewer 4 is standing closely behind viewer 3



Viewer 3: I love you Big D. you was the best man I ever had. Can’t nobody take your place.



Viewer 4: Who is you? This is my man!



Viewer 3: What? (Getting her composer and wiping her face) What you say? This is your man? Girl please I been with Big D for one year and I am seven months pregnant with his baby. (She shows her stomach)



Viewer 4: Well lookey here (shows here stomach) I am eight and a half months so I got you beat.

(Women get into a fading dialogue on the side)



Viewer 3: you’s a lie, my man ain’t been with you. He got standards, and you don’t even come close.



Viewer 4: well obviously we got real close, (she motions to her stomach) before you ever  . . .



Funeral Director 1: he dead. He dead ya’ll! He can’t do nothing for none a     you now. (Both females walk away embarrassed) That’s just crazy, fighting    over a dead man,



FD 2: That’s what I’m talking about, he was handing them honeys



FD 1:  Big ‘D’ was nothing but a whore, now he a dead whoa.



Funeral Director 2: yeah he need to wake up and give a brother some tips. Cause he got honeys sweating over him and he dead. A brother like that need to run for president.



Funeral Director 1: ain’t nothing grand about what he did to those girls. He was irresponsible, selfish, and stupid. A real man woulda at least been careful. Illegal money, Fancy cars, gaudy jewelry, a gun, and plenty loose women don’t make you a man. It makes you a strait up fool.



Funeral Director 2:  Well, call me Um-fu-fu!!!



Enter gang members, excluding Eric,



Everyone gets quiet and back away as they enter. They are wearing dark shades, all black and gang colors. Some of them have liqueur bottles in their hands. They place liqueur, jewelry, and valuables in the casket as they pass. They have an intentional intimidating presence (even the organist stumbles their play)

Enter spoon (behind them inconspicuously) (viewer one greets them)



Trigger: (Somber tone) what’s up Big D? Its gonna be all right man. We gonna get some peace for you soul. We gonna take care of them busters!



Ron-C: and anybody that gets in our way. We gonna get em too.

(They all agree in alternate chorus) (Ron-C places his shades in the coffin)



Male 3: Don’t worry Big D. You had our back. Now we got your back.



(They finalize their respects and take a sip of liqueur and poor a bit on the floor as they go off to the side)



Spoon: Ohhh Big D big D! Why did you have to go?  Why?!  Wahhhh   Why?



Funeral director1: who is she?



Funeral director 2: must be his momma



Funeral director 1: ohhh, she look real bad. Real stressed out.



Spoon: I hates to see you go. But you know we all gots to go some time. Now . . . ( she removes the valuables one by one)



Trigger: Spoon!



Spoon: It’s my time to go.

(She puts on the shades and begins to mimic the blind)



Male 1: what you doing in here?



Spoon: I, I, I, just came to pay my respects, you know. It’s a shame, it’s a crying shame, a dog gone shame, it’s a low down dirty . . . (She is backing away as she speaks)



Trigger: We get the point ayite! Now what you doing here, you don’t care nothing bout Darnel.



Spoon: Who that? Who Darnel?



Male 2: See, I knew it, you up in here stealing, ain’t you, ain’t you!

             (Eric removes the glasses)



Spoon: No I ain’t, I respects the dead. I would never do such a low,        

             Degenerate, depraved, evil . . .

           (A gym shoe drops from Spoons coat)



Spoon: Ooops! What’s that? (Pointing in another direction)



            (Spoon zips away from them before they can react)



           (Male 3 is about to try and go after her, but male 2 stops him)



Trigger: Hey forget it man, you know you ain’t gonna catch no crack head

                on the run. (Ron-C picks up the bottle)



Ron-C: I’m tired of her trifling behind, now our boy gonna be buried with one shoe. That’s cold.



Trigger: well it comes with the territory man



Enter Miss Jenkins and J-Blaze



Miss Jenkins: come on in here. Come on.



J-blaze: I’m coming; I’m coming.



(He sees his friends and hails them. He pulls his pants down much lower)



J-blaze: Hey what’s up ya’ll?



Miss Jenkins: Felix, I ain’t come here for you to have the hooligan reunion. You say you wanna come pay your respects, well come on with it.



J-Blaze: (under his breath) ohhhh mannn, I can’t take this no more



Trigger : You ain’t gotta deal with it man. We got your back.



Miss Jenkins:  What you say there? And what happened to your clothes?



J-Blaze: ain’t nothing happen to em.



(Miss Jenkins precedes to pull his pants up, he pulls them back down, she pulls them up, until he pulls them down so hard that they fall to the floor and show his tweedy bird boxers.) (Everyone laughs, and he is embarrassed)



J- Blaze: there you go embarrassing me again



Miss Jenkins: you always trying to fit in to what you think in is. no matter how stupid it makes you look.



J-Blaze: momma you old fashioned, you don’t even know the style



Miss Jenkins: that may be true. But I do know when something is just plain silly. You pull your pants below your behind, and then spend the whole day pulling them up. (She demonstrates) That’s just retarded. Don’t make no kinda sense.



J-blaze: that’s the style momma!



Miss Jenkins: uh, huhh. You know that there style come from them sistas in the prisons

(They all shrug her off in disbelief)



When them fruity tooties wanna give up some action, that’s how they wear their pants it to say come get it! Now, if that’s what you into then let me know but otherwise, while you living in my house pull em up!! (They all pull up their pants hurriedly)



J-blaze: I don’t get down like that. (They all respond spontaneously)



(They walk over to Darnels body)



Pull your pants up and come on, let’s get this over with.

(She looks into the coffin surprised and puzzled)



This is the young man you used to play with on the block when ya’ll was little boys. Mmm, mmm, mm.  He used to tell me he wanted to be a scientist or a doctor,  then it was a mmusic producer . . . He changed his mind all the time, but at least he dreamed. Well what happened to his dreams, why did he sell out for this life style. He had so much to live for, and died never finding it. Is this what you want Felix? I this how you want to end up?

(J- blaze shrugs)

I love you Felix



J- Blaze: ahh moms quit with all that. That’s embarrassing!



Miss Jenkins:

                        You think they love you? Your boys who got your back.                                                           Who has his back now? (She motions toward the casket) Ya’ll ain’t nothing      but a group of cowards, (she waves her umbrella as she speaks) come together to make each other feel brave. But all ya’ll is scared. Scared to really live so you live like you dead! Ya’ll don’t value your own life so you don’t value nobody else’s. That’s why it’s so easy for ya’ll to pull the trigger. All ya’ll wanna to be loved, you ain’t gonna say it in front of your cohorts, but you know you do. Mmm,mm,mm (she turns back to the coffin shaking her head)

Well I hope he found Jesus. Come on Felix baby, let’s go.



Ron- C: (in a mocking tone) By Felix baby! (They all laugh)



Trigger: that miss Jenkins be talking a whole lot a junk, don’t she.



Ron-C: yeah she be running her mouth!



Trigger : and she always got that umbrella, and it ain’t even raining. She lucky Eric stopped me last time, cause she was gonna get dealt with. Matter of fact, (he looks aound) where . . .



Hey anybody seen Eric?



Everyone in alternate chorus: naw I ain’t seen him.



Male 3: it’s kinda funny he was nowhere around when it went down



Trigger: yeah and now he ain’t here either. What’s up with that?



Ron-C: I heard he down with the west side now on the low.



Trigger: hey that is kinda strange



Ron- C: I wasn’t gonna say nothing but, I ain’t never trust him too much you know. He was always trying to take your place man.



Trigger : take my place! You know I ain’t having that.



Ron-C: I know that’s right.



Trigger: We gotta see if it’s true first, you know, test him, see if he still down. Let’s bounce.



End of Act I: Scene IV



Close Curtains



Enter Spoon:



Spoon: I got me some good stuff here today! A gold chain (she bites it to see if it real) its real. Probably git five to ten dollars for that. A gym shoe. Only got one foot though. Dog gone it I dropped the other one. I might still git something for it. Some juicy juice, well I’ma keep that. A watch. Ohh yeah that’s at least worth five dollars. Hehe, he, he,he. I hit the big time. I hit the jackpot today! (She looks side ways to the audience)



What? What you looking at me for?

You ain’t never seen nobody on crack?

What you say?

Oh you think you better than me.

You think I’m a menace to society.

You think I am thief, a junky,

smell like a skunky!

Well forget all ya’ll. Cause ya’ll don’t know nothing bout me

You think I like living like this.

You think I like smelling like stale piss-on a hot day.

You think I like cold guns pressed into my head-forced to pray.  

Hungry for daily bread,

but getting me a rock instead.

You think I wouldn’t be free if I could!

You think I wouldn’t move outta this here crack infested hood.

But I am bound by this beast.

I would break free if I could at least-run!

But its like being in prison, but the prison is within.

So tell me how to run from an internal dungeon.

You don’t know where I started.

It was at a high school party.

I was just trying to be cool.

Didn’t know it would turn me into no fool.

Don’t judge me!

Cause you tried cigarettes and still smok’em.

And you tried weed, and still choken.

But the monkey on your back ain’t no match for the King Kong on mine.

We all tried something. But my something got me by the throat all the time.

As quiet as its kept, truth be told,

some of ya’ll are already down my road.

Catching up to me fast. I see you when you sneak past,

oh yeah under cover thinking nobody knows who you are .

but I know you cause a junky know a junky near or far.

Your closet is getting full and about to bust

All your business, family, friends, looks, and funds to the dust

With on gust it’ll all blow away.





















































Act I: Scene V



The Struggle Begins





Enter Marcus



Marcus: I don’t see why momma says I gotta clean out Eric’s room. He need to come clean it himself. With all this nasty stinky crap! (He throws some items on the sofa)



Oohh what is this? (He finds some alcohol and looks side to side smells it first and takes a sip. Some of it spills on his chest. He coughs coarsely and grabs his throat and chest.

Aahh that burns. No wonder his brain is fried

Oooohhh weeee! Lookey here. Oh man, Eric was holding out. Hon’s with Bon’s . She foine, she even finer, oohh and she’s the finest. Well they all fine. He lucky momma never found this and I’m gonna keep it that way.

(He sticks it in his pants behind his back)

What’s all this? (He pulls out a bag of what looks like weed, he opens the bag and smells it.)

Oh man this is weed. I should throw it away. Well I never tried it, and I need to keep it that way. (He begins to walk toward the kitchen then he pauses) Well one time won’t hurt so I can have a hand on experience with it you know. Yeah, I’ll roll up a couple and try it when I know everyone will be out of the house for a long time cause this stuff stinks. (The sound of police sirens startles him and makes him drop it)



Oh man I am acting like Eric.



(the sound of a car stopping startles Marcus)



Oh crap, mamas home! What I’m gonna do with all this stuff. Well it ain’t mine, it’s Eric’s. How am I gonna explain smelling like alcohol.

(The rustling of keys gets louder, he puts the boxes on the floor and hides under a blanket and lays on the floor)



Enter Jackie:



She is just in from work and she sits down to go through her mail. Marcus is by the sofa ‘hiding’ but she does not notice him there.



Jackie: ooh I am so tired. I wish I had me a fine strong black man to massage my feet . . . as crusty and funky as my feet are, I’d be cutting a brother. (She laughs at herself leans back in exhaustion at the kitchen table) what is that smell? Like somebody spilled some alcohol somewhere. I’m too tired to look. Ok, it’s 6 o’ clock now, and I gotta be at the restaurant by ten. I got just enough time to cook dinner, do the laundry, and maybe get an hour nap.

I don’t know how much longer I can do this. Sometimes I feel like running away. I just need a break, before this stress kills me. But my boys need me. (She sighs and opens her mail)

What! A thousand five hundred and twenty five dollars and fifteen cents!!

I can’t take these gas prices no more! Oh my God, I can’t take it. (she throws the rest of  the mail on the table) I don’t even want to see them other bills. Don’t make no sense I ain’t got the money. Something’s gotta give; Marcus gotta go to college; not just any local college, he gotta go outta state cause he wants to get away from the negativity in this area. I hope he gets a scholarship, a loan, or something, cause I sure can’t pay for it.  (Phone rings)



Hello.   Uhh huhh, who? Oh Jackie Collins . Oh she ain’t here. She don’t even live here any more. What’s that you say? Oh this is the mortgage company. Well she drops bye sometime, so I will let her know you called. What? Hold on, I got another call. (She clicks over) I’m just gonna bury myself in a hole where nobody can find me!

Hello. Hey Faye what’s up? Nothing, I am just tired, but I am ok. Uuhh huhh, I can come get you, where you at? Alright here I come; give me about fifteen minutes. Aright bye. (She hangs up, sighs and flops back into the chair)

Well, there goes my nap. (She grabs her purse and leaves)



(As soon as she leaves Marcus pulls the blanket away from his face and sits up)



Marcus: So it’s like that huh. Momma getting pressed bout me going to college? I thought she was so proud of me. ‘Keep it up Marcus and you gonna make it’ yeah right; she didn’t say anything about Eric and his shenanigans

So that’s the real truth. I am the real problem, not Eric. At least he can support himself. I barely make enough at the grocery store to buy my own lunch, and maybe buy a few clothes. Eric is right. If I was a real man, I wouldn’t depend on momma to support me, I would support her. Well you know what, I am not gonna be responsible for momma being over worked and stressed no more. I gotta do something about it.

(Phone rings)

Hello. No she ain’t here. Who is this? Who? G&M agency? What’s that? A collection agency? What ya’ll trying to collect. Money from a debt. I’ll let her know you called. (he hangs up)



See there, that’s what I am talking about, now collection agencies calling here for my momma and I can’t do nothing to help her. Well I can’t just do nothing. I got to do something!

Marcus leaves . . . (curtains close, and Marcus comes out on the outside)





Is this destiny

Is a black man

Meant to be

A product of

Environmental predictability

The webs of life

The lasso of strife

Cutting into my neck

Sharper than a knife

I say what the heck

I tried to be the one

Who would rise up and be strong

But even I was wrong

So now I am gonna do

What I gotta

I don’t mean play the lotto

But play the game of a baler

Who just grew up a little taller

And opened his eyes to the truth

On these streets

Ain’t no time to be a youth

Got to be a man from birth

Or get buried by this dearth.

Is this destiny?

I don’t know

But from what I see

It’s gotta be.





End Act I Scene V













































































Act II: Scene I

This scene is set back at the drug house





Trigger: Hey Ron-C!



(Ron-c jumps)



Where Eric at?



Ron-C: I don’t know man. I ain’t seen him all of yesterday.



Trigger: I been calling him, blowing up his cell like a little desperate trick, and he ain’t returned none of my calls?



Ron-C: yeah man, he ain’t called me back either.



Male 3: I saw him at the main corner, he been working, I told him you been looking for him. He said he been dealing with some things. Well anyway he said he was coming by bout 1:30



Trigger: well it’s 1:45 now. He better bring me my money, Or I am gonna have to deal with him like a chump, cause he is slipping, like a snake on a greasy floor. And I might have to crush him.



Ron-C - well he know better than to be messing up with you Trigger cause you the man. You run the whole east side: remember what you did to Red Man when he shorted you that dollar. He ain’t never written another letter since then.



Male 3: he ain’t never written a letter, the fool can’t even spell his own name.



Trigger: well he knew how to count money, that’s why he got dealt with; and Eric bout to get dealt worse if I don’t hear from him. I don’t trust that . .



Enter Betty and Monica



Betty- Come on girl, get in here.



Monica – no, no I don’t want to!



Betty- It ain’t gonna take but a minute.



Monica- momma I don’t like coming here! You always spend all the money then we don’t have anything left for food!



Betty- Don’t back talk to me, just do what I say!



Monica- I hate coming her momma! (crying/wining)  Why you always do this?



Betty- Just shut up, shut up!

(She smacks Monica in the mouth, which makes her sob)



Betty – see what you made me do! Well now just sit here and be quiet like you supposed to and I’ll be done in a minute!



Trigger – Hey Betty baby what’s the deal; what can daddy do for you?



Betty – I just umm need some of the good stuff,



Trigger- you got my money?



Betty- yeah, I got some of it



Trigger  – now you know you owe me from last time. . .



Betty – well you know I always take care of you right.



Trigger  –  -Yeah, one way or another. (He walks around her as if were a piece of stake)



Betty – Well, can I get it now, I really need to  . . . (she is fidgeting anxiously)



Trigger  - don’t worry, big daddy is gonna take care of you; hey Ron-C, take her back there and fix her up.



Ron-C – (nods his head as betty follows him off stage)



Trigger - (walks over to Monica, strokes her hair and touches her elbow) so what’s up little momma, you growing up and out!

              

Trigger  – leave me alone!



Trigger – oohh she feisty, I like that! (he strokes her on her arm)



Monica- iullll! don’t be touching on me! Momma! Momma! Let’s go

               momma!



Trigger  – calm down ain’t nobody gonna do nothing to you . . . yet.



Monica – get away from me nasty man!

Trigger  – (he gets in her face) girl do you know who I am? I am the reason you have somewhere to live. That’s right, you better respect me. Getting all-smart, you momma better tell you the real deal.



Monica – I don’t care, you ain’t my daddy! You ain’t nobody to me, so you better leave me alone.



Trigger  – what you say shorty? You must be the one on crack, not your momma.



Ron-C and Betty enter; Betty looks wide-eyed and giddy.



Monica – momma can we please go now?



Betty – yeah baby everything is all right now, everything is wonderful.



Trigger  – baby girl looking real good Betty, like you used to



Betty – huh, what’s that you say, I look good, thank you (nervously)



Monica – you spent all the money, didn’t you? Didn’t you!



Betty – We gonna be alright! We got shrimp, chicken, and beef at home



Monica – For real momma ?



Betty – nothing but the best baby, nothing but the best, Top Ramen.



Monica – Top ramen?



Betty: yeah we got shrimp flavor, beef flavor, creamy chicken flavor  . . .



Monica: Ramen noodles! I am tired of eating those!



Betty – quit complaining and come on! At least you eat!



Monica- its not fair momma, its not fair!

They exit feuding as they go off stage

Everyone is looking towards the door/exit; they all look at Trigger as he walks towards center stage.



Female 2: that’s messed up



Trigger - WHAT?



Everyone – nothing, nothing man. (They back up intimidated)  

End of Act II Scene I

Act II: Scene II



Jeopardy



Marcus comes into the house bouncing a basketball; his mother is dressed up ready to go an annual church banquet held at the Horizons. Her beauty startles her son and his bouncing ball startles her.



Mother: Where are you going with that ball?



Marcus: Where are you going, to a ball?

(They laugh)



Mother: Boy you know better than to be playing ball in the house.



Marcus: All right moms. My bad. But for real mom I almost forgot you were my mother, dang! You look tight for real momma, I mean beautiful! Got your hair all laid out, your nails done; you even have on makeup. Smelling good too. Wow! (He looks her up and down as he speaks)



Mother: Thank you baby, I try, you know



Marcus: Yeah you tried real hard. So ummm, where you going? He walks around his mother looking her up and down)



Mother: To the annual church banquet at the Horizons. (Humming)

(She is primping in the mirror and smiling to herself)



Marcus: uhh, huhh. I see. So you ahhh going by yourself, with auntie, one of your girls or what?



Mother: well daddy if you must know, I have a date.



Marcus: A date! With who?



Mother: a very nice gentleman from the church. His name is Joshua Thomas; he’s a fire Marshall . . .



Marcus: yeah, yeah but how come I never heard of him till now.  Is it serious? He better not be no player, or I have to hurt somebody, cause the last guy wasn’t on the up and up and I don’t wanna see you hurt again,



Mother: I appreciate your concern baby, but I got this, or should I say, God’s got this.



Marcus: I sure hope so cause I might have to do an Eric on him



Mother:  please don’t do that

(Door bell rings)  



Could you get that for me baby?



Marcus: cause I’m just saying, I ain’t having that; ain’t no man coming up in my mommas life playing games, he better be a gentleman, flowers candy, all that! Oh and he better have a J- O- B

Know what I’m saying

No ringy, no dingy!

No wed, no bed!

No contract, no contact!



(Door bell)



Jackie: boy will you stop all that fussing and get the door!

(He goes over and opens the door; Joshua is standing there, with flowers and candy)



Joshua: good evening is Jackie Sanford here?



Marcus: momma are you here?



Jackie: Marcus, quit playing, and let that fine gentleman in!



Joshua walks in and over to Jackie.



Joshua: Oh my, Jackie you look breathtaking.

Marcus rolls his eyes



Jackie: thank you baby you don’t look too bad yourself.



Joshua: these are for you (he hands her the flowers)



Jackie: thank you baby

(He kisses her on the hand and is about to kiss her cheek when Marcus interrupts)



Marcus: Hi I’m Marcus. Who are you? I mean how are you?



Joshua: I am sorry young man, excuse my manners, I am Joshua Thomas, it is a pleasure to meet you. Your mother has told me so much about you.



Marcus: well I never heard of you till today



Jackie: Marcus! Be a good host and see if Mr. Thomas needs something to drink. I’ll go put these in some water and get my purse.



Marcus: Host?



Jackie: (She whispers to Marcus) Be nice! Have a seat honey.



Marcus: honey? Hhh hemm, would you like something to drink sir?





Joshua: Sure, I’ll just have some bottled water, thank you.

(Marcus goes to the kitchen area and gets the water; he watches very suspiciously. . . Joshua drinks the water quickly.)



Joshua: Ahhhh, that was refreshing, thanks man.



Marcus: you must be thirsty, I got a pitcher full if you want some more. (Sarcastically)



Joshua: no thank you I am all right.



Marcus clears his throat and fidgets for a moment



Joshua: So Marcus, your mother tells me you are a part of the national honor society.



Marcus: yeah that’s right I am



Joshua: that is awesome man! I bet you are really exited.



Marcus: I am, yeah, I really am.



Joshua: your momma just brags all over Saginaw about you!



Marcus: for real, she does?



Joshua: yeah she is really proud of you, as she should be.

(Marcus is sticking his chest out feeling good about the recognition)

I am proud of you too Marcus.



Marcus: why are you so proud of me. You don’t even know me.



Joshua: yes I do. Not on a personal level, but your mother talks about you so much I feel as if I do know you,



Marcus: well I guess that makes sense.



Joshua: plus you know, I was once like you.



Marcus: like me?



Joshua: Yeah, and I remember what it was like. Living in the hood, with a single mom, no father around, not always having everything I wanted to eat or wear, and a lot of negative roll models, who seemed to have more influence than the positive ones. It was not easy, but I chose to do the right thing when doing the right thing wasn’t popular.



Marcus: (he stands up) Yeah but sometimes I do want to fit in, you know, wear all the fly gear, roll with the big balers, you know, to have all the honeys sweating me. I mean keeping it real, its tempting sometimes to just say forget it, why fight it, why be different? Its too much work. Its easier to fit in and just be cool.



Joshua: that’s true, but it’s not what is popular that counts it’s what is profitable. I am proud of you for not choosing instant gratification, but having enough vision, faith, and hope to choose a better way. Now that may not be popular, but it’s smart.



Marcus: My brother Eric makes it sound so big so grand; sometimes he makes me feel like a loser, you know. On the outside looking in it looks like he’s got it going on.



Joshua: Trust me man you gonna reap the rewards for your hard work and obedience. Just stay focused. Don’t let the fast life pull you in; because it’ll pull you in then take you down.



Marcus: I know you are right. Sometimes you can know the way, but when it gets hard it just seems better to take the easy way out. But I’m gonna stick to it. Thanks for talking to me man. You real cool man, I think you are ok to go out with my mom.



Joshua: so you approve of me now huh?



Marcus: yeah, you aright!  But you better be good to her, she been through enough drama, she needs some blessings in her life. She deserves it.



Joshua: oh I know she does. Marcus I have nothing but good intentions for your mother. I promise . . .



Marcus: I hear that!



Marcus smiles, they shake hands and embrace



Enter Jackie.



Jackie- I am ready Josh.



Joshua: yes you are, yes you are!



Marcus: yeah mom, have a good time, a great time!



Jackie: are you feeling ok? (She looks puzzled)



Marcus: I‘m great mom, you go on enjoy yourself. You and my man Josh!



Enter Aunt Faye



Auntie: girl where you going? Oh lord have mercy, who is this?



Joshua: hello I am Joshua Thomas.



Aunt Faye: when I take off my glasses and squint like this you look just like Denzel



Joshua: Denzel Washington? Thank you.



Auntie: Naw, Denzel Clarke, my first love in high school. Oooh lord help my mind.



Jackie: by Faye!  (She is obviously embarrassed)



Aunt Faye: you don’t have to leave so soon on account of me. Hang around so I can look at you, I mea talk to you for a while, a long while . . .



Jackie: no really we have to go, come on Josh lets go before you get eaten alive. I’ll call and check on you guys later.



Marcus: no need momma, I’ll be fine really.



Just then the phone rings, Marcus answers.



Marcus: yeah this is Marcus. . .I did, ok, ok, yeah I will tell my mother, she is right here! Ok I will look for it.



I got accepted!!



Jackie: what happened baby!



Aunt Faye: accepted to what?



Marcus: I got accepted to U of M.



They all scream, laugh and rejoice about the good news



Just then Eric runs in and is obviously hiding from someone or something.



Jackie: Eric you know you are not allowed in this house, especially if I am not home



Aunt Faye : yeah and especially if I am home.



Eric: ya’ll be cool I just need somewhere to lay low for a few minutes, till things cool down. Then I’ll leave.



Aunt Faye :  no, you will leave now! Don’t come bringing that drama into this house!



Eric: I’m in some trouble, if they catch me, they gonna kill me.



Jackie: what you mean they gonna kill you? What kind of trouble are you in?



Eric: I can’t talk about it right now, just be cool.



Aunt Faye : boy, get talking, or get walking!



Marcus: you always do this. Spoil my moment with your mess!



Eric: shut up punk!



Marcus: that’s the last time you gonna call me that!



Jackie: ya’ll please don’t start



Aunt Faye : Eric it is time for you to leave.



Eric: I leave when I get ready!



Joshua: gentlemen don’t disrespect your mother and aunt like that!



Eric: you ain’t nobody to me! You better get outta my face!



Marcus: he always starting something! (Marcus jumps on Eric)



There is back and forth arguing that is interrupted by gun shots.



Faye : Lord Jesus have mercy!



Joshua: everybody down!



They all fall to the floor  . . .silence . . .lights out



Joshua: is everyone alright?



Lights up



Eric is looking carefully outside the window



Faye: Eric, boy is you crazy? Get away from that window!



Marcus: mama, mama, are you alright? Momma!



Joshua: Jackie! Oh my god she is bleeding!



Eric: oh my god momma, momma!



Marcus: don’t touch her! (He pushed Eric away)



Faye: oh lord Jesus, I don’t think she is breathing. Call the police, call the ambulance!



Marcus: this is all your fault you did this!



Eric: don’t be trying to put a guilt trip o me; I didn’t pull the trigger!



Marcus: you may as well have!



Eric: just shut up, shut up! Ya’ll always blame me for everything!



Marcus: you know what, I hate you! I hate you so much I could kill you right now! I hate to see you coming; I hate the sound of your voice! Always stressing my momma out, making her cry and always spoiling it for everyone. Its’ always about you and your drama! You’re selfish!



Eric: the feeling is mutual mommas boy!



Faye: hey that’s enough from both of you! This is not the time for this. The ambulance is on the way; we need to stay calm. How is all this anger going to help her?



Marcus: man I swear, if anything happens to my mama, you gonna pay!



Eric: you ain’t gonna do jack!



Marcus: we gonna see



Faye: that’s enough! We need to pray, that’s what we need to do; come on ya’ll.



Eric: praying is for the birds. Ya’ll go ahead.



Joshua: what you got against praying.



Eric: what?



Marcus: yeah you better pray, cause if anything happens to my momma, them gangstas ain’t gonna have to get you, cause I will.



Eric: I know you ain’t threatening me!



Marcus: oh no, that’s a promise, and I keep my promises  . . .



Joshua : that’s enough! Neither one of you gonna do nothing. Right?

Sound of sirens  are heard loudly, then they begin to fade as the sound of a heart beat comes in and then also fades into the newscast.







HANGING IN THE BALANCE



I’ve’ been hanging on to this imbalanced life

I’ve been trying to keep the peace in these days of strife

I’ve been trying

But I have been lying to myself

I never had a grip

Now it all slips away

In red scarlet drip

Turning into a current

Carrying me away spent

I’ve done all I can do

Now I am through



For all my trying

I was only lying-to myself

Now I am here dying

Hanging in the balance

In a Limbo like trance

Fifty, fifty chance

To permanently sleep in a bed six feet

Or to get up and dance to life’s drum beat

(heart beat)

The choice is bitter sweet

I am struggling to live

For the ones whose birth I’d give

A thousand times

(babies crying)

My babies, my boys

I am fighting in the balance

Trying to find the balance

But if you lying when you trying

There is no point in pouting and crying

For if you have forgotten Gods way

You may never see the light of another day

I have forgotten God

But I remember Him now

My memory has been jarred

As I race down deaths valley

In this loud siren car

(sirens)

I hear God in the alarm bell-speak God

I feel God In between breaths that fail

(breathing)

- Touch god

In between here and then-I reached God

He is my hope

(heart beat start and continue as they fade away)

So I hang on him

He is my balance

I hang in him

I am hanging on by

More than a string

I am hanging on to the king of kings

I am hanging on more than IV cords

I am hanging onto the words -of life

I am in the balance-

Hanging on to God







Newscasters: drive by shooting reported on Saginaw’s the east side. Police are investigating. There are possible casualties, but there are no details at this time. We will have further details at the 11 pm newscast. Sound of sirens faze out.







End Act II: Scene II

































Act II: Scene III



Letting Go





Jackie is laying on the sofa with her feet up and she is wearing a sling. She is watching the news while newsreel reads. She sighs and turns off the set.



Jackie: Ahhhh!



Enter Aunt Faye

(She tries to reach for a drink but it is too painful)



Faye: girl let me get that for you. So, how is my little patient doing (she hands Jackie the drink)



Jackie: I need some morphine, something.  Them little weak painkillers ain’t doing nothing.



Faye: girl you crazy. You hungry?



Jackie: yeah, but I can’t eat. All the trouble Eric’s got himself into.



Faye: Jackie don’t start talking about that. Its only gonna make you upset.



Jackie: but he is in jail Faye, and I can’t even afford to get him out on bond.



Faye: good! You need to leave him in there and let him think. You can’t always save him Jackie. It’ll make him weak.



Jackie: but I am his mother. I have to do something.



Faye: no you don’t!



Jackie: what you mean no?



Faye:  Jackie you done enough already. Here you are ,laying her, can’t work, or do any thing for yourself because of him.



Jackie: but he didn’t mean for that to happen. Now he is in jail.



Faye: you making me mad girl. (The rest is said sarcastically) but let me break it down for you. Eric is in jail because he had crack cocaine in his possession and a concealed weapon on him when the cops pulled him over; and to top it off he was driving with a suspended license, while drinking and driving



Jackie: but why did they pull him over in the first place?



Faye: oh yeah he was speeding. Doing ninety-five in a forty-five zone.



Jackie: you think he gonna get out soon?



Faye: you are seriously in denial. The only hope he has is that he is a first time offender, and he is young. How old is he now?



Jackie: he‘ll be eighteen next month.



Faye: well we gonna have to pray that god will have mercy on him.

Enter Marcus:



Marcus: hey momma, how you feeling?

(He leans over to kiss her on the cheek)



Jackie: I feel good baby, how are you?



Marcus: I’m aright, I just, I don’t know.



Jackie: what is it baby?



Marcus: well Joshua says he wanted me and him to go up to the jail and see Eric.



Jackie: and you should go



Marcus: but momma when I see you laying here because of him, it makes me feel like hurting him you know. I can’t look at him right now. I can’t go. I can’t do it.



Jackie: well baby you have to forgive him.



Marcus: I am trying momma abut it’s hard



Faye: Marcus, take your time; don’t force it. Let god help you through this.

Knock on the door



Jackie: see who’s at the door Marcus, but ask first before you open.



Marcus: who is it?



Joshua: It’s Joshua



Enter Joshua



Hey Marcus my man you ready to go . . .

(Marcus does not answer)



Hey pumpkin, how is my favorite girl feeling today?



Faye: I’m doing better now that I see you. (she looks over her glasses)



Jackie: Faye you need to quit. I’m doing fine boo, I just need some morphine. So you gonna go see Eric huh?



Joshua: yeah I am. Is that ok with you?



Jackie: oh yeah. I can’t go right now. Let him know that I love him ok. And everything is gonna be ok. And as soon as I can I am gonna do . . . (Faye cuts her off)



Faye: There you go!



Marcus: momma, Eric put you in this position and you still babying him. Ain’t you even a little bit angry? I mean he put all of us in danger. Almost got you killed or even crippled; forget him! He got exactly what he deserves.



Faye: Marcus, take it easy. You gotta let god take care of him now Jackie.



Jackie: I am not gonna throw my son away just because ya’ll think I should.



Faye: you missing point Jackie. Nobody is asking you to throw him away, but you have to know when to let go. Only god can change a man’s heart. All you can pray is that he will let god change him.



Jackie: look I have been nothing but angry with Eric ever since his dad died.



Marcus: why?



Jackie: I know it sounds stupid, but Eric not only looks like his dad he talks like him, he walks like him, he laughs like him . . .



Faye: we can all see that, but what’s the point?



Jackie: I was about to tell you if you would listen



Jackie: I woke up a week ago to the sound of sirens, and realized that they were for me and that I was in an ambulance on my way to the hospital, not knowing if I was going to live or die, or if I was going to be crippled or not. I just didn’t know, and that didn’t feel good. I was really scared ya’ll. I was terrified. So as I lay there with tears rolling down the sides of my face, I realized that I couldn’t be angry with Eric, because that is all I have ever expected of him. His father was a drug dealer, he was in the gangs, he went to prison and even though he tried to change his life he was ultimately killed in a drive by shooting.

I have expected nothing but the worst from Eric. I was so scared that he would turn out like his daddy that I vicariously pushed him into it.



Joshua: I understand what you are saying Jackie, and that may all be true, and it’s good that you recognize it now, but Eric needs to be responsible for the choices he made. You have to let him grow up, or else he will always use the same excuses as a crutch.



Jackie: how do I do that huh?



Joshua: tough love Jackie, tough love.



Jackie: tough love?



Joshua: yeah, its time to let Eric deal with Eric; or should I say let God deal with Eric.



Jackie: how?



Joshua: pray baby, pray. I am gonna go see Eric now.



Jackie : well, let’s take a minute to pray before you go.



Joshua: there is always time to pray.



(They all hold hands) (Lights dim and center in on the circle, then fades)

(Joshua prays)

Heavenly father we come to you in the name of Jesus. Lord please use me today to reach your child Eric Collins use me lord to speak your word with boldness and clarity so he will see the light . . . . .



End of Act II Scene III































Act II Scene IV





Scene opens with closed inner curtains.  There is a silhouette of prison bars, which Eric stands within. He is pacing back and forth. He is very angry.



Eric:

I can’t believe this crap! Everybody done turned against me. Screw people! Screw my family, screw my boys! They ain’t worth jack! Everybody I believed in done turned against me, or left me.



I hate the whole friggin world. I hate you too God. Yeah I hate you. You did this to me! You took my pops. Yes you did! you took the only father I had. I begged you to get him out of jail, and you did that, only to let him get killed in a drive by!



He was trying to turn his life around man and you didn’t even give him a chance. You got a strange sense of humor. And I ain’t laughed since then. That’s why I ain’t into all this praying stuff. All this trust in the Lord crap. You failed me; and I don’t believe in you no more. Now I am in lock up. I see you got jokes. Ha, ha. I don’t even know why I am talking to you. What you gonna do for me, fail me again? Forget you!!! (Lights flicker on and off rapidlywith a rattling sound, with background of a long breath) what the?

(Eric sits down at this point)

Yo man, I mean God, look, I didn’t mean no disrespect. But I am just scared to trust you. I am scared to keep on believing with no results. It feels safer to just expect nothing, then I won’t get disappointed.

(He continues pacing)

Big D, Trigger, Ron-C, and a bunch of other folks, dead. It’s a miracle that I got pulled over on the way over there.  Man that was crazy, they say it was a war zone. I woulda definitely been caught up in the cross fire, and probably be dead too. Oh and my moms still off work because of me. I know she wanted a vacation, but I don’t think this was what she had in mind. Thank you for not taking her. I couldn’t live with myself if she died. I done caused her enough grief.



God is it possible to change? I don’t even know how else to be. If I stop being a gangster it would be like walking around without my piece, naked. I can’t do that. But I am gonna have to change. (he pauses and walks around for a short moment) OK Lord, I’m gonna give you one more chance. If you are for real, and you want me to change, send me an angel or something. I know that’s a lot to ask, but I am really trying to believe in you. Please, if you love me, prove yourself to me. Send an angel to this jail, today, in the next fifteen minutes. That’ll be seven o’ clock. Man if you do that, I promise I’ll be down with you for life. If you get me outta here. I promise I’ll do right.

(Lights go out completely and then come back on after a few seconds.)



Well, according to the clock on the wall its been twelve minutes, and I seriously doubt you gonna send someone in three minutes.



Rap/Poetry



Enter Joshua:



Eric: well times about up, I don’t know why I even bothered. You probably didn’t even hear me.



Joshua: hey Eric, what’s up?



Eric: oh you got jokes (looking upward). (back at Joshua )What the heck you doing here?



Joshua: its nice to see you too



Eric: man, my momma or my auntie sent you didn’t they?



Joshua: no actually, you could say God did.



Eric: god sent you? you ain’t no angel. You’s a fake pimp player trying to be up on my momma.



Joshua: I am gonna ignore that; since you under a lot of stress right now. How are you doing?



Eric: I’m aright. Why?



Joshua: I’m just asking, put your gun down. Nice place you got here.



Eric: ha, ha, (sarcastically)



Joshua: but for real Eric I’m gonna get to the point, because we talking in circles.



Eric: you the one, I ain’t trying to talk to you.



Joshua: good, well just listen then

Eric looks up in disbelief (at God)



Eric: God why are you doing this to me?



Joshua: God? That’s a great place to start. Why are you so angry with god?



Eric: why you say I’m angry with God?



Joshua: because you hate the thought of prayer.



Eric: so what I don’t like to pray.



Joshua: praying is talking to God. People usually don’t like talking to someone they are angry with or don’t like for whatever reason.

And you can’t be angry with someone unless you once had an encounter of sorts or a relationship. So, what is it? What did God do or not do?



Eric: it doesn’t matter aright!



Joshua: now we’re getting somewhere. So you are angry with God. I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say it has something to do with you father, right?



Eric just turns to glare at him but does not answer



I’ll take that as a yes. Eric, God did not maliciously take your father away. It was just his time to go.



Eric: what! His time to go! That’s bull! I needed him! I was only nine years old! What good came from that? Left my momma with two kids to raise by herself; she working two three jobs to make ends meet. Sounds like bad timing to me.

My dad was trying to do the right thing. Then God took him!



Joshua: Eric listen. I believe that God took him while he was trying to do the right thing because he would have fallen back into that old life style, due to peer pressure.



Eric: likely story  



Joshua: Let’s keep it real Eric, your dad had done so much dirt that by the time he tried to change, he had a lot of enemies. And who knows, maybe he was sacrificed for your sakes. You don’t know. Only God knows.



Eric: that wasn’t no sacrifice, that was murder.



Joshua: and by the way God didn’t pull the trigger. It was people like those you hang out with that did it, not God.



Eric: what you trying to say?



Joshua: God gives us a free will to choose. But our choices have consequences, good or bad. You can’t go your own way, do your own thing, and then when things go wrong, get mad with God because He didn’t fix it for you when you thought He should. The bible says choose this day who you will serve. If you serve the devil why are you surprised if you are ultimately rewarded with an evil outcome? Then you want god’s reward. It don’t work that way man. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. If you work for Burger King, don’t look to McDonalds for a check? Does that make sense to you Eric?



Eric: yeah, I get it.



Joshua: So what do you want to about it?



Eric: I don’t know how I’m supposed to be. I’ve been this way so long. I feel safe like this.



Joshua: come on now Eric, how safe is drive by’s and this place you are in now? How safe is crime? You have tried your own way. Now try a better way. Actually the only way.



Eric: am I supposed to be this perfect person over night? I can’t do that man.



Joshua: by yourself you sure can’t, but God will change you if you let him. Some things will be instant, and some will be one day at a time, but you will change, from the inside out as you grow. I ain’t never seen a new born baby run track. But in time they crawl, they walk, then they run. That’s how it will be for you. Does that make sense?



Eric: yeah I get it. But what am I supposed to do?



Joshua: pray. Ask God to make you over.



Eric: I don’t want to man, I can’t; I don’t know what to say.



Joshua: don’t stress about it, just pray with me, say what I say. First of all let me ask you a question. Do you believe in God?



Eric: y, yes



Joshua: do you believe that God the Father sent his only begotten Son Jesus to die for your sins?



Eric: Yes I do. (Eric is beginning to get emotional)



Joshua: do you believe that Jesus died on a cross, and was buried?



Eric: that’s what I hear



Joshua: yeah but do you believe



Eric: yeah



Joshua: do you believe that Jesus Christ rose from dead three days after he died and is alive in heaven with god the father?



Eric: yes, I believe that



Joshua: do you believe that you can receive forgiveness for your sins and become a new person right now by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.



Eric: I guess, (Joshua looks at him sarcastically) well yeah.



Joshua: do you believe, God loves you?



Eric: (sigh) yes, (there is an emotional pause here) because he sent you here as an angel to see about me, right on time, at seven o’ clock, when I asked him to.



Joshua: yes he did, yes he did! Eric I love you man. I really do. And I am gonna be here for you as long as God lets me.



Eric: everyone always leaves me or turns against me, eventually.



Joshua: even if that’s true and even if I were to die today in a drive by like your daddy did, you are still not alone. God your heavenly father promises to never leave you alone. And God keeps his promises. You can believe that.

So Eric are you ready to embrace a new life?



Eric: yeah, I am ready man, I am ready.



(They pray the sinners prayer a song fades in ‘Make Me Over’ the lights very slowly dim.)





End of Act II Scene IV







































Act II Scene V



Reconciliation











Jackie is at home exercising with a work out tape.



Enter Faye



Jackie: Hey Faye, come work out with me



Faye: no child, you go ahead. You working out hard enough for both of us to lose weight



Jackie: You crazy! Faye you know you need to be working out.



Faye: it’s your new man Josh, got you sweating like that.



Jackie: you know it!



Faye: you lucky I didn’t see him first.



Jackie: girl you know I woulda just stolen him from you  



Faye: yeah you probably woulda.



Enter Marcus



Marcus :  Oh Aunt Faye you working out too.



Faye: child please! You know better than that. Ima bout to get me some ice cream to cool me down cause your momma makin me hot just watching her.



Marcus: fix me a bowl too auntie



Faye: you better come fix it yourself. Cause if I fix it I’m eating it.



Doorbell



Jackie: who is it?



Joshua: it’s me, Josh.



Jackie: (she sings) just a moment. (She wipes her brow and straitens up)



Faye: don’t wipe the sweat off girl that turns them on.



Jackie: you, need to quit Faye. I’m not trying to turn him on yet.



Marcus: hello, I’m right here, I can hear you. (Sarcastic)



Doorbell



Jackie: oh my gosh the door; I’m sorry baby I  . . . (she screammmmms)!

Eric what are you doing here. How? What did you do? I mean, come in here!



Aunt Faye runs to the door but Marcus still sits there.



Joshua: surprise, surprise.



Jackie: I don’t get this. How did you get out?



Eric: Josh had a friend who is a lawyer who pulled some strings so I got out on probation. Five-year probation. But it’s better than ten years in the pen.



Faye: thank you Jesus!



Eric: amen to that!



Jackie: no you didn’t just say amen.



Eric: I have made some changes momma, and I want to first apologize to you (he gets on his knees)

Jackie: Eric you don’t have to do that.

Eric: yes I do momma. I have caused you nothing but heartache and stress. I am sorry. Please forgive me for endangering your life and everyone else’s. I am sorry for disrespecting you, your house, and for calling you outta your name. You are the strongest black woman I know. I am proud to be your son. But now I want to make you proud to be my mother.

Jackie: I am proud of Eric. I am so glad to hear you talk this way

Eric: excuse me momma. There is one more thing. I don’t have anywhere to go. Can I please come back? I’ll sleep in the living room if I have to.

Marcus: well of course Eric, as long as you respect me my house you are welcome. Well there is one problem though, Marcus is in your room now, and I don’t know if . . .

Eric: that’s alright, I’ll take the smaller room

Faye: what happened to the living room?

Jackie: I turned it into an office, but we can make adjustments. Lets deal with that later. My babe is home and that’s all that matters. (They embrace)

(Eric stands up at this point)

Eric: Aunt Faye please forgive me for disrespecting you.

Faye: I always knew you was gonna be alright. All you needed was a swift kick in tha behind.

Eric: Yeah and I got one. Hey Marcus man I know you mad at me, you probably even hate me and I can’t blame you. I know I always made fun of you for being smart, and playing it straight, but I was just jealous. The truth is I am proud of you for being strong in the midst of all that we deal with. You the strong one, I was weak and not much of a big brother. I love you and I am sorry lil bro. Can you please forgive me? (Marcus sits there hesitant)

Marcus: you forgot the name calling,

Eric: yes I am sorry for calling you names. Please don’t make me beg.

Marcus: why not?  . . . .you know I’m just joshing you man

Marcus walks over to Eric. They embrace for quite a few seconds

Eric: I love you man

Marcus: I love you too.

Faye: I can’t take all this mushy stuff.

Jackie: lord Jesus thank you, this is more than I ever expected.

Joshua: Jackie

Jackie: yes baby

Joshua gets on his knees

Jackie: now what did you do?

Faye: girl he about to do it! He bout to do it!

Joshua: Jackie, you know I love you

Jackie: I love you too baby

Joshua: oh my gosh, I can’t believe I don’t know what to say

Eric: oh now he’s speechless

Joshua: Jackie, I love so much; you are the sweetest, most hard working, naturally beautiful woman I know. When I think about your smile it makes me feel warm inside. And I love the sound of your voice; like music to my ears, it sooths me. As far as I am concerned you are the best cook in Saginaw. You are intelligent, and the only woman I know who can beat at one on one.

Jackie: yeah, you better recognize.

Joshua:  and you are oh so fine!

Joshua: thank you, thank you. Wait till I lose weight you gonna real . . .

Joshua: oh no, no, no baby please! Don’t lose no weight for me. I love you just-the-way-you-are. It’s all-good. If you lose weight do it for you if it’ll make you happy.  

I am a gentleman. But a gentleman is no good without a lady, a virtuous woman like you to grace his side. And I can’t imagine living without you, I mean I want to love you and give myself to you completely for the rest of your life, you deserve that.

Faye: he sure is taking a long time to ask a simple question.

Jackie: Faye, hush!

Joshua: what I am asking you is, will you do me the honor of being my wife?

Jackie: what!

Joshua: I mean will you marry me?

Faye: oh lord she got the point; girl if you don’t say yes, I’ma say yes. You see he like em thick.

Jackie: husshh! oh my gosh baby, yes, yes, yes!!! I would be honored to be your wife.

Joshua:  For real? Baby the honor is all mine.

Faye: let me see that ring. (She looks at it through her glasses then over it)

Oohhh wheee! Now that’s a rock. Is it real?

Jackie: Faye, don’t ask him that. Oh baby it’s beautiful!

Faye: Girl quit faking; you know you wanna know if it’s real. You know you wanna how many carats it is. So you can brag to your girls.

Joshua: its one and a half carats of the best quality. Nothing, but the best for my lady.

Faye: you need an alarm system with that girl. My ex told me he was gonna get me real ring after we got married, I’m still waiting. All he ever was his ring around the collar.

Faye: Jackie I love you so much

Jackie: I love you too Joshua.  

(Joshua and Jackie embrace)

Faye: ya’ll quit all that, ya’ll ain’t legal yet; plus ya’ll making me, well ya’ll making my ice cream melt.

Eric: congratulations ya’ll

Marcus: yeah ‘I’m happy for ya’ll.

Faye: what’s this, mail from U of M in Flint? It’s addressed to you Marcus. (She attempts to open it)

Jackie: why you always opening somebody’s mail?

Marcus: let me see it, let me see it. (He reads it, under his breath)

Eric: come on man, what’s it say?

Faye: yeah, I am too old for all this suspense.

Marcus: it don’t say anything important . . . . .

Jackie: Oh honey don’t be dis  . . .

Marcus: Except that I got accepted and on a basketball scholarship!

(Everyone rejoices with him)

Eric: Marcus, that’s great lil’ bro.

Marcus: do you really feel that way Eric?

Eric: for real, I am proud of you Marcus.

Marcus: it means a lot to me to hear you say that.

Joshua: we’re all proud of you Marcus.

Eric: I’ll be following right behind you little bro as soon as I get this GED. I might need your help with preparing for the test if your not too busy.

Marcus: big brother, I will whatever I can to help you. I love you man.

Eric: I love you too. Thanks man (they embrace)

Faye: you know right now one scripture comes to mind. All things work together for the good to them that love the lord and are called unto his purpose.

Jackie: how about, weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Good morning ya’ll. (They high five)

Eric: I don’t know a lot of the Bible. But this is one I love. If any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new creation, old things have passed away, behold all things have become new. Thank ya’ll for not giving up on me.

Marcus: I got a song for that. (Music intro)



End of Act II: Scene V

THE END