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MAMA'S CANE
Folder:
plays
previously 'enough is enough'
Act one (scene one)
Scene opens with smoke coming from Miss blacks home. The smoke detector is screaming. A young child (Marquisha) passes by, stops, stares, and then runs on.
Enter Miss Black and Miss Harris
As they exit the front door coughing and fanning with their hands. Miss black is assisting her mother Miss Harris to a seat on the porch.
Miss black: ooohhh, cough! Cough! Come on momma; let’s get you some air. I done burnt the turkey, and got the whole house smoking! Cough, cough! I guess we having smoked turkey tonight! Heh, Heh.
(They sit down on lounge chairs on the front porch) looking left to right, then she leans in forward looking at the house next door.
Miss Black: Mildred and dem sure is quiet today. Ooh, Thank God they aren’t arguing. If it ain’t one thing, it’s another. (Mamma Harris shakes her head)You know what I say . . .. Mildred need to get that, no good, shacking, need to get a job, drunk, junky, whore mongering, lying, stealing, dead beat (beat) out of her house!
Mamma Harris: taps her cane on the ground to signal for her to stop! (During the beat)
Miss Black: I know mama, I should pray for them, not talk about them. But I do pray. I have been praying for a long time. But it just seems like some people love the low life, you know! I mean some people make you tired of praying, when they don’t care about themselves. Well, I count my blessings; at least they are quiet today. .
(Sounds coming from next door)
Miss Mildred: girl, don’t ask me again!!
Mamma Harris: taps her cane again tap, tap, tap
Miss Black: yeah, yeah, I spoke too soon.
Lights down on ms. Blacks home; lights up on the Jones.
Marcella: ooohh momma can I pleeeeassse get some new shoes? I won’t ask for anything else.
Miss Mildred: yeah, like them throw away dresses last week, now its Ikason’s this week. You know I am doing it all by myself. Why you keep asking for these things when you know I don’t have it? I am doing the best I can.
Marcella: but mama they only cost . . .
Miss Mildred: I don’t want to hear it!
Now go do something with yourself (she steps towards Marcy as she speaks, with a wooden spoon in her hand)
(Marcella steps back) begins pouting and rocking back and forth.
Miss Mildred: Why you need Ikersons anyway?
Marcella: Iverson’s . . . Because I be looking lame wearing these off brand ikes, rundidas,
MM: When you can get a job and get your own money, buy your own honey. But right now, off brand is what my off brand paycheck can afford.
Marcella: but mama . . .
MM: THAT’S THE END OF THIS DISCUSSION!
Marcella: (mumbling) you give killer whatever he wants, he doesn’t even work, I don’t ever get nothing . . .
MM: WHAT YOU SAY? Stepping towards Marcy.
Marcella: n-n-nothing . . . backing away
MM: How dare you! His name is Kilpatrick (she says proudly) and he is a good man, so don’t go there with me. What I do for him is my business!
Marcella: but it is not fair!
MM: Not fair, not fair! Your no good daddy is what is not fair, he ain’t never done nothing for me but left me to raise you by myself. (she gazes away and shakes her head)As soon as he found out I was pregnant, he vanished. I couldn’t find him, because he lied about everything, his name, his age, his height, his job, his address, his education . . . everything! He was a no good liar!
(Marcella mocks in action, indicating she had heard it all before)
Marcella: Well Killer ain’t no better!
MM: What you say? I’m gonna kick yo behind!!
(Marcella runs outside)
lights down on Mildred, up on miss Harris and miss black
Mildred: that’s right run, like you no good sorry daddy!
(Marcella sees her neighbors sitting outside looking at her)
Marcella: hey. .
Miss Black: hey! Hey?
Marcella: What!
Miss Black: We is grown folks, you don’t address us as hey! Good afternoon, good day, hello!
Marcella: You don’t know what I am dealing with, so just leave me alone OK!!
Miss Black: I don’t care what problems you have at home, it is no excuse for disrespect. You young people done lost your minds in this generation. My momma old now, but my head would be rolling if I addressed her like that.
Marcella: (with an attitude) good afternoon, good day, and hello! Oooh ya’ll get on my nerves. (Under her breath.)
Miss Black: See here, you know what, I got a good mind to take off this shoe and give a size nine check to your attitude.
Marcella: whatever!
(Marcella exits the stage while giving them a roll of the eyes and head and an exaggerated walk)
I know she didn’t just roll her eyes, and twitch her narrow behind to me. I used to change her diapers, remember momma? Miss Harris nods.
Lord what is wrong with our young people today? They don’t have no respect for nobody, not even themselves. I tell you, I just don’t know what we going to do about this new breed. All the blame isn’t on them though; parents have ceased to be parents. The mommas wanna be cool with their daughters, wear what they wear, listen to what they listen to, even date whom they date, (laugh) or they put their man before their child! They’re no more set standards. Fathers, smoking weed with their sons. What a mess! Where is the example? There ain’t no true role models to look up to. No, it ain’t everybody. But too many of us are falling short, that is why we are losing our children.
(Miss Harris shakes her head slowly as her daughter dialogues)
Mama Harris: tap, tap, tap!
Miss Black: Yeah momma, they- need- Jesus. Are we failing to show him to them? The church should be the light. But are we shining as brightly as we should? Help us lord, help us (music is coming in at this time)
SONG:
How do we win this generation
How do we save our sons
and protect our daughters
How do we hold back,
drowning waters
Drowning waters
God, we need your helping hand
we need you to take a stand
Within us
Through us
Heal our land
Heal our land
How do we embrace restoration
To let your kingdom come
and rebuild our borders
And return our land
back to order
To your order
God we need your helping hand
we need you to take a stand
Within us
through us
Heal our land
Heal our land
Bridge:
Lord we hear you calling
Us by your holy name
We humbly answer
We come to you and pray
Turning from our wicked way
Lord Hear us, forgive us
Heal our land
Heal our land
Repeat chorus X2:
Towards end of song, Miss Black takes her mother indoors, still singing as she goes in.
End of scene one
Act one scene two
Enter Marcella and her friends (Sandra, Michelle, and Britney.) There is a lot of talking yelling and boisterous laughing.
Michelle: Girl please! Don’t get pressed over yo momma and her man. What you got to do is take care of yo business.
Marcella: What you mean, take care of, I ain’t got no money.
Sandra: Girl the problem is, you too dependent, you need to get you own supply.
Michelle: Tell her girl!
Marcy: Tell me, tell me!
Sandra: get a man with some (They all chant in unison) money!
Marcy: that’s it! But none of the guys at school got any money.
Michelle: we didn’t say a boy, we said a man.
Marcy: that’s true, grown men do have money. Except for the reject living with us.(slight overlap)
Britney : (slight overlap) then all you got to do is give him some honey, sometimes, and you set.
Marcella: what you say? Uh, uh. Naw, I can’t roll like that.
Brittany: I don’t know why you tripping, you know Shadow sweet on you, and he is paid!
Marcella: But you know he is slinging that stuff, and the last girl he used to kick it with, got strung out and dead.
Brittany: That was her fault, cause she didn’t (they all say in unison) handle her business!
Michelle: You got to stay focused, don’t get caught up. All right!
Sandra: You are a smart girl right? (Marcella nods) Smart enough to handle the likes of Shadow.
Marcella: I don’t know girl, Miss Black next door always preaching to me, “girl lock it down and lock it up, only your husband should have that key to set you free.
Sandra: What that mean?
Marcella: Keep your legs closed till you get married.
Sandra: Ohhhh!
Marcella: I used to go to church with her before Killer moved in, we all did; But that was a long time ago. Then her and my momma fell out because of killer moving in and they were not married; they call it shacking up. And well, we aren’t going any more. But Miss Black still calls me church girl. I still hear her saying, ‘church girl when you coming back home? Church girl. . .’
Sandra: Girl you ain’t no more a church girl than a pig can fly; you are one of us.
Furthermore, Miss Black and yo momma ain’t giving you no money. So forget her (she motions towards Ms. Blacks house) and forget your momma, and handle your business. The choice is yours, or B- paid or look C-grade.
Michelle: By the way, Shadow gave me his number and made me promise to give it to you,
All: Go on girl!! Hey
Marcy: For real! Me! You serious!
Michelle: So call him today, and quit tripping.
Marcella: All right, all right .I will give him a holler; see what he is talking about, and things. (she is thrilled)
Britney: That’s what I am talking about.
Sandra: you go girl!
Marcella: I am going to go on in, hopefully old girl calmed down by now.
They all laugh. See ya’ll tomorrow.
All: Remember, handle yo business!
The three females exit. .
Marcella walks towards her house. She is thinking and talking to herself. Looking at the number and smiling.
Marcella: oohhh! I am fitting to get paid!! Cha ching! Handling my business. (Doing her get it girl dance)
(Miss Black exits her front door)
Miss Black: Church girl!
Marcella : Dang! I can still hear her voice!
Miss Black: (louder this time) church girl!
Marcella: huh! I hate when you do that!
Miss Black: I don’t know why you messing with those fast trifling girls. They don’t mean you no good. Misery loves company.
(Marcy is still dreamy eyed about the prospect of Shadow and she is vaguely listening to Miss Black)
Now Patrice, she is nice girl. How come you don’t hang around her anymore?
She goes to church, like you used to, she gets good grades like you used to. That is the kind of friend you need. Not these hutchie mommas.
Marcella: huh, what? My friends are not hutchies, Thank you. You don’t know them like I do; they really care about me, unlike some people. Patrice and I grew apart, that’s all, she is not fun anymore, and all she cares about is boring stuff.
Miss Black: Oh now it’s boring. It never used to be boring till them hyenas came along.
Marcella: Stop calling my friends names!
Miss Black: Oh I am sorry, you are right, I shouldn’t, but I still say and I will not take it back, they mean you no good.
Marcella: Miss Black, I don’t have time for this, all right. I have more important things to do.
Miss Black: Yeah I know; important phone calls you got to make. (she says in a mumbling tone)
Marcella: What did you say?
Miss Black: Oh nothing just that ahh, you got to be careful whom you hook up with, these days.
Marcella: Good-bye Miss Black I HAVE TO GO
Miss Black: Yeah girl, don’t let me hold you up, handle your business! but be careful the business doesn’t handle you.
Marcella: (exhales irritably. And exits.)
Stage goes dark, and there is a phone call in the background.
Ring, ring, ring
( a gruff, harsh, cold voice answers on the other end)
Shadow: Hello,
Marcella: He-hell-hello
Shadow: Who dis?
Marcella: This is Marcy, Michelle gave me your number and. . .
Shadow: Yeah, took you long enough, so what’s up?
Marcella: -n-nothing
Shadow: So why don’t you come over, come see me, wear something nice
Marcella: What, ummm I can’t, it’s late.
Shadow: I thought you were down!!!
Marcella: I am, but . . .
Shadow: Well prove it! If you want to roll with me, you can’t be no scared little girl. If you want to hang with a man you got to act like a real woman. You sure look like one . . . now prove it.
Marcella: ummm,I have to see and call you back.
Shadow: don’t keep me waiting!
End of ACT ONE (scene two).
Act two: scene three
Kilpatrick: Mildred! Mildred!
Mildred: yeah baby!
Kilpatrick: what took you so long?
Mildred: you only called me twice (she laughs)
Kilpatrick: that ain’t funny
Mildred: OK (nervous sarcastic tone) baby I was just having fun.
Kilpatrick: something came up and I need some money to make some things happen, for us.
Mildred: but Kill baby, what I have is barely enough to
Kilpatrick: see there you go! I, I, I. When is it going to be about us?
Mildred: kill I just meant that we don’t have enough. The kids need things, Marcella wants these new Andersons, and I really want to get them for her
Kilpatrick: See, that’s why I won’t marry your sorry tale, because you are selfish.
As much as I have been here for you and these tired kids, ain’t no man want no woman with no tribe. You lucky to have a man around the house, to protect you. You know all your friends want to get with me. But you wanna treat me like some chump.
Mildred: please stop! That is not the way it is, I do appreciate you, you know I do, I love you. I just want to do what is best for everyone.
Kilpatrick: Well, this is a real good opportunity, a once in a lifetime deal. I could be rich if I embrace the opportunity now. But my woman won’t even help me. You know how many women would sacrifice to see their man make it. Naw but you want to be tight with a brother.
Mildred: its not that honey, its just that the last time you said you had a deal, I never heard of it again.
Kilpatrick: YOU CALLING ME A LIAR?!!
Mildred: no baby I just want to be careful
Kilpatrick: so now you don’t trust me either!
Mildred: no baby, that’s not what I meant.
Kilpatrick: you know what, I am out of here. I don’t need this.
Mildred: no, no, no (she is grabbing desperately at his arm)
Kilpatrick: get off me! I am going to find me someone that can appreciate a good man.
Mildred: please don’t go! Please, What am I going to do, without you?
Kilpatrick: that’s your problem now.
Mildred: please don’t go, I will give you the money just promise . . .
Kilpatrick: just promise what? So are you giving me conditions now?
Mildred: no, I am sorry, it’s just that we won’t have enough for rent, if we don’t get it back . . .umm. . Soon . . .you know. (beat) How much do you need?
Kilpatrick: four hundred fifty five dollars and eighty five cents.
Mildred: but, that is all I have. That’s the exact amount of my check. How did you know? . . .
Kilpatrick: I didn’t; I guess it’s a coincidence . . . .are you giving me the money or not? !
Mildred: yeah, yeah (hesitantly)
She goes to her purse, goes into her wallet and hands him a wad of cash, and counts out the eighty five cents.
Kilpatrick takes the money from her hurriedly and comments
Killer: A man got to beg to get any thing around here.
Mildred: what time you gonna be back?
Kilpatrick: when I get back!
He slams the door as he exits. She sits there alone on the sofa, puts her head in her hands, and sobs.
Lights down on Mildred and upon miss black
As Patrick passes by Miss Black’s home, Miss Harris is sitting on the front porch. She begins rocking back and forth hitting her cane on the ground hard and loud.
Kilpatrick: crazy old woman! They need to put you out of your misery, and bury your stick with you.
Mama Harris: tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, she does not stop until he is off the stage.
Lights are back on Mildred intro to music . . . .
is this it
Is this all there is
A life of pain
A constant stain
Of filthy rain
All the time
I am so afraid
So afraid
So far away
From where I used to be
I used to see
I used to believe
I traded your joy
For moments pleasure
Now I am lost
What a cost
Once again the tapping continues as mama Harris continues to rock back and forth.
End of: Act One (Scene Three)
ACT ONE (Scene Four)
Mildred has fallen asleep on the sofa, Marcella comes sneaking through (tip toeing passed her mother) her mother moves around in her sleep which makes Marcella nervous and causes her to freeze in action. She is wearing a jacket to conceal what is underneath. She is snoring but is interrupted when Marcy accidentally bumps into something.
Mildred: hey, where are you going?
Marcella: oh, ummm, the girls and I are doing a group study, for ummm, an end of the year project, we have to turn in, and we . . . . . (she stops her speech as she realizes her mother is asleep)
Mildred: zzzzz . . . zzzz . . .zz.Z.zzzzz
(Marcella looks closely at Mildred, and moves quickly, before her mother awakens again)
Marcella: whew! I thought I would never get out of there.
She removes her jacket, exposing what she has underneath.
Enter Patrice
Patrice: Hey Marcella! What’s going on? (At this time Marcella’s facial and bodily expressions are obviously bewildered) Wait a minute, where are you going dressed like that? Or should I say half dressed. Isn’t that the top for the outfit we bought identical two summers ago? Where is the other half? (Marcy is huffing and rolling her eyes at this time) Where are you going?
Marcella: if you must know, I am stepping out!
Patrice: you mean you half stepping.
Marcella: you need to stay out of my business OK! We don’t even hang anymore.
Patrice: Well whose fault is that? I am not the one who stopped returning calls, stopped going to youth group at church, and started hanging with the devil.
Marcella: you are just jealous, because I am popular now. And you, well, you are boring. Anyway I got to go now.
Patrice: oh I am boring! Is that what your new friends told you?
Marcella: bye Patrice!
(Marcella begins to walk away)
Patrice: The word on the street is that you are Shadows girls now.
Marcy: That’s right baby! (She chuckles, quite pleased with herself) heh, heh.
Patrice: heh, heh. (sarcastically) He is bad news Marcy.
Marcella: Oh here we go! Miss know it all.
Patrice: Please, I am begging you, quit while you have time. He is a murderer, a drug dealer, he beats women, and I even heard he gets them strung out . . ..
Marcy: girl please, yes I go with Shadow, he does not beat me, and I am not strung out ok. Besides, my man loves me.
Patrice: How do you know? Is it because he gives you money? (Marcy motions to answer) At what cost! What did you give up? (She looks at Marcy up and down) Did you sell your soul just so you could roll with the likes of Shadow?
There is an uncomfortable 3 sec silence)
You know he’s got three kids and one on the way.
Marcy: I know how many kids my man got; I don’t need you to tell me . . .
Patrice: You see him maybe once a week, right; who do you think he is with when he is not with you? Girl can’t you see he is just using you?
Marcy: shut up, just shut up! I won’t let you talk about my man like that. You are so jealous. Because I found Mr. Right. I bet you don’t even have a man. Probably still a virgin. (She laughs mockingly)
Patty: Oh yes, and proud of it! Thank you! (Her boldness makes Marcy uncomfortable)
I am waiting on the lord, for the righteous man. See Mr. Right is what my flesh seeks, but Mr. Righteous is whom god sends. When god sends him, he will know how to treat me. I won’t have to sell my body to keep him, because he will marry me, cause he will know, I am good thing! He will love me like Christ loves the church. So yes, I may be single right now, but I would rather be alone for a moment than to have my whole life wasted away by some no good devil. You see alone does not mean lonely.
Marcy: Girl pa-lease, every body (she motions to her body) needs some body at some time. And you are lying if you say you don’t.
Patty: Yes I have desires, sometimes it is hard, but I submit my body and all of its members to Christ. I seek his will and his face. He fills me with so much of his presence and joy and that’s why I can tell the devil no. You see his joy is where I get my strength. I am no super woman, but I serve a super god, who is able to keep me from falling, and to present me, faultless, before his presence with exceeding great joy. (She runs and shouts for a moment.) (at this time Marcella is mockingly saying blah, blah, blah, blah )You used to know this Marcy, but you chose to forget. (she continues to talk as Marcy walks away) Just because your mamma walked away from god, does not mean you have to. Jesus still loves you Marcy.
Marcy: Girl I got to go, you are wasting my time. Because you know what, my life is fine, and I do not need you or your God! (she is obviously very angry, and shaken by what Patrice said)
She storms past Patrice threateningly, and signaling her to not say another word.
Patrice: Don’t run out of time girl. Don’t run out of time.
Ooohhh! (Frustated) Father God sometimes I get so tired of praying for that girl. She just wants to do what she wants to do. Lord, should I stop praying? It seems like it is not working. She is getting worse instead of better. I feel there are other people I could be praying for who would heed to your word, but you won’t release me. Your loves got a hold on me. Your love, love,
Loves got a hold on me
Yeah
A hold on me
Your love got a hold on me
Hold on me
Keeps me on my knees
Yeah
On my knees
Cause your loves got
Hold on me
Love,
Agape love
Your loves got a hold on me
Hope
Your faith and hope
Got me believing
What I can’t see
Because your love
Love unfailing love
Your love got a hold on me.
Oh lord you never gave up on me
Cause your love got a hold on me
Always patient and merciful
Your love got a hold on me.
Of what I am hoping to see
Lord help me to believe
Lord just as I breathe
The air I can only feel
END OF: ACT ONE (SCENE FOUR)
ACT ONE (SCENE FIVE a.)
Music is playing, upbeat and fast, there is a crowd of about fifteen dancing, while some are socializing and drinking. They are being loud and boisterous. Enter Marcy.
Sandra, Michelle, and Britney are dancing and drinking.
There is a mini choreographed dance. As everyone joins in afterwards.
Party persons: now this is what I call a party! Whoa yeahhh.
Sandra: ya’ll know Shadow is here right,
Brittany: so what? (They all respond) and?
Sandra: with Donna, his babies momma.
Brittany: oohhhh!(they all respond)
Sandra: that’s right, And Marcy is coming. I hope there aint going to be no drama up in here tonight!
Michelle: You’ all didn’t tell her about Donna?
Britney: It aint our job to tell her nothing. That’s her man, she need to handle her own business. I aint in it.
Michelle: me too girl, if she ask me, I don’t know nothing.
Marcy approaches
Michelle: hey Marcy!
Britney: What’s up, girl?
Marcy: what’s up ya’ll?
Britney: Girl come and get your drink on.
Marcy: oh . . . OK.
(Marcy is obviously not with it)
Britney: What’s wrong with you? WE ARE HERE TO PARTY so please do not bring that long face up in here.
Sandra: what, is your momma tripping again?
Marcy: child she think I am at a study group with ya’ll. I could’t believe she bought that, cause yall never study. Laugh.
Britney: but we are studying; these fine brother up in here! Wwhhoooo wheee! Mm,mmm,m (just then a attractive male passes in front of them)
Marcy: I just had a run in with evangelist Pat!
Sandra: Who, Holy Roller Patrice? (She giggles)
Marcy: Yeah, she was preaching as usual. But, she had the nerve to be talking all this crap about Shadow, you know, you know, my man! Talking bout he got babies and other women and stuff. She crazy! I know my man loves me.
Sandra: that’s right girl, he loves you, yep. ( she is looking at the other two, rolling her eyes, motioning towards Shadow)
Britney: girl you know she is just jealous, cause she ain’t got no man. Talking bout, she saving it.
Marcy: I don’t know ya’ll, she was for real, you know. In fact I got a little scared.
Britney: Girl, don’t let her scare you. You are going to let her spoil our party.
Come here, drink this, it will calm your nerves and get Patrice and her God off your mind.
(Marcy takes the drink, gulps it down in one shot, quickly,) (At this point Shadow moves front stage and begins dancing with Donna) the girls try to distract her and turn her so she can’t see him.
Sandra: slow your roll girl, you gonna be hit, you ain’t seasoned to the brew yet.
Marcy slams the bottle on the table
Marcy: I am ready to partey!
Enter Jock, Wade, AND G-Smooth
Britney: That’s my girl! Now lets get our dance on! (They start dancing with each other as the other three boyfriends come in and they are distracted from distracting Marcy)
They all go and greet their men, and begin dancing with them.
Then they notice that they have left Marcy
Marcy: wait a minute,
Sandra: hey girl, come on, don’t trip.
Marcy: hold up . . . hold up,
Michelle: girl you know there is no way a man like that could ever have just one woman.
Marcy: so you knew, and you didn’t tell me.
Michelle: see we was going to, but what had happened was . . .
Marcy: HOLD UP! Who is that trick dancing with Shadow?
Britney: Oh girl he is a man, you know they is.
Marcy: no I don’t, but I do know, that’s my man, and she stepped out a line
Sandra: girl it ain’t worth it. . .
Marcy: And I am going to whoop her behind!
(She removes her jewelry, and walks over to where Shadow is)
Marcy: hey trick, you like dancing with other people’s man huh?
Shadow: hey baby girl, what’s up? How come you ain’t tell me you were coming?
Donna: BABY GIRL!
(Everyone in the party goes silent) the music stops.
Marcy: that’s right trick!, I am his woman . . .
Donna: excuse me! Little girl, I am his woman and have been for years, so, I don’t know where you come from talking bout ‘that’s right I am his woman’? you are nothing but a scared little girl
Marcy: I ain’t never heard of you! And I ain’t scared
Sandra: that’s right tell her girl, you know we got your back.
Donna: Shadow, how come you ain’t never told her about me?
(he looks dumb for a moment)
Marcy: cause you ain’t nothing, But a she dog mongrel.
Shadow: BOO look . . .
Marcy: BOO?
Donna: that’s right trick. I am his boo, his woman
Marcy: you a liar! (getting upset) I am gonna kick your . . .
Party person: ooohh it is on now!
(she charges at Donna, who then accepts the challenge) Britney tries to intervene then backs away.
Britney: handle your business girl!
Michelle: girl we got your back!
Donna: come on spring chicken. Let me school ya!
Marcy: (attacks Donna, tackling her to the ground) there is a struggle. Marcy socks Donna in the face.
Shadow: (pulls a gun on Marcy, who falls back unto the floor) she scrambles backwards on the floor. (There is a shudder and shrilling silence) don’t you ever put your hand on my baby’s mama ever again, or I will kill you! You got that!
(Britney and the others run and leave Marcy alone) the other guests leave also to avoid trouble.
Marcy: (shakes her head)
Shadow: speak up! I can’t hear you! Say yes- Sha-dow.
Marcy: y, y, yes Shadow. (She answers shamefully) (She is frightened and obviously very shaken) why, why?
Shadow: shut the heck up!
Donna: yeah, she-dog-mongrel! I can’t hear you saying nothing now. Say something! Say something! Ha, ha, ha.
Shadow grabs Donna harshly by the arm and pulls her forcefully to him.
Shadow: and you quit tripping!!! You know I got other hoe’s. Deal with it or step!
Marcy: what?
Donna: But I am your main squeeze, right baby!
Shadow: that’s right; just don’t get out of line.
Donna: I won’t baby, I won’t. (She leans into Shadow and looks at Marcy with disdain)
Little girl, you lucky, cause I was going to jack- you- up! You shouldn’t get into business you can’t handle.
Shadow: Come on, let’s bounce!
Shadow and Donna walk away together as Marcy looks on in shock;
PARTY GOER: Somebody please explain to me how it is that a man can double time two sisters then they whoop on each other and he the one playing them. Then they are looking hit and stupid while he comes out smelling like roses? That’s crazy man, that’s crazy.
others around look at her and shake their heads. Comments are made like (that’s messed up! That’s what she get, messing with other people’s man, mmph. With her fast self. She lucky they didn’t jack her up. ) there is mocking laughter as the Lights dim to darkness, then come back up revealing Marcy alone by herself)
Marcy: Britney! Sandra! Michelle! (She sighs, and whimpers painfully) hello. .
The silence echoes back loudly. She can still hear the laughter in the background.
She stands up to her feet stumbling, walks home then scurries away as if in fear. Off stage
Act one (scene five b.)
Miss Black: (Seated on her porch, but Marcy who has entered but does not see her)
There is a passerby walking past, who bumps into Marcy, who seems to be in a daze.
Passerby: watch yourself
Marcy: I feel like such a fool, he played me! I can’t believe he talked to me like I was, was trash! Nothing! Just another whore! I hate him! I hate myself for being so stupid! I hate Brittany, Sandra and Michelle for lying to me and leaving me there when I really needed them, How will I face everyone? I am so embara . . . .
Miss Black: hey church girl.
Marcy: Oh! Oh my gosh! What are you doing there?
Miss Black: (looking left to right sarcastically)Well, I believe I been living here for about twenty five years. Before you were born.
Marcy: I know, I just meant why you sneaking, I mean hiding . . . you know what I mean
Miss Black: SNEAKING? HIDING? I think you got that covered . . . church girl.
Marcy: will you please stop calling me that!
Miss Black: why does it bother you so much, it never used to. .
Marcy: well it does now and I don’t want to hear it. OK
Miss Black: where you coming from, sneaking and hiding, looking like you fell off the fruit wagon?
Marcy: nowhere! . . . I was with some friends and they just tripping, I don’t know! Why you asking me all these questions! I got to go inside, its late.
Miss Black: mmpth mmmhh, Child, everybody that say they your friend, aint your friend.
(Marcella sighs looks at her knowingly) you see, a real friend would not lead you down the wrong road, watch you fall, then turn their back on you. No sirree not a true friend. You need to remember who your true friends are. It is not too late to reconcile, it is not too late.
Marcy: I know, Patrice she really cares and
Miss Black: I wasn’t talking about Patrice . . .
Marcy: then who?
Miss Black: you know exactly whom I am talking about church girl.
Miss black sings what a friend we have in Jesus.
Lights dim . . .
End of Act one Scene five b.
End of Act One
Act Two (scene one)
Scene opens with the sound of children playing, laughing, jeering, and talking. Some are plating Double Dutch, and hop scotch, among other hand contact rhyme games.
Enter Shantell, Marquisha, Antoinette, and Tony. With paper bags from the store.
Marquisha: give me some of your Hot Chitos
Shantell: oh, uhhh. You shoulda bought you some
Marquisha: I’ll give you one of my Kool-Aid straws
Shantell: alright, let me have one!
Marquisha hands Shantell a straw and Shantell hands her one chito
Shantell: here you go.
Marquisha looks stunned and very unsatisfied.
Antoinette: how you gonna give her one chito?
Marquisha: yeah, that ain’t right!
Shantell: one straw, one chito. That sounds right to me.
Antoinette: Shantell you know you wrong. You could have at least given her six or something. Come on Marquisha you can have some of mine. Maybe Tony will give you some too.
Tony: Don’t be volunteering my Chito’s. Why she ain’t buy her some at the store?
Marquisha: ooh ya’ll is mean!
They begin to argue more aggressively and loudly. Miss Harris who has been sitting there all along begins tapping her cane. Which startles them into silence and shock?
Miss Harris: tap, tap, tap, tap, tap . . . . .
Tony: oooh ya’l,l that’s that crazy old lady that don’t never say nothing, but she be tapping that stick.
Antoinette: I heard she a witch; and that, that there stick, is a magic stick that she be casting spells in mores code.
Shantell: ya’ll she ain’t no witch. My momma say she is a carnival, she eat people, especially children.
(They all jump back and look at Ms. Harris and say ooohhh)
Antoinette: They say her and her daughter is cooking people up in there.
Marquisha: that’s true, I smelled a whole lot a smoke coming from their house one day. it just did not smell right.
Miss black exits the front door at this time
Tony: ya’ll look, that there is the other carnival.
Miss Black: its time for your dinner mama.
Tony: oh yeah, Who’s for dinner? (He states loudly enough laughing for Miss Black to hear) they all laugh, then pause to see Ms. Black’s response
Everyone says sshhh, telling him not to speak to them
Miss Black: what you say young man? Speak up!
Tony: no, noth, nothing
Miss Black: ya’ll need to be going to go on home to your mommas now; it is getting dark out here. It is not safe out her in these streets.
Shantell: Our mamas know where we are. So we don’t have to go nowhere, just cause you said . . . my mama say you crazy anyway . . .
Miss Black: what you say young lady! I know you ain’t getting sassy with me. See here, I’ll show you crazy!
Miss Black takes two steps down towards the children
Antoinette: ooh why you make her mad, now they gonna eat us!
They all yell and run off stage (they gonna eat us, she gonna eat us)
Miss Black: (laughing) what is wrong with those children, talking bout somebody gonna eat them. I just don’t know, come on momma.
Miss Harris: taps her stick, shakes her head as her daughter helps her to her feet.
Lights dim as they go in.
End scene one A
Scene one B
Lights up
Marcella is sitting on the front steps of her home eating an apple and reading a book.
Enter Sandra, Michelle, and Brittey
Britney: I ain’t pologizing for nothing. She needs to handle her man
Sandra: actually he ain’t really her man
Michelle: but you know we were wrong; we could have told her the real deal. Now she all hurt and everything.
Britney: oh please child, every man I know, got more than one woman. My daddy, all my uncles, even my brother. That’s just how they are. The sooner you accept it, the sooner you stop getting hurt.
Sandra: I used to feel the same way Britney, but my cousin Cece’s got married a year and a half ago and her husband treats her real good, and he always come home, take care of her; she seems real happy to me. So now I believe that there are some good men out there, and real good daddies too.
Britney: well, I don’t believe it! He is just under cover, probably messing with some body’s child or something.
Sandra: where did that come from? Girl you are tripping!
Sandra: yeah! My cousins’ husband would never do that.
Britney: oh please, I don’t trust any of them. They only have one thing on their minds, and they willing to do whatever with whomever to get it.
Michelle: you ahh, got some issues Britney, really, you do.
Britney: I ain’t got no issues, ya’ll the ones in la la land, in denial. See, I keep it real. I am the sane one here!
Michelle: are you calling me crazy?
Britney: well if the shoe fits
There is obvious tension between the two, which makes Sandra uncomfortable
Sandra: so, are we going to apologize to Marcy?
Britney: NOT!
Michelle: well I am.
Sandra: me too, me too
Britney tries to intimidate Sandra
Britney: you better not!
Sandra: o, ok
Michelle: don’t let her push you around!
Britney: I thought we were girls; are you putting that heifer before me?
Michelle: we left her alone Britney. That was cold and you know it. We were wrong.
Britney: well forget ya’ll
Michelle: fine, bye!
Sandra looks confused as to what to do
Michelle: Come on Sandra lets go do the right thing.
Britney storms off angrily.
Michelle and Sandra approach Marcy’s house. When Marcella looks up and sees them coming she gets up shaking her head and attempts to go inside, till Michelle stops her.
Michelle: hold up Marcy! Girl I know you are mad. I don’t blame you. We were wrong, real wrong.
Marcy: oh no, let me tell you what you were. You were scandalous, lying, deceiving, trifling, and backstabbing no good heifers.
Michelle: all right girl, alright: I know we deserve that. We are so sorry. We were wrong. We ain’t going to do it again.
Marcy: well where is the ringleader? Britney!
Michelle: well, she ain’t ready to deal with it I guess. You know how she is.
Marcy: Mmph. Hmm. Yeah cause she don’t see anything wrong with what she did to me. As for your apology, thanks, but no thanks. I will never trust ya’ll ever again.
Michelle: look, we getting together with some friends at my house tomorrow evening. A little hang before school starts, why don’t you come by, so we can be cool like old-times, you know some drinks, some music, a little dancing some wing dings. . . . Come on girl don’t let me beg!
Marcy: Is Shadow gonna be there?
Sandra: Britney said he was g . . .
Michelle: no he will not! It is my party, and I say who will and will not be there. Please Marcy, it will be fun.
Marcy: OK, maybe I will, as long as he won’t be there. Cause I might have to drop kick him or something (she laughs) Michelle laughs with her.
Sandra is looking up and shifting back and forth. Then she laughs late.
Michelle: anyway we have to roll out, but we will see you tomorrow, my house at 6 o’clock.
Passerby’s are entering as they are leaving. Patrice is coming in the opposite direction of the passerby’s. She has some papers (flyers) in her hand, which she hands to them, they take it from her reading as they walk away.
Passerby: what ya’ll blowing up?
Patrice: a whole lot. Ya’ll try to make it. It’s going to be awesome! (She looks up and sees Marcy)
Well hello Marcella! I guess I will give you one too.
Marcy: give me what?
Patrice: oh it’s a flyer for our end of summer youth explosion.
Marcy: whhohoo, have fun! (She says sarcastically, as she tries to walk away)
Patrice: (ignoring Marcy’s obvious sarcasm) well it’s tomorrow from 6 –9 pm, we gonna have step teams, gospel rappers, poets, drama, choirs, you name it. And of course Pastor Patmore will be preaching, . .
Marcy: yeah, yeah, yeah, well I will be busy at that time, I have other plans, so thanks, but no thanks.
Patrice: OK, no problem. But if you change your mind the doors will be wide open for you.
Marcy: uh huh, uh huh. (she is walking away, obviously trying get away from Patrice)
Patrice turns to leave, then turns around, turning on her heal. (Marcy rolls her eyes)
Patrice: oh by the way, I thought I should tell you the theme. ‘wait on the lord to be blessed, don’t settle for the devil’s mess.’(She walks away immediately not waiting for Marcy to respond. Marcy stares after as she walks away.
Dim lights.
Scene Three
Mildred is in her living room pacing back and forth. She picks up the phone, dials a number almost beating the phone as she does.
Mildred: Hello Bobby!? What’s up? Yeah, yeah, everything’s OK. I was wondering if you have seen Kilpatrick. No, no every thing is OK, I was just wondering if you have seen him that’s all. Al right tell Deirdre I say hello. Aright then. She hangs up.
She heaves heavily and dials again
Carla . . . . . Carla girl I can’t find Kilpatrick, you seen him anywhere? Girl it has been three weeks since I seen him, he took my money for the rent and we about to get evicted, and now he ain’t nowhere to be found. I don’t know what we gone do. Why did I give it to him? He needed it. If I didn’t have my bridge card, I don’t know how we would eat. They gone cut my lights off, girl . . .what you say? You saw him where, with who? I don’t believe it. You lying!
No, no, no, and we suffering, while he is having a good time! Girl I gotta go, I can’t stand to hear any more. Yeah, yeah, I will call you and let you know what’s up. No, no I won’t trip . . . that’s right girl I gonna tell him it’s over, and get out, cause I don’t need you in my life, you know, I can do bad by myself, I don’t need your brand of help.
Enter Kilpatrick
There is a knock on the door.
I got to go, someone’s at the door.
She walks to the doorway, opens up to see Kilpatrick standing there.
Kilpatrick: what’s up!
While she is talking he is walking away, hanging up his coat, taking a seat on the sofa and grabbing the remote
Mildred: what’s up? Where have you been? I have been worried, we don’t have no money, you have not even called to see if I needed anything, and all you can say is what’s up? That’s right the cable is off too. . .
Kilpatrick: that’s why I won’t come home to you, you always nagging; a man needs peace and quiet when he come home.
Mildred: from what I hear, you were out getting yourself a piece, with Pauline, the neighborhood tramp. Yeah that’s right out at the moonlight, while we are here struggling.
Kilpatrick: DON’T BE CHECKING UP ON ME!
Mildred: I am tired Patrick. Tired of playing stupid for you. Trying to appease you, please you, but all you do is use me, and manipulate me, I don’t think you even love me.
Kilpatrick: I can’t believe this crap. I ain’t come home for this. . .
Mildred: home? No, this is no longer your home. I want you out, all you have done is drain my supply. And I have no more to give.
Kilpatrick: see that’s why I stayed with Pauline for a few weeks, so I could clear my head, and get away from all of this drama.
Mildred: well go back to her infested behind then, cause you ain’t getting none of this.
Kilpatrick: oh please, one touch from me, and you drop it likes it’s hot.
Mildred: not any more! It froze up, close up! What happened to the business you were taking care of?
Kilpatrick: what you talking about now? What business?
Mildred: the deal you said you needed money for!
Kilpatrick: oh ahh. It fell through . . .
Mildred: well where is my money? (she is in his face at this point)
Kilpatrick: your money? You gave it to me for my investment; some times investments are a risk. You win some, you lose some.
He walks away from her
Mildred: with you all I have done is lose, lose, lose.
Please get out, just leave.
Kilpatrick: what! You putting Kilpatrick out?
Mildred: yes! yes just go!
He charges over to her and begins to pound her with his fists. She screams
Kilpatrick: I leave when I get ready; you done lost your mind! Stupid female!
Enter Marcy
Marcy: momma! Momma! Get off my momma!
She jumps on Patrick’s back begins pounding his back and kicking her legs. He wrestles her off.
Kilpatrick: Get off me, crazy girl!
He throws her to the ground. Mildred runs over to her.
Mildred: are you alright baby?!
Marcy stands up to face Kilpatrick.
Marcy: don’t you ever touch my momma again!
Killer: yeah, yeah, I bet you mama don’t know about you hanging with Sha-Dow,
Marcy: mouth opens in shock, as she steps back
Killer: yeah, the biggest drug dealer in town.. I know he tapped that too . . .
Mildred: what! Marcy what is he saying?
Killer: yeah he had her at gunpoint, at a party
Marcy: shut up!
Killer: I bet you didn’t check up on that
Mildred: Marcy, tell me that it is not true.
Killer: you need to check up on your child, while you checking up on me.
Mildred and Marcy are fussing and Marcy has a definite attitude.
Killer: Well! I am going to go lye down now and I want peace and quiet!
He walks away arrogantly, leaving Marcy and Mildred alone to face this situation.
Dim lights
Lights up
Marcy is standing up with her hands folded and with defensiveness on her face and Mildred is sitting there shaking her head.
Mildred: what do you have to say for yourself?
Marcy shrugs her shoulders, but does not answer.
Mildred: well, I am waiting! . . . .How could you endanger yourself and our home like that? You know how dangerous those kinds of men are.
Marcy: Mama please, you mean like Killer?
Mildred: don’t get fresh with me!
Marcy: mama he was beating on you!
Mildred: this is not about me right now, it is about you .
Marcy: no momma, it is about you! You can’t expect me to be something that you are not willing to live up to. I know I should choose to live above it, but you cannot obligate me if you can’t step up to the challenge. You date a man who talks down to you, beats you, takes your money, and sells drugs from time to time, but you pretend you don’t know, and if I know, then I know you do.
Mildred: listen here girl, I am the mother in this relationship, I am not always going to do what I want you to or what you expect, but I do want better for you. So don’t you dare tell me what I can’t check you about, trying to read me my rights. I birthed you, and you didn’t give me permission to conceive you, so don’t conceive in your mind to tell me what I should be doing. Yes I have messed up my life in a lot of ways, I have been on drugs in the past, children out of wedlock, not graduating from high school but that is no excuse for you. Its your time now. You can’t choose who your parents are, but you can choose who you become.
Marcy: so I am just supposed to act like you don’t do anything wrong, and be your little angel. (sarcastically)
Mildred: watch it! No the point is, I am your mother, and you do as I say , not as I do.
Marcy: well you are confusing me momma, you say one thing and do another. It makes it hard for me to respect you momma. I am going to my room . . .
Mildred: no you are not! Come back here Marcella! Marcella! Marcella Jones I said come here.
Marcella turns back to her and walks over disdainfully.
Marcy: I am almost seventeen years old momma, I think it is a bit late to start playing good parent.
Marcy walks past her to wards the front door, Mildred delays responding, but when she does Marcy is already gone.
Mildred: M,m,m,Marcy . . . Marcy!
She sighs
Kilpatrick: Mildred! Mildred!
Mildred: (whispering) what! . . .
Kilpatrick: MILDRED!!
Mildred: YYYES PATRICK!
Kilpatrick: Make me a sandwich! I am hungry!
Mildred rolls her neck and eyes looking up stairs in disbelief of Kilpatrick’s arrogance.
Dim lights
End act two Scene three
Act Two Scene Four
There is the sound of arguing coming from the Jones’s’ home. Miss black comes out to talk to her mother Miss Harris who is seated on the front porch
Miss Black: oh lord they at it again! Mm, mmm, m. When is Mildred going to get tired of dealing with that no good, whore monger, lying, stealing, cheating, need to get a job, scandalous man.
Miss Harris: nods her head but does not tap her stick.
Miss black checks the stick to see if it is ok. She taps it herself.
Miss Black: you ready to go in momma
Miss Harris: shakes her head no.
Miss Black: well all right, hang out for a few more minutes, but its getting dark out here so I will be back to get you soon.(she kisses her on the forehead)
Miss black goes in leaving her mother outside
Commotion next door begins to rise again, the yells and screams are intensifying. Violence is evident. Words of “I’ll kill you, I’ll kill you trick!”
Screams and yells of “just get out, just get out!” I hate you!
The stage begins to change color, to a red glow, there is rumbling and a shaking, as a high pitched note pierces the air. The imps dressed in black seem to be dancing to the sound and rhythm of the heightened emotions. As they get in place and dance to the beat of foreboding destruction.
Then suddenly there is a tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap! They freeze on stage as lights focus in on Miss Harris who is steadying herself to her feet. She balances herself with her cane and takes a step forward, then another. Each step intensified by an echoing tap. As if each of her steps were accompanied by an army. Each thundering march makes the imps cringe. Then the woman speaks. The stage is filled with smoke.
Miss Harris:
Mmmm,mmm,mm
In the name of Jesus!
Ohhhh, it’s on now! . . .
I sees you devil! . . .
You have been partying in
this town for too long. Prancing
about boldly with no restraint.
Slinging your rocks,
Blood stain your paint
Shooting your arrows
Making mommas faint
Deceiving daddies
So they ain’t
Nowhere to be found
It seems they done
went under ground
I ‘m tired, tired
And I’ve been retired
For many days
I ‘m about to get a raise (at this point she makes her way down the step, holds t
Up and crush your head
All the saints ain’t gone to bed
Some of us are wide-awake
There is only so much we will take
When you came in my hood
You made a big mistake (angelic music played)
I ain’t coming alone
As I stand my post
I am assisted by heavenly host (at this instant angels appear and stand )
Empowered by the Holy Ghost (color changes to orange, then yellow)
So I serve you notice!
I am no novice
I know who he is
So I know who I am
So in his power I stand
And by his authority I speak
And command you, to cease!
I decree your weapons null and void (imps throw their weapons aside, off stage)
I come to war not to make peace
Deception and blindness (two of he imps grab their eyes and run)
I pluck out your eyes
Anger and violence
Your arms I now tie
Abuse, and low esteem
I breakup your team (two imps divide from @ other)
Your powers I divide
Your back I break (grab their back and run)
Ohhh I am whooping your hide!
By his stripes this wound is healed
This raging storm is stilled
Your evil planned is killed
In the name off Jesus
Tuck your tail, spin on you heel
Run like you do so well
take your mess back to hell! (Many of the imps leave)
I plea! the blood of Jesus
Be applied and cover us
The angels of the lord
Guarding with their sword
Ready to attack
Shoulder to shoulder
Pushing evil armies back (last few imps flee off stage)
Pushing evil armies back
And out of our homes (Kilpatrick runs out, looking scared and confused)
Out of our homes!
Never to return
May holiness burn
In our earthly domes
May God be glorified in this hour (lights go from green to a blue)
May we see his manifest power
May we bask in his glorious shower (Simulation of rain)
As his blessings flow
our hearts aglow
Being renewed we will know
That he has moved in this place
For pain and misery have been erased
Hallelujah! Glory to God! (Character free styles in worship, sound of church organ)
Hallelujah!
Enter Miss Black
Miss black: oh lord, momma! How . . . . What you doing down there. You know you can’t walk far by yourself. Who is out here talking to you anyway? I know I heard voices. And I ain’t crazy! That’s the last time I ever leave you out here for a long time. I fell asleep for a moment and you out here taking a walk. Please tell me you ain’t getting senile. . . . It feels different out here, like it seems lighter, fresher, you know. It must be some new streetlights or something. Come on momma, I got to keep my eyes on you.
During this dialog miss black is taking her mother up the steps towards the house. As they go in miss Harris shakes her stick at the stage area.
Scene five
Party scene at house. Enter Marcy, (she is dressed inappropriately for the occasion, but se shows up as if she is unsure if she should be there.
Party person1: oh lord looker here.
Party person 2: What’s that she got on? Looking like she shop at the PTA store
Party 1: P-TA? what’s that?
Party 2: please throw it away! (they both laugh loudly)
Party 3: that’s’ the girl they was talking about, the one that got dissed By shadow.
Party4 : if she always looked like that I see why. She look tired. (they snicker)
Party 3: naw, She used to be cute, real cute. I guess she just fell apart after, shadow made a fool out of her. Now she is a hot digidy mess!
Party 4: I ain’t never make no man do me like that. Mm, m (they shake their heads scornfully)
Party 5: you can tell she on that pipe, look how she look. Hit!
Party6: yeah, you got to be high to leave you house looking like that.
Marcy, feeling the disapproval of the guests, turns around to leave, until Michelle stops her.
Michelle: come on in Marcy! Why you standing over there like that?
Marcy: cause I ain’t dressed right, I just didn’t have time you know . . .
Michelle: what happened?
Marcy: my momma and killer were fighting, he was beating on her you know (she turns around as eves droppers ease away) then he started running his mouth about me and shadow at ‘the party’. (She looks around again, they ease away again) Then momma started tripping on me, so I just got out of there cause I couldn’t take the stress you know.
Michelle: don’t let them worry you girl, you need a stiff drink, to get them off my mind
Marcy: no, no thank you, mmm, mm
Michelle: You don’t want anything, you always want a drink or something, I got some bud in the back you want a puff.
Marcy: no, no, no, I just don’t have a taste for it, I don’t know why!
Michelle: hhmmm. You want some wing dings? Hot cheetos, chip and dip, something!
Marcy: I’ll try to eat something
Michelle: come on, Sandra is over here too.
As they walk over to the food where the food is Shadow walks in with his boys, but Marcy does not notice. She turns around with a plate of food in her hand.
Part 5: see I told you she was high, now she got the munches.
Shadow: hey babe! (Marcy drops the plate in shock) What’s up, how come you ain’t called me? You not still mad about the other day are you? Come on now you know I wasn’t really gonna hurt you for real. (he approaches her and leans in very close to her body, as she steps back)We are all friends here.
Marcy: (shrugs her shoulders as she looks at Michelle in great disappointment and shakes her head.)
Michelle: come on girl, I know you wouldn’t come if I told you he would here. But, like he said, we are all friends.
Marcy: NO! You are not! None of you are. You were never my friends! (beat) and I have to go, yeah, I have somewhere I need to be, goodbye.
They stand there and no one says anything, until she is gone. As she exits Britney enters and looks Marcy up and down.
Britney: What!?
Michelle: man, forget her, she is just too sensitive. This is the world, the real world, what planet is she on?(beat) Where is Sandra anyway?
Britney: I don’t know girl, I have been calling her, but she won’t answer her phone. I just went by her house, and her grandma said she left.
Michelle: hmmm, something is going on
Party 6: hold on, I thought this was a party! Where is the music man?
The DJ puts the music back on and every one scatters and begins dancing, Michelle is very distracted, she keeps looking at the door. Even her dance is off beat.
End of scene five
Phone call:
Kilpatrick: hey baby
Mildred: what do you want Kilpatrick?
Kilpatrick: how long we been together?
Mildred: too long!
Kill: come on now baby, you can’t say we didn’t have some good times!
Pause
Can we talk, please?
Mildred: OK, come on, we can talk. I got a lot to say.
Kill: just promise me one thing, baby.
Mildred: what!
Kill: don’t pull out the butcher knife like you did last time
Mildred: don’t give me a reason to. And this time it may not be a knife.
Kill: alright baby I’ll be there in about an hour
Mildred: no, you have thirty minutes, and that’s it.
Kill: aright:
Scene six
Scene opens with Mildred walking into the living room, she has a basket of what looks like laundry, and places it on the sofa. She walks away and gets another with more clothes and men’s shoes on top. At this point it is obvious it is very possibly Kilpatrick’s things. She gets a third basket with magazines and opens one up as the centerfold unfolds. She shakes her head and throws it the basket.
Mildred: I look way better than that!
There is a firm knock on the door. She looks up, looks at her watch, and waits,
The knock again. She meanders over to the door. She opens the door.
Kilpatrick is standing there with flowers in his hand. She looks him up and down and walks away. He comes into the uninviting atmosphere.
He attempts to sit down on the sofa
Mildred: uhuh. Please stay standing. You won’t be here long enough to relax. What I have to say won’t take long.
Kil: but I thought we were going to talk.
Mildred: we! Oh no, we aint got nothing to talk about . I don’t want to hear anything you have to say.
Kil: so why you have me come all the way over here. I got a busy schedule.
Mildred: you called me, anyway you need to get your things.
Kil: what!
Mildred: get your crap out of my house!
Kil: there you go flipping the script as usual, I swear something is seriously wrong with you in the head. I don’t know how I put up with you all these years.
I am telling you, you need some help. Always tripping! (While he is talking Mildred is retrieving a large machete, from a plant in the corner.) You done gained all this weight too. You used to look real good, but now you don’t look good no more; you lucky I am still with you.
Hey, hey, why you tripping! Ahhh, Mildred, I am sorry! I am sorry!
Mildred: you keep calling me crazy, but you ain’t seen crazy yet.
Patrick: I was just playing, why you so sensitive? Ahh quit!
Mildred: oh I am just playing too baby.
Patrick: I was just joking, you ain’t like, real big, you just got a little junk in the trunk, that’s all.
Mildred: yeah, well, what’s junk to you is someone else’s treasure.
Patrick: who? You got a man, that fast. (Still running from the weapon)
Mildred: you snooze you loose.
Patrick: oh please, you know, you could never really leave me. You love me. I am the best you can get. There is no man out there crazy enough to want you.
Officer brad walks in the door but Patrick back is turned, s he does not see him.
Officer brad: I am, crazy about this woman here; and I am crazy enough to have you arrested for trespassing.
Patrick: Trespassing! I live here! Tell him Mildred!
Mildred: I don’t know what you talking about. Officer he no longer lives here. He was just getting his things.
Officer Brad steps aside to let Patrick go bye.
Patrick: ahh can I at least get my stuff?
Off. Brad: don’t worry, you will, as soon as you get out this door.
As soon as he leaves, Mildred throws his clothing out, excluding the baskets.
Patrick: what happened to the baskets they were in?
Mildred: oh, those are mine. Here, you can use these garbage bags. They are quite suitable.
He scrambles to pick up the trash bags, as the neighborhood crack head comes by to help him. It is obvious that he wants to retaliate, but officer Brad’s presence, keeps him at bay.
Off. Brad: we are not going to have any more problems out of you, right?!
Patrick: no sir, no.
Off. Brad: I don’t expect to see your face around here either.
Patrick: I love you Mildred. Why you doing this to us? I love you! (crying) Mildred! Mildred! Mildred!
During his dialog officer Brad steps toward him.
Where I’m gonna go?
Mildred: go to Pauline’s, you know, for some peace and quiet.
Patrick: skink!
As soon as he leaves, Brad says to Mildred
Off. Brad: restraining order!
Mildred: ASAP!
Mama Harris is conveniently sitting on her porch with a big grin on her face as Patrick tries to gather his belongings, every time he turns his back a crack head grabs some of his things, and scurries away. He stands there looking confused, as there seems to be considerably less than he thought.
Patrick: what you smiling for, ain’t nothing funny!
Mama Harris: tap, tap, tap, tap,
Patrick: I still say you crazy, and they need to put you to sleep, like an old mongrel.
At this mama Harris stops tapping and raises to her feet, officer brad comes outside, along with Mildred. Miss black comes out too. They all stand there and stare at him, as he scrambles away.
Mildred: miss black what you cooking over there, smelling so good?
Miss black: oh just some corn bread, black eye pease, yams, honey ham, , regular Sunday dinner.
Mildred: all that! Well if you need some help getting rid of it, let me know.
Off. Brad: let me know too.
Miss black: now Mildred you know you always welcome at my house, ya’ll come on.
End of scene
The sound of Pentecostal worship music is vibrating in the ear. Accompanied by hand clapping feet stomping celebration. The voice of a fiery preacher can be heard as the eminent foreground to this appropriate background of praise.
Pastor p: come on ya’ll praise him, right now!
God is moving in this place, the devil has been busy, but its on now, its time out for foolishness, time out for sitting back letting the devil whoop on us, mess with our kids, steal our money, our time, our dreams, destroying our neighborhoods. Poisoning our bodies. Its on now, for the lord says, if my people who are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and heal their land. Somebody has to get on their knees, somebody has to be sick and tired. Do I have some tired folks in here. Do I have some folks ready for a change?
The church responds in accordingly to the inspirational message.
