Clunie - Living Green - VG Rev 2010

LIVING GREEN
~ a drama in two acts ~

by
Gloria Bond Clunie
Premiered
Victory Gardens Theater
2008-2009 Season
Chicago, Illinois
Gloria Bond Clunie

1620 Dobson Street
Evanston, Illinois 6002
847.869.1963
847.772.8191
gbclunie@aol.com
LIVING GREEN -VG 2009-Rev
LIVING GREEN
~a drama in two acts~
by
Gloria Bond Clunie
CHARACTERS
(3 females, 4 males )
ANGELA FREEMAN - early forties, successful, corporate businesswoman,

mother of DEMPSEY and CAROL
FRANK FREEMAN- early forties, successful corporate businessman,
ANGELAS husband, father of DEMPSEY and CAROL
DEMPSEY FREEMAN- fifteen, bright, struggling student
CAROL FREEMAN -seventeen, intelligent, good kid slightly spoiled
MR. PARKS - late sixties, down home, from the old neighborhood,
janitor, neighborhood leader
SHONDRA DAVIDSON- sixteen, smart, shy, raised in the projects
BUDDY DAVIDSON- seventeen, SHONDRAs brother, West-side street, loves his sister
~~~
NOTE: All characters are African-Americans.
SETTING
Fall of 1995 - the Year of the Million Man March.
Upper middle class home of FRANK and ANGELA FREEMAN
Chicago, Illinois
Synopsis, Playwrights Statement, and Playwrights Bio at the end of script.
-1-
ACT ONE
SCENE ONE
The FAMILY ROOM of FRANK and ANGELAs tastefully
decorated, upper
middle class home reflects their
appreciation for European culture as well as their AfricanAmerican heritage. This spacious, work-entertainment area
is graced with a state of the art television, a computer, a
leather couch and other expensive modern furniture. The
space includes a small ultra modern KITCHEN with a
comfortable EATING AREA. There is a back door in the
kitchen. A door leads to the Family Room bathroom, with the
suggestion of a formal living room and front door just
offstage. Upstage, there are additional exits or a raised area
suggesting a second level. On the upper level, we see another
bathroom door and exits leading to the bedrooms of FRANK
& ANGELA, CAROL, and DEMPSEY. We are aware that
there are three bathrooms in the house - 1. An upper level
bathroom 2. An unseen, to-be-remodeled private bath in
Angela and Franks bedroom and 3. the family room
bathroom on the lower level.
Its early morning on a work/school day.
ANGELA, an attractive mother and business woman, enters
from the upper level. She moves with purpose, picking up her
suit jacket as she buttons her skirt and blouse. As if a matter
of habit, she steps over the partially boxed, new blue toilet and
construction material in the hallway. She stops, turns around,
stares at it, shakes her head, and continues into the kitchen.
ANGELA
shouting
Frank! Dempsey!
pause.
Carol! If you miss that bus!
ANGELA checks her date book, packs her briefcase and laptop, pours coffee and sets out
plates, muffins and juice for her family. She moves with speed and practiced precision, as
if she is no longer capable of doing one thing at a time.
ANGELA stops when she sees the plant. It was a small, green potted plant. When she
picks it up, the poor thing is limp very limp. She tries to revive it, but it is dead very dead.
She hesitates, then sadly drops the pathetic plant in the garbage can.
-2-
ANGELA
calling upstairs
People! Get moving.
pause
Now!
DEMPSEY, fifteen, wearing pajamas, enters from upstage right, half asleep.
CAROL, seventeen, in a robe with a towel, enters upstage left. She sleepwalks until she
sees DEMPSEY. Shouting, they both race to the upper level bathroom. DEMPSEY
bangs his toe on the blue toilet, trips on the construction material, pulls himself up, but
loses the race.
Carol!
DEMPSEY
banging on bathroom door.

Mommmm!?!
ANGELA
You want bathrooms? Kirby? The plumber? Four thirty let him in.
DEMPSEY limps into the kitchen area.
How come I always get stuck with . . .?
DEMPSEY
ANGELA
cross checks the color coded refrigerator calendar with her personal date book
Dads got an appointment. Carols got S.A.T. class, and youve got no Spanish Club, play
rehearsal tomorrow, and pianos not until 6:00. One measurement and hes gone. Again! So,
four -thirty or Run Dempsey, run! for another month?
DEMPSEY
reluctantly
O.K. O.K.
DEMPSEY sees dead plant in the garbage can.
Yes!
DEMPSEY pulls the dead plant from the garbage and does a touch down dance.
Victory is mine!
ANGELA takes the plant, and tosses it back into the trash.
DEMPSEY grabs the Grandma Pot - a beautifully hand painted flowerless flowerpot
from the shelf and removes eight dollars.
If you break my pot . . .
ANGELA
-3-
ANGELA snatches the Grandma Pot from DEMPSEY and puts it back on the shelf.
DEMPSEY exits into the lower level family room bathroom as
CAROL, wrapped in a towel, pokes her head out of the upper level bathroom.
seeing no competition, she races toward her room and exits as . . .
FRANK, confident, successful businessman, enters the front door in suit pants, an open
dress shirt and an untied tie. He reads the Chicago Tribune.
FRANK
Well, Father. Fuhrman took the fifth. Got to be lying on O.J. if he took the fifth.
Tries the door knob, then bangs on the downstairs bathroom door .
Hurry up in there. Says here, Johnny Cs got the tapes to prove it. Man said in ten years hadnt
called anybody a nigger. And Johnnys got that white boy saying it forty-two times. Forty-two
times on the same tape.
referring to bathroom
Whos in there?
Go upstairs.
ANGELA
FRANK
The glove does not fit. Dont care if O.J. wins, but would love to see Cochran take the day!
hits bathroom door
Carol? Dempsey?
FRANK, Tribune in hand, stops on his way to the upper level bathroom
So. What happened to you last night?
Shubert deal. Long story. Long night.
ANGELA
FRANK
Angie, you gonna come home one day to a big For Sale sign out front.
Call me at the office and we can . . .
ANGELA
FRANK
We cant sell a house between meetings.

CAROL, still wrapped in a towel, enters hallway carrying toilet items and clothes.
FRANK sees CAROL, just as CAROL sees FRANK.
Hey! Im in there.
CAROL races FRANK for the upper level bathroom.
-4-
FRANK
Carol!
FRANK trips on the blue toilet in the hall as CAROL slams bathroom door.
God bless America! They ever gonna finish this thing? Tear up a perfectly good bathroom -- my
perfectly good bathroom, then got to wait four damn weeks for a part.
shouting
Carol!
In thirty seconds I'm headed for the tree out front.
DEMPSEY appears from lower level bathroom.
Daddy really gonna pee on a tree?
Out.
DEMPSEY
FRANK
FRANK enters lower level bathroom.
Go put some clothes on.
ANGELA
DEMPSEY exits to his room.

CAROL enters from the upper level bathroom, wrapped in a towel, waving a shirt.
outraged
Mommy! You washed it!
You ruined it! It's a Tommy. . .
CAROL
ANGELA
If the bus leaves you Mr. Hilf-nigger won't give two cents.
Everything else is dirty.
CAROL
ANGELA
Then put on the cleanest, dirty-thing you've got. Go naked. But don't miss that bus!
CAROL grabs her backpack, and still dressed in the towel, heads for the front door.
Girl, don't even try me.
I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR!
CAROL
-5-
I told you to do the laundry.
ANGELA
CAROL
Honor Roll assemblys today and I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR! Nada.
beat.
Top drawer.
The pink one.
CAROL
Pink?
Naked?
Right.
Mom?
ANGELA
ANGELA
CAROL
SOUND: Bathroom flush

FRANK enters from bathroom and gives a final spray of air freshener.
Dadll be there.
Two oclock? Right, Doc?
But Mom.
ANGELA gives CAROL a look
Never mind.
ANGELA
FRANK
CAROL
CAROL goes upstairs.

DEMPSEY enters and catches CAROL in the hall.
DEMPSEY
whispering as he shoves a paper and pen toward CAROL
Hey, Carol.
No.
CAROL
-6-
Ah, come on.
DEMPSEY
CAROL
I told you. Not again. Come conference time, Momll go ballistic. Just tell her.
Give you five bucks.
DEMPSEY
CAROL
No.
CAROL exits to bathroom. DEMPSEY exits to his room.

FRANK pulls a folder from his briefcase and tosses it on the breakfast table.
FRANK
Helene put some figures together. House prices round here through the roof.
We need to move while the markets hot.
ANGELA tries to get around FRANK
Frank . . .
If you cut out early . . .?
ANGELA
FRANK
FRANK reaches for a blueberry muffin, ANGELA intercepts, and gives him a bran muffin.
ANGELA
The blueberrys Dempseys.
Shouting upstairs as she gets her suit jacket.
Dempsey, get down here before your father eats your breakfast!
Got proof I dont need bran.
FRANK
FRANK puts folder by ANGELAs plate and switches his bran for the blueberry muffin.
ANGELA switches muffins back, takes folder and puts it in her briefcase.
Just eat the bran.
ANGELA
-7-
While ANGELA closes her briefcase and prepares to walk out the door,
she doesnt notice FRANK switch the muffins again.
DEMPSEY enters dressed in a school uniform with a backpack and unsigned paper.
He tries to get CAROL, who is racing through the hall, to sign it.
DEMPSEY
Carol?
CAROL
No!
CAROL exits to her room, DEMPSEY heads downstairs.

We talk tonight.
Itll be eleven if Im lucky.
FRANK
ANGELA
FRANK
Ten.
Frank? Okay. Okay. Ten.
Will the new place have bathrooms?
ANGELA
DEMPSEY
ANGELA and FRANK exchange glances.

ANGELA
Who said anything about a new place? And wheres your tie?
DEMPSEY
I look like a dork. I hate going to school with dorks wearing dorky ties. Ill take the demerits.
Frank?
If hes willing to sit in study hall . . .
ANGELA
FRANK
-8-
ANGELA
I dont want another phone call over some stupid mess.
Get the tie.
FRANK
DEMPSEY pulls the tie out of his backpack. ANGELA gives DEMPSEY a quick kiss.
Mom! Bran!?!
DEMPSEY
ANGELA
Frank!
Grabs briefcase. Gets keys from key basket.

I'm gone people.
Ten oclock!
shouting
Carol! The bus!
FRANK
ANGELA
ANGELA exits .
Hey . . .
tosses lunch To DEMPSEY
Get going.
Do I have to?
FRANK
DEMPSEY
FRANK looks at DEMPSEY until he picks up his backpack.

DEMPSEY trudges toward the door, gets keys from the key basket, then turns back.
He slides a paper toward his Dad.
Mom see this?
DEMPSEY shakes his head
FRANK
-9-
DEMPSEY
She wont sign it. Last time, said she was too embarrassed to sign it, cause a son of hers ought to
be too ashamed to make a grade like that. And Ive got to get it signed.
FRANK signs paper.
Get out of here.
FRANK
CAROL enters with a backpack, in pink blouse, and wraps a muffin in a napkin.
CAROL
Dad? This summer, after the college tour thing, a bunch of us want to like -- fly to Jamaica.
Girl, you can't even catch a bus.
Seriously. . .
FRANK
CAROL
FRANK
Go!
Why do I have such a wretched existence?
CAROL
CAROL grabs keys from key basket, opens front door.

SOUND: Sound of Bus
Stop!
CAROL
CAROL races out of the front door.
FRANK puts up breakfast dishes and opens the paper.
Finally!
FRANK
Seconds later, CAROL sticks her head in the front door.

Dad?
CAROL
-10-
You didn't?
It just left me.
CAROL
FRANK
Damn!
If I had a car like everybody else . . .
Girl!
FRANK
CAROL
FRANK
FRANK grabs his briefcase and exits with CAROL as . . .
LIGHTS FADE OUT
-11-
ACT ONE - SCENE TWO

Later that night. Eleven-thirty P.M.
DEMPSEY picks through a pizza box and sips pop
while he attempts to study. FRANK ( in sweat pants
and a Sox t-shirt) and CAROL pore over maps and
college brochures. FRANK checks Mapquest on his
laptop.
Yes!
Yes!!
Yes!!!
No.
CAROL
jumps up, shouting.
Momentarily frozen in elation.

Sinks onto sofa.
FRANK
God help us. This will be the longest road trip in history.
I could, maybe, live without NYU?
CAROL
No. Cut Howard.
FRANK
And kill Aunt Vivian?
DEMPSEY balances a book on his head and walks as he imitates his Great Aunt Vivian
DEMPSEY
If it was good enough for Thurgood Marshall, Alain Locke and me, then surely, it should be good
enough for . . .
FRANK
You. Study.
FRANK looks out of the window
Think shell be home soon?
DEMPSEY
CAROL jumps up and grabs the map.
-12-
CAROL
Lightbulb! Step outside the box. We do the NU thing, and all the ones around here spring
break, then, in the summer drive east. See Carnegie Mellon, Boston U., then Vassar, then
Brown and . . .
FRANK
Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Back in that box. Back girl, back. Weve worked this thing a million ways.
See this? Stone! Including Howard and Clark Atlanta. Now, get out of here.
But Dad . . .
CAROL
FRANK folds maps and packs up brochures.

Its late.
Can we at least . . .talk Jamaica?
You can talk. I wont listen.
FRANK
CAROL
FRANK
FRANK checks window again.

CAROL
But, Dad. Jen and Monica are going. Just think! Jamaica! It'll be, like a cultural experience.
Yeah. Rasta and ganja!
Why you got to be so ignant?
CAROL swats DEMPSEY
Stop.
You let me do Mexico.
You were supposed to be learning Spanish.
DEMPSEY
CAROL
FRANK
CAROL
FRANK
-13-
Por favor?
De nada. No pesos. Buenas Noches.
So what do I do all summer?
Well, youre too old for camp so . .
Carol with a J.O.B?
Think of it as a 9-5 cultural experience.
CAROL
FRANK
CAROL
FRANK
DEMPSEY
FRANK
CAROL
Nine to five? But daddy, I won't like. . . have a life!
FRANK
Like join the club. Now, clear out.

CAROL kisses FRANK. She is about to try again . . .
Night, Doc.
Carol exits to bed. To DEMPSEY
You too.
DEMPSEY
About the test . . . Does Mom have to know?
beat
FRANK
Want me to tell her?

beat
Youve got to ace the make-up.
DEMPSEY
Gotcha.
DEMPSEY exits.
FRANK stares out the window.
FRANK hums In The Still of the Night
-14-
SOUND: CAR pulls up.

ANGELA enters, drops keys in key basket.
ANGELA
Is there a reason every light in the house is on?
ANGELA turns off two lights.
FRANK
Were pretending its not almost midnight.
ANGELA
I tried.
ANGELA picks up program near the key basket.

How was the assembly?
FRANK
Girl did us proud.
ANGELA
Wish I couldve been there.

drops briefcase, then collapses.
To be on my last leg, I'd have to borrow one.
All I got is stumps, baby.
FRANK
And the kids been gnawing on them.
ANGELA
Good. They ate.

ANGELA picks through the remains of pizza on FRANKs plate.
And the plumber?
FRANK
Got a piece, too.

yawning, ANGELA rises and walks toward their bedroom. FRANK blocks her path.
Oh, no you dont. I made lots of coffee.
Doc's planning college tours like we own the Taj Mahal.
ANGELA tries to escape.
ANGELA
If we're headed to the poor house, well still be headed there in the morning.
-15-
FRANK
Need I remind you, her college fund looks like a kitchen?
ANGELA succumbs, stretching out on the sofa. FRANK gets them both coffee.
The stove was falling apart.
ANGELA
FRANK
But we did the whole kitchen! And the patio. And the rec room. And . . .
O.K., O.K.
So, the money's in the house.
ANGELA
FRANK
And you and Bob Villa promised, "Itll pay off later." Well, it's later.
God, she grew up quick.
FRANK
If we sell now . . .
ANGELA
I love this house!

Take the equity.
ANGELA
Downsize.
sarcastically
One bathroom, perhaps?
It was an investment.
FRANK
ANGELA
FRANK
ANGELA
With character! And oak floors, and french doors, and . . .
FRANK
And holes in the ceiling, faucets by Niagra, shag rugs, no bushes, and whoever picked the
wallpaper was on LSD.
-16-
But now, its home.

If it hadnt been a foreclosure . . .
I love this house.
You loved the last one.
I know, I know.
And the first one.
I know.
Think. Fresh canvas!
Nooooo.
ANGELA
FRANK
ANGELA
FRANK
ANGELA
FRANK
ANGELA
FRANK
ANGELA
FRANK
Ready or not, she graduates next year.

Move now, we take our time and make a killing .
Wait and we take what we get.
ANGELA
Whoever started this crap about sacrificing for your kids?
FRANK pulls out an old college blue book from the desk labeled Carols College Plan
and drops it in ANGELAs lap. ANGELA carefully opens the book.
Not fair.
ANGELA
FRANK kneels beside ANGELA with a legal pad of figures.

FRANK
And I quote, Not gonna be the scholarship kid. Not our baby.
-17-
God, we were up all night. She was so tiny.
ANGELA
FRANK
Flip this one, plus whats left in the college fund, thats a full ride -- for both of them.
beat
Dempsey flunked the math test.
ANGELA
I swear . . .! How could he be an A student last year, and now . . .!
Make-ups Tuesday.
FRANK
ANGELA
Maybe we shouldve beaten them when they were young.
(beat)
Its still a good plan.
I love this house.
More than Carol and Dempsey?
FRANK
ANGELA
FRANK
pause
ANGELA
Helene will be thrilled. Thanks to us, thats a hell of a rich agent.
So, were moving?
FRANK
ANGELA
I guess.
beat
Who knows. Maybe theres another sweet old lady we can bail out.
beat
Bay windows. I want bay windows, this time. Lots of em. Deep ones, with big seats. Where I
can curl up and cry when the plumber pisses me off. And a mahogany staircase. Thats the one
thing we missed when we bought this place. Can you picture Carol, in a wedding dress, coming
down . . .
-18-
Lets pay for college first.

Frank studies the plan
What is it, Frank?
You feel it, Angela?
What? Carol? Leaving?
No.
FRANK
ANGELA
FRANK
ANGELA
FRANK
Pause
ANGELA
What?
We were so sure.
FRANK
ANGELA
When?
FRANK
Once upon a time. We knew exactly where we were headed.
And weve arrived.
ANGELA
FRANK
I keep thinking about that first little walk-up.
The shower never worked.
ANGELA
FRANK slips his arms around ANGELA.

FRANK
But we had some incredible times in that big old clawfoot tub.
And the Parks were always . . . Oh! Parks got the job. Sends love and thanks for the good word.
Says he saw Carol his first day.
-19-
ANGELA
Hard to miss chocolate swimming in cream.
FRANK
Said she didnt know him. But then, she was so small when. . .
We should celebrate. Invite them over.
ANGELA
FRANK
For real this time, not just. . . It was great talking to him.
Said Carmens was still there. That little grocery store?
Shiloh. And the Bar-B-Q Shack. Member the South Street Laundromat?
ANGELA
You mean actin a fool there. Yall thought you were at the Regal.
FRANK
singing
Bo-bo-bo- bo- bo . . .bo. . .bo-bo. . .In the still of the night . . .
ANGELA covers her ears.
Now C.J., Boo-Butt and me could sang!
Nostalgia is a dangerous thang.
ANGELA
FRANK
Always a bunch of old guys outside philosophizing.
ANGELA
Rusty old men, conjurin make-believe lives, from aint-done-nothin.
FRANK
Had to earn your place. Fields owned their house ten years and folks still said, You know. . .
The Fields . . . The Fields who live over in Miz Albertas house. Mama could quote chapter and
verse who got drunk, didnt pay a bill, made soggy banana cream pie. Havent had banana creme
pie in.. .
If all that gossip was money.
Some good deals in the city.
ANGELA
FRANK
-20-
ANGELA
The city?
FRANK
Bronzeville? West Side? Talking real change over there. Some great old mansions being
renovated. If we catch it at the right time. . .
ANGELA
Newsflash. Back to the hood! Three people shot. Film at 10:00.
Been. Done. Sold the T-Shirt.
FRANK peeks through the curtains to see the street.
FRANK
Always soooo quiet, out there. Nobody walking, or hanging on the corner, or. . .
ANGELA
Cause they all got jobs.

(beat)
And air conditioning.
FRANK
Deathly still.
ANGELA
Exactly why we moved here. Peace.

(beat)
I got to get some sleep.
(ANGELA picks up briefcase.)
Ill call Helene in the morning.
So we talkin Wilmette or West Side?
FRANK
ANGELA
Peace, baby. We talking a great deal, mahogany staircase, and peace.
ANGELA exits to the bedroom as FRANK stares out of the window singing
In the still of the night . . . .
LIGHTS FADE OUT
-21-
ACT ONE - SCENE THREE

Two days later. Late afternoon.
ANGELA fusses as she changes a lightbulb.
CAROL enters, drops backpack, and pulls off
her sweater.
CAROL
Hey.
CAROL heads to the refrigerator to get a snack.

ANGELA
How can a house full of intelligent people pretend, for three days, this light did not go out?
We were waiting for true genius.
CAROL
ANGELA gives CAROL the bulb to change as ANGELA sorts through tile samples.
FRANK enters with DEMPSEY.
DEMPSEY ducks back in the foyer when he sees ANGELA. ANGELA is not aware
DEMPSEY has come in.
Angela. Youre here.
FRANK
ANGELA
Well, somebody had to meet Kirby.
Hard to sell a house with a toilet in the hall. Could ve fessed up, youd be home.
(checks watch)
Got a client dinner at seven. Have to get this done and get back.
Please tell me youre not in a mood.
FRANK
ANGELA
Me? Mood? No, Im just picking tile samples in the dark.
LIGHTS: Lamp comes on.
Thank you.
Holds up tile sample.
Beige?
-22-
You like everything beige.
FRANK
ANGELA
Help?
How bout red?
CAROL
ANGELA gives CAROL a look.

Just pick one.
FRANK
ANGELA
See. Thats how it happens. Start this all over again, and theres me, sitting in a pile of rubble
with a million paint chips and a thousand tile samples and you say, Just pick one.
Fine! Beige.
FRANK
ANGELA
But which beige? Autumn beige? Kissed by Cream? Subtle Twilight? Hint of Oak?
That one.
Dont you think thats too dark?
FRANK
ANGELA
(beat)
I had to pick up Dempsey at school today.
beat
Demps.
FRANK
DEMPSEY enters holding an icebag over his eye.

Come here.
ANGELA
ANGELA lowers the icebag. DEMPSEY has a black eye.
-23-
CAROL
Dag.
What?
to DEMPSEY
You had to be there.

And since I wasnt?
ANGELA
DEMPSEY
ANGELA
pause
DEMPSEY
This new kid asked me . . . Asked me . . . was I on scholarship.
ANGELA
With the grades youve been pulling? How the hell could anybody think youre on scholarship?
beat
So you hit him.
beat
No.
DEMPSEY
beat
I said, Why? Cause Im black? And he gave me this look. So I called him an ass. . . an
asshole.
And . . .?
ANGELA
DEMPSEY
He shoved me, and called me an asshole. So I shoved him back. Then, he hit me. So, I hit him.
Im gonna kill your son.
Least he gave as good as he got.
ANGELA
FRANK
-24-
ANGELA
Frank.
FRANK
Get your music.

DEMPSEY runs by ANGELA to get his music.
Carol, could you give him a lift to his lesson?
CAROL gets the keys from the key basket.
That boys not going anywhere.
ANGELA
FRANK
We already talked.
ANGELA
Oh, were gonna do more than talk. A lot more than . . .
Angela, let him go. Just let him go for now.
(whispering to Dempsey)
Escape.
to CAROL
Bring my car straight back.
DEMPSEY and CAROL exit.
How many days?
Two.
What are we going to do with that boy?
FRANK hands ANGELA a brochure
reading
The Million Man March?
beat
Louis Farrakhan?
FRANK
CAROL
ANGELA
FRANK
ANGELA
ANGELA
-25-
A million black men.
FRANK
ANGELA
OK?
ANGELA glances over the flyer
Marching to Washington.
FRANK
ANGELA
Honey, you swear an hour after five minutes on the treadmill.
FRANK
Im serious. The brothers at work have been talking.
Its like the March on Washington. Only, all men. All black. Bus leaves on a Thursday,
march on Friday.
beat
And Im taking Dempsey.
What? Get suspended and win a free trip?
Weve got to do something.
When?
In three weeks.
ANGELA
FRANK
ANGELA
FRANK
ANGELA
No way. Freshman project is due at the end of the month. Its half his grade.
Two days wont kill him.
You mean another two days.
Hes going.
FRANK
ANGELA
FRANK
-26-
ANGELA
Gonna pack up and go off with a bunch of strange. . .
Not strange. Black. And hes going.
FRANK
ANGELA
Then I better pack my bags. Cause, somebodys got to make sure, for every man on your
precious march, that boy finishes an index card.
Angie, its a million men.
hands her flyer again.
FRANK
ANGELA
After the last fiasco he called a paper, hell need a million.
FRANK
Men. A million men.
pause
Sometimes we need to get together without . . .
ANGELA
Without the sistahs?

Angela looks more closely at flyer
Why? So the brothas can gather round the smoke house and do a little spittin and chawin?
Not appreciated.
FRANK
ANGELA
And Farrakhans just the guy to break out the spittoons.
FRANK
And Jackson, and Ben Chavis and . . . And you dont get it? Do you?
FRANK takes the flyer.
A million black men! This is big!
Aint heard word the first.
ANGELA
FRANK
So if Peter Jennings said, All you brothers, come on down!
Then, you'd be, "Frank, let me help you pack?
-27-
ANGELA
Your sons lost his mind, almost lost an eye, and now you want to drag him halfway across the
country to some he-man hoedown, nobodys heard about, when he needs to be studying for . . .
He is this close to flunking out of one of the best private schools in the state,
Dempsey hates Bayberry.
FRANK
And hes right. Theyre a bunch of snobs.
ANGELA
Connected snobs.
But hes not. Not to us, or. . .
FRANK
A Jew teaches Dempsey black history.
ANGELA
I dont care if hes white, black, green or purple as many museums and lectures weve dragged
those kids to -- from Detroit to Birmingham. Got a shelf full of books up there.
FRANK
Pay your money and see how the colored folks live! My son is disappearing. Reading about and
knowing, knowing in your soul, who you are, are two different things.
If he doesnt know who he is by now. . .
ANGELA
FRANK
Hell, I dont even know who I am anymore. All day long, white hands slapping my black back
saying, Way to go Frank! But I feel like shit.
Dont tell me you dont see it in Carol, too?
What?
Something . . . Something missing.
Theyre teenagers. A whole lots missing.
ANGELA
FRANK
ANGELA
FRANK
Carols birthday? Fifteen kids. Three black - - and they were cousins.
Little late to get religion, now.
ANGELA
-28-
FRANK
She got what we gave her. A white school, in a white suburb, with white friends, getting ready
for a white college and a white life. Consciously or unconsciously that's what we gave her.
beat
What happens, if she wakes up one day and discovers shes black? Worse, what happens if she
doesnt?
ANGELA
All of a sudden, we not black enough?

beat
If you wanted them growing up in some little black box, then what was all this (refers to house )
about? See, thats the difference between you and me, Frank, I dont feel guilty. We struggled
hard to get where we are.
beat
Its alright for their lives to be different than ours.
ANGELA picks up flyer.
Frank, I need to think about this.
Im not asking for permission.
FRANK
FRANK exits. ANGELA studies the Million Man March flyer, balls it up and throws it.
LIGHTS FADE
-29-
ACT ONE -SCENE FOUR

Three weeks later. Late afternoon.
ANGELA enters, with her briefcase. She is upset.
She quickly checks to see if CAROL is home. When
she looks out of the window and finally sees CAROL
coming, ANGELA stands like an unmovable force.
CAROL enters.
surprised to see ANGELA
Youre home early.
And youre home late.
CAROL
ANGELA
CAROL takes off her coat and backpack, then heads to the kitchen to make a snack.
Practice ran over.
Pause
They back yet?
CAROL
ANGELA
Bus left Washington at six this morning. Itll be a while.
We still gonna decorate?
Mr. Parks called.
Who?
Mr. Parks? You know, Mr. Parks?
Works at your school?
The teacher?
CAROL
ANGELA
CAROL
ANGELA
CAROL
-30-
Hes the janitor.
ANGELA
CAROL
Oh. That Parks. God, hes always going on about, Child I knew you when . . .
ANGELA
Cant believe you dont remember the Parks.
Now, you sound like him.
So whatd he want?
I guess you'll know when he gets here.
What?
Is there something you want to tell me?
No. Well . . .
Okay. Okay. Okay. We kind of...
pause
. . .trashed a bathroom.
Oh, really?
We didn't mean to.
CAROL
ANGELA
CAROL
ANGELA
CAROL
ANGELA
CAROL
ANGELA
How the hell can you not mean to trash a bathroom!
CAROL
We were just, like playing around, and it got out of hand.
Out of hand?
ANGELA
-31-
We were just having fun.

Who the hell is we?
Laura. Jen.
Monica.
Oh, Lord! First Dempsey, now you.

I know. It was stupid.
So, whatre we gonna do about it?
CAROL
ANGELA
CAROL
ANGELA
CAROL
ANGELA
CAROL
Do? Can't I, for once, forego Ms. Goody-Two-Shoes? It was just t.p. and a few knocked over
trash cans?
ANGELA
But Mr. Parks had to clean up your mess

You have no clue how hard that man works, do you?
beat
But I think it would be a real good idea if you found out.
About what? Life as a janitor?
Sounds good to me.
CAROL
ANGELA
ANGELA gives CAROL the look.

Youre kidding?
CAROL
ANGELA
And those little hoodlum friends of yours are gonna help.
What?
CAROL
-32-
I'll arrange it. Call their parents.
ANGELA
CAROL
No way. Us? Walking round acting like some kinda Mr. Parks?
ANGELA
No way. Cause he's got too much class. But God willing, maybe a little will rub off so you
won't turn out to be the fool you're hellbent on being.
But, Mom . . .
CAROL
ANGELA
But? Dont but me! Butt is just your behind gettin in the way of what you got to do!
Heres the deal. Do it or say goodbye Toronto.
Like . . .skip Junior Trip!?!
Like . . .your choice.
CAROL
ANGELA
CAROL
Holy Crap! Why you always on my case? Dempsey fights, flunks out, and does God knows
what, and he gets to go to Washington. But me? A little toilet paper, and you want to cancel my
life! You act like some teacher had to come clean up behind me. Hes just ---- a janitor!
ANGELA slaps CAROLS face so hard she almost falls to the floor.
(Sound of loud slap, or a loud AHH - a sharp guttural exhale
from ANGELA marks the slap.)
CAROL is shocked. She has never been slapped by her mother.
She has never been slapped before.
ANGELA is shocked. She has never hit CAROL before. CAROL sinks to the floor.
Death pause.
ANGELA slowly kneels beside CAROL.
ANGELA takes CAROLS hand, and deliberately drags it across the floor
ANGELA
very quietly,
Feel it. Oak. You know why oak survives when pine doesnt? Its harder.
Im so afraid, you got no hard stuff in you.
ANGELA rises from floor
-33-
ANGELA
When Dad and I were students, we lived on the West side in a tiny little walk up near Shiloh
Baptist. We were crazy with classes, work, a new marriage. . . And po! God. I never want to
be that poor again.
On some nights, wed go to this little hole in the wall the Bar-B-Q Shack. Cup of tea -- fifty
cents. Wed wear out the teabag, then, order more hot water. Add salt, pepper -- ketchup and
that would be dinner. But you wouldnt know about ketchup soup, now would you? Cause, God
forgive us, we had to save our baby from struggling.
Well, one night, two plates arrived spilling over with fried chicken, green beans, cole slaw . . .
I was so hungry, I cried. Then, Mr. Parks comes over. Says, Welcome to the neighborhood!
and goes on about, how the meal Wont no bribe or nothin' . . . but a small church needs young
blood. Every Sunday the good Lord brought, he'd say, Stick with it, chiren. And church
dinners? Always wrapped us up two, three plates.
And one September evening I was sitting on the church steps wondering, How the hell am I
gonna finish grad school taking care of a baby? A baby I couldn't even bring myself to tell
your Daddy I was carrying. A baby I was going to . . .
pause
But Mr. Parks wiped my tears. Said, You got to hold on, child. Whats the point, if you cant
pass it on. Be just book learnin.
Said, God's children were all around, and they would make a way . . .
(looks at CAROL)
for you.
Pause
How did I let it all become . . . just book learnin? Private schools and . . .
ANGELA drags CAROLS hand across the floor one more time.
Oak or pine, baby? You got to decide one day, if youre oak or pine.
Pause
SOUND: Door bell.
That's him.
Now, go in that bathroom and straighten out your face. When you step through that door, better
act like a child we raised, or so help me God . . .
CAROL exits into bathroom. ANGELA opens the door for MR. PARKS
Mr. Parks!
MR. PARKS hugs ANGELA
Lord, Lord! Still sweet as sugar!
ANGELA
MR. PARKS
-34-
ANGELA
So good to see you!
MR. PARKS
Been too long, baby. Too long.

And where's that devil you married?
ANGELA
Washington.
MR. PARKS
Well, praise Father.
ANGELA
Figured they might be one shy of a million, so he went.
MR. PARKS
Shouldve gone myself. Look glorious, glorious on the TV last night.
ANGELA
Come in. Come in.

Hows Miz Parks?
Livia? Oh she gettin on. Sent this.
MR. PARKS
ANGELA
smells, then peeks into package

A Carolina Crunch! Nothing closer to heaven than Miz Parks Carolina Crunch.
MR. PARKS
Heard tell I was comin, so last night, hopped out the bed, and couldnt hold her back.
Membered how you favored it.
ANGELA
Can cure anything with conversation, coffee and . . .
Carolina Crunch Cake!
MR. PARKS/ANGELA
ANGELA
Lord knows, many a time, she patched me back together with a slice. Still got the recipe, but . .
Ought to whip you for not bringing her.
-35-
MR. PARKS
Arthritis on her kinda bad. Blood pressure got her up one day, and down the next. Sends her
love, and says yall got to get together real soon.
Admiring house as ANGELA prepares coffee.
Lord, what a fine house.
Long way from the corners.
This that fixer-upper?
ANGELA
MR. PARKS
ANGELA
One of them. Should have seen it. Paint was peeling. Woodwork black.
Hired out?
Frank and I did most of it.
Yall was always smart chiren.
If you know somebody in the market?
Now, why anybody sell a home like this?
Time to tackle another one.
MR. PARKS
ANGELA
MR. PARKS
ANGELA
MR. PARKS
ANGELA
MR. PARKS
Ought to come on back to the ole neighborhood. Some nice young couples, wid money, comin
back, fixin up some them fine old houses long the boulevard. Be feelin more like the old days.
ANGELA
Im not so sure . . .
CAROL enters
Oh. Here's . . . Carol, you know Mr Parks?
Mr. PARKS extends his hand, CAROL shakes it.
-36-
Hello, young lady.

Hello, Mr. Parks.
Don't you have something else to say?
MR. PARKS
CAROL
ANGELA
CAROL
Ahhh. I'm sorry. You know . . .about trashing the bathroom? I mean, I really am. Not just
because Moms making me say it. I was wrong. I didnt mean to make all that extra work for you.
Apology accepted.
MR. PARKS
ANGELA
And she's come up with a wonderful way to show you how sorry she is.
MR. PARKS
Was a heartfelt apology. Nothin else needed.
ANGELA
Oh, yes. Tell him how you plan to make amends.
Don't have to . . .
MR. PARKS
CAROL
Well, ahhh. Mr. Parks, is it maybe alright . . .if I kinda help you out?
How you mean?
MR. PARKS
CAROL
Follow you around and . . . Well, help you do whatever you do? At school, I mean.
ANGELA
I'll arrange it with the principal, and check with the parents of the other girls. You won't have to
do a thing. Why don't I get coffee while you two talk?
ANGELA exits to the kitchen area
-37-
MR. PARKS
Carol, yo mama come up with this scheme, didn't she?
Oh, no . . . She ahhh. . .
Sound like her.
Maybe she helped a little .
CAROL
MR. PARKS
CAROL
MR. PARKS
Wife and me raised four of our own and seven foster. You see, you gettin up there. Sometimes,
parents, get a little crazy. Wonderin Did we teach her good? Do she know everything she
need to meet the world? Miss the fact that even a good kid, on occasion, will do something
stupid. Dont mean you stopped being a good kid, just turned stupid. . . temporarily. Right?
Yes, sir.
CAROL
MR. PARKS
You straight in my book, but lets see if, together, we can navigate this thing with your mama.
O.K.?
ANGELA enters with coffee, PARKS whispers to CAROL . . .
Let me do the talkin!
Have a nice chat?
ANGELA
MR. PARKS
Oh, yeah. Sweet young lady, like her mama. But taggin behind me on a school day might be
kinda cumbersome. Sides, childs in honors classes and . . .
She can sacrifice one day.
ANGELA
MR. PARKS
Ill agree, on one condition. Its between her and me. You dont ask, and we dont tell.
Next Saturday, there's this choral competition scheduled. Kids from all over the state. . .
cept wont be none from North Shore Prep. Could use some help then.
Ill be there with bells on.
CAROL
-38-
Better yet, a mop and a broom.

So, we got a date?
Sounds good. And a . . .
ANGELA
MR. PARKS
CAROL
MR. PARKS
Nuff said.
beat
Carol, would you scuse us for a bit. Theres a little matter, nothin to do with you, per say. . .
Sure.
CAROL
(beat)
And thanks, Mr. Parks for everything.
ANGELA
Go on. Well talk, later.

CAROL exits.
You still got the touch. Shes a good kid, just lately. . .
MR. PARKS
Lotta good kids in the world dont get her opportunities.
pause
Theres this one one little matter I wanted to . . .
Anything!
ANGELA
MR. PARKS
You might wanna hear me out first.

Like I said, Miz Parks been more down, than up lately.
Serious?
ANGELA
MR. PARKS
Needs rest mostly. She be back at it soon. Got to be. Anyways, we promised to take in one more
young lady. Nice girl. Problems, but who aint got problems.
-39-
Young lady?
ANGELA
MR. PARKS
Foster child. Been bounced around the system so much she got bruises. But nothin a good home
wont heal.
How old? Five . . . six?
ANGELA
MR. PARKS
Well, Shondra, thats her name. Shondra, shes past that cute stage. Most would pass her by, but
the Missus just saw somethin.
How old?
Sixteen.
Shes practically grown.
ANGELA
MR. PARKS
ANGELA
MR. PARKS
Thats what she think, too. Been tryin to take care of her Mama since she was six. But you know
no sixteen year old is ready to be out raisin they selves. And dont want her left to ruin in one of
them teen houses. And not like shes a stranger. Carol knows her. Goes to North Shore Prep.
Oh? That new girl? Come this year?
ANGELA
MR. PARKS
Knew she could do better. So, when I announced to the church bout scholarships at North Shore,
she wrote, herself, and wid Shilohs support, got one. But poor thing, looked so tired all the
time. Then Livia said, We got to help that child. Just like that said, We got to help that
child.
So, you want us to . . .?
Just till Miz Parkss back on her feet.
ANGELA
MR. PARKS
ANGELA
-40-
I know I said anything . . .

MR. PARKS
Im fraid if the child hook up wid us now, she be tryin to do for Miz Parks, stead of us doin for
her. And that baby needs to concentrate on her schoolin. Dont want her to get tired, give up.
You know how it is. Sometimes you just need somebody to reach back, and say, I got your
hand. If we dont save our own...? Yall got plenty of room.
But, we just put the house on the market.
ANGELA
MR. PARKS
Then, too, I got to thinkin, if Carol was exposed to, well . . .
how lucky you are if all you see is luck.
It sounds good, but . . . . . .
Sometimes, you cant know
ANGELA
MR. PARKS
Talk to Frank. Then, put it on the Lord, and see what He say.
Got to be gettin on. See bout Miz Parks. Ill call you tomorrow.
Im so glad you came.
ANGELA
MR. PARKS
Just put it in the Lords hands. And tell Carol bye. Thats quite a young lady you got.
MR. PARKS hugs ANGELA and exits.
LIGHTS FADE
-41-
ACT ONE - SCENE FIVE

Later that night.
2:00 AM.
CAROL enters with a Welcome Home from the Million Man

March sign. She lights candles, bathing the room in a soft
glow, then stands on a chair to hang the sign. She sets out
food including Heckys ribs and a Carolina Crunch.
ANGELA enters the back door, dragging a trunk. She stops
at the door.
referring to trunk
Found it! It was buried in the garage.
(refers to sign)
Looks good.
(refers to trunk)
Help!
ANGELA
CAROL helps her drag the trunk in.

Whats in here?
My life. My life before children.
CAROL
ANGELA
ANGELA opens the trunk. She hands CAROL a photo album from the trunk, then
continues to search for something.
CAROL
Is that Mr. Parks?
points to another face
Mrs. Parks?
ANGELA nods and continues to search through the trunk.
Dag! You and Dad? Youre -- young! And your hair!
Like two little bush babies.
ANGELA
Earned everyone of those split ends.
ANGELA pulls a red, black and green tablecloth from the trunk.
Yes! Hand-stitched. By me.
-42-
Im impressed.
CAROL
ANGELA
Here, help me.
CAROL helps ANGELA spread the cloth out.
Red - blood the struggle. Black our people
And Green . . .
Life!
CAROL
ANGELA
CAROL
Hard to think of you fighting for the cause.
ANGELA
I wasnt a Panther or anything, but did my share.
So what happened?
You.
Sorry.
Im not.
Were you really going to not have me.
CAROL
ANGELA
CAROL
ANGELA
CAROL
ANGELA
I was young. Scared.
beat
What you do when youre scared marks you. Good or bad, it makes you you.
Everything costs, but sometimes the payoff can be so big.
Thank God for Mr. Parks.
CAROL
-43-
ANGELA
Yeah. Otherwise, who would I have to drive me crazy?
Dempsey?
CAROL
ANGELA sets cloth, more food and candles on the table.

CAROL finds a wooden sign engraved with Power to the People! in the trunk.
And this is . . .?
Freshman year. Dad got creative pledging.
reading
Power to the People.
Oh! Weak, My Sistah! Weak.
Sound like some scruffy scrub pine
Got to get that Oak thang goin.
deep voiced chant
Strong like Oak. Built to last
Oak Women . . .
with energy, raising fist
Power . . .
with energy, raising fist
. . . to the People!
Right on, My Sistah!.
CAROL
ANGELA
CAROL
ANGELA
CAROL
ANGELA
CAROL
ANGELA
CAROL pulls out a dashiki from the trunk.

Off the hook. Very . . . .
CAROL
-44-
Cool!
ANGELA
CAROL
May I ?
CAROL slips on the dashiki as ANGELA decorates the room with items from the trunk.
What was it like?
CAROL
ANGELA
You mean when the dinosaurs roamed?

stroking cloth
Exciting. Everything seemed possible. Nothing sure.
Mr. Parks use to say - Its all a leap of faith! Jump!
CAROL models outfit.
Looks good, My Sistah.
ANGELA pulls African fabric out of trunk and swirls around the room.
SOUND: Key in the door.
Offstage, FRANK and DEMPSEY sing I dont feel no ways tired, Lord.
CAROL
Theyre here.
CAROL grabs a piece of fabric from the trunk & drags ANGELA into the bathroom.
Mom. Quick.
Girl . . . .
ANGELA
FRANK and DEMPSEY enter with overnight bags, wearing Million Man March tee
shirts and singing.
FRANK/DEMPSEY
Come too far from where I started from. Nobody told me the road would be easy . . .
FRANK
Shhhhh.
beat
Bus ate my behind up. I could sleep till next week.
Will you look at this?
The table is set in red, black and green and Kente clothe. Welcome Home! and
Million Man March signs adorn it. FRANK & DEMPSEY taste food.
-45-
Taste good. Think they really cooked it?

Shhhhhhh. Dont wake em.
shouting from bathroom
We not sleep.
DEMPSEY
FRANK
CAROL
CAROL and ANGELA enter from bathroom.

ANGELA has on an African wrap.
Naw, the Sistahs are not sleeping!
Tell em, my sister.
ANGELA
CAROL and ANGELA attempt African dance steps of welcome as CAROL speaks.
CAROL
We have prepared a feast for our warriors return!
Or rather, Heckys did.
My Sister, My Sister!
My Brother! My Brother!
DEMPSEY
CAROL
DEMPSEY
I am starved.
Sits to eat, then raises hands in praise.
Thank you, Lord. Bless this food and the hands that cooked it or bought it!
Amen to that!
Smells coffee cake.
Is this?
FRANK
ANGELA
Mr. Parks came by today. Tell you bout it later.
FRANK and DEMPSEY eat.
-46-
Where did all this stuff come from?

Moms old college trunk.
From back in the day?
Way back in the day.
I beg your pardon.
DEMPSEY
CAROL
DEMPSEY
CAROL
ANGELA
CAROL
holds up Funkadelic album

She has everything, including the Funkadelics in this trunk.
See these?
pulls out bell bottom jeans with hearts and flowers.
I cant believe Mom was ever this small! And theyre so . . . retro.
Frank, were retro!
Salaam Aleikum.
Waleikum Salaam.
And for the sistahs . . .
ANGELA
FRANK
ANGELA
DEMPSEY
DEMPSEY presents Million Man March T Shirts to ANGELA and CAROL

FRANK
Figured a million men wouldnt be nothing without the sistahs..
CAROL
Next year, gonna say The Million Women March!
And for you . . .!
DEMPSEY
-47-
DEMPSEY presents anAfrican-American Women -Our Sheroes poster to CAROL.

CAROL
Snap. Our Sheroes . Thank you, my brotha.
Bethune, Sojourner Truth Miss Rosa Parks! Everybody. Hit it Oak Women.
Looking down like guardian angels.
Oak Women?
ANGELA
DEMPSEY
ANGELA/ CAROL
chanting, with power choreography
Strong like oak! Built to last!
You had to be here.
Shouldve been there!
Menfolk didnt invite us.
ANGELA
DEMPSEY
ANGELA
FRANK
It was incredible!
Start to finish smooth! Busses from everywhere. Military precision. You know, Muslims
dont do shoddy. Brother XYZ had us clicking like 1 . .2 . .3.
DEMPSEY
Guys walking round sayin, Hey, Brother!
Hey, Black Man!
FRANK
DEMPSEY
All the speeches and stuff! Ben Chavis and Farrakhan, Cornell West, Jesse Jackson. . .
And Rosa Parks Live!
CAROL
Member the Ford Museum? We sat on the bus. The same seat.
Third grade my report Miss Rosa Parks! And you saw her - live?
-48-
DEMPSEY
And in color. Whole thing was like a walking history book.
Mr. Lefkovitz would ve thought he died and gone to black heaven.
We saw it!
CAROL
ANGELA
CNN. 24-7.
Havent felt like that since . . .since freshman year.
CAROL
And with a million men out there, couldve sworn we saw you on T.V.
Up on this pole! Hanging like a monkey! Waving and singing!
Mom was yellin Thats my, baby! Thats my, baby! Dont fall!
DEMPSEY
That was me! That was me!
There was this kid, my age, Ayende Bapatist - and he went up to speak . . .
Saw him! Cute! Capital C!
Great speaker.
CAROL
ANGELA
DEMPSEY
So I climbed up on this pole to get a better look. And dag . . .
beat
North, south, east, west. Every direction! Singing, and praying, and drumming. Black men
helping each other being together. And as far as I could see a sea of black.
Pause
For the first time in my life, I felt like, like I could see. . . See me!
Praise God.
FRANK
DEMPSEY
And the best thing. When I looked down, Dad was right in the middle of it.
Hallelujah.
ANGELA
-49-
Made me feel like a proud Black man!

You always been a proud Black man.
But yesterday, I felt like one.
arm around Dempsey
A man among men.
It was awesome!
Like this tribal force.
Now, all thats left is to make a plan.
Its three in the morning.
Been sleeping too long!
Lord, you done brought back a militant!
FRANK
ANGELA
FRANK
DEMPSEY
FRANK
DEMPSEY
ANGELA
DEMPSEY
ANGELA
DEMPSEY moves about the room preaching.

DEMPSEY
Miss Angelou said . . .. .
Nights been long,
And deep are the wounds,
But we got to clap hands together . . .(clap hands)
And rise up!
Put hearts together . . . (clap hands)
FRANK
DEMPSEY
FRANK
-50-
and rise!
Atone for our wrongs.
DEMPSEY
FRANK
Move on!
DEMPSEY
Brother Farrakhan preached . . . and we took the pledge!
FRANK and DEMPSEY pull out their Million Man March Pledge Cards.
DEMPSEY jumps on the table (or trunk) to preach.
To love my brother, my sistah, myself.
Alright, now!
CAROL
DEMPSEY
Improve Physically! Morally! Economically! Politically!
Preach, brother.
Rise up.
For the good of family.
Rise up!
And respect our women.
Rise!
FRANK/CAROL
DEMPSEY
FRANK/ CAROL/ANGELA
DEMPSEY
CAROL & ANGELA
DEMPSEY
Quit callin our sistuhs that B -nasty - dog word. You know the one Im talkin bout. Cleanse
it from our minds, our mouths. . .
Our C.D.s!
Rise!
CAROL
FRANK/ CAROL/ANGEL
-51-
DEMPSEY
Against drugs and filth!
ANGELA/CAROL
Rise!
DEMPSEY
Dispel the lies!
ALL
Rise!
DEMPSEY
Support black enterprise!
ALL
Rise!
DEMPSEY
With eyes on the prize!
ALL
Rise! Rise! Rise! Rise!

Amen! Hallelujah!
FRANK, CAROL and ANGELA
All clap, shake hands, and hug Dempsey as they shout Hallelujah and Amen!
Boy went forth and got wisdom.
And a good dose of Jesse Jackson.
beat
So, now, what we gonna do?
Does rising mean grades?
Grades and a lot more.
FRANK
ANGELA
DEMPSEY
ANGELA
DEMPSEY
-52-
ANGELA
Great! Then Im a happy camper.

Come on. Bedtime. Its three in the morning.
And later than you think. Right Dad?
From the mouths of babes.
DEMPSEY
FRANK
ANGELA
Honey, Im glad your excited but sometimes . . . Well, you spent two days with a bunch of
brothas who . . .
A million brothas!
DEMPSEY
ANGELA
Even a million brothas cant change the world overnight.
Why not?
DEMPSEY
ANGELA
Cause we tried. And after those first bright moments, changing the world is a weary business.
DEMPSEY
Doesnt have to be. There was this old man, sitting on the ground, rocking and singing (sings) I
dont feel no ways tired, Lord. Holding on to the words like he had something real to hold on to.
I dont feel tired, Mom. I did, but I dont anymore.
Dont want to sleep. Afraid to sleep. Dont want it all to disappear like some dream.
Weve got to do something. Now! Tonight! Right Dad?
Ahhhh . . . .
We could take in Shondra?
And what do you know about. . . ?
I kinda overheard.
FRANK
CAROL
ANGELA
CAROL
-53-
What?
FRANK
CAROL
A sister at North Shore -- on scholarship big time. Needs a place to stay. The Parks were gonna
take her, but Mrs. Parks is sick and. . .
That was a whole lot of overhearing.
You two friends?
ANGELA
FRANK
CAROL
Not like she hangs with my crowd, but hey - - only seven of us there. Shes nice. Works hard.
Quiet. Clothes - wouldnt call it style, but . . .
ANGELA
We dont know this child. Were not even sure how long were gonna be here. Are you really
ready to share another bathroom?
We got three.
Two and a half.
And a guest room.
DEMPSEY
ANGELA
CAROL
ANGELA
Miz Parks might be sick longer than we think.
FRANK
Angie, we use to do it all the time. If there was a kid out there, somebody in the neighborhood
would take them in. We didnt useta throw em in the trash.
CAROL
Mom, you know when Mr. Parks was talking about luck?
ANGELA
Well next time, just pull up a chair and have a sit down.
-54-
CAROL
When you think about it, dont we kinda owe him?
Pause
DEMPSEY
Rise up!
FRANK
Rise, baby?
Pause
ANGELA
But . . .
CAROL
But? Butt? How did you put that? So beautifully phrased. Butt is just your behind, gettin in
the way of what you got to do.
Whoa! Come back and slap me again!
DEMPSEY
CAROL and ANGELA exchange a look.

Dont you hate it when theyre right.
ANGELA
I dont know . . .
FRANK
We can do this.
I guess . . .
Just till the Parks can take her back.
ANGELA
DEMPSEY
Now, we movin!
Yawning, CAROL rises to go.
And I vote it be to bed.
FRANK
CAROL
This Black Power stuff kinda wears you out.
-55-
ANGELA
Help put the food away. Well clear up the rest in the morning.
FRANK picks up his bags as CAROL and ANGELA clear up food.
DEMPSEY
to FRANK
Wait! Dad? Arent you gonna tell her about the thing?
Maybe Mom and I should talk first.
What thing?
Dad and I were talking on the bus and . . .
We were just talking. . .
We were thinking . . .
Danger, Will Robinson. Danger.
Thinking?
Stead of buying a house up North . . .
We were just talking . . .
Maybe we could get one in Bronzeville.
West Side?
Back in the old neighborhood?
FRANK
ANGELA
DEMPSEY
FRANK
DEMPSEY
CAROL
ANGELA
DEMPSEY
FRANK
DEMPSEY
Or somewhere on the West Side.
CAROL
FRANK
-56-
DEMPSEY
Somewhere, where theres more of us. Like a lot of us. Like its all us.
ANGELA
Frank?
Rise up!
DEMPSEY
ANGELA and CAROL give him a look.

ANGELA
One more person, and no more bathrooms is bout as high as I want to rise.
Oh, come on, Mom?
DEMPSEY
FRANK
If we catch a deal on the West Side, before stuff goes sky high. . .
The only thing high over there is . . .
Mom, whatre you afraid of?
ANGELA
DEMPSEY
ANGELA
Naivete.
beat
How bout Evanston? They got lots of us there. Even got a black mayor.
. . .or Skokie? Near Old Orchard?
FRANK
We were talking about a place, where . . . Where we might make a real difference.
Economically. Politically.
DEMPSEY
FRANK
Charlie just got a place on the West Side. Its not that far from The Parks. Theres a base of
really good people over there. People trying to change things. Solid people.
And schools?
ANGELA
-57-
West Side Prep sounds good to me.

And me?
In a year - college.
And now?
DEMPSEY
CAROL
FRANK
CAROL
ANGELA
Carol? In an all black school? Theyd smell my baby coming.
FRANK
But a year in the old neighborhood would do her a world of good.
And school?
CAROL
DEMPSEY
Youre commuting to the other side of the universe already. So, I was thinking, if she stayed
at North Shore, maybe we can get a safe, cheap used car.
CAROL
A car?
Frank . . .?
ANGELA
DEMPSEY
Least she wouldnt be missing the bus all the time.
Think about it, Mom.
CAROL
Yeah! What happened to Power to the People! Anythings possible! Faith! And leaping
and . . .
FRANK pulls a newspaper from his overnight bag.
FRANK
Look. I circled a few. Mahogany staircase.
-58-
ANGELA
For that price, its probably sitting in a pile of rubble.
DEMPSEY
I was little, but from what I remember, this place was no great shakes either.
ANGELA
Got it all worked out, huh? All worked out, except me. No.
Give it a chance.
Ah, come on, Mom. At least look.
My family is crazy.
So whats new? Come on.
FRANK
DEMPSEY
ANGELA
DEMPSEY
Pause
CAROL
Mom, if Mr. Parks lives there, it cant be all bad. A chance to be deeply immersed in our cultural
heritage and a car. Please!
(beat)
No promises.
So. . . . maybe?
Ill sleep on it.
Lie down! so we can rise up!
Lie down sounds good to me.
ANGELA
DEMPSEY
ANGELA
DEMPSEY
CAROL
DEMPSEY
So we can Rise Up! On the West Side!
-59-
CAROL
Rise up! and Drive car!
CAROL and DEMPSEY dance, chant, and riff on Rise up on the West Side... Rise up and
drive car. . .
ANGELA
Go to bed!
CAROL and DEMPSEY stop, then quietly resume chanting as they exit.
FRANK & ANGELA put food in refrigerator. ANGELA begins to blow out candles.
You gonna pack all this up tomorrow?
It belongs to another era.
FRANK
ANGELA
FRANK
Give it a chance. I saw my son, this weekend. Our son.
He started to look like the man we want him to be.
We need to make this move.
Im not sure.
ANGELA
FRANK hands ANGELA the real estate section of the newspaper with the circled house.
FRANK
They think they can change the world. Remember when we thought we could change the world?
Maybe this time itll really happen.
ANGELA
Well look.
FRANK kisses ANGELA, then picks up his suitcase.
But no promises.
FRANK quietly sings a refrain of I dont feel . . .no ways tired Lord.
ANGELA touches the red, black and green tablecloth, glances at the real estate section
blows out the last candle, then joins FRANK as they exit toward the bedroom.
LIGHTS FADE OUT
INTERMISSION
-60-
ACT TWO - SCENE ONE

A week later. FRANK proudly wears a
Million Man March shirt as he helps ANGELA
set the table for coffee and company.
ANGELA frantically rearranges the table.
Dont know why I let you talk me into this.
Cant atone for a thing sitting on our butts.
ANGELA
FRANK
ANGELA
How come when the brothas start atoning, its always the sistahs who got to get down on
their knees?
FRANK
Calm down. Its just for the weekend. If it doesnt work out . . .
SOUND: DOOR BELL RINGS.
Theyre here.
Carol? Dempsey? Hurry up.
ANGELA
FRANK opens front door.

MR. PARKS enters with a suitcase, followed by SHONDRA, holding a box.
Frank! Son of a saint!
MR. PARKS
MR. PARKS hugs FRANK

Come on in!
ANGELA
MR. PARKS
Bless you for givin this a chance. And praise the Lord! You coming to visit? Done Miz Parks a
world a good. Why, thinkin you might be moving back - she bought as xcited as a bee makin
honey.
-61-
M.r Parks, told you we were just looking.
ANGELA
MR. PARKS
Now, Ednas greystone, needs work, but not a finer piece of construction this side of Daleys own
place.
Were looking in a lot of neighborhoods.
ANGELA
MR PARKS
Need good young folk like you over there. Be like the old days. Why . . .
And this must be. . .?
ANGELA
FRANK takes box from SHONDRA and MR. PARKS sets bag beside it.
MR. PARKS
Lord, my manners. Baby, come here. This heres Shondra. Shondra, this is Mr. and Miz
Freeman.
Welcome.
ANGELA
SHONDRA
Hey.
CAROL and DEMPSEY enter.
Hi, Mr. Parks.
CAROL
MR. PARKS
Hey, buddygirl. Shondra, this my buddygirl. Child can handle a broom like a pro.
And proud to have been taught by the best.
And this is Dempsey.
Hey.
CAROL
Whassup, Shondra?
ANGELA
DEMPSEY
-62-
ANGELA
Come. Sit. Make yourself at home.

SHONDRA sits, while everyone else stands. She stands up, as everyone sits.
Awkwardly, they all sit down, together.
Well.
beat
Were so glad youre here, Shondra. Yes. Ahhh . . .
beat
Carol said you made the honor roll. Congratulations.
Thank you..
And you write for the school paper?
Shondra nods.
And shes like the best artist.
SHONDRA
ANGELA
CAROL
Shondra smiles.
Well, were glad youre here.
ANGELA
SHONDRA
So am I. Really. Oh!
SHONDRA jumps up, takes a brown grocery bag from her box, and gives it to ANGELA.
Its not much. I just . . .
ANGELA unwraps a beautiful green plant. She is delighted.
A philodendron! Its beautiful!
ANGELA
SHONDRA
Thanks. I mean thank you. You know, for . . .
ANGELA
Oh, you shouldnt have!
CAROL, DEMPSEY and FRANK try not to laugh, but can hardly contain themselves.
Stop it, you two!
-63-
to Mr. Parks
Now, I know its been too long.
FRANK
MR PARKS
I thought . . . She used to try so hard. And when I was over here . . . These looked so . . .
MR. PARKS touches a large green plant in the room.
Fake!?!
FRANK
Expensive artificial.
MR. PARKS adjusts glasses and looks closer.
ANGELA
Will you two stop. Frank.
SHONDRA is confused.
CAROL and DEMPSEY cant contain themselves and break into fits of laughter.
SHONDRA
Did I do something wrong?
ANGELA
No. I just birthed two fools and married another.
DEMPSEY and CAROL crack up again.
DEMPSEY
Were not laughing at you.

Angela, its better for her to know now.
FRANK
Pause
Truth is, I havent had much luck . . ..
Luck?
I love plants. I really do.
ANGELA
DEMPSEY
ANGELA
Ive always wanted a house full of plants. Buy them all the time.
-64-
But give em a week. A month tops.

Doomsday!
Ugly dead!
DEMPSEY
CAROL/DEMPSEY
DEMPSEY
MR. PARKS
Miz Parks use to say, Hope that childs good with money, cause anything else green . . .
The mums out front are beautiful.
Lawn Service.
Will you all just quit.
Truth is. We take bets.
Mr. Parks started it.
Really?
You didnt!
SHONDRA
FRANK
ANGELA
DEMPSEY
FRANK
CAROL
ANGELA
MR. PARKS
Now, you know, I was just funnin back then.
This calls for . . .
The Grandma Pot!
DEMPSEY
DEMPSEY/CAROL
DEMPSEY grabs the GRANDMA POT, a pencil and paper.
-65-
If you break my pot . . .
ANGELA
DEMPSEY
Oh, be a sport. Winner gets whatevers in the pot. Loose change and all. Kitty starts at . . .
Two bucks. Two weeks.
CAROL
CAROL passes the GRANDMA POT as DEMPSEY writes the bets down.
DEMPSEY gives two dollars to CAROL.
Two weeks, five days.
DEMPSEY
MR. PARKS
taking out wallet

I want a piece of this action. Gimme three days. Just kiddin! Three weeks. Hey. For old time
sake!
I got faith in ya baby. A month.
Adds two dollars.
See how they treat me?
FRANK
ANGELA
SHONDRA
Had a room full of plants at my Moms. Its not rocket science.
ANGELA
Alright, you all.

Help Shondra get settled, then she can come down and have some cake. I might even let you have
a piece, Mr. Parks. But I cant believe you started . . .
MR. PARKS
Thank you, honey, but Livias got a doctors appointment.
Mr. Parks hugs Shondra.
You behave now, baby. Talk to you tomorrow.
Ill walk you.
FRANK and MR. PARKS exit.
FRANK
-66-
Come on, Shondra.
CAROL
DEMPSEY grabs SHONDRAs bag.

ANGELA picks up the philodendron, struggles to find a place, then sets it by the window.
Uhhhhhhhh . . .
SHONDRA
ANGELA
Yes!?!
SHONDRA
Thats a . . a new variety. Doesnt need much sunlight. Grows almost anywhere.
direct sunlight. Over here would be nice.
ANGELA picks up the plant and sets it down with a sigh of relief.
Except . . .
Except
ANGELA
Yes?!?
SHONDRA
I didnt have time to get, you know like a nice pot or anything. Everythings so, so pretty here.
Dont be silly. Itll be dead in a week.
Im going to beat that child.
That one might fit?
The Grandma Pot?
DEMPSEY
ANGELA
SHONDRA
CAROL
ANGELA dumps the money from the GRANDMA POT as DEMPSEY struggles to catch it.
ANGELA
Do something with this mess.
DEMPSEY puts the money in an empty vase as . . .
ANGELA tries to arrange the philodendron pot in the GRANDMA POT.
-67-
Here. Let me . . .
Perfect.
SHONDRA
ANGELA
SHONDRA
Dont worry. Nobody can kill a philodendron.
CAROL and DEMPSEY crack up. ANGELA gives them a death stare.
Thats a real nice planter.
Was my Great Grandmas.
CAROL
ANGELA
Said at first, it was just an old pot from the Raleigh mercantile.
Mercantile?
SHONDRA
ANGELA
Dry goods store? Five and Dime? Target? (pronounced Tar jay)
But Grandma was gifted. Painted and shellacked it herself.
She did this?
SHONDRA
CAROL
When I was little, we named all the flowers. That pink one, just opening up thats me. And this
is Mom, and the vine is Grandma Rose.
ANGELA
Lord, that woman had a green thumb! And a backyard to prove it! Day she graduated eighth
grade, her Papa gave it to her. Man couldnt read nor write but said, Educations like a plant.
Cant let it stop growin. She didnt go any further, but got all eight of her kids through high
school. Then Granny gave it to my Mom when she finished high school. Day I finished
Northwestern, they all drove up for the big event. And Im standing there, tassel to the side,
purple robe flying, arms wide open . . .
But word was out.
DEMPSEY
-68-
ANGELA
Granny looked at Mama, and Mama looked at me. Then she looked at her precious pot and said,
You child, have not yet fully bloomed. I was fit to be tied. Had to struggle all the way through
grad school before I could get my hands on this pot.
CAROL
Swears theyll call me Doctor Carol before its mine.
But one day . . . Right?
ANGELA
Thats a promise.
When Mama gave it to me, it had this fabulous philodendron, rooted straight from the original.
We mostly use it for spare change, now.
DEMPSEY
CAROL adjusts plant in GRANDMA POT .

ANGELA
And bedeviling me. But this is perfect, Shondra.
ANGELA admires plant as FRANK enters.
So? All settled?
Come on. Grand tour a la Doc Carol.
FRANK
CAROL
DEMPSEY grabs SHONDRAS bag, and CAROL gets her coat as they exit.
ANGELA
Call if you need anything.

ANGELA fusses with the philodendron.
Looks good.
But will it live?
Frank . . .
FRANK
ANGELA
ANGELA chases FRANK trying to hit him.

DEMPSEY enters and heads for cake.
-69-
Seems quiet.
FRANK
ANGELA
Well, if you all hadnt acted a fool about the plant. Enough to scare anybody.
SOUND: DOORBELL rings. DOORBELL. DOORBELL.
No idea.
ANGELA
FRANK answers the door. We hear BUDDY at the front door.

Hey. This the Freemans?
Yes.
BUDDY
FRANK
BUDDY, seventeen, in gangbanger gear, tries to get past FRANK.
Shondra here?
Whom should I say is calling?
BUDDY
FRANK
BUDDY, enters, slipping past FRANK.

BUDDY
Im her brother, Buddy. Tell her Buddys in the house!
FRANK blocks BUDDYs path.
shouting
Hey! Shondra!
Who?
Buddy. Hes looking for. . .
DEMPSEY
ANGELA
DEMPSEY
-70-
Shondra. Im her brotha. Whas sup?

Shes . . . ahh . . . .
Dont get bent. Aint gonna jack nothin.
BUDDY
ANGELA
BUDDY
FRANK is not amused.

Have a seat.
FRANK
ANGELA
So, youre Shondras brother. Didnt know she had a brother.
Are you a gangbanger?
Dempsey.
DEMPSEY
FRANK
SHONDRA and CAROL enter.

Buddy?
Hey cuz.
What are you doing here?
Forget something?
SHONDRA
BUDDY
SHONDRA
BUDDY
BUDDY tosses an inhaler to SHONDRA.

SHONDRA
You didnt have to. I brought three with me.
-71-
Well, yeah. Now you covered.

Howd you get here?
BUDDY
SHONDRA
BUDDY
Jacked a car.
pleased with shocking ANGELA and DEMPSEY.
Psych! Bummed Smittys.
SHONDRA
Told you bout drivin around without a license.
I be aight. Buddy-baby gone be fine.
exploring room
Wow. This place be slammin.
You in school?
Tryin to be.
beat
Well, check you later.
BUDDY
FRANK
BUDDY
BUDDY stares at cake

Were just about to have some cake.
Dont you have to get Smittys car back?
Theres plenty of cake.
Sounds like the boy has to return a car.
Carolina Crunch? Smells good!
CAROL
SHONDRA
CAROL
FRANK
BUDDY
-72-
Mom made it from Miz Parks recipe.
FRANK
BUDDY
The Parks? You know the . . ? Oh, snap! Right.
And Miz Parks? She can burn.
CAROL offers plate with coffee cake on it.
Weve known them a long time.
BUDDY smells cake.
FRANK
BUDDY
From back in the day, huh? Yeah, Mr. Parks say you used to live over by Miz Albertas house.
tastes cake
Tastes . . . Not quite like Miz Parks. Got more cinnamon. Not too much. Just more. But its
way live . . . just not Miz Parks.
looking around at house
Yeah, this place is straight up. Nice you helpin Shondra.
DEMPSEY
So, if Shondra needs a place to stay, how come you . . .?
Dempsey.
Naw.
Its O.K.
So youre . . . ?
FRANK
BUDDY
ANGELA
BUDDY
Makin ends. Sides, somebody got to keep an eye on Moms.
You need me?
SHONDRA
BUDDY
Done done yo time.
Check this. I be running the streets, and she be home, scrapin Moms off the floor.
One night, ma girl has this straight up wack attack. Zip in the inhaler. Moms so bent, couldnt
dial 911. Come in, my girls crawling down the hall to the pay phone.
Reel to reel, dont come back, less you coming to tear that shit . . . My bad, I mean. . .
-73-
BUDDY (continued)
You know what my girls gonna be, dont cha? A architect! Dog, from the time she was a
shortie, she be drawing dese pictures. You show em yo pictures?
Buddy, I just got here.
SHONDRA
BUDDY
Got to see her pictures. Dont go nowhere less she got her pictures. Show em yo pictures, Shon.
BUDDY grabs a small sketchbook from the back pocket of SHONDRAs jeans.
SHONDRA
Buddy!
BUDDY gives ANGELA the open sketchbook. ANGELA turns through the pages.
What I tell ya.
These are good!
BUDDY
ANGELA
BUDDY
Moms, all the time, use to be gettin her drawing paper. Talkin bout the big old mansion she
gonna build for her one day. Pictures showin how live stuff could look.
takes sketchbook, flips to picture.
Little trees outside. Grass. Green stuff. Green stuff eat up . . .eats . . .oxygen.
. . . .carbon dioxide.
Yeah. Give off . . .
Oxygen.
SHONDRA
BUDDY
SHONDRA
BUDDY
Righhhht! So you can breathe. Swear! She be droppin knowledge.
You smart, too.
SHONDRA
-74-
BUDDY
Cant touch you.

Yeah. Oxygen. Life! So you can breathe. Cant breathe over there. But jiggy folks on the
Boulevard buyin up those big old mansions and plantin like they in Garfield Park. One day,
she gonna come back and throw down green in my backyard. We all be breathin then. Be so
fresh! Yeah . . .it be so . . .
Yeah, one day, be livin green.
Yeah.
checks watch
Oh, snap. Got to bounce.
gives sketchbook back to SHONDRA
Get Smittys ride back.
Nice watch.
Just a little bling to make my heart sing!
takes last bite of cake
Whered you get that?
DEMPSEY
BUDDY
SHONDRA
BUDDY
Easy on the cinnamon, and itll be straight up fo sho.
BUDDY hugs SHONDRA
Shondra . . .take care, hear?
You watch yoself. O.K.?
SHONDRA
BUDDY
Keep it on the down low, but Im all da way live, fo sho!
FRANK escorts BUDDY to the door.
Peace out. Check ya later.
BUDDY exits.
SHONDRA
He not really bad. Just runs with a rough crowd. If you dont want him around. . .?
Maybe, it would be best if . . .
ANGELA
-75-
Hes your brother.
FRANK
CAROL
I think hes kinda cute.
FRANK and ANGELA give CAROL a look.
Must run in the family. But Shondra, you are like, hiding your light, girl. Ive got a great top
for those jeans. Come on. Gonna hook you up to some style.
SHONDRA
hesitantly
Great. Yeah. Style.
SHONDRA heads up stairs, then turns back.
What Im trying to say is . . . And dont get me wrong . . . I really appreciate bein here.
Id give anything to wake up in the same bed everyday, go to the same boring school, with the
same boring teachers, folks who believe I just might be there to learn. So, I hope, really hope
this, you know, works out but . . . Well. . .
Dont go feeling sorry for me, ya hear. My lifes not some kinda . . . whats that Miss Leggetts
always calling stuff? Poetic tragedy? Its a life.
All that, what Buddy said? Helped make me who I am.
I got broke places. Everybody got broke places, but I guess its how we patch up that counts.
beat
Yeah.
SHONDRA exits.
DEMPSEY
Dang. She used poetic tragedy in a real conversation.
Somebody put some oak in that child.
Dont know if I could do it.
ANGELA
CAROL
ANGELA
What?
CAROL
Work that hard. To go to school. Work that hard for anything.
beat
Could you?
ANGELA studies CAROL
-76-
ANGELA
I did.
SOUND: PHONE rings.
DEMPSEY answers the phone.
CAROL
covering the phone

Its the real estate lady.
ANGELA takes the phone.
ANGELA
Helene? Yes. Already? Okay. Yes. Okay, okay. Call me back later.
Hangs up phone
They met our price.
FRANK
We just put it on the market.
ANGELA
Its a great house.

Were moving? Were moving?
DEMPSEY
CAROL
Oh, my God. Where?
FRANK picks up house photographs from the desk.

He shuffles through pictures, showing one set to ANGELA
How about this one. Near the conservatory.
On the West Side?
FRANK
DEMPSEY
FRANK
Look at that molding. The staircase mahogany. That brickwork -there.
ANGELA
This is nice, but three blocks from here, and were in the middle of . . .
-77-
Mr. Parks neighborhood.

beat
I love it.
beat
Its worth saving.
But the West Side?
FRANK
CAROL
ANGELA studies CAROL

ANGELA
And you and Dempsey are old enough to help this time. See. Thats a nineteenth century door
with hand turned molding. Just think, a month ago you were trashing a bathroom, and now youll
be remodeling one.
Its got a lot potential.
FRANK
ANGELA looks at CAROL

And a mahogany staircase.
ANGELA
LIGHTS FADE OUT
-78-
ACT TWO - SCENE THREE

One months later. Late Saturday afternoon.
The house is full of green plants - and they are alive!
Boxes are scattered everywhere. ANGELA packs,
listen to music, and drinks wine from a crystal
goblet.
SHONDRA, CAROL and DEMPSEY return from the
garage marching like soldiers.
DEMPSEY
saluting
Mission accomplished, maam. Boxes successfully stored in garage. Dads stuffing boxes like a
maniac. Its getting pretty full out there. Private Carol attempted escape, but we caught her.
ANGELA
At ease, soldiers. Next assignment. Linen closet. Leave one set of towels for everybody and
pack the rest.
But Mom?!?
Did you say butt ?
CAROL
ANGELA
CAROL
Saluting.
Leave one set of towels for everybody and pack the rest.
Maam.
ANGELA stacks folded boxes in the arms of SHONDRA, CAROL and DEMPSEY.
I love ya, troops! Move out!
ANGELA
SHONDRA and DEMPSEY exit marching.

CAROL sinks on the sofa, with an empty box.
CAROL
Were really going to do this, arent we? I mean, really going to do this! Were really moving!
-79-
No. Were boxing gifts for Marshall Fields.
ANGELA
CAROL
I mean, sounded great, at first. Changing the world. Leaping and jumping . . . Especially the car.
Now, I just cant believe . . .
ANGELA
That's why were having this little packing soiree. I figured, if you actually saw things go into a
box, youd stop saying five thousand times a day, "I can't believe were moving!"
To the other side of the world.
CAROL
ANGELA
Repeat after me. Room galore, a wrap-around porch, three fireplaces, bay windows and a
mahogany staircase. I cant wait for you to get married.
CAROL
But half the railing is sitting in a pile at the bottom of the steps. And only two bathrooms.
ANGELA
The house fairy giveth, and the house fairy taketh away.
Its not whats there, its what you can imagine, thats exciting.
But its so . . . so. . .?
It's not Timbuktu.
But its so. . .
Black?
CAROL
ANGELA
CAROL
ANGELA
CAROL
Well, its clearly not . . . as ethnically diverse as . . . I just . . . .
ANGELA
What? Youre afraid Gen and Monica wont come a callin?
-80-
CAROL
Can you see them hanging out with Buddy at the mall? Is there a mall?
Not a Rosa Parks kinda question.
I know its the right thing to do . . . but . . .
ANGELA
CAROL
ANGELA
One of those oak or pine moments?
beat
In the blink of an eye, my darling baby, you and Dempsey will be gone. Then, its just me and
Dad. Its his turn. And hes so happy. Already teamed up with Parks on his community action
thing. Next week starts tutoring. Got his company to pay for the computers. Wants to save the
world again. Dont spoil it for him. Well be fine. I promise you, well be fine. Now, go. They
shoot deserters.
CAROL
Aye, aye, Sergeant.
CAROL exits. ANGELA continues packing.
FRANK enters in blue jeans and a tight t-shirt. He looks great. Energized and enthused.
FRANK
Garage is looking better. Boxes. I need boxes!
Dont pack it. Throw the stuff away.
Its good stuff.
ANGELA
FRANK
ANGELA
There are unpacked boxes from two houses and fifteen years ago.
You just cant throw good stuff away.
Throw the stuff away.
FRANK
ANGELA
If you dont, Im gonna go out there and mark everything Salvation Army.
ANGELA prepares to pack the vase that holds the betting money. Shakes it, then . . .
What day is it?
-81-
Saturday.
FRANK
ANGELA
The date.
ANGELA checks the refrigerator calendar
Well, hallelujah. Victory is mine!
ANGELA removes eight dollars from the vase and does the touchdown dance.
Miracles never cease.
FRANK
SOUND: Doorbell rings. FRANK answers door.

Hey, Buddy!
FRANK
BUDDY enters.
BUDDY
Hey, Mr. Freeman. Yo! Buddy in the house!
Yo! Buddy in the house.
Yo! Yo! I know! Buddy in the house.
Tutoring.
FRANK
ANGELA
FRANK
BUDDY
Next Saturday. Community Center. You thought I forgot.
Bring books.
Dont got books.
Bring you.
FRANK
BUDDY
FRANK
BUDDY
Reporting for duty, maam!

BUDDY presents a flower to ANGELA
For you.
-82-
Did this come out of my yard?

Last one!
ANGELA
BUDDY
ANGELA wraps the base of the Grandma Pot for travel. The Plant lives!
BUDDY
Look a here, look a here! All the way live. Livin green, Miz F!
ANGELA
For you.
ANGELA hands BUDDY a plate with a big sandwich
Youre late, but I love ya, so head up. And pull up your pants!
BUDDY eats as he exits upstairs.
ANGELA
I love him, but, if I saw him on a dark street, I know Id cross to the other side.
FRANK
And if you saw Dempsey on a dark street, without that dorky tie, would you cross to the other
side?
ANGELA
Shondras smart and nice, and Buddys so . . .
Sweet?
FRANK
ANGELA
Trouble doesnt care if youre smart, or nice, or sweet.
FRANK
Theyre both good kids. If we can just keep that boy in school. Besides, this has done more for
Dempsey and Carol than . . . I mean, Dempseys really turned around.
ANGELA
I know. Its just. . .
ANGELA hands FRANK a box marked fragile.
Garage. And careful.
-83-
Ill mark it Salvation Army.
FRANK
FRANK exits as BUDDY enters carrying a box.

Yo, Ms. F.?
BUDDY
Carol wanna know what to do wid dis?
ANGELA
Gimme.
BUDDY hands over the box, then tries to sip ANGELAS wine.
Boy!
Here.
ANGELA
hands BUDDY a soda
BUDDY
Saw yo new place. Mr. Parks showed me. Could stand a little fixin up.
Maybe a bunch of fixin up. But still straight up - boo ya. Whole block gettin to be boo ya cool as the other side of the pillow. Never thought Id say that bout a place over by me. Like
being out here, only its like, out there. And now, you got this green thing under control, betcha
gonna bring your own air.
beat
Yeah. Livin green. Big-ass place, too. Real big.
Fo sho you gonna let me roll wid yall at yo new crib, right?
How could we survive without you!
Hey! Sho you right.
ANGELA
BUDDY
Buddy watches ANGELA pack for a minute.

BUDDY
Big old boo ya house. Maybe . . .
CAROL enters with a box, but stops before BUDDY and ANGELA can see her.
Maybe . . . Maybe you let me . . . Let me . . . park my kicks?
With you, I mean. You know, like Shondra?
CAROL listens.
-84-
ANGELA
Ahhh . . .
BUDDY
Big-assed place. Lotta air. So I thought . . .maybe . . .well, maybe, you let me live with you?
Long pause.
Ahh. . . , Buddy . . .
ANGELA
BUDDY
Gottcha.
Its just . . . Right now . . .
Not a problem. We straight. I gottcha.
ANGELA
BUDDY
ANGELA
Buddy, you can always come, hang out and. . .
BUDDY sees CAROL.
BUDDY
to ANGELA, referring to box he brought down
So you got that? Right?
to CAROL
She got that.
BUDDY heads upstairs
ANGELA
Buddy?
Ill tell em you got that.
Buddy?
Mom?
BUDDY
CAROL
BUDDY bumps into SHONDRA and DEMPSEY, who march in carrying boxes.
-85-
DEMPSEY
Company halt. Yo Sargent. Linen closets done.
Great. At ease.
Im beat. Lets burn the rest. Start fresh.
DEMPSEY collapses on couch.
Break time!
Yeah, break time.
Theres all this packing left.
Got a whole week.
ANGELA
DEMPSEY
BUDDY
SHONDRA
DEMPSEY
BUDDY
Everybody oughta catch a break sometimes. Right Miz F?
beat
Right buddy. Just not . . .
How bout the mall?
ANGELA
BUDDY
SHONDRA gives BUDDY a look

Not the mall.
SHONDRA
BUDDY
To see a flick, I mean.

Yeah, see a flick. Then afterwards, drop me at the el.
Great.
CAROL
-86-
DEMPSEY
Chick-flick? Pass. Gonna commune with my pillow.
points to a box
Garage first..
ANGELA
DEMPSEY exits with box.

Mo-vie. Mo-vie.
BUDDY
SHONDRA
Buddy.
ANGELA
Its O.K. Shondra. Buddys right. Movie sounds good. My treat.
(Uses money from money jar.)
Just report back by . . . ..
Curfew.
And . . .
Drive carefully!
ANGELA/CAROL
ANGELA
ANGELA/CAROL
ANGELA
Youre Dad and I have this thing later tonight, but well call so be here.
CAROL grabs keys from the key basket and exits with SHONDRA as
FRANK enters with a box.
Buddy? Its not that . .
Hey. Got it. Not nough air.
BUDDY exits as. . .
ANGELA crosses to the door.
ANGELA
BUDDY
-87-
What was that all about?

Nothing.
FRANK
ANGELA
LIGHTS FADE OUT.
-88-
ACT TWO - SCENE FOUR

Later that night.
SHONDRA enters, sucking her inhaler,
followed by CAROL. SHONDRA is upset.
CAROL looks around to see if anybody is
there. SHONDRA continues to suck inhaler
as BUDDY enters.
to SHONDRA
Say something.
pause
My bad? O.K?
SHONDRA uses inhaler again.
You O.K?
So say somethin!
CAROL
BUDDY
DEMPSEY enters from upstairs. Nobody speaks.

Chick flick, right? Lame, huh?
pause.
Doc? Shondra, you dont look too good.
Really?
DEMPSEY
SHONDRA
SHONDRA pulls a digital camera out of CAROLS pocket. The price tag dangles.
DEMPSEY
looks at tag
$800 bucks! Dag, people! You lost your friggin minds? What happened to a movie?
BUDDY
Went shoppin instead. Hey! .

BUDDY pretends to make a movie of them with the camera.
Why see a movie when you can make one
-89-
DEMPSEY
to CAROL
This aint trashing some prep school bathroom!
CAROL
Buddy slipped it in my pocket and I . . . It was stupid, O.K.?
SHONDRA
The only thing worse than stupid, is real stupid.
BUDDY
Like yo lil North Side homeys dont do it 24-7.
DEMPSEY
Mom finds out, death will no longer be a concept. Suppose the cops had. . . .
BUDDY
All she do is drop these numbers, they slap her wrist, and we walkin.
SHONDRA
And when you drop yoaddress? Who put you up to this? Poochie? Slick? Keep runnin with
them dogs, you gonna wake up dead.
BUDDY
Im down wid them, cause they be down wid me.
Im bustin my butt trying to get out and. . .
SHONDRA
BUDDY
But what about me? Aint got jack. Aint gonna invite us all up here.
This ends now.
Who died and made you boss?
Just the smart ones.
SHONDRA
BUDDY
SHONDRA
Nobody yet. And I want to keep it that way. The Freemans find out about this and
somebodys going down, and its not gonna be me. They find out bout half the stuff you been
pullin and . . . Buddy, I love you. You my brother but you cant be coming up here stealing
stuff, borrowing her car . . .
-90-
Her car. She can do what she want wid it.

quietly
Maybe, you better not come up here at all.
BUDDY
SHONDRA
BUDDY
What?
SHONDRA
If somebodies on fire, and you lock arms, you burn, no matter how much you love em - - you
burn. That what you want, Buddy? That what you want for me?
What about me? What you want for me?
BUDDY
ANGELA enters with a grocery bag and cleaning.

ANGELA
shouting
Hey! People! Help!
DEMPSEY tosses camera to BUDDY. BUDDY hides it in his jacket.
DEMPSEY rushes to help with the cleaning
Careful, Ive got to wear that tonight.
You all are back early.
Missed the show.
CAROL
ANGELA
Thought you were going to drop Buddy at the train?
Shondra wasnt feelin too good..
beat
So we brought her back first.
You O.K.?
Fine.
CAROL
ANGELA
SHONDRA
-91-
SHONDRA uses inhaler.

ANGELA
Sure?
pause
Why dont I drop you at the station, Buddy?
BUDDY
I can walk.
ANGELA
Buddy?
BUDDY
I can walk.
BUDDY exits.
ANGELA exits, following BUDDY. DEMPSEY exits to his room.
CAROL
Hey. Im sorry. It was dumb. But you cant just cut Buddy off that way. Hes your brother.
I know hes got problems, but . . . I mean, if it was Dempsey. . .Mo matter what. Hes your
brother.
SHONDRA
Fifth grade. City gets this grant. Gonna plant gardens in all the vacant lots. Community gardens.
I talk Moms into gettin a plot. We plant seeds. They grow. Pretty. Green. Then she starts up
again. DCFS come. I go. Get back in September. All weeds. The blink of an eye. All weeds.
SHONDRA exits upstairs.
ANGELA enters.
CAROL
Mom, Buddy and Dempsey could share a room.
Its just not the right time.
ANGELA
CAROL runs upstairs behind SHONDRA as . . .

LIGHTS FADE
-92-
ACT TWO
SCENE FIVE
Later that night.
The family room is dark.
SOUND: Doorbell. Urgent rings.
shouting off stage

Somebody!
CAROL
CAROL enters, turning on lights as she crosses to answer the door.

shouting
Im in the bathroom!
DEMPSEY
SOUND: Doorbell rings again.

Keep your pants on.
Let me in. Cold.
CAROL
BUDDY
CAROL opens the door. BUDDY enters

You look like hell.
Thought you took the train?
Short fiddy cent..
beat
Yo Mom left?
Yeah, with Dad.
Shondra?
CAROL
BUDDY
CAROL
BUDDY
-93-
Taking a nap.
CAROL
BUDDY
She got pillows? She breathe better wid pillows. Specially when she mad.
She okay.
CAROL
BUDDY
You didnt tell yo Moms, bout the camera? Didja? Or the bracelet?
Naw.
CAROL
beat
Buddy, I heard you talking to Mom.
Thought yo Mom liked me.
She does.
BUDDY
CAROL
BUDDY
She be frontin like she do.

Always on me bout my pants. She think Im dealin?
Just cause I wanna be fresh, dont mean Im dealin. Know what Im sayin? You want a fo real
contact high? Stand by yo homies up here. Monica fo sho. Her eyes? Smitty say I wanna
make some real cash? Deal up here. But Shondrad kill me. Like figurative like, kill me.
You mean, literally?
That with blood?
Yeah.
Yeah.
beat
Here. You want the camera?
CAROL
BUDDY
CAROL
BUDDY
-94-
BUDDY takes out camera

Naw, Buddy.
Mom finds out Im dead. Literally.
CAROL
BUDDY
Naw. She be groundin you. Like on T.V.
beat
What she want? You know what she want from me?
Ill talk to her.
CAROL
BUDDY
Yeah. You talk to her.
beat
Gotta go. Wanna come? Come on. Drive me back. Drive me back, O.K?.
I cant, Buddy.
Then let me touch yo car.Sa cold out there.
No.
Why you hatin?
Buddy, Im glad you came back, but. . . .
Ill get it back fo mornin. Fo sho..
Cant.
Thought you had my back?
CAROL
BUDDY
CAROL
BUDDY
CAROL
BUDDY
CAROL
BUDDY
-95-
Shondra said . . .
CAROL
BUDDY
Dont care what Shondra say. Shondra livin green up here wid you.
But I cant come up here no mo? Huh? Cant live in yo new house? Aint good enough? Huh?
Id drive you, but Mom would kill me.
The hell with her!
Buddy stop!
Ill get you some train fare.
CAROL
BUDDY
CAROL
CAROL exits.
quietly
Buddy in the house.
BUDDY
BUDDY steals the keys from the key basket and exits out of the back door.
CAROL
Buddy!
SOUND: Tires squeal.

CAROL follows, screaming after BUDDY.
Buddy! Stop, Buddy!!!
calling from upstairs
Carol, you okay?
DEMPSEY
DEMPSEY and SHONDRA race in as CAROL reenters.

Hey? Whats up down there?
Buddy. . .
DEMPSEY
CAROL
-96-
What is it?
SHONDRA
CAROL
He took my car.
I said no! But he was mad, and acting crazy and. . .
SHONDRA
Damn him. Why he always . . . He gets so stupid when he gets mad. Probably hookin up with
that fool Poochie. Lord, knows what mess they gonna make. He go to juvie one more time, he
never gonna get out. God.
SHONDRA struggles for breath and uses her inhaler
We got to find him.
CAROL
DEMPSEY
How?
CAROL picks up a set of keys.
CAROL
Mom went with Dad. We can take her car. Come on.
We cant take Moms car. Shell kill us.
To DEMPSEY
Hes her brother!
To DEMPSEY & CAROL
Ill go, and you . . . just . . .
You cant drive. Or breathe.
DEMPSEY
CAROL
SHONDRA
CAROL
DEMPSEY
Shes gonna kill you both. She gonna kill me for letting you go. Theres gonna be mass murder if
anyone leaves this house.
-97-
CAROL
Youre always talking about rising up. Taking action.
The girls grab identical coats and head for the door.
But this is . . . this is . . .
Shut up and come on.
DEMPSEY
CAROL
CAROL gets ANGELAS keys. SHONDRA & CAROL run out.

DEMPSEY
Wait.
Wait you guys. Wait for me.
DEMPSEY scrawls a note and leaves it on the counter.
DEMPSEY races out as . . .
LIGHTS FADE
-98-
ACT TWO - SCENE SIX

Eight hours later. 4:00 A.M.
House lights are blazing.
ANGELA and FRANK enter.
They are dressed in evening attire.
ANGELA
Im going to kill your children. Its four oclock in the morning. And every damn light in the
house is on. Dempsey? Carol? Shondra?
Youre gonna wake the dead.
FRANK
ANGELA
Yes. But first Ive got to kill them. Looked like a burning inferno driving up here! Could see
that childs tuition money going up in flames!
FRANK starts to turn off light.
Dont touch that! They are going to get up, march down here, and turn off every one of these.
ANGELA races upstairs to wake DEMPSEY and CAROL.
Dempsey! Carol!
FRANK
Youre gonna drag them out of bed at four oclock in the morning?
ANGELA
Damn straight! Three almost grown people should have enough sense, between them, to turn off
the lights. Dempsey! Carol!
ANGELA returns
Frank? Theyre not here.
FRANK reads the note.
Buddy took Carols car.
What?!?
FRANK
We drove Moms to West Side.
ANGELA
FRANK
8:30. Please dont kill us. Back soon. Dempsey.
-99-
ANGELA
Its four oclock in the morning.
FRANK
And theyre running around . . .?
ANGELA
With Buddy?
beat
Im calling the police.
FRANK
No. Wait. He doesnt need . . . Ill drive over there.
ANGELA
Im going, too.
FRANK gets his coat.
FRANK
No. Stay here. Ill hook up with Parks. If I dont catch up with em in a a couple of hours. . .
At least theyre together.
ANGELA
Yeah, three times stupid.

SOUND: Phone rings.
ANGELA grabs the phone.
ANGELA
Hello. Lieutenant Anderson? Yes. . . Yes.
ANGELA hangs up the phone.
FRANK
Angela?
ANGELA
Come on.
FRANK and ANGELA EXIT as . . .
LIGHTS FADE
-100-
ACT TWO- SCENE SEVEN

Four days later. After midnight.
DEMPSEY sits, head in hands.
ANGELA and FRANK enter.
They are coming from the hospital and look
like they havent slept for days.
Both are near the breaking point.
How is she?
Sleeping.
Shes been sleeping for two days.
DEMPSEY
FRANK
DEMPSEY
FRANK
The drugs. They make her . . . Its normal after surgery.
Pause
They sent us home. Said, the real battle is . . . Is when she wakes up.
They said . . . if.
ANGELA
FRANK
They said, when. If were both so tired, when. . .she wakes up.
ANGELA
But if it had been an inch to the . . . or had hit her spleen . . .
She was lucky.
Lucky?
FRANK
ANGELA
-101-
FRANK
to Dempsey
In a few weeks, shell be as good as . . .
Aunt Ethel and Mr. Parks are there, now. Gonna put your mother to bed, then go back.
ANGELA
No. Im changing and. . .
SHONDRA enters with a small box containing a plant.
Mrs. Freeman . . .
to SHONDRA
Thought you were at the Parks.
SHONDRA
ANGELA
SHONDRA takes a step toward Angela.
I just . . .
Dont.
I wanted you to know . . .
SHONDRA
ANGELA
SHONDRA
ANGELA
You have to go.

Im sorry about Buddy, but . . .
If you hadnt come. If you and he hadnt. . .
FRANK reaches for ANGELA
Dont.
Youve got to . . .
I dont have to do anything.
Angela. . . .
FRANK
ANGELA
FRANK
-102-
Dont make me say it.

Say it.
Say it!
ANGELA
FRANK
pause
ANGELA
You're noble experiment killed my daughter.
She's not dead. Shes . . .
FRANK
ANGELA
been shot!
beat
Had to rise up. Didnt you. Rise up and change the goddamn world. Stead of saying
Thank you, Lord for what we got. Thank you, Mr. Boss Man for this house, in this place,
away from that jungle. Couldve hunkered down up here, and hoped that the devil didnt
notice. But you had to. . .
I just wanted . . .
You wanted!
FRANK
ANGELA
FRANK
quietly
We see it on the the news - every night. We say, Its got to stop. Then we change the channel.
Well, now, its my baby!
Pause
Where were they?
Who?
ANGELA
FRANK
-103-
ANGELA
Your million men. Your million, goddamned men. Hell, any man? Where were they? Where
were you?
To FRANK
Where were you! Where were you!
Trying to save me.

Pause
But I guess, I dont count.
No. Because . . .you are not my baby.
SHONDRA
ANGELA
LIGHTS FADE OUT
-104-
ACT TWO - SCENE EIGHT

One month later.
The night before the move.
It is late. Past midnight. The house is dark.

ANGELA enters slowly. She turns on a single light
and packs the Grandma Pot & plant in a box with
tissue.
CAROL enters with a box, holding a Teddy Bear.,
and the Sheroes picture.
The last of it.
CAROL
ANGELA
You should be in bed. You take your medicine?
CAROL nods. ANGELA pulls teddy bear out of the box.
Snuggles looks loved.
CAROL takes teddy bear
Howre you feeling?
CAROL
Okay.
Really?
Cant sleep.
Big day tomorrow.
ANGELA
CAROL
ANGELA
CAROL hugs Teddy bear.

CAROL
Keep dreaming about Buddy. I see him walking in this field. This big green field. Waving.
Then he disappears.
beat
Im scared, Mommy.
-105-
I thought you said . . .
ANGELA
CAROL
I know. And I meant it. I want us to move. At least try. For Buddy.
beat
I just I needed to say it out loud.
Oh, baby. Itll be alright
I know. Im just being stupid.
Better get some sleep.
Thank you, Mommy.
ANGELA
CAROL
ANGELA
CAROL
ANGELA hugs CAROL. CAROL exits hugging Teddy bear.

ANGELA watches CAROL exit, then trancelike, ANGELA unpacks the box she
was packing, and meticulously places the items back where they belong. The box
that holds The Grandma Pot is next. The green of the plant peeks out. She
removes the newspaper from around the base of the pot, but the pot remains in the
box as she stares into space.
FRANK enters, but ANGELA doesnt notice him.
Angela?
FRANK
(long pause.)
quietly
Our daughter is so beautiful.
beat
I cant do this Frank.
We cant unsell the house.
ANGELA
FRANK
-106-
ANGELA
He was killed three blocks from the house you want me to move my babies into. We cant pretend
thats normal. Crazy is to pile into a van and move into a war zone.
FRANK
Crazy is watching it happen, over and over again.
ANGELA
Hes dead. And a million men, a million women, couldnt stop it.
Maybe it takes a million and one.
Home is where you feel safe.
Weve been over this a thousand times.
beat
Carol wants this.
Carol is a child.
Not anymore.
FRANK
ANGELA
FRANK
ANGELA
FRANK
ANGELA
She wants it, because she feels guilty Frank. About Buddy.
We all feel guilty.
FRANK
ANGELA
No. Frank. Its different. She overheard us. Buddy and me. He asked me if, if he could come
live with us. In the new house. But we were moving, plus a new school for Dempsey, and work
and. . .
beat
Carol tried to change my mind. Thinks if she had changed my mind. . .
-107-
FRANK
Why didnt you tell me?
beat
You mean if you had said, O.K. Yes? Yes, we can. Yes, we will. Yes, well try.
Maybe he would be alive?
ANGELA
Or maybe, theyll aim higher next time, and Carol will be dead.
beat
Over and over, for what, weeks now, Ive said, No. And then somehow, you convince me . . .
Cause you know Im right.
FRANK
ANGELA
My liberal, gonna save the world, God, I feel guilty, let me do the right thing, was raised to
rise, corner of my brain says, Yes, youre right. Tells me Shondra should have every
advantage Carol has. That its not Buddys fault. That Dempsey and Carol need to tackle hard
stuff. My bleeding heart says, Youre right.
But in the quiet of the night, I know the truth.
It scares me, I know. That I think it, that I feel it. Cant escape it. Got to face it.
beat
We are animal, Frank.
Animal.
White, black, green, purple the lot of us. Animal.
You can dress us up, and drag us out of our caves, put us in fancy houses but we are animal.
beat
Fight or flight.
beat
And every bit of me says grab my babies and run.
We can choose to be human.
beat
Dempsey and Carol . . .
Are blood. My blood.
They have to know you cant run from . . .
Oh, yes we can. We can afford to.
FRANK
ANGELA
FRANK
ANGELA
-108-
ANGELA (continued)
I love you. I chose you.
But I made them.
stroking GRANDMA POT
Everything I am, and everything Ill be, grows out of them.
And what do you want them to be?
FRANK
ANGELA
Alive.
beat
Weve sold the house.
Ill take the kids to a hotel if I have to.
We move in the morning.
FRANK
ANGELA
FRANK
ANGELA
No
ANGELA takes the GRANDMA POT out of the box.

No, sweetheart. We dont.
ANGELA exits.
LIGHTS FADE
-109-
ACT TWO - SCENE TEN

Morning. The next day.
The house is almost packed up, except for some of
the final items. A box, two suitcases and a stack of
framed paintings await departure. DEMPSEY and
CAROL enter bringing belongings that will go,
including the poster of African-American Women Our Sheroes.
FRANK
giving box to DEMPSEY
I got these. Tape that and put it in the trunk.
DEMPSEY tapes up the box. FRANK grabs another carton.
Front seat. And see if your Mom is . . . Never mind.
FRANK exits.
Strange. The Flemings own our house, now,
CAROL
DEMPSEY
Is she coming? Theyve been screaming so much . Then it got so quiet last night.
Who would you go with? I mean if . . .
Dont even think that.
CAROL
FRANK enters
Anything else for the jeep?
Suitcases.
FRANK
CAROL
SOUND: Doorbell rings once . . .twice . . .

FRANK, CAROL and DEMPSEY look at each other.
Got it.
DEMPSEY
-110-
DEMPSEY exits to door.

CAROL pulls a dead leaf from the philodendron in the GRANDMA POT.
FRANK
You still okay with this?
CAROL
Moms not serious, is she?
MR. PARKS enters. He holds a small green plant.

MR. PARKS
Hey, buddygirl. Miz Parks cant wait to get hold a you.
Frank?
FRANK
God, Im glad to see you.

DEMPSEY exits with a box.
Hows Angela?
Still says shes not coming.
in a minute. . .
Ill see what I can do.
Angela.
Mom. Mr. Parks is . . .
MR. PARKS
FRANK
Said shell take the kids to a hotel before . . . The truck will be here
MR. PARKS
FRANK
CAROL
ANGELA enters.
MR. PARKS
Frank say, van ll be here in a bit.

ANGELA doesnt answer.
House looks great. Whole neighborhood pitched in. TV story got folks from all over. White,
colored from everywhere. Worked late into the night, but its all done. That mahogany
staircase never looked so . . .
-111-
MR PARKS (continued)
Shondra sent this.
ANGELA wont take the gift.
Shes doin alright, considerin Buddy and all. Says she understands why you couldnt come to
the. . . Funeral was nice. Sad, but real nice.
God, deliver us from nice funerals.
ANGELA
MR. PARKS sets the small green plant beside the GRANDMA POT.
MR. PARKS
Plants still green.

Im a regular George Washington Carver.
ANGELA
SOUND: MOVING VAN - Sound of a large truck outside.

DEMPSEY enters.
DEMPSEY
Theyre here.
Pause
Dempsey, Carol.
ANGELA
Put your bags in my car.
But, Mom . . .
Angela . . .
So help me God. Dont cross me on this.
Im scared. And you should be, too.
We cant be scared of our own people.
They are not my people!
DEMPSEY
FRANK
ANGELA
FRANK
ANGELA
-112-
DEMPSEY
Mom?
ANGELA
What? Claim every foul mouthed, gun toting, freak misfit walking the face of the earth cause their
skin looks like mine? Who says I got to tote all that on my back?
What do we do? Keep piling it on till we all fall down?
Pause
Dempsey, Carol! Get your things!
FRANK
No. Theyre coming with me.

FRANK grabs DEMPSEYS arm and blocks CAROLs path.
Get in the jeep.
We are moving to our new house.
FRANK grabs up GRANDMA POT and reaches for ANGELA
And youre coming with us.
screaming
Noooo!
ANGELA
ANGELA grabs for the GRANDMA POT.

The GRANDMA POT crashes to the floor.
Angela . . .
FRANK
ANGELA looks at CAROL. CAROL kneels by the broken GRANDMA POT.

PAUSE
CAROL picks up pieces of the GRANDMA POT and tries to save the philodendron.
She puts them in the box that held the pot.
Let it go.
You mean throw it away?
Im . . . sorry.
ANGELA
CAROL
ANGELA
CAROL
Over and over in the hospital. You. Daddy. Everybody. Sorry.
Buddy in a pool of . . .So sorry.
-113-
We didnt kill him.
ANGELA
CAROL
Didnt save him either.
CAROL packs a piece of the GRANDMA POT in the box as she speaks.
He was so mad at you. So mad at you. When we found him, said, he wasnt mad anymore. Said
he understood. Like picking teams. Some kids get picked. Some kids dont. Then the shooting
started. Wrong place, wrong time.
Im sorry, baby.
ANGELA
CAROL
Sorry. So much sorry. When Buddy pushed me down, the ground hit me smack. Smacked
sorry out of me. Bullets ate up Buddy. Ate up my soft stuff, Mommy. Two of us layin there.
Covered in blood. Ate up my sorry.
beat, sees the Sheroes poster
Mustve been Oak Women. Looking over me. Cause I got up. He didnt, but I got up.
Dont be no scrub pine, you said. Dont be no sorry scrub pine. Oak women like Rosa
Parks. Didnt say she was sorry. Said she was tired. Sat down, so we could rise up . . .
CAROL stands
and not be so damned sorry.
We cant all be Rosa Parks.
ANGELA
CAROL
What if we were?
beat
Got to rise up, or slip down in the blood of every Buddy we let die. Because we got picked!
But, baby . . .
ANGELA
CAROL
Butt!?!, Mama?
CAROL grabs ANGELA, pulls her to her knees, and drags her mothers hand across
the Oak floor.
Oak or pine?
CAROL stares into her mothers eyes as she presses ANGELAs hand into the oak floor.
CAROL stands.
-114-
I just wanted to save my babies.

Oak or pine?
ANGELA
CAROL
ANGELA looks up, but doesnt get up.

CAROL, DEMPSEY, FRANK and MR. PARKS wait a long time.
ANGELA finally rises slowly.
CAROL hugs ANGELA.
MR. PARKS pats ANGELA on the shoulder
MR. PARKS
Miz Parks got a big old crunch cake waitin.
MR. PARKS exits carrying a suitcase as . . .
CAROL picks up the box with the broken GRANDMA POT.
DEMPSEY grabs the Sheroes picture and a suitcase.
CAROL and DEMPSEY exit together.
FRANK picks up a suitcase and waits for ANGELA.
Time to go, baby.
In a minute.
FRANK
ANGELA
FRANK waits for ANGELA at the door. ANGELA looks around. She notices the small
green plant SHONDRA has sent her. ANGELA picks up the small green plant, pulls off a
dead leaf, then turns back for one last look.
FRANK and ANGELA exit together as . . .
LIGHTS FADE
LIVING GREEN
by Gloria Bond Clunie

3 females, 4 males ~ African-Americans.
Setting ~ Fall of 1995 - the Year of the Million Man March.

Chicago, Illinois ~ Upper middle class home of FRANK and ANGELA FREEMAN
~ Synopsis ~
In Living Green, the Freemans, an upper middle class black family, live in an affluent,
predominantly white Chicago neighborhood. The time, 1995 the year of the Million Man
March. Angela and Frank collide when they decide to sell their home in order to fund their
daughters college education. When Frank and his son return from the Million Man March,
Angela and Frank, like the Youngers, grapple with the choice of where to live. Should they
resettle their two teenaged children into another mostly safe white community, or return,
as a family, to the old neighborhood? They wonder Can anyone ever really go home
again?
~ A Playwrights Note ~
A true classic wraps us in the powerful vortex of time. It juggles our understanding
of past, present and future so we can see each through the prism of the other. When a classic
such as Romeo and Juliet inspires a modern day masterpiece like West Side Story, we are
forced to reflect on our current situation with new perspectives.
Though not as ancient as the tales of Shakespeare, Lorraine Hansberrys A Raisin in the
Sun is a true classic. One, that on first meeting, inspired me to think about black life in the
late fifties - a time when I was just coming into the world.
Now, I wonder, What really happened to us when we were liberated in the sixties
and seventies? What happened to those communities that once nurtured us when we fled?
When we branched out into a larger world, there were advantages but also new
challenges. As the initial pressures of discrimination diminished, we continued to face
problems; difficulties we had not anticipated; concerns we were safeguarded from in our
own, more homogeneous neighborhoods. We struggled with how to raise a healthy AfricanAmerican children when surrounded by others who were not African-American.
Though the pressures faced by earlier generations were formidable, the choices the
Freemans must make in Living Green are equally difficult. They are choices that will define
both the future of African-Americans and the future of America.
GLORIA BOND CLUNIE
1620 Dobson Street ~ Evanston, Illinois 60202

847.869.1963 gbclunie@aol.com 847.772.8191
Biographical Information
Gloria Bond Clunies Living Green premiered in 2009 on the main stage at Chicagos Victory Gardens
Theater, received an award and reading at the 2008 New Professional Theatre Writers Festival in New York
and was a 2006 finalist in the Chicago Dramatist Many Voices National Playwriting Project. Drip opened
the 2008-09 Season at ETA Creative Arts Foundation in Chicago. Quark was one of two finalists in the 2007
STAGE International Script Competition for the best new play about science and technology sponsored by the
Professional Artists Lab and the California NanoSystems Institute at the University of California, Santa
Barbara. She received a 2006 Illinois Scriptwriting Fellowship and in 2005 Sweet Water Taste was awarded
a Theodore Ward Prize for African-American Playwriting, included in the New Stages Series at Chicagos
Goodman Theatre and given an Honorable Mention by the Stage 3 Theatre Fest in Sonora, Ca. Clunie is proud
to be an original member of the Playwriting Ensemble at the Regional Tony Award-winning Victory Gardens
Theater in Chicago and to have received their Scott McPherson Playwriting Award for 2000. Their production
of her play Shoes, directed by Andrea J. Dymond, was recognized as the best new play of 2005 by the Chicago
Black Theatre Alliance.
Additional produced credits include North Star (published by Dramatic Publishing Company;
winner of a Chicago Jeff Award for Best New Play, Victory Gardens Theater, directed by Sandy Shinner; a
Theodore Ward African-American Playwriting Award, Columbia College directed by Chuck Smith; and an
American Alliance for Theater and Education Distinguished Play Award; included in Seven Black Plays edited
by Chuck Smith with a forward by August Wilson), Secrets, the musical Sing, Malindy, Sing!, Dreams, as
well as two children's plays Basket of Wishes, Bucket of Dreams and the adaptation of Patricia McKissacks
award-winning book Mirandy and Brother Wind which was commissioned by Northwestern University and
recently performed at the 2009 National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta.
Additional writing awards include the 1997 Alice Walker Short Fiction Award from the Gwendolyn
Brooks Center, a 1996 Illinois Playwriting Fellowship and a 1993 Arts Education Fellowship (NEA/CBE).
Her novel Dear Cora was a finalist for the James Jones First Novel Fellowship and a semifinalist in the
William Faulkner Creative Writing Competition.
In 1979 she founded and for eight years was the Artistic Director of the Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre
in Evanston, Illinois. While there, she directed over twenty-five productions including Ceremonies in Dark
Old Men, Home, Raisin and Ain't Misbehavin'. She received a B.S. in theater and an M.F.A. in directing
from Northwestern University and since 1981 has been a full-time drama specialist in Evanstons School
District 65. In 1986 she was given the Evanston Mayors Award for the Arts and has been recognized for her
contributions to both the arts and education by many organizations including the NAACP, Alpha Kappa Alpha
Sorority, The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Chicagos Black Theatre Alliance and the American Alliance for
Theater & Education. She is a member of the Dramatists Guild. Originally from Henderson, North Carolina,
Gloria now lives in Evanston, Illinois. She and her husband Basil are the proud parents of one daughter,
Aurelia.

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LIVING GREEN

~ a drama in two acts ~

Gloria Bond Clunie

Gloria Bond Clunie

LIVING GREEN -VG 2009-Rev

ANGELA FREEMAN - early forties, successful, corporate businesswoman,

LIVING GREEN -VG 2009-Rev

LIVING GREEN -VG 2009-Rev

banging on bathroom door.

LIVING GREEN -VG 2009-Rev

We cant sell a house between meetings.

LIVING GREEN -VG 2009-Rev

FRANK enters lower level bathroom.

Go put some clothes on.

DEMPSEY exits to his room.

LIVING GREEN -VG 2009-Rev

I told you to do the laundry.

The pink one.

SOUND: Bathroom flush

CAROL goes upstairs.

LIVING GREEN -VG 2009-Rev

Ah, come on.

CAROL exits to bathroom. DEMPSEY exits to his room.

LIVING GREEN -VG 2009-Rev

CAROL exits to her room, DEMPSEY heads downstairs.

ANGELA and FRANK exchange glances.

LIVING GREEN -VG 2009-Rev

Grabs briefcase. Gets keys from key basket.

FRANK looks at DEMPSEY until he picks up his backpack.

LIVING GREEN -VG 2009-Rev

CAROL grabs keys from key basket, opens front door.

Seconds later, CAROL sticks her head in the front door.

LIVING GREEN -VG 2009-Rev

FRANK grabs his briefcase and exits with CAROL as . . .

LIGHTS FADE OUT

LIVING GREEN -VG 2009-Rev

ACT ONE - SCENE TWO

jumps up, shouting.

Momentarily frozen in elation.

And kill Aunt Vivian?

CAROL jumps up and grabs the map.

LIVING GREEN -VG 2009-Rev

FRANK folds maps and packs up brochures.

FRANK checks window again.

LIVING GREEN -VG 2009-Rev

Like join the club. Now, clear out.

Want me to tell her?

LIVING GREEN -VG 2009-Rev

SOUND: CAR pulls up.

Were pretending its not almost midnight.

ANGELA picks up program near the key basket.

Girl did us proud.

Wish I couldve been there.

Good. They ate.

Got a piece, too.

LIVING GREEN -VG 2009-Rev

So, the money's in the house.

I love this house!

LIVING GREEN -VG 2009-Rev

But now, its home.

Ready or not, she graduates next year.

Wait and we take what we get.

FRANK kneels beside ANGELA with a legal pad of figures.