1

An Honest Conversation
Int. Upper West Side living room. The cream colored couch is adorned with
red and black pillows. A glass top table sits in front of the couch. One of the
large windows along the back wall is open a few inches. We hear chants
from downstairs: “No Justice, No Peace!” JASON, mid 30’s, Caucasian, easy-
going and wiry, puts out hor d’oeuvres. KANA, his attractive, Japanese-
American wife, enters. She goes to the window and shuts it hard. The chants
are reduced to a murmur. Kana turns on the air conditioner to further
drown them out.
JASON
AC? Really?
KANA
We’ve got the oven on, they’re chanting; two birds with one stone.
JASON
Exciting night, huh?
KANA (flat)
Yep.
JASON
Can you contain your enthusiasm? I thought you were on board with this.
KANA
Jason, I’m totally supportive. But our life is perfect. I don’t understand why
we need this-
JASON
I need this.
KANA
Just be careful what you wish for.
JASON
It’s a done deal.
KANA
Not until you tell Richard Monday.
 2

JASON
We’re celebrating tonight.
KANA
C’mere--
(she plants a kiss on his lips)
You can still change your mind.
JASON
Right… Daryl’s already given notice.
KANA
What?
JASON
Richard was hassling him. Daryl lost it.
KANA
Are you kidding me? He didn’t say you’re leaving too?
JASON
I don’t think so. But Richard’s no dope.
KANA
That was so wrong.
JASON
I think it’s good. I needed that final push. Now there’s no turning back.
(A knock at the door; Kana points to it).
KANA
For Daryl.
JASON
For both of us.
 3

(Another knock; Jason goes to answer. DARYL, a well-built, high

energy African-American man in a white shirt and sportscoat, and his
African-American wife AISHA, pretty and demure, both mid-30s,
enter)
JASON
Partner!
DARYL
B-FAM!
(Jason and Daryl hug; Aisha hands Kana a bouquet of flowers; she
kisses Aisha)
KANA
B-FAM?
AISHA
Brother from another mother.
KANA
Oh God.
DARYL (clenched fist)
No justice, no peace! Kana, you look incredible as usual. And I don’t think
I’ve ever seen a more beautifully decorated apartment.
KANA
Let me guess. Sales guy?
(Daryl laughs and hugs her)
JASON
Hey Aisha.
(Jason hugs Aisha; Kana takes their coats)
How’s Isaiah doing?
 4

AISHA
With his new babysitter. Hope he doesn’t drive her crazy.
(Kana hangs their coats in the closet)
DARYL
An evening to remember.
JASON
I’ve lived for this day.
(Daryl squeezes Jason’s shoulder, then drifts to the window and
glances out; his smile fades)
DARYL
I didn’t realize it was on your block. What a horror!
KANA
I know. It’s been going on like this for hours.
DARYL
I mean—that boy getting killed.
KANA
Of course.
(We hear a “ding” from the kitchen; Kana exits; Daryl eyes her
peculiarly)
DARYL
I can’t believe they’re already blaming the kid.
JASON
They say he attacked her.
DARYL
Right, from the famous “eyewitness who wishes to remain anonymous?”
That’s another word for cops.
AISHA
You don’t know that.
 5

DARYL
Where’s the closed circuit footage?
JASON
They showed some of that. You were probably on your way over.
DARYL
Turn on the TV.
(Jason clicks on the news. Kana enters with the tray of food)
KANA
No!
AISHA
Come on, Daryl. Let’s just enjoy the evening.
DARYL
They’re chanting right outside this window!
JASON
But we’re here to celebrate, right?
KANA
Yes. Can we shut that off for a while?
DARYL
Sure… just let me calm down.
(Jason clicks off the TV. Daryl takes a deep breath; Kana places
a tray of little crab cakes on the table; Daryl takes a sniff and
smiles; Aisha mumbles)
AISHA
Thank God.
DARYL
Mmm! May I?
KANA
Make sure they’re not too hot.
 6

(Daryl lifts a fork from the table and picks up a morsel; he blows
on it, then takes a bite; as he does, Jason exits into the kitchen)
DARYL
Ooh, yeah! What is this?
KANA
Homemade crabcakes.
(Daryl tries one)
DARYL
Whoa, these are orgasmic.
(Jason returns with another tray)
And this?
KANA
Shrimp with Thai noodles and peanut dipping sauce.
(Daryl tries it)
DARYL
Mmm! Kana, you’re too much.
KANA
Me? (chuckles) Right.
DARYL
No. (to Jason) You made these? I didn’t know you can cook.
JASON
There’s lots you don’t know about me.
KANA
Jason, what happened to the Swedish meatballs?
JASON
Damn!
(Jason jumps up and races for the kitchen)
 7

DARYL
Wow, look at him go. Little Suzie Homemaker.
JASON (o.s.)
I heard that.
AISHA
I’m impressed.
DARYL
Yeah, well, don’t get any ideas.
KANA
Hey, some of the best chefs are men.
DARYL
Straight men?
(Kana and Aisha rolls their eyes; Jason returns with the meatballs in a
brightly colored bowl)
JASON
These are going to make you faint.
DARYL
That so?
(Daryl tastes one)
B-FAM! Is there anything you can’t do?
JASON
Uhm, recruit advertisers? You’re amazing.
(Jason exits again)
KANA
Mutual admiration society.
AISHA
Yep.
 8

DARYL
What’s that incredible guy up to now?
(Jason returns with champagne glasses, distributes them to Aisha, Daryl and
Kana, and keeps one)
(Jason goes back into the kitchen; we hear a loud pop; Aisha jumps; Jason
returns with a bottle)
DARYL
Cristal? Seriously?
JASON
We don’t deserve it?
DARYL
Appreciate it, partner.
(Jason quickly pours for the three of them, then himself;
he raises a glass)
JASON
To our new enterprise. To prosperity!
DARYL
To Mass!
JASON
To Mass!
(Kana says nothing; Aisha is baffled. They sip their champagne; Jason turns
off the AC)
DARYL
Mmm! Classy move, Jason.
JASON
Only the best for us, right?
AISHA
What’s Mass?
 9

DARYL
I told you. That’s the name we picked for our new magazine.
AISHA
You never told me.
DARYL
Of course I did.
JASON
Great name, right?
DARYL
Better than “Chain Store Review.”
JASON
Chain Store Review is the worst name I ever heard.
DARYL
But they made money.
JASON
On our backs. With no competition.

DARYL
Well they’ve got some now. We’re not going to miss that place.
JASON
Maybe Tony’s jokes.
DARYL
A great one Friday morning, right? Went out with a bang.
JASON
I was at a meeting.
DARYL
Oh, you gotta hear this.
(turns to Kana) It’s a bit off-color. Is that alright?
 10

KANA (looks at Aisha)

We can handle it.
DARYL
Great. Okay, this farmer comes from the barn to the main house with a duck
under his arm. His wife’s in the kitchen, and the farmer says “This is the pig
I’ve been fucking.” The wife scowls, and says “It’s not a pig, it’s a duck.” And
the farmer says, “Hey, I wasn’t talking to you.”
(Jason cracks up, as does Daryl. Aisha laughs for a split second,
sees Kana’s stern reaction, puts her hand over her mouth and
stops herself. The guys turn to their wives, who now both sit in
stone silence)
Come on, that’s funny.
(No response; Daryl turns to Jason)
You notice women have totally lost their sense of humor?
KANA
You’re right. We have.
JASON
Okay! So that will do it for the comedy portion of our evening.
DARYL
Anyway, CSR has the lamest online presence I’ve ever seen. We’re going to
bury them.
JASON
I thought you were going to bury Richard Friday.
AISHA
What happened Friday?
DARYL
I told you.
 11

AISHA
No.
DARYL
Yeah. Ten minutes to five, and he starts busting my chops? I know we were
supposed to tell him on Monday--
JASON
Right.
AISHA
Why didn’t you just walk out?
DARYL
I snapped. Another client he stole from me. You know that bastard never
gave me one account headquartered in the south?
KANA
Why?
DARYL
Gee, I don’t know. What do you think?
KANA
Richard’s not a racist.
DARYL
I beg to differ. And he doesn’t treat Jason that well either.
JASON
He’s okay with me.
DARYL
Come on, you’re the best writer on staff. You should be managing editor.
JASON
Carl’s been there 30 years.
DARYL
So what? You’re better!
 12

JASON
Well, you should be director of sales.
DARYL
Under Richard? Ha! Not in this lifetime. So when he says, “you do like your
job don’t you, Daryl?, I say, is that a threat?
AISHA
Oh Daryl.
DARYL
What, you want me to leave my balls along with my bathroom key? Just told
Richard the facts of life.
AISHA
You didn’t tell him to go “F” himself?
DARYL
“F himself?” Isn’t she great? No! But I should of. I just said I bring in most of
the money for CSR-
JASON
Daryl made tons of money for us.
DARYL
But Richard took half. Half--from everyone! I ask him, on what basis? And he
says, on the basis that I’m the publisher. And I built this company. And I say,
uh, no, you inherited this company from your daddy.
JASON
You said daddy?
DARYL
Yep.
AISHA
And down the rabbit hole.
DARYL
But unlike you Richard, your father was actually a businessman.
 13

KANA
I’m sure he loved that.
DARYL
And everything we had bottled up came oozing out. Like pus. He said he
only kept me on in respect to his father. Can you imagine? That there’s loads
of good sales guys out there. And I said, are you threatening me? And he
says, with his smug grin-
JASON
I know that grin.
DARYL
No—o! And I say, well, maybe you’d better start interviewing, ‘cause I’m
getting the hell out.
JASON
And get ready for some 21st century competition.
DARYL
So you heard it all.
JASON
Like I say, everyone heard you.
DARYL
So you heard me say I was quitting.
JASON
Mm-hmm. But it went on and on. I had to go. I figured I’d see you tonight--
we’d hash it out. What could I have done at that point?
DARYL
You could have strolled in and told him you’re leaving too. Back me up,
partner. Right?
JASON
Wrong. We planned to give notice on Monday. Changing the plan without
telling me? Jeopardizing my—and your—severance pay?
 14

DARYL
We’re not getting any severance. We’re quitting.
JASON
We can negotiate. Offer to train our replacements, whatever.
DARYL
He’s too cheap.
JASON
Did you tell him I was also quitting?
DARYL
B-FAM! You think I would do you like that?
JASON
I’ll tell him Monday, as discussed. Friday was a bad idea.
DARYL
You think I planned it?
JASON
Of course not. But if we go out on a good note, tell him how grateful we
were for the opportunity-
DARYL
You serious?
JASON
Swallow our pride for one minute, it’s not going to kill us. Tell Richard it’s
nothing personal, shake his hand. He still won’t like it, but it would help our
chances keeping our medical, getting some severance.
DARYL
In exchange for my dignity? No thanks.
AISHA
Uhm, you think I should have been consulted?
DARYL
There was no time!
 15

(We again hear the chanting: No justice...)

DARYL
Are they getting louder?
AISHA
More people.
JASON
We’re going to have startup costs..
DARYL
We’ll get that back tenfold.
AISHA
You’re going to work long hours. Especially at the beginning.
KANA
She’s right.
DARYL (to Aisha)
You think 9 to 3 is long hours. Plus summers off. What a racket.
AISHA
I’d love to see you in my classroom, just for one day.
DARYL
Piece of cake.
AISHA
You’d come home weeping.
KANA (laughs)
You tell him, Aisha. The truth is, 80% of new businesses fail in the first year.
DARYL
Says the banker.
KANA
Loan officer.
 16

DARYL
Which means 20% succeed.
KANA
Magazines are dying.
DARYL
We’re going to have a strong online presence.
KANA
So does everyone.
DARYL
You’re playing devil’s advocate, right?
KANA
Telling the truth. What makes you guys different?
DARYL
Us.
JASON
Right!
DARYL
Chain Store Review makes money, and Richard’s an idiot. A dated magazine
with a puny web presence? Huh. We’re going to wipe them off the map.
And I’m going to work 24-7 to make it happen.
KANA
Well, you’re definitely a salesman.
DARYL
Yeah? Did I sell you?
KANA
I’m still listening.
DARYL
I’ll take it. Man, she’s tough.
 17

JASON
Tell me about it.
DARYL
I can’t wait to grab the wheel. Be in charge.
JASON
Me too. I’m ready!
DARYL
It’s like when I played high school football. Damn, I wanted to
be quarterback so bad. Nope--wide receiver. Had to wait for the QB to
decide when--if--I got the ball. You never played, right?
JASON
I wanted to be on the high school baseball team.
DARYL
Cool! Were you?
(Jason squirms)
Jason?
KANA
His mom wouldn’t let him.
DARYL
No!
KANA
Said it wasn’t safe.
DARYL
Baseball?
JASON
She thought I might get in the head by a pitch.
DARYL
Aw, B-FAM..
 18

KANA
His mom’s a bit of a control freak. Right honey?
(Jason is silent; Daryl turns to him)
DARYL
Hmm...You don’t think what we’re planning now is dangerous?
JASON
Yeah. That’s why I want to do it.
(Kana shakes her head in dismay)
DARYL
I mean, you’re not going to change your mind over the weekend, are you?
JASON
That’s the faith you have in me? No way in hell. We’re going to kick butt.
DARYL
Big time!
JASON
And we start the celebration tonight.
DARYL
More champagne, garcon?
JASON
Mais oui, BFAM!
AISHA
God, get a load of these two. You’re getting drunk.
DARYL
I’m not getting drunk. But I am getting hot.
KANA
The oven. I’ll shut it off. Jason, why don’t you go put the AC back on?
(Jason jumps up)
 19

DARYL
Nah, sit down, it’s cool out.
(Jason sits)
I’ll just open the window for a few minutes, if you don’t mind.
KANA
Fine.
(Daryl goes to the window and opens it a few inches. We hear
the intensified chant “No Justice—No Peace! No Justice—no
Peace!” Kana looks less than thrilled.)
DARYL
Wow....(sighs) How old was that kid? “Kid”—he had a name, Kevin Taylor.
KANA
Fourteen. But he looked big for his age.
DARYL
Yeah, I’ve heard that one before. Fourteen, my God. And what was Kevin’s
crime? Oh, buying gum, right!
KANA
They said he was stealing gum. He put a pack in his jacket pocket.
DARYL
Maybe he was going to pay for it.
(The chanting subsides)
KANA
The woman who works there says he was going for the door when she
called out to him from behind the counter. You’ve got to pay for that!
DARYL
They said she screamed at him-- “Thief! You little thief!”
And he screamed back at her: I’m not a thief!
KANA
Bitch.
 20

DARYL
What?
KANA
He screamed, “I’m not a thief, bitch!”
DARYL
You were there?
KANA
That’s what Kim Lee told me.
DARYL
Kim Lee? She’s a friend of yours?
KANA
I shop there.
DARYL
Okay, I’m not a thief, bitch. Death penalty right there! You know, when I
walk into a Korean deli, they always follow me around? On the way back
from work, just last week.
JASON
In your suit?
DARYL
Yeah, even in my damn suit. Seriously, we’ve got to solve this shit. Usually
it’s a cop, but now people are taking the law into their own hands. What do
they call it in Florida?
AISHA
Stand your ground?
DARYL
Against a 14 year old kid taking a pack of gum. We need an honest
conversation about race in this country.
AISHA
Oh God. Daryl, please-
 21

DARYL
We’re doing it now, right? Air out everyone’s feelings, get it out in the open,
and get this horror show behind us. Before another black kid goes out
shopping and never comes home.
AISHA
Honest, huh? Kinda tricky.
DARYL
What’s that mean? Until people start opening up, this is just going to keep
happening. There’s a dead 14 year old, and it’s not even news anymore.
KANA
Oh, it’s on the news.
DARYL
Until tomorrow. You agree with me, don’t you Jason?
JASON
Being honest? Oh yeah—always the way to go.
DARYL (high-fives him)
B-FAM!
KANA
Well, I agree with Aisha.
DARYL
Huh? What did she say?
KANA
That it’s kinda tricky. Right?
(Aisha nods)
KANA
An honest discussion about race? Where have I heard that one recently? Oh,
“The View.” I thought Whoopie Goldberg was going to have a stroke.
 22

AISHA
When people say that, what they really mean is, you listen to me
pontificate, then just nod your head, vigorously!
(Kana laughs and points at her in agreement)
DARYL (angry)
Where do you get off saying that?
AISHA
I rest my case. Always winds up in disaster.
DARYL
So you don’t think we need one?
KANA
That’s not what she’s saying.
DARYL
We’re doing it now. Discussing a legal lynching right on your block. No one’s
getting angry here, right?
JASON
We’re friends.
KANA
And we really haven’t gotten into it.
DARYL
So let’s get into it.
AISHA
Oh my God. My stomach’s already in knots. Please Daryl. We’re here to
celebrate.
DARYL
Why is your stomach in knots? We can’t ignore what’s happening
downstairs.
(Daryl walks to the window and opens it wider; the chant
starts up again: No justice, no peace; Kana grits her teeth)
 23

AISHA
This is not our house, Daryl.
JASON
It’s okay. Cool off.
DARYL
I’m just trying to make a point.
AISHA
You’ve made your point. Now close the window.
DARYL (ignores her)
That poor kid.
KANA
Kim Lee says he lunged at her.
DARYL
Lunged? Or did Kevin just make a motion to show that he was pissed?
AISHA
None of us were there, Daryl.
DARYL
So let’s say the worst. That he was stealing a pack of gum, and made a
threatening motion. So she pulls out a baseball bat and cracks his skull?
JASON
It’s horrible.
DARYL
Uhm, you know Kim Lee?
JASON
Not as well as Kana.
DARYL
Can I ask you guys an honest question?
AISHA
Oh my God-
 24

DARYL
If a white kid took a pack of gum—you think he’d be dead?
JASON
Probably not.
DARYL
Probably? Ha! Kevin wasn’t murdered because he pocketed the gum. It’s
because he was black. This happens all the time now. Imagine if Isaiah went
out to buy some gum, and never came back?
AISHA
Don’t even joke like that.
DARYL
I wish I was.
AISHA
We didn’t raise our son to steal.
DARYL
See? Even you’re buying the official version. What about Kevin Taylor’s side
of the story? Oh that’s right, we’ll never hear that.
(The chants get louder)
KANA
Can I close the window now?
DARYL
I’ll do it.
JASON
You cool enough?
DARYL (rises)
I’m cool...
(Daryl closes the window; the chants subside; Daryl turns and
glares at Aisha)
 25

AISHA
Why are you glaring at me like that?
DARYL
I’m not glaring. Am I glaring at her?
(Jason shrugs; Kana looks away)
JASON
Uh, anyone up for a little music?
DARYL
What you got?
JASON
Everything. Drake? Beyonce? Adele? What would you like to hear, Aisha?
AISHA
You have any Taylor Swift?
(Jason laughs and points at her, then realizes she’s serious)
DARYL
Taylor Fucking Swift. Can you believe it?
KANA
Why wouldn’t we?
JASON (shrugs)
I like hip hop.
DARYL
Not the same.
JASON
Maybe I’ll put on some jazz.
(Jason does; it plays softly in the background)
You have enough to eat? I’ll bring out more.
 26

AISHA
I’m good. Everything’s wonderful.
I’m going to check on Isaiah.
DARYL
He’s fine.
AISHA
I just want to check.
(Aisha pulls out her cell and steps away; Daryl rolls his eyes, then grabs some
more food)
DARYL
Mmm, these little crabcakes. Man you’re something.
KANA
Save some room for dessert.
DARYL
Jason?
KANA
No, that’s me.
(We hear a loud cheer from the street; Daryl goes to the window and
squints out)
Please don’t open it. What’s going on?
DARYL
Guess who arrived?
KANA
Reverend Al?
DARYL
Bingo. Shit, he’s trimmed down. Looks like Taylor Swift.
JASON
I never could tell those two apart.
 27

(Daryl laughs; Aisha returns)

DARYL
How’s it going there?
AISHA
The usual. Isaiah’s complaining about his room being too small.
DARYL
Please. When I was his age, my mom and I lived out of our car for two
years.
JASON
Seriously?
DARYL
We’d wash up at McDonald’s in the morning. Mom would drop me at
school, and head off to work.
KANA
You were homeless?
DARYL
Never thought of it that way. Mom wouldn’t let me. It was an adventure.
KANA
I’m sorry.
DARYL
Nah, it toughened me up.
(Aisha kisses his cheek and rubs his back supportively)
What?
(Aisha shrugs and removes her hand; Daryl steps to the window again; Aisha
speaks in a low voice)
 28

AISHA
Daryl was so proud to tell his mom about starting his own company. He
wants to make enough to get her a decent place.
JASON
We’ll make it happen.
(Daryl returns to the group)
DARYL
Reverend Al. Now you’ll see some press coverage. You can always count on
the reverend to show up.
KANA (dry)
Yes you can.
DARYL
What does that mean?
KANA
He’s a bit of a publicity hound. No?
DARYL
Maybe. Who cares? (to Aisha) I wish I had the reverend with me in Chicago.
JASON
Why, what happened to you in Chicago?
(Daryl turns to Aisha)
DARYL
Is it okay if I tell the story?
AISHA
You’re asking my permission? If they want to hear it.
DARYL
Kind of follows up what I was saying before. You’re driving down the
highway, a cop pulls up behind you, what are you thinking?
 29

JASON
I don’t know. I was speeding?
DARYL
Uh-huh. I’m thinking maybe this is my last day on Earth.
JASON
That’s a bit dramatic.
AISHA
No it’s not.
DARYL
So while committing the crime of driving while black, a cop pulls behind me.
She steps up-
JASON
She.
DARYL
And requests my license. I ask what I did; she won’t answer. I’m looking in
my new wallet, slowly realizing-
KANA
You didn’t switch it over.
DARYL (nods)
I tell her the truth; she asks me to step out of the car. She’s about five foot
nothing. I’m towering over her. Then she asks me to put my hands behind
my back.
JASON
Seriously?
DARYL
I say, you want to handcuff me for forgetting my license?
KANA
She felt intimidated.
 30

DARYL
Not my problem. I didn’t do anything. So I say no. And she says sir, I’m
asking you again, put your hands behind your back. And I say, and I’m
respectfully telling you no. Now she’s calling for backup.
JASON
Really?
DARYL
In about 15 seconds, four other cop cars zip up. These guys jump out of their
cars, big mothers, and say “Sir, did this officer ask you to put your hands
behind your back?” And I say yeah, and repeat: I shouldn’t be handcuffed
for forgetting my license, right sir? And the cop sucker punches me.
JASON
You’re kidding.
DARYL
And while I’m on the ground this other goon puts his knee in my back, and
they handcuff me. Then stand me up, and start beating the shit out of me.
KANA
My God.
DARYL
I say you’re real tough guys when I’m handcuffed, huh? And one mother—a
black cop, no less—hauls off and knocks out three of my teeth.
JASON
What a nightmare.
DARYL
Plus three broken ribs--I couldn’t breathe for a month without agony. And
that’s when I needed him.
(Daryl points to the window)
JASON
I hear you.
 31

DARYL
But I guess the reverend can’t be everywhere, huh?
KANA
Did you take them to court?
DARYL
Oh, I sued their ass. Those cops, and the whole Chicago Police Department.
JASON
Good. What happened?
DARYL
My word against theirs? What do you think?
(Jason squeezes his shoulder)
JASON
Sorry buddy.
DARYL
Fucking horror show. You ever get beaten like that?
JASON
Me? No.
KANA
I did.
DARYL (skeptical)
You?
KANA
Not exactly like that, but I know how it feels.
DARYL
When?
KANA
When I was nine.
 32

DARYL
You were driving at nine? Shit, they should have pulled you over.
KANA
In school. Every day. Girls would pull back their eyelids, “Oh Ching Chow. Egg
roll.”
DARYL
But you’re Japanese.
KANA
Really? (snaps her fingers) Damn, I should have told them that. Then they’d
grab me by the hair, and toss me down the steps.
DARYL
Please don’t tell me they were black.
KANA
Sometimes their boyfriends would join in. Follow me down the street; one
boy shoulders me into traffic. Taxi jams on his breaks, stops this short of me.
(She puts her thumb and index finger inches apart)
AISHA
My God.
KANA
Maybe that’s why I feel for Kim Lee. It’s the hot stove syndrome.
DARYL
Wait--let me see if I get you here. Some black kids in school hassled you,
what, 25 years ago?
KANA
About.
DARYL
And today you see me walking down the street, and you cross it? Because
who knows, I might kill you.
 33

KANA
If you were 20 years younger, and coming toward me with a bunch of rowdy
friends? Yeah, I might cross the street. Okay?
DARYL
Not really. I think you might still do it. Yeah. Because here comes the “angry
black man”, right? (quickly leans toward Kana) Boo!!
(Kana recoils; Daryl holds up his hand in apology)
Sorry.
AISHA
Stop it! That’s not what she’s saying.
KANA (regains composure)
I have no idea what you’re talking about. I take people one at a time.
DARYL
Look, I’m angry sometimes, and I’m black—always. Doesn’t make me the
“angry black man.”
AISHA
She didn’t say you were.
JASON
Chill out, B-Fam. Have a crab cake.
DARYL
So what do you think, Jason? Am I the angry black man?
JASON
Well…you’re no Barack Obama.
DARYL (chortles)
You think Obama’s not pissed off? You’re kidding yourself. He just hides it
better.
AISHA
It’s not fair to compare anyone to Barack Obama.
 34

DARYL
Oh, here we go. Why don’t you just put a big poster of Obama over the bed?
AISHA
Would you be okay with that?
KANA
Hah!
DARYL
You show me a black man in this country who’s not pissed off, and I’ll show
a white man.
AISHA
That’s nonsense.
DARYL
Not really.
(Daryl opens the window again; Kana stews)
Hear that? I like to think that would make me just as angry if I were white.
But if I was, cops wouldn’t kick the shit out of me for forgetting my damn
license. You understand that, right Kana?
KANA
Truthfully? If a cop asks me to do something? I just do it.
DARYL
Really? A cop handcuffs you for forgetting your license, --and you just grin?
KANA
It would never get to that stage with me.
DARYL
Bingo!
JASON
Hey, I’ve got an idea. Why don’t we back off on this for a while-
(The chanting gets louder)
 35

KANA
Why don’t we what? I can’t hear you. Hold on-
(Kana slams the window shut)
Ahh—much better.
AISHA
Daryl, you wanted this discussion.
(He glowers at her; she turns to Kana)
Anyway, I got hassled by the same girls you describe. “A” student, teacher’s
pet, spoke proper English? They tortured me.
KANA
So you know what I’m talking about.
AISHA
Unfortunately. But no use dwelling on it. We’ve all gone through something.
DARYL (sarcastic)
Wow Aisha, you’re mom and dad let you go to a black school? Sorry!
AISHA
Don’t do that! Things aren’t that black and white, that’s all.
DARYL
“Not that black and white.” Clever. And Kana, that’s why you “understand”
Kim Lee beating that kid to death. How many times did she slug him with the
bat?
KANA
She went nuts. But they’ve been held up numerous times, and her husband
was shot once. So I understand the fear.
DARYL
Of a kid taking a pack of gum? Huh. Your friend’s a stone cold racist, and a
murderer.
KANA
She’s not my friend. And.. (a bit dazed) she.. shouldn’t have kept hitting him.
 36

DARYL
You think? Thank you. Finally!
KANA
But most of the time when someone comes into their deli and steals, or
causes havoc, or threatens them?
DARYL
Don’t tell me, let me guess.
KANA
Kim Lee and her husband have been in the country only a few years. They’ve
learned through experience who to fear.
DARYL
Me. So I’m responsible for all the miscreants, huh? What happened to taking
people one at a time?
KANA
I believe in that. Strongly.
DARYL
Uh-huh. Sure you do.
JASON
No need for sarcasm.
AISHA
You’re the one who wanted honesty. Right honey?
DARYL
Once again, thanks for your support.
JASON
Come on, Daryl.
DARYL
You know, I think I am ready for dessert.
KANA
Well, we have homemade pie, ice cream-
 37

DARYL
Nah. Something simple. Maybe just a few Oreos.
KANA
We don’t have Oreos.
(Aisha glares at Daryl)
DARYL
You sure? No Oreos in this house? Not even one?
AISHA (to Kana)
Can you get my jacket?
DARYL
What?
KANA
Uhm, sure.
(Kana gets it)
DARYL
That is so rude!
AISHA (to Kana)
I’m sorry.
KANA
Why don’t you stay, sweetie-
AISHA
I can’t. Thanks for your hospitality.
(Aisha takes her jacket and exits; an uncomfortable silence)
DARYL
Don’t worry, she’ll be back.
JASON
What was that about?
 38

DARYL
Ah, she didn’t like my joke.
JASON
What joke?
DARYL
You know, Oreos?
JASON
I don’t get it.
KANA
It’s an insult to African-Americans. You know, black on the outside, white on
the inside?
JASON
Oreos? Never heard that.
KANA
Seriously? Aisha did.
DARYL
I didn’t mean anything. Just busting chops.
KANA
Uh-huh.
DARYL
I don’t know. She’s always taking the white side.
KANA
White side?
DARYL
From always hanging out with her white friends, I guess.
JASON (indicates himself)
Uhm, hello?
DARYL
You know what I mean.
 39

KANA
You insulted your wife. You hurt her!
(Daryl stares into the distance)
DARYL
Yeah, I guess. You’re right. Shit-
(Daryl whips out his cell phone)
DARYL
Come on! She’s not answering....
Hey Aisha? Sorry I was a wiseass. You didn’t deserve that. Why don’t you
come back? Some amazing looking dessert Kana made...Coconut custard
pie?
(Kana nods)
Yep, coconut custard. You love that! Okay, call me, alright? I’ll see you soon.
(he puts the cell back in his pocket)
She’ll be back.
KANA
Maybe.
JASON
Let’s talk about Mass magazine.
DARYL
Good. Thank you.
JASON
How many solid advertisers do we have?
DARYL
Jim Wells at Toothbright says he’ll come with me. Jansen Cosmetics is
definite.
JASON
That’s great.
 40

DARYL
They’re both sick of working with that bastard.
KANA
Richard’s not that bad.
DARYL
You don’t know him.
JASON
Actually, uh, she does. When the company was floundering after Richard’s
dad died? Kana’s bank gave Richard the loan that kept it afloat. I told you
that.
DARYL
No, never.
KANA
I was the loan officer.
DARYL
Small world, huh? You’re still a loan officer there, correct?
KANA
Unfortunately. If I wasn’t a woman? I’d be senior manager by now.
JASON
You’ve been getting steady promotions. You’ll get there.
KANA
Well, they kind of dropped a hint Friday-
JASON
Senior manager?
KANA
If I play my cards right. I may be home a little later than usual for the next
month or two.
JASON
Whatever you need sweetie, I’ll be there.
 41

(Kana smooches him, then turns her attention back to Daryl)

KANA
Anyway, we saved Richard’s company.
DARYL
You mean you.
KANA
We, me..
DARYL
No quid pro quo?
KANA
Why would you say that?
DARYL
I don’t know. A hunch?
KANA
None at all. I did mention my fiance is an excellent writer.
DARYL
That’s how you got the job?
(Jason lifts his hands palms up)
KANA
Jason is an excellent writer, no?
DARYL
No doubt... So you know Richard personally.
KANA
Professionally…. He stays in touch.
DARYL
In case he drives the company into the ground again?
KANA
Hey, you never know.
 42

(Kana swigs her champagne)

DARYL
You “stay in touch”. What else has he told you?
KANA
Nothing. This and that… So, you’ve been looking to go out on your own for a
while, huh?
DARYL
Excuse me?
JASON
Let’s drop this, okay?
DARYL (ignores him)
How would you know? I mean, how would Richard know?
KANA
Good question. Why do I get the feeling my sweet, trusting Jason is not the
only “B-FAM” in your life?
JASON
Kana, stop.
DARYL
Why are you saying this?
KANA
Maybe because you asked two other editors to go with you, before you
even thought of asking my husband?
DARYL
What? Not true! That’s not true, Jason.
KANA
They snitched.
 43

(Kana swigs her drink again)

DARYL
Everyone dreams of going out on their own. We talked about it vaguely, you
know, water cooler bullshit. Not seriously, like with Jason.
JASON
We all talk about it. Damn, other people have approached me.
DARYL
Seriously? Who?
JASON
Terry Baker. Always asking me.
DARYL
Shit, Terry? I’m a better salesman than Terry Baker.
JASON
I think Terry’s pretty good.
DARYL
Better than me?
JASON
B-FAM, How can anyone be better than you?
DARYL
Word!
(Daryl fist bumps Jason)
JASON (to Kana)
Daryl and I have been talking about this for years.
KANA
Uh-huh. Three?
JASON
What?
 44

KANA
Years. Three years?
(Jason looks at Daryl, who shrugs and nods)
DARYL
About.
JASON
Yeah, about.
KANA
So right after we got married?
JASON
I guess.
KANA
You know what would make me feel a lot better about this whole Mass
thing? If you could look Jason in the eye and tell him you would have chosen
him if he wasn’t married to a loan officer?
DARYL
-Who could bankroll your enterprise. What about that, Daryl?
JASON-
That’s not why! (turns to Daryl) Right?
DARYL
Of course not! No.
KANA
Good! Glad to hear it. I feel better. Thank you. So--who wants pie?
JASON
I’ll take a slice.
 45

KANA
Daryl? Hello?
DARYL (mumbles to himself)
Son of a-- (he looks up) What--Pie? Uhm, sure.
KANA
Jason and I already discussed funding. He wants to achieve this on his own.
DARYL
Let me get this straight. You give loans to complete strangers, a loan to
Richard, but not to your husband?
KANA
We want to keep this separate. Work and home. Otherwise it gets messy,
trust me. That’s what we decided.
DARYL
We.
KANA
Yes, we. Right honey?
(Kana downs her champagne)
JASON
So, you’re going to slice that pie?
KANA
Sure am. But just a sliver, okay? We’ll have the rest when Aisha gets back.
(Kana exits briefly and grabs a cake knife from the
kitchen, as Daryl squints at Jason. Kana stumbles as she
returns)
JASON
You alright?
KANA
Feeling the champagne a bit. Daryl, when your wife says it’s not just black
and white? She’s right. It’s also men and women.
 46

JASON
Oh no. Please-
(Kana starts cutting the pie)
KANA
Women have always been at the bottom of the barrel. We’re getting a little
tired of it.
JASON
Can we just talk about something a little less tense? Maybe terrorism?
DARYL
Hah! Did you catch that Knick game last night?
JASON
Jeez, I couldn’t get past the half. Boy, do they suck.
KANA
What’s that old John Lennon song?
JASON
Kana, you’re not going to sing now. I think you’re drunk. Please?
(Kana hesitates, then sings)
KANA
Women—is the nigger—of the world...
DARYL
What was that? No. You can’t say that word!
KANA
I didn’t. John Lennon did. In context. Listen- (sings again)
If you don’t believe me take a look at the one you’re with...
DARYL
Can you stop her?
JASON
Kana, enough!
 47

KANA
Women...is the slave...to the slave…
(Daryl jumps to his feet, slamming his fist on the table. The pie falls off,
soiling Kana’s dress. She looks down at it, knife still in her hand...Kana and
Daryl glare at each other; the knife is pointed at him)
JASON
Kana! Put the knife down... Kana?!
(Kana ignores him, her eyes fixed on Daryl. Kana’s hand begins to
shake, knife still poised; Daryl is frozen... The house phone rings)
JASON
Put down that knife and get the phone. Now. Kana??
(Glassy-eyed, Kana looks toward the kitchen. She places the knife on
the table, steps away and takes the call.)
KANA (o.s.)
Hello? Oh fine--yourself? Yes, one second-
(Kana steps back in and speaks in a muted voice to Jason.)
KANA
It’s Richard.
(She hands the phone to him; Jason moves into the kitchen to
talk privately. Kana also exits, leaving a shaken Daryl alone at
the table; he takes a deep breath, then grabs his cell)
DARYL
Kimberly? Did Aisha come home? No? Oh, uh, no problem. Is Isaiah asleep?
Great. Thanks.
(Daryl tries a different number, grits his teeth when no one answers,
then puts the phone back in his pocket. Jason returns)
DARYL
What the hell was that?
 48

JASON
You tell me.
DARYL
You’re not pissed at me, are you?
JASON
Things happen.
DARYL
I don’t care who wrote that. John Lennon, John the Baptist--she can’t say
that.
JASON
I understand.
DARYL
Sorry for banging my fist, and the pie-
JASON
Hey, it’s over. Alright?
DARYL
Where is she?
JASON
Changing her clothes.
DARYL
Right… Anyway, so what’d Richard want?
JASON
Nothing.
DARYL
Really?
 49

JASON
He told me you quit--as if we all didn’t hear--and to come in early Monday
to talk.
DARYL
We’re always going to be honest with each other, right, B-FAM?
JASON
I am being honest.
DARYL
So you told him, you’re quitting too.
JASON
No. Monday.
(Jason takes his piece of pie)
DARYL
Why not now?
JASON
We said Monday.
DARYL
Things change. We had an agreement.
JASON
We did. I’m not giving notice on the phone.
(Jason drops part of the pie on the floor)
Shit! I just cleaned this morning! Dammit!
(Jason runs inside)
DARYL
You cleaned?
(Jason returns with a rag, lifts the piece of pie and wipes the floor)
So you cook and clean?
 50

JASON
Yeah, what of it?
DARYL
Nothing. You do windows?
JASON
This is 2019, pal. Get with it!
DARYL
No thanks. (takes a deep breath) Anyway, sorry again for what happened
with Kana.
JASON
It’ll pass.
DARYL
I don’t think she’s too keen on the idea.
JASON
Which?
DARYL
Mass! You going out on your own. Especially with me.
JASON
You heard her. Kana doesn’t think there’s a need for it.
DARYL
You need it.
JASON
You think?
DARYL
No one telling you what to do? You crave it!
 51

JASON
You’re right. Finally be independent. See what it feels like.
DARYL
It’s going to feel unbelievable. Like having an orgasm while eating a lobster.
JASON
Is that even possible? Sounds dangerous.
DARYL (laughs)
Not at all, my friend. It’s heavenly. Now you’ve just got to get Kana in line.
JASON
The words “Kana”, and “in line?” Kind of an oxymoron.
DARYL
I hear you. Weren’t you trying to have a kid this year?
JASON
Hell, it’s not that easy.
DARYL
Sorry.
JASON
That’s not what I mean. She--we--decided to put it off another couple of
years. This is a pivotal time in Kana’s career.
DARYL
What is she, 35?
JASON
Thirty-six next month.
DARYL
She can’t wait another couple of years.
JASON
She thinks she can.
DARYL
All I can tell you is, there’s nothing like being a father.
 52

JASON
Well, you’ve got a great kid.
DARYL
Isaiah always asks when you’re coming over again.
JASON
Yeah?
DARYL
He loves you, man. Damn, you play Fortnite with him!
JASON
We have fun.
DARYL
Kana was just staring at Isaiah. Like he was some kind of an alien.
JASON
No!
DARYL
Sorry, I know when someone likes kids. And I know you want to be a dad.
JASON
We’ll get there.
DARYL
Good. Let’s get Mass moving first, then you can move on to your family.
JASON
Right.
DARYL
But Kana’s got to get on board with this.
JASON
She’s going along.
 53

DARYL
Going along? We’ve all got to be 100% dedicated--Me, you, Aisha, and Kana.
This is your future, kid or not. Right now, you’re living Kana’s life. Live yours!
I know how much you want this, and you have a right to your dreams.
Now you go and tell her that.
JASON
Would you tell her?
DARYL
Oh my God.
JASON
That was a joke.
DARYL
Yeah... Maybe.
(They drift to the window; Daryl opens it; we hear the chants again;
Jason and Daryl peer out)
JASON
They’re still going strong.
DARYL
I think they’re just getting started.
(Kana returns, wearing jeans and a grey sweatshirt; Jason quickly
shuts the window as he hears Kana approaching)
DARYL
Sorry about your dress.
KANA
And I’m sorry about, singing that, uh-
DARYL
Yeah.
 54

KANA
I think we all had too much to drink.
JASON (swigs his)
Hey, African-Americans, women--both have taken tons of shit. You’re both
sensitive. No one meant any harm. Right?
DARYL
How can you not love this guy?
KANA
Tell me about it.
DARYL
Blessed are the peacemakers.
KANA
Jason’s always been the voice of reason.
DARYL
In the office too. Even keeled.
JASON
Thanks.
DARYL
Of course, you are the only white person here.
JASON
What does that mean?
DARYL
It means your life’s a bit easier, no? Not being a minority?
JASON
I’m Jewish.
DARYL
Oh come on. Jews?
 55

JASON
Come on Jews, what?
DARYL
You people got it made. I mean, who has all the money and property?
(Jason raises his hand)
JASON
Ooh, I know. Jews?
DARYL
Calm down, brother! If they have lots of money, it’s because they worked
hard for it. Good on them.
JASON
I don’t have lots of money.
DARYL
That’s why we’re starting Mass. So you’re not embarrassed in front of your
peeps.
JASON
Uh-huh.
DARYL
Hey, I’m cool with Jews. They’re a little crazy with Israel, but nobody’s
perfect.
JASON
Really. How so?
DARYL
You can’t say anything. They march into Israel, just take over? Please.
JASON
Yeah, that’s how it happened. They were on vacation, said “this place looks
nice, let’s take it over.”
DARYL
No?
 56

JASON
It’s a little more complicated than that!
DARYL
Wow, look at you. You do admit--we had it a little tougher than you guys.
JASON
Uh, ever hear of the Holocaust? But hey, who gives a shit? It’s just Jews!
(Jason swigs his champagne again)
KANA
Sweetie, uhm, maybe put down the champagne glass for a while?
JASON
Huh? Oh, sure.
(Jason puts down his glass, picks up the Cristal and swigs from the
bottle)
KANA
Jason!
DARYL
Alright, B-FAM!
JASON
“You killed the son of God!” How do you ever escape that bullshit??
DARYL
You think blacks weren’t mass murdered? Tossed off slave ships into the
ocean?
JASON
The Inquisition, pogroms-
DARYL
Kidnapped? Worked to death? Lynched?
KANA
Yes, whip out your atrocities. Mine’s bigger than yours.
 57

DARYL
Mine is bigger than yours.
JASON
Oh, I think not, my friend.
KANA
You guys ever hear of Japanese internment camps?
DARYL
Japanese what?
KANA
Of course not. World War Two, this country. Japanese Americans rounded
up and caged.
DARYL
Seriously?
KANA
Yes!
DARYL
Why?
KANA (sarcastic)
Security. We could be spies.
DARYL
Oh, precautionary. I get that.
KANA
Do you? Funny, they didn’t round up the Germans. We were loyal
Americans.
JASON
I know about that. It was terrible.
KANA
Thank you.
 58

DARYL
But they didn’t kill you guys, right?
KANA
No, but-
DARYL
Anyway, no one was more screwed over than black people. No one! Chained
like dogs, families ripped apart? Jews didn’t have that.
JASON
They had worse! Then the survivors escape to a little sliver of land, and
now? Israel’s the worst country in the world! They hate us when we’re
weak, and they hate us when we’re strong. They hate the Jews! But am I
screaming bigotry?
DARYL
Kinda.
JASON
You don’t get it my friend. You are Israel.
DARYL
I’m Israel?
JASON
Taken crap all your life. Beaten, enslaved, murdered. You’re mad as hell,
and you’re not going to take it anymore!
KANA
You lifted that from Network.
JASON
So fucking what??
KANA
Jason--Profanity?? I’m the one who curses, not you.
DARYL (ponders)
I’m Israel.
 59

JASON
Isn’t that really why you really need to start Mass? You’re sick of people
pushing you around?
DARYL
Both of us. Am I right?
JASON
You’re right! Never again!
DARYL
Never again, B-FAM! Truth!
(They high five)
KANA
I can’t believe this.
(Jason takes a deep breath and gathers himself)
JASON
Sorry if I went over the top a little there.
DARYL
No. That was great.
JASON
Yeah?
(Daryl nods; Kana glares at him. Jason take a deep, cleansing breath)
JASON
So--anyone want more crabcakes?
DARYL
I’ll take a few.
KANA
I don’t think there are any more.
JASON
Would you take a look?
 60

KANA
Excuse me?
JASON
I’m sitting, you’re standing.
(Jason gestures toward the kitchen; Kana shakes her head in dismay
and exits)
DARYL (sarcastic)
How dare you?
(Jason shrugs and smiles; Daryl sips his champagne, finishes his glass and
lifts it)
Garcon?
JASON
Uhm, you have legs?
DARYL
You’re the host.
JASON
You’re the drunk.
(Daryl laughs and rises, punches Jason playfully in the arm and mumbles to
himself)
DARYL
I created a monster.
(As Daryl exits, Kana returns with the crabcakes)
KANA
Why don’t we save some for Aisha?
JASON
If she comes back.
KANA
Didn’t Daryl say she’ll be back?
 61

(Daryl reenters with his champagne)

DARYL
At least she didn’t go home. I tried Aisha’s cell again, she doesn’t answer.
JASON
Sorry.
(Daryl sips his champagne, he takes a listless bite of a crab cake, puts
it down, and stares vacantly)
DARYL
I’ve got to go out and look for her.
JASON
What?
KANA
Where?
DARYL
I don’t know. I can’t just sit here. I’m going nuts.
KANA
I’ll get your jacket.
DARYL (rises)
I’ll go like this. Wish me luck.
(Jason squeezes Daryl’s arm; he exits; Jason nibbles on the crabcakes)
KANA
You are not going into business with Daryl.
JASON
Really?
KANA
His behavior tonight was appalling. And you? You’re drunk.
JASON
And you singing a song with the n word? What was that?
 62

KANA
Trying to make a point.
(Jason shakes his head, exasperated)
I also drank too much. It wasn’t right. But he’s got quite the temper.
JASON
When you hit a nerve like that? Everyone does.
KANA
You don’t. Except when you drink. My God. Stop eating and drink some
water.
JASON
Yes ma’am.
(Jason grabs a bottle and downs it in one long gulp, as Kana studies him)
KANA
This is not good.
JASON
What?
KANA
Did you see the way Daryl talks to his wife?
JASON
That was wrong. But Daryl’s a good guy. And we work well together. Maybe
you’re uncomfortable with him because wears his heart on his sleeve.
KANA
Excuse me?
JASON
Sometimes I don’t know what you’re feeling.
(Kana affects a stereotypical Asian accent and bows)
KANA
Ah yes, very inscrutable.
 63

JASON
Come on! You never show all your cards.
KANA
Idiots show all their cards. Fine, would you like me to act more like Daryl?
(growls) Where’s my dinner? I’m starving!
JASON
No need. I can always tell by that crazed look in your eye.
KANA
Good! Seriously, you still want to go into business with this guy? You know I
love you, Jason. But really, if you were that stupid? There’s no way I could
stay with you.
(Jason stares at her, stunned)
What?
JASO
I don’t know. For a second, I thought you were serious.
KANA
Please. I know you’re not that stupid. I have total confidence you’ll make the
right decision.
JASON
Uh-huh... Well, I think this might be a good thing for us.
KANA
You’re kidding.
JASON
Especially when we start a family… You do still want that, don’t you?
KANA
We discussed this. In a couple of years.
JASON
You’re 36.
 64

KANA
Next month. Women have babies in their late 30s. It’s done all the time.
Successfully. I’ve run the numbers on it.
JASON
You don’t have to if you don’t want to.
KANA
No--really?
JASON
But you do have to be honest with me.
KANA
That Daryl is the worst fucking influence on you! Is that showing my
feelings? I told you the truth. We discussed it. Enough!
JASON
I’m not trying to give you a hard time.
KANA
Jason, you are not going into business with Daryl. Period.
Starting a new business is stressful enough, without working with a guy like
that. Why do you think these other guys turned him down? I’m just trying to
protect you.
JASON
I know. But I’ve got to figure this out for myself. So just give me a little
breathing space?
KANA
Fine…
JASON
Thank you.
KANA (softly)
But really--you trust him?
 65

JASON
Yes.
KANA
A guy who can’t control himself at 10 to 5 on a Friday before he gives
notice? Who can’t control himself with his wife? Who already broke an
agreement with you?
JASON
He controls himself with the advertisers. They love him.
KANA
Why? Those awful jokes?
JASON
That wasn’t his joke. But he tells it better. Daryl’s a great schmoozer, really
dynamic. The advertisers will follow him anywhere. I don’t know if I could
do this without Daryl. He’s a real alpha, you know?
KANA
Well, that isn’t you.
JASON
Excuse me?
KANA
I don’t mean that as an insult. You’re not that kind of guy. That’s why I love
you.
JASON
That’s why?
KANA
You know what I’m saying. I can count on you. If I get home from work 8,
8:30? You never complain, always have a home cooked meal waiting-
JASON
Hmm...
 66

KANA
That’s a good thing. I’m grateful to have you. A real man. Secure. Right?
What, now that bothers you?
JASON
It never bothered me, until people started making fun of me.
KANA
Who?
JASON
Daryl, a little.
KANA
There you go.
JASON
“Little Suzie Homemaker.” And you!
KANA
Me? When did I poke fun?
JASON
“Alpha male? You? Ha! That isn’t you!”
KANA
Ha? I didn’t say ha.
JASON
Pretty close.
KANA
Is that why you want to start you own business? To prove your manhood?
JASON
No! And I don’t like this conversation.
If I start Mass, it’s because I want to do it. I have a right to do it!
KANA
Now you sound just like Daryl.
 67

JASON
Well it’s me! I’m tired of having a boss.
KANA
And you think you’re going to be boss if you team up with Daryl? Okay Jase,
whatever you say.
JASON
Don’t patronize me.
KANA
I’m not.
JASON
Good!
KANA
Sweetie...this is the year I’ll be made Senior Manager. I feel it coming.
JASON
I’m happy for you.
KANA
I just can’t have any disruptions now.
JASON
Like me starting my own company? How would that affect you?
KANA
You’ll be working long hours. Thinking about it every minute. It would throw
everything out of whack.
JASON
So you can pursue your career dreams, but I can’t?
KANA
What dream? Going bankrupt? That’s the likely outcome. I see it every day.
Sorry.
(Jason shakes his head in frustration; Kana takes his hand)
 68

KANA
Come on. Richard likes you. You’ll move up there too, I guarantee it. I’m
going to be making a lot of money. What am I missing here?
JASON (glares)
Nothing.
KANA
You’re not looking at me funny?
JASON
No. I appreciate your input.
KANA
Now you’re patronizing me!
JASON
Give me a break!
KANA
My God, are we fighting? We never fight.
JASON
Looks that way. How do you like it?
KANA
Not much.
JASON
Me neither.
(They squint at each other, frustrated; Daryl enters)
DARYL
Forget it, I can’t find her. There’s a mob out there. I hope she’s okay.
KANA
I’m sure she’s fine.
 69

DARYL
How can you be sure?
KANA
Aisha can take care of herself.
DARYL (distraught)
I don’t know what to do. If she leaves me…
JASON
She’s not going to leave you.
(Kana stares skeptically at Jason over Daryl’s shoulder)
DARYL
She’s threatened it before. Aisha’s very sensitive.
KANA
Yep.
DARYL (choked up)
I don’t even know what I did.
(Kana starts to say something, but Jason holds up a restraining hand)
JASON
She’s just letting off steam.
KANA
She’s hurt.
JASON
She’ll be back.
DARYL (distraught)
You don’t know Aisha. I have the car keys, but she probably took an Uber or
something back to Jersey City. She’s home. I should probably go too.
(Daryl wipes his eyes; he takes out his cell and tries her again)
Dammit! Answer!
 70

(Daryl waits in vain, getting increasingly upset; We hear a phone ringing in

the hallway; Aisha enters. Daryl leaps up and hugs her, then steps back)
DARYL
Why’d you run out?
AISHA
You can’t talk to me like that.
DARYL
I was worried sick. Where were you? I went out searching. I had to fight my
way through that huge crowd.
AISHA
Yeah... You almost knocked over Reverend Al.
(Daryl appears confused; Aisha raises a fist)
No justice, no peace!
DARYL
Why didn’t you call out, or grab me?
AISHA
You were moving too fast. Anyway, it felt good.
(DARYL
Ignoring me?
AISHA
Demonstrating!
JASON
You’re glowing.
AISHA
Yeah? I feel it.
KANA
What happened to you out there?
 71

AISHA
I don’t know. Something. This is the kind of thing I always stay as far away
from as possible. One side thinking because the young man’s African-
American, he’s automatically guilty; the other thinking the opposite. It all
seems so hopeless. But tonight, being in that crowd, by sheer accident—it
just…did something to me.
(Aisha drifts toward the window, and peers out)
Look. They’re so passionate. Not violent—determined. I was moved!
DARYL
Preach, sister!
AISHA
These people aren’t waiting for the wheels of justice to grind__they’re going
to make them grind.
(Aisha starts to open the window, first turning to Kana)
It’s okay?
KANA
Sure.
(Aisha opens the window wide. The chant “No justice, no peace!”
rings out…)
AISHA
I always thought that was just an empty slogan, but now, I get it. No justice,
no peace. No business as usual! It hit something, shook me to my core. And
God, I feel...transformed.
JASON
Aisha, you’re an inspiration.
AISHA
Am I? Maybe. And now—
(Aisha wheels toward Daryl and points at him. Her smile vanishes)
 72

AISHA
I’ve got to talk to you.
DARYL (wary)
Huh? Okay…
(Aisha shuts the window, then stares at Jason and Kana)
JASON
Uhm…we’ll be inside.
(Jason gestures at Kana; they both exit)
DARYL
Wow, you were demonstrating. Good for you.
AISHA
Yep. Having my voice heard! And now you’re going to hear me, and you’re
going to listen, and not say a word, or we’re in big trouble. You got that?
(Daryl stares at her a moment)
DARYL
Yeah..
AISHA
How dare you call me an Oreo-
DARYL
I know Aisha, that was really wrong, and I-
AISHA (cuts him off)
Just listen! No talking! You think you’re only one who’s taken crap? I’ve had
guys hassle me, white, black and brown, grope me, expose themselves to
me, since I was 12. Mothers of all colors beating the hell out of their kids.
Right in front of me in the school hallway. Abuse is abuse!
(Daryl opens his mouth to speak, then thinks twice)
AISHA
You may speak.
 73

DARYL
So you’re saying I’m like them?
AISHA
You’re not like them. But you’re not the opposite of them either. You’re a
loving dad-
DARYL
Thank you.
AISHA
I know the crap you’ve been through in your life, and I’m truly sorry. But it
doesn’t mean you can mistreat me.
DARYL
Mistreat? Come on.
AISHA
When you mock me? It’s a horrible example for Isaiah. Sorry, I am not
raising our son in the kind of house I was raised in. He’s already parroting
you: “Dinner’s not ready yet? I’m hungry, woman!”
(Daryl chuckles; Aisha roars at him)
It’s not funny! Cut it out, or you get out!
(Daryl is stunned...We hear a phone ring briefly, from the other room)
DARYL
My God. I swear, I wasn’t even aware of it.
AISHA
I know. And now you are.
DARYL
I’m...I’m really sorry.
AISHA
You mean that?
DARYL
You don’t believe me?
 74

AISHA
When I see you walk the walk.
DARYL
You will. I swear. That Oreo remark, I don’t know where that stuff comes
from.
AISHA
Well, you’d better figure it out.
DARYL
Maybe it’s when I feel you’re not you’re not on my side, I just... go nuts.
AISHA
I’m always on your side. But you always see yourself as the victim, even
when you victimize me. Can I disagree with you—ever?
DARYL
Of course you can.
AISHA
Really? When you started your “honest conversation about race”, what did I
say?
DARYL
I don’t remember.
AISHA
That it would lead to trouble. Was I right?
DARYL
I’m not sure. Maybe. But you’ve got to have that conversation. How would
you handle it?
AISHA
I don’t know. Listen more, talk less? That’s what I tell my class. But then you
put me down, real fast. “Any Oreos in this house? Oh yeah, there’s one.”
DARYL
You’re right. I apologize.
 75

AISHA
I’m entitled to my own opinion. You can’t mock me that way! And when you
do it at home?—
(Aisha chokes up)
DARYL
I’ll stop-- I’m sorry! God, you’re such a good person.
AISHA
So are you, Daryl. Too good for that.
DARYL
No. You’re better than me. We both know it. Everyone does. I know I got
lucky with you. I love you. And I don’t want to lose you.
AISHA
I love you too. And I’m not better than you. But you’ve got some awful
habits that you’ve got to break. Because you’re breaking my heart.
(Daryl sees the pain in her eyes and tears up; he strokes her
hair and holds her tenderly)
DARYL
Aisha, If I ever act like that again, kill me. Okay?
AISHA
You got it.
DARYL
You can take Kana’s knife and stab me.
AISHA
What?
DARYL
Right, you missed that. Kana was going to stab me with a cake knife.
AISHA
God Daryl, I can’t leave you alone for a second.
 76

DARYL
You’re right. You can’t.
(They kiss...Jason enters)
JASON
Oh, sorry.
DARYL
No, it’s okay. She was out demonstrating. Can you believe it?
AISHA (pumps her fist)
Standing up, speaking out!
JASON (hopeful)
Felt good, right?
(Aisha eyes him sympathetically)
AISHA
Yes it did.
(Jason and Aisha smile at each other; Kana enters; sees Aisha)
KANA
She’s baa-ack! With a vengeance.
(Kana hugs her)
You hungry, sweetie?
AISHA
Not really, thanks. Going to freshen up.
(Kana nods; Aisha exits)
JASON (to Daryl)
How are you?
DARYL
Okay. Did I hear a phone ring?
(They answer simultaneously)
 77

JASON KANA
Kana’s mom. Wrong number.
DARYL
Your mother dialed the wrong number?
JASON
It was Richard.
DARYL
Again? What’d he want?
JASON
Nothing.
(off Daryl’s look)
I have to think about it.
DARYL
About what?
JASON
Let me think, then I’ll talk to you.
DARYL
Honest with each other-
JASON (cuts him off)
I know! Just give me time to think.
KANA
What’s there to think about? Just say it. Richard asked Jason if he wants to
be managing editor.
DARYL
Are you serious? What about Carl?
 78

JASON
He said Carl’s retiring in June. Then I’ll take over.
DARYL
No. This is a ploy!
JASON
I don’t think so.
DARYL
Shit! You’d hang me out to dry like that? I’ve already given notice!
JASON
I know. Look, I haven’t committed to anything, alright?
DARYL (to Kana)
Did you set this up?
KANA
God. No! And since Jason’s now going to be managing editor, he doesn’t
need to do this anymore. Right honey?
JASON
I’m still not in charge. Still taking orders.
DARYL
Exactly!
KANA
So am I. So is everybody! No need to disrupt our lives now. I’m sorry Daryl,
but perhaps you can be happy for your friend?
(Kana’s cell phone rings; she answers and steps off, but not before
Jason hears her muffled first words; agitated Daryl doesn’t)
KANA
I’m sorry, Detective Who?
(Kana looks furtively over her shoulder and quickly exits)
 79

DARYL
This is what Richard does. He knows I’m leaving, that you and I are close.
(looks toward the kitchen) And who knows what else he knows?
JASON
You really think he’s bullshitting me?
DARYL
Yes! And what if he’s not? You going to accept? What you said was right.
Still taking orders! All the stars are aligning, my friend. Guess who texted
me?
JASON
Richard?
DARYL (snorts)
Kevin Doyle at Nestle. He wants in.
JASON
Wants in where?-
DARYL
With us!
JASON
You told him about me?
DARYL
I told him I’m leaving. Didn’t tell him who I’m leaving with. Why?
JASON
‘Cos Kevin and I hate each other.
DARYL
No you don’t.
JASON
Yeah, we do!
DARYL
Kevin doesn’t hate you.
 80

JASON
Well, it’s not mutual. I don’t want to work with Kevin Doyle.
DARYL
With Nestle! Kevin’s going to bring a quarter million dollar account. You
hate that?
JASON
I don’t want to work with people I don’t like.
DARYL
Then you’re not going to work with anybody. There’s a bunch of assholes in
this business.
JASON
Not as big as Kevin.
DARYL
Look, I’ll take care of Kevin, you just write the stories, okay?
(Daryl pinches Jason’s cheek)
We’re going to be rich! And as we expand, we’ll add people, right?
JASON
Daryl-
DARYL
Scott Green’s a good writer. He okay with you?
JASON
I like Scott, but-
DARYL
And maybe Terry Baker for the sales staff.
JASON
Terry wants to go into business for himself. He doesn’t want to report to us.
DARYL
His loss.
 81

JASON
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, okay?
DARYL
I hear you. But you’ve got to dream big, right?
(Daryl opens his arms)
Visualize.
(he opens them wider) Visualize, my friend!
JASON
Visualize. Got it.
(Kana enters; she sees Daryl’s arms spread wide)
KANA
Catch a big fish, Daryl?
DARYL
Matter of fact-
JASON (to Kana)
Who called?
KANA
What? Oh, nothing worth talking about.
JASON
I heard you say “Detective Who?”
KANA
Did I?
JASON
Come on Kana.
KANA (off-handed)
He wanted to ask me a couple of questions.
JASON
About what?
 82

KANA (sighs)
How well I know Kim Lee. Did I ever see her act violently, stuff like that. Can
we talk about this later?
JASON
How’d he get this number?
KANA
We order from there, remember? I guess they’re calling everybody on her
list.
DARYL
Nah, I don’t buy it. Were you there?
KANA
When?
DARYL
When it happened. Were you there?
KANA
Where?
DARYL (frustrated)
In the store!
KANA
I was.. around. Saw the cops come in.
JASON
You didn’t tell me that.
DARYL
Were you in the store?
(Kana shakes her head, frustrated)
KANA
Right outside. Okay? So what?
 83

DARYL
During? Afterwards?
KANA
Before the cops came.
JASON
Before??
KANA
I heard a commotion. It was a little shocking, Jason. Sorry I don’t have all the
details at my fingertips.
DARYL
How long before the cops came?
KANA
What do you mean?
DARYL
Were you there? Inside??
KANA
I don’t know.
DARYL
You don’t know?
KANA
For a couple of minutes.
DARYL
Huh! What? Two? Five?
KANA (rattled)
I’m not sure if it was two, five, 30 seconds. I was in shock. Kim Lee’s
swinging that big red bat bashing this kid’s head in. I’m not counting the
fucking minutes!
 84

DARYL
Which red bat?
KANA
The one she hit him with. Duh!
DARYL
How do you know it was red? (to Jason) Did they mention that on the news?
JASON
No.
(Kana squirms)
The detective must have told you, right?
KANA
Right.
DARYL
Why would the detective mention? --Holy shit.
(he points at her)
She was the eyewitness!
JASON
What?
DARYL
Who didn’t want to be identified. Right Kana?
JASON
Is that true? Kana??
(Kana glares at Daryl; then sighs audibly)
JASON
Why didn’t you tell me?
KANA
I was ashamed.
 85

DARYL
What?
JASON
Why?
(Kana looks down, suddenly subdued and contrite)
KANA
Because...I could have stopped her.
JASON
No.
DARYL
Shit.
KANA (in a daze)
Kim Lee swings the bat, the kid hits the floor... But he’s still moving, crawling
to get away-
(Kana closes her eyes at the memory)
KANA
Kim Lee comes from behind the counter. Raises that bat over her head….
I should have screamed “Don’t! Stop it!” But I just froze…
I think I could have snapped her out of it.
DARYL
So why--the fuck--didn’t you?
(Kana looks him in the eye, then over at Jason...they wait
expectantly...She sobs)
KANA
I don’t know. Maybe because…’cause he looked just like the kid who shoved
me in front of that taxi.
DARYL
Are you fucking kidding me?
 86

KANA
No I’m not fucking kidding you!
JASON (to Daryl)
Stop!
(Kana cries; Jason comforts her; she looks over at Daryl; Aisha stands
at the entranceway, taking it all in)
KANA
I apologize.
DARYL
Why are you apologizing to me? You want to apologize, try Kevin Taylor’s
family.
JASON
You probably couldn’t have stopped her.
KANA
I should have tried…
DARYL
Damn right you should have tried!
JASON (glares at Daryl)
Stop! That’s enough!
KANA (choked up)
I can still see that kid’s eyes. Looking up at me, begging for help. And then
Kim Lee...raises that bat over her head again-
(Kana breaks down; Daryl shakes his head and stares at her, as Jason
comforts her….We hear the faint chants from the street; “No justice, no
peace.” Aisha steps into the room)
 87

AISHA
I’ve got to go home. Isaiah’s driving the babysitter nuts.
DARYL
I can’t now.
AISHA
I know. But I’ve got to leave.
(Daryl takes the car keys from his jacket pocket and hands them to
her)
DARYL
I’ll take an Uber.
(Aisha nods; she kisses Daryl lovingly. Jason and Kana watch silently…
Kana approaches to kiss her goodbye; Aisha isn’t very responsive)
KANA
Thanks for coming.
AISHA
Yeah…
(Kana pulls Aisha to the side)
KANA
I overheard you with Daryl before. Good for you.
AISHA
What does that mean?
- KANA
I know how you’ve suffered, what you’ve gone through. Believe me, I
understand.
AISHA
Do you?
(Daryl steps over to Aisha)
 88

DARYL
Are you okay?
KANA (to Aisha)
What’s going on, sweetie? What are you thinking?
AISHA
You don’t want to hear.
KANA
I absolutely do.
AISHA
Fine. Daryl, I know you meant well, but next time you bring up an honest
conversation about race—I suggest you bring along mirrors.
KANA
I know just what you mean.
AISHA
Do you? You’re all such victims.
KANA
Excuse me?
AISHA
“I’m a woman”, “I’m black”-
DARYL
Aisha-
AISHA
I’m Jewish. I’m gay. Believe me, I get it. It’s real. But now it’s everyone.
White Christians. The president of the United States! Everyone loves being
the victim. This country has 350 million victims, but no victimizers. Amazing!
DARYL
Honey, uhm… Where is this coming from?
AISHA
From you! From all of you!
 89

DARYL AND JASON (simultaneous)

No! Not me!
(Aisha turns to Kana)
AISHA
And you. You should have stopped Kim Lee. Or at least tried harder.
KANA
Is that what this is about? I do understand. You’re right. I froze. It triggered
horrible memories-
AISHA
I don’t want to hear about your childhood traumas. We’ve all had them,
okay? You put that self-indulgent crap aside, and you stop her, one way or
the other, period. Understand that?!
(Daryl speaks under his breath to Jason)
DARYL
I’ve never seen her like this.
AISHA
Well get used to it!
(Aisha strides over to the window and opens it wide; we hear the
chants, loud and clear. Aisha marches up to Jason and Kana)
AISHA
No justice, no peace!
(She swivels to Daryl and wags a finger in his face)
AISHA
No justice, no peace!
(Aisha grins, heads for the door, waves goodbye, and exits; A stunned,
uncomfortable silence)
JASON
Well, she looked happy.
(Daryl and Kana eye him, incredulous)
 90

DARYL
She’s had a tough day.
KANA
Right, that’s it. Victimizer? Me?
DARYL
Certainly not me.
- (Daryl sighs audibly, then turns to Jason)
DARYL
Anyway... How about those Knicks?
JASON
Looking a little better, right?
DARYL
Not really.
(Kana strides to the window and shuts it. The chanting subsides.)
DARYL
So... (sighs) where do we stand?
JASON
Us? Huh. I don’t know.
DARYL
Still? Then who does?
JASON
I’m thinking about it.
DARYL
There’s nothing to think about! Jason, I need this badly, and so do you. Keep
your eyes on the prize. Go with your gut, right?
JASON
I’ve got to go to the bathroom.
 91

DARYL
Now?
JASON
Sorry!
KANA
You said you’d call Richard back tonight.
JASON
I know! I’ve got to pee. Okay? That okay with both of you? I can’t stand this
anymore!
KANA
Sweetie, take a deep breath.
DARYL
Yeah, chill, B-FAM!
(Jason shakes his head in dismay and exits; Daryl eyes Kana; she
speaks to him softly)
KANA
You’re right--there’s nothing to think about. Jason’s staying with the
company.
DARYL
Didn’t take you long to recover, huh? No way in hell.
KANA
Why in God’s name would he leave now?
DARYL
Because he wants to. And because we have a deal.
KANA
You’re the one who jumped the gun.
DARYL
We came over to celebrate tonight.
 92

KANA
Things have changed since you got here.
DARYL
You think?
KANA
Listen, I make good money. Now Jason’s going to be managing editor and
get a nice raise. He’d be an idiot to leave now. And I don’t live with an idiot.
DARYL
It’s not the money. We want to be independent.
KANA
He’s being independent by staying. You have no idea about startups.
It affects everything. Your health, your home life-
DARYL
Your cook, your maid-
KANA
What’s that mean? Oh, nice.
DARYL
You’re going to have to adjust your life big time. And you hate that thought.
KANA
You know what I hate? Any chance of you working with my husband.
Because I don’t trust you as far as I can throw you.
DARYL
You don’t trust any black people.
KANA
Bullshit! I don’t trust you—comprende? I Aisha’s right--you’re a professional
victim. Me, her, the cops—you’re always the victim!
DARYL
Ha! She was talking about you!
 93

KANA
That female cop in Chicago. Before she handcuffed you—what did you really
say to her?
DARYL
Oh, fuck you!
KANA
Is that what you said?
DARYL
Wow. You’re unbelievable.
KANA
Uh-huh. I wonder what you would have done if you were in that store,
instead of me?
DARYL
Are you kidding? I would have stopped her! What do you think?
KANA
Swinging that big red bat over her head. You would have jumped right in
there, huh?
DARYL
Damn right! You know you never even said you’re sorry about Kevin Taylor.
KANA
What? Of course I did.
(Kana grabs the champagne bottle from the table and fills her glass)
DARYL
Just that maybe you could have stopped it. Maybe. But are you sorry he’s
dead? I mean, he did look like that kid who pushed you in front of the cab.
KANA
I admitted that. It was a traumatic experience. Sorry!
 94

(Kana quickly downs the champagne)

DARYL
Hmm…Are you really?
KANA
Jesus Christ! You know something? I’m not sorry. Maybe he would have
gotten up, grabbed the bat and killed Kim Lee. Would you have preferred
that? Yeah, I think you would.
DARYL
You are stone cold evil.
KANA
Right. And you’re a fucking saint.
Why in God’s name does Jason need a loser like you?
DARYL
I was going to ask you the same question. You lied to him. And you’re a God-
damned racist.
KANA
Ha--check the mirror! Here-
(She grabs a mirror from the shelf and puts it in front of him)
DARYL
Get that out of my face!
(Kana steps back and trips. The mirror shatters, cutting her hand)
KANA
Aagh! You cut me!
DARYL
What the hell? You trying to frame me? You fell down!
KANA
Because you scared me!
DARYL
Because you’re fucking drunk!
 95

(Daryl sees her bloody hand)

DARYL
God. You should put some pressure on that.
KANA
You’re right.
(Kana presses her hand against his white shirt, staining it with her blood)
DARYL
Son of a bitch!
KANA
Good call. It’s stopping already.
(Kana grabs a yellow dish towel and presses it against the wound;
Daryl mumbles under his breath)
DARYL
Fucking sicko. Lying bitch!
KANA
Lying bitch. Perfect! Keep going. You’re the God-damned liar!
(Jason stands at the doorway, stunned by the blood on both of them.
They are too wound up to notice)
DARYL
When did I ever lie to Jason?
KANA
You said you’d give notice on Monday.
DARYL
You’re comparing that to the pile of dog shit you pulled? Really??
JASON (incredulous)
What did you have, a knife fight?! What’s going on??
(They turn to him)
 96

KANA
We’re fine.
DARYL
No worries.
JASON
You’re both bloody!
KANA
It looks worse than it is. I just tripped. I’ve got it under control. It’s fine.
JASON (to Daryl)
Uh-huh. And what happened to you?
(Daryl looks down at his bloody shirt)
DARYL
Oh--that’s her blood.
JASON
Great. You are both really so fucked up!
KANA
Whatever. You said you were going to call Richard back. Have you?
JASON
Not yet!
KANA
It’s getting late. Are you planning to?
JASON
Yes.
(Daryl and Kana inch closer to Jason)
DARYL
When?
KANA
Yeah, when?
 97

JASON
When you both back the fuck off! Are you done??
DARYL & KANA
Yeah. Yes.
JASON
Good!
(Jason stares at them, both tattered and bloody, and shakes his head in
disbelief. He takes a deep breath, then stares into the distance; Jason takes
out his cell)
KANA
You’re calling him now?
DARYL
You’ve made your decision?
(Jason nods, and looks at Kana’s hand)
JASON
You sure you’re okay?
KANA
I’m fine! Make the fucking call!
(Jason starts to call; they inch closer to him again)
DARYL
Be a man. Your own man.
KANA
Yes Jason. Your own man.
(Jason glares at each of them, they back off; He puts the cell to his
ear…)
JASON
Terry?
KANA
Terry?
 98

DARYL
What the fuck?
JASON
Jason. Am I calling a bad time? Great. You still want to go into business with
me? Take that leap? Yeah? Well, you’re on! Very exciting. Talk Monday? You
got it, partner!
DARYL
You mother-fucker!
KANA
What the hell is wrong with you??
JASON
What are you upset about? I didn’t go with him.
KANA
You are totally clueless.
DARYL
Fuck you!
JASON
I’m sorry.
- DARYL
You’re sorry? Oh, no problem then! So the white guy winds up fine, and the
black guy gets fucked over. Gee, who would have thought?
JASON
Please. You think I picked Terry because he’s white?
DARYL
Yeah! No? Then why?
JASON
Because I realized the two of us going into business? Would have turned
into a nightmare. Trust me.
DARYL
Trust you?? Huh! I know why—because Terry’s a wimp.
 99

JASON
Whatever you think.
DARYL
What the fuck are you thinking?
JASON
Right now? Honestly? I’m thinking, maybe you should have been with Kana,
and I should have been with Aisha.
KANA
What??
DARYL
What the fuck does that mean?
JASON
I--I don’t know what I’m saying.
KANA
Nice try, Jason. My God!
DARYL
You’re supposed to be my damn friend. You fucked me over.
JASON
Hey, if you didn’t lose it with Richard Friday, you could have gone back.
DARYL
Fuck Richard! Be our own bosses! Remember? When exactly did you know
you were going to go with Terry?
JASON
Thirty seconds before I called him.
KANA
So you just impulsively called? You were supposed to call Richard.
JASON
Is that what I was supposed to do?
 100

KANA
Yes!
DARYL
And you even didn’t stop to think it over?
JASON
Once I knew, I knew. You told me to go by my gut? That’s what I did. And
everything was suddenly crystal clear.
DARYL
What’s crystal clear is you fucked over your friend.
JASON
Daryl, I really am sorry-
(Jason reaches out to him; Daryl knocks his hand away)
DARYL
Don’t touch me.
JASON
Look, I know this is going to sound weird, but you inspired me.
DARYL
I inspired you to fuck me over?
JASON
To be brave. You’re my role model.
DARYL
I’m your-- That might be the worst fucking thing anybody ever said about
me.
(Jason laughs; Daryl waves a warning finger in his face. Jason’s smile
vanishes)
JASON
Sorry. I’m just so damn sick of being pushed around.
DARYL
You think I push you around?
 101

JASON
No. You didn’t do anything wrong.
KANA
He’s talking about me.
JASON
I’m talking about me. Me! Not what’s best for you--or you! Me!
KANA
Hah! You know what’s suddenly “crystal clear?” How damn self-centered
you really are.
DARYL
You got it.
JASON
Yeah, okay. Whatever.
KANA
Whatever? You like living in my house?
JASON
What was that? Your house?
(Kana turns to Daryl)
KANA
Yeah, my house. Mine! You know I paid for this place in cash? Jason splits
the monthly bills, and that’s it. And that’s fine with me, because that’s the
kind of person I am.
DARYL
Huh! Why don’t you tell that story to somebody who gives a shit?
KANA
Why are you still here?
DARYL
Good question.
(Daryl strides toward the door; Jason calls out)
 102

JASON
Daryl—what are you going to do?
DARYL
None of your damn business.
JASON
Fair enough. You’re so damn talented. You’ll land on your feet. You know it.
DARYL
You think because I have talent it’s going to be easy? You’re so fucking
entitled, you don’t have a clue.
JASON
Excuse me?
DARYL
You’re going to be fine. We both know that. But I’m more talented than you.
Sorry!
JASON
Hey, I don’t disagree.
DARYL
So what do you think it is, Jason?
JASON (shrugs)
I don’t rock the boat?
DARYL
You don’t need to…
(Daryl grabs Jason’s shoulder and stares into his eyes; Jason looks confused)
JASON
I have no idea what you’re talking about.
DARYL
I know.
(With a tight, resigned smile, Daryl and lets him go)
 103

DARYL
Hell, maybe I’ll call Scott Green.
JASON
Yeah, why not?
DARYL
Damn straight. Great guy, great writer, with balls.
JASON
Mm-hmm.
DARYL
Scott always wanted to start his own shop.
(Daryl glares at Kana)
And he’d love to work with me. Love it.
KANA (dryly)
Oh, I’m sure.
DARYL
Hey-- I’m still a great salesman, with a great wife and a great kid, and fuck
you both!
(Daryl opens the door; he and Jason sadly lock eyes; Daryl shakes his
head, then slams the door behind him. Kana shudders at the sound;
then turns to Jason)
KANA
Why did you do this?
JASON
You know why. Can’t you just be supportive? I’m always supportive of you.
KANA
Like this move? This asinine decision? How can I respect you?
JASON
You should respect me more!
 104

KANA
Huh! You can still change your mind.
JASON
No thanks.
KANA
I just don’t get you.
JASON
Tell me about it.
KANA (holds up her hand)
Okay, enough!
(Kana suddenly dashes inside)
JASON
Kana? Kana, where’d you go? You really think I’m going to change my mind?
Do you know me at all? Kana, where are you? What are you doing?
(Pause; Kana comes storming back in, carrying a small duffle bag with
clothes and a shoe sticking out of it. She shoves it into Jason’s arms)
KANA
Here—I packed you an overnight. You can come back when I’m at work and
get the rest.
JASON
Are you serious?
KANA
Jason, I need a break.
JASON (stares at her)
Yeah... Maybe we both do.
(Kana runs over to the hor d’oeurve table, dumps something
into a Glad Bag and stuffs it into Jason’s overnight--)
KANA
And you can take your fucking little crabcakes with you!
 105

(Jason shakes his head, staring at her silently )

What?
JASON
You’re going to miss those crabcakes.
(Kana shrugs; her voice cracks)
KANA
We’ll see.
(Jason hugs her tight; she pats his arm. He notices her hand)
JASON
You’re hand’s still bleeding a little.
KANA
I’ll be fine.
JASON
I have no doubt.
(Kana stares at him silently; Jason grabs his overnight, and starts to
exit)
KANA
And don’t you fucking slam that door!
(Jason smiles grimly at her and gently closes the door behind him;
Kana stands alone, pressing a towel against her hand. She looks at it;
the bleeding seems to have stopped. She goes over to the table, and
picks up a crab cake. Kana puts it into her mouth, swallows it and
smiles tightly. A sudden BANG on the door.)
Who’s that?
COP (o.s.)
Police!
KANA
I didn’t call the police.
 106

COP (o.s.)
A neighbor reported screaming: “You scared me. Get away—you cut me!”
Was that you, ma’am?
KANA
What? Yes, but-
COP (o.s.)
Please open the door? Now.
(Kana does, and gasps)
KANA
Oh my God. Why is he handcuffed?
2Nd COP (o.s.)
He was belligerent! He had blood on his shirt, and admitted he was coming
from your apartment.
KANA
He was a guest!
COP (o.s.)
Did he cut you?
KANA
No! I just fell, and broke a mirror. I’m okay—see? It stopped.
(Kana sticks her arm out the door)
2ND COP (o.s.)
Mm-hmm. Are you afraid to say anything because he’s standing here?
KANA
Jesus—no! His name is Daryl. He’s a friend. He didn’t do this!
COP (o.s.)
You’re positive about that?
KANA
Yes! I touched his shirt. Daryl did not cut me! Could you please remove his
handcuffs now? Please??
 107

(Pause; we hear a slight jangling sound. Daryl takes one step into the
apartment, rubbing his wrists)
COP (o.s.)
I’m sure you can understand our concern.
(Daryl turns and glares at them)
2ND COP (o.s.)
Good night.
(Sound of footsteps leaving, elevator door opening and shutting.
Daryl’s face is a frozen mask. Kana throws her arms around him)
KANA
I’m sorry. I didn’t… I’m really sorry!
(Daryl steps back, gently touches Kana’s cheek, and exits. Kana closes the
door behind him, a pained expression on her face…)
The lights fade; darkness…
After a few moments, lights come up again on the now spotless apartment.
The doorbell rings; Jason and Kana kiss, then open the door. Daryl, in a clean
white shirt and sportscoat, and Aisha, pretty and demure, enter.)
JASON
Partner!
DARYL
B-FAM!
(Aisha hands Kana a bouquet of flowers; she kisses Aisha)
KANA
B-FAM?
AISHA
Brother from another mother.
KANA
Oh God.
 108

DARYL
Kana, you look incredible as usual. And I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more
beautifully decorated apartment.
KANA
Let me guess. Sales guy?
(Daryl laughs and hugs her)
JASON
Hey Aisha.
(Jason hugs Aisha; Kana takes their coats)
KANA
How’s Isaiah doing?
AISHA
With his new babysitter. Hope he doesn’t drive her crazy.
(Kana laughs; Daryl smiles at Jason)
DARYL
An evening to remember.
JASON
I’ve lived for this day.
(Daryl and Jason embrace; we hear a faint chant coming from outside
the window: “No justice, no peace.” All four turn toward the sound;
their smiles fade…)
BLACKOUT.
End of play.

c. Mike Vogel
vogelmike6@gmail.com
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