I’M WITH MAURICIO

By Danniel Berlfein

*INTAR’s New Works Festival 2005, New York City.

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Cast of Characters:

DAMIAN: Male in his 20’s/40’s.

ALEX: Male in his 20’s/40’s.

RENE: Female in her 20’s/30’s.

SCENE# 1

SETTING: Unconventional living area split into three equal parts. These parts are separated from each other by two long thin lines (rods or barriers) placed on the floor. These lines are aligned parallel to most of the audience from one side of the stage to the other (look at graphic). The eye of most audience members should cut these lines perpendicularly. DAMIAN is in the upstage area, ALEX is in the center stage area and RENE is in the downstage area. There is a chair in each area. DAMIAN also has a regular size plastic dog, a volleyball ball and a small lap size blackboard with chalk. The chairs stay in each area unless otherwise indicated for a scene.

AT RISE: ALEX and DAMIAN are sitting in their respective chairs. Rene is absent in this scene.

ALEXThere you are, wanted to talk to you about something pal.

DAMIANNice, what about?

ALEXSame things.

DAMIAN(Echoing what Alex just said). Same things.

(Pause)Where’s Rene?

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ALEXBusy. She had a meeting or something.

DAMIANA meeting? What for?

ALEXTo exchange ideas.

DAMIAN(Echoing what Alex just said) Exchange ideas.

(Beat)

ALEXYes, exchange, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Exchange, change and movement are crucial in this land. When I was just starting out, I didn’t know what I wanted, but I knew I wanted something,

(Beat)so…I changed my mentality, my image, and my look. I handed out surveys to find out what my customers’ opinions and suggestions were. I did telemarketing. The incoming phone calls were recorded and monitored for quality assurance. People began trusting me, believing in me. I took leadership seminars. I grew; my business grew; everybody grew.

DAMIANThat’s interesting stuff.

ALEXWhat?

DAMIANWhat you just did and said. Do it again, please.

ALEXSure, pal, anything you don’t understand, ask. I’ll go over it for you again.

(This time, while ALEX is speaking, DAMIAN moves to the rhythm of ALEX’s words. He also does different “work out” exercises. They are both synchronized without even realizing it. We see how DAMIAN enjoys it)

So… I changed my mentality, my image, and my look. I handed out surveys to find out what my customers’ opinions and suggestions were. I did telemarketing. The incoming phone calls were recorded and monitored for quality assurance. People began trusting me, believing in me. I took leadership seminars. I grew; my business grew; everybody grew. Got it now? In this place you gotta keep busy. You gotta set up goals for yourself, reach them, set up more goals and reach

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them again until you run out of goals, whatever it takes. So I’m looking into expanding my business even more. Diversification is the word. Never put all your eggs in one basket.

DAMIANI really liked the rhythm of it.

ALEXWhat rhythm?…Anyway.

(Beat)Let’s practice now.

DAMIANPractice what?

ALEX I told you the other day, didn’t I?

DAMIANYou tell me things all the time…

ALEXYou gotta be active, pal, proactive.

DAMIANI move around; you saw me.

ALEXNot that way, pal. You need to set goals for yourself.

(Beat)You need a project or something. Come on, let’s practice. Pretend you are in a “networking party.”

DAMIANA networking party?

ALEXAsk me what my business is.Ask me what my business is!Ask me what my business is!!

DAMIAN Hey sir, what’s your business?

ALEX I got a juice bar.

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(Beat)What about you?

DAMIAN Me?

(Beat)No, I don’t. I don’t have a juice bar.

ALEXSee? I told you, you need a project.

(Beat)Anyway, that was a good start.

DAMIANYeah, it was nice.

(BLACKOUT)

SCENE # 2

SETTING: Same setting as in previous scene.

AT RISE: Neither ALEX nor RENE are present in the beginning of this scene. DAMIAN is alone on the stage with his plastic dog, MAURICIO. DAMIAN is playing with it. This sequence of “dog tricks” could be done in pantomime style, with music in the background. The audience shouldn’t understand exactly what DAMIAN is doing with the dog, so it comes as a surprise later on (on page 21/22) in the play. The dog is seen at times. DAMIAN is speaking to the dog. He tells the dog things such as: “Mauricio stay still, make tamer Damian run in circles around you, etc.” Alex enters; he is changing his tie/shirt, and then begins combing his hair. ALEX is about to go to one of his networking parties. ALEX glances at DAMIAN and the dog. When DAMIAN finishes playing with it, ALEX applauds.

ALEXBravo, Bravo!

DAMIANI didn’t know you were watching.

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ALEXI was, pal, kind of. I didn’t know you had a circus act…

DAMIANIt’s not a circus act.

ALEXSo what is it?

(Beat)

DAMIANIt’s... nothing … I do it for the sake of doing it… for the fun of it. Hey Alex, why don’t we have another one of those networking parties? It was entertaining.

ALEXActually, I was about to go to one now. Want to come?

(Beat)

DAMIANYou think so?

ALEXYou can come, as long as you have a project.

DAMIANHow about having a networking party here, like the one we had the other day.

ALEXSo you don’t have a project, huh?

DAMIANNot really.

ALEXWhy don’t you do the dog act at the Networking party? Somebody might hire you for something.

(Beat)

DAMIAN… I just like to do it here, in the house.

ALEXYour life, pal.

DAMIAN

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Right, my life. (Beat)

Do you really think I should do it at a networking party?

ALEXI’ve just told you, pal.

(Pause. Both looking at each other in silence)Since you are not doing anything, I’ll have to do something myself.

(ALEX grabs the line that separates them, and moves it towards DAMIAN. Therefore, DAMIAN’s space becomes smaller. Now, ALEX has the largest area, RENE’s area stays the same, and DAMIAN’s becomes the smallest)

So long. (ALEX exits)

DAMIAN(Talking to himself)

A project huh?

(BLACKOUT)

SCENE # 3

SETTING: The stage looks the same way it looked in the last scene. ALEX has the biggest space, and DAMIAN, the smallest.

AT RISE: ALEX is talking with RENE. DAMIAN is in his area playing with a ball. He is also playing with his dog. Whatever DAMIAN does, he keeps it to himself.

ALEXSo how do you like the renovations?

(Pointing at his space). See? I’m expanding.

RENEIt looks fine.

ALEX

Is that all?

RENE Very fine.

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(Beat)What else could I say?

(Beat)There is more to life than renovations.

ALEXHow would you like having a bigger place, a better one, would you like that?

RENEMe?

ALEXOf course you, darling. You want to improve, don’t you?

RENEI need no improvements in my life.

(Beat)I prefer the word progress. My people and I will progress one day. We deserve more than what we have.

ALEXYour people? What people? Where are they?

(Beat)RENE

They know. They are with me, within me. They are me. That’s what I think. It’s all about my peoples’ interest. Their cause is my cause.

ALEXYeah “progress” is a nice word. I like it too.

(Beat)There are always opportunities for progress. It’s about achieving. It’s about hard work, but it’s also about comfort and pleasure. Soon I’ll move to an island, and I’ll spend my last years there. What do you think about that?

RENEWhen are you leaving?

ALEXSlow down, sweetheart. I’m not going anywhere yet. In twenty years from now, when I retire, I’ll move to this island I found on a map.

RENEAn island? To do what?

ALEXI’ll …fish and… paint, fish and paint, fish and then... paint some more. That’s what I’ll do.

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RENEDidn’t know you liked fishing.

ALEXYes, that’s what people do there, don’t they?

RENEDidn’t know you were an artist either.

ALEXI’m not, but I’ll be one, one day. It’s a long-term goal, sweetheart.The goal sets the opportunity, then you lay out the project, concretize the project, and bingo! Goal achieved. (Beat)Right now I’m still on the beginning steps, making the money, the connections. I’ll get there, not to worry…

(Beat) You could benefit from it too.

RENEBenefits, yes, I’m interested in benefits, my people deserve them.

ALEXThat’s what’s nice about well thought out projects. Everybody can benefit from them.

(Beat)

RENEWhere are the benefits, may I ask?

ALEX Well …I could use your help, and you can benefit from it.

(Beat)Here’s the deal. Since I’m always on the run, I want you to take care of the place while I’m out doing stuff?

RENEWell… I’m busy too.

(Beat)Take care of what? I still don’t see the benefits.

ALEX

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Well, in exchange for taking care of the whole place, my things and the chores, you’ll get benefits. Plus, twenty years from now, when I’m at that island, you’ll have the place. How about that?

RENEI have a question.

(Beat)Who are your people?

(Beat)

ALEXI’m not sure about that one, sweetheart.

(While ALEX says this, he’s getting closer and closer to the line that separates him from RENE)

If I look back… I don’t know… maybe we come from the same people. Who knows?

RENEWho knows?

(Beat)So you don’t know.

ALEXWell…

(Interrupting ALEX)

RENE…Let’s better stay apart for now, until you find out.

ALEXOf course, that works for me. I like it that way, never thought otherwise.

RENEI’ll take care of things.

ALEXYes, take care of things from your side.

RENEMy side.

ALEXGood, I knew we would be able to do business together.

(Beat)Plus you’ll get the benefits and the incentives…

RENEYes, I’ll like to see them.

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ALEXCertainly.

(Beat-ALEX is about to move DAMIAN’s line further, which would mean that DAMIAN’s space is reduced even more)

RENENo!

ALEXYes?

RENE Hold on!

ALEXYes?

(Alex refrains from moving the line. BLACKOUT)

SCENE# 4

SETTING: This scene is done in blackout. Sounds of a rally and parade music are heard. We also hear Rene’s speech, and sounds of a crowd supporting her in the background.

RENE (at Parade) People, my people, thank you for coming to our “Cultural Pride Day Parade and Rally”. Once and for all it’s time to progress. We need better living conditions.

CROWDYeah!

RENERepeat after me “I love my flag, I hate the rest. I sing the anthem, of all the best.”

(Sound of the crowd).Say it with me again “I love my toes, like no one does, you love your nose because it’s yours. We’ve gotta be free. Sing the anthem, jut you and me”

(Sound of crowd. Sound off).

SCENE # 5

NOTE: In this scene, and on page 13 there are several references to the game of Newcomb. This game is a pre-sport similar to volleyball, played in parts of South America and other parts

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of the world. It’s mostly played in schools and youth organization as a pre- volleyball. Newcomb is easier to play than volleyball. The court and the amount of players per team are the same as in volleyball. The difference between the two games lies in the fact that in volleyball, players don’t grab the ball, they have to hit it gently to a teammate or over the net towards the other team’s side. In Newcomb, players are supposed to catch and toss the ball instead.

SETTING: Stage looks the same way it looked on last scene.

AT RISE: DAMIAN and RENE just got back from the Parade. ALEX is not present at the beginning of this scene.

RENEWhere were you, Damian? I was looking for you all over the rally.

DAMIANI was there.

(Beat)Now I’m here.

RENEI looked through the parade people, but you were nowhere to be found.

DAMIANI’m not a parade person, but I enjoyed watching it. I was on the side.

RENEYou weren’t supposed to be watching the parade; you were supposed to be in it, working with me.

(Beat)What am I going to do with you, Damian? I told you to give out flyers. Don’t you remember?

DAMIANAll those people there, and you speaking to them. It all looked really good. I’m so impressed.

(Beat)

RENEWhy are you failing me? At times I think: yes, Damian is one of us. But then, you see? I’m not sure whether you are or not. I’m sorry.

(Beat)Come on, Damian, you’ve still gotta show me you got what it takes.

DAMIAN

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It takes?

RENEYeah, to be in the front lines, with the people that are my people.

DAMIANWhat?

RENEDamian, I’d like to help you, but you gotta push too. You’ve got to take action. Otherwise, you’ll always be stuck in the same place. There is no progress without change.

DAMIANYeah, Alex was talking about that too, and you know what? I decided to go out and get a job. I’m serious Rene. I got a job, a real one. I have a new life now, a new way of behaving, something to talk about here or at the networking parties.

RENENetworking parties…Please… Listen, we have to do something before it’s too late. We gotta report him Damian. Look at how we live, our spaces. Look at what he’s doing to us. Are you with me?

DAMIANYes, but he was right about the project and the job thing. Now that I got a job, I have a life. It keeps me busy.

RENE We need to stick together. I need a witness to report Alex. You are my witness.

DAMIANI’ve got this job. I’m a coach now. I know how to coach. I’m not kidding. I know this game. It’s called Newcomb; I used to play it in school. I was good at it.

RENEReally

(DAMIAN Demonstrates with mini blackboard. By now, DAMIAN feels his team is present and listening to him. He speaks as a coach talking to his team in the locker-room)

DAMIANListen team, you’ve got to catch the ball and then toss it, catch and toss, catch and toss, catch and toss. Once you have the ball in your hands, throw it over to the other side, and after you throw it over to the other side, you will eventually…

RENE

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Eventually… what? Come on, you can do it. (DAMIAN tries to speak, but he stays quiet instead)

You see? You always miss the meat of it. What side eventually wins Damian? What side wins?(ALEX walks in)

ALEXNo use, he’s never going to get it.

(Alex leaves. DAMIAN continues talking as if he was talking to his team. He is picking up speed. While talking, he is drawing tactics on his board. However, it’s hard to tell from his drawings, what team or side he’s coaching. At times he coaches one team, and at other times he coaches the other team)

DAMIAN(To an imaginary player)

Pass the ball to the other player. Come on, play off each other, it’s a team, a team. That’s the beauty of the game, bingo, you did it!

(RENE celebrates with him)You see? I know what I’m doing.

(Beat. Calming down)I don’t know the formula to succeed; I just know how to play. But they wanted miracles. They wanted my team to always beat the opponent. The team manager told me, “I want to see results.” I tried, I really did. But it didn’t work. I said. “Hold on, fate is not in my hands. That’s the beauty of the game.” I told him, “sit down and watch, enjoy. The team is playing well. They are improving.” But we didn’t make it to the play offs. We tied a lot. What’s wrong with a tie?

So he said “I’m going to let you go, Coach Damian.” So I’m no longer a coach.(Beat)

RENEIt has to be something you believe in, Damian, a cause not a coaching job. That’s why I wanted to get you involved with our parade. You missed your opportunity. I’m sorry, Damian…I tried. I did all I could.

(ALEX comes in, and moves the line. DAMIAN’s space shrinks)Never give up, Damian.

DAMIANYeah.

RENEI hope we can still do something together.

DAMIANWhat do you mean?

RENEI mean… to pull in the same direction, right? I’ll tell you later.

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(BLACKOUT)

SCENE # 6

SETTING: Now DAMIAN’S space is significantly reduced. ALEX and RENE have most of the space. ALEX still has the largest space of all; nevertheless, RENE’s space is becoming larger and larger, and there is no longer a big difference between ALEX’s space and her space.

AT RISE: ALEX and RENE are talking. DAMIAN is drawing random shapes on his blackboard.

RENE

Alex, I came to a final decision, I ought to live in a better place.

ALEXYou’re getting there.

RENENo I’m not.

ALEXThe rent is low.

RENEI’m not talking about the rent.

ALEXOkay, I’ve got it, sweetheart.

(ALEX grabs the line that separates him from DAMIAN and moves it so ALEX’s space becomes bigger and, therefore he's able to give more space to RENE. Therefore, DAMIAN’s area becomes very small. DAMIAN can barely move in his space without falling onto ALEX‘s side. He still manages to move around. He walks about as if he were walking on a tight rope, watching not to fall onto the other side.)

ALEXHappy now?

RENE

(Looking at DAMIAN, then back to ALEX)

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I worked hard for it.

ALEXNo question about it.

RENEI deserve more.

(Beat)

ALEXYou’re going too far darling; I can’t move it anymore. The poor guy is going to disappear.

(Pause, they take a moment to look at each other)

DAMIANYes I am.

RENE (To ALEX)

Since when do you care?

ALEXSoon, he’ll have to move in with one of us. Do you want that to happen?

(Beat)This whole thing is getting out of hand.

DAMIANYes, it’s getting out of hand.

ALEXYou shut up!

RENEHe doesn’t have to shut up.

DAMIANYeah, I don’t have to shut up.

ALEXDoesn’t he?

RENEI don’t think so.

(Beat)

DAMIAN(To both of them)

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Do I have to shut up or don’t I have to…?

ALEXWho is the supervisor here?

RENEDon’t know, who?

DAMIANWho?

ALEXI need to talk with a supervisor. I have a complaint.

RENEThere is no supervisor here.

ALEX Nobody to talk to?

DAMIANSupervisors are the only ones you can talk to.

(Beat)

RENEI could be a supervisor, as long as if it’s for a good cause.

ALEXWho runs the place?

RENEDon’t know, who?

DAMIANWho?

ALEX(To RENE)

You or me?

RENEIt’s a home. Nobody runs homes.

(Beat) But I’ll run it.

ALEX

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Impossible. You’re getting me all confused here. I don’t know who is who, and where is where?(Beat)

DAMIANHey, how about changing this system?

RENEWhat system?

DAMIANThe game. Let’s play something different, this doesn’t seem to be working anymore, it’s getting all muddy.

ALEX No! I’ll handle it.

RENEWill you?

ALEXWhere were we?

RENEI need more space.

ALEXThat’s right, you need more spac…well don’t you think you have enough already?

RENEYou either give me more, or I’ll…

ALEXWhat are you going to do darling?

RENEI’ll scream. I’ll… no longer take care of the house, plus I’ll report you. Yes, I’ll sue you. How about that? Say goodbye to your tropical island dream.

ALEXNo problem. I’ll find someone else to take care of the house.

(Looking at DAMIAN. Goes up to the line that separates them, he is about to give him more space)

RENEDon’t bother. I talked it out with Damian already. We are together on this one. Aren’t we, Damian?

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(Looks at DAMIAN)

DAMIAN We could… But we are not. I mean…why report him now Rene? It can’t get worse than this.

ALEXOnly better, pal, only better.

(ALEX moves the line while he is uttering these words. DAMIAN gains space, and RENE loses some, not much though.)

I knew you were with me, pal.

DAMIAN(To ALEX)

I could be with you, but I’m not.

ALEXWait a second pal…

DAMIANWhy take sides?

RENEWe come from the same origin, Damian… the same people.

DAMIANWhat people are you talking about? You know who my people are? Mauricio! He is my people. Yes, Mauricio.

ALEX(To RENE)

What is he saying?DAMIAN

(To ALEX and RENE)Your game is a mad game. Yeah, networking parties, parades, rallies. I tried it all, but I couldn’t do it.

(To Rene, Alex and the world)Your people, my people…come on you two…

(Laughs)Yes, they dress like you, eat like you, same juice bar, same parades, same region, and same flag. But what good is it to be your people if they don’t want me to do what I want to do. Mauricio is my people. He is easy-going.

(As DAMIAN says this, he plays with MAURICIO. He places it on his side, then on ALEX’s side, and then on RENE’s)

He can be here or there, your side or mine.(Keeps playing putting MAURICIO in different positions.)

I walk him with the leash on; he walks me with the leash on. He is a dog, a man, a woman, a child. He belongs to me, but also to others and to himself. He’s in charge; I’m in charge. He

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wins. I win, we both win and sometimes it’s a tie. He doesn’t care about sides. We come from the same region because he is whoever I want him to be.

RENELet’s face it Damian, plastic dogs don’t do anything, that’s why you like it.

DAMIANWrong.

Mauricio, force tamer-Damian to trot in circles around you.(DAMIAN runs in circles around Mauricio. While trotting, DAMIAN calls out)

Mauricio, make your tamer stop.(DAMIAN keeps trotting a little longer, and then he stops)

Now make tamer-Damian laugh.(DAMIAN laughs)

Make him stop.(DAMIAN stops laughing. To RENE)

See? I do things for him; he does things for me. We take turns. He’s boss. I’m boss. There is no boss.

ALEX Of course it ’ll. do what you want it to do. You control it, pal. It’s a plastic dog.

DAMIANNot true. I don’t control it.

(To MAURICIO)Mauricio, rollover!

(Pause. MAURICIO stays still)Told you. He is independent. I’m like Mauricio. No lines, no sides. I have more in common with him than with you. We go by the same rules. By the way, if anybody wants him for a while you can have him. I don’t mind, he doesn’t mind either. We are always together, no matter what. We are the same people.

(As DAMIAN says this, he plays with MAURICIO. He places him on his side, then on ALEX’s side, and then on RENE’s, then he brings it back with him)

See? Told you. Makes no fuss; he’s easy-going.We are buddies. We are the same thing. I can read his mind if I want. How about playing something now?

RENEWhat?

DAMIANA game you probably know.

ALEX

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What is he saying now?

DAMIANThis game is like your cause, your project, whatever you want it to be.

ALEXHold on young fellow.

DAMIANShut up, would you! Wow, I didn’t expect that to happen. Shut up, would you! Who me? Yes, you. Shut up, would you? Do I sound good? I like it. Can I continue?

ALEXWell…

DAMIANShut up, would you!

(ALEX and RENE are puzzled)

RENEWhat are you trying to do?

DAMIANWell…there is no supervisor; somebody has to do something.

(DAMIAN grabs the ball.)Let’s play Newcomb now.

RENENewcomb?

ALEXNo, I’m out of this one, pal.

DAMIANHow come? Don’t you want to think about it first?

ALEXNothing to think about.

DAMIANAre you sure?

ALEXPositive, pal.

DAMIANFine. So how do we report him, Rene?

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RENEIt’s our chance. Let’s sue him now!

ALEXFine, how do you play the damn game?

DAMIANLet me explain. Whoever wins at Newcomb decides what to do with the other people, all right?

(To RENE) If you win Rene, and you want to sue him, you go ahead and sue him.

(To ALEX) And if you win Alex, and you want to sweep her away, you go ahead and do that.

RENEAnd what’s going to happen with you?

DAMIANNo, I’m a coach, don’t you remember? I’m the coach.

(Does coach-like movements and sounds)

ALEXSo let’s say I win, “coach”, what do I do with you?

DAMIANI’ll go by the winner’s wishes. Any more questions?

ALEXYeah, you’ve been acting a bit different lately. What is it all about?

DAMIANNext question.

(Moving his arms and pointing in many directions as if this was a press conference with many reporters asking him questions)

Any more questions?(Silence)

I can’t answer that. Next! Next! Any more questions? Wow, that was good. I like it. Can I continue?

RENEWell…

DAMIANShut up, would you!

(ALEX and RENE don’t understand.)

RENE

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What now?

ALEXYeah, what’s the big idea now?

DAMIANFocus you two! You’ll play now.

(DAMIAN’s voice gets louder as he speaks)It’s the type of game you like, because you play from your spots. You stay apart without mixing with one another, living your own lives, own projects, food and flags, just as you like it. The rules are don’t let the ball fall in your court. If the ball falls in your court more than three times, you lose.

ALEX and RENEOuch!

DAMIANIf you lose, you have to give up your space.

ALEX and RENEOuch!

DAMIANWhoever wins takes over the entire place; therefore, the lines will have to disappear.

ALEXOuch! Hold on.

RENE(To ALEX)

What, scared?

ALEXI have more to lose than you do, sweetheart; that’s all.

RENEYou’ll lose your sweetheart, sweetheart?

ALEXI have the kiddo though, the kiddo.

RENELet me ask about that.

(To DAMIAN)Coach, what does the winner do with the loser?

DAMIAN

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Whatever you wish. The loser could become your friend, associate, toy or prisoner. Whoever wins, rules. Ready? On your marks. Play!

(One throws the ball over to the other’s side. DAMIAN runs from one side to the other to coach each player / team separately. He coaches them as they play. Players realize that DAMIAN is crossing the line. They stop playing)

RENEHold on, you are crossing the line.

ALEXYeah, you’re not supposed to.

DAMIANDon’t talk to me like that, you two. I’m the coach, don’t you remember?

(Beat. They keep playing for a while. Neither of them drops the ball more than once or twice)

DAMIANStop!

(The game is stopped)We’ll have to try something else.

(DAMIAN leaves and comes back with MAURICIO in his hands.)

ALEXBut who is in charge now?

DAMIANI’m still the interim supervisor and coach.

DAMIAN(He places MAURICIO down stage facing the audience)

But… Mauricio will be leading the next game. (Beat. DAMIAN gets rid of the ball)

Let’s start.(Beat)

Mauricio wants you on your marks. (ALEX and RENE get prepared)

He wants you to jump in your place now. Go!(ALEX and RENE start jumping reluctantly)(They stop)

He wants you to show him you are having a good time. (They laugh)

He wants me to join you in this game.

ALEXI don’t think it’s ...

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DAMIANOn your marks. Do what I do.

(What follows is a sequence in which DAMIAN, RENE and ALEX play and explore the space. The main event that will take place during this sequence of exploration is the elimination of the lines/ barriers that separate them. The order of the following actions should be respected. However, actors should find the style that better suits them. What follows is a suggestion. DAMIAN starts doing his favorite movements and sounds. ALEX and RENE follow DAMIAN. They continue following the leader but at some point someone else becomes leader. After a short while another change takes place, the character that hasn’t been leader becomes one; thus, they all had a chance to be both a leader and follower. Characters push away the lines and move to the areas on which they never had a chance to be in. Since they are able to move beyond lines, they celebrate their freedom. They continue doing different movements and sounds, these are unsynchronized movements. As the characters cross the lines and step onto each other’s spaces, they pretend to be the other-two- characters. From this moment on, they begin to get closer to each other, and they start making eye contact. There is a togetherness that they never had experienced before. They are open and very receptive with one another. The more they sing and move together, the more they become “one”, as if they were an ensemble. Although DAMIAN ALEX and RENE at times imitate each other, play games, and mingle, they all keep their personalities and styles. After a period of time, ALEX begins to feel threatened. He mumbles showing a slight uneasiness until he finds the right words to ask a question)

ALEXWho is who, fellows?

RENE & DAMIAN

Who is who, fellows?

DAMIAN(To ALEX gentle) Keep playing.

RENE(To ALEX) Yeah, come on, keep playing.

DAMIAN(To ALEX) Yes, enjoy, relax, just do it.

RENECome on ALEX, we are having a good time.

(ALEX breaks out of the game)

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ALEXKnow what?

DAMIAN & RENEKnow what?

ALEXI have something to say.

(Beat)How about changing the system?

DAMIANNo, things are good this way. I like it this way.

(ALEX moves to Damian’s spot)RENE

(To ALEX) We are here, why are you staying over there?

ALEXWell, things are getting a bit muddy, don’t you think?

DAMIANWhat?

ALEXI’m Damian, the coach. Catch and toss, catch and toss.

(ALEX repeats this speech a few times)

DAMIANNo, you have to do it here with us, all together, that’s how it goes now.

ALEXI’m Damian, the coach. Catch and toss, catch and toss

(Repeats speech. RENE joins in)

RENECatch and toss, catch and toss. Catch and toss, catch and toss.

DAMIANYou are doing it all wrong.

RENELet him speak.

DAMIAN

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No, he’s getting it all wrong. I can’t let him speak.

ALEXIt’s getting a little late. I thought it would be good to stop and go to our places.

RENEThat doesn’t sound like Damian.

DAMIANHe doesn’t know what he is talking about.

(ALEX gets closer to MAURICIO. Listens to MAURICIO as if Mauricio was whispering into his ear)

ALEXMauricio just told me, he wants you back in your places.

DAMIANCheating! That’s cheating! No way! Mauricio wouldn’t say that.

(RENE picks Mauricio up and does the same thing, ALEX did with it)

RENEHe also said that he wants everybody to come to my next rally.

DAMIANNo. I’m the only one that listens to Mauricio, the only one who talks to him. He is with me, and I’m with him. I’ with Mauricio, not you. He’s my people, not yours. You two got the rules all wrong. You’ve got to do it the way it’s supposed to be done. You are two cheaters, two losers. You don’t know how to play. You’re no good.

(DAMIAN goes and picks up MAURICIO. He keeps the dog in his arms for a while)(Beat)

I can’t go back. I like it this way. No changing the rules now. (Beat)

This is how you play and that’s it. He wants you to jump.ALEX

(Looking at RENE and beginning to move) Let’s go back to our spots?

DAMIAN(To Rene) No!

(RENE freezes on her spot)Mauricio wants you to stay where you are; he wants you to stay still.

(RENE looks at the open space. Then she looks at what used to be her space. She finally moves, like ALEX had suggested) ALEX and RENE don’t listen to DAMIAN anymore. Lights begin to fade out)

Why are you moving?

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D. Berlfein

(As he speaks he moves and becomes trapped in the place he used to be at the top of scene one. Lights continue fading out until ALEX begins his speech. ALEX and RENE place the lines back to where they used to be in the first scene. Now the lines divide the space equally)

ALEXBecause change and movement are crucial in this land. When I was just starting, I didn’t know what I wanted, but I knew I wanted something.

(RENE intertwines fragments of her parade speech as well. ALEX and RENE say there speeches the same way they used to on the earlier scenes)

RENE People, my people, thank you for coming to our “Cultural Pride Day Parade and Rally”. Once and for all it’s time to progress. We need better living conditions.Repeat after me now “I love my flag, I hate the rest. I sing the anthem, of all the best.”

(Sound of the crowd)Say it with me again “I love my toes, like no one does, you love your nose because it’s yours. We’ve gotta be free. Sing the anthem, jut you and me”

(Sound of crowd)

ALEXSo…I changed my mentality, my image, and my look. I handed out surveys to find out what my customers’ opinions and suggestions were. I did telemarketing. The incoming phone calls were recorded and monitored for quality assurance. People began trusting me, believing in me. I took leadership seminars. I grew; my business grew; everybody grew. Got it now?In this place you gotta keep busy.

(As he speaks lights fade out completely) You gotta set up goals for yourself, reach them, set up more goals and reach them again until you run out of goals, whatever it takes. So I’m looking into expanding my business even more.

DAMIANThat’s interesting stuff. Do it again please.

(Tree characters look at each other for a second in silence. Then they turn face audience. PAUSE)

(BLACKOUT)

END

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