Derek Trumbo was awarded Second Place in Drama in the 2015 Prison Writing Contest.
SETTING:
The “hole” at a prison. The use of light and sounds found in a prison. The “Cell Door” could be a velvet rope signifying the separation between inmates and staff.
TIME:
Present.
PROPS:
A blanket.
A net bag containing some clothes and a Bible.
3 walkie-talkie radios.
3 sets of handcuffs.
1 tool belt with various tools.
3 belts for officers’ cuffs and radios.
4 sets of heavy keys for staff.
4 ball caps.
1 velvet rope attached to two poles.
CAST:
4 males, 2 females.
CHARACTERS:
Note: Some characters are played by a single actor in Act One. The actor who portrays C. O. Moody should be versatile enough to do so, as all of Act One is actually the events that transpired being relayed to characters we encounter in Act Two and Act Three. A total of four characters. The use of a ball cap and body language allows us to know the characters.
SONGBIRD: Old convict
G-SPOOK: Young convict
TRUSTY: Middle-aged convict
OFFICER MOODY: Corrections officer
MS. MANN: Corrections officer
MS. HEAVEN: Classification, treatment officer
PETE: Maintenance worker
Per Act One, the illusion of multiple characters requires the following suggestions for the portrayals of the characters involved:
SONGBIRD: Leans heavily to one side, bad knee. He keeps the cap clasped in his hands at all times. Wrings the cap when frustrated.
TRUSTY: Always has his chin down, looking left and right, like a conspirator. He tucks the bill of the cap down the front of his pants so that his hands are free.
G-SPOOK: Slouches constantly, uses wild hand gestures. He wears the cup cocked to the side, bill bent. He speaks primarily in rhymes.
OFFICER MOODY: Stands upright and stiff. He wears the cap to the front at all times.
………….
ACT TWO: Officer Moody and the remainder of the cast with the exception of Songbird, who dies prior, are portrayed by individuals.
………….
ACT ONE
(A bare lightbulb encased in a steel cage shines down upon a huddled figure beneath a blanket center-stage. The figure moves, kicking his feet and throwing his arms angrily to cast the cover aside. He slowly rises; he limps upon a bad knee and stands. A ball cap sits on the floor beside where the man, Songbird, lay. He slowly bends, picks it up in his hands. SONGBIRD is roughly in his late fifties and wears a scrub uniform. He glances around angrily and wipes his brow in frustration.)
SONGBIRD
It’s hot in here! Ever heard of central air? This ain’t humane.
(He kicks at the blanket and misses due to his bad knee. He tries again, succeeds in sending it across the stage. He faces the front of the stage as the loud sound of a hip-hop beat fills the air.)
Spook! (Beat) Dammit G-Spook, I’m tryin’ to sleep in here …
(Hip-hop beat stops.)
You better shut that racket up. Sarge comes through, him and I are gonna have a little chat about yo wanna-be gangsta ass. Can’t get a moment’s peace around this place. (Sniffs the air.) I smell smoke. Ain’t supposed to be any smoking in here. Spook! We gonna all get shook down. They gonna tear our cells all to hell and back. (Moves to edge of center-stage.) You smoking that spice shit? You ain’t never gonna be a rapper if you eat somebody’s face off. I hope you get busted. (Beat) All that talent and his stupid ass just wanna waste away stewing in his own juices … (Moves to mid-stage.) You gonna get caught. Little bastard and his hopscotch bullshit. Ain’t no damn creativity. All this damn ching-bling, boom-boom bullshit.
(Moves to the edge of center-stage)
Trusty! Yo, Trusty! (Beat) I know he heard me. Old boot-licking chalk-mouth. Fine, don’t nobody talk to me. See if I care?
(SONGBIRD sits on edge of center-stage. He places the cap on his head cocked to the side, bill turned up. He becomes G-SPOOK, a twenty-something young convict. He raps as he speaks, loudly, as if to drown everyone else out.)
G-SPOOK
You can scream, you can holla, you can yell, you can shout! /
It won’t change a thing, they not letting us out. /
Who you telling on now, Fool? Life’s no fun /
When there’s smokes on the walk and you can’t get none. /
Where’s the nurse with my pills? It’s about that time. /
Shit … I done messed up my damn rhyme. /
I hope it’s that thick vanilla broad with the tropical curves. /
I got a fever for her flavor and it keeps getting worse. / Nurse? /
Miss Lady, vanilla shake, I’m so shook /
Come in this cell and spend some time ’cause it’d sho’ be off the hook /
Shit … Where’s that damn nurse at?
(G-SPOOK morphs back into SONGBIRD. He wrings the hat in his hands. He’s irritated and rises to limp angrily across the stage while venting his frustration.)
SONGBIRD
I fought for this country … damn fool doctors said I’d never walk again. Bullshit. Lawyers told me I paid for my freedom. Bullshit. Family said … Bullshit. I’m knee deep in the bowels of America’s dirty secret surrounded by idiots, liars, and back stabbers, and that’s just the ones who run this shit hole. Lock ’em up, pack ’em in and forget ’em. Semper Fi!
This ain’t valor. Ain’t no honor. He said, she said. I risked it all for a conviction that relied solely on testimonial evidence. Who’s the jury gonna believe? Russian roulette. This ain’t justice. Hell, G-Spook can sell a pregnant mother some dope and get two-to-ten. The courts won’t suffer the accused to live. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of buying your freedom. I’m innocent. Innocent I tell you! (Coughs) There’s a special place in hell reserved for those who persecute the prosecuted.
(SONGBIRD abruptly stops, walks to edge of center-stage as he tucks the bill of the cap down the front of his pants so that his hands are free. He is replaced by TRUSTY, who moves sneakily, nervously like a conspirator.)
TRUSTY
Quit your bellyaching and squalling. Ya’ll want the nurse and I want steak and lobster, we’re all S.O.L. There’s some sort of situation going on out on the yard so everything is on hold. It’s the hole people, shit happens. Oh, there’s a guy on three-hundred walk who wants to trade a skin mag for twenty stamps. (Beat) Don’t everyone speak at once.
(TRUSTY becomes SONGBIRD.)
SONGBIRD
I’m having an asthma attack and these whores wanna take a smoke break? Figures. I need my pills! Sleeping on concrete and steel plus I get to drink out of a toilet with a water fountain on it. Where’s my pills?
(SONGBIRD becomes TRUSTY.)
TRUSTY
Ya’ don’t like it? Shouldn’t’ve come to prison.
(TRUSTY becomes G-SPOOK. G-SPOOK acts as if he’s performing for an audience.)
G-SPOOK
Don’t need no smut just want my drugs /
Don’t even care if you crush ’em up. /
They can make me rinse and lift my tongue /
Once nurse lady comes it’s time to get doped up!
(G-SPOOK becomes SONGBIRD.)
SONGBIRD
Someone’s gonna kill you when you get out, Spook. Rap about that, you ignorant bastard. Your mother should be real happy. Whole damn prison full of yaps. Who’s doing—
(The sound of loud and angry yelling and banging outside the building. A riotous raucous that fades off into the distance.)
—all that damn yelling? Trusty!? Spook? (Beat)
(Noise of things being thrown and broken.)
Must be E-squad on their shakedown foolishness. See? Spook, I told your stupid ass. You’re gonna end up spending forever in this roach-infested concrete tomb. You’re gonna—shit, was that a woman’s scream?
(The sound of an angry mob in protest passing by … and fades.)
(SONGBIRD rushes to edge of center-stage. He’s nervous, scared.)
Trusty? Spook?
(SONGBRID becomes TRUSTY, paces anxiously.)
TRUSTY
These chumps done did it now. The warden is going to shit fire and piss acid rain. Ya’ll done screwed the pooch this time. Spook, your boys are out there acting a damn fool.
(TRUSTY becomes G-SPOOK. He gets excited as he “jumps on the band wagon” and supports the uproar with his antics. He’s actually scared but uses his words to cover how he feels.)
G-SPOOK
Shit’s really real, you feel me? We going to light this place up, we going to make it sizzle. /
Keep treatin’ us like the savages we’ll make it hot, son, off the dribble!
Yeah, hah! Tear it up!
Let’s get wild in here—(cautiously glances around)—let’s get buck!
(G-SPOOK becomes SONGBIRD, pleading for acceptance.)
SONGBIRD
What, what are you two talking about? Dammit, answer me!? It’s bad enough you people don’t like me … I deserve to know. I’m in this motherfucker with you, there isn’t a difference between us. Nobody is better than anybody else … not in here. There aren’t any honorable charges, they don’t hand out smiley-face stickers with prison time. If something is going on, I need to know about it! Somebody, please … talk to me?
(SONGBIRD becomes TRUSTY.)
TRUSTY
Pipe down, Songbird. When we want you to know something, you’ll get the message with your cheese, rat.
(TRUSTY becomes G-SPOOK.)
G-SPOOK
You scared, Master Splinter?
(G-SPOOK becomes SONGBIRD.)
SONGBIRD
What the hell you talking about? I ain’t no damn master, idiot!
(SONGBIRD becomes G-SPOOK.)
G-SPOOK
The guy from … never mind. (Threatening) G-Spook, dog, a four-corner-figure /
I do a lot of push-ups so my chest gets bigger. /
I’m chillin’ in this prison ’cause they scared to let me out /
they know they let me out this cage, Songbird, I’m sleeping you, no doubt.
(G-SPOOK becomes SONGBIRD.)
SONGBIRD
Can’t nobody get no sleep when your obnoxious ass is around, dumbass!
(SONGBIRD becomes G-SPOOK.)
G-SPOOK
You talk real tough behind that locked door. I wonder how you’ll sound with your jaw wired shut. They gotta let us out of these cells and when they do, I got you smack, blam, pow, how you like me now?
(G-SPOOK becomes OFFICER MOODY, upright, stiff. Wears cap forward. Speaks authoritatively.)
(The sound of metal prison door slamming shut.)
OFFICER MOODY
Attention on the walk! Do I have your attention, men? The hole is now on lockdown. I repeat, the hole is on lockdown! Don’t ask me any questions, I know what you know. (Beat) My orders are to make sure that you guys stay in your cells and don’t get too rowdy. Understand? This doesn’t have to get any worse than it already is, people. I know I can count on you.
(OFFICER MOODY becomes G-SPOOK.)
G-SPOOK
The hole is always locked-down, dumbass! Beat feet, rent-a-cop, and tell that lazy-ass nurse to bring me my dope.
(G-SPOOK becomes OFFICER MOODY.)
OFFICER MOODY
How’s another month in the hole sound, Gerald Spook? We would hate to miss out on your wonderful talent in here.
(OFFICER MOODY becomes G-SPOOK.)
G-SPOOK
I’m the guy that they turn to when they need to blame /
ain’t a damn thang changed my whole life it’s been the same. /
G-Spook did it, blame him, he stole that bike, he pulled that knife /
he shot that dude, he took that life!
G-Spook, he sold drugs, he did that thang. Blame him, he feels no pain.
(G-SPOOK becomes TRUSTY.)
TRUSTY
Spook, I hate to side with Officer Moody but if I were you I’d tone it down a tad. The man stormed in here like he was on a mission. Plus—
(Sound of metal prison door slamming shut.)
—he looked ready to yank your ass through your cell door when he left. I’m just saying that everybody knows you’re in the hole for bucking line at the chow hall. You don’t have to pretend to be something that you’re not.
(TRUSTY becomes G-SPOOK.)
G-SPOOK
(Furious) You don’t know me, dog, I break jaws like hard candy … (paces.) /
I, I’d turn round house kicks and do back flips as I bust your lip and break your hip /
Just stop talking to me, punk. I know you can’t stand me.
(G-SPOOK becomes TRUSTY.)
TRUSTY
I guess you guys won’t mind my hanging out with ya’ll for a while since I seem to be locked down in here with you. (Laughs) I’ve swept and mopped, wiped down the walls, and pretty much did all I could do as far as my job is concerned. (Sits on edge of stage.) Yeah, most guys can’t handle the hole, they become antsy after a while … too much time on their hands. (Stares at his own hands and begins to fidget.) Songbird, how many guys have ended up in here because of you? (nervous laugh.)
(TRUSTY becomes SONGBIRD.)
SONGBIRD
I ain’t never told on nobody! That’s what’s the matter with this place now-a-days, every damn body’s got their nose in everyone’s business. I ain’t got nothin’ else to say to non ‘o you. Get out of my face.
(SONGBIRD becomes TRUSTY.)
TRUSTY
(Mocking) Hook me up with some smoke, Trusty? Can I get an extra tray? Trade this book, I need a broom, help me out? (Exasperated) Everyone of ya quick to ask, quick to want. Where’s my hook-up at? (For all to hear) I can wash ya nasty-ass draws and fold your pissy blankets and sheets? To hell with that. No more! (Beat) No more mister nice Trusty. I’m John Wilson, number 1308762. I sweep, mop, and pass out your food trays, I’m not here to hold your hand or wipe your asses for ya. From now on, you get what ya get! (Beat)
(Internalizing, venting) All these people are the same. No damn different; no appreciation and no respect. I can’t walk the yard for a week without some young street punk tryin’ to make his bones off the white guy that looks like Mr. Rogers. I got another thing for ’em. Three cans of soda in a net bag. Ask the last fool who tried me.
(TRUSTY becomes G-SPOOK.)
G-SPOOK
What’s with you white-skinned messiah-complex-burdened muh-fuckahs? (Beat)
(Frustrated rhyme) All my life you white folks’ve said, “Stand in like, come get this bread /
You want some cheese, you best say please? We’ll even give the kid a sucker if he can say his A-B-C’s.” /
We’ll give you gifts through angel tree, “Sorry we took your dad.” /
The only father figure that your black ass ever had. /
We don’t play fair, boy, we don’t play nice /
We’ll make sure you’re educated just enough to flip burgers for life. /
Some people have the good life that my family had not. /
My earliest fucking memory is of crying with my nose dripping snot. /
I watched my father dragged off, head down in shame. /
Now every time I glance into a mirror I wonder how I ended up the same?
(Beat)
(G-SPOOK becomes TRUSTY.)
TRUSTY
Son, where I grew up there wasn’t no black or white, there was just poor. My best friend was a kid named Qwan; I’ve got two biracial children with his sister. I didn’t have a thing to do with your childhood … I’m only responsible for fucking up my own kids. Your dad is your own business.
(TRUSTY becomes SONGBIRD.)
SONGBIRD
Sounds like you both got family issues. That’s why I never had kids, what woman wants a man that screams about killing people when he’s asleep? I left a warzone just to come home to one.
SONGBIRD (CONT’D)
You people think you’re the only ones who had it bad? I went from being a tunnel-rat to burrowing myself into the bottom of every liquor bottle I could fine. Everyone has problems.
(—SILENCE—)
(The SOUND of keys shaking loudly, as if the wearer is running.)
(The SOUND of a metal prison door slamming shut.)
(SONGBIRD becomes OFFICER MOODY.)
OFFICER MOODY
Trusty! Face down, now! Don’t move, hands where I can see them. Stay that way. Everyone on the cell block! Down. On the floor … All hell has broke loose out there and that flimsy excuse for a fence that was supposed to separate you guys from them proved to be little more than an obstacle. I’ve been told to stay in my office until back-up arrives but I can’t do that to you guys. When they get here they are going to be all business. Please, for your own safety stay out of the way and don’t give them a reason. They are out to prove a point. This may be your guys’ home but their jobs are on the line and they aren’t going to accept the blame. I’ll be back soon.
(The SOUND of a metal prison door slamming shut.)
(OFFICER MOODY becomes G-SPOOK.)
G-SPOOK
(Remains standing) Trusty, he told you lick his boots and you got down /
A spit shine polish that’s why your nose is brown. /
Your stupid ass needs to remember that you’re wearing khakis /
Doing anything these people say just to make them happy. /
All those prosecutors, lawyers, and judges holding grudges /
Imprison a man forever and wonder why society never budges?
(G-SPOOK becomes SONGBIRD.)
SONGBIRD
(On the ground) You think you know everything, don’t you, Spook? You’re just looking for someone to blame. None of this hurts these guards or the warden. Only our families. Us. You, you poorly educated statistic. This can only make things worse.
(SONGBIRD becomes G-SPOOK.)
G-SPOOK
Statis-statist-sta-fuck it. I don’t need your big words or your advice … /
I pledged my allegiance to the four corners where I stood. /
My only job was banging, popping pistols made me feel good. /
Selling dope made me respected on the corners where I walked. /
My only friend’s my Ruger. I made it click it made you talk. /
(G-SPOOK becomes TRUSTY.)
TRUSTY
(On the ground) Guys … I hate to break this to you but I smell smoke.
(TRUSTY becomes SONGBIRD.)
SONGBIRD
Damn it, Spook!
(SONGBIRD becomes G-SPOOK.)
G-SPOOK
Don’t blame me! Those crazy muh-fuckahs ’re tryin’ to make crook-ka-bobs out of our asses.
(G-SPOOK becomes TRUSTY.)
TRUSTY
Why does everything have to be about you, ya selfish sum-um-a-bitch? I’m the one stuck out in the damn hallway like a damn squatter wit’ nowhere to go. C.O.! Get me the fuck outta here!
(TRUSTY becomes SONGBIRD.)
SONGBIRD
They can’t just leave us like this …?
(SONGBIRD becomes G-SPOOK.)
G-SPOOK
I … I can see it. I can see what’s going on out there. It’s wild …
(G-SPOOK becomes SONGBIRD.)
SONGBIRD
You ever seen a coyote hunt a house dog? I did, once … I was drunk and my dog, Grover, he … He was a Boston Terrier and hated the woods. He ran off one day. That wasn’t like him. I searched everywhere. Then I found him … playing with another dog. The dog led him away from me, then I heard it. (Beat) Gerald, I saw all kinds of things over the years. Things I knew or thought I knew. Things I couldn’t explain? It’s alright, Gerald Spook, describe to me what you see?
(SONGBIRD becomes G-SPOOK.)
G-SPOOK
For what? I don’t see it, they can’t ask me what I saw. Ya feel me?
SONGBIRD
All the times I’d stumbled drunkenly into one of those churches covered in shame… one day I had an epiphany. I had to remember. I… I can’t forget. I wanna, but I’ma be honest. The truth will always haunt me. Jesus never once came down off’a that cross of his. Relax and tell me what you see?
(SONGBIRD becomes G-SPOOK.)
G-SPOOK
(Shocked. Builds to awe) They throwin’ bricks and breakin’ shit it’s getting off the chain. /
They actin’ up and throwin’ fits with nothing hoped to gain. /
They boxed us up and locked us up putting us through so much change, /
then choose to wonder why these people act so ignorant and deranged? /
We finally united. Let freedom ring. Oh, say can you see what the fuck I see?
(G-SPOOK becomes TRUSTY.)
TRUSTY
I can’t go out like this. I don’t know about you, Spook, but I’ve got a whole lot to live for. I just want to get out of here. We … we might just die in here.
(TRUSTY becomes G-SPOOK.)
G-SPOOK
You’re serious? For real for real?
(G-SPOOK becomes TRUSTY.)
TRUSTY
On my skin.
(SILENCE.)
(TRUSTY becomes G-SPOOK.)
G-SPOOK
I didn’t ask to be here. Hoes don’t look at a nigga wearing McBurger on his back. Coming home smelling like stale fry grease. What do you want me to do? The guards out there’re either running or hiding. We on our own. It is what it is.
(G-SPOOK becomes TRUSTY.)
TRUSTY
That’s it? Ya’ll just want to lie down and give up? What’s next, ya going to start trading pictures and share stories? The smoke messing with ya’ minds? I’m not going to stop swinging. My back’s against the wall.
(TRUSTY becomes SONGBIRD.)
SONGBIRD
Officer Moody is gonna come get us. He’s more than likely just—
(The SOUND of CELL DOOR SLAMMING. KEYS SHAKING LOUDLY.)
(SONGBIRD becomes TRUSTY.)
TRUSTY
Help! We’re in here! We’re in—
(TRUSTY becomes OFFICER MOODY.)
OFFICER MOODY
I’ve got children. Please—
(OFFICER MOODY becomes G-SPOOK.)
G-SPOOK
Scary, ain’t it. Earn your stripes, Trusty. Show him what it’s like when the convicts got the gun. I’ll hold him through the bean slot.
(G-SPOOK becomes SONGBIRD.)
SONGBIRD
Moody? Get yourself together, nobody’s gonna do a thing to you. We just want out of this killing box.
(SONGBIRD becomes OFFICER MOODY.)
OFFICER MOODY
I … I locked myself in here … with you guys …
(OFFICER MOODY becomes G-SPOOK.)
G-SPOOK
There’s nothing worse than a pig on the wrong side of the fence. You ever seen a glory hole? Bring me those pretty lips of yours and ol’ Trusty just might take it easy on you.
(G-SPOOK becomes TRUSTY.)
TRUSTY
Ya really are putting me in one hell of a position, Officer Moody.
(TRUSTY becomes OFFICER MOODY.)
OFFICER MOODY
I’ll go to bat for you guys and convince them that you had nothing to do with—
(OFFICER MOODY becomes G-SPOOK.)
G-SPOOK
Convince? Trusty, kill that muh-fuckah! His job makes him the enemy!
(G-SPOOK becomes SONGBIRD.)
SONGBIRD
Don’t listen to that ignorant bastard, he just wants something to brag about. I’m telling you—
(SONGBIRD becomes G-SPOOK.)
G-SPOOK
You don’t tell anybody shit! You’d be surprised what stomping a pig’s guts out will do for you respect-wise.
(G-SPOOK becomes OFFICER MOODY.)
OFFICER MOODY
I don’t want any problems. I won’t lie to you people, I’ve done some bad things. Hell, everybody has. But, I know you guys. That’s why I came here. Gerald, I—
(OFFICER MOODY becomes G-SPOOK.)
G-SPOOK
You don’t know me! Get that straight. If I was the one out there you’d be a stiff already …
Take a look in his eyes and I swear you’ll see the space /
reflected in the soul of the crooks who run this place. /
His pulse is speeding up and his blood is running thicka’. /
He never dreamt the day he’d trust his life to a nigga.
(G-SPOOK becomes TRUSTY.)
TRUSTY
I don’t need this shit. Ya’ll just don’t know. Ya really don’t.
(TRUSTY becomes SONGBIRD.)
SONGBIRD
What are you saying? Trusty?
(SONGBIRD becomes TRUSTY.)
TRUSTY
How’s it feel to be expendable? Written off as a loss? Welcome to my life.
(TRUSTY becomes OFFICER MOODY.)
OFFICER MOODY
What? What do you think you’re doing, Trusty? Why? Please, don’t—(LIES STILL.)
(The SOUND of TWO PEOPLE STRUGGLING. GRUNTS, CRIES.)
(SILENCE)
(OFFICER MOODY becomes G-SPOOK.)
G-SPOOK
What did you do? What did you do, nigga?
(G-SPOOK becomes SONGBIRD.)
SONGBIRD
He didn’t do a thing, Spook. We didn’t see or hear nothing. (Beat) All those screams and cries, the explosions and heat … a man finds himself sympathizing with the flowers that lick across everything they devour. He could get lost in the whispering crackle and find himself surrounded—(Coughs violently.)
(SONGBIRD becomes G-SPOOK.)
G-SPOOK
(Lays flat and faces audience) Hot air rises. As a kid, one of my teachers taught me how to make a balloon from rice paper and a candle … I was about eight … I grew up in a death trap, it was all mama could afford ’cause pops was in prison. Mama would clock out ’cause I’d steal the nine volt outta the smoke detector, I didn’t see what the big deal was? Then, there was this girl I went to school with, it was right before Christmas, she accidentally slept too close to the space heater. I hate funerals … It’s like bad things happening helped raise me.
(G-SPOOK becomes TRUSTY.)
TRUSTY
A cop shot my best friend. We were trying to steal a stupid hood ornament off a Cadillac when he caught us. We ran. He fired. I got away and hid in a trash can. My friend didn’t get away. He got shot in the back. I … I left him behind.
(TRUSTY becomes SONGBIRD.)
SONGBIRD
In ’Nam I lost count of the bodies. How do you have a funeral when the only thing you could find of your buddy was a hand and some dog tags? And the people, yeah, they were the enemy but you could see it in their body language and hear it in their laughter … they knew that we were out of our element, that we were doomed. Spook, you ever heard of the canary in the mines?
(SONGBIRD becomes G-SPOOK.)
G-SPOOK
I ain’t never seen no mine and the only birds I seen all looked alike … We’ll be implicated. I can’t handle a murder rap, dog.
(G-SPOOK becomes SONGBIRD.)
SONGBIRD
Life is a battle. The guy beside you is your buddy—(cough) his job is to watch your back and awareness is the key to survival. There is no suddenly or unexpected, it’s just the one moment. If you want to see the next you had better learn to adapt.
(SONGBIRD becomes G-SPOOK.)
G-SPOOK
Represent.
(G-SPOOK becomes TRUSTY.)
TRUSTY
I didn’t ask him to run in here. What did he expect to happen?
(TRUST becomes SONGBIRD.)
SONGBIRD
Guys didn’t die because of the enemy. They died because they weren’t where they were supposed to be. They weren’t at home with their loved ones. (Cough-cough.) I would’a seen another tour over there if the mosquitoes and prostitutes hadn’t drained my health faster than my wallet. I came back all messed up.
(SONGBIRD becomes G-SPOOK.)
G-SPOOK
Fools out there trippin’. Burnin’ shit and causin’ trouble. /
They gonna find my ass here suffocating, lost among the rubble. /
Seems like a lifetime ago I walked the streets my head held high. /
Why didn’t nobody tell me why coming to prison I might die? /
Always reputation, if you went down it made you hard, /
nothin’ but psychopathic, murderin’, drug dealers walkin’ the yard. /
My credibility impeccable, my street cred’s so legit, /
About to die inside the flames and it wasn’t really worth it.
(G-SPOOK becomes SONGBIRD.)
SONGBIRD
What’s a man to do once he’s told he can’t enjoy life anymore? He can’t do the very things that made him who he believed himself to be. I couldn’t adjust. Should I drive a truck, work a warehouse job? Those same people spoke to me with absolute conviction concerning their views of what they read in their papers or watched on their one-sided news programs. Everyone wants the power to dominate another man’s life yet has no idea how to live their own—(Cough).
(SONGBIRD becomes G-SPOOK.)
G-SPOOK
(center-stage front) There’re men in camouflage running around out there firing flash-bangs! They’re … there’s C.O.’s with them. They have rifles! They’re about to—Oh, my God! They’re firing on us. They’re shooting inmates!
(G-SPOOK becomes SONGBIRD.)
SONGBIRD
They can sense fear and smell the anxiety coming from your pores. Pretend to be dead if you want to live—(Coughs violently.)
(SONGBIRD becomes G-SPOOK.)
G-SPOOK
(To audience) This must be what the muh-fuckah who wrote that Star-Spangled Banner shit was seeing. This shit is crazy but … I can’t help but to think it can only set worse for us now. (Cough.)
(G-SPOOK becomes TRUSTY.)
TRUSTY
Ya’ll ain’t going to let me take the fall for this? He, he came in like that …
(TRUSTY becomes G-SPOOK.)
G-SPOOK
The smoke—(cough, cough) they must be coming in. They’re here … we’re rescued. (He kneels, places hands behind his head, waits.)
(G-SPOOK becomes SONGBIRD.)
SONGBIRD
(Military crawls to center-stage) It’s a ruse! They gonna try every trick and dirty, underhanded tactic to draw us out. Get down! Get down! Cover your head, don’t breathe—(cough)
(SONGBIRD becomes TRUSTY.)
TRUSTY
I didn’t mean to do it—
(The SOUND of PRISON DOOR slamming.)
TRUSTY (CONT’D)
I couldn’t tell who he was—(cough) Hey! What are you—?
(The SOUND of HANDCUFFS closing.)
(TRUSTY becomes G-SPOOK.)
G-SPOOK
Sir! There’s a guy, in the cell across from me that has trouble breathing. He was in ’Nam and it messed up his—hey, where are you going? He needs your help! Screw that guard, he’s gone already. You’ve gotta help Songbird. Please, please help him. C.O.!
(G-SPOOK becomes SONGBIRD.)
SONGBIRD
This isn’t my first rodeo. I know every trick you’ve got. (He quickly snatches up the blanket and lies still beneath it.)
(SONGBIRD becomes G-SPOOK.)
G-SPOOK
(Walks offstage with hands behind his back) What about Songbird? There’s another man back there. Songbird?! (EXITS.)
(SILENCE.)
(LIGHTS DOWN.) (BEAT.) (LIGHTS UP.)
(OFFICER MOODY stands center-stage facing front.)
OFFICER MOODY
I should have died. I could have. It wasn’t from an inmate’s lack of trying. It’s strange what stress will do to a man. That inmate has since been charged with assault on a corrections officer. I’m not the judge, nor the jury. My job is merely to protect. A man died on my watch. A man. Prisoners revolted, convicted felons chose to act out, and I let a man die. Despite the man’s conviction, his standing in life, or his self-imposed isolation … He was one incarcerated soul. An individual. My job is to ensure the safety of not only the community but of those entrusted to my care. They say it takes a village to raise a child. I say it takes us all to help one another. In short, these inmates are in our care. They are more than statistics. Learn from my mistake and congratulations to you all, my newest recruits. My hope is that you too make it through the flames unscathed. The loss of even a single Songbird is one too many. Welcome to the inferno. Any questions?