Gary Farlow was awarded an Honorable Mention in Drama in the 2022 Prison Writing Contest.
Every year, hundreds of imprisoned people from around the country submit poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and dramatic works to PEN America’s Prison Writing Contest, one of the few outlets of free expression for the country’s incarcerated population.
CAST
DARRYL (REBELLIOUS YOUTH)
THOMAS (DARRYL’S FRIEND)
POLICE OFFICER (HOMELESS WAR VETERAN)
BARNES (HOMELESS WAR VETERAN)
SAM (SHELTER VOLUNTEER)
MR. CORY (SHELTER DIRECTOR)
KENNY (SHELTER RESIDENT)
SCENES
SCENE 1 DARRYL’S MOM’S CAR
SCENE 2 HOMELESS SHELTER
SCENE 3 DARRYL’S BEDROOM
SCENE 4 HOMELESS SHELTER
INTRODUCTION
Narrator
Everyone faces decisions in life. Choices that we make which will ultimately affect the rest of our lives. This play is about a young man who is faced with just such choices.
Darryl is a man at a crossroads in life. Drugs, alcohol, and the party lifestyle he’s been living has given him temporary pleasure but left him still searching for answers, for fulfillment, for a purpose in life. Darryl is about to come face to face with some consequences to poor choices.
End of Scene 2 / Prior to Scene 3
Narrator
Darryl’s world has come crashing down. Arrested, taken off in handcuffs, and faced with going to prison, Darryl is given one more chance to turn his life around.
End of Scene 2 / Prior to Scene 3
Narrator
Having no idea of his proud heritage, or the great contributions made to America by African-Americans, Darryl has come to the realization that life is not a party. Success requires work, dedication, and sacrifice to achieve it. Never having paid attention in school, Darryl knows nothing about Black History or the heroes who have opened doors once firmly closed to all African-Americans. Darryl is beginning to question all his old thoughts and beliefs, and a new light is starting to shine.
End of Scene 3 / Prior to Scene 4
Narrator
Darryl’s old lifestyle has left him wanting, Old habits, old friends, old ways led him to realize that he wants more out of life. Yet, Darryl is still struggling. Torn between the lure of old friends and what he is just starting to see as hope for a better future. Darryl must make some hard choices.
End of Scene 4/Conclusion
Narrator
Darryl has learned that being arrested, going to prison, or even having been homeless, is not the end. It can be a new beginning. It is possible to turn a life around and be a success, achieve great things, and live the dream of Dr. King. Darryl has learned that history is more than pages in a dusty book, it is the story of great African Americans who have risen above oppression and discrimination to become leaders in this great nation that all can be proud of Black, white, hispanic, asian, native-American. Are Darryl’s problems over? No. He will still face temptation and the lure of his old habits and homeboys. But Darryl now has something he didn’t have before hope. He has been given a history lesson that life doesn’t end in prison or a homeless shelter. In fact, it can be a rebirth to greatness. The choice is his, just as it is yours.
SCENE 1
(Darryl and Thomas sitting in car)
Darryl
Oh wee! Lord child, Thomas, you see the long legs on that female?
Thomas
Yeah, I’d take Santa Clause a minute to fill her stocking.
Darryl
Quit bogarting.
Thomas
(handing Darryl a joint)
That’s that “Primo” bud, man. What’s up with you and Shela, dude?
Darryl
Are you kidding? I’m gonna do like I did with my old girlfriend. Start an argument then kick her to the curb. Make it seem like it’s all her fault. I don’t have money to throwaway on her. I can barely support my bad habits. Pass the forty.
Thomas
I feel you. This whole relationship thing is all about money anyways. Look over there.
(The pair see a man holding a sign: “will work for food”)
Darryl
Hey, you bum! Get a life, and quit begging, you freaking loser. You believe that guy. He needs to get his drunk butt a job. About that relationship thing: I just don’t get it; giving gifts, everyone acting like a Lifetime movie with their big cheesy grins, pass the forty…
(almost spills)
Darryl (contd)
Watch out! You spill beer in my mama car and it won’t be a roasted turkey for Sunday, it will be my butt. Keep it down. Keep it down!!!!
(siren goes off)
Both Darryl and Thomas
OH NO, man, it’s the police.
Darryl
I told you to keep it down. Hey where you going? Oh man!
(Thomas quickly jumps out of the car)
SCENE 2
(Inside a homeless shelter)
Darryl
(takes off coat)
I can’t believe it. I have the worst luck in the world. It’s the weekend, all my buddies are out partying it up, and I’m stuck here at the homeless shelter, doing community service.
Sam
It might not be too bad. You might even have fun here.
Darryl
Fun, have you lost your mind? What can be so fun about working in a homeless shelter?
Sam
Don’t it make you feel good to help people who are in need. Look on the bright side, it’s only a few hours a day.
Darryl
No, I don’t feel good about being forced to help losers and vagrants anit there isn’t a bright side. Besides this community service, I’m grounded; mom says no more free ride, and I have to get a job. I can’t even drive her car anymore. On top of that, my partner Thomas has tickets to the biggest concert of the year and I’ll be stuck in this hell hole.
Sam
At least you’ll be able to stay out of trouble and come to the shelter’s Black History Celebration.
Darryl
Whoop-te-do!!! I get to ham it up with a bunch of low life winos and crazy crack-pots.
Sam
Hold up, Darryl, a lot of these people didn’t have much of a choice being here, others just made bad decisions. Alcoholism and drug addictions are a sickness. You’re being unfair.
Darryl
Who said life was fair. Drop it. Anyways why are you here? What did you do to get community service!
Sam
Me? Nothing, I volunteered to come.
Darryl
What? Are you out of your mind? You’re as nutty as these cats are.
Sam
Not nutty, blessed.
Darryl
Hold up man! Time out. I’m not here for a sermon; I’m just here to do my little work and break. Alright?
Sam
All right; but I’ll be praying for you.
Darryl
Save your breath, Rev. Farwell, I can take care of myself. Why did the judge have to send me here of all places?
Sam
Seems to me you got off light. Maybe he felt like working here would teach you some valuable lessons about life and the less fortunate.
Darryl
Listen, hear that? That’s a violin playing my favorite song. I couldn’t care less about these losers
Sam
Lighten up, Darryl, this is Black History Month. Where’s your pride?
Darryl
Just another day to me. Where is everyone anyways? I thought this place was filled with needy people.
Sam
Chill out, they’re all at dinner. Here comes someone now… Hey Mr. Cory. This here is Darryl. Come for his community service.
Mr. Cory
Splendid, we could use an extra hand around here.
Darryl
More like forced labor.
Mr. Cory
Better than spending time behind bars, wouldn’t you say, son? Sam, you know your way around, they need some help in the kitchen.
Sam
Sure, no problem. See you around Darryl.
Darryl
Let’s hope not.
Mr. Cory
Darryl, I realize you don’t want to be here, but the judge ordered it. expect you to be here on time and unless the earth opens and swallows you, you will be here or I will turn you in, and you know what that means. No drugs, no alcohol, and no weapons or coming in high. I’m strict but I’m fair. Do a good job, and I can give you some extra hours here and there. Do you understand?
Darryl
Like crystal.
Mr. Cory
Without further ado, I need you to sweep the dorms. Don’t forget to get under each bed.
Darryl
You’re the boss
(starts sweeping. As Darryl begins to sweep, he utters “Y’all gonna make me lose my mind up in here!” Then he begins to sing the song while sweeping)
Barnes
What!
Darryl
I need to sweep under your bed.
Barnes
No! What you need to do is stay the hell away from me!
Darryl
Whoa horsey…
(looks at him carefully)
Darryl (contd)
I know you, you’re the bu– I mean the guy with the “Will work for food” sign
Barnes
Yeah, and you’re the dumb kid the police busted. Now you’re the bum at the homeless shelter.
(laughs hysterically)
Barnes (contd)
Now get away from me!
(As Darryl continues sweeping and he and Sam talk, Barnes acts as if he is experiencing flashbacks from the war. He pantomimes tossing a grenade and the resulting explosion; “machine guns” Darryl and Sam while giggling maniacally, all to Darryl’s horror but Sam’s bemusement.)
Darryl
That guy over there’s one miserable dude.
Sam
Oh, him, that’s Barnes. He’s a little out there. Fought in Vietnam. When he came back his wife had took the kids, everything and just split. Hasn’t heard from them since. He started drinking alot, quit caring and never recovered. You know, Darryl, you may not believe this, but Barnes is living history. He was in Washington at Dr. King’s march on Washington in 1963. Barnes marched at Selma in 1965. Before that he even participated in the sit-ins to desegregate lunch counters. Then went off to Vietnam. Where you and I may just read about history, Barnes has lived it.
Darryl
That guy’s a Vietnam vet? You’ve got to be kidding?
Sam
No really, he’s even a decorated hero, pulled out 3 of his fellow soldiers, was wounded 4 times. He sets off the metal detector every time he comes through our doors. The guy hates charity. The law picked him up and gave him a choice, here or jail. If it wasn’t for that he’d still be on the street in the cold. He’s his own worst enemy.
Darryl
That’s for sure.
Sam
You have to realize that Barnes fought for civil rights and for the army, then just sorta fell apart, the guilt is eating him up inside. Even for something that isn’t his fault. We still need to have patience, and help him in his recovery.
Darryl
I don’t think anyone can help that miserable dude.
Sam
You’d be surprised.
Darryl
Don’t start that again.
(Sam just smiles)
Darryl (contd)
I figured he was just another bum.
Sam
(interrupting)
A lazy bum begging for food? Listen Darryl, things aren’t always what they seem. More than a few come from broken homes, others suffer from a sickness called alcoholism and addictions. Heck, some even have gambling problems. Each one of these people are in different stages of their life. This month provides us with the prime opportunity to remind each of them about their proud heritage. Great African-Americans like George Washington Carver who discovered over 300 products developed from peanuts and sweet potatoes while inventing more than 500 agricultural inventions. Or Althea Gibson, who paved the way for athletes such as Arthur Ashe and Serena Williams by being the first African-American to play at Wimbledon and win a major tennis tournament. Our history is full of such individuals who make it possible for you and 1, Darryl, to hold public office like President Obama, sit on the Supreme Court like Thurgood Marshall, be an astronaut like Ron McNair, start a television network like Oprah Winfrey, chair a Fortune 500 company like Herman Cain, lead the military like Colin Powell, or make breakthroughs in medicine like Ben Carson. You see, Darryl, because of the hard work and sacrifices of such great African-Americans, there is no limit to what you can do or be. Come sit in on the rehearsal to our Black History Celebration. See what you think.
Darryl
I have to finish up. I’m not into history.
Sam
Mr. Cory won’t mind. You are working by the hour remember?
Darryl
Well, anything to get me out of work can’t be all bad.
SCENE 3
(Darryl’s bouse, Thomas looking in through the window)
Thomas
What’s up, dog!
Darryl
What’s up man. Keep it down. You know I’m grounded. I’m lucky my ma lets me out to pee.
Thomas
Let’s go, I got two tickets to the concert and Nelly and Sebrina are waiting for you and yours truly. Get saddled up and lets hit the trail, cowboy.
Darryl
Nelly and Sebrina, are you kidding? I’ve been trying to get her for 6 months, but she’s always got another dude hanging on her hip.
Thomas
Now’s you chance bro. I picked up a little something to kick the party off reez-ight.
(waves a little baggy)
Darryl
There’s a problem
Thomas
What?
Darryl
I have to go to the homeless shelter for community service, not to mention, mom dukes.
Darryl’s Mom (OS)
Darryl, you got somebody in there boy? Don’t make me get up.
Darryl
No ma, I’m just reading.
(He turns towards Thomas)
Darryl (contd)
Shhhh!
Thomas
Call in sick. Your mom will think you’re at work.
Darryl
Can’t. Mr. Cory said unless there’s come kind of natural disaster, I better be there or else.
Thomas
He’s bluffing, we are talking about Nelly and Sebrina: the pancake twins.
Darryl
I know, I can’t afford to chance it.
Thomas
You mean you’d rather hangout with the vagrants and walking thrift-shops and be sober all night, man are you crazy?
Darryl
Not all of them are bums. Remember that guy with the sign…..
Thomas
(Interrupting)
Stop, reality check, dude. Nelly, Sebrina, concert tickets, ride, blow, royal crown; only thing missing in this picture is me and you.
Darryl
I can’t. It was the alcohol and drugs that got me in this fix to start with. I can’t even remember half the things we do on that stuff. Last year when you and me went to Point Lake, and got ripped, what can you tell me?
Thomas
We got smashed.
Darryl
What else?
Thomas
Shane, he fell in the fire and got burnt up. We had a good time.
Darryl
We had a good time but neither one of us can remember hardly anything cause we were too screwed up. I want memories to last, man.
Thomas
You are starting to sound like a saint. What are they to you out at that shelter? Darryl. Come back to us buddy–run towards the light, Darryl.
(Thomas laughs)
Darryl
I’m my own man, they can’t change me, you know I don’t care about those bums. I just need to lay low and not push it.
Thomas
So be it. The great Darryl has spoken. Have fun at the helter skelter shelter. I can’t say I’ll be thinking about you. Well, I gotta run, duty calls and the love soldier has to do combat. But before I go, would you like a little blast from the past?
Darryl
Mr. Cory has already warned me not to come in high.
Thomas
How will he know?
Darryl
No thanks.
Darryl’s Mom (OS)
Darryl, that better not be that Thomas I hear, boy!!!!!!!
Darryl
No mamma, I was just singing… Man, get out of here.
(Thomas leaves)
SCENE 4
(setting homeless shelter)
Darryl
I should have went to the concert with Thomas, I might still be able to make it. Hey mister you got the time?
Kenny
(looks at watch, taps it)
It’s 7:20.
Darryl
That’s a nice watch, where did you find it?
Kenny
Find it? What do you mean where did I find it?
Darryl
I thought…
Kenny
(interrupting)
Guess you thought a guy like me couldn’t come by a nice watch, unless I found it or stole it, right?
Darryl
I didn’t mean to sound…
Kenny
Let me finish. This watch belonged to my dad. He gave it to me years ago. It’s the only thing I have left, since I went to prison.
Darryl
(backs up and holds up hands)
Hey look–
Kenny
You don’t know the half of it. Now listen. People like you don’t know, but you assume a lot. You’re quick to speak and slow to listen. I’ve heard what you said about us. Like you’re so much better. I was just like you once. It could be you in prison or a homeless shelter.
Darryl
There’s no way in hell.
Kenny
Let me tell you a story: When my people passed away the left me everything: house, car, a nice bank account. You couldn’t tell me anything. I partied like it was 1999. Women, trips to Vegas shooting dope–man everyone loved me. Within a year everything my people worked hard all their life for was gone, and when the money disappeared so did all those friends. You got lucky.
Darryl
Lucky? Man I got busted.
Kenny
Yeah, you got caught early. You have the opportunity to turn it all around. It took me losing everything held precious in life to realize how utterly lost was. Entering prison. I was stripped of everything, even my pride. Then I began to read. I had never even picked up a book prior to prison. Eldridge Cleaver, Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, Angela Davis, Marion Barry, Fredrick Douglas, Al Sharpton, Tupac Shakur, Bobby Seale, Marcus Garvey. Do you know what they all share in common with me? They are all African-Americans who served time in jail or prison yet emerged from that to go on and achieve success. Some even continue today to make great contributions for us African-Americans like you and me. Learning about them gave me a new life.
Darryl
A new life? You still have nothing.
Kenny
There you go with all the answers, again. I have more now than I ever had, something drugs. sex and alcohol can’t give me. I have a sense of self that I never had. Sure, I made some poor choices in life. But, that’s not the total sum of who I am. I have a heritage I can be proud of. I am somebody! (said with emphasis). I’m working now, putting my weight back on, and the friends I’ve made don’t like me for what I can do for them, they like me for who I am. Next month. I’m moving out of the shelter, into my own place.
Darryl
That’s great, man.
Kenny
Don’t patronize me, boy. When I look at you, I’m looking at a shell of my former self. was you 10 years ago.
Darryl
You’re crazy man. I’m nothing like you. I don’t have any problems. I don’t need any program.
Kenny
You can deny yourself all you want, until it’s too late. If a man don’t know he a has problem then in his mind, he don’t. You think you have trouble now, it’s only the beginning. This is a wake-up call.
(Setting- Darryl sitting down)
Sam
Hey Darryl!!! You’re missing all the fun.
Darryl
I’m just thinking. Sam.
Sam
Don’t want to be around all the bums?
Darryl
It’s not that. Those people aren’t bums. They just… I don’t know. Problems come in many different disguises Sex, love of money, drugs, alcohol, and even so-called friends. Pride, anger, resentment, and loneliness can destroy a person’s soul. Unless you have some kind of purpose, we’re fighting a losing battle. Easy for you to say. You have everything. I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth.
Sam
And I was?
Darryl
Well, I assume.
Sam
Darryl, quit assuming things. Haven’t you learned not all things are what they seem? You think I just come to volunteer my time just to be nice? No, I was born an orphan, in and out of foster homes all my life. You name it, I did it. I grew up hating the world and blaming God for everything that had ever happened to me. At 19, I was in a robbery. Things went seriously wrong and my partner was killed. I spent 14 years in prison, I didn’t slow down. I had so much hatred and rage. I was sitting in lock-up one day from stabbing another inmate. I was ate up with resentment and self-pity. I was tired of running. Life wasn’t worth living any longer. I had lost all hope. Right as I was preparing the sheet to hang myself with, a volunteer came to the cell. I’ll never forget it. He had this glow all around him, like he hadn’t a care in the world. At first, I was jealous, I didn’t want anyone to be happy. He told me I could stop running. Darryl, just because I served time, or just because you were arrested, it doesn’t mean life is over. Even Dr. King was jailed several times but went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize. You can turn your life around. We have a heritage to be proud of. You and I, we’re the torch bearers for the next generation. Dr. King’s dream cannot die with us, Darryl. We have to keep it alive and pass it on.
Darryl
Tell me more about this history.
END
Purchase Variations on an Undisclosed Location: 2022 Prison Writing Awards Anthology here.
