John Benjamin was awarded Honorable Mention in Drama in the 2019 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. On September 18, PEN America will celebrate the winners of this year’s contest with a live reading at the Brooklyn Book Festival, BREAK OUT: A 2019 PEN America Prison Writing Awards Celebration.
Never 2 Late
Act 1, Scene 1
Fade in: immediately see a five-stair stoop with a young African-American male sitting on them. He looks up and down the sidewalk as if waiting for someone. A well-dressed young man in designer clothes, casual, in his late teens, early twenties. Pulls phone out and dials in number:
Rell
How you feeling today? . . . I miss you too . . . Yeah, I’m waiting for Ki now, (Looks up and down the sidewalk again, then leans back on side of stoop so that his back is to stage right)
As soon as I get off you know I’m all yours . . .
Ki appears from stage right and walks up on Rell as his back is turned and listens to conversation.
Rell
What movie you want to watch tonight? . . . I’m thinking The Notebook . . .
Ki frowns and starts to laugh quietly.
Rell
That movie always gets to me, so you know it’s only right if you shed a tear or two.
Ki
(Clears throat) Amm.
Rell
(Quickly turns around) Which I don’t want you doing tonight, so we’re watching Jurassic World, alright! See you when I get home.
(Look at Ki suspiciously and turns head to give a kiss on the phone quickly than hangs up)
Why you always sneaking up on somebody?
(Does special handshake with Ki)
Ki
(starts laughing) You whipped, you know that.
Rell
No, no, I just like to spend time with my lady.
Ki
My lady, what is this Medieval times.
Rell
See, that’s what’s wrong with you now, Ki. You need to learn how to talk and treat a female.
Ki
Don’t try to justify being whipped.
Rell
Listen, a brother that looks as good as me, there’s no reason to be.
Ki
Looks as good as you, my man: You so ugly when you look in the mirror your reflection ducks.
Rell
How you gon’ talk about me? When you were a baby, your mother only got morning sickness ‘til after you was born.
Ki
(Both laugh and Ri shakes head as if he approves) You got me, you get me. What happened with that roommate situation. (Takes out cigarette)
Rell
Aww man Ki, first of all it was a female renting the two rooms out.
Ki
Don’t tell me you said something crazy to mess it up.
Rell
Nah. Listen, I told her about us and how we both have jobs, you have a car and how we’ll just be good roommates. No loud music, we’re clean, things of that nature.
Ki
So what happened?
Rell
She said only one of us could move in, because she wants a male and female roommate.
Ki
So did you take it.
Rell
How you gon’ ask me that. If we don’t find nothing together then we’ll wait till we do.
Ki
So if you can get a place right now without me, dirt cheap, you not getting it.
Rell
No. We’re a team, you know that. We been inseparable since we were five, if I get it, we got it, and nothing coming between that.
Ki
Can’t do nothing but respect that. (lights cigarette)
Rell
Besides, in a crib with two women, you know I’m not gon’ have no type of win in that environment.
Ki
(Chuckles) True, that’s exactly why God created man before woman, he ain’t want no type of advice.
Both laugh and do special handshake.
Rell
I’ma steal that one.
Old Man Joe (OMJ)
(walks out front door on top of stoop) Don’t you boys start that hurting and hollering. You both see my window open, and this about my time to take a nap. Now let me get a cigarette.
Rel
C’mon Old Man Joe, how you gen come out here a try to regulate.
OMJ
Regulate! What you want me to take action! Mess around and make a movie out of you two. Now where’s Old Man Joe’s Cigarette.
Ki
(Chuckles) You lucky you known us since we been kids. (Pulls cigarette out) Here.
Rell
We would make you an example.
OMJ
Don’t threaten me with a good time! (Takes cigarette and lights it)
Now why you beys ain’t at work? Don’t tell me you out in these streets being dumb, trying to make a quick buck.
Ki
Now you know we don’t dabble in that type of activity old man Joe. We just chilling before we go to work.
OMJ
You better not! Even though you two had your parent upbringing, you both got some of Old Man Joe’s teachings in you. (Starts to walk down street)
Rell
I thought you was about to take a nap, where you going?
OMJ
Obviously Old Man Joe need some cigarettes, so by the time I get back hopefully you two be at work and Old Man Joe can take his nap.
(Searching pocket for something and drops a piece of paper on ground)
Shoot! (Reaching down to pick it up, but back goes out) Ooh my back! (Stands up straight)
Rell
You know you old when your back goes out more than you.
OMJ
Oh we get all the jokes today huh, with your belly button looking head.
Rell looks stunned.
Ki
(laughs and gets piece of paper) Barefoot Moscato, you don’t drink wine Old Man Joe.
OMJ
(Snatches paper) Only when Old Man Joe got a date.
Rell
Oh yeah! I hope it ain’t with Ms. Gladice.
OMJ
I’ll see you boys later and stay out of trouble.
OMJ starts to walk off Stage left.
Rell
It is Ms. Gladice! Oh man, Old Man Joe you not that old! Her on the other hand, she so old she probably DJ’d for the Boston Tea Party.
All three laugh.
Ki
She probably was a waitress at the last supper.
Both laugh harder and do special handshake. Old Man Joe looks back shaking his head laughing and gestures hand as to fan off the boys.
Rell & Ki
Love is love.
OMJ
Love is love. Yeah, yeah.
Mailman appears stage right and walks up behind them.
Mel
Who you two ranking on now?
Ki
Old Man Joe crazy ass.
Rell
A yo Mel, did you know Ms. Gladice and him have a date tonight?
Mel
Ms. Gladice! She so old she was in school when history class was called current events. (All three laugh) She so old she knew Burger King when he was a prince. (All three laugh extremely harder)
She so old she might pass away before the date tonight.
Relle & Ki
(Stop laughing immediately) Whoa, whoa whoa.
Ki
God forbid.
Rell
Too far Mel, too far.
Mel
My fault.
Ki’s phone rings.
Ki
Hello.
Ki’s expression gets serious. Rell and Mel in background talking, but they cannot be heard.
Ki
What you want? Because we don’t have nothing to talk about . . . Diapers! Look, I’m on my way to work, I don’t got the time.
Rell
(Give Mel dap to leave) Who’s that?
Ki
(Gives Mel dap) Vivian.
Rell
Oh, that’s the home girl! Hey Viv.
Ki
(Pushing Rell back) If I knew better I’d do better, what’s that mean?
Rell
I think that’s quite self-explanatory
Ki
(attention to Rell) C’mon bro.
Rell
Alright, alright.
Ki
Listen, how many times I got to tell you, your on your own. I been told you what to do! . . . You gon’ take my money now. I’ll see you in court then! . . . Yeah, yeah, whatever.
Ki hangs up, starts to breathe heavy, and swings at air.
Rell
(looks around) What’s happening right now?
Ki
That chick be pissing me off bro.
Rell
Better to be pissed off than pissed on.
Ki looks angrily at Rell.
Rell
All jokes aside though. You had a rider, a smart fine wifey. What happened between you two?
Ki
Tss, as you can see, all we do is argue.
Rell
I see that, but that tell me nothing. Now let me in Ki, what’s going on with you two?
Ki
It’s just with her I see how women see men like bank accounts: without a lot of money they don’t generate much interest.
Rell
(Takes a second to think) But, she was with you when you was broker . . . You know I keep it 100 with you Ki, I think you wild’n! You two used to be the hood’s Jay-Z and Beyoncé. You was winning with her, not to mention that’s your baby mother man.
Ki
And money hungry. As soon as I started getting my money up, she want to all of a sudden have a baby.
Rell
Well it’s not like you two were practicing celibacy.
Ki
Nah man, it’s how it happened. As soon as I get this job, my car, and looking for a new apartment, she want to tell me she pregnant.
Rell
It got to be more than that.
Ki
Oh it is. Check it, I sit her down and had a talk about having kids and I told her I wasn’t ready.
Rell
That’s understandable.
Ki
But it’s like, that went in one ear and out the other. I feel like she just disregarded what I wanted and just went with her own plan. If she really care about me she wouldn’t have had a baby.
Rell
You serious Ki! How you think babies are born? What you just slipped and fell? Don’t let your family be one of those broken family statistics. You know you love that girl, plus you and I both know she not one of them type of girls to trap someone like that.
Ki
I don’t want to be one of them statistics, that’s why I told her to get an abortion.
Rell
Are you crazy?? I’m glad she didn’t, even though ya ain’t plan to have a kid it’s here . . . I can’t believe you ain’t tell me this?
Both don’t say anything for a few seconds.
Rell
Is it a boy or a girl?
Ki
Boy . . . You think I’m in the wrong?
Rell
Without a doubt.
Ki
You think she’ll take me back?
Rell
Of course . . . Maybe . . . Probably not. But you have to work hard to earn something or someone and even harder to keep them, so just put in that overtime.
Ki
(Shakes head, approving what Rell said) I ain’t gon’ stunt my B.M. was official, and I do want to see what lil man look like.
Rell
Listen Ki, a woman who loves, comforts, and serves. A man who loves, protects, and provides. You like a brother to me bro. Go get you lady back and take care of your son before it’s too late Ki. I get you.
Ki and Rell do special handshake.
Rell
You know I need parts of that Godfather role.
Attention shifts behind Ki to two African-American males sprinting past stoop and throwing a bookbag full of money.
Ki
I know that’s not a bag of money.
Rell
(Picks up bag and looks inside) Oh they wildn’ . . .
Both look at each other.
Rell
That means the police not far behind.
Both look in opposite directions down sidewalk.
Police
(Gun in hand while running up to Ki and Rell) Stop right there! Drop the bag and put your hands on your head.
Rell
Listen officer, the two perps you’re looking for aren’t us, they just throw this at us. I don’t know how you missed them.
Police
Wearing the exact thing you two are wearing right? Cut the shit and put your hands on your head.
Rell and Ki frown with thinking expressions on face.
Ki
The only thing we really had in common was they were black and so are we.
Police
Not gonna ask you two again. Put your hands on your head and turn around.
Rell throws bookbag. The Police point gun directly at him now.
Rell
We tryna be respectful.
Ki
A yo chill, we gon’ be straight, you know this a block watch neighborhood, and somebody will vouch for us, we been on this stoop for like 30 minutes. (puts hands on head and turns to ground)
Rell
(Looks at Ki then the cop, and obeys) I hope you’re right.
Police runs up to Ki and puts his knees in his inner knees to get Ki on his knees aggressively.
Rell
C’mon Sir, that’s unnecessary.
Police quickly points gun back at Rell.
Ki
Could have just told me to kneel down.
Police
Shut your mouth and keep your hands on your head.
Rell
Can you please get your gun out my face?
Ki
Sir, we’re both unarmed and we’re not even a threat.
Police
(Calls in situation on radio) Suspects being contained on Winchester and Highland from the 10-16, requesting backup.
Rell
If you want me to stay like this till back up come I got chu. Can you get that gun out my face though?
Ki
Stay cool.
Rell
How can I with this gun in my face.
Police
Shut up boy!
Rell
(Takes hands off head and uses them for expression while talking) Ki, you hear this crap. Sir, we’re respecting you, respect us.
Police
(Yells) Put your hand back on your head and kneel down.
Rell
Sir, I’ma comply. Just . . .
Ki
(Shakes hands in aggravation) Just do it.
Police
(Starts to back up and points gun at Ki still yelling) Stop the sudden movements. (Gun back at Rell) And I’m tired of you boy, get on the ground now!
Rell
(Still using hands) I can hear you, just calm down.
Police
(Still backing up) Stop moving your hands.
Ki
Stop moving.
Police
Do what I say boy.
Ki
Just kneel and freeze.
Rell
(Throws hands up) Alri . . .
Police
Gun!
Police fires gun, and and Rell drops.
Ki
(In disbelief) Nah, nah man. (Starts to cry and crawls to where Rell is) Nah, c’mon bro get up, get up bro.
Dispatcher comes on, and you hear how they caught perps with ink on hands. Police calls for paramedics.
Ki
We gon’ be late for work bro, get up.
OMJ
(Rushes to Ki and kneels next to him) Aww man Ki, what happened?
Ki
(Sobbing) C’mon bro we got to go to work. I’ll call Viv, that’s my word. You got to get up cause you the Godfather. Please bro, just get up.
OMJ
(Grabs Ki and starts to get up with him and hugs him while giving Police a look of disappointment and disgust) C’mon Ki.
Ki
We got to go to work Joe, we got to go.
OMJ
(Embraces Ki) I know son, I know.
Paramedics come and get Rell’s body and Police walk with them offstage.
Ki
I’m a get that pig back Joe!
OMJ
So you can end up in jail and not go to Rell’s funeral? Use your head Ki! I know who he was to you and what he meant to you. (Pushes Ki away from body but still holds him) Listen to me. Men control the action, the action should never control the man. You hear me? I know he was like a brother to you, but the only way out is through, and what we’re gon’ do is be strong and get through this alright?
Ki shakes head slowly and looks away.
OMJ
Time heals all wounds Ki.
Ki
The thing with that is they may not heal properly.
OMJ
What’s the ultimate measure of a man?
Ki
What?
OMJ
What’s the ultimate measure of a man?
Ki
It’s not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
OMJ
That’s right! And what we gon’ do?
Ki
Stand tall.
OMJ
(Shakes head in approval and embraces him again) Let get out of here so they can clean this scene up.
Both walk off stage arm on shoulders.
Fade out.
Scene 2
Fade in: Ki walks on stage scrolling through phone and sits on stoop. Inhales and exhales deeply and then dials a number.
Ki
You still need them diapers? . . . No wait, don’t hang up. I’m not trying to be funny . . . I know and I’m sorry . . . Look I know I ain’t been there for you or our son since you told me you were pregnant, but I’m calling you for your forgiveness and to ask you if I can come see you two . . . You’re right, but . . . (Starts to get choked up) Rell died today, and all he wanted to do was go to work, go home, and spend time with his . . . (Thinks about it) with his lady. Believe it or not I thought about you all today, and seeing Rell laid out on the sidewalk like he was, just made me think how everyday not promised to us . . . (Takes phone from ear and wipes eyes) If my heart could talk it be easier for me to express how I really feel about you, but I still have a lot of love for you. (Starts to get excited) I can be there in about 15 minutes . . . Alright, I’ll see you in a few . . . Hold up, hold up. What’s my son’s name? . . . I like that (Hangs up phone, stands up, and starts to walk off) Kaleef.
Fade out.
