Stage Play / "CRACK ISN'T WHERE IT'S AT"

“CRACK ISN’T WHERE IT’S AT “

       BY DIANE


                 CHARACTERS

1.SHAQUAN: IS FRIEND THAT IS ADDICTED TO CRACK COCAINE.

2.MONICA: IS NIKKIS LITTLE SISTER

3.NIKKI: IS OTHER FRIEND ADDICTED TO CRACK COCAINE.

4.DASHA: IS FRIEND THAT IS NOT ON DRUGS, BUT
  DOESN’T KNOW HER TWO FRIENDS ARE ADDICTED TO
  CRACK.

5.LUCILLE: IS NIKKI MOTHER [LOUD MOUTH, ALCOHOLIC,PARTY ANIMAL,UNCONCERN ABOUT DRUG ADDICTED TEENAGE DAUGHTER.

6.CANDY: IS BIG DADDYS GIRLFRIEND
                                                 7. TYRONE: DRUG DEALER FLUNKY.

8. JEROME: DRUG DEALER FLUNKY

9. BIG DADDY: IS BIG TIME DRUG DEALER (KINGPIN)
[VERY FLAMBOYANT PERSONALITY]

10. NARRATOR: MUST HAVE LOUD CLEAR, DRAMATIC
VOICE.

11. PASTOR: (SINCERE, TRUSTING, GUIDANCE
PERSONALITY.)

12. ONE OR TWO SINGERS: [FEMALE/MALE] MUST BE
ABLE TO SING WITH LOTS OF FEELING AND
EMOTION.

13.HENRY: IS LUCILLE BOYFRIEND WHO IS CHEATING ON HER.

14.SALLY: BIG MOUTH FRIEND OF LUCILLE WHO LIKES TO GOSSIP.
           (SHE IS GONNA TELL LUCILLE ABOUT
            HENRY BEING DOWN AT THE BAR
            WITH LINDA)

15. LINDA: IS WOMAN WHO HENRY IS CHEATING ON.

(1) “CRACK AIN’T WHERE IT’S AT”

(MUSICS BEGINS TO PLAY SOFTLY)

       NIKKI, SHAQUANNA, AND DASHA ARE BEST
       FRIENDS.
       DASHA DOES NOT KNOW THAT HER TWO FRIENDS
       ARE ON DRUGS.

       THEY ARE WALKING HOME FROM,CONVERSATING
       ABOUT A BIG FIGHT THAT HAPPEN AFTER
       SCHOOL TODAY.

  NIKKI:  DID YOU SEE THAT FIGHT TODAY?
SHAQUAN:  YEAH GIRL THAT GIRL GOT THE MESS BEAT
                       OUT OF HER.
        (SAY THIS SARCASTICLY]
DASHA: SHE SURE- DID I FELT SORRY FOR HER.

        (JEROME AND TYRONE WALKS UP STARTS TALKING
        TO NIKKI, SHAQUANNA AND DASHA)
TYRONE: WHAT UP NIKKI AND SHQUAN ? DO YOU WANT
                     TO GET ON?  I GOT THAT BUTTER.
JEROME: I GOT THAT DIZ ZIME, THAT TWAP.

        (NIKKI AND SHAQUAN ARE LOOKING AT EACH
         OTHER NERVOUSLY THINKING THAT JEROME
         AND TYRONE WILL TELL THEIR LITTLE DIRTY
         SECRET ABOUT USING DRUGS)

        (INQUISITIVELY, BUT WITH ATTITUDE AND
         SARCASM)
DASHA: WHAT YOU THINK YOU DOING USING ALL THAT
       SLANG, YOU NEED TO BE SPEAKING ENGLISH,
       SO SOMEBODY CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE
       SAYING.(WALKS OFF AS SHE IS SAYING THIS)

NARRATOR: DASHA WALKS ON HOME FROM SCHOOL.

NIKKI: GIRLS LETS BE OUT OF HERE, WE’LL TALK
TO THEM LATER.

(JOKINGLY, TRYING TO EMBARRASS HER)
JEROME: I KNOW YOU AIN’T TRYIN TO BE FUNNY.

TYRONE: HA, HA, HA, YA HEARD.[THE GIRLS WALK OFF]

                     MUSIC

SCENE 2

(PHONE RINGS its BIG MOUTH, GOSSIPING SALLY.)
LUCILLE: YEL-LOW, WHATS POPPIN?

  SALLY: WHAT’S UP GIRL? GUESS WHAT!  CHILD DO
         YOU KNOW, WHO I SAW, DOWN AT THE BAR
         LAST NIGHT, ALL—HUGGED UP- WITH THAT
         OLD—- UGLY LINDA.

     (LOWER THE VOLUME OF VOICE A LIITE BIT)
SALLY: GIRL THAT WAS YO HENRY, YES IT WAS!

LUCILLE: WHO!-WHO’S HENRY? NOT MY HENRY.

  SALLY: NOW, LET ME TELL YA,—YOU KNOW ME,
         RIGHT? I WOULD NEVER- EVER- DIP- IN
         YOUR BIZNESS. BUT HONEY CHILD—I JUST
         HAD TO CALL YOU AND LET YOU KNOW, –
         WHAT- WAS GOING ON BUT I—DO NOT, BE
         GETTING ALL UP IN FOLKS BIZ-NESS ALL
         LIKE THAT.

LUCILLE: OH YEAH! WELL, WE’LL SEE ABOUT MS.
         LINDA AND MR. HENRY.  LET ME GET OFF
         THIS PHONE GIRL, I GOT SOME SNOOPING
         AROUND TO DO.

        (WALK OVER TO HENRYS PANTS, LOOK IN HIS
         POCKETS)
        (FIND LINDAS NUMBER ON A PIECE OF PAPER)
        (YOU WALK OVER, PICK UP THE PHONE, CALL
         LINDA)

        (LINDA WALKS OUT ON OPPOSITE SIDE STAGE,)
        (PICK UP PHONE AND ANSWER IT)
LINDA:   HELLO?

3 SCENE 2 CON’T

         (PHONE RINGS)
LUCILLE: LINDA, THIS IS LUCILLE, I WAS GOING
         THROUGH MY OLD MANS POCKETS AND I
         HAPPEN TO FIND YOUR NAME AND NUMBER.
         NOW,-I DON’T KNOW HOW YOU GONNA TAKE
         THIS,RATHER YOU’LL BE KOOL OR NOT.
         IT REALLY DOES NOT MAKE ME ANY
         DIFFERENCE. SEE,-THE MAN YOUR IN LOVE
         WITH,-HE’S MINE FROM THE TOP OF HIS
         HEAD-TO THE BOTTOM OF HIS FEET.
         FROM THE BED HE SLEEPS IN,-AND EVERY
         PIECE OF FOOD HE EATS I BUY
         THE CAR HE DRIVES,-I PAY THE NOTE EVERY
         MONTH. SO I’M TELLING YOU THESE THINGS,
         TO LET YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I LOVE HIM,
         AND HOW MUCH-I’LL DO-TO KEEP HIM.

                         SONG
                   (WOMAN TO WOMAN)

WOMAN TO WOMAN, HAVE YOU EV-ER BEEN IN LOVE,
THEN YOU KNOW-OH-OH, HOW-I FEEL

WOMAN TO WOMAN, -NOW IF YOU WERE IN MY SHOES
WOULDN’T YOU DONE---THE SAME---THANG TOO-—

WOMAN TO WOMAN, WAS I RIGHT—OR WAS I WRONG
I AIN’T GONNA LET YOU BREAK UP OUR HAPPY HOME

WOMAN TO WOMAN, I DON’T WANT ANY TROUBLE NOW
WOMAN ENOUGH TO UNDERSTAND I LOVE THAT MAN--—-

WOMAN--WOMAN--WOMAN TO WOMAN
THAT MAN-I LOVE THAT MAN

(LOOK AT PHONE) (THEN HANG UP)
LUCILLE: OH NO SHE DIDN’T HANG UP ON ME.

        (WALK OVER TURN RADIO ON,(MUSIC STARTS)
         FINISH PUTTING MAKE-UP ON)(MONICA WALKS
         IN FROM SCHOOL)

4 SCENE 2 CON’T

MUSIC

         {LUCILLE IS AT HOME PUTTING ON MAKE UP,
         GETTING READY TO GO TO THE BAR.}
LUCILLE: OH, HI BABY (WALK OVER KISS HER ON
         CHEEK)

        [MONICA WALKS UP TO HER MOM [LUCILLE]
MONICA: MA, MA GUESS WHAT MY CLASS IS GOING
        SWIMMING AT THE “Y” CAN, YOU
        PLEASE,PLEASE PLEASE SIGN MY PERMISSION
        SLIP.

         (PUTTING YOUR MAKE UP ON IN THE MIRROR)
LUCILLE: DON’T YOU SEE ME TRYIN TO DO SOMETHIN,
         AND ANYWAYS I AIN’T GOT NO MONEY FOR
         NO “Y” NOWAYS. THIS MONEY FOR MY
         LOTTERY, BINGO AND CARD GAME, AND WHERE
         IS SHAQUAN.

MONICA: MA I’M HUNGRY, DID YOU FIX SOMETHING
TO EAT. (GO SIT DOWN IN CHAIR)

LUCILLE:  WHAT YOU TALKIN BOUT, COOK SOMETHIN!
          GIRL YOU HAD BETTER MAKE YOU A BOLOGNA
          SANDWICH. I’M TRYING TO GET READY TO
          GO OUT POPPIN.

MUISC

         (CRAZY IN LOVE)
         (BY BEYONCE KNOWLES)
         (DANCERS COME OUT)
LUCILLE:  DANCE ROUTINE BEGINS

         (DANCE OFF STAGE WHEN ROUTINE IS DONE)

         (MONICA WALKS AWAY WITH HER HEAD DOWN)
         (SHE SITS IN A CHAIR WITH HER FACE IN
          HER HAND.)

(SONG)

SINGER: “SOMETIMES I FELL LIKE A MOTHERLESS
          CHILD”
      SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE A MOTHERLESS CHILD
      SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE A MOTHERLESS CHILD

ALONG WAY FROM HOME----
ALONG -—-, WAY—FROM HOME.

(MONICA WALKS

5 SCENE 3

(TASHIA AND SHAQUAN ARE STILL WALKING HOME
FROM SCHOOL AND THEY RUN INTO BIG DADDY.)

(BIG DADDY PUTS HIS ARMS AROUND NIKKI AND SHQUAN)
BIG DADDY: I GOTTA THAT BUTTER, THEM FLAVORS,
THAT WORK, THEM DIMES,AND FOR THEM
BROKE JOKERS, I GOT THEM NICS.

    (CANDY IS BIG DADDY GIRLFRIEND, SHE SEES BIG
     DADDY STANDING OVER WITH HIS ARM AROUND
     THOSE CRACKHEAD GIRLS)

    CANDY: OH!!! NO!!! YOU AREN’T, WHO (PAUSE)
    ARE THOSE CHICKEN HEADS. YOU GOT YO ARMS
    AROUND DISRESPECTING ME!

BIG DADDY: TASHIA AND SHQUAN TO STAY RIGHT
THERE HE’LL BE RIGHT BACK.

(BIG DADDY PUTS ONE OF HIS ARMS AROUND
CANDY AND STARTS TO SING)

SONG
(YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL TO ME)

           YOU ARE SO--BEAUTIFUL-—TO ME
           YOU ARE SO--BEAUTIFUL--TO ME,
           CAN’T YOU SEE-E- E-E
           YOUR EVERYTHING—I HOPE FOR-OR -OR
           YOU EV--VERY-THING--I-I-I NEED-E—E-ED
           YOU ARE SO--BEAUTIFUL--TO ME-E.

BIG DADDY: LOOKA HERE I’M TRYIN TO HANDLE MY
BIZNESS OVER HERE. YOU MAKIN ALL THIS
UNNECCSSARY NOISE.

BIG DADDY: HERE’S SOME C-NOTES, NOW GONE TO THE
           MIZ-ALL.  WHILE I FINISH CONDUCTING MY
           BIZNESS.  IT’S ALL ABOUT THE C-NOTES
           BABY. (HE LAUGHS CUNNINGLY) HA, HA,
           HA, “YEAH BABY! CAN YOU DIG IT!!!!

CANDY&BIG DADDY:(CANDY SMILES, GIVES BIG DADDY A
                 SMALL KISS ON THE CHEEK AND
                 WALKS OFF HAPPY.)
                (BIG DADDY WALKS BACK OVER TO
                 TASHIA AND SHAQUAN TO
                 FINISH WHAT HE STARTED, TO SELL
                 THEM THE EVIL POISON,
                 WHICH IS CRACK COCAINE.)

                  (THEN WALK OFF)

6 SCENE 4

(GET HOME LATE FROM SCHOOL)
(SHAQUAN AND TASHIA WALK BACK ON STAGE)

SHAQUAN: WHATS UP MOM? TODAY IS A GOOD DAY

  NIKKI: YEAH! WHATS MY NAME SHORTY!
         (THEY BOTH BURST OUT LAUGHING)

         (ANGRY AND UPSET)
LUCILLE: I DON’T KNOW WHAT! – YOU DOING, COMING
         ALL—UP IN HERE 2 HOURS LATE.  I TOLD
         YOU ABOUT HANGING THAT NO GOOD NIKKI,
         SHE AIN’T NOTHIN BUT TROUBLE.

  NIKKI: (UPSET, INSULTED AND SARCASTIC)
         I KNOW YOU AIN’T TALKIN ABOUT ME,
         IF YOU HAD BEEN MORE OF A MOTHER TO
         SHAQUAN INSTEAD OF RUNNING THE STREETS,
         SHE MIGHT NOT HAVE GOTTEN PREGNANT.
         SO YOU NEED TO SWEEP AROUND YOUR OWN
         FRONT DOOR,BEFORE YOU GO SWEEPING
         AROUND MINE.

SONG (HERE’S WHERE I STAND)

SHAQUAN: (SINGS THIS SONG)

SONG: (HERE’S WHERE I STAND)

        HERE IN THE DARK,
        I STAND BEFORE---YOU--
        KNOWING,
THIS IS MY CHANCE TO SHOW YOU MY HEART-

THIS IS THE-START,
THIS IS THE--START--

I HAVE SO MUCH TO SAY--AND I’M HOPING-—
THAT YOUR ARMS--ARE OPEN--

DON’T TURN--AWAY--DON’T YOU NEED ME
BUT YOU HAVE--—TO HEAR ME-—

            HERE’S WHERE I STAND,
            HERE’S WHO I AM----
            LOVE ME—BUT-DON’T-TELL ME WHO I
            HAVE TO BE

            HERE’S WHO I AM--I’M WHAT YOU--SEE—-

      YOU SAID I HAD TO CHANGE--AND I WAS TRYIN--
            BUT MY--HEART--WAS--LYING-—-
            I’M NOT A CHILD--ANY LONGER--
            I AM STRONG--—-GER-—

            HERE’S WHERE I STAND,
            HERE’S WHO I AM----
            HELP ME—TO MOVE ON BUT PLEASE DON’T
            TELL ME HOW

            I’M ON MY WAY—
            I’M MOVING OUT--—-—

            IN THIS LIFE-WE COMES-SO FAR—-
       BUT WE’RE ON-LY WHO WE ARE—(WHO WE ARE)
    WITH THE COURAGE OF LOVE—- (COURAGE OF LOVE)
            SHOW US THE WAY—(SHOW US THE WAY)
            UNLOCK THE POWER, TO STAND—UP
            AND-SAY--—---—- (STAND UPPPP) (UP
            AND SAY)
      HERREEEEE’S -—-(HERE’S WHERE I STAND)
            HERE’S WHO I AM—-
            (STAND-UP)…AND BE COUNTED

LEAD AND CHORUS: (I’M COUNTING ON YOU-OO-OO)

IF YOU’RE WITH ME--WE’LL MAKE THROUGH-(OO-OO-OO)
LEAD AND CHORUS: (HERE’S WHERE I STAND—)
HERE’S WHO I AM—- (AM AM AM AM)
LOVE ME, LOVE ME, LOVE ME,

LEAD AND CHORUS: AND WE’LL (MAKE IT THROUGHOO-OO)
LEAD AND CHORUS: (HERE’S WHERE I STAND----)
BABY, BABY, BABY
I’M COUNTING ON
LEAD AND CHORUS: (HERE’S WHERE I STAND----)

                 LOVE ME, LOVE ME, LOVE ME
                 AND WE’LL (MAKE IT THROUGH-OO
                 -OO-OO-OO-OO)

           I’M COUNTING, OOOH
           I’M COUNTING,
           I’M COUNTING,
           I’M COUNTING ON-ON-ON-ON
           YOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!
          (HERE’S WHERE I STAND, HERE’S WHO I AM)
           I AM-AM-AM-AM
  (I’M COUNTING ON YOU) I’M COUNTING ON YOU
  (HERE’S WHERE I STAND) HERE’S WHERE I STAND
  (HERE’S WHO I  AM) HERE’S WHO I AM-AM-AM-AM
  (WILL MAKE IT THROUGH) OH-OH-OH-OH OH
  (HERE’S WHERE I STAND, HERE’S WHO I AM)
        HERE’S WHO I AM-AM-AM-AM

(I’M COUNTING ON YOU) I’M COUNTING ON YOU
(HERE’S WHERE I STAND) HERE’S WHERE I STAND
(HERE’S WHO I AM) OH-OH-OH-OH-OH 0H         (WILL MAKE IT THROUGH, HERE’S WHERE I STAND)
           HERE’S WHERE I STAND
(HERE’S WHO I AM) HERE’S WHO I AM-I AM-AM-AM
(I’M COUNTING ON YOU-OO) I’M COUNTING ON YOU
(HERE’S WHERE I STAND) HERE’S WHERE I STAND
(HERE’S WHO I AM) OH-OH-OH-OH-OH
(I’LLMAKEIT THROUGH, HERE’S WHERE I STAND,     HERE’S WHO I AM)

(6) II          SCENE 4 (CON’T)

SHAQUAN: (THROW YOUR HANDS UP IN THE AIR, IN
         (SCREAMING AND SREECHING VOICE)
WHILE SAYING THIS,WALKING SLOWLY TOWARDS TABLE
SNATCH LUCILLE’S RING TO SELL FOR DRUGS HER AND NIKKI RUN OUT THE HOUSE.)
SHAQAUN: I CAN’T TAKE IT!! I JUST CAN’T TAKE
         THIS ANYMORE! ALL…I… EVER…WANTED…WAS
         FOR YOU TO SHOW ME LOVE! WAS THAT
         ASKING TO MUCH!…WAS IT!!..WAS IT!!!
         I’M OUTTA HERE AND I WILL NOT BE BACK,

         (SAY THIS WHILE RUNNING OF STAGE)
SHAQUAN: YOU WILL NEVER GET TO HURT MY HEART
         EVER AGAIN!!
          (LEAVE THE STAGE.)

LUCILLLE: SHAQUAN! SHAQUAN! GET BACK
          HERE. COME BACK HERE! I’M NOT PLAYING.
          YOU BETTER BRING MY RING BACK HERE
          RIGHT NOW!

7 SCENE 5

NARRATOR: MEANWHILE…………….. HENRY IS HANGING OUT
          AT THE GOOD BAR WITH HIS OTHER WOMAN
          LINDA.

(LUCILLE WALKS OVER TO THEM, STILL UPSET FROM
WHAT NIKKI DID.)
(LUCILLE ALREADY UPSET FROM NIKKI STEALING HER
RING)

            LUCILLE AND LINDA:

(LUCILLE WALKS TO WHERE LINDA IS SITTING WITH
HENRY.)
(LINDA STAND UP, THEY BOTH LOOK EACH OTHER UP
AND DOWN.)
(SIMULTANEOUSLY THEY WALK SLOWLY PASS EACH OTHER.
WHEN THEY REACH EACH OTHERS FACE THEN LINDA WALKS ON PASS.)

       LUCILLE STARTS HER SONG)

            (SONG BEGINS)
         “SOMEBODY ELSES GUY”

LUCILLE: (SINGS THIS SONG TO HENRY WHILE SHE
IS ALL UP IN HIS FACE, WALKING AROUND
HIM IN A CIRCLE, BACK AND FORTH.

(THIS IS THE KINDA OF EMOTION THAT MUST BE
SHOWN, WHILE DOING THIS SCENE.)

          (EXPRESSING HER UNDYING LOVE AND HOW)
          (SHE WILL NOT GIVE UP ON THIS MARRIAGE)
          (BY THE WAY SHE IS EXPRESSING IT)
          (THROUGH HER SONG AND MOVEMENTS)

LUCILLE/HENRY:(AT END OF SONG HUG AND WALK ARM
AND ARM.)

8
SONG

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO USE DRUGS TO MAKE A LIVING.

NO-NO-O-O-O-O,

    YOU DO NOT HAVE TO USE DRUGS TO SURVIVE.
    IT WILL MAKE YOU THINK YOUR GETTING AHEAD,
    BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, IT WILL KILL YOU DEAD.
    CAN’T YOU SEE FOR YOURSELF WHAT DRUGS ARE
    DOING.

   (CHORUS)
    COME ONTO JEE--—--SUS,
    COME ON TODAY—-

    JE-SUS LOVES YOU, PUT DRUGS A-WAY.  (1- 2-3-4)
    YOU NEED TO GET UP OFF OFTHAT COCAINE,
    AND GET UP OFF OF THAT CRACK.
    AND YOU CAN GET YOURSELF TOGETHER—
    AND GET YOUR MIND BACK—-
    CAN’T YOU SEE FOR YOURSELF WHAT DRUGS ARE
    DOING.

IT WILL PUT A DOLLAR IN YOUR HAND--—-

    BUT LOOK WHAT IT’S DOING TO YOUR FELLOW MAN.
    IT’LL MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD FOR JUST A LITTLE
    WHILE, BUT IT WILL DRIVE YOU CRAZY AND DRIVE
    YOU WILD. CAN’T YOU SEE FOR YOURSELF WHAT
    DRUGS ARE DOINGS

                 (REPEAT CHORUS)

    LOOK WHAT THEY DOING TO THE BOYS AND GIRLS,—
    THERE’RE KILLING AND A STEALING ALL OVER
    THIS WORLD. --- I WANNA TELL YOU, AND THIS
    IS A FACT,
    IT’S IS DOING THE WHITE JUST LIKE
    THE BLACK.
    CAN’T YOU SEE FOR YOURSELF WHAT DRUGS ARE
    DOING.

              (REPEAT CHORUS)

9 SCENE 6

NARRATOR: NIKKI AND SHAQUAN RUN INTO TYRONE
AND JEROME. THEY GONNA TRY TO SELL THE
RING THEY STOLE FROM TASHIA MOTHER.

JEROME: WHAT’S UP NIKKI AND SHAQUAN?

JEROME: TYRONE,..MAN, .YOU KNOW, YOU NIKKI BABY
DADDY. (START LAUGHING)

TYRONE: JEROME I DON’T THINK SO,
        YOU KNOW.. A…I LIKE A RA… I… DON’T EVEN…
        GET DOWN LIKE THAT. I BET SHE DON’T EVEN
        KNOW HERSELF.(SAY THIS WITH SARCASTIC
        ATTITUDE)

SHAQUAN: HA, HA, HA, YOU REAL FUNNY RIGHT.

      (WITH A LITTLE HEAD AND HAND MOVEMENT IN)
NIKKI: YALL ALL UP IN MY KOOLAID, AND DON’T EVEN
       KNOW THE FLAVOR!

JEROME: YALL KNOW WE JUST BE PLAYING, THAT’S
        WHAT I SAY ABOUT PEOPLE.  YOU TAKE
        THANGS TO SERIOUS. TYRONE: AND THE STUFF
        YOU SHOULD BE TAKING SERIOUS YA THANK
        IT’S A JOKE.  LIKE THIS HERE BUTTER,
        THIS TAWP WE SELLING.

JEROME: I KNOW THAT’S WHAT YOU WANT. I GOT THEM
NICKS, DIMES, TWENTIES AND EIGHT BALLS.

TYRONE: SO WHAT YA NEED, WHAT YOU GOT?
NIKKI: (HESITANTLY HANDS THE RING TO TYRONE)

10 SCENE 6 (CON’T)

         (SNATCHES THE RING OUT OF TYRONE HAND)
JEROME:  WHAT IS THIS SLUM?  WHAT YOU EXPECT TO
         GET FOR THAT?
                                         SHAQUAN: COME ON YALL QUIT PLAYING
         (PUTTING HER ARM AROUND TYRONE WHILE
          SAYING THIS)
        IT’S ALL GOOD. (SMILING

NIKKI: GIVE US A COUPLE TWENTIES, YALL KNOW

TYRONE: I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU CALL YOURSELF
        DOING.
        BUT I’LL TELL YOU WHAT I’LL GIVE YOU TWO
        DIMES.  THAT’S IT TAKE OR LEAVE IT.

(HURRY UP AND SNATCHED THE CRACK OUT OF HIS HAND)
SHAQUAN: WE’LL TAKE IT..COME ON NIKKI LETS GO.

(WALK OFF STAGE, THEN COME BACK ON STAGE
  START SINGING)
(LIKE YOU ARE TELLING THE SONG TO NIKKI)
AND THE AUDIENCE.)

* SONG:  MIRACLE-WHITNEY HOUSTON

11 SCENE 6 (CON’T)

MUSIC (ANNIE MAE) BY NATILE COLE

NIKKI/SHAQUAN: (WALK OFF TOGETHER TO GO DRUGS.
                WALK AROUND, END UP IN FRONT OF
                AUDIENCE.

   (FACING THE AUDIENCE START TO SMOKE THE DRUG.)
SHAQUAN: (PASSES OUT, SHE FALLS TO THE FLOOR,
          SHAKING LIKE SHES HAVING A SEIZURE,
          THEN DIES FROM THE OVER DOSE.

(DROPS TO HER KNEES AND HOLDS SHAQUAN CLOSE)
NIKKI:  I THINK SHE DEAD!  I….OH MY GOODNESS.
        I NEED SOME HELP…SOMEBODY CALL 911!!!!
       (USE THE CAR AND SIREN SOUND AFFECT)

       (SING WHILE NIKKI IS SAYING HER PART)
SONG: (SOON I WILL BE DONE WITH THE TROUBLES OF
        THE WORLD)

(THE POLICE COME ON STAGE LOOK OVER THE BODY TAKE PEN AND PAPER LIKE YOU ARE MAKING OUT A REPORT WHEN AMBULANCE WORKERS ARRIVE WALK OFF STAGE)

(THE AMBULANCE WORKERS COME ON STAGE, COVER UP NIKKI, AND TAKE HER OFF STAGE.)

(SONG STARTS)

(12)
                 (SONG)
           (BY DOUG WILLIAMS)
            LIVING TESTIMONY

         I AM A LIVING TESTIMONY,
         COULDA BEEN DEAD AND GONE,
         BUT LORD YOU LET ME LIVE ON

         I AM A LIVING TESTIMONY,
         I THANK THE LORD I’M STILL
         ALIVE,

NARRATOR: NIKKI FINALLY ARRIVES AT DASHAS HOUSE.
TO TELL HER THE BAD NEWS

(TALKING TO SELF, BUT LOUD ENOUGH FOR THE
AUDIENCE TO HEAR YOU)
NIKKI: I NEED TO GET DASHA…BUT DASHA …SHE DON’T
       KNOW…. SHE DON’T WE GET HIGH… (MUMBLING)

NIKKI: (IN A SOBING MANNER) DASHA……DASHA I HAVE
        SOMETHING TO TELL YOU.  I KNOW WE BEEN
        FRIENDS FOR A LONG TIME.  I KNOW WE
        SHOULDA SAID SOMETHING TO YOU ABOUT THIS
        A LONG TIME AGO.

DASHA: WHAT!! WHAT!! WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
TASHIA, YOU ARE NOT MAKING ANY SENSE.

NIKKI: (HESITANTLY) UM….UM…I….I…JUST DON’T KNOW
HOW TO TELL YOU THIS.

(RAISES HER VOICE A LITTLE)
DASHA: JUST SAY IT!!!!

NIKKI:  SHAQUAN IS DEAD. (PUTS HANDS UP TO FACE, CRIES)

DASHA:  WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHAQUAN IS DEAD!? I WAS
        WITH YOU GUYS EARIER AFTER SCHOOL TODAY.
        WHAT IS GOING ON TASHIA?

13 SCENE 7

NIKKI: SHAQUAN AND I ARE DRUG ADDICTS.
(DROPS HER HEAD)

        (DASHA PUTS HERE ARM AROUND TASHIA)
DASHA:  WHAT! WHY DIDN’T YOU GUYS COME AND TALK
         TO ME.

NIKKI: DASHA, IT’S NOT THAT EASY, WE WERE SHAME
AND EMBARRASSED TO TELL YOU.

(DASHA GRABS TASHIA BY BOTH HAND AND STARTS
SINGING).
                 (SONG) (DUET)
   I KNOW SOME HOW (PAUSE) I KNOW SOME WAY
            WE’RE GONNA MAKE—-IT
    NO MATTER WHAT THE TEST-WHATEVER COMES
        OUR WAY--—WERE GONNA MAKE---IT--.
          WITH JESUS ON OUR SIDE----
      THINGS WILL WORK OUT RI——GHT.
         RI-----I-I-I-I-I-I-IGHT.
          WERE GONNA MAKE IT
          WERE GONNA MAKE IT


DASHA:  NIKKI! WE ARE FRIENDS, WE HAVE BEEN
        THROUGH SO MUCH TOGETHER.  THE GOOD AND
        THE BAD, WE WILL MAKE IT THROUGH THIS.
        WITH THE THE HELP OF THE GOOD LORD.
        GOD SAID IN HIS WORD “HE WOULD NEVER
        LEAVE US NOR FORSAKE US
      (NIKKI WALK OFF STAGE HOLDING DASHA)

(MUSIC PLAYS)

(INTERMISSION)

(SETUP FOR FUNURAL AND CHURCH SETTING)

14           SCENE 8 (FINALE)
           THE FUNERAL AND CHURCH

THE PIANIST;   WALKS OVER TO THE KEYBOARD
              (TAKING TINY LITTLE STEPS WITH HIS
               GLASSES PUSH DOWN ON HIS NOSE)

    (WITH HIS HANKERCHIEF, DUSTS THE SEAT OFF)
    (BY SMACKING IT BACK AND FORTH ACROSS
     THE SEAT TWO OR THREE TIMES)

    (AND THE PIANIST TURNS AROUND, FLIPS
    JACKET UP IN THE BACK (SO NOT TO SIT  ON IT)
    AND SITS DOWN ON THE SEAT. (begin to play)

MEANWHILE…………

CHOIR: COMES IN SINGLE FILE TO THE CHOIR STAND.
       (ALL WEARING BLACK)

PEOPLE: ENTER CHURCH TO VIEW BODY AND ATTEND
        FUNERAL.
  (WALK UP TO VIEW BODY AND GO TO SEAT AND
   SIT DOWN UNTIL FAMILY ARRIVES AND FUNERAL
   STARTS. (TALK QUIETLY AMONG SELVES)

(PICK FROM THESE TOPICS)

  1. (DISCUSSING HOW THEY THOUGHT SHE LOOKED.
  2. (HOW SHE DIED AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE.
  3. (HOW SHE SHOULD HAVE STOPPED USING DRUGS
  4.  AND THIS WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED.
  5. (AND HOW ALL THIS IS JUST A SHAME.
  6. (HOW HER MOTHER (LUCILLE) IS A ALCOHOLIC
  10.(HOW HER FATHER (HENRY) WAS NEVER HOME
      ALWAYS OUT CHASING WOMEN ALL THE TIME.
  11.(THE VERY PEOPLE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN
      THERE FOR HER WAS NOT THERE.

15 SCENE8 (CON’T)

              THE FAMILY……..ARRIVES
      USHERS: (STANDING ON SIDES OF THE CASKETS)
CONGREGATION: (STAND UP AS MINISTERS AND FAMILY
                OME IN.)

MINISTERS: (WALKS IN FIRST, TAKES HIS PLACE AT
THE PULPIT)

FAMILY: (COMES IN THIS ORDER)

  LUCILLE, HENRY: (MOTHER, FATHER)
   MONICA, SALLY: (SHAQUANS LITTLE SISTER, FRIEND
                  OF MOM
    DASHA, NIKKI: (SHAQUANS BESTS FRIENDS)
CANDY, BIG DADDY: (BIG DADDYS WOMAN, DRUG DEALER)
  JEROME, TYRONE: (DRUG DEALER, DRUG DEALER)

    (FALLING ALL DOWN, WHEN YOU GET NEAR CASKET)
    (HENRY WILL BE HOLDING YOU UP)
LUCILLE: OH LORD! OH LORD! OH LORD!
         OH JESUS! OH JESUS!
         TAKE ME TOO LORD! TAKE ME TOO LORD!
         OOOOH
    (FALL TO THE FLOOR, CAUSE HENRY LETS GO)
  (THE NURSES RUSH OVER TO GET HER OFF THE FLOOR)

(RAISE HIS HANDS UP IN THE AIR)
HENRY: OH LORD!

(DASHA IS HOLDING TASHIA UP, SHE IS FALLING
APART)
NIKKI: WHY CAN’T IT ALL BE THE WAY IT USE TO BE!
(CONTINUE WALKING TO SEAT)

(EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE VIEW THE BODY AND
SHOULD BE SEATED)

16 (CHOIR SINGS)
ET YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER

LEAD: GET YOUR HOUSE--—-- IN ORDER--—--.

SOPRANOS: OH OH OH
CHORUS: DO IT TODAY—-

LEAD: IS YOUR HOUSE--—-—IN ORDER--—-—

SOPRANOS: OH OH OH
CHORUS: DO IT RIGHT AWAY

LEAD: JESUS---- IS COMING

CHORUS: NO MAN KNOWS WHERE OR WHEN--—--

LEAD: GET YOUR HOUSE--—-—IN ORDER--—--

SOPRANOS: OH OH OH
CHORUS: HE’S COMING BACK AGAIN

         (WHILE THE CHOIR IS SINGING)
  CANDY: (JUMPS UP AND DOWN AND PASSES OUT
       (BIG DADDY FANS HER, TRYING TO CALM HER)

MINSTER: (STANDS UP WAVES HIS HANDS AND ROCKS TO
          CHOIR SINGING)
TYRONE:(JUMPS UP WAVING ONE HAND FROM SIDE
        TO SIDE lIKE HE STARTING TO FEEL THE
        HOLYGHOST)

JEROME: (JUMPS OUT OF THE WAY)
        (LOOKING AT TYRONE, WITH A LOOK OF
         SURPRISE ON HIS FACE)
TYRONE: (SITS DOWN SLOWLY)
JEROME: (MOVES SLOWLY WITH CAUTION BACK TO HIS
         SEAT)

17 SCENE 8 CON’T (2)
THE SERMON

            (THE SERMON BEGINS)

MINISTER: GOD—-NEVER PROMISED US,-A PERFECT
          LIFE,…
          HE’S SAVING THAT FOR THE HERE AFTER,
          WHILE WE’RE HERE ON THIS EARTH,
          SOMETIMES WE TEND TAKE LOVE FOR GRANTED
          AM I RIGHT ABOUT IT?
  PIANST: YES SIR!

MINISTER: THOSE WHO ARE MOST NEAREST TO
US,..DEARST TO US, THOSE,-ARE THE
ONES, WE FORGET TO CHERISH,

MINISTER: I WANT YOU TO KNOW TODAY,
          THAT WHEN WE LOVE SOMEONE,
          WE ARE REALLY, LOVING GOD.
          SO LOOK, IN WONDER,.. AT THOSE YOU
          LOVE,
          FOR THEY ARE THE FACE-OF GOD.
          GOD GAVE US TWO SECRET WEAPONS TO HELP
          US, THROUGH THIS TRYING TIME, HOPE
           LOVE.
          HOPE IS ALL——A PRAYER IS,
          AND LOVE IS GIVING,
          AND IN LOVE IS FORGIVENESS.
          WE HAVE TO FORGIVE OTHERS,
          BUT MOST OF ALL WE HAVE TO FORGIVE
          OURSELVES.

MINISTER: YOU SEE GOD—HAS THE MASTER PLAN.
          IT WAS NOT BY MISTAKE,
          BUT DIVINE INTERVENTION,
          THAT HE STOPPED BY THAT EVENING TO
          TELL SHAQUAN IT’S TIME, “IT’S TIME TO
          COME HOME MY CHILD, NO MORE PAIN, NO
          MORE HEARTACHE,
          NO MORE SORROW, NO MORE SUFFERING.

          COME ON TO YOUR RESTING PLACE WHERE
          THERE IS PEACE, JOY, NOTHING BUT
          HAPPINESS.
          WHERE SHE CAN WALK THE STREET OF GOLD.
          WHERE SHE CAN PUT ON HER LONG WHITE
          ROBE AND SHOUT-HALLELUJAH BY AND BY
          WHERE ALL HER TROUBLES ARE OVER.

(WIPE TEARS OUT OF BOTH EYES)
PIANST: YES, YES, YES!

MINISTER: THE GOOD NEWS TODAY IS, THAT GOD IS
          STILL WORKING MIRACLES.
          HE CAN SAVE YOU AND HEAL YOUR WOUNDED
          HEART.
          YOU CAN BEGAN TO FEEL THE SPIRIT,
          THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN YOUR SOUL.
          IT’S LIKE SOMETHING WARM AND WONDERFUL.
          HE WILL GIVE YOU JOY, PEACE, HAPPINESS
          AND UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.
          WE ALL LOVED SHAQUAN, BUT GOD LOVED
          HER BEST.
          GOD IS TRYING TO TELL US SOMETHING
          TODAY.
          WE NEED TO GET OUR HOUSE IN ORDER,
          WHY NOT TODAY, WHILE WE HAVE A CHANCE.



19
     MINISTER: ALL I CAME TO SAY, TO THE
               CONGREGATION TODAY IS, VALUE YOUR
               LIFE.
               ONE OF THE MOST, DANGEROUS THINGS
               IN LIFE, IS WASTING PRECIOUS
               TIME, BUSY-DOING THE WRONG
               THINGS YOU ENTIRE LIFE.
               ONCE YOU’VE LOST THAT TIME, IT IS
               GONE FOREVER .

               WE ALL HAVE A PURPOSE IN LIFE,
               GOD CREATED EACH OF US WITH A
               PURPOSE.
         WE HAVE TO SEEK GOD AND COMMUNICATE WITH
         HIM EV-ERYDAY, TO KNOW GOD’S PURPOSE
         FOR US.
     NOW I’M NOT GONNA KID AROUND WITH YOU TODAY,
     IT’S DANGEROUS TO LIVE WITHOUT GOD

             FOR NO MAN KNOWS THE DAY,
                NOR THEE HOUR
              WHEN GOD SHALL COME

     IF YOU DON’T KNOW GOD, YOU’LL NEVER KNOW
     YOUR REASON FOR BEING HERE, AND COULD LIVE
     A COMPLETELY DISTRUCTIVE LIFE. SO WANT YOU
     COME TODAY,

THE DOORS OF THE CHURCH ARE OPEN AT THE END OF THE SERMON,
(INVITATION TO JOIN THE CHURCH.)

  CHOIR:(SINGS A SONG TO THE END OF PLAY)

(THESE PEOPLE WILL WALK UP TO THE FRONT AND JOIN)
   (CRYING AND SOBBING, PRAISING THE LORD)

MINISTER: (HUGS EACH ONE AS THEY COME UP)

          1. LUCILLE AND HENRY
          2. NIKKI
          3. CANDY AND BIG DADDY
          4. TYRONE
          5. JEROME

(CONTINUE TO PRAISE THE LORD AS YOU WALK OFF
STAGE)