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McReele script
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Cecelia SteenburghCopyright
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/ 38
MCREELE
by Stephen Belber
aM.2W
When Delaware jourmaine Rick Dayne nets deck rv inmate Dusiur McRae, the
aul Bik writes lead Duis exonerstion fom &sbeen-yar murder conmztion,
Daa’ aympathede past and tagocte pewonaisy make hana dating of the leture
citi eading to national aenion and poi. vail. Wik his past and fae a
the blace, Das wall he line, ar Rick ek odes which way bl ety fl
Tr cing is bt ep dame thse das snd Spben Bele ads se deb with
|MEREELE, a ueyeime andar brite spans the gama of idence, fom
fore wth sah fr suet ity Be le sn end fle in pei wore
‘ach. Tage nd Math the plight soon fiir ening spare hi charac ah
sin memories Bele ea fell woba wie hich diesion wd elope Ble 1
mance tr eye of hy stlons . ik ny god plearigh, es ined ix
Laerining what’ elon pong what mar ion.” Time Out
‘Spon ler as hp a cole car nd en eran eon te maple power
far exlymirtondinted manera meds ad is abil willy devi ie
HEREELE cure. irs i snfrinae te of fiia i he fi of ate™
eomaiatlp
DB @y Br :
Per ORCAS f
PLEASE ’
“Sten Bell nw ply, MEREEL, hs a oo ts mind rah ei omen lic
and prince if, media mavipalerion fic i he jada ym she packaging of pot
Sel pons, redemption rm pat dtc.” Varey
thrice ll eb elm of politcal amd rel drama and pas te bind of
clio end monet ramen lo se prise” SC apthewrecom
“Sephon Bebe pla aay prami afr of combusilty— ete in poo action cfien
oh With MEREEL, uber kt aay oe pie ny na wha 2 me — rapier
send be medi.” American Theater Web
Also by Stephen Belber
ISBN 0-8222.2081-4
‘THE DEATH OF FRANK
MATCH
TAPE
‘THE TRANSPARENCY OF VAL
PEAY SERVICE
“INC.
DRAMATISTS PLAY SERVICE, INC. McREELE
sy STEPHEN BELBER
DRAMATISTS
PLAY SERVICE.
INC. McREELE
Copyigh © 2006, Stephen Baber
AL Righes Reserved
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‘The Englth language stock and amateu stage performance rghs in the United
sf etfs fomaton sad Caras oe MCREELS at orpeted ice
bey by DRAMATISTS PLAY SERVICE, ING, £40 Pak fren Soh, New
‘ork NV 10016. No provisional or aonprofsotal performace ofthe Phy soy
be gen without abeainag in advance the waiten pesuisccn of ORAMAT ISIS
PEAY SERVICE INC. at paying he neque Re
Inguliesconcesing all or sph hold be alien to The Gen gees 41
Milo Arena, Sed Soy, Now el NY 0016 hee Jo ea
SPECIAL NOTE
Anyone rcsiving permission wo prodsce MCREELE is equted to give exit co
ee harorseldtad calute Nader ote Foy saa fat
sen ieee rms ite linealdiont
Ie which the ede apres fox purposs of adveting pabliseng of
‘berwise eploting the Pay ardor production hero? Tee oars ote
‘Aaaor nis appear on a scpratline, in which no otber parce appear inane
aedy beet tule and nse of ype cq wo S08 ede a he aoe,
‘osc prominnt lees wed forthe Edt of the Pay. No peron kum ot ea ay
‘SERS SEH min aye coe hoy Tf
lowing clwwledment mut appen nal programs distrib
it councson wih peoraans of ea
‘The Wald Premiere of MCREELE was produced by
Rouadsbout Theatre Company, Todd Haimes, Artie Drectoz
LMCREELE was cuisine by Flights Horie
‘ih un poe by The Hesensh Races
MEREELE was droped ate Of Pag Cones
Saletign, Aste Dinca
MCREELE was originally produced by Roundabout Theatre
Company (Todd Haimes, Antistic Director, Fllen Richard
Managing Director) ac the Laura Pels Theatre in New York City,
opening on February 24, 2005, Ir was diected by Doug Hughes,
she set design was by Neil Patel the coseume design was by Paul
Tazewell: the lighting design was by Michael Chybows: the origi
nal music and sound design were by David Van Ticghens the pro.
duction manager was Kai Brothers the production stage manager
was ey Adler; and the age manager Carte Meconis. The east as
DARIUS McREFLE Anthony Mackie
RICK DAYNE Michael O'Keefe
KATYA Jodi Long
OPAL Portia
JIM GRAGEN,
GERRY PHILLIPS «nen - Henry Stozice (CHARACTERS
DARIUS McREELE
RICK DAYNE
KATYA
OPAL
JIM CRAGEN
DONALD SMATHERS
GERRY PHILLIPS
PLACE
Delaware.
TIME
‘The present.
The action takes:place in numerous scenes and the playing area
should encompass all these setings at once so as to ensure a rapid
and flaid change from one ro another, with acwrs often staying put
in one location while a scene without them takes place nearby. Sct
“naturalism” should not be a consideration.
McREELE
ACT ONE,
Scene 1
A prison visiting room at the Smyrna Comecional Facility
‘Smyrna, Delaware. The room is bare bus for a table, to chairs
‘ard a small video camera in the upper corner. The deor bas @
‘nenparent ge slo. No windows, bars, or plateglas divider.
Seated are Darius McReel, mid-30% Afican-Americen, sv0-
inch afro, prison garb: confident, bright as bel quicker then a
whip. And Rick Days, early-40s, White, shinning hain,
Osgrd and jeans: perhaps a bit chbubic; wary. guarded, wry
bus genaine; speaks only what he means. Hes a man who
arrives. as his pasion. Darius is speaking rapidly. deliberately
confidently —
DAR. Ivas out walking, Iwas high, I heard a gunshot, distinee at
hell, crisp, like a muted cannon. Sounded lke it vas about a block
away. Iran, in that direction —
RICK. Why?
DAR. ‘Cause Fim stupid. ‘Cause that's what I thought I was sup-
posed ro do. Because I was seventeen. (Beat. I tummed the cornes,
saw the body, heard footsteps. I swear ro God it was like a movie.
‘Only sound was footsteps. I came to the body; no doube the guy
‘was dead. (Paws) I sae the gun. Ae this point I gor a thousand
things going through my head. I look: around, no one there so far
as Lean see, And I'm thinking that I knew it-was Ronny, that ic
‘usta been a deal gone wrong because this is his block and this is
his ime of night. [pick up the gun —
RICK. Why? DAR. Because I thought it was Ronay’
RICK. You didnt know whar kind of gun Ronny cars
DAR_ He carried differene ones all the time
RICK. Why would he have dropped i?
DAR. Because he panicked.
RICK, Ronny the kind of guy to panic?
DAR. Yep.
RICK. ... Then what
DAR. 1 take off turn the corner, sun smack into a patrol car
responding to shors fired.
RICK. Show?
DAR. Shot
RICK, Peze,) Nex thing you knot you're in jail
DAR. No. Next thing I know I'm staring out the window of the
cruiser wondering iT should say the name Ronny.
RICK. You should've
DAR. I should've. But I thought —- You don't ID your friends;
that I didst have motive, chey never found the weapon, chat I was
2 juvic, Thad respectable folls... I chought there was no way I
150 down for it
RICK. So why did what happened happen?
DAR. Because they gor to me.
RICK. Thar’sie?
DAR. They hed eight guys on me in rotation, thirty-six hours, no
sleep, igh on soda sugar, no food in my stomach, no parents, n0
lawyer — I was seventeen yea old.
RICK. So at the wial?
DAR. At the trial my lawyer didn’ want me on the stand, che jury
was eight white with four black who zhoughe they were white, Thad
no alibi, was high as 2 ice when it happened ... A white judges
4d got shot. They were on a warpath
RICK Wouldn't you be?
DAR. ... Listen'to me, at the range at which tha kid was shot
there would've been sparter on my clothes and powder sesidue on,
‘ny hands — neither of which were.
RICK. 1 thoughe there was poder residue.
DAR. No powder residue. None. (Pause) I went to church s00
days before the murdes, president of my class, a fucking 3.7 GPA
Tm not murderer and I don! deserve to die
RICK. No alibi?
DAR. No alibi. You wanna know my alibi? — Two Negro hairs
6
and skin fiber found on the coat ofthe victim. sixteen years ago all
they knew is thatthe fiber wamtt mine and the hait might be: But
they re-test it now with the new science, and theyil ind Ronny —
1 guarantee you they'll have their man.
RICK. Why do you think I'm here, Darius?
DAR. Because you feel uncomfortable watching this play oue
“while you possess the power ofthe journalistic word.
RICK. Is that right?
DAR. (More honest) 1 dontt know why youre here.
RICK. I read your — your treats. Ie was good. Not alot of pris-
‘one le inmates post something like that.
DAR. Not a lot of people browse prison websix
RICK. (Beat,) 'm thinking about writing something.
DAR. On my innocence oF my essay?
RICK. Essay.
DAR. Can you help me publish?
RICK. Tel be mote persuasive if we just mention some of your
ideas. Prison reform’ mote legitimate when the preachers not in
prison.
DAR. Which paper you fiom?
RICK. News-journal.
DAR. You all do 2 reform story every year; nothing ever happens.
RICK, ... Hopeflly this one be berce. (Pause.) Well credit your
ideas fall.
DAR. You find health care forall che three strike prisoners about
10 become geriatric, you can have all my ideas.
RICK. You have alot?
DAR. Some.
RICK, (Pease, Like what?
DAR. .... Like you wanna know the first thing they should do to
fix prisons in this country? — Pair ema up with welfare ceform, so
instead of kicking single moms off the rolls and making ‘em sell
fudge a the mall you sed em to Your lea cocina ity
and have ‘em teach the inmates the necessary survival skils for
their release.
RICK, Twould think the problem is thar they'e both lacking proper
job sills,
DAR. Firs off — you divide the moms and the prisoners into the
‘ones who can rad and the ones who can’ which is probably fy
fifty, meaning every single illiterate one now has their own tutor,
segardless of whether the mom’ teaching the prisoner or the pris.
7
sees one’s teaching the mom. Point is, you come our the other end
‘with & hundred percent increase. Moms get their six-ffty an hous,
prisoners gec their fifty cen.
RICK, Who takes care ofthe single moms’ kids during all this?
DAR. Correctional officers. You offer the guards —who make shit
‘wages to begin with —- you offer the guards overtime to babys the
welfare kids. The reason forall these welfare moms is cause the dads
are in jail, so you symbolically link up the C.O.'s with inmates’ ids
— and suddenly ther’ lire humanity in the whole process.
RICK. What about the reason all these people are in jail and on
swelfare in the fist place?
DAR. I got 2 plan for thar, oo. A onc-idea shor that'll reduce
poverty, prevent crime and conserve encrgy.
RICK. Is char right?
DAR. Its right and it’s simple: A twenty-five cents per gallon rax
bike on gas for cars thar cost more than twenty-five thousand dollars.
RICK. Thar’ your plan? —
DAR. Twenty-five at ewenty-five Every American who can afford
thar kind of car can afford this kind of eax, especially when you
make ‘em understand the immediate benefit —
RICK. Which
DAR. —an estimated twenty billion dollar infusion direct into
their local urban sectors — all for simple stuff — schools, rec cen-
ters, libraries, job creation —
RICK. How? — Job creation’ che single biggest —
DAR. Tax breats for corporations that relocate o the urban sector.
RICK. And this'll conserve energy?
DAR. Higher prices at the pump means reduced consumption,
means less greenhouse emissions, means a berter global image,
‘means less people hate us.
RICK. ... There's a part of me that actually wants to believe you.
DAR. You dont think any of i makes sense
RICK. 3 not my job to say what makes sense. (Pawse.) But you
‘want my privaze opinion, most of i scems a liede far-fetched,
DAR, IF wasnt wearing a jumpsuit, youd be all over it
RICK. (Bear,) You happy with your lawyer these days?
DAR. He barely knows my name.
RICK. Fle gor me in to see you.
DAR. The man lacks passion and power.
RICK. To do whae with?
DAR. Leapfiog che back-log. There's abou ewo hundred cases
ahead of me, too few labs, too many bad guys who might be good.
RICK. Thea whae? ge cees cence
DAR Ronny. After tha, all you need is Ronny.
Scene 2
A small apartment kitchen: Ricks ginfiend, Kasya — early
40s, Asian-American, corporate lathes: aserive, smooth, bip
— sits on counterion sipping scorch. She and Rick know each
cher well and speak in a quick, contemporary urban patter
shat is actually quite genuine: they are sharp but deliberate, as
‘wary of rom a they are prone toi
KAT. Nice guy?
RICK. He is acwally.
KAT. Smare
RICK. More than youd expect.
KAT, Scary?
RICK. Less so,
KAT. How old was he?
RICK. Seventeen.
KAT, You think he did ie
RICK. No.
KAT. Why?
RICK. A hunch.
KAT, T wouldnt bet ona hunch The faking Bay of Pig was 3
RICK. Either way.
KAT. You should ask his parenes
RICK. They died.
KAT. Thad a hunch,
RICK Gtr) The aces not abou his innocence is abou
KAT, Right, Buc I thought you were doing a follow-up —
RICK Tam—
KAT. —on the need for increased testing.
RICK. Prioritized testing, Iam. (Beat) The guy's scheduled to die
:
t in two months and he’s writing articles about prison reform.
(Puce) 1 mean ... ifs sort of extraordinary. went in dhere expect
ing to find
KAT. Ta Pac
RICK. I dunno. Somebody. And its not what I got. (Pause) He's
he’ definitely on the special side. (Bea) Twouldn’tbe doing my
jab if dido atleast look into
KAT. (Pause) I cant believe youre
RICK. Tm not falling.
KAT. Of couse youre falling, This is why I fll for you, because ou
fall for guys lke this. (Beas, Tm just saying its not the firs time
youve interviewed a Killer with 2 GED. Theyre often duplicizous —
RICK. T know —
KAT. So try to keep your panes on —
RICK. My pants are on —
KAT, Good.
RICK. Good. (Bear...) Do you wanna now what else 'm work-
ing on this week? The Delaware Soil Instiuce Conference, the
National Guard’ purchase of a new helicopter, and the Boy Scout
scandal in New Cascle Couney, (Bear...) This story could have a
huge effect. _ aa
KAT... So youtre prepared to go to bat for him?
RICK. Tm not going to bat, I'm looking into things.
KAT. Are you looking for someone else who could've committed
the crime? —
RICK. Yes
KAT So shouldnt you frst find that person?
RICK. ... Talready did. (To Davis.) Maryland. Twenty-five-to-life
for rape/murder.
ling for this guy.
Scene 3
The visitor’ room
DAR. Ronny? Pause; Rit nods) So his blood’s in the system? (Rick
rods.) Then { need wo call my lawyer.
RICK. Assuming Mr. Dershowitz is unavailable.
DAR. ... So youe writing the article?
10
RICK, (Pause) Tuesday. (Pause) Front page.
DAR. (Darius nods, impresed .. ) This mean you believe me?
RICK. es about the backdog of DNA testing for the entite sate,
Paae.) Bur it might push the DA co sun char agains Ronay
DAR, (Beat) Thanks. For doing this.
RICK. Its an imporrant issue.
DAR. (Beat) So you're a reporter for what — the front section?
RICK, (Counter, Ym actually an editor. One of many.
DAR. Buc youte writing articles?
RICK, Is small paper
DAR. (Light) You a ltdle bored, decide you wanna write about the
bad guys?
RICK. Tes for ana, acualy, Pause.) “Middle-aged white male seeks
ince Hal ous br mcg gassing icon
DAR. Hey. I was just kidding, I inow is not the New York Times.
RICK. It definitely nor che New York Time.
DAR. Just so long 2s the people with the prison keys read ie ..
(Beat, 80 how long you been & journalist, Rick?
RICK. Bightocn years next May. Pause; wry.) is this the pare where
we get to know each other?
DAR, Sure. (Beat.) You martied?
RICK. (4 smile) Nope.
DAR, (With a hand later) Bilingual?
RICK. ve been with a woman for chree years. Its good. (Beat)
We drink aloe of ta
DAR. Bur you love her?
RICK. Quite bit, actully.
DAR. That’ good; its good to have that. (Darius watching Rick
clcely ....) want you to believe me, About the crime
RICK. I'l believe the science.
DAR. Good. (Pase,) Bur I want you to believe me too, Because I
didnt shoot that kid. (He looks deel ineo Ricks sex and speaks
swith simple, inscapable honest.) didn’ shoot him. | swear to God
above, Rick: I did not shoot that man. (Rick lizens if’ impresed,
dnd nor showing it; bet...) Te been wanting to thank you for ev.
ting my letter in. Even though they rook out the curse words.
RICK. I gor a good response. Eighteen lewters-to-the-editor on
someone’ leter-to-the editor. (Darius lean forward and speaks qui-
chy, devoid of bombase,)
DAR. I'm not gonna lc, Rick. I wanna get outta here. (Beat) I go
ul
t
ie to bed and I dream about walking down the stcet. Is all wanna
do — walk down the seeet and talk to people. (Pause) Ask 'em
Shar they had for breakfast. Pause.) And honestly, if Twas allowed
to do that... (Beat) I dunno. (Beas.) 1 think ies possible 10 com-
manicate in this country. That beneath all the bullshit there's =
place where each of us identifies wich all of us; whete person-10-
eson comprehension is posible. And that if we can find a way to
Speak to chat place, even Shrough jus lettc-to-the-editor ..chat
ite possible ro make a difference. (Pewse.) Because when I think
about this country I dont think about the Grand Canyon or the
facking hills of New Englands I think about basically idealistic peo-
ple, walking around, seeking co understand each ot
RICK. ... You always been lke thist
DAR. No. The fase ten years I was fall of hate
RICK. So howd you get che hope?
DAR. Usual staf Few too many beatings, a suicide fire, some
Ielam, some born-again. Then my brain kicked in.
Scene 4
The kitchen; Rick stands at the door, having just entered.
RICK, The haits are Ron's
KAT. What
RICK. The haics are Ronay’s the skin is Ronny’. Everything was
positive against his blood work.
KAT. Willi be enough to get your guy a new tral?
RICK. He doesnt need one. Ronny confessed. He was told of the
results, two hours lar he asks eo see the warden, he confesses 0
the crime. Fully.
KAT. Shit
RICK. Yeah,
KAT, (Honest) Power of the press. (Rick smile, embarrased but
happy.) What bappens now? Legally?
RICK. Its on the governor's dese with request for Darius imme-
diate release, They think itll happen quick. Apparently the gow's
been reading my articls.
2
Scene 5
Rick and Katy kitchen; Rick, Darius and Opal —
soci dec ims vated cand
7 Katya stands atthe stove working « wok. The
‘mood is a bs iff, but convivial enough tae
ATL... And this prison guard — correctional fier — whatever
— this cki’ bouo-meachead i ating at me— actually he’s sear
ing at my breass, and granted [was wearing my power push-up
clenage-booses, bur be looks at my breasts and says, "Well how
about we go back to my officer beter nego the sue” Like an
idiot. But then I think, “OK, Pm gonna see how fr Team ake this
‘without geting raped” So Igo bacco his office which is acwally
then eb and he gu cs he dor behind me and
i literally —T kid you not — doling and he sys, "Flows this for
guna? —anieigolisme ne me
DAR. Tell me you whacked him across the face —
KAT. I whacked this guy across the face, slapped him with a per-
sonal assul charge, slapped the fiility with a lawsuit, fled my
seory, gt the place pus on probation and received a sit thousand
gol ihe olloing ment (Dri gs end ran ge
ber abi “i berber,
Dif Ge ym ae —
Tm not, I fucking bate journalism — who needs a beer?
RICK. Fluke one osc bes —
KAT. Opal? —
OPAL, All ight —
KAT. Darius?
DAR. Ti god with he ie
CT. (Distributing bers) Thope you guys like sy savce
DAR. Why iy ace be nee
(Cracking up.) Ha! — no, its wha T'm cooking with, i
Tftickin? ‘tel (Sbcand Daria finding tha bilanowe 7
RICK, Anyway Dasa waking me mh hi he hold
KAT. Tn terms of —
13
Kew
F
L RICK. I dunno ~ he’s gor some exposure, some momentum —
KAT. He should sue people — no question; the DA, cops, states
attorneys —
RICK. Be serious —
KAT. Tm sous —
DAR. [es nor really my style —
RICK. His op-ed ren in today’s paper and the phones Hew off the
hook.
KAT. (To Dar) Go for a book deal.
DAR. Like what?
KAT, Memoir, creative non-fiion — people ext that scuff up —
DAR. I dunno —
KAT. You don’t wanna write a book?
DAR, Yeo ehiak I wanma wt a book
RICK. Twas saying maybe he sie jouralsm.
KAT. Does he wanna? — do you warns do journalism
DAR. I dont really wanna do journalis
RICK. Why noe? oe
DAR. Thave too many opinions. Journalism’s a lie voyeuristic.
RICK, Excuse me, journalists have opinions. Ie’ just that we hap-
pen ro use agnostic vesbs
DAR. (Tb Katya.) Its 2 lide voyeuristic. i
KATVA. Totally. ukward pase: everyone acknowledges i .. To
Opal) Wha do you think?
OPAL. (Pans, Abour what? :
KAT. About what Darius should do with himself now.
OPAL. dunno. :
RICK You think he should go into journals
‘OPAL. fhe wants. (Beas)
KAT. What do you do, Opal?
OPAL. Nothing.
RAT. Noching like what?
OPAL, Nothing like nothing
KAT. You're unemployed?
OPAL. Nope. :
KAT. So you dont like your job?
OPAL. dont bave one.
KAT. (Pause.) Are you on welfare?
OPAL, Nor anymor ‘
DAR. (To Opal) Why/se you giving them a hard time?
OPAL. Ti not giving anyone a hard time
DAR. (Z others) She works off the books, babysits —
OPAL. Deals drugs —
DAR. No you dont —
OPAL. How do you know?
DAR. Because you dori deal drugs —
OPAL. Yes 1.do—
DAR. No you don't —
OPAL. Yes Ido—
DAR. What kind?
OPAL. I dunno.
DAR. (Te other.) She doesn't deal drugs.
KAT. Its fine with me ifshe docs.
DAR. She doesnt deal drugs. (To Opal) You dortc deal drugs.
OPAL. ‘Whatever you say, Darius,
DAR. She doesi* deal drugs.
KAT. (... To Opal) So you don't deal drugs?
OPAL. T guess not.
KAT. Tes too bad. T like drugs.
OPAL. Me too. (... Rick ying to be inclusive: o Opal)
RICK: So how long were you guys together? Before prison,
OPAL. A year
DAR. A year and a halé
‘OPAL, A year and three months.
RICK. And you got married after how long?
DAR Opal agreed to marry me right before my tral, But ie didn't
actually happen until — what —a year and a half later? —
OPAL. A year—
DAR. — about a year after that
KAT. (To Opal.) Was ichard to say marred the whole time he was
in there?
OPAL. Who said I sayed martied?
DAR. Let's be honest: Opal mattied me out of sympathy: she was
honoring our past; bur nobody, searing with me, expected her to
sit home and sew socks. For me it was just being able to say that T
hada wife. Even just ro say it. Most guys in prison dontt gee any-
where near thar. And guys on death row ... (Shaking his bead.)
She's a remarkable woman.
OPAL, (To others) Ihave a boyfciend.
DAR. She likes to say that.
OPAL. Its rue.
DAR. Tes true bar its noe good, Opal, because Jackie told me what
i he does and thar shits no good, Tim elling you. (Pesce 29 osbers) 1
qove this woman. This womans the reason T dist chink abou any-
fons else forall those years in prison: she's the reason I didt put dsty
piceres on my wal (To er) Its cause yout a jewel, Opal: because
Peale my optlescent gem and you fier our the bad and insulate the
ood Youre my erptocrytlline sweetheart. (To ater) She makes
see a better man. (Fae,) She dacs ike ane anymore and I had ©
ibe her to come out with me tonight... but che woman makes me
beter man. (To Opal Love you, Opal. (Ne answer) Hove you. You
dont believe me yee bux I do. (Nothing. To others) I bad ee pice
fon may Wall the whole time. Tye been waking up to chis besucful
serene, once in-a-cenrury face for the last stteen years. Pause — a
‘hopish mile) She dont love me back yer, bur she wil (To ber) T
kencwe you will, Opal. And Fn gonna wait here ‘ih you do. (Ta others)
‘Nor herein your aparument, bux hee in genera.
RICK. We gor that. (Opal jst loks at hin, not giving in- Beat)
KAT. So you know what Z would do? 1 were released fom jail
after siteen years and dida't know what I wanted? Td move to
Minnesota and start a wid farm.
RICK. No you woulda.
KAT. Yeah I would.
RICK. You cart even water flowers in a pot in your window sil
Kasya, you've got no business talking about wind fms.
KAT. OK, my uncle was a fuer.
RICK. What uncle?
KAT. My uncle Quon, he had tice and chickens on a frm ourside
Guanzjo.
RICK So that makes you think you could sun a wind farm?
KAT, Ie in my blood, Rick, I know how to work the land.
RICK, You buy fren spinach a dhe mini-mart.
KAI Whatever, Thats what I would do. (Ric watcher ber with
arene septicioms slene ..-)
SOAR. fe ecems to ine thatthe thing about wind energy is exther~
ize Wind energy could alter the entire course of this county:
“Stange consumption, diminish corporsee influence, preserve the
Sinitgamenr, zeconstitute completely che design of our incerna-
Sonal selations. [mean — Windustr’s where its at, Kat. Bur che
thafor impediment scems tobe that people dink sheyte ug Like
they dont like to lok 2t windmills on their horizon, So Tsay its
just a mavier ofa PR campaign to convines Joe-tskey-farmer that
srSngle pid-connecte, residenial-sized rwelve-megavwar generat
6
ing wind turbine is actually a work of fucking are. That is acual-
pict eee tc Pt
'm romanticizing i, but wo me theyre gorgeous, like the Delaware
Brea he Hore Danner an cers wha
to create usiiaran structures of strength and absolute beau
KAT. (... Eramored) Flow the hell did you come up with tha?
DAR. Books ie force
KAT Lerme gus, yout one ofthese inpiraona prion zm
DAR. (Daviw just regards her.) Sure,
OPAL. He’ one of those guys who can tak our his ass and make
his lipe move. (The others raged her am instant.)
AR (Simple) You dnt sink el he she
hink you say che only things you know fou to
Deceit marc ifthe math oro Pee inatitind
‘What aboue wit I jase sid wasn’ eruthful, Opal?
PAL ene eon agi
Tan never seen 4 win "
p sdmil, baby, lke I ju sid, “cept in
OPAL. So that’ what Jal talkin’ out your as.
DAR. You doat chink books are ral?
OPA. Nota enough fo yo kik ha
AR. I gota go sit in a field in Minnesota to have an opini
about turbines? oo
OPAL. Hrvmmm hmm.
DAR. Meaning I gor be fre wo tale about feedom?
OAL. Nerifioduedeste kee sie
DAR. Do I gotta have seen Jesus to belive in God?
OPAL. fost goa prac ou im den lan yi
pe you've seen Him or spoke with Him or a least mothedfuckin
betnd lim on the sree. nd
DAR. All sight chen, al sighe, O; &s your opinion,
Prager ip ea a a A
OPAL. Good. i
DAR. (Beat. To others) Now you ste why Love cis gil?
17 Scene 6
ATV studio, et for one of those Sunday morning new
danabjsis shows, only this one is called This Week in
Delaware, meaning ileal rarer than national and has @
slightly more down-home feel. Its bast is none other than
Katya, who actually manages to infuse ber job with credible
conviction. Her guest this morning is none osber than
Darius. They are mid-inverview
KAT. We've been talking with recently-exonerared prison inmate
Darius McReele about the correctional system in this country —
(fs Darius,) — and I have to say that 1 knew what you. were say-
ing buc T never really knew it, so V'm detighted ro have had your
take on it, but Fd love now, without sounding the violin ene, 0
hear a ltt bit abouc who you are and how you found yourself so
thoroughly immersed in the Delaware Srate correctional system.
DAR. Like what in particular?
KAT. Ler's stare with where you grew up, what your family was like
and chen get your view a3 %0 Whether Our overflowing prison sys-
ain is soon ult or if black people in this country are just ..
DAR. Gerting progressively laier?
KAT. Ob, well —
DAR. Tim just kidding with you —
KAT. Right — good — kidding is good.
DAR. T grew up in Wilmington, on Rosemont Avenue. Went £0
MLK elementary, Dupont Middle School and Howard High. I'm
an only child. My father was a poseal administrator, actually assis-
fant postmaster general for the city, and my mother ran 2 little
greeting card service out of our house.
KAT. Your mother made greeting cards?
DAR Thats igh
KAT. Were you folks normal?
DAR. (A smile.) 1 dunno, I have different memories throughout;
my Dad voting foc Reagen, my Mom talking up Bobby Seale, so
maybe not.
KAT. Tall me about your ancestry
DAR. Aftican, alittle Lesh
KAT. Thus the name?
DAR. So 'm wid.
KAT. Was ita nice house, where you lived?
DAR. Prety nice,
KAT. So you‘te talking about a pretry solid family?
DAR. We had a nice car but no savings; that kinda thing.
KAT. So then what Aggpened?— to put you near the crime that
night?
DAR. I screwed up. In with the wrong crowed. Wanting to be what
T though was "black.” Seeking the life ofa gangster.
KAT, Do you regret it?
DAR. OF course. (Paue,) Now the confession was coerced —
which is 2 chronic blind spot our system has 10 deal with. And T
was a kid — but even Bids have petsonal responsibilty. From very
carly on. we know in our bones the difference between sight and
‘wrong. So-yeah — sociery’s gor problems, bur it’s not all society's
_faule. asthe one who landed me in the interrogation room diat
night. I was aware ofthe blind spots I should've known beter.
KAT: Lees tall more about society's blind spors
DAR. (A small mile.) Pm not sute L
KAT. (ue ofthe ble.) What do you think about our welfare sytem?
DAR. (A shy chuckle) I would say Tm not a big far of the way it
currently works
KAT: Flow docs ic curcently work? — With the sesule thar you're
not the head of its fan ub?
DAR. (Slow at fist) I would say that it tends to be more helpfl
to whites han it actually isto blacks.
KAT. Dont stop shere.
DAR. Every time a black person is “helped” by a white person, it
shoves the blac person farther into victim role, which only brosd-
«ns the problem. Nor to mention its an approach that has more £0
ddo.with white redemption than black reparation. It lip service —
KAT. Why?—
DAR. Because that kind of gultdriven urge — as profoundly as
it mighe be fle — ie eakes away our power.
KAT. How?
DAR._By killing our desive o live. I mean look ar the average
feinale welfare recipient: Poor, black, single teenage mother, the
state gives her housing, food stamps, health care, day care — no
‘wonder the gid doesn't get married, shes beter off single. All she's ota do is make some babysitting money, borrow some cash and
Sits good to go. All her energy gocs into finagling instead of mak
RE hd ha te ad fe
T And thats he sae fale? —
ders it Kaya. Te rakes away her motivation. :
KAT. Soam [to assume youre agains affirmative action’
DAR. Parelly — :
KAT. Meaning you think this countrys beyond slavery
DAR. No, bur dont chink tha salt and pepper grad school classes
ite gonna make America rn again. Your average Black American
oeent give a lick if Pfizer Drigs puts more black people on iss
board, Because atthe end ofthe day — is sill Pet
KAT. Innit it moze just a matter of balancing the sale? —
DAR. Its a mater of white people expecting fom w the sane
Sng hy exes fom het um. Ten wold you sly ont
acid going vo Harvard just because somcone felt soy for het?
Jie ae dee you admit thatthe vicumizing effects of slavery
sill resonate? —~ :
SOA They resonate but they don’t beat out ignorance, lack of self
confidence, poor realityassessment —
o you are sayng blacks are lary —
ERE re ankle ga
‘Rention, be responsible for our Families. Tim not asolving the white
face Tin jus saying that she cycle of blame does no ene any goed
KAT, So what’ your solution, Ms. McReele? You can't complain if
1 dont have answers. i
Pee iain: Haw dome nai
The inervention? Maing a diference is more than jut some white
tid losing his sembly line jb toa Black Kd. Fm clking moncy
weer cnety needing to be redirected to the core. We need toilet
paper andl pencils in grade schoo a Tor more chan we need some
Fie yela blacker in law school. Ther’ ikea ity percent drop-
aaa cre for college-level affirmative action babies anytay because
Rove unprepased for whac they face. say leysate SAT prep
vues inthe ghee, Is mandate «corporate matching dons
Sono a rc cone for every campaiga comtibution in this country
vise tobucco companies 10 replace all those nigger-aimed ciga~
rede ads with billboards of Zora Neale Huston quotes! Money
‘Shore the mouth is, Katy, sats what Lsayt (Kaya regards him a
Imomont then turns tothe camer.)
20
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KAT. OK then — I've been talking to Delaware native Darius
MeReele. Tis Katya Braunne, join us again next week for, This
Week in Delaware. (Exit music is beard as the camera light fade and
Kazya takes off ber body mic. Darius waiches and does the same. To
Dar) Well beep out the ‘niggee” reference —
DAR. Sorry —
KAT. Nota problem, it was good. You taka lor —
DAR. Yeah —
KAT. Is good —
DAR. lejos what do —
XT. It's good, i's good. We like talkers.
DAR. OK.
KAT. Youre provocative. 'm assuming ifs on purpose.
DAR. Why would ic be? cages
KAT. Provocation is fun
DAR. Tesjuse what I think. (She myards him, « mix of erigue and
skepticism. Rick enters) ie a
RICK. What the fack was thao You'e against affirmative action?
DAR. Seems like ic — :
RICK. You never told me.
DAR. Irnever came up —
RICK. 7 mean I'm all for restructuring wellue, but scrapping the
‘whole fucking thing is like the richese country in the world calling
its own poor people to essentially srew off.
DAR. You didutt hear me say “screw off” You heard me say te-
imagine the intervention. There are more than two horses in the
KAT. [es true, Rick, there ae a lot of horses. (Rick ger the surnkle
in herepe, then turns to Dari, then back to Kasya. Hes not mack just
curious) Uhave to stat editing, 30... (Te Darius) Nice work.
DAR. ‘Thanks. (Katya leaves; Rick watches Darius for a moment.
Rick nods dubioush; bea; he bends Darius a note)
RICK. So listen, I gota cal calir today. Some guy's been reading
your stuff and wants you to speak to a bunch of Catholics.
DAR. (Offnote) “The Association of Lay Catholics of Delaware"?
RICK. Theyre anti-death penalty, theyre reformed, they do good
deeds around the state. He sid thy pad well (A man appears Fi
Gragen, 603, White, quier, sromg-wiled.)
JIM. Excuse me
RICK. Yes?
JIM. (To Darius) You're Darius McRecle.
a4 DAR. ‘That ah
JIM. (Pause,) How does it feel?
Te ow tos wha el
JIM. Your freedom.
Baa seen
IM. You're happy- :
JM, Nau HBP) Do we ame oh the
PAR gad yous bor
DAR. Thank you.
FE eng show yo.
DAR. Well ... that's thanks 0 Rick here.
OAR ea dee esa im)
eon neck obe
JIM, Tjuse wanted ro look at you.
<<
Pa be we whale ut os
ae heaeainl a er
aR ai rik, Up de. Bez) You dn know
‘me, do you :
BR Fay
PA vty
DAR. OK. e :
JIMe 1 followed your cate, (Pew. Since the beginning, Pete)
Ys lon gen bim nw geting)
Baar
Te a norma dis
CS se do ane tbo 0
ail Tim not hereto kil. Ijuse wanted 10 lool eS
Fane ay aeceied «legal pardon, st (No ane) Avot
Oa Ged be cine
SIM, You think Pn here to-hure you?
Pao
Tk tion
Bi hee ;
DAR Neha hw my mind wo
TM, aw ow won
rouble. .
set Jost ane mero ge yo wuble
DAR. No. ee
oT eaters
Fe fies) Tim nor sure whac youre talking about, sc
I just done want any
2
JIM, Should T give you a hug? Can P Should 2
DAR. Why would you do that?
JIM. Make you feel beter. Make us both feel beer. About every-
thing.
DAR. (Pawe,) OK.
TIM. OX, (Jim slowly walks towards Darius, who i now rather nero-
us abous what this might ental: im finally ges there, but sop only
inches from Darius’ ce. Darius des not finch, us ust and shee,
sealing for something shat never comes,) Maybe I'l just stand here
(Silence) Is that good? Does that make everyone fel beret? He
remains standing jrghteninly clse 9 Darius. Bea Davis speaks
genil end ft)
DAR. 1 did nor tll your son, si. didnt do is.
JIM. Ofcourse you did
DAR. No—
JIM. Of course you did. Everything about you killed him.
Brerything about you ripped oue his heart. (Pause) But Tex not
‘mad. I'm nor even sad. Tm just. Ijust wanted to look atyou. (He
looks at Darius a moment, emotional bu reercining i. Rick watches,
st als for whos 19 do. Daria stars t0 ty and embrace Jim —
Strong) Dose ouch me
DAR. ... OK
JIM, Dont ever... ever touch me ... (Silence as Darius just sands
there allowing Jim ro be before bon; Rick watches, swmed, moved
‘Muffed) 1 hope you dic .. (fier another moment, Jom seps bach,
turns end sats 1 walk awry: Darius waits, then spe)
DAR. I knew Patsick. (fom saps, hi back sill Dartus) Ukncw
him, from easier thar year. He been coming around for several,
months. So Iknew hiss, Pause.) He was a very good kid. Pause.)
He was a very good kid, sit. remember his face, He had those lit-
de dimples. They were like holes iz a tsee, When he smiled.
(Paus,) Hie was avery sweet kid (fm sche his alin silent oats
a.moriens... then exit.)
RICK: (Beat; to Darius) We should go.
DAR. Right. Bur be doesnot move. They stand there Scene 7
Rick and Karya in their kitchen.
RICK. Artic gave me a special ule today
KAT. About what?
RICK. Getting to0 close to my story:
KAT, ... Lwould say he has a point. I mean, how much money have
yor alieady loaned Darius? (Rick sakes this, no argument. )
RICK. Tim not gonna pull back from this just because Artie sud-
Genly cares that F care. (Pes) Twas listening to Datius speak the
other day — he was talking to a group of ex-cons about jabs —
oh | fle lke 1 was watching something real forthe frst rime in
renty years It made me absoluey not give a fuck about. “Fair
Mea balanced coverage.” “Measured objectivity” doesn hol a ean-
dle co someone speaking their mind, Tm sorry just —
KAT. Its a lie precious, dees —
RICK. Good!
KAT, Artes right — The paper ges accused of having an agenda
when —
RICK, 1 wanna have an agenda. Agendas imply passion.
Neutrality implies comatose.
KAT. So chen write for the edicorial page
RICK. Theyre pro-death penalty.
KAT, Fine — then dont be a journalist next time.
RICK. The season I became one is because I wanted to have an
efece (Pause for fe) 1 don't have an effect anymore
KAT. Here we go—
RICK. Tm secious. All Ido is “offer up sides of the equation.” Ies
the problem with our profession: You have opinions but you cant
aor Ee hem because you're coo wotried about being “fa” — about
being accused of liberal agenda’ — or being a “pawn of
Corporsce entities”... tothe point where your acral identity ges
ootin the shuffle, (Beas) 1 mean, I have fricads atthe paper who
ddosit even vote anymore because they're too worried about raking a
positon. (Pate,) es like were all turning into ‘Tom fucking
Brokaw: "We dort disclose our own opinion because we cant actue
Meemember wher ii?
Pause; light) You know what your problem ist Deat. Youre
ol ae ink youre eupposed to go around, rotepad in
i or the next big thing. Buc you need ro relax,
Because the media isthe thing. Meaning guys like Darius dont
even begin to exist without us. Is a givens They need ws more than
swe need them. So you wanna believe in journalism again? Then do
your job: “Offer up sides of the equation, Because if you build i,
the motherfuckers will come.” (A small smile) :
Scene 8
A small meeting room: Rick and Darius sit with Donald
‘Smathers, Whit, late 50s, a rapid and: meade power
broker. Ta be played by same actor who played fim Cragen
DON. 1 missed your Lay Catholics 5
DAR You dite aug
DON. Wall Tsead the copy and liked it.
DAR "Thank you—
‘This was afer I saw your speech atthe prosecutors’
ag ea ar i re rr uate
cpaglnt red whe Ti you he plone
DON. You've gor a great fad wor
vega ere en
DON. You like to tall
DAR. I guess —
DON. No, dont be shy about, ite terifie quality its what we'
Shore on these days; ae tha back, wete short on people who alk
Serton ee days a aback eso on pope who a
RICK. (fo Dex) Donan
. That's why I was there, atthe prosecutors hing, alt:
doa’ like to admit it because I don' sang inwyer
os Me adi itbecee dot aly He being er
DON. Because lawyers never mean whet ’
ial be Fal lease ohana ne
‘nous that so theres no need to pretend otherwise. RICK. (To Dar) Done et him fool you, Tve seen Don in court
and he’ a foree to be reckoned with
DON. Thats because I was a bullsives, Rick
RICK. You were a bullshinec in pursuit of ruth —
DON: Thats te —
RICK, You used words to get at what you believed in —
DON. Sometimes thats what you have to do —
RICK. (To Dar.) He was great to watch —
DON. Aref bullshit — as we cll it at che club, T also saw you
on the show, Darius, che Sunday show —
RICK. This Week in Delaware —
DON. This Week in Delaware, you were fantastic —
DAR. Thank you —
DON. Youive got integrity you cant buy.
DAR. Thanks —
DON. As T aid, I missed the Catholic thing —
DAR. Right —
DON, But [went back and read your other work — the essays,
the articles, the ants — they're not rants, well they ave but they#e
good rants, cheyse meaningful rants.
DAR. Somesimes J get carried away.
DON. Well chink thar's why were here, (Ls flashy) I chink thats
sohy we here. (Paneer grain.) Did Rick tll you why were here?
DAR, No.
DON, Tasked him not to, (Genuine, no more bullsbit.) 1 want v0
plane a seed in your head, Darius. Paws.) Did Rick ell you what
Tdo?
DAR, You're a lawyer
DON. Imun the state Democratic commisees, Dasius, (Pause)
‘And Lwant to know if youd consider running for senator.
DAR. (Beat) Stase senator?
DON. No. Senator frovn che state,
DAR. (Beas) Are you fucking with me?
DON. Tim far from fucking, Darius, Pm far ftom fucking.
RICK. He’ far from fucking.
DAR. (To Rick, Does he know who I am?
DON. What does that mean? —
DAR. ‘That I've been in prison for the last sixteen years —
DON. Of course I know that —
DAR. Oh.so that’s part of he —?
DON, Pare ofthe what? — part ofthe reason Id want you to run?
26
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DAR. Yeh —
BON. "yah ye, bly but on
DAR tasers eee
DON. Ti pot of the reon, Daru, because itm
guy quid sek 0 «lg prion af his wae
ens wh dott below counay lbs for whom li
cakewalk. Your life hasn't been a cakewalk, Darius, pd acpi
never gave up, youre not — (Te Rick.) — how do I say this? — (To
Feta s) Yodie . — ged poblic ple gel opi ae
dapper 0 coincide with and acually eludes a growing wend
a Ze oe democratic apparatus in which were seeking to
cur own ideny in utposion wo te died Ek ade
cami igh dan dal aoe sy tt ov a ght oy
pose thet you already now? ae
Bake font unt know
DON, Wallyoudelom' maybe cin plc but yu
inwine ate dean. What Tet tuyng ofa stat youre every.
thing we've ever wanted, Darius. Is that too romantic? — You're
cg we nn snd sad ne
Xo or, you now he imc your Hraperence i cence
ny. you can speak Oth auboy i tym Ob ee an
youre = Phot fas genic — what ee can 1a? Aad | dost
drat yousounoer ign Le wanna puttin yo herd
Sone aa
CK. As you know, Gerry Phillips is 2 powerful incumbent and
the thinking seems to be that is going fo take a slighty tadica
steatégy to knock him out. eae
DON. State Democrats have no one. We no
ae eee fe have no one of inverest
CK. (Beat,) Can you tell him a litele bit about wh Hc
nae yor litle bit abc rhat he'd have to
DON Nod his ead. The moment ke nods hea I put nto
oti he many nay og Bone alloc fom
sa mater of sng wth out feopi und caecousng oa
local ae bay start rp aking him around the lecture crete a
mnt of se and rational capoure "mow of is fading wl
aes from out-of-sate; the wiole thing'l be very high profile (75
arias.) I's really just a matter of you aiming your passion in this
direction. If you do that — we'll guide you on the specific naviga-
thon: (ei) Yecould bee hind thing ae changes age
7 DAR, (Beat...) Ids alot w throw ar someone,
DON. Iris, and as I said — I don't want an answer now.
DAR. (1b Rick) You knew this was about thst
RICK. He outlined the idea; I wanted you so hea it from him.
DAR” You dont think it sounds a litle insane? A guy with my
background would get tipped apart.
RICK. [dont think ies any more insane than a lot of stuff thac
goes down in policies these days. just look around. So I think Don
fs eight: I think you should just think about it.
Scene 9
Darius and Opal sit ogerber,perbaps at a restaurant; Beat
DAR, [es nice here.
OPAL, Yeah.
DAR... Except for che chili. I mean, ic wasn bad, but it was
nothing like your Mom's chil. You remember your Mors chili?
(... She node) This is gonna sound funny, but when I was im, Vd
soy chat about once a month I'd dream of your Moms chili, You
now bow she made that chili? | used to dream ofthat chili once a
‘month. (Pause) Lused to love that fucking chili.
OPAL. (Quiet) Ie was good chil
DAR. Ie was phenomenal fucking chili, Opal. Phenomenal fucking
chil, Beet.) You remember thar time back when we were kids and
‘ee went ro chat place? What was thas place?
OPAL. Pause.) Red Lobster
DAR. Red fucking Lobster — and we ate so much food I thought
swe were gonna pass out We had like deep fred shrimp, deep fied
ounder deep fried cams, decp fred squid... deep fied red lobar...
OPAL. (Quiet) Deep ftied mushrooms —
DAR. Deep fied mushrooms, decp fried, ike, buster biscuis —
(Hes gosen a small laugh out of her)
OPAL. Deep fried spinach —
DAR.” Deep fried oysters oa the half shel, deep fried Peps.
(Beat) And that time [borrowed my unck’s az and we went down
to Ocean City? (She nadi,) We went on those rides on the board-
|r nrrat ate em ce RRR
vwalk and you dew up on that brand new shire Thad?
saan ” new shite Thad?
DAR. What the hell were you thinking, gil?
OPAL Tesh mean nnn BP —
DAR. — that was my brand new Ra
‘was my brand new Ralph Lausen or whatever —
OPAL. Tewas ‘cause you made me eat
DAR oes en or eet
OPAL, did wane en —
DAR. I made you eat em? — NOW you'e drunk, Opal
youte just talkin’ drunk — es a
OPAL Thad ie sven aa! pple, Das —
know you had seven caramel apples, Pm not dis
AR, De ale sl dein
ing hse apple — You we like — (ning) — "Ob00 —
Obits Tatiana De Ct
DAR. "Hell yeah ies ru, gil, you ate chem apples quicker chan a
sie ents nas Tea © god You wr ike — HMMM —
Simme some apples, gimme some apples”... =
area 0 oul dating i or wha ee
°AL. How many times you gonna ask me that?
DAR. Every day uneil I gee the anser I Tike.
OPAL. Well shen yon beer gt wed sing,
R. Ohi Can, Opal, I know you dont mean
OPAL, Hl att tno so dont mean hs
DAR. Because T know:
OPAL. How? —
DAR. Because I have contacts, I know this
Latte , [know things, private things,
DAR. You're dam tight it’ right —
OPAL. So whatayou know?
DAR. I know you don realy se him thar much. [know you like
to tell me youre seeing im, but that reality is you'te not And T
‘ow that inthe four mes weve ben on se got ont aon
three of those occasions youve been more than tempted to accom:
uy ms home, is ‘
PAL You can tell char just by loki
ae js by looking?
OPAL, Howe
DAR. Because I know you Opal Ovens, I know
DAR Bere Eno you Op Oven 1 ow Jo bee dat OPAL. No you dont —
DAR Yer Ido — and I know that inside of you there's special
spot sill on ice for me, chilled and waiting, maybe even secrecy
doping that Pl ell you on your prevaricacions and we cat cut t©
the chase and hit the sack. Which is what I'm doing now.
OPAL. You got three square a day fr sixteen years while L was ou
here tying to get by. L gor all Hind: of shit on ice, Darins, but most
ofem you dont wanna see.
DAR. (Sugar) T wanna see ‘em all, Opal. (She watohes him
moment.)
OPAL. (Gentle) [think you just like having me around.
DAR I da
OPAL. But it don't mean you serious.
DAR. So what’ it mean?
OPAL. Te means you wantta keep i ra.
DAR. Keep what real?
OPAL. I duano, your image, in case you decide to do the politics.
Pe) So that way you have your «rue black gil by your side
DAR. What? —
OPAL. You heard me.
DAR. *Cause I want a black gir bry may sdet —
OPAL. Yeah —
DAR. Why would I want —
OPAL. So that everybody says to themself that Darius McRecle
(Gide rarn ineo an Uncle Tom even though he’ trying to run for
office —
DAR. Waita minute, wait a minure —
OPAL, — oreven though he’ taking certain stands on certain shit
thar he’s sill rue "gherto" ‘cause he's a got a black girl for his girl
friend —
DAR. Please cll me you not serous —
OPAL. ‘Course Tm serious —
DAR. You think T wana love the gitl Im alseady marred to
because I'm trying to please the brothers? —
OPAL, No---you wanna dare a black gil “cause you want please
the woes
DAR. OK, shar doesn't make any sense —
OPAL. Of course it does — i your lise mind you think that if
you end up funning for office i’ gonna be ber to be with a black.
DAR. Why? —
30
pagans
somes
OPAL. °Cause you chink is more authentic
DAR.” According ro who? — ae
OPAL. According to what you shink they chink —
DAR. "Was I od choy thinks thai Lot eer so voe fora
wit 4 white woman than for 4 black man whos
PAL. dont think thas what you think —
DAR. Well i s— foce
OPAL. Fine — then maybe youre just
OPAL, Bae — -youte just eying to convince yourelf
OPAL, OF the iden that youte nor an Unce Tom. Maybe ye
Wot thar you ae and so youte ying wo hep il by gis
«DAR. All right — now youre crazy —
on ect
DAR. Twanna be with you beeause I Jove you, Opa
ale ey cay ca ae ere er
© OPAL. OK then dow sun,
DAR. ... Wha?
OPAL. Dont run.
DAR. Why not?
OPAL. ’Canse I don't want you ro.
DAR. Why no
OPAL. Because I don't
DAR. Why noe
© OPAL. ’Cause ifm gonna be wi lost
OPAL. "Cau 8 th you, I donit wanna be in that
DAR. Which whole world?
/SOPAL. The whole word of whatver tha worl is don wanna
F beim and I don't want you to try and make me. And i
wee
-DAR. Opal sen ome got no deseo deg some yon
Mont wannabe, or make you ino someting pou not. Llove you
(> justlike you are. And its nos because youre black. Tes cause you'e
omy opalescenc jewel. And itl be the same if| become a plumber or
Yen poses Bom aie ou, Opal yo Toe
‘Opal (ae, Which s why Yvan us havea Emily
DAR, 'T evo — the mores you ke me ale You be
anna. st ying 0 make a family. I wanna have lee
‘Opal/Dariuses runnin’ around populatin’ the earth. You want kids?
31 OPAL. No—
DAR. Yes you do, I know you do —
OPAL. How? —
DAR. ‘Cause my sources told me —
OPAL. Bullshit —
DAR. And yow told me —
OPAL, When? —
DAR, When we were seventeen yeats old, you said you wanted «0
trove outta the towers and have ten kids and live like the Queen of
Sheba of Delaware. (Sh takes this ins Darius knows hes goe bers beat
Ligier) "Sides, f wanted a gheco gi, I think I coud go a bit
rougher than you. (He ger a all smile) Buc Tm eling you, the lst
thing your average Delawate voter ans is heir senator hanging wth
yg, We may be al sha these days, bur were sil along way fran
Ail shee. (She has stopped fghsig hi om this; beat .. bead don.)
OPAL. Then maybe it’s something else
DAR. Maybe whats something clic?
OPAL. ‘The reason you wanna be with me.
DAR. (Pause) Like whae
OPAL. (Paus,)T dunno.
DAR. Yeah you do. You said chat for a reason.
OPAL. No! didsit —
DAR. (Srrong)) Opal. (She looks xp ax him.) Tell me what youTe
talking about.
PAL, Tin just saying ic could be another reason why you want
sme by your side.
DAR. Having to do with what?
OPAL. With other suff
DAR. Like what?
OPAL. Like suffyou chink | might know that you don't want me
to elk about
DAR. Pause) Like what?
‘OPAL, Like seuff I dont fee like talking abou right now.
DAR. Gear) If youre edlking about what I shink youre elking
about, then we should tae abour it
OPAL, We ate. (Beat) All'm saying is, Po all ighe with who you
tue, Darius; 0 you should be too. (Beat) Most people who grt
putea jail cry to buy 2 cer, not run for senator.
DAR. I dont get what youre —
OPAL. Tim saying buy a fucking ear, D. Le’ just be happy with
hae. Beat as Darius absorbs this. and then.)
32
DAR. Tm gonna take care of
care ofyou. No master what, Im gonna take
ders ntoncsd ig ort are
Bags My rein. PY iseing
DAR. Because T love you. And the reasor
you. yn T want you back is
ies ou make me emenber wha my ile wsike Kelacine
edly ‘me stare breathing again. (Peuse,) OK?
DAR. Nou love me back? Opal?
BAR. ig ove me ack Opa
DAR’ Cimon, gimme a lle more than that.
OPAL. (Gemuine,) I love you,
ae me
ae
Scene-10
“Darina now.
8 “Darncno sending ait nbs Khe, reg
DAR. ‘Chanks,for,sceing-me so late,
RICK, ‘Nop.a problem, Eve ‘OK?
Dale eablatsnhinkabou ae dae
RUCK, Tessie 1 prey ameing aly Tonk okt
eset prima isa prey lame field out thee, a east
Joc lop, Gary Eilips has ben wing he fo with
‘thesnominees = bur its mosey because the Democrats hay
‘put forth anvone.scrongslf you do cis... and ople off
= pocforthanyone,rong.! -. and ean earch poople off
‘oad eee chineyou havea chance of taking a shor a this
oe "0 hance of taking a shot at this guy.
|) RICK, There's a moderatiberal base here. IE you i
Abllngyet ‘wouldnt even have to play c0 the cor pono oe
atic ‘em without-taking off their heads, gee the blue collar vote,
nt alienate-theblacks. The vote’ therefor the taking :
BAR: So.you think shoul doi ie
ICN forme man, Tmean Tj wre are nd
(Beat) You leaning in a particular way?
eae eee
ymehow thet docsrit surprise me.
cyssineesrteetense eee
segment to abouts,
RICK. What is ie
DAR. Iovas there the night Patrick Cragen gor sho
RICK. (Bear) What do you mean you wets ther?
Dan Toa esae eo
DAR, What about you?
RICK. About me tbat? :
DAR. You ever think about being part of i
RICK. Of the —-?
DAR. The effort. Helping me our. Advising.
RICK, Are you ashing me? RIGK -Acthe rourder?
DAR. Yeah. DAR Yeah,
RICK. Thave ajob. IGK (Passe) You werent 2 block away?
DAR. Quicit DAR. Nowtwas there,
RICK. Tear just quit my job — RICE hehe go: shoe
sh (Beat 1 was with Ronny. I was standing next
ik ee . ding next to him
RICKS, OK, swaica minute — you were there?
“DAR Yeah. (Bause,) None of us had any idea it was gonna hap-
DAR. Sure you can.
RICK. No—
DAR. You dose like your jab, Rick. You havent liked isin ten
years
RICK. Says who? — os cag |] Bengt ushappened, Ie yas an argument, a misunderstanding 0
Rae ire abvious, and its nor “anse youre bored is ‘se HS ‘hiteVeriand Ronpy.plled. his gun and shot eS
Oa en abougt ie would Te doe equip you GE ew wham fuck todo. J
ith what you need to do what you watt E RICE eed nee denaet
RICK. Which is whe | DARGRinny handed:tco me and old me to dow ein a dumps
DAR Be effective. Aft change. Pause.) | BCR falcons per
DAR. Oe ec ie oe ant me w aut and work on your J DAR He stiuvasetecsbat vay awe ws feaking out, Risk,
RICK: So-phen,she,cops. picked you up
campaign? .
DAR. You don't have to act all surprised — ') DAR. When they picked:me up it all. went down like I said
RICK, Tim not— vethg path 4 Bgphadine pegged for fee helene and Tid ave the
RICK. ot agora “Who ating gion — gor Liat bere Eat ight geen Ronayne
RICK. Not dont— { RIGK: 1 (Binae}S0hen you xy “none of us” had any idea —?
DAR. You didnt think Pd want you to help? — © DARI fatarme, Ronny or the kid
RICK. Irhadnie realy erossed my mind — ee RICK so! Whavabour at.the trial? When you retracted?
DAR. Wall de. © DAR, Plats when Yao em Tas a block aay
RICK: Why dida’eyou rel chem the truth?
DDAR, Because I as rol the aw worked was dha il
inlrder: Accomplice abil. If youl there partakin
nsiysule sll gly. nae tend
RICK. Burwasst-armed robbery or was it just a fighe berween
ont a, Gragen?
RICK, (Psu) OK then. Thats good to know.
PEGE reaeuldafbe He it was she fre me ajourmais switched
sides.
RICK. Right
RGR Bibs) I wanoa ge back to Don by the end ofthe wee If
ina ange, ge sa 00 on
RICK. Tagree. | DARs Ldonisknows whae the fuck ie was, Rick. Ie was like een sec-
DAR. Theres something else we should alk about. )ondsiof chaos. I couldnt rell who was trying ere: ee
RICK. Ob yeah? jefe was'éther shit betwreen them I didnt know about, or if Ronny
DAR, Ye. (ea es eal a bicoF big ing ‘| jus lasthis cool or if the kid was provoking him. Ar chat poiot in
Sen thy lifed-was just doin’ whatever Ronny told me ro do. And I
Roe Le ay much the only pon on ert Lean lk bate ldo him since that night [sll doi know.
34 35
“cc nt cst EE TEED ES COCA LLL TELL LEE EOL RICK. Jesus, Darius —
DAR. { know. I know. Im sorry —
RICK. 1 mean what the fick? Ie like —
DAR. Fm sorry —
RICK. Imean T wite these articles to get you released —
DAR. What else could I tll you, Rick? IF Td told you I was there
what would you have done? Your whole perception of me would've
Changed, when the fat of the macter is — I'm sill not guilty of the
Crime. I happened to be standing nex: ro aman when he shot
Soother man. I didnt pull che rigger. And when the police bit me
for the crime I didat rat out Ronny. Thar’ alli all is. Seventeen
years old and I'm trying to find my way through shit have no idea
phere i leads. Te was all instinc (Peus.) I pat in sbmeen years for
XT murder I didn't commie. I think T'm paid up. (Beat, So I wanted
to tell you thar. Before this whole thing goes any further. And I
oat know ifit means I should come clean about it, ot bucy it now
that Ronny’s doing the time. I dorit know, Rick. I really don't
RICK. ... [dont know either, Dat.
DAR. Yinow Ihave something. to sayin my life, bur if don't have
the right to say it, then so be it Tl wall away fom che whole ching
tight now Honestly TL wall away. (Beat as Rick absorbs ial fora
‘noment ...) Tea sorry Tm spilling this on you lke this.
RICK. Right.
DAR. Right. (Pawe,) Allright?
RICK. All right,
DAR. (Beat) You gonna give me your reaction?
RICK, My reaction is nothing right now, Dazius. Tm pissed
disappointed ...| dont know. (Beat) So dont sally know what
0 well just think ie over. (Beat) But I
guess what Tin celling you, a5 of nov is char Pm sal thinking.
pout doing this. The cempaiga. And chat Ym sell thinking abour
‘alling Don on Friday. And that I sill want you to help me.
Because I dont think I could do it alone, (Pause) Which T guess
means Yu not gonna ... Tm not gonna do ie — unless you do it
teith me, (Beat) So wil you lee me know what youte thinking?
RICK. Iwill.
DAR. All ight then. Il be waiting,
ser
DAR Allright awe) 8
End of Act One
36
ACT TWO.
Scene 1
Avo
7m pup-ten et up in @ worn-down public
rie ie ors one ad th an
Fone inking cafe fom a cardonerd cup. He peas ith
é ens cofiplying the part of quence
RICK. Me MeRel you ed abot ou cou
fartin,” we have 24,5 mil oastine inh
leas ake 24, iles of coastline in chis stare and
an Don't kiss ass —
AR. “Linds! — apni takes so ide money to make his shit
work —
tls so de 0 take aif thi
cme rn
juesi oy a senator —— wor ape Tha
Biodiversity and water quality are the peti plbeanl
RICK, Which is wha —
YAR. Phesteria Piscici i
PAR, Mesa Pca a ni dinoaglere —
DAR. Fuck if] know —
RICK. So we need to gon tha
The point is its associated wi
AR, The pio ist sociated with fh lions and dents in
RICK Sowyatimporans Cen —
AR. (Homes) ee bs
Ds s imporant bocaus nobody starting wis
criterion
RICK. ‘Good, esta sbout your expen
7 DAR, Ted Kennedy war thisty when he was alerted tothe Senate,
lenry Clay was cwengy-nine, Males me look like an eld man.
RICK. Good. (Offnoter) Me. McReele, your agenda is decidedly
liberal, so Tm curious as to ee FoRPland on issues like defense
Bait Es dhe So ching Ya doi indie drat —
RICK. Noyou wouldnt — ‘727%...
DAR. Yes I would because a volunteer atinyii' joke; it’s a man-
date (o our government to send.che troops wherever it feels lke
because everyone figures theypoonbascatdssigite upifor ic anya.
Buc if thes a draft, suddeniyest5eoundeepering tossed around
the plabe to “protecr ol-nationalinterestoe whatever other
facked up thing the NSC comespsmith+2\~
RICK. Cant say fucked
DAR. Sure I can —
RICK. You really cante— tb :
DAR. —a draft would holdcoltrfcking leaders accountable
RICK. Iwas talking more on a local level28 0
DAR. Ona local eve lets sare with Doverrihieteiourdéad come
ome from war and whichithitsmeedsnotbetirelkepr place
DAR. — money sucker
RICK, — airforce base— wrasse s
DAR. — debiltared military facili:
RICK. Beat.) The thse: Danis, abouirbietanguages there are
just cortain things you can sy ebsit'ordo; evs youcan' act, You
sorta keep it consisencly.. senatorial-(Disriuitkesthis in, includ
ing its ubtext,) tt
DAR. Right ae onus i baad 2
RICK, You should lee me call the papersaboutiyout encampment
thing here. nN
DAR. No. nt oar sagea b
RICK. Why not 2 wsusicog 2a a
DAR. Because its just somedhing ewnmacdTdonit need 10
advertise. rsvp
RICK. Bue no one's noticed yer :
DAR. Yeah they have. Police care 67'an-houtagosT told ’ema I
‘wasn't moving from the lot untilnore-
