Growin’ Up (2008)
A Play by Denmark C.
CHARACTERS:
D-Boy, Squirrel, age 16. Jasmine, Squirrel, age 17.
SETTING:
Lincoln Park in an oakwood tree in da East on D-Boy’s branch.
TIME:
The sun just went down. All the squirrels are posted on the branch
AT RISE:
10 big male squirrels and one teenage squirrel are standing on a branch. They seem to be alert. At the same time they are conversating and having a good time. One female squirrel is heading up the tree. It’s a warm night and all the squirrels are out. D-Boy is being lectured by the big homies. There are many sounds. Humans playing, squirrels eating, and music. It’s the weekend and the squirrels wanna get somethin’ goin.
D-BOY
(squinting & shouting) Jasmine is dat chu?
JASMINE
(shouting back) Yea it’s me dumb dumb!!
D-BOY
Oh!! You gettin’ kinda chunky lil mama! What chu doin’ onda branch?
JASMINE
I gotta talk to you ‘bout somethin’
D-BOY
What chu want!! You need me to put in some mo’ work? (smiles)
JASMINE
Ha ha ha!! You stupid. Naw I gotta talk to you ‘bout somethin’ serious.
D-BOY
What is it baby?
JASMINE
Let’s go closer to yo big squirrels, they all need to hear this.
D-BOY
C’mon den ya bigg boble body. Ha ha!!
(They walk)
JASMINE
(Smiles and hits him on the shoulder) You bettah stop playin’ wit me boy! He he.
D-BOY
Naw. Fah real ‘doe. You need to lay off da food. You startin’ to look big… But what chu wanted to talk about baby? They all here.
JASMINE
Well baby… mah tree fina get cut down tomorrow and momz want me to move to Lakeview wit’ her.
D-BOY
Well take yo boody to Lakeview den.
JASMINE
(saying quickly) I think it would be easier if I stay here…wit’ chu
D-BOY
Fah what? So you can get hit by a seed and be out mah life fah evah? Negative lil mama You betta go to lakeview.
JASMINE
What if I get hit by a seed ova there?
D-BOY
Ha ha ha!! Trust me mama, you won’t! (laughing) All they do is pull out seeds for display.
JASMINE
(shouting) so you just gon’ base my life on yo background knowledge?
D-BOY
(shouting) Fine!! Tell me what you want to do then Jasmine!!
JASMINE
I told you D-Boy. I wanna move in wit chu!! If I move to Lakeview I’m probably never gon’ see you again baby. And I need you da most right now.
D-BOY
Just cuz you move to Lakeview doesn’t mean we won’t be together.
JASMINE
Don’t you want to be close to me?
D-BOY
Yeah but I think you might get inda way of my goal. I’m tryna run this branch.
JASMINE
So you love dis branch more den me?
D-BOY
I love you more than anything, but if I own this branch life would be better for me and you.
JASMINE
How, when Ima be in Lakeview?
D-BOY
What chu tryna say Jasmine? You don’t want me to run this branch? Whatever happen to you? I miss the old you. Now all of a sudden you want me to be all serious and stuff.
JASMINE
All I’m sayin’ is dat you got bigger thangs on yo plate now. You cain’t be actin’ like a little squirrel no mo’ baby.
D-BOY
Why do all of a sudden you have changed feelings about my goal?
JASMINE
I missed my period this month.
D-BOY
Okay… I missed a phone call the other day.
JASMINE
D-Boy I’m havin’ yo baby!!
D-BOY
Nice try Jasmine, you still ain’t movin’ in wit me. I need to run this branch.
JASMINE
Look, stupid!!!
(She shows him a piece of paper)
D-BOY
Whaaaat? I’m havin’ a baby? I don’t think I’m ready for this Jasmine.
JASMINE
Neither am I, but I’m too far along to get rid of him!!
D-BOY
It’s a boy?? (He slowly smiles)
JASMINE
Yeah, he is due in two more weeks. Look, if you don’t wanna be wit me, I can understand, but I think you just had to know.
D-BOY
I will do all I can do to take care of my son!! I will neva leave you stuck like dat lil mama. I put in the work and I’ma take care of my responsibility.
JASMINE
(crying) This is what makes me love you. I knew you had it in you baby.
D-BOY
I do what I gotta do. I mean, that’s what love is about I guess?
JASMINE
Well guess what? K.O told me if you squirrel up and take care of me and the baby, then you can run the branch.
D-BOY
Fah real??
JASMINE
Yup.
D-BOY
Wait, I think we should settle down first, right?
JASMINE
Naw baby. As long as you be responsible, everything is gon’ be all right.
D-BOY
Yeah you right!!! Baby, go to the tree house and get ready fo’ me, I gotta holla at da big squirrels real quick.
JASMINE
Ooooh okay, I see you baby!!! Give me a kiss. (She kisses him)
D-BOY
Ima be up in a minute.
(JASMINE leaves)
Damn bruh!! I know I ain’t ready fah no kid. I should just leave her… Naw, dats not being responsible. But a child?? Iono about this one, but if I tell her how I really feel ain’t nobody gon’ have respect fah me. I guess this is the day I become a big squirrel. They cain’t call me D-Boy no mo’. Now I’m D-Beez! And my son, he gon’ be Dr. Beez. Ima have to step it up now.. Mah branch gon’ a little different. Squirrel God, please bless mah tree and, and my new family. My girl, mah son, and me, D-Beez, and help me live happily…
THE END
