By Michael C.
|
CHARACTERS:
|
GORILLA THUG, age 28, MOMMA GORILLA, age 38
|
|
TIME:
|
|
| Place: |
Living room of the Gorilla family treehouse
|
|
AT RISE:
|
GORILLA THUG is over by the tree couch, packing up his stick bed and his stick radio.
|
| |
|
GORILLA THUG
(He rappin’) I’m bout to get on, outta this house, get my own house, chillin every day, she ain’t gonna see me no more . . .
(He happy. He excited that he about to get out. He sit down on the stick couch, drinking some apple juice, ‘bout to fire up a banana. MOMMA GORILLA comes in the door.)
MOMMA GORILLA
What goin’ on, Gorilla Thug?
GORILLA THUG
Nothin’ – I’m just chillin’.
MOMMA GORILLA
What’s all these boxes?
GORILLA THUG
I got great news, Momma Gorilla.
MOMMA GORILLA
I got bad news Gorilla Thug.
GORILLA THUG
What’s the bad news Momma?
MOMMA GORILLA
We gotta set and talk. Put out that banana out ‘fore I slap you.
GORILLA THUG
OK. Yes, ma’am, Momma.
MOMMA GORILLA
Let’s go sit down on the couch.
(They sit down.)
GORILLA THUG
Who gonna talk first?
MOMMA GORILLA
Me. I got something bad – something’ very, very bad to tell you.
(GORILLA THUG higher than a meeko [wasted].
He bobbin’ his head side to side.)
MOMMA GORILLA
Boy, you better stop bobbin’ you head side to side ‘fore I bop you.
GORILLA THUG
Yes, ma’am, Momma.
MOMMA GORILLA
You ain’t gonna like what I about to tell you.
GORILLA THUG
What do you mean I ain’t gonna like it?
MOMMA GORILLA
Son, I love you with all my heart, but I ‘bout to die in three days –
GORILLA THUG
Momma – whatchu mean you ‘bout to die in three days?
MOMMA GORILLA
Doctor say I’m about to pass away. I got very sick and can’t do nothin’ about it.
GORILLA THUG
Why didn’t you tell me this on the phone?
MOMMA GORILLA
Because I don’t want you to get mad and run out in the jungle and do somethin’ stupid.
GORILLA THUG
I got somethin’ to tell you now. You know them boxes in front a the stick door? I’m movin’ out today. No ifs, no ands, no buts, no nothin’ –
MOMMA GORILLA
You gonna leave me here with all these kids – your brothers?
GORILLA THUG
Mom, I’ll check on you every day til you die. I’ll take care of my lil brothers when you gone –
MOMMA GORILLA
Can you just stay with me for three days – please, son? Do that for Momma – Please – ?
GORILLA THUG
No, I’m leavin’ today – no matter what. I got my female waitin’ for me at the crib, gonna fire up some more bananas and get high – and think about you all night. I will check up on you.
(MOMMA GORILLA and GORILLA THUG – their bodies break down. They finally tellin’ each other what’s goin on.)
MOMMA GORILLA
I wantchu to take care of the boys while I’m gone. Make sure they get up early. I’m gonna wait til the kids get here to tell them I’m ‘bout to die. The doctor say they ain’t nothin’ to do about – Unless you want to tell ‘em? – That’s alright. I’ll tell ‘em. They mad and cryin’, upset and heartbroken. They get outta school at 2:30 and it’s 1:30 right now.
GORILLA THUG
I’ll get the kids home from school – if you want me to today. I’m still gonna take care of the house while you gone. I’ll have two houses – this house and my house. You remember when you used to throw me out just for sneakin’ the girls in the window?
MOMMA GORILLA
Yeah, I remember all that – and all the times we had fun, you and me and sometimes me and the kids, too – goin’ to the lake through the jungle, catchin’ fish – Please don’t leave me, Gorilla Thug. I’m asking you nicely. Just stay with me for three days at least – please –
(MOMMA GORILLA and GORILLA THUG are both thinkin’ to themselves, she ‘bout to pass away. She only got 72 hours.)
GORILLA THUG
Alright, Momma. I’ll call my girlfriend and tell her I won’t be home for three days.
(GORILLA THUG on the peach-phone and call his girlfriend.)
I’m ‘bout to stay here with my Momma, so take care of the treehouse until I get home in three days – Yes – Come spend the night –
MOMMA GORILLA
Yeah – you can let her come over here. She like my daughter-in-law, but she the only one. Tell her to go pick up the kids and bring them over here. You think you could take care of all 7 kids?
GORILLA THUG
Yeah, I can look over my lil brothers while you gone.
MOMMA GORILLA
I got something for you.
(She goes to the back and grab a chain.)
This for you Gorilla Thug.
GORILLA THUG
Thank you Ma –
MOMMA GORILLA
I been holdin’ this for twenty-eight years.
GORILLA THUG
(Opening it) Oh, my God! Where you get this at?
MOMMA GORILLA
It’s a picture of me and you. I’ve been savin’ it for you.
GORILLA THUG
For real Mom?
MOMMA GORILLA
Yes, son. It’s my goin’ away present for you.
GORILLA THUG
Thank you Ma. I got a present for you too, before you go away –
(He go to his other room – the tree room. Grabs a lil box and walks to the living room with it.)
GORILLA THUG
(Giving it to Momma Gorilla) Open it.
MOMMA GORILLAWhat is this?
GORILLA THUG
Don’t worry about it, just open it. I been savin’ a bunch of lizards to get this gift for you, Ma.
(She open it. It’s a necklace that says, “I Love You, Momma, Forever”)
MOMMA GORILLA
Oh, son! I love you, too! I’m ‘bout to wear this when I’m in the casket box –
(GORILLA THUG and MOMMA GORILLA hear the kids climbing trees. Then the kids and Gorilla Thug’s girlfriend come in from school.)
THE END