A Play by Jamaal C.

Performance: January 19, 2001
Hillcrest Juvenile Hall, San Mateo


Time: 3:30 p.m.
Place: In the Mind of Humanity
Character 1: James the Skeptical: James is happy to have a friend but is still skeptical and afraid of trust being betrayed.
Character 2: Robert the Uncaring: Robert is James’ friend, but he won’t let their friendship come between him and his wish.
Character 3: Guardian of the Soul: Guardian was sent to enlighten the minds of Humanity.
At Rise: James and Robert are entering store.


Robert the Uncaring:
 

Hey man, that’s messed up we gotta leave this town. I was starting to like it here.

 
James the Skeptical:
  You act like you’re the only one losing something. After you leave, I’m not going to have any friends.
   
Robert the Uncaring:
  Yeah whatever man – it’s not that bad. Hey come over here.
[James walks over]
Have you seen this before? It’s the key to making money.
   
James the Skeptical:
 

Yeah that’s that new Cash Money CD.

   
Robert the Uncaring:
 

I’m about to take it.

   
James the Skeptical:
 

Smokin’ dope! You ain’t about to take nothin’.

   
Robert the Uncaring:
 

For real. I’m about to take it.

   
James the Skeptical:
 

That’s faulty. You promised me you wouldn’t steal anything. I ain’t tryin’ to get caught up.

   
Robert the Uncaring:
 

How are you gonna get caught up if I steal it?

   
James the Skeptical:
 

Things happen.

   
Robert the Uncaring:
 

Well if you don’t let me steal it you ain’t my folks.

   
James the Skeptical:
 

I am your folks……

   
Robert the Uncaring:
 

[cutting him off] Alright then.
[R starts walking out of store. J grabs R’s arm.]

   
James the Skeptical:
 

Don’t do it!

   
Robert the Uncaring:
 

You done lost yo’ dang mind grabbin’ my arm like that. Who you think you are, Gandhi?
[R laughs and walks out of store with J right behind. Alarm goes off.]
Dang! Here, hold this.
[throws J the bag.]

   
James the Skeptical:
 

Told you stupid.
[Security Guard – Guardian of the Soul – walks in]

   
Guardian:
 

What did you take? [looks at R]

   
Robert the Uncaring:
 

I don’t know whatcha talkin’ about. He stole it.

   
James the Skeptical:
 

Ha ha ha. You smokin’ DOPE! I ain’t never stole in my life.

   
Robert the Uncaring:
 

Look in the bag.
[starts to walk away but comes back]
I stole it.

   
James the Skeptical:
 

Told you.

   
Guardian:
 

Not so fast. Both of you had a part in this situation. Now you must go to the heart of the problem… Emotional Jail.

   
  Scene 2

Time: 5:30 p.m.
Place: Emotional Jail; the Heart
At Rise: James and Robert have just been placed in the same cell at Emotional Jail, the Heart.

   
James the Skeptical:
  Man, this whole situation is all bad. I can’t believe you did me dirty like this. I should’ve known. I can’t even trust my own family, much less trust you. I thought you were different, but you’re not.
   
Robert the Uncaring:
  Man, you need to relax yo’ mind. They ain’t finnin’ to do anything to you. Relax.
   
James the Skeptical:
 

RELAX??? You betrayed me. You’re destroying humanity. Do you hear me? You’re tearing the heart of humanity apart. Because of your fighting.

   
Robert the Uncaring:
 

ME?? You’re the one that can’t trust anyone. You’re the one that’s skeptical.

   
James the Skeptical:
 

So it’s my fault, huh? It’s my fault your father left. It’s my fault your mom can’t afford to live here, huh?

   
Robert the Uncaring:
 

Yeah, and it’s your fault your grandfather died.
[on the brink of crying]
And anyway, I don’t want to talk about it……….I’m sorry. It’s just I don’t have any REAL friends.

   
James the Skeptical:
 

Me either. You and I both know that for us to fight would mean to tear apart civilization, moral integrity, and the heart and mind of humans everywhere. If humans as well as emotions don’t figure out how to resolve their situations, it will eat away inside of them until it gets to the heart.

   
Robert the Uncaring:
 

I never thought about it like that.

   
James the Skeptical:
 

It feels like I just lifted a burden off my shoulders
[his arm starts to fade away]
Why am I fading?

   
Guardian of the Soul:
 

You two have now fulfilled your purpose. You have made peace and resolved your situation. You are free from your emotional distress. And when you become free you become enlightened. You will join me as a guide to help enlighten the hearts and minds of individuals everywhere.

   
  [they fade the rest of the way out.]
   


back