Mirrors with no images
Based on actual events
By Invader B
©2011
Mirrors with no images©
By Invader B
Characters:
Narrator
Carl - mid twenties African American
Nikki - mid twenties African American Carl’s wife
Young Tamara - age 6 African American female Carl’s daughter
Teenage Tamara - age 16
Dominic - 30 African American Drug dealer
Hair dresser - mid twenties African American female
Male hair dresser - mid twenties African American
Doctor 1 - mid thirties Caucasian male
Henchmen 1 & 2 African American Dominic Henchmen
Benny - 18 Chaldean male
Benny’s father mid thirties Chaldean male
Ricky - mid thirties African American male
Hubert - mid thirties African American male
Black male - 18
Caucasian man 1 - early twenties
Gang leader - 16 African American male
Homeless man - early thirties African American male
Store owner - early thirties African American male
Caucasian man 2 - early thirties
Male officer - mid twenties Caucasian
Female officer - mid twenties African American
Followers 1, 2 & 3 - teenagers African American males
Chaldean doctor - mid thirties
Teenage Monica - 18 African American
Teenage Jason - 18 African American
Teenage Craig - 18 African American
Teenage Deena - 18 African American
Craig - age 24
Monica - age 24
Deena - age 24
Dorris - mid forties African American female Monica’smother
Mathew - early twenties Caucasian male
Timothy - age 10 Caucasian male Timothy’s brother
Baby mama - age 18 African American
Deion - 18 African American
Clarence - early thirties African American
Manager - early thirties Caucasian male
Swat officer - early thirties Caucasian male
White thug - age 18
White thug followers 1, 2 & 3 Caucasian males
Kyle age 21 Caucasian male
Kyle’s mother early forties Caucasian
Kyle’s father early forties Caucasian
Maria - age 21 African American
Maria’s mother - age 21 African American
Will - early thirties African American
Teenage Tiffany - age 17 African American
Michael - early thirties African American male
Tiffany’s father
Vivian - early thirties African American female
Tiffany’s mother
Teenage Bernard - age 17 African American male
Bernard’s mother - mid twenties African American
Bernard’s father - mid twenties African American
Student 1 - age 17 African American
Student 2 - age 17 African American
The bully - age 17 African American
Teacher - early thirties African American
Bernard - age 25
Tiffany - age 25
Enough people to fill some of the scenes
Time:
Summer 2011
Settings:
1) Detroit, Michigan
2) Carl’s house - the living room, bedroom, kitchen, Tamara’s room, outsidethe house
3) Carl’s car
4) Beauty salon
5) The bar
6) Dominic’s house
7) The hospital
8) Benny’s room
9) Hubert’s house - the living room, outside the house
10) The gas station
11) The store
12) Hubert’s car
13) The hospital
14) School gym, outside the school
15) Monica’s house - the bedroom, the living room, the kitchen
16) The hospital
17) Monica’s job
18) Monica’s mother house - the living room
19) The bar
20) Mathew bedroom
21) In front of the drug house
22) The restaurant
23) The jail cell
24) Kyle’s mother house - the living room, Kyle’s bedroom
25) Maria’s mother house - Maria’s bedroom
26) The store, outside the store
27) Vivian’s house - Tiffany’s bedroom, the kitchen
28) The school - The classroom - the lunchroom
29) Bernard’s mother house - the living room, outside the house
30) The hospital
31) Woman’s rape center
They say when you look into the mirror you're supposed to be happy with whatyou see. Even if you don't like the situation, you know to work on improving it tomake it better. But what happens, when you look into the mirror and see nothing atall? How can you decide what state of mind you're in, when you don't know whoyou are to begin with?
Invader B
Narrator
(Off stage) You're about to experience some tales that go on in everyday life,people bypass but are quick to have a input on the situation. What happens when ayoung girl is raped and abused by the ones that suppose to love her, causing her tobelieve sex is the only thing she's good for? When a man feels the only way toexpress his love for a woman, is to degrade and beat on her. Racial issues, whereone race feels their superior, because of their skin color and history background.When people feel drugs and alcohol are more important than their own family. Bythe time the tales are finished. You decide if any of the tales reflect you, orsomeone you know. Then decide if you want to change, or help the person youknow change what they see.
Drugs come before family
Scene 1
Open curtains
Carl comes in the house dripping wet dressed in a button up shirt, jeans and gymshoes staggering to the steps, trying to walk up and then slips, falling flat on hisface.
He lies there laughing under his breath, but not moving.
The living room isnicely furnished, and on the table are family portraits with a fruit bowl.
Nikki comes out the bedroom dressed in her night gown making her way down thesteps to him. She gets to him pausing folding her arms across her chest shaking herhead staring at him.
Carl
(Searching for his keys) Where...where are my keys? I have to get home...whereare my keys?
Nikki
You are home.
Carl
(Tries to lift his head) No I'm not. My wife and daughter are home waiting on me.So, can you please give me keys so I can go lady? (Extends his hand out)
Nikki slaps his hand.
His hand drops and he waits a minute before he shakes it, still trying to lift hishead to look at who he's talking to.
Carl
Why did you do that? I just want my keys to go home, and you gone slap my hand?You got some nerve lady.
Nikki
I need to slap the hell out of you, coming in here all drunk.
Carl
I don't know---
He turns his head to the side and vomits.
Young Tamara comes from out her room dressed in her pajamas rubbing her eyesmaking her way to the steps.
Nikki
Look at you. You should be ashamed of yourself.
Young Tamara
Mommy, what's wrong with daddy?
Nikki looks up and see's her.
Nikki
Nothing baby, daddy just doesn't feel good right now.
Carl
(Wipes the residue from his mouth trying to lift his head) That's my little girl.Where is she? I can't see her.
Nikki
She's upstairs looking down here at you.
Young Tamara
Mommy, can I come down and give daddy a hug?
Nikki
Not right now baby. Mommy has to clean him up first, and then you can give himall the hugs you want.
Carl
Daddy's girl, come---
Nikki kneels down and places a finger on his lips.
Nikki
You don't say a word. Do you see the condition you’re in?
Nikki stands up and makes her way up the stairs to Young Tamara, and then kneelsdown placing her hands on her shoulders.
Nikki
Gone head and go to bed baby.
Young Tamara
But it's raining outside, and I need daddy to read to me so I won't be scared.
Nikki
I tell you what. I'll read to you now, and when daddy feeling better, I'll make surehe reads to you all night tomorrow. Sound good to you?
Young Tamara
Okay.
Nikki
(Gives her a kiss on the forehead) I love you baby.
Young Tamara
I love you too, Mommy.
Nikki
Okay, I'll be in there in a minute.
Young Tamara
I love you daddy.
Young Tamara goes back into her room and Nikki goes back down the stairs.
Carl
I...I love you...
Nikki kicks him softly in the side.
Nikki
If I didn't love you, I would tell you get the hell out of this house. You down heredrunk, and you're daughter saw you in this state. I don't know what you hadtonight, nor do I care. What I care about, is the feelings of that little girl upstairs that wants nothing more than for her daddy to read her a story. And where is herdaddy? Right here on the steps drunk.
She makes her way back upstairs and then stops.
Nikki
Keep your nasty ass down here and sleep in that mess you made. Make sure youclean it up in the morning. Maybe this will give you some kind of wake up call.
She goes into Young Tamar's room, and Carl continues to try and lift his head tolook around.
Carl
I love my family. I love...
He drops his head and is fast asleep on the steps.
Scene 2
Young Tamara is sitting at the table eating breakfast dressed in her schooluniform, while Nikki stands over the sink washing dishes dressed in a casual outfit.
The furniture in the kitchen consists of the kitchen table with a fruit bowl in thecenter, four chairs, a stove, refrigerator and microwave.
Carl comes into the kitchen dressed in his work suit. Young Tamara hops uprunning over to him with her arms open and he picks her up giving her a tight hugand kiss on the cheek.
Young Tamara
Daddy!
Carl
Hey baby. You all ready to go?
Young Tamara
Yes daddy. What was wrong with you last night?
Carl
(Nervous tone) Uh...daddy had some bad food.
Nikki
I hope daddy cleaned up his mess, from eating his bad food.
Carl
Of course I did. Thank you dear.
Nikki
Yeah, whatever you say.
Young Tamara
Daddy, can we stop and get doughnuts before you drop me off?
Carl
That's what you want?
Young Tamara
Yes. You know we have to share doughnuts before you go to work.
He places her down.
Carl
Yea, we can do that.
Young Tamara
Thank you daddy.
She walks off the stage.
Carl walks over to Nikki and tries to give her a hug and she pushes him back.
Carl
What's wrong?
Nikki
Don't give me that. You know damn well what's wrong.
Carl
What? I cleaned up the mess---
She turns to look at him.
Nikki
It's not about the mess. It's about the whole scenario. You realize you're daughtersaw you like that? And just now, you stood there and told her that bold faced asslie.
Carl
I really did eat something bad last night.
Nikki
I just bet you did. Was it the vodka or the drugs? Wait a minute...it was acombination of both. I mean I know how you get down.
Carl
I---
Nikki
You what? Couldn't help it? You had to have a little something before you camehome? I told you the first time when you went to counseling, I wasn't about to godown this long road with you. I gave you a chance, because you said you didn'tneed to use or drink, because all you needed was the love of your family.
Apparently, that's not the case now is it?
Carl
That is all I need, and I will stop. It's just last night, I went out with the guys afterwork, and---
Young Tamara
(Off stage)Daddy, I'm ready to go!
Nikki
Gone and take her to school. We can talk about this later.
Carl
I love you both. You know that.
Nikki
Just take her to school. I don't feel like going through this right now. I'm having agood day, and like I said we can talk when I get home tonight.
He sighs deeply as he makes his way off the stage, and Nikki goes back to washingthe dishes.
Scene 3
Carl and Young Tamara are sitting in the car eating doughnuts.
Young Tamara
These are my favorite daddy.
Carl
I know they are baby. You know, you get nothing but the best.
Young Tamara
Daddy, why was mommy mad at you?
Carl
It's nothing to worry about baby. Mommy and I just need to sit and talk about afew things.
Young Tamara
Are you okay from the food you ate?
Carl
(Laughs)Yes, daddy is fine.
Young Tamara
Mommy said you gone read to me tonight.
Carl
And I will do just that.
Young Tamara
Any story I want?
Carl
Any story you want princess.
Young Tamara
Great! I got six books all ready.
Carl
Six books?
Young Tamara
(Laughs) Yep. I don't know what mood I might be in.
Carl
(Laughs)What you know about being in a mood?
Young Tamara
I like to have a variety of things. I learned that from you.
Carl
You learned that from me?
Young Tamara
Yes. I heard you say it to mommy one night.
Carl
(Laughs)What you doing listening to mommy and me?
Young Tamara
I sleep light.
Carl
When I said that to mommy...you know what never mind. Girl, you are too funny.
Young Tamara
I'm a daddy's girl.
Carl
I'll see you later on tonight so I can read you those stories, Ms. Variety.
Young Tamara
Okay. I love you daddy.
He leans over and gives her a kiss on the forehead.
Carl
I love you too. Now gone and get in the building, before your late.
She grabs her bag getting out the car and then walks off the stage.
Carl sits back with a smile on his face when his phone rings. He pulls his phonefrom his pocket answering it placing it to his ear.
Carl
Hello?
Dominic
(Off stage) "C", how's it going?
Carl
I'm great, and you?
Dominic
(Off stage) You know me. But, I was calling to see if you want the special tonight.
Carl
I don't know. I made a big mess last night and pissed off the wife. And I have toread to Tamara tonight and I don't know if I can do that off my medicine.
Dominic
(Off stage) It's something special I got coming in "C". From what I was told, it’llhave you so tight you'll be able to read to Tamara with your eyes closed.
Carl
You really know how to add sugar on top don't ya?
Dominic
(Off stage) You're a man that knows what he wants. And by you being my bestfriend. I'm just letting you know, I got what you need.
Carl
In deed you do. I tell you what. Bag me up some, and I'll be over to get it when Iget off work.
Dominic
(Off stage) You're the man. I'll have it ready for you.
Carl hangs his phone up placing it back in his pocket, and then looks at the schoolone more time sighing shaking his head.
Scene 4
Nikki sits in the chair of the beauty salon with an aggravated look on her faceready to get her hair done.
Her hair dresser comes onto the stage walking behind her ready to start on herhair.
The salon is filled with women getting their hair done.
Hair dresser
Girl what you looking all mean and evil for?
Nikki
I don't even know if it's worth talking about.
Hair dresser
Don't tell me Carl? Is he at home acting a fool again?
Nikki
Girl, last night, his ass came home drunk throwing up all over the place. I didn'tcare about that part. I cared about Tamara seeing him like that.
Hair dresser
Now he knew he was wrong for that.
Male hair dresser
Somebody must not being they job at home.
Nikki turns looking at the male Hair dresser that's doing another woman's hair.
Nikki
Excuse me?
Male hair dresser
He shouldn't be out drinking all night. So, you must not be on your job, doing whatyou need to do at home.
Nikki
And what do you know about somebody not doing their job at home, with themtight ass pants you got on?
Male hair dresser
I know if I had him at home, he wouldn't be out drinking all night. And don't worryabout my tight pants. It's all about how they squeeze my ass that's important.
Hair dresser
Now you got some nerve. Ain't got no man at home, and here you is trying to tell somebody else about their home.
Nikki
He must be short in that area, or his man got tired of blowing him out with hisboney ass.
Male hair dresser
Don't y'all worry about me, okay? I don't need any equipment, because I'm abottom. All I need to do is keep these jaws working and this ass tight, okay.
Nikki
Okay girlfriend. You gone head and finish doing that hair, because this pleasureover here talking. You know...the thing real men love.
Male hair dresser
Whatever.
Nikki
That boy is a trip.
Hair dresser
Who you telling girl? I have to work with him every day.
Nikki
So any way, like I was saying. Tamara saw him like that, and I had to hurry up andcome up with an excuse to cover for his dumb ass.
Hair dresser