Another Play About Racism

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Cast of Characters

AARON Martinez: A boy, about 16, Latino.

RAMONA Silvers: A wealthy girl, 15, white. Stays with

Samantha when parents are away on “business”

Anti-Racism: Our narrator

RAVEN Considers himself an ally

GEORGIA Goldberg: A girl, friends with AARON.

LUCY Anstocking: A girl. An anti-racist peer

SAMANTHA/Confederate: Friends with RAMONA. Very

Outspoken

Heritage claimer. Family is right

Leaning and politically active

Principal BELDEN: Head of the school

Teacher HARPER

DIANA: AARON’s mother

JAMES: AARON’s father

Scene 1

The soundscape begins, it layers and layers until it becomes completely harmonious. Once it’s completely harmonious the soundscape ends suddenly and the monologue begins. We see a figure with a mask who moves carefully in the space.

ANTI-RACISM/NARRATOR

ALL: We invite you

Timsil: We invite you not to sit back and watch

Nora: But we invite you to think, to embrace

To become.

ALL: We invite you

Liam: This story we tell is but a memory

Marcela: A distant thought that lingers and changes

As years go by

Kalen: This memory is through sets of many eyes

Viewed through rose-colored glasses

And sight that becomes crystal clear

ALL: We invite you

Veronica: We ask ourselves, does it take but a spark?

Timsil: Or does it take flint banging on rocks?

Liam: Does it take the beat of a single heart?

Kalen: Or does it take the marching of the many?

ALL: We invite you

Nora: We ask you to forget what you know

And see what could be, what is

Veronica: The many lies and truths of society

Marcela: The ones that are spoon-fed

and pushed down our throats

Liam: The ones that burn and twist and shape and corrupt

ALL: We invite you

Kalen: This is a story of many questions

Marcela: Who’s at fault?

Nora: Who’s the villain?

Timsil: Who’s the hero?

Veronica: Who are the angels and devils that were written in scripture

Just as colored by roses as our eyes

ALL: We invite you

Liam: In a time where black squares and empty promises define

What it means to go against the patriarchy

Nora: Instead of the actions that create a revolution

ALL: We invite you

Timsil: Not to leave this space of criticality

Kalen: Leaving this memory behind

Like the distant thought it became

Marcela: But leaving this space ready to confront

The many faults of society.

ALL: We invite you

NARRATOR’s theme gets louder

Scene 17

The scene starts up just as the students have begun their arguments

RAVEN

-We’ve established it’s super offensive. I don’t know why we’re even having this discussion. We all agree that it’s bad, so why are we even-

SAMANTHA

Interrupting Raven

Oh come on, I should be able to do what I want. It doesn’t matter.

RAVEN

Well it’s banned from school, so that should give you a clue.

SAMANTHA

Exactly. It represents the South. I should be able to wear it anywhere. It’s my right.

LUCY

Well not exactly-

RAVEN

Oh come on! You are SO ignorant. You don’t even know what you’re talking about.

SAMANTHA

I don’t know what I’m talking about? Did you even read last night’s assignment?

RAVEN

I- Wh- why does that matter? I don’t need to read an article on something that should be basic knowledge.

Teacher:

I enjoy that you guys are learning outside of class, but you still have to do these assignments. I teach this article every year but I still find that I learn something new each time. Even a square teacher like me can gain new understanding from the same article (chuckle, students are silent)

RAVEN

You all lost the war, get over it.

SAMANTHA

How can you criticize me when you don’t even learn about my stance? It’s my Southern heritage, it’s not racist.

RAVEN

I never said it was racist, but now that you bring it up-

Teacher:

Class! Please calm down. It’s not that important.

LUCY:

It was a battle flag for Virginia but was specifically adopted by Southern “Dixiecrats” who supported segregation. That heritage you talk about is a heritage of hate, of white southerners who formed a different political party for the sole purpose of denying Black Americans basic rights. Why should she get to be proud of that flag when it hurts others?

SAMANTHA

You’re just too sensitive. The flag is about being proud of the South, period. Is that a crime now?

RAVEN

Maybe you should be LESS proud, I wouldn’t be proud of slavery and oppression.

SAMANTHA

It’s not about that. I was raised in the South by my parents, I’ve been taught to be proud of where I came from.

RAVEN

Well may I ask you one simple question. Let’s say for the sake of debate that it is about slavery-

LUCY

Which it is.

TEACHER

Lucy …

RAVEN

- Why does the history of oppression have to come at an expense for your happiness?

SAMANTHA:

Well let me ask you a question. Why does the simple love of my heritage have to be demonized by politics?

TEACHER

Well class, this was a great discussion (fades in the background)

Samantha and Raven giving each other the evil eyes and annoyed faces, Lucy looks pretty drained from the whole interaction

Scene 2

AARON and ROMANA catch up after English class.

AARON

Hey, hey RAMONA.

RAMONA

Hey AARON!

AARON

So, how’d the English test go?

RAMONA

Ugh, I totally tanked it.

AARON

What? Seriously? That test was easy. What did you get?

RAMONA

Like a 36- but it doesn’t really matter. As long as I say I’m “trying

my best” my parents won’t care.

AARON

Okay, but I’m wondering how you even get a 36 on an English test – I mean you already speak the language!

RAMONA

How am I supposed to know what a coordinating conjunction is?

AARON

That’s fair. But seriously, how do you forget where to put a comma in a sentence?

RAMONA

Grammar is one of the least important subjects in school, when

are you even going to use it?

AARON

Uh … you’re literally using it right now?

RAMONA

Oh, like you’re such an expert on English, (says the word)?

RAMONA’s screen goes black, leaving AARON to consider what he’s just heard

Scene 3

AARON

(taken aback and to himself)

Woah, did she really just say that? Did she really just call me a beaner should I be angry? I don’t know. I mean RAMONA’s my friend and we’ve always been cool, I’ll just laugh it off for now … (laughs)

AARON joins GEORGIA, LUCY, and RAVEN

GEORGIA

Hi, Aaron!

LUCY

Hey!

RAVEN

Hey. Is everything okay? You look a little … off.

AARON

Yeah, thanks. It’s just … a weird thing happened, and I don’t know

how to respond.

GEORGIA

What’s up?

AARON

So today at lunch Ramona called me a beaner.

LUCY

What’d she call you?

RAVEN

Oh my god, seriously? That’s awful! Did you say anything?

AARON

No, I didn’t know what to say.

RAVEN

Why? I thought you preached anti-racism. Now they’re just gonna go around thinking that’s okay to say.

LUCY

Raven …

AARON

Well yeah, but …

GEORGIA

Okay, calm down, like he’s obviously not offended. I don’t really

see what the big deal is.

LUCY

Wait guys, think about this situation.

Scene 4

“Shoulda Been the One”

With Raven’s Music

As Lucy watches, she gets more frustrated at their bickering

RAVEN

Did you say anything? Did you call out the behavior? Anti-racist, but only on social?

GEORGIA

I don’t see the big deal. Clearly, he’s not offended. What’s the big deal, offence

wasn’t intended? It’s not the n word, so no sin committed.

RAVEN

You can’t make that decision. You don’t speak for him.

GEORGIA

I don’t see the big deal. Clearly, he’s not offended. What’s the big deal, offence

wasn’t intended? It’s not the n word, so no sin committed. AARON?

RAVEN

You can’t make that decision. You don’t speak for him. Did you say anything? Did you call out the behavior? Anti-racist, but only on social? AARON?

LUCY

Stop it you guys.

Music Stops

RAVEN & GEORGIA

AARON?

LUCY

Stop!

AARON

I shoulda been the one to say something, but I didn’t

I shoulda been the one to stand up, but I wouldn’t

The words, they shoulda had weight, but they’re weightless

Music Resumes

They ignore her and keep going, so Lucy leaves

Georgia

You can’t say how he feels.

He’s not offended. Not everything’s about race,

it just isn’t.

Raven

Not when you’re in his face,

So he can’t make his case,

and besides, what do you even know about race?

Music Stops

AARON

I shoulda been the one to say something, but I didn’t

I shoulda been the one to stand up, but I wouldn’t

The words, they shoulda had weight, but they’re weightless

* Music Resumes. Raven, Georgia, and AARON repeat these lines until the music ends. At the end AARON speaks by himself.

AARON

I shoulda been the one to say something, but I didn’t

I shoulda been the one to stand up, but I wouldn’t

The words, they shoulda had weight, but they’re weightless

I shoulda been the one…but I wasn’t

Can’t we just move on?

RAVEN

No!

RAVEN

The big deal? The big deal is that they called him a SLUR, and he didn’t say

anything!

GEORGIA

A slur? You’re making way too big a deal out of this! It’s not like they said the N-word or anything … look, Aaron, are you offended?

AARON

No, not really it’s just …

GEORGIA:

See? He’s fine. He’s not saying anything.

RAVEN

He’s complicit. And YOU’RE basically part of the problem. You’re being racist.

GEORGIA:

What the hell, RAVEN? I’m not racist- how can I be racist? Aaron’s Latino, and he’s my friend!

RAVEN:

Oh, so you’re pulling that card now? “I have a friend who’s a POC, so I can’t be

racist?”

GEORGIA

I’m not pulling any card! I didn’t mean … can we just move on?

RAVEN:

No!

Scene 6

AARON’s theme music fades in. English class: we see AARON and GEORGIA are sitting close together, doing busy work. GEORGIA notices across the room that RAMONA and SAMANTHA are whispering and looking at their phones] *potential music: AARON’s theme is contorted by RAMONA’s and SAMANTHA’s

VOICE OVER SPEAKER

Ms. Harper, could you please send AARON Martinez down to the

main office? Thank you!

AARON and GEORGIA take notice. AARON already seems concerned, as if he knows what is about to happen. RAMONA and SAMANTHA theme intensifies

GEORGIA

What’s that about?

AARON

(shrugs)

GEORGIA

Ramona? I thought you said you wouldn’t say anything.

*Spoken word? Could be thought after thought, maybe multiple VOICEs overlapping

AARON

Look, I don’t know, okay?

GEORGIA nods, but seems entranced by her phone. GEORGIA’S camera turns off

PRINCIPAL BELDEN camera turns on, she has her “neutral” face on. When AARON’S camera appears she reaches for her AARON face.

PRINCIPAL

Hold on one second, I will be right with you.

BELDEN gestures to a “seat” while she finishes up an email and puts on her AARON face. AARON nods to her, but seems uncomfortable.

BELDEN

Mr. Martinez, correct? Thank you so much for coming, I assume

you know why I called you here.

AARON

Ramona?

BELDEN

We received a report about an incident that happened in your

English class last Tuesday. It says that a classmate of yours called you a slur. Can you tell me what happened?

AARON shrugs and looks down. He had been expecting the question, but is still unsure on how he needs to respond

AARON

Basically RAMONA and I got our tests back and we were teasing

each other about it. I guess she failed so I was kind of teasing her and she just said… that, so yeah, that’s it.

BELDEN

Well that must have been a really hard experience for you, you

must be going through a lot right now.

AARON

Yeah, I guess.

BELDEN

When it comes to situations like these, it is my job to make sure

you are supported. We don’t tolerate language like that at this school, so incidents like this are going to be treated with respect. So here’s what I am going to do. I am going to call your parents after school so they know what’s going on. I am planning a meeting with Ramona for tomorrow, I am also going to reach out to some classmates to hear some other perspectives.

AARON

Um, okay.

BELDEN

Wonderful, I’m glad we’re on the same page. This is such a stressful situation to be in so I appreciate you coming and giving us your side of things. I am going to send you back to class, expect to talk to your parents about this after school today, okay? (AARON nods) Alright, you have a good rest of your day now.

AARON’S camera turns off. The principal sighs and switches back to her neutral face, turning back to her work

AARON makes it back to English class, where he is immediately meeted by a curious and frantic GEORGIA.

GEORGIA

AARON! Thank god you’re here. What is happening?

AARON

What do you mean?

GEORGIA

Don’t play dumb. Everyone’s talking about it. You REPORTED RAMONA? I thought you said you weren’t going to say anything.

AARON

I wasn’t! I mean, I didn’t. It was someone else. (GEORGIA gives him a disbelieving look) I’m serious! Someone anonymously reported it.

GEORGIA

But who would- oh. Raven! I can’t believe he would do this to you! Actually, never mind, I can. It’s just like him. Running around with his little “social justice warrior” act, sticking his nose into situations he’s not even a part of- but this is too far.

AARON

Uncomfortable

I mean, I don’t know about that … Raven did technically do the right thing. He was just trying to help-

GEORGIA

But you didn’t need help! At least, not until he messed everything up. Just look at this! [GEORGIA holds her phone up to the camera] Samantha’s been posting ALL about it. She says Ramona says that you said Ramona yelled at you and called you a slur.

AARON

What? That’s not true. And- this is dumb, I didn’t even report her!

GEORGIA

[Grimly]

That’s not what she thinks. [Sighs] Listen, this is fixable, okay? All we have to do is go into the cafeteria, and tell everyone it’s Raven’s fault. Then things will go back to normal.

AARON

Come on, Raven’s our friend- we’re not selling him out like that.

GEORGIA

He sold us out first!

AARON

What’s been going on with you and Raven recently, anyway?

GEORGIA

Nothing.

(Pause)

AARON

Okay. Well … let’s just pretend nothing happened. It’ll all blow over

eventually.

GEORGIA

But- fine. We’ll say nothing while they spread false accusations about you. Happy?

AARON

No.

GEORGIA

Let’s go.

Scene 7

[BELDEN’S office: AARON, RAVEN, RAMONA, and SAMANTHA turn on their cameras. When BELDEN is speaking to more than one of them, she switches to the “neutral” face. When talking to one of them individually, she switches to a unique face for each one. The whole time every character is staring directly into the camera]

BELDEN: Come on in! Thank you for meeting with me today.

[in quick succession]

AARON: Hey.

RAVEN: [confidently] No problem.

SAMANTHA: [cold, slightly aggressive] Hello.

RAMONA: What’s going on?

BELDEN: So I pulled you in so we can talk about what happened in your English class. Is there anything you want to tell me before we get started?

[When each person talks the others remain still, and BELDEN puts on the corresponding face]

RAVEN: Is this specifically about what I reported, or has something else happened?

SAMANTHA: That depends, are you talking about how Ramona is being attacked or are you a part of that?

AARON: Is there something different that you want to know?

RAMONA: *shrugs and looks down*

BELDEN: [RAVEN mask] Nothing substantial no, but this is a follow up to see what’s going on.

I pulled you in because there are some tensions in your classroom. [SAMANTHA mask] I am not “attacking” anyone, I want to make sure we can get to the bottom of it. You can help me by telling me what’s going on. Do you think you can do that with me? [AARON mask] I know it’s frustrating to have to go over it again but I wanted some more details about your class.

[Each student reacts only when their question is being answered. When BELDEN is not wearing their mask they are perfectly still]

BELDEN: [back to neutral mask] If that’s it, we can get started. In general, how would you describe the atmosphere in your english class?

RAVEN: In general? Mr. Harper keeps us busy enough so we aren’t usually hanging out or talking that much. Sometimes he lets us just have downtime after projects or tests, so when we were all comparing scores that day, there was a lot going on.

RAMONA: I don’t know, there haven’t been any problems or anything. I don’t have many friends in that class except for Aaron … sometimes it can be kind of stressful with everyone.

SAMANTHA: It’s not my favorite class at all, it’s right before lunch so I usually zone out, I guess. Socially, either everyone gets along or they just don’t interact. There are some people who can be pretty annoying, but it’s not too hard to ignore them.

AARON: It’s fine. Just another class.

BELDEN: Alright, can you describe what happened that day? Were you aware of what was going on or did you hear about it from someone else?

RAVEN: I didn’t catch all of it, but I noticed that Aaron and Ramona were comparing tests and it seemed fine, but, all of a sudden, I just heard her say it. Just outright called him a slur. He seemed really taken out by it.

SAMANTHA: I legit have no clue. I just saw what Ramona posted online. I wasn’t even sitting near them.

RAMONA: Aaron and I were talking about our English test.

AARON: I aced it, but she failed.

RAMONA: He started teasing me.

AARON: I started joking around. I wasn’t being serious, that’s just how we are.

RAMONA: I couldn’t take it anymore.

RAMONA and AARON: (I/she) called (him/me) a beaner.

BELDEN: What happened next?

RAVEN: I saw that Aaron looked surprised by something, but I didn’t know what. After class he told me and Georgia about what happened, and then I reported it.

SAMANTHA: Look, like I said. I have no idea. I don’t even know what I have to do with any of this, or why any of this is even going on. It’s not like she killed someone.

AARON: I don’t know. I was just kinda surprised. I didn’t say anything.

RAMONA: Aaron went quiet, and then we started talking about something else. He wasn’t bothered or anything.

BELDEN: [to RAVEN, SAMANTHA, and AARON] Well I appreciate you coming in today. If you don’t have any questions for me, I’ll have you get back to class. [to RAMONA] Thank you for coming, I feel like I can judge the situation clearly now.

RAVEN and SAMANTHA: What’s going to happen to Ramona?

BELDEN: [to RAVEN and SAMANTHA] I cannot discuss that but there is no need to worry, we are giving this whole situation a lot of consideration.

RAVEN and SAMANTHA: [both dissatisfied] Ok, thank you

RAVEN, SAMANTHA, and AARON: Bye.

[RAVEN, SAMANTHA, and AARON leave]

BELDEN: [to RAMONA] Given what I’ve learned, I am deciding to suspend you for five days at the beginning of next week. I hope to have you and your parents in for a meeting about this, however it is proving hard to get in contact with them. Regardless, we will contact them with details over homework and missing class. Again, I appreciate you coming in, I hope you see this as a necessary step toward making our school a safer space for everyone.

[RAMONA is taking this all in. Shocked that it actually came to this, she does her best to respond calmly]

RAMONA: Alright, can I go now?

BELDEN: Yes, you can get back to class.

[RAMONA leaves. BELDEN slowly peels away all the masks, revealing the grey base face, someone who is exhausted and confused. She takes a moment to herself but snaps back to attention with the phone rings. She quickly puts her neutral mask back on and picks up the phone.]

BELDEN: Hello? Yes, that shouldn’t be a problem … [work related chatting fades into nothing, fade to black]

Scene 8

SAMANTHA

So, what’d she say?

RAMONA

Just, you know, what we expected: I’m in trouble. They suspended me, it’s probably gonna go on my record along with my string of bad grades…this is…Samantha, it’s crazy. It’s so blown out of proportion. I didn’t know okay? I’d just heard it, and I just said it.

SAMANTHA

It’s like not even a slur. How are they gonna sit here and tell us that it’s a slur. Like if I can say the word, it can come out of my mouth, I’m allowed to say it. I don’t understand how this is a “slur.”

RAMONA

I mean, I guess it is. And if I said a slur, then it’s wrong. But I just, I didn’t know. And now, it’s all coming back on me, and I don’t know what to do. I don’t know. And my grades are in the discussion (pause) And they’re gonna call my parents.

SAMANTHA

Why are they calling your parents? Why aren’t they calling mine?

RAMONA

Cause, my parents are my legal guardians, okay.

SAMANTHA

Yeah, but you’re staying with me, so it would make more sense to call the parents you’re staying with. If my father came in, he would rain hell down on that office, because we don’t put up with the liberal BS. I mean, it is not a slur. I’ve never even heard of it. I’m at a loss for words at how soft this generation has become. My dad can literally fix this.

RAMONA

Samantha, I appreciate it, okay. I just don’t want it blown out of proportion more than it already has been. I’m not even supposed to tell you. So can we just …

SAMANTHA

How are you just gonna sit there and let it happen? I know your parents aren’t in town, so why not get my parents involved, because my dad would fight for you. Wasn’t Aaron coming at you first? I bet he did it. I bet AARON told. I don’t know who else it would have been.

RAMONA

I should probably figure out what we’re doing in class today … cause you know, I’m failing. Can we please just move on for now?

SAMANTHA

(smiles)

Sure.

Scene 9

AARON in his bedroom, homework in front of him- but he’s not getting anything done. His phone is next to him and it keeps lighting up *key: when dialogue is in italics it is a text, underline is an email. With each message, the pace gets faster and faster

RAVEN

We need to talk. About what I did.

GEORGIA

We need to talk. This whole thing has been spreading to everyone.

LUCY

Can we talk, Aaron? Are you there?

SAMANTHA

We need to talk. What you did to RAMONA was messed up!

MS. HARPER:

We need to talk. Could you meet with me after class to check up?

AARON’S PARENT

AARON, we need to talk. You don’t have to go through this alone.

EVERYONE

You need to talk.

[in rapid succession, overlapping slightly]

RAVEN

This through with someone.

GEORGIA

To everyone about what really happened.

LUCY:

I’m worried about you.

SAMANTHA

And stop lying, nobody believes you

MS. HARPER

So I can make sure this never happens again

AARON’S PARENTS

With us, we need to know you’re ok

(Slowly the different lines repeat and begin to overlap. The lines will get louder and it will become more overwhelming for Aaron,)

AARON

yelling down to parents

Give me a minute, I need to figure something out.

Weightless, that word is weightless to me.

I don’t need to say anything.

I don’t owe them anything.

It won’t happen again

So what good will this bring?

SAMANTHA: Some good this brings.

But as the hours pass

the weight builds

Like a echoing voice in my head

That gets louder

The weight builds

All these pathways they lay before me

But when will this end?

She’s my friend.

RAVEN/GEORGIA: I’m your friend.

[AARON checks his phone, no new messages from RAMONA]

She’s my friend.

And she called me that.

She’s my friend.

I’ve known her for all of my life

So why is this different?

LUCY: Things could be different

Why is this different from our friendship before

What makes this different from all of our fights

We bounce back, it’s normal, we push through, we move forward

It’s not like I haven’t heard that word before

GEORGIA: Haven’t you heard all the uproar?

But is it worth it?

The anger

The noise

When you look at me, what do you see?

Not my label proud and clear

But rather a mask to hide

The oppression and fear

RAVEN: There’s nothing to fear, I’m taking care of it.

But is it worth it?

How many times do I bite my tongue

How many times are words weightless

How many times do I sit back and watch the world burn

How many times do I hurt for it to mean something.

Anything

LUCY: I’m here if you need anything

Maybe this time

Maybe this time I push back

Maybe this time I tell my story

Maybe this time it will be worth it.

SAMANTHA/GEORGIA: Was it worth it?

It’ll have to be.

AARON’s PARENTS

Aaron, please come downstairs, dinner’s ready.

Scene 10

Ramona Perspective: A VOICE inside her head going to music

AARON

Hey, hey RAMONA.

RAMONA

Hey AARON!

AARON:

How’d the English test go?

Voice

Yeah, how did it go RAMONA?

RAMONA

Ugh, I totally tanked it.

AARON

Seriously? That test was easy. What did you get?

VOICE

What did I tell you? Should have worked harder, you know that right, that you’re a failure?

RAMONA

A 36- but it doesn’t really matter. As long as I say I’m “trying my best” my parents won’t care.

VOICE

You’re right they won’t, they never do and never will care.

AARON

Okay, but I’m wondering how you even get a 36 on an English test- you already speak the language!

VOICE

I’m not the only one that thinks this. You’re the only person in your class who’s this behind.

RAMONA

How am I supposed to know what a coordinating conjunction is?

VOICE

What do you think your teachers are saying about you now? The hispanic kid is doing better than you! The literal-

AARON

That’s fair- but seriously, how do you forget where to put a comma in a sentence?

VOICE

You forgot! You seriously forgot that! He’s right, you are stupid, a failure, you’re lazy, nobody cares enough to help you! Listen to the-

RAMONA

Grammar is one of the least important subjects in school, when are you even going to use it?

VOICE

Failure! You are a failure, nothing. Listen to the-, tell him what you think.

AARON

Uh … you’re literally using it right now?

VOICE

Say it, say it, say it, say it!

The VOICE escalates and gets louder as the music gets louder until RAMONA says her line and it stops

RAMONA

Oh, like you’re so great at English, (pause, mouths word)

Scene 12

Music plays. The scene picks back up at:

I think each time this scene plays out a variation/different song should play.- Liam

RAMONA: Like you’re so great at English b-

RAMONA freezes mid word. If wanted, an almost “record-scratch” sound effect could take place off the word. The focus is now completely on AARON.

AARON

Woah … Did she just call me a (word)? She did … I’ve never had this happen before. I feel like I should be angry, but I’m really not. I don’t really feel anything. Maybe I should; I don’t know. Should I say something? Does she even understand what she just said, how problematic and just plain wrong it is? I don’t know. Maybe she does, maybe she doesn’t. It’s not like she was trying to hurt me, so I guess no harm no foul. I won’t say anything.

Unfreeze.

AARON

Uh … okay. Just chill ok. Sorry.

AARON shuffles with his papers and puts the test away

AARON

I guess we should get ready for class …

RAMONA

Yeah.

An uneasy, uncertain melody plays. AARON and RAMONA turn off their cameras. Right before AARON turns off his; he puts on a mask of his own. It is slightly different but gives off the same energy. They both look uneasy. The music plays momentarily on the black screen, then fades out]

Scene 13

The scene rewinds and picks back up at:

RAMONA

Like you’re so great at English b-

RAMONA freezes mid word. If wanted, an almost “record-scratch” sound effect could take place off the word. The focus is now completely on AARON. The following scene is an inner-monologue

AARON: Woah … Did she just call me a (word)? She did … I’ve never had this happen before. How could she say something like that? There’s no way she doesn’t know how wrong that was. I can’t believe this. My friend is a racist. All this time I can’t believe I actually liked her. Wonder how many times she’s said these kinds of things behind my back. I bet she and her friends are just a bunch of racist jerks. I can’t let her get away with this.

Unfreeze. RAMONA does not have to actually say the word, but her expression indicates the prior emotions

AARON

What the hell is wrong with you?

RAMONA

What’s wrong with me? You’re the one that’s been a jerk to me.

AARON

You literally just said a slur. There’s no way you’re turning this around on me.

RAMONA

Oh come on, a slur? You’re being sensitive. It’s not like I said the n-word or anything.

AARON

Are you hearing yourself? I can’t believe you’re actually a racist.

RAMONA

What are you even talking about? I’m not racist. I made a whole story about BLM earlier this year. You just don’t like that you’re getting called out on being a jerk.

AARON

Making a stupid post doesn’t mean you’re not racist. You clearly are. I can’t believe this. All these years I’ve hung out – been friends - with a racist.

RAMONA

Stop calling me that.

AARON

Oh so when I call you a racist it’s bad, but when you call me a slur it’s perfectly fine.

RAMONA

Dude, just drop it. Have you finished the work for this period?

AARON

I can’t just drop this Ramona. I’m going to go sit with Georgia.

AARON’s camera turns off. RAMONA looks shocked, but is soon angry once again. An angry, stinging melody starts to play. RAMONA’s camera turns off. The music plays momentarily on the black screen, then turns off. The Narrator visibly changes his demeanor for a second.

Scene 14

Music plays. The scene rewinds and picks back up at:

RAMONA

Like you’re so great at English b-

RAMONA freezes mid word. If wanted, an almost “record-scratch” sound effect could take place off the word. The focus is now completely on AARON. The following scene is an inner-monologue

AARON: Woah … Did she just call me a (word)? She did … I’ve never had this happen before. How could she say something like that? Maybe she just picked it up somewhere, and thought it was just some random word to say? We’ve been friends for years. I don’t think she would ever say anything racist if she knew what it meant. She still shouldn’t say it, of course, but maybe I should give her the benefit of the doubt. If I tell her how hurtful that word could be, maybe we can move past this.

Unfreeze. RAMONA does not have to actually say the word, but her expression indicates the prior emotions

AARON

Ramona, do you know what that word means?

RAMONA seems confused by the sudden change in tone

RAMONA

I mean … no, not really? Someone on TV said it. It’s just like saying

“jerk” to Mexicans.

AARON

Actually, it’s really not. It’s a slur. And my family’s from Puerto Rico.

RAMONA

What? C’mon you’re just kidding and trying to change the subject and make me out to be a bad guy here.

AARON

No, I’m not. And I’m not kidding. You can look it up.

RAMONA seems suspicious, but looks at her phone. After a minute her eyes go wide.

RAMONA

Really?

AARON

Yes really?

RAMONA

Look Aaron, I’m so sorry. I seriously had no clue.

AARON

It’s fine Ramona. I just hear stuff all the time and it gets annoying. Just don’t say it again, ‘kay?

RAMONA

Yeah, of course. I’m really sorry.

There’s another minute of silence as RAMONA continues looking at her phone

RAMONA

Seriously Why don’t they teach us this stuff?

AARON

They did. It’s called geography. Puerto Rico is no where near Mexico.

RAMONA

No, the other thing.

AARON

Good question.

Scene 15

Parents: Archaeologist (currently in Peru)

RAMONA is in her room and she is studying for the English test *she is visibly frustrated×. She checks the time, sighs, then starts a zoom call. She goes back to studying, beat, then her parents enter the zoom call. When she sees it’s her parents she gets nervous and takes a deep breath and answers. There is a pause.

RAMONA

Hello?

Diana

Oh, hi sweetie!

RAMONA

Hi mom …

Diana

No, no James, don’t mix up the files from south bend with the ones from the expedition.

RAMONA

Is dad there with you? I can’t see you, turn your camera on maybe?

Diana

Hold on.

Pause

James

Hi Ramona! How are you?

Ramona

Um, I’m fine, I guess. How … how are you?

James

Diana, I’m not mixing them up! What did you say hon?

Ramona

I was just wondering how Peru was?

James

Oh it’s great! You know, studying frogs!

Diana

James get off of the file on amphibians.

James

Ok, ok.

Diana

Oh, we are so sorry honey, we just got wifi and we are trying to organize all of our online files while we still have it. How has school been?

Ramona

Oh it’s fine.

Diana

How was your english test?

Ramona

Oh, um honestly, it uh,

Diana

Oh sorry honey what was that?

Ramona

Nothing, it went fine, I tried my best.

James

Good, good. We always want you to try your best and we are proud of you no matter what.

Ramona

Thanks, I guess.

Pause

Um, while you have wifi you’re probably going to have a call from the school.

Diana

Oh why honey is everything ok?

Ramona

Yeah, yeah everythings fine, I just wanted to give you guys a heads up.

James

Diana!

Diana

What?

James

Can you send me the poop file?

Diana

Feces, James! Don’t you dare label it “the poop file.” I’m sorry honey, but we have to go. I love you!

James

Yeah we love you!

Ramona

Yeah i-

The call ends.

Ramona

Love you too.

RAMONA slumps in her chair, she picks up her pencil and gets back to studying

This could be music and dance

VOICE 1

Did you get more stupid? Like actually? How do you not understand this, this is so easy. Your teachers probably think you’re the worst student, they probably hate you even more now because you said what you said. Focus! Why are you letting your mind wander? This is why you’re failing. Focus!

VOICE 2

Why did you even think you could say something like that? Why did even listen to me? You’re weak, stupid, selfish. You ruined your own life, everyone hates you now. You have no one left, you are alone.

VOICE 3

Why do you think your parents hang up before you can even say I love you. They are probably so disappointed in you. What will they think when they hear what you said? They’ll hate you even more.

Frustrated, she throws her English work

possible use of Loving Song

Scene 18

GEORGIA

I keep getting texts from people asking which protest I’m going to.

AARON

Those are still happening? When?

GEORGIA

How do you not know? You’re literally at the center of this.

AARON

Jesus, I didn’t think Raven would go that far, but he can do whatever he wants I guess.

GEORGIA

Seriously? You’re seriously just going to sit here and do nothing?

AARON

What else should I do? I don’t want to be the figurehead of this thing.

GEORGIA

You already are! You’re the only one who can put a stop to this, Aaron.

AARON

People are gonna be mad whatever I do, nobody’s listening to me anyway.

GEORGIA

I’m listening, I’ve been listening this whole time. And what I’m hearing is that you don’t care about anyone, is that it?

AARON

That’s not- it’s not that I don’t care about anyone it’s just I don’t care what they do. They can’t hurt me.

GEORGIA

Maybe they can’t hurt you … but people are getting hurt by you, Aaron. You doing nothing is hurting people. It’s hurting me.

AARON

Even if I did want to do something- which I don’t- their herd mentality is going to overpower whatever I say.

GEORGIA

You’re not even trying. (Sighs) I know you were dragged into this and I know you shouldn’t have to do anything, but you do! Trust me.

AARON

This was my problem in the first place and people made it theirs.

GEORGIA

So tell them not to! Or just- do something!

AARON

Why do you care so much about all of this now, I thought you said it wasn’t a big deal?

GEORGIA

That was before I knew all of this stuff was happening at our school. I’ve been in a classroom with Samantha for years, and I never realized … what she was capable of. Or I didn’t want to.

AARON

Aight, what do you want me to do? I can’t change the past.

GEORGIA

Look, the protests are tomorrow, at the school. Stop all this from happening before someone gets really hurt. Ramona’s getting threats from strangers, do you realize that? She’s struggling, Aaron.

AARON

Damn … what the hell.

GEORGIA

That’s it? Ramona’s your friend.

AARON

Not really. She hasn’t talked to me this whole time. You would think a friend would reach out by now.

GEORGIA

I know- but she doesn’t deserve this.

Pause

AARON

There’s no guarantee that me coming to the protest and making a speech or whatever is going to help Ramona- or anyone. But … I can try.

GEORGIA

(Relieved) Thank God.

AARON

(Checks phone) Tch, I gotta go. Dad wants me to watch my lil’ brothers. I’ll … see you at the protests tomorrow, I guess.

GEORGIA

Wait! Before you go … I’m sorry.

AARON:

For what?

GEORGIA:

For saying it wasn’t a big deal. I didn’t realize back then …

AARON:

It’s fine. We both agreed on that then, but now that it’s become something so big, we need to deal with it.

GEORGIA:

Thanks, Aaron.

AARON

Ok, bye bye

Scene 19

Lunch room: Raven and Lucy are sitting at lunch together going over details about the protest. In walks Aaron, surprising both, walking over to their table)

LUCY:

Hey, I didn’t know you had this lunch period!

AARON:

I don’t. Raven do you have a minute?

RAVEN:

Uh yeah, this is actually perfect timing.

Aaron pulls Raven aside

AARON:

What the hell are you doing.

RAVEN:

I was just about to text you actually, you haven’t been responding. You’ve seen this shit with Samantha, right?

AARON:

Yeah and I thought I was clear that I didn’t want any of this to happen. I know you were the one that reported, if you just kept your mouth shut, none of this would have happened.

RAVEN:

Well it kind of started when Ramona called you a slur. What did you expect me to do? Hear me out, Samantha’s parents are doing some pathetic demonstration this weekend, but we’re gonna counter protest.

AARON:

Hold on-

RAVEN:

Lucy and I talked it over, we want you to speak at it. Get some payback, Ramona and Sam have been dragging your name through the mud!

AARON:

You aren’t listening to me-

RAVEN:

-You don’t have to worry about Ramona anymore, she couldn’t come if she wanted to, she’s suspended. All you have to do is show and speak your mind and those racist assholes won’t have a leg to stand on. Their “bullying” defense is so weak, you can finally show them up!

AARON:

Raven, shut the hell up!

Beat- the other people in the lunchroom heard that

RAVEN:

Aaron, what’s going on?

AARON:

What’s going on? Why didn’t you ask me that before? Why didn’t you come to me first about this? Why didn’t you listen to me in the first place when I said I didn’t want to report it? This isn’t about you, this isn’t some moment where you get to swoop in and save the day. I went to you about Ramona because I didn’t know how to feel and I wanted someone to listen to me. But you couldn’t do that, you had to jump in. (beat)

RAVEN:

I reached out to you and you ignored me. You disappeared, you and Georgia left me behind! She hates me now. I don’t know what I ever did or said to offend you but I was never trying to control you. You wouldn’t let me be there for you.

AARON:

What you did was not what I needed from you. Everything was happening all at once, I couldn’t process any of it. I know that this might be what needs to happen but you can’t speak for me.

RAVEN:

I thought you were in denial so I wanted to give you a pathway. I can see now that I jumped in before you even got the chance to understand what happened. God, I’m sorry … I just made everything worse, didn’t I?

AARON:

I appreciate the apology, looking back, you did do the right thing.

RAVEN:

But it’s ultimately your decision.

AARON:

(slightly humorous)This whole thing, I wish things would go back to normal.

RAVEN:

This has been pretty draining (laughs) but if we are being honest, this school needs a chance to look at why we got here. I mean, these protests are still going to happen, right?

AARON:

You’re right-

LUCY:

Hey is everything ok? You guys were yelling and I got a little scared.

RAVEN:

Oh hey, it’s ok, I think we made some decisions about the protest.

AARON:

I don’t feel comfortable talking in front of everyone, but I do want to be there.

LUCY:

I totally understand, this has been super overwhelming. I can just imagine how it feels for you. I would have probably cried in that situation. (laughs)

AARON:

(laughs) what do you mean?

LUCY:

Oh nothing really. I’m just really bad at dealing with racism first hand.

RAVEN:

Shoot, I actually have a meeting with Mr. Hurt over my test grade. Lucy, could you go over what we discussed with Aaron?

LUCY:

Yeah, of course!

[RAVEN hurries off. AARON and LUCY sit back down at the lunch table, which is covered in notes and some poster boards]

LUCY:

Ok, so at the end of school, which is like 3:15-ish, we are going to meet in the front of the school.

AARON:

Ok

LUCY:

We already have our chants in order. “Silence is Violence” or “Hate starts here,” but we might add others if we come up with more. Once we gather and get those down, we’re going to protest all the way to the Square Park, which we have a permit for. We have Parker and Amanda on amenities duty just in case of minor accidents or someone in need of food or water. What else …

[LUCY shuffles through the notes]

AARON:

Wow, you have this whole thing down.

LUCY:

It’s important to me … so thanks!

[keeps shuffling]

AARON:

Wish I had that level of determination …

pause a couple beats

LUCY:

Just so you know, you don’t have to feel like you have an entire TED talk for how you feel. It’s ok to not fully grasp the situation immediately.

AARON:

Yeah I know, it’s just are you sure I should be the figurehead of this protest? I mean I’m not even fully hispanic. Like what are people going to think when they see a white boy go up and make a speech about how racism is bad. Even my cousins call me Gringo. To be honest, sometimes I think there is something wrong with me. (laugh)

LUCY:

Hey, Aaron, don’t say that. There’s nothing wrong with you. There’s something wrong with society thinking it’s your job to understand everything about racism and teach it, but there is nothing wrong with you.

AARON:

I appreciate the support, but I know there was something I could have done.

LUCY:

Well, you could have passively or actively showed her where she messed up.

AARON:

Ok, yeah, that could’ve been a pretty good idea.

[hands Aaron cards with anonymous stories from students]

AARON:

What are these?

[AARON begins to read through them]

LUCY:

Anonymous stories. I started putting together statements from other students that have dealt with racism in school. From microaggressions to just straight up racism. You’re right about this not just being about you, a bunch of other students here have experienced what we have, but seeing how different each case is shows how this isn’t isolated. Yes, some of these are about being called slurs or racist jokes, but here are even more students being unfairly disciplined by biased teachers, clubs being gatekeeped by white student boards, even outright violent attacks. These are the cases that don’t get reported but these are the ones that need to be heard by everyone.

AARON:

Lucy- you did all this? This is incredible, I would have never thought of this. I didn’t realize how bad it was.

LUCY:

Exactly, I didn’t either because this is what happens when a school gets complicit. We never hear about the others so if we ever speak up, they can beat us back down. We are taught to not rock the boat but these stories prove that we aren’t alone in this.

AARON:

Are you gonna tell these stories at the protest?

LUCY:

I plan on it. But we have a lot of work to get done before that.

[AARON and LUCY get back to planning, fade to black]

Scene 20

SAMANTHA:

So my dad will drive us there at around 6 to set up, because you know, some people might come early. And we’ve GOT to make sure we have enough supplies, because we said to RSVP but you know how high schoolers are- so indecisive, it drives me absolutely crazy. Anyway, we’re gonna have snacks, and drinks, some signs, and bullhorns I guess, since we got word that the other side is going to have them too. And we CANNOT be outdone by those people. Sound good? Ramona? Hellooo?

RAMONA:

(snaps back to reality) Oh. Um. I don’t know.

SAMANTHA:

What do you mean, “I don’t know?”

RAMONA:

What if I don’t … want to go?

SAMANTHA:

(laughs, then pauses) Wait. You’re not serious.

RAMONA:

I just- I keep wondering if we’re doing the right thing. And … if we’re on the right side here.

SAMANTHA:

Um, last time I checked, Aaron’s not the one getting SUSPENDED for saying a WORD.

RAMONA:

What’s your problem with Aaron anyway?

SAMANTHA:

My problem? My PROBLEM is that he betrayed you!

RAMONA:

Yeah, but … even before all that happened. You never even tried to get along with him or anything. You just seemed to hate him from the moment we started hanging out, and I wanna know why.

SAMANTHA:

Why are we even talking about this? It’s ancient history now- and I turned out to be right about Aaron, didn’t I?

RAMONA:

I don’t know if you were … but I just want to know why you made that assumption about him in the first place.

SAMANTHA:

Wait. You’re not accusing me of being …

(Pause)

Okay, what the hell Ramona? You know me, you know I’m not like that.

RAMONA:

Do I? Sam, I’ve defended you throughout all of this. Throughout the Confederate flag thing, and- and all of these little comments you keep making, and now the protest, and- I googled it, the … the word I said- do you know it perpetuates stereotypes, and it’s derogatory, and-

SAMANTHA:

But this isn’t even about that! I’m not racist- god, how dense are you? I’m doing all of this for you!

RAMONA:

But I didn’t want any of this to happen in the first place! Now people are angry at me, and my parents …

SAMANTHA:

Oh my god, that’s what this is about? Not to be rude or anything, but this is your Achilles’ heel. (RAMONA gives her a confused look, she sighs) Your weakness. Nobody ever gets anything accomplished by worrying about what others will think. You can’t just let them push you around like this, Ramona.

RAMONA

That’s funny, coming from you.

SAMANTHA:

I’m sorry, what?

RAMONA:

Nothing.

SAMANTHA:

If you have a problem with me, say it to my face.

RAMONA:

Fine! It’s just … sometimes I feel like you never let me do anything on my own. Do you remember when I went away to summer camp for 3 weeks and you got mad at ME because you said I was ditching you? Or when one of my friends randomly stopped hanging out with me, and I found out it was because you had spread rumors about me behind my back? And then when I tried to talk to you about it, you called me crazy and said I could just leave you for my new best friends. You have done the same exact thing so many times. You are like this nagging voice in my head telling me constantly that I’m not enough, that I’m crazy, that I’m selfish, that I’m stupid. The MESSED UP thing is I stayed around you because you made me feel like I had no one else, but the truth was I was much less alone than you made me believe.

SAMANTHA

You and I both know that’s a lie! Do you know how much I’ve done for you? I’ve organized a whole protest for you and all I get in return is you making all of this up about me! I’m your best friend! I have been there for you ever since we met, no matter what. Do you remember your first day at school? I was the only one who talked to you. I promised to look after you, and I have never ONCE gone back on that promise. Because you know what? I care about you more than ANYONE, more than Aaron, more than your parents ever have!

(RAMONA just looks at her, she is deeply hurt by this)

RAMONA

Why would you say that?

SAMANTHA

(knows she’s crossed a line) I … I’m sorry. I got mad, I don’t know what came over me-

RAMONA:

I’m gonna go. My … Mom and Dad are gonna be home soon, I have to- I can’t deal with this right now.

SAMANTHA:

Wait- are you coming to the protest?

RAMONA:

I uh, I don’t know. I have that meeting with my parents and Ms. Belden at the same time so, and I’m suspended anyway so, uh we’ll see.

SAMANTHA:

Ramona, if you don’t show up, all of this will have been for NOTHING.

RAMONA:

What are you trying to say?

SAMANTHA:

Just … remember where your loyalties lie. That’s all.

RAMONA:

Okay. Bye, I guess.

(She leaves, and SAMANTHA’s confident demeanor immediately melts. She’s genuinely upset and worried about this.)

SAMANTHA:

Fuck.

Scene 21

PROTEST

The day of the protest. AARON and RAVEN are arriving, seeing the two sides with their posters (“Kids Before Politics,” “What is Belden Afraid of?” “End School Bullying” etc. vs. “Justice for All” “Protect POC Students,” “Latinos Unidos” etc.) Lucy is already there, busy organizing everyone and getting ready to speak

RAVEN:

I thought we were gonna be early, but I definitely miscalculated.

AARON:

I’m seriously regretting coming, I can already feel them staring me down.

[LUCY notices RAVEN and AARON and makes her way over]

LUCY:

Hey, you’re just in time, we’re about to get started.

AARON:

It already looks like things are in full swing

[He gestures to the crowd of protestors]

LUCY:

Trust me, I was here super early and it was already like this.

RAVEN:

This is even more people than we accounted for- Lucy, did we bring enough water bottles?

AARON:

I feel like I’m gonna throw up

LUCY:

It’s a lot but I feel good about this. Do you mind if I mention you’re here?

AARON:

I think people have noticed that already, so sure, I guess.

[the opposition crowd gets louder and louder, chanting things like “End School Bullying,” “Where’s Belden?” “Take a Joke,” AARON starts to feel like he’s caving in]

LUCY:

I feel like that’s my cue to start talking, wish me luck

RAVEN:

[to LUCY] You got this. [noticing how stressed AARON is] Dude, do you need some water?

AARON: [out of it] Yeah

[RAVEN leads AARON to the water table while LUCY starts to get the bullhorn, chanting is getting more intense]

[LUCY gets ready for her speech. she‘s nervous and reads from her notecards]

LUCY: To begin this, I want to thank Aaron for being here.

[the opposition boos, some yell out heckles at AARON, “You Aren’t Welcome,” “Stop being Dramatic,” “Go Home.” AARON is not doing good, RAVEN is trying to hold him up, finally supporting him in the way he needs]

LUCY: While he’s not here to speak for himself, it is his story that allows me and my peers to speak about the true issues that plague this school.

[Heckling intensifies, all eyes are on AARON, RAVEN is still standing by him. LUCY is getting drowned out, still clutching her notecards]

LUCY: I have collected testimonials from my fellow students who haven’t been given a voice to speak against the racism in this school. These stories show us how common Aaron’s experience is, not just at school but in the lives of students like us.

[Heckling grows, “Isn’t he white, though?,” “Stop Feeling Sorry for Yourselves!” “Why do you care?” At this comment, LUCY looks up from her notes. She’s about to start addressing the crowd directly]

LUCY: I care because Aaron isn’t just white. He was attacked for the part of him that wasn’t. Part of him was seen as something to be called names, to be the butt of a “joke.” Those of you here that think we are dramatic, that we don’t know what we’re are talking about, don’t realize the actual weight of Ramona’s words. Call this a microaggression, a joke, an out-right attack, but you cannot claim that this is a one off problem. That you can pick the whole situation apart and say this is about bullying and move on. What I have in my hands is the impact of that thinking. [anyone can insert the story they told at the beginning of the process here] “I’m scared to go to protests because I might get shot,” “I wasn’t considered for the theatre board because they said I didn’t have the right attitude: I was the only nonwhite applicant and I was one of the only qualified candidates,” “My teacher refuses to pronounce my name right, he says that ‘ethnic names’ are too hard for him,” “I was called the n-word by another student at golf practice,” “I was shoved into the lockers by someone who made it clear that they hated immigrants in class the day before,” “Every day in Spanish class, white students will laugh at the vocab, saying we should just ‘speak English if we’re in America,’”I am pushed away by my black peers for not being black enough and my white peers for not being white enough,” “I am scared for my boyfriend’s life when the school security follow my boyfriend and his friend when they walk into school in the morning.”

[protesters still heckle, but it’s quieter now, LUCY has the rest of the crowd listening]

LUCY: This breaks my heart to have to read. It breaks my heart that all over our school, people are in fear and in pain for the reaction of something they cannot control. It hurts me to my very core that this place has raised people to be so ignorant and so hateful to a mere difference in culture and pigment. You want to know why I care? I care because of situations like these [she waves the notes] I care because the death and selling of my ancestors under a southern flag is treated as a trivial factor for southern pride. I care because people are hurting. Why do you?

[people are quieter, AARON and RAVEN have been listening intently]

I see your “End Bullying” signs, I hear your heckles, I see your death stares directed at AARON, I see this outrage over one of the few times a student is held accountable for her words and it just makes me ask “What are you actually angry about?” Who are the victims of bullying that you care about? It isn’t the black golf team member, it’s not the immigrant student shoved into lockers, and it for sure isn’t Aaron. These testimonials are the stories of the students you want to ignore. These stories are the evidence you refuse to see. So ask yourself, why is this the bullying case you want to debate?

I see the faces of classmates that I have known for years on both sides of this crowd, people I have grown up with. What I don’t see is a student body that is able to accept its racist legacy. This is the time to face that reality.

[LUCY takes a breath, she sees the opportunity to bring it back to the plan]

This is our chance to support not only AARON, but the voices we don’t hear. We are marching down to Square Park to spread these stories and make our message known. I am fighting for a supportive student body, one that speaks up for all of us, let’s start that today.

[LUCY, full of adrenaline, starts to lead the group down the street, RAVEN and AARON gather beside her]

LUCY:

Wow! That was great. I can’t believe I did that!

RAVEN:

THAT WAS AWESOME- YOU WERE SO GOOD I-

AARON:

Dude calm down. Seriously though, Lucy, that was incredible, I just- [he’s still in shock, probably full of emotions]

LUCY: Well now I guess it’s time to do the protesting part (laughs)

[LUCY continues to lead the group with AARON and RAVEN in tow. The other protestors stay in place, still chanting but they seem shaken. They don’t have anyone to yell at except the blank school wall]

Scene 22

(The scene begins with Principal Belden on a call, RAMONA and both her parents are in her office)

PRINCIPAL BELDEN

Yes, mhmm, right. Yes and we are so sorry again.(She hangs up the phone and looks at Ramona) So that was Aaron’s parents, they will not be attending the meeting.

RAMONA

Great, so we’re done here?

JAMES

Yes, if that’s all we really need to get back to work.

PRINCIPAL BELDEN

Not exactly. I would like to discuss some things about Ramona with you.

JAMES

What things?

PRINCIPAL BELDEN

Well to start off, Ramona’s grades. Are you aware she is currently failing 3 of her classes?

JAMES

What? Why didn’t you tell us about this?

RAMONA

I don’t know.

DIANA

[on the phone] No, no. Mary, you have to put the specimen in a climate controlled transport- what? Hold on. Ramona why didn’t you tell us about this?

RAMONA

Again I don’t know. I guess, I was scared of what you would think.

JAMES

Well we told you we would always support and be proud of you. We would have helped you if you told us you were struggling.

RAMONA

Would you? Mom is literally on the phone right now.

DIANA

Ramona, you know that we have to adjust some things because we left Peru earlier.

RAMONA

I know, I’m sorry.

PRINCIPAL BELDEN

It’s not just Ramona’s grades I would like to discuss. I’m not sure how much of my voicemail you heard because I know your wifi is spotty, but Ramona called another student a racially motivated slur.

JAMES

What?

DIANA

I’m so sorry Mary but I have to go. Ramona you called someone a slur?

JAMES

Why did you think you could say a word like that?

RAMONA

I’m not sure.

JAMES

I just can’t believe, you would say something like, like, what did she even call the kid.

PRINCIPAL BELDEN

I’m afraid I’m not allowed to say, but I can show you. (She hands the parents a file)

DIANA

Ramona. What went through your head when you said this?

RAMONA

I don’t know, everything happened so fast.

JAMES

Why did you even think you could say something like that?

RAMONA

I’m not sure. He was just making fun of me and I panicked.

DIANA

Ramona that is no excuse.

RAMONA

I know.

DIANA

Then why did you say it?

RAMONA

I told you I don’t know.

DIANA

That is not enough Ramona.

JAMES

I never thought she would do something like that. Why would you ever do something like that?

RAMONA

I’m sorry. Are you upset with me?

JAMES

We are just disappointed. Just what was going through your head when you said that?

DIANA

Did you not think?

RAMONA

I guess, I really don’t know. I swear, I just-

JAMES

Is there anything we can do to support the family of the child? An apology maybe?

PRINCIPAL BELDEN

Well, as my voicemail stated they were supposed to come to this meeting, but backed out last minute, take with that what you will.

DIANA

We are just so shocked by this, Principal Belden. We don’t know what came over Ramona.

JAMES

What compelled you to say that why? How did you not know what that word meant,

RAMONA

I just,

DIANA

We thought we raised you better,

RAMONA

Will you let me speak!

(It becomes quiet)

DIANA

Ramona,

RAMONA

Please. You have no idea what I do, who I am or anything about me. You are not around. You’re delusional if you think you are good parents. You are not parents. I told you why I did it. I was mad, HE WAS HUMILIATING ME so I struck back. And yes I did it in the wrong way. I shouldn’t have said what I said and that is my fault, but I didn’t know what the word meant because you weren’t around to teach me. You were so busy working, or traveling, or hell, even studying frog feces, you didn’t have enough time to be my parents. That’s all I wanted. Was somebody, anybody to be there. Maybe, maybe if you were around at all to educate and teach me that words have weight, then maybe I wouldn’t have been suspended and there wouldn’t be a protest outside asking for further action against me. I was wrong, what I did was wrong and I am sorry.

(There’s a pause)

I don’t know what to do. I have nobody, I’m alone. I’m just trying my best.

PRINCIPAL BELDEN

Well it seems like there is a lot of familial tension. We do have a social worker here who can give you some family therapy resources

JAMES

Ramona, we had no idea.

RAMONA

I don’t want to talk about it.

(There is another pause)

Are we done here?

PRINCIPAL BELDEN

Yes you are free to go.

(The narrator comes onto the screen. They will do a choreographed dance to Catharsis and eventually will remove the narrator mask, this will reveal a second mask that is covered in crystals to represent the purging of bad emotions, the narrator takes a bow and sets the narrator mask down)

Scene 23

We open on the English room, they sit next to each other, Ramona is reading a book and Aaron sits anxiously next to her.

Teacher

Ok everyone please find a partner.

Everyone goes and finds a partner, Ramona and Aaron are the only ones left, they look at each other in shock. They sit down and start to do their work. They sit in silence.

ROMONA

We’re supposed to work on this together.

AARON

Oh, ok.

RAMONA

So I said that something I found interesting was how the proletariat is actually the majority and the bourgeois is the minority, but the upper class has convinced the lower class that they’re powerless.

AARON

Well, I think that’s because they put an emphasis on property equals power, if the proletariat doesn’t own anything, it gives the illusion of powerlessness.

RAMONA

Yeah.

They sit in silence for a little bit longer, the music starts

RAMONA

So are we gonna talk about it or?

AARON

What is there to talk about?

RAMONA

The fact that like, like, I don’t know, like are you angry at me? Are you upset?

AARON

I’m not mad, I guess I’m upset though.

RAMONA

Look, Aaron, I’m sorry.

AARON

It hurt.

RAMONA

I know.

They sit in silence some more

RAMONA

What I did was wrong and racist and messed up. I made excuses for what I did and that was wrong of me.

AARON

It was.

RAMONA

Ok can you stop it! Like I’m actually trying here.

AARON

I know, you got your point across.

RAMONA

You always do this. I’m trying to make amends, my life is practically in shambles because of this and all you’re giving is nods and oks.

AARON

I’m not sure what you want from me.

RAMONA

I want to know if you forgive me or not.

AARON

Well if I’m being completely honest, I don’t.

RAMONA

Oh.

AARON

Yeah.

They sit in silence again

AARON

You just told the whole school about what happened and people sided with you so quickly. They think I did something to you and that was just really shitty of you.

RAMONA

Well the only reason I did that was because you reported me to the principal. I was defending myself

AARON

That wasn’t me. Raven was the one who did that, I didn’t ask him to, but he did.

RAMONA

Oh come on.

AARON

And you know that he did the right thing. I should have said something in the moment and I didn’t, that is on me and I know that now, but you should have known that, that word had weight, even though in the moment it meant nothing.

(silence)

RAMONA

Aaron, I’m sorry. I really am. I messed up and I messed up bad and I hope that you will be able to forgive me.

(Silence again)

Will you be able to forgive me?

AARON

I don’t know.

RAMONA

So uh, where do we go from here?

AARON

I don’t know.

(They pause again, a while.)

RAMONA

So ugh, what’d you get on the english test?

AARON

A 72. You?

RAMONA

A 74.

Their screens go dark

Possible Narrator monologue at the end of the show.

Scene 24 - Epilogue

NARRATOR

Kalen: And with that our memory ends

Another chapter closed to our endless series

Nora: When do the memories end

Marcela: When do the stories we tell stop becoming distant thoughts

And become times of learning

Liam: When

Or does it ever

End

Tim: In this memory we saw who wore glasses made from petals and thorns

Veronica: And those whose faces ran deep with scars and cuts

Georgia: We saw whose sight became clear and whose became cloudy

Ramona: Who wore masks with honor and those who wore masks with scorn

Kalen: It’s time

To close this chapter

And wave our characters a mournful send

Liam: My greatest hope is I get to stop telling these memories

Marcela: That one day my collection of retellings will one day

Come to an end

End show

Supplementary material

Supplemental materials for this article are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08929092.2023.2277633.