ARNGMNT© -- Winterfest Version

7/30/2019 ARNGMNT© -- Winterfest Version

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©

(Pronounced Arrangement)

The Adaptation of Dorothy Parker’s The Arrangement in Black and

White

By NXPLAYWRIGHT



Stephanie Grayson:

Born in Dallas, Texas, Stephanie Grayson is a 46-year-

old woman with a firm figure and defined curves. Her

blonde, straight hair glows without a frizz nor a

strand of hair hanging. Stephanie is a voluptuousspendthrift who focuses mainly on her lavish

lifestyle. Her father, John Grayson, was the founder

of a Fortune 500 company and she relies on her

parents‟ money and opinions; superficial elements that

shape her personality. Stephanie‟s daughter, Patton

Grayson is an upcoming freshman in college. She will

be attending Vassar College, because of legacy

preference and because she didn‟t get into Dartmouth.

Patton lacked academic success in high school and

Stephanie blames her failure on the interracial

relationship she currently has with her boyfriend

Blake Ericson; who will be attending Harvard

University.

Molly Thebes-West:

Born in Concord, New Hampshire, Molly West is a short,

figureless woman with short brown hair. Her face glows

and her mulatto skin tone illuminates her dimpled

cheeks. She is a woman with very liberal views who is

married to an African American banker named Giles

Parker-West. She has been a best friend of Stephanie

for a very long time. Even though they‟ve been close

friends for a long time, Stephanie silently

disapproved of Molly‟s marriage because she is against

interracial marriages. Molly has the tendency to be

very excited and very exuberant. Her joyous attitude

at times can both vex yet comfort those who surround

her. When people confront her with a belligerent

attitude, she becomes defenseless. Her jubilant

personality makes it difficult for her to fight

truculent naggers, quickly resulting to her having

emotional breakdowns.



Lindsey Stanton:

Born in Nantucket, Boston, Lindsey is a thick

redheaded woman with freckles that run down from her

shoulders all the way down to her torso. Lindsey is

currently filing for a divorce from Governor AdamStanton. Lindsey is quite solemn, with a sour yet

realist attitude. Her attitude obligates her peers to

leech onto her for guidance. Lindsey doesn‟t choose a

side, ever; moreover she chooses her conscience and

judgment. Being a politician‟s wife has created a

difficult life for her. As a wife, she is overrun with

constant complaints and conversations about his work.

Until one day she finally decides to break away from

the relationship. Unlike Stephanie and Molly, she did

not attend college because she could not afford to go.

She has lived a hard life. She has been evicted twice,

lived in shelters with her mother until she marriedinto Adam‟s rich family.

Amy Warrens:

Born in Los Angeles, California. A big boned, brunette

with long hair. She is the most radical woman out of

the whole group of friends. She is very loud, with a

sailor‟s mouth. She is the type of woman to get kicked

out of fancy restaurants, public events, birthday

parties, bar/bat mitzvahs, etc. Her face is quite

chubby, but her hair is very long and straight that

goes all the way down to her back.

Blake Ericson:

Blake is a black student who is in a relationship with

Stephanie‟s daughter. Blake has become the topic of

discussion amongst Stephanie‟s social group because he

is the first African American student at at Patton‟s

school to graduate with high honors. He is the captain

of the swim team who graduated not only with high

honor but also as valedictorian. He is brilliant young

adult and a rising freshman at Harvard University.

Blake is described as a good-looking, tall young manamongst the social group. Stephanie throughout the

play complains about him due to his presence at

Patton‟s school and because of their relationship.

Charles McGowan:

Charles is Stephanie‟s butler. He enters wearing a

dark grey fitted suite and a purple tie. He has a full

beard, very clean and thick waves in his hair.



At RISE:

New York City, 5th Avenue, 8:47 pm, Mid October

It is a cold, fall evening with busy streets running parallel

throughout the Manhattan borough. Taxis, buses, limos and

expensive cars are seen occasionally. The streetlights are

brighter than ever. Lindsey and Molly are dressed exquisitely

walking a couple of blocks towards Stephanie‟s house.

Molly is wearing a tight, blue dress deliberately made to

accentuate her small figure. A stray hair runs down her face, as her rouge lip adjacent to her string of hair has become

the spotlight of her blushing face. Lindsey looks appropriate

during this dark evening while she is wearing a thin, darkish-

orange dress that falls in place with the season. She wears her

dress with pride and attitude. Her hair curls slightly, she is

wearing no lipstick and her dress is placing extra emphasis on

her curves. The top of her dress heightens her breasts and

accentuates her back. She is wearing a beautiful white mink coat

over her dress. Both protagonists are making haste to Stephanie‟s

apartment building.

Lindsey

(Turns to Molly, while walking quickly)

Gosh I need a cigarette-You got one babe?

Molly

(They both stop in the middle of the street)

Yeah

Lindsey

(Both Molly and Lindsey continue to walk.)

Thanks, why don‟t I ever come prepared? God I can‟t believe

Stephanie had the nerve to reschedule her so-called, “get

together,” a couple of days ago… I ran an hour late to my divorce

settlement.

Molly



(Gasps) Unbelievable couldn‟t you reschedule that for another

day?

Lindsey

I have too little time on my hands (Put her hand on her forehead)

It‟s killing me. I‟ve developed old habits. The last time I had acigarette was in college and now I picked it up just three months

ago because my stress level is at Mount Kilimanjaro. This divorce

is hurting me badly. I‟ve built my life around this whole thing.

(Lindsey trying to calm herself down. Stops at a Do Not Cross

sign to shake her hand and stretch her neck.)

C‟mon Lindsey you must be strong. You must be strong Lindsey.

Molly

(Becomes innocently curious)

Why do you do that Lindsey?

Lindsey

What do you mean?

Molly

What you just did, Why do you do that?

Lindsey

I have no idea what you‟re…

(Lindsey becomes unaware that she is walking in the middle of a

side street. Molly becomes aware of a yellow taxicab racing down

the street about to Lindsey. She suddenly grabs her by the

forearm.)

Molly

Watch out, Lindsey!

Lindsey (Startled)

(Yells at the taxicab.)

You asshole!

Molly



That was unnecessary!

Lindsey

That cab almost ran me over. Anyway keep walking. We‟re going to

be late. What were you saying?

Molly

Umm… nothing it‟s not important.

Lindsey

Ok.

(Lindsey and Molly finally arrive at Stephanie‟s house. It‟s a

beautiful white-beige, prewar building with towers running

parallel from corners of the building. Lindsey opens the glass

door to the lobby floor with white marbles floors. Amy entersfrom the left sitting down where the lobby chairs are with her

chubby legs wearing a long, thin, lavender dress.)

Amy

(Enters from the left, raging mad, her face is cherry red and

rich in expression. She gives a glaring look at both Molly and

Lindsey. She turns to Pierre, the African doorman with a thick

French, African accent working at the front desk in the lobby.)

Pierre!

Pierre

(Smiles) Yes Mad „am?

Amy

Can you please call Stephanie and tell her that we are all here?

Pierre

(Smiles again) Yes Mad „am.

Amy

And can you please call the elevator to the lobby floor?

Pierre

Yes Mad „am.



Amy

… (Yelling to Molly and Lindsey) You guys are late!

(They walk towards the elevator)

Molly

I know, I know she‟s going to be so mad. Amy… (Her hands brush

her waist of her tight dress) How do I look?

Amy

(Reaches for Molly‟s shoulders and brushes them with her thumbs)

Beautiful!

(Amy suddenly notices the back of Molly‟s neck that contains a

huge red mark)

Molly, what is this?

Molly

(Becomes nervous and jumpy)

Umm, yeah, (Grabs the part of her neck) Amy you didn‟t know that

I had umm, umm, what‟s that thing called? Goodness I keep

blanking on the name. My doctor told me what I had the other the

day-- it‟s called...

Lindsey

What is it, bad eczema?

Molly

(Concurs)

Yes that‟s what is, bad eczema, that‟s what he told me, hah, it‟sreally bad actually. I can‟t control it. No one can! Quite

strange!

Amy

Molly that doesn‟t look like bad eczema, more like an inflamed

bruise. Its really livid.



Molly

(Nervous Laughter)

Haha, what? No it‟s not its eczema, right Lindsey?

Lindsey

Sure it is- at least that‟s what I‟m guessing.

Molly

(Stares into space for a brief moment. She hears a loud

conversation between her and a man. It‟s like a flashback but

without imagery)

Male: I saw you with him.

Molly: I‟m sorry (Broken glass and hard foot stomps are heard) it

was just dinner . Male: Don‟t touch me Molly… (Slaps are heard) get off of me!

(Molly sheds a tear)

End of Audio Flashback

(A subtle tear drops down from her eye; mascara faintly falls

from her eye down her cheek) The elevator is here. Let‟s go.

(She walks in the elevator first)

End of Scene

Scene 3

At Rise: Amy, Molly and Lindsey are dispersed in an empty

elevator. Everyone is quiet. Lindsey takes out a cigarette and a

lighter but is suddenly interrupted by Amy.

Amy

What is with you? Is this a new habit of yours?

Lindsey

(Yells in frustration) I‟m going to smoke this cigarette in

peace! If you can get off my rear end,I would really appreciate

it!



Amy

(Sarcastically) Hey Molly.

Molly

(Tired)

Yes?

Amy

Do I smell lung cancer?

Molly

Amy enough, leave her be.

Do any of you know why Stephanie invited us here in the first

place?

Lindsey

No (takes a puff from her cigarette) I guess we‟ll have to find

out, Shall we?

(The elevator door opens)

End of Scene

Scene 3

At Rise: Stephanie is sitting on a white, modern and elegant,

couch with her legs crossed. She is wearing a silk, pink dress

and her lips are the color of her lipstick is the color of pink

velvet poppies that assists the color of her blonde hair.

Charles, her assistant and secretary, is pouring champagne in

glasses juxtaposed on her bar. We enter inside a beautiful home

with high ceilings and beautiful, “pop art” from Andy Warhol. The

apartment is a duplex, with a living room that has brick walls, a

working fireplace, and large windows facing the view of central

park west and hardwood floors. The kitchen is open onto the

living room. There is a long dining room table that sits to the

left against a white brick made wall while her self-portraithovers over it.

Charles

(While pouring champagne)

You know I have to leave soon? I have someone waiting for me at

home.



Stephanie

(Confused)

Who? Your mother?

Charles

No a very special man. We‟ve been seeing each other for more than

six months now.

Stephanie

Babe C‟mon don‟t leave me. My friends are coming and I need you

to pour champagne, prepare Hors d'œuvres, make this place an even

warmer atmosphere. I need you sweetheart! You know what,

how about you do me this favor and I‟ll return (tickling his

chest with her long finger nails) the favor .

Charles

Now Stephanie if you really wanted to return the favor you would

offer to pay for my wedding.

Stephanie

(Suddenly frustrated)

Oh you know I cannot do that Charles!

Charles

(Starts to get angry)

And why not? Considering you own half of New York City

(questioning his prior knowledge) or do you? Wait, Stephanie are

you broke?

Stephanie

(Looks at him strangely)

Me, broke? No darling, hell no! You must have lost your mind.

Have you seen the S550 I just bought two days ago? Baby that‟s

over 100,000 dollars of autumn time throwaway money. Got that?

(Smiles with charm) You must have not done enough homework on

your lady, haven‟t you Charles?

Charles

I guess I haven‟t.

Stephanie



Well do a little more. It will help you.

Charles

I still don‟t understand why you wont pay for my wedding when you

have and I quote, “100,000 Dollars of autumn time throwawaymoney.”

Stephanie

(Exasperated)

Please Charles you know that I withhold certain beliefs and I

don‟t believe that marriage should be between…

(Interrupting Stephanie)

Charles

Love and love? Stephanie this is ridiculous, look at where you

are! You have been living in one of the most liberal cities in

America for about twenty-three years now and you still don‟t

believe that I should marry a man that loves me for who I am. We

have been friends since the beginning of time, since you first

moved to this city and I was the only one who was there for you.

I have never judged you on your beliefs and literally all I am

asking of you is a simple favor-- pay for my wedding. Why can‟t

you do this for me? Why can‟t you be happy for me? You know I

can‟t afford it. Please pay for my wedding and I will never ask

you for anything again?

Stephanie

Charles, I just can‟t babe. I just can‟t

Charles

What‟s holding you back?

Stephanie

It‟s my beliefs. They wouldn‟t be proud of me if…

(Interrupted by Charles)

Charles

Who‟s they

Stephanie

Ugh... My deceased parents



Charles

(furious)

Stephanie, take a very good look at yourself! You are a forty-six

year old woman that still cares about what her dead parents think

of her. I know they‟ve blessed you with opportunities monetarily,but its time to move on now.

Stephanie

They are constantly looking down on me Charles and I can always

feel their presence. Listen, When I was a little girl and even

through my teenage years, they were always judgmental and always

made decisions for me. It‟s stuck with me since, its like I can

here their voices in my head every step of the way. Charles If

Patton decides to marry Blake, it wouldn‟t matter how caring or

successful Blake is. The most important thing for me is to keep

tradition; it creates less problems and less heartbreak. Iremember her fist date with that boy. I wont forget it. I told

her, “You aren‟t keeping the generations clean Patton. You‟re

confused darling and I hope you don‟t plan to have kids with him

or any of their kind because then you will be creating problems

for your children‟s identities.” It‟s for the children darling

and considering you can‟t have any… I rest my case.

Charles

(In complete shock)

Stephanie, you‟re stuck in a world we no longer live in. This

isn‟t the 70‟s, nor the 80‟s and not even the 90‟s. We are in the

year 2012. We strive toward creating a society that doesn‟t think

like you do. We have our first black president! Times have

changed now, and I have changed a good difference so you should

too.

Stephanie

More Champagne Charles enough of this philosophical crap worth a

conversation. Now are you going to stay tonight or what? Please

babe, I need you the most right now.

Charles

I will stay. If and only if you promise to change the way you

view people. It‟s really time to for you to change the way you

view things Stephanie.

Stephanie



Ha ha Charles. Now I got you. Now you cant get away! I love you

Charles. You have been so good to me ever since I hired you. You

know if you weren‟t gay, I‟d marry you.

Charles

Even if I wasn‟t gay, you still couldn‟t have all of this.

Stephanie

Then I‟d have to buy you, (Charles laughs in response)

(Under her breath) like an antebellum lady during the good ol‟

days

A call from the doorman is heard from both characters in the

room.

Stephanie

Charles be a good boy and go get that please. My guests are

coming soon.

Charles

Why did you invite all these people in the first place?

Stephanie

To discuss the future of tradition, but first, we will drink, we

will relax and I will do what I do best.

Charles

And what do you do best Stephanie?

Stephanie

(Laughs) Charles you should know this by know babe… I live

comfortably, that‟s what I do best... no, no I take that back… I

live… pure.

End of Scene

Scene 4



At Rise: The elevator doors open to three women positioned in

different parts of the elevator. Molly is the first one to exit,

Lindsey follow and then Amy is the last one to leave. The

elevator scene and exit is set in a Mise „en scene format. The

hallways Is pretty wide with two folding doors to open the loft

duplex apartment. All three characters are standing beside the

door.

Lindsey

I swear if this woman doesn‟t have a significant reason as into

why we are here, I will…

Amy

(Aggressively Interrupts)

Get The Door

Lindsey

I‟m sorry, but what is your problem.

Molly

(Yelling)

Can you both stop.

The door suddenly opens slowly… we see Stephanie with a strong

grin on her face.

Stephanie! (Reaches for a hug)

Stephanie

(With a glass of champagne walking with a pretend hangover)

Hello everyone and welcome to my humble abode.

Lindsey

We‟ve been to your house before Stephanie, Relax woman.

Stephanie

(Reaches for Amy‟s dimpled cheeks) What‟s wrong with you baby…

why are you always-such a sour puss? Lighten up; c‟mon… all of

you get inside. I‟m tired of you standing in the hallway… (Yells)

Charles… oh… Charles… come out, come out wherever you are,

(sarcastically) wherever you are. Charles, honey, are you still

in the closet. I thought you already came out? (Laughs)



Charles

You are so funny (walks towards her and stands still speechless)

Stephanie

Say hello to the gals and show you‟re charming side like youusually do.

Molly, Lindsey, Amy

Hello Charles

Charles

Hello (Kisses their hands)

Stephanie

Too bad he‟s gay!

Amy

I know… (With a sexually devious look) Really sad.

Stephanie

Oh Amy I forgot your still single. Charles, honey, I need you to

do me a favor.

Charles

Yes Stephanie

Stephanie

It‟s really quick; can you go fetch Patton‟s school newspaper on

my dresser.

Charles

Certainly

Stephanie

Thanks Babe

(Charles exits for a brief moment)

(Lindsey, Amy and Molly follow her as Stephanie walks and talks)



Ladies, Women. Have a seat. How are all of you doing?

(Grabs a glass of champagne from the living-room table)

Here Molly

Lindsey

(Tries to pull out another cigarette) So What are we celebrating?

Stephanie

NO NO NO! SMOKING! (Pulls her hand away from the bag) We don‟t do

that here. You and your other friends can go outside and do that.

(Lindsey suddenly stares at her with discontent)

Now sit down everyone, I have a lot to tell you.

(All characters sit down on the white leather couch)

The reason why I called everyone here today is because this is a

celebration for Patton. She is going off to college.

Lindsey

Is she here? Where is she?

Stephanie

Out with her friends. I gave her my credit card for them to go

see a movie, go shopping, and who knows maybe get a bite to eat.

Molly

Congratulations!

Amy

Congratulation Stephanie! You must be so proud.

Stephanie

I‟m not! (Arises from her seat, Lindsey continues to look at her

with disgust)

Charles! Where in God‟s name is the newspaper.

Amy



Wait did she not get into Vassar.

Stephanie

She did, but that‟s not where I wanted her to go.

Lindsey

It‟s not your choice Stephanie!

Molly

Your right Lindsey, It isn‟t your choice. She decides where she

wants to go and what‟s wrong with Vassar, it‟s a great school.

Stephanie

The plan was for her to go to Dartmouth; not my Alma Matter.

CHARLES!!

Charles

I‟m coming Stephanie

Stephanie

The plan was for her to go to Dartmouth and if it wasn‟t for her

Negro problem she probably would have probably got accepted.

Molly

Well I think Vassar is a great school, very liberal.

Stephanie

Yes, just like your marriage.

Molly

What‟s that suppose to mean. I meant liberal as in the arts.

Charles

(Comes back and walks towards the loud confrontation) Ladies,Ladies, Enough! Goodness gracious you women are getting your

panties in a wad over a piece of paper.

(Gives the article to Stephanie with daring look) Here you go.

(Stephanie throws the article on the floor.)

Really Stephanie? I will be in the kitchen.



Lindsey

This is the third time you‟ve reschedule this damn, “get

together.” Really Stephanie, why are we here?

Stephanie

No reason exactly, I just wanted to talk.

Lindsey

I‟m sorry?

Stephanie

Listen; take a look at that article. Blake Ericson! Patton‟s

school is growing crazy over this boy. Captain of the swim team,

4.0 Grade Point Average, he is absolutely incredible. You know I

said to my uncle from Dallas that these colored boys are makingit in this world. Its… its scaring me!

Molly

Scaring you? I think its great. My husband Giles would be so

proud of him. Giles graduated Phi Betta Kappa at Brown.

Lindsey

I don‟t see what the hell-on earth is the problem with a child of

color being an intellectual and doing well in school.

Charles

(Yelling from the kitchen) Stephanie and her uncle are both from

Dallas and you know how they are.

Stephanie

Charles! Shut your mouth before I staple shut it. And poor more

champagne. It‟s your job.

Charles

Yes Stephanie

Stephanie

Anyway where was I… oh yes, Blake Ericson? This boy is going to

Harvard University. And you know what I said to myself earlier,

if it wasn‟t for financial aid, hell, if it wasn‟t for

affirmative action he wouldn‟t be going to Harvard.



Molly

From the looks of this article, he looks like a smart child.

Stephanie, I am so confused where all of this is coming from

Stephanie and you‟re being really offensive.

Stephanie

Just cause he swims and gets good grades doesn‟t mean he needs to

be valedictorian.

Molly

And why shouldn‟t he.

Stephanie

Because its just another reason to give colored boys passes in

society. Its wrong! I mean how unfair is that. Patton can‟t get apass because she is a white girl who works hard.

Amy

Oh my goodness what do you mean, what pass?

Stephanie

Goodness Amy, the affirmative action pass, the modern-day Uncle

Tom pass, the person of color pass. All these passes that give

blacks that extra step up in American society. I mean I am proud

of the boy, but I thought a hoop or a microphone was enough to

make it.

Lindsey

(With a sour facial expression)

Well Stephanie, enough with the article, I find it to be simply

fantastic to through a party for this young man, and how

ridiculous is this… look around… we‟re a bunch of white women

discussing this man‟s success. Please give yourself a smack on

the ass and then congratulate your mind for still being stuck in

the goddamn twentieth century.

(Finishes her glass of champagne. Charles is heard laughing in

the background.)

Amy

Oh c‟mon Lindsey, I love black people, there worth the

conversation. They are the sweetest and most hospitable people on

this earth. My maid, Claudine is from Barbados, and not only does



she clean my house… My god she‟s a fascinating cook! I always

tell her when she gets the money to go back home, she should open

her own restaurant. I understand Stephanie and how she feels

about Niggers getting the easy way of things, its like everything

is supposed to be handed to them on a silver platter. You see

even though I love Claudine to death she is always pestering me.

She keeps asking me to pay for her flight and other expenses forher to go back home, but I keep telling her to save her money and

she‟ll get there. She should be glad I give her more than minimum

wage, the poor nigger-mammy.

Stephanie

And Lindsey let me remind you that your ex-husband cut numerous

school districts‟ budgets by a fifth last month in many ghetto

areas of New York City. Adam‟s actions will only result to

thousands of children of color to have no future.

Amy

You mean those black children.

Molly

African-Americans and listen you two... now there are others who

go to public schools. White kids, African American children,

Asian children, and even Hispanic children.

Amy

Oh my goodness you poor thing don‟t you understand that there are

no discrepancies between those type of CHILDREN? I can‟t believe

you and further more „African Americans,‟ don‟t want to be called

African Americans. We don‟t live in the twentieth century OK!

They‟re black people. They‟re not children of color either like

these independent schools throughout the northeast like to call

them. They‟re only generalizing the title so that blacks and

Hispanics don‟t seem like they‟re the ones getting hurt the most.

Molly

Giles is African American Amy you sound ridiculous.

Stephanie

No, I am really sorry Molly but his demeanor is paler than

Julianne Moore in the movie Safe. Remember that dinner party I

had two month ago.



Molly

Yes it was absolutely spectacular, I loved it very much.

Stephanie

He‟s not the typical black corporate American. It was quite

peculiar when I first met him. Born in Hartford, raised by both

parents, went to Brown, studied political science and finance.

He‟s not different at all. He never struggled; always had a pass.

He wasn‟t born from a crackhead mother and always had a father

figure. He never aspired to becoming a basketball player or an MC

or DJ. Molly, I feel that he tries to be pure sometimes, its

quite vexing.

Amy

A black man with a microphone or ball is definitely better thanone in shackles or handcuffs. That was a shockingly brilliant

statement that I heard from a black woman in a CNN documentary. I

didn‟t know they could be that smart and creative.

Molly

(Furious Reaction) You disgust me Amy and I am sick and tired

of you Stephanie. Do you not realize how crazy you are? Giles is

my husband, he is not a colored, he‟s not a nigger, he‟s my

husband.

Amy

Oh Really!

Molly

Yes Amy!

Amy

Even when he beats you? Stephanie, take a look at the back of her

neck.

Stephanie

(Rushes to Molly and brushes her hair back with force to find the

bruise.)

(Tries to cry) He‟s beating you. (Suddenly gets mad) I can‟t

believe this, Amy call the police.

Molly



(Interrupts)

Wait Stephanie, he…

Stephanie

Look what happened to you baby. I can‟t believe this, this is whyI never approved this marriage in the first place!

Molly

(In Shock)

You what?

Stephanie

(She realizes that she shouldn‟t have said that aloud.) Oh my

God, Molly I‟m so sorry I didn‟t mean to say that (suddenlyinterrupted).

Molly

How could you? Huh, (throws her glass of champagne on the floor)

How could you Stephanie. You‟re my best friend if you were so

against it you should have told me. You‟ve been hiding this

notion all these years.

Stephanie

(In a low tone of voice)

(Disappointed in herself) Charles, get her another champagne!

Molly

No Charles!

Lindsey

Wow Stephanie, you‟re a narrow-minded piece of crap.

Amy

Oh stop it Lindsey. I mean I do admit that when you have anaggressive black man as your husband, it‟s simply horrible

predicament, but it‟s easy to get out of. A white woman with a

black man needs to remember one rule and one rule only: everyone

comes to rescue when the white girl cries wolf.

(Molly sits ups straight with her back)

Lindsey



You‟re a hypocrite you know that Amy.

Amy

What are you talking about?

Lindsey

You are obsessed with black men to a point where it‟s sad. I

don‟t know where on earth you get this pseudo-racist facade from.

Tell Amy, why are you trying so hard to be a racist?

Amy

Shut Up Lindsey

Lindsey (aggressive tone)

Why Amy?

Amy

I don‟t like them, I never have.

Lindsey

You know what, I can‟t take this. I am leaving!

Amy

(Yells at Lindsey, suddenly becoming the center of attention.)

Lindsey please sit YOUR TWO DOLLAR, DISCOUNT PRADA ass down

before I return you and your dress back to the ghettos from where

they came from.

Molly

(Everyone in the room stares straight at Lindsey)

(Rises from the couch and screams angrily) I am tired of all of

you. Giles is a beautiful man. He has loved me forever and I love

him. Stephanie do you not get it, do you not understand what love

is.

Stephanie

Stop right there! (Trying to comfort Molly) I worry about you

darling and I want you to be safe. If he‟s beating you I have a

problem with that. You see that boy Blake; he‟s dating my

daughter and please, Molly, take a guess why I never approved her

relationship with him. It‟s because I don‟t, trust, those,



people. I‟ve never have because all they do is betray you, they

lie, and one in a million work. They get the easy way out of

everything. Admit it!

Molly

Admit what?

Stephanie

They try getting away with everything. And if they don‟t get away

with everything, then they die trying. I want to keep tradition

for these reasons. For the sake of your future children please do

yourself a favor. God, do me a favor and divorce this man. He‟s

not good for you. You need a man who‟s pure, not a goddamn

barbarian.

(Molly starts crying)

Can‟t you understand? (Kisses her on the forehead) We have to

keep the cycle going. Look around you, each and everyone you,

MOLLY HAVE YOU SEEN MY HOME. Generations and generations of

investments have been made to support-- this home, Patton‟s

education, and me. As for Patton, she can have her, “Jungle Fever

Fun,” but when it gets down to business, she‟s obligated to pass

down generations and generations of wealth, glamour and purity

and nothing else. None of this intermixing, liberal crap, it‟s

America‟s killer to progression and it only leads to laziness.

Molly

(Yelling at Stephanie)

Stephanie shut up.

Lindsey

Thank you, someone finally tells her

Molly

Giles and I are not fighting! I‟ve been cheating on him for

another man. (She plops herself down on the couch and starts tocry)

It‟s not him, it‟s me! I‟ve been seeing another man, and yes

Stephanie the man I‟ve been seeing is white. But we got in a

fight because Giles called my phone and then he smacked in the

back of my neck.

Lindsey



Wait who is he?

Molly

His name is Burton D. Parker. What happened was that I was seeing

him because Giles was questioning our relationship. I want tohave kids but Giles is afraid about the future of our children.

He feels that they‟ll be looked at differently by their peers.

Lindsey, I objected, I said no it won‟t be a problem and he‟s

been constantly objecting me and yelling at me every time we

discuss this issue.

Lindsey

Wow, Molly why didn‟t you tell us any of this?

Molly

Listen… anyway he‟s hired a new intern who‟s a sweet black woman,

really nice lady and ever since then he‟s becoming home and

talking about her wanting to also have kids. It‟s been

overwhelming (chokes up) and I can‟t do this. I started seeing

some old friends and one of them was my ex-boyfriend and we had

dinner and I made a big mistake by staying really late and we

went the whole nine yards. That man Burton hurt me, He said that

if he ever found Giles, he would put that nigger in his place.

Stephanie

See I told you. Once those men find another woman of the same

race that they can relate too, they…

Molly

(Interrupts still crying and then starts to yell)

Don‟t you get it Stephanie. What don‟t you understand, I was the

one who made the damn mistake! I cheated on my husband, I

committed adultery, and it‟s a sin for goodness sake. I love

Giles, and you‟ll never understand because your an ignorant piece

of shit that never approved my marriage in the first place. I am

leaving, don‟t call me, don‟t email me and don‟t text me. I am

done? I can‟t take you anymore.

Stephanie

Wait Molly,

(Molly grabs her purse vigorously and exits.)

Ok! You want to leave, fine, don‟t call me. Am I the one who‟s

got problem, huh, am I?



Lindsey

Wow, the friend that cares about you the most. Shit, the one who

loves you the most just stormed out of your house. Gosh Steph,

(pulls out a cigarette, lights it, and smokes it,) look what

you‟ve done. Just remember Stephanie (Lindsey starts to slowlyexit) even with all the money in the world, you still be a

lonely, regular grass widow. Charles, walk me to the elevator

please?

Charles

Sure mad‟ am

Amy

Well I guess I am not going to finish this bottle of champagne

all by myself. (Pours the champagne into both her and Stephanie‟sglass) Toast?

Stephanie

(In a low tone)

The arrangement is over. Get out

Amy

C‟mon babe

Stephanie

Get OUT OF MY HOUSE!

Amy

Christ, (yells and grabs her purse quickly) Lindsey hold the

elevator.

All characters except for Stephanie and Charles have left.

End of Scene

Scene 5

At Rise: Stephanie is lying down on the coach and Charles is

cleaning up the kitchen.

Stephanie is sitting on her white couch with two cigarettes left

in a container and a half full bottle of champagne. She takes the



bottle of champagne and pours it down her throat. She starts

choking up the alcohol as it drips down the sides of her throat.

She throws the glass across the room and throws her shoes across

the room. She walks around with a fake, pathetic hangover. She

then sits back down and lays there.

Stephanie

Charles (struggling to find breath)

Charles

Yes mad‟am

Stephanie

That boy Blake, he‟s a good boy isn‟t he

Charles

You tell me.

Stephanie

You know I was just like Patton in High school. Back in Dallas, I

was in love with this boy named Walter Williams. See when they

were just integratin‟ schools he was the only one in my grade

that was admitted. But he was so smart, so kind to me. All my

girlfriends hated him just because of the color of his beautiful

skin. They used to tell me the most horrible things about him,

that weren‟t even true. Anyway, time went on throughout the years

and we became close, a couple in better words. Now my mother and

father were rich and he wasn‟t wealthy. My parents had strong

ties on me; I was born and will die an open racist because of the

level of ignorance I was exposed too at such an early age. “Keep

the family tradition Stephanie, keep the family name strong.” I

knew both of them would be mad at me if I came home with a black

man. Even if it were Jesus himself, they‟d deny it.

(Stephanie starts to cry)

My mother and father were angry at my decisions and my affection

for that young man. What they thought of me from that point on

was beyond my understanding, but I didn't care. I was mad at bothof them, because they didn‟t let me love who I wanted. They

treated that poor boy as if he was the enemy. They disowned me,

my parents were lost in a space of their own discontent, their

own immoral thoughts that they believed were right. I remember

when I made that arrangement to bring him home and introduce him

to my mother and father. I couldn't wait for them to hear me call

him...



"Love"

NXPW Inc.

ARNGMNT© -- Winterfest Version

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