Déjà Vu
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Players:
FERNANDO: A man moving into his
twenties, brown caramel skin with thick short black hair. He always wears black or
white suites, rarely with a tie. He’s very handsome and a body builder.
Although he’s addicted to cheating and smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. He
was in love with the idea of falling in love. He worked as a fisher man. He’s
a kind-honest man to most, but can have a bit of a mean streak.
MICHELLE: A woman in her late
twenties, love to dance and wear tight clothing. She's in love with the idea of finding
true love. She's extremely scandalous and a mother of two. Her skin is white and smooth
as a baby’s bottom; wrinkled free. She have short, burgundy, permed hair. When
it comes to having fun; she’s not the type of person to hold back.
SUE: A bright brown eyed,
playful 7-year-old girl. She’s quiet and carefree.
SUSANA: A 17-year-old girl with a little temper.
She’s quiet, honest and shy, not the type to wear dresses or skirts. She always
wears Nikes and black arm warmers.
ANDREW: Sue’s only brother,
12-year-old. Short black hair and outspoken.
AIDEN: A brown eyed 16-year-old
boy, short curly hair. He wears a pair of black Jordan’s or sometimes gray Polo sneakers. He
carries a small-square-rimmed transition glasses, and blue slim cut skinny
Levis jeans. He’s very quiet, smart, and honest. He never talk, unless he’s
spoken too.
First Scene: In a New York City High
School. On a bright sunny day, windows are wide open. Students are sitting in their
seats with their coats, listening to instructions from the teacher.
Stage Directions:
As the curtain rises, SUSANNA is sitting in a classroom with a binder on her lap and a pen to her chin. She’s watching the tree outside the window. On the tree two song sparrows fight over a piece of leaf. In the background, an astronomy teacher calls each student, by names to pair in groups. A cloud moves swiftly to the left causing the sun to shine bright. The brightness blinding her momentarily. AIDEN enters:
As the curtain rises, SUSANNA is sitting in a classroom with a binder on her lap and a pen to her chin. She’s watching the tree outside the window. On the tree two song sparrows fight over a piece of leaf. In the background, an astronomy teacher calls each student, by names to pair in groups. A cloud moves swiftly to the left causing the sun to shine bright. The brightness blinding her momentarily. AIDEN enters:
AIDEN: Hey, I’m Aiden. (SUSANNA doesn't notice) HELLO O… anybody home?
(Sits in the chair beside his partner with a book)
(Poke...Poke)
SUSANA: Oh…hey…sorry…the sun in my eyes…um…what
do you want?
(Rubbed eyes with both hands)
AIDEN: Ms. Lucas, she put us together,
to answer these questions… on this paper.
(Pulls out a paper, from his book with, ten questions on both sides)
SUSANA: Oh I didn't hear her. I didn't do the homework last night, so I don’t know- what we’re doing.
AIDEN: Fine! I will answer these
questions by myself.
(SIGH…Begin writing his name on the paper)
SUSANA: Wait! I need to write my name…
I need credit for this group work too you know.
(Smiles)
AIDEN: OK…hurry up… and your shoe lace
is untie.
(Giving
her the paper while holding back a smile)
SUSANA: Thank you!
(Bends to tie shoe lace with a smile)
AIDEN: Sueee-zanna…right?
SUSANA: No! My name is spelled with an
S and only one N. It’s pronounced SUE-SAY-NA. There’s no Z in my name. Don’t
piss me off!
(Looks Annoyed)
AIDEN: Feisty…I see.
(Chuckled)
SUSANA: Aiden right?
(Squints both eyes)
AIDEN: Yup! That’s me…
SUSANA: How did you get that scar on
your eyebrow? Yo, that shit looks cool. I wish, I had one.
(Points
to left eyebrow with a giggle)
AIDEN: Oh this? I got it in a car
accident.
(Points to eyebrow with a serious face)
SUSANA: Holy Shit! You drive?
(Surprised)
AIDEN: No…When I was little. My dad was
driving my mom and three sisters, to see my uncle’s new girlfriend. My mom was
holding me in the front seat. I was little, so the cops couldn’t see me. My dad
was driving us one night and a drunk driver crashed into us. I flew out the window
and landed on the grass. My dad died along with my sister. This scar was
actually bigger, it got smaller over the years.
SUSANA: WOW…So, now it’s just your mom
and her three kids. I really like your scar though, I saw an Anime once, with
this guy. He has a scar just like that…um…I think it was Naruto. Kakashi Hatake?
(Paused
in shock… smiled)
AIDEN: WOW! You watch Naruto? I never
met a girl that watch Naruto…that’s rare.
(Jaw
drops in surprise)
SUSANA: What? No. Of course not. I was
just comparing… something… I might have seen that is similar to your scar.
Whatever…forget I even said anything.
(Rolls her eyes…)
AIDEN: I like you. You funny girl, you
know that…Before, Ms. Lucas called my name to pair me in a group with you. I
saw you watching out the window. You always watch out the window, what were you
thinking?
(Laughs out loud…pushed up glasses and leaned back in chair)
SUSANA: Thinking? What made you think,
I was thinking something…what the hell? You’re a telepath now?
(Squints
one eye, looking closely and observing)
AIDEN: No, but I just wanted, to get to
know you, a little a better. You’re always quiet and sometimes don’t come to
class. You don’t even participate in class, you’re always day dreaming. I just
wanted to know, what do you dream about? When you stare out the window.
(Stares
intently)
SUSANA: Well, I guess, it’s only fair I
tell you…Because you just told a piece of your story.
(Slightly
tilting head while biting down on lips)
AIDEN: I’m waiting…
SUSANA: Wait…You’re so impatient…I need
time to gather my thoughts.
(Sigh...)
AIDEN: Patience is a virtue! Hurry up
before class ends…Your trying to kill time, aren't you?
(Shakes
head from side to side in disappointment)
SUSANA: Nooo…I like to draw... when I look
outside the window, I try to trace, what I see. You see that tree right there?
(Talks in a gentle tone)
AIDEN: Yea?
(Turns and look out the window)
SUSANA: I drew it. I like to trace
things in my mind. If, I like what I see, after-class I go home and draw it on
paper. It helps me keep clam and away from here.
(Feeling pressured)
AIDEN: Why do you need to keep calm?
Why do you need to be away from here?
(Respond in curiosity)
SUSANA: I have a bit of a temper... I…I
hate my past and I’m afraid…what my future might be…so I prefer to dream about
the good….. In this shit-hole, we call life…Maybe... if, I dream more often. My
future won't turn out that bad…hopefully!
(Feeling scared, stuttered… while clenching fist)
AIDEN: Don’t stop…tell me, tell me your
story…. I’m listening.
(Observing)
SUSANA: OK…I always wanted to be a
writer. I always dreamed of becoming a writer someday.... But only, if, people are
willing to listen. When I talk to people, they ignore me…I had many friends
but, now I’m a ghost that lurks in the hallway.
(Sigh)
AIDEN: I’m listening, aren't I?
(Sits up straight and placed right ankle on knee)
SUSANA: Yeah, actually you are…Not many
people would listen.
AIDEN: Duh! Because you’re always…
invisible to everyone. You lurk in the shadows, but I noticed you…well, I only
noticed you because I’m an observer and a listener. So I’m listening…continue!
(Smiling)
SUSANA: Okay! I’ am new at this…so
don’t throw questions at me. I get nervous fast, and my hands shake.
ADIEN: OK…I’m Sorry I pressured you!
SUSANA: It’s cool…Anyways… as I was
saying, I always wanted to write a novel someday. But, If, I am… considering on
writing a novel. This is how it would go...
ACT
2:
Second Scene:
Inside
a Green and white house with bright pink steps leading to a dark-blue door.
There’s three rooms, the first bedroom is white with, a king-sized bed near a
Panasonic Cathode Ray Tube. A small kitchen in the second room, painted brown
with a light bulb hanging from the ceiling. Below, the bulb there’s small
dinner table, with two chairs. The third room is painted light-green near the
door, there’s a brown closet filled with perfume bottles on top. On the right
side of the closet, with a rusty padlock dangling. There’s a double bunk-bed
nearby.
Stage Directions:
The curtain rises, SUE comes home from
school, gripping her pink book bag straps in fear. After seeing dry blood
spotting on the bottom of the steps, she slowly tip-toed up the stairs
following, her parents voices. On the forth step she noticed the blood became
thicker, and the smell became raw and fresh. FERNANDO enters:
FERNANDO: I can’t deal with this
fucking bullshit! …I’m late for work… You’re always holding me back from my
job! You’re always fucking harassing me, leave me the fuck alone.
(Shouting in rage…)
SUE: Oh my god!
(Whispered… Heard heavy footsteps coming down…run to hide)
FERNANDO: You better clean this fucking
house, before I get back...Woman.
(SHOUTING...Slams the door shut)
SUE: Mommy.
Mommy?
(Whispered while tip-toeing up the stairs, towards someone sobbing)
MICHELLE: Sue… Is that you?
(Sitting on the kitchen floor, holding an orange rag to the head, soaked
in blood)
SUE: Yeah! Yeah it’s me mommy… Sorry I
came home late again, from school…what happened this time? Did daddy choke you
again… because you didn’t let him get dress for work? Uh…? Did daddy hurt you
again mommy? Why you not answering? …mommy…?
(Takes a knee)
MICHELLE: Yeah! He hurt me bad this
time. I’m sorry, Sue…before…before daddy left today, he slapped mommy hard… so
hard…now mommy’s lips are swollen.
(Stuttered, while sobbing)
SUE: …Oh…You need anything mommy? You
want me to call the police?
MICHELLE: No! I need you to sit here
with me, until your brother comes home from school.
SUE: Okay mommy.
(Sits against the wall…unzipping book bag, pulls out a kerchief)
MICHELLE: I’m sorry Sue.
SUE: Mommy why-you sorry? Here…take this rag, that one is leaking
blood. But you did nothing wrong…Daddy always beats you. What did you do to make
him this angry mommy? Why daddy hate you so much?
(Sigh)
MICHELLE: Your daddy don’t hate me…
Your daddy is young, he’s not leaving this house to work. Your daddy left, so he can cheat on me. Your daddy is a cheater, he was cheating on me last
night.
SUE: …Oh... Mommy I don’t believe daddy was cheating on you. I think daddy loved you so much… he beats you to stay. I love
my daddy and I know he’s not cheating. You just make him angry!
MICHELLE: Your daddy is a good man Sue.
But your daddy have too many bad friends. These friends… he keep around him.
These friends… I hate so much, are the ones that make your daddy this way.
SUE: Mommy I know. I know daddy is a
thief and a liar. I know daddy have bad friends, but I like to see my daddy… as...a good man. I don’t want to see the bad in him.
(Coughing)
MICHELLE: I know Sue. Mommy wished, she
could see the good in daddy…but, sometimes I feel…daddy beat me so bad every
day. It’s hard Sue…it’s very hard for me to see the good in him anymore.
(Loud sobbing)
SUE: I know.... I understand mommy.
Mommy what happened to your hand? It’s bleeding…a lot mommy? Last night you didn't come home…after you left, looking for daddy.
MICHELLE: Last night, I went to his
parents’ house. I saw his dad drinking beers, and smoking with his friends. I didn't see your grandma, nowhere. A lot of people was there drinking and
smoking drugs at your grandparents’ house.
SUE: Did you see daddy?
MICHELLE: No! Most of them was your
father’s friends, they recently came out of jail. I saw his younger brother and
some whores touching him. Your father’s brother… is your Uncle… You remember
him, right Sue?
(Coughing)
SUE: Yeah! I remember. A lot of daddy’s
friends. They always babysit me, how can I forget their faces.
MICHELLE: Yeah! Well your Uncle just
came out of jail. He and your dad robbed a jewelry store. But the police never
caught your dad. This is why… he rarely home.
SUE: It’s okay…its ok mommy…I still
have you!
MICHELLE: Since your Uncle came out of jail, your
father has been hanging around there. I think, he’s looking for a way to make
fast money.
(Moves her daughter’s hair from her face)
SUE: You see mommy, daddy just wanted to
be with his friends.
MICHELLE: Yeah! But I don’t want your
daddy to go back to jail again. This is why…I try to stop him, from hanging around
there. But, he keep abusing mommy.
(Takes deep breath and exhale)
SUE: Okay mommy. I understand. You have
to try and let daddy do whatever, he want. If, you don’t he will hurt you more.
I don’t want to come home and not see you alive. I need my mommy here.
MICHELLE: I know…but your mommy love
your daddy. You can understand that right?
SUE: Yeah! I know…but you have to leave
that fucking man alone. He will kill you! Look at you, your bleeding all over.
I came home and there’s always blood somwhere. And it’s your blood, not his! Is he even
bleeding? Mommy?
(Sigh…holds her mother’s hand)
MICHELLE: No! My nails, scratched him
last week…this is why, he throw me down the stairs and burst my head.
SUE: You see… this is your fault…If you
didn’t chased after him, then you won't have a broken arm right now. Mommy,
next time…you might lose a foot…it might not be an arm, next time.
(Shaking head in disappointment)
MICHELLE: You’re right Sue. Who knew my
baby girl would be this smart.
(Smiles with content)
SUE: Yeah! I learned from you mommy.
(Chuckled)
MICHELLE: Yes! Yes you do…but your
daddy didn't break my hand today. His father did.
(Looks up with a smile)
SUE: What you mean…tell me mommy…tell
me?
(Moves in closer)
MICHELLE: Last night your grandfather
saw me asking, about your father. Your grandfather was with your dad, talking
business... You’re grandfather screamed at me. “Get –out of my fucking yard,”
and I was scared. I saw your dad came out… from behind him yelling, for me to
leave. It was dark and I was scared. I refused to leave, so, your father picked
up a thick bamboo. Your grandfather grabbed it from him, and beat me… with it.
This is why…the steps is filled with blood. I couldn’t walk up the step by
myself, instead I dragged my body up the stairs.
(Aloud burst of crying sound)
SUE: It’s okay…mommy. Mommy? Please
don’t cry. You’re going to make me cry mommy. Please stop!
(Tear’s begin to drip down both cheeks)
MICHELLE: I can’t stop. Your father
hurt me bad this time. He beats me like, he no love mommy no more Sue. Without
him I am lost. I married Andrew’s father and I left him.
SUE: Mommy stop cry…please!
(Holding back tears)
MICHELLE: I should have stayed with
your brother’s father. He was an alcoholic, but he never beat me like this. This
is my biggest regret. I don’t know why…why god…made me fall in love with him.
SUE: Mommy…the blood from your arm… is...is
not stopping! Mommy.
(Stuttering in sadness)
MICHELLE: I’m Sorry…Sue. Your brother
should be home soon. I am just so hurt Sue. The pain and rage that is now
growing in my heart, only god can understand, everything your father took from
me. Because of your father my arm is broken Sue. Your father did this to me.
Your father threw hot oil on my face, and burned the skin off. Now…no man would
even look at me, I am ugly. You’re father pushed me down the stairs, and cracked my head. Your father kicked and choked me Sue! This is the same man… you love so
much…that man you call daddy slammed my head into a wall and crack my skull.
How much more can I take Sue? Please tell me… How much more will god throw at
me until I die?
(More, sobbing)
SUE: Mommy stop it! I know daddy was cheating okay… I am sorry, I said… he wasn’t. We all caught him cheating, on
the porch one night with another woman. I honestly don’t want you to stay with
him no more. Okay…mommy?
(Loud and angry)
MICHELLE: I knew, how much you love
your dad Sue. But that night; when you saw your father, on the porch with
another woman. I heard your father whispered something to you, before he leave.
What did, he whisper?
(Sniff. Sniff)
SUE: Oh yeah…I remember. He was so
angry, we caught him cheating that day. After you and him argued in the other
woman’s house. He turned to me and said, “Do you want come with me?” I said
no…because I wanted to stay with you.
MICHELLE: You do know your father,
would never hit you right?
SUE: Of course, I’m his little
princess. Daddy loves me more…so…much more than you and Andrew.
MICHELLE: Yeah! He loved you. Because you’re his first and only girl child. You should have hopped on that motorcycle with him.
(Noises coming from down stairs)
ANDREW: MOM...MOM YOU HOME?
HELLO…ANYBODY HOME? MOMMY? SUE?
(Walking up the steps)
MICHELLE: Go tell your brother, I’m in
the kitchen.
SUE: Okay mommy…ANDREW WE’RE UP STAIRS…
(Shouting)
MICHELLE: I Said, go tell him…not
scream. Oh god, give me faith with these two children.
(Muttered while checking hand wound)
ANDREW: What happened? Daddy beat you
again?
MICHELLE: Both of you help me up…and go check, if the neighbors is home. Go tell them I need help!
ACT 3
Back to the first Scene: The teacher is lecturing in the
background, while students is now being assigned to groups.
Stage Directions:
As the curtain rises, AIDEN is sleeping
in his chair. SUSANA is trying to wake him up.
SUSANA: Hey…you there? ...Hello?
(Snaps fingers a few times)
AIDEN: Yeah…yeah I’m here?
(Opened both eyes. Looked up puzzled)
SUSANA: Why the hell are you sleeping?
You know we in class right?
AIDEN: Yeah so.
SUSANA: SO…? Are you mentally
retarded…? Or something?
(Shouting while standing)
AIDEN: No! I was just dreaming.
SUSANA: Dreaming my ass! You can do
that on your time...move your long ass legs, so I can sit!
AIDEN: Oh. Sorry!
(Yarning
while rubbing both eyes…pushed up glasses)
SUSANA: I’m SUSANA? This is the paper
we gotta fill out!
(Passes paper)
AIDEN: Oh… I’m AIDEN.
SUSANA: Okay…I didn’t do the homework
last night. So…you’re on your own.
(Sigh)
AIDEN: Why do I feel like this happen
before..?
(Pressed pen repeatedly against chin…Click…Click…Click)
SUSANA: What you mean?
AIDEN: I felt like we met before.
(More Clicking…)
SUSANA: How can we meet before? Ms.
Lucas just paired me with you?
AIDEN: You were in my dream.
(Clicking continues)
SUSANA: Dream?
AIDEN: Yeah! Before you woke me. I was
dreaming about you.
(Click…Click…Click)
SUSANA: Stop! That’s annoying. Gosh.
What was the dream about?
AIDEN: Oh…well….in my dream, your mom
was abused by your dad.
SUSANA: How did you know that? Are you
talking to friends? Are you fucking stalking me?
AIDEN: Wow. No, of course not.
(Paused in surprise)
SUSANA: I know you stare at me a lot.
I’m not stupid. You look at me weird, with those marble eyes.
(Angry)
AIDEN: I am not stalking you. It was
just a dream I had.
(Chuckled)
SUSANA: Ok… if you say so.
(Bell Rings…Gets up from seat and walk swiftly to the door)
AIDEN: Hey! Wait….Hold on.
SUSANA: Uh…
(Kept walking swiftly)
AIDEN:
Hey! Wait. SUE! I HAVE A QUESTION…
(Gets up from chair. Dropping someone’s paper…walking fast toward the door)
SUSANA: What the hell? Let go of me!
(Struggles to pull her hand away)
AIDEN: Did your dad ever abuse your
mom?
(Gripped tighter)
SUSANA: Yeah! I gotta go…
(Whispered then pull away with force and left the arm warmer behind)
AIDEN: Oh…I guess my dream was true.
Wow….am I bleeding? Oh shit. Wait a minute. This arm warmer is filled with
blood inside.
(Picked the paper from the floor… noticed blood inside the arm warmer. Looked up and sighed)
THE END!
