The Human Race

Written by:
Lauren Queen Angela Blue Joe Maher Zewde Ingram Sam Bilsky

(Insert video here of news regarding racial profiling) Prologue

Rays daughter, Kayla, walks in with a sad look on her face. Ray is sitting in a chair watching tv. KAYLA
(in sad voice)

Hi Dad RAY Oh hey, I was just watching tv. Whats wrong with you? KAYLA This guy told me that the only reason I got into CAP was because they needed my blackness to diversify it. RAY
(Sighs)

You have to ignore what ignorant people say to you. KAYLA

But its hard Dad.

*pouts*

RAY I know Kayla. Ive been through it too. Let me tell you a little story about the time I had to deal with racial profiling.

ACT 1
Scene 1
Play opens with a back-lit white sheet that shows a man being stabbed. Man Screams and stage goes black. Lights up on John, Ray and Gabriella sitting at a table in tableau, Detective Brooks walking around the table, James dead stage left. DETECTIVE BROOKS:
(to the audience)

On april 3rd at 2 oclock pm, the late James Hansen was brutally stabbed and killed. Our suspects are, Ray Williams, the best friend of the deceased and partner in Mr. Hansens more shady affairs
(moves to Gabriella)

Gabriella Sanchez, the ex-girlfriend of the deceased

(moves to John)

John Smith, the past high school classmate of Gabriella and James. (When players are being introduced, they are released from tableau and act as if no one is addressing them. Whenever the scene is not in tableau, John plays with his Rubiks Cube.) BROOKS (Cont.):
(to the actors)

You all know why youre here. All of you have means, motive, and opportunity for the murder of Mr. James Hansen.
(interrupted by everyone yelling their innocence)

QUIET!!! I will address each of you individually,

without interruption of the other suspects. Ill start with the negro....err I mean Mr. Williams.
(exit all to second table but Brooks and Williams)

Scene 2
BROOKS: So young man... RAY WILLIAMS:
( interrupting Brooks)

Naw detective, call me Ray. (reaches out to shake hands) BROOKS: (jerks back) Dont touch me! Err... I mean... Okay, Ray, im here to find who killed Mr Hansen and why they did it. Can you tell me why you called his house 9 times and was seen at the crime scene on the day of the murder? RAY:
(angered)

Yeah, and it dont have nothing to do with his death. I aint the killer! BROOKS: Yeah, sure. Answer the question. RAY: Okay, I was calling bout a payment he owes me. At about noon I drove over to his house to get my money But I aint have no weapon, I just went to talk. I swear. BROOKS: Payment?! RAY: Yeah, we used to deal together. BROOKS: Deal? Can you go back to that conversation and tell me about it? (Lights go down Flashback music)

Lights go up on Ray walking up steps to James house. James peeks out his window with a frightened look on his face, then closes blinds. RAY: YO JAMES! OPEN THE DOOR MAN! I WANT MY MONEY FROM UNO LAST NIGHT! JAMES:
(In an old lady voice)

James isnt home right now! Come back later! RAY: JAMES! STOP PLAYIN!!!! I KNOW YOURE IN THERE! OPEN THE DAMN DOOR NOW! JAMES:
(opens door a bit and sticks head out nervously)

Oh hi Ray! I didnt know that what was you! What can I do for you? RAY:
(pushes door open)

MAN YOU KNOW WHY IM HERE! WHERES MY 10 BUCKS?!?! JAMES: 10 bucks?.........Ummm......I dont have any right now. But I get paid next friday, so why dont you come back then.
(tries to close door)

RAY:
(holds door open, pushes through, and grabs James by the collar)

I will ask this one more time....where.....is...my......MONEY?!?! JAMES:

(sighs)

Ok I have it, its in my room, Ill go get it now. RAY:

(lets James go)

Ok, hurry up.

James runs into his room, checks to make sure Ray isnt paying attention, then climbs out of window and runs down the street. RAY:
(impatient)

James! Did you get it yet?.......James!.......James!

(looks out window and sees James running down the street)

JAMES!!!!!!! (Lights go down Flashback music) BROOKS: So the money was for... uno? RAY: Yeah, what did you think i meant? BROOKS: Nothing, nevermind! Anyways, that doesnt exactly prove your innocence. RAY Whatever man. I didnt do nothing. BROOKS This conversation isnt over. Go to the waiting room and tell Ms. Sanchez to come in. (Ray goes to second table, Brooks checks wallet)

Scene 3
(Enter Gabriella) BROOKS So... Ms. Sanchez, you were in a relationship with the deceased at the time he died, correct? GABRIELLA Yes, well no. We had just broken up.

BROOKS Mr. Hansen had a history with abuse. Did he ever show any kinds of abuse to you during your relationship? GABRIELLA Well, during our breakup... (lights go down, flashback music) JAMES You did what with Ray?!?!?! GABRIELLA Im sorry ok? It just happened! JAMES Just happened?! You slept with my best friend you....
(slaps Gabriella, She screams)

Were done! I know about you and the guy from the gym too! GABRIELLA Oh, Im so sorry James. JAMES
(slaps Gabriella and knocks her down)

Get out of my house! (Lights go down, flashback over) BROOKS That sounds like abuse to me. GABRIELLA Uh no, that was the only time James ever hit me and if he was still alive he would never do it again. BROOKS Well....it seems like you two ended on a sour note.

GABRIELLA Yeah right! If he would rather be with a nasty hoe than me forget him! Oh Im so sorry, that was unkind. BROOKS *sigh* Ok Ms. Sanchez thats all for now. I need to speak with Mr. Smith. (Gabby goes to second table)

Scene 4
(Enter John) BROOKS So......Mr. Smith, you and the deceased were classmates in high school. Tell me ,were you two close? JOHN Err....not really.
(fiddles with Rubiks Cube)

BROOKS Hmm.....well according to his file, Mr. Hansen had a history of bullying. Care to elaborate on that? JOHN No....Not really.
(fiddles with Rubiks Cube)

BROOKS Well thats too bad.

(snatches Rubiks Cube out of his hands)

Tell me about your encounters with Mr. Hansen if you want this back. JOHN
(angry look)

Fine. (lights go down, flashback time) John is sitting at a lunch table alone, playing with his Rubiks Cube. James walks in and sees him and struts over to him.

JAMES
(exaggerated nice voice)

Hey John! JOHN

(keeps looking down at Cube)

Oh...Hi James. JAMES

(nice voice)

Dont you know its rude to not look at someone when theyre talking to you? Maybe thats why Gabriella wont go out with you. She could get someone with much better manners. Someone...like me. JOHN
(looks up embarrassed)

I dont know what youre talking about James. I.....I dont like Gabriella. JAMES Oh of cooouuurrrrssssse you dont John. Thats why you left that love letter in her locker. JOHN
(very embarrassed)

I didnt leave anything in her locker! JAMES

(snide voice)

Yeah you did. Gabriella showed it to me when we were in my room last night. It made us laugh so hard..especially her. JOHN
(tries to leave)

Whatever James. JAMES

(smug voice)

Wait John! Dont you wanna know what me and Gabriella were doing when we werent laughing? Ill give you a hint....it didnt involve a Rubiks Cube....or clothes. JOHN

(looks at James with hatred)

Gabriella wouldnt do anything with you! Because she and everyone else knows that YOURE A GIANT DOUCHEBAG! JAMES
(angry look at John, pushes John down, and grabs Rubiks Cube)

Whatever loser! At least my only friend isnt a toy!

(throws out Cube)

And it looks like you just lost that!

(walks away)

(flashback over) BROOKS Well it seems like you two werent exactly best friends. JOHN
(annoyed look)

Obviously...can I have my cube back? BROOKS Sounds like you really hated him....maybe even wanted to kill him. JOHN (scoffs) I wouldnt waste my time on him. Now can I have my Cube? BROOKS (hands over Cube) Fine but Im keeping my eye on you. Dont go anywhere, I will be with you all in a minute. (John goes to second table)

Scene 5
(Brooks is sitting at a table by herself) BROOKS Lets see.... Gabriella... she had an intense relationship with the deceased since high school,

and it was an abusive one at that. She had cheated on him and he had cheated on her, but thats not clear motive because she was obviously still in love with him. But she cheated on him with Ray, that does raise some suspicion. Ray Williams... here is his file now. (opens file) Wow... jaywalking, parking ticket, noise complaint?! Things arent looking too good for Mr. Williams so far... besides, statistically blacks are seven times more likely to commit murders than caucasians... the victim also owed him a lot of money according to his recollection. Now Mr. Smith, he hasnt had contact with the victim since high school. Hell, theres no way he committed this crime. He can barely finish a sentence. I think i have this case just about wrapped up.

Scene 6
(lights go up and Brooks is standing next to the table where everyone is sitting) BROOKS So...I have been reviewing the um.....evidence and I have come to the conclusion that the murderer is you, Mr. Williams. You will be held in the police jail until the time of your trial. RAY WHAT?!?! YO I DIDNT DO IT!!!! BROOKS Mr. Ray Williams you are under arrest for the murder of Mr. James Hansen. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law....
(tries to put handcuffs on Ray)

RAY
(jerks away)

DONT TOUCH ME YO! I DIDNT DO IT! BROOKS Mr. Williams please dont make this difficult. Or I will be forced to add Resisting Arrest to your charges. RAY

But I didnt do it! I bet the only reason youre arresting me is cause IM BLACK!!!!!! BROOKS What???.......Thats absurd! RAY It is? Im out of here! You aint arresting me!
(tries to walk out door)

BROOKS *blocks his path* Thats it! You just got another charge! Now sit down while I call to get some backup here to take you away!
(walks towards phone)

RAY Ill sit down but only so I can tell your backup that youre wrong and that youre a racist! BROOKS Thats it you just got another charge for disrespecting an officer! Now sit down and shut up or Ill add being annoying to your charges! RAY What the hell?!?! Thats not even a real charge! BROOKS QUIET!
(speaking into phone)

Dispatch unit 435 yeah get over here we have criminal whos resisting arrest.
(hangs up phone then looks at John and Gabriella)

You two are free to go sorry for the trouble. JOHN, GABRIELLA Ok. (as they leave John drops his Cube and as he picks it up a knife covered in blood falls out of his sleeve) *collective gasp from everyone in room* RAY

LOOK! THE MURDER WEAPON! MAN I TOLD YOU I AINT DO IT! BROOKS Uh...uh...Im sure Mr. Smith has a reason for having this knife. Or maybe you planted it in on him Williams! RAY You racist cracker! I didnt do anything! BROOKS Dont talk to me like that! Thats another charge! RAY What?!?! (starts to argue heatedly with Brooks) JOHN YOU TWO SHUT UP!!! I KILLED JAMES!! *collective gasp from everyone in room* JOHN Yeah I did it! And Im proud of it! He deserved to die! BROOKS But John....why?? JOHN Every since the first day I met James hes been nothing but a complete jerk to me and to everyone else! Now I could take his crap but I couldnt stand the way he treated poor , sweet Gabriella! GABRIELLA *gasp* John.....what are you saying?? JOHN IM SAYING I LOVE YOU GABRIELLA SANCHEZ! Every since the first day I laid eyes on you! James was a cheater, an abuser, and never appreciated you like I do!

GABRIELLA John....thats so sweet! But....did you really have to kill James all for me? JOHN Welllllllll.....no....I also hated his guts with my whole heart but thats not important! I love you and that creep deserved it! And I would have gotten away with it too! If it werent for those meddling kids and their stupid dog! (confused looks on everyone elses faces) RAY What? Man this aint Scooby Doo! Yo someone get his crazy ass out of here! (backup walks in and starts heading towards Ray) BROOKS Uh..no guys the murderer is over here. (points at John) BACKUP (look from Ray to John) Are you sure? RAY What the hell! Is everyone at this damn police station racist?! BROOKS Yes Im sure! Arrest him! (backup arrests John) John Smith you are under arrest for the murder of Mr. James Hansen. Officers take him away. (Backup leaves dragging John out) JOHN WAIT!!!! GABBY!!! REMEMBER I LOVE YOOOUUUUUUU!!!!!!! GABRIELLA (smiles and waves at John until hes gone) Well that was cute! Can I leave now? I have a hair appointment.

BROOKS You are free to go. (Gabriella exits and Ray starts to leave too) BROOKS Wait just a minute! This isnt over Williams! Ive got my eye on you! RAY (gives her the straight face) Whatever man Ive had enough of these racist white people! (walks out) (freeze in tableau)

Epilogue
KAYLA Wow Daddy! Im sorry you had to go through all that! RAY Its ok Kayla. Because I proved those ignorant people wrong. KAYLA What do you mean? RAY After I left the police station, I stopped all my shady business, worked as a janitor at a law firm while going to college part time, earned my bachelors and then masters degree, quit my janitor job, got hired as an attorney at the same law firm that I used to clean, got married, and had a beautiful daughter. KAYLA Dad thats amazing! RAY

Maybe, but whats really amazing is the feeling that I got when I was able to show those ignoramuses at the police station that I am not a part of the 1 in 3 black men who go to jail! KAYLA Thats awesome Dad! RAY Now you remember this story the next time someone says something ignorant or racist to you. All you gotta do is prove them wrong. Show them you deserve to be in CAP or anything else for that matter! KAYLA I will Dad! (they hug) (lights down, all exit except James) JAMES MONOLOGUE Who here has ever felt the hurtful effects of racial profiling? Who here has ever racially profiled someone else? Stereotypes have and continue to poison our nation. We continue to victimize each other with racial slurs and preconceived notions. How would you feel if someone called you something because of your race? Wouldnt you feel bad if someone called you ghetto, nerdy, or a terrorist simply because of your ethnicity? How you look on the outside does not define you as a person on the inside. After all, there is only one race....the human race!