Legacy Land (excerpt) by Stacey Rose

Legacy Land

by Stacey Rose

Olivier Sultan| Creative Artists Agency osultan@caa.com|+1 212 277 9000 405 Lexington Ave, 19th Fl New York, NY 10174 Stacey Rose staceyrosewriter@gmail.com 704.777.9264 

2.16.20

In silent falling.

We are rescued from ourselves.

We have saved the world.

Legacy Land

2.16.20

Legacy Land

by Stacey Rose

The Players: Barbara “BaBa” Tompkins (Early 40s) Black woman Denise “Niecy” Tompkins (Early 30s) Black woman Marcus Ford (20) Black man Fredrick “Freddie” Gaines (Late 40s - Early 50s) Black man Place: The Tompkins home, on the land from which they sprung.

Time: Through the Generations, Thanksgiving, Black Friday.

Legacy Land

2.16.20

1 In the middle of nowhere, just outside of everywhere, sits a house.

A three bedroom ranch in a mild state of disrepair. It is almost swallowed up by an intrusive oak, which branches seem to threaten to squeeze the home in a wooden fist.

In the living room, the worn walls illuminate the history of the home.

Vernacular images of times long gone, brighten then disappear. Some barely discernible. The faint clicking of a projector is heard as the images pass.

There is a scarce amount of physical furniture: A stereo, floor model. A massive oak dining room set with four chairs.

A pullout couch, old but sturdy. A solid oak coffee table.

A huge kitchen island, with food enough to feed a small village spread out, And a bed.

Three generations of the Tompkins family has lived, laughed, loved, and held secrets in this place.

Ella, the matriarch, migrated here in 1943 from North Carolina to escape the brutal fists of her handsome husband. Ella and her new love, Louis, begat Michelle, a rambunctious, plump, “redbone" with a thirst for the night life, but a strong work ethic. Michelle begat Barbara and then Denise, by two different fathers. Only Barbara remains. It can be said she inherited it once Denise headed off in the direction of the promise everyone said she showed.

Barbara is alone on this particularly chilly Thursday evening. Chilly outside that is. In here it is, as she and Denise used to say when they were children, JUNGLE. The occasional hiss and suffocating heat emits from the radiator and fogs over the window so heavily a person could write their name in it.

Lights swell to maximum brightness then, slowly fade to normal.

The stereo crackles on, Marcia Aitken’s “I’m still In Love With You” plays.

BARBARA TOMPKINS, emerges from the kitchen wearing plus size boy shorts a bra, and an apron. She sings along. As she sings, MARCUS FORD enters with a small grocery bag. A light layer of snow covers him. Upon first glance one might assume Marcus is Barbara's son. Once he slips his arms around her it becomes crystal clear what he is. They rock together. Then kiss.

Barbara: Mmmm.

Marcus: Mmmmm.

Barbara: Did you get ‘em?

Marcus: Huh? Oh. Yeah. They only had canned.

The music fades.

Legacy Land

2.16.20

2 Barbara: How the hell is that possible? Did you even go to the produce section?

Marcus: There’s no produce section at the corner store.

Barbara: Why the fuck would you go to the corner store, when Wright’s is open?

Marcus: Because Wright’s is closed.

Barbara: At 11:30 in the mornin'?!

Marcus: It's the storm. You know how it — Barbara: What muthaphuckin’ storm!? It’s barely snowing!

Marcus: Four inches fell in an hour, Barbara.

Barbara sucks her teeth.

Barbara: Landis closed early to get a head start on drinkin’. Them Wright’s ain’t never been nothin’ but a buncha drunk ass, highfalutin niggas. Did you at least get my cigarettes?

Marcus: Yeah they’re in the — Barbara snatches the bag and examines the pack of cigarettes then slides them in her apron pocket. She then scrutinizes the can of string beans.

Barbara: French cut?

She tosses the can at Marcus.

Barbara (Cont'd): I can't do nothin' with these.

Marcus: I'm sorry, it was all they had.

Barbara: French cut string beans … must be some shit your White mama used to serve up.

Marcus: Linda raised me, she’s my mother and the fact she’s /White doesn’t mean anything.

Barbara: Whatever youngin’. I ain’t for this bullshit right now.

Marcus (Cont'd): I hate when you — Barbara: When I /what?

Legacy Land

2.16.20

3

Marcus: When you make me being raised by a White woman a thing.

Barbara: A thing? Fuck you talkin’ about? I need my string beans. That's all I know.

You can't make casserole right with those wet ass split ass string beans.

Barbara opens her cigarettes. Marcus is sure to light it for her. She inhales.

Barbara (Cont'd): The Teeter is open. They 24 hrs. They never/close.

Marcus: Harris Teeter is damn near downtown Barbara. I smoked earlier. I’m still a little … buzzed.

Barbara: So what!

Marcus: Baby, they ain’t fuckin’ around out there. They want people off the street. You can make the casserole another time. It's cool.

Barbara: Ha! You thought I was makin’ it for you?! Ain’t that some somethin’. I ain’t never did for nobody but my goddamn self boy.

Marcus: Don’t call /me boy.

Barbara: I call you whatever the fuck I wanna call you.

Barbara eyes him in disgust and stalks off into her bedroom.

Marcus: There's plenty of food.

No answer.

Marcus (Cont'd): Barbara?

She stalks out of the bedroom wearing a coat over her boy shorts.

Barbara: I got a taste for some string bean casserole, and I’m gonna fuckin’ have it.

That’s all there is to it.

Marcus: You can’t. You shouldn’t.

She heads to the door.

He blocks her.

Barbara: Move.

Marcus: I’ll go! Ok?! What's wrong with you today?

Legacy Land

2.16.20

4 Barbara: I never ask you for shit!

Marcus: Until you do. Then when I can’t do it when you want me to, /or how your want me to … when I say no.

Barbara: When I don’t ask you for shit is seems like it should be real fuckin easy to get shit done when I do.

Barbara snatches the car keys.

Marcus: It’s cold.

Barbara: The car's got heat, ain’t it?

Stand off.

Marcus leans into her.

Marcus: Baby. I said I’ll go. ...

Marcus (Cont’d)): You know how they act, when they see you.

Like you’re some kinda predator. Like you don’t have as much right to be alive as they do.

Barbara: M o v e.

Marcus: I don’t look at you like that, Do I baby?

They are close. He kisses her neck.

Barbara(Cont'd): You know I'll move you. You know I can move you.

Marcus: Mmm hmm. I know you can. Do you want to?

Barbara moans. Marcus wraps a hand around her throat.

Marcus(Cont'd): Do you?

Barbara: Harder.

He chokes her harder. She chuckles in ecstasy.

Barbara(Cont'd): Fuck me, baby.

He snatches the car keys.

Legacy Land

2.16.20

5 Marcus: After I get your string beans.

He kisses her forehead, puts on his coat, and exits.

She massages her neck as if she could still feel his touch.

Barbara heads to the stereo and plays, Chaka Kahn's "I'm Every Woman”. She dances out of the living room and into the bedroom singing big and loud.

She then retreats to the kitchen. She stirs a few things, checks a few things, tastes a few things, then makes her way back into the living room singing into a wooden spoon.There’s a low knock at the door. She doesn’t hear initially.

Then, from behind the door comes a voice even bigger and more boisterous than hers.

It’s a familiar voice that shuts her down immediately. Barbara dashes to her bedroom, grabs a robe and throws it on. She gathers herself, checks the robe once more, and opens the door.

DENISE, 33, her baby sister, petite, dark brown and beautiful enters singing for her life.

Once she establishes who has the better pipes, the music fades Denise holds her arms open for Barbara.

Denise: Damn BaBa, you’re looking at me like Gran Gran use to right before she’d be ready to tear our ass up for making too much noise.

“Immo beat the gotdamn Black offa you Niecy! BaBa! You a fat lil bitch! You can’t out run me so I’ll get you first.”

Gran Gran was crazy, right?!

Denise cackles. Barbara goes to the stereo and turns the music down.

Barbara: …

Denise: Hey BaBa. How are/you? Me? Oh, I’m fine.

Barbara: Why are you here?

Denise breezes past Barbara and enters.

Denise: I told you I was coming around Thanksgiving.

Barbara: You said Christmas and around means around, not the day of.

Denise: No, I’m sure I said Thanksgiving. You always remember things the way you want to I swear — Ooooo, you’re cooking! If you weren’t expecting me, who are you cooking for, huh?

Legacy Land

2.16.20

6 Denise darts into the kitchen Barbara trudges off behind her. Denise is immediately in pots inspecting, tasting, invading.

Denise: Gran Gran’s sweet’taters! Oh! Mommy’s glazed ham …and well these are the ingredients for green bean casserole … which I always made better … but where — where are the green beans?

Denise walks out of the kitchen licking a spoon. She forages through the house as if she’s looking for something or taking stock. Barbara follows.

Barbara: You need to leave.

Denise: Don’t be ridiculous. There’s a storm coming, haven’t you heard? A blizzard!

Crazy, right? You might want to put something on. Freddie’s with me. He’s parking the car.

Barbara: What the fuck is a Freddie?

Denise: Why do you always have to be so hostile! It’s Thanksgiving. Take it light.

Barbara: Denise.

Denise: Yes, Baba.

Barbara: I don’t want you here.

Denise: I’m sorry to hear that. I haven’t made other accommodations so … I guess we’re stuck with each other.

Barbara heads to her bedroom while Denise continues examining the house. She changes into a slightly more modest fitted t-shirt and tights.

Denise(Cont'd) Geez. Have you changed anything since I left? It’s like I’ve stepped into the 90s. Wait, wasn’t that an album? Step into the 90s … R Kelly?

Denise has tickled her self. She laughs.

Barbara: You always been a shady bitch.

Denise: Said the pot to the kettle.

Denise strolls back into the kitchen. Barbara seeks her out and finds her there.

Barbara: They got plenty of hotels downtown you and “Freddie” can book.

Legacy Land

2.16.20

7 Denise: Freddie hates hotels. They give him indigestion. When we travel, I have to pack an arsenal of drugs. Anti-Depressants, Anti-Anxieties, Tums … lots and lots of Tums — don’t say anything about it. He gets … testy if you mention it.

Denise exits the kitchen chewing on a piece of ham.

Denise (Cont'd): This is pretty decent. You got better.

Barbara: I have always cooked better than you.

Denise: Ha! Barbara: Always. And Gran Gran actually taught you.

Denise: She would’ve taught you too if — Barbara: Book a room, Niecy. I don’t want to do this with you all weekend.

Denise: This is as much my house as it is yours. I don’t want to have to play the deed card, but I will.

Barbara: I pay every bill. I don’t ask you for shit.

Denise: I never said you did. I’m just saying, I can be here. I have a right to be here.

Beat.

Barbara: You said Christmas.

Denise: Let it go. I know what I said. There’s nobody here anyway what’s wrong with — Is there someone here?

Barbara: No. Denise dashes around the house opening doors, looking in closets.

Barbara: You still nosy as hell.

Denise: Inquisitive! I’m inquisitive.

Denise strolls out of Barbara’s bedroom with a Nike gym bag.

Denise: Aww shit! Have you started working out?

Denise digs in the bag and pulls out a can of Axe body spray.

Legacy Land

2.16.20

8 Denise(Cont'd): Prefer male scents these days?

Barbara snatches the can of body spray, shoves it back in the bag and tosses the bag back into her bedroom.

Denise: It’s ok if you’re seeing someone BaBa. Barbara: Thanks Mama.

Denise: I’m serious. If he’s good for you …

She takes Barbara’s hand.

Denise(Cont'd): … Is he? Good for you?

Silence.

Barbara snatches her hand away.

Barbara: You sound like a damn shrink.

Barbara takes out another cigarette, lights it, and inhales.

She heads into the kitchen with Denise trailing her.

Denise: Now those’ll kill you. Not to mention they stink up the house. It’s hard to get that smell out. Freddie hates the smell of cigarette smoke.

Barbara: That’s nice. Niecy. Please. Go. Denise: Tell you what, Freddie and I will hang out tonight, then see if we can book a room tomorrow. I think we have enough sedatives on us.

Silence.

Barbara: If not, there’s that 24hr Walgreens where Monroe’s usedta be.

Denise: Monroe’s!

Barbara: Mr. Monroe’s son finally sold out.

Denise: Mr. Monroe’s son! What’s his name again?

Barbara: Keith.

Denise: Good for him. Good for Keith.

Legacy Land

2.16.20

9 Barbara: Mr. Monroe is prolly rollin’ over in his grave. It was the last little bit of anything that belonged to folks from around here.

Denise: This house. This house belonged - belongs to us. They’re developing so fast, pretty soon there’ll be houses everywhere. A little subdivision … all around us. Houses.

Families … a whole community, like before.

Silence.

Denise (Cont'd): Anyway, Mr. Monroe was an old nasty pervert who had a thang for lil girls. Lil light skinned girls. He never paid me any attention at all.

Barbara: Niecy.

Denise: BaBa. It’s true. Michelle Lane with the White daddy nobody ever saw? She used to show him her draws for a quarter.

Barbara: Michelle Lane with the White daddy was a goddamn liar. She’d lie about shit it wasn’t no reason to lie about. You ask her what color the grass was the bitch say pink just to lie.

They laugh. It’s the first genuine one.

Denise: Ok yeah, Michelle was a compulsive liar, but I’m telling you I saw it with my own eyes.

Barbara: What was you doin’ lookin’?

Denise: I was a kid. Kids are weirdos.

Barbara: You was the weirdo.

They gaze at each other, a beat.

Denise goes to the window and looks out.

Denise: What is Freddie doing? You got any adult beverage around here? I got a chill in my bones.

Barbara: Since when did you start drinkin’ adult beverages?

Denise: Since I became an adult.

Barbara: You know what I meant, smart ass.

Barbara goes to the cabinet and hands Denise a bottle of unopened wine.

Legacy Land

2.16.20