ME AND KOLOVO by Corzell Cole

ME AND KOLOVO (EXCERPT FROM LONGER PLAY) Written by Corzell Cole 2/25/20

2/25/20

2

ME AND KOLOVO CHARACTERS: (All characters have a very strong South African accent.)

FATHA: A goldmine worker, whose vision is to create a better life for his two boys and move them out of Africa.

MOTHA: A 20 something year old African woman. She has no form of education, and she has never been able to conceive children. She’s had complications throughout the pregnancy and the doctor has her on bed rest.

MANOGI: Is Mannyogi’s long lost sister. She’s educated and has attended school in the U.S. since she was 17 years old. She currently lives in Chicago and she helps take care of her mother back home.

In this excerpt, we meet Mannyogi, a woman in her 20s.

Mannyogi (Motha) is 6 ½ months pregnant. She has been placed on bedrest following complications throughout her pregnancy.

PLACE: A BIRTH ROOM IN AFRICA FATHA Heya, beaby how ya feeling?

I’m ok.

MOTHA You don’t have to check on me every 5 mins.

FATHA (He looks at her with a twinkle in his eyes and his excitement increases.)

Something came for ya today. I didn’t wanta wake ya so I put it herea.

(He grabs the box from the side of the bed.)

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MOTHA Ar ya sure it’s for me. It looks like youra name.

(She can’t read, but she’s seen his name before.)

FATHA Nooo it’s for you, see! It say from the U.S. (Motha has never received mail before.)

MOTHA Why anything have my name on it?

(She stares at the package.)

America. It’s not right. It must be a mistake.

(They both look at the package.

Fatha breaks the silence.)

FATHA Do you want to open it?

(Motha looks scared when he asks the question.)

It say it’s from Manogi. Do you know who that is.

(Pause while Motha struggles to remember something. Then her eyes begin to tear up.)

MOTHA It’s... It’s...

(Trying to find the words.)

It’s my sister (She cries out.)

My twin sister.

(She tries to compose herself.)

(Fatha has a look of shock on his face as he’s never heard her speak of a sister before.)

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MOTHA We were separated a long time ago, and I haven’t seen or heard from her since the day I left home.

(She starts to open the package, which contains a number of items: Letters, photos, birthday cards dated 5 years back, a tape recorder and tapes.)

FATHA Just take your time beaby. Don’t get ya self too worked up.

MOTHA Me head is all over the place. All these letters ...

(Fatha takes a letter from her and opens it. He begins to read.)

(As he reads, Manogi appears and takes over.)

FATHA (Reading.)

Dear Mannyogi, I pray that my letters find you. I think about you everyday.

MANOGI AND FATHA I’ll never stop trying to find you. Every time I write you, the letters come back.

MANOGI So I send the old letters again, hoping they all reach you one day. I always look for a response just knowing that I’ll get it one day. I pray that you’re safe. I love you.

Please call me if you receive this letter. I’ll be coming back to Africa for a visit real soon and I hope to hear from you before that day comes. Please call me at this number.

Love always, Your sister Manogi

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5 (Motha can’t hold back the tears, Fatha rubs her back to comfort her.)

(Motha tries to get up from bed and Fatha stops her.)

MOTHA

I have to call her – (Fatha interrupts.)

FATHA You can’t leave in your condition. I’ll go and call her.

MOTHA You have to go now – (The stage lights shift as Fatha stands in the phone booth. Manogi lies in her bed. A phone rings.)

MANOGI Hello!

FATHA Heya my name is Synicoya. I’m married to your sista here in Africa. We received a package from you – MANOGI Is she ok! Can I speak to her?

FATHA She in hospital on bedrest. It’s three miles from here.

In ya letta you said ya gonna return to Africa?

(Manogi holds back tears.)

(The stage lights shift. It is a month later.)

(Fatha sits beside an empty bed, holding a crying baby.)

(Manogi enters, carrying a suitcase. She sees Fatha and stops.)

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6 MANOGI

What happened?

FATHA She fought but … (He cannot say more.

(Lights fade.)

END OF EXCERPT

Silence.)