THE PRAYER by Justin Cavazos

2/25/20

THE PRAYER

By Justin Cavazos 2/25/20

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2/25/20

CHARACTERS Skip – white, male, mid 50’s Moon – white, male, mid 50’s Big Ang – white, female, early 60’s. Skip’s sister.

PLACE On a park bench, North Side of Chicago.

Present day.

SCENE Skip and Moon are sitting on a park bench, both having been recently released from prison. They discuss the difficulties of reintegrating back into society.

SKIP Hey, what’s up Moon?

MOON What’s up, buddy?

SKIP Nothing much. I had to get the hell outta the house. sister’s bitchin’ again. You thirsty?

(Revealing a bottle of whiskey to Moon.)

My

MOON Yeah, hell yeah.

(Taking a swig of whiskey.)

So, what she say this time?

The same ol’ shit. for a job.

SKIP That I need to get out of the house and look

MOON Well, you gotta do what you gotta do.

SKIP Look, I love my family. I don’t have a problem working and helping out. I just need time to figure things out. What the fuck?!

MOON I feel you, brother. I got the same problem. understand how it is for us.

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My people don’t

2/25/20 SKIP Nobody does.

(There’s a brief silence.)

How in the fuck are we supposed to come home after serving 30 something years and just pick up and get on our feet just like that. I need transportation money. Come on, man.

MOON It’s crazy.

SKIP I’m thinking about getting my parole site transferred over to my cousin’s house.

MOON What’s the hold up?

SKIP I don’t want to burn the spot up.

MOON What do you mean?

Look, don’t tell anybody.

Well, what the fuck?

SKIP My cousin sells work!

MOON Make it happen!

SKIP I just, I’m not trying to go back to jail. I’m too old.

Whatever time they give me’ll be a life sentence. Fuck that! got a second chance. I gotta use it wisely.

MOON Don’t make an easy thing hard. Get outta your sister’s house and make some money with your cousin. There’s no other way.

It’s gotta be done.

SKIP But if I get caught/ MOON You can’t think like that.

SKIP Like what?

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I

2/25/20 MOON That “if I get caught” bullshit.

(Brief pause.)

Remember those times in the joint, we’d do all type of illegal shit? Smoking weed. Making wine.

SKIP Yeah.

MOON We didn’t think about if we got caught. Look, as long as you look like you’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing, nobody is going to fuck with you. The minute you start acting suspicious, you’re done! You’re caught!

SKIP (Rubbing his hands together) I just don’t want to let my family down.

MOON You already have.

SKIP (Looking confused.)

What?

MOON Yeah!

SKIP How? MOON By not doing shit!

SKIP I’m just trying to be smart about the situation.

MOON Moving in with your cousin is smart.

SKIP It’s just fucked up that this is what it has come to.

MOON This shit is designed for us to fail. Everybody knows it. it is what it is. What can you do? Right?

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But

2/25/20

I don’t know, man.

SKIP I gotta think.

MOON

Don’t take too long.

SKIP Aw shit, here comes my sister.

(He spills the whiskey.)

MOON Hey, what’s up Big Ang? BIG ANG Hey. (She’s not quite sure who Moon is.)

You don’t remember me?

MOON It’s me! Moon!

BIG ANG

Oh, okay.

Skip, let’s go.

SKIP

I’m hangin’ out.

BIG ANG No, you’re done! First of all, you’re out here drinking in the park. Second, you’re hanging out with Moon, a convicted felon.

Do you want to go back to jail?

SKIP Look Ang, I’m going through a lot. You don’t understand.

(Starts crying.)

BIG ANG (Rubs Skip’s face.)

Is that what you really think? That I don’t understand?

(Kisses Skip on the forehead.)

I understand. I just press you so hard ‘cause I want the best for you. But it’s too much. I’ll give you some space.

SKIP Thanks, Ang. BIG ANG Come here. Let’s pray. “Dear Lord, please help Skip find his way and not turn to alcohol or be surrounded by bad influences …

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2/25/20 (She looks directly at Moon.)

And help me to be more understanding.

I love you Ang. I love you, too.

AMEN!”

SKIP And Ima try to do better.

BIG ANG And I hope you do better.

MOON Hey, Ang. (Big Ang looks at Moon.)

I don’t appreciate how you just looked at me when you were praying.

BIG ANG Aw, you don’t?

MOON Naw, I don’t. But honestly it has helped me to realize that I do need to change for the better, too.

BIG ANG I’m glad to hear that.

MOON (Looking at Big Ang) Well. Aren’t you going to pray for me, too?

BIG ANG That prayer was for you, too.

MOON Oh, okay. Okay.

(Feeling a little better about himself.)

Thanks Ang. Well, see you later Skip.

SKIP Alright Bud.

Later.

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