WALKING A MILE IN HER SHOES Written by Tyrone Daniels 2/25/20
2/25/20
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WALKING A MILE IN HER SHOES
CHARACTERS: SAMUEL SEXTON - 50 years old. Alabama State Representative. SAMANTHA SEXTON (aka LIL’ SAM) - 20 years old. College student. Samuel’s daughter. RICHARD - 51 years old. Samuel’s brother and Samantha’s uncle. DR. ENGLISH – Woman – Medical personnel. BILL - Random cop. JIM - Random cop.
PLACE: Special Victim’s Unit Waiting Room. TIME: Present.
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ACT ONE. (Lights up on Special Victim’s Unit Waiting Room. Richard is seated in one of the waiting room chairs and Samuel rushes in.) SAMUEL Where is she? RICHARD (Gets up to meet Samuel.) She’s still in the examination room. SAMUEL They said we had to wait until she’s been fully examined by the medics. All I was able to learn is, that when she was found, she was unresponsive. SAMUEL What? RICHARD I’m in the dark to what happened, just as much as you. (Beat.) SAMUEL I need to see my baby. (Dr. English enters the waiting room.) DR. ENGLISH Representative Sexton, your daughter has been through a horrific ordeal— SAMUEL What do you mean? RICHARD Please excuse my younger brother Doctor English. Samuel, let the doctor finish speaking.
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DR. ENGLISH As I was trying to say, your daughter was raped and impregnated by one of her attackers. This was too much of a burden for her to bear, so she attempted suicide by swallowing an overdose of pills. (Beat.) SAMUEL (Visibly shaken.) Not my baby. RICHARD Can we see her now? DR. ENGLISH As soon as they finish up in the exam room. SAMUEL How is she? DR. ENGLISH Physically she’s fine – she’ll fully recover. My concern is her mental state. SAMUEL Can you tell me more? DR. ENGLISH Your daughter has been through a lot. I think it’s best if I allow you two the chance to talk first. (Beat.) SAMUEL I cannot believe this bullshit — RICHARD Be cool man. (Lights cross to...)
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ACT TWO. (Lights up on Special Victim’s Unit Waiting Room. Bill and Jim, two random cops, enter the waiting room and discuss their case while Samuel listens intensely.) BILL Sick bastard. JIM He’s been raping his own fucking kid for the last seven months. BILL Can you believe it? Thirteen years old and the state forces you to have your dad’s child. JIM What kind of life is that going to be? (Beat.) BILL Hell. JIM Worse. BILL What would you do if that was your child? JIM I don’t know – all the options are bad. (Beat.) BILL No-one can tell me this bastard’s testicles shouldn’t be cutoff. JIM You’ll get no complaints from me.
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I’d do it myself. (Samuel paces with fire in his eyes.) (Lights cross to...)
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ACT THREE. (Lights up on examination room. Samuel enters room to see and talk to Samantha.) SAMANTHA (Crying.) Dad — SAMUEL Lil’ Sam, I’m so sorry. SAMANTHA I’m pregnant. SAMUEL (Visibly shaken.) Don’t worry. (He wraps his arms around her and hugs her tight.) SAMANTHA I didn’t know what else to do. SAMUEL None of this is your fault. SAMANTHA I was scared. SAMUEL I’m here for you. SAMANTHA Everywhere I look I see their faces. SAMUEL They’ll never harm you again. SAMANTHA What if I can’t love the baby? SAMUEL I’m going to fix this. SAMANTHA
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I feel terrible — what did I do to deserve this? SAMUEL You’ve did nothing wrong. SAMANTHA I can’t go back to school now. SAMUEL We’re going to figure everything out. SAMANTHA (Crying uncontrollably.) Dad. (No more words, only tears.) SAMUEL (Continues to hold her tight.) I love you. (Lights cross to...)
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ACT FOUR. (Lights up on Special Victim’s Unit Waiting Room. Samuel and Richard talk to Dr. English about Samantha’s pregnancy.) SAMUEL What can we do about this? DR. ENGLISH If you’re asking me what I think you’re asking me, my hands are tied— SAMUEL You’ve got to be able to do something. DR. ENGLISH Representative Sexton, your committee sponsored, and the State Legislature passed, the new Anti-Abortion Bill that makes it a felony for a doctor to perform an abortion in this state. SAMUEL I don’t care about the law — RICHARD Just simmer down man – don’t say or do anything now you’re going to regret later. DR. ENGLISH Doctors can be charged with a felony and face up to 99 years if they perform an abortion on anyone whose life is not in danger. RICHARD Man, this is between the devil and the deep blue sea. SAMUEL There must be something we can do. (Beat.) DR. ENGLISH
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Again, I’m truly sorry, but, my hands are really tied on this matter. (Blackout.) End of Play