BOB COLES, since 2012, has written two one-act plays, both given staged readings by the DC Black Theatre Festival. His co-written, full-length play is on You Tube: Paul Robeson in Berlin (The Robey Theatre Company Presents), 2014.
Thanks to Bob Coles for allowing NYCPlaywrights to publish this excerpt from his play EVICTED.
LYDIA
If you felt that way about it, why did you organize this protest? Why are we here about to get evicted?
CARMEN
It’s the same reason why I dropped out.
MADDY
No Carmen it’s not the same thing. You did what you did ’cause you were hurt and needed love which you thought you couldn’t get, but all you did was harm yourself and ruin your life. I’m here out of principle. We know the police are comin’. They told us so, and when they come they’ll force us out.
LYDIA
We don’t know that yet Mom. Our resistance might stop them—
MADDY
They have to. They have a court order.
LYDIA
Then everything we’re doing here is futile? Hopeless?
MADDY
I didn’t say that. I’m saying I’m here not only to fight back against the oppressor, but to stand up and defend myself when I get abused or exploited, no matter the odds or consequences. You never let anyone do that to you. If you let it happen once, it will happened your entire life, and then you might as well be dead! You should know that by now Lydia. That’s what your father believed. That’s what he stood for.
LYDIA
But what do you gain if it’s a lost cause?
MADDY
Your dignity. Your humanity. Your ability to wake up every mornin’ and go to sleep at night.
CARMEN
That sounds fine Mom when you young. I can take gettin’ arrested and goin’ to jail. Ain’t no big thing. I been there befo’. But you and even Lydia who spent her life sheltered in school.
MADDY
No matter. When war comes and bombs drop, no one asks how old you are when they explode. No one asks if your cause is won or lost . . .
(The sound of feet are running up the stairs. JEWEL bursts into the room.)
JEWEL
THE POLICE COMIN’. I saw them down the block!
CARMEN
Calm down honey. Where exactly did you see ’em?
(Before she can answer the question, Jewel turns around and runs out the door.)
Jewel. Come back here! COME BACK.
(Carmen runs after her. Lydia follows Carmen but Maddy grabs her arm and holds her back.)
MADDY
Stay with me Lydia.
(They both go to the window and look out.)
MADDY
I don’t see anything. Do you?
(Both of them are straining to see.)
LYDIA
No nothing . . . Wait a minute!
(She gasps.)
Over there on the left. One two, three, four vans . . . Looks like they brought an army!
MADDY
Those men have rifles.
LYDIA
That’s SWAT.