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Monday, February 3, 2025

RESISTING FASCISM ~ Shadow People by Debbie L. Tan

Debbie L. Tan is a playwright/creative writer from QC, Philippines. She's a freelance writer and editor. Debbie's play Jade Turtle Beauty is selected as Semi-Finalist in the SES International Playwriting Prize of 2016. Nationally, she has won two Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature for her one-act plays in 2007 and in 2008. Her play Fate's Line is published under a grant of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). Several of her plays have been produced in CCP and in some schools for a few years. Debbie was a member of the International Centre for Women Playwrights and had been its Board Member for two years.

ABOUT THE PLAY
The play Shadow People is about a dire fictional future when current real tensions in the West Philippine Seas results in a Philippine occupation by two powerful authoritarian-run countries. The intellectual who is jailed and guarded by her former student hopes to reach her/his individuality and humanity.

     ~ Excerpt published by permission, all rights held by the playwright.

If you enjoy a piece published in the RESISTING FASCISM project, we encourage you to reach out to the playwright to tell them so. If the playwright has not included an email address or website, let us know at info@nycplaywrights.org and we'll pass along your message.


                E98E0
What is your name? The name in your heart. Don't let them take your heart away.

                SHADOW 1
You must remember.

                GUARD

I told you. I'm Guard now. If you can't be persuaded to work then, stay here. Don't expect me to care if you suffer.

E98E0 and SHADOW 1 crouch down low. GUARD leaves and enters with G64E5. 
 
                GUARD
            (exaggerates loudly)

Go. Go. Go inside, Number G64E5. Hard-headed, annoying people should stay in the same cell. I'm sure you'll kill each other in no time.

GUARD laughs loudly as they throw a baton, a taser and a key on the floor. GUARD exits. E98E0 and G64E5 grab the things from the floor. G64E5 remains on the floor.

                E98E 
(stands with what she grabbed, in low tones)

Quiet. We will wait for the right time.

                G64E5
I don't trust you.

                E98E0
Trust is the first thing that they killed in us. The next is to fight each other.

                G64E5
Are you a spy? Trying to catch me in my most vulnerable moment?

SHADOW 1 keeps pulling something off the ground. SHADOW 2 crawls on the ground. SHADOW 1 reaches out her hand. 
 
                E98E0
I am not a spy. I am a prisoner, most likely, to be killed if I don't change the whole history of the Philippines and eventually, the world.

SHADOW 2 reaches out her hand. SHADOW 1 clutches it and slowly pulls SHADOW 2 up. 
 
                G64E5
           (stands clutching what they grabbed)

I was an advertising director. Award-winning, I might add. They want me to make propaganda videos highlighting the US King approving of the military parade of fighter
jets, tanks, armory...f@#$^*% sh@#! 
 
(in forceful whisper)

I hate it! Never.

SHADOW 1 and SHADOW 2 shaking hands and very friendly gestures. 
 
                E98E0
I feel the same way.
           (looks at items in hand)

I thought this is the end for me. But maybe there is some hope.

                G64E5
Why did that guard...

                E98E0
They knew me as their former teacher. They knew the way I taught — with passion and heart. I encouraged their individuality.

                G64E5 
But maybe they really want us to kill each other. 
 
                E98E0 
No. I do not believe that. There is this key.

                SHADOW 1
Plus, I couldn't kill anyone.

                G64E5
Then, maybe there's hope.

                SHADOW 2
We have to be wise. Plan.

                G64E5
We'll die trying, won't we?

                E98E0
I was prepared to die before you came. Now, I'm prepared to live and fight.

                G64E5
Let's talk strategy. We might've to stay here for awhile until we know our moves.

                E98E0
Agreed.

Sounds of footsteps. Sounds of protesting voices.


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