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Katie, Damita, and Rosa are 911 dispatchers who have to make some hard decisions. |
| [Introduction] WINNER OF: ![Merit Badge in Campfires
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The Merit Badge is awarded to you and your fellow writers of [Link To Item #1520683] for your 3rd Place win in the Light My Fire Contest! The writing style and depth of emotion of this campfire made it stand out. Write On! *^*Bigsmile*^*](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/type-Campfires-2180.gif) The Merit Badge is awarded to you and your fellow writers of "Hard Decisions" for your 3rd Place win in the Light My Fire Contest! The writing style and depth of emotion of this campfire made it stand out. Write On! Welcome to HARD DECISIONS a Drama Campfire. THE RULES: 1. Anyone is welcome to join. 2. This is to be written a SCRIPT/PLAY format. For an example, see:
3. When it is your turn you will be asked to write a scene. You have 10 days from the day it's your turn to add your entry. If you don't add your entry by the end of those 10 days you will be skipped for the next author. 4. You can create characters that you need for the scene, but remember - one or all of the main characters MUST be in the scene. Use VOICE OVERS for any 911 calls. 5. The Script/Play ends when the main characters finally make their choice (as given in their background info) 6. Ideally, I'd like this to be a 2 ACT script/play that would last approx 1 hour, so keep that in mind as you write your scene. ***************** Some Misc. Script/Play terms: CUT TO: End of a scene VOICE OVER: spoken narration (VO) OFFSCREEN: character speaks offscreen (OS) **************** BACKGROUND INFORMATION Setting: Modern day, Los Angeles Police Department PSAP (Public Service Answering Point) 911 Dispatch center. The Dispatch center is location at the intersection of Roscoe/Fallbrook at 23001 Roscoe Bl. Our main characters answer 911, talk to the patrol officers as Radio Telephone Operators (RTOs) and do callbacks as Auxillary Telephone Operators (ATOs) The main characters, Katie, Damita, and Rosa all carpool to work and live in the city of Santa Clarita. Main Characters: KATIE BURNS: (Caucasion/White) Age: 21 Hair: Blonde Eyes: Blue Katie is young, 21 and has been on the job 2 years. She just got qualified to take phone calls. She wonders if she'd picked the right career choice. She also dreams of being a lawyer. She lives at home with her mother and father. Her mother is a teacher, her father is a 30+ year veteran on LAPD as a detective. Eventually, Katie will have to choose between her job and going to college. ROSA HERNANDEZ (Hispanic) Age: 28 Hair: Black Eyes: Brown Rosa is 28 years old. She's married with a 13 month-old. (Jesus) Her husband is a police officer in Foothill division. Rosa finds it a struggle between housework and being a working mother. Eventually, Rosa will have to choose between staying employed and becoming a housewife. DAMITA ROBINSON (African-American) Age: 27 Hair: Black Eyes: Brown Damita is 27 years old. She's single and lives by herself. She goes to college on her off hours and is going to graduate from UCLA with a BS in Communications. In the 7 years she's been working for LAPD as a dispatcher, she finds the work rewarding, noble even and takes pride in helping people. When she graduates she has to evaluate if she will find work in the public relations firm as rewarding or more cut-throat. Eventually, she will have to choose between staying a 911 dispatcher or going to work at a high priced public relations firm in LA |
Act 1 Scene I A Workplace Break Room There is a table in the middle with chairs around the table. A TV sits on another table playing, the noise from the TV is low. A refrigerator is in the break room. There’s a trash can, and a door that leads to an outside patio. DAMITA, and ROSA are sitting around the table, eating a light lunch consisting of sandwiches. DAMITA Did I tell you? I just found out I’m graduating Magna cum laude. ROSA That’s great. Gosh, it’s been a long time coming hasn’t it? You’ve been taking night classes since we joined. DAMITA Sure, it took me seven years to get my degree instead of four, but it’s almost all paid off and I only have one student loan. ROSA What’s your major in? DAMITA Communications. You know I like talking. (laughs) That’s why I like the phones. I wanted to get a job working at a PR firm. ROSA You don’t sound as excited as I thought you’d be. DAMITA To my surprise, I really like my job. A part of me doesn’t want to leave. I’ve got eight years here and I’m comfortable, you know? I always wanted to work for a media relations firm, but now I’m not so sure. ROSA I’m proud of you, girlie. I know you’ll work this out. I wish I could have gone to college like you did, but I’ve got Jesus and the baby. DAMITA It’s understandable. You’ve got a family, girlfriend. Is the baby walking yet. ROSA (giddy) She took her first steps yesterday. She walked from the couch to the coffee table. I’m so proud of her. DAMITA Are you and Jesus going to have more? ROSA I don’t know. It’s hard work. He’s a police officer. We each have busy schedules. It’s hard to find a babysitter sometimes when we’re both at work. My poor mother-in-law! DAMITA Do you have to go to work? ROSA Yeah, I have to work so we can afford the house, but it’s hard. Part of me wants to be home with the baby, you know? DAMITA Can you afford to stop working? ROSA We could if we reorganized the finances, but I don’t know. My income is nice. I’ll have to decide soon. (enter KATIE from the left) KATIE Hi girls. What’s up? ROSA Damita’s graduating with honors. KATIE Congrats, Sweetie. I need to get off my ass and sign up for classes. DAMITA UCLA is accepting applications for the fall. You should do it. KATIE (goes to the refrigerator and takes out a sandwich) I should. I’ve got a bunch of applications, but I have yet to mail them off. ROSA What’s holding you up? KATIE (sits down at the table and begins to unpack her lunch) I don’t know. I like this job. DAMITA I was like you – young when I joined, but I did it. You can go to school and still work here. Don’t you live at home with your parents? Aren’t they willing to help? KATIE Yeah – I’ve got a big college fund waiting for me to tap into. We’ll see. It’s kind of nice earning money and having my own job. ROSA Excuses, excuses. How old are you, Sweetie? KATIE I just turned 20. DAMITA I was 20 when I became a dispatcher. If you want to college you can do it. I did it. KATIE I don’t know. ROSA What do you want to do ten years from now? KATIE (wavers) I was thinking of becoming a lawyer. DAMITA Well, if that’s the case, you better get started now. ROSA (looks up at the clock next to the refrigerator) Our break is almost over. DAMITA (stands up) Time to get back and take more calls. KATIE See you up there. I still have fifteen minutes. EXIT ROSA and DAMITA THE CURTAIN FALLS Possible suggestion for the next scene: Damita takes a moving 911 call that affects her deeply. |
ACT 1 Scene II Dispatch room. Three separate groups of consoles as stations with computer screens are arranged in a semicircle; so when the dispatchers sit at their stations, all three will face the audience. A fourth separate station in the back belongs to the supervisor who monitors the three stations and takes the extra calls in case there are more than three calls. There’s another large table behind the stations with manuals, records, and information that all four stations may need. (Rosa and Damita enter.) ROSA (points to the supervisor’s station) She’s out again. DAMITA You’re telling me. She’ll be out a few days. Chemo... tough stuff. ROSA Poor woman. For us, just a tiny change of routine. We can run the place between us. DAMITA Us and Katie, too. ROSA Yes, Katie has been a big help. Smart girl, no less. (Several phones ring all at the same time.Rosa and Damita run to their stations. They speak alternately but giving the impression of speaking at the same time.) DAMITA Yes, Ma’am. ROSA Hello, What seems to be the matter? What? Where? Just give me the location. Metrolink? DAMITA A whole bunch of people now bleeding and on the floor? How many? At which intersection? ROSA Collision? Are you hurt? Sir? Can you get out of the wagon? DAMITA Don’t worry, Ma’am. Help is on the way. (Rosa and Damita keep punching buttons as they talk. The other phones on the other stations are ringing.) ROSA (turns to Damita) We need more people. DAMITA I’ll buzz Katie. Reason above everything else. ROSA Even a lunch break. DAMITA {taking another call) Two trains. You are where? Good. Stay where you are. Please. Smoke? No, sir, don’t go in there. You see them? Good. (She turns to Rosa) Police and the firefighters are there. {taking another call) Everything will be all right, Ma’am. Ambulances are on their way. Keep the children with you. He’s coming out, too. Good. Good, a shirt will do. Just apply pressure on the area, until someone comes to your side. Yes, someone is coming. ROSA (taking a call) What happened? Someone hurt? A policeman? (with worried voice) Hispanic? From the Foothill Division? What’s his name? (totally shaken now) Get his name. Please, get his name. You can’t approach them? Oh, God! KATIE (Comes in running.) What’s happening? DAMITA Metrolink accident. People hurt. Take your station. Sorry about your lunch break. KATIE No problem. I’d rather be here. Finished anyway. (goes to her station to take a call) Hello, yes, ma’am. Yes, the help is on the way. You can see it from your window? That’s good. Two trains. Thank you for calling. ROSA (crying, takes another call) Yes, Sir, thank you sir. We’re sending as many people as we can, sir. Thank you for calling. (She holds her head and sobs.) DAMITA What’s with you? Are you losing it? ROSA A cop hurt. From Foothill. Hispanic. DAMITA It doesn’t mean he is Jesus. Get a hold of yourself. (OS) I ain’t never getting married. One way or another, love throws you a curve ball, always. (punches a button) Hey, Joe. A favor when you can. Find out the name of the hurt cop from Foothill, please. Thanks, man. KATIE Yes, sir. No, sir. Just calm down, sir. Your wife broke your tennis racket? It wasn’t an accident? You can get another one, sir. Sit down and breathe deep. In and out; in and out. Yes, that’s the way. Is your wife there with you? Oh, she left? She broke it before she left? I’ll make a note of it, sir. You’d better talk this out with your lawyer, sir. (She rolls her eyes and takes another call.) Yes, hello? ROSA (wipes her eyes, trying to compose herself) Sorry, about that. I should know better. (She takes a call) Yes, Ma’am. Thank you for calling. Yes, we are aware of it. The help should be there now. DAMITA (to Rosa) That a girl! Stay loose. (OS) Wisdom during trouble. That’s Rosa for you. I couldn’t handle that. I talk big to her, but I couldn’t handle that. Dammit! That’s why I stay single. THE CURTAIN FALLS |
| ACT 1 Scene III Wash room. Two stalls down stage. Two sinks upstage. Frames to represent mirrors hang in front of them. A waste basket and towel dispenser to stage left. Additional PROPS: ROSA = MOBILE PHONE (ENTER ROSA STAGE RIGHT. Paces with a MOBILE PHONE to her ear) ROSA (impatient and with pauses for unheard responses) Come on. Come on . . . Mamma? . . . Yes, we've been working on it all afternoon . . . I know, I know, but I want to know if Jesus is home yet? Has he called? . . . No, I'm not worried! Who said I was worried? I'm just asking . . . They're bound to pull more men in from wherever they can . . . If he calls I'll let you know. Same goes, right? (ROSA hangs up, looks in mirror, and then redials) No, it's only me. I forgot to ask how the baby was -- is she being good for you? Are you okay for a few more hours? This could take a while. You're a godsend. Thank you. (ROSA hangs up again) SFX: Flushing water (ENTER KATIE from one of the stalls. She joins ROSA at the sinks and washes her hands) KATIE He'll be okay. ROSA (affectionately) So I keep saying, but thanks, Sweetie. It never hurts to hear it. KATIE Is there anything I can do? ROSA Not really. I keep thinking if I was at home with the baby, I would just be another caller -- panicking because a loved one isn't home and full of fears and apologies. Other than having Jesus right where I can see him, I can't think of a better place to be. KATIE (uses hand towel and sighs) Sometimes I feel so useless when those calls come in. I wish I could do more than give folks a list of hospital numbers. ROSA You do! Those people are frightened and isolated. Once they've spoken to you they know people are out there trying to make everything alright--trying to fix things--and they are not so isolated any more. You are great at your job. I hope you choose a college that makes the most of your people skills. KATIE People skills? They should come in handy for a Law degree. ROSA Your daddy will be very proud. My friend, Marcia, works in his division. She says he never stops talking about you. KATIE Really? ROSA Sure! Says you're going to make him proud--that you're up for a scholarship with one of the big four. Have you made a choice yet? KATIE (thoughtfully) I thought I had. There suddenly seem to be more choices than there ought to be. ROSA (looks at MOBILE PHONE and pockets it) Tell me about it. (EXIT ROSA and KATIE. STAGE RIGHT) (END OF SCENE) |
ACT 1 SCENE IV The Locker Room at work. It's the end of the day. KATIE, ROSA, and DAMITA are packing up their items into their rather large handbags and getting ready to leave for the day. PROPS: ROSA: cell phone KATIE Today was crazy. That Metrolink accident is on all the news channels. DAMITA I thought everyone here did a great job. How are you holding up, Rosa? ROSA (sits on bench) I still haven't heard from Jesus. OS: Phone rings, Rosa answers it. Hello, Honey! Thank God! Are you okay? Who? Oscar? Oh, that's terrible! You go to the hospital, don't worry about us. I'll get the baby from your mom. (pauses) I know, but what else can we do? (pauses) Be safe. I love you. Bye. (hangs up) KATIE How's your husband? ROSA He's fine, but it was his partner, Oscar, who got hurt. Jesus is going to the hospital with him. DAMITA (hugs Rosa) Thank goodness your husband is going to be okay. KATIE When are you going to see him again? ROSA I don't know. I hate this. DAMITA Hate what? ROSA Not knowing. If I was home, at least I could watch the news for information. KATIE Sure, but you still wouldn't have known if Jesus was okay until he called you. At least here you were able to help people who needed the help. ROSA (smiling a little) Yeah, I did help, didn't I? DAMITA Come on, let's go. I'll treat to Taco Bell. (affectionately pats Rosa on the shoulder, and then slings her handbag over her own shoulder. A piece of paper falls out.) EXIT DAMITA and ROSA KATIE (picks up the paper, reads outloud) Congratulations Ms. Robinson. Our firm, Wilson and Collins, would like to offer you a position as a junior member upon your graduation from UCLA. Please reply to us by the 14th. (pauses) The 14th? That's next week! Hey Damita! (Katie slings her bag over her shoulder and EXITS, folling ROSA and DAMITA.) |
Act1 Scene V (Next Morning. The three women stand in front of the curtain talking.) ROSA (to Katie) After seeing Jesus safe and sound last night, I feel like I am born again. KATIE Yesterday was crazy. I was more worried about you worrying than anything else. ROSA I don’t know. I am so confused. I want to stay home and take care of my family, but a part of me is attached to this job. No that, I’m indispensable… KATIE But you are indispensable. God knows some days we need triple the three of us. ROSA True. Some days we need an army here. (Turns to Damita.) Hey Damita, did you decide on that offer, yet? DAMITA You’re talking to me? The offer? Well…It is a tough pick. The money’s good, and the job has a better future. But there is something…something I can’t exactly…I can’t put my ginger on it. (She pauses, thinking. Then, suddenly she talks.) I am used to being here, with you guys, with all this. I feel I am doing something useful. You know? (The curtain opens. Dispatch Room. Phones are ringing. Everyone goes to her station and starts answering the calls. The audience sees them answering the calls, but for a while, cannot hear what they are saying.) ROSA (Taking a call) Hello, Sir. What seems to be the trouble? You what? You can’t get a cab and you will miss your flight? Sir, call a cab company, please. I understand this is your emergency, but you’re holding up a 9-1-1 line. Okay. The number to Yellow Cab is 9-4-9-6-5-4-8-2-9-4. KATIE (Giggles) You actually gave him the number! ROSA Yeah! He said he didn’t have any number for a cab. What if he has a sick child to go to? KATIE (Rolls her eyes.) If I had a penny for every stupid call we get… DAMITA (Talking to the microphone in front of her) Ma’am, stay with me until the help arrives. How is he now? Is he breathing? Just be calm. Please don’t cry. He needs you to be calm, understand? Help is on the way. Good. Now go answer the door. They are there? Good...You're welcome. Good-bye, Ma’am. (To Rosa) Another Code 3. They are on the rise this morning. (she takes another call, hastily) Yes, sir. How can I help you? ROSA (taking a call) Hello, What is your emergency, Ma’am? Gunshots? Do you have the address? I’ll send someone to check it out. Thank you for calling. (To Damita) Some heavyweight stuff, this morning, if you don’t count the guy who couldn’t get a taxi. (sighs) No one works like us. DAMITA (thoughtful) We took the road less traveled by. KATIE This would be an ideal job if we were to be paid more. (sighs) DAMITA Yeah, but earning more bucks is easy. It's a lot tougher to make a difference. ROSA You could make a difference from where you are, especially if you are with your child and family. KATIE True. But you don’t have to be with your family 24/7. You could make a difference outside and inside, and make the money, too. ROSA Such a struggle…At work, you think of the children you have left at home. At home, you think of the work or the career you've left unfinished. DAMITA (taking a call) What is the emergency? Where is the child now? Did you see the man? What else? Did you see the car? Accord. To what direction were they headed? Someone will be over there immediately to talk to you. Yes, I’ll alert the traffic division. (Punches a few buttons.) Hello, Control. Get on it, please. Child abducted. 5 year-old boy. Wearing a blue denim jacket. Midsize, white, Honda Accord, going north. The man has dark business suit, 5’10’’, blond, dark glasses. She doesn’t know the man or if there is any other person in the car. She’s at the corner of Fallbrook and Strathern. KATIE What? Right in this area? What happened. I just heard the address. DAMITA Someone grabbed a little boy right from near her mother and kidnapped him. I can’t believe it. I hope they catch him before he goes too far. KATIE Things like this make me love it here. I’ll probably never leave, college or no college. DAMITA I hope they catch him before he harms the boy. ROSA Even being near your child doesn’t protect him. What ‘s the world coming to! (Suddenly the things in the room start shaking. All three women stand up holding on to something like a chair, desk or monitor. A few books and pamphlets from the table behind fall to the floor.) KATIE (screams) Earthquake! (Shaking stops.) ROSA Didn’t last long. I think we got the tail end of it. I wonder where it was. DAMITA Oh my! At least, it wasn’t so bad. (bends down and looks into the monitor) I think we lost the connection. KATIE It’s coming back. Look! The generator must have kicked in. (The phones start ringing.) DAMITA Here we go again! Let's see how we can help. (All three take their seats hurriedly to attend the calls) CURTAIN |
Act 1 Scene VI (Minutes after the earthquake) KATIE 911. What’s your emergency? Yes, sir, that was an earthquake. Yes, sir, the aftershock was just as bad. Uh, no, no clue why they call it that. What? I don’t know, sir. We don’t have Richter scales here. (Rolls eyes.) (DAMITA laughs at KATIE while busy with her own call.) KATIE Sir, do you have an emergency? Uh, no, broken glass isn’t an emergency. You’ll need to contact your insurance agent. Sir, you need to free up this line for other emergencies. Yes, sir, no problem. Glad we’re here for you. Thank you. Good-bye. ROSA (Finishes her call) They wanted to know what the Richter scale was on the earthquake? (Shakes head) DAMITA (Finishes her own call) Yeah, we get all kinds don’t we? (Glances down at the quiet phone lines) Hey. They stopped ringing. Can you believe that? (All three phones ring at once) KATIE Nice going. You just had to jinx it! (Answers a line by speaking into her headset) DAMITA Sorry! (Answers another line) 911. What’s your…what? Yes ma’am. Calm down. I’m here with you. Take a breath and slow down. That’s better. No, I won’t hang up. Okay, first thing’s first. Are you sure you broke it? Ouch. (Grimaces) Okay, yes, that’s broke. Are you safe where you are? Good…what? A baby? Is the baby okay? (ROSA glances over at DAMITA who tries to keep her expression calm.) DAMITA Ok, Mrs. Robinson, just stay calm. (ROSA gasps and looks horrified) DAMITA (Glancing at ROSA) I’m dispatching someone to your location right now. They’ll be there as soon as they can, okay? No, just stay with me. (Typing rapidly on her keyboard) No, ma’am, I just gave them your address. I’ll stay on the line with you until someone gets there. What? (ROSA starts to leave her desk to go to DAMITA, but another line starts ringing and she is forced to answer) ROSA 911. What’s your emergency? (She pauses) What? How many are injured? Seven? Yes, I’ve got it. I’m dispatching someone right now. What kind of injuries are there? (Her fingers fly over her keyboard) Where in the courthouse are you? (KATIE looks up, concern on her face) ROSA Courtroom 17. Yes, I have it. Passing that information on right now. (KATIE is now looking scared, but finishes her call before speaking) KATIE Dad was supposed to be in court today! Oh, God! DAMITA (Covers mouthpiece) Chill, girlfriend! We need your head here, not someplace else! (The phone rings, and KATIE nods her head before answering.) KATIE (Takes a big breath before speaking) 911. What’s your emergency? What…whoa…wait… Ma’am! (She speaks sharply to get the caller’s attention.) Are you alone? Good. Do you or your nephew know CPR? Uh, huh. Been a while, hm? No problem. That’s what I’m here for. (She reaches out, pulling a manual off the table behind her.) Can you put me on speaker? Good. I’ll walk you through it. Oh, okay. I’ll walk your nephew through it. (DAMITA gives KATIE a thumbs up) ROSA (Still working her call) You smell smoke? Okay. Are the sprinklers on in the hallway? The doors are closed. Good. No! Don’t open them! Touch them first, make sure they aren’t hot. They’re not? Good. You can open the door carefully. Do you see any smoke or flames? No? Good. Do you still smell smoke? No, that’s all right. It could be your imagination, but you need to pay attention, just in case it isn’t. Now about that broken arm. You need to stabilize it. How’s the woman doing? Uh, huh. DAMITA How are you doing, Mrs. Robinson? Baby’s still crying? That’s good. Well, does it sound like a hurt cry, a hungry cry, a dirty diaper cry? An I’m-scared cry. That’s good, then. If he only sounds scared, then he’s okay. It won’t hurt him to cry. You what? You hear sirens? Just… (Checks her monitor) Yes, they show as being at your location. If they’re with you now, you can hang up…yes, I work with her. Of course. I’ll let her know. Okay. They’ll take good care of you now. Good-bye. (Sits back and wipes her forearm across her forehead.) KATIE Ma’am…Sharon. Okay, Sharon. Your nephew needs to do thirty quick compressions. No, if your husband is still breathing, you don’t need to do the breaths. We need to get his heart going again. How quick? Does he know the song “Stayin’ Alive”? He…hello, Jack. Yes, by the BeeGees. Great! Yes. Thirty compressions to that beat. Then check for a pulse, and watch his chest, see if he’s still breathing. If not, then you’ll have to start the rescue breathing. Sharon? (KATIE’S tone is sharp to get Sharon’s attention) You need to pay attention. Yes, you need to watch Jack. When he gets tired, you may have to take over. Yes, you can! You can do it! Jack’s young, so he can go for a while. It’s just in case help is delayed. Ma’am…ma’am. There could be traffic jams or other problems. It was a good shaking we got, right? They’re on their way, but if they are delayed, you need to be prepared. Just take a deep breath. That’s it. You’ll be fine. So will your husband. ROSA You can hear the firemen? That’s good! Check the hall again. Do they see you? Fantastic. Yes, it’s okay to hang up now. Good luck! (Sits back and rubs her eyes, then quickly turns to DAMITA) Damita! Was that Mamma? DAMITA (Looks up wearily) Yeah. The baby’s fine. But your mother-in-law broke her leg. Sounded like a compound fracture, which is serious, but she will live. ROSA (Slumps in her chair.) Oh, thank goodness! Look, my hands are shaking! (Holds hands out.) What if I had got that call? I would have fallen apart! I couldn’t have helped her! DAMITA Don’t say that! You would have done just fine! You know how to do the job! ROSA But what if…? DAMITA Stop second-guessing yourself! Girl, you’ll just drive yourself nuts! KATIE (Interrupts with a loud “Woohoo!”) Man! That was…exhilarating! (Looks over to see DAMITA and ROSA and frowns.) Hey! What’s wrong? DAMITA I just don’t know if I can keep doing this. Kids being kidnapped, earthquakes. I’m just…tired. ROSA You’re tired, and I’m scared. I’m afraid I might lose it, not be able to help or to do my job. KATIE (Confused) What are you guys talking about? You did great! We do a good thing here! We get help out to where it’s needed. We help keep people calm, help them get through the crisis. DAMITA I have a crisis right now. I need to take a break. (Gets up and walks out. As KATIE and DAMITA stare at each other, CURTAIN FALLS.) |
Act II Scene I The hospital after the earthquake. Katie and Damita walk into a hospital room. An older man is in a bed, his arm in a cast. He looks weary. It is DET BURNS, Katie's father. New character for this scene: DET BURNS Opening direction: Katie sits down in the chair next to the bed. Damita stands nearby, between the chair and the door. KATIE Hi Dad. DET BURNS How'd you find me? KATIE We got a call at the courthouse so I checked our fire department computer and saw they transported several patients. Damita and I thought we'd check to see if you were admitted. DET BURNS (tries to smile) That's my girl - sharp as a needle. KATIE What's wrong, Dad? How are you hurt? DET BURNS Broken arm. I pushed a woman out of the way of a falling painting. KATIE My dad, the hero. DET BURNS Are you off duty right now? KATIE We're mobilized on a 12 hour shift. I'm on the day shift. Rosa's here too visiting her mother-in-law, and then we'll go crash in the cot room at work until tomorrow. DET BURNS Does your mom know I'm in the hospital? She must be worried sick. KATIE I didn't tell her. I just found you. DET BURNS (coughs) Call her when you leave and tell her I'll be okay. KATIE That's an awful cough. DET BURNS I've got a puncutured lung, too. I look better than I feel. KATIE (reaches out and touches his fingers) I'm proud of you, Dad. DET BURNS I'm proud of you. How was 911? KATIE Oh, the same-- DAMITA It was hectic, sir. Katie did great. She was a real ball of energy. DET BURNS I bet. Look, Katie, I want to talk to you about something. KATIE Oh? DET BURNS I mailed in your college applications a couple of days ago. KATIE (confused) What? Why? DET BURNS Because you're a sharp cookie, that's why. You deserve a chance to go to college like I never had. KATIE You did night school. I could do night school. DET BURNS Sure, I did, but you've got a chance to go to a good school full time like UCLA. I want you to take it. KATIE But I like my job, Dad. DET BURNS Do you want to be like me - a slave to this system? That's all this is - a system that starts with you. You get the call and send the police. They catch 'em and I take 'em to court. I babysit them. You deserve more. KATIE (stands up) I'll consider it, Dad. DET BURNS Good. Call your mom and catch some sleep before you have to go back to work. KATIE (looks at Damita) DAMITA Let's go check on Rosa. KATIE (kisses her father's cheek) Feel better. DET BURNS (coughs) I will. EXIT DAMITA and KATIE |
Act II Scene II A hospital waiting room/corridor composite set with open window to rear of waiting room, and plastic chairs around a coffee table facing the audience. A vending machine is in corridor. Additional PROPS: KATIE = PURSE, MOBILE PHONE. ROSA = PLASTIC CUP Lighting: Occasional red and blue flashes off light from under the window SFX: Low level traffic noise and occasional sirens as background noise through open window. ROSA is already seated in waiting room. She cradles a plastic cup from the vending machine and stares blankly out toward the audience. KATIE and DAMITA are in the corridor about to enter. KATIE (stopping by vending machine) I need to call my mom. You go in, and I'll grab us a coffee. (KATIE spends the following 'waiting room' dialogue time searching for change, getting coffee and pacing the corridor, while making a series of heated phone calls that we can't hear) DAMITA (nods and ENTERS the waiting room) Hey, Rosa. How's your Mother-in-law? More importantly, how are you? ROSA Why's that? DAMITA Why's what? ROSA Why am I more important? DAMITA (sits down next to ROSA) I don't mean that your mother-in-law isn't important. I just -- well, you've been on an emotional roller coaster lately, and you're my friend. I can see you hurting and I feel useless. ROSA (laughs) Yup. You're pretty useless, but only because I'm the only one who can fix this... this... crisis of conscience I'm going through. For everything else? You're the best friend I have. DAMITA Want to talk? ROSA Nope. It's all I do. I need to stop talking and start doing. It's time I made the decision that I've been putting off since the baby was born. [Pause] I'm quitting. I hate it, but I have to. DAMITA You don't mean that. Sure, home and work are a hard juggling act, but you can handle it. ROSA I know. I know I can handle it. But, maybe I don't want to. (ROSA puts down cup and turns animatedly to DAMITA) ROSA Cont. I love that job. But now I love something more-- my baby. Everything changed when the doctor put her in my arms and Jesus and I held her. I remember his mom coming in and the desperate hope and joy on her face. I realized how much love she'd poured into Jesus. I should have been happy -- complete. Instead, all I could think was, 'Where is my mom? How could she abandon me and never look back?' I looked at my baby and couldn't answer those questions. I want to be there for her. DAMITA You are there for her! You're a wonderful mom. You can't judge yourself against your mom's actions. Working doesn't mean you're a bad mom. Millions of mothers do it everyday and, like you say, you love your job. ROSA Do I? I know I say it, but do I? Listen to those sirens out there -- I hear them in my sleep. Look at those flashing emergency lights -- I see them strobing behind my eyelids every time I close my eyes. I always loved my job because I felt that I could be there for people, but I'm starting to resent the fact that I'm not there for the people I love. DAMITA Honey, you've been through a lot! Give yourself time. ROSA I don't want time, I want ignorance. If Jesus had gone to work and called me to say he'd be home late because his partner was injured, I'd think, 'Thank God it wasn't him,' and I'd carry on getting dinner ready. If an earthquake struck when I was at home I could soothe my baby's cries with mommy cuddles. Look at me! I'm sat in a hospital waiting room while my husband alternates visits between his mom and his partner. He worries enough for all of us. His mom's too old to run after a baby, and now she cant walk, never mind run. I'm done, DAMITA. I'm done. (ENTER KATIE) KATE Sorry I took so long. Mom's gone crazy worrying about us all. She's turned the dining room into a mini-ops room! We all have to check in every half hour until the aftershocks die down. How are you guys doing? ROSA and DAMITA together Fine. KATIE (sits down with ROSA and DAMITA) I'll say one thing. This earthquake makes you put your priorities in order. |
Act II Scene III (DAMITA and KATIE are standing to side, watching ROSA boxing things from a small square locker.) KATIE What will we do without Rosa? It won’t be the same! DAMITA She’s just doing what she feels she has to. I think she may have the right idea. KATIE The right idea? Leaving the folks who need us? ROSA I can hear you two, you know. I’m not deaf. (calmly continues to box items, then closes the box and faces DAMITA and KATIE) Katie, why do you think I’m making a mistake? KATIE The people of this city need us! They trust us to be there for them! ROSA And so does my family! Are you saying my family is less important than strangers? (places her hands on her hips and stares hard at KATIE and DAMITA.) DAMITA (holds up her hands defensively) Hey! I’m on your side! I think you’re doing the right thing for yourself! ROSA You do? Oh. Good! KATIE I’m sorry, Rosa. I just know how I felt during the earthquake; how I was able to help the folks who called in for help. I…I guess because I don’t really have a family of my own I wasn’t thinking like you. I wasn’t putting myself in your shoes. ROSA You don’t have a family of your own? And just who was it you were visiting in the hospital? KATIE My dad, and that’s not what I meant! I don’t have a husband and child waiting for me each night after work. I have no one really counting on ME! (Thumps a fist against her chest) My parents try to protect me, like I’m still a child. But I have no one waiting for me like you do. (Shakes her head.) I’m sorry I’m not saying it right. DAMITA (Laughing.) Girl, for someone whose native language is English, you sure are spitting out gibberish! (Pats KATIE on shoulder) But we understand what you’re saying, don’t we, Rosa? You are a free spirit, Katie. Rosa has people who count on her for other things than just love. She’s a companion for her husband, and a mother to a small baby who wants and needs her full attention. ROSA I’ve been trying to balance my personal life with my professional life for a while now, and now that I’m a mother, it’s been harder and harder each day to leave my baby, even if it’s with family. I’d rather spend my time, my energy, on my family now. KATIE I understand, Rosa, honest! I guess maybe I’ve been spending my time and energy on my job. DAMITA Honey, that isn’t a bad thing. If we didn’t do this, who would? And I’ll bet when you do make your own family unit, you’ll feel just like Rosa. Maybe you’ll handle it differently than Rosa, but that’ll be okay, too. You and Rosa are two very different people. ROSA Katie, when I first started this job, it was great. But I’ve gotten married, had a child, and my priorities have changed. I was raised that family is always first, and I think that’s what’s been troubling me. KATIE Well, Rosa, it’s like Damita said; you’re doing what you have to, to help your family, to help yourself. Heck, after this last earthquake, maybe you’re saving your sanity. ROSA (smiling) Kid, you’ll do just fine on this job! You have the willingness, the…the… (looks to DAMITA for help) DAMITA Drive. She has the drive. (Looks at KATIE) Yup. She’ll do just fine on this job. Girl, (moves over to KATIE and slings an arm across her shoulders) …You’ll do just fine here, whether it’s handling the calls, or helping the replacements. KATIE Gee. Thanks! (pauses a beat) Wait… (frowns at DAMITA) What do you mean, “replacements”? That was plural. (Stares at DAMITA, then ROSA, and back to DAMITA in dismay.) Wait! No! You’re leaving, too? ROSA (surprised) What? You are? DAMITA (hesitating, speaking slowly as if still unsure of her decision) Well, I’ve been giving some serious consideration to some job offers I’ve received recently. I mean, my grades are great, and I’d be making so much more than what this job pays. Plus…well…I don’t think the stress would be as bad as here, where people’s lives sometimes depend on us. KATIE Wow. You guys would really leave me on my own? DAMITA (huffy, with attitude) Girl, you have to learn that you are NOT the center of the universe! KATIE (laughing) I know, I know! Just pulling your chain! ROSA (smiling) Katie, that was great! You didn’t smile once! DAMITA (looking at KATIE and ROSA) You guys punk’d me? Just you wait! (fakes a punch at KATIE’S arm. KATIE dances out of the way.) ROSA (checks watch) Well, girls, we have a city waiting for us. Shall we get to work? (Laughing, everyone takes their seats at their consoles.) |
ACT II SCENE IV The parking lot in front of the Dispatch Center It is twilight. Damita is alone sitting on a bench next to a parking place marked for handicap parking. A big, baggy purse is next to her. Damita is dressed in a uniform. She looks up at the audience. DAMITA Another two hours and my shift is done for the day. I’ve got to decide if I want to turn in my resignation and take my new job or keep this one. I still don’t know what to do. (DAMITA gets up and paces in front of the bench.) The earthquake really messed stuff up. It’s been a week and most of the streets have been fixed. Most of the businesses are open again. Slowly, the city is getting it’s rhythms back. And me? It’s time to make a choice. (DAMITA crosses her arms and looks at the dispatch center) I never had it easy. It was just me and my mom. She lives with me in Palmdale, but she’s still working, doing embroidery. I’m the first in her family to have a decent paying job - to go to college even. To get a job offered to me that would make me filthy stinking rich. So why do I feel guilty about taking it? (pauses for breath) Because I like helping people. Heck, I get that from my mom. Rosa needed someone to be strong for her. So did Katie. But who’s going to be strong for me? (DAMITA turns to the audience) I know the people here. I trust them. I don’t know the people at my new job, but I know this – they aren’t expected to help people like this job is. Public relations can be a nightmare. Look at Lindsay Lohan. Brittany Spears. Octo-mom. (pauses again) Everyone who worked the earthquake got a commendation, but the reward that means the most to me is helping to save people’s lives. If only I didn’t get weary. Who’s going to look out for me? My mom is older and less mobile than Katie’s dad. I don’t have the extended family that Rosa has. ENTER ROSA and KATIE ROSA (in civilian clothes) Me. KATIE (in uniform) And me. DAMITA (confused) I thought— ROSA I made my choice. I quit, but it will make it easier for me to watch out for you. We’re still friends. KATIE I’m staying. I can still go to UCLA at night and by doing correspondence courses, but you need someone like me to keep you on your toes while you’re here. DAMITA (goes into her purse, pulls out a letter, rips it up, and throws it at the audience) There’s my choice. I’m staying. (she holds out her hand to Rosa and Katie. The women hug.) THE CURTAIN FALLS FINI |
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