The Book of Grace. Suzan-Lori Parks
alt=""/> A Spell
An elongated and heightened (Rest). Denoted by repetition of figures’ names with no dialogue. Has sort of an architectural look:
Buddy
Vet
Buddy
Vet
This is a place where the figures experience their pure true simple state. While no action or stage business is necessary, directors should fill this moment as they best see fit.
Vet, standing outside near the Border Fence, wearing his uniform and, with his binoculars, scanning the horizon.
Grace, in her kitchen, wearing her waitress uniform, and holding her red-marbled composition book, her Book of Grace.
Buddy, outside, in a no-man’s land, wearing t-shirt and jeans with a keychain on his belt. He’s got his footlocker and a full-to-bursting plastic shopping bag.
Vet
Buddy
Grace
(Rest)
Grace
There’s a lot of good in the world
Vet
It’s all about Us and Them
Buddy
I can’t forgive what he’s done. What he’s done to me. No way
Grace
You just gotta look for it. The good. You just gotta look
Vet
That’s why Borders are good. They keep us contained
Buddy
I can’t forget it, but I could forgive it. Forgiving it will depend on him
Grace
Sure there’s bad. But there’s good too. Like
Vet
Borders keep Us on our side and Them on theirs. And that’s a good
Buddy
Forgiving it will depend on him not forgetting it. Funny how that works, huh?
Grace
Like that baby hippo and that old turtle. They’re friends. That’s good
Vet
And that’s a good thing. Borders
Buddy
I can’t forget it
Grace
Like the man who saved the lady when she fell into the river. He risked his own life to do it. That’s good
Vet
Borders and Fences, they say it all without saying a word: that is yours and this is mine
Buddy
I can’t forget it
Grace
Why did he save her from drowning? Cause something in him was leaning toward the good
Buddy
I can’t forget it. Ok?
Vet
I see an Illegal trying to get in here and I say, “Stop in the name of the U.S. Border Patrol.” That’s my job
Buddy
He’s my “father.” I use that term loosely. Let me be specific: he is my very own motherfucker
Grace
There’s so much evidence of good. So I write it down in my book.
Buddy
I’m Buddy, Pop. Here I am. This is how I turned out
Vet
I have contained myself. I’ve changed. I’m on the good foot now
Buddy
Unspeakable. The things he did to me
Vet
He’ll try to make me admit to stuff
Buddy
Unspeakable
Grace
Looking on the bright side doesn’t cost nothing
Buddy
It can’t be forgot but it can be forgiven
Vet
I’ve contained myself
Buddy
Three chances he’ll get. Three strikes: 1-2-3
Vet
I’ve contained myself
Buddy
Hey, I am, after all, his son
Grace
You just gotta look for it. The good. The good is all around
Vet
Buddy
Grace
(Rest)
Reading from her Book:
Grace
The Book of Grace.
(Rest)
A bell, thumb-cymbal sounding, rings.
As the lights change, Buddy hides his plastic bag. He hides it somewhere in the audience—silently asking folks to keep his secret.
Early morning. A small one-bedroom house. Fairly well kept.
Reading from her Book:
Grace
The Book of Grace, Chapter 47: Aliens.
Vet, working on his speech, recites while watching the tv and ironing his green uniform. He finishes one and begins ironing another.
Vet