clybourne apartments final script

7/28/2019 Clybourne Apartments Final Script

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Clybourne

Apartments

An Original Play


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ColumbiaGorgeRepertoryTheater

TheColumbiaGorgeSchoolofTheaterPresents

Clybourne

ApartmentsAn Original Play

FirstperformancesatConcordiaUniversityFineArtsBuildingin

Portland,OregononFridayJuly29thandSaturdayJuly30th,2011


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Clybourne

Apartments

CAST

Alex MarikaLevidowCasey MeredithMervJohnstone

Child AlanaMerz

Devin IsabelIzziDurham

Friend SammWindsor

Jess NadavGordon

Pat ZacharyHacker

Tony GenestaGigiCordero

Director NicoleA.Smith

StageManager&AssistantDirector TaliAvni

LightingDesigner ErikEnderlein


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Characters

FRIEND, an omnipresent figure, wears green

JESS, a teenager, Casey and Devins child, wears yellow

ALEX, a teenager, Tonys child, wears blue

CASEY, late forties, wears yellow

DEVIN, early forties, married to Casey, wears yellow

TONY, early forties, wears blue

PAT, a cop, wears blue

CHILD, Casey and Devins child

The community represented is reminiscent of a typical segregated suburban

neighborhood. Although a time is not specified we are asked to assume it is

a fairly modern period. All characters represented are intended to be gender

neutral, however masculine pronouns and forms are used when necessary.The set is minimal and revolves around the use of a few chairs, tables and 4

to 5 black acting boxes of various sizes.


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Clybourne Apartments

SceneBreakdown

Prologue

ALL CAST

Scene 1

On Clybourne Street, early afternoon.TONY, ALEX, FRIEND, JESS

Scene 2

In the local police station, the same afternoon.CASEY, PAT

Scene 3

Outside the Clybourne Apartments, the same afternoon.DEVIN, CHILD, TONY

Scene 4

Inside the Clybourne Apartments, that evening.ALL CAST

Scene 5

Tony and Alexs apartment, a few days later. JESS, ALEX

Scene 6Tony and Alexs apartment, the next day.DEVIN, TONY, PAT, CASEY, ALEX

Scene 7

The local police station, later that evening.

PAT, ALEX

Scene 8

The local police station, that same evening.

ALEX, JESS, CASEY

Scene 9

Casey and Devins apartment, late evening.

DEVIN, CASEY, JESS

Epilogue

ALL CAST


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ACT ONE

PROLOUGE

FRIEND enters carrying a trunk.He places itDSC and opens it towards

US. Taking a green baseball cap out of the trunk, he places it backwards on

his head. He snaps his fingers and we hear music begin to play. FRIEND

moves off SR and watches the following actions. CHILD enters and walks to

the trunk. He takes out an assortment of different colored ties, hats, shoes,

shirts, etc. and begins trying them all on as if playing dress up. CASEY runs

on and grabs CHILD. He tidies up CHILD and removes the random items.

Instead, he puts a yellow shirt on CHILD. CASEY then takes a yellow

button down shirt from the trunk. He carefully puts it on with an air of pride,

smoothing out the wrinkles as CHILD watches. DEVIN enters next and

begins to search in the trunk. After some time, CASEY turns his attention toDEVIN and quickly finds a yellow sweater for him. CASEY helps DEVIN

into the yellow sweater and they hold hands. JESS enters and comes up

between them. CASEY retrieves from the trunk a yellow t-shirt and,

together, he andDEVINpull the shirt overJESSs head. JESSsmiles

contently. CASEY, DEVIN, CHILD andJESS exit. TONY enters and picks

up a blue shirt with holes in it. He reaches in again and finds only shirts

with holes or tears in them. Finally finding a blue shirt that is fairly clean

and new he puts the shirt on. ALEX enters and runs to the trunk. He pulls a

yellow shirt from the trunk butTONY looks at him sadly and takes it from

his hand. Instead, TONYpulls a blue t-shirt from the trunk forALEX.

ALEX pulls the shirt on andTONY hugs him. ALEX smiles and they exit.

PAT enters and pulls out a blue shirt and a yellow shirt. He weighs the two

options. He tries to put on the yellow shirt but it is much too small for him.

Defeated he pulls on the blue shirt and walks off. FRIEND returns to DSC

and closes the trunk. He snaps again and there is silence.

BLACKOUT

SCENE 1

ALEX andTONY enter carrying boxes and suitcases. TONY scans the

area.

TONY. Alright. Its this one here. Clybourne Apartments.

ALEX. (devoid of enthusiasm) Cool.

TONY. Hey, listen. Its going to be different here. Just give it a chance.


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ALEX. Its never different.

TONY. Alex, please. What else can I do?

ALEX. (pause) I dont know.

TONY. Just try. Here, give me that and go get the other boxes.

ALEX. Alright.

ALEX exits the way he entered. TONY watches him leave and then turns to

scan the stage again. TONY exits. ALEX returns with two boxes, one

stacked precariously on the other. JESS andFRIEND enter together and

notice ALEXstruggling with the boxes. The top box begins to fall.

ALEX. No! (boxes fall to the floor) Crap!

FRIEND runs over to help ALEX. JESS, noticingALEXs blue shirt,

hesitates and hangs back. As FRIEND begins collecting the spilled items he

catches JESSs eye and motions for him to come over. JESS approaches

slowly.

ALEX. Thanks.FRIEND. Of course! No problem at all.

ALEX. (to FRIEND) I probably should have taken them one at a time. I can

hear my mom now: (in a mocking character voice) Dont bite off more than

you can chew!

JESS. (laughing) Yeah, my mom says that all the time!

ALEX notices JESS and pauses

ALEX. (guarded, but with a smile) Yeah parents.

JESS. Yeah

JESS kneels and begins putting things back in the box. FRIEND begins to

slowly work his way away from JESS andALEX.

ALEX. Thank you.

JESS. Well, I wouldnt want you to lose these. (pulls out a pair of odd

looking blue things)

ALEX. Hey! Those are important!

JESS. (pulling out another strange item) And this?

ALEX. Alright. I could probably chuck those

JESS andALEXshare a laugh.

JESS. So youre moving in here?

ALEX. Yeah, we just got in today.JESS. Awesome. Its been so long since weve had new neighbors.

ALEX. Yeah, me and Tony well, its been hard. Were not always the most

popular neighbors. But I already think I might like it here.

JESSsmiles.

TONY. (from off stage) Alex!


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JESS andALEXjump. ALEXstands and starts to pick up the loose items

and boxes.

JESS. (reaching for a box) Here. Let me get that.

ALEX. No! No. Its fine. Justits fine. Thanks.

ALEX hurries with the boxes off stage.

JESS is left alone, watching him go.

BLACKOUT.

SCENE 2

PATsits at his desk going through some paperwork. He stops every now and

then to write something down. CASEY enters.

CASEY. Gmorning Pat.

PAT. Casey. Good to see ya.CASEY andPATsit at their desk sipping coffee.

CASEY. Sodid you catch the game last night?

PAT. What game?

CASEY. Oh, it was baseballI dont know who was playing. I was doing

some case work.

Both sip coffee.

PAT. It was pretty sunny yesterday.

CASEY. Yea it was. I was gonna take Jess down to the park and play catch

or something

PAT. Isnt he sixteen?

CASEY. Yeah

Both sip coffee

PAT. Not too many new cases today. Should be an easy week for the force.

CASEY. Sure. But you have to wonder: Are our streets really this clean, or

are our cops just really bad at their jobs.

PAT. Or maybe the bad guys are just excellent at not getting caught.

They share a laugh.

PAT. I heard some new people moved into town.

CASEY. Yeah, I heard that too. Have you had the chance to meet them yet?PAT. No, but its always nice to have new members in the community. In

fact, the last time we had people move in was back well, it was years ago

when I was a young.

CASEY. That long ago eh?

PAT. Haha.


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CASEY. Anyways, my family will have to invite them over to dinner some

day.

PAT. Oh, that reminds me, they moved into the apartment next to yours.

Right there in the Clybourne Apartment Complex.

CASEY. Really? (under his breath)Well, as long as its not another bunch of

those damn blue shirts.

PAT. (offended) Casey, Im right here.

Casey: Well, Obviously I didnt meanyou.

PAT. Ok, well what didyou mean? And how am I supposed to know? You

know, a wise man once said, it doesnt matter whether youre a yellow shirt,

or blue, or anything in between. Were all human.

CASEY. And who said that Pat?

PAT. I did. Right now.

CASEY. Whatever you say. (Looks at watch) Oh jeez, Im late. Ill get to

those new cases first thing tomorrow. See ya Pat.PAT. (as Casey runs out) Have a good one.

BLACKOUT

SCENE 3

Scene plays DS as actors setUSfor the Scene 4. The area is empty. CHILD

runs on wearing some assortment of random colorful clothing as children

do. DEVIN runs on after him holding a few bags.

DEVIN. Hey, come back here! Wait for me!

CHILDstops and begins to play on the ground. DEVIN drops a bag and

some items spill.

DEVIN. I swear, it is impossible to keep up with you.

TONY enters. CHILD runs towards him.

CHILD. Hi!!

TONYsmiles politely. DEVIN,seeingTONY, quickly grabs CHILD and

pulls him away.

DEVIN. (quietly to CHILD) You come here right now! (Coldly to TONY)

Hello.TONY. Hello.

DEVIN. (to CHILD) Lets go.

DEVIN andCHILD begin to walk across the stage. TONYfollows. DEVIN

looks over shoulder atTONY,grabs CHILD and pulls him along close as

he turns toward the apartment door. TONYfollows.

DEVINpushes CHILD behind him and turns to face TONY.


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DEVIN. What do you want?

TONY. (Stepping towards DEVIN to get to his apartment door) Nothing.

DEVIN. Stay back! I am married to a police officer! If you try anything

youre going straight to prison.

TONY. (Gesturing to door) Im just trying to get to my door, actually.

DEVIN. What?

TONY. I live here.

DEVIN. Are you joking?

TONY. (with sarcasm) Oh yea. Of course. I just came here to have a

heartwarming chat with you.

DEVIN. (After a seething pause) You cant be here.

TONY. Well, I live here. So youre going to have to get used to it.

DEVIN. (Pause) I keep telling Casey this neighborhood is going downhill.

TONY. Definitely looks like it to me.

DEVIN turns to door and pushes CHILD through in front of him.DEVIN. (Glancing back, quietly to TONY) Stay away from my children.

DEVIN exits.

TONYseethes. Grunts furiously. Turns to go. Turns back.

TONY. (Yelling through door) Stay away from mine, yellow shirt!

SCENE 4

TONY, DEVIN andCHILD walkUSC. TONY turns SL into what is now

his dinning room. DEVIN andCHILD turn SRinto what is now set to be

their dinning room.

CHILD. (running off stage) Were hooooome!

TONY. Alex, Im back.

ALEX. Heeeey Tony.

DEVIN. Dont you run off too far. Were all eating dinner soon.

CASEY enters.

CASEY (kissingDEVIN on the cheek) Hi Devin.

ALEX enters.

ALEX. Where have you been?

DEVIN. How was your day?TONY. I just had to run to the store to grab a few things. Ill make us

something to eat soon.

CASEY. Fine, fine. Nothing too exciting down at the station.

ALEX. Awesome. Im starving!

TONY. (hugging Alex) Oh come on. You act like I neverfeed you.

DEVIN. Have you seen Jess yet? I told him to get home in time for dinner.


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A door is heard.

CASEY. That must be him now.

TONY. Alex, would you mind setting the table?

ALEX. Sure thing.

During the following, CHILD runs on in his colorful playful attire. CASEY

grabs him lovingly.

DEVIN. (to CHILD)What are you wearing!?

CASEY. Oh dont pay him any mind. He doesnt know any better.

DEVIN. Go get changed.

JESS enters

JESS. Hey Casey. Im home.

CASEY. Hey Jess.

ALEX. I hate moving. I cant find anything. Have you seen my

toothbrush?

TONY. (finding the toothbrush among the cutlery) Here you go!ALEX. How do you do that?

FRIEND enters between the two scenes.

DEVIN. Jess I told you we were having dinner together tonight.

JESS. I know Devin. Sorry Im late. I ran into someone.

CASEY andTONY notice FRIEND.

CASEY. Oh, hey Friend.

TONY. Do you want stay for dinner?

FRIEND. Sure.

Both families sit down at their tables. FRIENDsits between the two scenes.

ALEX. So, I met some people today.

TONY. Oh really? Thats good.

JESS. I met this guy named Alex.

ALEX. Yeah. Some kid named Jess.

TONY. Jess, huh? Nice kid?

DEVIN. Great! Its nice youre finding some kids your age.

JESS. Yeah.

ALEX. Yeah.

JESS and ALEX. Our new neighbor.

DEVIN andTONY react.DEVIN. What?

TONY. You mean our neighbors here?

CASEY. Oh right, the new Clybourne residents. We should go welcome

them.

ALEX. Yeah. You should meet him.

DEVIN. Jess! TONY. Alex!


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JESS and ALEX. What?

DEVIN. You know better than that!

TONY. You know you cant just go around talking to people like him.

CASEY. Whats wrong Devin.

ALEX. People like him?

DEVIN. Casey

DEVIN. Theyre blue shirts! TONY. They wear yellow.

CASEY reacts.

CASEY. Jess!

ALEX. Tony

CASEY. I cant believe it! There are blue shirts living next door to us?

TONY. Alex, theyre not like us. And they dont want to be like us.

DEVIN. I know. I saw them walking into the apartment next door.

ALEX. But this kid, Jess, he seemed nice enough.

TONY. Trust me, you can never trust someone who wearsyellow. Theyre all the same.

JESS. But, I dont understand. Whats so bad about wearing blue?

TONY. Alex, you have to be careful. Those people their kind,

well

DEVIN and TONY. Theyre just different.

By this point, both families have set their dinner tables and sat down to eat.

They pause to say a silent grace.

ALL. Amen.

CASEY. The way they talk.

TONY. The way they dress.

DEVIN. The way they eat.

TONY. Their strange habits.

JESS. But he really seemed ok.

ALEX. I guess youre right.

TONY. I know its hard to make friends in a new place but

DEVIN. You cant just trust every miscreant you meet on the street.

TONY. You shouldnt attach yourself to the first person you see.

Especially not those yellows next door.

DEVIN. Especially not the delinquents that just moved in. Its not safe. Idont want you to see this Alex kid anymore.

JESS. What? Why? He was nice. Really!

TONY. Dont get me wrong, I am thrilled youre making friends, but

try to use your head a little more when youre meeting people from

now on. You never know what could happen.


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DEVIN. Jess! Have you been listening to a word Ive said? These people are

dangerous! Im already going to be worrying about you with them right

across the hall. And you want to run right to them? Absolutely not! You will

sit in this apartment all day before I let

CASEY. Devin. Sit down. We have guests.

DEVINsits and falls silent immediately.

ALEX. Ok. We dont have to hang out, I guess.

JESS. Alright. I wont see him again.

DEVIN. (Wary ofCASEY) Thank you, Alex.

TONY. It will be better this way. I promise.

JESS. Can I be excused?

CASEY. Sure, but

CASEY and TONY. Will you help clear the table, please?

ALEX. Sure.

JESS andALEX begin to hurriedly clear the dishes from the tables. TONYandCASEY rememberFRIEND.

TONY and CASEY. Are you staying, Friend?

FRIEND. No, thank you. I cant stay. But hopefully another evening.

FRIEND turns upstage and exits where he entered.

DEVIN. (To CHILD) Lets get you ready for bed.

DEVINpicks up CHILD and carries him offstage lovingly. JESS, ALEX,

andTONY leave carrying the props from the table. CASEY is left alone

onstage.

CASEY. There are certain things in this world that are true. What comes up

must come down, in order to survive we must breathe, the sun rises and sets

each day, and you can stop a child from growing up. Nor can you stop them

from getting hurt. The only thing you can do is protect them to the best of

your ability and teach them the truths of this world. It is your responsibility

to make things simple and pure. Purity is good, right, true. When things mix,

everything becomes confused, muddled, uncertain. Pain, sorrow, anger slip

into this mixture and nothing makes sense. When things are separate,

everything is safe, and everything is as it seems. When things are separate

you can see everything clearly, you know what things are. Each detail

distinct, there's not even a chance for confusion. In a pure world, a child cangrow up happy, certain, and confident. They can see the truth...in everything.

(Beat) I won't let my family fall into chaos, no matter what it takes.

BLACKOUT


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SCENE 5

JESS knocks quietly on door. There is no answer. He knocks louder.

ALEX. (annoyed) What?

JESS opens door.

JESS. Hey it s Jess from next

ALEX. I know who you are.

JESS. So, uh, how do you like the new place?

ALEX. Do you need something?

JESS. I was just, uh, wondering if you, um, needed any help unpacking or

moving furniture or

ALEX. Do your parents know youre here?

JESS. Why does that matter?

ALEX. (condescendingly) Just checking. Wouldnt want you getting into

any trouble.JESS. Well, don t worry about it.

ALEX. OkayI guess you could help me move some stuff around in the

room.

JESS. Sounds good.

They start moving furniture.

JESS. So, uh, where is the last place you moved from?

ALEX. The worst place in the world.

JESS. (joking) Really? What s the weather like there?

ALEXglares atJESS who looks down, embarrassed.

ALEX. You can just move that to the corner.

JESS. So I, uh, noticed there s only two people living here

ALEX. Oh, never see a single parent before?

JESS. (pause) So you get along with

ALEX. Yeah, Tony s fine.

JESS. Okay.

JESS. So, what kind of things do you like to do?

ALEX. Okay, what are you doing?

JESS. What are you talking about?

ALEX. Trying to talk to me, to get to know me, why are you even here?JESS. Cause you re my new neighbor and I was

ALEX. But looks at us. We re not the same. We re not supposed to interact

with each other.

JESS. Oh yeah. I forgot about that.

ALEX. You forgot?


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JESS. I just, uh, I don t know many people my age and I guess I just got

excited when I saw you were moving in. But I m sorry. Ill go now.

JESS heads to door. ALEXstops him.

ALEX. No, wait, I m sorry. Stay.

JESS. Oh, okay.

The two share a moment. JESS picks up a suitcase and drops it. Its contents

spill all over the floor.

JESS. Oh no! I m so sorry.

JESS begins putting things back inside.

ALEX. (laughing) See! Im not the only one who has trouble with those

boxes! We re all only human.

JESS. Yeah, I guess so.

ALEX. So, um, how long have you lived here?

JESS. Let s see, about six years I think. We used to have a nice big place in

the southwest area but then Devin lost his job and we moved to this dump.ALEX. I don t think this place is that bad. Ive dealt with worse.

JESS. It gets worse?

ALEX. Ive moved nine times in my life, three times in the past year and

this is probably one of the nicest.

JESS. Really?

ALEX. Yep. But it still doesnt give me any confidence.

JESS. Confidence in what?

ALEX. In things getting better. It still doesnt make me feel like Tony and I

are going to find a real home where the people accept us. That s all Ive

ever wanted: to settle down and have a life like a normal person. My

childhood was already taken from me. I don t want to lose anything else.

JESS. Well, at least youve actually done things.

ALEX (Pause) You know, you re not too bad.

JESS. Thank you.

ALEX. (noticing time) Oh, Tony might get home soon, you should probably

go.

JESS. Okay. Will I get to see you again?

ALEX. Yeah. Sure.

JESS moves out the door and DS. ALEX moves off stage.

JESS. My parents told me not to go near them. They told me they werent

like us. They told me they were dumb, even dangerous. They told me they

were monsters. I love my parents. Theyve never lied to me. But I met him

and he had thoughts and feelings, a personality, hopes and dreams just

like me. Why does it matter what color he wears? Why does that make him


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different from me? It was like we were the same, but everyone else was

pretending like we had nothing in common. My parents say Im too young to

understand a lot of things and this is probably one of them. But being around

him I felt so confused. And excited. I cant tell any of this to anyone. If my

parents knew about this I dont know if I could ever look them in the eyes

again. All theyve ever done is try to keep me away from this whole

problem. They only wanted what was right for me, and I betrayed that. But I

had to do it. For the first time in my life, I had this crazy feeling to go

against my parents and do what I wanted. I know I wasnt supposed to talk

to him at all or anything even close to that, but I did and I dont regret it.

BLACKOUT

SCENE 6

DEVINsits after a long day. He begins removing items (watch, bracelet,

makeup, etc.)

DEVIN. I cant believe they would allow a group of blue shirts to move in

right next to us! What were they thinking? We moved here so that Jess could

grow up in a safe place. So that we could work here. But now I cant even go

outside my own apartment without worrying about running into one of those

blue shirts? (Finally gets to opening cardigan, revealing a blue shirt) Its

much better to keep them away. Far away from us yellow wearers. (pause)

I'm lying to myself. I'm lying to everyone. I can't show my real self to the

people I need to understand me the most. I'm different and my spouse will

never accept it. And I will never accept it. But I can't live hiding it. Blue

shirts are bad. I thought that was for sure. That it was the whole truth. Can

the truth change? Can so many people believe a lie? I mean, we have blue

shirt neighbors. Maybe they're decent people. Maybe they're not so different

from yellow wearers. I have to know... if they- we- can be good people.

DEVINgoes to TONYs door. He hesitates. DEVIN knocks on the door.

TONY looks through peephole and, after a seconds hesitation, opens the

door.TONY. Can I help you?

DEVIN. No.

TONY. Do you need something?

DEVIN. Can I come in and sit down?

TONY. Um. Sure.

TONY lets DEVIN in and presents a chair. DEVIN sits.


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DEVIN. How do you like the apartment?

TONY. Was there something you wanted to ask me?

DEVIN. Umnot really. How s the community treating you?

TONY. Really?

DEVIN. No, I m sorry. II was just

Pause

TONY and DEVIN. Look-

Pause

DEVIN. I came becausebecause I m also-

There is a knock on the door. TONY answers.

PAT. Good evening Tony. I am Detective Pat. (gesturing to CASEY) my

partner Detective Casey.

TONY. Hello. How can I help you officers?

PAT. (Entering) Is Alex home?

TONY. Why? Is there a problem?CASEY. Last night there was a murder. In this apartment complex, in fact.

And we have reason to believe that your child was involved.

TONY. (in shock) What?

PAT. Sir, Im afraid we are going to have to take Alex into custody.

TONY. Why? What did he do?

ALEX enters

ALEX. Tony, whats going on?

CASEY. (to ALEX) You need to come with us.

TONY. (to CASEY) Excuse me?

PAT. Alex, we need you to put your hands up above your head where we

can see them.

TONY. Wait, wait

PAT. Please, dont make this harder than it needs to be.

ALEX. What? Why? What did I do?

PAT. Put your hands up.

ALEX.puts his hands in the air, visibly distraught and confused.

ALEX. Can you at least tell me what I did?

PAT. (putting handcuffs on ALEX) We have reason to suspect you were

involved in a murder that occurred last night.PAT begins to leadALEX out of the room.

ALEX. (while exiting) Tony, I swear I didnt do anything!

(ALEX andPAT exit. TONY, DEVIN andCASEY remain in the room.

CASEY turns to speak to TONY and notices DEVIN for the first time.)

CASEY. Devin?


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DEVIN. Casey, Im sorry, I was just, we were we werent talking about

anything, I just

CASEY (interrupting him) Go home Devin.

DEVIN. (weakly) Casey

CASEYshoots DEVIN a look. DEVINs head falls and he walks out.

TONY: I dont understand. Alex was here all night. You have to believe me.

CASEY: Sir, I know this must be hard for you, but I am just doing my job.

TONY. Exactly what evidence do you have?

CASEY. (condescendingly) Im sorry. I cant disclose any information at

this time.

TONY. Thats bull! This is my child were talking about! I have the right to

know exactly what is going on.

CASEY. Sir, I need you to calm down. Im sorry, but we have witnesses that

say that saw a suspicious looking character lurking around yesterday

evening and Alex fits the description.TONY. (exploding) So thats it!? Its because he wears blue isnt it? Always

got to keep those blue shirts under control, right?

CASEY. Sir

TONY. Right?

CASEY. Tony!

TONY. Everything would be different if it was your kid, wouldnt it?

CASEY. Hey

TONY. Wouldnt it??

CASEY. Leave my kid out of this.

TONY. Where was your kid last night? Why arent you handcuffing him

right now? Maybe it was your perfect little yellow-shirt child who killed

someone last night!

CASEY (losing his cool, grabs TONYs arm) Now, you listen and you

listen good: We have never had any issues in this community until you and

your delinquent kid moved here. It is my job to keep this community safe.

And if it means locking up every last blue shirt on earth then so be it. Jess is

a good kid. And if you ever talk about him like that again, I swear I will see

you in jail for life. Do I make myself clear?

TONY. (opens his mouth to speak, then reconsiders.) Yes, officer. Its allperfectly clear.

CASEY releases his grip. He fixes his collar and shirt and exits. TONY is

left smoldering.

TONY. I pushed my cart up all of the mountains when their carriages were

rolling down hills. They came to us, to my people, to stare at us with disgust.

The came to us with fear of the power they knew we had inside. Because


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they saw us pushing our carts up all of those mountains and knew that they

were still only rolling down hills. And Ive pushed this cart for so long, that I

cant remember what level ground feels like. And our children they are

exhausted already, yet they have no idea how steep these mountains are.

(pause) We carry our mtoto on our backs. But one day you realize that they

are much too big to be carried on your back any longer. So you let them

walk. And you let them stumble. And you let them fall. And you watch their

feet blister as their soles rub against the rough leather sandals youve passed

down to them. Then you dry their tears. The very same innocent tears you

cried when you first met the world. (pause) Its like this. Its always been

like this. It will only ever bee like this. If only I could keep him on my back.

My mtoto. My child. The certainty of his crushed spirit after his voyage

burns me with shame. But, I cannot fall just yet, because my last hopeful

cries must speak to him so that when I rest I know I have given his every last

dream a fighting chance. If only our past tribulations were enough to pavetheir way. But no. Their trials are only beginning.

BLACKOUT

SCENE 7

PAT walks ALEX into the holding cell. PAT releases the handcuffs.

PAT. You alright kid?

ALEX is silent looking at the ground

PAT. OK Well if you have any questions you know you can ask. No need

to be shy. (pause) Or scared. Its all just a part of the process you know?

This is a serious crime were talking about. And its my job to get to the

bottom of this murder case.

ALEX looks atPAT and shakes his head in disgust. He returns he gaze to

the opposite wall. They sit in silence for a bit longer.

PAT. So do you play any sports?

ALEX is silent.

PAT. Hobbies? Maybe I can get you a book to read to make the time

ALEX. (interrupting) Who the hell do you think you are?PAT. Excuse me?

ALEX. Who are you? A yellow or a blue shirt? Its a simple question.

PAT is taken aback.

PAT. I, Iwhat does it matter what color I wear. Im a person. Just like you.

Just like everyone.

ALEX. Thats a lie and you know it. Youre a fake. A wannabe.


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PAT. Hey, kid, watch it

ALEX. You get to parade around at the top with the yellows. So long as you

keep your mouth shut and hide any bit of blue fabric that try to peek

through.

PAT. I said watch it

ALEX. Is it worth it? Why are you betraying your own kind?

PAT. Betraying? Im just doing my job!

ALEX. Well youre doing it wrong! (pause) Whats the point in blue shirts

finally earning some respect, finally being in some place of authority and

power if it just means becoming something youre not. If it just means

pretending to be one of them. What am I supposed to do? Hide like you?

PAT. Look, I know being locked up in here is not easy. But, really kid, Im

just trying to be nice!

ALEX. To make up for the guilt? (pause) Youre a coward.

PAT. You dont understand. Youre just a kid.ALEX. Im growing up pretty fast.

PAT. Well, when you hit that wall for the first time, youll understand.

Youll see what it takes to make it in this world. Trust me, youve still got

some growing to do.

ALEX. But you wear blue! And I wear blue! Were supposed to have each

others backs. The whole world is against us. Who can we turn if we dont

even have each other?

PAT. There are good people out there Alex. One day youll see.

ALEX. I think Ive seen enough.

PAT andALEXsit in silence.

PAT. Im on your side you know that?

ALEX. Bull.

ALEXsinks down to the floor of his cell. PAT moves DS.

PAT. Why cant I just be me? Am I not good enough for them? Is Pat not

good enough? Its all so wrong. What I am does not define who I am.

Everyone expects me to be what they see. Blue through and through. If only

they took the time to really know me, as Pat. As one of them. (pause) One of

them (he laughs). I wish I was one of them. No, II, I hate myself. No. I

just have no idea who this person is. And I hate not knowing.Why do we do the things we do? Really, dives me crazy. I mean, you would

never see a Great Dane hate on a Chihuahua just because they are a bit

different. (pause) There are so many things out there we could be trying to

stop. So many things that could be made better if we worked together. But

instead No! (pause) Maybe we (pulls at shirt) should just go away and

leave. NoWe cant just let them win and think that they can get away with


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keeping us down. People need to know that we wont just be pushed around

anymore. The world needs to know that just because people are loud does

not mean that they are right. In fact, most of the time they are wrong. And it

only takes one wrong to create a whole avalanche of wrongs. And a million

rights to undo what that one wrong has done. But were afraid. Afraid to

speak up and say otherwise. Were afraid to change the world.

BLACKOUT

SCENE 8

JESS has his back facing ALEX. He is looking for him.

ALEX. Jess? Howd you get in here?

JESS. The fence is worn down in the far corner, then I crawled under some

lasers and knocked out some dogs so they wouldnt bark.ALEX. Uh huh, the real story?

JESS. Yeah my dad works here, I know the guards. And Im a good liar.

ALEX. (smiles) So youre here because?

JESS. Cause I wanted to see you.

ALEX. (surprised) You did?

JESS. Yeahis something wrong with that?

ALEX. You wear yellow, you guys arent supposed to like me.

JESS. Since when has that mattered for us?

ALEX. Its not like were different from everyone else, the rules still apply.

JESS. So why cant we break them? Has it ever occurred to you that theyre

ridiculously stupid?

ALEX. They might be dumb but theyre enforced. Why do you think Im in

this place? Because your kind cant accept me and we arent meant to

mingle.

JESS. Youre here because they think you murdered someone.

ALEX. I realize that.

JESS. I mean, you didnt, did you?

ALEX. (snapping back) What, not even you believe me?

JESS. No, no, of course I do.ALEX. I dont get it. I moved in days ago and Ive already been put away

because these people just cant see that Im a person too. Because of people

like your parents.

JESS. What do my parents have to do with this?

ALEX. Dont you see how they look at people like me?

JESS. What do you mean?


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ALEX. Im here because of them. Your parent arrested me because he wants

me away from you and your perfect little yellow life.

JESS. Thats not true.

ALEX. Its one hundred percent true. Maybe you cant see it because

theyve hidden you from the real world so well. They want you to be just

like them. They dont want you to see the world for what it is.

CASEY enters, unseen.

JESS. But theyre my parents. They do whats best for me.

ALEX. They do whats best for them. They molded you into their perfect

child.

JESS. But parents are meant to protect their children, they dont want me to

have to see what they deal with every day.

ALEX. What they deal with?! And whats that? Weird people? People like

me? Blue shirts? How can you say youre different from them?

JESS. Do you think I dont have an independent brain? I can understand theworld even if you and everyone else think I cant. Im my own person.

ALEX. I know.

They kiss. CASEY panics and drops his keys. ALEX and JESS respond to the

noise and look around. They do not see CASEY.

JESS. Well, I should go. Ill find a way to see you soon.

JESS exits. CASEY takes a beat then clears his throat as if he is just

entering the room.

CASEY. Alex.

ALEX is silent.

CASEY. We we found the murderer. (long pause) Youre free to go.

CASEY unlocks the cell.

CASEY. Alex

He pauses for a moment as if to say something more to Alex, but is unable to

speak.

CASEY. Tony will be here to pick you up in an hour.

CASEY exits.

ALEX. Clear blue skies, bright green manicured lawns and white picket

fences seem to fit so perfectly with the yellow of the sun. Ive lived on the

outside of that bubble all my life and its never popped. Theres no point inbeing myself; there is no point in being anyone they dont expect me to be

because in their eyes I am nothing. I am dirty. I am a murderer. Ive killed

their perfect little world where nothing can reach them. My innocence means

nothing to them. Maybe I should kill someone! It wouldnt make a

difference it couldnt. The pain these people have put me through is so

great that it couldnt be worse. Im so absolutely fed up with this goddamn


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world. My existence is as transient as peoples trust for each other. One

person cant change it, one person isnt worth the scrutiny or the looks on

the street. And maybe I could live with it, maybe if they couldnt control me

from that throne of ignorance they sit on. And then I would be ok. Instead,

Ive stumbled through life with no reason to believe this wont be the same

always. With trust, comes only pain.

BLACKOUT

SCENE 9

DEVIN sits alone at a table deep in thought. CASEY enters quietly and sits

next to DEVIN tiredly, head in hands.

DEVIN. You let him go?

CASEY. Yes.DEVIN. Do you want a cup of tea?

CASEY. No.

DEVIN. Are you tired?

CASEY. No.

DEVIN. Are you going to tell me whats wrong?

CASEY. Maybe if you give me a second to think!

DEVINfalls silent.

CASEY. Im sorryIm sorry.

They sit in silence for a moment.

CASEY. Jess was there.

DEVIN. Where?

CASEY. The jail. Alexs jail cell. I went to let Alex out and Jess was there.

DEVIN. (not nearly as shocked as CASEY wants him to be) What was Jess

doing there?

CASEY. (after a pause, struggling to find the words) The world is changing,

Devin. I dont know if I understand it anymore. I dont even know my own

child.

DEVIN. What do you mean?

CASEY. My parents both wore yellow. I married someone who wearsyellow. People who wear yellow end up with other people who wear yellow

and people who wear blue find other people who wear blue. Thats just how

it works. Im not saying all blue shirts are evil; Pat and I have been friends a

long time nowbut blue and yellow togetheryou cant. Its unnatural. Its

wrong.


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DEVIN. (slowly beginning to gather strength) Why does it have to be

wrong?

CASEY is silent, but looks atDEVIN in confusion.

DEVIN. I think that if you really look inside yourselfreallyyou wont

be able to give me a real reason.

CASEY. Devin!

DEVIN. Im sorry Casey butno. Im not sorry. I love you Casey, but I

think you have this idea of who you want me to be and its not real. But the

more you believed the illusion the harder it was for me to break out of it.

CASEY. Devin, weve been married for twenty years. How can you say I

dont know you?

DEVIN. You know so many parts of me, but there are pieces you know

nothing about. Nothing. And those piecestheyre so big. I love you.

And Ive kept parts of me buried because I wanted to make you happy.

CASEY. (TakingDEVIN in arms) Devin. What is it Devin?DEVIN buries his face in CASEYs chest for a moment then breaks apart

and turns away. He unbuttons his cardigan to reveal the blue shirt

underneath, still facing away.

DEVIN. (turning back and letting the cardigan drop away) Jess isnt really

so different from you.

CASEY. (stepping backwards) Devin! What? Twenty years you hide this

from me? Twenty years!

DEVIN. Be honest, Casey! What would you have done twenty years ago if

you had known? I barely knew myself.

CASEY. (overwhelmed) Devin

DEVIN. What?

CASEY. I cantI dont know what to think. Jesus. Do I even know you at

all?

JESS enters angrily.

JESS. I need to talk to you guys.

CASEY. (snapping) Jess, this is not the time!

JESS. And is never is the time. Its always a conversation for another day,

but if I dont say this now Im afraid I never will. So justjust listen!

JESS waits for them to protest. They are silent in shock.JESS. Alright, here it is. You guys have spent my life making decisions for

me. You think you know me better than I know myself. You never ask my

what I think or how I feel and you never, NEVER, consider the possibility

that maybe youre wrong. Maybe you havent got the world figured out. And

heres the thing, there is something completely screwed up in this world.

People judge other people before they know anything about them. Maybe


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theyre guilty of nothing except looking a certain way and we somehow

think we know them? Thats ridiculous. I meanwho cares if someone

wears blue?! It doesnt matter what they look like, what they believe, or who

they love; you, me, this country, the world, were all just people like

everyone else, trying our best however we know how. And if you can still

tell me I cant love Alex because I wear yellow, then I dont want to be

yellow anymore!

JESSstorms off stage.

CASEY andDEVIN are left in shock. CASEY buries his face in his hands.

DEVINslowly places one hand on his shoulder. He grabs his hand.

BLACKOUT.

EPILOGUE

FRIEND. Why do people do the things they do? Dress a particular way?

Walk the way they walk? Talk a certain way? Feel a certain way? Love who

they love? Well, there may be more reasons than you would think. And why

do people hurt the way they do? Out of fear, pain, anger, hatred, curiosity,

distrust, love. More reasons that you would think. I dont think that people

really understand why they feel these things. Its just a part of human nature

I suppose. (A vignette ofCASEY) They draw lines in the sand to remind

themselves where they stand and where they would never go. They look for

someone to blame for the worlds problems because they are too afraid for

the problem to be them. (CASEY is joined by DEVIN. They hug.)They hide

themselves behind false emotions and lies. (A vignette ofTONY) They are

bitter and cautious from centuries of pain (A vignette ofPAT) yet, still

afraid to stand up for what they believe is right when the time comes to stand

up tall. Why do people do they things they do? Sometimes they dont seem

to know any better. (A vignette ofALEXpacking a suitcase) Their

innocence, their gullibility, their curiosity, and their hearts make them

vulnerable and prone to misstep. (JESS enters wearing a blue sweater.

ALEX removes the sweater and kisses him goodbye on the cheek. ALEX

exits.) But were all only human. And, the harder we work to distinguishourselves from others, the more our similarities can be recognized (JESS is

left alone. He touches his cheek to reveal a smug of blue paint) And it makes

us fearful.

BLACKOUT

clybourne apartments final script

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