1

Waiting for Justice

______________________

By Kimberly Burks

2

Scene

3

Act I

Scene I

SETTING The sweet city of Atlanta, Georgia,

where Desirae Brown is to attend The

University of Georgia, but her plans

are changed when she meets Daniel

Johnson, who she marries. Desirae and

Daniel walk into the

house, with Bill, Daniel’s best friend

behind them. Daniel walks into the

living room and sits down, while Bill

sits on the bar stool by the wall.

Bill It is not your fault, Daniel.

Daniel But I should have protected her more,

and our honeymoon is ruined. If I know

Desirae, she is in the bedroom crying

her eyes out.

4

BILL And if she loves you, she would

understand. At least you both came home

alive.

DANIEL But everything was so messed up. I

can’t believe the stage blew up where

they shot off fireworks in Rome. The

place was horrifying. Our honeymoon.

God, how much worse can it be?

BILL You could be dead.

(Bill easily turns back and forth in his chair)

DANIEL I can’t believe this turned out this

way. What supposed to memorable

was a straight out disaster.

BILL Doesn’t mean you can’t fix it.

(Daniel gets up and walks toward the end of the stage while

touching his fractured arm.)

DANIEL I know, Bill.

BILL There is reason why you are still here.

5

BILL (CONTINUES) You have work to do. You can’t keep

focusing on what happened in Rome.

Let that go.

(BILL stands up to leave.)

BILL Desirae is your main concern.

(grabs his coat off the arm of the chair.)

DANIEL Thank you, Bill.

(BILL walks off the stage, as DESIRAE walks in the living room.

Daniel stares across a quiet room.)

DESIRAE Daniel?

(DANIEL turns around toward DESIRAE with his arms folded.)

DANIEL Yes.

(Takes in a huge breath.)

DESIRAE Are you alright?

DANIEL Yes, I am fine. The question is, are

You alright?

DESIRAE Yes, I am good. I am a little sore,

but I am doing very well.

6

(sits down on the couch as she smiles. DANIEL walks and sits next

to her.)

DANIEL Desirae, I am so sorry. I feel so bad

about everything.

DESIRAE It is not your fault, Daniel. You did

did not know that this would happen.

DANIEL It is not just you. I feel bad for

everyone who was involved.

(scoots to the front of the seat, places his arm on his legs and

stares at the floor as if he was far away.)

DESIRAE And that is why I love you.

(puts hand on DANIEL’S back.)

Continues Do not worry about our honeymoon. We

can go somewhere else later on.

DANIEL Like where? Where do you want to go?

DESIRAE I am going to let you pick that out,

but let’s talk about that later. We

need to get you to the doctor.

7

DANIEL Yeah. I am going to have Bill take me

tomorrow.

(DESIRAE notices a small grin on DANIEL’S face.)

DESIRAE You love him, don’t you, Daniel?

DANIEL I would not be much of a brother if

I didn’t. I cannot believe that it

has been twenty years since we

met, and we are both medical students.

DESIRAE Yeah, that is pretty cool.

(smiles and kisses DANIEL on the forehead.)

CONTINUES You don’t know what you would do if

you lost him, do you?

DANIEL I honestly don’t. He is my blood.

DESIRAE Well, that is good that you are close.

I am going to make dinner. I love you.

(stands up and walks toward the exit stage.)

DANIEL Desirae?

(DESIRAE turns around to him.)

DANIEL I love you.

8

(rubs slinged arm.)

DESIRAE I love you too, and I will bring you

your medicine.

(END OF SCENE)

9

ACT I

SCENE II

SETTING The year is 2010 and Daniel and

Desire now have two daughters

JAZMINE, 9 and BELINDA, 15.

It is evening and Daniel is now a

Pediatrician, sitting in his own

Office at the Atlanta Medical

Center. Daniel is at his desk

looking over business papers, and

suddenly the phone rings.

DANIEL Hello.

CONTINUES Bill, are you drunk?

(stands up as a worried look appears on his face.)CONTINUES You are driving while you are

drunk.

(eyes buckle wide. Places hand over his mouth. Quickly places it

on his chest.)

10

CONTINUES Stop that car right now, Bill!

Stop before you get yourself in an

accident, or even worse! Killed!

(silence hit DANIEL’S ears. He hears the sound sirens)

CONTINUES I hear an ambulance.

(presses a button on his desk. A few seconds later nurse Greer

walks in, who stands pretty heavy in her white uniform, very

quiet, with a broad look on her face.

CONTINUES Nurse Greer, I have to leave. Can

you cancel the rest of my appointments

for today, please.

NURSE GREER Yes, I will get on that now, sir.

(DANIEL puts on his jacket, slams the phone down and exits the

stage.)

(END OF SCENE)

ACT I

SCENE III

11

SETTING It is a warm night, at Desirae’s

house. She walks to Jazmine’s room

and stares at her as she plays with

her domino’s.

(Desirae runs after her.)

DESIRAE Rrrrrrh. What are you doing?

JAZMINE Hi mommy.

(smiles)

DESIRAE Hello, young lady. How are you?

(JAZMINE walks toward her.)

JAZMINE I missed you.

(hugs Desirae)

DESIRAE You are trying to kill me. Let me go.

(joking manner.)

(walks JAZMINE to the bed and they fall on it.)

CONTINUES Where is your sister?

(JAZMINE smiles heavily.)

(BELINDA enters the room.)

BELINDA Here I am.

12

DESIRAE You just getting home?

(BELINDA stares at DESIRAE and rolls her eyes jokingly.)

BELINDA Mom, if I got home late who would

watch Jazmine?

(gets clothes out of the clothes basket.)

DESIRAE Well I did not see you when I came in

Belinda. I am sorry.

(DESIRAE sits up along with Jazmine as a slight grin appears on

her face. Keys are heard. DANIEL walks into the room, uniform

filthy dirty as if he was beat. DESIRAE places her hand over her

mouth.)

(BELINDA stares at DANIEL with a shocked expression on her face.

JAZMINE stares at DANIEL scared.)

DESIRAE What happened to you?

(stands up and turns her back toward DANIEL. Cries. DANIEL grabs

DESIRAE by the arm.)

DANIEL (slurred voice.) Don’t you ever turn your back on me.

DESIRAE (yells) Get your hands off of me, Daniel!

(DESIRAE breaks away, BELINDA and JAZMINE looks at the doorway,

as their mother is tortured. DANIEL looks at BELINDA as she

stares at him with her arms folded.)

13

DANIEL (angry) Is there a problem, Belinda?

(BELINDA runs toward the door, grabs JAZMINE by the hand. DANIEL

runs after her. DESIRAE quickly pulls him by the arm.)

DESIRAE Daniel.

(DANIEL turns around as BELINDA hurries down the hallway with

JAZMINE.)

DESIRAE (CONTINUES) Don’t. It is alright. Come here.

(DANIEL slowly walks to Desirae. He puts his hand to his head.)

DANIEL Oh my God. Did I just run after my

daughter?

(sits down on JAZMINE’S bed.)

(CONTINUES) (calmly) I charged at my daughter?

(DANIEL walks across a quiet room in thought about what he just

did.)

DESIRAE What is wrong with you, Daniel?

You come in smelling like a brewery

and then you go after our daughter?

(DANIEL walks over to DESIRAE as she sits on the bed.)

DANIEL I am so sorry, Desirae. I am just

14

going through some tough times.

DESIRAE (calmly) Are those times more important than our

family?

DESIRAE No, they are not. Bill’s death has

taken a real hit on me.

(takes DESIRAE’S hand as she sits on the bed.)

(CONTINUES) He was like a brother to me.

DESIRAE Daniel, the way you are now is totally

different from the man I met. You

are changing and it is affecting our

children.

(DANIEL stands up and walks across the room in silence. He puts

his head down in shame with his hand placed on his hip.

DANIEL Desirae, I just lost my best friend.

(takes a breath.)

(CONTINUES) I am stressed out at work every day.

(turns around toward DESIRAE. She sits in silence and places her

hands on her legs.)

DESIRAE Daniel, I want a divorce. I cannot put

15

my daughters in jeopardy because you

want to be stuck on Bill’s death.

(DANIEL hugs her.)

DANIEL No, listen.

(DESIRAE shakes her head and stands up as DANIEL takes her hands.

She snatches them away.)

DESIRAE No, you listen. I have tried to help

and,

(turns away from him.)

(CONTINUES) It seems that it is not working.

(turns back toward DANIEL.)

(CONTINUES) I am tired of Belinda and Jazmine

seeing you talk to me this way.

(cries.)

DANIEL Desirae, I love you and I am sorry.

(places hands on DESIRAE’S shoulders.)

(CONTINUES) I promise. I will change.

(silence hits DANIEL’S ears. DESIRAE stares with untrustworthy

eyes at him. She folds her arms and takes a breath.)

16

DESIRAE Alright, Daniel. I will give you one

more chance. If it happens again I

am out of here.

(DANIEL hugs her, DESIRAE breaths heavily.)

CONTINUES Daniel?

(DANIEL looks at her and smiles.)

DANIEL Yes?

DESIRAE Take a bath, please.

(DANIEL runs off the stage.)

(END OF SCENE)

17

ACT I

SCENE IV

SETTING: Desirae settles in her new home

in Pennsylvania, on Madison street,

in late evening.

She is in the living room, unpacking

things for her dining room as she

humms. She hears mail drop through

her mail slot. Belinda is on the

couch watching Jazmine as she falls

asleep on the floor. She notices

Desirae as she stands by the stairs

with the letter in her hand.

BELINDA Mom, are you alright?

(moves to the front of the couch.)

DESIRAE No, Belinda, I am not. I received a

letter in the mail.

(sits on the couch next to BELINDA.)

(CONTINUES) It is from the prison.

(BELINDA stares at Desirae with a scared expression.)

BELINDA Mom, are they going to let Daddy

out?

DESIRAE No, he will never see the light of

day again.

18

BELINDA Then what is it, Mommy?

(JAZMINE sits up on the on the floor.)

(CONTINUES) Mom, whatever it is just say it.

(DESIRAE takes a breath.)

DESIRAE Ok, here it is. Daniel is dead. He

hung himself in his cell.

BELINDA What are they going to do? Are we

going to his funeral?

DESIRAE I don’t know if I want to take you back

to Georgia. You and Jazmine have seen

enough.

BELINDA Let’s go to his funeral. He is our

father.

(leans back on the couch. Closes eyes.)

DESIRAE Are you sure you want to do this?

JAZMINE I don’t like this, Mommy.

(gets up and sits on the couch next to DESIRAE.)

DESIRAE You will be fine.

(stokes JAZMINE’S black hair.)

BELINDA When will the funeral be?

19

(shuts off television.)

DESIRAE Next Friday.

(JAZMINE places hand over her mouth as she cries. BELINDA turns off television.)

(CONTINUES) We will go and everything will be ok.

It will be alright.

(DESIRAE hugs JAZMINE as BELINDA cries. Desirae places her hand on her shoulder.)

BELINDA I hope so, Mommy. He caused us nothing

but heartache and grief. What kind of

man knocks his daughter and pushes his

youngest daughter on the floor? What

kind of man beats his wife?

DESIRAE I don’t now, Belinda.

BELINDA Nobody would do that to the people who

they love. He chose Bill over us.

DESIRAE I know. That is what it seems like.

(JAZMINE lays her head on DESIRAE’S lap.)

JAZMINE Mom, will you ever date again or get

married?

20

(looks at DESIRAE in her eyes.)

DESIRAE That is far from my mind. My first

priority is take care of you both. I

will probably never marry again. I

have to concentrate on raising the

two of you. Let’s just take care of

Daniel first.

BELINDA Mommy, you can’t give up on your life

because of this.

DESIRAE I won’t. My first priority is you two.

BELINDA So where will they bury, daddy?

(rest her arm on the back of the couch.)

DESIRAE At Atlanta Cemetery not far from where

we lived before. We will go there and

pay our last respect and we will leave.

BELINDA Sounds like a plan to me, Mommy. I will

fix us some tea.

DESIRAE Thank you.

(END OF SCENE)

21

ACT I

SCENE V

SETTING It is 2012 and Desirae is a

receptionist. Jazmine is a

high school student and Belinda is a

nurse.

AFTERNOON Desirae is in the kitchen making

dinner at the stove on a very bright,

and beautiful afternoon. Jazmine runs

into house from school.

JAZMINE Mom, can I please spend the night over

friend’s?

(DESIRAE stares at JAZMINE with unsure expression on her face.)

DESIRAE And where does your friend live, and

who is she?

(Turns down fire on stove. Turns around toward Jazmine with her hand on her hip.)

JAZMINE One street over and her name is

Germany Peterson. A friend from

highschool.

(Walks toward Desirae.)

DESIRAE Jazmine, I don’t even now these people.

22

JAZMINE Please mommy. Please.

(Puts her hands together as if she is praying. Places a sad expression on her face. Bottom lip poked out. Belinda walks in the kitchen and stares at the food on the stove.)

BELINDA Mom, let her go. It I will give her a

Chance to do things on her own. She

is twelve now.

(Passes DESIRAE and sits down at the kitchen table.)

DESIRAE Belinda, now you know I do not

like Jazmine staying with

anybody.

BELINDA She needs to get out of the house.

Let her go, Mom.

(Taps on the table, lightly. DESIRAE stares at BELINDA with a mad expression on her face.)

DESIRAE Alright Jazmine, but I need to speak

with her mom.

JAZMINE I already gave her our number. She is

going to call you.

(Kitchen phone rings. Everyone turns their heads toward the wall. DESIRAE places her hand on her hip.)

DESIRAE Well, I wonder who this could be.

(BELINDA places her hand over her mouth and laughs. She answers it.)

23

BELINDA Mom, it is for you.

(JAZMINE looks at DESIRAE and places a fake smile on her face. DESIRAE answers.)

DESIRAE Yes, how can I help you?

(Turns toward JAZMINE.)

CONTINUES Ok, she can go. When will she be back?

(Places her hand on JAZMINE’S shoulder.)

CONTINUES She will be back tomorrow and you will

be over in twenty minutes to pick her

up. Ok. Thank you, Mrs. Peterson, she

will be,

(JAZMINE takes off in the room. DESIRAE hangs up.)

CONTINUES Uh, huh! You better run knuckle head.

Thanks for telling me ahead of time

that were going over somebody’s house.

(BELINDA laughs. DESIRAE stares at BELINDA out the corner of her eyes with her arms crossed. BELINDA heads for JAZMINE’S ROOM.)

BELINDA I think I will go help Jazmine get her

clothes together.

DESIRAE I think you should too.

(Belinda takes off toward Jazmine’s room, as a smile comes across her face. DESIRAE hmms toward the sink, shaking her head.)

CONTINUES Kids. What can I do with them, but love

24

them?

(A knock is heard at the door.)

CONTINUES Who is it?

(continues to wash dishes.)

MELISSA Melissa Peterson. I am Germany’s

Mother.

(DESIRAE wipes her hands on a dish towel.)

DESIRAE Just one moment, please.

(walks to door and answers it. Melissa is there with Germany, her fifteen year old daughter. JAZMINE runs into the kitchen.)

MELISSA Mrs. Johnson.

DESIRAE Yes. Come in please.

(MELISSA and GERMANY walk in as Jazmine grabs Germany by the hand. They both exit the stage.)

CONTINUE Please, have a seat.

(They both sit at the kitchen table.)

CONTINUE So what do you do, Melissa?

MELISSA I own two hair salons and I am about

build one down the street from my

house. And what do you do?

(Looks around the kitchen.)

DESIRAE I work at a software company. I am

25

a secretary.

(looks ashamed.)

CONTINUES I plan to go back to school and become

a nurse.

MELISSA You look ashamed of being a secretary.

(DESIRAE shrugs her shoulders.)

CONTINUE There is nothing wrong with being a

secretary, Desirae. It pays the bills.

(MELISSA walks into the kitchen.)

GERMANY Mom, let’s go. I want to take Jasmine

home.

(MELISSA stares at GERMANY upset.)

MELISSA Germany, must you interrupt us as we

talk?

GERMANY I am sorry.

(Pulls on MELISSA’S arm.)

DESIRAE It is ok. I will talk to you later,

Melissa, and it was nice meeting you.

(MELISSA stands up and heads for the door. JASMINE runs out of her room with her suitcase.)

JASMINE Bye, mommy.

26

(Kisses DESIRAE on the cheek, MELISSA walks toward the door with GERMANY by her side.)

DESIRAE Bye, Jasmine and be good.

JASMINE I will. I promise.

(JAZMINE AND GERMANY run out of the door.)

MELISSA I will have her home by tomorrow

evening.

(BELINDA walks in and sits at the kitchen table. DESIRAE notices her as she picks a magazine off of the table.)

DESIRAE Melissa, this is my oldest daughter,

Belinda.

(BELINDA smiles.)

MELISSA Nice to meet you.

BELINDA And also.

MELISSA Have a good night.

(Walks off the stage as cold look appears on Desirae’s face.

BELINDA Mom, she will be fine.

(walks up to DESIRAE and kisses her. BELINDA walks in her room.)

DESIRAE I hope so.

(END OF SCENE)

ACT I

27

SCENE VI

SETTING The year is 2015 and Desirae walks

into her cozy home to see Jazmine

on the couch, where Jonathan Seavers,

a business owner and a college

recruiter, who sits across from her.

Jonathan stares at Desirae.

EVENING Desirae places her coat on the coat

pole and a phony smile stretches

Across her face.

JAZMINE Hi, Mom.

DESIRAE Hi, honey.

(stares at Jonathan.)

CONTINUES Jazmine, who is this strange person

in my house?

(JONATHAN stands up.)

JAZMINE This is Mr. Seavers, Mom. He is a

college representative and helps

students get their aid to go to

college.

(JONATHAN walks toward DESIRAE and puts his hand out to her.)

JONATHAN (smiles) Jonathan Seavers, nice to meet you.

28

DESIRAE Yes, I was told.

CONTINUE Jazmine, why is there a man in my house

without my permission?

JAZMINE He is the recruiter I told you about

week, mom.

DESIRAE I don’t remember you telling me

anything about this.

JAZMINE We discussed it, Mom. You have been so

busy that you don’t remember. It was

last week when I told you about getting

into Harvard.

(DESIRAE walks to the middle of the floor with a confused expression on her face.)

DESIRAE Wait a minute. I do remember, Jazmine,

and your right. I have been busy.

(turns around to JAZMINE. JONATHAN stares on, while the tension in the room gets hot.)

JONATHAN Listen, I don’t want to intrude, so I

will leave.

DESIRAE Mr. Seavers, is that your name?

(walks toward him.)

JONATHAN Yes.

29

(BELINDA walks in, puts keys and purse on table.)

DESIRAE Shut up.

JONATHAN Ok.

(sits back down on the love seat.)

BELINDA Mom, what is wrong with you?

(JAZMINE and BELINDA giggles. DESIRAE points at both of them.)

CONTINUES Hi, I am Belinda. Jazmine’s sister. She

told us that are helping her with

college.

JONATHAN Yes, I am.

(BELINDA AND JAZMINE sit on the couch.)

DESIRAE What do you plan to do for Jazmine, Mr.

Seavers?

JONATHAN Your daughter is extremely intelligent.

She has a great future, Mrs. Johnson,

and I believe she can get into Harvard.

(grabs his briefcase rom beside the chair and pulls papers out of it.)

CONTINUES Jazmine, what I hold in my hand is

worth gold.

DESIRAE And what does that mean, Mr. Seavers?

30

(walks beside the couch, next to JAZMINE. JONATHAN smiles.)

JONATHAN Jazmine, you got into Harvard, and you

have a full scholarship that will pay

your tuition including your books.

(hands JAZMINE the paper and she accepts them.)

BELINDA Well that is a good thing. Mom

doesn’t have to pay for your

school.

JAZMINE I am going to call Germany.

(holds paper to chest and exits the room. DESIRAE stands up off the arm of the couch.)

DESIRAE Thanks you, Mr. Seavers. I have never

seen her so happy.

JONATHAN Your welcome.

(stands up, and shakes DESIRAE’S hand.)

CONTINUES It is nice to meet you.

DESIRAE You also.

(BELINDA stares at them with a smile, as she picks a magazine off of the night stand.)

BELINDA Belinda, should I leave you too alone?

DESIRAE Shut up, Belinda. Don’t you have

31

anything else to do?

BELINDA And miss all the love? Nahhh.

(smiles and waves her hand jokingly. DESIRAE goes after BELINDA and she quickly runs out of the room. JONATHAN laughs.)

JONATHAN I take it both of your daughters are

pretty exciting.

(picks his suitcase off the floor.)

DESIRAE Yes, constantly.

JONATHAN Jazmine has a very promising future. If

She keep her head straight she will be

on top of the world.

(walks toward the door.)

DESIRAE Yeah, She will be. It is really

Relaxing to talk to you.

JONATHAN Thank you. Would you like to go out?

DESIRAE It is too soon for that.

JONATHAN Come on. I promise I will not bite.

DESIRAE Ok. I will take you up on that.

JONATHAN How about Friday.

DESIRE Eight o’clock.

32

JONATHAN I will see you than.

(JONATHAN walks off the stage. He turns around and sees BELINDA and JAZMINE with a big smile on their faces.)

JAZMINE AND BELINDA Hi Mom.

DESIRAE Don’t start with me.

(they run to her. DESIRAE runs and sits on the couch. JAZMINE and BELINDA sit on the couch in front of her.)

JAZMINE I am so happy for you.

BELINDA Yeah, Mom.

DESIRAE First date in six years.

(takes a huge breath as she loosens her shirt.)

CONTINUES What do I do?

(BELINDA and JAZMINE hug her.)

(END OF SCENE)

ACT I

33

SCENE VII

SETTING Desirae and Jonathan are married. It

is day, they move into their new home

in Pennsylvania. Jazmine adores

Jonathan, Belinda has her doubts due

to the mysterious background that no

one knows about and his heavy

drinking.

Belinda moves into her own place due

to Jonathan, and Desirae must find a

way to live on without her in her

house.

Desirae and Belinda are at work, and

Jazmine enters the house, and heads

to her room. Jonathan stares across

the living room with his eyes

drilled onto her figure. Drunk, he

slowly walks to her room and places

his newspaper on the coffee as he

does.

Jazmine looks up to see him, as he

walks in and sits on her bed.

JAZMINE What do you want?

(nervously)

JONATHAN I want you.

34

(angrily)

(JONATHAN falls on top of JAZMIN. She screams and struggles to get free.)

JAZMINE (yells angrily) Get off of me!

JONATHAN Shut up.

(puts hand over JAZMINE’S mouth.)

JAZMINE Jonathan, please get off me!

Get of me! Get off.

(struggles to get away.)

JONATHAN (slurs) If you yell again, I will kill you.

(holds JAZMINE’S mouth and slowly lifts off of her. He fixes his pain as JAZMINE moves in agony. JONATHAN walks toward the door and looks back.)

JONATHAN You say anything to your mother or

you and your sister, I will kill you.

(JONATHAN walk ou of the room. JAZMINE gets up in pain as she stands on the floor with her hand on her stomach. Struggles to walk to the door.)

JAZMINE Mommy, mommy!!!!!!!!!!!!

(falls to the floor.)

(DESIRAE walks in and sees JAZMINE.)

DESIRAE Oh My God!

(runs to her and kneels down to the floor.)

CONTINUES Jazmine, what happened? Wake up.

35

(JAZMINE eases her eyes open.)

JAZMINE (struggles) Mommy, mommy.

DESIRAE Sweetheart, what happened to you?

JAZMINE Jonathan, raped me.

(quietness is heard, unbelievable look on DESIRAE’S face.)

DESIRAE Are you sure about that, Jazmine?

JAZMINE Yes, mommy.

(cries.)

DESIRAE Oh, my God. No no. Hold on I will

Call an ambulance.

(DESIRAE steps to the side, and takes her cell phone out of her pocket.)

JAZMINE Mom, why did this happen?

(moves her legs up and down in pain. Cries.)

DESIRAE Yes, I am going to need an ambulance.

My daughter is in pain. It looks like

she has been raped.

(DESIRAE kneels down to JAZMINE and kisses her on the forehead.)

CONTINUES 15108 Promenade Drive. Upstairs.

Thank you.

(DESIRAE hangs up the phone and places it on the floor.)

36

JAZMINE Mommy, Jonathan was drunk.

DESIRAE that is no excuse for what he did to

you, but don’t you worry. I am going to

take care of him. Stay still.

(the paramedics are heard at the door.)

PARAMEDIC Hello.

DESIRAE (yells) Come in!

(the paramedics walk in with their medical bags and place it on the floor. One walks to DESIRAE as she sits frozen in tears.)

PARAMEDIC II Mam’e, can you hear me?

(paramedic I, looks at DESIRAE as she prepares JAZMINE for transport.)

DESIRAE Yes, I am fine.

(the paramedics place JAZMINE on the cot and rolls her out the room.)

CONTINUES I will be right behind you, Jazmine.

(in tears, DESIRAE runs to her phone that sits Jazmine’s night stand and calls BELIDNA.)

CONTINUES Belinda, meet me at Lukechester

Hospital. Jazmine has just been raped.

(slams down the phone, walks toward the door and stops.)

CONTINUES Jonathan, you have made a big mistake

37

when it comes to mine. If it takes the

rest of my life, you will pay for what

you did to Jazmine. You can bet on

that.

(wipes eyes and runs out the door.)

(END OF SCENE)

ACT I

38

SCENE VIII

SETTING Luke Chester Hospital is where

Jazmine is taken. She is admitted

into her own room and Desirae shortly

walks in. The rooms are busy, while

the hallways stand crowded.

EVENING DESIRAE slowly closes the curtain for

privacy. She looks at JAZMINE as she

moans in pain. She glances to the

side and sees a hospital phone that

rests on the night stand.

DESIRAE who would let their child go through

this?

(places hand on head, and picks up the phone to call JONATHAN.)

CONTINUES Dam! The answer machine. Jonathan when

you get this message, call me.

(DESIRAE kneels down to the floor and cries. DR. MARK JOHNSON, a pediatrician, walks in and looks at her as she sits in torment.)

DR.JOHNSON Mam’e, are you ok?

(kneels down to her.)

DESIRAE No, I am not.

(looks up at Dr. Johnson.)

DR. JOHNSON Is there something I can help you with?

39

DESIRAE Who are you?

DR. JOHNSON Dr. Mark Johnson. I am the senior

pediatrician here at the hospital.

(DESIRAE looks at DR.JOHNSON who is familiar to her.)

DESIRAE I know you from somewhere.

DR. JOHNSON You are familiar to me too. would

you like to know why? Because we went

to high school together.

DESIRAE I do remember you. It is not a good

time to remember anyone.

(quietness)

CONTINUES Mark Johnson.

DR. JOHNSON Let me help you up.

(DR. JOHNSON gently grabs her arm and she stands as she hears a small voice.)

JAZMINE Mom, where are you?

(JAZMINE sits up. DESIRAE slowly lays her back down, and kisses her on the head.)

DESIRAE Relax, Jazmine. You are going to be

fine.

(JAZMINE kicks and is out of control.)

40

JAZMINE No, mommy!

DESIRAE Jazmine, calm down, baby.

(DR. JOHNSON runs to the door.)

DR. JOHNSON Nurse, bring me a sedative, stat!

(DESIRAE stares in confusion, as she holds JAZMINE tight. DR. JOHNSON holds her down by the arms. The nurse runs in and gives the syringe to the dr.)

DR. JOHNSON Desirae, this is only a sedative. It

will calm her down.

(turns JAZMINE over and sticks her as she continues to kick. She screams in horror.)

JAZMINE Mom, make him stop! Get away from me!

(pushes DR. JOHNSON toward the wall. He approaches her bed and holds JAZMINE tighter.)

DESIRAE Jazmine, calm down. You will be

alright. Dr. Johnson is trying to help

you.

JAZMINE (screams) I am tired of people hurting me,

mommy.

(DR. JOHNSON is successful in administering, the medication.)

JAZMINE (cries) Owwwww, Mommy!

(DESIRAE hugs her. DR. JOHNSON covers JAZMINE’S back. She slowly closes her eyes and falls asleep.)

DR. JOHNSON Let’s step to the side, Desirae.

41

(DR. JOHNSON and DESIRAE walk a little ways toward the door.)

CONTINUES Desirae, you need to get Jazmine some

help, and do it as soon as possible.

Jazmine also has blood coming from her

legs and we need to find out where it

is coming from. I want to have her

admitted and do some test on her.

(DESIRAE puts her hand over her mouth, while DR. JOHNSON stares at her loss expression.)

CONTINUES Desirae, can you hear me?

(DESIRAE places her arms snuggly around her body.)

DESIRAE Why is it so cold in here?

(DR. JOHNSON touches DESIRAE’S head.)

DR. JOHNSON You are breaking out in a cold sweat.

(DESIRAE breaths heavily.)

CONTINUES I will get you a blanket.

DESIRAE Alright.

(DR. JOHNSON places blanket over DESIRAE’S body.)

CONTINUES I have to call Jonathan.

(DR. JOHNSON kneels in front of her.)

JONATHAN Who is Jonathan?

DESIRAE He is my husband and he raped

42

Jazmine.

MARK Call me Mark. Where kind of person did

you marry?

(rubs DESIRAE’S hands.)

DESIRAE I don’t now, Mark.

(stands up and walks toward the middle of the floor.)

CONTINUES I thought I knew him, but apparently

I didn’t.

(turns around to MARK.)

I Just hope they catch him.

(looks at JAZMINE as she sleeps.)

CONTINUES He has to be reported.

(MARK takes his hands out of his pocket and stares at the computer with JAZMINE information on it.)

MARK You make that call and I will be back.

(DESIRAE shakes her head in agreement. MARK grins at her and walks out. She runs to pick the phone up beside that bed.)

DESIRAE God, Please be with me.

(picks up the phone.)

CONTINUES Yes, I need to report that my husband

has raped my daughter.

(stands on the side of JAZMINES bed watching as she pleasantly sleeps.)

CONTINUES My daughter’s name is Jazmine

43

Johnson and my husband’s name

is Jonathan Seavers.

(rubs Jazmine’s forehead as she sleeps.)

CONTINUES She is at Luke Chester Memorial

Hospital.

(takes a breath.)

CONTINUES Thank you. I will be there soon

to fill out a report.

(hangs up the phone. Kisses JAZMINE on the forehead. MARK walks in as she sits down in the chair with her eyes on her daughter.)

CONTINUES This isn’t supposed to be happening.

(MARK’S pager goes off. He looks at it and removes it from his pants.)

MARK Desirae, I have to go, but I will be

back later.

DESIRAE Alright, Mark. Thank you for

everything.

(walks over to JAZMINE.

MARK Will you be alright?

(places hands in lab jacket.)

DESIRAE Yes, I will be fine.

(grabs JAZMINE’S hand.)

MARK That was not very convincing.

44

(giggles.)

DESIRAE I will be fine. My oldest daughter

is on her way.

MARK I will meet your oldest daughter too.

DESIRAE Alright.

(smiles warmly and MARK walks out.)

(END OF SCENE)

ACT II

45

SCENE I

SETTING Pennsylvania Sherriff’s department.

Desirae meets with Detective Michael

Davis, a veteran, who escorts Desirae

Through a busy unit toward the back

where her meeting is to take place

with Jonathan.

EVENING Jonathan sits at a wooden table where

several police officers watch over

him. He looks toward the door and see

a familiar face. Desirae walks in

with officers beside her. She gives

him a hard look as his lawyer, Martin

Brooks sits beside him. Desirae sits

down across from him.

DESIRAE Why Jonathan? Why

(JONATHAN stares at her lost. Silence fills the room.)

CONTINUES Are you going to answer my question

Jonathan, or are you going to just

sit there like nothing happened?

JONATHAN What question?

DESIRAE Why did you rape, Jazmine?

JONATHAN I never raped anybody. She is lying.

46

(DESIRAE bangs on the table.)

DESIRAE Don’t you ever call my daughter a liar!

(MR. BROOKS touches JONATHAN’S shoulders.)

MARTIN Detective, Please control her.

DESIRAE My daughter is in the hospital

because of you. Jonathan, you

violated her and she will never trust

anyone again.

JONATHAN (yells) Desirae, I did not rape anyone!

DESIRAE Jonathan, I trusted you with my

daughter. You embarrassed me, you

stole Jazmine’s privacy from her, but

everything will be alright.

(stands up and voice esculates.)

CONTINUES You stay away from my daughters, or

I will kill you myself.

(bangs on the table.)

MR. BROOKS Detective, I am ask you one more time

will you please control Mrs. Seavers?

Make her sit down.

(smiles slickly as he stares at DETECTIVE DAVIS.)

JONATHAN You threatening me in front of the

47

police?

DESIRAE (yells) Dam it! I don’t care if the police are

around! You raped my daughter and that

draws the line with me!

(points at JONATHAN.)

CONTINUES Not only did you rape her, you shot an

officer, and you caused several people

to die including a sixth month old

baby. I hope rot in hell.

(rolls her eyes away from JONATHAN and sits down. Places her head on the table. JONATHAN brings his hand toward her head. Detective Davis moves closer to the table.)

DETECTIVE DAVIS Don’t touch her.

MR. BROOKS Jonathan, don’t touch her.

(writes on his notepad as DESIRAE lifts her head up.)

DESIRAE Don’t you ever touch me again and I

Mean it.

JONATHAN That is the way its going to be, right?

DESIRAE I guess it is.

JONATHAN This is Jazmine’s fault! She is the

cause of all of this!

MR. BROOKS Jonathan, you need to calm yourself

48

down.

(DESIRAE stares at JONATHAN upset.)

JONATHAN That is ok, because I don’t need you

or that sorry ass child of yours.

(out of anger, DESIRAE punches JONATHAN in the mouth and knocks the table over on him. JONATHAN quickly grabs her by the shirt.)

MR. BROOKS Jonathan, let her go!

(the police grab JONATHAN and he releases DESIRAE.)

DESIRAE You keep my daughter’s name out of your

Mouth and I mean it!

JONATHAN It is not over, Desirae!

(police pushes JONATHAN against the table and cuff him.)

DETECTIVE DAVIS Take him to his cell!

(police pulls JONATHAN out of the room. The detective holds DESIRAE back against the wall.)

CONTINUES Desirae, calm down. I can’t help you

if you are continue to be out of

control like this.

(DESIRAE struggles to get loose. She cries.)

DESIRAE Alright, I will calm down.

DETECTIVE DAVIS Promise me.

DESIRAE I promise.

49

(Detective Davis releases DESIRAE and she paces back and forth across the room. The detective sits down at the table.)

DETECTIVE DAVIS I know you are upset, but you have to

stay calm.

(folds hands as DESIRAE continues to pace.)

DESIRAE This is crazy.

(hands cover face and she stops pacing.)

DETECTIVE DAVIS Desirae, please talk to me. I am trying

to help you.

(gets up and leans his back on the wall.)

DESIRAE I am past people trying to help me. I

am past people hurting me and my

daughters.

(DETECTIVE DAVIS stares hard at DESIRAE. She sits down across the table.)

DETECTIVE DAVIS Know talk to me.

(sits down.)

DESIRAE How could I let this happen? My baby

is in the hospital.

(takes a breath.)

CONTINUES And you know what? My daughter, Belinda

warned me about Jonathan, but did I

CONTINUES

DESIRAE listen?

50

(gets up and walks to the middle of the room. DETECTIVE DAVIS stares at her discouraged. DESIRAE shakes her head unbelieveably.)

DETECTIVE DAVIS Desirae, what did you say?

(walks toward DESIRAE.)

DESIRAE I am sorry. What did you say,

detective?

DETECTIVE DAVIS What did you mean she warned you?

What did she say?

(stares at DESIRAE confused.)

DESIRAE Belinda said she did not trust

Jonathan and that he looked like

trouble.

DETECTIVE DAVIS Desirae, there has to be a reason why

she does not trust him. What was the

reason?

DESIRAE You would have to ask Belinda. All I

know is that she could not stand him.

They argued constantly which gave her

the reason to move out, plus he was

always drinking.

(folds her arms.)

51

52