La Negrita Chronicles
La Negrita and Her Kind and Gentle Saviours
Scene VIII: I just want to have enough faith in the white race that one day I will find my non-Oppressor
(La Negrita hurries out of her Bio class. In a rush she drops all of her books. Handsome hockey player hurries to her rescue.)
LUKE
Here, you go, I think you dropped these. (He smiles at her.)
LA NEGRITA
You think…
LUKE
I’m sorry?
LA NEGRITA
Nothing.
LUKE
No, really, what did you say? “You think.”
LA NEGRITA
(Continues with her attitude) If you heard what I said, why did you ask me to repeat it? (Snatches book from his hand.) Thank you. (Attitude).
LUKE
Just trying to help.
LA NEGRITA
(Glares her eyes. LUKE notices them.)
LUKE
You seem upset.
LA NEGRITA
Oh, what, are you a Psych major? (Sarcasm)
LUKE
Actually. I’m Art and Bio…We just got out of class together---
LA NEGRITA
----. Bitch, nobody cares what the hale your major is! I was being sarcastic. (Blushes…) I really should be going. (Tries to grab her things and hurry past him, but drops her backpack clumsily in an effort to escape. LUKE and La Negrita bob simultaneously to grab Negrita’s knapsack. They bump heads.)
LA NEGRITA
Aye cono!
LUKE
What?
LA NEGRITA
Nothing. Really, I have to go… (More attitude).
LUKE
Why are you such in a rush?
Beat.
Was that Spanish?
Beat.
Are you Spanish?
LA NEGRITA
What’s with the 21 questions Fity Cent. (Smirks).
LUKE
(Looks puzzled) I’m sorry, Fity Cent?
LA NEGRITA
He’s a rapper.
LUKE
Oh, like Run DMC?
LA NEGRITA
White people. (Whispers under breath.)
LUKE
(Runs his hands through his hair, then fumbles his hands along his chinstrap).
LA NEGRITA
Well, I really must go. (rolls eyes.)
LUKE
(Holds her hand briefly out of reflex.) Hey, what’s with the attitude? I was just trying to help.
LA NEGRITA
(Mockingly silently mimics him. Notices his hand on hers, but doesn’t flinch. She blushes. They make eye contact; she turns away as he gazes into her eyes).
LUKE
(Gets up from ground as well.) Have I said something to upset you? (looks at La Negrita with concern, but also at awe of her exotic beauty, mocha skin, piercing eyes, full lips and the way her hips don’t lie. )
LA NEGRITA
(Says softly to him as the continue to look to each other) I just really think I should go.
LUKE
Well, can you at least walk me to my next class?
LA NEGRITA
No… I will NOT walk you to your next class.
LUKE
Wait, wait, that’s not what I meant!
Beat.
What I was trying to say is, can I walk you to your next class?
LA NEGRITA
No, thank you. I no longer let white boys walk me…anywhere.
LUKE
Now why does everything have to be about race with you? Did you ever think that it may make people feel uncomfortable?
LA NEGRITA
Why should race be something that makes people feel uncomfortable?
LUKE
I’m just not comfortable with that shit. All this race shit. Like it doesn’t matter. I don’t really care. We’re all people.
Beat.
I’m sorry. I’m just not good at this shit. (Fumbles hands through hair. Looks frustrated.)
LA NEGRITA
Good at what?
LUKE
(fumbles hands through hair.) Talking to girls…Especially girls like you.
LA NEGRITA
Girls like me? (gathers things and tries to rush past him.)
LUKE
Why are you so damn defensive?! Maybe I just want to get to know you?
LA NEGRITA
Why?
LUKE
I dunno. I just never met anyone as honest as you. You always have something interesting to say.
LA NEGRITA
Does my intellect surprise you? What, would you rather I went to the Institute of Achievement for Colored Ritards?
LUKE
Nooooooo, I didn’t say that!
Beat.
I just---
Beat.
I dunno. There’s something about you.
LA NEGRITA
What? That I’m a Negress?
LUKE
No, you’re just not the kind of person someone forgets.
LA NEGRITA
What do you mean? (Places hands on hips.)
LUKE
I don’t remember many things, but your eyes…they’re something I always remember. They’re like---like the difference between being pierced by ice water cold knives, or being immersed in a frothing pool of perfectly warm water.
Beat.
With bubbles.
Beat.
They are love and hate at the same time.
LA NEGRITA
Okay, okay, shut up SHUT UP. Ill go on a date with you, fine?
LUKE
So, wanna meet me at Rich Uncle Tim’s? Say, noon-ish?
LA NEGRITA
Rich Uncle Tim’s…at noon? Isn’t that a pub?
LUKE
Coffeehouse by day, pub house by night.
blackout
Frania G. Romulus was born in Boston, Massachusetts. As a child Romulus loved to create, perform and act. She began playwriting in elementary school. As the years passed she traveled and competed as a saxophonist in her high school music assembles. She was reminded of her gift of writing while an undergrad at Clark University. She matriculated with a degree in Psychology and Performing Arts.
Romulus’ work portrays her experiences as a woman of color at a predominantly white institution. Her raw emotional honesty, uncomfortable dialogue, and satirical style won the attention of Playfest then AS220, enabling her piece to be on production as well as earning her an artist residency.
