ACT 1 SCENE 2

SCENE – A dining room. A square wooden table sits in the middle of the stage. It has 4 plates set out. There are cups at 3 of the placemats. There are cupboards on the walls and a counter top on stage-right. The wall on stage-left has a shelf with an old-fashioned record player, as well as another picture of the boy pictured in the Living Room. This picture features him in a graduation cap and gown with a gold cord, posing with Sergio and Damion in a football field at nighttime. There are also some record disks hung on the walls.

A few moments before Sergio had called for dinner. Sergio is bringing silverware from stage-right to the table. On the nearest placemat, he sets out the silverware. On the placemat with its back turned to the audience, he places silverware, but is very particular, and makes tiny adjustments to the placement of the cutlery.

Sergio

DINNER IS READY!

Sergio goes over to the record player and turns it on. The picture of graduation catches his eye for a moment. He stares at it for a couple of seconds. Shakes his head as if refocusing, and takes a deep breath and sighs. He then makes his way over to the seat furthest from stage-right and sits down.

Damion enters from stage-right, followed by Harvey.

Sergio remains quiet and stares at the plate closest to the audience.

Damion

Walking over to the table with Harvey

Does your girlfriend know about your…history?

 

Sergio jolts his head and looks at the two walking in.

 

Harvey

Well, I mean, she has to know why I can’t drive anymore. Although soon I’ll be allowed to drive to work again. Only for work though.

 

Damion sits down across from Sergio. Harvey goes to sit in the seat that is closest to the audience.

 

Sergio

Reaches over and blocks the seat.

That seat is for Josue.

 

Harvey

Oh, my bad, Sergio.

Harvey walks around to go sit across the table in the seat that faces the audience.

Sergio glares at him the entire time.

 

Sergio

And that’s Mr. Deleon to you.

Sergio’s gaze meets Damion’s.

Damion gives Sergio an admonishing look.

Sergio sighs very audibly.

 

Harvey

Oh, I’m sorry, Mr. Deleon.

 

[Beat]

 

Damion

Clears his throat

Sergio is quite the chef. Let’s eat.

 

Harvey

How exciting.

 

They all start eating and there is the clinking of silverware. The silence is loud. The music from the record player starts playing a little louder, but still quiet enough for it to be background noise.

 

Harvey

So…this song, it’s pretty good. What is it?

 

Sergio

It was Josue’s favorite.

 

Harvey

Oh, was it?

 

[Beat]

 

Damion

Awkwardly Laughs

Yeah, it’s called “Bandidos Borrachos”.

 

Harvey

Awkwardly as well

Ah, I see. That’s why I couldn’t really understand it.

 

Sergio

Did you think our record player was broken?

 

Harvey

Oh, no! Not at all! I just don’t know a lick of Spanish.

 

Sergio

Sarcastically

¿es así?

 

Damion

Which is okay, by the way! I didn’t know any Spanish until after I met Sergio.

 

Sergio

 

…yeah…

Harvey

Heh heh, maybe you guys could teach me a little.

 

Sergio scowls at Harvey.

Harvey

Noticing the look from Sergio.

But I’m just kidding.

 

Damion

Oh, don’t worry about it. I’m sure we’d be happy too.

 

Harvey

Thanks, Damion.

 

Sergio

With a raised voice but not quite shouting.

I said it was “Mr. Deleon” to you!

 

The clinking of silverware stops as well as the music from the record player.

 

[Beat]

 

Damion

Sergio! It’s fine. I told him he could address me by my name.

 

Sergio

No, Damion! It’s not fine. He shouldn’t be speaking to you as an equal after what he’s done.

 

Damion

But he’s clearly putting in a lot of effort to atone for that. He’s clean. He’s gotten a job and served time. He even volunteers for MADD so something like that never happens again!

 

Harvey

hesitant

I’ve even been accepted onto a team that promotes community for people trying to get over substance abuse. I also volunteer as a speaker at Drivers’ Eds to teach kids the danger of drinking and driving.

 

Sergio

Crescendo-ing into a yell. His face contorted in anger.

Well where was all this effort years ago!? When it actually mattered! 

HELL! IF IT WERE UP TO ME, YOU’D BE IN JAIL FOR WAY LONGER THAN JUST 5 YEARS!!!

 

Damion

Sergio!! Don’t say tha-

 

Harvey

No, it’s okay…I agree…

 

Sergio

AND YOU Damion!! HOW COULD YOU INVITE THIS MAN INTO OUR HOME!? 

AFTER WHAT-

 

Sergio voice cracks and he sputters over his own words

 

After what he did to our son…it’s profane.

 

Sergio puffs and storms off stage-right.

 

[Beat]

 

Harvey

…I…think it’s best I leave.

 

Damion

With his head in his hands

Yeah…that’d probably be for the best.

 

Harvey walks off stage-right.

Damion sits alone for a moment. He looks around thinking about what just happened. He then looks at the graduation photo with him, Sergio, and their son Josue–they are all smiling.

[Curtain]