SCENE 7 Wishing for certainty
Dim lights up to show a fancy seafood restaurant. Piano bar. Table set for two. Candlelight. Haughty waiter (Carrie double) leads them to the table. Marina is impressed. Both are dressed in casual elegant attire.
Wow, this is really fancy.
You like it? My friend told me about it. He waits tables here some nights and was able to get me a reservation at the last minute.
Can I get you anything to drink?
Oh, just water for me.
Do you have Corona?
May I please see your ID, Sir.Jason takes his wallet out and shows ID, waiter is convinced and leaves.
Back home, people couldn’t care less if you were 14 and ordering scotch on the rocks.
I heard.
Here, everything has to be in neat little packages. You’re not 18? Can’t buy smokes. 21? You can drink. Turn 18 and you are allowed to fall in love. Meanwhile, 10-year-olds are shooting at each other with their fathers’ guns.
You mean the way the southside is where most black people live and the northside is mostly white?
Or how gay people are in a rich ghetto called the boys' town? Segregation is alive and well in Chicago.
Gay people, yes…
You have something against them?
No. (Uncomfortable)
What?
I get hit on many times by gay men. The looks they give me (shivers).
(Sarcastic) Are you sure they’re hitting on you? Maybe they just like the way you wear your clothes…
Or maybe how I would look without them?
(Teases) Don’t be so smug, now. Gay men are known for their good taste… (Makes light of it) But you know what, I can totally relate to how you feel—not that gay men have given me a second look.Waiter comes in with Jason’s Corona.
Are you ready to order? Would you like to try our appetizers while you’re deciding on the entrée? Our special for tonight: Island Pearls… fresh oysters dusted with spicy island seasonings, and served with drips of creole sauce. Or you could also try our: Balls of Fire, delicious crabcakes rolled in exotic spices, deep fried and served with sweet and sour sauce.Innocent? Demure? Don’t let looks deceive you, boy.
No, thanks.
But wait. (To Marina) How about a drink, Marina?
I stopped drinking a while back. Traumatic hang-over.
A glass won’t do much. It’ll just relax you.
I’ll just have iced tea…Waiter is about to leave when Marina changes her mind. He is getting antsy.
On second thought… I’ll have a zinfandel, please.Lights dim. Piano music up and under. Passing of time. The couple is starting to warm up to each other. Lights go up again. Jason is obviously smitten by Marina and Marina is enjoying the attention. They are laughing at this point.
You did that? I wouldn’t have suspected… You seem so…. (at a loss for words)
Innocent? Demure? Don’t let looks deceive you, boy.Jason suddenly reaches across the table to touch Marina’s face and Marina, as if in reflex, holds his finger there. Marina is more taken aback by her own move than by his.
A stray eyelash.
Oh. You saw it in this light?Jason ignores her question. Takes his hand from hers and closes two fingers on the lash.
My sister taught me this game. Now you have to make a wish.
I know, and I have to choose which finger the eyelash would stick to.Marina closes her eyes briefly and when she opens them, she points to his top finger. Jason unlocks his fingers.
You got it. Now blow.Marina blows the lash away.
What did you wish for?Pause.
Certainty.Piano music up and under. Passing of time. They have become friends. Jason starts pouring the carafe of wine into Marina’s glass. She stops him soon after.
So what’s the real story?And that’s when they started touching us, you know… And Jen and I, we thought they were just fooling around.
About what?
What made you stop drinking?
(Evasive) Nothing to it.
I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pry. (Changes topic) That’s a nice necklace you have. Does it mean anything—the inverted black triangle?
(Changes back the topic. Getting somewhat comfortable) I was with a bunch of high school friends, two girls, four guys. You know, just having fun.Marina faces audience. Absorbed in her story.
We were classmates in—God, I can’t even remember what subject that was… Anyway, they took us for a ride in their nice Pajero.
A what?
You know, one of em four-wheel-drives. Only rich people could afford it back home… Anyway, sun was going down and they took us to the breakers behind the haunted Film Center… They had all kinds of drinks—tanduay, san miguel… and pretty soon we were walking on top of the rocks unafraid of falling into the dirty waters of Manila Bay… And that’s when they started touching us, you know… And Jen and I, we thought they were just fooling around.Sound of teenage men’s voices, drunk and malicious.
O, sige na… (singing) hubad Ina, hubad Ina… (to fade)
But they weren’t. We struggled, but their hands were determined. Pinned mine on the ground. Wrapped around Jen as she looked on. The alcohol made us weak. Our screams were muffled by the waves… Mga putang-ina nila! (She says this almost matter-of-factly, as if she’d recounted this tale before and it does not affect her as badly as it used to. Her anger is still there though.)Jason was quiet. Listening intently.
(Regains composure somewhat and almost rushing the story) We went home that night all black and blue. We—we could hardly walk. I dropped out of school.
What?
I told my parents I joined a sorority and the initiation was where I got my bruises from…they got mad at me and decided right there and then to transfer me.
I’m so— sorry…
Yeah, apologize for all men.
Not all men are like that.
In this society? Until mothers and fathers stop raising their sons to become their daughters’ abusers, every man is potentially like that.What would the headline look like? Two girls raped after a drinking spree with four boys… it’s like saying… “what did they expect?”
Why didn’t you report it to the police?
What would the headline look like? Two girls raped after a drinking spree with four boys… it’s like saying… “what did they expect?” (laughs painfully) besides, one of the guys happens to be the mayor’s nephew.
What happened to your friend? What was her name again?
(Says the name with meaning) Jen.Waiter comes in and spreads the menu in front of Jason’s face.
Would you like anything for dessert?Jason is distracted by waiter and does not hear Marina.
We broke up.
No, thank you. Can we have the bill please? I’m sorry, Marina, I didn’t hear what you said… What was that again?
Nothing. It’s getting late. Let’s go. I need to get up early for work. Don’t want to get into trouble again… My boss—he thinks he’s such a philanthropist taking us TNTs in… He pays us above the minimum but works us to death. Can’t even make a phone call without him breathing down our necks… God, I hate being invisible…
TNTs?
Tago nang tago—hide and hide… Undocumented workers, overstaying tourists, unwanted aliens… gosh, you’re pretty out of touch, aren’t you?
I guess I didn’t use to care…
We better go…Black out.
SCENE 8 A wedding planner’s nightmare
Organ wedding music up. Spotlight on Joey who has fallen asleep on the futon. Spotlight on Centerstage where Jason and Marina in wedding attires, stand with their backs to the audience. Priest stands in front of them holding a chalice. This is Joey’s nightmare. It is surreal and everything is in slow motion. Music up and out.
Is there anyone here who has objections to this union. Speak now or forever hold your peace (he exaggerates words and laughs a sinister laugh)Joey rises from the sofa and views the wedding from there. She reaches out and tries to say something but she is choking. She holds her throat to emphasize this. She is getting desperate but she is immobilized. Jason and Marina turn their heads slowly to look at her and mouth the word “WHAT?” Joey continues to choke.
Very well, I now pronounce you husband and wife. (To Jason) You may now kiss the bride.As Jason bends to kiss Marina, Joey screams.
(Loud) NOOOOOOOO!!!!Spot off on wedding. Joey sits up, bothered by her dream. She monologues .
So -- I like Marina… Okay, I more than like her… I am crazy over her… I would have married her in a second… But this country won’t let foreign queers cross over their borders… (Pause) Then again, I can’t really break my own rule… That’s right, “No dating between friends”… I-It’s just a matter of principle… I did it before, and it was such a big mess… I’d rather keep Marina as a friend than lose her altogether… Besides, it looks like my little brother has a big crush on her… What would he think of his own sister if I— if I (frustrated) and now, they’re—they’re actually dating!!! (Realization) My baby brother and the love of my life! Damn! What the hell was I thinking setting her up with Jason. My brother is not bad-looking… He actually looks -- like me... except he’s got lighter skin... and he’s a guy... with that disgusting thing hanging in between his legs!!! and that’s what she wants after all... Damn these frickin femmes…She puts her head in her hands in desperation. Key turns. Marina comes in, gently opening the door. Finds Joey still up. Joey barely acknowledges Marina’s presence.
I can’t believe I’m actually becoming friends with a straight man again… you know, Joey?
Hi, Joey… you’re still up… (starts taking off her shoes, going to the bathroom as she talks to Joey)… You know, your brother’s really nice… he’s such a gentleman… it was becoming annoying at some point—him opening doors all the time, paying for everything… I’d forgotten what it was like… I was afraid he was gonna bail out on us that’s why he was being so nice… but he didn’t… I can’t believe I’m actually becoming friends with a straight man again… you know, Joey?
(Coldly) Great… Your sister called… she said to call her back… it’s important…
Well, it must be if she called…
She called collect…
Oh… I’ll pay for it when the bill comes…
Don’t worry about that… (gets back to bed) o sige… I still have to wake up early tomorrow.
Is there… is there something wrong?
No… (yawns) I’m just tired… really…
There’s something you’re not telling me and I’m not psychic, you know… I can’t—
(Snoring loud, pretending to be asleep)Marina looks at Joey and shakes her head. She takes the phone, gets her phone card and starts calling her sister.
Marina puts down the phone, a worried look on her face. She gazes at the sleeping Joey as if looking for comfort. Black out.
O, Zeny, tumawag ka raw? Please don’t call collect anymore… just write a letter… what? Why? Okay, don’t worry… I’ll send you some money for the bills… is my nephew okay? On Friday, okay? That’s when I get paid… Ingat kayo diyan… bye… love you too…next page | back |
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