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Esperanza Means Hope
by conrad a. panganiban
Survivor monologues written by Gladys Imperio-Acosta
Original Songs written by Dee Pizarro and Loui Paman
CHARACTERS
ESPY COJUANCO TAN: Mid – Late 20s. Filipina American. Singer/Songwriter. Married to Vincent.
Stubborn at times, but a happy rebel at heart. Espy is short for Esperanza.
ABBY NGUYEN: 20s – 30s. Female. Asian-American. Wanna be stand-up comic, volunteer at My Sister’s House, and survivor of Domestic Abuse.
VINCENT TAN: Early 30s. Male. Asian-American. Married to Esperanza. Real estate developer. Self-made millionaire.
DIA COJUANCO: Teens. Filipina American. Esperanza’s Younger sister. Dia is short for Nadia. Plugged into all things modern and new.
TEO COJUANCO: 50s. Filipino. Esperanza’s Father. Stubborn. President of his Asian-American Organization. Teo is short for Teodoro.
MARTA BAUTISTA: 60s. Female. Filipina American. Kind and sometimes too-honest member of the Community Center.
SURVIVOR 1
SURVIVOR 2
20s – 40s. Female. Domestic Violence Survivors. Survivor 1 is gay. Survivor 2 was a “mail order bride” and talks with an accent.
SETTING
Various locations in the City the play is produced in. See Scene Locations below.
(Please see Playwright’s Notes regarding Location settings.) TIME
The time is the present.
SCENE LOCATIONS
Scene 1: Jitters Coffee Shop.
Scene 2: Tan Living Room.
Scene 3: Asian-American Community Center Meeting Room.
Scene 4: Jitters Coffee Shop.
Scene 5: My Sister’s House.
Scene 6: Cojuanco Living Room.
Scene 7: Tan Living Room.
Scene 8: Asian-American Community Center – Stage & Lobby.
LINKS TO MUSIC
Dreams: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1-y_dXGmjLpZt-c1ekAMFfV8vJyIJK4Ns
Love Took It All Away: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1cxi_XpeLoPHbIXXVj-dQa1GEAj7rU97J
Where There’s Love, There’s Hope: https://drive.google.com/open?id=11LRfjnN0BYjXdny1O9g0wCbK_tzVceAK
PLAYWRIGHT’S NOTES
ESPERANZA MEANS HOPE is meant for the community that the play is produced in. With that in mind, the following references may be changed to customize the play to fit your location: – All City references may be changed to local surrounding city names.
SCENE 1
Inside Jitters Coffee shop. It’s open mic night. ESPY is at the mic holding a clipboard.
ESPY
(Looking stage left and claps her hands in that direction.) Let’s give another round of applause for Eliza! Thanks for another one of your interesting poems. (Looks at her clipboard) And next up is… Abby Nguyen. She will be doing some comedy for us. Let’s welcome Abby.
(ESPY claps as ABBY nervously enters carrying index cards and joins ESPY at the mic. ESPY exits.)
ABBY
Hi. My name is um… um… (ABBY takes a look at her index cards and reads…) Abby. My name is Abby and I’m going to do some comedy for you. Okay, um, I’m a terrible cook. I tried to make cucumber soup the other day and it didn’t turn out how I wanted it. It took me 10 minutes to eat each cucumber. I knew I should have sliced it first. Cuz, each piece was long and it took too long to cook… (Puts that joke card behind the others.) How did that get in there?
(Pulls out another card from her stack.) Um… here’s a good one. I’m a terrible cook. I tried to make French toast the other day, and gave up because the French bread wouldn’t fit into the toaster.
(Draws out another card.)
I’m such a bad cook that I don’t boil water, I burn it.
My ex-boyfriend knew that I was a bad cook. He prayed AFTER we ate.
Why didn’t the sesame seed leave the casino? Because he was on a roll. My ex hated that joke.
One day, my ex-boyfriend got so mad at me because I kept staring at a can of frozen orange juice. I told him it said Concentrate on it!
Well, that’s my last joke. Thanks.
(ABBY takes a little bow. ESPY comes back to the mic.)
ESPY
That’s it?
ABBY
If I didn’t have to pee from being so nervous, there would be a lot more.
ESPY
Wow. That was a little bit too TMI, but I hope you’ll come back next week with more.
ABBY
Most definitely. Can I go now? I think I’m starting to drip.
ESPY
Go! Go woman!
(ABBY hurriedly exits.)
Hope she made it in time. Not bad stuff from the rookie. Let’s give it up again for Abby. Well, before we call it a night, I just wanted share something I wrote last night. It’s called Dreams.
(ESPY gets her guitar.)
DREAMS
Verse 1
EASING DOWN AN ENDLESS CALIFORNIA FREEWAY
BURNING HALF A TANKFUL EACH DAY
THINKING OF OLD TIMES, WRITING TUNES TO FIT OLD RHYMES
AND ALL THE TENDER WORDS YOU USED TO SAY. Um-hmm…
Verse 2
SOMEHOW ENDING UP WITH YOU IN SAUSALITO
JUST AN EXIT AWAY FROM BIG CITY SAN FRANCISCO
STILL PLAYING MY GUITAR, YOU SAID ONE DAY I’LL BE A STAR
AND ALL THE WHILE THIS LOVE OF OURS WILL GROW. Uh-hmm…
Chorus
‘CAUSE WITH YOU ALL OF THESE DREAMS WILL COME TRUE
AND FOR ALWAYS I WILL SAY, “I LOVE YOU.”
IF THEY WOULD ONLY REALIZE HOW MUCH YOU MEAN TO ME
THAT YOU AND I WERE ALWAYS MEANT TO BE.
(During the song, ABBY comes back in and sits at a table watching ESPY.)
ESPY
Thank you. My name is Espy Tan and everyone have a good night and hope to see you back here next week!
(ABBY gets up from her chair and applauds ESPY.)
ABBY
How do you do that? I mean you look so calm up there.
ESPY
Thanks. You were pretty good up there too.
(ESPY starts to put her guitar away.)
ABBY
Not as good as you. How do you do it?
ESPY
What?
ABBY
Not get nervous?
(ESPY shows ABBY her guitar.)
ESPY
Her. This is Joni, my best friend. So, when I’m with her, I’m not alone.
ABBY
I guess I got my cards.
ESPY
It’s a start.
ABBY
And this is what I’ve always wanted to do – tell jokes.
ESPY
I know the feeling – but with singing. I couldn’t tell a joke to save my life.
ABBY
Apparently me neither. I mean, I only have 5 jokes.
ESPY
Don’t be so hard on yourself. You just need to do more of these.
ABBY
But you’re like a pro. You should like totally go on tour!
ESPY
Ha. I’m fine just playing my music here.
ABBY
(Just remembering.)
OOOOHHHHHH! I got it!
(ABBY reaches into her bag and pulls out a flyer and gives it to ESPY.)
I officially invite you to perform here. It’s the fourth annual show.
ESPY
Fifth.
ABBY
So, you’ve heard of it?
ESPY
It’s on the flyer. Fifth Annual Talent Show.
ABBY
So, you wanna do it?
ESPY
I’m only allowed to sing here.
ABBY
Allowed?
ESPY
I meant, where I feel comfortable singing.
ABBY
But you’ll have Joni. And you’ll also have your biggest fan there too! Me.
ESPY
Has anyone asked you to turn your level of happy down to like an eight?
ABBY
Yup. But I never listened to him.
ESPY
Right. You said your ex-boyfriend…
ABBY
Yup. He didn’t find anything funny. Maybe that’s why I kept trying to so hard to make him laugh. (beat) But for reals, please consider sharing your talent with us.
You’re really good.
ESPY
Weren’t you in the bathroom when I was singing?
ABBY
I could hear you from in there. I was tapping my foot the entire time.
ESPY
Glad I could help?
ABBY
You can help us out by being in the Talent Show.
ESPY
What do you mean, help us?
ABBY
We’re trying to raise enough money to keep the Center open.
ESPY
The Center is supposed to be there forever. Uh, so I’ve heard.
ABBY
The landowner is threatening to build a parking lot there if we can’t pay for the lease. So this year’s show means a lot to them. Could be their last one.
ESPY
Last one?
ABBY
So does that mean, I can sign you up? It’s for the community.
(pause.)
A song dies when there is no one to hear it.
ESPY
That’s being a little over-dramatic, don’t you think?
ABBY
It makes sense if you really think about it. Tell you what; we’re having a meeting at the Center tomorrow night at seven, come on by and meet our planning committee. The address is on the bottom of the flyer.
ESPY
But, I didn’t say yes.
ABBY
Yet. You didn’t say yes yet. I’ll see you tomorrow.
(ABBY exits. ESPY stands there reading the flyer and looks to where ABBY has exited.) (Blackout.)
END OF SCENE.
SCENE 2
(Lights up as ESPY opens the front door to the Tan house.
She closes the door behind her trying not to make a noise.
Ever so quietly, she tip toes across the floor to make sure that no one else is home. Whew. He’s not home yet. ESPY relaxes and puts Joni away in the corner. Then she starts cleaning a little bit while singing DREAMS to herself.)
(VINCENT, ESPY’s husband, early 30s, comes in with a laptop bag dressed in business attire carrying some envelopes in his other hand. He puts down his stuff and looks through the mail.)
(ESPY is startled when she turns around and sees Vincent.)
ESPY
Hey.
VINCENT
Hey.
ESPY
I thought you weren’t coming home ‘til later.
VINCENT
I’m here now. What are you doing?
ESPY
Cleaning up.
VINCENT
Can you do it a quieter?
ESPY
What’s wrong with my voice?
VINCENT
It’s nice.
ESPY
Nice? Nice, Vincent?
VINCENT
Yes, Espy. Your voice is nice.
(Pause.)
I don’t want to get into it now.
ESPY
You told me that I had a beautiful voice.
VINCENT
When?
ESPY
Vegas.
VINCENT
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
ESPY
Then we wouldn’t be married, now, would we?
(VINCENT lets out a sigh.)
VINCENT
So, what’d you do today?
ESPY
Just Jitters.
VINCENT
Again?
ESPY
You said it was okay.
VINCENT
Not every day.
ESPY
It’s better than just staying around here doing nothing.
VINCENT
Want to trade places?
ESPY
I’m going to bed.
VINCENT
What about dinner?
ESPY
You can eat your dinner by yourself.
VINCENT
Espy! Esperanza. I’m sorry.
(He gives her a hug.)
You have a beautiful voice.
ESPY
You’re just saying that.
VINCENT
I mean it. So, how was Jitters?
ESPY
It went well. (beat) I heard that you want to turn the Center it into a parking lot?
VINCENT
Who told you that?
ESPY
A comic at the open mic. Is it true?
VINCENT
It’s a business tactic to get them to pay on time.
ESPY
I was thinking about doing the Benefit Talent Show this year.
VINCENT
Woah! Where’d that come from?
ESPY
To help pay for their lease.
VINCENT
Are you serious?
ESPY goes to her bag and pulls out the flyer that ABBY gave her and shows it to VINCENT.
ESPY
She thought that I’d be good there.
VINCENT
Who’s this she?
ESPY
The comic.
VINCENT
So, what’d you tell her?
ESPY
I told her I had other things to do.
VINCENT
You don’t need to be there anymore.
ESPY
But if things were different then maybe… VINCENT
Maybe? Do you actually think you can win it?
ESPY
I didn’t start that show to make it a competition.
VINCENT
Competition brings out the best in people.
ESPY
I just want to play my music.
VINCENT
You’re spending way too much time at that coffee shop.
ESPY
People tell me I’m good.
VINCENT
At what?
ESPY
You’d know if you’d come to see me perform.
You used to support me.
VINCENT starts to clap his hands.
VINCENT
“Good job, Esperanza.” Done.
ESPY
Why do I even bother?
ESPY starts to exit.
VINCENT
I’m kidding! When are you playing at that hippie coffee shop next?
(Pause as ESPY gives him a suspicious look.)
I have to support my wife, don’t I?
ESPY gives VINCENT a big hug.
ESPY
Next Wednesday! Then after maybe at the Talent Show?
VINCENT
You know he’d never let you on that stage.
(Pause.)
It’s been almost a year.
ESPY
But this doesn’t have anything to do with him.
VINCENT
Jitters is one thing, but the Talent Show with him there? Forget it.
ESPY
What about if I only did one song?
VINCENT
I said no.
ESPY
How can one song hurt?
VINCENT
Am I talking to a four year old?
EPSY
It’ll be fun.
VINCENT
I don’t want him to have fun!
ESPY
Then we’ll have fun.
VINCENT
Drop it, Espy! You’re not going anywhere near that Center. And for acting like a four year old, you’re not going back to that open mic.
ESPY
But I host it! You even said that you’d come with me next week?
VINCENT
And I changed my mind. Done.
ESPY goes to grab her guitar.
ESPY
Me too. I’m done.
VINCENT
Where are you going?
ESPY
Out.
VINCENT grabs ESPY by the arm.
VINCENT
You’re not going anywhere.
ESPY
Ow. That hurts!
VINCENT
You’re not going anywhere! Understood?
(Pause)
ESPY
Yes.
VINCENT lets go of ESPY’s arm.
VINCENT
Look… why don’t we can go on a vacation that week instead? La Jolla?
ESPY
You don’t do vacations in San Diego. You do work there.
VINCENT
Not that week. I promise. It’s just going to be you and me.
ESPY nods her head, yes.
VINCENT
Atta girl. A new place opened up in Midtown. After I get changed, dinner’s on me tonight.
VINCENT exits.
ESPY picks up the flyer for the Talent Show and looks at it…
(Blackout.)
END OF SCENE.
SCENE 3
(Meeting room at the Asian-American Community Center. TEO, President of the Center is looking through some papers. He’s with the Talent Show Fundraiser’s committee: DIA, Teo’s daughter is on her phone, MARTA, a dedicated Center member is looking at ABBY.) Playwright note: Throughout this scene, when not in active role, DIA is being media sociable on her phone.
TEO
Dia, put your phone down and help me look for it!
DIA
Almost done.
TEO
Now!
DIA
Okay. Okay. Geez.
(DIA puts down her phone and starts to go through a stack of papers in front of her.)
TEO
It was supposed to be taken care of last year.
DIA
It’s in here somewhere.
MARTA
Teodoro, I don’t see why we need security. We’ve never had any problems before.
TEO
That’s because we’ve always had security, Marta.
MARTA
Oh. I see.
ABBY
I’ve worked with a group at Sac State who’s done security. I can ask them if they can help out, Mr. Cojuanco.
TEO
Thank you, Abby. But, I think we’ll be fine.
ABBY
Walang anuman, po. I just want to help out.
MARTA
Wow. You know how to speak Tagalog?
ABBY
Kaunti lang, po. I’m trying to learn.
TEO
You should teach Dia. (to DIA) Naintindihan ka ba?
DIA
Huh?
TEO
See.
MARTA
That’s so rare in these times. I tried to teach my granddaughter, but their American mother gives me this look like I’m teaching them some kind of Alien talk or something. I don’t know what Peter was thinking when he asked her to marry her. I told him to marry a nice Filipino girl, or at least an Asian girl. At least he didn’t marry a….
DIA
Found it! Oh wait. This is from two years ago.
TEO
Look harder!
DIA
But Abby already said that we could use the college group.
TEO
Then Mr. Tolentino would ask how come I’m not using him. Go call him now.
Maybe he has it.
DIA
But Esperanza’s the one who always deals with him.
TEO
Well, she’s not here.
DIA
Can’t we just call her?
TEO
No! She’s the one who doesn’t want to be here.
DIA
That’s because you won’t let her be here.
ABBY
Should I leave?
TEO AND DIA
NO!
(Pause.)
TEO
Abby. We’re sorry. Thank you so much for offering to help. I appreciate your effort. It’s not usually this hectic.
DIA
Found it! It was filed under S. See.
(Gives the paperwork to TEO.)
TEO
Good. Everything is signed. One less thing to worry about. (pause) Okay, next order of business… has anyone else found any new performers?
MARTA
Divina Zamora wants to perform again.
(DIA groans.)
TEO
I said new performers, Marta.
ABBY
What’s her act?
DIA
It’s her and her cat and a whole bunch of What the…?
ABBY
Sounds like something I want to see.
DIA
Uh. No. No you don’t.
TEO
(To MARTA.) You can tell Divina that she can perform ONLY IF she does something new. Okay?
MARTA
You got it boss.
TEO
Great. Abby, we can still count on you to emcee, right?
ABBY
Uh… I guess if you couldn’t find anyone else. But I’ve never done it before.
TEO
It’s easy. Just tell them some jokes. Try this: Did you know that Filipinos have a lot of pride?
ABBY
They do?
TEO
Sure! We have pride rice. Pride fish. And Pride Lumpia.
MARTA
(Laughing) Oh, that’s a good one!
ABBY
Uh okay. I’ll think about it.
DIA
Please don’t.
TEO
Trust me. (He laughs). I don’t know where I come up with these things. So, did you find any new performers?
ABBY
Yes, Sir. I found a singer and oh! She’s a way better emcee than me.
TEO
I think we have enough singers and we already have you to emcee.
ABBY
But she’s really good. It’s just that she only sings at a coffee shop.
MARTA
Is she homeless? Because someone sang to me in a Starbuck. And he was homeless.
ABBY
Um. No. At least I don’t think so. I invited her to come over to meet everyone and maybe she could audition for you?
MARTA
That’d be nice. I hope she knows some Tom Jones. I love Tom Jones.
TEO
Marta?
MARTA
Yes?
TEO
Do you know if the Centennial Lions will be sponsoring a table this year?
MARTA
Yes. Oh, that’s right. I have their contract right here.
(MARTA reaches into her bag, pulls out a contract and gives it to DIA.)
ABBY
My work would like to have our table by the entrance if you don’t mind.
MARTA
Where do you work, my dear?
ABBY
At the My Sister’s House.
DIA
That’s the Domestic Violence Shelter off of Broadway, isn’t it?
ABBY
No. The main office is off Broadway. But the shelter is somewhere else.
TEO
I think that we already promised that spot near the entrance to FILCRA.
DIA
Uh. Nope. That’s not what I have on my chart. See.
ABBY
I just think that it’s a really good idea for us to let people know about the services we provide before they enter the Center. A good partnership for the community.
Wouldn’t you agree, Mr. Cojuanco?
TEO
What happens in a home should stay in a home. It shouldn’t be our business. Why should I think that it’s okay for other people to know what’s going on with my family? Because that’s a personal matter. Nobody else’s business.
ABBY
All I’m saying, Mr. Cojuanco, is that there are people out there that need our help.
Especially because we’re Asian-American. We want to be a part of their family when sometimes they feel like they don’t have a family to support them.
MARTA
Oh. That’s nice.
ABBY
Thank you, Mrs. Bautista. So what do you say, Mr. Cojuanco? Can we have that spot?
TEO
Hmmm… If FILCRA’s not going to be there, then maybe.
ABBY
Thank you. Salamat po. The show’s gonna be the bomb!
MARTA
Oh, there’s not going to be any bombs. We’re going to have security there.
DIA
Wow. Auntie, Abby meant that the show is going to be a lot of fun.
ABBY
Sorry, Auntie. It’s just an expression. (to DIA and TEO) I don’t know how you pull this off every year.
DIA
I don’t either. I don’t know how Esperanza does all this.
TEO
Hey! You think it’s just her? You know, it’s all of us. So, stop with the Esperanza talk. We have a few more weeks before the show so let’s concentrate on making this the best fundraiser we can. Okay? (pause) Okay?
ALL
Okay!
TEO
Good. Meeting adjourned.
ABBY
(looking at her watch.)
Oh, wait. Can we wait a couple of more minutes before adjourning? Remember, I told my singer friend to come by to meet you.
DIA
What’s your friend’s name?
ABBY
Espy. Espy Tan.
(Everyone becomes silent and things start to feel a little awk-ward.)
ABBY
What? What’s the matter?
TEO
(To DIA.)
Did you know about this?
DIA
You won’t let me talk to her so how should I?
(Enter ESPY. Everyone else looks at her while ABBY immediately goes to her.)
ABBY
Hey! I’m glad you made it. Welcome. This is everyone. Everyone, this is Espy Tan.
ESPY
It’s really, Cojuanco-Tan.
TEO
Excuse me. I need some air.
(TEO exits. As ESPY watches her father leave, DIA comes up behind her to put her hand on her shoulder, causing ESPY to turn around and they share a warm embrace.)
MARTA
It’s nice to have you back, Esperanza.
(They hug.)
ESPY
Thank you, Auntie.
ABBY
Wait. You’re The Esperanza?
DIA
And my sister. (To ESPY) Why didn’t you tell me that you were coming here?
ESPY
Surprise.
DIA
I think Dad was the one who was surprised.
ESPY
Ya think?
MARTA
Esperanza, I’m so glad that you’re here. Everything is falling apart.
DIA
Thanks for the support, Auntie.
MARTA
You know what I mean, Dia.
DIA
I do. Espy, come back. PLEASE! You started this whole shebang and I sooo need your help. Like, I couldn’t find Mr. Tolentino’s contract.
ESPY
It’s filed under S. For Security.
DIA
Ohhh. Security.
ESPY
And I’m not coming back to help. I just wanted to tell Abby that I won’t be able to do the show.
ABBY
Why not?
ESPY
I’ll be out of town that weekend.
DIA
You’re not even going to watch it?
MARTA
You have to see the show.
DIA
Yeah. You know you can’t miss Auntie Divina’s act.
ESPY
With her cat?
ABBY
Oh, now I haaave to see that.
ESPY
Actually, that’s a good reason for me not to be here. Besides, I really don’t think I’m welcome here.
DIA
Dad’s just stressing out. He knows we need you back, but you know him.
ESPY
I’m sorry, I can’t…
DIA
If you don’t come back to help, then… then I’m going to tear down every Backstreet Boy poster off your wall and shred each and every one of them.
ESPY
You wouldn’t dare.
DIA
Especially the one you got them to sign in San Jose. I’m gonna burn that one… twice!
MARTA
Who are the Back Side Boys?
ESPY
Wait, I still have a room?
DIA
Duh.
ESPY
Hm. I thought that Dad would’ve rented it out already.
MARTA
He’s waiting for you to come back home.
(ESPY lets out a little chuckle.)
ESPY
I highly doubt that. Did you forget that I’m married now?
DIA
I wouldn’t know. We weren’t invited to the wedding.
ESPY
Dad wouldn’t have come.
DIA
I would have!
EPSY
Vincent said that you wouldn’t understand.
DIA
Not understand! I’m your sister. And we’re supposed to be your family.
ESPY
And he’s my husband.
(From outside the meeting room.)
VINCENT
Espy! Esperanza Tan where are you!?
(Enter VINCENT)
VINCENT
(To ESPERANZA) Why aren’t you…! (He sees everyone looking at him and smiles) Hello everyone. (To ESPY) Why aren’t you home, Esperanza? I was so worried.
ESPY
Really?
VINCENT
Of course. I always expect you to be home. And when you’re not, I worry.
ESPY
I can take care of myself.
VINCENT
I’m sure you can. Well… it’s time for us to go now.
MARTA
Hello Vincent. You’re not going to give me a hug?
(VINCENT goes over to hug her.)
VINCENT
Sorry, Auntie. How are you?
MARTA
My back hurts. And sometimes my feet swell up if I walk too much, so I have to sit down for a few hours until they feel good enough / to walk.
VINCENT
I’m sorry to hear that Auntie. (To ESPY) Are you ready?
(VINCENT begins to walk towards ESPY but ABBY cuts off his path.)
ABBY
Hi. I’m Abby.
VINCENT
Vincent Tan. Esperanza’s husband.
(VINCENT takes out the flyer that ABBY gave to ESPY and holds it out to him.)
VINCENT
I believe this belongs to you. Unfortunately, she won’t be able to join you.
ABBY
Yeah. She just told us.
MARTA
You’re welcome to be here too, Vincent.
(Enter TEO.)
TEO
I wouldn’t say that.
VINCENT
Hello Uncle.
TEO
Vincent.
VINCENT
Well, I just came to get my wife, so…
TEO
Good. Goodbye.
VINCENT
Oh. I expect to receive this month’s lease payment by the end of the month. Yes?
TEO
You don’t have to remind me like I am a child.
VINCENT
Good. No need to get the lawyers involved again.
(VINCENT begins to snap his fingers.)
Espy come. Let’s go!
(ESPY makes her goodbye rounds.)
ESPY
(To MARTA) It was nice seeing you again, Auntie. (To ABBY) I’m really sorry Abby, but thanks for the opportunity. (Giving a hug to DIA) I’ll check on your tweets.
(VINCENT grabs ESPY’s arm.) Ow!
ABBY
Hey!
DIA
Let her go! She’s already going with you.
VINCENT
(To ABBY) You better watch yourself.
ABBY
Or what?
DIA
Pa. Don’t let her go? Something’s not right.
TEO
Dia. Let her go. She’s made her choice. (To ESPY) Esperanza, It’s best that you no longer come here.
ESPY
That’s why I’m leaving. Let’s go, Vincent.
TEO
I meant for good.
DIA
Dad!
ABBY
Mr. Cojuanco, isn’t the Center open for everyone? She should be able to feel safe here.
VINCENT
I don’t know what you are implying, but she’s safe with me. Tell them, Espy.
TEO
It is, but I told you that it’s not the Center’s responsibility to get involved in other people’s family matters.
VINCENT
I’m glad someone’s got the right idea. Thanks, Old Man.
TEO
I’m not your Old Man. Esperanza, I don’t want to make any trouble for your family.
ESPY
I thought we were family.
TEO
I did too.
(As VINCENT grabs ESPY’s arm again, ESPY jerks it away and hurriedly makes her way out the door.)
(Blackout.)
END OF SCENE.
SCENE 4
Inside Coffee shop. It’s another open mic night.
ABBY is up at the mic with her index cards in her hand and reading…
ABBY
Um. I was at Big Lots the other day I told the check-out guy, “Um, this is all I’m getting today.” And he just looked at me and said, “I thought that you’d have an Asian accent or something.” What the? First off, what flavor of Asian was he looking for? Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Hmong, Filipino… ooo. I just got hungry. But I digress. So I said to him, “Sorry, I speak American.” (ESPY enters wearing sunglasses with her guitar.) (To ESPY in a loud whisper.) Espy. Espy! (To audience) Excuse me.
(Approaches ESPY.)
Hey.
ESPY
Hey.
ABBY
I tried calling you. I hope you don’t mind. Dia gave me your number and I wanted to make sure that you were okay.
ESPY
Thanks. Sorry about the phone thing. I… I just got busy and all.
ABBY
Do you want to talk?
ESPY
Actually, do you mind if I just sing? I’m not in the mood to talk.
ABBY
Sure. Hold up.
(To audience)
Our fearless host has returned from a week off and will sing for us tonight. Let’s welcome Espy Tan to the mic.
(ESPY approaches the mic as ABBY exits.)
ESPY
Thanks, Abby. It’s nice to be back. Um. I just finished writing this and I hope that you like it.
LOVE TOOK IT ALL AWAY
I SOMETIMES TRY TO TELL MYSELF
LOVE WILL FIND A WAY
IF I HOLD MY BREATH AND CLOSE MY EYES,
THINGS WILL BE OK
I KNOW I’M STRONG…
I’M HOLDING ON…
AT LEAST I WANT TO TRY
I JUST CAN’T REMEMBER WHY
I LOOK AROUND AND REALIZE
THINGS ARE NOT THE SAME
ALL THIS GUILT AND ALL THIS SHAME,
WHEN I CHANGED MY NAME
AND IF I GIVE IT ONE MORE CHANCE,
IF I CHOOSE TO STAY
WOULD… I… LOSE MYSELF THIS WAY?
Bridge
WAY DOWN DEEP INSIDE,
IN SECRET PLACES WHERE I HIDE
I CAN BE MYSELF AND FEEL ALIVE,
I CAN SING MY SONGS…I CAN DECIDE
BUT I WAKE UP,
WAKE FROM MY DREAMS
AND THEN I REALIZE
THE CHOICES THAT I MADE…
COME WITH A PAINFUL PRICE
TO LIVE WITHOUT TOMORROW’S HOPE
IS HOW I LIVE EACH DAY
TO PUT BEHIND WHAT’S LEFT OF ME’S
THE PRICE I HAVE TO PAY
IT DOESN’T MATTER WHO I AM,
OR WHO I THOUGHT I WAS MEANT TO BE
LOVE TOOK IT ALL AWAY…
HE TOOK IT ALL AWAY…..
HE TOOK IT ALL AWAY….
ESPY (CONTINUED)
Thank you.
(ESPY steps away from the mic and goes over to the side to put her guitar back in her case. ABBY takes the mic.)
ABBY
Well, that’s our show for tonight. Thanks for coming out everyone and see you next week.
(ABBY approaches ESPY.)
ESPY
I hope that you’re not going to ask me if I’m all right.
ABBY
Who? Me? I wouldn’t… I just wanted to know if you were doing okay.
ESPY
I’m fine, all right?!
ABBY
Okay. Good. I’m glad.
ESPY
Sorry. So, I guess you know the whole story?
ABBY
About Vincent and your dad? Dia filled me in. Have you tried asking Vincent to give the land back to the community? Isn’t that what was supposed to have happened in the first place?
ESPY
It’s a little more complicated than that.
ABBY
Then let’s un-complicate it.
ESPY
Long story short, Vincent made the business decision to lease it to them instead.
ABBY
Instead of what his dad promised?
ESPY
I said it was complicated.
ABBY
Dia said that was Vincent’s dad’s dying wish, and he was the President of the Center before your dad. They were friends. And Vincent destroyed that.
ESPY
Hey, that’s a little over the top. It was a business decision.
ABBY
It should be a community decision.
ESPY
Vincent doesn’t believe in “community”. He’s frustrated by they way the community does things. Like how some organizations bicker so much, not only with each other, but within each other. And because of all these arguments, the “community” never moves forward.
(beat)
Did you know that he built his family’s business to be one of the top real estate development companies in the County?
ABBY
Why are you defending him?
ESPY
Because, he’s my husband.
ABBY
Well, the both of you are still a part of our community too.
ESPY
Again, with the community. I’ll cut you some slack, Abby, because you’re new here, but he’s gotten further ahead by leaving your community.
ABBY
But the only way a community can survive and grow is from the people who come back to help it. Not to leave it behind.
ESPY
That’s something my father would say.
ABBY
Where do you think I got it from?
ESPY
Well, I told him that I could convince Vincent to hand over the land to the community.
ABBY
And let me guess, he never even gave you that chance.
ESPY
He instead accused me of picking Vincent over him.
ABBY
And you were the one caught in the middle.
ESPY
And kicked to the outside.
(beat)
Look. Vincent’s a good provider. He’s given me everything. A nice house, vacations around the world.
ABBY
Love?
ESPY
I told you, he gives me everything I want.
ABBY
That’s not love.
ESPY
Then your definition is over-rated. He says that “love” is cruel because it forces people to do stupid nothings. If people were in the state of the kind of love you’re talking about, nothing would get accomplished.
ABBY
What do you think?
ESPY
I just told you.
ABBY
No. You told me what he thinks. What happened to those happy songs you wrote when I first met you? Those songs were you. Not him.
ESPY
I think I might’ve forgotten how to write happy.
ABBY
Write or be?
ESPY
I have to go.
ABBY
Vincent?
ESPY
Vincent.
ABBY
Hold up.
(ABBY reaches into his bag and pulls out a card to give to ESPY.)
ABBY
2pm tomorrow. Come by and we’ll get to work on your return to happy songs.
(ESPY reads the card.)
Let’s work on turning that level of joy back up. Don’t flake. Tomorrow. I’ll see you there.
(Blackout.)
END OF SCENE.
SCENE 5
(Stage is bare with enough chairs for the Domestic Violence survivors to give their monologues. One chair is left upstage.) (As these monologues are being told, we see ESPY in the background. She sits in the upstage chair listening to their stories. We see her feel and understand the lives that these women have gone through because it’s her story as well.)
ABBY
I know that some of you are wondering what I’m doing here. Working that is. Just to let you know, I started doing telling my jokes at an open mic. Sorry for not telling you, but I was really nervous, but it’s a step. Like for all of us to tell our stories, it’s a step. God knows I was never able to talk to my family about what happened and why I’m no longer with Basilio and why I’m still not married yet. I was embarrassed and afraid that they’d think everything was my fault. For a while, I even thought everything was my fault. He’d work late and sometimes not even come home for dinner. Maybe, that’s why my jokes are centered around food. I thought that maybe I just had to try harder, or even try to lighten the mood with things I would say. Nothing worked. I would accept all the blame he would put on me. But then the yelling turned to shoving. And the shoving turned to beating and…. well, I’m sure you know the rest.
And then I met Jackie, the nurse at the hospital who stitched up my lip, after another bad day. Even though I didn’t say anything to her or to the police, she knew. It’s weird when you don’t know someone, but you can just know. Without a word, she gave me a card to the My Sister’s House. I can still her voice, “They’ll take care of you.” I found a safe place that didn’t judge me, advice on how to deal with him, provided training on how to get a job, and more than any of that, people to listen and care about you. I don’t know what I would have done without any of you, and that one person who gave me a card. She saved the life of a person who didn’t think she even had one left.
SURVIVOR 1
(looks at own body)
I think they’re almost gone now. You can’t see them, can you? It’s taken them a while to disappear….but I guess all the scars will never truly disappear.
Aren’t women supposed to be loving and nurturing? Gracious? Kind? We aren’t supposed to be violent. We’re not supposed to hurt. We heal. It was different for me. My abuse wasn’t at the hands of a husband, or boyfriend…it was actually my girlfriend.
She was my first. She was the one who was there for me, who taught me that being gay wasn’t something to be ashamed of, wasn’t something that I needed to hide anymore. She was the one person who loved me and allowed me to be loved. But after a while, her love started to hurt. We would argue all the time and her put-downs made me feel like I was worthless. She would say that I wasn’t good enough for her and I started to feel that I didn’t deserve her. I can’t count how many times she pulled me by my shirt and slammed me against the wall, or bang my head with the pots and pans in my own kitchen! She said that I was too sheltered and that this was the real world. She said I needed to be stronger, that she was doing me a favor because I was just too weak. And because I loved her, I believed her. I really thought I just had to toughen up. But I didn’t toughen up. Instead, I held it all inside and became weaker. Getting up in the morning didn’t seem worth it anymore. All my days seemed the same. I would look in the mirror and see someone else, someone with cuts and bruises and eyes empty of life but full of tears. What had happened to me? I’m not sure when, but eventually I got to the point where I couldn’t act like it didn’t exist anymore; couldn’t sweep it under the rug. It showed, literally. How could someone I loved so much be the cause of all my pain? There were so many times I thought of ending it all. I couldn’t go on living that way. But thankfully, a friend was able to break through my sadness and brought me here to the My Sister’s House.
They helped me see that the relationship I was in held more abuse than love and that I could still change my life. Thanks to them I was slowly able to begin the healing process. I’ve found a place where I can see myself in others. It’s easy to talk to you all here. We all have our stories to tell and it helps to have someone to listen. Everyday I remind myself, that the first step to loving yourself is realizing you deserve to be loved. And now I know that love doesn’t have to hurt, to be real.
SURVIVOR 2
I thought things were going to be better for me here. He came and promised me the world. He promised to sweep me away to a better life in America.
We met online. He was very formal at first and I was scared that maybe he might be the cold type. But then he confessed his nervousness to me. He said that he never did this before and was so hopeful to get to know me better, and that it was just his fear of offending me. I, too, was a little bit hesitant at meeting someone online. But it made me feel comfortable seeing that he could open up to me, and right away I was taken with his… honesty. We slowly got to know each other and he even came to visit me in the Philippines, twice. Before the year was through, I had fallen for him and we were married. Right away he brought me here to his home in the states. I thought, “how could I be so lucky? To be married to someone so charming, loving, honest, wealthy, AND American?” I was living the dream! But it didn’t take long before my dream turned into a nightmare. Things between us changed almost immediately. I started to see a side of him that I never saw before; a demanding, controlling, and cruel side. I would do all the cooking and cleaning while he was at work. That was something I was used to and so I didn’t mind at first. But he treated me more like a slave instead of his wife. He would beat me if I didn’t finish things or do them exactly the way he wanted them done. He wouldn’t even allow me to cook my foods. He reminded me that I was no longer in the Philippines and now and I had to learn to cook the foods he liked best, which were only American foods. When I would start to talk and fight back, he’d repeatedly beat me and remind me that if I didn’t do exactly what he said, he’d call immigration on me. He told me I needed him if I wanted to stay in America. I couldn’t call home because I wasn’t even allowed to use the telephone. He said, “you don’t have any friends here so who are you going to call? And why would you want to call home when that’s the place you wanted to leave so badly? Are you going to tell your family how you are a terrible wife? You know you can’t get a divorce. You’ll embarrass your family. Is that what you want to do to them? Embarrass them?” And in a way, he was right. Our family didn’t believe in divorce. I felt so alone with no one to talk to. He barely even talked to me when he would come home from work. When his friends would come over, he would call me over and over, “Kim, get me this. Kim, go get that. Kim, clean this up right now!” I felt humiliated as his friends laughed.
He told them that Asian wives were the best because we were faithful and submissive; that American women will walk all over you, but Asian women, they will walk behind you. That was my life.
Every day I would have the daytime to myself but I dreaded his coming home in the evening. I never knew how he was going to treat me. Would he be angry today? Would he yell at me, or hit me? Would today be the day he would take his anger too far? I was so tired of the fighting and getting hurt. I would think, “Is this what I came here for? To be treated like an animal? To live in fear?
Cowering in a corner for the rest of my life?” I was in his control and at his mercy. By taking away my ID and all my papers, he took away my freedom….and hope. But I realized that I could no longer live like this. Better to be deported back than stay here and put my life at risk. I had to try and get away.
But where would I go? I was in a new country with no family, no friends, no money, no one I could turn to for help. Who would listen? Who would listen to an immigrant like me?
(Before, these monologues are finished, ESPY runs out trying to make sense of what she’s heard.)
END OF SCENE.
SCENE 6
Lights dimly rise up on TEO and DIA as they are kneeling down as if in front of an altar with a statue of the Virgin Mary, picture frame and two candles.
TEO AND DIA
Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile,
show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Amen.
As DIA gets up and blows out the candles, lights fade out on the previous scene as the light also reveals the Cojuanco living room.
There is a large box near them and some items are in front of it.
TEO is still kneeling in silent prayer.
DIA moves to the items and sorts them out by category.
DIA
The toothpaste with the toothbrushes?
(DIA puts a box of toothpaste into the box.)
TEO
Yes.
DIA
And the shampoo with the deodorant.
(DIA puts a shampoo into the box.)
TEO
Yes.
DIA
And the white T-Shirts along with the white underwear.
(DIA puts some T-shirts into the box.)
TEO
Like it has always been.
DIA
As it was in the beginning…
TEO
Is now and shall ever be.
DIA
And why is it “shall ever will be?” With the amount of things we keep sending them, I’d figure they opened up a store and start selling what we send.
TEO
Because it’s one of our responsibilities, Anak.
DIA
To a family I don’t even know.
TEO
But they know you.
DIA
I don’t know whether that should give me the creeps or to give me guilt for not knowing them.
TEO
Keep packing, Dia.
(DIA picks up a shirt.)
DIA
Dad. What’s this?
TEO
Maybe one of your cousins will like that.
DIA
But this doesn’t belong to them.
TEO
It doesn’t belong to anyone here.
DIA
Do you know what she had to do to get them to sign this shirt along with their poster?
TEO
It’s just a shirt.
DIA
No, it’s not!
(DIA picks up another shirt. And another. And another.) You can’t give these away.
TEO
Why not? They’re just taking up space.
DIA
Then why aren’t you putting any of mom’s clothes in the box?
TEO
Because maybe you’ll want to wear them.
DIA
Trust me, I won’t.
TEO
Just put those in the box.
DIA
No.
TEO
Nadia Maria de Jesus Cojuanco!–
DIA
Teodoro Tolentino Cojuanco!
TEO
Walang hiya! Just do what you’re told. Why are you being so difficult?
DIA
Me? The one being difficult?
TEO
Dia, I’m warning you.
DIA
What? Are you gonna kick me out too?
TEO
What you mean, kick her out? She’s the one who abandoned us!
DIA
And you didn’t do anything to keep her here.
TEO
She’s an adult. She can do whatever she wants to do.
DIA
And you’re our Father. You’re supposed to be the adult!
TEO
I am.
DIA
Then stop acting like a baby.
TEO
Where’s your respect?
DIA
And where’s yours? Did you ever think that if you showed us a little respect, then maybe she’d still be here?
TEO
She doesn’t need us anymore.
DIA
But I need her. And I know you need her too.
TEO
Tama na!
DIA
No, I’m not gonna stop.
TEO
I don’t want to talk about it anymore.
DIA
When do you want to talk about it?
TEO
Not now.
DIA
Not ever?
TEO
That’s even better!
DIA
That’s your problem, Dad! That’s the community’s problem! Nobody wants to talk about anything! And look where that gets us? I miss Espy and for you to tell me not talk to her is killing me!
TEO
She’s the one who turned her back on us.
DIA
And what did you to her at the Center? She came to us wanting to HELP us and what did you do?
TEO
She didn’t want to help us.
DIA
Why do you think she was there, Dad?
(TEO looks at her for a beat without an answer and goes to the items near the box, bends down and silently puts things inside.)
DIA (CONT.)
That’s your solution to everything, huh? Stay quiet and hope the memory of Espy goes away. Is that why you don’t talk about mom anymore too? I don’t get it. Is there like a magic trick you were taught in the Philippines that when something bad happens, if you don’t talk about it, maybe it never happened? But guess what dad? It happened. Lung cancer killed mom. And your silence isn’t going to erase the guilt you must feel for being the only one to smoke in this family.
TEO
Are you saying that I killed your mother?
A long silence.
DIA
The silence hurts. Doesn’t it, Dad?
(DIA gathers all of Espy’s clothes and starts to exit.)
TEO
Where are you going?
DIA
I’m going to Esperaza’s room and put her clothes back where they belong. This is still my sister’s house.
(Blackout)
END OF SCENE
SCENE 7
(VINCENT is sitting down facing away from the front door when ESPY enters carrying her guitar case.)
VINCENT
Where were you?
(ESPY’s surprised and frightened at VINCENT’s appearance.)
ESPY
What the…? You scared me.
VINCENT
Where. Were. You?
(Composing herself.)
ESPY
What are you doing home so early?
VINCENT
It doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is that you’re not home when you should be.
ESPY
I had to go to Safeway.
VINCENT
I didn’t know you could stuff all the groceries inside your guitar case.
ESPY
I had a long day. I’m going to bed.
(As ESPY makes her way out of the room, VINCENT cuts off her path.)
VINCENT
A long day? Rough day at the office? Too many screaming clients? Lose an account or two?
ESPY
Can we talk about this later?
VINCENT
No. We’re going to talk about this right now. Where were you?
ESPY
I don’t have to put up with this.
VINCENT
As long as you live in my house and you’re not the one making any money, you answer to me.
ESPY
Wow. Sorry. Dad.
VINCENT
What did you say?
ESPY
I told you I wanted a job. But Nooo… You weren’t going to have any wife of yours working.
VINCENT
Do you know how many other woman would love to be in your shoes? You have it easy.
ESPY
I don’t have anything. The only thing I do have is my music.
VINCENT
You can’t be serious. Your music? If you were good, then that’s one thing. But you’re terrible.
ESPY
How would you even know? You’ve never even listened to any of my songs. Or come to any of my shows?
VINCENT
Shows? What are you some big star now? I let you go to that stupid coffee shop so you can do your music thing so I wouldn’t hear you complain about not doing anything all day.
ESPY
You let me?
VINCENT
Know what? You’re not allowed to go there anymore.
ESPY
I’m not a baby.
VINCENT
Then stop acting like one.
ESPY
I’m singing at the Talent Show.
VINCENT
No you’re not.
ESPY
I don’t need your approval. With or without you, I’m going.
(VINCENT strikes ESPY. He pulls out Joni, ESPY’s guitar and grabs a pair of scissors. ESPY quickly gets up and tries to grab Joni away from VINCENT. As she does, VINCENT holds the scissors pointed to her.)
VINCENT
You made me do this.
(With each string that VINCENT cuts from Joni, ESPY’s pain rings out with…)
ESPY
Nooo! Stop. Stop…
(With the last snip, VINCENT drops the guitar, which ESPY grasps and cradles.)
VINCENT
At least I appreciate you telling me what you were going to do instead of going behind my back. For that, I’ll forgive you. C’mon get up.
(VINCENT tries to help ESPY back up. She refuses his help, and gets up on her own.)
VINCENT
Look, I know that we said some things that each of us regret, but let’s just try to put this behind us, okay? I’m sorry. I swear, the first thing we do when we get to San Diego, we’ll go to that music place in Pacific Beach, the one that you like so much, and I’ll buy you a brand new guitar. It’s about time that we replace this ratty old one anyways. (pause) Sound good? Good. I have to go to the office to set up some meetings when we get down there. In the meantime, you can start packing.
It’ll be a good get-away for us.
(VINCENT kisses ESPY on the head and leaves. When she knows that he’s gone, she searches for ABBY’s card, get her phone and calls…)
ESPY
Hello. My Sister’s House? I need help.
(Blackout.)
END OF SCENE.
SCENE 8
(Sound of applause. Lights up on ABBY is on stage at the Talent Show.)
ABBY
It doesn’t get any better than that, Ladies and Gentlemen. Please another round of applause for Mrs. Divina Zamora and her singing Pusa.
Did I tell you that I was a bad cook? What’s the difference between good rice and crunchy rice? Water.
Speaking of rice, I visited my family in the Bay Area… Daly City. Anyways when we got there, it was really foggy and do you wanna know why? No, it’s not because of all the rice cookers, it’s because of all of the clouds letting off steam by saying, “Psssst… Hoy.” Get it? The clouds… when they say Pssst… it causes the fog… and…
Alright, it’s that time of the evening when you get out your raffle tickets! Pull them out and get ready to win your very own $5 Starbucks Gift Card! And the winner is number 24601. 24601!? Who said Bingo? Congratulations. After the show, please find me next to the My Sister’s House table in the lobby for your prize. Let’s get a round of applause for our winner.
(DIA and TEO are around the My Sister’s House Table located in the lobby. DIA is counting the money.)
TEO
Is all the money there?
DIA
Yes, Dad. It’s not going to walk away.
TEO
Well, what’s the total?
DIA
One-thousand forty-three, forty-four, and forty-five dollars. And we made more from the online sales too.
TEO
Good. That should buy us some time.
(Enter ABBY.)
DIA
Hey Abby. Good job in there. “Pssst… hoy.” I got it.
ABBY
Then you were the only one. At least thanks to your sister, I’m not as nervous anymore. Is she here, yet?
(Enter ESPY with her guitar.)
ESPY
Sorry for being late.
ABBY
You ready?
ESPY
I think so.
(DIA goes over to her and gives her a hug.)
DIA
You’ll be fine, Ate.
ESPY
Thanks. Hi Dad.
TEO
What is she doing here?
ABBY
She’s going to sing.
TEO
We don’t have any slots open.
DIA
Yes we do dad. Someone pulled out at the last minute.
TEO
Who?
ABBY
Me. I’m already emceeing and telling my jokes. (To ESPY) Thanks for the tips, Espy.
ESPY
Are you sure it’s okay?
ABBY
It was my idea, remember.
ESPY
So, is it okay, dad?
TEO
It’s a free country. I’m going to go check on how much lumpia we sold.
(TEO exits.)
DIA
At least he didn’t yell.
ESPY
And lose face in front of everyone in there?
DIA
I know he’s not perfect, but he’s still dad.
ESPY
Are you choosing his side?
DIA
Oh, no. I learned from your mess.
ESPY
Gee, thanks.
DIA
You know what I mean. Besides, I still have to live with the man. (pause) Still love me?
(ESPY gives her a hug.)
ESPY
Never stopped.
DIA
Then come back home.
ESPY
With him there?
DIA
Just tell him everything. He’ll understand.
ESPY
It’ll be more like, “See, I told you so. That he was no good for you! You can’t do anything right.”
DIA
He wouldn’t say that.
ESPY
I’m fine where I am.
DIA
Well, when you do come home, your Backstreet Boys posters will be waiting for you.
(ESPY and DIA hug it out.)
ABBY
Hate to break up a sisterly moment, but you still have a song ready to be heard.
ESPY
Right. Wish me luck.
(As ESPY walks towards the stage area, VINCENT enters carrying flowers.)
ESPY
What are you doing here?
VINCENT
Here. These are for you. Carnations. I remembered your favorite.
ESPY
Tulips. Tulips are my favorite.
VINCENT
Then this brings out the color of your eyes.
ABBY
What are you doing here, Vincent?
VINCENT
I’m going to be watching a show. I paid for my ticket. See. Online.
ABBY
I think it’s a good idea if you left now.
ESPY
I’m fine. Remember? I can handle him.
(DIA runs out of the room.)
ABBY
Right. Well, I’m not going to leave your side.
VINCENT
I just want to talk. Just for a minute. Esperanza?
ESPY
What do you want?
VINCENT
Come home. I miss you. I’m sorry for everything. The only reason for my success is you, Esperanza. Without you, I don’t have anything left to live for.
ABBY
She’s not a trophy!
ESPY
Shhh… I’m not a trophy. I can’t believe that you really thought of me as a prize for all your success.
VINCENT
That’s not what I meant. (To ABBY) You be quiet! (To ESPY) What I’m saying is that I’m nothing without you, okay? Nothing.
ESPY
Vincent.
VINCENT
I promise to be a better husband. To be a better man. A better friend.
ESPY
Vincent.
(VINCENT takes out his phone to show ESPY.)
VINCENT
Look.
ESPY
Aranci Gardens.
VINCENT
Outside Tuscany. That place, this picture, reminds me how lucky I am to have you.
ABBY
Then you shouldn’t hit her!
VINCENT
(To ABBY) I wasn’t talking to you!
(Enter DIA bringing TEO in.)
TEO
Who’s hitting who? What’s going on here?!
ESPY
It’s nothing, dad.
ABBY
Tell him, Espy.
TEO
I don’t care what she has to say. Esperanza, get out of here and take your husband with you. I told you before not to come back here.
ABBY
She’s not going anywhere with him.
TEO
Are you on her side to? Get out!
DIA
Dad!
TEO
(To Dia.) You want to go with them?
DIA
He’s been hitting her!
TEO
What?
DIA
Vincent’s been hitting Esperanza.
VINCENT
Shut up, Dia! You don’t know anything.
(TEO grabs VINCENT by the shirt and pulls him close!)
ESPY
DAD!
ABBY
Mr. Cojuanco!
TEO
(To VINCENT) Is this true?
VINCENT
Of course not. She’s lying!
TEO
Are you calling my daughter a liar?
VINCENT
Yes… No! You better watch what you do. I can shut this whole center down and turn it into a parking lot.
(TEO lets go of VINCENT. Brushing himself off, VINCENT says…)
VINCENT
I knew you wouldn’t do anything. You and your community. So pathetic.
TEO
You stay away from my daughter and never come back here again, or else?
VINCENT
Or else what? You just shut this place down, Old Man. Unless. Unless… (To Espy) You want to save this place for your poor old father? Come home with me.
Do that and maybe I’ll leave this place open.
(ESPY looks at everyone.)
DIA
Don’t go with him.
(ABBY holds ESPY back.)
ESPY
Let me go.
TEO
Esperanza. I’m sorry. Don’t go with him.
(ESPY just looks at him. After a beat, ABBY lets go of her. She walks over the VINCENT.)
VINCENT
Wow. She chose me AGAIN! You just don’t know her like I do. Let’s go.
(ESPY stops in front of him.)
ESPY
No.
VINCENT
No?
ESPY
I’m tired of running away. I’m tired of hiding. And most of all I’m tired of being ashamed for something I didn’t do. I don’t know what I did to make you hurt me, but if you’re going to do it, show everyone your true colors.
It’s over Vincent. And you need help.
VINCENT
You realize that I’m the best thing that’s ever happened to you.
ESPY
No. This family is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
VINCENT
Fine. If that’s how you feel, I’ll be back with the police and have your dad arrested for assault! You all saw the old man grab me!
ALL
I didn’t see anything. Did you? I didn’t.
ESPY
Well, then you better bring your lawyer too, because I’ll be filing a domestic violence restraining order against you.
VINCENT
Impossible. You have no proof.
ESPY
I have pictures and a journal with everything that you’ve done to me. I’m not sure how your business partners will handle dealing with someone who’s abused his wife.
VINCENT
Fine. You want to keep this Center open. It’s open.
ESPY
Get out.
VINCENT
Can’t we just talk about it?
ESPY, DIA, AND ABBY
GET OUT!
(VINCENT turns to leave with his hands up.)
VINCENT
(To ESPY) I’ll call.
TEO
No. You won’t. Leave.
(As VINCENT exits, everyone let’s out a sigh of relief.
Without a word, TEO moves to ESPY, brushes aside the hair in her eyes, and gives her a hug. After a beat, DIA joins them. Followed by ABBY.) (Enter MARTA. Looks at the love and joins in the hug.)
MARTA
This is so beautiful.
(Everybody breaks apart with some wiping away tears.)
MARTA
Is everything okay out here?
ESPY
Yeah.
TEO
What’s wrong? How come you’re not inside?
MARTA
Because it’s Espy’s turn.
ESPY
Oh. Uh, thanks, Auntie. I’ll be right there.
ABBY
I better go and introduce ya.
(ABBY exits.)
TEO
I’m sorry, Anak.
ESPY
Me too, Dad.
TEO
Now, go have fun. I will be listening.
DIA
Knock ’em dead.
(Exit ESPY to the stage, where we catch our ABBY’s introduction…)
ABBY
Without further ado, making her Talent Show debut, Esperanza Cojuanco.
(Exit ABBY.)
ESPY
Thanks, Abby. Before I start, I just wanted to dedicate this song to my family and to anyone who’s going through a rough patch in life. Always remember that there are people who are there to help you and when you believe in that, then there’s always hope. And that’s why this song is called, “Where There’s Love, There’s Hope.”
WHERE THERE’S LOVE THERE’S HOPE
Verse 1
I KNOW A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN GO
WHERE THERE’S NO PAIN OR SORROW
A PLACE YOU’LL FIND SOME PEACE OF MIND
WHEN TROUBLE COMES YOUR WAY
Verse 2
DON’T BE AFRAID TO MAKE A STAND
TRUE FRIENDS YOU KNOW WILL UNDERSTAND
AND FAMILY WILL BE CLOSE AT HAND
TO GIVE YOU STRENGTH EACH DAY
Chorus
AND I CAN FINALLY SING MY SONG
SOMETHING THAT I’VE WAITED FOR SO LONG
I’LL LISTEN TO MY HEART AND I WILL KNOW
(THAT) WHERE THERE’S LOVE…THERE’S HOPE.
Verse 3
I’M READY FOR A BRAND NEW LIFE,
TO WIPE THE TEARS I’VE CRIED EACH NIGHT
AND DREAM OF THINGS THAT NEW LIFE BRINGS
AND FIND THE MUSIC THAT WILL MAKE MY HEART SING
(REPEAT CHORUS)
END OF SCENE
END OF PLAY