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DARYO’S ALL-AMERICAN DINER
A Full-Length Drama
Written by
Conrad A. Panganiban
CAST OF CHARACTERS
May Daryo: 42, female, Filipina American. She’s struggling to use her business acumen to navigate through the hardships stemming from the COVID-19 Pandemic as one of the co-owners of her family’s diner, Daryo’s All-American Diner,
April Daryo: 62, female, Filipina American. May’s Mom. Running the front of house for the family diner she co-owns with her kids, April always manages to find the bright side of life with her smile, attitude, and quick sense of humor.
Augusto “Jun” Daryo: 35, male, gay Filipino American. Jun’s the cook of diner he co-owns with his sister and mom. He spends his time outside of the diner as a community organizer and exlorer or other cuisines he can introduce the diner too.
Derek Kim: 42, male, Korean American. May’s ex-high school boyfriend who has returned from Berkeley, CA where he works as a lawyer to taking care of father.
Alberta Travenia: 64, female, Black American. Has been April’s best friend since her and her late husband and son Michael have been coming to the diner since it opened.
Michael Travenia: 35, male Black American. Alberta’s son and one of Jun’s childhood best friends until he started working as an engineer at the I.L.I. Auto-chip Manufacturing Plant where his colleagues radically changed his thinking.
SETTING
February 2021 inside Daryo’s All-American Diner located in Lakeside, IL.
SCENE 1 – FINALLY. DINER – EARLY MORNING.
A focused light is on MAY DARYO, 42, Filipina-American co-owner of Daryo’s All-American Diner located in Lakeside, IL. It’s a cold February 2021 morning–almost a year from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in America.
It’s 3:30am and MAY is filling in numbers in an accounting pad while going through various receipts and invoices. After a note, she lets out a deep sign and takes a sip of her coffee.
MAY
Okay… what’s next?
MAY rifles through a few more papers on her desk until she lands on an unopened envelope that causes her eyes to open wide in surprise. She quickly finds a letter opener and rips the envelope open and begins to read…
MAY
Ms. Daryo… Thank you for your email regarding duh-duh-duh-duh-duhhhh…
And given our mutual relationship with Ms. Nakamura, and your circumstances, we feel that… da da… Woah!
If we don’t hear from you by Monday, February 15th, 2021… February 15th…
(MAY picks up her cellphone to look at the date)
Shit!
(With her cellphone in one hand and the letter in the other, MAY dials the number listed and waits for the voicemail to finish speaking on the other end)
Hi. Hello Ms… (reads the letter) Schrader. Good morning, this is May Daryo from Daryo’s All-American Diner on 332 Bleeker Street in Lakeside, I’m calling back to confirm that I received your letter and to thank you for getting back to me.
Per your letter, we’d be happy to meet with you anytime next week. Feel free to reach me at 847-555-9026 to schedule the day and time that works best for you. I look forward to meeting with you in person, Ms……. Schrader. Thanks!
MAY presses her cell’s end call button and let’s out a sigh of relief .
MAY
Finally.
Just then a loud crash is heard from coming outside and tires squealing away.
MAY
No… no…
No no no no NOOOOOO…!
Lights fade as MAY runs off towards the direction of the sound of the crash.
END OF SCENE
SCENE 2 – WRECKAGE. DINER – MORNING
Lights up on the interior of Daryo’s All-American Diner. It is decorated as Americana as Americana can get–black and white checkered floor, a long counter with red leather covered stools beside it and white tiled walls with framed posters of Norman Rockwell artwork.
Square red leather covered tables with their accompanying seats are now stacked on one side of the diner. It’s been a while since they’ve had indoor diners.
Enter APRIL DARYO, the 62-year-old Filipina American co-owner of the diner through a swinging door that leads into the kitchen. Before making her way into the main dining area, she pauses to look at something in the kitchen door frame and runs her palm over what she sees. She lets out a smile and moves on with blue streaks in her grey hair swinging from side-to- side under the headphones she’s wearing as she sweeping a broom, also from side-to-side, while singing an upbeat song reminiscent of “Let’s Get Physical” by Olivia Newton John or “Dancing Queen” by ABBA.
As April makes her way towards the front of the diner, she looks out the front window, stops mid-sweep, and takes off her headphones.
APRIL
What the fuhhhh?
Enter JUN DARYO, the 35-year-old diner co-owner, cook, and son of April through the front door wearing a winter coat, gloves, and scarf with a piece of wood under one left arm while looking at photos on his cellphone in his other hand.
JUN
Can you believe this?
APRIL
What happened?
JUN holds up the piece of wood under his arm.
JUN
Looks like a car played chicken with our parklet and guess who lost?
APRIL
I hope no one got hurt.
JUN
I hope someone did.
APRIL
Jun, you don’t mean that.
JUN
Mom, remember how long I worked on that thing?
APRIL
Yeah. It’d probably still be up if you didn’t.
JUN
Hey! It stood up through most of the winter. And it’s not like we could afford anyone else to build it.
APRIL
I know. I know.
Who do you think could’ve crashed into it?
JUN
It was probably an accident.
APRIL
Then maybe someone left a note. Did you check?
JUN
Through all that rubble? I don’t think so. But maybe someone will tell us something when I post these pictures.
APRIL
I’ll never understand how your social media works when you never go outside to actually be social.
JUN
Hello? Covid?
(holding up his phone)
This way is more safe for all of us… and a lot faster than any handwritten note.
APRIL
You never know. Most people do the right thing.
JUN
It’s a shame you couldn’t birth any of that optimism into me or May.
APRIL
Do you think May knows?
Enter MAY wearing her winter clothes while carrying another part of the parklet’s wreckage–-a sign that says “Welcome”.
JUN
She does now.
APRIL
I’m so sorry, May.
MAY
Unless you did this at 3:30 this morning, there’s nothing you should be sorry for.
APRIL
3:30?
MAY
I was in the back doing some paperwork.
Just trying to get caught up after we had to let Anthony go.
JUN
Thanks for reminding me.
APRIL
You never had a chance with him.
JUN
He was our best accountant!
MAY
And didn’t our best accountant constantly turn you down for dates?
JUN
That’s because we have a strict No Dating the Employees policy.
MAY
Well, he isn’t an employee anymore.
JUN
Ooo, that’s right!
APRIL
He’d still turn you down.
JUN
That’s so messed up.
APRIL
So, what are we going to do about the mess outside?
MAY
I don’t know.
Maybe it’s a sign.
APRIL
Like the one you’re holding?
May realizes that she’s still holding the “Welcome” sign and puts it down.
MAY
Not this kind of sign.
I meant, maybe it’s time to…
Realistically, how long do you think we can keep this up?
We’re lucky that we have enough saved up for rent and we’re still waiting for the government grant to keep us open for, I don’t know, one, two more months?
JUN
So what are you trying to tell us, May?
MAY
I was just saying–
APRIL
We’re not closing the diner.
JUN
Yeah, May. We can’t.
APRIL
Your dad worked so hard-
JUN
We worked so hard-
MAY
I know.
I know.
It’s just… looking through all the receipts and the bills last night… and with what happened outside?
APRIL
We’ll get through this. I know we will. We always have. We have good customers.
MAY
And where are they?
JUN
Staying home. Being safe.
APRIL
May, you’ll see. When we re-open, everything will be back normal.
MAY
Mom, what is even normal anymore?
Normal is people drinking coffee at those tables.
Normal is customers eating their normal All-American bacon, eggs, and toast at that normal counter that dad built with his own two hands.
APRIL
It was nice when we had someone in the family who could actually build things.
JUN
Thanks, Mom.
But, she’s right, May. We can’t close because of what Dad–
MAY
Kimiko is closing her pizza parlor.
JUN
She is?
APRIL
The one her grandfather opened after his family came from Manzanar?
MAY
The very one.
Even when most of her employees caught COVID, she ran that place by herself. From prepping the ingredients and the dough to taking orders to baking the pies and boxing them up… she did everything.
JUN
That doesn’t make sense that she’d just give up.
APRIL
Both of you girls never give up… at anything.
JUN
Like that one time at summer camp-
MAY
At Perkins Woods-
JUN
The both of you had a staring contest at the campfire and NEITHER OF YOU was going to blink first! Even with tears running down both of your faces… and all of us kids screaming… Kim-Eee-Ko… Kim-Eee-Ko… May… May… Kim-Eee-Ko… May!
MAY
I would have won if the counselors didn’t put out the fire.
JUN
After telling the both of you to stop for 45 minutes.
And I had 5 bucks on Kimiko.
APRIL
Why is she closing her restaurant?
MAY
Because of last week.
APRIL
What happened last week?
MAY
You didn’t tell her?
JUN
You know how mom is with bad news.
APRIL
I am not, “you know how mom is with bad news”!
Your father is the one who didn’t know how to handle bad news!
Telling ME I don’t know how to handle bad news!
MAY
Okay!
APRIL
SO WHAT HAPPENED?!
MAY
The pizza parlor was vandalized.
APRIL
What?
JUN
All the windows were smashed in with a bat and –
MAY
Someone spray painted the front door with,
JUN
“Take the corona back you…”
Pause.
APRIL
What?!
MAY
“chink”
Pause.
APRIL
I don’t understand. How could someone…? Why would someone…?
JUN
It’s hard to believe that her grandparents opened that place after coming back from an internment camp only to have that kind of racism still exist 75 years later.
MAY
Except they didn’t have a virus that was killing half the world.
APRIL
But she was born here and she’s as American as all of us.
It says so on our sign outside, Daryo’s All-American Diner. And that includes Kimiko too.
MAY
Do you think that matters to the people who destroyed her restaurant?
JUN
Or our parklet?
APRIL
Do you think that–?
MAY
I don’t know…
APRIL
How is Kimiko doing?
MAY
What do you think? Devastated. Hurt. Hopeless…
And that’s when she told me she’s selling the place. Some company found out what happened and was willing to buy the parlor from her.
JUN
The parlor or a space to flip it into another Starbucks?
MAY
She did what she had to do and I can’t blame her…
With all the money she’s getting, she’s planning on finally taking that trip to Rome where her grandfather first learned how to cook Italian food when he was with the 442nd.
APRIL
And what do you think her grandfather would say?
MAY
Mom, it’s Kimiko’s decision.
JUN
I didn’t think we’re allowed to fly there yet.
MAY
Knowing her, she’ll make it there someway, somehow. And she’ll finally be out of here… which must be nice.
JUN
What would?
MAY
To dream of a life…
away from all of this.
Pause.
APRIL
We’re NOT closing OUR DINER!
APRIL storms off into the kitchen.
JUN
And that’s why I didn’t tell mom about Kimiko.
I should go check on her…
MAY
Give her time. Probably looking for something to chop.
JUN
Angry chopping is never a good thing.
Better get in there since I am the Chef… which reminds me… Ate?–
MAY
No.
JUN
You don’t even know what I’m going to say.
MAY
Every time you say Chef, it’s followed by, “Does Longsilog, Tapsilog, and Porkchopsilog on the Specials Board sound good to you, Ate?” Number one, you only say, “Ate” when you want something and number two, we ONLY cook and serve diner food here. That’s the only reason dad opened this place. So he could feed people what they felt comfortable eating. That’s why it’s called comfort food!
And even though mom’s mad at me now, you know she’d agree with me because that’s what makes our All-American Diner, All-American.
JUN
May, in case you haven’t noticed, we are American. It’s 2021 and this country should be old enough to know that the food from our Filipinx culture should be a part of this diner too, because that’s being All-American.
Angry chopping sounds are heard coming from the kitchen.
JUN
That better not be my new Kaizen knives from Williams-Sonoma!
JUN runs to the kitchen as the chopping sounds continue.
END SCENE
SCENE 3 – CAL. DINER – CONTINUED MORNING.
MAY has her back to the front-door as she watches Jun exit, enter DEREK KIM, 42-year-old Korean American through the diner’s front door wearing a Cal Berkeley hoodie, a beanie, gloves, a mask, shorts, and running shoes.
DEREK
Hi. Are you open?
MAY
Actually, sorry, we’re not open…
MAY turns around and pauses as DEREK takes off his mask.
MAY
…yet.
DEREK
Hi, May.
MAY
Hey, Derek.
Pause.
DEREK
Um, well, I’ll just come back / / later
MAY
No, don’t. We didn’t get the chance to talk at the funeral, so it’s good that you stopped in.
DEREK
You’re dad would’ve loved your eulogy for him.
MAY
Thank you.
So, what brought you back?
DEREK
I guess I’m a little hungry, and uh, being that you’re a diner and all…?
MAY
Not that you dork… I meant, why are you here? Back in Lakeside?
Wait!
Oh my, God. Your dad?
DEREK
No. He’s not– He’s… Dad’s fine… well, not fine.
He… we… were having issues at his assisted living-
MAY
Sandpiper Landing?
DEREK
Yeah. Just felt like he wasn’t happy there, and seeing how some of the senior facilities are handling the pandemic across the country… got us, well more me, kinda spooked, so… I moved back last week.
MAY
I’m sorry that I haven’t had the chance to visit him-
DEREK
No. No.. why should you feel / / like you had to…?
MAY
He always treated me and my family so well.
DEREK
That’s my dad.
So yeah, moved back-
MAY points to his hoodie.
MAY
From Cal?
DEREK
From Cal… to be a caretaker.
MAY
Must have been hard to leave that big law firm.
Sorry, Jun, told me a while back that you worked at a big…
He said that he heard it from Michael.
DEREK
Oh, yeah… when Michael visited for an interview out west. Sucks that he didn’t get that gig.
MAY
I’m sure Auntie Alberta was glad. But it worked out since he landed a sweet engineering job making auto chips at I.L.I.
DEREK
Serious? Illinois Lab Industries. That’s big time. Who knew that kid could go from building legos to building auto chips? And how’s Jun doing?
MAY
He’s in the back prepping for the day.
DEREK
Still wants to be the next Bobby Flay?
MAY
His apron says The Next Iron Chef.
DEREK
Good for him. It’s good to hear that those two knuckleheads are doing good, even though they still up in my business and telling you about it.
MAY
Hey! I never asked.
DEREK
At least they’re still close.
MAY
Can’t really say they’re that close anymore. You know how it is… with time… and friendship.
DEREK
Yeah.
MAY
Yeah.
DEREK
So… how are you? How’ve you been? Your mom?
MAY
She’s in the back…chopping.
Did you see what happened outside?
DEREK
You mean the wreck?
MAY
Wreck, disaster, same thing.
DEREK
Yeah, sorry. I don’t want to get in your way / / so I’ll…
DEREK begins to leave.
MAY
I thought you were hungry?
DEREK
I can come back later when you’re / / open–
MAY
No. Stay. You should… get warm.
And why the hell are you wearing that? Did you forget how cold Illinois February mornings get?
DEREK
I’m wearing gloves.
MAY
You need to wear some coffee… on the inside.
Let me…
MAY turns make her way behind the counter to the coffee maker.
DEREK
Thanks.
I guess I did forget how cold it got.
MAY hands Derek a cup of coffee.
MAY
Welcome back.
DEREK
Nice to be welcomed.
So, your outside dining–
MAY
The parklet?
DEREK
Yeah. What happened?
MAY
Guess is as good as mine. Probably an accident.
DEREK
If your parklet looks like that, I’d hate to see the car.
MAY
I’d want to. Then I’d know who to sue for the damages.
DEREK
I am a lawyer.
MAY
Thanks.
You hear what happened to Kimiko’s pizza place?
DEREK
Yeah, I saw. It was terrible.
I told her that I worked a couple of pro-bono hate crime cases in Oakland and San Francisco, so if she needed any legal help she can always call me.
MAY
You really think that it’s a hate crime?
DEREK
Did you see the message on the door?
MAY
Yeah.
It sucks that stuff still happens. Good luck in stopping that kind of hate.
DEREK
That’s not the kind of hate I’m worried about. It’s the kind of hate that gets people hurt…
or worse.
MAY
And that’s why I’m staying clear of internet. I don’t need to see that word hate spread into the physical. Those comment sections are like quicksand–roam into those and you could feel a person’s humanity get sucked into the kind of hate that we didn’t have growing up.
DEREK
Yeah. Back then, all we had were those hand written notes folded into those rectangles-
MAY
With that one corner, tucked under an angled flap.
DEREK
I still have a couple of the ones you wrote me in homeroom.
MAY
Oh my god. Remember that one Mr. Johnson’s intercepted?
DEREK
The one that you passed to Kimiko…
MAY
who then tried to pass to Roz-
DEREK
Which fell on the floor! At his feet!
MAY
Thank god, that’s the only kind of social media we had! At least, we were the only ones who knew what were in those notes instead of complete strangers from who knows where!
DEREK
You are literally the last person on earth with nothing on the internet. No Facebook, No Instagram, No Twitter, No LinkedIn–
MAY
How’d you know that I didn’t have any of those?
DEREK
I… didn’t.
I just said it more as a fact. Like, You are literally the last person on earth without any social media.
MAY
I’ll take that as a compliment.
DEREK
But you have to admit that social media does have some merits.
MAY
Pray tell.
DEREK
Going back to Kimiko’s case, it can be used as a tool to stop hate crimes and incidents. The more of these crimes that are made public, the harsher the punishment can be made on those who commit them.
MAY
Ooo… like public shaming!
DEREK
More like the laws that get written against those kinds of hate that go viral. Something I know you’d get behind.
MAY
I’m against anything viral. Have you seen how many customers are in here because of a virus?
DEREK
I was talking about the Great Lakeside High Debate of 1998.
MAY
Oh my god.
DEREK
When you, May Agapito Daryo, debated one, Roselyn Onwude [On-Wood-Day]…
Stage turns into a court room scene where Derek and May turn to face the audience from different sides of the stage as they both make their case.
DEREK
on the 1965 Naturalization Act-
MAY
It was the Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965-
DEREK
Which you beat her by defending that Act-
MAY
Also known as the Hart-Celler Act-
DEREK
That removed policies against Asians-
MAY
And Southern and Eastern Europeans-
DEREK
And Asians from immigrating into the United States that had been in place since the 1920s.
MAY
I was fired up.
DEREK
Because you, very publicly, accused Roz of stealing your research notes… which you conveniently found at the bottom of your Jansport the next day.
MAY
And I, very publicly, told her I was sorry.
The stage returns to being the diner.
DEREK
You saying, “I found my notes yesterday, Roselyn. But, you still kinda did a good job,” doesn’t really constitute an apology.
MAY
But I’d argue that in her defeat, she found her life’s motivation in life.
DEREK
Ooo, I love know know how you’re gonna spin this.
MAY
What did the yearbook name her? “Most likely to be the next Barbara Walters?” She should be thanking me for the career she has now–getting to be on the news every night.
Or being able to interview the most powerful people in Lakeside? Or having a stunningly handsome rich husband and 3 girls in a big home by the lake? She could have been the one running a diner with no customers and piles of bills and broken wood outside instead.
Pause.
DEREK
I think it’s quite admirable to be running a family business. Isn’t that what being part of the American Dream is? It totally fits the person who won that debate.
MAY
The Great Lakeside High Debate of 1998?
DEREK
I can still remember, you had this look of… steeled determination. Like you were fighting for something bigger than what was handwritten on those 3 by 5 cards. You had this unwavering shield of protection made up of facts and anecdotes about the lives of these immigrants who came to this country looking for nothing more than a chance to no longer starve… or to no longer be silenced… or for that small chance just to be free.
And that’s the moment when I wanted to be a lawyer.
It was also the moment when I fell…
To be young…
MAY
And stupid.
DEREK
Never stupid.
Pause…
MAY
Well, I’m sorry I never grew up to be anything close to Roz Onwude.
DEREK
I only cared about what you wanted to be. But, this is life, right?
We are where we need to be.
And for what it’s worth, your dad would’ve been proud of you too.
MAY
Would he?
DEREK
Of course. I mean, look at this place, well with the exception of the woodpile outside, it still looks exactly the same as he left it.
MAY
I don’t know. I kinda feel like he’d be more proud of me if he had a couple of grandkids running around so he’d know that someone would be running this place for a couple more generations.
DEREK
And to still be ordering best All-American Breakfast Combo #3 in Lakeside.
MAY pulls out an order pad and writes down the order.
MAY
With country potatoes, right?
DEREK
That’s how dad loves them.
MAY
And an English Muffin with the edges toasted golden brown?
DEREK
You remembered.
MAY
I try. And for you?
DEREK
I’ve been craving your French Toast since I got back. Nobody knows how to make them like how your diner makes them in California.
MAY
I’ll be sure to let Jun know.
DEREK
Thanks.
MAY
And the coffee is on the house.
DEREK
Thanks, again.
MAY
Don’t steal any of the silverware.
MAY exits into the kitchen
MAY
Order up!
END OF SCENE
SCENE 4 – ALBERTA. DINER – CONTINUED MORNING
Enter ALBERTA, 64-year-old Black American wearing winter clothes. She is a long time customer and friend of the Daryo family.
ALBERTA
Woooo! Where’d that wind come from?!
ALBERTA sees Derek.
ALBERTA
Derek? Is that Derek Kim inside Daryo’s Diner?
DEREK
You caught me, Mrs. Travenia!
DEREK walks over to Alberta, puts on his mask, and they share a hug.
ALBERTA
Let me see your face.
DEREK
You sure?
ALBERTA
Just got the vaccine last month.
DEREK
Me too, so as long as you don’t mind seeing my ugly mug.
DEREK takes off his mask.
ALBERTA
I can’t believe how much you’ve grown.
Look at you… and boy, you must be cold!
DEREK
I’m fine. I’m starting to defrost in here, Mrs. Travenia.
ALBERTA
You can call me Alberta. We’re practically the same age now!
DEREK
Don’t you love being in our 40s, Alberta?
ALBERTA
Absolutely!
Michael didn’t say anything about you visiting. How’s your dad doing?
DEREK
He’s doing fine. Thanks.
I just got back in town so I doubt that Michael’d know I’m back.
ALBERTA
Thanks again for taking care of him when he was there.
DEREK
Michael can take care of himself. I heard he got a job at I.L.I.
ALBERTA
Who would have thought that he’d be working at the same place his parents worked at when all they made were cars? Ever since they shut down that part of the plant, it’s all about all those electronic wat-cha-ma-call-its and hickory-doo-dads.
DEREK
Yeah. We lost a lot of good people in this town when they moved the manufacturing part to Mexico. But, I’m glad that you’re still here.
ALBERTA
Oh, I’m not going anywhere. Roots already dug too deep.
DEREK
Roots are a good thing to have. I’m glad Michael’s doing well.
ALBERTA
I certainly hope so. He didn’t come home last night and I thought he’d be here picking up our regular order as usual.
Enter APRIL from the kitchen carrying a plastic bag with food containers.
APRIL
Did I hear a familiar voice?
DEREK
Hi, Mrs. Daryo.
APRIL hands the bag to Alberta.
ALBERTA
Thank you, April, darling.
APRIL
And thank you, Alberta, for your orders!
(Turns to Derek)
And you! Look at you!
Aren’t you cold?
APRIL gives Derek a hug.
ALBERTA
That’s what I said. And still looks the same.
APRIL
Still looks the same.
ALBERTA
And with no wedding ring.
APRIL
First thing I noticed too.
DEREK
Already?
APRIL
That’s when you know you’re home. When the old aunties ask if you’re married and have any kids running around with you.
ALBERTA
Who you calling old?
APRIL
Tell me I’m lying.
ALBERTA
Well, May is still looking for a husband too.
APRIL
And so is Jun!
Enter JUN from the kitchen carrying a plastic bag with food containers in it.
JUN
And so is Jun, what?
DEREK
Single.
JUN
Oh, not you too!
JUN hands Derek his order and they give each other a bro hug.
JUN
Your order, Sir.
What up, brotha!?
DEREK
What’s up, Jun?
JUN
Oh, you know, surviving the modern world of being a gay single activist chef in a small poh-dunk town in the middle of nowhere.
ALBERTA
Don’t sell yourself short, Jun.
You’re also a chef who makes the best breakfast combo in Lakeside.
APRIL
A chef who cooks like his father.
DEREK
And the chef who makes the best French Toast in the world!
ALBERTA
Here here! The French definitely has a way with their toast!
APRIL
And a way with how they kiss!
JUN
Mom!
Enter MAY coming from the kitchen.
MAY
Who’s kissing who?
JUN
Definitely not mom!
DEREK
Hey! The Daryo family is all here!
ALBERTA
April, May, and Jun!
DEREK
And Uncle Augusto Sr. will always be here too. Didn’t he build this counter?
MAY
That he did and I guess this is where we’ll always be.
APRIL
Assuming that there’s still going to be a we in the here.
MAY
Not now, Mom.
ALBERTA
Assuming?
APRIL
She wants to sell the diner.
DEREK
(to May)
You didn’t say anything about that earlier.
ALBERTA
May, you’re kidding right?
MAY
Of course, I was kidding about it! Mom, you don’t really think I was serious about selling dad’s diner.
APRIL
Sounded serious to me.
JUN
Me too.
MAY
I was just frustrated.
And tired.
And what happened outside…
ALBERTA
What did happen outside?
APRIL
Had to be an accident.
JUN
Or maybe not.
MAY
Does it matter?
We couldn’t afford to lose the outside seating and now…
APRIL
That’s why we can’t thank you and Michael enough for your orders.
ALBERTA
It’s the least we can do, April.
When Duncan and I came off our shifts at the plant too tired to cook, everyone came here. Your diner always kept Lakeside going through the good and the bad.
(to May and Jun)
Remember what your parents did for the Hernandez Family?
APRIL
Alberta, Jun wasn’t even born yet. And May was still in her diapers playing in a laundry basket in the back office.
MAY
Thanks, Mom.
DEREK
Didn’t the Hernandez family lived up the block from my house?
ALBERTA
They’re the ones.
APRIL
We loved Gustavo and Lillian dearly. Good customers!
JUN
What happened to them?
ALBERTA
It had to be back in 85… or 86?
APRIL
1985.
ALBERTA
1985, yes.
Duncan worked the line with Gus and noticed that he wasn’t at his station. The next second he looked up to see that he was caught on the conveyor belt.
And before Duncan could reach up to hit the Emergency Stop Button, Gus had his arm caught in a pressing machine.
APRIL
Poor man. Only a year from retiring.
ALBERTA
Duncan felt terrible for not being able to get to that button on time.
APRIL
Can you believe that the plant wouldn’t help them with the hospital bills after the accident?
ALBERTA
But the fundraiser you and Augusto threw for them helped so much! This place brought the community together.
JUN
Right on, Mom!
ALBERTA
Augusto would set up a microphone and a music box in that corner for a Karaoke contest.
JUN
A Minus One!
ALBERTA
Which Kimiko’s grandfather won–
APRIL
Nobody could sing, My Way, like he could.
And we raised over five-thousand dollars for them.
ALBERTA
Not bad for a little poh-dunk town in the middle of nowhere, huh, Jun?
JUN
We should have more community events here.
MAY
We still can’t even have indoor dining, remember?
ALBERTA
Didn’t you hear? Cook County posted a message about indoor dining on their Facebook page.
JUN
May doesn’t have Facebook…
But I do.
JUN takes out his phone.
APRIL
Me too.
APRIL takes out her phone.
DEREK
Sorry, May.
DEREK takes out his phone.
MAY
Sheeple.
JUN
(reading his phone)
Beginning next week, indoor dining is officially allowed back in Cook County under COVID-19 restrictions…
APRIL
(reading her phone)
For the first time since late October, diners will be allowed to eat indoors, but at 25% capacity or 25 people per space.
JUN
That’s a lot more people than what we could’ve served out there.
DEREK
That’s great news!
ALBERTA
That’s me–bearer of great news!
APRIL
And next week is the perfect time to re-open! It will be officially 40 years when Augusto parked our Dodge Caravan around the corner, covered my eyes and led me to that front door to unlock our future.
ALBERTA
And this whole community’s future too. Everyone at the plant was so happy when you opened.
APRIL
I don’t remember everyone being happy.
ALBERTA
That was only because this place was a bar before Augusto bought it.
DEREK
This was a bar?
ALBERTA
Only the husbands where angry about it since this was the only place they could hide to get drunk after work.
APRIL
I bet they were hoping we’d keep it a bar.
ALBERTA
But Us wives were happy that you opened up to feed ALL of us. Especially after those swing shifts at the plant.
DEREK
I wonder if that’s when The 13th Step opened up since it’s still the only bar in town.
APRIL
You can keep The 13th Step, Daryo’s All-American Diner can open up again next week!
ALBERTA
That calls for a celebration!
JUN
Yo! A Grand Re-Opening Anniversary Celebration!
MAY
We don’t have the budget to throw a party. And don’t you remember how much it costs to advertise in the paper?
JUN
It’s not the stone ages, May. People will see our posts, tweets and IGs!
APRIL
I’ll create a flyer in Canva!
APRIL gets to work on her phone and types…
APRIL
Welcome back to Daryo’s All-American Diner’s Re-Grand Opening and 40th Anniversary!
ALBERTA
After last year, we all need this!
Enter MICHAEL, 35-year-old Black American wearing business clothes under his winter overcoat.
DEREK
And look who made it to party.
DEREK goes over to Michael and gives him a bro hug.
MICHAEL
Yo, Derek! What’s up?
Why didn’t anyone tell me about this welcome home party?
ALBERTA
The party’s not for him.
DEREK
But you’re my first invite to the Diner’s Re-Grand Opening and 40th Anniversary Party next week.
MAY
It’s not official yet.
APRIL
It is now!
And post.
APRIL shows them her phone.
MAY
How did you do that so fast?!
MICHAEL
Thanks. I’ll be here. Hi everyone.
ALL
Hey / Hi / Good morning
MICHAEL
Sorry to burst the good mood, but do you know what happened out there?
APRIL
Either a car hit our parklet or we got big termites.
MICHAEL
Did they catch who did it?
JUN
Nope. Not yet.
MICHAEL
Well, I hope you catch them.
MAY
Thanks, Michael.
The diner’s phone rings and MAY goes to answer it.
MAY
Daryo’s All-American Diner.
Oh, hey Steve. What’s up?
Woah, slow down. What?
MAY exits into the kitchen.
MICHAEL
(to Alberta)
I thought you were going to wait for me at home.
ALBERTA
I still have two feet and I didn’t want our food to get cold.
MICHAEL
That’s why we have a microwave, mom.
ALBERTA
You know it doesn’t taste the same when it comes out of their kitchen.
MICHAEL
We still have to bring it back to our house.
APRIL
But not for much longer. Your mom said that we can open up for indoor dining again!
JUN
It was more like the County said it.
ALBERTA
But I was the bearer of the great news!
MICHAEL
Nice! Congrats on the reopening.
(to Alberta)
Are you ready?
JUN looking out the window.
JUN
Yo, Michael. Is that your new ride?
DEREK makes his way to the window.
DEREK
Woah! Is that a Range Rover?
JUN
Not just any Range Rover. It’s the new 2020 Land Rover Sport SVR in Firenze Red.
DEREK
I can’t even find a new car on a lot. The auto-chip shortage must be doing a doozy on your industry.
ALBERTA
Especially on the American cars that Michael works on. Those Japanese cars seem to be coming back with their chip things.
MICHAEL
Those chips are the brains of the car, mom.
DEREK
So that makes Michael here, a brain surgeon!
JUN
As long as it doesn’t include any blood. In Junior High, he fainted in biology class before we could even cut into a frog.
MICHAEL
And who threw up on Tara Reyes when we had to eat mealworms and crickets in that class?
APRIL
Isn’t that the girl you had a crush on?
MICHAEL
Until he turned her white sweater red and yellow with bits of corn and hot dogs.
JUN
And that’s the moment I knew girls weren’t right for me.
APRIL
Or anybody else.
JUN
Ha ha.
DEREK
So, no layoffs at I.L.I.?
MICHAEL
(trying to change the subject)
You see the car?
APRIL
Wow. Those cars start out at a hundred and twenty thousand dollars.
EVERYONE looks at April.
APRIL
What? Miley, Kim and Chloe drive that too. Nothing special.
DEREK
I.L.I. must be treating you well.
MICHAEL
They’re okay.
(to Alberta)
Ready?
ALBERTA
Where’s your car?
JUN
I knew that wasn’t yours! You’ve been wanting a Supra since middle school.
MICHAEL
People change.
ALBERTA
But not cars. You had your Corolla when you left for work yesterday.
MICHAEL
Fine. It’s my boss’s car.
Braden wanted me to try it out. See how well it drives on the winter streets.
ALBERTA
Were you out with him again last night?
MICHAEL
It was a work outing. Just a couple of folks from the office needing to blow off some steam at The 13th Step.
ALBERTA
I don’t like him.
APRIL
Oooo, now I’m intrigued. The only people you don’t like are…
ALBERTA
Yup. He’s one of them.
JUN
Oooo… yeah… I see the All Lives Matter bumper sticker.
Who ruins a hundred and twenty thousand dollar Range Rover with a bumper sticker?
APRIL
A person who has an All Lives Matter bumper sticker.
ALBERTA
A person of color with an All Lives Matter bumper sticker.
ALL
Oooo…
MICHAEL
Braden’s not a bad guy.
APRIL
Let me guess, he’s not vaccinated either.
MICHAEL
He said he doesn’t need to get vaccinated, since he’s already had it.
ALBERTA
And that’s another reason why I don’t like him.
People like that are very persistent. They don’t listen and could mess with your head.
MICHAEL
I’ll admit that Braden may not be the best person in the world, but I see his faults.
JUN
Have you ever called him out on them?
MICHAEL
I’m not his parent. Besides, he’s all talk. Absolutely harmless.
If he ever does something wrong, I’ll let him know. Trust me.
ALBERTA
It’s him that I don’t trust.
MAY comes back in wearing her winter clothes.
MAY
Can you believe it? Steve’s refrigeration unit shorted out and our meat only has a few hours before they start defrosting and cooking on their own. Jun, can you clear out some room in the walk-in?
APRIL
He’s not going to deliver it?
MAY
All the other restaurants are going there now.
APRIL
I’ll go with you. It’s been a while since I talked to Meredith.
MAY
Ma, this isn’t a social call!
ALBERTA
Wait for me. I need his wife’s Matzo Ball Soup recipe.
MAY
You too, Auntie? I don’t have time.
APRIL and ALBERTA get their winter wear on.
ALBERTA
We’ll be quick.
APRIL
We promise.
MAY
Fine. I’ll go warm up the car.
MAY exits out the front door.
ALBERTA
I’ve never seen her so stressed out.
APRIL
Meredith’s Matzo Ball Shop will relax her.
And if that doesn’t work, I got some of the edibles we tried last week.
ALBERTA
Right on!
ALBERTA and APRIL get all of their things together and start to make their way out the door. ALBERTA hands her food order to Michael.
ALBERTA
You can take our breakfast back to our house.
I better see the Corolla that your dad bought your for your high school graduation in the driveway when I get home.
DEREK
I better get going too.
DEREK gets his order and starts to head out the door.
APRIL
You want a ride to your house? I’m sure May would love to see your dad.
DEREK
Thanks. Maybe later. I don’t need her to be stressed out even more.
DEREK goes over to Jun and Michael and gives them both a departing bro hug.
DEREK
Check you both later.
JUN
Later.
MICHAEL
See ya, D.
DEREK, APRIL, and ALBERTA exit.
END OF SCENE
SCENE 5 – MAGA. DINER – MORNING
JUN
Coffee?
MICHAEL
Sure.
JUN gets two cups, goes to the coffee maker and fills both cups and brings them to where Michael is seated.
JUN
Almost forgot.
JUN goes behind the counter and gets the Sugar dispenser.
JUN
Don’t empty it this time.
MICHAEL
I like the flavor.
JUN
You and your flavor. When we were kids, you’d always ask for my dad to make his special pancakes.
MICHAEL
They were special.
JUN
And as soon as he put that plate in front of you, it turned into a syrup lake.
MICHAEL
And as I recall, you jumped in with both feet too!
JUN
Well, nobody made pancakes like him.
MICHAEL raises his cup of coffee.
MICHAEL
To your dad and his special pancakes.
JUN
And to Syrup Lake.
MICHAEL
Cheers.
After an awkward silence of drinking their coffee…
MICHAEL
Well, I guess I better get back to warm this up for moms. Thanks.
JUN
Hey. How’ve you been?
Just been a minute.
MICHAEL
You know how it is. Work.
JUN
You ever hear back from Mark or Reggie?
MICHAEL
Aren’t you supposed to be Mr. Social Media?
JUN
I claim no such title.
MICHAEL
Pamela Negroni bring back memories?
JUN
You were the one who was too scared to ask if she had a boyfriend on the first day of Civics class.
MICHAEL
How you found out her middle name-
JUN
Irene-
MICHAEL
The names of her dogs-
JUN
Ken and Barbie-
MICHAEL
And her favorite position?
JUN
Linebacker-
MICHAEL
The position that her 6 foot 3, 230 pound All-American boyfriend played at Northwestern.
JUN
What can I say? Facebook was created to be a resource and I choose to be its… Sorcerer.
JUN lets out a loud sinister laugh.
MICHAEL
I sense some evil in that laugh.
JUN
What this?
(Lets out the sinister laugh again and stops)
Never! That’s my natural laugh.
MICHAEL
Okay, Dr. Evil.
JUN
I’d prefer, Mr. Maniacal!
But hey, you would’ve got your ass kicked if I didn’t warn you about that linebacker!
So, you could say that my maniacal use of the internet could be used for good too.
MICHAEL
Like, that thing that happened at the Capitol last month.
JUN
I wouldn’t call insurrections a good thing.
MICHAEL
How do you think they got all those people there?
JUN
How I use the internet and how it was used in that case are two totally different things.
MICHAEL
Homie, you’re the one always talking about standing up for what’s right, right? Like when you did that sit-in thing in high school. Something about how our history book didn’t include that Barry Long guy who started the cherry strike in California.
JUN
That was Larry Itliong. And he started the Grape Strike in Delano, California. And that learn-in was about teaching the school about the people who made America better.
What those people did at the Capitol wasn’t something that they learned from a book or in school. They took as fact the words from people who didn’t want to give up power.
MICHAEL
It wasn’t just words. There was articles and videos that proved that voting machines couldn’t be trusted. Out of all the people in this town, I thought you’d be smart enough to see through all the lies of the so called mainstream media!
JUN
Who are you?
MICHAEL
I’m just a kid from Lakeside who woke up just in time to see how things really are.
JUN
No, you sound like a person on the opposite end of being woke.
MICHAEL
Jun, wake up, man! Things are so screwed up now. How did we become a country filled with smug libs, corrupt elitists, and overly-sensitive tree huggers? They’re the ones who turned their backs on the Real Americans who don’t want our taxes to be used for people who come into this country illegally.
Or won’t fight for jobs that get moved to a third-world country.
Or something even more evil, a government agency making people think that a shot, a mask and a smile can really stop a virus that was created to kill us?
JUN
Does your mom know about how you feel about all that?
MICHAEL
She wouldn’t get it.
JUN
I don’t get it.
MICHAEL
I didn’t think you would.
JUN
I don’t get how I could know you all of my life and now to see you be could be so…
MICHAEL
What?
JUN
Cold.
MICHAEL
It’s the opposite. We’re fired up because it feels like no one cares about us and our lives.
JUN
Care about you? Boo hoo. Rolling up in the fancy Range Rover bought with a fat salary that’s definitely not trickling down to the people who really need it. Don’t talk to me about caring-
MICHAEL
I GOT LAID OFF, OKAY?!
JUN
What?
MICHAEL
And I was a few months from paying off mom’s house.
JUN
Michael-
MICHAEL
Did you know that they re-fi’d our house just so that I could finish college?
JUN
I’m sorry-
MICHAEL
They took away my chance to pay back the only people that cared about me.
If they never started the virus, I’d still have a job.
JUN
I think you need to chill.
MICHAEL
Chilling is the last thing we need to do.
JUN
Who’s we?
Just then, DEREK runs through the entrance.
DEREK
LET’S GO!
JUN
What are you-?
DEREK
Your moms and May were attacked.
MICHAEL
What?!
JUN
Where?!
DEREK
Steve’s parking lot. I was running by when I saw your mom on the ground and someone driving crazy out of the parking lot.
JUN
Are they still there?
DEREK
No, an ambulance took them to Lakeside General. May’s with them, but I told her that I’d get my car and drive here to get you.
JUN
Let me turn off everything in the kitchen first.
JUN rushes off to the kitchen.
MICHAEL
I’ll meet you at the hospital.
As MICHAEL starts to leave, DEREK grabs him by the arm.
MICHAEL
What? I gotta go!
DEREK
The person who did it drove off in your car.
In your car, Michael.
MICHAEL briefly pauses to remember who that person is and runs out of the diner.
DEREK
Michael!
Enter JUN from the kitchen.
MICHAEL
Where’s Michael?
DEREK
I’ll tell you later. Let’s go.
BOTH run out the door.
Blackout.
END OF SCENE.
SCENE 6 – NIGHTMARE. DINER – TWO DAYS AFTER SCENE 5
Lights up on the diner. It’s been two days since the attack. Alberta and April are at a table with coffee cups in front of them. Both are wearing bandages. It’s silent.
JUN comes in through the kitchen with plates that he places in front of them.
JUN
Sorry, Auntie Alberta. That’s the last interruption. I just didn’t want these to get cold.
ALBERTA
You can interrupt as many times as you want as long as it involves your special French Toast.
APRIL
Thanks, Jun.
JUN
You have to eat, Mom.
APRIL
I am.
JUN
Okay.
APRIL
Did you give your sister something to eat?
JUN
Yeah. But making her eat is another thing.
ALBERTA
Why don’t you ask her to come out here?
JUN
She says it helps to keep her mind busy with some paperwork in the office.
APRIL
I wish I could keep my mind still.
JUN
Then we don’t have to talk about it.
APRIL
No. It’s okay. Alberta is a natural storyteller.
ALBERTA
Not as good as Augusto. How did your husband have a story about everything?
JUN
Like the time when he found a toilet on the roof.
ALBERTA
Did he ever tell you about getting tied to a dolphin?
JUN
How about the time when he and his shipmates were stranded near Abu Dhabi because he needed to get a recipe for an Arabian Lamb Stew.
ALBERTA
Which you don’t serve here.
JUN
I would if I had that recipe.
Enter MAY whose arm is in a sling.
MAY
No new menu items.
JUN
I don’t even know where I’d get fresh lamb around here.
MAY
Definitely no.
ALBERTA
Did you keep your mind busy enough back there?
MAY
Not busy enough. What were you talking about?
JUN
About how dad could tell a story.
APRIL
I miss him.
MAY
I do too mom.
APRIL
I bet if he were still here, the thing wouldn’t have happened.
MAY
He would’ve gotten hurt too.
ALBERTA
But it could have been worse, if you didn’t do that thing you did.
JUN
What did May do?
MAY
Nothing.
ALBERTA
She put her keys in between her fingers and sliced the guy in the face.
MAY
But if you didn’t go up to him first, Auntie, I probably wouldn’t have time to do that.
JUN
You did what Auntie?
ALBERTA
I don’t know. Everything went by so fast.
MAY
Right after we parked the car, another car came up behind us and a man got out.
ALBERTA
It was Michael’s car.
MAY
Except that the front of it was smashed up.
ALBERTA
He got out of his car and started yelling at your mom-
MAY
“You’re the reason for all this!”
ALBERTA
And then he shoved your mom to the ground.
MAY
The next thing I remember was curling my fist into a ball and firing it into that guy’s face.
ALBERTA
And then he tackled you.
MAY
From the ground, I see Auntie Alberta swinging her bag at him.
ALBERTA
I did get him good before he threw me to the ground too.
MAY
And when I got up, all I could see was that guy was kicking mom in the ribs.
APRIL
STOP IT! STOP IT!
JUN goes to her to wrap his arms around her.
JUN
Mom. It’s okay. It’s okay.
MAY
Mom, it’s okay.
ALBERTA
Oh, April.
JUN
You’re safe now.
APRIL
Safe! SAFE! What is safe!?
Did you see that man’s eyes when he got out of YOUR SON’S car?!
He wanted to kill me! I’ve never even seen him before and he wanted to kill me and all of us! It doesn’t make any sense! I can’t sleep. I can’t eat. Because when I close my eyes, I can still see him…. I can still hear him yelling,
“You’re the reason for all this!!!”
Reason for what? For being Asian?! For being me?! What did I do?! Tell me! What did I do?!
MAY
You did nothing, mom. You did nothing.
JUN
We’re with you, Mom.
ALBERTA
I’m sorry.
I’m so sorry.
ALBERT gets up and begins to leave.
JUN
Auntie Alberta, don’t go. It’s still cold outside.
ALBERTA
No.
I understand.
I can’t…
MAY
Auntie, she didn’t mean-
ALBERTA
I’m sorry, April.
ALBERTA exits out the front door.
JUN
C’mon, mom. Let’s get you to the office where you can lie down.
MAY
That’s a good idea.
Go with Jun, mom.
APRIL nods her head and is helped up from the chair by Jun. Both exit through the kitchen door.
END OF SCENE
SCENE 7 – NOTICE. DINER – CONTINUOUS
Enter DEREK through the front door.
DEREK
What happened in here? I saw Alberta walk out in a daze and wouldn’t even say anything when I asked her if I could drive her home.
MAY
My mom said something about Michael.
DEREK
Oh…. yeah.
MAY
You hear from him?
DEREK
I can’t find him anywhere.
MAY
Guess him and his friend got away.
DEREK
You really think Michael had anything to do it? His mom got hurt too.
MAY
Jun told me about what they were talking about before… the incident. And from what he was saying, Michael’s changed.
DEREK
So, your mom blamed Alberta for Michael?
MAY
She’s just upset. I know she didn’t mean it. You know she’s never like that, but ever since…
DEREK
The attack?
MAY
She’s never been this quiet in her whole life. She’s the epitome of half glass full. More like grab the mop, her love for life is spilling all over the floor.
DEREK
So, the absolute opposite of you.
No offense.
MAY
None taken. You’re right.
And when we were here earlier talking about… you know.
DEREK
Why is it hard for you to say what it was? It was an attack. A brutal uncalled for attack on you and your mom.
MAY
Auntie Alberta was there too.
DEREK
But that guy was yelling at you and your mom.
MAY
“You’re the reason for all this.”
DEREK
That’s something you need to talk about.
MAY
Did you get a psych degree from Cal too?
DEREK
Roselyn wants to help. Why haven’t you returned any of her calls?
MAY
Did she send you to spy on me?
DEREK
She cares. Everyone in Lakeside cares.
She can help tell your story. Not only to everyone in this city, but also to the country.
MAY
Oh, no! I’m not going to exploit my mom’s pain for people to feel sorry for us. That’s the last thing I’d ever do!
DEREK
You wouldn’t be exploiting her. You’d be helping others.
MAY
By making them feel better that it wasn’t them?
DEREK
No, by putting a human voice to a violent crime.
MAY
Great! I’d be the face of pity!
DEREK
Not if you talk about what happened.
Roz’s station did a report last week about the rise in Anti-Asian Hate since the pandemic started.
MAY
Even more perfect, we’ve become a stat.
DEREK
Stats can’t make people feel. Seeing, hearing, and reading the effects of people affected by racial hatred can make a difference. The more stories that people watch on the news or read on sites like stop-a-a-p-i-hate dot org-
MAY
I’m not going to be part of a marketing campaign-
DEREK
Then become part of the movement that refuses to let violence happen to people just because of what they look like or where they come from to happen.
Pause.
MAY
I appreciate what you’re trying to do. I really do, but being a face of a movement is the last thing I want to even think about. Because the only thing that matters right now is my mom and how am I going keep this place open or pay for our hospital bills? Do you know how much it even cost to take an ambulance? I’ll be lucky if the money we get from The Millennium Group will cover everything.
DEREK
What’d you say?
MAY
Nothing. Forget it.
DEREK
You said something about The Millennium Group.
MAY
That spaceship on Star Wars?
DEREK
That’s the Millennium Falcon.
The Millennium Group tried to recruit me when I moved back even when I told them that I don’t do Real Estate Law.
MAY
You should take the job. I hear they pay a lot.
DEREK
Is that what Kimiko told you when she sold her pizza parlor to them?
MAY
That’s what I’ll find out when I meet with them next week.
DEREK
When were you planning on telling everyone about this meeting? Before or after the diner’s grand re-opening?
MAY
The re-opening should be the last thing on my mom’s mind.
DEREK
It’s the only thing she’s been talking about!
MAY
But that was before-
DEREK
And your dad also opened this place 40 years before the attack, which should only be considered a short blip in the whole timeline of this place.
MAY
Well, that blip sucked.
DEREK
You can’t let that moment be the end of a legacy your dad left for you or this community.
MAY
I could think of a person I’d like to cut out of this community.
DEREK
You don’t mean that.
MAY
Michael knew what kind of person his boss was. He could have stopped him from hurting us.
DEREK
There has to be an explanation. It just doesn’t make sense. A person like him doesn’t change overnight.
MAY
Maybe he just didn’t know how to deal with losing his job. Whatever. I don’t care.
DEREK
He what?
MAY
I said I couldn’t care less that he lost his job.
DEREK
When did that happen?
MAY
I said I didn’t care.
DEREK
(shaking his head)
If Michael got let go… that might mean that his boss…
Son of a-
MAY
What?
DEREK
History.
MAY
History what?
DEREK
Repeating itself.
DEREK begins to exit out the front door.
MAY
Where you going?
DEREK
Hopefully, to end this.
DEREK runs out.
Enter JUN from the kitchen.
JUN
Where’s Derek? I thought I heard him.
MAY
He just left. How’s mom?
JUN
Better now.
Found the Hennessy in the bottom drawer and one sip, nighty night.
What? It worked. You know she needed the rest and looks like you do too.
MAY
Derek just got me wound up. He actually thinks that talking about what happened can help.
JUN
Might have a point. Malala just got her license. I could give her a call for you.
MAY
I don’t need a therapist!
JUN
Oh yeah, you sound so calm.
MAY
No, I meant that Derek wanted me to talk to the news about… what happened.
JUN
Yeah, you don’t need to do that.
MAY
Thank you! Finally, somebody understands me.
JUN
I already talked to them.
MAY
You what?
JUN
Roselyn said that she’s been trying to get a hold of you and I told her that you were still shaken up by the attack.
MAY
You had no right to do that!
JUN
I had no right? Michael’s boss is the one who didn’t have the right to touch you or mom! And it’s our community’s right to know about this guy who’s still out there. Who knows who he could hurt next. Or worse.
MAY
Just let the police handle it.
JUN
And then do what? Arrest him, goes to trial and then gets let go, scott free? Did you already forget about George Floyd?
MAY
They got Chauvin.
JUN
But only because it was caught on video and posted all over the internet.
MAY
Don’t tell me you put anything on the internet about what happened to me and mom.
JUN
And to Auntie Alberta too. If news like what happened to you stays in a vacuum, then worlds never change and more people can get hurt just because they never think that anything bad can happen to people just like them.
So you bet I posted about what happened online because it’s not just about us… it’s about all of us.
Pause.
MAY
So, what did you tell Roselyn?
JUN
Just that when you got to Steve’s, a man approached you and started yelling before things got physical. Roz asked how you were all doing. I said physically and mentally bruised… but the emotional bruising’s gonna take a little longer to heal.
MAY
You said that?
JUN
Yeah. The last thing this country needs is another Vincent Chin.
MAY
Who’s Vincent Chin?
JUN
He was killed in the 80s in Detroit by some racist auto worker who got laid off.
Pause as May remembers something Derek said.
MAY
History repeating itself?
JUN
Exactly.
Enter APRIL opening the kitchen doors and pauses to see something on the door frame and puts her hand on it.
MAY
Mom, what are you doing up?
JUN
You’re supposed to be sleeping.
APRIL
I wanted to know if you had more Hennessy.
MAY
Mom!
APRIL
I’m kidding.
I couldn’t sleep. I just kept thinking about your dad and everything he did for us and for this place.
(looking at the door frame and points to each mark)
May, you were this tall when you thought you could carry a bin of dishes to the sink.
Jun, this was when you broke your leg pretending to be Spider-Man by jumping off that counter.
May, when you came through these doors when Derek took you to the prom after you got dressed up in the office.
Do you think the new owners will let us keep this?
JUN
What?
APRIL takes out the letter that May opened up the morning of the parklet wreck.
APRIL
I hope The Millennium Group offered you a good deal.
JUN
What are you both talking about?
APRIL holds out the letter for JUN to take. He begins to read it.
MAY
Mom.
APRIL
Do you think Kimiko could use a travel buddy to Italy? Looks like I’ll have some free time.
MAY
Mom.
JUN
May, what is this? You’re selling the place without even telling us?
MAY
It’s just for a meeting.
JUN
We own this place too! You can’t just sell it / / without telling us!
MAY
It was just a meeting!
APRIL
Sell it. Sell all of it. Throw in the damn door frame!
MAY
It’s not like that, mom.
APRIL
Why are you concerned about any of our feelings all of a sudden? You never wanted this place or this life. It was our fault that you never got to have a real life anyways. You turned down your scholarship to go your dream school with Derek because California was too far away. Now you’re free to go where ever and with whoever you want to.
JUN
No she’s not!
APRIL
Jun-
JUN
No. Of all the selfish things she could have done to betray me, you, and dad!
MAY
Selfish?
JUN
Yeah!
MAY
Me? Selfish? What did you expect us to do? We’re losing money just by staying open, your community has left us, and now, add all the hospital bills on top of everything?! How can I be the only one knowing when it’s time to move on? We had a good run.
JUN
40 years isn’t a run.
MAY
Fine, we had a good marathon.
JUN
You’re missing the point.
MAY
The point is what’s the good of trying to have a 41st year when it feels like no one needs us anymore?
Enter ALBERTA from the front door carrying a box.
JUN
Auntie Alberta.
ALBERTA
I’m not staying long. I just wanted to drop these off.
April?
APRIL
It’s fine.
ALBERTA puts the box on a table.
ALBERTA
I just wanted to return some things.
JUN goes to the box and picks up pyrex dish.
ALBERTA
Duncan loved Augustos’s dessert.
APRIL
Bibingka.
ALBERTA
“Alberta, how come you never made anything like this?”
I told him it was because I didn’t want his diabetes to get worse.
And then he’d say-
APRIL
“What’s life worth living, if you don’t live?”
ALBERTA
Exactly!
APRIL
Duncan always had a way with words.
ALBERTA
Sometimes when we’d watch the news and we’d see a story that pitted people against each other, he’d tell me how he wished that we could just come together for a potluck because-
APRIL
Good food always brings good people together.
ALBERTA
You remembered.
APRIL
How could I forget?
ALBERTA
Brings good people together. Sure, there are some food that might not look right or smell… different… but as long as the food didn’t make anyone sick, it kept people alive. It kept cultures alive. Kept communities alive. And souls alive.
MAY
Uncle Duncan had a way with words.
JUN takes out a pot.
JUN
I remember this.
APRIL
I haven’t seen that since-
ALBERTA
Sorry. I forgot that we still had it when you came over.
MAY
For Michael and Jun’s christening party.
JUN
I remember this. He only used that pot to make-
APRIL
His famous Adobo made with Coconut Milk.
MAY
Coconut milk?
JUN takes out the last item from the box, a picture frame and shows it to April.
ALBERTA
The last picture we have of both our families together.
APRIL
Would you just look at the smiles on Duncan and Augusto.
JUN
Damn, May. I forgot how much you liked Friends.
MAY
I didn’t! Everyone else had the Rachel cut too.
JUN
(takes off a piece of paper that is taped to the back of the photo)
What’s this?
ALBERTA
May, remember when I asked you for a copy of your valedictorian speech?
“As we move on to the next journey in life, don’t ever forget what brought us to this point-the moments of pure joy…
JUN
(reading from the paper)
…the lessons learned from being hurt, and above all…
APRIL
(reading from the paper)
…knowing what true love feels like from your friends and family–for it is those things…
MAY
that will keep you moving forward…
no matter how many times you want to give up.”
ALBERTA
I’m so sorry for what happened to you. If only I knew what Michael…
APRIL goes over to Alberta and gives her a hug.
Enter DEREK and MICHAEL through the front door.
DEREK
Hi.
MAY
What’s he doing here?
JUN
Yeah, I don’t know if this is a good-
MICHAEL
Derek, we can do this after-
DEREK
No. We’re doing this now.
ALBERTA goes over to Michael and gives him a hug.
ALBERTA
Where were you? Are you okay?
MAY
I’ll be in the back.
DEREK
No, May, you’ll want to hear this.
MICHAEL
I told you that they didn’t want to hear from me.
DEREK
We’re not going anywhere.
APRIL
What’s this about, Derek?
DEREK
After I found out about Michael and his boss losing their jobs-
ALBERTA
Michael?
DEREK
I had a feeling that they be somewhere they could lay low.
JUN
The 13th Step?
MICHAEL
I didn’t know where else to go.
JUN
You could’ve gone to the police.
DEREK
And that’s where we’re headed. Michael already told them where they can find his boss.
MICHAEL
Braden asked me if I wanted to chill at his guest house by the lake til things blew over.
JUN
Was that before or after he celebrated beating up your mom and my family?
MICHAEL
It was when I clocked him for what he did. And then I got my car and drove to The 13th Step to figure out what to do next… and that’s when Derek showed up.
DEREK
Alberta, I’ll be going with him to the station, so you don’t have to worry.
MICHAEL
Derek said I might be charged as an accomplice to a crime since it was my car that Braden used to wreck your parklet even though I was passed out in the backseat.
DEREK
He’ll most likely get charged with a misdemeanor, but with only fees since he helped to apprehend the real criminal.
MICHAEL
I just… I know it doesn’t help but I just wanted to come here first and say that I’m sorry.
I just got so blinded by everything that Braden had and how he got them. And everything he was saying somehow made sense. I just hated the feeling that no matter how hard I’ve worked, how much mom and dad sacrificed, and how much I tried to believe everyone is equal in this country, I just couldn’t do enough.. or be enough for some people.
But none of that really matters when someone you grew up with, someone who treated you like family, and someone you love gets hurt.
And for all of that, I’m sorry for what happened to you.
APRIL goes over an gives Michael a hug who breaks down.
APRIL
It’s okay, Michael.
It’s okay.
DEREK
Michael we gotta go. They’re expecting us.
APRIL lets go of Michael.
ALBERTA
Do you mind if I go with him?
DEREK
Michael?
MICHAEL
She’s the only family I have left.
APRIL
No, she isn’t.
MICHAEL
Thank you.
May. Jun.
Both MAY and JUN acknowledge Michael, but forgiveness hasn’t been earned yet.
MICHAEL
I… understand. Thanks for hearing me out.
MICHAEL, ALBERTA, and DEREK begin to exit.
MAY
Derek?
DEREK
I’ll be out in a sec.
MICHAEL nods and exits with ALBERTA.
MAY gives Derek a hug.
MAY
Thank you.
DEREK
You can thank me later.
JUN
Oooooooooooo
APRIL slaps Jun’s shoulder.
MAY lets go of Derek.
MAY
I haven’t forgiven him yet, but take care of Michael.
DEREK
You know I will.
Oh! Jun! I forgot, great job on the GoFundMe.
DEREK exits.
JUN checks his phone.
MAY
What’s a GoFundMe?
JUN
YOOOOO!!!!
JUN shows his phone to April.
APRIL
Is that real?
MAY
What’s real?!
JUN gives his phone to May.
JUN
That! Is the power of Internet!
MAY
52 Thousand Dollars?
JUN
The interview with Roz must have helped.
MAY
I don’t know what to say.
APRIL
It’s a good feeling, isn’t it?
MAY
What is?
JUN
To still be needed.
MAY
It does… it really does.
APRIL
So then… does it mean that we’re not going to sell the diner?
MAY
You mean OUR diner that will serve lumpia, your silogs, and dad’s adobo with coconut milk. It’ll be a hit at our Grand Re-Opening Anniversary Party.
JUN
Serious? Awe yeah!
(gives MAY a hug)
Thanks, May. I gotta check what we have in stock! I wonder if Steve has any longganisa?
JUN exits to the kitchen.
MAY
Mom, do you think we should get a banner too?
APRIL
A banner? Yes. Your dad would like that.
MAY
I’ll order one right now.
MAY takes out her cellphone.
APRIL
Thank you.
(gives MAY a hug)
Oh! I better check the office for some decorations .
APRIL excitedly begins to exit through the kitchen door, pauses at the door frame, kisses the fingers on her hand and runs it over her husband’s markings and exits.
MAY nostalgically looks around the diner, remembers something, searches her phone and presses a button.
MAY
Hello, Ms. Schrader?
Hi. It’s May Daryo from Daryo’s All-American Diner in Lakeside.
I just wanted to let you know that we’re no longer interested in selling our diner.
Yes…. I’m sure. We appreciate your offer, but we’re not going anywhere.
MAY hangs up and sees the “Welcome” sign that she brought in at the beginning of the play and finds a place to hang it up and exits into the kitchen.
Lights fade out except for a lone spot to shine on the “Welcome” sign.
Blackout.
END OF PLAY