La Negrita Chronicles
La Negrita and Her Kind and Gentle Saviours
Scene III: I make it rain on these hoes
(Moments later. Dorm room. On BUDDY JUNIOR, JR.’s bed. BUDDY JUNIOR, JR. lights up a blunt. They are post coital. “Marijuana” by Kid Cudi plays in the background.)
BUDDY JUNIOR, JR.
3 minutes, my new record!
Beat.
(after moments of looking at LA NEGRITA) You’re mine right?
LA NEGRITA
Why do white people do drugs?
BUDDY JUNIOR, JR.
Because it enhances our sexual experience and performance.(puts out blunt, and kisses her instead.) Because our lives are filled with apathy and boredom and we need something to fill the void.
LA NEGRITA
What the hale? Why don’t you like get a job.
BUDDY JUNIOR, JR.
Job? White people don’t have to do that shit.
Beat.
But me? I want to be a mayor someday. Just like my dad (beams.)
LA NEGRITA
Sometimes when I see white people my age working, I think to myself. Why you working? I know your parents give you money. But, I shouldn’t think that way. I’m a bad person.
BUDDY JUNIOR, JR.
You’re not a bad person babe. You’re just black. And we’re going to work on that, okay babe?(laughs)
(puts mango in his mouth. Draws a map of the world with its pulp on LN.)
Beat.
Baby. (whispers.)
LA NEGRITA
Mmmmmm.
BUDDY
Where is your family from?
LN
Boston…
BUDDY
(places finger on LN’s lips to silence her.) No, where are they REALLY from?
LN
Buddy---Boston.
BUDDY
Babyyyyy, you can tell me! It’s okay. I love this shit. I just want to know which part of Africa you’re really from. Ghana, Nigeria, the Nile?
LN
BUDDY, I’m Dominican.
BUDDY
Where’s that? (LN gives him dumb look.)
BUDDY
Such a lovely sound. (looks outside window.)
Beat.
It’s still raining out.
LA NEGRITA
Pardon?
BUDDY JUNIOR, JR.
The rain, it’s beautiful. It’s beautiful.
Beat.
It’s---it’s a lovely sound. (smiles at her, kisses her gently again.)
Beat.
So is this a yes?
LA NEGRITA
What?
BUDDY JUNIOR, JR.
Will you be mine?
LA NEGRITA
I don’t know.
BUDDY
(distracted by the rain.) I love the rain.
Beat.
I love running in the rain. I love making love in the rain (turns to face her.) The sound of rain is almost as beautiful as your face. (kisses LA NEGRITA’s forehead.) I love the rain, (Squeezes her hand.) and I think I just might love you. (smiles.)
LA NEGRITA
(Gets up abruptly. Starts fishing for clothes.)
BUDDY JUNIOR, JR.
What’s wrong? For the love of fuck, where are you going?
LA NEGRITA
(looks up at him.) I’m leaving BUDDY, what do you think?
BUDDY JUNIOR, JR.
What did I say? (pause, she looks at him). Baby, please be mine? You are oh so beautiful. With your mocha skin, expressive hair. Everything about you is exotic.
LA NEGRITA
(looks up at him.) And what pray tell, exactly, is that supposed to mean?
BUDDY JUNIOR, JR.
I ask you to be my girl. I tell you that I love you, I make LOVE to you…what the fuck is that? Is that not action enough for you?
LA NEGRITA
This was a mistake.
BUDDY JUNIOR, JR.
Why?
LA NEGRITA
One of your girls. BUDDY JUNIOR, JR. you asked me to be one of your girls. What is this whole open relationship bullshit? What does it consist of? Are you like a damn Mormon? Will I have sister wives? Can you just not choose one, so you gotta collect them all? #Pokemon
BUDDY JUNIOR, JR.
(Raises eyebrows. Says quietly.) I said that I love you.
LA NEGRITA
You said you “think” that you love me.
BUDDY JUNIOR, JR.
I’m working on it.
LA NEGRITA
You’re always “working on it.” Let me know when you’re done “working on it”.
(She exits, blackout)
Frania G. Romulus was born in Boston, Massachusetts. As a child Romulus loved to create, perform and act. She began playwriting in elementary school. As the years passed she traveled and competed as a saxophonist in her high school music assembles. She was reminded of her gift of writing while an undergrad at Clark University. She matriculated with a degree in Psychology and Performing Arts.
Romulus’ work portrays her experiences as a woman of color at a predominantly white institution. Her raw emotional honesty, uncomfortable dialogue, and satirical style won the attention of Playfest then AS220, enabling her piece to be on production as well as earning her an artist residency.
