STREET LAMP
Evan Mowry
Script Assignment
Intro. to Theater
STREET LAMP
(STREET LAMP takes place seven years from A RAISIN IN THE SUN. The Youngers have stayed in the house they bought, and are happy, but still quite poor. TRAVIS, just about to begin his senior year, is beginning to think of college, and has shown an interest in math throughout his years of growing up. He's walking with a girl, TANYA, on a summer evening; they are good friends and have a closer relationship than most, but their families would make it hard, as TANYA is white, and neither one is willing to take the initiative.)
TANYA:
But there's always the community college.
TRAVIS:
Yeah, but...You know. I should help out around the house. My grandma just stopped working and it's hard to pay for things as it is much less college.
TANYA:
(She sounds exasperated; they've been through this before, it seems.) So? Get a loan, financial aid, a JOB. You're never going to get out unless you try.
TRAVIS:
I know, I know...I just feel so...trapped?
TANYA:
I don't know, do you?
TRAVIS:
(He rolls his eyes.) It wasn't a question.
TANYA:
Why? You have everywhere to go, Travis. You're smart, you're driven, and you're compassionate. Why should you have to cage yourself in some minimum wage job so you can stay precisely where you are?
TRAVIS:
(Travis stops walking and starts yelling, gesturing expansively while he does so.) Well, for one thing this is where my family is! Don't you think I owe them something for all this?
TANYA:
All...this?
TRAVIS:
That house, my school, this...this walk. Everything. We moved here, and all of a sudden, I have a future.
TANYA:
So don't waste it.
TRAVIS:
(He sounds put-upon and sullen, and turns away from TANYA slightly.) I'm not.
TANYA:
You don't owe them anything that you don't already give. The whole reason they moved here is for you.
TRAVIS:
What do you know about reasons? What reasons have you had in your life? You go to school because your parents want you to. You're going to college because your parents want you to, you...why? What don't you do that your parents tell you to do? What do you do that isn't done by every little white chick in every suburb in America that's never had to worry about anything? What reasons have you got to do anything!
(Both are quiet for a second. TRAVIS holds his arm up pointing down the street in the direction of TANYA's house and then, with a shiver drops it. TANYA looks up at him, finally, and cuts him off from his apology.)
TANYA:
My parents don't want me talking with you. You, apparently, don't want me to talk to you. (She puts a special emphasis on the "whys") WHY did I come with you, tonight? WHY do I talk about these things with you? WHY do I put up with this...this SHIT?
(There is another long, long pause. TRAVIS looks wretched.)
TANYA:
There's a reason, Travis; one reason, and if you ask "why" right now I'll slap you in the face and say because I'm stupid. (TANYA walks off quickly, leaving TRAVIS to think.)
Script Assignment
Intro. to Theater
STREET LAMP
(STREET LAMP takes place seven years from A RAISIN IN THE SUN. The Youngers have stayed in the house they bought, and are happy, but still quite poor. TRAVIS, just about to begin his senior year, is beginning to think of college, and has shown an interest in math throughout his years of growing up. He's walking with a girl, TANYA, on a summer evening; they are good friends and have a closer relationship than most, but their families would make it hard, as TANYA is white, and neither one is willing to take the initiative.)
TANYA:
But there's always the community college.
TRAVIS:
Yeah, but...You know. I should help out around the house. My grandma just stopped working and it's hard to pay for things as it is much less college.
TANYA:
(She sounds exasperated; they've been through this before, it seems.) So? Get a loan, financial aid, a JOB. You're never going to get out unless you try.
TRAVIS:
I know, I know...I just feel so...trapped?
TANYA:
I don't know, do you?
TRAVIS:
(He rolls his eyes.) It wasn't a question.
TANYA:
Why? You have everywhere to go, Travis. You're smart, you're driven, and you're compassionate. Why should you have to cage yourself in some minimum wage job so you can stay precisely where you are?
TRAVIS:
(Travis stops walking and starts yelling, gesturing expansively while he does so.) Well, for one thing this is where my family is! Don't you think I owe them something for all this?
TANYA:
All...this?
TRAVIS:
That house, my school, this...this walk. Everything. We moved here, and all of a sudden, I have a future.
TANYA:
So don't waste it.
TRAVIS:
(He sounds put-upon and sullen, and turns away from TANYA slightly.) I'm not.
TANYA:
You don't owe them anything that you don't already give. The whole reason they moved here is for you.
TRAVIS:
What do you know about reasons? What reasons have you had in your life? You go to school because your parents want you to. You're going to college because your parents want you to, you...why? What don't you do that your parents tell you to do? What do you do that isn't done by every little white chick in every suburb in America that's never had to worry about anything? What reasons have you got to do anything!
(Both are quiet for a second. TRAVIS holds his arm up pointing down the street in the direction of TANYA's house and then, with a shiver drops it. TANYA looks up at him, finally, and cuts him off from his apology.)
TANYA:
My parents don't want me talking with you. You, apparently, don't want me to talk to you. (She puts a special emphasis on the "whys") WHY did I come with you, tonight? WHY do I talk about these things with you? WHY do I put up with this...this SHIT?
(There is another long, long pause. TRAVIS looks wretched.)
TANYA:
There's a reason, Travis; one reason, and if you ask "why" right now I'll slap you in the face and say because I'm stupid. (TANYA walks off quickly, leaving TRAVIS to think.)
posted by evan at 7:51 PM
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