Some Flowers Bloom Sick

Greeting to all who might stumble onto this page, or revisit in hopes to find something current to fill the page and your minds. I know it has been a great expanse of time since I posted anything worth reading, but I think you'll like this one...
I am proud of it and have spent a great deal of time over the past month developing the story and its characters. It doesn't hint at anything that has happened to me or give any insight into any inner treachery or twisted personality, sorry!
I just had an epiphany or sorts when writing up a character sketch for a villain a while back and it pushed me in this direction. I mean what makes a great villain anyway? Aren't they all just real people who eventually make one or more wrong decisions that either force them to choose to commit a very harmful decision or continue to bind them and limit their choices to equal or worse ones along their journey. Don't they all have someone to support them or point them toward their unavoidable end?
That's what this script is all about. It has a mature theme, a swear word or two, but mostly a haunting situation that will make you think. Do we allow people to become villains in our society? Is there anything we can do to prevent this sort of thing from happening? Is this type of situation one that could be on the evening news in your town?
Enjoy!

SOME FLOWERS BLOOM SICK

Tobby Scott Harward
© 2009


SETTINGS

The settings for this play all take place in Northern California in the present day. It begins in the office of a child psychologist, then the visitation room at California Men’s Colony a prison in San Luis Obispo, finally at the home of Karl Mitchell.


CHARACTERS (4M, 2W)

DR. EMILY ROSENBAUM, child psychologist, post 30.
KARL MITCHELL, 17.
NICK JONES, 18.
JUANITA SANCHEZ, his wife, mid to late 30s.
GABRIEL SANCHEZ, prisoner in his late 30s to early 40s.
CORRECTIONS OFFICER, any age.
CORRECTIONS OFFICER 2, any age.
ESTEBAN SANCHEZ, small toddler up to 2 yrs old.


NOTES

The play should be performed without an intermission.

To increase the flow, scenes should take place on opposite sides of the stage, so the next scene can be set before it takes place. Lights should fade and rise to solidify the change.

No snake is necessary, but to increase the dramatic effect, the director has the option of using a real or made giant Burmese python on stage. Also the choice not to cast the small toddler, Esteban Sanchez, is permitted.

Message: Abuse usually results in more abuse. Criminals are made not born. Life isn’t fair and doesn’t necessarily have happy endings. It’s not always about good vs. evil. Are we okay with this? Is there something we all can do to stop the cycle?


ACT ONE

The lights rise on a therapy session.
KARL is seated toward the center of the
room across from DR. ROSENBAUM.

DR. ROSEMBAUM
So this is our second to last scheduled visit…

KARL
(Yawning)
Yeah. I’m not going to need you anymore.

DR. ROSENBAUM
You feel you’re ready to take on the world do you?

KARL
Sure. It’s not like I’ve really needed your help in the past several years anyway.

DR. ROSENBAUM
Karl, you have grown a great deal since your parents’ accident, yet still don’t respond like an adult.

KARL
Got another more week for that.

DR. ROSENBAUM
Think you can make the switch just like that?

KARL
I’ll be eighteen, might just surprise you.

DR. ROSENBAUM
Go on.

KARL
I never said that I had something to share.

DR. ROSENBAUM
That’s too bad. I’d love to hear your thoughts about what you plan to do with your future, with the settlement money, and your living arrangements.

KARL
They’re not getting a cent. I’m going to get my own place and live how I want, free to do what I want, just me and my snake.

DR. ROSENBAUM
Still have that monster? Haven’t seen a picture in a while.

KARL
(Pulls out his cell phone, thumbs
through it.)
It’s SO much bigger than last time, moved onto feeding it cats and rabbits.

DR. ROSENBAUM
Wow. Don’t think that’s legal.

KARL
(He hands the phone to her.)
It’s a Burmese Python, one of the biggest. That’s what they eat at this stage.

DR. ROSENBAUM
It’s gigantic. Surprised they’ve let you keep it.

KARL
Don’t have a choice. They’re scared. They did make me move it out to the chicken coop though. It’s got good heat and moisture, but no more chickens.

DR. ROSENBAUM
(She hands the phone back to him.)
Surprised they suggested their coop.

KARL
They don’t pay attention to chickens or people for that matter. They sure noticed me after they saw how big it’s become.

DR. ROSENBAUM
I bet. How often does it feed?

KARL
Used to be every 10 days, but now it’s more like a 3 week span.

DR. ROSENBAUM
Has it ever tried to bite you?

KARL
Did once… After it got attacked.

DR. ROSENBAUM
Attacked? By what?

KARL
There were two incidents actually. First was when it was about to shed, and it wouldn’t eat. I put a giant rat in the cage and it just sat there for 20 minutes. I went to turn off the lights when the rat started biting and scratching it. The snake struck and coiled around it, squeezing it to death, but didn’t eat it until a week later. It got so smelly! When I tried to take it out with tongs, it struck at me.

DR. ROSENBAUM
Didn’t get you?

KARL
No. Instead it got the rat, so I let it go. Didn’t like me messing with its food. So cool!

DR. ROSENBAUM
Right, cool… And the second?

KARL
Oh, it got loose from the coop once and went hunting. We found it all torn up, but still engulfing the neighbor’s dog while they were on vacation.

DR. ROSENBAUM
We? What kind of dog?

KARL
It was like the only other time that she’d paid attention to me in over 5 years. Was a bull terrier. Don’t think it would have survived if the dog wasn’t on its last leg. She said we should play dumb.

DR. ROSENBAUM
I can’t believe she helped you get away with that. She’s been a horrible guardian to you… Well, I have arranged that meeting for you. It was a great idea! I need to know how you’ll react. Then, I might feel confident that you’re able to handle life without treatment.

KARL
So this is it? The last test before we’re through?

DR. ROSENBAUM
Not necessarily. I’ll explain it to both you and Nick.
(She picks up the and phone dials an
extension.)

KARL
Nick? Oh yeah. Do I get to meet him today too?

DR. ROSENBAUM
Yes. Send him in please.
(Hangs up the phone, then stands and
faces the door. NICK enters the room.
She motions to an empty chair.)

NICK
Hello Dr. Rosenbaum.
(He sits. DR.ROSENBAUM turns her chair
forward then seats herself.)

KARL
Nick. Hey nice to meet you. I didn’t want to go see Gabriel without you.

DR. ROSENBAUM
Nick hasn’t agreed to that yet. He almost didn’t agree to meet you here today.

NICK
(Sits in silence)

KARL
Well you’ve got to come with me. What’s the matter? Are you still scared of him or something?

DR. ROSENBAUM
Well, he has been a victim of Gabriel Sanchez for a little longer than you.

KARL
All I heard about is the rape… What exactly did he do to you?

DR. ROSENBAUM
You don’t have to explain anything.

KARL
Sh*t. Tell me something. I mean it’s your fault my parents are dead too. You kind of owe me anyway.


DR. ROSENBAUM
No he’s not.

KARL
If he hadn’t squawked that day, then Gabriel never would’ve been arrested or down at that bar.

DR. ROSENBAUM
Maybe not, but it took a great deal of courage to speak out-

KARL
He’d never have hit them. Did you know that was his first time getting drunk ever?

DR. ROSENBAUM
It wasn’t Nick’s fault. He did the right thing. You did well.

KARL
They’d still be alive if it wasn’t for stupid Nick here! Why’d you even bring him in if he’s too big a baby to go see Gabriel?

NICK
Shut up! I’d still be his play thing if I hadn’t talked!

KARL
No one cares about you!

DR. ROSENBAUM
Now Karl, you don’t mean that. He doesn’t mean that.

NICK KARL
It’s okay. Yes I do.

DR. ROSENBAUM
Karl, you need to apologize if you want to continue.

KARL
Sorry.

DR. ROSENBAUM
Good. Now boys I’ve looked into this and the only way for either of you to visit Gabriel in prison is for you to go together.

KARL
What? Now I’ll never get the chance. That sucks!

DR. ROSENBAUM
Karl’s already agreed to it. How about you Nick?

NICK
I don’t ever want to see him again. I want him to rot in that cell forever.

KARL
It just might make us feel better? I don’t even have to talk to him. I’ll be able to tell if he’s suffering by the look in his eyes, if he’s become someone’s b*tch!

DR. ROSENBAUM
Karl! You’re one strike away from losing the privilege. You’ll have to be on your best behavior. That’s where the test comes in. You boys could tell him how you’ve moved on with your lives, ask for an apology, even-

KARL
No way! So he can revel in our pain?

DR. ROSENBAUM
No. Finally face your demon and him his. I’ve already had your names added to the approved visitor list. They said you could each speak to him individually. We’d only have a half an hour total though.

KARL
So when is this happening?

DR. ROSENBAUM
Next week. I thought we’d have an extra session before you turned 18 to help you process and move into adulthood, ready to cope with what new challenges lie in store for you.

NICK
Fine, I’m in.

DR. ROSENBAUM
Great! Then you’re both excused. Thanks for joining us today Nick.
(Lights fade as the boys walk through
the door and rise on the other side.)

NICK
I guess I could be indirectly responsible for your parents. I’m sorry.

KARL
Yeah, but it’s not really your fault.

NICK
Thanks. I guess I’ll see you again?

KARL
Yep. You going to be okay with seeing him again?

NICK
Hope so. Can’t believe you want to set foot in a room with him! Guess I could use some closure to all this.

KARL
I don’t want closure. I want justice.

NICK
Isn’t being imprisoned for life without possibility of parole justice? I mean I’m still mad at him for what he did to me.

KARL
What did he do? I mean I heard what the news reports said.

NICK
They call it grooming, like conditioning, but I wasn’t coerced into it. He was my friend at first; I mean I saw him every day at the crosswalk. He talked to me, gave me candy. Then he started telling me dirty jokes and eventually showed me some pornography, which I thought was cool. One day he showed me some gay stuff. I was disgusted! After he apologized, he invited me to his house after school to get some of the good stuff. Never knew what was coming.

KARL
Then he just raped you?

NICK
No. It’s embarrassing. You wouldn’t understand.

KARL
Never mind. I don’t want to know. I just wish I could make him suffer more. I have an idea. You in?

NICK
Sure. I guess.
(Lights fade on the boys and rise on
JUANITA and GABRIEL in the visitation
room at the California Men’s Colony.)

JUANITA
I didn’t just come to visit baby! Our son has been kidnapped…

GABRIEL
What? What are you saying?

JUANITA
I know right. I mean I was shopping the other day and I left him in the cart for only like a second to put the groceries in the car.

GABRIEL
You mean you weren’t watching him? Where was Hector?

JUANITA
No. I can’t watch him every second of the day. I mean I told Hector to get in the car an’ he was playing his video game. Esteban was taken right out of the cart and I didn’t even hear him. I screamed for help but nobody saw nothing.

GABRIEL
Did you call the police or something? What are they doing? O Dios mio!

JUANITA
I just don’t know what to do. Wish you were out here to help me!

GABRIEL
I know. Me too baby. You gotta search for him. Try everything! Now go. Let me know when you find him.

(Gabriel hangs up phone. Juanita does
too. She gets up and walks out. Gabriel
paces around and hits the wall/glass.
The corrections officer comes over.)

CORRECTIONS OFFICER
Sit down now or I’m sending your other visitors away.

GABRIEL
Other visitors?

CORRECTIONS OFFICER
That’s what I said. A lady and two boys.

GABRIEL
I don’t know any boys.

(DR. ROSENBAUM escorts KARL and NICK
into the room. NICK gets to the phone
first.)

DR. ROSENBAUM
Now as we discussed, I’ll leave so you each can speak to him in private. Just raise your hands when you’re through.

(NICK picks up the phone and KARL waves
her away. GABRIEL picks up his phone.)

GABRIEL
Wait. Why are you two here? Come to get an apology from me? No way! I’m not sorry about what I did to either of you.

NICK
He recognizes us but isn’t going to say he’s sorry. Well, we’ll just make him sorry then won’t we?

GABRIEL
How you gonna make me sorry? Nothing you do can hurt me. Go ahead, give it a try. You’re too weak!

NICK
Weaker than your son?

GABRIEL
Oh you little freaks! What have you done with him? Give him back to me, you f*cking bastards!
(As he gets excited the CO motions to
someone. He walks over to GABRIEL and
pushes him up against the glass. The
second CO enters. They drag him off.)

KARL
Way to go fag! Didn’t think you were going to tell him our plan.

NICK
Don’t get so squeamish. No one’s going to listen to him anyway.

(The boys raise their hands. Lights
Fade and rise on a chicken coop in a
backyard. NICK enters carrying Esteban
They move about the space for a while.
KARL joins them running from offstage,
carrying a sack with something in it.)

NICK
‘Bout time you showed up! Thought you’d chickened out or something.

KARL
Just went to get a little rat to make sure it’s hungry. Don’t want it getting hurt in the process. Plus it might not be able to handle something his size.

NICK
Well, get on with it then. Sooner it’s over the less likely we’ll get caught.

KARL
(Slowly walks up to chicken coop, opens
door and tosses in the bag.)
It never had a chance. It was stupid of me not to feed you for the past month. Guess there’s no turning back now, is there?

NICK
(Picking up the toddler.)
Nope. Ok little guy, now it’s your turn.

KARL
(Walks between NICK and the coop.)
I really don’t think we should do this Nick. I mean he already knows we kidnapped his son. That’s gotta be eating at him. What if this comes back to bite us, huh?

NICK
Ten seconds and it’s all over. I’ll do it, you pussy! Knew you were getting cold feet. Just remember this was your plan all along. I was the one that needed convincing. You can’t back out now. Besides, there’s no way we’ll get caught; the evidence will just disappear.

KARL
Forget what I said Nick. Give him to me. Let’s get rid of him some other way.
(He walks over to take ESTEBAN. NICK
turns and pushes past KARL, knocking
him to the ground.)

NICK
We’ve had him too long already anyway. It’s time to make that son of a bitch pay for all he’s done to us!

(NICK rushes to the cage, opens it and
sets the child in before KARL can stop
him. Lights slowly fade as part of a
news report is heard about the murder.)