Oh So Simpatico!

This first excerpt introduces you to the five women who meet for the first time as part of a group meeting sponsored by the National African American Women's Coalition. The women have come together for the day to learn about one another and see if they have what it takes to become mentors.

 

JUST US SISTUHS! - KEEPIN' IT REAL!

Copyright © 1999 by Valerie Leigh Streeter

CAST

TRACI:  Single; advertising director for a large ad agency; impetuous and materialistic slave to fashion with tunnel vision aspirations to marry into money

SHANTE:  Single; vociferous, outspoken undergrad student; civil rights activist; self-righteous and direct to a fault at times; youngest member of the group

JANELLE:  Single; aspiring actress currently waiting tables; proud lesbian who finds herself constantly being put in the position of defending her sexual orientation

BOBBI:  Married; bored housewife with no immediate plans to return to the work force; married to a wealthy white gentleman; no kids and, essentially, no life

ROCHELLE:  Widowed; secretary for a bank vice president; raising two teenagers; slowly coming to grips and dealing with the reality of being thrust into the role of head of the household

DANTE:  Traci's date

FIVE NAAWC REPS

ACT 1, SCENE 1: Five women are each seated across from an NAAWC Representative, each on a different part of the stage that is totally dark. Spotlight illuminates the first woman, ROCHELLE, as she talks with Representative #1.

REPRESENTATIVE #1

I'm sure you'll do just fine, Rochelle. There's nothing to be nervous about, really. As you'll soon see, we're not looking for some sort of superwoman - just positive sisters that reflect the embodiment of the National African American Women's Coalition and what we're trying to accomplish.

ROCHELLE

Oh, I'm not nervous. I sweat like this all the time. Well, okay, maybe I am a little . . . 

(spotlight immediately dims on ROCHELLE and illuminates TRACI and Representative #2)

TRACI (Rambling)

. . . nervous. It's just that I've been hearing so many good things about N-double A-W-C and all, and this is just such a great step for me and it'll look so good and impressive on my resume, you know, when people see the kind of organization I choose to associate myself with. I mean, it's--

REPRESENTATIVE #2

I'm sorry, I hate to interrupt you, but I hope you know this isn't about trying to impress people. I'm sure you're well aware this is a very selective screening process. And part of that process will be to see . . .

(spotlight immediately dims on TRACI and illuminates BOBBI and Representative #3)

REPRESENTATIVE #3

. . . how you resolve issues when faced head on--especially by someone who doesn't particularly share your point of view. Call it a dry-run, if you will, for when the real talk comes with the kids in this program. No tricks. No set-ups. Just straight talk. And, please, be honest; not only with and for the benefit of the four other women you'll be meeting with, but be honest with and for yourself as well.

BOBBI

Any particular topics we should cover? Or should we just wing it? You know, simple stuff, like we can't stand Barney the Dinosaur, or more socially challenging things?

REPRESENTATIVE #3 (Laughing)

No, we have a list of possible topics for you to choose from. Some topics . . .

(spotlight immediately dims on BOBBI and illuminates JANELLE and Representative #4)

REPRESENTATIVE #4

. . . may seem a bit superficial and you may generally only skim the surface, while others are fairly deep and will probably bring out strong opinions, adverse or otherwise.

JANELLE

Deep? As in?

REPRESENTATIVE #4

Well I won't get into that right now because we want your ideas--in agreement or in opposition--to be fresh, not rehearsed.

JANELLE

That's understandable. So what kind of sisters are in this group?

REPRESENTATIVE #4

That's what we want you to figure out for . . .

(spotlight immediately dims on JANELLE and illuminates SHANTE and Representative #5)

REPRESENTATIVE #5

. . . yourself. Talk with them. Interact. Don't be afraid to push a few buttons. Let--

SHANTE

Oh, I ain't scared to push buttons, you know what I'm sayin'. I want to hear what people have to say.

REPRESENTATIVE #5

That's good. We want you to open up. That doesn't mean that everybody has to tell all their deep, dark secrets. That's your prerogative; that's on you. But some of these topics, they could spark some pretty heated debates, and regardless of how any one of you ladies may feel about it, . . .

(spotlight immediately dims on SHANTE and illuminates ROCHELLE and Representative #1)

REPRESENTATIVE #1

. . . it is that person's own opinion. Work on resolving. Show me what kind of stuff committed sisters are made of. I mean, it's your goal to get moving with N-double A-W-C and be a part of the Teen Empowerment Program. You say you want to help these kids. Prove it. Let us know where your devotions lie.

ROCHELLE

Now, baby, you know with five women, there's gonna be some butting of heads. How far is too far for ya'll? Personally, I don't plan on getting all bent out of shape, but you never know. Sometimes folks can be real mean-spirited and argumentative. And honey, let me tell you, sometimes it's hard maintaining my Christianity!

REPRESENTATIVE #1 (Laughing)

Oh that's understandable. Like I said, we're not looking for perfection. Just keep it real. How far is too far? Well, when chairs start flying across the room and bodies are being flung out the windows, then I'd say things have gone too far! Other than that, just use your better judgment.

ROCHELLE

Keep it real, huh? Hmmmm. Okay, I'll do my part. I just hope the other women do, too.

REPRESENTATIVE #1

It'd be in everyone's best interest if everybody did the same. You know, this is an exercise not only in people skills, but also effective conflict resolution - together. If there's something you can't handle, you'd better lean on one of those other women, because if one of you gives up, in effect, you all fail yourselves. They're all being told the same things I'm telling you, but maybe you can give them a little nudge in the right direction -- remind them that this is about coming together. What's said in this room stays in this room.

ROCHELLE

I'll do what I can, honey. But, you know, I can't make nobody do what they don't wanna do. Grown women--you know how we are. Got our own minds. But I'll try and keep the peace, if need be.

END EXCERPT #1