Revival – Part 2

This play was performed in Harlem (NY) in 2011. 

Setting: 

Hotel room 

Cast:

Bruce: In his late forties. He is three days from retiring. 

Virgil: In his late twenties. 

Virgil: I’m feeling unstoppable. You ever felt like that? You see things so clear, like something much bigger has it all worked out for you; all you’ve got to do is follow the plan. (He speaks softly) The plan.

Bruce: What’s yours? 

Virgil: You ask the tough ones.

Bruce: Don’t sweat it. Things will become clear.  

Virgil: I’m going to let faith carry me. (Pause) Ever since I was a child I felt like there was someone looking over me, right by my side. I’ve been protected and this has given me the strength to do some great things. I was an honor roll student, always able to get along with people, had a loving family, my mother and sister have always been there for me. I’ve just been lucky. I thought this is how life is and always will be.

Bruce: Until?

Virgil: It’s kinda sick the way we’re set up. Things are perfect, then bam! Your whole reality is snatched away from you and you’re just a stat. 

Bruce: Sorry you feel that way? 

Virgil: Not now, as I said I’m back. And this is where I belong and it’s funny we’d be here today.

Bruce: Why?

Virgil: We’ve got the package arriving. Time check.

Bruce: Nine. 9 – 0

Virgil: Check.

Bruce: Package arrives in thirty.

Virgil: Confirmed (Pause, he walks to the window). We’re gonna babysit the biggest drug dealer in the country and the candidate (At the window) is going to be right down there on Main Street. 

Bruce: I guess it’s kinda ironic.

Virgil: What would the senator say?

Bruce: He’s a politician. He gets it.

Virgil: I just mean, the first black man to get this close, to come all this way.

Bruce: Don’t stress out over it. He’s got secret service.

Virgil: That’s right. That’s right. (Pause) You said you were called to the bureau.

Bruce: Yeah. I always knew it. 

Virgil: What about the bureau’s image? Racism?

Bruce: It didn’t matter. Hoover’s long gone. But the important thing is that I know who I am. I had no doubts about what my job would be, making tough decisions.

Virgil: Now it’s different for me. 

Bruce: How’s that?

Virgil: This is redemption. I can truly make things right. 

Bruce: You said that before. 

Virgil: Look, I really thought it was gone, that I was cured. (Pause) 

Bruce: Of what? 

Virgil: Nothing. (Pause) This isn’t easy. You’re the first person I’ve really talked to about it.

Bruce: You don’t have to…

Virgil: No. It’s alright. Maybe it’s for the best. (Pause) You remember the Stilley case a couple of years ago? 

Bruce: Yeah, sure. 

Virgil: I worked it. I was on the rescue team, a sharpshooter. I had excellent marks all through the academy, could hit targets clean 300, 400, meters if I had to. When Stilley was cornered in a hotel room they called my unit. The negotiator was on the phone and had him talking. But nothing was working, the guy was crazy just wanted to kill. (Pause) So I got the call to take him out. My spotter locked him down. I had him, right there, on the tip of my barrel. (Pause) But I couldn’t do it, just couldn’t. I still don’t get it. The Bureau sat me down for 18 months. I had to see doctors, take all these tests, then they called me. I was shocked when they called me. So being here means everything to me. I’m not going to get any more chances. People don’t forget. I mean, even my wife couldn’t deal with it. The pressure became too much and she took the kids. 

Bruce: Time changes things.

Virgil: Not this. If I had taken him out they’d still be alive today. 

Bruce: It was a tough call.

Virgil: He killed his wife and children! I sometimes hear their screams. You wouldn’t believe it.

Bruce: I can imagine. 

Virgil: Can you? Can you really? This kind of pain is impossible to walk away from. Still, I wanted to come back. So I played the game.

Bruce: How’s that? 

Virgil: Went along with everything, kept it real simple. I knew the answers they wanted so I did my part.

Bruce: So this is a trial run?

Virgil: Sort of. What’s it mean anyway when you pull the layers back? I know they put me here to see if I can control myself, handle the strain. 

Bruce: You’re alright now?

Virgil: I’m here.

Bruce: You’re right. Someone is watching out for you. This is your destiny. You’re a soldier and don’t ever forget it.

Virgil: I’m nobody’s savior. (Pause) Especially on a day like this?

Bruce: It’s a coincidence.

Virgil: Maybe. (He goes to the window) My first day back and the candidate happens to be here. So many hopes and dreams.  

Bruce: He’s a man just like us.

Virgil: (Still at the window) I like the view we’re getting. What time is he supposed to speak?

Bruce: (Looks at his watch) Soon I believe.

Virgil: (He moves away from the window) It would be funny if we get our delivery right when he’s speaking. Maybe they’ll intersect? Make eye contact? 

Bruce: I’ve seen stranger.

Virgil: I’m not saying it’s absolute or anything, just curious. For a moment they’ll be sharing the same space.

Bruce: You’re making a lot out of this.

Virgil: Why because he’s black? 

Bruce: They both are. Besides, if he weren’t it wouldn’t even register.

Virgil: Don’t you see? It’s everything combined, neatly rolled into one. It’s all right there.

Bruce: He’s a man just like us, who wants power and glory. So he has to take the lumps. It’s part of the deal. Business. Color doesn’t mean anything.

Virgil: Time check.

Bruce: Nine 0 – 9.

Virgil: Check.

Bruce: Packages arrival imminent.

Virgil: Confirmed. It must be.

Bruce: What?

Virgil: Race. Just look, it’s everywhere. That’s what makes this candidate so special. You said it, otherwise who would care?

Bruce: Remember, the same people that pay my bills pay yours.

Virgil: Hell, they didn’t want to give me a gun.  

Bruce: I can’t help you with that.

Virgil: I’m not asking you to.

Bruce: I’d give you some advice if I thought it’d make a difference.

Virgil: Save it for your retirement speech, right after they give you a watch.

Bruce: (Laughs) Ha, ha, ha!

Virgil: I’m glad you liked it.

Bruce: You’re funny.

Virgil: How’s that?

Bruce: I Just thought…

Virgil: What?

Bruce: The concept.

Virgil: It’s all the same thing.

Bruce: You don’t really believe that.

Virgil: (He’s pacing, rubbing his head in confusion) I’m sure you’ll tell me about it.

Bruce: I was like you once, but without the anger. Which tells me you’ve stumbled onto something but can’t deal with it. But I’m gonna help you out. That thing you can’t quite put your finger on, that knawing deep in your gut, that dull pain that roars sometimes but mostly simmers giving everything in your life a slightly exaggerated equality, that’s truth talking, but you’re not listening. It would help if you give it a chance. And that truth that’s looming? Is you. It’s you. Then nothing; absolutely nothing. Then more nothing we call death. We’re all expendable in this game, interchangeable. You’re just an individual in your own damn mind. But you don’t mean shit to anyone else – no one.

Virgil: I know I’m making a difference.

Bruce: How? You can barely hold a job. And you’re going to change things? Grow up son.

Virgil: Don’t talk to me like that. Just because your ass is old and tired don’t try to hold me down. You can’t. No one can. Those doctors tried. But I played them off with their own bullshit. I let them think I was crazy. But crazy smart. Then when they were all convinced, I acted natural, real smart, and they said I was cured and let me go. (Pause) I knew it would work. I had them, turned it all around. Total control – suckers! (Pause) And you know why I’m telling you this? 

Bruce: Go on.

Virgil: Because you’re gone. Three days – hell, you’re off the radar. You’ll debrief about the twenty years and I’ll be a distant memory, a blip, a hazy recollection – gone. So I’ll ride the twenty years because every day that I get up and go to work I’ll know that I’m on the right side, playing by my rules.

Bruce: (Shakes his head) Crazy.

Virgil: (Goes to the window). Look at them. Drink it up, my people. Yes! Yes! This man is for real. I just want to be there to laugh at them.

Bruce: Them?

Virgil: The system. They. Them. The people that make wars to maintain the status quo.

Bruce: They caused all our problems? What about responsibility? Where does that come in? We’ve got to be accountable.

Virgil: Spoken like a true slave. 

Bruce: You should know.

Virgil: Fuck you!

Bruce: (Laughs) It makes sense doesn’t it?

Virgil: What? 

Bruce: This.

Virgil: It’s messed up. What if somebody behind the scenes…  

 (There are two loud gunshots. There are screams from the street.)

Virgil: What the hell? (He runs into the window.) My God! They got him! (Virgil turns around. Bruce is pointing his gun at him.) What’re you doing?

Bruce: The package has arrived.

Virgil: What?

Bruce: The package. That’s why we’re here.

Virgil: (Dazed) I don’t understand? 

Bruce: You were killed by the assassin.

Virgil: This doesn’t make sense. I’m waiting for the package. The dealer, we’re waiting…

Bruce: What dealer? You’re the package. Let’s get the story straight. “An agent is down, mortally wounded but kills the shooter.” You’ll be a hero for this. All the glory you want is right here. This is your time. But I need you to do what’s right. It’s Procedure.

Virgil: No! I’m not a part of this.

Bruce: I need you to be a man today. 

Virgil: I haven’t done anything.

Bruce: You killed the shooter.

Virgil: I didn’t. You know that! 

Bruce: (Puts the gun to Virgil’s head, who goes to his knees.) There’s got to be a body. Someone has to take the credit. You’ll be immortal. Be a man. Do it! 

Virgil: (He breaks down) I can’t. Please. I’m begging you. 

Bruce: (Virgil grabs his arm. As they tussle the lights fade. A shot is fired. [Pause.] A figure leaves through the front door. As the lights come up Bruce seems alright, for a second, but stumbles back to the sofa.) Ahhh! Bastard! (He puts his hand inside his jacket near his heart, then checks his hand for blood. He takes his phone out of his left pants pocket, dials.) Agent 4175.  Yes, confirmed. I trust the subject was neutralized? (He strains to speak.) Good. The package has been delivered. Terminal. Send the cleaners. Copy. (He loses consciousness.) I… (He dies.)

End of part 2/2