That night. Under a freeway overpass. JOAN strokes SABRINA�S hair.
JOAN
Go to sleep.
SABRINA
I can�t. What if�
JOAN
Shh. Now close your eyes�close them. (SABRINA closes her eyes. JOAN starts to tell SABRINA a story) The hot summer rays shine upon our virgin skin. There�s not a cloud in sight. The sparrows sing their morning hymn as flowers dance in the fields of blue, red, and white. A nearby stream rushes to quench the powdered soil. We are in a log cabin by the lake. You are sleeping snug in your queen-sized bed with plush blankets and your head is nestled against soft feathery pillows. (SABRINA falls asleep. JOAN continues, but this time the words are more for herself) You wake up to the fresh scent of strawberry waffles and float weightlessly to the kitchen. We sit together in the morning sun and eat breakfast together. (Pause) Sweet dreams my angel child.
Lights out
SCENE 7
Dream one: That night. SABRINA is sleeping under the bridge with her mom. The stage resembles her parent�s living room. SABRINA is twelve years old. SABRINA and her siblings are working on their homework. Her Dad is in the living room watching x rated movies while eating six candy bars and holding an empty large glass in his hand.
JEFF
Hey porky? (She ignores him. He then whistles for her, like one would whistle for a dog. With anger in his voice he calls her again) Heeey porky!
(SABRINA looks at him and reluctantly walks over to him)
SABRINA
Yes, (whisper) dad?
JEFF
Oh, there you are. Get me some more milk would you? (He hands her the empty glass, then belches out) Thank you.
(SABRINA takes the glass and walks over to the refrigerator)
Lights out
SCENE 8
Next morning in a welfare office. JOAN and SABRINA are in line to speak with an AGENT. SALLY, a client, is in front of them.
AGENT
Next. (SALLY walks over to the desk and sits down on the chair) Sally, what can I do for you today? (SALLY shows the AGENT her obvious fat pregnant stomach.)
AGENT
Oh no, Sally. Let me get your file out. (AGENT looks through the file cabinet. Unable to locate the file) Sally did we talk about birth control options last time? (Finds SALLY�S file)
SALLY
Yeah. But, when I�m, you know, kiss�n on a guy I don�t think about that. Besides, if I use contraceptives my body gets all sorts of problems. And I�ve heard certain pills can cause cancer.
AGENT
(Looking at her file) You came here two years ago for the same, problem. Is your income the same as last time? (SALLY shakes her head yes) Have you thought about abstinence?
SALLY
Abstandance?
AGENT
Abstinence, you know the refraining of sexual intercourse. (Slight pause) Not having sex.
SALLY
(Surprised) What do you know; they have a real word for that. (Pause) May I get Doctor Beelz again? He's hot.
AGENT
(Clearing throat) Let me make a few phone calls, but I assure you, you won�t have to worry about this problem much longer.
SALLY
Thanks, you're an angel.
AGENT
Be more careful you hear?
SALLY
I�ll try. See ya.
AGENT
Next. (JOAN and SABRINA walk over to the AGENT�S desk and sit on nearby chairs) Hello ladies, how can I help you today? (SABRINA nudges JOAN)
JOAN
I lost my husband recently, and I had to sell our house to pay off his debts, and now we're homeless. We don�t have anywhere to go. Please help us find somewhere that�s warm and dry. It�s only for a short time, until I can get a job and pay for our own apartment.
AGENT
Homelessness is tragic and it happens to the best of us. To get started I'll need you to fill out a few forms including an application form for possible section-eight housing. (AGENT hands JOAN a stack of forms) Take these forms home, or wherever you�re staying. Make sure you thoroughly read every page and then, fill them out to the best of your ability. If you need any help, call this number during regular business hours and speak with one of our representatives. When you�re finished, bring them back to me with your signature, (pointing to the front page) here, then initial here, (on a fourth page. And then opening to a seventh page) sign here (finally she gets to the last page) and finally, we�ll need your signature here. I will also need to verify your current living arrangements and your income or any money that you received within the last six months. At that point we can start the application process to get you a place to stay. And then, after a week or two you should be on your way to getting a place of your own.
SABRINA
What? It�s going to take that long to fill out the forms!
JOAN
Who are we supposed to get verify that we�re homeless?
