Well, the shelter you�re staying at. Plus, you said that you had a house, (AGENT hands JOAN another form) so we�re going to need your creditor, or who ever your husband owed, to send us a statement. This will tell us if you�re within the income bracket for section-eight housing among other income verified benefits. Okay? Next.
JOAN
But the money�s gone. I can�t just go up to them and ask them for a statement. They don�t work that way.
SABRINA
Mom, can�t you get them to sign a statement, or something? (JOAN looks at SABRINA hopelessly)
AGENT
I�m sorry, I want to help you, but I have to go by the rules. All I�m saying is that you need to fill out these forms and bring them back to me, so that I can begin the application process. And then, the average wait for section eight housing is a year, sometimes longer. But let�s see if we can get you in somewhere else before then. In the mean time, check out some of the local shelters. (A WOMAN in line walks over to the desk. To JOAN.) I said next, please. (JOAN and SABRINA exit with the stack of forms)
Lights out
SCENE 9
That night. A local theater. SABRINA is auditioning before GREG, a well-built twenty-five-year-old attractive man who has an Italian accent. Some crew members sit with him. She can�t see them because several spotlights blind her, but they can see her.
SABRINA
(Shielding her eyes from the lights) Hi, my name is Sabrina and I will be performing a monologue called "Regret" by Ms. Moth. (SABRINA looks down and pauses for a second to get into character, then looking up :) It was a cold, dark evening when I was conceived, and a stormy morning when I was born; my mother cried out in pain. Children are eager to grow up, but when we do, we mourn our innocence lost. But in reality, we choose to continue to live in sadness, despite knowing; like Adam and Eve. I seek truth, but only know darkness as a friend. Forgetting the child within, is to turn our backs on who we are to become. Only now, as we age, hopefully we emit wisdom. But I can't do it alone. I am just a child who hides in limbo; always waiting for my savior. (Silence)
GREG
We'll call you.
SABRINA
Thank you.
(SABRINA exits.)
Lights out
SCENE 10
Later that night. Under the freeway overpass. JOAN is wrapped in a blanket trying to keep warm. SABRINA enters carrying a red sack that reads; �Red Raven's Burgers� on one side. JOAN hides a small brown paper bag. SABRINA doesn't see.
JOAN
How was your first day at the Restaurant hon?
SABRINA
I brought you a burger and fries. (SABRINA hands the bag to JOAN)
JOAN
Oh, you're such an angel. (Taking out the burger and just before she takes a bite) What's the matter? Did you get to eat?
SABRINA
I ate earlier. (JOAN eats the burger)
JOAN
(Pause) Don't let things bother you too much honey. I'm sure everything will work out.
SABRINA
How's the burger?
JOAN
Um, good. You�re sure you don't want a bite? (SABRINA shakes her head no) While you were at work, I managed to get an interview tomorrow for the cashier at the mini-market down the street. I think the job is mine. They were so nice to me when I went in there.
SABRINA
I quit.
JOAN
I know it's hard, but don't give up hope yet. With you working and me going to job interviews� soon we�ll be able to get that apartment, we�ll be just fine. Plus, dad�s debts are paid off.
SABRINA
Mom, I quit my job. I had to.
JOAN
You had to? Why? It�s your flirting isn�t it? I told you if you aren�t careful some man is going to take your flirting seriously and possibly hurt you.
SABRINA
What? Yuck! No, the manager demanded that I work the double shift.
JOAN
So, do it.
SABRINA
I can�t, I have auditions in the evening.
JOAN
Did you tell him that?
SABRINA
Yes, but he didn�t care. (JOAN gets up and pleads with SABRINA)
JOAN
Sabrina, this was our only source of income. Besides acting isn�t a real job, there�s no stability. You needed this job. We needed this job. Look around; we�re living under a bridge!
SABRINA
You�re right mom; everyone should take whatever job that they can get. You don�t get it! I want God to work through me as an actress, or something that inspires other people, to bring joy, and constructive thinking, to their �time card� lives. I don�t want my life to revolve around the almighty dollar.
JOAN
I know you don�t, but this is the real world, and not some fairytale.
SABRINA
So the land of the free is just another way of saying, the free slaves? How can people be free if they work a meaningless job that they hate? It�s not true freedom�
