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Kids' Scenes

Through the power of writing, youth are able to release deep emotions that had been repressed for most of their lives. The following scenes were written in our Write Now! program.  One youth said of his experience, “The way each one of us expressed by writing what happened in our past, it helped us get over our stress and problems. You have to have a lot of courage to write and tell and have it performed. It made me feel good and I cried, but it was of joy, that now I know others will know what happened in my past. It really touched my heart how they acted it out.” Another boy remarked, “I thought the writing class would've been a little boring but I really enjoyed being in it and I want to continue writing stories. I feel special knowing that I can achieve something I'm good at.”

"ALMOST 18"

By A. G. ARON'S

FRIEND

I got a surprise for you, bro -- an early b-day present --

ARON

What?

ARON'S FRIEND

You know how you always talkin' about wantin' to run with the homies?

ARON

Yeah

ARON'S FRIEND

I got some people you need to meet

(TWO GANG MEMBERS enter)

GANG MEMBER 1

Happy birthday bitch

(Aron's Friend and the Two Gang Members punch Aron who puts his arms up but otherwise doesn't defend himself. When they're done, they clap Aron on the back)

ARON'S FRIEND

Look at those black eyes. Broken nose, too! You one of us now, man

GANG MEMBER 2

Watch your back, bro -- The other gangs -- They gonna be lookin' for you now, Same as us --

(Aron's Friend and the Two Gang Members walk away)

ARON (to the audience)

I thought bein' in the gang would change my life.

(Suspicious, fearful, Aron looks over his shoulder and left, then right.)

ARON

I guess it has --

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"I CAME IN PEACE"

By V. M.

VICTOR

I made a deal. With -- He points upward.

VICTOR

You know who -- For my cousin. You don't know him. He's not rich or famous. He's done some stuff -- I don't know what. But I don't care. He was good to me. Told me to stay clean, stay off the streets. I didn't listen -- before. Then I made this deal

(Victor's Friend enters)

VICTOR'S FRIEND

Hey V -- what's up? Look what I got -- He shows Victor a "gun", aims at the ceiling and pretends to shoot. Victor pushes his friend's arm down.

VICTOR

Man, put that piece back where you got it --

VICTOR'S FRIEND

What's wrong with you, man? We gonna take my daddy's gun and have some fun with it --

VICTOR

I can't --

VICTOR'S FRIEND

You sick or somethin'? Ever since your cousin been in Pelican Bay -- You been strange. Goin' to those gang-cop meetin's -- Pushin' those petitions -- Writin' letters to the damn governor -- Like he'd ever listen to your sorry ass --

VICTOR

Shutup --man. You don't know nothin' This is for my cousin, man. His life --

VICTOR'S FRIEND

I see what's goin' on. You forget who your friends are --

(He shoves the tip of the "gun" into Victor's chest).

VICTOR'S FRIEND

You think if you go actin' like some bitch -- Your cousin ain' gonna die? You crazy, man? He on death row. He gonna die no matter what you do

(Victor holds up his hands in surrender. Looks his friend straight in the eye.)

VICTOR'S FRIEND

C'mon, V. Prove you ain' no bitch

(Victor does nothing. Friend lowers his gun. Victor turns to go. Friend reconsiders and shoots Victor in the back. Victor stops dead. Friend walks away. Victor turns to the audience. Drops to his knees. Looks up toward the ceiling)

VICTOR

My cousin gets to live -- Deal?

More Scenes by Create Now! youth

"Happy Anniversary"

"Hard Time"

"Jordan Twos"

"Life Changes"

"Lovers, Friends, and Then..."