The FAYTs (Filipino American Young Turks) - Ben's Monologue

The following excerpt is from The FAYTs, my play about the ambitions of a group of young Seattle-area Filipinos and, in particular, Ben Adama as they seek political power.   The monologue in the form of a campaign speech is given by Ben at his kickoff for State Senate.  It was developed to explore his character...his wants...needs...strengths...weaknesses.

THE KICKOFF

(A crowd of supporters has gathered at campaign headquarters.  Cheerful music plays loudly in the background.  It lowers when John and Ben rise to the stage and stand in front of the podium.   He and John are dressed in sport coats.   Mara dresses sexily in a short, red dress and high heels.  She wears a pearl necklace. She stands off to the side.)

(The crowd itself dresses casually.  A small table with wine, cheese, crackers etc. Is available in the back.  People stand around eating and drinking.  There are a few members of the press.  Political signs dot the walls.  A welcome and sign-in-table around which a small line has formed  by the doorway.  The table is staffed by a few supporters. Ava is not present.  The music lowers.)

JOHN

Welcome to the Kickoff for our friend Ben Adama who’s running for State Senate.  You’ve known Ben as a friend, a neighbor...a tireless worker in our community.  He has an established recored for supporting equality, housing and employment.

Ben is one of us.  He brings a wealth of experience managing programs.  He decided to run for office.  When he wins, he’ll be the first Filipino to achieve this in the  State. 

(NOTE:  Audience is encouraged to join in for applause and chants in support of Ben during his speech.  Applause and noise from the audience.) 

Ben will tell us why he’s running and then take questions.  I give you the next Senator from this District...Ben Adama! (More applause, hooting.  Some noisemakers.)

BEN

Thanks, John!  Thanks everyone for coming out tonight.  Someone asked me why I was running. (Pause)  That’s easy...to win!  (Applause.)

Seriously, growing up, I had to guide my father Max ‘round the City.  He’d gone blind while boxing.  He was all but forgotten except for a few friends.

One day, we went into our favorite pool-hall.  Dad heard a someone bullying his friends.  He told me to take him over and stand him in front of the guy.  I did.   Dad asked the guy, “Why don’ you pick on someone who isn’t afraid of you?”

The man responded, “Who’s that?  You?  You’re an old blind man!”   Just as he finished, dad hit him with an upper cut.  Cold-cocked him.  Dad turned to me and said, “Ben, we got to get outta here.  Run!” 

We ran...Dad tapping with his cane.  Tap.  Tap. Tap.  Me scared shitless.  A few blocks away, cop yelled, “Max, stop.  There’s been some trouble at the pool-hall.  You see anything?  What’s up?”

Dad responded “Me no see nothin’.”

The cop let us go.  He knew dad...recognized and trusted him.

(Laughter from the crowd and lots of applause.)

This story reminds me where I’m from and what so many Filipinos experienced.  Dad was a fighter.

When his days in the fight ring ended, he didn’t have anything. He was poor...abandoned…unrecognized.  

I determined that I wouldn’t be forgotten.  That would not happen to me.  I would make my mark.

I wanted to make dad proud.  I wanted to show him I’m a fighter... show him that Filipinos could contribute and achieve in America...prove to him that I could win.   I had friends going to Catholic High School.  I thought this might be a way out.  I didn’t have money for tuition.  I got a job in a restaurant after school.  During summers, I worked in a gas station.  I earned money and paid the tuition.  I got into the school and graduated.

I joined the Marines. I served our country.  With the G.I. Bill, I completed community college.  I met my wife and started a family.  She’s home watching the kids so I could be here with you.  I made it my way.

I came back to our community...our neighborhood.  Loyalty is important to me.  I improve your housing.  Built a food bank. Organized a tutoring service for our schools.  I believe in giving back...in giving you and your children chances that weren’t available to me.   I want you to have a chance to improve your lives the way I improved mine.

I know you. And, you know me.  I’m running because you know I’ll do the job for you.  Join me.  I can’t go back.  Come forward with me.  Rise with me on the American ladder.  We can have success.  We can realize the American dream.  We can be part of America.

(Huge audience applause and chants: “Ben! Ben!”)

I grew up in Chinatown.  My father was poor.  We lived in a one room apartment filled with cockroaches.  He slept in the bed.  I slept on the floor.  The cockroaches never slept.

When dad died, I was raised in Rainier Valley by my Tito and Tiya...my Uncle and Aunt.   My wife and kids grew up here and go to school here.  I’ve known poverty and rose above it.  If I can do it, you can too.

You know me and you can trust my word!

(Audience applauds and chants.)

I can make a difference!  My opponent is part of the political establishment.  We’ve witnessed decay in our schools, fewer housing opportunities and businesses vanishing from our neighborhood.  (Crowd applauds at each pause.) 

We need more housing (Pause), small businesses (Pause), better schools (Pause) and jobs.

I’m not like her.  I’ll represent you.  I’ll represent your dreams.  I promise to make government listen.  I worked years in our neighborhood.  I’ll take my life lessons and experiences to the Senate.  I ask for your support.

(Audience cheers loudly.)

We can move forward and bring prosperity.  We can improve schools, reduce crime and strengthen our economy. (Crowd agrees more loudly.)

You ask:  Why am I running?  I’m running because I’m you.  I believe in loyalty.  We grew up together.  We walk these streets together.  I’m running because I represent your hunger and hopes.

I will succeed. You have my word.

(Crowd cheers loudly.)

I believe in you.   Believe in me. Walk with me. You can trust me.  Join me in my campaign.  Thank you.

(Crowd applauds and cheers wildly. Joyful music starts up. John rises and joins Ben on the Podium.)

JOHN

In celebration of your hopes and dreams Ben represents for us, we’re hanging this banner.

Give it up for the next Senator from this District: Ben Adama!

(Pedro and Paulo unfurl a very large banner that reads:  Adama for State Senate in bold letters.)

PEDRO AND PAULO

(Lead crowd in chant.) We know you and we trust your word! 

CROWD

(Chants.)

We know you and we trust your word!

JOHN

Behind you are sign-up tables.  We need volunteers.  We need your support.  Join Ben’s

campaign.

Join us.  Support Ben.  We have refreshments...food and drink. (Points to tables.)

AUDIENCE (CHANTS.)

Mabuhay, Adama!  Viva, Adama!  Mabuhay, Adama!  Ben! Ben! Ben!

(Music plays.  People head for tables.  Ben moves through the crowd shaking hands.  He receives pats an the back.  Then, Mara gives him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.)

Tanagas

Remnants

Only dead stamen remain

of flowers you left behind

in vases on the window.

Like petals, love dries in vain.

Waking

Water gurgles in the pot.

Dawn beckons me with light.

Bold coffee removes the night.

I open my newspaper.

SILK AND WAR

CHARACTERS

MAJOR COOK -   40 YEAR OLD BRITISH MAJOR, AN ATTACHE TO SIR WINSTON

PRIVATE ENFIELD -  20 YEAR OLD, BRITISH ARMY PRIVATE

SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL -  PRIME MINISTER, ENGLAND

SCENE I

(The scene takes place in 10 Downing Street, the office of Sir Winston Churchill.  The British are engaged in World War II and are on the eve of Dunkirk when Sir Winston is to speak to the nation.   Major Cook, his personal attache, paces the room waiting for Private Enfield to return with an important task he has ordered him to fulfill on behalf of the Prime Minister.)
                       
Major Cook:    (Pacing.)  Were is that laddie?   It’s been several hours.  Bloody.  If he’s forgotten.

(Enter Private Enfield. He salutes.)
                       
Private Enfield:   They’re boxed, Major!   As you requested.
                     
 Major Cook:  The right size, Private?
                       
Private Enfield:  I believe so, sir.
                       
Major Cook:  It’s important to the Prime Minister.  You certain?
                       
Private Enfield:  Wouldn’t let you down, sir.

Major Cook:  Yes. Yes.  But, it’s highly important.
                       
Private Enfield:  I don’t understand -
                       
Major Cook:   He’s addressing the nation.  He has to be comfortable.
                     
Private Enfield:  Dunkirk?
                       
Major Cook:  The Prime Minister is under a lot of pressure. Don’t want him screwing up now.  Do we laddie?
                   
Private Enfield:  Absolutely not, Major.
                       
Major Cook:   What about color?  Pink, I hope.
                       
Private Enfield:  White, sir.
                       
Major Cook:  Right, oh.  Nothing else?
                       
Private Enfield:   No choice, sir.  War shortages.  Pink dyes are being used for camouflage.  Mountbatten, sir. Royal Navy.
                       
Major Cook:  (Pause.)  Yes.  I see.   Correct.  We all have to make sacrifices, I suppose.   You covered everything?
                       
Private Enfield:  Everything you specified, Major.
                       
Major Cook:  Check.  Let’s see.  Size.  Color.  Comfort’s important.
                       
Private Enfield:   The P.M. will be fine.  He’s sure to rally the nation.
                       
Major Cook:   I wish I could see them.
                     
Private Enfield:  They’re boxed.  I didn’t want to unwrap them.
                     
Major Cook:  What style?
                     
Private Enfield:   Not sure, sir.  Probably boxers.
                     
Major Cook:  Right. Well, he can make do.
                     
Private Enfield:   If you say, sir.
                     
Major Cook:   More importantly. The materials?  If you didn’t get it right, the nation -

(Just then the door opens.  Sir Winston Churchill enters, cigar in hand.)
                     
Sir Winston:  You get them?   Important, you know, Major.
                     
Major Cook:  Private Enfield took charge.  I’m confident.
                     
Sir Winston:   (Opens box. Lifts up a pair of silk underwear. Studies them. Holds them next to his body.)
Almost perfect.  Fine silk.  Our boys...all Britain will be grateful. Where you get the silk?
                   
Private Enfield:  R.A.F., Mr. Prime Minister.
                   
Sir Winston:  R.A.F.?
                   
Private Enfield:  Yes, sir.  Leftover parachute.
                   
Sir Winston:   Bloody hell, parachute, you say!  Great silk.  How’d you know?
                   
Private Enfield:   Rumor, sir.  Just rumor. (Pause.) You proposed creating an airborne force in 1917.  Seemed fitting.
                   
Sir Winston:   Don’t like the color.  Thought I -
                   
Major Cook:  No choice, sir. Navy.
                   
Sir Winston:  I specifically told you I - (Pause.) You’re right. We all have to make sacrifices.
                   
Private Enfield:  Price of war, sir.  No pink.
                   
Sir Winston:  You astound me, Private.  Doesn’t go beyond 10 Downing.
                   
Major Cook:  Yes, Mr. Prime Minister. Got that Private Enfield. Not beyond Downing.
                   
Private Enfield:  Yes, sir. My lips are sealed, Major.

(Lights down.  The end.)

                        SCENE II

(Scene two takes place in the same office on 10 Downing Street.  Winston Churchill practices his speech to rally the British nation after Dunkirk.  Major Cook is present as is Private Enfield.)

Sir Winston:  How did it sound?

Major Cook:  Well spoken, Mr. Prime Minister.  Bully! Well spoken.

Private Enfield:  Bully, Mr. Prime Minister.  Inspiring, no doubt!  When you say:

"We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender..."

I am especially moved.  You’ll rouse the people, if I may say, sir.

Sir Winston:  Thank you.  Thank you both.  If it wasn’t for your service --

Major Cook:  Duty, sir.  Just our duty.

Sir Winston:  Still, without the comfort of silk, I --

Major Cook:  I suppose we should celebrate.

Sir Winston:  I owe you.

Major Cook:  The nation owes you.

Private Enfield:  I agree with Major Cook, sir.

Major Cook:  I have a thought.  Why not celebrate! I acquired some French  carmel candies.  My gift to you Mr. Prime Minister.

Sir Winston:  I’m at a loss for words, Major.  How did you get them?

Major Cook:   R.A.F., Sir.  Knew some fellows in Hornet Squadron. Served in Normandy.

Sir Winston:  (Pause.) Damn unfortunate men.  Wooden propellers on the planes. Blast! Made the Hun’s work easy.  Far too easy. (Pause) Thank you. (Takes box.)

Major Cook:  Have one in their honor, sir.

Private Enfield:  You have a dinner engagement sir.  Perhaps you should wait.

Major Cook:  Don’t interrupt, Private.  Let the Prime Minister celebrate --

Private Enfield:  It wouldn’t do to spoil his appetite.  After all this is with the Cabinet.

Major Cook:  I don’t see how eating a few -

Sir Winston:  There. There.  Perhaps the Private is right.  He was so helpful with the silk underwear.  (Pause.) Here Private, my gift to you in thanks.

Major Cook:  But...Sir Winston.  They were in honor of Hornet Squadron’s lost men.  You should eat them.

Sir Winston:  I cannot think of how honored they would be than by giving these carmels to an enlisted man...those that deserve our nation’s gratitude.

Private Enfield:  Why thank you, sir.  (Takes the box and opens it.) These look yummie!  Here, Major, have one.  If you hadn’t ordered me to find the silk underwear, Sir Winston wouldn’t be able to address the country.

Major Cook:  I appreciate that Private but I’ll pass.  Diet, you know. Barely fit the uniform.

Private Enfield:  Oh, come on, Major. I insist. One or two won’t hurt.  Besides, you went to all the trouble to get them from Hornet Squadron.

Major Cook: And, I fear I must decline, I’m afraid. (Pause.) My health.

Sir Winston:  Come. Come, Major.  I hear French carmel is the best.  You went to so much trouble getting these.  Have one.

Major Cook:  But, I got them for you and --

Sir Winston:  Now. Now.  I know the sacrifices that you men make.  After all, I served in the Boer War.  You deserve --

Major Cook:  My doctor --

Private Enfield:  Is German. Is he not?

Major Cook:  What!  Bloody hell. What are you implying? You -

Private Enfield:  Your real name is “Koch”.

Major Cook:   (Long pause.)  You know? How?

Private Enfield:  We intercepted a coded message: “Koch’s in the kitchen. Assassination as planned.”  In German, “Koch” translates to “Cook”. Does it not? Raised our suspicions.  A little investigation and --

Major Cook
Bloody.  You’re not an ordinary Private.  I should have guessed.

Private Enfield:  MI5.  Second Lieutenant Enfield, sir.

Major Cook:  I was to kill Sir Winston.  What now?

Sir Winston:  (Draws gun.)  You’re under arrest.  You’ll be in prison for the rest of your life. We’ll defeat Hitler.

Major Cook:  Damn you, Brits.  I think not. Heil, Hitler! (He bites on a pill and dies.  Private Enfield rushes over, kneels by his body and takes his pulse.)

Private Enfield:  Dead sir!  Poison.

Sir Winston:  Damn!  Should have seen that coming.  Now, we can’t interrogate or turn him.

Private Enfield:  He could have eaten the candy, sir. (He takes one and swallows it.)  They’re excellent.

Sir Winston:  What!  You said they were filled with poison.

Private Enfield:  I lied, sir.  These are quite sweet.  He would have enjoyed one.  (Pause.) MI5 replaced his with replicas in case you accidentally decided to eat one. (Pause.)  For your own protection, sir.  And, we didn’t want you to give away the store.

Sir Winston:  Give away the store!  I’ll have you know - (Pause. Chuckles.) Sandhurst, eh?  Absolute scoundrels!

Private Enfield:  Right, sir.  Class of ‘38.  We need you to rally the country, Mr. Prime Minister.

Sir Winston:  (Pause) Right. Right. Bully. I see your point (Pause), Lieutenant.

Private Enfield:   We must fight on sir.

(Lights down. End of play.)

The Owl

Christmas past, we adorn
our tree with lights and bulbs.
Dad tops it with a star.
Last, we hang a branch
with an owl of paper feathers
and sequined eyes.
Grandma Josephine gifted
this rare bird to mom.

I saw it last some years before.
Right eye missing.  Talons
struggling for a hold.
I thought our feathered friend
extinct with family passings.
Last year, my brother hosted
our holiday.  The owl repaired,
wings intact, dear Beija
places it in the tree.

Family (Continued)

Barbo

Jesse, Habitat volunteer, retires.
Clown wannabe.
She calls cousin Barbo
for advice.

"Barbo's a gentle clown!" she says.
White, broad-faced smile.
Surrounded in yellow folds and flowers.
High squeaky voice
delights kids in parades.

Jessie, gentle clown protege,
cultivates wishes and laughter
in impoverished children
in Guatamala and Costa Rica.

Urban Life

Determination

A greyhead shuffles the crosswalk.

His beard, a thin waterfall cascading

from facial crags to beltline.

He moves.  Slides a single foot forward.

Poises carefully before advancing the other.

Unitl he’s parallel and balanced.

His journey an agonizing grind.  

He crosses safely through the lines.

Desperation

Desperate men and women lounge

the park grass on torn cardboard.

Their mattresses the repository of lost dreams.

They wrap themselves in plastic tarp.

Cover in flannel blankets, tight against today.  

More forlorn watch from surrounding banks

and camp medians between sidewalk and street.

Voices rise from the earth like tall weeds.

Whispered secrets spindle skyward,  

seeking some imagined hope.

Wanting. Waiting.  

We also wait with them.

Family (continued)

We travel 99 north.  Crowd into our '51 Pontiac.
Across the Aurora Bridge, we pass the teepees
and Indian elephant.  After Marysville,
mustard fields and orchards unfold.   Our family
heads for Gramdma Josephine and Aunt Mary's
farms.  We'll clamber cliffs to the Cherry Point beach.
Burma Shave signs accompany our trip,
bringing smiles...dissolving tedium.

The whale
Put Jonah
Down the hatch
But coughed him up 
Because he scratched.
Burma Shave

Billboards push the sky away.
Corona, Cingular Cellular and a Schmirinoff
blonde consume the landscape.
Stylish and sexy,
lacking cadence, they carry a different humor.

We admit our company
name sounds like someone 
getting an erection. - Boeing 


I miss the early days.
Lament the missing moments.
I think of family...
those departed.

A nut at the wheel
A each on his right
Acurve in the road
Fruit salad that night.
Burma Shave


Times change.