Spit

CAST OF CHARACTERS

LOLITA SHANTE/ROXANNE:
17 years old, African-American
JEREMY “REMY” SHANTE:
22 years old, African-American
DEVON JACKSON/KID KRUSH:
23 years old, African-American
DJ MARLEY MARL:
22 years old, African-American
CROWD

Notes
“Spitting” is a synonymous term for “rapping”
A (**) indicates a pause
TW: Retelling of sexual assault in Scene 4

SCENE 1
SETTING: A battle rap venue in Queensbridge, NY. The crowd is alive with energy. The lights are dim and the air is slightly smoky.

TIME: 1984.

AT RISE: We see LOLITA pacing backstage of the battle rap venue in a secluded corner. She looks visibly nervous. Heard from OFFSTAGE, DJ MARLEY MARL is spinning “The Breaks” by Kurtis Blow to entertain the crowd.

CROWD
These are the breaks! Break it up, break it up, break it up!

JEREMY
Approaching LOLITA
Lo, you ready? You’re onstage in ten. Time to Krush the Kid and drop the mic.

LOLITA
Yeah, the moment of truth…

JEREMY
I see you decided on the windbreaker.

LOLITA
Only ‘cause I ran out of time.

JEREMY
Hey, I like it! Straighten up, you got this! An outfit’s not gonna make or break you anyway.

LOLITA
Come on Remy, you know that girls are judged by their clothes before anything else—before they even speak. Like…too much skin, she’s a ho; not enough, she’s a prude—

JEREMY
Okay, but you’re not—

LOLITA
And I’m already gonna be underestimated going in there as a female. I just want people to take me seriously…

JEREMY
Lo, with the bars you’re gonna spit…how could they not?

LOLITA
You’d be surprised.

CROWD
These are the breaks! Break it up, break it up, break it up!

LOLITA
spots DEVON as he enters from the opposite corner talking with a few friends; lowering her voice
But—but what if…what if he tries to spin what I spit, you know? Like—like, what if the crowd reacts badly or…or the DJ ends the battle before I get to really spit, you know…

JEREMY
Lo, it’s too late to worry about things like that…this is your moment. I mean, you’ve been talking about this for weeks, spitting day and night—

LOLITA
Well yeah, but I’ve only ever battled the mirror. H—how am I supposed to spit in front of a whole crowd, in front of…in—in front…fuck I can’t even say his name ** in front of him—Kid Krush, the fan fucking favorite, who’s already got ‘em all in his corner before I even step up to the—

JEREMY
Hey, hey…slow down, Lo. ** I’m in your corner.

LOLITA
You know what I mean.

JEREMY
makes a gesture at “Kid Krush’s”
And even if the crowd starts in “Kid Krush’s” corner, it doesn’t mean they’re gonna finish in it.

DEVON
approaching JEREMY and LOLITA
Was that my name I heard? A couple of groupies want an autograph or somethin’?
makes a motion to clasp JEREMY’s hand but is left hanging when JEREMY’s arms remain stiff at his sides with a harsh facial expression; for an elongated moment,
DEVON’s gaze lingers on LOLITA, looking her up and down

DJ MARLEY MARL
heard from offstage simultaneously with this encounter
Somebody say alright!

CROWD
Alright!

DJ MARLEY MARL
Say ho-oo!

CROWD
Ho-oo!

DJ MARLEY MARL
And you don’t stop! Keep on! Somebody scream!

CROWD
Owwww!

DJ MARLEY MARL
Break down!

JEREMY
stepping to DEVON
You got a problem, man? That’s my sister you’re eyeing.

DEVON
returning his gaze back to JEREMY; talking to him
Ah, I see how it is. You ain’t a groupie. You’re my competition tonight, aren’t you? ** I gotta say, I was expecting an MC with some experience, but I’ll bite…I’m game. **

JEREMY stands in silence for an awkward moment

DEVON
Well, let’s just hope your bars are better than your talk ‘cause it looks like you’ve got nothin’.
DEVON and his friends snicker as they exit

JEREMY
JEREMY stares them down until they’re gone
Lo…Hey…Are you okay?**

CROWD
These are the breaks! Break it up, break it up, break it up, break down!

LOLITA
I’m. ** I’m gonna be sick. I don’t know what I was thinking…
walking to the exit as JEREMY follows her

JEREMY
Lo, come on, don’t walk away now… you’ve made it so far…
blocking LOLITA’s path as she mutters inaudibly
Listen, I’ve got something for you.
pulls out their father’s military dog tags from his pocket; LOLITA looks stunned as he puts them around her neck
Every good rapper’s gotta rock a chain, right?

LOLITA
But…Remy…you’re so protective of these…I—

JEREMY
And now it’s time to be protective of you.
putting his hands on LOLITA’s shoulders
The Shante’s—we’re fighters. It’s in our damn blood. And just like Dad, you’re gonna go into this battle and if you go down, I know you’ll go down swinging. But either way, you’re coming out of this alive because you, Lolita, aren’t just a fighter. You’re a fucking survivor.

LOLITA
You know what, you’re right…Fuck, you’re right. It’s now or never.

JEREMY
Now that’s the Lo I know.

CROWD
These are the breaks! Break it up, break it up, break it up, break down!

LOLITA
Well when I hit that stage, the name won’t be Lolita anymore.

JEREMY
So, who will I see up there?

LOLITA
Roxanne.

JEREMY
And why Roxanne?

LOLITA
I don’t know…just feels right. ** And Remy? ** Thank you.

JEREMY
Go get your revenge, Roxanne.
JEREMY EXITS; LOLITA puts her hands on the military dog tags and takes a breath

LOLITA
in different tones and rhythms
My name—
clears her throat
My name is Roxanne. ** My name is Roxanne.
**; the most sure of herself
My name is Roxanne…and this is my revenge.

CROWD
These are the breaks! Break it up, break it up, break it up, break down!

SCENE 2
AT RISE: we see DJ MARLEY MARL spinning records on the battle rap stage for the crowd surrounding it.

DJ MARLEY MARL
Alright, alright. I think it’s ‘bout time I pass the mic. You know his name. You know his game.
It’s Kid Krush bringing his heat, now everybody up on their feet!

CROWD cheers

KID KRUSH walks confidently to CENTER STAGE with his mic and encourages the crowd with his body language by lifting up his arms, etc.

ROXANNE
heard from offstage; holding her dog tags
Dad…I feel you here with me. Please give me strength. Don’t let me freeze up there.

KID KRUSH
So, who am I gonna have to demolish tonight for the—what is it—twelfth night in a row?

CROWD cheers

DJ MARLEY MARL
I wouldn’t get too cocky Kid Krush. Maybe tonight’s the night you finally meet your match.
What do y’all think?

A mix of cheers and boos from the CROWD

ROXANNE
heard from offstage; holding her dog tags
I love you, Dad.

KID KRUSH
DJ, come on—I’m dying to know—who’s got the balls to step to me?

DJ MARLEY MARL
Okay, okay. I’ll cut the suspense. Let’s make some noise for the fierce and the female…taking the stage with a force that’s new, it’s Roxanne making her debut!
standing at five feet tall compared to KID KRUSH’s six feet, ROXANNE walks to CENTER STAGE with her mic; she keeps her back straight, but looks visibly anxious

Scattered cheering from CROWD

KID KRUSH
looking ROXANNE up and down
Oh…well it don’t look like you got balls.

CROWD laughs

What—you lost or something, little girl?

ROXANNE
DJ, let’s get on with it.

DJ MARLEY MARL
Came to play, I respect.

KID KRUSH
Now my favorite thing about being battle rap king is hopping on the first verse, but momma raised a gentleman, so I’ll let the little lady spit first. ** Or do you prefer to swallow?

CROWD Ooohhh’s and laughs

ROXANNE
DJ. Drop the beat.

DJ MARLEY MARL
You got it, girl.
beat drops; “Planet Rock”

ROXANNE
nodding to feel the beat’s rhythm
My name is Roxanne an—

KID KRUSH
Hold up, hold up. DJ, spin the beat back for me, I changed my mind.
in a lower tone, looking ROXANNE in the eyes
Guess I’m not a gentleman after all.
beat drops
Kid Krush on the mic for the twelfth night,
Using words as weapons and verse sharp as a knife.
I save the real strife for opponents who are worthy,
But lookin’ at you, I know your real aim is wifey.
Ladies, yeah they like me, I doubt you’re an exception.
I know the only reason that you’re even up here steppin’
Is to get a closer look at all of this perfection,
That I know has already got you hot, bothered, and sweatin’.
I know you’re eager now, but just hold on a second.
Let me first put on my crown before you start undressin’.
You belong backstage, it seems you are forgettin’
So listen up and listen close while I teach you this lesson.
We wanna see you move those hips,
Not listen to you flap those lips.
If we met at a party and not onstage, I’d be takin’ you to bed instead of to your grave.
Things could’ve been different between you and I
Or should I rather say between both of your thighs.
Hey, many girls—like you—fall for Kid Krush every day.
The difference is
They know their place:
In the audience.
Princess, what ever made you think,
You got what it takes to challenge the king?
looking into the crowd and gesturing to ROXANNE
Who bets she’ll lose by knockout
Only one round in the battle rap ring?

CROWD cheers

ROXANNE
nodding her head to feel the beat; louder than her first attempt
My name is Roxanne and I can spit as good as any man!
You may have talked over me once but will not interrupt again.
I can’t believe you thought with me that you ever had a chance.
If you were the last man on Earth, I still wouldn’t save you my last dance.
Because in reality you’re not really my type, you see,
I like ‘em sweet not salty.
I like ‘em nice not naughty.
I like a man who likes my brain more than he likes anything else.
I like a man who has a brain and not an empty, hollow shell.
Don’t talk about my body—on second thought—don’t even look.
The only part you’ll touch is my fist from my left hook.
You wanna see my hips move? I’ll give you a show.
I’ll hip check you onto your ass right into the front row.
And these lips you say are flapping are only warming up.
I was born ready to chew and spit you out like bubble gum.
I gotta say, you talk a big game, claiming that you’re king
Of my body, of this stage, of this battle rap ring.
Acting like you’ve got the sting of Muhammad Ali
When you’re more like the butterfly and I’m more like the bee.
You’ll never deserve a taste of a woman like me,
Hot as a tamale and sickly sweet as fucking honey.
I’m shaking up your kingdom come, so make room for the queen.
You’re merely my jester, now get down on your knees! Let me make this clear, I’m in no mood to cut you slack.
I’ll say this once and loud for the people in the back:
Next time I hear you call me wifey,
Gag me with a spoon and bite me.

CROWD
Ooohhh!

KID KRUSH
a bit surprised but still confident and doesn’t hesitate before hopping on the beat
On second thought—you ain’t wifey—you’re more like my little sister.
Too busy talk, talk, talkin’ when you should leave that to a mister.
Trying to spit in conversations that you don’t belong,
Don’t know when to take a hint, like a little begging puppy dog.
Who even let you in here? No doubt you’re a tagalong.
Security! Check her ID! I bet she ain’t even eighteen! Let alone a queen!
After I knock you out this round, why don’t you let me buy you a drink.
Juice box? Maybe lemonade? Or just whatever’s pink?
I came here tonight as a spitter,
Not to be your babysitter.
I think we can all agree it is well past your bedtime
So why don’t you close those eyes for good while I spit you a lullaby.
Once upon a time there was a king who ruled the battle rap stage,
And then one day this little girl thought she could play a man’s game.
So she spit her little heart out until she started spitting blood.
Then with his weaponized words, the king cut off her tongue.
This little girl thought her act was cute,
When she was only acting a fool.
As long as she challenged the king’s rule,
She only had herself to blame for him making her mute.
So listen up here, little girl,
This ain’t your place in the battle rap world.
The first bars you threw, I’ll chalk it up to luck.
But it seems to me it’s about time this stint of yours is done.
Princess, I’m giving you this out.
You can walk away right now.
You’d be better off finding your crowd
Looking on the playground.

CROWD cheers

ROXANNE
taking her time to feel the beat
Let’s get one thing straight: I’m a woman, not a girl.
How dare you disrespect when one brought you into this world.
You think your momma would be proud to hear your dirty little mouth?
I wish I had some soap on me to help you wash it out.
Funny, you call me little girl, yet you call yourself Kid.
Your bars sound like a temper tantrum with each line you spit.
Does it make you angry that a female knows how to play
Just as good as you do at your very own game?
Are your lips puckering? Is that water in your eyes?
That couldn’t possibly be since we all know big boys don’t cry.
Wipe up those crocodile tears and go choke on your boo-hoo’s
Until that red across your face becomes a shade of blue.
You thought you were invincible standing at six foot two?
Spitting at just five foot one, I’m still taller than you!
So not only can I, Roxanne, spit as good as any man,
But I can be a better man than this playing poser can!
The rap game doesn’t belong to man,
It belongs to me, Roxanne!
And your attempts to scare me away
Only entice me to stay.
Is that what you were trying to do with that lullaby of yours?
‘Cause all I heard were fighting words and this is all-out war!
You thought you could silence me by threatening to cut my tongue?
Why don’t you go sit in the corner and think ‘bout what you’ve done.
And when all this is over, stay for detention after class.
You’re lucky after that shit you spit if I don’t whoop your ass!

CROWD Ooohhhs and cheers

KID KRUSH
stepping eye to eye with ROXANNE; lowering his voice
What the fuck you think you’re doing?

ROXANNE
Same as you. Playing the game.

KID KRUSH
If you don’t step off now I swear I’ll—

DJ MARLEY MARL
The match-up we’ve been waiting for, y’all agree?

CROWD cheers

ROXANNE
You’ll what?

DJ MARLEY MARL
I think it’s too close to call, what do y’all think?

CROWD cheers

Who wants to hear them battle some more?

CROWD cheers

Kid Krush, you ready for round two?

KID KRUSH
in a lowered voice to ROXANNE
Just remember, you asked for this.
louder
You know it, DJ. Drop the beat. I’m gonna make this little bitch sorry.
beat drops; “Roxanne, Roxanne”; pacing the stage and bobbing his head to the beat, but his rhythm is clearly off; this is the first time he hesitates before hopping on the beat
It’s all Roxanne that and Roxanne this
But Roxanne don’t even exist.
I know who you are, I know your real name,
And it is Lolita Shante.
Straight-laced with straight A’s, a miss goody two shoes.
You don’t belong on this stage, you belong in preschool.
Yeah, preschool would better suit you **
You—you think you’re some smart mouth spitting solid rhymes,
But I bet your grades are the same letter as your bra size.
For being such a smart mouth, you’re usually so quiet.
So this cute, little act of yours, I really don’t buy it.
I think I like Lolita better than this Roxanne stuff
Because at least Lolita knew how to just shut up.
But honestly that’s not sayin’ much… **
So no, I don’t buy it at all… ** Not even for a second, so let me teach you this lesson. **
Nobody likes a miss know-it-all, or a little girl trying to be too tall.
You feel me? **

CROWD boos

I don’t know what part you’re trying to play
By challenging me on this stage.
Straight-laced with straight A’s, a miss goody two shoes
To challenge me on this stage, you must have a screw loose
And you know what, screw you… ** Fuck…yeah ** Screw you!

CROWD boos

Y’all really booing me? Y’all booing me?

CROWD boos

Ah, screw y’all too!

CROWD boos

DJ MARLEY MARL
Hold up, is this the end of the king’s reign? Is this really how it’s going down? The first woman to snatch the crown?

KID KRUSH
shaking his head and pacing
It ain’t over ’til it’s over, DJ. Keep that beat going.

DJ MARLEY MARL
This beat can’t spin forever, Kid Krush…you’ve had a good run but—

KID KRUSH
What I’m trying to say is that I just don’t buy it.
The Lolita I know is dead fuckin’ quiet.
Now you come up on this stage starting a fuckin’ riot
And just like that, you’re Roxanne, a queen and a giant?
It’s far-fetched but we thought we would throw you a bone
But this game’s gone on too long, so with your tail between your legs, go home!
The rap game is not yours no matter how loud you cry.
You will never take my crown no matter how hard you try.
Make me stumble once, shame on you But I sure as hell won’t stumble twice.
So you can kiss this crown goodbye
And blow me like a pair of dice.

CROWD ooohs

DJ MARLEY MARL
Oohh, close call, Kid Krush, close call.

KID KRUSH
Come on, you know me now. I don’t go down that easy.

ROXANNE
Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, Kiddie Krush.
bobbing her head to feel the beat
My name may be Lolita outside of those doors,
But right now I am Roxanne and you will hear me roar!
You know your shots are cheap when all you’ve gotta say
Is about my report card stamped across with A’s.
I think I smell jealousy, your stench is stinking up the room.
How does it feel to flunk out before reaching high school?
You’re an eighth-grade dropout. I’m confirming the rumor.
Even as a second grader, I could’ve been your tutor.
But I guess it’s never too late to learn, so where should we begin?
All the way back to square one in kindergarten?
Let’s start by writing out your ABC’s.
I promise, it’s easy as 1-2-3!
I know it’s hard for you, but just try your best
To earn the only letter you’ll ever know—a big fat F.
Here’s a box of crayons, now draw me a picture.
And if it’s any good, I’ll give you a sticker.
Oh no, little Kid Krush, did you even try?
You were supposed to color inside the lines!
Hmm, maybe you’ll be better doing some simple math,
You plus your spit equals YOU CAN KISS MY ASS!
Your last verse sounded like history when you kept on repeating yourself.
If you got nothing new to spit, learn to shut your mouth!
And for the wise-crack about blowing dice, you owe me an apology.
You have nothing to blow anyway and that’s simple biology!
Because you’re not a man, you’re a shell.
A monster from the depths of hell. You should be locked up in a cell
For the reasons I’m about to tell.
You’ve already revealed my name and now it’s time for my reaction,
Your name isn’t Kid Krush, your name is…
KID KRUSH flinches but recovers when he sees ROXANNE stuttering, who looks like she’s had the air punched out of her and is about to faint
Your…y-your…your name ** your name isn’t Kid Krush, your ** your name is—

KID KRUSH
What’s my name? ** Come on, babygirl, you can do it. Spit it out. **
lowering his voice to a whisper while staring her down
What’s my name, Lolita Shante? **

ROXANNE is sputtering incoherently; JEREMY is beside the stage visibly contemplating whether or not to go up there to help ROXANNE; KID KRUSH regains his confidence before going into his next verse

CROWD
Ooohhh!

KID KRUSH
What’s that, little girl? Cat got your tongue?
I warned that you’d be mute by the time I was done.
You know, I wasn’t gonna go here but you’ve left me no choice.
It’s time for me to end this now that you’ve lost your voice.
You say that you’re all this and more
But I know what’s behind closed doors.
Y’all think she’s Roxanne the outspoken?
Well she’s nothing more than Lolita the broken.
I was sorry to hear about your Dad
When I heard that he had passed
Fighting in the war overseas
While your mom was here shaking her titties.
I will admit, she caught my eye
More than just a few times.
But I really started checking her out
When on street corners she was hanging out.
She was all anyone could talk about,
Just ask anyone in this crowd. Mrs. Shante, out chasing men
Before her husband was even dead.
But who am I to judge, who am I to complain,
Her promiscuous ways got us all laid!
Before I could ask if she took cash or check,
She was already laying in my bed!
Begging and pleading for it on her damn knees,
So I gave it to her like she was charity.
It would’ve been cruel for me to resist
This lonely woman needing something I could give.
Her desperation on my sheets
Didn’t wash off easily,
So when she wanted to do it again
She said I could do her right in your bed.
I can prove it to you that I’m telling the truth.
Your sheets have daises and your walls are blue.
But don’t take my word for it, your brother knew
Because while I was there, he walked into the room.
Oh, I’m sorry, did I break the news?
Did Remy never mention this to you?
Don’t look so shocked now, don’t look so floored.
It should be no surprise that your mother’s a whore.
There’s just one more thing that I think you should know
Before I win this battle and the curtains close.
Your mother said I was the best that she’d ever had.
More than any other man, more than even your dad.

DJ MARLEY MARL
Oh, fuck.

CROWD
Ooohhh!

DJ MARLEY MARL
Roxanne…Roxanne, you gonna counter this?

KID KRUSH
Nah, DJ. I think we’re done here. Unless she can finally say my name?
ROXANNE’s look is indescribable; she looks ill, delirious, and light-headed as she slightly stumbles backwards, dropping her mic on the floor; JEREMY begins
to push through the crowd to get to the stage

KID KRUSH
That’s what I thought.

JEREMY
Lo! ** Lo!
ROXANNE turns and runs off the stage with tears in her eyes toward the backstage area

JEREMY
Lolita!

SCENE 3

AT RISE: We see LOLITA burst into the backstage bathroom and lock the door behind her before resting her back against the door and sliding to the floor.

JEREMY
approaching the bathroom door and banging on it
Lo! ** Come on, Lo, open this door!
jiggling the doorknob to no avail

DJ MARLEY MARL
heard from offstage
I guess that settles it! Kid Krush is the undefeated battle rap king!

CROWD cheers

JEREMY
Lo, it’s not true! ** Lo, he’s spitting lies.
jiggling the doorknob and banging on the door

KID KRUSH
heard from offstage; singing to the tune of “Down with the King”
Get down with the king! Get down with the king!

CROWD cheers

DJ MARLEY MARL
heard from offstage
Now who’s ready for me to spin the final set of the night?

CROWD cheers

JEREMY
Come on, Lo. This is exactly what he wants! Remember why you’re here! Remember what you’re here to do! ** This isn’t about mom, this is about you!

LOLITA stands up and starts pacing the bathroom with her palms pressed against her eyes

DJ MARLEY MARL
heard from offstage
Alright, let’s do it!

JEREMY
Lo, I wanna talk to you. Seriously, open up.
jiggling the door knob again, JEREMY finally rests his forehead on the door; DJ MARLEY MARL begins his final set of “Roxanne’s Revenge” which is heard from
offstage throughout the rest of the scene

LOLITA
Her words are not in rhythm with DJ MARLEY MARL’s beat and JEREMY’s bangs on the door are sporadic
He’s right…I am broken.
I am weak.
I am tired.
I am done. **
pulling her hair and kicking over a garbage can; as she’s pacing, she finds her rhythm by bobbing her head and stepping in time to the beat; JEREMY’s bangs on the door are also in rhythm, as well as the crowd’s foot stomps and claps heard from offstage; objects in the bathroom begin to keep time as well—the toilet lid slamming, etc.— mimicking the shake of an earthquake; the AUDIENCE is encouraged to keep rhythm by clapping or banging a fist on their arm rest

ROXANNE
stops pacing once momentum has been built and puts both hands on either side of the sink; looks at herself in the mirror; her face is stained with tears; her words are in
rhythm with the beat
No. ** No!
You cannot let yourself down.
Pick yourself up off the ground.
Come on.
Say his name.
You can do it.
Say his name.
You are strong.
Say his name.
You are brave.
Say his name.
You are worthy.
Say his name.
You are alive!
Say his fucking name! I love you more than words can say. That’s why I can’t let you walk away.
Now get your ass back on that stage and make that motherfucker pay. Do you hear me? Do you hear me?! Remy’s right. This is not about mom. This is not about Roxanne. This is not even about that monster of a man. This is about you and all you’ve been through. And you will not spend tonight crying in the bathroom. Because you are strong. You are brave. You are worthy.
You are alive. Even after all this time, you have managed to survive and will not go down without a fight. Do you hear me? Do you hear me?! You are Lolita fucking Shante and you have a story to say. So say his name. Say his name. Just fucking spit his name!
spits in the face of her own reflection; she then bursts out of the bathroom, nearly knocking JEREMY off his feet; she is headed for the stage

JEREMY
Whoa, Lo, hold up! ** Lo! ** Roxanne?

LOLITA
turning back to JEREMY
This isn’t Roxanne you’re looking at. My name is Lolita fucking Shante and I’m the woman who’s here to stay.

SCENE 4
AT RISE: We see LOLITA return to the stage and take her mic back, interrupting DJ MARLEY MARL’s final set; DEVON has joined the crowd to enjoy his battle rap win

LOLITA
I am strong. **
I am brave. **
I am worthy. **
I am alive! **
And as long as I shall fucking live
I’ll fight for my own justice!
I’ll dig your grave
As long as it takes
Just like you tried
To dig mine.
Kid Krush was only a distraction.
I’m talking to you, Devon Jackson! **
LOLITA makes direct eye contact with DEVON
I’ve said your name.
Get back on this stage.
I’m not done with you
’Til I get what I’m due.
And it’s so much more than your stupid crown,
It’s the voice inside me you’re trying to drown!
Sticks and stones break fucking bones
But nothing can compare to me:
The wrath of Lolita Shante
Coming at you, armed and ready!
My voice will rise
The longer you hide
In the crowd like a coward.
Come on out!
Are you scared now?
Of a woman with my power!
chanting
Devon! Jackson! Come on out! Devon! Jackson! Come on out!

DEVON
Oh, come on now! What’s done is done.

CROWD
Chanting
Devon! Jackson! Come on out!

DJ MARLEY MARL
You may be done with her, Devon, but it don’t look like she’s done with you.

CROWD is chanting and physically pushing DEVON toward the stage

DEVON
eyeing LOLITA harshly
Alright, alright. I’ll give the people what they want.

CROWD cheers

DEVON hops back on the stage
But next time, I can’t say I’ll be so generous.

LOLITA
Trust me, by the time I’m done here there won’t be a next time. DJ, bring that beat back.
beat drops; “Roxanne’s Revenge”
Don’t you dare disrespect my father,
A man of well-deserved honor.
He earned these tags around my neck,
So show him some due respect!
Spitting bad about your father is not a level I’d stoop to
‘Cause I’m not battling your father, I’m battling you!
He’s a pastor at the church where my family goes
And I refuse to throw those same low blows.
He’s a real stand-up man, a doer of good.
He’s probably wondering right now where he went wrong in your childhood.
Twenty-three with no degree and still living at home.
Do you still sleep in the twin-size bed that you’ve outgrown?
I bet it’s only a matter of time before your parents kick you out.
Let’s see how well you can survive without solid ground.
Soon enough you’ll be crawling back,
But even then, I hope they don’t cut you slack Your mother should treat you no better than a stranger.
Being the disappointment you are, could you really blame her?
As for your father, you can see him on Saturdays.
He’ll be waiting at the soup kitchen to serve you a full plate.
His kindness must have been lost on you,
Have you ever listened to his sermons?
I already know the answer to that.
If you had, you’d be a better person.
As for me, I go to church every week,
And listen to every single word he speaks.
Allow me to fill you in on this one lesson.
Then you should go straight into confession.
As a pastor, your father preaches R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
I wonder how he’d feel knowing you R-A-P-E-D-M-E.
DEVON pulls LOLITA close by grabbing her dog tags; they are face-to-face; JEREMY rushes toward the stage

LOLITA
looking him in the eye unblinking
I was thirteen years old when you raped me!
I was a minor and you were nineteen!

DEVON lets go of the dog tags and stumbles backwards; everyone freezes where they are except for LOLITA; DEVON is frozen walking backwards; JEREMY is frozen rushing toward the stage; DJ MARLEY MARL is frozen and the beat stops; the crowd is frozen; there is silence with the exception of LOLITA, who now speaks in spoken word poetry; the lights slowly dim and there is a spotlight on LOLITA; facing the AUDIENCE, she slowly walks closer.

October first of nineteen-eighty,
The night you stole my virginity.
I had been excited all of that day.
‘Cause your sister Maya called me to say
I was welcome to sleep over her house
Because her strict parents were out of town.
She said it was only her and her brother,
So there was room for another.
I agreed without hesitation
And packed my bag in celebration.
That night, I walked to your building’s fifth floor And knocked three times on your front door.
Maya was there, smiling ear to ear,
But from your bedroom, I saw you leer.
How long were you biding your time
During the hours of that very night?
A real-life monster locking sight,
Preying on me in the moonlight.
You opened Maya’s bedroom door
Sometime around four.
Seeing how she was long asleep,
You took this as your chance to creep.
You asked if I wanted company,
As you also couldn’t sleep.
When I hesitated to respond,
You told me to come on.
There was a record you wanted to show.
The debut album of Kurtis Blow.
It was down the hall in your bedroom.
If only I followed you.
I remember myself thinking why not.
Better than lying awake on my cot.
You guided me down the hall quick
And shut your door behind me with a click.
You held up the record, grinning wide,
Like the cat who ate the canary in one bite.
“The Breaks” was your favorite beat.
You played it for me on repeat.
Break it up, break it up,
Break it up, break down.
And when it was done,
You spun the beat back around.
You said you wanted to spit like him one day
And have a record with your own face.
That’s when you started to take off your shirt
And pose with your arms crossed like you were Kurt.
I felt my cheeks burn, I couldn’t help but stare.
My heart raced as I became scared.
You asked what I thought of your chest,
Laughing as you were trying to flex.
Then you wanted to see mine.
That was when you crossed the line.
I did not move or even flinch,
As you moved closer, inch by inch. You moved your hands across my chest
And pulled my shirt over my head.
You stole my voice right from its box,
As I choked on the word stop.
You let out a sound as you stared.
Never since have I felt so bare.
Feeling like a used cigarette,
I held back tears and held my breath.
Stop still wouldn’t come out my throat
I just wanted to go home.
Break it up, break it up,
Break it up, break down.
And when it was done,
You spun the beat back around.
That’s when you started to lean in,
With nowhere for me to lean back.
Before I knew what was happening,
My words slurred, my jaw went slack.
I had never been kissed before
And never dreamed it would feel like this,
Cold lips and a sharp tongue,
Your fingertips pressing against my skin.
You pushed me onto your bed,
An ache pounding in my head.
You forced your way into my bottoms
As I hit rock bottom.
My heart was pounding.
Boom, boom, boom.
Before it broke,
Leaving me alone
In that room
With you. **
I remember the door that remained closed.
I remember the mocking sound of your moans.
I remember things I wish I’d forget
That play on repeat in my head.
Break it up, break it up,
Break it up, break down.
And when it was done,
You spun the beat back around.
I was silently screaming
As tears were streaming,
My mind was pleading, Somebody, anybody,
Help me. **
Until I went numb,
The last breath in my lungs
No longer clean oxygen
But now dirty carbon,
Poisoning me from the inside out,
With no escape and no way out.
I willed myself to leave my body,
I prayed that I would float away
But in that bed, I still stay
Even standing here today.
Tonight was never about winning.
I never wanted that crown.
I just wanted you to listen
To my story I’ve kept inside until now.
So, I will not stay silent
About your unspeakable act of violence.
I will continue to seek justice
And I will not stop because you never did.
Devon Jackson, I’ve waited four years to verse you.
To find the strength to spit my truth.
But as the words come out my throat,
All I want is to go home.
Break it up, break it up,
Break it up, break down.
And when it’s done,
You spin the beat back around. **
Somebody say alright. **
Somebody say ho-oo. **
And you don’t stop. **
Keep on. **
Somebody scream. **
Break down.
LOLITA bows her head as the lights go out

CURTAIN