Excerpt from FLEX by Candrice Jones

FLEX

by Candrice Jones Workshopped at the 2018 Ground Floor Writers’ Summer Residency Lab Workshopped at the 2019 Bay Area Playwrights’ Festival Workshopped at 2017 VONA Playwriting Workshop Chosen for the 2019 Kilroys List Long-Listed for the 2019 Bruntwood Prize Developed at the Humana 2020 Festival of New American Plays

Skyler Gray The Gersh Agency 41 Madison Ave, 29th Floor New York, NY 10010 sgray@gersh.com (212) 634-8113

Candrice Jones 2301 East Franklin Ave Minneapolis, MN 55406 candrice.jones@gmail.com (870) 538-4196

CAST Starra Jones Sidney Brown Cherise Howard April Jenkins Donna Cunningham Coach Francine Pace

17 years old, African American girl, point guard 17 years old, African American girl, shooting guard 17 years old, African American girl, power forward 17 years old, African American girl, shooting guard 17 years old, African American girl, center 45 years old, African American woman, coach

Setting: Multiple locations in Southeast Arkansas/Plainnole, Arkansas, late February 1997 - mid March Notes: -Ideally, FLEX, will be set in the round with the basketball court transforming into the different spaces the Lady Train occupies. Of course the gym, Donna’s family’s van, and Sidney’s bedroom.

-The forward slash (/) shows up when an outcome is uncertain. Actions should be carried out as detailed in the text.

-Please do not make any exceptions to the all African-American cast.

1st Quarter It’s 1997, Thursday evening, early March in Starra’s backyard. There is a representation of a dirt court with one goal. Upstage left, there is a water hydrant. A radio loudly plays TLC’S “What About Yo Friends?” or something like it: A bouncy beat from a Black 90’s girls’ group expressing the brand of shiny candy-coated wet tomboy teen girl power common in those days: something that celebrates unbreakable friendships bound by likeness for oversized overalls, Nike earrings, thick black lip-liner, the tendency to laugh high and loud, love for Tupac and innocent unchecked fascination with R. Kelly. Some would wear condoms on their eye glasses, some would wear Timberlands, and critique the worthiness of Rebecca Lobo, Lisa Leslie, and Sheryl Swoopes.

They are a team, but they’re also in competition. Starra and Sidney bumping heads more than any of the others. For the most part, they are intense. Throughout the play, each one slips into her own language that binds basketball with her life outside the court. As they are in season, the language of the game never fully leaves their lips. Starra has been the leader of this group since 7th grade. All the girls are practicing the defensive step-and-slide. They move from one line to the other. Each time they reach a line on either side they touch the floor. Starra looks in one direction, leading her teammates, Sidney, Cherise, April, and Donna, who face her.

Sidney, Donna, and Starra wear shiny black Nike wind breaks pants, Cherise wears Starter shorts, April wears form fitting cotton stretch pants. The sounds of tennis shoes and a basketball fill the space. Starra bounces the ball at the top of the key urging her teammates. They are covered in dust. Every once and a while they slap their body parts in a constant fight with mosquitoes. They all appear to be pregnant.

Starra (setting up for the shot) Go hard in the paint!

Cherise (waiting on the next option) Paint? On a dirt court?

Sidney (defending) No one sees us back here.

Starra (release) Ya’ll tired?

Starra (fading away) Thank Sidney for that!

Grunts.

Starra Cherise (going for it) (sitting out) Cherise?

Yes.

Starra (sitting out) April.

Starra (settling up an assist) Donna! These mosquitoes ain’t got nothing on you.

April (sitting out) I am.

Sidney (staying with the team) I don’t get tired!

Donna (denying the assist) I gotta piss like a racehorse, Starra.

Starra (going for the next option) Alright. Break. Shoot. Coach taking forever anyway.

Everyone except Starra and Sidney let out a pregnant sigh.

April (approaching out of bounds) We just need some water.

They go toward the water hydrant.

Cherise (approaching out of bounds) Why not?

April (going out of bounds) Can we go in the house?

Starra (saving the ball) Nooo.

Starra (maintaining the inbound) Using that hydrant just gonna stir up mosquitoes more.

Starra (maintaining the inbound) No dirt court legs in the house.

Cherise (maintaining the inbound) That’s G-Mama’s rule.

Donna (blocking the shot) I ain’t trying to make her mad.

Starra (protecting the ball) Show’ll ain’t.

April (coming back to the game) The boys at practice right now.

Starra (maintaining focus) And, my brother ain’t no water boy.

Donna (going hard on defense) We need April. Remember, Starra?

Sidney (keeping the play going) Bottled water is better anyway.

Sidney (keeping the play going) I got bottled water in my car. Come on.

All but Starra check out.

Cherise (maintaining focus) Really Sidney?

Cherise (maintaining focus) Why you asking about Shamon then?

Donna, Cherise, Sidney, and April check out.

Sidney (giving an assist) My bad. Come on.

Sidney (exploring options) Shamon could bring us-

Starra “Bottled water is better”. That California shit. Around here, we drink tap water.

With everyone gone, Starra begins to test her own agility with her pregnant stomach. She handles the ball doing one move after another. She makes each one more tricky, more complex than the next, making the sound affects to go with it.

Starra (Globetrotting/Hot-Saucing/Showing-off; she’s having fun with her “pregnant” belly) Uh-oh! Uh-oh!

Gon’ Starra!

Whatcha’ gon’ do?

Whatcha’ gon’ do?

Whatcha’ gon’ do?

This belly can’t hold me!

This belly can’t hold me! (does a move to left) What you gonna do baby girl? (does a move to the right) What you gonna do baby boy?

Uh! Shoulda seen me last night. (looks to the sky) Mama! Mama!

Did you see me last night?

Did you see it?

I was so hot last night.

I bet Coach was having flashbacks To when you was the point guard.

0.8 seconds on the clock!

I snatched the ball from that girl!

I was like “Uh! Gimme my cheese!”

She tried to take it back!

I was moving too fast.

Had to tell her—-You can’t hold me!

I wanted to get it inside to Cherise.

She was right under the basket.

And I ain’t no ball hog.

But, you know, they double-teamed me.

I had no choice.

All could see was the goal.

My shot was a rainbow.

SWOOSH! (looks to the sky)

Nothing but the bottom of the net.

You shoulda heard em’ screaming my name.

My first buzzer beater ever! I finally know I’m just as good as you!

No more Plainnole, Arkansas dirt courts for me Mama!

No more dust in my eyes, my ankles, my fingernails.

I’m gonna win regionals, then state.

Ain’t no way you gonna believe this.

But, scouts are coming here, to Plainnole.

You said by the time I got older.

There’d be a girls’ NBA. You were right.

I’m going to the WNBA. Shamon ain’t the only one who can make it.

Folks call us Double Dribble. Get it?

Cause we twins and both of us can dribble.

Get it?

One other thing, Mama, I been saving money.

I’m about to get that car you promised me.

Yeah, I found a little red car my favorite color.

See, I remember everything you said.

Ima do whatever it takes to make it.

(Cherise checks in.)

And after I get recruited, every dream we had is gonna come true.

Cherise (defending) The scout came here for Sidney, not you.

Starra (controlling the court) They staying for the Starra of the show. She looked at me like I was the future of the WNBA. Cherise (defending) How you know?

Starra (dribbling) Yeah.

Starra (seeing the periphery) Last night, I saw that gleam in her eye.

Cherise (defending) Gleam?

Cherise (step-slide) She was looking at Sidney. Starra, what God has for you is for you.

Starra (dribbling away) Nah. We gotta take what we can get.

Cherise (playing tight defense) You know G-Mama would not approve.

Starra (step-back) What would Aunt Carol say?

Cherise (loses positioning) Oh. It’s like that?

Cherise (going for the reach) About what?

Starra (scores, keeps ball) Ain’t no fun when the rabbit got the gun.

Cherise (checks the ball) Whatever. Where’s Coach?

Starra (dribbles) It’s a surprise.

Starra (allows the check) Dang Cherise. She coming.

Cherise (step-slide) She’s had enough surprises.

Cherise (blocks out) You crying over spilled milk, Starra.

Starra (shot attempt) If I knew we could win, I would.

Starra (goes for a shot) Like April betraying the pact?

Cherise (blocks out) I know.

Cherise (defense) You would feel right playing without April?

Cherise (rebound) You sound selfish. That’s why we need to cleanse.

Cherise (allows the check) I just got my youth minister’s license.

Cherise (posts-up) I can baptize all the seniors.

Cherise (attempts a double-check) She know why we here?

Starra (blocks out) No drinking. No smoking. No sex.

Starra (offensive rebound) I wish to God we didn’t need her to win State.

Starra (checks ball) Here you go.

Starra (crossover) About Donna.

Starra dribbles away.

Starra (a fake) How is that gonna solve anything?

Cherise (faces the goal) We need it. We all about to graduate. Some of us are leaving. Doing this together can get us off on the right foot. And, Starra, you know something happens when people are connected through elements.

Starra (defends) It’s not the time.

Cherise (attempts the shot) You catch a contact off each other.

Cherise (rebounds) Just like we are with the dust now.

Starra (blocks out) We need to get started.

Starra (defends) We need our heads in the game, not in the elements.

Cherise (attempts shot) I asked Donna and Sidney about it.

Starra (snatches rebound) Man forget Sidney. She think she better than us.

Cherise (step-slide) The pregnancy practice was her plan.

Starra (dribbles) I called Coach.

Starra (dribbles) Really.

Cherise (defends) Really, Starra?

Cherise (defends) You wouldn’t give Sidney Coach’s number and told everybody else not to.

Starra (protective dribble) She, would blow her up, whining about “California”.

Starra (protective dribble) That summer camp all star?

Cherise (defends) Sidney just as good as you.

Cherise (defends) Somebody that good done played some street ball.

Starra (protective dribble) This play? Flex, is a summer camp offense.

Cherise (defends ruthlessly) That’s why you fouling everywhere.

Starra (dribbles) Whatever.

Starra (dribbles) Flex is the problem. YOU can’t even run it!

Cherise (defends) On and off the court.

Cherise (defends) You don’t like it cause it makes you pass the ballStarra Alright! Come on Lady Train! Break over!

Starra (dribbles) -Whatever-

Cherise (defends) -to Sidney.

Cherise (defends ruthlessly) You really think you deserve a scholarship after what you did?

Starra (uses her peripheral) Come on ladies!!!

Sidney, April, and Donna jog in. They set up in the positions for the FLEX offense.

Donna (processing) Ya’ll ready?

April (confirming) I’m so ready!

Cherise (questioning) Shouldn’t we wait?

Sidney (challenging) Let’s go Lady Train!

Starra (catalyzing the team) We gon’ run FLEX. Off the rebound fall into the 3 on 2 drill depending on who gets the rebound.

FLEX! Donna (facilitating) Hey Captain!

Starra and Sidney (catalyzing) Yeah!

April (opening up) Right. Get the ball to me.

Donna (facilitating) Starra. Get the ball to April.

Starra (catalyzing) No problem. FLEX!!!

On her call, the rest of the team, Sidney, Donna, April, and Cherise go into motion. Starra handles the ball as the rest of her teammates put the play in motion. She notices Cherise makes a wrong move. Rather than resetting the play, Starra takes a shot. Hit/Miss.

Sidney (regrouping) Why you shoot so fast?

April (regrouping) What happened to getting the ball to me?

Starra (catalyzing) Cherise went to the wrong spot.

Cherise (recovering) My bad ya’ll.

Sidney (regrouping) So, you reset, like a good point would.

Starra (triple threat) I’m the best point.

Sidney (defense) My old point would have reset.

Donna (recovering) I can show you.

Cherise (recovering) Sidney, can you show me?

Cherise (recovering) Where I go?

Cherise (recovering) Sidney, where I go?

Sidney Starra (regrouping) (pulling back) Yes. This plan so janky.

Sidney goes to Cherise and points out where she should go during the play.

April (asking for a pass) Starra, you don’t have to do this.

Starra (controlling the ball) No. I keep my word.

Sidney (staying in motion) Starra, what time Coach comin’?— Starra (handling the ball) It’s hard to see in this dirt.

April (rushing the plaly) —She need to come on.

Sidney (defending) It’s your court.

Sidney eyes Cherise.

Starra (handling the ball) But your idea. We coulda been at the gym.

Sidney (screening for April) We can’t go to the gym. The whole school would see us.

Starra (regrouping) You know what you doing Cherise?

Donna (staying in motion) Let’s just stay positive y’all.

April (using the screen) And wonder who’s pregnant.

Cherise Sidney (regrouping) (regrouping) Yes. Next time, Starra don’t shoot. Reset.

Starra (ball fake) Don’t matter if I hit.

Sidney (catalyzing) Pass the ball five times.

Starra (ball fake) In your version of the play.

Sidney (refocusing) It’s the team’s play.

Donna (catalyzing) Don’t forget. Get the ball to April Starra.

Starra (ball fake) I’m not the ball hog.

Muffled sounds of disbelief mainly from Sidney.

Sidney (seeing the fake) Oh really?

Cherise (refereeing) Jesus Starra.

Cherise (refereeing) Don’t ya’ll start.

April (refereeing) Ya’ll stop.

Starra (giving full offensive play) It’s nothing wrong with my game.

Strarra (hand check) Did Sidney say something?

Donna (refereeing) We need to focus on our game.

Sidney (attempting to make a steal) Except for your four fouls last night.

Starra (taking the lead back) I hit the buzzer beater!

Donna (trying to refocus) Why we arguin?

April (playing the middle) Both of ya’ll got twenty.

Cherise (staying in motion) I wait for the pass.

April (propelling Cherise forward) Then what?

Sidney (calling the play) Good job Cherise.

Donna (screening for Cherise) —-You pass the ball—

Cherise (seeing the path) I pass the ball then down screen.

Starra (double-checking April) Cuz we already pregnant.

Donna (planting her feet) It’s a team effort.

April (slipping the screen) This wasn’t my idea.

Sidney (going with her) —You ain’t gotta wear this.

April (pushing it) This don’t hurt.

Donna (staying in the lines) Then, why you scaring us?

April (staying out of bounds) I felt somethin’.

April (slipping Donna’s screen) Donna, let Cherise say it-

Sidney (screening for April) April, we got you.

Sidney (planting her feet) She’d get mad if we were really pregnant.

Donna (resetting the play) We right here with you.

Cherise (going with her) —You hurt?—

Sidney (bringing April back in) Baby vibes?

Starra (calling the play) GREAT job, Cherise.

April (checking her team) We gotta be perfect.

April (going to the weak side) Coach might get mad.

Apirl (planting her feet) Ya’ll ain’t really pregnant.

Sidney (possibly trying for an And 1) I put up 21.

April (stepping out of bounds) Last night hurt.

Starra (going with her) —Take it off.

April (checking out the game) Watching ya’ll play without me hurt.

Donna (bringing April back in) You pregnant enough to have baby vibes?

Starra (going back in) You just a few weeks.

Cherise (checking out with April) Vibes are spiritual.

Donna (checking out with April) You having any other feelings?

April (staying out) Like what?

April (looking at the play) A little.

Cherise (staying out of bounds) What else?

Donna (staying out of bounds) Milk coming out ya mammaries?

Donna (staying out of bounds) I bet we could make a cake with that shit!

Sidney (staying out with April) Morning sickness?

Starra (calling the play) Come on ya’ll!

April (checking-in) It ain’t time yet.

Donna and Sidney (staying out of bounds) OooooH! Baaby cakes!

Starra (pausing the pace) Timeout. Ladies! Let’s get serious. We need a huddle real quick.

Sidney (checking-in) We ain’t got time.

Starra (taking the timeout) Ya’ll was just baking cakes with breast milk. We bringin’ it in. Right now.