"The Jam" by Playwrights Project in Pelican Bay

January 2021 Edition 6

Out of the Yard is a program of Playwrights Project, in San Diego.

We gratefully acknowledge support from:

SIDNEY E. FRANK FOUNDATION An ANONYMOUS FOUNDATION

This program at Pelican Bay is made possible through a partnership with the amazing artists at:

Artwork by Tony Sanchez

JAM – Out of the Yard – PBSP

January 2021

Bird:

(Elated) Chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp…

(The bird starts to eat the bread crumbs or the kernels carefully placed to lead outside the door along with water in small containers. Fulfilled, Fly sits back on the book rack watching the bird eat its fill.)

I am a baseball glove. My name is Lefty. I am a special glove, I only

fit left hands. Without me, baseball would not be what it is today. I am a well taken care of glove. My owner is a pitcher for the big leagues. I love being able to catch baseballs in the summer, winter, fall and spring. I love all seasons of the year.

- Derick Bridgewater

I am the most famous art pencil that nobody knows or hears about.

While the serious artists seek and treasure me, as if I was the treasures of Persia or the famous Greek. I make your art the finest to have ever existed. I bring out your beautiful features as if it was the live and vivid picture. Use me right, treat me better, I’ll last you a life span. I’m here to help those which are willing to take the time and search\work harder. If you have me and don’t know how to value me, then I’ll just be a tease and unfit for you. Eventually, I’ll dissolve into a bitter unpleasant memory that will haunt you every time you think of drawing or buying my art kit. I was made for the real artist trying to create something out of nothing.

Although I love to work with my lighter pencils, “Because together” we create a beautiful landscape or even the beauty that reflects on your mirror. Yes, I’m the darkest stone to have existed. So people (few) despise or think of me as infamous, causing me to question myself and bring fear to my mind. All I know and want is to capture the very delicate yet sexy landscape, renaissance collectibles’ beauty. After all, there is no limit to the beauty of a talented artist. Yes, I’m no god, I’m no king or witch... it don’t stop me from seeking talented artists.

- Luis Gutierrez

Fly:

(Hollering out) I told you!

(Feeling tired and drained, Fly gets situated in its favorite spot.)

Bird:

(Excited, calls out) Come over and have some. There’s plenty! (He jumps and lands on the book rack next to the Fly) What’s wrong?

Fly:

(Exhausted) I’m tired. I must rest now. Before I close my eyes, I must say: That door will open and when it does, you fly out swiftly as you know best. Good-bye, friend. (Fly closes its eyes.)

Bird:

(Intrigued. Small Bird hears the door open…) Hang on, buddy!

(Throws Fly on its back, and flies out through the door.)

The End

“My happiness is important to me 1 because it uplifts me and carries me over.”

It’s “internal freedom.

It starts by taking care of yourself, 2 respecting friends, and the community.”

“Happiness for me is being at peace 3 and getting back to my loved ones.”

It’s “being grateful for all that happens in my life 4 and seeing the good in everyone and everything.”

“Happiness is creating a consciousness 5 that transcends the human body.”

I am the prime glasses who’ve been worn by prestigious aristocrats and nobility of Holland. The new people who stole me changed my appearance with malice and sheer abandonment of my feelings to the matter. This alien land and its people have grown to ignore the rust that invaded my once bright self. What adorns me is wasted plastic illuminated by glistening spider webs. I am in this triangular see-thru glass prison, surrounded by cadavers of what once held life. If only people knew the feeling of excitement that pumps through my metal veins, they might of even picked me up and seen life through my eyes, the beautiful wonders of worlds I have only shed light on during so many eons. As now, I can’t even remember the sight of Jupiter or the marvels of the horizon.

- Jose A. De Anda

2

“Happiness is being free, being loved.”

“Happiness is weightlessness 7 with an extra dose of live love, glee!”

1

5

2

Derick Bridgewater, Luis Gutierrez, 6

Jose A. De Anda, Erik Rodriguez,

7

3

6

4

Art Ramos, Michael Hardy,

Jeremiah Joseph Johnson.

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JAM – Out of the Yard – PBSP

January 2021

Day Room Scene by Luis Gutierrez Characters:

FLY, a fly, chunky, fat SMALL Bird, a small bird

Setting:

Day Room, Spring, midday

At Rise:

Fly is on the bookshelf. Small Bird flies in through the door.

Fly:

(Frustrated) Not again!

Bird:

(Excited) It feels good to feel the breeze of the wind, so swift, left, right, up, down… oops, almost hit that building. (Amused) Wait a minute, this is not right. I’m stuck. I think I’m stuck. Am I?

Fly:

Oy yeah! You stuck, mister. That’s a wall, ceiling, door, another wall, door, floor, wall, etc., etc.

Bird:

(Fearful) I told Momma I’d be home with supper. Now I’m stuck inside this building.

(The small bird perches itself on the hand railing.)

Fly:

(Daring, sticking its chest out and standing tall) Hey! It’s useless for you to fly and waste your energy.

Bird:

(Defensive) Aint nobody talkin’ to you. I’ll get out of here and prove you wrong.

Fly:

(Cheerful) Nah! I doubt it. I tried and look at me, still here. (Takes flight and lands close to the small bird.)

Bird:

(Confused) I’m hungry… (thinking to itself) Momma said nothing about flies in my diet. (Starts to close the span one step at a time.)

Fly:

(Confused) I’m hungry… (thinking to itself) Momma said nothing about flies in my diet. (Starts to close the span one step at a time.)

Bird:

(Fearful) Now look, mister. You eat me and starve to death after, or I’ll show you to how to hunt, then together we fly out.

Fly:

(Doubting) Deceiver!

(Small Bird jumps and lands with Fly between its legs, and its beak on the Fly’s nose.)

Bird:

(Excited) You smell delicious. (Gives the fly a small lick) Tell me one good reason why I shouldn't eat you. Only one.

Fly:

(Terrified) Because I only have a few hours left to live, and the only good deed in my life is going to be showing your poobud how to feed? So, chirp haplity, proudly, loud into a song. Follow me!

10

By Michael Hardy I am treacherous. I am calm. I am deep and I am long. I am beautiful and blue on top. If I bring you to my bottom, you’ll pop. I have good days and bad. When I get mixed with different elements I get mad. If you wave I’ll wave back. If caught in my undertow you might not last. You can come to me for a solution. Please stop all the pollution. In some places I am warm, in some I am cold. I can be relaxing and scary. I’m told I cover almost threefourths of the earth. I reflect the sky. I am a vast quantity since the beginning of time.

By Art Ramos I am a strong mythical creature bound in chains, slowly withering away in hopelessness and fear, knowing unless I escape these chains, I will never fly free over the mountains or run through the great empty plains, hunting and foraging for food. For these truly make me happy. I have the strength and courage of a lion and the wit and cunning of the eagle.

By Michael Hardy I am very well known. I am over 2,000 years old. The one and only I gave inspiration to many who composed profound words to bring music to your ears. I am a great love letter. I speak many languages and do not discriminate. I want to share the good news to all. I am constantly judged and criticized, I have been abused, thrown away, burned, and torn, but I will never be broken. My love is like a flame that will never go out. I will endure forever! I was written to bring basic instructions to all of mankind to school and teach how to love one another always no matter what.

“I wa s my e able to m nviro imag nme entally g i n n et o ta a tion “I felt a wondrous sense of to it nd use m ut of s y full p accomplishment!” o ten tial.” is ing art ving liv o m g “Makin g special.” in someth

3

JAM – Out of the

Hippogriff by Art Ramos

Monologue: I am a Hat by Erik Rodriguez

I am a hat. My voice is very lowww, and I feel lost… and I see myself looking for something or someone -- others see me as a nice hat, but shy… and I just want to be found and not lost. I fear being alone. I know I’ll be found soon, by someone super koo and smart. Maybe a girl named Mermaid.

Characters:

HG, Hippogriff (Half Lion, Half Eagle) Ferret

Setting:

Hippogriff is chained in the stable, midnight

At Rise:

Hungry and alone, Hippogriff notices the ferret.

January 2021

HG:

Hello, old friend. What brings you here so late?

Ferret:

Well, as I was scurrying along the cabin while looking for food, I came across a hole where I could gain access inside the cabin when I saw a set of keys you might be interested in…

Scene: On the Hat Rack by Erik Rodriguez Characters:

DUDE, the hat GIRL, a cowgirl hat

HG:

(mustering strength, he stands) Old friend, these keys you speak of, could you retrieve them and bring them to me?

Setting:

A hat rack in an old lady’s house

Ferret:

At Rise :

Dude is talking to himself

Yes, but I have one condition. If in fact these are the keys you seek, I want to go with you where the food is abundant and I don't have to worry about other predators in the sky cause surely you are the king of your kind.

Dude:

(Chill’n and talkin’ to himself) Am I gonna be alone for always? (Sees Girl) Hey Girl, I didn’t see you there.

HG:

Girl:

Yea, I’ve been here as long as you. Can’t believe you forgot I was here, Dude. (Pause) You’re not alone, Dude.

Surely, I agree to your terms old friend with one condition of my own…

Ferret:

Well, what is it?

Dude:

Dang -- I needed to hear that, it means a lot, Girl.

HG:

Girl:

No worries… I’m right here. :)

Dude:

Man, so what’s new in the hat world?

As you can see I have been deprived of food and I am weak. In this state, I could not make it over the mountain tops let alone far enough to escape a search party. So, I need you to bring me food to gather my strength.

Girl:

Ummm, nothing much. I’ve been thinking of the old days when people loved their hats.

Ferret:

Well, I'm good at finding nuts, berries, and bugs. Will that be enough? Oh and snakes too.

Dude:

I know, right? People aren’t the same anymore.

HG:

Girl:

The world is changing and people are kinda crazy now.

Dude:

Well, there’s still some good ones. :)

Girl:

God bless ‘em.

Dude:

Let’s hope for the best. Maybe someone will want to wear us again.

That is good too. But I need fish and other meats to build my strength. We have 5 days for you to gather as much food as possible for the festival will start and the men will be drunk on their wine, and it will be easier for you to retrieve the keys and free me. (Nervously, to himself) This could finally be my chance to escape and be free and happy with no limitations. (Nervous) This won't work, we will be caught. (Then he sees his friend already has the keys.) This is it.

The End Monologue Objects on Page 3

4

Michael Hardy: The Ocean Art Ramos: A Hippogriff Michael Hardy: The Bible

(His friend unlocks his chains and climbs on his back. HG runs towards the door busting thru. Just as Hippogriff burst thru the door they both let out a screech of excitement as they soar into the night sky once again FREE…) End of Scene

9

JAM – Out of the Yard – PBSP

January 2021

Mail Bag Scene by Jeremiah Joseph Johnson

Baseball Glove Scene by I am Lefty (with help from Derick Bridgewater) Characters: Lefty, a baseball glove Joe Da Ball, a baseball Setting:

Night before the game in the locker room

At Rise:

Joe Da Ball is talking to Lefty, the glove

Characters:

Letter Envelope

Setting:

In a yellow mail bag, middle of the night, early A.M.

At Rise:

Letter is being woken by Envelope

Letter:

What? What are you squeezing me for?

Envelope: Hey, who are you written to? Are you a love letter? Man, my first.

Lefty:

Hey Joe, I'm nervous for tomorrow's game. I'm not sure if I can handle myself out on the field.

Joe:

Hey there Lefty, what makes you say that? You are the most loyal and gracious glove I know.

Lefty:

Aww man, really Joe? That means a lot coming from you. But it’s something else going on with me.

Joe:

What are you talking about Lefty? I don't see anything wrong with you. Are you sure you’re alright Lefty?

Letter:

Lefty:

I'm staring to become tuff skinned and dry. I think I'm getting old.

Envelope: Oh, man. You serious? You don’t really know your place in all this?

Joe:

Hahaha, Oh my, Lefty, are you serious? Your not getting old, you’re just a little dirty.

Letter:

Lefty:

I've never been like this for this long. I feel rough and unloved.

Almost like the field before it’s watered.

Joe:

You will be cleaned and re-oiled first thing in the AM. You know you’re the most well kept glove in the league.

Lefty:

Everyday is something different this last year. It’s like the amount of care is less and less.

Joe:

Oh stop it, drama queen! I' ve been in this league for 10 years. No one gets the attention you get.

Lefty:

I'm Lefty, the first left handed glove in history. I will not tolerate this type of negligence.

Joe:

Ohhh, is that so? You are being self centered. It’s things who don’t even get any attention. But yet, you feel entitled. Got to remember.

We are here to give back to society.

8

The End

Letter:

I’m your first? First what?!?

Envelope: Well, you’re a letter, right? It’s how words are sent over long distances.

Letter:

Words. Never heard of them. You’re not making any sense.

Envelope: You don’t know words? Words are what is written all over you.

Didn’t anyone tell you?

No one told me anything. All I know is that I was all comfortable and flat… Now I’m all covered in colors and folded up!

Well, you just know so much, why don’t you tell me what happens next then, Mr. Smarty.

Envelope: Ok, I will. We are being sent to a place far away so someone can read you.

Letter:

So, you’re telling me, somebody’s waiting to read all those marks that that animal put on me?

Envelope: Yes, sir. We’re on our way. I can’t wait to find out where it is we’re going!

End of Scene

Letter monologue by Jeremiah Joseph Johnson I am a letter that’s been put in an envelope and stuffed into a yellow bag.

Now, I’m being pulled from the yellow bag and a strange hand is pulling me out of the envelope. Man, these are not the hands that wrote me, way too soft and clammy. Oh, those eyes are so little and dark. Talk about scary! Please put me back. Oh, ok, back in… so much better. Where I fit, my envelope, my space. No wet hands or scary eyes. Off in the mail.

5

January 2021

JAM – Out of the Yard – PBSP

Sunday Morning in the Chapel by Michael Hardy

Glasses Scene by Jose A. De Anda Characters:

Glasses, detached fellow Fax Machine, colorful gal

Characters: The Bible The Agnostic

Setting:

Early day at an abandoned museum.

Setting:

The Chapel; Sunday Morning

At Rise:

Glasses glances abroad ignoring fax machine noises.

At Rise:

Agnostic only came to the chapel to get out his cell

Glasses: Fax: Glasses: Fax: Glasses: Fax: Glasses: Fax: Glasses: Fax: Glasses:

Fax:

6

Fax Machine, why do you impose yourself upon my delicate ears? (ecstatic) I want to help you run away.

What do you know about me when all you do is print, print, and look pretty?

Thank you. (smiles/embarrassed) I have pictures of the path to brighter sights, but I'm blind without you.

I don't believe you! One button more that you press, and I'll close my eyes and walk away.

Wait! (nervous) I've seen your tears…why give up so fast? Look at this.

Is this art? (surprised, gasps) Google map? How did you get this?

It's so…

Yeah, I'm missing color, I know. I ran out weeks ago trying to get your attention. Maybe your sharp eyes can be the guiding light.

Such flattery (smiles) must be kept in print…

So do we have a deal?

I haven't agreed to no deal. What deal is this and how did you see my tears, not that glasses make me cry of course but print answers.

Your tears ran down the buttons which caused a small fire that almost burned my fuse. The tears also quenched the fire, but I couldn't tell you to stop because you were so human.

The End

Bible:

(warm greetings) Good afternoon and God bless you son. How are you today?

Agnostic: (grumpy) Miss me with all that good stuff. I only came here to get of my cell.

Bible: That’s ok soon. Any reason is a good reason to come to church Agnostic: Well, like I said, I am not into all the God stuff so don’t bother me with it.

Bible: I respect your request son but I can’t control what the Holy Spirit does to you.

Agnostic: No need to worry. He won’t have an effect on me.

Bible: Is this your first time here son?

Agnostic: Yea Bible: You know you’re not here by accident son.

Agnostic: Whatever.

Bible: Take a seat wherever you like son. The service is about to begin.

(As he watched the stage music begins to play) Agnostic: I didn't know there was music. (He tells the Bible on his lap) Bible: We always start off with praise and worship. What do you think of the beat, son?

Agnostic: It's ok. I'm not too into the lyrics thou.

Bible: That's just fine son. Feel free to write a suggestion and put it in the suggestion box. We would like to hear your input.

Agnostic: My input is not going to change a thing.

Bible: Maybe or maybe not son, He is always listening and cares about your feelings.

Agnostic: Why do I feel guilty all of a sudden?

Bible: That is not guilt you are feeling. That is the Holy Spirit convicting you. God loves you no matter what son. He forgives you. Hallelujah!

Agnostic: Amen.

The End 7

January 2021 Edition 6

Out of the Yard is a program of Playwrights Project, in San Diego.

We gratefully acknowledge support from:

SIDNEY E. FRANK FOUNDATION An ANONYMOUS FOUNDATION

This program at Pelican Bay is made possible through a partnership with the amazing artists at:

Artwork by Tony Sanchez