SECOND VERSE
By RH, JP, JM, AD, SC, NA
Act 1
Scene 1:
Visual: George's day spirals downward. George Diaz is fired from his job He gets a text from his girlfriend breaking up with him Text: "I love you, but I need space "
Manager
George, I’ve covered for you one too many times. I can’t keep you on if you don’t show up.
George (defensive)
You think I’m doing this on purpose? My mom’s sick—with cancer—I’m all she’s got.
Manager
And I’m sorry about that. But I’ve got a business to run.
George: I really need this job, my mom’s not well, I need to pay the bills.
Manager
I’m looking over a team, George. You’re not there when they need you.
George Give me one more chance!
Manager
Unfortunately, I have someone who can show up when I need them.
George
You can’t do this to me—
Manager
George. Don’t do anything you might regret.
George
What are you goin’ do…Call the police? (Disappointed)
George storms out and walks home. He receives a text and breaks his phone in frustration.
Scene 2:
George arrives home to find Felipe, his younger brother, waiting with devastating news: their mom has passed. Felipe struggles to deliver the message, breaking down. George stands in shock before running to his room, slams the door.
George(examining Felipe’s body language)
Why are you looking so down? You don’t even know why you’re sad.
Felipe
You don’t have a clue…do you? (Realizing)
George
I don’t have the energy for your games today—stupid.
Felipe
…She’s gone, George.
George
Who’s gone?
Felipe
Mom! I came home from school and she was on the kitchen floor.
George
What? (disbelief) Why didn’t you call me? Where is she?
Felipe
I did call you – it went straight to voicemail…
George No no no…you don’t know what you’re saying, give me your phone.
George tries to use Felipe’s phone to confirm the information from their mom's doctor; when he realizes “911” was the last call on Felipe’s phone. George freezes with grief.
Felipe
What do we do now?
George We gonna thug it out!
George runs to his room, starts crying.
Scene
3:
George starts hanging with "the homies" from the hood. He visits Magic Mike (MM) for drugs to numb his pain. The first encounter is hesitant, but by the third visit, George is deeply involved.
George Sup, (Ad-lib Greeting) …Ay, you MM?
Magic Mike
Who are you?
George
It’s GD. Ingrid, the homegirl knows you homeboy. I’m going through it, man. I just lost my mom; I need a hit. She said you got some…
Magic Mike
What’s up, what you need?
George
What you got?
Magic Mike
All I got is perks right now, but they hit hard.
George How much?
Magic Mike
$20
George
Can I get your number for next time?
Magic Mike
Nah, get it from Ingrid. She knows how to find me.
George looks around and heads back to his home.
Act 2
Scene 1:
George is seen going back to Magic Mike for more things to numb his pain all the while he is losing control of his life and trying to thug it out.
George
Sup, (Ad-lib Greeting) …, hey Magic, you got something strong??
Magic Mike
Third time this week - you might want to take it slow.
George I don’t need you to act like you’re my mother…I have the money, you got the product?
Magic Mike
Watch who you’re speaking to lit homie…(Ad-Lib)
George (annoyed)
You got me or not? I got cash. I’ll pay you…
Magic Mike (hands him a little baggie)
Here. The new shit! Do what you gotta do…
Magic Mike dismisses George - he walks home while taking the substance in the baggie and moments later he is struggling to walk and collapses.
Scene 2:
Carlos hesitates before deciding to help George and rushes him to the hospital.
Carlos Hey GD! What’s up? You good? Fool, you alright?
Carlos notices George’s body seizing and calls for help.
Carlos (panicking)
Damn, GD, I told you to stay away from that stuff!
(Dialing 911) I’m on the way to Flowers Street, heading to Memorial Hospital! The homie dying!
(To GD) That stuff will kill you, man. - Keep your head up! Stay with me!
Moments later Carlos arrives at the memorial hospital.
Carlos (shouting)
Hey! I got an emergency—I need help!
Nurse
Do you know what happened?
Carlos No- but whatever he took was laced.
Nurse
Oh no, that’s a Diaz brother! Code Blue! Get Narcan, STAT!
Carlos watches as medical staff scramble to stabilize George, but he is induced into a coma to prevent brain damage.
Scene 3:
Setting: George is in a serene, dreamlike version of his childhood home. His mother appears, offering him wisdom and closure.
Mom
I’ve shown you everything you need to succeed in this life. Don’t let my death or your grief ruin your path. You’re smarter than that.
She hands him a metaphorical key.
Scene 4:
George
Mom…(in disbelief) I don’t know what to do, everything is happening all at once and I need you alive and with me.
Mom
George I see you. But now it’s time for you to see yourself and be the glue that keeps this family together. They need you more than ever.
George What if I am too late?
Mom
You have everything you need—Take care of Felipe and win this battle—your fight isn’t over yet—there are great things to come.
George wakes up with tears running down his face and happy to see Carlos and Felipe by his side.
Carlos Man, you scared us. I’m glad you’re back. You almost didn’t make it.
Felipe
Thank god you’re alive, I can’t lose you too!
George
I don’t know what happened... I was just walking home, and then…
Carlos (grinning)
That’s where I found you. I don’t ever want to see you like that ever again. We got some music to make.
George
Carlos what were you doing in the hood, I haven’t seen you in the hood for a while.
Carlos
I was visiting some family and I’m glad I found you when I did.
George Good lookin out.
Felipe
When can my brother come home?
Nurse
We can’t discharge him yet. He is still under observation.
George
Let me speak to Dr. Suess, I need to know what happened?
Nurse
Dr. Seuss doesn’t work night shifts.
George
What! Let me go home, When can I go home?
George pauses, reflecting on the cryptic response.
Nurse
Hopefully tonight! Act 3
Scene 1:
Visual: Carlos and George channel their pain into music, producing a hit song that skyrockets them to fame. Their work raises awareness about fentanyl abuse. Therapy sessions (brief montage) show George and Felipe coping with their mother's death.
Scene 2:
Sold-Out Concert: At a sold-out festival, Carlos and George perform together as "Low Boy" and "Flow Boy." The crowd cheers wildly as they play their hit single.
George (to the crowd)
I’m glad to be back. Didn’t think I’d make it this far.
George suddenly spots Dr. Seuss (Magic Mike) in the orchestra pit. He whispers to Carlos.
George That’s him—Magic Mike. The guy who almost killed me.
Carlos We gotta do something … George and fast…
Carlos signals security, who approach and cuff Magic Mike, escorting him out of the venue, potentially saving the life of millions of people.
Carlos (to the crowd)
We’re gonna be back, y’all. But before we go, remember this: be careful with what you get from the streets.
I’m talking from experience.
The stage lights dim as George takes the mic for the final words.
George
You are stronger than your circumstances. (Ad-Lib personal story of redemption.) Let’s fight this together.
Music swells as the crowd erupts into applause. A closing narration reminds viewers about the dangers of fentanyl abuse and the importance of community support programs.
The End
VOICES FROM INSIDE
The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company’s Voices From Inside is a tailored program that brings high level theatre arts education programs to justice-impacted youth in juvenile halls, camps, and alternative schools in LA. This program provides structured and mentored support while giving students a personalized platform to hone their voice, tell their stories, and build their portfolio in the performing arts.