Dialogue: EARLY Draft (failing final)

Characters: Gabriela – she is a woman of 29 years of age. She has a son named Allen

             Allen – Gabriela’s son, 4 years of age

                    Alyssa – a woman of 30 years of age, Gabriela’s friend. She has a son named Damian   

            Damian – 8 years of age, Alyssa’s son.

Setting: a park at Astoria, Queens. Sunny day filled with many other people because it is a summer afternoon.

Alyssa:(entering the park with Damian) where is she? She said she would be here by now.

Damian: I don’t see her either mami. 

Alyssa: let me text her. (Texting where are you!)

Gabriela: (appears behind them with Allen) sorry I am late guys, Allen forgot his soccer ball so we had to go back. How are you Damian, Allen has been anxious to play with you.

Allen: can I go play mommy?

Gabriela: yes baby go. (Walks toward a bench with Alyssa, the boys start playing)

Alyssa: I thought you weren’t going to show up for a second.

Gabriela: nope. I’m here.. I was a little absent minded today.

Alyssa: why ? what happened ?

Gabriela: stuff I read online..

(Alyssa and Gabriela are now sitting on a bench)

Alyssa: OMG now what?

Gabriela: well… I recently read an article saying billionaires like Warrant Buffet, John Paulson, and George Soros are dumping US stocks because they truly believe this  guy’s prediction , that the us economy will be collapsing soon and it will be far worse.

Alyssa: it’s a bunch of crap. Don’t worry. It’s like some tarot lady’s readings.

Gabriela: no no .. Robert Weidemer predicted th U.S housing market crash that just happened, and now with the help of other economist he is claiming there will be another one but much worse starting as soon as this year!  

Alyssa: do you really think this is capable of happening?

Gabriela: I really do think so. You should watch his movie Aftershock, in which he showed five indisputable charts to back up his predictions.

Alyssa: I honestly don’t think so. I mean come on! We are in U.S of A! That can’t happen here. I’m pretty sure our government wont let that happen.  

Gabriela: yea right. Sometimes I wonder whether the media brainwashed you.

Alyssa: no they did not. You know Andrew went to the military too. He is such a bright young kid. Maybe you should consider your son joining the military. A lot of benefits and discipline.

Gabriela: My son. NEVER. I would never let him go to the military. That’s the reason you are brainwashed. ( Alyssa laughs) no. seriously. I mean I love this country , but shouldn’t you question the government’s actions ?

Alyssa: even if you do question their actions. How much can an individual change? We have the biggest military for a reason . don’t you think? The minute you start asking questions , they will use my own brothers and uncles in the military against me.

Gabriela: what if they also start questioning and uniting with us as well. That could happen.

Alyssa: no. no it cant . every time I question the government in front of my brother he gets all defensive and stuff . he seriously does not like me talking bad about the government.

Gabriela: well at some point somebody has to start questioning. Don’t you think?

Alyssa: well I seriously don’t think that will be happening here anytime soon. Thanks to apple and all that other technology keeping us away from the real problems.

Gabriela : I sometimes question whether the government is using that as a weapon to turn us into zombies who can only consume what media feeds us.

Alyssa: omg there you go again.

Gabriela: no seriously, just look at the media. Everything now is controlled by private corporations. You cant even trust the news or the newspaper. Evertything has been modified to have a certain perspective that benefits corporate or the government.

Alyssa: (astounded) are you sure? No I don’t think so. Aren’t journalist suppose to uncover the truth?

ACT 11

Setting: Alyssa and Gabriela are now heading to pizza place around the corner, Damian is skipping while Allen is on his Nintendo DS)

Allen:(looks at Damian playing) (Frustrated) mommy why can’t I have a DS like his? All my friends have one. Why?

Gabriela: because you are very young to just be playing video games all the time

Damian: but my mom doesn’t let me play all the time. ( takes out his iphone to browse Facebook)

Allen: can I have an iphone then? I need that.

Gabriela: no you don’t need that you want it. do you see me carrying an iphone ? I don’t I just need it to communicate with other people and that is how I just want to keep it  

Alyssa: (surprised) you still don’t have an iphone? I had to get Damian one because he couldn’t get enough of mine. O0o and they offered me a discount also at AT&T.

Gabriela:(nodding) did you know that everything you say to Siri is stored and analyzed and that Apple has the right to share your information with other partners or services. I don’t have an iphone because I don’t like corporations like Apple invading my privacy. I mean the government already does that; you don’t need them doing it as well.  

Alyssa: (annoyed) why are always bringing up conspiracies??

Gabriela: because it is true just do your research. I was recently reading a journal the other day about culture and social class, I think the author’s name is Michael Argyle and he talks about how a lot of people don’t know what social class they are in, many tend to think they are in middle class while they are actually in the working class.

Alyssa: I am middle class, well I mean, how do you even determine social class?

Gabriela: social class is determined by income, education and position and you my friend are not middle class, neither am I.

Alyssa ( red and frustrated) yes we are .. Well at least I am. I know I am. I am not on welfare or any assistance!.

Gabriela: well true but you are a stay home mom and your husband is a currently working at FedEx.. so yeah I think that makes you working class.

Alyssa : well I just submitted my application to college, in no time we will both be working.

Gabriela: that’s actually great !! not only are you guys going to be more stable but you will have raised Allen’s chances of having a higher education! (smiles)

Alyssa: Huh? ( confused )

Gabriela: yeah, in the culture and social class article said that the parents education predetermines the child’s education, he goes on to say that the children of people who did not complete high school only had a whopping 11% chance of ever receiving a bachelors degree and up to 42% for those whose parents completed a college degree. Now isn’t that a bit disturbing?

Alyssa: ( shocked) I cant believe that. So basically my education and income determines my son’s academic success?

Gabriela: pretty much yea. And don’t let me get into the inequalities and unfairness of the education system. Its such Bullshit ! that’s why I switched from teaching to public relations. I couldn’t stand watching the educational system cheat working class citizens out of a future. It’s the governments way of controlling the masses into low wage workers. ( walking with Alyssa to the stand while Alyssa looks very disturbed to hear more about the subject)

Alyssa: I can finally agree with you on that. (frowns and has a serious face) I heard we have the worst education system world wide. Even third world countries are exceeding our most brilliant students. Corporations are hiring people in other countries like india because there isn’t enough people with the education to fulfill those jobs. How sad is that? Instead of blaming others for taking our jobs why don’t we blame the education system ?