Act Three - Scene Two - The Final Act

ACT Three

 Scene II

Lights come up on a dark stage. Six figures are seated in silence. There is lightning in the distance and thunder sounds in the background. The skies clear and a funeral procession comes on the stage. There is a preacher leading the group of Four pall bearers and 8 family members. The

pallbearers place the casket on the ground and the preacher steps to one side and the others file to the other side.

PREACHER

Dear Lord, We lay to rest your newest angel, Antonio

Coleman and ask that you bring him into your divine

kingdom.  We ask that you provide comfort and peace to his

family, for they are grief-stricken by their loss.

Senseless as it seems for a young child to be struck down by

an assassin's bullet but these things are not for us

to judge. Help us understand that our time in this world is

short and that everlasting peace and tranquility

Is our reward when we follow your teachings.

From Ashes to Ashes. Dust to Dust. So sayeth the Scriptures.

The preacher  walks to the family and the group slowly leaves the gravesite. The six seated figures

arise and stand around the gravesite.

DOMINIC

"Ashes to Ashes, Dust to dust" I never really felt any

comfort in those words.

ERNESTINE

It’s so sad when a child passes.

JERRY

And what is this child's name?

SONYA

His name is Antonio and he was killed by a bullet. There is

war going on in the streets. I've seen it with my own

eyes. Everyone has a revolver.

ROSA

I wonder if this could this be the one?

HENRY

Which one?

DOMINIC

What this child could have done in his life.

SONYA

 I believe that he would have been a kind man. He would have

been kind to his parents and the women in his life.

And gentle, but most of all kind. Why don't you say a few

words Henry.

HENRY

 I'll try.

DOMINIC

Go ahead soldier boy.

HENRY

" Jehovah , Jehovah hear my prayer

Before you lies a young lamb

Mortally wounded by a beast of the night.

This young lamb asks for your forgiveness and to be re-

united with his flock. As your trusted shepards, we will

watch over him. And care for him. And lead him onto the

righteous path.

In your name , we ask for Antonio to arise.

And take his place among us.

Antonio! Antonio!

Hear these words!

You are in another place.

Rise and come to your Maker who has asked for you

Arise! Arise! As our maker has commanded"

ROSA

Dios Mio!

              [there is a period of silence and then slowly a small person stirs and arises from the casket]

ANTONIO

Where am I! What is this!

ROSA

Dios Mio!

ERNESTINE

Antonio!

              [holding Dominic]

HENRY

Antonio, you are here with us now. Your family has left.

ANTONIO

Who are you? I remember I was walk ‘in down the street to

buy bread and then there’s a "crack" in my head. What

happened to me?

SONYA

You were shot.

ANTONIO

Oh no! They got me. I'll get them back. It must have been El

Rey! It’s got to be El Rey! I'll get that mutha!

HENRY

Antonio, it's over. You're dead and here is your body lying

in the casket.

ANTONIO

No! No You can't mean that. I ain't dead. El Rey that mutha.

I'm gonna get you El Rey!!

ERNESTINE

Antonio, I want you to meet Rosa.

ROSA

Hello Antonio.

            [Antonio looks at Rosa]

ANTONIO

            [looks around and begins to sob}

 Where am I ? Where is my Mama?

ROSA

Come here and sit with us Antonio. This must be a terrible

shock.

JERRY

It's not all so bad Antonio. Here you get superhero powers

although we're not supposed to use them.

ANTONIO

I can’t believe this happened to me. Tell me this is a bad

dream. Tell me that I’m trippin’ Come On.

JERRY

Well Antonio, It is kind of like a dream. It’s really what

you make of it I suppose.

HENRY

Sit down Antonio. You’ve got a long time to get used to it.

JERRY

I mean a really long time.

ANTONIO

I must be trippin' because you people ain't real. I've got

things I gotta be doin'. Do you hear what I'm say’ in

I've got no time for any bullshit.

DOMINIC

There's no need to use that kind of language. Look around,

There’s ladies present.

ERNESTINE

Dominic, can't you see that he's in shock

ANTONIO

Back off! My boys will be coming for me any time now.

               [Everyone becomes silent. Five figures take their seat in the darkness.]

ROSA

I know this must be very hard for you to accept. A young man

like yourself with so much in your future.

But the life is just not meant to last forever. It's a gift

from the Maker.

ANTONIO

I remember I was walking down the sidewalk and I heard

someone yell my name and then I was lying on the sidewalk

feeling all kinda woozy. I guess that I really am dead. Is

this heaven or am I in hell?

ROSA

You can go either way. You can become close to our Maker or

go far away.

 ANTONIO

Our Maker? Whose our Maker?

ROSA

The Maker created this world and created you.

ANTONIO

I remember people talking about him but I never really

paid much attention.

ROSA

That’s not unusual for boys your age.

ANTONIO

I’m feelin’ really sorry for some of the things I did.

Like disrespectin’ my Mama and cursin’ and stealing things.

I’m feelin’ real sorry for all I did. There was a lot of

people lookin after me and I just didn’t pay them any mind.

ROSA

That’s very good Antonio.

ANTONIO

Were there a lot people today. I mean at the funeral?

ROSA

Many people were there Antonio. It was very sad.

ANTONIO

Miss Rosa, can you show me the way I need to go. At least I

could make my Mama happy by goin' the right way.

ROSA

I will show you as if you were my own. Come let’s take our

place with the others. Everyone is waiting

Rosa and Antonio come together; Antonio looks back into the audience and they take their seats with the others.

The End