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Stop Domestic Violence
(at the Gallery Players Theater)
Director: Welcome back, everyone. This year our play is about a very important but difficult subject. Erica, you are going to play the mother. Asad, you are going to play a little boy named Billy. You are Erica's son.
Asad: How old is Billy?
Director: Seven. Oh! And that's your bear. Aleksy, you are Billy's father. You and Erica are married. Abdul, you are going to play Aleksy's father. Billy is your grandson.
Abdul: I play a grandfather? Very good!
Julie: Yumi, who do I play?
Director: Julie, you are Abdul's daughter. You are a nurse. There is one more character. Renata, you are going to play a police officer.
Renata: Don't worry, everyone. I'll protect you.
Aleksy: So, what is this play about?
Erica: It must be a story about a family.
Renata: But I'm a police officer. What's a police officer doing in a story about a family?
Asad: Yeah, what's going on here?
Director: You'll see. Everyone, read what I have given you. And learn your lines. Tomorrow, we'll practice it.
(at rehearsal the next day)
Billy: (hitting teddy bear) You make me so mad! I'm going to teach you a lesson. You will never do
that again!
Billy’s Grandfather: Billy! Come here. Sit with me. Why are you hitting Mr. Bear? Isn't he your friend?
Billy: I'm playing a game.
Billy’s Grandfather: A game? What game?
Billy: The bear is Mommy, and I am Daddy.
Billy’s Grandfather: So then, why are you yelling at the bear--I mean, Mommy? Why are you hitting her?
Billy: Mommy made me mad.
Billy’s Grandfather: Billy, you shouldn't hit people.
Billy: But Daddy does. Daddy hits Mommy when he's mad.
Billy’s Grandfather: Daddy shouldn't do that.
Billy: Well, sometimes Daddy gets really mad.
Billy’s Mother: Hello, Grandpa.
Billy’s Grandfather: Hello, my dear.
Billy’s Mother: Billy, honey, go get your bag. We have to go home.
Billy’s Grandfather: So, uh, how are you?
Billy’s Mother: Oh, I'm fine.
Billy’s Grandfather: Is everything okay?
Billy’s Mother: Yes, yes. Everything is fine. Come on, Billy, hurry up.
Billy’s Grandfather: Are you sure that you are okay?
Billy’s Mother: Yes, I'm fine. Don't worry about me. I am just tired. I have been working overtime this week. Billy, say good night to Grandpa. Thank you. See you tomorrow.
Billy’s Grandfather: Wait! You forgot your bear. Be nice to the bear.
**
Director: Okay, stop. That was great. Erica, what are you thinking?
(at rehearsal the next day)
Billy’s Mother: Billy, say good night to Grandpa. Thank you. See you tomorrow.
Billy’s Grandfather: Before you leave, I need to ask you a question. And I want you to be honest. Billy, go play in the other room, okay?
Billy’s Mother: What is it, Papá?
Billy’s Grandfather: This is not easy for me to ask. But yesterday, I heard Billy say that Daddy hits Mommy. Is this true? Is my son hitting you?
Billy’s Mother: Hitting me? My husband loves me. He is a good man. You know how he is. He just gets angry sometimes.
Billy’s Grandfather: And what does he do when he gets angry?
Billy’s Mother: (crying) What am I supposed to do? I feel so hopeless.
Renata: What an awful situation. What can she do?
Aleksy: She has to call the police. She has to call 911.
Renata: But if she calls 911 or goes to the police, the family will have more trouble.
Aleksy: Then she needs information. She needs to find out what she can do. And who can help her.
Renata: Where do you get information about things like this?
Director: She should call 311.
Renata: 311? This is a family problem. Can 311 help?
Director: I called 311 when I was writing this play. They can help. The City has programs for families who need help.
Julie: Who's going to tell the mother about it?
Director: You are, my dear.
(rehearsal)
Billy’s Mothe:r: Leave my husband ...Where am I going to stay? I can't live alone. I need my husband.
Billy’s Aunt: You won't be alone. We're here for you. Please, think about your child.
Billy’s Mother: But I can't do this. I can't break up my family. Billy needs his dad.
Billy’s Aunt: This can't go on. You have to do something before it gets worse. I see this all the time at the hospital. I'm afraid for you.
Billy’s Mother: You don't understand. I can't go to the police. I don't have my papers. There's nothing I can do.
Billy’s Aunt: No, you can do something. Call 311. There are people that can help you. People you can talk to. Please.
Billy’s Mother: I can't do this.
Billy’s Aunt: 311.
Director: That was wonderful.
**
(rehearsal…at the police station)
Police Officer: Please ... sit down. Do you want to report a crime?
Billy’s Aunt: Not exactly. We have a friend. And we think her husband is abusing her.
Police Officer: You have come to the right place. It is my job to help women like your friend. Can you tell me what's going on?
Billy’s Aunt: He doesn't let her see her friends. And her husband takes all the money from her paychecks.
Police Officer: Well, those are often signs of trouble.
Billy’s Mother: But ... She doesn't have her papers. She doesn't know what to do. She is scared.
Billy’s Mother: And Billy is my son. I will not raise my child in a home where people hurt each other. Where he sees and hears it. You must choose. If you want to keep your family, you must stop this.
Billy’s Grandfather: My son! If you do not stop this, you will lose your family. You will be alone!
Abdul: Domestic violence affects people of every nationality. It happens in every community. Rich. Poor. It can happen to anybody.
Erica: It is not your fault. If you are a victim of domestic violence, do not feel bad about yourself. Do not be ashamed.
Julie: If you are here on your husband's visa, there is help for you. But you have to ask for it.
Aleksy: Domestic violence is a crime. In New York City, everyone can get help. If you do not have papers, if you are undocumented, do not worry. The City will help you.
Asad: For information and advice, call 311. For emergencies, to get help right away, call 911.
Renata: Violence against women and children can be stopped. It won't be easy. But people working together can make it happen. What can you do?
www.nyc.gov/LearnEnglish
