Dressed Blues (eBook)

Scene 1

THE ISLAND

SETTING: The Queen City International Airport

AT RISE: LITTLE BOY and D-WILL are at the gate with family and friends awaiting their flight to the Island.

They are members of a contingent of 20 regional poolees who are destined to make history when they storm the gates of the Island.

A group of individuals who in twelve weeks would learn everything there is to learn about teamwork. Taking the first steps to carving out a story uniquely their own but made possible because they became one.

A group whose exploits will live on in infamy. The chow hall tray their only trophy. Nothing like this group had ever assembled on the Island’s yellow footprints.

LITTLE BOY

Yo I still can’t believe we’re doing this.

D-WILL

I know. Is it too late to bail?

LITTLE BOY

I’m pretty sure it is. I think once we did the second oath, we became the official property of the Corps.

D-WILL

Oh, that’s what my uncle meant, when he said the first oath was ceremonial.

LITTLE BOY

I put two and two together when we did it the second time. Why make us do it twice? You know what I mean?

D-WILL

Makes sense now. Quitting isn’t an option.

LITTLE BOY

It isn’t. I can’t fail. My grandfather will never let me live it down. He’s not here and I still see his face and hear his voice. How the hell you gonna make it through boot camp when you scared to take yo ass to school.”

D-WILL

Your Grandfather was one with the words. He makes a compelling argument. That story is so funny. I told the story to T-Dot, and we couldn’t stop laughing when we got to the part about the twelve balls between you and first base.

LITTLE BOY

That made my granddad laugh too. That shocked me. I didn’t know he could laugh. We usually laughed at him giving other people the business. I had never seen him laugh, but he laughed at that. We watched the rest of the game without saying much at all. He took me to a baseball game to teach me a lesson about life. I miss that dude.

D-WILL

The part about the swole dudes rocking the Pooh Bear halter tops made me fall out too. I don’t know where you get it from. That imagination of yours. It’s crazy.

LITTLE BOY

Staring at the ceiling wishing I was somewhere else and watching people.

D-WILL

I look at people, but I don’t see stuff like that.

LITTLE BOY

There’s a difference between looking and watching. Spend enough time alone and you’ll learn how to watch. You’ll develop an imagination.

D-WILL

I bet. What are you going to say to Floyd G when you graduate?

LITTLE BOY

I gotta graduate first. I can’t afford to think of anything else. I can’t put the cart before the horse as he would say. I can only focus on one thing at a time.

D-WILL

You got this Bro. I believe in you, or I wouldn’t have picked you to be my buddy.

LITTLE BOY

I’m glad you believe that. The nurse at MEPS doesn’t believe I can do it. She had a smirk on her face when she took my height and weight. She thought I wasn’t paying attention. I heard her talking to the other nurse.

D-WILL

What were they saying?

LITTLE BOY

Who would name their child Little Boy? Look at him. He is little. He’s too small! They’re going to kill him down there.

D-WILL

Don’t sweat that. You can’t let people get in your head. What did they tell us at the poolee meetings?

LITTLE BOY

It isn’t the size of the man in the fight it’s the size of the fight in the man.

D-WILL

Remember that. They’re going to put some weight on both of us. I wouldn’t worry about that. I heard they even have a program called double rats for the spaghetti leg recruits to put weight on.

LITTLE BOY

Double rats?

D-WILL

Double rations. More chow.

LITTLE BOY

They do? More food but we won’t get extra time to eat it.

D-WILL

We’ll learn how to eat fast. Believe that. Judging by our height, I have a feeling we’re going to be at the back of the platoon. Hopefully in the first squad.

LITTLE BOY

You’re right. I was always tail end Charlie at the poolee events.

D-WILL

Listen to you sounding all military like. Who do you think you are recruit, Smedley D. Butler?

LITTLE BOY

You can call me Archibald Henderson.

D-WILL

The grand old man of the Marine Corps?

LITTLE BOY

No, the grand young man of the Marine Corps.

D-WILL

I see what you did there.

LITTLE BOY

Check it. Colonel Henderson Recruit Blue requesting permission to speak, Sir.

D-WILL

Permission granted, Speak recruit.

LITTLE BOY

Oh yeah. We ready.

D-WILL

Born ready.

LITTLE BOY

But are they ready?

D-WILL

They’re not ready.

BELLER

Alright listen up Detachment Alpha you have 15 minutes to say goodbye to your family and friends.

D-WILL

Who put Poindexter in charge?

LITTLE BOY

The Staff Sergeant at MEPS.

D-WILL

I’ve never seen him before.

LITTLE BOY

I heard he’s from the city but on vacation out in the sticks with his grandparents.

D-WILL

A wise guy. That explains it.

LITTLE BOY

You know they weren’t going to put us in charge.

D-WILL

He can’t control this group.

LITTLE BOY

Not a chance.

D-WILL

Man look at my family. Everybody is crying again. This is depressing. I think we had one too many goodbyes. The party should have been it. They need to leave, and we need to get on this plane so we can handle our business.

LITTLE BOY

True. But they’re here. We gotta talk to them. Let em know we’re coming back men in twelve weeks. If you know what I mean. (The two recruits laughed and dapped each other up.)

D-WILL

Alright let’s go say goodbye for the last time. I’ll see you on the plane.

LITTLE BOY

Word. (LITTLE BOY and D-WILL walked over to their tribes.)

LITTLE BOY

Hey, I need everyone to gather around me. I’m going to try to keep it together as best I can. I want to be strong for everybody. Before I start crying and try to find a way to go back on my word. We all know someone must be the first to leave the nest. I’m the man of the house and that’s my responsibility. Little Brother you’re in charge now. Take care of Baby Boy and help Mom. Baby Boy don’t worry, I’ll be back. I got this. Sister Girl thanks for being the best sister in the whole wide world. Mom, I know I can do this.

MOM

I know you can.

LITTLE BOY

You definitely got me to eighteen. It was scary thinking about it, but I’m here now and I get it. I’ll be OK. Please call granddad and let him know I got on the plane and I’m not a quitter. I’m going to send my first letter to you. Can you give my address to everyone else? I think they promised us one phone call to let you know we arrived safely. That is if they aren’t smoking us as soon as we get off the bus.

BABY BOY

Smoking you?

LITTLE BOY

Making us do push-ups until steam comes off our grapes.

BABY BOY

Is grape a metaphor for your head?

LITTLE BOY

Yes, it’s a metaphor. The old chrome dome once we get our first haircut.

(The two brothers dapped each other up.)

LITTLE BROTHER

I got this man.

LITTLE BOY

I know you do. You’re next.

LITTLE BROTHER

Word, word, word.

SISTER GIRL

I know you got this Little Boy. Remember what Pops said. Don’t take no wooden nickels.

LITTLE BOY

You know I’m not. Write me. Your words keep me lifted. Give my address to all your girlfriends.

SISTER GIRL

You mean all your girls.

LITTLE BOY

Well. What can I say.

SISTER GIRL

You must have said a lot. Most of them are here. (D-WILL held a similar school circle with the Williams Tribe.)

MA-WILL

Don’t worry about anything back here. Focus on your training. We’ll see you at graduation. We’re already planning the trip.

D-WILL

Cool. I’ll see you there. I love you, Mom.

MA-WILL

I love you more.

CODY

D, are you going to beat them all up?

D-WILL

Yep.

KIKI

Yeah right. You better focus on graduating or I will never let you live it down.

D-WILL

Trust me I know you wouldn’t. That’s why I’m not giving you the satisfaction.

KIKI

I’ll see you in October. Love you big brother.

D-WILL

Love you back kid sister.

BELLER

Hey guys. It’s time to wrap it up. We have to go.

LITTLE BOY

I gotta go now. For real this time. No tears. From anybody. You all promised me.It was...