The stage is filled with beautiful market stands/carts. People are selling everything;
home goods, food, fruit, clothes, ointments, recipes, handmade items… etc. The stage should feel bright and warm. You can hear the ocean nearby and may even feel a slight mystical
breeze. Valeria, a young Puerto Rican woman, walks onto the stage dragging Chad, a young
white man, behind her. She stops at a mango stand while Chad looks around, slightly bored.
Valeria gets way too excited, buys some mangos and runs off to look at other stands/carts. Chad searches around the market until he sees an interesting cart filled with all differ.
CHAD
Now this is… something else…
He picks up a necklace with a big gem in the
middle. He can’t stop looking at it. Valeria
walks back over to Chad, the gem immediately
pulls her in.
VALERIA
Wow that’s beautiful.
CHAD
Very… exotic.
He snaps out of the trance.
CHAD
Perfect for… (to Valeria) someone like you!
The woman working the stand turns around.
Ivelisse, She has the most enchanting qualities
and magnifying energy.
IVELISSE
Is that what you think?
VALERIA
He didn’t mean it like that.
CHAD
Mean it like what? What did I do wrong?
IVELISSE
Oh honey, you don’t have to stand up for him.
Chad slowly lowers the necklace to glare at
Ivelisse but he is suddenly overtaken by her
eyes. He is transfixed and can’t stop following
her. Ivelisse snaps her fingers and laughs. Chad
tries to regain his composure.
CHAD
How much for this?
IVELISSE
50.
CHAD
For this? Really?
VALERIA
It is very beautiful.
IVELISSE
And useful.
CHAD
Useful for what?
IVELISSE
Strength.
CHAD
It’s just a necklace, how about thirty?
IVELISSE
It is worth, what it is worth.
CHAD
You’ve got to be kidding me.
VALERIA
Chad, don’t be so rude.
IVELISSE
I have objects for lesser price over on the other
side, however they may not be suited for someone…
like you.
Chad rolls his eyes and goes to look around at
the other table. There are plants at the end of
the table and every time he goes near them they
slowly die and when he walks away they regain life. Ivelisse studies Valeria.
IVELISSE
You are very beautiful but there is such a low light
behind your eyes.
VALERIA
I’m sorry, what?
IVELISSE
Your light is dimming, why?
VALERIA
I don’t-
CHAD
Valeria, Come look at this!
IVELISSE
Are you from around here?
VALERIA
Well-
CHAD
We’re from New York.
VALERIA
I’m actually Puerto Rican.
CHAD
Her mother’s family lives here.
Ivelisse gently grabs on to Valeria’s hand.
There is a breeze.
IVELISSE
Don’t let him speak for you.
VALERIA
(as if in a trance)
I’m Puerto Rican but I was born in New York. I’ve
been visiting family almost every other summer. This
is my boyfriend’s first time.
IVELISSE
How has your summer been?
CHAD
Very hot, lots of bugs.
VALERIA
I love it here but it has been… long.
She looks over at Chad.
IVELISSE
You belong on this island.
CHAD
Oh, we could never move here.
IVELISSE
Maybe not you.
CHAD
What are you trying to say?
VALERIA
Chad just let it go. How about we go check out some
other stands?
CHAD
If you want to go check out other stands go right
ahead.
VALERIA
Yeah… fine.
Valeria storms off further into the market.
IVELISSE
Maybe you should be a bit more respectful.
Chad chooses to ignore her. He picks up a tiny
bottle.
CHAD
What’s this?
IVELISSE
It’s the clearest water on the island. It makes
dreams come true.
Chad chuckles.
CHAD
Sure it does.
IVELISSE
You don’t believe?
CHAD
No, I just think you tell people that so they will
pay whatever high price you are selling it for.
IVELISSE
I would never sell any of my items to you.
Chad scoffs.
CHAD
I wouldn’t want it anyway. It’s all trash that I can
find at any other market in the world. This place
isn’t special.
Chad starts to walk off to find Valeria.
IVELISSE
You don’t understand how special this place is…You
think you can just come to this island and treat it
so disrespectfully. Walk its lands and not understand
a single part of it? To use it’s people? It’s
Resources? And not even care! (beat)… She is going
to do just fine without you. Perhaps she’ll be better
then she ever been, because you are the trash.
The wind starts to pick up and the sky starts to
dim. The ground starts to shake and chad slowly
gets pulled closer and closer to the table. The
candles on the cart flicker with flames and
suddenly Chad disappears in a puff of smoke.
Everything slowly goes back to normal. Ivelisse
touches one of the tall candles and turns it
around to reveal Chad stuck in the wax. She
smiles and sticks a label over the front of him.
Valeria walks back over to the cart.
VALERIA
Do you know where my boyfriend went?
IVELISSE
He walked out of the market.
VALERIA
Really?… Maybe he’ll get lost for a while.
Valeria goes to walk home but Ivelisse stops
her.
IVELISSE
Do you want to be happy?
VALERIA
I… I do.
IVELISSE
Then take this.
She hands Valeria the candle with Chad in it.
IVELISSE
Burn it every night until it is gone. It will help
you find clarity, happiness and heal you.
VALERIA
How much?
IVELISSE
It is a gift, for you.
VALERIA
I can’t-
IVELISSE
Take it, please.
Ivelisse clasp’s Valeria’s hands around the
candle.
IVELISSE
You are strong. You are as strong as the island
beneath your feet. No one can take that strength away
from you but they may make you forget. Try not to
forget. It has been running through you since our
ancestors brought you into this world. You. Are.
Strong.
Valeria closes her eyes, nods and takes three
deep breathes.
BLACK OUT
Maya Renee Castro is a NYC based, Black-Latinx Lesbian, writer/director focused on telling stories of communities and individuals that have been traditionally overlooked or misrepresented. Both on screen and off, Maya Renee works to promote BIPOC, LGBTQ+ individuals, and women. Maya Renee has written, directed, and produced multiple live theatre events and short films. With her strong love and passion for horror and magical realism, she hopes to leave a lasting impact on the horror industry. It should be known that she is a complete and utter fool…