Mitchell "Mickey" Washington-15 years old, he's a very young but inquisitive person with a sort of dark humor towards the life in general he's been given. He's very quiet, shy, introspective, and doesn't really speak unless he feels the need to. But, when he does open his mouth, he exudes an intelligence and philosophy beyond his years. He attributes living in a low income household in Greenlawn, NY (Long Island) and being embarrassed by his mother's addiction as to why he doesn't have many friends. He's become more of a mother to her as she nurses her habit, making his life unnecessarily difficult. Through his mother, he's suffered mental and emotional abuse, but finds comfort in his inherited saving grace: music. The strained relationship between he and his mother has made it nearly impossible to confide in her the identity crisis he suffers as a bi-racial and bi-curious young man living in, at times bigoted, Long Island, NY in the 1980's. Though his life may seem dark, he finds tranquility and refuge in his humorous outlook on life, dreams, and music.

Angela Washington-29 years old, a once beautiful and ambitious African-American woman who developed a heroin habit when Mickey was 5 years old. She once had dreams of singing with the New York City Opera and attending Julliard, but those dreams were quickly derailed after she gave birth to her son at the age of 14. Now, she rarely leaves her Long Island home unless to fuel her worsening heroin habit and has become an angry, despondent shell of herself. At times, she confides in her son of her despair in life, but usually keeps it under the rug swept. She pleads for help at her darkest moments, but doesn't have enough strength to turn her thoughts of drug use away.

Benjamin "Blu" Rhodes-33 years old, Angela's beau/enabler. A cynical, dark, vulgar, and cutting man from Brooklyn, NY, he travels often to Long Island to supply Angela with her "lifeline". Providing her with a way to maintain her habit and a source of misguided humor, Blu views Angela as nothing more than a source of income and residence whenever he needs it. He looks at Mickey as a weak person, a thorn in his side, but a source of humor when he begins torturing him with his words and insults. He has no ambitions in life but to make money any way he can and to keep, as Mickey would put it, "sucking the life out of Angela".

(SETTING: It's around 7:30 in the morning on a rigidly cold Friday morning in February of 1986. Mickey is rushing downstairs from his bedroom. He's wearing a light gray Kangol hat, a dark gray Adidas track suit with electric blue stripes running down the side and white shell topped Adidas tennis shoes with blue stripes. Mickey's skin is very light, so much so that he could pass for white but there are still traces of his African-American ancestry visible to those that don't know him. He has jet black, loosely curled, thick hair that falls to the tips of his shoulders. Coming down the stairs he can hear music faintly coming from his mother's room down the hall. He makes it out as Micheal McDonald and Patti LaBelle's "On My Own" and begins to hum it as he makes his way to the dingy kitchen. He stops by the fridge and begins to pour a glass of orange juice while calling out to his mother)

MICKEY-(In a slight Long Island accent) Ma? Ma? Ma, I need $5! Ma?

(Emerging from his mother's room is the ruggedly built and intimidating Blu in a wife beater and red pajama bottoms. When he opens the door, the music that was once muffled is now in full play. He quickly closes the door then shuffles into the kitchen. Mickey, who was humming, turns cold at the sight of him. Blu reaches into the fridge and pulls out a Heineken, sitting down at the small kitchen table to drink it)

BLU-(In a gravely Brooklyn baritone) Good morning

MICKEY-What are you doing coming out of my mom's room?

BLU-Good morning to you too, then

MICKEY-Why were you in my mother's room?!

BLU-(Voice Rising) Boy, I can be where I wanna be and come and go whenever I please! I am a grown man! (There's a silence before Blu breaks it with laughter) No, I'm kidding. I brought your mom something to eat last night so she let me stay over so I wouldn't have to drive home so late.

MICKEY-(Under his breath) Childish

BLU-So...who are we trying to look like today?

MICKEY-I'm trying to look like me. Don't I look like that everyday?

BLU-I don't know what you look like everyday. I'm not here every morning.

MICKEY-Let's keep it that way

BLU-Well, that'll be or it won't, but what I want to know is why you haven't got a haircut yet. You're walking around here looking like a female man! You kinda look like Jody Watley.

MICKEY-Androgyny

BLU-What?

MICKEY-Androgyny

BLU-Whatchu say?

MICKEY-AN-DRO-GYNY! Androgyny

BLU-Can you tell me what that is?

MICKEY-It can be defined as having both female and male characteristics or interchangeably as being neither distinguishably masculine or feminine.

BLU-(Laughs in Mickey's face loudly) That's too funny!

MICKEY-(Flatly) Thank you. I didn't know I was a freaking comedian.

BLU-Boy what you are is a walking dictionary! Well, I guess you'll have to dumb it down Professor Washington because some of us didn't make it to Harvard.

MICKEY-Gender Bending!

(Blu's humor quickly fades as he looks at Mickey in disgust)

BLU-That's not cool. You gotta 86 that. That is not cool

MICKEY-That's not in your jurisdiction

BLU-But, it's weird

MICKEY-You're not the judge of that

BLU-It's weird!

MICKEY-First of all, you don't tell me what to 86 just because it ain't your cup of tea. You're not my mother, you're not my father, you're not Christ and you're not the queen!...Second of all, if it's not offensive or harmful to your character, I don't see why I have to cut my hair or change my style.

BLU-That crap just ain't normal.

MICKEY-What are you referring to as crap Blu?

BLU-Wearing your hair like a female and singing around the house ain't natural for no 15 year old boy! Just get a haircut John Lennon, cause the 60's are over!

MICKEY- (Smiling smugly) Why isn't it natural Blu? Don't you like Prince?

BLU-What about Prince?!

MICKEY-He's androgynous. I think his hair's longer than mine as a matter of fact.

BLU-Prince ain't no girl.

MICKEY-I didn't say he was a girl.

(The volume of the music behind the closed door raises considerably)

BLU-What are you saying Mitchell?

MICKEY-What I'm saying Benjamin is that you seem very ignorant to the idea. Prince is the biggest rock star in the world. He's your favorite artist, period. I know you have all of his albums. You don't see Prince as a man with long hair and a detailed goatee. You see him as Prince. So, why can't you see any other man with long hair and prim facial hair that way? I mean, don't exotic dancers wear heels? Doesn't Prince wear heels?

BLU-(Interjecting sharply) Shut up. There's a smooth fine line between an exotic dancer and a man with heels. It's too early in the morning and I'm not in debate club, so I don't wanna talk about this with you of all people. The only people I need to see in purple g-strings and high heels is-

MICKEY-(Interrupting) Prince

BLU-....The girls at Magic City. Some self respecting women

MICKEY-(Sarcastically) Of course. Nothing is more self dignifying than cramming a thin piece of string in a place it doesn't need to be.

BLU-Exactly man! I'm telling you man.

(It remains menacingly silent until Blu breaks it)

BLU-Who was that boy you were walking home with?

MICKEY-(Trying to leave)...I have to find ma

BLU-Mick?

MICKEY-What?

BLU-Who was that boy you were walking home with Tuesday?

MICKEY-What boy?

BLU-(Chuckles) Now you don't know what boy I'm talking about

(The door to Mickey's mother's room opens and Angela steps out. She's a frail, thin, caramel complexioned woman who can't be any taller than 5'6. Her hair is long and, similar to her son's, but in tighter curls. She's wearing a very long and wide black t-shirt and house slippers. When she opens the door, Run DMC'S "Rock Box" comes blaring out of her room. She walks into the kitchen and begins to make a cup of instant coffee)

ANGELA-Good morning! I slept great last night

MICKEY-Yeah, next to Sasquatch, who wouldn't?

(Angela quickly swats Mickey in the back of the head)

ANGELA-Watch what you say. Blu slept in the living room

(Mickey looks between Blu and his mother as they exchange glances. He shakes his head at the sight)

MICKEY-Ma, I need $5

BLU-Angela, it's not even a good 7:45 yet and you already have the radio booming. Why?

ANGELA-That's what gets me going in the morning! I gotta move when I get up!

BLU-Well, don't move too much because you ain't but a buck o'five

ANGELA-(Giggles) I'm on a diet

MICKEY-The "Don't Eat Anything For Three Days At A Time Diet?"

ANGELA-Mickey, watch that mouth of yours. You want some coffee, Blu?

BLU-I want an omelet. Can we make that happen?

ANGELA-Oh, sure. Of course. Sorry, Blu baby

MICKEY-"Blu baby"? You illin', ma!

BLU-Boy, what are you saying half of the time?

MICKEY-It's the cultural vernacular of my generation. You wouldn't understand

BLU-Angie, the doctor must've slapped this boy on the wrong side when he came out. One minute your son sounds like a Webster's dictionary and the next minute he's trying to sound like a rapper! What's this boy's deal?

MICKEY-Blu, there are simply so many things you will never be able to understand about me.

BLU-Don't I know it...like why you have a big cut out of LL Cool J pasted on your closet door

(There's a sense of shock and horror in Mickey's eyes as he reacts to what Blu just said)

ANGELA-I've been telling that boy to take that mess down ever since he put it up there! I don't get it. The first thing he has to see in the morning is LL Cool J apparently.

(Blu cuts his eyes at Mickey sizing him up. Mickey's eyes are quickly casted to the cracked kitchen floor. Blu starts to speak, his eyes never leaving Mickey)

BLU-I know when I was 15, I had a picture of Naomi Simms and Beverly Johnson on my wall. You'd walk in my room and it'd be the Sistine Chapel of beauty! Naomi to the left and Beverly to the right! God. Yeah, but in these "androgynous" times we're living in, a lot of people wouldn't consider that beauty. Would you consider that beautiful, Mick? Huh? You like supermodels Mick?

MICKEY-Ma, why was he in my room?

ANGELA-Does it matter? You act like the man stole something

MICKEY-He's from Bed-Stuy. It's not too far from his nature

ANGELA-(Firmly) That's enough out of you, Mickey

BLU-Whatever light bright. That's okay. I'm just saying the Nation Of Islam off of 54th and Warren would start accepting white members before you ever saw a picture of a light skinned muscle head on my wall.

ANGELA-I can't say the same. I know I had at least 3 pictures of Billy Dee Williams over my bed.

BLU-(Scoffs) Billy Dee...

(Angela leans over Blu's shoulder and hugs his neck desperately. The sight disgusts Mickey)

ANGELA-Nobody can take your place, you know that right?

(She kisses him on the cheek as Blu jerks his head away)

MICKEY-Bobbie was your Billy Dee last week, ma

(The kitchen falls deathly silent as Angela and Blu look at Mickey in shock. Blu looks at Angela suspiciously as she tries to smile off the scandalous comment. She shuffles towards Mickey and pinches him on the arm sharply)

MICKEY-MA!

ANGELA-(Through gritted teeth) Shut that greasy, yellow mouth before I shut it permanetly. I'm tired of your little commentary. You want to be a comedian? Go to amateur hour! (She looks back at Blu and smiles) Bobbie was I guy I went to school with.

BLU-Mmmm-hmmm

ANGELA-This kid is acting more and more like Patrick everyday

BLU-Where is Patrick? Figures he'd be more of a man to show his paddy behind-

MICKEY-(Interrupting sharply) Dad...lives in D.C. He's working

BLU-Mmmm-hmmm, and what does old Saint Patty do when he's not out earning a shilling or two?

(Mickey winces as if he's been sucker punched in the gut)

MICKEY-He's an aeronautical engineer. My father actually got past the 9th grade.

BLU-(Chuckling) Ah, Mick. That's a really nice name. It's fits you and your dad perfectly.

(Mickey tries to lunge at Blu, but Angela quickly intervenes, moving faster than she has all morning. She holds Mickey back as Blu laughs coldly and condescendingly ready to defend himself. Angela speaks to Mickey in a soothing, desperate manner)

ANGELA-Mickey, calm down baby. Blu was just kidding. You know he likes to kid around a lot.

MICKEY-That's why they call it "kidding", ma. It's for kids. It's not designed for 33 year old pushers!

BLU-Get your son, Ang

ANGELA-(Softly) Mickey, he's just going to be around a little bit longer. I need him Mitchell. Please be nice. I don't expect you two to get along, but just please be nice to him while he's here.

(Mickey's eyes never leave Blu as he finishes his morning beer and heads to the fridge for another)

MICKEY-Ma, I need $5

ANGELA-(Sighs) Okay, Mickey. Let me try and rustle something up. And besides, it's not like Patrick is "Father Of The Year" or anything. When's the last time he came to see us?

MICKEY-If you're referring to "us" as you ma, maybe when you were 19. But, every May 5th my dad comes to see me

ANGELA-What's May 5th?

MICKEY-My birthday?

BLU-I thought that was May 17th

ANGELA-No. I'm sorry, I thought it was June 5th

MICKEY-God, I must be the only person with 5 or 6 different birthdays! Jesus!

ANGELA-Don't take the Lord's name in vain.

MICKEY-And enter Jehovah Witness Angela

ANGELA-(Voice Rising) Mickey, what is wrong with you? This attitude of yours needs to disappear! I don't know what the problem is, but you need to drop that thing like a bad cold immediately. I haven't had my coffee today and I'm not in the mood.

MICKEY-I know what you haven't had this morning ma...(under his breath) and it ain't coffee

(Blu laughs immaturely at the risky comment)

ANGELA-I need my coffee

BLU-Yeah, the first thing you need at 7:30 in the morning is caffeine...NOT!

ANGELA-I mean what I said, Mitchell. Are we clear?

MICKEY-Okay ma, I'm sorry.

ANGELA-I'm sorry, Blu. He must be angry. (Trying to lift the mood) He doesn't have anyone to take the Valentines Day Dance with him.

MICKEY-I already told you ma. I'm not going.

ANGELA-Mitchell, please go. You'll love it! You need a girlfriend. You'll be 16 in a few months and you need to get off of that keyboard and live.

MICKEY-Ma, you were the one that said music was the breath of life. You know that.

ANGELA-I didn't say let it consume you so you don't live that life

MICKEY-(Choosing his words very carefully) I don't...want a girlfriend...just this minute. I don't need one.

BLU-Why?

MICKEY-I need to focus on school.

BLU-Wow. A 15 year old boy needs to focus more on music and school than girls. How androgynous.

ANGELA-What about Tiffany?

MICKEY-The one that looks like Cyndi Lauper?

ANGELA-Oooh...too true. There's a girl that get's off at your stop. I think she lives a block down from here. What's her name?

MICKEY-Tracie?

ANGELA-Yeah! She's very pretty. She reminds me of myself when I was around her age

MICKEY-That girl be mad buggin'! I f you were to look up "idiotic" in a Webster's, you'd see a picture of Tracie sniffing a beaker of hydrochloric acid in chemistry class.

BLU-Ain't that what you supposed to do?

MICKEY-If you have a few nostrils to spare, sure

ANGELA-My friend Bernadette. Her daughter Paula is about your age.

MICKEY-No

ANGELA-Well whatever happened to that girl that used to stay up the street from us? She still hangs around the neighborhood from time to time. You know, you two used to be very close when y'all where younger.

MICKEY-I invited Brenda to my 10th birthday party at the Y, and when she laid eyes on you, you would've thought this girl had never seen a black person in her life. I don't need a girlfriend...(carefully) right this minute. Long Island is full of stuck up Madonna wannabe's who have more hairspray in their hair than I care to inhale. And don't even get me started on the almost non-existent African-American community.

ANGELA-Huh. How do you think I feel? At least you could pass if you wanted to.

MICKEY-Not necessarily

ANGELA-Huh. I forgot all about that birthday party. How embarrassing for her mother!

MICKEY-Exactly. Nothing here but stuck up white girls and ditzy black ones.

ANGELA-Well, where do you fall in?

MICKEY-Is that not the question of life?

BLU-Who do you think you are light bright? Can you not just answer a straight question?

MICKEY-Well, if you'd like to go there moon pie...

ANGELA-Hey! None of that! Not while I'm standing here!

MICKEY-(Disregarding Angela)...I am ambiguous. If you'd like to be technical, according to the "One Drop" rule put into order during the ever-so fabulous era of slavery, if you happened to have just "one drop" of African-American blood in you, no matter if you were half white, blue, purple, pink, or orange you were thus categorized as African-American, thus deeming you a 2nd class citizen and at times not even human among hardcore bigots.

BLU-Oh Lord, will you shut up?! You are not a history teacher! If I need a daily lesson, I'll just watch NBC and wait for "The More You Know"

MICKEY-I did you a favor, Blu. I answered a question. If you must know, I definatley don't consider myself white...but then again I neither identify as black either. I'm just a boy...ambiguous.

BLU-I thought you were androgynous

MICKEY-Unbelievable

ANGELA-Well thanks, Mickey. I feel so much better knowing that I have a confused child

BLU-(Under his breath) In more ways than one

ANGELA-It feels great to know I did the world justice with interracial love. (Mocking her son) "Ambiguous". "I'm not black either" (Scoffs then takes a sip from Blu's beer)

MICKEY-Ma, you really could have made it into Julliard. A great runner up for "Best Scene Stealer"

BLU-Well, we know what mistake ended that dream, huh homeboy?

(The two males cut their eyes at each other as Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam's "All Cried Out" comes on the radio)

ANGELA-Oh my gosh! Don't you love this song? I love this song! This is the best song. It is just the best!

MICKEY-You've made that clear ma.

BLU-I love omelets more, Angela

ANGELA-I'm coming Blu. I'm sorry.

(Angela begins to stir around the kitchen looking to start breakfast, but then she ignores the eggs and walks to Blu, leaning on him desperately)

ANGELA-Blu? Can I talk to you?

BLU-Angie, I need to go soon. Can I just get something to eat. It's really too early for all of this

ANGELA-Blu, I really need this favor

BLU-I don't do too many favors, Ang

ANGELA-(Lowering her voice) I'm about to go crazy. I haven't been able to be straight since last night

BLU-Angela, did I not get you $10 worth last night? This is pathetic!

ANGELA-Shhh! Mickey's over there!

(Mickey traces a water stain on the kitchen counter, quietly singing the hit song to himself, desperaley tuning out his mother's conversation)

MICKEY-"Don't you know my tears will burn the pillow?...Set this place on fire cause I'm tired of your lies...All I needed was a simple hello..."

(Mickey's quiet alto voice gently fills the kitchen, but soon enough his mother's overpowers the song as she tries to get his attention)

ANGELA-Mickey? Mitchell! Let her sing it! God, I swear this boy falls into his own little world

MICKEY-Sorry, ma

ANGELA-I understand, Mick. But, I'm not okay right now. I just need something

BLU-Don't we all?

MICKEY-Yeah...(quietly) Betty Ford and a call to your P.O.

(Angela's movements become more spastic as she's on the verge of begging to Blu)

ANGELA-Come on, Blu.

BLU-I don't like beggars, Angela. Stop that crap! What's wrong with you, Ang? You going crazy? I think I might need to give Bellevue a call.

ANGELA-(Scoffs) Bellevue can't handle me, Blu

MICKEY-Neither can the real world

ANGELA-What'd you say hon?

MICKEY-Ma, I'm really gonna have to leave soon. I need lunch money

(Angela grows more nervous and her movements become increasingly uncomfortable)

ANGELA-Why do you need some money?

MICKEY-Ma...I wanna invest in the Stock Market

ANGELA-Mitchell, I don't have time for your sarcasm! Cut the comedy okay? It's too early

MICKEY-Ma, I need $5

ANGELA-WHY?! Since the world's going to end if $5 doesn't magically appear in your hands right this instant, why do you need $5?

MICKEY-Lunch? I need to eat lunch, ma

ANGELA-Okay...fine. Let me see....um...let me see if I can drum some up. Yeah...let me just see if I can drum some up. Okay...I can drum some up...yeah okay...I can drum some up. I can...I can drum some up....I...I can drum some up

(Angela begins to search through her kitchen cabinets and drawers frantically, visibly worrying Mickey)

MICKEY-Ma, please stop it.

ANGELA-God! I could've sworn I had a little extra...God! Now you know what to ask Patrick for on your birthday.

MICKEY-Well, is dad coming down for my birthday?

ANGELA-(Cruelly) I thought Patrick came down every year. God, where is it?!

MICKEY-I was just asking so I could call him and make sure

ANGELA-You want me to send that mick a plane ticket from D.C too?

MICKEY-Ma!

ANGELA-Look, he was too embarrassed to claim you, now you wanna be a big happy family with that potato skinner?

MICKEY-Ma, stop it!

BLU-(Laughing coldly) Well Angie, thems the breaks. A man can't call himself no man unless he looks out for his family.

MICKEY-And you're the textbook definition of a man?

BLU-(Hitting the table beyond agitated) Little boy, I'm sick of your mouth! I'm not the one walking around with curls in my head! Is that what you call a man?! Is that a man to you?! Then you're twisted sugar boy!

ANGELA-Sit down, Blu. Mickey, just go. Go or you'll miss your bus.

BLU-I don't have little boys walk me home from school!

ANGELA-What? Blu, sit down. Mickey's been walking himself home from school for years. Blu, stop drinking so early in the morning. Mickey, please go. It's 10 to 8:00.

MICKEY-(Defeatedly) See you after school, ma

BLU-Bye, Sugar Boots!

(Mickey lunges at him once more, but stops dead short before ever touching him. Blu laughs in his face loudly and cruelly)

ANGELA-Mickey, stop it! What is wrong with you?! Of all the days, why would you act like this today?!

MICKEY-WHY IS THAT PIECE OF STREET TRASH IN THIS HOUSE?! Why do you keep throwing yourself all over him begging him for a dime bag?! You act like this man is God when you haven't had a hit in 3 days!

ANGELA-Shut your mouth! Shut your mouth! Mitchell, you need to leave. How I ever raised such a disrespectful child is beyond me. You know I do all I can for you and you have no right to speak to me like a hood rat!

MICKEY-Then don't act like one.

BLU-Angie, I'm leaving. You two need a soap because y'all can give "All My Children" a run for it's money.

(Blu grabs his coat and car keys as he heads for the door with Angela clinging to him from behind)

ANGELA-Wait Blu. Just wait a second.

BLU-Get off of me, Angie! Let me breath!

(Blu shoves Angela's frail body off of him)

BLU-Sick of this. You know, your son is right. When you get the dividends then you can be as clingy as you want, but right now I don't have the time of day for you or this fruitcake! (Turns to look at Mickey one last time) You are a sick little boy. You ain't androgynous. You sick!

(Blu slams the door behind him leaving a visibly shaken Angela in the kitchen, holding herself against the small kitchen table)

ANGELA-What is he talking about Mick? Why would he say that?

MICKEY-No reason ma. I guess he just woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

ANGELA-(Scoffs) And what side would that be, Mick?

MICKEY-The one facing you

(Mickey storms out of the kitchen, heading back upstairs to his room to get his backpack. Angela heads to the base of the stairs yelling at her son)

ANGELA-Disrespectful little brat! I just needed you to put up with him just a little bit longer! Just a little bit...

(Angela breaks down at the base of the stairs, crying and rubbing her arm gently, a shell of a broken woman,as Mickey descends back down them with his things for school)

MICKEY-If LL bothers you and your soul mate that much, I'll be sure to rip him down as soon as I get back to this trap of a home.

ANGELA-You're late anyway. You might as well not go.

MICKEY-Goodbye ma

ANGELA-(Voice Breaking) I'm trying, Mickey. I swear on your life and mine I'm really trying

MICKEY-Ooh...please don't swear on me, ma. I'd like to live just a tad bit longer

ANGELA-Mickey, please listen...

MICKEY-And the Oscar for "Best Actress In A Dramatic Kitchen Scene" goes to...Angela Washington!

(Mickey coldly turns his back to his mother clapping as he makes his way to the door)

ANGELA-MICKEY!

(A stray tear falls down Mickey's eye but he quickly wipes it away as he opens the door, finishing the chorus of his mother's favorite song)

MICKEY-"...And I'm all cried out over you..."

(Mickey walks out of the door leaving Angela behind on the kitchen floor, shaking and cradling herself. The mood is left dark and cold as the scene ends)