Who's world is this? - By Jesus Jimenez

Characters

Charles - A host of a late night talk show. He’s a male in his 40s, mild-mannered, funny, knows when to be serious about things.

Ellen - A young 15-year-old girl living in Arizona. She has a rebellious mind and talks to her stuffed bear.

Subcomandante Marcos – Spokesman for the Zapatista. He is a rebel and a philosopher; he fights for the rights of the indigenous people in México.

Javier Garcia – Mayor of the fictional city of Monte Negro. He is a man with power and is disgusted with the rebels in his city. He has a soft side for his family.

Inez – A young indigenous girl in Chiapas, she talks with her doll when she wants to understand something.

ACT 1 – Scene 1

(Charles enters stage, fixes himself up while looking and the audience. He begins to talk to them in a friendly, yet assertive voice.)

CHARLES
Hey everybody! How has your day been? ... Well, today I was on CNN and you know, I started looking through the news... I read this article that my friend sent me, it was about the prime minister of India. He’s been accused of scamming around $31 billion dollars from India’s treasury. Anyway Prime Minister Manmohan Singh says he’s innocent, and it got me thinking.
   Don’t we hear about things like this all the time? I mean, it’s either companies or governments that always do this kind of crap. Now, I’m not blaming the prime minister for what he might have done, but the average person has developed this... thought, a thought about governments and companies having control over humans like you and me. It makes people seem insignificant.

(Looks down at the floor to ponder a moment, start looking up as he starts talking again)

Here’s another thing I want to say: People don’t stand up for themselves!

(He starts talking more aggressively)

If people fought united for a cause, anything, I bet they would achieve their goal and it would benefit mankind. You might be saying “Well Charles, aren’t there organizations trying to benefit mankind already?” Yeah, but I’m not talking about getting a signature from a lazy citizen who sits on their ass all day, supporting a kid in Africa by sending monthly payments.

(He talks a bit more calmly, with a sentimental feeling)

That’s not help, that’s financial aid!
   There are some people who stand up for themselves... um....

(He does a hand motion as if he was remembering something)

The Zapatista! Who knows about them? ... A few of you might...

(He looks away from the camera)

Do we have any pictures of a Zapatista?

(A picture of a margarita appears for the audience)

No! A Zap-A-Ti-STA! Not a Margarita!

(Picture of Subcomandante Marcos appears for the audience)

Anyway for those who don’t know, the Zapatista are revolutionaries, doesn’t mean they go shooting up every other place they go to... they only use their guns for self-defense. * They’ve never attacked first. Their goal is basically make it a fair game, not only for the indigenous people they’re helping, but also for all of Mexico. The indigenous people they’re helping have the same trouble as many indigenous people in any country, adapting to the new world. Just like when your mother-in-law moves in with you...

(Shrugs)

It’s tough! I’d start a revolution too, if she ever came back!

(Shakes fist in the air)
 
Anyway, Corporations and governments take away their land, and indigenous people have a hard time being looked at equally compared to the modern new world citizen.

Going back to 1994,NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) was made to make a free trade system with Mexico, Canada and the United States. It was a great way to get Canadian bacon to your local Denny’s.

(He gets closer to the audience/camera and whispers)

It’s HAM!

(Goes back to original position and resumes monologue)

But seriously folks, NAFTA came with its downsides. NAFTA actually ended up abolishing Article 27, section 7 of the Mexican constitution, which had the indigenous people’s land no longer protected by the law.

(Looks at audience with a serious look.)

Don’t you hate it things like that happen? Talk about a buzz kill... It feels like finding out you wet your nice clean bed the day you just cleaned your sheets by yourself. For most of you that was after you left moms house right?

(He squints and points to a random adult in the audience)

Yes, I’m talking about you!

Anyway back to the subject that’s one of the many reasons the Zapatista want fight for their cause. It’s funny... In other parts of the world, there are people that would want to have a modern revolution in order to help people and change the way their government works. Here in this good country, we complain about EVERYTHING and are either too frightened or too lazy to do it, and expect one person, our president, to change the world for us. Last time I checked, America was the people’s country, not the responsibility of one man or woman. It’s us who have to revolutionize the world!

(He grabs a nearby chair, stands on top of it)

We the people of the world can unite and overthrow this super power controlling our world!

(In a louder voice, almost yelling)

For the world and for the human race! Freedom and equality for all!

(He steps down from the chair slowly, fixes his suit’s cuffs. Coughs and fixes his voice)

Ahem!

(He is clasping both hands together, in front of his chest.)

So I leave you with this thought, how are you making the world a better place?

ACT 1 – Scene 2

(Ellen is holding her stuffed bear is lying in bed with it, while looking up at the ceiling)

ELLEN
Hey bob! You wouldn’t mind listening to my rambling right?

(Gets comfy)

Great! Listen, don’t you think life is a bit boring? It’s the same thing, day in and day out, school, home, work. There’s no purpose. I want there to be a purpose for me to get up in the morning. I want to aspire for something; I don’t want to waste my life for 7 hours a day at school thinking I’m not contributing anything to the world!  I remember in history class, our teacher was telling us about people that made changes in our history. Many of them weren’t educated to begin with, but as we went forward in history there seemed to be a system developing. Men with fancy coats or suits and an education were the ones that had power, they took the spotlight from the other people I considered heroes, or innovators in history. Like they say, history repeats itself, and those same men in fancy coats are still here today, different names, and same story. Continuing the system passed down generation from generation.

Don’t get me wrong, school and life have its fun times. I love learning; it’s society I’m mad at. I don’t like inequality, or the idea of doing something just one-way. I don’t like the fact that you need to do certain things to be noticed or taken into consideration as a being in existence in this world. Why isn’t the world equal to being with? Our president is no different than you and me. His skin is just like ours, we breathe the same air, and we walk on the same earth.

There are people in other countries where equality is being challenged. I remember learning about some American Indians losing some of their land here in Arizona... this whole discrimination thing happens even here in the US. Are indigenous people any different than you or me? I don’t think so, then why are they disrespected? Why are they considered outsiders compared to the “average citizen”? What makes them so different? Are we just jealous because they were here first? There are just some things you can’t learn in school...

I’m not looking to join some organization or group, I want a way, a method of being able to change the world and make it a bit fairer for those who are discriminated. I wonder if there’s anyone like that in our world. Heck, I’d join them. Better than trying to let some predictable politicians do it...

              (She falls asleep for a little while, she wakes up after a couple of seconds or so)

I’m not tired! I have to stay awake, Bob; my favorite stand up comic is going to be on in a while.

(Flips herself around in the bed)

I wonder how Dora feels about this. The whole inequality thing I mean. She’s been my friend since forever! Her mom brought her here when she was little, and they’ve been living in the US for a long time. There’s been a lot of talk about immigration recently, I know that her mom’s an illegal immigrant, I’d be worried if the government was trying to get rid of my mom from this piece of land I call home!

Jeez... to be put under that much pressure everyday. I’ll have to look into that more, Bob. Take note!

(Ellen starts pacing around her room)

Ready? AHEM! Note to self: Research some stuff about helping not only undocumented people, but people who are discriminated and do something about it!

(Jumps to her bed and starts watching TV, Points remote to TV and yawns.)

That’s all for today Bob, I’ll reflect tomorrow morning I’m tired and now, time to watch my favorite late night show.

Act 1 – Scene 3

(Subcomandante Marcos is writing in his journal, during his 2006 campaign throughout México, he is sitting down on the back of a truck, he speaks his thoughts as he writes)

MARCOS

May 3, 2006

it has been a couple of months since this campaign started, it’s been a brutal quest to find friendships and respect.

As I walk in the same territory as my adversaries, I’ve not only encountered people who might be against our ideas, but people within their system who support us.

They encourage us to bring peace to this land, which was once governed by actual people, not blinded bats seeing only power and money.

We want to bring peace not only for our indigenous brothers and sisters, but for the many different people who inhabit this place we call home.

Human discrimination has been a sin inside us for many years, like a dirty jewel, once clean and lustrous, then smudges and unable to be returned to perfection.

Many of us have been discriminated at one point in our lives.

Whether it is because we are homosexual, male, female, or we support a cause, it is our duty to unite... and stand as one.

This is why I’m on this long lasting journey.

I thirst for the feeling of synergy and justice.

I wish for the term “inequality” to disappear for every single Human being on this Earth.

I want to take the pillars that make up this capitalist world, and take it down.

Then rebuild it...with the thought of everyone in mind, and the every other person out there.

(Marcos stops writing; he looks up at the sky with longing look on his face)

One day...

Act 1 – Scene 4

(Javier looks out of the window in his office. There is a protest outside; he stares at the massive group of people.)

JAVIER

Look at all those people... they have no idea how dimwitted they look like. They’re acting like savages. That’s all they are, savages! They know nothing about how this world runs, and how hard it is to maintain it the way it is. Complaining won’t fix anything.

(JAVIER Walks away from the window sits in his desk)

They always come here to city hall and protest. Yelling won’t help you at all... they’re always complaining about the same thing too. They want equality or whatever fits their standards these days...

(Raises his voice)

They can’t have equality!

(Slams his fist on the desk; he hears the chanting going on outside, Javier calms down. Speaks in a more calm tone.)

It simply can’t be done. Not everyone can be equal... that’d take...CENTURIES!

They don’t know how much malice I have towards them... I’d take this desk and throw it right at them if I could, but that’s probably what they want me to do. It’s too much effort to satisfy these people. It’s like talking to stupid kids!

(Pauses)

Unfortunately it’s my job as mayor to keep city alive and running. The only thing standing in my way of doing that job are those people out there. They’re my problem... unfortunately. I put too much work into trying to suit their needs. It’s taking time away from my responsibilities...

They’re keeping me away from the only time I have with my kids. As much as I am the mayor to these people, I’m a parent to my children, my wife’s husband. I don’t wish to act so brutal against these people. But I have priorities. They do not understand this game we’re all playing, this game of life.


                        (Sound of door opening in the background, Javier doesn’t bother looking.)

No Sandra, I don’t want anything. I’ll be going home in a bit... thank you anyway. Why don’t you leave early today? It’s good to be at home with your family while you still can.

                           (Javier goes back to talking with himself)

They’re walking around, causing mischief, just because some people get treated differently than others. All you have to do to be part in this world is get a job and be part of the work force. Anyone who doesn’t participate in the way this world is supposed to work can go rot and die by their own means. That includes any rebels, “indigenous” people, or any other hippie out there.

                       (He keeps staring. Thunder noise in the background, it’s beginning to rain)

Oh my, it’s starting to rain. I better get going. The scene will look more violent in the rain. The weather will take care of them though. But they’ll be back the next day, and the next. There’s a never-ending feud between power and people. To be honest, one can’t live without the other, I have a responsibility for these people, not all of their demands can be met, but without them, my job is meaningless. Without them there isn’t anything for us to control, or to “dominate” as they say. We all have a good person inside us all; some of us just chose to be the way we are because of what we do.

It comes down to this raging protesters, I could care less if we both hate each other to the bone. But I look at my daughter and care so much; I hope she never has to see the tainted world we live in.

Act 1 – Scene 5

(Inez is looking at the Zapatistas; She’s holding a doll made of various cloths.)

INEZ

(To her doll)

Hey, do you know who those people are?

(Pauses)

I don’t have a clear answer either.
Why do they wear those masks, most importantly, why do we cheer for them?
Papa started wearing a mask like those people. They all talk about things like equality, and justice. Things Mama says I don’t understand yet.
One day I asked Mama about the men with the masks on. She told me there are people who want to change the rules of how we live by. Mama kept talking. She told me about the “government” and other words I couldn’t understand. One of them was “revolution”.
My Mama said that they want to be like a man that was in a revolution a long time ago. That man fought for people who couldn’t defend themselves and wanted things to be fair. “Zapata was his name, and this legacy he left behind are the Zapatistas” Mama said.
Are the masked men fighting for the same kind of “fair” Emiliano thought of?
Are they fighting for the same reason my friends and family are fighting for?
I’m young; I won’t understand anything for a long time, Inez, that’s what everyone tells me. But what I DO know is that when the time comes, I’ll know whether it’s worth it to put a mask on my face.