Toy Soldiers
Cast
Mrs. Mustang Jonathon’s mother
Craig Jury member
Reporter Reporter for the NY Times
Mrs.Okar Radhi’s mother
Jonathon Mustang Military officer
Radhi Okar Child in the Sierra Leone military
Mr.Krooks Radhi’s Lawyer
Woman Jury member
Monologues
MONOLOGUES TAKE PLACE AROUND MISSISSIPPI (JONATHON’S HOME TOWN
Mother of the recently killed white officer spoke to her therapist of ten years. Mother is an older Catholic woman. She is lying in chair crying and sobbing.
Mrs. Mustang: You don’t understand! That child killed em he’s the devil, I’m telling you that Nigger child killed my sweet baby Jonathon! My husband died in the military. Ya know that? Of course you did, course you did. My husband … that damn bastard, good for nothing drunk. When he got back from the war he drank his weight in beer, sat back while I raised our son and one day he just up and left us. He left me... now John. John left me. Oh lord what am I ‘posed ta do now!
[Pause]
[The mother pulls a tissue from the therapist’s desk and begins to tab away tears. She then sits back down still sobbing slightly.]
Mrs. Mustang: The report said the children there all look about uh …around… nine or ten years old. Can you believe that? Ten years old, fighting a war that has nothing to do with them. They aren’t innocent. Jonathon was innocent. That bastard deserves to die. They all deserve to have their lives taken from them. They haveta pay for what they took from me. They have too…
[Looks away slowly and out of the window]
[Looks back furiously]
Mrs. Mustang: The hell I’m gonna calm down [say’s mockingly similar to the therapist], Mr. Limens! You sit there with your notebook and pen and get paid to do what? Tell people to calm down! I refuse to just sit back and take this. I want the death penalty when we go to trial. I want my baby to have peace of mind knowing he
Mrs. Mustang: Oh, I am so sorry! I’ve got to answer this.
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Man preparing to go to court he is apart of the jury.
[Brushing his teeth in the mirror]
Craig: Yes your honor we the jury have come to a verdict. We find the defendant, Radhi Okar, guilty of first degree murder and sentence him to deat...
No no no no. It just isn’t right it doesn’t even sound right. A ten year old child sentenced to death. He had been promised a better life than in poverty but naive as he must seem that child made a choice I wouldn’t even dream of. All these children in poverty in Sierra Leone and when someone gives them a choice we prosecute them for it.
[Sighs]
What am I saying? The other members of the jury would never listen to me. Made of mostly racist men anyway. Damn bastards. I fucking hate this trial. 1.10.11
[Continues brushing teeth then spits, fixes his tie and turns off the bathroom light]
Craig: I’m not ready for this.
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Reporter telling his co-worker about the Okar/ Mustang case before it is made public. Is in cubicle. He is sitting. The story has moved nation wide so the trial is being held in New York instead of Mississippi.
Reporter: So, there’s this kid right? And the kid killed uhm the Lieutenant, Jonathon Mustang, right? But see this guy he jus’ came back a year ago to receive some medal or something but anyway the child was taken into custody after some soldiers picked em up after the shooting in Sierra Leone.
[Pause]
Reporter: Yea, … yea … yea. Ya I know that alright? You really think if I could get an interview with him I’d be talking to your slacker ass right now?
[Swings arm in frustration knocks hot coffee on to self]
Reporter: Damn it! Ah, hot. Damn. *wipes*Crap these are new.
[Pause]
Reporter is now furious talking in a loud dramatic manner while still dabbing away at the coffee stain casually and subconsciously.
Reporter: What’da’ya mean what’s the problem? The problem is the damn FBI has him in custody but you know how that works. All the questions never get one damn answer and all of a sudden poof the story’s gone. No kid no story cause ya know anyone with an ounce of tie to the government don’t have a comment for shit. [Pause]
Reporter: *Huff* Can somebody get me some paper towels damn it!
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Mother of Radhi Okar. She is speaking to a man that wants to take Radhi to join the Sierra Leone military. Mother is a widow who’s husband died in the cross fire of war.
Mrs.Okar: Wa da ya mean you want ta take Radhi! What gud he gon’ do you out there! All you men seem ta do is give a gun to a baby and tell him ta fi-ya at da white man. Ah know men like you.
[Points finger in man’s face and then is hit]
Mrs.Okar: You bastard.
[Pause]
Mrs.Okar: O, mah baby. Radhi, my baby. I’m fine don’t you worry bout mama. She gonna be alright.
[Man grabs Radhi by the arm and begins to drag him from the small shabby hut.]
Mrs.Okar: No! No! No! Don take em. Please! I beg you! He is my only son! I will do whateva you want!
[Grabs leg of man and looks up at man with tears in her eyes]
Mrs. Okar: I will be your woman. Take me! Leave my son!
[Sobs and crying]
Mrs. Okar: I’m sorry Radhi.
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Uprising in Sierra Leone. Men from the United States have been called in to take control of the situation. In Sierra Leone, before Jonathon’s death.
Jonathon: We gotta move, move, move! Wait! Solider you better get down they’re firing like animals! What have ya lost your mind!
[Pew pew pew]
Jonathon: Okay, so this is what we’re gonna do. We’re gonna take the hut. We need someone to distract them while I sneak up from behind and take out the guard with the machine gun. And then you gotta…
[Boom]
Jonathon: Ah! Holy fuck! My arm!
[Clutching left arm filled with glass shards. Wound is only skin deep not fatal but painful and takes a deep breath]
Jonathon: I’m okay. I’m okay.
[Tone lowers to become very sentimental]
Jonathon: Boys, it got real dangerous real fast. We lost our comrades, communications with base are severed and the war zone out there left us no way to retreat. I feel as though I have failed you. As your lieutenant I made a sworn promise to bring you home safely or at least intact. Ha. I never thought I’d make it this far so fast.
[Makes a thoughtful grin]
Jonathon: Back then I never thought I’d be in charge of men like you by my thirties while I still got so much to learn. Everyone here has honored my living by fighting beside me today and for all these years. I’m forever grateful.
[Smiles then releases arm and puts both hands back onto gun, clutching it. Puts a determined face on]
Jonathon: So, do me this one last favor would ya’? Give it your all and avenge these people who’ve been slain by the war lords do not let them get away with it. We must put it to an end, for good. If you won’t do it for me, do it for them. So lets go men, no time to waste. Get into position. Aim for the truck over there and, you, point your laser right there, on the gas tank. Everyone else, follow me and fire on my command. Ready? Let’s Go!
[Runs out from behind the concrete pillar that was shielding them and begins their assault]
Jonathon: Now! Fire! Fire! Go go go! Come on men, we gotta surround the hut. You go that way I’ll cover this side.
[Runs behind the hut and continues shooting]
Jonathon: Hold your fire, Hold your fire! There’s a child, a young boy! Don’t shoot!
[Walks towards Radhi cautiously and squints]
Jonathon: What’s that ya got there? Is that … a gun?
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Radhi is sitting in an FBI interrogation room sobbing and scared. Two FBI men are interrogating him harshly about the killing of Jonathon Mustang. He has an African accent.
Radhi: Huh? … Uhm. Ah don know. Ah don know his name... The man who uh took me? Pa pa pa pa pa please. Please. Please stop...
[Pause]
[Begins crying solemnly]
[White interrogator walks in and the door slams itself shut behind him]
[Radhi slightly jumps in his chair. He is frantic, wide eyed]
Radhi: Huh. Who is dat? What’s he doin here? Let me go leave me alone. Let me out, let me go.
[pause]
Radhi: Why are you asking all dees questions? Dat man said I need a lawyer or somefin and I'm not loud to talk to you.
[Pause]
[Sobs and sniffles]
Radhi: Ya, Ah remember dat. Ah wus scared, Kojana told me dat if …
[Pause]
Radhi: He’s da man who took me from my mama he told me to take da gun and grab on it if a white man came near me. He said it would stop dem from taking me away from mah mama. He said if ah took da gun dat my mama would be happy and mah papa would come home.
Radhi: Ah don’t know who dat man was or what happened to em. Do ya know where my mama?
Ah miss her.
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Lawyer of Radhi is having a casual coffee break with a colleague at Starbucks. He is currently in New York City before his flight out the Mississippi for the trial.
Mr. Krooks: How much was that?
[Pause]
Mr. Krooks: Oh uh … three. . Four. Here you go.
[Drops a coin on the floor and bends down to get it.]
Mr. Krooks: Oops, ha ha. Here ya go.
[Turns around to walk out of the Starbucks with colleague]
[Its winter in New York City and they are walking around the city looking for a non-crowded lunch cart]
Mr. Krooks: Yea, so I leave for my flight tomorrow. Haven’t met the kid yet but I have a bad feeling bout this case. Things I’ve heard make it seem like I got a hard defense ahead of me. Evidence is dead on and I’m gonna try for a plea bargain. Which is a little hard considering it’s not on my turf. I’m gonna be surrounded by racists so I’ve got my work cut out for me with a black client. This kids mom raised up quite a buzz with a media with all those protest hippies and stuff she somehow managed to pull off enough money to pay for a city lawyer like me. I’m not the best or anything but I try, work my ass off for my paycheck.
[Pause]
[Chris says something]
Mr. Krooks: Ha ha. No, Chris, I don’t think he’s innocent but that’s not what this job is about. It’s about getting enough money to support my wife and kids before she leaves me and takes them with her. I can’t afford ta do another pro-bono, ‘specially not with this kid. The occupation calls for a defense and that’s what I’m gonna do, defend.
[Pause]
[Chris says something]
Mr. Krooks: My son? My son would never KILL a man. That’s ridiculous, Chris.
[Says in a mocking tone]
Mr. Krooks: Imagine that though, “We find Patrick Krooks guilty of first degree murder.” Ha ha, little, can’t throw a football, even at the age of 12, Patrick. Ya really think he’d ever be in this situation?
[Pause]
[Chris says something]
Mr. Krooks: *sigh* Ya but guess you’re right a little bit. Way too young for the death sentence. Aw! C’mon, Chris! I always swore up and down on my mother’s grave I’d never make my job personal! That’s how I survive doing what I do, knowing what I know. No, child, man, woman is ever innocent if they give me a call and I know that all too well but like I said it’s my job to turn a blind eye to it all and defend a guilty man.
[Pause]
Mr.Krooks: Ha ha, but yea on a lighter note look over there, that one doesn’t have too much of a line and our breaks almost over anyway.
[Mr.Krooks glances at his watch]
Mr.Krooks: Phew, It’s already 2:30. C’mon my treat.
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During the trial Mrs. Mustang is brought to the stand as part of the prosecution and begins her heartwarming story. She has her hand on the bible and is being sworn in.
She is standing.
Mrs. Mustang: I swear.
[Sits down]
Mrs. Mustang: Well, lets see... the night Jonathon was killed I was … hmm, watching Wheel of Fortune and having a nice lunch with a few girlfriends that I’ve known for years. I met them in church bout... 8 years ago. We’d always watch a bit of television and I’d make small sandwiches. We all knew what it was like to lose a husband or a son to the service. Marcie Jefferson lost her husband a few years back. I remember how she fell apart. It was so tragic. And did you know that...
[Pause]
[Mood changes to depressed]
Mrs. Mustang: Oh right right, forgive me. I got the phone call later that night.
[Takes a deep breath]
Mrs. Mustang: He was gone. I was angry and hurt and I couldn’t believe mah baby boy...
[Pause]
Mrs. Mustang: I’m sorry so sorry … just one minute?
[Sobbing]
[Dabbing her eyes looking up trying to hold back tears]
[Deep breath]
Mrs. Mustang: Phew okay, I apologize. It’s just so hard for me. Every night I go into his room and smell his pillows and hold his baseball glove to my heart.
[Closes eyes and imagines holding the glove to her chest]
[Opens eyes and becomes angry]
Mrs. Mustang: That young man right there took him away from me my pride and joy. He should be executed.
[Pause]
[Face changes to a defeated look]
Mrs. Mustang: That’s what I would’ve truly believed a couple months ago. A strong catholic woman lost her path in the Lord Almighty and Jesus Christ. But …
[Eyes widen and she is choking back tears behind a remembering smile]
Mrs. Mustang: He came to me. Last night in my dreams, he came to me with his beautiful face.
[Pause]
Mrs. Mustang: No no no no no. Jonathon. HE came to me. Told me to forgive. I woke up in tears shaking. He reminded me of my faith. I want nothing more than my baby boy to rest in peace and last night he came to me and showed me what it meant to be in peace. I will never forget what kind of monster killed my son but I HAVE forgiven this child he does not know.
[Pause]
[She says quietly]
Mrs. Mustang: Is that all? Can I get down now?
[Gets up and walks back to the defense side and sobs in the arms of her friend Marcie]
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Craig (jury member) is going into deliberation with the other jury members. He is anxious and fidgety fiddling with his hands once and a while.
Craig: Ladies and gentleman. Please. Settle down. We heard many sides to this trial and we have a tough decision to make and with the information given we gotta make an honest choice for the child.
[Pause]
[A bunch of mumbled voices in the background]
[Voice changes to confident and disapproving]
Craig: People! Are you honestly gonna even take a second thought of execution. I mean, maybe it’s something out of the ordinary for you people to do but there is such thing as mercy and rehabilitation. You people wanna pass yourselves off as “ pure Catholics” but where is it in the bible to kill a child cause of color or cause of something someone else told him to do? I’m not gonna sit here and listen to this bickering and back and forth talk of kill or life sentence. Are you seriously forgetting how old he is? Ten.
[Points to a man]
Craig: You, you have kids right? What if this young boy was your kid?
[Pause]
[Tone gets furious]
Craig: Doesn’t matter if he’s purple! He has rights or are you forgetting that? Gonna brainwash your kids to think like that too? No one else matters if you’re white?
[Pause]
[Tone becomes sad and he looks down]
Craig: I had a daughter. She passed away in a car crash last year. Her mother was driving. A drunk driver swerved on the road hit them dead on. We had just gotten a divorce. I went to church every day blamed myself blamed that drunk driver. He didn’t deserve to live. But he did. And I hated him for it. Some catholic I was. I lost myself in revenge and pay back and only end up hurting myself.
[Pause]
Craig: A chance for forgiveness. A chance for this boy to change and learn and grow. That’s all I’m asking.
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Woman from the jury announces the verdict for Radhi Okar and the final hearing.
Woman: Yes, your honor. We the jury finds Radhi Okar guilty of first degree murder. We the jury also finds Radhi Okar not guilty of all other arms charges. We sentence him to 10 years in juvenile confinement with no chance of bail or probation. He must also see a therapist a regular basis. We the jury would also like to give our condolences to both mothers. They each loss a son to the fight in Sierra Leone.
