THE HUBCAP — A Play

Imagination of a young boy — to live day to day — life, what happens elsewhere

THE HUBCAP

CHARACTERS

HOPE: 10 year old boy, thin and poor. EGU: 16 year old boy, thin and poor. EME: 16 year old boy, thin and poor. CORA: 15 year old girl, thin and poor. PAPA: Father, had polio when he was a boy, now walks on hands bent over, thin and poor, Hope’s and Cora’s father. He also gets around on a piece of wood with four wheels that he built himself. MONDELE: Meaning/reference to “White Man or European”, In this case, white woman living on the compound. Neighbor to Hope, Cora, & Papa PROSTITUTE 1: Prostitute with man 1. PROSTITUTE 2: Prostitute with man 2. MAN 1: Man with prostitute 1. MAN 2: Man with prostitute 1. MAN 3: Man with prostitute 2. MAN 4: Man with prostitute 1. MAN 5: Man with prostitute 2. TAXI DRIVER: Taxi driver loses hubcap.

PLACE

Brazzaville — Republic of Congo, Charles de Gaulle Plateauville Road, near United Nations World Food Program office and other international Non-Government Organizations, next to expatriate residential compound.

TIME — Present day

SCENE 1

Setting: Next to the main rain road, small metal hut approximate size 2 x 2 x 2 meters. Sounds of cars honking horns, people's voices. Early morning. At sunrise: Garbage pit for burning trash, Papa walking bent over on hands sweeping outside hut. Cora brushing her teeth and boiling water for rice. Mondele standing on balcony second floor of the house, she can see down onto where Papa and Cora live, watching the family below her prepare for the day, and day to day business transaction. Papa rents the huts to prostitutes living on the street so they can conduct their business in private.

CORA: (To Papa.) Papa. Friend’s are here.

PAPA: OK. (Prostitute 1 gives money to Papa, she enters hut with Man 1).

PAPA: (To Cora. Handing her some money) When your brother gets back go buy some bread, please.

CORA: Yes, Papa. (Beat.) Papa, can I go to school today or do you need me here? (Stirs rice in boiling water).

PAPA: I need you here today to greet the clients and collect the money. The AirFrance flight arrives in a couple hours. It could be our lucky day. You and your brother have been making beautiful jewelry with the scrap metal he’s been finding. (Lays out the jewelry, puts several of his favourite pieces in a bag). I’ve secured a place just where everyone comes and goes from the airport. I’m sure I’ll sell one or two pieces today. You do beautiful work Cora.

CORA: (Smiling at Papa.) You better eat some rice before you go (Scoops out spoonful of rice, puts in plastic bowl and hands it to Papa. Papa accept with a smile). PAPA: Thank you Honey.

CORA: Papa?

PAPA: Yes Honey.

CORA: I made some new pieces of jewelry last night. They’re in the hut. When Madame leaves I will get them and show you. Maybe you’ll want to bring one or two of these new pieces with you?

PAPA: Can’t wait to see your new work. (Beat.) They should be done soon. When they leave please clean the hut and prepare it for the next client.

CORA: Papa, we need some more rice for tonight. Can I buy some rice when I go get the bread?

PAPA: No Honey. Lets wait and see what your brother comes home with. If I sell one of your beautiful pieces of jewelry today I’ll get some rice for tonight and tomorrow.

CORA: Papa (She looks in direction of hut, door opens, prostitute and man step out, man winks at Cora , prostitute and man leave.)

PAPA: Go get the jewelry you would like to bring with me today. (Cora enters hut. Papa finishes eating his rice, gets dressed. Cora comes out with jewelry and hands it to Papa.)

CORA: I made these three pieces last night but this one is my favourite (Holding two bracelets and pendent, favouring pendent. Papa takes jewelry. Cora returns to hut to clean it. Papa finishes getting dress.)

SCENE 2

Setting: Same day. Along main road. Early morning. Hope is walking along the street looking for things that he could use, sell, or make jewelry from. Cars, taxis, buses, people, sounds of cell phones. Hot and dusty. Mondele walking across the street from Hope.

HOPE: (To White Woman). Good morning Madame. Mondele: Good morning Hope. (Hope is distracted by a sound. He looks towards the sound. Sees a hubcap from a taxi fall off the wheel and roll down the road. He makes a dash for it as fast as he can. Reaches the hubcap and grabs it with both hands, clutching tightly to his chest, laughing and skipping across the street.) It’s my lucky day! (Calling to him with laughter in their voices are two boys, bent over wearing only their ripped shorts, no shirts or shoes, sweaty and dusty, hauling like a couple of mules a trailer stacked with foam mattress has high as a truck. Mondele continues walking to work but watches and listens to Hope and sees the two boys. She smiles with Hope.)

EGU: Hey, I saw it first.

HOPE: Ya Ya.

EME & EGU: Ya Ya, we saw it first.

HOPE: Ya Ya, go find your own. This one is mind.

EGU: Lets have a look.

HOPE: Here you go (Facing the boys, both hands raised overhead like a trophy gripping the hubcap.)

EGU: What will you do with it? You don’t have a car.

EME: Ya, you don’t even have a car. Come over here so we can see it closer.

HOPE: No. (Walking away from the boys.)

EGU: Hey, wait. Where are you going? Wait for us.

EME: God has put you in our path this morning for a reason. Come here! We saw it first.

HOPE: Catch me if you can (Sticking his tongue out at the boys and start running up the road. He finds a place to sit, examines hubcap, and thinks what do next. He decides to wait and see if the taxi with the missing hubcap comes by again or any taxi with a missing hubcap so he can maybe sell it. He sees a taxi with a missing hubcap. He approaches taxi driver sitting in the car.)

HOPE: (To Taxi driver) I see you have a missing hubcap and I just happen to have one. Because today is a special day I’ll make you a good deal. Just for you my friend, special deal.

TAXI DRIVER: How did you get a hubcap?

HOPE: I found it.

TAXI DRIVER: Where?

HOPE: On the road. C’mon, special deal, just for you!

TAXI DRIVER: How do I know you didn’t steal it from my car!

HOPE: I didn’t steal it, I told you, I found it on the road.

TAXI DRIVER: Why would I pay you for something that you stole from me? I should get out of this car and beat you for taking something that’s mine.

HOPE: I told you, I didn’t steal it. I found it (With a nervous twitch, he turns around when he hears someone shouting at the driver “Hey, he stole that from you and now he’s trying to sell back to you!”

HOPE sees Egu and Eme standing across the road with their load behind them.)

EGU: Ya, he stole that from you this morning. We both watch him do it. We tried to catch him but he ran away before we could catch him and bring him to you. He’s a thief. Don’t let him go!

HOPE: I didn’t steal the hubcap from you! They are lying! They are lying because I found it first and they wanted to take it from me!

EME: (To Taxi Driver.) Who will you believe! Us or that little lying thief?

TAXI DRIVER: (To Hope.) Give me my hubcap or I’ll beat you! (Taxi driver starts getting out of car. Hope runs away as fast as he can, in fear. Egu and Eme laugh quietly.)

EGU: (To Taxi Driver.) Don’t worry, we’ll get your hubcap back to you. He’s always around here. We know you’ll be appreciative when we get you back your hubcap, so we’ll make sure to get it back to you soon. A small token of appreciation in advance would show us your gratitude.

TAXI DRIVER: Get out of here. Get me back my hubcap and I’ll show you my appreciation.

SCENE 3

Scene: Back at the hut with Papa and Cora. Mid morning. At Rise: Papa finishes getting dress, getting ready for day at the airport to sell jewelry. Cora finished cleaning hut for next client. She walks out of hut, help her father getting dress. Hope comes runs to the hut out of breath clutching his hubcap.

PAPA & CORA: Good morning Hope.

CORA: (To Hope.) How come you’re all sweaty and dirty? Have you been running? It’s only morning and you know we don’t have much water. You can’t have two baths in one day. (Beat.) There’s some rice for you.

HOPE: Good morning. Look what I found today. A hubcap.

PAPA: Well done Hope. What do you have in mind for this hubcap?

HOPE: I’m not sure. Do we need another eating dish? Cooking dish? (Looking at the hubcap and miming what it can be used for.)

CORA: Papa, do you need anything else before you leave for the airport? (To Hope.) Papa will bring some of our jewelry today and with the money he makes he will bring more rice for tonight and tomorrow. We will have bread for later. Maybe I can get some tea. (Hope goes to the rice pot and begins eating.)

PAPA: Thank you, Honey. Cora, we have another client. Can you take the money, please. (Prostitute 1 returns with client Man 2.)

CORA: Yes Papa. (Prostitute 1 and Man 2 enter hut.)

PAPA: (To Hope.) You have done well. I feel its our lucky day. God has blessed us with good fortune today. I will sell some of your beautiful jewelry today and bring back enough rice to feed us until tomorrow night. After your breakfast get back out there and see if you can find more treasures. I can’t wait to hear what you’ll decide to do with this hubcap.

HOPE: Papa, can I come with you to the airport.

PAPA: No. You must go back out and see what other good fortune will come your way.

HOPE: But Papa, I would prefer to help you sell jewelry today.

PAPA: Eat your rice, stay here to meet the clients when your sister goes to get bread, then go see what else you can find. This is how I need your help today.

HOPE: Yes Papa. PAPA: I’m off. I’ll see you both later (walks off stage.)

CORA: So what do you have in mind for this hubcap?

HOPE: I don’t know (Walking towards hut, bends over to peak in small hole.)

CORA: Get away from there. (Hut door opens. Prostitute 1 and man 2 come out and leave.)

HOPE: That was a fast one.

CORA: We just might make enough today for rice and tea for two days. Maybe your hubcap will bring us good luck (She enters the hut to clean and prepare for next client. Hope sitting outside playing with the hubcap, contemplating.)

HOPE: Cora, you need to come out, we have another client (Cora comes out of hut, Prostitute 2 gives money to Cora, Prostitute 2 and Man 3 go into hut.)

CORA: I’m going to get bread. I’ll see you later (Cora walks off stage, Hope sitting on ground with his hubcap playing with his hubcap. The hubcap catches the sunlight and Hope plays with this beam of light projected from the hubcap making reflect off the trees, peoples walking by, and anything he sees. Waiting for his sister to return he lies down, falls asleep and dreams of what he can do with the hubcap.)

SCENE 4

Setting: Hope’s dream. At home near the hut and garbage pit. At Rise: He collects mangoes fallen to the ground and piles them into the hubcap. He can carry more home this way then only being able to take a few with his hands. He can also see a tomato plants growing over the Mondele’s balcony. He wants a tomato plant as well. When its not mango season he can grow a small tomato plant. Hope finds a rotting tomato in the garbage pit. He takes out the tomato to salvage the seeds. He collects some soil and places it in the hubcap. Sows the seed, gives it a bit of water, and rests the hubcap in the sun where he can keep an eye on it, where no one can steal it. Tomato plant grows, eats tomato with Papa and Cora.

PROSTITUTE 2: Hey (Kicks Hope gently on side of leg to wake him up. Hope wakes up with hubcap tightly held against his chest. Man 3 leaves — goes offstage) I’m leaving. (Beat.) What’s that you got there? (Point at hubcap.)

HOPE: It’s a hubcap.

PROSTITUTE 2: I can see its a hubcap.

HOPE: What do you want?

PROSTITUTE 2: Can I see it.

HOPE: Why?

PROSTITUTE 2: I just want to see it. Hand it over (She leans over him.)

HOPE: No, why do you want it?

PROSTITUTE 2: I can see my reflection in it. I want to fix my hair before I leave.

HOPE: (Slowly stands up holding his hubcap. Stands in front of Prostitute 2 so she can see herself.) I’ll hold it while you fix your hair.

PROSTITUTE 2: (Bends over a bit to see herself, fixes her hair, and straightens her dress.) Well…aren’t you a gentleman (Walks away.)

CORA: I have some bread (Gives a piece to Hope.) (Beat.) What are you doing standing there like that?

HOPE: Nothing. They’re gone (Head gesturing toward hut. Takes piece of bread.)

CORA: Have you decided what you’ll do with the hubcap?

HOPE: I have a few ideas.

CORA: Well what? Or you keeping this to yourself?

HOPE: No. I can use it for a few things (eating bread, playing with hubcap catching the light, flashes projecting light into Cora’s eyes.)

CORA: Stop that.

HOPE: I can make you a beautiful mirror. Would you like that?

CORA: Are you sure this is the best way to make use of it?

HOPE: Yes.

CORA: Thank you. Papa will also be able to use it. It will make it easier for him to shave on the days he goes to the airport. (Beat.) I’m sure Papa is having a good day and will come home with rice and tea (She walks into hut.)

HOPE: Me too (Looks at his reflection in the hubcap.)

PROSTITUTE 1: Where’s your father? (Man 4 standing next to her.) HOPE: At the airport.

PROSTITUTE 1. Well! HOPE: Coraaaa (calling to her.) CORA: It will only be one moment.

MAN 4: What do you have there? (Pointing at hubcap, gesturing to grab it). Let me see.

HOPE: No! It’s a hubcap.

PROSTITUTE 1. Don’t be so impolite. Show him what you have.

HOPE: No. Look. (Stepping back a bit, uncovering the hubcap, his arms clutching the top and bottom against his chest.) How many times is this today? (Looking at Prostitute 1.)

PROSTITUTE 1. Don’t be rude (she smacks Hope on side of the head. She and Man 4 walk towards hut, Cora comes out, Prostitute 1 and Man 4 enter hut. Hope stick his tongue out at them, does a forward and backward motion with his hips.)

CORA: Stop that! (Beat.) When you’re out today see if you can find a glass jar big enough to hold the rice that Papa will bring home tonight. The rats are coming back. I keep cleaning their shit in the hut.

HOPE: Ok, I think I know where I can find some (Takes a rope from inside the hut, ties one end of the hubcap, another knot at the opposite end of the hubcap, and slings it over his shoulder, across his chest, like it was his armor, walks toward street to see what else he can find.)

SCENE 5

Setting: On the streets in Brazzaville, still in the Charles de Gaulle Plateauville quarters. Same day early afternoon. At Rise: Hope rummaging around looking for glass jar and other trinkets decorate hubcap and make into a mirror for Cora.

HOPE: Outch! (Feels something hitting his head, hand on head. Turns around and sees Egu standing not far from him.)

EGU: Hey! What are you doing? (Walks to Hope.)

HOPE: What do you want?

EGU: (Slaps the hubcap hard enough so Cora takes a step back to hold his balance.) What’s this, your armor? (Cora starts to walk way. Egu grabs the rope along Cora’s back and pulls him back to him.)

HOPE: Stop! (Pushes Egu’s arm away and tries to walk away again but Egu smacks him on the head.)

EGU: You’re just a little nobody don’t forget that! (Tries to take hubcap off Hope.)

HOPE: Noooooo! (Fights back. Tries to run.)

EGU: You’re not going anywhere! (Takes knife out of his back pocket. Tries to cut the rope but cuts Hope’s right scapula just deep enough to draw blood.)

HOPE: AAAAAAAA! (Bends over screaming with pain, grabs hubcap, turns around fast and with all his strength smacks Egu across the head with the hubcap, leaving a dent in the hubcap. Hope runs away very fast, leaving Hope behind on the ground holding his head.)

EME: What happened to you?

EGU: Hope hit me.

EME: Why?

EGU: I don’t know. EME: I know where he lives.

SCENE 6

Setting: At the hut. Cora is making jewelry. Late afternoon, just before sunset. At Rise: Hope arrives home, whimpering, holding his right shoulder.

CORA: What happened to you?

HOPE: Nothing.

CORA: Why are you crying?

HOPE: Nothing, leave me alone.

CORA: You’re bleeding! What happened?

HOPE: Nothing, leave me alonnnnne!

CORA: Hope, come sit here (gestures toward sitting stool next to cooking area. Cora dips hem of her dress in pot of water and cleans wound.) This looks like a cut. How did this happen?

HOPE: I fell.

CORA: How did the rope get cut?

HOPE: I don’t know. Must of cut through the rope first. (Attempts to get up and walk away when he sees Prostitute 2 and Man 5, Cora gently puts hand on his shoulder gesturing for him to stay there.)

PROSTITUTE 2: What happened to him? (Hands money to Cora.)

CORA: He fell PROSTITUTE 2: (To Hope.) What’s that you got there (looking at hubcap resting on his lap.)

HOPE: A mirror (keeps head down.)

CORA: Hope is very handy with things. He’s making me a mirror.

PROSTITUTE 2: What else are you good at, little man? (hand on hip.)

CORA: The hut is free. You can go in (Prostitute 2 and Man 5 walk to hut and enter.) (Beat.) (To Hope.) You should try being a bit nicer to her when she done. Be careful with her, she can get cross at times.

HOPE: I don’t like her. She always looks at me.

CORA: We want her to keep using our hut, so be nice to her.

HOPE: She never takes long anyway. I’ll let her use the mirror when she comes out.

CORA: That’s nice of you. (Beat.) There, it’s clean now. It’s stopped bleeding as well. (Before Hope could get up Prostitute 2 and Man 5 come out of the hut.)

HOPE: (To Cora, whispering.) Wow, that was really fast.

CORA: Go show her your mirror and asked if she needs to use it.

HOPE: (Walks towards Prostitute 2, Man 5 leaves). Would you like to see my mirror? (Holding it high enough for her to see her reflection.)

PROSTITUTE 2: Ya, let me see that (Hope reluctantly lets go of it. Prostitute 2 has a good look at herself.) You ever had a woman before? HOPE: (Just stares up at Prostitute.)

PROSTITUTE 2: (Still holding mirror she pulls up her dress along her thigh.) A little of this for this (gesturing at the hubcap in her hand.)

HOPE: (Quickly grabs the hubcap from her hand, starts to walk away.)

CORA: Hope, go get me the broom.

PROSTITUTE 2: (To Hope.) Might want to use that again next time I’m here.

HOPE: That shouldn’t be too long then. (Walks to side of hut to get broom and bring back to Cora. Prostitute 2 smirks and leaves.) (Beat.) (To Cora) Papa should be home soon.

CORA: You must have felt him near by, there he is coming out of the taxi. It was a good day.

HOPE: (To Papa, with excitement in his voice) Papa. (Walks towards him but stops cold in his tracks, then continues toward Papa to help him out of the taxi, while the taxi driver stares at him intensely without saying a word.)

MONDELE: (To Papa and Hope.) Good evening.

PAPA & HOPE: Good evening Madame.

SCENE 7

Setting: Next day. Sunrise. Hope fixes rope to hubcap. Mondele sipping tea on balcony, waves good morning to Hope, he waves and slings hubcap over shoulder and goes back to road to find things to decorate the hubcap and finish making the mirror.

SCENE 8

Setting: End of day. Mondele walking home on main road where Hope found the hubcap. Many people are gathered in one area near the ditch, she recognizes Papa and Cora, they are crying. Mondele approaches, she recognizes the small foot sticking out of the ditch. There lay Hope, blood covering his head and the hubcap nowhere to be found.

END OF PLAY

Suzanne Mondoux

September 22, 2010