Desirae Brown/Johnson is devastated when she suffers through and her youngest daughter Jazmine, suffers that same fate.

1. 1
Waiting for Justice
______________________
By Kimberly Burks

2. 2
Scene

3. 3
Act I
Scene I
SETTING The sweet city of Atlanta, Georgia,
where Desirae Brown is to attend The
University of Georgia, but her plans
are changed when she meets Daniel
Johnson, who she marries. Desirae and
Daniel walk into the
house, with Bill, Daniel’s best friend
behind them. Daniel walks into the
living room and sits down, while Bill
sits on the bar stool by the wall.
Bill It is not your fault, Daniel.
Daniel But I should have protected her more,
and our honeymoon is ruined. If I know
Desirae, she is in the bedroom crying
her eyes out.

4. 4
BILL And if she loves you, she would
understand. At least you both came home
alive.
DANIEL But everything was so messed up. I
can’t believe the stage blew up where
they shot off fireworks in Rome. The
place was horrifying. Our honeymoon.
God, how much worse can it be?
BILL You could be dead.
(Bill easily turns back and forth in his chair)
DANIEL I can’t believe this turned out this
way. What supposed to memorable
was a straight out disaster.
BILL Doesn’t mean you can’t fix it.
(Daniel gets up and walks toward the end of the stage while
touching his fractured arm.)
DANIEL I know, Bill.
BILL There is reason why you are still here.

5. 5
BILL (CONTINUES) You have work to do. You can’t keep
focusing on what happened in Rome.
Let that go.
(BILL stands up to leave.)
BILL Desirae is your main concern.
(grabs his coat off the arm of the chair.)
DANIEL Thank you, Bill.
(BILL walks off the stage, as DESIRAE walks in the living room.
Daniel stares across a quiet room.)
DESIRAE Daniel?
(DANIEL turns around toward DESIRAE with his arms folded.)
DANIEL Yes.
(Takes in a huge breath.)
DESIRAE Are you alright?
DANIEL Yes, I am fine. The question is, are
You alright?
DESIRAE Yes, I am good. I am a little sore,
but I am doing very well.

6. 6
(sits down on the couch as she smiles. DANIEL walks and sits
next to her.)
DANIEL Desirae, I am so sorry. I feel so bad
about everything.
DESIRAE It is not your fault, Daniel. You did
did not know that this would happen.
DANIEL It is not just you. I feel bad for
everyone who was involved.
(scoots to the front of the seat, places his arm on his legs and
stares at the floor as if he was far away.)
DESIRAE And that is why I love you.
(puts hand on DANIEL’S back.)
Continues Do not worry about our honeymoon. We
can go somewhere else later on.
DANIEL Like where? Where do you want to go?
DESIRAE I am going to let you pick that out,
but let’s talk about that later. We
need to get you to the doctor.

7. 7
DANIEL Yeah. I am going to have Bill take me
tomorrow.
(DESIRAE notices a small grin on DANIEL’S face.)
DESIRAE You love him, don’t you, Daniel?
DANIEL I would not be much of a brother if
I didn’t. I cannot believe that it
has been twenty years since we
met, and we are both medical students.
DESIRAE Yeah, that is pretty cool.
(smiles and kisses DANIEL on the forehead.)
CONTINUES You don’t know what you would do if
you lost him, do you?
DANIEL I honestly don’t. He is my blood.
DESIRAE Well, that is good that you are close.
I am going to make dinner. I love you.
(stands up and walks toward the exit stage.)
DANIEL Desirae?
(DESIRAE turns around to him.)
DANIEL I love you.

8. 8
(rubs slinged arm.)
DESIRAE I love you too, and I will bring you
your medicine.
(END OF SCENE)

9. 9
ACT I
SCENE II
SETTING The year is 2010 and Daniel and
Desire now have two daughters
JAZMINE, 9 and BELINDA, 15.
It is evening and Daniel is now a
Pediatrician, sitting in his own
Office at the Atlanta Medical
Center. Daniel is at his desk
looking over business papers, and
suddenly the phone rings.
DANIEL Hello.
CONTINUES Bill, are you drunk?
(stands up as a worried look appears on his face.)
CONTINUES You are driving while you are
drunk.
(eyes buckle wide. Places hand over his mouth. Quickly places it
on his chest.)

10. 10
CONTINUES Stop that car right now, Bill!
Stop before you get yourself in an
accident, or even worse! Killed!
(silence hit DANIEL’S ears. He hears the sound sirens)
CONTINUES I hear an ambulance.
(presses a button on his desk. A few seconds later nurse Greer
walks in, who stands pretty heavy in her white uniform, very
quiet, with a broad look on her face.
CONTINUES Nurse Greer, I have to leave. Can
you cancel the rest of my appointments
for today, please.
NURSE GREER Yes, I will get on that now, sir.
(DANIEL puts on his jacket, slams the phone down and exits the
stage.)
(END OF SCENE)
ACT I
SCENE III

11. 11
SETTING It is a warm night, at Desirae’s
house. She walks to Jazmine’s room
and stares at her as she plays with
her domino’s.
(Desirae runs after her.)
DESIRAE Rrrrrrh. What are you doing?
JAZMINE Hi mommy.
(smiles)
DESIRAE Hello, young lady. How are you?
(JAZMINE walks toward her.)
JAZMINE I missed you.
(hugs Desirae)
DESIRAE You are trying to kill me. Let me go.
(joking manner.)
(walks JAZMINE to the bed and they fall on it.)
CONTINUES Where is your sister?
(JAZMINE smiles heavily.)
(BELINDA enters the room.)
BELINDA Here I am.

12. 12
DESIRAE You just getting home?
(BELINDA stares at DESIRAE and rolls her eyes jokingly.)
BELINDA Mom, if I got home late who would
watch Jazmine?
(gets clothes out of the clothes basket.)
DESIRAE Well I did not see you when I came in
Belinda. I am sorry.
(DESIRAE sits up along with Jazmine as a slight grin appears on
her face. Keys are heard. DANIEL walks into the room, uniform
filthy dirty as if he was beat. DESIRAE places her hand over her
mouth.)
(BELINDA stares at DANIEL with a shocked expression on her face.
JAZMINE stares at DANIEL scared.)
DESIRAE What happened to you?
(stands up and turns her back toward DANIEL. Cries. DANIEL grabs
DESIRAE by the arm.)
DANIEL (slurred voice.) Don’t you ever turn your back on me.
DESIRAE (yells) Get your hands off of me, Daniel!
(DESIRAE breaks away, BELINDA and JAZMINE looks at the doorway,
as their mother is tortured. DANIEL looks at BELINDA as she
stares at him with her arms folded.)

13. 13
DANIEL (angry) Is there a problem, Belinda?
(BELINDA runs toward the door, grabs JAZMINE by the hand. DANIEL
runs after her. DESIRAE quickly pulls him by the arm.)
DESIRAE Daniel.
(DANIEL turns around as BELINDA hurries down the hallway with
JAZMINE.)
DESIRAE (CONTINUES) Don’t. It is alright. Come here.
(DANIEL slowly walks to Desirae. He puts his hand to his head.)
DANIEL Oh my God. Did I just run after my
daughter?
(sits down on JAZMINE’S bed.)
(CONTINUES) (calmly) I charged at my daughter?
(DANIEL walks across a quiet room in thought about what he just
did.)
DESIRAE What is wrong with you, Daniel?
You come in smelling like a brewery
and then you go after our daughter?
(DANIEL walks over to DESIRAE as she sits on the bed.)
DANIEL I am so sorry, Desirae. I am just

14. 14
going through some tough times.
DESIRAE (calmly) Are those times more important than our
family?
DESIRAE No, they are not. Bill’s death has
taken a real hit on me.
(takes DESIRAE’S hand as she sits on the bed.)
(CONTINUES) He was like a brother to me.
DESIRAE Daniel, the way you are now is totally
different from the man I met. You
are changing and it is affecting our
children.
(DANIEL stands up and walks across the room in silence. He puts
his head down in shame with his hand placed on his hip.
DANIEL Desirae, I just lost my best friend.
(takes a breath.)
(CONTINUES) I am stressed out at work every day.
(turns around toward DESIRAE. She sits in silence and places her
hands on her legs.)
DESIRAE Daniel, I want a divorce. I cannot put

15. 15
my daughters in jeopardy because you
want to be stuck on Bill’s death.
(DANIEL hugs her.)
DANIEL No, listen.
(DESIRAE shakes her head and stands up as DANIEL takes her
hands. She snatches them away.)
DESIRAE No, you listen. I have tried to help
and,
(turns away from him.)
(CONTINUES) It seems that it is not working.
(turns back toward DANIEL.)
(CONTINUES) I am tired of Belinda and Jazmine
seeing you talk to me this way.
(cries.)
DANIEL Desirae, I love you and I am sorry.
(places hands on DESIRAE’S shoulders.)
(CONTINUES) I promise. I will change.
(silence hits DANIEL’S ears. DESIRAE stares with untrustworthy
eyes at him. She folds her arms and takes a breath.)

16. 16
DESIRAE Alright, Daniel. I will give you one
more chance. If it happens again I
am out of here.
(DANIEL hugs her, DESIRAE breaths heavily.)
CONTINUES Daniel?
(DANIEL looks at her and smiles.)
DANIEL Yes?
DESIRAE Take a bath, please.
(DANIEL runs off the stage.)
(END OF SCENE)

17. 17
ACT I
SCENE IV
SETTING: Desirae settles in her new home
in Pennsylvania, on Madison street,
in late evening.
She is in the living room, unpacking
things for her dining room as she
humms. She hears mail drop through
her mail slot. Belinda is on the
couch watching Jazmine as she falls
asleep on the floor. She notices
Desirae as she stands by the stairs
with the letter in her hand.
BELINDA Mom, are you alright?
(moves to the front of the couch.)
DESIRAE No, Belinda, I am not. I received a
letter in the mail.
(sits on the couch next to BELINDA.)
(CONTINUES) It is from the prison.
(BELINDA stares at Desirae with a scared expression.)
BELINDA Mom, are they going to let Daddy
out?
DESIRAE No, he will never see the light of
day again.

18. 18
BELINDA Then what is it, Mommy?
(JAZMINE sits up on the on the floor.)
(CONTINUES) Mom, whatever it is just say it.
(DESIRAE takes a breath.)
DESIRAE Ok, here it is. Daniel is dead. He
hung himself in his cell.
BELINDA What are they going to do? Are we
going to his funeral?
DESIRAE I don’t know if I want to take you back
to Georgia. You and Jazmine have seen
enough.
BELINDA Let’s go to his funeral. He is our
father.
(leans back on the couch. Closes eyes.)
DESIRAE Are you sure you want to do this?
JAZMINE I don’t like this, Mommy.
(gets up and sits on the couch next to DESIRAE.)
DESIRAE You will be fine.
(stokes JAZMINE’S black hair.)
BELINDA When will the funeral be?

19. 19
(shuts off television.)
DESIRAE Next Friday.
(JAZMINE places hand over her mouth as she cries. BELINDA turns
off television.)
(CONTINUES) We will go and everything will be ok.
It will be alright.
(DESIRAE hugs JAZMINE as BELINDA cries. Desirae places her hand
on her shoulder.)
BELINDA I hope so, Mommy. He caused us nothing
but heartache and grief. What kind of
man knocks his daughter and pushes his
youngest daughter on the floor? What
kind of man beats his wife?
DESIRAE I don’t now, Belinda.
BELINDA Nobody would do that to the people who
they love. He chose Bill over us.
DESIRAE I know. That is what it seems like.
(JAZMINE lays her head on DESIRAE’S lap.)
JAZMINE Mom, will you ever date again or get
married?

20. 20
(looks at DESIRAE in her eyes.)
DESIRAE That is far from my mind. My first
priority is take care of you both. I
will probably never marry again. I
have to concentrate on raising the
two of you. Let’s just take care of
Daniel first.
BELINDA Mommy, you can’t give up on your life
because of this.
DESIRAE I won’t. My first priority is you two.
BELINDA So where will they bury, daddy?
(rest her arm on the back of the couch.)
DESIRAE At Atlanta Cemetery not far from where
we lived before. We will go there and
pay our last respect and we will leave.
BELINDA Sounds like a plan to me, Mommy. I will
fix us some tea.
DESIRAE Thank you.
(END OF SCENE)

21. 21
ACT I
SCENE V
SETTING It is 2012 and Desirae is a
receptionist. Jazmine is a
high school student and Belinda is a
nurse.
AFTERNOON Desirae is in the kitchen making
dinner at the stove on a very bright,
and beautiful afternoon. Jazmine runs
into house from school.
JAZMINE Mom, can I please spend the night over
friend’s?
(DESIRAE stares at JAZMINE with unsure expression on her face.)
DESIRAE And where does your friend live, and
who is she?
(Turns down fire on stove. Turns around toward Jazmine with her
hand on her hip.)
JAZMINE One street over and her name is
Germany Peterson. A friend from
highschool.
(Walks toward Desirae.)
DESIRAE Jazmine, I don’t even now these people.

22. 22
JAZMINE Please mommy. Please.
(Puts her hands together as if she is praying. Places a sad
expression on her face. Bottom lip poked out. Belinda walks in
the kitchen and stares at the food on the stove.)
BELINDA Mom, let her go. It I will give her a
Chance to do things on her own. She
is twelve now.
(Passes DESIRAE and sits down at the kitchen table.)
DESIRAE Belinda, now you know I do not
like Jazmine staying with
anybody.
BELINDA She needs to get out of the house.
Let her go, Mom.
(Taps on the table, lightly. DESIRAE stares at BELINDA with a
mad expression on her face.)
DESIRAE Alright Jazmine, but I need to speak
with her mom.
JAZMINE I already gave her our number. She is
going to call you.
(Kitchen phone rings. Everyone turns their heads toward the
wall. DESIRAE places her hand on her hip.)
DESIRAE Well, I wonder who this could be.
(BELINDA places her hand over her mouth and laughs. She answers
it.)

23. 23
BELINDA Mom, it is for you.
(JAZMINE looks at DESIRAE and places a fake smile on her face.
DESIRAE answers.)
DESIRAE Yes, how can I help you?
(Turns toward JAZMINE.)
CONTINUES Ok, she can go. When will she be back?
(Places her hand on JAZMINE’S shoulder.)
CONTINUES She will be back tomorrow and you will
be over in twenty minutes to pick her
up. Ok. Thank you, Mrs. Peterson, she
will be,
(JAZMINE takes off in the room. DESIRAE hangs up.)
CONTINUES Uh, huh! You better run knuckle head.
Thanks for telling me ahead of time
that were going over somebody’s house.
(BELINDA laughs. DESIRAE stares at BELINDA out the corner of her
eyes with her arms crossed. BELINDA heads for JAZMINE’S ROOM.)
BELINDA I think I will go help Jazmine get her
clothes together.
DESIRAE I think you should too.
(Belinda takes off toward Jazmine’s room, as a smile comes
across her face. DESIRAE hmms toward the sink, shaking her
head.)

24. 24
CONTINUES Kids. What can I do with them, but love
them?
(A knock is heard at the door.)
CONTINUES Who is it?
(continues to wash dishes.)
MELISSA Melissa Peterson. I am Germany’s
Mother.
(DESIRAE wipes her hands on a dish towel.)
DESIRAE Just one moment, please.
(walks to door and answers it. Melissa is there with Germany,
her fifteen year old daughter. JAZMINE runs into the kitchen.)
MELISSA Mrs. Johnson.
DESIRAE Yes. Come in please.
(MELISSA and GERMANY walk in as Jazmine grabs Germany by the
hand. They both exit the stage.)
CONTINUE Please, have a seat.
(They both sit at the kitchen table.)
CONTINUE So what do you do, Melissa?
MELISSA I own two hair salons and I am about
build one down the street from my
house. And what do you do?
(Looks around the kitchen.)

25. 25
DESIRAE I work at a software company. I am
a secretary.
(looks ashamed.)
CONTINUES I plan to go back to school and become
a nurse.
MELISSA You look ashamed of being a secretary.
(DESIRAE shrugs her shoulders.)
CONTINUE There is nothing wrong with being a
secretary, Desirae. It pays the bills.
(MELISSA walks into the kitchen.)
GERMANY Mom, let’s go. I want to take Jasmine
home.
(MELISSA stares at GERMANY upset.)
MELISSA Germany, must you interrupt us as we
talk?
GERMANY I am sorry.
(Pulls on MELISSA’S arm.)
DESIRAE It is ok. I will talk to you later,
Melissa, and it was nice meeting you.
(MELISSA stands up and heads for the door. JASMINE runs out of
her room with her suitcase.)

26. 26
JASMINE Bye, mommy.
(Kisses DESIRAE on the cheek, MELISSA walks toward the door with
GERMANY by her side.)
DESIRAE Bye, Jasmine and be good.
JASMINE I will. I promise.
(JAZMINE AND GERMANY run out of the door.)
MELISSA I will have her home by tomorrow
evening.
(BELINDA walks in and sits at the kitchen table. DESIRAE notices
her as she picks a magazine off of the table.)
DESIRAE Melissa, this is my oldest daughter,
Belinda.
(BELINDA smiles.)
MELISSA Nice to meet you.
BELINDA And also.
MELISSA Have a good night.
(Walks off the stage as cold look appears on Desirae’s face.
BELINDA Mom, she will be fine.
(walks up to DESIRAE and kisses her. BELINDA walks in her room.)
DESIRAE I hope so.
(END OF SCENE)

27. 27
ACT I
SCENE VI
SETTING The year is 2015 and Desirae walks
into her cozy home to see Jazmine
on the couch, where Jonathan Seavers,
a business owner and a college
recruiter, who sits across from her.
Jonathan stares at Desirae.
EVENING Desirae places her coat on the coat
pole and a phony smile stretches
Across her face.
JAZMINE Hi, Mom.
DESIRAE Hi, honey.
(stares at Jonathan.)
CONTINUES Jazmine, who is this strange person
in my house?
(JONATHAN stands up.)
JAZMINE This is Mr. Seavers, Mom. He is a
college representative and helps
students get their aid to go to
college.
(JONATHAN walks toward DESIRAE and puts his hand out to her.)

28. 28
JONATHAN (smiles) Jonathan Seavers, nice to meet you.
DESIRAE Yes, I was told.
CONTINUE Jazmine, why is there a man in my house
without my permission?
JAZMINE He is the recruiter I told you about
week, mom.
DESIRAE I don’t remember you telling me
anything about this.
JAZMINE We discussed it, Mom. You have been so
busy that you don’t remember. It was
last week when I told you about getting
into Harvard.
(DESIRAE walks to the middle of the floor with a confused
expression on her face.)
DESIRAE Wait a minute. I do remember, Jazmine,
and your right. I have been busy.
(turns around to JAZMINE. JONATHAN stares on, while the tension
in the room gets hot.)
JONATHAN Listen, I don’t want to intrude, so I
will leave.
DESIRAE Mr. Seavers, is that your name?
(walks toward him.)

29. 29
JONATHAN Yes.
(BELINDA walks in, puts keys and purse on table.)
DESIRAE Shut up.
JONATHAN Ok.
(sits back down on the love seat.)
BELINDA Mom, what is wrong with you?
(JAZMINE and BELINDA giggles. DESIRAE points at both of them.)
CONTINUES Hi, I am Belinda. Jazmine’s sister. She
told us that are helping her with
college.
JONATHAN Yes, I am.
(BELINDA AND JAZMINE sit on the couch.)
DESIRAE What do you plan to do for Jazmine, Mr.
Seavers?
JONATHAN Your daughter is extremely intelligent.
She has a great future, Mrs. Johnson,
and I believe she can get into Harvard.
(grabs his briefcase rom beside the chair and pulls papers out
of it.)
CONTINUES Jazmine, what I hold in my hand is
worth gold.

30. 30
DESIRAE And what does that mean, Mr. Seavers?
(walks beside the couch, next to JAZMINE. JONATHAN smiles.)
JONATHAN Jazmine, you got into Harvard, and you
have a full scholarship that will pay
your tuition including your books.
(hands JAZMINE the paper and she accepts them.)
BELINDA Well that is a good thing. Mom
doesn’t have to pay for your
school.
JAZMINE I am going to call Germany.
(holds paper to chest and exits the room. DESIRAE stands up off
the arm of the couch.)
DESIRAE Thanks you, Mr. Seavers. I have never
seen her so happy.
JONATHAN Your welcome.
(stands up, and shakes DESIRAE’S hand.)
CONTINUES It is nice to meet you.
DESIRAE You also.
(BELINDA stares at them with a smile, as she picks a magazine
off of the night stand.)
BELINDA Belinda, should I leave you too alone?

31. 31
DESIRAE Shut up, Belinda. Don’t you have
anything else to do?
BELINDA And miss all the love? Nahhh.
(smiles and waves her hand jokingly. DESIRAE goes after BELINDA
and she quickly runs out of the room. JONATHAN laughs.)
JONATHAN I take it both of your daughters are
pretty exciting.
(picks his suitcase off the floor.)
DESIRAE Yes, constantly.
JONATHAN Jazmine has a very promising future. If
She keep her head straight she will be
on top of the world.
(walks toward the door.)
DESIRAE Yeah, She will be. It is really
Relaxing to talk to you.
JONATHAN Thank you. Would you like to go out?
DESIRAE It is too soon for that.
JONATHAN Come on. I promise I will not bite.
DESIRAE Ok. I will take you up on that.
JONATHAN How about Friday.

32. 32
DESIRE Eight o’clock.
JONATHAN I will see you than.
(JONATHAN walks off the stage. He turns around and sees BELINDA
and JAZMINE with a big smile on their faces.)
JAZMINE AND BELINDA Hi Mom.
DESIRAE Don’t start with me.
(they run to her. DESIRAE runs and sits on the couch. JAZMINE
and BELINDA sit on the couch in front of her.)
JAZMINE I am so happy for you.
BELINDA Yeah, Mom.
DESIRAE First date in six years.
(takes a huge breath as she loosens her shirt.)
CONTINUES What do I do?
(BELINDA and JAZMINE hug her.)
(END OF SCENE)

33. 33
ACT I
SCENE VII
SETTING Desirae and Jonathan are married. It
is day, they move into their new home
in Pennsylvania. Jazmine adores
Jonathan, Belinda has her doubts due
to the mysterious background that no
one knows about and his heavy
drinking.
Belinda moves into her own place due
to Jonathan, and Desirae must find a
way to live on without her in her
house.
Desirae and Belinda are at work, and
Jazmine enters the house, and heads
to her room. Jonathan stares across
the living room with his eyes
drilled onto her figure. Drunk, he
slowly walks to her room and places
his newspaper on the coffee as he
does.
Jazmine looks up to see him, as he
walks in and sits on her bed.
JAZMINE What do you want?
(nervously)

34. 34
JONATHAN I want you.
(angrily)
(JONATHAN falls on top of JAZMIN. She screams and struggles to
get free.)
JAZMINE (yells angrily) Get off of me!
JONATHAN Shut up.
(puts hand over JAZMINE’S mouth.)
JAZMINE Jonathan, please get off me!
Get of me! Get off.
(struggles to get away.)
JONATHAN (slurs) If you yell again, I will kill you.
(holds JAZMINE’S mouth and slowly lifts off of her. He fixes his
pain as JAZMINE moves in agony. JONATHAN walks toward the door
and looks back.)
JONATHAN You say anything to your mother or
you and your sister, I will kill you.
(JONATHAN walk ou of the room. JAZMINE gets up in pain as she
stands on the floor with her hand on her stomach. Struggles to
walk to the door.)
JAZMINE Mommy, mommy!!!!!!!!!!!!
(falls to the floor.)
(DESIRAE walks in and sees JAZMINE.)
DESIRAE Oh My God!
(runs to her and kneels down to the floor.)

35. 35
CONTINUES Jazmine, what happened? Wake up.
(JAZMINE eases her eyes open.)
JAZMINE (struggles) Mommy, mommy.
DESIRAE Sweetheart, what happened to you?
JAZMINE Jonathan, raped me.
(quietness is heard, unbelievable look on DESIRAE’S face.)
DESIRAE Are you sure about that, Jazmine?
JAZMINE Yes, mommy.
(cries.)
DESIRAE Oh, my God. No no. Hold on I will
Call an ambulance.
(DESIRAE steps to the side, and takes her cell phone out of her
pocket.)
JAZMINE Mom, why did this happen?
(moves her legs up and down in pain. Cries.)
DESIRAE Yes, I am going to need an ambulance.
My daughter is in pain. It looks like
she has been raped.
(DESIRAE kneels down to JAZMINE and kisses her on the forehead.)
CONTINUES 15108 Promenade Drive. Upstairs.
Thank you.

36. 36
(DESIRAE hangs up the phone and places it on the floor.)
JAZMINE Mommy, Jonathan was drunk.
DESIRAE that is no excuse for what he did to
you, but don’t you worry. I am going to
take care of him. Stay still.
(the paramedics are heard at the door.)
PARAMEDIC Hello.
DESIRAE (yells) Come in!
(the paramedics walk in with their medical bags and place it on
the floor. One walks to DESIRAE as she sits frozen in tears.)
PARAMEDIC II Mam’e, can you hear me?
(paramedic I, looks at DESIRAE as she prepares JAZMINE for
transport.)
DESIRAE Yes, I am fine.
(the paramedics place JAZMINE on the cot and rolls her out the
room.)
CONTINUES I will be right behind you, Jazmine.
(in tears, DESIRAE runs to her phone that sits Jazmine’s night
stand and calls BELIDNA.)
CONTINUES Belinda, meet me at Lukechester
Hospital. Jazmine has just been raped.
(slams down the phone, walks toward the door and stops.)

37. 37
CONTINUES Jonathan, you have made a big mistake
when it comes to mine. If it takes the
rest of my life, you will pay for what
you did to Jazmine. You can bet on
that.
(wipes eyes and runs out the door.)
(END OF SCENE)

38. 38
ACT I
SCENE VIII
SETTING Luke Chester Hospital is where
Jazmine is taken. She is admitted
into her own room and Desirae shortly
walks in. The rooms are busy, while
the hallways stand crowded.
EVENING DESIRAE slowly closes the curtain for
privacy. She looks at JAZMINE as she
moans in pain. She glances to the
side and sees a hospital phone that
rests on the night stand.
DESIRAE who would let their child go through
this?
(places hand on head, and picks up the phone to call JONATHAN.)
CONTINUES Dam! The answer machine. Jonathan when
you get this message, call me.
(DESIRAE kneels down to the floor and cries. DR. MARK JOHNSON, a
pediatrician, walks in and looks at her as she sits in torment.)
DR.JOHNSON Mam’e, are you ok?
(kneels down to her.)
DESIRAE No, I am not.
(looks up at Dr. Johnson.)
DR. JOHNSON Is there something I can help you with?

39. 39
DESIRAE Who are you?
DR. JOHNSON Dr. Mark Johnson. I am the senior
pediatrician here at the hospital.
(DESIRAE looks at DR.JOHNSON who is familiar to her.)
DESIRAE I know you from somewhere.
DR. JOHNSON You are familiar to me too. would
you like to know why? Because we went
to high school together.
DESIRAE I do remember you. It is not a good
time to remember anyone.
(quietness)
CONTINUES Mark Johnson.
DR. JOHNSON Let me help you up.
(DR. JOHNSON gently grabs her arm and she stands as she hears a
small voice.)
JAZMINE Mom, where are you?
(JAZMINE sits up. DESIRAE slowly lays her back down, and kisses
her on the head.)
DESIRAE Relax, Jazmine. You are going to be
fine.
(JAZMINE kicks and is out of control.)

40. 40
JAZMINE No, mommy!
DESIRAE Jazmine, calm down, baby.
(DR. JOHNSON runs to the door.)
DR. JOHNSON Nurse, bring me a sedative, stat!
(DESIRAE stares in confusion, as she holds JAZMINE tight. DR.
JOHNSON holds her down by the arms. The nurse runs in and gives
the syringe to the dr.)
DR. JOHNSON Desirae, this is only a sedative. It
will calm her down.
(turns JAZMINE over and sticks her as she continues to kick. She
screams in horror.)
JAZMINE Mom, make him stop! Get away from me!
(pushes DR. JOHNSON toward the wall. He approaches her bed and
holds JAZMINE tighter.)
DESIRAE Jazmine, calm down. You will be
alright. Dr. Johnson is trying to help
you.
JAZMINE (screams) I am tired of people hurting me,
mommy.
(DR. JOHNSON is successful in administering, the medication.)
JAZMINE (cries) Owwwww, Mommy!
(DESIRAE hugs her. DR. JOHNSON covers JAZMINE’S back. She slowly
closes her eyes and falls asleep.)

41. 41
DR. JOHNSON Let’s step to the side, Desirae.
(DR. JOHNSON and DESIRAE walk a little ways toward the door.)
CONTINUES Desirae, you need to get Jazmine some
help, and do it as soon as possible.
Jazmine also has blood coming from her
legs and we need to find out where it
is coming from. I want to have her
admitted and do some test on her.
(DESIRAE puts her hand over her mouth, while DR. JOHNSON stares
at her loss expression.)
CONTINUES Desirae, can you hear me?
(DESIRAE places her arms snuggly around her body.)
DESIRAE Why is it so cold in here?
(DR. JOHNSON touches DESIRAE’S head.)
DR. JOHNSON You are breaking out in a cold sweat.
(DESIRAE breaths heavily.)
CONTINUES I will get you a blanket.
DESIRAE Alright.
(DR. JOHNSON places blanket over DESIRAE’S body.)
CONTINUES I have to call Jonathan.
(DR. JOHNSON kneels in front of her.)
JONATHAN Who is Jonathan?

42. 42
DESIRAE He is my husband and he raped
Jazmine.
MARK Call me Mark. Where kind of person did
you marry?
(rubs DESIRAE’S hands.)
DESIRAE I don’t now, Mark.
(stands up and walks toward the middle of the floor.)
CONTINUES I thought I knew him, but apparently
I didn’t.
(turns around to MARK.)
I Just hope they catch him.
(looks at JAZMINE as she sleeps.)
CONTINUES He has to be reported.
(MARK takes his hands out of his pocket and stares at the
computer with JAZMINE information on it.)
MARK You make that call and I will be back.
(DESIRAE shakes her head in agreement. MARK grins at her and
walks out. She runs to pick the phone up beside that bed.)
DESIRAE God, Please be with me.
(picks up the phone.)
CONTINUES Yes, I need to report that my husband
has raped my daughter.
(stands on the side of JAZMINES bed watching as she pleasantly
sleeps.)

43. 43
CONTINUES My daughter’s name is Jazmine
Johnson and my husband’s name
is Jonathan Seavers.
(rubs Jazmine’s forehead as she sleeps.)
CONTINUES She is at Luke Chester Memorial
Hospital.
(takes a breath.)
CONTINUES Thank you. I will be there soon
to fill out a report.
(hangs up the phone. Kisses JAZMINE on the forehead. MARK walks
in as she sits down in the chair with her eyes on her daughter.)
CONTINUES This isn’t supposed to be happening.
(MARK’S pager goes off. He looks at it and removes it from his
pants.)
MARK Desirae, I have to go, but I will be
back later.
DESIRAE Alright, Mark. Thank you for
everything.
(walks over to JAZMINE.
MARK Will you be alright?
(places hands in lab jacket.)
DESIRAE Yes, I will be fine.
(grabs JAZMINE’S hand.)

44. 44
MARK That was not very convincing.
(giggles.)
DESIRAE I will be fine. My oldest daughter
is on her way.
MARK I will meet your oldest daughter too.
DESIRAE Alright.
(smiles warmly and MARK walks out.)
(END OF SCENE)

45. 45
ACT II
SCENE I
SETTING Pennsylvania Sherriff’s department.
Desirae meets with Detective Michael
Davis, a veteran, who escorts Desirae
Through a busy unit toward the back
where her meeting is to take place
with Jonathan.
EVENING Jonathan sits at a wooden table where
several police officers watch over
him. He looks toward the door and see
a familiar face. Desirae walks in
with officers beside her. She gives
him a hard look as his lawyer, Martin
Brooks sits beside him. Desirae sits
down across from him.
DESIRAE Why Jonathan? Why
(JONATHAN stares at her lost. Silence fills the room.)
CONTINUES Are you going to answer my question
Jonathan, or are you going to just
sit there like nothing happened?
JONATHAN What question?
DESIRAE Why did you rape, Jazmine?

46. 46
JONATHAN I never raped anybody. She is lying.
(DESIRAE bangs on the table.)
DESIRAE Don’t you ever call my daughter a liar!
(MR. BROOKS touches JONATHAN’S shoulders.)
MARTIN Detective, Please control her.
DESIRAE My daughter is in the hospital
because of you. Jonathan, you
violated her and she will never trust
anyone again.
JONATHAN (yells) Desirae, I did not rape anyone!
DESIRAE Jonathan, I trusted you with my
daughter. You embarrassed me, you
stole Jazmine’s privacy from her, but
everything will be alright.
(stands up and voice esculates.)
CONTINUES You stay away from my daughters, or
I will kill you myself.
(bangs on the table.)
MR. BROOKS Detective, I am ask you one more time
will you please control Mrs. Seavers?
Make her sit down.
(smiles slickly as he stares at DETECTIVE DAVIS.)

47. 47
JONATHAN You threatening me in front of the
police?
DESIRAE (yells) Dam it! I don’t care if the police are
around! You raped my daughter and that
draws the line with me!
(points at JONATHAN.)
CONTINUES Not only did you rape her, you shot an
officer, and you caused several people
to die including a sixth month old
baby. I hope rot in hell.
(rolls her eyes away from JONATHAN and sits down. Places her
head on the table. JONATHAN brings his hand toward her head.
Detective Davis moves closer to the table.)
DETECTIVE DAVIS Don’t touch her.
MR. BROOKS Jonathan, don’t touch her.
(writes on his notepad as DESIRAE lifts her head up.)
DESIRAE Don’t you ever touch me again and I
Mean it.
JONATHAN That is the way its going to be, right?
DESIRAE I guess it is.
JONATHAN This is Jazmine’s fault! She is the
cause of all of this!

48. 48
MR. BROOKS Jonathan, you need to calm yourself
down.
(DESIRAE stares at JONATHAN upset.)
JONATHAN That is ok, because I don’t need you
or that sorry ass child of yours.
(out of anger, DESIRAE punches JONATHAN in the mouth and knocks
the table over on him. JONATHAN quickly grabs her by the
shirt.)
MR. BROOKS Jonathan, let her go!
(the police grab JONATHAN and he releases DESIRAE.)
DESIRAE You keep my daughter’s name out of your
Mouth and I mean it!
JONATHAN It is not over, Desirae!
(police pushes JONATHAN against the table and cuff him.)
DETECTIVE DAVIS Take him to his cell!
(police pulls JONATHAN out of the room. The detective holds
DESIRAE back against the wall.)
CONTINUES Desirae, calm down. I can’t help you
if you are continue to be out of
control like this.
(DESIRAE struggles to get loose. She cries.)
DESIRAE Alright, I will calm down.
DETECTIVE DAVIS Promise me.

49. 49
DESIRAE I promise.
(Detective Davis releases DESIRAE and she paces back and forth
across the room. The detective sits down at the table.)
DETECTIVE DAVIS I know you are upset, but you have to
stay calm.
(folds hands as DESIRAE continues to pace.)
DESIRAE This is crazy.
(hands cover face and she stops pacing.)
DETECTIVE DAVIS Desirae, please talk to me. I am trying
to help you.
(gets up and leans his back on the wall.)
DESIRAE I am past people trying to help me. I
am past people hurting me and my
daughters.
(DETECTIVE DAVIS stares hard at DESIRAE. She sits down across
the table.)
DETECTIVE DAVIS Know talk to me.
(sits down.)
DESIRAE How could I let this happen? My baby
is in the hospital.
(takes a breath.)
CONTINUES And you know what? My daughter, Belinda
warned me about Jonathan, but did I

50. 50
CONTINUES
DESIRAE listen?
(gets up and walks to the middle of the room. DETECTIVE DAVIS
stares at her discouraged. DESIRAE shakes her head
unbelieveably.)
DETECTIVE DAVIS Desirae, what did you say?
(walks toward DESIRAE.)
DESIRAE I am sorry. What did you say,
detective?
DETECTIVE DAVIS What did you mean she warned you?
What did she say?
(stares at DESIRAE confused.)
DESIRAE Belinda said she did not trust
Jonathan and that he looked like
trouble.
DETECTIVE DAVIS Desirae, there has to be a reason why
she does not trust him. What was the
reason?
DESIRAE You would have to ask Belinda. All I
know is that she could not stand him.
They argued constantly which gave her
the reason to move out, plus he was
always drinking.
(folds her arms.)

51. 51

52. 52