Life Skills

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Mrs. Vargas and Anna sit off in a corner. Anna looks uncomfortable. A lawyer stand slightly away from them.
 
ANNA:
I don't know. This isn't right.
 
MRS. VARGAS:
It will be fine. Just say what I told you to say.
 
ANNA:
I can't lie to them.
 
MRS. VARGAS:
If you want to keep your job at the store, you'll tell them our little story.
 
City Councilman Jones interrupts.
 
MR. JONES:
Clara, are you all right? I heard you fainted.
 
MRS. VARGAS:
I'm fine, Charlie. Thank you for asking. This is my niece, Anna. Anna, this is City Councilman Jones.
 
ANNA:
Hi.
 
MRS. VARGAS:
And this is my lawyer, Sam Powers. Mr. Jones is on the City Council.
 
SAM POWERS:
Pleasure to meet you, Councilman Jones.
 
MR. JONES:
The pleasure is mine. I've heard about you. Clara, I think you're in good hands. Excuse me. I'll see you inside.
 
TSHOMBE:
Look at her. She is ready. Look at him. He looks so important. Look at us. We don't have a chance.
 
Joe comes running up to Bob and Tshombe.
 
JOSE:
(out of breath) Hi.
 
TSHOMBE:
What's happening? Where is everyone?
 
JOSE:
They're on their way.
 
TSHOMBE:
What about the petitions? Where are they?
 
Jose doesn't know how to break it to them.
 
JOSE:
Tshombe, someone took them.
 
TSHOMBE:
Someone took them?
 
We see Jose head back to his signature stand. We see what he describes.
 
JOSE (V.O.):
I don't know what happened. After Mrs. Vargas fainted, I went back to the stand. And the folder with the signatures was gone.
 
TSHOMBE:
Who took it?
 
JOSE:
I don't know. I'll bet Mrs. Vargas is responsible.
 
Tshombe, Silvia and Jose look over at Mrs. Vargas, who flashes them a smile. Anna looks down, ashamed of her involvement.
 
SILVIA:
We can't prove that.
 
TSHOMBE:
(defeated) What are we going to do?
 
BOB:
Come on, guys. It's time to go.
 
The board of nine city councilmen sit behind a semi-circular desk. They face out into an audience, where a lone microphone is positioned. The Presiding Chair of the meeting, Mr. Jones, bangs his gavel.
 
MR. JONES:
This meeting is now called to order.
 
Tshombe, Silvia, and Jose sit across from Mrs. Vargas.
 
JANET:
The first issue on the agenda is street vending on Market Street. Representing the merchants is Clara Vargas.
 
Mrs. Vargas at the microphone.
 
MRS. VARGAS:
My name is Clara Vargas. One of the stores on Market Street belongs to me. But I speak for the other merchants on the street. Street vending hurts our business. There is too much noise and too much traffic because of street vendors.
 
Tshombe leans over to whisper to Silvia. Silvia tries to quiet him.
 
TSHOMBE:
(to Silvia) She's lying.
 
SILVIA:
Tshombe, calm down. If you get angry, no one's going to listen to us.
 
MRS. VARGAS:
It is also not fair. I pay more taxes. I pay rent. They don't.
 
TSHOMBE:
(louder to Silvia) I pay taxes.
 
MR. JONES:
Please, sir. You'll have your turn to speak. Right now, it's Mrs. Vargas' turn.
 
MRS. VARGAS:
Thank you. But most of all, I care about the community. I saw street vendors taking drugs and selling stolen property
 
The board notices Tshombe is being disruptive. A loud commotion stirs.
 
TSHOMBE:
What a liar!
 
MR. JONES:
Please, sir. Calm down. You'll have to leave if you don't wait your turn. Go on, Mrs. Vargas.
 
MR. JONES:
Please, go on, Mrs. Vargas.
 
MRS. VARGAS:
I think I'm done.
 
MR. JONES:
And now we'll hear from the street vendors. Representing the street vendors is Tschombe Gabriel. Please come forward.
 
A fuming Tshombe just stares at Mrs. Vargas.
 
SILVIA:
Just take control of yourself, okay?
 
JOE:
Stay calm.
 
MR. JONES:
Mr. Gabriel, do you have something to say? I think I've had enough of these street vendors.
 
JANET:
Mr. Gabriel, do you have anything to say?
 
Tshombe doesn't move.
 
TSHOMBE:
Yes, I do.
 
WIZARD:
And freeze!