The Deep Valley Boys Script Sample

Act One, Scene Two.

 

“The Past”. NEW YORK CITY, 1951

 

TIGHT SPOTLIGHT on the floor, far stage right, which     moves across the stage at the same level until it reaches the FOUR LEGS OF A BLACK PIANO STOOL and a PAIR OF NICELY STYLED LEATHER SLIPPERS jutting out from it.  THE SLIPPERS are attached to a PAIR OF LONG, SLENDER FEET encased in FINE THIN COTTON SOCKS IN A FANCY PATTERN.  What we can see of THE PANTS above the ankles are about eight inches of the

leg belonging to rather ordinary sweat pants.  Beyond the feet extend the FOOT PEDALS OF THE PIANO and the UNDERBELLY OF THE PIANO itself.

 

We hear a sharp handclap accompanied by a refined African American Male voice (tenor).

 

WALTER “SONNY” CREWS

            (OS)

Come on now, Clay, put down that cigarette and let’s get on with the gettin’ on.  Now, give us some of that good ole music you got.

 

We see the RIGHT FOOT instantly touch the RIGHT FOOT PEDAL of THE PIANO, and SFX OF A BURST OF JAZZY PIANO MUSIC fills the air.  There is a little laughter at this, then the more sedate melody of ‘’Jubilee’’ takes over.  The spotlight vanishes and lights up on the pianist, CLAYTON JOHN at the piano, a gorgeous instrument.  ALFRED ‘’RED’’ WAXMAN, ROLAND SHARP, and WALTER ‘’SONNY’’ CREWS, the other three members of the Deep Valley Boys, are grouped around Clayton.  All are dressed quite casually, except Roland, who is a little more formal.

 

Clayton tosses aside a lit cigarette.  His fingers stroke the keyboard.

 

CLAYTON

What cigarette?  You see I’m playin’, don’t you?

 

Sonny stamps out the lit CIGARRETTE.

 

SONNY

It’s just no good for you, Clay.  It’s no good.  Bad for the pipes, too.

 

Roland comes up behind Clayton, places a hand on his left

shoulder familiarly.    

 

ROLAND

Let ‘im alone, Sonny.  He doin’ just fine.

 

SONNY     

            (dubious)

If you say so.

 

They recover their places, begin singing.

 

RED

A-one, a-two, an-a--

 

The group sings “Born To Wander” by the Deep River Boys to the piano music. Song ends, fade to black.

 

Act One, Scene Three

 

BALTIMORE, 1993 (The Present). DUSK, EARLY AUTUMN. Inside the garage of the White home. In the dark, we hear the following remarks audible at mid-range.

                                         

MICHAEL

            (Very much about business)

Y’aw fellas come here to work or to play?  Which is it?

 

XAVIER ‘’X’’ SCOTT

Lighten up, Mike.  We cool, we cool.

           

LEIGHTON WICHER

Yeah, Mike, lighten up some.

 

Spotlight on three pairs of sneakers on the feet of Jamal Booker, X, and Leighton, dangling below a work table beside a large boom box.

 

JAMAL

Maybe we can do a cover of that ole record, you know, ‘’Tighten Up.’’  ‘Cept we’ll call it ‘’Lighten Up.’’

 

LEIGHTON

Yeah, that’ll be a big hit, I bet.  ‘’Lighten Up!’’

 

Jamal and Leighton sing an impromptu, accapella, spirited version of the chorus of “Tighten Up” by Archie Bell & The Drells, substituting ‘lighten’ for ‘tighten’ and monkeying around.

 

Jamal/Leighton

            (Sing)

“We’re gonna lighten up,

let’s lighten it up now,

lighten up, lighten up.”

 

X

How do y’all even know that song, it’s so old…

 

All but Michael laugh.

 

MICHAEL

Look.  I’m makin’ a demo tape for that guy at MCA records an’ I’m makin’ it ON TIME.  I don’t know WHAT y’all doin’.  Now let’s get down to business.  How ‘bout it?

 

A TRIO OF HALF-HEARTED VOICES agree. “Yeah, yeah”/”Okay, yeah we know”/”Lighten up, will ya?”/”TRULY”.

 

We see the sneakers in the spotlight hit the floor.  A fourth pair of sneakers belonging to Michael steps into the spotlight.

 

Michael bends to switch the CASSETTE PLAYER on.  We hear the music track from “If It Isn’t Love” by New Edition.

 

Michael, Jamal, Leighton and X line themselves up in order to get set to sing as lights come up to full.

 

Michael sings the lead as they sing the song, complete with choreography.  They have obviously been practicing together for a long time.  Their movements are well-timed and in sync.

 

MICHAEL

I don't love her
I tried to tell myself
But you can see it in my eyes
So don't deny
I can't fool no one else
The truth is in the tears I cry

 

ALL

     'Cause if it isn't love
    Why do I feel this way
    Why does she stay on my mind
    And if it isn't love
    Why does it hurt so bad
    Make me feel so sad inside
    If it isn't love

 

MICHAEL

I told her I'd never fall in love
But now I know better

How does it feel
I can't describe this feelin'
That came when I saw her last night
She got to me
I'll let you know the reason
I saw her with another guy

 

ALL

     So if it isn't love
    Why do I feel this way
    Why does she stay on my mind
    And if it isn't love
    Why does it hurt so bad
    Make me feel so sad inside

 

     And if it isn't love
    Why do I feel this way
    Why does she stay on my mind
    And if it isn't love
    Why does it hurt so bad
    Make me feel so sad inside

     If it isn't love

 

 

MICHAEL

Maybe she'll take me back
 

LEIGHTON/X/JAMAL

(Hey girl he's begging)
 

MICHAEL

I made a big mistake

 

LEIGHTON/X/JAMAL

Won't you forgive him, girl)
 

 

MICHAEL

Now I can feel it

 

LEIGHTON/X/JAMAL

(He's never felt before)
 

 

MICHAEL

I really love her
 

 

LEIGHTON/X/JAMAL

(You love her, what?!)

 

MICHAEL

It took my heart
To shatter in a thousand pieces
Before I'd ever drop my pride
Losing love worrying about my image
Really helped me realize

 

ALL

     If it isn't love
    Why do I feel this way

     (Why does it hurt so bad?)
    Why does she stay on my mind
    (On my mind all the time)
    If it isn't love
    Why does it hurt so bad
    (If it isn't love)
    Make me feel so sad inside
    (If it isn't love)

If it isn't love

If it isn't love
Why do I feel this way
Why does she stay on my mind
(She stays on my mind, mind, mind)
If it isn't love
Why does it hurt so bad
(Why does it hurt so bad?)
Make me feel so sad inside

If it isn't love
(If it isn't love)
Why do I feel this way
(If it isn't love)
Why does she stay on my mind
(If it isn't love)
If it isn't love
Why does it hurt so bad
(If it isn't love)
Make me feel so sad inside
(If it isn't, I can't describe this feeling that I feel for her)

If it isn't love
Why do I feel this way
Why does she stay on my mind
(Stay on my mind)
If it isn't love
Why does it hurt so bad
Make me feel so sad inside

If it isn't love

If it isn't love

 

The song ends.  Michael cuts off the cassette.   

 

MICHAEL

What was THAT?

                         

JAMAL

What was what?  That time it was flawless, man.  Flawless.

 

X

            (Leans on Leighton’s shoulder)

That was the shit, right there.

 

LEIGHTON

Don’t tell me you got a problem with THAT.

 

MICHAEL

            (perturbed)

I’m talkin’ ‘bout that thing X was doin’ with his feet.  THAT thing.  Some messed up shit like this.

 

Michael Improvises some of X’s screwed-up moves, and exaggerates them out of step.

 

X

I’n do nuthin’ with my feet.

 

JAMAL

            (To Michael)

Man, you are buggin’.  Just buggin’.

 

MICHAEL

            (To X)

You did.  I saw you.

 

X

Look.  If you was watchin’ me, then you wasn’t doin’ YO’ thing right.

 

MICHAEL

Don’t go there.  My shit is ALWAYS together.  ALWAYS.

 

X shakes his head ruefully.

 

 

LEIGHTON

Man, everybody got problems but you.  Everybody outta step, but you the one person in step.  Man, that shit is messed up.

 

MICHAEL

            (To X)

I didn’t say everybody.  I said YOU.

            (Pause)

Get out.  Get outta my garage.  Rehearsal’s OVER.

 

JAMAL

Yo, Mike.  Why you gotta be like that?  Why you ALWAYS gotta be like that?

 

X

Jamal, forget it.  Just forget it.

 

LEIGHTON

Yeah.  Damn, we been here for four hours.  Shit, it’s TIME to get up out this motherfuckah!

 

X

SEE ya.

 

LEIGHTON:

            (To Jamal)

When you find out from His Majesty when the next rehearsal is, call us.  We’ll be there.  Our shit is tight.

 

X and Leighton EXIT.

 

JAMAL

Man, what is WRONG with you?

 

MICHAEL

We don’t need them faggots anyway.