The Voice of the Victim

An original play

Characters:

1. Hector: Middle aged Spanish inmate
2. Mr. Rivera: Hector’s victim
3. Lorenzo: Hector’s son
4. Jorge Nunaz: Hector’s father
5. Angelic voice: Narrator
6. The voice of the devil
7. Chino: Mr. Rivera’s dog (Chihuahua)

Sound effects:

Thunder
Wind
Dog barks
Demon sounds
Angelic music

Two songs: At beginning of the play
At end of the play

The setting on the stage is a lone prison cell. A slow Spanish song is heard, filled with inspiration as the stage is still. The mood is set. A chair, a bed, and a small desk with a T.V. on it appears on the stage. Then the song slowly fades out. A middle-aged Spanish man named Hector enters the cell from stage left with a hostile angry attitude. He slowly walks into the cell with a sense of extreme depression. He sits down on a chair facing the audience. He looks forward with intense eyes, fixated forward. His hair is grey; prison life has taken its toll on this man. On his facial expressions are the mixed images of anxiety, loss, grief, and mixed extreme inner struggles. He’s a man on the edge of a nervous breakdown. It can all be seen on Hector’s face and downcast eyes. A portrait of a failed life with no meaning and no purpose.

A slight wind is heard in the background.
SFX–Wind

As the wind blows in the background, an angelic voice is heard. This voice is telling Hector’s sad story of violence. Hector sits completely still, looking directly forward at the audience. He is looking into nowhere. There’s nothing hidden in his existence.

Angelic Voice (V.O.): This is Hector. (Pause) Hector is a convicted murderer. He’s serving a life sentence. He’s a man with great conflict, deep explosive anger, a hardened heart, troubled childhood, an abusive past, violent behavior, and hatred flowing in his blood. (Beat) Hector refuses to change. He’d rather live in the hatred and the bitterness. He’s also a man with many broken relationships. He’s a father with no contact with his children. In fact, his only son Lorenzo was gunned down in the streets of North Philadelphia over a drug deal gone bad. His daughter, Maria, is pregnant and strung out on drugs. In Hector’s heart is deep pain – overwhelming guilt. He’s ready to explode like a time bomb. (Beat) He blames society for his choices in life and his incarceration. He blames the system. He blames the government. He even refused to get any type of education. Even a GED.

Hector still looks forward as the wind blows on. Intense anger in his eyes.

Angelic Voice (V.O.): Hector is scared to take a deep look within himself and the horrific pain that dwells in his heart. He would rather hold onto the pain and maintain a gangster’s attitude in prison, never showing any sign of weakness at all. Tears make a man weak in the penitentiary. All the wolves see is an easy target. Hector won’t let his guard down. He won’t take genuine responsibility for the crime he committed that took a life out of this world through violence and destruction.

Hector sits there speechless, his eyes forward. The wind blows on.

Angelic Voice: Still, Hector is searching for something. He’s a man filled with fear. He’s searching for acceptance, for peace. He’s searching to love and to be loved. (Pause) Today, he’ll have an encounter he shall never forget. (Beat) Never.

The angelic voice ends. The wind stops. Hector slowly stands up and looks around the prison cell. He walks around the cell in complete frustration. He picks up the Bible from his desk and looks at it. He throws the Bible on the bed with force. He places his face in his hands and wipes the tears from his eyes. He tries to maintain his demeanor. His emotional pain is very obvious.

Then, Hector looks up to God and speaks.

Hector: Nobody cares. (Pause) Nobody cares about me. I’m a convicted murderer with a prison sentence of condemnation. (Pause) Maybe you care, huh? (Laughs to himself in agony) ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. I’ve got to be kidding myself, huh?! (Laughs) ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. Maybe you don’t even exist! Crazy, huh?! (Laughs again) ha, ha, ha.

Then Hector wipes more tears from his eyes. He looks up to God again and yells out with anger.

Hector: (Yells out) I killed that man! Shot him dead, man! It still haunts me after all these years! I had to kill him! I needed the money! Dinero!!! I had to feed my kids, man! I take what I need! What I want! That’s the code of the streets, man! (Pause) I miss my little ones! My children!!!

Hector breaks down even more, the tears flowing down his eyes.

Hector: (Screams out) Look at me now, huh?! I’m dying in this hell hole! Slowly rotting away! (Beat) I have nobody! Everybody left me! (Beat) My children are gone!!! (Beat) I miss them …

Hector cries on. His grief is overwhelming.

Hector: My son is dead. Lorenzo is gone. (Cries) Agggggggggggg. My Maria is a damn junkie! My little girl. (Cries) Agggggggggg. My princess.

Hector looks around the cell in disgust.

Hector: I had to take Mr. Rivera out, man! It was either him or me and my children! One or the other! (Beat) I had to take him out!!!

Hector lowers his head in grief. His eyes full of extreme tears. His eyes intense.

Hector: I had to do it, man.

Hector looks forward in disgust again.

Hector: The damn system did me wrong! Racial profiling! Everybody did me wrong! That piece of trash trial lawyer I had did me wrong! He made a deal with that corrupt, punk-ass corrupt D.A. That scumbag! Everybody cheated me! Stabbed me in the back! Including you, Lord! You did me wrong all of my life! I was born with nothing! (Beat) All I ever seen in my life is death! (Beat) It’s over for me! I’m done!

Hector wipes a tear from his eye.

Hector: Death would be better for me! (Beat) I got nothing to live for. (Beat) Nothing! (Pause) Give me a reason to live for! (Yells out) Show me something to go on for! (Beat) A reason to go.

Hector sits there in silent pain. A moment of grief.

Then, slowly appearing on the stage from stage left is an older Spanish man. He walks into the prison cell majestically. Hector doesn’t notice the mystic individual walking towards him. The man is Mr. Miguel Rivera. The victim of Hector. Mr. Rivera moves closer towards Hector. His approach is slow and angelic as he moves even closer to Hector.

Hector doesn’t notice Mr. Rivera behind him as he wipes his eyes full of tears. Mr. Rivera reaches out and slowly touches the left shoulder of Hector. Hector turns very slowly around and is stunned to see Mr. Rivera standing above him in a ghostly manner.

Mr. Rivera: (Smiles) Booooooo!!!

Hector jumps up in total shock and fear. He screams in terror.

Hector: (Screams) Ahhhhhhhh!!!

Mr. Rivera tries to calm Hector down.

Mr. Rivera: Shhhhhhhh, Hector. You’ll wake the dead, huh? (Laughs) Ha, ha, ha.

Hector backs away in total fear.

Hector: Oh God! It can’t be, man! I got to be going loco! Loco, man!!!

Mr. Rivera takes a step towards Hector. Hector snaps out even more hysterically.

Hector: You stay away from me!!! (Beat) Stay away!!!

Hector points at Mr. Rivera.

Hector: (Screaming) Get away from me!

Mr. Rivera: I’m not here to hurt you, Hector.

Hector screams out in horror again.

Hector: I killed you, man! (Screaming) Ahhhhhhhh!!! I shot you dead!

Mr. Rivera: (Calmly) Yes, you did.

Mr. Rivera moves closer to Hector.

Hector: I told you to stay away from me! You want revenge!

Mr. Rivera: (Laughs) Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. Boooooooo!!! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.

Hector jumps back in terror.

Hector: Ahhhhhhhh!!! You’re a damn zombie! A ghost, man!!!

Mr. Rivera starts to walk and act like a zombie with his arms forward.

Mr. Rivera: (Zombie sounds) Grrrrrrrr!!!

Mr. Rivera moves closer towards Hector with the zombie walk. Hector backs away with intense fear.

Hector: (Screams again) Ahhhhhhhh! No!!! I don’t want to die yet! (Screams louder) Ahhhhhhhh!!

Mr. Rivera: (More zombie sounds) Grrrrrrrr!!!

Hector: (Fearful) No!!! This is a nightmare!!!

Mr. Rivera is noticing Hector’s intense fear and stops acting like a zombie.

Mr. Rivera: This is no nightmare, Hector.

Hector: (Screams out). It’s a loco dream!!!

Mr. Rivera: It’s no dream either.

Hector is in a panic.

Hector: I’m seeing things! (Beat) Loco!!!

Mr. Rivera: (Smiles) I’m real, Hector.

Hector paces back and forth in the cell, rushing to the cell door.

Mr. Rivera: The cell door is locked, Hector. There’s nowhere to go.

Hector tries to pull at the cell door with force. Then, he grabs his head in madness, losing his mind.

Hector: I’m going insane! Loco!!! (Screams out) This can’t be! How is this possible, huh?! (Beat) How?!

Mr. Rivera: This is real, my friend.

Hector: I murdered you, Mr. Rivera! What the hell? I killed you!

Mr. Rivera: Yes, you did, Hector. In cold blood. (Beat) You took me away from my beautiful family, from the people I love and adore. (Beat) I love my family, Hector. They love me. I miss them so much. (Beat) They miss me, Hector.

Mr. Rivera points to his bullet wounds.

Mr. Rivera: Those gunshot wounds hurt like hell! Burned big time! Ripped my insides apart! (Beat) I didn’t die right away, Hector, but you know that already, huh? I suffered. My family suffered. You shot me multiple times. It was overkill! (Beat) I tried to fight to stay alive, but it was too overwhelming for me, Hector. (Beat) I saw that awesome light! It was bright and peaceful, inviting (Beat). I saw my loved ones who went before me to glory. Spectacular.

Mr. Rivera raises his arms up.

Mr. Rivera: I was in glory, man! I’m living in heaven!

Hector shakes his head in disbelief.

Mr. Rivera: I must tell you this, Hector. (Beat) My wife and kids were destroyed by my death.

Hector moves around the cell, still in shock.

Hector: This has to be some silly joke, huh?! It has to be, man!

Mr. Rivera: No, it’s not some silly joke, Hector. This is reality, my friend.

Mr. Rivera moves towards Hector like an angel.

Hector: (Fearful) I told you to stay away from me!

Mr. Rivera: You need to listen to me, Hector.

Hector moves from stage right to stage left, screaming in fear.

Hector: (Screaming) Ahhhhhhhh! Help me, Guard!!! Guard!!!

Mr. Rivera stands there looking at Hector with a smile on his face, shaking his head.

Hector: (Screaming again) Stay away from me!!! Guard!!! Help me!!!

Mr. Rivera: No one is coming to help you, Hector. No one hears you. (Beat) It’s just you and me, my friend.

Hector: No!!! They got to hear me, man!!!

Hector screams out again, even louder.

Hector: (In a panic) Help me, now!!! Guard!!! (Beat) Help me, C/O!!!

Mr. Rivera: (Calmly) Nobody’s coming to help you. (Beat) Face the truth.

Mr. Rivera moves again towards Hector. Hector jumps back in fear, full of terror.

Hector: Stay away from me! You’re a damn demon from hell out to kill me! Stay away from me, you damn demon!!

Mr. Rivera is still for a moment as Hector moves to the other side of the cell. Then, Mr. Rivera speaks very calmly.

Mr. Rivera: I am here, Hector. Face the truth. This is no dream, nightmare, or an illusion. I am the sign you requested. Believe me, I didn’t want to leave my place of rest to see you. God brought me here and now I’m here and you’re gonna listen to me, Hector. You are, damnit! There’re no more games. I’m here in my spiritual form. Yes, indeed!

Hector is frozen in shock.

Mr. Rivera: It’s time to take genuine accountability for your choices in life, Hector. For the life you lived. You lived a life of crime. You hurt so many in your life. You’re a man of hate and anger. A man of violence. You’re a selfish human being who needs to change before it’s too late. Tonight, it’s time for you to hear the voice of the victim, Hector. It’s time you hear from me, my friend.

Mr. Rivera looks around the cell as Hector stands there, motionless.

Mr. Rivera: So, this is your cell, huh? It reminds me of my childhood home as a boy in Puerto Rico. A home that I shared with my mother, father, three brothers and six sisters.

Mr. Rivera walks around the cell slowly. Looking around with a smile on his face.

Mr. Rivera: This is where your choices brought you, Hector. Congratulations.

Mr. Rivera raises his arms again in the air, looking directly at Hector.

Mr. Rivera: This is where your consequences brought you to, Hector. Hmmm.

Mr. Rivera notices a Bible on Hector’s bed.

Mr. Rivera: I see you have a Bible, huh.

Hector responds slowly.

Hector: Yeah, I do, but I don’t read it much.

Mr. Rivera: I see, I see. (Pause) Maybe you should, Hector.

Mr. Rivera paces in the cell. Hector is lost in confusion.

Mr. Rivera: Hector, do you want to know why I’m here?

Hector doesn’t respond right away. Mr. Rivera then comes face to face with Hector.

Mr. Rivera: Well, do you? (Beat) For I ask you a direct question.

Hector: I don’t know, man! (Beat) I got to be dreaming, man! This isn’t real at all! I’m going loco! (Beat) No way in hell, man!

Mr. Rivera: I’m not from hell, Hector. Let’s get that straight from the get-go!

Hector raises his arms in disarray.

Hector: How is this possible, huh?! You’re dead, man! You’re in the ground six feet deep, rotting away!

Mr. Rivera: Only my body is dead, not my spirit, Hector.

Hector: I killed you myself.

Mr. Rivera: Stop reminding me about that, Hector. That was the worst day of my life. (Beat) A part of me is still angry about that.

Mr. Rivera points up to God.

Mr. Rivera: But the big guy upstairs has me here with you for a reason right now. It’s his show. (Beat) He knows all things. He’s in control of all things. (Beat) God is the beginning and the end, Hector. Believe me when I say this, my friend.

Hector is even more confused.

Hector: Man, I haven’t got high in months! So, I can’t blame the weed!

Mr. Rivera: Just stop for a moment and listen to me! Clear your mind! Just believe, Hector. Believe, my friend. Understand? Comprende?

Hector: Stop calling me your friend. (Beat) I took your life!

Mr. Rivera: This is true, so true, Hector. (Beat) But in heaven everything is so different. It’s pure perfection. (Beat) Pure love.

Hector: Yeah, whatever you say! I’m too far gone, man! I don’t believe any of this at all, Amigo!

Mr. Rivera walks up to Hector again, face to face, eye to eye.

Mr. Rivera: That’s it, Hector! No more Mr. nice guy! (Assertive) I’m not playing with you! You’re going to listen to me now!

Hector: (Angry) Get the hell out of my face!

Mr. Rivera: Enough is enough! That’s final, Hector!

Mr. Rivera pushes Hector to the floor hard.

Hector: Ahhhhhhhh!!! (Screams out louder) Help me!!!

Hector falls in extreme pain from the impact.

Hector: (In pain) Ahhhhhhhh!!! (Screams again) Oh my God!!!

Hector sits up hurting, shaking in terror. He squirms around on the floor. Mr. Rivera starts to laugh hysterically.

Mr. Rivera: (Laughs) Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.

Hector looks up at Mr. Rivera laughing at him.

Hector: (Furious) What the hell are you laughing at, huh?! This isn’t funny, man!!!

Mr. Rivera: (Laughs) Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. You’re a real sissy! Big tough guy, huh?! (Laughs) Ha, ha, ha, ha. You’re soft like a cookie, Hector!

Hector: (Angry) Shut your face! Just shut up!!!

Mr. Rivera stops laughing with a big smile on his face. He extends his hand out to Hector to help him up. Hector looks up at Mr. Rivera with unbelief and madness.

Mr. Rivera: Come on, Hector. Take my hand.

Hector pushes Mr. Rivera’s hand away and stands up slowly.

Hector: I don’t want your help! Stay away from me!

Mr. Rivera: Okay. (Beat) Have it your way, Hector.

Hector slowly walks over to his desk.

Hector: (Crazy laugh). Ha, ha, ha. I’m losing my mind! Ha, ha, ha, ha.

Mr. Rivera: This is not a laughing matter no more.

Hector slowly stops laughing. Mr. Rivera speaks sternly.

Mr. Rivera: Your life has a purpose, a meaning to it.

Hector: (Sarcastically) Yeah, right! Don’t lie to me, man!

Mr. Rivera: Did you ever think about why you didn’t die after all the acts of crime and violence you committed, huh? (Beat) Why didn’t you die, Hector?

Hector: Because I’m the best who ever did it, man!

Mr. Rivera: (Sarcastically) Now, that’s something to be proud of, huh?!

Hector doesn’t respond.

Mr. Rivera: Why are you not on Death Row, Hector? Think about it! (Beat) Why?

Hector thinks.

Mr. Rivera: I know, you seen many of your so-called friends die along the way of the streets. Gunned down before they turned 18 years old.

Hector: There have been many. That’s right, Mr. Rivera.

Mr. Rivera: That’s a sad thing. Many mothers and fathers cried at their children’s funerals. (Beat) Many. (Beat) You also seen many die here behind these bars in the penitentiary as well, huh? (Beat) Some of them murdered, right?

Hector: Si, I have.

Mr. Rivera: To be perfectly honest with you, Hector, you haven’t changed at all, have you? (Beat) You’re headed straight to hell, my friend.

Hector takes offense.

Hector: That’s your opinion, ghost man!

Mr. Rivera: You feel like you’re the victim. (Beat) I guess, in a way, you’re a product from the streets.

Hector: That’s right. The streets were my mother and father, man!

Mr. Rivera: I disagree with that statement, Amigo!

Hector becomes upset and paces the cell again.

Hector: You don’t know nothing about me, fantasma hombre!

Mr. Rivera: Infierno! Stop lying to yourself, idiota! Your mother and father always loved you, Hector. They provided for you. It was your choice to be a part of a damn gang! You loved the flash, the money, drugs, and the women! (Beat) Mujeres! (Beat) You stole, abused, and murdered to get what you wanted! Even at the cost of others! You even used the people you loved, Hector!

Hector: (Defensive) I had to fight to survive! No matter the cost! I had to provide for my family! For my children!

Mr. Rivera: Your family, huh? (Laughs) Ha, ha, ha, ha. What a joke! Your father died of a broken heart! You coming to prison destroyed him!

Hector: (Angry) You shut your face! Shut the hell up!

Mr. Rivera: (Calmly) Your mother is deeply depressed. She’s hurting all alone.

Hector: Stop it now! Shut up!!

Mr. Rivera: Your daughter, Maria, got strung out on drugs, sold her body to feed her addiction. She even tried to commit suicide.

Hector: (Guilt ridden) I told you to stop it!

Mr. Rivera: Your son, Lorenzo, followed in your footsteps and was gunned down in a drug deal gone bad! (Beat) All you loved was your damned self!

Hector screams in pain.

Hector: (Screams) Agggggggg!!! No!!!

There’s a short moment of silence as Hector becomes broken in pain. Then, Mr. Rivera speaks again.

Mr. Rivera: You see, Hector, your life of crime hurt more than me and my family. It affected your family.

Hector: I know this, Mr. Rivera.

Mr. Rivera: God sees everything, Hector. Knows everything. Even the intents of the human heart. God knows your heart, Hector.

Hector tries to hold back his tears.

Mr. Rivera: There is somebody here to see you, Hector. Somebody you know so very well.

Hector: (Confused) What are you talking about, huh?

Mr. Rivera: You shall see, Amigo.

Angelic music is heard in the background as an older man enters the stage from stage right. His name is Jorge Nunaz, Hector’s father. Hector stands there speechless as Jorge slowly walks up to his son. It’s extremely emotional for Hector.

Jorge: Hola, hijo. (Beat) Hello, son.

Hector: (Emotionally surprised) Papa?

Jorge: Si, it’s me, son, I’m here. Here to help you, help you change. (Beat) You need to change, son. (Beat) Cambio.

Hector: I know, Papa … I know. I miss you so much.

Jorge: I miss you too, son. (Beat) I never wanted this for you, Hector. Never. (Beat) Remember this, son?

Hector: Si, I do, Papa! I still dream about those innocent days.

Jorge: We would spend hours and hours throwing a baseball at each other. We’d work on your fielding skills as a second baseman. You were great! (Beat) The best!

Hector: They were some of the best days of my life.

Jorge: You would stay in the batting cage, hitting anything thrown at you like a real champion. You dreamed about becoming a great professional player in the big leagues.

Hector thinks back with a joyful smile on his face.

Jorge: You let your dream die, son.

Hector lowers his head in grief.

Jorge: The streets became your dream, a fantasy of destruction. (Beat) You coming to prison devastated your mother, Hector. It killed me, son. Broke my heart in two.

Hector: (Remorseful) I’m sorry, Papa.

Jorge: I know you are son. Your mother needs you to change. Your daughter needs you to change. Did you know Maria is pregnant, Hector? You’re going to be a grandfather, Hector. Yeah, you still can be a good role model to your daughter and grandchild, son.

Hector listens closely.

Jorge: Be there for them. Tell them you love them. Let go of the anger, guilt and pain consuming your soul, son. Your mother, Maria and your future grandchild all need you.

Hector tears up.

Jorge: I know you feel responsible for Lorenzo’s death, Hector.

Hector: He wanted to be like me, Papa. It got him killed. It’s all my fault. (Emotional pause) All my fault.

Hector tears up even more as Jorge steps closer to his son.

Jorge: Si, in many ways it is, son. (Beat) Still, Lorenzo made his own choices.

Jorge gives his son a hug. Hector holds his father tight while crying. Mr. Rivera just looks on as Jorge comforts Hector.

Hector: If only I could tell Lorenzo how sorry I am for being a bad father to him.

Jorge slowly backs off and looks at Hector face to face.

Jorge: God has granted your request, my son.

Hector is in disbelief.

Hector: This can’t be.

Hector shakes his head, as more angelic music is heard in the background. From stage right appears a young Spanish man. It’s Lorenzo, Hector’s son. He slowly walks up to Hector, Jorge, and Mr. Rivera. Hector is truly stunned and filled with great joy at that same time.

Lorenzo: Hello, Papa.

Hector: My God, it’s really you.

Lorenzo: It is, Papa.

Hector: My son, Lorenzo.

Hector hugs his son with great joy.

Hector: I’m so sorry, son. I love you, Lorenzo … I love you!

Hector cries in his son’s arms.

Lorenzo: I know, Papa, I love you too.

Lorenzo slowly breaks from the hug with his father.

Lorenzo: I need to tell you something, Papa.

Hector: Si, tell me anything.

Lorenzo: The devil wants your soul.

Hector looks at his son in fear.

Lorenzo: It’s true, Papa. (Pause) It’s true.

That’s when sounds of booming thunder are heard in the background.

SFX: Thunder.

Hector jumps back in terror. Lorenzo, Jorge, and Mr. Rivera stand still looking at Hector, motionless. Then, the evil demonic growls are heard in the background as the thunder booms on.

Evil Growls: (V.O.) Grrrrrrrr!!!

Hector is in a panic of horror in the cell.

Hector: (Fearful) No!!!

Then the evil voice of the devil is heard in a sinister tone.

The Devil: (V.O.) It’s me, Hector. The devil. (Beat) El diablo! (Beat) I’m coming for you, Hector! I’m coming for your soul! (Beat) You’re mine!

Hector jumps back in horror. Lorenzo, Jorge, and Mr. Rivera just look on very calmly at Hector. Hector shivers in terror.

Hector: (Screaming out) Stay away from me!!!

The Devil: (V.O.) You belong to me, Hector! I’m bringing your soul to hell, my son!

Hector: (Screams again) Ahhhhhhhh!!!

The Devil: (V.O.) You’ve done my bidding, Hector. My will of death, decay, and total destruction. The triple Ds!!! (Beat) You’re mine!

Hector: (Screams again) No!!!

The Devil: (V.O.) (Evil laughs) Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.

Hector covers his ears in agony.

Hector: (Screams) No!!!

The devil laughs on.

The Devil: (V.O.) Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.

Hector: (Screaming) Stay away from me!!!

The Devil: (V.O.) I’m coming for you, Hector! (Laughs) Ha, ha, ha, ha.

Then the devil’s voice ends. There’s silence. Lorenzo, Jorge, and Mr. Rivera all stand by Hector as he slowly takes his hands away from his ears.

Then Lorenzo speaks again.

Lorenzo: The devil wanted my soul, Papa. I’m so thankful that my beloved grandfather (Abuelo) and grandmother (Abuela) told me about the love of Jesus, and I became a believer at a young age.

Jorge places his hand on Lorenzo’s shoulder in support.

Lorenzo: It’s true that I took a wrong road in life. It cost me my life, but my soul was secured by the grace of God alone. The love of Christ.

Hector listens intently.

Lorenzo: Your soul is in danger of eternal hell fire, Papa. You must make a complete turnaround.

Hector: I’m listening, son.

Lorenzo: Maria needs you, Papa. You’re gonna be a grandfather soon. She’s gonna have a son, Papa. Please tell her you love her. She needs to hear this. You can make a huge difference in her life even from behind bars. Your love will encourage her to break the chains of addiction and suicidal thoughts. It will strengthen her spirit, Papa. Please do this, Papa. It’s time to stop the generational curse, Papa.

That’s when Jorge speaks again.

Jorge: Your mother needs you too, son. She loves you so much and feels so empty without any contact from you. Tell her you love her before it’s too late, son.

Hector: I do love them.

Jorge: Your future grandson is gonna need you. Teach him to be a good man. A man of respect, love, and responsibility. The good Lord has given this task for you to do. Grab hold of it, son, be grateful for it, cherish it with your whole heart. This is the gift of true love, son.

Hector is full of tears.

Jorge: I love you, son.

Hector: I love you too, Papa.

Lorenzo: I also love you too, Papa.

Hector: I love you, son.

Hector hugs his father and son. They embrace with true love. Then they break away from the hug. Lorenzo and Jorge step back. Mr. Rivera takes a step forward towards Hector.

Mr. Rivera: Family is so important, Hector. The most important things in life. God and family. Without that, a man has no meaning, no love.

Hector wipes the tears from his eyes.

Mr. Rivera: You must hear my words, Hector. You took me away from my beautiful family. You made my loving wife a widow, my children fatherless. They were the loves of my life, Hector.

Hector lowers his head in shame.

Mr. Rivera: I would never kiss my magnificent wife again. I couldn’t play tea parties with my beautiful daughters, Tara, and Julia, ever again. I wouldn’t be there for their high school proms, college graduations, their wonderful wedding days and seeing the births of my own grandchildren. You took that away from me, Hector. Be grateful to God that you’ll be able to meet your grandson. It’s so precious, Hector. Be grateful. Life is so short. It’s like a vapor.

Hector just listens.

Mr. Rivera: Then there’s my son, Tony. I would never play soccer with him again. He was a great soccer player. He went on to play soccer professionally and represented Puerto Rico in the World Cup. I’m so proud of him. My son. (Pause) We loved going fishing together and I wouldn’t be the best man at his wonderful wedding. (Pause) I wouldn’t be a grandfather to his beautiful children.

Mr. Rivera paces the cell as Jorge and Lorenzo stand right by Hector, staring at him intently.

Mr. Rivera: As I’ve stated to you, Hector, my family are victims also.

Mr. Rivera points to Jorge and Lorenzo.

Mr. Rivera: You’re a victim maker, Hector. Your family are victims, Amigo!

Hector: I know! (Yells) I know! I’ve hurt so many all of my life! I’m the scum of the earth! A selfish amigo, huh?! I loved the money, the sex, the drugs and booze, man! I loved the nice clothes and the flash of life! (Beat) It had no meaning. In the end, I lost it all. I lost everything I loved. My family is gone, man. I’m so sorry … so damn sorry.

Hector breaks down in tears.

Hector: I’m forever remorseful. (Beat) I need to change. I just hope it’s not too late for me.

Hector cries on.

Mr. Rivera: It’s not, Hector. That’s why we’re all here, my friend.

Hector: (Begging) Tell me how to change! Please tell me!

Mr. Rivera, Jorge, and Lorenzo all stand with smiles on their faces.

Mr. Rivera: Be a mentor, Hector. Be a man who now saves lives. This will be a powerful testimony, ordained by God alone. A transformed life of peace, hope, education, love and second chances! These young men coming into the prison system will look up to you, Hector. They will listen to you, respect you. They will change because you have changed. What a powerful thing, Hector.

Hector is speechless.

Mr. Rivera: The power of transformation! Like a caterpillar that transforms into a beautiful butterfly. Yes, the transformation is a struggle, but the end result is something so wonderful, my friend. In fact, it’s extraordinary.

Tears flow from Hector’s eyes even more.

Mr. Rivera: Tell your story, Hector. Write about it in great detail. A life changed by God’s loving grace.

Mr. Rivera points directly at Hector.

Mr. Rivera: You’re not a menace to society anymore, Hector. I’m not saying this because you’re in prison either, my friend. The ways of the devil are over in your life, Amigo! Death, abuse, manipulation, violence, abusive control, addictions, and destruction don’t have their grip over your soul anymore, Hector! Those days are far gone! They have been cast into the sea of forgetfulness, my brother! You’re a new creature in Christ! Renewed by a divine deity. You’ve been given a divine purpose.

Hector stands there frozen in his emotions.

Mr. Rivera: Hector Nunaz is all about saving humanity nowadays! (Smiles) That’s his purpose in life now! It’s his reason for living – for loving.

Hector wipes more tears from his eyes.

Mr. Rivera: But you have to want it, Hector. Stop playing games with God and yourself! Stop running from the pain within, my friend! It’s time to be free from within, Hector. (Beat) It’s time to shine bright like the sun, Amigo!

Hector raises his arms in his frustration.

Hector: (Yells) I have a life sentence, man! All I see is the darkness and deep depression in this hellhole! I don’t know how much longer I can survive in here! There are times when I wish all of this would be over for good! I guess death would be a better option! Sometimes when I close my eyes, I wish I would never wake up again. I long for the everlasting peace in the next life. (Beat) I’m not talking about hell either! I’m talking about heaven, man! Even though the way I lived my life, I deserve hell big time!

Mr. Rivera: Grace, Hector. Grace is something none of us deserve. It’s a free gift from the Lord above. (Beat) Let the good Lord direct your course in this life now. That’s the best way now, Hector. You can’t do it on your own anymore, my friend. Look what it’s done to your life, Hector. It’s taken everything from you, my friend.

Hector looks around the prison cell, a broken man.

Hector: It brought me here.

Mr. Rivera: Sin will take you places you don’t want to go, Hector.

Hector: Si, that’s the truth, man.

Mr. Rivera: There’s something else I want to say to you, Hector.

Hector: What’s that, Mr. Rivera?

Mr. Rivera walks closer to Hector, majestically.

Mr. Rivera: If I could say one thing to help you, it would be this. No matter what comes our way, we must learn to forgive. Forgive others and forgive ourselves. (Beat) Bitterness will eat away at our souls, my friend. (Beat) There’s victory in forgiveness.

Hector tears up.

Hector: (Emotional) I can’t forgive, Mr. Rivera.

Mr. Rivera: Yes, you can. (Beat) You must, to find true peace.

Hector: I don’t know how to. Holding onto the pain has kept me alive in this prison. It’s given me an edge to survive.

Mr. Rivera: No, it hasn’t. Not forgiving is a demon controlling our minds.

Hector: (Apprehensive) I’m scared. I’m scared to forgive. (Pause) I killed you. I hurt so many people in my life. (Cries) Aggggg… I can’t forgive. Aggggg. I can’t forgive myself.

Hector falls to his knees in agony.

Mr. Rivera: You need to forgive yourself, Hector. It’s okay to cry. Real men do cry. (Pause) I forgive you, my friend. Forgive yourself.

Mr. Rivera, Jorge, and Lorenzo all place their hands on Hector’s shoulder for comfort.

Jorge: Forgive yourself, son.

Lorenzo: You’re forgiven, Papa.

Hector breaks down even more. The tears flow from his eyes.

Hector: I’m a monster!!!

He cries on.

Hector: I destroyed a family. (Beat) I destroyed my family. (Beat) I hate myself for what I’ve done. (Beat) What I’ve become.

Hector is full of shame.

Hector: For how I lived my life. I caused so much pain to others.

Hector’s eyes are full of remorse.

Hector: I hurt so many, Amigo. So damn many.

Mr. Rivera stands above Hector with compassion in his eyes.

Mr. Rivera: God knows your heart, Hector. The Lord knows, my friend. (Beat) You need Jesus, Hector. As Lord and saviour. The Lord of your heart. Only Jesus can save you, Hector. (Beat) Only Jesus.

There’s a sincere moment of remorse as Hector breaks down in tears. Mr. Rivera, Jorge, and Lorenzo place their hands on Hector’s shoulder with compassion as their motive.

Hector: (Cries) I need help … help me, Jesus. (Beat) Please come into my heart. I need to be forgiven. Help me, Jesus. Aggg … Aggg. I believe in you, Jesus. I believe.

Hector prays on with a broken heart unto God.

Hector: (Prays on) The devil had my soul all of my life. (Beat) I did the devil’s work and done so much harm to many. Forgive me, Lord. Change my heart. Make me a man of love and peace. I’m tired of the hurt and pain, man. (Beat) Give me the peace I need, Jesus. (Beat) I believe. (Beat) I really believe!

Hector looks up at Mr. Rivera, Lorenzo and Jorge with more tears flowing from his eyes.

Hector: I believe! (Beat) I really believe!

Jorge, Lorenzo, and Mr. Rivera help Hector stand up from his prayer.

Mr. Rivera: God has forgiven you, Hector. (Beat) I forgive you. We all forgive you.

Mr. Rivera looks at Lorenzo and Jorge in agreement.

Hector is sincere in his remorse. Authentic.

Mr. Rivera: Don’t take this experience for granted, Hector. A miracle has happened to you. (Beat) Your victim, who is me, huh?

Mr. Rivera has a good sense of humor as he spreads his arms wide.

Mr. Rivera: I’m your victim, who came down from heaven to help you change. (Beat) Help you to find the way, the truth and the life into your heart, mind and soul, my friend. (Beat) Jesus is the way!

Mr. Rivera points to Jorge and Lorenzo again.

Mr. Rivera: God allowed your father and son to come down from heaven to assist me in your conversion. (Beat) What an amazing thing, huh?!

Hector looks on in wonder.

Mr. Rivera: Your past doesn’t have to dictate who you can become, Amigo! You have a purpose in life now, Hector. Follow the course God has for you, my brother! (Beat) This is a miracle indeed! Yes, indeed!

Hector wipes his eyes full of tears.

Mr. Rivera: Help others! Do your part to stop the cycle of crime and hate, my friend. What a powerful ministry God has given you!

Hector is overwhelmed by this spiritual experience. Mr. Rivera, Jorge, and Lorenzo glare at Hector with love in their eyes.

Hector: I give you my word to change and help others. (Emotional) To really change. (Beat) It’s all for Jesus! Amen!

Hector looks up to God.

Hector: I give God my word! My bond! (Beat) I vow to do so.

Mr. Rivera smiles with a big grin on his face.

Mr. Rivera: Now, that’s what I wanted to hear, Amigo! It does my soul good.

Jorge: Me too, son.

Lorenzo: Mine too, Papa.

Hector wipes more tears from his eyes and smiles.

Mr. Rivera: I believe you’ve found your way, Hector. Your heart is sincere.

Mr. Rivera gives Hector another hug. That’s when a dog barking is heard in the background. The barks of a Chihuahua.

Dog Barks: (O.S.) Rfffffffff!

Hector looks around the cell in wonder.

Hector: What the hell is that, huh? There are no dogs here, Amigo!

Mr. Rivera laughs.

Mr. Rivera: (Laughs) Ha, ha, ha, ha. Oh, that’s my dog, Chino. My little Chihuahua friend.

Dog Barks: (O.S.) Rffffffff!

Mr. Rivera yells out to his dog.

Mr. Rivera: (Yelling) Calm down, Chino! Calm down!

Dog Barks: (O.S.) Rffffffff!

Mr. Rivera: (Yelling again) I’ll be there soon, Chino! I’ll never leave you, Chino! We have forever together! Si! Okay, Chino?!

Mr. Rivera turns to Hector again.

Mr. Rivera: Chino is letting me know it’s time to go. Chino is on the other side as well. My little friend has no patience. (Beat) So, I gotta go soon, Hector.

Mr. Rivera looks at Jorge and Lorenzo deep into their eyes.

Mr. Rivera: We all gotta go.

Hector: I understand.

Mr. Rivera: Now I know my death wasn’t in vain. You’re going to do great, wonderful things, Hector! Great things my friend!

Chino the Chihuahua barks loudly again.

Dog Barks: (O.S.) Grrrrrrrr!

Mr. Rivera yells out again.

Mr. Rivera: Calm down, Chino! Calm the hell down, will you, huh? I’m on my way!

Mr. Rivera looks to Hector again.

Mr. Rivera: Even in death, that damn little dog has no patience. He’s like a little baby!

Hector: Oh, yeah, huh?

Mr. Rivera: Si, it’s true! Si, so true, Amigo! (Beat) Well, I’ve done what I’m supposed to do here, Hector. For you to see the light. For you to walk the right path. (Beat) I believe now, you’re on that path, my friend.

Mr. Rivera and Hector shake hands.

Mr. Rivera: I’ll see you on the other side someday, my friend.

They break from their handshake.

Hector: Thank you, Mr. Rivera. (Beat) Second chances are real, huh?

Mr. Rivera: (Smiles) Indeed they are, Hector. Indeed, they are.

Mr. Rivera turns to look at Jorge and Lorenzo. Then, he turns to look back at Hector.

Mr. Rivera: I’ll leave you so you can say your goodbyes to your son and your father. (Beat) In fact, it’s not goodbye, it’s I’ll see you soon.

Chino barks again.

Dog Barks: (O.S.) Grrrrrrrr!

Mr. Rivera becomes even more aggravated.

Mr. Rivera: That dog drives me loco! (Yells out) Here I come, Chino!

Mr. Rivera waves goodbye to Hector.

Mr. Rivera: Adios, my friend.

Mr. Rivera points to Jorge and Lorenzo.

Mr. Rivera: See you soon, my brothers.

Jorge and Lorenzo give Mr. Rivera the thumbs up in agreement.

Hector: Thank you, Mr. Rivera for everything.

Mr. Rivera smiles as he starts to back away.

Mr. Rivera: It’s all good, Hector.

Mr. Rivera raises his arms up to heaven with a big smile on his face.

Mr. Rivera: It’s real good, my friend. Real good.

Mr. Rivera turns away and exits stage left. The dog barks again.

Dog Barks: (O.S.) Brrrrrrrr!

Mr. Rivera’s voice is heard off stage.

Mr. Rivero: Chino!! I love you, Chino!!

Then there’s silence as Hector looks at his father and his son. Then, Hector speaks.

Hector: I don’t want you to go.

Hector tears up again.

Jorge: We know, son. But we have to go back.

Lorenzo: Take care of yourself, Papa.

Hector: I will, son.

Lorenzo: Please be there for grandma Abuela and Maria. They need you, Papa.

Jorge: And your grandson is going to need you, Hector. You have much to live for.

Hector tears up even more.

Hector: I love you both so much. I’m sorry for letting you down, for not being a good son and father. I’m so sorry.

Jorge: Let that pain go, son. What matters is that your heart is free. That you fulfill the purpose God has for you. That will make me proud, son. I’ll be smiling from heaven.

Hector: Thank you, Papa.

Lorenzo: I’ll be smiling also, Papa. You’re a good man. (Beat) I love you, Papa.

Hector is full of tears.

Hector: I love you with my whole heart, son.

Hector hugs his son and then he hugs his father. It’s a strong emotional moment of true love and forgiveness. Angelic music is heard in the background. Hector breaks from his hugs with his son and father.

SFX: Angelic music.

Jorge: We must go now, son.

Hector stands there heartbroken.

Jorge: Don’t be sad, son. We’ll be together forever someday.

Lorenzo: We will, Papa. (Beat) We’re always with you. Don’t forget that.

Hector: Si.

Jorge and Lorenzo start to slowly walk to the back of the cell as the music plays on.

Hector: I love you both always.

Jorge and Lorenzo wave goodbye to Hector with smiles on their faces.

Lorenzo: Be strong, Papa.

Jorge: Remember son, I’m proud of you.

Hector stands there helpless and motionless as he watches his father and son exit the cell by stage left and back into heaven. The music of angels is heard in the background.

SFX: Music of angels.

There’s a short moment of pure silence. Hector feels emotionally drained after the spiritual experience he has had. He stands there very still as he wipes his eyes dry from the falling flood of tears. Then he looks up to the heavens.

Hector: I promise to do good, Lord. I promise to help others. I will help my family. (Beat) My loving mother, daughter, and future grandson. (Beat) I do promise to help these young men coming to prison. Help them become good men, men of integrity and pure character. Men who will love their families and do good in their communities. (Beat) Become men of God.

Hector walks over to his bed and he picks up his Bible.

Hector: I want my father, son, and Mr. Rivera to be proud of me. (Beat) I want you to be proud of me, Lord God.

Hector holds onto his Bible tight.

Hector: Jesus Christ is my Lord and Saviour – my redeemer.

Hector then holds up his Bible to the heavens.

Hector: I promise to be a man of love. Live the love of Christ. (Pause) I promise, dear Lord.

Hector lowers his Bible.

Hector: I promise. (Beat) Si, I promise.

Hector slowly turns away and slowly exits the cell by stage right.

A song plays in the background.

THE END