THEATRE COMMUNICATIONS GROUP

RUINED LYNN NOTTAGE

NEW YORK
2009

Ruined was originally commissioned by and

PRODUCTION HISTORY

Theatre in Chicago (Robert Falls, Artistic Director;

received its world premiere at the Goodman

Roche Schulfer, Executive Director) in November

2008. The production was co-produced by Man-

directed by Kate Whoriskey; the set design was by

Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer). It was
hattan Tbeatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic

Derek McLane, the lighting design was by Peter

Tazewell, tbe sound design was by Rob Milburn and

Kaczorowski, the costume design was by Paul

composed by Dominic Kanza; the dra- maturg was

Michael Bodeen and the original music was

Tanya Palmer and the production stage manager

was Kimberly Osgood. The cast was:

Saidah Arrika Ekulona

MAMA NADI

Cherise Boothe
JOSEPHINE

Condola Phyleia Rashad

SOPHIE

Quincy Tyler Bernstine

SALIMA

Russell Gebert Jones

CHRISTIAN

JEROME KISEMBE/SOLDIER/AID WORKER

Tom Mardirosian
MR. HARARI

COMMANDER OSEMBENGA/SOLDIER
Chris Chalk

FORTUNE/SOLDIER/MINER
Kevin Mambo

SIMON/SOLDIER/MINER
Chiké Johnson

William Jackson Harper

Simon Shabantu Kashama

SOLDIER

Ali Amin Carter

SOLDIER

Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic

Ruined made its New York City premiere at

February 2009. It was directed by Kate Whoriskey;

Director; Barry Grove, Executive Director) in

the set design was by Derek McLane, the lighting

design was by Paul Tazewell, the sound design was

design was by Peter Kazorowski, the costume

Kanza; the pro- duction stage manager was Donald

the original music was composed by Dominic
by Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen and

Fried, the stage manager was Alison Desantis and

the guitarist was Simon Shabantu Kashama. The

M A M A NADI
cast was:

JOSEPHINE
SOPHIE

CHRISTIAN
SALIMA

COMMANDER OSEMBENGA/SOLDIER
JEROME KISEMBE/SOLDIER
MR. HARARI

FORTUNE/SOLDIER/MINER
SIMON/SOLDIER/MINER/
AID W O R K E R

Saidah Arrika Ekulona Cherise Boothe Condola

PASCAL/SOLDIER

Quincy Tyler Bernstine Russell Gebert Jones Tom

Rashad

Mardirosian Chris Chalk Kevin Mambo Chiké

William Jackson Harper

Johnson

Ron McBee

.L.

JOSEPHINE
MAMA NADI

SOPHIE
SALIMA

JEROME KISEMBE
MR. HARARI
CHRISTIAN

COMMANDER
OSEMBENGA
FORTUNE
SIMON

REBEL SOLDIERS
LAURENT

Amadam, abnsinesswoman, attractive, early forties

CHARACTERS

One of Mama's girls, early twenties One of Mama's

girls, eighteen One of Mama's girls, nineteen

diamond merchant, early forties A rebel leader

Atraveling salesman, early forties A Lebanese

Amilitary leader for the crrent government

AGovernment Soldier, Salima's husband

AGovernment Soldier, Osembenga's assistant

AGovernment Soldier, Fortune's cousin

GOVERNMENT SOLDIERS
AID WORKER

A small mining town. The Democratic Republic of

SETTING

Congo.

MAMA: I paid money for her, not the other one. The

Idon't need to feed another plain girl. CHRISTIAN: I

other one is plain. Ihave half adozen girls like her,

good girl, she won't trouble you. MAMA: How do I

know this, okay, don't get worked-up. Sophie si a

know that? CHRISTIAN (Defensively): Because I

am telling you. She's seen
some very bad times.

CHRISTIAN: Take her on, just for a month. Yon'll

MAMA: Yeah? And why is that my concern?

(Mama gestures toward her own genitals.)

see she's a good girl. Hard worker.

CHRISTIAN: Yes. Look, militia did ungodly things to

MAMA: But damaged, am I right?

the child, took her with ... a hayonet and then left

MAMA (Snaps): I don't need to hear it. Are you

her for dead, And she was•

done? CHRISTIAN (Passionately): Things are

along the road people are talking about how this red
gonna get busy, Mama. Al

is rich with coltan. Suddenly everyone has a shovel,

dirt

wants to stake a claim since that boastful pygmy

and

fortune in the reserve. Iguarantee there'll be twice

dug np his

miners here hy September. And you know all those

as many

will be thirsty. So, take her, put her to work for you.
bastards

MAMA: And what makes you think I have any use

CHRISTIAN (Pleads): The girl cooks, cleans and

for her?

angel. And you ... you haven't had nice music here
she sings like an

MAMA: No. A girl like this is bad luck. I can't have it.
that one, that beauty Camille got the AIDS.
since

Josephine!

CHRISTIAN: And, Mama, she's pretty pretty. She'll

Josephine!

MAMA: Stop it already, no. You're like a hyena.

miners eyes happy. I promise.
keep the

Won't you shnt

up, now.

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13

LYNN NOTTAGE

(Josephine enters, put upon.)

14

Sophie, back. CHRISTIAN: Wait. Give us a minute,

JOSEPHINE: Yes, Mama. MAMA: Bring the girl,

Josephine.

Mama, please. Look, okay, I'm asking you to do me

(Josephine doesn't move.)

years. And Idon't ask you for alot in return. Please.

this favor. I've done many things for you over the

MAMA: I'm sorry, but I'm running a business not a

The child has no place else to go.

weave baskets for them. Josephine, why are you

mission. Take her to the sisters in Buuia, let her

standing there like a fool.

CHRISTIAN: Wait.
go get the girl.

CHRISTIAN (With a tinge of resentment): Tst! I

(Josephine sucks her teeth and exits.)
MAMA (Snaps): Get her!

remembered your

MAMA: Don't look at me that way. I open my doors,

lipstick and everything.

row I'm refugee camp overrun with suffering.

and tomor-

has their hand open since this damned war began. I

Everyone

do it. I keep food in the mouths of eight women

can't

the country's starving, so don't give me shit about

when half

CHRISTIAN: Look. Have anything you want off of

on one more girl.
taking

Anything! I even have some . . . some Belgian

my truck.

MAMA: You won't let up. Why are you so damn

chocolate.

concerned with

CHRISTIAN: C'mon, Mama, please.

this girl? Hnh?

MAMA: Chocolate. I always ask you for chocolate,

RUINED

and you always tell me ti turns in this heat. How

But, she must be very very important to you. I see

many times have you refused me this year. Huh?

that. Do you want to fuck her or

something? (A moment.)

Okay? I told my family I'd find a place for her . . .

CHRISTIAN: She's my sister's only daughter.

And here at least I know she'll be safe. Fed.

And as you know the village isn't a place for a girl

(He stops himself and gulps down his soda.)

heen . . . ruined. It brings shame, dishonor to the

who has

here, huh? I'm sorry, but, Ican't. Idon't have room for
family. MAMA (Ironically): But it's okay for her to be

another broken girl. CHRISTIAN: She eats like a

(Sophie enters.)
bird. Nothing.

(Mama stares at Sophie, thinking, her resolve

MAMA (Defensively): It's "Mademoiselle."
SOPHIE: Madame.

slowly softening.)

(Sophie walks over to Mama.)

Come here.

(Sophie meets Mama's eyes.)

How old are you?

SOPHIE: Eighteen.
15

MAMA: Mama. You do math? Stuff like that?

RUINED

(Mama lifts Sophie's chin with her fingers, enviously

SOPHIE: Yes, Mama. MAMA: Good.

exam- ining her face.)

you problems. Do you know what kind of place this

Yes, you're very pretty. I can see how that caused

(Mama carefully applies red lipstick to Sophie's

SOPHIE: Yes, Mama. I think so. MAMA: Good.
is?

Then we have no problems. I expect my girls to be

mouth.)

food and clothing. fI things are good, everyone gets

wel behaved and clean. That's al. I provide a bed,

alittle. If things are bacl, then Mama eats first. Am I

making myself clear?

(Sophie doesn't respond.)

Good. Red is your color.
(Sophie nods.)

Thank you, Mama.

(Mama pours a glass of local home-brewed liquor.

SOPHIE: Thank you, Mama.

She holds

MAMA: Here. It'll help the pain down below. I know

it out.)

because it smells like the rot of meat. So wash

it hurts,

(Sophie takes the glass, and slowly drinks the liquor

good.

down.)
17

Don't get too dependent on drink. It'll make you

18

sloppy, and I have no tolerance for sloppiness.

(Christian, put upon, reenters with a faded, but

Understood?

CHRISTIAN: Handmade. Imported. Très bon. I

pretty, box of chocolates.)

atime trying to find these Goddamn chocolates. And

Bunia ordered them. Real particular. Ihad ahell of
hope you're impressed. ABelgian shopkeeper in

twenty boxes, I tried to pawn them off on Pastor

then, poof, she's gone. And now I'm stuck with

(Mama opens the box, surveying the chocolates.

Robbins, but apparently he's on a diet.

She's ni sev- enth heaven. She offers a piece ot

Sophie, who timidly selects a piece.)

(Mama bites into the chocolate.)

SOPHIE: Merci.

CHRISTIAN: Happy? That's what the good life in

MAMA: Mmm.

Belgium tastes

MAMA: Caramel. (Savoring) Good God, I haven't

like.

ages. You bastard, you've been holding out on me!

had caramel in

Smel e'm, the smell reminds me of my mother.

Mmm.

me and my brothers to Kisangani. And she'd buy us

She'd take

na enormous bag of caramels wrapped ni that

each

plastic. You know why? So we wouldn't tell my

impossible

ther about all of the uncles she visited in the big

grandfa-

She'd sit us on the bank of the river, watching the

town.

and eating sweaty caramels, while she "visited with

boats

uncles." And as long as there were sweets, we

breathe a word, not a murmur, to old Papa.

didn't

LYNN NOTTAGE

time. Christ- ian reaches for a chocolate, but Mama

(Sophie eats her chocolate, smiling for the first

CHRISTIAN: What about me? MAMA: What about

quickly slaps his hand away.)

you? CHRISTIAN: Don't Iget one? MAMA: No!

(This amuses Sophie. She smiles.)

girl. You're lucky you have such a good uncle. Alot

CHRISTIAN: Why are you siniling? You're a lucky

of men would've left you for dead.

(Sophie's smile disappears.)

and bring the other stuff in before the vultures steal

MAMA: Never mind him. (To Christian) Go already

CHRISTIAN: Sophie. I'm . . . you . . . you be a good

it!

girl. Don't make Mama angry.

(Christian exits, an apology ni his posture. Sophie

SOPHIE: I won't Uncle.

licks her chocolate-covered fingers as the lights

fade.)

A month later. The bar. Josephine cranks the

Scene 2

Christmas lights flicker. The generator hums on.

generator. Colorful

provide a festive atmosphere. The birdcage rests ni

Music and lights

the back of the

At the bar, drunk and disheveled Rebel Soldiers

bar. Periodically the bird makes a raucous.

beers and laugh too loudly. Salima, wearing a shiny

drain their

gold midriff, a

RUINED
19

heels, shoots pool, doing her best to ignore the

colorful traditional wrap and misinatched yelow
20

occasional lustful leers of the Soldiers.

military uniform, holds court. Mama, toting bowls of

Jerome Kisembe, the rebel leader dressed ni

peanuts, wears a bright red kerchief around her

neck, in recognition of the rebel leader's colors.
Josephine dirty-dances for Mr. Harari, a tipsy

plows through an upbeat dance song, accompanied

surprisingly pristine clothing. He is barefoot. Sophie
Lebanese diamond merchant, who sports

by a guitar and drums.

SOPHIE (Sings):

Languor peels away like acurtain

The liquid night slowly pours in

And the weary ask to be forgiven.

Spirits rise and tongues loosen

And dance like it's the ending

You say drive away all regret
You come here to forget,

The ending of the war.

Leaving the scold of the sun behind

The day's heavy door closes quick

Dusk ushers in the forest's music

(Josephine dances for the men. They give her tips.)

And your body's free to unwind.

And dance like it's the ending

You say drive away al regret
You come here to forget,

The ending of the war.

Purge the wear and tear of the living?

But can the music be al forgiving

(A drunk Rebel Soldier stands, and demands

So you'll remember nothing tomorrow?
Will the sound drown out your sorrow,

LYNN NOTTAGE
attention.)

REBEL SOLDIER #1: Another! Hey! MAMA: Ihear

you! I hear you! REBEL SOLDIER #1: C'mon!

(He clumsily slams the bottle on the counter. He

Another!

Psst! You! Psst! Psst!

gestures to Sophie.)

Sophie ignores him. Rebel Soldier #1 turns his

(Another Rebel Soldier gives Sophie a catcall.

Her! Why won't she come talk to me? MAMA: You

attention back to Mama.)

want to talk to her. Behave, and let me see your

REBEL SOLDIER #1: The damn beer drained my

(Kisembe, haughty, lets out a roar of a laugh.)
money.

MAMA: Then go somewhere else. And mind your

pocket. It cost too much! You're a fucking thief!

REBEL SOLDIER #1: Hey. Wait. Wait. I want her to

tongue. (Turns away)

Mama, lookie! I have this. (Proudly displays a cloth

talk to me.

MAMA: What is it? Huh? Coltan? Where'd you get

with little chunks of ore)
filled

REBEL SOLDIER #1 (Boasting): From a miner on

it?

the reserve.

REBEL SOLDIER #1 (Snickering): Yeah, he give ti

MAMA: He just gave it to you?

poacher been diggin' up our forest, we run 'em off.

to me. Dirty

them good, gangsta style: "Muthafucka run!" Left

Run

'em for

(The Rebel Soldier strikes a hip-hop "gangsta-style"

the fucking scavengers.

The other Soldiers laugh. M.r Harari, unamused,

pose.

slightly registers the conversation. Mama laughs.)

ever so

21

worthless my friend. A month ago, yes, but now you

MAMA: Coltan? Let me see. Ah, that's nothing, it's
2

can't get a bandful of meal for it. Too many

bncket of it. Bring me a gram of gold, then we talk.

prospectors. Every miner that walks in here has a

REBEL SOLDIER #1: What do yon mean? Liar! In

aggressively grahs Mama's wrist.) This is a nice

MAMA: This ain't the city, is it, Soldier? (He
the city, this would fetch me plenty.

laws. If you want ot drink like a man, yon drink like a

place for a drink. Yeah? I don't abide by bush

man. You want to behave like gorilla, then go back

Mama.) REBEL SOLDIER #1: C'mon, Mama, this is

(The Soldiers laugh. The Rebel Soldier unhands
into the bush.

(Again, he gestures to Sophie. He's growing

worth plenty! Yeah?

(Frustrated, he puts the cloth back ni his pocket. He

Bitch. Why won't she talk to me?
increasingly belligerent.)

silently watching Sophie sway ot the music. Then all

broods,

den he collects himself, and drunkenly makes his

of a sud-

way toward

(He pounds his chest, another Soldier goads him

I'll teach her manners! Respect me!
her.)

stiffens. The music stops. Mama quickly steps

on. Sophie

MAMA: But ... as the coltan is all you have. I'll take
between them.)

Now go sit down. Sit down. Please.

it this time.

LYNN NOTTAGE

RUINED

REBEL SOLDIER #1 (Excited): Yeah? Now, I want

•

her to talk to me! Will she talk to me?

(He pulls out the cloth again. He gently removes

MAMA: Okay. Okay. Sit.

Don't be stingy. Tst! Let me see all of it. (He

several pieces of the ore.)

bristles at the sound of her name. She reluctantly

Mama.) (Smiling) Salima! Salima, come! (Salima
reluctantly relinquishes the weathered cloth to

approaches the Soldier. Mama shows her off to

REBEL SOLDIER #1: What about her? (Gestures to

him.)

Sophie) MAMA: Salima is better dancer. (Salima

KISEMBE: Soldier, everyone is happy!

I promise. Okay. Everyone is happy.
dances, seductively)

SALIMA: So, "Gangsta," you wanna dance with

(Salima sizes up the drunken Soldier.)

(She places his arms around her waist. He longingly

me?

at Sophie, then pulls Salima close. He leads

looks over

aggressively.)
Easy.

(Sophie, relieved, resumes singing. Salima and the

MAMA: Sophie.

Soldier dance.)
Rebel

Douse the fire of your fears, my friend,

Have another beer, my friend,
SOPHIE (Sings):

Get drunk and foolish on the moment,

23

ช่มา...
2-4

another beer, my friend, Wipe away the angry tears,

Brush aside the day's heavy judgment. Yes, have

my friend, Get drunk and foolish on the moment,

come here to forget, You say drive away all regret,

Brush aside the day's heavy judgment. Cuz you

The ending of the war. The ending of the war. The

And dance like it's the ending

quenched the fire, fetches her lockbox from a hiding

(Applause. Mr. Harari tips Sophie. Mama having
ending of the war.

place beneath the counter, and puts the ore inside.)

Sophie) JOSEPHINE (With disdain): Sophie?! She's

MR. HARARI: That one, she's pretty. (Gestures ot

broken. Al of the girls

MR. HARARI: What are you wearing? Where's the

(Josephine leads Mr. Harari to the table. He sits.)
think she's bad luck.

dress I bought

JOSEPHINE: If I had known you were coming, I'd

you?

MR. HARARI: Then what are you waiting for, my

have put it on.

(Josephine exits quickly. Mama, toting her lockbox;

darling?

MAMA: What happened to your shoes, Mr. Harari?

Harari at his table.)
joins Mr.

MR. HARARI: Your fucking country, some drunk

best impersonation of a rebel soldier liberated my

child doing his

Every time I come here Ihave to buy a new fucking

shoes.

pair of

LYNN NOTTAGE
shoes.

(Laughter from the pool table.) MAMA: You're lucky

RUINED

(The Soldier gets too friendly with Salima. She

he only wanted your shoes. Sante.

REBEL SOLDIER #1: Hey! KISEMBE: Ach, ach,

lurches away, and falls against the pool table.)

(The Solider grabs Salima onto his lap. Mr. Harari

behave, I'm trying to play here.

MR. HARARI (To Mama): You took that poor man's

weighs the situation.)

what he gave away for the taste of that woman. (To

coltan. Shame on you. He probably doesn't know

Soldier) Savor it!

friend. (To Mama) We both know how much it would

The toll to enter that tunnel was very expensive, my

MAMA: Yeah, so? Six months ago it was just more

fetch on the market.

black dirt. Idon't get why everyone's crawling over

MR. HARARI: Well, my darling, in this damnable

each other for it.

mobile phone it's become quite the precious ore,

age of the

for what ever reason, God has seen fit to bless your
no? And

ward country with an abundance of it. Now, if that

back-

man had come to me, I would've given him enough

young

to buy pussy for a month. Even yours. So who's the

money

big-

MAMA: He give it to me, you saw. So, does that

ger thief, you or him?

or merely more clever than you.

make me a thief

MR. HARARI: My darling, you'd do well in

(Mr. Harari laughs.)

MAMA: Ido wel here, and I'd get homesick in

Kisangani.

filthy city full of bureaucrats and thieves.

Kisangani. It's a

25

26

it, terribly. And I mean that as a compliment. MAMA:

MR. HARARI: Very funny, but I imagine you'd enjoy

Do you have a minute? MR. HARARI: Of course.

REBEL SOLDIER #2: Chief. KISEMBE: Bring me

KISEMBE: Soldier! Soldier!

(Mama empties a bag containing stones onto a

my mobile! What're you, an old man? Hurry!

MAMA: What do you think? Huh?

cloth on the table.)

looking, I can tell you, most of these are worthless.

MR. HARARI (Referring to the diamonds): Just

I'm sorry. (Mama takes out another stone, and

places it on the table.)

(Mama points to the rough stone. Mr. Harari

MAMA: What about that one?

loup to his eye and examines it. He looks over his

diamond on the table, then meticulously places a
examines the

MR. HARARI (Whispers): Hm. It's a raw diamond.

shoulder.)

Where'd you

MAMA: Don't you worry. I'm holding it for someone.

get this?

MR. HARARI (Continues ot examine the diamond):

MAMA: Yeah, yeah, but is it worth anything?

see, there. It carries the light well.
Nice. Yes, you

MR. HARARI: Well...

MR. HARARI: Depends.

MAMA: Well...

It's raw, and the market—

(Mama smiles.)

LYNN NOTTAGE

MAMA: Yeah, yeah, but, what are we talking? Huh?

RUINED

(Chuckling): Slow down, I can offer you a fairly good

Anew gen- erator or a plot of land? MR. HARARI

independent with afamily that doesn't appreciate

price. But, he reasonahle, darling, I'm an

MAMA: You sound like old Papa. He was like you,

(Mama takes back the diamond.)
how hard Iwork.

Mr. Harari, work too much, always want more, no

rotting. He used to say as long as the forest grows a

rest. When there was famine his bananas were

man will never starve. MR. HARARI: Does he still

have his farm? MAMA (Smiling to herself): You
know better, Mr. Harari, you're

hutter. No. When I was eleven, this white man with

in the Congo. Things slip from our fingers like

wild berries turned up with apiece of paper. It say he

skin the color of

have rights to my family land. (With acid) Just like

And you want to hear a joke? Poor old Papa bought

that. Taken!

from a friend, he thought a handful of powder would

magic

him back his land. (Examining the diamond)

give

talk diamonds, bnt I. . . I want a powerful slip of

Everyone talk

that says Ican cut down forests and dig holes and
paper

the moon fi I choose. I don't want someone to turn

build to

my door, and take my life from me. Not ever again.

up at

tell, how does awoman like me get apiece of land,

But

(Mr. Harari cautiously watches the Rebel Soldiers.)

out having to pick up a fucking gnn?
with-

MR. HARARI: These, these idiots keep changing

on us. You file papers, and the next day the office is
the damn rnles

burned down. You huy land, and the next day the

son has built a fncking house on it. I don't know why

chief's

body bothers. Madness. And look at them.

any-

Rebel Soldiers) A hungry pygmy digs a hole in the

(Gestures to the

forest,
27

LYNN NOT TAGE

and suddenly every two-bit militia is battling for the

28

MAMA: True, chérie, but someone must provide

keys to hell.

(Mr. Harari laughs. Mama scoops up hte stones and

them with beer and distractions.

MR. HARARI: Just, be careful, where will I drink if

places them back into her lockbox.)

(Mr. Harari gives Mama a friendly kiss.) MAMA:

anything hap- pens to you?

(Josephine enters proudly sporting an elegant

Don't worry about me. Everything is beautiful.

JOSEPHINE: What do you think?

traditional dress.)

MR. HARARI: Such loveliness. Doesn't she look

(Mr. Harari shifts his gaze to Josephine.)

MR. HARARI: Ijust might have to take you home

MAMA: Yes, very. Karibu.
beautiful?

JOSEPHINE (Excited): Promise.

with me.

(Josephine hitches up her dress and straddles Mr.

MR. HARARI: Of course.

kisses him.)
Harari. She

KISEMBE: Two more Primus. And, Mama, why can't

MAMA: Okay, okay, chief, sawa sawa.
KISEMBE (Shouts): Mama! Mama!

MAMA: You tell me, you're important, go make ti

service in this pit?
Iget mobile

happen!

MR. HARARI: Who's that? JOSEPHINE: Him?

RUINED

He's very powerful. He have sorcerer that give him

Jerome Kisembe, leader of the rebel militia.

fearless. He is the boss man, the government and

a charm so he can't be touched by bullet. He's

(Mr. Harari studies Kisembe.) Don't look so hard at

the church and any- thing else he wants to be.

a man like that.

Mama clears the beer bottles from Kisembe's table.

(Josephine grabs Mr. Harari's face and kisses him.

The Soldier gropes at Salima, eh nips her on the

neck.)

(Salima pulls away from the Soldier and heads for

SALIMA: Ow! You jackass.

the door. Mama races after her, catching her arm

MAMA: What's your problem?

forcefully.)

(Mama shoves Salima back toward the Soldier.

MAMA: You selfish girl. Now get back to him.
SALIMA: Did you see what he did?

watching, runs over to Salima.)

Sophie,

SALIMA: The dog hit me. (Whispered) I'm not going

SOPHIE: Are you all right, Salima?

back over
there.

SALIMA: He's filth! It's a man like him that—

SOPHIE: You have to.

SALIMA (Tears welling up ni her eyes): Do you

SOPHIE: Dou't. Mama's looking.

know what he said

to meー
29

Half of them are lies. Dirty fucking lies! Go back,

SOPHIE: They'll say anything to impress a lady.
LYNN NOTTAGE

(Sophie gives Salima a kiss on the cheek. Salima's

don't listen. I'll sing the song you like.

returns to the drunken Soldier. Sophie launches into

eyes shoot daggers at Mama, but she reluctantly

another song. Josephine dirty- dances for Mr.

Have another beer, my friend,

Harari.)

and foolish on the moment, Brush aside the day's

Wipe away the angry tears, my friend, Get drunk

heavy judgment. Cuz you come here to forget,

And dance like it's the ending

You say drive away al regret

And dance like it's the ending

(The music crescendos.)
The ending
The ending

(Mama watches Salima like a hawk. The lights

And dance like it's the ending ...
The ending

fade.)

Morning. Living quarters behind the bar. Ragged

Scene 3

beds. Aposter of a popular African American pop

wood-and-straw

Josephine's bed. Sophie paints Salima's fingernails,

star hangs over

a worn fashion magazine. Salima shifts in place,

as she peruses

agitated.
30

SALIMA (Impatiently): C'mon, c'mon, c'mon,

SOPHIE: Keep still, will ya. Stop moving. She's with

Sophie. Finish before she comes back.

Mr. Harari. SALIMA: She's gonna kill me if she find

out I use her nail polish. SOPHIE: Well, keep it up,
and she's gonna find out one of these

(Sophie makes a mistake with Salima's nails.

days. SALIMA: But, not today. So hurry!

Aye girl, look what you did! Pumbafu! SOPHIE:

Salima violently yanks her hand away.)

What's your problem?!

(Salima, frustrated, stands up and walks away.)

SALIMA: Nothing. Nothing. I'm fine.

SOPHIE: Yeah? Yon've been short with me all

morning? Don't

SALIMA: "Smile, Salima. Talk pretty." Them soldiers

turn away. I'm talking to you.

don't respect nothing. Them miners, they easy, they

want drink, company, and it's over. But the soldiers,
they want

SOPHIE: Did that man do something to hurt you?

more of you, and—

SALIMA: You know what he say? He say fifteen

shot dead and buried in their own mining pit, in mud

Hema men were

thick it swallow them right into the ground without

so

mercy. He say, one man stuff the coltan into his

keep the soldiers from stealing his hard work, and

mouth to

split his belly open with a machete. "It'll show him

they

stealing," he say, bragging like I should be

for

him. And then he fucked me, and when he was

congratulating

sat on the floor and wept. He wanted me to hold

finished he

Comfort him.
him.

SALIMA: No. I'm Hema. One of those men could be

SOPHIE: And, did you?

my hrother.

RUINED
31

SOPHIE: Don't even say that. (Salima is overcome

32

by the possibility.)

baby— SOPHIE: Stop it! We said we wouldn't talk

SALIMA: I . . I... miss my family. My hushand. My

Beatrice and how much she liked banana. I feed her

about it. SALIMA: This morning I was thinking about

like this. I squeeze bauana hetween my fingers and

let her suck them, and she'd make a funny little

(Emotionally) Delight! Delight! SOPHIE: Shhh!

face. Such delight. Delight.

SALIMA: Please, let me say my hahy's name,

Lower your voice.

Beatrice. SOPHIE: Shhh!

SOPHIE: Now, look at me. Look here, fi you leave,

SALIMA: Iwanna go home!

where will you go? Huh? Sleep in the bush?

Scrounge for food in a stink-
ing refugee camp.

SOPHIE: What? Be thrown back out there? Where

SALIMA:But Iwanua~~!

Huh? Your hushand? Your village? How much

will you go?

did they show you?

goodness

SOPHIE: I'm sorry, but you kuow it's true. There is a

SALIMA (Wounded): Why did you say that?

on, and it isn't safe for awoman alone. You know

war going

that! It's

SALIMA: You, you don't have to be with them.

better this way, Here.

hands are so full of rage that it hurts to be touched.

Sometimes their

night, I look over at you singing, and you seem

This

happy like a sunbird that can fly away if you reach

almost

out to

SOPHIE: Is that what you think? While I'm singing,

touch it.

the pain will be gone, but what those men did to me

I'm praying

inside of my hody. Every step I take I feel them in

lives

Punishing me. And it will be that way for the rest of

me.

LYNN NOTTAGE
my life.

RUINED

I'm pregnant. I can't tell Mama. (Tears fill her eyes)

SALIMA: I'm pregnant. SOPHIE: What? SALIMA:
(Salima touches Sophie's face.)

SOPHIE: No. Shh. Shh. Okay, Okay. SALIMA:

(Sophie hugs Salima.)

(Sophie breaks away from Salima and digs ni a

She'll turn me out.

What are you doing?

basket for a book.)

(Sophie pulls money from between the pages of the

SOPHIE: Shh. Look, look.

book and empties the bills onto the bed.)

SOPHIE: Shhh. This is for us. We won't be here

SALIMA: Sophie?!

SOPHIE: Don't worry. Mama may be many things,

SALIMA: Where'd you get ... the money?
forever. Okay.

count so good. And when there's enough we'll get a

but she don't

to Bunia. Ipromise. But you can't say anything, not

bus

even

SALIMA: But if Mama finds out that your'e—

ot Josephine. Okay?

(Josephine, bedraggled, enters and throws herself

SOPHIE: Shhhh. She won't.

JOSEPHINE: What you two whispering about?

on the bed.)

(Sophie hides the nail polish and book beneath hte

SOPHIE: Nothing.

mattress.)
3

LYNN NOTTAGE

JOSEPHINE: God, I'm starving. And there's never

34

anything to eat. I thought you were going to save

SOPHIE: I did, I put it on the shelf under the cloth.

me some fufu.

Pesky creature. JOSEPHINE: It ain't the monkey,

SALIMA: Ibet that stupid monkey took it again.

a menace. That boy's buttocks would be raw if he

it's Emeline's nasty child. He's

enormous disfig- uring black scar circumventing her

(Josephine takes off her shirt, revealing an
were mine.

stomach. She tries ot hide it. Sophie's eyes are

(To Salima) But, if it's you who's been pinching my

drawn to the scar.)

sup- per, don't think Iwon't find out. Iain't the only

looking at? (Tosses her shirt to Sophie) Hang up my

same food we eat- ing. (To Sophie) What are you
one who's noticed that yon getting fat fat off the

(Sophie hangs Josephine's shirt on a nail.)

shirt! Sasa!

SALIMA: Tst. (Whispers under her breath)

JOSEPHINE: And what's wrong with her?

(Josephine suspiciously sniffs the air. Then puts on

SALIMA: Nothing.

tional colorful wrap. Amoment. Salima sits back on

a tradi-

JOSEPHINE: Hey, girl, why is my fashion magazine

Josephine notices her magazine on the bed.)
the bed.

here? Huh?

JOSEPHINE: What do you want with it? Can you

SALIMA: I. Ihad aquick look.

SALIMA: Oh, shut your mouth, I like looking at the

even read?

JOSEPHINE: Oh, c'mon, girl, you've seen them a

photographs.

the same photographs that were there yesterday.

dozen times. It's

SOPHIE: Atsha, makelle. Let her see it, Josephine.

SALIMA: So why do you care if I look at them?

the same argument.

Let's not have

JOSEPHINE: There. SALIMA (Whispered): Bitch.

RUINED

JOSEPHINE: What? SALIMA: Thank you.

JOSEPHINE: Yeah, that's what I thought.

Girl, I really should charge you for all the times your
(Josephine tosses the magazine at Salima.)

SOPHIE: Oh, give us peace, she doesn't feel wel.

dirty fingers fuss with it. (Sucks her teeth)

(Salima, moping, thumhs through the magazine,

JOSEPHINE: No?

doing her best to ignore Josephine.)

younger sister get school, and Iget good husband.

SALIMA: The only reason I don't read is cuz my

(Salima ignores her. Josephine turns on the

JOSEPHINE: So where is he?!

ANNOUNCER (Voice-over): Nous avons reçu des

portable radio hanging over her bed.)

bandits armés de Lendu et des groupes rivaux de

rapports que les

hattent pour la commande de la vile-

Hema com-

(Josephine quickly turns the radio dial. Congolese

SOPHIE: Lendu and Hema, fighting near Bunia.
SALIMA: What's he say?

music plays. She does a few quick suggestive

hip-hop

steps, then lights

JOSEPHINE: Hey. Hey. Guess what? Guess what?

a cigarette.)

Kisangani next month.

I'm going to

SOPHIE: What?
35

LYNN NOTTACE

JOSEPHINE: Mr. Harari is going to take me. Watch

36

out, chérie, he's promised to set me up in a high-

rise apartment. Don't hate, al of this fineness
belongs ni the city. SOPHIE: For true?

SOPHIE: No, no, that's real cool, Josephine. The

JOSEPHINE: What, you think I'm lying?

JOSEPHINE: Me? . . . No. No. (To Salima) And I

big town. You been?

know you haven't. SALIMA: How do you know?

(Sarcastically): What, he was going to sell his yams

time next year. My hushand — JOSEPHINE
Huh? I was planning to go some

SALIMA: I'll ask you not to mention my family.

in the market?

JOSEPHINE: And if I do?

(Josephine recognizes the weight of her words but

SALIMA: I'm asking you kindly this time.

JOSEPHINE: I'm tired of hearing about your family.

forges on.)

SALIMA: Mention them again, and I swear to God

(Blows smoke at Salima)

I'll beat your ass.

SALIMA: Yeah. You don't know what the hell you're

JOSEPHINE: Yeah?

JOSEPHINE: I don't? Al right. I'm stupid! I don't!

talking about.

smarter than al of us. Yeah? That's what you think,

You are

Kivele wele. You wait, girl. I'll forgive you, Iwill, when
huh?

say, "Josephine you were so so right."

you

SOPHIE: Just shut up!

(Josephine blows a kiss. Salima, enraged, starts for

JOSEPHINE: Hey, I'm done.

SOPHIE: Salima, Salima.

the door.)

(Salima is gone.)

JOSEPHINE (Taunting): Salima! (Josephine falls on

RUINED

SOPHIE: What's wrong with you? What did Salima

the bed laughing.)

JOSEPHINE: Hey, jolie fille. (Makes kissing sounds)

do to you? You make me sick. (Flicks off the radio)

SOPHIE: Don't talk to me. JOSEPHINE: I can't talk

about here as fi God touched only you. What you

to you? Who put you on the top shelf? You flutter

SOPHIE: Yeah, but, I'm not a whore. JOSEPHINE:

seem to forget is that this is a whorehouse, chérie.

Amere trick of fate. I'm sorry, but let me say what

whore. So many men have had you that you're

we all know, you are something worse than a

A( moment. Sophie, wounded, turns and limps avay

worthless.

silently.)

JOSEPHINE: Am I wrong?
SOPHIE: . . . Yes.
Am I wroug?

JOSEPHINE: My father was chief!

SOPHIE: Yes.

My father was chief! The most important man in my

(Sophie is at the door. Josephine confronts her.)

lage, and when the soldiers raided us, who was

vil-

me? Huh? Not his second wife: "There! She is the

kind to

daughter!" Or the cowards who pretended not to

chief's

me. And did any of them bring a blanket to cover

know

anyone move to help me? NO! So you see, you

me, did

(The lights fade.)

ain't special!

73

Scene 4
38

bustles with activ- ity: Miners, Prostitutes, Musicians

Dusk. The generator hums. Sophie sings. The bar

and Government Soldiers. Laughter. A Miner chats

up Salima. Josephine sits at a table with a Soldier.
SOPHIE (Sings):

Afew patient and distant listeners

Sings a song heard by a few,
Arare bird on alimh

Hear, its sweet sweet call,

Acry that tells astory, harmonious,

Asound that haunts the forest,

But time forgotten.

It must evade, evade capture,

To be seen, is to be doomed

Still cries out to be heard.

And yet the bird

Still cries out to be heard.

And yet the bird

And yet the bird

MAMA: Hello. Talk to me. You hungry? Yes?

(Mama enters. She feeds the parrot.)
Still cries out to he heard.

(Mama is surprised by Christian. Her face lights up.)

CHRISTIAN (Entering): Mama!

(Mama cracks open a couple of sodas. Christian

MAMA: Ah, professor!

of chocolates and several cartons of cigarettes on

places a box

then launches into a poem:)

the counter

LYNN NOTTAGE

A nasty tug of war, Two equally implacable partners

CHRISTIAN: The tidal dance,

Day fighting night.

early poem, but I'm afraid it's running away from my

And so forth and so on. Forgive me, I bring you an

memory. I still hope one day you will hear the music

(Mama passes a cold soda to Christian. He blows a

MAMA (Dismissive): You're a ridiculous man.
and dance with me.

kiss to Sophie.)

waiting for. MAMA: You're the only man I know who

CHRISTIAN: Lovely, chérie. It's what I've been

CHRISTIAN: Last time I had a drink, I lost several

beer at the end of a long drive.
doesn't crave a cold

(Mama hands him a list.)

years of my life.

MAMA: Alist of everything Iknow you forgot to bring

What's this?

me.

CHRISTIAN: What? When'd you learn to spell so

(Christian examines the list.)

MAMA: Oh, close your mouth. Sophie wrote it

good?

down. She's a

CHRISTIAN (Teasing): You se bow things work out.

smart girl, been helping me.

you wanted to turn her away—

And you,

(Salima and the Miner laugh and play pool.)

MAMA: Are you finished?

I looked out for you on Friday. What the hell

happened?

RUINED
39

40

mission. Have you heard? Pastor Robbins been

CHRISTIAN: I had to deliver supplies to the

(The Soldier whispers something in Josephine's

missing for a couple days.

ear. She laughs loudly, flirtatiously.)

preacher? I'm not surprised. He's gotta big fucking

I told them I'd ask about. MAMA: The white

flaky aspirin aud maybe a round of penicillin if you

only thing that old bastard ever did was pass out
mouth. The mission's better off without him. The

CHRISTIAN: Well, the rumor is the pastor's been

were dying.

treating wounded rebel soldiers.

CHRISTIAN: That's what I'm hearing. Things are

MAMA (Concerned): Really?

getting ugly

CHRISTIAN: Last week or so. The militias, they're

MAMA: Since when?
over that way.

battling for control of the area. It is impossible.

MAMA: What about Yaka-yaka mine? Has the

CHRISTIAN: I don't know about the miners, but it's

fighting scared off the miners?

I was just by Yaka-yaka. When I was there six

(Salima and the Miner laugh.)
scaring me.

it was a forest filled with noisy birds, now it looks

months ago,

God spooned out heaping mouthfuls of earth, and

like

stupid bastard is trying to get a taste of it. It's been

every

chérie, hut never like this. Not here.

ugly,

(She's spooked, but doesn't want to show it. She

MAMA: No more talk.

the Musicians to play an upbeat song. The song

signals for

There will always be squabbles, ancient and

plays softly.)

LYNN NOTTAGE
otherwise.

est