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Scene 1 - Behind the police station

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 May 2019

Empatheatre
Assisted by
The Big Brotherhood
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Summary

The wail of police sirens, flashing of red and blue lights. ANDILE, wearing a black hoodie that conceals his face comes hurtling through the audience and onto the stage.

PORTIA [yelling from audience]: You run, I shoot. Do you hear me? You hear me?

Torch beams scan the darkness as members of the Metro Police arrive on stage. PORTIA, a sturdy policewoman of around 40, wearing a bulletproof jacket, leads the chase.

ANDILE is trapped. He stops out of breath as PORTIA, flanked by the rest of her unit [including officers

BULAWAYO and ZIKHALI] surround him.

PORTIA: I will pull this trigger. I will shoot.

ANDILE tries to dash but is pushed forcefully down to the ground by ZIKHALI.

BULAWAYO: Get down on the ground.

PORTIA: On the ground. Do you hear me?

PORTIA pins ANDILE to the floor, securing his hands behind his head. She inspects his face with the flashlight.

PORTIA: You … again?

ANDILE grimaces.

PORTIA: Ayanda?

ANDILE: Andile.

ANDILE tries to wriggle free but PORTIA shoves him back down.

PORTIA: How could I forget? What have we got today, eh?

ZIKHALI: Empty your pockets.

ANDILE: Please, Lieutenant.

PORTIA: Don't waste our time boy.

ANDILE: I have nothing on me.

PORTIA: I'm a busy woman. Empty them.

ANDILE: Please …

PORTIA [assertive]: Empty your pockets.

ANDILE: Just let me go … please.

PORTIA: Would you like Captain Bulawayo to empty them for you? Do you remember what happened the last time Officer Bulawayo had to empty them for you? [Calling.] Bulawayo!

BULAWAYO [stepping forward]: I am here, Lieutenant.

PORTIA: You remember Officer Bulawayo, Andile?

ANDILE [stammering]: I remember.

PORTIA: And Officer Zikhali?

ANDILE: Yes, Ma.

PORTIA: I would like to make this quick and easy for all of us this evening. Empty your pockets.

ANDILE empties his pockets. A few ziplock bags filled with whoonga straws fall to the ground.

ANDILE: Please Ma, please let me keep my goof.

PORTIA: Allow you to pollute all the other children in this community? You want me to arrest you again? How many times has it been this month? [No answer.] You can't remember, eh? Zikhali, can you?

Type
Chapter
Information
Ulwembu
Empatheatre and the Big Brotherhood
 , pp. 4 - 8
Publisher: Wits University Press
Print publication year: 2018

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