THE INJURY
(An adaptation from “Pinoys Play Baseball” a play by Robert Francis Flor)
Characters
Agui Lagmay – Late 30’s to early 40s Filipino male
Pedro Mandapat – Late 30s’ to early 40s Filipino male
Bagobo “Bags” Floresca – Late 30s to early 40s Filipino
Author’s Note: Pinoy was a Filipino softball team in Seattle during the seventies. They wore the Pittsburg Pirates 1977 gold, black and pinstriping on white uniform. The team name “Pinoy” is lettered across the front.
Setting:
(Pedro, Pinoy’s catcher, sprawls on the ground near home plate writhing in pain. A player from the opposing softball team slid into Pedro taking him out. Agui and Bagobo run to help him.)
AGUI
Pedro! Pedro! You okay, man?
PEDRO
My knee. My knee. He slid on my knee.
BAGS
How bad? Can you stand?
PEDRO
No. It hurts like hell.
AGUI
Dirty player! He coulda slid around you.
BAGS
Legal though.
AGUI
Didn’t have to take him out.
BAGS
Paco blocked the line. It happens.
PEDRO
Help me to the dugout. (Pedro moans and screams in pain.)
AGUI
(They begin to pick him up.) Let’s get them. Teach them a lesson. (They set him down. Pedro continues to moan.)
BAGS
Teach them a lesson? How?
AGUI
Kick some ass. Let’s get those guys!
BAGS
I don’t know. It’s a practice game. Stuff happens, Agui.
AGUI
Stuff happens, Bags. It didn’t have to –
BAGS
Forget it.
AGUI
I thought we had each other’s backs. You chicken?
BAGS
Come-on, man. We’re in our ‘40s.
AGUI
So what?
BAGS
So, you know how long it takes to recover from an injury now.
AGUI
I thought we were brothers. Supported each other. You’re not willing to fight. You afraid?
BAGS
We’re too old. We’re not seventeen.
PEDRO
Guys, I think my leg is –
AGUI
Yeah, yeah! No pain. No gain.
BAGS
Hang in there, Pedro. Won’t be long.
AGUI
You let other teams push us around. No wonder we lose close ones. No heart, man. You got no heart.
BAGS
No one cares if we win or lose. It’s a effin’ game. This ain’t the majors. Not even high school.
AGUI
Everything’s just fun, huh. NBD.
BAGS
NBD?
AGUI
No Big Deal. You don’t care.
PEDRO
Guys. Guys. Stop. Help me up. Gotta to go to the hospital. Can’t stand. My knee is gone.
BAGS
Sorry, Pedro. Almost forgot. (to Agui) Lift him.
AGUI
Who put you in charge?
BAGS
I’m just sayin’ –
PEDRO
Save it. I –
AGUI
That does look bad. How we gonna replace you?
PEDRO
Replace ?
BAGS
Looks awful. Creates a hole. We’ll need a new catcher.
AGUI
How about Roberto? He can rake.
BAGS
Gives us another bat.
AGUI
He’ll need a uniform.
PEDRO
What? My leg!
BAGS
You’ll be out a month, maybe more. How about lending –
PEDRO
Ahh, shut up, guys.
BAGS
(Looks up) They want to start the game. Only two innings left. (to Agui)
Let’s get him to the dugout.
PEDRO
Get me to the hospital!
AGUI
Don’t be impatient. You’ll survive. We’re doing this for you.
BAGS
Yeah, man. Don’t get crazy. It’ll be over soon.
PEDRO
Thanks, you two. Just really, thanks.
(Lights down. End of play.)