The January’s People’s Choice goes to…

The people have spoken… The January People’s Choice Award goes to Christian Wilburn for his play White Card, presented as a staged reading at Monday Night PlayGround on January 24th on Vimeo Livestream. Congratulations, Christian!

Courtesy of Christian, we’re pleased to share the first two pages from the award-winning script. Enjoy!

White Card
by
Christian Wilburn

Marcus–Man–20s–Mixed race, white and black, but white passing–Marcus, like many
white presenting black folks, is uncertain of his place in the world. He knows what he
loves and what he does not. But doesn’t know what those things mean about him. He and
his father have a strained relationship.

Sharon–Woman–As white as it gets–Late twenties, early thirties– A woman who is as
empathetic as she is certain in her own twisted philosophy. She cares a lot about doing
the right thing, but is also very good at convincing herself she is doing the right thing.

Wally–Man–As white as it gets–Late twenties, early thirties–A less principled person
than Sharon. His motivations are unclear, but it is clear he is getting something out of
being in the Bureau of Whiteness that he isn’t talking about.

Dad–Man–Light skinned black–Fifties–A man who did not choose to be black. He is as
certain in his own philosophy as Sharon is in her’s. He too, is extremely good at
convincing himself he’s correct.

We’re in Marcus’ apartment. On his wall are anime
posters as well as posters of a few black athletes.
However they are framed, to show he is a mature fan. The
rest of his apartment is messy, but not dirty.
Speaking of cleaning, that’s what Marcus is doing around
his room. He turns on NWA’s Straight Outta Compton.

MARCUS
Straight Outta Compton, crazy motherfucker named Ice Cube. From the gang called—
with attitude.

Loud knocks at the door. He pauses the music and runs to
the door.

MARCUS
My bad, my bad. I didn’t know how loud…

He goes to his apartment door and looks through a
peephole.

MARCUS
What the?

He opens the door, to see two of the whitest people in the
history of the white race outside his door. Looking like
they stepped right off of the golf-course.

SHARON
Hello, are you Marcus Watkins?

WALLY
Look, we can’t really talk about this out here. It’s very confidential. We’re with the
Bureau.

They hold up badges.

MARCUS
Oh wow. Look man, when I torrented those Naruto episodes in like 2010 I had no idea it
was illegal!

WALLY
Oh, nah homie you’re good. We have a huge surprise for you, I think you’ll be very
excited about.

SHARON
Can we come in?

MARCUS
Well, actually, the place is kind of–

They walk into his place anyway.
He sits on the couch. Sharon and Wally pull out little
party hats and those little things you blow into that make
a noise.

SHARON
Congratulations!

WALLY
Congrats, G!

SHARON
The Bureau of Whiteness has approved your application! You are now a top candidate in
our Splash of Color program.

MARCUS
I’m sorry the what? I thought you were with the FBI?

SHARON
Don’t worry people make that mistake all the time. We’re with the Bureau of Whiteness,
the governing body of the white race.

WALLY
It’s a very common mistake.

SHARON
The Splash of Color Program. The program you applied for to legally be considered
white?

MARCUS
This must be some type of mistake. I never submitted any type of–legally considered
what?

Wally pulls out a file, and hands it to Marcus.

MARCUS
Yeah, this is me…I just don’t remember writing it. I’m sorry, but I really think you got the
wrong guy here.

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Join us for the next Monday Night PlayGround on February 21st! For more info, click here!