Never Give Up
THDA 641W
12/10/2017
PART ONE
This play was inspired by my father’s experiences in high school in China in the early
80’s. This play reflects on the bullying which happened to the new students when they
joined high school. This resulted in lack of concentration on academic work which led
to a poor performance for the school. After the school principal tamed the bullies the
situation went back to normalcy and all the students co-existed in unity. Therefore,
the overall purpose that the play brings out is that even though bullying is common
and inevitable at school, remember to be strong, confident, independent, and to never
give up.
Characters.
Mr. Joseph: The school principal.
Dish: A student from south of China. His father was a chef on his high school.
Mike: A student from north of China. He is a friend to Dish.
John: A student from Shanghai. He bullies the other 3 new students.
Kevin: A student from Shanghai and he is John’s classmate.
SCENE 1
[The first day of school and all the new students are being enrolled in Shanghai high
school]
Dish: The queue seems like it's not moving, I think we should go buy some snacks
before our turn reaches.
Mike: Yeah sure, but how will we convince the others that we were in the queue when
we come back?
Dish: [He signals the guy ahead of him and they both leave the queue heading
towards the school gate]. Come-on! Let’s rush.
Mike: But we don’t know of any places here, shouldn’t we ask the watchman at the
gate to direct us to a nearby kiosk.
Dish: Don’t worries, it's just a matter of tracing a near-by shop and going to buy there.
I have all along waited to join high school it will be so exciting for us to be
away from the Jiangsu, Dongbei, where a such a small village.
Mike: Yeah it will be, but my brother told me we should always notify the teachers on
duty or the principal of anything fishy that we come across. I feel tense in
this new environment; all the students look alike.
[They both buy some snacks and the hurriedly heading back towards the school and
joins the queue].
Dish: We are lucky only one person is ahead of us, please pass me my black bag next
to you. I want to pick my admission form.
[Mike gives Dish the bag and a loud sharp voice from the administration office shout,
"Next student.!'' And Dish walks in. After a couple of minutes, both Dish and
Mike have cleared with the admission officer and they are both directed to
the dormitory assigned to them by the head-boy.]
SCENE 2:
[It is around 5.00pm and its noisy in the dormitories area and everyone seems excited.
All the students are walking in and out and some are talking and laughing in
small groups while the others are unpacking and arranging their new
bedding's and boxes].
DISH: A lower deck bed is prone to dirt, let us occupy these two upper deck beds
before they are occupied when more students join us tomorrow.
John: [Frowns as he approaches dorm 2 cubicles 7 which Dish and Mike were
allocated] What are your names and where do you come from?
DISH: I am Dish and this is my friend Mike, I am from the Jiangsu and he from
Dongbei. we have joined the school today. [smiling].
John: [Shouting at both of them] I am the king here and I don’t entertain a mono
smiling at me, do you understand?
Dish & Mike: Yes [The respond in a low cowardice voice avoiding Jahir’s eye
contact. The bell rings and Jahir leaves].
Mike: Why is he so inhuman to us? We've done nothing wrong to him to deserve this.
Dish: I am so scared, he looked like he wanted to hit me, I think we should report this
the teacher on duty.
[All the students are walking out of their respective dormitories heading to the dining
hall with their plastic plates and cups which have markings scribbled on
them].
Dish: Have you seen my cup, I can't find it in my box.
Mike: Let's just go, we will share mine, I saw the guy picking it from your box but I
was afraid of questioning him.
[Mike and Dish walk together towards the dining hall; the queue is growing fast as
more students join in].
John: [Standing adjacent to the queue behind the gardener's store, He is looking for
someone in the queue. Spots Mike and Dish and walks towards them] Take
this plate [directing to no one between the two] and bring me a plate of
‘gather’ at dorm 4, at the corner cubicle. Okay!
Mike: [Nods, as he takes the plate and John, walks away] Yeah.
[After a few minutes].
Mr. Joseph: Hey, young man! Come here.
[Plade walks towards MR Joseph hiding the plate on his back]
Mr. Joseph: Why are you going out with your food?
Mike: [stammering] I. Am sorry sir, I have been told by a tall dark guy to serve him
his supper at dorm 4 in the corner cubicle. He gave me his plate when I was
in the queue and ordered me to do so.
Mr. Joseph:
Do you know it’s against the school rules and regulations to take your
food to the dormitories?
Mike: Yes sir.
Mr. Joseph: What is your name and who is the guy you are talking about?
Mike: I am Mike, and I am freshman. I don’t know his name.
Mr. Joseph: Take your plate and let's go to dorm 4.
[Mr. Joseph and Mike walk towards the dormitory, Mike is a few steps behind Mr.
Joseph].
Mr. Joseph: All of you come here and kneel! [He shouts as he walks in past the dorm
4 doors accompanied by Mike. All the six students kneel before Mr. Joseph].
Mr. Joseph: Guys what’s wrong with you, what are you doing here when you are
supposed to be in the dining hall.? You think you have got yourselves a slave
to bring you food here? [no response from any of the six, they are all facing
down avoiding a direct eye contact with the principal] Look up.! You
culprits. Mike, come close and show me the person who ordered you to bring
him food here.
[Mike looks at the six students kneeling before him and clearly identifies John. John is
looking at Mike with ‘the dare point me’ look. The school principal is losing
his patience].
Mr. Joseph: Don't be an afraid young man, who is the person who ordered you bring
him food here? He must face the repercussion of his deeds.
SCENE 3:
[ Dish has finished taking his supper and he is walking the dormitory after cleaning
his plates at the outdoor sink area.]
Kevin: You form one, come here.
[Dish is shaking and continues to walk slowly pretending not to be the one being
addressed].
Kevin: [Reaches out to Dish and Pushed him to the side drain on the walkway] You
can dare ignore me? Who do you think you are?
Dish: [Lifting himself with a bit of difficulty and his eyes becoming watery with] I
didn’t realize that you were talking to me since….
Kevin: Shut up you bastard! You think that since you are chief’s son you are very
special. Follow me, today I will show you that you are no special than others.
Dish: I am sorry I did mean to offend you.
Kevin: Fine, [Holding Dish’s hand and shaking his head] I hope you will manage to
cope with the big boys here. I want you to do my laundry and bring me when
dry and well folded, Okay!
Dish: Yes, but……
Kevin: But what...!
I don’t want excuses for class.
[They walk slowly to dorm 6 cubicles 12 and Kevin hands a bunch of dirty clothes to
Dish]
Kevin: I want them by tomorrow evening before supper time. [He tears a piece of
paper from a bunch of old newspaper in his locker and hands it to Dish.]
Write down your admission number, full names, and your residence
dormitory, just in case you decide to go rogue.
Dish:
[Scribbles his details on the piece of paper and gives it back to Kevin].
Where should I hang them at night since I am afraid they might be stolen?
Kevin: [Speaking in a low voice] That’s part of your duty, all I want is dry, clean
neatly folded clothes. If you will decide to spend the better part of the night
guarding them on the hanging line or enjoy your sleep, it’s all upon you to
decide.
Dish:
[looking confused] And where will I keep them when I don’t find you here
tomorrow evening?
Kevin: You must remain with them until you hand it to me in person. Otherwise, if
you misplace a single item in the bunch you will pay dearly. Get out of my
sight I need to take a nap.
[Dish walks out with the bunch of clothes stacked in between his arms].
SCENE 4.
[Mike is sitting at his bed weeping, Dish walks in and meets Mike].
Dish: I have been looking for you. Why didn't you come back after you went out
when we were in the dining hall?
Mike: [Looking at Dish, His face looking bruised as if he had been beaten up] Bro, I
think it is getting out of hand I can't hold it any more…
Dish: What...! What happened, did the guy beat you, and why?
Mike: After leaving with the plate of food, I headed to dorm 4 to take food to the guy
who gave me his plate when we were in the queue, his name is John. I heard
Mr. Joseph call him…. Immediately I was out of the dining hall Mr. Joseph
called me, he was standing at the water tank he summoned me on why I was
walking out with food.
Dish: That’s so unfortunate! What did you tell him?
Mike: I found it difficult to lie to him since I was afraid what action he could take
against me, so I told him everything and he asked me to go with him to
deliver the food to Jahir at dorm 4. When we reached there, there were
several guys sitting on their beds chatting, he ordered all of them to kneel
down. Then, he asked me to identify the culprit. I showed him the guy who
was second from the right side. Then…
Dish: [Tears are rolling down on Mike’s cheeks uncontrollably, Dish holds Mike on
the shoulder] Sorry, please stop crying all will be well.
Mike: Then Mr. Joseph told me to go join the rest of my classmates for our evening
preps. As I was walking hurriedly to class, I decided to pass through the
school canteen to buy something to eat since I missed out my supper.
Dish: Then what happened?
Mike: I found John standing at the canteen talking to another guy. I started running
away, but he was quick and within no time he held my left hand so tightly
and dragged me towards the other guy he was conversing with. They
mumbled and turned to me slapped me in the face and kicked me so hard on
my belly. Then they walked away laughing.
Dish: That’s so inhuman of him. let’s go and report this matter the teacher.
Mike: No! No! He threatened to give a better treatment of it if I report him again.
Dish: There is another tall guy who has given me his dirty clothes and told me to
return them to him when tomorrow evening clean, dry and folded. Give me
your bucket I want to soak them before I wash them
SCENE 5
[It’s a chilly morning at school, the morning prep bell rings and students start
dragging themselves to their respective classes.]
Dish: Hey bro, wake up!
Mike: Mmmmmh..., [yawning] what time is it.
Dish: 6:30am lets hurry to class or else if the teacher of duty gets us here we will be in
for a punishment.
Mike: My left jaw is aching too much I don’t think I will be attending today’s prep.
Dish: [Looking at Mike in shock] You mean it was that severe?
Mike: Yeah, it's even swollen.
Dish: Let's go and get medication from the matron.
[They both walk out heading to the matron’s room. Dish latter leaves and goes for his
morning prep while Mike goes back to bed after getting permission from his
professor].
[At 7.30am the breakfast bell rings marking the end of morning prep. All the students
are walking silently from their respective classes to have their breakfast]
Dish: [After seeing his friend Mike still fully covered in his bed] How are you feeling
now?
Mike: I am feeling better now though my head is still aching.
Dish: Raise up carefully so that we can go and have our breakfast.
Mike: I should be going home, or better still a transfer from this school
Dish: Be strong I am still optimistic that this bullying will come to an end. I have an
idea…
Mike: what? (upset)
Dish: I think we should mobilize all the three form one classes and plan for a private
meeting with the discipline master and let him know what we are going
through. I know even our colleagues will also find it beneficial.
Mike: Do you know that we will still sleep in the same dormitory with these guys, and
if this information leaks to them we will be dead before we realize it?
Dish: Let's try to talk to our fellow classmates and we see how it fairs on.
Mike: Count me out. You are yet to handle Kevin and you want we involve the entire
form 3 and form 4 class? Have you given it a thought what may happen if the
discipline master doesn't act immediately? Where will we sleep?
Dish: Sure, it's a little bit tricky when we look at it from that perspective. [peeping
through the window with a broken glass pane] The queue is short, let's go
and take our breakfast.
[Dish and Mike join the queue and take their tea, then they occupy the seats on the
right side of the dining hall].
Mike: Dish please go to the canteen and buy some bread we accompany with this tea.
Dish: Okay. [takes the money from Mike and walks to the canteen]
John: [walks towards Dish on his way to the canteen] Dish [shouting]
Buy me a loaf of bread.
Dish: [Innocently stretching out his hand to John for money].
John: [slaps his hand off] hey, you already have the money in your hand buy me a loaf
of bread.
Dish: half of the money does not belong me.it belongs to my friend.
John: buy me the loaf and I will not ask again.
Dish [ Buys two loaves of bread and hands one to Jahir almost in tears. Hurriedly he
walks back to the hall to his friend with a disappointed look].
Mike: why didn’t you buy two loaves and you had enough money?
Dish: John came to me on my way to the canteen and he asked me to buy him some
with my money. He didn’t even ask politely and I tried telling him that half
the money wasn’t mine. I had to part with my share of the loaf
Mike: we really need to do something about this guy’s otherwise it is getting out of
hand. [splits his loaf into two halves and gives one portion to Dish]
SCENE 6.
[ Its 9.30pm and the bell rings to signify the end of prep time. It is raining heavily and
the students are unable to leave the classes].
Dish: Mike [ calling out to his friend who is still sleeping in his locker] wake up the
prep is over. It's raining though, we must stay in class till the rain stops.
Mike: [wakes up from his sleep stretching out his arms] it’s cold can’t wait to be
between my blankets.
Dish: I haven't got time to wash Kevin’s clothes. What am I going to do? it’s so cold
and the clothes are still soaked.
Mike: Sorry man but I cannot help you. My body is still sore from the beating,
probably Kevin won't even remember.
Dish: I hope so, he was so rude and I am fears him.
[ the rain stops outside, and the boys run out to their dorms before it starts again. Its
10.00pm].
Dish: [Reaches the dormitory the first one and he is met by his nightmare]. Good
evening Kevin.
Kevin: Form one, I am not your teacher to be greeted with such pleasantries. I need
my clothes right now.
Dish: I didn’t get time to wash them. [he is greeted with a slap even before he finishes
the sentence. Kevin looks down on the bed and find his clothes soaked into
the bucket, wrings them out and places them on top of Dish's bed. This makes
the bedding wet].
Kevin: when I say, you do something it should me did immediately. [laughs] now
return my clothes to the bucket and tomorrow I want them washed.
Dish: [holding his cheek where he had been slapped, picks the clothes with one hand
and slowly return them back into the bucket. Tears are already falling rolling down
on his cheeks].
Kevin: Climb into your bed. Now!
Dish: But its wet.
Kevin: I know. Climb now!
Dish: [Climbs on his bed and he realizes his friend Mike has been standing by the
door all that time. He is looking at him sadly. Kevin walks out and pushes Mike aside
while laughing out].
Mike: Are you going to sleep inside that wet bed
Dish: [Shivering] I have no choice, remember we are not allowed to share beds. I'll
just sleep in the uniform on and try to align myself on the dry portions of my bed.
[Mike reaches out for a few dry clothes from his box and hands them to Dish]
Mike: Spread these clothes in the wet areas on your bed.
Dish [Picking the clothes from Plade] But these are part of your uniform.
Mike: [Patting Dish on his shoulder] No worries. They have gone too far now we
should report them.
Dish: I am not sure anymore that's a good plan. If we do report them they will
continue to bully us even more and that cannot be my story for the entire time I will
be in this school.
Mike: Will this torture come to an end anytime soon because am already tired and I
cannot take it anymore [the lights are switched off and silence engulf the dormitory as
it is time to sleep]
SCENE 7
[The sun is shining brightly, and classes are over. Students are free for two hours
before prep time. Behind the dormitories, two boys are standing by the hanging lines
astonished and their faces tell the story]
Mike: Are you sure you hanged the clothes over here?
Dish: Yes, am very sure I hanged them here in the morning.
Mike: [ Roam his eyes looking at the other hanging lines] There are no clothes in any
of the hanging lines.
Dish: Maybe someone removed the clothes for us.
Mike: We have no other friends. Let's check in the dormitory
[walking towards the dormitory, they hear noises of people laughing out loudly by the
corner of the dormitory. Familiar laughs, so they hide out].
Kevin: I watched the form one hanging my clothes on the hanging line in the morning.
I waited until lunch hour and removed them from the hanging lines because they were
dry.
John: [Laughing] They shit on their pants today, that's a good one. What are your
plans for them?
Kevin: I will demand my clothes from the form one and since he does not have them I
will make him my slave for the rest of the year.
John: Don’t you think we have punished them enough
Kevin: Our experiences were worse during our time, and I think we should make
them have a taste of everything.
John: [Smiling] Its a crazy idea but am up for it to the end.
Kevin: It's going to be a lot of fun [taps his friend on the back, as they walk towards
the field].
[Dish and Mike walk back to the direction they came from, and now they understand
that it’s just a game and they are going to be played].
SCENE 8
[Its game time and everyone should be in the field and be involved in a sport of his
choice. The weather is calm, the sun is shining but not so hot hence, its favorable for
sports].
Dish: I am not a lover of sports so am wondering why I must be on the field
Mike: I was thinking I will probably choose basketball but my height hinders me from
joining.
Dish: Do they really let form ones join them on the basketball team?
Mike: I guess not. I will play hockey it's my second choice from the rest
Dish: Probably that one you will be allowed to because they can kick you around with
a hockey stick. [laughs]
[John walks up to them from behind with this weird smile printed all over him]
John: Hello boys [ tapping them on their backs] I was assigned to you, and I will be
helping you in selecting the sport to participate in. First, I should see your capability.
Run five times around the track and back. [they sprinted off without arguing avoiding
any trouble]
John: you are back so fast you guys can be athletes. Now jump like frogs and croak
until I say stop.
Mike: But, but……
John: No excuses. Start! [They start croaking while jumping like frogs. This makes
John laugh out so much at them. Suddenly, Mr. Joseph approaches them, and John
signals them to stop].
Mr. Joseph: Is everything all right over here.
John: Yes sir, everything is fine am training them since they are interested in being
part of the school football team.
Dish: Football team?? I don’t play….
John: [Interrupts] they will make good footballers they are fast in running and very
talented.
Mr. Joseph: Dish and Mike that's very good of you. We need such gifted members in
our football team. John is one of the best players on the football team he will be of
help to you. Now join the rest as you enroll in the team
[Dish and Mike follow them behind as John and Mr. Joseph walk ahead. They are
whispering and signaling to each other softly making sure it doesn't reach John
attention].
SCENE 9.
Mike: Hey Dish, today am so sleepy it’s been a hard day.
Dish: Yeah it has been, those exercises were so lame. [imitating John] jump like a
frog and croak. [laughs] high school couldn’t be any better
Mike: [Climbs into bed] my chest pains today [exhales]
Dish: Does it happen often or probably it's because of running in the field today?
Mike: I had chest problems a few years back but it been a while. John made me run so
much today. It was unexpected. [John walks in their cubical with the mention of his
name].
John: What are you two gossiping about me today.
Mike: Nothing.
John: Nothing [repeats sarcastically] climb out of your bed right now[ barks out]
Mike: [Climbs out of bed scared and his whole body betrays them].
[John drags them both out of their cubical by the hand, passes by his room and picks
a jacket and takes them to the back of the dormitory. Outside its cold and the wind is
blowing hard making the hairs on the body stand still. Outside he is met by Kevin].
John: So today I want you two to entertain us.one of you will sing while the other one
dances
Dish: [Without hesitation] ‘'God Love me.''[sings a local song]
Kevin: Stop you are hurting my ears [shouting] and you [pointing to Mike] why aren't
you dancing?
Mike: I am not feeling so well
John: You look fine to me though. By the count of three you two should sing and
dance or you won't like what happens next. 1..2….
[Mike starts singing another local song and Dish has no choice this time around but
to dance. They sing for a while without interruption and the only response they are
offered is laughter. It's getting late and lights are almost being switched off]
Dish: [Stops dancing] we should probably go inside before the lights are off we
cannot be found outside here
John: You shouldn't have stopped dancing to put across a message we already
know.
[the singing and dancing continues, Mike is now shivering so badly and one hand is
touching his chest].
Kevin: Lets go boys the entertainment has ended
[Mike leads the way back to the dormitory, suddenly, he stops, starts coughing like he
wants to catch a breath. He holds his chest then starts inhaling deep breaths. He goes
to his knees John reaches up to him].
Mike: I can’t breathe.
John: What are you talking about, form one arise and walk to your …. [John stops
talking when he hears a whistling sound coming out of Mike's mouth. The rest Dish
and Kevin, have reached them and are watching them mouths agape. Mr. Joseph
enters the dorm to inspect that everyone is asleep after lights off].
SCENE 10.
[At 7.30, Dish is sitting in his class deep in thoughts the sit next to him is empty and
clear, his friend is missing. The door opens then closes and Plade walks in].
Dish: Wow, am glad you are fine. I was worried about you [ Dish speaks out as Mike
walks his seat].
Mike: I am fine.
Dish: What happened to you last night.
Mike: I had an asthma attack.
Dish: Asthma??
Mike: Yes, I have asthma. The attack was triggered by long-standing cold last night
and at the clinic, I was offered first aid by the nurse and slept overnight for
observation.
Dish: I was shocked because I have never seen you in that position before
Mike: [Exhales] the episodes are rare so I stopped carrying my inhaler around. The
stress has been too much guessing my body had it as a way of responding; enough is
enough.
Dish: We had really panicked and had no idea of how to help you. Glad Mr…
[ the conversation is interrupted as Mr. Joseph enters, following behind him are
Kevin and John].
Mr. Joseph: Yesterday I was lucky to have walked in on all of you, as I saved Mike’s
life. Now am wondering how many of such instances have happened with my absence.
So, Dish please, can you enlighten me what has been going on
Dish: [Narrates the story to the principal]. John and Kevin have been mistreating us
since day one of arrival in this school. They make us wash their clothes, buy them
loaves of bread with our own money, sing lullabies to them until they sleep, entertain
them and once in a while they beat us for no reason.
[Mr. Joseph stares John and Kevin with this disapproving look. Kevin and John are
shaken up and their bow their heads in shame].
Mr. Joseph: I am so disappointed in all of you [staring into all of them].
Firstly, Kevin and John, this was a vicious and detestable behavior from the both of
you. Setting bad examples to these juniors on how there should treat their schoolmates.
This behavior is unacceptable and will be punishable. [exhales] secondly, Dish and
Mike, something wrong or worse could have occurred last night. I asked you that you
were free to report any misconduct from the seniors and you should not fear your
fellow schoolmates. Today it’s a lesson to all of you, it’s good to uphold good
conduct always. [they are shaking their heads in agreement with Mr. Joseph]
Mike: Thank you, sir, for saving my life yesterday, I will never stay silent ever again.
Dish: Yes sir, I agree.
Mr. Joseph: [Looking at both John and Kevin] what do you have to say for yourself?
John: I am so sorry Mike for yesterday occurrences. I never meant for any of that to
go that far. Really sorry. [ says his apology softly calm and in a sincere way].
Kevin: We were mistreated far worse and nobody intervened for us. It was just a
transition phase and at the end of it all, you would have passed once you graduated to
the next level. Both of you experienced the transition phase and….
Mr. Joseph: Kevin!
Kevin: [Unapologetic] I am sorry though my hands are on the two of you.
Mr. Joseph: John and Kevin both of you are suspended. It should be an example to
everyone that mistreating your brothers is unacceptable, we should all embrace one
another. [The bell rings and it’s time to go to assembly]
Mr. Joseph: John and Kevin I want both of you to see me at my office immediately
after the assembly.
[All the students are walking out of their respective classes towards the assembly
ground. The teachers are also coming from the staff-room and joining on the
assembly platform. The teacher on duty addresses the student for a few minutes and
signals Mr. Joseph].
Mr. Joseph: Good Morning students, [clearing his throat] as you have been told by
the teacher on duty more need to be done on the overall hygiene in our school
compound. I don't need to stress any further on that. I want to give a stern warning to
all the students out there who think that form one students joined the school as slaves.
Kevin and John come here. [he shouts]. These two over the past couple of months
have been bullying form one students instead of concentrating on their studies which
is their core business. I want them to be a lesson to the others, initially, I had
considered to suspend them but I have decided to have them expelled from this. Any
other student who will be found culpable of bullying the other, even if it’s a form one
student bullying a form one [all the students start laughing loudly on Mr. Joseph’s
remarks] I believe the same things will happen to them. The assembly is over.
Dish: At the end of all misdeeds, justice must prevail.
Mike: I am so proud of you; this victory is not for us alone but for the entire school.
[Dish and Mike walk out shoulder by shoulder smiling that the incident marks the end
of their suffering in high school. A bright future ahead]
….………………………………. END…………………………………….
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