The October People’s Choice Award goes to…
The people have spoken… The October People’s Choice Award goes to Saiya Floyd for her short play Personal Justice Delayed, presented as a staged reading at The Producers Club and via livestream on October 28th. Congratulations, Saiya!
Courtesy of Saiya, we’re pleased to share the first few pages from the award-winning script. Enjoy!
Personal Justice Delayed
by Saiya Floyd
CHARACTER
Aiko Herzig-Yoshinaga A Japanese-American activist. 64 female
A table and three chairs.
AIKO HERZIG-YOSHINAGA enters. She is a 64-year
old energetic Japanese-American woman.
She carries with her a stack of papers, a candle, and matches.
She sets these down on the table, then returns
with a tea pot and three cups.
She sits down and pours green tea
from the pot into the cups.
The movements are slow, intentional, if a bit hesitant. But
overall, the effect is something ritualistic.
After the tea is poured, Aiko places a cup in front of each
empty chair, and one in front of herself. Then she lights
the candle and places it on the table between the two empty chairs.
She takes a deep breath, and puts her hands together,
almost like she’s praying.
Then she addresses the chairs.
AIKO
Hello Mom. Hello, Dad. Konbanwa.
She shakes her head.
AIKO
I don’t know if I’m doing this right. I never paid enough attention when Mom made
offerings. But I hope it’s the thought that counts. And konbanwa – I bet you didn’t think
I spoke any Japanese, so got you there. I know I don’t talk to you much, but I think
about you all the time. Especially recently–
Deep breath. She takes out the sheets of paper.
AIKO
I wanted to tell you. They passed something called the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 today.
And your Aiko helped, at least in some small way. I think it goes back to you, Dad. You
always told us that academics was important. Academics and citizenship. You raise quite
the little bookworm.
Join us for our next Monday Night Playground on November 25, live at The Producers Club and simulcast! For more info, click here!