Dialogue between Krik Krak Characters

Characters

1: Night Women lady

2: Caroline’s Wedding mom

3: New York Day Women mom

(enters coffee shop)

1: Those two women walked all this way to drink coffee? And they still didn’t notice me? I’ll find out who they are. . .

(1 sits down close to table where 2,3 can be heard talking)

3: So how was the wedding?

2: It was at the Town Hall. Smaller than what I would’ve liked. I still don’t entirely like the boy. I’m telling you America has changed that girl.

3: My daughter is the same. But I’m happy for her; she has money and good health while I only had an empty stomach.

1: (to herself) I would’ve done anything for those opportunities for me and my son.

2: But don’t you hate how American they’ve become. Even Grace. She just got her own passport and now I’m afraid she’ll never go back.

1: Why would she?

3: I’m sure she will. At least when she gets older.

2: Speaking of, have you heard anything of Lili back home?

3: She hasn’t responded in months. It’s not like her to never write back.

1: I wonder if they’re talking about the same Lili that killed herself? Lili did know some people here in the United States. I remember bringing my son for a walk, looking up at her husband. He seemed so happy, free from the burden being poor. He smiled down, and we waved. My son laughed, but I knew it would not end well. Years later, Lili was found. She too was then free from the burden of being poor. Their son must see it all so tragically.

2: I hope she’s alright. Well, how have you been?

3: After so many years, I wish I could go back. I want to see father’s grave again and celebrate Kanaval. Haiti will always be my home.

2: I feel the same way.

(1 walks to the table, clearly fed up with their ungratefulness)

1: How? You guys are the lucky ones. You have everything here, and your children can live happy lives. What else do you need? Haiti is falling apart, I have seen it with my own eyes.

2: But our children have no care for our culture here.

1: But at least they don’t need to sleep with earplugs so mommy can “work.” I spend hours every night with married men, staring at the holes in my broken roof. I watch as the day women get up early every morning, looking for work. There is poverty and despair in Haiti. You have no idea how lucky you are.

(1 leaves)