"Carson
Local Heroes"
The Carson Folktale Project
(Second Draft 9/1/05)
by Teatro Dominguez
Summer 2005
c 2005 Teatro Dominguez Bill DeLuca
CSU Dominguez Hills Theatre Arts
1000 E. Victoria St.
Carson, CA 90747
Characters
Buojita A
wise old owl; Frida's grandmother; magical qualities;
Frida An
eight year old child concerned about her community;
Fred The
experienced fireman; a Great Dane; unaffected by things;
Ted The
inexperienced fireman; a Mutt; affected by everything;
Batty Ibatuan A
Philippino bat who loves spicy Mexican food;
Captain Leo The town Sheriff; a
soft-spoken, but proud lion; self-less;
Violet An
African-American bear crossing guard; she's very confident and can appear at any
intersection on a moment's notice;
George Henry The
Colt at the High School;
Roberto The
racoon; he operates a tamale cart;
Sly A
young fox on a skateboard at Veteran's Park;
Beaver Bernie Pilot
of the Goodyear Blimp; small but in charge; hardworking; dedicated;
Amy An
Armadillo at Carson Mall;
Iris A
Pacific Islander (Samoan) turtle; runs a store in Carson Mall;
La Principessa A
high-ranking official in town; a peacock delighted with her work and the many
creatures around her;
Setting
A
painted backdrop upstage and painted side wings
reveal various locations in Carson,
California.
NARRATOR (BUOJITA)
Buenos dîas muchachos. Good morning! I
am Buojita, and I am your Storyteller today. But first, I want to introduce you to Teatro
Dominguez, a group of estudiantes from Dominguez Hills, who perform stories
from around the world. Teatro
Dominguez! Come say hello to our
students!
(The COMPANY runs on, waves, and runs off.)
I have a question. What is the name of your school? (congratulates correct answer.) Now who knows the name of the town we're in? Where is ........ (name of school)
located? Where are we? (some responses). Very good. And who knows what the highest point in
Carson is? (no idea!)
Well, I have come here to ........ (name of
school) to tell you about heroes in your town of Carson. Now who can tell me what a hero
is? Do any of you know what I mean
by a hero? (more responses). Do any of you have a hero? Who can tell me someone who is a good
example of a hero? (takes two or
three suggestions.)
Well, children, it's very important that we have
heroes, and here's why. Let me
first ask you another question. Do
you ever feel scared?
Frightened? Worried that
something bad could happen to you?
When you watch Television and see that all around the world people are
being hurt in car accidents, shootings, and even bombings, doesn't it scare
you? When you hear of violent
things happening in your own neighborhood, doesn't it make you feel
frightened? Well, today you're
going to meet a young girl who also feels like you do, but she will find out a
way for us to feel safe, and to not worry about all these problems.
(FRIDA crosses the stage swinging a butterfly
net).
Frida!
There you are! Come here,
muchacho. The children want to
meet you. Oh well, I guess she's
busy right now. But when you meet
her, you'll see ....
(FRIDA crosses the other direction pulling a
kite).
Frida!
It's me! Buojita! Come back
here now! Oh, she's so difficult.
Well, do you know how Frida will help us feel less
scared? With this. (she pulls out the magic feather). This is a magic feather! And it will take Frida on a magic
journey where she will find enough heroes that will help us all make Carson a
safe place to live in. I'll put it
right here. (BUOJITA places it.) I
hope she finds it. Will you make
sure she finds it? (talking to a child already selected).
Okay, now I have to fly back up to me tree to keep
an eye on the traffic along Avalon, so
I need you to call her.
She's very shy, but she may come out if you call her. So, let me hear you say
"Frida" on the count of three.
Ready, One, Two, Three.
Frida! (they call, but not
so well) Oh come on, you can do
better than that. Here, I'll get
you some help.
(BUOJITA whistles and three members of the COMPANY
come out.)
COMPANY #1
Can we help you, Buojita?
BUOJITA
Yes, can you help the children call for Frida?
COMPANY #2
Sure, Buojita!
BUOJITA
Thank you.
I have to go now. Remember
about the feather! Bye Bye!
(BUOJITA exits.)
COMPANY #3
Okay, kiddoes. Now, we need you to be nice and loud so Frida will hear you.
COMPANY #1
And we're going to call "Frida" after we
count to three. Ready?
COMPANY #1,
2 AND 3
One!
Two! Three! Frida!
(The children call and FRIDA comes out slowly.)
COMPANY #3
Frida!
Come on out and talk to the children. What's the matter?
(FRIDA can only shake her head "no.")
COMPANY #1
Frida, don't be frightened. The children can help you. (Addressing the children) Right. Can't you help Frida? (takes reactions)
FRIDA
Okay.
But I'm not sure I should.
COMPANY #2
Why not, Frida?
FRIDA
Because I'm scared. (Pause).
COMPANY #3
What are you scared of, Frida?
FRIDA
Everything!
The way there's so many scary things around us everyday. I'm scared for people hurting other
people by fighting and calling names.
I'm scared of how people suffer from starvation, or being left without
parents. It even scares me
to see how people hurt themselves by taking drugs or other things that make
them sick. I wish I had someone
who could help us, someone who could protect us. Someone I can look up to.
(SONG: "I Need a Hero" - Frida)
There's so many scary things around us everyday
It makes me feel so frightened and I want to run
away,
but if I had a friend who .....
(unfinished)
Will you help me to find a hero?
(Our selected child runs up and pulls FRIDA over
to the feather. She picks it
up. The child sits back down.)
What is this? (gets reactions) You say that it's a Magic Feather? Really? How does it work, because I could use some magic right
now. Maybe you could help me to make this feather
work. What should I do with
it? (takes suggestions) Oh Okay, you think I should swing it
around in a circle? Let me try
that!
(She
holds the feather out in front of her and starts spinning. The COMPANY creates mysterious
background music and they come out spinning around her too. She enters a magical world -
Carson! As they exit, they whisper
"Station 55, Station 55, Station 55")
Station 55, Station 55 (stops spinning
herself). Wow! This is an amazing place. Look at those chimpanzees riding that huge
bicycle down Bonita Street! And
over there, is that a hippopotamus skateboarding at the X Games? Where am I? (walks up to the children) What town is this?
(they tell her) Carson? How
wonderful! What a magical place!
(Just
then FRED, a large dog, enters the scene with TED, a small dog, bouncing around
behind him)
FRED
Welcome young lady, my
name is Fred and this is Ted. What
is your name?
FRIDA
Frida. (she replies slowly
and a little unsure)
FRED
Well young Frida, how can
we help you?
TED
I wanna help. I wanna help. What can I do?
FRIDA
I am looking for a
hero. You know someone who can
protect me from all of my fears.
Do you know who can protect me?
TED
We know lots of
them. Yep. They are everywhere.
FRED
What Ted means is that
there are heroes in all of us, you just have to search a little.
FRIDA
I donıt understand. I thought the only heroes were people
like firemen and police men. They
are the ones who protect all of us.
That is what I need. How
about you Fred, will you protect me?
TED
I will. I will. You can count on me.
FRED
Calm down Ted.
TED
Hey Fred, remember that
time when I.
(SOUND:
Just then the fire bell rings and over the loud speaker comes a voice ³Fire at
Don Alfredos Mexican Restaurant on the corner of Carson and Main street.²)
FRED
Come on Frida, would you
like to go for a ride on our fire truck?
FRIDA
I'd love to, but,
shouldn't I be scared?
TED
Oh no, we'll protect you!
(They
get onto the fire engine, operated by the COMPANY, and drive to Don Alfredos.)
FRED
You know, Frida. We once had a real hero here on the
force. No one thought this little
grasshopper could help much, but Grant ......
TED
Oh, yes, yes, Grant was a
real hero. Let me tell. Let me tell.
FRED
Oh, Ted, go ahead.
TED
Grant could jump so high! You'd be sitting next to him playing
poker in the firehouse, and all of a sudden, BONG! He' d be up on the ceiling.
FRED
Tell her the story, Ted.
TED
Right, Fred. So there was a 3-alarm fire at
Scotsdale, which has really tall buildings.
FRIDA
Wait a minute! What do you mean by 3-alarm?
FRED
A 3-alarm means that 3
fire stations were called to the fire.
A 5-alarm would bring 5 stations.
FRIDA
I hope you don't get too
many 5-alarms. That must be a big
fire!
COMPANY
Right you are, Frida.
TED
So, Grant, this little
grasshopper, saw up on the seventh floor, two little kittens that couldn't get
out. And he just jumped straight
up to them, grabbed them by the scruff of their necks, and jumped back down with
them to safety. How about that, a
grasshopper saving two kittens!
FRIDA
That's great, Ted!
(They arrive at Don Alfredos and see
smoke coming from the front door.
BATTY the Bat runs out with smoke coming out of his mouth and ears.)
BATTY
Help! Help!
FRED
What's on fire? What happened?
BATTY
HOT! HOT! HOT! Whereıs the water? Help me. Make it stop!
FRED
Where is the fire?
BATTY
Right here. (pointing to his mouth)
(TED
grabs the fire hose - a squirt bottle, and aims it right at BATTY. He turns it on full blast and BATTY
goes flying backwards.)
BATTY
Wow! Thanks a lot for your help. That salsa in there is so hot it could
singe the hair off a camel three blocks away! (He exits.)
FRIDA
(Laughing at BATTY). Fred and Ted, you are great
heroes. You saved his life. You are just what I need.
FRED
This is only our
job. But if you really want to
meet a great hero, we'll take you to the local sheriff's station. Captain Leo is a great person to talk
to. Would you like to meet him?
FRIDA
Well, OK. If you think he could help me.
(They
all hop on the fire truck and head off to the sheriff's station. TED waves and hollers to some animals
on the street.)
FRIDA
Thank you so much Fred
and Ted for the ride. I really
enjoyed watching you both be heroes.
See you later.
FRED
Good luck young
Frida. I hope you find what you
are looking for.
TED
Yeah, good luck. If you donıt find it here, keep
looking. Your answers are out
there.
COMPANY
Get out there girl!
(The
fire truck leaves. FRIDA spins
again with the feather, saying "Sheriff Station" over and over, until
she stops.
FRIDA
I'm here, at the Sheriff
Station. I love this Magic
Feather. Is there anybody home?
(CAPT.
LEO enters the waiting room and takes a seat next the FRIDA.)
CAPT. LEO
Hello young lady. I am the Captain of this station. My name is Leo. My deputies and I try to make Carson a
safe place. What is your name?
FRIDA
Frida. (she replies a little
scared and unsure)
CAPT. LEO
Well Frida, what can I
help you with today?
FRIDA
Where I live there are a
lot of scary things happening. I
am afraid to go out side and play.
I am even afraid to go to school some days because there are so many
bullies. I was wondering if you
could let me have one of your deputies to protect me.
CAPT. LEO
Frida, I know there are a
lot of scary things in this world, but you donıt need a deputy to protect
you. There are plenty of people
out in the community that are everyday heroes.
FRIDA
I donıt understand. I have never seen one. There are no heroes in Carson.
CAPT. LEO
Not true, Frida. You need to learn that even regular
people can be heroes. Here, let me
tell you a story to help you understand.
(He pulls out a picture of a little mouse) Does this look like a hero?
FRIDA
No. That is only a mouse. He is too small to be a hero. Who could he help?
CAPT. LEO
One day Deputy Kai the
Koala bear was patrolling the north side of Carson when he got a call.
(COMPANY
Mime: Geese honking all around FRIDA until KAI runs on and gathers them into
one area.)
There were a gaggle of
runaway geese causing a commotion up on University and Central. Deputy Kai was having a tough time
getting things in order. Just then
this little mouse saw what was happening and ran over to help the deputy. He helped for nearly a hour before the
mouse and the deputy had control over the geese. If it wasnıt for the mouse, there could have been real
trouble.
FRIDA
That is a great story,
but I really donıt think a little mouse can help me. I need a real hero, like the Power Rangers.
CAPT. LEO
Frida, they can't help
you. You should go talk to George
Henry the Colt at Carson High School.
He is very wise and might be able to help you with what you are looking
for. If you go to 223rd
and Dolores St., there is a crossing guard that will point you in the right
direction.
FRIDA
Thank you for your time
Captain Leo. I'm thankful that we
have people like you in our community.
CAPT. LEO
Good luck Frida and be
careful.
(FRIDA
starts walking up Carson street to Dolores street. When she reaches 223rd she sees a huge bear with
an orange vest and a stop sign.
BUOJITA watches from the side.)
VIOLET
Hello young lady. My name is Violet and I will be helping
you get across this big street safely.
Where are you going to?
FRIDA
Captain Leo told me to go
visit George Henry the Colt at Carson High school. He said he is very smart and may be able to help me.
VIOLET
Do you have a
problem? Maybe I can help you.
FRIDA
I am looking for a hero
to help protect me. There are so
many scary things going on where I live.
VIOLET
Yes, the world is a scary
place, and it would be good for you to meet George Henry. Carson High School is directly ahead of
you. But young Frida, don't forget
to see what's right in front of your nose! You may not have to look very far for what you need.
FRIDA
Well, thank you for your
help.
(FRIDA
exits, confused. BUOJITA
approaches VIOLET.)
BUOJITA
Thank you for looking
after her, Violet. It's great to
have you out here, helping our young people.
VIOLET
But Buojita, you are the
best guardian of our community.
Thank you!
(BUOJITA
exits. VIOLET approaches the
kids.)
And you kids need to
remember to look both ways before you cross a street. Promise me?
Okay!
(VIOLET
exits. FRIDA enters and goes to
the children.)
FRIDA
Do any of you know what a
colt is?
(GEORGE
HENRY the COLT runs in.)
GEORGE HENRY
A colt is a young male
horse! With a lot of energy! (Circling her.)
FRIDA
Wait! I have to ask you a question!
GEORGE HENRY
Then you're in the right
place. I am Carson High School,
where questions are asked everyday!
FRIDA
Well, where can I find a
hero?
GEORGE HENRY
Someone like Mrs.
Badney? She's great. She's our Dean and she knows everyone
by name and takes time to talk with each student and she really cares for them.
FRIDA
Does she save people?
GEORGE HENRY
Well. She helps kids from dropping out of
school and makes them work harder.
(Loud
quacking is heard backstage.)
Oh, there she goes
now. She's always running
after someone and solving problems.
She's great! But you know,
my real hero, is a Samoan turtle, named Iris, because she really worked
hard. She wasn't a great student,
but she never gave up and she not only got through Carson High School, but
guess where else she went to school?
FRIDA
To UCLA?
GEORGE HENRY
No, that's silly. She graduated Cal State Dominguez
Hills!
(THE
COMPANY appears and intones "Cal State Dominguez Hills.")
FRIDA
Wow!
GEORGE HENRY
And now, she is the head
of Carson Regional Library!
FRIDA
Really!
GEORGE HENRY
Want to go see her? Sheıs probably at the library right now.
(ROBERTO,
a racoon, enters, pushing a tamale cart and calling out ³Tamales.²)
GEORGE HENRY
Oh, Iıd like a tamale
please.
FRIDA
Me too, thank you.
ROBERTO
With pleasure. Here you go.
(Song:
Tamales for Carson - Roberto)
When
you're feeling empty,
Like
you've got no get up and go,
Stop
at Roberto's,
If
you really want to know.
I've
got the best tamales
In
all of Carson town,
You'll
love the taste,
Even
if they are overly brown.
(FRIDA and GEORGE HENRY enter. They listen to ROBERTO and get hungry.)
How
often do you get the chance,
To
taste something better,
Once
you have Roberto's tamales,
You'll
leave Taco Bell forever.
(ROBERTO gives them each a tamale. They eat and sing with him, but you
can't understand their words.)
Get
your tamales from Roberto,
They're
so delicioso,
You
shouldn't miss this chance,
To
taste (?)
FRIDA
That
was delicious. How do you make
them so good?
ROBERTO
Inspiration,
my child. Inspiration! George Henry, how are things at Carson
High School?
GEORGE HENRY
Just
fine, Roberto! Thanks for the
tamales.
ROBERTO
But
who's your friend?
GEORGE HENRY
Oh,
excuse me. This is Frida, and
she's looking for a hero. I
thought she should meet Iris.
ROBERTO
Absolutemente! She is an inspiration to us all. But I just saw her reading a book
in Veteran's Park. You may want to catch here there. Good luck, Frida. Tamales! Tamales.
(ROBERTO exits, pushing his cart and calling "Tamales." They magic feather to Veteran's Park with the help of the company intoning ³Veteranıs Park.²)
FRIDA
He was nice. And his tamales were scrumptious!
GEORGE HENRY
I
know. Well, Iım sorry Frida, but
Iıve got to go back to school.
FRIDA (frightened)
No you canıt George
Henry! I donıt want to go alone! Iıve never been there.
GEORGE HENRY (sympathetically)
Oh youıll be alright
sweetie. No one there is going to
bother you. (aside) Except that
stupid fox maybe. Anyway if you just
use your magic feather, Iım sure youıll find her right away.
(GEORGE
HENRY begins to walk away from FRIDA.)
FRIDA
But what am I supposed to
do if I get into trouble?
GEORGE HENRY (laughing)
You wonıt get into
trouble! If you donıt want to,
that is. Youıll be fine. And remember. Youıre in Carson.
There are heroes everywhere.
Bye Bye Frida.
(GEORGE
HENRY leaves and FRIDA is left alone.
She spins with her feather and the company helps her arrive at Veteranıs
Park. She nervously looks around
and slowly begins to advance through the park. She hears the hoot of an owl and jumps back, but does not
see BUOJITA looking over her. )
FRIDA
Ueu,
this place is scary. Look at
those strange zebras over there. )
(As
she continues walking, SLY the FOX comes up behind her as if to cause
trouble. FRIDA notices him and
anxiously looks toward the children.)
SLY (in tough guy voice)
Hey little girl where ya
goin?
(FRIDA
ignores SLY and continues to walk.)
SLY
Whereıd you get that
feather?
(FRIDA
is getting very nervous now and is looking more and more at the children for help. SLY jumps in front of FRIDA and tries
to grab the feather. FRIDA
narrowly misses him and turns to run away.)
SLY
I said gimme that
feather!
(SLY
snatches the feather out of FRIDAıS hand and begins bouncing around waving the feather in front of her. As FRIDA struggles to grab back the
feather, SLY laughs and dances around the children, making faces at them. After upsetting everyone, he merrily
runs off with FRIDAıS feather.
Just as all is almost lost and FRIDA begins to sob, we hear a gigantic rumbling
coming from high above.)
FRIDA (excited)
Itıs the Blimp!
(FRIDA
watches the blimp as it lands offstage.
BERNIE the BEAVER walks onto the stage from the direction in which the
blimp landed.)
BERNIE
Hi! Are you Frida?