(CONTEXTUAL INTRODUCTION)

In 1966 in the small town of Indiantown, Florida, Little

George, the young effeminate son of a mixed-race pastor, is
terrorized by homophobia. After his father coerces him to
undergo electroshock therapy treatment to cure his perceived
homosexuality, and following a brutal confrontation, Little
George vanishes from his hometown. Fifteen years later, in
1981, Little George has transformed into a woman named
Bette, who must come to terms with the scars of her painful
past.

SCENE EIGHT

Early spring of 1966. BARBARA

enters the house. JUANITA is
cleaning. LITTLE GEORGE is
sitting on a sofa.

BARBARA
Is my husband around?

JUANITA
He’s in his room.

BARBARA
Would you go get him please?
(BARBARA sits down
and stares at LITTLE
GEORGE for a brief
moment.)
George, I heard about the party at Myra Wellington’s. Was it
fun?

LITTLE GEORGE
Who told you about that?

BARBARA
We live in a very small town where nothing can be kept a
secret for long, especially bad things.

LITTLE GEORGE
I didn’t do anything bad.

BARBARA
I don’t think your father will agree with that when I tell
him what I heard.
 2.

LITTLE GEORGE
You’re always hearing things. Why do you care so much about
what I do?

BARBARA
Everything about you concerns me.

LITTLE GEORGE
Why? You are not my mother. My mother was beautiful. You’re
hideous.

BARBARA
I’ll make you pay for this.

LITTLE GEORGE
I don’t care.

BARBARA
We'll see if you don't care.

LITTLE GEORGE
By the way, how is Brian doing? Is it true he is hiding in
Pensacola? It would be terrible if someone tipped the
police.

BARBARA
He's not in Pensacola.

LITTLE GEORGE
What about Christopher? I hear he is not doing too well
either. It's true that in this town everybody hears things.

BARBARA
Leave my sons alone.

LITTLE GEORGE
You leave me alone.

The Pastor enters.

PASTOR
How was the meeting?

BARBARA
It was okay. We talked about the children’s fundraiser.
That’s all. We’ve a lot of work ahead.

Barbara has begun to adapt a pose

of repressed annoyance.

PASTOR
What’s the matter? You seem upset.
 3.

BARBARA
(Suddenly becoming
petrified.)
Oh George, it was terrible.

PASTOR
What do you mean?

LITTLE GEORGE
Did they catch Brian? That's awful.

BARBARA
Shut up. This is not about Brian. It's about you.

PASTOR
Let's hear it.

BARBARA
I don’t even know how to start.

PASTOR
Something happened at the meeting?

BARBARA
The meeting was okay. Everything
after the meal, everyone gathers
Millicent Preston approached me.
party that was apparently thrown
few weeks ago while they went to
weekend too when we attended the
Ministry.
was fine, but of course,
and talks. That’s when
She went on about some
at the Wellington’s house a
Bermuda. We were away that
summer retreat with the

PASTOR
What about it?

BARBARA
Your son also attended the party.

JUANITA enters, but remains

standing discreetly in the
background. LITTLE GEORGE stares at
his father, whose eyes meet his.

PASTOR
You did?

LITTLE GEORGE
Yes, but everybody from my class was invited. I came back
early. I promised to Juanita that I would and I did. I swear
I did.

JUANITA enters.
 4.

JUANITA
He did sir. I made sure he was back by ten.

PASTOR
I’ve told you that I don’t like it when you go out when I am
not in town. Juanita. I’ve made that very clear repeatedly.

JUANITA
I’m so sorry sir. I take the blame.

PASTOR
What else did Millicent say?

BARBARA
There was some argument going on between your son and some
girl classmate over a rumor or a gossip. The girl, Janice I
believe her name was, had told everybody that George was...I
am too embarrassed to say it.

PASTOR
What about George?

LITTLE GEORGE
Janice was lying. She hates me. She’s always making things
up. No one likes her.

BARBARA
She told everybody that you are in love with your music
teacher, Mr. Scott. And she also said that you were seen
with him riding in his convertible. Apparently quite a few
people saw you. Is that not true? Why would people need to
make this up?

PASTOR
Is this true George?

BARBARA
Of course, he's going to deny it. Yet, people say he’s been
bragging about his feelings for the teacher, even suggesting
disgusting things!

LITTLE GEORGE
That’s not true!

BARBARA
You could imagine my embarrassment.

LITTLE GEORGE
Three weeks ago, I went downtown to do some research at the
library and then I grabbed a bite at Duke’s. That’s then I
saw Mr. Scott. He asked me if I needed a ride and I accepted
it and then...
 5.

PASTOR
Then what?

LITTLE GEORGE
Then he took me for a stroll. It’s a mighty nice car. I’d
never been in a convertible before. We rode around for a bit
and then he brought me home. That’s all.

BARBARA
But you find him attractive. Don’t you?

LITTLE GEORGE
I don’t.

BARBARA
I see it in your eyes. You’re lying. You’ve been acting even
more peculiar than usual. George, I think it’s time you take
your son to see a doctor. Remember the speech by that
brilliant doctor from West Palm Beach that we heard at last
year’s conference? He took care of deviant children of
different sorts.
(She sits next to
her husband.)
I know it’s hard for you as a father, but I think it’s
becoming fairly clear now.

PASTOR
What’s clear?

BARBARA
The whole town is noticing. The doctor said that it’s a
disease of the mind, but it can be cured. It’s better to do
it early before it’s too late.

PASTOR
I can’t believe we are having this conversation about my own
son.

BARBARA
If you don’t take action, he’s going to ruin us. It’s taken
you all these years of hard-earned respect and you can’t let
him destroy it all. We’re starting to become the laughing
stock of the town.

The PASTOR gets up and approaches

LITTLE GEORGE, who also gets up.
They stand face to face.

PASTOR
What are you George?

LITTLE GEORGE
What do you mean?
 6.

PASTOR
Are you a boy or a girl?
(LITTLE GEORGE
remains in silence.)
Answer me!
(The PASTOR grabs
him by the hair.)
You can’t even say that you are man. You were born a male.
You’re my son. When your mother had you, you were born a boy
and that’s what I’m going to have for a son, not a monster.
A man never likes another man unless he’s a faggot.
(LITTLE GEORGE
begins to cry.)
That’s what you would be if you felt attraction for another
man. Is that the truth? Answer me.

LITTLE GEORGE
Don’t hit me please! Forgive me please!

PASTOR
I think you’re sick George. I’ve spent years denying it
myself. I’m going to get help for you. I need to convince
myself that you’re sick because otherwise I would think that
you’re doing this on purpose. And If you’re really sorry as
you say, you will make every effort to be cured. I will not
have a son who is an abomination and I know that you are not
an abomination. I’m tired of hearing people whisper about
you, about the way you behave in public, about the way your
stand up or move your hands or dance. I don’t want to see
you dancing again! I forbid you to dance. I am sick of it!
I’m going to straighten you out or I am going to throw you
out. Is that clear?

LITTLE GEORGE
Yes, father.

PASTOR
Now, who is that son-of-a-bitch motherfucking music teacher?
I’m gonna have him kicked out of the school. I’m going to
speak to the principal.

LITTLE GEORGE
No. It’s not true. He’s never done anything to me. Don’t
embarrass me please. Don’t talk to the principal.

The PASTOR looks at Little George

as if he is about to say something,
but he contains himself and leaves
with disdain in his eyes. Barbara
follows him. JUANITA approaches
LITTLE GEORGE and embraces him.
 7.

JUANITA
I believe you. I know you haven’t done anything bad.

LITTLE GEORGE
But I do like Mr. Scott. It’s my fault.

JUANITA
It’s not your fault.
(LITTLE GEORGE
weeps.)
It’s okay my boy. Everything is going to be okay.
(She begins to
sing.)
Swing low, sweet chariot.
Coming for to carry me home.
Swing low, sweet chariot.

(BLACK OUT.)

(END OF SCENE.)
 8.

SCENE NINE

LITTLE GEORGE stands alone in

the darkness. Then, a DOCTOR
and two NURSES enter. The
FIRST NURSE is wheeling in a
medical chair. The SECOND
NURSE carries a machine. The
FIRST NURSE puts a robe on
LITTLE GEORGE and makes him
sit.

DOCTOR
This is going to hurt a little, but it’s all for your own
good. Nurse you may attach the device.

LITTLE GEORGE
I don’t want to. Please don’t.

FIRST NURSE
It takes one second honey.

LITTLE GEORGE
It’s going to electrocute me. I’m scared. Please Doctor.

SECOND NURSE
Open your mouth George.

The SECOND NURSE inserts a mouth

guard on LITTLE GEORGE, while the
FIRST NURSE holds him still. LITTLE
GEORGE attempts to free himself,
while both nurses hold him down.

FIRST NURSE
If you move, you’re only going to hurt yourself.

The SECOND NURSE takes out a wired

headset device.
 9.

DOCTOR
Nurse proceed please.

The SECOND NURSE attaches the

device on LITTLE GEORGE’S head. She
then holds his head and jaw firmly,
while the SECOND NURSE holds his
body. The DOCTOR turns the device
on and begins to perform
electroshock on LITTLE GEORGE for a
fraction of second, upon which
LITTLE GEORGE’S body begins to
contract in a seizure-like fashion.
This takes about half a minute,
after which the FIRST NURSE wheels
LITTLE GEORGE out of the room
accompanied by the SECOND NURSE.
The PASTOR enters and speaks with
the DOCTOR.

DOCTOR
He’s going to be fine, but this is just the beginning
Pastor.

PASTOR
How long will the treatment take?

DOCTOR
It depends on the case. It could be months or years.

PASTOR
Are you sure that he's going to be cured? Is that actually
possible doctor?

DOCTOR
Yes. I believe so, but the patient has to cooperate. If he
doesn't, then it will not work. It takes time, patience, and
money.

PASTOR
I understand.

DOCTOR
There have been many proven cases of young men who lead
normal lives after the treatment. Don't worry about it.
Everything will be fine.
 10.

PASTOR
I’m willing to do anything that God and science can afford
to fix my son.

DOCTOR
You’re a wonderful father Pastor.

The DOCTOR and the PASTOR leave the

stage. A rope with a noose falls
down from the ceiling. LITTLE
GEORGE enters carrying a stool. He
steps on it. He then grabs the
noose and inserts his head into it.

(BLACK OUT.)

(END OF SCENE.)

(END OF FIRST ACT.)