The Names Have Been Kept The Same

By Glenn Ellis

Four former singing group members decide to form a record label called Positive Records Period to promote the idea of songs without swearing, the "n" word, excessive sexual connotations, prejudices towards others, etc. Their hope is through this label they can create some songs that inspire the community and world to think and act more

• Language: English
• Publisher: Glenn Ellis
• Release date: Mar 16, 2016
• ISBN: 9780998404035

Glenn Ellis

The co-author Glenn Ellis is the writer of the play/script published as a book entitled, "The Names Have Been Kept The Same." He has a record label called Postive Records Period that emphasizes and focuses on songs that the entire family can enjoy.

Book preview

Act 1, Scene 1

(Oldest daughter about 50, 2nd oldest daughter about 45, 3rd daughter about 43, son about 48 around bed of mother about 70. Two hospital beds in room, one empty, 3 chairs, one on each side of bed, one to left of TV which is toward and past the foot of the bed. Mother is in the bed. One daughter is sitting in chair to left, one daughter is sitting in chair to right and oldest daughter and son are standing, having a hushed conversation.)

Brenda: (whispering) She's had cancer for a while, but she didn't want anyone to know. You know how she is.

Rich: But you knew and you didn't tell us?

Brenda: She said not to say anything and I had no idea it was progressing this quickly! (Corinne, who had been lying there with her eyes closed, opens her eyes.)

Corinne: (speaks weakly) Don't y'all worry none about me. My God is going to take care of me. Y'all need to look out for Tisha. She's in here too you know.

Brenda: We know Ma, but she chose to have them babies and she chose to get high on that mess. You didn't choose to be in here.

Corinne: You know the Bible says love will cover a multitude of sins. The Lord knows what he is doing. Just look out for that girl. You know her momma ain't around and her daddy's gone. I'm all she had. (pauses) It's always darkest before the dawn, child, and I'm all she had.

Brenda: Yes, Momma. Yes ma'am

Lizzie: (the youngest daughter) Ma, how you doing today?

Corinne: Girl, I'm tired. Just tired, that's all. How's them babies of yours?

Lizzie: Ma, they good. They downstairs. They wanted to come up but they downstairs in the lobby. (Lizzie stands up and strokes her mother's hair). You need to rest Momma.

Corinne: Yes, girl, that's all I'm doing, but I'm just a little weak now. (All the children are now standing and Tina the second oldest daughter is crying softly, but not saying anything.)

Act 1, Scene 2

(Hospital maternity ward, young lady asleep in bed, hooked to IV, no visitors, monitors everywhere.). Nurse walks in and wakes her up.

Nurse Judy: Honey, wake up. I have to take your vitals.

Tisha: (Stirs, opens eyes and sluggishly responds) Umm, ok, what time is it?

Nurse Judy: (Looks at watch and laughs) It's 7:05. You're not going anywhere, are you?

Tisha: No, I was just wondering, that's all.

Nurse Judy: Ok, dear. Hand me your arm. I am going to check your vitals signs. (She checks the vital signs and smirks) Looks like you're gonna live.

(Tisha responds with a weak smile. At that moment, a friend, about five years older than Tisha walks in.)

Kim: (to nurse) Hello. (to Tisha) Girrrl, how you doing? Baby, I was so worried about you. How them babies doing?

Tisha: They're fine. I'm fine. (sighs) What a night. I'm tired, that's all. They got all this stuff hooked up to me. I'm ready to get out of here.

Nurse Judy: You're probably not leaving until you have those babies, my dear. (walks out) Kim: (speaks softly) Girl, you know you were drinking too much. I told you to stop. I knew you were going to pass out. We had to hide everything before that ambulance came. I really hope those babies are okay.

Tisha: They're fine. I knew I was drinking too much, but shoot, girl, I had to calm down. I was too jittery.

Kim: I ain't messing with you girl. Just hope they don't bother you when you have them kids.

Tisha: I know. They said I dilated 7 centimeters. I think I'm going to have them soon.

Act 1, Scene 3 (Two weeks later)

(Viewing of the body, open casket, Corinne