Lloronas by Carlos Manuel
This Play is the copyright of the Author and may not be performed, copied or sold without the Author's prior consent
At the start of the play we are in Technotitlan with the pyramids on the background
Three Aztec Gods float on the air: Tonatiuh, the God Sun. Huitzilopochtli, the supreme Aztec God.
And center, Coyolxauhqui, the Moon Goddess.
Our attention is call to the stage by the sounds of a conch
Four AZTEC PRIESTS enter, in a ceremonial procession, carrying offerings
to Huitzilopochtli. One of the PRIESTS carries a container from which
smoke comes out due to the burning copal
The PRIESTS stop center stage and face north. The PRIEST with the conch
makes the sound. Then, the PRIESTS face the south and the sound of the
conch is heard again. They repeat the same action for the east and the
west, using the sound of the conch each time
Finally, they all face the audience, they kneel, they bow, they pray
Suddenly, there appears to be an earthquake as a loud woman's scream echoes
throughout the land. The PRIESTS look up, they see something above the audience.
They don't know what it is. They are confused, yet not frightened. They try to figure it out.
They speak Nahuatl:
PRIEST 1: Xiquihta! (Look!)
PRIEST 2: Ompa! (Out there!)
PRIEST 3: Cihuatontli! (In the distance/air!)
PRIEST 4: Tlalticpoe! (Our mother!)
ALLL: "Ay, Nopilhuan! (It's her!)
PRIEST 1: Cihuacóatl!
PRIEST 2: Cihuacóatl!
ALL: Itocan Cihuacóatl! Tenatzin Xolal!
Quick blackout
The pyramids disappeared.
Transition: The Present. MARISELA sleeps in her bedroom, having a
nightmare. We see it. Four SHADOWS are creating a river with two long
pieces of blue fabric. A woman wearing a very fluently white dress is
seen, her long black hair flies all over because of the wind. She is
LA LLORONA. She "floats on the river. She moans, cries, and
scream while looking for something. She screams: "Ay, mis hijos!
She cries over and over again as she slowly moves down the river and
into MARISELA'S room. MARISELA sleeps, her nightmare happening in
her own bedroom. Thunder, wind, and rain all around her.
The SHADOWS invade her room. LA LLORONA stands by MARISELA'S bed.
She suddenly awakes, sees the SHADOWS all around her, sees LA LLORONA.
MARISELA wants to scream but can't. LA LLORONA reaches out to her;
MARISELA is scared. She quickly covers herself with the blankets.
The wind and rain continue. There is a strong thunder with
lightening. The stage goes dark in a flash. We now see a young man
taking a nap on the couch. His laptop computer is set on the coffee
table. DONA TERE enters, carrying a coffee mug. She crosses to the
living room calling her son.
DONA TERE: (Waking him) Victor! Victor! Victor!
VICTOR wakes up alarm!
VICTOR: What? What? Who…
DONA TERE: Te dormiste.
VICTOR: I was just taking a nap.
DONA TERE: A nap?
VICTOR: Si.
DONA TERE: What time you got home last night?
VICTOR: Two, I guess.
DONA TERE: Victor!
VICTOR: What? My boss asked me to stay over time. It was just a
couple of hours.
MARISELA enters. Two SHADOWS follow her.
DONA TERE: (Surprise) Marisela, mija.
MARISELA: Buenos días, mamá!
DONA TERE: ¿Y tú? ¿Donde andabas?
MARISELA: I went for a run.
DONA TERE: A what?
VICTOR: You went running?
MARISELA: A correr. And yes Victor, I went running.
DONA TERE: A correr. What next?
VICTOR: You should have told me. I would have gone with you.
MARISELA: I needed to clear my mind. Besides, you were sound asleep.
DONA TERE: Can you run? I mean the…
MARISELA: Yes. Dr. Gutierrez recommended it.
DONA TERE: Okay, si la doctora lo dijo. But next time take your
brother with you.
VICTOR: Yeah. Take me. I need to run.
MARISELA: I know.
VICTOR: Wait. What are you saying? Are you calling me fat?
MARISELA: I didn't call you anything.
VICTOR: I am not fat!
DONA TERE: No me mires a mi, mijo. She said it.
DONA TERE and MARISELA laugh.
VICTOR: I'm not fat!
DONA TERE: ¡Ya! ¡Déjense de bromas! I brought you some hot
chocolate.
VICTOR: Does it have marshmallows?
DONA TERE: Es chocolate mexicano, not hot cocoa.
VICTOR: Good. I can't stand marshmallows.
DONA TERE: Lo sé, Victor. Lo sé.
MARISELA: Mamá, I want some too.
DONA TERE: Of course. I'll get you some.
DONA TERE exits. LA LLORONA enters joining the SHADOWS. MARISELA
senses LA LLORONA'S presence.
MARISELA: What's with coming in at 2 am?
VICTOR: I was working.
MARISELA And why do you have the laptop out here?
VICTOR: I'm supposed to be writing a paper.
MARISELA: About?
VICTOR: La Llorona.
MARISELA: (Stunned) Really?
VICTOR: Yes.
MARISELA: I dreamt about her last night.
VICTOR: Again?
MARISELA: Again.
VICTOR: I thought you stopped having those nightmares.
MARISELA: They come and go.
VICTOR: Oh, sis.
MARISELA: I know. I know. For a while they were gone and I was
feeling good about myself again. But… well, I can't control my
dreams, you know. (Pause) Hey, don't worry. They aren't as bad as
they were before.
VICTOR: Yeah, but… Are you sure the medicine the doctor gave you is
working?
MARISELA: Of course it is.
VICTOR: Please, Mari, don't get sick again. Mamá isn't as strong
as before.
MARISELA: I told you not to worry. I'm okay.
VICTOR: Fine. If you say so.
MARISELA: Trust me, little brother. I am.
DONA TERE enters. LA LLORONA exits. As she does, she touches
MARISELA'S hair. She reacts. No one notices. The SHADOWS stay
behind.
DONA TERE: Here's your chocolate, Mari.
MARISELA: Gracias, mamá.
MARISELA: This is really good mamá.
VICTOR: She's right mamá.
DONA TERE: O, gracias, but this chocolate is notting comparing to the
one your abuela made. She have golden fingers when it come to cooking
and making chocolate.
MARISELA: Yours is very good too mamá. I can't make it like this.
DONA TERE: Sure you can. It take practice.
VICTOR: Mom, remember the story dad used to tell us about "La
Llorona?
DONA TERE: Si, claro.
MARISELA: I like that story a lot.
VICTOR: Me too. What was the beginning of that story?
MARISELA Didn't it start with a wedding or something?
DONA TERE: I think it did.
They think about it. Transition. Mexico in the 17th C. Early morning
at a beautiful meadow. The birds are singing. The sound of running
water is heard in the distance. A beautiful Indian woman is picking
flowers. JOSE CARLOS enters, a SHADOW follows him.
JOSE CARLOS: Xochitl!
XOCHITL: Jose Carlos!
They embrace.
JOSE CARLOS: Have you waited long?
XOCHITL: It does not matter.
They kiss.
JOSE CARLOS: And the children? Where are they?
XOCHITL: At home. My brother is watching them.
JOSE CARLOS: You are beautiful Xochitl.
XOCHITL: You are too, Jose Carlos. As always, your eyes are as
radiant as the sun. And your skin is paler than the moon itself.
JOSE CARLOS: Do not say that. I do not like it when…
XOCHITL: When I remind you that our skins are of different color?
JOSE CARLOS: Yes. I do not like to hear that.
XOCHITL: But they are.
JOSE CARLOS: Yes. And our children are a combination of both and…
XOCHITL: What bothers you? (Pause) Jose Carlos…
JOSE CARLOS: Sh! Let us not argue. We do not have much time.
XOCHITL: Much time?
JOSE CARLOS: I have to go back.
XOCHITL: But this is our day to be together.
JOSE CARLOS: My father needs me.
XOCHITL: But…
JOSE CARLOS: Xochitl. He told me to meet him today at 9 o'clock sharp. Instead, I came to see you.
XOCHITL: Yes, yes you have.
JOSE CARLOS: I cannot stay long. I have to return to the house right away.
XOCHITL: Yes, of course.
JOSE CARLOS: Oh, my beautiful flower, do not look away. I have no choice
in the matter but to return at once. Do not be sad. Do you not see that if you
are sad, my heart also cries? I came to see you as I promised.
XOCHITL: But you are not staying.
JOSE CARLOS: Because my father needs me.
XOCHITL: I do not like your father.
JOSE CARLOS: Xochitl, please.
XOCHITL: I do not. He is always asking for you. Demanding to see
you. Destroying our plans.
JOSE CARLOS: He does not know of you, Xochitl.
XOCHITL: But your mother does. You said it yourself. Many times.
JOSE CARLOS: Yes. But my mother does not talk to him about you
and me. I told her not to.
XOCHITL: But why?
JOSE CARLOS: It is a complicated matter.
XOCHITL: Complicated? At times I think you are ashamed of me.
JOSE CARLOS: It is not so.
XOCHITL: Then, why have I not met them? Why do they not know
of our children? (Pause) What is wrong?
JOSE CARLOS: Nothing. Nothing is wrong.
XOCHITL: Something is troubling you. The heart does not lie, and I
can see your troubled soul in your eyes. I can feel it. What is it, Jose
Carlos? (Pause) Please, tell me.
JOSE CARLOS: My father.
XOCHITL: What about him?
JOSE CARLOS: He has planned my wedding?
XOCHITL: Your wedding?
JOSE CARLOS: I am destined to wed.
XOCHITL: And we will.
JOSE CARLOS: My father has other plans.
XOCHITL: But…
JOSE CARLOS: Do not worry. I will not allow it. (XOCHITL turns away.)
Do not be afraid, Xochitl. I will not allow it. Trust me.
XOCHITL: Listen! Do you hear? It is the river. Tlaloc speaks.
JOSE CARLOS: He does?
XOCHITL: The waters have a different sound at this moment,
a sign of bad things to come.
JOSE CARLOS: I do not hear anything.
XOCHITL: That is because your god never listens. Our gods
always hear our cries. Like at this moment.
JOSE CARLOS: Do not said that; do not be sad, Xochitl. I promise
to fix everything. You are the flower of my garden. I will not leave you.
She shows a fainted smile. JOSE CARLOS embraces her; they kiss.
XOCHITL: Go now. Your father is waiting.
JOSE CARLOS: I almost forgot. I brought you this.
JOSE CARLOS pulls out a crystal figurine from a pant's pocket.
XOCHITL: What is it?
JOSE CARLOS: A butterfly.
XOCHITL: Papalotl.
JOSE CARLOS: What?
XOCHITL: Papalotl. Butterfly.
JOSE CARLOS: Pa-pa-lo-tl.
XOCHITL: Si.
JOSE CARLOS: Do you like it?
XOCHITL: Yes. Very much. Tlazo'camati.
JOSE CARLOS: You are welcome. I must go.
He exits. XOCHITL admires the crystal butterfly.
Transition. The Present.
DONA TERE: Yes. I think it started with a wedding.
MARISELA: Or was it before a wedding?
VICTOR: All I remember is how everything went down.
(Pause) Mama, como va la cancion?
DONA TERE: What song?
VICTOR: The one about "La Llorona."
DONA TERE: Oh. Um… (She thinks about.)
MARISELA: You mean Chavela's song?
VICTOR: Yeah.
DONA TERE: I remember! (She starts to sing:) "Salias del templo
un dia Llorona…"
MARISELA joins…
VICTOR: Who sings that song?
MARISELA: Chavela Vargas.
VICTOR: (Joking) Then let her sing it. You two stink.
MARISELA: You think you can do better?
VICTOR: Maybe.
MARISELA: A ver, show us.
VICTOR: I'm busy.
MARISELA: Miedoso. (Scary cat.)
DONA TERE: Ay, mija, déjalo. Ándale, drink your chocolate, Victor.
Yo voy a ir a la pulga.
MARISELA: To the flea market? This early?
DONA TERE: Yes. It's not too hot right now, and there is not too
much people either.
VICTOR: Mamá, when you're there, get me a bag of churritos with chile
and limón, por favor. And put a lot of chile in them. You know how I like them.
DONA TERE: Si, mijo.
MARISELA: Oh, before I forget, I'm meeting Angie for lunch today.
DONA TERE: And what I do with the food I'm going to cook?
MARISELA: Don't cook.
DONA TERE
Don't cook? ¿Y qué hago? What do I do with the rest of my day?
Don't cook. What foolish idea. I better get ready.
DONA TERE exits. All is quiet.
[end of extract]
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