Simon is an Asian American in his early 20s. As the scene opens he is sweeping up glass from an accident that has happened at the convenience store that his family runs in New York. He shares with us a story that deals with all of the expectations that he and his family had when they came to America and how all of their dreams actually did come true. However, during and after the COVID pandemic he recognizes that the rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans was very real and something that he and his family experienced on a basis that was much too regular than they would have liked. This is a story about how heavy heat can be and how racism will always be a negative experience but hopefully with the combined powers of good people and family those who do experience racism will be able to rise above it. A beautiful story that highlights how the same place that has always been so special can quickly turn into a place of fear because outside forces have decided to hate you for things that are not within your power. *Note, Simon must be a person of Asian descent, which may be adjusted for the performer. This person does not have to be gender specific. Please change pronouns as needed for the performer and the writer gives permission to also change the name of the character to fit the necessary gender.
Bricks
(Simon, an Asian American young man in his early twenties is sweeping up glass. He sweeps it into a pile, sees something within the pile, leans over, picks it up, squeezes it tight in his hand and speaks to the audience.)
My mother would make bracelets like this for my sister's all the time. (he looks at the bracelet, smiles) She would say that no matter where we are in the world and no matter how far away we are from each other that this simple piece of jewelry that may mean nothing to someone else should mean everything to us. For my sister's it was these bracelets, very simple and yet intricate. My mother would gather small pebbles from the river and bring them home, she would clean them with such delicate care and then she would use some type of binding to organize them on a woven piece of material. It would take her hours just to make one but, I mean look at the artistry, there was no mistaking my mother's ability to craft these beautiful bracelets. This one (he holds it out) this one belongs to my sister Kim. I know because (points) you see this piece right here that's chipped on the corner? (laughs) I did that, or rather I made her do that when I chased her around the house with a fish and she fell on her wrist and that piece of jewelry fell off. (he holds it tight) I will give it back to her. I will… make sure that it makes its way back around her wrist before it's time.