The scene opens with two comedians: Zach a white guy and Rohan a Bengali. This is their first meeting as they both prepare for their stand up comedy set. The men share a moment and we then fast forward to a few years later where Zach feels it is more appropriate to talk to Rohan about what it means to be a man of his color and religion in the present America. It is a very educational and emotional conversation. Rohan appreciates that Zach asked instead of assumed and that his questions were genuine. However Zach was not ready for the realness of what Rohan and his family has endured since 9-11-01 in America. It is a sad story of the lack of humanity but addresses that so much of our ignorance is rooted in depending on what they see on television to be our educator. The conversation is deep in its essence but never gets away from the fact that these two men are friends. In the end the men find themselves back at the comedy club getting ready for the next night of comedy when a news report breaks news of a terror attack that has killed American troupes as Rohan is performing. A heckler goes in on the situation resulting in the men fighting. Zach misses the fight but in the aftermath Rohan is upset that his friend wasn’t there to defend him. For the first time Rohan expresses wanting to kill someone not as a man of color but as a human being constantly being pushed. After the night Rohan goes outside to see the man he had a fight with beating his car with a bat. He tries to be the bigger man making jokes but the man wants another fight. Rohan is beaten badly as Zach emerges from the building he holds his friend as he takes his last breath. In the end Zach takes the stage again and dedicates his performance to his fallen friend Rohan.
Duo/ Duet- Color of Comedy
$60.00Price
- (Two men stand in front of their own individual mirrors preparing for their stand up comedy routines. They look at each other for a minute.) Zach: I saw your set last week at The Comedy Corner, not bad. Rohan: Not bad for a little brown guy? (Zach gives him a crazy look.) Zach: No, actually that’s not what I said, “not bad,” as in it was a pretty solid set. You know what I’ll leave you alone. Clearly there is a chip on your shoulder holding you down. Rohan: (Beat) Hey I’m sorry man, I just- not a lot of guys that look like me on the circuit ya know? Zach: Yeah, I know. (Awkward silence.) You ready for tonight? Rohan: Yeah, what’s great about comedy is that I can take all the racists shit that’s happening in the world and make it into a big joke, therapy I guess. My mom says that (Impersonating his mother physically and vocally.) “Making fun of our struggles is not funny Rohan. Not funny at all.” (Both men laugh.) She doesn’t get it. Zach: That’s a really good impersonation you should make mom a part of your set. (Rohan looks at him smiling.) She’s already in it isn’t she? Rohan: (Impersonating again) “You better believe I am.” Zach: Nice. Rohan: Mom brings home the set tonight. You? Zach: Naw, my mom left me when I was five so I tend not to bring her on stage. Rohan: Didn’t mean to- Zach: (Impersonation of a woman that represents his mom. She smokes like a chimney and has a strong Ne Jersey accent.) “Oh honey it’s okay. My son wouldn’t be nearly as funny if I hadn’t left him like I did.” (They both smile again. Rohan hears his name called to come to the stage.) Rohan: (As mom) “Maybe we should clip coupons one day.” Zach: (As mom) “Coupons? For the liquor store? Cigarettes?” (They both laugh for a moment.) I hope I never become my mother. Rohan: You and me both. (He hears his name called.) That’s me. Good luck tonight. Zach: You too. Maybe both of our mother’s will make us winners tonight.