Alejandro, a Hispanic man, sits in a hospital gown recovering from the worst life experience any father could ever live through. He tells the story of the process of setting the wheels in motion for him and his young son to be trafficked into America. The journey is well thought out with a handful of rules that they must follow; stay silent being one of them. As the story is told we see the other side of this tragic situation as told through the eyes of the driver of the big rig that is bringing them into America. These two men never encounter each other but in a split screen type performance we see both of their realities, stories and journeys unfold seemingly at the same time. No air in the rig, twice as many passengers’, no light, no way out. On the other side is the silence of not asking questions, no access to the back of the truck, a family to take care of. As the story builds both men begin to see the truth of their situation for what it is, terrifying. As the trip nears its end Alejandro realizes that him and his son are not going to make it but the unknown of what might happen to his son if he lives longer is enough to make him take his sons life. While the driver makes the delivery after driving for miles listening to the passenger’s in the back scream and yell for their lives, he leaves the rig, calls the police and never turns back. Alejandro lives to tell his story but must forever hold with him the secret of how his son died. Many others died that day. This is a heartbreaking story of survival and what happens when humanity is challenged, set aside and sadly absent. *Told from the perspective of both the driver as well as the man in the back of the truck.

Male- Anatomy of Darkness

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(A man in his mid-thirties steps into the light, he is wearing a hospital gown, with a robe that is loosely tied. He seems confused and he is somewhat weary, but he begins to talk as if asked a question.) Alejandro: You must know that a lot goes into preparing for this. Earning the money to make the journey, taking classes to speak well enough not to raise suspicions, but no one talks about the mental preparation. They do not talk about all the things that you will see that will change you forever. (A man in late fifties steps into the light, he is from Oklahoma and is dressed in jeans, boots, and a button down shirt. He also begins to speak as if asked a question. The two characters will continue to alternate voices seamlessly throughout the monologue.) Driver: They told me it was just a standard pick up in Laredo and drop off in San Antonio and then one more stop in Dallas. I haven't had work in a while, and the job paid really well. The guy who hired me sent a set of keys and told me where to pick up the truck. I guess I should've asked what it was but like I said I hadn't worked in two weeks, so you learn not to ask questions. Alejandro: At first, I thought the process would be simple. I had seen so many of my friends cross the border successfully. I was seeking out some type of different life for my son, living in the barrios is not where I wanted him to grow up or to raise a family. Angelica my wife and I had talked many times about trying to move our family, but we had heard that you were much more successful with smaller numbers. Mi familia means everything to me, and I do not want to have to leave mi esposa, but I knew that the circumstances here in Mexico would only get worse. My brother Santiago had the connections, he set up the arrangements and we waited to hear where to meet the coyotes.

Male- Anatomy of Darkness

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