A series of vignettes. Behind the actors is a blank wall where the audience can see screen projections.
1.
EM (biracial*) is on her phone waiting for the train
(Projection: she is doing a Duolingo lesson)
STRANGER: Disculpe, ¿sabe cuándo llegará el próximo tren?
EM: …
No hablo español.
STRANGER: Lo siento. Pensé que eras…
EM shakes her head.
They sit in silence for a few moments.
Eventually…
EM: Cinco minutos. El tren.
STRANGER: Ah - gracias!
2.
EM is at a clinic giving blood
(Projection: the nurse’s intake form)
NURSE: Next, we’ll check your hemoglobin levels to make sure you’re eligible to donate today.
EM: Okay.
NURSE pricks EM’s finger and collects a sample.
NURSE: Weight?
EM: 200.
NURSE enters EM’s answers into the form.
NURSE: Height?
EM: 5’5”
NURSE: Any family history of diabetes or heart disease?
EM: Yes - my dad’s side.
NURSE arrives at the race/ethnicity question on the form.
Without asking, she chooses “Caucasian” for race and “Hispanic or Latino” for ethnicity.
NURSE: When was your last menstrual period?
EM: Last Monday.
NURSE: Hemoglobin looks good. You’re all set!
3.
EM is watching a reality show with friends
(Projection: she is scrolling on Instagram)
FRIEND 1: Are you still trying to figure it out?
EM: YES.
FRIEND 2: You’re in deep. Is that her Grandma’s Instagram???
EM: Yes…
But, like LOOK!
FRIEND 1 and FRIEND 2: Oh yeah…
EM: That child does not look white!
FRIEND 2: That Grandma definitely looks white.
EM: True, but maybe she’s adopted!
FRIEND 1: Based on how long you’ve been scrolling, I don’t think she wants people to be 100% certain.
EM: I always want people to know. I lead with the family photo so people don’t guess wrong and make assumptions. She just looks like she’s got a little something…
FRIEND 1: Why does it matter? She’s being so annoying.
EM: I just wanna know how much I should root for her! Like, if she’s like me, then I like her more. But, if she’s a white girl trying to look like she’s not…then I hate her even more!
I just need proof…
*EM’s facial features are ambiguous, but she is not Latina
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