1
OVERCHARGED BRICKS
(City sounds. A young man stands at a brick
wall. He wears baggy jeans, a paint-stained
shirt. He has his back to us. He takes a can
of spray paint and shakes it up. He makes
like he is going to spray. He stops. Takes
his hand a runs it along the brick. In a
square. Then in a curve. He steps back. He
sits, in a squat, facing the wall)
(A young woman enters. In a business suit
with a brief-case. She stops, looks up and
down as if by a street. Calls)
CHANDRA
TAXI! Taxi! Tax…
(She steps back, frustrated, adjusts her shoe: yellow, high heel pumps.
The man watches her.)
REGGIE
Nice shoes.
(CHANDRA ignore him and pulls out a cell phone, pushes a button.
Waits, paces. REGGIE goes back to examining his wall.)
CHANDRA
Hey, Becky, I can't get into my car, the keyless entry won't work…the battery or
something…I'm pressing and pressing, if I open the lock it will just go off and I won't
know how to turn it off, and I'll cause all kind of commotion…And I'm at 15th and
Washington, you know? Look, will you call me as soon as you get this?
REGGIE
But I bet they're really bad for your back…
(CHANDRA ignores him and pounds on the cell phone again. REGGIE
examines his wall from another angle.)
CHANDRA
Hi, Tom? You probably won't get this in time, but I'm stuck. You gotta go on without
me. Just stay calm, stay focused on the statistics, and don't forget to keep your mouth
shut after you tell him the content, okay? Just be quiet, and let him say the next word. I
know you can do it Tom. We need his support. I have my phone with me. Call me right
back. I'm trying to catch a cab…I'll be there as soon as I can. (hangs up) Shit. Shit.
2
Shit! (after a long pause) Hey. A minute ago. There was a cab. Do you think there will
be another one?
REGGIE
Could be. I don't pay much attention.
CHANDRA
(making another call) Yes, I need the number for Yellow Cab?
REGGIE
You need a ride?
CHANDRA
(still into phone) Connect me…
REGGIE
I'm telling you, I got a car…I can give you a ride…
CHANDRA
(to REGGIE) What, I'm sorry, are you talking to me?
REGGIE
Who else?
CHANDRA
(back to phone) Yes, I need a cab, please, corner of 15th and Washington…right now,
please…
REGGIE
What, you think —
CHANDRA
Please, just leave me alone. Alright?
REGGIE
It's cool, I understand…
CHANDRA
I just…The cab, it's on its way…(beat) Are you going to spray paint that wall?
REGGIE
Thinking about it.
CHANDRA
That's a crime, you know.
3
REGGIE
Well, that's your opinion.
CHANDRA
It's not my opinion, it's the law.
REGGIE
It's a form of artistic expression. Protected by the bill of rights.
CHANDRA
It's destruction of private property.
REGGIE
No, it's not.
CHANDRA
Yes, it is.
REGGIE
Not if it's my property.
CHANDRA
Yeah, right.
REGGIE
Naw, seriously. This is my building. I lease it out to other artists. I'm the landlord.
CHANDRA
Are you for real?
REGGIE
Yep.
CHANDRA
Must have cost a pretty penny…even in this district…
REGGIE
Yeah, well. Let's say, I just got a head for business. But I'm retired now, pursuing my art
full time…
CHANDRA
Must be nice.
REGGIE
Not too bad. Except. It's a lot of responsibility.
4
CHANDRA
Right. Like what?
REGGIE
Well, for instance…line or curve? sharp or soft?
CHANDRA
Easy. Sharp. It matches the brick.
REGGIE
Ah, but what about balance, contrast…
CHANDRA
You don't own this building…
REGGIE
Maybe not. Maybe you'd rather be out here, talking to artists in the street…
CHANDRA
A sun.
REGGIE
What?
CHANDRA
Make a big, swirling sun. With sharp rays. Both curve and sharp. Something happy and
cheery. God knows the people down here could use it.
REGGIE
Like a Mexican sun? Hmm. That's not a bad idea.
CHANDRA
But do me a favor. (beat) Here's my card. I work for the State. Let me look up the
property owner and ask his permission. There's a program…for public art. I think there
is something for murals in it. If you're really an artist, I might be able help you.
(SHE holds out the card to REGGIE. He looks at it. He suddenly turns,
and paints his "tag," REG, in great big yellow letters. Surrounds it with a
circle, with spikes of rays. CHANDRA watches, shakes her head).
CHANDRA
You know, that isn't going to solve anything…
REGGIE
I told you. It's my building. (gives her a card) Look it up. (beat) Give me a call.
5
(CHANDRA takes the card. REGGIE exits. CHANDRA reads)
CHANDRA
Securities. U.S. Stock Exchange. I’ll be damned. (beat) Hey, Taxi!
(Sound of a car pulling up. CHANDRA smiles and exits).
END