Takes place two days after Uncommon Surveillance Part 1. Freeya, Rashad, Redd, Dorothea, and Ralph Watkins are in Redd’s living room waiting for Ms. Lund to arrive.
FREEYA: I sure hope Ms. Lund was able to convince Dr. Morel to make more green dye.
REDD: I agree that would make things easier but our plan is to not be seen in the first place.
RASHAD: What we need is a way to observe the mayor remotely – bugs, hidden cameras, a tricked-out van – you know, top-secret security stuff.
RALPH WATKINS opening the briefcase he always carries: I got you there. Lays out items on the coffee table. Bugs, hidden cameras. Hesitates, then looks in his briefcase. Uh, no tricked-out van though.
RASHAD grinning: That’s okay about the van, this is still some super cool stuff!
FREEYA: Yeah, Mr. Watkins, I mean Mr. Ralph Watkins this is great! Now we’ll be able to . . .
DOROTHEA: What I’d like to know is where you got this stuff, Ralph Watkins?
RALPH WATKINS: I bet you would but I ain’t telling no narc like you, Dorothea.
DOROTHEA: Now see here, Ralph, just because I work at city hall . . .
RALPH WATKINS: How many times do I have to tell you? It’s Ralph Watkins! Say my full name dammit. I’m Ralph Watkins! Not Ralph, not Watkins, but Ralph Watkins!
Freeya and Rashad are trying, but failing, to contain their laughter.
REDD: Okay you two, there’s no need for this. Dorothea, does it matter where Ralph Watkins got this stuff?
DOROTHEA: Well it might. I mean what if he got it illegally?
RALPH WATKINS: This whole thing is illegal! Do you not understand what we’re doing here?
DOROTHEA: But I . . .
REDD: Ralph has a point. What we’re doing is illegal and potentially dangerous. We all need to be sure about this.
Doorbell rings.
REDD: I’ll answer that. While I do that, decide. All of you. Looks around the room. Are you in or out? Leaves the room.
Redd rushes back into the room.
REDD: Ralph Watkins, hurry, put those things away! It’s Ms. Lund but she has Dr. Morel with her! Leaves room again.
Ralph Watkins hurriedly stuffs the surveillance gear into his briefcase.
REDD walking back into the room with Ms. Lund and Dr. Morel: Dr. Morel, nice to see you! I’m glad Ms. Lund invited you to our gathering. It’s nice to have friends over on a Saturday afternoon . . .
DR. MOREL: Cut it, Redd. I know what’s going on here. Lilly told me everything.
RASHAD whispering to Freeya: Ms. Lund’s first name is Lilly? Lilly Lund? Freeya smirks.
FREEYA: Dang, Ms. Lund you were supposed to give Dr. Morel some cookies, not the whole jar!
MS. LUND: It was the only way I could convince Ian to help us.
DR. MOREL: And now that I know what you’re up to, I want in.
REDD: What? No way.
DR. MOREL: Yes, I want in.
DOROTHEA: Why, what reason do you have?
DR. MOREL: Mayor Ellerby is going to ruin this town. Ellerby practically blackmailed me to make this stuff. Holds up a plastic bag filled with green dye. And I, for one, don’t want to be green. I like being white!
Silence from the group.
DR. MOREL: Wait, I don’t mean because of white privilege, I was just saying . . .
RALPH WATKINS: It’s alright Dr. Morel. You like the skin you’re in. But so do we, get it?
DR. MOREL nods: I get it.
REDD: This isn’t just about the mayor. We are fighting for better lives for everyone. Not this unfairness, inequality, and injustice crap that Ellerby’s been touting. Ellerby’s just in our way, that’s all. So either you’re on board for all of it or none of it. Understand?
DR. MOREL: Understood. I’m on board. For all of it.
REDD: And that goes for everyone in this room. All of it or none. In or out?
FREEYA: In for all of it.
RASHAD: For sure.
DOROTHEA resignedly: In for all.
MS. LUND: Count me in. You know I love espionage.
REDD: Ms. Lund that’s not the point! We have to be serious here . . .
MS. LUND: I know, I know. I just think it’s nice that espionage is thrown in. A bonus if you will.
Redd frowns.
MS. LUND: Either way, I’m in.
RALPH WATKINS: You already know I’m in.
REDD: Alright then, let’s get to spying!
The group cheers. Ralph Watkins opens his briefcase again and starts explaining how to use the items within
Author’s note: Of the many headlines, articles, and social media posts I’ve read over the past few weeks, it’s become clear to me that people think they can pick and choose which parts of the movement to be down with. Dismantle racism but not policing systems that uphold racism. Equal rights for this group but not for that group over there. Nah, fam. I’m here to tell you, either you’re in or you’re out. As Freeya said, be in for all of it.
The World We Live In Now 