A Girl Named Ally: A Play in One Act

Based on the true story by Emily Schorr Lesnick

INTERIOR. COFFEE SHOP- DAY

ENTER SLEEPY-LOOKING ESL IN SLAVE TO THE GRIND, GENERIC GRUNGY COFFEE SHOP

SHE IS WEARING HER MACALESTER COLLEGE ALLIES PROJECT T-SHIRT [SHIRT PRINT READS “THIS IS WHAT AN ALLY LOOKS LIKE”]. OUTSIDE, IT IS RAINING

ACT I, SCENE 1

ESL: Just this hazelnut drip, please.

BARISTA: So is your name Ally?

ESL: WHAT?

BARISTA: Your Shirt….

ESL (looks at shirt): Um, no, it says Ally. Like social justice, being an ally to those who have been historically marginalized … (trails off)

BARISTA : (shrugs) Oh, well you have a beautiful day.

ESL: Grumbles (pays and walks out of store)….

THE END.

Alternate Endings/Liberatory Possibilities, inspired by what ESL could have done…

ACT I, SCENE 2

BARISTA: Oh, well you have a beautiful day.

ESL: You too. And thanks for asking about my shirt. Part of being an ally is speaking up and sharing my opinions. Ally may not be my name, but it is an identity that is important to me.

BARISTA STEPS OUT FROM BEHIND THE COUNTER. ESL & BARISTA HUG.

THE END.

ACT I, SCENE 2

BARISTA: Oh, well you have a beautiful day.

ESL: Thanks. (ESL turns to walk off)

BARISTA: Hey wait! Your shirt has a stick figure in a wheel chair…what’s that about?

ESL: Well, I am interested in multiple and intersecting identities. I am White, and I am committed racial justice. But, I am also committed to working towards liberation for people of all genders, abilities, sexual identities, classes and more.

BARISTA: All genders? Aren’t there just two?

ESL: Says who?

BARISTA STEPS OUT FROM BEHIND THE COUNTER. ESL & BARISTA SHARE COFFEE, DISCUSSING LIBERATION OVER LATTES.

THE END.