Stroller (A Screenplay)
By Roxana Walker-Canton
Toni Cade Bambara
Photograph: ©Nikky Finney
As a writer, feminist, and filmmaker, I feel a kindred spirit with Sister Toni Cade Bambara. Sister Toni wrote stories about beautifully flawed, seemingly insignificant, everyday black people who live in communities rich in wisdom and culture. The brilliance of her work rests in the commitment to maintain the humanity of the poor and the oppressed as she and her characters attempt to keep head above water in a place that could kill your spirit if you let it. Using her favored writing tradition, the short story, I submit one of my short unproduced screenplays entitled Stroller to pay homage to She who could see visible and invisible realities of being black, woman, and poor.
The way we use material culture speaks truth to the way we order our lives. So when I think about telling stories about black communities, I look to the stuff that people carry around with them, the clothes they wrap themselves in, and the permanent fixtures like corner stores, train tracks and apartment buildings to serve up the heartbeat of the community. Stroller, a short screenplay reminiscent of the Vittorio De Sica’s 1948 Italian neo-realist film The Bicycle Thief, is a visual snapshot of the power of cultural memory to combat the socioeconomic conditions of black working mothers living in poverty.
Editors’ Note: Stroller is a copyrighted and registered script. The script should not be produced nor reproduced without written consent from Roxana Walker-Canton.
********************
EXT. WEST PHILLY STREET – DAY
NATALIE, a 10-year old African American girl, hums a song as she walks home from school. Every now and then, she looks behind her making sure no one is following her. She passes by a YOUNG MOTHER holding her BABY GIRL in one hand and holding the hand of her THREE-YEAR-OLD SON and two grocery bags in the other hand. A GROUP OF GIRLS walk in front of Natalie giggling as A GROUP OF BOYS across the street laugh and hit one another. JAROD, the loudest of the boys screams out to Natalie.
JAROD
Natalie, Ahmed wanna get with you!
AHMED runs after Jarod while the other boys laugh. Natalie smiles to herself. The group of girls in front of her turn around laughing. Natalie stops smiling. RACHELLE, the ring-leader, looks at Natalie.
RACHELLE
You should dress like that every
day. You is cute when you fix yourself up.
Natalie smiles at Rachelle and walks past the girls. Jarod screams out again.
JAROD
Rachelle you so black you disappear
when the lights go out!
RACHELLE
I know you ain’t talking black
nigga!
Natalie goes into the corner store to wait for the kids to pass.
INT. CORNER STORE – DAY
Natalie passes A YOUNG GRANDMOTHER holding her GRANDSON’S hand as she gets her money together to buy her lottery ticket. Her Grandson reaches for his grandmother to pick him up.
YOUNG GRANDMOTHER
(to cashier)
Twenty dollars. (to her
grandson) You have to walk a
little bit. Grandma ain’t like
your daddy. I can’t carry you all
the time.
Her grandson starts crying. She looks at Natalie.
YOUNG GRANDMOTHER
(to Natalie)
Baby, can you help me out. Hold
him for me while I get my lottery
okay.
Natalie picks up Grandson and rests him on her hip as she waits for Young Grandmother to finish. Grandson smiles at Natalie. The CASHIER’S hand reaches out from behind the plexiglass protection separating the him from the customers and hands her the lottery tickets.
YOUNG GRANDMOTHER
(to Natalie)
Thank you little girl.
Natalie puts Grandson down and he starts crying.
YOUNG GRANDMOTHER (cont’d)
I know Little Man. You tired.
Grandma tired too.
Young Grandmother lifts up her Grandson and carries him out the store. Natalie walks down the candy aisle and spots her favorite Twistlers. She runs her hand across the red and black packaging. She looks toward the plexiglass cashier to see another CUSTOMER ringing out. Natalie quickly shoves the candy in her pocket and walks toward the window to see if the kids had left. She stands for a moment watching them walk farther down the street before returning to the candy aisle where her returns the candy.
EXT. WEST PHILLY STREET – DAY
Natalie jogs the rest of the way home still looking behind her every now and then to make sure that no one is following her. When she gets to the apartment building with a beautiful mural painted on the side and quick graffiti letters on the front, she quickly enters the front door.
INT. APARTMENT BUILDING HALLWA
Natalie climbs two flights of steps before coming to her door. She take out the key from under her shirt and quickly unlocks the door and slams it shut. We hear her lock and dead bolt the door.
INT. NATALIE’S APARTMENT – DAY
Natalie leans her back against the door and then slowly turns to look out the peephole. She looks left. It’s empty. She looks right. An OLDER MAN looks toward Natalie’s apartment as if he can see her looking through the peep hold. He smiles.
INT. APARTMENT BUILDING HALLWAY – DREAM SEQUENCE
The Older Man takes a pack of Twistler candy from his pocket and holds it toward Natalie who is dressed in nice fashionable hip-hop slightly revealing clothes. Natalie smiles as she walks toward the man. When she extends her hand for the candy, he grabs her arm.
INT. NATALIE’S APARTMENT – DAY
Natalie watches through the peephole as the door behind Older Man opens and a YOUNG TEENAGE GIRL lets him in. Natalie turns away shaking her head.
NATALIE
She just gonna get in trouble
again.
Finally letting down her defense, Natalie removes her backpack. The apartment is very clean and neat. Sparsely furnished—a worn couch, a fish tank, a kitchen table, a television, and one other chair. She washes her hands in the kitchen sink and pours a glass of Kool-Aid. She sits down by the phone waiting. The phone rings but she doesn’t answer it. It rings three times and then stops. Natalie continues drinking the red drink. The phone rings again and she answers it quickly on the first ring.
NATALIE
Hi mommy.
Natalie smiles.
INT. NURSING HOME BREAK ROOM – DAY
LESLIE, Natalie’s mother, smiles. Behind her is a long hallway with ELDERLY people in wheelchairs and walkers and NURSE’S AIDES moving about.
LESLIE
Hey little girl. You make it home
okay?
NATALIE (V.O.)
Yes.
LESLIE
How was your day?
NATALIE (V.O.)
Good.
Leslie takes a bite of her sandwich and watches PAT, another nurse’s aide, help a PATIENT down the hall. Leslie looks at the clock.
LESLIE
Have you started your homework?
INT. NATALIE’S APARTMENT – DAY
Natalie sets her book bag on the kitchen table.
NATALIE
Not yet, but I’m about to. Guess
what?
LESLIE (V.O.)
What?
NATALIE
Everybody liked my new clothes.
She smiles and looks down at her clothes.
INT. NURSING HOME BREAK ROOM – DAY
Leslie smiles.
LESLIE
They did? Good. You did look good
this morning.
MARY, Leslie’s boss, sticks her head in the break room.
MARY
Leslie, how much longer do you have
for lunch?
Leslie looks at the clock.
LESLIE
Just five minutes.
MARY
Good. We really need you.
LESLIE
No problem. Let me just say bye to
my daughter.
MARY
Thanks.
Leslie sighs.
LESLIE
(to Natalie)
Okay baby, mama has to go. Finish
counting the money for me. And
don’t spill Kool-Aid down the front
of your clothes. I’m going to pick
up Sydney, and when I get home
we’re going to the store. And
don’t answer the phone unless you
get the signal. And don’t answer
the door at all. Love you.
INT. NATALIE’S APARTMENT – DAY
NATALIE
Okay. I love you too.
Natalie hangs up the phone and goes to her mother’s room where a big jar sits on the bed next to stacks of coins lined up on top of two books. Natalie turns on the TV and sits down counting out dimes making new stacks.
INT. NURSING HOME – DAY
Leslie and Pat lift MISS HANNA, a white elderly patient, into her bed.
PAT
I sure am glad today is payday.
LESLIE
Who you tellin.
PAT
(to Miss Hanna)
You doing alright?
MISS HANNA
Yes. My skin feels fresh. Thank
you for my bath.
PAT
No problem Miss Hanna.
MISS HANNA
Who’s this new girl? She’s quiet.
Leslie smiles
PAT
Miss Hanna, this is Leslie. She’s
been here a couple of weeks now.
Pat looks at Leslie to speak. Leslie gets the cue.
LESLIE
Nice to meet you Miss Hanna.
PAT
Leslie is going to be with us from
now on.
MISS HANNA
Oh that’s good. You have soft
hands and, you don’t talk too
loud. I don’t like those girls
that talk too loud.
Pat looks at Leslie to speak. Leslie get the cue.
LESLIE
Thank you.
PAT
Do you need us for anything else,
Miss Hanna?
MISS HANNA
How about some lotion on my legs
and feet. They’re so dry and I
can’t reach.
Miss Hanna looks at Leslie and smiles. Leslie obliges. Pat leaves the room.
MISS HANNA
So whereabouts are you from?
LESLIE
I’m from right here in
Philadelphia. Where are you from,
Miss Hanna?
MISS HANNA
Georgia. My daughter brought me
here to be closer to her. Right
there is her picture.
Miss Hanna shows Lest a great American Dream picture of her daughter and family. Leslie smiles. She continues rubbing lotion on Miss Hanna’s legs as she falls asleep. Leslie pulls a light blanket over her and leaves the room.
INT. NURSING HOME BREAK ROOM – DAY
She peers at the clock. Pat is already gathering her things. Leslie gathers her things as ROSALINDA and VALERIE, the nurse’s aides for the next shift come into the office.
ROSALINDA
Hola Leslie. You decided to stay
with us.
Rosalinda kisses Leslie on the cheek.
PAT
Yeah, she’s staying, and I’m
glad. She’s a good worker.
Mary comes in and hands Leslie and Pat their paychecks.
PAT
Thank you Jesus.
VALERIE
It’s all spent already, ain’t it?
PAT
Yeah, but I ain’t complainin.
Leslie opens her envelope.
LESLIE
I have to pick up my baby. I’ll
see you all on Monday.
PAT
Take it easy.
VALERIE
Don’t spend it all in one place.
ROSALINDA
You have such a pretty face.
LESLIE
Have a good evening.
Leslie leaves.
ROSALINDA
She is so polite. I like that.
EXT. PHILADELPHIA STREET, EARLY EVENING
Leslie walks to the bus stop with a couple of bags from the drugstore and takes a seat next to NURSE’S AIDE WOMAN holding an ALMOST WALKING BABY and HOTEL HOUSEKEEPER WOMAN holding a CRYING BABY surrounded by grocery bags, baby bags and other shopping bags. THREE TODDLERS stand nearby eating candy. A FAST FOOD WORKER WOMAN approaches carrying her LAUGHING BABY, baby bag and shopping bags. Upon seeing her struggle, Leslie offers her her sea. They all wear their uniforms because they are getting off from work or going to work.
FAST FOOD WORKER WOMAN
(to Leslie)
Thank you.
Leslie smiles. A BUSINESS WOMAN carrying a purse and briefcase walks by strolling her STROLLER BABY in a carriage while talking on the phone. She stops a short distance from the women at the bus top. Leslie watches as Business Woman places her briefcase in the bottom storage area of the stroller and continues on walking with nothing to weigh her down. The woman crosses the street and the bus pulls up obstructing Leslie’s view of the woman. The worker women struggle to get all of their babies and bags loaded on the bus.
INT. NATALIE’S APARTMENT – EARLY EVENING
Natalie has wrapped about twenty dollars of coins. She sits on her mother’s bed writing her spelling words and watching a talk show. The telephone rings three times. Natalie lets it ring. She goes into the kitchen.
INT. KITCHEN
The phone stops ringing. She waits. It rings three times again and stops ringing. When it rings again, she picks it up and puts it on speakerphone.
NATALIE
(in a witch’s voice)
Whose calling my house in the
middle of the day?
WINSTON (V.O.)
Do boogie man.
NATALIE
(laughing)
Hi Mr. Winston. Mama’s not home
yet. Are you going to the store
with us tonight?
WINSTON (V.O.)
I might. Ask your mama to call me
when she gets in.
NATALIE
Okay. Bye.
We hear the door unlocking and Natalie looks out the peep hole. Leslie enters the apartment with SYDNEY, Leslie’s six month old daughter.
LESLIE
Natalie, grab the bag. She is
getting so heavy.
Natalie takes the diaper bag and her mother’s purse to the couch. Leslie puts Sydney down on the couch and sits. Tired.
NATALIE
Hello Sydney. Hello Baby.
Natalie picks Sydney up and plays with her. Leslie stands to stretch her back.
LESLIE
She’s about to break my back. Did
you count up the money?
NATALIE
Uh-huh. I counted forty-eight
dollars and thirty-seven cents.
LESLIE
Well that helps a little. Did
Winston call?
NATALIE
Uh-huh. He called right before you
got in, and he wants you to call
him.
LESLIE
Good. And stop saying uh-huh. Say
yes. I hope he has my money. Can
you change your sister for me. I
want to get out of here fast so we
can get back before the sun goes
down.
NATALIE
I’ll change her if you let me pick
out the color.
Leslie smiles.
LESLIE
Fine. You can pick the color as
long as it isn’t pink.
NATALIE
I don’t like pink anyway.
Natalie takes Sydney into the room. Someone knocks on the door. Leslie looks out the peephole, steps back smoothing her her, and opens the door for Winston. They embrace and kiss.
WINSTON
Hey baby. How was your day?
LESLIE
All good. Today was payday.
WINSTON
You look good. You smell good too.
LESLIE
You always trying to get some,
ain’t you?
WINSTON
Ain’t nothing wrong with tryin.
LESLIE
How was your day?
WINSTON
Don’t want to talk about it. I
can’t give you back the money right
now.
Leslie deflates.
LESLIE
Winston, I need that money. What
happened?
WINSTON
I’m sorry baby, but I had to buy a
new tire. I got a flat today, and
I wasn’t thinking, and I drove it
about a block to the station and
messed up the rim
Leslie plops down on the couch and scratches her head.
LESLIE
I have to get this stroller. I
can’t keep carrying Sydney
everywhere.
Winston is embarrassed. He puts his hands in his pocket.
WINSTON
I’m sorry, baby. Let me see what I
can do. Do you have enough to
cover the cost?
LESLIE
Yeah, but that’s going to leave me
broke and I need groceries and
Natalie has a field trip next week
that I still haven’t sent in the
money for.
WINSTON
I tell you what, you go on out and
get the stroller, and I’ll get your
money.
LESLIE
That’s alright. I’ll go another
week.
WINSTON
No. I said to go on out and get
the stroller. I’ll get the money.
LESLIE
But Winston, what if you can’t get
the money, then I won’t have food
in the…
WINSTON
Trust me.
Winston and Leslie stare at one another. Natalie comes in the room with Sydney.
NATALIE
Hi Mr. Winston. I didn’t hear you
come in.
Natalie gives Sydney to her mother and gives Winston a hug.
WINSTON
Hey, what’s that in the tank?
Natalie looks at the tank while Winston takes out a pack of Twistler from his pocket to Natalie’s surprise.
NATALIE
Thank you!
WINSTON
Well, I have to go.
NATALIE
I thought you were going out with
us?
WINSTON
I can’t this time. I’ll see you.
Winston kisses Leslie on the forehead.
WINSTON
Trust me.
Leslie smiles.
LESLIE
Okay ladies, let’s get the L.
INT. TRAIN
Leslie holds Sydney on her lap and Natalie sits at her side. PEOPLE get on and off the train. Leslie and the girls get off at their stop.
EXT. CITY STREET
Leslie carries Sydney in one hand and holds Natalie’s hand with the other hand and they go into the bank.
INT. BANK
Leslie sits Natalie in a chair with Sydney on her lap and goes to the TELLER.
LESLIE
Good afternoon. I just need to
exchange these coins for bills.
Leslie unloads the forty eight dollars worth of wrapped coins on the counter and the Teller exchanges them for bills.
TELLER
Thank you. Have a nice day.
EXT. BUS STOP #2
They wait on the bus. When it comes they board the bus.
INT. BUS #2
Leslie holds Sydney on her lap and Natalie sits at her side. They watch people get on and off the bus before they get off.
EXT. BUS STOP #3
They wait for the second bus.
INT. BUS #3
Natalie sits in her own seat in front of her mother and looks out the window. Mostly WHITE PEOPLE get on and off the bus now. The bus rides through a neighborhood of single family homes. A BLACK WOMAN with TWO WHITE CHILDREN get on the bus. Natalie stares at the children.
EXT. SHOPPING DISTRICT
Leslie holds Sydney in one hand and holds Natalie’s hand with the other as they cross a busy intersection to get to the baby store.
INT. BABY STORE
They enter the huge store full of baby items. Most of the CUSTOMERS in the store are white along with the CASHIERS.
NATALIE
Mommy, I love this store. When I
grow up and have a baby…
LESLIE
That’s a long time from now.
NATALIE
I know mommy. But, when I grow up
and have a baby…
LESLIE
You have to go to college first.
NATALIE
I know mommy. But, when I grow up
and have a baby…
LESLIE
And you need to be married first.
NATALIE
I know, I know, you won’t let me
say it. After I grow up, go to
college, and get married…
Natalie stops and looks at her mother. Leslie nods her head.
NATALIE
After all of that, I’m going to get
all of my baby’s stuff from here.
Leslie looks at all of the rows of items.
LESLIE
Yeah. One day you’ll be able to.
A SALESPERSON approaches Leslie.
SALESPERSON
Hi. Can I help you find something?
Natalie smiles.
NATALIE
We want to buy a stroller for my
baby sister Sydney.
SALESPERSON
And are you a good big sister?
NATALIE
The best there is.
SALESPERSON
I could almost guess that. Okay,
the strollers are all the way in
the back and to the right. If you
need any other help, Melissa will
be there to assist you.
LESLIE
Thank you.
Leslie and Natalie try strolling Sydney in numerous strollers. Leslie reads the descriptions. MELISSA walks over.
NATALIE
I like the green one.
LESLIE
Can you assemble this for me.
MELISSA
No problem.
INT. BABY STORE CHECK OUT
Leslie hands the money to the CASHIER and the wait up front until Melissa rolls out the assembled stroller. Leslie gets Sydney strapped in, and they leave the store.
EXT. BABY STORE
Leslie and Natalie push Sydney in the stroller
NATALIE
I’m glad we saved all that money.
LESLIE
We have a couple of extra
dollars. Wanna go to our special
place?
NATALIE
Yeah! I mean Yes!
Leslie and Natalie get on the bus headed to the bookstore.
INT. BOOKSTORE
Leslie parks the stroller with the other strollers in the stroller parking area. They browse the bookshelves. Natalie chooses a book and sits down to read by herself. Leslie walks down the aisles stopping to read the backs of a few books. Everyone in the store is white. Finally, they sit in the cafe to share a cup a tea and a pastry.
NATALIE
When I grow u and go to college and
get married and have a baby, we’re
going to go to the bookstore all
the time. Mommy, can I buy this
book?
LESLIE
How much is it?
NATALIE
Nine dollars and ninety-five cents.
LESLIE
Not this time
Natalie-Patalie. Wait until I get
paid again.
Leslie sips the tea watching WHITE WOMEN with their babies.
LESLIE
We need to get going.
Leslie gathers their things while Natalie puts the book back. Leslie walks over to the stroller parking area. No strollers are in the space. Leslie looks around. She panics and goes over to the Cashier.
LESLIE
Excuse me. My stroller. My
stroller isn’t in the parking.
CASHIER
Are you sure you left it there?
LESLIE
Of course I’m sure I left it
there. I know where I left my
stroller.
CASHIER
Let me go see.
LESLIE
I just told you that it isn’t
there. Look. There are no
strollers there.
CASHIER
Let me get the manager.
Natalie approaches her mother.
NATALIE
Mommy, what’s the matter?
LESLIE
Our stroller. It’s gone.
NATALIE
It’s gone? Who took our stroller?
The MANAGER approaches.
MANAGER
Ma’am, I hear that we have a little
problem?
LESLIE
Someone has taken my stroller.
MANAGER
Sometimes people mix up strollers.
LESLIE
If someone mistaken mine for theirs
then one would be left, right?
MANAGER
Have you looked around the store?
Maybe you forgot to park it.
LESLIE
I didn’t forget to park it. I left
my green stroller right her about
thirty minutes ago.
Leslie, carrying Sydney, with Natalie not far behind, walks throughout the store looking for the stroller. The Manager and the Cashier look at one another and follow behind them. Finally Leslie sits on a bench.
MANAGER
Ma’am, come back tomorrow. Your
stroller will probably turn
up. I’m sure. I’m sorry.
LESLIE
Are you really sorry?
MANAGER
Yes, we are really sorry.
LESLIE
Can you replace my baby’s stroller?
Leslie looks the manager in the eye.
MANAGER
Unfortunately, ma’am, we post a
sign that says that we are not
responsible for the strollers left
in the parking area. But I tell
you, the stroller is bound to turn
up. People usually don’t steal
around here.
Leslie doesn’t respond.
MANAGER
Again, we’re sorry for the
inconvenience.
The manager walks away. Natalie watches her mother. Leslie looks at Natalie and smiles.
LESLIE
Let’s go.
Leslie carries Sydney and holds Natalie’s hand heading toward the door. Leslie spots a pink stroller parked in the stroller parking area. As she continues walking, she looks around to see if anyone is looking at her. She exits the store.
EXT. BOOKSTORE
Once outside, Leslie reaches in her pocket and takes out two dollars.
LESLIE
Hey pretty girl, you want some ice
cream?
NATALIE
That’s okay mommy. I know we have
to save again to get another
stroller.
LESLIE
I have two dollars for my girl.
Natalie smiles and takes the money.
LESLIE
Can you go over and buy your own
ice cream? I’m going to go back
inside to go to the bathroom before
we leave.
NATALIE
Okay.
Natalie goes to the ice cream store while Leslie goes back into the bookstore.
INT. BOOKSTORE
Leslie goes to the stroller parking area where the pink stroller remains. No one is around. She looks around and then places Sydney in the stroller. She rolls the stroller backwards a couple of feet and then stops. She looks around before unstrapping Sydney and leaving the store. Outside she leans against the building and sighs.
LESLIE
Damn it!
Leslie, carrying Sydney, goes to get Natalie who has bought a big ice cream cone. The walk down the street and board the bus.
INT. BUS #3
They look out the window watching MOTHERS walking and jogging with their babies in their strollers.
EXT. TRAIN STATION – EVENING MAGICAL REALISM
As Leslie, holding Sydney, walks toward the train station, Leslie slows down when she sees THREE AFRICAN WOMEN dressed in African clothing, gelee and all, with their babies on their backs standing in front of a line of twenty or so women including Fast Food Worker Woman, Nurse’s Aide Woman, and Hotel Housekeeping Woman, among other women dressing in work uniforms. The Three African Women help each woman tie her baby on her back while singing a song that says “Put Your Baby on Your Back.”
THREE AFRICAN WOMEN
(singing)
Put your baby on your
back. Mama. Woman’s work is
hard. Travel a long road. Put your baby on
your back. Mama.
Leslie joins the line and they tie Sydney to her back. Leslie, with Sydney tied to her back, holds Natalie’s hand as the walk up the stairs to get the train.
The End.
Roxana Walker-Canton is an award-winning independent documentary-maker and video installation artist. She earned her B.A. from Spelman College in Atlanta, GA, an M.A./M.F.A. in Black Studies and English/Creative Writing from The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH, and an M.F.A. in Film and Media Arts from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. She is the director of The Living Thinkers Project, and served as the producer/director/co-editor of Living Thinkers: An Autobiography of Black Women in the Ivory Tower, the documentary, distributed by Women Make Movies, which won the Audience Choice Award for Documentary at the 2013 BlackStar Film Festival in Philadelphia and was a finalist for the HBO Award for Documentary at the 2013 Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival. She installed Living Thinkers—Harriet Jacobs’ Attic and Living Thinkers—Harriet Jacobs’ Attic 2, two video installations connecting contemporary Black women’s education narratives to the 19th century slave narrative written by Harriet Jacobs. Her last documentary about post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans titled Belly of the Basin won First Place for Documentary at the Hollywood Black Filmmakers Festival 2008 and screened at numerous festivals and universities across the country. She has received numerous grants and has presented her work nationally and internationally at festivals, conferences and universities. She teaches Documentary Production, Screenwriting and African American Cinema. She is married to history professor David A. Canton and has three children, Imani, Kefentse, and Montsho.
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