Iraqi Blues

8/14/2019 Iraqi Blues

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IRAQI BLUES

A One Act Play

By

Minerva Vasquez

Minerva Vasquez

611 S. Border

Weslaco, TX. 78596

956-497-5243

Copyright 2009



CAST OF CHARACTERS

CARICIA LOPEZ 36 years old, dance instructor

JOSH LOPEZ 36 years old, Caricia’s husband, army staff sergeant

TIME

The present

SETTING

A dance studio inside a suburban home in Austin, Texas





1

SETTING: A living room area Stage Left with an

entertainment center, end table and lamp, love seat,

and coffee table with magazines and newspapers;

on the right side of the love seat is a book shelf with

several books, candles, and photos of Josh and

Caricia. The living room is adjacent to a small

office area Center Stage with an antique desk and

chair and several photos of dance performances,

including a large portrait of Caricia in a ballet pose.

A wall on the right side of the desk serves as a

partition for a dance studio Stage Right with a door

leading from the office area into the dance studio.

The dance studio is lined with mirrors, and the

audience can see the studio through a large glass

pane. AT RISE: Caricia is wearing black dance

apparel and stretching at the bar. She walks to the

middle of the dance floor and gets into her first

position as the song “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill

Withers plays for the audience to hear. Caricia

begins to dance with fluid motion in a moderndance

style.

JOSH

(Josh enters from the living room door Stage Left wearing army fatigues and holding a



bouquet of flowers. He looks around, drops his duffel bags on the ground, places the



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flowers on the book shelf, and walks to the office area Center Stage)

Caricia? Cari?

(Josh continues to the office area and then waits and listens tentatively at the studio

door before entering. After he enters the dance studio, the audience sees Josh standing

at the edge of the studio through the glass pane as he watches Caricia dance. He follows

her graceful form, her fluid movement, and the shape of her body as she dances with eyes

closed. Caricia continues to dance with an emotion that captivates the audience until she

opens her eyes during a turn and notices Josh standing by the glass pane. She stops

dancing and looks stunned as Josh walks to join her on the middle of the dance floor.

Caricia and Josh fall into a long embrace until Josh steps back while holding her hands to

look at her before spinning her around. They kiss and once again hold each other for a

few

seconds before she leads him out to the office area while holding his hand. The music

fades out. )

CARICIA

I can’t believe it’s really you. How? When? I mean, what are you doing here?

JOSH

Well, got sent home and—

CARICIA

What do you mean? Like home, home? Like no more Iraq? Tell me, Josh, before—before I

don’t know.

JOSH

Like I was saying, just got sent home. The entire 42nd Field Artillery. I had no idea. None of us

did. All I know is they said pack your stuff and we got the hell out that desert.



CARICIA



3

Oh my God, I just don’t believe it. I just—why didn’t you call me? Just seeing you in there, I

thought I was going crazy or something. I mean, I just opened my eyes and there you were. I

didn’t know what to think or do. Cry? Scream? Faint? This is so surreal. How can you be

home?

JOSHUA

Well, I am. And, I don’t know why it happened but I’m here. Not dead, but here. Guess they

weren’t kidding when they said numbers were being cut.

CARICIA

Still, you should’ve called, Josh. I would’ve been there. I would’ve driven straight over to

Ft. Hood with your mom, your brothers—whoever I could find.

JOSH

Yeah, but I didn’t want none of that stuff. Didn’t want some kind of welcome back parade or

anything. Just really wanted to get home.

CARICIA

I’m just completely shocked. You’ve been at Ft. Hood, I’m sure, for several days, and I had no

idea whatsoever. I mean, when did you get in?

JOSH

A few days ago.

CARICIA

Wow, that was pretty fast.

JOSH

(Josh goes to the book shelf)

Just thought I’d surprise you. Got a ride into Austin and picked up some flowers along

the way.



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(Josh gives the flowers to Caricia; Caricia smells the flowers before placing them back on

the book shelf)

CARICIA

Have you even called your mom?

JOSH

Was about to before I got here, but I knew the minute I called she’d be waiting at the door step.

Just wanted to see you first, you know. No banners, no cameras. Just you.

CARICIA

Wow, this is like—wow. I’ve been so busy lately going crazy with stuff for the dance recital.

I mean, the details, the deposits, the picture orders. I don’t even know when’s the last time I

talked to you, and I haven’t even had time to think—

JOSH

‘Bout me?

CARICIA

Yeah. I know it sounds terrible, but I’ve got all these things to get ready that I really haven’t had

time to think about you over there, and then all of sudden, you’re here.

JOSH

Sorry, Cari, but just thought I’d surprise you.

(Josh takes Cari’s hand)

You know, can’t say you were on my mind 24 hours back there with scorpions at my back. So,

know what you mean.

CARICIA

Josh, all I did was think about you the first time you left. About you dying. Couldn’t eat, or go

to work, or watch the news without crying.



5

JOSH

(Josh smiles and continues to hold her hand)

Then guess it’s good you’ve been busy with all this stuff, ‘cus, yeah, you were pretty

pathetic the first time around. Even the second. Then I came back a jerk, or so you say.

Guess we deserve each other.

CARICIA

Yeah, you came back and there was nothing I could do to keep you home. (pause) Well, I really

hope you’ve seen enough desert to keep you here for a while. (pause) You know, you’re pretty

blessed to still be in one piece.

JOSH

(Josh drops her hand and paces)

I guess. Pretty lucky.

CARICIA

Josh, you’re mom prayed everyday for you—for God’s favor on your life, but I just hoped you

wouldn’t come back draped in a flag.

JOSH

Job wasn’t too difficult this time around, you know. Just stood guard with the artillery and

waited

for something to happen. Wasn’t much really.

CARICIA

Don’t say that. It was. It was the artillery regiment, the notorious al–Anbar province,

Baghdad, backup for the front lines. (pause) Seriously, to still be alive?

JOSH

Must’ve had some kind of powerful God looking out for me.



CARICIA



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For the both of us. I just hope it lasts this time.

JOSH

(Josh pulls Caricia towards him to give her another embrace and speaks into her hair)

Man, Cari, so glad to be leaving that desert. (pause) For a while, at least.

CARICIA

(Caricia pulls away)

What? What does that mean?

JOSH

I said for a while. You know, reenlistment coming up.

CARICIA

But, we’ve already talked about this, Josh.

JOSH

Don’t get upset, Cari.

CARICIA

I’m not upset. It’s just that after practically a decade in Iraq you still haven’t had enough.

JOSH

(Josh speaks with frustration and slumps down on the love seat)

Cari, I’m in the army. They send you wherever they want. (pause) Look, I’m home now.

Can we like not argue? I’m happy. And, I think you’re happy, too.

CARICIA

Yeah, I’m happy, but—

JOSH

Cari, I don’t want to do this right now. I’m sorry for getting you upset.

CARICIA



7

(Caricia sits next to him on the love seat)

No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be bringing up all this stuff anyway.

JOSH

It’s ok. (pause) Cari, I love you, and I’ve missed you so much. It’s not like I’ve already

decided. You may think I’m a total idiot sometimes, but I do know that I want to make

things work between us, you know?

CARICIA

I don’t know. I mean, I hear what you‘re telling me, but you haven’t been around long enough

for me to really feel like this is what you want. And then—

(Caricia gets up and turns her back to Josh and remains quiet for a few seconds)

JOSH

(Josh gets up from the love seat, goes to one of the duffel bags, and pulls out a wrapped

gift; he walks back to Caricia and turns her around by the shoulder)

Almost forgot. Got you this, too.

(Caricia smiles a little, takes the package and opens it; Caricia pulls out a shadow boxwith

an American flag flown over Josh’s camp in Iraq; Josh waits for a reaction as

Caricia’s smile fades)

Did you read what it says?

(Josh takes the shadow box from Caricia when her eyes begin to fill with tears)

Look. Here.

(Josh points to the inscription on the shadow box)

Aw, come on, Cari. It’s not just some lame flag like the one I brought back last time. I had

it engraved, and, um, I think you’ll like what it says. Here. Read it.



(Josh tries to hand the shadow box back to Caricia, but she just wipes her eyes and shakes



8

her head)

Ok. I’ll read it to you. “To Caricia and kids. Hurry Slow.”

(Josh waits for a reaction from Caricia)

CARICIA

(Caricia speaks with a slightly bitter voice)

What’s that supposed to mean?

JOSH

Well, what it says. Guess it took me a long time to figure it out, but I think I might be ready to

start a family.

CARICIA

(walks away toward the office area)

You know, the thing is, Josh, that I spoke to your mom a few days ago. (pause) She asked me if

I knew anything about you reenlisting because your brother said something about it a couple of

days ago. So, don’t give me none of your Ft. Hood slogans. Hurry slow? Doesn’t mean a thing

to me.

JOSH

I can’t believe he told her. I shouldn’t have told him anything. He knows how Mom gets all

upset whenever she hears something from someone else.

CARICIA

What I don’t get is why you even mentioned anything to him in the first place. I mean, we

haven’t even finished discussing it.

JOSH

(Josh places the shadow box on the top edge of the book shelf and walks to the office

area)



What’s there to discuss? All I said was that the reenlistment bonus had increased.



9

CARICIA

What do you mean there’s nothing to discuss? Your brother obviously thinks you’re reenlisting,

otherwise he wouldn’t have said anything. Where did he get that idea? Because as far as I know,

neither one of us agreed to anything. We didn’t get past the bonus and the deadline.

JOSH

That’s ‘cus all I said was that I was thinking about it.

CARICIA

I just don’t get why you have to reenlist.

JOSH

I didn’t say I was.

CARICIA

Same thing.

JOSH

It’s not the same, Cari. All I said was that maybe I should reenlist, and you go and get all

upset about it.

CARICIA

Well, Josh, what do you expect?

JOSH

Man, if I’d known you’d get all worked up about it, I wouldn’t have said anything.

CARICIA

That’s great. So, just out of nowhere you’d be telling me “Oh, by the way, I reenlisted. I’m

guaranteed another 4 years and possibly about 18 months overseas in Iraq.”

JOSH



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Why do you do this, Cari? I say one thing and you take it all out of proportion. Do you really

think I’d make that kind of decision without you?

CARICIA

Wouldn’t be the first.

JOSH

You know what? Never mind. I’m tired of this same crap. Just forget I even said anything.

CARICIA

No, I can’t. If we’re gonna talk about it, let’s talk about it now.

JOSH

For what? So, you can blame the last 10 years on me. Blame a quiet house on me. You’re the

one that never got off the pill. So, don’t be laying this guilt trip on me. I’ve been here.

You said let’s have a baby. I said ok. We try. Nothing.

CARICIA

Just shut up, Josh.

JOSH

No, you shut up. I’m not gonna sit here and let you spin things your way.

CARICIA

I’m not trying to turn things around. But, I really hate you right now.

JOSH

Same here.

(Joshua slumps down on the love seat)

CARICIA

Look, I’ve been waiting for you to just be here, and here you go wanting to leave again. I just



11

don’t know how much more I can take of this.

(Caricia walks to the book shelf to rearrange the items and make room for the shadow

box)

JOSH

Look, Cari. I want more for us. But, right now a 20,000 dollar bonus would really help us out.

Especially with that dance studio of yours. We’ve already got a 2nd mortgage for this thing, and

someone’s gotta pay the bills around here, ‘cus, correct me if I’m wrong, but I think you’re

gonna

have trouble just breaking even this year.

CARICIA

How would you know? I’m the one that pays the freaking bills. And don’t worry. I get it

done with or without you.

JOSH

Yeah, but with my money. And, if it means reenlisting, well, so be it.

CARICIA

You make it seem like there’s nothing I can do without you. I’m not the same girl who cried for

you ten years ago, Josh. (pause) Josh, we’re not kids anymore. I work, you work. We make

it. We don’t need you in Iraq.

JOSH

(Josh gets up and leans on the desk)

Yeah, right. Like I can just walk over to the Dairy Queen and get a job or something ‘cus I’m a

vet. “Oh, yes, Sir, I think I can handle flippin’ burgers. Better yet, I know how to kill people.

Got any guns? And, yeah, go ahead and order up a psych exam ‘cus I still hear gunfire all

around

me.”



CARICIA



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Shut up. Just stop it, Josh. You make it seem like there’s nothing you can do but be fodder for

the army. You’re in the military for God’s sake. If you can make it in the desert, you sure as hell

can make it in Austin. (pause) If anything, you have survival skills.

JOSH

Yeah, survival skills for death. I’ve got a GED and a flag. That’s where my skills are.

CARICIA

OK. Look, Josh, I’m not gonna say I know what you’re going through. That I know what it’s

like to wake up in a sweat. But I do know it’s time for you to get yourself home because we

don’t

have a family, Josh. You there? Me here? That’s a family? (pause). Please. (pause) You

know, I went crazy the first time, and I missed you so much I felt sick just about everyday.

Second

time, I coped a lot better and even got to the point where I got used to having all this alone time.

Third time? I don’t know. I may not even miss you.

JOSH

Come on, Cari. Get over yourself. How can you even say that?

CARICIA

Because I’ve been here for the last ten years waiting for you to stick around longer than a year or

something.

JOSH

When we married, you knew. Cari, you knew. You knew I was signing up, and I told you I

wanted to serve more than just 4 years.

CARICIA

I know, but back then there was no war. I thought I’d be wherever you were stationed—

living wherever they sent you.



13

JOSH

Cari, there’s a war. It’s nothing anybody planned. That’s just the way it is. I’m in the army.

CARICIA

So, maybe it’s time to get out. (pause) Maybe it’s time to get out of this. Out of this marriage .

JOSH

Cari, that’s stupid. You mean, that’s it? Just call it quits after 12 years of marriage? Just

‘cus I’m in the army?

CARICIA

No, not just because you’re in the army, but because we want different things, Josh. I don’t want

to be in this with you anymore if you’re gonna keep me waiting. I’m tired of playing the war

widow-in-waiting. Either be here or be there. It’s like our life together has been on hold while

you’re out possibly getting killed or who knows what else.

JOSH

Yeah, right. You do whatever you want over here. You have the house, the car, the dance

studio. I pretty much have to call your cell phone if I want to get a hold of you ‘cus you’re

never home. You’re life is not on hold, Cari.

CARICIA

Well, the kind of life I want is.

JOSH

Cari, get some more friends. Have a baby. Open up the studio 24 hours. Do what you want,

but don’t give me this bull about how this life is not what you expected.

CARICIA

You done?

JOSH



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No. And, don’t threaten me with walking out. ‘Cus if that’s what you really want, I’ll just get

the hell out of your way.

CARICIA

(Caricia points to the duffel bags)

Guess you’re already packed. No reason to leave you when you can leave yourself.

JOSH

Cari, stop playing the victim here. I don’t want out. You do. (pause) You know, I thought we

were gonna have a good time today. I thought we’d pick up where we left off last time, but, I

don’t know. I guess I don’t know what you really want. Thought it was a family, but guess not.

CARICIA

I do want a family, but I want you here with us.

JOSH

Just because I’m in Iraq doesn’t mean we can’t have kids or a family.

CARICIA

Yeah, well it takes two to raise them. And, you’re making this into a foreign war zone career.

JOSH

Well, it is what is. Better than being here all day putting my skills to use.

CARICIA

Better alive than dead.

JOSH

I’m dead here.

(Caricia throws one of the items from the book shelf at Josh; Josh catches it before it

strikes

him)



15

CARICIA

Go ahead try it out. You might like it. Two tours of Iraq and you still haven’t had enough.

(Caricia storms Stage Right towards the dance studio door)

JOSH

(Josh stands up and calls out after her)

Cari.

(When Josh gets up, the sofa bumps against the book shelf, knocking down the shadow

box with the flag. Glass shatters on the ground; Caricia stops, looks back momentarily,

and walks out the studio door Stage Right before slamming it shut. Josh stands over the

pieces of glass and the fallen flag, while the audience sees Caricia pacing in the dance

studio trying to regain her composure. Then she walks out into the office area and across

to the living room door Stage Left without acknowledging Josh. She reappears after a

few

seconds with a broom and dust pan and starts cleaning up; Josh walks back to the love

seat,

slumps down on the sofa, and places his head in his hands. There is a long silence while

Caricia sweeps up the glass. She walks out the door Stage Left with the broom and dust

pan.)

CARICIA

(Caricia enters into the living room after a few moments and paces slowly before she

sits down next to Josh on the couch; Caricia sighs and places her hand on Josh)

Josh. (pause). Sorry. (pause) Um, maybe it’s time to just get out, you know? Maybe you

can go to school or something.

(no reaction from Josh)

Josh?



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JOSH

No. Not that easy.

CARICIA

Why not?

JOSH

‘Cus. Not qualified. Too qualified. You know I tried different places last time; nobody really

needs a staff sergeant, you know. ‘Cept the army.

CARICIA

So, then? Reenlistment is you’re only option?

JOSH

Seems like it.

CARICIA

(sighs)

Ok. I really want to move on, Josh, but I just can’t let this go right now. I feel like I have to

spell

it out for you again and again because I don’t know what else to do. So, I’m gonna tell you one

more time what I really think about this whole reenlistment thing.

JOSH

Already know what you think. It’s bull.

CARICIA

Yeah, it’s bull. Don’t tell me you don’t have anything going for you here because you’ve got

me. You’re a decorated army sergeant and that has to count for something. You know,

growing up, you were like the one guy my brother looked up to. You saved everything for him.

His dog, his reputation, his failing grades in school. Well, all you have left of Robbie is me. You



gotta save me now, too. You gotta save us. (pause) Josh, I want you home. You know, I may



17

look like I’m doing fine without you, but we both know I’d be doing better if you were around.

So, please, Josh, just get some job applications filled out. For me.

JOSH

Look, I don’t know. The reenlistment bonus increased and that’s like a few thousand less

than some entry level job. Rather do that. Easier too.

CARICIA

And what if you get sent back? Gonna come back dead?

JOSH

I just don’t think I’m completely ready to get out, Cari. Anyways, chances are low I’d be sent

back to Iraq. I mean, they just pulled me out.

CARICIA

(Caricia sighs and gets up from the couch)

Josh, just get out. There’s gotta be something for you out here.

(Caricia walks back toward the dance studio Stage Right)

JOSH

Cari—

CARICIA

Look, I’m 36. If you reenlist, when will you be out? When I’m 37? 38? I just feel like

maybe I’m getting to old to have a baby, and I know what you’re gonna say. That I could’ve

had one a long time ago. But, Josh, I wanted you to be here.

JOSH

Cari, some women have babies in their forties. (pause) You know, maybe you don’t want to

hear this right now, but I don’t even know if you were really ready last time ‘cus you never

wanted



to try until right before I left. Both times.



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CARICIA

It’s just that I think I was afraid. I’m still afraid. Of not being able to do it on my own.

Of you not coming home. And now, with you possibly leaving again, I just don’t think I can

handle being a parent on my own.

JOSH

Well, Cari, I think it’s more than that. I think it’s also about Robbie. I think maybe you’re afraid

of losing your own kids to things that don’t make sense. Like your brother walking across the

street. And, just like that your dead.

CARICIA

Maybe. I’ll admit that much. (pause) I still don’t know if I want to, if you’re telling me

you’re going to reenlist. I need to know right now, Josh, because I love you. I’ve loved you

since the first time we met, but I need to know if you’re in this with me. I need to know whether

I should unpack your bags.

JOSH

Cari, you know I love you. I just don’t know if I’m ready to get out, but if that’s what’s gonna

keep you around in my life, well, then, I guess that’s something to consider. Something to really

consider

CARICIA

Josh, do this for me. Not just for me, but for us. I know we’ll be ok, but we have to try together.

JOSH

Don’t know. Maybe. I mean, think I’ll be able to handle some job out here?

CARICIA

Yes, Josh. I believe in you even if you don’t. I think we can have a great family if we both

want it. If you stay.



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JOSH

(Josh stays quiet for a long while as he paces around the stage. He suddenly stops, walks

straight to Caricia and turns her around to face him; he sighs followed by a deep breath)

Well, Cari, I’m here. I’m here now. Maybe, we’ll be ok. I’ll think about it a little more. And,

so, maybe we can start trying again. Make us both happy.

CARICIA

Are you sure this is what you want?

JOSH

Yeah, I want you. I want what we used to have before it all went to crap. (pause) You know,

lately I’ve been thinking a lot about the past. You, me, Robbie. Remember when all three of us

used drive up to the Red River Shootout to see the ‘Horns every year? Those were like the

best times. Yeah, we usually ended up in some argument or a flat tire or something on the way,

but I also remember how great it felt. All of us together. You know, something about the air, the

anticipation, the ride.

CARICIA

I remember. I still think about those days once in a while.

JOSH

(Josh grabs Caricia by the hand and spins her around)

Let’s do it. Let’s just go. We’ve haven’t been over there since—since I don’t know when.

(pause) Bet I could still get us some tickets even if I have to scalp them.

CARICIA

I don’t know. That was such a long time ago.

JOSH

Cari, I think maybe both of us have been missing out. I mean that’s life. What you live is life.



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Stop living dead. Stop thinking about how all those people you love might die. (pause)

Including me.

CARICIA

I just wish I knew you’d always be here. I wish you’d get your act together and figure out that

what you really want is to stay here and be a family man.

JOSH

I don’t think being a family man is the problem. Just don’t think I got what it takes to make out

in

the real world. What do I know besides shooting first?

CARCIA

But, Josh, you’re a really smart guy. I mean you could be getting some pretty decent grades in

college right now or working in some office job. Gosh, I don’t know how else to get you to see

that. Maybe I should be the old Cari, the pathetic one who thinks you’re beyond awesome

JOSH

Cari, I don’t need that. Don’t need none of that anymore. I just told you I was here now.

(pause) And, um, I think I know what I really want. Want to stay here longer than I have before.

CARICIA

Oh, please. For what? A few more weeks? Then it’s Ft. Hood for a while, and then with

you’re luck probably back to Iraq by year‘s end. (pause) You being here right now doesn’t

prove anything because you have no place else to go. They let you out, you weren’t expecting it,

you come home, and you’re ready to reenlist. What does that say to me? (pause) That you

don’t want to be here anymore than you have to.

JOSH

Cari, you don’t get it. I just said I’m gonna stay. Already said it like three times.



(Josh picks up Caricia)



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That’s it. I want to be around for next round of Longhorn ball. I want to be here and take my

pregnant wife to Dallas.

CARICIA

What? Just like that. From wanting to reenlist to all of sudden not wanting? I’m supposed to

take you seriously?

JOSH

(Josh puts Caricia down)

Yes, I think I’m serious. Think maybe I’ve been living dead, too. Maybe, I’ve given over the

best years of my life to the army. Starting to see that now. I still got four more weeks at Ft.

Hood

and I’m out. And if I can’t get job, well, screw it.

CARICIA

You better not be kidding me, Josh. ‘Cus if you are, tell me now. Don’t get my hopes up.

JOSH

I’m not fooling around. I’m thinking I’m ready. I didn’t want to mention this before,’cus I

wasn’t sure, but I know some guys are joining the National Guard. Don’t know. Maybe I’ll

look into it. Get some kind of job if I can. If not, I’m sure the Guard would keep me pretty busy

with training and stuff. Wouldn’t be like the army, but guess I could try it out. I just didn’t

want to be one of those guys whose only choice is to join the Guard.

CARICIA

(Caricia grabs Josh and gives him a hug)

Josh, you better be serious because I swear I’ll leave you.

JOSH

Cari, this is what I want. Not some flag or a bunch of desert.



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(Josh spins Caricia in the air)

This, Cari. This is what I want. You. Me.

(Josh puts Caricia down and pulls her toward the studio door)

So, what’s this dance you were doing earlier?

(Josh and Caricia enter the studio; the audience sees Caricia speaking to him and

gesturing

with her hands. She goes to the computer, selects the song, and goes to the middle of the

dance floor while Josh goes off to side to watch her dance. The audience will hear “Ain’t

No Sunshine” as Caricia starts and ends her dance)

END PLAY

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Iraqi Blues