from In My Corner

a solo performance piece written by Joe Orrach & Lizbeth Hasse

Joe (adult): As far back as I can remember, Dad told us to be proud of what we are. That’s his number one principle in life: be proud. And of course, what we are [makes a kissing sound]—ta buena, mira mam-m-mi…is Puerto Rican. [Joe begins snapping fingers] Dad doesn’t look like what most people think Puerto Ricans look like. He’s not dark. He doesn’t have a Latin look. He’s got a job. In fact, Dad’s whiter than most of these croutons.

Father: United we stand…tall. [snapping fingers and slapping thigh in contrapuntal rhythm] You start arguing…people see you fall. United we stand…as a family strong. [Percussion joins Joe’s snapping and slapping; Joe adds feet] Act like you right. They never say you wrong. United we stand…NUMERO UNO! Divided…you fall on your culo.

Joe (young boy): I never give it much thought. I’m Puerto Rican…and I’m proud of it. Dad never says to be proud of our Italian side…that’s Mom’s side.

Joe: Saturday mornings! Saturday mornings are the best. I wake up early like it’s a school day. Only it’s my day, the day Dad lets me go to work with him. Dad follows a strict routine every morning, and on Saturdays I follow it, too. He expects me to go into the bathroom [Joe grabs a chair and sets it down] and listen to lessons. First lesson is how to use it. I don’t know how to use it. Not like my brothers, they just waste it. Dad sits there…and SHOWS me how to use it JUST right, JUST so. [Father sits in the chair with a roll of toilet paper and starts to unroll it]

Father: Take it like this. [rips the toilet paper] Take it like this. [starts folding the toilet paper] Take it like this, that’s how you do it. Fold it like this. Fold it again. [keeps folding and folding] You fold it over again, from one sheet to the end of the next sheet. Like an accordion. And then when you wipe, you play the accordion. You play an accordion. When you wipe, you make music, when you know how. That’s how you do it, Joe. That’s how you do it....