ACT 1 SCENE 2
{A week has passed. Mercy arrives home from school with her younger sister, only to find her father, mother, and uncle—her father's brother—sitting in the small living room, engaged in a heated argument. Their voices are tense, filling the room with resentment and unspoken grievances. Mercy quietly greets them, then takes her sister inside to change into more comfortable clothes}
UNCLE
(leaning back with a smug expression, voice dripping with contempt)
It's a relief, really, that she hasn't ended up pregnant—with a bastard.
[He smirks, his eyes flashing with judgment as he glances around the room, as if daring someone to challenge him]
MOM
(her face flushed with anger, fists clenched as she steps forward)
Don't you ever speak about my daughter that way! Who do you think you are, huh? Coming here, sitting in my home, and insulting my child?
MR LATEEF (MERCY'S FATHER)
(cutting in, a hint of irritation in his voice)
Will you just calm yourself down? He's only concerned for her. We don't want her making the same mistakes as others. As her uncle, he has every right to speak his mind about her future.
MOM
(scoffs loudly, then lets out a bitter laugh, staring them both down)
Concern? Mistakes?(mockingly) Did I hear you right? This man—this good-for-nothing—you call him her uncle? And you think you're her father? (Her voice hardens as she stares into Mr. Lateef's eyes, her own blazing with fury) You're nothing but the man who helped bring her into this world. Beyond that, you're nothing. Not to her. Not to me.
[Mercy enters the room, now dressed in casual clothes, and quietly takes a seat beside her mother. She places a comforting hand on her mother's arm, hoping to defuse the rising tension.]
MERCY
(softly, trying to ease the tension)
Mom, please. It's alright. Let's not argue.
MOM
(turning to Mercy, her expression softening just a bit)
And where's your sister?
MERCY
(in a low voice)
She's asleep
MOM
(sighs, her anger momentarily ebbing)
Good.
UNCLE
(leans forward, looking Mercy up and down with distaste)
How's school going? Or do you just follow boys around like some stray dog?
[His words are laced with contempt, and his eyes hold a cruel amusement, as if he finds pleasure in taunting her.]
MERCY
(feels anger rising within her but chooses to remain calm, though her voice carries a hint of irritation)
School is going well, sir. Thank you for asking.
MR LATEEF
(crossing his arms, voice laced with disdain)
And why the attitude? He asked you a simple question. But clearly, your mother didn't teach you any manners. Or maybe you're just too stubborn to learn.
MOM
(her voice icy as she cuts him off)
Don't you dare question how I raise my children. We all know how the children you've raised turned out. (shoots him a scornful look)
UNCLE
(ignoring her, turns to his brother, voice dismissive)
We didn't come here for a shouting match, Lateef. Just tell them why we're here.
MR LATEEF
(sitting up straighter, his face taking on an expression of arrogant pride)
We're here to take Mercy. She's coming with me, back to where she belongs.
MOM
(laughs mockingly, then stops abruptly, her face cold and unyielding)
You're serious? You think you can just waltz in here and take her?
MR LATEEF
(with a smug smirk, as if he's already won)
Of course, I'm serious. She has my blood in her veins—she's mine. And I'm taking her back.
MOM
(claps her hands slowly, her voice dripping with sarcasm)
Your blood? Oh, I thought it was your great-grandfather's blood!( she steps closer, towering over him, her voice filled with a fierce protectiveness)Listen to me, Lateef. Mercy may have your blood, but she is not yours. She is mine. The only parent she's ever known is me. Now, get out. Both of you.
MR LATEEF
(stands, trying to appear authoritative but slightly intimidated, looking up at her defiantly)
She's my daughter too. I helped create her. And I'll take her back, where she belongs.
MOM
(her voice shakes with fury and a deep-seated pain as memories flood back)
Where she belongs? Where were you when I was carrying her? When I was giving birth alone, praying she'd survive? You weren't there. You have no right to call yourself her father. You're nothing but a shell to her. (she sits back down, exhausted, the weight of the years of hardship showing on her face)
MERCY
(her voice steady and resolute, feeling the strength of her mother's words empowering her)
I'm not going anywhere with you. I belong here, with my mom and my sister.
MR LATEEF
(his face contorts with fury, his voice laced with malice)
You'd rather stay here, in this filthy little place, with your mother? Living in poverty? With that bastard she had with another man?
[The words barely leave his mouth before Mercy's mother is on her feet, crossing the space in an instant, and a sharp slap lands on his cheek, silencing him.]
MOM
(voice trembling with rage, her eyes blazing)
Get. Out. Now.
UNCLE
(standing in shock, indignant)
How dare you raise a hand against him, woman? How—
MOM
(turning to him with barely contained fury, her voice low and dangerous)
If you say one more word, I'll slap you too. And I won't think twice about it. Now get out. Both of you. Out of my house, out of our lives. Forever.
[Mr. Lateef stumbles backward, humiliated and enraged. He straightens himself, a dark, menacing expression settling over his face.]
MR LATEEF
(through gritted teeth)
You'll regret this. I'll be back. And when I come, you'll be begging me for mercy. I'll take my daughter back, by any means necessary. (turns to his brother) Let's go.
[They storm out of the apartment, slamming the door behind them. The silence that follows is heavy, and Mercy's mother sinks into her seat, emotionally drained. Her shoulders shake as a stray tear slips down her cheek. Mercy leans in, wrapping her arms around her mother, whispering words of comfort as her mother's silent tears become quiet sobs.]
MERCY
(softly)
We're strong, Mom. We'll get through this. Together.
[The two hold each other, sharing the weight of their pain and determination,
while Mercy's words linger, filling the room with a quiet strength.]
{LIGHTS OUT}