(Act 1, Scene 4) (Ramons house, 12:00 p.m. Consuelo walks up to the house, lets himself in through the gate, and knocks on the door. Rosita smooths her skirt, fusses with her hair a little and opens the door.) Consuelo: Hola! Como estas? Rosita (a bit puzzled): Hola! How can I help you, por favor? Consuelo: Ramon left his sketchpad at La Semilla just a little while ago and I want to return it to him. Is he around? Rosita: Hes out in the fields, but nearby. Wait for a minute. Ill go get him! (Rosita walks over to the fields behind the house and promptly returns with Ramon who is wearing the traditional outfit of a campesino, a large straw hat with a wide brim, a white cotton shirt, navy colored pants and black sandals. He gives Consuelo a brief hug.) Rosita: Why dont we all go into the house where we can discuss this further! (She eyes Consuelo up and down, sizing him up, trying to get a feel for who he is, trying to make sense of Ramons passion and the man who wants to encourage her son. The trio enters the house and all find seats.) Rosita (turning to face Consuelo, her voice firm, but with no anger): So youre the young man my son talks about nonstop daily? Consuelo, right? (Consuelo nods) Ramon practically worships you! Rosita: I thank you for believing in my Ramon and encouraging him in his artwork and caring so much about him, but I dont feel that art is what he truly needs, at least not at this point in life. (she then turns to Ramon) Ramon, you are a very talented artist, but you dont need to make your living from art. Its great that you have found a friend in Consuelo, but I feel that art has been a distraction to you lately. Maybe Im speaking out of fear or ignorance or both, but I feel that as hard as it is to work these fields daily, it is our familys best chance at survival! Your father tended these fields all his life and understood this! Nothing came before providing for his family! (Ramon looks at Consuelo with a desperate look on his face, like he wants Consuelo to rescue him.) Consuelo: Please allow me to say something if I may. (Rosita nods.) Rosita: The floor is yours! Consuelo: I have been a La Palma artist since I was 19, and it wasnt easy at first, having to rise above the fields and poverty, but with the support of my family and the other artisans, I believed I could do it, and was able to make a modest living to help support my family. It wasnt much, but my family no longer had to suffer like they had for many years. The Morales family can have the same opportunity that we did if Ramon becomes a La Palma artist. I can teach him everything I know and work alongside him. He will have a mentor every step along the way to fulfilling his dream. The artwork that we do at La Semilla de Dios provides not only for our art supplies but also for our families well-being, the economy of El Salvador and our community of La Palma. As you know, Ramon is a talented artist with a deep hunger for a better life! Please dont let his talent and dreams go to waste! Rosita: I really do appreciate you stopping by, but my answer is still no! Perhaps, If I really sit with what you say for a couple of days, I may change my mind. You do raise some valid points. We both want my son to have a good life, but disagree on whats the best life for Ramon. (Rosita stands up.) Rosita: I think Ive said my piece, given all my reasons as to why I want Ramon to remain a campesino at least for now. I may not always feel this way, I may find the courage to leave these fields behind one day. No one in the Morales family has ever challenged their fate before, but just quietly accepted it! Ramons strength and determination is new to me, and I must admit it, I dont quite know what to do with it! (Solana, Ramons six year old sister, brings the baby of the family into the room, Angelo who is crying and wriggling in her arms, trying to break free. Angelos face looks flushed and feverish. It appears that he is quite sick. Rosita puts a hand on her babys forehead. A shocked expression comes over her face.) Rosita: Consuelo, I apologize, but it looks as though were going to have cut this visit short. Angelo has been sick for weeks, and Im really worried about him. He may need the care of a doctor, but we cant afford proper care. That is why Ramon is needed at home and the fields so much. We are all working hard and pooling our resources together, the little bit of money we make so that Angelo can finally see a doctor. Solana, please put Angelo in bed. I will be in shortly with a wet cloth. It may help bring the fever down a little. (Consuelo stands up to leave.) Consuelo: Ramon, Im sorry to hear about your brother, Angelo! I hope he gets better and he will be in my prayers. Keep on with your artwork and keep hard at work at least for now. Also, keep in mind, that your circumstances can change. I dont want your dreams to go to art school and be a La Palma artisan die just because of poverty. Poverty is a dream stealer, a thief, robbing people of their passions and purpose, leaving a trail of heartache and misery in its wake. (Rosita shakes Consuelos hand firmly.) Rosita: Thank you for returning Ramons sketchpad to him. However, I would prefer it if Ramon doesnt go with the other neighborhood children to La Semilla anymore. He has too many other things to concentrate on right now! (Consuelo smiles, gives Ramon a fist bump and leaves.) Ramon (angrily): Mama, how could you? Hes gone for good! I was just getting to know him as a friend! He truly believes in me and understands me! Mama, how could you? (Ramon runs out of the house, throws open the gate and bolts down the street after Consuelo, hoping to catch him before hes gone. His mother calls out to him but he ignores her cries.) Ramon: Consuelo, Im so sorry! You know how much I wished my mother could have changed her mind, but she is strong willed, like I am! (He doesnt even try to hide his tears anymore to appear macho, but lets them flow. Consuelo takes a handkerchief from his pocket and hands it to Ramon.) Ramon: I may have to work the fields and look out for my family for now, but I will find a way to return to La Semilla one day, and when I do, it will be to stay! Consuelo: I know you will return to La Semilla for I can see the determination in your eyes. You have the same look that I did when I decided to quit work at 19 and go to art school. Once I made that decision, I never looked back and here I am today. Come here, I want to show you something. (Consuelo takes Ramon over to a copinol tree, picks one of the seeds from it and holds it high in the air.) Consuelo: See this tiny seed? It may not look like much at first glance, but the whole La Palma art movement began from this tiny seed. As you know, my cooperative, La Semilla de Dios means the seed of God. From a tiny seed, came this beautiful and strong copinol tree. From a tiny beginning, can come something impressive and beautiful if it is nurtured and given time to grow and develop! (He gives Ramon the copinol seed.) Consuelo: I want you to have this seed. Let it remind you to never give up on your dream. Fernando Lllort, the founder of the La Palma art movement never gave up on his dream, no matter how impossible it seemed at the time and you shouldnt either! Yes, you will have your days of doubt, yes, you will have your dark days, you will have your days of struggles and heartaches. Thats when you can look at this seed and remind yourself that you, like this seed are destined to be more. You will be reminded of our friendship. (Ramon looks at the copinol seed in his hand and traces his fingers in its grooves in wonder.) Ramon: I must get back in the house to tend to my brother. Thank you for everything, Consuelo and for your gift! I will place it under my pillow and look at it daily until I join you and the other artisans at La Semilla. Consuelo: Okay! Ill be looking forward to it! Until then, my friend! (Consuelo hugs Ramon and walks away. Ramon looks again at the seed for a little bit, turning it over and then puts it in his pocket. Ramon: Bye, Consuelo! (He wipes away a tear and begins to go inside the house.) End of Act 1, Scene 4
Posted on: Wed, 06 Aug 2014 11:57:46 +0000
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