“The Call” Act Two “Triage”
Yesterday, you read Act One. Today, I offer Act Two
“In 1988 - at the height of the AIDS Epidemic - December 1 was Designated World AIDS Day and has been recognized worldwide through the subsequent 37 years.
“This year, by Royal Decree, the United States will not be acknowledging The Day, The Epidemic or The more than 700,000 Loved Ones lost…killed by The Virus…just in the United States.
“It seems likely the majority of those reading this were not there when all this happened. It is common, empathetically absorbed knowledge that it was dark, black, terrifying and inconceivable; witnessing friends, acquaintances and loved ones wither away and die in just weeks.”
For those who were not there, I believe this offers a more visceral experience of those years.
Again; In light of the Administration’s cancelling of World AIDS Day and in support of one’s own edification, I ask you to take just four minutes to read this piece. Four minutes.
The entire Four Acts are available at this same link. Each is four-to-five minutes.
I believe it is critical for fresh and empathetic eyes to absorb this story, and for we who were there to re-ignite the flame lest this be forgotten. I believe that those of you whom I know will appreciate having read it…as likely will the rest of you.
I thank you for reading.
We Must Never Forget.
KO
“The Call” Act Two “Triage”
<phone rings> <another phone rings, overlapping> <then, another…>
<louder ring as House Lights begin to fade>
<then more, and more, until there is a cacophony of ringing phones, louder and louder until conversation can’t compete. Concurrently and in counterpoint, House lights fade to black.>
<phones stop, suddenly. Concurrent with this, “Volunteer” is in position on stage, lit.>
Volunteer:
Hello. California AIDS Hotline. How can I help you?
Caller:Roger
Is this an anonymous hotline?
Volunteer:
Yes. We are completely anonymous. we don’t record calls, we don’t ask names…
<spots shine on each individual as they speak; populating the stage>
Roger
I think I’m sick. I think I have this thing…what is it even called? GRID?
Rick
I’ve lost so much weight in the last two weeks…
Pam
I don’t know how to say this…
Patrick
I think I need to get tested…
Josh
There’s this mark on my arm
Rick
There’s a mark on my leg
Pam
There’s a mark on my stomach
Roger
There’s a mark on my face
Rick
I don’t want my doctor to know
Patrick
I don’t want my parents to know
Alex
I can’t tell my roommates
Josh
How can I tell my Lover?
Pam
What about my kids?
Roger
If anyone in my Church finds out…
Josh
Is there someone I can talk to…?
Rick
I hear there’s a test to see if one has it. Is there a test? Do I have to give my name?
Pam
I don’t want to give my name to anyone.
Patrick
How long til I get my results…?
Rick
My boss saw the lesions on my arm, and now I don’t have a job…
Josh
I’ve been denied my Social Security…they just don’t seem to know what’s going on…
Roger
I went to the Red Cross Blood Drive at work…
Josh
They asked me how much sex I’ve had!
Rick
Then, they told me they couldn’t take my blood; they sent me away.
Patrick
I was … embarrassed.
Roger
Fired from my job…I can still work…is there a way to find work?
Josh
…I came home and all my stuff was on the street; my roommates have locked me out…
Pam
I need help to keep my electricity
Rick
Where can I live? Is there someplace I can call to get help?
Pam
I’m running out of money…
Roger
I have no health insurance…
Patrick
I can’t pay my rent…
Pam
I have a baby…what about nursing?
Roger
I just read that the Mayor has declared a State of Emergency and endorsed Needle Exchange…
Rick
I went to visit my friend in the hospital, and they made me put on a Hazmat Suit!
Patrick
My lover is in the hospital, they won’t let me see him; I’m not Family!
Josh
I’m afraid to leave my house!
Pam
I’m pregnant…
Josh
I can’t stand for people to see me.
Rick
Can you get it from kissing?
Roger
Can you get it from shaking hands?
Pam
Can you get it from a sneeze?
Rick
Hello, I’m a Physician, calling from Kentucky…I don’t know where to get the information I need…Where might I learn about your Needle Exchange Program?
Patrick
My lover is sick, I wake up every morning, afraid of what I might find. I need to talk to someone…
Roger
Is there someone?
Pam
I think my husband might be Gay…
Josh
I don’t have the energy to walk my dog, I feel sorry for her…
Roger
I’m too tired to cook; besides, there’s no food in the house, really…
Patrick
I hear there’s someone who delivers meals? Can I know who that is…?
Pam
What can you tell me about Hospice Care? I have a friend…
Rick
My friend died
Josh
My friend died
Patrick
My friend died
Roger
My Lover has died
Pam
My Brother has died
Patrick
So many funerals.
Rick
I want to scatter his ashes here in San Francisco…
Josh
Is there someplace I can do that?
Roger
He just loved it, here…
Pam
He’s our President; he won’t even say the word!
In Rapid Succession:
Roger
I live in the Castro
Rick
Sunset
Josh
Richmond
Patrick
The Mission
Pam
Potrero
Roger
The Marina
Rick
Pacific Heights
Josh
The Haight
Patrick
Daly City
Pam
Pacifica
Roger
Oakland
Rick
Sacramento
Josh
West Hollywood
Patrick
Yreka
Pam
Fresno
Roger
Redding
Rick
Ukiah
Josh
Palm Springs
Patrick
San Jose
Pam
Mill Valley
Roger
Davis
Rick
Napa
Josh
Tracy
Patrick
Modesto
Pam
Turlock
Roger
San Diego
ALL:
Am I going to Die?!
Act II Coda
“…it was out of the ashes, turmoil, confusion and fear that the Gay and Lesbian Community of San Francisco actually became Community. As thousands of men became ill and died, thousands of women stepped in to care for them; where there had been schism grew a powerful bond.
Dealing with a formless and formidable foe; we gathered to shelter, feed and offer succor to those whose lives were disappearing before their own eyes and before ours.
None of us had time to grieve…Responding: racing and reaching to catch and care for the fallen, one after another. Breathlessly poised and responsive to one another, we took care of one another.
In taking care of ourselves, before this vicious and aggressive virus even had a name, we created a critical network of Service Organizations that grew and evolved, split and merged, addressing the needs as the needs grew and changed. Hospice to care for dying with no homes to embrace them, Project Open Hand to feed them, A Quilt to Remember them even as we continued to die; alliances of men and women, friend and former foe, doctors and nurses, artists, therapists, brothers, sisters…
A network of sustenance and advocacy that has continued to evolve to meet the needs of our Community, led by what is now the San Francisco AIDS Foundation…”
<Spotlight up on House Right Platform>
Tim Hockenberry at Keyboard, sings “Just Breathe” (Pearl Jam / Vedder)
