1
SPARK
by Danielle Jordan
CHARACTERS
ADELINE, 14. She is shy but, once you get to know her, she is sweet. She emigrated from Russia when she was 8 years old. She speaks pretty good English but has an accent. She recently started working at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. Sews collars.
OOCHIE, 50, works at a fabric company. He is Adeline’s father and a little dismissive towards her.
SHAYNA, 15. She is an immigrant from Russia. She came with her sister and parents but her mother and father died on the boat ride over. She is kind and spontaneous but also she is very lonely because she speaks broken English and has a very think accent. Since coming to America, she has become shyer. She relies on her sister to keep her safe now that her parents are gone. Sews pockets.
ROSE, 25. Workers’ rights activist. She is a fun loving and spunky character. She does not practice a religion. She does finishing work
MR. LENNON, 60. He is mean, pushy and short-tempered. He is supposed to make sure the workers are following the rules and doing their jobs. He was born in America. He always says he will report the girls to the bosses even if they did nothing. Manager.
ESTHER, 60. She is an older worker who knows everyone. She helps Adeline meet new people and tells her about their personalities and life. Most people like her. She is a fast worker but because she is older she gets aches in her body and cannot move around like she used to. Her son recently died and she now has to take care of his children. Wears all black. She is a seamstress
SOPHIE, 19. She is very tired from all the work she does in the factory but she loves her family and when rested,she is very funny. She wishes for better working conditions but she is afraid she will lose her job if she goes on strike or revolts against the boss and she and her family cannot afford that. Finishing seamstress.
ANAM, 13. She is mean and no one really likes her, the only person who she listens too is Charlotte. Seamstress.
CHARLOTTE, 45. She is very nice but also a horrible gossip. She is always getting in people’s business and she can be bossy. Seamstress
Place and Time: New York City; March 25, 1911.
SETTINGS: Street corner; workroom and dressing room of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory.
The stage is in three parts: the street corner outside the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, the ninth floor workroom of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. There are rows of sewing machines; two sewing machines at each table. There is all white fabric lying next to the machines. There is white fabric scraps covering the floor all around them, and the dressing room in the factory.
SCENE ONE
AT RISE: On the street outside of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. ADELINE and Oochie are standing. ADELINE is trying to get ready before going inside.
OOCHIE
(Fiddling with ADELINE’s collar)
Almost done.
ADELINE
Papa! Too tight, you’re hurting me.
(tugs on the collar, loosening it.)
OOCHIE
Your mother was always the one who did this, I never learned. Let me fix your hair.
(Grabs her hair and starts “fixing” it.)
ADELINE
Momma was better at hair, too.
(Pulls her hair away.)
OOCHIE
Sorry, I don’t mean to hurt you.
ADELINE
It’s okay, once I’m able to get money for Momma to come back, it won’t matter.
OOCHIE
I know you miss her; I miss her too. Don’t get your hopes up too much though. The money you make can’t all go toward Momma’s ticket. Some of it needs to go to food and rent. I’m trying to make money for us, and a ticket for her. It’s not very easy.
ADELINE
Sure…those late night poker games help a lot.
OOCHIE
You have no right. I’m your father and you will listen to me.
ADELINE
Neither do you. I’m your daughter, you can’t take my money and throw it away.
OOCHIE
Exactly, you’re my daughter and you will listen to me.
ADELINE
Don’t you want Momma to come home?
OOCHIE
You know I do, but saving money is hard.
ADELINE
I know that you just can’t spend money on things you don’t need.
OOCHIE
(Quiets, then changes conversation)
Do you even know how much a ticket is? It’s not just the ticket either. You have to get a passport and then the ticket.
ADELINE
A ticket is a little more than thirty dollars. You have to factor in the money she needs for when she first gets here and the passport. If I give half to you, then we could probably get her the ticket in a little over two months.
OOCHIE
I’m not sure.
ADELINE
I did the math a hundred times.
OOCHIE
That’s not what I meant. What if we need more money? What if we need to take and use the money you have saved.
ADELINE
You can’t do that. You can’t take the money I earn for Momma. You just can’t. We were fine when it was just you working -- you don’t need any more than half.
OOCHIE
We have not been doing so well. We don’t have enough food, our rent is going up, you need new shoes. We don’t have that kind of money.
ADELINE
You know you can’t rely on just my income forever. I’m going back to school… Am I going back to school? Miss Smith has sent me a lot of letters. I love school. I want to be a bookkeeper, have a good job and be part of something. I want to be American.
OOCHIE
I’ll think about it.
ADELINE
I know you won’t say yes. Let’s face it, you couldn’t wait to send me to work.
OOCHIE
I said I would think about it!
ADELINE
Papa please…
OOCHIE
Quiet!
(ADELINE lowers her head, silenced.)
Once you get in the building, Esther will meet you.
ADELINE
(Looks up)
Who is Esther?
OOCHIE
She’s friends with one of my coworkers. She’ll show you around and tell you what to do so you don’t get confused.
ADELINE
Okay.
(Starts walking away)
OOCHIE
Adeline?
ADELINE
(She turns)
Yes?
OOCHIE
I’m sorry I can’t be a good dad to you.
ADELINE
You are a good papa…you just have lived in grief for too long. Will you pick me up after work?
OOCHIE
Yes. We will walk home together. I love you, Adeline.
OOCHIE
Love you too… Have a good day.
(ADELINE exits. BLACKOUT. END SCENE.)
SCENE TWO
SETTING: The changing room on the ninth floor of the Triangle Shirtwaist factory. ADELINE is standing to the side. ROSE and SOPHIE walk past, talking in a stage whisper. CHARLOTTE is nearby, eavesdropping. SHAYNA, ESTHER, and ANAM are in the dressing area, getting ready for the shift.
ROSE
Did you hear about Carra and Lucy? I think they they’re in jail now. They were arrested after refusing to leave their position at the picket line.
(ADELINE tries to follow.)
SOPHIE
I don’t know how anyone could be that brave.
(Nodding her head, walking to other side of dressing room.)
CHARLOTTE
(Walks by.)
This is good. Esther will be hearing about this.
SHAYNA
Rose, can I borrow apron?
(ROSE throws apron to SHAYNA)
ROSE
It’s old. Sorry if its ripped.
SHAYNA
All my aprons ripped. This fine. Thank you.
ANAM
Hurry up, everyone, we need to be out in two minutes
(crosses into workroom)
SOPHIE
Someone is in a bad mood.
ROSE
Isn’t she always?
SOPHIE
True. Can I borrow a comb?
(ROSE hands her a comb)
ROSE
Esther, I have those scraps of fabric at my apartment. Come over after work and I’ll give them too you.
ESTHER
Thanks, I’ll stop by.
ADELINE
(to ROSE)
Which one is Esther?
ROSE
She is the one over there in the black.
ADELINE
Thanks. I’m Adeline by the way.
ROSE
Nice to meet you. I’m Rose.
(ADELINE crosses to ESTHER)
ESTHER
Do you need some help?
ADELINE
Hello, I’m Adeline, I think you you’re supposed to show me around.
ESTHER
Yes, you’re Oochie’s kid, right?
ADELINE
Yes, ma’am.
ESTHER
Are you nervous, first day and all?
ADELINE
A little, actually a lot. I hope I can pick things up quickly.
ESTHER
I’m sure you will. I’ve been here awhile so I know a fast learner when I see one.
ADELINE
How long have you been here?
ESTHER
Oh let me think. I started working when I was nine. Then I went to the tobacco fields and then I moved into factories. I came here about ten years ago.
ADELINE
That’s a long time.
ESTHER
Yes but… One second, there’s Charlotte. Charlotte, would you come over here, please?
(CHARLOTTE walks over.)
CHARLOTTE
Hello, Esther, how are you doing? How are the grandchildren?
ESTHER
I’m still grieving, but the funeral for him was as good as a funeral can be, and the children are so sweet.
CHARLOTTE
Your son was a good man.
ESTHER
Yes, he was.
CHARLOTTE
I see you you’re still wearing black. I understand mourning can take a long time. Tell me if there is anything you need.
ESTHER
Thank you. Anyways, Charlotte, this is Adeline.
CHARLOTTE
Nice to meet you. Is this your first day? Have you worked anywhere else?
ADELINE
This is my first job, I am…
(CHARLOTTE cuts her off)
CHARLOTTE
How is life at home? How old are you? Is there anyone special in your life? Sorry, I have to go we will talk later. Bye, Esther.
(Walks away.)
ESTHER
Don’t mind her she is very nosy. She is also a horrible gossip.
ADELINE
It's okay. I… mean, she seemed nice.
ESTHER
She is very sweet, just don’t trust her with your secrets.
ADELINE
I’m sorry about your son.
ESTHER
Thank you.
(ANAM walks up to them.)
ANAM
Hi, Esther. I see you have a new friend with you.
ESTHER
Yes, Anam, This is Adeline; Adeline, this in Anam.
(Says in an annoyed and exasperated tone)
What doyou want, Anam?
ANAM
(all too innocent)
I just wanted to greet our newest member of the team.
ESTHER
Well, you have and we have work to do, so goodbye.
(ANAM starts walking away and ESTHER calls out to her, speaks judgmentally.)
And Anam, nice shoes!
(ROSE walks up)
ROSE
Did she get another pair of shoes?
ESTHER
Either that or she got her new ones polished.
ROSE
I don’t know what we are going to do? I’ll see if Charlotte will talk to her.
ADELINE
What is wrong with her getting new shoes? I need some new ones soon.
ESTHER
It’s not…Never mind. Just stay clear of Anam. She gets the girls in trouble.
ADELINE
Oh.
(Looks at the floor confused)
ESTHER
How old are you?
ADELINE
I’m fourteen.
ESTHER
Let me introduce you to Shayna. She’s only a year older than you.
(THEY cross to SHAYNA.)
SHAYNA
(Looks up)
Oh! Hello, Esther.
ESTHER
Hello Shayna, there’s someone I would like you to meet. This is Adeline. She’s our newest worker. You two would be good friends.
ADELINE
Hello, do you sew too?
SHAYNA
Da, I used to put buttons on but now I do uhh…
(Points to her pocket.)
ADELINE
Pockets?
SHAYNA
Da.
ADELINE
I think I’m supposed to do collars.
SHAYNA
Tough job. You likely get used to hard work.
ADELINE
Yes, that’s what I heard.
(BOTH turn to ESTHER because they have run out of things to say.)
ESTHER
Come with me, Adeline. I’ll show you your station and around the workroom.
SHAYNA
I see later.
(ADELINE and ESTHER go into the workroom.)
ESTHER
Here, let me show you where to start. I can give you all the basics from there. So, you’ll be working next to Shayna.
ADELINE
Da.
ESTHER
Don’t!
ADELINE
Don’t what?
ESTHER
Don’t speak Russian or any language other than English.
ADELINE
What? Why?
ESTHER
Have I made myself clear?
ADELINE
Yes, but…
ESTHER
I’m sorry, but these rules are important. Especially that one. I dislike it as much as you do but they must be followed or you’ll be fired. And no talking!
ADELINE
Yes, Ma’am.
ESTHER
Since you you’re doing collars your quota will be smaller than people who just sew hems. By the end of the day you should have 50 finished shirts on Mr. Lennon’s desk.
ADELINE
How do I…?
ESTHER
Here are the unfinished shirts. The collars are right here.
(Point to each item in turn.)
You’ll sew the collar on the shirt then you fold them. Every five shirts, you’ll give them to Shayna so she can sew the pockets on.
(Bell rings)
Okay good luck. I have to get to my station.
(ESTHER walks to a table to where CHARLOTTE is sitting. MR. LENNON enters, walks in sees ADELINE and walks over to her.)
MR. LENNON
You must be the new worker. I’m Mr. Lennon. I’m the manager and if you you’re not doing your job I’ll report you to the bosses. I’m not your friend. I get you to do your work and then I get you to do more. If you don’t do it right you do it again. Have I made myself clear?
ADELINE
Yes, sir.
MR. LENNON
Good, now everyone get to work.
(MR. LENNON exits. Everyone has settled into work and there is a buzz of machines. Hold silence for a second. CHARLOTTE lets out a breath and begins talking quietly.)
CHARLOTTE
I have news for you, Esther.
ADELINE
(to SHAYNA)
What’s going on? I thought we couldn’t talk.
SHAYNA
Just wait.
(After a second EVERYONE is whispering to each other while sewing.)