PLAY

(Enter everyone. Ted plays Red Hot Chili Peppers's "Under the Bridge" and Virginia does a long monologue.)

Virginia: Is it right to deny children the right to get an education, just because they are illegal? If they put in the time and effort, they should be able to become a citizen with a high school diploma. This was true before 9/11, where students could get citizenship, but not anymore. Amadou Lye's experience is one that raises this question. He is an eighteen-year old immigrant from Senegal who lives in Brooklyn. This is his story.

(Ted finishes song and chucks guitar to side in order to "get in character". David is Amadou, Virginia is a student who's a part of the robot team and Ted is the Vietnamese teacher, Mr. Wang.)

Virginia: Hey Mr. Wang!

Ted: (speaking in Asian accent) Why hello (insert random name)!

Virginia: Wassup Mr. Wang!

Ted: What is up? The ceiling...(points at the ceiling.) OK kids, on to business. Tomorrow, we go off to Atlanta for the national robotics finals. No one thought we could even make it that far, but we did, and WE CAN DO IT!

Virginia/David: (just cheer or something, I don't know...whatever sounds happy)

Ted: OK, first we...(phone rings) 'scuse me, I need pick that up. (picks up phone)Hello? Yeah, he here. What? Are you sure? Uh, OK...thank you. Amadou, may I speak to you in private?

David: Sure, OK.

(They go to some place where Virginia can't hear)

Ted: ("whispering") Amadou, you are from Africa, right?

David: ("whispering" back)Yes...

Ted: Well, I just got a call, and it's regarding your status as an immigrant. They told me you're illegal. Is that true?

David: (after long pause) Yes, it's true.

Ted: Well, this make things harder for you. Why did you not want to tell anyone?

David: Man, because I was scared. Everyone else is legal, and I'm not.

(Everyone walks off. Virginia comes back on and Ted retrieves his guitar to play System of a Down's "Roulette".)

Virginia: This news devastated Amadou. He had plans of going to college, but now he has to use the money he saved to defend himself in court. He did not want anyone else to know that he was illegal for fear of being outcasted, but now he felt more out-of-place than he ever thought he could be. For quite some time, he and his lawyer desperately tried to come up with a plan to combat his deportation. Soon, a way was found.

(Ted finishes song and chucks guitar again. David again is Amadou, Virginia is Johanna Cochran, daughter of the awesome lawyer Johhnny Cochran and Amadou's lawyer, and Ted is a table.)

David: But Ms. Cochran, I thought that I could stay here for school! They're supposed to let me get an education regardless of my status!

Virginia: I know, but that policy changed after 9/11. I don't like it either, but we have to do what we can.

David: So is there any way, ANY way, that I can stay here in America?

Virginia: Well, I think there is a way, but...

David: Please, you have to help me!

Virginia: OK. Well, there is this bill called the Dream Act that the Senate is looking over.

David: What's it about?

Virginia: It allows for illegal immigrants who have finished high school to get legal status in the US.

David: Well, what's the problem with that?

Virginia: Again, it's because of 9/11. Before, they had already put in that law, but after the attacks, they stopped that. It's going to be hard to get it passed.

David: But there's a chance, right?

Virginia: Yeah, but also even if it's passed, the Senate and House could overrule that.

David: What!? Man, that's bullsh...

Virginia: (cutting into David, not literally, so don't try stabbing him, Virginia.) Yes, I know, but that's our only chance.

David: So basically, I have to hope on luck to get the bill passed, then get lucky again so they don't overrule the exact same bill they passed?

Virginia: Yes.

(Everyone walks off again. Virginia again does a monologue while Ted plays The Eagles' "Hotel California," because that song is just cool like that.)

Virginia: Despite these tremendous odds, Amadou decided it was his only hope, and banked on the Dream Bill as his one chance. His story soon spread throughout his school and throughout the city. Everyone sympathized with Amadou's cause, and he was thankful for the show of support. Unfortunately though, the people had little to do with what the Senate or his judge would decide.

(Again, Ted chucks guitar. David still is Amadou, Virginia is still Ms. Cochran and Ted is the judge.)

Ted: Amadou Lye, you have been charged with one count of illegally being inside the United States, which is now considered a felony. How do you plead?

David: Guilty.

Ted: And do you have any arguments before I present to you my ruling?

Virginia: Yes, your honor, I do have one thing to say.

Ted: Go ahead.

Virginia: OK then...your honor, have you heard of the Dream Act?

Ted: Yes, I have.

Virginia: (walking around, lawyer-style) Then wouldn't you say that this young man, who is well on his way to college, should be able to obtain a US citizenship and not be deported?

Ted: Yes, but that is if the bill is passed. It still is going through the Senate as we speak.

Virginia: Yes, but when it is passed, wouldn't it be wrong to have sent this young man away when he was just on the brink of success?

Ted: Well yes, but...

David: (standing up) Please, your honor, I beg you. Don't rule just yet. Wait for the result of the bill, whether it's passed or not, and then decide. I came here to get a better life. My mom wanted that for me. Please, your honor.

Ted: Well, I must say I've been swayed by this. I'll delay my ruling awaiting the results of the Dream Act. Adjourned. (does the awesome hammer-thing.)

(Everyone walks off. Virginia does one last monologue while Ted plays Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven.")

Virginia: And Amadou waited. He waited for what seemed the longest three months of his life, but eventually the Senate passed the Dream Act. It seems that the Senate finally has decided to answer the question I brought up. And they made the right choice.