Room 103 
– A Title IX Drama –

Room 103 is a stage play set on a contemporary college campus. Warning, what follows involves sexual violence, courage, entitlement, narcissism, and the troubling level of privilege we afford student athletes.

This is Act II. To start at the beginning, please go to Act I here.
For a cast list, scene summaries, and basic stage instructions, please click here.
_{All material copyright (c) 2023 by William Walker. Contact at rubycreekboathouse@gmail.com}

 

ACT II

Scene 1

A week later – August 3
Leaving Room 101

Pop Hughes and Welly Harris, outside Barbara Woods’ office

POP HUGHES (pacing):    Suspended? It’s the first week of August! Three months delay, for this! You’re suspended?

WELLY HARRIS:           Coach…

PH (ignores Welly):    These people are criminals, Welly. It’s a conspiracy. They had it in for me all along, and you’re just collateral damage. Three months of this witch hunt and now, when my season is about to start, Woods and all them decide to suspend my All-American-

WH(tries again to interrupt):            Coach, maybe I should tell you-

PH:                  -linebacker, and how am I supposed to fill that hole? They’ve got it in for me, son. They timed it perfect, the week fall practice starts, and now you can’t play for me. And I gotta take away from football and make sure-

WH:                 I mean, if you could-

PH:                  -your appeal gets filed in time. God, the boosters are gonna come unglued. I gotta call Athletics PR, get the spin machine running, and as for you-

WH:                 But, Coach-

PH:                  -get back to your dorm, Welly. Don’t talk to anyone. Not even your roommate. I got too much at stake here. I can’t let this get outta hand. (Hughes exits)

WH (alone):    Coach? I mean… I did it. Everything they said… everything she said… I did it. Just like she said. All of it. I didn’t think she’d say anything. Didn’t think she’d feel all hurt. Thought she’d love it and want more, not like any of it was, uh… wrong. I mean, I’m Wellington Damn Harris. Couldn’t be …wrong.

Dazed, Welly wanders off stage as lights go down.

 

 Scene 2

August 4, the next morning
Room 101

Stage is dark. Glass shatters offstage. After a few moments of silence to signify a few hours’ time passing, lights come up as busy voices offstage discover and investigate what happened. Barbara Woods enters office, on her cell phone.

BARBARA WOODS: (agitated, purposeful)            Yeah, I’m fine. Really. Fine! Nobody got hurt, it was just a bunch of broken glass. No, we don’t need you down here. That’s sweet, honey. But the place is full of cops, you know you’d just get in the way.
(Chief Fitzhugh appears at door, raps on it, Woods waves him in, walks behind him and closes door while talking)
Tell Jenny I’m OK too, all right? OK, the chief is here, gotta go. Yeah. I’ll call you later. Love you too, honey. (hangs up)
Thanks for coming, Chief. The boss gave the staff the day off. They’re all scared to death. But I’m not going anywhere. I got work to do, and no damn cave man’s gonna keep me from it.

RF:                  That your husband on the phone?

BW:                 Yeah, I called him before he heard it from someone else. He’s all paranoid our family might get targeted, our daughter, I mean, she’s just 12, but she doesn’t take shit, know what I mean?

RF:                  He’s just worried because he cares.

BW:                 Cares too much sometimes, I’d say. Just doing my job. And if this is what I have to deal with, I’m gonna deal with it.

RF:                  So everyone went home except you and, uh…

BW:                 Paulina. God, I love that woman. She’s out there like, screw anyone who tries to mess with-

RF:                  Yeah. Paulina. Met her. She’s watching my officers process the scene. Let’s get down to what happened.

BW:                 I told you what happened. I told the responding officers what happened. Someone threw a damn brick through the front door of our office last night.

RF:                  Technically, Ms. Woods, what we know is that you showed up to work and found a brick on the floor and glass everywhere. Unless you can prove how or when it happened?

BW:                 Good lord, is that how this is gonna go? Fine, what do we do now?

RF:                  We might have security camera footage. They’re looking for it at the station. Meanwhile I need to ask you some questions. Any idea why someone would do this?

BW:                 You don’t know? You don’t watch the news? Linebacker gets suspended, the press gets wind of a Title IX investigation. By evening, my name gets thrown around on sports radio and on twitter, goddamn twitter, all hell breaks loose with the trolls and the bullies. And here we are the next morning…

RF:                  You know that was the motive?

BW:                 There was a note wrapped around the brick. “Eye for an eye, bitches. You took Welly, now we’ll get you.” …and the bastard wrote out a list of every woman who works in this office, I dropped it right back on the floor. Your guys have it now.

RF:                  People threaten people all the time, Ms. Woods. It’s usually just punks blowing off steam and they almost never follow through. What do you want us to do about it, other than try to find whoever put that brick through your door?

BW:                 Almost never? That’s reassuring.

RF:                  They’re just trying to scare you.

BW:                 Like I said, the whole staff went home. So that part seems like it’s working.

RF:                  But there’s no ongoing threat… is there?

BW:                 I guess you don’t follow twitter.

RF:                  We have a social media specialist, but I don’t-

BW:                 Well, dammit, Chief, you should. Here, take a look. (turns computer screen to Fitzhugh, points, reads)

“That whore is lying. Woods wants to know what a rape is, I’ll show her.”

RF:                  They called her a-

BW:                 Oh, it gets better, Chief.

“Next time it won’t be a brick. Gonna burn that office down, roast them bitches alive.”

“I got a red hot poker for you, Nancy. I know where you live.”

RF: (points)     This next one here… someone posted her address?

BW:                 It’s called doxxing, Chief. It’s a common form of intimidation. You want more? There’s hundreds more. Most from fake accounts set up just to harass.

RF:                  Yeah, I’m gonna have to see all of… wait… is that address off campus?

BW:                 Big relief, right, Chief? Not your problem?

RF:                  That’s not what I-

BW:                 She already called the city cops. There’s an officer with her right now. But she’s a student living in fear, scared to death to come on your campus, Chief. I hope you’ll do your job and keep her safe.

RF:                  Don’t tell me how to… I mean… I’m… Shit. You’re right. I’ll go meet with her right now. We’ll come up with-

BW: (stands, opens office door)   Thank you, Chief. One favor, though… Paulina?

PAULINA NETTLES: (hurried footsteps)            Yes, Barbara?        

BW:                 Would you mind riding to Nancy’s place with the Chief? I’ll let her know you’re coming.

PN:                  Sure I will.

RF:                  That’s not necessary.

BW:                 It’s quite necessary, Chief Fitzhugh. Three months into this, Nancy’s pretty beat down. I don’t know about you but I’ve done hundreds of these cases. Right now, Nancy needs a trusted face in the room.

RF:                  Fair enough. Let’s go.

Paulina exits with Fitzhugh

 

 Scene 3

October 29
Room 101

Entering room to sit at conference table as lights come up: Barbara Woods, Paulina Nettles, Pop Hughes, Agatha Tulitsky, Harold, Jerome Zimmer

BARBARA WOODS:  Today is Monday, October 29. Recorder is on. Meeting with representatives of both parties. We are reconvening to summarize findings of fact, review the suspension of the accused, and hear impact statements from all parties. 

POP HUGHES:           It’s about damn time. You know it’s been almost six months, right? 

BW:                 Coach Hughes, this is a formal proceeding. You will wait to participate until you’re asked for your input. For the record, will each of you state your name please. I am Title IX investigator Barbara Woods.

PAULINA NETTLES: Paulina Nettles, victim advocate for Nancy Doe.

PH:                  This is BS. I’m Head Football Coach Pop Hughes.

JEROME ZIMMER:    Jerome Zimmer, attorney for the accused man in this farce proceeding. 

AGATHA TULITSKY: Agatha Tulitsky, Nancy Doe’s roommate.

BW:                 And you, sir? Your name please?

HAROLD:        Harold. I’m Harold, Nancy’s dad. 

BW:                 Just Harold? 

H:                    That’s right. 

BW:                 Thank you. To summarize our findings. Accuser, Nancy Doe, reported a sexual assault on Monday, May 7, stating that Mr. Harris raped her the previous Saturday evening and/or early Sunday after putting an unknown substance in her drink that affected her judgement and awareness of her surroundings. The accused denies this, acknowledges sexual relations but maintains it was consensual.

JZ:                   What about her drinking like a damn fish? What about her inviting him over, flashing-

BW:                 Please, Mr. Zimmer. This is, so far, a review of findings of fact. You’ll have a chance-

JZ:                   Those are facts!

BW:                 Sir, you will have your chance to speak. Now let’s continue. After the initial report, we interviewed the accuser, the accused, dozens of their friends and associates, members of the football team, and employees and customers of the restaurant where Nancy Doe alleged the accused spiked her drink.

On August 3, we took action to suspend Mr. Harris from the university and all activities on campus including football. He chose to appeal. We will announce our decision on that appeal tomorrow.

Today we will hear statements of impact from each party. Ms. Nettles, as victim advocate for Nancy Doe, would you go first on her behalf?

PN (intense, angry but under control):            In the months I’ve worked with Nancy, I have seen her mental state go from overwhelmed to confident, from scared and confused to strong and purposeful and back again. Her mood changes so often I still don’t know what to expect when we talk, and she traces all of it back to the night she was abused. I’m not a counselor. All I do is prepare her for each step of the process. But I’ve watched her cry, I’ve heard her scream, and I’ve seen her intelligence and dry sense of humor. Mostly I’ve been impressed with her courage when she puts all the trauma aside – shoves it aside, ignores it for an hour or even a few minutes – to make a statement, file a document, attend a hearing. Her roommate here knew her before and after the night in question, so she can see the change in Nancy. But I can tell you without a doubt that her assault at the hands of Mr. Harris is all she has room for in her head. Nancy barely passed her finals in spring quarter, she tried to attend summer but dropped all her classes, and didn’t even register for fall. To put “impact” in a nutshell, Nancy Doe is a mess. And she wants this all to be over.

BW:                 Thank you. Ms. Tulitsky? 

AT:                  Yes, thank you. Oh my gosh, Nancy is not the same person. I’ve roomed with her for over two years now. Her free spirit is gone. She’s afraid to go out to eat, won’t even let anyone make food for her. She won’t take a drink from anyone. And she hasn’t been on a date since that guy drugged her and raped her. 

PH:                  Allegedly! 

AT (venomous, to Hughes):            You know what, Coach Hughes? You can take your “allegedly” and fuck right off. I know guys on your team. They know exactly what happened. You know too, don’t you? And you can’t even see that you caused this, can you?  You recruit a couple dozen new a-holes every year, you weed out the decent men and kick ‘em off the team if they speak up and make waves. You brush it off as boys being boys when they harass, molest, and rape women on this campus. You call sexual abuse prevention training a “jerkoff waste of time.” And as long as your a-holes suit up and win on Saturdays, you’re Teflon, aren’t you? Nobody can touch you or your football program as long as the boosters are happy. Isn’t that about right? 

JZ:                   Objection! Coach Hughes is not on trial here-

BW:                 Mr. Zimmer, we allow no objections. Everyone gets a chance to speak what’s on their mind. Ms. Tulitsky, you got a little off track there. Anything else about the impact on Nancy Doe? Can you share why she’s not here today? 

AT:                  She asked Harold and Paulina and me to speak for her. She didn’t want to be in a room with her rapist again, or even the coach. The creepy little prick coach, that’s what she calls him. And like Paulina said, she’s not in school this quarter. I don’t know if she’ll come back. Even with a police escort, she won’t walk on campus. The press calls her Nancy Doe, but everyone knows it’s her. I told her to be brave and just give the finger to anyone who says anything, but she’s like… I mean… well, it’s easy enough to say that to her but I don’t know if I could even take my own advice if that guy raped me. 

BW:                 Anything else?

AT:                  No ma’am, um, well, yeah. One thing more. Just that I feel like my friend is dying. I started to lose her the day I walked in and found her in tears. That guy took my friend from me. I know damn well he did it. Screw “allegedly.” 

BW:                 Thank you, Ms. Tulitsky. Harold? 

H:                    Yes, ma’am. I sent my daughter here believing she’d be safe. Was I naïve? Yeah. I guess so. But that coach is naïve too. He has no idea what’s happened to our family. Or maybe he knows and doesn’t care. I put it all on him. Like Agatha said. He turns horny boys loose on campus and holds them to zero standard of behavior. This thing happened on the 5th of May. I didn’t even know about it for a week, that’s how ashamed my Nancy was to tell me. Thank God for Agatha. She barely knew me but she knew I’d never reject my own flesh and blood over something like this. So Agatha called me. Think about that for a minute. My own daughter, too ashamed to tell me, so her roommate had to call. I came to town, held onto Nancy, and we just cried together. Tell ya what, ma’am, this coach here wants to bitch, sorry, wants to gripe about six months dragging on, can you imagine the hell my daughter has been through in those same six months? Can you imagine what she’ll have to live with, for the rest of her life? And back at my house, my wife and I, well, she can’t even talk about it. That has strained us, ma’am, after thirty years of marriage, we’ve never felt so distant. Feel good about that, Coach? Does that make you happy for your damn boys, just being boys? …I better stop now, ma’am. That’s all I better say. 

BW:                 Thank you, Harold. Coach Hughes, why don’t you go next. Mr. Zimmer will wrap it up. I assume one of you will explain where Mr. Harris is. 

PH:                  Well. It’s all on me, isn’t it? My fault that a poor innocent girl came to campus, and fell for a young man on my team? My fault she chose to get drunk, invite him over, strip for the camera, drink more at dinner, have sex with him, and regret it the next day? My fault she spent that day and the next six months in self-imposed guilt over her choices, thinking Aw Mah Gawd what kinda girl am I? It’s my fault, and so is the girl’s parents’ failing marriage, because of some  environment I’ve created on my team? Let me tell you about that environment. We were 28-2 over the last two seasons, two-time conference champs, national champs last year, with Welly Harris making All-American at linebacker. That is the environment I’ve created on this team. And since you suspended this young man from football two months ago, he’s had to sit in the stands and watch his teammates go undefeated, another 7-0 so far this year. Imagine having your life’s dreams tossed out because one little girl feels empowered by her own lies. You want an impact statement? That’s the impact on him, Barbara. And one more thing about this environment, and the pile of crap you people chose to believe from (makes air quotes) “Nancy Doe.” My football team brings in millions in TV money and booster donations every year. Maybe even tens of millions. Little people who screw with the program get squashed like bugs. I’ve seen it happen. Think about that environment I’ve created, and what’s at stake here, when you finally get off your ass and decide what to do about this.

BW:                 Coach, for the record, as the leader of this program, are you denying any responsibility for the actions of your players off the football field? 

PH:                  For God’s sake, what am I, their mother? Do I look like anyone’s mother? I warn them to stay outta trouble so they can be at practice the next day. And like I said before, I warn them there’s people everywhere like this “Nancy Doe” out to get them, so be damn careful. And, mostly, those warnings are enough. Mostly. And when the warnings aren’t enough, they know I’m here to protect them. And yes, they need protection. There is a victim here, and it’s not who you think it is. 

BW:                 Mr. Zimmer? Please explain in your statement why your client isn’t here.

JZ:                   Of course. Ms. Woods, my client is at home. He knows this process is a joke. He already told you everything he needs to tell, and he answered all your questions. Furthermore, he does not need the drama that would fill this room if his accuser were to show up as well. I have no doubt that her advocates here, Ms. Tulitsky, Ms. Nettles, and, uh, Harold, would use that drama to validate and perpetuate her contrived heartbreak and purported unfair treatment. So I advised him to stay home.

BW:                 That is his right, Mr. Zimmer. Do you have anything else to add?

JZ:                   Frankly, Coach Hughes is more eloquent than I am. I could just leave you to chew on what he said, but let’s talk a minute about your so-called findings of fact, since you chose to leave out a few details. Nancy Doe is a drunk. She’s seen a counselor numerous times, starting in her senior year in high school. We were able to find this out. Did you even bother to look into it?

BW:                 That’s not rele-

JZ:                   Of course you didn’t. And yes, it’s damn well relevant to how she ended up choosing to have sex with my client that night. She drank five beers in just a couple hours that afternoon, and when my client offered to meet her later for dinner, she upped the ante, didn’t she, when she invited him right over to her place? She invited him over to shower! How much more clear could she be about what she wanted? Then she had him take her picture naked, and they went out to dinner where she drank more alcohol with him, and she was making out and groping him right there at the table – these are just a few of your so-called “findings of fact, aren’t they? – and what do you think might happen next? Of course they ended up in bed, and of course she woke up cold stone sober with him gone, and of course she had second thoughts. So here we are, with her now a victim, and my client faces righteous indignation from you, anger and ostracism from his fellow students, and weeks of suspension from the sport he lives to play. To be clear once again, you may not care about football but this man’s sport is his life, and you have taken it away. You. Not Nancy Doe, not Coach Hughes, but you, Ms. Woods. I do not exaggerate when I say you allowed a liar to fake her victimhood, and you created a real victim – my client – by your actions against him. You wanted an impact statement and now you have it. That is all I have.

BW:                 Thank you.

I have one bit to add, about my own experience in this case. If you question whether I understand the gravity of our decision, let me remind you that for two and a half months, beginning with a brick through the glass of this office, the staff here has been subjected, along with Nancy Doe, to ridicule, bullying, and threats by people claiming to back Welly Harris. It’s on social media, it’s on sports radio, it’s in person all over campus. None of us have ever seen anything like it. It’s like stepping back fifty-one years, before Title IX, to the days my mom told me about in college sports. Is that where we are? Where we still are? To be clear, I certainly don’t hold Mr. Harris personally accountable for any of this reaction. But it shows me how far we still have to go in eradicating discrimination. And as hard as the last fifty years have been, the next fifty might be even harder. Thankfully, the Title IX office is full of tough, resilient people who can take a hit and still do the right thing.

We will reconvene in 24 hours with a final determination. Advocates, be sure Nancy Doe and Welly Harris are here. 

All leave except Barbara, who returns to her desk. Paulina returns, knocks urgently, makes sure Barbara is alone, enters

PN:                  Phone call for you, Barbara. It’s the Athletic Director.

BW:                 Lutus? Miguel Lutus is calling me? What’s he want?

PN:                  He didn’t say, just that it’s important. Crucial, he said. Sheila said he left two messages during your meeting, called again, and this time he’s been on hold fifteen minutes, waiting for you. So I got on the line and-

BW:                 Did you tell him he’s not allowed to intervene, to be sure there’s no-

PN:                  Collusion, intimidation, yes, Barbara. I was adamant. He was polite but firm. He knows the rules, insisted he’s not breaking them and he just needs some information from you.

BW (exasperated):     This is not supposed to happen, I’ve never, not even once… he’s gonna put the whole investigation in jeopardy… (starts to pick up phone, pauses as Paulina turns to leave) Wait a second, Paulina. Close the door please, have a seat. I need you to hear this. I’m putting the AD on speaker. (presses button) Hello? Mr. Lutus?

 Paulina closes door, sits as lights go down.

 

Scene 4

The next morning, October 30
Room 101

Seated at conference table: Barbara Woods, Nancy Doe, Welly Harris, Agatha Tulitsky, Paulina Nettles, Harold, Jerome Zimmer, Miguel Lutus

BARBARA WOODS:  It’s Tuesday, October 30. This is Title IX investigator Barbara Woods, convening to share our final decision on appeal of suspension of Wellington  Harris, over sexual assault allegations by fellow student Nancy Doe. Present are Ms. Doe, Mr. Harris, Agatha Tulitsky, Paulina Nettles, Harold, Jerome Zimmer, and Athletic Director Miguel Lutus.

                        It should be noted for the record that, with at least five hundred demonstrators, maybe more, holding signs and chanting outside, supporting both sides in this case, we are grateful to each of you for coming today.

WELLY HARRIS:         Ummm…

BW:                 Yes, Mr. Harris?

WH:                 Where’s Coach Hughes?

BW:                 I’m wondering the same thing. Can you enlighten us, Mr. Lutus?

MIGUEL LUTUS:        Sure. Former Coach Hughes. I met him at his office an hour ago and fired him.

Doe and Tulitsky gasp, grin at each other, can’t contain themselves, high five each other and whisper while the conversation goes on around them.

WH:                 But you can’t just-

ML:                  Of course I can, Welly. I phoned Ms. Woods yesterday, and requested transcripts and recordings of Coach Hughes’s behavior in this investigation. I was absolutely shocked. Pop Hughes is unqualified to represent this university. In any capacity.

WH:                 But I can’t sit in here without-

ML:                  You’re gonna have to, son. You have your attorney right here. But you better pay attention to Ms. Woods. 

BW:                 Thank you. Ms. Doe, Ms. Tulitsky, I’ll ask you for silence please. Do you have something you’d like to say, Ms. Doe?

NANCY DOE: Oh, uh, sorry. It’s just, I’ve put myself through six months of this, because I don’t want what happened to me, to happen to anyone else. The attitude Hughes brought to his team, if that’s gone, then… I mean, then maybe it was worth the effort.

BW:                 That is understandable, but please refrain from further outbursts. Mr. Harris, before we discuss your status at this university, I’ll remind you it’s a crime to forward a nude picture without the subject’s permission, and it’s a felony to drug a person’s drink. We have forwarded those details of Ms. Doe’s allegations to the police.

JEROME ZIMMER:    That’s not due process!

BW:                 The police and, I suspect, the DA, will decide what’s due process, Mr. Zimmer.

JZ:                   You’ll be hearing from me again on this. 

BW:                 I’m sure we will. Mr. Harris, after considering your appeal, we continue to find Ms. Doe’s accusations valid and believable. 

JZ:                   What happened to “innocent until proven guilty?” You have to prove it! Beyond a reasonable doubt! “Believable?” You can’t rule on that!

BW:                 Mr. Zimmer, this is a Title IX investigation, not a criminal court. You’ve had six months to understand the difference.

JZ:                   You’re sure treating him like a criminal. 

BW:                 Mr. Harris, we interviewed twenty of your teammates and a half dozen of your fraternity brothers. Twelve admitted to receiving the nude picture of Ms. Doe, and seven of those admitted to forwarding it. Fifteen of your teammates said you bragged about drugging Ms. Doe’s drink, and you gave intimate details of the way you assaulted her in her bed.

NANCY DOE: Oh my god…

BW:                 You need a break, Ms. Doe?

ND:                  Oh my… oh… oh hell no I don’t. They turned on him! I don’t need a break. Keep going. 

BW:                 Let me know if you need me to stop. Mr. Harris, your appeal of your suspension is denied. You are hereby expelled from this university. You are also banned from campus, for as long as Ms. Doe is a student here. After she completes her studies, if she chooses to reside or work within ten miles of campus, you will need her approval to set foot on these grounds. 

WH:                 But what about-

ML:                  Football? You can’t play if you’re not a student here.

WH:                 I… I mean, I… Mr. Lutus, what am I supposed to do now? 

ML:                  Were you listening to Ms. Woods? You will never play football here again.

WH:                 I can’t stay here? 

ML:                  You’re done here, son, but I’ll be your advocate if you want to transfer. 

HAROLD:        Excuse me, but what the hell? You’re gonna help a rapist go do it somewhere else?

ML:                  Please, sir, hear me out. Welly, I have two conditions.

WH:                 Sir?

ML:                  You tell them the whole story, Welly. Everything. You give them all the details of what you did, every word of this investigation, without them asking for it first. You hide nothing. If they still want you, I’ll talk to them.

H:                    Mr. Lutus? You think this punk is redeemable?

ML:                  I didn’t say that, Harold. But I hired Coach Hughes. I supported him for ten years, while he spouted misogynistic crap to his players like this was still the 1960s. That’s on me. I need to own it. To you, Nancy, I apologize. If my lack of oversight in any way caused the pain you feel today, I will do my best to help your healing. 

ND:                  That’s… I don’t know… thank you. 

WH:                 What’s the second condition, sir?

ML:                  I asked the police to meet you outside after this meeting, Welly. You go with them – publicly, in front of all those demonstrators out there – to the station and face those charges about the photo and the roofies.

JZ:                   Is that all, Ms. Woods? Because my client will be suing this institution, without a doubt.

WH:                 No. No I won’t.

JZ:                   Welly? What?

WH:                 I can’t sit around waiting for you, Mr. Zimmer. I gotta go face what I did. Then I have to find another school. I’m outta here. (stands, turns to leave, pauses, turns back) I’m… Nancy? Nancy, I’m… I’m sorry. (exits the room)

 Remaining characters stare after him as lights go down.

 

Scene 5

That afternoon, October 30
Wildcat stadium

Coach Lorenzo Slater greets assembled players. Coaches Wiley and Betts stand to the side, recording on phones. Press is assembled, observing. (Director may want to use front rows of audience as team members & press corps.)

COACH LORENZO SLATER:            Hey fellas. 

LINC JACKSON:           Where’s Coach Hughes?

LS:                   Gone. Along with most of his coaching staff. 

LJ:                   Gone? You mean a day off?

LS:                   I mean gone. AD Lutus fired all of ‘em this morning. I am your interim head coach. Coaches Wiley and Betts are here, and our two grad assistants.

LJ:                   But, Coach Slater, you’re just a D-backs coach. That won’t work! We’re national champions, undefeated, and you’re taking over midseason with just four guys to assist? Is this about Welly? That asshole Lutus believed the bitch?

LS:                   C’mere, Jackson. Stand up here with me, in front of your teammates. In front of the cameras. 

LJ:                   Why?

LS:                   I said come up here. Anyone else? Anyone agree with Jackson, that AD Lutus is an asshole and the woman Welly Harris raped is a bitch? Anyone else really want to take that stand? Didn’t think so. Plenty of you thinking it, I bet, but all too chickenshit to say so.

LJ:                   Coach, I…

LS:                   Stow it, Jackson. Lonely up here, isn’t it? Now everybody listen up. Coach Hughes deserved to be fired. Every coach that protested to the AD about it deserved to go as well. You know what his attitude was. Win games and you get to do whatever you want. Those days are over. Let me tell you what happens now, starting today. Yes – Leonard?

PARKER LEONARD: Why is the press here, Coach? Coach Hughes never allowed-

LS:                   You see Coach Hughes here, Leonard? No? Neither do I. I’m hiding nothing. I want this in all the papers. I want it on the evening news. In fact, take a look, Coaches Wiley and Betts are posting live on social media. How’s that feel, Jackson? You sure you wanna be this, uh, visible? You OK hangin’ in the wind like this? 

LJ:                   Can I sit down now, Coach? 

LS:                   What happened to those big balls of yours, son? Got a little shrinkage going? Sure, take a seat. Maybe you’ll listen better.

This university does not tolerate sexual abuse, assault, or harassment of any kind. For you guys, that goes double. You represent your school, and what you do off the field reflects on all of us. All your brothers on this team, all your coaches, everyone on campus.

That’s a big change, right? Opposite of what you’re used to? Unlike Coach Hughes, I will never hold your damn hand through an investigation. I will never disrespect a person you’ve assaulted.

If you’re a rapist or an abuser, I will find out about it. I will end your time on this football team. Immediately. 

Do not touch a person who does not want to be touched. Do not take advantage of a person who is drunk or stoned.

Do not put any part of your body on any part of someone else’s body unless you are damn sure it’s OK with them.

Do not bring shame on your brothers on this team with your twisted entitlement to assault another person.

And do not let anyone else do it either.

Is this clear enough for you?

You were all recruited for your talents on the field. You can run, hit, tackle, throw, and catch. You’re undefeated. Were you recruited for your integrity? Who knows? I got no idea what Coach Hughes was thinking when he signed you up.

But I tell ya what, fellas. Starting today, right now, I have new expectations.

I expect impeccable standards of character, on and off the field. Respect others. Stand up for others when they’re wronged. Be an example of kindness and integrity to every student on this campus.

If that seems like a lot to ask, I’ll give you a choice. You either step up and be part of the change, or pack your shit and get out. 

Was that a grade school move I pulled on Jackson a few minutes ago? Maybe. But if you’d all learned this stuff in grade school, we wouldn’t be doing this today, would we?

Guys, I get it that parties, hookups, booze, and drugs, are facts of college life. I’d be stupid to think otherwise. But it’s no excuse to abuse people.

You gotta be better than that, fellas. Here’s how good you gotta be. You know that girl passed out on the couch at the party? College parties always have a girl passed out on the couch, right? What’re you gonna do? Jackson?

LJ:                   Ummm, I’d leave her alone, Coach.

LS:                   You sure about that, Jackson? ‘Cuz she’s fair game, right? Drank too much, now she can’t say no, so why not?

LJ:                   Is this a trick question, Coach?

LS:                   Jackson, I expect you to do more for her than just leave her alone. I expect you to take care of her, protect her when she’s vulnerable, get her a blanket, make sure she’s safe. And when some other dude thinks he can touch her, you do what, Jackson?

LJ:                   I don’t let him do it, Coach.

LS:                   That’s right. Put him on the ground if you gotta. Bust his nose if you gotta. Don’t let him touch her. Yes? Wilford?

MARCUS WILFORD: Coach, that’s assault, isn’t it?

LS:                   Gosh, you know what, Wilford? Maybe so. Maybe you’re right. But that’s when my hotline is wide open. Call me from the cop station and tell me you defended a passed-out woman, and I’ll be there in a heartbeat for you. Any other questions?

LJ:                   Can we have practice now, Coach? I feel like hitting someone.

LS:                   Good call, Jackson. We gotta replace an All-American linebacker. Let’s get at it.

Players & coaches jog off stage.

 

Scene 6

Evening, October 30
Room 101

Barbara Woods, alone in her office, packs her briefcase to go home. Phone rings, she answers.

BARBARA WOODS (phone to ear): Title IX investigations, Barbara-  Well, good evening to you too, sir. I thought I might hear from you. (pause, listening)

Thank you sir, but we don’t call it a victory, we call it a resolution. It’s no victory when a student gets expelled. (pause, listening)

                        Well, sir, that’s because these proceedings were confidential until we-  (pause, listening)

                        (voice rising) I can’t break my legal obligation for any reason- (pause, listening)

(shouting now) I know damn well, sir, that you are the President of this institution. I am devoted to our students and since you brought it up, I do care deeply about our school’s reputation, or I wouldn’t be in the job I’m in. No, you let me finish, sir.  I will not break the law to satisfy you or anyone else, not even Jesus Christ him- (pause) Blasphemic, sir? In a public college, blasphemic doesn’t- (pause, listening)

                        Fine. Thank you. I apologize too. I got pretty hyped up. I get defensive about my job. (pause, listening)

                        A press conference? With you and AD Lutus? I’d be glad to. Admin building, 7PM, yes, sir. What are you planning to say, sir? (pause, listening)

                        Sure, I’ll call you Joe. I appreciate that. Hold on a second, while I check my inbox… (looks at computer screen)  “Press release, Wildcat football fires Hughes, expels All-American Harris… is this it?” (keeps reading silently for a moment)

…oh my gosh, Joe, you sent this to the press?  “President Joseph Clemons, citing over 500 emails from boosters received in just one hour after the news leaked, says: ‘Those letters ran 9-to-1 in support of misogynist coach Pop Hughes and rapist Wellington Harris. They demanded I fire AD Lutus and they threatened to withhold financial support. My response, on which I’ll elaborate at the press conference, is as follows: those so-called boosters can kiss my ass. This university will not stand for their behavior, and today was a line in the sand for anyone who doubts it.’ Press conference is set for…”

                        A line in the sand… that’s brilliant, Joe. But I hope the Board of Regents doesn’t- (pause, listening)

                        I understand. Damn the torpedoes, right? Believe me, in this job I- (pause, listening)

                        Well that’s flattering, sir, but if you’re going to admire someone, you should admire Nancy Doe. The way she stood up strong in the face of- (pause, listening)

Really, Joe? That is so kind of you. Ombudsman for the whole university? I appreciate it more than I can say. But I still have work to do here. (pause, listening)

                        Burned out? Joe, after fifteen years, I’m working harder now than ever. You know what inspires me to come in here and do this job? Courage. Day after day, brave young people like Nancy Doe come here to do the right thing… and subject themselves to ridicule, shame, and abuse. They work with a devoted staff of more brave people, all of them sometimes running on nothing but that bravery, all so it doesn’t happen to others. They weather that storm, not for themselves, but for someone else. And I have to be here for them. That keeps me coming back every morning, Joe. Today, Nancy Doe’s courage put a crack in that brick wall we’ve been pounding on all those years. But there’s so much more to do if we’re going to actually see it topple one day. (pause, listening) Yes, of course. Thank you, Joe. See you there. I better get going.

                        (puts phone down, sighs)

                        One in five. Nothing ever changes. But maybe…

                        Urgent knocking on office door, Paulina comes in

PAULINA NETTLES:           Barbara? Are you OK? I heard yelling, then I waited until you hung up…

BW:                 I’m fine, Paulina. It’s OK. I have to go, got a press conference with the President. Hey, what are you doing here? It’s after 6.

PN:                  Just finished reviewing five more new cases from today.

BW:                 Five? Dammit! So much for making a difference…

PN:                  But we did, Barbara. All five said Nancy’s case made them strong enough to say something. If the university’s willing to fire an undefeated coach to change its culture…

BW: (grinning)             It was Nancy. She did this. I was just telling Joe, I mean, President Clemons… Nancy made a difference.

PN (impressed):            Whoa… That was Clemons you were yelling at? Damn, Barbara… (intense) Still, think about it. Everything’s backwards. A woman gets raped, ho hum, it’s just another day. We get a brick through the door and death threats on twitter, so what, we brought it on ourselves.

BW: (laughs)   …but suspend an all-American linebacker?

PN (voice rising):        Yeah, and fire a coach? And the new coach goes live on Instagram while he lectures the team about sexual assault? That’s the part nobody can believe? Are you kidding me? That’s what outrages everyone? Justice? That’s exactly what’s wrong, Barbara! Doing the right thing is, what, unbelievable? Not plausible? Horrible things happen and people don’t care. But we do something right and the same people who didn’t care before, now they go nuts like we should have kept our mouths shut! Barbara, it shouldn’t be like this! We gotta change it! Even if it’s baby steps like today. We have to-

BW: (hands on Paulina’s shoulders):            God, you know, Paulina, it’s like I’m looking in a mirror. Or a… a time machine.

PN:                  What?

BW:                 You have passion. I listen to your voice and it’s like I recorded myself ten, fifteen years ago. Don’t ever lose that edge, Paulina. People need you. Brave people need you. Especially the brave people.

PN:                  You almost lost it, Barbara.

BW:                 Lost what?

PN:                  That edge. You almost lost your edge. It was six months ago, the day Nancy walked in here. You were just checking boxes, you said so yourself. Spinning your wheels. Nothing changes, you said.

BW: (gasps, turns away, wipes eyes)         Paulina… it was Nancy…

PN: (reaches to touch Barbara’s shoulder)             It’s OK, Barbara. I’m glad she brought you back.

BW: (sighs, gathers herself, checks time, picks up briefcase)            Gotta go. Press conference. Get outta here, go on home and turn on the news, Paulina. It’s gonna be a good one.

Paulina & Barbara exit together

END

_{All material copyright (c) 2023 by William Walker. Contact at rubycreekboathouse@gmail.com}