(speaking parts)

Khun Somchai

25 year old man. Will be slightly drunk throughout action. He is married to Khun Deng and has one or two children (optional).

Khun Egaset

25 year old man. Is the good guy in the action. Does not drink whiskey and is married to Khun Yindee.

Khun San

21 year old man. A follower. Not much bravado. Not married.

Suzie Q

43 year old brothel owner/manager.

Nong Noy

16 year old girl, prostitute #1.

Prostitute #2

18 year old girl.

Khun Yindee

25 year old woman. Married to Khun Egaset. Pregnant, but barely showing it.

Khun Deng

23 year old woman. Hard worker (homekeeper). Married to Khun Somchai, one or two children (optional).

(non-speaking parts - not necessary for the action, can be used to fill set)

Restaurant Nong

Young man.

Prostitute #3

15-18 year old girl.

Prostitute #4

15-18 year old girl

Prostitute #5

15-18 year old girl.

Child

5 years old.

Child

3 years old.

Somchai

(One of the two, who are drinking whiskey, makes a move to fill the third man's empty glass)

Egaset

(Raising his hand in refusal.) No thanks, Somchai. You know I don't drink.

Somchai

(Turning to the other man and emptying the bottle in his glass, spilling some on the table.) Oh, never mind. Let's get another bottle, eh?

Egaset

Don't you think you guys have had enough already?

Somchai

Look, don't lecture me, Egaset. I do not need another wife.

San

Yeah. Chill Egaset. It's my treat. I'll get this one. (Motions to the nong - real or imagined)

Somchai

No problem. Egaset, we'll drink one more and then go see the girls at Suzie Q's. You sound like you need

Egaset

Enough! Why do you keep trying to drag me along on your outings to the brothels? Man, I'm not into it! I've got a wife and a family - so do you. And, even if I didn't I still wouldn't go. That's not my scene.

Somchai

Oh, don't be so square. What kind of man are you?

Egaset

(Standing and facing the younger man.) Nong San, You can go with Somchai if you want to. You are' flirting with death if you do. AIDS is a terrible way to die. (Turning to the other.) Somchai, go home to your wife and forget the brothel.

Somchai

I'm strong. (flexes arm muscle.) I'm not afraid of A-I-D-S! (Spells it out.)

San

I heard you can tell if someone has AIDS. If they look okay, no problem.

Egaset

(Shakes head "no")

Somchai

Yeah, you got it San. Don't listen to Egaset. What does he know?

Egaset

I know you guys don't have a clue. AIDS is everywhere and I don't need it. See ya guys, I'm out of here. (Turns to leave and takes two or three steps. Stops. Turns and reaches into his pocket. Pulls out two condoms. Walking back to the table...) Here, do yourself a favor and at least use one of these. (Tosses the two condoms onto the table. Turns and exits.)

Somchai

(Watches the man leave, and rises, continues looking at the empty space created by the man's exit - leaves his condom on the table.)

San

(Reaches over and pockets a condom.)

Somchai

(Turning to the younger man.) Don't listen to him Nong San.

San

I don't know, Pee Somchai?

Somchai

Eh, come on, let's go. (Pulling the younger man up and toward the door.) I understand Suzie Q has a new batch of beautiful girls from the North. It's time for some manly fun. (Both exit, stumbling slightly, arm in arm.)

Somchai

Well, well, well! What do you think, San?

San

(A little nervously.) I don't know. They look clean, don't they.

Somchai

Sure they're clean. (Raises voice and turns toward the old woman.) Suzie guarantees all her girls.

Suzie

They are as fresh and clean as the morning rain, boys.

Somchai

See? I told you. Now, which one do you want?

San

(Still nervous.) I don't know. How about you?

Somchai

Oh, I don't care. They are all the same to me. (elbowing the other man.) Go ahead, pick one, San.

San

(Hesitation.) Okay. I guess I want the one with the dress on.

Somchai

Good choice. (Motions to the old woman who gets up and walks upstage around to an imaginary door into the fish bowl room.)

Suzie

(Summoning the chosen girl.) You're up, Noy. (The girl responds with indifference, hesitates after standing and watches the TV for another five seconds.)

Somchai

(Standing with the other man.) Do you think you can handle her? Hee hee. (Raising his voice and directing it toward the old woman.) Suzie, I'll take the one with the (The old woman summons the chosen girl. The first girl is now approaching her client. The old woman returns to her stool downstage.)

San

(Very nervous.) Hello.

Noy

(Briskly) I hope you have a condom.

San

Sure I do. (Pulls the condom out of his pocket and shows her. Then, with exaggerated bravado...) I always use a condom.

Noy

(Taking his arm and leading him to the exit.) Good. This way to my room.

Somchai

(Slaps his friend on the shoulder and gives him the high sign.)

San

(Turns and gives a sheepish smile.) (Man and girl exit.)

Somchai

(Turning to meet the girl he has chosen.) Hey, Babe. I hope you are as spunky as you look! Which way to your pad? (He reaches to take her arm.)

Prostitute

(Holding the man off.) I hope you have a condom.

Somchai

What? Do I look sick to you? (Reels slightly.) You're not sick, are you? Huh? I never use a condom. What fun would that be.

Prostitute

Fun? Of course it's fun, and it's smart protection, too. Didn't you see our sign?

Somchai

Yeah, so what? Like I said, I never use condoms. (Reaches for the girl again.) Which way to your room?

Prostitute

(Pushing him away. Raising her voice.) No condoms, no service. You can leave, no one here will serve you.

Suzie

(Getting up and approaching the two at center-stage.) What's the matter here?

Prostitute

He will not use a condom.

Suzie

Won't use a condom, eh? Well, you are not welcome in this house. Here's the door. (Ushers him out.) Good-bye!

Somchai

What kind of business is this? I'm going to tell all my friends. My money can buy a girl somewhere else! (Reels around to leave, stumbles and falls.) (The old woman slams the door shut.)

Egaset

(Sneaks into the room quietly and puts his arms around his wife.) Hi, Dear!

Yindee

(Tilts her head back and smiles.) Hi, Sweetheart! How was your day?

Egaset

(Releases her and moves around her to an easy chair facing hers.) It was okay. We got the contract we wanted. (picks up magazine casually.)

Yindee

Oh, congratulations!

Egaset

(Smiles and starts looking at the magazine casually, i.e., turning the pages quickly.) I went out with Somchai and Nong San after work. Those guys drink too much.

Yindee

I'm very lucky to have a man who doesn't drink.

Egaset

(Putting the magazine down and smiling at his wife.) I'm pretty lucky myself. (Pause.) I got mad at Somchai.

Yindee

Oh?

Egaset

Yeah. He got drunk and wanted Nong San and me to go to the brothel with him. I really hope San has the sense to stop going out with Somchai.

Yindee

With everything we know about AIDS how can those guys even think about going to the brothels? And Somchai? He has children and Khun Deng is such a wonderful person. He really has been so cruel to her.

Egaset

I hope she stands up to him soon. I would not be surprised if he already has AIDS. He will infect Deng and his children, too - you know, Deng is pregnant again?

Yindee

Oh dear.

Egaset

Yeah. It is a sad situation.

Yindee

Sweetheart, let's not talk about them now. I've missed you today.

Egaset

(Getting up and moving to help his wife up, too) I missed you, too, Dee. Come, try on this little gift I bought you. (He stoops to pick up a plastic bag he has left by his chair and draws out some sexy lingerie.)

Yindee

(Blushing shyly, hand to mouth) Ohh!

Egaset

(Takes her arm and guides her off stage. As they stroll across the stage, he turns and gives the audience a big smile and wink.) (Players exit.)

Somchai

(Much drunker now.) Get me some food. I'm hungry.

Deng

(Hands on hips, blocking his way.) Where have you been?

Somchai

(Moving to enter the room.) Out with the guys.

Deng

(Barring his way.) I bet you went to the brothels, didn't you?

Somchai

(Reeling back a couple of steps.) What's it to you? It's none of your darn business! (Child/children on mats stir.)

(optional) child

Mommy!

Deng

(Turns and gives a quick glance at her child/children. Returns to the man, and in a lower, very clearer voice...) Did you use a condom?

Somchai

Why? Do you think I want to use a condom when I'm having fun?

Deng

(Throws her arms into the air. Raises voice again.) That's it! You are a bad man. Get out of my house! Out! Out! Out! (Pushes him out. Slams the door.)

LIGHTS OUT

Child

Mommy?

Deng

It's okay now, dear.