Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
IMMERSION
By Julián Mesri
MARIAASTURIAS– a Spanish teacher from Spain, early 30s
DAVID MERCER – young American college grad works in marketing, mid 20s
MURIEL MERCER – older American college grad works in publicity, late 20s early 30s
MANDY CORNFELD – older American college grad works at a yoga studio, late 20s
MORRIS JAGER – American med school drop out mid 20s
YENI VALDEZ GARCIA – Mexican Costume designer and mother, early 30s
GABO VALDEZ GARCIA – Guatemalan Livery cab driver and father, chemical engineer, early
30s
ANA RAMIREZ –Argentinean Voice-over artist and actress, early 30s
PANCHO ROTHSTEIN – Police officer
A typical American New York Brooklyn living room
We have Dave and Maria sitting in one far-off couch in the middle of a Spanish lesson.
There are a few chairs scattered and a sofa like thing.
To the left: the kitchen
To the right: Muriels’ room
* the spanish will be in italics, except for spanish words that are pronounced badly, which are
spelled phonetically in english *
MARIA
Okay, again.Are you.
DAVID
Ay stoss.
MARIA
Ready.
DAVID
Lee-stow.
MARIA
To
DAVID
Paw-raw
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MARIA
Work?
DAVID
Traw-bawMARIA
Ba?
DAVID
Baw - baw - baw...
MARIA
bajjjDAVID
Har.
MARIA
Trabajar. Say it again.
DAVID
Trawbawhar.
MARIA
Trabajar - work.
Good.
Now say it all together.
DAVID
AY-stahs, lee-stoh,
paw-rah, traw-baw-har.
MARIA
Are you ready to work. Muy bien, David, ahora algunas palabras.
(Muriel enters)
MURIEL
God.
MARIA
Dios.
DAVID
Dee-ohs.
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MURIEL
I’m sorry - could you please?
MARIA
Try it again
DAVID
Deee-ose
MARIA
Better.
MURIEL
Could you please DAVID
Deeee-ohs.
MURIEL
David! For chrissakes.
MARIA
He is David. Until 4:30.
MURIEL
Ok. Daw-veed, please.
DAVID
Pair-d’own, no puay-dough, aw-blahr, english.
MARIA
Ingles.
DAVID
Eenglaze.
MURIEL
We need to talk about Morris.
DAVID
Kay? Kay-paw-saw, con Moh-rees?
MURIEL
What?
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MARIA
He’s asking what’s wrong with?
MURIEL
I know, it’s just I just don’t understand why - he has to - I mean, you speak English, David!
MARIA
It’s immersion, it’s the best way to learn a new language.
DAVID
Pour-fah-vore, Muriel, it’s
MARIA
Es!
DAVID
Ess. Muriel pour-fah-vore, ess oona clawsay moo-ey expenseevoh
MARIA
Caro!
DAVID
Ess mooey Carol.
MURIEL
Carol?
MARIA
Expensive.
He’s right.
We’re almost done.
MURIEL
But I want to get this done before he gets home He’s your friend.
DAVID
No- Puay-Doh, ahora.
MURIEL
David, this is a real problem.
DAVID (to Maria)
Um MARIA
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
No, David no pares ahora que estas muy cerca DAVID
Ok.
Coh-moh, say dee-say
“He’s just been going through a hard time since quitting med school - “
MARIA
Em, bueno
La esta pasando mal desde que dejo la facultad de Medicina...
DAVID
Law, ay-stah, paw-sawn-doh mawl, daysday kay day ho law faw-cool - ?
Raypay tier?
MURIEL
I heard it the first time David, this is impossible. I just got off the phone with the landlord and he
still hasn’t gotten his check in. If you don’t bring it up, I will. Rent was due last Friday and this
is ridiculous.
(Mandy walks in carrying a big white sewing machine)
MANDY
Hey guys.
Mmm, what’s that smell?
MURIEL
What?
DAVID
Oh-law.
MANDY
Oh law to you too - is this your Spanish tutor?
MARIA
Maria, encantada.
MANDY
Mandy. Very enn-cawn-tara too.
MARIA
David is currently in Spanish immersion.
MANDY
What does that mean?
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MARIA
He cannot speak English.
MANDY
But you’re speaking English.
MARIA
I am.
MANDY
I love your accent.
MARIA
Thank you.
MURIEL
What are you carrying?
MANDY
It’s a Singer.
MURIEL
A what?
MANDY
A Singer!
(near-simultaneous dialogue)
MARIA
Ah, a sewing machine.
Una maquina de coser.
MANDY
I had no idea your brother was so into
languages.
DAVID
Maw-kee-naw, day kow-sehr.
MURIEL
They’re making him learn it for work, they
have some clients coming in from abroad.
MANDY
Oh, very cool.
MARIA
Los trabajadores tienen hambre
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MURIEL
Wait, Mandy, do you even know how to sew?
MANDY
No - but I mean how hard is it to learn? I
figured we could go online and check.
What are you making?
DAVID
Lows, traw-baw-haw-dor-ays- teeaynain
Awmbray., awm-bray.
MARIA
Yes, hambre - hunger. Los trabajadores tienen
hambre
MURIEL
Nothing. I was thinking of finishing up these emails and then going and walking to the park.
MANDY
Well I think walking around is a great idea. It’s actually a great place to learn new things - to
find adventures - I mean there I was, walking up Flatbush Avenue, and there was this store, with
all this fabric, and I’ve loved fabric stores ever since I was a kid and we had the Greek festival
every year when we would all dress up in togas and my mom would take me to the fabric store in
downtown Historic Lenox , now it’s a Dunkin Donuts, and she would sew the fabric on for me.
MURIEL
With a sewing machine?
MANDY
No, needle and thread. I loved that ancient Greek pattern that kind of looks like a mini maze you know? Like little squares and squiggles. And I saw a fabric store just like that one, well - not
exactly, there wasn’t a lot of fabric on display, and nothing too shiny or fancy like the one on
Lex, but there were tons of sewing machines on the window display, and they were all Singer which is like the brand of sewing machines right? Like since forever.
MARIA
My mother had one.
DAVID
Maw-dray.
MARIA
Muy bien David, / y ahora como se dice, “to have”?
MURIEL
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
Wait, so you just bought a sewing machine?
MANDY
Why not?
MURIEL
Well I mean, I don’t know. I mean that’s pretty heavy duty.
Don’t people use those for work?
MANDY
What?
MURIEL
I mean in this neighborhood. Haven’t you seen the ads?
MANDY
Oh. but they’re in Spanish.
MARIA
It’s a very useful language in New York.
DAVID
Ten, err.
MANDY
Ten, what?
DAVID
Err. Ten, err.
MURIEL
The ads, Mandy. Se necesita Singer.
MANDY
Oh right.
So you guys don’t smell that?
DAVID
Kay?
MARIA
Smell, oler.
DAVID
Ole, err.
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MURIEL
Smell?
MANDY
You sure you didn’t leave some Mexican food out in the kitchen?
MURIEL
What- no. David can’t stand Mexican food.
(Mandy laughs, near-simultaneous dialogue)
DAVID
/ Ole, err. Cow, ser.
MARIA
Coser.
DAVID
Co-sayer.
MARIA
Mejor.
La familia tiene hambre entonces mama tiene
que ir a coser.
DAVID
Law - famee-leeaw.
DAVID
Tee-ay-nay awmbray –
DAVID
Ehntone-says.
DAVID
Maw-maw, tea-ay nay.
MANDY
Oh, sorry. I mean.
It’s kind of ironic right? Because he’s learning
Spanish...
MURIEL
/ God Mandy, you’re horrible. What are you
going to sew?
MANDY
Well - I mean it’s for dresses right? The
machine?
MURIEL
I mean, for anything if you know how to sew.
MANDY
But it’s not like knitting -
MURIEL
Jesus Mandy, no –
MURIEL
How much money did you spend?
MANDY
Well it was on sale?
DAVID
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
Kay eer. Aw.
DAVID
Traw-baw-kar.
MARIA
Jar.
DAVID
Traw-baw-har.
MURIEL
What?
MANDY
Like a hundred bucks?
MURIEL
Jesus, Mandy.
MANDY
It’s fine. It’s fine. I’ll use it.
MURIEL
You better. I’m not lending you any more cash.
MURIEL
Morris has been stiffing us on the rent.
MANDY
That’s not right.
DAVID (to Muriel)
Muriel, Moh-rees ay-stah uh SAD.
Shit.
Coh-moh say deesay “Sad”
MARIA
Triste.
DAVID
Tree-stay
MANDY
He’s not sad, he’s just Morris.
Morris lives to be depressed.
MARIA
Deprimido.
DAVID
Day-pre-me-dough.
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MARIA
Huele bien.
DAVID
Well-eh?
MARIA
No, I mean - it smells good.
DAVID
What?
MARIA
Que!
DAVID
Kay?
MURIEL
Look, I have no problem with his depression/, I mean. But me and David can’t support him
forever, and right now he’s unemployed. And his parents have cut him off since he decided to
quit med school.
MARIA
It smells good. Someone is cooking?
Cocinar.
MANDY
Oh my god - let’s start a clothing store!
MURIEL
No, god, no.
DAVID
Co-see-nar. Wait, what?
MANDY
We already have the sewing machine - or! Even better, we can touch up old clothes. Like they
used to do back then. We can work from here and we’ll have like a thrift store. It’ll be so trendy.
And this is a neighborhood in serious need of a nice thrift store.
MURIEL
You’re not working from my house.
MANDY
It’ll be great
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MARIA
Do you remember, David? The word for things that are hard to do MURIEL
It is DAVID
Right- uh.
Ays, dee-fee-seal
(Morris enters with a empty red leash)
Elle trawbawho is deefeeseal.
MURIEL
About fucking time.
MORRIS
Has anyone seen Snuffles?
MANDY
Oh - little Snuffly wufflykin.
MURIEL
I thought you were taking him out.
MORRIS
No, he’s been gone since last night. Did any of you leave the door open or something - David,
remember, last time when you were drunk you left the door open DAVID
Hey!
MARIA
Borracho.
DAVID
Right.
No soy bow-raw-cho.
MORRIS
What?
MURIEL
It’s his goddamn Spanish lesson, listen, we need to talk.
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MORRIS
This isn’t cool. My little Snuffy’s gonna freeze
to death outside.
MARIA
El perro se va a morir de/ frio.
MURIEL
So will you if you don’t come up with this rent.
DAVID
Free-oh?
MARIA
frio.
DAVID
Free-oh.
MORRIS
Right now?
DAVID
Ohh, so Pay-row is dog?
/Really Muriel? /
MARIA
Yes, perro.
The loan office is already breathing down my
neck MANDY
No, I’ve solved it.
MORRIS
What?
DAVID
El pay-row say vaw aw moh-reer day free-oh!
(Pause)
MANDY
We’re going to start a clothing store - well, like
a thrift store thing.
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MARIA
Estas mejorando mucho.
MORRIS
What happened to your job at the yoga studio?
MANDY
It’s fine, but don’t you want to be an
entrepeneur?
MARIA
That’s french.
(Pause)
MORRIS
I thought I wanted to be a doctor.
DAVID
Right.
MURIEL
We all did.
MANDY
Let’s start a clothing store.
MORRIS
Is that what the sewing machine is for?
MANDY
Oh my god do you know how to sew?
MORRIS
No.
MANDY
But you must have some experience, you
know, sewing up, bodies?
MARIA
La niña esta cosiendo cadaveres.
MORRIS
That’s not the same.
DAVID
Law - neeneeah
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
DAVID
Ay-stah. Co-seen-awn-dough /
- caw-daw-vay-rays.
MANDY
But Muriel and her brother won’t let us use this
as a store
MARIA
No David, Cocinando is cooking /
and cosiendo is sewing.
MANDY
By New York standards it’s positively huge.
(they all laugh)
MORRIS
You know what, fine! Let’s start a garment store.
MANDY
Awesome! We’ll be business partners!
MORRIS
Hey, David I thought you didn’t like Mexican food.
DAVID
Oh, I know this one!
MORRIS
What?
MARIA
Sí, dale, proba.
DAVID
Sí, Moh-rees aw me noh may goo-stah law co-mee-dah Meh-He-Can-Aw.
MURIEL
No one’s making Mexican food!
MORRIS
So what’s that smell?
DAVID
Ole-err!
MARIA
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
Muy bien.
MANDY
Seriously.
MORRIS
You guys don’t smell it MURIEL
Stop changing the subject, how are you going to pay your rent?
MANDY (comes up behind Morris)
Don’t worry - we can work together, we can buy really broken or old clothing and then spruce it
up, and make it really cool and original. And we’ll learn how to use this sewing machine I got Singer. Singer! It’s such a good brand and I got it at a discount. It’ll be just like college.
MORRIS
Hah. Don’t remind me about school.
You know why I left medical school?
MURIEL
Too much work?
MORRIS
Hah, you’re funny. The bodies. You. Have. To. Cut. Up. The. Bodies.
MARIA
Te hacen cortar los cadaveres.
MORRIS
I mean, you know how you dissected frogs
in school –
DAVID
Right,
Like that, but with people.
caw-daw-vay-rays?
And I could but - man, I mean, the woman,
she was old. But she looked just like my
grandmother MARIA
Abuela
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MANDY
Maybe she was your grandmother!
DAVID
Ah-bway-law.
MORRIS
No, I mean, that’s impossible, I buried her –I was at her burial - I mean, but she looked just like
her. And I just froze.
MURIEL
So you have one nervous breakdown and you quit? You’re ridiculous. You know how hard it is
to get into medical school?
MORRIS
You try dissecting your grandma!
MARIA
Intenta diseccionar a tu abuela.
DAVID
Dee-sex-eeon-ar?
MARIA
Diseccionar. Sí.
MANDY
There, there. Now all we’ll cut up is cloth.
MORRIS
This smell is making me so hungry.
MANDY
I love Mexican food.
DAVID
NO me gusta.
MARIA
La odias?
DAVID
Odie-as?
MARIA
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
Odias
MURIEL
YOU HATE.
(everyone looks at her)
I took some Spanish in high school.
MORRIS
That’s it! I’m gonna order some Mexican food if someone doesn’t tell me what’s up with that
smell.
MANDY
Oh great. I want tortilla soup.
MURIEL
Guys, not here.
MORRIS
Where else, this is my home after all - why do you want to kick me out so bad? Am I really such
a bad roommate?
MURIEL
Yes!
MORRIS
Well then who lost my dog?
MURIEL
Why the hell aren’t you out looking for him?
MORRIS
WHERE THE HELL DO YOU THINK IVE BEEN DID YOU NOT SEE I WAS AWAY.
MURIEL
I DONT KNOW YOU DON’T PAY ANY RENT. YOU MIGHT AS WELL NOT LIVE HERE.
MORRIS
MAYBE ILL GO SOMEWHERE WHERE PEOPLE DONT LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN AND
LET THEIR BELOVED DOGS RUN AWAY FROM THEM.
(Morris runs into the kitchen)
MARIA
Ellos se odian.
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
DAVID
SAY Odeon.
MARIA
Odian.
DAVID
Oh-Deon.
(Morris runs back in)
MORRIS
Someone’s definitely been cooking. There’s stuff all over the table.
MURIEL
Whatever. If you can give me this month’s rent by the end of the week, you stay, if you don’t, I
don’t care if you and David are best friends you are GONE.
MANDY
I’ll take the room if you’re offering!
MURIEL
Mandy, you can’t afford this neighborhood.
MANDY
I will once I open this new store with my new business partner here.
(Mandy opens the laptop)
Let’s see. (typing) “How to use a sewing machine”.
MORRIS
Someone’s cooking! Who’s cooking? David were you cooking?
DAVID
No ay-staw-bah co-see-nawn-doh.
MARIA
Muy bien David!
MANDY (on the computer)
How to use a sewing machine 20 easy steps!
MORRIS
There’s definitely something in the oven.
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MURIEL
Jesus, the oven? David do you even know how to use the oven?
DAVID
Why do you think it’s me?
MARIA
David!! Immersion!
DAVID
Cuomo saw-bee-as era yo.
MURIEL
Who else would it be?
MANDY
20 easy steps. Thank you wikihow.
MORRIS
Don’t hurt yourself. You’re going to hurt yourself.
MARIA
Te vas a lastimar
DAVID
Tay-vaws-aw-Law steam are.
MANDY (reading)
“Using a sewing machine is not as difficult as it seems. The basics of machine sewing are the
same no matter what make or model machine you use. Practice on some scrap fabric, at first,
until you get the feel and coordination of using your sewing machine. Even though there are a lot
of details, everything will soon become second nature,”
Hey do we have scrap fabric?
MURIEL
What? No.
I’m going to go turn the oven off.
Obviously I’m the only one here responsible enough to keep you all from dying of carbon
monoxide poisoning. Morris pay your rent, find your dog sure, but pay your rent. Mandy, please
don’t cut yourself at my house sewing, particularly since Morris thinks every damn corpse looks
like his grandma. And David, I’d really wish you’d go to a coffee shop or something, your
immersive class is so distracting and I’ve been trying to get through these emails all day, and I
know it’s silly to complain like this about emails but these are emails I’ve been putting off, and
off, and they’re the kinds of emails you would stare at in your starred folder and be like, yes I
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
need to get to these emails, but goddamnit there just isn’t enough time - never - - never enough
time. And here we are a Sunday, finally at peace and instead - I mean.
I’m going to the kitchen.
(Muriel exits)
MORRIS
Jesus.
MANDY
She’s MORRIS
No it’s ok.
DAVID
Oven?
MARIA
Horno.
DAVID
Whore-no.
MARIA
Horno
DAVID
Or no.
MORRIS
Do you really need to learn how to say oven (Muriel enters)
MURIEL
Who the hell was in our kitchen?
DAVID
What do you mean?
MARIA
Que quieres decir, concentrate, David!
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
DAVID
Sorry - I mean, pair d’own.
MURIEL
The oven was on, and there were scraps of onion, garlic, and this (Pulls out the adobo and puts it on the table)
MANDY
Adobo?
MURIEL
Yeah.
(They all look at Maria)
MARIA
Excuse me but I am from Spain.
MURIEL
No of course, we didn’t MORRIS
Heh.
DAVID
Aw-paw-gaw-stay elle whore-no?
MURIEL
Whore what?
MARIA
The oven. Did you turn off the oven?
MURIEL
Yes, I turned it off.
---(We hear Gabo offstage, he is in the kitchen)
GABO (offstage)
Ey! Quién me apagó el horno!
MARIA
Muy bien David.
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
DAVID
Graw-see-aws.
MORRIS
Your Spanish is getting good.
DAVID
Air-spare-oh kay see.
GABO (offstage)
Yeni! Hijodeputa.
MARIA
He hopes so, he says.
MORRIS
Right. Maybe that’s what I need to do, learn a language...
MARIA
I charge 80 dollars an hour.
MORRIS
Jesus christ.
DAVID
Oh-Chen-Tah Dough-law-rays law oh rah.
GABO
Casi se me arruina la comida! Que serrotes.
Yeni! Ey!
MANDY
Oh my gosh all this Spanish is distracting. I’m going into your room, Muriel. I need to find some
scraps.
(Mandy runs into Muriel’s room)
MURIEL
Wait! Hold on - don’t just –what was MORRIS
I think she’s looking for one of your dresses?
MURIEL
I hope not.
MANDY (offstage)
Oh my god! This is a goldmine!
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MURIEL
Wait - Mandy stop!
(She goes towards her room when Mandy enters carrying loads of fabric scraps)
MARIA
Oro
DAVID
Or-oh.
MANDY
Why did you not tell me this house had SO
much spare fabric. I could make us like a
whole wardrobe with this!
MORRIS
Hey man, we gonna get a chance to catch up?
MURIEL
Let’s work on the basics first.
DAVID
Day-space.
MANDY
Ok, you want to see me do it?
MARIA
Después. Afterwards.
MURIEL
Where did you get all that fabric from?
MORRIS
Right, right.
MANDY
It was in your room.
DAVID
Coo art oh.
MANDY
Coo-what now?
MARIA
He said room.
MANDY
Cool. Spanish makes everything sound so different, but pretty too.
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MURIEL
Wait - no it wasn’t. What did you rip up Mandy?
MANDY
Nothing, I swear. There it was, a pile of fabric right on your bed. There’s still more inside.
MURIEL
What the hell?
(they go into her room, long silence)
MORRIS
You know - I - I really don’t know what I’m doing with my life, David. I think I made a big
mistake...you know...leaving med school. I don’t know if I can face my parents again. They’ve
already cut me off completely. It was very cordial over the phone – just OK, we understand but
don’t expect a cent of support from us…but god, when I get back home. I don’t even know what
they’re going to say - I mean, yes I do, I know exactly what they’re going to say, and it’s not
even the screaming or the crying from my mother that I fear it’s that stern sit down lecture with
my father. You know him, he lectures me. He doesn’t scold me, he just delivers a speech. It’s
easier on the phone, I can just hold the receiver away while he talks and talks and I nod my head
and say mmhm, but in person. I mean, what is going to happen this Thanksgiving? I mean, god.
Now with all the - and today Snuffy didn’t come back, he didn’t go anywhere. He was gone,
really gone. I can’t believe it. And Muriel had the gall - I mean out of all days, to talk to me like
that - when I really I just - I just - I really don’t know what I’m doing with my life.
(silence)
David?
Hello?
GABO
Donde esta el adobo?
MORRIS
Again with the Spanish David?
DAVID
Low, see-end-tow.
MORRIS
What the FUCK man this is serious.
GABO
Como quieren que prepare la cena sin el
adobo. Ay dios. Que voy a hacer con esta
gente!
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MARIA
He’s such a good learner.
MORRIS
I don’t want a learner, I want my best friend.
DAVID
Ah-dough-bow
GABO
Primero me apagan el horno y ahora me
mueven el adobo. Siempre me mueven el
adobo.
(Muriel and Mandy reenter with piles of clothes)
MURIEL
What the fuck Mandy.
MANDY
Amazing.
MURIEL
No really, what the fuck.
DAVID
Mee-rah ess-oh!
MARIA
That is a lot of clothes you are having.
MURIEL
They’re not mine.
MANDY
Well, they were in your room.
Right on top of the bed.
MORRIS
And so you’re just gonna throw them in the living room?
MURIEL
Oh don’t give me that, you’re such a slob.
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MORRIS
I’m going through a lot right NOW!
DAVID
Day-pre-mee-dough.
MORRIS
YES. DAY PRE MEE DOUGH. DAMN it DAVID STOP TALKING YOUR GIBBERISH
AND TALK FUCKING ENGLISH. FOR ONCE. I REALLY NEED A FRIEND RIGHT NOW.
(silence, Yeni enters, she sees the clothes)
YENI
Pero que estaban haciendo ahí!
(she walks over and picks up the clothes)
YENI
Permiso...no los estaba esperando tan pronto!
(Grabs the clothes and closes the door to Mandy’s room)
MORRIS
Uh...
MANDY
Who was...
MURIEL
My room!
(She runs to her room, but it’s locked)
MURIEL
What the hell...
MANDY
Oh my god – was that MURIEL
She’s in my room guys, my ROOM.
MORRIS
Wow. Ok. Um.
MURIEL
27
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
OK?
MORRIS
What is she going to do? Are we safe?
MURIEL
I don’t know. Those weren’t even my clothes.
MORRIS
Right. We should do something. This isn’t safe. There’s someone in your house.
MANDY
Right. I mean, we can’t just leave her there.
MORRIS
Yes, right.
MURIEL
Well?
MORRIS
She’s in the room. Oh God. On top of everything else – on top of DAVID
Law, moo-hair ay-stah ehn elle - elle MARIA
Cuarto
DAVID
Coo-are-tow day Muriel.
MORRIS
Not now David!
MURIEL
Very nice, very fucking nice.
MARIA
Thank you.
MURIEL
No it’s not fucking nice. I mean, guys. This is. Guys.
DAVID
Graw-see-aws.
28
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MORRIS
Please, David. I think this is a pretty big deal.
MURIEL
Oh! Oh, Ok, now I see. I bet you love this Morris.
MORRIS
I do not love this. Who would find this lovable?
MURIEL
Oh yes, just trying to distract us from the fact that you’re the only one that shouldn’t be here. Did
you find her? Did she follow you home? You brought her here – that’s it, probably found them
on some MANDY
Craigslist?
MURIEL
YES FUCKING CRAIGSLIST.
Yes, OK – just a little fucking prank. You and your immigrant lady-friend.
MANDY
Well, we don’t know if they’re actually –
MURIEL
Well it wasn’t English, Mandy. I mean, sorry, but do I have to be politically correct in my own
fucking house, a house you don’t pay rent for, and what the fuck Morris, I mean –
MORRIS
You’re ridiculous you know that?
You know how ridiculous you’re sounding.
Ridiculous. I mean –
You forget I’ve spent all fucking day looking for my lost dog which no one seems to care about
but me. And now we’ve got a stranger in our house. And it’s all your damn fault.
You don’t seem to think about anything but your goddamn emails and your money, and your
rent.
MURIEL
Well I’m a goddamn publicist that lives in New York fucking city what the hell else should I be
worrying about.
MANDY
Well there is someone in your room. And...(quietly) I don’t know if she speaks English...could
that be...maybe...why? Oh, I get it. That’s why you were saying that they were immigrants, right
Muriel? Right. But isn’t that - Oh, ok nevermind.
29
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
(silence, in that silence Gabo enters)
GABO
Yeni, YENI!
(goes over knocks on the door to Mandy’s room, the others remain frozen)
GABO
Yeni, donde esta el adobo?
YENI
No se! Porque me pides eso? No eras tu el que quería cocinar!
GABO
Como puede cocinar sin el adobo, la comida no va tener sabor.
YENI
No lo tengo, dejame que tengo que trabajar, y deja de gritar que ya llegaron...
GABO
Permiso, saben donde esta el adobo? Nadie?
MARIA
Permiso señor, está aquí en la mesa GABO
Ah, gracias! Ya vuelvo (He grabs the adobo and heads back to the kitchen in a hurry)
YENI (from the room)
Igual se lo tienes que poner antes de cocinarlo!
GABO
Ya lo se! Pero no lo encontraba! Me lo movieron tus amigos yanquis!
YENI
Quiénes? No son tus amigos?
GABO
Deja de tonterias – ya te dije que llegaban tarde.
YENI
Bueno, que te ocupes tú que sino la coreografa me va a matar!
30
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
(they all look at Maria who seems completely comfortable)
MURIEL
Well?
MANDY
What did they say?
MARIA
It’s a shame really.
MANDY
What?
DAVID
Tay vas a lawsteamare.
MARIA
Well, he didn’t put the adobo seasoning on before he cooked it so now it won’t be as good. It’s a
shame. But it’s OK, dinner is saved.
MANDY
Oh thank god.
MURIEL
That was it?
MARIA
Yes. He was looking for seasoning.
MURIEL
In our house? Doesn’t he have seasoning?
MARIA
I don’t know.
MANDY
But at least we know who’s in the kitchen.
DAVID
Key-enn, ay-stah - enn mee co-see-nah.
MURIEL
OK David, the time for this has passed.
DAVID
31
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
But, ess caw-row.
MURIEL
THERE ARE TWO STRANGERS IN OUR HOUSE AND YOURE TALKING ABOUT
SEASONING.
OR - what? What?
MANDY
I mean.
OK. Yes. But they haven’t hurt us yet. I mean, that has to count for something, right?
MORRIS
That’s true. Maybe – maybe they are just confused, and looking for seasoning.
MANDY
I mean it is a confusing city – I bet they’re lost!
MURIEL
No, but they’re using our kitchen. That’s dangerous. I mean there’s danger in a kitchen. There
are knives in a kitchen.
DAVID
Exactly. Ay-stahn con-fooh-sawdos.
MARIA
No David, Confundidos.
MURIEL
And they’re in my room. Maybe with knives.
MORRIS
Also yes.
MARIA
Cuchillos.
DAVID
Coochie Yos.
MURIEL
You don’t know what can happen.
Maybe they’ll kill us. Maybe it’s drugs!
MORRIS
They’re on drugs?
MARIA
Drogas
MURIEL
32
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
Yes!
DAVID
Dro-Gauze
MANDY
Or, they could deal drugs!
MURIEL
Or fucking worse!
MARIA
El narcotraficante vende drogas.
MANDY
Narcoes. I mean, it’s horrible you know what
happens there!
DAVID
Elle narr-coe-traffic-ante-venn-day – drogauze.
MORRIS
I don’t know guys. It just looks like they’re
cooking. I didn’t see any drugs.
DAVID
Dro-gauze
MURIEL (to David)
DAVID PLEASE!
MANDY
Wait, let’s concentrate on the home-invasion
aspect, I think Muriel is right. I mean, what if
they’re makin drugs…in…the kitchen!
MARIA
Ellos piensan que todos los mejicanos venden
drogas.
MORRIS
It smells really good, it doesn’t smell like
drugs –
DAVID (to group)_
Smells too Mexican to me.
MURIEL
DRUGS ARE MEXICAN DAVID. Yes. A
home-invasion. Our home invasion. Invaded.
By – Mexicans?
MORRIS
I don’t think adobo is Mexican.
33
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
DAVID (to Maria)
Ay yos- pee-ensawn- Kay lows, May-HeeCawn-Owes. Venn-den. Dro-Gauze?
MARIA
Mejor.
MANDY
Adobe? like huts? or acrobat?
MARIA
Adobo, from the Spanish word adobar, which means “to marinate”.
DAVID
Aw-doe-boh.
MARIA
Muy bien!
MURIEL
I don’t care, Adobo, Adobe, Ado - someone is in my house cooking dinner, and using my room.
In our room! We’re not safe!
MANDY
But then what about all that clothing? Why were there all those scraps? Muriel is there
something you’re not telling me? Are you a hoarder? Oh my god, we should film it!
MURIEL
OK. I mean.
OK. Maybe we just.
Maybe we just call the police.
They’ll know what to do
MORRIS
The police?
MANDY
Whoa.
MORRIS
I guess…that’s what you do. I mean, what other options do we have?
MURIEL
No. This is a security issue. I’m calling the police...where’s my phone...shit - SHIT it’s in my
room.
34
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MANDY
Ok You can use mine MURIEL
No, hold on, do you think she’s on my phone - oh god she’s talking on my phone,
(runs over and knocks on the door)
YENI
Que, que quieres?
MURIEL
Phone! Phone!
Please, Maria, help.
MARIA
I charge extra for translation work.
DAVID
I’ll help!
MURIEL
Oh god.
YENI
Mande!
DAVID
Tay-lay-foh-no?
YENI
Telefono? Que pasa? Suena el telefono? Por favor, dile a mi marido que estoy ocupada! Porque
vinieron tan temprano si la cena no es hasta dentro de una hora!
DAVID
Key-ay-row, tay-lay-foh-no.
MURIEL
Oh god, she’s probably looking through my photos –oh god, all my personal information. How
much can you get from photos I bet it’s a lot.
YENI
Ah, acá está el teléfono. Sí, ya va.
35
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MURIEL
OK guys, we’re going to keep it cool.
(YENI opens the door with a pile of clothes and gives David the telephone before she
heads over to Mandy’s chair with the sewing machine set up)
YENI
Permiso.
MANDY
Oh, oh, my chair, you want my - sure, OK.
(Mandy gets up from her seat and Yeni takes a seat, dumping the scraps besides the
sewing machine)
(Yeni starts operating the sewing machine)
MANDY
Ooh! Maybe she knows how it works MARIA
Ah, es justo como la de mi madre.
YENI
Mira. Mi madre también tenía la misma.
MARIA
Ella te enseño?
MURIEL (quietly to David)
What are they saying? Shh, not too loud.
DAVID
Something about mothers and sewing machines.
MANDY
Look, it’s not everyday you get to see a real pro (Yeni takes the thread skillfully and sets up the sewing machine, soon she begins sewing
pieces of cloth together)
MARIA
Para tu familia?
(Yeni shakes her head)
36
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
YENI
Una obra que estamos produciendo –sobre el trabajo y la reforma agraria.
MURIEL
David! Help, please. Tell me DAVID
Work! I know that word.For work. Not family. And oh-bra is like oh-bray-row. It’s like worker.
They’re talking about work.
MURIEL
So she’s working in my house. I bet this is unlicensed. .
DAVID
License?
YENI
Que me dice? Licencia? Que amigos raros que tiene Gabo.
(Yeni laughs)
MURIEL
Look at her, laughing in my house.
MORRIS
You asked her for a license. I’m sure it’s offensive in her culture to do that?
MANDY
Wow. She’s so good. Tell her she’s good.
MURIEL (on the phone)
I just wanted, I wanted a quiet Sunday that’s
all.
DAVID
Ace buayno.
Maybe I would have watched some Hulu, or
done the crossword or something. Something
simple.
Mooey buay know.
YENI
Ah sí, gracias.
(someone picks up)
Hello – officer.
37
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
No es dificil, pero cansa.
Yes, this is – I’m here to report a – yes, a, well
it’s a break in?
Mucho trabajo todo el tiempo.
A break in?
Eso es lo que pasa con ser artista – estás con
tus dos familias, tus dos amores, siempre entre
los dós.
I don’t know they were here – for a long time,
I mean, they were just in my house. Yes, I’ll
hold.
Y ahora con esa máquina que te lo juro ni se.
Ustedes deben ser amigos de Gabo, pero me
puta en el alma que no me diga que viene a
invitar gente - no sabe que yo tengo trabajo
que hacer? Qué quiere que haga? Piensa que
su trabajo como ingeniero mecánico es más
importante que el mío solo porque el trae más
dinero, aunque ahora no encuentra trabajo,
pero si nunca yo hubiera me ido de Méjico,
donde tenía mi compañía y todo.
Oh thank God.
Bueno, que se va hacer.
MANDY
David - please what’s going on - what’s she
saying. Is she mad?
No, they’re not threatening me –
DAVID
She’s speaking really fast. Talking about her
kid? Kids? Strangers? Friends too. And eating,
something about eating. It must be so hard for
them, you know?
Yes, they were cooking in my kitchen.
I don’t know what were they cooking,
something Mexican, it had a strong smell. I
don’t know. They’re using my sewing
machine.
38
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
Well, no it’s not mine, it’s my friends’ but they
were using it. I don’t know, scrap of clothing.
The kinds of things people without clothes sew
you know? No they’re not my clothes, I don’t
have ripped clothes or denim shirts. I wear
blouses.
MANDY
Ask her if she’ll teach me?
DAVID
Teach?
Yes she is sewing right now. Sewing without a
license.
Lay puay-daze um. Um. Teach?
Have you ever had this happen? People just
showing up and using someone else’s
apartment?
MARIA
Enseñar
Yes, of course it’s my apartment. You have
any idea how much I pay in rent,
YENI
Que? Que es lo que quiere? Ah quiere
aprender a coser, la gringuita?
yes, the landlord doesn’t live in the building yes, there is a landlord,
yes, I’m a renter.
DAVID
En-say-knee-are?
No, he’s in Sheepshead Bay, I think he’s
Greek? He might be Uzbek.
YENI
Ah - Quieres aprender? Que mire. Tengo
mucho que hacer, esa obra es rarísima la
coreógrafa me esta diciendo que necesita todo
los vestuarios para mañana. Es una cosa bien
loca, creo que de alemaña siglo diecinueve.
Que mire, si quiere la tonta.
Yes, we pay the rent on time, well, a week late,
yes, but I have a shitty roommate who just quit
medical school and I have to deal with all his
fucking issues and my stupid brother who
makes more than any of us with this branding
39
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
shit but still manages to skimp on groceries
and toiletries and never washes the goddamn
dishes.
MARIA
A que interesante, a mi me encanta la danza
moderna.
Mandy- she says you can watch if you want…
No, the apartment is clean. Yes, it’s clean
damnit. There are no bugs. Just little
cockroaches sometimes. IT’s Brooklyn, I can’t
help it. Look, this is not a matter of eviction,
just a matter of - please, just get over here, it’s
much easier if I explain it. 435 Van Cliburn
Place – Apartment 4E. Thank you. Please
hurry. Yes, Muriel Mcintyre. Thank you.
MANDY
Oh Ok. I guess I’ll watch.
MORRIS
I’m going to grab a beer.
(Exits for the kitchen, Mandy watches how Yeni works almost with amazement, every
now and then Yeni looks over and shrugs, busy working)
YENI
Que mujer más rara.
(They are in silence. Mandy watches Yeni, Muriel watches Mandy)
MURIEL
So. The police –are on their way. OK? Polícia. On-ay- way-oh?
YENI
Que dice de la policía?
MARIA
Nada, querida. No más un poco alterada.
YENI
Te digo, Gabo tiene los amigos más raros.
40
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
Chica, deja de mirarme que me das espanto.
MARIA
Quien es Gabo?
YENI
No lo conoces a Gabo?
Ay. Pero como me mira la tonta…
Quieres probar?Es eso?
Niña - um - deben ser ingenieros. Los ingenieros son todos tan raros. Es ingeniera?
MARIA
No, solo confundida creo. Quiere empezar un taller de ropa?
YENI
Pero si ni sabe coser – nina!
MARIA
Mandy – for you.
MANDY
What?
(Sees the sewing machine)
YENI (getting up)
You try? Gabo – ya entro que te quiero preguntar una cosita!
(walks to the kitchen)
GABO
No, por favor que tengo el adobo casi listo!
MANDY
Oh, me? Oh god. What an honor. Let me check - hold on. Oh god. I’m so nervous guys.
(Goes on the computer)
MURIEL
Me too.
The police will be here soon.
God you never know how it feels until it happens to you.
41
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MANDY
What? Sewing? I mean, yeah. Sewing. It’s like, it’s happening.
MORRIS
Damn straight. And what a better way to learn!
(heard from offstage)
GABO
Tu tampoco sabes?
MANDY
OK. I’m going to do it. I’m just double checking. Morris – we’re going to start our business!
YENI (offstage)
No, ya te dije que no.
MORRIS
I’m glad.
MARIA
Van a entrar en negocios –
MANDY
I’m just scared –
YENI (offstage)
Echale un poco de harina a la salsa para el pollo, esta demasiada liquida.
MURIEL
Oh jesus.
(Yeni comes back, a bit more trepidatious)
YENI
Y ahora que le pasa?
MANDY
I just don’t want YENI
Here. OK, I show.
(She pulls Mandy over, and slowly instructs her on the sewing machine, soon she is
doing it)
42
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MANDY
Oh my god, I can’t believe it, this is amazing! I mean, who knew, that today - I mean look at me.
See - this is why I love this city. You can walk around a beautiful park, buy a sewing machine
and have this magical Spanish woman teach you how to sew.
MURIEL
Just wait – when the police YENI
Ahora que se esta divirtiendo - tú ven por favor – como te llamas?
MARIA
Maria.
MANDY
Wait - wait, where is she going? I - I’m scared.
YENI
Bueno, Maria, me puedes explicar lo que esta pasando? Hablé con mi marido y no sabe quienes
son tampoco. Pensaba que eran sus amigos. O capaz que se perdieron? Es verdad que hemos
visto muchos blancos por ese barrio recientemente…
MARIA
No lo se. Yo siempre me reunía con ese chico en un café muy lindo, pero hoy decidió invitarme a
casa. Yo creía que era la suya…pero no se. No conozco ese barrio.
YENI
Que hacemos – llamamos la policia?
MARIA
Creo que ya llamaron?
YENI
La policia?
MARIA
La otra yanqui…
MURIEL
When the police get here you’re all going to prison. This is a free country but we have to respect
each other’s houses.
MORRIS
Please, Muriel. This is no time to escalate the situation. I mean – I understand what you’re
saying. But they haven’t hurt anyone. I think this is a great opportunity to see how people who
43
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
are not like us live, you know? Maybe they got a bit confused, but for me, it’s heartening to see
good working people living their lives, not having to worry about silly things like med school or
boutiques or Hulu.
MURIEL
But I love Hulu.
MORRIS
I mean look at Mandy, she’s sewing. Sewing!
MANDY
I know - that magic spanish woman taught me.
MORRIS
She has a name, I’m sure.
MANDY
Look, they’re too sweet to harm us. I mean, I read that story about the nanny cutting up those
poor children. But we’re not children. And they said that they treated that nanny really badly. I
mean she wasn’t even legal, you know? And they seem nice. They’re helping me, they’re
teaching me. You know what it is? We’re just good people, talking to other good people. It’s the
way society should work. You know?
MARIA
Oye, creo que estos yanquis andan un poco
alterados.
MORRIS
I don’t like how they keep saying Yankees.
Isn’t that racist?
Crees que estamos seguros?
DAVID
I don’t know, is it?
La otra la escuche hablando de matar hijos. Y
hablan mucho de drogas.
MANDY
I don’t know.
YENI
Es que vivir aquí nos altera a todos.
I mean, it could be reverse-racist.
MORRIS
Riiiiight. I don’t know if that actually exists.
Seguro están drogados.
44
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
DAVID
It doesn’t, but still, one shouldn’t say words
like yankee or gringo, I mean, in my seminars
they tell us to avoid any talk or mention of that
word. But they also warn that Latin people can
often be vulgar randomly in conversation, and
can also be a lot more affectionate.
MANDY
Oh I know all about affectionate. I had a Puerto
Rican boyfriend who would always kiss me on
the cheek.
MARIA
Yo solo lo acompaño a David, soy su
profesora. Me pidió que venga hoy porque
tiene un meeting muy importante mañana con
clientes Españoles. De Branding. Pero creo
que la verdad es que me la quiere meter.
YENI
A sí. Esos chicos ahora estan haciendo todo
sobre branding. Yo tengo un primo que vive
ahora en Bogotá y hace lo de Branding todo el
tiempo. Y es obvio que te lo quiere meter, mira
como te mira – se la cae la baba.
A KNOCK ON THE DOOR
YENI
Quien es?
PANCHO
POLICIA, ABRA POR FAVOR.
MURIEL
Oh thank God. Thank Lord and Jesus and God
and yes. I’m coming.
YENI
Menos mal! Gracias a dios que estamos
arreglando ese verguero. Ya voy.
45
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
Muriel and Yeni run into each other in the doorway.
MURIEL
Oh –
YENI
Ehm, excuse me –
MURIEL
Puay-do?
YENI
Sí?
MURIEL
I’m going to –
YENI
Yes – let mi.
The door opens and a classic police officer, Pancho enters.
PANCHO
Bueno – bueno, vamos a ver.
Señora
YENI
Sí, Yeni.
PANCHO
Bueno, Yeni. Nombre?
MURIEL
Excuse me officer – Officer – thank you – I’m so glad –
PANCHO
Permiso señora –
(To Muriel)
HOLD ON. YOU STAY. DON’T MOVE.
MORRIS
46
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
Be careful, I’m sure he’s just sorting things out.
PANCHO
EVERYONE DON’T MOVE.
Entonces – necesito su nombre entero…
MURIEL
What’s going on?
MANDY
I don’t know…this all seems very official.
MURIEL
Yes – yes. That must be it. All these laws.
YENI
Por supuesto.
Yeni Valdez-Garcia
PANCHO
Ah, mira.
MURIEL
Excuse me officer.
PANCHO
Please – you have to wait.
YENI
Es que no se que hacen aquí.
PANCHO
Ya lo se señora. Su marido me lo explico por el teléfono.
YENI
Es lo que te estaba diciendo. Estabamos cocinando y de pronto…
PANCHO
De veras. Que raro. Suele pasar a veces. Se drogan y se confunden.
YENI
Pero tantos!
PANCHO
47
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
Sí, es verdad que son muchos.
(Gabo enters)
GABO
Llego la policia? Ah, menos mal. Hola oficial.
PANCHO
Por favor, llamame Pancho. Y vos me imagino que sos Gabriel Valdez-Garcia?
GABO
Gabo, por favor. Oficial, que se puede hacer? No se que están haciendo en la casa ...en la casa
pero ya tengo amigos que vienen…es el cumpleaños de mi hijo mayor.
PANCHO
Bueno. Deja que hable con ellos. Feliz cumple.
EXCUSE ME. YOU GUYS.
MURIEL
Yes – oh oh thank God. Yes, it’s us.
DAVID
Yes. Officer.
PANCHO
You guys have to go. It is not your home, OK?
MURIEL
What? I mean officer. Of course it is. Of course it’s my home…
MORRIS
Is this because I haven’t been paying rent?
MURIEL
No, but that’s different you need to go to housing court!
PANCHO
Please. Go back to your homes. This is not your home.
MORRIS
I think they’re telling us to go…
YENI
No entiendo, mi amor. Que hacen esos
yanquis?
48
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
GABO
Es una ciudad rara. Que se va a hacer.
MURIEL
Of course I heard him. I just don’t understand.
I mean, I know I haven’t been paying rent
either.
YENI
Pero no entiendo como llegaron aquí.
DAVID
What do you mean?
MURIEL
Well David, I got fired a few weeks ago. I’m
looking for work.
GABO
Ya lo arreglamos. Pancho arregla todo.
MANDY
Work in our new dress shop.
MURIEL
Not in a million years. I thought you could
help us ou for a few months –
DAVID
Well…
PANCHO
Y usted que hace?
GABO
Soy ingeniero mecánico.
PANCHO
Como va?
MURIEL
David?
GABO
Todavia busco trabajo – el título de UNAM no
me ayuda tanto en los estados unidos, entonces
por ahora trabajo en trabajos chicos y manejo
un auto.
DAVID
Well – I have been taking lots of Spanish
lessons.
PANCHO
Y se entiende, seguro.
49
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MORRIS
You’re totally in love with her!
DAVID
Can you blame me?
MURIEL
And you! Your parents could have helped?
MORRIS
My parents have disowned me practically since
I dropped out.
GABO
De veras, que nos mudamos por un trabajo que
me habia salido, pero a Yeni no la veo muy
contenta - tenía su compañía de teatro en
Méjico. Yo pensaba que los yanquis eran
actores amigos de ella rara en el teatro– si se
la pasa trabajando con gente rara así de
teatro.
MANDY
So much drama.
PANCHO
Que se droga?
GABO
No, nada de eso. Gente de teatro. Más bien
rara. No necesitan drogas para ser raros.
MURIEL
What are we going to do?
YENI
Raro son tus amigos que ni saben de que
hablar, Gabo – no te acuerdas de ese asado
absurdo que nos llevaste .Oficial, no sabian de
que hablar. Era tan aburrido – me queria
ahogar ahí en esa piscina perfecta.Y todo tenía
olor a vinagre y flores. Yanquis raros.
PANCHO
No me meto en tus asuntos nupciales, pero si
quieren les digo de nuevo que se vayan.
50
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
GABO
Sí, por favor.
MURIEL
I can’t believe you’re in love with your Spanish teacher.
DAVID
I love the way she speaks English. That accent drives me wild.
MARIA
Thank you David –
PANCHO
OK Guys, time to go.
MURIEL
No – sir, sorry, there must be some misunderstanding.
PANCHO
No understanding. You go. That is what I am saying.
YENI
Ay mi amor, me siento mal. Que triste que se ven.
GABO
Esta bien, muy triste - pero se me va a quemar el pollo.
YENI
Mi amor, ni sabes cocinar.
GABO
Pero esa cena iba a ser especial. Dejame por lo menos intentar. En cualquier momento llegan
los invitados
PANCHO
Where do you live?
MURIEL
Where do I live? I live here.
PANCHO (to David)
And you?
DAVID
51
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
Ess-noo-ay-strah-caw-saw
PANCHO (to Morris)
How about you?
MORRIS
I live here – I guess.
MURIEL
You fucking live here!
GABO
Pero no viven aquí. Seguro que no son actores?
YENI
No, Gabo, sólo porque son unos yanquis raros te imaginas que son actores.
MORRIS
Where does anyone live anymore? Do you call this a life?
MURIEL
This is not the time.
PANCHO (to Mandy)
And you?
MANDY
I don’t live here. But these are all my friends! She taught me to sew!
PANCHO
Dicen que viven aquí. Salvo la jovencita – que esta convencida de que son amigos. Dice que le
enseñaste a coser…
GABO
Le enseñaste a coser?
YENI
Y porque no? No sabes como me miraba. Estaba convencidos que eran amigos tuyos, son las
preguntas típicas que me harían….
GABO
Pero eso no es posible. Pregúntales si están drogados?
PANCHO
Are you on drugs?
52
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MURIEL
Excuse me?
MORRIS
I take some Xanax.
MURIEL
That’s not what they mean!
MARIA
Perdón señor – pero yo conozco solo a David,
no conozco lacasa – pensaba que era de
ellos…es lo que me dijo.
MORRIS
Look – when it comes to police it helps to be
as clear as possible.
YENI
Pero no entiendo como entraron, si yo y Gabo
somos los únicos con llave.
GABO
Pero no te acuerdas cuando Ana vino unos
días – capaz que ella les hizo una copia?
MURIEL
This is ridiculous – it must be a prank. I have
to say this has gone too far.
YENI
No lo imagino…
PANCHO
Con jóvenes así nunca se sabe. Ellos hacen
todo lo possible – son unos desesperados.
Míralos.
MANDY
I’m scared guys. Muriel, what if they evict
you? I didn’t know you lost your job.
Se alteran tanto y no saben –
MORRIS
This is not a prank. I think we fucked up guys.
This is all wrong.
seguro siguen drogados ahora y no se
53
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
acuerdan.
MURIEL
No – I mean I do live here.
Es tan dificil hablarles a veces.
Wait, I have papers.
Yo lo único que quiero es un poco de paz.
Papers!
GABO
Nosotros también. Sí estabamos esperando
unos amigos para la fiesta –
PANCHO
Me dijiste que cumple tu hijo.
I have addresses. I live here.
YENI
Sí, ocho años.
MANDY
OK, but don’t raise your voice.
Oficial, estaremos seguros aquí? Nos van a
atacar?
They seem really concerned.
GABO
Rayos como se me va a quemar el pollo.
DAVID
Maria ess moo-ee Hair-moe-sah.
MARIA
David, por favor.
YENI
Otra vez con ese pollo.
MORRIS
I say we just be quiet and listen to what they
say.
GABO
No sabes lo sabroso que va a quedar con esa
receta nueva.
I’m sure it’s all just a mix up.
YENI
54
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
Sí, lo se. Esta lleno de sal.
PANCHO
Si hacen algo llevo arma. No los veo armados.
MURIEL
I’ll just tell him I have papers. I’ll show him
my papers. I just have to find them.
YENI
Estuvieron en la cocina pudiesen haber robado
un cuchillo.
DAVID
I think they’re talking about knives.
MARIA
No los vi muy violentos.
(PANCHO exits into the kitchen)
MURIEL
I knew it. The officer is just being a good cop,
doing his duty. Being a good cop doing his
duty and then he’s going to handcuff them and
he’s going to tell us everything was a huge mix
up.
OFFICER. OFFICERO!
PANCHO
Yes? You can call me officer.
MURIEL
OK – so I have papers. I have proof! Look.
(Goes to her table and pulls out a magazine and hands it to him)
MURIEL
My address!
GABOs
Es una buena receta.
YENI
Cual?
PANCHO
What address?
GABO
La del pollo.
55
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MURIEL
Oh – fuck this one is scratched off. Fuck your dog Morris. Your stupid dog. Where are the rest of
the papers that were on the table?
GABO
La receta es de Roy.
YENI
Uy no! Siempre con las recetas de Roy.
DAVID
I think I told the cleaning lady to take them out
–
MURIEL
Damn it. Damn you and your stupid cleaning
lady you got from a web app. The lease was in
those papers, David!
GABO
Pero lo del adobo fue mi idea.
DAVID
Oh crap. Why did you leave it there? Mooeymall-oh.
MURIEL
It was one of those things I was meaning to
pick up!
YENI
Gabo, no entiendes que no tengo tiempo de
andar de receta en receta. Lo único que se
termina haciendo es un lio en la cocina y yo
soy la que termina limpiandolo todo.
MORRIS
So irresponsible!
MURIEL
I swear to god, Morris.
56
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
GABO
A Roy le gustó lo que cociné el otro dia. Y me
dice que puede ser que tenga otro trabajo,
están estrenando un nuevo producto.
PANCHO
Excuse me?Are you listening? Do I have be more stern? I can be more stern.
MORRIS
No officer. I’m sorry, we should be more careful. GUYS! The officer.
DAVID
Pair-d’own.
YENI
Espero que sí, porque todavia de Roy no vi ni
un centavo. Seguro que nos cancela hoy.
GABO
Deja que veo la computadora, seguro confirmo
en Facebook.
MANDY
Officer, hypothetically, if you knew of a new
trendy store in Brooklyn that sold affordable
yet hand-made retooled vintage clothing –
would you want to shop there?
PANCHO
No.
YENI
Bueno, seguro si viene Ana viene Roy, ya sabes
como son…
MANDY
Good to know, good to know.
MURIEL
Wait – I know, my mail – my mail my gmail –
it has all my info and my credit card and
everything.
GABO
Ya me fijo en la compu…
(Muriel and Gabo both grab for the computer)
57
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
YENI
Se nos va a llevar la computadora!
GABO
Pero que esta haciendo!
(Pancho goes for his gun aiming it at Muriel)
PANCHO
PLEASE _- FREEZE!! FREEZE! DROP THE COMPUTER.
DAVID
Free-oh!
MARIA
Muy bien David!
MURIEL
IM NOT FREEZING ITS MY FUCKING COMPUTER – MINE MINE MINE MINE!
(The Skype sound starts to play off of Muriel’s computer)
MURIEL
What is that noise?
YENI
Es el Skype! Nicolas!
PANCHO
Hand over the computer. Please. Now.
MURIEL
But it’s
PANCHO
NOW.
(Muriel slowly hands over the computer at gunpoint to Yeni and Gabo)
MURIEL (quietly)
All I wanted to do was check my goddamn emails...
(Gabo runs in and crowds around the computer)
GABO
Están?
58
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
YENI
Sí.
HOLA! HOLA!!!
(Waves her arms in front of the computer)
GABO
No veo los chamacos, mierda.
Hola! HOLA!!!
YENI
Es la conexión. Esta mala.
DAVID
The signal is bad.
I think they’re talking with home?
MANDY
Oh my god! I love kids! Yes, the connection is always bad in this side of the house - Muriel,
don’t you remember, your bedroom is much better.
DAVID
Bedroom.
MARIA
Cuarto.
DAVID
Puay-den oo-sar coo-art-oh!
YENI
Ah, mejor vamos al cuarto, tiene razón.
GABO
Sí. Ese living siempre tiene un servicio terrible.
MURIEL
Wait, are you serious?
GABO
ESPEREN UN MOMENTO QUE VAMOS A PROBAR EL CUARTO.
YENI
TE QUIERO NICOLAS!!
59
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
(Yeni and Gabo move the computer into Muriel’s room, Pancho stands right in front of
the door looking sternly at Muriel, David, Morris and Mandy. Awkward silence. Morris
starts to cry.)
MORRIS
I’m worried about Snuffy, Mandy.
MANDY
I’m sure he’ll turn up.
MURIEL
Your dog?
MORRIS
Yes.
MURIEL
You’re worried about your damn dog?
MORRIS
Yes, he’s my best friend.
MURIEL
I swear if I found your dog I’d cook him up with some adobo and serve him to you. Do you not
care that our house has been taken hostage by this bizarre family and their corrupt cop friend?
(GABO enters)
PANCHO
Algún problema?
MANDY
I don’t think this family eats dog.
GABO
No, es sólo voy a chequear el pollo.
(Gabo exits)
MURIEL
It was hyperbole. Jesus. Jesus, what am I going to do. Maybe we need to call the INS instead of
the police?
MANDY
I think now it’s the Department of Homeland Security that takes care of that stuff -
60
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MURIEL
Yes, whatever. Maybe that will be the solution…
(Gabo reenters)
GABO
Hello.
MURIEL
Hi?
MANDY
Hi!
GABO
Do any of you know Roy?
MURIEL
Who’s Roy?
GABO
Sorry, I thought you might know.
MORRIS
Roy?
DAVID
Roy what?
MARIA
David…
DAVID
Roy, que?
GABO
Roy Parsons…
MARIA
Muy bien, David.
MURIEL
Why are you in my house?
GABO
Roy Parsons? If you know Roy Parsons…
61
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MORRIS
Oh, does this have anything to do with the Adobo?
GABO
No, el Adobo no. Roy Parsons. Maybe know him? I thought might you know him. OK. Thank
you.
(Gabo leaves.
DAVID
It does sound a bit familiar. Maybe he’s in finance.
YENI (offstage)
Te dije que no lo iban a conocer. HOLA! ME ESCUCHAN?
MORRIS
God David, you know everyone.
MARIA
David…en espanol.
GABO (offstage)
No los veo…
DAVID
Fine-ance-ah?
MARIA
Está en finanzas…
MURIEL
Maybe you should ask your new best friends.
DAVID
Mur-ee-all odeah. Toe-Dough.
(There is a knock on the door, Pancho walks over and opens the door)
MURIEL
Oh thank Jesus, maybe it’s the real police - maybe they’ve been searching for them - or
something –maybe this is all a scam…
(The door knocks. The door opens and it is ANA she brings a pastafrola)
MURIEL
Um. hello?
62
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
ANA
Hola oficial - esta Yeni? Todo bien?
PANCHO
Sí. Están en el cuarto.
ANA
Que pasó?
PANCHO
Hay una confusion aquí con esos jóvenes…y los que viven aquí se fueron a hablar en la
computadora con sus hijos? Los conoces?
ANA
Por supuesto – soy su mejor amiga – Ana Ramirez. Deben estar con el eskype. Sí siempre hay un
servicio de mierda en ese lugar
ANA
Ah – ya los veo a los pobres jovenes yanquis…mira cuantos…pero, Maria??
MARIA
ANA! Pero que casualidad!
PANCHO
Ustedes se conocen?
ANA
Pero por supuesto. Maria es una vieja amiga…
MARIA
Sí, pero no entiendo como PANCHO
Ah bueno, mejor se pueden arreglar las cosas de manera más civil. Es siempre lo más
importante.
ANA
Son tus amigos?
MARIA
Más o menos…no lo puedo creer Ana. Que haces aquí? Después de tanto tiempo…
DAVID
Ess-aw-mee-gah?
63
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MARIA
Sí David, muy amiga.
ANA
Bueno, bueno – donde pongo la tarta?
MORRIS
Holy shit, a tart, I love tarts!
MANDY
Is it gluten free?
DAVID
Ess-no-gloo-ten?
MANDY
It’s ok if it’s not, it’s just I’d rather not have gluten than have it. But if you are all eating it. I’ll
have it.
(Pause)
I want a slice, I just was checking is all…
MURIEL (on her phone)
Does anyone know the number for the INS?
ANA
Que hacen?
MARIA
Oficial, no son mala gente – pero quizás si le damos un poco para comer se nos calman un
poco?
PANCHO
Esta bien, con que se vayan después.
(They move to the living room and put the tart on the table)
MORRIS
This looks amazing.
DAVID
Mooey-Reekah.
ANA
Sí una pastafrola riquísima, la receta de mi abuela.
64
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MANDY
Oh my god, is it Guava? I love Guava! We have a dominican Deli in my neighborhood and they
have these guava pops...
ANA
No nena, pastafrola.
DAVID
She says no.
ANA
Membrillo. La pastafrola trae dulce de membrillo.
MARIA
Hace tanto que no como lo de tu cocina!
ANA
Sí. Yo creo que te la hacía con dulce de batata…esa es de membrillo.
DAVID
Member-ee-yo?
MARIA
Quince paste.
MANDY
Oh that’s so british!
(Ana sets the pastafrola on a table)
ANA
Quieren probar?
(to the officer, referring to David, Muriel, Morris and Mandy)
ANA
Esta bien?
PANCHO
Sí, esta bien. Pero dame la primera a mi.
ANA
Por supuesto oficial. Maria, tu enamorado quiere uno?
65
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MARIA
Como sabías?
ANA
No ves como te mira?
MARIA
David – quieres un poco?
DAVID
See-pour-fahvore.
You guys want to try? She’s inviting us to taste.
MURIEL
I don’t have an appetite...
PANCHO
You should eat. It’s a very good tart.
ANA
Mira, mejor va con un mate, espera que preparo una pava.
(Ana cuts more of the pastafrola in pieces and hands Morris and David and Maria a piece.
Mandy also takes one. She then moves to the kitchen)
DAVID
Oh my god. This is amazing.
MORRIS
It’s quite good.
MURIEL
It seems you’re all becoming great friends. While I’m the one trying to figure out how to get my
house back.
MANDY
At the end of the day, you have to be open to new cultures right? I mean that’s the best part of
living in this city. Look at us, in our friend’s Brooklyn apartment eating pasta-rolla with this
delightful spanish lady. All these magical spanish people.
MORRIS
Mandy, honestly I don’t know if any of this is magical.
66
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MANDY
No but I mean. Like. You read Marquez right?
Magical Realism? It’s like in the food too, I’m
not serious, but you know - like. Magical. I
don’t mean it like. Wizards. I mean. When I
mean magical it’s like. Something in the air.
It’s light you know?
MORRIS
Well, I mean. I wouldn’t put it that way then.
What you’re referring to is more of a cultural
thing, it’s a cultural difference. I mean it could
be in the food.
DAVID
No, I think this is exactly what Mandy is
saying - it’s why it’s sometimes hard to
understand - or at least do business with our
foreign clients. It’s not a language barrier, it’s
like they’re in touch with something we’re not.
PANCHO (to Maria)
No tengo ningún idea de lo que están
hablando.
MARIA
No hablas inglés?
PANCHO
Sí. Pero igual.
MORRIS
I don’t know. I’ve only been to England and
I’ve never felt that way.
MANDY
I was actually in Puerto Rico once, for Spring
Break. With my older brother. And we didn’t
really leave the resort. But damn, you could
smell it in the air. And those green plantains.
And even the ocean. It’s like the magic I feel
right now.
MARIA
Me gustaría ir a Puerto Rico
PANCHO
Yo también. Me dicen que es muy lindo. Lindas
playas también.
MURIEL
I’m losing my home.
Oh God.
67
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MARIA
Con Ana teníamos planes para ir – pero el dia
después se fue sin decir nada…
PANCHO
Que pasó?
MARIA
Nunca me dijo…estaba preocupada con el
visado. Yo pensaba que se habia vuelto a
Argentina
MURIEL
Where will I live?
PANCHO
Sí. Así suele pasar. Yo tengo una tia que no me
visita por casi diez años. Eso del visado es un
kilombo.
(Ana enters with a mate)
ANA
Bueno, esta un poco lavado por la yerba que acá es una mierda, yo conozco una muchacha en
queens que me la daba en descuento pero cerró y ahora la compro en el Fine Fare de al lado
pero tienen una marca que ni se lo que es, pero que se puede hacer...en Tucuman no sabes la
yerba que tenemos...
DAVID
Ah yes, Yerba...herbs....
MURIEL
Herbs? What is this? Are they doing drugs?
PANCHO
No drugs.
DAVID
No, it’s a tea.
ANA
Que pasa? No conocen el mate?
68
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MANDY
Oh! I had a friend that studied abroad in Argentina - he brought this back and we thought it was
so cool. So you share the metal straw right?
ANA
Bueno, tomen que yo sebo.
(She passes the mate to Mandy who when she’s done gives it back to Ana)
Bien, ahora al próximo.
(She passes the mate to David who tries it)
DAVID
Oh hot! Hot!
ANA
Cuidado, que quema...
MARIA
David, cual es la palabra?
DAVID
Ka-Ka-lee-en-tay?
MARIA
Muy bien!
ANA
Estudia castellano?
MARIA
Sí.
DAVID
This mate is good.
ANA
Que bien. No sabes que poca gente en mi
barrio lo habla. Estoy en un barrio re ruso. Y
un poco yanqui. Pero me gusta. Y vos Maria,
seguis en New Jersey?
MANDY
It tastes like cigarettes.
MARIA
69
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
No querida, ahora vivo en Washington
Heights.
ANA
Ahí, ahí estan unos amigos mios. Todos
actores.
(they laugh)
MARIA
Por supuesto. Pero Ana, no te habías ido?
MORRIS
I like it. Ask her where she gets it?
ANA
Se consigue en Jackson Heights.
MORRIS
Oh Jackson Heights. Graw-see-aws.
ANA
No hay de que.
You know I speak English, right?
ALL
OH!
ANA
Well, you didn’t ask! I’ve been living in the US for 8 years but I spent many years in Canada
before that. Maria and I are actually old friends.
MARIA
Yes – we’ve known each other for a long time.
We used to live together. Best friends.
DAVID
May-Whore-Ess.
MANDY
Do you know how to sew?
(Morris sits in a corner and drinks his mate,
Mandy joins him soon after)
ANA
No. I came here for theater…I work in
marketing now.
70
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MANDY
What’s wrong?
MARIA
¿Haces Marketing?
MORRIS
Maybe…
ANA
Sí querida…hay mucho que no sabes…
MANDY
Sorry?
MARIA
Lo estoy viendo…es por lo de la obra? Por eso
te fuiste…Yo se que vos quisiste hacer de Miss
Julie.
DAVID
Me too.
ANA
Sorry?
MORRIS
Maybe.
DAVID
I’m in marketing.
ANA
Oh. Cool.No es por lo de la obra. Te iba mejor
el papel.
MORRIS
Maybe this is a good thing.
DAVID
The paper was better?
MARIA
David, papel is part.
71
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
DAVID
Oh, like in a play.
MANDY
I think so.
ANA
It was a part in a play I didn’t get. But that’s
not why I left.
MARIA
Siempre pensé que te enfadaste con ese papel.
Lloré tanto cuando te fuiste. Hace mucho que
no actúo ya.
MANDY
I think we all just got a bit confused. You
know how you do something,…
ANA
Porqué?
MORRIS
Med school.
MARIA
El tutoring de español paga mucho mejor.
MANDY
College.
DAVID
Oh, like what we do!
And you just keep doing it, and then at some
point…
ANA
Lo que pasa es que conocí a alguien…y pasó
muy de repente…
You stop thinking?
DAVID
Yeah. I’m learning Spanish.
And I think that’s what happened.
72
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
ANA
Ah, for the clients?
MARIA
Quién? Porqué no me dijiste? Eramos tan
amigas…
DAVID
Yes.
At some point we stopped thinking,
(Muriel starts crying)
And just kept doing.
And doing.
ANA
Are you OK?
MORRIS
Yes, yes!
MURIEL
No, I’m not OK. I’m not.
ANA
I’m so sorry to hear. Do you want some mate?
It calms the nerves.
MANDY
Oh God. And so – does this mean?
MURIEL
No. How did you find this apartment?
MORRIS
Maybe they’re right. We should just go…
PANCHO
Por favor Ana, ten cuidado con esa…
ANA
What do you mean?
MANDY
We should go.
MURIEL
This is where I live.
73
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MORRIS
Where?
ANA
I came to the address I’ve always come to.
MURIEL
But why is there a family here?
MANDY
My place?
ANA
We’re old friends. They actually helped me
with a problem I had a few years ago…
MORRIS
We could.
MARIA
Nunca me contaste de ellos…
We could go anywhere.
DAVID
Ay-yos.
MURIEL
Wait, what? What’s going on? Please, explain
to me very clearly?
This mate is clearing up mind in so many
ways.
ANA
Well - we are enjoying a lovely pastafrola, a
dish my grandmother taught me. Your...
MURIEL
Oh my god this is not what I mean.
MANDY
And then? Then what?
ANA
That’s what’s happening isn’t it?
74
Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MARIA
Quién conociste? Pero que es eso?
DAVID
Ah-Knee-ohs. Cone-Oh-See-stay. To know, as
in people, not thing. Oh, like what the other
man said to us…do you know Roy?
MORRIS
Then whatever. Whatever we do we’ll make
sure it’s something else.
ANA
Como sabe de Roy? Do you know Roy?
DAVID
Cone-oh-see-stay-roy?
MARIA
Como tu sabes de Roy? Quien es Roy?
MANDY
Yes.
That’s it.
ANA
Es mi marido.
We’ll keep trying.
DAVID
Husband!
MARIA
Marido?! Con lo que me gustan las bodas y ni
sabias que te habias casado!
MURIEL
I DON’T KNOW WHO ALL YOU PEOPLE
ARE.
MORRIS
We can just go.
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MARIA
Yo que fui tan fiel amiga…
MANDY
Just go home.
ANA
Wait, who?
MURIEL
YOU. THE PEOPLE IN THAT ROOM. ROY.
MORRIS
Roy?
ANA
Oh, they’re talking to their children on Skype.
MARIA
Y ellos también lo conocen a Roy?
MANDY
I don’t know. It’s not our story to tell, Morris.
DAVID
Do they know Roy as a person too?
MARIA
Sí, David. Lo que dijo el, Ana.
ANA
Sí son los que me hicieron la introducción. Mi
amor, se complico todo. Roy es mi marido pero
no es mi amante…
MARIA
Entonces?
MORRIS
We will have to make our own stories!
ANA
Roy es gay.
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
DAVID
Roy is gay! See how good I’m getting?
David…it’s time to make your own story.
MARIA
Entonces te casaste por los papeles?
DAVID
You housed him for the theater roles?
MARIA
No David,casar is marry.
MANDY
No, Morris. Our story.
DAVID
Oh, OK.
ANA
For the papers.
MARIA
Y nunca me contaste – que clase de amiga
eres?
MURIEL
AND WHO IS THIS POLICEMAN.
PANCHO
I am Pancho Rothstein of the NYPD.
MURIEL
What kind of name is Pancho?
ANA
Look honey. I know you’re confused.Maria,
no es por eso. Fue muy de repente.
(Mandy kisses Morris, long but more awkward
than anything else)
MURIEL
I’m not confused, I just. I want to go home.
And I want Pancho to let me go home. Just let
me in my bed, and Oh god.
ANA
Y en Colorado.
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
DAVID
It was all of a sudden red.
MARIA
No David, she went to marry him in Colorado.
ANA
Yes. I know. I miss home too. But honey, you
don’t live here…
DAVID
Wait, Colorado is Colorado?
MARIA
Yes.
DAVID
I thought it meant red.
MARIA
Colorado is colorado and red, too.
MURIEL
But I do, I do live here.
DAVID
You’re so helpful, Maria.
MARIA
No pudiste haberme escrito desde Colorado?
DAVID
Maria.
ANA
Fue tan rápido, Maria.
DAVID
Tay-kee-ay-row.
MORRIS
I love you.
MARIA
DAVID!
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MANDY
What?
ANA
Que te dijo?
MARIA
Nada.
MORRIS
I’m sorry. Maybe you should go. I don’t know
what I’m saying.
ANA
You should all just go.
MURIEL
…I live here
MANDY
No it’s OK. Um –maybe – I –
MORRIS
You what?
MANDY
Maybe it’s the mate talking but…I think I (Gabo and Yeni reenter with the computer)
GABO
Mira quién vino, es la Tia Ana!
YENI
Decí hola a la Tia!
(Ana walks over)
ANA
Hola Nicolas! Feliz cumple! Que grande que estás.
MANDY
Oh my god is it a baby?!
DAVID
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
I think he’s 8.
MANDY
I love 8 year olds! Can I say hi?
GABO
OK. Why not.
MANDY
Hello! Oh-Law! Oh he’s so cute. I am your mom’s friend, she helped me start my business! Yes!
GABO
Ana – y Roy?
ANA
Me dijo que te mande saludos –
YENI
No viene…
GABO
Otra vez…
ANA
Seguro el trabajo sale …
GABO
Pero si sigue pasando…esta bien, el pollo va a salir terrible igual.
DAVID
Chicken no good. Bad. Terrible.
MORRIS
David, I’m impressed. Maria – you did such a good job with him!
YENI
No digas eso que te pasaste el dia entero trabajando en el.
DAVID
Ell-Ah-more-ah-say coe-saws-low-caws.
PANCHO
You’re going to have to leave. It’s getting late
MURIEL
But that’s my…my couch, and my computer and the walls.
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MORRIS
Wait a minute, do we really live here?
DAVID
I always thought we lived here.
MANDY
I mean – I thought you did too. Oh, where do I live? I think I know. I mean. I remember I take
the two train and then I switch to the Q. Right? Yes. Yes, that’s how it works. Come on Morris,
let’s go.
ANA
I don’t understand what’s so complicated. Just go home.
MURIEL
I need to solve this ANA
Solve what? A esa chica le pasa algo muy raro.
DAVID
Raw-row. Ess mooey rawraw.
MURIEL
Rawraw? I’m not rawraw.
Oh god.
MANDY
Just relax and try some of this pasta-rolla.
ANA
Pastafrola.
MANDY
Pastarolla.
(Mandy gives Muriel a piece of the tart, Ana puts a candle in front of a piece of the tart
and Gabo and Yeni sing happy birthday in Spanish over the Skype during this section.
Mandy joins in English)
MURIEL
Oh wow, this is great.
MANDY
I know. Maybe. Maybe things will be OK.
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
ANA
That’s the spirit.
PANCHO
We all get confused sometimes.
MARIA
Todos nos confundimos a veces.
MANDY
The important thing though –
DAVID
Toe-doze-nose-con-foon-dee-moes.
MORRIS
Is to admit it to ourselves.
MANDY
So much.
MORRIS
And say. OK, I’m ready.
MARIA
Estoy lista
ANA
Exactly. And then you just start again. You’ll
get on the street and realize you were in the
wrong place all along.
DAVID
Lee-stah.
MARIA
Estuviste en el camino equivocado.
PANCHO
Sometimes I forget my keys.
DAVID
Caw-mee-no ay-kee-vo-caw-dough.
MARIA
Se me olvidaron las llaves.
ANA
Sometimes I leave the house and I’m a block
down the street and I realize oh god I’ve left
the oven on!
DAVID
Say may ole-vee-dar-on.
MARIA
Se me quema la casa.
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
PANCHO
One day, I forgot to eat. All day. It was before
night time and I tell my wife – I have to eat!
ANA
Life is full of up and downs. Maria, por favor!
DAVID
Say may-kay-maw.
MARIA
Se olvidan de la gente que tanto la ha querido.
Que le importa. Para ir a casarse por una
miserable green-card.
Con Roy.
MORRIS
So many.
MANDY
Morris?
(Ana walks over to Ana and David)
ANA
Te pido disculpas. Tenia tanto miedo que se me
olvido todo. Por favor, dejémoslo en el pasado.
DAVID
Paw-saw-dough.
MORRIS
Yes. Ok. I’m ready.
MANDY
Are you ready, Muriel?
MURIEL
I think so.
MARIA
Lo que importaba es eso – que me lo
digas…que confies en mi.
DAVID
Dee-gauze.
PANCHO
That’s the spirit.
ANA
Estoy lista. Desde ahora te cuento todo.
Ready, Muriel?
DAVID
Con-tar.
MARIA
Así es.
MANDY
Muriel? We’re going…
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
(Mandy and Morris, already up on their
feet and by the door go over to her to
get her up)
ANA
Te quedas para cenar?
DAVID
Say nar.
MORRIS
Come on – we can see I can see if my parents
can let us stay in their uptown apartment…I
have the keys.
MURIEL
Just…let me say goodbye. Give me a second.
MARIA
Esta bien…
(Ana and Maria embrace)
DAVID
Ay-staw be-ain.
PANCHO
Muriel…please…
(Pancho, Mandy and Morris are dealing with Muriel, who suddenly in a very deft
maneuver takes the gun from Pancho’s holster and stands back, holding it at arms length)
MURIEL
STAND BACK. I think you’re all conspiring against me. You’re just sitting there eating your
delicious pastries and drinking your weird tea, and you’re all such good friends. But you don’t
understand. I’m losing it all. All of us. We’re losing it. We’re all losing our homes. And we
didn’t have much of one to begin with.
(Yeni and Gabo enter from the room, seeing Muriel freeze)
DON’T FUCKING MOVE. I mean. Please. Let me finish. All of you listen. I just – I need to tell
you. I need to tell you what my home was. My home was a couch. It was a bed. And a couch. A
bed to entertain the occasional lover. To hold my computer while I watched Netflix. But more
than anything a couch. And what did I do on that couch? I mostly answered emails. What kind of
home is that? I filled it with things. And boxes. And cereal. And I filled it with my hopes and
dreams, but what did I ever really do here? This was never my home. I never owned it. I knew I
would leave it. Not to my heirs or my name, but forever. And a new family would come in and
put up walls. But did I think it would happen so soon? Even when I was in the house? No. But
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
it’s all the same. I’m always leaving. This city doesn’t want you to stay. It wants you to move.
No one ever stands still for too long. And when I leave this place, like so many others, like so
many other things, like so many other people. There’s only one thing I really own. One thing that
owns me. The one thing, even when I’m out on the street that will follow me around. And it’s my
god damn inbox. Even then I still have emails. Even out on the street I’ll have those emails. So
please – please just give me the computer. Please. Now. That’s all I ask.
PANCHO
Please think of what you’re doing.
MURIEL
JUST GIVE ME THE COMPUTER PLEASE.
ANA
La computadora por dios!
YENI
Aquí tienen…
(Yeni gives her the computer)
MURIEL
Put it on the couch, and stand back. All of you. ALL of you.
(They all stand back)
MURIEL
Ok. Let me just…find it…OK.
(Muriel with one hand proceeds to delete all the emails in her inbox)
Delete. Delete. Delete. Delete. Delete. Delete. Yes I’m sure. Delete. Delete. Delete.
(She closes the computer)
Delete. Delete. Delete. Delete.
Done.
(She puts the gun down and slowly puts her head in her hands silently crying. In this
moment of silence…and Pancho begins to sing, soon everyone but Muriel joins him)
PANCHO (singing the Gardel song)
Adiós muchachos, compañeros de mi vida,
barra querida de aquellos tiempos.
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
Me toca a mi hoy emprender la retirada
debo alejarme de mi buena muchachada.
(The others begin to join him as he lifts Muriel from the couch and proceeds to handcuff
her)
ALL
Adiós, muchachos, ya me voy y me resigno,
contra el destino nadie la talla.
Se terminaron para mí todas las farras.
Mi cuerpo enfermo no resiste más.
Acuden a mi mente recuerdos de otros tiempos,
de los bellos momentos que antaño disfruté,
cerquita de mi madre, santa viejita,
y de mi noviecita, que tanto idolatré.
Se acuerdan que era hermosa, más linda que una diosa,
y que brioso de amor, le di mi corazón.
Mas el Señor, celoso de sus encantos,
hundiéndome en el llanto se la llevó.
Dos lágrimas sinceras derramo en mi partida
por la barra querida que nunca me olvidó,
y al dar a mis amigos mi adiós postrero
les doy con toda mi alma, mi bendición.
Adiós muchachos, compañeros de mi vida,
barra querida de aquellos tiempos.
Me toca a mi hoy emprender la retirada
debo alejarme de mi buena muchachada.
Adiós, muchachos, ya me voy y me resigno,
contra el destino nadie la calla.
Se terminaron para mí todas las farras.
Mi cuerpo enfermo no resiste más.
MURIEL
Well – goodbye house.
DAVID
Goodbye.
MANDY
Bye.
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
MORRIS
Let’s go…
PANCHO
Tengan unas buenas noches…disculpa por la molestía.
(Pancho leads them out. Long silence. Exhale.)
GABO
Bueno, a buscar el pollo!
(Gabo goes to the kitchen)
MARIA
Entonces como la conoces a Ana?
YENI
Nunca te conto de la obra que hicimos?
MARIA
Yo creía que dejó la actuación después de lo de Miss Julie.
ANA
Me daba vergüenza, pero sí, yo fui actriz en órbita en la que trabajó Yeni. La conocí gracias a
Roy.
MARIA
Entonces quién es Roy?
ANA
Mi marido – digo por el visado, pero es importante acostumbrarse a decir eso. Y un negociante
que conoce Gabo. Ahora esta en Paris.
GABO
Roy me va a dar trabajo.
YENI
Eso es lo que dice.
ANA
Necesita terminar los contratos, pero vamos a ver si podemos que Gabo se una al proyecto. Por
eso esta en Paris con los inversores.
MARIA
Ah que lindo. Me encantaría hablar frances.
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
ANA
Je parle un peu.
MARIA
Mira vos…
ANA
J’apprend avec Yeni. Nous etudions français en Williamsburg.
YENI
C’est vrais. Mais je n’etudiait pas pour beacoup temps.
s
ANA
Est tres similaire a l’espagnole.
YENI
Mais pas completement.
GABO
Arretez s’il-vous plait, tu va embrouillé a Maria.
YENI
Ah, pardonnez moi!
MARIA
Gracias, Gabo. Y cuando regresaste?
YENI
Ah no, Ana acaba de llegar. Ella estaba en Paris con Roy. Hace branding para el.
MARIA
Ahora se entiende tdo.
YENI
Oui, c’est un peu bizarre parce-qu’il y a trop lengues.
MARIA
Por favor deja de confundirnos.
GABO
No soporto el frances, ni los franceses.
MARIA
Pero si hablas un poco.
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
GABO
Sólo suficiente para decir que paren. Estudié en el colegio.
YENI
No hay que ser así.
MARIA
Es por eso que sigo encontrando trabajo!
YENI
Me dio un terror hoy por lo de la casa. Ya nos vienen amenazando que quieren subirnos la
renta.
ANA
Siempre lo mismo en esa ciudad.
YENI
Seguramente nos mudamos pronto, pero ya veremos. Gabo tiene ganas de que vengan los
chiquitos, pero yo creo que hay más lugar en casa. Hasta que no salga un trabajo fijo, se
quedan con su abuela. Pero me gustaría poder hablar mejor inglés si nos quedamos aquí.
Seguro si entendíamos mejor ese lio con los yanquis no hubiese haber pasado!
GABO
Yo le traté de enseñar pero tiene muy poca paciencia conmigo.
YENI
Pues me tratas como si fuera una niña – y encima te burlas de mi. .
GABO
Nunca fui profesor.
ANA
Maria es una gran profesora…
YENI
De veras? Me enseñas?
MARIA
Probemos – Immersion? Como hacía con David?
YENI
Dale.
MARIA
Yo traduzco y vos me seguís.
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
YENI
Que divertido!
MARIA
How exciting
YENI
Jau-ex-sai-teen.
(Gabo enters)
GABO
Aquí viene el pollo – un poco quemado!
ANA
Huele bien!
GABO
Está aprendiendo?
MARIA
It smells good.
YENI
it-smels-gud.
ANA
Sí, con Maria.
GABO
Me parece bien. Después de el dia que
tuvimos…
MARIA
Me parece que al pollo le falt algo.
MARIA
Something is missing from the chicken?
GABO
Es por el pinche adobo.
YENI
Sam-tin es mis-in from di chi-ken.
Pinche adobo.
YENI
Sí, el adobo que tanto te gusta. Nunca lo usaste
en Mexico. Siempre piensas que descubres
todo. Me dice. Encontré algo maravilloso en
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
la sección de Goya, y ahí me presenta el
adobo. Lo puedes creer?
MARIA
You got the Adobo recipe from an American
grocery store.
(They laugh)
YENI
Ui got A-dobo- from amereecan groceri stor.
GABO
Oye, que raro lo de la familia – eh? Pensaba
que tenía que ver con lo del apartamento. Eso
que pagamos la renta todos los meses y todo.
ANA
Me estaba contando Yeni – piensas que va a
pasar algo?
MARIA
We pay every month
YENI
Ui pai Eh-vri-mont.
GABO
Espero que no. Igual si pasa tenemos
abogado…
MARIA
If something happens we have a lawyer.
YENI
A Loyer.
(Suddenly a scratching
sound comes from the door)
GABO
Que es eso?
MARIA
Are they back?
ANA
Volvieron?
YENI
Ar dey bak? Uy no!
GABO
Por favor no que se enfria el pollo!
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
YENI (to Gabo)
– mi amor, ven a fijarte…
(Gabo gets up and opens the door
and a dog comes in)
GABO
Un perro.
MARIA
What is that?
YENI
Wat is dat
ANA
aww que lindo el cachorrito…
YENI
De quien es?
MARIA
Jenny, immersion, please.. Whose dog is it?
(They stay petting the dog and enjoying
dinner as the lights go down)
YENI
Hus dog is it.
GABO
Debe estar perdido.
ANA
Pobrecito…
MARIA
Probably lost. Poor little thing.
YENI
pro-bab-li lo-st. Por-lital-teen.
GABO
Toma un poquito de pollo…
END OF PLAY
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Immersion FINAL SCRIPT – Julian Mesri
93