 Rehearsals and challenging setbacks, director Hayden Ford and his cast are finally ready for the stage. Gemstone Productions presents the premiere of the original theatrical production, Give Me a Chance. It was in that pants, you know. That's the last set of money I had to my name, you know. You see that grossly Friday night spree? That will have to stop. You think a young man like me should... Tony! Tony! Stop troubbing me gasser! Tony, where are you gasser? I know you there! Where are you gasser? Rep Berryman? Hahaha! Just stay down there. Tony, what the **** happened to you? What you mean? A man cannot rest at his own home? Gasser, why you not open up the window so there's some fresh air coming to place now? Hey, don't make the fresh air coming... Tony, you're not white or what? I see the bottle trouble in you. Shut up gasser! What happened to you the last night? Man, you're real pain in the a**, you know. You came all this way just to disturb me. Just to ask me what happened to me last night. I don't want to see you. Something I come and check on you. Something? Like, like what? A little favor I want. What favor? Because you don't have to look at me like that, you know. Man, stop with the suspense. Iry. Psst. Psst. Psst. Psst. Psst. Psst. Psst. Psst. That's the money I told you. Get your money back, you know. Man, I-I-I-I don't want to disappoint you about the last penny I had to my name. I cannot even find it. The hotel I was working at, you know, they let me off. I-Last night I was so tight. I-I don't know if somebody picked me up. I-I don't want to disappoint you about-I-I don't know about man. I don't know, man. I can't help you. But Tori, you're still looking tight. That's the man. Why don't you shut your mouth? Come to you. That's what you wanted the money for. Boy, if I tell you, that's my child mother that behind me saw you. You know, you're going to threaten to take me to family cotton already. You're going to tell me if I can't give her the money before school opens. F**k this grass. That's why you're not burdening me. You're not working, you know what I'm saying? Boy, I don't know what to tell you. Man, you have your hands. You're carving, you're sculpting. You're good for yourself. You have your hands, man. You're not telling me that now? You are all persons? How? You see. Because I would expect that from somebody else, not you. Because you know how it is with us already. Win the arts. You're doing your acting and doing my sculpting. And because you know them people who respect our work, can't tell me I have my hands. You know, the way I see it now, I could just go down by the docks and hustle a thing on the side, guys. Hustle something, like what? Because anything I get to do, I do in it. Anything? Boy, like drugs? If it comes to that, that I do in it. You see, you don't understand. Because if you were in my shoes, you don't know I'm coming from this. Because I'm desperate, guys. Ah boy, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. So because you're desperate, anything comes? Ah boy, think about it. You have children, you guys, sir. Boy, it's for my children, you're doing it. What do you think? It's not for that stupid girl, guys. It's for my children. Ha ha ha ha ha ha. Ha ha ha ha ha. I'm laughing, you guys. Ah boy. What? I remember your boy days, you know. Everywhere you see a cat inside, he's your witness. Ha ha ha ha ha. But check you now. Check you cry. Man, if you had listened to me, then that wouldn't happen to you, you know. But you have to pay the f**k taxes, man. Ha ha ha ha ha. That's a 2D. The cat too sweet. Ha ha ha ha ha. That's a, you know, I know what my problem is. Ah well, it's the both of us, man. Check my luck, man. Yeah, it's the both of us. There's nothing. What? You? What? Not you. Some more, it's not you. You see, you're not the type of person that will take risks. Yeah, what? With lemon together, no. But that's a, the more we get ourself in things, the more you come in and clean. You're just lucky. Oh wait, wait, wait. Hey Dad. You forget when the police arrest me for the joint and not too long after, Mr. Chaus ran me down for his daughter. Man, I say no more. Ha ha ha ha. Oi, I'm telling you. Ha ha ha ha ha ha. You remember that? So why bring it up? Why bring it up? You see, she's my partner. Man, along in the hot sun, in the middle of the road, boy. Oh, Emma, Emma. Please, Mr. Chaus, I swear I won't trouble your daughter again. Please, Mr. Chaus. Boy, I can never forget that day, guys. Oh, ah. Everybody don't laugh in, boy. Ha ha ha ha. Man, I was the most embarrassing day I ever experienced even. Ha ha ha ha. Other taste of heart attack. Mm. That's her. You didn't even put a gun on me. Treating me like as if I'm some type of criminal. If you don't have any contact with Ruby, what do you feel? Could you believe that? Yeah, boy. But, sir, that one really wanted to nail you that day. Boy, so you say that? You know, you should have called the police or not, man. Ah, boy. Police? Of course, that's her. Ah, boy. Who do the police listen to? You know, from time that happened to me, I cannot remember having any contact with Ruby. I avoid passing her favorite streets, restaurants, or cool out spots. Like, like, I don't even know when last I called her for that matter. So, that is what I'm doing. I don't understand. I don't understand. But, thank you, sir. Yeah, I was in a mess. You locked yourself inside. What, what are you talking about? Ha ha ha. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. I just... Oi. Sit down. Let me show you a vibe. What are you talking about? Sit down. Why, why, why? Tony, you see that girl? Leave that girl alone. Check what I'm showing you. Come on. If you don't do that, you're going to end up with a nervous breakdown of my dread. But I'm just like, you and me, with what are you saying, not again? I'm a two-mouth kind of people. And I'm not good enough for them people dread. So tired, man. Ruby? That's Alice. Alice, this is so long I haven't seen you. Girl, I'm dead. Just working hard as usual. Girl, I thought you left the country. Alice, I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying right here in my beautiful life. Since I haven't seen you, I thought... Are you gone? Yeah. Ah, let me ask you. I come in straight to the point, eh? Girl, when last you saw Tony? I don't know, Alice. Tony isn't the pillar of my life, you know. Anyway, I think you should know there's something wrong with him. What you mean, he's sick? I don't know. All I know is I never see the boy like that before, eh? Is he sick? Girl, the boy just take a bad habit drinking. I don't understand. Drinking as in drinking? Yes, drinking as in drinking all his problems away and that not even all. The boy shuts up in the house feeling sorry for himself. He looking like a rum zombie. Girl, what you do, the boy? What you mean, what I do, the boy? Tony used to be so outgoing, so lively and all of a sudden all that changed just because you all... Break up? Personally, it's not in your business, Alice. Tony is a grown man, you know. He don't need no baby bottle of breast from you. Don't forget, you don't want to give it to him regularly, eh? Maybe that's what he's missing. And maybe now you want to take my place. Let me tell you something, Alice. If you want us to continue being friends, please just stay out of my personal life. Ruby, what you hiding? God, Alice, you don't hear, I don't want to talk about that. What you don't want to talk about, girl, what you avoiding? Nothing, okay? Can we just change the topic, please? What you doing nowadays? You sure looks hot. Watch it, girl. Yeah, yeah, I'm taking care of myself. I have to, you know. No illusions already. Always have something to say about somebody, girl, me. When I'm walking down the road, I just wind my waist, more for them to watch me. Girl, so I have to tell you, last weekend I went to a vet. So you know me already, I start the night off, you know, want to drink my pressure, build it, nothing in my way. So, girl, eh, eh, I went my short shorts, my legs show away in a short top on my belly out. You should have seen the boys' eyes popping out of their heads when they saw me. Alice, you just like too much back and out. Oh, I just remember, I have a place to go, eh? Oh, okay, well, I'm supposed to go home anyway, I've got to do. Okay, see you. But the next time we meet, we have to talk about Tony. Goodbye, Alice. Mm-hmm. Waiter. Girl, Tony is mine. Now let me go home, take a shower. I hope my stupid father not there. I'm not ready to see that man, that's all. Hi, my name is Siddil, and you may know some of my hits like this one. Our music inspires and entertains. It powers festivals and is an integral part of our history and culture. Creating good music takes hours of thought, writing, arranging, recording, and production. When people or businesses who use our music publicly or for commercial gain get a music license, they're not just keeping the law, they're also supporting music creators, producers, musicians, singers, sound engineers, and many others in the music industry. Keep the great music coming. Get a music license for your business place or even. Support music rights. For more information, visit EchoRights.com. This message is brought to you by Echo and this Echo License Station. Echo, Echo, Protecting Music Rights. It's my life and I want more more time, more power. Pay my lucy like bill, isn't it? I'll pay with credit or debit card. Pay direct to lucy like my account, I have the power, yeah. Pay online to lucy like my account, anywhere, any day, any hour. Lights are on at home, no more signing in line, no more worrying about my bill. Now I'm all paid up, got more time to chill, yeah, yeah. Pay my lucy like bill, isn't it? I'll pay with credit or debit card. Gloria. Ah, you think I should be taking home work with me? Marcus, tell me, what really important to you, huh? Your family or your career? My God, Gloria, what kind of question is that? Marcus, you know what I mean. Marcus, you come in from the office late every night and God knows, huh? Marcus, I am here. I am here. You know, all I want is for you to just touch me, just hold me. But you don't, Gloria. You just consumed in your work. Where is all this coming from? Where is all this coming from? Tell me. What is a family that cannot talk about it? Simple things. We can't even talk. Marcus, let me ask you something and be honest. When last have you said a word to Ruby? When? Gloria, the problem with Ruby. Ruby has gotten too big for her shoes. Marcus. Ruby cannot talk to me however she feels like. I will not stand for that nonsense. Gloria, Ruby is my daughter, not my mother. Sometimes I think she forgets who pays the bills around her. Marcus. Marcus, she's helping. She works. Why are you always protecting her? Because I find you always hard on her and that is making things easy. And if I don't do that, she might just very well go astray. Marcus, what you are doing might very well cause her to go astray. You know I care about Ruby. And I am doing whatever any father would have done and that is protecting her. You protecting her? Huh? Or are you protecting her from Tony? I think so. I think so. I believe so. Marcus, it always boils down to him. I don't want that low class actor, whatever his face is, to have anything to do with my daughter. She can find someone better. Someone of class. Someone working in the financial services or even a lawyer. Marcus, the Lord gives everyone a talent. Not everybody can be that lawyer or our accountant. And come on. You know when it comes to the arts, Ruby has a passion for it. You know how Ruby does just give us and just allow herself to be gay? What happened as I enter the talk change? No, no. Was it about me? It was just your father was talking about your future. And you don't think it would be appropriate for me to be included in that conversation too? Ruby, Ruby, it's just father and mother talking. That's it. About me? Nothing. Nothing for you to consume yourself about. It's all about me. I should know. Daddy, tell me, why are you always on my back? What have I done to you? Okay, all right. Okay. Where's your goddamn respect for your father? Respect? If you don't treat me with respect, you can't expect the same. Tell me, daddy, am I your daughter or am I a damn prisoner in this house? Hello, Ruby. You best watch how you're talking to your father. He's only trying to protect you and protect you. Protect me from what? From what? From whom? All right. From whom? Oh, from Tony. Tell me, daddy, what can Tony do that's so bad that you need to protect me from him? Ruby, just calm down. Calm down. Oh, you're afraid he'll get me pregnant? Not here. And if so, what? Not here. What are you going to do? Throw me out? All right, Ruby. Ruby, okay. I'm not surprised. Calm down. Calm down. Is that the problem? That's why you're here planning my future because you don't want to control my life. You're ready. You're ready. Let me tell you something. You see this house? This house, it have its rules. And if you cannot abide by it, you know what to do. I will not take that stupidness from you. So just follow. Marcus, just stop this foolishness. We will sit and we will talk about this like a family. Come. Marcus sit. Ruby, come. Just, Marcus. Marcus, you know your health. Come. Just sit. Ruby, come here. We're a family. We're going to talk about it like a family. You expect me to sit and talk to him? I'd rather go. He's your father. Yes. He is my father. These house have its rules. Just follow. Marcus. That's your favorite line, daddy. How long will you keep hanging that over my head? Huh? Tell me. You know what? I just won't be in your way. Ruby. Wait a minute. The day you walk out of this house, you are no longer my daughter. Marcus. I don't know you. You hear that? Marcus. Marcus, why can't you just think before you speak? I have worked too long to build my image to be disgraced by my daughter. Disgraced by your daughter? Well, you know what? Marcus, as of now, I am no longer your daughter. Ruby. Yes. That's all you care about. Your image. Your false image. Shut up. Ruby. Image without substance. Oh, goodness, Marcus. Ruby, it didn't mean it. So you slapped me? No, it was an accident. You slapped me, daddy. It was an accident. Ruby, it didn't mean it. Mark my words. This is the first. And last time, you'll ever lay your hands on me. Ruby, calm down. For sure, it will be the next time. Ruby, you've had it in me in a minute. Ruby, leave your order. Ruby, she is under my roof. And I am in control. So you know what? I have had enough of this. I am going to take a shower. And I'm going straight to bed. Seriously? Marcus, we haven't finished up. Marcus. No, no, no, no, no. No, no, no, no. Ruby. Ruby, where are you going? Goodbye, mother. Let her go. No, no, no, no. Leave her alone. Let her go. Marcus, what are you saying? You heard me. Goodbye, mother. Ruby, I... Let me go. Ruby. Let me go. Ruby. Marcus. Marcus, come. Go stop. Ruby, Ruby. She knew her business. Marcus. She knew her business. Leave it alone. Forget it. How could I forget it? Forget it. I am waiting for you. That's my only child. I am waiting for you. You know what? Well, wait. I'll stay right here. Are you coming to bed? No. Okay. I am waiting. Well, wait. CDF is both a champion for cultural preservation and development change agents. Established in April 2002 by the CDF Act of 2000 as the agency responsible to align the aspirations of cultural and creative individuals, groups, communities, policymakers and civil society through the implementation of the national cultural policy of St. Lucia, we envision a strong united and proud St. Lucia community empowered by culture and creativity. For more information on how you can partner with CDF on some of our projects and efforts, go to CDFStLucia.org or contact Cultural Development Foundation, Barnard Hill Cadstries, PO Box CP5405, call us at 457-9021 or send us a fax at 459-0615. Email us at info at CDFStLucia.org. Herald ways to reduce your plastic bag use. 1. Refuse plastic and take your own reusable bags when you shop. 2. Reuse your single use plastic bags when you shop until they are no longer fit for the job. 3. Repurpose your plastic bags and use them to line your trash can, paint trays and more. 4. Dispose of your plastic bags by recycling. 5. Shop wisely and reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle. What a life man. Yo, yes it is the lock man. I want to break the damn door down. Tony, Tony open up please. Ruby? Ruby is that you? Tony that's Ruby, I know you inside there. Is that you Ruby? Here's it's me. What you hiding someone inside? Someone? No, no. Come in, come in. Thank you. What happened here? What do you mean? I don't know the place looking strange. Well, you know how it is living on your own. Why are you looking so nervous? Me? Nervous? Nah, I'm not nervous. Yes, you nervous. What happened to you? Nothing's wrong. I just woke up. So when you just wake up, you become nervous? So stop trying to be funny. I'm just surprised to see your hair. What brought you here? What's wrong? So something has to be wrong for me to be here Tony? And besides, I have a lot of fine memories here. What memories brought you here? Good ones. What are you doing? Since when? Who do that? So you can do it, but I can't? What kind of teacher are you? Why do you practice what you preach? Maybe right now I need a drink. Listen, I've never seen you drink before and you haven't answered me. I just came to see you. Repeat that? I said, I just came to see you. Give me that. Your father know you here? Should he know? No, but why you came? Also are you chasing me? No, forget it. Forget what Tony? Tony have a seat. Sit down. Last night I walked out of the house. What? You joking? You walked out of your own home? Your father wasn't there? Tony just sit and listen for once. He was there okay? He's the whole reason why I left. We had it out yesterday and and the man slapped me. Ruby he slapped you? Tony I was so shocked. I never thought that man would ever do something like that. So wait, your father knows where you are right now? I don't care what he knows or who I'm with. The only person I'm worried about is my mother. Tony from the time we started seeing each other the man has been on my back. Well Ruby from time of memorial my father don't like my head because he knows we're in the arts. Well the reason I wasn't seeing you was because I was under constant pressure from my parents okay? My father always fretting me. I was not supposed to make any contact with you. Ruby every time I look at your picture Ruby all those memories come alive. I've never felt so before in my life. You're all man threatening me for a gun. What? A gun? What the **** happened to that man? He's just been himself. Ruby and ****. And what does he think he'll accomplish? It has accomplished some success. Ruby let me quote him. Don't have any contact with Miss Ruby Charles. You can't be serious. Ruby you notice I'm not doing any laughing right? I'm dead serious. Ruby he said no contact. No contact as in physical or emotional which one? Well you tell me. 150 US? Well I can't shout too loud. Later an ex would come in you know. So why you can't shout too loud today? Hey Alice why you sneak it up on me so? What's up what going on? You know I there just trying to make it to the living. Trying? You always have money but you always crying. Alice it never have enough when you're trying to feed you know. And you do know where the next set coming from? I hear you. Well look at you. You're looking good for yourself boy. I have to make myself good. Me I had to just live one day at a time. Why I tell you looking good for yourself boy? You see you're not like me. Always have people on your back giving you stress. Where your partner? Partner. So what happened Tony not your partner again? Here. Exactly so let me ask you. What went on with him? He and Ruby still together? I don't know. Hey hey girl. What happened I walking on something serious? No no no. You know what I'll just go. No Ruby don't go. It wasn't anything serious just everyday gossip. Yeah. So what's the topic? The way things are in the country. It didn't have anything to do with the way things are in the country. I cannot take it today. Well you're not in a good mood. Yes. Maybe the thing on her. That's the thing with your men you know. Anytime a woman is just a little bit annoyed. The thing on her girl sir. Your big mouth speaks for your very small brain. What do you mean? No no no sir. I know when you're going on so that's how it is with you all. Only God knows what your stress is. Yeah check the time. You have to go down there and check something so you know. You know Alice also matters of the heart to you. Ruby. You're tongue too long. Yes you are sir. Hey girl don't worry for our boy. Alice my days haven't been good. What happened? Today the boy telling me a heap of rubbish. Rebus. He telling you rubbish? Yes Alice. I was just by him. Oh. And how was he? Girl the boy look mashup. I never see him so. And Asani looks so fortunate. But I guess you are happy to see him? I mean yes. But it just wasn't my best day. Ruby what happened? Alice is not what he said. Is what he didn't say. I don't understand Tony didn't want you back. I don't know. All I know is he playing with my heart. But I thought you all broke up. You know better. You know no matter how much I try to pretend. Tony has always been on my mind. And in my heart. Yeah I know that. You see if I listen to myself. People say they never know I saw you know. You see my stupid father. Well your father is way too serious. Honestly. And Alice is my next stress. I walk out of my room yesterday. What? Good afternoon. Marcus. What are you doing home so early? Marcus what happened now? I have a nasty headache. And I had a terrible day. You don't really make a day terrible Marcus. This job I was doing was not appreciated by my manager. What? He was not satisfied Gloria. Oh Marcus. I try to explain. My division lost more money than any other division. He said that this report hangs on my promotion and if I could not fix my division. He will have to find someone else. Marcus. Like I don't even know what to say. Listen honey. I'm really sorry about this. I'm really sorry. I know you put in a lot of work. But surely what exactly you could do to help improve the division or something. He didn't say Gloria. What do you mean? He didn't say. I guess the end of the second month. I have worked my ass off for this company. And today, that is the thanks I get. I know. Just now I may be on the bread line. No, no, no, no. Just like the rest. No, no, no, no, no. Don't say that. Marcus, just breathe. Breathe Marcus. It's going to be all right. Let me get you something. What is it you want? Something strong. You want some dry wine? No, no, no dry wine. Something strong, a whiskey. Fine. That will do. Lord, I cannot afford to lose my job. Marcus, and you will not lose your job. Come baby. You will not. Come. Sit. Sit on it. It's going to be all right. Oh, Marcus. Relax. Just relax. You tense. I know you do your best. That tastes good. And that feels even better. Marcus. I know you do your best, baby. You hear me? And it's going to be all right. We'll get through this. We have to get through it. It's going to be okay. You know, it'll be all right. Gloria. Marcus. You know what? I want to ask you something. Marcus, I want to see Ruby. Oh my God. Not now, Gloria. What do you mean not now? Sooner or later, we have to deal with it. I came here to relax. I cannot put my mind on that. Allow me to relax. You know what happened? You see the same way. You're working important to you. Ruby should be important too. Wait a minute. So, you know where she is? You know where to find her? No, but Marcus is our daughter. My God. So, you just want to go on a wild goose chase? Can't you see that girl doesn't care? Marcus, how you can see that? Ruby, since she's gone. Has she called? Has she been in touch with you? She is just trying to shame the family. Marcus, how you seeing that? You know what? You are the one destroying this family. What are you talking about? You say I am the one trying to destroy this family. Gloria, how can you say that? So, tell me something. Slapping and throwing her out. Was your fear of leaving us together? I did not throw her out. She threw herself out. Now, you want me to feel guilty for her actions? You know what? If you want, you can go. You can go. You know what? If that's your attitude, then so be it, okay? I will go. I will go and look for her because she's mine. You talk as if she's not mine too. That girl sure have you. You know what, Marcus? I am her mother. And maybe you have forgotten, but parents take care of their own. That is what we do. We take care of our own. Yes. Only you understand parenting.