The Royale

Marco Ramirez

• Publisher: Oberon Books
• Year: 2015
• Print ISBN: 9781783198566
• eBook ISBN: 9781783198573
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: American Drama
• Index: Literature

'Ain't about bein' no Heavyweight Champion of the White World. It's about bein' Champion, period.'
Jay 'The Sport' Jackson dreams of being the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. But it's 1905 and, in the racially segregated world of boxing, his chances are as good as knocked out. When a boxing promoter hatches a plan for the 'Fight of theCentury', The Sport might land a place in the ring with the reigning white heavyweight champion, but at what cost? It's not just a retired champ he's facing, it's 'The Great White Hope'. In daring to realise his dream, is Jay responsible for putting African American lives in the danger zone? Told in six rounds and set in a boxing ring, The Royale is inspired by the often overlooked story of Jack Johnson, a boxer who – at the height of the Jim Crow era – became the most famous and the most notorious black man on Earth.

1.

(A SINGLE HEAVYBAG hangs from the center of the stage.

CHALK RESIDUE on the floor,

A couple STOOLS on the outside perimeter,

But otherwise – the stage is bare.

A PINSPOT on MAX, in a vest and rolled-up shirt sleeves.

A LOUD DING on a RINGSIDE BELL.)

MAX

And now, the fight you came for.

(CLAP.)

MAX (Cont’d.)

Ladies and gentlemen, the fight you paid your hard-earned green for.

(CLAP-CLAP.)

MAX (Cont’d.)

In this corner,

Weighing in at two-hundred-and-two pounds,

Standing six feet even,

With a wingspan of a mighty black Albatross,

Please welcome,

To his first ever professional fight,

Your challenger,

(Pinspot on FISH, shirtless, nervous, jogging in place.)

MAX (Cont’d.)

Purley ‘Fresh Fish’ Hawkins!

(CLAP-CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP. MAX flashes a knowing smile.)

MAX (Cont’d.)

And in this corner,

(CLAP.)

MAX (Cont’d.)

Weighing in at two-hundred-seven pounds,

Standing tall at six feet, two inches,

Toes like Jack Nimble,

Fists like John Henry,

(CLAP-CLAP.)

MAX (Cont’d.)

Ladies and gentlemen,

The man you came for,

The man who casts a shadow in the dark,

(CLAP.)

MAX (Cont’d.)

Your Negro Heavyweight Champion,

(Pinspot on JAY. Muscular, also jogging in place, but mostly, he’s showboating.)

MAX (Cont’d.)

You know him,

You love him,

(JAY plays to the crowd. Born to do this. Swagger for days.)

MAX (Cont’d.)

Jay – ‘The Sport’ – Jackson!

(CLAP-CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP. JAY smiles, all confidence. WYNTON – his trainer – calls to JAY from the ringside.)

WYNTON

Keep those hands up, Jay.

(JAY nods.)

WYNTON (Cont’d.)

I see those gloves go down?

I swear to god, son,

You’re payin’ for dinner.

JAY

Okay, old man.

(...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Characters
• Notes
• Act One