Foxes

Dexter Flanders

• Publisher: Methuen Drama
• Year: 2022
• Print ISBN: 9781350352551
• eBook ISBN: 9781350352575
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: British Drama
• Index: Literature

Think how many others there are like me, hiding in the shadows, operating in the night like foxes, for fear of rejection and a life of ridicule. I've worked too hard to gain my respect only for it to be taken from me because of something I can't control.

Foxes follows Daniel, a young Black man trying to keep up with his life, which is moving fast. When his relationship with best friend Leon brings an unexpected change it creates turmoil, bringing a taboo into his family home that has the power to tear the closest and most loving relationships apart.

Shortlisted for the 2018 Alfred Fagon Award, Dexter Flanders's debut play Foxes explores masculinity and identity within London's Caribbean community and Black street culture.

This updated and revised edition was published to coincide with the premiere at London's Seven Dials Playhouse in May 2022.

Act Two

Scene One

Evening. Living room. Meera is tidying whilst singing. Daniel comes in with bags, he’s been clothes shopping for the baby.

Daniel Yo babes, you seen my mum?

Meera Food shopping.

Daniel Cool.

Meera You sure you got enough bags?

Daniel (excited) Look, look what I got.

Daniel goes through a sequence of showing Meera a selection of baby trainers, caps, clothes and blankets.

Daniel Look at these Jordans, mad innit, and I got these cute hats and also look . . .

Reveals a designer baby jacket from the bag.

Won’t fit her straight away but she’ll grow–

Meera Yeah, it’s nice.

Daniel What . . . just nice?

Meera Yeah, it’s cute.

Daniel I hear you saying it’s cute, but your face is push up like to say– look I’ll take them back/if you–

Meera Where did you get the money to buy all that?

Daniel (beat) Student loan.

Meera Student loan, right!

Daniel Yeah, I been saving it/because I knew–

Meera reveals Daniel’s bank statement.

Meera Then what is this.

Daniel What’s that?

Meera Your bank statement, you spent that months ago.

Daniel Why you going through my shit?

Daniel snatches bank statement.

Meera I didn’t have to go through your shit, I’m tidying up.

Look I’m grateful, I really am and it’s nice stuff but tell me you ain’t doing that shit again?

Daniel I told you–

Meera I know what you told me but tell me the truth.

Daniel It is the truth!

Meera Then why don’t I believe you? I told you I’m not bringing up no child here if you’re still on that.

Daniel And I told you I’ve stopped! Anyway, you didn’t mind before . . . when I was spending P on you, and now you got a set of fucking morals you think you can tell man what to do . . . Look what I’ve done for you. You live here because of me. Your family didn’t want you and I made sure you were looked after, so before you start dishing out orders on man look at what the fuck I’m doing for you–

Patricia enters.

Patricia Oi, what is going on inside’ere?

Pause.

Patricia Meera, go downstairs . . .

Meera I’m so sorry–

Patricia I’m not going to repeat myself.

Meera goes.

Patricia Whose house is this?

Daniel Let me explain.

Patricia Mi never ask yuh fi explain nuttin, mi ask yuh a question.

Now, whose house is this?

Daniel Yours.

Patricia Dat’s right. Don’t let mi catch you tarkin dat rubbish about ‘why she live here’ and ‘what yuh done fi her’, because di last time I check, this house in my name.

Daniel Why you listening/to our conversation?

Patricia Nah boda ask mi why mi listening to anything in my own house and I don’t want to’ear you raising yu voice to her like dat full stop.

Deena comes running up the stairs and bursts in with excitement dancing.

Deena Mum, Mum, Mum, guess who’s–

Patricia Not right now Deena, I’m trying to sort out–

Deena Cool but–

Patricia I said not right now! I can’t do two things at once and I’m trying fi sort out these two inside’ere.

Deena is shocked.

Deena Do you know what, forget it!

Deena storms off.

Patricia Excuse me! What’s di matter wid everyone inside here. Mi have your sister upset every two second for God knows what and then yuh two are fighting whenever mi turn mi back. I just want some bloody peace and quiet inna mi house! Is that too much to ask for? Now what’s dis rubbish you tarkin to Meera?

Daniel We were just talking and then–

Patricia Then talk! Now is not di time to be shouting at her, giving the gyal all kinds of stress. Listen, whatever yawl arguing about is none of my business, but I’m nobody’s fool, but yuh can’t do things for people outta the kindness of yuh heart and throw it back in their face when you na like what yuh hear, do I make myself clear?

Daniel Yes, Mum.

Meera and Patricia exit. Daniel takes a seat. Deep breath.

Scene Two

Leon’s flat. A rainy late evening. Leon is tidying, playing grime music. Door knocking. Leon turns the music off, looks through the peep hole and opens the door.

Daniel Can I holla at you real quick?

Leon (hesitant) Yeah cool.

Daniel enters. Leon sits. Apart from the sound of the rain it’s silent.

Daniel I been outside three hours trying to think what I was gonna say when I come here.

Leon Listen bro–

Daniel Let me talk . . . what the fuck, fam! Yo, real early ma...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Contents
• Foxes
• Characters
• Act One
• Act Two
• Act Three
• eCopyright