Under One Roof
Read the script
Under One Roof
Javier: Hello, everybody. Thank you for joining us. My name is Javier Lopez. Some of you know me as Manny.
Voice in Crowd: Long live, Manny!
***
Clara: My man, my Manny… Till death… Till death do us part. I forgive you for all… for all your weaknesses.
Manny: My weaknesses?
Clara: Oh, you know… For not getting the apartment in shape before I arrived.
Manny: Oh, that… I’m sorry, my love.
Clara: Never mind! Oh, also your jealousy… thinking I was unfaithful…
Manny: (flashback) I know it’s a love letter. I just don’t know who wrote it to you. I never imagined you would do this to me.
Clara: I was never unfaithful!
Manny: Neither was I.
Tatiana: Do you have a mop? My love, get the mop! Is it okay if I kiss him?
Clara: Yes, but not on the lips. He won’t be able to breathe.
Manny: I can’t… I can’t… I can’t… I can’t… I can’t die! I’m too young! I can’t leave my wife to suffer alone.
Boris: Don’t worry about your wife. She’s very attractive. She’ll find somebody new.
Manny: That’s what I’m worried about.
Clara: Mi amor, you didn’t want to see the doctor. You didn’t have health insurance.
Manny: I didn’t think I was eligible.
Clara: You are eligible.
Manny: Uh?
Clara: But I am afraid it’s too late.
Manny: Is it… too late?
***
Director: Cut! Oh, that was beautiful, people, beautiful!
***
Javier: What are doing with a hot dog cart?
Paco: You’re not selling hot dogs, are you?
Frantz: No. Actually, it was my brother’s. He passed away, and I inherited his cart. You want to sell hot dogs, Paco?
Paco: No, I don’t think so. I don’t eat hot dogs.
Javier: I’m really sorry about your brother.
Paco: Me, too.
Frantz: Thank you. It happened very quickly. I think my brother ate too many hot dogs. You’re a smart man, Paco. You need a healthy diet to live in this world. You also need health insurance and to get regular check-ups.
Javier: Yeah, it’s very true.
Frantz: My brother thought he was young and strong, so he didn’t need to see doctors. He started to get sick one day… and never got better. A few months later, we found out it was cancer, but by that time, it was too late to treat. You guys have health insurance, right?
Paco: I, I got to go, Frantz. I’m very sorry. It was nice to see you, Javier. I have an online class, and I’m going to be late.
Frantz: Paco, I’m serious… If you want to use the cart, it’s yours. You can sell something else instead of hot dogs. I’ll keep it in the basement, hmm?
Paco: I’ll think about it.
Frantz: Will you help me take it down to the basement?
Javier: Of course.
Frantz: Thank you.
Javier: Alright, okay.
Frantz: Okay, be careful, careful…
Javier: Yes, heavy…
Frantz: Here we go. Okay, we’re going to go down. Yeah, okay…
Javier: Whoa, whoa, whoa!
Frantz: We’re good.
***
Felix: Have a look.
Paco: Thanks, papi. How much do I owe you?
Felix: One patch, a new pocket… If it were at the shop, 20 bucks. For you…
Juli: Felix, can you give me a hand with something?
Felix: In a minute… Come on, Paco. Maybe you can help your mom.
Paco: I’ll be there in a second. I just want to finish reading this.
***
Paco: One of these looks like it’s for an X-ray. The other, I’m not sure. Maybe for an examination? Was this at the emergency room?
Juli: Yes, it was.
Paco: Are you okay?
Juli: I’m fine. Don’t worry. I had some pain for a couple of days, but it’s gone.
Paco: Are you sure?
Juli: Yes, I’m sure. You were at school, and I didn’t want you to worry.
Paco: You need to tell me these things. You need to get covered. We’ve been here more than a year already. Jojo and I have health insurance.
Juli: Yes, but we can’t afford it for us.
Felix: We just… need to save a little money.
Juli: And right now we have to pay these bills.
Paco: I can make extra money on weekends. Frantz said I can use his brother’s hot dog cart. I don’t want to sell hot dogs, but maybe I can sell tamales?
Felix: Don’t you need a permit?
Paco: Yes. It will take some time, but I know I can get it. Mami, maybe you can help me get ingredients from the market where you work.
***
Juli: How many more do you need for tomorrow?
Paco: Hmm… I think we’re about halfway.
Jojo: I’m going to get my phone. I want to take some photos of this operation. You should start a social media page, Paco.
Juli: Not a bad idea.
Paco: Are you okay?
Juli: Just a little tired. I’m okay.
***
Customer: Gracias. (Thank you.)
Paco: A usted. (Thank you.)
Javier: So, what’s good today? Should I have one of yours or one of your mother’s?
Paco: A difficult choice.
Javier: I’ll have one of each, please.
Paco: At your service.
Javier: So, how do you like selling tamales?
Paco: It’s fun, but it’s only my second day. I don’t plan on doing this my whole life. I’m thinking of an environmental career. We need a healthy planet to go with my healthy food.
Javier: An environmental career sounds like a good choice for you. You’re the guy who started the whole push to get solar panels on the roof.
Paco: The whole city should go solar.
Javier: Maybe you can lead the way.
Paco: I don’t know about that, but we do need to make changes in the way we live. The health of mother earth is at risk. It’s our home, you know?
Javier: I’m with you, my friend. Talking about home… When Frantz offered you this cart, he asked about health insurance. I hope you and your family are covered.
Paco: I am. I got it through a school program called “Cover CUNY.” My sister, Jojo, has health insurance through her job. But my parents don’t have it yet.
Javier: Do they have the facts, the information they need?
Paco: They need more facts and good information.
Javier: Check out the Get Covered NYC webpage. They help families find the health care everyone needs, and they help you in your language. There are free or low-cost programs for everyone – people with or without papers.
Paco: Get Covered NYC.
Javier: Yeah. You can also call 311 and they’ll connect you. I really hope your parents do it. I remember what Frantz said about his brother.
Paco: I do, too.
Javier: I know about this stuff because health care is part of the soap opera I’m in.
Paco: My parents really like your show. You’re one of their heroes.
Javier: Really? Your parents are very nice. Please say hello to them. I got to take off. Oh, I’ll see you at Ushi and Bao’s place tonight, right?
Paco: Yeah, I’ll be there. Oh, one question… When you’re acting, do you ever change the script – the words or what happens?
Javier: Sometimes.
***
(Paco takes notes, then writes a short letter.)
Get Covered NYC:
— nyc.gov/GetCoveredNYC
— Specialists help you get free or low-cost insurance.
— Text CoveredNYC to 55676
— Or call 311 and they will connect you.
Dear mami and papi,
Please… for Jojo and me…
We love you,
Paco
***
Jojo: One home, nuestra hogar
Ushi: One home, 一家人 (yī jiā rén)
Jojo and Ushi: One home, our home
Ushi: It’s not every day that tenants get together to celebrate good news. I think we owe it to…. Paco, who started it all.
Frantz: Every time I saw Paco, he was trying to convince me to get the landlord to install solar panels on the roof. After a lot of thinking, she said, “Yes. we’ll do it.” Bravo, Paco!
Bao: To everyone!
Voices: Nice. Salud! Gānbēi! Cheers!
Ushi: Too bad we can’t fit everyone in here.
Paco: How about the roof… a little party upstairs?
Javier: That sounds perfect. Maybe other people can share their stories as well.
Jojo: I think people want to hear your story. You have some fans in this building.
***
Tatiana (on TV): Is it okay if I kiss him?
Clara (on TV): Yes, but not on the lips.
Felix and Juli: Oh!
Felix: He’s going to kiss…
Manny (on TV): I can’t… I can’t… I can’t… I can’t… I can’t die! I’m too young! I can’t leave my wife to suffer alone.
Boris (on TV): Don’t worry about your wife. She’s very attractive. She’ll find somebody new.
Manny (on TV): That’s what I’m worried about.
Clara (on TV): Mi amor, you didn’t want to see the doctor.
Felix: You okay, my love?
Juli: I’m okay now… but I’ve been having some pain. It comes and goes, and I’m worried.
Felix: We have to see a doctor.
Juli: We’re not covered.
Felix: We have to change that.
Juli: Paco left this on the bed.
***
Get Covered Specialist: I am a Get Covered NYC specialist. Everyone in New York City has a right to health care. There are different programs. If someone does not have papers, there is a free program called NYC Care. If you have papers, you are eligible for different kinds of health insurance. We will find a program that is right for you.
Juli: We have been worried about the cost.
Get Covered Specialist: We will find a program that you can afford. And you will have your own doctor who knows you and what you need.
Felix: What do we need to do to get covered?
Get Covered Specialist: I will make an appointment for you with a health care enroller.
Felix: Enroller?
Get Covered Specialist: Someone who enrolls you – signs you up. You can do it online or in person, whichever you prefer. You can use your free IDNYC or any other ID.
Juli: I need to see a doctor very soon. I have been having some pain.
Get Covered Specialist: You can go to one of NYC clinics or hospitals in the NYC Health and Hospital network right away. Tell them your situation. They can adjust the price based on your income. Also, you may be eligible for Emergency Medicaid. The enroller will call you to help you sign up for a health insurance plan that fits your budget. You will get covered. I will call you in a few days to see how the appointment went, and I will answer any questions you may have about your health care coverage.
Felix: Thank you so much.
Juli: Gracias.
***
Javier: Hello, everybody. Thank you for joining us. My name is Javier Lopez. Some of you know me as Manny!
Tenant: Viva Manny! (Long live Manny!)
Javier: We are delighted that you are here today to celebrate the great news that the building is going solar! Our first speaker is our landlord, Ms. Fix.
Ms. Fix: Hello, everyone. It’s my honor to be here up on the roof with you all. It’s good for the building and it’s good for the environment. Let’s hear more from the real heroes. Where’s Paco?
Voices in the Crowd: Paco, Paco, Paco… Vamos, Paco! (Go, Paco!)
Paco: Hola, Nueva York! It’s so nice to see all of you up here close to the sun. Some of you may have seen me on the street selling my mother’s tamales! I just want to say, thank you for joining this movement for clean energy, clean air, and a sustainable city. Jojo, do you want to come up here?
Jojo: I can talk from here. My brother got me to write music for his song about the environment, and now I have a job installing solar panels! It’s a good paying job, and it’s a job that makes you feel good because you are doing something beneficial for the environment. Ushi, I know you have something to share…
Ushi: Ooh! The baby is so excited to be up here, too! Sometimes I wonder what the next generation will say about us if we don’t take action to stop the climate crisis. Thank you, Frantz. You are a hero for maintaining our building, our home.
Frantz: Thank you all. I live here too, you know, and I want to make this place beautiful, too. My brother… My brother couldn’t be here. He didn’t know about low-cost health insurance, and he didn’t take care of his health. Sometimes when you are working hard every day, living paycheck to paycheck, you have to make difficult decisions. My brother… My brother didn’t know there were good options for him to help himself and plan for his future. We have to think… We have to take care of ourselves, for today and for tomorrow. Paco, thank you for asking me to speak with the landlord. Thank you for serving up these delicious vegetarian tamales from my brother’s cart.
Javier: There’s tamales from Paco’s food cart… There’s sun… And the solar panels are here! Please stay as long as the sun is high.
Juli: Everybody… I know the program is over, but I want to share something personal. My son, Paco, advocated for solar energy in our building, and for taking care of the health of our city, our planet, our home. He has been an inspiration for me. The younger generation truly has a lot to teach us. Paco and my daughter, Jojo, encouraged my husband, Felix, and me to get health insurance – to get covered and to take care of ourselves. Some of us live in the shadows –unprotected, uncovered, but that is no way to live. We all live under one sun – one solar roof. We all need to take care of ourselves, the home we share, each other.
***
Clara: I didn’t think you were going to make it, my dear.
Tatiana: Me neither.
Boris: Me neither. I was going to miss you, my friend. Beautiful sofa, by the way.
Manny: Thank you, Boris. You’re not going to miss me. We have many potluck dinners and memories yet to make and sustain together. I’m not going anywhere. I got covered. We changed the script.
***
Learn more about enrolling in health care
Go to NYC/GetCoveredNYC
Call 311 and say Get Covered NYC
Text CoveredNYC (SeguroNYC en Español) to 55676