the characters
the squatters
Mo
Early 20s, African-American, a musician with a strong sense of social justice. Grew up in the neighborhood and watched the disintegration of the housing stock. When the local community board issues a plea for activists to squat buildings to preserve them, he steps forward.
PINKY
Hard-living 50s, an Irishman with a disheveled orange beard and the flushed face of a drinker. He’s lived in squats before and knows the ropes. Compassionate toward those who’ve fallen into bad habits.
RUBY
Late 30s, African-American woman, soft-hearted center with a cynical hard shell. A single mother struggling to care for two children while dealing with housing insecurity.
TANISHA
Ruby's daughter, a strikingly pretty 15-year-old who feels it’s about time she was treated like an adult. She’s targeted by cult leader Pierre as a vessel for his planned ritual.
SKY
Mid-30s, 6-foot black lesbian, linebacker build, in team sweats and baseball cap. Beset by a gambling addiction she doesn’t want to admit to herself.
JUNIOR
Late 70s, a black man with a mane of white hair and bushy white beard, often homeless. Respects authority and tries to help out wherever he can.
the renters
ZO
Early 20s, Asian American, fearless and open-minded, she’s focused on her art and motivated to put the rental building on a legal footing with the city because she wants the space for her large canvases. Her new home tests her sense of invulnerability and opens her to an unexpected romance.
TOMMY STREETS
Early 30s, white guy with a burned-out look and a new habit of attendance at Narcotics Anonymous. He’s seen both sides and is willing to work with both his fellow renters and his squatter neighbors.
HELGA
Early 20s, white, a raven-haired 6-foot Valkyrie in black spandex top, black leggings, and blood-red lipstick. Something of a bully who uses her size and loud voice to intimidate, she never questions that the only alternative to her way is the highway.
BELINDA
Early 20s, a small white woman with a curvaceous body and a face that might generously be described as plain. With a spiteful sense of humor and grating laugh, she uses her curves to make up for her lack of beauty.
ROCKY
Mid-30s, paranoid white Vietnam vet. His wife threw him out because she couldn’t deal with his violent outbursts, and he hasn’t seen his kids in months. Discouraged by the lackadaisical attitudes of his renter neighbors, he takes a gun with him wherever he goes.
albie
Early 20s, tall, white, and gay. Concerned about the first reports of a frightening new disease felling gay men in the city.
the villains
pierre st. pierre
Of indeterminate age, emaciated, faded blond braids, lined ghostly face.
Frayed skin-tight jeans and a dirty T-shirt, heavy silver bangles on both arms, silver rings on every finger, and around his neck amulets hanging from a thick silver chain, carries a wooden cane finished with a silver foot in the shape of a hoof and a silver claw on the knob. He’s building a cult out of punks and teen runaways.
Joshua
Late 20s, white, gaunt, patchy ungroomed beard, dirty-blond hair down to his shoulders, and a vibe that comes off him like a bad smell. Goes everywhere with a live chicken on his shoulder that he claims is a beloved pet.
the locals
ELVIS
Puerto Rican despite his name, at nearly 18 he's the oldest of a group of drug runners on the block. Liaises with the drug dealer boss and keeps an eye on comings and goings.
andre
Mid-40s, dark-skinned, 6 foot 2, with Jheri curls and muscles. A natty dresser and keen observer of neighborhood characters, he’s a grandfather who worries about whether his grandson will resist the call of the streets.
mr. Lopez
Mid-65, Puerto Rican, a short, rotund figure. After thirty years on the next block, he just wants to create a garden out of the rubble and build a casita where he can drink a beer on hot days.
COUNTESS CUDDLES
Early 30s, a matronly queen in spangles and a blond cotton-candy wig.
Performer and hostess par excellence.
Galina
Mid-60s, Ukrainian, bouffant bottle-blonde hair, apron over a flower-print dress, she sweeps the sidewalk at dawn and gossips about those who pass her.
JEAN GENIE
Early 20s, skinny 6 foot 6 inches, deep-voiced white guy, completely bald, in a short, black cocktail dress, oversized round sunglasses, dangling earrings, and stiletto heels, lead singer of Jean Genie and the Geniuses.