Homeless and Addicted - Three Hots and a Cot -

Homelessness, Addiction, AIDS,

Terror and Triumph!

Have you or someone you know ever faced homelessness, addiction, or AIDS? It can happen to anyone, as most Americans live “paycheck to paycheck” and cannot handle a major emergency. Never was this more evident than during and after the worldwide COVID pandemic!

We learned and found ways to help. So can YOU.

Why Do People Become Homeless?

Financial ruin leads to all kinds of coping behaviors when people become destitute. And how does that happen? The reasons are endless. Here are a few examples.

Job Loss
Acquiring AIDS or other expensive medical challenges
Divorce – especially without child support payments
Abandonment
Dispossession because of catastrophic events, such as wars or fires and floods resulting from climate change.

What We Did to Raise Awareness

I scripted the stories of people in a huge shelter (housing 1,400 people) in Washington, D.C. We performed their monologues for religious, civic, educational, and governmental organizations (including Congress, National Archives, and Governor Wilder’s Commission on Housing and Homelessness). We gave presentations all over the D.C. Metro Area (and beyond) to raise awareness and funds.

The National Archives recorded one of our performances, and Congressman Tom Lantos entered a script into the Congressional Record after we performed before Congress. Several scripts were part of a cable television show which ran for many months in Northern Virginia.

The real homeless people got so good at delivering their stories to audiences that someone once accused me of hiring real actors to pretend they were homeless!

As an aside, I won many awards for this volunteer work, but I must share the credit with the brave souls who became my dear friends, as they worked to get clean and out of the shelter. Those who survived are still leaders in their new communities.

The online or paperback versions of the book are available for all who want to help or to better understand. Below are script summaries and additional details. I’m sharing them because the playbook is available for those who would like to mount productions. In addition, I can still perform the scripts in a short presentation or as a one-woman show.

Who Can Benefit From Learning

About Homelessness, Addiction, and AIDS?

The Book or Playbook is Recommended for Use By:

Sociology | Psychology | Drama Classes

Medical, Health Care Providers, and First Responders

Book Clubs, Conferences, Panel Discussions

Civic Groups & Non-Profits on Affordable Housing or Homelessness

Awareness Projects re Hunger, Addiction, AIDS, and Trafficking

And for people who want to learn and understand!

Destitution and Dangers

“THREE HOTS AND A COT…” explores issues of poverty, divorce, addiction, AIDS, sex trafficking, tests of faith, and some of the many other dangers facing homeless children and adults. That sounds awful, but the people were/are wonderful! I met them. If you think it’s too scary or depressing a topic, you can see reviews by some enthusiastic readers on GoodReads below.

EMERGENCY HELP FOR PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION

Before we go on, given the seriousness of the issues, I just want to share this Help Hotline link for people struggling with addiction, regardless of whether they have become homeless.

In addition, many of my addicted friends got their help through “Twelve Step Programs.” Learn More Here.

“Three Hots And A Cot”

…is an expression that homeless people may use to refer to the endless hours they spend trying to reach their (often unmet) goal of finding food and shelter every day.

Shelters, prisons, and the military are the three most likely places to provide three hot meals and a cot on which to sleep. However, most shelters do not provide food (hot or cold), so people “dumpster dive” and go to “soup kitchens.”

Homeless people usually are hungry people and might be in constant pain from muscle cramping and other physical symptoms brought about by poor diet, sleeplessness, and adverse weather conditions.

Silhouette of a man praying on his knees Three Hots and a Cot inside cover This book contains monologues that depict life stories, bravery, vulnerabilities, religious faith, and love among people who experienced severe life challenges and shared their biographies with me.

Learn Whether Your Academic Theories

and/or Personal Preconceptions

DO or DO NOT

Match the Reality Of

Who Becomes Homeless and

How They Became Destitute

“Three Hots…” is not about theoretical models. Thus, teachers, first responders, economists, government workers, and altruistic organizations have an opportunity, by using the book, to demonstrate to their students how theoretical models do and do not readily apply to real-life events.

Thus, “Three Hots…” is highly recommended as an assigned reading (or performance) for high school and college-level classes in sociology, psychology, and drama, as well as for book clubs, civic organizations, and other action-oriented groups.

The material has proven invaluable for fund and awareness-raising activities for non-profit and religious organizations. That is why, when asked, I still perform the dramatic readings as a One-Woman Show for that purpose.

Three Hots and a Cot,

Stories of Courage from People Struggling with

Homelessness, Addiction, and AIDS

Comes in These Formats

A Playbook | License to Use (Purchase Here Only)

Signed Paperback Copies PLUS

Discounted Bulk Rates for Book Clubs | Class Assignments

(Available Here Only)

and a Kindle or Paperback Book on Amazon

Go to my Amazon Author’s Page to find this and future publications.

Why Buy Here, Instead of on Amazon?

Originally, Three Hots and a Cot, Stories of Courage from People Struggling with Homelessness, Addiction, and AIDS was solely a playbook to be used in the performing arts to raise awareness. It describes how any person or family can fall into difficult circumstances, resulting in homelessness, addiction, AIDS, and more. One script also addresses the societal consequences of these social issues.

Now, the playbook has been converted into a paperback and a Kindle book which you can find on Amazon. However, this page of my website gives you multiple options for purchase, some of which include discounts that you won’t find on Amazon or other platforms.

Paperbacks

If you purchase the paperback here, you can get signed, individual copies.
When you qualify, you also can get discounted prices, which are applied only to bulk purchases for book clubs, classroom assignments, and non-profits.
Your purchase here helps me keep more of the purchase price which helps me meet expenses associated with this publication. (Thank you for caring.)

Playbooks

This is where you can purchase the playbook. It is available only through direct purchase from me because I have to give you a license to use the copyrighted material.
If you buy the playbook scripts, you can select just a few or all the scripts, depending on the venue and purpose of the intended event.

Go to the bottom of this page for details about purchasing the playbook. Of course, you still can get the Kindle or paperback copy. They are available on Amazon. All purchases are greatly appreciated, as are reviews of the book.

Before we go further…

Click Here to See an Example of One of the Scripts.

It is called “Reader’s Digest” and starts like this. “How many of you have ever read Reader’s Digest – that section where people write about their “most unforgettable character?” I should write one of those articles, ‘cuz I met some truly unforgettable characters while living in the shelter!….”

Do You Want to Talk First

Or Engage Me to Write Your Story?

You can see summaries of the scripts and pictures of my homeless actors below.

However, if you already know you have questions or you want to book me to write your story, please contact me for details. Let’s talk first in a free, initial consultation called a Sip & Share Session on Zoom.

To schedule that chat or to ask me questions, write to

MyPersuasivePresentations@gmail.com and put “3 Hots Inquiry” in the subject line.

Once Upon a Time, We Looked Like This!

There is Addiction, But There Also Is RECOVERY!

(Note: not everyone in the group was an alcoholic or drug addict, nor did everyone suffer from addictions.) Here is a picture of some of the group when we were performing other works about homelessness with Voices From the Streets. (I’m the one with “the legs.” I was a volunteer at the shelter. The blond seated on the floor is the late Suzy Goldman, who first conned me into becoming a Producer and Director.)

VOICES FROM THE STREETS Photo by Rick Reinhard (rick@rickreinhard.com)

Awards

Nancy Wyatt received the Governor’s Gold Medal Award from Governor Wilder in Virginia

I received several unsolicited awards for this and related volunteer work. Among them were:

The International Woman of the Year Award
The Who’s Who of International Business and Professional Women’s Hall of Fame Award
The Who’s Who of American Women Award
The Governor’s Gold Medal Award (for work with homeless and addicted people)
The WDC*TV Women Making A Difference Award (for my work with homeless and addicted people)
The One and Only Channel Nine (WUSA-TV) Award, 1990 (for work with homeless and addicted people)
Empire Who’s Who Among Executives and Professionals
Who’s Who of International Business & Professional Women – Hall of Fame Award (twice)
The American Jefferson Award, 1990 (for work with homeless people)

The Book and the Playbook Have the Same Content

But the Playbook Format is Very Different

The Manuscript

In playbook format, you get the double-spaced manuscript on 8.5 x 11 pages with line numbers next to every line of dialogue and with room for notes. The line numbers are used during rehearsals by actors and directors who are staging the production. (“Do it again starting from page 27, line 1, please.”)
Playbooks customarily contain staging directions and scene descriptions. Since these scripts were performed as dramatic readings, staging is left to the preference of the producers.
I adjust the price according to your for-profit or not-for-profit organization status. (You must provide documentation proof in the form of the IRS letter bestowing non-profit status on your organization to be eligible for the discounted price.)
The playbook is available only on my website where you can select some or all the scripts. We shall discuss licensing provisions, which are customized for each client. They include agreements on how many copies may be reproduced and for what duration the material may be used. I still solely own the copyright. I’m just authorizing you to use it for a specific purpose and time (which could be “in perpetuity.”)
1. The pertinent provisions will be included with your copy of the playbook.
2. It is good to let us know the purpose for which you intend to use the scripts, as there is a potential for loosening the copyright restrictions.

Why Dramatic Readings?

The stories are in monologue format, so they may be performed as dramatic readings – either as single pieces or in their entirety.
Initially, we chose that format, because we never knew who would be dead, ill, MIA, or some other thing on the day of a performance.
In addition, as proven by the actual cast, the biographies can be presented by actors, but also by people with no theatrical training, and have equal impact.
They can be used as a full production, or in panel discussions, or as introductions to other presentations, depending on time and venue constraints and the purpose of a gathering.

Producers Ask, “How Long Does It Take To Tell These Stories About Homelessness, Addiction, and AIDS?”

During a full-length show (1 – 1 1/12 hours), a Narrator introduces each account. But, the monologues may be performed singly, or in small groups when 10 – 20 minutes is the time limit. See below for script summaries and rough timing estimates.

The cast sometimes contained singers and musicians, so music often was added, based upon the availability of talent.

The troupe conducted a Question and Answer session after the performances.

We still miss those whose lives already have ended. Happily, most of the performers who survived ultimately found new jobs and homes, or were reunited with their families and children; some went back to school, and most have their addictions under control.

Playbook Script Summaries: Homelessness, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, AIDS

Biographies as told to Nancy Wyatt by gay folks, straight folks, men, women, children, shelter operators, and a volunteer

Some of the VARIETY PACK Players Photo by Rick Reinhard (rick@rickreinhard.com).

Three Hots and a Cot – Stories of Courage From People Struggling with Homelessness, Addiction, and AIDS ~

Script Summaries and Timing of Individual Monologues

QUICKSAND

A young man is laid off from his ‘good government job.’ His wife takes their baby and goes to live with her mother, and the landlord evicts him. Brokenhearted, he describes living in starvation on the streets, while still trying to find employment. The two focuses are a) how a typical, working American citizen can become homeless, and b) how homeless people are hungry people. It describes what the typical emotional and physical symptoms are like. Script: 6 – 9 minutes

THE VIEW FROM HERE

A young woman’s husband leaves her with their four children. This script follows her as she gets a minimum wage job; moves in with grandma; gets fired and arrested for shoplifting (she didn’t make enough money for rent AND food), and tracks her into the alleyways where she becomes a prostitute to make food money. Eventually, she becomes a drug addict, who winds up in jail. Later, she comes to the shelter for help. But, there is no room at the inn. The story is told from the point of view of the shelter operator who has to turn her (and hundreds of others) away. Script: 7 – 9 minutes

PLEASE, GOD

This story presents a newly homeless child’s viewpoint on homelessness. She describes the shelter, the soup lines, the fear, and seeing ‘all these homeless people who look just like the ones she saw on TV.!’ Unwittingly, she is being seduced by a drug pusher, even as she watches her own family life disintegrate, making her more vulnerable. Script: 5 minutes

YOU CALL HIM ‘DERELICT.’ I CALL HIM “DARLING.”

This is a loving portrait of an old alcoholic panhandler, as he is viewed by a volunteer at the shelter. It is an attempt to humanize and give dimension to a homeless person who DOES fit the stereotype. Script: 11 minutes (performed by Nancy Wyatt)

SON OF HARLEM

This is the story of a young man from a Muslim Household. He proceeds from the streets of Harlem to the military, to college, to a job as a police officer, and then to the shelter as he becomes lost in drug addiction. While homeless, he acquired his Master’s Degree (Howard University) and became employed as a drug counselor. He now has multiple advanced degrees, and he uses his strict upbringing, education, and experience as an addict to live his life constructively and to help others learn the same. Script: 9 minutes

WAR

This script is the story of a young, upper-middle-class man who became homeless and, consequently, became sympathetic to the panhandler and the old woman pushing a grocery cart containing all her earthly possessions. It is a call to action in the war on homelessness. Script: 2 minutes

LOVE ALWAYS, … DAD.

One of the things that became clear while working with homeless populations was that, at Christmas, the shelter residents and street people cared only about whether they could “scrape up” a gift for their children or parents. They had little interest in receiving presents themselves. In fact, if they were given a gift, they were very likely to give it to a family member. The next story gives us insight into their feelings. Script: 2 minutes

RINDGO

(Pronounced “ring” “go.” The “D” is silent.) This is a revealing portrait of the many contradictory facets of a Black ex-convict, who was married to a minister and has great faith in God. This person is a diabetic amputee and a drug addict. The story addresses the issue of whether homeless people are lazy and unwilling to work. And, it ends on a heartwarming note when he speaks of his volunteer work with homeless children. Script: 8 – 10 minutes

READER’S DIGEST

This is a fairly light-hearted script that talks about the speaker’s ‘Most Unforgettable Characters’ at the shelter. It describes a clown, an undercover agent, and some other colorful folks, ending with memories of Mitch Snyder. Script: 6 minutes

MARTIN’S SONG

This story traces the history of a former cast member from his life as a child prodigy “from the projects,” who sang with the National Children’s Choir for a Pope and two American Presidents, to his present state as a recovering drug addict with AIDS. Script: 3 minutes

STATISTICS

This monologue makes the point that homeless people are not just statistics. It tells the story of an 80-year old man who walked from New York City to Washington, D.C., during the Housing Now March on Washington, even though he has brain damage and often cannot walk 2 blocks; the story of a doctor who masquerades as a bag lady and was refused admittance to a conference on “health care for the homeless” at which she was the keynote speaker, etc. Displays humor and describes how homeless people help homeless people. Script: 4 minutes

B.J.’S NIGHT VISIONS

This story begins with an attempted suicide and traces the life circumstances that led up to that point, including the speaker’s suffering from sexual abuse as a child, through a drug overdose by his spouse in adulthood. This story is very harsh, but it is beautifully executed by the actor/singer. It is not for the weak-hearted. Its importance lies in the fact that these things are happening to thousands of people all over the United States every day of our lives. It also ends on a positive note. Script: 6 minutes

FAMILY SHELTER

This is a short, but hard-hitting script, describing conditions in a typical family shelter and then asking what kind of adults these children will become. How can they support our tax base, if they grow up semi-literate or illiterate, succumb to the drug pushers, etc.? The script may be used as an introduction to PLEASE, GOD; it may be used as a stand-alone monologue; or, it may be part of the Narration. Script: 2 minutes

Variety Pack Players Photo by Chris Keeley

COPYRIGHT INFO: Three Hots and a Cot – Stories of Courage From People Struggling with Homelessness, Addiction, and AIDS

When you purchase them, My Persuasive Presentations, LLC will be notified that payment has been received. However, you will need to contact me online or via MyPersuasivePresentations@gmail.com to say which scripts you chose.

(We offer the flexibility of choice, if you purchase scripts individually, so they may best suit your needs.)

FORMAT AND PURCHASE OPTIONS

Again, you may purchase these stories as a paperback or Kindle book, online at Amazon.
If you would like to give less to Amazon and more to me, you may purchase signed paperbacks or reduced-price bulk shipments only via this webpage and directly from me. See the purchase information below.
You may purchase the manuscript here, as a playbook, if you want to stage a performance of some or all of the 13 monologues plus narration, which introduces each script and ties the stories together. The playbook has line numbers for dialogue and minimal staging suggestions. I make discounts available for IRS-certified non-profit organizations.
A lot of hard work and expense was involved in creating these stories; so please abide by good ethics, as well as the law, and do not distribute, post, or otherwise share the scripts without permission and payment.
Thank you, and I hope you find them illuminating and enjoyable! I offer them in LOVE on behalf of the brave men and women who have experienced homelessness

Paying Directly to Me

for Signed Copies

For signed copies of paperbacks, you can pay me directly by 1) transferring money to my email or phone address, 2) snail-mailing a check to me, or – last resort – 3) via PayPal.

PayPal has issues with scammers masquerading as PayPal, and that has caused me a LOT OF GRIEF. So, I prefer that you send me the funds via the other options.

If you need to use PayPal, we can discuss this during your free Sip & Share if you would like to do so.

An Additional Little Something

About PayPal

That We Learned the Hard Way

We learned this when a person wanted me to send the playbook (to a distant location), but she checked “Bill Me Later” on PayPal. Please note: if you choose the PayPal option “Bill Me Later,” your payment to me will be delayed.

PayPal first must do a credit check on you and then connect to the account to which you linked it. PayPal will not pay me until it has finished that process.

We do not send the scripts or playbook with your license to use the materials until My Persuasive Presentations has received your payment.

Bulk Shipments

Bulk shipments also are available here at discounted prices. See the options below.

Playbook Pricing ~ Do You Need

A PDF via Email or

Hard Copies in a Loose Leaf Book Form?

We shall assume that you want your playbook to be transmitted via PDF and email. That is how we save you money.

If you choose to receive a hard copy in a binder, there are additional costs for printing, the binder, packaging, and shipping.

Payment Options

The easiest way to pay is to send funds to my email address or phone number from your credit card or bank account using Zelle or other software that allows payments to my account.
Because of hackers who interfered with my old PayPal account in 2020, we need to discuss it before you pay using this method. Once you choose the number of scripts and copies you need, let me know what you want to purchase. Either send the moola using one of the other methods or I’ll give you my new, working PayPal information for payment.
I accept checks, payable to My Persuasive Presentations, LLC. In that case, I will send the book or playbook after the check clears.

Below are the categories and prices.

Reminder: Prices Differ for Non-Profits vs. For-Profits

1 – 3 scripts $30

4 – 6 $60

Playbook (IRS-certified nonprofits) USD 100

Playbook for-profit organizations USD 130

Purchase a Signed Copy of the Paperback about Homelessness from Me Here

The paperback book for the reading public also is available here at $10 + $3 shipping. If you want a specific inscription, along with my signature, please give me the details. Keep it short and simple, please and thank you.

The easiest way to do this is to send the $13 from your bank or other financial institution to me at this email address: MyPersuasivePresentations@gmail.com or to the following number: 1-540-692-0101.

Discounts for Bulk Purchases

25 copies USD 225.00

50 copies USD 400.00

100 copies USD 700

Discounted rates are available for book clubs, teachers who use this book as reading assignments, etc. The breakdown for the number of copies from one up to:

25 copies at $9 ea.

50 copies at $8 ea.

100 copies at $7 ea.

plus shipping.

Those discounts apply only if you are buying directly from me here. Once we determine the shipping cost for these large orders, you can make that payment by sending money from your financial institution to an email or phone address that I’ll give you, or you can do it by check, payable to My Persuasive Presentations.

Do You Need New Stories About Homelessness or Addiction?

You can book me to write new stories after interviewing folks in special circumstances.
1. Typical examples are stories about veterans, people who have lost their homes because of government shutdowns, fires, bankruptcies, etc., people who are struggling with illness, or people facing other challenges of life, like Alzheimer’s disease or domestic violence.
2. If you are a veteran with experience in war and want to share what you’ve learned or other wisdom, we can talk in a Sip & Share session to see whether we will choose this method of scripting your story.
3. I’m open to scripting or ghostwriting all kinds of stories, not limited to these topics.

Please contact me for details. Let’s talk first in a free, initial consultation called a Sip & Share Session on Zoom.

To schedule that chat or to ask me questions, write to MyPersuasivePresentations@gmail.com and put “Writing Inquiry” in the subject line.

Break the Chain (of Domestic Violence)

I also authored a one-act play, called “Break the Chain,” which is about domestic violence. Domestic violence also can lead to homelessness, so it is important to recognize the symptoms and cycles involved. That predictable cycle of abuse is what this play demonstrates. To my surprise and delight, it received loud applause and compliments from both abused and abusers who were in the shelter audience where I first staged a performance.

Click Here for details about the play, Break the Chain.

purple email Us sign for Presenter Guidebook Write to me at MyPersuasivePresentations@gmail.com and put “Writing Inquiry” in the subject line. Contact me now for more information, to purchase scripts, or to have me create original scripts for you! Let’s talk first in a free, initial consultation called a Sip & Share Session on Zoom.

The Occasional Poet – Has Nothing to Do with Homelessness

I write primarily for pragmatic purposes and projects. Consequently, I’ve not been one to participate in contests and other opportunities to get my work published. Nevertheless, independent organizations have included a few of my poems in their publications.

See The Occasional Poet link for poetry projects in which I’ve been engaged. I love doing the From One Line and #VSS365 poetry challenges on Twitter!

You can read samples of my poetry that NOVA Bards published. Write by the Rails, a Chapter of the Virginia Writers Club published three anthologies where you also can read a bit of my work.

Want a FREE Sip & Share Session on Zoom?

If you would like to chat, we can schedule a “Sip & Share” session on Zoom. The first one is FREE. To do that, just send an email to me at MyGetWellGuru@gmail.com.In the subject line, put “Request Sip & Share” plus the topic you want to discuss. We’ll arrange a mutually convenient time. I’ll create the link, and all you’ll have to do is be on time and click on the link.

Let’s Get Well, Stay Well, and Live Well