[1] [1] Cookie introduces the world of Hurt Village: the “projects” in Memphis, Tennessee, and the history, stories, and the life she has experienced in the building and neighborhood she lives in.
Crank and Big Mama argue over the benefits of welfare versus a paying job.
The complex they live in is being flipped into “financially diverse” apartments, due to the Memphis Hope Grant of $35 million.
Ebony and Skillet partake in a “yo’ mama” joke and rap battle.
Buggy refuses the package but says he'll consider working for Tony C. Toyia and Crank are in Big Mama's they begin to discuss Cornbread's financial support of Cookie, despite not being her father.
Toyia acknowledges Crank over her occasional intimate relationship with Cornbread and points out that if Buggy supports Cookie they will receive military benefits.
As Big Mama is running late for her night shift Buggy helps her look for shoes and a packed box falls open.
Cookie is walking through the unit quietly, as not to wake up Buggy asleep on the couch, trying to change her sheets after she wet the bed.
They begin to talk and Cookie tells Buggy she wants to be a rapper and a flight attendant when she is grown up.
Big Mama shares that their application to move was denied because she makes too much money at her custodial job to qualify for housing.
Their family will have no place to live starting next week when everyone is expected to move out of the building.
Buggy jumps, hides, and starts to fall back into a PTS episode saying he's been hit until Cookie relaxes him.
Big Mama says the military doesn't provide compensation for people in Buggy's condition since he was not “honorably discharged.” Outside of the complex Ebony and Skillet are smoking weed and talking when Cookie comes out of the building on her way to the liquor store to buy Buggy and Big Mama beer.
Cookie tells Tony C that her family can't move to Raleigh.
Buggy tells Tony C to leave Cookie alone and verbally threatens him referencing his gun.
They argue briefly and Buggy says he'll never sell or work for Tony C and to stop coming by his porch.
Buggy tells Big Mama that the Veterans Affairs office won't fill his prescription anymore.
During their conversation, the audience learns Buggy has a “bad conduct discharge” and cannot receive his benefits after ten years of service.
He does not think he will be able to get a job with his record and references the potential of working for Tony C so he can provide a home for his family.
Big Mama and Buggy discuss his mother Tiffany and it is revealed she died of an overdose of cocaine.
He confesses while he is able to block out some incidents in battle he can't forget what happened to his mother.
Crank tells Cornbread he won't be around by the time the baby comes because he is moving to Mississippi.
A monologue of Big Mama advocating and fighting for her family to move to Raleigh at the welfare office.
Big Mama's getting ready to leave for work while Buggy gives her a roll of cash.
Buggy asks where Skillet is and Tony C responds saying he knows about their business selling drugs on his territory.
Eventually, he lets go and Cornbread, Buggy, and Ebony run away leaving Tony C alone as the police come.
Cookie would not say the pledge of allegiance in class and Crank begins to threaten to beat her.
2007, BRIC Studio, Classical Theatre of Harlem Future Classics Reading Series[4] 2009, Juilliard Workshop, New York City[4] February 27- March 18, 2012, The Pershing Square Signature Center[5] February 26–28, 2016, North Carolina Central University[6] In 2007, Hurt Village won the New Professional Theatre Writers Festival.