SYNOPSIS

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RAYMOND can’t wait to move with his parents from Kingston, Jamaica to Queens, New York and admits to his friends SHERYL and GREGORY that although the big move is two weeks away, he can think of nothing else. Studious, ambitious and determined, Raymond has already begun a “deep dive” into his soon-to-be newly adopted city and country, learning everything he can about American fashion, slang and cuisine so that he can impress his new American classmates with all the ways he has learned how to be an American.

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When Raymond’s mom, MUMA, tells him their lone, old computer has crashed, he visits his cousin PERCY and gets help from UNCLE PHIL who not only owns a working computer, but who also shares with Raymond how thrilled he is for the big move; Inspired, Uncle Phil waxes nostalgic about the wonderful times he had staying with extended family in New York during summers in the 1980’s.

In his quest to become the best American he can be, Raymond learns American slang, redesigs his clothes to resemble American fashion and even learns how to make pizza.

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But when Raymond is being introduced by his new teacher, MS. FERRARO, on his first day of school, everything he tries seems to backfire; he either uses slang words incorrectly or uses terms that are out dated (thanks to his Uncle Phil), mistakes one song for another or uses the wrong terminology for a game. What’s more, his curious classmates BOBBY, SUNITA and TRICIA become suspicious when Raymond continually evades their questions about his life in Jamaica, leaving them the only option of making stereotypical assumptions.

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Raymond goes home feeling crestfallen, believing he’s wrecked his only chance at being liked at his new school. Sulking in his room, he shares his disastrous day with his dad, POPS. Hoping to help make Raymond feel better, Pops asks Raymond about his favorite memories of Jamaica that make him most happy. Among the memories Raymond recalls is one of baking Jamaican Christmas cake with Pops every December. He wishes they didn’t have to wait until Christmas time to make one. Pops tells him there’s no rule stating they have to wait. He and Raymond bake a Jamaican Christmas cake and Raymond decides to bring it in to school to share with his new classmates.

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When Bobby, Sunita and Tricia tell Raymond how much they love his cake, he begins to open up, speaking more like himself, telling them about his life in Jamaica and even teaching them how to speak Jamaican patois via the word “irie” which means when everything is alright. Raymond has discovered he’s able to make friends and enjoy being in his new country just by being himself.