Transcriber's Note: Italic text is denoted by _underscores_.
GOAT ALLEY
GOAT ALLEY
A TRAGEDY OF NEGRO LIFE
_By_
ERNEST HOWARD CULBERTSON
[Illustration]
CINCINNATI
STEWART KIDD COMPANY
PUBLISHERS
COPYRIGHT, 1922, BY
STEWART KIDD COMPANY
[Illustration]
_All rights reserved_
All acting rights, both amateur and professional, are fully protected
under copyright law and are reserved by the author. Application
to produce GOAT ALLEY must be made to him, in care of
the publishers, Stewart-Kidd Company, Cincinnati.
Printed in the United States of America
THE CAXTON PRESS
TO
FREDERIC AND ALICE MULHERN ROBINSON
INTRODUCTION
In a dingy little hall on a side street Mr. Ernest Howard Culbertson
began rehearsals of “Goat Alley,” his tragedy of Negro life in a
Washington slum. The actors were, with one exception, amateurs--colored
working people who gave their time and services for the sake of what
they felt to be an artistic expression of the life of their race.
The author had no sociological intention; he had no ambition to be a
propagandist. He had not even a special interest in the racial problem.
He thought that he had come upon an action that has the quality of
tragic inevitableness. He thought, furthermore, that tragedy does not
reside in pomp and circumstance, but in the profound realities of human
helpfulness and human suffering, and that poor Lucy Belle struggling to
maintain her spiritual integrity in Goat Alley was a protagonist worthy
of the sternest art and the largest sympathy.
He built up his action from within. He saw that the Negro cannot yet
hope, like the white man, to transcend common standards. He must first
reach them. Hence the Negro girl’s struggle for her own integrity is
not yet the struggle of Nora or Magda--the struggle to be true to
herself; it is the struggle to remain true to the man of her real
choice. To transcend a necessary order one must first have achieved
it. The achievement of social order in the moral sense is therefore
the right and necessary aim of the Negro proletarian and the right and
necessary theme of a drama dealing with his life.
In the play, Lucy Belle fights valiantly her losing fight. Loneliness,
poverty, ignorance, terror, drive her from disaster to disaster, from
one unwilling infidelity to another. But she never wavers in her soul.
In her utter confusion and failure she kills the child that stands
between her and all her hopes and at once expiates that action with
her own death. Neither the subject nor the circumstances are new. But
novelty is no mark of fine literature. The motives, the people, the
place, the color of life--these are new. Every triangle play is a
“Medea”. There are subjects that are classical because they are native
to the character and circumstances of mankind. Such is the subject of
“Goat Alley”. The structure is pure and uncompromising. No American
play has had a finer or truer moment than that at the end of the second
act when Lucy Belle, her lodger lost, her money stolen, her child
crying with hunger, consents quietly, yet in such despair, to rent her
vacant room to the worthless, ingratiating barber. Hauptmann would
not have disdained that quiet moment of rich, tragic implications;
Galsworthy would have approved it.
No competent observer will fail to note here the evidence of an effort
as serious, as intelligent, as sensitive to the character and quality
of what makes tragedy as our recent theatre has produced.
LUDWIG LEWISOHN.
New York, July, 1921.
GOAT ALLEY
CHARACTERS
Lucy Belle Dorsey
Slim Dorsey
Sam Reed
Aunt Rebecca
Lizzie Gibbs
Jeff Bisbee
Chick Avery
Jeremiah Pocher
Fanny Dorsey } _Children_
Israel Dorsey }
Baby
Policeman
GOAT ALLEY was first publicly presented at the Bijou Theatre, New York
City, on the evening of June 20, 1921.
ACT I
_The curtain rises on the sitting-room of a Negro’s squalid dwelling
in Goat Alley, Washington, D. C. At Right Back, there is a door
giving directly on the street and when it is open one gets a
glimpse of the miserable, tumble-down houses on the opposite side.
At Left Back is a window, with one pane broken and an old shirt
stuffed in the hole. The one or two old rag-carpet rugs which lie
on the floor serve only in a small measure to cover its bareness.
Several old, broken and battered chairs stand here and there
about the room. At Left Center is a door leading into the other
downstairs room of the house. Between it and the wall, Back, is a
door opening into a closet._
_There is another door, down Right, giving on a flight of stairs
which lead to the one upper room of the house. Near the door, Left
Center, and toward the front stands a battered table on which lie,
in disordered array newspapers and one or two dog-eared books
with their backs off. It is evening and a lighted oil lamp, with
the chimney badly smoked, rests in the center. The wick is turned
low and the guttering flame causes countless shadows to disport
themselves eerily about the room. Between the door, Left Center,
and the door, up Left, stands a fancy cupboard. There is a large
easy chair between the table and the wall, Left Center. Both of
these pieces of furniture look out of place in the room._
_Flamboyant lithographs, a gilt-framed picture of Jack Johnson,
wearing his golden smile, a framed engraving of Abraham Lincoln,
and several grotesque crayon portraits of members of the family
adorn the dirty and discolored walls. An old corset, a half-eaten
roll, and a doll, with its head off, lie about on the floor. A
horseshoe is nailed over the center of the door, Back._
_Aunt Rebecca, an old coal-black Negress, enters, Back. She wears no
hat and has just a shawl thrown over her shoulders. She presents
the appearance of an animated mummy. Her eyes are small and
bead-like and shine with an uncanny lustre; her hands are long
and bony, resembling the talons of a hawk. She glances about
inquiringly, gives an impatient grunt, then turns and slowly
closes the door._
AUNT REBECCA (_in high-pitched raspy tones as she moves to the Center_)
Lucy Belle! Oh, Lucy Belle!
LUCY BELLE (_from the next room_)
Dat yo’, Aun’ Becky?
AUNT REBECCA
Yas, honey.
LUCY BELLE
Jes’ a minute. Changin’ mah skirt.
(_Aunt Rebecca drops into a chair, Left Center, and begins a weird and
doleful chant._)
AUNT REBECCA
Um--a--um--a--um--a--um--a--um--a--um--a! Trouble in mah soul!
Um--a--um--a--um--a--um--a--um--a--um--a! Trouble! (_High
treble_) Um--a--um--a--um--a--um--a--um--a! Trouble in mah
soul! Um--a--um--a--um--a--um--a--um--a! Trouble in mah soul!
Um--a--um--a--um--a--um--a--um--a!
(_Lucy Belle enters, Left. She is a frail, light brown young Negress
of about twenty-eight. She has a nervous, hesitant--and sometimes
wistful--manner. She wears a plain black waist and a black skirt,
patched in several places._)
LUCY BELLE (_feelingly, as she kisses Aunt Rebecca_)
Aun’ Becky! I’se so glad ter see yo’ agin! ’Deed I is! (_Draws up a
chair and sits near her._)
AUNT REBECCA (_affectionately_)
Po’ful glad ter see yo’, honey!
LUCY BELLE
Seem like ole times--seein’ yo’! Lessee--how-some long yo’ all been
’way?
AUNT REBECCA (_reflectively_)
Um! Um! (_Puts a hand to her head and purses her lips._) Dat gin
got mah haid all tangle up! Um! Keep tellin’ G’orge whiskey suit me
bettah--but he like gin. How long? Um! Um! Gawd-a-massy! Be a yeah in
Feb-wary!
(_Lucy Belle exclaims incredulously._)
LUCY BELLE
Go ’long!
AUNT REBECCA
Sho’ has! I--I was free mon’s in Cumberlan’ wid Sadie--she dat slim
yallow one, yo’ know--got a mole on dis cheek. (_Indicates._) Some
say dat de reason she so lucky. I ain’ sayin’. Up dere mos’ six mon’s
wid Em’ly--she dat fat brown gal. (_Lucy Belle nods._) An’ den I
reckon ’bout fo’ mon’s in Frederick wid Henry. (_Throws back her head
proudly._) Henry great big fine lookin’ niggah. Ain’ so lucky, dough.
Bawn in de da’k ob de moon.
LUCY BELLE
I ’member him. I ’member seein’ him ’roun’ yere w’en his fader
died--ole Uncle Henry,--
AUNT REBECCA (_scornfully_)
Huh! Dat niggah was’n’ his fader. No, indeedy! Dat lil’ scrootchin’
monkey was’n’ calc’lated ter be de fader ob no boy like Henry.
(_Lucy Belle gives an exclamation of surprise. Aunt Rebecca sits in
perplexed preoccupation for several moments. At length she speaks very
slowly--dragging out the words, one after another._)
AUNT REBECCA
’Deed chile, I kain’t seem ter ’member who Henry’s fader was. Dat gin
got mah haid so tangle up.
LUCY BELLE
Lot done happen since yo’ been ’way.
AUNT REBECCA
Don’ I know it! Don’ I know it!
(_Fanny Dorsey, a little Negro girl of eight, and Israel Dorsey, a
little Negro boy of four, run in, Left._)
FANNY
Mamma! Yo’ all gwine ’way?
LUCY BELLE
I ain’ gwine nowhar.
ISRAEL
Mamma! Git me some candy!
LUCY BELLE (_harshly, as she rises_)
Yo’ all hush! I ain’ gwine ter git yo’ nuffin!
FANNY
Mamma! I wan’ ter go out an’ play wid Gordy!
LUCY BELLE
Shet up! Yo’ ain’ gwine ter play wid nobody! Git in dere an’ git ter
bed! Go ’long! Yo’ yere me? (_Threateningly._) Wan’ me ter beat yo’?
ISRAEL
Mamma! Git me--
(_Lucy Belle grabs them roughly and pushes them through the door, Left,
closing it after them. Their cries are heard for several moments and
then gradually cease._)
LUCY BELLE (_irritably_)
Some day I’se gwine ter git good an’ mad an’ knock dere haids off!
AUNT REBECCA
How’s Sam--?
LUCY BELLE (_drops down on a chair near Aunt Rebecca and exclaims
ecstatically_)
Jes’ great! Aun’ Becky, he’s de bes’ ole budigee in de worl’!
AUNT REBECCA
Ain’ nobody got nuffin’ on Sam.
LUCY BELLE
Yo’ said it! Jes’ as good ter me as he know how ter be. Do ev’ythin’ I
ask him.
AUNT REBECCA
Don’ haf ter tell me dat.
LUCY BELLE
He’s de onlies’ niggah I evah loved.
AUNT REBECCA
Don’ make ’em no bettah den Sam.
LUCY BELLE
He’s mah honey-baby, buddy boy!
AUNT REBECCA (_with a good-natured chuckle_)
Listen ter yo!
LUCY BELLE (_her face clouding_)
But he ain’ had such good luck lately--.
AUNT REBECCA
How come dat--?
LUCY BELLE
I dunno--. Till ’bout a monf ago he wuk steady fo de Simpson Express
Company. Drive a wagon fo’ dem.
AUNT REBECCA
Dat w’at he doin’ w’en I lef’.
LUCY BELLE
Sho’, sho’--. Good job, too. But de wuk gits slack--an’ dey lets him
out.
AUNT REBECCA
Go ’long!
LUCY BELLE
He try an’ try ter git anoder job--but could’n’ seem ter fin’ nuffin’.
Times is bad, yo’ know. Neah walk his feet off jes’ seein’ ef he
kain’t git somefin’ by de day.
AUNT REBECCA
Yo’ don’ say!
LUCY BELLE
Sam’s as steady as dey make ’em. Ef he ain’ wukkin he jes’ ’bout goes
crazy.
AUNT REBECCA
Don’ I know it.
LUCY BELLE
So finally he up an’ gwine ter Baltimo’--an’ gits a job wid de Street
Departmen’--diggin’ ditches fo’ wattah mains.
AUNT REBECCA
In Baltimo’--!
LUCY BELLE
Yas, indeedy! I been at him fo’ a long time ter go ovah dere.
AUNT REBECCA
Yo’ is--!
LUCY BELLE
Aun’ Becky, dey’s some niggahs ’roun’ dis town--dat jes’ watchin’ dere
chanct ter blackguard him an me--git back at us any way dey kin.
AUNT REBECCA (_with a little snort_)
Go ’long, now--w’at yo’ talkin’ ’bout.
LUCY BELLE
Dey sho’ is--! An’ jes as soon as he git somefin’ steady--an’ dat pay a
lil’ bettah we gwine ter move ovah dere.
AUNT REBECCA (_with a wail_)
Gawd-a-massy, w’at yo’ po’ ole Aun’ Becky gwine ter do!
LUCY BELLE
Be mighty sorry ter leave yo’, Aun’ Becky--!
AUNT REBECCA (_with facetious fervor_)
Why, chile, w’at yo’ ’spose I done come back ter Wash’nin’ fo’?
LUCY BELLE
I know yo’ gwine ter miss me--an’ I’se gwine ter miss yo’--but it tain’
so far away dat I kain’t git ovah--now an’ den. An’ yo’ kin come ovah
an’ see me--!
AUNT REBECCA (_shaking her head_)
Lawsy, lawsy--dat’s de way. Jes’ as soon as yo’ git ter likin’
somebody--dey up an’ gwine ’way.
LUCY BELLE
It gwine ter be bes’ fo’ bof ob us, Aun’ Becky--!
AUNT REBECCA
I reckon yo’ know--but jes’ de same--
LUCY BELLE
An’--an’ terday I feels mo’ like we got ter git ’way den evah.
AUNT REBECCA
How come dat--?
LUCY BELLE
Yo’ know Sam ain’ nevah had nuffin’ much ter do wid oder gals.
AUNT REBECCA (_with a nod_)
He don’ look like he ’ud chase ’em much.
LUCY BELLE
He don’! He ain’ dat kin’! But--but fo’ de las’ free weeks dey’s a gal
dat he uster know--long time ago--keep comin’ ’roun’ yere.
AUNT REBECCA
Go ’long!
LUCY BELLE
Her name Lizzie Gibbs--an’ she de hardes’ ole yallow gal yo’ evah seen.
AUNT REBECCA
She come ’roun’ yere--!
LUCY BELLE
Sam only gits home onct or twict a week--mos’ly only onct. I allas goes
ter de do’ w’en he’s yere--an’ ef she come--he duck upstairs fo’ she
kin lay eyes on him.
AUNT REBECCA
Would’n’ stan’ fo’ nuffin’ like dat!
LUCY BELLE
W’at yo’ gwine ter do? She so hard she liable ter do anathin’. She--she
was yere dis mawnin’. She say she gwine ter keep comin’ ’till she see
Sam.
AUNT REBECCA
Gawd-a-massy! Put de _po_-lice on her--!
LUCY BELLE (_shakes her head_)
Ef I do dat, she liable ter make trouble--
AUNT REBECCA
W’at trouble kin she make ef dey locks her up?
LUCY BELLE
She might make trouble ’tween me an’ Sam--ef she’s a min’ ter--
AUNT REBECCA
’Tween yo’ an’ Sam--! Go ’long!
LUCY BELLE
Sam don’ care no mo’ fo’ her den he do a rat--but she crazy jealous--
AUNT REBECCA
’Co’se she is--an’ dat’s de reason--
LUCY BELLE (_touches Aunt Rebecca on the knee_)
I tell yo’ why I got ter go easy wid her--till I see mah way out. Maybe
yo’ kin he’p me--
AUNT REBECCA
Sho’--!
LUCY BELLE
Yo’ see she’s de onlies’ one ob all dem blackguardin’ niggahs dat uster
live ’roun’ me ovah dere in Carter Street--fo’ I moves yere ter Goat
Alley--(_Breaks off and stares sombrely into space for several moments,
then proceeds with a slight catch in her voice._) Aun’ Becky, I’se had
it hard. Ain’ nevah had much luck--’deed I ain’--’cept meetin’ up wid
Sam agin.
AUNT REBECCA
Yo’ ain’ nevah tol’ me much ’bout yo’se’f.
LUCY BELLE
Nevah tol’ nobody--much. W’at’s de use?
AUNT REBECCA
Go on! W’at’s on yo’ min’?
LUCY BELLE
Mah moder died w’en I’se fifteen--an’ Pap goes off ter Texas an’ I ain’
nevah seen him since. Slim--mah bro’der--he was jes’ a lil’ kid--baby
mos’--an’ I did’n’ have no oder people.
AUNT REBECCA
Bless yo’ soul--!
LUCY BELLE
Done mos’ anathin’ I could--jes’ ter make a livin’. Wuk in laundries,
cook, wait on tables--. Starts gwine ’roun’ wid de boys, too. Yo’ know
how a gal is. Meets up wid Sam an’ Jeff Bisbee an’ Ed Cales--an’ a
bunch-a oders like dem. Jeff hang ’roun’ aftah me mos’ all de time--an’
Sam do, too. Sam allas a wuk steady--but Jeff, he nevah wukked ’less
he had ter. He’s--he a hard niggah--allas drunk, an’ fightin’ an’
shootin’ crap. But--well--yo’ know how a gal is--(_Aunt Rebecca grunts
and nods._) He looks good ter me, kase he wear swell clothes, an’ spend
money free, an’ boas’ how many cops he cut. Was’n’ long, dough, fo’
Jeff git crazy jealous-a Sam--an’ one day--down yere in Four-an’-a-ha’f
Street--dey meets up an’ has a fight. (_As though somewhat thrilled by
the memory of it._) Man-day, but dey flew at each oder! Like a couple-a
wildcats! But de _po_-lice bus’ in on ’em. Dey ketch Jeff--but Sam git
away.
AUNT REBECCA
Mah soul--!
LUCY BELLE
Jeff gits six mon’s in de wukhouse. I meets up wid Sam a few days
aftah. Like de fool I is--I ’cuses him ob startin’ de fight.
AUNT REBECCA
Hush yo’ mouf!
LUCY BELLE
I did’n’ know who did--’zactly--but I was sore kase Jeff was in
jail. He been takin’ me ’roun’, yo’ see--spendin’ lots-a money on
me--an’--an’--Oh, well I jes’ a damn fool, kase I ain’ got nobody ter
look aftah me. (_Shakes her head remorsefully._) Sam gits mad--an’
quits comin’ ’roun’ ter see me. Tells me, now, dat he git de idea dat
I didn’t care nuffin’ at all ’bout him. All de time he crazy ’bout
me! (_Pauses a moment in reverent thought._) He was livin’ ovah in M
Street. Ole Lizzie Gibbs livin’ dere, too. Dat’s whar he meets up wid
her. She had been foolin’ ’roun’ aftah him fo’ a long time. Aftah dat
scrap me an’ him had, he gits so down in de mouf dat he takes up wid
her fo’ a while.
AUNT REBECCA
Dat ole yallaw gal yo’ jes’ tellin’ me ’bout?
LUCY BELLE (_nodding_)
Yas. But only fo’ a lil’ while--he say. He seen right away how hard she
was--an’ dat she was’n’ no good--an’ he draps her like a hot tater.
AUNT REBECCA
Reckon he would--!
LUCY BELLE
Den he decides ter beat it--an’ goes off ter Atlanta. Stays dere five
yeahs. Only come back yere ’bout a yeah ago.
AUNT REBECCA
An’ yo’ ain’ seen him--all dat time?
LUCY BELLE
No.
AUNT REBECCA
Gawd-a-massy!
LUCY BELLE
But he say he was thinkin’ ’bout me all de time! Nevah fo’git me an’
nevah seen any oder gal dat he like bettah! (_Shakes her head._) An’ I
sho’ nevah did fo’git him! Ef I’d only stuck ter him. Would’n’ have
had ha’f de trouble I is. Yo’ see--yo’ see, aftah he’d been gone a
while I began ter see w’at a good fellah he’d been. (_Pauses a moment
in sombre thought._) While Jeff was in de wukhouse I marries Ed Cales.
He uster bootblack on de Avenue an’ carry sample cases fo’ drummers.
Fo’ a lil’ while he drive a wagon fo’ a white man dat run a meat stan’
on Louisiana Avenue. But mos’ de time he don’ do nuffin’ but lay
’roun de house. (_Contemptuously._) He wasn’ no good--jes’ a loafin’,
no-count niggah dat lay ’roun an’ let a gal wuk fo’ him--long as she
would stan’ fo’ it. I lives wid him two yeahs. Den one day he say he
gwine down ter Richmon’ fo’ a few days, beats it off--an’ I ain’ nevah
seen him since.
AUNT REBECCA
Yo’ lucky ter git rid-a him so easy!
LUCY BELLE (_nodding_)
’Deed I was! (_Sighs heavily._) ’Bout free mon’s aftah dat I meets Jeff
Bisbee ovah in Gerner’s one day--an’--an’ he walks home wid me. I’se
livin’ ovah in Carter Street den. (_Gives a little nervous shudder._)
He shoot off his mouf great. Tol’ me how much he think-a me--an’ dat I
is de onlies’ gal dat evah got him goin’--an’ all dat kin’-a stuff. He
say dat he broke--but dat he ’spec’ ter collec’ some money in a week or
two--an’ dat he don’ know w’at he gwine ter do till den. Begs me ter
let him stay dere wid me fo’ a few days. (_Drops her head and sighs._)
I finally does. De longer he stay de harder he git, an’ by-an’-by
he say ef I don’ let him stay dere all de time he gwine ter kill me.
He say ef I call de _po_-lice he gwine ter lay fo’ me--an’ watch his
chanct--night an’ day--till he git me. Hones’, I gits so scar’t I
did’n’ hardly know w’at ter do. An’--an’ so he keeps livin’ on dere wid
me--an’ I keeps thinkin’ mo’ an’ mo’ ’bout Sam--an’ wishin’ I’d stuck
ter him--an’ dat I knowed whar he was.
AUNT REBECCA
’Deed, honey, I knows how yo’ must-a felt.
LUCY BELLE
He wuk in a livery stable ovah on C Street fo’ a while. Couldn’ git him
ter do nuffin’ steady. Mos’ de time he jes’ lay ’roun’ de house an’
guzzle gin--guzzle gin--an’ w’en he ain’ doin’ dat, he out in de alley
shootin’ crap wid Mink Hall an’ Slim an’ dat gang.
AUNT REBECCA
He wuss den no-count!
LUCY BELLE
I was a fool, I knows--ter stick ter him. ’Deed I was! But I’se so
scar’t an’ down in de mouf dat I ain’ got good sense. (_Aunt Rebecca
nods sympathetically._) All de time Jeff keep gittin’ harder an’
harder. An’ me wukkin’ mah haid off ter feed him an’ de chillen. Ev’y
onct in while he gits mad an’ beats me up. Finally I’se pretty neah
crazy. One night w’en he’s away I gits mah broder Slim ter come ovah
an’ he’p me. We packs ev’ythin’ up an’ moves ovah yere--an’ I did’n’
tell nobody whar I was gwine.
AUNT REBECCA
Yo’ look like yo’ had somefin’ on yo’ min’--dat fust day I seen yo’
yere!
LUCY BELLE
’Deed I did! (_Shakes her head._) Ain’ seen hide nor hair-a him since.
(_Abruptly, after a moment or two of troubled thought._) Yo’--yo’ see,
Aun’ Becky, ef dey’s anabody in de worl’ dat Sam hate--it--it Jeff
Bisbee--
AUNT REBECCA
Sho! Sho!
LUCY BELLE
Hate him like poison! (_Hesitatingly._) I--I ain’ nevah tol’ him dat I
live wid Jeff.
AUNT REBECCA
Yo’ ain’--?
LUCY BELLE
Ain’ had de nerve! He know dat I married Ed Cales--an’ I tol’ him mos’
ev’ythin’ else--an’ he say w’at is pas is pas’. But yo’ see it was Jeff
dat bus’ him an’ me up befo’--an’ he call him de hardes’ niggah in
Wash’nin’--
AUNT REBECCA
Any way ob him findin’ out--?
LUCY BELLE
Only ef somebody tell him.
AUNT REBECCA
Who know--?
LUCY BELLE
Slim, an’ dem people in Carter Street, an’ ole Lizzie Gibbs--
AUNT REBECCA
She know--?
LUCY BELLE (_nodding_)
Sho’.
AUNT REBECCA
Den’ yo’ bettah watch out--kase ef she like w’at yo’ tell me she ain’
gwine ter keep it to herse’f.
LUCY BELLE
I reckon she ain’--an’ dat’s w’at got me so worried. Yo see, she yere
Sam talk so much ’bout me dat it make her crazy jealous. W’en he gwine
’way ter Atlanta, she figure dat ef he come back he mos’ likely come
ter me fust. Leas’-ways dat w’at I think she figure. So she move ovah
dere ter Carter Street, an’ take a house near me, wid de idea dat maybe
she kin bus’ me an’ Sam up--ef he come back. I was married ter Ed Cales
den--but aftah while I takes up wid Jeff--like I done tol’ yo’--an’ all
de time she’s watchin’ me like a hawk widout me knowin’ it--.
AUNT REBECCA
Tryin’ ter git somefin’ on yo’--!
LUCY BELLE
Sho’! An’ now--now dat she found out whar I live--an’ dat he’s
back--she’s comin’ at me agin--!
AUNT REBECCA
Put de _po_-lice on her!
LUCY BELLE
Den she boun’ ter tell Sam--an’ lie an’ blackguard on me wuss den
evah--! Don’ yo’ see--? (_Twining and intertwining her fingers and
staring into space with a distraught expression._) I don’ know w’at
ter do!
(_The children suddenly give vent to shouts and can be heard romping
wildly in the room, off Left._)
LUCY BELLE (_rising_)
Listen ter dem chillen--! (_Moving toward, Left._) ’Scuse me while I
puts dem ter bed.
(_Aunt Rebecca sits in a brown study._)
AUNT REBECCA (_as Lucy Belle nears the door, Left_)
Lucy Belle--!
LUCY BELLE (_pausing_)
Yas.
AUNT REBECCA
Who de fader ob Fanny?
LUCY BELLE
Ed Cales. (_Hesitatingly_) Is-Israel is--is Jeff’s.
(_Aunt Rebecca grunts and nods. Lucy Belle goes out, Left. Aunt Rebecca
sits pondering for several moments and then begins to chant._)
AUNT REBECCA (_chanting_)
Um--a--um--a--um--a--um--a--um--a! Trouble in mah soul!
Um--a--um--a--um--a--um--a--um--a--um--a--um--a! Trouble in mah soul!
Um--a--um--a--um--a--um--a--um--a--um--a--um--a! Trouble in mah soul!
Um--a--um--a--um--a--um--a--um--a--um--a!
(_A knock sounds on the door, Back. Aunt Rebecca glances toward the
door and gives an annoyed grunt. The knock sounds again. Aunt Rebecca
gets up, grumbling to herself, goes to the door and opens it. Lizzie
Gibbs steps in. She is a large, voluptuous, mulatto woman. She has
straight hair, high cheek bones, and large coarse features. Her manner
is over-bearing and insolent._)
LIZZIE
H’yo’--?
AUNT REBECCA (_surveying her with an air of frank suspicion and
disapproval_)
W’at yo’ wan’--?
LIZZIE (_swaggering down toward Center with her hands on her hips_)
Sam Reed live yere, don’ he--?
AUNT REBECCA
None ob yo’ bus’ness weder he do or weder he don’--!
LIZZIE (_savagely_)
Go ’long, yo’ ole black wench! Don’ yo’ give me no back talk! (_Glaring
at her malevolently._) Don’ yo ’spose I knows he live yere--! Is he
home?
AUNT REBECCA (_sullenly_)
Don’ know.
LIZZIE
Whar is he--?
AUNT REBECCA
Don’ know.
LIZZIE
Yo’ don’ know nuffin’, d’yo’--?
(_Aunt Rebecca stands glaring fiercely at Lizzie. Lucy Belle can be
heard in the next room speaking to the children._)
LIZZIE
Lucy Belle’s yere, _ain’_ she--?
AUNT REBECCA (_shortly_)
I reckon so.
LIZZIE
Tell her I wan’ ter see her.
(_Aunt Rebecca hesitates for a moment, then shuffles over toward
the door on the left, and goes out. Lizzie swaggers about the room,
examining various objects with an expression of sardonic contempt.
Presently Lucy Belle enters, Left--falteringly._)
LIZZIE (_pausing, hunching herself down on one hip, and gazing at Lucy
Belle with an expression of sneering venom_)
’Lo Luce!
LUCY BELLE
W’at yo’ wan’--?
LIZZIE (_with an explosive, sardonic laugh_)
Listen ter yo’--!
LUCY BELLE
I--I done tol’ yo’ dat I don’ know whar Sam is!
LIZZIE (_harshly_)
Look yere, gal, d’yo’ think yo’ puttin’ somefin’ ovah on me?
LUCY BELLE
Dat’s de Gawd’s truf--I’m tellin’ yo’.
LIZZIE
Tryin’ ter make out he ain’ nevah yere--!
LUCY BELLE
He ain’--! Hones’--
LIZZIE
Yo’ lie--! Yo’ knows whar he is--an’ w’en he come home as well as yo’
standin’ dere--!
LUCY BELLE
I ain’ seen him in Gawd knows w’en--!
LIZZIE
People in de neighborhood tell me dey see him yere ev’y few days--!
LUCY BELLE
Dey crazy--! Shootin’ off dey moufs ’bout somefin’ dey don’ know
nuffin’ ’bout--!
LIZZIE
Does yo’ think yo’ gwine ter salt him away--an’ nevah let nobody lay
eyes on him agin?
LUCY BELLE
W’at ’ud I be doin’ anathin’ like dat fo’--?
LIZZIE (_mockingly_)
Yas--w’at would yo’ be doin’ anathin’ like dat fo’--?
LUCY BELLE
Nevah git away wid it--ef I did!
LIZZIE
An’ yo’ ain’ gwine git away wid nuffin’ like dis--neder!
LUCY BELLE
Yo’ don’ know w’at yo’ talkin’ ’bout--!
LIZZIE
I’se knowed Sam as long as yo’ is.
LUCY BELLE
Who say yo’ ain’--?
LIZZIE
Yo’ stan’ dere an’ act like somebody was gwine ter steal him--right
from under yo’ nose--!
LUCY BELLE
I don’ know w’at yo’ talkin’ ’bout--!
LIZZIE (_mockingly_)
No--yo’ don’ know nuffin’--! To yere yo’ talk, yo’d think yo’ owned
Sam--got him chain up like a dawg--! Mah soul--! (_Vehemently._) Listen
ter me, gal--he’s an’ ole frien’-a mine--an’ I wants ter see him--’bout
some bus’ness--an’ ef yo’ know w’ats good fo’ yo’--yo’ bettah quit dis
lyin’ an’ beatin’ ’roun’ de bush--an’--
(_Footsteps and whistling are heard off stage, Back. Lizzie breaks off
abruptly and both stand listening. A moment later the door, Back, opens
and Slim Dorsey enters. He is a tall, slender, light-colored Negro
of about twenty-four. He wears a cap pulled around so that the visor
slants over one ear, and an old ragged suit of clothes. He glares at
Lizzie and nods._)
SLIM (_as he slouches toward Left Center_)
’Lo Luce.
LIZZIE (_as she sidles toward the door, Back--to Lucy Belle_)
Yo’ yered w’at I said--! Dat goes bof ways--an’ all ’roun’ de squah.
(_With a hand on the doorknob_). Jes’ remembah dat I’se knowed yo’ a
good while, too. (_With drawling, veiled menace._) Is--is yo’ evah tol’
Sam how much yo’ love Jeff Bisbee--?
(_Lucy Belle’s body becomes rigid, she clenches her hands, and speaks
in a choking voice._)
LUCY BELLE
Yo’--yo’ shet up--!
LIZZIE (_with a bellowing, sardonic laugh_)
Ha! Ha! Why don’ yo’ tell him someday--?
(_She goes out, Back._)
LUCY BELLE (_violently_)
Damn her! I’se gwine ter break ev’y bone in her body--ef she keep aftah
me!
SLIM
W’at’s de mattah--?
LUCY BELLE
She--she de hardes’ ole gal in Wash’nin--
SLIM
Jes’ fin’ dat out--?
LUCY BELLE
Allas gwine ’roun’ makin’ trouble fo’ somebody--!
SLIM
W’at she comin’ at yo’ ’bout--?
LUCY BELLE (_slowly gets control of herself--and ponders for a moment_)
Oh--oh, nuffin’--!
SLIM
Aftah Sam--ain’ she--?
LUCY BELLE
She think she is--!
SLIM
Bettah watch her--!
LUCY BELLE
Don’ yo’ worry--I is! (_She goes to the window, Left Back, and peers
out, then turns and comes slowly down to Center._)
SLIM
How is yo’--?
LUCY BELLE
I don’ know--not so good dis week--!
SLIM
Whar Sam--?
LUCY BELLE
Baltimo’--! W’at d’yo’ know--?
SLIM
A lot. (_He takes a bag of tobacco and a package of papers from his
pocket and proceeds leisurely to roll a cigarette._)
LUCY BELLE
W’at--?
SLIM (_as he painstakingly rolls the cigarette_)
Seen Jeff dis mawnin’--.
LUCY BELLE (_with a gasp_)
Jeff--! Jeff Bisbee--!
SLIM (_with a nonchalant nod_)
Sho’ nuff--!
LUCY BELLE (_clutching his arm_)
Whar--?
SLIM
Bennings--.
LUCY BELLE
De race track--.
SLIM
Yas.
LUCY BELLE
Did he see yo’--?
SLIM
Sho’ he seen me--!
LUCY BELLE
Say anathin’--?
SLIM (_nodding_)
Come up an’ grab me.
LUCY BELLE
Gawd sakes--!
SLIM
Wan’ ter know right off whar yo’ is.
LUCY BELLE
Yo’ did’n’ tell him--?
SLIM
W’at de hell yo’ take me fo’?
LUCY BELLE
W’at did yo’ do?
SLIM
Tol’ him I did’n’ know nuffin’ ’bout yo’.
LUCY BELLE (_gratefully_)
Yo’ did, Slim--yo’ did--?
SLIM
W’at yo’ think I is--some kin’-a fool dat has ter be tol’ w’at ter say?
LUCY BELLE
No, no, Slim. But I thought maybe yo’ might-a been scar’t--an’ say
somefin’ fo’ yo’ think.
SLIM (_with a sneer_)
Take somebody mo’ den him ter scare me.
LUCY BELLE
W’at did he do?
SLIM
Say he gwine ter fin’ yo’--he don’ care how long it takes.
LUCY BELLE (_with a cry of anguish and indignation_)
He bettah lay off me--!
SLIM
Say he gwine ter bus’ hell out-a yo’ ef yo’ don’ come back ter him.
LUCY BELLE
He ain’ gwine ter do nuffin’--!
SLIM
Picks up a fence rail an’ comes at me--kase I would’n’ tell him whar
yo’ is--!
LUCY BELLE
Oh, mah Gawd! Hit yo’--?
SLIM (_with contempt_)
Been in de undertaker’s now ef he had.
LUCY BELLE
Did yo’ bus’ him--?
SLIM
I picks up a brick an’ dares him ter come at me. Mink Hall an’ some
of mah oder buddies comes ’long right den an’ he beats it. (_With a
laugh._) Mink makes a grab fo’ him an’ he jumps th’u’ a stable window.
LUCY BELLE
Ain’ seen or heard-a him fo’ so long--I been hopin’ dat he gone away
fo’ good.
SLIM
Been follerin’ de races--norf an’ souf--fo’ de las’ yeah--so he
say--an’ jes’ got in town yisterday.
LUCY BELLE
I knows he ain’ been ’roun’ Wash’nin’. (_Twining and intertwining her
fingers, and her gaze roving abstractedly about._) I don’ care. He ain’
gwine ter do nuffin’. Me an’ Sam’ll be livin’ in Baltimo’ soon--maybe
dis time nex’ monf--
SLIM
Watch yo’se’f--.
LUCY BELLE
I sho’ is gwine ter!
SLIM
Don’ go travelin’ roun’ at night by yo’se’f.
LUCY BELLE (_shaking her head_)
Don’ yo’ worry--I ain’ gwine ter take no chances. (_A sudden look of
apprehension coming into her face._) He gwine ter beat it right ovah
ter Carter Street--
SLIM
Nobody ovah dere know whar yo’ livin’.
LUCY BELLE
Nobody--nobody ’cept--(_She breaks off and stares fixedly before her._)
SLIM
Who--?
LUCY BELLE
Lizzie Gibbs.
(_Aunt Rebecca enters, Left, and closes the door carefully after her._)
AUNT REBECCA (_discovering Slim_)
H’yo’, Slim.
SLIM (_shortly_)
’Lo Aun’ Becky.
AUNT REBECCA
How is yo’?
SLIM
Fine an’ dandy.
AUNT REBECCA (_to Lucy Belle_)
Done put dem chillen ter bed fo’ yo’.
LUCY BELLE (_gratefully, as she goes to her_)
Thank yo’, Aun’ Becky,--sartainly mighty good-a yo’.
AUNT REBECCA
Dat’s all right. Israel ’sleep already--
LUCY BELLE
Bof so tired dey could’n’ hardly stan’ up.
(_Aunt Rebecca moves toward the door, Back._)
LUCY BELLE
Yo’ ain’ gwine--?
AUNT REBECCA
Mus’, chile. Jes’ drap in on mah way ter de sto’. Oughter been on mah
way long fo’ dis.
LUCY BELLE
W’en I see yo’ agin?
AUNT REBECCA
May drap in later on dis evenin’.
LUCY BELLE
Do, honey, please--!
AUNT REBECCA (_in a low voice--as they pause at the door_)
Did’n’ put nuffin’ ovah on yo’, did she--?
LUCY BELLE
No, indeedy! An’ she ain’ gwine ter!
AUNT REBECCA
Dat’s talkin’! See yo’ some mo’.
LUCY BELLE
Yas, yas. Goodbye.
SLIM
See yo’ some mo’, Aun’ Becky.
AUNT REBECCA
Goodbye. (_She goes out, Back._)
(_Lucy Belle closes the door and returns, slowly to Center. Slim has
dropped into a chair, Right Center, and sits nonchalantly puffing away
at his cigarette._)
SLIM (_casually_)
Luce--
LUCY BELLE
Yas--?
SLIM
I’se broke.
LUCY BELLE
Dat ain’ doin’ me no good.
SLIM
I ain’ had nuffin’ ter eat since dis mawnin’.
LUCY BELLE (_irritably_)
I kain’t he’p dat.
SLIM
Len’ me a couple-a dollahs.
LUCY BELLE
I ain’ got no money ter len’ ter yo’.
SLIM
Yas, yo’ is--!
LUCY BELLE
Git out an’ git yo’se’f a job.
SLIM
I is got a job.
LUCY BELLE (_incredulously_)
Whar--?
SLIM
At de race track.
LUCY BELLE
W’at doin’--?
SLIM
Feedin’ hosses an’ rubbin’ ’em down.
LUCY BELLE
Den w’at yo’ come ’roun’ yere askin’ me fo’ money--?
SLIM
I only had it free days--an’ dey don’ pay till Saturday.
LUCY BELLE
I give yo’ a couple-a dollahs las’ Monday.
SLIM
Yo’ ’spec’ dat ter las’ me a week?
LUCY BELLE
I keeps givin’ yo’ money an’ givin’ yo’ money an’ yo’ ain’ nevah pay me
back a nickel.
SLIM
I been playin’ in hard luck.
LUCY BELLE
So is I.
SLIM (_rising_)
Yo’ got money.
LUCY BELLE
Don’ make no difference weder I is or weder I ain’--.
SLIM
Ain’ I jes’ tol’ yo’ ’bout Jeff Bisbee--?
LUCY BELLE
No mo’ den yo’ had a right ter do!
SLIM
I did’n’ haf ter boder ’bout comin’ in yere.
LUCY BELLE
Yo’ be de meanes’ niggah in Wash’nin’ ef yo’ had’n’!
SLIM
Go on--he’p me out dis time.
LUCY BELLE
I tol’ yo’ Monday dat I ain’ gwine ter give yo’ no mo’ money!
SLIM (_hotly_)
De nex’ time I keep mah mouf shet!
LUCY BELLE (_angrily_)
Keep it shet!
SLIM
Yo’ damn right I will!
LUCY BELLE
An’ keep yo’ face out-a dis house! (_Harshly, as she surveys him with a
glare._) Yo’ ain’ nevah done nuffin’ fo’ me--nuffin’ at all!
SLIM
Yo’ lie--! Ef it had’n’ been fo’ me yo’ been cleaned up a dozen times.
LUCY BELLE (_with a derisive laugh_)
Listen ter yo’!
SLIM
W’at ’bout dat time yo’s sick--?
LUCY BELLE
Yo’ wuk fo’ a week--an’ buy de stuff we eat. Nevah give me a cent!
SLIM
Yo’ died ef it had’n’ been fo’ me!
LUCY BELLE
Been sick a dozen times since den an’ yo’ ain’ raised a han’ ter he’p
me! (_Harshly._) Yo’ ain’ no good, Slim--an’ yo’ ain’ nevah gwine ter
be no good--’less yo’ change mighty quick. Yo’ nevah keeps a job ovah a
week. All yo’ is good fo’ is ter guzzle gin, shoot crap an’ chase gals--
SLIM
Go on blackguardin’ me--ef yo’ lookin’ fo’ trouble!
LUCY BELLE
I’se tellin’ de truf--an’ yo’ knows I is!
SLIM (_loudly_)
I tol’ yo’ I ain’ had nuffin’ ter eat since dis mawnin’.
LUCY BELLE
I’ll go down ter de sto’ an’ git some stuff.
SLIM
I ain’ got time ter hang ’roun’ yere while yo’ cooks it.
LUCY BELLE
All yo’ wan’s dat two dollahs fo’ is ter git in a crap game.
SLIM (_advancing toward her menacingly_)
Gimme some money!
LUCY BELLE (_defiantly_)
Nuffin’ doin’!
SLIM
Gimme it! Yo’ yere--?
LUCY BELLE
I give yo’ nuffin’!
SLIM (_grabbing her by the wrist_)
Come on! Gimme two dollahs!
LUCY BELLE (_fiercely_)
No, no--! Slim--le’ go! W’at’s de mattah wid yo’! Le’ go!
SLIM
Gimme it, or I’ll twis’ yo’ damn arm off! (_He slowly twists her
wrist._)
LUCY BELLE (_crying out in pain and fright_)
Oh, mah Gawd! Slim! Slim! Stop--! Le’go! Don’--I’ll kill yo’ fo’ dis!
SLIM (_between his teeth_)
Git it! Git it!
LUCY BELLE
Slim! Fo’ Gawd’s sake! Oh, mah soul--don’--don’--(_Writhing with
torture, she sinks to her knees._)
SLIM
Yo’ wan’ me ter twis’ it off--?
LUCY BELLE (_choking with pain_)
A-all right--Stop! All right, Slim. I’ll git it fo’ yo’!
SLIM
Will yo’--?
LUCY BELLE
Yas, yas. Stop--please--! Lemme up--lemme up--Slim--
(_He slowly turns her wrist back to normal and relaxing his grip
somewhat allows her to rise. She stands limp and dazed for several
moments, as though endeavoring to pull herself together. She draws her
free hand slowly across her forehead._)
SLIM (_with savage impatience_)
Come on!
(_He tightens his hold somewhat. She gives a little cry of pain,
and her knees give. With Slim still gripping her wrist, she moves
unsteadily to table, Center._)
LUCY BELLE
All right--all right, Slim. I’ll git it fo’ yo’--.
(_He drops her wrist. She opens the small drawer of the table and takes
out an old and worn leather pocket book. She extracts two one-dollar
bills, hands them to him, then deftly stuffs the pocket book down in
one of her stockings. Slim jams the bills into his pocket, turns and
moves swiftly to the door, Back, and goes out._)
LUCY BELLE (_crying out after him_)
Yo’s a dirty dog! I--I’ll git yo’ fo’ dat--!
(_Lucy Belle sinks down into a chair and covers her face with her
hands. She looks up once and her face presents the picture of fierce,
tearful rage. Presently a knock sounds on the door, Back. Lucy Belle
jumps up with a start. The knock sounds again._)
LUCY BELLE (_in faltering tones_)
Come in!
(_The door opens and Chick Avery enters. He is a weak-faced, but
passably good-looking mulatto, of about thirty-five. He wears a suit
of smart clothes, somewhat the worse for wear. His feet are encased
in a pair of patent leather shoes which are slit about the toes to
relieve the pressure on those members. He is partially bald, but what
remains of his straight, jet-black hair is shiny from the generous use
of hair oil, and is carefully brushed to cover the bald spots as much
as possible. His manner for the most part, is extremely urbane and, by
fits and starts, exuberantly mirthful._)
CHICK (_doing a sort of clog dance toward her_)
H’yo’, Luce--!
LUCY BELLE (_exclaiming in mild surprise_)
Why--why, ’lo, Chick--!
CHICK
How’s de baby--?
LUCY BELLE
Pretty good, I reckon.
CHICK
All by yo’ lonesome--?
LUCY BELLE
Look like it, don’ it?
CHICK
W’at d’yo’ know--?
LUCY BELLE
Nuffin’ much--! (_He puts his arm around her and attempts to draw her
to him._) Stop yo’ foolin’--! (_She pulls away from him._)
CHICK
Ain’ yo’ got a kiss fo’ me?
LUCY BELLE
I’ll bus’ yo’ in de nose, Chick Avery!
CHICK
Mah soul, but yo’ gittin’ skittish--! How much dey cos’ now?
LUCY BELLE
Mo’ den yo’ kin pay.
CHICK (_with an explosive laugh_)
Sam got yo’ gwine, ain’ he?
LUCY BELLE
Good thin’s come high.
CHICK
Yo’ said somefin’! (_Sitting on the edge of the table._) How he makin’
out in Baltimo’--?
LUCY BELLE
Who--?
CHICK
Sam.
LUCY BELLE
Oh--oh, he ain’ makin’ out so bad.
CHICK
Git home often?
LUCY BELLE
Onct or twict a week--depen’s on hard dey’s wukkin’ him.
CHICK
An’ yo’ stick home an’ wuks yo’ haid off.
LUCY BELLE (_shortly_)
I does mah share.
CHICK
Nevah seen yo’ lately w’en yo’ was’n’ played out from wukkin’ yo’ haid
off.
LUCY BELLE (_querulously_)
None-a yo’ bus’ness how hard I wuks! (_Sharply._) W’at yo’ doin’ now?
CHICK
Barbarin’. Jes’ git a job on de Norfolk boat.
LUCY BELLE
W’at doin’?
CHICK
Same thin’--barbarin’. Dey’s got two chairs. I’se gwine ter run one-a
dem. Starts in nex’ week. Got a chanct ter make some real money, now.
LUCY BELLE
Sho’ soun’ like a mighty good job.
CHICK (_pointedly_)
Yo’ allas tied up ter some niggah dat make yo’ wuk like hell.
LUCY BELLE
Shet up! Yo’ don’ know w’at yo’ ’s talkin’ ’bout. Ev’body got ter wuk
hard dese days ter git by.
CHICK (_satirically_)
Is dey?
LUCY BELLE
Ef dey’s any good, dey is! W’at yo’ gittin’ at anyway?
CHICK
I’se allas been yo’ lef’ han’ed budigee--.
LUCY BELLE
’Deed yo’ ain’ been nuffin’ but a frien’!
CHICK
Dat’s w’at I means. (_With a significant smile._) Ef I been yo’ real
budigee, I sho’ nevah make yo’ wuk like yo’ is!
LUCY BELLE (_derisively_)
No! Yo’d make me wuk like a dog.
CHICK
Not on yo’ life!
LUCY BELLE
Make me git out an hussle while yo’ lays home an’ guzzle gin.
(_They both laugh explosively. Lucy Belle unbends somewhat._)
CHICK (_surveying her critically_)
Yo’ gittin’ ole, Luce--
LUCY BELLE (_sharply_)
So is yo’! Look at dat damned ole haid ob yo’s. Noder yeah an’ yo’ won’
have a hair lef’.
CHICK (_gives an explosive laugh, and runs a hand over his head_)
Dat’s no lie! (_Throwing back his shoulders._) De older I gits de
bettah I feels.
LUCY BELLE
So does I!
CHICK (_pointedly_)
Been ter any dances?
LUCY BELLE
Don’ care nuffin’ ’bout dancin’ no mo’.
CHICK (_with a little exclamation of incredulity_)
Uster be crazy ’bout it!
LUCY BELLE
Uster be crazy ’bout a lot-a thin’s.
CHICK
Membah dat dance ob de Golden Eagle Club at de ole Mawnin’ Star?
LUCY BELLE (_with a reminiscent smile_)
Sho’ do--!
CHICK
Somebody th’u’ a beer bottle--
LUCY BELLE (_in joyous memory_)
An’ miss yo’ by free inches!
(_They both laugh uproariously._)
CHICK
Mah soul! Dat was some night! Git home ’bout seven o’clock in mawnin’.
LUCY BELLE (_with just a note of wistfulness in her tones_)
Still have dances up dere?
CHICK (_exclaiming_)
Do dey? ’Bout ev’y night. (_In ardent admiration._) Yo’s de bes’ lil’
dancer I evah knowed.
LUCY BELLE
Go ’long! (_She drops down into a chair, gives a little sigh and stares
abstractedly into space._)
CHICK
Membah de time we goes down ter Rivahview an’ comin’ home de ole boat
gits stuck on dem mud flats dere by de Eastern Branch--?
LUCY BELLE
’Deed I does! (_In ecstatic memory._) We dance on de deck--in de
moonlight--
CHICK (_with a rapturous chuckle_)
Ole Beverly Johnson chase Mink Hall wid a razor--
LUCY BELLE (_laughing_)
Mink jump ovahboard an’ swim ter shore!
CHICK (_laughing_)
Great day! An’ membah de fair down at--er--lessee--Manassas?
LUCY BELLE (_nodding_)
Eat chicken an’ duck an’ co’n pone an’ ice cream till I neahly bus’!
Ride on de merry-go-roun’--shoot de shoots--an’ sing an’ dance till I
kain’t hardly stan’ up--! Den dey was preachin’ ovah in de grove at
night--(_She breaks off--lost in the romantic memory of it._)
CHICK
Bet yo’ ain’ had no times like dem since!
LUCY BELLE (_deprecatingly_)
I was jes’ a kid den.
CHICK
Dere’s gwine ter be a dance at de Mawnin’ Star termorrer night.
LUCY BELLE
Yo’ gwine--?
CHICK
Sho’! Come on an’ go wid me.
LUCY BELLE (_shaking her head_)
Nuffin’ doin’.
CHICK (_earnestly_)
Come on! W’at’s dis settin’ ’roun’ de house gittin’ yo’--? Jes’ dis
onct fo’ ole times’ sake.
LUCY BELLE (_shaking her head more emphatically_)
Nuffin’ doin’, Chick. No use ter axe me.
CHICK (_slides off the table and moves to her side_)
Luce--jes’ dis onct--!
LUCY BELLE (_loudly_)
No--!
(_Pause. Chick surveys her ruefully. Lucy Belle glowers at him._)
CHICK (_at length_)
Den come on ovah ter Gerner’s an’ have a glass-a gin.
LUCY BELLE
Not ternight, Chick.
CHICK
Yo’ tired--an’ it set yo’ up great.
LUCY BELLE
Not ternight.
CHICK
Dey got a phonograph in de back room an’ we kin have a couple-a lil’
dances. Ef yo’ kain’t go ter de Mawnin’ Star--yo’ kin leas’ git yo’se’f
in a lil’ dance ovah dere.
LUCY BELLE
No, no--!
CHICK
Come on! Jes’ fo’ ole times’ sake! Good Lawd, yo’ got ter git out an’
have a lil’ fun now an’ den. Yo’ kain’t stick home yere all de time!
(_Puts a hand on her arm._) Come on, baby--!
LUCY BELLE
Nuffin’ doin’--!
(_A loud knock sounds on the door, Back. Lucy Belle jumps up and stands
listening._)
CHICK (_in a low voice_)
Who dat--?
LUCY BELLE (_shaking her head_)
Don’ know.
(_The person outside kicks the door violently. An expression of dire
apprehension comes into Lucy Belle’s face. She swings about, points at
the door, Left, and speaks in peremptory tones._)
LUCY BELLE
Git in dere a minute.
CHICK (_in low, guarded tones as he hurries toward Left_)
Is it Sam--?
(_She shakes her head. Chick goes out, Left. Lucy Belle, after a
moment or two of deliberation, advances warily toward the door, Back.
When almost there she halts again, as though debating whether or not
to answer the door. Suddenly the kicking is renewed with increased
vigor. Lucy Belle draws back shudderingly, as though to turn and flee.
Abruptly the door opens and Jeff Bisbee lunges in. He slams the door
shut after him. He is a short, stocky Negro of about thirty--brown in
color--with a short, thick neck, a bullet head and a mean, leering
manner._)
LUCY BELLE (_with a gasp of terror_)
Jeff--!
JEFF
I knowed I’d find yo’--! (_Swaying toward her menacingly._) W’at yo’
leave me fo’?
LUCY BELLE
Yo’ know why--!
JEFF
Sneak off like a cat--!
LUCY BELLE
I was starvin’ ter deaf--.
JEFF
Like hell yo’ was!
LUCY BELLE
Yo’ was’n’ wukkin--.
JEFF
Yo’ know why!
LUCY BELLE
Yo’ did’n’ want ter--!
JEFF
I’ll bus’ yo’ in de mouf! (_Takes a step toward her._) I was havin’
some hard luck den.
LUCY BELLE
Dat’s w’at yo’ allas say. It was allas hard luck--or somefin’!
JEFF (_pulls back an arm as though to strike her_)
Yo’ knows I was! Could’n’ git nuffin’--!
LUCY BELLE
Yo’ did’n’ ha’f try.
JEFF
Yo’ lie--! Times was hard. Look fo’ a monf--an’ could’n’ fin’
nuffin’--! (_As though he were on the point of leaping upon her and
choking her._) Watched yo’ chanct--did’n’ yo’--?
LUCY BELLE
No, no--!
JEFF
Watched yo’ chanct--an’ run--! Did’n’ stop ter figur’ w’at I’d done fo’
yo’--!
LUCY BELLE (_with a cry of derision_)
Yo’ nevah done nuffin’ fo’ me--!
JEFF
Yo’ be on de streets ef it had’n’ been fo’ me! (_Lucy Belle sneers
audibly._) Did’n’ have no mo’ sense den a chicken--!
LUCY BELLE
Ain’ on ’em now, is I?
JEFF
It ain’ yo’ fault--!
LUCY BELLE (_her tones gradually becoming more and more tremulous_)
Yo’ crazy--!
JEFF
Watch till mah back is tuhned--an’ run ter anoder niggah.
LUCY BELLE
Yo’ dreamin’--!
JEFF
I got de dope on yo’--an’ got it right--!
LUCY BELLE
Yo’ think yo’ have--!
JEFF
Yo’ come yere ter Sam--!
LUCY BELLE
No, no--!
JEFF
Come yere ter dat damned ole loon! Beat it ter de man dat git me sent
up! Dat’s de way yo’ pay me back, huh--?
LUCY BELLE
Yo’ don’ know w’at yo’ talkin’ ’bout--!
JEFF
Livin’ yere wid him--!
LUCY BELLE
No, no--!
JEFF (_savagely_)
Don’ yo’ go lyin’ ter me--! I knows! Yo’ kain’t put nuffin’ ovah on me!
(_She starts to back away from him._) Yo’ yere--? (_He grabs her by the
arm._)
LUCY BELLE (_pulling away from him_)
Jeff--please--
JEFF (_menacingly_)
Come yere--!
LUCY BELLE (_getting around to the other side of the table_)
Jeff--please--
JEFF
Yo’ gwine wid me--!
LUCY BELLE
No, no--!
JEFF
An’ yo’ gwine damn quick!
LUCY BELLE
Jeff--fo’ Gawd’s sake--!
JEFF
I’se gwine back ter Havre de Grace in de mawnin’ an’ yo’ gwine wid me--!
LUCY BELLE (_defiantly_)
I ain’ gwine nowhar wid yo’!
(_Jeff reaches in a back pocket, whips out a knife, snaps open the
blade, and poises it in the air._)
JEFF
I’ll cut yo’ God-damn heart out!
LUCY BELLE (_terror-stricken as he makes a move to come around after
her_)
Oh, mah Gawd, Jeff--! Don’--don’--! (_Puts a hand to her throat, and
glances wildly about, struggling for self-control._) Jes’-a minute--
JEFF (_savagely_)
Come on--!
LUCY BELLE
Mah clothes--!
JEFF
Git ’em--git ’em!
LUCY BELLE
An’ de chillen--!
JEFF
Ter hell wid dem--!
LUCY BELLE
Got--got ter leave ’em wid somebody.
JEFF (_sardonically_)
Leave ’em wid Sam.
LUCY BELLE (_as though she hadn’t heard his remark_)
Got ter leave ’em wid somebody dat kin see after ’em right.
JEFF
Git busy den!
LUCY BELLE (_after a moment of tense, anguished deliberation_)
I--I reckon I could leave ’em wid Aun’ Becky--
JEFF
Who she?
LUCY BELLE
Ole woman--live down de alley yere.
JEFF
Hussle.
LUCY BELLE (_after a moment of hesitancy_)
Dey’re in yere. Got ter git ’em ready. (_Moves swiftly toward the door,
Left. Jeff takes a step or two, as though he were going to follow her.
She pauses as she places a hand on the door knob._) Only take a minute.
(_She opens the door quickly, slides out and closes it. Something about
her manner and the quickness with which she closes the door rouse
Jeff’s suspicions. He stands--body tense--glaring after her. Absolute
silence ensues. The lock in the door clicks. With a cry of rage Jeff
leaps forward and tries to force the door open._)
JEFF (_ferociously_)
Open de do’! Open it--or I’ll knock yo’ haid off! Open it! (_Muttering
and cursing to himself he puts his shoulder against it and presses
hard, but it fails to yield._) Open up! Open up!
(_Baffled, at length he turns away, springs to Left Center, and grabs
up a chair. Realizing, however, that it is perhaps not quite heavy
enough for his purpose, he slowly sets it down, stands with his hands
resting on its back, and looks about in search of a more formidable
weapon. Suddenly shouts, the footsteps of people running, and the
noises of panicky commotion issue from the alley, immediately off
stage, Back. It proceeds down the alley, Left, and the noise rapidly
lessens in volume, and distinctness. All at once the door, Back, bursts
open and Slim dashes in. He bangs the door shut after him, and stands
wild-eyed and breathing heavily._)
JEFF
W’at’s de mattah--?
SLIM (_with a gulp--as he recognizes Jeff_)
_Po_--_po_-lice!
JEFF (_lowering his voice and becoming markedly wary and tense_)
_Po_-lice--? Who dey aftah?
SLIM
Raid Messer’s stable--down de alley yere--
(_Someone runs heavily down the alley. Slim springs back and stands in
a crouching attitude. Jeff leaps over to the table and blows the light
out._)
JEFF
Crap game--?
SLIM
Yas.
JEFF
Git anabody?
SLIM
Don’ know.
(_The noise and clatter recede continually, off Left. At length Slim
advances cautiously to the door, Back, opens it and peers out. Jeff
goes over and stands near him._)
SLIM
At de oder end-a de alley, now.
JEFF
See yo’ w’en yo’ runs?
SLIM
Sho’--! Slew-foot know me, too. He one-a dem. Liable ter come back dis
way an’ search ev’y house.
(_He opens the door wider and leans far out. A pale light filters in
from Back. The silhouetted figures of the two men can be plainly seen.
Jeff joins Slim in the doorway and peers out._)
SLIM
I’se gwine ter beat it.
(_Slim darts off down the alley, Right. Jeff stands tensely
deliberating for several moments. Finally he steps out, and with a
swift movement closes the door after him. Almost immediately the door,
Left, opens and a broad shaft of light falls across the room from the
doorway, Left, to the wall, Right Back. Lucy Belle enters, followed
closely by Chick. They leave the door open and pause, Right Back, in
the full beat of the light._)
CHICK (_as they move to Right, Back_)
Oughter shot him in his tracks--! (_Taps his hip pocket._)
LUCY BELLE (_shaking her head violently_)
I done tol’ yo’ dat yo’ done right--stickin’ dere an’ keepin’ yo’ mouf
shet.
CHICK (_with simulated bravado_)
Sartainly like ter git dat bird.
LUCY BELLE
Gawd, no! Don’ wan’ no killin’s ’roun’ yere.
CHICK
Yo’ bettah beat it.
LUCY BELLE (_breathing quickly_)
Ain’ no place ter go--.
CHICK
Plenty ob ’em--! Hun’erd’s--!
LUCY BELLE
Ain’--ain’ got no strenf--! (_Draws a hand across her forehead._)
CHICK
Buck up! Yo’ got ter git out-a yere--!
LUCY BELLE
Oh--oh, Gawd! Somefin’ like dis allas got ter happen.
(_Chick skips over to the door, Back, opens it and peers up and down
the alley._)
LUCY BELLE
See anabody--?
CHICK (_shaking his head_)
No. (_He closes the door and returns swiftly to her._) He liable ter
come back any minute.
LUCY BELLE
Yo’ reckon so--?
CHICK
Sho’ as yo’ bawn!
LUCY BELLE
I kain’t go runnin’ ’roun’ de streets--
CHICK
We kin go ter some place neah.
LUCY BELLE
--Not feelin’ like I does.
CHICK
Yo’ ain’ gwine ter stay yere an’ let him kill yo’!
LUCY BELLE
He ain’ gwine ter kill me!
CHICK
Damn soon see ef yo’ stick yere!
LUCY BELLE
Sho’ ter see us in de street.
CHICK
We got a chanct ter run dere.
LUCY BELLE
He’s some runner hisse’f.
CHICK
He ain’ gwine ter do nuffin’ outside--wid de cops aroun’. (_She
deliberates._) Look at yo’! Tremlin’ like a leaf!
LUCY BELLE (_with a little hysterical sob_)
I know--I know--
CHICK
Yo’ needs a good swig-a gin--
LUCY BELLE
Ain’--ain’ got a bit in de house.
CHICK
Come on ovah ter Gerner’s--
LUCY BELLE
Kain’t leave de chillen.
CHICK (_with a little laugh--as though recalling her subterfuge with
Jeff_)
Carry ’em ovah ter Aun’ Becky’s.
LUCY BELLE
I know--but yo’ see--
CHICK
Yo’ crazy ter stick yere--’less yo’ wan’ me ter hang ’roun’ an’ plug
him fo’ yo’--
LUCY BELLE
Nuffin’ like dat--!
CHICK
Den come on--! Good drink set yo’ up jes’ right.
(_Lucy Belle takes a faltering step or two toward the door, Left. Just
then someone passes the window, Left Back, and heavy footsteps on
the pavement of the alley can be heard. Lucy Belle halts. She turns
and faces the door, Back. It opens and Sam Reed enters. He is a big
powerful Negro--dark brown in color--and about thirty-five. He wears
an old, torn suit of clothes, carries an old felt hat, and is without
a collar. His manner is straight-forward, well-meaning, kindly. His
movements and speech are deliberate--except when he is angry._)
SAM (_peering forward through the dim light at them_)
Luce--!
LUCY BELLE (_with a cry of mingled joy and agitation_)
Sam--!
SAM (_closing the door and moving slowly down to Center_)
H’yo’--?
LUCY BELLE (_leaps to his side and grabs his arm_)
Sam--Sam-boy! Jes’ talkin’ wid--wid Chick Avery yere--yo’--yo’ knows
Chick--
CHICK (_circumspectly_)
H’yo’, Sam.
(_Sam glowers at Chick for a moment before replying._)
SAM (_at length--with ill grace_)
H’yo’--!
LUCY BELLE
Light de lamp, Chick. (_To Sam._) _Po_-lice raid a crap game down de
alley--an’--an’ we puts out de light.
(_Chick strikes a match and lights the lamp on the table, Center._)
LUCY BELLE (_in eager vibrant tones of affection as she gazes up at
him_)
Sam-boy, I’se so glad ter see yo’! How is yo’?
SAM
Pretty good.
LUCY BELLE
Did’n’ hardly ’spec’ yo’ ternight.
SAM
Shower come up an’ we quits early.
LUCY BELLE
Gawd bless yo’--! (_Casting about for something to relieve the
constraint of the situation somewhat, she spies his hat, grabs it and
begins to industriously dust it off with her sleeve._) Mus’-a been
playin’ football wid dis ole hat.
SAM (_with a contemptuous glance at Chick_)
I’se been doin’ a man’s wuk.
LUCY BELLE (_with a forced, nervous laugh_)
Been standin’ on yo’ haid!
CHICK (_doing a light clog dance toward the door, Back_)
On mah way, Luce. See yo’ some mo’.
LUCY BELLE
W’at’s yo’ hurry--?
CHICK
Got some bus’ness ter ’tend ter--ovah at Gerner’s. (_Gives an explosive
laugh._)
(_Lucy Belle makes a wry face, and finally breaks into a little nervous
giggle._)
LUCY BELLE
Goodbye, Chick. See yo’ some mo’.
CHICK (_over his shoulder_)
See yo’ some mo’, Sam.
(_Sam nods glumly and grunts. Chick goes out, Back._)
SAM (_sharply_)
W’at he doin’ ’roun’ yere--?
LUCY BELLE
Jes’--jes’ drap in ter say “howdy”.
SAM
Don’ wan’ nobody like him hangin’ ’roun’.
LUCY BELLE
He--he’s an ole frien’-a mine.
SAM (_nodding_)
Damn pool room spoaht!
LUCY BELLE
No, no, Sam-boy! He’s a barber--an’ makes good money. Wukkin’ all de
time.
SAM
Nevah seen a barber dat was any good.
LUCY BELLE
He ain’ so bad. An’ he don’ come ’roun’ yere--oh, only onct in a long
time. (_Glancing toward the door, Left._) We keep on talkin’ like dis,
dem chillen wake up an’ make a fuss.
(_She hurries over, Left, and closes the door. Sam takes his pipe from
his coat pocket, fumbles around in the other outside coat pocket, finds
his bag of tobacco, pulls it out and begins painstakingly to fill the
pipe. Meanwhile he follows Lucy Belle’s movements with an intent,
questioning gaze._)
LUCY BELLE (_coming back to him_)
Honey-baby, been crazy ter see yo’--!
SAM (_lays his pipe on the table and takes her in his arms_)
Honey-baby! (_Kisses her fondly._) Mah lil’ gal!
LUCY BELLE
Seem ter me I miss yo’ mo’ an’ mo’--!
SAM
Sho’ nuff--?
LUCY BELLE
Lonesome yere widout yo’.
SAM (_playfully_)
Go ’long!
LUCY BELLE (_shaking her head_)
So lonesome some days dat I don’ know w’at ter do.
SAM (_patting her cheek_)
Po’ lil’ baby-budigee--!
LUCY BELLE
Hones’, kain’t seem ter git uster yo’ bein’ away.
SAM
Jes’ remembah dat I misses yo’ as much as yo’ does me.
LUCY BELLE
I know, Sam-boy--I knows yo’ does!
SAM (_sits in a nearby chair and pulls her over on his knee_)
Tain’ gwine ter be dis way long.
LUCY BELLE (_with a little cry of joy_)
Gee, w’en yo’ comes home like dis--an’ s’prise’s me--
SAM (_laughing_)
Make yo’ feel good--?
LUCY BELLE Oh, Gawd--! (_Strokes his hair fondly. Someone passes down
the alley. She gives a start._)
SAM
W’at’s de mattah--?
LUCY BELLE (_making a valiant effort to hide her agitation_)
Nuffin’--!
SAM
Yo’ mus’ got de fidgets.
LUCY BELLE (_nodding_)
Maybe--from bein’ yere nights--alone. (_Plaintively._) Oh--oh, Sam-boy,
I don’ wan’ yo’ ter go ’way no mo’!
SAM (_with puzzled impatience_)
W’at yo’ talkin’ ’bout, gal?
LUCY BELLE
I don’ wan’ yo’ ter go ter Baltimo’ no mo’--!
SAM
Honey-baby, I got ter git back on de job!
LUCY BELLE
No, yo’ ain’--.
SAM
W’at’s de mattah wid yo’? Is yo’ crazy--?
LUCY BELLE
Dat ain’ de onliest job in de worl’--
SAM
Dat don’ make no diff’rence.
LUCY BELLE
Yo’ kin git somefin’ yere.
SAM
Walk de streets agin like I did las’ monf?
LUCY BELLE
Thin’s ain’ so slow now.
SAM
Slower den dey evah was!
LUCY BELLE
So hard on me bein’ yere alone--an’ wid de chillen.
SAM
Kain’t he’p it, honey-baby. Jes’ got ter keep gwine ’long like we
is--’till thin’s break bettah.
LUCY BELLE
Wukkin’ hard--?
SAM
Sho’ is!
LUCY BELLE
Diggin’ in de streets ain’ no kind-a job fo’ yo’.
SAM
Bettah den nuffin’.
LUCY BELLE (_feelingly, as she strokes his hair again_)
I knows dat yo’ doin’ all yo’ kin--! Gawd bless yo’--! But I wan’s ter
be wid yo’, Sam-boy honey-baby--all de time.
SAM (_his tones vibrant with emotion_)
An’ I wan’s yo’ wid me--!
LUCY BELLE
Den--le’s go ter Baltimo--now--
SAM
W’at yo’ mean--?
LUCY BELLE
Next week.
SAM
Next week--?
LUCY BELLE
Er--er maybe de week aftah. We been figurin’ on gwine dere all ’long.
But le’s don’ wait till yo’ git somefin’ steady. Yo’ kin’ allas git
somefin’.
SAM (_turning the thing over in his mind_)
I don’ know, honey--
LUCY BELLE
Sho’ yo’ kin! I don’ wan’ ter stay yere no longer widout yo’. Please--!
SAM
Cos’ a lot ter move.
LUCY BELLE
We could sell off some de furn’ture--an’ maybe jes’ take rooms--
SAM (_nodding_)
Yas--perhaps.
LUCY BELLE
Sho’ we could!
SAM
Got ter fin’ de rooms fust.
LUCY BELLE
Dat gwine ter be easy ’nuff.
SAM
Nex’ week, yo’ say--?
LUCY BELLE
Or de week aftah!
SAM
Make it de week aftah.
LUCY BELLE (_kissing him_)
Yo’ will--!
SAM
I reckon so--!
LUCY BELLE
Gawd bless yo’--!
SAM
Do--do mos’ anathin’ dat gwine ter make yo’ happy!
LUCY BELLE (_embracing him_)
Honey-baby! (_Draws back suddenly and searches his face anxiously._) Is
yo’ had any suppah? (_He smiles and shakes his head._) Co’se yo’ ain’!
W’at’s de mattah wid me! Great day!
SAM
I ain’ so hangry.
LUCY BELLE
Hush yo’ mouf, an’ lemme git down ter dat sto’. (_She grabs up a little
shawl from a nearby chair and throws it over her head._)
SAM
Got any money--?
LUCY BELLE
A lil’, I reckon.
(_Sam reaches in his pocket, pulls out a bill and hands it to her._)
SAM
Yere.
LUCY BELLE
Thanks, honey. Be right back. Ef Israel hollers go in dere an’ beat him.
(_Sam nods. She goes out hurriedly, Back. Sam reaches over on the
table, picks up his pipe and lights it. A knock sounds on the door,
Back._)
SAM
Come in!
(_The door, Back, opens and Lizzie Gibbs enters. Sam twists about to
see who it is._)
LIZZIE (_doing a sort of languorous muscle dance as she advances_)
H’yo’, Sam?
SAM (_harshly--glowering at her_)
W’at yo’ wan’?
LIZZIE (_unctuously_)
I draps ’roun’ dis way--now an’ den--ter see ole frien’s.
SAM (_laying his pipe on the table and rising_)
Yo’ does, does yo’?
LIZZIE
Jes’ see yo’ gittin’ off a car down on Four-an’-a ha’f Street. (_She
waits a moment or two for him to speak, but he doesn’t offer to proceed
with the conversation._) How is yo’?
SAM
All right.
LIZZIE
Long time since I seen yo’.
SAM
Reckon it is.
LIZZIE
Ain’ seen yo’ since yo’ git back from Atlanta.
SAM
No--yo’ ain’.
LIZZIE
Tol’ me yo’ gwine down here fo’ a few weeks--!
SAM (_his manner gradually becoming defiant_)
Long as I ’spected ter stay.
LIZZIE
Yo’ nevah come back!
SAM
Got a good job.
LIZZIE
Las’ a long time, did’n’ it?
SAM
Long as I wan’s it!
LIZZIE
Nevah send me wud--or nuffin’--!
SAM
Yo’ knows why!
LIZZIE
I wish ter Gawd I did!
SAM
Don’ stan’ up dere--an’ talk like a fool.
LIZZIE
Tell me--tell me--!
SAM
I ain’ got no time fo’ no gal like yo’.
LIZZIE
Sam--w’at yo’ got so agin me?
SAM
Yo’ know!
LIZZIE
’Deed I don’!
SAM
I ain’ studyin’ ’bout no gal dat fights--an’ raises hell--
LIZZIE
I know--sometimes I uster--w’en I got mad--But I nevah meant no harm,
Sam-boy--
SAM
How ’bout dat time ovah at yo’ sistah’s?
LIZZIE (_penitently_)
I know, I know--(_Lays a hand on his arm._) Fo’give me, Sam--! ’Deed I
did’n’ mean nuffin’ den!
SAM (_drawing away from her_)
I ain’ boderin’ ’bout yo’, Lizz.
LIZZIE (_passionately_)
Listen, son, ain’ yo’ gwine ter fo’give yo’ ole budigee?
SAM
Go ’long ’bout yo’ bus’ness--.
LIZZIE
I’ll give yo’ money, Sam--! Give yo’ de bes’ eats in de worl’--!
SAM
Shet up!
LIZZIE
Sam--!
SAM
Yo’ an’ me done call it quits--long time ago.
LIZZIE (_collects herself gradually, and draws back a step or two with
a sardonic leer_)
Done pass me up, huh?
SAM
Yo’ yered me.
LIZZIE
Pass me up fo’ dis lil’ wench.
SAM (_flaring up_)
Who yo’ talkin’ ’bout?
LIZZIE
Yo’ know--!
SAM
Who--?
LIZZIE
Lucy Belle.
SAM
Don’ yo’ go blackguardin’ her.
LIZZIE
I ain’ blackguardin’ nobody.
SAM
Den watch yo’ step!
LIZZIE
Fell fo’ her! Oh, mah Gawd!
SAM
Keep yo’ tongue off her!
LIZZIE
I knows her as well as yo’ do! Bettah--!
SAM
Yo’ don’--!
LIZZIE
I knowed her w’en she live ovah in Carter Street--
SAM
Carter Street--?
LIZZIE (_with a loud, rasping laugh_)
W’en she livin’ dere wid Jeff Bisbee--!
SAM (_with a shout which is a mixture of incredulity and menace_)
Livin’ wid Jeff Bisbee--!
LIZZIE
Sho’! Big as life.
SAM
Yo’ lie--!
LIZZIE
Ain’ she tol’ yo’? Oh, mah Gawd! (_Gives a raucous, sardonic laugh._)
Ask her--! She’ll tell yo’ all ’bout it! I knowed yo’d fall fo’ a wench
like her!
(_The door, Back, opens and Lucy Belle enters, carrying several
small packages. An expression of blank dismay floods her face upon
discovering Lizzie._)
LIZZIE (_regarding her with an expression of leering vengeance_)
H’yo’, Luce--!
LUCY BELLE (_in a low, choking voice_)
’Lo--!
(_Sam’s eyes are first upon one, then the other, in a gaze of fierce,
tigerish scrutiny._)
LIZZIE (_with a wink and a laugh as she slouches toward the door, Back_)
Great lil’ gal, Sam--!
LUCY BELLE (_angrily_)
Yo’--yo’--
LIZZIE
Go on an’ say it! I dare yo’--!
SAM (_to Lizzie_)
Shet up!
LIZZIE (_with a leering smile_)
So long, Sam. See yo’ some mo’. (_At the door, Back._) Good beatin’
w’at she need!
(_She goes out quickly, Back. Lucy Belle advances to Center, and
deposits her packages on the table._)
LUCY BELLE (_studying Sam’s face with eager, pathetic anxiety_)
Hardes’ ole gal in Wash’nin’!
SAM (_fiercely_)
She say yo’ live wid Jeff Bisbee--!
LUCY BELLE (_agitatedly_)
She--she say dat--?
SAM (_advancing quickly to her side_)
Did yo’--?
LUCY BELLE
Oh, Sam--I--I--
SAM
Yo’ yere me?
LUCY BELLE
She--she hate me like sin--!
SAM
Did yo’--?
LUCY BELLE
Tryin’ ter git back at me--!
SAM (_grabs her and jerks her to his side_)
Did yo’ live wid him--?
LUCY BELLE
Oh, Sam-boy, honey-baby--! Don’--
SAM
Did yo’--?
LUCY BELLE (_with a sob_)
Oh--oh, Sam--I--I ain’ gwine ter lie ter yo’--
SAM (_putting a hand on each of her shoulders, and staring down into
her eyes with a look of scarce-believing, burning intensity_)
Took up wid dat dirty skunk--?
LUCY BELLE
He made me--!
SAM
Yo’ lie--!
LUCY BELLE
He did--he did! Say he kill me ef I did’n’--!
SAM
An’ yo’ let him git away wid it--!
LUCY BELLE
Did’n’--did’n’ know w’at ter do--!
SAM (_mockingly_)
Did’n’ know w’at ter do!
LUCY BELLE
He kep’ aftah me--an’ kep’ aftah me--
SAM
W’en--w’en?
LUCY BELLE
Aftah Ed leaves me. Yo’s in Atlanta.
SAM
An’ yo’ stick yere?
LUCY BELLE
I was ha’f sick--an’ did’n’ have no money. He--he had me so scar’t I
was neah crazy.
SAM (_in anguish_)
Gawd--!
LUCY BELLE
Ha’f-out-a mah haid, honey--did’n’ know w’at I was doin’--
SAM
Took up wid de wust niggah in de worl’--!
LUCY BELLE
I--I could’n’ help it--’deed I could’n’!
SAM
Swo’ I nevah touch anathin’ or anabody dat he lay a fingah on.
LUCY BELLE
Dat’s de reason I ain’ said nuffin’.
SAM (_bitterly_)
I reckon it is!
LUCY BELLE
I knowed how yo’ hate him.
SAM (_harshly_)
Dey don’ come no wuss.
LUCY BELLE
Treat me like a dog!
SAM
W’at kin’-a crazy fool is yo’?
LUCY BELLE
I done tol’ yo’. I was down an’ out--an’ scar’t ter deaf.
SAM (_shaking his head_)
Took up wid him--!
LUCY BELLE
I know, I know--
SAM
Why did’n’ yo’ kill him?
LUCY BELLE
Gawd, I wan’ed ter--!
SAM
Why did’n’ yo’?
LUCY BELLE
Ev’y day I prays dat yo’ would come back. An’ I thinks ’bout yo’ all
de time. Sam-boy, honey-baby, dey ain’ nevah been anabody but yo’--an’
nevah will be! (_Stretching out her arms to him._) W’en yo’ come back
it seem too good ter be true.
SAM
Wish I nevah come back.
LUCY BELLE
Don’ say dat, Sam--don’--!
SAM
Whar was yo’ livin’--?
LUCY BELLE
Carter Street.
SAM
An’ he come ter yo’ dere?
LUCY BELLE
Yas.
SAM
An’ yo’ let’s him stay.
LUCY BELLE
Had ter--. (_Sam gives a short, savage laugh._) I--I only done w’at
oder gals would-a done--ef dey been in mah place. I gits away de fust
good chanct I gits.
SAM
How long yo’ live wid him?
LUCY BELLE
’Bout yeah-an’-a-ha’f. (_In tender, appealing tones._) Honey-baby, I
loves yo’--an’ I’se loved yo’ all de time--right from de fust. Yo’
knows I is! W’en me an’ yo’ hooks up yere--yo’ say w’at is pas’ is
pas’! Don’ yo’ membah--? (_Sam nods._) An’ yo’ say dat yo’ ain’ been no
angel--an’ yo’ knows I ain’--
SAM
Did’n’ know yo’d been tied up ter anabody like Jeff.
LUCY BELLE
I done tol’ yo’ why I did’n’ say nuffin’. Oh, Sam-boy, I ain’ nevah
come back at yo’ ’bout ole Lizzie Gibbs. I don’ hol’ dat agin yo’--even
ef she do blackguard an’ lie on me. I ain’ nevah said nuffin’ ter yo’
’bout it. Is I?
SAM
No.
LUCY BELLE
Den don’ hol’ dis agin me. It all happen fo’ me an’ yo’ hook up fo’
good. It’s pas’ an’ gone. Fo’give me. I ain’ nevah gwine ter keep
nuffin’ back agin. Fo’give me, honey-baby--please fo’give me?
SAM (_takes her in his arms and kisses her passionately_)
Mah lil’ baby budigee!
LUCY BELLE
Yo’ does fo’give me, don’ yo’?
SAM
Yas, yas--!
LUCY BELLE
I knowed yo’ would.
SAM
Ef yo’ evah has anathin’ ter do wid anoder niggah I’se gwine ter kill
yo’!
LUCY BELLE
No, no, Sam--nevah agin--! Don’ yo’ worry--!
SAM (_with passionate fervor_)
I loves yo’ bettah den anathin’ in de worl’--!
LUCY BELLE (_ecstatically_)
Sam-boy budigee!
SAM
I wants ter go on wukkin’ fo’ yo’--
LUCY BELLE
Honey-baby!
SAM
An’ w’en anathin’ like dis come up--
LUCY BELLE
I know, I know--
SAM
Ef it had been anabody but Jeff--
LUCY BELLE
But w’at is pas’ is gwine ter be pas’--!
SAM (_repeating_)
W’at is pas’ is gwine ter be pas’. An’ I’se gwine on wukkin’ fo’
yo’--an’ tryin’ ter make yo’ happy--
LUCY BELLE (_with a sob_)
I knows yo’ is, ole Sam-boy, baby!
SAM
Yo’s all I got in de worl’.
LUCY BELLE
Yo’s all I got!
SAM
By-an’-by we gwine ter git nuff saved ter buy a lil’ place down neah
Frederick--mah ole home.
LUCY BELLE
Yas, yas--jes’ as soon as we kin--
SAM
An’ we gwine down dere an’ raise garden truck--an’ chickens--an’ _live
right_--
LUCY BELLE
Yo’ said somefin’!
SAM
De chillen’ll have plenty-a room ter play. An’ I kin take a day off now
an’ go huntin’. (_Wistfully._) Still got-a lot-a possums down ’roun’
dere.
LUCY BELLE
Is dey--?
SAM
Heaps. (_With a sigh._) Yas, indeedy! We gwine down dere--an’ _live
right_!
(_The footsteps of someone coming rapidly down the alley arrest them.
Lucy Belle gives a start. They both listen intently. The door, Back,
suddenly bursts open and Jeff Bisbee dashes in. He halts abruptly upon
discovering Sam and stares at him--his face distorted with rage. Sam
breaks away from Lucy Belle and starts at him--menacingly._)
SAM (_at the top of his voice_)
Git out-a yere!
(_Lucy Belle gives a cry of anguish and fear and draws back, toward
Left, cowering._)
JEFF (_drawing a knife and snapping open the blade_)
Who yo’ talkin’ ter?
SAM
Ter yo’!
LUCY BELLE (_rushes forward, as though to place herself between them_)
Jeff--! Fo’ Gawd’s sake!
JEFF
Thought I’d find yo’ yere!
SAM (_thunderously_)
Git out--!
(_Jeff lunges at Sam. Lucy Belle gives a blood-curdling shriek. The men
grapple and sway about the room, grunting and cursing._)
LUCY BELLE
Oh, mah Gawd! _Po_-lice! _Po_-lice! Murder!
(_Sam has a firm grip on Jeff’s right arm. After some desperate
maneuvering, Jeff contrives to swing it down in an attempt to stab
Sam in the side. Sam diverts the thrust and the blade plunges into
Jeff’s side. Jeff gives a groan, his body becomes limp, his knees
sag, the muscles of his hand relax and the knife falls to the floor.
Sam releases him and he staggers toward the table, Center. He makes
a grab for it, misses it, and falls to the floor. He raises himself
on one elbow, puts his free hand to his side, and lies there groaning
and rolling his eyes. Sam and Lucy Belle stand gazing down at
him--terror-stricken._)
LUCY BELLE (_in wild, hysterical tones_)
Sam--run! Git out--git out fo’ yo’ life!
(_At this juncture a policeman dashes in, Back. He pauses near the
door for a second, sees Jeff lying on the floor, turns, discovers Sam,
springs over and grabs him._)
CURTAIN