Indelible

By Michael Oatman Settings: In a jail cell in southern Ohio in the 1950s In the back room of a used clothing store in 1902. rail yard rooming house Character List: !alter "a#idson $$$ "oleda !atkins $$$ "elano(Old Man $$$ self$educated entre%reneur &ho o&ns a used clothing store. single mother &ho &orks in !alter "a#idson's used clothing store. mysterious agent from the south.

)estus !atkins $$$ *&el#e year$old boy &ho &orks for !alter "a#idson. +e is the son of "oleda !atkins. ,urtis and -ratt $$$ *&o young ,i#il .ights demonstrators &ho are in jail for attem%ting to integrate a lunch counter. )urman $$$ +e is a henchman &ho is &orks as muscle for the "elano character. /Bama and Babo $$$ .ailroad men &ho hel% smuggle the ne&s%a%er into other %arts of the country. *hey also deli#ers ne&s from other %laces. !illiam .ochester III $$$ ,olored man from the north &ho has come to to&n to meet &ith !alter "a#idson. -rison 0uard $$$ young racist %rison guard

,* O12(3,212 O12 (The spotlight reveals several African American males in a cell. Amongst these 1

black men is one old white man in his 70s. In the foreground are two men, the old man and one of the younger black men in the cell. They are both on opposing benches. The young man is laying down with his feet up on the bench. The older man is sitting on an opposite bench facing the audience. Delano 4!e is talking directly to the audience. "hile you can see the other characters, the main section of the spotlight is on him.5 It is a terrible thing to be on the &rong side of history. 6ord7 kno&s I could &rite a book on the subject. *he list of my failings as a human being are mile &ide and canyon dee%. *hey seem like fiction to me. s if I &asn't the %erson &ho did all of those things. But I am. I did do those things. I'm not a religious man7 but I kno& that some day there &ill be an accounting for all of my sins. *here &ill come a reckoning. 4The light becomes brighter and shines on the both men on the benches.5 I belong in this cell for many7 many7 many reason. +o& ironic that I &ould finally find myself here for doing the right thing. 4#eat5 I al&ays kne& that 0od had a sense of humor. Pratt !hat in the hell you doin' in jail cell &ith us trouble making7 niggas8 Delano 3ame as you I su%%ose. Pratt 1o7 seriously7 &hat in the &orld you doing mi9ed u% in here &ith %ack of coloreds8 Curtis +e %robably trying to figure out &hat 1egras look like u% close7 you kno& like his o&n %ri#ate :oo. Delano I told you already &hy I'm in here7 son. Pratt 3ame as me. 3o you &ere there to integrate that lunch counter8 ;ou8 Delano I got arrested didn't I8 !hat8 I can't fight for human rights7 is that it8 /,ause &hat7 I got &hite skin8 I thought that &as the ty%e of closed mindedness you boys &ere fighting against8

Pratt 4All the black men in the background sit up and stare over at $elano in unison. The young man gets up off of the bench and stands over.5 +ey7 old man I ain't nobodies boy. Curtis -ratt sit do&n. man8 Pratt "on't care ho& old he is7 ,urtis. Delano I'm o#er <0 years old7 son e#erybody's a boy to me7 black skin or no. *hese eyes ha#e seen a lot of hurt and %ain. I don't get ner#ous anymore son7 I'#e seen too much. 3o7 if you gon beat me son7 you best get to it. Pratt ;ou got a mouth on you old man7 you best mind it. Delano 2#en as a youngin'7 I &as ne#er %artial to follo&ing directions. character I su%%ose. Curtis 6ea#e that old man alone -ratt7 he &as %rotesting &ith us remember8 +e ain't the enemy7 don't care ho& &hite his skin is. Delano 3eems your friend back there is handing out to% tier ad#ice7 son. 3o &hy don't you unburden yourself and take load off. 4The young man goes back to his bench and sits down.5 Pratt ;ou still ain't told me &hat you doin' in here7 or &hatchu &as doing at the rally8 ;ou some kind of s%y or something8 Delano ;ou strike me as the kind of man that kno&s thangs7 am I right8 Pratt I guess. Delano n unfortunate fla& in my in't &e in enough trouble8 !hatchu gon do7 beat u% some old &hite

*hat's &hat I thought. I &ant you to look at me7 then ans&er the >uestion yourself. 4%ause.5 !ell . . . m. I . . . a s%y I mean8 Pratt 1a& . . . you ain't no s%y. I don't kno& &hat the hell you is7 but chu ain't no s%y. Delano ;eah7 on most days I can't figure me out either. 4 The old man ambles up from his bench and walks out to address the audience.5 Delano I sit back in my &icker chair on the %orch of my house and I &atch these young men running around talkin' about freedom7 but these young boys don't kno& the history. *he real struggle and sacrifice. *hey can't see that the ground they trai%sing o#er is soaked in blood. 4%ause5 nd I should kno&7 I s%ilt my share of it. !ell . . . I guess I can't blame Pratt +ey7 let us outta here you sonsabitches. Delano !hat &as I sayin'8 Curtis 3omething about history7 old timer. Delano ;eah . . . yeah . . . history. 3o ha#e you heard of !alter "a#idson8 2#er hear of the %a%er that he use to %rint u%8 *he *imes . . . the 1egro *imes8 1o8 "on't feel bad. +ell7 I &ouldn't ha#e kno&n nothing about this 1egro *imes business if I &ouldn't#e been there. Curtis I lo#e the old folks7 come on no&7 gram%s tell me a story. Old folks al&ays tell the best stories. Delano !ell7 since you asked. *he story starts around the turn of the century7 19027 before you boys &ere an itch in your daddy's %ants. /em though7 &hen I &as a young man7 I could gi#e a fiddler's damn about history.

,* O12(3,212 *!O ("hen the lights come back up, a man is toiling around in what looks like a workshop that has tools, barrels and other e&uipment hapha'ardly laying around. Walter )estus getcho tail in here and tote that bundle youngin'. Festus I'm comin'7 I'm comin'7 Mr. "a#idson. 4(estus enters the stage carrying a large bundle of papers.5 Walter 5

I s&ear you getting slo&er by the day. Festus I'm sorry7 Mr. "a#idson. In tryin' but it's hea#y. Walter 1o hea#ier than the burden our %eo%le carried o#er there in frica7 young s%ort. O#er there ladies can carry dey body &eight on the to%s of dey head. I betch you didn't kno& that did ya young7 buck8 Festus 1o7 sir. But I bet I kno& something you don't tho Mistah "a#idson8 Walter 1ot likely. Festus I bet I do. Walter lright7 )estus let it out fo ya bust. Festus !e gots a #isitor in to&n . . . a colored man. Walter *hat hardly >ualify as ne&s7 &e got niggas filing in and out of to&n e#eryday off the rail road. +ell7 that train flick off niggas like a dog flick off fleas. Festus *his ain't no regular colored tho . . . he real citified . . . he talk funny too7 like a &hite man or something. +e took a room at the rooming house. Walter My rooming house8 Festus ;e%. +e a %eculiar yello& nigga7 Mr. !alter. My guess is he one of dem 3ilar ,ity coloreds7 &ith his %olished shoes and all. Walter ,ity colored7 huh8 Oh7 &ell7 I got too much on my mind to &orry about it. ,ome on o#er here. 4"alter $avidson reaches into his pocket and pulls out a oversi'ed bill and hands it to (estus.5

Festus But Mr. !alter7 you don't o&e me this much8 Walter Boy7 take this money and get on from /round here. 0o get you a %ocket full of them gumballs you like7 so that you can stay out of mine. Festus &7 Mr. !alter . . . Walter I see that jar getting lo&er you little %incher. 1o&7 git. 0o buy yo' mama some of that %enny candy do&n at !hitman's &ith the e9tra. 4"alter $avidson opens the bundle of papers with his knife. !e picks up the paper and feeds it into a circular machine on his workshop desk.5 )estus +ey. Mama. 4"oleda enters.5 Doleda +ey7 !alter7 &e just sold the last of dem &ork %ants7 &e gon need to ha#e Ms. ;ancy make us a fe& more . . . they eating /em u% like hot cakes. Walter 4!e begins to put away his papers and hides his machine.5 6eda . . . dammit &oman7 you need to knock fo you enter in the back room7 for ,hrist sake. +o&'s business u% front8 Doleda I jus tole you7 &e done sold out of them &ork %ants and it ain't e#en 5 o'clock yet. Walter *hem ne& shirts /Bama toted in from 3ilar ,ity . . . &e sold any today8 Doleda One of them railroad men bought one this morning. 4%ause5 !hat a dusty old railroad man need &ith such a fancy shirt I'll ne#er kno&. Walter man &orks a hard job like that and he &ants to look nice on the &eekends is all. ,ome here7 6eda 4The two walk over to a window in the back of the room and peer out.5 *ell me &hat you see. Doleda

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I don't kno& !alter7 a rail yard. Walter !ell7 yeah7 &hat else8 Doleda bunch of old7 dirty railroad men going /bout their business8 Walter +ey7 I started in dem same rail yards &hen I came u% here from *uscaloosa. in't nothing &rong &ith the kind of &ork that get a man's hands dirty. !ithout those dirty railroad men7 &ouldn't be no me$$$or &ouldn't be no job for you. *hat might be a thought that crosses your mind the ne9t time you narro& your eyes to look do&n on dem. Doleda I still think they look like o#er$stuffed %eacocks in them colorful shirts you sell. Walter s long as they %eacocks &ho %ay7 that's fine &ith me. Doleda 4%ause5 )estus must'#e been on the &ay to !hitman's the &ay he tore out of here. Must'#e had some e9tra money burning a hole in his %ocket. Walter Must ha#e. Doleda "on't kno& &here )estus &ould get some e9tra money &ould you7 !alter8 Walter !ell7 yeah I ga#e the boy a dollar. Doleda It &ouldn't be for toting in that brand ne& %ack of %a%er I seen him lugging round. Must ha#e %icked it u% from the %ost office. 3ent from &here7 3ilar ,ity I &ould imagine8 4-ause5 3o I guess that talk me and Minister Mc-herson had &ith you after church &ent in one ear and out da other. &hat you &us u% to. Walter *hat's just 0od's &ay of sayin' that I'm doing the right thing. Doleda in't a &hite man in to&n &ouldn't kill you dead if he kne&

0od ain't in a mind to get nobody kilt. Walter *ell that to Isaac and his son. *ell that to those fools in 3odom and 0omorra. It's right and &rong that offends the man u%stairs. Doleda !ho say the man u%stairs is a man at all8 from &hat I can tell 0od ain't %ig$headed enough to be a man. Walter 1o& that is just some old 1egro nonsense. "em dare &omen league grou%s is &ar%ing yo' brain. *he bible say . . . Doleda "on't start in &ith me &ith that Bible talk . . . I just don't understand you that's all. ;ou got cho o&n bidness7 selling used clothes by the bo97 you o&n this &hole block7 the rooming house cross the street7 the mail$order store. ;ou o&n more then a 1egro could e#er dream of. Making good money7 s%ecially for a colored man7 &hy &ould you risk that all for &ords on a %age. I could li#e for a coon's age and ne#er understand you. Walter I &ould s'%ect you &ouldn't . . . understand I mean7 /cause it ain't nothing can be e9%lained by things as %uny and small as &ords. It's a feeling 6eda. burning7 like . . . a sting dee% in a man's belly that say you got to do &hat you got to do. It is 19 hundred and 2. *he century done turned7 it's time &e turned &ith it. +o& many more lynching before &e stand u% and say no more. !e ain't sla#es no more7 there are rights o&ed to us. My daddy didn't ha#e a choice but to &ear chains7 but I do. be heard. nd read. Doleda *oo much %ride is a sin !alter . . . Walter . . . so is lynching. 4"alter walks over to the bundle of papers hidden underneath a pail. !e picks up one of the papers and reads from it .5 120.O 6;1,+2" I1 BI,C3BD.0. . . . *ell me that this is &hat 0od intended8 6ook &hat they did to this black man should be able to &alk &ith %ride. *hem chains been lifted from us. 1o& it's time to stand u% and in't ne#er kno&ed 0od to flinch /bout killin'. 6essen you read from another Bible den me.

boy7 and then tell me I got a choice in &hat 0od has sent me to do. I got these %ictures from one of dem dirty railroad men that trouble you so. *hey &ere selling /em in a general store do&n dare for kee%sakes. *hese %ictures cost me t&o of them %eacock shirts. Doleda ;ou a damn fool. nd I should kno& . . . my Eacob &as foolish jus' like you. nd I'm the one that found him in that field7 all tore u% and such. I'm the one left behind to raise his son alone. )estus &as barely out of his dia%ers &hen they killed Eacob. I kno& ho& the story ends7 !alter . . . you %rideful son of a de#il you. Walter *hat's a sight a &oman shouldn't e#er ha#e to see7 lord hel% me. But my &ork is not of this %lace7 or time. I been sent by 0od to do this7 6eda. ;ou can't ask me to ignore him . . . and yes7 it is a him. I been sent. 3ent by 0od I s&ear. Doleda 3ent to die like a fool I s'%ose. Walter 4"alter $avidson walks over to $oleda "atkins and grabs her around the shoulders.5 ;ou &orry too much. 6ook at this %retty face of mine. ;ou see me &orrying8 Doleda 1o7 I don't . . . that's &hat &orries me most of all. 4 The scene goes black.5

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,* O12(3,212 *+.22 ()#ama and #abo are sitting on the bench at the rail yard and they are eating their lunch. The two men are engaged in a highly energetic conversation. Bama Cnocked that &hite boy on his ass. 4*macks his fist into his open palm.5 BamF Cnocked /em out. 1o& &hy he &anna go and do it Babo8 !hy he do it8 4 "alter enters the scene.5 Walter !hat chu 1egroes ja& jackin' about8 Bama in't you heard7 Mr. Cing of all the coloreds8 Walter +eard &hat8 !hy did &ho. do &hat8 Bama *he hea#y&eight cham%ion's little brother . . . Walter Eack Eefferies8 Babo ;eah7 for some reason his little brother Eim7 got it in his head that he &anted to fight a colored. Bama 1o& &hy he &anna go do dat8 I mean damn7 he floating along7 &hu%%ing u% on other &hite folk and den he gits in dat roomy skull of his to take on a nigga. *he boy damn near killed in the fifth7 &hu%%ed his ass. 11

Babo *hey say the boy is a natural born killa. Eohnson I think his name is. 4!e opens the paper and reads the te+t.5 ;eah7 Eohnson7 Eack Eohnson. Bama *he dark %rince. Walter +ere you go fellas. 4!e hands )#ama an envelope. )#ama promptly hands the envelope over to #abo.5 %ick me u% a fe& more %arcels of %a%er and some &ork %ants from 2llories. 4%ause5 ;ou mind if I take this8 Babo +ere ya go. 4!e hands "alter the newspaper.5 ny shirts8 Walter 1a&7 &e okay on shirts for no&. Its a little somethin' in there for the both of ya. 4 %ause5 "on't go drinkin u% there in one of those 3ilar city gin mills and forget to get my %ants. Babo ,ome on no&7 you kno& &e /bouts bidness. Bama ;eah7 Monkey bidness. 4The two men laugh. "alter waves )#ama over and speaks to him while #abo goes through the envelope full of money.5 Babo Oh7 &eeF ,ash on the barrel head. Walter !hen ya'll get back I ha#e a fe& ne& %arcels for ya'll to take back into 3ilar city. Bama 1e& %arcels7 huh8 Walter ;eah. Bama ;ou kno& &e cut it close that last time. Walter I kno& it. Bama

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!e gotta be careful7 !alter. *hings tightin' u% /round here. Walter I kno& it. Bama ;ou &anna kno& /bout that Gigby boy. Walter *he found him all burnt u% and dum%ed on the railroad tracks7 so maybe some of the fellas that &ork the 3ilar city yard might ha#e a notion &hat ha%%ened. Bama I'll see to it. I'll %ick /em u% &hen I return tonight. I'll be back early7 I gotta &ork the yard here tomorro& morning. I'll be in /.ound eight. Babo gon stay u% a little longer in 3ilar city to #isit his sister7 I'll ha#e him come back on the 11H10 tonight. I'll hand /em o#er and he'll dro% /em off. Walter Make sure he gi#es /em to the right %eo%le7 I &ant to make sure that they get out there. nd yeah7 Bama 1o7 %roblem. Walter I don't need to tell you to be discreet. Bama "i$ &hat8 ;ou and dem t&enty$fi#e cent &ords. Walter Eust don't bring too much attention. Bama 0o on no&7 you kno& me %a%%a bear7 smooth as butter in a skillet. Walter nd . . . Bama . . . nd I kno&7 &rite do&n the facts for you. *he boys name7 age7 family7 and sneak a&ay and &rite do&n &hat %eo%le say ho& dey said it. I kno&. old boy. in't e9actly ne& at this

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Walter nd of course . . . Bama . . . nd of course if dare are any %ictures in the 3ilar city %a%ers7 cli% /em out and bring /em chair. I kno&. 4"alter smiles and pats )#ama on the shoulder. Then he places a few folded bills in )#ama,s front pocket.5 nd dat's jus' a little somethin' for my troubles. 4"e hear a train whistle. -n the bench #abo stands up and tucks the envelope in his pocket.5 Babo Our coach has arri#ed. Walter Be careful and be safe. Bama Is a nigga e#er safe in merica8 4#abo and )#ama e+it the stage. "alter turns and e+its the other way. The scene goes black.5

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,* O12(3,212 )OD. (The scene opens and $oleda is sitting on the floor and she is in the midst of piles of clothes. *he is sorting through the clothes and separating them into smaller piles. "alter,s feet are kicked up on his desk and he is reading a newspaper. Walter ,an you belie#e they kickin' u% such a fuss8 Doleda !hat8 Walter I said can you belie#e they kickin' u% such a fuss about Booker *8 Doleda !alter7 &hat in the hell are talkin' /bout8 Walter Booker *. *he other day he trai%sed himself right u% to the !hite +ouse to see old .oose#elt and him and *eddy had dem sel#es some dinner. Doleda "inner8 Walter ;es7 dinner7 the first 1egro to e#er do so. mind about it. Doleda ;ou kno& &hite folks they don't like ,oloreds at dinner unless dey got a tray in dey hands. 4%ause5 1o& if you finished &ith the ne&s of the day you &anna get back to &ork Mr. "a#idson8 Walter I mean damn7 its just a meal7 can't a 1egro just ha#e a meal and not ha#e it turn into a international incident8 Doleda !alterF *hese clothes ain't gon check dey self in. Walter 4"alter closes the newspaper and sits it down.5 It just cha%s my ass is all. nd the &hite folks u% dere don /bout lost dey

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Doleda ;o' ass git cha%%ed so much it's a &onder you got any left. 4"alter pulls out his ledger and opens it up.5 Walter !here did &e get this clothes from8 Doleda Mr. 3tee%leson7 o#er at the &ork house. +e had some e9tra &ork clothes. 3ome of /em in %retty good sha%e too. 3o far I count se#en thirteen shirts7 dat are ready to sell7 t&o that could be ready &ith some mending and the rest &e can toss. Walter 1ice. +o& much did you gi#e him for those bo9es8 Doleda 1ot a %enny. I ga#e him one of those nice blue dress shirts and a %air of dem city slacks. nd he jus' ga#e me the bo9es. Walter *hat's all8 Doleda "at's it. Walter ;ou turning into >uite the business &oman. I &onder &hat 3tee%leson gon do &it' a ne& suit8 Doleda )or the dance !alter. 2#erybody in to&n in gettin' clean for it. Walter "ance8 Doleda ;eah7 !alter dance. ;ou kno& %eo%le getting together7 %laying music7 talkin'7 laughin'8 Walter 1egroes7 ne#er %ass u% a chance to shuck and ji#e. Doleda !ell7 I'm gon be right dare shuckin' and ji#in' right &it' em. Walter

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;ou goin'8 Doleda 2#erybody o#er the age of consent is goin'7 man. Walter !ell7 &hile your out dare %artying the night a&ay7 I'll be here &orking. Doleda Oh7 sto% it. It's good to get out some time7 mi9 &ith %eo%le7 esca%e from your troubles for a s%ell. Walter 1onsense. Doleda 1ot nonsense7 !alter. !hat8 ;ou gon s%end the rest of your life cou%ed$u% here lookin' o#er your ledgers and &riting8 Walter I just might at that. Doleda *hen you gon dro% dead o#er one of those ledgers. Walter s that %oet fella . . . ,onrad7 I think his name &as . . . said7 I&e li#e as &e dream alone.J Doleda nd &hat the hell does that mean8 Walter It mean that no matter &hat &e do7 or &ho around7 our journey through life is a lonely one any&ay. Doleda "em damn books dun &ar%ed &hat little brain you got left7 you kno& that8 4 %ause5 I don't care &hat you say7 on 3aturday7 I'm gon cut a rug. Walter "amned scandal . . . a single &omen going to a dance7 by herself . . . a scandal. Doleda )irst of all I'm a &oman not a child. I can go any damn %lace I &ant &ithout the com%any of man and second of all &ho said I &as going alone8 lone.

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Walter nd &hat that mean8 Doleda +uh8 Walter I said and &hat that mean8 Doleda !hat's that no&8 Walter !hat you mean8 ;ou not going alone8 Doleda *o the dance8 Walter Of course to the dance8 Doleda !ell7 I did ha#e a gentlemen caller &ho &as interested in escorting me to the dance. Walter 0entleman caller8 !ho8 Doleda nd &hy is that your business7 dad8 "idn't kno& I needed %ermission to go out on my off time. Walter "on't mess around &ith me7 &oman. !ho is he8 Doleda !ell7 if you must kno&7 Mr. "a#idson7 6ance +endrickson7 &as kind enough to . . . Walter . . . 6ance +endrickson. 6ance +endrickson. *hat highste%%in' yella. *hat smooth talkin' dandy7 candy ass7 s%ort. Is you kiddin' me8 ;ou can do better7 much better than that oily son of gun . . . Doleda . . . !ell7 I ha#en't told him yes yet7 but . . . Walter

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. . . But &hat8 Doleda !ell7 !alter it's not like I ha#e a gang of men lining u% outside my door lookin' to %artake in my com%any. nd 6ance is a barber7 &it his o&n sho%7 handsome enough7 Walter +e's accommodating alright . . . lookin' to accommodate you in his bedroom. Doleda nd &ho say that is necessarily a bad thang8 Walter 3candalous. ;ou a mama. Doleda Mama's need lo#e too. +ell7 ho& you think )estus got here in the first %lace8 Walter ;ou bet not let that slick7 hair sni%%ing fool7 lay a finger on you. Doleda ;a ne#er kno&7 a scandalous &oman goin' out on the to&n &ith a high ste%%in' yella fella of distinction7 ne#er kno& &here dat gon lead. Walter 1e#er. Doleda nd &hat's it to you8 4%ause5 Walter I don't kno&7 just tryin' to look out for you is all. Doleda Is that all. )act remains I only got one in#ite to the dance to %onder. Walter 4%ause5 !ell7 no& you got t&o. Doleda +o&'s that8 Walter I'm gon take you to that dance. seems fairly accommodating.

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Doleda .eally8 nd &ho says I &ant to go &ith some old gruff e9$railroad man8 Walter ;ou like to toss me in the ground and toss on the dirt7 right8 !e're going to that dance and that's that. Doleda nd &hat about 6ance8 Walter +e can go sha#e himself fo' all I care. Doleda !ell7 Mr. "a#idson7 I &ill take your kind offer under consideration and get back to you &ith my ans&er. Walter 0et back . . . I . . . Doleda . . . ;es7 Mr. "a#idson7 I &ill grant you the %leasure of my com%any. nd maybe you can go see 6ance about a sha#e. Walter ny other directions7 -resident "oleda. Doleda 1o7 I think dats it for no&. 4The scene goes black.5 nd don't &ear any of them railroad man7 %eacock shirts. I &ant you to &ear your nice black church suit.

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,* O12(3,212 )IB2 ()#ama, is sitting on a wooden bench. The spotlight is focused tight on the bench. !e is looking around and looking an+ious. Babo /Bama7 that you8 Bama !ho else8 Babo 3orry I'm late. Bama "amn7 you got me out at this damned rail yard &aitin' fo' yo' monkey ass. Babo +ell7 I been runnin' round like a damned yard dog.

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Bama I been &aitin' here fore#er7 &hy you so late8 Babo I had to shake a flea7 some &hite man been follo&ing me since Bicksburg. I finally s%rung him loose. I think I done seen him tailin' me before on some of my other runs. 3ome cra:y ass &hite man. Bama !hat he look like8 Babo I don't kno&7 a &hite man7 jus' ordinary I reckon. .egular height7 &eight7 black suit. But I sa& him eyeballin' me &hen I got off the trainK then I sa& him again /round .olli#ille. Bama ;ou sure you shook /em8 Babo Oh7 shore /nough. *hat &hite boys in the &ind. Bama ;ou better be fo' shore7 4!e hands the bundle over to )#abo.5 It's a noose attached to this here %arcel. Babo !ho you tellin'7 I'm the one &ho has to tote this into 3ilar ,ity. Bama 0ood luck. I gots to git. 4!e walks away and e+its the stage right. )#ama tucks the package into his overalls. And 'ips up the overall and e+its the stage left. There is a spark that ignites a cigarette and smoke begins to waft onto the stage. A white man of average height and weight walks onto the stage smoking a cigarette. !e begins to sing as he strolls. Delano 4*ung slowly and deliberately. !e walks across the stage and follows )#ama .5 I &ish I &as in "i9ie7 hurrah7 hurrah7 in "i9ie land7 I'll take my stand7 to li#e and die in "i9ie. I &ish I &as in "i9ie . . . 4!e walks after )#ama. The lights go down and we can here the whistling of the tune $i+ieland as the scene changes.5

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,* O12(3,212 3IL ("alter is down in the rail yard. -n stage is simply a wooden bench. !e is sitting and eating pecans. A man enters the stage. !e is an African American and very well dressed. Rochester Mr. "a#idson8 Mr. !alter "a#idson8 Walter 4!e continues to look forward and does not look at the stranger.5 I lo#e this %lace. Dse to &ork here seem like a hundred years ago. +ard &ork being a rail road man7 s%ecially &hen they got you &orking the yard. Many backs been broke right in this here yard. 1o&7 I do soft &ork7 figuring and running my businesses and counting the money that come in. I &ork u% there. On that hill7 that's my office &indo&. *he one &ith the light. Rochester My name is !illiam .ochester III. Walter *his is a small to&n really. One train in and one train out. 3ome days in a strange kind of &ay I miss this %lace. 3ome days I &ill just sit here and &atch the beautiful music of Two Trains .unning. *he back and forth of it all. It's soothing really. Rochester 2=

I heard in to&n you might be do&n here at the rail yard. Walter I'm &aiting for the 1H10 to 3ilar ,ity7 got some business u% that &ay. Rochester gain my name . . . Walter !illiam .ochester III 4"alter looks down at the strangers shoes.5 ;ou ha#e really shiny shoes. /Bout &hat t&o7 three coats of %olish8 "amn nice shoes. Maybe too nice. My father al&ays told me to ne#er trust a man &ith shiny shoes. Rochester Dh . . . &ell . . . Dh . . .. Walter I'm just fuckin' &it chu boy. "on't you educated 1egroes got a sense of humor8 Rochester +o& did you kno& I &as educated8 Walter I sell clothes for a li#ing. man is &hat he &ears. Rochester ;ou're a little more than that7 Mr. "a#idson. Walter m I no&8 !ho say8 Rochester I say. nd so does the scores of readers &ho are drinking in the call for liberation like &ater from a gourd. ;our &ords sir7 your elo>uent &ords ha#e hit their mark. I"on't sit still7 don't be led to the ri#er of your o&n o%%ression7 stand u% &here you are and fight for that freedom that 0od himself has gi#en you.J Walter Only thing I &rite in is the ledger to my businesses. If you &ill e9cuse me. 4 "alter $avidson stands up to leave and "illiam .ochester III blocks his way and gently places his hand on his chest.5 Rochester nd you a 100 dollar colored if e#er I sa& one. !hat does a fella like you &ant &ith an old rail road man like myself8

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!ait. Walter I ain't one to let other men lay hands on me7 s%ecially &hen I ha#e a mind to lea#e7 no& kindly maneu#er out my &ay. 4"illiam .ochester III &uickly puts his hand down.5 Rochester -lease sit7 just gi#e me a minute 4%ause5. -lease. 4"alter studies "illiam .ochester,s face and then decides to sit back down on the bench.5 3ir7 I am not trying to anger you7 but &e need your hel%. Walter ;ou're a &e no&8 I'm talkin' to a &e8 Rochester I am from the 1ational ssociation of fricani:ed mericans . . . other &ise kno&n as 1 . Walter ;ou from a grou% called naaaa8 *hat's a joke of some sort7 right8 Rochester 1o7 sir I assure you that our goal is >uite serious. I am the regional coordinator for Ohio7 Indiana7 -ennsyl#ania and Centucky7 just o#er the ri#er there. Walter fricani:ed mericans8 !hat the hell that mean8 Rochester It is just a &ay for the 1egroes to dra& a link to the %lace of our origin. Walter I don't kno& about that7 but I don't kno& many 1egroes &ho &anna be linked to frica. "on't get me &rong no&7 I a%%reciate the attem%t7 but coloreds ain't ready to make that lea%. It's hard enough to get 1egroes to be %roud to be 1egroes. Rochester 3o is that &hy you &rite the things that you &rite8 Walter I don't follo& ya meaning. 4"illiam reaches into his pocket and pull out a /egro Times.5 Rochester

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*his is not your %a%er8 I kno& %eo%le that kno& %eo%le and I kno& that this is your %a%er. Walter nd I su%%ose you are s%reading these rumors around8 *his ain't the north Mr. .ochester7 such a rumor could get a man killed. Rochester My secrets are confidential I assure you. ;our secret is still safe as far as most %eo%le in to&n are concerned. But &e need your hel%. Walter My hel% for &hat8 Rochester !e need to make the business district accountable for the system of o%%ression they su%%ort. Walter Meaning &hat8 Rochester Meaning boycott. !e can cut the ri#er of money that flo&s into their bloated coffers. Ds 1egroes feed the beast that de#ours us. !e can fi9 that. Walter "o&n on 3u%erior #enue8 Rochester ;es. Walter meeting8 Rochester meeting to discuss a boycott. 6ike ones &e ha#e organi:ed in other cities in Ohio. Walter *his &e that you are a%art of7 this &ouldn't be that northern grou% that came to "ayton back about se#en or eight years ago8 Best I can remember a lot of %eo%le &ere hurt7 needlessly. One of my em%loyees7 "oleda7 li#ed in "ayton for a s%ell7 from &hat she tell nd &e can use your %a%er to deli#er the message. !e are ha#ing a meeting at -eterson -ark.

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me that little gathering stirred &hite folks u% for years. *hey still %lucking the bodies out of the trees. Rochester *hat &as not our intent. Walter 1e#er is. Rochester It &as unfortunate7 but necessary. Walter It &as a mess. nd this /&e' you kee% talkin' about that &ouldn't be the &e Rochester *hat &asn't our fault. Walter Is that right8 ;ou boys organi:e a boycott against the &hite stores and you thought there &ouldn't be any reaction8 Rochester *hey sent out some men to sto% us and it got out of hand. Walter !hat make you think the same thing ain't gon ha%%en here8 Rochester It might. I can't guarantee that it &on't. But &e cannot scurry into the corner of history and be stilled. 1o longer can &e shirk or res%onsibilities. Walter ;ou are a dangerous man in dangerous times. ;ou're a child that doesn't ha#e a clue ho& >uickly the hammer comes do&n. I &ant the same things7 but it's got to be a %rocess. !e're just not ready for the le#el of change your grou% is calling for. !e gotta cra&l before &e can &alk. nd your grou% is calling for an all out s%rint. Rochester I'#e read your &ords they don't seem to ad#ocate cra&ling at all. *he seem to beg for full out re#olution. Walter dat almost got ;oungsto&n burned to the ground last month8

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*hen you didn't read it all. I said7 rise u% &ere you are to fight o%%ression. I didn't say nothing /bout committing suicide. Before &e can raise the 1egro u%7 &e'#e got to build him u%. .aise his a&areness7 his confidence7 his sense of himself7 or he &ill fail. 3ome of you u% north7 yello& city niggas ain't learned that lesson yet. Rochester !e can no longer &ait7 Mr. "a#idson7 the 1egro has nothing else to lose. Walter 1onsense. I'm a man got to li#e here long after you and that organi:ation of yours mo#es on to the ne9t cause. *his to&n ain't no damn cause7 it's our home. I don't &ant any %art of this meeting you tryin' to %ull together. 1egro times ain't about getting' folks disa%%eared. 4"alter $avidson stands up to leave.5 0ood luck7 Mr. .ochester7 you sho nuff gon need it. Rochester 4!e stands also and talks to "alter $avidson,s back as he e+its the stage.5 s 1egroes of conscious &e not only ha#e the ability to act7 but the obligation. !e can not &alk a&ay from the fight. 4"alter $avidson turns 0ust as he is about the e+it the stage.5 Walter !atch me. 4"e here a train whistle in the background.5 *he 1H10 is coming do&n the rail. 4"alter e+its the stage.5

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,* O12(3,212 32B21 ("alter and (estus enter the scene and they are both carrying soda pop in their hands. They are talking as they enter the scene. Walter Boy7 getcho tail in here I s&ear you get slo&er by the day. Festus It's just this malted7 Mr. !alter. I &anna make sure that I don't s%ill any&heres /ce%t my belly. Walter 3ho nuff7 )estus7 sho nuff. 3it it o#er there on my desk7 and be careful7 don't s%ill anything on my floor. 4(estus goes over to "alter,s desk and sits down his malted.5 nd here sit mines do&n too. 4(estus takes "alter,s malted and sits it on his desk. "alter walks to the back of the stage and uncovers several bundles of papers.5 ,ome o#er here and hel% me undo these bundles. Festus ;es 3ir. Walter 4"ith his bare hands "alter begins to snap the twine ropes of the bundles and then starts separating the papers into piles.5 ll the long sheets %ut them here and if any of the sheets are short or got any hitches in them %ut /em o#er there. 3ome times &hen they gra:ing the %a%er they get crinkled. 4(estus is struggling with his bale of paper.5 Walter !hat a big fella like you can't %ull a%art those t&ine strings8 Festus I s&ear dey made of steel. Walter 6ike chains7 huh son. Festus

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I guess. Walter 1a&7 I just think ya'll young folk done got soft. +ell7 &hen I &us yo age I &as toting big old %arcels into bo9cars t&o at a time. !ith one on the to% of my head. Festus 0on7 no& Mr. !alter . . . Walter I think I &as three &hen I got my first job. Festus !hen you &as three. Walter ;eah7 s%litting lumber at the mill yards. Festus I think you tellin' tall ones7 Mr. !alter. Walter !e used to catch fish &ith our bare hands too. Boy7 back then t&o labama boys &as as good as ten men. Festus One day I'm gon be as good as ten men7 you jus' &atch and see7 Mr. !alter. Walter . . . I'm tellin' ya.. I &as a sight to see in my younger days. 4 %ause5 But that &as back then7 no& a boy's best bet is to tote them books u% to the school house stead of lumber. Festus in't nothin' at that school house but a room full of &ords7 ain't ne#er seen &ords %ut food in a man's belly. Walter ;eah7 you might be right7 )estus7 but then again maybe food in the belly ain't the %oint7 sometime &hat &e need is a little fire in the belly7 son. *hat's &here the &ords come in. Eus' like all them &hite men7 in the suits do&nto&n. *hey don built a &hole &orld on &ords. Festus But they &hite7 Mr. !alter. !orld don't &ork the same for ,oloreds.

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Walter *rue. But &hat is ain't al&ays &hat's gon be. I'm jealous of you boy. *he &orld you gon see7 long after me and yo' mama is dead and gone there gon be a &orld ain't e#en been dreamed yet. 2#erything &e old %eo%le do got to be fo' you and &orld you gon build. Festus I just &ant to be like you7 Mr. !alter7 I don't &ant to build . . . Walter 3on7 you ain't got no choice in it. *hat's &hat it means to be a man. Men don't hide. !hen the ri%%les of history &ash o#er us7 &e can't di% our heads in the sand. Festus I don't kno& &hut chu mean7 Mr. !alter. Walter 4%ause.5 1o mind boy7 you &ill understand soon enough. +o& you comin' &ith those bundles8 Festus *ough as chains. Walter ,hains can be broke too. Eus' got to ha#e the right tool. 4 "alter reaches into his waist belt.5 +ere take this knife. ,ut from the bottom u% and &atch your fingers. ,areful you don't hurt yo self. ;o mama &ould thro& a fit. Festus MamaF I &as s'%osed to finish s%litting dem logs and toting &ater u% from the &ell by dinner. I forgot. Mama is gon be all kinds of mad. I gotta go7 Mr. !alter . . . Walter 3ettle do&n boy7 you &it me. "on't &orry about it7 &e t&o fine gentle of leisure ha#ing a good time. ;our mama can &ait for those damned logs. Festus But Mr. !alter7 Mama don't . . . Walter I said don't &orry about it7 no& sit do&n. !e gon finish cutting these bales and then nd &hen the changes come7 young bucks like yourself &ill be there to do &hat got to be done.

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finish our malteds. Festus nd mama8 Walter !hat I look like to you7 a man or a boy8 Festus &7 Mr. !alter . . . Walter I'm serious. man or a boy8 Festus !hy a man7 Mr. !alter. Walter 29actly. 3o let me deal &ith yo' mama. Festus ;es. 3ir. 4"e hear a voice off stage calling for (estus.5 Doleda )esuts7 &here you at boy8 )estus. 4$oleda appears through the curtain.5 )estus. I been lookin' all o#er for you. Boy you ain't touched a lick of yo' chores. Festus I &as &it'7 Mr. !alter. +e took me to get a malted and &e &alked the north trail o#er by *ar#er -ark . . . Doleda Instead of doin' yo chores8 Walter !ell7 "oleda I told the boy that it &ould be okay if . . . Doleda !alter7 right no& I am talkin' to my son. chores8 Festus Mr. !alter said that didn't ha#e to &orry about it. Walter !hoa7 &hoa7 )estus7 &hat I said &as . . . nd so &hen &ere you intending to get to your

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Doleda ,an you e9cuse me7 !alter7 I need to talk to my son. Walter 29cuse8 29cuse for &hat8 Doleda I told you7 I need to talk to my son. Walter !hat the hell7 I need to be . . . Doleda !alterF )ind the door . . . Walter . . . *his is still my office . . . Doleda . . . 1ot for the ne9t fe& minutes it ain't. 1o& find the door. Walter But . . . Doleda . . . *he door7 !alter7 find the damned door and find it no&. 4 "alter e+its the back door.5 ,ome here. "id you here me7 )estus8 Festus Mama7 I . . . Doleda I don't remember ha#ing to ask you t&ice before7 come here. Festus . . . But mama Doleda ,ome7 here7 )estus. Festus Mama . . . Doleda )estus7 I said come here. 4(estus walks over to his mother. !e stops a few feet in front of her. *he waves him in even closer. Then she bends down so that her face is 0ust inches

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from (estus, face.5 I kno& that today you got s>uee:ed /t&een me and !alter . . . tough %lace to be I guess7 so &hat ha%%ened today7 you get that for free7 but )estus7 if you e#er go against my &ord again7 I &ill ri% the black off yo' hyde7 you understand me8 I'm yo' Mama7 and on this %lanet no other &ord go o#er mine7 not e#en7 !alter's. Festus ;es7 mama. Doleda 1o& you got fi#e minutes to get yo butt do&n to the &ood%ile and handle your chores fo' sunset catch ya. Festus ;es7 Mama. 4!e e+its the stage "alter enters behind her.5 Walter Is it okay to enter my o&n office no&8 Doleda )estus7 &ent to finish his chores. Walter I don't like being sent a&ay like I &as a youngin'. Doleda *hen sto% acting like one. Walter I don't kno& &ho in the hell you figure you talkin' to but you better start mindin' yo' tongue &hen you talk to me7 &oman. Doleda I ain't one to be treated like a youngin' either7 !alter. Walter !oman . . . Doleda "on't do that. Walter "o &hat8 Doleda 3ay &oman like it &as a cuss &ord7 or sumthin' less den &hut you is.

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Walter !hat8 Doleda I'm a &oman7 !alter. li#in'7 breathing7 flesh and blood &oman. !ith hi%s and cur#es &oman and all and t&ists . . . and &ith a heart7 !alter. I'm a &oman . . . look at me. from yo' tongue. Walter 6ook &ome . . . "oleda7 I care about you7 I &ouldn't ne#er say somethin' to make you feel like less . . . I don't e#en kno& &hat got you so head u%. I mean . . . Doleda . . . *hen don't e#er do that again. Walter "o &hat8 Doleda *ell my son that it's okay to disobey his mama. ;ou &anna hel% me &ith )estus7 fine7 but don'tchu e#er try to rule o#er me7 I'm not a child. Walter I &as just . . . Doleda . . . ;ou &ere just interfering in %lace you didn't belong. Walter ,an't ha#e it both &ays7 6eda. If you &ant me in the boy's life . . . if you &ant a man to be in the boy's life . . . then you ha#e to let a man be a man. Doleda *elling my son that its okay to not listen to his mother got nothing to do &ith being a man. I got feelin' for you7 !alter7 al&ays ha#e7 but I got res%onsibilities &ith dat boyK to hel% him gro& u% to be somethin' other than one of those layabouts in to&n. gon get in the &ay of dat7 not e#en my feelin' for you. Walter I &ould ne#er do anything to hurt that boy7 and you kno& . . . Doleda nd ain't nothin'

that that means. 3o &hen you say &oman7 1egro7 make it sound like %earls are dro%%ing

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. . . and &hat about me !alter7 &hat about hurting me8 I &ant you in his life7 more than anything7 but that don't mean that you gon thro& me to the side. I'm his mama and as far as )estus goes7 the &orld gon s%in the &ay I say. Walter I didn't mean to interfere. Doleda I kno& it. ;our a good man7 you mean &ell. It just that sometime you tri% o#er ya o&n self. 4%ause5 nd I'm sorry too. Walter 3orry for &hat8 Doleda 3orry for yelling at you in front of )estus. I shouldn't ha#e done dat. I didn't mean to make you look like less of man that you are. Walter 3o in other &ords you should ha#e scolded me in %ri#ate. Doleda 29actly. Walter /*&een you and the boy7 ya'll both like to dri#e me cra:y. Doleda !ell7 luckily for you7 !alter7 dats a %retty short dri#e. Walter It &on't ha%%en again7 6eda. Doleda nd I kno& it. ;ou just ha%%en to be the most honorable man that I kno&7 Mr. "a#idson. you. Walter ;ou damned &omen7 I s&ear I &ish that sometime 0od offered a &ider selection for us %oor old men. 4*he hugs "alter and rubs his face.5 Doleda nd &e gon beat dem foolish ideas you got about the fairer se9 straight out of nd either you can li#e &it dat or not. If not7 like I said before7 you can find the door. "o you understand8 41ong pause5

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;ou need to sha#e. Walter ;eah. 4%ause5 I guess I &ill go and talk to the boy. Doleda 1o need7 !alter7 his mother dun already talked to him. 4*he e+its the scene.5

,* *!O(3,212 O12 ("alter $avidson is sleeping on the sofa in the back room of his shop. (estus enters the scene and begins to look around. !e &uietly sneaks over to "alter,s 0ar of gumballs and opens the top. !e removes a gumball and pops it into his mouth. A voice pierces through the green curtains of "alter,s back room. Doleda !alter8 !alter8 ;ou back there8 4(estus looks around and runs over to barrel and hides behind it. "alter $avidson begins to stir he turns over suddenly and fall on the ground.2 !alter7 there's some &hite men out here looking for you. 3"alter $avidson stands up and begins to compose himself.5 Walter !hite men8 !ho8 Doleda

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!ouldn't kno&. I don't think that I ha#e e#er set eyes on these fellas in my life. Walter Okay. 0i#e me /bout fi#e minutes and send /em in. Doleda Okay. 4"alter $avidson begins to straighten up the room. !e hides the bale of papers and the parcel of ink. Then he hides the portable paper press underneath an American flag. Then he wipes over his hair with his hands and walks over to his desk and sits down. !e waits for the stranger to enter his office. In walks a young man in his early twenties with dark black hair and deep set dark eyes. !e is wearing a black suit that is two or three years4old but is not shabby.5 Delano Mr. "a#idson7 it is nice to meet you. My name is "elano. stranger, who is swinging an old fashioned pocket watch.5 Walter -leasure. Delano -leasures all mine 4$elano takes a seat across from "alter $avidson,s desk5. Walter !hat can I hel% you &ith7 sir8 Delano !ell7 I'm ne& in to&n. Eust been hired actually and &hene#er I come to a %lace7 I like to take the lay of the land. nd %lus I hear tell &e're from the same neck of the &oods. Walter *hat so8 ;ou from labama8 Delano ,ome on no& Mr. "a#idson7 my accent didn't gi#e me a&ay8 I'm from *uscaloosa. Walter I gre& u% right outside *uscaloosa. Delano *hat's &hat I heard. !hat do ya kno&7 t&o labama boys lost in this strange hostile land called7 Ohio. 4$elano sets his pocket watch on the desk.5 massa "elano. 4 "alter $avidson stands up and walks across the desk to shake hands with the friendly smiling

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Walter )or some home can be just as strange and hostile as any %lace else. Delano I &ould imagine. Walter !hat brings you so far from home8 Delano 6ike I said7 &ork7 Mr. "a#idson. !ork. Walter .eally. If you don't mind me asking &hat kind of &ork do you do8 Delano I am . . . &hat I guess you &ould call a . . . %roblem sol#er of sorts. I find %ermanent solutions to difficult dilemmas. Walter 3o &hat are you a -inkerton8 Delano 1o7 sir. I ha#e ne#er been closely tethered to the la&. My brand of justice tends to be more of the unofficial #ariety. nd my rulings are not subject to a%%eal. Walter 4"alter $avidson stands up and walks over to the green curtain and peers through it .5 nd the fella out there %erusing through my fine shirts8 Delano *hat's )urman. +e's an assistant. Walter .eally8 Delano +e's a #ery ca%able man. little to in lo#e &ith the conce%t of #iolence for my tasteK but Walter 3ounds like a difficult business. Delano -erha%s. But it don't change the fact though. he has an ability to thoroughly com%lete a task &hen gi#en.

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Walter !hat fact8 Delano *he fact that I ha#e been hired by a #ery %o&erful grou% of men in this to&n &ho are getting #ery ner#ous. Walter 1er#ous. 1er#ous /bout &hat8 I can't think of many things might make &hite men ner#ous short of death itself. Delano *heir ner#ous about this ne& 1egro %a%er. ;ou'#e heard of it . . this 1egro *imes. ;ou don't kno& &here a fella could get a co%y do ya8 Walter 1egro *imes8 I'm not >uite familiar. Delano Oh7 you kno& that %a%er that all the railroad men been carrying /round. *he one that talks about changin' things. I just ha%%ened to run across a co%y. 4%ause5 I seen a lot %a%ers in my tra#els7 and I gotta admit7 this is one of the best I'#e seen. !ell$&ritten7 &ith strong %oint of #ie&. One thing missing though &as the funnies. I lo#e the funnies. Walter I don't kno& &here you &ould be able to find such a %a%er. I don't get myself mi9ed u% in any such nonsense. Delano Bet&een me7 you and the light %ost7 Mr. "a#idson7 I mostly agree &ith &hat I ha#e read. I mean &hy should a man %ay full %rice to only enjoy half the ser#ice. "oesn't make much sense to me. ,olor is a skin dee% designation and nothing more. 4 %ause5 But to be honest I don't get %aid for my liberal ideas. I get %aid to sol#e %roblems and that's &hat I ha#e a mind to do. Walter I can tell you a man don't deter easy &hen he has his mind set on somethin'. Delano

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nd you don strike me as a man that takes no for an ans&er all that easy yo'self. I mean think of it7 a 1egro man like yourself ha#ing come so far. )rom &hat I hear you o&n this &hole damn block. *hat couldn't ha#e been easy. Walter 1o sir. Built it &ith my bare hands. Delano It &ould be a shame to thro& all that a&ay. ;ou sure you can't hel% me in finding this %ublication8 Walter 1o7 sir. Delano 6ook7 here Mr. "a#idson7 my em%loyers are concerned &ith some of the ideas in that %ublication. I think the 1egro &ho &rote that %a%er has a %oint. +e is a smart man to be sure. But sometime you can be too smart. *oo cle#er. If I kne& this man7 this &riter &ho &rote so brilliantly about . . . &hat &ere the &ords he used so elo>uently8 J*he indelible7 blood stained history &o#en into the fabric of merica7J If I kne& such a man7 I &ould &ant to be a friend to him. I might tell such a man that he had made his %ointK in s%ades. I might tell such a man enough already. *he blo& has already been struck. *hat's if I kne& such a man. Walter 6o#ely &ords7 Mr. "elano. ;ou s%eak like a %oet. But I don't kno& &hat all of this has to do &it me7 sir. Delano *he rumor &as that if a man had a mind to7 he could find that %a%er /round this #ery immediate area.. Walter 1o7 sir. Delano 1o7 sir7 huh8 lright7 I guess I ha#e to take your &ord for it. . . at least for no&. But if nd if it all that %a%er continues to be %ublished it's gon stir black folk something terrible. ;ou had better remember that7 Mr. "a#idson.

goes to hell7 me and Mr. )urman are going to be the ones they send to set things right.

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Walter Dnderstood. 1o& may I hel% you &ith anything else7 Mr. "elano8 *hat's the business I'm in. Delano ;ou are a notion7 Mr. "a#idson. from through the green curtains.5 Doleda !alter7 can you come out here and gi#e me a hand7 this blasted money register is stuck again. Walter Okay7 here I come. 4"alter $avidson walks through the green curtains. (rom behind one of the barrels on stage, (estus emerges and walks forward. !e walks over to the desk where $elano was sitting and picks up his watch and rubs it between his fingers. Then he runs through the back door where $elano left from. The stage goes dark.5 #erified notion. 4 $elano straightens his 0acket and composes himself and then strolls out of the room. "e hear the voice of $oleda "atkins shirt %erha%s8

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,* *!O(3,212 *!O ($elano enters into the scene and sits down on the bench. (estus has followed $elano to the rail yard. !e is hiding behind a strand of bushes. Delano ;ou kno& son7 as one &ho %ractices the clandestine arts7 you ha#e far to go in this business of s%ying. 3o &hy don't you just come on out into the o%en. 4 (estus continues to hide in the bushes and does not come out. 5 ,ome on no&7 git cho self from out of those bushes son7 before some one takes you for a >uail. 4(estus emerges from the bushes.5 ;ou're the little fella I sa& tagging round the clothing store earlier7 right8 ;ou hear me talking to you boy8 !ell ans&er8 a >uery. It's only right that you ans&er. Festus ;es7 sir. Delano !hat's your name boy8 Festus )etus. )estus !atkins. Delano )estus !atkins7 huh8 0et o#er here front and center Mr. )estus !atkins$$$and %ick those eyes u% from the ground. man al&ays kee%s his eyes u%. 4)estus &alks e#en closer to Festus !ell sir . . . I . . . &ell7 I kinda7 sorta found . . . "elano and stands in front of him.5 3o &hat can I do you for8 bonified southern gentleman has just %osed

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Delano . . . Boy you got marbles rolling /round in yo' mouth8 3%it it out7 son. Festus ;o' %ocket &atch. ;ou left yo' %ocket &atch. Delano !ell7 +ell's Bells . . . &here did I lea#e that blasted thing8 Festus In Mr. !alter's office. Delano +e had you bring it to me8 Festus 1o7 sir. Mr. !alter don't kno& I'm here. I &as listening in the back &hilst ya'll &us talkin'. Delano 2a#esdro%%ing. I sho'll nuff kno& yo' mama taught chu better. !here I come from such an offense could earn a young man a tri% to the &oodshed. Festus ;es7 sir. Delano &7 don't &orry son7 I &on't turn you in. ,ome7 set do&n a s%ell. ;ou kno& &ho ga#e me that &atch youngin'8 Festus 1o7 sir8 Delano My daddy. 41ong pause5 +e &as a rough sort. l&ays bello&ing through the house like a gri::y that got his tail caught. +e &as a small man7 in a small to&n7 this &atch &as %robably the only thang he o&ned that &asn't smudged or dirty. !hen he died7 it got handed o#er to me. Festus !us yo' daddy a good man8 I ne#er really kno&ed my daddy8 Delano

??

1o7 son he &asn't7 he tried to be7 but his life just ate him u%7 ya kno& like a ,ancer. Festus nd you8 re you a good man7 sir8 Delano I don't kno&8 "o I look like a bad man8 Festus !ell7 bes I can tell sir7 being bad ain't al&ays on the outside7 it's mostly &ere a body can't see on the inside. Delano ;ou ha#e a %oint I guess . . . I ha#e on occasion done some fairly bad things7 &e all fall short of the glory7 son. Festus ;ou does bad by folk don'tchu8 Delano ;es. I ha#e not e#er heard my life summed u% in such a &ay but yes I hurt %eo%le for a li#ing. Festus +a#e you come to hurt7 Mr. !alter8 Delano If necessary7 yes. But I'm ho%ing it don't end that &ay. Festus !hy do the &orld &ork dat &ay8 Delano I don't kno&. !hat I do kno& is that it &on't al&ays be this &ay. Me7 Mr. !alter7 yo mama &e all are #estiges of a dying %ast7 someday &e gon gi#e &ay to the future7 young bucks like yourself and then the &orld &ill be yours to sha%e. Festus ;o life sounds tiring. Delano It tis. It's &hy I come to this here rail yard. I like to look at the ri#er7 it reminds me of home and sim%ler times. Festus

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If it's tiring7 &hy do you do it then8 Delano I s&ear to you )estus I don't kno& anymore. ;ou find out &hen you get older that sometimes you start do&n a %ath as a youngster and then you look u% years later and you don't recogni:e yourself. 4%ause5 Festus -lease don't hurt7 Mr. !alter. Delano It is not in my hands . . . I am ho%ing it does not come to that. Festus +e is a good man. Delano *hat don't figure in7 good men get killed e#ery day. Festus But dat don't make it right. Delano .ight don't figure in either. Festus It should. Delano -erha%s. Festus. -erha%s. "ats &hat gro&n folk say &hen dey don't &ant to ans&er. Delano )estus . . . Festus. 4#eat5 "o you belie#e that Mr. !alter should be hurt8 Delano !hat I think don't matter boy. *he &orld don't s%in /round &hat I think or don't. Festus ;ou didn't ans&er the >uestion again7 Mr. "elano. "o you belie#e7 Mr. !alter done something &rong8 3omething &orth hurting him for8

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Delano )estus you are too young to understand7 but there is . . . there is a certain order to the &ay things &ork . . . and e#erything7 e#erything &e see and do7 the air &e breath7 the &ater &e drink7 it's all fashioned /round that order. nd certain thangs7 Mr. !alter is doin' is )estus 3o you think its right8 Delano Maybe it's not7 but I don't get to say. I do &hat I am told. !hat I am %aid to do. Festus !rong is &rong. Delano ;ou don't understand I'm the man that does things. Festus I understand. ;ou're the man that makes thangs ha%%en. !it out you stuff can't ha%%en at all. Delano I ha#e to. Festus 1o7 Mr. "elano7 no you don't. Festus +ere's yo &atch7 sir. Delano I s'%ose if I had a youngin' I &ould gi#e him that &atch. 3ince I don't7 &hy don't you hanging on to it for me. Festus My mama &on't ne#er allo& me to kee% . . . Delano Mamas are nice . . . best creation 0od e#er made7 but &e don't need to trouble those %recious creatures /bout e#erything. *his can be /t&een you and me7 t&o men making a gentleman's e9change. *uck it a&ay some&here safe. Festus threatening to unra#el that #ery delicate fabric. *o disru%t order. I'#e come to sto% that.

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*hank you7 Mr. "elano. Delano 1o7 thank you7 Mr. )estus for getting that %iece of junk off my hands. about &hat &e ha#e talked about. 1o& git. 4(estus e+its the stage5 Delano My daddy's %robably fli%%ing in his gra#e7 his %recious &atch in the hands of a 1egro child. .est in %eace daddy. .est in %eace. 4!e e+its the stage. The stage goes dark.5 nd I &ill think

,* *!O(3,212 *+.22 (The scene opens and a shadowy figure is sitting at "alter,s desk with his face obscured. $oleda enters the back room carrying a bundle of clothes. Rochester ;ou cut your hair. Doleda !alter8

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Rochester 1ot >uite. Doleda 6ord in hea#en. Rochester I am not >uite sure if 6ord is in his hea#en . . . but then again I'm certainly not the one to be s%eaking about religion am I8 Doleda !illiam8 !hat the hell you . . . Rochester . . . "oing here8 Eust in the neighborhood I su%%ose and thought I &ould dro% by to see my lady lo#e. Doleda 0ot that sil#er tongue of yours fla%%ing at full strength I see. 1e& ;ork talk /round here. !here is !alter8 Rochester I heard one of the rail road men say that he &as on the northbound tra#eling to 3ilar ,ity. -robably be back by su%%er time I'm sure. Doleda nd you still ha#en't ans&ered my >uestion. !hat are you doing here8 Rochester !hat I am al&ays doing7 I am &orking for the mo#ement. 3o&ing seeds of re#olution and change. Doleda In other &ords runnin' /round stirring the %ot and s%eaking at fancy rallies. "on't kno& if it's enough lime light /round these %arts to suite a s%ort like you7 !illiam. Rochester *he light has already been %ro#ided. 4!e reaches into his bag and produces a newspaper and slings it over the desk.5 *here's you s%otlight "oleda7 and I can't e#en take credit for lighting the torch. *he 1egro *imes is a re#elation. Doleda *his s'%osed to mean something to me8 in't much use of that slick

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Rochester ;ou trying to %lay %oker &ith me8 Doleda 1o7 you kno& I ain't ne#a been %artial to %laying games. Rochester Eust %laying me7 huh8 Doleda I ne#er %layed you7 !illiam. I ne#a lied to you. Rochester ;ou &ere su%%osed to follo& me to 1e& ;ork . . . Doleda . . . fter the mess you left in "ayton8 Rochester "on't thro& that in my face that &as not . . . Doleda . . . I'm sorry7 I should ha#e ne#er %romised to come. Rochester ;ou should ha#e left "ayton and come to 1e& ;ork ,ity &ith me. !e could ha#e made a life there. Doleda 2#en as a girl I ne#a liked to %lay make belie#e. !hat &e had &asn't real. My husband had just died and I needed . . . I needed someone to lean u% against. like you &anted. I just didn't feel that for you. Rochester 3o your letter said. I &aited "oledaK I &aited all day for that train to come into the station. Doleda I'm sorry for that. But I couldn't do it. I couldn't %ack u% )estus and take him to a dream land. Rochester 3o you came here instead. nd you &ere there for me7 and I &ill al&ays ha#e dee% feeling for you for that. But I couldn't e#er lo#e you

50

Doleda ;es. Rochester nd then . . . Doleda. . . . nd then I found a life. I found my !alter. Rochester *his !alter7 !alter "a#idson7 he must be a hell of man. Doleda +e is. Rochester I asked him to hel% me and . . . Doleda . . . nd he told you go to hell. Rochester 29actly. Doleda +e's not %olitical. +e's a sim%le man. Rochester +is recent acti#ity &ould seem to indicate the contrary. Doleda I don't kno& &hat you mean. Rochester *he 1egro *imes. Doleda I don't kno& &hat the hell your . . . Rochester ;ou ha#e a terrible %oker face7 "oleda. I kno& that he is the %ublisher of this %a%er. I ha#e it on #ery good authority. Doleda 3eems like you got hold to some bad information. !alter is just a &orking man. Cee%s his nose buried in his ledger.

51

Rochester ,ome no&7 "oleda7 he's a little bit more than that. Doleda I don't kno& &hat you mean. Rochester ;ou kno& e9actly &hat I mean 4.ochester gently grabs her upper forearm and turns her around.5 Doleda I don't kno& &hat you mean. Rochester 3ome %eo%le &ere not born to lie. Doleda 0o to hell. Rochester Been there7 didn't like the scenery. Doleda !hat do you &ant7 !illiam8 Rochester !ell7 if I had my druthers7 you &ould come back to 1e& ;ork &ith me and lea#e this sand hea% of a to&n behind . . . but if that is not on the menu7 I &ould like your hel%. Doleda My hel%8 Rochester ;es7 your hel%. Doleda +el%7 doing &hat8 Rochester I need7 !alter "a#idson's hel% and . . . Doleda . . . 1o . . . Rochester . . . "oleda . . .

52

Doleda . . . 1o . . . Rochester . . . +ear me out . . . Doleda . . . "un heard all I need to hear . . . Rochester . . . But . . . Doleda . . . 1o7 I &ouldn't let you ten feet near my !alter. ;ou got death in your eyes and you lead men to the noose. /.ound here black folks &ouldn't li#e long enough to enjoy this change you tryin' to tear loose from &hite folks. Rochester ;ou use to belie#e in my idealsK they &ere your ideals too. Doleda 6ong time ago7 !illiam. I ain't young as I use to be. Rochester ;ou use to belie#e in me. Doleda &7 !illiam7 "on'tchu you kno&8 I ne#er belie#ed in you7 you &ere just that %retty face and sil#er tongue e#ery girl gots in they %astK you &ere ne#er more than that. Rochester Dnlike this "a#idson fella8 Doleda ;es. Rochester I'#e read his &ords he doesn't seem that unlike me at all. Doleda .ead his &ords. I'#e read his heart. 1 nd he's nothing like you. +e &ants thangs7 for himself7 for his %eo%le$$$but he's &illing to &ork7 dirty his hands if necessary. ;ou nigs all talk %retty but &hen it's time for the &ork to be dun can't lay a hand on nam one of ya'll

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Rochester 3o is this all you &antK to s%end your days in a clothing store %arceling out second hand shirts to railroad men8 ;ou disa%%oint me. ;our better that this. ;our smarter this. *he 1egro is not the only %erson in need of liberation7 "oleda. Doleda 0onna free me7 !illiam7 huh8 0on get us %oor old &omen7 the #ote. +o& you gon offer me somethin' you ain't earned for yo self8 Rochester Before it can be a reality you ha#e to dream it first8 ;ou ha#e to belie#e it7 li#e it7 breathe it. 3omeone has to shed the blood for freedom. Doleda )unny ho& nigga's like you ne#er seem to shed a dro%. It's the boot blacks7 the farmer7 the ditch diggers7 that gotta %ay the %rice for those dreams. Rochester But someone has to dream it. !omen are a %art of that #ision. !omen are a %art of my #ision. ,an !alter "a#idson say the same8 "oes he gi#e a &it about the >ueens of our race being ele#ated to the e>ual of our kings8 Doleda *ryin' to run do&n a man you ne#er met8 Rochester I'm not running him do&n7 I'm asking a >uestion. Doleda ;eah7 I &on't lie7 my !alter got some ideas runnin' /round that skull of his dat don't sit right on my stomach . . . Rochester . . . *hen &hy do you lo#e him. Doleda nd &ho say I lo#e him8 Rochester "o you take me for a fool8 Doleda I ne#a said . . .

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Rochester . . . I said do you take me for a fool8 6ook at you. ;our in lo#e. Doleda . . . I got feelin' for the man . . . Rochester . . . But not for me8 Doleda 1o. Rochester !hy8 My chest not barrel sha%ed round enough8 My hair not course enough8 I lo#e you . . . and not just as a subser#ient lackey that I bark orders toK I &ould lo#e you as a e>ual. ,an't you see that "oleda8 Doleda It's a hard thing to e9%lain to a man like you. I care for !alter because &hen he touches me he make me feel like a &oman. !hen looks at me he sees a &oman7 &hen you look at me you see %aragra%h in a %olitical s%eech. I ain't some &retch in need of your guidanceK I am not some condemned soul in need of sal#ation. I am &oman in need of a man. Rochester I ha#e to goK there is much &ork that needs to be done for the rally. 4 !e turns and begins to walk away.5 Doleda nd oh7 by the &ay7 if you cause trouble for my !alter you &ill deal &ith me. 1o& if you &ill e9cuse me I got used clothes to tend to. ;ou can e9it out the &ay you came in. 4 #oth e+it the stage, .ochester through the back door and $oleda through the green curtain. *tage fades to black.5

55

,* *!O(3,212 )OD. (In the beginning of the scene "alter is sitting at his work bench in the back of his store room. !e has a bundle in front of him and is writing on it. *tanding in front of him is a man in dark clothing. "alter $avidson is writing and he begins to shake his pen as if the tip has run out of ink. Walter +ey7 6eda7 send that youngin' of yours back here . . . and tell him to bring the ink&ell off the counter. 4(estus runs into the room with an inkwell. !e places it on "alter $avidson,s desk5 Festus nything else7 Mr. !alter8 Walter 1a&7 boy that'll do. 1o& scat. 4(estus runs out of the room.5 1o&7 /Bama7 he gon be &aiting for you at 0aines -oint. I dun already described him to you. +e &ill be &aiting. +is name is Ein97 tar black nigga7 look like a gorilla . . . he good %eo%le though. +and him the bundle and he'll do the rest. 4"alter reaches into his pocket and grabs a roll of bills. !e hands it over to )#ama.5 4Be careful7 it might be some men on the look out for you. Bama I kno& Boss7 I'll sho nuff be careful7 ne#er you mind it. Walter 0ood man. 1o& git for sunset catch ya. 4)#ama e+its. $oleda pokes her head through the curtains of the back room.5 Doleda 5@

3o7 has your secret agent been sent about his bidness8 Walter ,ome on back and sto% all that foolishness fo someone hear. Doleda 1obody to hear. I closed the store u% an hour ago. Walter 0ood. +o& &as bidness today8 Doleda Bidness &as good$$$but I could ha#e used a little hel% though &hen it got busy. ;ou so tied u% &ith this 1egro *imes bidness7 you been slacking on the bidness that %ay the bills. Walter ;eah7 I kno&. I'm sorry /bout that. I meant to sli% u% front and gi#e you a hand7 but I &as . . . Doleda I kno& . . . in the middle of &riting one of them damned articles. I kno&. 6ately it's all you li#e for. Walter I &rite the truth in a &orld that just as soon toss truth off a cliff. I sho& the blood and dirt underneath that confederate flag. ;ou tell me &hat else could a man &ant8 Doleda I don't kno&7 I &ould ho%e$$$you &ould &ant for life7 !alter. Eust to %lain old li#e. Walter But &hat kind of life8 Is a 1egro life really a life8 Is standing knee high &ith eyes cast do&n a life8 Doleda !e can't all be rebels7 like you. !e can't all reach in the sky and sco%e u% the stars like %ebbles in a stream. 3omebody gotta raise the children &hen the dreamers s&ing from the end of a ro%e. 3omebody gotta do the actual &ork that rebels can't bother to dirty dey hands &it . . . 3omebody gotta be around to bury the stu%id and the %rideful Walter I %ity the man that gotta turn that sho#el. Doleda

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!ho say it gon be a man that's gon turn that sho#el8 $$$ nd that sho#el &ill get turned the &ay you going. Walter

I ain't looking to die7 &oman I'm just try to li#e like a man. Doleda

gro&n man. Back straight.

Bootstra%s %ulled u%. +ead high and eyes for&ard. *ell me &hy that's &rong8 !ho said anything /bout &rong8 !hat &rong got to do &ith it8 *his &hole %a%er here 4*he reaches down and picks up a paper and surveys the headline.5 is about that. .ight and &rong7 as if it matter &orth a damn. I got feeling for you case you ha#en't noticed. nd I ain't looking to turn no sho#el in your honor. Besides that boy in there need a somebody . . . a somebody to look at and learn ho& to be. I s'%ose I had al&ays ho%ed that somebody might be you. 4"alter $avidson reaches out and puts his hands on her shoulders5 Walter re you just lookin' for a daddy for the boy or do you see me tending to other fields as &ell8 Doleda !hy you al&ays askin' >uestions7 but don't gi#e no ans&ers8 Walter !hatchu you &anna kno&8 Doleda I don't kno& . . . I guess. . . I don't kno& . . . Walter . . . ;ou kno& . . . ask me. 4 *he starts to turn away and "alter sei'es her shoulders and turns her back into his ga'e.5 sk me. Doleda "o you . . . +a#e you e#er . . . this is stu%id 4!e pulls her even closer.5 Walter sk me. Doleda

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"o you e#er think that &e could . . . or should . . . Walter . . . ;es. 4!e pulls her in slowly and kisses her deeply.5 ,* *+.22(3,212 O12 ("alter is sitting at his desk in his office and it obviously at night. The curtains of his office have been drawn and he is writing furiously. !e is talking aloud. Walter *he freedom of the colored man7 cannot just be a notion that li#es in a document. It must be a thing that is li#ed by the ordinary man. It is that ordinary man that tills the fields and buys the grain. *he ordinary man7 this ordinary 1egro7 is the life blood of this country. +e is the merican beast of burden. It is for merica to lighten the 1egroMs load. 4 There is a vigorous knock on the window.5 Walter !hat in the hell8 4"alter gets up and walks over to the window to see who is knocking at his office window.5 )estus7 &hat are you doing out here8 Festus s soon as I sa& it7 I kno&ed I had to sho& it to you7 Mr. "a#idson. Walter ,alm yo self do&n and get in here out the cold. 3ho& me &hat8 Festus *his. 4!e hands "alter a leaflet. "alter takes the leaflet and studies it.5 Walter 3on of a bitch. 4"alter moves &uickly towards the door, crumples up the paper and throws it. The stage goes black.5

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,* *+.22(3,212 *!O ("hen the house lights come up we are in "illiam .ochester,s room at 5s. 6ancy,s rooming house, which "alter owns. "e hear a female and male voice outside of the door yelling444off stage. Walter Ms. ;ancy get out of my &ay. Ms. Yanc Mr. !alter I kno&s you o&ns this rooming house7 but this just ain't right. ,omin' into a man's room this time of night. Walter Ms. ;ancy7 I lo#e you but you best mo#e out the &ay fo I mo#e ya. 4 .ochester sits up in his bed and begins to wake. "alter enters his room.5 Rochester !hat the hell8 Mr. "a#idson8 Walter 0et u% you sonofabitch. Rochester +uh8 !hat's7 going on8 Walter I said get u% you sonofabitch. Rochester !hat are you doing in my room . . . at this time of night. Walter 0et u%. Rochester I certainly &ill not. Walter !ell7 then I'll beat you out of that bed if need be. Rochester ;ou sa& the leaflet. Walter

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I sa& the %oster. 4!e grabs "illiam .ochester III by his night shirt and raises him out of the bed.5 Rochester Eust rela9. Eesus. Walter !hy did you do it8 Eust tell me that7 !hy did you do this8 4 !e pulls a poster from his pocket and unfolds it in front of his face. !e begins to read from it .5 My dear colored brethren &e like to res%ectfully re>uest that you come and attend our 1egro race rally at -eterson -ark. ,ome and discuss the state of the race and ho& &e can use our collecti#e %o&er to combat racism in all forms including unfair accommodations both %ublic and %ri#ate.J nd here is my fa#orite %art . . . &ait for it7 &ait for it . . *his e#ent is s%onsored Rochester . . . Mr. "a#idson . . . Walter . . . &ait for it7 &ait for it . . . in association &ith . . . 4 "alter points to .ochester.5 Rochester *he 1egro *imes. Walter ;es . . . the 1egro *imes . . . I could ha#e s&orn not only did I not su%%ort this rally of yours7 I can e9%ressly remember sayin that I didn't &ant anything to do &ith it. !hich is &hy I &as truly sur%rised to see 1egro *imes %asted on the bottom of this infernal leaflet of yours. Rochester 6et me e9%lain . . . Walter . . . *here's an e9%lanation7 is there8 I'm sure this is gon be as good as one of them mo#ing %icture sho&s. -lease by all means7 Mr. !illiam .ochester III7 do e9%lain. Rochester fter reading se#eral edition of your %a%er I just kne& you &ould su%%ort our cause. 3o I had the leaflets %rinted before I arri#ed in to&n . . . ho& &as I to kno& that you &ould object to our intentions8 by *he 1ational ssociation of fricani:ed mericans nd . . .

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Walter 3o once I said no . . . Rochester !ell7 I couldn't just thro& a&ay the leaflets. Walter *his rally of yours is going to stir a hornets nest around here. *his ain't 1e& ;ork ,ity. Rochester Is not labama or 0eorgia either7 Mr. "a#idson. Walter 6ook out that &indo& Mr. .ochester7 Centucky is just o#er the ri#er %ast the train tracks. Ohio might as &ell be 0eorgia. !hat7 you thought those southern accents you been hearing &as for sho&8 *his is as south as the north gets7 blee#e that. I got raised in a mud hole in *uscaloosa7 labama and blee#e me this %lace ain't no different7 Mister. In some &ays it's &orse. Rochester I'm sorry I used the name7 but around here that name means something. Most %eo%le could care less about the 1 something around here. any&ay. Walter ;our a child7 Mr. .ochester. fuckin' child. ;ou really don't ha#e a clue do ya8 1ot a Rochester Mr. "a#idson7 Mr. "a#idson . . . damned clue. 4"alter turns and walks away.5 . But they kno& &hat the 1egro *imes is. It stands for nd I needed some traction. I needed to ca%ture the hearts of

the %eo%le do&n here. 3o I used it. !hat does it matter7 no one kno&s &ho you are

,* *+.22(3,212 *+.22 ("alter is in his office and he is turning out copies of the /egro Times. The portable press is on his desk and he is turning the handle as papers are coming out. *uddenly, $oleda bursts through the curtains. Doleda !alter7 &e got trouble.

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Walter !hat is it8 Doleda )estus just tore in here and said that they ha#ing some trouble do&n there at -eterson -ark. Must be that race meeting e#erybody been all head u% about. Walter Okay7 go u% front and make sure that )estus is okay. 4*uddenly there is banging on the back door of "alter,s office. "alter walks over and opens the door. A disheveled .ochester stumbles inside and immediately crashes to the ground.5 Rochester *hey tried . . . they tried Walter . . . to kill you. s I li#e and breathe . . . no . . . I mean all you did is try to take the money out of the hand of the richest &hite men in the to&n. I mean it is an utter shock that they &ould send %eo%le to skin ya like a cat fish. Rochester I su%%ose this &ould be a %erfect time for you to tell me I told you so. 3o go right ahead. Walter I get not joy /bout being right. *his is just the &ay things are. "on't mo#e you might ha#e broken you ribs. Rochester *here &as a man . . . Walter man8 Rochester ;es. man . . . a &hite man. +e &anted me to gi#e you a message. Walter Message /bout &hat8 Rochester +e said that he &as sad that it had all gone to hell. Walter . . . ;eah8 nd no& . . .

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Rochester +e &as going to ha#e to come see about you. Walter #erage height7 a#erage build7 black hair7 southern accent8 Rochester ;eah. *hat's him. William !ho attacked ya'll8 Rochester I don't kno& just a grou% of angry &hite men &ith sticks and bats. hurt. Walter "oleda get a cold rag and come back here. (estus enter through the green curtain.5 Doleda Oh7 my lord. 4*he runs over to the bleeding .ochester and begins to dab the wet rag on his for head.5 Walter "oleda7 this is . . . Doleda !illiamF Walter "oleda7 just ho& do you kno& this man8 Doleda 6ater7 !alter. !e &ill talk later. !alter ;ou bes blee#e &e &ill. 41ong beat5 )estus7 I &ant you to run do&n to the rail yard and get /Bama7 he should be greasin' the rails. *he @H10 is due in here in about 15 minutes so git him u% here. )estus git no&. 0o 4"aves his hands imploring him to go. (estus runs out of the back door.5 Doleda !hy you calling for /Bama8 nd tell )estus to come &itcha. 4 $oleda and lot of %eo%le got

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Walter /,ause if &e don't git this boy out of here they gon %lay string music &ith his neck. the &ay I'm feelin' I might be the one to stretch the ro%e. Rochester I don't ha#e to lea#e any&here. I am an merican . . . Walter . . . 3hut u%7 boy. It ain't like you got a choice. !e gon %ut you on the @H10 Rochester *he @H108 Walter ;eah7 the @H10 to 1e& ;ork state or as I call it the 1e& 1egro e9%ress. )or %retty talkin' high ste%%in' yella fellas like ya self. I'm gon ha#e /Bama stuff you in one of them bo9 cars in the back and you'll be in 1e& ;ork by daybreak. If you lucky you &ill li#e to incite another day. 4(estus enters the back door followed by )#ama.5 Bama !hat in the hell is goin' on do&n at -eterson -ark8 I hear they do&n dare bashing niggas by the bushel. Walter "on't concern yo self &it that. I need you to do me a fa#or. I need for this man here to catch air. I need you to stash him on one of them bo9cars on the @H10. I &ant you to ride &ith him and make sure he get to 1e& ;ork7 breathing. *his one got a knack for angering folk. Bama 3hit7 the @H10 on its &ay in no&. -lus7 I &as s'%osed meet Babo tonight in the rail yard and attend to that bidness fo ya. Walter "on't &orry about it7 I'll meet Babo you just make sure this one here get's out of Ohio in one %iece. Bama Okay7 but the @H10 should be here any second no& . . . Walter nd

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*hen don't &aste no time talkin' to me. 4"alter reaches down and grabs the arm of .ochester and guides him to his feet.5 Bama "amn dey dun messed you u%. Walter Eust get him out of here. 1o&. 4)#ama puts his arm underneath .ochester,s arm and begins to support his weight.5 Rochester !hat about my things o#er at the rooming house8 Walter !hen you get to 1e& ;ork send me a letter and I &ill send your things back to the address on the en#elo%e. 1o& git. I'm sure there are se#eral men lookin' to make your ac>uaintance. 4)#ama and .ochester walk to the back door and before they e+it, .ochester stops and turns to address "alter.5 Rochester "on't forget &hat the &hite man said7 he seemed like a #ery serious sort. Walter /Bama if you don't git him out of here. 4/#ama and .ochester e+it the stage.5 Doleda !hat &hite man8 Walter +uh8 Doleda !hat &hite man is he talkin' about8 Walter !hite man8 !hat &hite man8 Doleda !illiam7 he said . . . Walter . . . Oh him7 that 1egro dun had half his brains beat out. . . Doleda Dh7 huh. If you say so.

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Walter 0o u% front and make sure all the doors are locked. !e gon close u% for the night. 4 The scene goes black.5

,* *+.22(3,212 )OD. ("alter enters the scene and is looking around carefully. A man is sitting on the railroad bench by himself. "alter is carrying a package. Walter Babo that you8 Babo. 4"alter walks over to the bench and sits down, ne+t to )#abo. #abo appears to be sleeping. "alter begins shaking #abo .5 "amn Babo you dun fell aslee% again. 4#abo slumps over on his side and "alter pulls his hand back and reali'es it is bloody.5 Eesus he jum%s back&ard. Delano 4$elano cannot be seen yet.5 *he ne&s%a%er is o#er7 Mr. "a#idson. "elano and )urman enter the scene and )urman is carrying a double barrel shotgun.5 It's just %lum o#er. 4(urman is pointing the shotgun at "alter $avidson.5 I'm sorry !alter. Furman If it &as u% to me &e &ould ha#e done this four days ago you dirty nigger. Delano

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I s'%ose that is a %ackage full of 1egro *imes8 Walter ,orrect. 3ince you lo#e /em so much you can ha#e /em. 4"alter $avidson tosses the parcel of newspapers at (urman who has the shotgun. (urman catches the bundle and drops his shotgun. "alter $avidson turns and runs.5 Delano 3to%. Furman ;ou black bastard. 4"alter e+its the stage and (urman and $elano follow behind him off stage. The stage re4illuminates and we are at "alter,s office. "alter $avidson bursts through the back door into this office, $elano and (urman come in right behind him. (urman is carrying the shotgun.5 Delano !alter . . . sto% . . . I said sto%. 4 "alter stops dead in his tracks and throws up his hands.5. Furman 1o& boss8 Delano +and me that street canon8 Furman But boss7 can't I be the one that . . . Delano ;ou can be the one that fetches those %a%ers o#er there. there is a %ortable %ress machine around here. 0o find it. Furman %ortable &hat8 It's the si:e of a bread bo9 &ith a handle. 4 (urman turns away and begins to search the office.5 +ere it go boss7 the black de#il had it underneath old glory. Walter 3o ho& &e gon do this Mr. "elano8 4(estus bursts through the green curtain.5 Festus Mr. !alter . . . 4"e hear the sound of a shot gun clicking. #oom777 The front of "alter,s shirt e+plodes in blood. "alter falls to his knees. !e touches the front his nd I &ould bet my boots that

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shirt, covering his hand in blood. !e pulls his hand away from his chest and stares at his bloody hand. There is a long pause.5 Walter Blo&ed a hole right through me. 4"alter smiles, keels over and then dies. (estus is in shock. !e 0ust stands there staring. (estus and $elano meet eyes and stare at one another.5 Furman 3onofabtich. 4(urman draws a pistol to shoot (estus. $elano grabs the pistol from his outstretched hand and slaps him.5 Delano 1o. Furman But he sa& us. +e sa& our face. Delano I said no. Furman But he sa& our face. Delano "id you find those e9tra ne&s%a%ers8 Furman ;es. Delano Okay7 take them do&n to the rail yard and %ut /em in the car. Furman Boss8 Delano ;ou heard me. *ake the shotgun too. 4$elano hands (urman the shot gun and (urman e+its the stage. $elano walks over to "alter and picks up the large American flag on the desk and drapes it over the body laying on the floor.5 *his should ha#e ended differently son. 4(rom off stage we hear, the sound of the $oleda searching for her son.5 Doleda

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)estus. )estus. !here you don got to8 4 (estus pulls the watch that 5r. $elano gave him from out of his pocket and hands it over to $elano.5 1o7 son I think my %a%%y intended for a good man to carry that. 3o you kee% it. 4!e rubs (estus, head and then leaves out of the back door.5 Doleda !hat &as that . . . 4$oleda emerges though the green curtains.5 )estus . . . Oh7 my god7 &hat ha%%ened . . . )estus7 &ho did this8 !ho did this8 Festus 41ong, long pause5 I don't kno& mama. I don't kno&. Doleda 0o get hel%7 )estus7 go get hel%. Festus Mr. !alter . . . Eust like daddy . . . just like daddy . . . Doleda 0et out of here )estus . . . 0o get hel% . . . 0o get the "oc !allace7 then go get .e#erend Mc-herson. 0o head no&. 4*he is crying. (estus runs away and e+its the stage.5 I kne& it7 I kne& it7 I kne&. I told you7 I told you ho& it ends. 4 *he slowly walks over to the flag draped body and gingerly lifts the flag off the body.5 !hat they dun did to my !alter7 dear 0od7 &hat they dun did7 to my beautiful !alter. My %roud !alter. 4 *he kneels down on the floor and grabs "alter in her arms and begins to cradle him.5 I kne& ho& it had to end !alter7 it's the &ay it al&ays end for black folk. It's the &ay it al&ays end for us. 4*he kisses his forehead.5 6ook &hat you did7 !alter. ;ou dun stained my shirt. 3tained it fore#er. 4The stage goes black.5

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,* *+.22(3,212 )IB2 ("hen the light comes back up on the stage we are in the prison cell again. Delano 4$elano is mimicking holding his hands and arms as if he is aiming a shotgun.5 Blo&ed a hole right through him. 6ike I said7 it is terrible thang to be on the &rong side of history. *here are no &ords to &i%e a&ay the stain. 1o good deeds that can e#er make you clean again. *hese old hands that I &ra% /round my grandchild &ere used to murder good men. *he reasons &ay seem almost silly no& in the hard cold sunlight of our history. *hings are changing7 at break neck s%eed and no& the right thing is really just a matter of time. ;ou see %rogress can only come &hen some things die their natural death. I ne#er could figure &hy )estus ne#er told. But best I can tell7 he ne#er s%oke a &ord of seeing us there that night. Prison !uard "elano. massa "elano. ;our granddaughter is here to bail you out. 4The old man Prison !uard 3o you're the one7 huh8 Delano. I'm sorry8 Prison !uard stands up. A prison guard approaches.5

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*hat cra:y old &hite man that's al&ays marching &ith the niggers. 3enile old timer7 you must be %lum cra:y. Delano 1a&7 son7 I am certainly of my right mind. It's the times that are cra:y. 4Then he slaps the cheek of the prison guard.5 But don't &orry son7 you got the ne9t ?0 or 50 years to learn that lesson. 4!e laughs, then talks directly to the audience.5 6ike I said before7 it is a terrible thing to be on the &rong side of history7 trust me I kno& 4 !e e+its the stage.5

Fin.

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