Snowed: A One Act Play 5r4p2w

SNOWED

A ONE ACT DRAMA BY DAVID KING

David King

Copyright © 2011 by David King.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011909699

ISBN: Hardcover 978-1-4628-8781-1

ISBN: Softcover 978-1-4628-8782-8

ISBN: Ebook 978-1-4628-8783-5

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

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CONTENTS

Characters In Order of Appearance

SNOWED

SCENE 1

Scene Two

Scene Three

Scene 4

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

Characters In Order of Appearance

ESTHER GODFREY: Regal bearing, arrestingly attractive, long-suffering

LAWRENCE GODFREY JR.: Rich, sometimes bombastic, crude in speech

LAWRENCE FRANCIS GODFREY: Affects what he thinks is the manners of genteel people

TIARA (Tee) DOMINIQUE GODFREY-LUSALA: Sibling rival, a successful doctor in the county hospital

KIRK LENDER: Opponent of integration and favors covenant restrictions in housing

EDWARD STACEY: Blue-blood socialite who befriends and initially arranges the deal that assisted Lawrence to buy his house for one dollar

MOVING MEN

SUZETTE LUSALA: Only daughter of Tiara and, her husband, Dewitt

ANGELINE GODFREY: Only daughter of Lawrence. and, Esther

VICTORIA GODFREY: An honest and humble woman unaware of her striking beauty and prefers simple attire to gaudy accessories of any kind

DEWITT LUSALA: Husband to Tiara

PEPE WILLS: Conman and killer, who Lawrence testified against that helped send Wills to prison

HENCHMAN#1

HENCHMAN#2

PATRICIA: Francis’s fiance

The actions in the play take place first in three of four scene settings, in ACT I:

Scene 1 is of a dilapidated looking living room on moving day; Scene 2, is the new living room in the exclusive Market Place a sub-district in Kenwood, on January 24, 1967; Scene 3 is at Jack Straw’s Liquors and Department store; the final scene is at the family Burial Vault

SNOWED

ACT I

SCENE 1

At Rise. Lights come on:

TIME: our story begins, in Chicago, it is 1961, late afternoon, in the hot summer time. and in the Godfrey family’s tattered, rat and roach infested Southside Ghetto apartment. The living room is in disarray and cluttered with moving boxes that are scattered and stacked about. It is near noon, and all of the Godfrey family look on at Victoria’s son, Lawrence Godfrey jr., who’s occupation is that of a doorman by inheritance at a famous Loop Hotel that his father had worked at previously. He is wearing his now disheveled hotel uniform’s doorman’s cap, and overcoat; beside him stands his mother Victoria, dressed in a plain old fashioned cloth overcoat, flower printed ankle-high dress, flat black shoes and she holds a big black bag; in front of her stands Lawrence s Godfrey, her son’s son, he is dressed in a cap, jacket, shirt, and pants with suspenders, gym shoes: Esther, Lawrence’s wife has her patched overcoat on over a calf high print dress, low-heeled shoes, and wears a scarf; big afro-haired Tiara Dominique (Tee) always waits until the last moment to dress is still in her colorful African designed housecoat, gold gown, and white slippers.

Lawrence is about to close his deal with smug-faced Kurt Lender, holding a kerchief to his nose is an wealthy white-man of the upper class Market Place residential district, who’s gaze contemptuously about the room and at the Godfrey’s. With him is two men, the silent bigger one is a scarred face thug who wears a bandana and dresses in a leather jacket, jeans and boots, the other smaller man wears mechanics overalls over a white t-shirt, a rebel cap and a black eye-patch and constantly smirks at Tiara Dominique as he chews on a toothpick, both are heavily muscled and menacing.)

Lawrence

You got the check?

Lender

(Withdrawing a slip of paper and patronizingly says)

Yes, it is made out just like we agreed, which is certified by my bank for instant withdrawal at the bank of your choice . . .

(Lawrence takes a pen and some papers from his inner-jacket’s over-coat pocket and turns to his mother as he wordlessly extends Lender’s and the additional papers to his mother to sign, and she in a sad defeated manner accepts the pen, and signs the papers.

Meanwhile, Esther, Francis and Tiara all look-on shocked as Lawrence signs all of the papers and extends all of the signed papers back to Lender)

Lawrence

My mother just gave me her power of attorney to do as I see fit . . . these papers I’ve signed are the transfer of titles and deeds to the house all signed over to you, now, (he holds out his hand as an elated Lender grabs at the papers

simultaneously handing to Walter the check) ok, sir, before, I say something, uncivil, I would suggest that you go!

(With a sneer Lender swaggers through the open door being held by Lawrence, his two toughs snicker at Lawrence going out)

Lender

Good-day people . . . (he sneers, Lawrence slams the door in his face.)

Tiara

You no good—what makes you think, the Godfrey family might not have welcomed the chance to integrate, an opportunity to stand for something!

Lawrence

(Suddenly raises a hand silencing her)

Now hold on Tee, first hear me out . . . after the police caught Pepe Wills and I stood as a witness in the court trial against him . . . I picked-up a few tips from watching how things are really done . . . I know I been wild sometimes, maybe not as responsible to Esther as I should . . . she having ta live under her motherin-laws roof and not her own.

Esther

Lawrence, what I complained about was them no friends like that doofus Dewey, you betta pay attention to what Pepe said, people tell me he’s been known to commit murder! As for livin’ under Mama’s roof—I ain’t never been bothered about liv’n with Mama, after you was bamboozled out of the money, we were all ready—to still work, all together, to pay for that house Mama found for us—

Lawrence

Scrubbing flos’ fo’ white folks ain’t the future I want fo’ my wife, or mother, or for Tee ta give up finishin’ school, or my son ta be placed in danger, and, me, ta end my days like my daddy did—opening and closing doors for snooty rich folks who neva or have neva known poor Chrismas’!

Tiara

(quips)

Daddy would have found Pepe and pistol-whipped him whether he had all of Daddy’s money or not, or worse . . . a . . .

Victoria/Mama

(cuts her off)

I told you Lawrence, I accepted and forgave you being conned into making that mistake, but now you just sold the house, we was gonna move into using the down payment money from the savings your father kept secret from me all those years.

Lawrence

(attempting humor)

Tee saw that movie with Sydney Poitier in it, and all she can rave about, is how fine Sidney was, she missed what it was about, I don’t want my son to have to experience rocks thrown through our windows like Lorraine Hansberry did . . . I done grown up, I’m sure what I’ve done is something that my father would have done, just different.

Tiara

What’s that got to do with selling Mama’s house, knowing it was against her wishes! Before she can even moved in it, it’s gone! She was so happy, for her it was the most perfect house!

Lawrence

What about me? Am I to be the typical black man? Know my place! Be rarely noticed and definitely not heard? Living in the shadow of the black woman’s light! What is this—ya’ll say you want the man ta lead, then, you don’t let him!?

Tiara

Rantin’ and ravin’ ain’t gonna change nuthin’

Lawrence

(placating)

Tee you being unfair, you know I’m for integration, except, unschooled dark negroes like me ain’t wanted, we embarrass the hoity-toity Oreos—they don’t want us kind around—the way it’s set up the most preferred—are the light skinned ones, like Mama and you Tee, more-so for how you dress and talks, s is in between . . . I won’t let Francis turn out like one of them—all puffed up—hell, the average white high school dropout is more educated than most of our negro college graduates are, only the negros don’t know it!

Victoria/Mama

Victoria’s manner is unconsciously imperial) Lawrence, to decide the families interests—I give you permission, but in no house of mine, is that language permitted!

Tiara

(Leaning mockingly toward Lawrence, coos sarcastically)

Well, Mr. Anointed, it seems that all we can still afford is another house like the one Mama found—if one exits at such a reasonable price!

Esther

(eagerly)

We’ll all work and contribute . . .

Lawrence

(ignoring)

Yesterday morning, I stayed home from work to recuperate from the night before when I overheard you, Tee, and your African boyfriend discussing how stupid I for losing the money . . .

Tiara

(embarrassed)

I had no idea . . .

Lawrence

That I was home! Yeah, yeah, I know, home ta hear the not so very nice things you say about ya brother behind his back—ta an outsider? (he smiles) at least the Prince gave me the benefit of a doubt . . . (he has a look of satisfaction as Tiara pouts.

Victoria/Mama

(excitedly)

I know! All I have ta do is get in touch with that realtor man he might have something else . . . maybe not for the same price, but . . .

Lawrence

(shakes his head)

He’s part of the problem! At Pepe’s trial I made some friends with the janitors, they in the courthouse grapevine, now we kinda hang out, we was at the bar the other night, they know that guy . . . he and his company are part of a group of ofay agents called block-busters, they find black people like us and sell them mortgages, or plant them around to make it seem like the blacks have moved in —in droves, and they scare white people living in all white communities to sell their houses ta them cheap. Then, the agents resell the same houses to other negroes at higher than market prices—when the negroes fail for any reason to keep up payments they get foreclosed on, that’s how slums get formed . . .

Esther

That’s despicable!

Victoria/Mama

Out of everybody around here—I wondered why they picked us . . . I never suspected . . .

Lawrence

(gently he turns to Victoria)

Mama, that’s because you expect other people to see life as you do and be like you, well, they don’t! But the way I see it—its all fair, in business-ta make it is ta

use anything as fair that makes you rich.

Tiara

That don’t mean we have to sink to their level, after you found out, you shouldn’t have done “any-thing” more with that awful Lender man, period!

Victoria/Mama

That’s the truth, son—two wrong deeds, no-matter for what reasons—don’t make one right one!

Lawrence

(exasperated, holds the sides of his head)

Will ya’ll please kindly allow me to finish! (he breathes deeply) after I found out (a twinkle in his eye he glances at Tiara) what my beloved little sister thought of me—I paid a visit today to the realtor’s office, a gentleman came in as I started to explain to the realtor how Lender had come down here with his tough guys to offer to buy that house back from us for that neighborhood committee who he represented, then the other fella interrupts insisting we leave together, he takes me across the street from realtor’s office to this usually segregated delicatessen so we could talk, in private . . . the other fella’s name is, Edward Stacey, he’s Lender’s next door neighbor, they both live in the elite district of, Market Place! He don’t like Lender or Lender’s citizens committee . . . this guy, Stacey’s from

old Illinois “money” his family migrated here from New England from England, he’s a Conservative Liberal . . . he explained that Lender favors covenants that restrict the selling of the homes in the Marquette Park district to just white people. They first offer to pay, if that don’t work, they can become dangerous . . . I told him Mama had put me in charge of everything, so we made a deal, for one dollar, he agreed to sell me his house, so now I’m waiting . . .

(Lawrence is interrupted by a knock at the door, he almost runs to the door to open it, and standing in the doorway is a well-dressed hatless white man, cheerfully confident with a genial big smile. He proffers his hand toward Lawrence to shake)

Edward Stacey

So nice to see you again (pump shakes Lawrence’s hand energetically, he enters the room pulls up a crate and casually sits down on it and in his best white “buddy” stereotypical style says), well hello, folks, my names Edward Stacey, Ed to ya’ll . . . (Victoria can’t help an amused smile creeping on her face at the comical attempt by Stacey to be “hip”—Esther and Tiara are not amused and remain stern-faced. Stacey, without further ado, reaches into his pockets and extends to Lawrence a slip of paper, it is a check) That’s the $10, 000.00, our lawyers say, we can write my house off as a charity donation . . . Gee, my Dad was glad I could finally wrapped this house matter up! I’m all he’s got to help in our business since the untimely death of my older brother in a mountain climbing accident.

(Lawrence signs the back of Lender’s check, and gives it to Stacey, and, Stacey gives Lawrence the new check)

Edward Stacey

Your change, sir! (then looks around with satisfaction to the others) Lender won’t know what hit him! In the real world, this, is how fast business is done— it’s none of that silly stuff that they teach you in business schools . . . you win when you realize, in real life—there is no honor among thieves. Opportunity presents itself—you jump on it!

Lawrence

(laughing)

Yeah, think of it, now we gonna be Lender’s next door neighbors, ha ha ha . . . (getting his breath back) and, and Tee can go on to college, that is, if she ain’t gonna marry her African Prince and sail away to Africa . . . and Mama, she can grow her gardens, ha, more than that—here where we fella’s (he glances at a frowning Francis) have ta wait turns to use the bathroom in the house we just bought—there is six bedrooms with their own individual bathrooms!

Edward

(Pocketing the check)

Well, I guess I’ll be off to deposit Lender’s check in my personal bank—that way it will be cleared immediately, good night folks! (he exits as Lawrence gratuitously opens and holds the door for him).

(Lawrence turns to face his family who stand together still staring silently at him)

Lawrence

(He hands mama a note)

That’s the address tell them movers to get busy loading and moving our stuff there!

Tiara

(bristles)

Who you to be giving Mama Orders . . .

Victoria

Now Tee, I put him in charge (Hesitatingly), but, Lawrence, your boy just witnessed you do a shameful thing! An eye-for-an-eye mostly ends badly.

Francis

(his face contorted in anger)

You made Big Mama cry—I saw her! (He runs out of the scene)

Esther to the dumb-founded Lawrence)

He doesn’t know, I know about his little secret place down beneath the porch where he goes to when he’s upset—that where he disappears to—he’ll be back.

Lawrence

(regains his composure)

Can’t ya’ll see? Fortune put me at the right place at the right time, and I’ve decided, Um gonna open me a bigger better liquor store, When Lacey took me on a tour—I noticed a empty lot for rent that sits between Market Place in Kenwood, and the Ghetto South-Side, hell, white folks drink liquor too! Me, U’m gonna slow-down . . . I ain’t neva liked the taste of liquor no way, I only drink to be one of the boys, who, um gonna stop hanging out with now that u’m movin’ in different circles . . . (this is greeted by a beaming Dominique an openmouth shock by Esther, and mockery by Tiara)

Tiara

(her hands to her ears cuts him off)

Lawrence, as usual you a babbling fool, and you always will be a fool! Mama! How can you give up your dreams, (tears well up in her eyes) . . . it’s because he’s the boy—ain’t it? It’s always about what the boys want, isn’t it?

Victoria

(testy)

Be reasonable Tiara! If what Lawrence says is true we were just being used, after all these years of having nothin’—maybe I did get carried away when the real estate agent picked us to sell cheap ah expensive house to, I, I, . . .

Esther

(arm over Victorias’s shoulder consoling)

Don’t you dare say that, Victoria, we all agreed with what you did. (ferociously she says to Lawrence) It’s Lawrence who’s the blame, he’s the one who caused this mess! If he’d not been hanging out with that no-good, Dewey who introduced him to that more no-good Pepe Wills,!

Lawrence

Warn’t Dewey’s fault, he got snowed by Pepe too.

Esther

But it was you who testified against that thug, Dewey wouldn’t have nothin’ ta do with it!

Lawrence

Dewey warn’t scared of Pepe, he don’t trust the legal system, that’s all . . . he wants ta get even, same as me, only from now on—I intend to use the system, sure we warn’t being treated fair, but that’s the American way, I guess . . . Ed says the reason integration won’t work, the playing fields ain’t equal enough, under funded resource wise, and the ones running the show got too much hankypanky going on . . . after I told him how I’d use the money leftover for a business, he confided that his brother, Bob, who his family loved is openly gay —to the type of big shots they do business with Bob is a social and business embarrassment, so he’ll continue to live hidden in Chicago, but he’s a super “connoisseur” of alcoholic beverages, I think I said it right, and a gourmet on fine dining—knows all the top people in those businesses, he can be a big help ta me. As long as its business I can overlook his condition . . . From this day, I’m on my way. No more Tiara and Esther ganging up on me ta talk against me ta Mama (except for the silent confident faced Victoria, the other two women continue to stare stonily at Lawrence.)

(Fade on the still shocked expressions of the women, smoke can issue causing the stage-set change in the dark, then using perhaps a revolving stage with set already in place, or, scenery (also optional) can be moved in place on rollers

locking them together via connectors, carpet can be laid, heavy furniture eg elevator, stairway, couches and chairs, jukebox, and bar. And accomplished in about twenty seconds when lights go up.

Scene Two

(Is of a spacious and luxuriously furnished living room that has a sturdy spiral stairway that leads up to rooms above; on the main floor living room are two double doors on hinges styled like those in a “saloon” that lead to the offstage unseen dining and kitchen areas, a jukebox and a bar; center stage is a couch, a center table and end tables, chairs, wall decorations and mirrors, etc. offstage kitchen. After moments Esther enters from off-stage left, she is better dressed in a tasteful but conservative outfit, and her hair is fashionably coifed now, she walks over to and begins staring out of the curtained window adjacent to the doorway leading from the presumed outside into and out of the scene.

A twenty-something Francis appears in evening clothes and is seen unsteadily descending the stairway clutching to the hand-rails, until, arriving safely on floor-level he haltingly walks over to the fancy bar where he noisily pours himself a drink, and gulps it down, then another and, another, with the last one, he relaxes and begins sipping more seemingly from his glass, his mother never turns around)

s

Lawrence is up—I heard him pacing in his room again, with all his money— what he got to be worried about?

Esther

(Annoyed moves away from the window)

I must say, I can’t get used to how you young people can call your parents by their first names . . . I may not have said this before, but, ain’t it rather early fo’ you to be always drinkin’ befo’ you even eat . . .

Francis

(Affecting the bored mannered pose of what he thinks is intellectual he patronizingly lectures at Esther)

Must I still call you mama? Even though, at twenty-one, I find the term childish! Why cahn’t we say Mother or MaMa’ like the French do?

Esther

(Ignoring him Esther resumes staring out the window)

How strangely spring-like it looks today, since it was so cold yesterday.

(From above at the staircase, Lawrence also enters, his hair is peppered with gray, he is still lean and athletic looking and is dressed in an expensively exotic oriental designed robe over red pajamas and slippers, and as he walks down the staircase, he stops and looks in the direction of what must be the kitchen, after pausing a moment, he completes walking down and to the bar where he pours himself a drink from another bottle, not looking at his son)

Lawrence

The radio say it set a record for cold yesterday. Where’s Liz?

Esther

(Without any facial expression Esther moves away from the window to stand a short distance from the two men at the bar)

She got the flu, I told her to rest in her room, I’m gonna make her some of my special chicken soup . . .

Lawrence

(exasperated throws up both hands)

Ain’t that just like us? Hire people ta do a job and they become part of the family, that room is for the temporary use of our housekeeper, not, look I’m not mean, but when you stop keeping things business employees start taking advantage, Esther, ya’ll answer the door more than she does, be short with her pay a few times and see how she acts . . .

Esther

Liz is white but she still family, besides, I can still cook, (she smiles) you know, it’ll be fun making ya’ll breakfast, won’t take long at-all (she heads for what is presumably the kitchen offstage) . . . how you want your eggs? (she kind of leers sensually)

Lawrence

(Lawrence doesn’t look up, he ignores the double-intender context behind her question, mutters)

Over-easy.

Esther

And you Francis, how you want yours?

Francis

(also mutters)

Not hungry.

Lawrence

(Eying out of the corner of his eye as his son is about to pour himself another drink)

You know son, I learned a long time ago, before I quit, the last time, that if you drink—you oughta put a lining on your stomach, that’s a good way to get ulcers if you don’t, now, tell your mother how you want your eggs?

Francis

Dammit—I said I wasn’t hungry! I got more on my mind than food!

Lawrence

And since when is it allowed that you talk thata way, Francis, not in my house, you forget yourself.

Francis

Well you got a lot of nerve talking about me, the way you’ve been putting it away lately!

Esther

It’s alright Walter, he don’t mean nothin’, it (she faces Francis) its okay, you don’t have’ta eat if you don’t want to.

Lawrence

Now, Esther, that’s what’s wrong with him, if he ain’t out drinking all the time, he’s out after girls, lord knows its embarrassing to me—for Ed and my customers to see my only son acting that-a-way.

Francis

(lighting a cigarette)

Ed is your friend, not mine, his brother Bob, (he leers) is who you’ve always spent most of your time with! (Francis moves to the window, and begins staring out the window, vacated by Esther.)

Lawrence

Put out that cigarette! Don’t nobody smoke here, you know Mama don’t like it! (To Esther as s charges out the door outside leaving it ajar to finish his cigarette) I don’t understand (he gestures to Francis pacing outside, who pretends to not hear him)—what’s he so mad all the time about?

Esther

He’s been like that for a long time, it’s just, you not being around, are now just noticing him.

(Just then, appearing and exiting from the elevator is Tiara and her daughter Suzette who resembles her father Dewitt Lusala. Both enter the scene.)

Lawrence

Well, if it ain’t Nefertiti, Queen of the Nile (she frowns crossly at Lawrence who says), they called me last night at the store about you, I understand you and King Zulu had a falling out, come on, tell big brother all about it! (Not expecting a answer he walks over to juke box to make a selection.) When you left to marry

Dee, you was so mad at me, you swore you’d never spend another night here again.

Tiara

And I meant it! After you proclaimed you had taken out a new mortgage on our previously mortgage free mansion!

Lawrence

Tee, that mortgage loan deal was paid back in four years time! No damage done.

Tiara

Shouldn’t have done it in the first place without telling Mama! (glaring) From what I have heard Francis say, I ain’t the only one who’s tired of your Royal High-ass, always walking around like you some kind of lord of the manor born or something.

(beat)

Why, Esther, are “you” cooking?

Dominique

Liz sick in her room, besides this is fun—sometimes I miss not cooking for the family, sometimes. (she sighs. Just then music is heard coming from the jukebox)

Tiara

Who the hell is that?

Lawrence

(Pouring another drink)

You don’t know? And I thought you was so cultured! Ed sent me that album cause it’s not going to be distributed, no time soon, but he got two copies, one for him and one for me, don’t ya “get” it? It’s called fusion music.

Tiara

Sorry, I don’t “get” it . . . it sounds like a lot of noise.

Lawrence

It’s just different, that’s all . . . and—

Suzette

(interrupting)

Mommy I want some eggs . . . too.

Lawrence

(Lawrence stares a moment at his sister then at her daughter, sorrowfully shakes his head)

Like mother, like daughter . . . (he takes a drink)

Esther

(shots a silencing look at Lawrence, then to Suzette)

Relax dear, Auntie Esther will have some ready in no time, (she heads back to the kitchen) how you like em?

Suzette

Scrambled! Please.

Tiara

Me too, Esther (she frowns again) Mama not up yet? This ain’t usual for her . . . I’ve never knew her to sleep this late into the day before.

(It is then that another girl not much older than Suzette who she also resembles appears sliding down the rails on the staircase into the scene and leaps into her father’s arms)

Angeline

Wheeee! Daddy! I want mine scrambled too!

Lawrence

(Beaming)

Sharp ears—she hear everything—just like me! And how is, my little peaches today?

Angeline

(gazing worshipfully at her father)

Fine Daddy.

(The two girls see each other, shriek, hug and exit hand-in-hand to where presumably they are out of hearing of the adult talk and can girl-talk)

Tiara

(confronts Lawrence)

Nobody answered my question, since when did Mama begin sleeping so late?

Lawrence

I don’t know! Doctor T. You think all I got ta do is hang around—the house all day, ask Esther!

Tiara

(eyes knit in a frown)

You mean, something—might be wrong with your own mother, and you don’t know it?

Lawrence

(Surly)

I don’t know how Dee puts up with you . . . what happened between you and your husband—to make you other than your rare visits to haveta come back to a place you swore you’d never return to?!

Tiara

None of your damn business! I came to talk to Mama, this is still “her” house, even if you parade around like you own everything, and everybody.

Lawrence

(bitter)

Sometimes! I get so sick! Of the disrespect, I get no respect from none of ya’ll . . . nobody but Angeline give me credit for what I do . . .

Tiara

Ha! You still whining about wanting somebody to respect you for using Mama’s money in a business, she don’t want no part of? For three years nobody even knew you owned “Jack Straw” liquors. Everybody thought Ed’s brother, Bob owned the place. (s enters from the outside and resumes staring out the window, he is visibly amused)

Lawrence

(defensively)

It worked real good early on, I and Ed decided to let the customers and public think Bob was the owner, It was Lender who let it out that I was the real owner, but by then, it was too late, by then my store, had become an accepted part of the community, then, I got the idea to expand, I used the mansion here for collateral, whites use-ta even Dewey they don’t stare no more at him working around the premises.

Tiara

Ohhh, how liberal of you all, you hired a Colored! They allow you both to breathe the same air as them . . . seriously, Lawrence, why after, you’ve grown one of the largest department stores between Market Place and Loop, haven’t you hired more blacks other than Dewey?

Lawrence

Tomorrow my Mall opens, and then I’ll be hiring . . . more colored.

Tiara

As what? More low paying menials like Dewey, to mop the floors, clean the toilets . . . run errands?

Lawrence

(smiles)

Dewey is more valuable than ya’ll think.

Esther

(Offstage)

Lawrence, Tee! Foods ready, now, now, you girls wait! Tee come on! Hot plates of scrambled eggs and sausages, cereal, toast—and plenty of coffee for Lawrence and Francis!

(The brother and sister continue to bicker as they both walk offstage to the dining area and return back into the scene, he defeated by Tiara’s verbal onslaught with his plate of food in hand turns his back on her and head down silently walks up the staircase back to his room. Tiara, then halts at the stairway, fork in one hand, she smothers a laugh, with her other hand to Esther she makes a “V” for victory sign, but Esther’s expression and stance are neutral, silently she stands arms folded in dining room doorway her face inscrutable)

Tiara

(pointing at the stairway)

I betcha, that’s why Mama’s in her room too, after all them years of walking up and down them stairs at our old place, then she’s had to walk up and down that thing!

Esther

Be fair Tee, as soon as Lawrence could, he had that elevator installed . . .

Tiara

She’d long given up her gardening by then, after that stairway had done its damage to her legs, I’m thinking.

(A whishing sound and a grayer Victoria appears in a simple billowing anklelength dress from elevator)

Victoria

I can hear you, Tiara, you not talking to somebody cross the street . . . for your information, I quit planting those gardens cause some way, some how my gardens always got poisoned or infected or something . . .

Tiara

Knowing who the next door neighbor is—why am I not surprised!

Francis

(dashes hurriedly his aunt and mother to stand before his grandmother)

Grandmother! I’ve been waiting—hoping you’d come down, I know this is sudden, but, I’m a little short—can you let me have enough to get a cab to and from home today? I’d like to my friends, I need some air.

(Lawrence reenters scene using the stairway, he is now dressed in a rich looking blue suit over an open collared and resplendent white shirt, he holds a black Homburg styled hat in one hand and over his arm is a soft black all wool overcoat. All stare. Tiara gives him a begrudging look of iration mixed with a little pride and declares)

Tiara

Well, look a-here . . . I had come to believe all he had was one wardrobe, and all it consisted of was White Sox caps and hordes of blue jean denims—he wears that outfit like a uniform, even to church! What’s the occasion, my brother?

Lawrence

On a whim I bought this suit about seven months ago . . . for an occasion if it ever came up.

Francis

(ignores his father)

Grandmother, did you hear me? I’m asking, can you give me some money?

Lawrence

(Sarcastically)

So, is this what it has come to . . . the last of the Godfrey men have been reduced to mama’s boys? (All are silent as Lawrence goes to the bar and prepares himself a drink and to Francis he says) You know, I don’t “get” you, . . . you act like you the offended party, when its me who paid to send you to the best private schools that you managed to get kicked out of . . . I have paid top dollars to get the best “C’ average college graduate money could buy! When I ask you to do some work now and then, you say, I still got to pay you? Son, this business is going to be yours someday.

Francis

I don’t want it. In fact, of all the schools you sent me to—to get rid of me, the ones I liked most was the military schools . . . I am thinking of dropping that deferment you and “Uncle Ed” got for me, and the army, or better, the marines, I think the marines would be a better fit. Fighting gets my juices flowing.

Lawrence

You my only son, I got plans for you, and I keep hearing about some funny things going on about that war, I ain’t losing my investment to no bs. Travis whether you like it or not you have a talent for our business—you proved that to me, the time to earn your allowance—you focused your attention on our business plan and your suggestions improved our marketing schemes and my

bottom-line by 10%, even I had overlooked the discrepancies in the business’s operation, your ideas worked.

Francis

I was bored, and I made a game out of being the “boss”, you know, hail, hail, the king is dead, and long live the new king stuff, you know, if you were dead, and I . . .

Lawrence

(abruptly snaps)

That’s enuff! I, I see, where you’re going (calmly pours another drink and after he swallows it) I’m self-taught, but as a doorman, I learned a lot, then when I finally got my chance . . .

Francis

(interrupts disparagingly)

You’re always patting yourself on the back, like you some kind of Martin Luther King or something . . . all you are is the Uncle Tom “face” of Jack Straw’s Liquors and the Department store, like a McDonald’s clown or something! No pride, no dignity . . .

Lawrence

Twarn’t no shame when I wore a doorman’s uniform at a second class hotel for years, before me, my Daddy (he looks toward Tiara) wore the same uniform at the same hotel, despite the humiliation, we did it to feed our families. No! I ain’t no idealist—least, not like, Martin Luther King. I truly come up from poverty, I know and understand our people first hand . . . Ha, ya’ll when last spring King moved to Chicago and lived on the northwest side?! . . . Then he was hit in the head with a brick leading a march on the Southside in Gage Park, despite being escorted by the Black Stone Rangers! He said racism in Chicago was worst than any he’d ever faced in the south!

Travis

All that pacifists stuff and King are fading (as he speaks he goes over to the jukebox and makes a selection, and a moment later the room is filled with the throbbing music of James Brown) It’s a new day, if you a black person scared to stand up for black empowerment you deserve to be wiped out, that’s what me and my club are about!

Lawrence

(continuing)

One good thing though, King did, he left that young fella, Jesse Jackson in charge of operations here, that was the best thing, he could have ever done.

Tiara

(As a sophisticate talking to a primitives, says)

What? From what my friends, and they ought to know, they say that Jackson’s a pretentious loud mouth, one of them “closet” new fangled “black” nationalists types, who wear army jackets all the time.

Lawrence

Well, he’s got the right idea I say, targeting chain stores that deal unfairly with blacks in hiring, and firing, makes more sense! Focus on the seed of real power —Money!

Victoria

I think, I’m hearing you both sorta saying the same thing.

Esther

Here—Francis, now be on your way (Francis grips the wad of rolled bills Esther has extended to him, and giving Lawrence a last impudent look, exits)

Lawrence

(Sternly onishing)

Esther, you and Mama, ain’t helpin’ him by catering to him like he’s a kid, I’m trying to do for him what my father did for me and Tee, but not spoiling him into adulthood . . . my son ought to be thinking about one day becoming, a father . . . the head of his own family himself!

Esther

(jeering)

Mr. High and Mighty! Francis is only just made twenty-one, how many mistakes had you made when you were twenty-one? I you making a lot! (Esther exits in a huff back to the kitchen)

Tiara

(Tiara quips)

Lawrence only came of age on the night he took Lender’s money, under, false pretences.

Lawrence

I repeat! That was a legitimate real estate transaction!

Tiara

(suddenly Tiara calls to her daughter and niece)

Girls! Girls! (they reappear from the dining room) Girls, how about we change our clothes, and Auntie Tee will take you out to do a little shopping?!!

(This is greeted by ecstatic approval, all three head for the elevator, enter it and disappear behind its closing door, presumably to their upper-story rooms . . . . Lawrence walks back over to the bar and pours and drinks another drink.)

Dominique

(Alarmed)

Son, what’s wrong, the way you been drinking lately, why, thems the most drinks I’ve seen you drink in years!

Lawrence

I know, after a few years of selling it, I lost my taste for the stuff entirely (he takes a slug, makes a face) . . . its still as awful tasting as it ever was.

Victoria

Then why do you drink it, at all? I been watching you, you been jittery like, all day, if its what Esther said, (trying to reassure him) she didn’t mean what she said . . .

Lawrence

(Laughs goofily and uncorks the bottle again)

Mama, Esther is a saint . . . did you know that Francis is keeping it from all of us that he is hanging out with, Emerson Johnston, Tiara’s old boy friend, the same snobbish character who use ta drive them little fancy cars, both his mama and daddy were judges, sent him ta military schools but he became a doctor, seen the world, sneaks around with a lowdown crowd, the same old boyfriend she works for? The same Emerson who I threw out that time for unseemly conduct . . . and, I think that calls for another drink. . . .

Tiara

(Returning via the elevator is dressed in high fashion clothing)

Those girl’s—better hurry up—they know when I’m dressed—I’m ready to go!

Victoria

Child! Where’s your coat, you goin’ ta catch pneumonia! I don’t care how unstylish you think, this is still January in Chicago!

Tiara

Oh—Mama, please! My car is parked in our, I mean, “your” enclosed heated garage, besides, I just heard the weather report, its, 67degrees, its so nice—the girls and I may, extend the day, with a nice lunch, why don’t you come along Mama, just ta get outta the house . . .

Victoria

(her brow knitted, oblivious to her daughters cajoling)

Tiara, you been riding your brother, a lot, but I ain’t heard you explain why you’ve left that nice boy, your husband, judging from the looks of things so far, he’s been good to you and his daughter, he works his cab and pays all of the bills. While you, bank your paychecks.

(Unobtrusively Esther reenters from the kitchen)

Tiara

(Sheepishly)

Oh, he does what he can, but, I’m the doctor in the family, It’s my salary that allows Suzette and I to live in the manner we’ve become accustomed to! The only reason I’m not at the hospital today is because my boss granted me a 30 day leave to attend to my personal matters . . .

Lawrence

My, and, ain’t “he” generous, giving you time, time for you to divorce your husband ? Despite your big shot friends, Only, if I right, it was Dee who put up with your flights of fantasy and put aside his own dreams to work so you could concentrate on ing your classes—he was the one who made you study through medical school!

Tiara

(Haughtily)

My boss is head of the hospital, he believes I can be a great doctor someday, if he is allowed to guide me, help me to meet more of the right people . . .

Lawrence

(grins)

We know who your “boss” is Tiara, mayhap he feels a little conflicted that he lost out to Dee, its no accident him and his people don’t mind a light-skinned woman like you rising, but they reject the pure black Negroid looking poor Nubian Prince she’s married to, who happens to have a PHD, but drives a cab, and lives in the house his wife just bought, Tiara, you excluded Dee’s name offa the deed!

Tiara

(Shocked)

How do you know that? (Lawrence is visibly enjoying his sister’s astonishment) You know a lot of my business, don’t you? (Lawrence bows) All that has nothing to do with it . . . it’s because I will not allow my child to venture into her father’s country! I have been informed by people who have travelled there, that people in Africa have the customs of genital scarring. His tribe and family may insist on my daughter undergoing such a ritual.

(A doorbell rings. Esther goes over to open the door to find Dewitt Lusala

standing there without a look backward she bids him in, crestfallen he enters, speaks respectfully to everyone, everyone acknowledges him except stern-faced Tiara, and Lawrence assumes the behavior of buffoonish capering, mugging and clowning, with his facial and body mannerisms of an offended disapproving person. Dewitt only has eyes for Tiara.)

Dewitt

Tee, you’re leaving our home was so uncalled for. (He turns toward Dominique) The other day I returned home not to spy on her, I did not know she was home from the hospital! I needed to retrieve my drivers license I had forgot, and I confess I might have overreacted after I overheard them talking about me behind my back, they were filling her head with lies!

Lawrence

(glass in hand mocking)

Of all the phony African princes driving cabs in the city—lying to our women, it is our family—that gets a real one, only, he poor (pointing at Dewitt) And who in the hell are you to tell a grown women who happens to be a successful doctor— who she can have or not have as guests in her own home! Tell me! Do your people in Africa do the cutting on the private parts or not?

Dewitt

That was the ongoing conversation between Bennie, and her guests, a group that included her boss, in fact, it was he who became rude and cast dispersions on me that were unfounded and insulting—

Tiara

Doctor, Emerson Johnston, simply pointed out what he had observed happening when he worked there, before he became head of the hospital here, and you got mad!

Dewitt

What I said was at large such practices were not a part of the Ashanti warrior tribal customs, he challenged me with calling him a liar, he began saying that Tiara and Suzette, would be better off, without me around . . . she knows—she knows—this is all true what I say!

Lawrence

Right! We don’t want no spear-chuckers taking over our women! It was a good thing Mama insisted that you two were married in the American way!

Dewitt

As usual you mock me, Lawrence

Tiara

Lawrence! Will you shut up!

Lawrence

Dr. Godfrey, I hear lately you call yourself that, having dropped the Lasala part, I have a question—how do you US doctors reconcile to cutting off the foreskins of male infants, ain’t that a kind of con—

Tiara

(through clenched teeth)

It’s not the same thing Lawrence!

Dewitt

(intervenes)

I am more and more being asked to come home to begin serving my

country . . . my problem is I don’t think I can leave my American family and if they will not go . . .

Lawrence

(Takes a big gulp, then refills his glass)

I heard to be accepted as “true” Africans ya had ta be born in Africa (the last is greeted by an astonished expression from Deewitt, abruptly, Lawrence becomes serious) . . . You know, the world is changing, and I ain’t sure its for the good , take all this talk about Black Power, I don’t really understand it, what they mean talkin’ like that?

Tiara

(Dryly)

You feel threatened because you have always been a closet-republican— conservative capitalist, yourself, who happens to vote democratic . . . to think, (face eyes set dreamily and theatrically posing) how innocent we once were, arch foes of the system (she turns angrily toward Lawrence), now, Lawrence so loves money he’s forever locked into the system, doing business with people who rub his head for good luck, while hating him for his color . . . just like when he was that hotel doorman. (Lawrence bows stiffly)

Dewitt

Lawrence they talking about political and economical empowerment, recently what served as the catalyst was the death of James Meredith last year during his march against fear which unified these “Black Nationalists” like those “Black Panthers” to in and finish the march, I hope Meredith’s death will not have been in vain! King spoke of the first amendment, they insist blacks have the rights of the second amendment same as whites! They do not advocate violence nor the overthrow of the U.S. Constiution.

Tiara

(scornful)

How do you know so much . . .

Dewitt

Because I drive a cab, I hear a lot.

Lawrence

Yeah, like a doorman, but the best part of being rich is I’m able to get betta information, than I could when I was poor, you get ta understand the big picture, take all this going back ta Africa stuff, I know the truth about the poverty resulting from the exploitation of the world’s richest continent by white “Imperialists”, Yeah, I believe them so-called negro American radicals call the

whites that—but, I also know about them black African warlords who “rent” or “sell” their country’s mineral resources to the capitalists and communists countries for what to them are huge amounts of money while the common people starve and die in the streets from decease, or from violence . . . there we could be killed—for just talkin’ about what we sayin’ now, naw, I’m American, Yankee-doodle through and through.

Esther

Segregation don’t work! I two years ago what a great thing that the Robert Taylor Homes was for housing low-income people who turned out to be only negroes living there, and now comes word about the daily breakdown of elevators, the heat, the vandalism, and worse, isolated they are the victims of the growing violence by gangs, it’s a shame! Nobody cares . . .

Lawrence

Despite what ya’ll say, all that shows again—I was wise to do what I did, nomattah how much the Lenders’ in the world hate us, ain’t nobody gonna throw any bricks at the windows of a house once owned by a man from an affluent family with connections to the Oval Office, watching over us! Cowards don’t want to get caught!

(beat)

Esther

Yesterday, when Liz first started getting sick I drove myself to the super market and while I was in line, ahead of me, was this over-dressed woman, she was heavy on the make-up the “showgirl” type . . . she was pushing a cart full of groceries, and with her was “Dr.” Emerson Johnston, by the way, he treated the woman, she must have been his “employee” of some kind . . .

Lawrence

Yeah, from what I hear he turned out rotten, he and his crowd act like they Dukes and every body else is garbage. What did he have ta say?

Esther

That as the head of the hospital he had granted leave from the hospital, for Tiara —

Lawrence

(interrupts)

My information is he and other of our subculture-elite-bourgeois negroes hangout “socially” they have wild parties at a private club where anything goes, and they can get away with murder at!

Tiara

I never knew that! Nobody ever mentioned any of that about Emerson or anything about a club.

Esther

He was bleary-eyed lookin’, and talking weird, he confided to me that he and some of the hospital staff talk a lot about your family and the strife that none of us knew you was havin’! . . . he say while you here, he’ll be coming by, to see, if you needed anything, I told him that would be up to you.

Victoria

In the park we old people hear things and talk . . . for Emerson ta be divorced three times and paying alimony and child , I wonder how he has had time to be in Tiara’s business? And it’s surprising how he can afford all them women and cars and that big house close to Hyde Park.

Tiara

(brows knitted)

I didn’t know about any women either, I agree . . . it sounds as if there are a lot of things starting to add up about Doctor Johnston (both little girls return via elevator, both have on coats and are wearing bonnets. Suzette, at sight of her father runs into his waiting arms, but Tiara, Ignoring Dewitt, gently grips her

daughter’s shoulders as she guides her back to stand beside Angeline) Well, don’t you two look marvelous, more like sisters than cousins! . . . We might as well be on our way now . . .

Dewitt

Tiara, give me the chance to discuss the matters you are concerned with rationally, I love you! We are a family, may be, I will stay in America . . .

Tiara

(relenting)

Very Well, maybe I am being a little unreasonable (Dominique, Esther and Lawrence exchange looks of disbelief) we can talk while the girls shop . . . there’s no sense in driving two cars, we can ride with you, Dewitt!

Victoria

(To Angeline)

I want you and Suzette to have a good time, play, but give the grownups some time to talk between themselves . . . In fact, if it’s permitted, and if there’s enough room, I might the four of you myself, a little air might be good for me . . .

Tiara

(ecstatic)

In Dewitt’s cab, there’s plenty room, do come with us, Mama!

Victoria

I’ll need to go upstairs . . . get my good tweed coat, my scarf, bag (Angeline and Suzette, arm-locked lovingly about Victoria and Tiara exit via the elevator up to Dominique’s room leaving Lawrence and Dewitt alone.)

Lawrence

(confidentially whispers to Dewitt)

Shh, gotta talk low they can hear a pin drop . . . I couldn’t talk plainly before—

Dewitt

(irritably)

Why not?

Lawrence

The women, they don’t need ta know—you need to know, what affects the whole family! (without hesitation a perplexed Dewitt nods his assent, and Walter says further) Can’t tell everything now, you come by my store when I close up, and if you can, before you come—you might find Francis at that private club that’s Emerson Johnston’s hangout . . . tell him I have reconsidered and will pay him what he wants to work on that project we discussed yesterday.

Dewitt

(stone-faced)

Yes, and I also might use the occasion to ask “Dr.” Johnston, why is he showing so much interest in my wife, the mother of my child, as for Francis I’ll do what I can, but you know your son.

Lawrence

Yes, I know Francis, better than he thinks, I know him, . . . you just tell him, but be careful with Johnston, he keeps some “tough” guys around him, I hear they treat Francis like he’s their Go-fer . . . Johnston got Francis convinced he working for the poor people when him looking out for himself, that ta hang with

him Francis must keep secret from his family he runs with them, says we wouldn’t unnerstand, says I’m against him because of a old argument he and I once had, Francis don’t know the scound is trying ta make a whoe’ outta his aunt.

(The Women return exiting from the elevator)

Tiara

(pleading)

But, Mama—all those beautiful clothes you got, why won’t you wear them?

Victoria

(speaking firmly and looking pointedly at Tiara)

That’s stuff you children gave me, I feel silly in them, this outfit will do, Tiara, I ain’t trying to win no beauty contests, daughter!

Dewitt

(gallantly and (Smiling)

You, Mrs. Godfrey are forever beautiful simply because your raiment is always natural, extraneous glitter would only detract from you.

Mama

(Laughing)

When you talk like that, Dee, I never can exactly understand half of what you say Dewitt, except the parts I hear and I think I understand—I like!

(With that Dewitt his wife, daughter and niece and mother-in-law all exit the doorway at stage right)

Esther

(She positions herself confrontationally in front of Lawrence, Lawrence downs another drink and backs away)

Why is it—been since last year we slept together—what’s wrong? Lawrence, I mean between us? Have you got another woman?!

Lawrence

No! I have not! Never since we’ve been married have I strayed that-a-way . . . I don’t know, Esther, I just lost all my feelings for you, that way . . . I’ve told you to find a “friend . . . I’d understand.

Esther

(Angry)

You’re enough, I don’t need no more problems . . . it don’t make sense . . . you sleepin’ in the other bedroom with the door on your side locked? I don’t know what got broke, but you still my husband and I love you. (they hug, he grabs up his coat and hat and hurriedly exits. (fade)

Scene Three

Scenery is moved together and ed the same way done in scene two. The store is extremely clean and overall neatly organized. All accessed entrances and exits are by the stage right doorway leading in and out of the store.

At Rise

Lawrence is now at the store, clearly seen standing at the cash located at the lunch counter, he is stuffing counted money into a gunny sack, intermittently, he drinks liquor from a large paper cup from the quart bottle filled with brown liquid. Dewitt and Francis enter, both disheveled and bruised at the same time as a puzzled Dewey, all seat themselves on the customer’s seats at the counter, silently Lawrence studies his son and brother-in-law)

Lawrence

(Without any questions or preamble says)

As I told Dewitt, the reason I asked you here is because the things I know, need not be discussed in front of our women.

Francis

(dryly)

Quite the chauvinist, aren’t we.

Lawrence

(snaps)

No! Like my Father! I don’t want my wife, or daughter upset and fearful, I’d rather talk to you fellas than them.

Francis

Well, I don’t care to hear nothing you have to say Lawrence, or your lunatic flunky helper here (he gives the silent Dewey a look of disdain), here, I only came because Uncle Dewitt found me at the club to tell me you were willing to see things my way about the money, . . .

Lawrence

How’d you get a black-eye, who tore up ya clothes?

Francis

(embarrassed, he touches his face)

Oh, is it that noticeable? Uncle Dee, and Emerson had some words about auntie Tee, and Johnston made some obscene jokes about Auntie Tee and Uncle Dee knocked him down Then Johnston’s goons attacked Uncle Dewitt, I couldn’t just stand by and not help my uncle, we both got kicked out, but not without doling out extensive physical pain and much property damage. (exuberantly) I didn’t know Uncle Dee could fight like that!

Dewitt

(Interrupting)

I was a full-fledged warrior of my village at age 13 (Dewitt quickly glances at his watch) Lawrence, can you please hurry and tell me what you have to say, I think Tiara and I are going to reconcile tonight . . . your mother will watch Suzette so we can have some privacy at our house.

Dewey

(audibly clears his throat, then says)

Lawrence, Did they come back?

Dewitt

(alert)

“They” what are you talking about? who are “they”? Lawrence what’s going on?

Lawrence

(Smiling grimly)

Like my Father, I take care of my own business, I just do it different . . . I got a visit yesterday from some white hoods demanding protection money on all my

enterprises . . .

Francis

(stunned)

What happened?

Dewey

(hands demonstrating)

I was heah, saw them pointing a gun at Lawrence, but he whipped out that pistol you search him for, but can’t nobody can find, and he shot one ah tha hoods befo’ he could draw his gun, then he had me get word to his friend Ed in New York, next thing I know police everywhere—and all the time befo’ Lawrence had the drop on the other one! They took our report and . . .

Francis

(eyes wide unbelieving)

You mean the police? They took the word of a black man against white? Uncle

Ed has that kind of juice?

Dewey

He must do, cause it was the downtown boy’s who got here first and was cal;ling the shots.

Lawrence

I don’t think we’ll be having much trouble anymore, now they know how well connected I am.

Dewitt

What makes you so sure? Organized crime’s favorite targets are businesses like Jack Straws Liquor which has a deli-restaurant and bar in it, you own the building where they are located in and it is a residential rental real estate property, and now you’re about to open a mall in the upscale part of town that will have a cinematic complex, you’re offices and showrooms are already rented by vendors, I’d say you qualify for the attention of criminals!

Dewey

(shakes his head)

Not from the street gangs, they might work for the “big boys” sometimes, but most times they work for themselves, Lawrence is like the TWO, he quietly helps families of most of the gangs, people black and white love him, that’s why the word on the street to the mob-fellas is to leave Lawrence Godfrey alone . . .

Francis

(Both Dewitt and Francis are amazed)

Since when . . . I find that hard to believe! I’ve never known Lawrence to help any one except himself without there being a catch to it—

Lawrence

There’s a lot you don’t know about me Francis . . . (he picks up a large manila envelope filled with papers and a white sealed envelope) but be that as it may, I want you, Francis to use that talent of yours ta review my newly proposed business plans, and ta offer whatever ideas you think might improve on anything, or to correct any lapses or mental errors exist that might hurt my operations. (he hands his son the white envelope which Francis immediately opens, Francis’s sour expression does not change as he reaches inside and quickly counts the money, then without another word he turns and exits, Dewitt drums his fingers on the counter top as he glances again at his watch. Then Lawrence extends another envelope toward Dewitt) Dewitt, we may not always agree on a lot of things, but we both agree about our love for our families, to me, your wife and daughter, and you, are my family too.

Dewitt

Quite conning me Lawrence, you want something, I know what you really think of me . . . you have never let me forget how you heard me call you stupid when you listened, when I first proposed to—

Lawrence

(good naturedly)

Yeah, it was at the old house, right after Pepe duped me for that money when you didn’t know I was home I overheard you calling me stupid as a reason that the family ought to forgive me for . . .

Dewitt

(crest-fallen)

And you turned the tables and became a financial success, while I am a failure.

Lawrence

(placing a hand on Dewitt’s shoulder)

Ah, don’t beat yourself up, money is what stops most black people, I was lucky enough to meet a rare fair rich white man who made sure I had the money and connections to protect me in order ta be a success . . . sides, I truly mean it—I have learned to ire you for your common sense, except, when it involves my scatterbrained sister, who’s making you sell out your manhood, otherwise, you have good judgment . . . them papers upon your signature will make you the trustee of my estate and the others make you a full partner in my new mall with seat on my board of Directors, as a voting member of my corporation.

Dewitt

(Flabbergasted)

What! Why pick me?

Lawrence

Mainly, because Francis is not ready, maybe he’ll never be ready, and Mama and Esther don’t “get” business. If times get tough I’d like to know you were around running things even if you and my sister ain’t together no-more.

Dewitt

Again, why? Are you dying? I thought you said the “gangsters” were leaving you alone?

Lawrence

(Evades answering)

That’s true, but, sometimes a man needs to know a male family member is ready —if something happens . . . they can step in to keep the others safe.

Dewitt

When I married your sister in the Christian American way, it, came into conflict with my own faith and the responsibilities I owed to my country, I will have to consider this additional responsibility you are offering.

Lawrence

(Smiles, they shake hands)

I was hoping you’d say that . . . (Dewitt leaves, Lawrence next extends another envelope to Dewey) I want you, Dewey, if anything happens to me to get this letter to my wife pronto!

Dewey

But, she can’t stand me, Boss, every-time I go near her she just walks away, all mad like, she ain’t neva’ gonna forgive me for introducing you to Pepe, even though, I got snowed too!

Lawrence

Yeah, Old Pepe Wills, he got us both, that time . . . you don’t care how she feels, I know her, just you—you time it right, she don’t know you, like I do, is all. (he picks up one of the stacks of bills) Here, take that I want you available and tidylooking for my Mall opening tomorrow, now be off, I’ll finish clo.

Dewey

(Perplexed, stuffs the bills in his pocket and head down he walks toward the door, stops and looks back at Lawrence)

Warn’t no need for giving me that money, I stay presentable anyway and my old rickety rig’ll get me anywhere I want ta go. (getting no answer from the seemingly preoccupied Lawrence he gives the door a look) You ought to make sure you lock this here door Boss, while you got all of that money out like that, if you’ll pardon my observation it ain’t smart ta . . .

Lawrence

(looks up from counting the money to growl)

Don’t worry about the damn door! Get on about with what I told you! Dammit!

(Dewey leaves, Lawrence, continues to count the money from the cash , suddenly the door swings open and entering is a dapper dressed Pepe Wills, and pointing a gun at Lawrence, with him is Lender’s two muscular henchmen mentioned in scene one)

Lawrence

Well__, if it ain’t my old friend, Pepe Wills, I’m presuming you bringing me my cut from my investments seven years ago? You always was fashionably late . . .

Pepe

(iringly)

Ah, what a suit! (next, snidely he says) Already I see evidence of improvement in you from the primitive lout you were . . . it will make killing you all the more harder, my friend.

Lawrence

(laughs at this, then says)

Have a drink with me, for old times sake Pepe, we can take our time . . . (Lawrence pours drinks for himself and one for Pepe, he is about to fill the other two cups when Pepe having seated himself on a counter stool—halts him by placing his empty hand over the third cup)

Pepe

No need to pour them none, they just the help, I’m the Boss, and they’re on the clock (both men remain imive in demeanor and docile-like in their behavior . . . Pepe picks up his cup and drinks) umm, nice . . . you have improved in your tastes—this is prime stuff—here! Lately I haven’t been able to afford such good quality booze . . .

Lawrence

(Refilling his cup)

I got a lot to be thankful to you for . . . you pulled the film offa my eyes with what you done to me, and ta Dewey—

Pepe

Did, Lawrence, did, not done . . . your vocabulary still leaves a lot to be desired, unfortunately. Dewey was smart not to testify, again unfortunately were not so intelligent.

Lawrence

Yeah, that’s what you useta always say about me, alright, that and , “let you do the thinking” . . .

Pepe

(he winks and gesticulates his agreement with his gun hand)

In that, my friend you are “dead” right, Ha! You know Lawence, I always envied how a uncouth big mouth like you, with a flunky job could ever have a woman like Esther? I’da cut off a arm to have had a woman like that! When I got out of jail I come back to Chicago, and the first thing I hear, is how you’ve made it big . . . and also that you have along the way made enemies, enemies willing to pay to have you killed, but no one dared because the local hoodlums being your friends, and me, being down on my luck, I found out who was offering to pay for something that for me would be a pleasure, and “whoof” here I am! By tomorrow, I’ll be somewhere safe, surrounded by a bunch-a-foxy looking broads —as you know the kinda party-girls, I like, ain’t cheap.

Lawrence

I knew when you got out, and I heard about your deal with Kirk Lender, those two are his men, they came with him to the old house . . . will my death be the end for Kurt Lender, will my family be left alone?

Pepe

(laughs)

Lender don’t want no niggas living next door to him . . . and he don’t want em owning and running no businesses in his neighborhood either! So what do you think is going to happen, whatever its not going to change your fate (he leers) . . . I’ve promised myself after we’re done with you—to give Esther a visit, I plan to give her a good going over—I mean real good . . . (at that Lawrence bristles) Hold still Lawrence!, Or I’ll kill you now—where you stand! (his grin is evil) Didn’t like what I said, did you? Ha, ha . . . Handover your car keys to my assistant here! (Lawrence digs from his pocket his keys and hand them to one of Pepe’s thugs) We’re gonna take you in your car somewhere to have an accident . . . words out how you been drinking lately, it’s possible for you to have drove off a hill . . .

Lawrence

Will you will allow me to get my hat and coat hanging there (he points to a upright hanger where hangs his black overcoat and black hat)

Pepe

(face contorted with hatred spits his drink in Lawrence’s face)

You always was a closet “Uncle Tom”! (to one of his henchmen) frisk “Thomas” then hand him his hat and coat . . . (The henchman searches Lawrence and then the hat and overcoat, after which he hands the garments to Lawrence who dons them, and proceeds to walk to the door followed by Pepe awkwardly gripping his concealed gun now concealed in his overcoat pocket but cocked and aimed at Lawrence’s back. The henchmen in single file follow behind Pepe, when suddenly Lawrence whirls around in the doorway to face Pepe and holding a gun —he fires, hitting the surprised Pepe, who slowly slumps down to his knees, still he fires back taking out one of Lawrence’s legs, which collapses under him in a ugly crooked position, but the kneeling Pepe is worst off, too weak to hold his own gun it falls from his hand. A fatally wounded Pepe screams at his now scared henchmen) Get me out of here! I need a doctor, get me to a doctor! And he keels over to the floor.

Lawrence

(Holding his aim to include all three men, Lawrence attempts to stand, but can’t, he manages to move into a sitting position against the doorway, he says)

You boys betta get out of here—them shots gonna bring somebody . . . and you can take him along with you!

(The two cowed men bend to pick up the now unconscious Willy)

Henchman #1

He’s dead!

Henchman #2

(nervous says to his partner)

Mr. Lender don’t want to see any dead bodies, (then to Lawrence) why can’t we just leave it here?

Walter

(smiles)

Why wouldn’t Kurt Lender want his man back?

Henchman#2

Cause, Mr. Lender told us to take care of him after he took care of you, and take back the money he was paid, that’s why.

Henchman #1

Shut up you fool!

Henchman #2

Aw, ain’t no body else here to hear us—its his word against us (back to Lawrence) we hated this bastard anyway.

Lawrence

(Lawrence has a smile of satisfaction as he speaks through clenched teeth)

Drag that SOB’s body down the street and leave it for all I care I don’t want it around me, like I said—git! (he’s waving his pistol threateningly, and they hurriedly leave dragging their “boss” along. Once gone, Lawrence releases the hold on his gun and it clatters from his hand and he rolls to the doorway) Help! Help me somebody—I been shot! . . . streets piling full of snow, the wind done picked up—losing blood, Lord, this don’t look too good for Lawrence. (then faster and faster the “snow” blows into the store’s doorway enveloping Lawrence in a white cocoon until closing his eyes) Getting sleepy . . . (he says as he disappears in the snow)

Scene 4

(One year later, all the principle characters are gathered, Victoria, more stooped and still simply dressed; flanked by Black attired, and still regal Esther; Tiara is dressed in a army jacket and denims, her hair is natural again, at her side is a more distinguished looking Dewitt, and beside him is a more conservatively dressed s, his arms are interlocked with a very pretty young woman at his side; all are staring intently at a burial vault having a scripted headstone with Lawrence’s name on it as Victoria prays.)

Victoria

(praying)

So, dear Lord, as we are come again this year to mourn once more, our son, Lawrence Godfrey, once again, we ask you to forgive his weaknesses, and his good deeds—he tried as only a human could, ta do right, so please again I’m asking you ta judge him accordingly, amen . . . (she straightens a little, and looks around at the other vaults) imagine, that son of mine bought this tomb in this segregated burial home and no one’s said a word against it, or the other vaults he bought to house us, his family in (affectionately she points) that vault right beside him is where he had father’s remains relocated.

Francis

And he never told us.

Victoria

Even though his will made me executor of his estate I kept his decision ta let Dewitt run the businesses, even ta keeping that liquor store open. (she looks to include Dewitt and Francis) Dewitt and Francis ya’ll have done a fine job too, Lord knows I’da neva knew what ta do with it or that mall either.

(Enter Dewey, more poorer looking, he respectfully, but, firmly plants himself before Esther)

Esther

Look! Dewey, I’ve tried to be nice about it—but I don’t want to hear nothing from you—especially—when I am paying my respects to my husband!

Dewey

(Shakes his head stubbornly as he interrupts her)

You wouldn’t talk to me at the funeral last year, and them crowds of people who Lawrence neva’ liked froze me out (he extends the letter Lawrence gave him to give to her) Lawrence said quick as I could—I was to give this to you—but you been refusing ta look at it!

Victoria

Read it Esther, it may really be important . . . (Esther distastefully takes the letter and begins reading it, until, tears flowing, she hands them to Dominique, who reads what Esther read and stunned, she hands them to Tiara with Francis and Dewitt reading them over Tiara’s shoulder)

Tiara

(pulls away)

You girls can head back to the car, we adults need to talk—in private.

Francis

I think Auntie Tee, this time Suzette should stay, let’s not keep making the same mistakes Lawrence did of underestimating your abilities to handle the truth . . . (Tiara nods assent, the girls remain, Francis next turns to the tastefully attired young woman who’s hand he has been holding and says) Patricia, as my fiancé you also should stay and hear this (he smiles) its only right you know the truth, so that you have the chance to change your mind.

Patricia

(gazing back at him lovingly)

My scandalized stuck-up family already told me most about your family’s baggage, long ago, and I’m still here.

Esther

(bemusedly)

All along Lawrence had terminal cancer, he knew he was dying, now I know why he locked the door to his bedroom . . . he didn’t want me to know, being unselfish, that’s, why, he kept telling me that I should make myself happy, even with another man . . . (she sobs) I nagged him about being unfaithful . . .

Victoria

(consoling her)

And even now he still wants you to live, Esther!

Dewey

(Diplomatically)

I didn’t know all that, all I knowed about—was the threats to kill him and ya’ll —by Lender, only till now we couldn’t prove nothin’ . . . Lawrence always told us to keep quiet so as not to disturb none of ya’ll, he said he’d take care of everything.

Dewitt

(further examining more of the papers)

The rest are copies of Lawrence’s changed will made out months before he died last year, where he bequeaths controlling shares in the ownership to the liquor and department store and mall to us equally, so Lawrence knew he was dying all along . . . he laughed and clowned while we were treating him—the way—we were treating him . . .

Francis

(in evident pain and Patricia’s hand on his arm steadies him)

In the end he used himself as the bait to record on film Wills and Lender’s thugs incriminating Lender, I never thought Lawrence, I mean, my father, had that kind of moxie.

Dewey

Miz Esther . . . I didn’t know neither, I asked Lawrence not to do it, but he, on purpose let it out on the street that he’d be alone on that night, clo—

Dewitt

Unbeknowist to them Lawrence had inside and outside surveillance cameras filming and recording their confessions, thereby linking them and their deeds to Lender.

Dewey

No one knew until four days later where Lawrence was, that is until the snow had melted enough, and then you couldn’t miss the smell. We got to the films befo’ Lender’s paid off cops got to em.

Dewitt

It was Mayor Daley who got the streets cleared, that was how we had the first chance before the police to get to Lawrence. Yes, it was I who decided to conceal away the recovered tapes Dewey found, until I could my friends in the Foreign Embassy, who had the connections to not let it go away—I have since been informed the conspirators have all been apprehended and sentenced for murder.

Victoria

I knew the day at the old house when that man Lender came and gave Lawrence that $10,000 check that Lawrence had that look in his eyes that he had “changed” . . . he never more looked like his father than then (she looks at Francis) the same way that you look sometimes now Francis.

Tiara

(tearful and angry)

I only stayed on him—cause I was always against him putting all of us in harms way, so that Ed could annoy Lender, they flim-flamed Lender—who became our next door neighbor . . . That’s what lead to Lawrence’s death. Personally, I don’t think none of it was worth it.

Francis

What about me? All the while throughout, I was too drunk to be of any help . . . I vow again, to commit myself to work along with Dewitt, uncle Ed and Bob in the business, my stupid days are over!

Victoria

Tiara, Francis, Lawrence would not want you blaming yourself! What’s been said—is forgotten.

Tiara

(a grudging smile appears)

Well, since my husband and nephew hospitalized my boss and former employer, I’ve been practicing at the free clinic, at least for a while . . . it’ll be good experience, I’ve grown up too (She grabs Dewitt’s hand) in this whole big world of men, I got me a good one, and I’m gonna spend less time competing and more time showing him.

Dewey

Chances are Dr. Johnston’s gonna be in jail a long time after all that evidence Lawrence got on him—of him being in debt to gamblers, having drug and alcohol addictions, him selling human parts from even healthy patients . . . Lawrence had me give all we had on the good Dr. to the cops.

Dewitt

You know, I suspect Lawrence welcomed another meeting with the late Mr. Wills.

Victoria

That was the “Look” I was talking about, it was his father in him, serious about loving and taking care of his children to death.

s

True, and I see now what he was saying that it is by selfless acts—one after the other—that we as a whole survive . . . we adults, we represent the past, but these others (he looks at the girls) and those to be born represent the future, and, it is for their benefit that we all live to protect, and work for.

The End

Curtain

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

1. Diction: Non-standard English permeates intermittently throughout the play via all the characters, (exceptions being Dewitt, Lender, and Stacey) because this was the way then that African American street people talked in the 60s, because then the average black college graduate’s education was less than the average white high school dropout.

2. Subplots: were the issues involving; Lawrence dying of cancer and the questions whywas he suddenly drinking; Dominique’s garden, her staying in her room most of the time; Tiara’s fear her husband’s African family practiced genital scarring of girls, her being tempted by sudden success and wealth into being drawn into Dr. Johnston’s decadent world, leaving her estranged from his own country and misunderstood African husband; Francis’s need to punish Lawrence for not spending more time with him in the past; Lawrence’s philanthropic activities

3. Protagonist: Is represented in the character of Lawrence that is changed when he allows the money saved by his father to be taken from him in a con scheme perpetrated on him and Dewey by Pepe Wills; Lawrence wants to protect his family by creating a strong financial bases for his family via first the take-out liquor store from which grew the deli, and the department store and residential apartments, and later his Mall.

4. Crisis or Turning Point: Happens when Pepe states what he is going to do to Esther, is when Lawrence decides that there is no other choice but to kill Pepe, and that way removing the only person who was willing to harm him or his family . . .

5. ESTHER GODFREY: changes from the poor simple illiterate into an immaculately dressed and coifed grand lady who is moderately literate.

6. LAWRENCE GODFREY: from a juvenile behaving loser when he becomes rich, but is still sometimes bombastic, crude in speech

7. FRANCIS GODFREY: the 14 year old grew into party-animal type who at his father’s death becomes the man his father hoped he’d become.

8. TIARA DOMINIQUE GODFREY-LUSALA: Gad-fly sibling of Lawrence grows a big head after she becomes a successful doctor in the county hospital, but is brought back to earth when she learns about the true nature and intentions of her boss regarding her.

9. Climax

Is when Lawrence tricks confessions from his killers before he dies in the snowstorm.

10. Conflict

Is the on-going animus between Lawrence and Francis.

11. Resolution

Happens after Lawrence kills Pepe.