What happens to a dream deferred
Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore -
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over -
Like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

-Langston Hughes

TITLE banking bemisfation of Mr. Langston Hughes

CI 5-5888
New York 19, N. Y.
130 West 34th Street
Philip Morris
Property of

LONGATIN: HUNTER
BY
A DRAMA IN 3 ACTS

A Raisin in the Sun

PRODUCTION NOTES

The Younger livingroom would be a comfortable and well-ordered room, if it were not for a number of indestructible contradictions to this state of being. Its furnishings are typical and undistinguished and their primary feature now is that they have clearly had to accommodate the living of too many people for too many years -- and they are tired. Still, we can see, at some time, a time probably no longer remembered by the family, (except perhaps for Mama) the furnishings of this room were actually selected with care and love and even hope -- and brought to this apartment and arranged with taste and pride.

That was a long time ago. Now the once loved pattern of the couch upholstery has to fight to show itself from under acres of crocheted doilies and couch covers which have themselves finally come to be more important than the upholstery. And here a table or a chair has been moved to disguise the worn places in the carpet; but the carpet has fought back by showing its weariness, with depressing uniformity, elsewhere on its surface.

Weariness has, in fact, won in this room. Everything has been polished, washed, sat on, used, scrubbed too often. All pretenses but Living itself have long since vanished from the very atmosphere of this room.

Moreover, a section of this room, for it is not really a room unto itself, though the landlord's lease would make it seem so, slopes backward to provide a small kitchen area where the family prepares the meals which are eaten in the livingroom proper which must also serve as dining room. The single window which has been provided for these "two" rooms is located in this kitchen area. The sole natural light which the family may enjoy in the course of a day is only that which fights its way through this little window.

At left, a door leads to a bedroom which is shared by Mama and her daughter, Beneatha. At right opposite, is a second room (which in the beginning of life for this apartment was probably a breakfast room or something) which serves as a bedroom for Brother and his wife, Ruth.

1-1-13

WALTER

(Looking up at her)

See -- I'm trying to talk to you 'bout myself --

(Shaking his head with the repetition)

and all you can say is eat them eggs and go to work.

RUTH

(Wearily)

Honey, you never say nothing new. I listen to you every
day -- every night and every morning and you never say
nothing new.

(Shrugging)

So you would rather be Mr. Arnold then be his chauffeur.

So -- I would rather be living in Buckingham Palace.

WALTER

No, I don't want to be no damn Mr. Arnold. I just want
to be somebody. That is just what is wrong with the
colored woman in this world ... Don't understand about
building their men up and making 'em feel like they
somebody. Like they can do something.

RUTH

(Dryly, but to hurt)

There are colored men who do things.

WALTER

No thanks to the colored woman.

RUTH

Well, being a colored woman I guess I can't help myself
none.

W-EATS EGGS

(She rises and gets the ironing
board and sets it up and attacks
a huge pile of rough dried clothes;
sprinkling them in preparation
for the ironing and then rolling
them into tight fat balls)

WALTER

(Mumbling)

We one group of men tied to a race of women with small
minds.

11:50

(His sister BENEATHA enters on
the line. She is about twenty,
as slim and intense as her
brother. She is not as pretty
as her sister-in-law, but her
lean, almost intellectual face

1-1-20

MAMA

I ain't meddling --

(Kind of underbreath and busy-bodish)

(R WATER ON)

I just noticed all last week he had cold cereal and when it starts getting this chilly in the fall a child ought to have some hot grits or something when he goes out in the cold --

RUTH

R WATER OFF

(Furious)

I gave him hot oats -- is that all right!

MAMA

I ain't meddling.

(Pause from working the bed)

Put a lot of nice butter on it?

(IN BR)

(RUTH shoots her an angry look and does not reply)

(OUT BR)

He likes lots of butter.

RUTH

Lena --
(Exasperated)

MAMA

(To Beneatha, she is inclined to wander sometimes conversationally)

What was you and your brother fussing bout this morning?

JOHN HALL DOOR

BENEATHA

It's not important, Mama.

(She gets up and goes to look out at the bathroom which is apparently free and she picks up her towels and rushes out)

MAMA

What was they fighting about?

RUTH

Now you know as well as I do.

MAMA

(Shaking her head)

Brother still worrying hisself sick about that money? x KIT

RUTH

You know he is.

MAMA

You had breakfast?

RUTH

Some coffee.

m. Her fears related to natural elements: cold, sickness, accident, starvation, doesn't really understand inner wants, completeness.

B. Perfect Walter
m. would probably side with him

B. Loves high and low to want m. to know this enigmata

m. Feels innocence to come own fear.

R-A. Need no attention
help

R. Mama now off

m. Can't face the problem of the money. Can't flow into subject.

1-1-22

MAMA

(Frowning deeply)

But liquor, honey --

RUTH

Well -- like Walter say -- I spec people going to always be drinking themselves some liquor.

ILLNESS

MAMA

Well -- whether they drinks it or not ain't none of my business. But whether I go into business selling it to 'em *is*, and I don't want that on my ledger this late in life.

(Stopping suddenly and studying her daughter-in-law)

SIT.

Ruth Younger, what's the matter with you today? You look like you could fall over right there.

RUTH

I'm tired.

MAMA

Then you better stay home from work today.

RUTH

I can't stay home. She got company coming and you know how they get if they have to serve somebody themselves. Ain't but two other people, but she be calling up the agency and screaming at them -- "My girl didn't come in today -- send me somebody! My girl didn't come in!" Oh she just have a fit ...

MAMA

Well let her have it. I'll just call her up and say you got the flu --

RUTH

(Laughing)

Why the flu?

MAMA

'Cause it sounds respectable to 'em. Something white people get too. They know 'bout the flu. Otherwise they think you been cut up or something when you tell 'em you sick.

RUTH

I got to go in. We need the money.

MAMA

Somebody would of thought my children done all but starved to death the way they talk about money here late. Child, we got a great big old check coming tomorrow.

RUTH

(Sincerely -- but also self-righteously)

Now that your money. It ain't got nothing to do with me. We all feel like that -- Walter and Bennie and me -- even Travis.

R-A-Now how well & take care of Baby--if one.

R I failed - Now Baby

M-Big W. drank and this took him away from her presents it even more,

M-A-Fine out what wrong R.

O. get her my side

R A keep m from discovery

O. needs sympathy.

R Feels guilty about needing attention

R. late job & Walter far

R housing to do at

R. of Baby coming.

1-1-27

BENEATHA

(Dryly)

Well -- if the salt loses its savor --

MAMA

Now that will do. I just ain't going to have you 'round here
reciting the scriptures in vain -- you hear me?

BENEATHA

How did I manage to get on everybody's wrong side by just
walking into a room?

RUTH

If you weren't so fresh --

BENEATHA

Ruth, I'm twenty years old.

MAMA

What time you be home from school today?

BENEATHA

Kind of late. Madeline is going to start my guitar lessons
today.

(MAMA and RUTH look up with the same expression)

MAMA

Your what kind of lessons?

BENEATHA

Guitar.

RUTH

Oh Father!

MAMA

How come you done taken it in your mind to learn to play the
guitar?

BENEATHA

I just want to, that's all.

MAMA

(Smiling)

Lord, child, don't you know what to do with yourself? How long
it going to be before you get tired of this now/-- like you got
tired of that little play-acting group you joined last year?

(Looking at Ruth)

And what was it the year before that -- ?

RUTH

The horse-back riding club for which she bought that fifty-five
dollar riding habit that's been hanging in the closet ever
since!

1-1-28

MAMA

(To Beneatha)

Why you got to flit so from one thing to another, baby?

BENEATHA

(Sharply)

I just want to learn to play the guitar. Is there anything wrong with that?

MAMA

Ain't nobody trying to stop you. I just wonders sometimes why you has to flit so from one thing to another all the time. You ain't never done nothing with all that camera equipment you brought home --

BENEATHA

I don't flit! -- I -- I experiment with different forms of expression --

RUTH

P.M.

Like riding a horse?

BENEATHA

-- People have to express themselves one way or another.

MAMA

What is it you want to express?

BENEATHA

Me! (Angrily)

(MAMA and RUTH look at each other)

E.M. & Lab.

Don't worry -- I don't expect you to understand. M.R.C.H.

MAMA

(To change the subject) Who you going out with tomorrow night?

BENEATHA

(With displeasure)

George Murchison again.

MAMA

(Pleased)

Oh -- you getting a little sweet on him?

RUTH

You ask me this child ain't sweet on nobody but herself --

(Underbreath)

Express herself!

m. wants to give Bennie her head and understand her but can't understand her because he can't understand her and flitting - a sign of sinfulness.

Let them to accept me and my needs.

B. They want me to be like them and their values, don't satisfy me.

Horror.

M-A Charge Subject

B. Not let them hurt.

M. too late on B.

m. But do B together. I don't like B together.

I while I saw her to have all the advantages she could give her, this would prove and justify.

R. Get back at Bennie for hurting Walter.

BENEATHA

1-1-31

Oh I probably will... but first I'm going to be a doctor and George, for one, still thinks that's pretty funny. I couldn't be bothered with that. I am going to be a doctor and everybody around here, better understand that!

MAMA

(Kindly)

'Course you going to be a doctor, honey, God willing.

BENEATHA

(Dryly)

God hasn't got a thing to do with it.

MAMA

Beneatha -- that just wasn't necessary.

BENEATHA

Well -- neither is God. I get sick of hearing about God.

MAMA

Beneatha!

BENEATHA

I mean it! I'm just tired of hearing about God all the time. What has He got to do with anything -- ? Does he pay tuition?

MAMA

You 'bout to get your fresh little jaw slapped!

RUTH

That's what she needs all right!

BENEATHA

Why? Why can't I say what I want to around here like everybody else?

MAMA

It don't sound nice for a young girl to say things like that -- you wasn't brought up that way. Me and your father went to trouble to get you and Brother to church every Sunday.

BENEATHA

Mama, you don't understand. It's all a matter of ideas and God is just one idea I don't accept. It's not important. I am not going out and be immoral or commit crimes because I don't believe in God. I don't even think about it. It's just that I get tired of Him getting credit for all the things the human race achieves through its own stubborn effort. There simply is no blasted God -- there is only man and it is he who makes miracles!

II. must be a part of it.

B. Express Mama's ignorance to the audience.

BENEATHA

Where did Ruth go, Mama?

MAMA

(Looking at her with meaning)
To the doctor, I think.

BENEATHA

The doctor? -- What's the matter?

(They exchange glances)

m x anh

You don't think --

MAMA

(With her sense of drama)

Now I ain't saying what I think. But I ain't never been wrong
'bout a woman neither.

X Deaf

(Phone -)

(The phone rings)

RADIO OFF

BENEATHA

(At the phone)

Hay-lo ...

(Pause and moment of recognition)

Well -- when did you get back! ... And how was it... Of course
I've missed you -- in my way ... This morning? No ... house-
cleaning and all that and Mama hates it if I let people come
over when the house is like this ... You have? -- Well,
that's different ... What is it -- Oh, what the hell, come on
over ... Right, see you then.

(She hangs up)

MAMA

(Who has listened vigorously
as is her habit)

Who is that you inviting over here with this house looking
like this? You ain't got the pride you was born with! X SINK

BENEATHA

POCKET BOOK · MIRROR FOR SCAR

Asagai doesn't care how houses look, Mama -- he's an
intellectual.

MAMA

Tom Sork

WHO --?

BENEATHA

Asagai -- Joseph Asagai.

He's an African boy I met on X mirror

campus -- he's been studying in Canada all summer.

MAMA

Table

What's his name?

M-A. Shau with B.

II. Would love talk tohan new.
baby-gave Walter something to
live far and love - also fly
woked like someone to take
care of.

1-2-37

B. Jesus another Baby?

m. Keep important self m can't let Bennie too in

Get Asagai over.

B. Wasn't seen in long time
muses - wants start what
wond up again

m A. Pritit Gingo.

II. That keep up with her
daughter - competes with
her.

A. Just fly to mama.
Prepare for him.

B.

m. A. Stand out who Shau
person as

M. Lenient with Bennie about
house.

A. Impass Mama.

O. Shl like Asagai

B

1-2-38

B. Mother should understand

Inrapoo

Complete - and match
knowledge.

M. Wants to keep up and compete
with Bennie.

B. Mama doesn't understand

M. A just-in-ignorance

m

B. Hope Asagai doesn't think
m. ignorant = dishonest.

A. Expose Bennie...
Assist self...
Provide her adequacy.

M. I'm insecure about not
having proper things in home.

B. Expose Mo' ignorances
to her.

B.

AMAM
(wholeness, benefit, and ofW)
(known to be a good teacher)
...and so on

BENEATHA

AMAM

BENEATHA

M. Insecure and guilty in
lack of knowledge, politics

BENEATHA

Asagai, Joseph AH-SAH-GUY ... He's from Nigeria.

MAMA

Oh, that's the little country that was founded by slaves
way back... X Fabio Pufuf

BENEATHA

No, Mama -- that's Liberia.

MAMA

I don't think I never met no African before.

BENEATHA

Well, do me a favor and don't ask him a whole lot of
ignorant questions about Africans. I mean do they wear
clothes and all that --

MAMA

Well, now, I guess if you think we so ignorant 'round here
maybe you shouldn't bring your friends here --Tray

BENEATHA

It's just that people ask such crazy things. All anyone
seems to know about when it comes to Africa is Tarzan --

MAMA

(Indignantly)

Why should I know anything about Africa?

BENEATHA

Why do you give money at church for the missionary
work?

MAMA

Well, that's to help save people.

BENEATHA

You mean save them from heathenism --

MAMA

(Innocently)

Yes.

BENEATHA

I'm afraid they need more salvation from the British and
the French.
m. stops & thinks

1-2-39

(RUTH comes in forlornly and pulls off her coat with dejection. **They** both turn to look at her)

RUTH
(Dispiritedly)

Well, I guess from all the happy faces -- everybody knows.

BENEATHA X afame couch

You pregnant?

MAMA

Lord have mercy, I sure hope it's a little old girl.
Travis ought to have a sister.

sits out

(BENEATHA and RUTH give her a hopeless look for this grandmotherly enthusiasm)

BENEATHA
How far along are you?

thunk

RUTH

cig

Two months.

BENEATHA

Did you mean to? I mean did you plan it or was it an accident?

MAMA
What do you know about planning or not planning? Tab. 4

BENEATHA

Oh, Mama.

RUTH

(Wearily)

She's twenty years old, Lena.

BENEATHA

Did you plan it, Ruth?

RUTH

Mind your own business.

BENEATHA

It is my business -- where is he going to live, on the roof?

R-A-Tell us how long you've been a Baby.

O. To show him how much I love him

waiting to help

R

Going to have baby but I don't want it.

But let it of to prove to W. Ruth, much I love him.

Trapped, threatened.

B. what light has faith - Many a room - near dark corners - to find

M. how far about the Baby - She will be needed.

B. H. shut - Expel.

AMAM

The old man's son. If again I won't let him in the room.

BENATHA

And again I ask you, now - does your father want you to be his wife?

AMAM

(visitors in the room)

M. shooed! by Bennie growing up.

AMAM

Did you ever see a child so wild?

R. Keep them from Friday.

R. No light with Benny - I won't stay away

R,

BENATHA

But I don't know if he will stay away from me.

OCOMOGOSIAY!

BENEATHA

WALTER
Do you hear the waters rushing against the shores of the coastlands...

OCOMOGOSIAY!

BENEATHA

WALTER
Do you hear the screeching of the cocks in yonder hills beyond where the chiefs meet in council for the coming of the mighty war --

OCOMOGOSIAY!

BENEATHA

WALTER
-- do you hear the beating of the wings of the birds flying low over the mountains and the low places of our land --

(RUTH opens door. GEORGE MURCHISON enters)

OCOMOGOSIAY!

BENEATHA

WALTER
-- do you hear the singing of the women, singing the war songs of our fathers to the babies in the great houses... singing the sweet war songs -- OH, DO YOU HEAR, BLACK BROTHERS!

BENEATHA
(Completely gone)
We hear you, Flaming Spear --

WALTER
Telling us to prepare for the greatness of the time --
(To GEORGE)
Black Brother -- !
(He extends his hand for the fraternal clasp)

BLACK Brother, Hell! GEORGE

RUTH

RUTH
(Having had enough and embarrassed
for the family)
R-LAMP ON.

Beneatha, you got company -- what's the matter with you? Walter Lee Younger get down off that table and stop acting like a fool...

2-1-4

G comes from well-told ch
family. Best schools ch
car, love good, time plays
music. Ian
the associates, self and
class & not racial group.
states people who make
life difficult for them.

A perfect family - R. Does what Geo thinks of Parve to George. The all so well & Walter is a worth while. Hunt Walter

WALTER (Cont'd)

finished off with white buckskin shoes)

Why. all you college boys wear them fairyish looking white shoes?

RUTH

AP

Walter Lee!

(GEORGE MURCHISON ignores the remark)

(To RUTH)

WALTER

START SINK WASH FACE

Well, they look crazy as hell -- white shoes, cold as it is.

RUTH

(Crushed)

You have to excuse him --

R. of course

WALTER

No he don't! Excuse me for what? What you always excusing me for! I'll excuse myself when I needs to be excused!

(A pause)

They look as funny as them black knee socks Beneatha wears out of here all the time.

TOWEL

COLLEGE

It's the style, Walter.

RUTH

(appeal to her)

WALTER

Style hell, she looks like she got burnt legs or something!

RUTH

Oh Walter --

WALTER

Oh Walter! Oh Walter!

(An irritable mimic)

Ben

(To MURCHISON)

Ben

How's your old man making out? I understand you all going to buy that big hotel on the Drive?

(He has found a beer in the refrigerator and wanders over to Murchison sipping and wiping with the back of his hand and straddling a chair backwards to talk to the other man)

Shrewd move. Your old man is all right, man.

(Tapping his head and half winking for emphasis)

I mean he knows how to operate. I mean he thinks big, you know what I mean, I mean for a Home, you know. But I think he's kind of running out of ideas now. I'd like to

2-1-13

Start what?

RUTH

your nagging! Where was I? Who was I with -- How much money
did I spend?

WALTER

(Plaintively)

Walter Lee -- why don't we just try to talk about it ...

WALTER

(Not listening)
I been out talking with people who understand me. People who care about the things I got on my mind.

RUTH

(Wearily)
I guess that means people like Willy Harris.

WALTER

Yes, people like Willy Harris.

RUTH

(With a sudden flash of
impatience)

Why don't y'all just hurry up and go into the banking business
and stop talking about it: starts to run

WALTER

Why? -- You want to know why? 'Cause we all tied up in a race
of people that don't know how to do nothing but moan, pray and
have babies!

(The line is too bitter even
for him and he looks at her and
sits down)

RUTH

Oh Walter ...

(Softly)
Honey, why can't you stop fighting me?

WALTER

(Without thinking)
Who's fighting you? Who even cares about you --? don't

(This line begins the retardation
of this mood)

RUTH

Well --

(She waits a long time and
then with resignation starts
to put away her things)

I guess I might as well go on to bed ...

(More or less to herself)

I don't know where we lost it ... but we have ...

w She will not destroy him
again.

A. Get him to care
o. enough to stop abortion

R. Please look at me - care

A. Get rid of her.

w

A. Get rid of baby.

R. No use

o. Find new life somewhere

2-1-15

WALTER (Cont'd)

How we gets to the place where we scared to talk softness to each other.

(He waits, thinking hard himself)

Why you think it got to be like that?

(He is thoughtful, almost as a child would be)

Ruth, what is it gets into people ought to be close?

RUTH X Basket on each

I don't know, honey. I think about it a lot.

WALTER

On account of you and me, you mean. The way things are with us. The way something done come down between us.

RUTH

There ain't so much between us, Walter...Not when you come to me and try to talk to me. Try to be with me...a little even.

WALTER

(Total honesty)

Sometimes...sometimes...I don't even know how to try.

RUTH

Walter --

WALTER

Yes -- ?

RUTH

(Coming to him, gently and with misgiving, but coming to him)

Honey...Life don't have to be like this. I mean sometimes people can do things so that things are better...Touch touch

WALTER

Know: Baby, but I want things more than better.

RUTH

(She crosses to him slowly where he is sitting and eventually has his head against her stomach as she gropes for what she wants to tell him)

You remember how we used to talk when Travis was born...About the way we were going to live...the kind of house...

(She is stroking his head)

...Well, it's all starting to slip away from us...

(MAMA enters and WALTER jumps up and shouts at her)

WALTER

Mama, where have you been?

MAMA

My -- them steps is longer than they used to be. Whew! X CLOET

(She sits down and ignores him)

How you feeling this evening, Ruth?

2-1-17

RUTH
"Mama I" nothing! You're going to get it, boy! Get on in that bedroom and get yourself ready!

TRAVIS

But I --

MAMA

Why don't ya'll never let the child explain hisself.

RUTH

Keep out of it now, Lena.

(MAMA clamps her lips together and RUTH advances toward her son menacingly)

RUTH

A thousand times I have told you not to go off like that --

MAMA

(Holding out her hand to her grandson)

Well -- at least let me tell him something. I want him to be the first one to hear ... Come here, Travis.

(The BOY obeys, gladly)

Travis --

(She takes him by the shoulders and looks into his face)

You know that money we got in the mail this morning?

TRAVIS

Yes'm --

MAMA

Well -- what you think your grandmama gone and done with that money?

TRAVIS

I don't know, Grandmama.

MAMA

(Putting her finger on his nose for emphasis)

She went out and she bought you a house!

(The explosion comes from WALTER at the end of the revelation and he jumps up and turns away from all of them in a fury)

TRAVIS

What's the matter with daddy?

2-1-20

MAMA (Cont'd)

just a plain little old house -- but it's made good and solid --
and it will be ours. Walter Lee -- it makes a difference in a
man when he can walk on floors that belong to him ...

RUTH

MAMA

(Frightened at this telling)

Well -- well -- it's out there in Clybourne Park --

(RUTH'S radiance fades abruptly
and WALTER finally turns slowly
to face his mother with
incredulity and hostility)

RUTH

MAMA

(Matter of factly)

406 Clybourne St., Clybourne Park.

RUTH

Clybourne Park? Mama, there ain't no colored people living in
Clybourne Park.

MAMA

(Almost idiotically)

Well, I guess there is going to be now.

WALTER

(Bitterly)

So that's the peace and comfort you went out and bought for us
today!

MAMA

(Raising her eyes to meet his
finally)

Son -- I just tried to find the nicest place for the least
amount of money for my family.

RUTH

(Trying to recover from the
shock)

Well -- well -- 'course I ain't one never been 'fraid of no
crackers, mind you -- but well, wasn't there no other houses
nowhere?

MAMA

MAMA

Then houses they put up for colored in them areas way out all seem to cost twice as much as other houses. I did the best I could.

Where is it?

In his defeat he finds his
mother fallability and weakness
in her need for him.

Hates her for destroying
her and now will destroy
her by destroying self.

Where?

AMAM

RUTH

AMAM

ef-fs

2-2-29

JOHNSON (Cont'd)

DATING

(With a tremendous and rather insincere sense of melodrama)

'Course I think it's wonderful how our folks keep on pushing out there. You hear some of these Negroes round here talking 'bout how they don't go where they ain't wanted and all that -- but not me, honey --

(This is a lie)

Whilhemina Othella Johnson goes anywhere, any time she feels like it!

(With head movement for emphasis)

Yes I do! Why if we left it up to these here crackers the poor niggers wouldn't have nothing --

(She clasps her hand over her mouth)

Oh, I always forgets you don't 'low that word in your house.

MAMA

(Quietly, looking at her)

No -- I don't 'low it.

JOHNSON

(Vigorously again)

Me neither! I was just telling Isaiah yesterday when he come using it in front of me -- I said, "Isaiah -- it's just like Mis' Younger says all the time --"

MAMA

Don't you want some more pie?

JOHNSON

LOVING AT STOVE

No -- no thank you; this was lovely. I got to get on over home and have my midnight coffee. I hear some people say it don't let them sleep but I finds I can't close my eyes right lessen I done had that last cup of coffee at night ... Goodnight Coffee, I call it!

MAMA

(With much eye-rolling and communication between herself and RUTH)

Ruth, why don't you give Mis' Johnson some coffee.

(RUTH looks up from the paper and gives MAMA an unpleasant look for her kindness)

GOES FOR COFFEE

JOHNSON

(Accepting the coffee which RUTH pours for her without friendliness)

Where's Brother tonight?

MAMA

He's lying down.

2-2-34

WALTER

Mama -- you don't know all the things a man what got leisure
can find to do in this city... What's this -- Friday night?
Well -- Wednesday I borrowed Willy Harris' car and I went for
a drive...Just me and myself and I drove and drove ... Way out
... way past South Chicago and I parked the car and I sat and
looked at the steel mills all day long. I just sat in the car
and looked at them big black chimneys for hours. Then I drove
back and I went to the Green Hat.

And Thursday -- Thursday I borrowed the car again and I got in
it and I pointed it the other way and I drove the other way --
for hours -- way, way up to Wisconsin and I looked at the farms.
I just drove and looked at the farms. Then I drove back and I
went to the Green Hat.

And today -- Today I didn't get the car. Today I just walked.
All over the Southside. And I looked at the Negroes and they
looked at me and finally I just sat down on the curb at 39th and
South Parkway and I just sat there and watched the Negroes go
by. And then I went to the Green Hat. Y'all sad? Y'all
depressed? And you know where I am going right now --
MA-SIF

(RUTH goes out quietly)

MAMA

Big Walter, is this the harvest of our days?

W.

JACKET

START OUT

WALTER

You know what I like about the Green Hat --
(He goes and turns on the radio and a
steamy, deep blues pours into the room)

I like this little cat they got there who blows a sax...He
blows. He talks to me. He ain't but 'bout five feet tall
and he's got a conked head and his eyes is always closed and
he's all music --

MAMA

(Rising and getting some papers out
of her handbag)

Walter --

WALTER

And there's another fellow who plays the piano...and they got
a sound. I mean they can work on some music... They got the
best little combo in the world in the Green Hat...You can
just sit there and drink and listen to them three men play and
you realize that don't nothing count worth a damn, but being
there --

MAMA

I've helped do it to you, haven't I, son? Walter, I been
wrong.