James Weldon Johnson,
#138 Lee Street,
Jacksonville, Fla.

THE BLACK BILLIONAIRE

( He Makes an Investment )

A Darkey Comedy ----- By James Weldon Johnson.

Synopsis.

Mose Jenkins, a darkey farmer accidently strikes oil.
He brings his roll to the city where he falls into the
hands of Dandy Dan, who separates Mose from some of his
cash while he introduces him into Darktown society. Mose's
social career is short and disastrous.

Dan next induces Mose to invest, so as to double up his
money. Dan finds a broken down undertaker's business which
two partners are anxious to sell. They frame up for Mose
by hiring a half dozen men to act as stiffs. These men are
laid out in shrouds when Dan brings Mose to look the business
over; the signs of rushing business induce Mose to purchase.
Later, the same night the "stiffs" show decided signs of life.
Mose peeps through the keyhole and sees enough to cause him to
leave the whole business without delay.

# The Black Billionaire.

## (He Makes an Investment)

Action.

Scene 1- FIELD, beside ROAD-

Mose ploughing in field behind old mule-
pipe- passes through-

Scene 2- ROAD-

Brown and Smith prospecting, drive through-

Scene 3- Same as No. 1- (FIELD, beside road)

Mose comes on ploughing- stops in front of camera-
near a puddle- sits on plough handle- mops face- re-
fills pipe- lights- throws match into puddle- sudden
flame leaps up- Mose falls over in fright- thinks the
devil has sprung up before him- Brown and Smith drive
in- note Mose and flame- they alight and go over to in-
vestigate- they exchange knowing glances-

Cut in--- "OIL!"---

Back to scene- they question Mose- Mose still fright-
ened- they consult- Ask Mose if he owns the land- Mose
nods "yes"- they write out contract- Mose signs-

Cut in--- Part of contract on screen-:

---hereby grants and conveys all lands described to
Brown and Smith.

Signed,
Mose Jenkins."

Back to scene- they give Mose large package of bills-
Brown and Smith drive off- Mose looks after them dumb-
founded-

J. W. J.

The Black Billionaire.
-continued-

full tray- contents of dishes spill over
Mose- Mose turns in confusion- bowing and backing- overturns
sideboard- breaks dishes and glasses- (overturns
tables, etc. ad. lib to suit producer) Angelina, Dan,
waiters and proprietor running about restaurant seek-
ing places of safety- this confuses Mose so much the
more- Mose still backing- backs out of door- turns
and runs- Dan exits after him-

Leader- Dan gets the Black Billionaire an invitation to the Ball.

Scene 8- (MOSE'S LODGINGS- INTERIOR)

Mose on unpacking grip- enter Dan hurriedly- hands
Mose invitation- speaks- indicates "must go, I'll see
you to-night"- exits hurriedly- Mose reads invitation-

Cut in--- Invitation on screen-:

"You are invited to attend a ball to-night given by
the Elite Social Club.

The Committee"

Nobody admitted except in evening clothes.

Back to scene- Mose reading and scratching head-
takes night shirt- holds it out- looks dubious- scratch-
es head- puts shirt down- exits-

Scene 9- STREET in front of CLOTHING STORE-

Mose comes out of store carrying flat box- registers
satisfaction- goes off down street-

Scene 10- BALLROOM-

Well dressed couples on dancing- Mose enters- he has
on bum silk hat, long coat buttoned up, but showing high
collar and necktie- giving impression of being correctly
dressed- he notes dress of other men- dancing stops-
Angelina rushes over- greets Black Billionaire- she in-
troduces him around- all have heard of his money- she
suggests his removing hat and coat- Mose takes off hat-
reluctantly removes coat, disclosing loud striped suit of
pajamas- ladies scandalized- men lay hands on Mose- he
tried to explain- he resists being thrown out- rough
house ensues- they finally hurl him into street- throw
his hat and coat after him-

J. W. J.

## Scene 11- STREET in front of HALL-

Mose landing- hat and coat following- Dan enters from up street- picks Mose up- questions him- indicates he will get him proper clothes and take him back into the ball-

Cut in--- "Never again! If dat's society, excuse me!"

Back to scene- Dan persuading- Mose shaking head-puts on coat and hat- exits down street- Dan laughs- enters hall-

Leader- Mose is disgusted with society. Dan initiates him into business.

## Scene 12- INTERIOR UNDERTAKER'S OFFICE)-

Black at desk- White pacing room- they talk over business outlook- register gloom- Black makes decision-writes- hands letter to White- White reads-

Cut in--- Part of letter on screen-

---"Our business has become so bad that there is absolutely no money in it. People here refuse to die, and those who do seem to prefer some other undertaker. Any offer you may get will buy the business."

Yours truly,
Black & White.

Back to scene- White hands letter to Black- registers approval- White walks over to window- looks out- registers excitement outside- grabs Black- they rush out of door-

## Scene 13- STREET in front of UNDERTAKER-

Automobile or other accident knocking man down- man brought over to sidewalk in front of undertakers'- apparently dead- Black and White come down- express great satisfaction- urge that man be taken into their establishment- Black and White just about to lend a hand to carry man in- someone dashes pail of water over him- man snorts- gets up- walks off- crowd laughs- Black and White disgusted- Dan comes on- greets- talks with Black and White- they exit back into office-

J. W. J.

The Black Billionaire.

-continued-

6

Scene 14- Back to No. 12- (INT. UNDERTAKERS)

Dan, Black and White enter- they talk- Partners
register gloom- Black shows Dan the letter- Dan reads-

Cut in --- Letter on screen:-

---"Our business has become so bad that there is
absolutely no money in it. People here re-
fuse to die, and those who do seem to prefer some
other undertaker. Any offer you may get will buy
the business.

Yours truly,
Black & White."

Back to scene- Dan holding letter in hand- thinks-
registers "bright idea"- unfolds plan to Black & White-
a plan to sell establishment to Black Billionaire- they
become suddenly cheerful- Dan tears up letter- Dan and
Black say "so long" to White- they exit-

Scene 15- STREET CORNER-

Crowd of six or eight colored men on- some shooting
ee crap- others watching game- enter Dan and Black
from down street- they talk with men- half dozen of
the men go off with Dan and Black-

Scene 16- Same as No. 14- (INT. UNDERTAKERS)

White on- rubbing hands and smiling- Dan and Black
enter with men- they talk to men- men register approv-
al- Dan exits- Black beckons men to follow him into em-
balming room-

Scene 17- EMBALMING ROOM-

Enter Black with men- men begin to remove hats,
coats, etc.- they begin arranging cooling boards-

Leader "You must invest, and double your money"
Scene 18- STREET (NIGHT)

Dan and Mose coming through- Dan talking eloquently
and earnestly- Mose listening attentively- they pass
through-

Cut in "You must invest, and double your money"
Scene 19- Back to No. 17- (EMBALMING ROOM)

One man completely shrouded, lying out stiff on

J. W. J.

The Black Billionaire
-continued-

Scene 25- OFFICE- Back to No. 23-

Enter Mose scanning list of figures- sits at desk-
adds up figures-

Scene 26- EMBALMING ROOM- Back to No. 22-

Figures on cooling boards- one head looks up- then
another- and another- all are looking up grinning- one
registers thirst- they get up in shrouds- one finds
tin pail marked "growler" - all shove him toward door-
only one way out and that through office- one with pail
starts to sneak through door-

Scene 27- OFFICE- Same as No. 25-

Mose seated at desk studying figures- looking pleas-
ed- shrouded man with pail cracks door and peeps thru-
Mose engrossed with his accounts- shrouded man opens
door- sneaks across to street door- opens street door-
noise attracts Mose- he turns and looks just as white
figure goes out of door- Mose jumps up- shows fright-

Scene 28- Back to EMBALMING ROOM-

Shrouded figures grouped down on floor playing dice-
talking and laughing-

Scene 29- Back to OFFICE-

Mose listens to noises from embalming room- fright
increases- tremblingly goes over to door leading to em-
balming room- listens- attempts to cautiously open
door- courage fails- listens- stoops and peers thru
keyhole-

Scene 30- Keyhole vision of shrouded men playing dice-

Scene 31- Back to No. 29- (OFFICE)

Mose peering thru keyhole- staggers back- screams
with fright- falls out on floor- enter shrouded figures-
group about Mose- they register "He has fainted, get
water to revive him"- Mose comes to- opens eyes- sees
figures- rubs eyes- takes one more good look- springs
up- goes through window- shrouded figures crowd through
street door-

J. W. J.

Scene 32- STREET-

Dan, Black and White walking through- Mose runs
thru rapidly- Dan, Black & White point and laugh-
they go off down street-

Scene 33- OFFICE-Same as No. 31-

Shrouded figures enter- they remove hoods- talk
and laugh heartily- enter one with growler- all drink
from pail- enter Dan, Black & White- they recount in-
cident- laugh heartily- men take off shrouds- Dan pays
off each man- men exit laughing- Dan, Black and White
share money- they fall into chairs laughing-

Scene 34- LONG STRAIGHT ROAD-

Mose runs in- runs rapidly up road till he fades
in the distance-

CURTAIN