Three Plays | Page 5

in de Mississippi River and skim ugly for six months.
Man (Skanko) Look here, Cliff, don't yo' personate me! Counting from de little finger back to de thumb--yo' start anythin', I go yo' some.
Cliff Go head and grab me buddie, but if yo' don't know how to turn me loose too, don't bring de mess up! If yo' hit me, I may not beat you, but yo'll be so dirty when St. Peter git yo' dat he can't use yo'.
Man (Skanko) Don't call me buddy. Yo' buddy is huntin' coconuts. Don't yo' try to throw me for a nap. Do. I'll kill yo' so stiff dead they'll have to push yo' down. Yo' gointer to make me do some double cussin' on you. (He picks up a heavy stick and walks back towards Cliff) Now I got dis farmer's choice in my hands, yo' better git outa my face.
Cliff Yo' wanta fight?
Man Yeah I wanta fight. Put it where I kin use it and I'll sho' use it. I'll fight anybody. I get so hot sometimes I fights de corner of de house. I'm so hot I totes a pistol to keep from gettin' in a fight wid myself. I prints dangerous every time I sit down in, in a chair.
Cliff Man, this ain't no fighting weather. Ha, ha, ha! Did yo' think I was mad sho' nuff? Yo' can't fight me. They's got to be runnin' before fightin' and they's got to be plenty good runnin' before dis fight comes off.
Man All right now. Yo' leave me alone and I'm a good man. I'm just like an old shoe. If yo' rain on me and cool me off I'm soft! If yo' shine on me and git me hot, I'm hard. (He drops the stick and exits)
(Cliff is shaking all over. He looks after the Man to be sure he is gone)
Good Black Kah, kah, kah. Whut yo' so scarred about? De way yo' was talkin' I though yo' was mad enough to fight.
Cliff I was. I gits hot real quick! But I'm very easy cooled when de man I'm mad wid is bigger'n me. (He drops into his seat, wiping his face) Man did yo' see how he grabbed up dat check? He done skeered me into a three-week's spasm!
Good Black's Wife Good Black, dese clothes is still waiting.
Good Black Well, let 'em wait on, I done tole yo' once. Yo' kind run yo' mouf but yo' can't run my business.
(Enter a PRETTY GIRL. She strolls happily across without stopping. Good Black pretends to cough)
Good Black Who is dat?
Girl (Turns and glares at him) My old man got something for dat cough yo' got.
Cliff Dat's right, tell dese old mullet hear married men to mind they own business. Now, take me for instance. I'm a much-right man. (Gets up and approaches her flirtatiously) I didn't quite git yo' name straight. Yo' better tell it to me again.
Girl My name is Bee Ethel, turned round to Jones.
Cliff (Flirtatiously) Yo' pretty lil ole ground angel yo'? Where did yo' come from?
Bee Ethel Detroit. Yo' like me?
Cliff Do I lak yo'? I love yo' just lak God loves Gabriel, and dat's his best angel. Go 'head and say somethin'. I jus' love to hear yo' talk.
Bee Ethel Gimme five dollars. I need some stockings.
Cliff Now Mama, dis ain't Gimme, Ga. Dis is Waycross. I'm just lak de cemetery. I takes in but never no put out. I ain't puttin' out nothin' but old folks eyes--and I don't do that till they's dead. Run long, mama. (The girl exits and he resumes his seat)
Cliff Come on, Good Black, lemme wrap dis checker roun yo' neck.
Good Black Gimme time, gimme time! Don't try to rush me. (He begins same business of figuring out moves and scratching his head)
(Enter two or three girls and fellows. The girls are dressed in cool summer dresses, but nothing elaborate)
Lonnie I know I'm gointer play something now. (He tunes and plays "Cold Rainy Day". He begins to sing and the others join in. Not all. But all start to dancing. They couple off as far as possible and Lindy. The men unmated do hot solo steps. The men cry out in ecstacy)
1. Shimmy! If you can't shimmy, shake your head.
2. Look, baby, look! Throw it in de alley
3. Look, if you can't look, stick out, and if you can't stick out, git out. (At the end of the son and dance, one of the girls exclaim)
Girl Aw, we got to go. Mama's looking for us. (The three girls exit, walking happily. The men watch them go)
Cliff Oh boy, look at 'em! Switching it and looking back at it. (He imitates the girl's walk)
Good Black Yeah Lawd, ain't they specifyin'! They handles a lot of traffic.
Cliff (Seating himself again) Yeah,