Plays 1 by Katori Hall

Author:Katori Hall [Hall, Katori]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781408177754
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published: 2013-10-28T04:00:00+00:00

Scene Six

The sounds of a boisterous crowd from below waft into the beauty shop. Mabel sits in the window wearing her blonde wig, watching the festivities on the street. Buzz enters looking sharp. He is out of his post office uniform for once. He has flowers in his hand.

Mabel Don’t nobody want what you got.

Buzz You still sour? Aww, Mabel.

Mabel Don’t you ‘Aww, Mabel’ me, man.

Buzz How many times do I need to apologize?

Mabel Till you die.

Taffy floats down the stairs looking like the new firecracker she is. She giggles when she gets to the bottom.

Buzz Mmph. Mmph. MMPH! You sho’ll is lookin’ mighty right in that dress.

Taffy Aww, Buzz. Quit!

Buzz I ain’t quittin’ nothin’. I done bought these flowers for you, Miss Laughy Taffy.

Mabel Prolly got poison in the petals or razor blades in the thorns.

Taffy (ignoring Mabel) Thank you, Buzz. You really likey?

Buzz Mmmhmm.

Taffy spins around.

Buzz Ohh, don’t hurt nobody, now.

Mabel Somebody hurt him. Please.

Miss Mary comes down the stairs looking all spiffy too. Followed by Gladys. Then Leanne. They notice Buzz and Taffy sitting on the parlor couch together.

Miss Mary This surely been a summer of love.

Gladys Sho’ll has.

Leanne Sho’ll has.

Beat.

Mabel You know she used to pee in the bed.

Taffy No, I / didn’t!

Mabel Yes, you / did!

Taffy I HATE / YOU!

Mabel I’ma tell mama you took my / man!

Taffy He wun’t yo’s to begin wit’! Ain’t you married? ’Sides stuff need to be took ’way from you. You used to take my toys away from me when I could / barely walk.

Mabel Will you ever lay that / to rest?

Leanne Oil and water.

Gladys Sugar and cheese grits.

Miss Mary Nigras and crackers.

Buzz Don’t worry, ladies. There enough of me for two women. (To Mabel.) I like white women, too.

Mabel hits Buzz across the chest with her pocketbook. He laughs.

They are all walking out to the parade when there is a buzz at the door.

Miss Mary Mabel, I thought I toldju to put my sign up? I ain’t doin’ no mo’ heads today.

Mabel Ain’t nobody been wantin’ to come up in here and ain’t nobody finna start, you ole hair snatcher, you!

The front door opens. A man limps in. A soldier. His uniform is wrinkled. He hobbles in on a crutch. One of his arms is missing.

Buzz Partner, you need help?

Bobby No sir. I thanks I got it.

He stumbles then rights himself.

Too bad I can’t grow me a new arm.

Silence.

That a joke.

They don’t laugh.

Bobby Y’all folk never liked my jokes.

Miss Mary Who is you, son?

Leanne Bobby. Bobby? That you?

Bobby ’Fraid so. (Beat.) Leanne. You look the same.

Leanne You do, too.

Gladys stands there in shock. She walks over to the bay window and stares out. Everyone just stands back in awe.

Bobby I came to deliver a letter to –

Leanne Me? Another letter just for me! Oh, my Bobby! My Bobby! You done come back to get me. I never thought this day would come. (She turns to Gladys.) You were right, Gladys, I got on my knees and prayed and here Bobby is – here you are, Bobby.

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