American Playhouse; No. 324; A Raisin in the Sun; Part 1

<v Ruth>Wake up, Travis. Come on now, boy. <v Ruth>I say, hurry up, Travis. <v Ruth>You ain't the only person in the world that got to use a bathroom. <v Ruth>Walter Lee it's after 7:30, let me see you doing some waking up in there. <v Ruth>Travis, come on. <v Ruth>You better get on up from there, man. It's after 7:30, I tell you. <v Ruth>All right. You just go ahead and lay there. <v Ruth>Next thing you know, Travis'll be finished, Mr. Johnson gonna be in there and you'll be <v Ruth>fussing and cussing round here like a mad man and be late too. <v Ruth>Walter Lee, it is time for you to get up.

<v Sound>[Walter yelps]. <v Music>[Low, slightly ominous jazz playing] <v Walter Lee>Is he out yet? <v Ruth>Whatcha mean out? He hardly got in there good yet. <v Walter Lee>What you doing all that yelling for if I can't even get in there yet? <v Walter Lee>Check coming today? <v Ruth>They say it's Saturday. This is just Friday. <v Ruth>I hope to God you ain't gonna be getting up here first thing this morning, start talking <v Ruth>to me about no money because I about don't want to hear it. <v Walter Lee>Something the matter with you this morning? <v Ruth>No, just sleepy as the devil. <v Ruth>What kind of eggs you want? <v Walter Lee>Not scrambled. <v Walter Lee>Paper come? Hm.

<v Walter Lee>Set off another A-bomb yesterday. <v Ruth>Did they? <v Walter Lee>What's the matter with you? <v Ruth>Ain't nothing the matter with me. And don't keep asking me that this morning. <v Walter Lee>Ain't nobody bothers you. <v Walter Lee>It says Dan McCormick is sick. <v Ruth>Is he now? Poor thing. <v Walter Lee>That boy been in that bathroom all this time, he's just going to have to start getting up <v Walter Lee>earlier, I can't be being late to work on account of him fooling around in there. <v Ruth>Oh no, he would be getting up no earlier, no such thing. <v Ruth>Ain't his fault he can't get to bed no earlier nights cause he got a bunch of crazy good <v Ruth>for nothing clown sitting up running their mouths in what's supposed to be his bedroom <v Ruth>after 10:00 at night. <v Walter Lee>That's what's the matter with you, huh, ain't it? Things I want to talk about with my <v Walter Lee>friends just couldn't be important in your mind, could they? <v Ruth>Why you always got to smoke before you eat in the morning?

<v Walter Lee>Just look at them down there. <v Walter Lee>Just running around racing to work. <v Walter Lee>You look young this morning, baby. <v Ruth>Yeah? <v Walter Lee>Just for a second, stirring them eggs. <v Walter Lee>Just one second it was. You look real young again. <v Walter Lee>It's gone now. You look like yourself again. <v Ruth>If you don't shut up and leave me alone. <v Walter Lee>The first thing a man ought to learn his life is not to make love to no colored woman <v Walter Lee>first thing in the morning. Y'all some evil people at 8:00 in the morning. <v Travis>Daddy, come on. <v Ruth>Sit down and have your breakfast, Travis.

<v Travis>Mom, this is Friday. Check coming tomorrow. <v Ruth>You get your mind off of money and eat your breakfast. <v Travis>This is the morning we're supposed to be 50 cents to school. <v Ruth>Well, I ain't got no 50 cents this morning. <v Travis>Teacher said we have to. <v Ruth>I don't care what teachers say. I ain't got it. <v Ruth>Now go eat your breakfast. Travis. <v Travis>I am going to eat it. <v Ruth>Hush up, then, and just eat. <v Travis>You think grandmama would have it? <v Ruth>No, and I want you to stop asking your grandmama for money, you hear me? <v Travis>Golly, I don't ask her, she just give me it some time. <v Ruth>Travis Willard Younger I got too much on me this morning. <v Travis>Maybe Daddy- <v Ruth>Travis. <v Travis>Could I maybe go carry some groceries in front of the supermarket after school then? <v Ruth>Just hush I said. <v Ruth>Travis, if you're through eating, then you can get on over there and make up your bed. <v Travis>I'm gone.

<v Ruth>Come here. <v Ruth>Boy, if you don't take this comb and fix this here head, you better. <v Ruth>You're about to march out of here with that hair looking like chicken slept in it. <v Ruth>Just don't know where you get your slubborn ways. <v Ruth>Go get your jacket, too, it looks chilly out this morning. <v Ruth>Get your carfare and your lunch money. <v Ruth>Not a single penny for no cap, you hear me? <v Travis>Yes. <v Ruth>Oh, Mama makes me so mad sometimes <v Ruth>I don't know what to do. <v Ruth>I wouldn't kiss that woman goodbye this morning. <v Ruth>Not for nothing in this world. <v Ruth>Not for nothing in this world. <v Ruth>Now, whose little old angry man are you?

<v Travis>Oh golly, Mama. <v Ruth>Oh, golly, Mama. <v Ruth>Get on out of here, sugar. You're going to be late. <v Travis>Oh, Mama, could I please go carry groceries? <v Ruth>Honey, it's starting to get so cold. <v Walter Lee>What is it he wants to do? <v Ruth>Go carry groceries at the supermarket. <v Walter Lee>Oh well, let him go. <v Travis>I have to. She won't give me the 50 cent. <v Walter Lee>Why not? <v Ruth>Because we don't have it. <v Walter Lee>What you tell the boy things like that for? <v Walter Lee>Here, son. <v Travis>Thanks, Daddy. <v Walter Lee>In fact, here's another 50 cents. <v Walter Lee>Buy yourself some fruit today. Take a taxicab to school to something. <v Walter Lee>[gleeful cheers] You <v Walter Lee>better get down now. Get to school, man. <v Travis>Okay. Bye. <v Walter Lee>That's my boy.

<v Walter Lee>Want to know what I was thinking about in the bathroom this morning? <v Ruth>No. <v Walter Lee>How come you always try to be so pleasant? <v Ruth>What is there to be pleasant about? <v Walter Lee>You want to know what I was thinking about in the bathroom or not? <v Ruth>I know what you was thinking about. <v Walter Lee>About what me and Willy Harris was talking about last night. <v Ruth>Willy Harris is a good for nothing loudmouth. <v Walter Lee>Anybody who talks to me has got to be a good-for-nothing loud mouth, ain't he? <v Walter Lee>And what do you know about who's a good-for-nothing loudmouth? <v Walter Lee>Charlie Atkins was just a good-for-nothing loudmouth, too, wasn't he? <v Walter Lee>When he wanted me to go on dry cleaning business with him. <v Walter Lee>Now he's grossing a hundred thousand dollars a year. <v Walter Lee>One hundred thousand dollars. <v Walter Lee>You still called him a good-for-nothing loudmouth. <v Ruth>Oh, Walter Lee. <v Walter Lee>You're tired, ain't you baby? <v Walter Lee>Tired of everything in me, the boy where <v Walter Lee>we live, this beat-up hole, everything, ain't you? <v Walter Lee>So tired and moaning and groaning all the time.

<v Walter Lee>But you wouldn't do nothing to help, would you? You couldn't be on my side that long for <v Walter Lee>nothing, could you? <v Ruth>Walter leave me alone. <v Walter Lee>A a man needs a woman to back him up. <v Ruth>Walter. <v Walter Lee>Mama would listen to you. <v Walter Lee>You know, she'd listen to you more than she do me and Billy. <v Walter Lee>She think more of you. <v Walter Lee>All you have to do when you sit down with her, you drink your coffee and talking about <v Walter Lee>things like you do. And you sip your coffee, see and say easy like, <v Walter Lee>that you've been thinking about the deal Walter Lee's so interested in about the store <v Walter Lee>and all. And then you sip some more coffee, like what you're saying ain't really that <v Walter Lee>important to you. And next thing you know, she, she listening good <v Walter Lee>and asking you questions. And when I come home, I can tell her all the details. <v Walter Lee>Oh, baby. This ain't no fly by night proposition. <v Walter Lee>I mean, we figured it out. Me, William. Bobo. <v Ruth>Bobo? <v Walter Lee>Yeah. You see this liquor store costs $75000. <v Walter Lee>We figured the initial investment on the place'd be $30000, see. <v Walter Lee>That's $10000 each. Of course there's a couple of hundred you've got to pay so you don't

<v Walter Lee>spend your life waiting on them clowns to get your license approved. <v Ruth>You mean graft? <v Walter Lee>Don't call it that. <v Walter Lee>You see that, that just goes to show you what a woman understands about the world. <v Walter Lee>Baby, don't nothing happen for you in this world unless you pay somebody off. <v Ruth>Walter, leave me alone. <v Ruth>Eat your eggs. They're gonna be cold. <v Walter Lee>See that? Man, says to his woman, I got a dream. His woman says eat your eggs. <v Walter Lee>Man says, I got to take hold of this here world, baby, and a woman <v Walter Lee>will say eat your eggs and go to work, man says, I got to change my <v Walter Lee>life, I'm choking to death, baby. And this woman says your eggs is getting cold. <v Ruth>Walter that ain't none of our money. <v Walter Lee>This morning, I'm looking in the mirror and I'm thinking about it. <v Walter Lee>I'm 35 years old. I've been married 11 years. <v Walter Lee>I've got a boy who sleeps in the living room. And all I've got to give me is nothing. <v Walter Lee>Nothing but stories about how rich white people live.

<v Ruth>Eat your eggs, Walter. <v Walter Lee>Damn them eggs. Damn all the eggs there ever was. <v Ruth>Then go to work. <v Walter Lee>See that? <v Walter Lee>I'm trying to talk to you about me and all you can say is eat them eggs and go to work. <v Ruth>Honey, you never say nothing new. <v Ruth>I listen to you every day, every night, every morning. <v Ruth>You never say nothing new. So you would rather be Mr. Arnold than be a chauffeur. <v Ruth>So I would rather be living in Buckingham Palace. <v Walter Lee>That's just what's wrong with the colored women in the world. Don't understand about <v Walter Lee>building the men up, making them feel like they're somebody, like they can do something. <v Ruth>There are colored men who do things. <v Walter Lee>Yeah. No thanks to the colored woman. <v Ruth>Well, being a colored woman, I guess I can't help myself none. <v Walter Lee>We're just a group of men tied to race of women with small minds. <v Beneatha>I am going to start timing those people.

<v Walter Lee>You should get up earlier. <v Beneatha>Really? Would you suggest dawn? <v Beneatha>Where's the paper? <v Walter Lee>You sure one horrible looking chick at this hour. <v Beneatha>Good morning, everybody. <v Walter Lee>How's school coming? <v Beneatha>Lovely, lovely. <v Beneatha>And you know, biology is the greatest. I dissected something that looked just like <v Beneatha>you yesterday. <v Walter Lee>I was just wondering if you made up your mind and everything. <v Beneatha>And what did I answer yesterday morning and the day before that? <v Ruth>Don't be so nasty, Ben. <v Beneatha>And the day before that and the day before that? <v Walter Lee>I'm interested in you. Something wrong with that? <v Walter Lee>Ain't many girls decide [simultaneously with Beneatha: to be a doctor.] <v Walter Lee>Have we figured out yet just exactly how much medical school is gonna cost?

<v Beneatha>Come on out of there, please. <v Ruth>Walter Lee, why don't you leave that girl alone and get out here to work? <v Walter Lee>You know, the check comes tomorrow. <v Beneatha>That money belongs to Mama, Walter and it's for her to decide how she wants to use <v Beneatha>it. I don't care if she wants to buy a house or a rocket ship or just nail <v Beneatha>it up somewhere and look at it. It's hers, not ours. <v Beneatha>Hers. <v Walter Lee>Now ain't that fine. You just got your mother's interests at heart, ain't you girl? <v Walter Lee>You're such a nice girl. <v Walter Lee>But Mama can always take a few thousand, help you through school, can't she? <v Beneatha>I have never asked anyone around here to do anything for me. <v Walter Lee>No. But the line between asking and just accepting when the time comes is big and <v Walter Lee>wide, ain't it? <v Beneatha>Well, what do you want for me, brother? That I quit school or just drop dead, which?

<v Walter Lee>I don't want nothing except for you to stop acting holy around here. <v Walter Lee>Me and Ruth done made some sacrifices for you. <v Walter Lee>Why can't you do something for the family? <v Ruth>Walter, don't be dragging me in it. <v Walter Lee>You are in it. Don't you get up and go to work in somebody's kitchen to help put clothes <v Walter Lee>on her back? <v Ruth>Oh, Walter, that's not fair. <v Walter Lee>It ain't that we expect you to get down on your knees and say, thank you, brother. <v Walter Lee>Thank you, Ruth. Thank you, Mama. <v Walter Lee>And thank you, Travis for wearing the same pair of shoes for the last two semesters. <v Beneatha>Well, I do. All right. Thank everybody. <v Beneatha>And forgive me for ever wanting to be anything at all. <v Beneatha>Forgive me. Forgive me. Forgive me. <v Beneatha>Forgive me. Forgive me. <v Ruth>Benny, stop it. Your Mama'll hear you. <v Walter Lee>And who the hell told you you have to be a doctor. <v Walter Lee>If you're so crazy about messing around sick people then be a nurse like other women or <v Walter Lee>get married and shut up. <v Beneatha>Well, you finally got it said. It took you 3 years, but you <v Beneatha>finally got it said. <v Beneatha>Walter, give up. Leave me alone.

<v Beneatha>It's Mama's money. He was my father too. <v Beneatha>And what? He was mine, too. And Travis, his grandfather. <v Beneatha>But the insurance money belongs to Mama. <v Beneatha>Picking on me is not going to make her give it to you to invest in any liquor store. <v Beneatha>And I for one say God bless Mama for that. <v Walter Lee>Did you hear? Did you hear? <v Ruth>Yes, I did. Honey, just please go to work. <v Walter Lee>Nobody in this house is ever going to understand me. <v Beneatha>Because you're a nut. <v Walter Lee>Hey, who's a nut? <v Beneatha>You. You are a nut. <v Beneatha>Thee is mad boy. <v Walter Lee>The most backward race of people. <v Walter Lee>That's a fact. <v Beneatha>And then there are all those prophets who would lead us out of the wilderness <v Beneatha>into the swamps. <v Ruth>Benny, why you always gotta be picking on your brother. <v Ruth>Can't you be a little sweeter some time? <v Walter Lee>I need some money. <v Walter Lee>For carfare. <v Ruth>50 cents?

<v Ruth>Here, take a taxi. <v Mama>Who's that around here slamming doors at this hour? <v Ruth>That was Walter Lee. He and Benny was at it again. <v Mama>Children and their tempers. <v Mama>Lord, if this little old plant don't get more sun than it's been getting, it ain't never <v Mama>gonna see spring again. <v Mama>Matter with you this morning, Ruth?. <v Mama>You looks right peaked. <v Mama>You aiming to iron all them things? Leave some of them for me. <v Mama>I'll get to him this afternoon. <v Mama>Benny, honey, it's too drafty for you to be sitting around half-dressed. <v Mama>Where's your robe? <v Beneatha>In the cleaners. <v Mama>Well, go get mine and put it on. <v Beneatha>I'm not cold Mama, honest.

<v Mama>I know, honey, but you're so thin. <v Beneatha>Mama, I'm not cold. <v Mama>Lord have mercy. Look at this poor bed. <v Mama>Bless his heart. <v Mama>He tries, don't he? <v Ruth>No, he don't half try at all cause he know you can come along behind him and fix <v Ruth>everything. That's just how come he don't know how to do nothing right now. <v Ruth>You done spoiled that boy so. <v Mama>Well, he's just a little old boy, he ain't supposed to know about housekeeping. <v Mama>My baby. That's what he is. <v Mama>What'd you fix him for breakfast? <v Ruth>I feed my son, Lena. <v Mama>I ain't meddling. I just noticed all last week he had cold <v Mama>cereal. When it start to get this chilly in the fall, a child ought to <v Mama>have some hot grits or something when he goes out. <v Ruth>I gave them hot oats. Is that all right? <v Mama>I ain't meddling? <v Mama>Put a lot of nice butter on it? <v Mama>He likes lots of butter. <v Ruth>Lena. <v Mama>What was you and your brother fussing about?

<v Beneatha>It's not important, Mama. <v Mama>What was they fighting about? <v Ruth>Now you know as well as I do. <v Ruth>Walter Lee still worrying himself sick about that money? <v Ruth>You know he is. <v Mama>You have breakfast? <v Ruth>Some coffee. <v Mama>Girl, you better start eating and looking after yourself better. <v Mama>Almost thin as Travis. <v Ruth>Lena? <v Mama>Mhm? <v Ruth>What are you gonna do with it? <v Mama>Now don't you start, child. It's too early in the morning to be talking about money. <v Mama>Besides, it ain't Christian. <v Ruth>It's just that he got his heart set on that store. <v Mama>Do you mean that liquor store that Willy Harris want him to invest in? <v Ruth>Yes, ma'am. <v Mama>We ain't no business people, Ruth. We just plain working folks. <v Ruth>Well ain't nobody business people til they go into business. <v Ruth>Walter Lee say that colored people ain't never start getting ahead till they start <v Ruth>gambling on some different kinds of things in the world, like investments and things. <v Mama>What's done got into you, girl?

<v Mama>Walter Lee done finally sold you on investing? <v Ruth>No. <v Ruth>Mama, something is happening between Walter and me and I don't <v Ruth>know what it is. He needs something. <v Ruth>Something I can't give him anymore. He needs this chance, Lena. <v Mama>But liquor, honey? <v Ruth>But like Walter says, people will always be drinking themselves some liquor. <v Mama>Whether they drink it or not ain't none of my business, but whether I sell it to them is. <v Mama>Now I don't want that on my ledger this late in life. <v Mama>Ruth Younger, what is the matter with you today? <v Mama>You look like you could fall over, right there. <v Ruth>I'm tired. <v Mama>Then you better stay home from work. <v Ruth>I can't stay home. <v Ruth>She'd be calling up the agency. <v Ruth>My girl didn't come in, oh send me somebody. <v Ruth>My girl didn't come in. She'd just have a fit. <v Mama>Let her have it. I'll just call up and say you get the flu.

<v Ruth>Why the flu? <v Mama>Cause it sound respectable. It's something white people get too. <v Mama>They know about the flu. <v Mama>Otherwise they think you've been cut up or something when you tell them you're sick. <v Ruth>Well, I gotta go in. We need the money. <v Mama>Lord have mercy. <v Mama>Somebody would have thought my children done all but starved to death the way they talk <v Mama>about money here lately. <v Mama>Girl, we got a great big old check coming in tomorrow. <v Ruth>Now that's your money. Ain't got nothing to do with me and we all feel like that <v Ruth>.Walter, Benny, me, even Travis. <v Mama>$10000. <v Ruth>Sure is wonderful. <v Mama>$10000. <v Ruth>You know what you should do, Miss Lena? <v Ruth>You should take yourself a trip somewhere to Europe or South America <v Ruth>someplace. <v Mama>Oh child. <v Ruth>I'm serious. Just pack up and leave. <v Ruth>Now you forget about the family, and you go and have yourself a ball for once in your

<v Ruth>life. <v Mama>You sound like I'm about ready to die. <v Mama>Who'd go with me? What I'd look like wandering around <v Mama>Europe by myself. <v Ruth>Shoot, you see rich white women do it all the time. <v Ruth>They don't think nothing of packing up their suitcases and piling on one big steamships <v Ruth>and swoosh, they're gone, child. <v Mama>Something always told me I wasn't no rich white woman. <v Ruth>Well, what you gonna do with it, then? <v Mama>I ain't rightly decided. Of course some of it got to be put away for Beneatha's medical <v Mama>school. Ain't nothing going to touch that part of it. <v Mama>Now then. <v Mama>Been thinkin we maybe could meet the notes on our little old two-story <v Mama>somewhere with a yard where Travis could play in the summertime, <v Mama>if we use part of that money as a down payment.

<v Mama>And everybody else kind of pitched in. <v Mama>I could maybe take on a little day work again. <v Ruth>Lord knows we don't put enough rent in this here rattrap. <v Ruth>Paid for 4 houses by now. <v Mama>Rattrap. <v Mama>Yeah, that's all it is. <v Mama>I remember just as well the day me and Big Walter moved in here, though. <v Mama>Hadn't been married but two weeks and wasn't planning on living here <v Mama>more than a year. <v Mama>He was going to set aside little by little, don't you know, and buy us <v Mama>a little place out in Morgan Park. <v Mama>Even picked out the house. Looks right dumpy today, but Lord, child, <v Mama>you should know all the dreams I had about buying that place and fixing <v Mama>it up, making me a little garden in the back.

<v Mama>None of that happened. <v Ruth>Yes, life can be a barrel of disappointments sometimes. <v Mama>And Big Walter used to come in here some nights back then <v Mama>and slumped down on the couch there. Just look at the rug and look <v Mama>at me. Look at the rug and then back at me and I know <v Mama>he was down then. Really down. <v Mama>Then Lord, child and I lost that baby. <v Mama>Little Claude. <v Mama>I almost thought I was gonna lose Big Walter too. <v Mama>Oh, that man grieved hisself. <v Mama>He was one man to love his children. <v Ruth>Nothing can tear at you like losing your baby. <v Mama>I reckon that's how come that man finally worked hisself to death like he done. <v Mama>Like he was fighting his own war against this here world that took his baby from him. <v Ruth>He sure was a fine man, all right.

<v Ruth>I always liked Mr. Younger. <v Mama>Crazy about his children. <v Mama>God knows there was plenty wrong with Walter Younger. <v Mama>Hard-headed, mean, kind of wild with the women. <v Mama>Plenty wrong with him, but he sure loved his children, <v Mama>always wanted him to have something, be something. <v Mama>That's where brother get them notions from, I reckon. <v Mama>Big Walter used to say, he'd get right when <v Mama>in the eyes, lean his head back with the water <v Mama>standing in his eyes and say, seem <v Mama>like God didn't see fit to give the Black man nothing but dreams, <v Mama>but he did give us children to make them dreams seem worthwhile. <v Mama>He could talk like that, don't you know? <v Ruth>Yes, he sure could. <v Ruth>He was a good man, Mr. Younger.

<v Mama>Yes, a fine man. <v Mama>Just couldn't never catch up with his dreams. <v Mama>That's all. <v Beneatha>What could be so dirty on that woman's rug she has to vacuum them every single day? <v Ruth>I wish a certain young woman round here I could name would take inspiration about certain <v Ruth>roles in a certain apartment I could also mention. <v Beneatha>How much cleaning can a house need for Christ sake? <v Mama>Benny. <v Ruth>Just listen to her, just listen. <v Beneatha>Oh, God. <v Mama>If you use the Lord's name just one more time. <v Beneatha>Oh, Mama. <v Ruth>Freh, just fresh as salt, this girl. <v Beneatha>Well, if the salt loses its savor. <v Mama>Now that will do. I just ain't going to have you around here reciting the scripture in <v Mama>vain, you hear me? <v Beneatha>How did I manage to get on everybody's wrong side by just walking into a room? <v Ruth>If you weren't so fresh.

<v Beneatha>Ruth, I'm 20 years old. <v Mama>What time you'll be home from school this evening? <v Beneatha>Kind of late. Madeline is going to start my guitar lessons. <v Mama>Your what kind of lessons? <v Beneatha>Guitar. <v Ruth>Oh, father. <v Mama>How come you've done taken it in into your mind to learn to play the guitar? <v Beneatha>I just want to, that's all. <v Mama>Oh, child, don't you know what to do with yourself? <v Mama>How long it's going to be before you get tired of this now? <v Mama>Like you got tired of that little play acting group you joined last year. <v Mama>What was it the year before that? <v Ruth>Horseback riding club for which you bought that $55 riding habit that's been <v Ruth>hanging in the closet ever since. <v Mama>Why you got the flit so from one thing to another baby? <v Beneatha>I just want to learn to play the guitar. <v Beneatha>Is anything wrong with that? <v Mama>Ain't nobody trying to stop you I just wonder why you have to flit so from one <v Mama>thing to another. You ain't never done nothing with all that camera equipment you <v Mama>bought. <v Beneatha>I don't flit. I experiment with different forms of expression.

<v Ruth>Like riding a horse? <v Beneatha>People have to express themselves one way or another. <v Mama>What is it you want to express? <v Beneatha>Me! <v Beneatha>Don't worry. I don't expect you to understand. <v Mama>Who are you going out with tomorrow? <v Beneatha>George Murchison again. <v Mama>Oh, you get a little sweet on him. <v Ruth>If you ask me she ain't sweet on nobody but herself. <v Ruth>Express herself! <v Beneatha>I like George all right, Momma. <v Beneatha>I mean, I like him enough to go out with him and stuff but I dont-. <v Ruth>What does and stuff mean? <v Beneatha>Mind your own business. <v Mama>Quit picking on her now, Ruth. <v Mama>What does it mean? <v Beneatha>I just mean, I could never really be serious about George. <v Beneatha>He's so shallow. <v Ruth>Shallow, which you mean he's shallow? He's rich. <v Mama>So true.

<v Beneatha>I know he's rich. He knows he's rich, too. <v Ruth>Well, what are the qualities a man got to have to satisfy you, little girl? <v Beneatha>You wouldn't even begin to understand. <v Beneatha>Anybody who married Walter could not possibly understand. <v Mama>Now what kind of way is that for you to talk about your brother? <v Beneatha>Brother is a flip. Let's face it. <v Mama>What's a flip? <v Ruth>She's saying he's crazy. <v Beneatha>Oh, not crazy. Brother isn't really crazy yet. <v Beneatha>He's an elaborate neurotic. <v Mama>Hush your mouth. <v Beneatha>As for George, George looks good. <v Beneatha>He's got a beautiful car. <v Beneatha>He takes me to nice places. <v Beneatha>I even like him sometimes. <v Beneatha>But if the Youngers are sitting around waiting to see if their little Benny is going to <v Beneatha>tie up the family with the Murchinson's, they're wasting their time. <v Ruth>You mean you wouldn't marry George Murchinson even if he asked you someday, that pretty <v Ruth>rich thing? Honey, I knew you was odd. <v Beneatha>No, I would not marry him if all I felt for him is what I feel now. <v Beneatha>Besides, George's family wouldn't really like it.

<v Mama>Why not? <v Beneatha>Oh, Mama. <v Beneatha>The Murchison's are honest to God real live rich colored people <v Beneatha>and the only people in the world who are more snobbish than rich white people are rich <v Beneatha>colored people. <v Beneatha>I thought everybody knew that. I have met Mrs. Murchison. <v Beneatha>She's a scene. <v Mama>You must not dislike people because they're well off, honey. <v Beneatha>Why not? It makes just as much sense as disliking people because they're poor and lots of <v Beneatha>people do that. <v Ruth>Well, she'll get over some of this. <v Beneatha>Get over it. <v Beneatha>What are you talking about, Ruth? Listen, I am going to be a doctor. <v Beneatha>I'm not worried about who I'm going to marry yet. <v Beneatha>If I ever get married. <v Both Ruth and Mama>If? <v Mama>Now Benny. <v Beneatha>Oh, I probably will. <v Beneatha>But first, I am going to be a doctor. <v Beneatha>And George, for one, still thinks that's pretty funny. <v Beneatha>Well, I couldn't be bothered with that. <v Beneatha>I am going to be a doctor and everybody around here better understand that. <v Mama>'Course you're going to be a doctor, honey. God willing.

<v Beneatha>God hasn't got a thing to do with it. <v Mama>Beneatha that just wasn't necessary. <v Beneatha>No? Neither is God. I get sick of hearing about God. <v Mama>Beneatha. <v Beneatha>I am just tired of hearing about God all the time. <v Beneatha>What does he got to do with anything? Does he pay tuition? <v Mama>You just about to get your fresh little jaw slapped. <v Ruth>That's just what she needs. <v Beneatha>Why? Why can't I say what I want to around here like like everybody else? <v Mama>It don't sound nice for young girls to say things like that, you wasn't brought up that <v Mama>way. Me and your daddy went to trouble to get you and brother to church every <v Mama>Sunday. <v Beneatha>Mama, you don't understand. It's all a matter of ideas, and God is just one idea <v Beneatha>I don't accept. <v Beneatha>Well, it's not important. <v Beneatha>I'm not going out and be immoral or commit crimes because I don't believe in God. <v Beneatha>I don't even think about it. It's just that I get tired of him getting credit for <v Beneatha>all the things the human race achieves through its own stubborn effort. <v Beneatha>Well, there simply is no blasted God.

<v Beneatha>There's only man. And it is he who makes miracles. <v Mama>Now, you say after me. <v Mama>In my mother's house, there is still God. <v Mama>In my mother's house, there is still God. <v Beneatha>In my mother's house, there is still God. <v Mama>There are some ideas we just ain't going to have in this house, not as long as I'm <v Mama>still the head of this family. <v Beneatha>Yes, ma'am. <v Ruth>Benny, you think you're a woman, but you're still a little girl.

<v Ruth>What you did was childish, so you got treated like a child. <v Beneatha>I see. <v Beneatha>I also see that everybody thinks it's all right for mother to be a tyrant. <v Beneatha>All the tyranny in the world will never put a God in the heavens. <v Ruth>She said she was sorry. <v Mama>They frightens me Ruth, my children. <v Ruth>You got good children, Lena. <v Ruth>They're just a little off sometimes, but they're good. <v Mama>No. There's something come down between me and them that don't let us understand

<v Mama>each other and I don't know what it is. <v Mama>One of them done almost lost his mind, talking about money all the time, <v Mama>the other done commenced to talk about things that I can't seem to understand in no form <v Mama>or fashion. <v Mama>What is it that's changing, Ruth? <v Ruth>Now you're taken it all too seriously. <v Ruth>You just got strong willed children and it takes a strong woman <v Ruth>like you to keep them in hand. <v Mama>They're spirited, all right, my children. <v Mama>Have to admit they got spirit. <v Mama>Benny and Walter, just like that little old plant that ain't <v Mama>never had enough sunshine or nothing. <v Mama>And look at it. <v Ruth>Sure loves that little old thing, don't you? <v Mama>Yeah. I always wanted me a garden like the ones I used to see back of the houses down <v Mama>home. This here little plant's as close as I ever got to having one. <v Mama>Lord there ain't nothing as dreary as the view from this window on a dreary day

<v Mama>is there? <v Mama>Why ain't you singing on this morning, Ruth? <v Mama>Sing that, uh, No Ways Tired. <v Mama>That song always lifts me up so. <v Mama>Ruth? Ruth, honey, what's the matter? Ruth! <v Music>[low, ominous jazz] <v Travis>Grandmama, <v Travis>that stuff Benny is using smells awful. <v Travis>Can I go downstairs, please? <v Mama>You sure you finish all them chores already? <v Mama>I ain't seen you doing much. <v Travis>Yes, I'm finished early. Where did Mama go this morning? <v Mama>She had to run a little errand. <v Travis>Where? <v Mama>To tend to her business. <v Beneatha>Hello. <v Beneatha>Yes, he is. It's Willy Harris again. <v Walter Lee>Hello Willy. Papers come back from the lawyer? <v Walter Lee>No, not yet. I told you the mailman doesn't get here til 10:30.

<v Walter Lee>No, I'll come there. Yeah, right away. <v Beneatha>Brother where did Ruth go? <v Walter Lee>How should I know? <v Mama>Better get over there behind the bureau. <v Mama>Seen 1 marching out of there like Napoleon the other day. <v Beneatha>There is really only one way to get rid of them, Mama. <v Beneatha>Set fire to this building. <v Beneatha>Mama, where did Ruth go? <v Mama>To the doctor, I think? <v Beneatha>The doctor, what's the matter- you don't think she? <v Mama>I ain't saying what I think. <v Mama>But I ain't never been wrong about no woman neither. <v Beneatha>Hello. <v Beneatha>Oh when did you get back? <v Beneatha>Well of course I missed you. In my way. <v Beneatha>This morning.

<v Beneatha>No house cleaning and all that. <v Beneatha>Mama hates it if I let people come over when the house is like this. <v Mama>That's right. <v Beneatha>You have. Oh, wow, that's different. <v Beneatha>What is it? <v Beneatha>Aw. <v Beneatha>What the hell? Come on over. <v Beneatha>Right. <v Beneatha>Arrivederci. <v Mama>Who's that you're inviting over here with this house looking like this? <v Mama>You ain't got the pride you was born with. <v Beneatha>The guy doesn't care how houses look, Mama. <v Beneatha>He's an intellectual. <v Mama>Who? <v Beneatha>Asagai. Joseph Asagai. He's an African boy I met on campus. <v Beneatha>He's been studying in Canada. <v Mama>What's his name? <v Beneatha>Asagai? Joseph A-sa-gai. <v Beneatha>He's from Nigeria. <v Mama>Wow, that's that little African country that was founded by the slaves way back. <v Beneatha>No, Mama. That's Liberia.

<v Mama>I don't think I never met no African before. <v Beneatha>Well do me a favor and don't ask him a whole lot of ignorant questions like do they wear <v Beneatha>clothes? <v Mama>Well now, if you think we're so ignorant around here, maybe you shouldn't invite your <v Mama>friends here. <v Beneatha>It's just that all anybody ever seems to know about when it comes to Africa is Tarzan. <v Mama>How should I know about Africa? <v Beneatha>Why do you give money a church for the missionary work? <v Mama>That's to help save people. <v Beneatha>You mean save them from heathenism? <v Mama>Yes. <v Beneatha>Well, I'm afraid they need more salvation from the British and the French. <v Ruth>Well, I guess from all the happy faces everybody knows. <v Beneatha>Ruth, you pregnant. <v Mama>Oh, Lord, have mercy. I sure hope is a little old girl. <v Mama>Travis ought to have a sister. <v Beneatha>Well, how far along are you? <v Ruth>2 months. <v Beneatha>Did you mean to? I mean, did you plan it or was it an accident? <v Mama>What you know about planning or not planning? <v Ruth>She's 20 years old, Lena. <v Beneatha>Did you plan it Ruth? <v Ruth>Mind your own business.

<v Beneatha>It is my business. Where's he going to sleep, on the roof? <v Beneatha>I didn't mean that. <v Beneatha>Honest. <v Beneatha>I don't feel like that at all. I think it is wonderful, wonderful. <v Beneatha>Yes, really. <v Beneatha>On Earth is going on out there? <v Beneatha>These kids. Tr- Travis what are you doing out there? Oh Lord, they're chasing a rat. <v Mama>Tell that youngster to get hisself up here at once. <v Beneatha>Travis you come upstairs at once. <v Mama>Doctor say everything will be all right? <v Ruth>Yeah, she says everything's gonna be fine. <v Mama>She? What doctor did you go to? <v Travis>You should have seen that rat.

<v Travis>Big as a cat, honest. Golly, that rat was really cutting, then Bubba got it with his <v Travis>heels. And the janitor. Mr Barnett got with a stick. <v Travis>They got him all up in the corner. <v Travis>Bam, bam, bam. That rat was still jumping all around.There's rat blood all over the <v Travis>street. <v Mama>You hush up now and stop talking all that terrible stuff. <v Beneatha>You go on back outside now and play. <v Beneatha>But not with any rats. <v Mama>Ruth, honey, what's the matter? You sick or something? <v Beneatha>What's the matter with her, Mama? <v Mama>Oh, she'll be all right. <v Mama>Women get right depressed sometimes when they get her way. <v Mama>Just relax, now. <v Mama>That's right. Don't you think that nothing at all. <v Mama>Nothing at all. <v Mama>Oh, come on, baby. <v Mama>You just lie down and rest awhile. <v Mama>And then you have some nice hot food. <v Mama>You'll feel better.

<v Beneatha>Oh my god, that must be Asagai. <v Mama>Shh. Ruthie, it's alright. <v Asagai>Hello, Alaiyo. <v Beneatha>Hello. <v Beneatha>Come in. <v Beneatha>Please excuse everything. <v Beneatha>My mother was very upset about me letting anyone come here with the place like this. <v Asagai>You look disturbed. Is something wrong? <v Beneatha>Yes. We've all got acute ghetto-itus. <v Beneatha>So sit down. <v Beneatha>Oh, no, wait. <v Beneatha>So how was Canada?

<v Asagai>Canadian. <v Beneatha>Asagai, I'm very glad you're back. <v Asagai>Are you really? <v Beneatha>Yes, very. <v Asagai>Why? You were quite glad when I went away. <v Asagai>What happened? <v Beneatha>You went away. <v Beneatha>Before you wanted to be so serious. <v Beneatha>Before there was time. <v Asagai>How much time was there before when one knows what one feels? <v Beneatha>What'd you bring me? <v Asagai>Open it. <v Beneatha>Oh, Asagai. <v Beneatha>Oh, you got them for me. <v Beneatha>Beautiful. <v Beneatha>And the records too. <v Asagai>Wait! I shall have to teach you how to drape it properly.

<v Asagai>Ah Oh pay-gay-day, oh-gbah-mu-shay. <v Asagai>You wear it well. Very well. <v Asagai>Mutilated hair and all. <v Beneatha>My hair. What's wrong with my hair? <v Asagai>Were you born with it like that? <v Beneatha>Oh, of course not. <v Asagai>How then? <v Beneatha>You know perfectly well how. <v Beneatha>This nap- As crinkly as yours, that's how. <v Asagai>And it is ugly to you that way? <v Beneatha>Oh, no, not ugly. <v Beneatha>But it's so hard to manage when it's, well, raw. <v Asagai>And so to accommodate that, you mutilate it every week.

<v Beneatha>It's not mutilation. <v Asagai>Oh, please. I'm only teasing you because you are so very <v Asagai>serious about these things. <v Asagai>Do you remember the first time we met at school? <v Asagai>You came up to me and you said and I thought you were the most serious little <v Asagai>thing I had ever seen. <v Asagai>You said that Mr. Asagai, I want very much to talk with you <v Asagai>about Africa. You see, Mr. Asagai, I'm looking <v Asagai>for my identity. <v Beneatha>Yes. <v Asagai>Well, it is true that this is not so much your profile <v Asagai>of a Hollywood queen as perhaps a queen of the Nile. <v Asagai>But what does it matter? Assimilation is only so popular in your country. <v Beneatha>I am not an assimilationist. <v Asagai>Such a serious one. <v Asagai>So you like <v Asagai>the robes? You must take excellent care of them.

<v Asagai>They are from my sister's personal wardrobe. <v Beneatha>You sent all the way home for me? <v Asagai>For you I would do much. <v Asagai>Well, that is what I came for. <v Asagai>I must go. Will you call me Monday? <v Asagai>Yes. We have a great deal to talk about. <v Asagai>You and I. I mean about identity and time and all that. <v Beneatha>Time? <v Asagai>Yes. About how much time one needs to know what one feels. <v Beneatha>You see, you never understood that there's more than one kind <v Beneatha>of feeling which can exist between a man and a woman. <v Beneatha>Or at least there should be. <v Asagai>No between a man and a woman. <v Asagai>There need be only one kind of feeling. <v Asagai>I have that for, you, now even right this <v Asagai>moment. <v Beneatha>I know. And by itself, it won't do. <v Beneatha>I can find that anywhere. <v Asagai>For a woman it should be enough. <v Beneatha>Oh I know because that's what it says in all the novels that men write.

<v Beneatha>But it isn't. <v Beneatha>Well go ahead and laugh, but I'm not interested in becoming someone's little episode in <v Beneatha>America. Or one of them. <v Beneatha>Well, that's funny as hell, huh? <v Asagai>It's just that every American girl I have known has said <v Asagai>that to me. White, Black in this you are all the same. <v Asagai>And that same speech, too. <v Beneatha>Yuck, yuck, yuck. <v Asagai>So you can be sure that the world's most liberated women <v Asagai>are not liberated at all. <v Asagai>You all talk about it too much. <v Beneatha>Oh, Mama, this is Mr. Asagai. <v Mama>How do you do? <v Asagai>How do you do, Mrs. Younger? <v Asagai>Please forgive me for coming at such an outrageous hour on this Saturday. <v Mama>Well, you're quite welcome. <v Mama>I just hope you understand that our house don't always look like this. <v Mama>You must come again. I'd love to hear all about our

<v Mama>country. <v Mama>I think it's so sad the way our American Negroes don't know nothing about Africans except <v Mama>Tarzan and all that. <v Mama>And all that money they pour into these churches when they ought to be helping you <v Mama>people over there drive out in French and Englishman, done taken away your <v Mama>land. <v Asagai>Ah, yes. Yes. <v Mama>How many miles did you say from here to where <v Mama>you come from? <v Asagai>Many thousands. <v Asagai>Bet you don't have take care yourself being away from your Mama so far. <v Asagai>I exepct you to come round here from time to time and get yourself some home <v Asagai>cooked meals. <v Asagai>Thank you. <v Asagai>Thank you very much. <v Asagai>Well, I must go. <v Asagai>I will call you on Monday, Alaiyo.

<v Mama>What's that he called you? <v Asagai>Oh, Alaiyo. I hope you don't mind. <v Asagai>It is what you call a nickname I think. It is a Yoruba word. <v Asagai>See, I am a Yoruba. <v Mama>I thought you said he was-. <v Asagai>No. Nigeria is my country. <v Asagai>Yoruba is my tribal origin. <v Beneatha>You didn't tell us what Alaiyo means. <v Beneatha>All I know you might be calling me little idiot or something. <v Asagai>Let me see. I really do not know just how to explain it. <v Asagai>This sense of the thing can be so different when it changes language. <v Beneatha>You're evading. <v Asagai>No, really, it is difficult. <v Asagai>Well, it means one for whom bread, <v Asagai>no food is not enough. <v Asagai>Is that all right? <v Beneatha>Thank you. <v Mama>Well that's nice. You must come again, Mr.-

<v Asagai>Asagai. <v Mama>Yes. Do come again. <v Asagai>Goodbye. <v Mama>Oh, that's a pretty thing just went out of here. <v Mama>Yeah, I guess I see why we done commenced to be so interested <v Mama>in Africa around here. <v Mama>Missionaries my aunt Jenny. <v Beneatha>Oh Mama. <v Travis>What's the matter girl, you cracking up?

<v Beneatha>Oh, my God. I've got you now. <v Mama>Shhh. She's resting now. Travis baby run over next door and ask Ms. <v Mama>Johnson to please let me have a little kitchen cleanser. This here can is as empty <v Mama>as Jacob's kettle. <v Travis>I just came in. <v Mama>You do as you're told. <v Mama>Where you going? <v Beneatha>To become a queen of the Nile. <v Ruth>Where did Benny go? <v Mama>Far as I could make out, to Egypt. <v Mama>?inaudible? To get up? <v Ruth>Ain't nothing wrong with me to be lying in no bed for. <v Ruth>What time is it getting to? 10:20 and <v Ruth>the mailman's going to ring that bell this morning just like he'd done every morning

<v Ruth>for the last umpteen years. <v Travis>Grandmama, she said to tell you she don't have much. <v Mama>Lord, some people I could name sure is tight fisted. <v Ruth>Lena maybe the woman is just short on cleanser. <v Mama>Much baking powder she done borrowed from me all these years. <v Ruth>Get down them steps boy. <v Mama>You mean you think it'll come? <v Ruth>Oh Miss Lena. <v Ruth>I don't know what we are getting so excited around here for, we knowed it was coming <v Ruth>for months. <v Ruth>Well, it's a whole lot different from having it come and being able to hold it in your <v Ruth>hand. Piece of paper worth $10000. <v Ruth>Come on, open it. Lord, have mercy. <v Ruth>I sure wish Walter Lee was here. <v Travis>Open it Grandmama. <v Mama>Now y'all be quiet. It's just a check. <v Ruth>Open it! <v Mama>Now don't act silly. We ain't never been a people to act silly about no money. <v Ruth>We ain't never had none before.

<v Ruth>Open it. <v Mama>Travis is that the right amount of zeroes? <v Travis>Yes. <v Travis>$10000. Golly, grandmama, you're rich. <v Mama>$10000. <v Mama>Here Ruth, you put it away somewhere. <v Mama>$10000 they gave you. <v Mama>$10000. <v Travis>What's the matter with grandma? Don't she want to be rich? <v Ruth>Here go on out and play now. <v Ruth>You've gone and got yourself upset. <v Mama>I suspect if it wasn't for y'all, I'd just put that money away or give it to the church

<v Mama>or something. <v Ruth>Now, what kind of talk is that? <v Ruth>Mr. Younger would just be plain mad to hear you talking foolish like that. <v Mama>Yes he sure would. <v Mama>We've got enough to do with that money alright. <v Mama>Where'd you go today, girl? <v Ruth>To the doctor. <v Mama>No, Ruth, you know better than that. Old Dr. Jones is strange enough in his way, <v Mama>but ain't nothin about him makes somebody slip and call him she like you done this <v Mama>morning. <v Ruth>Well, that's just what happened. My tongue slipped. <v Mama>You went to see that woman, didn't you? <v Ruth>What woman you talking about? <v Mama>That woman who- <v Walter Lee>Mailman come? <v Walter Lee>Did he come? <v Walter Lee>Mama look. Old Willy Harris put everything on paper.

<v Walter Lee>Lawyers just looked at it and everything is fine. <v Mama>Son, I think you ought to talk to your wife. <v Mama>I'll go out and leave you all alone. <v Walter Lee>Mama I'll talk to her later. Mama, look at this-. <v Mama>Son. <v Walter Lee>Please will somebody listen to me today?! <v Mama>I don't allow no yelling in this house, Walter Lee, and you know it. <v Mama>And there ain't gonna be no investment in no liquor store. <v Walter Lee>Mama, you haven't even looked at it. <v Mama>I don't aim to have to speak on that again. <v Walter Lee>You ain't looked at it and you don't aim to have to speak on that again? <v Walter Lee>You ain't even looked at it and you decided. <v Walter Lee>Well, you tell that to my boy tonight when you put him to sleep on the living <v Walter Lee>room couch. <v Ruth>Where are you going? <v Walter Lee>Out. <v Ruth>Where? <v Walter Lee>Just out of this house, somewhere. <v Ruth>I'll come, too. <v Walter Lee>I don't want you to come. <v Ruth>I got something I want to talk to you about Walter. <v Walter Lee>Forget it. <v Mama>Walter Lee. Sit down. <v Walter Lee>I'm a grown man, Mama. <v Mama>Ain't nobody said you wasn't grown, but you're still in my house and my presence, and as <v Mama>long as you are, you talk to your wife civil. <v Mama>Now sit down.

<v Ruth>Oh, let him go on out and drink himself to death. <v Ruth>He makes me sick to my stomach. <v Walter Lee>You turn mine too, baby. That, that was my biggest mistake. <v Mama>What is the matter with you? <v Walter Lee>Matter with me? <v Walter Lee>Ain't nothing the matter with me. <v Mama>Yes, there is. Something is- [end of this portion of audio]