Director:Kelly

CostumeDesigner:Colton

SetDesigner:
Jennifer

PlayPublicist:Andrew

FLCPCCT

"Thefirstliberatedchapterofthepeople'scommuneofcommunitytheatre"

Playsthatwillmakethewholefamilywanttomurderthebourgeoisieand
batheintheirblood.

ARaisinintheSun
Act1Scene1

SCENEIIITimeSaturday,movingday,oneweeklater.
Thestageshouldbeanendstageextendedwalltowallwiththeaudienceononesidefacingthe
performers.Thereasonforthisbeingtheintimateenvironmentcreatedbythestaging.Inorder
toimmersetheaudienceinthecrampedlifestyleoftheYoungersapartmentasmuchaspossible,
theauthorshouldfeelthesemiclaustrophobicpressuresthatislivinginthelowermiddleclass.
LightingwillplayanimportantroleinpresentingtheconflictbetweenMr.Lidnerandthe
Youngerstotheaudience.ByhavingMamaandtheYoungerwomenbeunderthespotlightwhile
Mr.Lidnerspeaksfromtheshadowsissymbolicofthedarkcloudhoveringovertheirpotential
happiness.ThisconflictwhichalignswellwithMarxisttheorybecauseithighlightstheclash
betweenclasses.
ThecostumesshouldbeasreflectiveoftheYoungerssocioeconomicstatusaspossible.The
clotheswornshouldbefairlysimplesoasnottodetractfromthedialogueorplotline.The
YoungerfamilyshouldbeclothedinpaleneutraltoneswhiletheprimaryantagonistslikeMr.
Lidnerwhorepresentsthewhitecommunityshouldbeclothedinclothesmoresymbolicofa
morepretentioussocialstanding.Theseclashingcolorsreflecttheclassandracialconflictcoming
intoplayinthisscene.
Thestageismostlyemptywith4foldingchairsfacingeachother.Thereis
asmallkitchenwithasuspendedwindow.Onthesillisapottedplant.Thereareseveralstacks
ofpackingboxes.Thereisnobackdropjustablackpaintedcinderblockwall.Afoldingtableon
oneendholdsanoldphonograph.
Beforethecurtainrises,RUTH'Svoice,astrident,dramaticchurchalto,cutsthroughthe
silence.
Itis,inthedarkness,atriumphantsurge,apenetratingstatementofexpectation:

"Oh,Lord,Idon'tfeelnowaystired!Children,oh,gloryhallelujah!"Asthecurtainriseswe
seethatRUTHisaloneinthelivingroom,finishingupthefamily'spacking.Itismovingday.
Sheisnailingcratesandtyingcartons.
Ruthiswearingaloosefittinggreydresswithsagging
stockingsandgreyshoes.ItlookslikeitwasstylishatonepointbutisillfittingRuthasifit
werewornbysomeoneelseandthenpasseddown.
BENEATHAenters,carryingablack
guitarcase,
alsoinagreydressandshoeswithafrayinghem,alsohavingseenalotofwear.
Itistightacrossthebustandtooloosearoundthewaist.
Shewatchesherexuberant
sisterinlaw.
RUTH:Hey!
BENEATHA(puttingawaythecase):Hi.
RUTH(pointingatapackage):HoneylookinthatpackagethereandseewhatIfoundon
salethismorningattheSouthCenter.
(RUTHgetsupandmovestothepackageanddrawsoutsome
red
curtains.)
Lookaheresomecrimsonredhandturnedhems!
BENEATHA:Howdoyouknowthewindowsizeoutthere?
RUTH(whohadn'tthoughtofthat):OhWell,theyboundtofitsomethinginthewhole
house.Anyhow,theywastoogoodabargaintopassup.(RUTHslapsherhead,suddenly
rememberingsomething.):Oh,BennieImeanttoputaspecialnoteonthatcartonover
there.That'syourmama'sgoodchinaandshewants'emtobeverycarefulwithit.
BENEATHA:I'lldoit.
BENEATHAfindsapieceofpaperandstartstodrawlargelettersonit.
RUTH:YouknowwhatI'mgoingtodosoonasIgetinthatnewhouse?
BENEATHA:What?
RUTH:HoneyI'mgoingtorunmeatubofwateruptohere...(withherfingerspractically
uptohernostrils)AndI'mgoingtogetinitandIamgoingtosit...andsit...andsitinthat
hotwaterandthefirstpersonwhoknockstotellmetohurryupandcomeout
BENEATHA:Getsshotatsunrise.
RUTH(laughinghappily):Yousaidit,sister!(noticinghowlargeBENEATHAis
absentmindedlymakingthenote)Honey,theyain'tgoingtoreadthatfromnoairplane.
BENEATHA(laughingherself):IguessIalwaysthinkthingshavemoreemphasisiftheyare
big,somehow.
RUTH(lookingupatherandsmiling):Youandyourbrotherseemtohavethatasa
philosophyoflife.Lord,thatmandonechangedso'roundhere.Youknowyouknowwhat
wedidlastnight?MeandWalterLee?
BENEATHA:What?
RUTH(smilingtoherself):Wewenttothemovies,(lookingatBENEATHAtoseeifshe
understands)Wewenttothemovies.YouknowthelasttimemeandWalterwenttothe
moviestogether?
BENEATHA:No.
RUTH:Meneither.That'showlongitbeen,(smilingagain)Butwewentlastnight.The
picturewasn'tmuchgood,butthatdidn'tseemtomatter.Wewentandweheldhands.
BENEATHA:Oh,Lord!
RUTH:Weheldhandsandyouknowwhat?

BENEATHA:What?
RUTH:Whenwecomeoutoftheshowitwaslateanddarkandallthestoresandthingswas
closedup...anditwaskindofchillyinthatgreysuitofmine,andtherewasn'tmanypeople
onthestreets...andwewasstillholdinghands,meandWalter.
BENEATHA:You'rekillingme.

WALTERentersin(hisgreybuttonupshirtalmosttoobigforhim)withalargepackage.His
happinessisdeepinhim;hecannotkeepstillwithhisnewfoundexuberance.(whichhas
causedhimtosweat)Heissingingandwigglingandsnappinghisfingers.Heputshis
packageinacornerandputsoldwoodenphonographrecord,whichhehasbroughtinwith
him,ontherecordplayer.Asthemusic,soulfulandsensuous,comesuphedancesoverto
RUTHandtriestogethertodancewithhim.Shegivesinatlasttohissweatyraunchiness
andinafitofgigglingallowsherselftobedrawnintohismood.Theydipandshemeltsinto
hisarmsinaclassic,bodymeldingslowdrag.

BENEATHA(regardingthemalongtimeastheydance,thendrawinginherbreathfora
deeplyexaggeratedcommentwhichshedoesnotparticularlymean):
TalkaboutolddddddddddfashionedddddddNegroes!
WALTER(stoppingmomentarily):WhatkindofNegroes?(Hesaysthisinfun.(Smilingbig)
Heisnotangrywithhertoday,norwithanyone.Hestartstodancewithhiswifeagain.)
BENEATHA:Oldfashioned.
WALTER(ashedanceswithRUTH:Youknow,whentheseNewNegroeshavetheir
convention(pointingathissister)thatisgoingtobethechairmanoftheCommitteeon
UnendingAgitation.(Hegoesondancing,thenstops.)Race,race,race!...Girl,Idobelieve
youarethefirstpersoninthehistoryoftheentirehumanracetosuccessfullybrainwash
yourself.(BENEATHAbreaksupandhegoesondancing.Hestopsagain,enjoyinghistease.)
Damn,eventheNAACPtakesaholidaysometimes!(BENEATHAandRUTHlaugh.Hedances
withRUTHsomemoreandstartstolaughandstopsandpantomimessomeoneoveran
operatingtable.)Icanjustseethatchicksomedaylookingdownatsomepoorcatonan
operatingtableandbeforeshestartstoslicehim,shesays...(pullinghisraggedygrey
sleevesbackmaliciously)"Bytheway,whatareyourviewsoncivilrightsdownthere?..."
(Helaughsatheragainandstartstodancehappily.Thebellsounds.)
BENEATHA:Sticksandstonesmaybreakmybonesbut...wordswillneverhurtme!
BENEATHAgoestothedoorandopensitasWALTERandRUTHgoonwiththeclowning.
BENEATHAissomewhatsurprisedtoseeaquietlookingmiddleagedwhitemanina
black
andwhitecheckedjacketwithalooselytiedredcravat,awhitefedoraandpolishedpatent
leathershoesa
ndabrownleatherbriefcaseinhishandwhileconsultingasmallpieceof
paper.
HestandscenterstageunderabrightlightwhiletheYoungersareintheshadows.
MAN:Uhhowdoyoudo,miss.IamlookingforaMrs.(Helooksattheslipofpaper.Look
ofdisdaincrosseshisfaceasifdistastefultobesayinghername.)Mrs.LenaYounger?(He
stopsshort,struckdumbatthesightoftheobliviousWALTERandRUTH.)
BENEATHA(smoothingherhairwithslightembarrassment):Ohyes,that'smymother.
Excuseme.(Sheclosesthedoorandturnstoquiettheothertwo.)Ruth!Brother!

(Enunciatingpreciselybutsoundlessly:"There'sawhitemanatthedoor!Theystopdancing,
RUTHcutsoffthephonograph,straightenswaltersshirtandherdress.BENEATHAopensthe
door.Themancastsacuriousquickglanceatallofthem.)Uhcomeinplease.
MAN(comingin):Thankyou.
BENEATHA:Mymotherisn'therejustnow.Isitbusiness?
MAN:Yes...well,ofasort.
WALTER(freely,theManoftheHouse):Haveaseat.(
pointstoaricketyfoldingchair)
I'm
Mrs.Younger'sson.Ilookaftermostofherbusinessmatters.
RUTHandBENEATHAexchangeamusedglances.
MAN(regardingWALTER,andsitting)MynameisKarlLindner...
WALTER(stretchingouthishand):WalterYounger.Thisismywife(RUTHnods
politely.)andmysister.
LINDNER:Howdoyoudo.
WALTER(amiably,ashesitshimselfeasilyonachair,leaningforwardonhiskneeswith
interestandlookingexpectantlyintothenewcomer'sface):Whatcanwedoforyou,Mr.
Lindner!
LINDNER(someminorshufflingofthehatandbriefcaseonhisknees):WellIama
representativeoftheClybourneParkImprovementAssociation
WALTER(pointing):Whydon'tyousityourthingsonthefloor?
LINDNER:Ohyes.Thankyou.(Heslidesthebriefcaseandhatunderthechair.)AndasI
wassayingIamfromtheClybourneParkImprovementAssociationandwehavehadit
broughttoourattentionatthelastmeetingthatyoupeopleoratleastyourmotherhas
boughtapieceofresidentialpropertyat(Hedigsfortheslipofpaperagain.)fourosix
ClybourneStreet...WALTER:That'sright.Careforsomethingtodrink?Ruth,getMr.Lindner
abeer.
LINDNER(upsetforsomereason):Ohno,really.Imeanthankyouverymuch,butnothank
you.RUTH(innocently):Somecoffee?
LINDNER:Thankyou,nothingatall.
BENEATHAiswatchingthemancarefully.
LINDNER:Well,Idon'tknowhowmuchyoufolksknowaboutourorganization.(Heisa
gentleman;thoughtfulandsomewhatlaboredinhismanner.)Itisoneofthesecommunity
organizationssetuptolookafteroh,youknow,thingslikeblockupkeepandspecial
projectsandwealsohavewhatwecallourNewNeighborsOrientationCommittee...
BENEATHA(drily):Yesandwhatdotheydo?
LINDNER(turningalittletoherandthenreturningthemainforcetoWALTER):Wellit's
whatyoumightcallasortofwelcomingcommittee,Iguess.Imeanthey,weI'mthe
chairmanofthecommitteegoaroundandseethenewpeoplewhomoveintothe
neighborhoodandsortofgivethemthelowdownonthewaywedothingsoutinClybourne
Park.
BENEATHA(withappreciationofthetwomeanings,whichescapeRUTHandWALTER):
Unhuh.LINDNER:Andwealsohavethecategoryofwhattheassociationcalls(Helooks
elsewhere.)uhspecialcommunityproblems...
BENEATHA:Yesandwhataresomeofthose?

WALTER:Girl,letthemantalk.
LINDNER(withunderstatedrelief):Thankyou.Iwouldsortofliketoexplainthisthinginmy
ownway.ImeanIwanttoexplaintoyouinacertainway.
WALTER:Goahead.
LINDNER:Yes.Well.I'mgoingtotrytogetrighttothepoint.I'msurewe'llallappreciate
thatinthelongrun.
BENEATHA:Yes.
WALTER:Bestillnow!
LINDNER:Well
RUTH(stillinnocently):Wouldyoulikeanotherchairyoudon'tlookcomfortable.
LINDNER(morefrustratedthanannoyed.Muttersunderhisbreathaboutamissing
assistant.):No,thankyouverymuch.Please.WelltogetrighttothepointI(Agreat
breath,andheisoffatlast.)Iamsureyoupeoplemustbeawareofsomeoftheincidents
whichhavehappenedinvariouspartsofthecitywhencoloredpeoplehavemovedinto
certainareas(BENEATHAexhalesheavilyandstartstossingapieceoffruitupanddownin
theair.)WellbecausewehavewhatIthinkisgoingtobeauniquetypeoforganizationin
Americancommunitylifenotonlydowedeplorethatkindofthingbutwearetryingtodo
somethingaboutit.(BENEATHAstopstossingandturnswithanewandquizzicalinterestto
theman.)Wefeel(gainingconfidenceinhismissionbecauseoftheinterestinthefacesof
thepeopleheistalkingto)wefeelthatmostofthetroubleinthisworld,whenyoucome
rightdowntoit(Hehitshiskneeforemphasis.)mostofthetroubleexistsbecause
peoplejustdon'tsitdownandtalktoeachother.
RUTH(noddingasshemightinchurch,pleasedwiththeremark):Youcansaythatagain,
mister.
LINDNER(moreencouragedbysuchaffirmation):Thatwedon'ttryhardenoughinthisworld
tounderstandtheotherfellow'sproblem.Theotherguy'spointofview.
RUTH:Nowthat'sright.
BENEATHAandWALTERmerelywatchandlistenwithgenuineinterest.
LINDNER:Yesthat'sthewaywefeeloutinClybournePark.Andthat'swhyIwaselectedto
comeherethisafternoonandtalktoyoupeople.Friendlylike,youknow,thewaypeople
shouldtalktoeachotherandseeifwecouldn'tfindsomewaytoworkthisthingout.AsI
say,thewholebusinessisamatterofcaringabouttheotherfellow.Anybodycanseethat
youareanicefamilyoffolks,hardworkingandhonestI'msure.(BENEATHAfrownsslightly,
quizzically,herheadtiltedregardinghim.)Todayeverybodyknowswhatitmeanstobeon
theoutsideofsomething.Andofcourse,thereisalwayssomebodywhoisouttotake
advantageofpeoplewhodon'talwaysunderstand.
WALTER:Whatdoyoumean?
LINDNER:Wellyouseeourcommunityismadeupofpeoplewho'veworkedhardasthe
dickensforyearstobuildupthatlittlecommunity.They'renotrichandfancypeople;just
hardworking,honestpeoplewhodon'treallyhavemuchbutthoselittlehomesandadream
ofthekindofcommunitytheywanttoraisetheirchildrenin.Now,Idon'tsayweareperfect
andthereisalotwronginsomeofthethingstheywant.Butyou'vegottoadmitthataman,
rightorwrong,hastherighttowanttohavetheneighborhoodhelivesinacertainkindof

way.Andatthemomenttheoverwhelmingmajorityofourpeopleouttherefeelthatpeople
getalongbetter,takemoreofacommoninterestinthelifeofthecommunity,whenthey
shareacommonbackground.IwantyoutobelievemewhenItellyouthatraceprejudice
simplydoesn'tenterintoit.ItisamatterofthepeopleofClybourneParkbelieving,rightlyor
wrongly,asIsay,thatforthehappinessofallconcernedthatourNegrofamiliesarehappier
whentheyliveintheirowncommunities.
BENEATHA(withagrandandbittergesture):This,friends,istheWelcomingCommittee!
WALTER(dumfounded,lookingatLINDNER,):Isthiswhatyoucamemarchingalltheway
overheretotellus?
LINDNER:Well,nowwe'vebeenhavingafineconversation.Ihopeyou'llhearmealltheway
through.
WALTER(tightly):Goahead,man.
LINDNER:YouseeinthefaceofallthethingsIhavesaid,wearepreparedtomakeyour
familyaverygenerousoffer...
BENEATHA:Thirtypiecesandnotacoinless!
WALTER:Yeah?
LINDNER(puttingonhisglassesanddrawingaformoutofthebriefcase):Ourassociationis
prepared,throughthecollectiveeffortofourpeople,tobuythehousefromyouatafinancial
gaintoyourfamily.
RUTH:Lordhavemercy,ain'tthisthelivinggall!
WALTER:Allright,youthrough?
LINDNER:Well,Iwanttogiveyoutheexacttermsofthefinancialarrangement
WALTER:Wedon'twanttohearnoexacttermsofnoarrangements.Iwanttoknowifyou
gotanymoretotellus'boutgettingtogether?
LINDNER(takingoffhisglasses):WellIdon'tsupposethatyoufeel...
WALTER:NevermindhowIfeelyougotanymoretosay'bouthowpeopleoughttosit
downandtalktoeachother?...Getoutofmyhouse,man.(Heturnshisbackandwalksto
thedoor.)
LINDNER(lookingaroundatthehostilefacesandreachingandassemblinghishatand
briefcase):WellIdon'tunderstandwhyyoupeoplearereactingthisway.Whatdoyouthink
youaregoingtogainbymovingintoaneighborhoodwhereyoujustaren'twantedand
wheresomeelementswellpeoplecangetawfulworkedupwhentheyfeelthattheirwhole
wayoflifeandeverythingthey'veeverworkedforisthreatened.
AtthispointthelightingcontrastbetweenWalterandMr.Lidnershouldbethemostdramaticto
highlighttheconflictbetweentheseindividualsthatrepresentthemiddleclassandworkingclass
folks.
WALTER:Getout.
LINDNER(atthedoor,holdingasmallcard):WellI'msorryitwentlikethis.
WALTER:Getout.
LINDNER(almostsadlyregardingWALTER,):Youjustcan'tforcepeopletochangetheir
hearts,son.
Heturnsandputshiscardonatableandexits.

WALTERpushesthedoortowithstinginghatred,andstandslookingatit.RUTHjustsitsand
BENEATHAjuststands.Theysaynothing.MAMAandTRAVISenter.
Mamaissimilarlyattired
ingreywithafadedflowerprintandagreyhatwithafadedpinkflower.Travisiswearinga
greytshirtthatisjustalittletootight,fadedjeanswithgreypatchesonthekneesanddirty
sneakers.
MAMA:WellthisallthepackinggotdonesinceIleftoutofherethismorning.Itestify
beforeGodthatmychildrengotalltheenergyofthedead!Whattimethemovingmendue?
BENEATHA:Fouro'clock.Youhadacaller,Mama.(Sheissmiling,teasingly.)
MAMA:Sureenoughwho?
BENEATHA(herarmsfoldedsaucily):TheWelcomingCommittee.
WALTERandRUTHgiggle.
MAMA(innocently):Who?
BENEATHA:TheWelcomingCommittee.Theysaidthey'resuregoingtobegladtoseeyou
whenyougetthere.
WALTER(devilishly):Yeah,theysaidtheycan'thardlywaittoseeyourface.Laughter.MAMA
(sensingtheirfacetiousness):What'sthematterwithyouall?
WALTER:Ain'tnothingthematterwithus.Wejusttellingyou'boutthegentlemanwhocame
toseeyouthisafternoon.FromtheClybourneParkImprovementAssociation.
MAMA:Whathewant?
RUTH(inthesamemoodasBENEATHAandWALTER):Towelcomeyou,honey.
WALTER:Hesaidtheycan'thardlywait.Hesaidtheonethingtheydon'thave,thattheyjust
dyingtohaveoutthereisafinefamilyoffinecoloredpeople!(toRUTHandBENEATHA)Ain't
thatright!RUTH(mockingly):Yeah!Helefthiscard
BENEATHA(handlingcardtoMAMA):Incase.
MAMAreadsandthrowsitonthefloorunderstandingandlookingoffasshedrawsherchair
ancientwoodenchairuptothetableonwhichshehasputherplantandsomesticksand
somecord.
MAMA:Father,giveusstrength,(knowinglyandwithoutfun)Didhethreatenus?
BENEATHA:OhMamatheydon'tdoitlikethatanymore.HetalkedBrotherhood.Hesaid
everybodyoughttolearnhowtositdownandhateeachotherwithgoodChristianfellowship.
SheandWALTERshakehandstoridiculetheremark.
MAMA(sadly):Lord,protectus...
RUTH:Youshouldhearthemoneythosefolksraisedtobuythehousefromus.Allwepaid
andthensome.
BENEATHA:Whattheythinkwegoingtodoeat'em?
RUTH:No,honey,marry'em.
MAMA(shakingherhead):Lord,Lord,Lord...
RUTH:Wellthat'sthewaythecrackerscrumble,(abeat)Joke.
BENEATHA(laughinglynoticingwhathermotherisdoing):
Mama,whatareyoudoing?
MAMA:Fixingmyplantsoitwon'tgethurtnoneontheway...
BENEATHA:Mama,yougoingtotakethattothenewhouse?
MAMA:Unhuh

BENEATHA:Thatraggedylookingoldthing?
MAMA(stoppingandlookingather):ItexpressesME!RUTH(withdelight,toBENEATHA):So
there,MissThing!
WALTERcomestoMAMAsuddenlyandbendsdownbehindherandsqueezesherinhisarms
withallhisstrength.Sheisoverwhelmedbythesuddennessofitand,thoughdelighted,her
mannerislikethatofRUTHandTRAVIS.
MAMA:Lookoutnow,boy!Youmakememessupmythinghere!
WALTER(hisfacelit,heslipsdownonhiskneesbesideher,hisarmsstillabouther):Mama.
..youknowwhatitmeanstoclimbupinthechariot?
MAMA(gruffly,veryhappy):Getonawayfrommenow...
RUTH(nearthegiftwrappedpackage,tryingtocatchWALTER'Seye):PsstWALTER:What
theoldsongsay,Mama...
RUTH:WalterNow?(Sheispointingatthepackage.)
WALTER(speakingthelines,sweetly,playfully,inhismother'sface):Igotwings...yougot
wings...AllGod'sChildrengotwings...
MAMA:Boygetoutofmyfaceanddosomework...
WALTER:WhenIgettoheavengonnaputonmywings,GonnaflyalloverGod'sheaven...
BENEATHA(teasingly,fromacrosstheroom):Everybodytalking'boutheavenain'tgoing
there!WALTER(toRUTH,whoiscarryingtheboxacrosstothem):Idon'tknow,youthink
weoughttogiveherthat...Seemstomesheain'tbeenveryappreciativearoundhere.
MAMA(eyingthebox,whichisobviouslyagift:Whatisthat?
WALTER(takingitfromRUTHandputtingitonthetableinfrontofMAMA):Wellwhatyou
allthink?Shouldwegiveittoher?
RUTH:Ohshewasprettygoodtoday.
MAMA:I'llgoodyou(Sheturnshereyestotheboxagain.)
BENEATHA:Openit,Mama.(Shestandsup,looksatit,turnsandlooksatallofthem,and
thenpressesherhandstogetheranddoesnotopenthepackage.)
WALTER(sweetly):Openit,Mama.It'sforyou.(MAMAlooksinhiseyes.Itisthefirst
presentinherlifewithoutitsbeingChristmas.Slowlysheopensherpackageandliftsout,
onebyone,abrandnewsparklingsetofgardeningtools.
WALTERcontinues,prodding.)Ruthmadeupthenotereadit...
MAMA(pickingupthecardandadjustingherglasses):"ToourownMrs.MiniverLovefrom
Brother,RuthandBeneatha."Ain'tthatlovely...
TRAVIS(tuggingathisfather'ssleeve):Daddy,canIgiveherminenow?
WALTER:Allright,son.("TRAVISfliestogethisgift.)
MAMA:NowIdon'thavetousemyknivesandforksnomore...
WALTER:Travisdidn'twanttogoinwiththerestofus,Mama.Hegothisown.(somewhat
amused)Wedon'tknowwhatitis...
TRAVIS(racingbackintheroomwithalargehatboxandputtingitinfrontofhis
grandmother):Here!
MAMA:Lordhavemercy,baby.Youdonegoneandboughtyourgrandmotherahat?

TRAVIS(veryproud):Openit!(Shedoesandliftsoutanelaborate,butveryelaborate,wide,
yellowgardeninghat,withablueribbontiedaroundthetop,andalltheadultsbreakupat
thesightofit.)
RUTH:Travis,honey,whatisthat?
TRAVIS(whothinksitisbeautifulandappropriate):It'sagardeninghat!Liketheladies
alwayshaveoninthemagazineswhentheyworkintheirgardens.
BENEATHA(gigglingfiercely):TravisweweretryingtomakeMamaMrs.Minivernot
ScarlettO'Hara!
MAMA(indignantly):What'sthematterwithyouall!Thishereisabeautifulhat!(absurdly)I
alwayswantedmeonejustlikeit!(Shepopsitonherheadtoproveittohergrandson,and
thehatisludicrousandconsiderablyoversized.)RUTH:Hotdog!Go,Mama!
WALTER(doubledoverwithlaughter):I'msorry,Mamabutyoulooklikeyoureadytogo
outandchopyousomecottonsureenough!TheyalllaughexceptMAMA,outofdeferenceto
TRAVIS'feelings.
MAMA(gatheringtheboyuptoher):BlessyourheartthisistheprettiesthatIever
owned(WALTER,RUTHandBENEATHAchimeinnoisily,festivelyandinsincerely
congratulatingTRAVISonhisgift.)Whatareweallstandingaroundherefor?Weain't
finishedpackin'yet.Bennie,youain'tpackedonebook.(Thebellrings.)
This scene should be bathed in a warm light to be reflective of the moment.
BENEATHA:Thatcouldn'tbethemovers...it'snothardlytwogoodyet
BENEATHAgoesintoherroom.
MAMAstartsforthedoor.
WALTER(turning,stiffening):WaitwaitI'llgetit.(Hestandsandlooksatthedoor.)
MAMA:Youexpectingcompany,son?
WALTER(justlookingatthedoor):Yeahyeah...
MAMAlooksatRUTH,andtheyexchangeinnocentandunfrightenedglances.MAMA(not
understanding):Well,letthemin,son.
BENEATHA(fromherroom):Weneedsomemorestring.
MAMA:Travisyouruntothehardwareandgetmesomestringcord.
MAMAgoesoutandWALTERturnsandlooksatRUTH.TRAVISgoestoadishformoney.
RUTH:Whydon'tyouanswerthedoor,man?
WALTER(suddenlyboundingacrossthefloortoembraceher):'Causesometimesithardto
letthefuturebegin!(Stoopingdowninherface.)Igotwings!Yougotwings!AllGod's
childrengotwings!Hecrossestothedoorandthrowsitopen.Standingthereisaveryslight
littlemaninanottooprosperousblackbusinesssuitandwithhauntedfrightenedeyesanda
tattered,faded,brownhatpulleddowntightly,brimup,aroundhisforehead.TRAVISpasses
betweenthemenandexits.WALTERleansdeepintheman'sface,stillinhisjubilance.When
Igettoheavengonnaputonmywings,GonnaflyalloverGod'sheaven...(Thelittleman
juststaresathim.)Heaven(Suddenlyhestopsandlookspastthelittlemanintotheempty
hallway.)Where'sWilly,man?
BOBO:Heain'twithme.
WALTER(notdisturbed):Ohcomeonin.Youknowmywife.
BOBO(dumbly,takingoffhishat):Yesh'you,MissRuth.

RUTH(quietly,amoodapartfromherhusbandalready,seeingBOBO,):Hello,Bobo.
WALTER:Yourightontimetoday...Rightontime.That'stheway!(HeslapsBOBOonhis
back.)Sitdown...lemmehear.
RUTHstandsstifflyandquietlyinbackofthem,asthoughsomehowshesensesdeath,her
eyesfixedonherhusband.
BOBO(hisfrightenedeyesonthefloor,hishatinhishands):CouldIpleasegetadrinkof
water,beforeItellyouaboutit,WalterLee?
WALTERdoesnottakehiseyesofftheman.
RUTHgoesblindlytothetapandgetsaglassofwaterandbringsittoBOBO.WALTER:
Thereain'tnothingwrong,isthere?
BOBO:Lemmetellyou
WALTER:Mandidn'tnothinggowrong?
BOBO:LemmetellyouWalterLee.(lookingatRUTHandtalkingtohermorethanto
WALTER)Youknowhowitwas.Igottotellyouhowitwas.ImeanfirstIgottotellyouhow
itwasalltheway...ImeanaboutthemoneyIputin,WalterLee
WALTER(withtautagitationnow):Whataboutthemoneyyouputin?
BOBO:Wellitwasn'tmuchaswetoldyoumeandWilly(Hestops.)I'msorry,Walter.I
gotabadfeelingaboutit.Igotarealbadfeelingaboutit
WALTER:Man,whatyoutellingmeaboutallthisfor?...Tellmewhathappenedin
Springfield...
BOBO:Springfield.
RUTH(likeadeadwoman):WhatwassupposedtohappeninSpringfield?
BOBO(toher):ThisdealthatmeandWalterwentintowithWillyMeandWillywasgoingto
godowntoSpringfieldandspreadsomemoney'roundso'swewouldn'thavetowaitsolong
fortheliquorlicense...That'swhatweweregoingtodo.Everybodysaidthatwastheway
youhadtodo,youunderstand,MissRuth?
WALTER:Manwhathappeneddownthere?
BOBO(apitifulman,neartears):I'mtryingtotellyou,Walter.
WALTER(screamingathimsuddenly):THENTELLMEGODDAMNIT...WHAT'STHEMATTER
WITHYOU?

At this point, the lights should slowly illuminate Walter's face to demonstrate the
dawning of realization
BOBO:Man...Ididn'tgotonoSpringfield,yesterday.
WALTER(halted,lifehanginginthemoment):Whynot?
BOBO(thelongway,thehardwaytotell):'CauseIdidn'thavenoreasonsto...
WALTER:Man,whatareyoutalkingabout!
BOBO:I'mtalkingaboutthefactthatwhenIgottothetrainstationyesterday
morningeighto'clocklikeweplanned...ManWillydidn'tnevershowup.
WALTER:Why...wherewashe...whereishe?
BOBO:That'swhatI'mtryingtotellyou...Idon'tknow...Iwaitedsixhours...Icalledhis
house...andIwaited...sixhours...Iwaitedinthattrainstationsixhours...(breaking

intotears)ThatwasalltheextramoneyIhadintheworld...(lookingupatWALTERwith
thetearsrunningdownhisface)Man,Willyisgone.
WALTER:Gone,whatyoumeanWillyisgone?Gonewhere?Youmeanhewentbyhimself.
YoumeanhewentofftoSpringfieldbyhimselftotakecareofgettingthelicense(turns
andlooksanxiouslyatRUTHYoumeanmaybehedidn'twantpeopleinonthebusinessdown
there?(lookstoRUTHagain,asbefore)YouknowWillygothisownways,(looksbackto
BOBO)Maybeyouwaslateyesterdayandhejustwentondowntherewithoutyou.Maybe
maybehe'sbeencallin'youathometryin'totellyouwhathappenedorsomething.
Maybemaybehejustgotsick.He'ssomewherehe'sgottobesomewhere.Wejustgot
tofindhimmeandyougottofindhim.(grabsBOBOsenselesslybyhisbrowncollarand
startstoshakehim)Wegotto!
BOBO(insuddenangry,frightenedagony):What'sthematterwithyou,Walter!Whenacat
takeoffwithyourmoneyhedon'tleaveyounoroadmaps!
WALTER(turningmadly,asthoughheislookingforWILLYintheveryroom):Willy!...
Willy...don'tdoit...Pleasedon'tdoit...Man,notwiththatmoney...Man,please,not
withthatmoney...Oh,God...Don'tletitbetrue...(Heiswanderingaround,cryingout
forWILLYandlookingforhimorperhapsforhelpfromGod.)Man...Itrustedyou...Man,I
putmylifeinyourhands...(HestartstocrumpledownonthefloorasRUTHjustcovers
herfaceinhorror.MAMAopensthedoorandcomesintotheroomwithBENEATHAbehind
her.)Man...(Hestartstopoundthefloorwithhisfists,sobbingwildly.)THATMONEYIS
MADEOUTOFMYFATHER'SFLESH
BOBO(standingoverhimhelplessly):I'msorry,Walter...(OnlyWALTER'Ssobsreply.
BOBOputsonhishat.)Ihadmylifestakedonthisdeal,too...(Heexits.)
MAMA(toWALTER:Son(Shegoestohim,bendsdowntohim,talkstohisbenthead.)Son
...Isitgone?Son,Igaveyousixtyfivehundreddollars.Isitgone?Allofit?Beneatha's
moneytoo?
WALTER(liftinghisheadslowly):Mama...Inever...wenttothebankatall...
MAMA(notwantingtobelievehim):Youmean...yoursister'sschoolmoney...youused
thattoo..Walter?...
WALTER:Yessss!Allofit...It'sallgone...
Thereistotalsilence.
RUTHstandswithherfacecoveredwithherhands;
BENEATHAleansforlornlyagainstawall,fingeringapieceofredcrinkledribbonfromthe
mother'sgift.MAMAstopsandlooksathersonwithoutrecognitionandthen,quitewithout
thinkingaboutit,startstobeathimsenselesslyintheface.
BENEATHAgoestothemandstopsit.
BENEATHA:Mama!
MAMAstopsandlooksatbothofherchildrenandrisesslowlyandwandersvaguely,
aimlesslyawayfromthem.
MAMA:Iseen...him...nightafternight...comein...andlookatthatrug...andthen
lookatme...theredshowinginhiseyes...theveinsmovinginhishead...Iseenhim
growthinandoldbeforehewasforty...workingandworkingandworkinglikesomebody's

oldhorse...killinghimself...andyouyougiveitallawayinaday(Sheraisesherarms
tostrikehimagain.)
BENEATHA:Mama
MAMA:Oh,God...(ShelooksuptoHim.)Lookdownhereandshowmethestrength.
BENEATHA:Mama
MAMA(foldingover):Strength...
BENEATHA(plaintively):Mama...
MAMA:Strength!