MILLY bursts through tableau and proceeds towards NOVELETTE.

MILLY:

Excuse me, pardon me.

The other women come out of tableau and the store becomes alive. A busy hustle and bustle. The women become the customers and it is business as usual at NOVELETTE’s hair salon. Three women take their places at their seats chatting. CLAUDETTE and SANDRA are gossiping at the cash register. DIANA is doing MARCIA’s nails at the nail booth.

Excuse me! I have a seven-thirty appointment and it’s now eleven-thirty and you haven’t started my hair yet.

NOVELETTE:

(She looks MILLY up and down with distaste.) See what I mean. Listen here lady. I said come for seven-thirty I did not state anywhere or at any time I would start you at seven-thirty because, you booked an appointment you never book a guarantee. Now sit down and when I’m ready for you I’ll let you know!

MILLY sheepishly returns to seat. NOVELETTE addresses the audience again.

Out of order! I’m telling you if it’s not one thing it’s the other. women rushing in here, looking like they got run over by a Mac truck, then expecting me to make them look like Janet Jackson. I said lady I’m a hairdresser not a magician! And I tell you as a hairdresser you get to know everybody’s business.

DIANA:

Did I tell your I saw your boyfriend in the mall with his sister.

REIGN:

What sister? Derrick doesn’t have a sister!

DIANA:

Then who is she then?

DIANA gives a knowing smile to the other ladies in the shop, who laugh nervously.

NOVELETTE:

I’m telling you, I get to know everybody’s business! Not that I’m a nosy or anything. But if they don’t tell you the hair will. Don’t believe me? Well let me tell you… my mother was a hairdresser, my mother’s mother was a hairdresser, and my granny granny, (She counts on her fingers.) granny, granny use to be a hairdresser. I’m telling you, it’s been a long time since us Campbells have been doing hair. We are very entrepreneurish. And my granny granny, granny, granny, granny, granny, granny, used to s… If you want to know about a woman, a black woman that is. Touch her hair. Cause our hair carries our journey. ‘Cause that’s where we carry all our hopes, all our dreams, our hurt, our disappointments they’re all in our hair.

CLAUDETTE:

Yeah gal, me and Jean Paul pun di speaker box!

She gives an elaborate sexual dance move, the other women cheer.

NOVELETTE:

(She shakes her head.) Why do you think it’s kinky? We got all our sexual fantasies in there too! (She laughs.) You don’t believe me well watch this! Come I’m ready for you. (She walks over to CLAUDETTE and SANDRA and interrupts their conversation.) Claudette, you’re my favourite niece but I will not hesitate to fire you. Again! Would you like to do some work around here today please!

She hands CLAUDETTE the broom and looks disapprovingly at SANDRA.

SANDRA: