ALMA: “Not to mention having to use the outhouse–having to get up and go outside in the middle of the night. You know NOTHING about having to fill a tin tub to wash clothes in and to bathe in–YOU NEVER had to do that! I have to squeeze myself in a tin tub to take a bath Gene–Do I want to take a shower and use an inside bathroom and bathe in a real tub–LIKE YOU–do I want to live like you–Yes–I do. I am not rich, or light, or live in the city limits but I will be a somebody–I am going to be a somebody BECAUSE I WANT MORE”–

EUGENE: “I’ve always said we’d live in the city limits. (Beat) Why did you say ‘I’m not rich or light’?–Why did you have to say that Alma?”

ALMA: (Quietly) “Because it’s true”–

EUGENE: “You didn’t have to say that Alma.”

(They both are quiet for a minute)

EUGENE: “Do you really feel you need to go to New York? Do you really have to go?”

ALMA: “I have to go.” (Beat)

EUGENE: Daddy gets me a job at Georgia Pacific–the work is tough. I’m chopping, lifting lumber–my hands are getting cut–the heat is unbearable–“Daddy it’s really hot. I’d like to get some water.” (ROBERT) “Stop calling me ‘Daddy’–you call me ‘SIR.’”

ALMA: I buy these summer dresses to go to work in–I know I’m only working in a Woolworth’s but I want to look nice–

EUGENE: Some of the guys I went to school with are working in the lumberyard–the dark-skinned guys are working in the lumberyard. (Voices) “Ole pretty yella nigga can’t handle the heat.” “Soft yella bitch.” “Pretty, yella, and soft.” (Beat) (EUGENE) Daddy laughs along with the dark-skinned guys.

ALMA: I’m also putting money aside for fall clothes–I never really had to think about that, fall clothes, clothes for the “fall”–I look forward to wearing “fall” clothes–I look forward to the “fall.”

EUGENE: I mention Alma’s leaving to Wyce. He says, (WYCE) “Man, I hear when bitches get up there to New York, they hook up with some of those dudes up there and TOTALLY forget about the south–they get NEW YORK fever, man.”

ALMA: Odelia says (ODELIA) “Wastin’ money buyin’ all dat mess. Some o’ dat money could come in heah to dis house.” (ALMA) I look down and at her and say “This money is going toward school and NOTHING else.”