Goat Alley: A Tragedy of Negro Life

by Ernest Howard Culbertson

I know—but yo’ see—

CHICK

Yo’ crazy ter stick yere—’less yo’ wan’ me ter hang ’roun’ an’ plug him fo’ yo’—

LUCY BELLE

Nuffin’ like dat—!

CHICK

Den come on—! Good drink set yo’ up jes’ right.

(Lucy Belle takes a faltering step or two toward the door, Left. Just then someone passes the window, Left Back, and heavy footsteps on the pavement of the alley can be heard. Lucy Belle halts. She turns and faces the door, Back. It opens and Sam Reed enters. He is a big powerful Negro—dark brown in color—and about thirty-five. He wears an old, torn suit of clothes, carries an old felt hat, and is without a collar. His manner is straight-forward, well-meaning, kindly. His movements and speech are deliberate—except when he is angry.)

SAM (peering forward through the dim light at them)

Luce—!