HAMBO.
Well, I’m going to draw dem tushes right now. (To two small boys using checker board on edge of porch.) Here you chilluns, let de Mayor and me have that board. Go on out an’ play an’ give us grown folks a little peace. (The children go down stage and call out:)
SMALL BOY.
Hey, Senator. Hey, Marthy. Come on let’s play chick-me, chick-me, cranie-crow.
CHILD’S VOICE.
(Off stage) All right! Come on, Jessie! (Enter several children, led by SENATOR, and a game begins in front of the store as JOE CLARK and HAMBO play checkers.)
JOE CLARK.
I God! Hambo, you can’t play no checkers.
HAMBO.
(As they seat themselves at the check board) Aw, man, if you wasn’t de Mayor I’d beat you all de time.
(The children get louder and louder, drowning out the men’s voices.)
SMALL GIRL.
I’m gointer be de hen.
BOY.
And I’m gointer be de hawk. Lemme git maself a stick to mark wid.
(The boy who is the hawk squats center stage with a short twig in his hand. The largest girl lines up the other children behind her.)
GIRL.
(Mother Hen) (Looking back over her flock): Y’all ketch holt of one ’Nother’s clothes so de hawk can’t git yuh. (They do.) You all straight now?