Granny Maumee; The rider of dreams; Simon the Cyrenian

by Ridgely Torrence

Williams

Den up an’ do hit. Heah’s er check, all wrote out but de signin’. [She takes the check he produces.] An’ heah’s one er dese fountum pins. [She takes the pen.] Octobeh fus’—pay to Zek’l Williams—eight hunderd dollahs. Des write “Lucy Sparrow.” [She mechanically turns to do so.] Looks easy, sho’. But de law allows hit; dis writin’ out money. [He pauses, then adds impressively.] Dat is, ef you got de money in de bank. Co’se ef de money ain’ dah an’ you writes de check fer hit de law puts you in State prism. [She stops and stares at him.] [The pen falls from her hand and the check flutters to the floor.] What de matteh? You wants de house, don’ you? [Lucy’s head sinks.] An’ you got de money, ain’ you?

Madison

Dat’s de question. [He comes forward out of the shadow.]

Williams

[Seemingly observing Madison for the first time during the evening.] Why, heighyo, Madison. I bin lookin’ fer you dis very evenin’. Whah you bin?

Madison

Bin home.

Williams