Omotayo Joloasho

 

 

WELLSPRING OF MY SOUL
continued from last issue

Characters Represented:

GRACE	a dark slave
DORCAS	her mulatto sister
JESSE	Grace's son
MASSA	their master
LUKE	Massa's son
RUFUS	overseer
RICKYDOC	a visiting conjurer

Act One

SCENE 3

DAY 3— TRAINING DAY

(BLACKOUT)

JESSE
( Screaming) I didn't do it, I didn't do it!... anty dorcas…mummie! help me. I didn't do it.

(Lights up to reveal a classic scene. JESSE, strapped to the trunk of the willow tree, is being held down by overseer RUFUS. Full functional slaves are circled around the whipping post. MASSA a great big woman with thunderous rage is addressing her slaves. At present, she is the antithesis of refinement. DORCAS is present in the crowd, GRACE isn't. LUKE is standing besides his mother.)

MASSA
You know where I found him? he was in my bed chambers! that little nigga. You know I woke up and his big black face was looming over me, looking like he was ready ta, ready ta Lord I'm so upset I can't even say it

LUKE
Mother, please calm down, it's just a little boy, he probably got lost and was trying to find his way out, you probably scared him half to death ( he laughs uncomfortably ) I'm sure it's not necessary to—

MASSA
Whose side are you on, mine or his? Do you realize the danger I was in this morning, I mean how long has he been there, in my chambers, the things he'd of seen, oh Lord have mercy on us Luke he could have ra—

LUKE
MOTHER! Mother, calm down, I'm sure I'm sure we can talk

MASSA
Is this my son? Is this what I raised you to become, you gonna protect a little nigga over me?

LUKE
Mother of course I'll I'll protect you

MASSA
Prove it

LUKE
what?

MASSA
If it had been your father, we wouldn't even be standing here, talking about this, that nigga woulda been—this is your chance Luke to show where your heart is at, live up to your father's name. Prove whose son you are. protect me now Luke

LUKE
of course I will. ( pause ) what should I do Mother?

MASSA
God do I have to spell it out for you? This nigga doesn't need your excuse, what he needs is a good whipping and you're going to give it to him

LUKE
what? mother, no, NO. I don't I don't believe in that—

MASSA
what? you don't believe in what? ( she looks up ) James are you looking down on your son? you see what he said James, he don't believe in our ways, ( she addresses the slaves ) he don't believe in our ways, and we all know that they are the right ways don't we?

ALL SLAVES
Yes massa , Yes ma'am ( etc )

MASSA
Hey Rufus, he don't believe in our ways ( pause ) You're a disgrace to your father's name. What did we send you to that school for, your father gave his life to raise money to send you to that school, and this is how it turns you out? weak and pathetic? ( She hands him the whip, holding on to his hand ) Well I did not bear a weak and pathetic son, and you are going to whip that boy, if I have to push your hands myself, you will not grow up to be less than a man

LUKE
Mother, I am a man.

MASSA
Prove it.

LUKE
( laughing uncomfortably )
why do I have to prove

MASSA
NOW!
(LUKE goes over, and gives JESSE a slight lash)

LUKE
See Mother

MASSA
That wasn't nothing. he didn't even cry out. It ain't nothing until they cry out, right y'all?

ALL SLAVES
Yes massa

(LUKE stands there, with whip in his hand, undecided. All on stage freeze into a tableau, except for DORCAS, who rushes up to LUKE from amidst the crowd.)

DORCAS
Please Luke. He ain't but a little boy. Luke your eyes don't lie, see for yourself, what would someone so little like him, he ain't got no spite against nobody, Look at him, Luke—

(As she speaks, MASSA takes the whip from Luke and hits DORCAS' mouth with its butt of the whip, drawing blood. DORCAS falls on all fours in pain.)

MASSA
Shut up!

LUKE
Mother!?

MASSA
( to Luke )
Can't you see she don't respect you, cause you weak. She wouldn't be crawling all over me like that. ( returning the whip to him ) Are you going to let her walk all over you?

LUKE
No Mother. You're right, you right Mother. It's inevitable. ( sigh ) I am their Master, and what kind of master would I be, if they don't respect me? I will be a master that they respect. not weak, but a man. like my father.

DORCAS
No Luke. Look at me, I'm the one who speaks the truth remember? (she reaches for him, her hands crawling up his chest in supplication.) If your wisdom is something, something I could hold and remember—

LUKE
Shut up! ( hitting her with the whip like his mother had done earlier )

(DORCAS wails, falling back on all fours. The rest of the slaves gather around the willow tree, and begin singing “Willow Weep For Me” ritualistically. They continue singing until it is indicated that they stop.)

SLAVES
Willow weep for me,
Willow weep for me,
Bend your branches down
Along the ground and cover me
Listen to my plea,
bend oh willow and weep for me. ( etc)

LUKE ( shouting over their song)
Now ( to Jesse ) what were you doing in the bedchambers of a respectable Christian lady, what? ( whipping Jesse ) Why did you force yourself upon her? ( to the slaves ) Let this be an example to all of you. This is a new Master Luke. You all will no longer take advantage of me. You will not feed on my kindness. You respect me. Understand? ( To Jesse) Understand? ( lash) I own you. ( lash) You obey me. ( lash) Understand?

(Grace bursts in to the scene from the big house)

GRACE
Thas my son!

MASSA

Hold it! This is your son?

(The slaves stop singing)

GRACE

Yes, Massa

MASSA
I would have expected better of you, Grace. Do you know he was in my chambers this morning hanging over my bed, trying to rape me?

GRACE
I'se sorry, sorry ma'am, I'm sure he wasn't trying ta rape

GRACE
No ma'am, I'se sho ain't calling you a liar, I'se jus saying, he young, he ain't noth'in more than 12 years old, he ain't got stuff lak that on his mind—

MASSA
What, he a nigga ain't he? Don't y'all start fucking at two?

GRACE
( gasp ) No ma'am

MASSA
I see, you calling me—

GRACE
no ma'am, he's just a little boy ma'am please ma'am, he ain't never been whipped before and you're a mother ma'am, you under—

MASSA
No. that's the problem. You failed him, I'm sure it would never have crossed his mind to come into the big house, where he doesn't belong, into my room ( she shudders ) all that filth and dirt all over him. And he stinks! if you had been doing what you were supposed to, he'd be clean, and he wouldn't dream of— well, it's never too late, Luke give her the whip.

GRACE
( twitching )
Massa , that's my boy, ma'am, I can't

MASSA
I have a good mind to whip him myself and then you if you don't

GRACE
Massa , please, he's just

MASSA
Whip him Grace, else he's gone. He young, in his prime, he'll bring in good money, money that we need ‘round here. Matter of fact, that's what I'll do. Luke, come, let's go. I'll be glad to be rid of—

GRACE
NO! Massa , Massa , I whip him, I whip him Massa , please don't take my baby from him. ( whipping Jesse, who cries out with each lash.) I whip him, see Massa , I whip please, please don't take him away.

MASSA
Good Grace, you haven't lost your head, I woulda whip you myself if you didn't, one thing I can't stand, a disobedient nigga.

(Grace continues until she cries out, falling in front of Massa )

GRACE ( cont'd)
I cain't, I cain't do it no more, whip me instead I cain't whip—

MASSA
That's enough. Cut him down!

(RUFUS cuts JESSE down, JESSE falls lifeless to the ground)

MASSA
Rufus, get me that colla with the bells on it.

(RUFUS fetches the collar which is just a few feet away by the blacksmith station)
That way, everywhere he goes, we'll know he's coming. He won't be sneaking up hiding on anybody ever again. This will teach you all a lesson…Fix it on him.

(Two SLAVES lift JESSE'S lifeless body up, so that RUFUS fixes the collar around his neck.)

Y'all lazy niggas, who told you to gather around? get back to work, you better keep up with your quota. the nigga that don't finish his task on time ain't eatin for the next—

(All the SLAVES rush off to their various tasks, leaving DORCAS, and GRACE around JESSE.
MASSA and LUKE are walking off.)

MASSA
( To Luke) See, that's how you handle them. This plantation is going to be yours someday, and with the way you're being right now, I'd hate to think what would happen while I'm gone, I need to know that I can depend on you.

LUKE
Yes, mother.

MASSA
Are you going call on that Jones's girl, what's her name, Helen right?

LUKE
Mother, I don't like her—

MASSA
What don't you like? she behaved perfectly well last night, a perfect lady, I talked to her after dinner, while you went off, which was very rude by the way, where were you? Sent Grace out to look for you, stupid gal couldn't find you. Helen has a good head on her shoulders, her mind is in the right place, that's the girl, I know it, that's the girl I want you to marry.

LUKE
( looking back at Dorcas) (detachedly) Alright Mother.

MASSA
I won't be with you always, and I need to see you settled before I go. Your father put a lot of work into this place, am I to let you throw that away?

LUKE
No Ma'am.

MASSA
Look at how filthy they are, I can't stand this Negro filth. they are hardly human, pigs are cleaner than they are.

LUKE
Yes mother.

MASSA
And you, you see? You are Master now. You are in charge of them. You have to feed them, make them work, they are lazier than any—so you guide them, and if you have to be hard on them so they respect you, it's got to be done. This is your place.

LUKE
Yes Mother.

MASSA
This afternoon, we go on a tour. I'll show you their quarters. You'll see I'm not lying

LUKE
I don't think you're lying Mother.

MASSA
Better you see for yourself. That way you know everything that belongs to you in its true condition.

(They exit completely)

GRACE
oh my lawd, Jesse, Jesse

JESSE
Ma…ma...

DORCAS
Help me get him to the infirmary.

GRACE
We don't have to take him thar. I'll care for him myself.

DORCAS
( sucking her teeth )
then let's get him to the well, we'll wash him there.

(the two women struggle with him, his collar is particularly impossible.)

DORCAS
I can't believe you whip him Grace, I can't believe you actually whip him.

GRACE
What was I s'pposed t'do? It coulda been much worse, you heard massa.

DORCAS
He's your son Gracie, how can you turn against him like that? He was callin' you askin' you to save him, and you whipped him.

GRACE
You was standing there, same as I and what did you do?

DORCAS
What you think I got a bloody mouth for? ‘Sides I ain't his mama, he was calling to you—

GRACE
Warn't you the one that keeps saying you might as well have been? and warn't you the one that keeps telling me you been looking out for him? well, where was you looking out for him when this mess started, and what was he doing in Massa 's room in the first place?

DORCAS
Gracie, I told you I cain't be there all the time, didn't I? and I begged you, I begged you to break him fore they do, but you're his mama, you won't listen to me, look what it got you? ( mocking ) “I want to give my son the world” Look what it got you? We're close enough to the well, you can take it from here can't you? I'm gone. I can't take this

(Dorcas walks away.)

GRACE
( staring after her) you think you better'n anybody else, all my life, nothing I do pleases you, and you cain do no wrong, (reflectively) Mama gave you everything you ever wanted, everything, and you took my daddy away from me, but Jessie's mine, he's all mine, you can't take him away. You made one big mistake D, telling me I fail by him. you gon' regret every word outta that mouth, you see.

(GRACE lays JESSE down, with great difficulty especially with the collar on. She begins to draw water, and proceeds to wash his wounds.)

JESSE
( faintly) Mummy, Mummy, she dead?

GRACE
Ain't no body dead, baby. Shhh don't talk

JESSE
He say we's a slave mummie, He say to kill her so we'se gone be free…he give me the roots and the dust to put in her bed when she's ( coughing )

GRACE
Who? Who gave you roots and the dust?

JESSE
Rickydoc,

GRACE
Who?

JESSE
Rickydoc .

GRACE
Oh Lord have mercy. Ain't nobody by that name here!

JESSE
Rickydoc, he told me his name. He come to me, wearing feathers and grass. He's the son of the—

GRACE
Hush baby. don't say that name again. it's just the devil messing with us. don't touch it baby. if you see him come to you, don't talk to him. shhh don't talk … don't talk baby don't talk. Jesus Jesus Jesus. I'll take care of you.

(Lights fadeout on the well, go up on the willow tree under which DORCAS sits talking to a letter she holds in her hands. Lights should add to a mystical artmosphere)

DORCAS
Who hurt you, Luke? And why did you hurt me, him, us? I'm scared. I'm scared that you'll do it again, cause you've broken that barrier. I'm scared that there ain't hope for you no more. You said you would never hurt me but you hurt me now. I don't like what your mother is pushing you to become, but ain't nobody to stop her, cause you too soft to speak ‘gainst her. Even if I say it where do I go from there? What do Ido with that? What does it mean? I'm just … I want to hold on to who you were; I don't want to lose you. But how could you? oh, what's the purpose of this? I can't hate you, but I do sometimes! I thought you'd be different. Maybe you are or maybe you're just no good. Like your father.

(She puts away the letter in her blouse.)

FADEOUT

END OF SCENE 3

SCENE 4

DAY 4— BEYOND REPAIR

(The yard. MASSA and DORCAS stand facing each other. DORCAS is bowing her head. Various SLAVES are hanging around the scene, including GRACE, but not JESSE.)

MASSA
Strip her !

DORCAS
I can take it off myself !

MASSA
STRIP HER!!!

(two SLAVES advance on DORCAS, tearing off her rags. Her letter from Luke falls out. She tries to pick it up, but MASSA gets to it first.)

MASSA
What is this? ( she picks up the letter, examining it ) you little witch, what are you doing with writing? It ain't like you can read it, you stole it didn't you? …Wait, it's addressed to Dorcas, who's writing you Dorcas? What are not telling me? LUKE? my son? Where did you get this?

DORCAS
( with defiance ) Look Ma'am, you should bring Luke out here and ask him yourself, he'll clear up the matter for you

MASSA
(shocked ) Master Luke to you, when will you learn, and you know better than to talk back to me, you witch, ( taking the whip ) So now you're practicing your charms on my son? I'll beat it out of you if it's the last thing I do.

DORCAS
( running away from Massa 's grip ) You're going to have to catch me first.

MASSA
This gal didn't. ( MASSA chases DORCAS around the yard, who remains successful at eluding her. After a moment, MASSA stops to breathe.)

MASSA ( CONT'D)
What you all doing standing there, GET HER. ( No response from the slaves.) I SAID GET HER, NOW!!! ( still no response) DO SOMETHING!

DORCAS
STAY WHERE YOU ARE! You really thought you control us? well, We tired of you. and I for one would rather die than continue this death of a life anyway

MASSA
Wait till I get you, just wait till I get you, you gone regret every word that's coming outta that mouth. And you ( to the slaves) don't let me catch anyone of you, you're dead.

(most of the SLAVES scatter frantically to their various tasks, RUFUS the overseer and some others remain including GRACE)

MASSA ( CONT'D)
That's right, go on, get away, I won't forget this.

(In all the rustle and bustle, LUKE enters from the big house)

LUKE
What's going on? Mother? ( pause) DORCAS!?!...!

MASSA
( Running to Luke) This witch is trying to humiliate me. I told you about her, now look what she's doing? She can read Luke, she's been keeping it from us all these years, these secretive niggas. She trying to kill us.

LUKE
( to Dorcas ) Is this true?

DORCAS
What do you mean is this true? Why are you lying? You wrote that letter, you wrote that letter, don't lie on me, I'm more to you than that!

(LUKE turns away)

DORCAS ( CONT'D)

Luke, it's me. Look at me, tell her! ( pointing to Massa )Tell her!

MASSA
There's nothing to tell.

DORCAS
I'm more to you than that Luke, right?

(she runs at LUKE, frantically searching him, upon finding her letter in his breast pocket, she pulls it out)

Remember, remember this? COME ON LUKE ( pounding his chest) Don't do me like this, you can't

( MASSA grabs hold of DORCAS'S hand. DORCAS struggles to get out of her grip.)

Luke, don't lie. SPEAK NOW!

MASSA
There's no time for this. Rufus here, HANG HER TO THE TREE!

GRACE
( to herself) No!

(DORCAS struggling all the while, RUFUS hangs her to the tree, by both her hands not her neck.)

MASSA
So you think you can have my son huh? ( laughing ) you stupid gal. To think that's why you wouldn't go to Timmy? Why did you say, Love that's what you called it right, Love. Who would have thought, and charms on my son! and then this letter writing business, who taught you that?

DORCAS

MASSA
INFAMY!

DORCAS
( yelling for Luke's benefit ) Even though he's too much of a coward to admit it, it is the truth. Right Luke, what did you say, “I'm a man, I'll find a way for us to be together right Luke?” I guess this is your way huh?

MASSA
Tie her mouth, I WILL NOT TOLERATE THIS INSOLENCE!

DORCAS
I guess it runs in the family huh? Cowardice? ( to the slaves )Y'all better not touch me ( to Massa ) You're no more than a lazy coward, having your slaves running around doing your dirty business. You wanna shut me up, you're gonna have to do it yourself.

MASSA
I've indulged you for as long as I can stand. Now you're going to forget about letters, I'll knock it out of you if it's the last thing I do on this earth, niggas ain't got no business reading.

( CONT'D)

MASSA ( CONT'D)

( To Luke ) I tolerated a lot over these years, and I can't take no more. Your father did many things right under my eyes pretending that I cain't see them. Lord knows, he warn't nothing but a drunk bastard, and every night he would sneak out from our room, thinking I was asleep, many times I followed him right to the nigga's cabins. Nobody ever stops to ask how I feel… One night, Lou Anne, ( pointing to Dorcas) her mother, the gal your father'd fancied for the last month or so, well her man rushes up to our room while we was getting ready for bed, and before we knew it, he was at James's throat with a knife. Said James done got Lou Anne with child, said he kill James with his last breath if it came to that. Well I took your father's pistol and I shot that nigga myself. We threw him out into the trees, he wasn't mentioned again.( To Dorcas ) That's what I can do to anyone who threatens my life or that of my son. ( To Luke) Well, Lou Anne had her baby. ( pointing to Dorcas) and how do you think I feel, watching her all these years, the very proof of what my dear husband does best. That's why I put her in the house, right where I can see her, and I taught her things, Luke. Guess I felt sorry for her. Your father, the one good thing he did do was he kept order around here. So when he died, she started getting fresh and talking back. Well, I sent her right out into the fields where she belonged, washed my hands clean of her and that was the end of that. Only now, to hear that you have taken up with her?! Of all the darkies, her?!! Why Luke, Why? How did it come to this, I saw the letter, I know it's you. Luke, what you've done is an abomination in the eyes of God and man.

LUKE
What are you saying Mother? Is it true? Dorcas, my…my…my what?!

MASSA
She is the child your father had with a nigga. Her very existence is an atrocity. She should have died long ago. You slept with an abomination!

LUKE
( shaking his head) Mother, no. NO! NOOO! Don't say that.

MASSA
You should be cast with the lowliest beasts.

LUKE
( Taking his head into his hand, as if from a headache)
My sister!?!! Dorcas, my sister!!!

MASSA
She is less than human, less than slave, how can she be your sister? Stop that nonsense! (she hands LUKE the whip ) Only one thing to be done. You can still redeem yourself before God and man. Purge yourself of your sinfulness. Show your true feelings towards her! Your true and rightful feelings! She ain't nothing! Show that she means nothing to you!

(LUKE takes the whip, and goes over to the post, where DORCAS cannot see him, and begins whipping her. DORCAS does not stifle her cries. She cries out with all her spirit and soul. LUKE grunts violently with each lash.)

MASSA
That's enough. You're killing her.

(Luke stops)

MASSA (CONT'D)
( to Dorcas, with feigned gentleness ) You know, I can stop this right now, if you jes tell me who taught you books, and you promise me that you'll listen to me, and you will go and take up with Timmy.

DORCAS
( faintly but with defiance) Never !

MASSA
where did I go wrong, where did I go wrong, haven't I always been kind to you? I taught you everything, I took you under my wings Dorcas, I raised you to be better than this, how can you do this to me? how can you betray me like this?

DORCAS
This ain't about you. ( Spits on Massa!)

MASSA
Rufus, get me that other whip, you are going to learn one lesson you'll never forget!

(RUFUS gets the other whip, hands it to MASSA .)

GRACE
( yelling to Dorcas ) Dorcas, they mean to kill you, do as she says!

( MASSA and LUKE both whip DORCAS. She stops talking, or making any sound. Pause. MASSA stops, but LUKE continues.)

MASSA
That's enough! I can't lose her. Let her down. You trying to kill her?

(RUFUS cuts off the ropes, DORCAS collapses to the ground.)

LUKE
I thought that's what—

MASSA
You know how much she worth? She worth even more cause of all the things I taught to her, she ain't ordinary, she can do things the others can't. I was trying to teach her a lesson, not kill her, we need her, around here. You do just enough to set an example, not kill your investment!

LUKE
I'm sorry Mama.

MASSA
It's alright you're still learning.

(They exit for the big house. Upon their complete exit, Grace rushes to Dorcas's side.)

RUFUS
Didn't Massa say to get back to work?

GRACE
Overseer Rufus, please this my sista. Please, let me help my sista!

RUFUS
What's in it for me?

GRACE
Please!

RUFUS
Alright. you owe me.

(He walks off, grunting, the other slaves exit, leaving GRACE with DORCAS)

GRACE
Dorcas, can you get up, can you walk, we hafta get you in your clothes, get you out of here.

DORCAS
Gracie…Gracie, I feel it… life like blood, bleeding out of me. They never told me you'd feel it

GRACE
Please don't talk lak that, we're going to take care of you, you'll live.

DORCAS
Is it true? …Gracie is it true? …Is that …that what you wouldn't… tell me?

GRACE
Les go, get up, les go.

DORCAS
Tell me!

GRACE
Alright, it true. The night he found out Mama was pregnant, he go up to Massa 's house. Mama sent me after him cause she was scared a what he do. But I'in't go in, I stood outside waiting, and I heard the noise, and I was scared so I ran away. I'in't see daddy again after that. So it true alright, but you not abomnation, like Massa says, you my sista, and I promise mama I look after you, so get up, les go.

DORCAS
There's something… I want you to do… for me… In my room…under the mattress… you find it… there's something I want you to do. You find it. You find it…give it to Jesse… book to Luke ...

GRACE
GET UP!

DORCAS
Go to my room, there's something, go. ( mustering of strength ) NOW!

GRACE
Okay, okay. I'll go get it, right now, I'm gon run so I be back in no time flat, okay. You hold on. You better hold on. Promise me, you'll be here when I'm back!

DORCAS
( faintly ) Go and get it, GRACE!

(GRACE runs off)

Let me die in peace.

(Drumming. RICKYDOC appears in front of DORCAS, starts touching her wounds as if to heal them. DORCAS sees him hanging over her. He gives her roots and herbs to swallow)

You're one of those. No no no. Don't make me better... help me die. help me die. I stayed as long as he need me, but he don't need me no more. She don't need me no more. Set me free. Please set me free. You are one of those, I know you can.

RICKYDOC
Daughter. Shhhh… You have a long journey ahead of you. You need to save your strength. I know. I know. My gods dey never lie.

DORCAS
Set me—

RICKYDOC
Shhhh… (He pulls her eyelids shut. Dorcas doesn't resist. He sings to her. Dorcas settles into the peace his voice brings, with a smile on her face. Grace comes running back with a quilt)

GRACE
Dorcas, I found it, I found it. ( seeing Rickydoc, she gasps ) Who you?

RICKYDOC
( Calmly ) Shh… dere's work to be done. But you can't be a part of my work. You have your own work. Grace go home.

GRACE
Dad?—

RICKYDOC
( shaking his head ) Shh, go home.

GRACE
Where are you taking her? I want to come. Can I help? Don't leave me behind, don't tell me to go, I want to stay, please I can help.

RICKYDOC
( with authority ) Grace listen to me. Stay here. your place is here, with de young one, teach'em to be strong help'em grow. Jesse, he's going to lead one day. I know whar he's going, but you have to put'em on de right path. talk to ‘em tell'em about us, he has to hear it from you. G'ome to ‘em Grace, Tell him. GO!

(GRACE begins to walk backwards, towards the slavequarters.)

(GRACE turns around and runs home.)

(RICKYDOC laughs. He continues singing to DORCAS, and continues his ritual. When he finishes, he carries her turning round and round until he disappears. Drumming fades.)

FADEOUT

END OF SCENE 4

SCENE 5

DAY 5— WHAT ABOUT ME?

FADE IN

(Same yard, the next Saturday. GRACE is standing by the otherwise deserted well. It's night.)

GRACE
Dorcas, I miss you something terrible. Sometimes I think I'm talking to you and you can hear me, I'm doing what you told me, I'm doing my best. Jesse has changed. He wants to know more, always asking questions. Everything has changed. You know Luke, he's no child no more. He now hard like the rest of ‘em, massa must have really worked her hand on him. Oh Dorcas, will you ever forgive me? Lord I'm just talking to myself but sometimes I swear I think you can hear me. I gave Jesse the quilt, like you wanted. told him it was from you, it was the same one Mummy started, I didn't know that you took it up when she did, he likes it so much he cain't sleep without it. I found your book, couldn't read it none, so I left it for Luke, left it in his room after I done made it up. Then the next day, the day after you'se gone, he comes and he took away Jesse's collar, he come to the room, all wide- eyed and not looking at nobody.

(JESSE enters, he is without a collar.)

GRACE (CONT'D)
He wouldn't even look at me, or touch Jesse. Jes tossed me the key, then ran out of there, that poor one. What did you write in the book, huh?—

JESSE
Mummy who you talking to?

GRACE
Oh your Aun, sorry, nobody.

JESSE
You jes talking to yourself?

GRACE
I gess that's what I'm doing

( pause )

JESSE
Mummy, did I tell you that Aunty Dorcas came to me last night?

GRACE
She cain't do that — she dead.

JESSE
In my sleep Mummy.

GRACE
Really? What did she say?

JESSE
Many things. She said to take care of you, she says to keep you from breaking.

GRACE
She said that?

JESSE
Yeah Mummy, she was with this other woman I ain't never seen her before but she got lines over her cheek—

GRACE
Mama? you saw my mama in your dream? Tell me!

JESSE
Yeah, and they was turning, and they were about to leave, and I was afraid and I was about to run after them, but Anty Dorcas turns back towards me, and she smiles, and she says I know. She says “Tell your Mummy I know. It's alright.”

GRACE
Oh Dorcas! ( she looks down towards the ground ) Oh Jesse! ( She hugs him )

JESSE
Oh! Mummy that hurts ( touching his left rib )

GRACE
Oh I'm sorry baby. ( letting him go ) Sometimes your mama jes gets carried away with herself. You want me to rub your neck now?

JESSE
Yeah mummy.

GRACE
(Jesse gets the stool, they sit. Grace rubs his back, she begins to sing.)

JESSE
Mummy, tell me about your mama and Anty Dorcas

GRACE
My mama? She's your grandmother you know. She was the most beautiful woman, even though she couldn't walk straight and always had to limp, she had lost her foot, but she wouldn't let nobody help her, I guess that's where Dorcas gets her stubbornness from, that didn't stop her tho, losing her foot. She was still so beautiful, she and daddy, they was always together. I guess cause they was both from Africa

JESSE
Africa, Mummy?

GRACE
Yeah Africa ,it's really far away. She told me the name of the village she came from one time, I'll never forget it. Imbayo. She told me her real name too, Bamike, ain't that might nice?

JESSE
Yeah Mummy. You think Rickydoc is from Africa ? Oh sorr—

GRACE
I don't know, baby. That Rickydoc is something else though that name sounds—he looked—
like I knew him from somewhere before

JESSE
I thought you didn't know Rickydoc, and you didn't want me to say his name again, sed it was the devil

GRACE
I didn't really mean that.

(pause)

JESSE
Mummy, what about me?

GRACE
What about you?

JESSE
He came to me as if he knew me, telling me respect my elders, and patience and...

GRACE
He told you that? Well, he right baby, he right.

JESSE
Mummy, tell me about me.

GRACE
what? what about you?

JESSE
Me, you see, like me when I was little, like—

GRACE
I see, why you asking?

JESSE
Anty Dorcas says to ask you, says you tell me. Says you don't lie to me this time

(As GRACE speaks, drums play faintly, getting louder and louder until the drumming completely drowns her out and she is no longer heard, even though she is still talking.)

GRACE
( smiling) alright baby. Well, you came at a night like this one, the harvest was coming and so Massa—that was Massa Luke's daddy, you know he was still with us then—he had us all in the fields, even the house folks that don't work outside, we was all in the field working more cause for the harvest, and I was so heavy, I couldn't stand no more, and I fell and Massa was gon whip me but Dorcas was over me ‘fore Massa lash could reach me, and it hit her, but she carried me with my stomach and all and she carried me to my room, yeah she was a strong one ( inaudible ) that one, strong and stubborn she got in trouble for walking past Massa but she didn't care, she stayed with me, she was the only one, Massa warnt' gon let her…(etc)

(RICKYDOC appears on a platform above them. He looms over them, making large and slow movements that coincide with the haunting drum beats. Drumming becomes faint again)

RICKYDOC
I am Rickydoc, son of de wind daughter of de sun. Mothers fear me, fathers run from me, but children draw nearer and learn. Awon omo wa ni bi yi. Wan ranti. Mo ti se ise mi. Olorun aiye r'aye, jek'in kpada si o. Boi learning where he comes from, he learning where he go, he sitting still. Patience at last. Modupe, ise me ti pari.

(He dances a long ritualistic dance. He comes to the floor, freezes.)

RICKYDOC ( Cont'd)

Ashe!

(He disappears.)

BLACKOUT

(THE END)

 

 

 

© 2005/6 by Omotayo Jolaosho

Cover Design: Joseph McNair

Web Author: Joseph D. McNair Copyright © 2006 by Joseph D. McNair -ALL RIGHTS RESERVED