ERNESTINE. (to audience.

) Smothered in gossamer smoke and dizzying assertions, I

wondered had her revolution already begun? So I went down to the Public library round my way,
revolution, American, Revolutionary War, Revolution, French. But no Negro Revolution. I did
find twenty entries on communism in the card catalogue, but no books on the shelves. The
teacher said, select a topic thats close to you. My essay was entitled The Colored Worker in
the United State, the mistake was using the word worker too liberally. The principal called
Daddy Goodness and told him to stop mingling with the Jews at his job and everything would be
all right. Daddy didnt bother to tell him that his co-workers were all colored. And the Jews on
our block wont speak to us. Well, except the Levys who if they didnt talk to us theyd have to
sit in the darkness on Friday night. (Lights rise on Godfrey shining his hoes in the living room.
Lily sits in the arm chair reading a movie magazine.)

I. Darling Angel, apologize for anything in my essay that might suggest that communism is a
good thing. My intent was to deal with the labor movement in the United States, which primarily
consists of God-fearing patriotic Americans dedicated to improving the conditions for the
working man. (Ernestine Crosses her heart. National anthem plays.) I pledge Allegiance to the
flag of the United States of America.

(To audience.) Daddy had become a communist by interference. His fear of God replaced by
the fear of the government. If hed read the essay, then he might have fought a little harder
when he was passed over for the promotion and wed be watching television in the evenings.
Down home he fought only once when he got drunk on a barrel of sour whiskey and went on a
drunken tirade, beaten nearly senseless, he accused the white man who sold him the liquor of
allowing the devil to slip into his soul. Mommy called his brow with witch hazel and talked him
into a gentle sleep. His anger a faint memory at rest.
ERNESTINE. (to audience.) Smothered in gossamer smoke and dizzying assertions, I
wondered had her revolution already begun? So I went down to the Public library round my way,
revolution, American, Revolutionary War, Revolution, French. But no Negro Revolution. I did
find twenty entries on communism in the card catalogue, but no books on the shelves. The
teacher said, select a topic thats close to you. My essay was entitled The Colored Worker in
the United State, the mistake was using the word worker too liberally. I. Darling Angel,
apologize for Anything in my essay that might suggest that communism is a good thing. My
intent was to deal with the labor movement in the United States, which primarily consists of
God-fearing patriotic Americans dedicated to improving the conditions for the working man.
(Ernestine Crosses her heart. National anthem plays.) I pledge Allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America.

ERNESTINE. (to audience.) The teacher said, select a topic thats close to you. My essay
was entitled The Colored Worker in the United State, the mistake was using the word worker
too liberally. I. Darling Angel, apologize for anything in my essay that might suggest that
communism is a good thing. My intent was to deal with the labor movement in the United
States, which primarily consists of God-fearing patriotic Americans dedicated to improving the
conditions for the working man. Daddy had become a communist by interference. His fear of
God replaced by the fear of the government. If hed read the essay, then he might have fought a
little harder when he was passed over for the promotion and wed be watching television in the
evenings. Down home he fought only once when he got drunk on a barrel of sour whiskey and
went on a drunken tirade, beaten nearly senseless, he accused the white man who sold him the
liquor of allowing the devil to slip into his soul. Mommy called his brow with witch hazel and
talked him into a gentle sleep. His anger a faint memory at rest.