Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Jed and Don's dirty little secret

Jed: (darkly) Why, I've always been here, boy. You know that.
Don: (nods slowly) I guess I do.
(They continue driving, far out into the country. In the distance, the glow of lights can be seen and
the indistinct noise of a crowd. Or a mob.)
Don: Seems to be something going on up ahead.
Jed: (tickled by this) Hee, hee, I'd say so. (turning serious) Stop here, so we can get ready.
(Don stops the car and looks at Jed meaningfully)
Don: Get ready?
(Jed reaches down between his legs and retrieves two white hoods, one of which he gives to Don)
Jed: (putting on his hood and getting out of the car) We'll leave the car here and walk the rest
of the way. Wouldn't be seemly to have the cruiser there.
Don: (looking at his hood for a moment and then donning it): No, it wouldn't.
(As they walk on into the darkness, the glow of lights grows as does the sound of the mob. When
they turn a corner, the whole panorama comes into view: 50 or a hundred people, men women and children, all clad in white gown and white hoods. Nearly all carry torches as they form a semi-circle around a lone black man, feet and hands bound, standing on the hood of a battered pick-up, a noose about his neck. A cigarette is between his lips and we see that it is the same negro from the bar in scene one. The camera zooms in for a close-up on his face as the negro leans forward to light his cigarette from one of the nearby torches.
Negro: (taking a deep drag and then sighing with satisfaction): Ah, now that's freshness! (to audience) When it comes time for your final smoke, don't just take any old butt. Tell 'em 'it's a Jigaboo or nothin!' (he takes another drag, inhales deeply and smiles with pleasure) You'll be glad you did!

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