Scene 5


We are back in the living room the following morning. VERNA is sitting at the coffee table, DIXIE ANN is standing across from her, and JOLENE is moving back and forth from the kitchen with cups, coffeepot and cookies.
 
DIXIE ANN
Just like that, Mama! None o' us could believe our eyes. It was the most romantic thing I ever saw. And I practically had to grab her by the hair to get her to go! And, o'course, the first thing was they start playin' Doin' La Conga, and all at once Shy Shirley here suddenly becomes Carmen Miranda. Right after is when this gorgeous man comes sashayin' in. And then I look up, and they're both gone.

JOLENE

I told you. We went for a walk.

DIXIE ANN

And I'm Tokyo Rose.

JOLENE

Well, it's the God's honest truth. We went for a walk in the moonlight. That was absolutely all.

VERNA

And are you seein' him again?

JOLENE

Mama, I'm an old married woman.

VERNA

You didn't answer my question.

JOLENE

Well, he mentioned somethin' about bein' at the Club again tonight.

DIXIE ANN

And you're going to be there.

JOLENE

I don't understand you two. I have a husband, and he's in the South Pacific!

DIXIE ANN

What d'you think Russell is doin' in the South Pacific?

JOLENE

Fightin' for his country that's what he is doin'.

VERNA

With a little help from some o' the native girls.

JOLENE

Russell with a native girl? That'll be the day! And if he ever found out I even danced with a soldier…

DIXIE ANN

                                           If Russell found out,
                                           I'm sure he would deck her,

VERNA

                                           But even a prejudiced man
                                           Is ruled by his pecker.

JOLENE

Mama, I hate when you talk like that!

VERNA

Jolene, I'm not like you. I'm a realist.
                                          Black girls,
                                          Brown girls,
                                          Yellow girls, too---
                                          What's a man to do?
                                          Fornication
                                          Knows no discrimination.

JOLENE

Mama!

DIXIE ANN

                                           Black girls,
                                           Brown girls,
                                           Yellow girls, too---
                                           So what else is new?
                                           Apparatus
                                           Knows no social status.

JOLENE

Dixie Ann, don't encourage her.

VERNA

                                          He may be the basest
                                          Rotten kind of racist
                                          Who worships, country, flag and mother---

DIXIE ANN

                                          He may lay a threat down,
                                          But once the chips are set down

VERNA

                                          He'll say one thing and screw another. (VERNA and DIXIE ANN are now dancing in the manner of the Andrews Sisters.)
VERNA & DIXIE ANN
                                          Black girls,
                                          Brown girls,
                                          Each one is a treat;
                                          Purples or chartreuses,
                                          They'll turn on his juices,
                                          There are no excuses,
                                          When a bigot is in heat.

VERNA

                                          When a bigot is in heat!

DIXIE ANN

                                          When a bigot is in heat!

TOGETHER

                                          When a bigot is in heat!

DIXIE ANN

                                          Black girls,
                                          Brown girls,
                                          Yellow girls, too,
                                          What's a man to do?

VERNA

                                          Bigots pardon
                                          Any kind of hard-on.

JOLENE

Mama, if someone heard you…

DIXIE ANN

                                           Black girls,
                                           Brown girls,
                                           Yellow girls, too.
                                           So what else is new?

VERNA

                                           No objections
                                           As long as they've erections.

DIXIE ANN

                                           Though he's rough and mannish,
                                           Very Ku Klux Klannish,
                                           And worships hoods and whips and lynchin',

VERNA

                                          When he's so inclined to
                                          He'll pay no never mind to,
                                          The color ass he starts in pinchin'.

DIXIE ANN & VERNA

                                          Black girls,
                                          Brown girls,
                                          Everyone's a treat,
                                          Lemonish or bluish,
                                          Olderish or newish,
                                          Arabic or Jewish,
                                          When a bigot is in heat.

VERNA

                                          When a bigot is in heat!

DIXIE ANN

                                          When a bigot is in heat!

TOGETHER

                                          When a bigot is in heat!

JOLENE

You two are terrible!

DIXIE ANN

So. Are you comin' with me tonight?

JOLENE

I'll think about it.

                                                                (VERNA regards her with a look of skepticism.)
 
 

LIGHTS DIM