ANOTHER VOICE: (At the table) We ain't playin' for money, nohow,
Deacon. We just playin' a little Florida Flip.
HAMBO: Ya all can't play no Florida Flip. When I was a sinner there
wasn't a man in this state could beat me playin' that game. But I'm a
deacon in Macedonia Baptist now and I don't bother with the cards no
more.
VOICE AT CARD TABLE: All right, then, come on here Tony (To man with
basket on steps.) let me catch your jack.
TAYLOR: (Looking toward door) I don't reckon I got time. I guess my
wife gonna get through buying out that store some time or other and
want to go home.
OLD MAN: (On opposite side of porch from card game) I bet my wife
would know better than expect me to sit around and wait for her with a
basket. Whyn't you tell her to tote it on home herself?
TAYLOR: (Sighing and shaking his head.) Eh, Lawd!
VOICE AT CARD TABLE: Look like we can't get nobody to come into this
game. Seem like everybody's scared a us. Come on back here, Lum, and
take your hand. (LUM makes a final futile gesture at the children.)
LUM: Ain't I tole you little haitians to stay away from here?
(CHILDREN scatter teasingly only to return to their play in front of
the store later on. LUM comes up on the porch and re-joins the card
game. Just as he gets seated, MRS. CLARK comes to the door of the
store and calls him.)
MRS. CLARK: (Drawlingly) Columbus!
LUM: (Wearily) Ma'am?
MRS. CLARK: De Mayor say for you to go round in de back yard and tie
up old lady Jackson's mule what's trampin' aup all de tomatoes in my
garden.
Pages:
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32