Page:Zora Neale Hurston - Woofing.pdf/3

(Comes to the poreh and sits)

Git de checkers and I'll have you any, some or none. I push a mean chuck-a-luck myself.

(Voice inside quarreling)

Dress up and strut around! Yes! Play checkers? Yes! Eat? Yes! Work? No!!

(The game starts. A period of silence in which they indicate their concentration by frowns, cautious moves, head scratching. GOOD BLACK is pointing his index finger over the board indicating moves. He wig-wags, starts to move, scratches his head thoroughly, changes his mind and fools around without moving)

Police! Police! Come here and make dis man move!

Aw, I got plenty moves.

(Scratches his head)

Jus' tryin' to see which one I want to make. But when I do move, it's gointer be just too bad for you.

(A guitar is heard off stage and Cliffert brightens. He cups his hand and calls)

Lonnie! Come here! Ha, ha, ha! I got me a fish.

(Enter LONNIE picking "East Coast" on his box and stands watching the game. He ceases to play as he stops walking)

Ha, ha! You see ol' Good Black goes for a hard guy. He tries to know more than a mule and a mule's head longer'n his'n. Ha, ha! I set a trap for him and he fell right in it. Try-
ing to ride de britches! Now look at him.

Aw, shut up! You tryin' to show yo' grandma how to milk ducks. You can't beat me playin' no checkers.

(Scratches his head again)

Just watch me show my glory.