Old Josh, in: Pure Nigger [2nd series] "White Folks"

Old Josh, in:
White Folks
(Episode Two)) 1893))






(Josh and Silas sitting, having a cup of coffee out of two tin cans by his hut, on the steps, behind the Hightower Mansion)





Josh: I tells you de news?
Silas: wuh news?
Josh: ‘about de White Folks
Silas: Wuh news?
Josh: Wuh de diff’erece?
Silas: Dey is white we is black
Josh: Brother, ‘tain’t no diff’ence we’is all da same under da skin!
Silas: Wuh de diff’ence, den?
Josh: Yous jus’ ramben’ off!
Josh: Der is a heep er diff’ence an’ it ant much neither, jes de diff’ence like ‘de devil and’ saydon,´dem white folks talk different.
Silas: ‘tain’t non of my business.

(Old Josh stands up leans against the 4 x 4 beam holding up the small porch roof, while Silas, his older boy, remains sitting on the steps.)

Josh: Where is Jordan?
Silas: Makin’ liquer, down in dat cemetery hollerin´for Jesus in dem woods.
Josh: So yous luh dem White Folks, Hightower say several niggers wants de work but dey meddle wid everybody, sees he talk diff’ernt!
Silas: Jordan been down der a good while.
Josh: An’ strange things comen in dat cemetery.

(Josh looks about, bites his lip, puts his hands in his pocket, looks back down at Silas)

Siles: dat´s woy I dont go der.
Josh: I seen a bear in dem woods, he lazy as a mule, jus’ howl like a dog.
Silas: Ant much he can do! Wht kind er religion is Mr. Hightower?
Josh: ‘ em claim to be a Methodist!
Silas: Hope der religion can stand de mud an’ bring de water, I is a true Baptist.
Josh: yu ant no Baptist, better suited to be a Methodist.

(Josh pushes out a great sigh)

Josh: Well, I an’t guh jine any dem religion—et is right you’ not getten out of de white folks hands… (huh…he murmurs)
Silas: You’ safe pa—God knows you try to fool Him wid de prayer. He got sense. You’ run to Him, whn da danger is over you’ go to bed, too late to pray pa—
Josh: I knows a man forgets God when he tired…and I get tired lots.

(Written 2-4 & 5-2007)