That Sign
By Xavier Ashton-Adderley
Warning: Strong language
Characters:
Pamela: Young Black woman trying to read a sign
Buckley: Elderly Black man who is close to Pamela
Jim: Middle-aged White store owner
Scene 1
It’s a late afternoon in 1956’s Maryland as PAMELA inspects a sign hanging in front of the door. She can barely make out the words “No Niggers”. She calls out to BUCKLEY, sittin’ by a trash can outside the coffeehouse with nothing but a beer and a sandwich.
PAMELA: Hey, uh… Buckley?
BUCKLEY looks straight ahead.
BUCKLEY: Yes, ma’am?
PAMELA: What this sign say?
BUCKLEY: “No Niggers Allowed”, ma’am.
PAMELA turns to BUCKLEY.
PAMELA: “Niggers”? That’s what it say?
BUCKLEY: That’s right.
PAMELA: …Negroes?
BUCKLEY: “Niggers”, ma’am.
PAMELA looks back at the sign, squinting at it again.
PAMELA: That looks like a “Negroes” to me.
BUCKLEY: Same difference. You’ll get nicked either way.
PAMELA: I ain’t a nigger, though.
BUCKLEY: (confused) You ain’t black?
PAMELA: I ain’t say I ain’t black. I said I ain’t a nigger.
BUCKLEY gives PAMELA a side-eye, then takes a swig of his bottle.
BUCKLEY: Y’know what they mean.
PAMELA looks back at the sign and frowns. She tries to read the letters again. Maybe she read it wrong.
PAMELA: That do look like two “g”s.
BUCKLEY: I told ya.
PAMELA: Well, if it says “No Niggers” like you said, I guess I’m in the clear.
PAMELA starts to enter the store, but is grabbed by BUCKLEY.
BUCKLEY: Wait a minute, now. You saw that sign, didn’t chu?
PAMELA (irritated): Yea.
BUCKLEY: Well, who you think they ‘ferrin to?
PAMELA: Not to me, clearly.
BUCKLEY takes a swig of his beer.
PAMELA: I am a BLACK WOMAN, not a “nigger”. There’s a clear difference.
BUCKLEY: Oh yeah? What that be?
PAMELA: Niggers are animals. I’m a human being.
BUCKLEY: Mm.
BUCKLEY takes another swig drowsily.
PAMELA: You needa stop drinking.
BUCKLEY: No, ma’am. Maybe if I finish this bottle, I’ll understand what you just said.
PAMELA: You don’t need a drink to understand what I’m sayin’. I know you better than that.
BUCKLEY: Oh please. Just drop it, will ya? Sam’s got some coffee beans down at his shack; have him make you some coffee.
PAMELA rolls her eyes, getting ready to go through the door.
But…
BUCKLEY: Pam.
PAMELA: What, Buck? I gotta get a coffee from there.
BUCKLEY: Ain’t you hear what I said? If you want coffee, go to Sam’s.
PAMELA takes a breath.
PAMELA: This ain’t about coffee, Buck.
BUCKLEY: Yeeaaah, I figured that. Sure did… but you can’t go in there. Mm-mm. You gotta go somewhere else.
PAMELA: Why?
BUCKLEY: I’m tired of seeing ya’ll get hurt. All ya young folks do is risk ya necks out for stuff that ain’t worth it.
PAMELA (points to sign): That ain’t worth it to you?
BUCKLEY slowly gets up, moving toward the sign as if he’s trying to get a closer look. PAMELA crosses her arms, scowling at him as he eyes the sign. BUCKLEY, feeling her eyes then turns and returns her scowl with dead eyes.
BUCKLEY: Nope.
PAMELA: Ugh… How do you live like that?
BUCKLEY bites into his sandwich.
BUCKLEY (mouth full): Live like what?
PAMELA: Like an animal living on scraps of meat?
BUCKLEY: I do what it takes to live, ma’am. The longer you live, the more you’ll understand— you can’t be livin’ out here bitin’ the hands that feed ya.
PAMELA: Yeah? And what if the food they feed you is rotten? That’s if they decide to feed you in the first place.
PAMELA looks at the sign in contempt. Then she turns back to BUCKLEY.
PAMELA: Come on, Buck. Let’s get some coffee.
BUCKLEY: From Sam’s?
PAMELA: No, not Sam’s!
BUCKLEY: Imma sit right on here then.
PAMELA: Nuh-uh. Get up. (starts tugging on Buckley)
BUCKLEY: I ain’t budgin’.
PAMELA: Mr. Buck, get yo ass up!
BUCKLEY: My ass is goin’ nowhere.
PAMELA: Come. On! GET UP!
JIM, the coffee shop owner, bursts out the store looking red as hell.
JIM: What the hell is—ah, shit.
PAMELA and BUCKLEY glance at JIM. JIM turns to BUCKLEY in anger.
JIM: What did I tell you would happen if I caught you out here again?
BUCKLEY: I swear… I was just—
JIM: “Leaving”. Right.
JIM turns to PAMELA as BUCKLEY eats his sandwich.
JIM: And you. Who do you think you are to be making this much noise outside my shop?!
PAMELA: Sorry, sir. I only came to get some coffee from your shop, but then I saw your sign.
PAMELA points to the sign.
JIM smirks.
JIM: Ah, so you noticed. What you doin’ here then?
PAMELA: I was getting ready to buy some coffee in there.
JIM: I’m sorry, what?
PAMELA: I saw your sign, so I figured this would be the best place to get my coffee.
JIM laughs.
JIM: You can read, can’t ya?
PAMELA: Yes, sir, and please forgive me if I’m a bit of a bother… I just heard how great your coffee was and wanted to pay well for a cup of some.
JIM: Really? Well, what makes you think I’d want your money?
PAMELA: Because money is money, sir, no matter where, or whom, it comes from.
JIM: I ain’t the type to need a nigger’s money. Now scram, and take the other one wit’ ya.
JIM starts walking back to the shop and BUCKLEY stands to move, but PAMELA stands firm.
PAMELA: No customers today?
JIM: I’m sorry?
PAMELA: Me and Buck have been here for 20 minutes, but we haven’t seen a single person go in or out of the shop.
BUCKLEY nods apprehensively.
PAMELA: Is something wrong?
JIM gets into PAMELA’S space.
JIM: What’s it to ya?
PAMELA: I grew up with this shop. Used to come here a lot when I was little. Used to be full too, but it seems… different now.
JIM (turns away): I don’t know what you’re talking about.
PAMELA: Well, if you won’t accept my money, then maybe you’ll accept my labor.
JIM and BUCKLEY turn to PAMELA in bewilderment.
PAMELA: I’ll help sweep the floors, wait tables, cook… whatever you need.
BUCKLEY mouths “What are you doing?” to PAMELA. She can’t see him.
JIM: All this for a cup of coffee?
BUCKLEY: No suh, according to her.
PAMELA shoots a look at BUCKLEY before facing JIM. BUCKLEY backs off.
JIM: Oh, yeah?
PAMELA: Yes sir. I’d pass this place all the time runnin’ errands for Mr. Carnegie.
JIM backs off a bit.
JIM (intrigued): You work for Carnegie? Joseph Carnegie?
PAMELA: Yes sir.
JIM laughs heartily.
JIM: For you to be his maid would make you a hell of a worker. He don’t just choose anybody.
PAMELA: I’ve also worked five years as a cook, four years as a waiter, and three years as a teacher.
JIM: That’s impressive, I must admit. Quite impressive.
JIM gets back in PAMELA’s space.
JIM: So tell me… how did someone like you get so much work?
PAMELA: Through a lot of hard work, sir.
Silence. JIM stares PAMELA down and PAMELA tries to keep her
composure.
JIM: And instead of pursuing a higher job, you’d rather work for me.
PAMELA: You’d be the only one willing to hire me.
JIM: And why’s that?
PAMELA: Because we both care about this shop, and you'd do ANYTHING for its sake.
Silence. JIM and PAMELA stubbornly stand in front of each other while BUCKLEY watches confused. A few seconds pass until JIM gives in.
JIM: Very well then.
JIM puts his hand out to shake PAMELA’s hand, and PAMELA begins to grab it… but PAMELA slightly holds back.
PAMELA: I do have conditions.
BUCKLEY suddenly jolts his head upward, shocked at what he just heard.
JIM: State them.
BUCKLEY coughs as he finishes his sandwich, flabbergasted at JIM’s agreeableness. JIM looks at BUCKLEY in disgust while PAMELA looks at BUCKLEY in concern.
BUCKLEY (coughing): Sorry… do—do your business.
JIM and PAMELA face each other.
PAMELA: For one, I want to be paid at least a dollar and 10 cents an hour.
JIM (offended): The hell you think this is? Showbiz?
PAMELA tenses up. JIM notices.
JIM (clears his throat): Fine. What else?
PAMELA: I also want you to hire him.
JIM: Him? You want me to hire him?
PAMELA: Yes, sir. He could work behind the counter or wait tables with me. Either way, if ya want me, ya gotta have him, too.
JIM: …all right. I suppose I can hire him, as long as he pulls his weight.
PAMELA: Thank you.
JIM: Alright. Now let’s get goin’.
PAMELA: I have just one more request.
JIM eyes PAMELA, but PAMELA stands firm.
JIM: You got me doin’ a lot for ya. What else could you possibly want?
PAMELA: That sign out front?
JIM: Yeah?
PAMELA: I want to take it down.
JIM sizes her up while PAMELA stands her ground. The air is tense, until…
JIM: Fine. Wouldn’t make much sense keepin’ it if you’re working here anyway.
PAMELA sticks out her hand while BUCKLEY watches in concern.
PAMELA: I appreciate it.
JIM shakes her hand.
JIM: Don’t mention it. I’d do anything to get this place running again… even if I gotta get help from you… um…
PAMELA: Pamela.
JIM: Yes. Pamela.
BUCKLEY stands with a smile.
BUCKLEY: Ah, sir. Thank you for your grace.
JIM (disgusted): Don’t mention it.
JIM: I could actually use some help now. I need you both to sweep this place out and get it ready for tomorrow, and I expect to see you both here tomorrow by 8. I’m gonna need a lotta help from the both of you if we wanna turn this place around.
PAMELA: Oh, best believe… things are gonna change around here.
JIM nods in approval before heading back in the store. BUCKLEY turns to PAMELA in worry.
BUCKLEY: Do you know what you just did?
PAMELA: Yep. Got us access to coffee and money in our pockets.
BUCKLEY: You sure are optimistic.
PAMELA (smiling): Someone’s gotta be. I’ll see you in there.
BUCKLEY shakes his head. He heads inside the store.
PAMELA takes another look at the sign, taking in the message.
She smirks, then takes the sign and puts it in the trash can right by the door.
PAMELA: Much better.
PAMELA smiles before heading in the store herself, ready to get to work.
THE END
