Jack, Henry, Charles and Susan onstage. HENRY: Sit down. (Charles holds an overcoat, which Susan takes from him. Charles sits.) You want to tell me about black folks? I’ll help you: O.J. Was guilty. Rodney King was in the wrong place, but the police have the right to use force. Malcolm X. Was noble when he renounced violence. Prior to that he was misguided. Dr. King was, of course, a saint. He was killed by a jealous husband, and you had a maid when you were young who was better to you than your mother. She raised you. You’ve never fucked a black girl, but one sat near you in science class, and she was actually rather shy. (Pause.) CHARLES: . . . I would never say any of . . . HENRY: You’re fucking A right you wouldn’t. Which is the purpose of the lesson. Do you know what you can say? To a black man. On the subject of race? CHARLES: “Nothing.” HENRY: That is correct. (Pause.) CHARLES: Black people can talk about Race. HENRY: How about that. (Pause.) CHARLES: I will do anything I can.
