Ben knocks at the door and turns and looks out at the street. He turns and knocks at the door again. The door opens and MRS RAYMOND—a middleaged woman in a chenille robe with her hair up in a plastic cap—opens the door and looks out.
BEN Mrs Raymond I hate to bother you so late but I wonder if Emmett knows anything about Soldier. He hasn't been home since last night.
Mrs Raymond looks down and shakes her head.
BEN Is he still up?
MRS RAYMOND (Turning toward inside of house) Emmett, you see Soldier today?
EMMETT (Offstage) I don't know nothin bout Soldier.
MRS RAYMOND Say he don't know nothin bout him.
BEN Was he in school Friday?
MRS RAYMOND (To Emmett) Soldier in school Friday?
EMMETT I ain't seen him.
MRS RAYMOND Say he ain't seen him.
BEN What about Jeffrey. Was Jeffrey in school?
MRS RAYMOND (To Emmett) Jeffrey in school on Friday?
They wait. Emmett doesn't answer.
MRS RAYMOND (To Emmett) JEFFREY IN SCHOOL ON FRIDAY?
EMMETT I don't know nothin bout Soldier and I don't know nothin bout Jeffrey.
