THE PRETENDER
551
JESSE:
You must want to go back to him!
MARIANNE:
The point is that when Sam Hollis and his men get here,
you won't be able to tell them a thing.... You'll
be
too ashamed. ...
JESSE:
You wouldn't. ...
MARIANNE:
I swear to you that's just what I'll do.
JESSE:
And I won't be threatened....
He dials the number.
MARIANNE:
(shrilly)
I'm warning you, Jesse.
JESSE:
(turning his back to her)
Hello? Is this Sam Hollis? This
is
Jesse Prince speaking....
MARIANNE
rushes into the bedroom, returns with her purse,
takes out her lipstick and powder and makes up with her
back to the audience throughout
JESSE'S
telephone conver–
sation.
I know it's late and I know you're busy, and I wouldn't have called
if it weren't urgent. . . . I want your help tonight in what may be
the most important action ever undertaken by a Negro in the South.
. . . Yes, tonight. . . . Yes, now!
(A pause.)
Yes, I want you to bring
Al Murray and Hardy Jones. I know they're your best men. And
come armed.... Yes, of course. . . . I had to be sure that you would
be prepared.... I can't say any more over the phone... .
I'll
be ex-
pecting you, then. . . . Goodbye, Sam. . . .
HE replaces the receiver and turns to
MARIANNE. MARIANNE
turns around and faces him, and she completes her lipsticking.
MARIANNE:
You know what you've done? You've sent me back to him.
Jesse, you've sent me back to Young Williams.
She goes out.
JESSE
is overcome. We he.ar the motor of a car
starting.
JESSE
gets up and rushes to the door.
JESSE:
(calling)
Marianne, Marianne!
We hear the car drive away.
CURTAIN*
*
This excerpt is the first act of a two-act play.
