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56 ination of the people MR. PARKER You got more? Let me see more! BLUE Now this is our green circle——that's Theo and his corn liquor——for retail purposes will be called "black lightning." This whiskey of Theo's can make an everlasting contribution to this life-force I've been telling you about. I've tested this whiskey out in every neighborhood in Harlem, and everybody claimed it was the best they ever tasted this side of Washington, D.C. You see, we plan to supply every after-hours joint in this area, and this will run Mr. You-Know-Who and his bonded product out of Harlem. THEO You see, Pop, this all depends on the barbershop being open night and day so the people can come and go as they please, to pick up their play for the day, to get a bottle of corn, and to take one of them targets home to the kiddies. They can walk in just as if they were getting a haircut. In fact, I told Blue that we can give a haircut as a bonus for anyone who buys two quarts. MR. PARKER What am I suppose to say now? THEO You're suppose to be daring. You're suppose to wake up to the times, Pop! These are urgent days—a man has to stand up and be counted! MR. PARKER The police might have some counting of their own to do. THEO Do you think I would bring you into something that was going to get us in trouble? Blue has an organization! Just like Mr. You-Know-Who. He's got members on the police force! In the city government, the state government. BLUE Mr. Parker, if you have any reservations concerning the operation of my association, I'd be only too happy to have you come to my summer home, and I'll let you in on everything-especially our protective system against being 57 caught doing this thing. THEO Did you hear him, Pop, he's got a summer home! MR. PARKER Aw, shut up, boy! Let me think! (Turns to BLUE.) So you want to use my place as a headquarters for Theo's corn, the colored numbers, and them targets? BLUE Servicing the area of 125th to 145th, between the East and West rivers. MR. PARKER (Pause.) I'm sorry, fellows, but I can't do it. (Moves into back room.) THEO (Following MR. PARKER.) Why? MR. PARKER It's not right. THEO Not right! What are you talking about? Is it right that all that's out there for us is to go downtown and push one of them carts? I have done that, and I ain't gon' do it no more! MR. PARKER That still don't make it right. THEO I don't buy it! I'm going into this thing with Blue, with or without you! MR.PARKER Go on, I don't care! You quit school, I couldn't stop you! I asked you to get a job, you wouldn't work! You have never paid any attention to any of my advice, and I don't expect you to start heeding me now! THEO Remember what you said to me about them paintings, and being that I am-well, this is me! At last I've find
