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76 MR. PARKER The trouble with this bird is that he became a thief and then he became a thinker. BOBBY No shucking! MR. PARKER No shucking. But it is my logicalism that you've got to become a thinker and then you become a crook! Or else, why is it when you read up on some of these politicians' backgrounds you find they all went to one of them big law colleges? That's where you get your start! BOBBY Well, I be damned! MR. PARKER (Jumps down out of the chair, moves briskly toward door.) Now where is Blue! He said he would be here nine-thirty on the nose! (Opens the door and JENKINS comes in.) Hey, Jenkins! What's up! MR. JENKINS That Blue fellow show up yet? MR. PARKER No, he didn't, and I'm gon' call him down about that too. MR. JENKINS It don't matter, I just want whatever money I got coming, and then I'm getting out of this racket. MR. PARKER Don't call it that, it's a committee! MR. JENKINS This committee ain't no committee. It ain't nothing but a racket, and I'm getting out of it! MR. PARKER You put your money into this thing, man. It ain't good business to walk out on an investment like that. MR. JENKINS I can, and that's what I'm doing before I find myself in jail! Man, this thing you got going here is the talk in every bar in this neighborhood. 77 MR. PARKER There ain't nothing for you to be scared of, Jenkins. Blue guaranteed me against ever being caught by the police. Now that's all right by me, but I've got some plans of my own. When he gets here tonight, I'm gon' force him to make me one of the leaders in this group, and if he don't watch out, I just might take the whole operation over from him. I'll make you my right-hand man, and not only will you be getting more money, and I won't just guarantee you against getting caught, but I'll guarantee you against being scared! MR. JENKINS There's nothing you can say to make me change my mind. I shouldn't've let you talk me into this mess in the first place. I'm getting out, and that's it! (Starts for the door.) And if he gets back before I do, you hold my money for me! (Exiting.) MR. PARKER (Pursuing him to door.) Suit yourself, but you're cutting your own throat. This little set-up is the biggest thing to hit this neighborhood since the day I started dancing! (Slams door.) Fool! (Takes off coat, hangs it up. Goes to mirror to primp.) BOBBY Going somewhere again? MR. PARKER Got myself a little date to get to if Blue ever gets here with our money-- and he better get here with our money! BOBBY You been dating a lot lately-- nighttime dates, and day ones too-- and Theo's not happy about it. He says you don't stay here long enough to cut Yul Brynner's hair. MR. PARKER He can complain all he wants to. I'm the boss here, and he better not forget it. He's the one that's got some explaining to do: don't talk to nobody no more, don't go nowhere, looking like he's mad all the time... I've
