Lorraine Hansberry - Act 1 : scene 2 lyrics

It is the following morning; a Saturday morning, and house cleaning is in progress at the YOUNGERS. Furniture has been shoved hither and yon and MAMA is giving the kitchen-area walls a washing down. BENEATHA, in dungarees, with a handkerchief tied around her face, is spraying insecticide into the cracks in the walls. As they work, the radio is on and a Southside disk-jockey program is inappropriately filling the house with a rather exotic saxophone blues. TRAVIS the sole idle one, is leaning on his arms, looking out of the window. Travis : Grandmama, that stuff Bennie is using smells awful. Can I go downstairs, please? MAMA : Did you get all them chores done already? I ain't seen you doing much. Travis : Yes'm - finished early. Where did Mama go this morning? MAMA : ( Looking at BENEATHA) She had to go on a little errand ( The phone rings. BENEATHA runs to answer it and reaches it before WALTER, who has entered from bedroom) TRAVIS : Where ? MAMA : To tend to her business BENEATHA : Haylo... (Disappointed) Yes, he is. ( She tosses the phone to WALTER, who barely catcher) It's Willie Harris again. WALTER: ( As privately as possible under MAMA's gaze) Hello, Willie. Did you get the papers from the lawyer?... No, not yet, I told you the mailman doesn't get here till ten thirty... No, I'll come there... Yeah? Right away. ( he bangs up and goes for his coat) Beneatha : brother, where did Ruth go? Walter : ( As he exits) How should I know! Travis: Aw come on, Grandma. Can I go outside? MAMA : Oh, I guess so. You stay right in front of the house, though, and keep a good lookout for the postman. Travis : Yes'm. ( He darts into bedroom for stickball and bat, reenters, and sees BENEATHA on her knees spraying under sofa with behind upraised. He edges closer to the target, takes aim, and lets her have it. She screams)Leave them poor little co*kroaches alone, they ain't bothering you none! ( he runs as she swings the spray gun at him viciously and playfully) Grandma! Grandma ! MAMA : Look out there, girl, before you be spilling some of that stuff on that child! TRAVIS : ( Safely behind the bastion of MAMA) That's right- look out, now! ( he exits) BENEATHA : ( Drily) I can't imagine that it would hurt him- it has never hurt the roaches. MAMA : Well, little boys' hides ain't as tough as Southside roaches. You better get over there behind the bureau. I seen one marching out there like Napoleon yesterday. BENEATHA : There's really only one way to get rid of them, Mama- MAMA : How ? BENEATHA : Set fire to this building! Mama, where did Ruth go? MAMA : ( Looking at her with meaning) To the doctor, I think. BENEATHA : The doctor ? What's the matter? ( They exchange glances) You don't think- MAMA : ) With her sense of drama ) Now I ain't saying what I think. But I ain't never been wrong 'bout a woman neither. ( The phone rings) BENEATHA : ( At the phone) Hay-lo ( Pause, and a moment of recognition) Well-when did you get back!... And how was it?... Of course I've missed you- in my way... This morning? No... house cleaning and all that and Mama hates it if I let people come over when the house is like this... You have? Well, that's different... What is it- Oh, what the hell, come on over... Right, see you then. Arrivederci. ( She hangs up) MAMA : ( Who has listened vigorously, as is her habit) Who is that you inviting over here with this house looking like this? You ain't got the pride you was born with! BENEATHA : Asagai- Joseph Asagai. he's an African boy I met on campus. He's been studying in Canada all summer. MAMA : What's his name? BENEATHA " Asagai. Joseph. Ah-sah-guy... He's from Nigeria. MAMA : Oh, that's the little country that was founded by slaves way back...