Emperor-Jones-中英文对照版

PAGEPAGE9EmperorJonesBYEugeneO’neil屠珍译CHARACTERS人物BRUTUSJONES,Emperor布鲁斯特·琼斯：皇帝HENRYSMITHERS,aCockneyTrader亨利·斯密泽斯：一个伦敦佬气派的商人ANOLDNATIVEWOMAN一个土著老太婆LEM,aNativeChief兰姆：一个土著部落的头头SOLDIERS,adherentsofLem士兵们：兰姆的拥护者TheLittleFormlessFears;Jeff;TheNegroConvicts;ThePrisonGuard;ThePlanters;TheAuctioneer;TheSlaves;TheCongoWitch-Doctor;TheCrocodileGod没模样的小恐惧、杰夫、黑人犯罪、狱卒、种植园主、拍卖商、奴隶、刚果巫医、鳄鱼神TheactionoftheplaytakesplaceonanislandintheWestIndiesasyetnotself-determinedbyWhiteMarines.Theformofnativegovernmentis,forthetimebeing,anEmpire.SCENES场次SceneIInthepalaceoftheEmperorJones.Afternoon.

第一场：在琼斯王的宫殿内。下午。SceneIITheedgeoftheGreatForestSceneIIIIntheForest.Night.

第三场：在森林内。夜晚。SceneIVIntheForest.Night.

第四场：在森林内。夜晚。SceneVIntheForest.Night.

第五场：在森林内。夜晚。SceneVIIntheForest.Night.

第六场：在森林内。夜晚。SceneVIIIntheForest.Night.

第七场：在森林内。夜晚。SceneVIIISameasSceneTwo—theedgeoftheGreatForest第八场：与第二场同——在大森林的边缘。黎明。SCENEONE

TheaudiencechamberinthepalaceoftheEmperor—aspacious,high-ceilingedroomwithbare,whitewashedwalls.Thefloorisofwhitetiles.Intherear,totheleftofcenter,awidearchwaygivingoutonaporticowithwhitepillars.Thepalaceisevidentlysituatedonhighgroundforbeyondtheporticonothingcanbeseenbutavistaofdistanthills,theirsummitscrownedwiththickgrovesofpalmtrees.Intherightwall,center,asmallerarcheddoorwayleadingtothelivingquartersofthepalace.Theroomisbareoffurniturewiththeexceptionofonehugechairmadeofuncutwoodwhichstandsatcenter,itsbacktorear.ThisisveryapparentlytheEmperor’sthrone.Itispaintedadazzling,eye-smitingscarlet.Thereisabrilliantorangecushionontheseatandanothersmalleroneisplacedonthefloortoserveasafootstool.Stripsofmatting,dyedscarlet,leadfromthefootofthethronetothetwoentrances.

Itislateafternoonbutthesunlightstillblazesyellowlybeyondtheporticoandthereisanoppressiveburdenofexhaustingheatintheair.

Asthecurtainrises,anativenegrowomansneaksincautiouslyfromtheentranceontheright.Sheisveryold,dressedincheapcalico,bare-footed,aredbandanahandkerchiefcoveringallbutafewstraywispsofwhitehair.Abundleboundincoloredclothiscarriedoverhershoulderonastick.Shehesitatesbesidethedoorway,peeringbackasifinextremedreadofbeingdiscovered.Thenshebeginstoglidenoiselessly,astepatatime,towardthedoorwayintherear.Atthismoment,Smithersappearsbeneaththeportico.

Smithersisatall,stoop-shoulderedmanaboutforty.Hisbaldhead,perchedonalongneckwithanenormousAdam’sapple,lookslikeanegg.Thetropicshavetannedhisnaturallypastyfacewithitssmall,sharpfeaturestoasicklyyellow,andnativerumhaspaintedhispointednosetoastartlingred.Hislittle,washy-blueeyesarered-rimmedanddartabouthimlikeaferret’s.Hisexpressionisoneofunscrupulousmeanness,cowardlyanddangerous.Heisdressedinawornridingsuitofdirtywhitedrill,puttees,spurs,andwearsawhitecorkhelmet.Acartridgebeltwithanautomaticrevolverisaroundhiswaist.Hecarriesaridingwhipinhishand.Heseesthewomanandstopstowatchhersuspiciously.Then,makinguphismind,hestepsquicklyontiptoeintotheroom.Thewoman,lookingbackoverhershouldercontinually,doesnotseehimuntilitistoolate.WhenshedoesSmithersspringsforwardandgrabsherfirmlybytheshoulder.Shestrugglestogetaway,fiercelybutsilently.

SMITHERS—(tighteninghisgrasp—roughly)Easy!Noneo’that,mebirdie.Youcan’twriggleoutnowIgotme‘ooksonyer.

WOMAN—(seeingtheuselessnessofstruggling,giveswaytofranticterror,andsinkstotheground,embracinghiskneessupplicatingly)Notellhim!Notellhim,Mister!

SMITHERS—(withgreatcuriosity)Tell‘im?(thenscornfully)Oh,youmean‘isbloomin’Majesty.What’sthegaime,any‘ow?Whatyousneakin’awayfor?Beenstealin’abit,Is’pose.(Hetapsherbundlewithhisridingwhipsignificantly.)

WOMAN—(shakingherheadvehemently)No,menosteal.

SMITHERS—Bloodyliar!Buttellmewhat’sup.There’ssomethin’funnygoin’on.IsmelleditintheairfirstthingIgotupthismornin’.Youblacksareuptosomedevilment.Thispalaceof‘isislikeableedin’tomb.Where’sallthe‘ands?(Thewomankeepssullenlysilent.Smithersraiseshiswhipthreateningly.)Ow,yerwon’t,won’tyer?I’llshowyerwhat’swhat.

WOMAN—(coweringly)Itell,Mister.Younohit.Theygo—allgo.(Shemakesasweepinggesturetowardthehillsinthedistance.)

SMITHERS—Runaway—tothe‘ills?

WOMAN—Yes,Mister.HimEmperor—greatFather.(Shetouchesherforeheadtothefloorwithaquickmechanicaljerk.)Himsleepaftereat.Thentheygo—allgo.Meoldwoman.Meleftonly.Nowmegotoo.

SMITHERS—(hisastonishmentgivingwaytoanimmense,meansatisfaction)Ow!Sothat’stheticket!Well,Iknowbloodywellwot’sintheair—whentheyrunsorftothe‘ills.Thetom-tom’llbethumpingouttherebloomin’soon.(withextremevindictiveness)AndI’mbloodygladofit,forone!Serve‘imright!Puttin’onairs,thestinkin’nigger!‘IsMajesty!Gawdblimey!Ionly‘opesI’mtherewhentheytakes‘imouttoshoot‘im.(suddenly)‘E’sstill‘ereallright,ain’t‘e?

WOMAN—Yes.Himsleep.

SMITHERS—’E’sboundtofindoutsoonaswakesup.‘E’scunnin’enoughtoknowwhen‘istime’scome.(Hegoestothedoorwayonrightandwhistlesshrillywithhisfingersinhismouth.Theoldwomanspringstoherfeetandrunsoutofthedoorway,rear.Smithersgoesafterher,reachingforhisrevolver.)StoporI’llshoot!(thenstopping—indifferently)Poporfthen,ifyerlike,yerblackcow.(Hestandsinthedoorway,lookingafterher.)

(Jonesentersfromtheright.Heisatall,powerfully-built,full-bloodednegroofmiddleage.Hisfeaturesaretypicallynegroid,yetthereissomethingdecidedlydistinctiveabouthisface—anunderlyingstrengthofwill,ahardy,self-reliantconfidenceinhimselfthatinspiresrespect.Hiseyesarealivewithakeen,cunningintelligence.Inmannerheisshrewd,suspicious,evasive.Hewearsalightblueuniformcoat,sprayedwithbrassbuttons,heavygoldchevronsonhisshoulders,goldbraidonthecollar,cuffs,etc.Hispantsarebrightredwithalightbluestripedowntheside.Patentleatherlacedbootswithbrassspurs,andabeltwithalong-barreled,pearl-handledrevolverinaholstercompletehismakeup.Yetthereissomethingnotaltogetherridiculousabouthisgrandeur.Hehasawayofcarryingitoff.)

JONES—(notseeinganyone—greatlyirritatedandblinkingsleepily—shouts)Whodarewhistledatwayinmypalace?WhodarewakeupdeEmperor?I’llgitdehidefrayledoffsomeo’youniggerssho’!

SMITHERS—(showinghimself—inamannerhalf-afraidandhalf-defiant)Itwasmewhistledtoyer.(asJonesfrownsangrily)Igotnewsforyer.

JONES—(puttingonhissuavestmanner,whichfailstocoveruphiscontemptforthewhiteman)Oh,it’syou,MisterSmithers.(Hesitsdownonhisthronewitheasydignity.)Whatnewsyougottotellme?

SMITHERS—(comingclosetoenjoyhisdiscomfiture)Don’tyernoticenothin’funnytoday?

JONES—(coldly)Funny?No.Iain’tperceivednothin’ofdekind!

SMITHERS—Thenyerain’tsofoxyasIthoughtyerwas.Where’sallyourcourt?(sarcastically)TheGeneralsandtheCabinetMinistersandall?

JONES—(imperturbably)wheredeymostlyrunstominuteIclosesmyeyes—drinkin’rumandtalkin’bigdownindetown.(sarcastically)Howcomeyoudon’tknowdat?Ain’tyousousin’with‘emmosteveryday?

SMITHERS—(stungbutpretendingindifference—withawink)That’spartoftheday’swork.Igotter—ain’tI—inmybusiness?

JONES—(contemptuously)Yo’business!

SMITHERS—(imprudentlyenraged)Gawdblimey,youwasgladenoughformetertakeyerinonitwhenyoulandedherefirst.Youdidn’‘aveno‘ighandmightyairsinthemdays!

JONES—(hishandgoingtohisrevolverlikeaflash—menacingly)Talkpolite,whiteman!Talkpolite,youheahme!I’mbossheahnow,isyoufergettin’?(TheCockneyseemsabouttochallengethislaststatementwiththefactsbutsomethingintheother’seyesholdsandcoweshim.)

SMITHERS—(inacowardlywhine)No‘armmeant,oldtop.

JONES—(condescendingly)Iacceptsyo’apology.(letshishandfallfromhisrevolver)Nouse’nyourakin’upoletimes.WhatIwasdenisonething.WhatIisnow‘sanother.Youdidn’tletmeinonyo’crookedworkouto’nokindfeelin’sdattime.Idonededirtyworkfo’you—andmosto’debrainwork,too,fo’datmatter—andIwaswu’thmoneytoyou,dat’sdereason.

SMITHERS—Well,blimey,Igiveyerastart,didn’tI—whennooneelsewould.Iwasn’tafraidto‘ireyerliketherestwas—’countofthestoryaboutyourbreakin’jailbackintheStates.

JONES—No,youdidn’thavenos’cusetolookdownonmefo’dat.Youbeeninjailyou’selfmore’nonce.

SMITHERS—(furiously)It’salie!(thentryingtopassitoffbyanattemptatscorn)Garn!Whotoldyerthatfairytale?

JONES—Dey’ssometingsIain’tgottobetole.Ikinsee‘eminfolk’seyes.(thenafterapause—meditatively)Yes,yousho’givemeastart.Anditdidn’ttakelongfromdattimetogitdesefool,woods’niggersrightwhereIwanteddem.(withpride)FromstowawaytoEmperorintwoyears!Dat’sgoin’some!

SMITHERS—(withcuriosity)AndIbetyougotyerpileo’money‘idsafesomeplace.

JONES—(withsatisfaction)Isho’has!Andit’sinaforeignbankwherenopussondon’tevergititoutbutmenomatterwhatcome.Youdidn’ts’poseIwasholdin’downdisEmperorjobfordegloryinit,didyou?Sho’!Defussandglorypartofit,dat’sonlytoturndeheadso’delow-flung,bushniggersdat’shere.Deywantsdebigcircusshowfordeirmoney.Igivesitto‘eman’Igitsdemoney.(withagrin)Delonggreen,dat’smeeverytime!(thenrebukingly)Butyouain’tgotnokickaginme,Smithers.I’sepaidyoubackallyoudoneformemanytimes.Ain’tIpertectedyouandwinkedatalldecrookedtradin’youbeendoin’rightoutindebroadday.Sho’.Ihas—andmemakin’lawstostopitatdesametime!(Hechuckles.)

SMITHERS—(grinning)But,meanin’no‘arm,youbeengrabbin’rightandleftyourself,ain’tyer?Lookatthetaxesyou’veputon‘em!Blimey!You’vesqueezed‘emdry!

JONES—(chuckling)No,deyain’talldryyet.I’sestillheah,ain’tI?

SMITHERS—(smilingathissecretthought)They’redryrightnow,you’llfindout.(changingthesubjectabruptly)Andasformebreakin’laws,you’vebroke‘emallyerselfjustasfastasyermade‘em.

JONES—Ain’trdeEmperor?Delawsdon’tgoforhim.(judicially)YouheahwhatItellsyou,Smithers.Dere’slittlestealin’likeyoudoes,anddere’sbigstealin’likeIdoes.Fordelittlestealin’deygitsyouinjailsoonorlate.Fordebigstealin’deymakesyouEmperorandputsyouindeHallo’Famewhenyoucroaks.(reminiscently)Ifdey’sonethingIlearnsintenyearsondePullmanca’slistenin’todewhitequalitytalk,it’sdatsamefact.AndwhenIgitsachancetouseitIwindsupEmperorintwoyears.

SMITHERS—(unabletorepressthegenuineadmirationofthesmallfryforthelarge)Yes,yerturnedthebleedin’trick,allfight.Blimey,Ineverseenabloke‘as‘adthebloomin’luckyou‘as.

JONES—(severely)Luck?Whatyoumean—luck?

SMITHERS—Isupposeyou’llsayasthatswankaboutthesilverbulletain’tluck—andthatwaswhatfirstgotthefoolblacksonyersidethetimeoftherevolution,wasn’tit?

JONES—(withalaugh)Oh,datsilverbullet!Sho’wasluck!ButImakesdatluck,youheah?Iloadsdedice!Yessuh!Whendatmurderin’niggeroleLemhiredtokillmetakesaimtenfeetawayandhisgunmissesfireandIshootshimdead,whatyouheahmesay?

SMITHERS—Yousaidyer’dgotacharmso’snoleadbullet’dkillyer.Youwassostrongonlyasilverbulletcouldkillyer,youtold‘em.Blimey,wasn’tthatswankforyer—andplain,fat-’eadedluck?JONES—(proudly)IgotbrainsandIuses‘emquick.Datain’tluck.

SMITHERS—Yerknowtheywasn’t‘ardlylikelytogetnosilverbullets.Anditwasluck‘edidn’t‘ityouthattime.

JONES—(laughing)Andderealldemfool,bushniggerswaskneelin’downandbumpin’deirheadsondegroundlikeIwasamiracleouto’deBibleOhLawd,fromdattimeonIhasdemalleatin’outofmyhand.Icracksdewhipanddeyjumpsthrough.

SMITHERS—(withasniff)Yankeebluffdoneit.JONES—Ain’taman’stalkin’bigwhatmakeshimbig-longashemakesfolksbelieveit?Sho’,ItalkslargewhenIain’tgotnothin’tobackitup,butIain’ttalkin’wildjustdesame.IknowsIkinfool‘em—Iknowsit—anddat’sbackin’enoughfo’mygame.Andain’tIgottolearndeirlingoandteachsomeofdemEnglishbefo’Ikintalkto‘em?Ain’tdatwuk?Youain’tneverlearnedaryworderit,Smithers,indotenyearsyoubeenheah,doughyou’knowsit’smoneyinyo’pockettradin’wid‘emifyoudoes.Butyou’setooshiftlesstotakedetrouble.

SMITHERS—(flushing)Nevermindaboutme.What’sthisI’ve‘eardaboutyerreally‘avin’asilverbulletmouldedforyourself?JONES—It’splayin’outmybluff.IhasdesilverbulletmouldedandItells‘emwhendotimecomesIkillsmyselfwidit.Itells‘emdat’s‘causeI’mdeon’ymanindeworldbigenufftogitme.Nouse’ndeirtryin’.Anddeyfallsdownandbumpsdeirheads.(Helaughs.)Idoesdatso’sIkintakeawalkinpeacewidoutnojealousniggergunnin’atmefrombehinddetrees.

SMITHERS—(astonished)Thenyou‘aditmade—’onest?JONES—Sho’did.Heahshehe.(Hetakesouthisrevolver,breaksit,andtakesthesilverbulletoutofonechamber.)Fiveleadan’dissilverbabyatdelast.Don’tsheshinepretty?(Heholdsitinhishand,lookingatitadmiringly,asifstrangelyfascinated.)

SMITHERS—Letmesee.(reachesouthishandforit)

JONES—(harshly)Keepyo’handswhardeyb’long,whiteman.(Hereplacesitinthechamberandputstherevolverbackonhiship.)

SMITHERS—(snarling)GawdNimey!MinkI’mableedin’thief,youwould.

JONES—No,‘tain’tdat.Iknowsyou‘sescaredtostealfromme.On’yIain’t‘lowin’narybodytotouchdisbaby.She’smyrabbit’sfoot.

SMITHERS—(sneering)Abloomin’charm,wot?(venomously)Well,you’llneedallthebloodycharmsyou‘asbeforelong,s’‘elpme!

JONES—(judicially)Oh,I’segoodforsixmonthsyit‘foredeygitssicko’mygame.Den,whenIseestroublecomin’,Imakesmygetaway.

SMITHERS—Ho!Yougotitallplanned,ain’tyer?

JONES—Iain’tnofool.IknowsdisEmperor’stimeissho’t.DatwhyImakehaywhendesunshine.Wasyouthinkin’I’seaimin’toholddowndisjobforlife?No,suh!Whatgoodisgittin’moneyifyoustaysbackindisraggedycountry?IwantsactionwhenIspends.AndwhenIseesdeseniggersgittin’updeirnervetotu’nmeout,andI’segotalldemoneyinsight,Iresignsondespotandbeatsitquick.

SMITHERS—Whereto?

JONES—Noneo’yo’business.

SMITHERS—NotbacktothebloodyStates,I’lllaymyoath.JONES—(suspiciously)Whydon’tI?(thenwithaneasylaugh)Youmean‘countofdatstory‘boutmebreakin’fromjailbackdere?Dat’salltalk.

SMITHERS—(skeptically)Ho,yes!

JONES—(sharply)Youain’t‘sinuatin’I’sealiar,isyou?

SMITHERS—(hastily)No,Gawdstrikeme!Iwasonlythinkin’o’thebloodyliesyoutoldtheblacks‘ereaboutkillin’whitemenintheStates.

JONES—(angered)Howcomedey’relies?

SMITHERS—You’d‘avebeeninjail,ifyou‘ad,wouldn’tyerthen?(withvenom)AndfromwhatI’ve‘eard,itain’t‘ealthyforablacktokillawhitemanintheStates.Theyburns‘eminoil,don’tthey?

JONES—(withcooldeadliness)Youmeanlynchin’‘dscareme?Well,Itellsyou,Smithers,maybeIdoeskillonewhitemanbackdere,MaybeIdoes.AndmaybeIkillsanotherrightheah‘forelongifhedon’tlookout.

SMITHERS—(tryingtoforcealaugh)Iwason’yspoofin’yer.Can’tyertakeajoke?Andyouwasjustsayin’you’dneverkeninjail.

JONES—(inthesametone—slightlyboastful)MaybeIgoestojaildereforgettin’inanargumentwidrazorsovahacrapgame.MaybeIgitstwentyyearswhendatcoloredmandie.MaybeIgitsin‘notherargumentwiddeprisonguardwasoverseerovahuswhenwe’rewukin’deroads.MaybehehitsmewidawhipandIsplitshisheadwidashovelandrunsawayandfilesdechainoffmylegandgitsawaysafe.MaybeIdoesalldatan’maybeIdon’t.It’sastoryItellsyouso’syouknowsI’sedekindofmandatifyouevahrepeatsonewordsofit,Iendsyo’stealin’ondisyearthmightydamnquick!

SMITHERS—(terrified)ThinkI’dpeachonyer?Notme!Ain’tIalwaysbeenyerfriend?

JONES—(suddenlyrelaxing)Sho’youhas—andyoubetterbe.

SMITHERS—(recoveringhiscomposure—andwithithismalice)AndjusttoshowyerI’myerfriend,I’lltellyerthatbito’newsIwasgoin’to.

JONES—Goahead!Shootdepiece.Mustbebadnewsfromdehappywayyoulook.

SMITHERS—(warningly)Maybeit’sgettin’timeforyoutoresign—withthatbloomin’silverbullet,wot?(Hefinisheswithamockinggrin.)

JONES—(puzzled)What’sdatyousay?Talkplain.

SMITHERS—Ain’tnoticedanyoftheguardsorservantsabouttheplacetoday,I‘aven’t.

JONES—(carelessly)Dey’realloutindegardensleepin’underdetrees.WhenIsleeps,deysneaksasleep,too,andIpretendsIneversuspicionsit.AllIgottodoistoringdebellanddeycomeflyin’,makin’abluffdeywaswukin’alldetime.

SMITHERS—(inthesamemockingtone)Ringthebellnowan’you’llbloodywellseewhatImeans.

JONES—(startledtoalertness,butpreservingthesamecarelesstone)Sho’Irings.(Hereachesbelowthethroneandpullsoutabig,commondinnerbellwhichispaintedthesamevividscarletasthethrone.Heringsthisvigorously—thenstopstolisten.Thenhegoestobothdoors,ringsagain,andlooksout.)

SMITHERS—(watchinghimwithmalicioussatisfaction,afterapause—mockingly)Thebloodyshipissinkin’an’thebleedin’rats‘asslungtheir‘ooks.

JONES—(inasuddenfitofangerflingsthebellclatteringintoacorner)Low-flung,woods’niggers!(thencatchingSmither’seyeonhim,hecontrolshimselfandsuddenlyburstsintoalowchucklinglaugh.)ReckonIoverplaysmyhanddisonce!Amancan’ttakedepotonabob-tailedflushalldetime.WasIsayin’I’dsitinsixmonthsmo’?Well,I’sechangedmymindden.IcashesinandresignsdejobofEmperorrightdisminute.

SMITHERS—(withrealadmiration)Blimey,butyou’reacoolbird,andnomistake.

JONES—Nouse’nfussin’.WhenIknowsdegame’supIkissesitgoodbyewidoutnolongwaits.Dey’veallrunofftodehills,ain’tdey?

SMITHERS—Yes—everybleedin’manjackof‘em.

JONES—Denderevolutionisatdepost.AnddeEmperorbettergithisfeetsmokin’updetrail.(Hestartsforthedoorinrear.)

SMITHERS—Goin’outtolookforyour‘orse?Yerwon’tfindany.Theystealsthe‘orsesfirstthing.MinewasgonewhenIwentfor‘imthismornin’.That’swotfirstgivemeasuspicionofwotwasup.

JONES—(alarmedforasecond,scratcheshishead,thenphilosophically)Well,denIhoofsit.Feet,doyo’duty!(Hepullsoutagoldwatchandlooksatit.)Three-thuty.Sundown’satsix-thutyordereabouts.(Putshiswatchback—withcoolconfidence)Igotplentyo’timetomakeiteasy.

SMITHERS—Don’tbesobloomin’sureofit.They’llbeafteryou‘otand‘eavy.OleLemisatthebottomo’thisbusinessan’‘e‘atesyoulike‘ell.‘E’dratherdoforyouthaneat‘isdinner,‘ewould!

JONES—(scornfully)Datfoolno-countnigger!DoesyouthinkI’sescaredo’him?Istandshimonhisthickheadmore’noncebefo’dis,andIdoesitagainifhecomeinmyway—(fiercely)AnddistimeIleavehimadeadniggerfo’sho’!

SMITHERS—You’ll‘avetocutthroughthebigforest—an’theseblacks‘erecansniffandfollowatrailinthedarklike‘ounds.You’d‘aveto‘ustletogetthroughthatforestintwelvehoursevenifyouknewallthebloomin’trailslikeanative.

JONES—(withindignantscorn)Look-a-heah,whiteman!DoesyouthinkI’seanaturalbo’nfool?Givemecreditfo’havih’somesense,fo’Lawd’ssake!Don’tyous’poseI’selookedaheadandmadesho’ofalldechances?I’segoneoutindatbigforest,pretendin’tohunt,somanytimesdatIknowsithighan’lowlikeabook.Icouldgothroughondemtrailswidmyeyesshut.(withgreatcontempt)Thinkdeseig’nerentbushniggersdatain’tgotbrainsenufftoknowdeirownnamesevencancatchBrutusJones?Huh,Is’pectsnot!Notonyo’life!why,man,dewhitemenwentaftermewidbloodhoundswhereIcomefroman’Ijes’laughsat‘em.It’sashametofooldeseblacktrasharoundheah,dey’resoeasy.Youwatchme,man’.I’llmakedemlooksick,Iwill.I’llbe‘crossdeplaintodeedgeofdeforestbytimedarkcomes.Onceindewoodsindenight,deygotaswellchanceo’findin’disbaby!DawntomorrowI’llbeoutatdeodersideandondecoastwhardatFrenchgunboatisstayin’.Shepicksmeup,takemetotheMartiniquewhenshegodar,anddereIissafewidamightybigbankrollinmyjeans.It’seasyasrollin’offalog.

SMITHERS—(maliciously)Buts’posin’somethin’‘appenswrongan’theydonabyer?

JONES—(decisively)Deydon’t—dat’sdeanswer.

SMITHERS—But,justforargyment’ssake—what’dyoudo?

JONES—(frowning)I’segotfiveleadbulletsindisgungoodenufffo’commonbushniggers—andafterdatIgotdesilverbulletlefttocheat‘emouto’gittin’me.

SMITHERS—(jeeringly)Ho,Iwasfergettin’thatsilverbullet.You’llbumpyourselforfinstyle,won’tyer?Blimey!

JONES—(gloomily)Youkinbetyo’wholerollononething,whiteman.Disbabyplaysouthisstringtodeendandwhenhequits,hequitswidabangdewayheought.Silverbulletain’tnonetoogoodforhimwhenhego,dat’safac’I—(thenshakingoffhisnervousness—withaconfidentlaugh)Sho’!whatisItalkin’about?Ain’tcometodatyitandIneverwill—notwidtrashniggerslikedeseyere.(boastfully)Silverbulletbringmeluckanyway.Ikinoutguess,outrun,outfight,an’outplaydewholeloto’demallovahdeboardanytimeo’dedayernight!Youwatchme!(Fromthedistanthillscomesthefaint,steadythumpofatom-tom,lowandvibrating.Itstartsatarateexactlycorrespondingtonormalpulsebeat—72totheminute—andcontinuesatagraduallyacceleratedratefromthispointuninterruptedlytotheveryendoftheplay.Jonesstartsatthesound.Astrangelookofapprehensioncreepsintohisfaceforamomentashelistens.Thenheasks,withanattempttoregainhismostcasualmanner.)What’sdatdrumbeatin’fo’?

SMITHERS—(withameangrin)Foryou.Thatmeansthebleedin’ceremony‘asstarted.I’ve‘earditbeforeandIknows.

JONES—Cer’mony?Whatcer’mony?

SMITHERS—Theblacksis‘oldin’abloodymeetin’,‘avin’awardance,gettin’theircourageworkedupb’foretheystartsafteryou.JONES—Letdem!Dey’llsho’needit!

SMITHERS—Andthey’rethere‘oldin’their‘eathenreligiousservice—makin’noendofdevilspellsandcharmsto‘elp‘emagainstyoursilverbullet.(Heguffawsloudly.)Blimey,butthey’rebalmyas‘ell!JONES—(atinybitawedandshakeninspiteofhimself)Huh!Takesmore’ndattoscaredischicken!

SMITHERS—(scentingtheother’sfeeling—maliciously)Ternightwhenit’spitchblackintheforest,they’ll‘avetheirpetdevilsandghosts‘oundin’afteryou.You’llfindyerbloody‘air‘llbestandin’onendbeforetermorrowmornin’.(seriously)It’sableedin’queerplace,thatstinkin’forest,evenindaylight.Yerdon’tknowwhatmight‘appeninthere,it’sthatrottenstill.AlwayssendsthecoldshiversdownmybackminuteIgetsinit.

JONES—(withacontemptuoussniff)Iain’tnochicken-liverlikeyouis.Treesan’me,we’sefriends,anddar’safullmooncomin’bringmelight.Andletdempo’niggersmakealldefoolspellsdey’seamin’to.Doesyo’s’pectI’sesilly,enufftob’lieveinghostsan’ha’ntsan’alldatolewoman’stalk?G’long,whiteman!Youain’ttalkin’tome.(withachuckle)Doesn’tyouknowdey’sgottodowidamanwasmemberingoodstandin’o’deBaptistChurch?Sho’IwasdatwhenIwasporterondePullmans,befo’Igitsintomylittletrouble.Letdemtrydeirheathentricks.DeBaptistChurchdonepertectmeandlanddemallinhell.(thenwithmoreconfidentsatisfaction)AndI’segotlittlesilverbulleto’

SMITHERS—Ho!You‘aven’tgivemuch‘eedtoyourBaptistChurchsinceyoubeendown‘ere.I’ve‘cardmyselfyou‘adturnedyercoatan’wastakin’upwiththeirblarstedwitch-docters,orwhateverthe‘

JONES—(vehemently)Ipretendsto!Sho’Ipretends!Dat’sparto’mygamefromdefust.IfIfindsoutdemniggersbelievesdatblackiswhite,denIyellsitoutlouder‘ndeirloudest.Itdon’tgitmenothin’todomissionaryworkfordeBaptistChurch.I’seafterdecoin,an’IlaysmyJesusondeshelffordetimehem’.(stopsabruptlytolookathiswatch—alertly)ButIain’tgotdetimetowastenomorefooltalkwidyou.I’segwineawayfromheahdissecon’.(HereachesinunderthethroneandpullsoutanexpensivePanamahatwithabrightmulti-coloredbandandsetsitjauntilyonhishead.)Solong,whiteman!(withagrin

SMITHERS—Notme,youwon’t.Well,Iwouldn’tbeinyerbloodybootsfornobloomin’money,but‘ere’swishin’yerluckjustthesame.JONES—(contemptuously)You’redefrightenedestmanevahIsee!ItellsyouI’sesafe’s‘fIwasinNewYorkCity.Ittakesdemniggersfromnowtodarktogitupdenervetostartsomethin’.Bydattime,I’segotaheadstartdeyneverkotchupwid.

SMITHERS—(maliciously)Givemyregardstoanyghostsyermeetsupwith.

JONES—(grinning)Ifdatghostgotmoney,I’lltellhimneverha’ntyouless’nhewantstoloseit.

SMITHERS—(flattered)Garn!(thencuriously)Ain’tyertakin’noluggagewithyer?JONES—ItravelslightwhenIwantstomovefast.AndIgottinnedgrubburiedondeedgeo’deforest.(boastfully)NowsaydatIdon’tlookaheadan’usemybrains!(withawide,liberalgesture)Iwillalldat’sleftindepalacetoyou—andyoubettergraballyoukinsneakawaywidbefo’deygitshere.

SMITHERS—(gratefully)Righto—andthanksteryer.(asJoneswalkstowardthedoorinrear—cautioningly)Say!Look‘ere,youam’tgoin’outthatway,areyer?

JONES—DoesyouthinkI’dslinkoutdebackdoorlikeacommonnigger?I’seEmperoryit,a