Raisin in the Sun - Lorraine Hansberry [36]
WALTER (Stopping momentarily) What kind of Negroes? (He says this in fun. He is not angry with her today, nor with anyone. He starts to dance with his wife again)
BENEATHA Old-fashioned.
WALTER (As he dances with RUTH) You know, when these New Negroes have their convention—(Pointing at his sister)—that is going to be the chairman of the Committee on Unending Agitation. (He goes on dancing, then stops) Race, race, race! … Girl, I do believe you are the first person in the history of the entire human race to successfully brainwash yourself. (BENEATHA breaks up and he goes on dancing. He stops again, enjoying his tease) Damn, even the N double A C P takes a holiday sometimes! (BENEATHA and RUTH laugh. He dances with RUTH some more and starts to laugh and stops and pantomimes someone over an operating table) I can just see that chick someday looking down at some poor cat on an operating table and before she starts to slice him, she says … (Pulling his sleeves back maliciously) “By the way, what are your views on civil rights down there? …”
(He laughs at her again and starts to dance happily. The bell sounds)
BENEATHA Sticks and stones may break my bones but … words will never hurt me!
(BENEATHA goes to the door and opens it as WALTER and RUTH go on with the clowning. BENEATHA is somewhat surprised to see a quiet-looking middle-aged white man in a business suit holding his hat and a briefcase in his hand and consulting a small piece of paper)
MAN Uh—how do you do, miss. I am looking for a Mrs.—(He looks at the slip of paper) Mrs. Lena Younger? (He stops short, struck dumb at the sight of the oblivious WALTER and RUTH)
BENEATHA (Smoothing her hair with slight embarrassment) Oh—yes, that’s my mother. Excuse me (She closes the door and turns to quiet the other two) Ruth! Brother! (Enunciating precisely but soundlessly: “There’s a white man at the door!” They stop dancing, RUTH cuts off the phonograph, BENEATHA opens the door. The man casts a curious quick glance at all of them) Uh—come in please.
MAN (Coming in) Thank you.
BENEATHA My mother isn’t here just now. Is it business?
MAN Yes … well, of a sort.
WALTER (Freely, the Man of the House) Have a seat. I’m Mrs. Younger’s son. I look after most of her business matters.
(RUTH and BENEATHA exchange amused glances)
MAN (Regarding WALTER, and sitting) Well—My name is Karl Lindner …
WALTER (Stretching out his hand) Walter Younger. This is my wife—(RUTH nods politely)—and my sister.
LINDNER How do you do.
WALTER (Amiably, as he sits himself easily on a chair, leaning forward on his knees with interest and looking expectantly into the newcomer’s face) What can we do for you, Mr. Lindner!
LINDNER (Some minor shuffling of the hat and briefcase on his knees) Well—I am a representative of the Clybourne Park Improvement Association—
WALTER (Pointing) Why don’t you sit your things on the floor?
LINDNER Oh—yes. Thank you. (He slides the briefcase and hat under the chair) And as I was saying—I am from the Clybourne Park Improvement Association and we have had it brought to our attention at the last meeting that you people—or at least your mother—has bought a piece of residential property at—(He digs for the slip of paper again)—four o six Clybourne Street …
WALTER That’s right. Care for something to drink? Ruth, get Mr. Lindner a beer.
LINDNER (Upset for some reason) Oh—no, really. I mean thank you very much, but no thank you.
RUTH (Innocently) Some coffee?
LINDNER Thank you, nothing at all.
(BENEATHA is watching the man carefully)
LINDNER Well, I don’t know how much you folks know about our organization. (He is a gentle man; thoughtful and somewhat labored in his manner) It is one of these community organizations set up to look after—oh, you know, things like block upkeep and special projects and we also have what we call our New Neighbors Orientation Committee …
BENEATHA (Drily) Yes—and what do they do?
LINDNER (Turning a little to her and then returning the main force