LUCY BELLE Look like it, don’ it? CHICK W’at d’yo’ know--? LUCY BELLE Nuffin’ much--! (_He puts his arm around her and attempts to draw her to him._) Stop yo’ foolin’--! (_She pulls away from him._) CHICK Ain’ yo’ got a kiss fo’ me? LUCY BELLE I’ll bus’ yo’ in de nose, Chick Avery! CHICK Mah soul, but yo’ gittin’ skittish--! How much dey cos’ now? LUCY BELLE Mo’ den yo’ kin pay. CHICK (_with an explosive laugh_) Sam got yo’ gwine, ain’ he? LUCY BELLE Good thin’s come high. CHICK Yo’ said somefin’! (_Sitting on the edge of the table._) How he makin’ out in Baltimo’--? LUCY BELLE Who--? CHICK Sam. LUCY BELLE Oh--oh, he ain’ makin’ out so bad. CHICK Git home often? LUCY BELLE Onct or twict a week--depen’s on hard dey’s wukkin’ him. CHICK An’ yo’ stick home an’ wuks yo’ haid off. LUCY BELLE (_shortly_) I does mah share. CHICK Nevah seen yo’ lately w’en yo’ was’n’ played out from wukkin’ yo’ haid off. LUCY BELLE (_querulously_) None-a yo’ bus’ness how hard I wuks! (_Sharply._) W’at yo’ doin’ now? CHICK Barbarin’. Jes’ git a job on de Norfolk boat. LUCY BELLE W’at doin’? CHICK Same thin’--barbarin’. Dey’s got two chairs. I’se gwine ter run one-a dem. Starts in nex’ week. Got a chanct ter make some real money, now. LUCY BELLE Sho’ soun’ like a mighty good job. CHICK (_pointedly_) Yo’ allas tied up ter some niggah dat make yo’ wuk like hell. LUCY BELLE Shet up! Yo’ don’ know w’at yo’ ’s talkin’ ’bout. Ev’body got ter wuk hard dese days ter git by. CHICK (_satirically_) Is dey? LUCY BELLE Ef dey’s any good, dey is! W’at yo’ gittin’ at anyway? CHICK I’se allas been yo’ lef’ han’ed budigee--. LUCY BELLE ’Deed yo’ ain’ been nuffin’ but a frien’! CHICK Dat’s w’at I means. (_With a significant smile._) Ef I been yo’ real budigee, I sho’ nevah make yo’ wuk like yo’ is! LUCY BELLE (_derisively_) No! Yo’d make me wuk like a dog. CHICK Not on yo’ life! LUCY BELLE Make me git out an hussle while yo’ lays home an’ guzzle gin. (_They both laugh explosively. Lucy Belle unbends somewhat._) CHICK (_surveying her critically_) Yo’ gittin’ ole, Luce-- LUCY BELLE (_sharply_) So is yo’! Look at dat damned ole haid ob yo’s. Noder yeah an’ yo’ won’ have a hair lef’. CHICK (_gives an explosive laugh, and runs a hand over his head_) Dat’s no lie! (_Throwing back his shoulders._) De older I gits de bettah I feels. LUCY BELLE So does I! CHICK (_pointedly_) Been ter any dances? LUCY BELLE Don’ care nuffin’ ’bout dancin’ no mo’. CHICK (_with a little exclamation of incredulity_) Uster be crazy ’bout it! LUCY BELLE Uster be crazy ’bout a lot-a thin’s. CHICK Membah dat dance ob de Golden Eagle Club at de ole Mawnin’ Star? LUCY BELLE (_with a reminiscent smile_) Sho’ do--! CHICK Somebody th’u’ a beer bottle-- LUCY BELLE (_in joyous memory_) An’ miss yo’ by free inches! (_They both laugh uproariously._) CHICK Mah soul! Dat was some night! Git home ’bout seven o’clock in mawnin’.