Creative Writing Play : “Very Poor: nigra”

Setting- This is set a “narrow, sun-splotched road, which wound like a lazy red (sand) serpent dividing the high forest bank of quiet, old trees on the left from the cotton field, forested by giant green-and-purple stalks, on the right.” The sky is blue and there are large grey clouds in the sky. However, every so often the sun peeps through the clouds.

Character- There is only one character, which is Clayton Chester Logan, also known as Little Man. He is a six year-old Negro boy and has just finished his first day at school. Like his Uncle Hammer he has a “fiery temper”. This fiery temper will be shown when acting.

Little Man- “It’s not fair, man (looking down). I never had a book before. Never in ma whole life (kicking the dust). Sure mama’s got loads of books. But I ain’t never had one of my own. So you could imagine how excited I was when Miz Crocker went an’ told us we were getting “new books” (emphasising sarcastically ‘new’). I nearly fell off of my seat I was so chuffed (laugh slightly to himself). I couldn’t believe it, man. We were getting new books, well, that’s what Miz Crocker said. How wrong she was (stuffing his fists inside his pocket)? I weren’t the only boy in the room excited; ya could see it on their faces. It were my first day as well, getting new books, gee, it was som’int (a slight smile on his face). Miz Crocker kept talking and talking and talking, it seeming like forever (emphasising ‘talking’).

(There is a slight pause. Meanwhile, he is still walking slowly and not picking his feet up but dragging them along. He then looks up at the sky, pulls a hand out of his pocket to shade his eyes. Then takes the other hand out and picks up a twig from on the floor. Throughout the next passage he fiddles with the stick, tearing bits off and throwing it)

We’re made to say, “We promise to take care of our new books” (said in a higher pitch sarcastic voice). She sure was takin’ her time about it. Watching us suffer. I sssoooo wan’ed a new book (to be said eagerly). Strange though, Cassie didn’t. I didn’t know why she didn’t, but she just didn’t (having a confused look). At one point I started to panic. The pile on Miz Crocker’s desk was going, fast. ‘Oh man’, I thought ‘the only time I have a chance to get a new book there wont be enough.’ (Finishing ripping the stick he ...

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(A large grin across his face and suddenly walking swiftly for a few seconds. He is re-anacting what actually happened to him. Walking out to the front, standing by her desk with his hands held out waiting to receive the book)

So you could imagine my face when I received the book, it weren’t new at all (grin and head drops to a sad looking face). I couldn’t believe it. (Head rises again) I were gettin’ sadder by the second (begin to walk again). It were a dirty red, well, I think it were red couldn’t see under all the crayon, mud, dust and other stuff (kicking the sand high up in the air) I then did what any other person would have done (comes to a halt and says slowly) “could I have another one because this one is dirty”. Miz Crocker’s eyes were glued on mine. (Still stood still his eyes glued slightly fowards to the road ahead). She screamed (said in a sarcastic high pitch voice) “What’s that you said, Clayton Chester Logan?” (Start walking slowly again) I new I were in trouble cause she call me Clayton Chester Logan. I didn’t know what I should do. (Turning around looking everywhere) The rest of the class went quiet. I knew all the eyes in the room were on me. So I did what I were told to do repeat myself (comes to another halt) “I-I said may I have another book please ma’am…that ones dirty”. (Looking upwards) She stood up real tall, man, ma first day and I’m already in trouble. I continued to look straight at her, I didn’t wanna show her I were weak.

(While standing still a car drives by and startles him. He has to jump to the side to let the car go by. Then gets back on the track and walks slowly again continuing were he left off)

She then gave me a long speech about ‘the country giving us these wonderful books and you are telling me there dirty’. (A longer pause) After a while I switched off, didn’t listen to a word she been saying (kicking the dust). Luckily a switched back on just in time, she were givin’ me the choice of taken the book (one arm out, palm upwards) or have nothin’ (other arm out, palm upwards). ‘What do I do? What do I do?’ (Spinning his head) round and round my head went the same question over and over again (gets slightly dizzy and trips which wakes him up). I don’t know how long I were thinkin’. You could still see the writing inside (hands out ready to take the book). But why should I stand for second best? (Hands put back in pockets, then stops and stares straight ahead without saying a word then says) I just stood and stared at the book for a while longer, then looked at the ones left. There weren’t many there. Anyway, the ones on the table looked worse, (kept on walking stops again and says) I think????

Still not sure (turning around behind him) I turned to Cassie for help, she nodded. ‘Go ahead take the book’ that’s what her nod meant. So I did it, (hands out infront and snatches the book) I took the dirty book, from the table,(straightened walk swiftly) straightened myself up, I walked back to my seat. (hands back in pockets) I didn’t know what to think. I sure had a bad start with Miz Crocker on my first day. She ain’t gonna forget that in a ‘urry and that’s for sure (kicking a stone) I sat there looking out the window feelin’ angry and sulky cause I new that there weren’t nothing I could do, but accept the stupid book (kick another stone). That were till I opened the book, the anger turned into rage (face shows anger) and I kind of lost it. Man, I were so mad it made (jump slightly) me jump out of my seat and the book went flyin’ on the floor. (jumping on the spot for a few seconds, hands turned to fists, going up and down) My feet were pounding on the flamin’ book and I were shaking all over. Then I felt some strong hands grabbin’ me and (fell to the ground) pushing me to the ground.

(getting up in amazement that he actually fell to the ground. Turned around making sure nobody saw him)

It was Miz Crocker. (in a sarcastic high pitch voice) “Now just whats gotten into you?” she were yelling and wouldn’t let go of me, until I stopped strugglin’. I got up and (stood still and looked down at the floor) looked at the flamin’ book on the floor (fists ram into pockets and keep walking). No I ain’t gonna pick it up, no matter what. It ain’t cause of word ‘nigra’, tis cause of ‘very poor condition’ written at the bottom of the list, that really made me angry. (kicking a stone pretending it was the book). It can just stay there on the floor for all I care. I did what Miz Crocker said and bent over the whipping chair, waited with closed eyes for the first lash.

(squeezed yes and clenched fists but still walking. However, goes and trips over a stones cause he has his eyes shut, again turned around and got up to make sure nobody is watching)

“Miz Crocker, don’t, please”, I heard Cassie cry. Cassie was going on and on and on about me being able to read all those small words (brushing the sand and dust off his clothes) and Miz Crocker not bein’ really interested. It was a good feelin’ that my sister was trying to help (smile across his face), but I knew it’ll do no good. And that very moment I felt the sharpest pain I have ever felt in my life right across my backside (sounds made feoeo), five more times. Each time, (griping his teeth) grindin’ ma teeth and holding back the waterworks, there ain’t no way (shaking his head) I were gonna start cryin’. I think Miz Crocker didn’t like it, (showing the amount little with his fingers) not one little bit, me not cryin’. That was the first time I stood up for my belief, it was (shaking his head) painful but now looking back I feel (smiling) good about it (little skip at the end).”