The Sunset Limited

cynical sort of way.

Black: Mm. You think I dont mean what I’m sayin.

White: Sometimes. I think you say things for effect.

Black: Mm. Well, let me say this for effect.

White: Go ahead.

Black: Suppose I was to tell you that if you could bring yourself to unlatch your hands from around your brother’s throat you could have life everlastin?

White: There’s no such thing. Everybody dies.

Black: That aint what he said. He said you could have life everlastin. Life. Have it today. Hold it in your hand. That you could see it. It gives off a light. It’s got a little weight to it. Not much. Warm to the touch. Just a little. And it’s forever. And you can have it. Now. Today. But you dont want it. You dont want it cause to get it you got to let you brother off the hook. You got to actually take him and hold him in your arms and it dont make no difference what color he is or what he smells like or even if he dont want to be held. And the reason you wont do it is because he dont deserve it. And about that there aint no argument. He dont deserve it. (He leans forward, slow and deliberate.) You wont do it because it aint just. Aint that so?

Silence.

Black: Aint it?

White: I dont believe in those sorts of things.

Black: Just answer the question Professor.

White: I dont think in those terms.

Black: I know you dont. Answer the question.

White: I suppose there’s some truth in what you say.

Black: But that’s all I’m goin to get.

White: Yes.

Black: Well. That’s all right. I’ll take it. Some is a lot. We down to breadcrumbs here.

White: I really have to go.

Black: Just stay. Just a little. We can talk bout somethin else. You like baseball? Tell you what. Why dont I fix us somethin to eat?

White: I’m not hungry.

Black: How about some coffee then?

White: All right. But then I’ve got to go.

Black: (Rising) All right. The man says all right.

He runs water in the kettle at the sink and pours the water into the percolator.

Black: You see I wouldnt be this rude under normal circumstances. Man come in my house and set at my table and me not offer him nothin? But with you I figure I got to strategize. Got to play my cards right. Keep you from slippin off into the night.

He spoons coffee from a can into the percolator and plugs the percolator in.

White: It’s not night.

Black: Depends on what kind of night we talkin bout.

He comes back to the table and sits.

Black: Let me ask you kindly a personal question.

White: This will be good.

Black: What do you think is wrong with you that has finally narrowed all your choices down to the Sunset Limited?

White: I dont think there’s anything wrong with me. I think I’ve just been driven to finally face the truth. If I’m different it doesnt mean I’m crazy.

Black: Different.

White: Yes.

Black: Different from who?

White: From anybody.

Black: What about them other folks tryin to off theyselves?

White: What about them?

Black: Well, maybe them is the folks that you is like. Maybe them folks is your natural kin. Only you all just dont get together all that much.

White: I dont think so.

Black: Dont think so.

White: No. I’ve been in group therapy with those people. I never found anyone there that I felt any kinship with.

Black: What about them other professors? They aint no kinship there?

White: (Disgustedly) Good god.

Black: I’m goin to take that for a no.

White: I loathe them and they loathe me.

Black: Well now wait a minute. Just cause you dont like em dont mean you aint like em. What was that word? Loathe?

White: Loathe.

Black: That’s a pretty powerful word, aint it?

White: Not powerful enough, I’m afraid.

Black: So how come you be loathin these other professors?

White: I know what you’re thinking.

Black: What am I thinkin?

White: You’re thinking that I loathe them because I’m like them and I loathe myself.

Black: (Sitting back in his chair) Damn, Professor. If I had your brains aint no tellin what all I might of done. I’d of been a drug king or somethin. Ride round in a Rolls Royce.

White: You’re being facetious again.

Black: No I aint. I wasnt the first time. Let me ask you this.

White: All right.

Black: Is you on any kind of medication?

White: No.

Black: They aint got no medication for pilgrims waitin to take the Sunset?

White: For suicidal depression.

Black: Yeah.

White: Yes. They do. I’ve tried them.

Black: And what happened?

White: Nothing happened.

Black: You didnt get no relief.

White: No. I think the coffee’s percolated.

Black: I know. Does these drugs work for most folks?

White: Yes. For most.

Black: But not for you.