Act 2 - Scene 4
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 June 2019
Summary
(It is midnight. Enter RUTH in a nightdress, carrying a paraffin lamp. She sneaks up to the typewriter and begins to read one of JAKES's stories. Suddenly there is a noise behind her. Enter MINGUS. He is dressed to kill, hat brim pulled low, trench coat. He has returned from a job. He stands in the doorway.)
MINGUS: What are you doing?
RUTH: Oh God, Mingus - you gave me a fright.
MINGUS: Come on Ruth Golden, what are you doing?
RUTH: I couldn't sleep.
MINGUS: Ja, and so you scratch in Jakes’ things. What do you want?
RUTH: I'm just looking.
MINGUS: Why? What do you think you'll find there that you don't know already? Haven't you seen enough?
RUTH: Look, I couldn't sleep.
MINGUS: Why? Does Princess keep you awake, that you have to wander around at night?
RUTH: We manage.
MINGUS: Ja, and how does Sophiatown look now? Two in a bed - or does Princess sleep underneath?
RUTH: You kicked her out, and your mother wants the rent, so we manage.
MINGUS: Ja, and when the majietas come? One underneath and one on top! Sophiatown style.
RUTH: What do you want, Mingus?
MINGUS: From you. Miss Golden - nothing.
RUTH: Good, I'll just go right back to bed.
MINGUS: Hold it!
RUTH: What do you want, Mingus?
MINGUS: Come here! Come on. Give me your hand. I've just been on a job. Here - feel.
(He puts her hand under his jacket.)
RUTH: (Pulling away.) Ah.
MINGUS: Tonight there's no sleep for either of us. What I need now is a drive, a ride in the moonlight. I need to look at the moon.
RUTH: Why don't you go, Mingus?
MINGUS: Hold it. I want you to come with. It's lonely out there on your own. I want to look at your hair, your face, the rest of you.
RUTH: I'm tired. I'm going to bed.
MINGUS: (Blocking her exit.) If you want to see Sophiatown you gotta see all sides. This is Sophiatown by night.
RUTH: Look Mingus, it's late. I don't feel like going for a drive.
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- SophiatownA PLAY CREATED BY JUNCTION AVENUE THEATRE COMPANY, pp. 60 - 62Publisher: Wits University PressPrint publication year: 1993