QUEENIE

Is de theatre fillin' up, Cap'n Andy?



ANDY

Yes, but there's nobody in the balcony.



QUEENIE

Dat's where de colored people sit.



ANDY

Well, why don't they come?



QUEENIE

'Cause you don't talk to 'em.



ANDY

Whaddaya mean don't talk to 'em? I ballyhooed

my lungs out this mornin'.



QUEENIE

People don't remember dat long.

Dis is how to get 'em!

(COLORED CHORUS gradually enters)

Hey!

Where yo' think you're goin'?

Don't yo' know dis show is startin' soon?

Hey!

Jes' a few seats left yere!

It's light inside an' outside dere's no moon.

What fo' you gals dressed up dicty?

Where's yo' all gwine?

Tell dose stingy men o' yourn

To step up here in line!

C'mon, folks, we're rarin' to go,

Is you or ain't you seein' dis show?

Get het up, dere'll be no let up, here!



CHORUS

Listen to dat gal talk!



QUEENIE

You'll be excited all night,

Grippin' yo' man an' holdin' him tight,

Two seats for twenty cents ain't so dear!

(drawing them to her confidentially)

Story's 'bout a lady in love,

Loves her man, but, Heavens above!

Dere's a villain bad as you ever see.



CHORUS

Um-um-um!



QUEENIE

White outside, but black in de heart,

Swears dose two young lovers to part,

He's de worstest scallawag dat can be.



CHORUS

Um-um-um!

(Her audience's eyes are beginning to pop out.

She becomes mysterious)



QUEENIE

He tries to get her alone,

You hear dat little gal moan, Ol' villain makin' her groan

Wid woe!

-ac