Race Read Online Free PDF

Yes.
    SUSAN : Into.
    JACK : A group. A race. A jury, or an audience. (Pause) Sometimes they conjoin into a mob.
    SUSAN : And you think black people are fragile.
    JACK : I know they are.
    SUSAN : Why?
    JACK : Because you deal with shame.
    SUSAN : “Shame”?
    JACK : That’s correct.
    SUSAN : More than other people?
    JACK : All people deal with shame or guilt. Jews deal with guilt. Blacks deal with shame. It’s two of the wonderful ways we metabolize feelings of inferiority. Our job. Is to get them on the jury to accept our new definition of the Group to which they belong. Not “the whites” or “the blacks.” Not “the well-meaning.” Or “the people on my block.” But the new group—which is called “the jury.” Another name
for which is, The Audience. We’re going to put on a show. And when we “amuse” them—they may forget, their individual allegiances and, for a moment be conjoined. But for our entertainment to succeed it has to have, surprise. And if a word gets out of the surprise’s nature , the surprise will fail, and we will lose.
    (Henry enters.)
    HENRY : Jack . . .
    SUSAN : If word got out about our strategy , the other side would win.
    JACK : They would.
    SUSAN : What could they do . . .
    HENRY : Uh . . .
    JACK : If the case: hangs upon a sequin, all they’d have to do is secrete One Sequin, somewhere in the hotel room . . .
    HENRY : Jack . . .
    JACK : And there goes our case.
    SUSAN : . . . would they do that? . . .
    JACK : Oh Yes. So our task is: not to breathe , not even to think of our little surprise. For, if we can think it, the other side can, too. I would not even tell our client . (To Henry) What?
    HENRY : He wants to go to the press.
    JACK : He wants to go to the Press?
    HENRY : With this statement.
    (He hands the paper to Jack. Jack reads.)
    JACK : He wants to give this fucking statement to the press .
    HENRY : That’s right . . .
    JACK : Get him in here . . .
    (Henry goes out and escorts in Charles.)
    Mr. Strickland. It is my assessment. We can win this case.
    CHARLES : I’m going to go to the press.

    JACK : Mister . . .
    CHARLES : Would you read it.
    JACK : Mister Strickland, what do you think the press is ? . . . CHARLES : Would you read my statement, please?
    JACK : The press, Mr. Strickland is the pillory, it is the stocks. It exists to license and gratify envy and greed. It cannot serve you. If you appeal to the press they will tear you apart.
    CHARLES : Would you please read my statement.
    JACK (Reads) : “I believe I was wrong . . . I believe we are all brothers beneath the skin. And though I did not legally assault the . . .” (To Henry) What do you think?
    HENRY : I don’t think we’re brothers beneath the skin, over the skin, or in any way associated with the skin.
    JACK : Neither do I.
    (Charles takes the paper and reads.)
    CHARLES (Reading) : “I believe there has been a misunderstanding , that though the actual facts of the case are not as the young woman stated . . . perhaps, perhaps , on some “moral” level . . .”
    HENRY : He thinks he’s wronged a girl who loved him.
    JACK : Is that what you think?
    CHARLES : I . . .
    JACK : How did you wrong her?
    CHARLES : I . . .
    JACK : How did you wrong her?
    CHARLES : I believe, she found herself in a difficult position and . . .
    JACK : You said you didn’t do it.
    CHARLES : You said you didn’t care.
    JACK : But did you do it?
    CHARLES : No.
    JACK : Then what is it you want to confess? Did you rape her?
    CHARLES : No.
    HENRY : That’s all you were charged with Mr. Strickland.
    JACK : Had you had sex with her before?
    CHARLES : Yes.
    JACK : Consensual sex?
    CHARLES : Yes.

    JACK : And this night; was this with her consent?
    CHARLES : . . . yes. But. I . . .
    JACK : We’re listening.
    CHARLES : I may have made promises to her.
    JACK : Do you think her actions abrogate any promises you may have made to