Race Read Online Free PDF Page B

her.
    CHARLES : No.
    JACK : No, you do not.
    CHARLES : No.
    JACK : Because . . .
    CHARLES : I gave her my word.
    JACK : I don’t understand . . .
    CHARLES : I . . .
    JACK : You gave her your word to what ?
    CHARLES : I . . .
    HENRY : Well, let’s get the players straight here, because you want to talk to the press , but you don’t want to talk to your lawyers.
    CHARLES : I gave her my word.
    HENRY : That you would do what? What does she think , you’re going to take her home to mother ? (Pause) That you’re going to tell your wife? “Honey, I met this nice colored girl.”
    JACK : . . . huh . . .
    HENRY : How’d you meet her? (Pause) How’d you meet this girl.
    CHARLES : I don’t think this is the place.
    JACK : How did you meet the girl?
    CHARLES : I really do not think this is the place.
    JACK : Well, what would be the place? I don’t understand.
    HENRY : He wants Susan and me to step out.
    JACK : He wants you to step out? Why do you say that?
    HENRY : Because that’s what he wants.
    JACK : Is that so?
    (Pause.)
    CHARLES : Yes.
    JACK : Alright . Why?
    HENRY : Because the girl’s a whore.

    JACK : Is that it? She’s a whore? She’s a black whore, and you’re upset lest in discussing her you offend a person of her color?
    HENRY : Yes.
    CHARLES : She isn’t a whore.
    HENRY : How did you meet her?
    CHARLES : I. I would prefer not to tell you.
    HENRY : The girl’s a whore. He met her through an escort service, or . . .
    JACK : You paid the girl? You paid the girl for sex at some time? CHARLES : I didn’t pay her for sex.
    JACK : Did you give her money?
    CHARLES : Not actually money , no I . . .
    JACK : What did you give her.
    CHARLES : I may have, time to time, given her . . .
    JACK : You paid her for something.
    CHARLES : No. I didn’t “pay” her. I . . .
    HENRY : What did you do?
    CHARLES : Well. I bought her gifts .
    HENRY : You never gave her money?
    CHARLES : I may . At some point . Have lent, or given her money . If I “gave her money” does that mean I “paid” her?
    JACK : You gave her a “gift”? (To Henry) He said he gave her a gift—
    CHARLES : Yes. I gave her a gift. An “ongoing . . .”
    JACK : An “ongoing gift.” Of . . . ?
    CHARLES : What form it took is no concern . . .
    JACK : It doesn’t matter to me . . .
    HENRY : I understand: you gave her a gold watch, or you gave her five thousand dollars a week for . . . ?
    CHARLES : That’s correct.
    HENRY : For what ?
    (Pause.)
    CHARLES : If you give your family money, is that “paying” them?
    HENRY : Yes, it’s not quite the same thing.
    CHARLES : I . . .

    HENRY : Mr. Strickland. Does being black exempt her from the fact that she’s a prostitute?
    CHARLES : She’s not a prostitute.
    JACK : What’s she do for a living?
    HENRY : What’s she put on her tax return, Charles? You pull her bank records, lots of cash, checks, fifteen guys, for “consultation” . . .
    JACK : The girl’s a whore , Charles. Irrespective of her race. Or yours. You want to confess, to consorting with a prostitute, do that , it’s a misdemeanor. Rape is a felony. (Pause) You feel bad about consorting with a whore don’t do it again. That’s not what you’re accused of.
    CHARLES : I exploited her.
    JACK : Perhaps . But, but you did not rape her. (Pause) Did you? “Did you do it?”
    CHARLES : No.
    JACK : Well, then. What the fuck is this piece of paper? Why do you want to confess?
    HENRY : Because he’s white.
    JACK : Is that a crime?
    HENRY : He thinks it is.
    (Pause.)
    JACK : I asked you to, and I’d appreciate it if you would . . . Complete for us, if you will, that list of “sins,” which is to say, those things which , could, at a trial, be used to discredit your testimony. And get it off your chest . If you wish to confess to “exploiting” the girl, put it on the