8th
Act 4 Raisin in the Sun- Something to Die For
(The younger family exits their vehicle in front of their new house. Beneatha and Walter momentarily pause their arguing to join the others in staring at their home. Mama is the first one to break out of their transe.)
MAMA Come on now, honey. What’re ya waiting for? Get on in here.
TRAVIS Aw gaaaleee! Mama, ain’t this house somethin’?
(Ruth turns to Travis with a smile.)
RUTH It is, ain’t it? (Ruth gives Mama a look full of gratitude.) And it’s all ‘cause of Mama.
WALTER LEE I gotta say, this house sure is nice.
BENEATHA (Huffs impatiently) Well? Who gonna open the door first?
TRAVIS Grandmama, could I please open the door?
MAMA Why of course, Travis. Here are the keys.
(Travis happily takes the keys from his grandmother and proceeds to unlock the door. The Younger family all stare into the doorway into the empty house. Plain, white walls and old wood floors greet them. Although the house wasn’t extravagant, each one of the Youngers found it special in it’s own way.)
(A week later, almost all of the family’s belongings had been organized and put away. Everyone had put off their job or school to make time to prepare their house. As of then, the neighborhood seemed very quiet.)
BENEATHA Mama, I think it’s finally time for us to meet some people.
WALTER LEE You’re crazy. Don’t you remember that the white folks here don’t like us?
RUTH There’s always a time for change, Walter.
WALTER LEE (Scoffs in a lighthearted way.) Whatever you say Ruth
RUTH Now Walter Lee, don’t you think we can get along for once?
MAMA That’s the spirit! Now Beneatha’s right. We gotta’ finally go out and talk to some folks.
TRAVIS Can I go back to school Mama?
RUTH I’m not sure about that yet. Maybe someday, baby.
(Travis nods and leaves the room to play in his new room. Beneatha leaves along with him. Mama, Ruth, and Walter Lee are left in the kitchen.)
MAMA I think I’m gonna introduce myself to the neighbors!
WALTER LEE Mama! Ain’t you afraid?
MAMA Of what, son? That they’ll kick me out of my own house? There ain’t nothing to be afraid of!
RUTH Just be careful Mama.
MAMA Of course I will honey.
WALTER LEE You’ve always been a warrior Mama. You always taught us to never be afraid, I just hope one day I’ll be as brave as you. I wish Pops was here to see you.
(Exits the scene)
(Mama goes out to the front porch, Ruth follows behind her)
MAMA This sure is a great place for me to start my garden. Oh, child! Yes it is.
RUTH (Smiles at Mama) Oh Lena, I know how much you dreamed of that ol’ garden and now you done got it.
MAMA Oh yes child. I thank the Lord for all he has done for us. I just hope one day the folks out here may accept us.
RUTH Well, we all got big dreams Lena. (Turns to enter the house)
(Mama stays out starting work on her garden as her next door neighbor steps out their house. Mama stands up, seeing her chance at making new friends.)
MAMA Why, hello! My name is Lena and my family here is new to this neighborhood.
(The neighbor looks surprised for a moment as she looks at Mama over the fence. Finally, a hesitant smile inches its way across her face.)
ANNE Hello, nice to meet you. My name’s Anne.
RUTH I’m Ruth. It’s nice to meet you too!
ANNE How long have you all lived here?
MAMA Oh, just about a week. We ain’t been here long.
(Anne nods her head in understanding. She stands to face Ruth and Mama.)
ANNE Well, it was lovely talking to you all. I hope we can see each other soon!
MAMA We’ll see you soon!
RUTH Goodbye!
(Anne leaves Mama and Ruth alone in the background. Mama turns to Ruth with a proud look on her face. Ruth shakes her head with a smile.)
MAMA I told you these folks were nice. There ain’t nothin’ to worry about here.
RUTH I guess you’re right, Mama.
(Ruth and Mama go back inside of their house.)
End scene.
(Two weeks later, the Younger family were seated at their dinner table when they hear a knock at the door.)
BENEATHA I’ll get it! (Beneatha rushes to open the door. The door swings open to reveal a smiling Anne holding a pot.)
BENEATHA Oh! You must be Anne! My mama talked all about you! Why don’t you come inside?
ANNE Thank you, dear. I just want to drop something off.
MAMA Anne! How nice to see you again! What is this? (She points to the tin Anne holds.)
ANNE It’s a pie! I baked it for your family. Think of it as a welcoming gift.
(Walter Lee enters to see Anne holding the pie. He is surprised for a moment but comes to his senses and thanks Anne.)
WALTER LEE Thank you, ma’am. That sure is an awfully nice thing to do.
ANNE My pleasure! Anything for a wonderful family like yours! I must be going now.
MAMA We’ll see you soon? You and your folks should come join us for dinner one day!
ANNE That sounds wonderful. I hope you like the pie! It’s to die for.
(The Youngers say their goodbyes and return back to the kitchen with the pie.)
TRAVIS Ooh, look at that pie! Mama, can I have a piece?
RUTH Of course, baby.
MAMA Here’s your piece! (Mama hands Travis a piece of pie. Next she cuts one for Walter Lee, then Beneatha, Ruth, and finally one for herself.)
BENEATHA Mmm, this pie really is good!
WALTER LEE: I do got to admit that this sure tastes good.
TRAVIS: Can I have another slice?
(Ruth gives Travis a look before putting another piece onto his plate. The family finishes their dessert and all go upstairs to go to bed. Mama stands in her bathroom, staring at her reflection in the dusty mirror. Her fingers graze across the red bumps that have sprouted across the skin on her face.)
MAMA These bumps weren’t here before… maybe I’m allergic to somethin’. I ain’t feelin’ so well.
(Mama tucks herself into her own bed and falls asleep almost instantly. Similarly, the rest of the Youngers weren’t feeling well either. Each one of them fell fast asleep in their beds.)
(Sometime in the middle of the night, each of the Youngers’ heart stopped, leaving their bodies to look as if it were still in a peaceful slumber. Poison had entered their blood stream, causing their bodies to shut down.)
(That pie really was to die for.)
clever ending
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