TILDA
Matilda Hargrove. Everybody calls me Tilda.
Dessi looks aroundat all the people elbowing each other and trying to get into the theater.
DESSI
Harlem is on fire tonight.
TILDA
Where you been? Harlem’s on fire every night.
DESSI
This is different. I never seen the likes of this.
TILDA
What watermelon truck you fall off, girl? You sound as country as Mississippi.
DESSI
Alabama, I’ll have you know.
TILDA
You want this ticket, Bama?
DESSI
How much?
TILDA
How much ya got?
DESSI
A dollar and some change.
TILDA
Girl. Where you work?
DESSI
The Cotton Club.
TILDA
Stop lying. You ain’t yellow enough to work at the Cotton Club.
DESSI
Not onstage. I wash dishes.
TILDA