The Grapes of Wrath Page #75

---

ROSASHARN:

An' you won't let nobody touch me?

MA:

No--an' look what I got for you.

Smiling mysteriously, Ma fishes in a pocket in her dress and

brings out the envelope of her treasures. From it she produces

the earrings and holds them up in front of Rosasharn's wide

eyes.

MA:

(softly)

I used to wear these--when your pa

come callin' on me.

(Then as she puts

them on Rosasharn's

ears)

You'll look pretty in 'em tonight.

They smile at each other, proud in the luxury of ornaments.

Down the road from the GATE a touring car with six men pulls

of the pavement and stops. Three men get out. They are

bareheaded and dressed similar to the other migrants. They

stroll down the highway toward the gate. The other men,

deputies, sit watching them.

WITHIN THE GATE:

WILKIE:

They tell me you're half Injun. You

look all Injun to me.

JULE:

No, jes' half. Wisht I was full-

blooded. Gov'ment'd be lookin' out

for me an' I'd be ridin' around in a

Buick eight.

The three men from the touring car are at the gate. Wilkie

and Jule watch them.

COMMITTEE MAN:

Who give you the invitation?

MAN:

Fella named Jackson--Buck Jackson.

COMMITTEE MAN:

Okay. Come on in.

The three men stroll past Wilkie and Jule, whose eyes follow

them.

JULE:

Them's our fellas.

WILKIE:

How you know?

JULE:

Jes' got a feelin'. They're kinda

scared too. Follow 'em an' get a

holt of Jackson. See if he knows

'em. I'll stay here.

Wilkie moves after them.

We see the DANCE FLOOR. The musicians are at it and the

fiddler is calling turns.

FIDDLER:

Swing your ladies an' a dol ce do.

Join han's roun' an' away we go!

Swing to the right an' a swing to

the lef'. Break, now break--back to

back!

Well in front, among the older folks and children who surround

the floor, are Ma and Rosasharn, clinging close. A young man

stops in front of them.

MA:

(quietly)

Thank you kin'ly but she ain't well.

As Rosasharn's eyes drop. Ma bends toward her, a shy smile

on her face.

MA:

Maybe you wouldn't think it, but

your pa was as nice a dancer as I

ever seen, when he was young.

(With a little sigh)

Kinda makes me think a ol' times.

The three men stroll into sight and stand watching the

dancing. One glances at Ma and Rosasharn but does not speak.

Ma has smiled back at him.

WILKIE AND JACKSON are seen; removed somewhat from the dance

floor they are peering in the direction of the three men.

JACKSON:

I seen 'em before. Worked at

Gregorio's with 'em. But I never ast

'em.

WILKIE:

Awright. Keep your eye on 'em. Jus'

keep 'em in sight, that's all.

(He moves quickly

away)

We find ourselves INSIDE TIM WALLACE'S TENT. The five members

of the central committee, Tim Wallace, chairman, look grave

as a 15-year-old boy reports.

BOY:

I seen 'em, Mr. Wallace. A car with

six men parked down by the euc'lyptus

tree an' one with three men on the

main road. They got guns, too. I

seen 'em.

TIM:

Thank you, Willie. You done good.

(As Willie exits)

Well, it looks like the fat's in the

far this time.

FIRST MAN:

(angrily)

What them deppities want to hurt the

camp for? How come they can't leave

us be?

SECOND MAN:

What we oughta do, we oughta git us

some pickhandles an'--

TIM:

(quickly)

No! That's what they want. No sir.

If they can git a fight goin', then

they can run in the cops an' say we

ain't orderly--

(He stops as Wilkie

enters followed by

Tom)

WILKIE:

They're here. We got 'em spotted.

There is a grim pause at this news. Tim's eyes go hard.

TIM:

(to Tom)

You sure you got ever'thing ready?

TOM:

(calmly)

Ain't gonna be no trouble.

Rate this script:5.0 / 1 vote