A Deep Rural Tract (Excerpt)
By Viney Loretta Moore
SHARON LEE
(Sobbing)
Mama was a sick woman, she wont right since we lost our two young brothers in the barn fire…Mama…felt guilty ‘cause she left the boys home to po..lay…while we was all out workin’ in the fields. They was playin’ with matches in the barn…’n’…everything caught fire…includin’ Tommy ‘n’ James. After that, mama was lost to the world. Mama used ta be carryin’ ‘round the onliest toys of the boys, like the toys was them. Then, she started runnin’ off from the house…goin’ into the bayous where the cypress trees was…and she thought they was her Indian relatives…She used ta say that the boys was there bein’ takin’ care of by her people……
PROSECUTOR
Your Honor, I’d like to call another witness to the stand, please.
JUDGE
You may. Witness dismissed.
(Sharonlee leaves weeping)
PROSECUTOR
I would like to have Mr. Robert (Bo) McMillan come to the stand please.
(Bo goes up, takes oath)
JUDGE
Prosecutor, you may proceed.
(Willis enters loud and drunk)
ROSE
(Admonishes Willis)
Willis, why you come here like this. I don’t know what your problem is, but you betta keep it down. Jest look at you, you ain’t in no shape to be at your father’s trial.
WILLIS
(Loud)
Now..yall would..dent..want me…ta missss…the..fi…anl..day of…dad…dy’s..tri…alll, now would…yall?
JUDGE
You, young man, are creating a disturbance. If you cannot conduct yourself in a proper manner I will ask you to leave this courtroom?
(Willis takes a seat, settles down)
SHARONLEE
(Rises)
I’m goin’ for a smoke….
ROSE
Sharonlee, run ya sister Jonelle outta the ladies’ room while you at it. If you don’t, long’s it’s a wall mirror, she’ll be in there.
WILLIS
So ole Doctor Bills’watchin’ ov…ver…ole daddy, huh? Toooo bad…oleDoctor Bill wont able ta come…help…mama…Nobody was…ab…ble ta rescue her….
JUDGE
(Angrily)
I must have total silence from the entire McMillan family, or I will stop this proceeding.
(Then to Prosecutor)
You may proceed with questioning.
PROSECUTOR
Mr. McMillan, I would like to ask you a few questions concerning the weapon used which took your mother’s life.
(Bo nods)
Were you familiar with the weapon, a 30-caliber rifle?
BO
It was one of the sev’rl firearms my daddy keeps ‘round the house. We was all hunters.
PROSECUTOR
(Pacing, stops abruptly)
Hunting season’s, autumn in Mississippi. I always thought it was.
(Mr. Huntley enters)
PROSECUTOR
It would appear that Wilbur McMillan had no reason to have his rifle loaded. I’m a hunter too, Mr. McMillan, you get it ready to use…..
BO
Daddy was on the lookout for a fox what kept killin’ chickens. Mama knew it was loaded, and went and got that shotgun…
(Breaks down)
WILLIS
Prosecutor you nailed it… the fox in the henhouse was Wilbur McMillan…I’m gittin’ the hell outta here….
(Rises; staggers out)
JUDGE
Quiet! It is now up ta the jury to decide if Wilbur McMillan is responsible for the shooting death of his wife, Lurene McMillan.
ROSE
All I haveta say is my brother betta be found innocent.
HUNTLEY
(Places arm around her shoulder)
Rose, Wilbur’s innocent as the day is long.(Scene Ends)
By Viney Loretta Moore
SHARON LEE
(Sobbing)
Mama was a sick woman, she wont right since we lost our two young brothers in the barn fire…Mama…felt guilty ‘cause she left the boys home to po..lay…while we was all out workin’ in the fields. They was playin’ with matches in the barn…’n’…everything caught fire…includin’ Tommy ‘n’ James. After that, mama was lost to the world. Mama used ta be carryin’ ‘round the onliest toys of the boys, like the toys was them. Then, she started runnin’ off from the house…goin’ into the bayous where the cypress trees was…and she thought they was her Indian relatives…She used ta say that the boys was there bein’ takin’ care of by her people……
PROSECUTOR
Your Honor, I’d like to call another witness to the stand, please.
JUDGE
You may. Witness dismissed.
(Sharonlee leaves weeping)
PROSECUTOR
I would like to have Mr. Robert (Bo) McMillan come to the stand please.
(Bo goes up, takes oath)
JUDGE
Prosecutor, you may proceed.
(Willis enters loud and drunk)
ROSE
(Admonishes Willis)
Willis, why you come here like this. I don’t know what your problem is, but you betta keep it down. Jest look at you, you ain’t in no shape to be at your father’s trial.
WILLIS
(Loud)
Now..yall would..dent..want me…ta missss…the..fi…anl..day of…dad…dy’s..tri…alll, now would…yall?
JUDGE
You, young man, are creating a disturbance. If you cannot conduct yourself in a proper manner I will ask you to leave this courtroom?
(Willis takes a seat, settles down)
SHARONLEE
(Rises)
I’m goin’ for a smoke….
ROSE
Sharonlee, run ya sister Jonelle outta the ladies’ room while you at it. If you don’t, long’s it’s a wall mirror, she’ll be in there.
WILLIS
So ole Doctor Bills’watchin’ ov…ver…ole daddy, huh? Toooo bad…oleDoctor Bill wont able ta come…help…mama…Nobody was…ab…ble ta rescue her….
JUDGE
(Angrily)
I must have total silence from the entire McMillan family, or I will stop this proceeding.
(Then to Prosecutor)
You may proceed with questioning.
PROSECUTOR
Mr. McMillan, I would like to ask you a few questions concerning the weapon used which took your mother’s life.
(Bo nods)
Were you familiar with the weapon, a 30-caliber rifle?
BO
It was one of the sev’rl firearms my daddy keeps ‘round the house. We was all hunters.
PROSECUTOR
(Pacing, stops abruptly)
Hunting season’s, autumn in Mississippi. I always thought it was.
(Mr. Huntley enters)
PROSECUTOR
It would appear that Wilbur McMillan had no reason to have his rifle loaded. I’m a hunter too, Mr. McMillan, you get it ready to use…..
BO
Daddy was on the lookout for a fox what kept killin’ chickens. Mama knew it was loaded, and went and got that shotgun…
(Breaks down)
WILLIS
Prosecutor you nailed it… the fox in the henhouse was Wilbur McMillan…I’m gittin’ the hell outta here….
(Rises; staggers out)
JUDGE
Quiet! It is now up ta the jury to decide if Wilbur McMillan is responsible for the shooting death of his wife, Lurene McMillan.
ROSE
All I haveta say is my brother betta be found innocent.
HUNTLEY
(Places arm around her shoulder)
Rose, Wilbur’s innocent as the day is long.(Scene Ends)
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