Scene 3
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 09 August 2025
Foreword by
Summary
The screen in the background shows the Statue of Liberty to indicate that the scene is set in in New York. langston is busy typing at his desk. The Statue of Liberty is replaced by snippets of the letter on the screen. His voice can be heard reading the letter as he types.
LANGSTON: Dear Bloke,
I had a fine flight across the Atlantic and got to Harlem at about 10 p.m., and all unpacked before bedtime. Today I put the snapshots in to be developed, and in a few days they should be ready, and I will send you some of yourself and Paul in front of the hotel.
I am still remembering that delightful little party at your place, and I enjoyed meeting Todd, Jimmy, Sonny and the others very much. It was fun.
I’m sending you my blues record today. And when the African one is ready, it will be along, too. I’m also looking into the matter of the overcoat tomorrow.
So, best of luck.
Sincerely yours.
He puts the letter in an envelope. The song ‘Did You Ever Hear the Blues?’ plays softly in the background. langston gets up and leaves the stage. The music stops and langston enters again. He is holding a blue jacket that he looks at admiringly, turning it around. He folds it carefully and puts it in a package, which he then places on his desk. He also packs books and records and puts them in a box. He looks at a number of envelopes on his desk, and drops them disappointedly. He picks up the phone and calls bloke. The phone rings and goes on unanswered for a while before he gives up. He decides to write to him. We see the words on the screen and his voice as he is typing.
LANGSTON: Dear Bloke,
Man, I had good luck today in looking for things in the basement. I found a nice blue overcoat, left here by a Harvard student two or three years ago, and he never came back after it, so I am sending it to you, as I think it might be just about your size. In the box with it will be a tweed jacket and a sweater.
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- The House of Truth and Bloke and His American BantuTwo plays, pp. 55 - 56Publisher: Wits University PressPrint publication year: 2025
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