Project on Dramatization of Thank You Ma'am

Introduction : Thank You Ma’am By : Langstone Hughes

                    James Mercer Langstone Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri. He was an American p0oet, social activist, novelist, playwright and economist. He was one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form jazz poetry. He is best known for his work during the Harlem Renaissance. Langstone’s story ‘Thank You Ma’am’ was first published in 1958. I am honoured to have given the opportunity of dramatizing the story ‘Thank You Ma’am’ by Langstone Hughes.

            OUTPUT OF THE PROJECT

                         Characters  :-

Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones :- A woman of huge figure.

Roger :- A boy of about fourteen.

Time   :- At around eleven o’clock.

Place   :- A modern metropolis of India.

Scene :-Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones who was coming back home from a hotel beauty shop. She had huge bag in her hand. Having seen the bag, Roger decided to snatch it. A boy of about fourteen named Roger came behind her. She was walking down the road.

                              Scene –(I)

( A boy was walking down road behind a woman)

Boy  : (from corner) Now I’ll snatch her bag and run. The  bag looks very heavy.

(The boy snatches the bag but the strap breaks and he falls down)

Mrs. Jones : Hey! You there! (turns around and kicks) Here, take this! Thought you would run away with my bag? (Bends down. Pick the boy up by his shirt front) Pick up my pocketbook, boy and give it to me)

Boy  : (picking up the purse) Here ma’am!

Mrs. Jones : (Still gripping his shirt) Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?  [A crowd had gathered]

Boy  : I didn’t aim to.

Mrs. Jones : If I turn you loose, you will run! Won’t you? I won’t turn you loose.

Boy  : (In a whisper) Lady, I’m sorry.

Mrs. Jones : Um-hum ! Your face is dirty. I got a great mind to wash your face for you. Don’t you have anybody at home to tell to wash your face?

Boy  : (again in whisper) I’m sorry, Lady !

Mrs. Jones : (not paying heed to the boy’s pleading) How old are you? fourteen, fifteen ? You ought to be my son. Therefore I’ll teach you right from wrong. Right now you’ll wash your  face. Are you hungry?

Boy  : (almost crying)  No’m. I just want you to turn me loose.

Mrs. Jones : You put yourself in contact with me. And that contact is going to last awhile. And when I get through with you,  you will never forget Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones.

 

                                                                                                (Exits dragging the boy)

                             Scene –(II)

(Luella Bates’ house. A large kitchenette-furnished room. Door opens. Enter Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones and the boy.)

Mrs. Jones : (holding the boy by the collar) What is your name?

Boy  : Roger. (sweats popping up the face)

Mrs. Jones : Roger, go to that sink and wash your face.

Roger : (looking at the door, thinking) The door is open. I can run away! I can run away! Run, run, run … But the lady! What if she catches me again? (aloud) Will you take me to jail?

Mrs. Jones : Stop asking questions and wash your face. Here I am trying to get home to cook me a  bite to eat, and you snatch my pocketbook ! I  think you also must be hungry? (Gives him to towel)

Roger : (in a whisper) There’s nobody home at my house.  [goes to sink)

Mrs. Jones : Then we will have dinner right away! Tell me, why did you snatch my pocketbook?

Roger : (looking down) I wanted to buy a pair of blue suede shoes.

Mrs. Jones : What ! Only a pair of blue suede shoes ! You could have asked me for them !

Roger : (Puzzled. Stops cleaning his face) Ma’am?

(Long pause. Roger keeps on rubbing his face with towel)

Mrs. Jones : (Sitting down) I were young once and wanted things I could not get. (Pause) [Roger frowns) You thought I was going to say but I didn’t snatch people’s pocketbooks? [Pause] I have done things too which I would not tell you son – neither tell God. Everybody’s got something in common. [Sighs) Sit down and I’ll prepare some dinner for both of us.

            [Goes to the corner of the room]

Roger : (To himself) I’ll sit from where she can see me. She has left her purse., the door is also open. She is not looking at me. But … but … I’ll not do it anymore. She called me soon. But I don’t know if she trusts me and I don’t want to be mistrusted now.

[Mrs. Jones come back and sets the table with ham and cocoa]

Mrs. Jones : Come and eat. [after some time] [dreamily] I worked in a hotel beauty shop that stayed open till late. I came across many kinds of women there … )they chatter)

Mrs. Jones : [after a pause) Eat some more, son. [after a while] Here, take this ten dollars and buy yourself some blue suede shoes. And from now on turn a new life. Never again make the mistake of latching onto my pocketbook nor nobody’ else- becaus shoes got by devilish ways will burn your feet. Behave yourself from now. And now you can go while  I take some rest.

[Leads Roger to the front door. Open it] Good night son !

Roger : (Still in a daze, mumbles] Thank you ma’am (almost inaudible)

[Takes a few steps, looks back. Wants to say something. Voice chokes]

                         [Mrs. Jones shuts the door]