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that if you could bring yourself to unlatch your hands from around your brother’s throat you could have life everlastin?
White
   
There’s no such thing. Everybody dies.
Black
   
That aint what he said. He said you could have
life
everlastin. Life. Have it today. Hold it in your hand. That you could see it. It gives off a light. It’s got a little weight to it. Not much. Warm to the touch. Just a little. And it’s forever. And you can have it. Now. Today. But you dont want it. You dont want it cause to get it you got to let you brother off the hook. You got to actually take him and hold him in your arms and it dont make no difference what color he is or what he smells like or even if he dontwant to
be
held. And the
reason
you wont do it is because he dont deserve it. And about that there aint no argument. He
dont
deserve it.
(He leans forward, slow and deliberate.)
You wont do it because it aint just. Aint that so?

Silence.
Black
   
Aint it?
White
   
I dont believe in those sorts of things.
Black
   
Just answer the question Professor.
White
   
I dont think in those terms.
Black
   
I know you dont. Answer the question.
White
   
I suppose there’s some truth in what you say.
Black
   
But that’s all I’m goin to get.
White
   
Yes.
Black
   
Well. That’s all right. I’ll take it. Some is a lot. We down to breadcrumbs here.
White
   
I really have to go.
Black
   
Just stay. Just a little. We can talk bout somethin else. You like baseball? Tell you what. Why dont I fix us somethin to eat?
White
   
I’m not hungry.
Black
   
How about some coffee then?
White
   
All right. But then I’ve got to go.
Black
   
(Rising)
All right. The man says all right.

He runs water in the kettle at the sink and pours the water into the percolator.
Black
   
You see I wouldnt be this rude under normal circumstances. Man come in my house and set at my table and me not offer him nothin? But with you I figure I got to strategize. Got to play my cards right. Keep you from slippin off into the night.

He spoons coffee from a can into the percolator and plugs the percolator in.
White
   
It’s not night.
Black
   
Depends on what kind of night we talkin bout.

He comes back to the table and sits.
Black
   
Let me ask you kindly a personal question.
White
   
This will be good.
Black
   
What do
you
think is wrong with you that has finally narrowed all your choices down to the Sunset Limited?
White
   
I dont think there’s anything wrong with me. I think I’ve just been driven to finally face the truth. If I’m different it doesnt mean I’m crazy.
Black
   
Different.
White
   
Yes.
Black
   
Different from who?
White
   
From anybody.
Black
   
What about them other folks tryin to off theyselves?
White
   
What about them?
Black
   
Well, maybe them is the folks that you is like. Maybe them folks is your natural kin. Only you all just dont get together all that much.
White
   
I dont think so.
Black
   
Dont think so.
White
   
No. I’ve been in group therapy with those people. I never found anyone there that I felt any kinship with.
Black
   
What about them other professors? They aint no kinship there?
White
   
(Disgustedly)
Good god.
Black
   
I’m goin to take that for a no.
White
   
I loathe them and they loathe me.
Black
   
Well now wait a minute. Just cause you dont like em dont mean you
aint
like em. What was that word? Loathe?
White
   
Loathe.
Black
   
That’s a pretty powerful word, aint it?
White
   
Not powerful enough, I’m afraid.
Black
   
So how come you be loathin these other professors?
White
   
I know what you’re thinking.
Black
   
What am I thinkin?
White
   
You’re thinking that I loathe them because I’m like them and I loathe myself.
Black
   
(Sitting back in his chair)
Damn, Professor. If I had your brains aint no tellin what all I might of