Footsteps In The Dark

Byron

We is family, and you just said if it's not going to put you in debt den you in. I'll even make you a partner.

Tessy

You came prepared tonight eh Byron? 

Ginny

(smiling and pleased that her sister and brother-in-law are taking her husband seriously) My husband is always prepared, how you mean? Oh no! Look who coming in!

Byron

It's the Gittens, we have to listen to how well dey and de' children doing.

Squid

If you want a loan he's the man to ask. He got more money than any bank in Montreal.

Byron

He can keep he money, he and he wife, you know wha' dey does say about dem'.

Squid

Don't say I never give you a tip. If you want to believe in de gossip of superstitious people and tings like dat, you never going to make it rich.

(the Gittens make their way over to the table)  

Mrs. Gitten

Good evening Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Cates, how nice it is to see you. I was disappointed when you didn't come to the raffle we were giving to aid the Ethiopian children.

Ginny Miller

I wasn't feeling too well that day.

Tessy Cates

And I stayed to take care of her.

Mrs. Gitten

Well, I will forgive you this time, but make sure that you come to the next one and bring your husbands with you.

Mr. Gitten

Miller, I hear you're starting your own security business. Well let me tell you something, it's tough out there boy. You have to have the stomach for it. All the people who used to be your friend will be on the other side. You know what I mean? (he looks around the crowded restaurant and sees all the eyes that were staring at him quickly look away). As soon as you start to turn a buck, people will start to say things, like he thinks he's white. Look Miller, (he takes a puff from his big cigar) I am a first generation Canadian, but I always stay close to my roots.

Byron

It was nice of you to give me an update on de business world Mr. Gitten, but I heard you don't want me as a competitor.

Gitten

You, Mr. Miller, were informed wrong. I am a law abiding citizen and wish everyone well. (he looks at Squid). Ask your brother-in-law, he handles all my taxes. I give work to my own people. I didn't run downtown to the big companies. (he looks at Ginny) I hope you don't share the same opinion of me as your husband. I am a hard working man, that's because I want my family to have the best things this life has to offer. I have a daughter studying in England and two more settling in the United States, things like that brings joy to the heart. (he waves to someone in the back of the restaurant). How are you?  So if I talk about it or try to take pride in what I do, don't hold it against me. Good evening to you all.

Byron

Thought he would never leave ...

Squid

Byron, you must learn to forgive man. Everybody does make mistakes.

Byron

Because you doing his books you can afford to be, but he's not fooling me. Look at him, he got all people fooled.

Ginny

Byron give it up, change your act. He's reaching out to you ... black people got to come together instead of always scattering and throwing stones. We can never feel good for we own, why is dat?  

Tessy

This oxtail soup good, girl! Try some. Jam-Can Can-Jam ..girl, when it comes to --food. Can Jam! 

Squid

And dis' curry goat, it dancing a ballet on my tongue (he looks at Byron who stares blankly at his food). Come Byron, lively up yourself and don't be no dread.

Byron

I hope you will be as forgiving if any a' we do anything (he looks at Tessy) If you ever have an affair you will be coming home to an understanding husband. So Squid, are you in dis' ting' with me or what? 

Squid

I'm in, but you still didn't tell me, how you gonna get start up money?  First of all you need a permit, den you got to get uniforms for everybody ...

Byron

Don't worry about a ting man, I got it all figure out. Eat up everybody (he looks up at the approaching man). It's the, owner, he supporting me and I am going to support him. As quit, howdy' all dem' black people who does do de' eating elsewhere, don't know what dey' missing. (the owner smiles and nods as he makes his way to the phone). Is he signalin' me? (Byron gets up and takes the receiver and he smiles and returns to his seat).

Ginny

Who was 'dat Byron?

Byron

Dat was de code I had work out wid' me friend in Toronto. My ex wife called him and told him MY son was picked number one overall in the football draft. And dat's not all he got, a big signing bonus!

My son is the C.F.L.'s number 1 pick!  Drinks for everyone on me! 

(Someone in the restaurant yells out)

Voice

We hear he is on steriods!

Byron

(losing his cool)  YOUR MUDDA ON STERIODS!

Ginny

Byron, don't get into no argument wid people in de restaurant.

Tessy

You did say the owner is going to be one of your clients. You suppose to stop dis nonsense, not start it!

Byron

I didn't start nothing, it's that fool spreading rumours. Big time journalist does eat here, and a' don't want dem writing dem tings bout ma' son.

Squid

Your son is a celebrity now. You goin' hear a lot more dan dat.

Byron

He got no right saying tings like dat. (Raising his voice) WHY WE BLACK PEOPLE DOES DO DEM' THINGS' TO ONE ANOTHER EH?  You all should be glad to see one a' we mekin' it in a sport West Indians don't normally play.  I know what I'm sayin' might be falling on deaf ears, but I'm going to say it anyways. My son is not on steriods! 

Voice

How you know? You here and he in Toronto. He had to do sometin' to get there.

Byron

If he was on "dat ting" dey woulda' catch 'im.  If I didn't have respect for my friend Asquiti and my family, I woulda' mop up de floor wit you.  God is going to get people like you, spreading vicious rumours ... it can cost my son his career and he didn't even play a down in the blasted C.F.L.!

(Ginny takes Byron's arm and leads him towards the cash to pay the bill.  He is stopped by the owner who gave him a pat on the back as he walked to the door).

Squid

You betta let me drive Byron.

Byron

Are you trying to tell me dat' I can't drive my car?  I will let you know, in all the time in Canada, wit dis hard ass winter, I never get into no accident.

Tess

None of dis "who can whole dey liquor" business, give me dem car keys. (they make their way to his car) Byron, dis car only two years old and it looks at least five!

Squid

I told him to take it to Barry Dan's and get it rust proof. Byron, the man can save dis car. And you gon' need it, if you want to start your business. Go see him, he does the best work around and his prices naw go rust ya pockets neither.

(Byron hands the car keys to Tessy and they get into the car) .

Ginny

Byron, you musn't let dem people get to you. Dey just jealous, and when you try to share youe good fortune wit' dem, dat is how dey does react.

Byron

Well I tellin' you, he lucky tonight. If I wasn't at Jam­Can, I woulda' wipe up de floor wid' he.

Squid

You said dat before. Come on Byron, move on from dat now.

Byron

You always want to dismiss, like it aint nuttin' ! Da is a very serious charge he makin' against my son! I don't tink you woulda' take it so easy if it was you being liable like dat!

Tessy

But seriously Byron ... what if he is on steroids... what you gonna do?

Byron

My son is not going to do anything dat goin' endanger his life. Turn on the radio, let me see if dey saying anythin' about him. Ginny, we have to throw a party to celebrate dis double joy. I am so happy, I don't care if you invite Gitten.

Squid

Boy, you sure having severe mood swings!  I thought dat does only happen to women going thru' de change!