WILFRED-listen. i got the question dropped on me an i wasn't bout to lie. DENIS-what did you tell them?

WILFRED the way it is. they know i is up tight with my folks an that i was lookin for another pad to fall by sometimes when i can't stand to go by my folks' place.

DENIS-what happens now?

WILFRED-listen. baron don't care who you is. he just wants to check out my story. like i told you: baron is number one, an he's a real hog for knowing what the guys is doin.

DENIS-i can tell what you're leading up to, and the answer is no. i'm not that kind of person. i can't do things like that.

WILFRED—it's just pepper, cause he was the one who seen us. an it don't have to be here. fact, pepper says if you'll put a couple a bottles a g. i. gin on him he'll check you out by jus watchin. DENIS-no. i won't be laughed at. WILFRED you took a chance with me! baby, if i was a bastard, i coulda jus do it or i'll turn your folks an the makin here.

an it was your idea to go to that flic. fallen by with pepper an told you: neighbors on to the scene i been

DENIS-i intend to be the way i am on my terms. WILFRED—you took a big chance with me, an you keep tellin me how much you dig me, so what's the matter? this ain't jus a little favor. man, to stay healthy i got to have that ox, baron, believe in me. i ain't givin you a bad time, an i ain't puttin you down an sayin you is one bit less partic'lar than you say you is.

DENIS-you'd be on his side. if he laughted at me, and i tried to stop him, i'd have to fight both of you. and he'd go away thinking i did... that... just for kicks, for anybody.

WILFRED-man, if you don't do this for me, i'm gonna start writin your name an phone number on crap-house walls.

DENIS-i'm stronger than you are, and you know it.

WILFRED you're jus one, baby, while baron is hisself an has nine other guys to do like he says. i ain't the first cat you ever made it with, an you ain't the first cat that ever went down on me. that's the way it is.

DENIS-maybe you believe it would be only one time, but i don't. right now it's your word against mine, and i have to protect myself, too.

long pause during which wilfred finds and puts on his shirt and shoes and denis more deeply absorbs the last several exchanges of dialogue.

DENIS (with a tincture of resignation in his tone) that time i saw you with all the guys in your gang, which one was pepper?

WILFRED (carefully. trying to persuade as subtly as he can) the tall, lean guy that was kind a honey color. reddish hair. but the best lookin cat in the whole gang.

DENIS-do you know him very well?

WILFRED-known him since we was little people. he's cool, an he swings. he's a good man.

DENIS-why did he tell the others he'd seen us?

WILFRED-i figure he didn't ask me what the scene was cause he didn't

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want me askin him to say nothing bout it to baron. i don't put him down for not wantin to take a chance.