[scene Trinity Baptist Church. Ruby and Lily re-enters and sits down in their original seats next to Velma and Nancy]



[Ruby to Lily] Now, are you sure this is what you wanna do? [giggles]



[Lily nods]



[Ruby mumbling] Lord, please forgive us for whats about to happen, 'cause it's about to happen. Hmm, it's kinda nice to talk to you. Lets do it again sometime when I don't need your forgiveness. [leaves the building]



[Velma] Where the hell is she going?

[Nancy] I don't know. Lily?



[Lily] I dunno sis. I'm sure she'll be right back

[Sister Mattie] ...the head of my life. Pastor, First Lady, pulpit, Mothers and Saints. He is alive. just the other day, I was in the kitchen trying to rinse a bowl my great-grandson had used for his oatmeal. I took a step back to pick up the rag I dropped on the flo', slipped on a wet spot and fell on my hip. I had been down there for eternity when my granddaughter came home to fetch her boy. When I tell you that Jesus smiled on me the that day, you better believe it...

[Lily stands]



[Sister Mattie] ...she took me to the hospital and they fixed me right up. I tell you, it's all God. He didn't have to send my grandbaby home to discover me laying there. I could've bled to death...



[Velma] How the hell you gone bleed from falling on your damn hip. Hell, she only 55. She ain't even on the Mother Board. What's she doing standing up?



[Nancy] It looks like Lily gone testify. This oughta be good when she stop talking.

[Sister Mattie] ...the graciousness of God who is persistent to my needs. I thank you Lord and please remember to keep me in your prayers, Saints.



[Lily] Ahem, thank you Lord for allowing me to ---

[Carl falling inside the Church doors screaming] Help me! I've been stabbed! I need a doctor. [crying]



[Pastor Jenkins] What?! um, er uh, Deacons help him! Help brother Carl! [slips out back door]

[Harvey narrating] I didn't know what was happening when uncle Carl came in screaming. All the guys ran to him and stood around while all the ladies except my Aunties were screaming. It was like one of those mysteries we listen to on the radio at night. I couldn't help but to wonder if Auntie Ruby had anything to do with that. Ruby...she looked good in that red dress. I felt funny, in a good way. Auntie Nannie grabbed me by the hand and led me outside where everybody was.



[Nancy] You alright Harvey Poo?



[Harvey] Yes Ma'am, I'm fine. I guess I'm a little scared. I never saw anybody get stabbed in the neck before.



[Nancy] Come on, lets go home. You seen Velma?

[Harvey] She was right here just a minute ago Auntie.



[Velma to Carl] Carl! What happened? Who did this to you?



[Carl] Why do you care? [grunts] Ain't this what you want? Or is it my money?

[Velma] Oh lawd he delirious! Don't talk no mo' Carl. [leaning forward] Just shut up.



[Carl] Somebody tried to rob me around the corner... [grunts] I don't have my billfold though. I must've...oh...[grunts] oh....

[scene]





[scene: Family house. Nancy leaves Harvey in his room and goes up to see Ruby in her room. She's stopped outside the door by loud voices coming from the inside]





[Ruby] ... stabbed him in his neck, and I didn't do it. I told him I would kill him. Yeah, I did say that, but I ain't gonna half-ass do the job. If I'ma put the knife on him, we'll be eating him for dinner. Wait a minute, I know you ain't up here questioning me about Carl. Let's question you, Velma. Why was you up in Carl's face after he got stabbed? The reason you came to Church with yo' weapon in the first place was to get him for being a jackass to Nancy. Asking questions about them like you ain't know anything, then up in his face all concerned when he laying on the ground, bleeding. What's that about?




[Velma] What the hell is you talking about? I didn't have nothing to do with Carl getting cut. You need to ask Nancy why she just stood there when her husband all bleedin' and shit everywhere. Ask that.

[Ruby] I'll make sure I do that, but right now, I need to know why you up here accusing people for doing something to somebody you don't even like. [cocks head]




[Velma] Don't even start that shit, Rouge. I'm just asking questions.

[Ruby] Ask yourself why you pimping your little sister since you got questions.




[Velma] ...

[Ruby] Do I got something on my face? whatchu lookin' at? I know all about it. I know all about you setting Lily D up to woo Carl, get him to sleep with her, fake a pregnancy, and blackmail him outta his money.

[Nancy mouthing] What?!




[Ruby]...is that Lily got pregnant, but you knew about that, didn't you Vel? What you don't know is what to do next, right? [opens beer]




[Velma, taking a big gulp of her Shinny, speaking calmly] Look, we all hustlas, Ruby. Don't you sit here and judge me like you all squeaky clean. I don't question how you get money and you don't question me, especially since all the money goes to the house anyway. Now..don't let Lily tell you that she being pimped by me. [Turns to Lily] I'm sorry you got pregnant by Carl. How are we gonna tell Nancy that her husband got a baby by her sister? She can't have kids either? But I didn't force you Lily. When I came to you, I was sober and I laid the plan out so you'd understand. You agreed to it. I didn't plan on you falling in love with Carl. I didn't plan on Carl getting stabbed out the deal.

[Lily] Who said he was stabbed because of this?

[Velma] I...I'm just saying, Lily. I didn't plan on these things happening. Yeah, I thought it would be a good idea to scheme on Carl. Hell, iont know what the hell good could've came outta this. I just wanted revenge for him doing my sister wrong, that's all. I'm sorry yall.

[silence]







[Ruby] If you don't get yo' drunk ass outta my room right now, Ima see you.


[Nancy creeps downstairs]


[Velma] What?! I just spilled my feelings all over this room and that's what you think about it?




[Ruby] You ain't spill shit but yo' drink. Go lay down, and we'll talk later. You been drinking since...what's that smell?




[Velma] IT'S MEEEEEEEE WOOOOOO!!! Gimme some Ruby!

[Ruby] Give you some what?

[Velma singing] Somma your beeeeer! I don't have nonnnne! I just want soooooome!



[Ruby] Bye Velma.



[Velma] That's alright, Rudy! You gone wish I was still in here.



[Velma leaves]

[Lily] I can't believe myself, Red. What's wrong?

[Ruby] Something's not right. [looks to the right and stares at a blank spot on the wall] Go find Nancy...