Summary

This scene takes place in a number of locations. In her narration, Ernestine describes how Godfrey stayed away for the next several days, even though the weather forecast said it was going to rain.

The action then shifts onto a subway train. Godfrey sits sleeping, with his hat over his eyes. He sits next to Gerte, a German woman. Stage directions describe her as having “the posture of a film star from the [19]30’s and the waning beauty of a showgirl” (45). Their conversation reveals that Gerte is recently arrived from Germany, and that she is uncertainly trying to make her way to New Orleans. Godfrey tries to help her, offering some of the sweets from his coat pocket. At the same time, he is clearly being careful because she is white. Eventually they introduce themselves, and Godfrey offers to help Gerte...