Act 1, Scene 5 Summary

Later the same night, Sophie and Minnie are waiting for Frank to return from his trip into town. While they wait, Sophie shares the plans which have been drawn up to develop the town of Nicodemus. Sophie's vision shows a completely self-sufficient town poised for even more growth. In Sophie's mind, the turn of the century in two years will be a pivotal point for black people; she sees it as important that Nicodemus be part of a thriving movement. In the course of this conversation, Minnie asks Sophie her opinion of Frank, but Sophie is evasive with her answer and heads outside to check the horses before turning in.

As Minnie stokes the fire, Frank sneaks into the room. His drunken state does not alleviate his normal cruelty toward his wife. Frank reveals that he had been gambling in town...