Summary

You’re Not the Only Oyster in the Stew

Clara Williams, a stage performer, is introduced in this section. Though she is African American, she is light skinned. She will often add makeup and go onstage as a white woman. There is a letter included from the same time period (1943) from a fan of hers. He writes that he bought her a drink between sets and thinks that her performances are spectacular. He says that her Lena Horne impersonation was especially striking. He wants to meet her and buy her another drink the following week. He signs it as Edgar Acton.

The point of view shifts to Edgar. He confesses that he'd felt particularly odd being the only white man in an all black bar. There is another letter from Edgar to Clara. He asks her if she'd like to have dinner...