Chapter 5, Notes: Summary

Steve continues to react to his father's tearful visit. The sight of his father in tears disturbs him, and he writes an explanation of what he did and did not do on the day of the murder. Steve thinks his father sees him as a monster. He adds that O'Brien thinks the jury does not see any difference between him and the bad guys taking the stand and that his father thinks the same thing.

Two women from the neighborhood, talking in West Indian accents, open the screenplay. The women talk about the murder, one speculating that it was over drugs. The other woman brings up the fact that Mr. Nesbitt had immigrated from St. Kitts, an island in the West Indies. The women then discuss leaving Harlem for California. The scene changes to a newscast that announces the murder, with...