Act 1, Scene 1, Part 1 Summary

Very early in the morning before sunrise, Boy Willie and his friend Lymon arrive at the home of Boy Willie's uncle Doaker and sister Berniece. Boy Willie shouts for Doaker and Berniece to come and meet them. Doaker comes out of his bedroom, asking what's going on. Boy Willie tells him that he and Lymon have come north with a truckload of watermelons to sell. Berniece comes downstairs and tells Boy Willie to stop shouting. Boy Willie tells her about the truck and the watermelons, and then asks Doaker to break out his liquor, since they've all got something to celebrate. He says a man called Sutter fell down his well, pushed by the "Ghosts of the Yellow Dog."

While Doaker is out getting his liquor, Berniece asks Boy Willie and Lymon where the truck came from. They tell...