Scene 1 Summary

Booth, a young black man, is practicing 3-card monte in his room at a boarding house when his older brother Lincoln gets home from work. Booth is surprised by Lincoln's sudden appearance. He pulls a gun out, pointing it at Lincoln, and he threatens to kill Lincoln if the latter ever sneaks up behind him again.

Booth shows Lincoln a ring with a fake diamond. Booth intends to give this ring to his girlfriend Grace. Booth says, "She's in love with me again but she don't know it yet." This implies that Booth and Grace had a falling out, but that Booth intends to make up with her and, indeed, to ask her for her hand in marriage.

Lincoln is dressed like Abraham Lincoln. He is wearing a costume and white face paint. He explains to Booth that he didn't have time to...