String (Childress)

This humorous and touching play is freely adapted, in the black idiom, from Guy de Maupassant's story “A Piece of String” the tale of a gentle man abused by vulgarians.

  THE STORY: The scene is the annual picnic of the neighborhood block association, and some of the most fastidious ladies are incensed by the presence of “old Joe,” a raggedy character who subsists on other's castoffs and is an embarrassment to all. They are joined by L. V. Craig, a boastful cafe operator who delights in taunting Joe and in flashing his bankroll before the others. In the course of the action Joe furtively retrieves a piece of string dropped by one of the ladies—and at the same time L. V. Craig finds his wallet missing. Suspicion immediately falls on Joe, who is ashamed to tell what he has hidden in his pocket. But, when he finally does, no one will believe him. Ultimately the missing wallet is found, but the truth, once known, is still not easily accepted, nor does it overcome the hurt and anguish that unfounded suspicion can engender.