27-23
18) But in no lime the men convince the
mayor, too, to join them in a drink.
19) Soon all (he men.
including the mayor, are
shouting and shooting
‘joy shots’ into the air
with their guns. (In the
play, firecrackers were
exploded inside the
pretend guns.)
20) The women decide it is too dangerous to
stay at home, and they leave with the children.
The drunks laugh and say they are glad to get
rid of them. “We can have a better time by
ourselves!” they roar.
21) The scene changes back to Al Cole’s
house. By now, the children have cried
themselves to sleep. Tristina sits alone,
weeping. “How hard lite is for a woman whose
man drinks. What can a woman alone do when
the men have all the power?” Just then, the
women and children who were driven out of
Whiskey’s home knock on the door. They ask if
they can stay with Tristina.
22) Tristina, still
weeping, explains
her sad story, and
the others realize
that it is their sad
story, too. They all
cry together.