This scene takes place in Birmingham, Alabama in the autumn of 1956. LEROY JACKSON (21), unjustly convicted on a theft charge, has escaped the Scottsboro Prison with another inmate, ROBERTSON COOLEY. They arrive at the Jackson home.
INT. JACKSON HOME – DAY
Mrs. Jackson opens the front door to see her son Leroy.
Both struggle to control their emotions.
LEROY
Momma–
MRS. JACKSON
(An astounded whisper)
Leroy…
(They clutch onto each other’s arms; Mrs. Jackson begins sobbing as she speaks.)
MRS. JACKSON
You better get in here.
(She pulls him into the living room before letting him close his arms around her, and breaking down completely. Cooley uncomfortably edges in the front door after them.)
MRS. JACKSON
Leroy, what happened?
AUNT MAY TURNER enters from the kitchen.
AUNT MAY
Sweet Jesus…
LEROY
Had enough of that place, Momma. I run away. My friend here, Cooley, come with me. Robertson Cooley, this is my Momma, my Aunt May Turner.
(Aunt May appraises Cooley, and backs away suspiciously.
Mrs. Jackson almost instantly regains her composure.)
MRS. JACKSON
Close the curtains, May.
(Aunt May obeys.)
MRS. JACKSON
(To Leroy)
You can’t stay here, Leroy. This is the first place they’d look. We’ll get you bus tickets– going out tonight. Only two places big enough for you to hide. Where do you want to go– New York or Chicago?
(This catches Cooley’s attention.)
LEROY
Chicago, Momma. We’ll go to Chicago.
(He helps her to her feet.)
LEROY
What about Clayton, Momma? What happened to Clayton?
MRS. JACKSON
You don’t have time to worry about him now.
LEROY
Momma– what happened to Clayton?
MRS. JACKSON
He got married and moved to Montgomery two years ago. You don’t have time to think about him now.
INT. LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
Leroy sits hunched over a beer. Cooley appraises a small silver-framed portrait of Leroy’s parents on the mantelpiece, and is about to pocket it as he notices Leroy staring at him in shock. Cooley shrugs and quickly returns the frame at the sound of the opening front door. Mrs. Jackson and Aunt May return, loaded down with bags and suitcases.
MRS. JACKSON
We brought you some food. And some money for when you get to Chicago.
LEROY
Momma…
(Aunt May hands him the suitcase, with the initials J.T. engraved on a small metal plate.)
AUNT MAY
God go with you, Leroy. Your Momma figured you’d be needin’ this. It’s some of your Uncle Joe’s clothes.
(Leroy spots the nameplate on the suitcase.)
LEROY
J.T.– Joe Turner…
MRS. JACKSON
Your own things wouldn’t fit you no more. You got so big…
(Again, she fights her emotion)
Got to get you on that bus.
LEROY
No. Don’t want you there if– somebody sees us. What time does it go?
MRS. JACKSON
Half an hour from now.
(Cooley and Leroy exchange looks.)
LEROY
We’ve got to leave.
(Leroy and Mrs. Jackson once again hold each other half an arm’s-length away. He glances at Cooley during his mother’s warnings.)
MRS. JACKSON
Leroy, you– you’re a grown man now. You– know what you’re up against. Stay out of trouble. Keep a clear head.
COOLEY
Leroy–
(Leroy holds his mother close to him, neither one saying that it’s probably for the last time.)