Harlem Duet

The sound loop continues with increased distortion. Magi and Billie are in her apartment. Billie is distracted, and when Magi calls her name to get her attention, she tells Magi that her name is Sybil. She also reveals her plan for Othello. Magi warns her about karma, but Billie responds that she hasn’t seen it affect white people lately. By this point, Magi has had enough, and she tells Billie that she is consumed by color: “Is everything about White people with you? Is every living moment of your life eaten up with thinking about them?” (103). She then accuses Billie of a kind of reverse racism: “What about right and wrong? Racism is a disease my friend, and your test just came back positive” (103). Billie defends herself, calling Harlem a “sanctuary,” and she talks of white roaches infesting her body.

As she declines further, the phone rings. It is Othello, calling to schedule a pick-up of the handkerchief. She mentions colored roaches to him, and after hanging up, goes into a full meltdown accompanied by hallucinations of roaches surrounding her. Her language becomes incoherent as she begins reciting King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Magi tries to calm her down and offers her some soup, but Billie breaks away.