Zenobia (1939)

Philip Hurlic: Zeke

Quotes 

• Dr. Tibbett : Oh, Zeke, where are you?

  Zeke : Here I is.

  Dr. Tibbett : You get the boots shined?

  Zeke : Ya sah

  Dr. Tibbett : Oh, that's fine. Let's put 'em on.

  Zeke : Dr. Tibbett, will I ever turn white?

  Dr. Tibbett : Oh, I'm afraid not, Zeke. Why?

  Zeke : Well, I'm never gonna be nothin' else 'cept just what I am, only bigger?

  Dr. Tibbett : Well, what's wrong with being just what you are?

  Zeke : Just that all the other little boys around, they can go to parties, like the party tonight. Cause they're white. And I can't, cause I'm not.

  Dr. Tibbett : Listen, Zeke, you don't go to white folks parties. I don't go to colored folks parties. But, that makes no real difference. You understand?

  Zeke : No sah.

  Dr. Tibbett : Well, Zeke, its like this, you know that medicine kit down in my office?

  Zeke : Ya sah.

  Dr. Tibbett : Well, there's black pills in it and there's white pills in it. And they're both good kinds of pills. Some people couldn't do without one kind and some couldn't do without the other. You understand?

  Zeke : No sah.

  Dr. Tibbett : Well, I'll put it another way then. You know next to that medicine kit, what hangs in that big frame over the desk?

  [Referring to a copy of the Declaration of Independence] 

  Zeke : Ya sah.

  Dr. Tibbett : Well, that just isn't about countries. That's about people, all kinds. Like black pills, white pills, red, yellow, all colors. What that tells us is, that ALL people can find life, liberty and happiness. You understand now?

  Zeke : No sah, not exactly.

  Dr. Tibbett : Come here Zeke. Did you ever own a quarter?

  Zeke : No sah.

  Dr. Tibbett : Well, you go down in that office and learn a little bit of that everyday and when you get it all learned by heart, I'm going to give you this quarter. Do you understand that?

  Zeke : Yes sir!