A Man Called Adam (1966)

Claudia Ferguson : [after their confrontation with two racist policemen] That's right. Two jerks came up here to do their job to find you, me and a white boy, which they weren't too thrilled about anyway, and you have to give them some lip. Save your heroism for something important.

Adam Johnson : It was important. Don't you know that, Claudia? Take a piece of you here, a piece of you there, so there's nothing left... except yessah, boss!

Nelson Davis : Stop it, Claudia. Stop it! How long do you intend to go on punishing yourself like this? You're not responsible.

Claudia Ferguson : How can you say that, Nelson? I fell in love with a beautiful, sensitive man. A hurt man. A man who hits back. Who never let's anybody step on him. He was proud. And what did I do? I lectured him. 'Adam, you can't do this. Adam, you mustn't do that.' I would rather he fought on that street corner and died.

Nelson Davis : Claudia!

Claudia Ferguson : Yes, died! Instead he stood there and did nothing. Because of me. He loves me. And he gave up his manhood for me. Oh... he was always talking about what he was doing to me. Dear God! What did I do to him? What did I do to him?

Martha : I understand you were involved in sit-ins, demonstrations and all of that down there.

Claudia Ferguson : Yes.

Martha : Fantastic. You mean you sit on stools. A cat comes along and knocks you off and you just get back on it.

Claudia Ferguson : Well... I...

Martha : Messy cats! I hear they have special classes where they teach you how to take abuse. Why don't you teach me some of that damn abuse, you dirty, black bitch!

[She slaps Claudia across the face]

Nelson Davis : I have been an Adam watcher since before I care to remember. There's a lot more - not to forgive.

Claudia Ferguson : Then why do you?

Nelson Davis : I didn't say I did. But, after all these years, I'm still hung up on the guy. Call it: Genius. You know what it is that really makes an actor, a performer, a star? That - excitement, that quality of personal danger. Well, like any minute he might explode. Well, he might and, then, he might not. And some of us who love him - well, all we can do is sit around and wait. That's all we can do. He's always been arrogant. Ever since he was a kid.

Martha : You're Sweet Daddy's granddaughter?

Claudia Ferguson : Yes.

Martha : How nice. I read about him today in Winchell's column. He said the only thing old about him was his clothes.

Claudia Ferguson : Two jerks come up here to do their job. They find you, me and a white boy - which they weren't too thrilled about anyway - and you have to give them some lip. Save your heroism for something important!

Adam Johnson : It was important. Don't you know that Claudia? Take a piece of you here. A piece of you there. Suddenly, there ain't nothin' left. Except, "ya sah, boss".

Claudia Ferguson : What do you want with me? I'm not the wildest lookin' chick you ever saw. You've certainly seen better bodies. Why me?

Claudia Ferguson : Its hard to love a man like that, isn't it.

Martha : No. We fit. He's got rocks in his head and I got holes in mine.

Claudia Ferguson : I think you're a very nice person.

Martha : Basically.

Claudia Ferguson : Why me?

Adam Johnson : Maybe I want to spoil you for any other man you might meet.

Claudia Ferguson : Spoil me? Won't you be surprised if I spoil you. Listen, Mr. Johnson, you start up with me and you're in for some big trouble. Cause I'm more woman than you've ever had.

Adam Johnson : You know something. You just might be.

Claudia Ferguson : I know what I am. I know what I've got to give. You don't. I'm not interested in kissing your tears away. And I don't want a seat at your funeral. And I won't let you be any less than what you are. Ever!

Adam Johnson : For a chick that ain't done nuthin' yet, you sure laid on some strong dues, baby.

Claudia Ferguson : Don't say I didn't warn you.

Claudia Ferguson : Adam, I don't want you to be anything less than what you are.

Claudia Ferguson : Why are you always pushing me to put you down? Can't you stand love?

Adam Johnson : Look, I am what I am, baby. That's it.

Adam Johnson : So you're Claudia, huh? You know, Nelson has talked about nothin' else but you for the last month. He says you're a - you're a 'fresh wind'. He makes a big thing about you being in jail. He says Martin Luther won't make a move without ya. How long were you in jail?

Claudia Ferguson : A few weeks.

[grabs Claudia's arm]

Adam Johnson : You cold?

Claudia Ferguson : No.

Adam Johnson : Why are you shakin'?

[forcibly kisses Claudia]

Adam Johnson : Slap my face. Come on, slap my face. Passive resistance, huh. The New Negro. Love your enemy.