Dangerous

It’s 1962. Governor Barnett is fighting with Jack. Lem discusses the situation with jAck when he calls their house. Lacey overhears but can’t tell what’s being said.

“He’s really angry. Governor Barnett-“ says Lem but Lacey storms out of the room.

What Could Be Greater Than A King by Rupert Gregson-Williams plays.

Lacey calls a connection in Mississippi.

“I want to speak with Governor Barnett.” says Lacey.

“Alright.” says the connection.

Fifteen minutes later.

“Hello!” says Lacey to Governor Barnett.

“Who’s this!?” says Governor Barnett.

“I’m friends with the Struthers.” says Lacey.

“Oh! Golly!” says Governor Barnett, forcing himself to be cheerful. He owes those people a lot of money.

“Say! Governor Barnett I won’t keep you too long. I just wanted to have a personal conversation with you of sorts.” says Lacey.

“Oh! And how’s that?” asks Governor Barnett.

Lem leans on the doorway and listens.

“Listen. I know you’re having a difficult time with this damn segregation business.

Now see…I’m Mrs. Billings. And you know my husband’s last name is Lemoyne. And you know Lemoyne is short for Lemoyne College.” says Lacey Banks.

Governor Barnett laughs.

“Listen…tell me what’s ailing you. I’m angry. And it’s as a woman.

Tell me what’s bothering you.” says Lacey.

“About what?” asks Governor Barnett ready to sleep with her if necessary.

“Say it’s just…what hurts your heart about the idea of segregation?” says Lacey.

Governor Barnett makes a sad noise.

“Lacey…my parents are white. I’m white. My entire family is white. And we have a way of life.” he pauses. “Lacey. Why do you care?”

“Don’t you know!?

Because Jack Kennedy is a damn faggot. And my husband had to suck his cock. The sorry little bastard.

You know…his family almost let him die once. I’d like to kill all of them. They’re disgusting.” says Lacey.

Governor Barnett laughs.

“Well. Alright.” he says. “Dear God! This is personal.”

“I’m not a fucking idiot!” says Lacey. “You owe $2 million. Are you a little bitch too?”

Governor Barnett breaths quickly.

“I’m sick of the shit in this worthless shithole! I RUN THINGS!! And I’m annoyed.

You should have been nicer.” says Lacey. Then she slams down the phone.

She sits and calms herself.

Glares off into the distance.

The phone rings.

“Lacey Banks Billings, Governor Barnett would like to speak with you.” says his secretary politely.

And at that Lacey kicks JFK on the face with a steel-toed boot metaphorically speaking. It’s all very tasteful, elegant and yet effective. And not genuinely undeserved. And no. No narcissistic or Satan can do anything or say otherwise. End of story.

“I’m not pleased. But I’ll talk.” says Lacey.

“Alright!” says the secretary sweetly.

“Lacey!!” says Governor Barnett cheerfully.

“Can you be yourself with me?” says Lacey.

“Can I be genuine?” says Governor Barnett. “You’re asking if I have a soul?”

“Yes!!” says Lacey.

“Fine.” he says. He thinks. “I know about your father.

Lacey…sweetie…why do you care!?!”

“Because I’m hurt!” says Lacey.

Governor Barnett cries. Controls himself.

“Lacey…what do you know about segregation?” says Governor Barnett.

“I’d rather not talk about it.” says Lacey.

“Now why in Hell not!?!” asks Governor Barnett.

“It’s HELL.” says Lacey.

Governor Barnett furrows his brow. Lacey can sense it.

“You know they shouldn’t even be here.” says Lacey.

Governor Barnett goes silent.

“They shouldn’t even be here.” says Lacey in sad desperation.

“But they are!” says Governor Barnett.

“People don’t underestimate segregation. But sometimes I wonder if I do.” says Lacey.

“It’s the best we can do.” says Governor Barnett.

“But it’s a bloody disaster.” says Lacey.

“How!?” asks Governor Barnett.

“Because the Blacks dong like it! And some whites…who are anxious and angry and difficult as Hell don’t either now.” says Lacey.

“Say! I can’t think Lem is that bad.” says Governor Barnett.

Lacey dips into her seat a bit. “It’s too much. I love him. But I’m starting to hate America.”

Governor Barnett cries again. “Well! Look…I can give Jack the business. I’m real good at that.

But…what are we gonna do about segregation!?”

Lacey thinks. “I feel bad for them. I feel bad for the Blacks.”

“Me too sometimes.” says Governor Barnett.

“Can you ease segregation without allowing him into Ole Miss?” says Lacey.

“Well! You mean ease segregation on the worksites in our state and otherwise? Make it easier everyday in more ordinary ways? For Blacks to integrate?” says Governor Barnett.

“Yes!” says Lacey.

He thinks. “Yeah. I can do that.

But Ole Miss will remain white!” he says triumphantly.

“For now.” says Lacey. “Look. If they can’t do better to get along with us than the damn Irish…like the scum Kennedys…then I’ll have to spend eternity personally apologizing. Of course only if God sees fit. But I can’t stand it.” says Lacey.

“Jack should have died in that infirmary. His bitch family is witless and worthless to him.” says Governor Barnett.

“He’s just one of them.

Say…do you suck cock too?” asks Lacey menacingly.

“No!” says Governor Barnett.

“I’m keeping my eye on you. You better not stab me in the back or you’ll regret it.

And expect to see results.” says Lacey.

“You know…you care about them. I can tell. They just let you down and so did Lem. You shouldn’t have to deal with them.” says Governor Barnett.

“No. But that’s the Irish in America.” says Lacey.

“Well…we had to let them in.” says Governor Barnett.

“Funny. The Blacks are at the mercy of the Irish? No. I don’t like it. It’s disgusting.” says Lacey.

“Why do you favor Africa so much?” asks Governor Barnett.

“It’s an extraordinary continent!! Astounding! …You know really. It was grand once.” says Lacey.

“But they didn’t have Jesus.” says Governor Barnett.

“I can’t think He’d send them all blindly to Hell.” says Lacey.

“Well. No. …He’s merciful.” says Governor Barnett.

“Anyway…they’re here through no fault of their own. I think we as white people, regardless of our superiority or not, owe it to them to be thoughtful.” says Lacey. “Let them live. …But I can see your concern with Ole Miss.”

“Nobody in their right mind is ready for that on this state. I sure ain’t. …And it’s just not time.” says Governor Barnett.

“Sweet Dreams by Klaas plays for us because Lacey is mocking us. Why? Because we have totally fucked-up.” says Bobby Kennedy Senior.

So…if Lacey was there…what would have happened?

The end of segregation would have happened far differently. There’d be no need for Affirmative Action. Because nobody would want to “go there.” If a Black had job…nobody would question it. Because it all would have happened at a more…organic pace. In 20 years Ole Miss would have integrated. Naturally.

Ohh Ahh by Grits plays.

There’d be clear Black upper-class nowadays. And an established Black old money club. America would be divided into classes. Clearly. But racism would be…a consideration not as concern.

Later.

“I couldn’t stand Jack Kennedy.” says Governor Barnett. “Look. She’s not racist.”

“You loved my uncle!” says Maria Shriver.

Governor Barnett looks sad.

“I hated dealing with your family.” says Governor Barnett. “Some of those conversations were very heated. I hated…dealing with your family.”

“Why does it work out so well for Black people to slow integration in 1962?” asks MSNBC sincerely.

“Shit! Lacey and I are polar opposites.” says Chris Hayes.

“Yeah. Maybe. But we don’t seem like it on first glance.” says Lacey.

“Because…people just weren’t ready.” says Governor Barnett shrugging. “Look…Lacey’s held in her hands letters from anti-segregation southerners written in the 1950’s. In the archives at UND. She read them personally. And memorized their tone and handwriting, and sentiment. She’s brilliant. She’s Tom Banks’s daughter. Okay!? …And so…she knows them. I do too!

Look…the letters were at UND because a judge who attended UND was important in an anti-segregation case and he saved all the letters and then they were given to UND. And Lacey almost always recognizes the importance of moments like that.

They just…weren’t…ready.

And so…by forcing it…we created the illusion of drastic change. And it gave Black people false hope. And it made white people irate and incredibly bitter. Or…completely closeted.

Closeted.

The spunky, cool-kid wannabe Kennedys from Bostonville, U. S. A. didn’t understand such things. Half or most of them were closeted themselves. So they didn’t get the need to process reality. They just understood results! …Winning!! Winning elections. Winning sex! Winning arguments. …Winning money. Winning. …Getting high and winning. Like the old woman in Requiem For A Dream. So…they didn’t understand that when you force things you get shit results.

Let Me Blow Ya Mind by Eve plays.

You can’t patronize people when they’re truly winning. But we patronized the Kennedys. And they never understood that and still don’t. So they felt like white saviors and still do. And it got them off. And still does. They’re pathetic dumbasses at their worst and most of their haters have always known that.

…By connecting Black Rights to the Kennedys Black people slowed down actual progress. Of progress is possible. If Black are equal. And evil white people know it in their subconscious and use it to harass and abuse and murder Black people.

Drive by Warpaint plays.

The Kennedys use and used Black people to gain power. And from the perspective I have now it sickens me.” says Governor Barnett.

“Was Lem gay? At all?” asks Africa.

“You wanna know the truth!?” says Governor Barnett.

“Yes.” says Africa.

“No. As far as I can tell, no.

It’s inconsequential now though because he’s straight now. But…I’m pretty sure he always was.” says Governor Barnett. “It’s gross.

See…he seems to be telling Lacey the truth. He really was just confused by molestation. I mean…I don’t understand how you all don’t get the idea. It’s kind of weird on your parts, to be honest.”

“Actually…even as a pedophile…I get it.” says a pedophile in the Illuminati.

“Really!?” says a woman in Hollywood. “Because I don’t!” she says self-righteously.

“Mm. I think he’s saying that…people can get confused.” says Governor Barnett.

“Kids get confused. I do understand that. I’m a pedophile. Not a complete idiot.” says the pedophile.

“No. No.” says the woman.

“Hmm. Okay.” says the pedophile.

“What’s offensive?” says Governor Barnett.

“So many things!” says the woman.

“Look. Kids get confused.” says the pedophile.

“But not really.” says the woman.

“Mm. No. Kids get confused.” says the pedophile.

“But not really.” says the woman.