Native Son - Richard Wright [162]
“Well, Bigger, how do you feel?”
“All right, I reckon,” he mumbled.
“We’re on our way to court.”
Bigger rose and looked vacantly round the cell.
“Are you ready?”
“Yeah,” Bigger sighed. “I reckon I am.”
“Listen, son. Don’t be nervous. Just take it easy.”
“Will I be setting near you?”
“Sure. Right at the same table. I’ll be there throughout the entire trial. So don’t be scared.”
A guard led him outside the door. The corridor was lined with policemen. It was silent. He was placed between two policemen and his wrists were shackled to theirs. Black and white faces peered at him from behind steel bars. He walked stiffly between the two policemen; ahead of him walked six more; and he heard many more walking in back. They led him to an elevator that took him to an underground passage. They walked through a long stretch of narrow tunnel; the sound of their feet echoed loudly in the stillness. They reached another elevator and rode up and walked along a hallway crowded with excited people and policemen. They passed a window and Bigger caught a quick glimpse of a vast crowd of people standing behind closely formed lines of khaki-clad troops. Yes, those were the troops and the mob the paper had spoken of.
He was taken into a room. Max led the way to a table. After the handcuffs were unlocked, Bigger sat, flanked by policemen. Softly, Max laid his right hand upon Bigger’s knee.
“We’ve got just a few minutes,” Max said.
“Yeah,” Bigger mumbled. His eyes were half-closed; his head leaned slightly to one side and his eyes looked beyond Max at some point in space.
“Here,” Max said. “Straighten your tie.”
Bigger tugged listlessly at the knot.
“Now, maybe you’ll have to say something just once, see….”
“You mean in the court room?”
“Yes; but I’ll….”
Bigger’s eyes widened with fear.
“Naw!”
“Now, listen, son….”
“But I don’t want to say nothing.”
“I’m trying to save your life….”
Bigger’s nerves gave way and he spoke hysterically:
“They going to kill me! You know they going to kill me….”
“But you’ll have to, Bigger. Now, listen….”
“Can’t you fix it so I won’t have to say nothing?”
“It’s only a word or two. When the judge asks how you want to plead, say guilty.”
“Will I have to stand up?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t want to.”
“Don’t you realize I’m trying to save your life? Help me just this little bit….”
“I reckon I don’t care. I reckon you can’t save it.”
“You mustn’t feel that way….”
“I can’t help it.”
“Here’s another thing. The court’ll be full, see? Just go in and sit down. You’ll be right by me. And let the judge see that you notice what’s going on.”
“I hope Ma won’t be there.”
“I asked her to come. I want the judge to see her,” Max said.
“She’ll feel bad.”
“All of this is for you, Bigger.”
“I reckon I ain’t worth it.”
“Well, this thing’s bigger than you, son. In a certain sense, every Negro in America’s on trial out there today.”
“They going to kill me anyhow.”
“Not if we fight. Not if I tell them how you’ve had to live.”
A policeman walked over to Max, tapped him lightly on the shoulder, and said,
“The judge’s waiting.”
“All right,” Max said. “Come on, Bigger. Let’s go. Keep your chin up.”
They stood and were surrounded by policemen. Bigger walked beside Max down a hallway and then through a door. He saw a huge room crowded with men and women. Then he saw a small knot of black faces, over to one side of the room, behind a railing. A deep buzzing of voices came to him. Two policemen pushed the people to one side, making a path for Max and Bigger. Bigger moved forward slowly, feeling Max’s hand tugging at the sleeve of his coat. They reached the front of the room.
“Sit down,” Max whispered.
As Bigger sat the lightning of silver bulbs flashed in his eyes, they were taking more pictures of him. He was so tense in mind and body that his lips trembled. He did not know what to do with his hands; he wanted to put them into his coat pockets; but that would take too much effort and would attract attention. He kept them lying on his knees, palms up. There was a long and painful wait. The voices behind him still buzzed. Pale yellow sunshine fell through high windows and slashed the air.