Gem of the Ocean

Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses racism, enslavement, and racialized violence.

Prologue Summary

The stage is lit to reveal a man in his kitchen. It is Eli, caretaker for Aunt Ester, a local healer and spiritual guide. The two live with their housekeeper, Black Mary, in Pittsburgh’s Hill District.

Eli hears pounding on the door. Although he is on his way to bed, the noise becomes increasingly louder and he answers. Citizen Barlow, who is obviously agitated, is there to see Aunt Ester. Eli explains that he will have to return on Tuesday, but Citizen pushes his way in and refuses to leave. The commotion rouses Aunt Ester, who enters the kitchen and tells Citizen to come back on Tuesday. Visibly calmed by her presence, Citizen leaves.

It is Saturday morning. Eli and Black Mary are in the kitchen; they have just finished breakfast. Eli looks out the window and sees Citizen standing across the street. He has not left that spot since the night before. Eli comments that Citizen is “still wearing clodhoppers” and notes that it looks as though he just arrived in the northern city (9).