Presented by:SCENE 5-7

Thems

Summary Scene 5 (part 1)It is early one spring evening, and Tom goes out on the fire escape for a smoke. He turns to the audience and talks about the Paradise Dance Hall, across the alley from their apartment. It is a modern, urban contrast to the tiny antebellum plantation that Amanda runs in the apartment, filling the alley with adventure, liquor, music and sex. Amanda comes out and joins him on the escape. He informs her that he has finally secured Lauras first gentleman caller. Amanda immediately springs into action, enthusiastically making plans. She panics a bit when he tells her that he is coming over the next night, but decides that they will be able to pull it off if they work round the clock.

Summary Scene 5 (part 2)The visitors name is James Delaney OConnor, and because of his name, Amanda is at first concerned that he might be a drinker. But the more Tom describes him, the more impressed Amanda becomes. He was a star athlete and very popular in school. He is currently studying public speaking and radio engineering at night school, which impresses Amanda even more. Amanda wishes that Tom himself thought in more practical terms. You are the only young man that I know of who ignores the fact that the future becomes the present, the present the past, and the past turns into everlasting regret if you dont plan for it (63) she chides him. Tom informs her that Jim does not know about Laura, and Amanda decides that they will simply proceed with the evening as a surprise. Tom also expresses some concern about Lauras shyness and disability, but Amanda simply brushes it off, completely swept up in the spectacle of Lauras marriage in her mind.

Summary Scene 6 Amanda and Laura prepares for the gentleman callers (Jim OConnor) visitLaura refuses to open the door when she discovers that Jim is her gentleman caller (her high school crush) Tom reveals that he has made plans to join merchant navy, and to have adventures like the people from the moviesHe used the payment for the electricity bills He admits that he is just like his father, a bastardJim briefly gets introduced to Laura, and is won over by Amandas Southern hospitality

Summary Scene 7 (part 1)After dinner, the lights suddenly go out. They set about lighting candles, and Amanda asks Jim to check the fuse box, as Tom is apparently inept with machinery. Jim says that the fuses seem fine, and Amanda is suspicious of Toms keeping up on the bills. She has Tom help her with the dishes and sends Jim into the living room with a bottle of dandelion wine and candles. They sit on the floor, drinking and talking. Laura is visibly better than she was before supper. She inquires as to whether Jim has kept up his singing, and Jim is taken aback that she remembers him. She learns that he remembered her as well, as Blue Roses. She expresses some insecurity, but Jim is genuinely taken with her and thinks nothing of her disability or awkwardness.

Summary Scene 7 (part 2)They take out her glass animals, and examine Lauras favorite, the unicorn. Music starts pouring in from across the alley, and Jim persuades Laura to dance with him, even though she has never danced in her life. They accidentally knock over the glass unicorn, which loses its horn and looks just like a horse now. They get back to talking, more personally and intimately now, and Jim is still trying to get Laura embrace her uniqueness. He says, Theyre one hundred times one thousand. Youre one times one! They walk all over the earth You stay right here. Theyre common as-weeds, but you, well, youre Blue Roses! (105). They kiss, but as soon as theyre done Jim is struck with the reminder that he is engaged to be married. This leaves Laura in a state of complete shock. He excuses himself, explaining the situation to Amanda, who is quite furious with Tom. Tom turns back to the audience, telling how he was fired a few days later from his job, and left Saint Louis, never to return.