Boardwalk Empire (TV Series)

Anastasia (2010)

Michael Kenneth Williams: Chalky White

Quotes 

• Chalky White : I was born in Elgin, Texas. My daddy taught himself the carpenter trade, do it for the black folk there. I tell you, anything that man put his hand to - table, chair, wedding chest - he'd make that wood sing. Now one day, a man, Mr. T.O. Purcell, come around. He a white man. Own his own store, stable, hotel. He say to my daddy, "I hears you the finest carpenter in Elgin." My daddy tell him, "Well, I can't say one way or the other, but, uh, I knows a bit about somethin'." So Mr. T.O. Purcell take my daddy to this house he was building. Biggest house in town. They walk in there, say, "This here gon' be the libary. Whatchu think 'bout that?" My daddy say, "Well, I thinks you need some bookcases." "Well, then, that's what I want you to make me." Ten month my daddy worked there, and when he finish, he bring me round. "Uh, Mr. Purcell, this here my boy. I'd like to show him what I done." "Well, come on in, through the front door!" Just like that. And we did. And when I seen them bookcases, all carved with scroll and flowers, baskets of fruit, little angels floating in the corner... that was the most beautiful thing I ever seen. 'Bout a month later, 'nother man come round. "I seen what you did for T.O. Can't let that old dog top me. You come 'round my house and I'll show you what I need." My daddy go with him to the edge of town. Wasn't nothing there but six white men, twelve foot of rope, and the pepper tree they hung him from.

  [unfolds a cloth parcel] 

  Chalky White : These here my daddy's tools.

  Joseph Earl Dinler : [nervously]  What are you gonna do with 'em?

  Chalky White : Well... I ain't buildin' no bookcase.