Summary

Chapter 1 opens with Ebony on a flight from Alabama to Harlem to stay with her father. On the plane, Ebony fantasizes that she is on a spaceflight and takes control. A flight attendant checks to make sure Ebony is okay and Ebony is jolted back into reality. Ebony thinks about reuniting with her friend Bianca in Harlem and being brave when she arrives in Harlem.

In Chapter 2, Ebony waits for her luggage. She introduces herself to a stewardess as “Cadet E-Grace Starfleet” (6) and salutes. Ebony sees her father Julius for the first time in three years.

In Chapter 3, Julius drives Ebony to his apartment. Julius asks Ebony what kind of music she wants to listen to and Ebony says she is not going to dance because “ain’t nothing funny about No Joke City!” (12). They pass an open fire hydrant and children playing...