Scene 8 opens during Blanche's birthday dinner. The place set for Mitch is empty and the atmosphere is tense. Blanche comments that they should not all be solemn because she has been stood up. She begs Stanley to tell a joke to lighten the mood. He declines. Blanche herself tells a joke about a parrot. Stella laughs politely when the joke is finished. Stanley responds by spearing a pork chop from the platter and eating it with his hands.
Stella chastises Stanley for his poor manners and greasy fingers. He erupts and throws his plate to the floor. He tells his wife he is tired of being looked down and called names by the two women. He smashes his cup and saucer on the floor and announces that his place is cleared. Stella begins.....
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