Act 1, Scene 5 Summary

District Attorney Cameron is confronted by several people demanding that Jack be arrested. These include a man outraged at the fact that Jack's involved with a white woman, a woman complaining that Jack was involved in a shooting, and an extremely well-spoken black man who says that Jack's behavior is a disgrace to all colored people. Cameron's response to these complaints is that both Jack and Ellie are of legal age to do what they please, that Jack was the victim of the shooting (an attack by Clara), and that the well-spoken black man has a good point. He promises not to let the matter rest and ushers the three complainants out.

Three people who have been listening to the confrontation come forward: Smitty, a detective, and the man who accompanied Donnelly and Mrs. Bachman when they came to the cafy...