Fences

Fences Summary | Act 1, Scene 1 Summary

On a Friday night in 1957, Troy and Bono get together for their traditional payday beer and conversation. They talk about how a co-worker of theirs got caught trying to steal a watermelon and how the boss didn't do anything, which leads to a discussion about how Troy confronted his boss about white men being allowed to drive trucks while black men weren't. The conversation then turns back to the watermelon-stealing co-worker and a woman named Alberta that he had been seeing. Bono says Troy's been spending a lot of time with her as well, and when Troy tries to deny anything's going on, Bono says he's seen him hanging around her apartment. Troy protests that he's always looked at women but hasn't done anything about being with one since he married Rose. He then talks about how sexy he finds Alberta.

Rose appears, says she's cooking a chicken for dinner, and invites Bono to stay. He refuses, saying he's got to get home to his woman, Lucille. Troy tells Rose to go back in, saying they're talking man talk and that he'll be talking to her later, hinting that he'll be looking for sex. Rose tells him to never mind, and then she and Troy tell Bono how Rose talked Troy into marrying her. They joke about their house, which makes Bono talk about how lousy his first home was and wonder why he stayed there for so long. Rose comments that some people don't know that improving their lives is possible. They argue about the best place to buy groceries, where you get a good deal, or where they know you. This leads Troy to talk about how his and Rose's son Cory has a job down at the local supermarket, and Rose to comment that Cory's being scouted by a football recruiter. Troy says there's no money to be made by black men playing sports since the white men won't let the black men get ahead, and Bono talks about how Troy was the best baseball player around but never got visited by a recruiter. Rose tries to convince Troy that things are different, but Troy doesn't change his mind and takes a long drink of beer.

Rose tells Troy he's going to "drink himself to death," which makes Troy tell a long story about how he saw Death in person, stared him down, wrestled with him, and finally grabbed his sickle and threw it away. He finishes by saying that every time Death's presence shows up in his life, he digs down deep for more strength to defeat him again. Bono and Rose both comment on the tall tales Troy tells, and on how the stories get a little different each time they're told. Bono mentions the Devil, and Troy says that he's wrestled with him, too.

Lyons, Troy's son from an earlier marriage, comes in and greets Bono and Rose. Troy says he knows why Lyons is there and that Lyons knows he knows. Lyons then asks for money, which is exactly what Troy figured he was going to do. Bono talks about how Troy says he met the devil, and Troy tells the story of how he made a deal for some furniture that he's still paying off to this day, adding that he's too scared to break the deal because of what the devil might do to him. Lyons asks him again for the money, Troy tells him to get a job, Lyons says he can't get a job, and Troy tells him that even though he wants to be a musician he's got to earn his living, so he can keep playing. Troy then gives his pay to Rose, Lyons asks Rose for the money and she gives it to him. Lyons promises to give it back, Troy says he'll never see it, and Lyons goes out. Rose tries to reassure Troy that "the boy" will be okay, but he reminds her that the boy is 34 years old. Bono finally leaves, saying he'll be back on Monday. Troy tells him to not come by since he loves Rose so much he'll still be making love with her.