The jitney drivers play checkers, take calls, and depart for rides while Shealy runs numbers (a form of gambling). Fielding asks for gas money, but the other drivers know it’s for alcohol. Turnbo says that Youngblood has a new woman, but that he’s been cheating on her with her own sister. Youngblood takes a call about getting a new home under the GI Bill, but he doesn’t have enough money for the down payment. He silently gets an idea for how to get more money and exits.
Rena comes into the jitney stand and begs to speak with Youngblood, but he dismisses her. She confronts him about taking their grocery money. He says he needed it to pay a debt. Rena says she knows he’s been cheating and that he does not need to bother coming home. Becker enters and tells Doub the city is going to tear down the entire block, including his jitney stand. Becker gets a call and finds out his son is getting out of prison tomorrow after 20 years.
Turnbo tells Youngblood why Becker’s son, Booster, was incarcerated: Booster was romantically involved with a white woman, and when her father caught them together, she claimed Booster had raped her. Booster went to jail, was let out on bail, but then shot the woman as revenge the next day. Youngblood said the white woman got what she deserved, which disturbs Turnbo. He criticizes Youngblood’s treatment of Rena, which causes Youngblood to punch him in the mouth. Becker enters to intervene, but Turnbo pulls out a gun. Becker successfully deescalates and gets Turnbo out the door, but warns Youngblood to stay clear of Turnbo. Fielding is caught drinking at work again, and Becker fires him before he leaves for a trip.
When Becker returns, his son Booster is waiting with Turnbo and Fielding. Fielding begs to keep his job, and Becker agrees to let him stay if he shows up sober the next day. Turnbo and Fielding leave Becker and Booster alone to talk. Becker chastises him for throwing his life away. Booster insists that he hasn’t, that he’s done his time and has more life to live. Booster recalls how he watched the emasculation of his father when their landlord cussed Becker out for being late on rent. Booster wished he had yelled at him or hurt him instead of standing there silently. Booster believes that, by shooting the person who wronged him, he was protecting his dignity in a way his father never could. Becker said he didn’t fight back because he had mouths to feed and a family to protect, and he tells Booster that his mother died due to the grief of his actions. Becker disowns Booster as his son.
Doub, Youngblood, and Fielding discuss what they could do for work once the jitney station closes in two weeks. Turnbo enters and there is tension, but the conversation continues. Shealy and Booster enter—Booster takes numbers from Shealy and asks the men to tell his father he came by to see him. Rena enters and confronts Youngblood about not coming home. Youngblood tells her he’s been saving for a house; that’s why he’s been away; he wasn’t cheating on her with her sister, Peaches—she was helping him pick out a house. Rena is upset that she was not a part of the decision to buy a house, but she reconciles with Youngblood. They swear to make a life together with their son. Becker enters and congratulates them, encouraging Youngblood to keep his business to himself and off the streets. Booster enters and tries to talk to his father, but is ignored. Fielding enters, and he and Booster discuss their broken dreams over a drink.
Becker and all his employees gather to discuss the destruction of the jitney stand. The city wants them out by the first of the month, but they will stay there working until the bulldozers come. They believe if they stand their ground and stick together, the city won’t tear it down. Becker says the jitney drivers should raise their rates by ten dollars a month to help pay their legal fees and obtain a lawyer.
The following day, Becker dies suddenly in a mill accident. Booster’s gambling number hit, and he has won some money. He comes in to try and talk to his father again, but Doub tells him Becker is dead. In his denial and grief, Booster chokes him. The men separate them and Booster falls to the floor.
Three days later, Youngblood has successfully bought a house in Penn Hills. The men speak fondly of Becker following his funeral. Booster enters and thanks the men for everything they’ve done for his father. Booster acknowledges his father “ain’t got out of life what he put in. He deserved better than what life gave him.” He is proud of his father and proud to be his son. The car service phone rings repeatedly. Finally, Booster answers the phone.
This play occurs in 1977, two years after the end of the Vietnam War. It takes place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in a run-down, unlicensed cab station called a jitney stand.
Place in August Wilson’s American Century Cycle
Jitney is the eighth play chronologically in August Wilson’s Century Cycle, taking place in the 1970s. It was written in 1979, premiered in 1982, and was produced at Court Theatre in 2012.
A Note for Teachers
This play features strong language, including racial slurs, violence, and references to sexual assault and murder. Please prepare students accordingly.
