The women of a brothel house, whom Mama refers to as her "chicks," come down the stairs one by one. Hallie Dear walks down some stairs with a brindle cat limping by her side. Nine years ago, her son passed away and she spends her days visiting the jonquils with her cat. Frenchy and a few others call Hallie a “philosopher” and she believes it is because of her past as a schoolteacher. Reba challenges Hallie by retorting that she too, is a philosopher. She believes strongly in notions of karma and remarks that elephants are “the biggest pistols.” Floralee is a lost pale blonde girl whom the others call innocent. She has poor memory, but she ironically remembers and sings spirituals. Frenchy is a sweet and simple woman with double jointed hips and a figure 5 shaped navel. Mama, however, is an African American woman who protects the girls at the brothel and acts as their manager although the police only let her remain under the label of maid. She feels rather fondly towards the women of the brothel and protects them against the police, the churches, the press, the pimps, and the businessmen who look down upon them. She wishes to die blessed despite the underground, immoral work she manages.