Seven Guitars

Hedley is assembling sandwiches to add to his basket with the other goods he sells. Ruby enters and watches him. Floyd’s song plays on the radio, but Hedley sings to himself, “I thought I heard Buddy Bolden say, soon I be a big man someday” (65). Ruby inquires whether he is selling eggs, and he hands her one. Then she asks why he killed the rooster. Hedley replies, “Because nobody want him” (66). Ruby compares the rooster to Leroy, who had also never hurt anyone but had been killed anyways. Meanwhile, people always let vicious dogs live without interference. Hedley starts to sing again, openly ogling Ruby when she stands. Ruby wonders if Hedley could make a mattress for her out of feathers, and Hedley suggests that he would need to try the mattress out himself. Hedley starts singing again, and Ruby asks, “Who is Buddy Bolden” (66)?

Hedley explains that his father, who had been a trumpet player, had named him King Buddy Bolden after a legendary musician. However, the name King had not been a gift. Hedley explains that he had once killed a Black man and had no remorse.