Three Tales From Melting Pot Boils Over

Abstract

The three tales retold here from Melting Pot Boils Over revolve around different challenges that “Pop,” a Greek immigrant, faced while operating a segregated café. In the first, a “White” ne’er-do-well breaks into Pop’s café, drinks several bottles of his wine, and passes out under a booth. Pop must decide whether to press charges against the intruder, a long-time patron of the café. In the second, a “Black” patron provokes Pop while giving his order. Both Pop and a Native American patron react angrily to the provocation, and the Black patron takes offense at their reaction. In the final tale, a race riot breaks out in Pop’s café when a White male patron makes vulgar gestures toward two Black waitresses. Pop, who is the sole provider for his family, must find a way to regain the good will of both his Black and White patrons to keep his café thriving.