The Medicine Woman of Galveston

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of mental illness, substance use, ableism, and racism.

Tucia lies awake at night listening to the sounds of the continuing show, wracked with guilt over her participation in Huey’s deceit. She decides to try and convince Huey to sell something else that may have actual positive benefits, like soap.

When Huey asks for her opinion on the show at breakfast the next morning, Tucia points out the medicinal inconsistencies in his story and presents her idea of selling soap. Huey rejects this suggestion immediately as an unprofitable one, then menacingly reminds her of the debt she owes him. He also reveals she will be going onstage that night as “Madame Zabelle,” a mind-reader and fortune teller. He gives her a list of items to memorize: Huey will find these objects among the audience during the show, and a blindfolded Tucia is to call them out in order as he cues her.

Appalled, Tucia initially refuses to partake in the show, claiming this is not part of their agreement. However, Huey shows her the terms of the contract that she hurriedly signed, and she realizes the vague terms mean she is bound to do what Huey says.