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A listener note.

This episode contains references to racial violence that may not be suitable for all audiences.

It's August 24, 1955, in the small town of Money, Mississippi.

21-year-old Carol Bryant, a white store clerk, sits behind the register inside Bryant's

grocery and meat market, the only store in this remote backwater town.

Carolyn co-owns it with her husband Roy, mainly catering to local sharecroppers who come

in to play checkers and drink soda on the sidewalk.

Carolyn looks up as the door swings open and a pair of black teenagers enters.

She narrows her eyes and watches suspiciously as one of the boys approaches the counter.

Carolyn doesn't like his demeanor.

He's walking with confidence, almost a swagger.

He reaches into the candy jar and removes a gunball.

Carolyn says coldly that'll be two cents.

But as she goes to take the money she freezes,

the boy is looking her directly in the eye and smiling.

Carolyn's speechless.

She doesn't remember the last time a black person had the temerity to meet her gaze.

Sensing Carolyn's shock, the boy's smile fades.

...