The Houseguest

"The Houseguest" turns out to be Ernie Harris (Thalmus Rasulala), James' boyhood pal from Mississippi, invited to stay with the Evans family for a short time. Ernie has apparently made a success of himself since his parents died, working all hours in public relations. Going out his first night, James receives an unexpected visit from two gun wielding hoodlums looking for Ernie, to collect on a debt over a recent crap game. At that moment, Ned the Wino (Raymond Allen, second of four) shows up to lament not being invited to the pajama party! Confronting his old friend about his heavy gambling losses, James tells Ernie to clear out in the morning because he won't have his family threatened. The climax is one of the show's most tense, with JJ admitting what he's learned from the experience: "two to one I'll never place a bet in my life!" Thalmus Rasulala later appeared as Oscar Harris in "Florida the Woman," going on to play Omoro, father of Kunta Kinte in ROOTS.