Troy complains that his other son doesn't have a bed and that he himself can't get any credit. Sure enough, Lyons asks to borrow $10 which he promises to pay back. Troy notes that he only comes to visit on paydays. Troy's 34-year-old son Lyons (Russell Hornsby) (a product of a previous relationship) comes over. After three days, Death gave up but promised to be back. He tells her about a time Death visited him when he had pneumonia and he threw Deaths sickle and the two wrestled. Rose tells Troy he's going to drink himself to death, as he is drinking a whole bottle of gin while he chats. He tells her the white men aren't going to let a 'colored boy' play football.

She tells him that their son, Cory, has been recruited by a college football team. Rose and Troy are affectionate with each other and recall marrying each other 18 years earlier. Troy says hes going to go home with Bono unless she can top that Rose tells him shes cooking chicken. She asks if Bono is going to stay for supper. The two get to Troy's house where they are greeted by Rose (Viola Davis). Troy claims he just bought her a drink and that hes never chased women after marrying Rose. Bono asks about a girl that he's seen Troy eyeing at the bar they frequent. Troy complains that they never hire colored men for the driving they always have to do the lifting.

Troy (Denzel Washington) and Bono (Stephen Henderson) work as trash collectors in Pittsburgh. The film takes places in Pittsburgh in 1956.

Fences drama