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diff --git a/5806.txt b/5806.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8d518a2 --- /dev/null +++ b/5806.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4577 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Pot Boiler, by Upton Sinclair + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Pot Boiler + +Author: Upton Sinclair + + +Release Date: June, 2004 [EBook #5806] +This file was first posted on September 4, 2002 +Last updated: April 28, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE POT BOILER *** + + + + +Produced by Charles Aldarondo and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team + + + + + + + + +THE POT BOILER + +A COMEDY IN FOUR ACTS + + +By Upton Sinclair + + +Edited by E. Haldeman Julius + + + +CHARACTERS IN THE "REAL-PLAY" + + Will ............................. The author + Peggy ................Joint author and critic + Bill ..................... Their son (aged 8) + Dad ............................ Will's father + Schmidt......................... The grocer + The Policeman. + The Landlady. + + CHARACTERS IN THE "PLAY-PLAY" + + Jack ........................ The adventurer + Bob ............................. His cousin + Dad .............................. His father + Jessie.............................. His sister + Gladys .......................... His fiancee + Belle ............................. A waitress + Dolly ............................. Her sister + Bill .........................A street gamin + Schmidt ................ A restaurant keeper + The Policeman. + The Landlady. + A snow shoveller. + A butler. + +Note: The characters of Dad, Bill, Schmidt, the Landlady and the +Policeman are the same in the Real and the Play-play. The character +of Jack is played by Will, and that of Belle by Peggy. + + + + +THE POT BOILER + + + + +ACT I. + + +SCENE.--_A transparent curtain of net extends across the stage from +right to left, about six feet back of the foot-lights. Throughout +the text, what goes on in front of this curtain is referred to as +the Real-play; what goes on behind the curtain is the Play-play. +Upon the sides of the curtain, Right and Left, is painted a +representation of an attic room in a tenement house. The curtain +becomes thin, practically nothing at center, so the audience sees +the main action of the Play-play clearly. At Right in the Real-play +is a window opening on a fire-escape, and in front of the window a +cot where the child sleeps. At Left in the Real-play is a window, an +entrance door, a flat-topped desk and two chairs. This setting of +the Real-play remains unchanged throughout the four acts._ + +_The scenes of the Play-play change with each act. For Act I the set +is a drawing-room in a wealthy old New York home, entrances +Right-center and Left. Both front and rear scenes are lighted by +many small lights, which can be turned off a few at a time, so that +one scene or the other fades slowly. When the Real-play is in full +light, the Play-play is dark and invisible. When the front scene is +entirely dark, we see the Play-play, slightly veiled at the sides. +In case of some rude interruption, the dream is gone in a flash, and +the reality of the garret surrounds us. The text calls for numerous +quick changes of three of the characters from the Real-play to the +Play-play and back. Dialogue and business have been provided at +these places to permit the changes._ + +AT RISE.--_The Real-play, showing_ PEGGY _putting_ BILL _to bed; she +is young and pretty, he is a bright but frail child._ + +_Bill._ Say, Peggy! + +_Peggy._ Well, Bill? + +_Bill._ Can you guess. + +_Peggy._ How many guesses? + +_Bill._ Three. + +_Peggy._ All right. I guess my little son doesn't want to go to bed! + +_Bill._ Say! You guessed it! + +_Peggy._ Oh, mother's great at guessing! + +_Bill._ But honest, it's still light. + +_Peggy._ I know--but that's because it's summertime. Don't you +remember the little song? (sings) + + In winter I get up at night + And dress by yellow candle-light; + In summer, quite the other way, + I have to go to bed by day! + +_Bill._ Say, Peggy--when's Will coming in? + +_Peggy._ I don't know, dear. Your father's working. + +_Bill._ Ain't he goin' to have any dinner? + +_Peggy._ I don't know--he didn't tell me. + +_Bill._ Is he writin'? + +_Peggy._ Yes--or else thinking about things to write. + +_Bill._ Say! He's great on writin', ain't he? + +_Peggy._ You bet! + +_Bill._ Do you think it's good stuff? + +_Peggy._ Indeed I do, Bill! + +_Bill._ You don't often tell him so. + +_Peggy._ Don't I? + +_Bill._ No--generally you rip him up the back. + +PEGGY (laughs). Well, mother has to keep him trying, you know. + +_Bill._ Say, Peggy, do you suppose I'll be an author when I grow up? + +_Peggy._ Can't tell, dear--it depends. + +_Bill._ Maybe I'll have to get some payin' job, hey? + +_Peggy._ Where did you pick up that idea? + +_Bill._ Ain't you talkin' about it all the time to him? + +_Peggy._ Am I? Well, I declare! Now, come, Mr. Bill--it's after +bed-time. + +_Bill._ Can't I wait till Will comes? + +_Peggy._ No, dear. + +_Bill._ Well, will you tell him to wake me up? + +_Peggy._ No, dear. I'll tell him _not_ to. + +_Bill._ But Peggy, will you have him kiss me in my sleep? + +_Peggy._ Yes, I'll do that. Now, there you are. A big fat kiss for +mother! Now, to sleep! + +_Bill._ Say, Peggy! + +_Peggy._ What? + +_Bill._ The people next door ain't runnin' the gramophone tonight! + +_Peggy._ No, dear. Now go to sleep. + +_Bill._ And the people in hack ain't singin' any coon-songs! + +_Peggy._ Now go to sleep for mother. Don't speak any more. + +_Bill._ Say, Peggy! + +_Peggy._ Well? + +_Bill._ I won't. Good night. + +_Peggy._ Good-night! + +(She goes Left humming to herself; sits at table, and prepares to +work.) + +_Will (Enters Left softly; a young poet, delicate and sensitive. He +watches_ PEGGY, _then closes door, tiptoes up and leans over her +shoulder)._ Well? + +_Peggy (starts)._ Oh, Will, how you frightened me! Where in the +world have you been? + +_Will._ Oh, it's a long tale. + +_Peggy._ Have you had dinner? + +_Will._ No, I don't want to eat. + +_Peggy._ What's the matter? A new idea? + +_Will._ I'll tell you, Peggy. Wait a bit. + +_Peggy (as he takes mail from pocket)._ Some mail? + +_Will._ Yes--all rejection slips. Nothing but rejection slips! +_(throws pile of returned manuscripts on the table)._ How I wish +some magazine would get a new kind of rejection slip! _(Sits +dejectedly.)_ + +_Peggy._ Did you get any money for the rent? + +_Will._ Not yet, Peggy _(suddenly)._ The truth is, I didn't try. +Peggy, I've got to write that play! + +_Peggy (Horrified)._ Will! + +_Will._ I tell you I've got to! That's what I've been doing--sitting +in Union Square, working it over--ever since lunch time! It's a +perfectly stunning idea. + +_Peggy._ Oh, Will, I know all that--but how can you write plays when +we must have money? Money right away! Money to pay the landlady! +Money to pay the grocer! + +_Will._ But Peggy-- + +_Peggy._ Will, you've got to do something that will sell right off +the bat--payment on acceptance! Short stories! Sketches! + +_Will (wildly)._ But don't you see that so long as I do short +stories and sketches I'm a slave? I earn just enough to keep us +going week by week. Pot-boiling--pot-boiling--year after year! And +youth is going--life is going! Peggy, I've got to make a bold +stroke, do something big and get out of this! + +_Peggy._ But Will, it's madness! A play's the hardest thing of all +to sell. There's not one chance in a thousand--a hundred thousand! + +_Will._ But Peggy-- + +_Peggy._ Listen to me. You go off in the park and dream of +plays--but I have to stay at home and face the landlady and the +grocer. I tell you I can't stand it! Honest to God, I'll have to go +back to the stage and keep this family going. + +_Will (in distress)._ Peggy! + +_Peggy._ I know! But I'm at the end of my rope. The landlady was +here--the grocer has shut down on us. We can't get any more bread, +any more meat--all our credit's gone! + +_Will._ Gee! It's tough! + +_Peggy._ I've held out eight years, and we never dreamed it would +last that long. You said one year--three years--then surely Dad +would relent and take us back, or give us some money. But Dad +doesn't relent--Dad's going to die and leave his money to a Home for +Cats! I tell you, dear, I've got to go back to the stage and earn a +living. + +_Will (radiantly)._ You might play the heroine of my play. + +_Peggy._ Yes--a star the first night! Isn't that like a husband and +a poet! I assure you, Will, it'll be an agency for me, and a part +with three lines, at thirty a week-- + +_Will (sits staring before him, with repressed intensity)._ Listen! +I've tried--honest, I've tried, but I can't get away from that play. +You know how often I've said that I wanted to find a story like our +own--so that I could use our local color, pour our emotions into it, +our laughter and our tears. And, Peggy, this is the story! Our _own_ +story! It has pathos and charm--it will hold the crowd-- + +_Peggy_. Dear Will, _what_ do you know about the crowd? Pathos and +charm! Do you suppose the mob that comes swarming into Broadway at +eight o'clock every evening is on the hunt for pathos and charm? +They want to see women with the latest Paris fashions on them--or +with nothing on them at all! They want to see men in evening dress, +drinking high-balls, lighting expensive cigars, departing from +palatial homes to the chugging sound of automobiles. + +_Will_. But Peggy, this play will have two dress-suit acts. I can +show the world I used to live in--I can use Dad's own house for a +scene. And I can finish it in four days! + +_Peggy_. Yes--if you sit up all night and work! Don't you know that +when you work all night your stomach stops working all day? Haven't +you sworn to me on the Bible you'd never work at night again? + +_Will (seizes her in his arms)_. Peggy! I've got to do this play! +I've started it. + +_Peggy_. What? + +_Will_. What do you think I've been doing all afternoon? _(Pulls out +a huge wad of loose papers from rear pocket.)_ Look at that! _(Drags +her to the table._) Now sit down here and listen--I'll tell you +about it. I'm going to tell my own story--a rich young fellow who has +a quarrel with his father and goes out into the world to make his +own way. I'm going to call him Jack, but he's really myself. Imagine +me as I was at twenty-one-when I was happy, care-free, full of fun. + +_Peggy._ Oh, Will, I can't imagine you! I can't bring myself to +believe that you were ever rich and free! + +_Will._ But I was, Peggy! And this will bring it all back to you. +When you read this manuscript you'll see me when I didn't know what +trouble meant-I'd never had to make an effort in my life, I couldn't +imagine what it would be to fail. Oh, what a wonderful time it was, +Peggy! It's been wonderful just to recall it here. I've pictured my +twenty-first birthday--I had a dinner party in the big +drawing-room of Dad's home! (_As Will goes on the Real-play fades, and +the Play-play comes slowly into sight._) There's Jessie, my sister, and +there's my cousin, Bob. He's a college professor who went out into the +world as a hobo in order to see life for himself. You see it's all my +story--my _own_ story! Only my name's to be Jack, you know! Here's the +manuscript! Read it! + +(_Full light on the Play-play. The Real-play figures are in +darkness, visible only in silhouette. Will exchanges places with a +substitute concealed on upstage side of the desk, and then slips +below the level of the desk and exit Left, to make quick change for +entrance into Play-play in the role of Jack._) + +_Jessie._ But Bob-- + +_Bob._ Well, Jessie? + +_Jessie._ You're so hard on people, Bob! + +_Bob._ Not at all! It's life that's hard, and you don't know it. +Neither does Jack! + +_Jessie._ Why do you want him to know it? + +_Bob._ I want him to do his share to change it--instead of idling +his life away. + +_Jessie._ He's going to college, isn't he? + +_Bob (laughs)._ A lot of good that's doing! + +_Jessie._ Don't you believe in going to college? + +_Bob._ Not the way Jack's doing it. It's all play to him, and I want +him to work. Just as I was trying to tell him a while ago-- + +_Jessie._ You're always nagging at him, Bob. + +_Bob._ I want to teach him something. Something about the reality of +life. + +_Jack (enters Play-play left in evening dress)._ Good heavens! You +two still arguing? + +_Bob._ Yes, Jack--still arguing! + +_Jack._ Can't you cut it out for one evening? I'm not in your class +in college. + +_Bob._ If you were, Jack, you'd learn something real about the world +you live in. + +_Jack._ Oh, cut it out, Bob! You give me a pain! Just because you +once put on hobo clothes and went out and knocked about with bums +for a year, you think you've a call to go around making yourself a +bore to every one you know! + +_Bob._ Well, Jack, some things I saw made an impression on me and I +can't forget them. When I hear my glib young cousin who sits and +surveys life from the shelter of his father's income--when I hear +him making utterly silly assertions---- + +_Jack (angrily)._ What, for example? + +_Bob._ The one you were making today--that if a man fails, it must +be his own fault. + +_Jack._ I say there's a place in life for every man that's good for +anything. + +_Bob._ I say that with things as they are at present, most men fail +of necessity. + +_Jack._ They'd succeed if they only had nerve to try. There's plenty +of good jobs lying idle. + +_Bob._ Oh, Jack, what rot! + +_Jack._ By thunder, I'd like to show you! + +_Bob._ We'd like to do all sorts of bold things--if only it weren't +too much trouble. + +_Jack._ What should I do to prove it? + +_Bob._ You couldn't prove it, Jack--it isn't true. + +_Jack._ Suppose I wanted to _try_ to prove it? What should I do? + +_Bob._ You're wasting my time, boy. + +_Jack (to Jessie)._ You see! He won't even answer me! + +_Jessie._ Answer him, Bob. + +_Bob._ Just what do you want to prove, Jack? + +_Jack._ That a man can get a job if he really wants it. + +_Bob._ Well, suppose you get a job! + +_Jessie._ That's too easy! Jack has a dozen jobs waiting for him +when he gets through college. + +_Bob._ I don't mean for him to go on his father's name. Here--I'll +propose a test for you. Upstairs in my trunk is an old suit that I +wore when I went out and lived as a hobo. Put it on. Put on the torn +overcoat and the ragged hat. I was going to say empty your +pockets--but you needn't do that--there's nothing in the pockets. Go +out of here tonight, and make this bargain--that for six months you +won't tell a soul who you are, that you won't communicate with one +of your friends, nor use any of their influence. For six months +you'll shift for yourself and take what comes to you. And then you +can come back, and we'll see how far you've risen in the world. Also +we'll see whether you haven't changed some of your ideas! _(A +pause.)_ + +_Jack (in a low voice)._--That would satisfy you, would it? + +_Bob._ Yes, that would satisfy me. + +_Jack._ All right! By thunder--I'll go you! _(Starts away.)_ +To-night! + +_Jessie (horrified)._ Jack! You're out of your senses. + +_Jack._ I'm not. I mean it. I'm tired of his jawing at me! + +_Jessie (rushes to him)._ I won't hear of it! + +_Jack._ I'm going to show him. + +_Jessie (turns to Bob)._ I won't have my brother leave me! + +_Bob._ Don't worry, Jessie. Your brother won't really go! + +_Jack._ Yes, I will! + +_Jessie (wildly)._ But Jack! It's time for your birthday-dinner! + +_Bob._ We'll save the dinner and eat it cold. He'll be back in a day +or two. + +_Jack._ You may spare your taunts, Bob. + +_Jessie (catching him by the arm)._--I'll send for Dad! You shan't +go! + +_Jack (aside to Jessie)._ Listen, Jessie. There's another reason. +I've _got_ to go. I've got into another row at college. + +_Jessie._ Jack! What have you done? + +_Jack._ Oh, it's a long story--the point is, Dad has heard of it +to-day, and he'll be wild. He said the last time that if I got into +any more trouble, he'd turn me out. + +_Jessie._ But, Jack! He won't really do it! + +_Jack._ Yes, he meant it! And I don't want to give him a chance to +order me out--I want to go before he gets here----_(He starts off +Left.)_ I'll go and put on those hobo clothes. + +_Jessie._ Jack! I beg you----_(Jack exit.)_ + +_Jessie (turns upon Bob)._ Bob, I think it's wicked of you! + +_Bob._ Why, Jessie? + +_Jessie._ To nag at Jack all the time! You've driven him crazy! + +_Bob._ Never mind--he'll soon get sane. You never knew him to stick +at anything very long. + +_Jessie._ Oh! Oh! I think you're horrid! And right before our +party--what will we tell the guests? + +_Bob._ Tell them the truth; they'll think it's romantic--like a +story in a play. Why, Jessie---- + +_(During this dialogue Jack has slipped back into the coat of Will +and sits at the desk, Left_ 1. _The sound of a sharp whistle heard +in the Real-play, Left_ 1. _Instantly the Play-play vanishes. Full +light on the Real-play.)_ + +_Will (looking up in bewilderment and disgust)._ My God! What's +that? + +_Peggy._ Something at the dumb-waiter, dear. + +_Will._ Oh, Lord! + +_Peggy (rises)._ Wait, dear. _(Hurries out of door Left, calls at +shaft.)_ Well? + +_Voice below._ Garbage! + +_Will (tears hair)._ Garbage. + +_Peggy (cheerfully)._ All right! _(Returns and gets can, exit +Left.)_ + +_Will._ Garbage! Garbage! Garbage! + +_Peggy._ A little higher, please--there, that'll do! All right! +_(Enters.)_ + +_Will._ Can you explain to me one mystery of this universe? + +_Peggy._ What, dear? + +_Will._ Why does the garbage-man always call when I'm inspired? + +_Peggy._ Dear Will--probably the garbage-man is wondering why you +are always inspired when he calls. + +_Will (moans)._ Well, shall I go on? + +_Peggy._ You must wait, dear. He'll be returning the can in a few +minutes. + +_Will._ A few minutes! Oh, the agonies of being an author! +_(Eagerly.)_ Well, what do you think of my play? + +_Peggy._ Why, Will, I'm sorry to disappoint you. It's very +interesting--but it isn't a practical play. It would never go on +Broadway. + +_Will (in dismay)._ Not go on Broadway! + +_Peggy._ No, dear. It's too talky--too much sociology. You can't get +a Broadway audience to listen to long arguments. + +_Will._ Isn't it what they all need? Those wage-slaves up in the +galleries---- + +_Peggy._ I know, dear--but they've no idea they are wage-slaves, and +they won't pay their money to hear you call them names. And down in +the three-dollar seats are people who've made their pile, and don't +want any questions asked about the way they made it. Cut out the +sociology, Will! + +_Will._ But can't one discuss modern problems in a modern play? + +_Peggy._ Yes, dear, but you've got to go at it differently. You've +got to get what the crowd calls the _punch._ Look at their faces, +Will--see how tired they are! You've got to find something that +comes home to them! Not arguments, not abstractions--but a clash of +human wills! Something fundamental, that every man in the crowd can +understand! Your idea's a good one, I think--having a rich boy go +out to try his luck in the under-world. There's a chance in it for +adventure, for fun, for suspense. You ought to know about that, +since you did it yourself. But you've got to start him off +differently----(_The whistle blows._) + +_Will_. Oh, hell! + +_Peggy_. Wait, dear. (_Exit Left, calls down shaft._) Lower, please. +No--I said _lower_. There--not too low! (_Enters with can._) All +right! Now, our troubles are over. Listen, dear. If you really want +to write, you've got to think about your audience, and what they +like. Just see, to begin with, you've left out the most important +thing in any play--whether it's a high-brow tragedy or Third Avenue +melodrama. + +_Will_. What's that? + +_Peggy_. The love interest. + +_Will_. That's to come in the second act. + +_Peggy_. Why the _second_ act? + +_Will_. That's where Jack meets the heroine. I can't have two +love-stories! + +_Peggy_. My dear boy, you can have a dozen, if you've wit enough to +get them in. + +_Will_. With only one hero? + +_Peggy_. Good Lord, Will! Didn't you ever love any woman but me? + +_Will (disconcerted)_. But, Peggy---- + +_Peggy_. Didn't you? + +_Will_. Why--you know---- + +_Peggy_. Of course I know! You were engaged to an heiress when you +ran away and married an actress. Why don't you put the heiress into +this play? + +_Will_. Gladys? + +_Peggy_. Gladys was her name, I believe. How did she act when you +told her that you loved me best? A cold, proud beauty, ready to die +before she'd let you know she cared! And isn't that exactly what +your audience is looking for? Exactly their idea of a princess of +plutocracy! And still you waste your time with a sister! Who the +deuce cares anything about a sister? + +_Will_. Look here, Peggy. You'd better write this play! + +_Peggy_. I've been thinking about it, ever since you first told me +the idea. Draw up your chair, and let me show you what I mean. (_The +Play-play begins to appear_.) There's Bob and Jessie, the same as +before; but also there's Gladys. I want a quite different atmosphere +from what you had. It's afternoon, and Gladys is serving tea, and +she handles the situation in tea-party fashion. Give me some paper +and let me sketch the dialogue. (_She begins to write rapidly. Full +light on the Play-play. Will makes secret exit_.) + +_Gladys_. I'm waiting with a good deal of interest. + +_Bob_. For what? + +_Gladys_. I'm wondering how long it will be before it occurs to Jack +to ask what _I_ think of this plan of his. + +_Jessie_. I hope you'll make him give it up, Gladys! + +_Gladys_. Your suggestion is out of date, dear. The modern young man +doesn't give up his ideas at the request of his fiancee. + +_Jessie_. Tell him what you think, at least! + +_Gladys_. You don't take sugar, Bob? Don't you see that he hasn't +been interested in what I think? He has acquired some new interests. +He's going to learn about the _reality_ of life! + +_Jack (enters, in afternoon coat)_. Gladys, that's not fair! + +_Gladys_. Will you have tea, Jack? + +_Jack_. You know I'm up against it. + +_Gladys_. One lump or two, Jack? + +_Jack_. I got into a scrape at college-- + +_Gladys_. Too strong for you, Jack? No, don't make these pretences +with me. You can get rid of me without going hoboing. + +_Jessie_. How can you talk so? + +_Gladys_. Such an ingenious compliment! In order to avoid having to +see or hear from his fiancee for six months, he is willing to go and +stay among the dirtiest and most disgusting people! + +_Jack_. You are angry with me! + +_Bob_. You ought to realize, Gladys--this will be the making of +Jack. + +_Gladys_. Suppose it will be the making of something I don't want? +Suppose I'd prefer him as he is? + +_Bob_. You don't care for him to know about life? + +_Gladys_. I don't care for him to know about low life. I don't see +at all why he can't be content with the life of ladies and +gentlemen. + +_Jack_. I thought you'd be proud to have me interested in deeper +things. + +_Gladys_. Jack, you are young and care-free. It made me happy just +to see you--you were the very spirit of youth! But now you will grow +serious, you will be pale, and have a frown upon your forehead. You +will be eternally preaching, like Bob, here--and you will bore me to +death! + +_Jack_. You are making fun of me! + +_Gladys_. I am perfectly serious, I assure you. My romance is dead! + +_Jack_. You don't mean-- + +_Gladys_. I mean Jack, that I have lost you! + +_Jack (tries to catch her hand)_. You shan't say such a thing! + +_Gladys_. Jack, such violent motions are dangerous at tea-parties. +You might ruin my costume! + +_Jack_. If you feel like that, I won't go at all! + +_Bob_. Oho! Already! + +_Gladys_. Go on with your adventure, Jack. And don't try to make a +tragedy out of our parting--you know how I hate scenes. It would be +impossible for me to love a serious man--the mere thought of it +terrifies me! Go on! Go on--I absolutely insist! + +_Jack (desperately)_. All right then! If that's the way you take it, +I'll go! (_rushes off Left._) + +_Jessie_. Gladys, I think it's horrid of you to behave like that! + +_Gladys_. Not at all, Jessie! + +_Jessie_. Do you seriously intend to send him away? + +_Gladys_. _Send_ him, Jessie? How do you mean? You can't send these +modern young men anywheres. They come and go to suit themselves. +They think they love a woman, and they plead for her love; but then +they begin to change their minds--they get bored with her, and think +they're bored with all life. So they go off and try something new +and romantic--something less tedious than a woman's affections. The +reality of life! + +_Jessie_. I know Jack loves you! + +_Gladys_. Indeed, Jessie? Too bad that Jack doesn't know it--(_sound +of gramophone in Real-play Left 1, playing a popular song. +The Play-play fades rapidly_.) + +_Will_. Oh, God! + +_Peggy_. Botheration! + +_Will_. The fiends! (_leaps up and begins to pace the floor_.) Isn't +that enough to drive a man to distraction? To be trying to work, +trying to create something-- + +_Peggy_. Wait, dear. (_Goes and closes door._) Now forget about it. + +_Will._ Yes, it's easy to say forget! But pretty soon the devils in +the rear will begin with their coon-songs-- + +_Peggy._ Well then, we'll close the window, too. + +_Will._ Yes, on a hot night! + +_Peggy._ What do you think of my love-interest? + +_Will._ I think it's rotten. + +_Peggy._ Will! + +_Will._ Absolutely rotten! The idea of having her turn Jack down--at +the very beginning of the play! + +_Peggy._ But that's exactly what happened! Didn't Gladys turn _you_ +down? And besides, she can take him up again, if you like. + +_Will._ How's she going to see him when he goes out on the street? + +_Peggy._ Can't she run into him somewhere by accident? + +_Will._ By accident--in a city of six million people! + +_Peggy._ Well then, why not have her go where he goes? Let Bob +follow Jack, or let them hire a detective. + +_Will._ Melodrama! Ten-twenty-thirty! I don't like Gladys as a +character any more than I did as a person. She's shallow and +cheap--a regular worldling! I won't have any such creature in my +play! + +_Peggy._ There's no use talking that way, Will, you simply can't +write a money-making play without love-interest. And also you've got +to have comedy characters--real characters-- + +_Will (eagerly)._ I'll have one character, at least! In the next +scene, when the father comes in! It'll be a jolly lark, Peggy--I'm +going to use Dad! + +_Peggy._ Your own father! + +_Will._ Yes, why not? + +_Peggy._ He might hear of it, Will! + +_Will._ He despises the theatre. Half his anger at me was because I +married an actress. And it seems to me, if we can't get any money +out of him, we might at least get a character-study. + +_Peggy._ All right, Dad let it be! + +_Will._ I'll show you how it is. Here! (_Pushes the manuscripts +towards her; the Play-play begins to appear._) Jack has gone upstairs +to change his clothes, and here comes Dad. He's an old man--rich, +irascible, given to scolding. I remember how he used to snort when +anything didn't please him. + +_Dad._ Huh! huh-huh! + +_Will._ He's heard the story about Jack. Here's the Mss. Read. (_She +takes the manuscript and begins to read. Full light on Play-play. +Will exit secretly._) + +_Dad (to Bob)._ What do you think of this? + +_Bob._ What? + +_Dad._ My precious son in trouble again! Never any end to it! +Recklessness--dissipation--insolence! I've reached the end of my +patience. Absolutely the end! + +_Bob._ What's happened? + +_Dad (waves letter in his hand)._ Here's a letter from the dean. +He's got himself suspended from college. + +_Jessie (horrified)._ Oh, Dad! + +_Bob._ What's he done? + +_Dad._ Turning loose a live goat in a college lecture hall! + +_Bob._ You can't mean it! + +_Dad._ Here's the letter! They were having a fraternity initiation, +it seems, and Jack was bringing the goat, his horns painted with +phosphorus, a bunch of fire-crackers tied to his tail. Fire-crackers +to the tail of a goat! + +_Jessie._ But Dad! How do you know that Jack-- + +_Dad._ He admitted everything in his letter to the dean! He was +passing a hall where they were giving an evening lecture. He had a +grudge against the professor. He turned out the lights, and turned +loose the goat! What do you think of that? _(A silence.)_ What do +you _think_ of it? + +_Jessie._ Why Dad, I think it's funny. + +_Dad._ Funny! You propose to take his side, do you? And now he's out +of college and has nothing to do but loaf around the house! I tell +you I've reached the limit of my patience. It's just as Bob +says--he's a parasite. Nothing to do but squander my money--fit for +nothing else, having no other idea! I tell you I won't support the +loafer! + +_Jessie._ Dad! + +_Bob._ You've brought the boy up wrong. + +_Dad._ So you propose to blame _me!_ + +_Jack (appears in doorway Left clad in ragged anil dirty overcoat)._ +Of course, Dad. It really isn't fair to scold other people for your +own blunder. + +_Dad._ Oh, there you are! _(Notices Jack's clothes.)_ What the devil +is this? + +_Jack._ What, Dad? + +_Dad._ Drunk again, sir? Rolling in the gutter? And on your birthday +too! + +_Jack._ Dad-- + +_Dad._ Look at him! A hundred and eighty dollars I pay to a Broadway +tailor to make this young hopeful an overcoat, and look at what he +does with it! I prepare a birthday party, and invite all his +friends, and see the condition in which he comes to welcome them! Do +you wonder my patience is exhausted? Do you wonder-- + +_Jessie._ Dad, you don't understand! + +_Dad._ No, I don't understand! How could I be expected to +understand? How can an old man hope to keep up with a youth so +brilliant--a youth who goes to college and ties firecrackers to the +tails of goats! A youth who comes on his birthday looking like a +tramp-- + +_Jessie._ Listen, Dad--this is a joke-- + +_Dad._ Everything's a joke to my son! But I tell you I'm tired of +his jokes. I mean to make him understand that his days of tomfoolery +are over! Do you realize it--here he is, twenty-one years of age, +when he should be coming into possession of the fortune his mother +left him--and he's tying fire-crackers to the tails of goats! And +I--I am trustee of the money, and have to decide whether he's fit to +have it or not! I know that if I give it to him I ruin him for +life--I start him on a career of drunkenness and idleness! Look at +him as he stands there--and imagine him the owner of a quarter of a +million dollars! And under his mother's will the only choice I have +is to give it to him, or turn it over to a Home for Cats! + +_Jessie._ Please, Dad! + +_Dad._ Can I honestly say that one is more foolish than the other? +Wouldn't I be helping him if I gave the money to the cats, and let +my son go out and earn his living as best he can? Let him go down to +my office and earn his twelve dollars a week, the same as any other +young jackass-- + +_Jack (stepping forward)._ Dad, don't you really think it's time you +let me get a word in? + +_Dad._ I'm tired of your words, young man. + +_Jack._ You won't be troubled with them any more. I'm going to take +myself out of your way. I don't want your quarter of a million +dollars, and I don't want your twelve a week. + +_Dad._ Indeed, sir! And what may this mean? + +_Jack._ It means that I'm going out into the world as a hobo. + +_Dad. What?_ + +_Jack._ That's it! + +_Dad._ Clever! Upon my word, a clever scheme! _(To the others.)_ +Look at him! The nerve of him! He knows he's misbehaved, and that +I'll be angry--so he goes and puts on a masquerade costume, and +tries to frighten me with a threat of turning hobo! + +_Jessie._ Dad, it isn't that! He means to go! + +_Dad._ I don't doubt that he means to go! But how long do you think +he means to stay? + +_Jack._ Six months, Dad. + +_Dad (scornfully)._ Six months! It won't be six days before I'll he +getting bills to pay for you! + +_Jack._ You'll get no bills from me, Dad. I'm not going to use your +name. + +_Dad._ How long will it he before I hear you've been borrowing money +from your friends? + +_Bob._ You must listen, Dad. Jack and I are making a wager. He's to +go out in my hobo clothes and he's not to use his own name--he's not +to see any of his old friends, nor to communicate with them. He's to +depend absolutely on his own efforts--to shift for himself for six +months. That's the bargain. + +_Dad._ And do you imagine he'll keep it? + +_Bob._ I believe he'll try. + +_Dad (gazes from one to the other; then with sudden vehemence)._ +Very well! You can let me in on that bargain! + +_Jack._ How do you mean? + +_Dad._ Make your wager with me--I'll give you a stake to play for! A +stake that will make the game worth while! + +_Jack._ What stake, Dad? + +_Dad._ A quarter of a million dollars! Your mother's property. + +_Jessie._ Dad! + +_Dad._ I mean what I say! As God is my witness, I'll stand by what I +say! You go out of here to-night with your hobo clothes and you +shift for yourself for six months. If I find out that you've told a +soul whose son you are, or that you've used my name or your own name +to get a cent of money or a job, or even so much as a ham sandwich; +or if you come home before the six months is up, or write to one of +us, or to any one else for help--as sure as I live, it will cost you +a quarter of a million dollars. + +_Jessie._ Dad, that is wicked. + +_Dad._ It will cost him a quarter of a million dollars! I'll take +the money the same day and turn it over to the Home for Cats! Do you +get that, young man? + +_Jack._ Yes, I get it, and it's a bargain! + +_Dad._ Very well, sir. Now good luck to you! + +_Jack._ Good-bye, Bob. Good-bye, Jessie. + +_Jessie (rushing to him)._ Jack, I can't let you go! + +_Jack._ Don't touch me, Jessie. You'll ruin your dress. + +_Bob._ Let her kiss you, Jack. She'll be the last girl that offers +for some time. + +_Jack (to Jessie)._ Be sensible, dear. I won't let any harm come to +me. + +_Bob._ Get one of the fast freights, Jack. + +_Jack._ No freights in mine--New York will do. There's some money +still lying around in this old town, I've an idea. + +_Dad (sarcastically)._ He'll be king of the shoe-string +peddlers--the walking delegate of the Hobos' Union! + +_Jack._ You may laugh, Dad, but I know I'm not such a fool as I +seem. Maybe it'll take me more than six months, but I think I can +convince you in the end that I can make my way. + +_Dad._ Maybe you'll not want the quarter of a million at all! + +_Jack._ Oh, an extra quarter of a million would always come in +handy. But we'll settle that when I return, Dad. For the present, +I've got the world to conquer. + +_Bob._ Bow down, world! + +_Jack._ What I say is: Come on, world! _(with a gesture of +defiance)_ I'm ready for you! I'll show you what I can do. Good-bye! +_(exit suddenly Left)_ + +_Jessie._ Jack! Jack! Oh, how perfectly terrible! This cold night, +and no money! What will he do? + +_Bob._ There's many another man out there with no money. What do +_they_ do? + +_Jessie._ Bob, I _hate_ you! + +_Dad._ It'll be the very thing for the young scapegrace--if he'll +stick to it. + +_Jessie._ But how will he live, Dad? + +_Dad._ Live? Wasn't I a poor boy when I came to the city? And didn't +I manage to make a fortune? Let him do what I did! + +_Jessie._ But you were used to hardships, Dad! + +_Dad._ Used to it? Of course I was--and why shouldn't _he_ be? Why +is he too good to work like other men? + +_Jessie (pleading)_ Oh, Dad--_(Sudden loud sounds in Real-play, +Right; piano and voices shouting chorus of the latest rag-time. +Play-play fades instantly.)_ + +_Will._ Hell and damnation! There go the devils with their +coon-songs! _(leaps up with distracted gestures)_ Oh! Oh! Oh! + +_Peggy (laughing, runs to window--and tries to close it; sounds +continue)._ + +_Will._ The monsters! The fiends! The satellites of Satan! + +_Peggy. (laughing)._ The window's stuck! Come put it down, dear. + +_Will._ The window's always stuck when that mad-house opens up! + +_Bill (waking)._ Ah---- + +_Will._ What's that? + +_Peggy._ It's Bill waking _(runs to him)._ + +_Bill (sitting up)._ Oh! + +_Peggy._ They woke you up, dear! + +_Bill._ I'm glad of it! + +_Will._ Hello! Bill! + +_Bill._ Oh, hello! You got back, did you! + +_Will._ Yes. + +_Bill._ Say, Will, listen to the music! + +_Will._ I hear it. + +_Bill (delightedly)._ Gee! That's great, ain't it? + +_Will._ You like it? + +_Bill._ You bet I like it! Say, I know that tune! The beggar-kid sings +it every time he comes. _(Sits up in bed and keeps time with his +finger. Chorus begins and he joins in at the top of his voice.)_ + +CURTAIN + + + + +ACT II. + + +_Scene: The attic, afternoon of the next day. The set of the +Playplay is a cheap Third Avenue restaurant. Entrance from the +street Center, also window with cashier's desk beside it. Tables up +stage, from Right to Left. Entrance to kitchen Left. Clock on wall +shows 11:30._ + +_At rise: The Real-play, with Bill Right on the fire-escape, sitting +on mattress taken from his cot. Will Left with Mss. at desk. Peggy +talking to Bill. She wears a "bungalow-apron," covering a waitress's +costume for quick change._ + +_Peggy_. That's a dandy big fire-escape to play on! + +_Bill_. You bet! + +_Peggy_. You've got all your blocks? + +_Bill_. Yes, Peggy. + +_Peggy_. And your picture-books? + +_Bill_. Yes, Peggy. + +_Peggy_. And you won't lean over the railing? + +_Bill_. I won't. + +_Peggy_ (_to Will_). Now to the Pot-boiler! + +_Will_. It's a shame to keep the child out there on the fire-escape. + +_Peggy_. He'll be all right, dear. It's the coolest place there is. + +_Will_. If only we could get him to the park-- + +_Peggy_. I know, but we can't. (_Sits at table._) Now--you've got +the second act already? + +_Will_. Yes. Read it, and I'll get the dishes washed for you. (_Exit +left_.) + +_Peggy_ (_reads manuscript_). What's this? You've got a +drop-curtain? + +_Will_ (_off; rattling dishes_). Yes; I want to show Jack's +adventures. Read the directions. + +_Peggy_ (_reads_). Jack has been hunting a job, and has been unable +to find one. The drop-curtain shows a street-scene. (_The Play-play +begins to loom, as described._) A row of houses, just off Fifth +Avenue, having the front door on the street level in the modern +fashion. It is evening, and the ground is covered with snow. The +snow-shoveller is at work Right. His feet and hands are tied with +rags and his face is red with cold. (_The Play-play in full light._) + +_Jack_ (_enters Left in hobo-overcoat, shuffling, and dejected_). I +beg your pardon-- + +_Shoveller_. Hey? + +_Jack_. I beg your pardon-- + +_Shoveller_. What the devil ye beggin' me pardon for? + +_Jack_. I--I want to know--is that your shovel? + +_Shoveller_. Whose d'ye think it is? + +_Jack_. I mean--where did you get it? + +_Shoveller_ (_bridling_). You mean I stole it? + +_Jack_. No--no! I mean, I'd like to get one. (_The other pays no +heed._) You see, I'm up against it, and I thought perhaps I could +earn money shovelling snow. I'd like to get a shovel. (_The other +still pays no heed._) You wouldn't like to rent it for a while, +would you? + +_Shoveller_ (_with mock merriment_). And me live on me income, hey? + +_Jack._ I might help you, perhaps-- + +_Shoveller_. Say, young fellow, if you really want to help me, get a +hot water bottle an' hold it to me feet! + +_Jack (stands nonplussed, then turns away Left; as he is about to +exit he changes his mind, and rings the bell at the door of a house +Left. Butler comes_) I beg pardon-- + +_Butler_. Well, what d'ya want? + +_Jack_. Could I shovel the snow off your sidewalk? + +_Butler_ (_fiercely_). What d'ye mean by comin' to the front door? + +_Jack_. Oh, I forgot. + +_Butler_. Gow an with ye! + +_Jack_. Won't you give me a chance? + +_Butler_. Where's your shovel? + +_Jack_. Why--I haven't a shovel. + +_Butler_. Well, what d'ya mean to use? Your hands? + +_Jack_. I thought you might lend me-- + +_Butler_. Lend you! And me standin' out in the snow to watch ye +return it, hey? + +_Jack_ (_humbly_). I won't steal anything. I'm trying honestly to +earn the price of a shovel. + +_Butler_. If ye didn't spend your money in drink, ye might have the +price. + +_Jack_. I haven't had anything to drink--nor anything to eat either. + +_Butler_. Well, we ain't runnin' no breadline 'ere. Get along with +ye! _(Slams door.)_ + +_Jack (stands shaking his head meditatively)_ Gee! This is a cold +world! + +_Shoveller_. Say, young fellow! I'll tell ye what to do. + +_Jack_. What's that? + +_Shoveller_. Come back in August. Ye'll find it warmer. + +_Jack (wanders off muttering to himself)._ I've got to get a shovel! + +_Bill (appears at window Right)_. Say, Peggy! _(The Play-play +vanishes.)_ + +_Peggy_. What is it, dear? + +_Bill_. Can I have my paper soldiers? + +_Peggy_. Yes, dear. _(Hurries to get them.)_ Now be quiet, Bill. I'm +busy now. + +_Bill_. Where is Will? + +_Peggy_. Washing the dishes. + +_Bill_. Can't I help him? + +_Peggy_. No, dear--we've got to talk about this play we're writing. +Here are the soldiers. + +_Bill_. All right. _(Exit Right.)_ + +_Peggy (goes to entrance Left where dishes are heard rattling)_. How +are you making out? + +_Will (off Left)_. What do you think of my opening scenes? + +_Peggy_. Why, I think they could be better. You see, Will, you don't +really know anything about snow-shovellers or butlers. + +_Will_ (_appears in doorway Left, wiping a dish_). I've got a real +character for the next scene at least. I used Bill! + +_Peggy_. For heaven's sake! + +_Will_. As a street-gamin. + +_Peggy_. But Bill's not like a street-gamin. Such a child is full of +slang. + +_Will_. I thought of what Bill might have been if he'd been turned +out to shift for himself. I imagined the soul of a street-gamin in +the body of our Bill. + +_Peggy_. That sounds rather terrible. (_A pause_.) By the way, Will! +That love-interest you said was to come! Where is it? + +_Will_. I've hardly got into the act yet. + +_Peggy_. Well, you'd better get into your love-interest! + +_Will_. The next scene is to be another dropcurtain. A restaurant. +I'm using that one down our street. Read it. (_He disappears Left. +The Play-play begins to appear_.) + +_Peggy_ (_reads_). Scene shows a cheap restaurant on Third Avenue. +Piles of shredded wheat and charlotte russe in the windows. Night +scene, snow on ground. (_Full light on the Play-play_.) + +_Bill_ (_wanders on Right, stops and gazes into window_). Gee, but +that's great lookin' shredded wheat! + +_Jack_ (_enters Left, dejected-looking, and joins Bill_). You +hungry, too, kid? + +_Bill._ I could eat the whole hay-stack at one meal. (_Moves along +to another part of the window._) Holy smoke, if they'd turn me loose +in them charlotte-russes! + +_Jack._ I wonder how many charlotte russes a man could eat at one +meal. + +_Bill._ Say, I wisht I was a rich man! I'd go youse a race at 'em! +(_A silence; turns away._) Gee, I can't bear to look at 'em any +more! + +_Jack_ (_joins him down stage_). When did you eat last? + +_Bill._ I had sinkers and coffee this mornin'. What did youse have? + +_Jack._ I had a glass of water in the public library. + +_Bill._ Hully gee! And when did youse eat last? + +_Jack._ Yesterday morning I had a slice of bread. + +_Bill_ (_startled_). Gawd a'mighty! That all? + +_Jack._ True as gospel. + +_Bill_ (_warming to him_). Why say! Youse _are_ up agin it! + +_Jack._ I am, for fair. + +_Bill._ What's the matter? + +_Jack._ Can't find any work. + +_Bill._ Work? T'hell with work! Why don't yous slam the gates? + +_Jack._ Why don't I _what?_ + +_Bill._ I mean, why don't youse panhandle it? + +_Jack._ I don't understand. + +_Bill._ Gee! Where was youse raised--in the hayfields? I mean, why +don't youse git up a hard luck story? + +_Jack._ Beg? + +_Bill._ Sure! + +_Jack._ I tried it some, but nobody'll listen to me. + +_Bill._ Why, youse poor helpless orphan! Somebody ought to take +youse in hand and show youse. + +_Jack (eagerly)._ Do you suppose you could do it? + +_Bill._ Sure I could--teach youse in an hour or two! + +_Jack (hesitatingly)._ But you don't make so very much yourself, do +you! + +_Bill._ Sure I do--I got lots o' the stuff. Only I got a step-father +I have to keep full of booze. He'll be out lookin' for me now, I +reckon. _(Looks about sharply)._ Say, youse come back here after a +bit. I'll go an' get him spotted, an' then we'll frame up a good +hard-luck story, an' we'll get the price of that there hay-stack. +You get me, old pal? + +_Jack._ Yes, I get you--only I'll freeze in the meantime. + +_Bill._ Youse keep movin'. Hustle along now! + +_Jack._ All right. _(Goes off Left stamping his feet, blowing his +fingers.)_ + +_Bill._ Youse come back now! Don't fergit! _(Stands looking after +Jack.)_ Gee! I like that guy! + +_Peggy._ Will! _(Faint light on the Real-play.)_ + +_Will. (Off.)_ What is it? + +_Peggy._ You're sending him off! But where's the heart interest? + +_Will._ It's coming right now! + +_Peggy._ What's it to be? + +_Will (appears Left with dishes in arms)._ Why, dearest, there's +only one thing it could be! + +_Peggy._ What is that? + +_Will._ You know I have only one heart-interest! + +_Peggy (looks at him, then rises and steps to him, with Mss. in her +hand)._ You dear, sweet boy? + +_Will (steps back out of sight)._ Look out for my dishes! _(as Peggy +follows off, sounds of kisses heard)_ My heart-interest! My dear, +blessed heart-interest! My only heart-interest in the world! _(Full +light rises slowly on the Play-play. The door of restaurant opens, +and Peggy appears in the entrance, as Belle, with a waitress's +costume. She stands gazing out, as if getting breath of fresh air, +being ill. Then she draws back and closes the door.)_ + +_Jack (enters Left)._ Gee, I never thought it would be as bad as +this! _(goes to window of restaurant)_ I've got to get something to +eat--there's no use talking about it! I don't believe that kid is +coming back! I don't believe he could help me, anyway! _(wanders +back and forth again, goes to door, hesitates)_ I want something to +_eat!_ I don't care what happens, I can't stand it! _(enters door of +restaurant)._ + +_Bill (pokes head in from fire-escape)._ Say, Peggy! (_Play-play +fades._) + +_Peggy (appears in doorway, Left, having Mss. in her hand)._ Oh, +Bill! You startled me so! + +_Bill._ What's the matter? + +_Peggy._ I thought you, were out in the snow! + +_Bill._ In the SNOW. + +_Peggy._ Why, you see-- + +_Bill._ Snow in the middle of July? + +_Peggy._ Why, you see, dear, Will is writing a play, and the play is +supposed to be in winter, and he's got you in the snow. + +_Bill (in excitement). Me? Me_ in Will's play! + +_Peggy._ Yes. + +_Bill._ Oh, say! What's he doin' to me? + +_Peggy._ I'll tell you all about it when he's finished. + +_Bill._ Say! I got to see that play! + +_Peggy._ Oh, surely! + +_Bill (seriously)._ Suppose I don't like what he's done to me! + +_Peggy (to Will, who appears Left, wiping a dish)._ Another critic, +Will! (_to Bill_) Now you must let us alone. Climb out, dear, and +don't disturb us again until we're done. + +_Bill._ All right. I'll hold my breath (_climbs out_). + +_Will._ Well, what do you think of it? + +_Peggy._ Let's go on; I want to see more. (_They sit at the desk._) + +_Will._ The next is the interior of the restaurant. You know just +how it looks--the one down our street. I've got to use two more +characters from real life. First, that big Irish policeman on our +beat. I must talk to him some more and make sure I've got his +dialect right. + +_Peggy._ You never would have talked to him at all, if I hadn't put +you up to it! + +_Will._ Then, there's the restaurant keeper. For him I took Schmidt, +our grocer. + +_Peggy._ You _have_ to talk to Schmidt--because we can't pay his +bills! + +_Will._ I see him sitting at the cashier's desk, reading a paper. +_(Interior of restaurant, with Schmidt.)_ It's nearly midnight, you +see, and there's only one customer. _(Full light on Play-play. Peggy +and Will make quick secret exit.)_ + +_Schmidt._ Vell, dis is vun bad night for business! _(Customer +grunts, having mouth full.)_ I tink ve have too much snow already +dis vinter! _(Customer grunts again.)_ You have some dessert, sir? +Vere is dot vaitress hey? _(Calls.)_ Hey, you! Belle! + +_Belle (off Left)._ Yes, sir! + +_Schmidt._ Vy you don't stay in de room by de customers? Hey? + +_Belle (enters, evidently weak and ill, supports herself by the +chair)._ I--I was busy, sir. + +_Schmidt._ Vell, you stay busy by de customers! + +_Jack (enters from street, hesitating)._ I beg pardon-- + +_Schmidt._ Hey? + +_Jack._ Can I get something to eat? + +_Schmidt._ Vy not? + +_Jack._ It's late. + +_Schmidt._ Ve close by midnight. + +_Jack. (hesitates again, looks at clock, then goes to table. Belle +brings napkin, etc., mechanically. He looks at card)._ I'll have a +beef-stew. _(Hesitates.)_ I think I'll have a double order. + +_Belle._ Yes, sir. + +_Jack._ And a cup of coffee. + +_Belle._ Yes, sir. _(Goes Left feebly. Customer rises, pays check +and exit. Belle brings order, and Jack begins to eat voraciously. +Suddenly Belle staggers and catches at a chair. He starts.)_ + +_Jack._ Why, you're ill! + +_Belle (faintly)._ No, sir! No! + +_Jack._ But you are! + +_Belle (gazing in terror at Schmidt, who is reading)._ Ssh! Mr. +Schmidt will hear you. + +_Jack (hesitates, then begins to eat again, but keeping an eye on +Belle, who makes desperate efforts to keep steady)._ + +_Schmidt (looks up from paper, gazes through window and rises)._ Vat +for a night for business! _(Goes Left, yawning; exit.)_ + +_Jack (still eating rapidly)._ You _have_ to work? + +_Belle_. Of course! + +_Jack_. Have you no friends--no people? + +_Belle_ (_hesitates_). I'm not supposed to talk to customers. + +_Jack_. But I'm asking you questions. + +_Belle_ (_gazing nervously Left_). Yes, but I mustn't talk. (_She +clutches chair_.) + +_Jack_ (_springs up_). My God, you're done up. Sit down. + +_Belle_ (_in terror_). No, no, no! He'll hear you! He'd not keep me +if he thought I was sick. + +_Jack_. Damn his soul! Have you no one to take care of you? + +_Belle_. I have a sister, sir. But she can't earn enough for two. +Please let me be. + +_Jack_. Poor little girl! + +_Belle_. I'll be all right. It's near closing time. I'm +tired--that's all. + +_Jack_. What time do you come on? + +_Belle_. At ten o'clock, sir. + +_Jack_. What, in the morning? + +_Belle_. Yes. + +_Jack_. Fourteen hours! And you have to stand up? + +_Belle_. Of course. + +_Jack_. The whole time? + +_Belle_. Oh, no! I have time for two meals. + +_Jack_. And that's all? + +_Belle_. It's the same everywhere, sir. They don't like you to sit +down. It wouldn't look right. (_Seeing Schmidt entering Left_). Will +you have some dessert, sir? + +_Jack_. No, not yet. (_He finishes food, then turns to Schmidt, +hesitatingly_.) See here, my friend. + +_Belle_ (_in terror_). No, no! + +_Jack_ (_waving her aside_). I'm sorry, my friend, but I'm afraid +you'll have to have me arrested. + +_Schmidt_. Hey? Vot? + +_Jack_. You'll have to have me arrested. + +_Schmidt_. Vot you mean? + +_Jack_. I mean--I've eaten a meal and I haven't any money to pay for +it. + +_Schmidt_. No money! + +_Jack_. Not a cent. + +_Schmidt_. Aber--vy--how you dare? + +_Jack_. I was starving. I have walked the streets for two days +begging for work, and I can't find any. I am wet, chilled to the +bone, exhausted. Look at me---- + +_Schmidt_ (_in excitement_). Vot I got to do mit your looks? + +_Jack_. I had to have something to eat. + +_Schmidt_. But vy should _I_ feed you? Vy you come by _me_? + +_Jack_. I'll work for you, if I may. + +_Schmidt_. Vork? I don't vant no vork! I got all the vork as I need. +I vant customers! + +_Jack._ You'll have to have me arrested, then. + +_Schmidt._ Arrested? Vot good will it do me if I have you arrested? +You tink I earn my living by having you arrested? Mein Gott in +Himmel, vot---- + +_Jack._ There's no use in getting excited, my friend. + +_Schmidt._ Excited? I get excited if I _please_ to get excited! Vot +you got for business to tell me if I get excited? I show you vot I +get! _(Rushes to door.)_ Police! Police! _(Rushes back.)_ If I did +not vant a police, he stand by my door and hold out his hand for +sandwiches! If you have to steal food, why you don't go by +Schnitzelman on der next block--he haf a big place, und I can yust +mein expenses not make. + +_Jack._ I'm sorry, truly. But what could I do? + +_Schmidt._ I dunno vot you do, but you keep out from mein place. Dey +comes me somebody every veek und plays me dot trick, und den tells +me I get dem arrested! _(Rushes to door.)_ Find me a police! I keep +dis man here till I find a police! Help! Police! police! _(Exit +shouting)._ + +_Jack (to Belle)._ God knows I'm sorry. But I can't help you. You +see, I can't even help myself. + +_Belle._ Are you really as bad off as you said? + +_Jack._ I am clean down and out. + +_Schmidt (rushes back)._ All right! Now I got a police! I show you! +You come und rob a man! I show you! + +_Policeman (enters Center; a big red-faced Irishman)._ An' phat's +this, now? + +_Schmidt._ Policeman, you arrest him und you take him to jail. He +comes by my place und he eats my food und den he tells me he don't +pay me. + +_Policeman (to Jack)._ Phat's the matter wid yez? + +_Jack._ Officer, I had to have something to eat--I was starving. I +have walked the streets for two days, begging for a job, and I've +not been able to earn a penny. I was desperate. + +_Policeman (grasping Jack)._ Where do yez live, young divvil? + +_Jack._ I've come from--a long way off. And I've been +unfortunate--lost my money. I've tried my best. I'm willing to +work---- + +_Policeman._ Why didn't yez ask him for work? + +_Schmidt._ I don't vant his vork. I vant his money, or you takes him +to jail. + +_Policeman._ An' phat might his bill be? + +_Jack._ Thirty-five cents. + +_Policeman (to Schmidt)._ Do yez think I've no more to do than +arrestin' people for thirty-five cents? + +_Schmidt (excitedly)._ Can I feed all the tramps on dis Avenue by my +place? I say you arrest him! + +_Policeman._ Well, all right--if that's it. Come along here. + +_Belle._ Mr. Schmidt. + +_Schmidt._ Hey? + +_Belle._ Let me pay what he owes you. + +_Schmidt._ Hey? + +_Jack._ No! + +_Belle._ Let me pay it. He's a friend of mine, and I don't want him +arrested. + +_Jack._ No, no--I won't have it. + +_Belle._ You can pay me back. You'll get a job soon. Mr. Schmidt, +will you take it out of my next wages? + +_Jack._ I say no! + +_Belle._ You can't help it. Just take it out of my wages, and let +him alone--that'll settle it, won't it? + +_Schmidt._ Ja, wohl, if you say it so. I haf no more to do mit it! +_(goes Left in anger)._ + +_Belle._ That's all right, isn't it, officer? + +_Policeman._ Yez kin call yourself lucky, young feller. Next time +I'll not let yez off so aisy _(exit Center)._ + +_Jack (stands gazing at Belle)._ Oh, say! That was awfully decent of +you! I don't know how to thank you. + +_Belle._ You needn't thank me. + +_Jack._ But--why did you do it? + +_Belle._ Because I didn't want you to go to jail. A fellow gets +started at that, and he doesn't know where to stop. + +_Jack._ You make me feel like a dog, because I can't help you. I had +no business to come here! + +_Belle._ Don't make so much out of it. We have to give each other a +hand now and then--we'd none of us pull through if we didn't. + +_Jack._ I've done nothing to deserve a hand! + +_Belle._ You showed me a little kindness. Can't you understand how +that might be worth something? + +_Jack (looking at her keenly)._ When you're sick and discouraged and +lonely--yes. _(with sudden intensity)_ By Jove, I _do_ understand! +I've wandered up and down these streets all day and all night, and I +never dreamed of such loneliness! I could have gone and drowned +myself in the river. + +_Belle._ I've thought of that too--but did you ever go and look in? +It's even more lonely in the river. + +_Jack (hesitates)._ I wish you'd let me be a friend of yours +_(laughs with a touch of embarrassment)._ It's a queer way to get an +introduction. + +_Belle._ I don't mind that. I can see when a man is straight--when I +can trust him. + +_Jack (looks about)._ Well, I suppose I've got to go _(hesitates)._ +Gee! _(looks outside)._ Brr-r! It's cold out there! + +_Belle._ Have you no place to go? + +_Jack._ I have not _(starts, then hesitates)._ Gee! I wish I had a +job here. Somehow it seems kind of homelike in this place! +_(pantomime showing Jack's reluctance)._ Well--I suppose I've got to +go on. Say--do you suppose they need another waiter here. + +_Belle._ I don't know. You might ask. + +_Jack (goes to Schimidt)._ I say, Mr. Schmidt, you couldn't use +another waiter here, could you? + +_Schmidt._ I could not. Move along now, or I call anodder police! + +_Jack (returns to Belle)._ Gee, it must be tough for a girl like you +to be ordered about by a great hulking brute of a Dutchman who has +no thought in the world but his cash-drawer! Well, I've got to go. +May I come here to eat some time--if I can get the money? + +_Belle._ Yes, surely. + +_Jack._ Well, good-bye! + +_Belle._ Good-bye _(she staggers slightly and he looks at her +sharply)._ + +_Jack._ Why, what's the matter with you? + +_Belle._ Nothing. I'm--I'm just a little weak _(catches herself by +the chair)._ + +_Jack (supporting her)._ Why--she's fainting! Here! _(To Schmidt)_ +Bring me some water. She is ill. + +_Belle (feebly)._ No! I'm all right! + +_Jack (to Schmidt)._ Hand me that water here. Quick, man! _(Schmidt +obeys, dazed by his vehemence.)_ There, that's better? _(Settles +Belle in chair.)_ Didn't you know the girl was ill? + +_Schmidt._ She haf not told me! + +_Jack._ One look would have told you. She ought to go home and stay +in bed for a week. + +She ought to be sent away somewhere--the city is no place for one in +her condition. _(Belle leans Her head against the table.)_ There! +There! _(Pats her on the arm.)_ Why, she's as thin as a rail! How +could you work a girl so? + +_Schmidt._ Who is to do her work? + +_Jack._ I'll do it myself-- + +_Schmidt._ You? + +_Jack._ Of course. Why can't I do it? Why can't I do it right along? + +_Schmidt._ Vot? Take her place? + +_Jack._ Certainly. Let her go home and stay. + +_Belle._ No, no! I can't give up. + +_Jack._ It won't be giving up. It'll be resting. I'll bring you the +money--I can pay you back that way. + +_Belle._ But how will you live? + +_Jack._ I don't know. I'll make out. He'll feed me. _(To Schmidt.)_ +You give me a chance. I'll show you what I can do. Here _(takes +Belle's apron and puts it on)._ Now, then--bring on your customers! +I've been a waiter all my life! + +_Belle._ I can't let you. + +_Jack._ You go and rest. I'll help you home when we close _(starts +leading her Left)._ + +_Belle._ My sister comes for me. + +_Jack._ All right. But you have a rest meantime _(exit with Belle)._ + +_Schmidt._ Humph! You don't vait to hear vot I say! _(he paces up +and down in anger)._ Vot you tink of dot for nerve, hey? He comes by +mine place und he hires himself to vork for me, und he don't ask if +I vant him! Vell, I feed him vot I feed a girl. I don't feed him no +double orders! _(shakes his fist at exit Left)_ No sir! I feed you +on single orders, und if you vant double orders, you go by +Schnitzelman on der next block! I make no money in der restaurant +business, I got to pay more vages for my cook, und den she don't +stay! Und I got to pay more for food, und it ain't so good as it +vas, und mine customers find it out und dey don't come back to me! +You get no double orders by me, you hear me, sir? _(exit Left, +storming) (suddenly the bell rings in the Real-play Left. Play-play +vanishes.)_ + +_Will (starting)._ What's that? + +_Bill (leaping in at window)._ Somebody's at the door! + +_Peggy (starts to door Left)._ I'll see. + +_Bill (running past her)._ Let me see! _(opens door)_ Oh, it's Mr. +Schmidt! + +_Peggy._ Mr. _Schmidt?_ + +_Bill._ Our grocer. + +_Schmidt (appears in doorway of Real-play, wearing same costume)._ +Good afternoon, lady. + +_Peggy._ Oh, Mr. Schmidt. Good afternoon, Mr. Schmidt. + +_Schmidt._ I come to see ven you pay me dot bill, lady. + +_Peggy._ I'm sorry, Mr. Schmidt, we haven't the money yet. + +_Schmidt._ But you told me you haf dot money soon! + +_Peggy._ I know--Mr. Schmidt-- + +_Schmidt._ I _got_ to haf dot money, lady! + +_Will._ Can't you see I'm working as hard as I can? + +_Schmidt._ I dunno vot you do for vorking. I dunno vy if you vork +you don't haf money to pay your grocer bills. + +_Will._ Well, I know about my work better than you, I guess!-- + +_Peggy._ Now, Will--be quiet. Listen, Mr. Schmidt--we've had hard +luck the last few days, but we're honest people, and we won't cheat +you out of your money. + +_Schmidt._ You don't come by my place for some days, now, hey? + +_Peggy._ We haven't had money to buy anything, Mr. Schmidt. + +_Schmidt._--Vot you do for food den--hey? + +_Peggy._ We had a little bread--and those beans you gave us--and the +prunes. We've been living on them. + +_Schmidt._ But dem beans und prunes--dey should be all gone now. + +_Peggy._ We've been sparing. There's enough for to-morrow morning +yet. + +_Schmidt._ Hey? Mein Gott! Und vot you feed dot liddle boy, hey? + +_Peggy._ We're hoping for a check to-day--or perhaps to-morrow. My +husband wrote a poem, and a magazine has just published it-- + +_Schmidt_. Poem, hey? Vot dey pay for poems? + +_Peggy_. I don't know. Maybe twenty or thirty dollars. And then we +can pay your bill, and you'll let us have some more beans. + +_Schmidt_. It is not right dot liddle boy should live on beans! +(_stands scratching his head_) I dunno, lady, I dunno--it is not +right your husband should vork and not get paid. I got mine own +bills to pay--und I don't make no money by my store. But you can't +feed dot liddle boy on beans und prunes. You come to my place now, +und I give you some pickles und some sauerkraut. + +_Peggy_. Oh, thank you, Mr. Schmidt! + +_Will_ (_desperately_). We'll truly pay you, Mr. Schmidt! + +_Peggy_. If my husband can't sell his work, I'm going back on the +stage. I was an actress before I married. + +_Schmidt_. All right, lady, I trust you. Good-bye, liddle boy. + +_Bill, Will, and Peggy_. Good-bye, Mr. Schmidt! (_Schmidt exit._) + +_Peggy_ (_turning to Will_). There now--off in your local color! + +_Will_. How? + +_Peggy_. Have you forgotten what you made Jack say about Mr. +Schmidt: a great hulking brute of a Dutchman, who has no thought of +anything in the world but his cash-drawer! + +_Will_. Well--I have to have a story! + +_Peggy._ But you don't have to have such a melancholy story! + +_Will._ Yes I do! + +_Peggy._ But why? + +_Will._ Because that's the sort of story I'm writing! Come along +now. (_turns to papers. Bell rings again._) Oh, Lord! + +_Peggy (opens door Left)._ What's this? + +_The Policeman._ Good-day, mum. + +_Peggy and Will._ Why--good-day. + +_Policeman._ I come to see yez, mum. Yez have a mattress on yer +fire-escape, mum. + +_Peggy._ Why--yes. + +_Policeman._ It's agin the law mum, and yez could be got into +trooble. I got strict orders, mum--yez must have it in. + +_Peggy._ Oh, very well. I didn't know. + +_Policeman_ Yez kin see how 'tis, mum. If there'd be a fire-- + +_Peggy._ Oh, certainly, certainly. But you see, it's the only place +we have to put the little boy while we're writing. + +_Policeman._ Oh, is that so? Well, now, that's too bad! Sure, +mum----well, 'tis on the back fire-escape the mattress is, an' I'd +no business to be seein' it, had I? I'll fergit that I seen it. + +_Peggy._ Oh! Thank you. + +_Policeman._ And how is the little b'y, mum? + +_Peggy._ He's pretty well, thank you. + +_Policeman._ He's a bit pale in the cheeks, I'm thinkin'. Yez should +have him over to the park a bit more. Well, good-day to yez, mum. + +_Peggy, Bill and Will._ Good-day. + +_Peggy._ There, Will! Off in your local color again. I'll bet you +the Policeman would have paid Jack's bill himself! + +_Will (irritably)._ Well, for God's sake, Peggy, what sort of a +story would you leave me? Have I got to write cheap cheer-up stuff? + +_Peggy._ Now don't be cross, dear. + +_Will._ Well, I know--but---- + +_Peggy (embraces him)._ Poor dear! He's working so hard and he does +get cross with his critics. Hurry up, Bill, and get outside, or +he'll snap your head off! Quick! Fly! + +_Bill (exit to fire-escape)._ Gee! I'm glad I ain't writing a play! + +_Peggy._ Now, come on. I'm interested in this. Where were we? + +_Will._ The scene is in the restaurant. Schmidt is on---- + +_Peggy._ I thought he went off! + +_Will._ Well, there's no law to prevent his coming back, is there? +(_The Play-play begins to appear._) He's grumbling because he thinks +Jack will eat too much. (_Full light on Play-play. Peggy and Will +make secret exit._) + +_Schmidt._ I send him by Schnitzelman on der next block! I send him +so soon as I find him eating double orders! He haf noddings to eat +for two days und he comes by me to make it up! (_Sits at desk, and +takes newspaper._) + +_Bill (enters Center, hesitating)._ Say! + +_Schmidt._ Vot? + +_Bill._ Kin I git something to eat here? + +_Schmidt._ You got any money? + +_Bill._ Sure I got money. + +_Schmidt._ Let me see it. + +_Bill._ Hully gee! Before I eat? + +_Schmidt._ You get noddings in my place till I see your money! + +_Bill._ Gee! Since when is this? Here! _(Shows money.)_ + +_Schmidt._ A nickel? You don't get much fer a nickel! _(Calls.)_ +Hey, you! Vaiter! Vy, you don't come for my customers? + +_Jack (rushes in Left)._ Here! _(Sees Bill.)_ Oh, hello! It's the +kid! + +_Bill._ Whatcher doin' here? + +_Jack (comes up to him, whispers)._ I got a job! + +_Bill._ Hully gee! + +_Jack._ A fine job! No wages--but I'll get my grub every day. + +_Bill._ Well, I want grub too! I got the stuff! + +_Jack (excitedly)._ A customer! _(Turns to Schmidt.)_ See, Mr. +Schmidt, a customer already! _(Rushes with alacrity to table.)_ Have +a seat, sir. Your hat, sir. _(Hangs it up.)_ There, sir. Here's the +menu, sir. + +_Bill._ Say, Cully, whatcher givin' us? + +_Jack._ Ssh! _(Aloud.)_ What will you have, sir? Sweet bread +croquettes, sir? We have delicious sweet-bread croquettes today. Or +perhaps you'd like--let me see, sir. _(Snatches menu.)_ Corned beef +hash, sir, or possibly a charlotte russe. + +_Bill._ Say, what the blazes---- + +_Jack._ Your napkin, sir. Your knife and fork, sir. You'll have a +glass of water, of course, sir! _(Rushes for water.)_ There, sir, +you'll have bread and butter, sir? + +_Bill._ I'll have a ham sandwich. + +_Jack._ Ah! Most wholesome food--ham sandwiches! As quickly as +possible, sir. + +_Bill._ Make it a big one. + +_Jack (aside)._ You bet I will. _(Hurries Left, gets sandwich and +returns.)_ There's your sandwich. Ain't that a lulu? _(To Schmidt.)_ +See, Mr. Schmidt! Trade's picking up already. + +_Schmidt._ Yes, I see--I make my fortune by you. + +_(Belle enters Left, looks about.)_ + +_Belle._ Has my sister come for me? + +_Jack._ Not yet. _(Goes over to Belle.)_ Feeling any better? + +_Belle._ I'm pretty tired. + +_Jack (a pause)._ Tell me--how long have you been doing this? +Waiting, I mean. + +_Belle._ Four years. + +_Jack._ And how long do you expect to do it? + +_Belle._ How should I know. What other chance have I? I can make +just enough to keep going from week to week, and Dolly the same. +It's like being in a trap. + +_Jack._ I never realized it before. _(A pause.)_ Was it always like +this? + +_Belle._ No, we had a chance while father was alive. He was a +railroad conductor. He was killed in an accident. + +_Jack._ And didn't you get any damages? + +_Belle._ They said it was his fault. He stepped in front of an +express. They paid for his funeral. + +_Jack._ And then you were stranded? + +_Belle._ We had enough to come to New York. We heard that wages were +higher here. But everything else is higher, and you can't save +anything. You're really worse off in New York, because nobody cares +whether you starve or not. + +_Jack._ Nobody cares! _(With sudden intensity.)_ Listen, Belle. I +care! I honestly do. I want to help you to get out of this! + +_Belle._ But how can you help me? + +_Jack._ I don't know, but I'll find a way. There must be a way! It's +too cruel--it can't be true that people starve to death in the midst +of so much wealth. + +_Belle._ You don't know much about being poor, I see. + +_Bill (Has finished sandwich, rises and comes over, pats himself)._ +Gee! + +_Jack._ Good stuff, hey? + +_Bill._ Betcher. + +_Jack._ You'll come again then? + +_Bill._ Sure thing. + +_Jack (to Schmidt, who rises and crosses Left)._ You see, Mr. +Schmidt! He'll come again! + +_Schmidt._ Yes, I make my fortune by you _(exit Left)._ + +_Bill._ Gee, I allus wisht I had a job in a restaurant! Or in a +candy store! Well, so long, old pal. + +_Jack._ So long. + +_Bill (starts Right, then stops)._ Say! + +_Jack._ Well? + +_Bill (coming to him)._ Here's your nickel. + +_Jack._ Good Lord, I forgot it! + +_Bill._ Youse'll be a great help to this joint! + +_Jack (takes it)._ I suppose I must take it. _(Puts it in his +pocket.)_ + +_Bill (staring at him)._ Gee, is it a tip? + +_Jack._ What do you mean? + +_Bill (grins)._ Huh. + +_Belle._ You've got to ring it up on the cash register. + +_Jack._ Oh! _(Laughs and goes to cash desk.)_ How do you work the +infernal thing? + +_Bill._ Press the five---- + +_Jack._ There! _(Rings.)_ + +_Bill._ Gawd-a'mighty, that's five dollars! + +_Jack._ Five DOLLARS? + +_Bill._ Sure! + +_Jack._ But--what shall I do now? + +_Bill._ Give me four ninety-five change and then we'll be square. + +_Jack (making a stab at him)._ Get out, you rascal! + +_Bill (flees, laughing)._ Gee, I'll come back to this joint! +_(Exit.)_ + +_Belle._ It's most time we were closing. My sister's late. + +_Jack._ What does your sister do? + +_Belle._ She does sewing. + +_Jack._ Does she earn much? + +_Belle._ Just enough to keep us alive. + +_Dolly (enters from street. She is older than Belle, attractive +looking, but sharp and aggressive in manner, thin and careworn, +poorly dressed, and with snow on her clothing.)_ Why, what's this? + +_Jack._ Belle's sick. + +_Dolly (springs to her)._ Belle! What's the matter? + +_Belle (looks up feebly)._ Just tired, Dolly. + +_Dolly._ But him? In your apron. + +_Jack._ I told her I'd do the work and give her the money. She needs +a rest. + +_Dolly._ But what's that for? + +_Jack._ Well, I came in here and ate a meal, and she stood for the +bill. Now I want to help her. + +_Dolly (vehemently)._ You're trying to steal her job! + +_Belle._ Oh, Dolly! + +_Jack._ I want to give her the money! + +_Dolly._ Who's to make you? + +_Jack._ Fix it up with the old man. If he'll feed me, that's all +I'll ask. He can pay the money to you. + +_Dolly._ What do you take my sister for? + +_Jack._ Why---- + +_Dolly._ You've struck the wrong girls. We're not that kind. + +_Jack._ What kind? + +_Dolly._ Let me tell you, young fellow, you can't work your games on +me. You let my sister alone. + +_Jack._ Good Lord! What do you take me for? + +_Dolly._ I take you for a man. And you don't get any hold on my +sister! + +_Belle._ Dolly! You---- + +_Dolly._ You keep out of this, I'll talk to him. + +_Jack (impetuously)._ Look here! I want to help your sister. I won't +stand by and see her die. + +_Dolly._ What's it to you if she does? + +_Jack._ Didn't she save me from jail? + +_Dolly._ That wasn't much. + +_Jack._ It was her best. Now I want to do mine. Listen to me! Let +Belle have a chance. It's been a long time since she's had one, I +fancy. + +_Dolly._ That's true enough. But she'll be on her job tomorrow. + +_Jack._ She's ill. + +_Dolly._ She's been ill a long time. + +_Jack._ She can't go on forever! And what then? Can you take her +job? + +_Dolly._ See here, young fellow--you might just as well save your +breath. You're not going to come any game over me. We're not making +any show, but we've kept decent, and we'll go on trying. + +_Jack._ Where did you learn such ideas? What sort of men have you +met? + +_Dolly._ That's not the question--it's what sort of men my sister's +going to meet! + +_Belle._ Dolly, I'm sure you're mistaken about Jack---- + +_Dolly (to Schmidt, who enters Left)._ Mr. Schmidt, my sister will +be here to work to-morrow morning. + +_Schmidt._ Vot? + +_Belle._ But, Dolly---- + +_Dolly (stamping her foot)._ Tell him! + +_Belle (feebly)._ All right, I'll come. + +_Dolly._ Now then--come home. _(Lifts her by the arm and starts to +street.)_ + +_Belle._ Good-bye, Jack. + +_Jack._ You're going off like that? You won't even let me help you +home? + +_Belle._ Thank you, Jack. I'll get along. _(Jack starts towards her, +but she continues to the door. When almost there she staggers.)_ + +_Dolly (trying to hold her)._ Belle! What's the matter? + +_Jack (leaps to help her)._ There! You see! You'll _have_ to let me +help her! She can't walk, I tell you! See now, I'm strong, I can +almost carry her. This way, Belle--now we'll go all right. And +you'll have a good rest and get well and then come back----_(Exit +with Belle and Dolly.)_ + +_Schmidt._ Und they go out und don't tell me who is coming back in +der morning! Und dey leave me to shut up mine restaurant by +mineself! _(Shakes fist.)_ All right! Ven you come back to-morrow I +send you up to Schnitzelman on der next block! I don't have you come +by my restaurant und eat double orders of beef stew und coffee! No, +sir! I run mine little restaurant for mineself a while! I got so +many debts, und I don't get no customers, I don't make no money by +mine liddle place! When you come back here you don't find no +job--you go up to Schnitzelman for your double orders! _(Loud fire +alarm heard. Play-play fades.)_ + +_Will._ What's that? + +_Bill (at window Right)._ It's a fire! + +_Will._ What? + +_Bill._ Look! It's right down the street! _(Sounds of fire-bells and +shouts heard in Real-play.)_ Fire! Fire! + +_Peggy (sharply)._ Don't lean out! _(Runs to him.)_ + +_Bill (beside himself with excitement)._ Oh! It's right down the +street! It's the restaurant! That little restaurant down the street! +Fire! Fire! _(Turns to Peggy and Will.)_ Come, quick! Where's my +cap? _(Rushes and gets cap, starts to door.)_ The restaurant's on +fire! + +_Peggy._ Wait, Bill! + +_Bill._ But I want to see it! + +_Peggy._ You can't go alone. + +_Bill._ Then come with me! Come with me! I've got to see it! +(_Dancing with excitement._) Come on! Come on! Perhaps we can get +some of those charlotte russes in the window! + +_Will (rising resignedly)._ We'll have to stop work. + +_Bill._ Oh, I hear the engine coming! Hurry! Hurry! They'll have it +all out! _(Rushes to window.)_ Oh, look! Look! There's the engine! +_(Peggy holding him.)_ Look, Peggy! See the firemen! The engine's +stopping! See all the smoke! There's flames--don't you see? Out of +the window of the little restaurant! Oh, gee! Look how the firemen +run! They've got axes! Oh! Oh! Oh! They're smashing in the windows! +Look, they're running out the hose! See them--they're going into +the restaurant! One after another--into the smoke! Look at that, +Peggy! Hurrah! Hurrah! Charlotte russes to burn! + +CURTAIN. + + + + +ACT III. + + +_Scene: The attic, the following evening. The Play-play shows a +tenement room. Entrance to hall Left; also a small stove. In center +a table. Entrance to another room, Right._ + +_At rise: The Real-play, showing Will buried in his manuscripts, +Left. Peggy Right at the cot, where there is a substitute child, +representing Bill asleep._ + +_Peggy (goes and watches Will)._ Well, how goes the Pot-boiler? + +_Will._ Almost through. + +_Peggy._ Will, do you think it can be good if you do it so fast? + +_Will._ I can't do it any other way, dear. I have to throw it off at +white heat. We can go back and revise it. + +_Peggy._ You look dreadfully pale, dear. + +_Will._ I know--I'm tired. + +_Peggy._ You promised you wouldn't work right after meals. How is +your stomach? + +_Will._ Oh, bother my stomach! I can't keep away from this work, +there's no use talking about it. Come see what you make of this +manuscript. _(Peggy sits.)_ I want to show a front scene, the same +as in the last act. It's the restaurant again. _(The Play-play +begins to appear as in Scene II, Act II, but showing restaurant in +ruins.)_ It's morning. There's a difference, you see. The place has +been burned out. + +_Peggy._ Yes, Bill and I had a look at it! + +_Will._ There's the policeman on guard, marching up and down; and +Bill comes on. Here, read it. _(Full light on the Play-play.)_ + +_Bill._ Hello! What's happened? + +_Policeman._ I'll give yez three guesses! + +_Bill._ A fire! + +_Policeman._ Right yez are! + +_Bill._ When did it happen? + +_Policeman._ In the night. + +_Bill._ And where's Schmidt? + +_Policeman._ He's in jail. + +_Bill._ In jail? + +_Policeman._ Sure, the firemen smelled kerosene. + +_Bill._ Holy smoke! The poor old Dutchie! He set fire to his place! + +_Policeman._ That's what they say. I wasn't here. + +_Bill._ Well, I'll be switched! If I'd been here I might a' got some +charlotte russes! + +_Policeman._ With kerosene on them, belike! _(Starts Right.)_ + +_Bill._ Say, mister! Youse know that guy that was waiter here? + +_Policeman._ Yes. + +_Bill._ They didn't jug him, did they? + +_Policeman._ No. He's lookin' for his week's wages! _(Laughs; exit +Right.)_ + +_Bill._ Holy smoke! _(A murmur is heard from the child on cot Right. +The Play-play begins to fade. Faint light on the Real-play.)_ + +_Peggy (rises and goes over to cot; then returns to Will)._ He seems +to be more restless. Oh, I hope he's not going to be sick! + +_Will (In agitation)._ Don't let's get to thinking about that now! + +_Peggy._ All right, dear. + +_Will._ We're coming to the big scenes. I want to show the tenement +where Belle and Dolly live. _(The Play-play begins to appear.)_ +There's a room adjoining, where Jack stays. It's a few days after +the fire. Belle has gone out to get something for supper. Meantime +the land-lady comes. I used our landlady. + +_Peggy._ That ought to make a lively scene! + +_Will._ We're entitled to a little vengeance, I think imagine +her--with her ostrich feathers and her greasy old blue dress, her +sharp red nose and her fighting voice. I've got our landlady, you +bet! + +_Peggy._ Give it here. _(Full light on the Play-play. Peggy makes +secret exit. Repeated knocks at the door of Play-play Left.)_ + +_Landlady (opens door)._ Now, where's them people? _(Looks about +suspiciously.)_ Haven't skipped, I hope! _(Goes to room Right.)_ +Anybody in here? Humph! Looks like they're hard up! A bum lot! +_(Belle appears Left with shawl over shoulders and a loaf of bread +in her hand.)_ Oh! Here you are! I want that rent. + +_Belle._ Why do you come for it to-night? _(She stands in doorway, +as if afraid of the woman.)_ + +_Landlady._ Ain' it been due two weeks? + +_Belle._ But I told you we'd have it to-morrow. + +_Landlady._ Well, it's nearly to-morrow. I want to get it before +it's gone. + +_Belle._ But Dolly doesn't get home until very late. + +_Landlady._ You keep telling me about Dolly---- + +_Belle._ She said she'd have some money. I'll bring it to your room +as soon as she gets home. + +_Landlady._ All right. I've got sick of waitin' for that money! If +you haven't got it you can just move on, that's all! You might as +well understand---- + +_Belle (with gesture of distraction)._ Oh, all right! All right! +I've told you we're doing our best! _(Turns and rushes off Left.)_ + +_Landlady._ Well, now. Will you look at that! _(Paces up and down.)_ +They come and use your rooms and if you ask what's due you, they +turn and run! That's what it is to be a landlady! That's the way +they treat you! _(Calls.)_ Here! You don't need to move to-night! +_(Follows off Left; calling.)_ What are you running for? I'm not +going to eat you! But I want you to know I got to have that money--I +got my own bills to pay. _(A bell sounds in the Real-play and the +Play-play fades instantly.)_ + +_Will._ God! It seems to me that bell rings all day and all night! + +_Peggy (rising)._ Wait, dear. I'll answer it. + +_(Rises and goes to door. Will continues absorbed in manuscript.)_ + +_Landlady (at door of Real-play)._ Good-evening. I've come for the +rent. + +_Peggy._ I'm sorry, but you know I told you it would be a few days +yet. + +_Landlady._ How many days do you call a few? + +_Peggy._ Well, a day or two more. + +_Landlady._ That rent's overdue a month. You'll have to get it +somehow or quit. + +_Will (looking up from manuscript)._ Didn't I tell you you could +have it when Dolly gets home? + +_Landlady._ Dolly! Who's Dolly? + +_Will._ Oh, I----_(Laughs.)_ I beg pardon! + +_Peggy (laughing with him)._ You see, my husband's writing a play, +and Dolly is one of the characters in it. We're putting you in, too. + +_Landlady._ _Me?_ + +_Peggy._ Yes--I hope you won't mind. You see, he wanted somebody +that was interesting, that people would like to see on the stage---- + +_Will._ And when it comes out you can go and see it. + +_Peggy._ We'll get you tickets, you know. + +_Will._ We'll be delighted to place a box at your disposal. + +_Landlady._ Well, for the land's sake! _(Beaming.)_ What sort of a +character am I? + +_Will._ Why, you're the landlady in the play; there's a poor family +in distress, and you take pity on them, and help them in their +trouble. It's very touching--everybody will be moved to tears by it. + +_Landlady (suspiciously)._ Well now, that's all right, but I have to +have my rent. I have to pay the agent for this house. If you can't +pay me, I have to ask you to move. + +_Peggy._ Oh, surely you wouldn't do that! + +_Landlady._ Why wouldn't I? + +_Peggy._ Don't you see how it would be in the play? You'd be hard +and unmerciful. + +_Will._ Everybody would dislike you! + +_Peggy._ Think how ashamed you'd feel--before a whole theatre full +of people every night! + +_Will._ You see, you must live up to the character we've imagined. + +_Landlady._ Well, for the land's sake! _(Overcome by curiosity.)_ +When is this to be played? + +_Will._ Just as soon as I can get it done. + +_Landlady._ Well, don't be too long. I'd like to help you, but I +need my money as much as anybody. _(Grinning.)_ Well, now, ain't +that cute! In a play! Well, good luck to you! I'm sorry I +interrupted you, I hope it'll be all right. Good-evening. + +_Peggy and Will._ Good-evening. _(Landlady exit.)_ + +_Will._ Did you ever hear the equal of that? + +_Peggy._ Off in your local color again! + +_Will._ We can jolly her along for a month yet! + +_Peggy._ The landlady and the grocer--we can work forever! _(Child +tosses restlessly in sleep and murmurs.)_ + +_Peggy (rises and goes to cot, and soothes child)._ There, there, +Bill. _(To Will, who rises.)_ Dear, he's feverish. + +_Will._ Are you sure? + +_Peggy._ Oh, I ought to get the doctor! + +_Will._ We already owe the doctor. + +_Peggy._ I know--but he'd come if I asked him to. + +_Will._ What good could he do? He'd only tell us what we already +know--that you can't keep a child well if you shut him up in a +tenement room in hot summer weather, and feed him on beans and +prunes. + +_Peggy._ Will, listen to me. I can stand anything else--but if Bill +gets sick, we have to give up! Do you understand? I couldn't endure +that--I---- + +_Will (wildly)._ Why do we have to start that now? I want to finish +the play! _(Drags her to work-table.)_ Come! Sit down here and let's +get busy! Right off! Not another word! _(They sit side by side.)_ +I've a scene here with Bill. I want to know what you think of it. +_(Lights begin to rise on Play-play.)_ Bill comes to see Belle. This +manuscript---- + +_Peggy._ Give it to me. _(They read together. Full light on the +Play-play. Peggy makes secret exit. Several knocks on the door of +Play-play Left. Bill opens timidly and looks about.)_ + +_Bill._ Nobody home? _(Calls.)_ Hey! Anybody in here? Well, I +suppose they won't mind if I make myself at home. Gee, I wonder if +they'll sure enough let me stay here! _(Sits on chair.)_ + +_Belle (enters)._ Oh! + +_Belle._ Good evening. + +_Bill._ Youse remember me, lady? I was in Schmidt's restaurant! + +_Belle._ Oh, yes! + +_Bill._ I'm a friend o' Jack's. I seen him on the street just now. + +_Belle._ Has he got a job yet? + +_Bill._ Nothin' yet. Gee, that was tough--how he lost his week's +wages! Do youse think that old Dutchie set the fire? + +_Belle._ I don't know. + +_Bill._ I seen there was a fur-shop over that there joint, and they +say that fur-shops burn up in February--when they've sold out their +stock! + +_Belle._ You're a knowing kid! + +_Bill._ Youse got to be knowin' at my job! + +_Belle (noticing that he has a black eye)._ You've got a black eye! + +_Bill._ Sure! A shiner! + +_Belle._ How did you get it? + +_Bill._ Me step-father. + +_Belle._ What did you do? + +_Bill._ Sure, I ran into his fist. + +_Belle._ But--what did he hit you for? + +_Bill._ He don't need no reason. He hits. + +_Belle._ Oh, you poor kid! Why do you stand it? + +_Bill._ I ain't goin' to, no more. I told Jack about it, an' he says +fer me to come and stay in his room. Will youse take me in? + +_Belle._ Why, sure! + +_Bill._ I ain't no dead beat, youse unnerstand. I earn my keep. Look +a here! _(Pulls out a handful of pennies.)_ Ain't much gold in it, +but it makes a good jingle. + +_Belle._ How did you get it? + +_Bill._ Extry! Extry! Woil'n Join'l! Sun'n Globe! Mail'n Telygram! +_(Looks about.)_ Say, I don't like the housekeepin' in this here +joint. + +_Belle._ What's the matter? + +_Bill._ A woman ought t'unnerstan'--when a man's been out hustlin' +all day, he wants good, warm, nourishin' food, an' he wants it +quick. + +_Belle._ Well, sir, you see, sir, if I'd known exactly what hour +you'd be in, sir! How would a slice of bread strike you? + +_Bill._ Hand it out! + +_Belle (gives him bread and he stuffs it. She sits on table.)_ Come +here, Bill. You know, it looks nice, having you here. I had a little +brother once. + +_Bill._ Youse did? + +_Belle._ I used to take care of him. If you're going to be a member +of this family, I'll have to take care of you. + +_Bill._ Watcher mean? + +_Belle._ I used to wash the smut off his face before each meal. + +_Bill (disconcerted)._ Gee! Three times a day? Gawd a'mighty! + +_Belle._ I'll pay you for it, Bill. + +_Bill._ What'll youse pay? + +_Belle._ Well, I wonder. A kid that's had a stepfather to beat him +and no one to love him! _(Puts her arm around him and kisses him +gently on the cheek.)_ + +_Bill._ Holy smoke! _(Wonder and delight dawn on his face.)_ Say! I +like that! + +_Belle._ Then it's a bargain? + +_Bill._ Sure! Put it there! _(They shake hands.)_ Does it begin +to-night? + +_Belle._ No, I'm too tired to-night. We'll start out fresh in the +morning. You must be tired too, Bill. You'd better go in and sleep. +_(Leads him Right.)_ + +_Bill._ Say, Belle! + +_Belle._ Well? + +_Bill._ I like them kisses. + +_Belle (clasps him in her arms.)_ Poor little fellow! _(Kisses him +again.)_ + +_Bill._ Gee, but this is like heaven! + +_Belle._ Good-night, Bill. + +_Bill._ Good-night. _(Exit, closes door.)_ + +_Belle (returns, sinks to table with a moan of exhaustion; then +hearing Jack coming, sits up, listens, gets herself together and +pretends to be busy.)_ Hello, Jack. + +_Jack (enters)._ Well, Belle? + +_Belle._ Did you get any work to-day? + +_Jack._ Fine luck to-day. I made a quarter, helping to load a truck. + +_Belle._ Is that all? + +_Jack._ Better than nothing. How goes it with you, Belle? + +_Belle._ Pretty well. + +_Jack._ Only pretty well? Isn't the rest doing you good? + +_Belle._ Some good, I think, Jack. + +_Jack._ Say, Belle! Do you know, I think you were much better after +that imaginary journey we took the other night. Let's take another. + +_Belle (looking up with a feeble smile)._ So soon? + +_Jack._ I've got some more time-tables. + +_Belle._ Where's it to be? + +_Jack._ I'm tired of the Europe business. It takes so long, getting +to Switzerland and Egypt. I believe in seeing America first. + +_Belle._ Where shall we go? To Hoboken? + +_Jack._ Stop laughing at me. We're going to Florida. _(Draws up +chair to table and spreads out R. R. folders and time-tables.)_ + +_Belle._ Where do you get those? + +_Jack._ At the ticket-office. They give them away. + +_Belle._ With those lovely pictures! How nice of them! + +_Jack._ Yes--isn't it! Now--here's the Atlantic Coast line. We leave +New York at noon---- + +_Belle._ But it's night now, Jack. + +_Jack._ I know--but we've already started. + +_Belle (studying folder)._ This train leaves New York three times. + +_Jack._ That's the different ferries. Let's see. At 10 p. m. we've +just got to Richmond. We reach Palm Beach at eleven in the +evening---- + +_Belle._ What? A whole day on the train? + +_Jack._ A day and a half, altogether. + +_Belle._ Oh, Jack! What did you have to pay for the tickets. + +_Jack._ I tell you, Belle, you must never worry about expense when +you're travelling. It spoils all the pleasure. Now, let's see. We go +to the Royal Palm Hotel. Here's a picture of it. + +_Belle._ Oh, Jack! What a heavenly place! + +_Jack._ Of course, they color it up rather bright in these +advertisements. + +_Belle._ Won't they charge us frightfully? + +_Jack._ No, no. You can stay there for ten dollars a day. + +_Belle._ Ten dollars a day! Jack, you don't mean that? + +_Jack._ We can't expect to keep our expenses under that. + +_Belle._ But that'll be thirty dollars, Jack! You know we've got +Dolly with us. We can't travel alone. + +_Jack._ No, no--to be sure. + +_Belle._ Do people really spend money like that, Jack? + +_Jack._ You get a lot for it, Belle. It's the loveliest place in the +world. There are palm trees and flowers all the year round. It never +snows, and it's seldom cold. There's a broad, white beach, and you +lie and watch the green ocean, and the long white breakers rolling +in, and the lines of pelicans flying just above them. And, oh, the +nights! You'd think you could stretch out your hands and gather in +armfuls of the stars! + +_Belle._ Jack! How perfectly lovely! _(Stares before her; a silence. +Suddenly she buries her face in her arms on the table.)_ + +_Jack._ Why Belle! What's the matter? + +_Belle._ Oh, Jack! Jack! + +_Jack (in distress)._ What is it? + +_Belle._ I don't think I like playing this game. I can't stand it +any more! + +_Jack._ Why not? + +_Belle._ It's better you don't ask me, Jack. + +_Jack._ But I want to know! + +_Belle._ You have so many worries of your own. + +_Jack (gazes at her thoughtfully; then puts his hand upon hers)._ +Belle, are you really as sick as all that? + +_Belle._ I don't want to tell you, Jack. + +_Jack._ Don't you think it's just that you're discouraged about your +health? + +_Belle._ I don't know. I try to persuade myself---- + +_Jack._ You must really not give up. You must believe me when I tell +you that you are going to get well. + +_Belle._ Jack, you're the best friend a girl ever had; but your +saying so won't make me get well. + +_Jack._ Listen. I have a sister. Once she got run down. She was more +ill than you are, but now she's bright and happy. + +_Belle._ Did she have to work all the time? + +_Jack._ No, she went away to Florida. That's why I was telling you +about it. I mean to send you--not just in play, but really. + +_Belle._ How could I live in such an expensive place? + +_Jack._ You don't have to stay in a hotel. You might live there for +fifteen dollars a week. + +_Belle._ But, Jack, I never earned fifteen dollars a week in my +life. + +_Jack._ You won't have to earn it. If you'll only wait a little +while, I'll have it. If you'll only wait five months---- + +_Belle._ Jack, why do you always keep talking about the money you're +going to have in five months? + +_Jack._ I can't explain, Belle, but won't you believe me? I had a +lot of money once, but I didn't appreciate it--I didn't realize what +it meant. Now that I've got you, I can promise you I'll enjoy +spending it. Believe me and be patient--only five months more. + +_Belle (smiles wanly)._ I'm afraid, Jack, in five months I'll be +dead. + +_Jack (clutching her hand)._ No, no! Don't talk like that! You +mustn't do it, Belle! We're going to save you--I tell you we are. +We're going to make the fight together--we're not going to say die! +It's too cruel--too wicked! + +_Belle._ Jack, why do you take so much trouble with me? + +_Jack._ I'm going to bring you through! I mean it! I'm going to get +the money, and send you to Florida. Dolly shall go with you, and you +shall live out on the beach--just as my sister did. + +_Belle._ But, Jack--even if you had the money--how could I let you +spend it on me? + +_Jack._ You could--you couldn't help it, Belle. I would do it! + +_Belle._ No, Jack, it wouldn't be decent. + +_Jack._ To save your life? + +_Belle._ No, not even to save my life. + +_Jack (tenderly)._ Belle, listen to me. I've got a right to save +your life. Can't you understand? I want you to get well. I love you! + +_Belle (stares at him)._ Jack! + +_Jack._ Yes, I love you! + +_Belle (sobs)._ Jack, Jack! _(He clasps her in his arms; she weeps +frantically.)_ + +_Jack._ What is the matter? What is it? + +_Belle._ Oh, Jack, why did you wait so long? Why didn't you come to +me before it was too late? + +_Jack._ Too late? + +_Belle._ Why did you have to wait till I was dying? Oh, I can't bear +it! You oughtn't to have told me! It's too cruel! + +_Jack._ Belle, don't take on that way! + +_Belle._ I tell you it's too late. Too late! _(She sobs +convulsively.)_ + +_Jack (in anguish)._ Belle! Belle! You mustn't give up like that! +Listen to me, dear! + +_Belle._ Wait! Wait! Don't talk to me! + +_Jack._ You're exhausted, dear. Come--lie down. _(He leads her off +Right; speaks off.)_ There, lie and rest. Don't talk any more now. +_(Returns; speaks in entrance.)_ Be quiet, and see if you can't go +to sleep! _(He paces the room, muttering to himself.)_ No, I can't +stand it. This is no joke. It's no part of the game. I must save +Belle's life--I'd no right to wait this long. _(With sudden +resolution.)_ I'll write to Jessie. She'll come and help her. +Bargain or no bargain, I'll write! _(Vehemently.)_ You go to the +devil, Bob--I don't care how much you tease me! Yes! Yes! The +reality of life! I'm getting it all right. And I've got to knuckle +down and take what teasing comes to me. My God, what a fool I +was--what a drivelling fool! And I'll lose my quarter of a million! +I don't care--I've got to save Belle! I'll write to-night! _(Takes +pencil and paper, sits at table and writes. The door Left opens +softly, and Dolly appears, haggard and anxious.)_ + +_Dolly._ You here! Where's Belle? + +_Jack._ She's asleep. + +_Dolly._ Jack. I've got to go away from here! + +_Jack._ Go away! + +_Dolly._ Yes. The police will be looking for me. + +_Jack._ The police! + +_Dolly._ I'm accused of stealing. Oh, don't think it--I didn't do +it. Before God, I didn't! + +_Jack._ Of course not, Dolly! + +_Dolly._ I must go. I must take Belle with me! + +_Jack._ But she can't go, Dolly! She's too ill. + +_Dolly._ She'll be worse if she stays here and the police come for +me. + +_Jack._ Tell me about it, Dolly. + +_Dolly._ No, no! I can't. + +_Jack._ Why not? + +_Dolly._ Don't ask me. _(She stares about distractedly.)_ + +_Jack._ May be I can help you. + +_Dolly._ Nobody can help me--ever! + +_Jack._ Dolly! Why should you hide anything from me? + +_Dolly._ I can't bear to tell! + +_Jack._ Why not? + +_Dolly._ You'd despise me forever. Belle would despise me! + +_Jack._ But that's impossible, Dolly. + +_Dolly (she stares into his face, then suddenly clutches his arm; in +a hoarse whisper)_ I sold myself to save her! + +_Jack._ My God! + +_Dolly._ Ah, don't look at me like that. I told you not to ask me! + +_Jack (half frenzied)._ But Dolly; you don't understand! + +_Dolly._ Understand what? + +_Jack._ I've been living on your money! _(They stare at each +other.)_ + +_Dolly._ Jack, don't do like that! You didn't know it! + +_Jack (covers his face with his hands)._ Oh, how _dared_ you? + +_Dolly._ Don't go on so! You know I couldn't help it. What else +could we do? We hadn't a dollar in the house. _(She catches him by +the arm.)_ Don't be selfish, Jack! + +_Jack._ Selfish! + +_Dolly._ You're thinking of yourself--not of me and Belle. + +_Jack._ When was it? To-night? + +_Dolly._ This wasn't the first time. But it was always for Belle. + +_Jack (in a whisper)._ For Belle! + +_Dolly._ I've worked till I was ready to drop. I've slaved day and +night--but I couldn't make enough. And so, every now and then, I'd +go to a house. + +_Jack._ When did it begin! + +_Dolly._ Nearly a year ago. + +_Jack._ Belle has never guessed it? + +_Dolly._ Good God! She would kill herself! Listen--I'll tell you the +story. What does it matter now--you'll never see me again. It began +in a department store--twelve dollars a week. Fine wages, with two +to care for! It was slave--slave all day. Never a holiday, never a +joy; nothing beautiful, nothing new! No hope, no future; just +slave--slave! And there was a young man--what they call a gentleman. +He took me to dinners, and I went, because I was near starving. In +the end he got me, of course. And then he threw me over, and I went +to work again. You see? + +_Jack._ I see. + +_Dolly._ After that it was worse. I was spoiled. But I was afraid +Belle might suspect, so I kept straight for a long time. But it was no +go. She was working herself to death--and I'd see her ill, and I +couldn't stand it. I'd tell her I had a job in a hotel uptown. I'd be +gone all night--and I'd bring her money. That's my life! + +_Jack (in a low voice)._ Are there many like that? + +_Dolly._ The town is full of them. I know a girl who went to a +church home. They said they couldn't help her--they were for 'fallen +women.' She came back again and told them they could help her +now--she was a fallen woman. + +_Jack._ God! + +_Dolly._ She was starving, that was what drove her. That's what +drives thousands. And for that we're despised. The good women--they +spit upon us! I sometimes wonder--do they think we like it? _(Laughs +harshly.)_ That a woman should like to give herself to any brute +that comes along! _(Seizing Jack by the arm.)_ Tell me! What does it +mean? Whose sins do we pay for? + +_Jack._ I don't know. + +_Dolly._ If there's a God in heaven, how can he allow it? How can he +allow some to be idle and rich, and to despise us who have nothing? + +_Jack._ Tell me about to-night. + +_Dolly._ I went to the old place. And there was a man--he was drunk, +and he'd lost his money, and he said I'd robbed him. A servant gave +me the tip--the madam had sent for the police. I dodged out by the +basement way. + +_Jack._ And they're after you? + +_Dolly._ The man's a politician--some big man--and so they'll hunt +me out. I'm a stranger, I've no friends, and they'll send me up for +a year or two. I wouldn't care; I'm rotten--fit for nothing but the +dump-heap. But there's Belle. She's straight, and I must keep her +straight. + +_Jack._ Yes, Dolly, we'll keep her straight. + +_Dolly._ I never thought I'd trust another man, Jack. But I think +you're decent. Mark this though! _(Fiercely.)_ By the God above, if +you ever do Belle any harm, Jack, I'll shoot you dead! + +_Jack._ Dolly! Why talk to me that way? I love her. I've told her +that I love her. + +_Dolly._ You mean to marry her? + +_Jack._ Of course. + +_Dolly (seizes his hand)._ Jack! And you'll be good to her? _(Turns +quickly, without waiting for answer.)_ We must get away from here! + +_Jack._ Wait! Let me think. I know a place where they'll never find +us. + +_Dolly._ Where is it? + +_Jack._ I'll take you to it. Get Belle ready. + +_Dolly._ You're sure it's safe? + +_Jack._ Absolutely. It might as well be in another world. _(Dolly +runs off Right to Belle. He paces the room, talking to himself.)_ +I've got to give it up. I can't play with things like this. I've +lost, I'll take my medicine. Only a month! Gee whiz! _(With sudden +realization.)_ Good-bye to my quarter of a million! + +_Bill (appears in doorway, yawning)._ Holy smoke! What's up? + +_Jack._ We're going away. + +_Bill._ Where to? + +_Jack._ I can't tell you now. + +_Dolly (enters Right, supporting Belle)._ Come on, dear. Jack is +going to take us with him. + +_Belle._ But I'm too sick to go out. + +_Dolly._ You must, dear. + +_Belle._ I'm not dressed. + +_Jack._ Get her hat and coat. Don't stop for anything else. Come on, +Belle, I'll help you. We've no time to lose. _(Puts arm about her +and half carries her Left.)_ + +_Belle._ Won't you tell me what's the matter? + +_Jack._ I'm going to take you to some friends. _(To Dolly.)_ We'll +find a cab. + +_Dolly._ No, they'd trace us! + +_Jack._ Well, we can get to the subway, I suppose. _(To Belle.)_ +Dearest Belle--listen to me. I love you. And I'm going to make you +well. I've been able to get money--all we need, heaps and heaps of +it. And you're going to Florida. You'll be there in a few days--the +very place my sister went to. Perhaps she'll go with you. So come! +Come! _(Exit, leading Belle.)_ + +_Dolly (hurries about, gathering Belle's wraps and her own)._ +Where's your coat, boy? + +_Bill._ Ain't got none. Say! What's this about Florida? + +_Dolly._ I don't know. + +_Bill._ Youse tryin' to cheer up Belle? + +_Dolly (gathering up her belongings in great haste)._ Maybe so. + +_Bill._ Youse runnin' from that landlady? + +_Dolly._ Don't ask me now. + +_Bill._ Well, there's somethin' wrong, I know! Youse can't fool me! +_(Looks about.)_ Gee! I thought I had a home! And now I'm movin' out +of it! _(The lights fade slowly on the Play-play and rise on the +Real-play.)_ + +_Will (in a whisper)._ Well? + +_Peggy (low)._ Oh, Will! That's the real stuff! + +_Will._ You like it? + +_Peggy (with intensity)._ Yes, I do! It's real, it's true. Will, I +think it'll go! + +_Will._ You do? + +_Peggy._ Yes, even with Broadway! It made me cry--and I'm a hardened +old sinner. + +_Will._ Oh, dearest, I'm so glad! + +_Peggy._ I'm proud of you, Will! _(Rises and puts her arms about +him.)_ We've got a real Pot-boiler! _(Sound of bell in Real-play +Left. Play-play vanishes. Full light on the Real-play. A post-man's +whistle off Left.)_ + +_Will._ What's that? + +_Peggy._ The post-man! + +_Will (leaping up)._ Maybe it's a check for the poem! + +_Peggy._ Oh, yes! + +_Will._ Where's the key to the letter-box? + +_Peggy (runs Right)._ Here, I think. _(Searches about.)_ Here! +_(Brings him key.)_ Be quick! + +_Will (exit Left)._ I'll be quick! + +_Peggy (As Bill tosses and calls aloud in his sleep, goes to his +bed, kneels and soothes him)._ Oh, my baby! My baby! You're not +going to be sick! No, no, I can't stand that! Anything but that! +I'll have to give it up! Will must give up trying to be a writer, +and get some sort of paying job. Or I'll have to go on the stage +again, and earn some real money----_(Hearing Will returning, she +leaps up and runs Left.)_ Was it the check? + +_Will (enters)._ Yes. + +_Peggy._ For how much? + +_Will (in a voice of agony)._ _Guess_ how much? + +_Peggy._ Tell me! + +_Will._ Two-fifty. + +_Peggy._ Two-fifty! + +_Will._ Two dollars and a half! + +_Peggy._ Great God! + +_Will (furiously)._ How do they expect a poet to live on two dollars +and a half for a poem? + +_Peggy (hysterically)._ They don't expect poets to live! They don't +care anything about poets! Poets are cheap! + +_Will (catches her by the arm, stares at her)._ Peggy! Peggy! This +play has got to succeed! It's got to succeed! People have got to +like it! + +_Peggy._ Oh, Will. I hope they like it! I could get them by the +throats and choke them until they promise to like it! I could fall +down upon my knees and beg them to like it! _(To audience, with +intensity.)_ _Don't_ you like it? Don't you like it? Tell us that +you like it! Tell us! + +CURTAIN. + + + + +ACT IV. + + +_(SCENE--The attic, the following afternoon. Scene of the Play-play +is the drawing room, as in Act I.)_ + +_At rise: The Real-play, showing Will busy working on his Mss., +Left. Peggy Right, putting Bill to sleep._ + +_Peggy._ Now, Mr. Bill, you're going to have a nice nap. + +_Bill._ I feel better. + +_Peggy._ I'm so glad to hear it. And Will's most through with his +play, and then he'll take you to the park. + +_Bill._ Say, Peggy! + +_Peggy._ Now, go to sleep. + +_Bill._ But say! + +_Peggy._ Well? + +_Bill._ I think I'm hungry. + +_Peggy._ There's nothing in the house, dear. + +_Bill._ No bread, Peggy? + +_Peggy._ No, but we'll get some when you wake up. _(Goes Left and +sits by Will. Silence, while he works over papers. He is pale and +haggard; she watches him anxiously.)_ + +_Will. (Leans on hands.)_ Oh, dear. + +_Peggy._ Tired, Will? + +_Will._ I'm getting a beastly headache. + +_Peggy._ Will, you know you oughtn't to work when your stomach has +quit like this. + +_Will._ Hang my stomach! + +_Peggy._ But, dear-- + +_Will._ Why do authors have to have stomachs? They're never of any +use. + +_Peggy._ Listen, Will. You can't do good work when you're so tired. + +_Will._ I can do good work! You'll see it's good. I've nearly +finished the fourth act now. Come, read it--and forget about my +stomach. _(She moves over to him. The Play-play begins to appear.)_ +The scene is Dad's drawing-room again. Jessie is there; she's +worrying about Jack, and Bob is trying to comfort her. _(Full light +on Play-play.)_ + +_Bob._ He's all right, Jessie. Anybody'd think he'd gone to war! + +_Jessie._ He was never away for so long before. + +_Bob._ Don't I seem a fairly healthy specimen, Jessie? + +_Jessie._ I suppose so, Bob. + +_Bob._ Well, I've done what he's doing. I've done it for a year. And +I survived. + +_Jessie._ But you knew how, Bob. + +_Bob._ I didn't when I started. + +_Jessie._ It snowed last night; I lay awake till daybreak worrying +about him. + +_Bob._ My dear girl, men have got snow on their clothes before this. + +_Jessie._ He's been gone a month! + +_Bob._ Listen, Jessie! You know there's misery and suffering in the +world, don't you? + +_Jessie._ Yes, I suppose so. + +_Bob._ And could you wish Jack to live all his life in indifference +to such things--just idle and play, and spend the wealth that other +people produce for him? + +_Jessie. (Clenching her hands.)_ Oh, if he'd only come home! _(The +telephone rings.)_ + +_Bob._ I'll answer it. _(Goes to phone.)_ Hello. _(A pause; then +exclaims.)_ Why, what's happened? _(Another pause; he turns to +Jessie.)_ It's Jack! + +_Jessie (leaps up.)_ Jack! + +_Bob._ Ssh. _(In phone.)_ Yes, what's that? What's the matter? Well, +I declare! Sure, Jessie's here. Yes, Dad's upstairs. No, I won't +tell him. Perhaps he won't. Hey? In two minutes? All right! Bye-bye! +_(Turns.)_ He's coming home! + +_Jessie._ Bob! + +_Bob._ He's around at the subway station. He'll be here in two +minutes. + +_Jessie._ But what's happened? + +_Bob._ He wouldn't say. Just says he gives up--he's coming home. + +_Jessie._ Thank Heaven! _(A pause.)_ But Bob! What can it mean? + +_Bob._ It means he's lost his wager. + +_Jessie._ I don't care! He's coming home! Jack! Jack! _(She dances +and claps her hands.)_ Oh, I'm so happy! So happy! _(The light +begins to rise on the Real-play-enough to reveal Bill getting up +from the cot. He looks about guiltily, climbs up to a shelf after a +bowl. There is a crash. Instantly the Play-play vanishes.)_ + +_Will. (Starting.)_ What's that? + +_Peggy. (Leaps up and runs Right.)_ Bill! + +_Bill._ Boo-hoo-hoo! + +_Peggy._ What's the matter? + +_Bill._ I didn't go to do it! + +_Peggy._ But what-- + +_Will._ Didn't you know we were busy? + +_Bill._ I-I was hungry! + +_Peggy._ Poor Bill! Never mind, dear! _(Clasps him in her arms.)_ +There was nothing in the bowl. + +_Bill._ I th-thought there might b-b-be. + +_Peggy._ Never mind! Poor little fellow! He was hungry! + +_Bill._ I couldn't sleep, Peggy. + +_Peggy._ All right, never mind. We won't scold you. It doesn't +matter about the old bowl--we've got nothing to put in it anyway. +Now, don't cry--you'll get yourself all excited. _(Sound of singing +heard off Right.)_ + +_Bill._ Oh! There's the Beggar-kid! _(Runs to window.)_ Say, Peggy! +Can't I go down and listen to him? I won't go off the steps, and I +won't talk to anybody. + +_Peggy._ You're sure you feel well enough? + +_Bill._ I'll feel better, Peggy. Please! Please! + +_Peggy._ You'll truly not go off the steps? + +_Bill._ Word of honor, Peggy! + +_Peggy._ All right, then. + +_Bill._ Hooray! Now, I'll get the roses in my cheeks! _(exit at door +Left; Peggy closes window and sound of singing stops)._ + +_Peggy._ It's a crime that child isn't in the country! + +_Will (drawing her to table)._ What do you think of my fourth act? + +_Peggy._ Why dear, it's just as I said about Act One, you need more +life in the scene, more variety and color. + +_Will._ But how can it be got? + +_Peggy._ I told you before--you must bring in Gladys. + +_Will._ Gladys at this stage of the play? + +_Peggy._ Of course! You're bringing home Belle, and you want a +character contrast--the daughter of the tenements and the princess +of the plutocracy. Gladys is still in love with Jack, and here he's +coming home with another girl! + +_Will._ Oh, Peggy, that's so cheap! + +_Peggy._ Wait, Will--let me work it out for you. I can show you what +I mean. Let me have your pencil. + +_Will (groans)._ Go on! + +_Peggy._ See now--it's the same scene--_(begins to write, Will +reading over her shoulder. Play-play begins to appear)._ Only Gladys +is pouring tea-- + +_Will._ Isn't that just like her! Always pouring tea! + +_Peggy._ Shut up! There's Jessie and Bob. Gladys has her very finest +society manner--she wouldn't for the world let anyone think that +she was excited by the telephone-message. _(full light on +Play-play)_ + +_Gladys._ Well, Jessie, I have had a most enjoyable evening. But I +must be going now. + +_Jessie._ What? When Jack is coming? + +_Gladys._ Oh, would Jack want to see me? Surely not! No, I must +really go. _(rises and starts to door)._ Good-bye! + +_Will._ You're not going to have her go off? + +_Peggy._ Wait! Let me write! + +_Jessie (rises, runs and stops Gladys)._ No, dear! Please wait! + +_Gladys._ What for? + +_Jessie._ Do a favor for me, Gladys. I know Jack still loves you. I +want you to stay here! I want you to hear it from his own lips. Let +me hide you behind this screen _(starts towards screen with her)._ +When Jack comes in, I'll speak about you-- + +_Will (vehemently)._ That won't do! _(Gladys and Jessie stop.)_ + +_Peggy._ Why not? + +_Will._ It's rotten! + +_Peggy._ But I want her to do it! _(Gladys and Jessie start towards +screen again.)_ + +_Will._ I won't have it I say! It's undignified! + +_Peggy._ Oh, don't be silly, Will! + +_Will._ I say I won't have it! Let Gladys go on pouring tea! +_(Gladys starts towards tea table.)_ + +_Peggy._ Let them hide, I say! _(Gladys starts to screen.)_ + +_Will._ Stop, I say! _(Gladys stops, stands dazed and helpless.)_ + +_Peggy._ Why can't you give me a chance to write? + +_Will._ I can't stand it, I tell you! + +_Peggy._ But I want to show you how it would go. + +_Will._ I don't want to see it! I won't read such things! + +_Peggy._ But if I'm to have Gladys at all-- + +_Will._ You can't have her! She's got no business in my play! _(He +leaps up in fury.)_ To hell with her, I say--to hell with her! +_(Gladys turns and flees off with a scream; the Play-play fades.)_ + +_Peggy._ Will, dear, _why_ must you be so unreasonable? + +_Will._ Now see, do you want to read what I've written, or don't +you? + +_Peggy._ Yes, dear, of course. + +_Will._ Well then, drop this tomfoolery and go on! + +_Peggy (resignedly)._ All right, I'll do it. + +_Will._ We've got that scene to finish. I've got a climax that isn't +bad, I think. Jessie and Bob have just had the telephone-message. +_(Light begins to rise on the Play-play.)_ Jessie's dancing with +happiness, but suddenly the thought comes to her, What will Dad say? +_(Full light on Play-play; Peggy and Will make secret exit.)_ + +_Jessie (in distress)._ Bob, do you suppose Dad will take Jack's +money from him? + +_Bob._ I don't know. It'll all depend. + +_Jessie._ Oh, we mustn't allow it! It would be wicked! You go +upstairs, Bob, and stay with Dad until I can find out what's +happened. + +_Bob (rises)._ A good idea! + +_Jessie._ Maybe I'll have to hide Jack until we can break the news. +_(As she speaks Dad appears in the doorway behind her.)_ You see, +Bob, we must handle him carefully--he's an old man and he's liable +to fly off, and we can't tell what he might do in a sudden rage. +He's not really responsible, you know. + +_Dad (stepping forward)._ What's this? + +_Jessie (starting)._ Oh, Dad! + +_Dad._ What's this you're trying to keep from me? + +_Jessie._ Why--it wasn't from you, Dad. + +_Dad._ Who was it from, hey? Answer me! + +_Jessie._ Why--Dad-- + +_Dad (raging)._ So I'm not really responsible! You have to handle me +carefully, do you? What is it? Out with it. + +_Jessie._ Why Dad--it's nothing-- + +_Dad._ I know better. Out with it! + +_Bob._ Really, Dad-- + +_Dad._ Answer me! + +_Jessie._ Why Dad--it's only that I've spent some money. + +_Dad._ Spent some money! + +_Jessie._ I've been buying clothes, and I was afraid when you saw +the bills-- + +_Dad._ Where are the bills? + +_Jessie._ I'll show them to you. + +_Dad._ Where are they? + +_Jessie._ Upstairs. Please don't scold me too much, Dad. _(Starts to +lead him off.)_ You see, I didn't realize at the time-- + +_Dad._ I know. That's always the way with my children. They never +realize anything! + +_Jessie._ It isn't so bad--_(The front door bell rings, she +starts.)_ Oh! + +_Dad._ What's the matter? + +_Jessie._ Nothing. Come on! + +_Dad._ Wait till I see what this is. + +_Jessie._ It's nothing, Dad. + +_Dad._ How do you know it's nothing? + +_Jessie._ I want to show you the bills. + +_Dad._ Well, wait just a moment. The bills won't run away. + +_Jessie (aside to Bob)._ Lost! + +_Dad._ Why, what's that? Isn't that Jack's voice? Why-why-good God! +_(Jack appears in doorway, with Belle on His arm, Dolly and Bill +behind him. All stare.)_ + +_Jack (staggers to chair with Belle)._ Excuse me, please. _(He +proceeds to loosen Belle's coat, tears away her collar. She is half +fainting.)_ Get me a glass of wine! Quick! _(Bob obeys.)_ A fan, +somebody! _(Jessie seizes a newspaper and hands it to him. Dolly +kneels at Belle's other side.)_ She'll be all right in a +moment--she's exhausted. Ah! Better? _(He rises and speaks swiftly, +intensely.)_ You see what's the matter. The girl is ill; she's +nearly dying. I had to get help for her. _(To Bob.)_ You must excuse +me, old man. I had to give up the wager. This was too much for me. +You see--_(Hesitates.)_ I guess you were right. I ran into the +reality of life, and it floored me. You may kid me all you please, +I'll take my medicine. But there was this girl--I had to come back, +you see. _(To Dad.)_ Excuse me, Dad, for making such a mess of it. +But I couldn't punish this girl for my sins. I had to give up my +quarter of a million, and save her life. + +_Dad._ What's the matter with the girl? + +_Jack._ She's been worked to death. Standing on her feet in a +restaurant fourteen hours a day. + +_Jessie._ Oh! + +_Jack._ And you see, Jessie--I remembered how you'd gone to Florida +and got well. _(To the others.)_ Look at the difference! Look at the +contrast between them. That was what knocked me out--I couldn't get +away from it. I've got to send this girl to Florida and give her the +same chance that Jessie had. + +_Jessie._ Who is she? + +_Jack._ She was a waitress. She helped me when I was starving. And +now I have to help her. She's as good as gold, Jessie, and you must +be kind to her. It wasn't fair that she should die, just because I'd +been an idler, a good for nothing! Bob--you'll be satisfied when you +know what a lesson I've had. You can't imagine how I feel, coming +out of it--it's like escaping from a nightmare! I can't quite +believe it's over. _(He stands staring before him)._ And then I +think--I've brought her out with me, but how many others I left +behind me! Tens of thousands of others, down there in a pit! Belle, +look at me! It was a bad dream, and now it's over! Here's my +sister--see! She was as sick as you, and now, how well she is! Look +at her cheeks--touch her--take her hand. And you shall be like that, +you shall start for Florida right away! Can't you believe it, Dolly? + +_Dolly._ It seems to me we've got some explanation coming to us, +Jack. + +_Jack._ Oh, I forgot. This is my sister. This is Dolly, Belle's +sister, and this is Bill--a little news-boy who helped me when I was +down and out. + +_Bill._ Good evenin', ladies and gents. + +_Dolly._ It was some kind of joke you played on us, Jack? + +_Jack._ It was a wager I had made. I went out to shift for myself +and see how I'd get along. I wasn't playing any joke on you, Dolly. + +_Dolly._ It was a pretty poor joke on Belle, I think. + +_Jack._ How do you mean? + +_Dolly._ You promised you'd marry her! + +_Dad._ What! + +_Jessie._ Marry her! + +_Dolly._ That's what he told her. Didn't you, Jack? + +_Jack._ Why--I-- + +_Dolly._ It's all right, Jack--since's we've caught on in time. + +_Jack._ No, no, don't misunderstand me. It was just that I didn't +want to tell my family just yet. + +_Dad (starting forward)._ Why, you infernal jackass! + +_Jack._ Dad-- + +_Dad._ You have the impudence to come here and tell me that you +promised to marry a waitress in a restaurant! + +_Jack._ Yes, Dad--- + +_Dad (raging)._ Are you mad? When you've just proven that you can't +earn enough to fill your own belly? You come here whining for +forgiveness, and then tell me you'll marry a girl of the streets-- + +_Jessie._ Dad! Stop! + +_Dolly._ Excuse me, Jack--we'll get out of this. _(Rises.)_ + +_Jessie._ No--wait! Please, Dad-- + +_Dad._ Let her go! There's no place for her here. + +_Dolly._ Come, Belle, _(Lifts her.)_ + +_Jessie (Hysterically)._ Dad, how can you be so cruel? + +_Dad._ Keep out of this, Jessie. + +_Jack._ If they go, I go too, Dad. + +_Dad._ Go, and good riddance to you. + +_Jack._ If I go, I'll never return. + +_Dad._ Has anybody asked you to? + +_Bob._ Wait a minute, Dad. + +_Dad._ Let me alone, Bob. I'll attend to this. + +_Jessie (rushing to Jack)._ Jack! Jack! Wait! + +_Dolly._ Come on, Belle! This is no place for us! + +_Jack._ I'll take her myself. _(Exits left with Belle)._ + +_Jessie._ Jack! Dad doesn't know what he's saying! + +_Dad._ Who says I don't know what I'm saying? Who says I'm not +responsible for my own acts? Who says I have to be handled +carefully? I'll have you all understand-- + +_Jessie (clutching Dad)._ Don't you see the girl's nearly dead? + +_Bill._ I'll get out too _(To Dad.)_ Say Mister--_(Dad stares at +him)._ You're worse'n my stepfather! _(Exit with Dolly)._ + +_Jessie (hysterically)._ Dad! Dad! I beg you--have mercy. _(Flings +herself sobing upon him)._ + +_Bob._ Really, Dad, you're treating him pretty badly! + +_Dad._ I haven't asked your opinion, sir! + +_Bob._ Well, I guess I'll go with him! + +_Dad._ As you please, sir! _(Bob exit. The Play-play begins to +fade)._ + +_Will (in low voice)._ That's as far as I've done. _(A pause.)_ It's +near the end. What do you think of it? + +_Pegyy._ Why, Will, you know what I told you before-- + +_Will (in a voice of despair)._ That it's all wrong! That I don't +know how to write a play. That I've got to do it all over! + +_Peggy._ I never said that, Will. But I told you that you couldn't +put an audience through all those harrowing adventures, and then +pile an unhappy ending on top. You simply can't get away with such a +proposition. + +_Will._ But surely, I can't have this play end happily! + +_Peggy._ Where's the law to prevent you? + +_Will._ The law of truth prevents me. + +_Peggy._ What do you mean? Couldn't Dad forgive Jack? + +_Will._ No! + +_Peggy._ Why not? + +_Will._ Because Dad hasn't forgiven me. + +_Peggy._ But Will, there are plenty of other Dads--and they aren't +all so heartless. You'll simply have to choose another father for +this play. You can't write for your own satisfaction--you've got to +think about the box-office. + +_Will (leaping up and flinging out his hands)._ Oh, my God! The +box-office! Have I got to slaughter my artistic instincts to feed +the greed of a box-office? For God's sake, Peggy, take this play and +write it to suit the taste of Broadway! Or shall I tear up the +darned stuff? _(Seizes Mss.)_ + +_Peggy (interfering)._ Will! + +_Will._ I've got a play written, and you come and tell me to write +another. And when I take it to the manager, he'll tell me to write a +third. And his wife will read it, and I'll have to write a fourth! +And then there's the stage-manager--perhaps he has a wife too! Who +else, for the love of Mike? + +_Peggy (laughing)._ Why there's the star, and the leading lady--in +this case you've got two actresses fighting for precedence, tearing +each other's eyes out over the question of dressing-rooms. Then +there's the press agent and the property-man, and the dramatic +editors of a dozen newspapers, who'll tell you next morning exactly +why your play fell flat. _(Puts her arms about him.)_ Will, dear, +don't be so impatient. Try to understand what I mean! Such a +frightfully depressing ending--everybody in the play has lost +everything! + +_Will._ But that isn't so! + +_Peggy._ Jack has lost his wager, and his quarter of a million +dollars--and his home! + +_Will._ But see what he's gained. + +_Peggy._ What? + +_Will._ In the first place wisdom, and in the second a wife. + +_Peggy._ Few people in the audience know anything about wisdom, and +everyone of them knows that he could buy a wife for less than a +quarter of a million dollars. + +_Will._ That's all very well--for a funny line. But there's many a +man would give that much money to find a noble-hearted and faithful +and loving woman, who would stand by him through all the trials of +his life! I gave up more than a quarter of a million myself, and do +you suppose it ever occurs to me to regret the bargain? Do you +suppose I'd be willing to wipe you and Bill out of existence if I +could get my money back? + +_Peggy (lays her hand, on his)._ Will, dear, that's very sweet of +you, but it's not the same in your play. In the first place, Bill +isn't Jack's child; and then Belle is dying. You see, you've told +such a dreadful story-- + +_Will (irritably)._ Don't tell me that all over again! + +_Peggy._ Forgive me! You've got a headache, and you're worn out--we +oughtn't to try to argue now. You simply can't get this play right +while you're so over-wrought. Take a little time off, and rest and +get a fresh view of it. + +_Will._ But we'll starve to death in the meantime! + +_Peggy._ No, dear, we needn't. Let me go and get a job to tide us +over the trouble. So you can do your work without killing +yourself--please, dear, please! + +_Will (in thought)._ Listen, Peggy. If we're going to make a break, +I've thought of something better. + +_Peggy._ What is it? + +_Will._ I'll go and see Dad. + +_Peggy._ Oh, Will, you couldn't do that! + +_Will._ I've been thinking about it for the last three days. You +see, putting him in the play has brought him back to my thoughts. +I've shown him harsh and narrow--but still I realize that I love +him. Perhaps he can't help it if he has a bad temper; and if he's +stubborn--well, I've been as stubborn as he. I've waited all these +years for him to come; and may be it was my place to make the first +move. Now he's old--he can't last much longer; and if he died, I'd +be sorry all my life that I hadn't been more generous to him. It +isn't his money--after all, he's my father. If I have to humble +myself somewhere, perhaps I ought to give him the first chance. _(A +pause.)_ What do you think? + +_Peggy._ I don't know, Will. It couldn't do any harm, I suppose. _(A +pause)._ + +_Bill (pounds suddenly on door Left)._ Let me in! + +_Peggy (leaps up)._ What's the matter? + +_Bill (rushes in)._ Oh! Oh! + +_Will and Peggy._ What is it? + +_Bill._ A man tried to kidnap me! + +_Will and Peggy._ _What?_ + +_Bill._ Tried to--to take me away! + +_Peggy._ Bill! + +_Bill._ An old man--in an automobile! + +_Will._ You don't mean it, Bill? + +_Bill._ He got out and asked my name. Then he asked me if I'd like +to go for a ride. I remembered what you'd told me about kidnappers. +So I ran upstairs. + +_Peggy (staring at Will)._ Do you suppose it could be-- + +_Will._ I'll go and see. _(The bell rings Left; He stops)._ + +_Bill._ It's the old man! He's after me! _(Shrinks behind, Peggy)._ + +_Will._ We'll see. _(Opens door. Dad stands in entrance)._ + +_Bill (whispers)._ The old man! + +_Dad (enters without a word; looks about)._ Well, young fellow! So +this is where you live! + +_Will (in a low voice)._ Yes, Dad. + +_Dad._ And this is the woman? + +_Will._ Yes, Dad. + +_Dad._ And the boy? + +_Will._ Yes, Dad. + +_Dad._ Humph! _(A pause.)_ Did it never occur to you I might like to +see my grandson? + +_Will._ I--I didn't know, Dad. _(A pause)._ + +_Dad (in a breaking voice)._ Well, now you've forced me to humble +myself, what have you got to say to me? + +_Will (starting)._ Oh, Dad! Forgive me! + +_(Seizes his hands)._ Dad, I'm ashamed of myself! I was coming to +you to-day. Honestly I was! + +_Dad (returning to his gruff manner)._ Well, young fellow, I'm glad +to hear you've learned a little sense, at least! How've you been +making out? Not very well, I judge. + +_Will._ Not at all well, Dad. + +_Dad._ Humph! Too proud to tell me, hey? The woman looks pale; and +the child too. _(To Bill.)_ Come here, youngster. So this is my +grandson! _(To Will.)_ It's all very well for you to make war on +your old father and break his pride; but you'd no right to use your +child like this. _(Looks at Mss. on table.)_ What's this! + +_Peggy._ It's Will's manuscript. A play. + +_Dad._ So that's what he is doing, instead of taking care of his +wife and child? _(Punches Mss. with his cane and scatters it in +every direction over the floor)._ + +_Will._ Oh! + +_Peggy._ Don't do that! We have so much trouble keeping it straight +anyway. _(Gathers up Mss. and replaces it on table)._ + +_Dad._ What's in the thing? Let me look at it. _(Starts to examine +it)._ + +_Peggy (in sudden alarm)._ No, no! + +_Dad._ Hey? Why not? + +_Peggy._ Not yet. Wait--Will has to revise it. You see--_(She +laughs.)_ He's got his local color wrong again. + +_Dad (gazing from one to the other)._ What's the joke? + +_Peggy._ You see, Dad--Will's been having a hard time, and it's made +him pessimistic. He's written a play, and he was ruining it with an +unhappy ending. But now--oh, now it has a happy ending! It'll be a +success! _(Rushes to Will.)_ Oh, Will, I see just how it goes! I've +got the very words! Let me write them, while they're fresh in my +mind! (Runs to table, takes pencil and paper.) + +_Dad._ But what-- + +_Peggy._ Wait! Wait! Excuse us, please! It's so important! Here, +Bill--take your grandfather! Take him up on the roof and let him see +the view! Take him downstairs and let the beggar-kid sing for him! I +want just ten minutes to get this down! _(Pushes Dad and Bill off +Left.)_ Just ten minutes, please! _(Shuts them out.)_ Now, Will, +come here! You see how it is now! Dad has relented, your happy +ending is all ready made! You're not making any concession to the +box-office--you're simply following truth--the natural human +instincts of a father, who loves his son, in spite of all his +mistakes and his own bad temper! He orders him out--but all the time +his heart is breaking--he's eager for an excuse to relent. Oh, Will, +you must see that! + +_Will (reluctantly)._ Yes, I suppose so. + +_Peggy._ All right then! We go back to your scene in Dad's +drawing-room--just after Jack has carried Belle out. _(Play-play +begins to appear.)_ Dad stands there, with Jessie clinging to him, +weeping, imploring. And Bob is trying to argue with him. Dad doesn't +answer at first--wait, I'll write the scene! _(Full light on +Play-play. Will makes secret exit.)_ + +_Bob._ Dad, listen to reason now! Don't make this dreadful mistake. +Jack has had his lesson. Can't you see he's had it--the very thing +we all wanted for him? He's learned something about the reality of +life! + +_Jessie (to Bob)._ Make Jack wait! Don't let him go away! Hurry! +_(Bob exit.)_ Dad, you must forgive him! That's a good girl he's +brought here--can't you see that? And she's ill--she's as ill as I +was! Don't you remember how you worried about me? You aren't really +cruel, Dad-- + +_Dad._ I don't want to be cruel. But I won't have him-- + +_Jessie._ You must forgive him, Dad! _(Jack appears in doorway, with +Bob, Dolly and Bill behind him.)_ Jack! Come ask him to forgive you! +He's your father! You must do it, to save the girl's life! + +_Jack (advances)._ Don't misunderstand me, Dad. I don't ask for the +money. I've lost my claim to it, I don't care what you do with it. +But I must save this girl! Don't you see what's happened to me? +Don't you see what I've gained by my adventure? + +_Dad._ What have you gained? + +_Jack._ In the first place wisdom! In the second a wife--a +noble-hearted and faithful and loving woman, who will stand by me +through all the trials of my life! Isn't that worth more than a +quarter of a million dollars? Answer me, Dad--_(Stretches out his +arms to him.)_ Oh, Dad, isn't it so? + +_Dad (gruffly)._ Well, young fellow, I'm glad to hear you've learned +a little sense, at least! _(He embraces Jack.)_ + +_Peggy (leaping to her feet and pointing to the Play-play scene)._ +There! There! There's your happy ending! There's your Pot-boiler! + +CURTAIN. + + + + +POSTSCRIPT + + +In connection with this play there is a story which should be told, +for reasons which will be revealed in the telling. + +"The Pot-boiler" was written in 1912, and entered for copyright in +February, 1913. I took the manuscript to a friend, Edwin Bjorkman, +editor of the "Modern Drama Series," and the most widely read +student of dramatic literature known to me; also to Edgar Selwyn and +Margaret Mayo, who knew thoroughly the contemporary stage. These +friends confirmed me in my belief that I had hit upon that rare +phenomenon--an entirely new idea to the stage. There are many +examples of the "play within a play," but up to that time there had +never been a play which showed the WRITING of a play: the processes +which go on in the mind of a playwright, and how he uses his +personal experiences in his work. + +"The Pot-boiler" was accepted for production by William Harris, Jr., +at the Hudson Theatre, New York. After many delays, Mr. Harris came +to the conclusion that the play needed some rewriting to give it +that "punch" which is essential to production in the neighborhood of +Broadway. He sought to interest a certain well-known playwright, who +will be here designated as Mr. X, in the idea of collaborating with +me on the play. Mr. X read the manuscript and offered to collaborate +on condition that two changes should be made: first, the play should +be changed from a "shirt-sleeve play" to a "dress-suit play"--that +is, the characters should be rich people; and second, the last act +should be located in a manager's office, and show the acceptance of +the play. As I did not care for these suggestions, Mr. X dropped the +matter, and Mr. Harris allowed his rights in the play to lapse. + +A year or so later, happening into Mr. Harris' office in the Hudson +Theatre, he asked me with a smile, "Have you seen your play?" And +when I asked what he meant, he added. "They have put it on +downstairs." Needless to say, I purchased a ticket for the +performance, and saw a play which differed from my play in two +essentials--these being precisely the modifications which Mr. X had +tried to persuade me to make! + +The new play was announced as the work of two playrights, whom I +will indicate as Smith and Brown; it was produced by a firm of +managers, whom I will indicate as Jones and Robinson. I went to see +Messrs. Jones and Robinson, who assured me they had never even heard +of my play. While I was in the office, Mr. Smith, one of the +playwrights, sought an interview with me, and assured me that he +also had never heard of my play, his work was absolutely original. I +gave him the names of various persons who had read my play, +including Mr. X; and Mr. Smith assured me earnestly that he was a +stranger to all of them. I accepted his statement; but as I was on +my way out of the office of Messrs. Jones and Robinson, I beheld the +name of Mr. X printed upon one of the doors of their private rooms, +and upon inquiry I learned that Mr. X was employed on a regular +salary as a play-reviser for this firm! + +I went away pondering the situation. What I was asked to believe was +as follows: Mr. Smith had composed a play having all the essential +features of my new and original play, and differing only in the two +modifications--these being the very same two modifications which +Mr. X had urged me to make in my play. Mr. Smith had taken this play +to the firm which employed Mr. X, and this firm had accepted the +play and produced it, without Mr. X, their chief play-reviser, +ever seeing it--or else without his mentioning that it was my play, +with the two modifications in my play which he had recommended. The +play had been taken to the Hudson Theatre, owned by William Harris, +Jr., who had accepted my play and submitted it to Mr. X, and the +play had actually been produced at this theatre for nearly a week +without either authors or managers ever hearing of my play! + +I may be unduly suspicious, but I could not credit this peculiar +chain of coincidences. I took the matter to the Author's League, +whose executive committee read my play, saw the other play, and +agreed that I had cause for inquiry. Mr. Louis Joseph Vance, +representing the league, undertook to interview Mr. X, who was an +intimate friend of his, and sent Mr. X a telegram asking for an +appointment. Mr. X did not answer. Mr. Vance assured me that this +was the first time the gentleman had ever failed to reply to such a +request from him. Subsequently, Mr. Vance made an appointment to +meet Mr. X at luncheon, and hear his explanation of the matter; but +Mr. X failed to keep the appointment. I went ahead with plans for a +law-suit, whereupon Messrs. Jones and Robinson withdrew their play. + +My reasons for telling the story are two. First, I think it well +that would-be playwrights should have some idea what they may +encounter when they venture into the jungles of Broadway; and +second, because critics and play-goers who saw the play of Smith and +Brown will wish to know which play was written first. + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Pot Boiler, by Upton Sinclair + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE POT BOILER *** + +***** This file should be named 5806.txt or 5806.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/5/8/0/5806/ + +Produced by Charles Aldarondo and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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