Books: The Pot Boiler
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Upton Sinclair >> The Pot Boiler
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_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!
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