The Pot Boiler | Page 8

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