Theft | Page 8

matter with that committee? Have you no influence with
the Senate crowd? If not, say so, and I'll get some one who has.
{Dowsett}
(Angrily.) I refuse to be treated in this manner, Mr. Starkweather. I
have some self-respect--
(Starkweather grunts incredulously.) Some decency--
(Starkweather grunts.) A position of prominence in my state. You
forget, sir, that in our state organization I occupy no mean place.
{Starkweather}
(Cutting him off so sharply that Dowsett drops cup and saucer.) Don't
you show your teeth to me. I can make you or break you. That state
organization of yours belongs to me.
(Dowsett starts--he is learning something new. To hide his feelings, he
stoops to pick up cup and saucer.) Let it alone! I am talking to you.
(Dowsett straightens up to attention with alacrity.) (Connie, who has
witnessed, rings for Servant.) I bought that state organization, and paid
for it. You are one of the chattels that came along with the machine.
You were made senator to obey my orders. Understand? Do you
understand?
{Dowsett}
(Beaten.) I--I understand.
{Starkweather}
That bill is to be killed.
{Dowsett}
Yes, sir.

{Starkweather}
Quietly, no headlines about it.
(Dowsett nods.) Now you can go.
(Dowsett proceeds rather limply across to join group at tea-table.)
(Chalmers and Hubbard enter from right, laughing about something.
At sight of Starkweather they immediately become sober.) (No hands
are shaken. Starkweather barely acknowledges Hubbard's greeting.)
{Starkweather}
Tom, I want to see you.
(Hubbard takes his cue, and proceeds across to tea-table.)
(Enter Servant. Connie directs him to remove broken cup and saucer.
While this is being done, Starkweather remains silent. He consults
note-book, and Chalmers stands, not quite at ease, waiting the other's
will. At the same time, patter at tea-table. Hubbard, greeting others
and accepting or declining cup of tea.)
(Servant makes exit).
{Starkweather}
(Closing finger on book and looking sharply at Chalmers.) Tom, this
affair of yours in New York must come to an end. Understand?
{Chalmers}
(Starting.) Hubbard has been talking.
{Starkweather}
No, it is not Hubbard. I have the reports from other sources.
{Chalmers}

It is a harmless affair.
{Starkweather}
I happen to know better. I have the whole record. If you wish, I can
give you every detail, every meeting. I know. There is no discussion
whatever. I want no more of it.
{Chalmers}
I never dreamed for a moment that I was--er--indiscreet.
{Starkweather}
Never forget that every indiscretion of a man in your position is
indiscreet. We have a duty, a great and solemn duty to perform. Upon
our shoulders rest the destinies of ninety million people. If we fail in
our duty, they go down to destruction. Ignorant demagogues are
working on the beast-passions of the people. If they have their way,
they are lost, the country is lost, civilization is lost. We want no more
Dark Ages.
{Chalmers}
Really, I never thought it was as serious as all that.
{Starkweather}
(Shrugging shoulders and lifting eyebrows.) After all, why should you?
You are only a cog in the machine. I, and the several men grouped with
me, am the machine. You are a useful cog--too useful to lose--
{Chalmers}
Lose?--Me?
{Starkweather}
I have but to raise my hand, any time--do you understand?--any time,

and you are lost. You control your state. Very well. But never forget
that to-morrow, if I wished, I could buy your whole machine out from
under you. I know you cannot change yourself, but, for the sake of the
big issues at stake, you must be careful, exceedingly careful. We are
compelled to work with weak tools. You are a good liver, a flesh-pot
man. You drink too much. Your heart is weak.--Oh, I have the report of
your doctor. Nevertheless, don't make a fool of yourself, nor of us.
Besides, do not forget that your wife is my daughter. She is a strong
woman, a credit to both of us. Be careful that you are not a discredit to
her.
{Chalmers}
All right, I'll be careful. But while we are--er--on this subject, there's
something I'd like to speak to you about.
(A pause, in which Starkweather waits non-committally.) It's this man
Knox, and Madge. He comes to the house. They are as thick as thieves.
{Starkweather}
Yes?
{Chalmers}
(Hastily.) Oh, not a breath of suspicion or anything of that sort, I assure
you. But it doesn't strike me as exactly appropriate that your daughter
and my wife should be friendly with this fire-eating anarchist who is
always attacking us and all that we represent.
{Starkweather}
I started to speak with her on that subject, but was interrupted.
(Puckers brow and thinks.) You are her husband. Why don't you take
her in hand yourself?
(Enters Mrs. Starkweather from rear, looking about, bowing, then
locating Starkweather and proceeding toward him.)

{Chalmers}
What can I