ACT THREE

SCENE:

Barroom of Harry Hope's, including a part of what had been in the back room in Acts One and Two. In the right wall are two big windows, with the swinging doors to the street between them. The bar itself is at rear. Behind it is a mirror, covered with white mosquito netting to keep off the flies, and a shelf on which are barrels of cheap whiskey with spiggots and a small show case of bottled goods. At left of the bar is the doorway to the hall. There is a table at left, front, of barroom proper, with four chairs. At right, front, is a small free-lunch counter facing left, with a space between it and the window for the dealer to stand when he dishes out soup at the noon hour. Over the mirror behind the bar are framed photographs of Richard Croker and Big Tim Sullivan, flanked by the framed lithographs of John L. Sullivan and Gentleman Jim Corbett in ring costume.

At left, in what had been the back room, with the dividing curtain draw, the banquet table of Act Two has been broken up, and the tables are again in the crowded arrangement of Act One. Of these, we see one in the front row with five chairs at left of the barroom table, another with five chairs at left-rear of it, a third back by the rear wall with five chairs, and finally, at extreme left-front, one with four chairs, partly on and partly off stage, left.

It is around the middle of the morning of Hope's birthday, a hot summer day. There is sunlight in the street outside, but it does not hit the windows and the light in the back-room section is dim.

JOE MOTT is moving around, a box of sawdust under his arm, strewing it over the floor. His manner is sullen, his face set in gloom. HE ignores everyone. As

3-2

the scene progresses, HE finishes his saw-dusting job, goes behind the lunch counter and cuts loaves of bread. ROCKY is behind the bar, wiping it, washing glasses, etc. HE wears his working clothes, sleeves rolled up. HE looks sleepy, irritable and worried. At the barroom table, front, LARRY sits in a chair, facing right-front. HE has no drink in front of him. HE stares ahead, deep in harried thoughts. On his right, in a chair facing right, HUGO sits sprawled forward, arms and head on the table as usual, a whiskey glass beside his limp hand. At rear of the front table at left of them, in a chair facing left, PARRITT is sitting.

As the curtain rises, ROCKY finishes his work behind the bar. HE comes forward and drops wearily in the chair at right of Larry's table, facing left.

### Rocky

Nuttin' now till de noon rush from de Market. I'm goin' to rest me fanny.

(Irritably)

If I ain't a sap to let Chuck kid me into woikin' his time so's he can take de mornin' off. But I got sick of arguin' wid 'im. I says, "Aw right, git married! What's it to me?" Hickey's got de bot' of dem bugs.

(Bitterly)

Some party last night, huh? Jees, what a funeral! It was jinxed from de start, but his tellin' about his wife croakin' put de K.O. on it.

### Larry

Yes, it turned out it wasn't a birthday feast but a wake!

### Rocky

And all de gang sneakin' upstairs, leavin' free booze and eats like dey was poison! It didn't do dem no good if dey thought dey'd shake him. He's been hoppin' from room to room all night. Yuh can't stop him. He's got his Reform Wave goin' strong dis mornin'! Did yuh notice him drag Jimmy out de foist ting to get his laundry and his clothes pressed so he wouldn't have no excuse? And he give Willie de dough to buy his stuff back from Solly's. And all de rest been brushin' and shavin' demselves wid de shakes --

3-3

Larry

(Defiantly)

He didn't come to my room! He's afraid I might ask him a few questions.

Parritt

(Jerks around to look at Larry - sneeringly)

Don't let him kid you, Rocky. He had his door locked. I couldn't get in, either.

Rocky

Yeah. Who d'yuh tink yuh're kiddin', Larry?

Parritt

He's a yellow old faker!

Larry

(Turns on him)

You lying punk! Remember what I warned you -- !

Rocky

(Scowls at Parritt)

Yeah, keep outta dis, you! Where d'yuh get a license to butt in?
(Drowsily)

Yuh're a no-good louse like Hickey. You don't belong.
(HE yawns)

Jees, I'm all in. Not a wink of sleep. Can't keep my peepers open.

(His eyes close and his head nods.)

PARRITT gives him a glance and then gets up and slinks over to slide into the chair on Larry's left, between him and Rocky. LARRY shrinks away, but determinedly ignores him.

Parritt

(Bending toward him - in a low, frightened voice)

I'm getting more and more scared of him. Especially since he told us his wife was dead. It's that queer feeling he gives me that I'm mixed up with him some way. I don't know why, but it started me thinking about Mother -- as if she was dead.

(With a strange undercurrent of something like satisfaction in his pitying tone)

I suppose she might as well be. Inside herself, I mean. It must kill her when she think of me -- I know she doesn't want to, but she can't help it. After all, I'm her only kid. She used to make a pet of me. Once in a great while, I mean. When she remembered me. As if she wanted to make up for something.

3-4

### Parritt (Cont'd)

As if she felt guilty. So she must have loved me a little,
even if she never let it interfere with her freedom.
(With a strange, pathetic wistfulness)

Do you know, Larry, I once had a sneaking suspicion that
maybe, if the truth was known, you were my father.

### Larry
(Violently)

You damned fool! Who put that insane idea in your head?
You know damned well it's a lie! Anyone in the Coast crowd
could tell you I never laid eyes on your Mother till after
you were born.

### Parritt

Well, I'd hardly ask them, would I? I know you're right,
though, because I asked her. She brought me up to be frank
and ask her anything, and she'd always tell me the truth.
(Abruptly)

But I was talking about how she must feel now about me.
It must be the final knockout for her if she knows I was
the one who sold --

Larry
Shut up, damn you!

### Parritt

It'll kill her. And I'm sure she knows it must have been me.
(Suddenly with desperate urgency)

But I never thought the cops would get her. You've got to
believe that! You've got to see what my only reason was!
I'll admit what I told you last night was a lie -- that bunk
about getting patriotic and my duty to my country. But here's
the true reason, Larry -- the only reason! It was just for
money! I got stuck on a tart and wanted dough to blow in on
her and have a good time! That's all I did it for! Just
money! Honest!

(Rise. HE has the terrible grotesque
air, in confessing his sordid baseness,
of one who gives an excuse which
exonerates him from any real guilt)

Larry
(Rises. Grabs him by the shoulder and
shakes him. Seats h. Parritt turns
upstage, lowers head on chair back)
Goddamn you, shut up! What the hell is it to me?

(ROCKY starts awake)

Rocky
What's comin' off here?

3-5

Larry

(Controlling himself)

Nothing. This gabby young punk was talking my ear off.
He's a worse pest than Hickey.

(Sits)

Rocky

(Drowsily)

Yeah, Hickey --Say, listen, what d'yuh mean about him
bein' scared you'd ask him questions? What questions?

Larry

Well, I feel he's hiding something. You notice he didn't
say what his wife died of.

Rocky

(Rebukingly)

Aw, lay off dat. De poor guy. What are yuh gettin' at,
anyway? Yuh don't tink it's just a gag of his?

Larry

I don't. I'm damned sure he's brought death here with
him. I feel the cold touch of it on him.

Rocky

Aw, bunk!

(Suddenly Rocky's eyes widen)

Say! D'yuh mean yuh tink she committed suicide?

Parritt

(Turns front. Speaks up from his
own preoccupation - strangely)

You know better than that, Larry. You know she'd never
commit suicide. She's like you. She'll hang on to life
even when there's nothing left but --

Larry

(Stung - turns on him viciously)

And how about you? Be God, if you had any guts or decency -- !
(HE stops guiltily)

Parritt

(Sneeringly. Rise)

I'd take that hop off your fire escape you're too yellow
to take, I suppose?

(Sit)

Larry

(As if to himself)

No! Who am I to judge? I'm done with judging.

3-6

## Parritt

Yes, I suppose you'd like that, wouldn't you?

## Rocky

(Irritably mystified)

What de hell's all dis about?

(To Parritt)

What d'you know about Hickey's wife? How d'yuh know she
didn't -- ?

## Larry

(With forced belittling casualness)

He doesn't. Hickey's addled the little brains he got.

Shove him back to his own table, Rocky. I'm sick of him.

## Rocky

(Rise. To Parritt, threateningly)

Yuh heard Larry? I'd like an excuse to give yuh a good punch in de snoot. So move quick!

## Parritt

(Gets up - to Larry)

If you think moving to another table will get rid of me!

(X and sit table 3. HE moves away -
then adds with bitter reproach)

Gee, Larry, that's a hell of a way to treat me, when I've
trusted you, and I need your help.

(HE sits down in his old place and
sinks into a wounded, self-pitying
brooding)

## Rocky

(Back of Larry. Going back to his train of thought)

Jees, if she committed suicide, yuh got to feel sorry for
Hickey, huh? Yuh can understand how he'd go bug-house and
not be responsible for all de crazy stunts he's stagin' here.

(Then puzzledly, with weary exasperation)

Aw, nuts! I don't get nowhere tryin' to figger his game.

(His face hardening)

But I know dis. He better lay off me and my stable!

(HE pauses - then sighs)

Jees, Larry, what a night dem two pigs give me! When de
party went dead, dey pinched a coupla bottles and brung
dem up deir room and got stinko. I don't get a wink of
sleep, see? Just as I'd drop off on a chair, here, dey'd
come down lookin' for trouble. Or else dey'd raise hell
upstairs laughin' and singin', so I'd get scared dey'd get
de joint pinched and go up to tell dem to can de noise.
And every time dey'd crawl my frame wid de same old argument.

3-8

Rocky

(Sarcastically)

Jees, a guy oughta give his bride anyting she wants on de
weddin' day, I should tink!

(As CHUCK comes from behind the bar,
ROCKY surveys him derisively)

Pipe de bridegroom, Larry! All dolled up for de killin'!
(LARRY pays no attention)

Chuck

Aw, shut up!

(Move C.)

Rocky

One week on dat farm in Joisey, dat's what I give yuh!

Yuh'll come runnin' in here some night yellin' for a shot
of booze 'cause de crickets is after yuh!

(Disgustedly)

Jees, Chuck, dat louse Hickey's coitinly made a prize coupla
suckers outa youse.

Chuck

(X D.C. Unguardedly)

Yeah. I'd like to give him one sock in de puss -- just one!

(Then angrily)

Aw, can dat! What's he got to do wid it? Ain't we always
said we was goin' to? So we're goin' to, see? And don't
give me no argument!

(HE stares at Rocky truculently. But
ROCKY only shrugs his shoulders with
weary disgust and CHUCK subsides into
complaining gloom)

If on'y Cora'd cut out de beefin'. De same stuff over and over!

Do I really want to marry her? I says, "Sure, Baby, why not?"

She says, "Yeah, but after a week yuh'll be tinkin' what a sap
you was. Yuh'll make dat an excuse to go off on a periodical
and den I'll be tied for life to a no-good soak, and de foist
ting I know yuh'll have me out hustlin' again, your own wife!"

Den she'd bust out cryin', and I'd get sore. "Yuh're a liar,"

I'd say. "I ain't never taken your dough, 'cept when I was
drunk and not workin'!" "Yeah," she'd say, "and how long will
yuh stay sober now? Don't tink yuh can kid me wid dat water-
wagon bull! I've heard it too often." I'd say, I wish I was
drunk right now, because if I was, yuh wouldn't be keepin' me
awake. If yuh opened your yap, I'd knock de stuffin' outa yuh!

Den she'd yell, "Dat's a sweet way to talk to de goil yuh're
goin' to marry."

(HE sighs explosively)

She's got me hangin' on de ropes!

(HE glances with vengeful yearning at
the drink of whiskey in his hand)

Jees, would I like to get a quart of dis redeye under my belt!

3-9

Rocky

Well, why de hell don't yuh?

Chuck

(Instantly suspicious and angry)

Sure! You'd like dat, wouldn't yuh? I'm wise to you!
Yuh don't wanta see me get married and settle down like
a reg'lar guy! Yuh'd like me to stay paralyzed all de
time, so's I'd be like you, a lousy pimp!

Rocky

(Rise. Springs to his feet, his face
hardened viciously)

Listen! I don't take dat even from you, seel

Chuck

(Puts his drink on the bar and
clenches his fists)

Yeah? Wanta make sometin' of it?

(Jeeringly)

Don't make me laugh! I can lick ten of you se wid one mit!

Rocky

(Reaching for his høp pocket)

Not wid lead in your belly, yuh won't!

Joe

(Has stopped cutting when the quarrel
started - expostulating)

Hey, you, Rocky and Chuck! Cut it out! You's ole friends!

Don't let dat Hickey make you crazy!

Chuck

(Turns on him)

Keep outa our business, yuh black bastard!

Rocky

(Like Chuck, turns on Joe, as if their
own quarrel was forgotten and they became
natural allies against an alien)

Stay where yuh belong, yuh doity nigger!

Joe

(Snarling with rage, springs from
behind the lunch counter with the bread
knife in his hand)

You white sons of bitches! I'll rip your guts out!

(CHUCK snatches a whiskey bottle from
the bar and raises it above his head to
hurl at Joe. ROCKEY jerks a short-barreled,

3-10

nickel-plated revolver from his hip pocket.
At this moment LARRY pounds on the table
with his fist and bursts into a sardonic
laugh)

Larry

That's it! Murder each other, you damned loons, with
Hickey's blessing. Didn't I tell you he'd brought death
with him?

(His interruption startled them. They
pause to stare at him, their fighting
fury suddenly dies out and they appear
deflated and sheepish)

Rocky

(To Joe)

Aw right, you. Leggo dat shiv and I'll put dis gat away.

(JOE sullenly goes back behind the
counter and slaps the knife on top
of it. ROCKY slips the revolver back
in his pocket. CHUCK lowers the bottle
to the bar. HUGO, who has awakened and
raised his head when LARRY pounded on
the table, now giggles foolishly)

Hugo

Hello, leedle peoples! Neffer mind! Soon you vill eat
hot dogs beneath the villow trees and trink free vine --

(Rocky X behind bar R., Chuck moves
L. Joe X behind lunch counter)

(Abruptly in a haughty fastidious tone)

The champagne vas not properly iced.

(With gutteral anger)

Gottanned liar, Hickey! Does that prove I vant to be
aristocrat? I love only the proletariat. I vill lead
them! I vill be like a Gott to them! They vill be my
slavest

(HE stops in bewildered self-amazement -
to Larry appealingly)

I am very trunk, no, Larry? I talk foolishness. I am so
trunk, Larry, old friend, am I not, I don't know what I
say?

Larry

(Pityingly)

You're raving drunk, Hugo. I've never seen you so
paralyzed. Lay your head down now and sleep it off.

3-11

Hugo

(Gratefully)

Yes. I should sleep. I am too crazy trunk.
(HE puts his head on his arms and
closes his eyes)

Joe

(Behind the lunch counter - brooding
superstitiously)

You's right, Larry. Bad luck come in de door when Hickey
come. I's an ole gamblin' man and I knows bad luck when
I feels it'.

(Then defiantly)

But it's white man's bad luck. He can't jinx me.

(HE comes from behind the counter,
puts on coat and hat -- addressing
Rock stiffly)

De bread's cut and I's finished my job. Do I get de drink
I's earned?

(ROCKY gives him a hostile look but
shoves a bottle and glass at him.

JOE pours a brimful drink -- sullenly)

I's finished wid dis dump for keeps.

(HE takes a key from his pocket and
slaps it on the bar)

Here's de key to my room. I ain't comin' back. I's goin'
to my own folks where I belong. I's sick and tired of
messin' round wid white men.

(HE gulps down his drink -- then
looking around defiantly HE deliberately
throws his whiskey glass on the floor
and smashes it)

Rocky

Hey! What de hell -- t

Joe

(With a sneering dignity)

I's on'y savin' you de trouble, White Boy. Now you don't
have to break it, soon's my backs turned, so's no white man
kick about drinkin' from de same glass.

(HE walks stiffly to the street door -
then turns for a parting shot - boastfully)

I's tired of loafin' 'round wid a lot of bums. I's a gamblin'
man. I's gonna get in a big crap game and win me a big
bankroll. Den get de okay to open up my old gamblin'
house for colored men. Den maybe I comes back here sometime
to see de bums. Maybe I throw a twentydollar bill on de
bar and say, "Drink it up," and listen when dey all pat me
on de back and say, "Joe, you sure is white." But I'll say

3-12

## Joe (Cont'd)

"No, I'm black and my dough is black man's dough, and you's proud to drink wid me or you don't get no drink!" Or maybe I just says, "You can all go to hell. I don't lower myself drinkin' wid no white trash!"

(HE opens the door to go out -- then turns again)

And dat ain't no pipe dream!

(HE swaggers out through the swinging doors)

## Chuck

(L. behind bar)

(Angrily)

Can yuh beat de noive of dat dingel Jees, if I wasn't dressed up, I'd go out and mop up de street wid him!

## Rocky

Aw, let him go, de poor old dope! Him and his gamblin' house!

(The swinging doors are pused open and WILLIE OBAN enters from the street. HE is shaved and wears an expensive, well-cut suit, good shoes and clean linen. HE is absolutely sober, but his face is sick, and his nerves in a shocking state of shakes)

## Chuck

Another guy all dolled up! Got your clothes from Solly's, huh, Willie?

(Derisively)

Now yuh can dell dem back to him again tomorrow.

## Willie

(Stiffly)

No, I -- I'm through with that stuff. Never again.

(HE comes to the bar)

## Rocky

(Sympathetically)

Yuh look sick, Willie. Take a ball to pick yuh up.

(HE pushes a bottle toward him)

## Willie

(Eyes the bottle yearningly but shakes his head -- determinedly)

No, thanks. The only way to stop is to stop. I'd have no chance if I went to the D.A.'s office smelling of booze.

3-14

Lewis (Cont'd)

course, but I can't continue to live under the same roof
with the fellow.

(HE stops, stiffening into hostility
as WETJOEN enters from the hall, and
pointedly g turns his back on him.
WETJOEN glares at him sneeringly. HE,
too, has made an effort to spruce up
his appearance, and his bearing has a
forced swagger of physical strength.
Behind this, HE is sick and feebly
holding his booze-sodden body together)

Rocky

(Back of bar. To Lewis - disgustedly
putting the key on the shelf in back of
the bar)

So Hickey's kidded the pants offa you, too? Yuh tink yuh're
leavin' here, huh?

Lewis

(C. of Bar. Airily)

Yes, I'm leaving, Rocky. But that ass, Hickey, has nothing
to do with it. Been thinking things over. Time I turned
over a new leaf, and all that.

Wetjoen

(Right end of bar)

He's going to get a job! Dot's what he says!

Rocky

What at, for Chris' sake?

Lewis

(Keeping his airy manner)

Oh, anything. I mean, not manual labor, naturally, but
anything that calls for a bit of brains and education.
However humble. Beggars can't be choosers. I'll see a pal
of mine at the Consulate. He promised any time I felt an
energetic fit he'd get me a post with the Cunard.

Wetjoen

Ya! At Limey Consulate they promise anything to get rid
of him when he comes there tronk!

Lewis

As a matter of fact, Rocky, I only wish a post temporarily.
Means to an end, you know. Save up enough for a first-class
passage home, that's the bright idea.

3-15

Wetjoen

He's sailing back to home, sweet home! Dot's biggest pipe
dream of all. What leetle brain that poor Limey has left,
dot isn't in whiskey pickled, Hickey has made crazy!

(LEWIS' fists clench, but HE manages
to ignore this)

Chuck

(Feels sorry for Lewis and turns on
Wetjoen - aarcastically)

Hickey ain't made no sucker outa you, huh? You're too foxy,
huh? But I'll bet you tink yuh're goin' out and land a job, too.

Wetjoen

(Bristles)

I am, ja. For me, it is easy. Because I put on no airs of
chentleman. I am not ashamed to work with my hands. I vas
a farmer before the war ven bloody Limey thieves steal my
country.

(Boastfully)

Anyone I ask for job can see vith one look I have the great
strength to do work of ten ordinary mens.

Lewis

(Sneeringly)

Yes, Chuck, you remember he gave a demonstration of his
extraordinary muscles last night when he helped to move the
piano.

Chuck

Yuh couldn't even hold up your corner. It was your fault de
dammed box almost fell down de stairs.

Wetjoen

My hands vas sweaty! Could I help dot my hands slip? I
could de whole veight of it lift! In old days in Transvaal,
I lift loaded oxcart by the axle! So vhy shouldn't I get job?
I'll show dot bloody Limey chentleman, and dot liar, Hickey!

(Tauntingly)

Und I can go home to my country! When I get there, they vill
let me come int

Lewis

(Grows rigid -- his voice trembling
with repressed anger)

There was a rumor in South Africa, Rocky, that a certain Boer
officer -- if you call the leaders of a rabble of farmers
officers -- kept advising Cronje to retreat and not stand and
fight --

3-16

### Wetjoen

And I vas right! I vas right! He got surrounded at Poardeberg! He had to surrender!

### Lewis

(Ignoring him)

Good strategy, no doubt, but a suspicion grew afterwards into a conviction among the Boers that the officer's caution was prompted by a desire to make his personal escape. His countrymen felt extremely savage about it, and his family disowned him. So I imagine there would be no welcoming committee making the veldt ring with their happy cries --

### Wetjoen

(With guilty rage)

All lies! --

(Trying to control himself and copy Lewis' manner)

I also haf heard rumors of a Limey officer who, after the war, lost all his money gambling when he vas tronk. But they found out it vas regiment money, too, he lost --

### Lewis

(Loses his control and starts for him)

You bloody Dutch scum!

### Rocky

(Leans over the bar and stops Wetjoen with a straight-arm swipe on the chest)

Cut it out!

(At the same moment CHUCK stops LEWIS)

### Wetjoen

(Struggling)

Let him come! I saw them come before -- in South Africa.

(Vindictively)

Listen to me, you Cecil! Often when I am kidding you I say I am sorry I missed you, but now, py Godd, I am sober, and I don't joke, and I say it!

(Wetjoen and Lewis start toward each other 2nd time and stopped by Chuck and Rocky)

### Larry

(Gives a sardonic guffaw - with his comically crazy, intense whisper)

Be God, you can't say Hickey hasn't the miraculous touch to raise the dead when he can start the Boer War raging again!

3-18

Rocky

(Looks after him disgustedly)

Dat's right, wait on her and spoil her, yuh poor sap!

(HE shakes his head and begins to wipe the bar mechanically)

Parritt

(Strides over to sit by Larry - in a whisper)

Listen, Larry --

Larry

(Jumps tensely)

Will you leave me in peace? I've told you, you can't make me judge you! But if you don't keep still, you'll be saying something soon that will make you vomit your own soul like a drink of nickel rotgut that won't stay down!

(HE pushes back his chair and springs to his feet)

To hell with you!

(HE goes to the bar)

(PARRITT jumps up and starts to follow him desperately. But LARRY is at the bar, back turned, and ROCKY is scowling at him. He stops, shrinking back into himself helplessly, and turns away. HE goes to the table where he had been before, and this time HE takes the chair at rear facing directly front. HE puts his elbows on the table, holding his head in his hands as if he had a splitting headache)

Larry

Set 'em up, Rocky. I'd have no more drinks on Hickey, if I died of drought, but I've changed my mind! Be God, he owes it to me and I'd get blind to the world now if it was the Iceman of Death himself treating it!

(HE stops, startedly, a superstitious awecoming into his face)

What made me say that, I wonder.

(With a sardonic laugh)

Well, be God, it fits, for Death was the Iceman Hickey called to his home!

Rocky

Aw, forget his old iceman gag! De poor dame is dead.

(Pushing a bottle and glass at Larry)

Gwan and get paralyzed! I'll be glad to see one bum in dis dump act natural.

(LARRY downs a drink and pours another)

3-19

(ED MOSHER appears in the doorway from the hall. The same change which is apparent in the manner and appearance of the others shows in him. HE is sick, his nerves are shattered, his eyes are apprehensive, but HE, too, puts on an exaggeratedly self-confident bearing. He saunters to the bar between Larry and the street entrance)

### Mosher

Morning, Rocky. Hello, Larry. Glad to see Brother Hickey hasn't corrupted you to temperance. I wouldn't mind a shot myself.

(As ROCKY shoves a bottle toward him HE shakes his head)

But I remember the only breath-killer in this dump is coffee beans. The boss would never fall for that. No man can run a circus successfully who believes guys chew coffee beans because they like them.

(HE pushes the bottle away)

No, much as I need one after the hell of a night I've had --

(He scowls, turns to bar)

That drummer son of a drummer! I had to lock him out. But I could hear him through the wall doing his spiel to someone all night long. Still at it with Jimmy and Harry when I came down just now. But the hardest to take was that flannel-mouth flat-foot Mick trying to tell me where I got off! I had to lock him out, too.

(As HE says this, McGLOIN comes in the doorway from the hall. The change in his appearance and manner is identical with that of Mosher and the others)

### McGloin

He's a liar, Rocky! It was me locked him out!

(MOSHER starts to flare up -- then ignores him. They turn their backs on each other. McGloin starts into the back-room section)

### Willie

Come and sit here, Mac. You're just the man I want to see. If I'm to take your case, we ought to have a talk before we leave.

### McGloin

(Contemptuously)

We'll have no talk. You damed fool, do you think I'd have your father's son for my lawyer? They'd take one look at you and bounce us both out on our necks!

3-21

Cora (Cont'd)

and Jimmy. Jees, dem two look like dey was goin' to de
electric chair!

(With frightened anger)

If I had to listen to any more of Hickey's crap, I'd brain him.

(She puts her hand on Chuck's arm)

Come on, Honey. Let's get started before he comes down.

Chuck

(Sullenly)

Sure, anyting yuh say, Baby.

Cora

(Turns on him truculently)

Yeah? Well, I say we stop at de foist reg'lar dump and
yuh gotta blow me to a sherry flip -- or four or five, if
I want 'em -- or all bets is off!

Chuck

Aw, yuh got a fine bun on now!

Cora

Cheap skate! I know what's eatin' you, Tightwad! Well, use
my dough, den, if yuh're so stingy. Yuh'll grab it all, any-
way, right after de ceremony, I know you!

(SHE hikes her skirt up and reaches
inside the top of her stocking)

Here, yuh big tramp!

Chuck

(Knocks her hand away - angrily)

Keep your lousy dough! And don't show off your legs to dese
bums when yuh're goin' to be married, if yuh don't want a
sock in de puss!

Cora

(Pleased - meekly)

Aw right, Honey.

(Looking around with a foolish laugh)

Say, why don't all of you barflies come to de weddin'?

(But they are all sunk in their own
apprehensions and ignore her. She
hesitates, miserably uncertain)

Well, we're goin', guys.

(There is no comment. Her eyes
fasten on Rocky - desperately)

Say, Rocky, yuh gone deef? I said me and Chuck was goin' now.

Rocky

(Wiping the bar - with elaborate indifference)

Well, goodbye. Give my love to Joisyy.

3-25

Willie

Goodbye, Harry, and thanks for all your kindness.

Hickey

(Claps him on the back)

That's the way, Willie! The D.A.'s a busy man. He can't wait all day for you, you know.

(Willie hurries out the door)

Hope

(Turns to table 5)

(Willie goes out and turns right outside.)

While he is doing so, Jimmy, in a sick panic, sneaks to the center bar and furtively reaches for Larry's glass of whiskey.

Hickey

And now it's your turn, Jimmy, old pal.

(He sees what Jimmy is at and grabs his arm just as he is about to down the drink)

Now, now, Jimmy! You can't do that to yourself. One drink on top of your hangover and an empty stomach and you'll be oreyeyed. Then you'll tell yourself you wouldn't stand a chance if you went up soused to get your old job back.

Jimmy

(Pleds abjectly)

Tomorrow! I will tomorrow! I'll be in good shape tomorrow!

(Abrupльty getting control of himself -
with shaken firmness)

All right. I'm going. Take your hands off me.

Hickey

That's the ticket! You'll thank me when it's all over.

Jimmy

(In a burst of futile fury)

You dirty swine!

(He tries to throw the drink in Hickey's face, but his aim is poor and it lands on Hickey's coat. Jimmy turns and daresses out through the door, disappearing outside the window at right of door)

Hickey

(Brushing the whiskey off his coat -
humorously)

All set for an alcohol rub! But no hard feelings. I know how he feels. I wrote the book.

(He turns to Hope - encouragingly)

Well, Governor, Jimmy made the grade. It's up to you.

3-26

Larry

(Bursts out)

Leave Harry alone, damn you!

Hickey

(Grins at him)

I'd make up my mind about myself, if I was you, Larry, and
not bother over Harry. He'll come through all right. I've
promised him that. He doesn't need anyone's bum pity. Do
you, Governor?

Hope

(With a pathetic attempt at his old
fuming assertiveness)

No! Keep your nose out of this, Larry. What's Hickey got to do with it? I've always been going to take this walk ain't I? Bejeeses, you bums want to keep me locked up in here's if I was in jail! I've stood it long enough! I'm free, white and twenty-one, and I'll do as I damned please. You keep your nose out, too, Hickey! You'd think you was boss of this dump, not me. Sure, I'm all right! Why shouldn't I be? What the hell's to be scared of, just taking a stroll around my own ward.

(As he talks he has been moving toward the
door. Now he reaches it)

What's the weather like outside, Rocky?

Rocky

(Leaning on bar L.)

Fine day, Boss.

Hope

What's that? Can't hear you. Don't look fine to me. Looks
's if it'd pour down cats and dogs any minute. My rheumatism.

(He catches himself)

No, must be my eyes. Half blind, bejeeses. Makes things
look black. I see now it's a fine day. Too damned hot for
a walk, though, if you ask me. Well, do me good to sweat the
booze out of me. But I'll have to watch out for the damned
automobiles. Wasn't none of them around the last time, twenty
years ago. From what I've seen of 'em through the window, they'd
run over you as soon as look at you. Not that I'm scared of
'em. I can take care of myself. Well, so long --

(He stops and looks back - with
frightened irascibility)

Bejeeses, where are you, Hickey? It's time we got started.

Hickey

(X to center of bar. Grins and shakes his head)

No, Harry. Can't be done. You've got to keep a date with
yourself alone.

3-27

## Hope

(With forced fuming)

Hell of a guy, you are! Thought you'd be willing to help me
across the street, knowing I'm half blind. Half deaf, too.
Can't hear those damned automobiles. Hell with you! Bejeeses,
I've never needed no one's help and I don't now!

(Egging himself on)

I'll take a good long walk now I've started. See all my old
friends. Bejeeses, they must have given me up for dead.
Twenty years is a long time. But they know it was grief
over Bessie's death that made me --

(He puts his hand on the door)

Well, the sooner I get started --

(Then he drops his hand - with
sentimental melancholy)

You know, Hickey, that's what gets me. I can't help thinking
the last time I went out was to Bessie's funeral. After she'd
gone, swore I'd never go out again.

(Pathetically)

Somehow, I can't feel it's right for me to go, Hickey, even
now. It's like I was doing wrong to her memory.

## Hickey

Now, Governor, you can't let yourself get away with that one
any more!

## Hope

(Cupping his hand to his ear)

What's that? Can't hear you.

(Sentimentally again but with desperation)

I remember now clear as day the last time before she -- It
was a fine Sunday morning. We went out to church together.

(His voice breaks on a sob)

## Hickey

(Amused)

It's a great act, Governor. But I know better, and so do you.
You never did want to go to church or any place else with her.
She was always on your neck, making you have ambition and go
out and do things, when all you wanted was to get drunk in
peace.

## Hope

(Falteringly. Xing L.)

Can't hear a word you're saying. You're a goddamned liar,
anyway!

(Then in a sudden fury, his voice
trembling with hatred)

Bejeeses, you son of a bitch, if there was a mad dog outside,
I'd go and shake hands with it rather than stay here with you!

(The momentum of his fit of rage does it.

He pushes the door open and strides blindly
out into the street and as blindly pas t the
window behind the free-lunch counter)

3-28

Rocky

(In amazement)

Jees, he made it! I'd give yuh fifty to one he'd never --

(He goes to the end of the bar to
look through the window - disgustedly)

Aw, he's stopped. I'll bet yuh he's comin' back.

Hickey

Of course he's coming back. So are all the others. By tonight they'll all be here again. You dumbbell, that's the whole point.

Rocky

(Excitedly)

No, he ain't neider! He's gone to de coib. He's lookin' up and down. Scared stiff of automobiles. Jees, dey ain't more'n two an hour coming down dis street, de old boob!

(He watches excitedly as if it were a
raee he had a bet on, oblivious to
what happens in the bar)

Larry

(Turns on Hickey with bitter defiance)

And now it's my turn, I suppose? What is it I'm to do to achieve this blessed peace of yours?

Hickey

(Grins at him)

Why, we've discussed all that, Larry. Just stop lying to
yourself --

Larry

(X C bar to Hickey)

You think when I say I'm finished with life, and tired of
watching the stupid greed of the human circus, and I'll welcome
closing my eyes in the long sleep of death -- you think that's
a coward's lie?

Hickey

(Chuckling)

Well, what do you think, Larry?

Larry

(With increasing bitter intensity, more
as if he were fighting with himself than
with Hickey)

I'm afraid to live, am I? -- and even more afraid to die!
So I sit here, with my pride drowned on the bottom of a bottle,
keeping drunk so I won't see myself shaking in my britches
with fright, or hear myself whining and praying: Beloved
Christ, let me live a little longer at any price! If it's
only for a few days more, or a few hours even, have mercy,

3-29

Larry (Cont'd)

Almighty God, and let me still clutch greedily to my yellow
heart this sweet treasure, this jewel beyond price, the
dirty, stinking bit of withered old flesh which is my beautiful
life.

(He laughs with a sneering, vindictive
self-loathing, staring inward at himself
with contempt and hatred. Then abruptly
he makes Hickey again the antagonist)

You think you'll make me admit that to myself?

Hickey

(Chuckling)

But you just did admit it, didn't you?

Parritt

(Lifts his head from his hands to
glare at Larry - jeeringly)

That's the stuff, Hickey! Show the old yellow fake r up!
He can't play dead on me like this! He's got to help me!

Hickey

Yes, Larry, you've got to settle with him. I'm leaving you
entirely in his hands. He'll do as good a job as I could at
making you give up that old grandstand bluff.

Larry

(Angrily)

I'll see the two of you in hell first!

Rocky

(Calls excitedly from the end of the bar)

Jees, Harry's startin' across de street! He's goin' to fool
yuh, Hickey, yuh bastard!

(He pauses, watching - then worriedly)

What de hell's he stoppin' for? Right in de middle of de
street! Yuh'd tink he was paralyzed or somethin'!

(Disgustedly)

Aw, he's quittin'! He's turned back! Jees, look at de old
bastard travel! Here he comes!

(HOPE passes the window outside the free
lunch counter in a shambling, panic-stricken
run. He comes lurching blindly through the
swinging doors and stumbles to the bar at
Larry's right)

Hope

(At end of bar L.)

Bejeeses, give me a drink quick! Scared me out of a year's
growth! Bejeeses, that guy ought to be pinched! Bejeeses, it
ain't safe to walk in the streets! Bejeeses, that ends me!
Never again! Give me that bottle!

3-30

## Hope (Cont'd)

(He slops a glass full and drains it and pours another - To Rocky, who is regarding him with scorn - appealingly)
You seen it, didn't you, Rocky?

### Rocky

Seen what?

### Hope

That automobile, you dumb Wop! Feller driving it must be drunk or crazy. He'd run right over me if I hadn't jumped.
(Ingratiatingly)

Come on, Larry, have a drink. Everybody have a drink.
Have a cigar, Rocky. I know you hardly ever touched it.

### Rocky

(Resentfully)

Well, dis is de time I do touch it! I'm goin' to get stinko, see! And if yuh don't like it, yuh know what yuh can do! I gotta good mind to chuck my job, anyways.
(Disgustedly)

Jees, Harry, I thought yuh had some guts! I was bettin' yuh'd make it and show dat four-flusher up.
(He nods at Hickey - then snorts)

Automobile, hell! Who d'yuh tink yuh're kiddin'? Dey wasn't no automobile! Yuh just quit cold!

### Hope

(Feebly)

Guess I ought to know! Bejeeses, it almost killed me!

### Hickey

(Comes to him and puts a hand on his shoulder - kindly)

Now, now, Governor. Don't be foolish. You've faced the test and come through. You're rid of all that nagging dream stuff now. You know you can't believe it any more.

### Hope

(X U to Larry. Appeals pleadingly to Larry)

Larry, you saw it, didn't you? Drink up! Have another!
Have all you want! Bejeeses, we'll go on a grand old souse together! You saw that automobile, didn't you?

### Larry

(Compassionately, avoiding his eyes)

Sure I saw it, Harry. You had a narrow escape. Be God, I thought you were a goner!

3-31

Hickey

(Turns on him with a flash of sincere
indignation)

What the hell's the matter with you, Larry? You know what
I told you about the wrong kind of pity. Leave Harry alone!
You'd think I was trying to harm him, the fool way you act!
All I've wanted to do is fix it so he'll be at peace with
himself for the rest of his days! And if you'll only wait
until the final returns are in, you'll find that's exactly
what I've accomplished!

(He turns to Hope and pats his shoulder -
coaxingly)

Come now, Governor. What's the use of being stubborn, now
when it's all over? Give up that ghost automobile.

Hope

(Beginning to collapse within himself -
dully)

Yes, what's the use -- now? All a lie! No automobile. But
bejeeses, something ran over me! Must have been myself, I
guess.

(He forces a feeble smile - then wearily)

Guess I'll sit down. Feel all in. Like a corpse, bejeeses.

(He picks up a bottle and glass from the
bar and walks to the first table and slumps
down in the chair, facing left-front. His
shaking hand misjudges the distance and he
sets the bottle on the table with a jar that
rouses HUGO, who lifts his head from his arms
and blinks at him through his thick spectacles.
HOPE speaks to him in a flat, dead voice)

Hello, Hugo. Coming up for air? Stay passed out, that's the
right dope. There ain't any cool willow trees -- except you
grow your own in a bottle.

(He pours a drink and gulps it down)

Hugo

(He starts to put his head on his arms
but stops and stares at Hope with growing
uneasiness)

Hello Harry. What's matter, Harry? You look funny. You look
dead. What's happened? I don't know you. Listen, I feel I
am dying, too. Because I am so crazy trunk. It is very
necessary I sleep. But I can't sleep here with you. You
look dead.

(He scrambles to his feet in a confused
panic, turns his back on Hope and settles
into the chair at the next table which
faces left. He thrusts his head down on
his arms like an ostrich hiding its
head in the sand. He does not notice
Parritt, nor Parritt him)

3-33

Hickey

(For the first time loses his temper)

That's a lie!

(But he controls this instantly and grins)

Well, well, you did manage to get a rise out of me that time.
I think such a hell of a lot of Harry --

(Impatiently)

You know that's damned foolishness. Look at me. I've been
through it. Do I look dead? Just wait until the shock wears
off and you'll see.

(He calls to Hope coaxingly)

How's it coming, Governor? Beginning to feel free, aren't
you? Relieved and not guilty any more?

Hope

(Grumbles spiritlessly)

You must have been monkeying with the booze, too. There's
no life in it now. I want to get drunk and pass out. Let's
all pass out. Who the hell cares?

Hickey

(Lowering his voice - worriedly to Larry)

I admit I didn't think he's be hit so hard. Of course,
it hit me hard, too.

Larry

(Sharply)

What was it happened? Tell us that! And don't try to get
out of it! I want a straight answer!

(Vindictively)

I think it was something you drove someone else to do!

(Accusingly)

What did your wife die of? You've kept that a deep secret,
I notice -- for some reason!

Hickey

(X to Larry. Reproachfully)

You're not very considerate, Larry. But if you insist on
knowing, there's no reason you shouldn't. It was a bullet
through the head that killed Evelyn.

(There's a second's tense silence)

Rocky

(X to back of bar)

Christ. You had the right dope, Larry.

Larry

(Revengefully)

You drove your poor wife to suicide? I knew it! Be God, I
don't blame her! I'd almost do as much myself to be rid of
you! It's what you'd like to drive us all to --

3-34

Larry (Cont'd)

(Abruptly he is ashamed of himself and
pitying)

I'm sorry, Hickey. Itm a rotten louse to throw *that* in
your face.

Hickey

(Quietly)

Oh, that's all right, Larry. But don't jump at conclusions.
I didn't say poor Evelyn committed suicide. It's the last
thing she'd ever have done, as long as I was alive. If you'd
known her, you'd never get such a crazy suspicion.

(He pauses - then slowly)

No, I'm sorry to have to tell you my poor wife was killed.

(Larry stares at him with growing horror
and shrinks back along the bar away from
him. PARRITT jerks his head up from his hands
and looks around frightenedly, not at
Hickey, but at Larry. ROCKY's round
eyes are popping. HOPE stares dully
at the table top. HUGO, his head hidden
in his arms, gives no sign of life)

Larry

(Shakenly)

Then she -- was murdered.

Parritt

(Springs to his feet -- stammers
defensively)

You're a liar, Larry! You must be crazy to say that to me!
You know she's still alive!

(But no one pays any attention to him)

Rocky

(Blurts out)

Moidered? Who done it?

Larry

(His eyes fixed with fascinated horror
on Hickey - frightenedly)

Don't ask questions, you dumb Wop! It's none of our damned
business! Leave Hickey alone!

Hickey

(Smiles at him with affectionate
amusement)

Still the old grandstand bluff, Larry? Or is it some more
bum pity?

ACT FOUR

SCENE:

Same as Act One -- the back room
with the curtain separating it from
the section of the barroom with its
single table at right of curtain,
front. It is around half past one
in the morning of the following day.

The tables in the back room have a
new arrangement. The one at left,
front, before the window to the yard,
is in the same position. So is the
one at the right rear, of it in the
second row. But this table now has
only one chair. This chair is at
right of it, facing directly front.
The two tables on either side of the
door at rear are unchanged. But the
table which was at center, front, has
been pushed toward right so that it
and the table at right, rear, of it
in the second row, and the last table
at right in the front row, are now
jammed so closely together that they
form one group.

LARRY, HUGO and PARRITT are at the
table left, front. LARRY is at left
of it, beside the window, facing front.
HUGO sits at rear, facing front, his
head on his arms in his habitual
position, but he is not asleep. On
Hugo's left is PARRITT, his chair
facing left, front. At right of table,
an empty chair, facing left. LARRY's
chin is on his chest, his eyes fixed
on the floor. HE will not look at
PARRITT, who keeps staring at him with
a sneering, pleading challenge.

Two bottles of whiskey are on each
table, whiskey and chaser glasses, a
pitcher of water.

The one chair by the table at right,
rear, of them is vacant.

4-3

Rocky (Cont'd)

(CHUCK appears from rear. HE has been drinking heavily, but there is no lift to his jag, his manner is grouchy and sullen. HE has evidently been brawling. His knuckles are raw and there is a mouse under one eye. HE has lost his straw hat, his tie is awry, and his blue suit is dirty. ROCKY eyes him indifferently.)

Been scrappin', huh? Started off on your periodical, ain't yuh?

(Crosses up L.)

(For a second there is a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes)

Chuck

Yeah, ain't yuh glad?

(Truculently)

What's it to yuh?

(Crosses down - sits L. table)

Rocky

Not a damn ting. But dis is someting to me. I'm out on my feet holdin' down your job. Yuh said if I'd take your day, yuh'd relieve me at six, and here it's half past one A.M. Well, yuh're takin' over now, get me, no matter how plastered yuh are!

(Starts to bar)

Chuck

Plastered, hell! I wisht I was. I've lapped up a gallon, but it don't hit me right. And to hell wid de job. I'm goin' to tell Harry I'm quittin'.

Rocky

(Xes down table 7 - Sits)

Yeah?

Well, I'm quittin', too.

Chuck

I've played sucker for dat crummy red-head long enough, lettin' her kid me into woikin'. From now on I take it easy.

Rocky

I'm glad yuh're gettin' some sense.

Chuck

And I hope yuh're gettin' some. What a prize sap you been, tendin' bar when yuh got two good hustlers in your stable!

Rocky

Yeah, but I ain't no sap now. I fixed dem, when dey get back from Coney.

4-4

Rocky (Cont'd)

(Sneeringly)

Jees, dat red head sure played you for a dope, feedin' yuh
dat marriage on de farm hop!

Chuck

(Dully)

Yeah. Hickey got it right. A lousy pipe dream. It was her
pulling sherry flips on me woke me up. All de way walkin'
to de ferry, every ginmill we come to she'd drag me in to
blow her. I got tinkin', Christ, what won't she want when
she gets de ring on her finger and I'm hooked? So I tells
her at de ferry, "Kiddo, yuh can go to Joisey, or to hell,
but count me out."

Rocky

She says it was her told you to go to hell, because yuh'd
started hittin' de booze.

Chuck

(Ignoring this)

I got tinkin', too. Jees, won't I look sweet wid a wife.
That de minute your back is toined, she'll be cheatin' wid de
iceman or someone. Hickey done me a favor, makin' me wake up.

(HE pauses - then adds pathetically)

On'y it was fun, kinda, me and Cora kiddin' ourselves --

(Rises - Suddenly his face hardens
with hatred)

Where is dat son of a bitch, Hickey? I want one good sock
at dat guy -- just one! -- and de next buttin' in he'll do
will be in de morgue! I'll take a chance on goin' to de
chair --!

Rocky

(Rises - Pushes Chuck in R. chair
table L.)

(Starts -- in a low warning voice)

Piano! Keep away from him, Chuck! He ain't here now,
anyway. He went out to phone, he said. He wouldn't call
from here. I got a hunch he's beat it. But if he does come
back, yuh don't know him, if anyone asks yuh, get me?

(As CHUCK looks at him with dull
surprise, HE lowers his voice to
a whisper)

I don't know nuttin', see, but it looks like he croaked his
wife.

(Sits)

Chuck

(With a flash of interest)

Yuh mean she really <u>was</u> cheatin' on him? Den I don't blame
de guy ---

4-5

Rocky

Who's blamin' him? When a dame asks for it -- but I don't know nuttin' about it, see?

Chuck

Is any of de gang wise?

Rocky

Larry is. I tried to wise de rest of dem up to stay clear of him, but dey're all so licked, I don't know if dey got it.
(HE pauses - vindictively)

I don't give a damn what he done to his wife, but if he gets de Hot Seat I won't go into no mournin'!

Chuck

Me, neider!

Rocky

Not after his trowin' it in my face I'm a pimp. What if I am? Why de hell not? And what he's done to Harry. Jees, de poor old slob is so licked he can't even get drunk. And all de gang. Dey're all licked. I couldn't help feelin' sorry for de poor bums when dey showed up tonight, one by one, lookin' like pooches wid deir tails between deir legs, dat everyone'd been kickin' till dey was too punch-drunk to feel it no more. Jimmy Tomorrow was de last. Schwartz, de copper, brung him in. Seen him sittin' on de dock on West Street, lookin' at de water and cryin'! Schwartz thought he was drunk and I let him tink it. But he was cold sober. He was tryin' to jump in and didn't have de noive, I figgered it. Noive! Jees, dere ain't enough guts left in de whole gang to battle a mosquito!

Chuck

Aw, to hell wid 'em! Who cares? Gimme a drink.
(ROCKY pushes the bottle toward him apathetically)

I see you been hittin' de redeye, too.

Rocky

Yeah. But it don't do no good.

(CHUCK drinks. JOE mumbles in his sleep. CHUCK regards him resentfully)

Chuck

Dis doity dinge was able to get his snootful and pass out.
Jees, even Hickey can't faze a coon!

4-8

## Parritt

(Sits at R. table L. chair)

(Keeps his eyes on Larry - in a jeeringly challenging tone)

Ask Larry! He knows I'm here, all right, although he's pre-
tending not to! He'd like to forget I'm alive. But he
knows he can't get away with it now! He kept himself locked
in his room until a while ago, alone with a bottle of booze,
but he couldn't make it work! He couldn't even get drunk!
He had to come out! There must have been something there he
was even more scared to face than he is Hickey and me! I
guess he got looking at the fire escape and thinking how handy
it was, if he was really sick of life...

(HE pauses sneeringly. LARRY'S face
has tautened, but HE pretends he
doesn't hear. ROCKY pays no attention.
His head has sunk forward, and HE stares
at the table top, sunk in the same stupor
as the other occupants of the room.
PARRITT goes on, his tone becoming more
insistent)

He doesn't want to be bothered understanding. But he does
understand all right! He used to love her, too. So he
thinks I ought to take a hop off the fire escape!

(HE pauses. LARRY'S hands on the table
have clinched into fists, as his nails
dig into his palms, but HE remains silent.
PARRITT breaks and starts pleading)

(Rises)

For God's sake, Larry, can't you say something? Hickey's
got me all balled up.

(Sits)

Thinking, of what he must have done has got me so I don't know
any more what I did or why. I've got to know what I ought to
do ---

## Larry

(In a stifled tone)

God damn you! Are you trying to make me your executioner?

## Parritt

(Starts frightenedly)

Execution? Then you do think --?

## Larry

I don't think anything!

## Parritt

(With forced jeering)

I suppose you think I ought to die because I sold out a lot
of loud-mouthed fakers, who were cheating suckers with a phony
pipe dream, and put them where they ought to be, in jail?

4-10

Rocky

(Ignores this -- disappointedly)

So yuh won't touch it, huh? Awright, stay a bum!

(HE turns to Larry)

Jees, Larry, he's sure one dumb boob, ain't he? Dead from
de neck up! He don't know a good ting when he sees it.

(Oily, persuasive again)

But how about you, Larry?

(Sits table L.)

You ain't dumb. So why not, huh? Sure, yuh're old, but dat
don't matter. All de hustlers tink yuh're aces. Dey fall
for yuh like yuh was deir uncle or old man or someting.

Dey'd like takin' care of yuh. And de cops 'round here, dey
like yuh, too. It'd be a pipe for yuh, 'specially wid me
to help yuh and wise yuh up. Yuh wouldn't have to worry
where de next drink's comin' from, or wear doity clothes.

(Hopefully)

Well, don't it look good to yuh?

Larry

(Glances at him - for a moment he
is stirred to sardonic pity)

No, it don't look good, Rocky. I mean, the peace Hickey's
brought you. It isn't contented enough, if you have to
make everyone else a pimp, too.

Rocky

(Stares at him stupidly - then
pushes his chair back and gets
up, grumbling)

I'm a sap to waste time on yuh. A stew bum is a stew bum
and yuh can't change him.

(HE turns away - then turns back
for an afterthought)

Like I was sayin' to Chuck, yuh better keep away from Hickey.
If anyone asks yuh, yuh don't know nuttin', get me? Yuh
never even hoid he had a wife.

(His face hardens. Crosses, sits
table 2)

Jees, we all ought to get drunk and stage a celebration when
dat bastard goes to de chair.

Larry

(Vindictively)

Be God, I'll celebrate with you and drink long life
to him in hell!

(Then guiltily and pityingly)

No! The poor mad devil --

(Then with angry self-contempt)

Ah, pity again! The wrong kind! He'll welcome the chair!

Parritt

(Contemptuously)

Yes, what are you so damned scared of death for? I don't
want your lousy pity.

4-11

Rocky

Christ, I hope he don't come back, Larry. We don't know nuttin' now. We're on'y guessin', see? But if de bastard keeps on talkin' --

Larry

(Grimly)

He'll come back. He'll keep on talking. He's got to.
He's lost his confidence that the peace he's sold us is
the real McCoy, and it's made him uneasy about his own.
He'll have to prove to us --

(As HE is speaking HICKEY appears silently in the doorway at rear. HE has lost his beaming salesman's grin. His manner is no longer self-assured. His expression is uneasy, baffled and resentful. It has the stubborn set of an obsessed determination. His eyes are on Larry as he comes in. As HE speaks, there is a start from all the crowd, a shrinking away from him)

Hickey

(Angrily)

That's a damned lie, Larry!
(ROCKY rises - ALL react)

I haven't lost confidence a damned bit! Why should I?
(Boastfully)

By God, whenever I made up my mind to sell someone something I knew they ought to want, I've sold 'em!
(HE suddenly looks confused - haltingly)

I mean -- it isn't kind of you, Larry, to make that kind of crack when I've been doing my best to help --

Rocky

(Puts chair in between Hickey and himself. Moving away from him toward right -- sharply)

Keep away from me! I don't know nuttin' about yuh, see?
(His tone is threatening but his manner as he turns his back and ducks quickly across to the bar entrance is that of one in flight. In the bar HE comes forward and slumps in a chair at the table, facing front)

Hickey

(Comes to the table at right, rear, of Larry's table and sits in the one chair there, facing front. HE looks over the crowd at Right, hopefully and then disappointedly. HE speaks with a

4-12

Hickey (Cont'd)

strained attempt at his old
affectionate jollying manner)

Well, well! How are you coming along, everybody? Sorry
I had to leave you for a while, but there was something I
had to get finally settled. It's all fixed now.

Hope

(In the voice of one reiterating
mechanically a hopeless complaint)

When are you going to do something about this booze, Hickey?
It's like drinking dishwater! We can't pass out! And you
promised us peace.

(His group all join in in a dull,
complaining chorus, "We can't pass
out! You promised us peace!")

Hickey

(Bursts into resentful exasperation)

For God's sake, Harry, are you still harping on that damned
nonsense! You've kept it up all afternoon and night! And
you've got everybody else doing it! I've had all I can
stand -- That's why I phoned ---

(HE controls himself)

Excuse me, boys and girls. I don't mean that. I'm just
worried about you. By rights you should be contented now,
without a single damned hope or lying dream left to torment
you! But here you are, acting like a lot of stiff cheating
the undertaker.

(HE looks around accusingly)

I can't figure it -- unless it's just your damned pig-headed
stubbornness.

(HE breaks - miserably)

Hell, you oughtn't to act this way with me! You're my old
pals, the only friends I've got. You know the one thing I
want is to see you all happy before I go ---

(Rousing himself to his old brisk,
master-of-ceremonies manner)

And there's damned little time left now. I've made a date
for two o'clock.

(Ensemble look at each other)

We've got to get busy right away and find out what's wrong.

(But there is a sodden silence.)

HE goes on exasperatedly)

Can't you appreciate what you've got, for God's sake? Don't
you know you're free now to be yourselves, without having
to feel remorse or guilt? Can't you see there is no to-
morrow now? You've killed it! You don't have to care a
damn about anything any more! You've finally got the game
of life licked, don't you see that?

(Angrily exhorting)

Then why the hell don't you get pie-eyed and celebrate?

4-13

Hickey (Cont'd)

(Crosses to L. of Cora)

Why don't you laugh and sing "Sweet Adeline"?

(With bitterly hurt accusation)

The only reason I can think of is, you're putting on this
rotten half-dead act just to get back at me! Because you
hate my guts!

(HE breaks again)

God, don't do that, gang! It makes me feel like hell to
think you hate me. It makes me feel you suspect I must have
hated you. But that's a lie! Oh, I know I used to hate
everyone in the world who wasn't as rotten a bastard as I
was! But that was when I was still living in hell -- before
I faced the truth and saw the one possible way to free poor
Evelyn.

(EVERYONE in the group stirs with
awakening dread and they all begin
to grow tense on their chairs)

Chuck

(Without looking at Hickey -- with
dull, resentful viciousness)

Aw, put a bag over it! To hell wid Evelyn! What if she
was cheatin'? And who cares what yuh did to her? Dat's
your funeral. We don't give a damn, see?

(There is a dull, resentful chorus
of assent, "We don't give a damn."
CHUCK adds dully)

All we want outa you is keep de hell away from us and give
us a rest.

(A muttered chorus of assent)

Hickey

(As if he hadn't heard this - an
obsessed look on his face)

The one possible way to make up to her for all I'd made her
go through, and get her rid of me so I couldn't make her
suffer any more, and she wouldn't have to forgive me again!
I saw I couldn't do it by killing myself, like I wanted to
for a long time. That would have been the last straw for
her.

(R. to Hickey's chair No. 2. Sits)

She'd have died of a broken heart to think I could do that
for her. She'd have blamed herself for it, too. Or I couldn't
just run away from her. She'd have died of grief and humilia-
tion if I'd done that to her. She'd have thought I'd stopped
loving her.

(HE adds with a strange impressive
simplicity)

4-14

Hickey (Cont'd)

You see, Evelyn loved me. And I loved her. That was the
trouble. It would have been easy to find a way out if she
hadn't loved me so much. Or if I hadn't loved her. But
as it was, there was only one possible way.

(HE pauses - then adds simply.
Sits below #2)

I had to kill her.

(There is a second's dead silence
as HE finishes -- then a tense in-
drawn breath like a gasp from the
crowd, and a general shrinking
movement)

Larry

(Rises - Bursts out)

You mad fool, can't you keep your mouth shut! We may hate
you for what you've done here this time, but we remember
the old times, too, when you brought kindness and laughter
with you instead of death! We don't want to know things
that will make us help send you to the chair!

(Sits)

Parritt

(With angry scorn)

Ah, shut up, you yellow faber! Can't you face anything?
Wouldn't I deserve the chair, too, if I'd -- It's worse if
you kill someone and they have to go on living. I'd be
glad of the chair! It'd wipe it out! It'd square me with
myself!

Hickey

(Disturbed - with a movement of
repulsion)

I wish you'd get rid of that bastard, Larry. I can't have
him pretending there's something in common between him and
me. It's what's in your heart that counts. There was love
in my heart, not hate.

Parritt

(Glares at him in angry terror)

You're a liar. I don't hate her. I couldn't. And it had
nothing to do with her, anyway! You ask Larry!

Larry

(Grabs his shoulder and shakes him
furiously)

God damn you, stop shoving your rotten soul in my lap!

(PARRITT subsides, hiding his face
in his hands and shuddering)

4-18

## Parritt

I loved Mother, Larry! No matter what she did! I still do! Even though I know she wishes now I was dead! You believe that, don't you? Christ, why can't you say something?

## Hickey

(Too absorbed in his story now to notice this - goes on in a tone of fond, sentimental reminiscence)

Yes, sir, as far back as I can remember, Evelyn and I loved each other. She always stuck up for me. She wouldn't believe the gossip - or she'd pretend she didn't. No one could convince her I was no good. Evelyn was stubborn as all hell once she'd made up her mind. Even when I'd admit things and ask her forgiveness, she'd make excuses for me and defend me against myself. She'd kiss me and say she knew I didn't mean it and I wouldn't do it again. So I'd promise I wouldn't. I'd have to promise, she was so sweet and good, though I knew darned well ---

(A touch of strange bitterness comes into his voice for a moment)

No, sir, you couldn't stop Evelyn. Nothing on earth could shake her faith in me. Even I couldn't. She was a sucker for a pipe dream.

(Then quickly)

Well, naturally, her family forbid her seeing me. They were one of the town's best, rich for that hick burg. Strict Methodists, too. They hated my guts. But they couldn't stop Evelyn. She'd sneak notes to me and meet me on the sly. I was getting more restless. The town was getting more like a jail. I made up my mind to beat it. I knew exactly what I wanted to be by that time. I'd met a lot of drummers around the hotel and liked 'em. They were always telling jokes. They were sports. They kept moving. I liked their life. And I knew I could kid people and sell things. The hitch was how to get the railroad fare to the Big Town. I told Mollie Arlington my trouble. She was madame of the cat-house. She liked me. She laughed and said, "Hell, I'll stake you, Kid! I'll bet on you. With that grin of yours and that line of bull, you ought to be able to sell skunks for good rattlers!"

(HE chuckles)

Mollie was all right. She gave me confidence in myself. I paid her back, the first money I earned. But that's ahead of my story. The night before I left town, I had a date with Evelyn. I told her straight. "You better forget me, Evelyn, for our own sake. I'm no good and never will be. I'm not worthy to wipe your shoes." I broke down and cried. She just said, looking white and scared, "Why, Teddy? Don't you still love me?" I said, "Love you? God, Evelyn,

4-19

Hickey (Cont'd)

I love you more than anything in the world. And I always
will!" She said, "Then nothing else matters, Teddy, because
nothing but death could stop my loving you. So I'll wait,
and when you're ready you send for me and we'll be married.
I know I can make you happy, Teddy, and once you're happy you
won't want to do any of the bad things you've done any more."
And I said, "Of course I won't, Evelyn!" I meant it, too.
I believed it. I loved her so much she could make me believe
anything.

(HE sighs. There is a suspended, waiting
silence. Even the two detectives are
drawn into it. Then HOPE breaks into dully
exasperated, brutally callous protest)

Hope

Get it over, you long-winded bastard! You married her, and
you caught her cheating with the Iceman, and you croaked her,
and who the hell cares? What's she to us? All we want is
to pass out in peace.

(A chorus of dull, resentful protest
from all the group. They mumble, like
sleepers who curse a person who keeps
awakening them, "What's it to us? We
want to pass out in peace!" HOPE drinks
and THEY mechanically follow his example.
HE pours another and they do the same.)

Hickey

(Goes on as if there had been no
interruption)

So I beat it to the Big Town. I got a job easy, and it was
a cinch for me to make good. I had the knack. It was like
a game, sizing people up quick, spotting what their pet pipe
dreams were, and then kidding 'em along that line, pretending
you believed what they wanted to believe about themselves.
Then they liked you, they trusted you, they wanted to buy
something to show their gratitude. It was fun. But still,
all the while I felt guilty, as if I had no right to be
having such a good time away from Evelyn. In each letter I'd
tell her how I missed her, but I'd keep warning her, too.
I'd tell her all my faults, how I liked my booze every once
in a while, and so on. But there was no shaking Evelyn's
belief in me, or her dreams about the future. After each
letter of hers, I'd be as full of faith as she was. So as
soon as I had enough saved to start us off, I sent for her
and we got married. Christ, wasn't I happy for a while!
And wasn't she happy!

(Rises - Crosses up L. back of
table #4)

4-20

Hickey (Cont'd)

I don't care what anyone says, I'll bet there wasn't two
people who loved each other more than me and Evelyn. Not
only then but always after, in spite of everything I did ---

(HE pauses - then sadly)

Well, it's all there, at the start, everything that happened
afterwards. I never could learn to handle temptation. I'd
want to reform and mean it. I'd promise Evelyn, and I'd
promise myself and I'd believe it. I'd tell her, it's the
last time. And she'd say, "I know it's the last time, Teddy.
You'll never do it again." That's what made it so hard.
That's what made me feel such a rotten skunk -- her always
forgiving me. My playing around with women, for instance.
It was only a harmless good time to me. Didn't mean anything.
But I'd know what it meant to Evelyn. So I'd say to myself,
never again. But you know how it is, traveling around.

(Crosses D.R.)

The damned hotel rooms. I'd get seeing things in the wall
paper. I'd get bored as hell. Lonely and homesick. But at
the same time sick of home. I'd feel free and I'd want to
celebrate a little. I never _drank_ on the job, so it _had_ to be
dames. Any tart. What I'd want was some tramp I could be
myself without being ashamed -- someone I could tell a dirty
joke to and she'd laugh.

Cora

(With a dull, weary bitterness)

Jees, all de lousy jokes I've had to listen to and pretend
was funny!

Hickey

(Goes on obliviously)

Sometimes I'd try some hoke I thought was a corker on
Evelyn. She'd always make herself laugh. But I could tell
she thought it was dirty, not funny. And Evelyn always knew
about the tarts I'd been with when I came home from a trip.
She'd kiss me and look in my eyes, and she'd know. I'd see
in her eyes how she was trying not to know, and then telling
herself even if it was true, he couldn't help it, they tempt
him, and he's lonely, he hasn't got me, it's only his body
anyway, he doesn't love them, I'm the only one he loves. She
was right, too. I never loved anyone else. Couldn't if I
wanted to.

(HE pauses)

(Turns to Cora)

She forgave me even when it all had to come out in the open.
You know how it is when you keep taking chances. You may
be lucky for a long time, but you get nicked in the end. I
picked up a nail from some tart in Altoona.

Cora

(Dully, without resentment)

Yeah. And she picked it up from some guy. It's all in de
game. What de hell of it?

4-21

Hickey

I had to do a lot of lying and stalling when I got home.
It didn't do any good. The quack I went to got all my dough
and then told me I was cured and I took his word. But I
wasn't, and poor Evelyn -- But she did her best to make me
believe she fell for my lie about how traveling men get things
from drinking cups on trains. Anyway, she forgave me every
time I'd turn up after a periodical drunk. You all know what
I'd be like at the end of one. You've seen me. Like something
lying in the gutter that no alley cat would lower itself to
drag in -- something they threw out of the D.T. ward in Bellevue
along with the garbage, something that ought to be dead and
isn't!

(His face is convulsed with self-loathing)

Evelyn wouldn't have heard from me in a month or more. She'd
have been waiting there alone, with the neighbors shaking
their heads and feeling sorry for her out loud. That was
before she got me to move to the outskirts, where there weren't
any next door neighbors. And then the door would open and in
I'd stumble -- looking like what I've said -- into her home,
where she kept everything so spotless and clean. And I'd sworn
it would never happen again, and now I'd have to start swearing
again this was the last time. I could see disgust having a
battle in her eyes with love. Love always won. She'd act as
if nothing had happened, as if I'd just come home from a
business trip. She'd never complain or bawl me out.

(HE bursts out in a tone of anguish
that has anger and hatred beneath it)

Christ, can you imagine what a guilty skunk she made me feel!
If she'd only admitted once she didn't believe any more in her
pipe dream that some day I'd behave! But she never would.
It was the same old story, over and over, for years and years.
It kept piling up, inside her, and inside me. God, can you
picture all I made her suffer, and all the guilt she made me
feel, and how I hated myself! If she only hadn't been so
damned good. If she'd been the same kind of wife I was a
husband. God, I used to pray sometimes she'd -- I'd even say
to her, "Go on, why don't you, Evelyn? It'd serve me right.
I wouldn't mind. I'd forgive you." Of course, I'd pretend
I was kidding -- the same way I used to joke here about her
being in the hay with the Iceman. She'd have been so hurt,
if I'd said it seriously. She'd have thought I'd stopped
loving her.

(HE pauses - then looking around
at them)

I suppose you think I'm a liar, that no woman could have stood
all she stood and still loved me so much --. Well, I'm not
lying, and if you'd ever seen her, you'd realize I wasn't. It
was written all over her face, sweetness, and love and pity
and forgiveness.

4-22

Hickey (Cont'd)

(HE reaches mechanically for the
inside pocket of his coat)

Wait!

I'll show you. I always carry her picture.

(Suddenly HE looks startled. HE
stares before him, his hand falling
back -- quietly)

No, I'm forgetting I tore it up -- afterwards. I didn't
need it any more.

(HE pauses. The silence is like that
in the room of a dying man where people
hold their breath, waiting for him to
die)

Cora

(With a muffled sob)

Jees, Hickey! Jees!

(SHE shivers and puts her hands over
her face)

Parritt

(To Larry in a low insistent tone)

I burnt up Mother's picture, Larry. Her eyes followed me
all the time. They seemed to be wishing I was dead!

Hickey

(By Core.)

It kept piling up, like I've said. I got so I thought of
it all the time. I hated myself more and more. I got so
I'd curse myself for a lousy bastard every time I saw myself
in the mirror. I felt such pity for her it drove me crazy.
It got so every night I'd wind up hiding my face in her lap,
bawling and begging her forgiveness. And, of course, she'd
always comfort me and say, "Never mind, Teddy, I know you
won't ever again." Christ, I loved her so, but I began to
hate that pipe dream! I began to be afraid I was going bug-
house, because sometimes I couldn't forgive her for forgiving
me. I even caught myself hating her for making me hate my-
self so much. There's a limit to the guilt you can feel and
the forgiveness and the pity you can take! You have to begin
blaming someone else, too. I got so sometimes when she'd kiss
me it was like she did it on purpose to humiliate me, as if
she'd spit in my face! But all the time I saw how crazy and
rotten of me that was, and it made me hate myself all the more.
You'd never believe I could hate so much, a good natured, happy-
go-lucky slob like me. And as the time got nearer to when I
was due to come here for my drunk around Harry's birthday, I
got nearly crazy. I kept swearing to her every night that this
time I really wouldn't, until I'd made it a real final test to
myself -- and to her. And she kept encouraging me and saying,
"I can see you really mean it now, Teddy. I know you'll con-
quer it this time, and we'll be so happy, dear." When she'd

4-24

(There is a moment of dead silence. Even the detectives are caught in it and stand motionless)

## Parritt

(Suddenly gives up and relaxes limply in his chair -- in a low voice in which there is a strange exhausted relief)

I may as well confess, Larry. There's no use lying any more. You know, anyway. I didn't give a damn about the money. It was because I hated her.

## Hickey

(Obliviously)

And then I saw I'd always known that was the only possible way to give her peace and free her from the misery of loving me. I saw it meant peace for me, too, knowing she was at peace. I felt as though a ton of guilt was lifted off my mind.

(Rises)

I remember I stood by the bed and suddenly I had to laugh. I couldn't help it, and I knew Evelyn would forgive me. I remember I heard myself speaking to her, as if it was something I'd always wanted to say: "Well, you know what you can do with your pipe dream now, you damned bitch!"

(MORAN and LIEB cross to C. door. ROCKY crosses into main room by black curtain)

(HE stops with a horrified start, as if shocked out of a nightmare, as if he couldn't believe he heard what he had just said. HE stammers)

No! I never --!

## Parritt

(To Larry -- sneeringly)

Yes, that's it! Her and the damned old Movement pipe dream! Eh, Larry?

## Hickey

(Bursts into frantic denial)

No! That's a lie! I never said --! Good God, I couldn't have said that! If I did, I'd gone insane! Why, I loved Evelyn better than anything in life!

(HE appeals brokenly to the crowd)

Boys, you're all my old pals! You've known old Hickey for years! You know I'd never --

(His eyes fix on Hope)

You've known me longer than anyone, Harry.

(Back of Chuck - Crosses to Harry)

You know I must have been insane, don't you, Governor?

4-25

Hope

(At first with the same defensive
callousness -- without looking at him)

Who the hell cares?

(Then suddenly HE looks at Hickey and
there is an extraordinary change in his
expression. His face lights up, as if
he were grasping at some dawning hope
in his mind. HE speaks with a groping
eagerness)

Insane? You mean -- you went really insane?

(At the tone of his voice, ALL the group
at the tables by him start and stare at
him as if they caught his thought. Then
they all look at Hickey eagerly too)

Hickey

Yes! Or I couldn't have laughed! I couldn't have said that
to her!

(MORAN walks up behind him on one
side, while the second detective,
LIEB, closes in on him from the other)

Moran

(Xes down to Hickey - back of Harry
Hope)

(Taps Hickey on the shoulder)

That's enough, Hickman. You know who we are.

(Shows badge)

You're under arrest.

(HE nods to LIEB, who slips a pair
of handcuffs on Hickey's wrists.
HICKEY stares at them with stupid
incomprehension. MORAN takes his
arm)

Come along and spill your guts where we can get it on paper.

Hickey

No, wait, Officer! You owe me a break! I phoned and made
it easy for you, didn't I? Just a few minutes!

(To Hope -- pleadingly)

You know I couldn't say that to Evelyn, don't you, Harry --
unless --

Hope

(Eagerly)

And you've been crazy ever since? Everything you've said
and done here --

4-26

Hickey

(Then, as Hope's expression turns
to resentful callousness again and
he looks away, he adds hastily with
pleading desperation)

Yes, Harry, of course, I've been out of my mind ever since!
All the time I've been here! You saw I was insane, didn't
you?

Moran

(With cynical disgust)

Can it! I've had enough of your act. Save it for the jury!

Hickey

(With a strange mad earnestness)

Oh, I want to go, Officer. I can hardly wait. I've got to
explain to Evelyn. But I know she's forgiven me. She knows
I was insane. All I want you to see is I was out of my mind
afterwards, when I laughed at her!

Moran

Crap!

Hickey

(Exasperatedly)

God, you're a dumb dick! Do you suppose I give a damn about
life now? Why, you bonehead, I haven't got a single damned
lying hope or pipe dream left!

(They disappear in hall. HICKEY'S
voice keeps on protesting)

Hope

The poor crazy son-of-a-bitch!

Larry

(His eyes full of pain and pity --
in a whisper, aloud to himself)

May the chair bring him peace at last, the poor tortured
bastard!

Parritt

(Leans toward him -- in a strange
low insistent voice)

Yes, but he isn't the only one who needs peace, Larry. He's
lucky. It's all decided for him. I wish it was decided for
me. I've never been any good at deciding things. Even bout
selling out, it was the tart detective agency got after me who
put it in my mind. You remember what Mother's like, Larry.
She makes all the decisions. She's always decided what I must
do. She doesn't like anyone to be free but herself.

4-27

## Parritt (Cont'd)

(HE pauses, as if waiting for comment,
but LARRY ignores him)

I suppose you think I ought to have made those dick's take me
away with Hickey. But how could I prove it, Larry? They'd
think I was nutty. Because she's still alive. You're the
only one who can understand how guilty I am. You know I'm
really much guiltier than he is. You know what I did is a much
worse murder. Because she is dead and yet she has to live.
For awhile. And I can't kid myself like Hickey that she's at
peace. As long as she lives, she'll never be able to forget
what I've done to her even in her sleep. She'll never have
a second's peace.

(HE pauses -- then bursts out)
Jesus, Larry, can't you say something?

(LARRY is at the breaking point.
PARRITT goes on)

And I'm not putting up any bluff, either, that I was crazy
afterwards when I laughed to myself and thought, "You know
what you can do with your Freedom pipe dream now, don't you,
you damned old whores!"

## Larry

(Snaps and turns on him, his face
convulsed with detestation. His
quivering voice has a condemning
command in it)

Go! Get the hell out of life, goddamn you, before I choke
it out of you! Go up --!

(HE stops chokingly, turning away)

## Parritt

(His manner is at once transformed.

HE seems suddenly at peace with himself.

HE speaks simply and gratefully)

Thanks, Larry. I just wanted to be sure. I can see now it's
the only possible way I can ever get free from her. I guess
I've really known that all my life.

(HE pauses -- then with a derisive
smile)

It ought to comfort Mother a little, too. It'll give her
the chance to play the great incorruptible Mother of the
Revolution, whose only child is the Proletariat. She'll be
able to say: "Justice is done! So may all traitors die!"
She'll be able to say: "I am glad he's dead! Long live the
Revolution!"

(HE adds with a final implacable jeer)
You know her, Larry! Always a ham!

4-30

Hugo (Cont'd)

(Then as he receives no reply -- with
vague uneasiness)

What's matter with you, Larry? You look funny. What you listen
to out in backyard, Larry?

(HUGO walks over to other tables. CORA
begins to talk in the group at Right)

Cora

(Tipsily)

Well, I thank Gawd now me and Chuck did all we could to humor
de poor nut. Jees, imagine us goin' off like we really meant
to git married, when we ain't even picked out a farm yet!

Chuck

(Eagerly)

Sure ting, kiddo.

Jimmy

(Confidently -- with a gently, drunken
unction)

I may as well say I detected his condition almost at once. All
that talk of his about tomorrow, for example. He had the fixed
idea of the insane. It only makes them worse to cross them.

Willie

I spent the day in the park.

Lewis

(Getting jauntily drunk)

Picture my predicament if I had gone to the Consulate. The pal
of mine there is a humorous blighter. He would have got me a
job out of pure spite.

(General laughter)

Larry

Goddamn his yellow soul -- if he doesn't soon, I'll go up and
throw him off! -- like a dog with its guts ripped out you'd
put out of misery!

(In a whisper of horrified pity)

THUD!

Poor devil!

(A long-forgotten faith returns to
him for a moment and HE mumbles)

God rest his soul in peace.

(HE opens his eyes -- with a bitter
self-derision)

Ah, the damned pity -- the wrong kind, as Hickey said! Be God,
there's no hope! I'll never be a success in the grandstand --
or anywhere else! Life is too much for me! I'll be a weak
fool looking with pity at the two sides of everything till the
day I die!

"THE ICEMAN COMETH"

## PROPERTY WORKING PLOT
### ACT ONE

**ON STAGE:**

BLACK CURTAIN ACROSS ROOM STAGE LEFT DRAWN. Opens on cue by <u>ROCKY</u>.

3 - 3 ft. TABLES and 4 - 2 ft. TABLES, AS SET.

27 CHAIRS, AT TABLES, AS SET

PERIOD PHONOGRAPH, BETWEEN WINDOWS, STAGE RIGHT.

3 SPITOONS ON FLOOR, AS SET

1 PROP. SANDWICH ON EACH OF <u>SEVEN TABLES</u> - ON PLATES.

<u>LEWIS' COAT, SHIRT, UNDERSHIRT ON HIS TABLE</u> - ROLLED UP.

KEY RACK ON BACK WALL WITH SEVERAL OLD-TYPE KEYS TO ROOMS UPSTAIRS.

TWO TOWELS, TO WIPE BAR AND GLASSES, ON HOOK OR SHELF UNDER BAR.

**ON BAR:** (Rear) WHISKEY KEGS, BEER MUGS, WHISKEY AND CHASER GLASSES

2 WHISKEY BOTTLES, HALF-FULL, (rear bar) - ROCKEY. (Quarts)

2 WHISKEY BOTTLES, FULL (rear bar) (Quarts)

( LARGE TRAY, WITH FOLLOWING: ( 4 QUART WHISKEY BOTTLES (Full)

(17 WHISKEY GLASSES)

( (Planted on extreme ( 2 CHASER GLASSES (with water)

( Left-end of bar) ( 1 UPSTAIRS ROOM KEY (ROCKEY)

**OFF STAGE LEFT:** DOOR SLAM

2 FLASHY RINGS (Mosher)

1 BRASSY WATCH CHAIN, GAUDY (HARRY HOPE)

2 SMALL ROLLS OF BILLS (1912 size) (MARGIE & PEARL)

1 LARGE ROLL OF BILLS (1912 size) (HICKEY)

COIN POCKET CHANGE (ROCKEY) 50-25-10 - & OTHER COINS.

**OFF STAGE RIGHT:**

SMALL ROLL OF BILLS (with a 1912 ONE-PARRITT)

"THE ICEMAN COMETH"

## PROPERTY WORKING PLOT
### ACT TWO

BLACK CURTAIN - OPEN

**ON STAGE:** 3 - 3 ft. TABLES AND 5 - 2 ft. 6" TABLES, AS SET.
(Tables are arranged in semi-circle)

(1 Table LEFT, for birthday cake and presents)

17 CHAIRS, ARRANGED IN SEMI-CIRCLE, BACK OF 7 TABLES.
(Above)
(From right to left stage - chairs Nos.
6 and 7 are back to back (Lewis & Woetjen))

2 EXTRA CHAIRS AGAINST BACK WALL, AS SET.

3 SPITTOONS, AS SET.

7 RED-CHECKERED TABLE CLOTHS ON THE 8 TABLES.

17 PLAIN WHITE PLATES ON 7 SEMI-CIRCULAR TABLES.

1 KNIFE, SPOON, FORK ON EACH OF ABOVE PLATES.

WHISKEY GLASSES AND TUMBLERS ON 7 TABLES

5 FULL WHISKEY BOTTLES STRUNG ALONG 7 TABLES.

PIANO & STOLL, EXTREME RIGHT, BETWEEN WINDOWS.

EXTRA LARGE BEER SCHOONER WITH FLOWERS ON PIANO.

GREEN & RED GARLANDS AND FESTOONS OVER DOORWAY AND
WINDOW, RIGHT.

**ON SINGLE TABLE:**

(Over Left)
BIRTHDAY CAKE WITH SIX CANDLES FOR LIGHTING.
2 PENNY BOXES WATCHES (Margie & Pearl)
2 TIE BOXES, WRAPPED WITH FANCY PAPER & RIBBON.
2 BOXES CIGARS (Wrapped in plain brown paper)
2 HANDKERCHEIF BOXES, with ribbon.
1 SQUARE WATCH BOX, WRAPPED AND RIBBONED.
(Box contains 1912 type watch) (Margie opens box)

**ON BAR:** THE SAME GLASSES, TOWELS, DRESSING AS ACT ONE.

**OFF STAGE LEFT:** 2 LARGE TRAYS, WITH 17 BEER MUGS, FILLED WITH GINGER ALE (Champagne sparkle). These mugs are filled after ROCKEY and CHUCK exit, so ginger ale will bubble when carried on)

1 LARGE HAMPER WITH CHAMPAGNE QUARTS. (8 or 10)
(HAMPER COVERED WITH BURLAP, EASILY REMOVED)

POCKET WATCH AND FOB (Hickey)

PILES OF PACKAGES (7 or 8) LIKE DELICATESSEN BAGS,

CIGAR BOXES, FOOD PACKAGES. (Hickey)

(Cora, Margie & Pearl take them from Hickey on)

ENTRANCE.)

DOOR SLAM

**ON STAGE LEFT:** (RED, TATTERED VELOUR SCREEN COVERS DOOR UP LEFT)
(GREEN SCREEN AGAINST RETURN DOWN STAGE LEFT.)