The Pot Boiler: A Comedy in Four Acts Part 7

_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._ h.e.l.l and d.a.m.nation! There go the devils with their c.o.o.n-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._ h.e.l.lo! Bill!

_Bill._ Oh, h.e.l.lo! 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 cas.h.i.+er'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-ap.r.o.n," 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 ma.n.u.script_). 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 fas.h.i.+on. 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?