The Americans Part 2

They're like the red men, they can always go.

(_In an open s.p.a.ce in the foreground he puts his things down upon the ground. He goes right to a pile of brush, pulls out a black limb, and proceeds to break it across his knee, throwing the pieces in a little heap upon the ground_)

They've got a Mayor down there, I suppose.

What if he said, 'If you don't like my way, If you ain't satisfied, there's the road off there?'

Or say the lad we've got in Was.h.i.+ngton-- What if he said, 'If you don't like my way, There's s.h.i.+ps there in the harbor?' Think we'd leave?

You've had your eyes, Cap, on the ground so long That you've forgotten there's such things as men.

(_The old man comes down to the stump which he and Anderson tried earlier in the scene. Anderson picks up his kindling and goes left and proceeds to start a fire. The night gathers quickly_)

CAP SAUNDERS.

(_Trying the stump_)

Be careful, Harvey, or they'll see the flame And think it's found already.

HARVEY ANDERSON.

I don't care.

'Twould serve them right.

CAP SAUNDERS.

They're watching at this hour.

HARVEY ANDERSON.

'Now we've got millions!' then say 'April Fool.'

G.o.d, I don't blame them though; I'd do it too.

(_Picks up a blanket and, sticking pieces of brush in the ground, hangs it between the fire and the town_)

CAP SAUNDERS.

Aug. Jergens he'd be mighty mad, I tell you.

HARVEY ANDERSON.

If I could put men out, you bet I would.

And when I found the gold I'd make her fly.

You wouldn't catch me quarrelling with a lot Of fellows for the bones, I tell you that.

I'd take a rump or two, then say, 'Light in And fill your bellies'; or, 'Come on; I'm rich; Let's take a turn together.' And I'd buy A train or two and we'd all take a spin Around the world. I'd make their hair stand up.

I'd show those eastern fellows once or twice.

(_Goes left and climbs up on the boulder and looks back over the waste_)

CAP SAUNDERS.

(_Coming forward_)

You'll have that rolling down if you don't mind.

HARVEY ANDERSON.

And that's one reason I'll be always broke, For I know how to spend, while Egerton And Jergens and those fellows down there don't, In spite of their big houses. They know how To quarrel with men and squeeze their last dime out, But they don't know how to say, 'By G.o.d, come on; Let's have a drink together; we're all friends.'

(_The old man busies himself about the fire, preparing the evening meal. Anderson sits down on the boulder and looks off up the valley. Where the town was seen, lights begin to appear_)

HARVEY ANDERSON.

You'll wake up some day, Cap, and look about And Harvey will be gone.

CAP SAUNDERS.

You don't mean that!

You ain't took no offence at what I said?

HARVEY ANDERSON.

Mad as the Devil, Cap.

CAP SAUNDERS.

Don't you know, Harvey, About the rolling stone?

HARVEY ANDERSON.

There's some stones, Cap, Would rather have the motion than the moss.

CAP SAUNDERS.

You're sure a wild one, Harvey; that you are.

You'd stir a muss up, that's what you would do.

(_Goes to the boulder and stands beside Anderson, and they both look off up the valley_)

HARVEY ANDERSON.

The mansion all lit up--what's going on?

(_They are silent_)

It's a strange world, Cap, it's a funny world.

You throw a piece of bread down; it draws ants, Red ants and black ants, little ants and big, And if you'll keep it up you'll have them here Building their hills about you; you know that.

CAP SAUNDERS.

(_Returning to the fire_)