The Pot Boiler: A Comedy in Four Acts Part 27

_Jessie._ Oh, we mustn't allow it! It would be wicked! You go upstairs, Bob, and stay with Dad until I can find out what's happened.

_Bob (rises)._ A good idea!

_Jessie._ Maybe I'll have to hide Jack until we can break the news.

_(As she speaks Dad appears in the doorway behind her.)_ You see, Bob, we must handle him carefully--he's an old man and he's liable to fly off, and we can't tell what he might do in a sudden rage.

He's not really responsible, you know.

_Dad (stepping forward)._ What's this?

_Jessie (starting)._ Oh, Dad!

_Dad._ What's this you're trying to keep from me?

_Jessie._ Why--it wasn't from you, Dad.

_Dad._ Who was it from, hey? Answer me!

_Jessie._ Why--Dad--

_Dad (raging)._ So I'm not really responsible! You have to handle me carefully, do you? What is it? Out with it.

_Jessie._ Why Dad--it's nothing--

_Dad._ I know better. Out with it!

_Bob._ Really, Dad--

_Dad._ Answer me!

_Jessie._ Why Dad--it's only that I've spent some money.

_Dad._ Spent some money!

_Jessie._ I've been buying clothes, and I was afraid when you saw the bills--

_Dad._ Where are the bills?

_Jessie._ I'll show them to you.

_Dad._ Where are they?

_Jessie._ Upstairs. Please don't scold me too much, Dad. _(Starts to lead him off.)_ You see, I didn't realize at the time--

_Dad._ I know. That's always the way with my children. They never realize anything!

_Jessie._ It isn't so bad--_(The front door bell rings, she starts.)_ Oh!

_Dad._ What's the matter?

_Jessie._ Nothing. Come on!

_Dad._ Wait till I see what this is.

_Jessie._ It's nothing, Dad.

_Dad._ How do you know it's nothing?

_Jessie._ I want to show you the bills.

_Dad._ Well, wait just a moment. The bills won't run away.

_Jessie (aside to Bob)._ Lost!

_Dad._ Why, what's that? Isn't that Jack's voice? Why-why-good G.o.d!

_(Jack appears in doorway, with Belle on His arm, Dolly and Bill behind him. All stare.)_

_Jack (staggers to chair with Belle)._ Excuse me, please. _(He proceeds to loosen Belle's coat, tears away her collar. She is half fainting.)_ Get me a gla.s.s of wine! Quick! _(Bob obeys.)_ A fan, somebody! _(Jessie seizes a newspaper and hands it to him. Dolly kneels at Belle's other side.)_ She'll be all right in a moment--she's exhausted. Ah! Better? _(He rises and speaks swiftly, intensely.)_ You see what's the matter. The girl is ill; she's nearly dying. I had to get help for her. _(To Bob.)_ You must excuse me, old man. I had to give up the wager. This was too much for me.

You see--_(Hesitates.)_ I guess you were right. I ran into the reality of life, and it floored me. You may kid me all you please, I'll take my medicine. But there was this girl--I had to come back, you see. _(To Dad.)_ Excuse me, Dad, for making such a mess of it.

But I couldn't punish this girl for my sins. I had to give up my quarter of a million, and save her life.

_Dad._ What's the matter with the girl?

_Jack._ She's been worked to death. Standing on her feet in a restaurant fourteen hours a day.

_Jessie._ Oh!

_Jack._ And you see, Jessie--I remembered how you'd gone to Florida and got well. _(To the others.)_ Look at the difference! Look at the contrast between them. That was what knocked me out--I couldn't get away from it. I've got to send this girl to Florida and give her the same chance that Jessie had.

_Jessie._ Who is she?

_Jack._ She was a waitress. She helped me when I was starving. And now I have to help her. She's as good as gold, Jessie, and you must be kind to her. It wasn't fair that she should die, just because I'd been an idler, a good for nothing! Bob--you'll be satisfied when you know what a lesson I've had. You can't imagine how I feel, coming out of it--it's like escaping from a nightmare! I can't quite believe it's over. _(He stands staring before him)._ And then I think--I've brought her out with me, but how many others I left behind me! Tens of thousands of others, down there in a pit! Belle, look at me! It was a bad dream, and now it's over! Here's my sister--see! She was as sick as you, and now, how well she is! Look at her cheeks--touch her--take her hand. And you shall be like that, you shall start for Florida right away! Can't you believe it, Dolly?

_Dolly._ It seems to me we've got some explanation coming to us, Jack.

_Jack._ Oh, I forgot. This is my sister. This is Dolly, Belle's sister, and this is Bill--a little news-boy who helped me when I was down and out.

_Bill._ Good evenin', ladies and gents.

_Dolly._ It was some kind of joke you played on us, Jack?

_Jack._ It was a wager I had made. I went out to s.h.i.+ft for myself and see how I'd get along. I wasn't playing any joke on you, Dolly.

_Dolly._ It was a pretty poor joke on Belle, I think.

_Jack._ How do you mean?

_Dolly._ You promised you'd marry her!