The Pot Boiler: A Comedy in Four Acts Part 26

_Peggy._ You'll truly not go off the steps?

_Bill._ Word of honor, Peggy!

_Peggy._ All right, then.

_Bill._ Hooray! Now, I'll get the roses in my cheeks! _(exit at door Left; Peggy closes window and sound of singing stops)._

_Peggy._ It's a crime that child isn't in the country!

_Will (drawing her to table)._ What do you think of my fourth act?

_Peggy._ Why dear, it's just as I said about Act One, you need more life in the scene, more variety and color.

_Will._ But how can it be got?

_Peggy._ I told you before--you must bring in Gladys.

_Will._ Gladys at this stage of the play?

_Peggy._ Of course! You're bringing home Belle, and you want a character contrast--the daughter of the tenements and the princess of the plutocracy. Gladys is still in love with Jack, and here he's coming home with another girl!

_Will._ Oh, Peggy, that's so cheap!

_Peggy._ Wait, Will--let me work it out for you. I can show you what I mean. Let me have your pencil.

_Will (groans)._ Go on!

_Peggy._ See now--it's the same scene--_(begins to write, Will reading over her shoulder. Play-play begins to appear)._ Only Gladys is pouring tea--

_Will._ Isn't that just like her! Always pouring tea!

_Peggy._ Shut up! There's Jessie and Bob. Gladys has her very finest society manner--she wouldn't for the world let anyone think that she was excited by the telephone-message. _(full light on Play-play)_

_Gladys._ Well, Jessie, I have had a most enjoyable evening. But I must be going now.

_Jessie._ What? When Jack is coming?

_Gladys._ Oh, would Jack want to see me? Surely not! No, I must really go. _(rises and starts to door)._ Good-bye!

_Will._ You're not going to have her go off?

_Peggy._ Wait! Let me write!

_Jessie (rises, runs and stops Gladys)._ No, dear! Please wait!

_Gladys._ What for?

_Jessie._ Do a favor for me, Gladys. I know Jack still loves you. I want you to stay here! I want you to hear it from his own lips. Let me hide you behind this screen _(starts towards screen with her)._ When Jack comes in, I'll speak about you--

_Will (vehemently)._ That won't do! _(Gladys and Jessie stop.)_

_Peggy._ Why not?

_Will._ It's rotten!

_Peggy._ But I want her to do it! _(Gladys and Jessie start towards screen again.)_

_Will._ I won't have it I say! It's undignified!

_Peggy._ Oh, don't be silly, Will!

_Will._ I say I won't have it! Let Gladys go on pouring tea!

_(Gladys starts towards tea table.)_

_Peggy._ Let them hide, I say! _(Gladys starts to screen.)_

_Will._ Stop, I say! _(Gladys stops, stands dazed and helpless.)_

_Peggy._ Why can't you give me a chance to write?

_Will._ I can't stand it, I tell you!

_Peggy._ But I want to show you how it would go.

_Will._ I don't want to see it! I won't read such things!

_Peggy._ But if I'm to have Gladys at all--

_Will._ You can't have her! She's got no business in my play! _(He leaps up in fury.)_ To h.e.l.l with her, I say--to h.e.l.l with her!

_(Gladys turns and flees off with a scream; the Play-play fades.)_

_Peggy._ Will, dear, _why_ must you be so unreasonable?

_Will._ Now see, do you want to read what I've written, or don't you?

_Peggy._ Yes, dear, of course.

_Will._ Well then, drop this tomfoolery and go on!

_Peggy (resignedly)._ All right, I'll do it.

_Will._ We've got that scene to finish. I've got a climax that isn't bad, I think. Jessie and Bob have just had the telephone-message.

_(Light begins to rise on the Play-play.)_ Jessie's dancing with happiness, but suddenly the thought comes to her, What will Dad say?

_(Full light on Play-play; Peggy and Will make secret exit.)_

_Jessie (in distress)._ Bob, do you suppose Dad will take Jack's money from him?

_Bob._ I don't know. It'll all depend.