(AsLivingstoncrosses to read sign under theBrontosaurus,Hoodmakes a movement as though to speak, butBess,who has sat on the bench, stops him with an imploring gesture.)
(AsLivingstoncrosses to read sign under theBrontosaurus,Hoodmakes a movement as though to speak, butBess,who has sat on the bench, stops him with an imploring gesture.)
Um—highly suggestive, this. (Reading) “Great Amphibious Dinosaur Brontosaurus ... Jurassic Period ... Donated by James Morrow.... The Brontosaurus lived several million years ago....” You see (To them) James Morrow and the animal have clasped hands over the centuries. Um. From this sign, can’t you picture the love and devotion to science that prompted such a gift?
Hood
(Now smiling for the first time)
As it happens he didn’t even know what his money was for. While I was waiting here I heard Mrs. Morrow say.... (He stops short asLivingstongives him a sharp look.)
Bess
(Quickly)
You see, dear, you were mistaken in that sign.
Livingston
(Casually)
Perhaps. Curious though how much information a man picks up while hewaitsabout. (He crosses overto the case opposite.) I wonder what this one will reveal.
(Hoodsees he has been caught in a slip. It spurs him into a mood of retaliation. He overcomes a momentary hesitation and then shows he resolves to tellLivingstoneverything.)
(Hoodsees he has been caught in a slip. It spurs him into a mood of retaliation. He overcomes a momentary hesitation and then shows he resolves to tellLivingstoneverything.)
Hood
(With hoarse nervous intensity)
Mr. Livingston!
Bess
(Under her breath to him)
Bob!
Livingston
(Not turning)
Yes?
(For a secondHoodis about to speak, but he is halted byBess’slook and voices, as theProfessor,followed byLarry Anderson,enters.Larryis a fine strapping doughboy in his uniform, on which are two gold service stripes and several decorations for bravery. His hand is bandaged. They come down.AsLivingstongives no indication of leaving,Bessstill sits there whileHoodkeeps his eyes on her husband’s back. His silence holds them there.)
(For a secondHoodis about to speak, but he is halted byBess’slook and voices, as theProfessor,followed byLarry Anderson,enters.
Larryis a fine strapping doughboy in his uniform, on which are two gold service stripes and several decorations for bravery. His hand is bandaged. They come down.
AsLivingstongives no indication of leaving,Bessstill sits there whileHoodkeeps his eyes on her husband’s back. His silence holds them there.)
Professor
But I was expecting at least two hundred.
Larry
They got lost on the way.
Professor
Lost?
Larry
Yes. I left them at the Follies. But I’d heard my uncle speak of this place.
Professor
(Brightens)
Is your uncle interested in fossils?
Larry
Yes. He’s a queer bug. He told me to be sure and not miss the Chamber of Horrors. You know, where all the Kings and Queens and statesmen are embalmed in wax?
Professor
But, my dear friend, they tore down the Eden Musée several years ago.
Larry
They did? Why didn’t they wait till I got back? Haven’t you any Chamber of Horrors here?
Professor
No; this is the Paleontological section.
Larry
(Looking about)
Well, now that I’m here maybe this will do as well.
(Livingstonnow turns, leaning against the case, much interested in the two men. As he shows no intention of moving,Besssits there, twisting her handkerchief nervously in her hand.Hoodis embarrassed and undecided.)
(Livingstonnow turns, leaning against the case, much interested in the two men. As he shows no intention of moving,Besssits there, twisting her handkerchief nervously in her hand.Hoodis embarrassed and undecided.)
Trot ’em out, so I can tell uncle I’ve seen ’em.
Professor
(Pointing toBrontosaurus)
This is a major Dinosaur.
Larry
Major what?
Professor
The more popular name is the Brontosaurus.
Larry
Is that so? (Looking at it.) Some bird!
Professor
It’s a reptile: its name means Thunder Lizard because its mighty tread shook the earth.
Larry
Where did it grow?
Professor
From other bones we have found I should say it roamed all over the world. This specimen was dug up in Wyoming.
Larry
What was it doing in Wyoming?
Professor
(On his dignity)
It was possibly overtaken there by an earthquake.
Larry
Must have been some earthquake.
Professor
Since it was thus buried in silica away from the decomposing air and moisture, it was preserved for centuries—till we happened to discover it with a pick.
Larry
You don’t say so! (He looks at it a bit awed.) When we were digging trenches in No Man’s Land we used to find....
Professor
What?
Larry
Not that sort of bones.
Professor
This was in an excellent state of preservation. It is sixty feet long and must have weighed when alive forty tons. It took seven years to dig it out and mount it. We had to be very careful not to break its marvelous tail. If you’ll walk to the other end you’ll get an idea of its length. We found ninety-seven perfect vertebræ.
Larry
Ninety-seven? You don’t say so?
Professor
You can count them and see.
Larry
Ninety-seven what you call ’ems! Think of that. (As he goes up.) And you say it came from Wyoming?
Professor
Yes.
Larry
(Proudly)
That’s my state, too.
(Larrywanders off out of sight looking at the fossil. As theProfessorstarts to follow,Livingston,who has been watching his wife andHood,stops him.)
(Larrywanders off out of sight looking at the fossil. As theProfessorstarts to follow,Livingston,who has been watching his wife andHood,stops him.)
Livingston
I beg your pardon. I hope you won’t mind our being interested in what you were saying; but we were wondering about the animal ourselves.
(Hoodlooks atBessquickly not knowing whatLivingstonis driving at.)
(Hoodlooks atBessquickly not knowing whatLivingstonis driving at.)
Professor
(Brightening)
Indeed? I’m afraid our young friend is a bit irreverent.
Livingston
May I ask what is known of its domestic habits?
Professor
It was hardly a domestic animal. Its family life probably extended only during the infancy of its young.
Livingston
Was this a female, by chance?
Professor
Yes: the large pelvic development....
Livingston
This one undoubtedly had young, too?
Professor
Of course. But we have never found any of its eggs. It was a reptile, you know.
Livingston
But while they were dependent it undoubtedly fought to protect its young—like other animals?
Professor
With very few exceptions all the female animals at least do that; even those of low intelligence.
Livingston
This one couldn’t by any chance have been wooed away from that obligation by romantic notions?
Professor
(Suspiciously)
This—romantic?
Livingston
But you said it roamed in search of adventure?
Professor
(A bit on his dignity)
Romance lies in the field of the emotions: I am a scientist.
Livingston
What I mean is: was she faithful to one or promiscuous?
Professor
(Embarrassed)
Undoubtedly promiscuous.
Livingston
Of course.—You see, Bess, the lady existed before man made his conventions.
Professor
Yes. She could follow all her natural instincts.
Livingston
Which were?
Professor
Food and fighting. You will observe her large maw and small brain. Her main weapon of defense was her long powerfully muscled tail. From the teeth, we deduce she was mainly herbivorous.
Livingston
What did she feed on?
Professor
Everything she could pick up.
Livingston
(Significantly)
Think of that, Hood—“everything she could pick up.”
Professor
Young weeds, tender grass and the like.
Livingston
Young weeds—ah, yes, of course. Yet in spite of her diet, there is something quite impressive about dead things, isn’t there?
Professor
(Eyeing it)
They have a dynamic power.
Livingston
Exactly. You see, Mr. Hood, a dead tree, that has in its time given shelter and substance, fights to be left standing. It resists the alien ax. Its roots go as deep as when they flowed with sap. They also fight to prevent themselves from being torn up. They don’t like to be disturbed—any more than this animal did in its cold clayey comfort. (ToProfessor) You say it took seven years?
Professor
(Not understanding)
Yes. We were afraid of hurting it if we were careless.
Livingston
You were right to be careful: one shouldn’t hurt the dead. What is its scientific significance?
Professor
Nothing but a further proof of the slow processes of evolution.
Livingston
(With a smile)
I am a utilitarian. I see another significance. Possibly she was dug up, a thousand centuries after she died, just to giveyouan occupation.
Professor
I can’t accept that as a working hypothesis.
Livingston
Just think, Hood. Several million years dead! There it stands for man to look upon! Possibly that waswhyit existed, after all: for usthreeto look upon. (He glances pointedly at them.) Mr. Hood is thinking of introducing a bill in the Legislature to increase the wings of the Museum.
Professor
That’s very kind of him. We have many boxes still unpacked in the cellar for lack of room. But, unfortunately, this museum is under the control of the city, not the state.
Livingston
(Smiling atHood)
Indeed?
Bess
(Rising impatiently)
It’s getting late.
Larry
(Re-entering)
I only counted sixty-three.
Professor
(Emphatically)
But there are ninety-seven.
Larry
All right. I won’t argue it.
Professor
If you’ll come with me, I’ll show you the Tyrannosaurus. They were carnivorous and the greatest fighters of them all.
Larry
Say, this is a fine place to be showing a fellow who’s just back from France.
Bess
(Sweetly)
Young man, I’d like to shake your hand. I see you have all sorts of lovely decorations. May I ask how you got them?
Larry
(Embarrassed)
Oh, I was careless and they pinned a rose on me by mistake.
Bess
You must be very proud of them?
Larry
Sure I am. (Looking at theBrontosaurus.) But that lizard kinder takes the pride out of a fellow.
Bess
ButIadmire bravery—whenever I see it. I’d like to hear about how you really got those decorations.
Larry
Would you?
(The gong in the distance rings.)
Professor
(In back)
If you want to see the Tyrannosaurus before we close....
Larry
Oh, all right. (To others) Gee, I’ll be glad to get out among the live ones.
Bess
(Smiling at him)
So will I.
Livingston
(Coldly)
You should have gone to the Follies, young man.
Larry
Oh, I might have sprained an ankle going to my seat.
(He goes out after theProfessorasBesslooks after him.Sarahcomes in back and then goes off. The rear of room darkens, indicating she has pulled the curtain up.Livingstonglances atHoodwho is gazing atBesswith a strange enlightenment.)
(He goes out after theProfessorasBesslooks after him.Sarahcomes in back and then goes off. The rear of room darkens, indicating she has pulled the curtain up.Livingstonglances atHoodwho is gazing atBesswith a strange enlightenment.)
Livingston
I think you’re right, Bess: we’d better be going. We might stop and take the children for a spin before it’s dark.
Bess
Yes.
Livingston
(ToHood)
Are you goingourway?
Hood
No.
Bess
You’re sure we can’t drop you somewhere?
Hood
No. Thank you.
Livingston
I’m delighted to have met you, Mr. Hood. (Shaking hands.) I shall follow your work in the Legislature with great interest.
Hood
Perhaps I may be able to help you withyourmuseum.
Livingston
Just talking to you has encouraged me greatly. Good-bye. There is a big political future waiting a young man these days—if he keeps his head.
Bess
(Shaking his hand)
I’m sure my husband is right.
Hood
(Looking at her)
So am I. Quite sure.
(She turns away, as she sees what his tone of finality implies, and looks up at theBrontosauruswith a start.)
(She turns away, as she sees what his tone of finality implies, and looks up at theBrontosauruswith a start.)
Livingston
What is it, dear?
Bess
Nothing. Only it seems to be smiling at us.
Livingston
All skulls grin: it’s the eternal laughter of the dead.
Bess
Come. (As she starts.) Dear, don’t you think it might be a good idea to rescue that fine strong good-looking young soldier? He must be so lonely and we might take him for a drive.
Livingston
(A bit wearily at what he sees ahead)
Oh, yes; if you wish. But I’m sure he should have gone to the Follies.
(He offers her his arm—she takes it.Hoodwatches them as they walk out without turning back. He stands there a moment, with a cynical smile creeping over his lips. He throws the catalogue on the seat. Then he goes to the sign before theBrontosaurus.)
(He offers her his arm—she takes it.Hoodwatches them as they walk out without turning back. He stands there a moment, with a cynical smile creeping over his lips. He throws the catalogue on the seat. Then he goes to the sign before theBrontosaurus.)
Hood
(Reading and thinking)
“Mainly Herbivorous.” “Anything she can pick up.” “Several million years”....
(As he gazes there,Sarahenters and goes out to pull up the other curtain. She apparently does so for some red rays slowly gather about the fossil. The room is darker. She re-enters and stands there looking at him.Hoodgives a sigh of relief, and determination: he puts on his hat, and, with hands in his pockets, goes off whistling.Sarahstands there as the room darkens. Then she goes over near the seat and begins to mop.)
(As he gazes there,Sarahenters and goes out to pull up the other curtain. She apparently does so for some red rays slowly gather about the fossil. The room is darker. She re-enters and stands there looking at him.Hoodgives a sigh of relief, and determination: he puts on his hat, and, with hands in his pockets, goes off whistling.
Sarahstands there as the room darkens. Then she goes over near the seat and begins to mop.)
Sarah
Moppin’ and scrubbin’ ... moppin’....
(She pauses and gives a glance at theBrontosauruson whose skull are now centered the rays of the setting sun.)
(She pauses and gives a glance at theBrontosauruson whose skull are now centered the rays of the setting sun.)
Holy Mother of Saints! What are you grinnin’ at, ye dirty heathen?
(She lifts her arm again in revolt as though to throw the mop at it. Then she puts it down with a sense of futility. She picks up her things and goes off slowly.The place is now dark save for the faint light on the skull; and even that fades after a little while.)
(She lifts her arm again in revolt as though to throw the mop at it. Then she puts it down with a sense of futility. She picks up her things and goes off slowly.
The place is now dark save for the faint light on the skull; and even that fades after a little while.)
[Curtain]