[As he speaks, slowly the tree and everything beneath it is illuminated by the Star of Bethlehem. The light, dim at first, grows stronger and stronger, its rays revealing sanctuary and picking out the points of the cross on the altar. But where thePoor Manstood is nothing. There is no one there. The spirit—if spirit it was—has disappeared. The man—if man it was—has gone.Danielgives a cry, and, as he does so, the light is extinguished, and suddenly, to the music that has been heard faintly through the door R. during this scene, the full choir sings: "Hark the Herald Angels Sing." In black darkness
[As he speaks, slowly the tree and everything beneath it is illuminated by the Star of Bethlehem. The light, dim at first, grows stronger and stronger, its rays revealing sanctuary and picking out the points of the cross on the altar. But where thePoor Manstood is nothing. There is no one there. The spirit—if spirit it was—has disappeared. The man—if man it was—has gone.Danielgives a cry, and, as he does so, the light is extinguished, and suddenly, to the music that has been heard faintly through the door R. during this scene, the full choir sings: "Hark the Herald Angels Sing." In black darkness
the curtain falls
Scene: George F. Goodkind'sLibrary. New York.
Ten months later. The set has only two essentials—a wide, curtained, glass door L., and an ordinary, heavy wooden door down R. The first gives entrance to the music room, which is indicated rather completely when the door is open. The second, by way of a hall and a flight of stairs, leads to the main entrance of the house. For the rest, the library is a shallow room, very much like any other library in the home of any other rich and well educated man. It is a little richer and more luxurious than most, perhaps, with—here and there—priceless things from palaces in Venice or art collections in Rome. The obsession of business is suggested by various utilities, transient and otherwise—a row of law books, a small file, and a pile of papers upon the substantial library table.
At Rise:It is a Saturday evening in November, 1919. TheGoodkindshave been entertaining informally at dinner, and, having finished the chief business of the occasion, the company is now diverting itself in the music room. This room is brilliantly illuminated; one sees the shadow of a man leaning against the glass door.Dilly Gilliam,at the piano, is playing one of the syncopations popular at the time. After a moment, a servant, with a card tray, enters R., crosses and exitsL. An instant later,Goodkind,in evening clothes, enters L. He has a card in his hand. TheServantre-enters, re-crosses, and re-exits, stopping, en route, to switch on the lights.Goodkindlooks at the pile on the table, and turns the topmost paper face down.Benfield,also in evening clothes, enters L.
Benfield
What the h——
Goodkind
Shut the door.
[Benfielddoes so. As he returns,Goodkindgives him the card]
Benfield
[Reading]
"Labor conciliators."
[Throws the card on the table]
What the h——
Goodkind
What are labor conciliators? Mostly thugs. When you've been director in a coal mining company a little longer you'll know. We've got a million dollars' worth of 'em handling this strike.
Benfield
Police duty?
Goodkind
No; spies and agents provocateur. I hate the breed, but what are you going to do about it? This fellow, Max Stedtman, got into the union five or six years ago, and now he's one of the delegation they've sent up to me.... Where's Jerry?
Benfield
I gave him the high sign.
Goodkind
[Offering cigars]:
Smoke?
Benfield
[Taking one]:
Thanks.... Why didn't you go down to West Virginia?
Goodkind
Had to look over that power plant in Canada.
Benfield
Oh, yes!
Goodkind
Anyway, what do I know about coal mining?
Benfield
You're president of the company.
Goodkind
Yes, but that means digging up money—not coal. I've never set foot in West Virginia in my life; and I don't want to!
Benfield
Yes, but in a serious situation like this—
Goodkind
I sent Jerry. Jerry has a dozen qualifications and no scruples.AndI sent Gilchrist.
Benfield
Who has scruples and no qualifications.
Goodkind
Thus striking a balance. I mean that! Don't make any mistake about Gilchrist. He's a valuable man. I didn't hire him because I was sorry he got fired out of the church ... and only a little because I knew his father. I hired him because he had theories, and I wanted to try 'em out!
Benfield
I'll say he's got theories!
Goodkind
Yes, and the remarkable part of it is ... sometimes they work. They worked up at that power plant. A year ago I wouldn't have taken it as a gift. Gilchrist applied a little soft soap—
Benfield
Soft soap or gold dust?
Goodkind
Well, both; but, damn it, Charlie, with all the increased wages and decreased working hours, the plant's making money now for the first time!
[EnterJerryL.He is a little sullen—the result of brandy and resentment. He, too, is in evening clothes, and he closes the door behind him.]
[EnterJerryL.He is a little sullen—the result of brandy and resentment. He, too, is in evening clothes, and he closes the door behind him.]
Goodkind
There's somethinginGilchrist!
Jerry
Mostly bugs!
Goodkind
All right!
Jerry
I told you what he was doing at the mines. Now he wires you, "Everything settled if you accede to rational conditions," and up comes this delegation! What are the conditions? I'll tell you now—surrender! You're crazy if you see these workmen! We've nothing to discuss! They're our mines, and we'll run 'em as we like! If this philanthropist of yours carries out instructions we've got 'em whipped!... What was the idea of the high sign?
Goodkind
[AsBenfieldpicks up the card to answer]:
Stedtman.
Jerry
Where?
Goodkind
On the way up.
Jerry
Of course, we're leaving our guests flat!
Benfield
Your wife's in there!
Jerry
Clare resents our talking business at home.
Goodkind
Resents—and you haven't been married a year! Palaver's a wife's job! They oil the machinery while we shovel in coal! [TheServantre-enters R.]
Servant
Mr. Stedtman.
[EnterMax Stedtman.He is a wiry little man, with the face of a ferret and the furtiveness of a rat. His nervousness does not indicate lack of self-confidence. That quality has made Stedtman the man he is today. For the rest, he is 40, and faintly Semitic. TheServantexits.]
[EnterMax Stedtman.He is a wiry little man, with the face of a ferret and the furtiveness of a rat. His nervousness does not indicate lack of self-confidence. That quality has made Stedtman the man he is today. For the rest, he is 40, and faintly Semitic. TheServantexits.]
Goodkind
How do, Stedtman? This is Mr. Benfield—one of our new directors.
[They acknowledge the introduction]
You know my son.
Stedtman
[Nods]: Saw him down to Black River.
[They sit—Jerrydown L.;Benfieldleft of the table;Goodkindback of it;StedtmanR.]
[They sit—Jerrydown L.;Benfieldleft of the table;Goodkindback of it;StedtmanR.]
Goodkind
Well?
Stedtman
Well ... the committee's on its way.
Goodkind
Who's in this delegation?
Stedtman
I'm chairman. We got a Pole called Umanski.
Goodkind
[Writes]:
Umanski.
Stedtman
He's a radical. You can't do anything with him. But there's a fellow named Joe Hennig....
Goodkind
Who'll listen to reason?
Stedtman
I think so.
Goodkind
Why?
Stedtman
He's got a pretty wife.
Benfield
What the he——
Goodkind
What has that to do with it?
Stedtman
Lots. Pretty wives like pretty things. Hennig's in debt, and this girl's on his neck every minute. She's a peach. You know her, Mr. Jerry!
Jerry
No.
Stedtman
Pearl Hennig?
Jerry
No.
Stedtman
Oh! I thought I saw you talking to her onct. Anyhow, Gilchrist knows her ...well.
Benfield
You mean....
Stedtman
I mean I wouldn't mention Gilchrist to Joe Hennig. [Benfieldwhistles.]
Goodkind
That's rot!
Stedtman
Anyhow, Hennig and me are two votes, and I figure Hennig's'll cost about....
[He looks at them narrowly.]
... fifteen thousand dollars.
[All three show surprise.]
Goodkind
I don't like bribery.
Benfield
Not when it isn't necessary.
Goodkind
And Gilchrist wired yesterday: "Everything settled."
Jerry
On conditions.
Stedtman
Yeh—ontheirconditions! Take it from me, this Gilchrist has double-crossed you!
Benfield
I told you!
Jerry
He's a....
Stedtman
[Goes right on, without heeding the simultaneous interruption]:
He's been at union meetings!Hegot 'em to send this delegation, and he tried to get 'em to turn down Hennig—our one best bet!You take it from me—
Goodkind
[Quietly]: I won't take it from you, Stedtman. [Looks around] Or from anybody else. I know this man.
Stedtman
[Cowed]: Well, he's gone around talkin' compromise. Compromise ain't no way to settle a strike. Givin' 'em confidence. Why, we got a couple o' hundred representatives among the workmen tellin' 'em they got no chance. We got special police clubbin' 'em every time they try to hold a meeting. You wouldn't believe what we done down there in the way of harmony!
Goodkind
It's all been done before.
Stedtman
Never no completer! We're workin' the black list and, if a man opens his mouth too wide at a meetin', somebody—he don't know who—tips the gover'ment that he's a "red." We got 'em so they ain't sure of their own brothers. We're postin' bills, in seven languages, saying: "Why should workmen mistrust the company? This is the land of opportunity! Americais calling you—GO BACK TO WORK!" The boss has a scheme now to start a riot between the Poles and the Wops! And you know the end o' that! Troops, and scabs, and machine guns! What stopped it? One gent that don't know nothin' about harmony, or co-operation, or nothin'—except hangin' around after a skirt! If you got to descend to bribery now, don't blame me! Blame Gilchrist!
Benfield
[Rises; striking the table with his open hand]: He's absolutely right!
Jerry
[Rises]: Of course, he's right! Wha'd'ya expect of a man kicked out of his church for Bolshevism?
Benfield
He ought to be brought back right now!
Goodkind
He's coming back—
[Servant enters R.]
Yes; what is it?
Servant
Two men to see Mr. Stedtman.
Benfield
Good!
Goodkind
Bring them in.
[Servant exits]
Stedtman
Now look—don't try nothin' before Umanski! Just give us an excuse to voteright, and then we'll go out, and get rid of him, and I'll slip back with Hennig! Now then—[His sharp ears have heard footsteps off R. He strikes a pose] It's very good of you gentlemen to see us! I was goin' to meet my friends outside—[The Servant ushers inUmanskiandJoe Hennig,and retires]—but you been so kind and agreeable—Hello, Joe!
Joe
Hello, Max!
Umanski
You said you be on sidewalk.
Stedtman
I just really got in myself. This is Mr. Goodkind. He's the President. And a couple o' Directors. Well, now we can get down to business!
[He sits.Umanskistares in amazement at his temerity.Umanskiis a giant Pole or Russian. Whatever flesh he ever had has been starved off; he is all bone and brawn. In his face is something strangely like poetry ... something born of silence and suffering. He is in his best, which does not obliterate the picture of the man in working clothes, his sleeves rolled up over his muscular arms. Hennig is a stocky man of 45—a "grouser." His tone has none of the courage, the dignity, the independence ofUmanski's;he blusters, emptily, anecho, without much to say, and one guesses he might be made to bluster either way. There is a pause.]
[He sits.Umanskistares in amazement at his temerity.Umanskiis a giant Pole or Russian. Whatever flesh he ever had has been starved off; he is all bone and brawn. In his face is something strangely like poetry ... something born of silence and suffering. He is in his best, which does not obliterate the picture of the man in working clothes, his sleeves rolled up over his muscular arms. Hennig is a stocky man of 45—a "grouser." His tone has none of the courage, the dignity, the independence ofUmanski's;he blusters, emptily, anecho, without much to say, and one guesses he might be made to bluster either way. There is a pause.]
Goodkind
Smoke? [He presents the humidor toHennig,andStedtman,rising, reaches out and helps himself.Goodkindgoes on toUmanski,who doesn't unfold his arms; doesn't even appear to see the box.Goodkindreturns, and sets it lower right end of table.]
Joe
[Coming down R. ofGoodkind]: I guess you know all about our grievances.
Goodkind
I didn't know you had any.
Joe
You didn't know we had any——
Benfield
Ah, you fellows are never satisfied!
Goodkind
You're getting plenty for what you do! What are you complaining about? You've left good jobs to follow a lot of idle, discontented agitators! We've got to win this fight on principle! The work's there! I pay what I can get men for, and not a cent more! Take it or leave it!
Joe
We got to hang together to get anything!
Goodkind
You're hanging, and what have you got?
[The piano music in the next room, which ceased during the scene withStedtman,is succeeded now by the low tones of a violin.Umanskispeaks, in a voice as unemotional as its owner is stolid.]
[The piano music in the next room, which ceased during the scene withStedtman,is succeeded now by the low tones of a violin.Umanskispeaks, in a voice as unemotional as its owner is stolid.]
Umanski
I work twelve hours—every day ... thirty years ... got nothing.
Benfield
Why should you have? An untrained man—
Jerry
You don't even know English!
Umanski
How I gonna learn English—work twelve hours a day?
Jerry
Nobody asked you to take the job! Nobody asked you to come over here! You're not an American!
Umanski
I was American.
Jerry
[Sneers]: When?
Umanski
When I fight ... in the war. [A short pause.]
Jerry
[Turning toGoodkind]: We're not getting anywhere. We've been over this a dozen times!
Goodkind
What do you want?
Umanski
I wanna chance to learn! I wanna chance to live! I wanna see ... sun!
Jerry
Wha'd'ya mean—son? [Together]
Goodkind
Yourson? [Together]
Umanski
God's sun. I never see him. Go to mines—him not up. Work in mines—him not see. Go home—him gone. Got baby five years ago. Never seehim. Go to mines ...him, not up. Come back—himasleep. Go home one day—himgone.
Goodkind
Dead?
Umanski
My wife say: "Good! Not such many to feed!"
Jerry
When you worked you had enough to eat, didn't you?
Umanski
Yes. Work twelve hours a day and got enough toeat—so can work some more. Always work. Get up—work—come back—sleep—get up—work. Never got time to talk to wife—never got time to talk to nobody—never got nowhere. Never save nothing.
Joe
[Whining]: It ain't fair! [Jerrytakes out his cigarette case.]
Umanski
That little box—what you pay for him? [Jerry turns front, not deigning to answer] Ah, I know; gold. You pay more for him than I got from swing pick thirty years. Me and six families—we live in one house you own. We got one room upstairs; two down cellar. Sleep there. Eat—cook—wash upstairs. See nothing but brick yard, and clothes hang up to dry. Wife—she carry water from yard. Me—I carry potato peeling out front. Him rot. If I don't like that, I quit—and starve!
Jerry
You want to live on Fifth Avenue!
Benfield
Andthenyou'd find something to kick about!
Umanski
If I don't like other mans will. Other mans take my job. I got little girl twenty years old. Awful nice little girl. Got gold hair. Got blue eyes. Her take sick. She sorry she's sick. She wanna go church. She ask me: "Pop, buy me new dress for church. Buy meprettypinkdress." Where I get him? We hire doctor once, and he say: "Air—sunshine—milk—eggs!" Where I get air—sunshine—milk—eggs? Got no job. My little girl, she cough, and cough, and one night she die. I tell you we got right to quit! We got right to hang together! We got right to fight—to live—and, by God, we gonna fight—we gonna live—we gonna—BY GOD!
[The music stops. In the same short instant, there is a patter of applause; more music—lively this time—and, bursting into the room from L.,Dillyruns intoUmanski. Shehas gold hair; shehas blue eyes; and what is more, shehas a new dress. It is a "pretty pink dress," too, and its owner wears jewels worth the ransom of a dozen Umanskis.]
[The music stops. In the same short instant, there is a patter of applause; more music—lively this time—and, bursting into the room from L.,Dillyruns intoUmanski. Shehas gold hair; shehas blue eyes; and what is more, shehas a new dress. It is a "pretty pink dress," too, and its owner wears jewels worth the ransom of a dozen Umanskis.]
Dilly
[As she enters]: Now, look here, Jerry; you're not going to—Oh! I'm sorry! [Umanskilooks at her; then covers his face, and, with a great sob, drops into a chair R. C.Stedtmanputs his arm about the man's shoulders.Goodkind,C., stares at him sympathetically.]
Jerry
You'll have to wait, Dilly.
Goodkind
Ask the ladies to stay in the drawing room. We'll join them in a few minutes.
Dilly
Yes.... Certainly.... I'm SO sorry!
[She exits. A pause.Stedtman,one arm aboutUmanski,uses the other to signalGoodkindto go ahead.Goodkindignores him.]
[She exits. A pause.Stedtman,one arm aboutUmanski,uses the other to signalGoodkindto go ahead.Goodkindignores him.]
Goodkind
I think we'd better let this go for tonight.
Umanski
[Rising]: Oh, no! Me—I'm all right! Excuse!
Goodkind
You're a little upset, and I have guests. Besides, Gilchrist will be here in half an hour, and I want to talk to him before I say anything definite. Suppose we all meet here tomorrow at noon.
Joe
[Who has turned down angrily at mention of the name]: Not Gilchrist!
Goodkind
No; just we six ... and, maybe, one or two more of our directors.
Stedtman
All right!
Umanski
I wanna know what we gonna do—tonight!
Goodkind
We're going to get together. You fellows have got the wrong idea. We're not tyrants, or monsters. We're Christians, and we want to act like Christians. Only ... we've got to live, too. We've got to havethe things we're used to, just as you have. But I think I can promise, if the strike's called off, you men will be kept, and put back just where you were.... Ring the bell, Jerry.
[Jerrydoes so. A pause.]
Benfield
I guess you don't want me any more.
Goodkind
No.
Benfield
Thanks.
[Exits L. A pause.]
Goodkind
[ToHennig.Making conversation]: You live in Black River?
Joe
Yes.
Goodkind
Married?
Joe
You betcha! Prettiest girl in West Virginia! We only been married a year. I got her in the five-and-ten-cent store.... I mean, that's where she was working. She's at her sister's now ... up to Pittsburg. Left the day before I was elected to come here. [Proudly] I sent her a telegram!
Goodkind
You don't say so! [ToJerry] Anything the matter with that bell?
Jerry
The man's busy, I suppose. I'll show them out.
Goodkind
If you will.... Well, good-night!
[He shakes hands withHennig,and withStedtman,but, when he comes toUmanski,that giant is immobile. His slow mind has been thinking out the earlier declaration.]
[He shakes hands withHennig,and withStedtman,but, when he comes toUmanski,that giant is immobile. His slow mind has been thinking out the earlier declaration.]
Umanski
What about this here twelve-hour day?
Goodkind
We'll consider that after the strike's called off.
Umanski
And the twenty-four-hour shift?
Goodkind
We'll consider that, too. Meanwhile—you go back just where you were!
Umanski
Then what good we gain by strike?
Goodkind
Nothing's ever gained by quarreling. You'll find that out some day.
Umanski
Some day something be gain! Some day we gonna win!This—he don't go on always!Yousee!
Jerry
[Insolently]: Are you ready?
Umanski
[AsHennigslips out R.,Umanskilooks atJerrywith contempt.]Yousee! [Exits R.]
Stedtman
[Significantly,—in a loud whisper]: We'll be back later. [He exits R.]
Jerry
Swine!
[He exits R.Goodkind,obviously worried by the interview, goes to the table, and rights the topmost paper. Looks at it. Sits, and examines other papers. TheServantenters R.]
[He exits R.Goodkind,obviously worried by the interview, goes to the table, and rights the topmost paper. Looks at it. Sits, and examines other papers. TheServantenters R.]
Servant
Did you ring, sir?
Goodkind
Half an hour ago.
Servant
[Indicating a box]: I was signing for this. [Goodkind,writing, doesn't look up.] Can I do anything for you, sir?
Goodkind
Yes.... Get me a drink.
[TheServanthesitates.Goodkindtakes key from pocket and gives it to him. TheServantunlocks a cellarette, up R., takes out decanter and glasses,relocks the cellarette, comes down L. of table, sets down the tray, and returns the key.]
[TheServanthesitates.Goodkindtakes key from pocket and gives it to him. TheServantunlocks a cellarette, up R., takes out decanter and glasses,relocks the cellarette, comes down L. of table, sets down the tray, and returns the key.]
Thanks. [TheServantstarts to exit L.] And, Riggs! [TheServantstops up L. C. EnterClareL.] If Mr. Stedtman comes back tonight ... with one of the other men ... I'll see them in here.
Servant
Very good, sir. [ToClare]: This package just came for you, Madam. [He gives her the box, and exits L. A pause.]
Goodkind
Everybody gone?
Clare
They're all down in the billiard room. We wanted to make up a couple of tables at bridge, but, with the men in here ... as usual.... Where's Jerry?
Goodkind
I don't know.
Clare
I've seen him just ten minutes this week.
Goodkind
He's only been back three hours.
Clare
Well ... I wish he wouldn't break up my dinner parties.
Goodkind
[Pushes back papers]: What have you got there?
Clare
[Looking at the box]: Another ... substitute....
Goodkind
Substitute, for what?
Clare
[As she opens it]: For my husband's time ... and love ... and companionship. [Holds up a sable scarf] Sables. [She gives it toGoodkind.]
Goodkind
[Looking at it with admiration]: Mm! You don't seem much surprised.
Clare
No.... Whenever Jerry's been away longer than usual, or done something he's a little ashamed of, there's a box from Cartier or Revillon.
Goodkind
Must have been a whopper this time!
Clare
[Seriously. Wondering]: Yes. [She takes the scarf.]
Goodkind
Pretty generous husband ... if you askme!
Clare
Yes. [She puts the scarf away.]
Goodkind
Upon my word, I don't know what you women want!... A man works his heart and soul out to get you things, and still you're not satisfied!
Clare
Maybe we'd like a little "heart and soul."
Goodkind
Heart and soul, and what a man trades 'em for! You want your husband to succeed, and give all his attention to you! You want him to have plenty of money, and plenty of time! You're willing to take everything, but you're not willing to pay for it!
Clare
I suppose everybodymustpay.
Goodkind
Surest thing you know! You women are all alike. My poor wife—shehad everything, and I used to catch her crying in a corner. We never seemed to understand each other ... after we gotthis. She was a good wife, too, but the best of you never seem to want what you have.... Sometimes I think we don't any of us really want what we struggle so hard to get. Sometimes I think we're all wrong! [He looks at his watch, and rises.] Well, I guess I'll go downstairs!
Clare
I wish you would.
Goodkind
[Goes to her]: You're not crying? [She nods and looks up] My God! Can you beat it?
Clare
I'll be down in a minute.
Goodkind
Tell Riggs—will you?—if any one comes, I'll be ... talking to Jerry. [He puts his hand on her shoulder] And ... buck up! There are people worse off than we are ... and it's a great life if you don't weaken!