The Pot Boiler.
by Upton Sinclair.
ACT I.
SCENE.--_A transparent curtain of net extends across the stage from right to left, about six feet back of the foot-lights. Throughout the text, what goes on in front of this curtain is referred to as the Real-play; what goes on behind the curtain is the Play-play.
Upon the sides of the curtain, Right and Left, is painted a representation of an attic room in a tenement house. The curtain becomes thin, practically nothing at center, so the audience sees the main action of the Play-play clearly. At Right in the Real-play is a window opening on a fire-escape, and in front of the window a cot where the child sleeps. At Left in the Real-play is a window, an entrance door, a flat-topped desk and two chairs. This setting of the Real-play remains unchanged throughout the four acts._
_The scenes of the Play-play change with each act. For Act I the set is a drawing-room in a wealthy old New York home, entrances Right-center and Left. Both front and rear scenes are lighted by many small lights, which can be turned off a few at a time, so that one scene or the other fades slowly. When the Real-play is in full light, the Play-play is dark and invisible. When the front scene is entirely dark, we see the Play-play, slightly veiled at the sides.
In case of some rude interruption, the dream is gone in a flash, and the reality of the garret surrounds us. The text calls for numerous quick changes of three of the characters from the Real-play to the Play-play and back. Dialogue and business have been provided at these places to permit the changes._
AT RISE.--_The Real-play, showing_ PEGGY _putting_ BILL _to bed; she is young and pretty, he is a bright but frail child._
_Bill._ Say, Peggy!
_Peggy._ Well, Bill?
_Bill._ Can you guess.
_Peggy._ How many guesses?
_Bill._ Three.
_Peggy._ All right. I guess my little son doesn"t want to go to bed!
_Bill._ Say! You guessed it!
_Peggy._ Oh, mother"s great at guessing!
_Bill._ But honest, it"s still light.
_Peggy._ I know--but that"s because it"s summertime. Don"t you remember the little song? (sings)
In winter I get up at night And dress by yellow candle-light; In summer, quite the other way, I have to go to bed by day!
_Bill._ Say, Peggy--when"s Will coming in?
_Peggy._ I don"t know, dear. Your father"s working.
_Bill._ Ain"t he goin" to have any dinner?
_Peggy._ I don"t know--he didn"t tell me.
_Bill._ Is he writin"?
_Peggy._ Yes--or else thinking about things to write.
_Bill._ Say! He"s great on writin", ain"t he?
_Peggy._ You bet!
_Bill._ Do you think it"s good stuff?
_Peggy._ Indeed I do, Bill!
_Bill._ You don"t often tell him so.
_Peggy._ Don"t I?
_Bill._ No--generally you rip him up the back.
PEGGY (laughs). Well, mother has to keep him trying, you know.
_Bill._ Say, Peggy, do you suppose I"ll be an author when I grow up?
_Peggy._ Can"t tell, dear--it depends.
_Bill._ Maybe I"ll have to get some payin" job, hey?
_Peggy._ Where did you pick up that idea?
_Bill._ Ain"t you talkin" about it all the time to him?
_Peggy._ Am I? Well, I declare! Now, come, Mr. Bill--it"s after bed-time.
_Bill._ Can"t I wait till Will comes?
_Peggy._ No, dear.
_Bill._ Well, will you tell him to wake me up?
_Peggy._ No, dear. I"ll tell him _not_ to.
_Bill._ But Peggy, will you have him kiss me in my sleep?
_Peggy._ Yes, I"ll do that. Now, there you are. A big fat kiss for mother! Now, to sleep!
_Bill._ Say, Peggy!
_Peggy._ What?
_Bill._ The people next door ain"t runnin" the gramophone tonight!
_Peggy._ No, dear. Now go to sleep.
_Bill._ And the people in hack ain"t singin" any c.o.o.n-songs!