He is treated like all her other cavaliers at the time and place of parting--she goes home alone. He returns to his apartment with a new idea of the city"s possibilities.
That same evening Florence finds an intruder unceremoniously invading her room--a "gang" leader who believes the shot he has just fired at an adversary has been fatal in its effect. He tells her his story, but says he did not do the shooting. She believes him, and when the police come to her door in their search for the culprit, she pretends that the man opposite her at the table is her brother.
Later she learns that he has told her a falsehood, but she does not deliver him to justice, and when she finds that the man who was shot is not fatally injured, she sends the shielded one away in safety; for which display of her fine sense of loyalty he becomes a veritable watchdog, never intruding his presence upon her, but being always near to observe the quality of the companions she still allows herself.
Blinker meets her by appointment the next evening, and the faithful Watchdog follows them to Coney Island, vigilant, feeling sure than a man of the evident social status of Blinker can mean no good to a girl in Florence"s station.
On the boat, coming home, Blinker tells Florence that he loves her. So accustomed is she to this display of sentimentality in her cavaliers that she merely laughs. He persists, and she indicates a belief that he is just like the rest. Mention of "the rest" awakes question in Blinker. He learns that she meets men indiscriminately. He has a horror of this evidence of what he considers to be moral laxity, and when Florence sees this she is amazed. _He_ has met her in the same way, yet he is shocked that she should meet others! In justifying her course she explains what sort of place "Brickdust Row" is, and how the girls are driven out.
A fire is discovered on the boat, and in the excitement Blinker and Florence are separated and the Watchdog is unable to find the girl he worships. She has jumped into the water as the flames drew too close to her.
Later she is found at home by the Watchdog, safe though suffering from shock. He discovers that the shock is less from exposure than from her discovery that Blinker was serious, and that he refused to condone her mode of meeting men.
Blinker is visited by his lawyer, and in their conversation, a reference to "Brickdust Row" gives Blinker the knowledge that he is the owner of that tenement--that it is his own fault which gives rise to such unconventional practices as Florence has innocently indulged in. It is too late, he thinks, now--too late to change things. His dream of love is rudely dispelled.
However, after a visit from the Watchdog, in which the gangster loyally champions Florence"s character and "lays down the law" to Blinker, the latter sees Florence again, realizing his own great fault in being too quick to judge--and the reconciliation is made sweeter by his willingness to have Florence do her will with the remodeling of the tenement, while the Watchdog finds comfort in the smiles of Ella.
CAST OF CHARACTERS[37]
FLORENCE A sweet, innocent girl, whose environment shapes her conduct; sympathetic type.
BLINKER Rich, idle, careless of responsibility, and as much a victim to his own station as is Florence; slightly affected; but must not lose sympathy or create distaste.
ELLA Snappy, shop-girl type; keen contrast to Florence, and used to build up and emphasize the fine nature of Florence.
BILL[38] A typical slums character--gang leader; generally living by his wits, but possessed of a deep-rooted devotion to anybody who is "square"
with him.
FRANK A typical street-flirt.
LAWYER OLDPORT A quizzical man of the "old school."
Types of the tenement district. Police, etc.
Typical crowds at Coney Island, and on boat.
[Footnote 37: It will be observed that Mr. Powell uses now and then slightly different methods of type-arrangement and nomenclature from those used by Mr. Leeds. These are all unimportant variations.]
[Footnote 38: Bill is the interpolated character, whose purpose will be seen in script.]
SCENARIO, OR CONTINUITY OF SCENES
_Leader--_
THUS DOES FLORENCE COAX A FEW RELUCTANT DOLLARS INTO HER WEEKLY PURSE.
1--Interior small hat-tr.i.m.m.i.n.g shop.
The diaphragm opens to show Florence tr.i.m.m.i.n.g a hat. She is a pathetic figure as she looks down at the hat and realizes that such finery is beyond her owning. She looks up and smiles gratefully as the owner of the place comes from paying others in view, and drops an envelope on table before her.[39]
[Footnote 39: Nothing important happens here, but the scene is devised to gain sympathy for the girl at once.]
_Leader--_
THE SHOP GIRL"S CONSTANT PROBLEM--MAKING ENDS MEET--HELPS FLORENCE WEAR OUT MANY A PENCIL.
2--Boarding house steps.
Florence is discovered sitting on step, figuring out her accounts with a stubby pencil on back of an old envelope.
She looks disconsolately at her figures. Then as she glances up her eyes brighten and she waves a hand.[40]
[Footnote 40: Continuing atmosphere of sympathy for Florence, and beginning story in leisurely manner in harmony with its lack of dramatic opening.]
_Leader--_
FRIEND ELLA, OF THE SHOE-STORE CASHIER"S CAGE.
3--Street near boarding house.
Ella, whose face is piquant with recognition, waves in a snappy, "Oh! h.e.l.lo, Kid" manner, and goes toward boarding house.
4--Boarding house steps, as in 2. Close-up of two girls.
Ella comes on and greets Florence in breezy way; Florence is pleased, but her manner of salutation is more quiet, though equally sincere. Ella drops on step, looks at figures, and grins. Florence indicates her depression, due to the figures that will not balance with her meager income. Ella makes a proposition, saying:
_Cut-in leader--_
"WHY NOT SHARE A ROOM WITH ME? WE MIGHT EACH SAVE ENOUGH TO ADD A DILL PICKLE TO OUR LUNCH."
Florence is impressed, and Ella bids her come along and see the place.[41]
[Footnote 41: Ella definitely introduced; relationship of the girls established. Note characterization in leader.]
5--Wider view of steps.
As Florence rises, she hesitates, and seems to be averse to putting her friend to inconvenience. Ella grins gayly, and says:
_Cut-in leader--_
"WHEN YOU SEE "BRICKDUST ROW"--WHERE I LIVE--YOU WON"T THINK I"M DOING YOU ANY FAVOR."
She urges Florence to come along. Two girls leave scene.[42]
[Footnote 42: Note planting of tenement name in leader--bringing forecast of atmosphere.]
6--A street corner.