Diaphragm in:
[Footnote 58: Purposely uncompleted to give suspense strength to hold over into next--slowing--episode.]
136--Blinker"s apartment.
Man caring for Blinker, somewhat burned. Sad and downcast.
Man admits Oldport. Lawyer listens to story.
137--Hospital entry.
Bill comes out, discharged--head bandaged. He takes a card out of pocket--looks and puts back. He does not know what to do, then decides, and goes off.[59]
[Footnote 59: Observe how girl"s fate is withheld till disposition of less important characters is shown.]
138--Ella"s room.
Florence in bed. Ella attending. Bill knocks, is admitted.
139--Blinker"s apartment.
Oldport sees Blinker is able to talk business. He a.s.sumes quizzical air, says:
_Cut-in leader--_
"MAYBE I CAN KEEP YOU HERE LONG ENOUGH TO TAKE UP THAT DEFERRED MATTER--"
Blinker wearily a.s.sents. Oldport begins:
_Cut-in leader--_
"YOUR FATHER INTENDED THAT THE PARLORS OF CERTAIN BUILDINGS SHOULD BE USED BY THE GIRL-TENANTS AS PLACES WHEREIN TO ENTERTAIN THEIR MALE CALLERS."
Blinker gives start of surprise--query--agony--cries out:
_Cut-in leader--_
""BRICKDUST ROW," FOR A MILLION!"
Oldport smiles:
_Cut-in leader--_
"I BELIEVE THE GIRLS HAVE SOME SUCH NICKNAME FOR IT. WHAT SHALL I DO?"
Horrible! Blinker in spasm of anguish:
_Cut-in leader--_
"BURN IT! RAZE IT! DO WHAT YOU LIKE--BUT I TELL YOU--IT"S TOO LATE, MAN--IT"S TOO LATE!--"
He flings away.
140--Ella"s room.
Bill chatting with Ella. Seems to have good feeling for her--devouring hot-cake she has made as he talks with Florence, who is sitting up. He takes out card, says:
_Cut-in leader--_
"THAT GUY YOU WAS WID--IS HE ON THE SQUARE?--HE AST ME TO CALL ON HIM--"
Florence suddenly recalls all that has happened. She turns her face away, unable to control tears of despondency.
141--Blinker"s apartment.
Oldport goes. Blinker "chases" his man, sits in bad mood, sour and lovelorn by turns.
142--Ella"s room.
Bill dismayed--demands what he has said. Florence sits up--controls herself. Says, gently:
_Cut-in leader--_
"HE--HE ISN"T GOING TO--SEE ME ANY MORE--I GUESS."
Bill is all anger--"Why?" She tells him:
_Cut-in leader--_
"I DON"T THINK--OUR--WAYS OF LIVING--"
She breaks down.
143--Close-up of Bill.
"The son of a brat!"--so he has chucked "Little Sis" has he, the rich piker? Well, Bill can see about that! Of course he thinks the worst of Blinker.
144--Wider-angle view.
Bill rises and tiptoes out. Florence weeping softly with Ella comforting--rough yet tender.
145--Blinker"s apartment.
Man admits Bill and is dismissed. Blinker hearty--then sees Bill"s anger. Rises. Big scene where Bill denounces him, saying:
_Cut-in leader--_
"YOU GOT TO BE SQUARE WITH THAT KID!"