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diff --git a/old/tmchn10.txt b/old/tmchn10.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d8a390a --- /dev/null +++ b/old/tmchn10.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3316 @@ +The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Machine, by Upton Sinclair +#8 in our series by Upton Sinclair + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world, be sure to check +the laws for your country before redistributing these files!!! + +Please take a look at the important information in this header. +We encourage you to keep this file on your own disk, keeping an +electronic path open for the next readers. + +Please do not remove this. + +This should be the first thing seen when anyone opens the book. +Do not change or edit it without written permission. 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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.12.12.00*END* + + + + + +This etext was produced by Charles Franks and the Online Distributed +Proofreading team. + + + + + +THE MACHINE + +by UPTON SINCLAIR + + + + +CHARACTERS + +(In order of appearance) + +JULIA PATTERSON: a magazine writer. +JACK BULLEN: a parlor Socialist. +LAURA HEGAN: Hegan's daughter. +ALLAN MONTAGUE: a lawyer. +JIM HEGAN: the traction king. +ANNIE ROBERTS: a girl of the slums. +ROBERT GRIMES: the boss. +ANDREWS: Hegan's secretary. +PARKER: a clerk. + + ACT I + +Julia Patterson's apartments in a model tenement on the lower East +Side. + + ACT II + +Library at "The Towers," Hegan's country place on Long Island, two +weeks later. + + ACT III + +Hegan's private office in Wall street, the next morning. + + + + +THE MACHINE + + +ACT I + + +[JULIA PATTERSON'S apartments in a model tenement on the lower East +Side. The scene shows the living- room, furnished very plainly, but in +the newest taste; "arts and crafts" furniture, portraits of Morris and +Ruskin on the walls; a centre table, a couple of easy-chairs, a divan +and many book-shelves. The entrance from the outer hall is at centre; +en- trance to the other rooms right and left.] + +[At rise: JULIA has pushed back the lamp from the table and is having +a light supper, with a cup of tea; and at the same time trying to read +a magazine, which obstinately refuses to remain open at the right +place. She is an attractive and intelligent woman of thirty. The +doorbell rings.] + +JULIA. Ah, Jack! [Presses button, then goes to the door.] + +JACK. [Enters, having come upstairs at a run. He is a college graduate +and volunteer revolutionist, one of the organizers of the "Society of +the Friends of Russian Freedom"; handsome and ardent, eager in manner, +and a great talker.] Hello, Julia. All alone? + +JULIA. Yes. I expected a friend, but she can't come until later. + +JACK. Just eating? + +JULIA. I've been on the go all day. Have something. + +JACK. No; I had dinner. [As she starts to clear things away.] Don't +stop on my account. + +JULIA. I was just finishing up. [As he begins to help.] No; sit down. + +JACK. Nonsense. Let the men be of some use in the world. + +JULIA. What have you been up to to-day? + +JACK. We're organizing a demonstration for the Swedish strikers. + +JULIA. It's marvelous how those Swedes hold on, isn't it? + +JACK. The people are getting their eyes open. And when they're once +open, they stay open. + +JULIA. Yes. Did you see my article? + +JACK. I should think I did! Julia, that was a dandy! + +JULIA. Do you think so? + +JACK. I do, indeed. You've made a hit. I heard a dozen people talking +about it. + +JULIA. Indeed? + +JACK. You've come to be the champion female muck- raker of the +country, I think. + +[JULIA laughs.] + +JACK. Why did you want to see me so specially tonight? + +JULIA. I've a friend I want you to meet. Somebody I'm engaged in +educating. + +JACK. You seem to have chosen me for your favorite proselytizer. + +JULIA. You've seen things with your own eyes, Jack. + +JACK. Yes; I suppose so. + +JULIA. And you know how to tell about them. And you've such an +engaging way about you...nobody could help but take to you. + +JACK. Cut out the taffy. Who's your friend? + +JULIA. Her name's Hegan. + +JACK. A woman? + +JULIA. A girl, yes. And she's coming right along, Jack. You must take +a little trouble with her, for if we can only bring her through, she +can do a lot for us. She's got no end of money. + +JACK. No relative of Jim Hegan, I hope? + +JULIA. She's his daughter. + +JACK. [With a bound.] What! + +JULIA. His only daughter. + +JACK. Good God, Julia! + +JULIA. What's the matter? + +JACK. You know I don't want to meet people like that. + +JULIA. Why not? + +JACK. I don't care to mix with them. I've nothing to say to them. + +JULIA. My dear Jack, the girl can't help her father. + +JACK. I know that, and I'm sorry for her. But, meantime, I've got my +work to do . . . + +JULIA. You couldn't be doing any better work than this. If we can make +a Socialist of Laura Hegan . . . + +JACK. Oh, stuff, Julia! I've given up chasing after will-o'-the-wisps +like that. + +JULIA. -But think what she could do! + +JACK. Yes. I used to think what a whole lot of people could do. You +might as well ask me to think what her father could do . . . if he +only wanted to do it, instead of poisoning the life-blood of the city, +and piling up his dirty millions. Go about this town and see the +misery and horror . . . and think that it's Jim Hegan who sits at the +top and reaps the profit of it all! It's Jim Hegan who is back of the +organization . . . he's the real power behind Boss Grimes. It's he who +puts up the money and makes possible this whole regime of vice and +graft . . . + +JULIA. My dear boy, don't be silly. + +JACK. How do you mean? Isn't it true? + +JULIA. Of course it's true . . . but why declaim to me about it? You +forget you are talking to the champion female muckraker of the +country. + +JACK. Yes, that's right. But I don't want to meet these people +socially. They mean well, a lot of them, I suppose; but they've been +accustomed all their lives to being people of importance . . . to have +everybody stand in awe of them, because of their stolen money, and all +the wonderful things they might do with it if they only would. + +JULIA. My dear Jack, did you ever observe anything of the tuft-hunter +in me? + +JACK. No, I don't know that I have. But it's never too late. + +JULIA. [Laughing.] Well, until you do, have a little faith in me! Meet +Laura Hegan, and judge for yourself. + +JACK. [Grumbling.] All right, I'll meet her. But let me tell you, I +don't propose to spare her feelings. She'll get things straight from +me. + +JULIA. That's all right, my boy. Give her the class war and the +Revolution with a capital R ! Tell her you're the only original +representative of the disinherited proletariat, and that some day, +before long, you intend to plant the red flag over her daddy's palace. +[Seriously.] Of course, what you'll actually do is meet her like a +gentleman, and tell her of some of your adventures in Russia, and give +her some idea of what's going on outside of her little Fifth avenue +set. J ACK. Where did you run on to her? + +JULIA. I met her at the settlement. + +JACK. Good Lord! Jim Hegan's daughter! [Laughs.] They were toadying to +her there, I'll wager. + +JULIA. Well, you know what settlement people are. She's been coming +there for quite a while, and seems to be interested. She's given them +quite a lot of money. + +JACK. No doubt. + +JULIA. I had a little talk with her one afternoon. She's a quiet, +self-contained girl, but she gave me a peculiar impression. She seemed +to be unhappy; there was a kind of troubled note in what she said. I +had felt uncomfortable about meeting her . . . you can imagine, after +my study of "Tammany and the Traction Trust." + +JACK. Did she mention that? + +JULIA. No, she never has. But I've several times had the feeling that +she was trying to get up the courage to do it. I've thought, somehow, +that she must be suffering about her father. + +JACK. My God! Wouldn't it be a joke if Nemesis were to get at Jim +Hegan through his daughter? + +JULIA. Yes; wouldn't it! + +JACK. How do you suppose he takes her reform activities? + +JULIA. I don't know, but I fancy they must have had it out. She's not +the sort of person to let herself be turned back when her mind's made +up. + +JACK. A sort of chip of the old block. [After a pause.] If I'd known +what was up, I wouldn't have suggested asking anybody else to come . . +. + +JULIA. Oh, that's all right; it won't make any difference. + +JACK. This chap, Montague, that I 'phoned to you about . . . he's a +sort of a convert of my own. + +JULIA. I see. We'll reciprocate. + +JACK. I think I've got Montague pretty well landed. You'll be +interested in him . . . it's quite a story. It was last election +day. . . + +[The bell rings.] + +JULIA. Ah, there's somebody. [She goes to the door; calls.] Is that +you, Miss Hegan? + +LAURA. [Off.] Yes, it's I. + +JULIA. You found your way, did you? + +LAURA. Oh, no trouble at all. [Enters, a tall, stately girl, about +twenty-three; simply but elegantly clad.] How do you do? + +JULIA. I am so glad to see you. Jack, this is Miss Hegan. Mr. Bullen. + +LAURA. How do you do, Mr. Bullen? + +JACK. I am very glad to meet you, Miss Hegan. + +JULIA. Let me take your things. + +LAURA. [Looking about.] Oh, what a cozy place! I think these model +tenements are delightful. + +JULIA. They're indispensable to us agitators . . . an oasis in a +desert. + +JACK. Built for the proletariat, and inhabited by cranks. + +LAURA. Is that the truth? + +JULIA. It's certainly the truth about this one. Below me are two +painters and a settlement worker, and next door is a blind Anarchist +and a Yiddish poet. + +LAURA. What's the reason for it? + +JULIA. [Going to room off left with LAURA's things.] The places are +clean and cheap; and whenever the poor can't pay their rent, we take +their homes. + +JACK. The elimination of the unfit. + +LAURA. It sounds like a tragic explanation; but I guess it's true. +[Looking at Jack.] And so this is Mr. Bullen. For such a famous +revolutionist, I expected to find some one more dangerous-looking. + +JULIA. [Returning.] Don't make up your mind too soon about Jack. He's +liable to startle you. + +LAURA. I'm not easily startled any more. I'm getting quite used to +meeting revolutionists. + +JACK. You don't call them revolutionists that you meet at the +settlement, I hope? + +LAURA. No; but all sorts of people come there. + +JULIA. By the way, Jack 'phoned me this afternoon, and said he'd +invited a friend here. I hope you don't mind. + +LAURA. Why, no; not at all. Is it one of your Russian friends? + +JACK. Oh, no; he's an American. His name is Montague. I was just +starting to tell Julia about him when you came in. + +LAURA. Go ahead. + +JACK. It was quite an adventure. I don't know that I've ever had one +that was more exciting. And I've had quite some, you know. + +LAURA. Yes; I've been told so. + +JACK. It was last election day, in a polling place on the Bowery. I +was a watcher for the Socialists, and this Montague was one of the +watchers for the reform crowd. The other one was drunk, and so he had +the work all to himself. It was in the heart of Leary's district, and +the crowd there was a tough one, I can tell you. It was a close +election. + +LAURA. Yes; I know. + +JACK. There'd been all kinds of monkey-work going on, and the box was +full of marked and defective ballots, and Montague set to work to make +them throw them out. I didn't pay much attention at first. I was only +there to see that our own ballots were counted; but pretty soon I +began to take interest. He had every one in the place against him. +There was a Tammany inspector of elections and four tally clerks . . . +all in with Tammany, of course. There were three or four Tammany +policemen, and, outside of the railing, the worst crowd of toughs that +ever you laid eyes on. To make matters worse, there were several men +inside who had no business to be there . . . one of them a Judge of +the City Court, and another a State's attorney . . . and all of them +storming at Montague. + +JULIA. What did he do? + +JACK. He just made them throw out the marked ballots. They were +willing enough to put them to one side, but wanted to count them in on +the tally sheets. And, of course, Montague knew perfectly well that if +they ever counted them in they'd close up at the end, and that would +be all there was to it. He had the law with him, of course. He's a +lawyer himself, and he seemed to know it all by heart; and he'd quote +it to them, paragraph by paragraph, and they'd look it up and find +that he was right, and, of course, that only made them madder. The old +Judge would start up in his seat. "Officer!" he'd shout (he was a red- +faced, ignorant fellow . . . a typical barroom politician, "I demand +that you put that man out of here." And the cop actually laid his hand +on Montague's shoulder; if he'd ever been landed on the other side of +that railing the crowd would have torn him to pieces. But the man +stayed as cool as a cucumber. "Officer," he said, "you are aware that +I am an election official, here under the protection of the law; and +if you refuse me that protection you are liable to a sentence in +State's prison." Then he'd quote another paragraph. + +JULIA. It's a wonder he ever held them. + +JACK. He did it; he made them throw out forty-seven ballots . . . and +thirty- eight of them were Tammany ballots, too. There was one time +when I thought the gang was going to break loose, and I sneaked out +and telephoned for help. Then I came back and spoke up for him. I +wanted them to know there'd be one witness. You should have seen the +grateful look that Montague gave me. + +LAURA. I can imagine it. + +JULIA. And how did it end? + +JACK. Why, you see, we kept them there till eleven o'clock at night, +and by that time everybody knew that Tammany had won, and the ballots +were not needed. So the old Judge patted us on the back and told us we +were heroes, and invited us out to get drunk with him. Montague and I +walked home together through the election din, and got acquainted. I +don't know that I ever met a man I took to more quickly. + +LAURA. You are making a Socialist out of him, of course? + +JACK. Oh, he's coming on. But he is not the sort of man to take his +ideas from any one else . . . he wants to see for himself. He hasn't +been in New York long, you know . . . he comes from the South . . . +from Mississippi. + +LAURA. [Startled.] From Mississippi! What's his first name? + +JACK. Allan. + +LAURA. [Betraying emotion.] Allan Montague! + +JACK. Do you know him? + +LAURA. Yes; I know him very well, indeed. Oh . . . I didn't . . . that +is . . . I have not seen him for a long time. [Recovering her poise.] +Is he surely coming? + +JACK. He generally keeps his engagements. + +JULIA. How did you come to know him? + +LAURA. He's Ollie Montague's brother. + +JACK. Who's Ollie Montague? + +LAURA. He's one of those pretty boys that everybody knows in society; +he brought his brother up from the South to introduce him. He was in +some business deal or other with my father. Then he seemed to drop out +of everything, and nobody sees him any more. I don't know why. + +JACK. I think he was disgusted with his experiences. + +LAURA. Oh! + +JACK. [Realizing that he had said something awkward.] I think I was +the first Socialist he'd ever met. He had just gotten to the stage of +despair. He'd started out with a long program of reforms . . . and he +was going to educate the people to them . . . one by one, until he'd +made them all effective. I said to him: "By the time you've got the +attention of the public on reform number thirty . . . what do you +suppose the politicians will have been doing with reform number one?" + +JULIA. We all have to go through that stage. I can remember just as +well . . . [A ring upon the bell.] Ah, there he is. + +JACK. [Rises and goes to the door.] But I think he's most through +butting his head against the stone wall! [Calls.] Are you there, old +man? + +MONTAGUE. [Off.] I'm here! + +JACK. How are you? + +MONTAGUE. Fine! + +JACK. Come right in. + +MONTAGUE. [Enters; a tall, handsome man of thirty; self-contained and +slow of speech; the dark type of a Southerner.] I'm a trifle late. +[Sees LAURA; starts.] Miss Hegan! You! [Recovers himself.] Why . . . +an unexpected pleasure! + +LAURA. Unexpected on both sides, Mr. Montague. + +MONTAGUE. I'm delighted to meet you, really! + +[They shake hands.] + +JACK. Julia, my friend, Mr. Montague. Miss Patterson. + +MONTAGUE. I'm very glad to meet you, Miss Patterson. + +JULIA. We had no idea we were bringing old friends together. + +MONTAGUE. No; it was certainly a coincidence. + +LAURA. It's been . . . let me see . . . a year since we've met. + +MONTAGUE. It must be fully that. + +LAURA. Where do you keep yourself these days? + +MONTAGUE. Oh, I'm studying, in a quiet way. + +LAURA. And none of your old friends ever see you? + +MONTAGUE. I don't get about much. + +LAURA. [Earnestly.] And friendship means so little to you as that? + +MONTAGUE. I . . . it would be hard to explain. I have been busy with +politics . . . + +[A pause of embarrassment.] + +JULIA. Mr. Bullen has just been telling us about your heroism. + +MONTAGUE. My heroism? Where? + +JULIA. At the polling place. + +MONTAGUE. Oh, that! It was nothing. + +LAURA. It seemed like a good deal to us. + +MONTAGUE. Make him tell you about some of his own adventures. + +JULIA. Would you ever think, to look at his innocent countenance, that +he had helped to hold a building for six hours against Russian +artillery? + +LAURA. Good heavens! Where was this? + +JULIA. During the St. Petersburg uprising. + +LAURA. And weren't you frightened to death? + +JACK. [Laughing.] No; we were too busy taking pot- shots at the +Cossacks. It was like the hunting season in the Adirondacks. + +LAURA. And how did it turn out? + +JACK. Oh, they were too much for us in the end. I got away, across the +ice of the Neva . . . I had the heel of one shoe shot off. And yet +people tell us romance is dead! Anybody who is looking for romance, +and knows what it is, can find all he wants in Russia. + +[Pause.] + +LAURA. [To MONTAGUE.] Have you seen my father lately? + +MONTAGUE. No; not for some time. + +LAURA. You may see him this evening. He promised to call for me. + +MONTAGUE. Indeed! + +JACK. Oh, by the way, Julia, I forgot! How's Annie? + +LAURA. Oh, yes; how is she? + +JULIA. She's doing well, I think. Better every day. + +LAURA. Is she still violent? + +JULIA. Not so much. I can always handle her now. + +LAURA. Is she in the next room? + +[Looking to the right.] + +JULIA. Yes. She's been asleep since afternoon. + +LAURA. And you still won't let me send her to a hospital? + +JULIA. Oh, no. Truly, it would kill the poor girl. + +LAURA. But you . . . with all your work, and your engagements? + +JULIA. She's very quiet. And the neighbors come in and help when I'm +out. They all sympathize. + +LAURA. Talking about heroism . . . it seems to me that you are +entitled to mention. + +JULIA. Why, nonsense! . . . the girl was simply thrown into my arms. + +LAURA. Most people would have managed to step out of the way, just the +same. You've heard the story, have you, Mr. Montague? + +MONTAGUE. Bullen has told it to me. You haven't been able to get any +justice? + +JACK. From the police? Hardly! But we're keeping at it, to make the +story complete. I went to see Captain Quinn to-day. "What's this?" +says he. "Annie Rogers again? Didn't your lady frien' get her pitcher +in the papers over that case? An' what more does she want?" + +JULIA. I went this afternoon to see the Tammany leader of our +district . . . + +MONTAGUE. Leary? + +JULIA. The same. I went straight into his saloon. "Lady," says he, +"the goil's nutty! You got a bughouse patient on your bands! This here +talk about the white- slave traffic, ma'am . . . it's all the work o' +these magazine muckrakers!" "Meaning myself, Mr. Leary?" said I, and +he looked kind of puzzled. I don't think he knew who I was. + +MONTAGUE. All the work of the muckrakers! I see Boss Grimes is out to +that effect also. + +JACK. And I see that half a dozen clergymen sat down to a public +banquet with him the other day. That's what we've come to in New York! +Bob Grimes, with his hands on every string of the whole infamous +system . . . with his paws in every filthy graft-pot in the city! Bob +Grimes, the type and symbol of it all! Every time I see a picture of +that bulldog face, it seems to me as if I were confronting all the +horrors that I've ever fought in my life! + +JULIA. It's curious to note how much less denunciation of Tammany one +hears now than in the old days. + +MONTAGUE. Tammany's getting respectable. + +JACK. The big interests have found out how to use it. The traction +gang, especially . . . + +[He stops abruptly; a tense pause.] + +LAURA. [Leaning toward him, with great earnestness.] Mr. Bullen, is +that really true? + +JACK. That is true, Miss Hegan. + +LAURA. Mr. Bullen, you will understand what it means to me to hear +that statement made. I hear it made continually, and I ask if it is +true, and I am told that it is a slander. How am I to know? [A pause.] +Would you be able to tell me that you know it of your own personal +knowledge? + +JACK. [Weighing the words.] No; I could not say that. + +LAURA. Would you say that you could prove it to a jury? + +JACK. I would say, that if I had to prove it, I could get the +evidence. + +LAURA. What would you say, Mr. Montague? + +MONTAGUE. I would rather not say, Miss Hegan. + +LAURA. Please! Please! I want you to answer me. + +MONTAGUE. [After a pause.] I would say that I shall be able to prove +it very shortly. + +LAURA. How do you mean? + +MONTAGUE. I have been giving most of my time to a study of just that +question, and I think that I shall have the evidence. + +LAURA. I see. + +[She sinks back, very white; a pause; the bell rings.] + +JULIA. Who can that be? + +JACK. [Springing up.] Let me answer it. [Presses button; then, to +MONTAGUE.] I had no idea you were going in for that, old man. + +MONTAGUE. This is the first time I have ever mentioned it to any one. + +JULIA. [Rising, hoping to relieve an embarrassing situation.] I hope +this isn't any more company. + +JACK. [To MONTAGUE, aside.] You must let me tell you a few things that +I know. I've been running down a little story about Grimes and the +traction crowd. + +MONTAGUE. Indeed! What is it? + +JACK. I can't tell it to you now . . . it would take too long. But, +gee! If I can get the evidence, it'll make your hair stand on end! It +has to do with the Grand Avenue Railroad suit. + +MONTAGUE. The one that's pending in the Court of Appeals? + +JACK. Yes. You see, Jim Hegan stands to lose a fortune by it, and I've +reason to believe that there's some monkey-work being done with the +Court. It happens that one of the judges has a nephew . . . a +dissipated chap, who hates him. He's an old college friend of mine, +and he's trying to get some evidence for me. + +MONTAGUE. Good Lord! + +JACK. And think, it concerns Jim Hegan personally. + +[A knock at the door.] + +JULIA. I'll go. + +[Opens the door.] + +HEGAN. [Without.] Good evening. Is Miss Hegan here? + +LAURA. [Standing up.] Father! + +JULIA. Won't you come in? + +HEGAN. Thank you. [Enters; a tall, powerfully built man, with a square +jaw, wide, over-arching eyebrows, and keen eyes that peer at one; a +prominent nose, the aspect of the predatory eagle; a man accustomed to +let other people talk and to read their thoughts.] Why, Mr. Montague, +you here? + +MONTAGUE. Mr. Hegan! Why, how do you do? + +LAURA. We stumbled on each other by chance. Father, this is Miss +Patterson. + +HEGAN. I am very pleased to meet you, Miss Patterson. + +JULIA. How do you do, Mr. Hegan? + +[They shake hands.] + +LAURA. And Mr. Bullen. + +BULLEN. [Remaining where he is; stiffly.] Good evening, Mr. Hegan. + +HEGAN. Good evening, sir. [Turns to LAURA.] My dear, I finished up +downtown sooner than I expected, and I have another conference at the +house. I stopped off to see if you cared to come now, or if I should +send back the car for you. + +LAURA. I think you'd best send it back. + +JULIA. Why, yes . . . she only just got here. + +HEGAN. Very well. + +JULIA. Won't you stop a minute? + +HEGAN. No. I really can't. Mr. Grimes is waiting for me downstairs. + +LAURA. [Involuntarily.] Mr. Grimes! + +HEGAN. Yes. + +LAURA. Robert Grimes? + +HEGAN. [Surprised.] Yes. Why? + +LAURA. Nothing; only we happened to be just talking about him. + +HEGAN. I see. + +JACK. [Aggressively.] We happen to have one of his victims in the next +room. + +HEGAN. [Perplexed.] One of his victims? + +JULIA. [Protesting.] Jack! + +JACK. A daughter of the slums. One of the helpless girls who have to +pay the tribute that he . . . + +[A piercing and terrifying scream is heard off right.] + +JULIA. Annie! + +[Runs off.] + +HEGAN. What's that? + +[The screams continue.] + +JULIA. [Off.] Help! Help! + +[Jack, who is nearest, leaps toward the door; but, before he can reach +it, it is flung violently open.] + +ANNIE. [Enters, delirious, her bare arms and throat covered with +bruises, her hair loose, and her aspect wild; an Irish peasant girl, +aged twenty.] No! No! Let me go! + +[Rushes into the opposite corner, and cowers in terror.] + +JULIA. [Following her.] Annie! Annie! + +ANNIE. [Flings her off, and stretches out her arms.] What do you want +with me? Help! Help! I won't do it! I won't stay! Let me alone! + +[Wild and frantic sobbing.] + +JULIA. Annie, dear! Annie! Look at me! Don't you know me? I'm Julia! +Your own Julia! No one shall hurt you . . . no one! + +ANNIE. [Stares at her wildly.] He's after me still! He'll follow me +here! He won't let me get away from him! Oh, save me! + +JULIA. [Embracing her.] Listen to me, dear. Don't think of things like +that. You are in my home . . . nothing can hurt you. Don't let these +evil dreams take hold of you. + +ANNIE. [Stares, as if coming out of a trance.] Why didn't you help me +before? + +JULIA. Come, dear . . . come. + +ANNIE. It's too late . . . too late! Oh . . . I can't forget about it! + +JULIA. Yes, dear. I know . . . + +ANNIE. [Seeing the others.] Who? . . . + +JULIA. They are all friends; they will help you. Come, dear . . . lie +down again. + +ANNIE. Oh, what shall I do? + +[Is led off, sobbing.] + +JULIA. It will be all right, dear. + +[Exit; a pause.] + +HEGAN. What does this mean? + +JACK. [Promptly and ruthlessly.] It means that you have been seeing +the white- slave traffic in action. + +HEGAN. I don't understand. + +JACK. [Quietly, but with suppressed passion.] Tens of thousands of +girl slaves are needed for the markets of our great cities . . . for +the lumber camps of the North, the mining camps of the West, the +ditches of Panama. And every four or five years the supply must be +renewed, and so the business of gathering these girl- slaves from our +slums is one of the great industries of the city. This girl, Annie +Rogers, a decent girl from the North of Ireland, was lured into a +dance hall and drugged, and then taken to a brothel and locked in a +third-story room. They took her clothing away from her, but she broke +down her door at night and fled to the street in her wrapper and flung +herself into Miss Patterson's arms. Two men were pursuing her . . . +they tried to carry her off. Miss Patterson called a policeman . . . +but he said the girl was insane. Only by making a disturbance and +drawing a crowd was my friend able to save her. And now, we have been +the rounds . . . from the sergeant at the station, and the police +captain, to the Chief of Police and the Mayor himself; we have been to +the Tammany leader of the district . . . the real boss of the +neighborhood . . . and there is no justice to be had anywhere for +Annie Rogers! + +HEGAN. Impossible! + +JACK. You have my word for it, sir. And the reason for it is that this +hideous traffic is one of the main cogs in our political machine. The +pimps and the panders, the cadets and maquereaux . . . they vote the +ticket of the organization; they contribute to the campaign funds; +they serve as colonizers and repeaters at the polls. The tribute that +they pay amounts to millions; and it is shared from the lowest to the +highest in the organization . . . from the ward man on the street and +the police captain, up to the inner circle of the chiefs of Tammany +Hall . . . yes, even to your friend, Mr. Robert Grimes, himself! A +thousand times, sir, has the truth about this monstrous infamy been +put before the people of your city; and that they have not long ago +risen in their wrath and driven its agents from their midst is due to +but one single fact . . . that this infamous organization of crime and +graft is backed at each election time by the millions of the great +public service corporations. It is they . . . + +MONTAGUE. [Interfering.] Bullen! + +JACK. Let me go on! It is they, sir, who finance the thugs and +repeaters who desecrate our polls. It is they who suborn our press and +blind the eyes of our people. It is they who are responsible for this +traffic in the flesh of our women. It is they who have to answer for +the tottering reason of that poor peasant girl in the next room! + +LAURA. [Has been listening to this speech, white with horror; as the +indictment proceeds, she covers her face with her hands; at this point +she breaks into uncontrollable weeping.] Oh! I can't stand it! + +HEGAN. [Springing to her side.] My dear! + +LAURA. [Clasping him.] Father! Father! + +HEGAN. My child! I have begged you not to come to these places! Why +should you see such things? + +LAURA. [Wildly.] Why should I not see them, so long as they exist? + +HEGAN. [Angrily.] I won't have it. This is the end of it! I mean what +I say! Come home with me! . . . Come home at once! + +LAURA. With Grimes? I won't meet that man! + +HEGAN. Very well, then. You need not meet him. I'll call a cab, and +take you myself. Where are your things? + +LAURA. [Looking to the left.] In that room. + +HEGAN. Come, then. + +[Takes her off.] + +JACK. [Turns to MONTAGUE, and to JULIA, who appears in doorway at +right.] We gave it to them straight that time, all right! + +[CURTAIN] + + + + + +ACT II + +Library of "The Towers," HEGAN's Long Island country place. A spacious +room, furnished luxuriously, but with good taste. A large table, with +lamp and books in the centre, and easy-chairs beside it. Up stage are +French windows leading to a veranda, with drive below; a writing desk +between the windows. Entrance right and left. A telephone stand left, +and a clock on wall right. [At rise: ANDREWS, standing by the table, +opening some letters.] + +LAURA. [Enters from veranda.] Good afternoon, Mr. Andrews. + +ANDREWS. Good afternoon, Miss Hegan. + +LAURA. Has father come yet? + +ANDREWS. No; he said he'd he back about five. + +LAURA. Is he surely coming? + +ANDREWS. Oh, yes. He has an important engagement here. + +LAURA. He's working very hard these days. + +ANDREWS. He has a good deal on his mind just now. + +LAURA. It's this Grand Avenue Railroad business. + +ANDREWS. Yes. If it should go against him, it would confuse his plans +very much. + +LAURA. Is the matter never going to be decided? + +ANDREWS. We're expecting the decision any day now. That's why he's so +much concerned. He has to hold the market, you see . . . + +LAURA. The decision's liable to affect the market? + +ANDREWS. Oh, yes . . . very much, indeed. + +LAURA. I see. And then . . . + +'Phone rings. + +ANDREWS. Excuse me. Hello! Yes, this is Mr. Hegan's place. Mr. +Montague? Why, yes; I believe he's to be here this afternoon. Yes . . +. wait a moment . . . [To LAURA.] It's some one asking for Mr. +Montague. + +LAURA. Who is it? + +ANDREWS. Hello! Who is this, please? [TO LAURA.] It's Mr. Bullen. + +LAURA. Mr. Bullen? I'll speak to him. [Takes 'phone.] Hello, Mr. +Bullen ! This is Miss Hegan. I'm glad to hear from you. How are you? +Why, yes, Mr. Montague is coming out . . . I expect him here any time. +He was to take the three- five . . . just a moment. [Looks at clock.] +If the train's on time, he's due here now. We sent to meet him. Call +up again in about five minutes. Oh, you have to see him? As soon as +that? Nothing wrong, I hope. Well, he couldn't get back to the city +until after six. Oh, then you're right near us. Why don't you come +over? . . . That's the quickest way. No; take the trolley and come +right across. I'll be delighted to see you. What's that? Why, Mr. +Bullen! How perfectly preposterous! My father doesn't blame you for +what happened. Don't think of it. Come right along. I'll take it ill +of you if you don't . . . truly I will. Yes; please do. You'll just +have time to get the next trolley. Get off at the Merrick road, and +I'll see there's an auto there to meet you. Very well. Good-bye. [TO +ANDREWS.] Mr. Andrews, will you see there's a car sent down to the +trolley to meet Mr. Bullen? + +ANDREWS. All right. + +[Exit.] + +LAURA. [Stands by table, in deep thought, takes a note from table and +studies it; shakes her head.] He didn't want to come. He doesn't want +to talk to me. But he must! Ah, there he is. [Sound of a motor heard. +She waits, then goes to the window.] Ah, Mr. Montague ! + +MONTAGUE. [Enters centre.] Good afternoon, Miss Hegan. + +LAURA. You managed to catch the train, I see. + +MONTAGUE. Yes. I just did. + +LAURA. It is so good of you to come. + +MONTAGUE. Not at all. I am glad to be here. + +LAURA. I just had a telephone call from Mr. Bullen. + +MONTAGUE. [Starting.] From Bullen? + +LAURA. Yes. He said he had to see you about something. + +MONTAGUE. [Eagerly.] Where was he? + +LAURA. He was at his brother's place. I told him to come here. + +MONTAGUE. Oh! Is he coming? + +LAURA. Yes; he'll be here soon. + +MONTAGUE. Thank you very much. + +LAURA. He said it was something quite urgent. + +MONTAGUE. Yes. He has some important papers for me. + +LAURA. I see he made a speech last night that stirred up the press. + +MONTAGUE. [Smiling.] Yes. + +LAURA. He is surely a tireless fighter. + +MONTAGUE. It's such men as Bullen who keep the world moving. + +LAURA. And do you agree with him, Mr. Montague? + +MONTAGUE. In what way? + +LAURA. That the end of it all is to be a revolution. + +MONTAGUE. I don't know, Miss Hegan. I find I am moving that way. I +used to think we could control capital. Now I am beginning to suspect +that it is in the nature of capital to have its way, and that if the +people wish to rule they must own the capital. + +LAURA. [After a pause.] Mr. Montague, I had to ask you to come out and +see me, because I'd promised my father I would not go into the city +again for a while. I've not been altogether well since that evening at +Julia's. + +MONTAGUE. I am sorry to hear that, Miss Hegan. + +LAURA. It's nothing, but it worries my father, you know. [pause.] I +thought we should be alone this afternoon, but I find that my father +is coming and... and Mr. Baker is coming also. So I mayn't have time +to say all I wished to say to you. But I must thank you for coming. + +MONTAGUE. I was very glad to come, Miss Hegan. + +LAURA. I can appreciate your embarrassment at being asked to . . . + +MONTAGUE. No! + +LAURA. We must deal frankly with each other. I know that you did not +want to come. I know that you have tried to put an end to our +friendship. + +MONTAGUE. [Hesitates.] Miss Hegan, let me explain my position. + +LAURA. I think I understand it already. You have found evil conditions +which you wish to oppose, and you were afraid that our friendship +might stand in the way. + +MONTAGUE. [In a low voice.] Miss Hegan, I came to New York an entire +stranger two years ago, and my brother introduced me to his rich +friends. By one of them I was asked to take charge of a law case. It +was a case of very great importance, which served to give me an +opening into the inner life of the city. I discovered that, in their +blind struggle for power, our great capitalists had lost all sense of +the difference between honesty and crime. I found that trust funds +were being abused . . . that courts and legislatures were being +corrupted . . . the very financial stability of the country was being +wrecked. The thing shocked me to the bottom of my soul, and I set to +work to give the public some light on the situation. Then, what +happened, Miss Hegan? My newly made rich friends cut me a deal; they +began to circulate vile slanders about me . . . they insulted me +openly, on more than one occasion. So, don't you see? + +LAURA. Yes. I see. But could you not have trusted a friendship such as +ours? + +MONTAGUE. I did not dare. + +LAURA. You saw that you had to fight my father, and you thought that I +would blindly take his side. + +MONTAGUE. [Hesitating.] I . . . I couldn't suppose. . . + +LAURA. Listen. You have told me your situation; now imagine mine. +Imagine a girl brought up in luxury, with a father whom she loves very +dearly, and who loves her more than any one else in the world. +Everything is done to make her happy . . . to keep her contented and +peaceful. But as she grows up, she reads and listens . . . and, little +by little, it dawns upon her that her father is one of the leaders in +this terrible struggle that you have spoken of. She hears about +wrongdoing; she is told that her father's enemies have slandered him. +At first, perhaps, she believes that. But time goes on . . . she sees +suffering and oppression . . . she begins to realize a little of cause +and effect. She wants to help, she wants to do right, but there is no +way for her to know. She goes to one person after another, and no one +will deal frankly with her. No one will tell her the truth . . . +absolutely no one! [Leaning forward with intensity.] No one! No one! + +MONTAGUE. I see. + +LAURA. So it was with you . . . and with our friendship. I knew that +you had broken it off for such reasons. I knew that there was nothing +personal . . . it was nothing that I had done . . . + +MONTAGUE. No! Surely not! + +LAURA. [Gazes about nervously.] And then the other night . . . you +told me you were investigating the traction companies of New York . . +. their connection with politics, and so on. Ever since then I have +felt that you were the one person I must talk with. Don't you see? + +MONTAGUE. Yes; I see. + +LAURA. I have sought for some one who will tell me the truth. Will +you? + +MONTAGUE. [In a low voice.] You must realize what you are asking of +me, Miss Hegan. + +LAURA. I have not brought you here without realizing that. You must +help me! + +MONTAGUE. Very well. I will do what I can. + +LAURA. [Leaning forward.] I wish to know about my father. I wish to +know to what extent he is involved in these evils that you speak of. + +MONTAGUE. Your father is in the game, and he has played it the way the +game is played. + +LAURA. Has he been better than the others, or worse? + +MONTAGUE. About the same, Miss Hegan. + +LAURA. He has been more successful than they. + +MONTAGUE. He has been very successful. + +LAURA. You were concerned in some important deal with my father, were +you not? + +MONTAGUE. I was. + +LAURA. Then you withdrew. Was that because there was something wrong +in it? + +MONTAGUE. It was, Miss Hegan. + +LAURA. There were corrupt things done? + +MONTAGUE. There were many kinds of corrupt things done. + +LAURA. And was my father responsible for them? + +MONTAGUE. Yes. + +LAURA. Directly? + +MONTAGUE. Yes; directly. + +LAURA. Then my father is a bad man? MONTAGUE. [After a pause.] Your +father finds himself in the midst of an evil system. He is the victim +of conditions which he did not create. + +LAURA. Ah, now you are trying to spare me! + +MONTAGUE. No. I should say that to any one. I am at war with the +system . . . not with individuals. It is the old story of hating the +sin and loving the sinner. Your father's rivals are just as reckless +as he take Murdock, for instance, the man who is behind this Grand +Avenue Railroad matter. It is hard for a woman to understand that +situation. + +LAURA. I can understand some things very clearly. I go down into the +slums and I see all that welter of misery. I see the forces of evil +that exist there, defiant and hateful . . . the saloons and the +gambling-houses, and that ghastly white-slave traffic, of which Annie +Rogers is the victim. And there is the political organization, taking +its toll from all these, and using it to keep itself in power. And +there is Boss Grimes, who is at the head of all . . . and he is one of +my father's intimate associates. I ask about it, and I am told that it +is a matter of "business." But why should my father do business with a +man whose chief source of income is vice? + +MONTAGUE. That is not quite the case, Miss Hegan. + +LAURA. Doesn't the vice tribute go to him? + +MONTAGUE. Part of it does, I have no doubt. But it would be a very +small part of his income. + +LAURA. What then? + +MONTAGUE. The vice graft serves for the police and the district +leaders and the little men; what really pays nowadays is what has come +to be called "honest graft." + +LAURA. What is that? + +MONTAGUE. The business deals that are trade with the public service +corporations. + +LAURA. Ah! That is what I wish to know about! + +MONTAGUE. For instance, I am running a street railway . . . + +LAURA. [Quickly.] My father is running them all! + +MONTAGUE. Very well. Your father is in alliance with the organization; +he is given franchises and public privileges for practically nothing; +and in return he gives the contracts for constructing the subways and +street-car lines to companies organized by the politicians. These +companies are simply paper companies . . . they farm out the contracts +to the real builders, skimming off a profit of twenty or thirty per +cent. One of these companies received contracts last year to the value +of thirty million dollars. + +LAURA. And so that is how Grimes gets his money? + +MONTAGUE. Grimes' brother is the president of the company I have +reference to. + +LAURA. I see; it is a regular system. + +MONTAGUE. It is a business, and there is no way to punish it . . . it +does not violate any law . . . + +LAURA. And yet it is quite as bad! + +MONTAGUE. It is far worse, because of its vast scope. It carries every +form of corruption in its train. It means the prostitution of our +whole system of government . . . the subsidizing of our newspapers, +and of the great political parties. It means that judges are chosen +who will decide in favor of the corporations; that legislators are +nominated who will protect them against attack. It means everywhere +the enthronement of ignorance and incompetence, of injustice and +fraud. + +LAURA. And in the end the public pays for it? + +MONTAGUE. In the end the public pays for everything. The stolen +franchises are unloaded on the market for ten times what they cost, +and the people pay their nickels for a wretched, broken-down service. +They pay for it in the form of rent and taxes for a dishonest +administration. Every struggling unfortunate in the city pays for it, +when he comes into contact with the system . . . when he seeks for +help, or even for justice. It was that side of it that shocked me most +of all . . . I being a lawyer, you see. The corrupting of our +courts . . . + +LAURA. The judges are bought, Mr. Montague? + +MONTAGUE. The judges are selected, Miss Hegan. + +LAURA. Selected! I see. + +MONTAGUE. And that system prevails from the Supreme Court of the State +down to the petty Police Magistrates, before whom the poor come to +plead. + +LAURA. And that is why the white-slave traffic goes unpunished! + +MONTAGUE. That is why. + +LAURA. And why no one would move a hand for Annie Rogers! + +MONTAGUE. That is why. + +LAURA. And my father is responsible for it! + +MONTAGUE. [Gravely.] Yes; I think he is, Miss Hegan. + +A PAUSE. + +LAURA. Have you seen Julia Patterson lately? + +MONTAGUE. I saw her last night. + +LAURA. And how is Annie? + +MONTAGUE. She . . . [Hesitates.] She is dead. + +LAURA. [Starting.] Oh! + +MONTAGUE. She died the night before last. + +LAURA. [Stares at him, then gives a wild start, and cries] She . . . +she . . . + +MONTAGUE. She killed herself. + +LAURA. Oh! + +MONTAGUE. She cut her throat. + +LAURA. [Hides her face and sinks against the table, shuddering and +overcome.] Oh, the poor girl! The poor, poor girl! [Suddenly she +springs up.] Can't you see? Can't you see? It is things like that that +are driving me to distraction! + +MONTAGUE. [Starting toward her.] Miss Hegan . . . + +LAURA. [Covering her face again.] Oh! oh! It is horrible! I can't +stand it! I . . . + +[Sound of motor heard; they listen.] + +LAURA. That is my father's car . . . Mr. Montague, will you excuse me? +I must have a talk with my father . . . + +MONTAGUE. Certainly. Let me go away . . . + +LAURA. No; please wait. Just take a little stroll. I . . . + +MONTAGUE. Certainly, I understand. + +[Exit right.] + +LAURA. [Seeks to compose herself; then goes to window.] Father! + +HEGAN. [Off.] Yes, dear. + +LAURA. Come here. + +HEGAN. [Enters.] What is it? + +LAURA. Father, I have just had dreadful news . . + +HEGAN. What? + +LAURA. Annie Rogers . . . that poor girl, you know . . . + +HEGAN. Yes. + +LAURA. She has killed herself. + +HEGAN. No! + +LAURA. She cut her own throat. + +HEGAN. Oh, my dear! [Starts toward her.] I am so sorry . . . + +LAURA. [Quickly.] No, father! Listen! You must talk to me . . . you +must talk to me this time! + +HEGAN. My child . . . + +LAURA. You cannot put me off. You cannot, I tell you! + +HEGAN. Laura, dear, you are upset . . . + +LAURA. No! That is not so! I have perfect control of myself. There is +no use crying . . . the girl is dead. That can't be helped. But I mean +to understand about it. I mean to know who is responsible for her +death. + +HEGAN. My dear, these evils are hard to know of . . . + +LAURA. That house to which that girl was taken . . . there is a law +against such places, is there not? + +HEGAN. Yes, my dear. + +LAURA. And why is not the law enforced? + +HEGAN. It has not been found possible to enforce such laws. + +LAURA. But why not? + +HEGAN. Why, my dear, this evil . . . + +LAURA. These people pay money to the police, do they not? + +HEGAN. Why, yes; I imagine . . . + +LAURA. Don't tell me what you imagine . . . tell me what you know! +They pay money to the police, don't they? + +HEGAN. Yes. + +LAURA. Then why should the police not be punished? Do those who +control the police get some of the money? + +HEGAN. Some of them, my dear. + +LAURA. That is, the leaders of Tammany. + +HEGAN. Possibly . . . yes. + +LAURA. And Mr. Grimes . . . he gets some of it? + +HEGAN. Why, my dear . . . + +LAURA. Tell me! + +HEGAN. But really, Laura, I never asked him what he gets. + +LAURA. [With intensity.] Father, you must understand me! I will not be +trifled with . . . I am in desperate earnest! I am determined to get +to the bottom of this thing! I am no longer a child, and you must not +try to deceive me! Mr. Grimes must get some of that money! + +HEGAN. I think it possible, my dear. + +LAURA. And do you get any? + +HEGAN. Good God, Laura! + +LAURA. Then what is the nature of your relationship with Grimes? + +HEGAN. Really, my child, this is not fair of you. I have business +connections which you cannot possibly understand . . . + +LAURA. I can understand everything that you are willing for me to +understand! I want to know why you must have business connections with +a man like Boss Grimes. + +HEGAN. My dear, I think you might take your father's word in such a +case. It has nothing to do with vice, I can assure you. Grimes is a +business ally of mine. He is a rich man, a great power in New +York . . . + +LAURA. Do you help to keep him a power in New York? + +HEGAN. Why, I don't know . . . + +LAURA. Do you contribute to his campaign funds? + +HEGAN. Why, Laura! I am a Democrat. Surely I have a right to support +my party! + +LAURA. [Quickly.] Have you ever contributed to the Republican campaign +funds? + +HEGAN. [Disconcerted; laughs.] Why . . . really . . . + +LAURA. Please answer me. + +HEGAN. I am a Gold Democrat, my dear. + +LAURA. I see. [She Pauses.] You put Mr. Grimes in the way of making a +great deal of money, do you not? + +HEGAN. I do that. + +LAURA. He is interested in companies that you give contracts to? + +HEGAN. Really! You seem to be informed about my affairs! + +LAURA. I have taken some trouble to inform myself. Father, don't you +realize what it means to corrupt the government of the city in this +way? + +HEGAN. Corrupt the government, my dear? + +LAURA. Does not Grimes have the nominating of judges and legislators? + +HEGAN. Why, yes . . . in a way . . . + +LAURA. And does he not consult with you? + +HEGAN. Why, my dear . . . + +LAURA. Please tell me. + +HEGAN. [Realizing that he cannot make any more admissions.] No, my +dear. + +LAURA. Never? + +HEGAN. Absolutely never. + +LAURA. He has never made any attempt to influence the courts in your +favor? + +HEGAN. Never. + +LAURA. Not in any way, father? + +HEGAN. Not in any way. + +LAURA. Nor in favor of your companies? + +HEGAN. No, my dear. + +LAURA. You mean, you can give me your word of honor that that is the +truth? + +HEGAN. I can, my dear. + +LAURA. And that none of your lawyers do it? Do you mean that the +courts escape your influence . . . + +HEGAN. [Laughing disconcertedly.] Really, my dear, this is as bad as a +Government investigation! I shall have to take refuge in a lapse of +memory. + +LAURA. [Intensely.] Father! Is it nothing to you that I have the blood +of that poor girl on my conscience? + +HEGAN. My child! + +LAURA. Yes; just that! She was caught in the grip of this ruthless +system; it held her fast and crushed her life out. And we maintain +this system! I profit by it . . . all this luxury and power that I +enjoy comes from it directly! Can't you see what I mean? + +HEGAN. I see, my dear, that you are frightfully overwrought, and that +you are making yourself ill. Can't you imagine what it means to me to +have you acting in this way? Here I am at one of the gravest crises of +my life; I am working day and night, under frightful strain . . . I +have hardly slept six hours in the past three days. And here, when I +get a chance for a moment's rest, you come and put me through such an +ordeal! You never think of that! + +LAURA. It's just what I do think of! Why must you torture yourself so? +Why . . . + +HEGAN. My dear, I, too, am in the grip of the system you speak of. + +LAURA. But why? Why stay in it? Haven't we money enough yet? + +HEGAN. I have duties by which I am bound . . . interests that I must +protect. How can I . . . [A knock.] Come in! + +ANDREWS. [Enters.] Here are the papers, Mr. Hegan. They must be signed +now if they're to catch this mail. + +HEGAN. All right. + +[Sits at desk up stage and writes.] + +LAURA. [Stands by table, staring before her; picks u¢ book carelessly +from table.] "Ivanhoe" . . . [Fingers it idly and a slip of paper +falls to floor. She picks it up, glances at it, then starts.] Oh! . . +. [Reads.] "Memo to G., two hundred thousand on Court deal. GRIMES." +Two hundred thousand on Court deal! [Glances back at her father; then +replaces slip and lays book on table.] Father, have you read +"Ivanhoe"? + +HEGAN. [Without looking up.] I'm reading it now. Why? Do you want it? + +LAURA. No; I just happened to notice it here. + +HEGAN. [Looks up sharply, watches her, then finishes writing.] There! +[Rises; the sound of a motor heard.] What's that? + +ANDREWS. [Near window.] It's Mr. Grimes. + +LAURA. [Starting.] Grimes! + +HEGAN. [TO ANDREWS.] Bring him in. + +[ANDREWS exit.] + +LAURA. Father! Why do you bring that man here? + +HEGAN. I'll not do it again, dear. I didn't realize. He happened to be +in the neighborhood . . . + +LAURA. I won't meet him! + +HEGAN. [Putting his arm about her.] Very well, dear; come away. Try to +stop worrying yourself now, for the love of me . . . + +[Leads her off left.] + +ANDREWS. [At window.] This way, Mr. Grimes. + +[GRIMES enters; a powerfully built, broad-shouldered man of about +fifty, with a massive jaw, covered with a scrubby beard; the face of a +bulldog; a grim, masterful man, who never speaks except when he has +to. He enters and seats himself in a chair by the table.] Will you +have a cigar? [Grimes takes a cigar, without comment, and chews on it; +sits, staring in front of him.] Mr. Hegan will be here directly, Sir. + +[He nods, and ANDREWS exit. GRIMES continues to chew and stare in +front of him. He is not under the necessity of making superfluous +motions.] + +HEGAN. [Enters left.] Hello, Grimes! + +GRIMES. Hello! + +HEGAN. [Betraying anxiety.] Well? + +GRIMES. It's done. + +HEGAN. What? + +GRIMES. It's done. + +HEGAN. Good! [Grimes nods.] How did you manage it? + +GRIMES. [Grimly.] I put my hand on 'em! + +HEGAN. Which one? Porter? [GRIMES nods.] Oh, the old hypocrite! What +did you offer him? Cash? [GRIMES shakes his head slowly.] What? + +GRIMES. Discipline! + +HEGAN. [Perplexed.] But . . . a judge! + +GRIMES. When a man's once mine, he stays mine . . . no matter if it's +a life job I give him. + +MEGAN. But are you sure it's safe? + +GRIMES. The decision comes tomorrow. + +HEGAN. [Starting.] What? + +GRIMES. Tomorrow noon. + +HEGAN. But how can they write the decision? + +GRIMES. They'll adopt the minority opinion. + +HEGAN. Oh! I see! + +[Chuckles.] + +GRIMES. You be ready. + +MEGAN. Trust me! I'll have to go in now. + +GRIMES. It'll be a great killing. Old Murdock has plunged up to his +neck! + +HEGAN. I know! We'll lay them flat. I'll get ready. [Rises.] Old +Porter! Think of it! When did you see him? + +GRIMES. Last night. + +HEGAN. I see. I'll be with you. + +GRIMES. Just a moment. I'll take the money. + +HEGAN. Oh, yes. Why don't you let me hold it and buy for you? + +GRIMES. I'll buy for myself. + +HEGAN. Very well. + +[Sits at desk.] + +GRIMES. It's two hundred thousand. + +HEGAN. That's right. [Writes a check, rises and gives it to Grimes.] +There. + +GRIMES. [Studies the check, nods, and puts it away carefully.] When's +the next train? + +HEGAN. In about ten minutes. [Rings bell.] Andrews! + +ANDREWS. [Enters left.] Yes, Sir. + +HEGAN. I'm going into town at once. Telephone orders to the house. + +ANDREWS. Yes, sir. And shall I come in this evening? + +HEGAN. Yes; you'd better. And telephone Mr. Isaacson and Mr. Henry +Sterns to meet me at eight o'clock for an important conference at . . +. let me see, where? + +GRIMES. At my rooms. + +HEGAN. Very good. And they're not to fail on any account. It's urgent. + +ANDREWS. Yes, sir. + +[HEGAN and GRIMES go off centre. ANDREWS remains sorting papers. A +knock, right.] + +ANDREWS. Come in! + +[MONTAGUE enters.] + +ANDREWS. Oh, good afternoon. I was looking for you, Mr. Montague. Mr. +Bullen has come. + +MONTAGUE. Oh! Where is he? + +ANDREWS. He's waiting. I'll tell him you're here. + +[Exit right.] + +MONTAGUE. [Stands at window and sees motor departing.] Grimes! I +wonder what that means? [Turns away.] And what a coincidence, that I +should be here! Humph! Well, it's not my doings. Ah! Bullen! + +JACK. [Enters, right, in great excitement.] Montague ! + +MONTAGUE. Yes. + +JACK. I've got 'em! + +MONTAGUE. What? + +JACK. I've got 'em! + +MONTAGUE. You don't mean it! + +JACK. Got 'em dead! Got everything! There's never been a case like it! + +MONTAGUE. [Gazing about.] Ssh! Where was it? + +JACK. At Judge Porter's house. + +MONTAGUE. What? + +JACK. Yes. . . . Grimes came there. + +MONTAGUE. When? + +JACK. Last night. My friend was in the next room . . . he heard +everything! + +MONTAGUE. And what are they going to do? + +JACK. Porter is to switch over, and sign the minority opinion, and +that's to come out as the decision of the Court. + +MONTAGUE. Good God! When? + +JACK. Tomorrow. + +MONTAGUE. Impossible! + +JACK. There's to be a meeting of the judges this afternoon. See . . . +here's the decision! [Takes paper from pocket.] The one they mean to +kill! + +MONTAGUE. [Looks at paper.] Merciful heavens! + +JACK. And look here! [Unfolds a paper, which has pasted on it bits of +a torn and charred note.] He threw this in the fireplace, and it +didn't burn. + +MONTAGUE. Bullen! + +JACK. In Grimes' own handwriting: "My Dear Porter--I will call" . . . +you can see what that word was . . . "at eight-thirty. Very urgent." +How's that? + +MONTAGUE. Man, it's ghastly! [A pause.] How did you manage to get +these? + +JACK. It's a long story. + +MONTAGUE. How did Grimes work it? Money? + +JACK. Not a dollar. + +MONTAGUE. What then? + +JACK. Just bluffed him. Party loyalty! What was he named for? + +MONTAGUE. But in a suit like this! + +JACK. Never was a better test! If Hegan lost this case, he'd be wiped +off the slate, and the organization might go down at the next +election. And what were you put in for, judge Porter? Don't you see? + +MONTAGUE. I see! It takes my breath away! + +JACK. [Looking about.] And what a place for us to meet in! Did you see +Grimes? + +MONTAGUE. Yes. + +JACK. I'll wager he came to tell Hegan about it. + +MONTAGUE. No doubt of it. + +JACK. God! I'd give one hand to have heard them! + +MONTAGUE. Don't wish that ! It's embarrassing enough as it is! + +JACK. [Staring at him.] You'll see it through? You won't back out? + +MONTAGUE. Oh, I'll see it through . . . trust me for that. But it's +devilish awkward! + +JACK. Why did you come here? + +MONTAGUE. I tried not to. But Miss Hegan insisted. + +JACK. [Laughing.] The same here! I was fair caught! + +MONTAGUE. And now she'll think we learned it here. I'll have to +explain to her . . . + +JACK. What? + +MONTAGUE. I Must! + +JACK. No! [LAURA appears at windows, centre, and hears the rest, which +is in excited tones.] It is not to be thought of! + +MONTAGUE. But I can't help it, man! Miss Hegan will think I've been +eavesdropping! + +JACK. Do you realize what you're proposing, man? You'll ruin +everything! We've got Grimes dead . . . we can land him in jail! But +if Hegan heard any whisper of it, they'd balk everything! + +MONTAGUE. But how? + +JACK. They'd hold up the decision of the Court . . . + +MONTAGUE. Nonsense! With all that they'd stand to lose . . . + +LAURA. [Coming forward.] I beg pardon, Mr. Bullen. + +JACK. Oh! + +LAURA. I didn't wish to hear what you were saying. But I couldn't help +it. I was caught unawares. [The three stare at each other.] It is +something that involves my father. [Looking at the papers in BULLEN's +hands.] Mr. Bullen has brought you some evidence. Is that so, Mr. +Montague? + +MONTAGUE. [In a low voice.] Yes, Miss Hegan. + +LAURA. And you wished to take me into your confidence? + +MONTAGUE. I wished to make it impossible for you to think we had +obtained this evidence in your home. + +LAURA. I See. + +MONTAGUE. You will do us the justice to recognize that we did not seek +admission here. + +LAURA. Yes; I do that. [A pause.] All that I can say is, that if you +think it best to take me into your confidence, you may trust me to the +bitter end. + +MONTAGUE. Miss Hegan, Mr. Bullen has brought me evidence which proves +that the decision of the Court, which is to be made known tomorrow, +has been . . . improperly affected. + +LAURA. [Quickly.] By whom? + +MONTAGUE. By Robert Grimes. + +LAURA. [Starts wildly.] And the evidence involves my father? + +MONTAGUE. Your father will be the chief one to profit from the change. + +LAURA. [Sinks back against the table; stares away from them, +whispering.] To Grimes . . . two hundred thousand on Court deal! I +see! I see! [Faces them, weakly.] And what . . . what do you mean to +do? + +MONTAGUE. I intend to wait until the decision has been announced, +which will be tomorrow, and then to call a public meeting and present +the evidence. + +LAURA. [Starts to implore him; then controls herself.] Yes, yes . . . +that is just. But then . . . see! It hasn't been done yet! + +MONTAGUE. How do you mean? + +LAURA. The decision hasn't come out. It could be stopped! + +JACK. Why stop it? + +LAURA. That would prevent the wrong! I would . . . oh, I see! You want +to expose Grimes! You'd rather it happened! + +JACK. The crime has already been committed. + +LAURA. And you, Mr. Montague . . . you prefer it so? + +MONTAGUE. I had never thought of any other possibility. + +LAURA. Listen! I don't understand the matter very clearly. The Grand +Avenue Railroad case . . . + +MONTAGUE. It is an effort to annul a franchise which was obtained by +proven bribery. + +LAURA. Then, if the public could win, it would be worth while, would +it not? + +MONTAGUE. It would establish a precedent of vast importance. But how +could that be done? + +LAURA. We have a hold upon these men . . . we could compel them to +give way! + +MONTAGUE. They would never do it, Miss Hegan . . . they have too much +at stake. + +LAURA. But . . . the evidence you have! Mr. Bullen said you could send +Grimes to jail. + +MONTAGUE. That was just wild talk. Grimes has the district attorney +and the courts. He could never be punished for anything. + +LAURA. But the exposure! + +JACK. He's been exposed a hundred times. What does that matter to him? + +LAURA. But then . . . my father is involved. + +JACK. Quite true, Miss Hegan . . . + +LAURA. And I can make him see how wrong it is. + +JACK. You can make him see it! But you can't make him do anything! + +LAURA. Ah, but you don't know my father . . . truly, you don't. He +does these evil things, but at heart he's a kind and loyal man! And he +loves me . . . I am his only daughter . . . and I can help him to see +what is right. We have always understood each other; he will listen to +me as he would not to any one else in the world. + +JACK. But what can you say to him? We can't put our evidence in your +hands . . . + +LAURA. I don't need your evidence. I must tell you that I, too, have +found out something about this case. I know that my father paid Mr. +Grimes to influence the decision of that Court. And I know how much he +paid him. + +MONTAGUE. Miss Hegan! + +JACK. Good God! + +LAURA. You see, I am not afraid to trust you . . . . [A pause.] What +is the nature of your evidence against Grimes? + +MONTAGUE. It comes from an eye-witness of his interview with the +judge. + +LAURA. And it is some one you can trust? + +MONTAGUE. It's for Bullen to tell you. + +JACK. The judge has a nephew, a dissipated chap, whose inheritance he +is holding back . . . and who hates him in consequence. The nephew +happens to be a college chum of mine. He witnessed the interview and +he brought me the evidence. + +LAURA. I see. Then, certainly, I have a case. And don't you see what a +hold that gives me upon my father? + +JACK. Miss Hegan, you are a brave woman, and I would like to give way +to you. But you could accomplish nothing. This suit, which is +nominally in the public interest, is really backed by Murdock and his +crowd, who are fighting your father; you must realize his position . . +. the thousand ties that bind him . . . all the habits of a lifetime! +Think of the friends he has to protect; you don't know . . . + +LAURA. I know it all. And, on the other hand, I know some things that +you do not know. I know that my father is not a happy man. There is a +canker eating at his heart . . . the fruit of life has turned to ashes +on his lips. And he has one person in all this world that he loves . . +. myself. He has toiled and fought for me . . . all these years he has +told himself that he was making his money for me. And now he finds +that it brings me only misery and grief . . . it is as useless to me +as it is to him! And now, suppose I should go to him and say: "Father, +you have committed a crime. And I cannot stand it another hour. You +must choose here and now . . . you must give up this fight against the +people . . . you must give up this career, and come with me and help +me to do good in the world. Or else" . . . [her voice breaking.] . . . +"I shall have to leave you! I shall refuse to touch a dollar of your +money; I shall refuse in any way to share your guilt!" Don't you see? +He will know that I am speaking the truth . . . and that I mean every +word of it. Oh, gentlemen, believe me . . . my father would be as +strong to atone for his injustices as he has been to commit them! +Surely, you can't refuse me this chance to save him? + +JACK. Miss Hegan . . . + +MONTAGUE. For God's sake, Jack . . . + +JACK. Excuse me, Montague. How long would you expect us to wait, Miss +Hegan? + +LAURA. You need not wait at all. You could go right ahead with your +own plans. Meantime, I can go to my father . . . I will have tonight +to plead with him, and tomorrow morning you will know if I have +succeeded. + +JACK. Very well . . . I will consent to that. + +LAURA. Let Mr. Montague come to my father's office tomorrow morning at +ten o'clock. I shall not give him up . . . even if I have to follow +him there! And now . . . good-bye . . . [Starts toward the door, +breaks down and cries.] Thank you! Thank you! + +[Stretches out her hands to them.] + +MONTAGUE. [Springing toward her.] Miss Hegan ! + +LAURA. Give me a little courage! Tell me you think I shall succeed ! + +MONTAGUE. [Seizing her hand.] I believe you will, Miss Hegan! + +LAURA. Ah! Thank you! + +MONTAGUE. [Kisses her hand; tries to speak; overcome.] Good-bye! + +LAURA. [Exit.] Ah, God! + +JACK. I understand, old man! If only she weren't so rich! + +MONTAGUE. If only she weren't . . . + +JACK. Yes, yes, dear boy; I know how it is. You're troubled with a +conscience, and yours must be strictly a cottage affair! But forget it +just now, old fellow . . . we've got work before us. Play ball! + +[Takes him by the shoulder; they go off.] + +[CURTAIN] + + + + +ACT III + +HEGAN'S office in Wall street. A large room, furnished with severe +simplicity. At the left a large table, with half a dozen chairs about +it, and a "ticker" near the wall; at the right, a flat-topped desk and +a telephone. Entrance centre. + +[At rise: ANDREWS stands by desk; takes some papers, looks them over, +makes note and replaces them.] + + + + +PARKER. [Enters.] Say, Andrews, what's the reply to these letters of +the Fourth National? + +ANDREWS. Give them here; I'll see to them. + +PARKER. Any orders for the brokers this morning? + +ANDREWS. I'm writing them myself. + +PARKER. Something special, eh? All right. [Looks at ticker.] Hello! +Listen to this: "There is a rumor, widely current, that the decision +of the Court of Appeals in the matter of the Public vs. the Grand +Avenue Rail l road Company will be handed down to-day!" Gee whiz, I +wonder if that's so? + +ANDREWS. I have heard the rumor. + +PARKER. There was a reporter here yesterday, trying to pump me. I'll +bet they're watching the boss. + +ANDREWS. Yes; no doubt of that. + +PARKER. Cracky! I'd like to know which way it'll go! + +ANDREWS. A good many others would like to know, I've no doubt. + +PARKER. I'll bet my hat the boss knows! + +ANDREWS. It may be. + +[A pause; PARKER continues to read ticker.] + +PARKER. I don't suppose you've heard anything, have you? + +ANDREWS. I never hear, Parker. + +PARKER. Oh, say . . . come off. Why don't you drop a fellow a hint now +and then? + +ANDREWS. I can't afford to. + +PARKER. It would never go beyond me. [A pause.] Say, Andrews. + +ANDREWS. Well? + +PARKER. Would you like to invest a bit for me now and then? + +ANDREWS. I'm not hankering to, especially. + +PARKER. I'll go halves with you on the profits. + +ANDREWS. And how about the losses? + +PARKER. There wouldn't be any losses. + +ANDREWS. Cut it out, Parker . . . we don't want that kind of a thing +in the office. [Handing him paper.] Here . . . I want three copies of +this. And take my advice and live on your salary. + +PARKER. Thanks. I wish the salary increased as fast as the bills do! +[Starts to door; sees LAURA.] Oh! Good morning, Miss Hegan ! + +LAURA. [Enters hurriedly.] Good morning. + +ANDREWS. Good morning, Miss Hegan. + +PARKER exit. + +LAURA. Mr. Andrews, where was my father last night? + +ANDREWS. He had an important conference . . . + +LAURA. He did not come to the house. + +ANDREWS. No, Miss Hegan; it was too late. He stayed downtown . . . + +LAURA. And you were not home, either. + +ANDREWS. I was with him. + +LAURA. It is too bad! I have been trying all night to find either of +you. + +ANDREWS. Why . . . your father had no idea when he left . . . + +LAURA. I know. Something has turned up . . . + +ANDREWS. Nothing wrong, I hope. + +LAURA. I must see my father as soon as possible. Ile will be here this +morning? + +ANDREWS. Any minute, Miss Hegan. + +LAURA. He will surely come? + +ANDREWS. Not the slightest doubt of it. Nothing could keep him away. + +LAURA. I wish to see him the moment he comes. And if he should call up +or send word . . . + +ANDREWS. I will see that he is informed, Miss Hegan. + +LAURA. Thank you. [A pause.] The Court decision is expected to-day, is +it not, Mr. Andrews? + +ANDREWS. [Hesitates.] There has been a rumor, Miss Hegan. + +LAURA. And so there will be considerable disturbance of the market? + +ANDREWS. Presumably. + +LAURA. And my father has made preparations? + +ANDREWS. Yes. + +LAURA. That is what the conference was about? + +ANDREWS. I presume so, Miss Hegan. + +LAURA. By the way, Mr. Andrews, I expect Mr. Montague here at ten +o'clock. Please let me know when he comes. + +ANDREWS. Yes, Miss Hegan. [Goes to the door, then turns.] Here is Mr. +Hegan now. + +LAURA. [Starting up.] Ah! + +ANDREWS. [Holding open door.] Good morning, Mr. Hegan. + +HEGAN. [Enters.] Good morning. + +LAURA. Father! + +HEGAN. Why, Laura! [ANDREWS exit.] What are you doing here? + +LAURA. I've come to have a talk with you. + +HEGAN. To have a talk with me? + +LAURA. Come in, please, father. Shut the door. + +HEGAN. Yes, my dear; but . . . + +LAURA. I came into the city on the next train after you. I have been +hunting for you ever since . . . I have been up all night. I have +something of the utmost urgency to talk with you about. + +HEGAN. What is it? + +LAURA. Come and sit down, please. + +HEGAN. Yes, my dear. + +LAURA. Listen, father. Yesterday afternoon, when we were talking, you +told me that you had never done anything to influence the courts in +their decisions. + +HEGAN. Yes, Laura. + +LAURA. And you told me that nobody else ever did it, either for you or +for your companies. + +HEGAN. Yes, but . . . + +LAURA. And, father, you told me a falsehood. + +HEGAN. Laura! + +LAURA. I am very sorry, but I have to say it. It was a falsehood; and +it is but one of many falsehoods that you have told me. I understand +just why you did it you think I ought not to ask about these things, +because it will make me unhappy; and so, for my own good, you do not +hesitate to tell me things that are not true. + +HEGAN. My child, it is your father that you are talking to! + +LAURA. It is my father, and a father who knows that I love him very +dearly, and who will realize it hurts me to say these things, fully as +much as it hurts him to hear them. But they must be said . . . and +said now. + +HEGAN. Why now? Just at this moment . . . + +LAURA. I know what you are going to say. At this moment you are very +busy . . . + +HEGAN. My dear, the Exchange will open in an hour. And I am in the +midst of a big campaign. I have important orders for my brokers, and a +hundred other matters to attend to. And I expect Grimes here any +minute . . . + +LAURA. Grimes? + +HEGAN. Yes, my dear. + +LAURA. You are not through with him yet, then? + +HEGAN. No, Laura . . . + +LAURA. Well, even so! Mr. Grimes must wait until I have said what I +have to say to you. + +HEGAN. What is it, Laura? + +LAURA. You are expecting the decision of the Court of Appeals on the +Grand Avenue Railroad case at noon today. + +HEGAN. Why, yes . . . + +LAURA. The decision will be in your favor. And you and Grimes are +planning to gamble on it, and to make a great deal of money. + +HEGAN. Yes, my dear. + +LAURA. And you paid Grimes two hundred thousand dollars to fix the +decision of the Court. + +HEGAN. [Starting violently.] Laura! + +LAURA. Grimes went to judge Porter's house the night before last and +induced him to change his vote on the case. + +HEGAN. Laura! + +LAURA. And so, what was to have been the minority opinion of the Court +is to be given out today as the Court's decision. + +HEGAN. My God! + +LAURA. You do not deny that this is the truth? + +HEGAN. You overheard us at the house! + +LAURA. Not one word, father. + +HEGAN. But you must have! + +LAURA. Father, throughout this conversation, you may honor me by +assuming that I am telling you the absolute truth. And I will be glad +when you will give me the same privilege. + +HEGAN. Then, how did you learn it? + +LAURA. That, unfortunately, I am not at liberty to tell you. + +HEGAN. Then other people know it? + +LAURA. They do. + +HEGAN. Good God! [Stares at her, dumbfounded.] Who are these people? + +LAURA. I cannot tell you that. + +HEGAN. But, Laura . . . you must! + +LAURA. It is impossible. + +HEGAN. But . . . how can that be? + +LAURA. I cannot discuss the matter. + +HEGAN. But think . . . my dear! I am your father, and you must trust +me . . . you must help me . . . + +LAURA. Please do not ask me. I have given my word. + +HEGAN. Your word! [Gazes about, distracted.] You take the part of +others against your own flesh and blood! + +LAURA. Listen, father! Think of me for a minute, and how it seems to +me. Do not be so ignoble as to think only of the exposure . . . + +HEGAN. But, my child, realize what it will mean if this comes out! Are +these people among my enemies? + +LAURA. That depends upon circumstances. + +HEGAN. I don't understand you. + +LAURA. I will try to explain, if you will be patient with me. + +HEGAN. Go on! Go on! + +LAURA. Father, you know what has been happening to me during the past +few months. You know how unhappy I have been. And now you have +committed a crime . . . a dreadful, dreadful crime! + +HEGAN. My dear! + +LAURA. I wish to make it clear to you . . . I am in desperate earnest. +I have taken all night to think it over, and I am not making any +mistake. I have made up my mind that, come what will, and cost what it +may, I must clear myself of the responsibility for these evils. + +HEGAN. In what way are you responsible? + +LAURA. In every way imaginable. My whole life is based upon them . . . +everything that I have and enjoy is stained with the guilt of them . . +. the house in which I live, the clothing that I wear, the food that I +eat. And I shall never again know what it is to be happy, while I have +that fact upon my conscience. Don't you see? + +HEGAN. I see. + +LAURA. I tried all night to find you. I wanted to have a chance to +talk with you, quietly. And, now, instead, I have to do it here, amid +all the rush and strain of this dreadful Wall Street. But so it is . . +. I must say it here. Father, I have come to plead with you, to plead +with you upon my knees. Listen to me . . . don't turn me away! + +HEGAN. What do you wish me to do? + +LAURA. First of all, I wish you to give up this illegal advantage that +you have gained. I wish you to stop this decision, and give the people +the victory to which they are entitled. + +HEGAN. But, my dear, that is madness ! How can I... + +LAURA. You compelled Grimes to do this thing . . . you can compel him +to undo it! + +HEGAN. But, my dear, it would ruin me! + +LAURA. If you do what I ask you to do, ruin will not matter. + +HEGAN. What do you ask me? + +LAURA. I wish you to stop this mad career . . . to give up this money +game . . . to drop it utterly! To stop selling stocks and manipulating +markets; to stop buying politicians and franchises . . . to sell out +everything . . . to withdraw. I want you to do it now . . . today . . +. this very hour! + +HEGAN. But, my dear . . . + +LAURA. I want you to come with me, and help me to find happiness +again, by doing some good in the world. I want you to use your power +and your talents to help people, instead of to destroy them. + +HEGAN. My child! That is something very easy to talk about, but not so +easy to do! + +LAURA. We will work together, and find ways to do it. + +HEGAN. It seems possible, from your point of view . . . with your +noble ideals, and your sheltered life . . . + +LAURA. My sheltered life! That is just what I can no longer endure! +That I should have ease and comfort, while others suffer . . . that my +father should take part in this mad struggle for money and power, in +order to give me a sheltered life! I must make it impossible for that +to continue! I must make you understand that all your money is +powerless to bring me happiness . . . that it is poisoning my life as +well as your own! + +HEGAN. [Gravely.] Laura, I have tried to protect you . . . that is the +natural instinct of a father . . . to keep evil things from his +daughter's knowledge. If I have told you untruths, as you say, that +has been the one reason. But since you will not have it so . . . since +you must face the facts of the world . . . + +LAURA. I Must ! + +HEGAN. Very well, then . . . you shall face them. You tell me to give +up this case . . . to change back the Court's decision, so that the +public may reap the advantage. Do you realize that the public has +nothing to do with this suit? . . . That it is a covert attack upon me +by an unscrupulous enemy? + +LAURA. You mean Murdock? + +HEGAN. Murdock. You know something of his career, perhaps . . . +something of his private life, too. And if I should turn back, as you +ask, the public would gain nothing . . . he would be the only one to +profit. He would raid my securities; he would throw my companies into +bankruptcy; he would draw my associates away from me . . . in the end, +he would take my place in the traction field. Is that what you wish to +bring about? + +LAURA. It is not that that I am thinking of. It is the corrupting of +the Court . . . + +HEGAN. The Court! Do you know why Grimes and I had to do what we did? + +LAURA. No. + +HEGAN. And yet you have judged me! What would you say if I told you +that we had information that one of the judges had received a thousand +shares of Grand Avenue stock from Murdock? And that another had been +promised a seat in the United States Supreme Court by that eminent +Republican? + +LAURA. Oh! Horrible! + +HEGAN. You see what the game is? + +LAURA. But, father! The buying and selling of the powers of the +Government . . . + +HEGAN. The "Government" consisting of politicians who have gotten +themselves elected for the purpose of selling out to the highest +bidder. For ten years now I have been in charge of these properties . +. . I have had the interests of thousands of investors in my keeping . +. . and all the while I have been like a man surrounded by a pack of +wolves. I defended myself as I could . . . in the end, I found that +the best way to defend was by attacking. In other words, I had to go +into politics, to make the control of the "Government" a part of my +business. Don't you see? + +LAURA. Yes, I see. But why play such a game? + +HEGAN. Why? Because it is the only game I have ever known . . . the +only game there is to play. That is the way I have lived my life . . . +the way I have risen to power and command. I played it for myself, and +for my friends, and for those I loved. + +LAURA. You played it for me! And, oh! father! father! . . . Can't you +see what that means to me? To realize that all my life has been based +upon such things! Don't you see how I can't let it go on . . . how, if +you refuse to do what I ask you to, it will be impossible for me to +touch a dollar of your money? + +HEGAN. Laura! + +LAURA. Just that, father! I should never again be able to face my +conscience! + +HEGAN. [After a pause.] Listen to me, dear. You know that I have +always meant to withdraw . . . + +LAURA. I know that. And that has been a confession! You know that you +are wrecking your life-wrecking everything! And if you mean to stop, +why not stop? + +HEGAN. But, my dear, at this moment . . . in the midst of the battle . +. . + +LAURA. At this moment you are on the point of doing something that +will put a brand upon your conscience for the balance of your career. +And at this moment you are confronted with the realization that you +are ruining your daughter's life. You see her before you, desperate . +. . frantic with shame and grief. And you have to make up your mind, +either to drive her from you, heart- broken . . . or else to turn your +face from these evils, and to take up a new way of life. + +HEGAN. [Broken and crushed, sits staring at her.] Laura! + +LAURA. [Stretching out her arms to him.] Father! A knock at the door; +they start. + +GRIMES. [Enters.] Oh! Beg pardon! + +HEGAN. Come in. + +LAURA. [Starting up.] No! + +HEGAN. Come in! You must know it! + +GRIMES. What is it? + +HEGAN. Shut the door! Grimes, the game is up! + +GRIMES. How d'ye mean? + +HEGAN. We've been betrayed. Somebody knows all about the Court +decision . . . about what passed between you and Porter, and between +you and me! + +GRIMES. The hell you say! + +HEGAN. We're threatened with exposure! + +GRIMES. Who is it? + +HEGAN. I don't know. + +GRIMES. But, then . . . + +HEGAN. My daughter tells me. But she is not at liberty to give the +names. + +GRIMES. Well, I'll be damned! [He stares from HEGAN to LAURA; then +comes and sits, very deliberately, where he can gaze at them. A long +pause; then, nodding toward + +LAURA.] What's her game? + +HEGAN. [Weakly.] She will tell you. + +GRIMES. [Looking at her.] Well? + +LAURA. I am here to plead with my father to turn back from this +wickedness. + +GRIMES. [Stares.] And do what, ma'am? + +LAURA. Quit Wall Street, and devote himself to some useful work. + +GRIMES. [After a pause.] And if he won't? + +LAURA. I have told him he must choose between his present career and +his daughter's love. + +GRIMES. [Gazes at LAURA, then in front of him; slowly shakes his +head.] I can't make out our young people. When I was a boy, young +women looked up to their parents. What's your father done to you, that +you should turn against him? + +LAURA. I have not turned against him, Mr. Grimes. + +GRIMES. [Indicating HEGAN, who sits in an attitude of despair.] Look +at him! + +[A pause.] + +LAURA. I am pleading with him for his own good . . . to give up this +cruel struggle . . . + +GRIMES. To turn tail and run from his enemies? + +LAURA. It is of my duty to the public that I am thinking, Mr. Grimes. + +GRIMES. You owe no duty to this world higher than your duty to your +father. + +LAURA. You think that? + +GRIMES. I think it. + +LAURA. [Hesitates a moment, then turns.] Father! What do you say? Is +that true? + +HEGAN. [Crushed.] I don't know, my dear. + +GRIMES. God Almighty! And this is Jim Hegan ! [To LAURA.] Where'd you +get onto these ideas, ma'am? + +LAURA. [In a low voice.] I think, Mr. Grimes, it might be best if you +did not ask me to discuss this question. Our points of view are too +different. + +GRIMES. [Shrugs his shoulders.] As you please, ma'am. But you needn't +mind me . . . I ain't easy to offend. And I'm only trying to +understand you. + +LAURA. [After a silence.] Mr. Grimes, I had the good fortune to be +brought up in a beautiful and luxurious home; but not long ago I began +to go down into the slums and see the homes of the people. I saw +sights that made me sick with horror. + +GRIMES. No doubt, ma'am. + +LAURA. I found the people in the grip of a predatory organization that +had bound them hand and foot, and was devouring them alive. + +GRIMES. You've been listening to tales, ma'am. We do a lot for the +people. + +LAURA. You treat them to free coal and free picnics and free beer, and +so you get their votes; and then you sell them out to capitalists like +my father. + +GRIMES. Humph! + +LAURA. You sell them out to any one, high or low, who will pay for the +privilege of exploiting them. You sell them to the rum-dealer and the +dive- keeper and the gambler. You sell them to the white-slave trader. + +GRIMES. There's no such person, Miss Hegan. + +LAURA. You offer an insult to my intelligence, Mr. Grimes. I have met +with him and his work. There was a girl of the slums . . . her name +was Annie Rogers. She was a decent girl; and she was lured into a dive +and drugged and shut up in a brothel, a prisoner. She escaped to the +street, pursued, and a friend of mine saved her. And, high and low, +among the authorities of this city, we sought for justice for that +girl, and there was no justice to be had. Yesterday afternoon I +learned that she cut her own throat. + +GRIMES. I see. + +LAURA. And that happened, Mr. Grimes! It happened in the City of New +York! I saw it with my own eyes! + +GRIMES. Such things have been, ma'am. + +LAURA. And you permit them. + +GRIMES. I? + +LAURA. You permit them + +GRIMES. I can't attempt to discuss prostitution with a lady. Such +things existed long before I was born. + +LAURA. You could use your power to drive the traffic from the city. + +GRIMES. Yes, ma'am; I suppose I could. But if I'd been that sort of a +man, do you think I'd ever had the power? + +LAURA. How neatly parried! What sort of a man are you, anyway ? + +GRIMES. [Looks at hey fixedly.] I'll tell you the sort of man I am, +ma'am. [A pause.] I wasn't brought up in a beautiful, luxurious home. +I was brought up with five brothers, in two rooms on the top floor of +a rear tenement on Avenue B ; I was a little street "mick," and then I +was a prize "scrapper," and the leader of a gang. When a policeman +chased me upstairs, my mother stood at the head and fought him off +with a rolling-pin. That was the way we stood by our children, ma'am; +and we looked to them to stand by us. Once, when I was older, my +enemies tried to do me . . . they charged me with a murder that I +never done, ma'am. But dye think my old father ever stopped to ask if +I done it or not, ma'am? Not much. "Don't mention that, Bob, my boy," +says he . . . "it's all part of the fight, an' we're wid yer." [A +pause.] I looked about me at the world, ma'am, and I found it was full +of all sorts of pleasant things, that I'd never had, and never stood a +chance of havin'. They were for the rich . . . the people on top. And +they looked on with scorn . . . I was poor and I was low, and I wasn't +fit for anything. And so I set to climb, ma'am. I shouldered my way +up. I met men that fought me; I fought them back, and I won out. +That's the sort of man I am. + +LAURA. I see. A selfish man, bent upon power at any price! A brutal +man, profiting by the weakness of others! An unscrupulous man, trading +upon fear and greed! A man who has stopped at no evil to gain his +purpose! + +GRIMES. I am what the game has made me. + +LAURA. Not so! Not so! Many another man has been born to a fate like +yours, and has fought his way up from the pit . . . to be a tower of +strength for goodness and service, an honor to his people and himself. + +GRIMES. I've not met any such, ma'am. + +LAURA. No; you've not sought for them. You did not need them in your +business. The men you needed were the thugs and the criminals, who +could stuff ballot- boxes for you . . . the dive-keepers and the vice- +sellers, who would contribute to your campaign funds! And you have +dealt with them . . . you have built up the power they gave you into a +mighty engine of corruption and wrong! And you are master of it . . . +you use it to wring tribute from high and low! Selling immunity to +dive-keepers and betraying helpless young girls! Naming legislators +and judges, and receiving bribes to corrupt the highest Court in the +State. + +HEGAN. Laura . . . + +LAURA. Father, I did not seek this discussion! He challenged me . . . +and he shall hear the truth! For all these months the thing that has +been driving me to desperation has been the knowledge that my father +was the business associate and ally of a master of infamy like Robert +Grimes! + +GRIMES. Thanks, ma'am! And so now he's to break with me! + +[A knock at the door.] + +ANDREWS. [Enters, centre.] Mr. Hegan, these orders for your brokers +must be signed. + +HEGAN. I won't sign them! + +ANDREWS. Sir? + +HEGAN. Never mind them. + +GRIMES. [Springing to his feet.] Jim Hegan, you're mad! [TO ANDREWS.] +Go out, will you? ANDREWS exit.] Hegan, man . . . surely you don't +mean this? + +HEGAN. Yes . . . I'm sick of it! + +GRIMES. But, man, think of the rest of us! . . . What are we to do? + +HEGAN. You can buy just the same. + +GRIMES. But without you? Why, we won't be able to corner Murdock! And +if he gets out of this hole, it'll be worse than ever! There'll be +hell to pay! + +HEGAN. I don't care. + +GRIMES. But, man, you've pledged yourself! Look at what Harris has +done! . . . What excuse will you be able to make to him? And what will +you tell Henry Stevens? + +HEGAN. I'll tell them I've quit. + +GRIMES. But you told them last night you were going in with every +dollar you could raise! You told Isaacson he could break with Murdock! +And now you'll tell them you've turned tail and run! Why, Hegan, it's +treason! + +HEGAN. Listen to me . . . + +GRIMES. I don't want to listen to you! Half an hour from now you'll be +ashamed of yourself . . . wishing that nobody had heard you! You'll be +begging me not to mention it! You . . . Jim Hegan . . . the traction +king! To lose your nerve over a little thing like this! What's come +over you, anyhow . . . after all the things we've been through +together? Why, man . . . + +[The 'phone rings.] + +HEGAN. Hello! Who is it? Oh, Isaacson. Yes; I'll speak with him. +Hello, Isaacson! Yes. No; I've not forgotten. I'll do whatever I said +I'd do. Er . . . yes; that's all right. I've been delayed. Yes. I'll +get the money to you. Right away. Oh, certainly, that's all right. +[Hangs up receiver.] Ah, God! + +GRIMES. Hegan, listen here. You're in the midst of a battle. And +you're the general. Everything depends on you this morning. And you've +a right to be afraid . . but you've no right to let others see it. +You've no right . . . do you understand me? And, by God, I won't let +you! . . . I'll be a man for two of you! Shake yourself together now ! +[Seizes him.] Come, man ! Shake yourself together! + +HEGAN. But think of the exposure! + +GRIMES. The exposure! And this is Jim Hegan talking! How many times +have you been exposed already? And how many times have I been? + +HEGAN. But this is different. + +GRIMES. How different? We've got the police, and we've got the +district attorney, and we've got the courts. What more do we want? +What can they do but talk in the newspapers? And is there anything +they haven't said about us already? [Takes HEGAN by the arm, and +laughs.] Come, old man! As my friend Leary says: "Dis is a nine-day +town. If yez kin stand de gaff for nine days, ye're all right!" We'll +stand the gaff! + +HEGAN. I'm tired of standing it. + +GRIMES. Yes, we all get tired now and then. But this afternoon it'll +be Murdock that's tired. Think of him, Hegan . . . try to realize him +a bit! You've got him where you want him at last! Remember what he did +to you in the Brooklyn Ferry case! Remember how he lied to you in the +Third Avenue case! And he told Isaacson, only last week, that he'd +never let up on you till he'd driven you out of the traction field! + +HEGAN. Did he say that? + +GRIMES. He did that! And only yesterday he said he was getting ready +to finish you! He's as sure of this Court decision as I am of the +sunrise! I'm told he's short already over a quarter of a million +shares! + +HEGAN. But his judges'll get word to him . . . he'll buy! + +GRIMES. Of course! But that's just why you ought to be busy! Buy +first, and make him pay . . . damn his soul! + +ANDREWS. [Knocks and enters.] Mr. Stevens is here, Mr. Hegan. + +GRIMES. Henry Stevens? We'll see him. [ANDREWS exit.] Come on, man! +We'll go over to your brokers and take the orders. It'll give you a +smell of the powder smoke. + +LAURA. [AS HEGAN Starts to follow.] Father, you are going with him? + +HEGAN. My dear child, what can I do? + +LAURA. But think of the disgrace . . . the shame of it! You will carry +it with you all your life! + +HEGAN. I can't help it. I am bound hand and foot. + +LAURA. Father! [She rushes to him, and flings her arms about him.] Do +you realize what you are doing? You are driving me away from you! . . +. You are casting me off ! And all for a few more dollars ! + +HEGAN. My dear, it is not that. My word is pledged. + +LAURA. You are trampling me in the dust. You are spurning all that is +best in your life! + +GRIMES. Come, come, man ! The game is called + +HEGAN. Let me go, my dear. + +LAURA. Father! + +HEGAN. No! No! [He gently, but firmly, puts her arms from him.] Good- +bye, dear. + +LAURA. Father! [HEGAN and GRIMES go out centre; she sinks by the +table, and buries her face in her arms, sobbing; after a considerable, +interval, a knock on the door, centre.] Come in! + +MONTAGUE. [Enters.] Well? + +LAURA. I have failed. [Rises and stretches out her arms.] Failed! He +has gone with Grimes! + +MONTAGUE. I saw him go, Miss Hegan. + +LAURA. [Swiftly.] And yet . . . I have not failed utterly. I have +failed to turn back the decision . . . to save him from this disgrace. +But that is not all. + +MONTAGUE: How do you mean? + +LAURA. I shall not give him up . . . and, in the end, I shall have my +way; I can see that quite clearly. Ah, how I hurt him! I almost broke +his heart! And just now he is in the midst of the battle . . . the +rage of it is on him. But, afterwards, he will recollect . . . he will +be overwhelmed with grief! And then he will see! He will do what I +have begged him to! + +MONTAGUE. Yes . . . perhaps that is so. + +LAURA. I know what my love means to him! I know what he is at heart! +And when he sees that I mean to carry out my threat, to go by myself +and to refuse to touch his money . . . that will be more than he can +bear, Mr. Montague! + +MONTAGUE. You mean to do that? + +LAURA. I mean to do it! I mean to do it today; and I will never yield +to him . . . never until he has atoned for this wrong he has done! And +don't you see that I will win in the end? + +MONTAGUE. Yes; I see. + +LAURA. [Quickly.] Understand, that has nothing to do with your course. +I am not asking you to spare him. You must go ahead and do your duty . +. . you must do just what you would have done if I had never stood in +the way. + +MONTAGUE. It is a terrible thing to me, Miss Hegan. I cannot turn back +. . . + +LAURA. You must not! You must not think of it! It will be a part of my +father's punishment . . . and he has deserved it. He has prepared that +cup, and he must drink it . . . to the dregs! + +MONTAGUE. You can bear it? + +LAURA. It is not any question of what I can bear. It is a question of +the rights of the people. I saw that quite clearly, as my father +talked with me. Whether it is he who wins, or whether it is Murdock, +it is always the people that lose. And, let it hurt whom it may, the +people must have the truth! + +MONTAGUE. And then . . . you will be able to forgive me! Ah, what a +weight you lift from me! I hardly dared to face the thought of what I +had to do! Hesitating.] And then, the thought that you mean to +renounce your father's wealth . . . that you are going out into the +world . . . alone . . . + +LAURA. It will not be hard for me. You cannot know how I have hated my +past life. To know that my father has plundered the public . . . and +then to give his money, and call it charity. To be flattered and +fawned upon . . . to be celebrated and admired . . . and never for +anything that I am, but always for my money! + +MONTAGUE. I understand what you feel! And see what your decision means +to me . . . it sets me free at last! + +LAURA. Free! + +MONTAGUE. Free to speak! Miss Hegan, I came to New York, and I met +these rich people, and I saw how their fortunes were poisoning their +lives. I saw men who could not have a real friend in the world, +because of their money. I saw young girls whose souls were utterly +dead in them because they had been brought up to think of themselves +as keepers of money-bags, and to guard against men who sought to prey +upon them. I hated the thing . . . I fled from it as I would from a +plague. In that world I had met a woman I might have loved . . . a +woman who was noble and beautiful and true; and yet I dared not speak +to her . . . I dared not even permit myself to know her . . . because +I was a poor man, and she was rich. But now she is to be poor also! +And so I may speak! + +LAURA. [Starting.] Oh! + +MONTAGUE. Miss Hegan, from the first time I met you I felt that you +were the woman I should love. But then, as fate would have it, I found +myself preparing to attack your father; so I said that we must never +meet again. But now you see how it has happened. I have come to know +you as I never hoped to know you, and I know that I love you. + +LAURA. I had no idea . . . + +MONTAGUE. You say that you are going away alone. Let us go together. +We have the same purpose . . . we have the same battle to fight. We +can go out to the people and help to teach them. + +LAURA. You . . . you know that you love me? + +MONTAGUE. I love you! I want nothing so much as the chance to serve +you and help you. The chance to tell you so is more than I had ever +ventured to hope for. To find you free and alone . . . to be able to +speak to you, with no thought of wealth or position! To tell you that +I love you . . . just you! You! + +LAURA. I hardly dare to think of it . . . now . . . here . . . + +MONTAGUE. We can put all the past behind us . . . we can take a new +start and win our own way. If only you love me! + +LAURA. Ah, to let myself be happy again. How can I? + +MONTAGUE. If you love me, then we have the key to happiness . . . then +everything is clear before us. We can face the world together! Do you +love me? [Stretches out his arms to her.] Laura! + +LAURA. [Sways toward him.] I love you. + +MONTAGUE. [Embraces her.] My love! + +CURTAIN + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg Etext The Machine, by Upton Sinclair + |