The Pot Boiler: A Comedy in Four Acts Part 16

_Jack._ What do you mean?

_Bill (grins)._ Huh.

_Belle._ You've got to ring it up on the cash register.

_Jack._ Oh! _(Laughs and goes to cash desk.)_ How do you work the infernal thing?

_Bill._ Press the five----

_Jack._ There! _(Rings.)_

_Bill._ Gawd-a'mighty, that's five dollars!

_Jack._ Five DOLLARS?

_Bill._ Sure!

_Jack._ But--what shall I do now?

_Bill._ Give me four ninety-five change and then we'll be square.

_Jack (making a stab at him)._ Get out, you rascal!

_Bill (flees, laughing)._ Gee, I'll come back to this joint!

_(Exit.)_

_Belle._ It's most time we were closing. My sister's late.

_Jack._ What does your sister do?

_Belle._ She does sewing.

_Jack._ Does she earn much?

_Belle._ Just enough to keep us alive.

_Dolly (enters from street. She is older than Belle, attractive looking, but sharp and aggressive in manner, thin and careworn, poorly dressed, and with snow on her clothing.)_ Why, what's this?

_Jack._ Belle's sick.

_Dolly (springs to her)._ Belle! What's the matter?

_Belle (looks up feebly)._ Just tired, Dolly.

_Dolly._ But him? In your ap.r.o.n.

_Jack._ I told her I'd do the work and give her the money. She needs a rest.

_Dolly._ But what's that for?

_Jack._ Well, I came in here and ate a meal, and she stood for the bill. Now I want to help her.

_Dolly (vehemently)._ You're trying to steal her job!

_Belle._ Oh, Dolly!

_Jack._ I want to give her the money!

_Dolly._ Who's to make you?

_Jack._ Fix it up with the old man. If he'll feed me, that's all I'll ask. He can pay the money to you.

_Dolly._ What do you take my sister for?

_Jack._ Why----

_Dolly._ You've struck the wrong girls. We're not that kind.

_Jack._ What kind?

_Dolly._ Let me tell you, young fellow, you can't work your games on me. You let my sister alone.

_Jack._ Good Lord! What do you take me for?

_Dolly._ I take you for a man. And you don't get any hold on my sister!

_Belle._ Dolly! You----

_Dolly._ You keep out of this, I'll talk to him.

_Jack (impetuously)._ Look here! I want to help your sister. I won't stand by and see her die.

_Dolly._ What's it to you if she does?

_Jack._ Didn't she save me from jail?

_Dolly._ That wasn't much.

_Jack._ It was her best. Now I want to do mine. Listen to me! Let Belle have a chance. It's been a long time since she's had one, I fancy.

_Dolly._ That's true enough. But she'll be on her job tomorrow.

_Jack._ She's ill.

_Dolly._ She's been ill a long time.

_Jack._ She can't go on forever! And what then? Can you take her job?