Part 12 (2/2)

TARVER. Yes, and my _opponent_ is going to be there.

PHYLLIS. If Bobby were late, it would produce a bad impression.

GRICE. Then come before dinner.

TARVER. (_Rising_) But, Admiral, I haven't written a word of my election speech yet except ”Gentlemen” and that's a _lie_.

GRICE. (_Threateningly_) Tarver! Wilson is not the only elector in the Lumley division who is wavering.

PHYLLIS. (_Starts_) Oh, Admiral!

FARADAY. (_Seated_ L.) You, Grice, you?

PHYLLIS. Oh, you couldn't vote _against Bobby!_

GRICE. Perhaps not, but I might try.

TARVER. Oh! I'll bring my Atlas! (_Speaks despairingly. Turns up_ R., _looking for tonic_.)

PHYLLIS. (_Running to_ ADMIRAL) Oh, yes, Bobby will be delighted to bring his Atlas.

GRICE. Bobby will be delighted to _take away_ his Atlas. (MARTIN _enters_ L.I _with copy of the ”London Times” and a small folded periodical on salver_.) Tarver, geography, eight o'clock sharp.

Dinner, eight fifteen. (_Turns to table_.)

MARTIN. The Times, sir.

FARADAY. At last.

GRICE. Ah, the Times!

AUNT IDA. (_Rising in alarm and backing up stage from chair_. GRICE _takes her place in chair_.) Oh, the Times, the Times!

TARVER. Oh, Phyllis, where is that bottle of Guy's tonic?

PHYLLIS. It is out here, Bobby. (_Exit in the morning room_.)

TARVER. (_Following her_) Thanks awfully. I needed it badly.

(MADGE _takes periodical and begins to read_. FARADAY _takes the outer sheet of the Times, pulls it off, and throws it across table. It falls to floor_ R. _of table_. GRICE _stoops to pick it up_. EVELYN _takes it from his hand as he rises, saying, ”Thank you, Admiral.”_ GRICE looks at her disgustedly and sits twiddling his thumbs_. NOTE: _The outer sheets of the Times must be stuck together in order to have them fall properly_. NOTE: The birth, marriage and death column of the Times is in the upper left hand corner of the first page_. EVELYN, MADGE _and_ FARADAY _have become absorbed in their papers_. GRICE _looks about him and then, exasperated, seizes a book and sits_ R. _of table_ L., _reading it_.)

FARADAY. (_After a pause_) I never saw a paper like this. (_Strikes paper with back of his hand_.) There is absolutely nothing in this paper.

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