Part 1 (1/2)
The Pot Boiler.
by Upton Sinclair.
ACT I.
SCENE.--_A transparent curtain of net extends across the stage from right to left, about six feet back of the foot-lights. Throughout the text, what goes on in front of this curtain is referred to as the Real-play; what goes on behind the curtain is the Play-play.
Upon the sides of the curtain, Right and Left, is painted a representation of an attic room in a tenement house. The curtain becomes thin, practically nothing at center, so the audience sees the main action of the Play-play clearly. At Right in the Real-play is a window opening on a fire-escape, and in front of the window a cot where the child sleeps. At Left in the Real-play is a window, an entrance door, a flat-topped desk and two chairs. This setting of the Real-play remains unchanged throughout the four acts._
_The scenes of the Play-play change with each act. For Act I the set is a drawing-room in a wealthy old New York home, entrances Right-center and Left. Both front and rear scenes are lighted by many small lights, which can be turned off a few at a time, so that one scene or the other fades slowly. When the Real-play is in full light, the Play-play is dark and invisible. When the front scene is entirely dark, we see the Play-play, slightly veiled at the sides.
In case of some rude interruption, the dream is gone in a flash, and the reality of the garret surrounds us. The text calls for numerous quick changes of three of the characters from the Real-play to the Play-play and back. Dialogue and business have been provided at these places to permit the changes._
AT RISE.--_The Real-play, showing_ PEGGY _putting_ BILL _to bed; she is young and pretty, he is a bright but frail child._
_Bill._ Say, Peggy!
_Peggy._ Well, Bill?
_Bill._ Can you guess.
_Peggy._ How many guesses?
_Bill._ Three.
_Peggy._ All right. I guess my little son doesn't want to go to bed!
_Bill._ Say! You guessed it!
_Peggy._ Oh, mother's great at guessing!
_Bill._ But honest, it's still light.
_Peggy._ I know--but that's because it's summertime. Don't you remember the little song? (sings)
In winter I get up at night And dress by yellow candle-light; In summer, quite the other way, I have to go to bed by day!
_Bill._ Say, Peggy--when's Will coming in?
_Peggy._ I don't know, dear. Your father's working.
_Bill._ Ain't he goin' to have any dinner?
_Peggy._ I don't know--he didn't tell me.
_Bill._ Is he writin'?
_Peggy._ Yes--or else thinking about things to write.
_Bill._ Say! He's great on writin', ain't he?