Part 24 (1/2)

_Bill._ Youse runnin' from that landlady?

_Dolly._ Don't ask me now.

_Bill._ Well, there's somethin' wrong, I know! Youse can't fool me!

_(Looks about.)_ Gee! I thought I had a home! And now I'm movin' out of it! _(The lights fade slowly on the Play-play and rise on the Real-play.)_

_Will (in a whisper)._ Well?

_Peggy (low)._ Oh, Will! That's the real stuff!

_Will._ You like it?

_Peggy (with intensity)._ Yes, I do! It's real, it's true. Will, I think it'll go!

_Will._ You do?

_Peggy._ Yes, even with Broadway! It made me cry--and I'm a hardened old sinner.

_Will._ Oh, dearest, I'm so glad!

_Peggy._ I'm proud of you, Will! _(Rises and puts her arms about him.)_ We've got a real Pot-boiler! _(Sound of bell in Real-play Left. Play-play vanishes. Full light on the Real-play. A post-man's whistle off Left.)_

_Will._ What's that?

_Peggy._ The post-man!

_Will (leaping up)._ Maybe it's a check for the poem!

_Peggy._ Oh, yes!

_Will._ Where's the key to the letter-box?

_Peggy (runs Right)._ Here, I think. _(Searches about.)_ Here!

_(Brings him key.)_ Be quick!

_Will (exit Left)._ I'll be quick!

_Peggy (As Bill tosses and calls aloud in his sleep, goes to his bed, kneels and soothes him)._ Oh, my baby! My baby! You're not going to be sick! No, no, I can't stand that! Anything but that!

I'll have to give it up! Will must give up trying to be a writer, and get some sort of paying job. Or I'll have to go on the stage again, and earn some real money----_(Hearing Will returning, she leaps up and runs Left.)_ Was it the check?

_Will (enters)._ Yes.

_Peggy._ For how much?

_Will (in a voice of agony)._ _Guess_ how much?