The Machine
Page 5
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 t
o 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 . . .