Experimental Productions of a Group of Original Plays

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OTBRBSENTAL PRQDITCT10HS OF A GROUP OF OEIGimi H A T S

f Vs* Joseph B/Baldwin

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 1» the Department of Speech and Dramatic Art in the Graduate College of the State University of lorn August 19$0

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T\ CL* Ob

imicATxm To Sfollte Baldwin

c a

[9

il

ACKHOVHLEDGliSNTS There are maaar people who have In emm way made possible the work 1 haw managed to do. I cannot name all of them.

To

Mollie Baldwin, who was a soldier* s wife during the Second World War, and Who then had saae claim to a nornal life, I owe a great debt of gratitude for cheerfully taking up the burden of being an itinerant graduate student's wife. To James H. Parke, who taught the first playwriting blase

T attended, a Junior English course at The University of Texas, I owe credit for firing m® with the ambition to write plays* To Dr. E. P. Conkle, Professor of Drama at the ©am® institution, X owe a great debt. Ever a kind and patient critic, he has offered me continuing encouragement which has done much to keep me at the writing of plays, a task which has proven discouraging as often as delightful.

X must thank him, in addition, for guiding

me to the State university of Iowa, where I have had several years of exciting creative effort. Next I must thank the directors of my experimental productions, each of whom has contributed to my thinking and development in seme marked way. Dr* Marian Gallaway, now director of th© University of Alabama Theatre, directed The Wishing-Hill, Hi

»y first produced pity, at the Iowa University Theatre*

She aleo

directed ay most successful plsy, After the jtftcltal, at the Ufcivursity of Alkbsawu

To her X owe thanks not only for Intelligent

directing of these plays, hat aleo for her stimulating teaching, her friendly guidance, and her searching criticism. Louie 0. Gardemal, a fellow student, directed the production of Uncertain Ifovmher, d e c produced at the Iowa University Theatre* Hr. George P. Milner, director of the University of Wichita Theatre, staged the public perfcmaances of The Fin®, CUaa Anger of Private McEIroy.

these two plays formed the body of ay Master of Fine Arts

thesis, submitted in August, 191*8. As before, I wish to eaprees ay thanks to than for their sincere and successful efforts in staging these plays* The long, uawioldly first version of After the Recital was brought to the Iowa University stage under the faithful direction, of Mr* Lenin Goff, to where % owe especial thanks*

Faced with a more

than usually difficult task, he put a good show on the boards. William Morgan, another esteemed fellow student, directed the reading-performaace of my latest play, State University, this wanner at the Iowa University Theatre*

t should not neglect to mention outstanding teachers who have influenced ay thinking and writing greatly* At the University iv

of Texas*

Professors BeWltt Eeddick m & 1*« 1»♦ Click*

TMversity of Iowa*

At the State

Professors W* leigh Sonera, George Kemodle,

Harold Crain, Arnold Gillette, H* Clay Harahbarger, Baldwin Maxwell, Gladys Synch, and Mr* Walter Dewey* About Professor S. C* Mabie, founder of the University Theatre at Iowa, and a national leader in college theatre, I must add this final note. For we, and for many like me struggling to come to mastem of their chosen craft, he has provided a living theatre in which to work*

Space does not pexmit a proper emarteration

of the many other ways in Which he has personally favored, me*

I can

only record, inadequately enough, toy gratitude to a great teacher*

*r*3*B* Iowa City, August, 19$0*

V

table of

ecraras iii

Introduction

. ».«*» «• •» _lf*

stmst* a m l"too* 'fh® two of

tm **, standing

lib® « » *

Bat, I mrn you to beliem

m* Tm9 X do not kemt m y tmsm about reality, But X a» a©iwr fluUsUB* fCHt

X dm* t fool right about leasing. yem lie®® tonl^i— KISS M M m m r aXoae, tm *

D®»*i you

mi X*m sure ym*iFe not wall. Do y m m a t as® to mk Henrietta to ait with ym tonight?

vrnm

m» tm 9 that maid

be too fussy* Sum look mrjpftiere for Edward,

m M X ym *r® too thed to b© fri#tesod* lad please do***® worry about &©* xcai Hall* **good-aight, Mis® Mary* (£adh*«) (tey stands rigidly until be goes., them seem® to

Mm&imt tem turned assay, fighting off hysteria.) (fben the lights change, sad the thought of Edward stills her, and she straightens* Xhe wooden door® of the studio ©bang® 'before 'her aye®, and beecsa©

the g w of windows that belongs there# Moonlight stares®® ixi*' There are flowers* The Figure® are visible again, and .are hiaoming, low, a song that ha® the ewiad of the se&* One a t a Mb®> a® the hmmtiftc gee®' on, the Figures begin. to speak her' thought®, as Mary

stands, looking out the windows.)

m m

( mb

X will arise and go to the sea, whence t came, a crawling blind-worn seeking light. X will arise and .go to the sea, my eternal, mumbling, blind norths*. FigaSE (raniKE) Sosa th© lanes of pedlars...and then*..the sunlight flashing and winking on the bay* •*and tea houses climb a sheltering M U — FICHBE (BWXBT&) Set whoa the heart, only, has blood, and the feet and fingers are stchs* There are doors yon cannot enter. There are spaces yon cannot cross.

FIGHKB (soma) Mhai would BWther h a m done? Xou are strong, my child.

Bo strong*

(As always, Mary stands stiff and embroiled*

Squares

her shoulders, and mounts the stairs, then disappears.) (We hear the,piano beglnr-scales and chords^-whil.® the Figures fade dimly, and a halo of light flows about the portrait-bust of Mother Barton.)

STATE UMIVEESITT

A Flay in Three Acts liy Joe Baldwin

150 jasmx at ibs m x I

State University mas written la the summer of 19^9* when the actual events on which the play Is based had boon eooling in the pages of history

for two years*

However* the trouble on the cm

campus was soon repeated— in varying forms— on campus after campus over the country*

It seems that when an oppressive or ignorant

state government sets out to wreck university programs which it considers too "progressive," it always seeks to smear the school by instituting a "red sears*" and exciting the fears of the public heedlessly* Therefore* sadly enough* the play remains timely. Tbs play has been rewritten four times* and has gone further sway from fact toward fiction each time.

This process has

gens so far* by uow, that it is fair to say that the play Is totally fiction. The main problem in writing was to achieve believabHity. Ifcr seas reason* members of an audience demand more from characters than they do from people in real life* People who can tolerate the existence of a vulgar and ignorant trusteeship of a state institution cannot believe this when they see it onstage. People who cheerfully join the majority in electing a hillbilly governor cannot tolerate him when he acts like the oaf he is, if he does so in the theatre. Therefore* I have had to moderate the actions and remarks these people make in ay play*

for instance* 1 cannot put onstage one former state legislator who demanded that Shelly and %yej* be brought before a ccnalttee and investigated for circulating un-American propaganda. People would immediately cay I **0 cartooning* not playwriting. Also* as the play was rewritten* events that happened at two other universities were woven Sato the plot. It is now not a picture of what happened in one situation) the situation is universal. The central character* Professor (later* President) KcSowan, Is ecsg&etely iaaginaxy.

X hope to show through his

actions what X consider the tragedy of our times* overspecialization. McGowan* a thoroughly decent and well-meaning man* becomes an oppressor of ethers* even though his motives are good* because of M s shortsightedness about affairs outside his own field. A modem university, like our modern world* Is too complex for any one man to understand or for M m to guide its affairs with complete knowledge of necessary details. the play was produced in July* 1950, at the Iowa University Theatre. Directed by William Shea Morgan* a graduate student of theatre, it was given a "reading-perfomanceM in the Green Boom lounge of the University Theatre.

In this performance* actors had

not memorized their roles* but carried their scripts into the acting area with them.

There was no specific costuming) properties were

indicated tsgr pantoB&nej and different arrangements of furniture indicated the changes of scene. The director, by reading, supplied such physical details as were necessary to audience comprehension of the scenic background. The performance was, all-in-all, successful} particularly successful In giving the playwright an impression of what his play would look like on stage in full prediction.

J.B.3. lorn City, August, 1950.

153

s m e ouiotsitx

Copyright, 1950 Joseph B. Baldwin 1622 Melrose Place Knoxville, Tenn.

154

Cast of Characters PRESIDENT THOMAS HUME PROFESSOR JAMS McGCMAN

ms. hiime RITA McGOWAN BURL SIBffiC

ms. McCKWf MISS COPELAND GAXOT3LL DEAN BELL DUMONT HUDSON GOVERNOR McCOT GATLING TARVER CAR3MK3HT EVANS DETECTIVE CAPTAIN HARRIS PATROLMAN INVESTIGATORS

X

155

ACT OHS The su»-poreh arcade of the President1© mansion at a western University*

It has an airy, pleasant look,

but Is not decorated in the very latest taste* There is a roe of Spanish arches, beyond which, out of sight, is a tennis court* A feeling of openness and sunlight pervades the scene*

So many pot© of

flowers and cacti stand about that the effect is oldfashioned, but graciously so* Two handsome, ruddy men, both in their vigorous fifties, enter, carrying tennis racquets* They are prespiring and talking easily, (hie of the men is Thomas Hume, President of the State University. other is Professor James McGowan, Chairman of Engineering. They sit on the metal lawn-chairs and set their racquets aside, HUME (Calling) Mildred! McGCTOJ Oh, don’t bother her*

The

8 Imo

156

tHUMy fffiift

(Inside) Hoo-oot n

A little something cool to drink will help out* (Mrs. Hume enters.)

vm. m m Save you— boys—-had enough exercise? HUME

Hot on your lifel I’m going beck for another set, right after you bring us some Iced tea, like a good girl. McGOWAN Let's call it quits at one set a-piece* Don't want to overdo it the first day. MRS. HUME He'd play 'till he dropped, just to show me* (Laughs quietly.) I'll get seme ieed tea. (Mrs. Hume exits.) McOCmH

Six-four fear you, sia^three for me. Pretty evenly matched. HUME Let's do this every day this summer. Only way to get in shape.

3

157

McGOWAN Sore* that1s why I'm in favor of letting the tie stand. We111 be sore enough, tomorrow*

mm Ho chickens, either of us. (McGowan stirs uncomfortably, and the conversation lags*) HOME What'e the matter, Jim? McGOWAK I— *5usi can't get my mind off it, that's all. HOME Gh, that. McGOWAH How do yon take it so calmly, fcm? I feel like— P m more stirred up about it than yon are. n It m s no secret to me, Jim.

I knew they were gunning for me.

McGCmH Since they can't fire yon without impeachment proceedings, they1re hoping you'll resign under fire. And then you call a meeting.

I

call that cool* ran I'm been through a kind of hell for the past two year®, Jim, and I

It had to stake an overwhelming decision. How I've made It, axid my mind's ffcee and my conscience clear, and— it* s funny—-but a great calm Is settling down oner me.

It’© a grand feeling.

McGOMN I savy you* Tou aren't going to resign, are yon?

mm Bo* McGOWAK Bhat are you going to do?

HUMS2 Fight them. They’ve been hammering at me in their newspapers and I've kept silent. Bow, I'm going to threaten to make their entire sat of shady maneuvers public, unless they agree to respect my office* McGOmM But that would give them cause to remove you. i&am I'm prepared for that. McGOWAK

Tern— area't you making issues of things? X speak as a friend.

mm The Issues mads themselves.

moom Things have been so— peaceful. Damn it!

$

15 S

(Gets up, irritated, and then stares out across the tennis court*) took at everything. Sun on Mildred's roses.

Butterfly.

Just as if—

HOME As if nothing had happened? the world wag® on, in spite of us* (Carillon chimes are heard, from the tower of Old Mala*

It is the "Big Ben” tune. It floats to them

across summer fields with the sort of ineffable nostalgia and sense of timelessness that college chimes often impart.

The two men, caught in the same reverie,

wait until the chime® have finished striking two o'clock*) McGOM (Quieter now.) Ton knew what I was thinking while we were playing tennis? I was thinkings

1 helped lay out these courts, twelve years ago, for the

President's Mansion, and I've played on them every summer day— and now they're to be mine* And— damn it! I don't want them.

mm You'd make a good president, Jim. Mcocmr I don't know the first thing about it. Tom, it's your job. I want to stay in my laboratory.

im HUME

t m ca n 't* Teu’r® drafted* McGCM That*® -what makes me fe e l lik e h e ll.

There*® something eerie going

on around here—scsaething you can’t fig h t*

mm Such as what?

vtcGmm I mean, the whole way they go about things* That dark fellow — man Dueont? McQOmS That one*

Wow, notice s he comes, not anyone o ffic ia l, to ask ra©

i f I would consider acting as President, in case you resign* HUME It*® w e ll known Dmont is Tarver’ s ch ief lobbyist* McGCM I know.

I know.

Bat why do I have to learn i t th a t way? It * ©

creepy.

mm Shat*® how they operate* McGCM

fm, try *

Promise me you’l l try to ccoe to an agreement.

T

in That is my greatest hope,

1 hope to shook them into a sense of

reality about what they have done.

But I won’t resign*

It would he

like a ecmtraander giving up under fire.

UcGCmM Good. Good. 1 hope I can depend on that. Tot, according to Dumont, it’s taken an a foregone conclusion you’ll quit. Do you know what Dumont had the nerve to suggest? HGBfB I wouldn’t be surprised. What?

McGGSM that X get a short speech of acceptance ready, and typed out for hie, a day in advance.

For early release to the press! mm

that wasn’t nerve. Foresight.

McQmm As if it were inevitable you can’t compromise your difficulties. Surely, a grot$> of grown men and women could hop© to meet around a table and settle a problem. HUME Xm forget, WeTr© dealing with the State Board of Higher Education,

not grown men and women.

Mem m

Theret Mow that*a an msmple* fan say sarcastic things like that and it gets back to them.

mm Would yen tall them* Jim? McGOMN Mot But— I mean— you*we made public references— which have got back to their ears— they know your attitude— HOME

Mow whs's taking things too seriously? McGOfAH fee. I’m letting It get me. fRSiE

I'm feeling delightfully free# like a gypsy.

It's wonderful to

have made up your mind to fight. Fighting* $ easy, compared to all the uncertainty— MeGOWAil .

Good God, what’s that? (Enter Rita McGowan, the Professor’s young, capablelooking daughter, followed ty what would be a slim young man— but the creature wears an ass’s head.) HUME (Orotundly) nBottosm, bless thee, thou art translatedt"

$

153 (Off comes the ass’s head, revealing Burl Sidney, a young Chemical Engineering instructor.) S9MEET Got me the first time. HUH® Hew do you feel, wearing that wooly thing, on a hot summer day? SHUT like an ass.

urn — And that's what passes for humor, dad.

wwm If you don't like my jokes, get a new boy-friend. And let him wear this donke^-boimet. I'm just a sia^le engineer# KcOTAM Get me in on the joke. 8S33MEI I'll do it. Iben I took an instruetorship, I thought 1 could start behaving with dignity* Mow, look*

am He's eaaplairdng, just because he has to play a part in the Faculty Club show* McGOSM Oh— Midsummer Sight's Dream?

10

l'S4 RITA A burlesque ©t it*

wccmm Burlesque! am Daddy, you're such 8Q engineer* this means burlesque, in the literary sense* Moocmu 1 knew that. (To Hume.) Qua raises daughters to correct one. Him

t ©an correct you on literature, Bad. ICou know you haven*t read anything since Huckleberry Finn* Always got your nose stuck in the Oil and Gas Journal. McGCTOI And proud of it. I'm to© busy to mess with fiction. TTasht Anybody witten a better book than Shakespeare recently? RITA That's absurd.

HcGOiaN Ton let me know when, and I'll read It. Him

*StBfiy father."

"

155

SYDRET (Baaaalniag the piece of costume.) Stuffy heed* (J®rs. Huns eaters, with iced tea in a pitcher, and a set of matching glasses.)

mrs. mm (Cooing pleasantly.) Cob, the children!

I'm glad I brought all the glasses. a m

Oh, we don't meat tea. SEEBHKE

1Pa don't? I'm thirsty# Him Too don't sent tea sloshing about inside you when you play tennis. SYDNEX Roar, we're playing tennisi urn Sare. Xou don't think the older generation has the strength to go out

mm Hear that, dim? Oar honor’s at stake.

McGOM (Warns hie tea~glaes lastly.) let *m have tbs eourt*

0$ro. McGowan sppeare la the arch-my and coughs daintily.) MS. I c G O M Can anyone tell me ehere the IMeeea feasily has gonet

m s* m lettgrl #ast la time for seme Iced tea* RITA

M, mm* BBS. M c G G M l*3ft twy ranch ashamed of as. It leeks as if we’ve all moved in, several days early. (AH pause, appalled at this break* most of all, Ibnu McGowan.)

m s* m m m m I’m— sorry* That sounded like a veasy had Joke, and it wasn't meant that mgr. ix n s * Mo» tnni8H& is s j j s

(In her pleasant, cooing, scolding tone.) leiiyl Sit down and have your tea. (Mrs. McGowan sits, gratefully.)

sm (To Bari.) Sam eni (She picks up a racquet.)

SOT®

t% has been decided that I doa«t moat augrtea. iffza. m m Ferfoaps after you‘ve played a mhtl©.

S9EDHE3T I mender if she111 make me play in thief (Oasts the ass’® head aside.) i m Game ral And baring a racquet. (Hume offers Sydney M e racquet.) HOME «W1U (The teanie-pXayers eadl%, though the arches, and soon me shall hear the sound of their game start up. This mill continue throughout the rest of the scenes the ping...plop! of the ball hitting first the racquets* then the court®5 the short, sharp cries, etc.)

hks. mm Such fine youngsters. Hare they set the day?

ikmm (laughs shortly.)

Thegr’ve become more sensible than me used to be. Hita decided they

should malt until Burl gets his doctorate*

11*

M E He's on the fuel at«dyy isn't he? The work he began in the Awy? McGOB&M foe. Hour there 's an example for yon.

WMB Of what? MeGOM Quality in a young men* MRS. MeGCmi? ■.T rmwacsf |M naU «

McGaVAN X don't mind bragging on Mm* m m if he is my— even if he's going to be tor son-in-lair* While these hot-headed young instructors in seme of your departments are going out and stirring up trouble In public, this young man is back in his laboratory, quietly developing an auto fuel that'll revolutionise the petroleun Industry.

mm 1 knew he was fin© in research, but I didn't know he had anything that big. McGOM Hind you, X didn't get this from him. Belknap told me, in confidence. He's got the process pretty well worked out, now. MRS. HOME then, why not give him his doctorate and let the two young things get married!

15

169

ms. mmm fhat’s what £ say* JfcGOH&K It*11 take about a year to

rmmore

tests, establish the reliability

of the refining procedure, and so forth.

ms. M c*

immm Politics is dirty# anyway you lock at it*

mm As long as we let it be* (Throws newspaper to McGowan.) And Is this a "little” thing?

m m m You're going to bat for those boys* Why? Are they your kind? HOME Bhat do you mean? McGOWAK

1 mean, when you were a young Instructor would you have grabbed up a placard and joined a C.I.G. picket line?

n

181

mm m. ifom m Then why stick your neck out for them? HESS Because thsgr'we keen publicly convicted of being "Reds” and I know they*re not.

Besides, they didn't do it as university instructors*

they did It as citizens. For Tarver to get them fired is censorship, McGGH&W They‘r© grown men. They knew what to eatpect,

IIHttS Tarver used Hudson’s newspapers to convict these men, in the public’s mind, of being communists. And they have no way to clear their names, McGCmN If they’re not red, 1*11 bet they’re mighty pink. HOME I’m more worried about what Tarver's doing to the University, There's another nasty "red scare” coming, and you know what they are. McGOWAH We've lived through them before.

They never find a red, but they manage to smear everyone.. It's the beginning of a local, petty fascism.

28

182

Mdzmm Tea’re mgnifying th© firing of tm instructors into the beginning of fascism, (Pause; be sees he has gone too far*) I’m going to atop tbie.

I no® I can’t change your mind* As I say*

It*a awfully hard to talk to a friend* How you think I’m against you* HUMS Ho, X don’t, Jim,

X think you don’t knew what I’m up against* HcOOHAH

(books at his cigar distastefully, then snubs It out*) I’ll— certainly see— toraorrow. (On an impulse, Hume rises and goes to McGowan, slaps him on the shoulder, then sits by him*) HUME Relax, Jim* Ton haven’t offended me* After all, Mildred tells me the same things every night; and sometimes far into the morning hours* McOOHAH (Grinning) So, I’m like a nagging wife? HUME

l*m at fighter and a builder, Jim, not a compromiser* These people I work with 3ust don’t see a university as being what I think It is*

29

183

Perhaps I shan't be able to states them see. McGOWAN Promise m one thing— (Tower chimes strike the quarter-hour.)

mm Bhat? UcGCmAN Tomorrow— at the meeting— you will make a try* won* t you? HJME I'm going in there to win, If 1 can. Mdsomm Twelve years— of peace and happiness— over and done with. HUME Tou don't sound very confident in me. momm 1 think you're & fighter by temperament. There'll be a fight. (Mrs. Hum© enters, showing in Bean Davis and Mr. Caldwell. Mr. Caldwell is a slight, stooping man of about forty, dressed in tweeds5 very agitated and shaky, trying to keep under control. Dean Davis Is near seventy. He is serene and patriarchal*) MRS. HUE They're out here, Bean Belli Tcm, you have caller®.

3°

184

BE&lf

le«re interrupting?

ms.

mi

Tb*y*re $mt goaeipping. Excuse me.

1*11 get back to ray flowers.

(Exit Mrs* Hume.)

m m m Hello, Beau* BEAK BELL All, KcOcftrani (Turtle to call after Mrs. Hume.)

Thank you— oh, she’s gone*

IW£ The ladies are deep in flower^diecuesions, Bean* And how are you, Caldwell? CALmmLL (With tightly suppressed emotion.)

1 can*V f say.

(To Bean Bell.) What brings you out on a hot Sunday afternoon? CAOTELL (Breaking out#) President Iwe, 1 want to know—

185 BEAM Please, Iter. Galdwelli

jar. Hisae, Caldwell cme to me, very excited,

and as I couldn't persuag® Mat to let the matter rest until Monday, I thought it better to come along with him and pot It before you. HOME Certainly, if it's urgent. Whgr didn't you com© to me first, Caldwell?

CAWmiL X— wanted the advice of my immediate superior first.

mm that seems like a needles® formality. Surely, having been a member of our faculty so many years— CALDWEI1 Fifteen years.

(With some bitterness.) Five as Graduate Assistant,

ten as instructor. hsme

(With a wave of the hand*) Xh&t will be remedied speedily, X believe* Your assistant professorship will follow immediately upon the granting of your doctorate. (Bans©) You see, I know about you and your work, Caldwell* Your years of service have not gone unregarded* Wow, what was it you wanted to see me about, today, that was urgent?

186

m x ten you.

tm

BW f BKLL (Soothingly) Dmr> Caldwell—

GAJU3TOX (With nervous belligorance.) It was

sqt

impression, from your letter, that you had something to

way to me. HOWE It escapes me. CAIOTSLL Then, what does this mean? (Takes out a letter and shows it.) Why #» 1 called to appear before you? What is it about? Htt&E (Takes the letter and puts onreading glasses*) "Hr. Elbert Caldwell, Instructor in English, is directed to appear before President Wisnte and the State Board of Higher Education, on Monday"— and so forth and so forth,to— "e^lain charges that he is teaching m-Amerlcau ideologies and assigning literature of immoral content to students— " MeGOfAW What? What is it?

33

187

n The mam thing as beforeI (To CaLdwell.) Caldwell, X w i t you to notice something about this document.

It

did not originate in say office. McGOiAN What?

mm Tea, J3a, it's like the other two cases. This is signed, "Hamilton Dumont, Presiding Secretary, State Board of Higher Education.*

(To OaOdweU.) This is the first knowledge X have had of this action. Bo you believe that? flATtpmr, -—lea. But what does it mean? What m 1 charged with? Hi m Why didn't you call me, or the head of your department, yesterday, when this cane? (Caldwell turns away, fidgeting.) CATIWRT.T. X was— frightened— !— beau ma> He said he was afraid of using the telephone.

%

188

m oanur Homaensel

CAIDWELL I'm being watched! X tell you, I'm being watchedI DEAH ™ t. t, SwiMseif o&ximx This le a plot— to get rid of me.

Someone wants me out* mbs?

HIM; Ife- Shall see, tomorrow*

President Haste— I swear to you— I have done nothingI Nothing not entirely in line with my duties* X mind my am business, I teach literature— I— (High, and almost hysterical.) ~**I haws had to watch while lesser men earned their degrees— their promotions— because— KtJ&E (Quietly) Tes, yes* We all know about your distressing family situation. X have often wished, X want you to believe, that we could ty~pass that rule about promotions. an Instructor this long*

It isn't right that you should have remained

189

Hfhil© younger mem— men who haven’t— (Breaks off, and go®© to © chair and turns away fro® them, shaking#> I must ask your pardon for behaving like this* This lob— -the little reputation I*ww made here— that* s a H I have* McGCM I'm sure you*re taking this matter too seriously.

CAOTELL It is not a light matter! IfcCOBMf

1 only meant this— letter. m

(Quickly) lb*. Caldwell, you are obviously under a nervous strain. Why don’t you go home and forget this unpleasantness for a while, and leave Dean Bell and me to talk it over? CALDWELL Vteyy well, if you say so.

ims Ccate, I’ll ©how you out. (Exits with Caldwell.) BEAN mUa Really, Mr. Caldwell is not well. I think he ought to undergo

36

ISO

treatment for M s nervous condition.

ncoom

VBm% seems to be the root of the trouble? B&US BEU. Very simple case. Since be m s a young men, he has been the sole Support of an invalid mother— who died last year*

m m m Gh, yes.

I remember seeing it in the paper*

m mm u* H a achievement Is pretty remarkable, considering eveiything. Uhile m^pporting his mother, he put himself through undergraduate work, and then got hie Jt.A# while on an sssistan&ship and clerking in a drug-store. McGOWAN

m m

bell

Ah, yes, bat m pay too much for these things, I fear. He comes up for M s doctorate this year. Haturally, he has had to teach full time, winter and summer, because of the medical expenses his mother’s illness caused. And, as he says, many a younger and lesser has gone on to a Ph.D. before M m , and to a professorship. McGQM lb Engineering, we prcmote it*A«‘s to assistant professorships.

191

37

Miff vmj. In English, they're pretty flm about obeying the rule,

They're

stubborn about most things, in the English department, as a matter

of principle. IfcGQHiW Seems to me, they'ire burned out a pretty good man, on "principle.n

m mm m I'm inclined to agree. However, he's not alnays as you saw M m today,

McGcmm t should hope not. (Hume enters, energetic, fighting mad.) W Jim, this is the kind of thing I've been telling you about.

They

always strike at m@ through ay subordinates! mcgom

1 wouldn't jump to conclusions.

wm, It 1b very clear to me.

They'we faked up this new charge to

discredit my administration, right before tomorrow's meeting. Again, they pick on someone too small to fight back. Mc G O M How innocent is Hr, Caldwell?

38

3.92

HU?iE

felt? BEA.N M L Sir, I think you cm rest assured—

McQmm Only a rhetorical question. By point Is, you're starting to fight, already* Mhat if the charges against Caldwell were true? rass Of course, 1 shall investigate. (Pauses, then approaches McGowan directly*) Jim, do you Imow something about this? Me(KM Ho. And I resent the suggestion that X do*

1 only wondered. It seeaas you are familiarwtth the Board's viewpoint*

Ton know them better than I do, 1 think.

MdKSfAB 1 know some of the® socially, fem, you jmistn11 thick— n In times libs these, you don't know what to think. McGCWAir 1*31 leave you and Bean Bell to discus® this* I feel I've interrupted too much, already.

39

M H SELL Hot at all*

X, for McGOWAH

Ho* I don't think X know the ins and out® of it well enough to be of any help. m niw I'm sorry you have to go so soon. We could have another game of tennis* yet.

I siraply urant to call Dumont to ask •what’s up. HqCKJSM

Tea may have more to do. Perhaps a game later? OTIE hater. ifcGcmft (Pause®, then lock® at Hume intently.) tatesiber “ what X said. Xirelv© good years. Don't let something trivial break thing® up. H W X don't intend to. McGomn Well-- — good afternoon.

DM37 m Good afternoon.

134 (Hume maxmxFs "Good afteraoon,” also, then tens abra^tly to perueal of the letter*) CURTAIL

195 act tm SCSKE OT5s

Thi® is "Tapestay Ball,1* the President*® Office— also used as the Board Meeting Born* in Old Main*

THE TJMBt

Just before ten o'clock, Monday morning* There is a long, heavy table, such as one might find in a monastery. The wall-hanging® are precious tapestries. Two paintings, representing the pick of the University* & art collection, hang on panelled sections of the wall# A small group of rather distinguished-appearing people is standing at one end of the table, chatting.

The

group consist® of two men and one woman. Miss Copeland, the President* s secretary, is in and out of the rods, placing blotters, glasses of water, pen-and-ink sets, etc., at the various place®. Standing apart from the group, and in a sort of alcove, Bean Bell is with Mr. Caldwell. d m

Come, Caldwell. Calm yourself.

It*s easy to say*

m i

196 E M IMtttT. A case of jitters won't help* (The tower chimes bocm, just overhead.

In this room,

conversation has to stop until they are done striking, the hoar is ten o'clock. As the chimes strike* Caldwell fidgets and looks this way and that. The old Bean checks his watch against the tower time*) nAT^wg.TJ> What X want to know is wby~~ B M WELL Listm to me* What yon want to know is who. Who are you up against? Ton mast he prepared! CAIDWSLL Bat how? m u mht the host way to fight is to know your possible friends— and your opponents. Lock over there. Don't stare* But look. CALDWELL Tea* I’m looking. B M nsatj. (Continuing to look the other way.) Sew*

The woman with the flowers on her hat* That's Mrs. Gatling,

Chairman of the State Federation of Women*

She belongs to every

club there is that has acmething to do with being a mother or having

a garden.

Caldwell What on earth la aha doing on the Board? Stt* BELL Don't scoff. She's the best person on it. She gave a cool million for the new wing of the girl's dormitory— that's how she got on the Board*

Bat she's a good-hearted woman# and likes "nice" literature* CALDWELL

A possible friend?

BEAM THKflL fee*

The stocky man with glasses is Hudson, the newspaper owners

and the slim, dark fellow, the one that looks like a Medici poisoner? That's Mr. Dumont, Mr. Tarver's corporation lawyer* CAlDtE&L This can't be all. Who's missing? DEAN BELL Traver himself, and Dr. Cartwright, of the State Hospital Association. (Dumont and Hudson are both looking about for places to pat cigar ashes. Hudson stops Miss Copeland on one of her trips past.) HUB30W Use Copeland, I don't see any ash-trays. MISS COPELAND Oh— I'm sorry* That's because there aren't any. We don't have mucking

198 in her©, sine© the latest tapestries sane*

wmsm (Glances about quickly at the walls*)

mmom Aren’t they exquisite? I bought them for Mr. Tarver in Italy, and ha gave them to the University* MRS. GA.TLIHG they’re easptlsite, as you say*

wmm Carries out the monastery theme I had in mind for this room*

ms. omMQ (Pleased) Obh— yes. HISS GOPE1AW I believe you would find It pleasant on the terrace. And you could amoks out there* HUDSON Would you accompany us, Mrs* Gatling? MRS* GATLIfJG Thank you. you can see so much of the city from the terrace. (Hiss Copeland corrects than as they start toward the donm-stage exit.)

16 HtSS COPEUKD Through hare, If you wHl*

The workmen are still making repairs in

that corridor» (The group ©s&ts* as she directs them* upstage. Hies Copeland comes hack.) MISS COPEMED (Calling) Horace! Chairs for the terracei m i am. (faking Caldwell’s arm.) Quick! Corns on out on the terraee and meet them.

Giamm& I*xn not interested in such people, they look~~like stuffed~shirts.

BE&B BECL They are stuffed-shirts, and you are interested in them. So drop that attitude and come on.

C&LBfKLL X shouldn’t know what to say to them.

Drat

mu*

(Exasperated) Caldwell* X m y e w Dean, and the time has come to remind you of that fact. How, obey orders for once. The attitude you are taking will ruin everything.

200

I don’t want to meet them! I only want to know, why a m m is dragged away flrcei his work— to sm& ot8r^tanb©r~~with no knowledge of what ha Is charged withr^lt*® not like a Dniverstiy, it*® like—

m m mu* tm w r n ^ t dragged, you wer® asked. CALDV/m Tee, that*® true.

I’m being too emotional.

M m B1SLL ThereI Mm be calm. Ton don’t have to meet them. CALDWELL Thank you.

(Restlessly) Hhy don’t they begin? X was told to be here at ten o’clock. DEM? BBLL We couldn’t think of starting without Mr* Tartrer, since he owns the a jfoa&G u —

GAtolBiL

Oms it? jdsut m &

My dear follow, even I can haw vsy little Joke. But, seriously, he does. He’s the leading stock-bolder la Hudson’s newspapers. Dumont’s his lawyer* Mrs. Catling is the widow of on® of his fowaer partners. And Dr* Cartwright—

201 ckimrn* SS» toot

mm farmer gswo the money for Dr- Carbwight,a nm clinic. (Tlr*£ly) Hr. Tarver is m i l acquainted with the idem of cfearitgr— and control. H e worthy gift® blanket the state. And, as you know, hie money gave m the blessing of our eowrnor^Fiddlin* 8m McCoy. (Stedles, then turn® serious.) How you see what you* re up against. flATJMftT.T,

I’m afraid— I'm sadly out of touch with affairs in this state.

I’ve

been— it now appears— immersed in a world of books»

mm

bell

Yes, that’s true, CALDWELL t must say, X prefer that world.

I’m not at all impressed with

Mr* Tarver, and his vulgar wealth. DEAN BELL Ho. But I expect you to be impressed by the extent of his influence with the university. And we may com© out of a tight spot today, if you’ll take the trouble to make a good impression.

Qkimm*r. 1 can't imagine how I should aocoiDplish that.

Why is he so interested

in the university, in ill© fSrst place?

m&M wc^t Tfcy to explain why anyone want© power and influence* Let*© s©@~what 1© lie interested in? Hrara— he buy© football placer© and famishes them to the university. Athleticsi that*® it. When you were en undergraduate, didnH you do aomethijig in athletics?

c&wm* Wo* I was too busy going to school and earning a living at the same thee. W

BELL

A pity, WO could have influenced Tarver in your favor, with athletics. CAUMELL bean Belli Would you stoop to cheap things like that? DMA Cheap? Expedient. 1 advise you to moderate your statements. Or better, let me talk to the Board* (Hume enters, with McGowan.) Him Hello, bean. Caldwell. Where are the others? J3BAW fWBLT.

On the terrace for a smoke* We are waiting for you-— and Mr. Tarver. urn Ah, yes*

(Calling)

Miss CopelandI

MISS COFEUSJB

f»i? HUME I« everything reedy? MISS COPSLAKD Tee, sir. HSUS 1 knew things would be ell right, in your hands. Bid you furnish ihem ©31 with copies of my letter to the press? MSS COPSUUD On the blotters* McGOWAW Already? Isn't that ill-advised, Tom? mime Thank you, Miss Copeland. (To McGowan.) Bet only Ill-advised, din, but rash. But this is the time for rash

(To Caldwell) Steeling better? CALBWELI, I hope so.

mm Basel, McGowan and I have been out driving around, trying to forget

this mess* We even had a beer together*

I*v© been jtttexy, Caldwell,

if that’a any comfort to yon. (To Bell.) Hove yen found what terrible book Hr. Tarver la on the war-path about? M A W Iflgt.Tr I haven't asked the other members. HOME Wot Shakespeare, X hope. I couldn't reach any of the members ty 'phene last night. GAOTILL It's idiotic, their not telling ua.

mm Strategic. Ton will no doubt be confronted with the "evidence” soon. Tate it calmly. (To Bell.) Where is the chairman of his department? DEAN MIL (With irony.) Professor Martin Is confined with a cold. He is remaining at his house in the country. (The group which was on the terrace returns.) MRS. GATLING We am Mr. Tarver's car drive up below! H© should b© up in a minute*

SI

hums

low do you do, Mrs. Gatling? X presume Cartwright la with him? MRS, GATLING X Relieve thsgr were to drive in together from the city.

mm Bre. Gatling, may X present Professor McGowan? HRS. GATLING Professor McGowan# (Extends her hand mechanically; then the name registers, and her face lights xx&.} Gh, yon*re the new— I mean— M S (B la n d ly }

Quite, (Turns to others.) And this Is Mr. Dumont, Professor McGowan; and Mr. Hudson— HGDOTf Xes, I*ve met Professor McGowan, ms, GATLING (Covering, and confused,) And did you have an interesting drive up, this morning, Professor McGowan? McGCWAN I~-didm*t, X live here.

ms. m m m Wm

that stupid of mol

It just eeesaed to sso everyone should

have boon out driving this morning,

the roadsides m m lavender and

pink with crepe myrtle, and there was so much of it on the road, it looked as If one were being driven across a carpet of KLoss