MARTHY--Yuh said yuh was just outa the hospital? ANNA--Two weeks ago. [Leaning over to MARTHY confidentially.] The joint I was in out in St. Paul got raided. That was the start. The judge give all us girls thirty days. The others didn't seem to mind being in the cooler much. Some of 'em was used to it. But me, I couldn't stand it. It got my goat right--couldn't eat or sleep or nothing. I never could stand being caged up nowheres. I got good and sick and they had to send me to the hospital. It was nice there. I was sorry to leave it, honest! MARTHY--[After a slight pause.] Did yuh say yuh got to meet someone here? ANNA--Yes. Oh, not what you mean. It's my Old Man I got to meet. Honest! It's funny, too. I ain't seen him since I was a kid--don't even know what he looks like--yust had a letter every now and then. This was always the only address he give me to write him back. He's yanitor of some building here now--used to be a sailor. MARTHY--[Astonished.] Janitor! ANNA--Sure. And I was thinking maybe, seeing he ain't never done a thing for me in my life, he might be willing to stake me to a room and eats till I get rested up. [Wearily.] Gee, I sure need that rest! I'm knocked out. [Then resignedly.] But I ain't expecting much from him. Give you a kick when you're down, that's what all men do. [With sudden passion.] Men, I hate 'em--all of 'em! And I don't expect he'll turn out no better than the rest. [Then with sudden interest.] Say, do you hang out around this dump much? MARTHY--Oh, off and on. ANNA--Then maybe you know him--my Old Man--or at least seen him? MARTHY--It ain't old Chris, is it? ANNA--Old Chris? MARTHY--Chris Christopherson, his full name is. ANNA--[Excitedly.] Yes, that's him! Anna Christopherson--that's my real name--only out there I called myself Anna Christie. So you know him, eh? MARTHY--[Evasively.] Seen him about for years. ANNA--Say, what's he like, tell me, honest? MARTHY--Oh, he's short and-- ANNA--[Impatiently.] I don't care what he looks like. What kind is he? MARTHY--[Earnestly.] Well, yuh can bet your life, kid, he's as good an old guy as ever walked on two feet. That goes! ANNA--[Pleased.] I'm glad to hear it. Then you think's he'll stake me to that rest cure I'm after? MARTHY--[Emphatically.] Surest thing you know. [Disgustedly.] But where'd yuh get the idea he was a janitor? ANNA--He wrote me he was himself. MARTHY--Well, he was lyin'. He ain't. He's captain of a barge--five men under him. ANNA--[Disgusted in her turn.] A barge? What kind of a barge? MARTHY--Coal, mostly. ANNA--A coal barge! [With a harsh laugh.] If that ain't a swell job to find your long lost Old Man working at! Gee, I knew something'd be bound to turn out wrong--always does with me. That puts my idea of his giving me a rest on the bum. MARTHY--What d'yuh mean? ANNA--I s'pose he lives on the boat, don't he? MARTHY--Sure. What about it? Can't you live on it, too?