_(Reaches out and lifts mask.)_ Jack Denison! MAN _(In clear voice.)_ Yours truly, Prince, my boy. PRINCE But you can't come in here, old man. MAN And why not? PRINCE _(Stuttering and stammering.)_ Why--I--they're damned select--it's the women, you know--and I--they--well, they made me doorkeeper, and-- _(Breaking down.)_ --you know well enough yourself, Jack. MAN _(Rising as though to go, and in angry tones.)_ By God, you can come down to Jack Denison's joint all right, and buck Jack Denison's faro layout all right, and have a social drink with him all right; but when Jack Denison comes up to your doings, you turn'm down like he had smallpox. PRINCE It's not my fault. It's the women, I tell you. They're running the show. MAN _(Wheedlingly.)_ You might let a fellow in just for a peep. Nobody'll know. I'll clear out before they unmask. PRINCE _(Pleadingly.)_ I can't really, old man, I-- _(Catches sight oj Mrs. McFee, who appears in doorway to left.)_ Look at her! Get out quick! _(Places hand on his shoulder in friendly way and starts to shove him out.)_ MAN _(Catching sight of Mrs. McFee.)_ Wow! _(With bodily expression of fear, shrinks behind Prince and allows himself to be shoved out.)_ MRS. McFEE _(Crossing over to Prince, and suspiciously.)_ Who might that body be? PRINCE _(Wiping his brow.)_ One of the unelect, I am sorry to say, Mrs. McFee. MRS. McFEE A gambler man, I take it? _(Prince nods.)_ But I can no see, Mr. Prince, why you should conduct negotiations inside the door, contameenating the air with the bodily presence of the children of sin. PRINCE _(Slight note of anger in his voice.)_ Do you know how cold it is, Mrs. McFee? MRS. MCFEE I have no given it a thought. PRINCE Well, it's seventy degrees below zero, and still going down. If that door is open one minute, a refrigerator would be comfortable alongside that ballroom. And if you don't like the way I'm doing things-- _(A knock is heard, and he opens door. Sitka Charley squeezes in.)_ PRINCE _(Very politely.)_ Can Sitka Charley come in, Mrs. McFee? MRS. McFEE _(Turning to go.)_ He is a good body. There is no reason why he should not bide a wee. _(To Sitka Charley.)_ But you must go right away again, Charley. SITKA CHARLEY _(Nods his head, and then to Prince.)_ Where um Vanderlip? PRINCE He's here somewhere. Go and find him. _(Laughter and voices, and many couples enter from lejt, some in costume, several in hooded dominos.)_ SITKA CHARLEY _(Recoiling, startled and excited.)_ What that? _(Prince laughs.)_ What for? Everybody crazy? PRINCE _(Laughing.)_ Button, button, who's got the button. Go and find him. _(Sitka Charley, walking stealthily, like a wild animal in dangerous territory, goes adventuring amongst the maskers.)_ _(After some time, a domino takes Sitka Charley by the arm and leads him apart.)_ SITKA CHARLEY _(Dragging back and struggling to escape.)_ What for, crazymans? VANDERLIP