CURTIS--I only really came to a decision this morning. [With a seriousness that forces BIGELOW'S interested attention.] It's a case of got to go. It's a tremendous opportunity that it would be a crime for me to neglect. BIGELOW--And a big honor, too, isn't it, to be picked as a member of such a large affair? CURTIS--[With a smile.] I guess it's just that they want all the men with considerable practical experience they can get. There are bound to be hardships and they know I'm hardened to them. [Turning to his wife with an affectionate smile.] We haven't roughed it in the queer corners for the last ten years without knowing how it's done, have we, Martha? MARTHA--[Dully.] No, Curt. CURTIS--[With an earnest enthusiasm.] And this expedition IS what you call a large affair, Big. It's the largest thing of its kind ever undertaken. The possibilities, from the standpoint of anthropology, are limitless. BIGELOW--[With a grin.] Aha! Now we come to the Missing Link! CURTIS--[Frowning.] Darn your Barnum and Bailey circus lingo, Big. This isn't a thing to mock at. I should think the origin of man would be something that would appeal even to your hothouse imagination. Modern science believes--knows--that Asia was the first home of the human race. That's where we're going, to the great Central Asian plateau north of the Himalayas. BIGELOW--[More soberly.] And there you hope to dig up--our first ancestor? CURTIS--It's a chance in a million, but I believe we may, myself--at least find authentic traces of him so that we can reconstruct his life and habits. I was up in that country a lot while I was mining advisor to the Chinese government--did some of my own work on the side. The extraordinary results I obtained with the little means at my disposal convinced me of the riches yet to be uncovered. The First Man may be among them. BIGELOW--[Turning to MARTHA.] And you were with him on that Asian plateau? MARTHA--Yes, I've always been with him. CURTIS--You bet she has. [He goes over and puts his hand on his wife's shoulder affectionately.] Martha's more efficient than a whole staff of assistants and secretaries. She knows more about what I'm doing than I do half the time. [He turns toward his study.] Well, I guess I'll go in and work some. MARTHA--[Quietly.] Do you need me now, Curt? BIGELOW--[Starting up.] Yes, if you two want to work together, why just shoo me-- CURTIS--[Puts both hands on his shoulders and forces him to his seat again.] No. Sit down, Big. I don't need Martha now. [Coming over to her, bends down and kisses her--rather mockingly.] I couldn't deprive Big of an audience for his confessions of a fond parent. BIGELOW--Aha! Now it's you who are mocking at something you know nothing about. [An awkward silence follows this remark.] CURTIS--[Frowning.] I guess you're forgetting, aren't you, Big? [He turns and walks into his study, closing the door gently behind him.] MARTHA--[After a pause--sadly.] Poor Curt.