[_He is gray-haired. He has large, wistful, cynical eyes. He has a droll, rolling, weary mouth. Once he was a great comedian. Today, while still well-known, he is relying on formula—and is speeding, without realizing it, into oblivion. Reads from part_]. “Mr. Carruthers, I’m from headquarters and I tell you that Gus, your colored porter, is none other than Dixie Dan, the Bootlegger.” [_Turns to_ DETECTIVE. _Speaks._] “Is that right?” DETECTIVE “That’s right, chief.” CARTER “And what’s more, he has been very disrespectful to your daughter, Gwendolyn.” GENE [_He is the stage manager and one of the actors. He is a big, fat man in shirt sleeves, with the stub of a cigar in his mouth_]. “Gwendolyn, come here!” MARY [_She is bob-haired, slim and lovely. Five years ago she was a flapper. Four years ago she was a debutante. Three years ago she ran away and entered the chorus of the Metropolitan. Two years ago she had a minor rôle in musical comedy. Now she has the feminine lead. She is democratic, ironical, fastidious, informal, subtle and hearty_]. “Yes, father.” GENE “Did you know that Gus is a bootlegger?” MARY “Father, don’t believe a word he says. It’s too bad Mr. Gus isn’t here to defend himself.” GENE “Where is Gus the porter? Has any one seen him? Where can he be?” MISS GLYNN “Look! Here he comes now.” [_In typical musical comedy fashion every one stagily steps one foot to the right and points with outstretched arm to the right. There is the typical musical comedy hush which announces the entrance of a principal._] ALL “Ah”! LEE Where is Jack?... Robin! That’s your cue. Come on! [_There is a moment of confused silence and then_ JACK, _coming out of his absorption in the card game, rises hastily, apologetically. He turns for a second to the stage-hand._] JACK Spade—spade—spade! You lose! [_Now he hastens to the center of the scene. With an apologetic word to_ MR. LEE _he turns to his script._] Now, where are we? GENE “Gus, where’ve you been?” JACK “I’ve been down to my father’s farm where we have a black hen that lays a white egg.” CARTER “What’s so wonderful about that?” JACK “You go home and try it!” CARTER That’s the cue for my Poppy number, isn’t it, Mr. Lee? LEE No, Carter, I’ve changed my mind about that. I’ve decided to let Jack do that Poppy number in the second act. CARTER