MARY [_The warm, friendly smile on her face is her answer—her fraternal declaration—to_ YUDELSON _and to_ JACK]. Well I’ll run along. See you later, Jack. Goodbye, Mr. Yudelson. It was a pleasure to have met you. YUDELSON By me it’s all right, too! [MARY _goes._] JACK [_His arm about_ YUDELSON’s _shoulder, they move over to the table._ YUDELSON _sits in the chair and_ JACK _lounges on the table leaning on his elbow_]. Well, Yudelson, I’m glad to see you. Sit down. What brings you up in this neighborhood? YUDELSON Jakie, I came to tell you your papa is sick. JACK [_Site up straight_]. What’s the matter with him? Has he got a good doctor? YUDELSON The best doctor in New York. Dr. O’Shaughnessy from the Rockenfeller Institute.... Jakie, my boy, tonight starts the Day of Atonement—Yom Kippur—and this is the first time in your papa’s life what he wouldn’t be able to sing in the synagogue on Yom Kippur. So we had a meeting from the committee, who should sing in his place. Well, I was speaking to your mama, and she thought it would be a beautiful surprise for your papa if you would do it. JACK Me to sing? My God, Yudelson, he kicked me out of the house only a month ago. YUDELSON Don’t be foolish, Jakie. How much times was you kicked out—one time? A son could be kicked out twenty times, and yet a son is a son. If your papa knew you was singing tonight, it would make him happy. JACK But, Yudelson, I can’t do it! YUDELSON Nonsense. I was telling the committee—you know how it is a committee—they wanted Levy, the Shamus, should sing. But I’m the chairman, and they all owe me money, so when they voted it was the way your mama wanted. I told them, “Jakie, when he was a little boy and he sang in the choir, his papa learned him all the words of all the prayers. And what a little boy learns he never forgets....” And even if maybe a few words you should forget, you can look in the prayer book. Jakie, you can do it! I got confidence in you! And your mama—she’ll be the happiest— JACK But, Yudelson, this show opens tonight! YUDELSON What’s the matter with you, Jakie? Ain’t I telling you your papa is sick and your mama is waiting I should give her an answer? JACK [_Slowly_]. Yudelson, the show business is different from anything else. The finest actors keep right on working, even if there’s a death in the family. The show must go on.... It’s like a religion.... It’s like soldiers in an army.... LEE