[_Enters with_ JIMMY]. Now remember, Jimmy, I don’t want any strangers on the stage during dress rehearsal. [JIMMY _goes._] Jack! I want to see you. JACK Excuse me, this is Mr. Lee—my boss. Mr. Lee—gee, I don’t know how I can explain this to you. Well—this is Mr. Yudelson, an old family friend. He just told me that my father, down on the East Side, is very sick— LEE East Side? JACK I held out on you, Mr. Lee, because my father and I had quarreled. I thought he never wanted to see me again. It hurt me so much that I wanted to start fresh, live a new life.... But now I find I didn’t quite understand. My father is the Cantor of the Orchard Street Synagogue. Tonight is the eve of the Day of Atonement. He and my mother sent Mr. Yudelson to ask me to sing in my father’s place tonight. I know all the prayers— LEE My dear boy, it’s out of the question. JACK Mr. Lee, isn’t there any possible chance? YUDELSON Only tonight and tomorrow until it gets dark. LEE No, absolutely not. Why you’re the whole show. I’ve staked everything on you.... Jack, I’m going to tell you something. I was an actor myself once. My mother died one afternoon, but I went on that night.... GENE [_Appears left_]. Say, chief— LEE What is it? GENE The fire underwriters are here. LEE I’m coming. [_To_ JACK, _slowly, earnestly, in a lowered voice._] Something happened a while ago that puts me in a position where I’m depending on you more than you know. Now, talk him out of it. [_He goes._] YUDELSON That’s your boss? JACK [_After a moment of thought_]. Yes.... Yudelson, do you realize what an awful lot of money is tied up in this show? It costs thousands and thousands of dollars.... YUDELSON [_Impressed, the business man in him responding_]. Is _that_ so! JACK The scenery ... the costumes ... and all the actors.... Mr. Lee is responsible for everything—and he’s counting on me. You heard him—he’s staking everything on me. YUDELSON _Is_ that so? JACK Yudelson, you’re a business man ... now I ask you, how can I leave this show ... on a big opening night ... just because my mama and papa all of a sudden ... don’t you see? YUDELSON Well, Jakie, if you can’t sing tonight, I’ll have to sit and listen to that voice from Levy’s. JACK Levy—that’s the Sexton, isn’t it? I’ll bet he’s got a fine voice. YUDELSON