_Jack (enters Left)._ Gee, I never thought it would be as bad as this! _(goes to window of restaurant)_ I've got to get something to eat--there's no use talking about it! I don't believe that kid is coming back! I don't believe he could help me, anyway! _(wanders back and forth again, goes to door, hesitates)_ I want something to _eat!_ I don't care what happens, I can't stand it! _(enters door of restaurant)._ _Bill (pokes head in from fire-escape)._ Say, Peggy! (_Play-play fades._) _Peggy (appears in doorway, Left, having Mss. in her hand)._ Oh, Bill! You startled me so! _Bill._ What's the matter? _Peggy._ I thought you, were out in the snow! _Bill._ In the SNOW. _Peggy._ Why, you see-- _Bill._ Snow in the middle of July? _Peggy._ Why, you see, dear, Will is writing a play, and the play is supposed to be in winter, and he's got you in the snow. _Bill (in excitement). Me? Me_ in Will's play! _Peggy._ Yes. _Bill._ Oh, say! What's he doin' to me? _Peggy._ I'll tell you all about it when he's finished. _Bill._ Say! I got to see that play! _Peggy._ Oh, surely! _Bill (seriously)._ Suppose I don't like what he's done to me! _Peggy (to Will, who appears Left, wiping a dish)._ Another critic, Will! (_to Bill_) Now you must let us alone. Climb out, dear, and don't disturb us again until we're done. _Bill._ All right. I'll hold my breath (_climbs out_). _Will._ Well, what do you think of it? _Peggy._ Let's go on; I want to see more. (_They sit at the desk._) _Will._ The next is the interior of the restaurant. You know just how it looks--the one down our street. I've got to use two more characters from real life. First, that big Irish policeman on our beat. I must talk to him some more and make sure I've got his dialect right. _Peggy._ You never would have talked to him at all, if I hadn't put you up to it! _Will._ Then, there's the restaurant keeper. For him I took Schmidt, our grocer. _Peggy._ You _have_ to talk to Schmidt--because we can't pay his bills! _Will._ I see him sitting at the cashier's desk, reading a paper. _(Interior of restaurant, with Schmidt.)_ It's nearly midnight, you see, and there's only one customer. _(Full light on Play-play. Peggy and Will make quick secret exit.)_ _Schmidt._ Vell, dis is vun bad night for business! _(Customer grunts, having mouth full.)_ I tink ve have too much snow already dis vinter! _(Customer grunts again.)_ You have some dessert, sir? Vere is dot vaitress hey? _(Calls.)_ Hey, you! Belle! _Belle (off Left)._ Yes, sir! _Schmidt._ Vy you don't stay in de room by de customers? Hey? _Belle (enters, evidently weak and ill, supports herself by the chair)._ I--I was busy, sir. _Schmidt._ Vell, you stay busy by de customers! _Jack (enters from street, hesitating)._ I beg pardon-- _Schmidt._ Hey? _Jack._ Can I get something to eat? _Schmidt._ Vy not? _Jack._ It's late. _Schmidt._ Ve close by midnight.