_(Belle enters Left, looks about.)_ _Belle._ Has my sister come for me? _Jack._ Not yet. _(Goes over to Belle.)_ Feeling any better? _Belle._ I'm pretty tired. _Jack (a pause)._ Tell me--how long have you been doing this? Waiting, I mean. _Belle._ Four years. _Jack._ And how long do you expect to do it? _Belle._ How should I know. What other chance have I? I can make just enough to keep going from week to week, and Dolly the same. It's like being in a trap. _Jack._ I never realized it before. _(A pause.)_ Was it always like this? _Belle._ No, we had a chance while father was alive. He was a railroad conductor. He was killed in an accident. _Jack._ And didn't you get any damages? _Belle._ They said it was his fault. He stepped in front of an express. They paid for his funeral. _Jack._ And then you were stranded? _Belle._ We had enough to come to New York. We heard that wages were higher here. But everything else is higher, and you can't save anything. You're really worse off in New York, because nobody cares whether you starve or not. _Jack._ Nobody cares! _(With sudden intensity.)_ Listen, Belle. I care! I honestly do. I want to help you to get out of this! _Belle._ But how can you help me? _Jack._ I don't know, but I'll find a way. There must be a way! It's too cruel--it can't be true that people starve to death in the midst of so much wealth. _Belle._ You don't know much about being poor, I see. _Bill (Has finished sandwich, rises and comes over, pats himself)._ Gee! _Jack._ Good stuff, hey? _Bill._ Betcher. _Jack._ You'll come again then? _Bill._ Sure thing. _Jack (to Schmidt, who rises and crosses Left)._ You see, Mr. Schmidt! He'll come again! _Schmidt._ Yes, I make my fortune by you _(exit Left)._ _Bill._ Gee, I allus wisht I had a job in a restaurant! Or in a candy store! Well, so long, old pal. _Jack._ So long. _Bill (starts Right, then stops)._ Say! _Jack._ Well? _Bill (coming to him)._ Here's your nickel. _Jack._ Good Lord, I forgot it! _Bill._ Youse'll be a great help to this joint! _Jack (takes it)._ I suppose I must take it. _(Puts it in his pocket.)_ _Bill (staring at him)._ Gee, is it a tip? _Jack._ What do you mean? _Bill (grins)._ Huh. _Belle._ You've got to ring it up on the cash register. _Jack._ Oh! _(Laughs and goes to cash desk.)_ How do you work the infernal thing? _Bill._ Press the five---- _Jack._ There! _(Rings.)_ _Bill._ Gawd-a'mighty, that's five dollars! _Jack._ Five DOLLARS? _Bill._ Sure! _Jack._ But--what shall I do now? _Bill._ Give me four ninety-five change and then we'll be square. _Jack (making a stab at him)._ Get out, you rascal! _Bill (flees, laughing)._ Gee, I'll come back to this joint! _(Exit.)_ _Belle._ It's most time we were closing. My sister's late. _Jack._ What does your sister do? _Belle._ She does sewing. _Jack._ Does she earn much? _Belle._ Just enough to keep us alive.