Kathryn. A number?
Jack. Yes, a number. I know Shakespeare was thinking of me when he said there was nothing in a name.
Kathryn. You're always comparing yourself to Shakespeare, Jack, and I don't like it. Shakespeare was a great poet, and you're not even a poet at all. (Moves away.)
Jack (with mock gallantry). The earth should not always be told it cannot rival the sun.
Kathryn. That's better.
Jack. But seriously, I do wish I had a number.
Kathryn. You're not a futurist, Jack?
Jack. I'm far too futile for that. But I believe in numbers in place of names.
Kathryn. That's just nonsense, Jack.
Jack. It's not nonsense. Numbers are necessary and convenient. Moreover, I for one am entirely in accord with the socialistic idea of the separation of parent and child. (Rises.) A School for Socialism is the one thing most needed today—some place a child may be put and not molested by its parents, adopted or otherwise. Each child should have a number, a perfectly reliable number, one that was all his own and inherited from no one.