ALGERNON: (Goes L. C. and looks after her.) It is Gladys—found at last! (Enter BIRDIE L. I. She is in bright red with white plumes and is a beautiful, radiant adventuress. )
BIRDIE: Did you get a good look at her?
ALGERNON: Yes—it's Gladys and she's down and out—(Both together:)
Curse her!
ALGERNON: Now I can begin pursuing her again.
BIRDIE: Yes, and I can gloat over her misery—and gloating's the best thing I do.
ALGERNON: Come (fiercely!) We are wasting time.
BIRDIE: She'll never know me with this dark hair and no make-up on.
ALGERNON: (At L. I—still more fiercely.) Can that junk! Come!
(Exits L. I.)
BIRDIE: (Going to L. I.) He has me in his power. I must follow him. Curse him! (Exits after ALGERNON. Enter MOE REISS in bum evening-clothes and opera hat. Carries cane.)
MOE REISS: (Reading from back of envelope.) Down this street and turn into the alley full of ash cans! I'm on the right track at last. Once more I shall see my wife and my little boy! Of course, she'll be sore because I ran away and deserted her, leaving her no alimony except the dying che-ild. But I must produce a real wife and child from somewhere or I'll lose the $9.75 my uncle left me. (Goes L. musingly.) Why do I love money so? Ay, that's the question. (Looking up at gallery.) And what's the answer? (Points off L. with cane—dramatically.) We shall see—we shall see. (Dashes off L.)