PHONSIE: Then if you can't raise the rent, raise me, mommer. Can't
I have the spot-light to die with?
GLADYS: Why certainly you shall have one. Mr. Electrician, will you kindly give my dying child a spot-light? (Business.) There, dearest, there's your spot-light.
PHONSIE: (Laughs.) Oh, that's fine. Mommer, can I have visions?
GLADYS: Why surely, dear, you can have all the visions you want. (Shoves opium pipe in his mouth and lights it.) Now tell mommer what you see, baby!
PHONSIE: Oh, mommer, I see awful things. I can see the Gerry society pinching me. And oh, mommer, I can see New York, [1] and there ain't a gambling house in the town.
[1] Substitute name of any big city.
GLADYS: He's blind!!!! My child's gone blind!!!! (PHONSIE snores.)
He sleeps at last, my child, my little dying child!!!! (Enter
ALGERNON and BIRDIE.)
GLADYS: (Discovers ALGERNON.) You!!!! (ALGERNON turns to Orchestra and conducts Chord with cane.) (GLADYS Left, ALGERNON C., BIRDIE R.)
ALGERNON: (Chord.) Yes, Gladys Dressuitcase, once more we meet!!!!!
GLADYS: And the lady with the Brooklyn [1] gown!! Ah, you will start, but I know you in spite of your disguise, Birdie Bedslatz.