Mrs. Atkins’ costume is cheap and slouchy, but extreme in style. Her shoes are run-down at the heel.
Mrs. O’Brien wears a gaily trimmed hat and a flowered print dress.
The Dearest Thing in Boots
SCENE
The front room of Mr. Wilson’s store used for fitting shoes. A long table piled with boxes is down stage L, a small table with cash box, books, paper and cord down stage R, a couple of chairs and foot rests at C, doors at R and L. Mr. Wilson is discovered leaning against table at R while Jack is straddling a chair.
Mr. Wilson: It’s been a whole week, Jack, since you first came into the store, so if you’ve been keeping your ears and eyes open, you will have caught on to some of my methods.
Jack: Take it from me, dad, I have. They are in a class by themselves. Summed up briefly, as the minister says, they are [checks each point on fingers]: Firstly, soak a customer for all she’s worth, or you think she’s worth. Secondly, if a shoe is too expensive, take off a cent or two. Thirdly, if it is too cheap, which doesn’t happen very often, take it to the rear where you change the price but not the shoe, bring it back and tuck on a dollar or two. Fourthly, always side in with everything a customer says, even if she insists that the moon is made of green cheese. Fifthly, always, always,—oh, what does my thumb say, dad? I’ve run out.
Mr. Wilson: Never fail to make a sale, that’s what it says.