Conductor (savagely). They generally has changed their coats.
Mr. Starr (with dignity, offering a five-cent nickel). There’s your fare, man.
Conductor. That won’t do, mud-hopper. Fare’s six cents.
Mr. Starr (well remembering the cent, which is, alas under the bureau, and grovelling for it in both pockets). I have a cent somewhere.
Conductor (stopping car and returning five-cent piece). We’ve had enough of you tramps who change your coats and cannot find your pennies. You step off—and step off mighty quick.
Mr. Starr declines; when they come to Maverick Square he will report the man to the superintendent, who knows him well. Slight scuffle. Mr. Starr resists. Conductor calls driver. Mr. Starr is ejected. Coat torn badly and hat thrown into mud. Car departs.
Tableau.
SCENE II
UP
(Muddy street in East Boston. Mr. Starr, wiping his hat with his handkerchief, solus.)
Mr. Starr. If only Clara had not been so anxious about the Board meeting! (Eyes five-cent piece.) Where can that penny be? (Searches in pockets, is searching when—)