LAURA. Then why do you ask?
[Crosses around chair right of table; stands.
ELFIE. Just wanted to hear from your own dear lips what the trouble was. Now tell me all about it. Can I smoke here?
[Takes cigarette-case up, opens it, selecting cigarette.
LAURA. Surely. [Gets matches off bureau, puts them on table.
ELFIE. Have one? [Offers case.
LAURA. No, thank you.
[Sits in chair right of table, facing ELFIE.
ELFIE. H'm-m, h'm-m, hah! [Lights cigarette.] Now go ahead. Tell me all the scandal. I'm just crazy to know.
LAURA. There's nothing to tell. I haven't been able to find work, that is all, and I'm short of money. You can't live in hotels, you know, with cabs and all that sort of thing, when you're not working.