STAGE MAN. (in a rage). “Stop that noise! Stop that noise, I say!”
Noise continues.
JIM (eager for the fray). “How can we do our work without noise, I should like to know?”
STAGE MAN. (crossly). “Can’t you do it at some other time?”
JIM (angrily). “No, we can’t do it at some other time! Do you think we’re here all night?”
STAGE MAN. (mildly). “But, my dear fellow, how can we go on with the rehearsal?”
JIM (in a rage), “I don’t know anything about you and your rehearsal! That’s not my business, is it? I do my own work; I don’t do other people’s work! I don’t want to be told how to do my work!” (Pours forth a flood of impassioned eloquence for the next ten minutes, during which time the hammering is also continued. Complete collapse of STAGE MANAGER, and suspension of rehearsal. Subsequent dryness on the part of JIM.)
MAN. WIFE (when rehearsal is at last resumed). “Just try back that last bit, will you, for positions?”
The last two or three movements gone over again. Then:
STAGE MAN. “We all three struggle toward door. Stand back, old man! I do not wish to harm thee!—I push you aside. ‘Back, or it will be murder!’—This must be well worked up. ‘Who dares to stay me?’ (to LOW COMEDY). “There’ll be a bar to bring you on. You know the business.”