Correspondent (shouting). Hold on fast. That’s it! My last question: What message do you wish to leave for your fellow citizens before you depart for the better world?
Unknown Man. That they may all go to the devil.
Correspondent. What? Hm, yes— (He writes quickly.) Ardent love—is a stanch opponent of the law granting equal rights to negroes. His last words: “Let the black niggers—”
Pastor (out of breath, pushing through the crowd). Where is he? Ah, there! Poor young man. Has there been no clergyman here yet? No? Thank you. Am I the first?
Correspondent (writes). A touching dramatic moment.—A minister has arrived.—All are trembling on the verge of suspense. Many are shedding tears—
Pastor. Excuse me, excuse me! Ladies and gentlemen, a lost soul wishes to make its peace with God— (He shouts.) My son, don’t you wish to make your peace with God? Confess your sins to me. I will grant you remission at once! What? I cannot hear?
Correspondent (writes). The air is shaken with the people’s groans. The minister of the church exhorts the criminal, that is, the unfortunate man, in touching language.—The unfortunate creature with tears in his eyes thanks him in a faint voice—
Unknown Man (faintly). If you won’t go away I will jump on your head. I weigh three hundred pounds. (All jump away frightened behind each other.)
Voices. He is falling! He is falling!
Tourist (agitatingly). Mary, Aleck, Jimmie.