[Enters with Jimmy]. Now remember, Jimmy, I don’t want any strangers on the stage during dress rehearsal. [Jimmy goes.] Jack! I want to see you.
Jack
Excuse me, this is Mr. Lee—my boss. Mr. Lee—gee, I don’t know how I can explain this to you. Well—this is Mr. Yudelson, an old family friend. He just told me that my father, down on the East Side, is very sick—
Lee
East Side?
Jack
I held out on you, Mr. Lee, because my father and I had quarreled. I thought he never wanted to see me again. It hurt me so much that I wanted to start fresh, live a new life.... But now I find I didn’t quite understand. My father is the Cantor of the Orchard Street Synagogue. Tonight is the eve of the Day of Atonement. He and my mother sent Mr. Yudelson to ask me to sing in my father’s place tonight. I know all the prayers—
Lee
My dear boy, it’s out of the question.