HEROINE. Why should I be holding you? If you pick up the dollar, what is yours is mine, you know.
COMEDIAN. Then let go of my hand and I'll pick it up.
HEROINE. No, I'd rather pick it up myself.
COMEDIAN. I expected something like that from you.
HEROINE. [Angrily.] Let go of my hands, that's all.
COMEDIAN. Ha-ha-ha—It's a huge joke. [In a tone of command.] Be quiet. [They become still.] We must contemplate the dollar with religious reverence. [Commotion.] Keep quiet, I say! A dollar is spread out before us. A real dollar in the midst of our circle, and everything within us draws us toward it, draws us on irresistibly. Be quiet! Remember you are before the Ruler, before the Almighty. On your knees before him and pray. On your knees.
[Sinks down on his knees and drags with him the Heroine and Ingenue. "Old Man" dropping on his knees and dragging the "Old Woman" with him.
"Old Man." He-he-he!
TRAGEDIAN. Ho-ho-ho, clown!
COMEDIAN. [To Tragedian.] You are not worthy of the serious mask you wear. You don't appreciate true Divine Majesty. On your knees, or you'll get no whiskey. [Tragedian sinks heavily on his knees.] O holy dollar, O almighty ruler of the universe, before thee we kneel in the dust and send toward thee our most tearful and heartfelt prayers. Our hands are bound, but our hearts strive toward thee and our souls yearn for thee. O great king of kings, thou who bringest together those who are separated, and separatest those who are near, thou who——