COMEDIAN. Ha-ha-ha! Now we will drink, and the first drink is the Villain's.
[His proposition is accepted in gloom; the Ingenue, however, stops crying; the "Old Man" and the "Old Woman" have been standing by the Villain looking at the dollar in his hand as if waiting for the proper moment to snatch it from, him. Finally the "Old Woman" makes a contemptuous gesture and both turn aside from the Villain. The latter, left in peace, smooths out the dollar, with a serious expression on his face. The Comedian hands him a small glass of whiskey.
COMEDIAN. Drink, lucky one.
[The Villain, shutting the dollar in his fist, takes the whiskey glass gravely and quickly drinks the contents, returning the glass. He then starts to smooth and caress the dollar again. The Comedian, still laughing, passes the whiskey glass from one to the other of the company, who drink sullenly. The whiskey fails to cheer them. After drinking, the Ingenue begins to sob again. The Heroine, who is served last, throws the empty whiskey glass toward the Comedian.
COMEDIAN. Good shot. Now I'll drink up all that's left in the bottle.
[He puts the flask to his lips and drinks. The Heroine tries to knock it away from him, but he skilfully evades her. The Villain continues to smooth and caress the dollar.
VILLAIN. Ha-ha-ha!...
[Singing and dancing.
| He who would enter in, |
| Jump he must over us. |
Ho-ho-ho! O Holy Dollar! O Almighty Ruler of the World!... O King of Kings! Ha-ha-ha!... Don't you all think if I have the dollar and you have it not that I partake a bit of its majesty? That means that I am now a part of its majesty. That means that I am the Almighty Dollar's plenipotentiary, and therefore I am the Almighty Ruler himself. On your knees before me!... He-he-he!...