(He seizes the paper, and tears it in two.)
HILLMAN. Wait a minute, Mr. Pindar. If you won't listen to us, maybe Dr. Jonathan would say a word for us. He understands how we feel.
ASHER (savagely tearing the paper in two, and then again in four). That's my answer! I won't have Dr. Pindar or anyone else interfering in my private affairs.
RENCH. All right—I guess we're wasting time here, boys. We walk out and stay out. (Threateningly.) Not a shaft'll turn over in them shops until you recognize the union. And if that's treason, go back to Washington and tell 'em so. Come on boys!
(He walks out, followed by FERSEN, nodding, and lastly by HILLMAN,
who glances at DR. JONATHAN. ASHER stares hard at them as they
leave. Then an expression of something like agony crosses his
face.)
ASHER. My God, it's come! My shops shut down, for the first time in my life, and when the government relies on me!
(DR. JONATHAN stoops down and picks up the fragments of the document
from the floor.)
What are you doing?
DR. JONATHAN. Trying to save the pieces, Asher.
ASHER. I've got no use for them now.