Her Own Way | Page 7

with great
diffidence to STEVEN and shakes his hand as she curtseys.] Good-by,
sir. [To COAST also.] Good-by, sir. [To GEORGIANA.] Good-by,
ma'am, I've had a perfectly lovely time. [Aside to GEORGIANA.] Phil
is my beau, but I like Mr. Coast awfully much too!
GEORGIANA. [Laughing.] You're beginning early! Come along,
children, we'll take Elaine down. Excuse me, everybody, please.
PHILIP. If you've got any good tips, papa, save some for little brother.
[The children go out Left with GEORGIANA.
STEVEN. [Putting his hat and coat down on the sofa.] He's on to his
father early! Sam, any news?
COAST. No.
STEVEN. I've heard of a big thing, an absolutely straight tip,--inside
information.

COAST. [Sitting in the rocker.] Well, don't tell it, or you'll spoil it.
STEVEN. The women are so down on my speculating, Georgiana
especially.
[Sits on the table.
COAST. What do the women folks know about business? Why don't
you keep what you do to yourself?
STEVEN. But you see my money's all gone, and I need more--only to
recoup with.
COAST. [After a slight pause.] As I remember, you can do what you
like with Louise's money.
STEVEN. But is it right?
COAST. You're too blamed afraid, that's why you always lose.
STEVEN. [Walking up and down.] I know it. And this is the biggest
chance I've had yet. If I dared risk it, I'm sure I could make a fortune!
Not in words! I know what I'm talking about, Sam. Louise would have
everything she wanted--and the way she'd live then! She could drop the
social chip off her shoulders, go anywhere, and receive everybody.
[Standing beside the table, he eats a little cake.
COAST. Well?
STEVEN. Do you advise me to risk it?
COAST. [Pretending indifference.] What?
STEVEN. Louise's money?
COAST. I ain't advising anything. If it went wrong, you'd blame me to
the women.

STEVEN. Is that the kind of a man I am?
COAST. [Rises and goes to Steven and slaps him on the back.] No,
Steve, I take it back. You take a licking better'n any feller I ever saw.
STEVEN. Experience! But this thing can't go wrong! The man who
told me is the head and--I told Georgiana--didn't she give you a hint?
COAST. [After a slight pause.] No.
[Turns up to the window and stands there with his back to Steven.
STEVEN. My tip's a great one--safe! Now, shall I take it?
COAST. Of course, when I feel as you do about a thing, I do it.
STEVEN. And by George, I will too!
COAST. Why not?
[Turning and facing him.
STEVEN. Yes! what I make's for Louise, not for myself.
COAST. I wouldn't say anything to Louise about it.
[Comes down a little.
STEVEN. No, she'd be sure to talk it over with Georgiana.
[He sits by the table.
COAST. And, say, not a word, you know, about me in all this.
STEVEN. I give you my word, Sam.
COAST. Why not let the old lady in, too, Aunt Laura, if it's such a
good thing?

[He gives a side look at STEVEN.
STEVEN. Didn't they tell you?
COAST. What?
STEVEN. I put mother into East Mexicos!
COAST. Gee!
[Whistles, crosses to the sofa Right, and sits on GEORGIANA'S furs;
jumps up quickly, moves the furs, and then sits again.
STEVEN. That was an extraordinary thing. No one knows how it
happened, but she lost every cent.
COAST. But--
STEVEN. Dear old Georgiana pays the interest for me, and the old lady
doesn't know.
COAST. Georgiana's a damn fine girl.
STEVEN. She is! I'll pay her back out of this coup, too, another good
thing.
COAST. Fine!
STEVEN. I believe I'll go back down town now.
[Both rise and go Left as MOLES comes in.
COAST. All right. Come on, we'll go together.
STEVEN. Good!
MOLES. Please, sir, may I speak to you a minute, Mr. Carley?
COAST. I'll wait downstairs, Steve.

[He goes out Left.
STEVEN. Yes, Moles?
MOLES. The champagne is out, sir.
STEVEN. Order another case.
MOLES. I did, three days ago, over the telephone, and I called them up
yesterday to ask about it, and they said your bill was so long
outstanding they'd please like it settled before filling any future orders.
STEVEN. Tell Mrs. Carley; the household bills are her affair, aren't
they?
MOLES. She says there is some mistake. She gave you a check for the
wine bill last month, sir.
STEVEN. Did she? Oh, of course she did. It was the day I heard about
Alabama Rails and I bought a couple on margin! They're down just
now. The wine people must wait.
[Dismissing him.
MOLES. But we've a big luncheon, sir, to-morrow and no wine.
STEVEN. Very well, then, I'll get Miss Georgiana to give you a check.
I don't want to bother