Thirty Pieces of Silver: A Play in Three Acts by Howard Fast Read Free Book Online Page B

She makes one for herself. )
    MILDRED To you, sweetie. You’re a doll.
    JANE Thanks.
    MILDRED Don’t go bitter on me. I couldn’t stand that.
    JANE I’m not bitter. I’m just all mixed up.
    MILDRED ( sitting down ) Who isn’t? At least, you have a man once in a while.
    JANE Yes.
    MILDRED That has all the elements of something in it, hasn’t it? What goes on with you two? Is it the Agronsky business?
    JANE How do you know about that?
    MILDRED It came my way. As a matter of fact, my being here is just the kind of thing to throw Andrews into a fine rage. I suppose that’s why I’m here so much.
    JANE What are you talking about, Mildred?
    MILDRED Look, honey—you’re verboten. For the time being. Andrews told me yesterday to call up and tell you that the bridge date was off, and we had a beautiful little set-to about that, just a beauty. Even for the Andrews, it was a beauty.
    JANE ( staring at her bewilderedly ) Why didn’t you call it off if you wanted to? You know how I feel about bridge.
    MILDRED Because sometimes I get a little insight into just what kind of a louse my husband is.
    JANE You mean he was afraid, to see us because of the Agronsky business?
    MILDRED That’s right. A friend of a friend. Only there aren’t any friends. Would you like a lecture on men? I’ve even got a solution for it, if you could dig a hole big enough.
    JANE Mildred—will you concentrate on this for just one moment. What on earth could your seeing us have to do with Agronsky?
    MILDRED Darling, don’t be an idiot. Agronsky’s going to have the whole book thrown at him. Therefore, if you know Agronsky or if you know anyone who knows Agronsky, you play it safe. Anyway, Andrews plays everything safe. Give me another drink, will you?
    ( JANE takes her glass, refills it, and then refills her own. )
    Anyway, I wasn’t a hero. I suppose the truth of the matter is that I did it because I’d love to see Andrews pulled in on this Agronsky business. But that’s just an idle dream. He won’t be.
    JANE Will you tell me one thing, Mildred—do you know what Agronsky has done?
    MILDRED I don’t, and I don’t really care. I guess he’s a Red or something——
    ( LORRY enters on this. Her face and bands are quite dirty. )
    Here’s the beautiful one.
    LORRY Hello, Mildred, did you bring me a present?
    JANE Lorry, how many times have I told you——
    MILDRED Leave her alone. That’s the only practical thing any woman ever said.
    ( to LORRY )
    Sure I did, Sweetie. Just let me get it.
    ( She goes to the pile of pastry boxes and begins to undo the string. )
    JANE Lorry, how on earth did you get so dirty?
    LORRY In the cellar with Hilda.
    JANE What is Hilda doing in the cellar?
    LORRY Throwing things away.
    JANE What things? Has this whole house gone mad? Will you tell her that I want to see her—now. No, wait a minute. Get a wet rag from the kitchen and let me clean off your face and hands.
    MILDRED ( She has taken out from one of the boxes a decorative heart-shaped pastry. ) How do you like it—from me to you?
    LORRY ( reaching for it ) Oh, it’s beautiful.
    JANE First get that wet rag.
    ( LORRY runs into the kitchen. )
    MILDRED You’re not angry because I brought her the cake, are you, Jane?
    JANE No—it’s not that, it’s a hundred and one other things.
    ( LORRY reappears with the rag, and JANE rubs her face and hands while she twists and pulls away. )
    MILDRED Well, I’m on my way, just slightly potted. Darling, if you want to cry on an uneasy shoulder, drop over.
    JANE Thanks.
    LORRY ( holding the pastry ) This is beautiful! Can I eat it now, Mommy?
    JANE ( walking toward the door with MILDRED ) Not now. Please call Hilda.
    (to MILDRED , as LORRY exits )
    You really envy me, don’t you?
    MILDRED Sure I do.
    JANE And I’m going to leave Dave.
    MILDRED ( stopping and turning toward her ) What?
    JANE