The Melting-Pot

[Changing back to despondency] But what certainty is there your Carnegie Hall audience would understand me? It would be the same smart set.

[He drops dejectedly into a chair and lays down his violin. ]

PAPPELMEISTER

Ach, nein. Of course, some-ve can't keep peoble out merely because dey pay for deir seats. Was?

[He laughs.]

DAVID

It was always my dream to play it first to the new immigrants-those who have known the pain of the old world and the hope of the new.

PAPPELMEISTER

Try it on the dog. Was?

DAVID

Yes-on the dog that here will become a man!

PAPPELMEISTER [Shakes his head]

I fear neider dogs nor men are a musical breed.

DAVID

The immigrants will not understand my music with their brains or their ears, but with their hearts and their souls.

VERA

Well, then, why shouldn't it be done here-on our Roof-Garden?

DAVID [Jumping up]

A Bas-Kôl! A Bas-Kôl!

VERA

What are you talking?

DAVID

Hebrew! It means a voice from heaven.

VERA

Ah, but will Herr Pappelmeister consent?

PAPPELMEISTER [Bowing]

Who can disobey a voice from heaven?... But ven?

VERA

On some holiday evening.... Why not the Fourth of July?

DAVID [Still more ecstatic]

Another Bas-Kôl!... My American Symphony! Played to the People! Under God's sky! On Independence Day! With all the--

[Waving his hand expressively, sighs voluptuously.] That will be too perfect.

PAPPELMEISTER [Smiling]

Dat has to be seen. You must permit me to invite--

DAVID [In horror]

Not the musical critics!

PAPPELMEISTER [Raising both hands with umbrella in equal horror ]

Gott bewahre! But I'd like to invite all de persons in New York who really undershtand music.

VERA

Splendid! But should we have room?

PAPPELMEISTER

Room? I vant four blaces.

VERA [Smiling]

You are severe! Mr. Davenport was right.

PAPPELMEISTER [Smiling]

Perhaps de oders vill be out of town. Also!

[Holding out his hand to DAVID] You come to Carnegie to-morrow at eleven. Yes? Fräulein.

[Kisses her hand.] Auf Wiedersehen!

[Going] On de Roof-Garden-nicht wahr?

VERA [Smiling]

Wind and weather permitting.

PAPPELMEISTER

I haf alvays mein umbrella. Was? Ha! Ha! Ha!

VERA [Murmuring]

Isn't he a darling? Isn't he--?

PAPPELMEISTER [Pausing suddenly]

But ve never settled de salary.

DAVID

Salary!

[He looks dazedly from one to the other.] For the honour of playing in your orchestra!

PAPPELMEISTER

Shylock!!... Never mind-ve settle de pound of flesh to-morrow. Lebe wohl!

[Exit, the door closes.]

VERA [Suddenly miserable]

How selfish of you, David!

DAVID

Selfish, Vera?

VERA

Yes-not to think of your salary. It looks as if you didn't really love me.

DAVID

Not love you? I don't understand.

VERA [Half in tears]

Just when I was so happy to think that now we shall be able to marry.

DAVID

Shall we? Marry? On my salary as first violin?

VERA

Not if you don't want to.

DAVID

Sweetheart! Can it be true? How do you know?

VERA [Smiling]

I'm not a Jew. I asked.

DAVID

My guardian angel!

[Embracing her. He sits down, she lovingly at his feet. ]

VERA [Looking up at him]

Then you do care?

DAVID

What a question!

VERA

And you don't think wholly of your music and forget me?