Hamilton

epub:type="z3998:persona">Giles We ain’t used up our whole bag o’ tricks yet, not by a damned sight. Jefferson With a slight look of disapproval at Giles. Then, Citizen Monroe, we will meet here this evening at nine. Monroe rises. We will make a late call on Hamilton, as I wish our visit to be regarded scarcely as one relating to business. He goes up to street door L. Giles Scratching chin. If we could only make the people believe that Hamilton, the Secretary of the Treasury, ain’t playin’ fair with the gate-money⁠—why, we’d have the hull country in our pockets. Reynolds can be observed listening. Enter Schuyler from parlor L. 2 E., followed by Melissa. At sound of Schuyler’s voice, Giles rises and crossing to table R. puts his foot up on a chair and thinks. Schuyler I think I’ll be hobbling off, Melissa. My regards to your father. Melissa crosses Schuyler to chessboard at fireplace. Jefferson Good day to you. Citizen Schuyler. Returning from street door. Schuyler At post L. of fireplace. Howdy do, Mr. Jefferson. Howdy do, Senator Monroe. Jefferson And how’s the gout? Schuyler Well, it’s⁠—Gets a twinge. Oh⁠—I can’t tell you in the presence of this young lady. Melissa, taking pipes off chess-table, moves over to table R., picks up some jugs and exits up R. Monroe Coming up L. We were just talking about your son-in-law, Alexander Hamilton. Schuyler With a grunt. Ah! That doesn’t surprise me. Jefferson Mrs. Hamilton is not back from England yet? Schuyler No, Betsy’s not back yet. Jefferson I understand she went over to see your other daughter who was sick. I trust she is better. Schuyler Yes, she’s all right now, thank God! Monroe Mr. Jefferson and I propose to drop in and see Alexander Hamilton tonight. Jefferson I hope that he is well. Schuyler Yes, he’s as well as you fellows will let him be. Monroe A step toward him angrily. What do you mean by that, General Schuyler? Schuyler Responding with anger. You know what I mean. Monroe goes up to street door L. Jefferson Between them and laughing. Come, come, do not let us quarrel. We’re coming in to have a little chat with Citizen Hamilton concerning the location of the Capital. Schuyler looks interested. Citizen Schuyler, I bid you good day, sir. Good day to you, Citizen Giles. Monroe Good day. Giles Good day. Exit Jefferson and Monroe to L. through street door. Give my love to Alexander. Grins. Schuyler Looks after Jefferson and Monroe and then at Giles. You’re cooking something for him between you, and you’re the chief stoker. Giles I’m a fighter, if that’s what you mean. Schuyler Yes, you’re a fighter, but a damned poor sportsman. When your party wants to circulate any damnable insinuations about Alexander Hamilton, they go to Giles of Virginia and he does the dirty work. Giles turns. Because you and your gang know that Alexander has the confidence of the people and that he means to make the government assume the states’ debts, you are forever trying to trip him up⁠—shouting corruption in the Treasury, dishonesty in the Treasury, and God knows what. Moving toward L. and turning again. I don’t say who’s the author of the accusations. I don’t say it’s Tom Jefferson or Senator Monroe, but I know where to put my hand on the man who does the dirty work. Giles crosses angrily toward him. Yes, you’re a fighter, but you know only one knockout blow, and that’s the one below the belt. You needn’t glare at me. I wouldn’t soil my hands with you, but this is one of the times when I wish I had gout anywhere but in my foot. Exit Schuyler L. to street. Giles thinks hard and looks ugly, then laughs and comes down to R. of table L. and drinks. Reynolds Who has been listening and enjoying the row, says meditatively. Shake the people’s faith in him. Curtain warning. Giles Turning to him. What d’you say? Reynolds Smiling. Shake the people’s faith in him. Giles You’ve been listening, eh? Reynolds Well, that’s the only way I get a living, Mr. Giles⁠—keeping my ears open. Picking up his hat from beside him. Giles Well, keep your mouth shut. Sits R. of table L. and chews a toothpick. Reynolds Rising and coming to C. slowly, laughing. Pretty hard job to shake the people’s faith in Alexander Hamilton, ain’t it? Giles Mind your own damn business. Reynolds Laughs and crosses to chair back of table L.; puts his hat down on table. You’ve tried to prove him incompetent; you’ve tried to prove him dishonest; but there’s one thing you haven’t tried, Mr. Giles. Back of table. Giles Turning away from him. Go to the devil. Reynolds And it’s strange you haven’t thought of it. How about a woman? Giles is silent a moment. Rolls toothpick around in his mouth, spits it out, replaces it with another, and then looks at Reynolds. Giles You’re a little gentleman, ain’t yer, Reynolds? Reynolds Women are the deuce for tangling up a man’s finances. Giles You know all about it, don’t you? Reynolds Yes, I know a good deal about women. I’m married, you know. Giles Yes, I know. Reynolds I know a good deal about men, too. Now Mrs. Hamilton is away, been away a long time in England. Now, what do you say⁠— Giles Turning away. I don’t want any advice from you. Besides, as you know so much, you know that Hamilton hardly ever leaves his house. Reynolds Makes it all the easier. Send the woman to the house. Giles Looking in front of him. What the devil do you mean? Reynolds It’s a matter of choosing the right woman and the right moment. Puts down pipe and leans forward. You’ve seen Mrs. Reynolds, haven’t you? Giles Your wife?