June Moon

hope. Say, do you want to hear a new song? Miss Rixey Sure! Benny Bowled over by this answer. What? Miss Rixey I said sure. Benny Darts to the piano and starts.

“Should a father’s carnal sins
Blight the life of babykins?
All I ask is give our child⁠—”

But Miss Rixey has not waited. Something about the rhythm has caught her ear, and she has simply gone into her dance. It has expressed itself in the form of a neat Off-to-Buffalo, right through the door and into Hart’s office. And perhaps further. Benny sits looking after her, stunned. As he does so Edna enters⁠—a bit uncertainly, as is her wont, but she enters. Benny Willing to take anything. Hello, kid. Edna Hello. Benny Want to see somebody? Edna I’ll be going. Benny

Wait⁠—you want to hear a great song? You know who I am, don’t you? I’m Benny Fox, the hit-writer. I write words and music both. I’m like Berlin, only more pathetic. Now I got a new one. It’s about a couple that have a baby without benefit to a clergyman, and you can dance to it. He plays it.

“Should a father’s carnal sins
Blight the life of babykins?
All I ask is give our child a name⁠—I mean a last name.
I don’t ask to share your life,
Live with you as man and wife;
All I ask is give our child a name⁠—
Not just a first name.”

Maxie comes on. Hello, Maxie. I’ll start over so you can get this.

“Should a father’s carnal sins⁠—

Maxie Looking at Edna. Wait a minute! Isn’t this⁠—Miss Baker? Edna And you’re Mr. Schwartz. Maxie Correct! Benny

Come on, Maxie! Get a load of this!

“Should a father’s carnal sins⁠—”

Maxie Go back to your cell! We want to talk! Benny But she wants to hear this number! Maxie Gets an idea. Listen! You don’t know who she is. Benny No. Maxie Well! Remember what happened to “Tokyo.” It’s a case of the burnt child. Benny scoots out, throwing a look back at Edna as he goes. My, but I’m glad to see you! Edna It’s nice of you to say so, anyway. Maxie I guess it was kind of nervy of me, calling you up that way. Hope you didn’t mind. Edna Why⁠—no. I⁠—I thought it was very friendly. Maxie Of course it isn’t really any of my business exactly, but⁠—nobody else was doing anything, so I thought I would. Probably you can guess who it’s about. Edna Tell me about him! What’s happened? What’s happened to him? Maxie Do you mind if I ask a question? I think I know the answer. Edna What? Maxie You’re in love with him, aren’t you? Edna turns away. You know, you can tell me. I’m for you⁠—I want to help you. You do⁠—love him? Edna nods. Enough to keep him from⁠—ruining himself? Edna How do you mean? Maxie He’s engaged to be married. You know that? Edna I⁠—supposed that was it. Maxie But he’s not happy. He’s not in love with her. Edna Breaking out. I can’t do anything! He doesn’t love me! He never did! Maxie Somebody’s got to do something. He’s not a fellow that can think for himself. They left that out. Edna Oh, why did you make me come here? I shouldn’t have done it⁠—I don’t know why I did! I’ve been trying every way to forget him⁠—I went away, and I didn’t see anybody, and then I went around with lots of people⁠—it only made it worse. I kept wanting to call him up, and once I did, only⁠—I hung up before he could come to the telephone. Maxie Let me bring him in here. Edna No, no! I don’t want to talk to him! I mustn’t! Maxie But he’s in trouble. And you’re the only one that can help him. Edna He don’t want to see me! Maxie Let me tell him you’re here. It can’t do any harm. Edna is silent. You needn’t answer. Only promise me one thing. Edna What? Maxie No matter what happens, come and see me afterward. Will you? Edna nods. The second door on the left, down that hall. Maxie goes. Edna is alone for a moment. Two moments, even. Then a pretty excited Fred comes on. Fred Hello, Eddie. Edna Hello. Fred I’m awful glad to see you, Eddie! Gee, but I’m glad to see you! Edna I didn’t really come to⁠—I mean, it was Mr. Schwartz that made me talk to you. Fred My, but it’s great to see you again! I didn’t know how great it would be. Edna I’m glad to see you, too, Fred. I’m glad you’re well and that you’re going to be⁠—happy. Fred I been thinking about you, Eddie an awful lot, lately. I been waking up in the morning, thinking about you. Edna Are you waking up in the morning again, Fred? Fred I been going to call you up to tell you about it. We used to have a lot of fun together. Eagerly. Remember that day in Van Cortlandt Park when I lost my watch and that little boy found it? Edna You gave him a nickel. Fred It was a dime. And he said, “Keep it and buy your wife a raddio set.” He thought we was married. He laughs, as though trying to induce a mood of merriment in Edna. Edna I remember. Fred You was embarrassed, all right. You got red. Edna Any girl would. Fred And then coming back we forgot to change at Seventy-second Street. That is, you forgot. I didn’t know any better. Edna I just wasn’t thinking. Fred We had to go all the way down to Times Square. That’s when we saw the flea circus. Edna You said one of the fleas reminded you of a man in Schenectady. Fred Yeah. Perry Robinson. He always walked like he’d just picked up a nail. Fred drops the pretense and comes out with it. Eddie, did Maxie say anything to you? About me. Edna In agony. He said you were going to be married, Fred. I should have congratulated you. Fred Suddenly. I