Zoharita : play in five acts

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COPXMGUr DEPOSm

PLAY IN FIVE ACTS

BY

Scene I

The play is enacted in a city in the Eastern part of the United States. The first four acts take place during a political campaign, and the fifth act some time later.

AldricWs private office. A desk with telephone and some papers upon it, to the left. One door in the hack and one on the right; also a window on the right, at the left of the door. Some chairs are placed near the desk.

John Aldrich, a corpulent man passed his fifties, and Prince of Edom, who is disguised as an army officer, enter.

Prince of Edom.

(Gesticulating as they enter.) Preparedness! Preparedness ! I stand for an ever increasing armament ! I am proud to say I have gained the confidence of the president. Moreover, I have seen two ex-presidents and some patriotic senators and congressmen, and they all accept my view that the safety of the nation can be guaranteed only by a great army and a mighty navy.

ZOHARITA.

Aldrich.

That's what I have maintained myself. We agree perfectly.

Prince of Edom.

I suggested to the president and the house committee on naval and military affairs that fifty battleships be built, and that a standing army of two million strong be created at once.

Aldrich. {Clasps his hand.) I certainly appreciate to know that this preparedness movement is a product of your brain, general !

Prince of Edom.

Well, as I stated when I made your acquaintance, I am much interested in American affairs, otherwise you would have reason to wonder why I, an European army officer, should recommend and even plan preparedness for war in this country.

Aldrich.

I think I see your point. In other words, you mean to say that you keep on the business side of the fence, like myself —

Prince of Edom. {Bowing.) Very well that you realize my

ZOHARITA.

motive, although my business may be a secret to you.

Aldrich.

Business is business all the same, and I highly appreciate a business talent. Be seated, General. {They both sit down.)

Prince of Edom.

Although I am proud to say that the gentlemen in charge of the affairs of State have unhesitatingly accepted my views, and incorporated my ideas into their public speeches, it worries me to see that I have a mighty opponent fast rising into prominence. I make reference to this candidate for Congress, Melton. He is bent on putting an end to all the armament of all the world. (Clinches his fist. ) That man has stirred me to anger !

Aldrich. (With emphasis.) As I have said, Melton is a revolutionist and the most dangerous man to the business interest of the country that could ever enter Congress.

Prince of Edom.

He is a specialist in concentrating his power in words of telling effect. Thus I heard him say, with the emphasis of a statesman, in a public speech recently: (rises) "Suppose we could make guns powerful enough to shoot across the Atlantic, and explosives powerful enough to make tidal waves and cataclysms, why could not a supposed enemy do the same thing? Where would be your safety under this most formidable preparedness? (He looks inquiringly at Aldrich.)

Aldrich.

He is always poking at something, and always trying to hurt big business.

Prince of Edgm.

But he should not be tolerated. I heard him say, on the same occasion, that if each great nation had expended, only during a few decades, the cost of one modern battleship in an effort to unite all nations into a United States of the world, which he said some day would become an accomplished fact, there would now have been no need of armies or navies.

I was exceedingly surprised. Over in my countries a man would have been imprisoned for pointing out the fallacy of the government.

Aldrich.

I have heard you are much ahead of us in discipline over there, (with a gesture and emphasis) but I hope we shall make some improvement in that respect ourselves, before long.

ZOHARITA.

Prince of Edom.

To ridicule the wisdom of the government couldn't be too promptly punished. Look out, Mr. Aldrich ! Melton will be a great power in politics, and I see in him much danger to our common interests.

Aldrich. (Rises excited.) Well, we are pushing the campaign with great energy, and I hope Mr. Franklin, my noted attorney, who is running against him, will win out.

Prince of Edom.

Yes, but to hope isn't enough. Hope in a political campaign amounts to as much as a prayer in war. (With emphasis.) We must make sure!

Aldrich.

(Strikes the desk with his fist.) That's just it, General !

Prince of Edom.

One of the most dangerous features about Melton, you will have to overcome in this campaign, is the people's confidence in him.

Aldrich.

I know it, General, I know it. (Gesticulates.) That he has gained such a hold on the people is deplorable, to say the least, but I shall fix Melton in one way or another, don't you forget it.

Prince of Edom. (Draws his sword and szvings it.) I wish I had him on a battlefield. — (Strikes the desk with his sword.) But, listen —

Aldrich.

Very well, General.

Prince of Edom.

Shut down your factories and mills and even mines until after the election. Thousands of working men who now favor Melton would then soon begin to realize that their welfare rests with you and with the success of your candidates for public offices.

Aldrich. (Snaps his finger.) By George! That's a bright idea ! Maybe I better turn those calamity howlers out on their own resources, and perhaps they will discover they have at least had a good thing.

Prince of Edom.

Go ahead ! Let it be a warning to the workers that under the uncertainty as to the result of the election and the future stability of business conditions, you are forced to suspend operation in order to protect yourself against threatening financial loss. (Laughs.)

Aldrich. (With glee.) Yes, I shall sound a warning that shall not easily be forgotten. And when the election day comes, the people will know what to do for their own good.

Prince of Edom.

Well, I am on a flying visit and must be going ; but to aid matters I will go and see Mrs. Melton and put her wise to the danger of her husband. (He grins.)

Aldrich. (Smiling.) I wish you would, General.

Prince of Edom.

I also intend to see pastor Stevenson and the editors in town. I am having a hand in this game myself.

Aldrich. (Pleased.) Well, well; I certainly appreciate your good will. General.

Prince of Edom.

I have too great investments in ammunition — manufacturing and navy yards to stand inactive while enemies try to destroy my business.

Aldrich.

There you spoke a wise word, General ! I have similar investments myself, and am on the defensive for the same interests.

Prince of Edom. (Rests his sword on Aldrich' s shoulder.) It is well, my mighty financier, that we can thus work together. (Grins.) I have whispered a suggestion into the ear of Mr. Franklin as to how you may attack Melton's character and blast people's confidence in him.

Aldrich.

(Delighted.) If you have a practical scheme we can work successfully to that end, I shall be glad to do you some valuable service in return.

Prince of Edom. (Puts the szvord into the scabbard.) That pleases me much. See Mr. Franklin on the matter at once, and act without delay. (He goes toward the door, to the right.)

Aldrich.

(Steps forth.) Yes, yes, but don't be in such a hurry —

Prince of Edom. (Approaches Aldrich a few steps.) I suppose you will go to the church next Sunday, as usual ?

Aldrich. {With an interrogating look.) I think so.

Prince of Edom.

Then I may come and sit in your pew.

Aldrich.

Indeed, indeed. I would esteem it a great honor.

Prince of Edom.

And I shall regard it a pleasure — {Bows.) Au revoir. {He goes out to the right.)

Aldrich.

{To himself.) That was a peculiar geyser — and he cut his sword into my desk, too. {Scrutinizes the desk and draws his fingers along the edge. ") That was strange. Not a mark —

Franklin. {Enters from the right.) Well, Mr. Aldrich, have you heard the latest news?

Aldrich. {Interested.) What news?

Franklin.

That a European army officer has suddenly popped up in the city and throws no shadow.

Aldrich.

(Surprised.) What? That general? I sized him up to be very natural, and a man of business sagacity at that.

Franklin. (Also surprised.) You did? When did you see him?

Aldrich.

Why, didn't you meet him? He went out through that door this very minute.

(Franklin and Aldrich look astonished at each other and sit down.)

Franklin. (After a brief silence.) I am not superstitious, and no one ever took me for a fool, but I will be hanged if anybody has gone through that door for the last ten minutes, as I stood right out there, on the street, for some time, talking with a man.

Aldrich. (Raises his fist and laughs.) Now I see through it. You are trying to play a joke on me. But neither am I superstitious, and neither have I ever passed for a fool. No, no, Mr. Franklin, your scheme will not work !

Franklin.

I am in earnest, and I was just told that some newspaper men tried to snap the officer on the street, but that the camera failed to take his picture.

Aldrich.

(Turns to the telephone.) What in thunder — Main 345, please — Hello ! This is John Aidrich talking. Let me speak to Editor Inglehart, please — Say : what do you know about this European army officer who has just come to town? —

Is that true? The camera wouldn't

take his picture — eh? {Hangs up the receiver.) What devil's yarn is this anyhow?

Franklin.

Well, didn't I tell you the truth ?

Aldrich.

I will be damned if you aren't both trying to fool me ! However, the general was here and was much interested in our campaign. He talked and acted as if he were an old acquaintance of mine, and I simply did the same to him in return. In fact, he was well informed and gave me some valuable hints. (Passes cigars.) Have a smoke. (They both light a cigar.)

Franklin.

Well, coming down to business, you are aware that this clever and remarkable woman, Zoharita, who recently came to the city, is Melton's inspiring power, or at least appears to be.

Aldrich.

Yes—

Franklin.

The very fact that Melton appears to be in league with this woman, who is looked upon as a revolutionist, can well be used as a danger-sign on his politics.

Aldrich.

(Rises with glee.) Of course! We shall trap him ! We shall crush him ! He may fool the people on philosophical and religious questions, but they will not stand for any revolutionary politics.

Franklin.

Not at all. But he diverts their attention from the real issue. Being that we stand for a great army and navy as the only means of national defense, he has brought up the question of international peace and disarmament as a side issue in this campaign, and fired the people to enthusiasm with his schem.e of a Federation of the World.

Aldrich. (Gesticulates.) He is playing a develish trick on us, but we must counteract his effort at any cost.

Fran klin.

I have it all figured out.

Aldrich. (Delighted.) Have you —

Franklin.

We are compelled to attack Melton's character.

But of course, inasmuch as he is a member of our

church and has formerly been a friend of us both,

I have hesitated in attacking him on moral grounds.

Aldrich.

To hell with the friendship !

Franklin.

I have thought matters over like this : Having the press in your grip, you may suggest the proposition to the proper man and hint, that Melton's character is questionable. You may put it this way, that there, is reason to mistrust a man who sets out as a reformer and a preacher of morals and, although having wife and family, keeps frequent company with another woman, whose ideas he has made his gospel.

Aldrich. (Snaps his fingers.) There you struck it, by Jupiter! The general told me he had whispered a suggestion into your ear as how to attack Melton's character.

Franklin.

That confounded liar ! I never saw the man.

Aldrich. (Laughing.) No, of course not.

Franklin.

Let me state further, that it would be of great advantage to us to get Mrs. Melton jealous of this woman, Zoharita, in order that she may begin to complain of her to her bosom friends. This would give our proposed publication on the subject a true light, and the publication would in turn fan her jealousy. The sensation would be tremendous, and Melton and this woman would soon be subject to public resentment. There can be no doubt but this Avould greatly affect the issue and spell defeat for Melton.

Aldrich.

Certainly! I am going to take the case in my own hands and see to it that it is done according to your suggestion. The first move is to get something published. Let us proceed to see Editor Inglehart and have him set the wheels moving.

Franklin.

As you say.

Aldrich. (Puts some cigars into his pocket,) That damned general was no fool. (They both go out to the right, with Franklin leading, while Aldrich continues.) I think we have solved the problem, by Jove ! —

ACT I.