Part 20
David Pinski, perhaps the most notable dramatist of the Yiddish Theatre, was born of Jewish parentage April 5, 1872, in Mohilev, on the Dnieper, White Russia. Because his parents had rabbinical aspirations for him he was well educated in Hebrew studies (Bible and Talmud) by his fourteenth year, when he moved to Moscow, where he was further trained in classical and secular studies. In 1891 he planned to study medicine in Vienna, but soon returned to Warsaw, where he began his literary work as a short-story writer. In 1896 he took up the study of philosophy and literature, and in 1899 wrote his first plays. In 1899 he came to New York City, where he is now editor of the Jewish daily, _Die Zeit_. In 1911 he revisited Germany to see a production of his well-known comedy, _The Treasure_, by Max Reinhart.
Mr. Pinski is zealous in his interests in literature, drama, socialism, and Zionism. Drama is to him an interpretation of life, and a guide and leader, as were the words of the old poets and prophets. "The dramatic technique," says he, "changes with each plot, as each plot brings with it its own technique. One thing, however, must be common to all the different forms of the dramatic technique--avoidance of tediousness."
Mr. Pinski has written a goodly number of plays, most of which are on Yiddish themes. _Forgotten Souls_, _The Stranger_, _Sufferings_, _The Treasure_, _The Phonograph_, and _A Dollar_ may be mentioned. Most of his plays have been produced many times; _The Stranger_ played the third season in Moscow.
"I wrote _A Dollar_," says he, "in the summer of 1913, when I was hard pressed financially. I relieved myself of my feelings by a hearty laugh at the almighty dollar and the race for it. Just as I did many summers before, in 1906, when I entertained myself by ridiculing the mad money joy in the bigger comedy, _The Treasure_."
PERSONS
The Characters are given in the order of their appearance.
THE COMEDIAN THE VILLAIN THE TRAGEDIAN ACTOR _who plays_ "OLD MAN" _rôle_ THE HEROINE THE INGENUE ACTRESS _who plays_ "OLD WOMAN" _rôle_ THE STRANGER
A DOLLAR
_A cross-roads at the edge of a forest. One road extends from left to right; the other crosses the first diagonally, disappearing into the forest. The roadside is bordered with grass. On the right, at the crossing, stands a sign-post, to which are nailed two boards, giving directions and distances._
_The afternoon of a summer day. A troupe of stranded strolling players enters from the left. They are ragged and weary. The_ COMEDIAN _walks first, holding a valise in each hand, followed by the_ VILLAIN _carrying over his arms two huge bundles wrapped in bed-sheets. Immediately behind these the_ TRAGEDIAN _and the_ "OLD MAN" _carrying together a large, heavy trunk_.
COMEDIAN. [_Stepping toward the sign-post, reading the directions on the boards, and explaining to the approaching fellow-actors._] That way [_pointing to right and swinging the valise to indicate the direction_] is thirty miles. This way [_pointing to left_] is forty-five--and that way it is thirty-six. Now choose for yourself the town that you'll never reach to-day. The nearest way for us is back to where we came from, whence we were escorted with the most splendid catcalls that ever crowned our histrionic successes.
VILLAIN. [_Exhausted._] Who will lend me a hand to wipe off my perspiration? It has a nasty way of streaming into my mouth.
COMEDIAN. Stand on your head, then, and let your perspiration water a more fruitful soil.
VILLAIN. Oh!
[_He drops his arms, the bundles fall down. He then sinks down onto one of them and wipes off the perspiration, moving his hand wearily over his face. The_ TRAGEDIAN _and the_ "OLD MAN" _approach the post and read the signs_.
TRAGEDIAN. [_In a deep, dramatic voice._] It's hopeless! It's hopeless! [_He lets go his end of the trunk._
"OLD MAN." [_Lets go his end of the trunk._] Mm. Another stop.
[TRAGEDIAN _sits himself down on the trunk in a tragico-heroic pose, knees wide apart, right elbow on right knee, left hand on left leg, head slightly bent toward the right_. COMEDIAN _puts down the valises and rolls a cigarette_. The "OLD MAN" _also sits down upon the trunk, head sunk upon his breast_.
VILLAIN. Thirty miles to the nearest town! Thirty miles!
COMEDIAN. It's an outrage how far people move their towns away from us.
VILLAIN. We won't strike a town until the day after to-morrow.
COMEDIAN. Hurrah! That's luck for you! There's yet a day-after-to-morrow for us.
VILLAIN. And the old women are still far behind us. Crawling!
"OLD MAN." They want the vote and they can't even walk.
COMEDIAN. We won't give them votes, that's settled. Down with votes for women!
VILLAIN. It seems the devil himself can't take you! Neither your tongue nor your feet ever get tired. You get on my nerves. Sit down and shut up for a moment.
COMEDIAN. _Me?_ Ha--ha! I'm going back there to the lady of my heart. I'll meet her and fetch her hither in my arms.
[_He spits on his hands, turns up his sleeves, and strides rapidly off toward the left._
VILLAIN. Clown!
"OLD MAN." How can he laugh and play his pranks even now? We haven't a cent to our souls, our supply of food is running low and our shoes are dilapidated.
TRAGEDIAN. [_With an outburst._] Stop it! No reckoning! The number of our sins is great and the tale of our misfortunes is even greater. Holy Father! Our flasks are empty; I'd give what is left of our soles [_displaying his ragged shoes_] for just a smell of whiskey.
[_From the left is heard the laughter of a woman. Enter the_ COMEDIAN _carrying in his arms the_ HEROINE, _who has her hands around his neck and holds a satchel in both hands behind his back_.
COMEDIAN. [_Letting his burden down upon the grass._] Sit down, my love, and rest up. We go no further to-day. Your feet, your tender little feet must ache you. How unhappy that makes me! At the first opportunity I shall buy you an automobile.
HEROINE. And in the meantime you may carry me oftener.
COMEDIAN. The beast of burden hears and obeys.
[_Enter the_ INGENUE _and the_ "OLD WOMAN," _each carrying a small satchel_.
INGENUE. [_Weary and pouting._] Ah! No one carried _me_.
[_She sits on the grass to the right of the_ HEROINE.
VILLAIN. We have only one ass with us.
[COMEDIAN _stretches himself out at the feet of the_ HEROINE _and emits the bray of a donkey_. "OLD WOMAN" _sits down on the grass to the left of the_ HEROINE.
"OLD WOMAN." And are we to pass the night here?
"OLD MAN." No, we shall stop at "Hotel Neverwas."
COMEDIAN. Don't you like our night's lodgings? [_Turning over toward the_ "OLD WOMAN."] See, the bed is broad and wide, and certainly without vermin. Just feel the high grass. Such a soft bed you never slept in. And you shall have a cover embroidered with the moon and stars, a cover such as no royal bride ever possessed.
"OLD WOMAN." You're laughing, and I feel like crying.
COMEDIAN. Crying? You should be ashamed of the sun which favors you with its setting splendor. Look, and be inspired!
VILLAIN. Yes, look and expire.
COMEDIAN. Look, and shout with ecstasy!
"OLD MAN." Look, and burst!
[INGENUE _starts sobbing_. TRAGEDIAN _laughs heavily_.
COMEDIAN. [_Turning over to the_ INGENUE.] What! You are crying? Aren't you ashamed of yourself?
INGENUE. I'm sad.
"OLD WOMAN." [_Sniffling._] I can't stand it any longer.
HEROINE. Stop it! Or I'll start bawling, too.
[COMEDIAN _springs to his knees and looks quickly from one woman to the other_.
VILLAIN. Ha--ha! Cheer them up, clown!
COMEDIAN. [_Jumps up abruptly without the aid of his hands._] Ladies and gentlemen, I have it! [_In a measured and singing voice._] Ladies and gentlemen, I have it!
HEROINE. What have you?
COMEDIAN. Cheerfulness.
VILLAIN. Go bury yourself, clown.
TRAGEDIAN. [_As before._] Ho-ho-ho!
"OLD MAN." P-o-o-h!
[_The women weep all the louder._
COMEDIAN. I have--a bottle of whiskey!
[_General commotion. The women stop crying and look up to the_ COMEDIAN _in amazement; the_ TRAGEDIAN _straightens himself out and casts a surprised look at the_ COMEDIAN; the "OLD MAN," _rubbing his hands, jumps to his feet; the_ VILLAIN _looks suspiciously at the_ COMEDIAN.
TRAGEDIAN. A bottle of whiskey?
"OLD MAN." He-he-he--A bottle of whiskey.
VILLAIN. Hum--whiskey.
COMEDIAN. You bet! A bottle of whiskey, hidden and preserved for such moments as this, a moment of masculine depression and feminine tears.
[_Taking the flask from his hip pocket. The expression on the faces of all changes from hope to disappointment._
VILLAIN. You call that a bottle. I call it a flask.
TRAGEDIAN. [_Explosively._] A thimble!
"OLD MAN." A dropper!
"OLD WOMAN." For seven of us! Oh!
COMEDIAN. [_Letting the flash sparkle in the sun._] But it's whiskey, my children. [_Opening the flask and smelling it._] U--u--u--m! That's whiskey for you. The saloonkeeper from whom I hooked it will become a teetotaler from sheer despair.
[TRAGEDIAN _rising heavily and slowly proceeding toward the flask_. VILLAIN _still skeptical and rising as if unwilling. The_ "OLD MAN" _chuckling and rubbing his hands. The_ "OLD WOMAN" _getting up indifferently and moving apathetically toward the flask. The_ HEROINE _and_ INGENUE _hold each other by the hand and take ballet steps in waltz time. All approach the_ COMEDIAN _with necks eagerly stretched out and smell the flask, which the_ COMEDIAN _holds firmly in both hands_.
TRAGEDIAN. Ho--ho--ho--Fine!
"OLD MAN." He--he--Small quantity, but excellent quality!
VILLAIN. Seems to be good whiskey.
HEROINE. [_Dancing and singing._] My comedian, my comedian. His head is in the right place. But why didn't you nab a larger bottle?
COMEDIAN. My beloved one, I had to take in consideration both the quality of the whiskey and the size of my pocket.
"OLD WOMAN." If only there's enough of it to go round.
INGENUE. Oh, I'm feeling sad again.
COMEDIAN. Cheer up, there will be enough for us all. Cheer up. Here, smell it again.
[_They smell again and cheerfulness reappears. They join hands and dance and sing, forming a circle, the_ COMEDIAN _applauding_.
COMEDIAN. Good! If you are so cheered after a mere smell of it, what won't you feel like after a drink. Wait, I'll join you. [_He hides the whiskey flask in his pocket._] I'll show you a new roundel which we will perform in our next presentation of Hamlet, to the great edification of our esteemed audience. [_Kicking the_ VILLAIN'S _bundles out of the way_.] The place is clear, now for dance and play. Join hands and form a circle, but you, Villain, stay on the outside of it. You are to try to get in and we dance and are not to let you in, without getting out of step. Understand? Now then!
[_The circle is formed in the following order_--COMEDIAN, HEROINE, TRAGEDIAN, "OLD WOMAN," "OLD MAN," INGENUE.
COMEDIAN. [_Singing._]
To be or not to be, that is the question. That is the question, that is the question. He who would enter in, Climb he must over us, If over he cannot, He must get under us.
REFRAIN
Tra-la-la, tra-la-la, Over us, under us. Tra-la-la, tra-la-la, Under us, over us. Now we are jolly, jolly are we.
[_The_ COMEDIAN _sings the refrain alone at first and the others repeat it together with him_.
COMEDIAN.
To be or not to be, that is the question, That is the question, that is the question. In life to win success, Elbow your way through, Jostle the next one, Else _you_ will be jostled.
REFRAIN
[_Same as before._]
[_On the last word of the refrain they flop as if dumbfounded, and stand transfixed, with eyes directed on one spot inside of the ring. The_ VILLAIN _leans over the arms of the_ COMEDIAN _and the_ HEROINE; _gradually the circle draws closer till their heads almost touch. They attempt to free their handy but each holds on to the other and all seven whisper in great astonishment._
ALL. A dollar!
[_The circle opens up again, they look each at the other and shout in wonder._
ALL. A dollar!
[_Once more they close in and the struggle to free their hands grows wilder; the_ VILLAIN _tries to climb over and then under the hands into the circle and stretches out his hand toward the dollar, but instinctively he is stopped by the couple he tries to pass between, even when he is not seen but only felt. Again all lean their heads over the dollar, quite lost in the contemplation of it, and whispering, enraptured._
ALL. A dollar!
[_Separating once again they look at each other with exultation and at the same time try to free their hands, once more exclaiming in ecstasy._
ALL. A dollar!
[_Then the struggle to get free grows wilder and wilder. The hand that is perchance freed is quickly grasped again by the one who held it._
INGENUE. [_In pain._] Oh, my hands, my hands! You'll break them. Let go of my hands!
"OLD WOMAN." If you don't let go of my hands I'll bite.
[_Attempting to bite the hands of the_ TRAGEDIAN _and the_ "OLD MAN," _while they try to prevent it_.
"OLD MAN." [_Trying to free his hands from the hold of the_ HEROINE _and the_ "OLD WOMAN."] Let go of me. [_Pulling at both his hands._] These women's hands that--seem so frail, just look at them now.
HEROINE. [_To_ COMEDIAN.] But you let go my hands.
COMEDIAN. I think it's you who are holding fast to mine.
HEROINE. Why should I be holding you? If you pick up the dollar, what is yours is mine, you know.
COMEDIAN. Then let go of my hand and I'll pick it up.
HEROINE. No, I'd rather pick it up myself.
COMEDIAN. I expected something like that from you.
HEROINE. [_Angrily._] Let go of my hands, that's all.
COMEDIAN. Ha-ha-ha--It's a huge joke. [_In a tone of command._] Be quiet. [_They become still._] We must contemplate the dollar with religious reverence. [_Commotion._] Keep quiet, I say! A dollar is spread out before us. A real dollar in the midst of our circle, and everything within us draws us toward it, draws us on irresistibly. Be quiet! Remember you are before the Ruler, before the Almighty. On your knees before him and pray. On your knees.
[_Sinks down on his knees and drags with him the_ HEROINE _and_ INGENUE. "OLD MAN" _dropping on his knees and dragging the_ "OLD WOMAN" _with him_.
"OLD MAN." He-he-he!
TRAGEDIAN. Ho-ho-ho, clown!
COMEDIAN. [_To_ TRAGEDIAN.] You are not worthy of the serious mask you wear. You don't appreciate true Divine Majesty. On your knees, or you'll get no whiskey. [TRAGEDIAN _sinks heavily on his knees_.] O holy dollar, O almighty ruler of the universe, before thee we kneel in the dust and send toward thee our most tearful and heartfelt prayers. Our hands are bound, but our hearts strive toward thee and our souls yearn for thee. O great king of kings, thou who bringest together those who are separated, and separatest those who are near, thou who----
[_The_ VILLAIN, _who is standing aside, takes a full jump, clears the_ INGENUE _and grasps the dollar. All let go of one another and fall upon him, shouting, screaming, pushing, and fighting. Finally the_ VILLAIN _manages to free himself, holding the dollar in his right fist. The others follow him with clenched fists, glaring eyes, and foaming mouths, wildly shouting._
ALL. The dollar! The dollar! The dollar! Return the dollar!
VILLAIN. [_Retreating._] You can't take it away from me; it's mine. It was lying under my bundle.
ALL. Give up the dollar! Give up the dollar!
VILLAIN. [_In great rage._] No, no. [_A moment during which the opposing sides look at each other in hatred. Quietly but with malice._] Moreover, whom should I give it to? To you--you--you--you?
COMEDIAN. Ha-ha-ha-ha! He is right, the dollar is his. He has it, therefore it is his. Ha-ha-ha-ha, and I wanted to crawl on my knees toward the dollar and pick it up with my teeth. Ha-ha-ha-ha, but he got ahead of me. Ha-ha-ha-ha.
HEROINE. [_Whispering in rage._] That's because you would not let go of me.
COMEDIAN. Ha-ha-ha-ha!
TRAGEDIAN. [_Shaking his fist in the face of the_ VILLAIN.] Heaven and hell, I feel like crushing you!
[_He steps aside toward the trunk and sits down in his former pose._ INGENUE, _lying down on the grass, starts to cry_.
COMEDIAN. Ha-ha-ha! Now we will drink, and the first drink is the Villain's.
[_His proposition is accepted in gloom; the_ INGENUE, _however, stops crying; the_ "OLD MAN" _and the_ "OLD WOMAN" _have been standing by the_ VILLAIN _looking at the dollar in his hand as if waiting for the proper moment to snatch it from, him. Finally the_ "OLD WOMAN" _makes a contemptuous gesture and both turn aside from the_ VILLAIN. _The latter, left in peace, smooths out the dollar, with a serious expression on his face. The_ COMEDIAN _hands him a small glass of whiskey_.
COMEDIAN. Drink, lucky one.
[_The_ VILLAIN, _shutting the dollar in his fist, takes the whiskey glass gravely and quickly drinks the contents, returning the glass. He then starts to smooth and caress the dollar again. The_ COMEDIAN, _still laughing, passes the whiskey glass from one to the other of the company, who drink sullenly. The whiskey fails to cheer them. After drinking, the_ INGENUE _begins to sob again. The_ HEROINE, _who is served last, throws the empty whiskey glass toward the_ COMEDIAN.
COMEDIAN. Good shot. Now I'll drink up all that's left in the bottle.
[_He puts the flask to his lips and drinks. The_ HEROINE _tries to knock it away from him, but he skilfully evades her. The_ VILLAIN _continues to smooth and caress the dollar_.
VILLAIN. Ha-ha-ha!... [_Singing and dancing._
He who would enter in, _Jump_ he must over us.
Ho-ho-ho! O Holy Dollar! O Almighty Ruler of the World!... O King of Kings! Ha-ha-ha!... Don't you all think if I have the dollar and you have it not that I partake a bit of its majesty? That means that I am now a part of its majesty. That means that I am the Almighty Dollar's plenipotentiary, and therefore I am the Almighty Ruler himself. On your knees before me!... He-he-he!...
COMEDIAN. [_After throwing away the empty flask, lies down on the grass._] Well roared, lion, but you forgot to hide your jack-ass's ears.
VILLAIN. It is one's consciousness of power. He-he-he. I know and you know that if I have the money I have the say. Remember, none of you has a cent to his name. The whiskey is gone. [_Picking up the flask and examining it._
COMEDIAN. I did my job well. Drank it to the last drop.
VILLAIN. Yes, to the last drop. This evening you shall have bread and sausage. Very small portions, too, for to-morrow is another day. [INGENUE _sobbing more frequently_.] Not till the day after to-morrow shall we reach town, and that doesn't mean that you get anything to eat there, either, but I--I--I--he-he-he. O Holy Dollar, Almighty Dollar! [_Gravely._] He who does my bidding shall not be without food.
COMEDIAN. [_With wide-open eyes._] What? Ha-ha-ha!
[INGENUE _gets up and throws herself on the_ VILLAIN'S _bosom_.
INGENUE. Oh, my dear beloved one.
VILLAIN. Ha-ha, my power already makes itself felt.
HEROINE. [_Pushing the_ INGENUE _away_.] Let go of him, you. He sought my love for a long time and now he shall have it.
COMEDIAN. What? You!
HEROINE. [_To_ COMEDIAN.] I hate you, traitor. [_To the_ VILLAIN.] I have always loved--genius. You are now the wisest of the wise. I adore you.
VILLAIN. [_Holding_ INGENUE _in one arm_.] Come into my other arm.
[HEROINE, _throwing herself into his arms, kissing and embracing him_.
COMEDIAN. [_Half rising on his knees._] Stop, I protest. [_Throwing himself on the grass._] "O frailty, thy name is woman."
"OLD WOMAN." [_Approaching the_ VILLAIN _from behind and embracing him_.] Find a little spot on your bosom for me. I play the "Old Woman," but you know I'm not really old.
VILLAIN. Now I have all of power and all of love.
COMEDIAN. Don't call it love. Call it servility.
VILLAIN. [_Freeing himself from the women._] But now I have something more important to carry out. My vassals--I mean you all--I have decided we will not stay here over night. We will proceed further.
WOMEN. How so?
VILLAIN. We go forward to-night.
COMEDIAN. You have so decided?
VILLAIN. I have so decided, and that in itself should be enough for you; but due to an old habit I shall explain to you why I have so decided.
COMEDIAN. Keep your explanation to yourself and better not disturb my contemplation of the sunset.
VILLAIN. I'll put you down on the blacklist. It will go ill with you for your speeches against me. Now, then, _without_ an explanation, we will go--and at once. [_Nobody stirs._] Very well, then, I go alone.
WOMEN. No, no.
VILLAIN. What do you mean?
INGENUE. I go with you.
HEROINE. And I.
"OLD WOMAN." And I.
VILLAIN. Your loyalty gratifies me very much.
"OLD MAN." [_Who is sitting apathetically upon the trunk._] What the deuce is urging you to go?
VILLAIN. I wanted to explain to you, but now no more. I owe you no explanations. I have decided--I wish to go, and that is sufficient.
COMEDIAN. He plays his comedy wonderfully. Would you ever have suspected that there was so much wit in his cabbage head?
WOMEN. [_Making love to the_ VILLAIN.] Oh, you darling.
TRAGEDIAN. [_Majestically._] I wouldn't give him even a single glance.
VILLAIN. Still another on the blacklist. I'll tell you this much--I have decided----
COMEDIAN. Ha-ha-ha! How long will you keep this up?
VILLAIN. We start at once, but if I am to pay for your food I will not carry any baggage. You shall divide my bundles among you and of course those who are on the blacklist will get the heaviest share. You heard me. Now move on. I'm going now. We will proceed to the nearest town, which is thirty miles away. Now, then, I am off.
COMEDIAN. Bon voyage.
VILLAIN. And with me fares His Majesty the Dollar and your meals for to-morrow.
WOMEN. We are coming, we are coming.
"OLD MAN." I'll go along.
TRAGEDIAN. [_To the_ VILLAIN.] You're a scoundrel and a mean fellow.
VILLAIN. I am no fellow of yours. I am master and bread-giver.
TRAGEDIAN. I'll crush you in a moment.
VILLAIN. What? You threaten me! Let's go.
[_Turns to right. The women take their satchels and follow him._
"OLD MAN." [_To the_ TRAGEDIAN.] Get up and take the trunk. We will settle the score with him some other time. It is he who has the dollar now.
TRAGEDIAN. [_Rising and shaking his fist._] I'll get him yet.
[_He takes his side of the trunk._
VILLAIN. [_To_ TRAGEDIAN.] First put one of my bundles on your back.
TRAGEDIAN. [_In rage._] One of your bundles on my back?
VILLAIN. Oh, for all I care you can put it on your head, or between your teeth.
"OLD MAN." We will put the bundle on the trunk.
COMEDIAN. [_Sitting up._] Look here, are you joking or are you in earnest?
VILLAIN. [_Contemptuously._] I never joke.
COMEDIAN. Then you are in earnest?
VILLAIN. I'll make no explanations.
COMEDIAN. Do you really think that because you have the dollar----
VILLAIN. The holy dollar, the almighty dollar, the king of kings.
COMEDIAN. [_Continuing._] That therefore you are the master----
VILLAIN. Bread-giver and provider.
COMEDIAN. And that we must----
VILLAIN. Do what I bid you to.
COMEDIAN. So you are in earnest?
VILLAIN. You must get up, take the baggage and follow me.
COMEDIAN. [_Rising._] Then I declare a revolution.
VILLAIN. What? A revolution!