WRECKAGE JHARTLEY MANNERS Gop}Tl^htN^ COPVRFGHT DEPOSnv DRAMATIC WORKS OF J. HARTLEY MANNERS WRECKAGE BY THE SAME AUTHOR • • • "Peg 0' My Heart" A novel founded by Mr. Manners on his Comedy of Youth of the same title. Happiness and Other Plays WRECKAGE A DRAMA IN THREE ACTS BY J. HARTLEY MANNERS WITH A PREFACE BY CHARLES B. TOWNS NEW YORK DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY 1916 Copyright, 1918 By DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY, INC. All rights reserved //e£ ill MIR 21 1916 ©CU428341 U3[ 0^ DEDICATION To all those in this great country who have fallen victim to the Drug-Habit and think there is no hope of freedom, and to the millions who run the risk daily of forming the Drug-Habit I dedicate this play. My one object in writing it was to bring light to a curse that has eaten into the life of the nation: to show how the Habit may be contracted: to what depths a human being can fall while under its influence: and the ultimate hope of delivery from the poison when intelli- gently treated. I desire it to be an arraignment of the conditions that brought about the evil: an exposition of its effect on human life: and a message of hope to those who have become victims to it. The Author. January, 1916. <^> PREFACE The occasion of my meeting the author of this strik- ing and unusual play was to me a most pleasing one. One day, some two years ago, I answered a telephone call. At the other end of the line was ]Mr. Manners. He introduced liimself and told me that he had written a one-act play, which was to be produced at a " Gam- bol " of the Lambs' Club. The play, he said, had to do with the subject of drug-addiction, and on account of the nature of my work and my long acquaintance with the many phases of the drug-habit and the psycho- logical and physiological characteristics of drug-takers, he desired that I should hear the manuscript read before the play was produced, in order that the patho- logical details of character and action might be abso- lutely correct. When the manuscript was read to me, I was greatly surprised at the strength of the play. The psychology of drug-addiction had been brought out admirably. I was amazed to see the subject treated with such clear understanding by a man who was not a physician, who had never himself been afflicted with the drug-habit, who had never had any one in his family with such an affliction, and whose dramatic and socio- logical interest in the subject had been aroused solely by his coming into casual contact with some well-known characters who were drug-takers. -C vii:}. PREFACE On the evening when the play was produced, I was invited to give an introductory talk on the subject of the drug-habit to the members of the Lambs' Club. This I did, and I predicted at that time that, on account of the fine handling of the subject by the author, we should certainly hear more of this work. I told Mr. Manners that he must not stop there, that he should take up the subject in a broader and more thorough- going way. From time to time after this we came to- gether and discussed the matter and all its possibilities. This drama in three acts, bearing the original title of the play produced at the Lambs' Club gambol, is the result. The work comes at the right moment. The subject is of the greatest sociological import and interest at the present time, and the play takes up in a most vivid and practical way the fundamental psychology of the drug-habit. Every drug-taker, every one interested in any person who takes drugs, every physician, every one concerned in the social welfare of the country, every legislator, every one in the State or Government service, every member of every Board of Health should read this mov- ing drama plucked from the heart of our modern social body. I trust it will find its way into every public library and that preachers and teachers and all those coming into contact with the drug-problem in any of its phases will acquaint themselves witli the facts here so strikingly brought out. In presenting various phases of the habit-forming -C viii > PREFACE drug problem, the author has not overdrawn in the slightest degree or in any detail. There is an abun- dance of parallel instances in everyday life coming out of the prescribing and administering of drugs in cases of illness. There are many true things in this work to open the eyes of men and women who stand in immi- nent danger because no one has put them on their guard. Mr. Manners's play is a work of art; that is to say, a presentation of character and an appeal to the emotions through dramatic action; but it also calls out clearly, " Stop ! Look ! Listen ! " Art is often more effective than the pulpit or the platform, and I believe this play will perform a great sociological service. It will help to make the physician, the druggist, the trained nurse and all who prescribe or administer habit-forming drugs realise more fully their grave* responsibility. It will help to safeguard those who are exposed to the danger of having the drug-habit put upon them, and it will suggest to those who are already afflicted the best way to escape from their slavery. ( t/^H ^^^y^^ New York, January 22, 1916. CONTENTS PAGE Dedication, by the Author ...... v Preface, by Charles B. Towns ..... vii The People of the Play 3 The Scenes of the Play 3 Act I. Out of the Depths 5 Act II. Crisis 07 Act III. Salvation 151 Appendix 223 WRECKAGE Begun in 1913. Completed in 1915 < 1 > " Have you ever given a thought to the outcasts of a city as big as New York? The Wreckage of Life? Have you? Go down into the depths and look at them. See people waking to the Dawn of Nothing. Listen to the cry of the fallen — men and women bruised and maimed in tliis devil's-smithy. Go and look at them. It will help you. If you have a heart you will help them." < 2 y THE PEOPLE OF THE PLAY Dr. Lanfear Dr. Cobb John Burrows A Patient Servant Mrs. Lanfear Mrs. Burrows Kate Burrows Nurse The action of Acts I and II passes in Dr. Lanfear's consulting-room in the Spring of 1913. The third act takes place in a Villa by the Sea two weeks later. -C 3 y Out of the Depths -C 5 > ACT I The action passes in Dr. Lanfear's consulting office. The room is quite dark except for some faint moon- light that streams in through the sides and bottom of the curtains on the open xcindoivs at the bach and a gleam of electric light from the hall through the partly open doors L. After a fezv moments some one enters and turns on the lights in the room. He is Dr. Lanfear, a slim, dark, tense, eager young man of 32. He goes back to the open doors L., beckons, and is immediately joined by Kate Burrows, an extremely pretty, sensitive, happy-looking girl of 22. Dr. Lanfear closes the doors. The sounds die away. DR. LANFEAR You don't mind leaving them? KATE I'm glad to. DR. LANFEAR When I'm tired music irritates me. [^Smiles at her.] KATE And I hate playing cards. It's much nicer here. The first time I've seen it. [Looking around.] So this is where you work miracles. < 7 > WRECKAGE DR. LANFEAR [Chafjingly.] Often. KATE [Walking around examining things."] Relieve suffer- ing. DR. LANFEAR Yes. KATE Bring life to death. DR. LANFEAR Frequently. KATE And health to the sick. DR. LANFEAR Always. KATE What a wonderful life yours must be. DR. LANFEAR It is. KATE I'd love to be a doctor. DR. LANFEAR Come along in. There's plenty of room in the pro- fession. -C 8 > ACT I KATE I wish I could. [He smiles-l Really I do. What a lot of power and influence you doctors must have. DR. LANFEAR Too much — sometimes. KATE Why? DR. LANFEAR They are dangerous forces to use properly. They need conscience as a balance-wheel. KATE Of course. [Looks earnestly at him.'\ You have a conscience. DR. LANFEAR We all have. KATE Well.? DR. LANFEAR Sometimes it sleeps. KATE [Eagerly.'] Has yours? DR. LANFEAR Not yet. I've not been at it very long. < 9 > WRECKAGE [With a sigh of relief.] You frightened me. All doctors should have consciences. DR. LANFEAR I'd make it part of their qualification. KATE You're laughing at me. YThey look at each other a moment then laugh merrily together, care-free as though they were children. She suddenly resumes her tour of inspection and points to the straight-backed oak chair L. of the table. ^ Is that the poor patient's chair .^ DR. LANFEAR Depends on the case. KATE Why.? DR. LANFEAR When I want them to relax I put them in here. [Goes behind the comfortable chair R. of table,'^ KATE Oh. And tliis? ^Touching the one L. of table.'\ DR. LANFEAR High-backed: gives support. Broad arms! Good to hold on to. [Kate shudders and moves away.'] -C 10 > ACT I DR. LANFEAR Come here. [Wheels the chair R. of table forward.] [Kate sits in the comfortable padded chair.l^ DR. LANFEAR Relax. [She sinks back.] Now answer me one or two questions. [Sits in a pro- fessional manner in the chair behind the table.] KATE [Smiling faintly.] I feel almost ill. DR. LANFEAR [Takes her wrist and feels her pulse, watch in hand.] Pulse high : colour uncertain : breathing rapid — KATE [Withdrawing her wrist with a jerk.] Don't! DR. LANFEAR Shall I tell you what is wrong with you? [Kate nods, with a half -frightened smile on her lips.] DR. LANFEAR You are suffering from the most common ailment amongst some women in America to-day — inertia. You are ambitious, yet you do nothing. KATE My family don't want me to. -C 11 > WRECKAGE DR. lANFEAR The individual should rise superior to the family. KATE What do you think I should do? DR. LANFEAR You have only to choose. Women are doing every- thing. KATE I'm so useless. I've not been brought up to do any- thing. DR. LANFEAR You are on the threshold of womanhood in a world of striving women. Are you content to be left in the race? KATE No. DR. LANFEAR, Then join the procession. KATE Do you want me to be a suffragette? DR. LANFEAR I want you to give the best that is in you to life — not to dreams, and stupid chatter and tennis and dances. That is only playing at life. -C 12 > ACT I KATE All right. I'll start something right away. DR. LANFEAR I wish you would. It isn't the daily round of duties and pleasures that makes our lives. It is the something above them. Something in the mind. It is that makes life. KATE Poor little me. I haven't got a mind. It's too bad, but really I haven't. It's the one thing my parents agree on. How stupid you must think me. DR. LANFEAR I'm coming to that. KATE [Pouting.l Oh! Are you! DR. I^NFEAR For months there has been something in my mind, that has risen up often between me and my work. It whis- pers to me at a bed of suffering: it cries to me a hundred times through the day. KATE How naughty of it. Wliat is it? DR. LANFEAR Love. -C 13 > WRECKAGE KATE [Startled.l Love? [Looking at him curiously.'} Love! DR. LAN FEAR Yes. For you. [Pause.'\ Sometimes I've thought I've seen it in your eyes, too. Have I? [Pause.1 I love you. [She rises and moves away. Follows /ler.] Have I seen it in your eyes ? Do you love me .'' KATE How can I — if I haven't got a mind? You must have a mind to love. DR. I^ANFEAR Have a mind to love me. Will you? KATE But I'm so stupid. You said so. DR. LANFEAR Will you marry me? KATE Not until I've done something. DR. LANFEAR Will you then? KATE Perhaps. DR. LANFEAR That means you will. Doesn't it? -C 14 > ACT I KATE Oh, I don't know. If I ever develop a mind I may change it. That is woman's right, isn't it.'' DR. LANFEAR Do you like me.^ KATE [Nods.] A bit. DR. LANFEAR How much? KATE Quite a good deal really. DR. LANFEAR Enough to marry me? KATE Very nearly — after I've done something. [Dr. Lanfear goes to embrace her.^ KATE [Chechs him.] Stop! You must wait until I've joined the procession, DR. LANFEAR I wish I hadn't said that now. KATE I'm very glad you did. I'm going to join the striving women and make my life. -C 15 > WRECKAGE DR. LANFEAU And then? Will you become a doctor's wife? KATE [Excitedly.] Oh! I'll like that. May I sit here with you? DR. LANFEAR [Decidedly.] No. You may not. KATE But I wouldn't say anything. I'd only listen. DR. LANFEAR. I'd have a fine chance to get the truth out of a patient with you listening. KATE [Disappointedly.] Why not? DR. LANFEAR It's hard enough to wring it out of them alone. With you here it would be impossible. KATE Couldn't I share in your work? DR. LANFEAR Not by listening. But there are a thousand other ways where a doctor's wife can be a real help-mate. KATE Are there? -C 16 > ACT I DR. LANFEAB There are. KATE And you'd let me.'' DR. LANFEAR I will let you. I'll do more — I'll make you. [Whis- pers.^ Do you love me.'' KATE [Nods: whispers.] Yes. DR. LANFEAR [Whispers.] You'll marry a doctor? KATE [Nods: whispers.] Yes, DR. LANFEAR Soon.'' KATE [Nods: whispers.] After I've done something. [Dr. Lanfear takes her suddenly and impidsively in his arms. The doors L. open abruptly and John Bur- rows appears in the opening looking curiously in. The sound of voices rises in the distance. Burrows is a robust, sandy-haired, authoritative man of 55. He has the positiveness of speech and the crude domi- nance of manner of a man thoroughly satisfied with -C 17 > WRECKAGE conditions and of one who has reached his ambition in life through his own efforts. He glowers at the young people.] BURROWS Hello! [Comes well into the room: speaks to Kate.] Yer mother wants ye. KATE [Goes to him.] Isn't this room wonderful? BURROWS [Looks around disgustedly.] I don't see anything wonderful about it. Gives me the creeps. [Contracts his shoulders.] I hate doctors' offices anyway. KATE Fancy! This is where Dr. Lanfear sees his patients. BURROWS Just what it looks like. [Shivers.] Cold as an ice box. KATE He's been examining me. BURROWS What's the matter with ye.'' KATE He'll tell you what I'm suffering from. -C 18 > ACT I BURROWS Suffering from? Ye've never been sick in yer life. KATE I am now. BURROWS Ye don't look it. It must be since ye came in here. [Scowls at Dr. Lanfear.] It's his business to make people sick. KATE No — to cure them. He's going to cure me. [Laughs merrily, goes out through doors L., pulls them almost together, then speaks through the tiny open- , ing.] He'll tell you. [Shuts herself out of sight. The sound of voices dies away. J BURROWS [Abruptly to Dr. Lanfear.] What's all this about.'' DR. lANFEAR [Goes across and pulls the heavy curtains over the doors L.] BURROWS What are ye doin' } Shuttin' us in like that ? I don't want to stay here. [Dr. Lanfear goes down to chair behind the table. ^ < 19 > WRECKAGE BURROWS l^TVatching him suspiciously.'] Is my girl sick? DR. LANFEAR No. BURROWS Then what's all this fuss about? DR. LANFEAR I want to talk to you. BURROWS Well, we'll go in the next room. Tills one's like a morgue. DR. LANFEAB, I won't keep you long. BURROWS Get on with it then. What's wrong? DR. LANFEAR Nothing as yet. In fact, everything's all right, so far as I can see. {^Opens cigar hox.~\ BURROWS \JLoohs in disgust at the room.] Nice place this is. DR. LANFEAR Cigar? [Hands cigar-hox.] " < 20 y ACT I BURROWS Yes, I will, I've been wantin' one this hour. Hate drawin* rooms. [Pushes box away.'\ I'll use me own. Never knew a doctor yet had a decent cigar. If he had he never gave 'em away. [Takes out massive case, se- lects a cigar, and bites the end off.] [Dr. Lanfear lights a match and holds it out. Bur- rows refuses it.] I'm not ready. Burn yer fingers. I can light me own. [Lights cigar xvith match from his own gold match-box. Dr. Lanfear brings decanter of whisky and a sy- phon. Burrows helps himself and drinks. Looks at Dr. Lanfear.] Aren't ye goin' to have some.'' DR. lANFEAR No. BURROWS [Suspiciously.] What's the matter with it.'' [Smells the whisky in the glass.] DR. LANFEAR I stopped years ago. BURROWS Ye look like it. Put blood into ye. [Finishes glass.] Stopped smokin', too? -C 21 > WRECKAGE DR. LANFEAR Yes. BURROWS You're a hell of a fellow. Too bad about you. Now then, whatever ye've got to say^ out with it, and don't be so mysterious. [Is about to sit in straight backed chair L. of table. ^ DR. LANFEAR. [QuicMi/.l Not that one. BURROWS [Springs back.] Is it infectious? DR. LANFEAR [Touching the chair R. of table.] This is more com- fortable. BURROWS [Sits heavily: tries to settle himself in it: grunts.] Comfortable.'' Hard as iron. This is a fine room. [Dr. Lanfear moves nervously about.] BURROWS Come here. [Dr. Lanfear goes to him.] What were you examining my girl for.'' DR. LANFEAR I love her. -C 22 > ACT I BURROWS [Aghast.] Oh! Do ye! DR. LANFEAR And she loves me. BURROWS [Grimly. 1 Indeed? DR. LANFEAR We are engaged to be married. BURROWS Is that so? And where do I come in? You're a fine young fellow an' no mistake. Ye think that's all there is to it, eh? You love her, she loves you, and there you are. You're a fine young fellow. If I'd known that was in the wind I wouldn't have eaten dinner in yer house. I didn't come to see you anyway. My wife wanted to dine with yer mother and I trailed along. Now ye — [Dr. Lanfear moves restlessly up and down the room.] Keep still, can't ye ? How can I talk to ye if ye keep jiggin' about? [Dr. Lanfear sits on Chesterfield R.] So you want to marry my daughter? DR. LANFEAR Yes. -C 23 > WRECKAGE What for? I love her. That's no reason. BURROWS DR. LANFEAR BURROWS DR. LANFEAR I think it is. BURROWS Just startin' life, ain't ye? DR. LANFEAR Yes. BURROWS What do ye want to handicap yerself by marryin' for ? DR. LANFEAR I don't consider marriage a handicap. BURROWS Don't ye? I do. My son married at 22. What's the result ? What's he doin' at the same age when I was earnin' good money an' buildin' up me fortune ? What's he doin'? Wearin' down his heels peddlin' things on commission with a wife and a couple of children worryin' themselves sick in an up-town apartment. He thought I'd take care of 'em. Not me. " You married her," I said to him. " Go out an' hustle to keep her. Ye didn't consult vor about it. Very well, then. Don't -C 24 > ACT I bring yer poor-mouth tales now. Get out." An' he got out. [Laughs grimly.} Now you want to do the same thing with my daughter. DR. LAKFEAE. The cases are hardly similar. BUREOWS How old are ye? DR. LANFEAR Thirty-two. BURROWS How long have ye been a doctor? DR. lANFEAB Five years. BURROWS What's yer income? DR. LANFEAR Ten thousand dollars — good years. BURROWS And the bad ones? DR. liANFEAR As low as four. BURROWS What could ye give my daughter on four thousand dollars a year? Eh? Ye'd get nothing from me. I tell ye that straight. -C 25 > WRECKAGE DR. LANFEAR The last two years my practice has steadily increased. BURROWS Do ye take care of yer mother? DR. lANFEAR She has her own income. BURROWS Is yer father alive .^ DR. LANFEAR No. He died when I was a child. BURROWS What was he? DR. LANFEAR I really don't know. BURROWS Don't know, eh? Why not? DR. LANFEAR My mother never speaks of him. BURROWS That so. Somethin' shady, eh? -C 26 > ACT I DR. LANFEAR Something very unhappy, I imagine. [Looking straight at Burrows.] BURROWS Ha ! Another of 'em. Married an' made a mess of it. An' you want to follow along. Strap yerself up when ye ought to be foot-loose. Ye want my permission to saddle you with her an' make her miserable with you. DR. LANFEAR [Rises, angrily.'] You've no right to say that. BURROWS [Loudly.'] Oh! Haven't I? She's my daughter, ain't she.'' [Dr. Lanfear turns indignantly up the room.] BURROWS There you go again. Come here. [Pause — then in- sistently.] Come here. [Dr. Lanfear moves down in front of Burrows and stands looking down moodily at him.] BURROWS [Disgustedly eyeing Dr. Lanfear up and down.] A doctor! Dependin' for yer livin' on the health of this city. DR. LANFEAR No. Upon its disease. -C 27 > WRECKAGE BURROWS It must be a damned unpleasant way to make money. DR. LANFEAR, It's the most wonderful of all ways. BURROWS [Derisively. 1 Is it! DR. LANFEAR. No priest, no statesman, no pliilosopher can do what the modern physician can. BURROWS Ha! I always hate to see a doctor in my house. DR. LANFEAR You're glad enough to send for one when sickness comes into it. BURROWS I'm better pleased when he's gone out of it. Can't understand why ye should have taken it up. There are plenty of nice clean businesses for a smart young man. A doctor! Always handling a lot of dirty creatures. Ugh! [Shivers in disgust.'\ DR. LANFEAR There's nothing dirty to a doctor in a suffering man or woman. He looks at the human being — not at the externals. -C 28 > ACT I BURROWS Ye mean ye get so used to it that yer sight and smell get hardened, eh? DR. lANFEAR On the contrary our senses become so acute that noth- ing is disgusting. The unclean are the first to be af- fected by uncleanliness both of mind and body. BURROWS [Rising furiously.] Do you mean that / am — ? DR. LANFEAR Not necessarily. I don't know you well enough. But I resent your attitude toward my profession. BURROWS [Sitting back again in the chair and glaring at the doctor.] Is that so? DR. LANFEAR You talk as so many of your kind do from absolute ignorance. BURROWS Indeed! I'm ignorant, am I? That's a good begin- ning anyway. DR. LANFEAR Have you ever given a tliought to the outcasts of a city as big as New York? The Wreckage of Life? Have you? -C 29 > WRECKAGE BURROWS No, I've not. I've got something better to do — out- casts indeed. I'd look fine wasting me time on them. DR. LANFEAR Go down into the depths and look at them. See people waking to the Dawn of Nothing. Listen to the cry of the fallen — men and women bruised and maimed in this devil's-smithy. Go and look at them. It will help you. If you have a heart you will help them. If you have any feeling left in you, you won't think of their dirt. Neither do the thousands of striving, silent, un-, complaining doctors who are protecting the people of to- morrow by bringing health and hope and faith to the people to-day. Do you know that it is to the doctor more than to the law-maker that we may hope for the future generations being freed from crime? BURROWS No, I don't. Nor anybody else. You've got a fine conceit, you have. Doctors indeed. Pick yer pocket some of 'em. They've made holes in mine often enough. How can doctors cure crime? Tell me that. DR. LANFEAR All vice is a form of disease. So is all crime. And it must be treated as a disease to make a cure, < SO :>. ACT I BURROWS Haven't we enough prisons to teach criminals to be honest in? DR. lANFEAB We have quite enough prisons. But no prison ever taught a man to be honest. They are the hot-houses of crime where the criminals of to-morrow are incubated. The law makes criminals: doctors cure them. We heal: the law inflames. BURROWS They're damn nice sentiments for a man who wants to come into my family. DR. lANFEAR What does the law do for the persons who break it? BURROWS Sends 'em to jail — and the proper place for 'em. DR. LANFEAR And afterwards? BURROWS What do ye mean — afterwards? DR. jLANFEAR When they've served their sentence instead of being given a fair start they're hounded from place to place: they're robbed of a chance to make an honest living. Employers are warned against them — < ^^ > WRECKAGE BURROWS [Breahing in.'] And quite right, too. I'd expect to be warned if I had a thief working for me. DR. LANFEAR Exactly. That's what the law-makers and business- men do. Now this is what we doctors do. There is a small but steadily increasing band of men in New York — I am one of them — who ask the wrecks of life to come to us the moment they are free. BURROWS And what do you do with them? DR. LANFEAR Treat them as sick people; care for them; find them work; guarantee them with employers. BURROWS And ye get nothing for it.^ DR. LANFEAR We get everything: something beyond money — the knowledge that we are helping in a certain way poor wretches whom no one else has ever thought of helping in that particular way. BURROWS Do you mean to say ye spend yer time takin' care of " crooks " .'' -C 32 > ACT I DR. LANFEAB Some of it. BURROWS Why it's like havin' yer pocket picked an' then askin* the pickpocket to come along home an' have dinner with ye. Look here, young man. You work for yerself if ye want to be my son-in-law. DR. LANFEAR I am working for myself. I am developing every day — at least I try to. The great doctor must be the com- plete man, and his greatness can only come after years of striving and suffering: of ceaseless work and endless charity. BURROWS [Changing his tone from bluster to conciliation^] Now see here, I know there's big money in doctoring — ye should see some of the bills I've had to pay for me wife — they'd make yer mouth water. Why, for a year after my girl was bom she was hardly ever out of her bed. An' doctors muckin' about day and night. They seem to hunt in couples — if ye'll stand for it. Now and again they'd call in a third to keep 'em company. They're a lonely lot. And none of 'era agreed. They all said something different. That's part of their game. Keep it goin' longer. When she could be moved one of 'em travelled with her — and a nurse. He wanted a holiday and made me pay for it. Wow ! How they bled me. \_Shakes his head violently at the unpleasant memo- -C S3 > WRECKAGE ries, then puts his hand authoritatively on Dr. Lan- fear's shoulder.] But I went to the best. The best, d'ye understand? The ones that charged the most. So does every one who can afford to. Now what chance have you got} There are more doctors in New York than you can shake a stick at. What good do you ex- pect to do.^ DR. lANFEAR The unrecognised man of to-day may be the most prominent to-morrow. Opportunity makes the doctor just as in every other walk in life. BURROWS Ah! Now you've got it! Make yerself. Start right in. Go after somethin' in particular. Specialise in it. That's what / did. Thirty-five years ago I was a puddler — just a plain ordinary puddler. Was I satis- fied.'' No, sir. I made up my mind to get on, and I did. How.'' I specialised. What's the result? " Burrows-Steel-Girders " are used half round the world. In twenty years they'll be round the other half. That's the difference between me and the fellows who started with me. They'll be puddlers all their lives. Special- ise, my boy. DR. LANFEAR I do. BURROWS {Eagerly. "l Do ye? In what? -C 34 > ACT I DR. LANFEAR I'm specialising in a habit tiiat is undermining Amer- ica from coast to coast. BURROWS [Full of curiosity.'] A habit, eh? Drink? DR. LANFEAR No. Beside it drink is almost a virtue. BURROWS Ye don't say! DR. LANFEAR While the Government is trying to check it by prose- cution I want to exterminate it by medical treatment. BURROWS Wliat is it? DR. LANFExVR The drug-habit. BURROWS The drug-hahii} DR. LANFEAB Morphine, heroin, cocaine — BURROWS [^Quichly .1 Cocaine, eh? DR. LANFEAR Ever heard of it? -C 35 > WRECKAGE BUEROWS Heard of it? I've used it. DR. LANFEAR Have you? BURROWS At the dentist's. DR. LANFEAR [^Smiles.'] What they'd give you wouldn't hurt you. BURROWS 'Course it never hurt me. I liked it. [^Rolls his tongue round inside his month and smachs his lips.^ Fine stuff. [Fills himself a large glass of xohisky and pours soda into it from syphon.^ DR. LANFEAR Do you know that many of the men working in your steel structures do their day's work on cocaine? BURROWS l^Stops in the act of drinking.'] Do they? What for? DR. LANFEAR Because they've formed the habit and can't work with- out it. BURROWS That so? What does it do to 'em? -C 36 > ACT I DR. LANFEAR It gives temporary clearness to the brain and strength to the body. Men become slaves to it. Women too. The only happy moments they know are when under its influence. When the effects wear off" they are the most miserable of human creatures. BURROWS And you say men like that are working for me.^ DR. LAXFEAR They are to be found in almost every factory and workshop in the big cities and in many of the smaller ones. BURROWS [Quickly and shrewdly .'\ Would you know 'em by just lookin' at 'em.'' DR. LANFEAR That would depend on how far the habit had gone. Why.? BURROWS Will ye come round an' look my men over to-morrow ? DR. LANFEAR Would ycu like to know if any of them are taking drugs ? BURROWS Yes, I would. -C 37 > WRECKAGE DR. LANFEAR And if I find there are what will you do? BURROWS Do? Discharge 'em^ of course. DR. LANFEAR What good would that do them? BURROWS I don't want to do 'em good. An' I don't want 'em to do me harm. I won't have that kind of men workin' for me. Suppose anythin' happened to 'em? I'd be re- sponsible. Fine thing that 'ud be. DR. LANFEAR. Why not try to cure them? BURROWS Cure 'em? Not me. Cure 'em! [Coniemptuously.'] Waste me time on a parcel of drug-takers. Ha! I'm no philanthropist. DR. XANFEAR Be one. You've made your money. BURROWS [Loudly.] And I made it too hard to throw it away like that. -C 38 > ACT I DR. LANFEAR Could you use it in a better way? BURROWS I'll use it as I like. It's mine. [Pause.'] So that's what you're specialising in? DR. LANFEAR Yes. BURROWS Have you found a cure? DR. LANFEAR I think so. It depends on the patient. BURROWS What do you do witli 'em? DR. LANFEAR Get rid of the poison of the drug first. Then I build up the system and strengthen the resistance — in the poor. BURROWS What do you do with the rich? DR. LANFEAR. With the intelligent I try to bring back their self- respect. BURROWS With physic? -C 39 > WRECKAGE DR. LANFEAR At first: afterwards by the power of influence. BURROWS Have ye made any cures? DR. lANFEAR To all appearances. BURROWS Don't ye know whether they're cured or not? DR. LANFEAR Any one who professes to make a complete cure of a confirmed drug-taker is either a fool or a knave. You can only destroy the effect of the poison and the craving for it. After that give them a little common-sense. If you can bring their self-respect back you've gone a long way toward a permanent cure. It takes time. BURROWS And time to a doctor means money, don't it? DR. UVNFEAB. [Smiles.'] Sometimes. BURROWS [Cunningly.] If ye get enough of the wealthy ones ye could keep 'em comin' to ye for years, couldn't ye ? -C 40 > ACT I DR. LANFEAR The poor interest me more. There's often a reason for their falling. But for people of wealth and educa- tion there's little. In many eases they're just pandering to a self-indulgent, depraved appetite; they're a curse to themselves and to every one near them. The poor are the ones we are trying to help. BURROWS [Disgustedly. 1 The poor! DR. LANFEAR, You were once. BURROWS I know I was. And if I'd gone about tryin' to help them instead of meself, where'd I be to-day? [Sud- denly. '\ What does the damn thing make 'em look like? DR. lANFEAR It takes so many forms that I could make your whole system revolt j ust to listen to them. For instance — BURROWS [Stopping him.^ Never mind. I don't want to lis- ten. How do they start it? DR. LANFEAR Seventy-five per cent, of the cases I've seen contracted the habit through a physician. -C 41 > WRECKAGE BURROWS Is that so? DR. LANFEAR Do you know the only difference between us and a con- firmed drug-taker? BURROWS No, I don't. I like your nerve. What's the differ- ence? DR. LANFEAR Pain. BURROWS How? DR. I^NFEAR What is the first aid to the injured to-day? The hy- podermic-syringe. Suppose 3^ou were smashed up in your car — you may be at any time — BURROWS I never let 'em go fast. DR. LANFEAR Some of the worst accidents have been when one of the cars has been standing still or going slowly. BURROWS You're a damn uncomfortable fellow to talk to. Well? Suppose I was smashed up? -C 42 > ACT I DR. I.ANFEAR Before setting a broken limb or putting a dislocated shoulder back many doctors and surgeons, as a precau- tionary measure of relief, give the sufferer an injection of morphine. In a little while the pain is gone. Wlien the morphine w6ars off the patient cries out for it again. Repeat the injections a sufficient number of times and the whole system needs the drug. !Many of the worst cases I've seen have formed the habit that way and through no fault of their own. BURROWS [^Thoroughly interested.] Ye don't say. What other ways do they start it? DR. LANFEAR One of the most outrageous causes of the spread of the habit — you ought to know this as the father of a family — is through allowing nurses to use hypodermic- syringes on patients. Until it's made a criminal offence for any nurse to administer drugs without a doctor being present no home is safe where there happens to be seri- ous and painful illness. I've been told of cases where nurses have given morphine to children to stop them from crying so that the nurse might sleep. Of course they are rare cases. For the most part nurses are hard-working, conscientious, deserving women. Still there's the danger right in our homes. [Moving restlessly about.] It's horrible! [Stops abruptly: smiles down at Burrows.] You've got me on my hobby. Are you interested at all? -C 43 > WRECKAGE BURROWS [Almost excited.] Sure. I've often heard of drugs, but I thought they were just harmless things doctors and dentists used to help ye. DR. LANFEAR Very few people know what a scourge this evil is amongst us. Remarkably few doctors know. If they did they'd be very careful who they gave it to and they'd never let the patient know what it was, and v/ould dis- guise in every possible way the administration of it, so that he couldn't ask for it afterwards. The drug habit has spread all over the country amongst rich and poor, young and old. In one small section of New York City a little while ago it was estimated there were a thousand youths of from 14 to 19 years old taking heroin. BURROWS What's that? You've got me goin' now. DR. LANFEAR Heroin is a derivative of morphine, is three times as strong as morphine, and is one of the most destructive of all drugs. It has only been on the market some fif- teen years, and was at one time pronounced harmless by many doctors and surgeons. Up to a little while ago it could be obtained freely at all drug stores. In most of the States outside New York you can still get it without difficulty. Many of the brutal outrages that have -C 4.4. > ACT I disfigured this city's life recently have been committed by men crazed with heroin. Under its influence they are just brutes. They know neither fear nor pity. What we are trying to do is to arouse the whole na- tion to the drug peril. It is not enough to prosecute those who use and sell drugs. Measures should be taken all through the United States to cure the people who have fallen into the habit. If there was ever an evil that needed the co-operation of the rich people of a coun- try to free the poor, that evil is amongst us now. Hospi- tals should be endowed in every city with a staff of doc- tors specially trained to cope with it. Let us cure the addicts of this generation and the next will come into the world free of the curse. Why, children are born to-day of alcoholic and drug-taking parents with the nervous constitutions of middle-aged men and women. How can they be expected to grow up healthy and moral? Better war or pestilence or the ravages of disease in a commun- ity than this insidious horrible poison that creeps into homes through the indiscreet physician: into schools and workshops and factories and even into prisons through wretches vile enough to profit by selling drugs to their fellow creatures. I am told that in the South whole gangs of men are given cocaine by their taskmasters so that they have the strength to do double work for their wretched pay. And the toll of the infamous traffic is paid by overflowing prisons, crowded lunatic asylums and a waiting list at the hospitals. It is now a question of awakening the public conscience. What the people -C 45 > WRECKAGE of a country demand they ultimately get. Once let it be known broadcast that this canker is eating into the heart of the nation and those who have the pride and love of their country dear to them will bend all their energies to exterminating it. And the people who will free the nation of it will deserve monuments from the generations to come. BURROWS l^Stares at him in undisguised admiration.^ Say, you've got it down pretty fine. Got me all worked up. I wouldn't mind doin' somethin' meself — in a small way. Not much, mind ye. I've no sympathy with the damn fools. Women — yes. They're poor things anyway. But I can't understand a strong, healthy man ever start- ing it. Damn fool I call liim. [Pours out another whisky and soda.^ DR. LANFEAB Have you ever drunk too much.'* BURROWS [Puts the glass down quickly.'] Of course I havCj why shouldn't I.^ I can afford it. DR. I/ANFEAR Had nausea and a frontal headache in the morning? BURROWS Yes, I have. What of it.> -C 46 :}. ACT I DR. LANFEAR Have you ever used morphine to get rid of it, when you've had a long day's work before you? BURROWS [Indignantly.'} No, I have not. Morphine indeed. Ask me a question like that. I'm not a woman. No, Sir. I've bought some stuff at a drug store. DR. LANFEAR [Smiles.'] Ah ! Well, what they gave you probably contained a solution of morphine or cocaine. BURROWS What? DR. LANFEAR Many headache-cures contain one or the other. In many cases the drug habit is formed by taking morphine to offset the consequences of drinking too much over- night. Take morphine often enough Ln that way — just as I told you a man in pain will — and you become de- pendent on it. Then you stop drinking and take mor- phine entirely. When you've had an overdose of mor- phine at night you need something to clear your head in the morning — just as you did when you drank too much. Then you turn to cocaine. Once get that habit and, as a famous authority said recently, it is " cross lots to the mad-house " for you. -C 47 > WRECKAGE BUKROWS [Uneasily.] Don't keep sayin' "You! You! You!" I've never taken it. DK. LANFEAR [Smiles.'] Thousands of cases have formed the habit through the frequent use of headache powders and pat- ent medicines containing drugs. Nearly every one of our acquaintance has some favourite medicine, or powder that relieves pain — mind you they only relieve pain, they don't cure the cause of it. I dare to say that there is scarcely a home in the United States that hasn't some harmful drug wrapped up in an innocent looking packet or lying in an attractively labelled bottle " To be shaken before taken," BURROWS What about the "Pure Food and Drugs Act"? Hasn't that stopped 'em.'' DR. LANFEAR On the contrary, it's made it easier for the drug-taker. By printing the ingredients on a bottle or packet every one knows which of them contains their pet drug. BURROWS That's true enough. Well? What are ye goin' to do about it? -C 48 > ACT I DR. LANFEAR The only possible remedy is to have a central clearing- house in Washington where every ounce of every drug imported into the United States is accounted for by every doctor and drug-store proprietor. Let us know exactly where the stuff is going and we can check it. Get the traffic in drugs entirely in hand and let the addicts have medical treatment until they're cured and we'd get the scourge witliin bounds very quickly. No drug-store should be allowed to sell the smallest quantity of any habit-forming drug without a prescription. It is not so much the amount a person takes as the regularity with which they take it that forms the habit. [Excitedly.] I tell you it is sapping the vigour and brain of the coun- try. I heard of one of our greatest lawyers fighting a long case on cocaine and winning it. He admitted aft- erwards he would have been helpless without the drug. Surgeons have been known to perform major operations stimulated by it. One of the greatest statesmen in the world made his most wonderful achievement when under its influence. BURROWS If it'll do all that, what in hell is the matter with it.'' DR. LAN FEAR In time it destroys the keenness of the brain ; it drains the vitality of the body. It destroys character and dulls conscience. Faith, and hope and love die in the heart < 49 > WRECKAGE of the man who comes under its destructive power. It makes liars and rogues and outcasts out of once decent people. There is nothing they won't do to get their particular drug. There is no trick they won't practise to get it. They keep me on the alert all the time even after they come to the hospital to be treated. BURROWS How do ye mean? Don't they ivant to be? DR. LANFEAR They thinh they do but in case they change their mind after they've started the treatment they usually bring a good supply of their favourite drug with them and hide it. BURROWS Hide it? Wliere? DR. LANFEAR Under the carpet; on the top of cornice poles: any- where they think it won't be seen. Some of them bring in handkerchiefs soaked in morphine; shirts and collars stiff with it. BURROWS Say! they keep ye guessin'. What do ye do? DR. LANFEAR I have a method with them. I usually let patients stay in a room a certain time, then send to them to go to -C 50 > ACT I the bath-room. When they come out of the bath I put them in a different room. When they find they can't get back to the room they were first put in the trouble begins. BURROWS Ye don't let 'em, eh? DR. LAN FEAR No. I just leave them in it long enough to hide all the drug they have. In addition I take into my charge everything they bring with them and examine them minutely before letting the patient have anything back. I found one with a fountain-pen with just sufficient ink in it to allay suspicion and the rest of the barrel hollow and filled with morphine pellets. BURROWS That sort isn't worth worryin' over — unless they pay ye well. DR. LANFEAR Oh, yes, they are, once we imderstand each other. I give them the option of obeying me or clearing out. That is the evil I am trying to free this country from. [Walks up and doxvn.1 BURROWS Phew ! [Loosens his collar; goes to window at back R and pushes it wide open, jerking the blind up to the fop.] Let us have some fresh air. I feel as if I'd been in a hospital. Damn sorry I came in here. [Moves -C 51 > WRECKAGE down.'l I'll examine all my men to-morrow and worry my head off which of 'em takes drugs. DE. LANFEAR [Raises decanter of whisky. 1 Another? BURROWS No, I won't. [Shivers.] First thing I know I'll want morphine. Ye've made me feel as if I'd been takin' it all my life without knowin' it. [Dr. Lanfear laughs.] All right. Laugh. Half your stock-in-trade's makin' people feel uncomfortable. Wow ! How you can talk. I'm off. [Goes to doors L., stops, thinks, goes back quite close to Dr. Lanfear and asks him quietly and confidentially.] What do ye mean when ye get a rich drug-taker — ye try and bring back his self- respect? How do ye do that? DR. LANFEAR When the craving for the drug has been eliminated and the gnawing pains of the deprivation of the drug have gone, I try to find out exactly what the patient's mental attitude was before the habit was formed. Hav- ing found that out the next step is to make the brain think back to what it was at that time: to compel the brain to do what it used to do before it came under the influence of the drug. Few have any real liking for the drug in itself. But the brain retains the remembrance of the sensations of relief, of stimulation, of increased < 52 y ACT I muscular and cerebral activity and, at other times of complete, delightful rest. When these effects pass away and the craving returns memory demands the thing that gave such instant and marvellous relief. It longs for the sight of a hypodermic-syringe, it craves for the shock of the quick stab of the needle, the inrush of the fluid and the practically immediate eff'ect of the drug. I tell you the gun never did as much harm in a community as a hypodermic-syringe ! Syringes have done incalculable mischief in causing and fostering the drug-habit. Yet until a little while ago they could be bought as easily as chewing-gum or candy. Now you have either to destroy that remembrance or create a feeling of revulsion at it if you are going permanently to cure the habit. No self-respecting man or woman wants to be a drug-fiend. Very well, give them back their self-respect and the craving is gone. BURROWS [Now very interested.} Go on. Tell me. How.'' How do ye do it? DR. LAN FEAR Here's an instance. One night a man begged of me in the street. Something in his voice arrested my atten- tion: his manner aroused my suspicions. I gave him some money. He hardly waited to thank me and hur- ried away. I followed him. He went straight to a pedlar of cocaine on a street-corner — a few years ago it was sold openly in the streets — and bought a packet -C 53 > WRECKAGE with the money I had given liim. I took it away from him, questioned him, finally I brought him here. I worked on that man for several days. I drove the poison out of him. I nourished his body. Gradually the in- flamed state of his brain gave place to a saner and more normal condition. He began to speak intelligently in- stead of with the servility and coarseness of a profes- sional beggar. I encouraged him to talk freely. He had a command of language that showed the scholar. One day we touched on science. He became excited and argued and expounded eagerly. He became quite tense and wrought up. He had absolute, definite knowledge. One phrase he used struck me. I'd heard it as a boy in a lecture given by one of the most prominent scien- tists in the country. I picked a book off that shelf and turned to a certain chapter on the subject we had been discussing. There was the identical phrase word for word. I handed him the book. " Look, Professor ," and I called him by name. He took the book, glanced at it, and burst out crying. The real cure had begim. His self-respect had wakened. His mind had swept back to the clean, healthy days before he had fouled his system with the filthy poison. The rest was easy. BURROWS [Excitedly.'] Ye cured liim? DR. LANFEAR He cured himself in that moment of shame. -C 54 > ACT I BURROWS Is he workin' again? DR. LANFEAR Yes, and with all his old power. BURROWS [Under his breath.^ I'm damned. [Loudly and en- thusiastically.] I shouldn't wonder if ye make a fortune out of it. You've got a head on yer shoulders. Wouldn't think it to look at ye. Go after it. I'll go in with ye. It looks good to me. Get that fellow to give you a testimonial. What was liis name? [Dr. Lanfear smiles and shakes his head.] Is the book here? [Turning to the bookshelves.] DR. LANFEAR [Still smiling.] Very likely. BURROWS [Peering at the books.] Ye don't say. I'd like to know which! [The door R. opens and Dr. Cobb, a fair, enthusiastic young man of 25 enters. He comes in breezily and loudly singing the latest successful song from a New York revue. He stops abruptly when he sees Bur- rows and speaks to Dr. Lanfear.] DR. COBB Sorry. Didn't think you'd have a patient at this time. -C 55 > WRECKAGE BURROWS l^Indignantly .^ I'm no patient. DR. LANFEAR [Laughs and introduces them.] Dr. Cobb — Mr. Bur- rows. BURROWS [Nods curtly at Dr. Cobb, turns to Dr. Lanfear.] Another doctor. Do you always hunt in couples? DR. LANFEAR We're partners. [Burrows turns abruptly hack to the book-shelves.'] DR. COBB [Hands Dr. Lanfear an open letter.] Can you see this chap for me.'' I've got a meeting in there. [The sound of the harp and piano rises faintly in the dis- tance playing a modern dance tune.] [Dr. Cobb's eyes brighten and he hums the tune.] Hello! Dancing in there? DR. LANFEAR No. Just a little music. [Reading the letter.] DR. COBB Oh, never mind then. Let him come round in the morning, or wait until the meeting's over. It's only a charity case. Bristal, the broker's sent him. -C 56 > ACT I [Reading the letter over Dr. Lanfear's shoulder and pointing to the signature.] See? DR. LANFEAR What is the matter with him? DR. COBB Everything by the look of him. Let him wait. DR. LANFEAR I'll see him. DR. COBB Sure you don't mind? DR. LANFEAR Not a bit. DR.. COBB [Starts for the door R.] Thank ye. DR. LANFEAR [Following him.] What's the meeting? DR. COBB Discussing the Drug-Stores-Proprietors' Amendment to the new drug act. Wliat they don't know in there about drugs would fill the public library. Might be chewing candy. They all asked for you. DR. LANFEAR Waste of time talking to them. -C 57 > WRECKAGE DR. COBB That's why you shove 'em on to me, I suppose? DR.. LANFEAR [Laughs.] Send the man in. [Dr. Cobb goes out 22.] BURROWS [Looks up from one of the loxcer shelves, taking out a book and reading the title.] "Science and Health!" Is this it.'' DR. LANFEAR No. That is one of the most wonderful books ever written — and it is the work of a woman. [Burrows grunts and puts the book back.] Now I must turn you out. BURROWS Ye can't turn me out. I'm goin'. [Goes to doors L.] You take hold of yerself, cut out the poor business, go after the rich. If you'd listen to me, in six months I'd make a man of ye. DR. IjANFEAR [Smiling.] My mother anticipated you. BURROWS [Laughs a little, dry, cracked laugh.] Ha! -C 58 > ACT I DR. LANFEAR [Going to him.'] Thank you so much for your kindly congratulations on my engagement to your daughter. BURROWS What's that.'' I congratulate ye."* DR. LANFEAR I'm sure you do. BURROWS I've not said you can have her yet. DR. LANFEAR [Smiles good-naturedly at Burrows.] But you're going to. [Opens door L. The music is heard distinctly.^ BURROWS I'll say this for ye. Ye've got plenty of nerve. DR. LANFEAR I need it in my profession. BURROWS [LooJiS at him a minute, then laughs heartily.'] You're a fine young fellow, I must say. DR. LANFEAR [Laughs heartily rvith him.] Tell my mother I have a patient to see. I'll be in the moment he goes. -C 59 > WRECKAGE BURROWS Ye know I wouldn't mind ye so much if ye weren't such a danui fool. [Goes out L.] [Dr. Lanfear closes the doors L., draws the curtains. The sounds become quite faint, after a while they stop.] [Dr. Lanfear thinhs a moment, then goes to an entirely different book-shelf than the one Burrows was exam- ining, looks through the shelves, finds the book he is looking for, opens it and reads, his brows k7nt.] [Dr. Cobb enters R.] DR. COBB Here he is. [Turns and calls.'] Come along in. [Turns to Dr. Lanfear.] I'll look in when they've gone, may I } dr. lanfear Do! dr. COBB How they talk — and what talk ! [The Patient comes slowly in through the door R.] [Dr. Cobb goes out R., closing the door after him.] [Dr. Lanfear stands by the book-case reading inter- estedly.] [The Patient stands quite still near the door waiting for Dr. Lanfear to notice him. He is a stooped, wretched, dirty-looking man well over fifty. His hair -C 60 > ACT I is a greyish-white, long, matted and unbrushed. It comes down almost to his eyes, completely hiding his forehead. There are several days' growth of hair on his face. His left arm hangs limply by his side. In his right hand he clutches a dirty, torn, crumpled cloth cap. His clothes are ragged and shiny, his boots broken and down at heel. He continually bends for- ward jerkily and then tries to straighten himself with nervous convulsive ttvitchings. He occasionally rubs the back of his hand across his nose several times in rapid succession as if it itched him. His eyes are con- siderably projected, shotving an unnaturally bright, distended pupil, the white of the eye very prominent. His facial muscles twitch continually. His eyes blink constantly as though the light tvere too strong for them. His skin is a moist, yellowish-green. He starts when spoken to and avoids the questioner's eyes.'\ DR. LANFEAR [^Closes the hook, puts it back on the shelf and turns to The Patient, glances at the letter Dr. Cobb gave him.li Mr. Bristal sent you? THE PATIENT ^Starts, hesitates, looks dozen, answers huskily in a common, coarse voice.} Yes, sir. DR. LANFEAR Do you work for him ? -C 61 > WRECKAGE THE PATIENT Yes, sir. DR. LANFEAR What kind of work? [The Patient hesitates, tries to speak, stops.'] [Sharply.] Well? THE PATIENT [Starts, tries to straighten hiviself, then goes back to his crouching, twitching position.] Anything he gives me — about the house — an' grounds. DR. LANFEAR What's your trouble? THE PATIENT [In the dull tone of a man long suffering from pain.] My arm, sir. [Touches his left arm.] I can't use it. DR. LANFEAR Why not? THE PATIENT It hurts me so. DE. LANFEAR What's the matter with it? THE PATIENT [Hesitates. Looks at the ground.] I — I — I cut it. -C 62 > ACT I DR. LANFEAU With what? THE PATIENT [Hesitates again.l I fell. Something sharp. It cut my arm. It cut it. DK. LANFEAR Let me look at it. Take off your coat. [Goes to table and turns on the poicerful moveable elec- tric light.] [The Patient, trembling violently, goes to him, drops his cap on the floor, begins to take off his coat: di- rectly the sleeve presses on his left arm he moans and clutches it, sxcaying bachicards and forwards in pain."] Wait a minute ! [Goes to him and holds the sleeve open and loose, so that The Patient can free his arm without contact: Dr. Lanfear slips the coat off.] [The Patient is then seen to have no waistcoat, just a ragged, grey shirt with collar attached. His trousers are held up by an old belt. His right hand feebly sup- ports the wounded arm whilst he continues to convul- sively bend forward and then try to straighten him- self.] [Dr. Lanfear takes up the left arm and dexterously slips the shirt up the arm and doubles it in at the shoulder, disclosing the forearm considerably inflamed in the centre and front. A large ugly-looking abscess has formed.] -c 63 :}. WRECKAGE [Dr. Lanfear wheels the upright chair into position facing him, motions the man to sit in it. He then sits in the revolving chair, moves the light into position, takes up the wounded arm, and examJnes it closely under the strong light through a magnifying glass.^ [In a matter-of-fact tone.] How long has this troubled you? THE PATIENT For weeks. Night and day. Weeks. DR. LANFEAR [Places the magnifying glass close down on the in- jured arm and bends the light on to i^.] What did you fall on.? [His questions are mechanical: they convey no apparent intention or suspicion.] THE PATIENT [Nervously.] Something — something sharp. DR. LANFEAR Something sharp, eh? [In the same even tone.] Was it a needle? THE PATIENT [Vehemently.] No. It wasn't ! [Tries to drag his arm away from the doctor's close scrutiny.] < 64 > ACT I DR. LANFEAR [Holding The Patient's arm firmly.] Steady. [Continues to examine it.] Are you sure it wasn't a a needle? THE PATIENT [Doggedly.] Yes. I am. It wasn't a needle. No. DR. LANFEAE Wliat was it then? THE PATIENT Something sharp, I tell ye. Don't know what it was. Mebbe a bit of stone — or a nail. That's what it was — a nail. DR. I^NFEAR What are all those marks ? THE PATIENT I don't know. [Moans.] You're hurting me. Let me go. [Dr. Lanfear suddenly drops the man's arm and moves the lamp up so that light shines full on The Pa- tient's face, which is drawn with pain and is ghastly in the cold white light.] [He instantly blinks in the strong light, lowers his eyes, turns slightly away, twitching furiously and breathing thickly.] [The doctor speaks to him sharply.] -C 65 > WRECKAGE DR. LANFEAR Look at me ! [The Patient turns frightenedly still further away as if afraid to meet the other's eyes.^ [Dr. Lanfear rises and says commandingly .'\ Look at me ! \^He lifts The Patient's chin and holds the he'ad well up in the light, searching the features with a quick, penetrating, comprehensive glance. Then he releases The Patient and sinks back in the chair, looking at the man intently. '\ [The Patient rises, shivering with fear.'\ Sit down. [The Patient turns away to tlie Chesterfield 72.] There. [^Points to the chair under the light.^ [The Patient sits chattering and tzaitching.^ How long have you been taking cocaine? [The Patient cowers down in the chair.'\ How long.'' [Waits: the man does not a7iswer.'\ If I'm going to help you, you must tell me the truth. How long? THE patient [Doggedly. 1 I don't take it. DR. lanfear Yes, you do. -C 66 > ACT I [^Suddenly springs up, takes The Patient's right hand, turns up the sleeve and examines the arm.'\ You work with your left avva, don't you? THE PATIENT Yes. DR. LANFEAR And since you cut it you have been injecting cocaine in this? [The Patient does not answer. He is like a trapped thief, caught in the act.] [Dr. Lanfear sits again.] You've infected your arm with a dirty needle. THE PATIENT [Sullenly.] It wasn't a needle, I tell ye. [After a moment he asks piteously.] Is it poisoned? DR. LANFEAR Yes. THE PATIENT [Anxiously.] Will I lose it? DR. LANFEAR You might very easily, if you let it go on like that. [The Patient moans.] We must get to work on it at once. We'll send you down to a hospital to-night — -C 67 > WRECKAGE THE PATIENT [Springing up and chattering with fear."] I won't go to a hospital. I won't go. DR. LANFEAR Why not? THE PATIENT I won't go to a hospital. I won't. I won't! l^Goes away R., muttering to himself.^ DR. LANFEAR You'll be well taken care of. THE PATIENT [Savagely.'] I won't go, I tell ye. I won't. [Fiercely.] A hospital. Not me. Oh, no. Hospital indeed. I won't. Not me ! [He goes on muttering in- audibly, all the while his right hand clutching above and below the infected part of his poisoned left arm.] DR. LANFEAR [Shrewdly.] You couldn't get any cocaine there, could you.'' THE PATIENT I tell ye I don't take it. DR. LANFEAR Then why won't you go? THE PATIENT I won't. That's all. I zvon't. Not me. -C 68 > ACT I DR. LANFEAB Then I can do nothing for you. That requires imme- diate and constant attention. If you don't care to go where you'll get it^ consult some other doctor. [Turns away from the man and makes some notes on a pad.^ THE PATIENT [Slowly turns round and looks at the doctor. Then he pleads.] Couldn't you give me something to ease it.'' Couldn't ye? DR. LANFEAR Do what I tell you and I'll cure it. THE PATIENT Not a hospital. Not that. Shut away from every one. A charity case. Treated like a dog. Oh, no. Not me. Not that. I've had some of that. Lot of brutes. Never again. Not me. DR. LANFEAR [Finally.] All right. That'll do. [Motions him to go, takes up a pamphlet, turns over the pages, all the while watching the man.] [The Patient picks up his coat and begins to put it on. The moment the sleeve touches the sore arm he stops and draws in his breath, but he does not moan.] Why won't you tell me the truth.'' THE PATIENT I am telling ye the truth. -C 69 > WRECKAGE DB. LANFEAB You're afraid of losing your arm? THE PATIENT [Almost crying with fear and pain.'\ I am. That's why I asked Mr. Bristal to help me. It burns — all day an' all night. I haven't slept. Can't ye give me something to stop the pain? Can't ye? [Pleading.] Won't ye? DR. LANFEAR [Swings round in his chair.] If I take you under my own care here: if I don't send you to a hospital will you tell me the truth? [Rises and stands over him..] Tell me the truth and I'll save your arm. [Lifts The Patient's face up with both his hands and looks steadily at him.] Tell me the truth and I'll save you. [Waits: The Patient avoids the doctor's look.] WiU you? THE PATIENT [Hesitates: makes up his mind: speaks under his breath.] All right, sir. [Dr. Lanfear takes him to the Chesterfield, presses him down on to it and sits beside him.] DR. LANFEAR How long have you been taking cocaine? -C 70 > ACT I THE PATIENT About five years, DR. LAN FEAR How much a day? THE PATIENT As much as I can find money enough to buy. I don't need food when I can get it. I don't need sleep when I have enough. And I've strength in me too. Strength in me. DR. LANFEAR Do you always inject it,"* THE PATIENT When I have to use my arms I do. Don't mind work- ing when I have a good " jolt," * DR. LANFEAR Just cocaine? THE PATIENT Half morphine, I like that way best. It's fine. DR. LANFEAR You're a pretty old hand at it, aren't you? THE PATIENT Yes, sir. *"Jolt." An injection with a hypodermic syringe. -C 71 > WRECKAGE DR. lANFEAR If you'd used straight cocaine, you'd have been in a mad-house long ago. THE PATIENT I know. DR. LANFEAR Do you take it any other way ? THE PATIENT [Touching his nose.] Here — sometimes. But not much. Heroin's better. Far better. Doesn't cost as much and lasts longer on ye. [Enthusiastically .] It's great stuff. DR. liANFEAR How did you begin.'' THE PATIENT When I was ill. They gave me morphine to kill the pain and make me sleep. DR. LANFEAR Who gave it to you? THE PATIENT The doctor. When I got well I went on taking it. Had to. Couldn't do without it. Rotten, wasn't it.'' DR. LANFEAR What was your illness? -C 72 > ACT I THE PATIENT My nerves broke down. DR. LANFEAR Were you a hard drinker? THE PATIENT Pretty hard. Whenever I got worried I took it to keep me goin'. Got to like it at last. Drank all the time when there was nothin' doin'. DR. LANFEAR Do you drink now.'' THE PATIENT IVirtuously .'\ Oh, no. Haven't touched a drop for twenty years. I've reformed altogether that way. DR. LANFEAR When did you begin taking morphine? THE PATIENT About twenty years ago. DR. LANFEAR You had no use for drink when you could get that? THE PATIENT No, sir. Cut it out altogether. -C 73 > WRECKAGE DR. LANFEAR l^Takes up the man's hands and looks at them.^ You're not a labourer? THE PATIENT No. DR. XANFEAR [Feels the man's muscles.] Never used your arms much ? ) ' THE PATIENT Not j/nuch. Not until lately. Carryin' things. Diggin' and the like. DR. LANFEAR What was your occupation ? THE PATIENT [Loohs away; then whispers.] I'd rather not say. DR. LANFEAR A profession? [The Patient nods.] [Rises, his eyes shining with enthusiasm.] We'll fight this out together. Put yourself in my hands and I'll free you of this curse. THE PATIENT [Moa7iing feebly and shivering.] It's too late. I'm finished. It's too late. Been at it too long. Couldn't do without it now. -C 74 > ACT I DR. LAN FEAR Do you want to do without it? THE PATIENT Indeed I do. I'd give my right arm to be able to sleep one night without being full of the muck. But it's too late. DR. LANFEAR No, it's not. You're in pain — I'll ease it. You're starving, I'll give you food. You're in the depths : I'll bring you up out of them. But if I'm going to cure you, you've got to do everything I tell you. Are you willing to do that.'' THE PATIENT [Eyes dilating: trembling violently: cries out hysteric- ally.] I am! Indeed I am. DR. LANFEAR Very well. [Goes to table and makes some notes on pad.] First we must look after that arm. You've got a nasty abscess there. THE PATIENT [After a pause.] I can't pay ye anything. Haven't got it. I don't suppose Mr. Bristal'll want to pay much. I haven't got a cent. Never will have. DR. LANFEAB, That'll oe all right. -C 75 > WRECKAGE THE PATIENT [The fee ting of exaltation passes: he watches Dr. Lanfear closely: the expression on his face gradually changes to one of cunning: his body begins to twitch again: he whines like a beggar.^ Doctor? Ye won't take it all from me? Will ye? Not just at first? I want to be cured. Really I do. But ye'll let me have a little — just at first? [Intensely.] If ye took it all from me it would kill me. I tell ye it would kill me. [Cries and wails.] It would. It would. If ye didn't let me haVe a little. ' DR. LANFEAR You can have all the drug you want just as long as you need it. But one day you will say " I don't want it any more. I'll never touch the filthy poison again." And you never will? Eh? THE PATIENT [Brightening up.] Oh, no. Never. Never. Only just at first — just a little at first. It's horrible not to have it when you're used to it. [Shiveiing.] Horrible. As though ye were being tortured. Every bone in yer body aches. [Cunningly, snivelling and rubbing his nose two or three times quickly.] They're aching now. DR. LANFEAR How long since you have had any? < 7G > ACT I THE PATIENT Not since last night. A friend st3.ked me to some. Very little too. Hard to get it lately. Very hard. They're awful strict now. DR. LANFEAB. None to-day? \_Puts note-pad on one side and takes up prescription pad and writes.^ THE PATIENT No. DR. LANFEAU [Sharply.] What? THE PATIENT Really — no. [Whispers.] Hadn't any money to buy it. [Waits a moment as he thinks.] Then my arm burnt so that I came here. I've carried Mr. Bristal's letter round for days. Couldn't make up my mind to bring it. DR. LANFEAB, Why not? THE PATIENT I was frightened to. I thought you'd get on to me. And I was afraid you'd put me away. They all try to do that. Doctors don't understand us. You're the first. It isn't our fault. I never knew what a drug was until a doctor shoved a needle in me. They start givin' it to ye, and when ye've got so far that ye can't do with- -C 77 > WRECKAGE out it, they turn round an' abuse ye. I hate doctors. An' hospitals. [Shivers.] Rotten places. I've had some of 'em. Tried to cure me by not givin' me any. Cure me indeed! When I've come out I've wanted it all the more. Hospitals ! I'd rather die than go in one again. You won't send me to one, will ye? DR. lANFEAE No. I'll take care of you here. THE PATIENT [Grate fully.l Thank ye, sir. [Whining again.] And ye'll give me a little — DR. LANFEAB Yes. [Impatiently.] THE PATIENT I beg yer pardon. [Chattering and shivering.] Ye're not like some doctors I know. Treat ye like dirt. Say ye ought to be in jail. The dogs. Half of 'em take it themselves too. Nobody asks them questions. Oh, no. Got it right at their hand. All they want an' no questions asked. Lucky lot. Wish I'd been brought up a doctor. They keep hypodermic-syringes in their vest pockets. Use 'em as toothpicks, some of 'em. Fine lot an' no mistake. I hate 'em. [Enter Dr. Cobb R.] -C 78 > ACT I DR. COBB [Coming in cheerily.] They've talked themselves out — and off. [Goes down to Dr. Lanfear.] What's wrong with him.? [Nodding towards The Patient.] DR. LANFEAR His arm's poisoned. I wish you'd dress it for me with that. [Hands him prescription.] DR. COBB [Looking at prescription.] Mortified.'' DR. LANFEAR Pretty nearly. I'll open it up in the morning. [Picks up The Patient's cap from the floor and gives it to him.] Here you are. What is your name? [The man turns away and stands miserably twisting the cap in his fingers, he does not ansxcer.] Well, give me any name. I must put some name to you. THE PATIENT Hart. DR. LANFEAR All right, Mr. Hart, go in there. [Opens door R. Nods towards Dr. Cobb.] He'll take care of you. THE PATIENT [Anxiously.] I thought you were going to? < 79 > WRECKAGE DR. LANFEAa I am. Go in. THE PATIENT [Goes to door: turns back to the doctor and pleads.] You won't forget your promise.'' You'll give me a little — DR. lANFEAU Yes, yes, yes ! Go in. THE PATIENT Thank ye. Thank ye, sir. DR. lANFEAR [JSmiling.] Don't call me, sir. Remember we are both professional men. [The Patient looks at Dr. Lanfear gratefully turns and goes out R.] [Dr. Lanfear closes the door after The Patient.] DR. COBB [Whistles.] A " dope " ! * DR. LANFEAE Yes. DR. COBB You certainly find 'em all right. Cocaine.'' DR. LANFEAR And morphine, and heroin. * " Dope." A drug-fiend. -C 80 > ACT I DB. COBB He's no piker. What a face ! DR. LANFEAR Find out how much he takes usually and give it to him — half morphine, half cocaine. Then we'll start the treatment. Get him to wash and brush the hair back from his eyes. I want to get a good look at him. DR. COBB Do you hope to cure him? DR. LANFEAR I'll try. DR. COBB He doesn't look human. DR. LANFEAR He is though. DR. COBB Once a " dope " always a " dope." DR. LANFEAR [^ShaJces his head-l He was like us once. DR. COBB [Indignantly.] Us? Me? DR. LANFEAR [Smiling.] Well — say like me. He had a profes- sion before one of us started him. Go along. Dress his arm — come in and tell me when you've finished. -C 81 > WRECKAGE DK. COBB He wants more than that dressed. [Mrs. Lanfear, a kindly, pathetic-looking woman of 50 enters from L.] [Nods pleasantly to her."] Good evening. MRS. LAN FEAR Why didn't you come to our party? DR. COBB Couldn't. Up to my eyes. I'll look in later, if I may. MRS. LANFEAH. I wish you would. DR. COBB Thank ye. I will. I've got a nice job in here first. [Mahes a grimace and goes out i2.] MRS. LAN FEAR You've been so long I thought I'd better come after you. DR. lANFEAR I'll go back with you. MRS. lANFEAB Kate told me. DR. LANFEAR [Smiling.'] Did she? -C 82 > ACT I MRS. LANFEAR She came straight to me. She said you were going to tell her father. DR. LANFEAR I did. MRS. LANFEAR I saw him come back laughing, so I thought it must be all right. Is it .'' DR. LANFEAR I think so. MRS. LANFEAR What did he say.'' DR. LANFEAR Abused my profession : abused me for not having more rich patients — in fact seemed thorouglily against me as a son-in-law — at first. MRS. LANFEAR Did you win him round? DR. LANFEAR Pretty nearly. I told him what I was trying to do with drug-takers. He seemed to think there might be real money in it — if I get the tvealthy ones. He said he'd like to cut in on it himself. Taken altogether I have hope. -C 83 > WRECKAGE MRS. lANFEAR I SO much want you to marry Kate. I've known for a long time that you loved her. DE. LANFEAR Have you? MRS. LANFEAK. Yes. DE. LANFEAR Why? I've never told you. MES. LANFEAR No, but I've watched you — the way you've looked at her and spoken to her. There's no hiding that. DR. LANFEAR Not from you. [^Puts his arm around her.^ MES. LANFEAR She'll make you a nice comfortable little wife. DR. LANFEAE I am sure of it. \^Laughs.^ Especially — comfort- able. MES. liANFEAE I was rather afraid who you'd pick out. You've made a very happy choice. -C 84 > ACT I DR. LANFEAE Thank you. MRS. LANFEAR I'm very proud of you. You're going to do splendid things. You're only just beginning. That was why I worried. Marriage so often kills ambition at the very start. Yours won't. And I'm very happy. [Takes his face in her hands and kisses him.l Good luck. Now we'll go back. DR. LANFEAR Wait a minute. MRS. LANFEAR We'll talk when they've gone. They'll miss us. DR. LANFEAR Listen. [They listen to the music.} They seem to be doing very well without us. MRS. LANFEAR Well then. Quickly. What is it? DR. LANFEAR Mr. Burrows asked me one rather awkward question — about my father. MRS. LANFEAR [Becomes very grave instantly.} Yes? DR. LANFEAR I told him that he was dead, that there had been im- happiness — -C 85 > WRECKAGE MRS. LANFEAB [Quickly.'] Why did you tell him that? DR. lANFEAE It slipped out. Something he said provoked it. MRS. LANFEAR Well? DR. LANFEAR You've not told me much, and, as I saw you always avoided speaking about my father, I dropped it. But you've said enough from time to time to show there was something very wrong. MRS. LANFEAR There was. DR. lANFEAR He must have treated you very badly. MRS. LANFEAR He did. DR. LANFEAR It would be just as well to tell me the whole thing in case Burrows asks any more questions. It would be better he heard the truth from me than from some one else. It would look as if I was holding it back, wouldn't it? MRS. LANFEAR Very well. I'll tell 3'ou. -C 86 > ACT I DR. LANFEAB When he heard there'd been unhappiness he used it as an argument against my marrying Kate. Quoted it as another unhappy marriage. MRS. JLANFEAR And it was. It was. [Looks frightenedly at him.^ Your marriage mustn't be. There's nothing more won- derful than the companionship of two people who really love each other. There's nothing more horrible than separation when once you have loved. It's like tearing something out of your life by the roots. DR. LANFEAE My father left you before he died.'* [Pause."] Did MRS. LANFEAR [Nods.] Yet, badly as he treated me, I had no bitter- ness in my heart: just sorrow, and pity. I always hoped he'd come back to me. DR. LANFEAR Would you have forgiven him .'' MRS. LANFEAR I would. Indeed I would. DR. LANFEAR I couldn't. -C 87 > WRECKAGE MRS. LANFEAB Yes, you could — if you loved. And I did love your father. DR. LANFEAB Tell me exactly what happened — MRS. lANFEAR Not now. [^Indicates the people in the next room and then moves towards the door L.] DR. liANFEAR [Joining her.] When they've gone then. W^e'll have a really old-time talk. [Pause.'] We're not a bit like mother and son. We're pals, aren't we ? MRS. lANFEAR [Gently.] Yes, dear. DR. LANFEAR Of course we are. So you must treat me like one. You'll tell me to-night — Pal.'' MRS. LANFEAR [Nods.] When they've gone. DR. LANFEAR Right. [Opens the door for her.] -C 88 > ACT I MRS. LANFEAR [Stopping in the doorzcay.] Are you coming witli me? DR. LANFEAR In two minutes. I've a new drug-patient in there. Cobb's attending to him. I'll just have a look at him and go in to you. Say — if I can cure him I'll think no end of myself. MRS. LANFEAR [Interested.] Can I see him? DR. LANFEAR To-morrow. [Laughs.] He's not very pretty. MRS. LANFEAR Neither was the professor of science when you first brought him here. Yet you let me help you with him from the beginning. DR. LANFEAR [Laughingly.] If you thought the old professor bad, wait till you see Mr. Hart. He's the limit. MRS. LANFEAR [Smiling.] I really must see him. DR. LANFEAR Look him over in the morning and give me your diag- nosis. I've made mine. We'll see if they agree. -C 89 > WRECKAGE l^Passes her out L. closes the door, then crosses over and opens the door R.I.E., goes in, leaving the door open. The sound of his and Dr. Cobb's voices can be heard.^ Ready ? DR. COBB Yes. I was just going to bring him in. DR. LANFEAR Finished .f* DR. COBB Practically. DR. LANFEAR Come on. [Re-enters and goes to table."] [Dr. Cobb comes in followed by The Patient.] [His face has been washed and the hair brushed bach, showing a high, well-developed forehead. His body is nearly straight and the convulsive movements prac- tically under control. The left arm is in a sling. He comes slowly and hesitatingly into the room.] [Dr. Cobb wheels the deep comfortable chair a little for- ward for the man to sit in.] [The Patient sinks into it with a gasp of relief.] DR. COBB There we are! DR. LANFEAR Don't sit like that — all tightened up. Relax. Stretch your legs out. Lie back. -C 90 > ACT I [The man slowly relaxes and lies hach.'\ That's it. Is your arm more comfortable? THE PATIENT Yes, thank ye. The pain's almost gone. Makes it feel good. {^Puts his right hand protectingly on the poisoned arm and closes his eyes.^ [I'he two doctors stand looking down at him in silence.^ [Dr. Lanfear turns the light slowly on him and watches him intently.l DR. COBB I think I've made a pretty good job of him. He looks much better all cleaned up, doesn't he? [Dr. Lanfear beckons Dr. Cobb over to him: speaks to him quietly.^ DR. lANFEAR 'Phone over for Miss Grant. She can take him nights. Get Miss Fellows in the morning. Have you begun the treatment ? DR. COBB No. I'd just finished washing and brushing him and doing up his arm when you burst in. I gave him an in j ection. DR. LANFEAR How much? -C 91 > WRECKAGE DR. COBB Six grains half-and-half. He wanted ten. He's a " dope " all right. DR. liANFEAR Tell both nurses to mark the chart " hourly." We'll make a complete examination in the morning — I want you with me. We'll keep a daily record of weight, pulse, temperature and blood-pressure. This time next week you'll hardly know him. DR. COBB I won't want to. I hate the sight of him already. DR. LANFEAR [Smiles.] Ring up Miss Grant at once. Run along. DR. COBB [Going to door R.U.E.] These " dopes " give me a pain. Waste of time, that's what it is. Waste of time. [Exit R.] [Dr. Lanfear opens a drawer, takes out a vial and shakes out a pill: pours some water into a glass, goes to Patient and shakes him.] DR. LANFEAR Here. Take this. [The Patient opens his eyes, swallows the pill and drinks some water.] [Dr. Lanfear takes the glass from him and puts it back on the tray.] -C 92 > ACT I [The door L. opens and the sound of voices is heard.l [Mrs. Lanfear brings in Mrs. Burrows, a slender, frail, delicate woman of middle-age.] [Dr. Lanfear goes quickly up to them and stops them with a gesture from coming any further into the room.] MRS. LANFEAR Mrs. Burrows wants to see your room, dear. DR. LANFEAR Not now. [Points to Patient.] MRS. BURROWS Oh! I'm so sorry. [Draws back.} MRS. LANFEAR [In a whisper.] Is that tlie new drug-patient? DR. LANFEAR Yes. MRS. LANFEAR May I look at him.'' DR. LANFEAR Wait till the morning. MRS. LANFEAR [Looking at the man's profile.] I'll just have a glimpse of him. [To Mrs. Burrows.] I always like to -C 93 > WRECKAGE see them when they first come here. It's so wonderful to see what he does with them. [Motions to Mrs. Burrows to wait for her.} [Mrs. Lanfear creeps down softly and looks at The Patient, who has taken up the hand-mirror from the table, and is looking at his reflection in disgust.] MRS. BURROWS [To Dr. Lanfear.] I am so glad about you and Kate. DR. LANFEAR [Smiling genially.] That's nice of you. I was afraid you mightn't approve of me. MRS. BURROWS Why not? DR. LANFEAR Your husband doesn't seem to. MRS. BURROWS [Smiling wanly.] We'll change that. [While they have been talking Mrs. Lanfear has come in line with The Patient: at the same moment he sees her reflection in the hand-mirror : he turns quickly and looks up at her. Their eyes meet — a gleam of recog- nition shines in both. He half rises from the chair, then sinks back, staring at her. Mrs. Lanfear looks down at him in horror.] -c 94 :^ ACT I DR. lANFEAR [Turns to his mother.] Come^ take Mrs. Burrows back. [Mrs. Lanfear stands white and still. She sways as if about to faint.] [Dr. Lanfear hurries down to her.] What is the matter? [Takes her arm and leads her up to Mrs. Burrows.] I shouldn't have let you see him. [To Mrs. Burrows.] Please take her in. [Passes them both out and closes the door.] [He goes down to the table, takes up writing-pad, dips a pen in the ink-xvell and prepares to make notes.] [The Patient is huddled in the chair motionless, star- ing straight before him.] While we are waiting for the nurse, I want you to give me a few more particulars about yourself, and to verify the notes I've got here. I want the truth. Now, first of all — curtain END OF ACT I •C 95 > Crisis ACT II The same scene, a little later. The Patient is stretched full length on the Chesterfield, perfectly limp. Dr. Cobb and Dr. Lanfear are standing behind and at the side of the sofa watching him. After a few moments The Patient takes a deep breath, then mutters to himself. DR. COBB He's coming back. [Dr. Lanfear nods.'\ DR. COBB Half-starved. DR. LANFEAR [Nods again, closely watching The Patient.] [The Patient opens his eyes and looks at the two men — then glances fearfully round the room.'\ DR. COBB Hello, where have you been ? THE PATIENT I dunno. Slipped off, didn't I ? DR. COBB You certainly took the count. Dead to the world. You need a good steak in you. -C 99 > WRECKAGE THE PATIENT No, I don't. [Looks around the room, afraid.'} Hate meat. Any one else in the room .'' DR. COBB No, why? THE PATIENT Did I see a woman in here.'' Or was I dreaming? DR. COBB You must have been. [Looks at Dr. Lanfear.] THE PATIENT [Shivers.} Rotten dream. Got me here. [Touches his heart.} DR. LANFEAR There were two women in the room five minutes ago. THE PATIENT [Quickly.} Were there? DR. LANFEAR Yes. THE PATIENT Did one of them come down here and look at me? DR. LANFEAR Yes. ACT II THE PATIENT I was starin' at meself in a glass and I saw her face. I turned round an' she was standin' there lookin' down at me. That right? DR. LANFEAR Yes. THE PATIENT Thought I must have dreamt it. Tall? [Dr. Lanfear nods.] THE PATIENT Grey hair? DR. LANFEAR Yes. THE PATIENT [Thinks a moment, his eyes distended. Then asks in a whisper.] Who is she? DR. lANFEAR My mother. THE PATIENT [Looks up at him.] Your mother? DR. LANFEAR Yes. THE PATIENT That's funny. -ClOl:^ WRECKAGE DR. LANFEAB Why? THE PATIENT She looked like some one I knew a long time ago. DR. I^NFEAR Oh? THE PATIENT She was younger then. Brown hair and — and — laughing eyes. A child she was — just a child. [Mutters to himself. Nothing audible comes from his lips. He seems to have forgotten the two men. Pres- ently he lies back and closes his eyes.'\ [Dr. Lanfear turns the electric lamp off so that the light does not fall on The Patient. He then beckons to Dr. Cobb and instructs him.'] DR. LANFEAR Put him in the end room. Get Mason to see to it and give him some supper. Let me know when the nurse comes. [Nods toward door L.] I must go in and say good-bye to them. DR. COBB [Points to The Patient.] You've got a beauty this time, a real beauty. [Dr. Lanfear motions to Cobb to go.] ACT II DR. COBB It's waste of time, medicine and good food — and you know it. DE. LANFEAR Some day you'll believe in me. DR. COBB I believe in you all right. But, for goodness' sake why don't you get some live ones who'll do you credit when you've straightened them out. What's he going to be like if you cure him? Why don't you let him alone? He's happy enough when he gets what he wants — a good jolt of " dope." He was cheery as a bird in there when I gave him one just now. You want to take away from him the only thing the poor wretch gets any fun out of. What are you going to give him in its place ? DR. LANFEAR What he had before he started taking drugs — his self-respect. DR. COBB Self-respect! Him? [Laughs.] You're a wonder. DR. LANFEAR [Laughs good-naturedly with him, slaps him on the back and pushes him toward the door R.U.E.] Wake Mason up if he's turned in. WRECKAGE All • t-1. DR. COBB All right. [Goes out R.U.E.] [Dr. Lanfear thinks; walks over and loohs at The Pa- tient. The man's eyes are closed and he is breath- ing easily. Dr. Lanfear goes out noiselessly L.] \^As soon as the door closes The Patient opens his eyes, straightens up, gets his feet on to the floor and listens intently. He satisfies himself that he is alone. He rises, looks about as though searching for something ; sees the mirror on the table, picks it up, sits in the same chair he was in when Mrs. Lanfear came down to him, looks in the mirror, turns round and looks up just as he did when he saw Mrs. Lanfear. Thinks, then, ap- parently, makes up his mind. He puts the mirror hack on the table, then looks about on the floor for something. Thinks again, looks towards door R.l.E. Hurries across and goes into the room R. Reappears with his cap in his hand, closes the door R. very softly. Moves up to back, looks undecidedly from the doors L. to the door R.U.E. Remembers the way he came in and steals softly over to the door R.U.E. ^ [Mrs. Lanfear comes in quickly through the doors L.U.E. and closes them. The Patient turns at the sound. They stand looking at each other a few mo- ments in silence.^ THE PATIENT [^Comes a little forward, looking at Mrs. Lanfear in horror — then he mutters hoarsely. '\ You! It is you. -C104> ACT II MRS. LANFEAR [Faintly.'] You've come back to me. You've come back to me at last! I knew you would. I knew you would, THE PATIENT Whose house is this? MRS. LANFEAE Mine. THE PATIENT Yours? I came to see a doctor. MRS. LANFEAR My son.'' THE PATIENT Your son? Here? Your son? MRS. LANFEAR Our son. THE PATIENT [Stares at her; then fully realises as he recalls ques- tioning the doctor. He whispers.] Our son. He! [Covers his eyes and moans.] MRS. LANFEAR Didn't you know I was here ? THE PATIENT No. I never thought I'd see you again. I hoped you'd never see me — like this. W H E C K A G E MRS. LANFEAU Then why did you come here? What did you want with him? THE PATIENT To doctor this — for charity. [Touches his arm.] MRS. LANFEAR Charity? THE PATIENT I came with a letter to him to help me — for charity. I'd nothing to pay him with. I didn't know who he was. MRS. LANFEAU But when you heard the name — ? THE PATIENT The letter was to Dr. Cobb. He brought me in here. I heard no name. MRS. LAJSTFEAB Didn't he ask for yours? THE PATIENT Yes; but I wouldn't give it. I haven't used it for years. I wouldn't let any one know who I was. Oh, no, not me! I'd that much pride left — not me own name. Oh, no ! It was respected once. People looked up to me once — before I dropped to this. You know that. .-C 106 > ACT II What do you think they call me now? " The Wreck." And I am. A digger in filth. A bit of life's wreckage. " The Wreck! " that's what I'm called. Me, with the game in me hand once. A beautiful wife — an' a beau- tiful home, an' a beautiful child — an' a beautiful career. All gone. Like this now. Oh, no, nobody knoAvs me name. You and he are safe. Never use it. No right to it. I've fouled it — and me body. \Pause.'\ Our son! \^Groans.^ My son! [Straightens tip.^ But he'll never know. I've done j^ou enough harm. Not that — not as low as that. I'm go in' out as I came an' he'll never be the wiser. MRS. LAXFEAR You will stay here. THE PATIENT No, I won't. [Angrily.] I tell ye I won't. He mustn't see me again. He mustn't know he's got a thing like me for a father. He's just beginning. I'm finished. Fancy ! I was like him once — not to look at. He's more like you. I mean I had hope and strength an' I wanted to do things. Just like him ! He's a clean, straight fellow, too — an' kind. Knew in a flash what was the matter with me. Was goin' to cure me. Said he'd drive the poison out an' make me clean. Ye'U never tell him, will ye? WRECKAGE MRS. LANFEAR Yes, I will. THE PATIENT [Indignantly.] It 'ud be a rotten thing to do. Crush him like that at the start. MRS. LANFEAK, It wouldn't crush him. THE PATIENT He'd never lift his head up. MRS. LANFEAR You mustn't think that. THE PATIENT I don't think it; I know it. I've seen it before with a pal of mine. We used to hunt together. He was just as low as I am. His boy found him and what did he do ? Blew his brains out. That's what he did. Couldn't face it. My boy isn't going to do that — not if I can help it. He's never known me. He never will know me. Did you ever tell him — about me ? MRS. lANFEAB. No. I said you were dead. THE PATIENT Good job^ too. Well, I'll stay dead. ACT II MRS. LANFEAR He is giving his life to saving people from the drug- habit. He'll save you. THE PATIENT Fine chance to save me. Me! \^Deris{velyJ\ I'm too old a bird to be saved. Lots have tried. No use — can't be done. MRS. LANFEAR He's not had a failure yet. THE PATIENT Well, I won't spoil his record. Nothing 'ud cure me. An' I don't know as I want to be either. [Mutters to himself, without looking at ^er.] MRS. LANFEAR [Looking at him sadly.] Haven't you a kind thought or word for me? THE PATIENT No. I hardly know ye. Yer like some one's come out of some other life. MRS. LANFEAR Let us think back to that other life. THE PATIENT Think back? Not me! I'm quite miserable enough without that. Have ye had a good look at me, eh? -C109> WRECKAGE l^Goes to table and turns on the lamp so that it shines full on his face.^ Look! [Waits, as she looks at him.^ Do ye want to " think back " now? MRS. LANFEAR I am always doing that — thinking of the days when I was happy — with you. THE PATIENT [Shivers.l T don't. Gives me the horrors. Ye don't know what I've been since then. Ye don't know what I've done. But ye can see what I am. MRS. LANFEAR I remember what you were. Give our son a chance to save you. THE PATIENT I tell ye it wouldn't be fair. What would he think? What would he say? What would he do? [^Shivers.'\ Oh, no ! MRS. LANFEAR He is as you were — when we were together. THE PATIENT \^LooJcing hack across the years — he whispers, almost as if it rcere a prayer.^ God help me. MRS. LANFEAR He will help you. ACT II THE PATIEXT [Ferociously.] Oh, no, He won't. He's forgotten me. The only times I've spoken His name for tv/enty years have been to blaspheme it. MRS. LANFEAR He is merciful. THE PATIENT He's forgotten me, I tell you. MRS. LANFEAR He made you in His likeness. THE PATIENT His likeness ! Look at me. God's work — and Man's. MRS. LANFEAR It was the test He put you through ! THE PATIENT Oh, I've been tested all right. An' how have I come out? I'm seamed and scarred through and through. Rotten at heart, rotten in soul. There's not a clean thought or impulse in me mind. I've been livin' in hell. That's what I've been doin' ! Years of it. And all the time I've drugged me thoughts and me conscience. Just now they began to waken — through him. The first kindness any one has shown me for years. They've all despised me. An' why shouldn't they ? What's the good WRECKAGE of a creature like me^ anyway? Yet he seemed to think there was. He offered to lift me up. Give me back me soul. Soul! Lost long ago. It's only when your soul's lost that you can drug and foul yourself. Ye don't care then. I didn't. Till just now. Just for a minute I thought I had a chance. But it's no use. \^He goes on muttering inaudibly. After a while she speaks.^ MRS. LANFEAR Why did you leave me? THE PATIENT Do you want to know? MRS. LANFEAK, Yes. THE PATIENT When I tell ye ye won't want me to stay. MRS. LANFEAR Yes, I will. THE PATIENT I left ye because if I'd stayed I'd have killed ye. MRS. LANFEAR [In horror.l Oh! Why? THE PATIENT Ye remember when I got better after I'd been ill and I still wanted morphine? ACT II MRS. LANFEAR Yes, indeed I do, THE PATIENT You used to reason with me — just as ye did when before that I'd drink too much? [Mrs Lanfear nods,] THE PATIENT I didn't mind ye talking about the drink. I could stop it whenever I had any hard work to do. It never got any real hold of me. MRS. LANFEAR I know. THE PATIENT But the morphine I couldn't stop. I tried to over and over again. It was no good. I always had to go back to it — and especially when I had big work on hand — that's where it's different to drink. It had a firm grip on me an' wouldn't let go. I went to the doctor who first injected it into me — who started me on it — the man who is responsible for me being like this — I went to him and begged him to cure me. I'd do anything he told me — suffer anything if only I could get free. He told me there was no cure. I had to do it myself; that it was just weakness on my part giving way to it. I should stop it gradually. He'd cursed me with a habit and yet could do nothing to stop it. He didn't know when he gave me the stuff that it couldn't be stopped: that I WRECKAGE couldn't leave it off. Just Ignorance — that's what it was. Just ignorance. And hundreds like him. [Fiercely. 1 These men should be tried in open court and put away where they can't break men's lives, [Pause.'] Well, I did me best to break it off gradually. No use. My whole body would ache for it. I couldn't do a stroke of work without it. Me brain wouldn't act without mor- phine. Then I got ashamed of it. I couldn't bear you to look at me. I knew what you were thinking — and you didn't know what I was suffering. Finding I couldn't stop it gradually I tried private cures through advertisements — things to take at home where no one could see ye. Fine things they were ! Several times I thought I was cured. I didn't need morphine. I'd go weeks without it. So long as I took the " cure " I felt no ill-effects. Then when I'd stop the " cure " the same horrible pains would come back, and I'd fly to morphine again. I've only found out since zvhy they never cured me. The " cures " contained morphine mixed with some other harmless medicine. They were giving me the poison to cure the poison. They make fortunes that way, the heartless thieves ! One day I gave up the struggle. I'd grown to hate going home, to loathe meet- ing you, to dread seeing the boy. All decency was slowly and surely leaving me. I knew the crash would come some day. The edge of my brain was dulled and my partners and clients were noticing it. I lost several big cases. I made up my mind to get away before I did ACT II something that would bring disgrace on you and the bov. By that time I was half crazed. I put all my aTa rs n order. Settled what I thought fair on you in ^ that I couldn't touch it, and, with what I L. i a complete "get-away." Left no trace w^Xxv; - goin'. I meant, if ever I could fight the habit to a f.nisn I would come back. But I couldn't fight it. I spent six months in a sanitarium. They told me they were sure they could cure me. They'd take it away from me little by little. They charged me fifty dollars a week, and when my funds got low they turned me out with just as much craving for the drug as I had when I went in. I went from bad to worse. I lost or spent everything. I'd go for weeks without one sane moment. I had the mor- phine-mind. Then I broke down altogether. They put me in a hospital. I couldn't get any there. They thought it would cure me. Cure ! Directly I got out I ran to the first place I knew I could get some. Now I'd throw myself under a train rather than go to a hospital and lie there sweating and groaning and aching for even one grain — yes, half a grain — even the look of the needle ! No more hospitals for me. You're better dead than in one of 'em — at least men like me are. MRS. LANFEAR I'd have helped you to fight it if you'd onlj^ trusted me. THE PATIENT A morphine-maniac does not trust any one decent. You only reminded me of what I was before I fell. You WRECKAGE were a constant, silent reproach to me. And I hated you — yes, I did. Time and time again as we sat look- ing at each other across the table I wanted to hurt you. To scream out curses at ye — to make ye feel something of the hell I was suffering. MRS. LANFEAR If I'd only known! THE PATIENT Just as well ye didn't. Ye v/ouldn't have understood. No sane, healthy person can understand a drug-fiend ! That's why we cling together. Everybody's against us. Very well — we stick by each other. I've closed the eyes of many a poor " dope." When my time comes one of 'em '11 do it for me — unless I'm in jail or hospital. {Fiercely.'} Curse that doctor who first put the stuff into me veins. May he burn in torment — may he — MRS. LAN FEAR Don't, don't. THE PATIENT He put something into me that's been one long tor- ture not only of me body, but of me mind. A rotten poison that maddens the brain and withers the body. Look what it's done for me! Destroyed ambition, honour, my love for you an' for me boy — everything that once made life for me. All — all — left me. Just this now — j ust this till I end it — if I ever have the pluck to end it! I've often tried. No use! Not enough ACT II decency left even for that. I've reached the dregs. Our son was right when he said I was in the depths. MES. LANFEAR Then out of the depths cry up to your Maker. THE PATIENT He wouldn't hear me. Not He ! MRS. LANFEAR I'll pray with you! THE PATIENT Prayer ! From me ! It'd sound like blasphemy ! MRS. LANFEAR Let me tend you, watch over you, help you. We've neither of us much longer to live. The only happiness I've had since I first met and married you has been whilst I was with you, and, after you left me, my memory of you. That — and caring for our son. I will be happy caring for you. THE PATIENT No, I won't let you do that. [Mrs. Lanfear puts her hand on his arm.'] You mustn't touch me. \^She tries to speak to him.] Nor speak to me. [Covers his face.] Or look at me. I'm just a lost soul! Lost! Wrecked! WRECKAGE MRS. LANFEAR You're my husband. Let me love the best that is in you. Let us destroy the worst. THE PATIENT [Looks long at her — he softens.^ Ye've not changed much, have ye? Yer grey, that's all. An' the laugh's gone from yer eyes. Ye were just a child then, weren't je} MRS. LANFEAR. [Her eyes jilling.^ Yes. THE PATIENT Remember how we used to sit up plannin* things? [Mrs. Lanfear nods.^ THE PATIENT When I had a big case ye'd hunt up the books for me an' find the places in 'em an' ye'd sit there while I worked, quiet as a mouse. An' ye were always so sure of me. I'd be a judge some day, ye used to say. An' I would have been, too — a judge — that's what I'd have been. What a muck ! Then the baby came. I remem- ber standin' outside yer door — in the middle of the night it was — an' hearin' it cry an' wonderin' if you were saved — an' sobbin' me heart out with j oy an' laughin' at the same time when I knew ye were. [His lips go on moving, but no sound comes: he is quite stooped now, his right hand swinging helplessly in ACT II front of him. Mrs. Lanfear takes the free hand in both of hers and they stand in silence, tears streaming down their faces.^ [Dr. Lanfear comes in through doors L. Mrs. Lan- fear drops The Patient's hand and turns to her son.] DR. LANFEAR [To his mother.] What are you doing here? [The moment The Patient hears Dr. Lanfear's voice he rouses himself and walks unsteadily towards the door R.U.E.] DR. LANFEAR Where are you going? THE patient [Roughly.'] I don't want to stay here. DR. lanfear Why not? the patient I don't want to. That's all. I'm goin'. DR. LANFEAR Changed your mind^ eh? THE PATIENT [Loudly.] That's what I have. Changed me mind. DR. LANFEAR You don't want to be cured? WRECKAGE THE PATIENT No. I want to go. DR. LANFEAR Don't you think you're very foolish? THE PATIENT Don't care whether I am or not. No business of yours. DR. LANFEAR It is my business. You're not going out of this room. [The Patient makes an unsteady lurch towards the door. Dr. Lanfear steps in front of Aim.] MRS. LANFEAR [Hysterically.'] You mustn't let him go ! We must keep him here — we must! [Grips Dr. Lanfear by the arm and holds on to him.] It's come to pass! It's come to pass ! I knew it would ! I knew it would ! I knew it would ! He's come back to me ! He's come back to me ! DR. LANFEAR [Quite puzzled, not understanding in the least, looks questioningly into his mother's eyes.] Come back to you? [Repeats as some iaint idea of what she means breaks in on him.] Come back to you? MRS. LANFEAR Yes, to me, to us! ACT II DR. LAN FEAR [Turns quickly and looks at The Patient. Turns back to his mother and pointing in disgust at The Pa- tient.] That? MRS. lANFEAR Yes. DR. LANFEAR [Unable to believe it.] My father? MRS. I^NFEAR Yes. DR. LANFEAR [Stunned, pressing his forehead with his open palms.] You told me he was dead! MRS. LANFEAR I know I did. He's been dead to me. But — he's come back to us. DR. LANFEAR [In horror.] No, no! Oh, no! Not that! [The Patient cowers down: gradually the convulsive twitchings come hack to him. The effect of the in- jection is beginning to wear off.] MRS. LANFEAR Go to him! Speak to him! DR. LANFEAR I can't believe it! I can't believe it! WRECKAGE [Shudders in disgust and turns axvay from his father with a gesture as though he would shut him for ever out of his sight.] THE PATIENT [To Mrs. Lanfear.] I told you not to tell him. Ye see what ye've done? What else could ye expect? My pal all over again. His son did just what he's doin'. If ye saw into his mind [Poi7its to Dr. Lanfear.] he's thinking the same, too. [To Dr. Lanfear.] Don't be afraid. I won't bother ye. Rotten luck my cosmin' in here to-night! Just rotten luck for all of us. Not much harm done. Except yer pride. Won't think so much of yerself now ye've seen what ye sprang from, will ye? Don't fear. No one'll be any the wiser. I won't tell. [Turns to door R.U.E.] MRS. LANFEAR [To her son.] You mustn't let him go. [Waits — she pleads again.] Don't let him go — please don't! DR. u^nfeab [Turns round and says peremptorily.] Come here. THE PATIENT What's the use? Ye couldn't keep me here now. I wouldn't look at a dog the way you looked at me. DR. lanfear [Authoritatively.] Come here. ACT II [Something in the doctor's tone cows The Patient. He drags himself slowly down to Dr. Lanfear stooped and cringing; his body bending forward and trying to straighten itself again and again.'\ DR. LANFEAR [Looking dozvn at him.] And you're my father! [The man covers his eyes in shame and abasement.'] DR. LANFEAR Wliat is this poison that can turn a human being into such a thing as you.'' What is its purpose? Why do we use it at all.'' To relieve pain. Why, weigh all the pain in the world against such a horror as it has made of you and it would be better that all humanity should suffer. From now no drug ever goes into a hu- man body through me. [Turns to his mother.] One of us caused that ! One of us. A doctor ! And there are thousands more like him. Misshapen, brutish, warped mentally, diseased physically, dragging their way through corruption, creeping out at night afraid to face the sun, ashamed to look their fellow-creatures in the eye: waiting until death takes them out of their misery to go crushed and unclean and terrified before their Maker. [With a great gesture of horror he moves rest- lessly about the room.] It isn't their fault, it isn't his. It's ours. We are to blame. They know nothing of the risk they run when they are first given the poison. Few doctors do. But I am going to see that they do. I am WRECKAGE going to start a movement through this country to ex- pose the whole rottenness of such ignorance. If a doc- tor gives a man an over-dose of poison the doctor is prosecuted and punished. But he can put all the opium and cocaine poison he likes into a man or a woman and the law punishes the patient. I am going to see that xve shoulder our share of the blame if it takes the rest of my life. THE PATIENT I'd like to crucify the brute who first gave it to me: crucify him, I would. DK. LANFEAR [Looles down at his father: he shows in his manner the swift change from disgust to pity. He puts his hands round his father's shoulders. '\ My poor, poor father. THE PATIENT [^Suddenly breaks all restraint and throws himself on the ground at his son's feet and clutches at his knees with his right hand, crying hysterically.^ Save me! save me! I'll do anything you tell me — anything! Only take this curse from me. Make me a man again — not a beast ! Give me back conscience and brain and soul. Save me ! Save me ! Oh ! Save me ! DR. LANFEAR [Pityingly and tenderly.^ I will, I will. I've fought with the poison for others and beaten it. I'll drive it ACT II from you. [Raises his father up from, the ground.^ I'll save you. [The two men go on talking together amid sobs and broken hysterical ejaculations.^ THE PATIENT It wasn't my fault, indeed it wasn't! DR. LANFEAE I know, I know ! THE PATIENT I have tried ! Really, I have ! DE. LANFEAE I am sure you have. THE PATIENT I didn't know what it was — or I'd never have let him give it to me — indeed I wouldn't. DR. LANFEAE Of course you wouldn't. THE PATIENT But I'll beat it. You see if I don't. I'll beat it. If you'll help me.'' DR. I^NFEAE We'll beat it together. [They talk rapidly, overlapping each other. The Pa- tient clinging to his son, who tries to quiet Aim.] WRECKAGE [Mrs. Lanfear watches and listens, tears streaming down her face.] [Burrows comes in from L.U.E. overcoat on and hat in hand. Dr. Lanfear puts his father down on the Chesterfield the moment the doors open.] BURROWS [To Dr. Lanfear.] Well, you're a fine host, I must say. [To Mrs. Lanfear.] Been lookin' for ye all over the place. [.See* The Patient.] Hello! Didn't know ye had a sick person here or I wouldn't have come in. [To Mrs. Lanfear.] Good-bye. Mother and the girl are putting their things on. Had a lovely evenin'. [Looks at Dr. Lanfear.] Except when I came in here — before. Lovely evenin'. Didn't like yer music, but ye had just the game of whist I like. They let me win once in a while. [Shakes hands with Dr. Lanfear.] Drop round and see me sometime. We'll go into that thing. There ought to be real money in it. Go after it. [Looks at The Patient.] One o' the poor ones, eh? DR. LANFEAR Yes. BURROWS Now you cut that out. What's Belle Vue Hospital for.? THE PATIENT [From the moment he first hears Burrows's voice has been glaring at him malignantly: his face and fingers ACT II twitching furiously. At the mention of Belle Vue Hos- pital he springs up "with a scream: all the sordidness and degradation of his surroundings for years comes out in his coarse speech and common abuse.^ Belle Vue? Belle Vue^ eh? It's men like you keep it full. Men like you! Blast you and your kind. I know you. " Cast-iron Burrows " they call ye. An' yer well named. I've worked for ye. [Turns to Dr. Lanfear.] Yes, I've worked for him. An' when I got hurt the foreman said I was drunk and had me " pinched." Yes, he did. Sent for a " cop " and had me " pinched," the dirty blackguard! Drunk! Me! I've not tasted a drop of drink for twenty years. Starved — that's what I was — starved. An' he had me put in Belle Vue as an " alco- holic." Didn't even pay me the little money was comin' tome. [Turning on HvRROWs.] Ye dog! But there'll be a reckonin' with you and the lot like ye. That's what there'll be — a reckonin'. Ye can't stamp on us always — that ye can't. It'll come. They'll strip yer money from ye an' throw ye to rot in jail where there's lots like ye already. I've sent a few up meself in my time. Ye damned thieves ! Ye damned heartless brutes and thieves. [Makes a rush at Burrows, screaming.^ Ye'd send me to Belle Vue again, would ye ? DR. LANFEAB [Holding The Patient firmly, speaking to Burrows.] You'd better go. WRECKAGE THE PATIENT I'll get you yet — you — DR. liANFEAB, [Angrily to Fatie'nt.'] Stop! Do you hear? Stop! [Motions Burrows to go.] BURROWS Oh, I'm going all right. Don't suppose I'll stay here and hear any more of that stuff, do ye? THE PATIENT [Struggling with Dr. Lanfear.] Heartless thieves — that's what ye are ! [Dr. Lanfear forces the man over to the Chesterfield and puts him down onto it and stands over him.] BURROWS [To Dr. Lanfear.] So he's the kind ye waste yer time on, eh? DR. lanfear He is. BURROWS One of yer drug-takers? DR. LANFEAR Yes. BURROWS Think you'll cure him? ACT II DR. LANFEAR I mean to. BURROWS What'll ye do with him if ye do? Turn him out on us again, eh? He ought to be in the penitentiary doin' somethin' useful. That kind of man oughtn't to be at large. [The Patient, with an angry growl tries to struggle up. Dr. Lanfear holds him firmly down on the Chester- field.^ DR. LANFEAE [To Burrows.] He'll not be turned out on the com- munity again. He will stay with me. He's my father. BURROWS ]^Aghast.'] Your father? DR. LANFEAR Yes. BURROWS Ye j ust told me he was dead. DR. LANFEAE I thought he was. BURROWS Well, he might just as well be by the look of him. He'd be a sight better ofF. I'm glad I've seen him. WRECKAGE Very glad. I'll not forget him in a hurry, I can tell ye. DR. LANFEAR You've said enough. Good night. BURROWS Said enough? No, I haven't. Not half enough. Why, that — [Dr. Lanfear motions to his mother to show Burrows out. Mrs. Lanfear goes to doors L. and beckons to Burrows.] BURROWS l^Goes to door — suddenly swings round.] Say — you'd better look somewhere else for a wife if that's " Exhibit A " in yer family. It's the last time I'll come here and — see — I think you'd better keep away from us. [Enter Mrs. Burrows and Kate, dressed for the street.] KA.TE [To Burrows.] What are you shouting about.'' They can hear you in the hall. BURROWS Let them. KATE [Goes to Lanfear.] What's the matter? ACT II BUREOWS [To Kate.] Come here. DR. LANFEAR l^Very white and agitated, standing well in front of The Patient to screen him from Kate.] Go with him, dear. I'll see you to-morrow. BURROWS No, you won't. Not to-morrow, nor any other day. You keep away. [To Kate.] If I find you seeing him again I'll pack you off to the country. KATE Oh, no, you won't. I'll see him just as often as I like. BURROWS What? KATE Not SO loud. I am only a few feet away. [To Dr. Lanfear.] What is he so noisy about.'' Because we're going to be married.'' BURROWS That's one thing, and you're not going to be either. KATE Oh, yes, I am. MRS. BURROWS [Interposing.] My dear — WRECKAGE KATE [To her Mother.^ You can let him bully you if you like. But he's not going to bully me any longer. I've had enough of it. BURROWS [Grimly.] Oh! Have you? KATE I have. You can bellow at your workmen and my mother because they're depending on you. I'm not. BURROWS So, yer bent on marrying him, are ye? KATE I am. BURROWS Then ye'd better meet yer future father-in-law. [To Dr. Lanfear.] Why don't ye introduce them? KATE [To Dr. Lanfear.] What does he mean? DR. LANFEAR [Very distressed, faintly.] I'll tell you to-morrow. BURROWS [To Kate.] Ye'd better know to-night, my dear. Give ye something to sleep on. [Points to The Pa- tient.] There he is. ACT II KATE {^Loohs down at The Patient, writhing and twisting: the drug has completely zvorn off. She looks at him for some moments as if hardly able to believe it. Then she looks up at Dr. Lanfear. She asks in a whisper.] Is he? DR. LANFEAR [Very quietly.] Yes. [Kate sways as if she were about to faint: covers her eyes with her hands and shivers and chatters.] [Mrs. Burrows goes to her and puts her arms around her. Dr. Lanfear signs to his mother to take them away. Mrs. Lanfear leads Mrs. Burrows a7id Kate up and out through the doors L.U.E. Burrows fol- lows them out. Dr. Lanfear goes up and closes the doors. He walks down anxious and zcoi-ried as the scene that has just taken place passes through his mind.] THE PATIENT [Looks up at the Doctor timidly.] Sorry I broke out. I couldn't help it. Ye don't know what I suffered in Belle Vue — all through him. The brute ! Fell off one of his girders, I did. Nearly broke me hip. In case they were held responsible the foreman handed me over to a " cop." Drunk, he said. That's the way they treat us when we get down. Stamp on us. Sorry I broke out. I'll never do it again — never ! WRECKAGE DR. LANFEAR Don't talk about it. THE PATIENT [Whini7ig and writhing to and fro.'\ Ye won't turn me out because I did it? DR. LANFEAR No. THE PATIENT An' ye'll take care of me? DR. LANFEAR Yes. THE PATIENT Yerself? DR. LANFEAR Yes. THE PATIENT Ye won't send me to a hospital? DR. LANFEAR No. {Walks away thinking. 1 THE PATIENT Thank ye. {Looks at Dr. Lanfear, whose hack is to him. Then he looks down at his own rags, at his coarse hands, feels his wounded arm. Then he says hoarsely .1^ How ye must be ashamed of me. ACT II DU. liANFEAB, [Goes to The Patient and puts his hands on the man's shoulder.^ Don't think that. THE PATIENT ^Crying and snuffling.] An' why shouldn't ye be? " The Wreck." That's what I am. They all know me. All the " dopes." I'm the King of 'em. None of 'em have been at it so long as I have. Can take more than any of 'em, too. Yes, I can. Pretty nearly twice as much. [Dr. Lanfear sits beside him, thinking.] [After a little the man rambles on.] Last night I slept on the steps of a Club in 44th Street. The clean- ers kicked me off at six this mornin'. Then I wandered round the ash-barrels to see what I could find. Begged a dime off a drunken man an' had some coffee an' cake. I hate meat: never eat it now. Sweet coffee an' cakes. That's me. Six lumps of sugar if I can get 'em — if they're not watchin'. An' cakes all coated in sugar. They're great. Only times I've ever stole anythin' have been out o' cake shops. That's all. Never hurt any one in me life — except when I had a lot o' " coke " * in me. Just plain coke, or heroin. Drives me crazy, that does. Heroin's the boy, I tell ye. I could fight a regiment if I had a good jolt. I feel as strong. [Braces his right arm.] Just as strong as — * " Coke." Cocaine. WRECKAGE DR. LANFEAB, [In agony.] Don't! Don't talk! [Gets up and •walks away.] THE PATIENT [Cringing.] All right, I won't. [Mutters to him- self.] I'd like to have killed Mm just now. Smash his skull. If I'd had enough " coke " in me I'd have done it, too. [He stops talhing : looks around at Dr. Lanfear who has gone up to back. The Patient laughs a foolish, eerie, mirthless laugh.] Funny, isn't it? Damn funny! "The Wreck" with a clean-limbed, well-dressed, fashionable-looking son like you. Funny as hell ! [Laughs until it dies away in his throat with a cough.] Nice girl that, too. Crazy about ye. Any one could see that. Sorry she saw me. [Pause.] [In a moment he goes on again.] Last night sleepin' on a stone-step: to-night between clean sheets. Can't believe it. An hour ago a poor " dope," huntin' his meals; not a friend in the world. Now in a home. Home. Me wife — an' you. DR. LANFEAR [In distress.] Stop! Please, please stop I THE PATIENT [Whining again.] Don't be angry. [Cries and sniv- els and strokes his poisoned arm very gently. Goes on ACT II again.l Know how I got this? [Touches his left arm.1 A month ago it was. I went up into the elevated sta- tion at 50th Street and Sixth Avenue an' got behind the door — hardly any one about — and gave meself a "jolt" with the syringe. While the needle was still in a fellow let the swing-door fall back on me an' snapped the needle off in me arm, snapped it right off. I could have smashed him. Rotten luck that was, wasn't it? [Gently rubs his arm, then begins to tremble and twitch convulsively.] I've got the horrors. Give me a " jolt," will ye} He didn't give me much in there. It's all gone — all of it. I can stand a lot. ISIore'n any one. [In a bragging, boasting tone.] D'ye know I've taken forty grains in one day! Forty grains in one (tay! What do ye think of that? Mixed, of course. Not all " coke." Morphine half of it. Forty grains! Very few could take that. I did. Ever know any one could take forty grains in one day ? [Dr. Lanfear goes impatiently to table and takes a powder out of a drawer.] THE PATIENT [Watching him craftily and anxiously.] Give me a little? Will ye? [Pause.] Are ye goin' to give me a little? [Brightening up.] Eh? [Dr. Lanfear fdls a glass zcith water, goes to The Patient and gives him the powder.] WRECKAGE THE PATIENT [Holding up the powder.] What's this? DR. LANFEAR Take it. THE PATIENT Anything in it? DR. LANFEAR [Sharply.] Take it. THE PATIENT All right. [Swallows potvder, reaches for glass quickly and gulps some water and coughs, makes a wry face and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand.] Bitter, ain't it? DR. LANFEAR Keep quiet. Don't talk, [^uts glass back on table and walks about thinking.] THE PATIENT I won't. [Keeps quiet a few seconds, rubbing his nose two or three times quickly with his forefinger; watches Dr. Lanfear: then pleads.] Give me a little "jolt/' will ye? Just a small one? Eh? [Waits, twitches and writhes.] Well, let me have a snifF of "coke"? A quick sniiF — [Coaxing.] Just for luck, will ye? ACT II DR. LANFEAR [Angrily-I You'll never have any drug from me. Nor will any one else. [With growing heat.] Rather than give you any of that poison I'd turn you out into the streets. THE PATIENT IQuailing and crying.] Don't do that ! Don't do that ! DR. LANFEAR [Goes to door R.U.E., opens it, goes out and calls.] Cobb. DR. COBB [In the distance.] Hello? DR. LANFEAR Is the room ready.'' DR. COBB Yes. DR. LANFEAR Is the nurse there.'' DR. COBB She's on her way. DR. LANFEAR Come in here. I want you. DR. COBB Half a minute. WRECKAGE [Dr. Lanfear re-enters, his face set and hard. He goes dozen to The Patient and looks gloomily at Aim.] THE PATIENT [Has been muttering to himself, his eyes closed. He opens them and finds his son looking down at him. He gives a little forced laugh.^ There you are! I'm glad I found ye. Ye're something lik6 a son, you are. You're all right. [Shivers.] I'm wet through. [Shivers again.] Wringing wet. Feel me? DR. LANFEAR I know. THE PATIENT Wet as a rag. Got a drop o' brandy? Haven't touched it for — Good Lord, how long is it ? Honest, I haven't. Wouldn't mind a drop now. Take these shivers away. Warm me up. May I ? [Pause.] No? [Pause.] You're a bit rough on your old father, ain't ye ? [Pause.] What have ye given me? Top o' my head's goin' up an' down. [Laughs a sickly, chuckling cunning laugh.] You're an artful lot, you doctors, ain't ye? You can give us anything you like. But we never know what you give yerself, do we ? Lord ! I feel funny. Hon- est, I do. Can't keep me eyes open. ACT II [Pause.} Oh, dear, my head — [Lies back and closes his eyes."] I would like a little. Just a snifF. It 'ud make me feel good. [Pause.'} My arm doesn't hurt now. Pain all gone. Quite comfortable, quite. [Pauses.} Everything's all soft an' quiet. I'm glad I found you. Very glad — I — I — [His voice dies away — he sleeps.} [As Dr. Lanfear watches him, in spite of himself, a shudder of repulsion passes through him.} [Dr. Cobb can be heard humming vigorously down the corridor. He comes into the room. Dr. Lanfear checks him with a sign.} DR. COBB Eh? [Follows the direction of Dr. Lanfear's eyes and sees The Patient.] Oh! Asleep again? DR. LANFEAR Yes. DR. COBB " The Wreck/' eh? [As he looks whimsically at The Patient.] dr. lanfear What? -{:i4i> WRECKAGE DE. COBB He told me in there he was called that. Good name for him, too. DR. LANFEAB, It won't be any longer. DR. COBB Still hopeful.? DR. LANFEAR Yes, hopeful and determined. DR. COBB I'll tell you what I think. If an angel came down from heaven to save that delightful person — DR. liANFEAR Don't say anything more. He is my father. DR. COBB \Loohs quickly at Dr. Lanfear, then at The Pa- tient and hack again to Dr. Lanfear — a flush of shame crimsoning his boyish face.] I beg your pardon — I had no idea — DR. LANFEAR That's all right. Be gentle with him. DR. COBB [Eagerly.] I'll do anything in the world — ACT II DR. LANFEAB, I know you will. DR. COBB I'll say nothing. DR. LANFEAR As you please. DR. COBB Are you angry with me .'' DR. LAN FEAR No. Only don't let us — [Breaks off — turns azvay.^ DR. COBB [Looks at him — then impulsively goes to Dr. Lan- FEAR and puts his hand affectionately on the doctor's shoulder.'\ Oh! I'm so sorry. DR. LANFEAR [Impatiently. Nervously. '\ Wheel him in. Put him to bed. I'll be in. [Stands looking into space, think- ing.] [Dr. Cobb wheels the chair tozvards the door; it catches against a chair.] DR. COBB Clumsy ! [Looks down anxiously at The Patient, who is still fast asleep.] I thought I'd wakened him. DR. LANFEAR I've given him an opiate. WRECKAGE DR. COBB Here we go. [He wheels The Patient out through door R.U.E. — as he reaches the door Mrs. Lanfear enters through the doors L.U.E. She watches Dr. Cobb wheel the man out. She moves across to follow him.^ DR. LANFEAR Don't go in. MRS. LANFEAR I want to. DR. LANFEAR I'd rather you didn't. Stay here. [He crosses over and shuts the door R.U.E. Mrs Lan- fear sits in the arm chair trembling.^ DR. LANFEAR Have they all gone? [Dully.] MRS. LANFEAR Yes. Kate will ring you up in the morning. [Tak- ing his tone.] DR. LANFEAR I'll send her a note round presently. [Sits beside his mother.] [JPause — they both sit thinking. After a while she speaks.] MRS. LANFEAR I am sorry you told ]\Ir. Burrows. ACT II DR.. LANFEAR I'm not. He'd have to know some time. MRS. LANFEAR He'll stop the marriage now. DR.. LANFEAR Don't let us talk about that. MRS. LANFEAR [After a pause — in a whisper.] Can you cure him? DR. LANFEAR If it's possible I will. MRS. LANFEAR How long will it take ? DR. LANFEAR I can't tell yet. I'll know better to-morrow. MRS. LANFEAR Will he be all right then ? DR. LANFEAR I don't know. He's been taking it so long. MRS. LANFEAR [Pauses.] What's the matter with his arm? Broken? DR. LANFEAR Poisoned. That's simple enough. < 145 y WRECKAGE MRS. LANFEAE [Pauses.'\ Will he be very ill? DR. LANFEAR Quite likely. First few days. MRS. LANFEAR [^Timidly.'] May I nurse him? DR. LANFEAR No. MRS. LANFEAR Please let me. DR. LANFEAR [Shakes his head.] Not at first. Later on — per- haps. MRS. LANFEAR [Puts her hand on his ar7n.'] He's my husband, dear. DR. LANFEAR That creature isn't your husband. That's a twisted, deformed demon. He hasn't a thought that isn't dis- torted. [Gets up, moves about restlessly, throwing his hands above his head.] It's like being in a mad-house listening to him. [MaJces a gesture as if putting the thought away from him — stops in front of her.] Is that the man you married? [Pause.] You know it isn't. It's an evil spirit come back in your husband's body. ACT II MRS. liANFEAE Don't, don't! DR. LANFEAR They say there are no miracles. If that foul-looking, evil-talking creature becomes a sane, clean human being again will you believe in them? MRS. LANFEAR Yes, dear. DR. LANFEAR Then let us pray that he will. This is not just a struggle to save a piece of wreckage. I'm going to try and bring your husband back out of that wreck. I'm going to try and bring back my father. {^Suddenly .'\ What was he? MRS. LANFEAR A lawyer. Successful? DR. LANFEAR MRS. LANFEAR Very. He had a great future until his illness — when he was first given — DR. LANFEAR \^Interrupting .'\ Yes, yes — Why didn't you tell me years ago ? It wasn't fair — saying he was dead. MRS. LANFEAR I was ashamed, dear. WRECKAGE DR. LANFEAB, Ah! That's it. That's the trouble. If people would only understand that "there's nothing to be ashamed of in a habit that the person is not responsible for, we wouldn't have one quarter such terrible examples. They hide it and lie about it, as if it were some horrible sin instead of being a habit that yields surely and quickly to intelligent treatment. If he'd stood by you and let you help him he'd never have fallen to this. It's mostly shame that makes degenerates like him. [Pause.'\ You shouldn't have told me he was dead. Makes a liar of me to that fellow Burrows, MRS. LANFEAR I'm sorry, dear. I know it was wrong. [In a low heart-broken voice.] I didn't want you to know your father was — like that. DR. liANFEAR [The patient resignation of her voice melts him — He speaks to her tenderly.] Go to bed now, dear. Try and get some sleep. Put it out of your mind. MRS. LAN FEAR I couldn't sleep. [Shivers.] Let me stay with you. [Enter Dr. Cobb R.U.E.] DR. COBB [Very quietly.] The nurse is here. All right. Coming in? ACT II DR. liANFEAK. DR. COBB DR. LANFEAB Yes. [Dr. Cobb goes out R.U.E. Dr. Lanfear goes slowly towards the door R.] MRS. LANFEAR I'll wait for you. DR. LANFEAR I may be some time. Try and rest. Go upstairs. MRS. LANFEAR [Shakes her head.] No, I'd rather wait here. Per- haps you can tell now, DR. LANFEAR I won't do much to-night. Just start him off right. To-morrow I'll make a thorough examination. MRS. LANFEAR [Looks up at him, her eyes fall, her lips quivering.] Save him. DR. LANFEAR I'll do my best. [Goes to her, bends down and kisses her on the forehead — then goes to one of the drawers in the table, takes oiit a vial and a stethoscope.] < 149 > WRECKAGE [He then goes quietly out R.U.E. Mrs. Lanfear sits there helplessly, one hand beating against the other, tears streaming down her face, her lips moving but no sound coming from them.^ [Very slowly the curtain comes down and hides her.] THE END OF ACT 11 -C150> Salvation ACT III A Villa on a promontory overlooking the sea. Through the open windows can be seen cliffs with winding paths leading up to them. The scene passes in a pleasant, cheerful well-furnished room in the Villa opening on to a flower garden, bril- liant with many-hued floxvers and with pathway stretching down to the ocean. The colouring of the room is old rose. Dr. Lanfear enters in travelling-dress followed by a servant, they are both talking as they enter. DR. LANFl:Aa How long has he been gone.'' SERVANT It's over an hour since he drove away with Dr. Cobb. DR. LANFEAR They ought to be back soon. [Taking off his coat, hat and gloves and giving them to the Servant.] SERVANT Yes^ sir. Never stays out more than an hour, as a rule. But it's a nice day; they may have loitered. WRECKAGE DR. LANFEAU Is the nurse in? SERVANT She was reading a novel when I looked in the room a while ago. I'll see, sir. DR. LANFEAR If she's there ask her to bring the chart. SERVANT Yes, sir. DR. LANFEAB Where's my mother.'' SERVANT Out on the lawn — she teas, sir. [Dr. Lanfear goes out through the windows. Serv- ant goes out L.] [Dr. Lanfear loohs around the garden, locates his mother in the distance and waves to her.] DR. LANFEAR [Calling.'] Come along in. Incomes back into the room, smiling happily, takes out a mass of papers, sits at the bureau and selects one and reads it, putting the others back in his breast pocket.] [The door L. opens and a nurse bustles in, humming vigorously. She is a very attractive, pert, cheeky giii ACT III of 20. She has a medical chart in her hand. She looks round the room, finally sees Dr. Lanfear.] NURSE Oh! There you are. You the doctor.^ DR. LANFEAR [Looks shrewdly at her and holds out his hand for the chart.^ I am. NURSE Lanfear.'' DR. LANFEAR Yes. NURSE Here you are. [Hands him the chart.] Couple of young ones — you and Dr. Cobb^ aren't you.-* [Laugh- ing as she looks down at him.] DR. LANFEAR [Examining the chart.] How long have you been here .f" NURSE Came yesterday — all in a hurry. Dr. Cobb sent for me. Said the other had to go. Mother sick — or something. Guess she was sick — of the job. DR. LANFEAR [Looks up at her.] Why? WRECKAGE NURSE Oh, he's a nut. DR. liANFEAR [Quietly.] Is he? NURSE Sure. Nice one minute and cranky as cranky the next. Nothing right sometimes: others anything'll do. Keeps you guessing. My first case like this. Don't want any more, I can tell you. DR. liANFEAR Perhaps you'd rather not attend this one? NURSE Ohj I'll do anything once. DR. LANFEAR Whenever you want to go — NURSE [QuicJcly.] I don't want to go — just yet. Rather funny for a change. Didn't know there was anything like him, believe me. We live and learn. Laughs one minute and wants to jump out of the window the next. Never have a dull moment with that sort. DR. LANFEAR Where have you worked before? ACT III NUESE All over. Women mostly. They're bad enough — but himl Oh! help! DR. LANFEAR What's your name? [Marking the cha^t.] NURSE Jolliffe. " Jolly " some of them call me. [Laughs.] Fresh, aren't they.^ DR. LANFEAR [Hands the chart back.] Give him that as soon as he comes in, Miss Jolliffe. NURSE Sure. Never had a "dope" case before. Lots of 'em, they tell me. [Settling doxvn for a long talk.] Why, there was one Dr. Cobb told me of — funny little chap, Dr. Cobb, isn't he — the fellow had been — DR. LANFEAR [Rising and closing the discussion.] Let me know if you're dissatisfied. I don't want unwilling people work- ing for me. NURSE Oh, I'm willing all right. Only it does give you the jumps at first. Daresay I'll like it after a bit. It's all in a life. -{:i57:> WRECKAGE DR. LANFEAE That will do. NURSE [Cheerfully.] Right you are. [Goes out L. singing.] " Dancing teacher tell me how you dance the fox-trot Ye got to watch your step ! " [Mrs. Lanfear comes in through the windows.] [Dr. Lanfear goes to her and greets her.] DR. lanfear You got my wire.'' MRS. lanfear Yes. DR. LANFEAR There's not very much doing so I thought I'd run down for a couple of days. MRS. LANFEAR He's so much better. I know. DR. LANFEAR I've seen the chart. MRS. LANFEAR He is still very nervous and irritable. But yesterday he was quite rational for a long time. Talked reason- ably. All his old ambitions came back then. He talked -C158:)- ACT III enthusiastically about what he intends doing. He's go- ing to join you in your work. DR. LANFEAR [Smiling.l Study medicine? MRS. LANFEAR [Smiling too.^ No. Your work against drugs. DR. I^NFEAR Oh. MRS. LAX FEAR He wants to lecture on his experiences: go before the various legislatures and persuade them to do some- thing for the sufferers. Then he wants to have a hos- pital endowed for unfortunate drug-takers, with you in charge. DR. LANFEAR He's going to be quite busy. MRS. liAXFEAR I love to hear him talk like that. He seems more like he was then and I can't believe he was ever like — like — that. When he exhausts himself talking and im- agining and planning, the re-action comes and his de- pression is terrible. Has no hope — flash in the pan — can't be cured. When he gets abusive and unmanage- able I leave him and send in Dr. Cobb. He really needs you when he's like that. WRECKAGE DR. LANFEAR \^Cheerfully.^ Don't worry. They're stages in the recovery. I've seen them all. Going to revolutionise the world one minute, they're so strong: ready to die the next they're so weak. He gets plenty of air? MRS. LANFEAR Cobb takes him out twice a day. He's been splendid. Never relaxed since you've been away day or night. DR. LANFEAR Young Cobb's all right. Well, to-day the crisis ought to come. The last of the poison should disappear. Then we'll have very little to worry about. For- tunately he had nothing organically wrong. He'd taken so much of the stuff that it tied up all his organs and kept them from disease. [Smiles.] That was through not being a piker. Ten grains a day and he might have snuffed out long ago. Forty grains saved him. But he had a narrow squeak here. [Touches his head.] MRS. LANFEAR [Fearfully.] Insanity? DR. LANFEAR [Nods.] I thought he had a " wet-brain " at first. [Smiles.] He's even preserved that. After to-day it will be entirely in his own hands whether the cure will be permanent or not. ACT III MRS. LANFEAR {^Anxiously.] What do you think? DR. LANFEAR It ought to be. We'll start him talking law presently. Get his mind doing what it used to. Then I'll take him to a big trial and see what that does when he hears younger men doing what he excelled at. If I can get his brain working as it did before he inflamed it with drugs then, in my opinion, he'll never go back to them. In a few days you can put any drug within his reach and he won't touch it. I am not sure that you couldn't do that now. The sight of it would nauseate him. When I am sure he is in no more danger I intend to make him go down into the places he frequented and meet the people he used to associate with. If there is any lin- gering desire left the sight of them will destroy it. No clean man longs for dirt. It offends him. When he is clean he'll run from filth. MRS. LANFEAR What suffering he's gone through. DR. LANFEAR Of course. There's no physical pain that approaches deprival of drugs from a confirmed addict. His body is a prison of pain. In a few days he will hardly believe he's ever gone through it. We forget pain just as quickly as we forget pleasure. And then, remember. WRECKAGE he was in a constant condition of misery when he was taking drugs. They all are, and they have nothing to look forward to except more drugs. Now he looks for- ward to being cured. MRS. LANFEAR You have worked a miracle. DR. LANFEAR [Laughs.] I mustn't boast. After all it was a family affair, [Walks away to windows and looks out.] MRS. LANFEAR Now that's over I have something very pleasant to tell you. Kate is here, DR. XANFEAR [Turning quickly.] Here? Where? Out there? [Pointing to garden.] MRS. LANFEAR They've taken a house on the bluff. I saw her this morning and told her the train you were coming in by. She said she would be over this afternoon, DR. LANFEAR This afternoon? Why didn't she meet the train? Nice thing. Keep me waiting like this. Have you seen the old man? ACT III MRS. LANFEAB No. He can't have any objection to you now, can he? DR. LANFEAR We don't care whether he has or not. The day of parents controlling the action of grown-up children is past. What right have they to interfere ? They've lived their lives, haven't they? Very well, let the chil- dren live theirs. They've got to some day. MRS. LANFEAB But you wouldn't hurt me? DR. LANFEAR Of course not. But then you're not a bit like a mother. You're too sensible to make a fuss ; you're a friend. But old man Burrows ! [Suddenly.] I don't believe Kate is his child at all. MRS. LANFEAR What? DR. LANFEAR She's her mother's child — and her mother likes me and approves of the marriage. That's all that matters to either of us. I'll marry Kate as soon as she'll marry me. -C163:}- WRECKAGE MRS. LANFEAR Why not wait a little? Don't force things. When Mr. Burrows sees the change in your father he may not oppose you any more. There'll be no reason to. DR. LANFEAR If he does, all well and good. If he doesn't, we'll marry just the same and invite him to the wedding. [Laughs.] That would do him good. [Restlessly.] Why doesn't she come ? She can't be very anxious to see me. I've been here at least ten minutes. How far away do they live? MRS. LANFEAR Not far, a few minutes. DR. LANFEAR Will you do something for me? Go round and tell Kate I'm here — waiting — and very angry she didn't meet the train. [Taking her to windows.] MRS. LANFEAR But suppose I meet Mr. Burrows? DR. lANFEAR Bring him along, too — and her mother. Bring the whole family. Since we're going to be neighbours we may as well be neighbourly. Come along. [Takes her down and they walk out through windows.] ACT III Whatever you do, bring Kate, Show me where the house is? [Disappears to R. in garden.^ [Enter Nurse L., quicldy.'] NURSE I say, doctor — Oh! [Loohs around the room.^ Where are you? [Satisfies herself he is not in the room, goes out L. saying.l He was here a minute ago. I was talking to him. Shall I run round and find him? THE PATIENT [Outside the door irritahli/.] No. Let him find me. [He comes into the room. The change in the man is marvellous. He is erect of figure and clear of eye. The commonness has gone from his speech. It has noxv something of the authority and dignity of the once-great laxvyer. He is dressed in a well-cut lounge suit. Except for the deathly pallor of his face and the intense nervous irritability of his manner he looks to all intents and purposes cured. He has entirely re- covered the use of his poisoned arm and carries it freely without a sling. He sits on the deep lounge and picks up a magazine from the table near by.^ NURSE [Bustling in after him and shiitting the door noisily.^ I can find him all right. Shall I search the garden? WRECKAGE THE PATIEKT No^ and kindly go away. NURSE My! what a temper we're in. I'd hate to have a dis- position like you. Here — wait a minute. [Suddenly remembers something and hurries out L., leaving the door open.^ THE PATIENT [Flings the magazine away, rises and lounges over to the windows.^ NURSE [Hurrying in with two pills and a glass of water; she closes the door.'\ Here we are. Two nice ones this time. [Joining him at the rvindows."] THE PATIENT [Turns abruptly from the windows and goes down to ottoman and sits.] I don't want them. NURSE [Following him.] Don't be naughty now. THE PATIENT [Angrily.] Take them away. [His fingers clasping nervously.] NURSE, [Coaxing.] You're not going to get nasty over your last dose, are you.'' -C166> ACT III THE PATIENT [Turns quickly and looks at her, brightening wp.] The last? NURSE Sure. The doctor's marked your charts " Two pills. No more." THE PATIENT [Breathlessly.'} Will I be cured after those? [Points to the pills.] NURSE I suppose so. We all hope so. THE PATIENT No more waking me up every hour of the night."* NURSE Every half-hour last night. And well I know it. No more of that. If the doctor says " no more/' he means "no more/' judging by the little I saw of him. He knows his own mind or I'm no judge. Not a smile in him. My, he's the serious one. Here ! [Holds up the pills.] Down they go! [The Patient swallows the pills and drinks some water. The Nurse takes the glass from him, puts it on the table and sits comfortably on the lounge as though preparing for quite a long stay.] WRECKAGE NURSE What would you like me to do? Talk to you or read to you? THE PATIENT I'd like you to go out of the room. NURSE Is that so? Who's going to watch you then? THE PATIENT I don't want to be watched. NURSE I've got my orders. You'll have to put up with me till Dr. Cobb comes in. Sorry. THE PATIENT Then please keep quiet. [Takes a book from table and looks at the illustrations.] NURSE [Polishing her nails on her sleeve and critically ex- amining the cuticle.] Aren't we peevish! I never knew shooting a little powder into people made them like you. Many's the time I've done it^ too. THE PATIENT [Looks up: thinks; turns round slowly and looks at her.] You've done it? -C168> ACT III NURSE [Holding her hand arcay and looking at the polish on her nails.l My, yes. Often. THE PATIENT [Drops the booh on the floor, moves along the ottoman and faces her: his eyes have brightened with a new in- terest.] How much could ye take? Eh? How many grains at once? NURSE [Indignantly.] Me take? 7 never took it. But I've shot it into other people over and over again. They all seemed to like it. Kept them quiet. None of them ever took on the way you do sometimes. [Laughs.] You must have had a skinful in your time. THE PATIENT [Nods excitedly.] I have. I could take more than any one. I have taken forty grains in a day ! Think of it! Forty! And hypodermically, too! NURSE My ! what a waste. Great strong man like you. Ought to have been ashamed of yourself. THE PATIENT Haven't you ever tried it? [Insinuatingly.] NURSE No — and I'm not going to. WRECKAGE THE PATIENT [Thinks: twitches nervously.] Have you got a hypo- dermic-syringe of your own? NURSE Of course I have. Always carry one — on duty. THE PATIENT [Gets right to the edge of the ottoman: whispers.] Got any morphine.'* NURSE A little. [Suspiciously.] Why? THE PATIENT Let me look at it. NURSE What for? THE PATIENT [Now quite excited; his eyes dance; his fingers lock and unlock. He keeps control of his voice, which is re- assuring, smooth and crafty.] I'd like to see it. It means nothing to me now. Nothing. I'm cured. You've given me my last dose^ haven't you? Let me look at it. NURSE [Rising: rather frightened hut quite determined.] No, I won't. THE PATIENT [Hising and standing over her.] Just the syringe. Let me see it. Just a look. Please. It seems yeairs ACT III since I've seen one. Come. There's no harm in looking, is there .^ NURSE l^TaJcing out the hypodermic-syringe unmillingly .^ I don't like this. There it is. [The Patient stretches out his hands eagerly for it.^ NURSE You're not to touch it. [Holding it away.'\ THE PATIENT Of course not. Why should I .-* [The Nurse begins to put it 6acfc.] THE PATIENT [Quickly.'] Don't put it away. Don't. Keep it in your hand. NURSE Now look here — THE PATIENT I want to prove to myself how strong my will is ! That I'm really cured. [Reaches for it.'\ NURSE [Putting her hand behind her back.^ Keep your hands off. THE PATIENT All right. [Pause.] Show me the morphine. -ciTi:}- WRECKAGE NURSE The idea ! I'll not do anything of the kind. What good would it do you? THE PATIENT Show me some. It can't hurt me. I hate it now. I wouldn't touch it if you were to put it down there be- fore me. NURSE Well, I'm not going to. I wouldn't trust you very far. What are your eyes dancing for? And look at your fingers. You're getting all worked up. I'm ofF. [Starts for door L.] THE PATIENT [Stops her.'\ Show me some morphine. Just a look. NURSE Don't be silly. [Trying to pass him.^ THE PATIENT [Stopping her.] I only want to look at it. That's all. Please. NURSE I wish I hadn't spoken about it. [Takes out box and opens it.] There. [Watches the man looking at the powder as if it were some mysterious magic thing; there is hunger and thirst and desire in his eyes.] You're a funny one, you are. ACT III THE PATIENT [Trembling with excitement, points to the syringe.'] To think of the misery that little instrument can cause. [Then with complete change of tone.] And imagine the happiness — the ecstasy, the — the — [Suddenly.] Put some in this — [Lifts up the glass in which there is still some water.] NURSE I will not. THE PATIENT Do what I tell you. NURSE I've had enough of this. [Again tries to pass him.] THE PATIENT [Steps right in front of her; there is an ugly look in his eyes, a tone of command in his voice.] Put some in here, my dear. Shove it in. A quarter-grain. That's all. Go on. I want to see it melt in the water. Be- come part of it. [He is moist and clammy with nervous intensity.] I want to satisfy myself I really am cured. I want to watch the stuff in the water! See it dissolve. Put it in. Do as I tell you. NURSE [Thoroughly alarmed.] You'll get me into trouble if the doctor comes in. WRECKAGE THE PATIENT Put it in. [The Nurse shakes some of the powder into the glass and stops. The Patient motions her to put in more. In her nervousness she empties almost the entire box- ful into the water.'] NURSE [Angry.] Now see what you've done. Wasted al- most the lot. THE PATIENT [Watching it in the water fiendishly.] Stir it with the syringe. NURSE You're crazy. THE PATIENT [Commandingly.] Stir it. [She stirs it with the syringe.] Now fill the syringe. NURSE No, I won't. THE PATIENT You will. NURSE I won't. Let me go or I'll call out. THE PATIENT [Changing his tone to a coaxing one.] Then my test is complete — when I see you fill it, then hold it in my hand and know it means nothing. Fill it. ACT III NURSE I wish some one would come. I hate this, THE PATIENT Fill it. NURSE [Puts the syringe into the glass and fills it, "watching him fearfully and suspiciously.^ THE PATIENT Give it me. NURSE That I won't do. You mustn't touch it. « THE PATIENT [Threateningly.^ Give it me. NURSE You're the crafty one, aren't you? AVell, you're not going to get it from me. Dr. Cobb ! Dr. Cobb ! THE PATIENT [Grips her by the wrist, snatches the syringe, turning up the sleeve of his right arm, all the time standing between the Nurse and the door.] NURSE [Calling.] Stop it! Dr. Cobb! Dr. Lanfear! Help ! Stop it, will you ! WRECKAGE [^Just as The Patient is about to make the incision in his arm and give himself an injection. Dr. Lanfear comes in through the windozvs.^ NURSE [Calling out to Dr. Lanfear.] Take it away from him. Quick ! Take it away. [Dr. Lanfear hurries down to The Patient aiid takes the syringe from, him.^ [The Patient chatters and drivels to himself in an ac- cess of rage. His wlwle appearance is transformed. He is once again the drug-fiend craving for the poi- son.] DR. LANFEAR [To The Patient holding out the syringe.] Where did you get this? NURSE [Pressing her ivrist that was twisted by The Patient in the struggle, to her face: half -crying, half -laughing, wholly hysterical.] From — from me. DR. LANFEAR [Turning to her.] From you? NURSE Yes. Grabbed it out of my hand. Twisted my wrist until I had to let it go. Look. [Shows him her wrist.] DR. LANFEAR [Empties the syriiige into the glass.] What's in it? ACT III NURSE Morphine. DR. LANFEAR [^Looks at her in aviazement.^ What? NURSE He said he wanted to see how strong he was. Got me to show him the syringe first! Then to put some mor- phine in tlie glass — got me so nervous I spilt the boxful into it. See? Then he said: "Fill it," he said, and when I filled it he snatched it out of my hand. Ask him ! Crazy — that's what he is. Dippy. Nice wrist I've got. Look at it. DR. LANFEAR [Angrily.'] Why did you take out the syringe or the morphine? You know the kind of case this is. NURSE We were talking about them and he asked to see them. DR. LANFEAR You're a danger in a house, young woman. You've no more right to have a hypodermic-syringe than he has with a loaded revolver. NURSE The idea! Why not, I'd like to know? I've always had it. Never had any trouble before. Crazy fool, that's what he is. He wants a man round to handle WRECKAGE him! Give him a good beating; that's what he wants. The strong brute. Look at my wrist. [Shozvs it again.] DR. LANFEAB You pack up and go. THE PATIENT It wasn't her fault. I made her do it. NURSE And he did, too. But don't make any mistake. I'm going. I wouldn't stay here with him for anything you'd offer me. He ought to be tied up; that's what he ought to be. DR. LAN FEAR You've said quite enough. The time will come when no nurse will be allowed to carry one of those things nor to have any drug upon her. It is a menace to any house she may be brought into. NURSE The sooner the better, / say, if that's the way some people behave. [Crosses to door L., changes her tone and appeals to Dr. Lanfear.] Are you going to get me into trouble over this.'' DR. LANFEAR I shall certainly advise against you being put on any drug-case again. It's one more instance of the danger ACT III of allowing any one but a doctor to use a hypodermic- syringe on a patient. You're not so much to blame as the system. But you'd better be careful how you use one again. NURSE Well, what about him! Who's going to blame hi7n, I'd like to know? DR. LANFEAR That will do. NURSE I wish you joy of that. [Points to The Patient.] Glad to see the last of him, I can tell you. No more " dopes " for me. Nice wrist he's given me. [Ej:it L.] DR. LANFEAR [Takes the glass containing the drug to the windows and empties it into the garden, walks back and puts the glass back on the table, speaks very quietly to The Patient.] I'm sorry you did that. THE PATIENT [Angrily.^ Are ye? I'm damn sorry you came in when you did. DR. LANFEAR It's such a pity when you're so near the end. THE PATIENT Near what end? WRECKAGE DE. LANFEAR The end of your cure. THE PATIENT \^In a frenzy.'] I don't want to be cured. To hell with your cure. If I'd known what I had to go through I'd never have begun it. I'd have walked out of your damned office. I wis.h I had, too. DR. LANFEAR [^Gently.] Don't say that. THE PATIENT I do say it. I've been on the rack. It's seemed like a hundred years. Every day has been a year. Every hour full of horrible minutes. Oh! what I've gone through. Why didn't you turn me out instead of start- ing your blasted cure on me ? At least I had some happy times before I met you. I have had nothing but torture since. DR. LANFEAR [Goes to him and tries to soothe him.] You had noth- ing but torture when you were taking drugs, had you.'' It's nearly over. THE PATIENT Nearly over? \ Laughs a brutal derisive laugh.] Nearly over! My body is crying out for it now. That's how good your cure is. -C180> ACT III DR. LANFEAB Only because you gave way to that momentary tempta- tion. To-morrow it will mean nothing to you. You re- membered all the old symptoms directly you saw the syringe. You felt the craving for an injection. THE PATIENT [Breaking in.'] And I feel it now. And I always rvill feel it. You and your cure! [Contemptuously.] You'll never cure me. DR. LANFEAR You're much nearer it than you think. THE PATIENT [Fiercely.'] Am I? With every bone in my body aching for it.'' With my head splitting through the want of it.'' With my muscles tense at the thought of it? It's throbbing here. [Touches his forehead.] With every beat of my pulse: " mor-phine ! mor-phine ! mor- phine ! " [Repeats it in syllables as though it rose and fell with his heart-heat.] DR. LANFEAR [Puts his arms around the man's shoulders.] Just a little more patience, a little more courage. You've been wonderfully plucky. You don't want to undo all our good work. WRECKAGE THE PATIENT l^Sneeses convulsively, his teeth chattering.^ No, I don't want to. But I can't help it. [Shivers and moans and whines.^ I'd never have thought of it if I hadn't seen it. Never meant to think of it. But now I have, I feel I must have it. Just a little, only very little — just to stop the craving. Then never any more. Never — word of honour. [Dr. Lanpear shakes his head.'] Don't stand there shaking your head. [Murderously.'] I could kill ye when ye look at me like that. There's just ice in yer veins. Give it me! D'ye hear? Give it me! [Rises threateningly.] DR.. LANFEAR [Trying to quiet him.] Sssh! Don't! Don't! THE PATIENT Ye won't? DR.. LANFEAE Just one last struggle. THE PATIENT I brought ye into the world. I'll send ye out of it — [Takes Dr. Lanfear by the throat; they struggle for a few seconds. The Patient breathing heavily and giv- ing short, sharp guttural ejaciilations: Dr. Lanfear holding him by the wrists: the two men are quite tense, scarcely moving: suddenly The Patient relaxes his ACT III hold, goes quite limp, gasps for breath, totters, then leans on Dr. Lanfear, who helps him into a chair. 1 Sorry I was — such — a brute. Sorry — my boy. \_Gasping.] I'm — done. Finished. All over. Ye did yer best. No use. Couldn't — save — me. ^Tears his vest open and presses his heart.] Beats — like — a hammer! [Trying to get his breath.'} I'd — like — to — see — your — mother. Just — a — word. DR. LANFEAR She'll be here in a few minutes. THE PATIENT [Looking at him with glazed eyes.} I'd like — to have a word — with — her — before — I — Decent — of ye — to — try — and save me. I wasn't worth it — It was no use. Too strong a hold. [Pause.] Years — of — starvation — too. [Pause.] The pain — was — too much for me, [Pause.] Lying — awake — at — night — gnawing and tearing at me. [Takes several deep breaths.] I feel sick. [Pause.] Sick as a dog. [Almost fainting.] Wliere's — your — mother? [Dr. Lanfear tries to raise him.] Let — me — be. Let me — stay — here. I feel so sick. [Sneezes. Pause.] What a muck of everything. [Pause.] Felt all right this morning. [Pause.] Thought I'd beat it. [Pause; pressing his heart.] The syringe did it. [Gasps.] And the sight of the powder. [Pause.] If I'd got through this — it would happen WRECKAGE again. [Pmise.1 Couldn't — have — done — without "dope." [Pause.] "Dope" to work. [Pause.] " Dope " to sleep. [Pause.] " Dope " when you're happy. [Pause.] " Dope " when you're wretched, [Pause.] All " dope." Rotten " dope." [Pause.] Once get it into you~ — never get free. [Pause.] Takes ye in its arms — and — winds them round ye — like whip-cord. [Pause.] All round me. [Pause.] Cut- ting — into — me. [His voice faints away. He looks desperately ill: his breath comes very slowly; a spasm of pain convulses his features; he presses both hands on his stomach.] [Enter Dr. Cobb L.] DR. COBB Hello ! [Dr. Lanfear motions him to go to the other side of The Patient; they raise him, he leans heavily on them.] What happened? He was splendid just now. DK. LANFEAR [Meaningly.] The last attack. DR. COBB [Excitedly.] Really? DR. LANFEAR [Positively.] The last. Quickly. Get him to his room. <184> ACT III DR. COBB [To The Patient.] Steady. Hold on to yourself — there's a good chap, you'll be all right in a minute. [Takes out his handkerchief and wipes the perspiration from The Patient's face.] Now then. Come along. [The ttvo men move The Patient slowly toward the door.] THE PATIENT [To Dr. Lanfear.] I want — to see — your mother. DR,. LANFEAR I'll bring her to you. the patient [Feebly as he is led out.] I'm done. No strength in me. What a fool. [Pause.] I knew ye couldn't do it. Did your best. No good. Ye couldn't save me. [The three men go out L. The Patient's voice can he heard for some seconds after they disappear.] [Mrs. Lanfear appears at windows, looks in, sees the room is empty, turns hack and heckons. Kate Bur- rows joins her and they come into the room.] MRS. LANFEAR I'll send for him. [Rings.] He was so disappointed you weren't here. KATE Well, you saw all those women. WRECKAGE MES. LANFEAR l^Laughs.l Yes. KATE I simply couldn't get away. There was so much to talk about. MRS. I^\NFEAR You must make your own excuses. He expected you at the depot. [Enter Servant L.] MRS. LANFEAR Tell the doctor. [Exit Servant L.] KATE How is — ^ [Breaks off.] MRS. LANFEAR My husband.'' KATE Yes. MRS. LANFEAR My son thinks it is nearly over. KATE How wonderful. MRS. LANFEAR My son is wonderful. ACT III KATE [Her eyes dancing with enthusiasm.^ I know he is. You won't mind us running away? MRS. LANFEAR Mind? Why, I'll pack for him! Go with you both to the wedding and see you off on your honeymoon. Can I do more? KATE [Impulsively embraces Mrs. Lanfear.] My father knows by now. MRS. LANFEAR [Anxiously.'] Does he? KATE [Nods.] My mother was just going in to tell him as I came away. MRS. LANFEAR What do you think he'll do ? KATE Bellow at the top of his voice — as he always does, and then give in ungraciously as he always has to — with me. MRS. LANFEAR I wish he wasn't so bitter against us. WRECKAGE KATE That doesn't cut any ice witli me. You don't sup- pose I am going to let a man interfere in my life, just because he happens to be my father, do you? [Mrs. Lanfear smiles and shakes her head.'] That sort of thing belongs to another generation. Men will be asking our consent before we're much older. We've discussed all that thoroughly. MRS. LANFEAR We? KATE Do you know I am the secretary of the " Forward- Woman " Propaganda ? MRS. LANFEAR No. Are you.'' KATE I am. I made my first speech last Friday. I wish my father had been there. Man was just a harmless un- necessary burden before we'd finished. MRS. LANFEAR [Laughing.] Really.'' KATE You may laugh, but I tell you it's wonderful to stand up before a lot of people and abuse a sex that has been ACT III tyrant for years — abuse it out loud with everybody cheering. It's great. I love to hear myself talk. MRS. LANFEAR [Laughing.] You don't mean a word you're saying. KATE I did — last Friday — on the platform. Of course, when I went all over it afterwards, alone, it did seem a bit flat. But at the time everything seemed real. I saw myself marcliing at the head of thousands of the down- trodden, chanting a paean of victory. [Dr. Lanfear walks in L. quietly, neither of the women see him.] KATE [Quoting.] " She bore us in her dreaming womb And laughed into the face of death; She laughed in her strange agony To give her little baby breath. She who then went thro' flaming hell To make us put into our clay All that there is of heaven, shall she — ^Mother and sister, wife and fay, — Have no part in the world she made — Serf of the rainbow, Vassal flower — Save knitting in the afternoon And rocking cradles, hour by hour .'' " Isn't that wonderful.'' WRECKAGE DR. LANFEAR [Comes forward and greets Kate.] Don't let me in- terrupt. Go on. What is it? KATE [Shrinking into herself: dropping the "platform-man- ner."] It is called " A Ballad of Woman/' by Richard Le Gallienne. [Blushing.] Were you — ? When I — ? Did you hear it? DR. LANFEAR Some of it. Flaming hell and clay: Wife and fay and the World she made. You did it extremely well, too. Is there any more? KATE [Confused.] Not just now. MRS. LANFEAR [Anxiously to Dr. Lanfear.] Have you seen him? DR. LANFEAR Yes. He had a wretched attack just now. The stupid nurse showed him a syringe — and — [Breaks off-] MRS. IAN FEAR Oh! DR. LANFEAE He wants to see you. ACT III Did he? [Opens out newspaper.'] Tliis is fine stuiF for my daughter to speak in front of a lot of silly peo- ple. A parcel of short-haired women who ought to be damn well spanked, and bloodless men who'd be better oiF breaking stones in the streets. KATE [^Indignantly.'] Oh! [To Dr. Lanfear.] Let us go. [Goes toward windows.] BURROWS [Turns to Dr. Lanfear.] Ye know what I think of you.'' If ye don't, ye ought to. What do ye mean by fillin' my daughter's head with tliis stuff? [Tapping newspaper.] DR. LANFEAR Have I? BURROWS Yes, you have, have ye! DR. LANFEAR [Laughs.] Read it out. I haven't heard it yet. BURROWS Me read it out? [Crumples up the paper and throws it in the fireplace.] That's the best place for that rub- bish. Now for the other thing I've come here about. My wife tells me you're going to marry whether I like it or not. WRECKAGE KATE [^Coming down.] We are. BURROWS Oh, ye are ! What do you know about him ? [Nod- ding at Dr. Lanfear.] Or I? Or any one else for that matter? DR. LANFEAR It's easy enough to find out. BURROWS Where's that father of yours? DR. LANFEAR, [Nodding toward door L.] In there. BURROWS What was he, I'd like to know, before he married your mother ? DR. LANFEAR One of the foremost lawyers in America. BURROWS [Taken aback for a moment.l Oh! Indeed? DR. LANFEAR Gilbert Lanfear 's name was well-known and respected from New York to San Francisco. -C200> ACT III BURROWS Respected, was it? Then what was he doin' workin' for me as a day-labourer? DR. LANFEAR That was his misfortune. BURROWS And mine, too — the drunken — DR. LANFEAR [Goes right over to him.] Stop that. The condition you saw my father in was not caused by drunkenness, but through the criminal negligence of one of my pro- fession. BURROWS Your profession? DR. LANFEAR Yes. He was not a drunkard. He was a victim of drugs. BURROWS I wondered why ye took so much interest in them. Have ye cured him? DR. LANFEAR We'll see presently. BURROWS Well, I'll tell ye one thing — ye can take yer drug- taking father somewhere else. I don't want him in my house. WRECKAGE BR. LANFEAR / don't want him in your house* BURROWS And you let my girl alone. She can make a good match — with my money. KATE I've made one without it. BURROWS [To Kate.] Don't forget what I did with yer brother. Kicked liim out. I'd do the same with you. KATE All right. Do it now. Consider you have kicked me out. [To Mrs. Lanfear.] Will you let me stay here until we're married? [Mrs. Burrows goes to Kate.] [Mrs. Lanfear tries to speak.'] DR.. LANFEAR [To Mrs. Lanfear.] Wait a minute. [To Bur- rows.] What is your real objection to me? That I haven't enough money? I'll make it. Or is it because of my father? BURROWS Yes, it is, if ye want to know. I don't mind i/ou so much. I could make something of ye if ye did what I ACT III told ye. But I've not forgotten what your father said to me. I'm not going to have an insulting drug-taking loafer around me. KATE [To Dr. Lanfear.] Tell him to go. [Indignantly.'\ DR. LANFEAB. [Tries to quiet her.l Sssh! [Mrs. Lanfear joiiis them with the object of smoothing out the quarrel.] BURROWS [To Dr. Lanfear.] She's riglit. You don't want me here, and I don't want you in my home. [To Mrs. Burrows.] Come along. MRS. BURROWS [With an effort to her husband.] You have no right to object to Dr. Lan fear's father. BURROWS [Amazed.] Haven't I.'' MRS. BURROWS No. Your daughter is the child of a drug-taker. BURROWS What? Do you mean to say that I — ? MRS. BURROWS / was a drug-taker once. W R E C K A G'E BURROWS l^Pause: in astonishment.^ You were? MRS. BURROWS [Nods.] Do you remember after Kate was born I didn't leave my bed for nearly a year? BURROWS Remember it? I should think I do. Ye always had a bunch of doctors around ye. Bled me fine, they did. MRS. BURROWS Do you know what was the matter with me ? BURROWS Nerves, the doctors said. Want of fresh air and ex- ercise, I'd call it. MRS. BURROWS I was sick, almost to death, through taking morphine. [General movement as the effect of her statement is clearly shown on all the others.] For a month before Kate was bom, and for some little time afterwards, I was continually under its influence. That was why I was ill for a year. I was fighting the habit just as his father is now. BURROWS Well, that's a nice thing. Why didn't ye tell me ? ACT III MRS. BURROWS There are many things I've never told you because I knew you could neither understand nor sympathise with them any more than you can understand or sympathise with Kate now — j ust at the critical period of her life. You're not an understanding man — about your depend- ents. Thai's why I didn't tell you. I am only telling you now because of something Dr. Lanfear said — that his father's downfall was due to a doctor. Mine was the fault — the criminal fault of a nurse. DR.. LANFEAB [^Goes to }ier.'\ A nurse? MRS. BURROWS Yes. I have often been on the point of telling you when I've heard you speaking against doctors and nurses being allowed to givQ drugs as they do. BURROWS [Angry and disgusted.'\ You a drug-taker. And I never knew it. [Under his breath.] Damn my soul. MRS. BURROWS [To Dr. Lanfear.] As it came near my time I was in dreadful pain. Day and night. The only time I could sleep was when the doctor gave me an opiate or an injection. I didn't know what he gave me, but I felt it must have been something dangerous, since he Avould WRECKAGE let no one else give it to me^ and he would only inject when I could bear the pain no longer. Often it would wear off in the middle of the night and I'd suffer and moan until he came in the morning. He was very strict : very conscientious. He only gave it me twice a day and never increased the amount. DR.. LANFEAU How do you know? MRS. BURROWS It came out afterwards. DR. LANFEAR If you didn't know what he was giving you, and he kept such a strict regard for the amount, how did you contract the habit.'' MRS. BURROWS One night a new nurse came. I woke bolt, staring awake in dreadful pain at about four in the morning. The nurse was asleep. My crying and moaning woke her. She gave me something to drink. In a little while I slept. Every time I woke afterwards in pain she did the same — she would give me what looked like a glass of plain water and in a little wliile the pain would fade away and I would sleep. How I thanked God that nurse had been sent to me. [Pause.'] After Kate was born I wasn't expected to live. It was only my desire to live, for my baby's sake, that kept life in me, the doc- ACT III tor said. In a little while I began to get stronger. The pain left me. But in its place came a terrible craving — I didn't know for what. My whole body seemed to be crying out for something. The doctor was puzzled. No treatment seemed to help me. [To Burrows.] It was then he called in other doctors. [Burrows grunts.] They were all as mystified as he was. I was, appar- ently, organically healthy, but my nerves drove me almost frantic. I had no actual physical pain — yet my whole system ached and my mind was filled with the most horrible thoughts. When I slept I was haunted by still more terrible dreams. [Pause.] I hated my baby. Hated it. [Kate takes her mother's hand. Mrs. Burrows pauses a moment, then turns to Burrow.] Do you recall that I wouldn't allow her to be brought near me.'' BURROWS [Gruffly.] I remember something. I was very busy at the time. MRS. BURROWS One morning they brought a new doctor — a nerve specialist. He was much younger than the others. I trusted and believed in him the moment I saw him. His manner was different. Instead of asking questions he seemed to make up his mind instantly what the real trouble was. I had had a fearful night. The bed was WRECKAGE soaked through with perspiration. I thought I was' going to die. [To Burroavs.] I sent for you. You came — long afterwards — towards evening. BURROWS Very likely. You were always sending for me then. False alarms. MRS. BURROWS [After a pause. 1 The new doctor took an entirely different view from the others. It was not the prostra- tion of maternity, in his opinion. He said I liad all the symptoms of morphine-poisoning. My own doctor dis- agreed with him, saying I'd had none for over two months — since a few days after Kate's birth. The specialist asked him how much he had given me before. He told him half-a-grain twice a day. That did not account for my condition. He, too, was at a loss to understand it. He evidently suspected I had been taking it myself. He questioned me closely. I told him of the waking at night and the misery I suffered. Then of the coming of the new nurse and the quieting of the pain after she would give me something to drink. He asked to see the nurse, but she had left soon after my confinement. He turned to the other doctors and said he would make no diagnosis until the nurse was found. He would stake his professional reputation on the theory that I was suiFering from the deprivation of morphine. Next day the nurse was brought to my bed- side. Under the examination of the specialist she ad- ACT III mitted that from the time she took charge of me she had kept me in a condition of coma through morphine , con- tinually increasing the amount until she had been giving me two grains dissolved in water. DR. LANFEAR What did the specialist do? MRS, BURROWS He saved me. For nearly a year I was bed-ridden. He kept building up my constitution to fight the dis- ease. DR. LANFEAR Did he give you any morpliine? MRS. BURROWS No. After the craving had gone he sent me abroad. I travelled continually for another six months. BURROWS Thousands of dollars it cost. I'd like to wring that nurse's neck. MRS. BURROWS When I came home I was entirely free. Since then I've never had the slightest desire for it. DR. LANFEAR l^Smiles.'] We have gone a little ahead since those days. I will undertake to destroy all craving in the < 209 y WRECKAGE most hardened addict within a few weeks. You must have suffered terribly. MRS. BUKROWS [^o I'll try you. You needn't. ACT III DR. LAN FEAR THE PATIENT DR. LANFEAR [^Points to the hypodermic-syringe and morphine box left by the nurse on the table.] There. Do you want it? THE PATIENT [Gives a moue of disgust.] No, I don't want it. [Shudders.] Take the filthy stuff away. It cut twenty years out of my life ! It will never cost me twenty sec- onds again. [Strides strongly up and down.] [Dr. Lanfear and his mother look significantly at each other.] I'll soon be in the fight again. In the thick of it. Will they remember Lanfear the jurist.^ DR. LANFEAR Many do remember. THE PATIENT [Sadly.] A new generation has sprung up since. DR. LANFEAR In the law one is always young. THE PATIENT [Turns with a keen flash of memory to his wife.] Do you remember the Dodge Case? WRECKAGE [Mrs, Lanfear nods.] You sat all through it. [She nods again.] I got him off. [Mrs. Lanfear smiles and nods.] And he was guilty all the time. Absolutely guilty ! [Turns to his son and laughs. DR.. LANFEAR Guilty? THE PATIENT The guiltiest man I ever had. I've defended a few. He was the worst. But I got him off. [Laughs glee- fully at the remembrance ; stands behind a chair, both hands on the back of it: looks back into the past: then speaks forensically and perfectly quietly as though talk- ing to himself.] " Gentlemen of the jury, this is no ordinary case. You are not trying an ordinary man. You have before you an American citizen, fighting for his life. A man of infinite capacity, unimpeachable in- tegrity and sterling worth. It is your duty in reviewing the evidence to find his guilt or attest his innocence. Frankly I do not know which is right, but with you, gentlemen, to help me, I am confident that we will ar- rive at a true, a just and an American verdict. [Mrs. Lanfear and Dr. Lanfear go each side of him.] [Rouses himself as if from a dream: looks at his wife and son.] I'm going back into harness. Into the fight. ACT III [Puts both his hands on his son's shoulders.] Stay with me for a while. Don't leave me — just yet. I want to know I can turn to you — like a sick person. Will you stay by me — for a while } DR. LANFEAE Yes. THE PATIENT Some day, when the words come I'll — I'll tell you what I feel. Just now — just now — it's — it's not easy. [Turns away to hide his emotion: moves across and stands a moment by the table. After a few seconds he sees the syringe and the morphine box. He looks at them, then a broad smile creases his features. He takes them up and holds them out to his sore.] Take these away, like a good fellow, will ye? [Dr. Lanpear takes the syringe, puts it in his vest pocket and the morphine box into the side pocket of his coat.] [The three people look at each other and laugh hap- pily.] THE END OF THE PLAY <221> APPENDIX Subjects Dealt with in the Drama in Relation to the Drug Habit. PAGE What certain doctors are doing for the protection of the community 30 Prisons hot-houses where crime is incubated . . 31 The effect of cocaine 37 The difference in treating the poor and the rich drug-taker 39 Self-respect the basis of any permanent cure . . 40 Morphine first administered in cases where an acci- dent has occurred 43 The danger of allowing nurses to administer drugs in the absence of a doctor 43 Morphine given to children 43 Heroin and its effect on the community . . . 44 The responsibility of the authorities to give relief to drug-takers 45 Drugs in homes, schools, workshops, factories, and prisons 45 Drugs in headache powders and patent-medicines . 47 Clearing house in Washington for all drugs brought into the United States 49 Cocaine, and its relation to the lawyer, surgeon, and statesman 49 Tricks adopted by drug-takers to avoid being re- lieved and the measures taken by doctors to over- come them 50 -C223> APPENDIX PAGE On restoring self-respect to the man of intelligence who has formed the drug-habit 52 The part the hypodermic syringe has played in fos- tering and multiplying the drug-habit ... 53 Awakening self-respect in a professor of science who had become an addict 53 Description of a morphine-cocaine drug-fiend . . 60 How the man started taking drugs 72 What the drug-habit brought him to . . . . i 1 1 1 The ignorance of doctors in administering morphine 114 "Home-Cures" and their effect 114 A sanitarium and its effect 115 The morphine-mind 115 How "dope-fiends" stand by each other . . .116 The object of giving morphine and the horrible ef- fect of it being administered ignorantly . . .123 The doctors' responsibility 124 Night and morning in the life of a drug-fiend . .135 Forty grains a day! 137 An evil spirit in a human body 146 Shame and the drug-habit 148 Stages a patient goes through when being deprived of the drug 160 The body a prison of pain 161 How an indiscreet nurse may restore the craving for drugs to a patient who has almost rid himself of the habit 171 to 179 The last stage of deprivation 183 The confession of a woman who contracted the mor- phine habit at the time of her confinement . . 204 The patient free of drug-poison 212 One last test 219 -C224> Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide Treatment Date; April 2009 PreservationTechnologies • iiinDi n I r«ncQ iM rni I FrrinN!; PRESERVATION