PS 635 .Z9 L773 Copy 1 PRICE 15 CENTS ir^ .^- 1 r FAIR PLAY Successful Rural Plays A Strong List From Which to Select Your Next Play FARM FOLKS. A Rural Play in Four Acts, by Arthur L-EWis Tubes. For five male and six female characters. Time of playing, two hours and a half. One simple exterior, two easy interior scenes. Costumes, modern. Flora Goodwin, a farmer's daughter, is engaged to Philip Burleigh, a young New Yorker. Philip's mother wants him to marry a society woman, and by falsehoods makes Flora believe Philip does not love her. Dave Weston, who wants Flora himself, helps the deception by intercepting a letter from Philip to Flora. She agrees to marry Dave, but on the eve of their marriage Dave confesses, Philip learns the truth, and he and Flora are reunited. It is a simple plot, but full of speeches and situations that sway an audience alternately to tears and to laughter. Price, 25 cents. HOME TIES. A Rural Play in Four Acts, by Arthur Lewis Tubes. Characters, four male, fi\e female. Plays two hours and a half. Scene, a simple interior — same for all four acts. Costumes, modern. One of the strongest plays Mr. Tubbs has written. Martin Winn's wife left him when his daughter Ruth was a baby. Harold Vincent, the nephew and adopted son of the man who has wronged Martin, makes love to Ruth Winn. She is also loved by Len Everett, a prosperous young farmer. When Martin discovers who Harold is, he orders him to leave Ruth. Harold, who does not love sincerely, yields. Ruth dis- covers she loves Len, but thinks she has lost him also. Then he comes back, and Ruth finds her happiness. Price 25 cents. THE OLD NEW HAMPSHIHE HOME. A New England Drama in Three Acts, by Frank Dumoxt. For seven males and four females. Time, two hours and a half. Costumes, modern. A play with a strong heart interest and pathos, yet rich in humor. Easy to act and very eft'ective. A rural drama of the "Old Homstead" and "Way Down East" type. Two ex- terior scenes, one interior, all easy to set. Full of strong sit- uations and delightfully humorous passages. The kind of a play everybody understands and likes. Price, 25 cents. THE OLD DAIRY HOMESTEAD. A Rural Comedy in Three Acts, by Frai.k Dumont. For five males and four females. Time, two hours. Rural costumes. Scenes rural ex- terior and interior. An adventurer obtains a large sum of money from a farm house through the intimidation of the farmer's niece, whose husband he claims to be. Her escapes from the wiles of the villain and his female accomplice are both starting and novel. Price, 15 cents. A WHITE MOUNTAIN BOY. A Strong Melodrama in Five Acts, by Charles Townsend. For seven males and four females, and three supers. Time, two hours and twenty minutes. One exterior, three interiors. Costumes easy. The hero, a country lad, twice saves the life of a banker's daughter, which results in their betrothal. A scoundrelly clerk has the banker in his power, but the White Mountain boy finds a way to check- mate his schemes, saves the banker, and wins the girl. Price 15 cents. THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY PHILADELPHIA FAIR PLAY A Play for Boys in Two Acts By CLIFTON LISLE Author of*'A Scout's Ho?ior PHILADELPHTA THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 1917 ^^s'.^ n Copyright 1917 by The Penn Publishing Company Fair Play FEB -8 1917 ©CI,D 46103 •'Uc FAIR PLAY CAST OF CHARACTERS *' Warhorse " McGeely . . The Rockby School coach Jack Wintley . Right end of the Rockby Eleven. A Scout Bob Campbell . Captain and full-back of the Rockby Tea7n Harry Painter .... Quarter of the Rockby Team ** FuXY " Jones . . . Substitute right end for Rockby Bill Patterson Guard for Rockby Charlie Smith . . Left tackle for Far dale, A Scout Mr. Lawson The u7?ipire Rockby players, substitutes, linesmen, rooters, spectators^ etc., as many as desired. Time of Playing. — About one hour. STORY OF THE PLAY On the eve of the great Fardale game, VVarhorse McGeely, coach of the Rockby School football team, directs the boys to "lay for" Smith, the opposing tackle, and by foul play put him out of the game. Bob Campbell, captain of the team, approves, but Jack Wintley refuses. The coach exerts pressure, but Jack will not break his Scout Oath even to win the game. VVarhorse McGeely then accuses him of being " yellow," and finally in anger orders him to the side- lines during the game. Foxy Jones, the substitute end, takes Jack's place, agreeing to carry out the foul. In the second half of the game it appears that the Fardale team is aware of the Rockby signals. Bob Campbell sprains his ankle. Foxy Jones is put off for slugging. Jack is accused by Foxy of betraying the signals. Finally, as a last resort, Jack is put in, knowing that the others regard him as dis- loyal. He plays hard, clean football, however, and his touch-down wins the match. In the end, it is discovered that the Fardales had learned the signals purely by chance. COSTUMES Warhorse McGeely. Act I. Rather loud check suit, Norfolk jacket, sporty tie. Act IL Same as Act I, with sweater and cap. Mr. Lawson. White sweater, cap, knickers or trousers. The Boys. Act I. Diversified schoolboy clothes, such as jackets, blazers, caps, etc. Act II. Same as Act I, with exception of the players, who are in regulation football togs. Have the Rockby team wear sweaters or Jerseys of the same color or design. DIRECTIONS It should be noted in Act II that the game of football is represented as taking place off stage rear, not actually on the stage itself. The audience can readily follow the game by the words and actions of the players, etc., who are watching it from the training house window. Great care is needed to make the game sound as realistic as possible. The umpire's voice and whistle, the calling of the signals, the cheering, should be rehearsed until the right sounds can be produced so as to sound near at hand, or far off. There should be a special prompter with the "rooters " offstage, to give cues for cheers, etc. If the stage direction be cleverly handled and sufficient snap be put into the cheer- ing off stage, this entertainment should offer no difficulties to any group of boys who have ever taken part in a football match. PROPERTIES For Warhorse McGeely. A piece of chalk. For Campbell. Note-book. For Foxy Jones. A piece of yellow paper, with writing on it. For Mr, Lawson. A whistle. For the Boys. Head-guards, nose-guards, blankets, sweaters, a football, two line-staffs, several buckets of water, etc. SCENE PLOT EXTERIOR BACKING DOOR WINDOW_ SCENE.— The training-room in the Rockby School gym. Table and chairs, down r. Bench, k. and up k. Bench, up L., beneath the window. Blackboard, down l. En- trance, up L. c. Window, up c. Or door and window may botli be R. or both l. If possible, have the entrance in the form of a step upward into the room. Picture of team, trophy flags and cups, etc., for decorations. Football togs, sweaters, etc., here and there, in the wings from pegs or hooks. A suit-case or two lying about. A few loose boards outside the doorway will serve the purpose of a porch and make the proper clatter, as the boys troop in over them on their cleated shoes. i Fair Play ACT I SCENE. — The training-room in Rockby School gy7n. Late afternoon. Door and window closed. (As the curtain rises, "VVarhorse" McGeely, the foot- ball coach, is discovered talking ivith Captain Bob Camp- bell and Harry Painter, the quarter-back. McGeely stands doivn l., poi filing at the blackboard on which he has Just diagrajmned a play by tiumbers, lines, etc. Camp- bell sits at right side of table, down r., tilting back his chair. Painter stands r., back of table, hands in his blazer pockets, studying the blackboard carefully.') McGeely {tapping the board). Say, do you get this — 6, i6, 87, 71, II? Eh? Campbell. Go on, Warhorse, old top, we had that fossil read, learned, inwardly digested and forgotten way back in Second Form days ! What do you iliink the Far- dales are — infants ! (Hums impatiently to himself.) Oh, Casey Jones on a stormy night, tried to get to Heaven on the tail of a kite Painter. Cut it out, Bob! {To McGeely.) I see. That's to be tried only on fourth down and a lot to gain. The Fardale fellows have the very pink of a back-field, though, when its comes to handling punts. McGeely. That's it, Painter, exactly ! Never try a kick or this trick, here {tapping board), till you've reached fourth down and bucked your halves and full-back to pieces on a stone- wall line that won't bend or break! Get me? Say, Bob, cut the high stuff, can't you ! What do you think this is ? Campbell {humming). The kite string broke and Casey fell ! He didn't go to Heaven, but he tumbled — down a well ! 1 said I understood the play all right. Show us something real ! 7 8 FAIR PLAY Painter. I'm more afraid of their left tackle, Warhorse, than the whole bunch put together. They say he's a regu- lar bearcat at ripping interference ! Runs so fast his own men can't keep ahead of him, but the other fellows can't catch him, so what's the diff ? McGeely. You both are wise to this, are you? {Taps board.) On fourth down only with a lot to go? Painter. Sure, old Warhorse, clear as mud ! I gave them a lot of it in practice to-day. Campbell. Now for the hot stuff ! Show us something nifty, some of your old tricks, Warhorse, that don't need any outside practice. Remember how you told me about the game you won by the substitute stunt in the twilight ? (McGeely rubs out the diagra7?i.) Painter. That sure was pie on Easy Street ! Twelve men in the play at once and ihey never knew it ! Say, Warhorse, what would the ump have done if he'd got wise? McGeely (Jurfiing a?ig?i/y frojfi the board). Just what Pm going to do to you if ever 1 hear of that again ! Can't you lake a joke? Can't you keep a thing two minutes with- out blabbing all over the place? Call yourselves football men, do you? Well, you're pretty punk ! 1 was only bull- ing ! Just kidding you along about that trick ! {Laughs.) You're pipes, you two are ! Some easy pickles ! Painter. 1 only asked what the ump would have said ! Needn't kick over the traces ! McGeely. Now see here, Harry, and you, too, Bob, Pm a fair and square coach, 1 am, if 1 do joke a bit at times. I'm getting good and tired of you two squealing about what the ump would say, just because I pulled your leg a bit about tricks. Good and tired ! Understand ? Cut it out ! Campbell. Keep your shirt on, Warhorse! {Winks.) We're wise and mum's the word. Still, you've got to win to-morrow, you know, if you're to come back next year as coach. Pvegotto win this game, too. It'smy last at Rockby. Painter. I'd bet anything we'd win hands down if it weren't for that Smith. He's some tackle ! McGeely [suddenly becoming better humored). Quit worrying about their tackle, Harry, old top. This game's cinched now, if you tvvo'll just sit still and listen to your Uncle Dudley. I didn't mean to jaw you so hard, but I FAIR PLAY 9 can't stand for the crooked stuff. I'm square, I am ! That's my middle name ! Painter. We're wise, Square Hoss ! (^Laughs.') Let's have it. Campbell {brijiging his chair iiow?i on its four legs ivith a bang). Crissy-cross our hearts. Go on, Warhorse, show us something we can stage without practice — something that'll lick tar out of Fardale to-morrow ! It'll mean the coaching for you next year — with a raise ! McGeely. You two are all right, 1 guess. Some fellows can't understand this game at all, calling a fellow crooked when he's square as a dollar. Now see here, where's Jack Wintley ? He ought to be in by now. Where's Foxy Jones, his sub at end? Campbell. I told them we'd be here in the training- room right after practice. Painter. Jack's gone down in the bus to meet the Fardales. They spend the night in the village, and Jack knows a fellow on the team. Both Scouts or something. McGeely {leaving the board and crossing over to the table doivn r.). Let me see, there's you two, you're sports. Foxy's all right. Jack VVintley'll do with a bit of handling. That's all I told to come to this confab. Now you're wise to real football, the college sort, you two? {They nod.) Eh ? Now then, you've got to v/in this game, haven't you ? (JSits down facing Campbell, tapping on the table.) Win it, that is, by good, hard playing, fair and square, mind ! What's it to be — football or a pink-tea licking from the Far- dalfs? It's up to you ! Paintek. Make it football, Mac, hard as you please. Pm with you ! Campbell. This is my last game, and Pm captain ! Say, Warhorse, make it football, if it means gates-ajar and a flower anchor — {laughing) for the other side ! McGeely (^bending over table toward Campbell and speaking rapidly). Righto! Sit down, Harry. (Painter sits at table.) We understand each other, I guess? ( They nod.) I have to win as you say, Bob, if I'm to coach here next year. Well, we can't win with that tackle of theirs tearing our interference all to bits ! We simply cannot win. That's all there is about it ! Campbell {very deliberately). We're going to win, do you hear ! Tackle or no tackle, we're going to win ! 10 FAIR PLAY McGeely (^sud(ietily). Ah, but that's the point ! Tackle, we lose sure ; no tackle, we stand a chance. Savey ? {^Leaiis back in his chair smiling to himself,^ Painter. I said all along Smith was the danger. What's to be done? Can't very well poison his soup ! Campbell {looking suddenly at McGeely). You said food:)all and pink teas, didn't you, Mac? Hum, you mean they're different — eh? McGeely {siuiling and drawling'). Pre-cisely ! Say, Bob, you always did have more than your hair above your shoulders. Shouldn't wonder if you were to make good some day on a real team ! Now at college, they always Painter {interrupting). What's the point ? Planning to have the poor boob break training? Say, Warhorse, what's the game ? McGeely. Not break training exacdy, eh. Bob? Not break training ! Campbell. Suppose somebody forgets himself now and then, and slaps Mister Smith on the wrist ? Painter. Oho ! I begin to see light ! What's it to be, Warhorse, brass-knuckles or sand-bags? Campbell. Don't talk like a teapot, Harry ! Just lis- ten. All right, Warhorse, we both see that there's a differ- ence in the way of playing football. And between to-mor- row's score and this left tackle chap — well, go on ! We're wise so far, but I'm blessed if 1 see what's next. McGeely. That's the game to a dot ! We can't win with Smith at tackle. Without him, we stand a chance. All right, eliminate Smith. It's our only dope. Campbell. Of course ; but how ? I mean the details. At college, now, what'd they do? McGeely. Listen ! When Jack Wintley comes in, you put it to him. Bob, and I'll back you up with the details. Get me? Be sure to give it to him straight, just good hard football. Plenty of knocks in one spot. Concentrated effort, that's the ticket ! St e? Jack's right end. He can deliver the goods during the scrimmage. Tell him to let everything else slide, except Smith. {Pounds table.) He must do it early and he must do it for keeps ! No death- bed recovery in the last quarter ! Campbell. We're on ! Oh, you old Warhorse, isn't the FAIR PLAY II School just going to do some tall cheering for us to-morrow, when we've trimmed the stuffings out of 'em ! McGeely. Cut the crowing, Bob, till the chicken's hatched ! It might stay a goose-egg in the score, you know !• Campbell. I'll talk a lot about fair play to Jack. That'll tickle him, 1 expect. McGeely. Hope nobody else butts in. Where the deuce are they ? {Looks at his watch.) Painter. Bill Patterson may come. He's thick as can be with Jack and all this Scouting stuff. Foxy'd be here now unless he went to the station, too. McGeely. Foxy's all right; I want him. I'll get rid of Patterson, if he butts in. Scouts, are they ? Hum ! Salvation Army sort of thing, isn't it? You do the talking, Bob, you're captain. Campbell. I wish it weren't old Jack, though. He's such a good-natured chap, it's hard sometimes to get him mad enough to do any good. Can play football though — down to the ground ! Painter. Isn't Warhorse the clever one now ! All plans made and he hasn't said a blooming thing except hard play- ing, just like a good little coach ought to ! A dictograph'd get nothing on you, if the Fardales had one under the table ! {Pretends to look for it.') Hullo ! Here's Jack and Foxy ! Howdy, fellows ! you're late ! {^Etiter Jack Wintley and ''Foxy*' Jones, c, rear. They throiu their caps, siueaters, etc., on the benches up c. and L. Foxy "^oes to a suit-case on bench l., and begins to stuff a jersey into it. Jack comes c. and chucks a head-guard on the table.) Jack. Hullo, fellows ! Sorry we're late. Waiting long? Evening, Warhorse ! Campbell. How'd the Fardales look? Big? See their left tackle ? Big, were they ? McGeely. Hullo, Jack ! Feeling fit, eh ? We're look- ing to you, sporting life ! ( Goes up c. and slaps Jack boister- ously on the back. To Foxy.) Evening, Foxy ! Foxy {over his shoulder). Hullo, Warhorse ! Jack {to McGeely). Never better, thanks ! Say, Bob, you should see Weston, their captain. He's a whale, and 12 FAIR PLAY then some ! Plays at full now, by the by, Harry. Make you look like a shrimp ! (Jack, Campbell and Painter sit at the table and talk in low voices. Campbell explains something frofn a note- book, lliey nod, question hmi, look at the book, etc.) McGeely. All right, fellows, Pll diagram what we cov- ered before you came in. Only last week's dope. Expect you know it all, anyway. Say, Bob, get busy and put Jack wise, will you ? His end of it, you know. Come here. Foxy. Sure you know your signals ? P'oxY. Wish 1 was sure of getting a chance to use 'em. {Draws piece of yellow paper from his pocket.) See that? That's the first thing 1 see every morning, and the last at night. {Puts it carelessly in pocket toward audience. It falls to floor.) McGeely (sternly). Pick that up, you dub. Don't leave that lying around. Foxy. Oh, don't get peevish, Warhorse. {Picks up paper and puts i?ito pocket.) Now, fire away. McGeely {over his shoulder). I'll be ready for you fel- lows in a minute. {To Foxy.) Well, Foxy, here's A, that's our right end. Now {Explains the play.) Painter {going over to bench up r. and throwing him- self down). Guess I'll rest a bit. Wake and call me early {Pretends to snore.) Campbell {tiltino back his chair). Make yourself at home. Jack. Now for the scheme ! (He is R., and]kCK l. of table.) Jack {restifig his elbows on the table). What's the card ? Missed much ? Campbell. Not a lot. Went over the hard spots of practice. Mac diagrammed the kick formation, Painter back, for the hundredth time in a week, I think. Wonder if he's doing it for your benefit now? {Looks over at McGeely.) FAIR PLAY. 13 McGeely {sudde?ily tiirfiitig rou?id'). You've your job, Bob, and I've mine ! Suppose we both attend to our own. Get me? (^Again faces board, showing the play to Foxy, who nods.') Campbell. Righto ! I'm Johnny on the spot ! Don't you worry, VVarhorse ! Jack. 1 know that play by heart. Bob ! Why did War- horse want to see only us four after practice? Campbkll. Don't know. Jack, but 1 do know what I do want, and that's some real ginger, some college stuff to put the pep into us to-morrow ! Old Warhorse's so almighty square though, he wouldn't tell us anything good if he knew it, I believe. I told him what we needed, all right ! Gave it to him straight ! Jack. Why, we haven't any time now for new tricks against Fardale. How'd we ever practice them before to- morrow? It'd queer the whole team! Mess up every- thing ! (McGeely and Foxy still talking at blackboard, making diagrams, etc.) Campbell. Oh, I don't mean regular trick plays with signals and all. Of course, it's too late for new ones. I meant something that we three could pull off. The way they do at college in a big game like this. Warhorse said he only taught square football — good hard playing and all that. Jack. Of course, we're going to play hard all right, but that alone won't lick these Fardale clams. You just ought to see their size ! The whole slue of them ! We've got to win by using our heads in this little old game, believe me ! Campbell. I know it. So does Painter and everybody else. What're you going to do about it ? Old Mac just says play hard, play hard. Square's my middle name, so on and so forth ! What's he think we are, anyway ! Jack. What's he think we ought to do? What'd he get us here for? Has some wrinkle or other up his sleeve, I bet. Campbelt,. Listen, Jack, this is how I've sized it up. Warhorse knows we can't win with that left tackle of theirs in the game. He as good as said so. He said at college they always knew the cure for that. 14 FAIR PLAY Jack. You mean Charlie Smith ? I know him. In the same Scout Troop. You bet he can play football all right, but it's up to us, I guess, to play him one better. Thai's all I can see. Campbell. Sure ! That's the dope ! Warhorse said football wasn't a pink tea. With that tackle on the side lines, we stand a chance. Now, Jack, you're at end, and can pull it off. Brown at tackle will help you in the scrim- mage. Play Smith one belter, just as you said. See ? Jack. Hanged if i do ! Pull off what ? (McGeely and Foxy move over to bench l. Foxy haftds McGeely a head-guard, as though coinplaitiing that it does not fit. McGeely exammes it, but keeps his eye on Jack, also.) Campbell. Listen ! All you have to do is play hard, hard as ever you can against Smith ! Put all your pep and then some into one spot ! Fix him ! Do him one better, as you said. See, now? Jack. Sure thing! What'd you think Pd do? Don't you worry about your Little Willie ! Pll tire old Charlie Smilh till he's clean forgot which side he's on ! Campbell. Tire him nothing ! Tire your granny ! Jam him ! Slam him ! Ram him — you boob ! Play for him :in the scrimmage, never mind the ball ! We'll attend to that, once he's lugged to the side-lines ! Lay him out, that's the dope for you ! Jack. Look here, Bob, what's all this you're handing me? Do you want me to murder him? Campbell. Keep your shirt on, Jack. And quit joking ! This is serious. You've got to lay Smilh out, that's all there is about it. Painter [rising from the bench and coming dowti). Can't you let a fellow sleep? What's up now? {Stands back of table.') Jack. Bob wants me to lay for their tackle on purpose and get him. I said I could play the game just as well without that part of it. Don't you two worry about Smilh. Pll keep him busy, all right. Campbell. Say, Harry, explain it to him, will you ? He's so high-faluting, I can't make him see the difference FAIR PLAY 15 between playing hard and getting results 1 Wa,>ts a game °%'r;'r"'Nuf i^dT Here, Jack, oid n,an, you'll play jdriTJppose? ^'^^t\u.ir;'hi^^^ -:^'jarr,Cd rrs::d'=r'ur^nith^o"?vtt:t:rhisnal.s, every 1 11 bena y^^ ;"'■". , ^Yi ihey lug hiin off, you can ""tcA^ay). Laying for a fellovVs a rmt", trick ! £r:nr ^::ng^n' n;:^^yXty viarto' . '^^l?!™ (././^/«. ^'> /^' -' ^f^^-teal°"''ffi just as I tell you, Jaclcl I'm captain of th.s team . 1 can have my say ! What's wrong ^o^^'^r ^tcr;^:^- r'sS'- -v ^^^y -^^ '- game ' Campbell. Jack says Ucr^The^ty^rtel^t to lay for Smith and fix him - I i^id Iwoull't do it, but I'd play lum hard enough to teen W\m out of mischief, and so 1 will. '"ucJ'otthe Fardale tackle. They seem to think I won't play hnn hard enough just because 1 sa.d 1 wouldn t lay for him on purpose. 1 hey re crazy . r^^^r^ ^o";:-: 17 for'sm^tn; ^n;Uy Le. ^'^^':^:^^^.'"!'^ V^'u'on',, eh? Why not, ,f I tell nlcl 'imarlhi's team, didn't I, by playing clean foot^ ban for' three years? I don't intend to turn mucker m my last game. That's why 1 l6 FAIR PLAY Campbell {jumping up). Mucker, is it? I'll have you call me a mucker ! Painter. Me, loo ! Better take that back ! {Threaten- ingly.) McGeely. Cut it out ! You won't play as 1 tell you, is that it, VVintley ? Jack. 1 won't play foul, if that's what you mean. Call it fair to lay for a fellow and foul him just because he's a better player than you are? Well, I don't think that's sport and 1 won't play that way. You wouldn't either, Bob, if you were a Scout. {Goes c.) Painter {sitti?ig on bench, r.). Well, ain't he the dearest little tin soldier that ever was ! Regular khaki saint on wheels ! Campbell {angrily). I'm captain of this team, do you hear me? {Pounds on table.) I'm not going to lose my last game at Rockby for you or anybody else ! Pity about 30U ! McGeely. Look here. Jack, what in the nanje of Mike has that got to do with it ? Here, you're end on my foot- ball team ! Jack. That's true, Warhorse, but i'm a Scout here, too, just as much as anywhere else. Painter {cooling off). They're only a team of rough- necks. They'll lay for us just the same ! Don't you re- member last year? Jack. Pll wear him down without slugging or fouling. Won't that do, Warhorse? McGeely {uncertainly). Hum ! You're a hard player. Jack, and you're fit as the next, that's sure. Say you'll go for him your very hardest, eh ? Keep him on the griddle? Promise ? Jack. Naturally. Think I'm a quitter? Smith'll have to work for all that is in him this time. {Comes dowfi C.) McGeely. Well, I suppose we may as well Foxy. Say, Jack, when a fellow's all tied up with this Scout stuff, how is it he can foul another Scout or lay him out? Same thmg ! You know as well as we do that you can't get your friend Smith on the side-lines just by hard playing. Can he, Warhorse? McGeely. Cut it out, Foxy ! This Smith a friend of yours, Jack? {Comes down r. c.) Jack. Sure, Warhorse, Pve been in the same Troop with Charlie Smith for three years, but I don't see as that FAIR PLAY 17 cuts any ice. Think I'd let the Fardales gain by easing up on him ? McGeely. Hum ! Well, here's the way to square all sides. Promise you'll get Smith out of the game your own way, and we'll call it quits. If not, well, 1 guess Foxy here can handle right end pretty well. All 1 ask is to put Smith out of it any way you please. Painter. Don't be a fool, Jack! Think what the fel- lows will say ! ( Comes down k.) Campbell {coming down k. c). We only want you to play hard. Honestly, that's all it amounts to. The big players at college do it all the time. McGeely. There's such a thing as loyalty to the School, Winiley. Are you going to throw that over? Say the word ! Jack {ivalking up a?id down). How the dickens can I promise to get him out? 1 said I wouldn't foul him, and I won't, either. I'll try to wear him down, but he may last as long as I do. This isn't a square deal, VVarhorse, squeez- ing a fellow this way ! You know it isn't ! You know how hard I'll play ! McGeely {taking out his watch). One minute to de- cide 1 I'm tired of this ! Foxy. He puts this Scout mush above the team, that's what it really amounts to ! He'd better have gone to Far- dale in the first place. Jack. You'll have to take that back, Foxy ! Campbell. Oii, hurry up ! Make up your mind, can't you ? Foxy. Gee- whiz ! Wouldn't take me long to decide ! What's Scouts and stuff alongside of licking 'em to-morrow? (Jack crosses l. and sits on bench.) McGeely {to Jack, impatiently). Well, what's the de- cision ? {Knock at door tip c ) Campbell {angrily). Oh, who's that? Don't answer, anybody. McGeely. No. We want no listeners here. Let's dis- pose of him. {Loudly.) Come in. {Enter Charles Smith, looking about uncertainly.) l8 FAIR PLAY Smith. Oh, excuse me. I was looking for Jack Wintley. Jac:k {rising and going to Smith tip c). RiglU here, Charlie. Fellows, this is my friend Mr. Smith, tackle on the Fardale team. ( The others nod i?i silence^ making 7io move. Smith nods and smites. Awkward pause. YoxY turns \.. and snickers.) Campbell (at last). Pleased to see you. Jack {quick/y). Charlie, excuse me. We have rather an important conference here. Last minute stuff, you un- derstand. Would you mind — just a moment Smith {smiimg). Oh, beg pardon. {Moves to door.') My mistake. I'll wait for you, Jack. Jack. With you in a jiffy. Sorry, old man. SMrra. Oh, that's all right. Good-night. {Nods and exit. McGeely goes up, looks after Smith, shuts door after hmi, and comes down R. c. Jack comes down c.) Foxy {down l.). Gee, you're thick as thieves, aren't you ? What's he snooping around here for ? McGeely (h. c). No" good, I'll bet. FuxY. Looks suspicious to me. {To Jack.) How much will they give you if you throw the game to Fardale? Jack {furiously). That's too much. {Springs at Foxy. They fight, down L. McGeely rushes L. and springs between them.) McGefxy. Cnt it out. {Pushes ] ack totmrd c.) Sit down, Foxy. {Pushes Foxy down o?i bench l.) Now, then, what's the answer? Quick ! Jack (down c). You know already. I'll play fairly. Campbell {down r. c). And you won't help us lay out this Suiiih? Jack. No ! McGeely. That settles it. Foxy, you go in at end to- morrow. You're not yellow, anyway. Foxy {springing tip). Whoopee ! I've made the team ! And you bet I'll stick. McGeely {to Jack). Report at the subs' bench to-mor- row in uniform. Let the fellows see what a quitter looks like. Now get out. FAIR PLAY 19 Jack. All right. I've nothing more to say. {Moves up L. and picks up cap and siveater. He pauses at door.) You and 1 will meet after the game, Foxy. Good-night. {Exit.^ Campbell. And good riddance. {He looks angry but a bit anxious.) McGeely ( going to Campbell and slapping him on back). Now, boys, we're going to beat Fardale ! Foxy. You bet ! Hurrah for Rockby ! {Throws up his cap.) QUICK CURTAIN ACT II SCENE. — Sa77ie as Act I. Door and wuidow open. Black' board and table removed. Game with Far dale in progress ^ and it is now ** between the halves.''^ {As the curtain rises, the Rockby players, disheveled and dirty, are discovered seated on the benches or standifig here and there about the room. They are busy k?iocki7ig tnud from their cleated shoes, arranging their togs, rins- ing their mouths with water, etc. Substitutes give them sweaters, and throw blankets about them. The Rockby rooters croivd about the doorway, looking in, excited, but silent. The players, grouped mostly at R., talk and ges- ticulate amofig themselves, while a few lie down as if ex- hausted. McGeely stands down R. with Foxy and Campbell. Jack, /// clean football togs, stands near the bench beneath the wmdow, up l. The field is supposed to be off a little to l., and i7i view from this window. Bill Patterson, the guard, sits on the bench tmder witi- dow, 7iursi7ig a twisted shoulder, i7]fured during the first half of the game. Jack is 7naki7ig a rude sling for him out of a piece of cloth.) McGeely {loiv voice). Say, Foxy, what's got into you ? This isn't any old maids' convention ! You're no belter than that poor dub over there ! {Foi7its toward Jack.) Can't you rough it up a bit ? Campbell. You haven't done a blooming thing so far ! Here's the last half and we've held 'em with only 3-0 against us ! Bill's out with a game shoulder {poi7iti7i^ towardVk'i- terson), but we've lots of time to score if you'd only get that tackle. Foul him or something, can't you? Foxy. Don't you suppose I've tried ! I've slugged till I'm tired. Bob, honest ! ( Whistle sounds off stage. Campbeli- goes up R.) McGeely. Time's up! Second half! Now see here, Foxy. [Whispers to hi7n.) Get me ? (YoyiY nods.) All right, then, do it soon. No fooling. This is football ! 20 FAIR PLAY 21 Foxy. I'm wise ! Holy Mackerel ! You're a sly one, Warhorse ! Campbell. All right, fellows ! Get after 'em ! Here a minute ! {Up K. c. The players gather rou/i^i Campbell, up k. c.) Mr. Lawson {entering q. rear from field). Second half, Rockby ! Ah, Campbell, time's up ! Get your men on the field, please ! {Bloivs whistle atid stands up l.) Campbell. Yes, sir! {To Patterson.) Sorry, Bill ! Tough luck ! All right, fellows? Now then, all together! {The team run off by door up c, nodding to Patterson as they go.) Rockby Rooters {off stage l.). Yea, team ! team ! team ! Yea, Rockby ! Rockby ! Rockby ! Mr. Lawson {catching Foxy by the shoulder as he passes). Hey, there! Just a minute! You're at right end, aren't you ? Thought so. Here's a bit of advice, son, cut the dirty work, and cut it quick ! I've seen and i'ni warning you. Understand ? Get on, but play the game ! Foxy {going toivard door up c. ). You're in the wrong pew this time, Mr. Lawson ! 1 never did a single thing ! Mr. Lawson. That's all right ! Get to your place, but play fair! {Exit Foxy, c. Mr. Lawson /^ McGeely, ivho comes up l. looking worried.) You should watch that end of yours, McGeely. He's not playing the sort of football Rockby and Fardale stand for. He's McGeely. Oli, boys will be boys, you know, Mr. Law- son, in spite of all a coach can tell 'em. I've lectured till my tongue's blistered trying to get 'em to understand fair play ! That's my middle name — Square ! I always in- sist Mr. Lawson {drily). Too bad some of them seem to have missed your point. All right ! Timekeeper ! {lixit Up c., blowing his luhistle. The rooters disappear from the doorway, the subs pick up a pail of water and folio IV the team.) McGeely {to Jack, hnv voice'). Hope you're enjoying the grand-stand seat. I'll have a word or so for the fellows later on. Don't forget! {Goes over to Patterson, /// 22 FAIR PLAY L. c.) Awfully sorry, Bill. Come out when you're fixed up a bit. Sure you're all right ? Patterson. All right, Warhorse. Don't bother about me. Jack' 11 soon have me in fine shape ! Some good in us Scouts after all, eh? {Exit McGeely, shruggins^ his shoulders.) Gee-whiz ! Jack, the line's holding finely to-day ! Jack. They've got to, if we're to have a smell at win- ning. How's Foxy playing, Bill ? (^Goes on fearing, folding ajid arrangifig his sling.) Patterson. Dirty, as usual. See the ump speak to him just now? Pretty raw player. Foxy is, I think. Say, Jack, why did they give him your place to-day, anyway? You've made good all season. Jack. Why do you suppose ? Plays more to War- horse's liking, I guess. Patterson. You mean he and Warhorse are a couple of Jack. Shut up, Bill ! They're going to kick off ! Let's watch the play ! ( They go to wiudoiu. Umpire'' s voice a?id whistle sound off stage, L. Campbell is hear d encouragitig his team.) Campbell {off stage). Come on now, fellows ! Fight ! Fight hard ! RocKBY Rooters {off stage, l.). Gee-he ! Gee-ha ! Gee-ha ! Gee-he ! Rockby! Rockby ! Rockby ! We! Team ! Team ! Team ! ( Whistle sounds.) Patterson. Hurry up with the sling, if you can ! I want to get outside ! Jack {holding the sling and lookitig out of window'^). Whee ! That's some kick ! Bob'll get it ! He's Patterson {looking out of window). Look at their ends ! Just look at their ends coming down under it ! Bob's * Note. — Players whose backs are toward the audience should be careful to turn their heads while speaking. FAIR PLAY 23 Jack. He's got it ! He's — ah, a fumble ! (JSiaps his thigh.) Fall on it ! Fall on it ! ( Whistle soutids.') Patterson. Their tackle has it ! Too bad ! We might have run it back ! (Jack iays down sling arid looks for safety-pins in a suit- case down L.) Voice (off stage, shrilly). Signals! Huntley back! Signals ! 2, 22, 36, 17, 8 ! — 16, 29 I Patterson. Gee I On our twenty-yard line, too I And first down I RocKBY Rooters (off stage, l.). Hold 'em, Rockby ! Hold 'em, Rockby ! Hold 'em I [Whistle soimds. Jack runs to window, holding pins.) Jack. That's the stuff I See Slim Jim break through that centre ! They lost that time ! Patterson. Second down and eleven to go ! Lost a yard ! Confound this arm ! Voice (offstage). Signals! Right end over ! 14,35, loi, 102 I — 7, 10 ! Jack. It's a forward pass ! I thought so ! He's missed it I Patterson. Their end's got it I It never touched the ground I (Bends forward.) They've made a touch-down ! (Whistle sounds.) Only three plays, too! Gee- whiz! What's wrong with us to-day, Jack ? (Sinks back on bench. Jack arranges the sling, looking from window.) Fardale Rooters (heard faintly off stage, l.). Fardale, rah I Fardale, rah ! Fardale ! Fardale ! rah 1 rah ! rah ! Team ! Team ! Team ! Hurrah ! Patterson. Hope they miss the goal ! (Bends for- ward.) What's that? Look, Jack, look, he's putting 'em back ! It's not a touch-down I Something's wrong ! Jack. Yea ! Must have been off-side ! Go after 'em ! Hold 'em, Rockby ! Voice (off stage). Signals ! Left formation ! 7, 52, 27, 23, 31 1—9, 25 ! 24 FAIR PLAY Patterson. Third down ! They'll never make it. Look at Bob tearing into 'em, will you ! Game as a bearcat, he is I Their man's free ! He's No, Jim's got him I ( Whistle sounds^ Jack. Gained that time, they did ! Fourth down and one to go ! Hold 'em, can't you ! Voice {off stage). Signals ! loi, 102, 6, 28, — Signals off! Signals! Right formation ! 102, loi, 6, 17, 44! — 1.3! ( Whistle sounds.) Patterson. Our ball ! We held 'em that time. First down ! Hurrah ! RocKBY Rooters (off stage). Hurrah ! Yea, Rockby I Rockby ! Rockby ! Jack. Now let me fix that sling for you properly. Bill. Don't squirm so ! (Jack finishes the slifig and pins it in place. Puts a siveater about Patterson's shoulders ^ as the latter gazes out of the window.) Patterson {suddenly). What's wrong with Foxy ? Seems to me he's playing too near their tackle for a good offensive ! Painter's Voice {off stage, l.). Signals ! Left forma- tion ! 44, 12, 23, 72 — Signals! Left formation! Shift, can't you ! 44, 12, 23, 72, 89 ! — 14, 5 ! Jack {looking out of wi?idow). I'hat's a good play ! Watch Bob hit the line ! Why, he's — they've ( Whistle sounds.) Rockby Rooters {cheering off stage) > Yea, Fardale ! Yea, Smith ! Smith ! Smith ! Patterson {picking up a blanket from the bench, then looking once more fro?n the window). Their back- field ran into centre just in time ! Lucky chance ! Rockby Rooters {off stage, l.). Yea, team ! team ! team I Yea, Rockby ! Rockby ! Jack. That's queer. Bill. They did meet our centre drive just right. 1 wonder if Voice {off stas^e, l.). Signals! Right formation ! 32, 13, 25, loi, 93!— II, 15 1 Patterson. Second down and ten to go ! FAIR PLAY 25 Jack. This is around Foxy's end ! I ought to know it ! Look, they've {^IVhistle sounds.) Patterson. Holy Mike ! They've met that, too ! Say, Jack, ihey must be getting on to our signals ! Jack. Great day in the morning ! Did you see them checkmate that run ! Foxy was quick enough, too ! Patterson. Nearly fourteen to go ! Jack. They're on to our signals, all right. They must be ! Patterson, We'll have to kick soon. I say — what's the matter with Bob ? {^Umpire's voice and whistle heard off l.) Mr. Lawson (off l.). Time out ! Campbell's hurt I Time out for Rock by ! RocKBY Rooters (^/"l.). Yea! Campbell! Campbell! Campbell ! (Sound of loud talking off stage. A couple of subs run into the training-room, grab a bucket of water a?id run out again.) Fardale Rooters (off l.). Yea, Fardale ! Campbell I Campbell ! Campbell ! {The Rockby Rooters, etc., off \.., clap hands.) (Enter McGeely, Mr. Lawson, and a player or so sup- porting Campbell, who limps ofi one foot and seetns to be suffering severely from a sprained ankle. The water carriers follow with their pail.) Campbell (trying to get back to the game'). Pm all right ! Let me alone ! Mr. Lawson. Get a chair ! Easy there ! (Jack slings a blanket about Campbell's shoulders and drags a chair up stage to door.) Thanks, sub ! Now then, captain, it's tough, but you're out. That's a bad sprain. Any doctor about ? (The Rockliy Roofers crowd about the doorway, but no doc- tor appears. They put Campbell on the chair up c, near the door.) 26 FAIR PLAY McGeely {lip R. c). All right, Mr. Lawson, I'll fix him up. Get on with the game ! Mr. Lawson {at door up c). Very well. {To Camp- BiiLL.) Sorry, old man ! {Exit Mr. Lawson.) McGeely {to subs in doorway^. Hey there, Trainer ! It's up to you ! Get in at full ! Well, what are you wait- ing for ? {Subs^ etc, hurry off to field.) Campbell {trying to rise). I'm all right ! Be better in a minute ! {Groans.) Patterson (/// c). Holy Mike ! We're all getting it to-day ! Very bad, Bob? Campbell. Only this rotten ankle again. Hang it all ! Voice of Trainer {calling off stage). Mr. Umpire ! Trainer in at full for Rockby ! Campbell out ! ( Whistle sounds.) Rockby Rooters {off l.). Yea, Trainer I Trainer ! Trainer ! Patterson. Awfully sorry, Bob. (7^^ McGeely.) Say, Mac, Jack's done my shoulder up in great shape. I'm going out to the bench now. {Exit, c.) Campbell. I'm all right ! They're on to us, Warhorse ! I tell you ! They've {Groans.) Ouch! They have our signals ! My, but this darn thing hurts ! McGeely (/// r. c). Let's have a look. A pretty bad foot, I'd say ! Jack {i/p l., comifig over to c). Can't I help? I've just put Bill's arm in a sling and it seemed to help him Campbell. Think I want a yellow quitter monkeying about me ! You'd lots better have minded your business and let toy doctoring alone, I'd say ! Jack. I'm sorry, Bob, you're still a sore-head. Don't have your old foot bandaged if you don't want to ! I don't care, I'm sure ! {Goes over to window up L.) McGeely {exaniining Campbell's foot, trying to get shoe off, etc.). This looks bad ! Say, Bob, what's wrong with the signals ? You said — is Foxy FAIR PLAY 27 RocKBY Rooters {off l.). Hold 'em ! Hold 'em ! Hold 'em, Rockby ! {WJiistle sounds.) Campbell. I say, Warhorse ! (^Groans.) Don't tear my foot off ! Go easy, can't you ! McGeely {irritably). Better let that walking hospital do it then ! I don't understand this sort of thing ! (^To Jack.) Guess you're not too proud, eh ? No danger in doctoring ! You can't get hurt ! Campbell. Oh, let him see it, then ! (Jack cornes to Campbell.) Go easy. Jack, it's pretty tender ! Jack. 1 won't hurt any more than 1 have to. {Gets Campbell's shoe off by cuttitig the strings, picks up a large handkerchief from a suit-case, folds it and puts it about the ankle in a figure 8 bandage.) McGeely {to Campbell). What were you saying about the signals ? Have they Campbell. They're on to us, I tell you ! They start for our man even before the play begins ! McGeely {looking out door). I've noticed that ! It looks bad, certainly. Faudale Rooters {offu). Yea, Fardale ! Yea, Smith ! Smith ! Smith ! McGeely {gazing out of window). They gained that time ! Confound the boob ! ( Whistle sounds.) Campbell. Foxy's a quitter ! No wonder Smith gains each play. He's afraid to do a thing ! Rockby Rooters {off l.). Hold 'em ! Hold 'em ! Hold 'em, Rockby ! {Whistle sounds.) McGeely {as Jack finishes the bandage). See here, Jack, it's only 3-0 ! We still can win or tie. Won't you be a sport and get that fellow Smith out of the game before it's too late ? Jack {looking out of window). I'd do my level best, Warhorse, honest, I will ! I'm fresh and I'll play him till he drops— without any dirty work. Let me go in now and show the fellows I'm not a quitter ! 28 FAIR PLAY RocKBY Rooters {off stage). Hold 'em, Rockby ! Hold 'em, Rockby ! Hold 'em ! ( Whistle sou fids.') McGeely. Look at this in the right way, Jack. The odds are all against us, and they're playing as crooked as a three-legged stove ! They've Campbell. Look what they did to me ! That was just a piece of their dirty work ! ( Whistle soutids.) McGeely. You'll get in right with the fellows ! Why, even as a Scout you ought to help the under dog ! ( Whistle sou fids.) Fardale Rooters (offu). Yea, Fardale ! Yea, Smith ! Smith ! Smith ! Rockby Rooters (off l.). Hold 'em, Rockby ! Hold 'em, Rockby ! Hold 'em ! Jack. I know the odds are against us. Just give me a chance to get right ! Honest, I'll play like the very deuce, Warhorse ! That's all I ask ! Just a chance ! Campbell. I'm out of it ! What's a team without its captain ? They're on to our signals, even ! McGeely. They're playing a low down game. They laid out Bob and Bill on purpose ! Won't you even things up ? Turn about's fair play, you know, Jack. ( Whistle sounds.) Campbell. Quarter's up ! Still 3-0 ! Hey, something's wrong 1 McGeely (rufini/ig to door a fid lookifig out). It's Foxy ! What's he done now ? (Loud voices off stage.) Fardale Rooters (^/"l.). Foul! Put him off! Slug- ger ! Dirty work ! He slugged Smith ! Foul ! (Foxy appears outside door up c, looking back over his shoulder.) Foxy. I did not, Mr. Lavvson ! I don't care what you say, I didn't foul ! That's a FAIR PLAY 29 McGeely {grabbing his arm). Shut up ! Would you sass the ump ? Haven't you any sense ? Foxy {loudly). 1 didn't foul ! Think I'll let that poor dub call me a slugger ! ( Winks at McGeely.) RocKBY Rooters {off l.). Give him a cheer ! Cheer for Foxy ! McGeely {calling to rooters out of wifidoiv). Make it for the team ! The ump says he fouled ! We must play fair, fellows, tliat's my middle name ! RocKBY Rooters {off l.). Yea, Rockby ! Yea, team! team ! team ! (Foxy sits on bench down r., ivrapping a blatiket about him.) McGeely {to Jack). Well, Jack, it's up to you now ! Will you say the word ? I hope the odds are enough to satisfy you ? Jack (/// a low voice). I can't even the odds by playing a dirty game, can 1? You know what I'll do, VVarhorse; shall 1 go in ? {Takes off his sweater.) McGeely. You'll not ! You low down quitter ! You bluffer, you ! I'd rather have a green sub than the likes of you any time ! Foxy, you certainly have managed to queer things in fine style ! {Exit McGeely /// c, grumbling to himself. Whistle sou fids.) Voice {calling off l.). Mr. Umpire ! Watson at end for Jones ! ( Whistle sounds. Campbell turns his chair so he can look off L. out of door.) RocKBV Rooters {off l.). Yea, Watson ! Watson ! Watson ! Foxy. Know what I believe ? (T'^? Jack.) You're the one who's put 'em wise to our signals ! You're the only one mean enough for such a trick ! Fardale Rooters {offh.). Yea, Fardale ! Yea, Smith ! Smith ! Smith ! Jack. Foxy, it's about time you and I had a setdement, and you'll get yours in just about half a minute! {Goes 30 FAIR PLAY threateningly to Foxy, r.) You said a little too much that time ! Campbell. Some one's put 'em wise. They nail our man every time ! 1 guess J can see ! ( Whistle sounds.^ Foxy {remaining quietly on bench, p.). Yes, Jack, fight a fellow when he's ail in, why don't you ? You're a sport, all right ! Hit me ! Jack. Very well. I'll wait ! But you'll get what's coming to you, never you fear, or you'll take back what you said ! Foxy. Think I'm afraid of a quitter? You got sore at being left out of the game and you squealed the signals to your friend Smith ! That's what's the matter with you 1 Just wait till I tell the fellows ! Jack {quietly). That's not true, Foxy, and you know it ! You'll take that back right now or I'll {Grabs Foxy by the collar. They fight. Whistle sounds.') McGeely {entering c, rear'). Last quarter ! Hey, what's up? {Comes down L., and pulls ]hCY^ and ^Qyi\ apart, as they fight ^ Cut it out, you ! Campbell {nursing his ankle as he turns toward Foxy). Foxy says Jack squealed the signals. They were just be- ginning to warm up ! Pity you came and spoiled it ! (McGeely separates them, throwing Foxy roughly back on the bench^ r., a7id holding Jack by the arm, as he struggles.) Jack. That's a lie ! Let go, Warhorse, can't you ? Foxy said — let me go, I say ! Foxy. He hit me first ! He waited till I was all in from playing hard ! Coward ! Quitter ! (Jack puts on his sweater.) McGeely. Cut it ! Want to queer the whole school with your loud mouthed bicker? Cut it out ! {Whistle sounds. ^k