As they run out . . . there is a big explosion. A shower of tomato cans comes up from below, as—

THE

CURTAIN

FALLS

Act II

Mrs. Molloy’s hat shop, New York City.

There are two entrances. One door at the extreme right of the back wall, to Mrs. Molloy’s workroom; one at the back left corner, to the street. The whole left wall is taken up with the show windows, filled with hats. It is separated from the shop by a low brass rail, hung with net; during the act both MRS. MOLLOR and BARNABT stoop under the rail and go into the shop window. By the street door stands a large cheval glass. In the middle of the back wall is a large wardrobe or clothes cupboard, filled with ladies’ coats, large enough for CORNELIUS to hide in. At the left, beginning at the back wall, between the wardrobe and the workroom door, a long counter extends toward the audience, almost to the footlights. In the center of the room is a large round table with a low-hanging red cloth. There are a small gilt chair by the wardrobe and two chairs in front of the counter. Over the street door and the workroom door are bells which ring when the doors are opened.

As the curtain rises, MRS. MOLLOY is in the window, standing on a box, reaching up to put hats on the stand. MINNIE FAY is sewing by the counter. MRS. MOLLOY has a pair of felt overshoes, to be removed later.

MRS. MOLLOY:

Minnie, you’re a fool. Of course I shall marry Horace Vandergelder.

MINNIE:

Oh, Mrs. Molloy! I didn’t ask you. I wouldn’t dream of asking you such a personal question.

MRS. MOLLOY:

Well, it’s what you meant, isn’t it? And there’s your answer. I shall certainly marry Horace Vandergelder if he asks me.

Crawls under window rail, into the room, singing loudly.

MINNIE:

I know it’s none of my business . . .

MRS. MOLLOY:

Speak up, Minnie, I can’t hear you.

MINNIE:

. . . but do you . . . do you . . . ?

MRS. MOLLOY:

Having crossed the room, is busy at the counter.

Minnie, you’re a fool. Say it: Do I love him? Of course, I don’t love him. But I have two good reasons for marrying him just the same. Minnie, put something on that hat. It’s not ugly enough.

Throws hat over counter.

MINNIE:

Catching and taking hat to table.

Not ugly enough!

MRS. MOLLOY:

I couldn’t sell it. Put a . . . put a sponge on it.

MINNIE:

Why, Mrs. Molloy, you’re in such a mood today.

MRS. MOLLOY:

In the first place I shall marry Mr. Vandergelder to get away from the millinery business. I’ve hated it from the first day I had anything to do with it. Minnie, I hate hats.

Sings loudly again.

MINNIE:

Why, what’s the matter with the millinery business?

MRS. MOLLOY:

Crossing to window with two hats.