Blick (flattered) Now, Nick.

Nick Important people never come here. Here. Have a drink. (Whiskey bottle.)

Blick Thanks, I don’t drink.

Nick (drinking the drink himself) Well, why don’t you?

Blick I have responsibilities.

Nick You’re head of the lousy Vice Squad. There’s no vice here.

Blick (sharply) Streetwalkers are working out of this place.

Nick (angry) What do you want?

Blick (loudly) I just want you to know that it’s got to stop.

The music stops. The mechanical toy runs down. There is absolute silence, and a strange fearfulness and disharmony in the atmosphere now. Harry doesn’t know what to do with his hands or feet. Wesley’s arms hang at his sides. Joe quietly pushes the toy to one side of the table, eager to study what is happening. Willie stops playing the marble game, turns around and begins to wait. Dudley straightens up very, very vigorously, as if to say, ‘Nothing can scare me. I know love is the only thing.’ The Arab is the same as ever, but watchful. Nick is arrogantly aloof. There is a moment of silence and tension, as though Blick were waiting for everybody to acknowledge his presence. He is obviously flattered by the acknowledgement of Harry, Dudley, Wesley, and Willie, but a little irritated by Nick’s aloofness and unfriendliness.

Nick Don’t look at me. I can’t tell a streetwalker from a lady. You married?

Blick You’re not asking me questions. I’m telling you.

Nick (interrupting) You’re a man of about forty-five or so. You ought to know better.

Blick (angry) Streetwalkers are working out of this place.

Nick (beginning to shout) Now, don’t start any trouble with me. People come here to drink and loaf around. I don’t care who they are.

Blick Well, I do.

Nick The only way to find out if a lady is a streetwalker is to walk the streets with her, go to bed, and make sure. You wouldn’t want to do that. You’d like to, of course.

Blick Any more of it, and I’ll have your joint closed.

Nick (very casually, without ill-will) Listen. I’ve got no use for you, or anybody like you. You’re out to change the world from something bad to something worse. Something like yourself.

Blick (furious pause, and contempt) I’ll be back tonight. (He begins to go.)

Nick (very angry but very calm) Do yourself a big favour and don’t come back tonight. Send somebody else. I don’t like your personality.

Blick (casually, but with contempt) Don’t break any laws. I don’t like yours, either.

He looks the place over, and goes.

There is a moment of silence. Then Willie turns and puts a new nickel in the slot and starts a new game. Wesley turns to the piano and rather falteringly begins to play. His heart really isn’t in it. Harry walks about, unable to dance. Dudley lapses into his customary melancholy, at a table. Nick whistles a little; suddenly stops. Joe winds the toy.

Joe (comically) Nick. You going to kill that man?