Nick What’s lyric about you?

Newsboy (voice high-pitched, confused) My voice.

Nick Oh. (Slight pause, giving in.) All right, then – sing!

The Newsboy breaks into swift and beautiful song: ‘When Irish Eyes Are Smiling’. Nick and Joe listen carefully; Nick with wonder, Joe with amazement and delight.

Newsboy (singing)

When Irish eyes are smiling,

Sure ’tis like a morn in spring.

In the lilt of Irish laughter,

You can hear the angels sing.

When Irish hearts are happy,

All the world seems bright and gay.

But when Irish eyes are smiling –

Nick (loudly, swiftly) Are you Irish?

Newsboy (speaking swiftly, loudly, a little impatient with the irrelevant question) No. I’m Greek.

He finishes the song, singing louder than ever.

Sure they steal your heart away.

He turns to Nick dramatically, like a vaudeville singer begging his audience for applause. Nick studies the boy eagerly. Joe gets to his feet and leans toward the Newsboy and Nick.

Nick Not bad. Let me hear you again about a year from now.

Newsboy (thrilled) Honest?

Nick Yeah. Along about 7th November 1940.

Newsboy (happier than ever before in his life, running over to Joe) Did you hear it too, Mister?

Joe Yes, and it’s great. What part of Greece?

Newsboy Salonika. Gosh, Mister. Thanks.

Joe Don’t wait a year. Come back with some papers a little later. You’re a great singer.

Newsboy (thrilled and excited) Aw, thanks, Mister. So long. (Running to Nick.) Thanks, Mister.

He runs out. Joe and Nick look at the swinging doors. Joe sits down. Nick laughs.

Nick Joe, people are so wonderful. Look at that kid.

Joe Of course they’re wonderful. Every one of them is wonderful.

McCarthy and Krupp come in, talking.

McCarthy is a big man in work clothes, which make him seem very young. He is wearing black jeans, and a blue workman’s shirt. No tie. No hat. He has broad shoulders, a lean intelligent face, thick black hair. In his right back pocket is the longshoreman’s hook. His arms are long and hairy. His sleeves are rolled up to just below his elbows. He is a casual man, easy-going in movement, sharp in perception, swift in appreciation of charm or innocence or comedy, and gentle in spirit, His speech is clear and full of warmth. His voice is powerful, but modulated. He enjoys the world, in spite of the mess it is, and he is fond of people, in spite of the mess they are.

Krupp is not quite as tall or broad-shouldered as McCarthy. He is physically encumbered by his uniform, club, pistol, belt and cap. And he is plainly not at home in the role of policeman. His movement is stiff and unintentionally pompous. He is a naive man, essentially good. His understanding is less than McCarthy’s, but he is honest and he doesn’t try to bluff.

Krupp You don’t understand what I mean. Hi-ya, Joe.

Joe Hello, Krupp.

McCarthy Hi-ya, Joe.

Joe Hello, McCarthy.

Krupp Two beers, Nick. (To McCarthy.) All I do is carry out orders, carry out orders. I don’t know what the idea is behind the order. Who it’s for, or who it’s against, or why. All I do is carry it out.