Willie (thoughtfully) As far as I’m concerned, this is the only country in the world. If you ask me, nuts to Europe!

He is about to push the slide in again when the flag comes up again. Furiously, to Nick, while he salutes and stands at attention.

Willie (pleadingly) Hey, Nick. This machine is out of order.

Nick (sombrely) Give it a whack on the side.

Willie does so. A hell of a whack. The result is the flag comes up and down and Willie keeps saluting.

Willie (saluting) Hey, Nick. Something’s wrong.

The machine quiets down abruptly. Willie very stealthily slides a new nickel in, and starts a new game.

From a distance two pistol shots are heard, each carefully timed.

Nick runs out.

The Newsboy enters, crosses to Joe’s table, senses something is wrong.

Newsboy (softly) Paper, Mister?

Joe can’t hear him. The Newsboy backs away, studies Joe, wishes he could cheer Joe up. Notices the phonograph, goes to it, and puts a coin in it, hoping music will make Joe happier.

The Newsboy sits down. Watches Joe. The music begins. ‘The Missouri Waltz’.

The Drunkard comes in and walks around. Then sits down. Nick comes back.

Nick (delighted) Joe, Blick’s dead! Somebody just shot him, and none of the cops are trying to find out who.

Joe doesn’t hear. Nick steps back, studying Joe.

Nick (shouting) Joe.

Joe (looking up) What?

Nick Blick’s dead.

Joe Blick? Dead? Good! That goddamn gun wouldn’t go off. I told Tom to get a good one.

Nick (picking up gun and looking at it) Joe, you wanted to kill that guy!

Harry returns. Joe puts the gun in his coat pocket.

Nick I’m going to buy you a bottle of champagne.

Nick goes to bar. Joe rises, takes hat from rack, puts coat on. The Newsboy jumps up, helps Joe with coat.

Nick What’s the matter, Joe?

Joe Nothing. Nothing.

Nick How about the champagne?

Joe Thanks. (Going.)

Nick It’s not eleven yet. Where you going, Joe?

Joe I don’t know. Nowhere.

Nick Will I see you tomorrow?

Joe I don’t know. I don’t think so.

Kit Carson enters, walks to Joe.

Joe and Kit Carson look at one another knowingly.

Joe Somebody just shot a man. How are you feeling?

Kit Carson Never felt better in my life. (Loudly, bragging, but sombre.) I shot a man once. In San Francisco. Shot him two times. In 1939, I think it was. In October. Fellow named Blick or Click or something like that. Couldn’t stand the way he talked to ladies. Went up to my room and got my old pearl-handled revolver and waited for him on Pacific Street. Saw him walking, and let him have it, two times. Had to throw the beautiful revolver into the Bay.

Harry, Nick, the Arab and the Drunkard close in around him.

Joe searches his pockets, brings out the revolver, puts it in Kit Carson’s hand, looks at him with great admiration and affection. Joe walks slowly to the stairs leading to the street, turns and waves. Kit Carson, and then one by one everybody else, waves, and the marble game goes into its beautiful American routine again – flag, lights and music. The play ends.