Thirty Pieces of Silver: A Play in Three Acts Read Online Free PDF

Told Fuller that Agronsky was a Communist and I knew it?
    DAVID Did you know it? That’s all I’m trying to find out.
    ( He starts toward her. )
    I thought I knew Agronsky! I thought it was all my brilliance as a tech sergeant that made him get me this job. But I don’t know a thing about Agronsky, and I can see that! When it comes to Jews and such—I’m ignorant. My little innocent wife could teach me a thing or two.
    JANE ( very coolly and evenly, in contrast to his raised voice ) Stop it, David. I think you’ve said enough.
    DAVID ( forcing his anger now ) There’s a lot I could say if I want——
    JANE ( breaking in at the beginning ) Don’t say any more, David. That’s enough. I’m going to bed. Good night, David. ‘
    ( JANE goes up the stairs and offstage without looking back DAVID stands where he is, watching her and then staring at the stairs after she has gone. He turns slowly until he is facing the vestibule, takes out a cigarette and lights it nervously. His puffs are quick and nervous as he walks over to the piano and drops the match in an ash tray. )
    ( As he does this , HILDA enters from the dining-room, and DAVID starts at her step, swinging around to face her. )
    DAVID What do you want?
    HILDA ( evenly ) I came in to put out the lights, Mr. Graham. I thought you and Mrs. Graham had gone to bed.
    DAVID Why? Because you were listening.
    HILDA ( control covering her mounting anger ) I don’t eavesdrop, Mr. Graham. I heard voices in here and then the voices stopped, and from the kitchen I could still see the lights burning. You got no right to accuse me of eaves-dropping. I don’t know what you were saying and I don’t care what you were saying.
    DAVID All right. I’m sorry.
    HILDA ( taking a deep breath and biting her lower lip before she speaks ) This is a job, Mr. Graham, and I like working for Mrs. Graham, and I like the little girl. But I can find another job if you want me to.
    DAVID Who said that?
    HILDA That’s what you implied, Mr. Graham. I don’t like to be accused of listening at keyholes. I don’t like to be insulted about my friends. I never told Grace to go the front way. Mrs. Graham told her that.
    DAVID ( suddenly losing control ) You can do just as you God damn please, Hilda! Stay or go! The hell with it. This is still my house! You want me to put it more definitely? You’re fired! I never could tolerate one of your kind who couldn’t keep his place. You understand?
    HILDA ( with great calm ) I understand, Mr. Graham. Good night.
    ( She exits through the dining-room. )
    ( DAVID stands there looking after her. This way for at least thirty seconds. Then he takes off his glasses and rubs his clenched fist into his eyes. He turns slowly, looking around the room, crosses over to the telephone and stares at it. Then he moves forward and drops into a chair and sits there loosely and unhappily. He then rises and turns off some of the lamps. He starts toward the stairs, stops, stands irresolute, then tales out his wallet and extracts a card. Now that the die is cast, he moves more quickly, dialing a number on the phone with nervous concentration. He holds the phone while it rings and then speaks softly. )
    DAVID ( into the phone ) Hello—Fuller?
    ( pause for rejoinder )
    Mr. Fuller, this is David Graham—yes, you remember, David Graham. I’m sorry to call you this late. I’m sorry as hell. But you know how it is when you have something pressing on your conscience. You can’t wait for morning. You just can’t wait.
    ( pause )
    I’m glad you felt that way. I agree with you that duty doesn’t punch a time clock.
    ( pause )
    Of course. And you understand this isn’t an easy thing to do. There are all sorts of connotations to something like this, and it takes some understanding to see yourself as a loyal American doing his duty. I was in the service, you know——
    ( pause )
    Yes, of