Free The Magic Tower and Other One-Act Plays by Tennessee Williams Page A

winter season. Palm Beach. Or Miami. That’s where the cream of society goes this time of year, Flossie. That’s where they put on the real dog. They sit in little buggies, see, and there’s boys pulling them around, up and down the board-walk, see. . . .
    FLOSSIE : The boardwalk!
    THE GENTLEMAN : Yeah. And along the beach. . . .
    FLOSSIE : The beach!
    THE GENTLEMAN : Yeah, and dancing at night under the stars.
    FLOSSIE : Under the stars!
    THE GENTLEMAN : Yeah, and the ocean, Honey, the big, blue Atlantic. . . .
    FLOSSIE : The ocean!
    THE GENTLEMAN : Yeah, and them waves coming in! Boy, oh, boy! The sun warm as summer. We’ll lie on the beach, Honey and feel the sun on our backs warm as summer. We’ll rent the bridal suite, that’s what we’ll do.
    FLOSSIE [
nearly overcome with rapture
]: Oh! The bridal suite! And me, Georgie, me a real bride?
    THE GENTLEMAN : Sure! You a real bride. And me a bridegroom. Why not? With a couple of grand, sweetheart, we can really live. No more cheap stuff. I’m a gentleman, see. A real gent. I was born that way. I can’t help it. I was born to be a gentleman. I ain’t no cheap rat like the Patch.
    FLOSSIE : Shh, honey! Mike’s in there! He might hear!
    THE GENTLEMAN : Never mind about Mike. I’m through with all that mob. Say, with a little dough we can really get into something worthwhile! Get what I mean? Opportunities. Business opportunities, Honey.
    FLOSSIE : Sure I do George! Oh, George! I’m so happy! Just think . . . a couple of grand . . . but how did you get all that? George, you didn’t . . . it wasn’t
you? George
. . . .
    THE GENTLEMAN [
sharply
]: Shut up! Don’t you worry ’bout that! Everything’s fixed up swell! There won’t be no trouble.
    FLOSSIE : Oh, I’m scared! George, you done it! You squealed. You sold out on the Patch. Oh, he’ll get you for this. Maybe that’s what he wants you for tonight, George. He’s got you on the spot.
    THE GENTLEMAN : He wouldn’t dare. He wouldn’t dare. I tell you, everything’s gonna be okay.
    MIKE [
coming out of the door again
]: Hi, Gent! Still waiting? Better come in and have a drink. Warm you up.
    THE GENTLEMAN : Thanks, Mike. I guess the Patch forgot about our little date. Say, if he shows up later, tell him for me I’ll see him in the morning. I’ll meet him over at the hangout. Willyuh, Mike?
    MIKE : Sure thing! Well—good luck, Gentleman! You, too, Flossie. A merry Christmas and a happy New Year, eh?
    FLOSSIE : You bet, Mike. The same to you.
    THE GENTLEMAN : Good night, Mike. Don’t forget. Tell the Patch I waited an hour. Tell him a Gentleman never breaks a date! Tell him that!
    MIKE [
laughing
]: Okay, Gentleman. I’ll be seein’ yuh. [
He goes inside
.]
    THE GENTLEMAN [
sharply
]: C’mon. This thing’s gone too far. What the hell does he think I am? One o’clock and he ain’t shown up yet. See? That shows you. If he thought he had anything on me he would’ve shown up. I tell you, Honey . . .
    FLOSSIE : Georgie! I’m scared. I’m scared to death. C’mon. Let’s go on up to my place and get warmed up.
    THE GENTLEMAN : Yeah. Let’s get drunk tonight up at your place, Honey. Tomorrow we’ll clear out of this dump. Florida, Honey. Yeah, that’s where the gentlemen go!
    [
They start off, around the corner, clinging close together against the cold wind. A moment passes. Suddenly a heavy-set man steps from the Gay Life Cafe. He has a patch over one eye. Behind him appears Mike
.]
    THE PATCH : Up to her place, huh! Well, they say three’s a crowd! Where does that moll hang out?
    MIKE : Two blocks down Cherokee, and one up Center Street. The number is 1375. Two flights up. Apartment C.
    THE PATCH : Thanks. Fifteen minutes walk. That’ll give ’em time to kiss each other goodbye.
    MIKE [
anxiously
]: What you mean, Patch? What’s up?
    THE PATCH : I’ve got something for the Gentleman, Mike. A little Christmas present for him and his moll.
    MIKE : You mean . . .
    THE