THE CHARACTERS OF THE PLAY

,1ll ol the characters in Awake and Sing! share a lundamental

,rttiuity: a strotggle for life amidst petty conditions'
Auafte'and Siag was presenred by the Group Theatre at
Belasco Thea.tre on the evening of February r9th, 1935, with !rq\'r, slte hersefi states, is not only the mother in this
BEr.cER, as
following members of the Group Theatre Acring Company lt,trrte but also the father. Slte is constantly arranging
and tafr'
She loaes tife, liftes-to lauglz' ltas gleat-
Played by ut! ctlre of her famity.
MYRON BERGER ART SMITH ,,':r,,rrrr\rhorrr'and'enjoys liuing from day to day' A high
,1,',qree of enersy accounts for hcr quicft
exasperatia,n at ineptl'
BESSIE BEE.GER STELLA ADLER
t,,it,,. Sie is a-shreud iudge of realistic qualities in peaple in
rAcoB MORRIS CARNOVSKY
HENNIE BERGER tltt sense of being able to gauge quicl1ly their effectiueness'
PIIOEBE BRAND
RALPH BERGER Itt lter eyes'atl ol ilae people in the house are equal'She is n*Iae
rul,Es GARFTELD
is afraid ol wtter poa€rty"
,trt,t quicfrin emotional response' She
SCFILOSSER ROMAN BOHNEN
MOE AXELROD ,11,,' is pripu according to her own standards' whiclt are fairly
LUTHER ADLER
tlose to those of mosi middle'class families' She ftnows that-
UNCLE MORTY I. E. BROMBERG
.sAM FEINSCHREIBER SANFORD MEISNER rt,ltcn one liues in the iungle one tnust looft out for the wild
Irl,'.
The entire acilon takes pLace in an apartnxcnt
irrroN, her husband, is a born follower' He wouhl' lifte to be
a-
in the Bronr, Neu Yorft City
lr,r,ler. He would tifte to mafte a million dollars' He is not sad
The production was directed by wtxoro cLURMAN t,t (:uer depressed. Lile is an eaen sweet eaent to him' but the
The setting tuas designed by nows AR.oNsoN ",,/,1 days'; t'r./ere sil./eeter yet. He has a dignified sense of him'
,rt1. Hi tiftes People- He ti\es euerything' But he is heartbroften
rlithowt being aware ol it.
.rtNNui is a giil whohas hatt lew friends, male or female' She is
l,rtrttrJ of irr bo,ty. she aon,t asftlauors. she traaels alone. ske
:i, escape if possible'.Shc
Tutaliitic about being trapped, bwt yitl
t, sclf-reliant in the bist sense-Till the day she dies she will bc

1,,it/,[ut to a loued man. She inherits

her mother's sense of
Itttntor and energY.

rerlu is a boy tuith a clean spirit' He wants to ftnou' wants ta

36 JI
 CLIIJTORD ODETS

lesrn. He is ardent, hc is romantic, he is sensitiae. He is naiut

;ionate outbursts corte lrom a strong but containcd emotional I
I
I
too, He is trying to fnd why so m.uch dirt must be cleared aruay
bcfore it is possible to "get to first base." ,:'',"'r::::"tBER wdnts to fnd a home' He is a lonelv man' I
,r loreigner in a strange land, hypersensitiu.e about this fact' f I
rigltt path for himse$ and the othert,
,'^caa, roo, is trying to find a ,,,o,titior,l by the lzurnitiation ol not mafung his way alone" l I
I{e has a' sense of others laughing at him' At night he gets
ll
EIe is aware ol iustice, ol dignity. He is an obseruer of thc
ll I
rrp and sits alone in the darfr. He hears acutely all the small-
athers, conlpares their actiaities uith his real and ideal sentc
II I
,,,,rorl, of life.He might lzaui b"en a poet in another time and
of life. This produces a refectiue nature. In this home he is a
il I
tonstant boarder. He is a sentimental idealist tuith no potuer ,0
'l,rr Ii,
l,l.,rrr. iplrronrha his wile as if he aere dlua'ys offa'ing llll I
a delica't) f'otuer. Life is a high chill u'ind weaaing itsefi
turn ideal to action.
l' I
With physital facts-sttch as howseuorft-he putters. But as a ,,,'ound his head.
barber he demonstrates t)e flair of an artist. He is an old lew I
with liuing eycs in his tired face. , ur.ossER,the ianitor, i'< an oaeruorfted German whose cuife rare l l
ltrudy w;tlt dnother rnan and left him uith a young daughter .i I
{J}IctE MoRrv is a successful American business man with fiue ,t,Jto in turn ran auay and ioined a bwrlesque shoa as
chorut ill l
good senses, Something sinister cames out of tlte fact that tht tirl. The man sttffers rheumatic pains' He has lost his identity lll I
iiues ot' otlters scldom tauch him deeply. He holds to ltis own truenty years belore-
line o! ii|e. When lte is generowt lte tuants others to be atuarc il'
]

al it. He is pleascd by attention---a rich relatiue to tlle BErLGE\ liil

'fwnily. He is a shrerud judge of tnaterial ualues. LIe will dic ill
unmarried. T-uo and twa malg four, neuer fiue tuitlt him. He
l

ti
cun blinft in the sun for' lttsurs, a lat tomcat. Ticftle lrim, ltc ll
laughs. He liues in a pentltouse tuit/t a real lapanese butlu i

t6 s€rae him" He sleeps with dress modcls" bu,t not from ltis own ir
shawrooms. He plays cards for hours on end. He smol1es e"r. lrl
pmsiue cigar,s. He sees euery Micftey Mouse cartoon th6l 1t

qpPears. He is ra 3z-degree Masan. He is really deeply intoLer. it

ant finally.
Ii
turou, AxELRoD lost a leg in the war. He seldirn forgets that fact,
ili
fie llilled tua men in extra-martial actiuity. He is mnrdant,
Jtas
bitter. Life ltas tawgltt ltim a disbelief in euerything, but he
will ligltt hi-o sy6, tkrough. He seldom sl'tous his feelings:
fights against Jtis oun sensitiuity. He has been euerytuhere and
seen cuerything. All rte uants rr r-rnNwrr. fIe is uery proud. Hc
s{'orns the inability ol orhers to mafte tlteir uay in life, but ltc
li\es peaple ior tuhateuer qood qualities they possess. His pat-
 I

lr
I

1r

li
'{'rdE SCENE AWAKE, AND SING!
ti1
ACT ONE,
E*pased an the stdg€ atre thc tiining rctt.ttrt anrl adjoining fronl
roorn of /,/ze snncnn aparkne?tt. 7'hese truo rooms are typically I iirre: X'he present; the family finishing supper. :i

fwrnis/ted" Therc is a curtain betrueen tltem. A'small rloor ofl I'l;rce: An apartment in the lJronx, New York City.
tke front room leat/s lo JAcoB's room. W/ten ltis r\oar is open iiil

onc sees 6. picttffe of sncco ant{ vr,yrznrrt on the uall and seu- I Work crazy!
, r'rr: V/hcrc's aclv;rncement clor'vn the place li1<e
eyal shelaes af boofts. Stage lcft of this doar prc'sents tl.te en- l'lrink they see itl You'cl drop dea<l first.
trat2ce to tlfu f oyet hall af tlte apartment" The ttp,o otlter betJ-
,, r,,rx: l\ever rrrind, sr:tr, merit never goes rrnrewarded' Tecidy
rootns ot' tlte apartment are ofl this ltall, but not necessarily ' . ,, ,sevcll ttst'J L, t sjr
I
)' -
,r .\rH,i It rewarded you--thirty years r hai:erdashery cierkl
s/zarun.
Stage left of the dining room pres€nts a suinging doar which ( I rcoB lauglis.)
opcnt on the ftitclten.
, i,rr: Aii { u,ent's :r chance to llet to first base!
, .re: l lrrr's :rll]
Awalg and sing, ye that dwell , ,r,rr: Stuck tlown in that joint on Fourth Avenue-a stock
ISAIAH-26:I9 , l, r"1i in a siltri house! Just look at Eddic. I'rn as good as he is

lrulling in t-wo-{ifty * week for fr:rty-eight minutes a clay'

\. headliner, his name in al.l the papers.
r ,, ,,rr : Thal's rrzli:r'r yol; tv:rnt, Ralphie I Your name in the p::'per I
,, r,iii I s/anna tnake r,ip rity olvn rnind abol-rr things " '. be
, nrcthingi l)lcln't T ,,vanl to tahe up t,tp clancing, tool
' i rr: $o talie lcssuns. Who str-,ppectr yoril
, r : Cll rnrhat i
, ,,ri: Ori whatl Savr: nioney.
, r'ri: St-lre, {ive dr;ilars a rveei< for e;<penscs and the rest in the
1r, rir,c" I ca!l'[ sar,/c even for shoe laces.

'r r,i; You nrean 1ve sh,r;uldn't have food in the house, but you'li
, r1.:e a jig on tirc street corner?
'rr: X mccn sorn.lll;:tg.
41
 42 CLTFFoRD oDETs AWAKE AND SING! +.
BEssrE: You also mean something when you studied on the dru rEssrE: You got dropsy tonight.
Mr. Smartie! ln(NNIE: Cornpany's coming'
RALrH: I don't know. . . . Every other day to sit around with for fifty cents and win fortunes' A
nyRoN: You can buy a ticket
blues and mud in your mouth. nlan came in the store-it's the Irish Sweepstakes'
Myp.oN: That's how it is-life is like that-a cake-waik.
ahssrn: Whatl
ruyr{oN: Like a rafle, only difierent. A man came in-
RAT.PH: What's it get youl
HENNTE: A four-car funerai. Bussrn:'Who spends fifty-cent pieces for Irish rafresl They threw
RALPH: What's it for I out a family on Dawson Street today. All the furniture on the
lAcoB: What's it forl If this life leads to a revolution it's a go< sidewalk. A fine old woman with gray hair'
life. Otherwise it's for nothing.
BEssrE; Never mind, Popl Pass me the salt.
;lcon: Come eat, RalPh.
*roor, A butcher on Beck Street won eighty thousand dollars
RALIH: It's crazy-all my life I want a pair of black and whi
Erssrn: Eighty thousand dollars! You'll excuse rny expression
shoes and can't get them. It's crazy!
you're bughouse!
BEssrE: In a minute I'll get up from the table. I can't take a bite
*,i'oo*r I seen it in the paper--on one ticket-765 Beck Street
my mouth no more- ntrssrE: Impossible!
l{yRoN (restraining }cr): Now, Momma, just don't excite *ryr{oN: FIe aia . . ' yes he did. He says he'll take his old mother
self_ to Europe . an Austrian-
I'm so nervous I can't hold a knife in my hand.
BEssrE:
IIITNNIE:Europe...
MyRoN: Is that a way to talk, Ralphiel Don't Momma
MyRoN: Six pir cent on eighty thousand-forty-eight hundred a
hard enough all dayl (nrssru allows herself to be reseatctl.) ycar.
BEssrE: On my feet twenty-four hours? nrssrc: I'll give you money. Buy a ticket in Hennie's name' Say,
MYRpN: On her fssl-
you can'i tell-lightning never struck us yet. If they win on
u*nn (iumps up) | What do I do-go to night-clubs with Gre lJeck Street we could win on Longwood Avenue'
Garbol Then when I come home can't iven have my ow pearls-who wouid workl
1N:c:n (ironically): lf. it rained
rooml Sleep on a day-bed in the front room! (Chofted, ie Brssrr: Another county heard from. (nnlPu enters and silently
to front room,) scats himself.)
l,tyRoN: I forgot, Beauty-Sarn Feinschreiber sent you a pres
FESSTE: He's starting up that stuff again. (Shouts to him):Wh
Ilennie here marries yorr'll have her room-I should only li cnt. Since I brought him for supper he iust can't stop talking
' to see the day. :rbout you.
lrnNNIE: What's that "mockie" bothering aboutl Who needt
,!{ENNTE: Me, too. (They settle doun to
serious eating.)
rIuyRoN: This morning the sink was full of ants. Where they co
lriml
from I just don't know. I thought it was cofiee grounds . uYrroN: He's a very lonelY boY'
' and then they began moving. triNNrE: So I'll sit down and bustout crying "'cause he's lonely"
shs$rn: You gave the dog eatl at.ssrn (opening candy): He'd marry you. one two tlrree'
'TAcoB: I gave the dog eat. (HENNTE drobs q knite and Oicfts it nri.NNIE: Too bad about him.
again.) At.silE (nalaely delighted) : Chocolate peanuts'
 44 cLTFFoRD oDETs A\\'AKE ANO STNC!
45
I{ENNTE: Loft's week_end special, two for thirty_nine. ltyr(oN: Don't break appointments, Beauty,
BEssiE r You could think about
and hurt people's
it. It
tl*nt: (laughing): To quote Moe wouldnl h.r.,.
Axelrod, ..Don,t
lcclings. (rnssrn erizs.)
lriNNrE: His hands got free wheeling. (She exits.)
Iaugh." make
llyRoN: I don't know . . . people ain't the same. N-O- The
Never mind laughing. It,s time you
Bnssrn:
rvhole world's changing right under our eyes. presto! No
already had in
rrili |ff1^";::'': thoushi,
whcn I rt,rs youa
A;i,r ;;;l,ii
a"".,
gvrr L srow
Eruw you
a,Je rt was already a big family with J
nranners. Like the great Italian lover in the movies. What
rvas his namel The Sheik. . . . No one remembersl (Erir6
rrii sibilities- ,ha(ng ltis hearl.)
li,i HrNrviE.(lor.rgAing): Maybe that,s
,il what ails you, Mom. aul,n (unmouing at the tab!e): Jake . . .
BEssrE: Don't you feel well? J.lr:rx: Nool
rl'li I-IErvr\rE: 'Cause Im laughingl I feel finb. It,s just funny_tJ l,rr,pu: I can't stand it.
:
poor guy. sending me presents 'cause
he loves me. larnu: There's an expression--('strong as iron you rnust be.,'
lrsslri: I think it's very, very nice.
l
I

t,rr.pn: It's a cock-eyed world.

Sure, . . swell!
I
I'IENNrE:
1rr:on: Boys iike you coulcl fix it some day. Look oll the world.
lll
*ll]1,*^ is engaged to a Brooklyn boy, a not on yourself so much. Every country rvith starving mi!.
tist. He lMarcus'.Rose
came in his car todayl,{ [,r1. dope
should g;; ,";; lions, nol In Gerrnany and Poland a Jew couldn,t walk in th*.
th" ,n*},;,*q #;; nod .
Y:^\l:::!-ed
Borl Tith
usxwrp and nu,pu sit silently ,i'ril-ii'i",-i':
1o"ou ,) street. Everybody hates, nobody loves.
n,tt,r'H:I don't get all that.
denly "he rises.) ":;;;. 1,rtxx: For years, I watched you grow up. Wait! you'll gradu.
rrENuiE: Tell you what, JV{om.
I saved for a new dress, but rrte from my university. (The atlters enter, dressed.)
I, take you_and ?op to the Franklin.
br"t rrvrrow (/rglring): Good cigars now for a nickel.
"ou":l.IT "..a a dress. Fr
planning ro stay in nighrc. Hold nrrssrn (/o lacon) : After take Tootsie on the roof.. (To neI,nu):
BEssrE: Whar's rhe mafter_a
i.alufn;t you suddenlyl
"u"ryihingi What'll yorr do?
It's a good bitl-Belle Baf,er. nf"yU.
"Tilj:, she,ll sing ,. : Don't know.
t,rr.l'l.r
'We nlssrn: You'll see the boys around the blockl
BEssrE: rras going to a movie. !r^r,r,H: I'll stay home every night!
HENlirE: Fcrget it. Let's go. ItYr(oN: Momma don't mean for you-
*:l:i,:'.-: in the.pape,s ly tic4s his teeth) Sophie Tuc Har.r,u: I'm flying to Flollywood by plane, tlat,s what I'm doing
Qs
*, pT"qr. jearf ul business' with (Doorbell riags. rrvnow ansuers it.)
,",.: :: :itWrite
rrr,:-X:r r:T:"^,y: Japan.
a boo[ pop! Co-. o", .Jii;.';; ffi;. btr,ssrB: I don't like my boy to be seen with those tramps on thv
( o!-ner,
Y1. riid you had a date with him for tonight.
MynoN:
r,ryr(oN (ouitltout): Schlosser's here, Momrna, with the garbagc.
BEssrE: Axelrod ?
(lUt.
I
"lTy.? *ll,ht*.no., but he don,t believe it. I,ll tell him n ririssrn: Come in here, Schlosser. (Sotto uoce) Wair, I'll give him
it for the next hundrej y.nrr, ,oo. ;r piece of my mind. (rrtvnav ushers za scnr_ossen who carriet-
 lTffi=€FE.€€eg-

CLIFFoRD oDETs AwaKE aNo srNc! 4?

46
a gat'bage cafl in each hand.) lVhat's the matter the dum rrcon (seeing I^LPr- ren'tot)e his tie): You're going to bed?
waiter's broken againl un,.orr,\o, I-'m putting on a clean shirt'
$cHLossER: Mr. Wimmer sends new ropes next week. I got 4 1nr:on: Why?
sole flrm. got a girl. . Don't laugh!
I
',n,-non
lEssrn: He should live so long your Mr. Wimmer. For seven ,n,,on, $iho laughs? Since when?
years already he's sending new ropes. No dumbwaiter, no r{rI-pu: Three weekr. Stt.-tiut' in Yorkville
with an aunt and
hot water, no steam- In a respectable house, they don't al. uncle. A bunch of relatives, but no parents'
low such conditions. yrcon: An orPhan girl-tch,'Bny,
tch'
scnlossER r In a decent house dogs are not running to make dirty il^LpH: But she's got-me! I'* telling you n could sing!
she's like Jtars' She's st-' beautiful you
look ar her ancl
the hallrvay. |ake,'Sf-r.', 'We went to the park the other
Btsssrn: Tootsie's making dirtyl Our Tootsie's making dirty in ..ff like French words!
the hall? night. Heard the last band concert'
$cHr-ossnR (ro 1,rcon) : I tell you yesterday again. you musr not l,rcoa: Music. . ..
'^.r,nrn It got.cold and I gave her rery
le:rve her_- 1rtu6'ng slzirt in trousers):
rhar, see, without a
syslln (indignantly): Excuse me! Please don't yell on an old coat to .1."i w. iust wakei aiong like
man. He's got more brains in his finger than ynu got-I don't word' see. I never was so happy in all my life"
It got late ' ' -
*. l,rrt sat there. She looke<i nt
-u*yott know what I rnean'
know where. Did you ever see-he should talk to you an old
manl lr,rrnl girl looks at you-right in theeyesl
"I love yo1',- sh"c
,^fr, ""{^tpt I tooL her h"ome' ' ' ' I wanted to
cry' That's
lvfYtloN: Awful"
BEssrE: From now on we don't walk up the shirs no more. you how I felt! "'
keep it so clean we'll fly in the vi'indows. lncoa: It's a beautiful feeling'
scHi,LssER: I speak to Mr. Wimmer. x\LpH: You said a mouthful!
BEssrE: Speak! Speak. Tootsie rvalks behind me like a lady any rrcon: I-Ict' name is--
tirne, any place. So good-bye . . . good-bye, Mr. Schlosser. r( u-PFI: Blanche.
somedmes her€'
$cHi-ossuR: I tell you dot-I verk verry hard here. My arms is. r,ncos: A fine name' Bring her
. . . (Exits in confusion.) I(^LPH: She's scared [o meet Mom'
BEssrF;: Tootsie should lay all <lay in the kitchen maybe. Give yncor: WhYl
out of
hirn back if he yells on you. What's funnyi You know Morn's not letting my sixteen hrucks
lrALpI'I:
it' take one look at Blanche
y t cctw (laughin g) : Nothing. the house if she can help She'J
and insult her in a rninute-a kid who's
got nothing'
BEssrE: Come. (Exits.)
liAcor: FJennie, take care, . yr,coo: BoYchick!
*lEwNrn: Sure. R,\I,PFI: What's the difil
when
trAcots: Bye-bye. (rrrNNrn err'ts. rvrynow pops head bacft in door.) ,;;";, It's no dif{erence-a plain bourgeois preiudice*but
&ryRcN: Valentino! That's the one! (He exix.) tlrey find out a poor girl-it ain't so kosher"

&,ALnH: I never in rny life even had a birthday party. Every time ,,^;.;;' ih.o do,t'i h"uJ tu know I've got a girl"
I rvent and cried in the toilet when mv birthday came. yn,ron: What's in the end?
 i

{8 CLIFTORI, ODETS
awaKE ewp srNc!
Out I go! I don,t mean mavbe!
RALrrtr: 49

/AcoB: And then whati

--'-r"'' ;,rcoe: Me.
RALrH: Life begins. Iron: Good. I'll stick arouncl a few minutes. Where,s Henniel
,AcoB: Whar trifel l,rcor: She went with Bessie and Myron to a show.
RALpH: I-ife wirh mv girl. Boy, I could rror: She whatl!
;t! HI and rne ,og!,h.r-.,'hrr.,I sing when I think J,rcoe: You had a datel
JAcoB: Don'r make a mistake! A
**'iir.r uon (loiding ltis feelings): Here-I brought you some halavah.
RALpH: What,s the idea? ".;1.;l 1,rcor: Halavahl Thanks. tr'll eat a piece after.
JAcoB: Me, I'm the ideal Once I had in vror: So Ralph's got a damel Hot stuff-a kid can't even play
my heart a dream, a card game.
]^r"ll": :.:me,marriage
,"a ,fr."1"., iorr.r.
5qt' \'nlloren
Chitdren cor yncoa: Mpe, you're a no-good, a bum of the first water. To your
and you forget becau
RALrH: Don't worry, dying day you wou'[ charrge.
Jake.
tAcoB: Rernerntrer, a wqman insults a r'ron: lVhere'd you get that stufi, a no-good ?
rnan,s soul like no oth y,rcor: But I like you.
thing in the whole world!
RaLpFr:Why get so excited I No one-- urn; Didn't I go fight in France for democracy I Didn,t I get
JAcoB: Boychick, wake up! Be-somerhing! my goddam leg shot ofi in that war the day before the armis-
Make your life son ticel Uncle Sam give me rhe Order of the purple Heart, clidn't
;*f"_r:11
young *.,.*,,,,:,?.f ;l-?ili;#
who sees in yo hel Wtrar'd you mean, a no-good?
new lifs for such i;;.^*t_
days his
*'f.'J il i: ;nccr: Excuse tne.
1ff,*T,1*"i1,:*e-'r, doilar
shouldn'tbe printed.on,ril" i.y"C-'"*'""a
b1rs. A-;;ffi|,?it
nght ,o rlIr
so rvroE: If you got an orange I'll eat an orange.
-
RALIH: Say, I'm no fooll ;rrcon: No orange. An apple.
jAcor: From my heart I hope t'loe: No oranges, huh?-what a dump!
not. In
- - ""I'" rrv(' rrr the
(rle rmeilntlme-___
rings.) (Bd tAcoB: Bessie hears you once talking like this she'll knock your
RALnH: See who it is, will you? (Stands head off.
to catch me with a clean shirt.
-"--" off)
"u') vu't
Dont. want
w'Dt Mor
tvto lroE: Hennie went with, huhl She wantsa see me squirm, only
(souo u.oce) Moe Axelrocl . (won
I don't squirm for dames.
S:i!:,.9:T:rl
'JX!: Ftrelto girts, horv's enturs lacon: You came to see herl
i,?", y.n*f.Ji;;;;)Tl1fffi:
trtoE:
up. What's it, the weekly uor: What forl I got a present for our boy friend, Myron. Hell
visit ,o-rt. J*iour"l
RaLpH: Please mind your drop dead when I tell him his gentle horse gallop.j i., fift eo
business.
uor: Okay, sweetheart. to one. He'll die.
xlrr'nu (tarting a hidtren doilar IAcoB: It really won I The first time I remember.
rrom a boon:
q If Mom
] 1ysn1- ' -"' """\)' asks wher uor: Where'd they gol
JAcoB: fAcoB: A vaudeville by the Franklin.
RALIH:
lknow. Enjoy yourself. lron: What's special tonightl
_Bye-bye. (He eiits.)
JACoB: Bye-bye" ;acon: Someone tells a few jokes . . . and they forget the stred
r'ron: Who's homel is fiiled with srarving beggars.
uor: What'll they do-start a warl
 5o CLIFFORD ODETS
awAKr, eNo srNc!.,
J^coB: I don't know. 5r
traos:-You oughta know. What the Paradiso." From act four this piece. Caruso stands on the
hell you got all the ship and looks on a Utopia. you hearl ,,Oh paradise ! Oh paf'
for I
rdise on earth! Oh blue sky, oh fragrant air-,,
fAcoBr It needs a new world.
ui3: Thi{s why they had the big war_to tnrr:r: Ask him does he see any orangesl (ressrr, MyRoN and
t
, rv make
rrraAL a
d new
ucw WOI r.rENNrE entcr.)
tney sard-sate for democracy. Sure
every big g"rr.rrl l"yi ;lcon: You came back so soonl
T.:: l "ts hotet
1i,! hatf :
dozen ;;.;,
rru'Lu u'
-"" pinned on rrj Irissrn: Ffennie got sick on the way.
musrache. Democracy! I learned r{yRoN: Hello, Moe. . . . (uon prrts cards bacftin pocft:et.)
;iecorl An imperial war. you know"l;;;;.
what this meansr
Mon: Sure, I know everything!
l ntissrn:Take.gf[ qhe phonograph, pop. (To,i**i") ,'Lay down
;acon: By money men the irrt...rt, must . . . I'll call the docror. you shouid see how ,he got ,i.t oii
be protected. Wl Prospecr Avenue. Two weeks already she don't flel
gar/€ you such a rotten haircutl please right.
'pocrtet), give me for a cenr
(fisiing in his , MYRoN:Moe,..l
a cigaretre. I didn,tI u.YL
have !.rr
si lrssrc: Go to bed, Hennie.
)esterday-
}z.on (giuing-onc): Dont make-me laugh. nriNNrE: I'll sit here.
and lorth between them,*ron
(l cen, passes tri.ssrn: Such a girl I
never saw! Now you'll be stubbornl
finalty ,iro*)og it oaer his s ItyRoN: It's for your own good, Beauty. Influenza_
der.) Don't look so tired all it. ,irr,..
sore about something.
t;;;. a wow*alw ur,.NNrE: I'll sit here.
nttssrn: You eyer seen a girl should say no to cverything.
tAcoB: And you? Shc
tuon: You gor one thing-you. .an can't stand on her feet, se-
play pinochle. I,ll take y, rrriruNrr:_Don't yell in my ears. I hcar. Nothing's wrong.
over in a game. Then you'll t
,o*.,lring to be sore c I ate.
IAcoB: Who'Il wash dishesl (rrrou "u. taftcs tuna fish for lunch.
\ "'\-- dJc\ yro* i*]
drauer.) MYRoN: Canned goods. . . .
Mon: Do 'em a{ter. 'Ien cents a deal. ntssm: Last week you alio ate tuna fishl
illNNrE: Yeah, I'm funny for tuna fish. Go to the
tAcoB r Who,s got ten cents I show_have a,
ivror: I got ten cents. I'll lend it good time.
to you. I don't understand what I did to God He blessecl ml
JAcoB: Commence. ,lr.ssrr',:
(shafting cards): The first time I with such children. From the whole world_
'"on had my hands on a yon (coming to aid ol Hruwm): For
in two days. Lemme shake up these
.*a" f,ff make ,em Chris' sake, don,r kibitz so.,
rnuch!
(;acon ta his room-;;;"";;p;;";;': ilff:r.:r::,
go,es
Irrssrr: You don't like itl
JAcoB: You should live so long.
t"ror: Ever see oranges growl "I tuni, (aping): No, I don't like it.
krrorv a certain place_
oummer I laid under a tree and That's too bad, Axelrod.-Maybe it's better by your
ettssru:
let them fali right in store friends. Here we're difiereni people.
cigrr_
mouth.
Iron:.Don'r gimme that cigar store ling Biessie.
7t'can (ofr, the music is ptaying,. the card game I walked up five
"L'Afrir:ana" . . . a big begins):.Frc flights-*
"*p6r., .;; ;; a new land_i
\2 CLIFFORD ODETS AwAKE AND srNc! 53
BEssrE: To take out Flennie. But my daughter ain't in your
nrissrn: Poppa, did you take Tootsie on the roof I
Axelrod.
Ali ,ight.
1n.,o", 'We can
uoE: To see Myron. cake walk' make--
n,"oo*, Just"look at that-a
MYRoN: Did he, did he, Moel
u,rrrru, Ii, enough talk. I got a splitting headache'
Hennie' go'
r'.ron: Did he whatl
in bed. I'll call Dr. Cantor.
MYRoN: "Sky Rocket"l
irrrNNIE: I'11 sit here ' . . and don't call that old lgnatz'cause
I
bsssrn: You bet on a horse!
wori't see him'
vror: Paid twelve and a half ro one. don't wani
uyRoN: If you get sick Momma can't nurse you' You
MyRoN: There! You hear that. Mommal Our horse came
to go to-a hosPital.
You see, it happens, and twelve and a half to one. Just
Jncon*: She don'i look sick, Bessie, it's a fact'
at that! he tells me no' M7
nnssrn: She's got fever. I see in her eyes, so
Mor: What the hell, a sure thing. I told you. up phone' &azt Hu'\rxrr'i
ron, call dr. C"ntot. (rrtvnoN picQs
BEssrE: If Moe said a sure thing, you couldn't bet a few
grabs it from him.)
instead of fifty cents I
,',I**r", I don't want any doctor' I ain't sick' Leave me alone'
lncov (lawgls) : "Aie, aie, aie." rlyRoN: Beauty' it's for your own sake'
trcn (at his tuallet): I'm carrying six hundred "plunks" in you alwayr
nriNNIE: Day'in and day out pestering: Why are
denominations. a word?
right and no one else can saY
srssll; A lranker!
russl: When you have your own children-
uou' : IJncle Sam sends me ninety a month.
,',,**r", I'm rrot sick! Hear what I say? I'm not sickl Nothing'e
BEssrE: So you save iti the matter with me! I don't want a doctor' (ressrc is uatch'
uon: Run it up, Run-it-up-Axelrod, that's me.
ing her tuith slou progressiae understanding')
BEssrE: The police should know how. 'What's the matter?
nrissrs:
won (sltutting her up): All right, all right- Change twen
lniNNrE: Nothing, I told You!
sweetheart.
rr.ssrn: You told me, [g1- (A long pause ol examinat'iot"
MYRoN: Can you make changel
f ollouts.)
BEssrE: Don't be crazy,
rrnNNIE: See much?
uor: I'll
meet a guy in Goldman's restaurant. I'11 meet 'im (H"
trussrr: Myron, put down the . . ' the. ' ' ' sloaily pua'
come back with change.
MyRoN (figaring on paper): You can give it to me tomorrow
the phoie doin.) Tell me what happened' '''
lrnNNIE: Brooklyn Bridge fell down.
the store.
ltt.ssrE (4pproaching): I'm asking a question. ' ' '
snsun (acquisitiae): He'lI come back, he'll come back! 'What's happened, Mommal
MYRoN:
uon: Lucky I bet some bucks myself.. (In derisioz ro HENNr
ruissrs: Listen to me!
Let's step out tomorrow night, Para-dise. (Thwmbs his
rr,;NNIE: What the hell are you talkingl
at her, Iaughs rnordantly and exits.)
rrrissrt: Poppa-take Tootsie on the roof.
MyRoN: Oh, that's big percentage. If I picked a winner ev
rn.:NNIE (iotding ye'cot bacft): If he wants he can stay herc
dny. . .
wrong' Momma?
MYRoN: What's
 CrrrrFoRD oDETs
54
nussrn (ler aoice quiucring slightly): Myron, your fine Beautl
in trouble. Our society lady. . . .
IuyRoN: Troublel I don't under-is it-P
BEssrB: Look in her face. (He loofts, understands and slouly si
in a chair, wtterly crushed.) Who's the man?
lrENNrE: The Prince of Wales.
BEssIE: My gall is busting in me. In two seconds-
ITENNTE (in a uiolent owtburst): Shut up! Shut up! I'll fump
the window in a minutel Shut upl (Finally she gains
of herself, says in a low, hard uoicc): You don't know him.,
. AWAKE AND SINC! 55
lrssrE: You'll do it, my fine beautyr you'll do itt
uENNIE: I'm not mariying a poor foreigner like him' Can't
even speak an English word. Not me! I'll go to my grave
without a husband'
, rrssrs: You don't say! We'll find for you somewhere a million'
r aire with a pleasure boat. He's going to night school, Sam'
For a boy only thtee years in the country he speaks very nice
In three'y.uru h. prri enough in the bank, a good living'
1r'coo: This is serious?
cEssrn: What then? I'm talking for my health? I{e'11 come
to'

fAcoB:Bessie.... morrow night for supper. By Saturday they're engaged'

J,,,con: Such a thing you can't

BEssIE: He's a Bronx boyl do.
uENNIE: From out of town. tressrB: Who asked Your advicel
BEssrE: What do you meanl ;ncon: Such a thing-
HENNIB: From out of town!! rrr-ssrc: Never mind!
BEssrE: A long time you know himl You were sleeping by 1,rcon: The lowest from the low!
trnssrn: Don't talk! I'm warning you! A man who
girl from the office Saturday nightsl You slept good, n don't believc
lovely lady. You'll go to him . . . he'll marry you. in God-with crazY idea$-
HENNTE: That's what you say. ;ncon: So bad I never imagined you could be'
BEs$rE: That's what I say! He'Il do it, take nry word he'll do i' lnrsrcr Maybe if you didn;t talk so much it wouldn't happer'
tr{ENNTE: Where? (7o lacon): Give her the letter. (;ncon do like this. You with your ideas-I'm a mother' I raise a fami\
so') i they should have resPect
neighbors' opinion!
Bnssrn:Whatl (Reds.) "Dear sir: In reply to your request ;n"o"t R.rp.ct? (Spils.! Respect! For the
the r4th inst., we can state that no Mr. Ben Grossman You insult me, Bessie!
ever been connected with our organization , . ." You don trttssrt: Go in your room, Papa' Every job he ever
had he los:
know where he isl because he's got a big mouth' He opens his mouth and the
yruuE: No. whole Bronx could fall in. Everybody said it.-
snsws. (rualfus bacft and forth): Stop crying like a baby, My ltyRoN: Momma, they'll hear you down the dumbwaiter'
nRssrE: A good b".b.t not to hold a job a week'
MyRoN: It's like a play on the stage. , . . Maybe you
BEssrE: To a mother you couldn't say something before. Il neuer helrd charity starts at home' You never heard it' Pop?
old-fashioned-like your friends I'm not smart-I don't -.,^coB: All you know,
I heard, and morg.Yel' B-ut lllqll ltY
choo suey and run around Coney Island with tramps. (S clon'tmakelikeyou.Beforeyoudoit,I'lldiefirst'He'llfind
walfts reflectiuely to bufret, picfts up a box of candy, puts a girl. He'll go in fresh world with her' This is a house?
dotun, says lo uvnoN) : Tomorrow night bring Sam Fei
"
Marx said it-abolish such families'
ber for supper. Brtssrn: Go in Your room, PaPa'
trENNrE: I won't do it. ynr;on: Ralph you don't make like you!
 57
AWAKE ,CNP STNC!
CLTFFoRD oDETs gold teeth'
56 clise? Christ, it's suicide! Sure' kids you'll have'
BESSTE: Go lay in your room with Caruso and the books togetherl rct {at, big in the tangerines-
J.A.coB: All right! ,,r'**,ut Shut Your face!
down twenty bucks a week?
BESsIE: Go in the room! nrrx:'Who's it-some iope pullin'
fo"ou, Some day I'11 come 6u1 l'll__-
([Jnable to continue' hc time'
Cn, yorr throat, sweetheart' Save
turns, loolp at HENNIE, goes to his door and there says uith cents' Axelrod'
taik to me s0 ',,.r*tt
X.u.r mind your two
an d.ttemp; at hwmor): Bessie, sorne day.you'll saY what I think-that's me!
(He
f tk: giasses
fresh . . . I'11 l.^.r. the house for good! exits") ^',r"t
rrr,.NNIE: That's yo"*"-lott'y
fourflusher who'd steal
wssrc (cryirt'g): You ever in yo"' lift seen itl He
should darel
word' Your of{ a blind man'
H. tho"iilust dare say in the house another
*ror: Get hot!
g^11 .o,rld bust from .o.h man' (Belt rlzgs' uvnox goes') I it-to listen to this rnutt shoot his
^ uriNNIE: My God, do neecl
Go to tl..P now. It won't hurt' rnouth offl
HENNIE: Ve"ttl (won enters, a box in his hand'
MYRoN lollout
NTYRoN: Please. . "
wait a minute' I doir't
and sits datun') iron: Now wait a min'ltc' sweetheart'
r',ron (/oo(s ororid first-putting box on ta-ble): Cake'
-(About have to take t-h'-t from You'
,, gir, *r'nt* the maney, l'te tunts inrtead lo nnssm): Six fifty' ,,r,sstE: Don't Yell at her!
fori. blt, change . . . come on, hand over half a buck' (Sic ril,NNIE: For two cents I'd spit
in yotlr eye'
Here's trvo bits' (rru'xNrE loofrs at
does sa. Of r''rrnoN): Who bit himl -')\. {\tllrotuing cain )"
BESsIE:
'We're soon losing our Hennie, Moe' "t'tq:
ltim and then starts ttcross the room')
rror: Why I What's the matter I r,r':sre,: Wherc arc YoLl goirlg?
dt; ; b!"t'ty nap' Mussoli'i' Wake lrle
up
BESsIE: She made her engagement'
lron: Zat so i ';,'il* (crying),
ir;u'"p,'pi. blosson'r time in Normandy'
(Exits')
BEssIE: Todayit happened . . ' he asked her' ';;;
.rrrr,: PrettYr p."*y-" your Hennie' Sec the look in
hel Who? Who's the corPsel ',*"t-t-g^l'
vron: Did l'er eves ?
'Sh.
BEssIE: It's a secret. ,'r,rrrrt don't feel well' ' ' '
uon: In the bag, huh? \r\noN: Canned goods' ' ' '
,,r'.ssln: So don't start with
HENNIE:Yeah.... her'
BEssrE: When a mother gives away an only
daughter it's no ;1-t;'; g* it' Not like other dames-shove
,,,,r.:,: Like a battleship
married you'll know' ' ' ' her ancl I clon't mean
ioke. Wait, when you'll get 'tm and they lay' l{ot her' i go' ven for
"
*Lt p*trrtr,;, Oottt -"k. *u laugh-when I get marriedl ,r Chinee coin'
I 'em all, cut 'ern in little pieces you don't talk this rvay'
what I think a women Take ,'r.rsts:.Listen, Axelrod, in my house
like a herring in Greek salad' A guy in France hacl the right Lither heve rcspect or
gcl out'
idea_droppi his rvife in a bathtub fulla acid. (I,vhistles.) -r,,r,.:'When I think J;"?l " ' ""ybt I'd
marry her rnyseif'
Sss, down ihe pipe! PfIt-not even a corset button
left!
, -..'str. (surldrnty o'oou- oi
rtor): Youi could- What do you
r\{yRoN: Corsets don't have buttons' Moe?
rror (lo unr',rNIn) : What's the- great idea ? Gone brig time' Para' 'nean,
s8 cLIFFoRD oDETs
uor: You ain't sunburnt-you heard me.
BEssrD: Why don't you, Moel An old friend of the {amily li
you. It would be a blessing on all of us.
l*tor: You said she's engaged.
BEssrE: But maybe she don't know her own mind. Say, it's- ACT TWO
uon: I need a rvife like a hole in the head. . . . What's to k
about women, I know. Even if I asked her. She won't do SCENE I
A gry with one leg-it gives her ttre heebie-jeebies. I is giu'
what she's looking for. An arrow-coliar guy, a hero, but hne year later, a Sunday afternoon' The .front.room' Ttmin
a wad of jack. Only the two don't go together. But I got ;ng n;s rot MoRDEcAI (uNclr rttonlr) a haircut' fie'uspaptrs
,p'ruod around the base o'f the chair' woe' is reading
6 news'
it takes . . . plenty, and more where it comes from. .
in another chair' is spas'
(Breafr,s off, snorts and ntbs his \nce' A pawse. In his iopn, lrg propped on a chair' RALPH,
'rnoa;ral[, ,roding a paper' uNcLE \toRTv reads crtlored io\es'
ILeoB puts on Caruso singing the lament lrom "The P,
l-ish.ers.") Silence, then sBsstu enters'
IESsIE: It's right-she wants a millionaire with a mansion ns,sstn: Dinner's in haif an hour, Morty'
Riverside Drive. So go fight City Hall. Cakel r"ronrv (sril/ reading ioftes): I got time'
i..ror: Cake. u*rrr"r A duck. Don't g.i t
- (Goes ta window
on tht rug, Pop"
I'il make tea. But one thing-she's got a fine boy with "i. the matter the shade's up to
BEssIE: arnd pulls down shide.) What's
business brain. Carusol (Exits into the front room and stanr the ceiling?
in the dar\, at the windou.) ;
1r,con (putling it up
again): Since when do I give a haircut in
rros: No wet smack . .'. a fine girl. . . . She'll burn that gt the darkt (He mitnics her tone')
out in a month. (r'ton retrieues the quarter and spins it t rnssrs: When you're finished, pull it down'
I like my house to
the table.'1 up bottles seltzer from
look respectable. Ralphie, bring two
MyRoN: I remember that song . . . beautiful. Nora Bayes Weiss.
it at the old Proctor's Twenty-third Street-"When It's A R^LPH: I'm reading the PaPer.
Blossom Time in Normandy." IJncle Morty likes a little seltzer'
sr.ssrn:
rnror: She wantsa see me crawl-my head on a plate she want n^LPH: I'm exPecting a Phone call'
A snowball in hell's got a better chance. (Owt of sheer I unrrr", Noo, if i, i*.t you'Il be back' What's the matter?
he spins the quarter in his fingers.) (Giaes him noney op'on !'acket') Take down the old
f'oi
MyRoN (as lrk eyes slowly fill with tears): Beautiful . . . ,r
lnttles.
nror: Match you {or a quarter. Match you for any goddam thi (lo lecor) : Get thar cali if it comes. Say I'll be right back.
r,,,r.r,rr
you got. (Spins tlre coin uiciowsly.) What the hell kind (1acon nods assenl.)
house is this it ain't got an orange!! r,)o"" 1g;r;ng change from aest): Get grandpa some ciga'
Slow Curtais rctles.
rrAr.PH:Okay. (Exix.)
1ncc,r: Whai's new in the PaPer, Moci
59
 6a cLrrrFoRD oDETs AwAKE AND sINc ! 6r
Lrt-rn:Still jumping o1T.the high builclings like flies_the big nt.ss.l (cutting him skort): A graduate from the 13.fu{.T. (S'o-
shots who lost all dreir cocoanuts. pfit!
rrg): Don't forget the shztdr-- (Tlte phone rings. S/te beats
JAcoB: Suicidesl
JAcoB to zr.) Hellol Who is it, pleasel . . . Who is it please i
nron,: Plenty can'i talie it-good in the break, b't can,t take the ... Miss Flirschl No, he ain't here. .No, I couldn't say
whip in the stretch.
when. (Flangs up skarply.)
M?RrI (uithaut loofting up): I saw ir happen Monday in my { )B : For Raiph I
r \{
building. Vfy hair stood_ up how they ,huu"l.d Li- iog.,t.',
*like a pancake-a bankrupt m"rr.rf".tu.".. ,",ssrE: A wrong number. (1,Lco,r loolls at lter and goes bacQto
his job.)
voE: No brains.
trt;on: Excuse rue!
I\4oRry: Enough . . . ali over the sidewalk.
(lo rronrv) : Ralphie took another cllt dorvn the placc
Jacon: If someone said five-ten years ago I couldn,t make for ',rssrn
yesterday.
myself a living, I wouldn't believe
\rl)R'ry: IJusiness is bad. I saw his boss Harry Glici<sman Thurs-
MoRry: Duck for dinner?
rlay. I bought some velvets . . . they're coming in again.
BEssrE: The best Long Island duck.
Do something for Ralphie down there.
tr\.{oRry: I iilie goose. "r,ssln:
\r()R.ry: What can i dol I mentioned it to Cllicksman. He told
BESsTE: A duck is just like a goose, only
better. rne they scpreezed out half the people. (vrvRox erlers
MoRry:Ilikeagoose.
tlressed in apron.)
BEssrE: The next drne you'll be for Sunday 'What's gonna be the
dinner I,ll make a ,,r'.ssrn: endl Myron's working only three
fIoose. rl:rys a week now.
r\{oRry
\t:i!t deeply): Smells
BEssrE: Ain't you
good. I'm a grear boy {cr smells, 'r\ r(o-\: ]t's conJitions.
ashamed I Once in a blue moon he should come ,,,ssrn: Hennie's married with a baby . . monev just don't
to an only sister's house.
iome in. I never saw conditions should be so bad.
Mor{Ty: }3essie, leave rne live.
rrr)r(rY: Times'il change.
BEssrE: You should be ashamed! .r,ri: The only thing'il change is my underwear.
MoRry: Quack quack!
\r)rtry: These last few years I got rny share of gray hairs. (Slzl
BEssrE: No, better to lay around Mecca Ternple playing cards
t t'ading jolgs tuithout hauing loofted up once.) Ha, ha, ha-
with the Masons.
Ibpeye the sailor ate spinach :rnd l.'nocked out four br-lrns.
MoRry (with goctd nature): Bessie, don't you see popt
giving tell you the rvay I see it. T'he country needs :r great
,'' rrow: I'11
me a haircut?
BEssrE: You don't need no haircut. Look,
nrrn now-a reguiar Teddy Roosevelt.
trvo hairs he tooli o.ff. .r.lq' \[,/[21 this country needs is a good five-cent earthquake.
MoRry: Pop likes to give me a haircur. If I saicl
no h..1;i lrr;oB: So long labor lives it should increase private gain-
forger for a year, do you, pop? An old man,s like .,srE (to yacon) : Listen, Poppa, go talk on the street corner.
that.
/AcoB: I still do an A-r job. ':r
'l'lre government'll give you free board the rest of yor-rr life.
MoRry (winrting): Fop cuts hair to fit the {ace, don,t
you, popl r,rrlly: tr'm surprised. Den't I sencl a five-dollar check for Fop
fAcoB:.F'95 sure, Morty. To each facc a cliffcrent haircut. Cis- , very week?
tom built, no ready made. A round face needs special-.__
ii'isru: You could afiord a couple more and not miss it.
 6z CLIFFORD ODETS
A,V\/AKE AND.SING! 6Z
uonry: Tell me jokes. Business is so rotten I could just as life Uncle Sam
lay all day in the Turkish bath. MoRry: Say, you should kick. The rest of your
MyRoN: Why'd I come in heref (puzzled, he exits.) pays you ,rin.,y a month. Look, not d worry il fi:
world'
,no"i Dorr', make me laugh. Uncle Sam can.take his seuenty
MoRry (ro uon) : I hear the bootleggers still do business, hurts'
bucks and-- (Finishes tuith a gesture.) Nothing good
uor: Wake up! I kissed bootlegging bye-bye two years bac
MoRry: For a factf What kind of racket is it now? (He rubs his stutnP')
uor:-If I told you, you'd know something. (newNrn comes lrENNIx,: IJse a crutch, Axelrod. Give the stump a rest'
frq r"rou: Mind your business, Feinschreiber'
bedroom.)
HENNTE: Where's Saml flrssrn: It's a sensible idea'
Saml In the kitchen.
BEssrE: uon: Who asked Youl
HENNTE (calls): Sam. Come take the diaper.
nrssrn: Look, he's ashamed'
MoRry: How's the Mickey Lousel Ha, ha, ha. . . uon: So's your Aunt FannY.
.
nnsrrn (nairrly): Who's got an Aunt Fanny? (Slc
cleans a r*b
ii' HENNTE: Sleeping.
MoRry: Ah, that's life to a baby. He sleeps*gets it in the ber plant's leaaes tuith he.r apron.)
MCRrY: It's a ioke!
some more. To raise a family nowadays you must
lror: I don't want my paper creased before I read it' I want i'
il
-sleeps
a damn fool.
BEssrE: Never mind, never mind, a woman who don't raise Fifty times I said that.
fresh.
family-a girl-should jump overboard. What's she nsssrn: Don't get so excited for a five-cent Paper*our star

for? (To Mon-ro change the subject): your leg bothers boarder.
bad
_
i uon: And I don't want no one using my razor either' Get it
uon: It's okay, straight. I'm not buying ten blades a week for the Berger
sweetheart.
xnssru (zo MgRrI) : It hurts family. (Furious, he limPs out.)
him every time it's cold out. FIe's g
four legs in the closet. nnssrr: Maybe I'm using his razor too'
MoRry: Four wooden legsl uF.NNIET Proud!
uon: Three. trnsstn: You need luck with plants' I didn't clean ofr the leaves

MoRrY: Whar's the big idea? in a month.

uon: Why notl Uncle Sam gives them out free. NloRry: You keep the house like a pin and I like your cooking'
MoRry: Say, maybe if Uncle Sam gave out less legs we Any time Mytott fires you, come to me, Bessie' I'ii let the
balance the budget. l,uti.r go ani you'Il be my housekeeper' I don't like ]aps so
rnuch-sneaky.
JAcoB: Or not have a war so they wouldn't have to give I'm coming to
legs. ttr,-ssrn:say, you can't teli. Maybe any day stay.

MoRry: Shame on you, Pop. Everybody knows war is n (r rrrvr'rrn rrlis.)

sary. ;r'cou: Finished.
Mon: Don't make me laugh. Ask me-the first time you Monry: How much, Ed. Pinaudl (Disengages self ltom chair')
up a dead one in the trench*then you learn war ain't so ; n,:oe : Five cents'
n,,,u'r", Still five cents for a haircut to fit the facel
necessafy.
 65
cLIFFoRD oDETs AwAKE AND SING!
64
tell him yev
surprised, Bessie' For the love of Mike
.,

fAcoB: Prices don't change by me. (Taftes a dollar.) I car rloRry: I'm
change- of nO.

NroRryr Keep it. puy yourself a Packard.. Ha,. ha, I didn't tell himl No!
nrissrn:
-r,,*" t, n.tlrH): No! (nalll goes n a window and loofrs
(tafting laige enuelope from pocftet): Please, you'll
',

ker
Se,con
this for me. Put it away. oz'lt.\
steady rvith
MoRrr: What is it? rrrisstn: Morty, I didn't say before-he runs around
JAcoB: My insurance poiicy. I don't like it should lay arou rr girl.
with a foxie-woxiel
where something could happen. uoRry: Terribli. Shouid he run around
MoRrY: What could happenl trrissls: A girl with no Parents'
Who knows, robbers, fire . . they took next door. Fi
AcoB: u()RrY: An orPhanl 4
f
di. f'o* A year already he..runs around
dollars from O'Reilly. ,ttrtt-, f .""f.i shame'
1ne' she
Believe
MoRry: Say, lucky a Berger didn't lose it' with her. H. b,ot-rght her once for supper'
JAcoB: Put it downtown in the safe. Bessie don't have to k
didn't come again, no!
MoRTY: It's made out to Bessiel n,rrpt-t: Don't think I didn't ask her'
rrrissrn: You l-r."rl Vott them and what's in the end for all
JAcoB: No, to Ralph. 'aise
r{oRrY: To Ralphl vour trouble I
(Exits')
f AcoB: He don't know. Some day he 'll get three thousand. ,^;;' il;;1o,,'ll lay in a grave' no more trouble'
MoRrY: You got good years ahead. [lor{TY: Quack quack!
r'lrr*, igi.l like that he wants to marry' A skinny
consump'
,AcoB: Behind. (ner.r'n enters.) she's-not working-tak-
RALPH: Cigarettes: Did a call comel tive-iooking . . . six to"th' already
Yott should see her' In a year she's
f,q.coB: A few minutes. She don't let me answer it.
ing charity from an ^t"tt'
RALPH: Did Mom say I was coming backl tlead on his hands'
yo.t'a cut her throat if you could'.
JAcoB: No. (lronrv is bac\ at fletu io/gs.) un,.n*nt
boy s tif: woll
RALrH: She starting that stuff againl (russrE enters.) A call That's right! B;i;;t she'i ruin a nice .i
'ussm: step in the prcture ano
for mel first go to prisln. Miss Nobody should
ntsut (uaters Pot lraft, milft bottle): A wrong number. I'll siand bY with mY mourh :f "!'. - ,
*n,.n", ttlirt Noboclyl Who am Il
AI iolsonl
JAcoB: Don't say a lie, Bessie'
RALpH: Blanche said she'd call me at two-was it her? susste: Fix Your tie!
BEssrE: I said a wrong number' t,rr,rn: I'11 tnk. ."0. of my own life'
u,.r;Ii,"' Yo,,ll take care? Excuse
my expression, you can't even
RAL?r{: Please, Mom, if it was her tell me.
BEssrE: You call me a liar next. You got no shame-to start *tO. your nose yet! He'll take care!
(zo u"rrrr;: I'm surprised' Don't worry so
scene in front of Uncle Morty. Once in a blue moon marry a -il:h:,lt:T;
poor- glrl'.w[l
When it's time to settle down he won't
^,,,,.ttt
thicker than love
RALrH: What's the shamel If my girl cails I wanna know it. vou? In the long tu" to"'-on sense*ls

BESsIE: You made enough mish mosh with her until now' i"t-, a great boy for live and let live'
 67
AWAKE AND SING!
66 cLIFFoRD oDETs
BEssrE: Sure, it's easy to say. In the meantime he eats out my rrrrrs: Ha! (Exits-) I'm
heart. You know I'm not strong. ,l)try: When they start arguing, I don't. hear' Suddenly
,1."f. I'rrr gr.^iboy for the practical lide' (He loo\s oaer tnt
A,roRly: I know . . . a pussy cat ha, ha, ha. ^ sits rubbing' l'ter ltantls with lotion')
tsEssrE: You got money and money talks. But without the dollaf
rrlNNrE tulti
!n,NNrE: Hands like a raw Potato'
who sleeps at nightl well ' ' ' l1o Pep'
RALpr{: I been working for years, bringing in money here-put. r()u'ry: What's the matterl You don't look so
ting it in your hand like a kid. All right, I can't get my teeth tn,NNIts: I'm swell.
!r{)rrry: You trsed to be such a pretty girl'
fixed. Ail right, that a new suit's like trying to buy the Chryn.
the blues' You can't tell'
ler Building. You never in your life bought rne a pair <lf !r,NNI!,: Maybe I got
'rorrTy: You could stand a new dress'
skates even-things i died for when I was a kid. I don't car0
irbout that stufi, see. Only just remember I pay some of thc rr,NNIE: That's not all I could stand"
bills around here, just a few . . . and if my girl calls me on ',,,or": Come down to the place tomorrow and pick out.a
tlre phone I'll talk to her any time I please. (He exits. i{F.NNIl :;,;pi.l;.; the "eleven-eighty" li'e' only don't sinS; me thc
l,h-res.
applauds.)
f)on't be so slnart, Miss Americal" ('I'o r'ronrv): He didn't ,r.NNrE: Thanks. I neecl some new clothes'
BEssrE:
I got two thousand pieces of merchandise waiting in the
have skates! Br-rt when he got sick, a trvelve-year-old boy, who ',,-;;,
called a big specialist fc,r the last $25 in the housel Skates! stock room for winter'
,rlNNrE: I never had anything from life' Sam don't help'
1rcos (iust in.,4djusts uindow shade): It looks like snou'to.
',r()R'ry: FIe's crazv about the kid'
dry.
Nr(iRTY: lt's about time-winter. 'r,NNrE:
Crazy ii right. Twenty-one a week he brings in-a
clon'i have-it so hard' I wore my fingers.ofi.on
an
tF,ssrt: Poppa here could taik like Samuel Webster, toc-r, br-rt it'il 'igger I wash baby diapers'
jr-rst taltri. He should try to br-ry a two-cent pickle in the Bur. lJnderwood for six years' For what? Now
i"t." l'." .r"ry the kid too' But half the night the
llnd Market rvithout money. "bo,,, You don't know horn' it is' Uncle
N{oRry: I'r:n gettinS; an appetite. I'id's up. Trv to sleep'
BEssiE: Right away we'll eat. I made chopped 1io61 f6r you. Morty.
No, I don't know' I was born yesterday' Ha' ha'
ha'
.r()r{Ty:
NroRrY: My specialty! You like eggs? F{a?
S<rme day I'll leave you a little nest egg'
BF.ssrE: Ralph should only be a success like yrir-r, IVIorty. I should
,',NNIE: Whenl When I'm dead and buriedl
only live to see the day when he rides up to the door in a big
,r()rd'ry: No, when l'm dead and buried' Ha' ha' ha'
car with a chaufieur and a radio. I could die lrappy, believe
rr,.NNtE: You should know what I'm thinking'
me.
r{oRr'}:: Success she says. She slroulcl see how we spend thort. rr)r<Ty: FIa, ha, ha, I know. (n'rrnoN enters'),
myself' I-
sands of clollars making up a winter line and winter don't ,,noN: I never take a drink' I'm just surprised at
come--sumrner in January. C;rn you beat it? ,,,rtry: I got a pain' Maybe I'm hungry'
Don't live, just make success.
rynoN: C"ome inside, Morty' Bessie's got some schnapps'
JAcoB:
MoRrYr Chopped liver-ha! ',,r.'rvr
I'll take a drink. Yesterday I missed the Turkish bath'
 69
A,I\/AKE AND SING!
68 cLTFFoRD oDDTs
MyRoN: I get so bitter when I take a drink, it iust surprises mc, ,r.NNrE: What's it to You?
,,o, I krro* you from the old days' How you like
to spend it!
r\,rcrRry: Look how fat. Say, you live once. . . Quack, quack, th': ears'
shoes' perfume behincl
(Both exit. won stands silentl,y in tlre doorcuay.) What tr mean! Lizarcl-skin
a hot one-
rnv (entering): I'11 make Leon's bottle now! . . You're in a mess, Paradise! Paradise-that's
yah, crazy to eat a knish at your own rvedding'
HENNTE: No, let him sleep, Sam. Take away the diaper. (IJc
docs. Exits.) ,,,,r*rut I get it-you're jealous' You can't get me'
l,ilv (aduancing into tlte room): That your husbandl ,r,rr: Don't make me laugh'
You'd
Don't you know I ,,.*"*tu,Kid |ailbircl', b"tit trying to make me for years'
HENNTE:
giu. yo*. other leg. t"rr ttoot"al lvlaybe' but you're in the
rror: h{aybe he's a nurse you hired for the kid-it looks it- I don't give a damn no
how he tends it. A guy comes horvling to your old iady every Oniy it s worse for you'
"une'boat.
time you lool< cock-eyed. Does he sleep with youi rnore, hut You gotta Yen makes You-
I{ENNTE: Don't be so wise! r,n: I)on't make me laugli'
Compared ,o yotil'- sittin'- on top of the
world'
luon (intlicating news7aPer) : Here's a dame strangled her hubby ',r**,
,,,n: You're loring you' looks' A dame don't stay young for-
with wire. Clairned she didn't like him. Why don't you brain
('Vef .
Sam with an axe some night?
,niNNrE: You're a liar. I'm only twenty-fiour'
HENNTE: Why don't you lay an egg, Axelrod? 'When
,,,8: You comin' home
to staY?
uon: I laid a few in my day, Feinschreiber. Hard-boiled onet
too.
,rlNNIE: Wouldn't you like to know?
HrNNlr: Ycah ? ,,,t:
I'11 get You again'
rror: Yeah. You wanna know what I see rvhen I look in your rnlNNrE: Think so?
eyes I
'r,r.;; $s1s, whatever goes uP comes down' You're easy-you
,.rrr..rrb.r_two {or a"nickei-a pushover! (swddenly
she slaps
nnNxm: No. the ideal
rtcs: Ted Lewis playing the clarinet-some of those high crazy ltim. They both seem stunned') What's
notes! Christ, you coutrda had a guy with some guts instead rr.NNlE: Go on . . . break mY arm'
t,,r,. (as il saying "I loue you".): Listen'
lousy'
of a cluck stands around boilin' baby nipples.
,,,.r*ru, Go on, do something!
HENNTE: Meaning youi
l.rot: Meaning me, sweetheart. . r, ,r,: Listen-
rrENNrE: Think you're pretty goocl. iu,.NNIE: You're so damn tough!
rtos: Yor-r'cl knor,v if I slept with vou again. ,r,,t,: You like me. (He talPs her')
-*,"t i"f.e your h*ttl ufil (Pusies him away') Come around
HENNTE: I'11 smack your lace in :,r minute. ', in the ark with the
uon: Yon do and I'll break your arm. (Holds up paper.) Take rvhen it's a floocl again ancl il-"y ptl' you
man!
a look. (Ilear/s): "'Ien-day lu,xur1, cruise to Flavana." -l'hat's .rnimals. Not even"then-if you was the last
,r.t,; ]J1ly, if you hacl a dog I'd love. the dog'
the stuff you cor-rlcla had. Put u1r at ritzy hritels, {renchie soap,
, !i.r'.rNlE : Gorilla! (Erits' R^LP:,:'
etiters')
champagne. Norv you're tied down to "SnaL"e-Eye" herc,
What forl What's it get youl 2 x 4 {1at on rcl}tlr , \r lrl: Were You here before ?

Street . a pain in the bustle it gets you. ^ ' ,,,r, (sits) : Whatl
 70 CLTFFoRD oDETs
RAL?H: When the call came for me I pendent. Get what-it-takes and be yourself. Do what you like
von: Whatl
RALIH: The call came. (yacon cnters.)
von (rubbing iis /eg): No.
JAcoB: Don't worry, Ralphie, she'll call back.
RAL?H: Maybe not. I think somerhin's the matter.
facoB: Whatl
RALpH: I don't know. I took her home from the movie
night. She asked me what I,d think if she went away.
tAcoB: Don't worry, she'll call again.
RALrH: Maybe not, if Mom insulted her. She gets it on
ends, the poor kid. Lived in an orphan aryltin most of
life. they shove her around like an .*piy'freight uain.
JAcoB: After dinner go see her.
RALIH: Twice they kicked me down the stairs.
JAcoB: Life should have some dignity.
RALpHi Every time I go near the place I get heart
failure.
uncle drives a bus. You oughta see him-like Babe
uon: Use your brains. Stop acting like a kid who still wets
bed. Hire a room somewhere-a club room fo, t*o *ernl
RALIH: Not that kind of proposition, Moe.
Mon: I)on'r be a bush leaguer all your life.
RALpH: Cut it outt
:.aon (on a sudden upsurge of cmotion): Ever sleep
with o
Look at 'im blush.
nALPH: You don't know her.
von: I seen her-the kind no one sees undressed
till
taker works on her.
RALrH: Why give me rhe needles all the timel What'd I
. do to you?
von: Not a thing. You're a nice kid. But grow up! In life t
two kinds-the men that's sure of themselves and the
who aint!- k's time you qdfit being a selling-plater and gol
the first class.
IAcoB: And you, Axelrodl
ii
i von (to yacon) : Scratch your whiskers! (To narru) : Get i
l
''
:
AWAKE AND srNc! 7r
lrlpu: Got a suggestionP (ruonry entcrs, eating.)
uou: Sure, pick out a racket. Shake down the cocoanuts. Set
what that does.
NoRry: We know what it does-puts a pudding on your nosel
Sing Sing! Easy money's against the law. Against the lav'
don't win. A racket is illegitimate, no?
uor: It's all a racket-from horse racing down. Marriage, poli
tics, big business*everybody plays cops and robbers. You,
.
you're a racketeer yourself.
|t{)Rry: Whol Mel Personally I manufacture dresses.
)rr)Ii: Florse feathers!
uonrv (seriously): Don't make such remarks to me without
proof. I'm a great one for proof. That's why I made a success
in business. Proof-put up or shut up, like a game of cards. I
heard this remark before-a rich man's a crook who steals
flom the poor. Personally, I don't like it. It's a big lie!
Mon: If you don't like it, buy yourself a fife and drum-and go
light your own war.
Mr)Rry: Sweatshop talk. Every )ew and Wop in the shop ears
rrry bread and behind my back says, "a sonofabitch." I started'
lrr>m a poor boy who worked on an ice wagon for two dollars
l week. Pop's right here-he'Il tell you. I made it honest. In
thc whole industry nobody's got a better name.
lAr:rx: It's an exception, such success.
lr)R'ry: Ralph can't do the same thingl
the
fArxrn: No, Morty, I don't think. In a house like this he don't
rcalize even the possibilities of life. Economics comes down
like a ton of coal on the head.
lroti: Red rover, red rover, Iet Jacob come over!
frrror: In my day the propaganda was for God. Now it's for
Fuccess. A boy don't turn around without having shoved in him
lrc should make success.
ltr)rr'r'y: Pop, you're a comedian, a regular Charlie Chaplin.
;,rrror: He dreams all night of fortunes. Why notl Don't it say
irr the movies he should have a personal steamship, pyjamar
 AwAKE AND sINGI 73
CLIFFORD ODETS
nr,.r,H: It's the truth. ]1'5-
f.rr fifty dollars a pair and a toiiet like a monumentl But in
.r,rr('lY: Keep quiet, snotnose!
the morning h" *"k". up and for ten dollars he can't fix tlrl tsut i1
teeth. And rnilliottt lxore worse ofi in the mills of the Southq
r,,rrs: For ,lrr.,.h*rity, :r bone for an o1d dog' \ssi1 yt
turn black in his head' In
,,ld man dor.'i tok" .itr.ity so his eyes
starvation wages. The blood frorn the worker's heart' (uonlt
liussia they got Ndarx.
lawglts loud and long.) Lattgli, laugh tornorrow not'
(scoffingl1): Who's MarxP
*oo"i, A real, a real Boob McNutt you're getting ro be' ',,t,r^i
,,,r,: Air oi.nJtJ., for the
yanks. (r'ronrv howls with delight.)
IAcoB: Laugh, my son. ,,,rr'ry: Ha ha ha, it's better than the iokes' I'm teiling
you' This
MoRrY: F{ere is the North, PoP. it in your pipe and srnoke it'
is Uncle Sam's country. Put
JACoB: North, south, it's one country. the paPers'
,,r ';srEr Russia, he says! Read
MoRry: The country's all right. A duck ciuacks in every pot!
down men and womcn ' 'r : Here
is oPPortunitY.
JAcoB: You never heard horv they shoot .o*, tr.opt.."rr', b.ii.u. in God in Russia' The papers tell
,':
which ask a better wage? Kentucky r93zl
tlre truth, theY do.
rvroRry: That's a pile of chopped liver, Pop' (nnssrn and othett for it?
lr,rrn: So you'believe in God "'you got something
enter.) You harvested the
Y'u! You worked for all the capitalists'
Jacon: Pittsburgh, Passaic, Illinois-slavery-it begins
rvhcrt
t'uit frorn your labor? You got God! the past comforts
success tregins in a competitive system. (rtontv houls uith dc' -But
y,,ul The p....rr, smiles on you, ycsl It promises.you
the
tight.) a piece of earth where you
Irrture somethingl Did you found
r"roJrv:'Oh Pop, what :rre you bothering? Whyl Tell me whyl
live like a human being and die with the sun on
your
,,,uld
Ha ha ha. I bought yol-l a phonograph . . ' stick to Caruso' But
l,rcel Tell me, yes, teli me' I would like to know myself'
nEssrs,: He's starting uP again- struggle for existence-
,,n these questions, on this theme--the
MoRry: Don't bother with Kentucky. It's full of moonshiners'
y,,tt can't'-"L. ansr,ver' The answer I see in your face " ' '
;acou: Sure, sure-* "r,
tlre answer is your mouth can't talk' In this dark
corner you
MoRry: You don't know practical affairs. Stay horele and cul
',it and you die. But abolish private properry!
hair to fit the {ace.
Red Sea opened and thl ,,,',r,x (settling the issue): Noo, go fight City Hall!
JAcoB: It says in the Bible how the r,)ruY: He's drunk!
Egyptians went in and the sea rolled over them' (Quotes twQ
studying from books a whole lifetime'
tiiti of Hebreu.) In this boy's life a Red Sea will happerl ,,,rllv:I'm 1r,,rn:
That's what it is-he's drunk' What the hell does
all
again. I see it!
tlult mean I
*oorr, I'm getting sore, Pop, rvith all this sweatshop talk'
1',,,,n: If you don't know, why siroulrl l-tell you'
BEssIE: He don't stop a minute. The whole day' like a phono
.,'r,:," 1ri;rroph6nt at /rrt; Yot' see? Hear him? I-ike ali thosc
graph. '
don't have a rool nrrts, don't knout what they're saying'
rrJ*tt I'm surprisecl. Without a rich man ycru
' ;ir olli I know, I know.
over your h."d. you don't know itl
';ri'

rrill,r.yl Like Boob McNutt you knorv! Don't go in the park,

MyRoN r Now you can't bite the hand that feeds you'
l',ir-'th€ squirrels'll get you' F:[a, ha, ha' ' ' '
RAL?H: Let him alone-he's right!
BDSsIE: Another county irear{ from.
 rl
rl 74 CLIFFoRD oDETs AWAKE AND SING! /)
,ii
i.iil
BEssrE: Save your appetite, Morty. (?'a rutnow): Don't drop tlown , . . tonight! Nine o'clock sure sure . sure,.
,i duck. ,..(Hangswp.)
ili
ii MYRoN: We're ready to eatr'Momma. ;lrnu: What happened?
li MoRTy (to yecon) : Shame on you. It's your second chi *ltil\ry (enters) : Listen, Pop. I'm surprised you 6i6rr'r-- (He
i (Noau they file out. MyRoN first cuith the ducft, the othns Itouls, shaftes his head in rnocft despair, erix.)
ii.
ii hind him.) ;rrxrn : Boychick, whatl
i, JEssrE: Come eat. We had enough for one day. (Exits.) l,rr,r,r.i: I don't get it straight. (To lecon): She's leaving...
I' 'Wherel
i
MoRrr': Ffa, ha, ha. Quack, quack. (Exits.) ;er:on:
,jl
(1acon sits there trembling and deeply humiliated. vron lrr.r,n: Out \Vss1_- To Cleveland.
proacltes lzinz and thumbs the old tna.n's nose in the directi ;,rr,,ro: Cleveland ?

," ol tlte dining room.)
,l
r"ton: Give 'em five. (Taftes his hand away.) They got you
ll
on the wall like a picture, Jake. (He limps out to seat him
at the table in the next room.)
;acoe: Go eat, boychick. (nar,r,u cot'nes to him.) He gives me
so I'll climb in a needle. One time I saw an old horse in s
mer . . he wore a straw hat . . . the ears stuck out on
An old horse for hire. Give me back my young days . . .
me fresh blood . . arms . . . give
rings. Quicftly RALrH 8'odr to it. Tncon pulls the curtains s',
-ctands there, a sentry on guard.)
RALrH: Hello I . . . Yeah, I went to the store and came ri
back, right after you called. (Loofr.s at yrcnn.)
tAcoB: Speak, speak. Don't be afraid they'll hear.
L{LrH: I'm sorry if Mom saicl something. You know how
citable Mom is . . . Sure! Whatl . Sure, I'm listeni
. . . Pr-rt on the radio, Jake. (;acon does so. Mwsic comes
and up, a. tango, grating uith an insistent nostalgic pwl,
Under the couer ol the music utrvln speafts more freely.)
...yes... What's the matterl Why're you cryingl W
happenedl (To yacor:) She's putting her uncle on. Yesl
Listen, Mr. Hirsch, what're you trying to do I What's the
ideal Honest to God. I'm in no mood for joking! Lemme tr
to her! Gimme Blanche! (Waix.) Blanchel What's thisl
this a jokel Is that truel I'm coming right down! I
fu1--_ You wanna do thatl . . . I know, [u1- l'rn
lAr.r,rr: . . In a week or two. Can you picture itl lt's a Put-uP
iob. But they.can't get away with that.
;rrix: We'll find something.
lAr.r,u: Sure, the angeis of heaven'Il come down on her uncle's
clb and whisper in his ear.
tA(joB: Come eat. . We'll find something.
lALlu: I'm meeting her tonight, but I know- (nessrc throws
o!)en tlze curta.in bettueen the two rboms and enters.)
ltusrn: Maybe we'll serve for you a special blue plate supper in
thc garden?
lrr:on: All right, all right. (nnssrn goes ouer to the uindow, I'euelt
tlte shade and on her way out, clicfrs ofr the radio')
)tlirw (within):Leave the music, Bessie. (She clicfts it on again,
loofts at them, erits.)
llt,pu:Iknow...
;rrrron: Don't cry, boychick. (Goes ouer to nnllrr.) Why should
you make like thisl Tell me why you should cry, just tell me.
, . . (ya.con taftes t'tt-ttr in his arms and both, trying to fteep
l,,tck the tears, trying fearfu!.ly not to be heard by tlte' others in
thc dining rootn, begin crying.) You mustn't cry. . ' .
ol
I'l'hc tango tutists on,Inside the clatter of dishes and the clash
rrttlery sound. MoRrY begins to howl ouith laughter.)
Curtain
76 CLIFFORD ODETS A'V\/AKE AND SING!

SCENE II lAr,r,rr: Ten p.M..and all is well. Where's everybody?

;rr,'rr: They went'
.'

That night. The darfr dining room. i*r,r'rr: Ijncle Morty tool
AT RISE ;acoo zi heard in his lighted room, reading fro i^,,,,,,, F{.tti. ani Sam he drove down'
sheet, declaiming aloud as if to an awdience. t,t,,,,,,r I saw her.
7sr:rnr (alert and eager):
Yes, yes, tell
9e,..
Jacoe: They are there to remind us of the horrors-under i^,,',,,,'I waited in Mount Morris Park till she came ou. So cold
crosses lie hundreds of thousands of workers and farmers I tlid a buck'n wing to keep warm' She's scared to cleath'
murdered each other in uniform for the greater
glory
;rr.ru: They made herl
capitalism. (Comes out ol his room.) The new imperialist 1r,,,,,,, Srrr.. She wants to go' They keep yelling at
her-they
will send millions to their death, will bring prosperity to witnt her to marry a millionaire, too'
pockets of the capitalist-aie, Morty-and will bring
;lr;ou: You told her You love herl
greater hunger and misery to the masses of workers and fa "Marry mer" I said. "Marry me tomorrow'"'On six-
1,t,,,,,r, S,r.a.
ers. The memories of the last world slaughter are still vi tccn bucks a week. On top of that I had to admit Mom'd
ha','r'
in our minds. (Hearing a noise he quicQly retreats to tlrtcle Morty get me fired in a second' ' ' ' Two can starve ad

roonx. R Lpr;t comes in from the street. He sits uith hat ,lrcap as one!
caat on. I^coB tentatiaely oryens door and as(s): Ralphiei
fAr:ou: So what haPPened?
RALrH: It's getting pretty cold out. ;rr.r,rr: I made her promise to meet me tomorrow'
ltcos (enters room fully, cleaning hair clippers): We s i^,,,,u, No* she'll go in the West?
'
have steam till twelve instead of ten. Go complain to grr,r,',' I'd fight thJwhole goddam world with her, but not her'
"-N,, right-I'll
Board of Health. grr,r. tfr. ft.U with her. If she wantsa go-all
RALPr{.' It might snow. gct along.
JAcoB: It don't hurt . . . extra work for men. important things than girls' ' ' '...
;^,,,,ur Eoisure> there's more
RALrH: When I was a kid I laid awake at nights and heard I,tt,,,lr, Yor., said a mouthful . . ' and maybe
I don't see it' She'll
sounds of trains . . . far-away lonesome sounds . . . bo rt'c what I can do. No one stops me when I get going' ' ' '
going up and down the river. I used to think of all kinds (Near to tea'rs, he has to stop. Ttcos examines his clippers aery
things I wanted to do. What was it, Jake? ]ust a bunch losely.)
noise in my headl ' 'Eiectric
;r,rrr,: clippers never do a iob like by hand'
yrcoy (waiting for news of the giil): You wanted to make i,rr,r,rr: Why won't Mom let us live herel
yourself a certain kind of world. Why? Because in a society like this today people
fi,,,,,,, Why?
RAL?H: I guess I didn't. I'm feeling pretty, pretty low. ,1,,n't love. Hate!
JAcoB: You're a young boy and for you life is all in front li parlors' I got
lAl,r,rr:Gee, I'm no bum who hangs around pool
big mountain. You got feet to climb. tlrc stuff to go ahead. I don't know what to do'
IRAL?H: I don't know how. ;Alorr: Look Jr, *. and learn what
to do, boychick' Here- sitt'
lecoe: So you'll find out. Never a young man had such lrr olcl man polishing tools. You think maybe I'll use them
tunity like today. He could make history. rrpirrin! Look on this f""il.rr. and see for seventy years he talked'
 CLIFFORD ODETS

with good ideas, but only in the head" It's enough for rne.no$ "'nr: cossacks. rhey
;, H*;'i::l |ew without ' '*':l
t should see your happiness. This is why I tell you-DO! D€ llt: came home-l remember like yesterday h9* this
he came
the cover
lr,rn€ xnd went in bed for two days' He put like
what is in your heart and you carry in yourself a revolutiot!
Tht third morning he died'
But you should act. Not like me. A man who had goldcn ,,r' his face. No one should
""'
opportunities but drank instead a glass tea. No. . . . (A pautl ,, ,,,t : Ffom What I
this' Me
a broken heart' ' Some people are like
',
of silence.) ,\r: From
x*nv (listening):IHear it? The Boston air mail plane. Ten min' r,,,,. tr could die like this from shame'
utes late. I get a kick the way it cuts across the Bronx every ,, , ,r : Flennie told Yor something ?
'.,',
1

sioigh. orrr rir. said it--lif,e a hghtning from the

sky"
night. (The bell rings: slr*r, crcited, disheueled, enters')
tacoB: You came back so soon? tlrc baby ain't mine. She said it'
;nrr: Where's Moml ,, r r r,r I: Don't be a doPe'

IAcoBr Mom? Look on the chandelier. i\( ()u: For sure, a joke.
s,q,rr: Ncbody's homel , ,rr: She's kidding You'
', Please
JAcoB: Sit down. Right away they're coming.
You wer't in thl ,^r: She shouicl ki<i a policcman' not Sam Feinschreiber'
nighttime
street without a tie ? . . you clon't knorv ier iike me' I wake up in
-the
.,,,,1 she sits watching rne like I don't
know what' I make a
saru: Maybe it's a crime.
looks for a
fAcoB: Excuse me. ,,,,. iitirrg fron, thu"store' But it's no use-she
could ga 6azy
RALrH: You had a fight with Hennie againl .r,'r in thJ sky. I'rn afraid like anything' You
sarr: She'll fight once some d"y. . . . (Lapses into silence,l l',,tn less even. What I shall do I'll ask Mom'
"trCs a bad dream"'
JAcoB: In rny day the daughter came home. Now
comes the sotlr ;,,,,r: "Go horne and sleep," she'll say' couid
in-law. ,rr: lt clon't ,ntirfy ,* rnoit, "tth remarks' when Hennie
l.,ll in the bed. (lacon laughs') Don't laugh' I'm
sc nervofsl
snu: Once too often she'll fight with me, Hennie. I mean it. I
lrroli, two tirnes I weighed myself on the subrvay
st:rtlon'
mean it like anything. I'm a person ra'ith a bad heart. I sil
quiet, but inside I got a- J
I I'ltrows small cards to table')
thirty-eight-also.a
RALPH: What happenedl 1r',,,, (examining one): One hundred and
"Yc'u are inclinecl to cleep think-
sert: I'll talk to Mom. I'll see N{cm. l, 'l rtlne. (1'wrns it on"l
"n'/'): excellence and
IAcoB: Talce an appie. ,rrrt, lnd irnu. high admiration fcir intellectual
" of friends'" Cor'
salt: Please . . . he tells me aPPles. linecl to be very cxclusive in the selection
'i,, in the wrorrg family'
RALrIT: Why hop around like a billiard balll t , r! I think -*yt. yot' got mixed up
',
sarr: Even in a ioke she should dare say it. antl Bnsstu nola efiter')
','r. (l'rvnox
',
wrong with
JAcoB: My grandchild said somethingl ,, ,,, I)ok, a guestiWhat's the matter ? Something
,n*r T'o -! fnth.. in the old country they did a joke ' . . I'[ rl', baby? (Waits')
tell you: One day in Odessa he talked to another ]ew on thl . r Ncl.
st.eet. They didn't like it, they jumped on him like a wild ,, .",: NOOI
wolf. '. , (in a burst): I wash my hands from everything'
don't
RALPH: Whol ,,, .,,' : 'llal<e off your coat ancl hat' Have a seat' Exciternent
 CLIFFORD ODETS
help. Myron, make tea. you,ll
have a glas,s
AwAKE AND srNG! B,
civilized people. (r.tvnou jors.) ,lVhat"is tea. We,ll talk lilie i',.rlcl such a remark in all your
ir, LLa.[ph, ycn,r:e ,rll lifel She should make such a
ctres,se<]_yp for a partyl qfi"
sau) : \,Ve satri., :r very goo.l
i"L4, )liri
,,,"rrty antt exits. "t,rt rrr rnent! Bughouse.
,,,.r: The littie one's been sick ail these
movie, ,"irH-ilirfi".e l3cery. months. F{en*ic *eeds
like life, very good. He acrr
'st. No doubt.
r,
MyftoN (tuit/tin\: prrlly Moren :
BEssrE: Polly tr4oran too.-a
tr__o. 'r Sam don't thinli she means ir
woman with a nose from here ',,r1 ; Q[, I i<no.v he Con't, 6;f cgilrse==-_
F{unts Point, but a fine player trr
r : I'il say dre trurh, s;rm"
i.Op",'r"l* away the toois antl we cridn't harf the tjme uncrer-
the books. ,,nti hcr ourselves. A girl with h"er own
mind. When she
IACoB:,\ll righr. (Ltix to ltis roont.\ ',, '!'cs it up, wiid horses wouldn't c-hange l-rer.
BEssrEj bJoo, sam, rvhy , , Sihe dor,'t love
r]o you look rike a ftrneraD me.
sanr: f carr't stand it. . . , , rr,: This is sensibie. Saml
REssrr: (,yettt): you rook up Tootsie , : h.Iot for a nickel.
l,/,.ut on rhe roof.
i,,cou (ruitltiz): In l
BEssiE; 'What can,t vou
ruinute. ', rr,.: What do you thinkl She_married you for your m{)neyl
stancl i J,rr Jour iooksl You ain't no
John Baorynrc,rc, Sam. lnkr, she
sarr: She sai<j I'rn * r..orrd fiddle rri , rI V()ll,
in rny owrl ircuse.
nrssrn: Who r. 'I I'lcase, fiot for a nicker. (In"oo si:ands
in the daortuay.)
sarr: tr{cnnie. In the second place, .r,: \tr/e.srood right here the first
it ain,t rny baby, she saicl. time she saicl it. ,,Snm'tr.irr.
BEssrE: Whatl Wh:tt are you talkingl (n'rvnoN enters uitlt l,rciber's
a nice boy,".she said it,,.a boy he,s
rrisltes.) iJ,,,rI sen$e, with a business 51ot go".l on",r-
h_cad." ltighi here .rl.lc'.r"i.l jr, in
snM: Froln her ovnrn tnouth. rlrr: roo.nl. You sent her two boxe,
It u,eut lilie a knife in rny heart. of"cancly together, yorl re.
BEssrE:
Sam, rvhati-e yoLr sayingl rir( ntller l
sarr: Plcase, I,rn mal<irig.".ioril ; l6f1'5 candy.
,r,r;';
I fell in dre chair like a dead.
BEssrE: Such a sl(rr)i you believe? This is when she said it. What clo you think
rr :
sarr: I don't know. i
, r ,,1.1 ; were just the only boy she cared for.
BEssrE: FIow you don't _f6u.
knowl ,r,: So she rnarried you. Such
sar,r: She toid me even the
a world... plenty of boy
man. lrr, 116]s she hacl, believe mel
BEssrE: Impossibiel ,
",': A popular girl. . . .
sav: I can't believe rnyself" Bur ,,N: Y-e-s.
,
she said it. tr,nr a second
she said. She rrrade s,ucli a ficjdlc,
y.il *d;;y nu".a for ten milcs.
,,:.l'11 say ir iihirr our__L{oc Axelrod
o{Terecl l.rcr plentv-_a
ntssrn: Such.a rfing H-ennie , ri,.tnt, a house . . .
shc,uld ,"y_inpossible ! she don't have tr., pick Lrp a hancl.
sanr: Whar should i dol
With rny U"J t."r,'ruch a remarli
kills,
"' :Oi:, &4oci.fusr rvil,l abour hcr. .
r{yRoN: Ftrcrurie don'r feel -rveil,
dam. y;;;-;.", .she_ N,loe Axeirodi Fie wantecl ro_
nEssrn:What theni__a sick girl. Believe -;;, r . I-lur she didn't care" A
Nerves. Our Flennir:'s got a , morher hnows, girl lil<e F{ennie you don,t buy. i
l,,riltl never live to u"",rrrurh", clay
bed _-;.; you1l let her she if lin ieXlins a lie.
anything. She rakes says
, .lrr ,v:rs Licltiirrg;nc.
"frl -"_n";;;;:'ii:; ur.no*): you evt,r
,' , "*4,thai rhenl l-ou shuuldn't be
foolish.
8z CLIFFORD ODETS awaKr axo srxc! 8t
sa,r.r: The baby looks my family. He's got Feinschreibe! rlrc orchestra-a man like a mouse. Maybe she'll lay down and
eyes. ,lrr' 'cause he makes a living?
BEssrE: A biind man could see it. ',,, r,n: Can I talk to you about somethingl
JAcoB: Srire .. sure. ',' ,rr,: What's the matter-I'm biting you?
s,qr'I: The baby looks like me. Yes. ,.'r'rr: ft's something about Blanche.
Bnssln: You could believe me. i.r .,,rr,: f)on't tell me.

Jacon: Any d"y. . . . ,''rr'rr: Listen now-

sar.r: But she tells me the man. She made up his name tool ,, ..,rr,: I dcln't wanna know,
tsHssrE: Sam, Sam, look in the phone book-a million names. ..,r,rr: She's got no place to go.
, , . .rr,: I don't want to know.
MyRoN: 'Iom, Dick and Flarry. (1ncon laughs quietly, soberly.\.
BEsslE: Don't stand around, Poppa. Take Tootsie on the roofC !.ir
'u: Mom, I love this girl. . . .
,,, n.; : So go knock your head against the wall.
Ancl you dnn't let her go under the water tank. j
;ecot: Schmah Yisroeal. Behold! (Quietly lauglting he goes bacl$
,.,,r: I \,vant her to come here. Listen, Mom, I want )/ou to ler
into his room, closing tlze door be/zind hin.) lr, r liy" here for a while.
!
i
s,q.lt: I won't stand he should make insults. A rn:ln eats out ',r .,rr,: You got funny ideas, my son.
t
tt "r r,r: I'rn as good as anyone else. Don't I have some rights ir,
BEssrE: No, no, he's an old rnan-;r second childhood. Myronl rlr, r,y61ld) Listen, Mom, if I don't do something, she's going
bring in the tea. Open a jar of raspberry jelly. (r,rvnor.l r-ret"r.) ,r,,;ry.'Why don't you do it? Why don't you let her stay here
srrr: Mc-,m, ;lou thin[-) 1,,' :r few weeks? Things'll pick up. Then we can-
BEssrE: I'll taltr< to Hennie. It's ail right. --, ,rr,: Sure, sure. I'll keep her fresh on ice for a wedding day
s.,rrtr: 'frtrnorrow, I'11 take her by the doctor. (n,e,rpH entns.) I lr.rt's what you want?
, .,r'rr: No, I mean you should-
-,..,r: Or maybe you'll sleep here in the same bed without mar
,, (1 acon stands in his doorway, dressed.)
'1,r'.
.,,',,: l)on't say that, Mom. I only mean.,. "
=, ,rr: What you mean, I know... and what I mean I also
I r,,,rv. Make up your mind. For your own good, Ralphie. If stic
,l'rppcd in the ocean I don't lift a finger.
.- ., , ,, : That's all, I suppose.

.' ' , \Mith me it's one thing-a boy should have respect for his
".rrr lutur€. Go to sleep, you look tired. In the morning you'll
l, 'r1,r't,

funny about me. (lrvnoN sees hint or$. In the follouing' pautd ,,' "Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust, and the earth
Cantso is lteard singing uithin.) l' ,ll r':rst out the dead." It's cold outl
6nssrE: A bargain! Second fiddle. By me he don't even play itr .!,,,,:r:Oh,yes.
 84 cLTFFoRD oDETs AwAKE eNo srwc! B5
/AcoB: I'll take up Tootsie now. ir long. Fifty times I told you I'11 break every record in the
Myr{oN (eating bread and jam): He come l,,"rsc. (Sle brusltes past him, breafts the records, cames out.)
on us like tire u,ilrl
man of Borneo, Sam. I don't think Hennie I l,( next time I say something you'll maybe believe it. Now
was fool .rrouglr'tn
tell hirn the truth like that.
BEssrE: Myron! (A deep pause.)
" i,lrc you learned a lesson. (Pause.)
''. (.quietiy): Bessie, new lessons .
. not for an old dog.
RALIH: What did he sayl t .r)r. enters.)
tsEssrE: Never mind. ,r: Ycu didn't have to do it, Momma.
RALpFT: I heard hirn. I heard him. you don,t needa tell me. ,' -faik better to your son, h4r. Berger! tr4e, I don't lay down
BESsTE: Never rnind. '
,,,,1 tlic for him and Poppa no more. I'll work lihe a niggerl
You trapped that guy.
R.{LI.,H: l,,r rvhatl Wait, the day comes when you'll. be punished.
BEssrE: Don't say anodler word. \" lrrn it's too late you'll remember how you sucked away a
R^Lpu: Just have respecr? That's the ideal
',,,,rlrcr's life. Talk to him, tell hirn how I don't sleep at rright.
BEssrE: Dcn't say another word. I.m
b.iling over ten times i'side, r lli:rsts into tears and exits.)
sAlpi{: You rvon't let Blanchc here, hrrhll'm
not sure I rvurrr
pur one over on that iinle shrimf. The cat,s ',ll1.;ings): "Good-by to all your sorrows. You never hear thcrn
*flrt.r,, rlbout the war, in t,ie land of Yama Yama. ."
f;:.Jr""
Mt}mr' ,,,rr.r: Yes, Momma's a sick woman, Ralphie.
.sEssrn: fm teiling you something! ,,,r: Yeahl
RALrH: I got the whole idea- I get it so quick my head,s swinr. ,' \A/e'll be out of the trenches by Christmas. Purr, put, puri
rning. I3oy, what a laughr I suppose yo., Lr,;- . hcre, stinker. . . . (Picfts up Tootsie, a small, ruhite
th;., J"i..i
.,yacon: Yes. "bo,lt , ,,,;llc tltat just then enters from the /tall.) If there's reincar
luALpFr:-Wtry didn't you do somethingl ,,rtron in the next life I wanna be a dog and Iay in a fat ladv',
f AcoB: I'rn an old man. ,t' Barrage overl FIow 'bout a little pinochle, popl
nal'rr:.whar's rhat got to do with the price of ,,lr: Nnno.
bonds r sits arouutr
and lets a thing like that happen! iou ,,_,"k. "
me sich ro.. "t (tafung tlog): I'll take her up. (Conciliatory.)
MYRoN p11", o pause): L.t me say
somerhing, son. ,
',r,: No, I'll do it. (Taftes dog.)
RAr-pr,i: Take your hand away! Sit
i'a.or'"r-r,"ol wag your tail, "' " '' t (ctsltamed): It's cold out.
Keep on boasting you went to law school ' ,r': I was cold before in my life. A man sirty-seven. , o
for ** ].".r.^
I\4YRoN: I want to teil you_--
r
r',r',t/1es tlte dog.) Tootsie ismy favorite lady in the house.
R^LpFr:,f3Lr in your life had a thing.-hirrr, ,ll,'slouly passes across the room antl exits. A settling pausc.\
1e.ver to teli me.
nnsur (biuerly): Don't say a wond. Lut , , r : She cried aii last night-Tootsie-I
ret hir-n run antl '
,
heard her ir. ihe
teli Sam. Publish in the papcrs, give a broadca.sr '
n" ,tr. ,r.t;,,, r' lrt rr lil<e e young girl.
To him ir clon'r mamer ii, {em;ly sits ivirh t"-, po,,r. , 'l"onight I could do something. I got a yen
ing from rhe eyes. (To "otlr;"g
yo"oui, What a.e you waiting forl
I
didn't-tell you twice tlre-,lrgl
around with Caruso and "lr.acly "bott V.*,i ur",,,t 'x (rubbing his /tead): My scalp is impoverished.
make a bughouse, Iiain,t *orrgh-,,ti , ,r. N{om bust all his records.
36 cLTFFoRD oDf,Ts :
AwAKE AND srNG! 8Y

MYRoN; She didn't have to do it. I

! ,rrjt rny hair I just knew I was destined to be a failure in life
Iron: Tough tit! Now I can sleep in the morning. Who the he[' ,rncl when I grew bald I was. Now isn't thar Iunny, Big
wantsa hear a wop air his tonsils all day long! i,,r '

r.'x,vu (handling the lragment ol a record): "O Paradiso!" i

,, lt'r^ a pisscutter!
uon (gels cards): It's snowing out, girls. ,",: I believe in Destiny.
MyRoN: There's no more big snows like in the old days. I thinl ' \'oo get what-it-takes. Then they don't catch you with
the whole world's changing. I see it, right under our vcrl 'rrr [)rrtrts down. (Sizgs out): Eight of clubs. " " "
eyes. No one hardly remembers any more when we used ta , ., , I really don't knorv. I sold iewelry on the road before I
'
have gaslight and all the dishes had linle fishes on them. ,,','ricd. It's one thing to-- Now here's a thing the druggist
yon: It's the system, girls. !, rne. (Rcads): "The Marvel Cosmetic Girl o[ Hollywood
MyRoN: I r.vas a little boy when it happened-the Great Blizzlrtl , .,,,irrg on t}re air. Give this charming little radio singer a
It snowed three days rvithout a stop that time. Yes, and thc ,!,'rr('lrnd win five thousand dollars. if you will send "
horse cars stopped. A silence of death was on the city arrd , \'olrr old man stili believes in Sanry Claus,
little babies got no milk . . . they say a lot of people died ilrnr .',,,.r: Someone's got to win. The government isn't gonna al'
year. i,'. t'verything to be a fake"
v.cn (singing as he deals himself cards): ,, lr's a fake. There ain't no prizes. It's a fake.
"Lights are blinking while you're drinking, .,,''; :It says---
T'hat's the place where the good fellows go. '
,,t (snatching z7) : For Christ's sake, Pop, forget it. Grow up"
Good-by to all your sorrows, i,l ,.s right-everybody's crazy.It's like a zoo in this house.
You never hear them talk about the war L,r roing to bed.
In the land of Yama Yama . i lrrthelandof YamaYama. ... (Goesonwithtara')
Funicalee, funicala, funicalo. . . ." Don't think life's easy with lvfomma. No, but she meatt*
' , , ,,rr:
[{YRoN: What can I say to you, Big Boyl , t \/our
good all the time. I tell you she does, she_---
RALPr{: Not a damn word. '' ,, : Maybe, but I'm going to bed. (Dorunstairs doorbell rings
tlron (gors "ta ra ta ra" throughout.) . ' 'l' ntly.)
ttyRoN: I know how you feel about all those things, I know. , lting): Enerny barrage begins on sector eight sevenry-five
RALPH: Forget it. , ,,
'
: That's downstairs.
.!V'e
MYRoN: And your girl. . . . , , ,, r: ain't expecting anyone this hour of the night"
RALnH: Don't soft soap me all of a sudden. ,! "l-ights are blinhing while you're drinking, that"s thc
MyRoN: I'm not foreign born. I'm an American, and yet I ncvel ! r,( where the good feliows go. Good-by to ta ra tara ra," etc"
gor close to you. k's an American father's duty to be his sorr! ,' I bctter sec who it is.
Iriend. , r: I'11 tick the button. (As he starts, the apa.rtffient doorbelt
RALIH: Who said that-Teddy R.l ,,,.s ringing, follotued by large ftnocfting. MYRoN goes out.j
xeor (tlealing cards): You're breaking his heart, "Litvak." ,, , W'ho's ever ringing means it. (A loud ercited uoice out'
N{yRoN: It iust happened the other day. The moment I bcg* ' ,', )
88 cLTFFoRD oDETs
rron: "In the land of Yama Yama, Funicalee, funicalo, funic*
(rrvnor.r cnters follouetl by scrn-ossnt the ianitor. BEssrE r///.r r

froru the otlter side.)

ljESsIE: Who's ringing like a
R.AL?II: What's the matterl
\,{YRoN: Momma.
BEssrE: Noo, what's the matter? (Dounstairs bell continues.) ACT THREE
RALPTT: Wirat's the matter i
EEssrE: Wetrl, well . . .? ,r'rcftlu.ter in the dining rootn. l,rrIrlTY, BEssIE and l..nvxoN cat'
marfti.ng a "dope sheeti'
rvrYRoN:Poppa.... ', '. Sirting in the front room is ttos'
BEssrE: What happened I ;tt t'€6!ly listening to the others.
scHLossER: FIe shlippecl maybe itr de snow. ,,,: You're sure ire'Il come tonight-the insurance r:ranl
RALPr{: Who?
', r'v: Why notl I shtupped him a ten-clollar biil. Everything's
scirlossER(rc mssin) : Your fadder fall off de roof. <lelica tessen.
dead pattse. xrrp:n then runs out.) r Why rnust he come so soonl
vuss;rn(dazel): Myron. . . . Call Morty on the phone lr I '' : Because you hacl a big expense. You'll settle once and for
him, (rrvnox starts lor phone.) No. I'11 do it myseif. il ['m a great boy {or making hay while the sun shines'
do it. (ntvnoN exits.)
'i.: Stay till he'1l come,
lVforty.
$cHLossER (standing aupidly): Since I rvas in dis country . . ,
',v: No, I got a strike dorvn'.own. Business don't stop fi;r
was pudding out de ash can . . . The snow is vet. , r;onal life. Turo times already in the past week those bastar<ls
nron (ro scnlossrn) : Scram. (scHr.ossnn rrzls.) rrr'lv stink bombs iu the shou'room. Wait! We'il gi','e thern
(unssin gces blindly to tke phone, lumbles and gets it. t'aon .'ti ril,:i:s-in the kishkas rve'll give them. " . .
qwietly, slowly turning cartls ouer, but uatclting her.) ,,.: tr'rn a \vornan. I don't linow about policies' Stay till he
tsF.ssIE: He slipped. . . .
r"ron (deeply mouer/): SlippedP
'r : Bessie-sweetheart,
leave me
EEssrE: can't see the nur.rbers. Make it, Moe, rnake it....
I I'm afraid, l.4orty.
r,roe: Makc it yourseif. (i{e loofts at lter and slouly goes hrrrt
',:
,vl Be practical. Tirey made an in-,'r:stlgation. Everybody
to his garne of cards witiz sltafung hands.) 1 rr.rvs Pop haci an accident. Now r,ve'll cotriect.
BEssrE: R.iversicle 7- (Unable to tal\ she tlials slouly.'l'h' ,,r: ltalphie don't knor,v Papa left ttre insurance in his na;le
dial ruhizzes on.) h's not his bLrsiness. Ancl I'il teil hirn.
lcon: Don't. " " make me lauS;h. ...(H" turns oaer cards.) , : T'lre way hc tcJs. (lJn'tcr xrrvptr ittto front room') l{e'll dcr
Curtain ,rcthing crazy. T1e think^s Poppa jumped ofi the roo{^
, ,': lle practical, Bessie. Ralphie will sign when I teli him.

, ,-yti:ing is pcaclres and cream.

, : Wait for a few minutes.
, : I-ooi<, i'll show you irr lf".f. on white what thc pc;licy
'
B9
 CLIFFORD ODETS AwAKE aNp srNc! 9r
90
says. Fol God's sa\e, leaue me tiue! (Angrily exits to fti' , \'ou're sitting on it. (Gels paper') We could go home now'
Ii parlor, :vron speafts to RALPH aho is reading a letter') ll, rrnie! Leon is alone by Mrs. Strasberg a whole day'
uon: What's the letter saYl rri: Go on home if you're so anxious' A fuil tub of diapers
nALrlH: Blanche won't see me no more, she says' I couldn't cail '. rv:riting.
very much, she says' If I clidn't come like I said' ' ' ' Shc! , Why should You act this waY ?
phone before she leaves. ',,,r,'"Ca.rse there's no bones in ice cream' Don't touch me'
Iron: She don't knorv about PoP I l)iease, what's the matter.
nALpH: She won't ever forget me she says' Look what she sen& She don't like you. Plain as the face on your nose"
me . . . a little locket on a chain .' . if she calls I'm out'
'l'o me, my friend, you talk a foreign language'
rron: You mcan iti ,\ q.r*rt", yor'r'r. lousy' (sau crlls') Gimme a buck' I'll rr:n
RALrH: For a week I'm trying to go in his room' I guess he'd lih rrl) to ten.
me to have it, but I can't. . . . .rr,: Dotr't do mc nc, favors.
, '['rlie a chance' (Stopping her as she crosses to doorway')
uor: Wait a minute! (Crosses ouer') They're trying to roqfi
you-a freeze-out. ' I'm a pushover.
,r,r,-:
RALPH: Who? I say lotsa things. You don't know me'
',
rrron: That bunch stufEn' their gut with hot pastrami. Morty lt , , r,ri: I know you-when you knock 'em down you're
particular. Jake left the insurance-three thousand dollare ,l,r,rttgh,
for you. \sadly): You sdll don't know rne'
,
RALPH: For me I ,',,, I'(to* what goes in your wise-guy head'
I ,, : I)on't run away' . . ' I ain't got hydrophobia'
Mon: Now you got wings' kid' Pop figured you could use
That'swhy.... ,,rnt to tell You. .I'm leavinS;'
RALPH: That's whY whatl , ,,ri: Leaving I
ntos: It ain't the only reason he done it' ,, 'l'onight. AlreadY Packed.
RALPH: He done it? ,,r ri: Where I
goes through
:MoE: You think a breezeblew him ofll (uruNIn enters and sitl 'ri (a-r lre enters lolloued by the others) : My car
RALpHi I'm not sure what I think. ,',,rv like a dose of salts'
pnon: The insurance guy's coming tonight' Morty "shtuppd ,, : Hennie, go eat. ' .
,' ,r :
'Where's RalPhie?
him.
RAI-PH: Yeah ? ,'l lrr his new room. (Moaes into dinirtg roont')
, ,r, rr : I <licln't have a piece c'f hot pastrami in rny rnouth
h for
nros: I"ll back you up. You're dead on your feet' Grab a sleep
yourself.
'R^LPH: NO! ' : Take a sandwich, Hennie' You didn't eat ail day'
,,
ruron: Go .on! (Pushes boy into rootn.) t lr tt,indow): A whole rveek it rained cats and dogs.
,.,,,rn:Reirlr rain, go away. Come again some other day. (Paas
s^\t (oahom MoRrY has ient in for thte paper): Morty wants tb
paper. .i,,,rt,l on her")
TFIENtJt'E: So ? ' '',,v: Where's mY gloves?
92 CLIIIT ORD ODUTS AwAKE aNo srxcl 93

,Arv (.mir aq staol): I'm sorry the old man lays in the rain. , ,'r r . Don't be so smart with nte.
i\.{Drrry: Personally, Pop was a fine man. But I'm a great boy fr: ,
''
What'll you do I I say he's coming tonight. Who says nol
:
*n honest opinion. He had enough crazy ideas fclr a regimettr '' (,uddenly, front the bacftground): Me.
rvyr{oN: Iroppa never had a doctorin his *'hole life. . . . (Ente, , ',': Take a back seat, Axelrod. When you re the farn-
lL:\L-PLi. ) ,ii
&'rorry: He had Caruso. Who's got rnore from lifei ' I got a little clocument here. (I'roduces pc{per.) I found it
Bfi,ri:jui: Who's got more? . . .
",',lcr his piilolv that night. A guy rvho slips o1T a roof don't
l/dYRoN: And Marx he had. I rvc a note befc,re he does it.
(rrvnox and ensstn sit on sofa.) ' tt (starting for r.ton alter a horrifieti silence): I-et
me see this llil
\{oirry: Marx! Some say I\darx is the new God today. Maybc l'l l rlt'- tl
rvr()ng. Ha ha ha. . . . Personally I counted my teir millitr Morty, don't touch it!
,r :
l;rst niglit. . . . I'm sixteen cents short. So tomorrow I'11 go t, ,r Not if you cravrled.
Union Squ:rre and yell nc) equality in the countr,r,l -'!h, jr'r, ',r:()et It's a fake. Poppa ul6uldn'1-
ncw generation. , the insurance guy here and we'll t.. 6o*--__ (Tie
ll rings.) Speak of the devil. Answer it, see what hap-
I

&"{r.Prr: Yor.r said it!

.r"{or.trY: Wha.t's the Ra\rhiel What are Iooli irq 1,, ,,:;. (r'ron'ry starts for the ticfter.)
iunny ? , 'r:: Ivlorty, don't!
I hear I'm left insurance and the man's coming tonight,
R.r\i-rJr.r: , ' t t' (stopping) : Be practical, Bessie.
*roRly: Poppa didn't leave no insurance for yorr. , , Sometirnes volr don't collect on suicides if they knolv about
R,\r.prr: trVhatl
rlronTy: In your name he left it-but not {or y,ou. '' ,i:You shouldlet.... You should let him. ... (A pause
I{ALln: It's my name on the paper. , rlhich ALL scem dazed. Bell rings insistently.)
.Lrorirr': Who said sol , V,/eLl, we're waiting.
o.,rr.r,rr (lo ltis motlter): The insurance man's coming tonightl . .,, : Give me the note.
r\ror{TY: What's the matterl , ,,'r ['11 give you d]e head o{T your shoulders.
R^Lprr: I'm not talking ro yor-r" (.To his mother): Whyl r', : Ressie, you'ii stanci for thisl (Points ro nar,i'H.) Pull dorvn
rrrssiE: I don't know why. ,1, pants and give him with a strap.
trrAr-r.,r{i FIe don't come in this house tonight. ,,,r (as bcl! rings again): How about it?
il,ronrY: That's what yaw say. ' ,, : f)nn't tte crazy.It's not mv fault. Morty said he shoulrtr
IiALprr: I'm not talking to yoll, Uncle Morty, br-rt I'll teil you ,r'rc tonight. It's not nice so sorrt. I ii6l1'1--
too, he clon't corne here tonight when there's stilj mud orr , , rr': I said itl }del
glave. (7o /tis mot/ter): Couldn't you give the house a chrrrr,r r:
Who thenl
to cool offl , ' r': Yon didn't sing a song in my ear a whole week to settle
'
MoRry: Is this :r way to talk to your mother i ,',, l.,l
' you'rc l big liar.
' : I'm surprised. Morty,
trALrlH: Was that a way to talk to your father I
b.roRTy: Don't be so smart with rne, Mr. Ralph Berger! ,,x: Mornma's telling the truth, she is!
'
 cLIrrFoRD AwAKE AND sING! 95
94 ODETS

.s,roRry: Lissen. trn two shalces of a lamb's tail, r,ve'll start a rcd =,.'.rn: Hennie needs a vacation' She'll take two weeks
in the
fight and then nobody won't like nobody. Where's my lur ,r')Llntains and Illl mind the baby.
glovesi i'rn going downtown. (7'o snM): You comingi l1l =,,,''r: I'll take care of my own afiairs.
drive you clown. ., ,rr.:,i A farnily needs for a rainy day. Times is getting worse.
!{ENNTE (/o servr, ulto lool1s qu.estioningly at her): Don't look nr i I'r.sp€ct Avenue, Dawson, Beck Street-every day furniture's
rne. Go horne if you want. ,,rr the sidewalk.
ennr: If you're coming soon, I'li wait. .'r'rr: Forget it, Mom.
trIENNIE: Don't do rne any favors. Night and day he pesters mc, ' .,r: R.alphie, I worked too hard all my years to bt, treated like
MORry: You rnade e cushion--sleep! ,lrr.t. It's no law we shoulcl be sruck together like Siamese
snn.r: I'll go horne. I knorv ro my worsr encmy I don't wi*r rrvins, Summer sho.:s you dicln't hlve, skates you never had,
strch a i;fe- l,rrt I bought a new dress every u'eeli' A lover I kept-Mr"
JIET..lNIE: Sam, keep quiet.
r;is-olol Did I ever play a game of cards like N{rs. Marcusl Or
s*t (quietly; sadty): No more free speech in America? (Ge* hn ,r.rs llessie Berger's children alrvays the cleauest on the block?!
I ltre I'm not only the mother, but also the father. The first
fiat and coat.) I'm. a lonely person. Nobody likes me.
r\1,() years I worked in a stocking factory for six dollars while
MYRoN: I like you, Sam.
r{s,r{Nrn (going to ltim gently} sensing tlze end): Please go home. tlyron Berger went to law school. If I didn't worry about the
Slm. I'll sleep here. . . . I'm tired and nervous. Tomorroh l'rnily who wouldl On the calenclar it's a differcnt place, but
1,, rc' widrottt a dollar you don't look the world in the eye. Talk
f il come home. I love you . I mean it. (She rtisses hirn will
real feeling.) lrrrn-r oow to next year-this is life in America"
scn,I: I woulcl die for you. (sau looks at her.T'ries to toS .,,r'rr: Then it's wrong. It don't rnake sense. If life madc yrll't
scsmething, bnt his aoice cholps up tuitlr a mingled feeling. Ilc rlris rvay, then it's wrong!
iltrns and leaetes the room,) .,','r,: N{aybe you wanted me to give up twenty years ags'
rdc)nryr A bird in the hand is worth tr,vo in the br"rsh. Rememlu
;

i
\\'lrcre would yotr be nowl You'il excuse my expression*a
{ said it" (}md night. (Erits after sru.) (rrENNtr..rits deprcssedi l,'rrn itt the park!
BlissIE S,oc-r r.t1t and loa/1s at the picture calendar again. .uvnol
., r'rr: I'm not blaming you, Mom. Sink or srn'inl-I see it" BuQ
rr ( irrl't stay like this.
f natly brealp rlte silenct.)
.s.{ynor.i: Yesterdav a man. rvanted to sell me a saxr,,phone with
-, .'r,: My foolish boy. . . .
pr;rrt brlrtons. Iirit I- - - .:,r'rr: No, I see every house lousy r.vith lies and hate" He said itu
BEssiE: nt's a beautifui picture. In this land, nobody rvorks.,,
,,r.urdpa- Brooklyn hates the Bronx. Srnacked on the nosc
NolN;cly rrorries. C)ome to bed, Myron. (Stops nt the ' r,riic 11 day. But boys and girls can get ahead lihe that, Morn"
ioar, and sdys ta rr.qr-lrr): Piease don't have foolish irleas aboul \\', rlon't want life printed on dollar bills, Morn!
the rnoney" ,.' rr: So goout and change the w<lrld if you don't like it.
RAL?Fr: Let's call it a day.
-.,',r: I wiill And whyl'Cause life's different in my head"
EEissrE: It betrongs for the whole family. You'll get your rce|h
i,rnm<: the earth in two hands. I'm strong. There ' . . heat
fixed_ l,,,,rl The air mail off to Boston' Day or night, he flies away,
IrAr.pH: Anci a pair of l-rlack and rvhite shoesl r j,,lr to do. That's us and it's no time to die. (-The airqlane
 AWAKN AND SINGI tli,
96 cLrrFoRD oDnrs il

sound fades of as r,rvnow giues alarm clocft to snssrn tuhicli ilt, I r-Lits thern. Uptot'n, do..l'ntolt,n, I'll read them on the
l

begins to uind.) r'. Get a big lamp over the bed. (Pir,{s up one.) My eyes :rre l

BEssrE: "Vdom, what does she knowl She's old-fashioned!" llr ',,1. (Puts booli in prtclpt.) Sure, inl'entory tomorrow'
Coi'
I'11 tell you a big secrer: My whoie trife I wanred ro go lrw,r I| lii Driscoll to Bcrger-ihat's irolv r',te rvork. It's a tean: ll

too, but with children a won-ral1 stays home. A fire burnecl rr. ' ri,n the warehouse. I)riscoll's a sho'uv<llT, a rviscguy, ancl Joe iLl

myhe:rt too, but now it's too late. tr'm no spring chiclien.'l'lr ,ll s pilo,eons day and night. Ilut they're like me, lool"ing for
t .,n.. to get to first base too. |oc reT.zed me about my girl'
l

clocii goes and trlessie goes. Only rny rrrachinery can't be fixc,l
{She lifts d button: the alarn. rings on the clocft; slte stoT;s rt I rr hc don'[ knou, rviiy. I'11 teli him. Heli' he might tell
says "Good night" and exits.) , something { Jon'r irnorv. {let tcalTls t{)geltrt:r all over' ti

I'Ll on your haLrds and get to \1ork. And r'vith enough

r\.rynoN: I guess I'rn nc prize bag. . . . team$ i

nussre (frorz uithin): Come to bed, Myron. l, rlier rnaybc we'll get ste;rm in the rvarehonse so cur fincers
NIyRoN (tears page off calendar): Flmr;rm. . . . (il:;;ts to her.) i, rr't freeze oS. Maybe r'-r'c'11 fir ii .q,r life won'L be printed <ln li,

R.qr,pir: Lcioh at him, draggin' after her like an .ild shoe. ,ll;rr bills. I

, i iraduation l)ay.
I

mon: Punch drunk. (Pltane rings.)'Ihat's for me. (At phonr.l

Yeah? .. . ]ust a rninute. (To nar,rrr): Your girl . . . t (stat"ts for doar ol his roon , stops): []an I have " ii

R.4,r.pFr: Jeez,I don't know in'hat to say to her.

, ,,ndpa's notel
uar e: Hang upl (n,lrln slouly taftes phone.) Sure you want it?
ItAL?rr: Hello"...I3lanche, I rvish....I don't know what r,, ,,'r: Piease-- (r.ron giues it.) It's blank!
say" " Yes... Hello? -.. (Puts pkone,torun.) Shehurr; , ( tuling note bacft and tearing it up): That's right'
up on me , : Thanksl (Exits.)
' 'r
u.toa: Sorry I ,-l'he kid's e fighter! (?'o rrr,Nnir): Why xre yolr cryingl
s.Al-r,ir: No giri means anything to me until. . . . iri: tr ncver cried in my iife' (She is now.)
naor: Till whenl t for door. Stops): You told Sam you love him. . . ,
(.(t(]rts
&.al,?r-r: Till l can take care of her. Till we don't iook out on rr , .ur: Xf I'm sore c'n life, why urke it out on himl
airshaft. Tiil we can take the world in rx'o hands and polisl, , You won't forget fire to yollr dyin' day--I was the first
ofi the clirt. ,rr'. llart of your insides. You won't forget. I wrote my name
'iuon: That's a big order. , ,' you--indelible ink!
RALprr: Once upon a time I thought I'd drown to death in boltl' , rrr: One thing I won't forget-how you left me crying o$
of siilc and veiour. But I grew up rhese last ferv weeks. Jrl' 1,, lred like I was two for a cent!
said a lot. r i,istefl, do you fiin[-
Mot: Your memory's okayl , ,,ur,: Sure. Waits the family goes to the open air movie"
till
KALIH: But talie a look at this. (Brings armfwl of boofts fnrn I i lrrings me perfume. . " ' F{e grabs nry xrrnS-
fAccB's room-durnps them on table.) His books, I got tlr,.r,, , You won't forget me!
too-the pages ain't cut in half of them. r r'.: FIow vor-l left the next week I
nron: Perfect.
RALIH: Does it prove somethingl Damn tootin'! A ten-cent nuil i rrri clr of Roumania!
i
 98 .LTFF.RDoDnrs AwAKE aNo srxc!
i
HENNn: Don,t make me laugh! I
rron: What the hell do you #"rr,,
-y head on a platel!
life so happyl chris', my old m"n'w", Wrlo,l , Sam.
bu-.'t ,uooori.,i,i,i ,1v. (starts far phone, but changes her mittd): tr'rn sleep
rvhole damn family-five kids.and
U"_. " W-fr.";U!,.i',i,;i
they beat it the hell away like ,"bU;tr.-t'to_
di.d. i;;;;,; i ' ,t (in phone): She's sleeping. (Hangs up. Watches vax.
rhe.war; got clappecl down like, b..d";;;*.
without a leg. Whar the hell a, y.r-ilrink, "o i":";;,;,
,r tt,lto slowly sirs.) He wants yori to know he got home O.K.
hetter rha'youl. I never had h";"
anyone,s oor , . What's on your mind?
.i;h...'r,rtr".ilri',1_l: ' '.,rr,: Nothing.
r-rENNrE: Sc whatl! "
rror: So you're it_you're home for me, ,",Saml
a place to live! Thrrr! 'r !rr,i They say it's a palace on rhose Havana boats,
rhe whote prrade, sickness, ;;,;;
;;;;r. heart! Sometjrner , ,' , What's on your mindl
)'(iu m.eet e girl_she srops it_ther.s love. . . . il
chance! Be with me, paradise. ;;; , ' ,:tr (trying to escdpe): Moe, tr don't care for S;rm-I never
Wh"ik to lor.f l,\(.d him-
rr$NNrE: My pride!
,,,' : liut your kid-l
xron (grabbing her): What do
you wantl Say the word_l,ll ' iNrE: All my life I waited for this
tango on a dime. Don_'t gimme ice ' minute.
when your heart,s on n..i ',' (holtling her):Me too. Made believe I was talkin' just hed_
t,*n.rl-,__!._, me go! (He stops her.)
.lror: WFIERET!! ,,r,rn golt but you and me forever was.lvhat I meant! Christo
l,rlry, there's one life to live! Live it!
HENNTtr: What do you want,
Moe, what do you wantl
uror: You! ' ^-rn: Leave the babyl
,',' : Yeahl
I'IEINIE: You'li be sorn/ you gysl
slalgsd---
nror: You! ' r-'rEr I can't. .
, ,r : You can!
I{ENNTE: Moe, iemme (Trying to leaue): I,m getting up ''r'rNlE:No....
early-lemme go.
,,,r ' Ilut you're not sure!
l*on:No! .. - . tr got enough fever to brow
to hell. (He suddenly-releases hn o,r,l-
the whore damn towrr 'r:rNrF.: I don't know.
lrnty ,r"_ii", t"'r',j ',,,' , Mak€ a break or spend the rest of your life in a coffin.
atartls. Forces Ur"rrrrt.i:.ruiet tlown.) you
wanna go bactri tl ,r' NrEi Oh God, I don't know where I stand.
hirnl Say the word. I'll know *t",,i;;'" ponrt look up there. Paradiseo you're on a big
nnxxrc
. .
'rr ; boat headed
Moe, I don't know *h"r ro ,"y. ,uth.
"(ltelplessly):
lron: Listen to me. ., No more pins and needles in your heart, no snake juico
I{ENNTE: Whatl
,,,
lrrirted in your arm. The whole world's green grass an<i
Mori: Come away. A certain place where 'r'lren you cry it's because you're h"ppy.
'We'll it,s moonlight arrrl ir .;NrEi Moe, tr don't know. , . .
roses. lay down, count stars. Hear the btC;;;;;;k;;,;
,' : Nobody knows, but you do it and find out. When yo,r're
noise. You lay under the trees. Champagne
flows like*. ., .rred the answer's zero.
(Fltone rings. raon fi1atty anruers tt
t"iiitrorc):
I Hellol . . ,r rNrEr You're hurting my arm.
Jtrst a rninute. (Loo/1t oi ,,u*N,r.) " ,
IOO CLIFFORD ODETS AwAKE eNo srNc!
NroEr The doctor said it-cut off your leg to save your life! Anrl ',,r, horn! I swear to God, I'm one week old! I rvant the whole
they done it--one thing to get another. (Enter nelru.) rry tG hear it-fresh blood, arms. We got'em. We're glad
nALpH: I didn't hear a rvord, but do it, Hennie, do it! ,,, 'rc living.
rton: Mom can mind the kid. She'll go on forever, Mom. Wc'll , , I wouldn't ffade yor-r for two pitchers and an outfielder"
send money back, and Easter eggs. I l,,ld the fort!
I{ALTJH: I'll be here. , rr: So long.
naor: Get your coat !', So long.
nnNrwr:I\{oe!
uor: I know . . but get your coat and hat and kiss the horrx ! ':, y{o and xnrp:e. stands full dnd strong in the dooraudy s€e'
good-b;'' ,,r, tftetn off as the curtain slawly falk.)
nENNrE,: The man I love. . . . (vrvnow entering.) I left rny con
in Mom's roorn. (Erits.) Curtain
MyRoN: Don't wake her up, Beauty. Mornma fell asleep as s(xrt,
as her head hit the pillow. I can't sleep. It was a long <1,r7
Flmrnm. (Examines his tongcte in buffct mirror): I was rcrrtl
ing the other day a person with a tl'rick tongue is fechlc
minded. I can do anything with my rongue. Make it tlrirl
flat. No fruit in the house lately. Just a lone aprrle. (F1e .qrt,
apple and paring l1nife and starts pariflg.) Must be sornethiug
lvrong witir me-I say I won't eat but I eat. (nrwnrl enlnt"
dressed to ga out.) Where you going, little Red Riding Hoorlr
HENNTE: Nobody l.lnours, P*er Rabbir.
MyRol{: You're looking ver:y pretty tonight. You were a benrrri ,

ful baby too. r9ro, that was the year you was born. The s;rrrrr
year Teddy Roosevelt come back from Africa.
HENNIE: Gee, Pop; you're such a funny guy.
I\4yRoN: He was a boisterous man, Teddy. Good night. (He c.titt,
paring apple.)
RALptsr: When I looh at him, I'm sad. Ler me die like a dog, il I
can't get more frorn life.
HENNTE: Wherel
RALrH: Right here in the housc! My days won't be for nothirrg
Let Mom have the dough. I'm twenty-two and kickin'! I'll gcr
aiong" Did Jake clie for us to fight about nickelsl No! "Awll,'
and sing," he said. Right here he stood and said it. The rriglrr
irc clied, I saw it like a thunderbolt! I saw he rvas dead arrrl I