BISHOP.  Russian.  Why are you studying Russian?

KEN.  I find it interesting.

BISHOP.  Chinese would be interesting.  Why Russian?

KEN.  I am interested in their architectural developments.

BISHOP.  My boy, you haven’t it in mind to go to Russia?

KEN. [Evasive.] Wanting doesn’t get you there.

BISHOP.  Why, of all places in the world, should you want to go to
Russia?

KEN.  There is no unemployment there.  They need men.

BISHOP. [Impatiently.] Oof!  Russia ...

[TED enters.  He still has the book.]

TED. [Greeting BISHOP with aloof diffidence.] How do you do, sir?

BISHOP. [Very cordial.] How are you?  How are you?

TED. [Sees KEN looking at his book.] My man wasn’t in.  I’ll go back and try again later.  Is Kate here?

KEN.  No.  She stepped out.

TED. Then, if you’ll excuse me I’ll go into the other room and lie down.  I’ve developed a frightful headache.

BISHOP.  That is unfortunate.  Have you aspirin?

TED. Yes, thank you. [He goes into bedroom, closing door.]

BISHOP.  Now there is a fine young man who’s facing a real problem.  He certainly wasn’t trained for commercial pursuits.  Yet there he is—­selling.  Uh, what is he selling, Kenneth?

KENNETH. [Sarcastically.] Books.

BISHOP.  I knew his father well.  A gentleman and a scholar. 
Unfortunately, he was a gambler.  The depression finished him.

KEN.  It’s finishing a lot of us.

BISHOP.  My boy, I would not have you be extravagant, but I still have enough.  I can still support you.

KEN.  I’m sick of living on charity.

BISHOP.  Charity?

KEN.  On your charity.

BISHOP.  You are my son.  What little I give you is yours by right.

KEN.  What right?  I’m not a child, nor a cripple.  I’m nearly thirty years old.

BISHOP.  These are not normal times.

KEN.  They are normal for me.

BISHOP.  Be patient a little longer.  Our system is not perfect, but it’s the best the world has known.  It has been responsible for all our progress.

KEN.  We’re not even aiming at progress, only at recovery; only trying to gain back something we had in the past.

BISHOP.  But how can you think there is progress in Russia?  It’s a slave state; a tyranny.  Freedom is essential to progress.

KEN.  I don’t want freedom.  I want a chance to work.  I want my share....  Other people have their share, and they have dogs.  I don’t want dogs, but I want a right to have them.

BISHOP.  Your soul is poisoned with envy.

KEN.  It’s a short life, dad, and mine is half gone already.  There is beauty; I want to enjoy it.  There are good things; I want some of them.  Disease and death we can’t help, but poverty we can help.