KELLY:  That’s the office for me to sneak into the hall. (In bedroom, he disappears right.)

FALLON:  (At open door, rehearsing.) You see, the room is empty.  (Closes the door with a bang.  Pause, then he calls.) Are you there now, Kelly?

KELLY:  Yes, I’m here.

(FALLON stands looking at the key in the door.  For an instant his hand falters over it as though he would risk turning it.  Then, he shakes his head, and walks to table right.  There is a low knock at door left.)

FALLON:  Come in.

(MOHUN enters door left.  He is lean, keen faced, watchful.  He is a head taller than FALLON.  His manner always has an undercurrent of insolence.)

MOHUN:  Afternoon.  Am I speaking to Mr. Fallon?

FALLON:  Yes.  Lou Mohun?

MOHUN:  Yes. (MOHUN stands warily at the door.  Glances cautiously around the room.  Bends over quite openly to look under the sofa.  For some seconds his eyes rest with a smile on bedroom door.  He speaks slowly, unemotionally.) A mutual friend of ours said you wanted to see me.

FALLON:  (Sharply.) We’ve no mutual friend.  No one’s in this but you and me.  You want to get that straight!

MOHUN:  (Easily.) All right.  That’s all right.  Well, what do you want to see me about?

(FALLON speaks in a loud voice.  In the speeches that follow, it must be apparent that his loud tone and excited manner is assumed, and is intended only to convince KELLY.)

FALLON:  I understand, you think you have a claim on me for a thousand dollars.  And, I’m going to give it to you.  But, first, I want a plain talk with you. (Sharply.) Are you listening to me?

MOHUN:  No, not yet.  Before there’s any plain talking, I want to know where that door leads to.

FALLON:  What door?  That? (In a louder voice.) That’s my bedroom.  It’s empty.  Is that what you want?  Think I got someone in there?  Do you want to look for yourself? (Opens door.) Go on in, and look.  (MOHUN takes a step forward, and peers past FALLON into bedroom.) Go on, search it.  Look under the bed.

MOHUN:  I guess that’s all right.

FALLON:  Don’t you want to look?

MOHUN:  (Falling back to door left.) Not now.  No need to, if you’re willing to let me. (Impatiently.) Go on.  What is it you want with me? (FALLON closes door with a slam.  Comes down to table.)

FALLON:  What do I want?  I want you to understand that this is the last time you come to me for money.

MOHUN:  (Indifferently.) That’s all right.

FALLON:  No, its not all right. (Takes out bills.) Before I give you this, you’ve got to promise me to keep silent.  I’ll stand for no more blackmail.

MOHUN:  Don’t talk so loud.  I’m not deaf.  Look here, Mr. Fallon, I didn’t come here to be shouted at, I came here to get the money you promised me.