GOLDIE:  (Thinks it over, then looks at DUGAN.) Go—­to—­Hell.

DUGAN:  (Going L. puts back necklace and takes out red wallet, then comes C. to GOLDIE.) Well, how does this strike you?  Here’s twenty thousand dollars.  It’s all yours for the asking.  Twenty thousand dollars. (Sits on trunk beside GOLDIE.)

GOLDIE:  Gee, but you’re doing a land office business.

DUGAN:  I’ve got no kick coming.  Why say, I can take care of you in real style.  Why waste your time on the EEL?  I can make more money in a week than he can steal in a year.

GOLDIE:  That’s because you’re a better thief than he is. (Rises and goes R.)

DUGAN:  I wouldn’t say that. (Following GOLDIE R.) Come on, Goldie (putting his arms around her, with purse in front of her face), what’s the answer?

GOLDIE:  (Apparently weakening.) Twenty thousand dollars!  Gee, that’s a lot of money, and I could live right.

DUGAN:  (Greedily, as though he has won her.) Sure you could.  I’d set you up like a Queen, and between us we could milk the Tenderloin dry.

GOLDIE:  But the Eel?

DUGAN:  (Crossing L. and putting wallet away.) I’ll attend to him!  (Then to GOLDIE who has come L.) Listen to this!  Ten minutes after you two were turned loose, an old man was beaten and robbed, not two blocks from here.  He never came to! (GOLDIE backs R. in horror.  DUGAN follows.) He died on his way to Bellevue.  Do you know who the murderer is?  I’m here to arrest him on the charge of murder.

GOLDIE:  (In mad rage.) You lie, Dugan!  Billy said you’d frame him, but you won’t this time—­(GOLDIE flies at DUGAN as though to scratch his eyes out, but he struggles with her and throws her to the floor L.) No, Dugan, not murder, that would mean the chair! (GOLDIE on knees pleading to DUGAN.  Bell rings three times, they both start.  DUGAN puzzled and surprised, and GOLDIE terror-stricken, wondering what to do.  Then the thought of the bell on the wall comes.  Looking at DUGAN with a forced smile and still on the floor.) Oh, I wonder who that can be? (By the last two words she is on her feet and makes a dash for the bell up L., but DUGAN reaches it firse.)

DUGAN:  No, you don’t.  I’m wise.  “If I answer, don’t come up.”  (GOLDIE, in disgusted rage, goes down to head of couch, followed by DUGAN.) Old stuff, Goldie.  Let him come, I want him. (Door slams off stage.  GOLDIE starts and DUGAN goes to door R. and unlocks it.  They both stand rigid.  DUGAN with gun in hand, while footsteps come nearer.  As door opens and EEL enters.)

GOLDIE:  Look out, Billy! (DUGAN grabs EEL’S hand and throws him in the room and locks the door.  While he is doing this EEL runs across room over trunk and disappears behind sofa.  When DUGAN turns, he can’t locate EEL and points gun up into bedroom.)