DELMORE SCHWARTZ
523
and there is no justification for the management's claim. The
management is trying to welch on its obligation."
The assistant manager stepped forward immediately
to
reply. Cornelius's speech had obviously had a genuine effect.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this young man may be adept at
poetry, but he cannot see what is directly in front of him. He is
attempting to take advantage of the management's generosity.
Not satisfied with having won the sum of $425, he is trying to get
a similar sum for someone he has just encountered. Meanwhile
it is becoming late, and if this stage is not cleared immediately, it
will be necessary
to
postpone the plans for the remaining prizes.
The operator in the projection room is a union man and cannot
be persuaded to remain a moment overtime; and since we cannot
postpone pictures, we will have to postpone the remaining
prizes unless these gentlemen leave immediately."
"You're a fine manager," cried the balcony wit.
But the audience was won over, for no one wished to lose his
chance at the remaining $50. There was a murmuring of voices
and someone cried out:
"Go home and give us a chance."
"Ladies and gentlemen," said the old man in a broken
voice. He had arisen upon seeing the effect of the manager's
speech. "These people are trying to cheat me. 1have won. 1am a
musician. 1 would not do anything dishonest even if 1am only a
musician in a restaurant," sobbing "this has always happened to
me when something good should have happened. There was a
quarrel at my daughter's wedding, the happiest day of my life.
Now 1 have to live with my daughter-in-law," and still sobbing
"I could have my teeth fixed with the money. They have been
bad for years. Don't let them cheat me."
A counter-reaction spread, although the vulgar reference
to
teeth had been unfortunate. Cornelius was prepared to commit
any act in order to bring a halt to the old man's sobbing: scenes,
rows, disturbances in public places had always had a direct solar
plexus effect upon him.
"This is a bottomless pit," said one usher to another.
"Ladies and gentlemen," said the assistant manager, "al–
though we are convinced that we are right, we are ready to put
