ALICE:
Really? Well, that only proves that men--AS HUSBANDS--are more
desirable in jail than out.
(To HATCH)
No, it's a poor life.
HATCH:
It's a poor life you people lead with us to worry you. There's
seventy millions of you in the United States, and only a few of us,
and yet we keep you guessing all the year round. Why, we're the
last thing you think of at night when you lock the doors, we're the
first thing you think of in the morning when you feel for the
silver basket. We're just a few up against seventy millions. I
tell you there's fame and big money and a free life in my business.
ALICE:
Yes, it's a free life until you go to jail. It's this way. You're
barbarians, and there's no place for you in a civilized community--
except in jail. Everybody is working against you. Every city has
its police force;almost every house nowadays has a private
watchman. And if we want to raise a hue and cry after you, there
are the newspapers, and the telegraph, and the telephone
(nods at telephone)
and the cables all over the--
HATCH:
(Grimly)
Thank you. One moment, please.
(Throws open overcoat, showing that it is lined with burglars'
jimmies, chisels, and augers.
Pages:
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38