If he's a skilled worker, perhaps. But they can't invent
work fast enough. Many are still on straight relief.
KATE. That woman was vile. How do people stand it?
MARTIN. They stand it because an empty stomach growls louder than
insulted pride.
KATE. We could report her. We could go over her head to some
responsible official.
MARTIN. They have a rigid system to prevent that.
KATE. No harm in trying.
TED. No! I won't go near that place again.
MARTIN. You're entitled to relief as much as anyone is.
KATE. Yes, Ted. If you really want it....
TED. I don't want it. I don't even want to think about it.
MARTIN. There are plenty of fine people on relief. After all, what
is relief? Relief is ...
TED. Relief! Relief! Relief!--I don't want to hear that word again!
[_He starts to door._]
KATE. Ted! Where are you going?
TED. I am going to change my hat. [_He goes out._]
KATE. I wish I knew what Ted really wants.
MARTIN. Money.
KATE. I've given him money. He hates me and he hates himself
because of it.
MARTIN. Naturally. The transaction hasn't been according to Hoyle.
Now if Ted were a Georgian Prince, and your grandpa had started the
ten-cent stores, it would be a different matter. There'd be
grandeur in it; intrigue, romance, finance--something to write up
for the Sunday papers. But room rent and a suit of clothes ...
that's shoddy.
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