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ACT I, SCENE THIRTEEN ("Get Norris")
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CHARACTERS
- LOUDSPEAKER
GROCERY CLERK
POLITICIAN
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LOUDSPEAKER: The word goes out, "Get Norris!" — Broken Bow, Nebraska, 1930. A gentleman does a little shopping. [New York Times, July 4, 1930, et supra. New Republic, Vol. 64, p. l93,and Vol. 65, p. l79.]
(Light up on the counter of a grocery store, right, at which stands a clerk. Projection is a grocery window. POLITICIAN enters.)
GROCER: What can I do for you, sir?
POLITICIAN: Oh, nothing much. I'll just look around a little. (Picks up an apple) Nice-looking apples.
GROCER: Yes, sir. Them's McIntoshes. Good for cookin' and eatin'.
POLITICIAN: You don't say. (Pause) How's business?
GROCER: Not so good. Looks like a hard winter comin' on.
POLITICIAN: Seems to me there's always a way for a smart man to help things along a little.
GROCER: How do you mean, bootleg?
POLITICIAN (laughing): No, of course not I mean something honest, where you get a nice return and all you've got to do is lend your name.
GROCER: I ain't signin' nobody's notes, mister. I got caught that way once before.
POLITICIAN: You don't have to sign anything, Mr. Norris.
GROCER (quickly): How'd you know my name?
POLITICIAN: Oh, I've heard about you. It's George W. Norris, isn't it?
GROCER: That's right, though I'm mighty curious to know how you found it out.
POLITICIAN: I have ways. Now about this proposition of mine. How would you like to become a candidate for the Republican nomination for United States Senator from Nebraska?
GROCER: Me?
POLITICIAN: Certainly! You're as good a man as anyone else for the job and I think you ought to get it.
GROCER: But there is a Senator named George W. Norris!
POLITICIAN: I know that, too. And he's up for renomination this year.
GROCER: But I don't think...
POLITICIAN: It might help you over this long hard winter you're expecting, and who knows, you might even be nominated! (A pause as they regard each other — and then a handclasp, as the lights dim to half. POLITICIAN exits right. GROCER remains standing.)
LOUDSPEAKER: In an attempt to confuse the voters the name of this man was placed alongside the real George W. Norris, but the Supreme Court of Nebraska ruled it out!
Blackout
LOUDSPEAKER: It was later revealed that $400,000 had been spent to defeat Senator Norris.
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