u
talked with father today?

HAGEN. Three times. He is in the thick of the fight. He plays the game
well.

EST. He has played it a long time.

HAGEN. Yes. ['Phone rings.] Ah! What is that? [Takes receiver.] Hello!
Yes... oh, Isman! I see' More trouble in Fifth Avenue, hey? Well, are
the regulars there? Why don't they fire? Women and children in front! Do
they expect to accomplish anything by that? No, don't call me up about
matters like that, Isman. The orders have been given. No... not an
inch! Let the orders be carried out. That is all. Good-bye. Hangs up
receiver.

EST. [Has been listening in terror.] Prince Hagen!

HAGEN. Well?

EST. What does that mean?

HAGEN. It means that the slums are pouring into Fifth Avenue.

EST. [A pause.] What do they want?

HAGEN. Apparently they want to burn my palace.

EST. And the orders... what are the orders?

HAGEN. The orders are to shoot, and to shoot straight.

EST. Is it for me that you are doing this?

HAGEN. How do you mean?

EST. You told me you brought all the world and laid it at my feet. Is
this part of the process?

HAGEN. Yes, this is part.

EST. [Stares at him intently; whispers.] How do you do it?

HAGEN. What?

EST. What is the secret of your power? They are millions, and you are
only one... yet you have them bound! Is it some spell that you have
woven? [A pause; HAGEN stares at her. She goes on, with growing
intensity and excitement.] They are afraid of your gold! Afraid of your
gold! All the world is afraid of it! It is nothing--it is a dream ...
it is a nightmare! If they would defy you... if they would open their
eyes... it would go as all nightmares go! But you have made them believe
in it! They cower and cringe before it! They toil and slave for it! They
take up arms and murder their brothers for it! They sell their minds and
their souls for it! And all because no one dares to defy you! No one!
No one! [In a sudden transport of passion.] I defy you! [PRINCE HAGEN
starts; she gazes at him wildly.] I will not marry you! I will not
sell myself to you! Not for any price that you can offer... not for any
threat that you can make! Not in order that my mother may plan wedding
breakfasts and triumph over Mrs. Bagley-Willis! Not in order that my
father may rule in Wall Street and command the slaughter of women and
children! Nor yet for the fear of anything that you can do!

HAGEN. [In a low voice.] Have you any idea what I will do?

EST. [Des