had received a thousand shares
of Grand Avenue stock from Murdock? And that another had been promised a
seat in the United States Supreme Court by that eminent Republican?

LAURA. Oh! Horrible!

HEGAN. You see what the game is?

LAURA. But, father! The buying and selling of the powers of the
Government...

HEGAN. The "Government" consisting of politicians who have gotten
themselves elected for the purpose of selling out to the highest bidder.
For ten years now I have been in charge of these properties. .. I have
had the interests of thousands of investors in my keeping... and all
the while I have been like a man surrounded by a pack of wolves. I
defended myself as I could... in the end, I found that the best way to
defend was by attacking. In other words, I had to go into politics, to
make the control of the "Government" a part of my business. Don't you
see?

LAURA. Yes, I see. But why play such a game?

HEGAN. Why? Because it is the only game I have ever known... the only
game there is to play. That is the way I have lived my life... the way
I have risen to power and command. I played it for myself, and for my
friends, and for those I loved.

LAURA. You played it for me! And, oh! father! father!... Can't you see
what that means to me? To realize that all my life has been based upon
such things! Don't you see how I can't let it go on... how, if you
refuse to do what I ask you to, it will be impossible for me to touch a
dollar of your money?

HEGAN. Laura!

LAURA. Just that, father! I should never again be able to face my
conscience!

HEGAN. [After a pause.] Listen to me, dear. You know that I have always
meant to withdraw...

LAURA. I know that. And that has been a confession! You know that you
are wrecking your life-wrecking everything! And if you mean to stop, why
not stop?

HEGAN. But, my dear, at this moment... in the midst of the battle. ..

LAURA. At this moment you are on the point of doing something that will
put a brand upon your conscience for the balance of your career. And at
this moment you are confronted with the realization that you are ruining
your daughter's life. You see her before you, desperate... frantic with
shame and grief. And you have to make up your mind, either to drive her
from you, heart-broken... or else to turn your face from these evils,
and to take up a new way of life.

HEGAN. [Broken and crushed, sits staring at her.] Laura!

LAURA. [Stretching out her arms to him