DR. JONATHAN. Humanity has always been cheap, but we're spending it
rather lavishly just now.
ASHER, You mean that there will be a scarcity of labour? And that they
can continue to blackmail us into paying these outrageous wages?
DR. JONATHAN. When you pay a man wages, Asher, you own him,--until he
is turned over to somebody else.
ASHER (puzzled, a little suspicious for the first time). I own his
labour, of course.
DR. JONATHAN. Then you own his body, and his soul. Perhaps he resents
being regarded as a commodity.
ASHER. What else is labour?
DR. JONATHAN. How would you like to be a commodity?
ASHER. I? I don't see what that has to do with it. These men have no
consideration, no gratitude, after the way I've treated them.
DR. JONATHAN. Isn't that what they object to?
ASHER. What?
DR. JONATHAN. To being treated.
ASHER. Object to kindness?
DR. JONATHAN. To benevolence.
ASHER. Well, what's the difference?
DR. JONATHAN. The difference between self-respect and dependence.
ASHER. Are--are you a Socialist?
DR. JONATHAN. NO, I'm a scientist.
(ASHER is standing staring at him when the MAID enters, lower
right.)
MAID. Your long distance call to Washington, sir.
Pages:
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40