Now you can put me in jail.
GEORGE. I don't want to put you in jail, God knows! How would you
manage it?
PRAG. Why does not the employer say to his workmens, "This is our war,
yours and mines. Here is my contract, here is my profits, we will have
no secrets, we will work together and talk together and win the war
together to make the world brighter for our childrens." Und then we
workmens say, "Yes, we will work night and day so hard as we can,
because we are free mens."
(A fanatical gleams comes into his eyes.)
But your employer, he don't say that,--no. He says, "This is my
contract, this is my shop, and if you join the unions to get your
freedoms you cannot work with me, you are traitors!"
(He rises to a frenzy of exaltation.)
After this there will be another war, and the capitalists will be swept
away like the kings!
(He pauses; GEORGE is silent.)
Und now I go away, and maybe my wife she die before I get to the shipyard
at Newcastle.
(He goes slowly out, upper right, and GEORGE does not attempt to
stay him. Enter ASHER, lower right.)
ASHER. I've just called up the Department in Washington and given them a
piece of my mind--told 'em they'd have to conscript labour.
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