Paul
It’s the lyric kills it! The melody’s sure fire! Even if it don’t sell over the counter it’d get a good mechanical break.
Maxie
Brightly.
Maybe you could sell it outside.
Paul
It makes a man look like a fool, working for one house and selling your stuff to another.
He drops into a chair, discouraged.
Maxie
You mustn’t let it worry you. The next one’ll be great, and you’ll forget all about this.
Paul
What else did they say—when they heard it? Anything about me?
Maxie
What could they say about you?
Paul
If I don’t deliver pretty soon they’ll let me out. I’ll be like all those fellows that come around every day with another tune. I guess this is Stevens.
The door bell sounds.
Maxie
Who?
Paul
Stevens—that lyric writer.