Lincoln Center One Act Play

[Strange, ethereal music; curtain opens to dim blue light and white fleecy

mist. Tall well-built man in Colonial garb and white wig is pacing and wringing

hands. Slightly taller man, and lanky, in woodsman attire, but with stove-pipe

hat, enters with axe on shoulder and branch of cherry tree in his hand.]

Woodsman: [ tossing tree limb by tall man's feet] Well, George, it's done. He fidgeted like a mule when he saw what I had done.

Geo: Abe!, no!...He saw you?...You didn't tell him...

Abe: No, I'm not that honest, George; but he didn't believe me when I told him you weren't behind it.

Geo: Humph, typical Englishman. Well, I'm glad it's over with—it really bugged me. Thank heaven...uh, I should say earth..

Abe: That bad, eh? By the way, why earth? — no one down there had anything to do with it. You got me to thank.

Geo: Well, anyway, I’m grateful.

Abe: Weird how one can get so upset over a tree.

Geo: Why do you say that? Man's first awareness was over a tree.[buries face in hands]

Abe: [strokes graying beard] By Kentucky's blue, that's right! Forgot about them—why, they're still sulking over it a thousand clouds down the lane....Adam, anyway,...not Eve so much. On the other hand, there's no comparison: I mean, George, after all, theirs was momentous.

Geo: [takes hands away. looks up] Easy for you to say. Chopping was for firewood and cabins. You have no idea the compulsion I had. It boggles my mind that he would plant another up here. To torment me, no doubt— God, how he would sit upon his cloud, resting his back against his damnable tree and dare me!...Humiliating! And what's worse all the souls up here expected me to do it again!

Abe: Naturally,...your being the father of our country and general of our first army.

Geo: Precisely!...And how would it look if I defied him and Pa peeled down my britches and spanked me before my admirers?

Abe: I admire a man who honors his kin-folk. You really are an aristocrat, George.

Geo: And who would ever suspect that a man of your breeding would become one too?

Abe: You founding fathers are responsible for that.

Geo: Yes,...little did we realize. But I'm glad it turned out that way. You proved to be one of the best among us, Abe. I am grateful to you for honoring me with this favor.

Abe: Shucks, was nothing.

Geo: [staring at him momentarily, then reaching for the axe and taking it from Abe to examine it] Gosh, this is a beauty![fondles handle, swings axe back and forth. Nice balance.

Abe: Now, George, don't be getting any ideas. [takes axe back] Say, let's sail over to the North Star to get a better view of Earth. Maybe they've named some new towns and counties after us, or some streets—maybe even another monument.

Geo: Pretty hard to top Rushmore....Good idea, though, I'm relaxed now that you've rid the area of that dreaded tree. [both exit]

Scene 2

[Backdrop shows Lincoln Center under construction. Enter workman in coveralls, plank and saw horse over shoulder. Puts them down snaps fingers, mutters.]

Workman: Darn, forgot me tool box!

[Exits S.R. as twin girls enter S.L. They lift plank on to saw horse and begin to see-saw happily. Workman returns. More workers mime work projects.]

Workman: Away with you, girls. This concert hall has to be ready for Jackie and her arty followers, and here you two frolic and oscillate.

Twin1: And do what?

Workman: Like those words, eh? Real fancy what?...Learned a lot since my son has been memorizing his vocabulary list at the breakfast table.

Twin2: Gee whiz with fancy words like that maybe big brother Dandy Dollar will make you shop-steward.

Twin1: You betcha, that’s all that’s required.

Workman: Yeah? [scratches head] What’s required?

Twin2: Nothing but mangled words.

Workman: [he raises hammer] I’ll mangle you if you don’t get out of here. The First Lady’s coming.[Girls run off while workers continue lackadaisical construction.]

Scene 3

[Abe and George out of a puff of smoke enter proscenium. They stare backstage.]

Abe: Look at all this fancy building going on, George!

Geo: Ah, yes, reminds me of Mt. Vernon!

Abe: Gee, that’s right. No one had to build the White House for you.

Geo: Indeed, I had had the finest house in Virginia until that upstart topped it with Monticello.

Abe: That figures....He’s always topping someone. Why only the other day that other feller called Tom — I always get a pain trying to remember his last name — well, anyway, he was telling me that Jefferson had the gall to give him pointers on a pamphlet this feller was working on with respect to the poor administration of the hierarchy up there.

Geo: Not that Tom Paine, the mal-content! Why, that fellow is a rabble-rouser!...Still, if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have had a fighting force back in ‘76 — he inspired the rabble....Ah, those were the good old days! The peace and quiet up there in the blue is getting on my nerves.

Abe: That’s a super contradiction, George.

Geo: No surprise — I was really loyal to the king until the revolutionaries made me a general and I loved the blue uniform.

Abe: Oh, yes, the fighting blue. [Construction worker enters with sign and props it up downstage. “Lincoln Center under construction”] Well, I’ll be that building is named after me.

Geo: Good! You deserve it, Abe. What with living in a log cabin for so long.

Abe: Prefer simplicity.

Geo: That’s something I can’t understand about you. I mean, Abe, after you were shot, the heavens rolled open and all of us descended to welcome you; yet you had the bull-headed effrontery to insist on a simple festival, mid-west style.

Abe: So? You enjoyed the later Americana — until, that is, I pinned you in two minutes.

Geo: You tricked me with that bear hug! Had I been younger I would have whipped you.

Abe: Yeah, I believe it — you put up a darn good fight.

Geo: You and your rustic manner. Why did you move in with the old homesteaders up there instead of moving in with us aristocrats?

Abe: I’ve got to be honest, George; that’s my kind of living and dying.

Geo: I suppose you’re right, after all. I loved surveying in my youth. Incidentally why are you referred to as Honest Abe? — I’m the one who never told a lie! Anyway, when I requested starting up a surveying company up there they denied my permit when they found out what I was going to survey.

Abe: And where was that?

Geo: Hell.

Abe: By George, you certainly are a man of adventure. But there are no trees there.

Geo: Alas, they’re all burnt down.

[A dark-haired lady complete with pill-box hat enters among the workers who all stop and come to attention. The workman steps forward and bows.

Workman: We’re honored, First Lady, that you visit us.

Jackie: Wish it were so. But it is not cordial, but rather an inspection. It appears the finishing touches will not be ready for tonight’s gala event.

Workman: We’re union, my lady.

Jackie: And therefore Democrat. Have you no loyalty to my husband?

Workman: Oh, surely, campaign contributions by the tons to prove it! He’s on our side.

Jackie: Then, good workers, show gratitude and finish. I am not personally asking for any favors. But as political supporters of the president you owe him, do you not?

Workman: Oh, by the tons!

Jackie: Then how about an ounce of determination and finish up here, eh? If you don’t I shall make it miserable for my husband. Why, I might go on another tour and leave him home to baby-sit. So, workers, unite; if not for art’s sake at least for the president’s sake.

Workman: And your children’s sake. [He turns to his fellow workers.] You heard the First Lady, men. Let’s finish up here. [He bows to her again as she smiles and exits.]

Geo: Who was that charming woman?

Abe: She sure is a looker.

Geo: Yes, she has the carriage of Martha.

Abe: You mean that Martha used to have.

Geo: Well, yes, that’s what I meant. Even in heaven age takes its toll.

Abe: She mentioned concert hall.

Geo: Yes, I believe so. I suppose that’s what this building is.

Abe: A building so large?

Geo: They’ve come along way from the guitar, Abe. Space is needed for all those odd shaped instruments and amplifiers they have today. And do you know these orchestras today have more players in them than I had troops at Valley Forge!

Abe: Makes no sense to me. That’s like hitching a surrey to a twenty-mule team.

Geo: Now, Abe you can’t have simplicity in everything, you know. Have you forgotten you own ornate ways — you know, “four score and seven years ago” in lieu of a simple eighty-seven?

Abe: Yeah, but I had to pad the speech. It was too darn brief.

Geo: Yes, and musicians have to pad the scale with embellishment.

Abe: Maybe so — but not in my name! No simple folk will attend that music hall. General, round up your revolutionaries, and let’s break up the place.

Geo: No! Strategy is my name and the key to victory. Too bad you didn’t have me for your general. I would have whipped those rebels in two weeks. [He whispers in Abe’s ear. They exit. Two gangster-looking characters come on stage cracking whips by workers.]

Workman: Oh, to be back on the farm!

Workman2 Oh, to return to the easy going sixteen hour day!

Henchman1:Sixteen hours, eh? You’d be kicked out of the rack...uh,...union with that kind of Nixonite talk.

Henchman2: Yeah, member, time and a half after six hours, don’t forget. My co-whipper here is kinder and gentler. Left to me you wouldn’t get kicked out of the rack...uh,...organization, you’d get rubbed out!

Henchman1:Yeah, thank your lucky union card. Listen up, now, we got to get this job done today or we’ll all get the rub.

Henchman2:It pains me to crack the whip, lads; I ain’t done a day’s work since me old lady made me carry home the groceries. Why, man pushin’ up the daisies would be too much work for me.

Henchman1: You jerk, you’d be too cold then to feel the sweat.

Henchman2: Sweat is sweat — hot or cold.

Workman: You don’t have to sweat nor crack whips; we’re working our tails off for the First Lady.

Workman2: Right, go on back to your poker game, you free-loaders!

Henchman2: [Seethes, cracks whip menacingly] You are gonna get rubbed out, punk!

[Well-dressed punk in pinstripes, cigar in mouth, enters with girl on arm; she dangles an empty money bag.]

Dandy: Shame, shame, boys, these are dues-loving members. Learn to love them; they keep us happy and profitable while we protect their considerable finances.

Henchman1: Just the same, Dandy, they should show respect.

Dandy: Oh, but they do! As a matter of fact, this is the time for them to exhibit it clearly. [he winks at girl.]

Girl: Gotcha drift, Dandy Boy. Okay, boys, unite; you have only your dollars to lose. [She coquettishly approaches, holding out money bag to workmen. They scuffle to get in line.]

Dandy: Hey, not bad, sugar! You’re learning our ways fast.

Girl: I was G.O. treasurer in high school.

Workman: Aw, you’re always first on line.

Workman2: If you was as loyal as me and as eager to give up dues you̓d be first, but you ain’t.

Hench1: All right, brothers, let̓s settle down_;Dandy dollar can̓t serve all of you at once.

Hench2: As you file past Nellie,

Hench1: And remember, brothers, don’t overdue it. Nellie can carry just so much.

Dandy: Yeah, that’s right, who was the naughty one who put in his whole pay envelope last week? We’re running a respectable rack...uh,...union here.

Workman1: I did, sir Dandy.

Dandy: Now, why on earth would you do that, boy?

Workman1: Because I made so much overtime working our butts off for the First Lady, I just didn’t know what else to do with all that money. I figured the union was a good cause.

Dandy: Oh, a hefty truth, but we’re trying to clean up our act by not gouging our membership. Surely you have more needs than to kick back that much to us. Maybe I can help you. Tell me what kind of car do you have?

Workman1: Got two — Caddie and a Lincoln.

Dandy: Oh? Well, that’s out. How many kids do you have?

Workman1: Ten, sir.

Dandy: Oh, my, didn’t anyone ever tell you that eight is enough?

Workman1: Never heard that.

Dandy: All those kids surely need toys.

Workman1: They already have too many now. They’re all little. Don’t know where to put them all.

Dandy: The kids?

Workman1: No, the toys.

Dandy: Then you need a bigger house. That’s where you should put your money.

Workman1: Already bought a bigger house, but they still keep coming.

Dandy: Kids?

Workman1: Toys.

Dandy: I know, a warehouse!

Workman1: For the kids?

Dandy: No, the toys.

Workman1: My, such wisdom! By Dandy Dollar, I’ll do it. May I have last week’s pay back?

Dandy: End of free advice and wisdom — let’s not get ridiculous.

Geo: My plantation was better managed than this scene. Why don’t they stop talking and work?

Abe: Price of freedom, I guess.

Geo: They still use whips. What was your Civil War all about?

Abe: Ending slavery doesn’t apply to the common worker, I imagine.

Geo: Common? Didn’t you hear that worker? He seems to have more than we ever had.

Abe: He probably has a screw loose.

Geo: They all seem to be hanging from loose bolts.

Abe: What’ll we do, George?

Geo: Withdraw and gather up the wood from my father’s cherry tree. [They exit round the proscenium curtain, while last of workers deposit dues.]

Dandy: Capital, my sons of capital and labor! Now return to your work. We must be ready for the great event.

Workman2: Yes, for the First Lady.

Dandy: No, for our fellow union musicians. They need the work.

All Wkrs: For our brothers, Yea! [they work diligently.]

Nellie: Come, Dandy, we have to check on the stage props.

Dandy: Oh, right, everything has to be just right for that fussy Jackie. [To Henchmen] Speaking of which, would you guys get rid of those damnable whips. If the president ever got wind of your tactics, he’d have his brother’s racket squad after us! [The four exit together. Geo and Abe, with a cart of logs come out from behind drawn proscenium curtain.]

Geo: We’ll set up the fort here, Abe. [They take some logs out.]

Abe: Aye, we need protection from this madness. Besides, the nostalgia will do me good — remind me of my old Kentucky home. [They start to stack logs. Henchman enter and head downstage toward them.]

Hench1: Hey, you two clowns. Work over there [points upstage]— we don’t need scaffolding.

Hench2: Yeah, especially with that beat up old wood.

Abe: Don’t dare talk to our father in that tone.

Geo: Indeed, and I’ll have you know, good son, that this is the finest wood in all Virginia.

Hench1: Imported, eh? Seems the union down there is in need of work.

Hench2: [Pulls partner aside] Say, do you think the godfather is spying on us?

Geo: Are you the commander of this post?

Hench1: Well, in a way I am. [turns back to partner] You know, he does look familiar.

Abe: With all that handing out of money before, he should look familiar.

Hench1: Say, you do, too! But I’m sure I don’t know either of you.

Hench2: [Tugs on partner’s sleeve.] Yeah, that’s right the money!

Hench1: [Shrugs] You’re as looney as them!

Geo: I know you boys. I’ve looked down at you from the classroom wall in all your school years.

Hench2: That’s a laugh. I never got beyond the fourth grade!

Abe: Oh, you had to go to work for the family, eh?

Hench1: [Laughs] No, he just got to old.

Hench2: Enough of this small talk. You guys get over and do real work.

Abe: We don’t take orders except from the Constitution.

Hench1: Oh, wise guys, eh.

Geo: Right, Abe give them Hell — oops, got the wrong president.

Abe: Gee, what’s taking old Harry so long in paying us a visit?

Geo: Harry’s in no hurry. They get pensions now.

Hench1: Now cut this out, you guys. Let me see your union cards.

Geo: Union! I’ll have you know, good chap, that I’m from the proud state of Virginia!

Abe: [Taps George’s shoulder] The war is over, George. [Turns to henchmen.] I am the Union!

Hench1: Enough of this. Turn in your cards. I’m docking today’s pay. [The presidents stand proud]

Hench2: Okay, you guys are askin’ for it! [Turns his back and calls] Hey, Sonny, take care of these wise punks! [Sonny, in boxer’s trunks, enters skipping rope to the music “Take the A Train”.] These punks, Sonny, think they’re bigger than the union.

Sonny: Now, old geezers, nobody is bigger than the union — not even me....Well, maybe Clay — that is, his loud mouth. Be good and show them your union cards. You gotta be gentlemen about this. It ain’t hard, either. I learned to be a gentleman. [He continues rope jump.]

Abe: [Goes into wrestling stance.] George, you want to beat them over the heads with your sword?

Geo: No, Abe, I won’t spoil your fun. I’ll hold your coat.

Hench1: You mean to tell us that you’re going to defy the union?

Abe: I guess you didn’t even get to the fourth grade, eh? You certainly don’t know your history. Like I said I am the Union.

Sonny: [Stops rope] Well, I’ll be sent back to prison if this ain’t old Abe in the flesh!

Abe: [Grins] Well, not exactly flesh. [nudges George who laughs.] Something finer.

Hench1: What in blazes are you guys talking about?

Sonny: Why, this is old Honest Abe! I had him hanging in my cell for years.

Geo: You what!

Abe: Cool down, George. He means my picture.

Sonny: Sure, why, you were my inspiration to freedom.

Geo: Oh, no, the Emancipation Proclamation again!

Sonny: Right on — and my ticket to this good, honest union life.

Abe: Yes, the good old Union.

Geo: Hey, don’t I get any credit for the Revolutionary War?

Abe: Of course, you do — why, you’re our founding father — but you left out the likes of Sonny here.

Hench2: I knew it! He is the godfather!

Geo: I didn’t want to steal your thunder, Abe. Had to leave something for you to do.

Sonny: How true! We must do more!

Abe: [Puts hand on Sonny’s shoulder.] Then, you must realize that what is going on here is not good for the Union.

Geo: Yes, after all, we must not tell lies. If this is going to be the Lincoln Center we must be honest as old Honest here.

Abe: You see, Sonny, an old honest tribute.

Sonny: Sure, Mr. President, I get your drift. We gotta be as honest as the ten count.

Hench1: What’s all this gas about honesty? It must be laughing gas. [Dandy and Nellie return.]

Sonny: Look, fellers, old Dandy Dollar, will know what to do.

Abe: I don’t know about that. He’s got something against the five note.

Geo: Now, Abe, jealousy will get you nowhere. Let’s here from this proud man who loves the handsome dollar.

Dandy: [Looks over at logs.] I’m glad you guys got here with the props.

Hench2: But, but,...

Dandy: [Examines logs] Say, what kind of junk is this?

Abe: That so-called junk is from my home.

Geo: And my cherry tree. We’re going to build a log cabin here.

Dandy: Waddya nuts? [Nellie bends his ear. Dandy gets enlightenment.] Say, that’s a great idea! Lincoln logs — wonderful!

Nellie: You betcha, Dandy Dollar! — grass roots.

Dandy: Yeah, great PR for the union!

Nellie: And Jackie will love it too! — there’s a touch of rugged culture to it.

Dandy: [To Henchmen] Get some men over here to give the old boys a hand.

Hench1 Gotcha!

Hench2: Gotcha, Dandy Dollar!

Scene 3

[Abe and George are on the porch of the Log Cabin SL. They mime playing flute and guitar to hill-billy music. JFK and First Lady enter SR.

Jackie: My how thrilling! We must do the West Wing in logs.

JFK: Yes, my love,...but do you really think it would be good politics? Lincoln was a Republican.

[two old men enter center stage during song. Abe and George stop playing.]

Old Man1: There they are, by George Sr. — those devils!

Geo: Papa!

Old Man2: [To Abe.] By cracky, still can’t get Kentucky out of your soul, eh?

Abe: Papa!

Old Man2: Don’t papa me! If I’ve told you once I’ve repeated myself a hundred times: Forget the past, especially the years of poverty. Don’t you know there’s a monument of you showing great dignity and wearing a suit? You’re no hill-billy.

Abe: Like you say, in the soul I still am and still yearn for the simple life.

Old Man2: Hogwash! This is the twentieth century now and it’s come a long way. If you weren’t so big and bony I’d tan your hide right now. Your mother’s upset.

Abe: Which one?

Old Man2: Always the wise guy. You were supposed to help her at the docking station in greeting the new souls, so you could inspire them to greatness.

Abe: I’m not great. Circumstances made the era significant, that’s all.

Geo: Abe, don’t be coy and modest. And you know how the authorities feel up there about disconcerting free will.

Abe: Just common sense to me to keep states united.

Old Man1: [Reminding his son] Aye, something you never had, George. You caused the problem allowing Jefferson to rant on about state’s rights nonsense.

Geo: No mortal man could clip Tom’s quill — both Toms for that matter.

Old Man1: So what kind of mischief are you up to now? Where did you get those logs — as if I didn’t know.

Geo: I cannot tell a lie...

Old Man1: Now let’s not start that again.

Abe: You tell him, Mister Washington. George keeps brow-beating me with doubt in my being honest.

Old Man2: [Laughs] That’ s one for the fairy tales. Like claiming you walked twenty miles in the rain just to return a book!

Abe: No Papa, a score and eight miles.

Geo: [Elbows Abe.] When are you going to speak the King’s English?

Abe: Why should I? No one else does. Besides, George, you broke with the King, remember?

Old Man2: Don’t change the subject, Abe; you ain’t never walked much. You were always riding that stupid donkey.

Abe: Hey, I walked plenty courtin’ Mary.

OldMan2: Bah, you get blisters walking on clouds!

OldMan1: Enough of this — let’s get these boys disciplined before we forget it.

OldMan2: That’s right — a lot of wood to chop in Eden.

OldMan1: And plenty to plant — like a new apple tree now that we got rid of that damnable serpent.

Geo: A new frontier, eh? Now that’s strategy! [Turns to Abe who returns to porch.] See, Abe? You have to think strategy yourself, you made a mess of things leaving it to the generals. Why, when I took over the army I had nothing to go on but pure inspiration. [Sits on porch.]

Abe: Yeah, that’s why you almost lost the revolution except for the French.

OldMan1: No more nonsense, George or I’ll make cherry pie out of you.

OldMan2: I second that. Come, Abe, or I’ll have you choppin’ wood all night.

Abe: There are no nights up there.

OldMan2: Figure of speech, half brain. [Abe & Geo obediently step down from porch.]

Jackie: [Crosses hurriedly from SR, JFK following.] What are you men doing, interrupting this extraordinary performance?

JFK: Did I hear I hear someone a while ago mention “donkey”? Lincoln on a donkey, eh? — what a great prop that would make! It sure would zing the Republicans.

Jackie: You and your wit, Jack.

Geo: Say, who’s this upstart?

Old Man1: Shame, George, you should read more instead of chasing clouds with your survey kit.

JFK: Excuse me, gentlemen, I’d like your opinion on Medicare.

Abe: Huh? That’s a new word. Must remember it for my next speech to uplift the new souls.

JFK: I should think all four of you have trouble paying medical bills.

Old Man2: Ain’t had a sick day in my life — and ain’t felt better since I died.

JFK: [Scratches head] Ahem, I should add that my new bill will also cover mental care.

Old Man2: [Clenches fist] You ain’t a callin’ me some kind of nut, are you?

JFK: Certainly not, sir, but when one gets on in age...well, you know,...

Abe: Hey, you better not be thinkin’ my papa is senile!

JFK Oh, my, I’m communicating badly here. I’ll never get congressional support this way.

Abe: Are you in politics? I can write a speech for you — though it might be a little lofty for the likes of you.

Old Man1: C’mon, Little Georgie, you must know who this man is. There were others after Abe.

Geo: Yes, contrary to your belief, I do read occasionally. [Nudges Abe.] This is our young president, Abe. Show some respect for the husband of the woman who named this big hall after you.

Abe: President! Young man, surely you know what happened to me in a theatre. I suggest you get the heck out of here!

JFK [Opens jacket to flash vest] Bullet Proof.

Abe: Now, why didn’t I think of that! You’re a smart one.

JFK: Yes, I know. I owe it all to Harvard and my father’s big bucks.

Old Man2: See, Abe, what a formal education can do instead of self educating?

Abe: Still, I can’t understand why I didn’t run by it in all those library books.

Geo: Maybe it’s because it wasn’t invented then.

JFK: Don’t tell me I’m talking to ghosts of the past! Are you really what you appear?

Geo: We prefer spirit.

JFK: Oh, Ecumenical, eh?

Abe: No, simplicity.

Geo: Don’t mind Abe here. He’s caught up with the simple living fad; I myself never cared for it. And it’s obvious you don’t.

JFK: Yes, it comes with my father’s big bucks. Nevertheless, one should not infer that I am against the simple necessities everyone is entitled to: like health care, education and decent wages.

Abe: Ugh, a Democrat.

Geo: Party pettiness before my time.

JFK: Alas,...uh, Founding Father, you missed all the fun without opposition.

Geo: Well, not exactly, I still had to deal with the likes of Hamilton and Madison.

Abe: A picnic compared to the squabbling of my generals.

JFK: You weren’t the only one. Truman had MacArthur. Too bad you weren’t blessed with affable Ike.

Jackie: [First Lady turns to the older men and smiles] Why don’t you two join the audience and let the show go on. Would you gentlemen like box seats as guests of honor.?

Abe: Not me for obvious reasons. I’ll just sit here on the porch and play my guitar.

Jackie: Of course, by all means, I wasn’t talking to you.

Geo: That’s understandable, Abe — that Booth feller is still on the run. [Turns to the Jackie.] But the rest of us would love to accompany you, my dear, First Lady.

Jackie: Oh, no, you must stay and perform too! You are dedicated union performers and...actors.

Geo: Oh, my, now look what you’ve done. [Abe becomes cataleptic] Ma’am, you don’t know what you’re saying by calling me and Abe actors! [Abe is cataleptic.] Look, already you’ve upset him. He has a severe phobia — even the mere mention of the word....[whispers in her ear.]

Jackie: Actor!

Geo: Shhhh. [Abe stiffens more.]

JFK: [Goes to inspect Abe. Shakes head looks grim. Steps downstage to face audience.] There you are, America, [Points to Abe.] Living proof that we need more democrats in congress. For we can no longer in good conscience permit this outrageous neglect of our senior citizens.

Curtain

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