author - "Eugene O'Neill"

chain off my leg and gits away safe. Maybe I does all dat an' maybe I don't. It's a story I tells you so's you knows I'se de kind of man dat if you evah repeats one words of it, I ends yo' stealin' on dis yearth mighty damn quick!

SMITHERS--(terrified) Think I'd peach on yer? Not me! Ain't I always been yer friend?

JONES--(suddenly relaxing) Sho' you has -- and you better be.

SMITHERS--(recovering his composure--and with it his malice) And just to show yer I'm yer friend, I'll tell yer that bit o' news I was goin' to.

JONES--Go ahead! Shoot de piece. Must be bad news from de happy way you look.

SMITHERS--(warningly) Maybe it's gettin' time for you to resign -- with that bloomin' silver bullet, wot? (He finishes with a mocking grin.)

JONES--(puzzled) What's dat you say? Talk plain.

SMITHERS--Ain't noticed any of the guards or servants about the place today, I 'aven't.

JONES--(carelessly) Dey'r