Arturo Ui Bruce Norris Version

The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui
Bertolt Brecht was born in Augsburg on 10 February 1898

and died in Berlin on 14 August 1956. He grew to maturity as
a playwright in the frenetic years of the twenties and early
thirties, with such plays as Man Equals Man, The Threepenny
Opera and The Mother. He left Germany when Hitler came to
power in 1933, eventually reaching the United States in 1941,
where he remained until 1947. It was during this period of
exile that such masterpieces as Life of Galileo, Mother Courage
and her Children and The Caucasian Chalk Circle were written.
Shortly after his return to Europe in 1947, he founded the
Berliner Ensemble, and from then until his death was mainly
occupied in producing his own plays.
Bruce Norris is the author of Clybourne Park, which won the

Olivier and Evening Standard Awards (London) for Best
Play, 2010, as well as the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, 2011, and
the Tony Award for Best Play in 2012. Other plays include
The Infidel (2000), Purple Heart (2002), We All Went Down to
Amsterdam (2003), The Pain and the Itch (2004), The
Unmentionables (2006) and The Qualms (2014), all of which had
their premieres at Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago. Recent
productions include The Low Road (2013 at the Royal Court
Theatre, London), Domesticated (2013 at Lincoln Center
Theatre), and The Qualms at Playwrights Horizons in 2015.
Other Bertolt Brecht publications by Bloomsbury Methuen Drama
Brecht Collected Plays: One
(Baal, Drums in the Night, In the Jungle of Cities, The Life of Edward II of Bertolt Brecht
England, A Respectable Wedding, The Beggar or the Dead Dog,
Driving Out a Devil, Lux in Tenebris, The Catch)
Brecht Collected Plays: Two The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui
(Man Equals Man, The Elephant Calf, The Threepenny Opera,
The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny, The Seven Deadly Sins) Adapted by Bruce Norris
Brecht Collected Plays: Three from a literal translation by Susan Hingley
(Lindbergh’s Flight, The Baden-Baden Lesson on Consent, He Said
Yes/He Said No, The Decision, The Mother, The Exception and Original work entitled
the Rule, The Horations and the Curiatians, St Joan of the Stockyards) Der aufhaltsame Aufstieg des Arturo Ui
Brecht Collected Plays: Four
(Round Heads and Pointed Heads, Fear and Misery of the Third Reich,
Señora Carrar’s Rifles, Dansen, How Much Is Your Iron?,
The Trial of Lucullus)
Brecht Collected Plays: Five
(Life of Galileo, Mother Courage and Her Children)
Brecht Collected Plays: Six
(The Good Person of Szechwan, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui,
Mr Puntila and His Man Matti)
Brecht Collected Plays: Seven
(The Visions of Simone Machard, Schweyk in the Second World War,
The Caucasian Chalk Circle, The Duchess of Malfi )
Brecht Collected Plays: Eight
(The Days of the Commune, The Antigone of Sophocles,
Turandot or the Whitewashers’ Congress)
Berliner Ensemble Adaptations

(The Tutor, Coriolanus, The Trial of Joan of Arc at Rouen 1431,
Don Juan, Trumpets and Drums)
Bertolt Brecht Journals, 1934–55

Brecht on Art and Politics
Brecht on Film and Radio
Brecht on Performance
Brecht on Theatre
Brecht in Practice
The Craft of Theatre: Seminars and Discussions in Brechtian Theatre
Brecht, Music and Culture Bloomsbury Methuen Drama
Brecht in Context An imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
The Theatre of Bertolt Brecht
Brecht: A Choice of Evils
Bertolt Brecht: A Literary Life
A Guide to the Plays of Bertolt Brecht LON DON • OX F O R D • N E W YO R K • N E W D E L H I • SY DN EY
Bloomsbury Methuen Drama
An imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
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The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui
UK USA
www.bloomsbury.com
BLOOMSBURY, METHUEN DRAMA and the Diana logo s
are registered trademark of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
This adaptation first published 2017
Methuen Drama series editor for Bertolt Brecht: Tom Kuhn
Original work entitled Der aufhaltsame Aufstieg des Arturo Ui
Translation copyright © Stefan S. Brecht 1981
© Bertolt-Brecht-Erben / Suhrkamp Verlag 1957
The author has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs
and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced
or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or
retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publishers.
No responsibility for loss caused to any individual or organisation acting
on or refraining from action as a result of the material in this publication
can be accepted by Bloomsbury or the author.
All rights whatsoever in this play are strictly reserved. Application for all
performance rights for professional stage production throughout the world
except the USA should be addressed to Alan Brodie Representation Ltd,
Paddock Suite, The Courtyard, 55 Charterhouse Street, London EC1M 6HA,
and for amateur stage production to Samuel French Ltd, 52 Fitzroy Street,
London W1P 6JR. In the USA application should be addressed to Jerold
L Couture, Fitelson, Lasky, Aslan and Couture, 551 Fifth Avenue, New York,
NY 10176. No performance may be given unless a licence has been obtained.
No rights in incidental music or songs contained in the work are hereby
granted and performance rights for any performance/presentation
whatsoever must be obtained from the respective copyright owners.
This publication went to press ahead of the premiere production opening so
there may have been subsequent changes to the script.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN: PB: 978-1-3500-5210-9
ePDF: 978-1-3500-5211-6
ePub: 978-1-3500-5212-3
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
A catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress
Cover design: Olivia D’Cruz
Typeset by Country Setting, Kingsdown, Kent CT14 8ES
Printed and bound in Great Britain
Part One, One 3
The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui in this adaptation was first

performed at the Donmar Warehouse, London, on 20 April
2017. The cast, in order of appearance, and the creative team
were as follows:
Announcer/Ragg/Sheet/
Actor/Butler/Grocer Tom Edden
Clark/Prosecutor Philip Cumbus
Caruther/Bodyguard/
Young Dogsborough Louis Martin
Butcher/Judge/Dullfeet/
Grocer/Gunman Simon Holland Roberts
Flake/Hook/Inna/Grocer Gloria Obianyo
Dogsborough/Pastor Michael Pennington
Ernesto Roma Giles Terera
Arturo Ui Lenny Henry
Dockdaisy/Short Gunman/
Grocer Lucy Eaton
Emanuele Giri Lucy Ellinson
Giuseppe Givola Guy Rhys
Public Defender/Betty
Dullfeet/O’Casey/Bowl Justine Mitchell
All other characters played by members of the company.
Director Simon Evans

Designer Peter McKintosh
Lighting Designer Howard Harrison
Composer and Sound Designer Ed Lewis
Movement Director Stephen Mear
Characters Act One
in order of speaking
Announcer Prologue
Men of the Chicago Cauliflower Trust:
A speakeasy. Before house lights go out, some kind of disturbance in the
Clark
theatre. An Announcer steps up to a microphone.
Caruther
Butcher Announcer
Flake Ladies and gentlemen? Apologies
Sheet, a shipyard owner For that disruption. And now, if you’ll please
Dogsborough, a Chicago alderman Direct attention to our little stage
Young Dogsborough, his son And find your seats – and kindly disengage
Ernesto Roma, Ui’s first lieutenant Your telephones and noisemaking devices
Arturo Ui, mob chieftain (We shouldn’t be obnoxious at these prices)
Ted Ragg, a reporter And we will, without further hesitation
Dockdaisy Begin tonight’s dramatic presentation.
Emanuele Giri, gangster, aka ‘Manny the Jester’ Lights, please?
Bowl, shipyard accountant
House lights out, drum roll.
Butler, employed by Dogsborough
O’Casey, chairman, Investigation Committee And as we say at these events,
Giuseppe Givola, florist, gangster, aka ‘Joey Flowers’ The Donmar Warehouse happily presents
Bodyguard A little something that we like to call
Actor, a washed-up thespian A good old-fashioned gangster music hall!
Hook, a grocery warehouse owner Two hours and a half, in which you’ll see
Judge Extortion, murder, arson, larceny,
Defendant Bribery, blackmail, yellow journalism,
Public Defender And other by-products of capitalism:
Prosecutor Recession and depression, unemployment – !
Betty Dullfeet, a businesswoman from Cicero It’s all been dramatized for your enjoyment:
Inna, a young gangster recruit. A politician’s misappropriation,
Gunman A gangster’s premature assassination,
Short Gunman The market crash of nineteen twenty-nine,
Ignatius Dullfeet, husband of Betty Dullfeet, a journalist Unleashes an historic wave of crime.
Grocers of Chicago and Cicero Chicago’s wheels of justice cease to turn
And half the waterfront is left to burn
As law enforcement soon degenerates
Into corruption, which all culminates
In the grand finale of the second act,
6 The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui Act One, Prologue 7
In which the town of Cicero’s attacked! And last (you didn’t think that we’d forgotten?)
With actors from the city’s finest venues – A man so unconditionally rotten
You’ll find them all inside your little menus He really needs no further introduction:
(If some names aren’t familiar – can you blame us? The lowest piece of shit in our production!
We get to pay them less if they’re not famous.) So put your hands together if you would
Portraying a representative sample For the antithesis of everything that’s good –
Of the lowest of the low. Take, for example: Arturo Ui! Let’s get a spotlight here!
Illuminate his violent career!
Dogsborough steps forward.
Ui steps into a spotlight.
Announcer
Alderman Dogsborough! A pillar of our city. Announcer
Champion of every council subcommittee, Which reminds me of a story I was told
Our white-haired elder statesman, upright, fair. About a hunchbacked monarch from a cold
(Don’t judge him by the colour of his hair.) And distant century where we spent
That shitty winter of our discontent.
Givola limps forward. From Lancaster to York, down to today
Announcer From Bosworth Field to US fucking A,
Among the gangsters in this show of ours: Our distant past or even very recent,
‘The Florist’, Giuseppe Givola – ‘Joey Flowers’. History’s violent, bloody and indecent.
They say a wobbling table scared his mother – But as political scientists observe,
That’s why one leg is shorter than the other. We only get the leaders we deserve.
This two-faced, limping pathological liar So, on we go! – Ah wait – one brief disclaimer –
Would sell you gasoline to dowse a fire. The management would like to make it plain
We’re stating (as is legally required):
Giri comes forward. While portions of the plot may be inspired
By actual events, tonight’s depiction
Announcer Is all intended as a work of fiction.
Emanuele Giri, aka ‘Manny the Jester’, Any suggestion of a correlation
Wise guy, hit man, somewhat snappy dresser – Between the leader of a certain nation
Among his sartorial predilections And the homicidal gangsters we depict
He likes to wear the hats of recent victims. Is something that the management must strict-
Roma comes forward. ly disavow. We can’t be too offensive,
Since putting on live theatre’s expensive.
Announcer And even though we’ll be depicting monsters,
Ernesto Roma! Second-in-command. We can’t afford to lose our corporate sponsors.
Most dangerous man in all Chicagoland. And now! The first part of our little story –
A faithful, good lieutenant, sadly who A socio-economic allegory!
Gets killed off in the middle of Act Two. The setting: nineteen-thirties, USA –
8 The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui Act One, One 9
But might as well be happening today, Clark

For howsoever much we wish it weren’t Ya hear Havelock’s garage is closing down?
This gangster play is, sadly, all too current. And Wheeler’s tutti-frutti outlet, too.
They’ve been around since I was in short pants.
Music. Machine-gun fire. The Announcer hurries off.
Caruther
A businessman’s apocalypse, my friends.
One Butcher
Has anyone seen Sheet?
Boardroom of the Chicago Cauliflower Trust. Three captains of the Clark
cauliflower trade: Caruther, Butcher and Clark. Business suits, You didn’t hear?
cigars, whiskey.
Caruther
Clark Since nine a.m. this morning he’s been running
Fuck the Depression. And fuck Chicago. Round to every savings bank in town
I feel like some pathetic worthless schmuck. Tap-dancing for a loan to save the shipyard.
Like Mommy gave me seven cents for milk
And then I drop the pennies down the gutter Butcher
Before I even reach the corner store. So even Sheet is underwater now?
Caruther All sigh, nod.

Last Thursday night, you know who calls me up? Clark
Ted Moon. He says let’s all go down to Schaller’s, Well, gentlemen, I hate to have to say it:
Just like old times – but who’s he trying to kid? The Cauliflower Trust is officially fucked.
Ted Moon’s flat broke. If we show up I know
Who’s picking up the tab, and it’s not Ted. Butcher
But what’s the saying – ‘That which does not kill us’ – ?
Clark
I swear to God. One day you got it made, Caruther
Then just like that it all goes down the crapper. It’s killing me, alright? I’m dead already!
Caruther Butcher
My nerves are shot. At least Lake Michigan Can we relax? We’re still in business. Look:
Is calm. The cabbage boats still come and go We got three million people in this city,
Like always, trucks load up, and all the while And pretty soon they’re gonna have to eat
Nobody seems to notice no one’s buying. And when they do they’re gonna come to us.
Butcher ( philosophically) Caruther
They say it’s always darkest before dawn . . . ? How’s retail sales?
Clark Flake (reading business card )

Don’t ask. It’s ‘Ui’.
Caruther Caruther
These grocery stores – Jesus Christ.
The customers walk in, they stand around – Clark
To buy or not to buy? That is the question. Arturo Ui?
Clark Caruther
Something’s rotten in the State of Illinois. The gangster?
Flake enters, business card in hand, removing hat, coat. Butcher
Flake What’s he here for?
Good morning, gents. Clark
Throw him out.
Others mumble dejectedly.
Caruther
Clark Caruther Butcher That lowlife thug – Wherever there’s a stench
Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Morning, Flake. Of death he comes to sniff around the corpses.
Flake Flake
Any sign He’s got this guy ‘Ernesto’-something with him.
Of Sheet? They said that we should leave it up to them –
They’ll start a rumor anybody else’s
Clark Cauliflowers give you diarrhea.
Not yet. We’ll double sales within the week, he says,
And if the grocers give us any trouble
Butcher Their next delivery comes in a coffin.
Poor bastard.
Caruther
Clark (re business card) Yeah, that’ll be our advertising slogan:
Whatcha got? ‘We sell our vegetables with submachine guns!
Flake If you don’t buy, we’ll fire-bomb your house!’
A business card. Some guy outside who claims Flake
He’s got a surefire moneymaking scheme How many other choices do we got?
To boost our profits – and ya know it’s funny – It seems to me we got two basic options:
I know his face from somewhere – The poorhouse or the penitentiary –
Clark Clark
What’s the name? I hear the food is better in the pen.
Butcher (to Flake) That a city, which we serve so selflessly

Get rid of him. Might now facilitate a small advance
To underwrite construction of a dock?
Clark
A piece of civic infrastructure, so
But do it nicely, though.
To ‘better serve the public’, or whatever –
A guy like that might someday come in handy.
The problem is: loans go through proper channels.
Flake signals to send Ui away. Ya need somebody who can pull some strings.
And we all know who pulls them –
Caruther
How come we don’t do what we always do? Flake
Hit up the City Council for a loan? Dogsborough.
(To Butcher.) You’re pals with Dogsborough –
Butcher
Clark And so I phoned him up at City Hall –
That’s what I said.
(Explaining to Flake and Caruther.) Clark
See, Butch and me were talking yesterday And what’d he say?
And Butch said here’s the way I see it: Butcher
The system’s rigged against the businessman – – He wouldn’t touch it.
All murmur agreement. Flake
We’re living in a socialistic state. Why?
The government creates dependency, The lakefront is his precinct!
Gives handouts to these goddamn lazy bums Caruther
Who stand around in bread lines taking We’re his voters!
Charity, like fucking parasites. We support him!
And on the other hand . . . there’s businessmen.
We make an economic contribution. Flake
When we approach the city for a loan – We’re the man’s constituency!
Butcher Caruther
That’s different. I gave money to his re-election fund!
Clark Clark
’S not a handout. I’ll tellya a little something ’bout that guy:
He used to be a busboy wiping tables
Caruther
At the shipyard commissary. Just some
Very different.
Nobody collecting dirty dishes,
Clark Then suddenly he’s Mister Politics?
And is there not some moral obligation A commentary on the times we live in:
A guy like that, who only yesterday Butcher

Was waiting on you hand and foot, he turns But he’s the only one can get it done.
Around and stabs you in the back. He’s got a reputation –
Caruther Caruther
I always heard the guy was such a mensch. For what?
Flake Butcher
So why’d he turn it down? – he’s honest.
And more important, people think he’s honest.
Butcher
He’s got a certain image to uphold.
He says it’s ‘fishy’ –
Caruther Caruther
Fishy? Bullshit.
Flake Butcher
Fishy how? The people trust him. Bankers trust him.
Most bankers wouldn’t give a loan to God
Caruther But Dogsborough is preaching their religion:
What’s wrong with fish? Security. Respectability.
When he walks through those big revolving doors
Clark They practically just hand him bags of cash.
For Chrissake, it’s a big construction project! We need that signature. Especially
Just think of all the guys we’d put to work! Concerning loans for hypothetical docks
Butcher Which may or may not wind up getting built.
He doubts that our intentions are sincere. Flake
Flake So they believe in Dogsborough. Hooray.
Which means – ? What matters is if he believes in us,
But he believes we’re ‘fishy’.
Butcher
Which means he thinks we’ll never build it, Caruther
And that the money will get misdirected – Fuckin’ snob.
Flake (sarcastically) Butcher

Why ever would he think a thing like that? He says to me directly, and I quote:
‘A city budget’s not a cookie jar.’
Caruther
So fuck that guy. We’ll call somebody else. Caruther
He’s not the only Alderman in town. Self-righteous sanctimonious old fart.
Clark Clark
He never gave a shit about our business – Well look who’s here.
The only time he thinks of cauliflower
Is when it’s sitting on his dinner plate Caruther
Or in the toilet bowl the morning after. He finally shows his face.
And after nineteen years of propping up And right on cue.
His goddamn campaign he can’t even lift
A fuckin’ finger to help us? Then he Clark
Can fuck himself. Siddown. You’re out of breath.
Butcher Butcher, Flake and Caruther confer to one side as Sheet

Unless we fuck him first. speaks to Clark, handing briefcase, hat, overcoat to Bowl, who exits
with them.
Flake
But how, if he’s already turned us down? Sheet (to Clark)
I’m trying to rob Peter to pay Paul,
Butcher But Peter’s broke and Paul changed his address.
We’ll get the loan. Like any man that ever Ran all the way from Ashland down to Wacker,
Lived, Dogsborough’s got a weakness. An From Kenwood Bank to City Bank and Trust –
Achilles’ heel like anybody else. But bankers aren’t such Good Samaritans.
Flake Even the ones I always used to count on,
Oh yeah? So what’s his weakness? They all just turn their backs and slam the door.
I tell ya, Clark. It’s bad out there.
Clark
Vanity. Butcher, Flake and Caruther break their huddle. Flake
whispers to Clark.
Butcher
The old guy’s so in love with his reflection Butcher
And smitten with the sound of his own voice So Sheet.
He never notices the rest of us If you’ll excuse the three of us, we’ve got
Are sick and tired of hearing his life story. Another meeting. Talk to Flake. Who knows?
And meanwhile our friend Sheet is looking to Perhaps the two of you can come to some
Bail out that shipyard where old Dogsborough Reciprocal arrangement.
Spent chapter one of his biography.
So maybe we’ve just hit on a solution . . . ? Exit Butcher, Clark and Caruther, leaving Flake to deal with
In fact, I’m thinking of a little plan – Sheet.
Sheet has entered, with an accountant, Bowl. Clark sees him before Sheet
the others. What was that?
Flake Sheet
We’ve been discussing your financial problems. I think I oughta get some better friends.
We’re really quite concerned for you –
Flake
Sheet (suspicious) You’re gonna lose it one way or the other.
Uh-huh.
Sheet
Flake I got a wife, okay? She likes nice things.
Let’s face it, Sheet. You’ll never get that loan. You know what Mabel’s like. If I don’t make
That shipyard’s nothing but a pile of rust, a Some dough she’s gonna pack her bags and leave –
Depreciating liability, Flake
And you’re not getting any younger, so So sell it, then, and don’t be such a putz.
Perhaps the time has come when you’d consider
A lucrative transfer of ownership? Sheet
And why the hell do you guys want a shipyard ?
Sheet (suspicious) You’re not content with cornering the market
You’re trying to say the Trust would buy my shipyard? And jacking up the price of cauliflower?
I thought you guys were broke. So now you want control of distribution,
Flake (dismissive) The final piece of your monopoly?
Who’s saying that? Flake
We got some issues with liquidity – Well, that’s a rather cynical perspective.
But we’re on solid footing, and besides, You never thought we’d wanna help a friend?
We’re always on the lookout for investments,
And if you’re open to the conversation, we’re Sheet
Prepared to go as high as forty grand. Gee, funny how that never dawned on me.
Sheet (beat, appalled) Flake

Forty – ? You wanna be sarcastic? Up to you.
The offer’s forty-five. Take it or leave it.
Flake
Forty-five, then. Sheet finds Ui’s business card.
Sheet
Sheet
What’s this?
You’re insane.
I’d never sell the shipyard at that price. Flake
I’m not a chump, okay? So don’t insult me. It’s nothing. It’s a business card.
You’ll make me say some things we’ll both regret.
Sheet
Flake Arturo Ui? Are you serious?
You’re never gonna get a better offer. You’re actually doing business with this guy?
20 The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui Act One, Two 21
Flake Two
He made us a proposal, yeah. So what?
Chicago’s not the same’s it used to be. The back room of a fancy restaurant. Dogsborough and his son,
These guys like Ui, now they’re taking over. Young Dogsborough, washing glasses. Flake and Butcher
It’s like we gotta case of leprosy. negotiating with him.
And no one’s figured out the way you catch it,
So ya gotta be protected. Dogsborough
Let’s not revisit this same conversation.
Sheet I told you yesterday, your loan proposal
Watch it, Flake, Smells of rotting fish.
You might be coming down with it yourself.
Young Dogsborough
Flake My father’s right.
So what about the shipyard? ’Zit a deal? Butcher (acceding)
Sheet (looks at business card) And since that’s what you think, we’ll let it drop.
A gangster. I don’t know why I’m surprised – Dogsborough
He’s really just another businessman. You think that I don’t see where this is going?
He uses guns and we use tax attorneys. You don’t intend to build a shipping dock.
It’s like how when you’re looking at a lake, You never did.
The water’s crystal clear so you forget
There’s something green and slimy underneath. Young Dogsborough
Might be a branch. Might be a snake. But which? They never did.
Cuz – no offense, but . . . maybe you’re a snake?
Butcher
Or maybe you’re a gangster? Hard to tell.
And yet –
It sounded like you said ‘Is it a deal?’
But maybe what you meant was ‘Stick ’em up.’ Dogsborough
A city budget’s not a cookie jar!
Raises his hands like a stickup. And just like little children need to learn
Ah, what the fuck. I’ll sell. The shipyard’s yours. Some self-control, so should a businessman.
Wanna kick me in the balls to seal the deal? And furthermore, I fail to understand
A special offer: You can kick me twice. This nervousness and utter lack of faith.
We must believe in market fundamentals!
Flake
You’re nuts. Butcher
That’s what I told them, sir! They wouldn’t listen.
Sheet
Could be. But that’s the asking price. Dogsborough
This negativity will undermine
Consumer confidence – I mean, of course
The markets fall, but they rebound again. You finally ascended to a higher
That’s how it works. A little course correction! Form of service, wiping out corruption
You’re in the vegetable business! Name another Just like you’d once wiped up those tabletops.
Trade with such dependable returns. And yesterday we had a realization:
The human body needs a varied diet, Somebody said, hey wait a second – it’s
Or else one runs the risk of – well, you know – Exactly twenty years ago come Friday
We’re omnivores. And if you try to serve That Dosgborough left that commissary job
A man a steak without potatoes, or For greener pastures. Twenty years exactly.
A fish without a lemon he’ll protest. So really it’s an anniversary –
So how is cauliflower any different? A milestone, if you will – and that is why
Now look: we’re all aware that times are tight. We think it only right and proper to
And yes, a man might hesitate to buy Commemorate that historic occasion
New silk pajamas – still he’s got to eat. By offering a sign of gratitude . . .
And you’ve got what he needs! So stop complaining!
Your profits will return, you mark my words. He pulls out an envelope, faux-modestly.
Flake It’s nothing much – it’s frankly insufficient

That’s inspirational. For chrissake, Butch, When one considers everything you’ve done:
I’d listen to this guy all afternoon. Majority shareholder partnership
In Sheet’s Industrial Shipyard Corporation,
Butcher (to Dogsborough) Or twenty-thousand worth in stocks and options,
And when you put it that way, sir – you’re right: At current market value, give or take.
Forget the loan. Consider it forgotten.
It’s crass of us, and frankly it’s beneath Dogsborough
A man of your accomplishments – but then, Now I’m confused –
You don’t need us to sing your praises here. Butcher
And that is why – if you’ll indulge me, sir, To be completely honest –
I’d like to shift the current conversation – The other day when we got off the phone
Oh no no no – a much more pleasant topic: And you had been so resolute in turning
Because, you know, us cauliflower men, Down our inappropriate request,
Whenever business takes us to the docks, Well, Flake and I, we felt a sense of –
Longshoremen get to talking – you know how
They talk – those same old shipyard stories that Flake
Our fathers told, back in the early days Shame.
When you were just a commissary boy – Butcher
Your apron and your wiping-cloth in hand, – Embarrassment.
And how you then became a restauranteur
And opened up this place of business here Flake
And after twenty years of honest work I’m still ashamed.
Butcher Dogsborough
In fact, Let’s not overdo it.
I’ll come right out and say it – there were tears. Well, I must say, I’m really rather speechless –
Flake Butcher
I cried. No speech required, sir. Just take the shares.
Hang onto them until some rainy day.
Butcher
Please, wouldja lemme tell the story? Dogsborough
We said, ‘My God, this fair and thoughtful man I must admit I do feel some nostalgia
Who pulled us from the brink of self-destruction – For that old shipyard and the commissary –
Does not that man deserve some recognition?’
And the decision was unanimous. Flake
Hey look at that – it’s right there out the window.
Dogsborough
You’re sure there’s no . . . ulterior motivation – ? Dogsborough
It’s been my view for nearly twenty years –
Butcher
Ulterior? Flake
It’s quite a handsome sight.
Dogsborough
I mean, of course I’m grateful – Dogsborough
And Mister Sheet?
Flake Will he step down?
It’s us should be the ones that’s thanking you.
We’re just a buncha lowly businessmen, Butcher
But you, sir, you’re the kinda guy that stands Uh, Mister Sheet has been
For something so much bigger than himself – Inclined for some time now to make a change.
Butcher Flake
And yet you’ve still got your humility. He’s shown a recent interest in strong liquor.
Flake Dogsborough
You’re not like all those other politicians – Oh, has he? Good for him. The line will suit him.
Hobnobbing with Chicago’s high and mighty I do have such fond memories of the place –
And losing touch with what it means to be Now, look: I don’t reject it out of hand,
A working man – I mean, just look at this: I only worry there might be unsavory
A man of his achievements, here he stands Details lurking in the finer print –
Behind a counter wiping up! Right, Butch?
Flake
Butcher He’s very humble. It’s just a gift.
26 The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui Act One, Three 27
Butcher (Which God knows we could use in times like these).

A nest egg. For the future. In short, from this day forth you’ll always be
An honorary cauliflower man.
Dogsborough
It’s twenty thousand? Dogsborough
Butcher All right, then. Mister Butcher? Mister Flake?
Twenty-two and change. Butcher
Dogsborough (ruminating) We got a deal?
The very shipyard where I was a boy.
Dogsborough
It is ironic, isn’t it? And you
We do.
Assure me that loan has been forgotten?
Flake ( feigning ignorance) Butcher
A loan? Well, then! Let’s shake!
Butcher (likewise)
Did we say something ’bout a loan?
Three
Dogsborough
If so, then . . . I might be inclined to take it – A bookie joint on 122nd Street. Arturo Ui, Roma, Dockdaisy,
The boy does need a college education, Bodyguard, others.
(Sheepishly.) And I myself have always had a dream
I’d someday sell this restaurant and retire Roma
To someplace just outside the city limits. Arturo – and I say this as a friend –
A modest place – some six or seven acres – If all you do is sit around and bitch
Alas, I’ve never had the wherewithal – And moan, complaining ’bout how no one un-
derstands you, feeling sorry for yourself,
Flake
Then hey, you can’t exactly be surprised
Well, now that dream could be reality.
If people talk –
Dogsborough
And it would be a paltry legacy Arturo Ui
If I should leave the boy my reputation Who’s talking? No one’s talking!
And nothing else – I swear to God, Chicago’s got amnesia!
It’s like I don’t exist now. Look at this:
Flake
You can’t do that to him. Flipping through newspapers.
Butcher Six weeks I go without a killing spree –
And from now on we’d never hesitate Six weeks is all. It’s like I disappeared.
To call upon you for your words of wisdom This city’s got a short attention span.
You gotta keep a steady stream of bodies For this young lady’s testimony I’d
Or else you’ll be forgotten by the press! Be doing twenty years in Stateville Pen!
That fuckin’ judge. The way he looked at me?
Roma And just because I wanna a rob a bank?
Besides, the boys have started getting restless.
They need some sense of purpose, motivation, Roma
Some task to which they might apply themselves But cops won’t waste their time on grocery stores.
To demonstrate their love of firearms. So how ’bout this: we start on Twenty-Second,
Whatever happened to the grocery racket? Then work our way uptown, go block by block.
Cuz that idea was a stroke of genius We’ll smash some grocery windows, trash the joints,
Pour kerosene on all the merchandise –
Arturo Ui
The next day Manny Giri goes around
Not yet. The timing’s wrong.
(A pink carnation in his buttonhole)
Says oh my goodness grief, what happened here?
Roma
And on behalf of my associates
Excuse me, boss,
We’d like to offer you complete protection
But that’s what you been saying ever since
For twenty-five percent of gross receipts –
You went to see those cauliflower guys.
You let one little insult get you down. Arturo Ui
I know you got a problem with rejection. Nah, fuck it – I’m the one that needs protecting
It’s natural, a man in your position. From the cops. If I don’t got protection
And plus, the bank job didn’t go exactly I’m not protecting anybody else.
How we planned – (Morose.) I gotta find a judge or politician –
Arturo Ui Some guy who’s got an understanding of
They shot at me! The cops! The subtleties of how the system works:
I slip a little something in his pocket,
Roma A later date, he slips it into mine.
A warning shot! They shot above your head! An alderman or something, who can make
These goddamn cops stop shooting at my ass,
Arturo Ui
The dirty fucking shanty Irish micks.
Without Dockdaisy as my alibi
And vouching for my whereabouts – C’mere Roma
Sweetheart – Okay then, what about Givola’s plan?
Dockdaisy That gimpy bastard always knows the dirt.
How come you’re such a sourpuss? He tells me those same cauliflower guys,
I’ll make ya happy, daddy. The ones that treated you with disrespect,
Says they’ve been making rounds at City Hall,
Arturo Ui That City Council passed a bill or something
If it weren’t For which that fat old gasbag Dogsborough,
He greased the wheels and got the bank to come You oughta be in politics, Arturo.
Across, three-quarters of a mill at least, Cuz who needs guns to take the people’s money
Supposedly to build some shipping dock, When you got legislation?
Which, as I hear, is never getting built.
Roma
So why is Dogsborough hooking up with them?
Hey, c’mon.
What’s his angle?
Give it a rest. The boss is in a mood.
Ted Ragg, a reporter, enters, slightly drunk.
Ragg
Ragg Yeah, I’d be moody too, I had his problems.
Hello, boys! Givola going over to Capone –
Or so they say –
Roma
Ah shit. Dockdaisy (drunk)
It’s that fuckin’ creep reporter from the Star. You shut yer goddam mouth.
You say another word about Giuseppe
Ragg I’ll bust your fuckin’ jaw –
Ernesto Roma! And – hey, look at this!
Arturo Ui! All hail, Thane of Glamis! Ragg Sorry, Dockdaisy.
I guess that you’re Givola’s whore this week.
Arturo Ui (calmly, to Roma) Your love life sure is mighty complicated.
And what the fuck is that supposed to mean? I’m curious – do gangsters ever pay you?
Ragg Or once they’ve fucked you, they just hand you down
A literary reference to a work (Re Ui.) To whichever one’s career is on the skids?
About a would-be king, frustrated by Arturo Ui (erupts, bellowing)
His unsuccessful quest to gain the throne. SOMEBODY BETTER SHUT THIS FUCKER UP!
Arturo Ui (calmly to Ragg) Other Gangsters stand, hands on guns, menacing Ragg.
Go fuck yourself.
Ragg
Roma (to Ragg) Whoa, take it easy! Freedom of the Press!
So what’s all this I’m hearing Let’s not forget the First Amendment, boys.
About a loan to the cauliflower guys?
Roma
Ragg Arturo Ui is the biggest gangster
So now you’re in the cauliflower business? To ever hit Chicago. Period.
Go talk to Dogsborough – he pushed it through. Report the facts or keep your big mouth shut.
He took the bill straight to the council floor:
Roma shoves Ragg toward the door.
‘The business of America is business!’
These councilmen all get a massive boner, Ragg
Or should I say swell up with civic pride. Stay out of trouble, fellas!
He exits, passing Giri, who enters with a nervous-looking Bowl. Giri

He gives the guy the sack and tells him that
Arturo Ui His services no longer are required –
What a prick.
He never writes a fucking thing about me. Arturo Ui
Slow down a sec – what’s this ’bout Dogsborough?
Roma
That’s why we gotta getcha back in action! Bowl
Twelve years I work, the asshole gets me fired.
Arturo Ui (seeing Giri)
What’s this? Roma (to Giri)
But why would Dogsborough be dumping him
Roma If the yard belongs to Sheet?
It’s Giri. (To Giri.) Manny, who’s the stiff?
Bowl
Giri Because
So get this: two o’clock this afternoon It doesn’t anymore. Not since September.
I’m sitting down at Sam’s, as is my wont, Since Mister Butcher from the Cauliflower
Across the bar from me, this gentleman Trust made Dogsborough majority partner.
Is sitting there all gloomy and dejected – Giri (cackling)
I say hey mac, ya better take it easy He hates the smell of cauliflower now.
You’re gonna get cirrhosis of the liver –
Arturo Ui
Roma (to Bowl) Wait, what’s that mean – ?
How do ya do? My name’s Ernesto Roma.
Giri
Bowl That’s what we’re trying to tellya –
My name is Bowl.
Bowl
Giri It means conflict of interest. Dogsborough
Turns out he’s recently Co-signed for the Cauliflower loan –
Been terminated from his place of business.
I say where’s that? Coincidentally, Giri
He tells me he’s the guy that balances While he himself was on the fuckin’ payroll !
The books down at the shipyard office – Arturo Ui (the light begins to dawn)
Hey wait a second. I know what this is.
Bowl It’s what’s-it-called –
Their
Accountant, yes, or used to be, that is. Roma
Until last week – that bastard Dogsborough – Corruption.
34 The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui Act One, Four 35
Arturo Ui Giri (laughing)

– It’s corruption. Of course we’ll help. Today’s your lucky day!
You’re telling me Dogsborough’s on the take?
Giri (cackling)
That cracks me up. Old Dogsborough’s a crook. Four
That pious Mister Clean has got one hand
On the Bible and the other in Dogsborough’s lakefront country home. Dogsborough and
The cookie jar. Young Dogsborough.
Bowl
Dogsborough
The goddamn sonofabitch.
You know, in retrospect I start to wonder
I had that job for almost thirteen years
Was it a trifle hasty or imprudent
And me he calls embezzler?
To take the money from the shipyard shares
Roma And spend it on a country house – but then,
Holy shit. My broker told me that I should invest it,
I know a lotta guys who’d love to see And so I put it into real estate –
That pompous jackass taken down a notch. There’s nothing wrong with that. That’s reasonable.
Nor was it wrong of me to take the shares,
Giri ( privately to Ui) Though I’m sure there are those in certain circles
So, whaddya thinkin’, boss? Who’d love to see a man in my position
Arturo Ui (likewise, to Giri) Accused of impropriety. Who’d view
Well, I dunno. My willingness to take them as –
Ya think he’ll testify?
Young Dogsborough
Giri A bribe?
Of course he will.
Dogsborough
Arturo Ui (rising, to Giri and Bodyguard) Oh no no no. Let’s both avoid that word.
You two boys entertain our little guest. I think inducement is the legal term,
We gotta pay someone a social call. And from a legal standpoint, who’d object?
Those businessmen were in a fiscal crisis –
Exit Roma and Ui. A capital infusion was required –
Giri And in my role as representative
Congratulations, Bowl. The wheels are turning. If I could be persuasive with the banks,
Was that so wrong?
Bowl
You mentioned you might help with my expenses – ? Young Dogsborough
I’ve got an awful lot of bills to pay – Well, technically –
Dogsborough No no – It’s like a tavern owner offering

The only problem, really, was the sequence; Free pretzels to a drunkard on his stool.
To take the shares and then secure the loan, The drunkard says, ‘Why, thank you,’ unaware
And after that, to buy a property The salt will only stimulate his thirst –
Like this, that some might view as ostentatious . . .
A phone begins to ring, off.
It’s all about appearances, you know.
And I’m afraid that from a certain angle And now this talk of hearings, inquiries –
It could appear the slightest bit – And how did all the money go so quickly?
They promised me – They said we’ll never touch it.
Young Dogsborough
They told me it was all for ‘dock construction’
Illegal?
But didn’t even purchase the cement!
Dogsborough Then Clark took his, then Butcher, Flake, Caruther –
No. I didn’t take a single – well, a little.
I took a bit. And I’m not proud of that –
Young Dogsborough
Immoral? The Butler has entered.
Dogsborough Dogsborough
No. At least there’s one thing to be grateful for:
Shareholders can’t be publicly disclosed.
Young Dogsborough
My partnership’s entirely anonymous!
Dishonest?
There’s no way to connect me to the – (To Butler.) Yes?
Dogsborough No.
Butler
I had a momentary lapse of judgment!
Mister Butcher, sir, is on the telephone.
And people take one tiny little thing
And blow it out of – yes, I will admit. Dogsborough
To take the shares was inadvisable. Butcher? Really? Calling on a Sunday?
But what was I to do? You take it, son. Just say I’m indisposed.
Young Dogsborough Butler and Young Dogsborough exit. Church bells in the
They set you up. distance.
Exactly! It is a lovely house, though, after all.
The countryside. The aspens on the lake.
Young Dogsborough
The silvery leaves, all glinting in the sun
And you fell for it.
Like freshly minted coins . . . It’s picturesque.
Dogsborough And good to get away from city life –
Entrapment! The hectic pace, the sour smell of stale
And really, how could any man resist? Beer hanging in the air. We all deserve
To enjoy the simple pleasures now and then – Dogsborough

The sycamores. And that’s a Douglas fir. No no. He can’t come to the house. Call back.
And that one there’s a Norway pine, I think? Just tell him no. I’m elderly. My health –
Its needles are the very shade of green
He stands, grandly.
Of my old beer-stained commissary apron.
But it’s the aspens that complete the picture. They won’t connect me to their little scheme.
The aspens and the church bells. Very peaceful. I have a reputation. Sixty years,
Though bells can sometimes signify a funeral . . . The voice of conscience on the council floor!
And why is Butcher calling on a Sunday? It’s guilt by association. It’s not right!
Young Dogsborough has returned. Butler has returned.
Dogsborough Butler
What did he say? A Mister ‘Ui’ here to see you?
Young Dogsborough Pause. Dogsborough freezes.

He sends regards. Dogsborough
Mister – ?
Dogsborough
How nice. Butler
‘Ui’, sir.
Young Dogsborough
And also news. Dogsborough (to Young Dogsborough)
Did he say ‘Ui’?
Dogsborough
Ah, news. Young Dogsborough
‘Ui’.
Young Dogsborough (recalling)
How did he say it – ? Dogsborough
‘Appointment of an independent counsel Arturo Ui? You don’t mean the gangster?
To investigate the Cauliflower Butler
Trust, and dock construction’ – Something wrong? Ah yes. I thought perhaps it rang a bell.
He says he’s representing Mister Butcher?
Dogsborough clutches his chest.
Dogsborough
Dogsborough Oh no. We can’t have that.
My pills – My chest pains – Quick – Where’s my inhaler?
Butler
Doorbell. Shall I admit him?
Young Dogsborough Dogsborough
He said he’ll stop by later to discuss – Admit –? My God. You let him in the door?
So Butcher’s sending mobsters to my home? Arturo Ui

They think they can intimidate me now? Mister Dogsborough? Sir, let’s be honest:
I don’t know you, and you, you don’t know me.
Ui and Roma enter.
Or possibly you read a thing or two
Arturo Ui About me and I’m sorry if you did,
Good afternoon. Cuz no one likes to be misunderstood.
But we both know how journalism works –
Dogsborough Newspaper guys are losers, full of envy.
Afraid you must excuse us – They write the things they do just to besmirch
Roma The reputation of a decent man,
Forgive the casual nature of the visit, As you must surely know – but I digress.
But seeing as it’s Sunday – Because ya see, some fourteen years ago,
When I had first arrived here in Chicago,
Dogsborough An innocent, ya know? A refugee.
Gentlemen? A poor, neglected kid outa the Bronx
I’m sorry but I must ask you to leave. Who travels halfway ’cross a continent to
Young Dogsborough A land of economic opportunity,
My father says – Hop off a train with seven of my friends
Who – just like me – they wanted nothing more
Roma Than, by the sweat of ingenuity,
Yeah, yeah. We got it, sonny. To get one slice of that American pie
Arturo Ui To which each one of us is guaranteed.
Mister Dogsborough – And now I’ve got more friends – say thirty, forty?
And so you ask, with all of these companions
Dogsborough (to Young Dogsborough) Whatever could this person want from me?
Quick, son. Phone the police. Fair question. And it’s really pretty simple . . .
Young Dogsborough tries to leave. Roma grabs him. I want the world to see me like I am.
Cuz I got feelings just like anybody.
Roma They call me names. They call me ‘gangster’, ‘hoodlum’,
I wouldn’t do that now if I was you, ‘Thug’ – who cares, ya know? Most days I let it
Since three or four of my associates Slide – (Clears his throat.) but when it comes to the police.
Are waiting in the hallway right outside – Such bravery. America’s heroes,
I’d hate for them to get the wrong impression. For whom I feel the utmost of respect,
It pains me when that feeling’s not returned.
Dogsborough
And so today I stand here asking ‘please’ –
I won’t be threatened or intimidated!
(Believe me, not an easy word for me)
Roma But please, a word or two on my behalf
Easy, granddad. No one’s being threatened. If ever opportunity arises?
Dogsborough lihood. That’s why they need protection, too.

A reference, you mean? It’s like a circle, see? When someone breaks it,
Our whole society comes crashing down.
Arturo Ui
Depending on Dogsborough
The outcome of my current conversations Well, I’m afraid you’ve come to the wrong place.
With certain members of the grocery trade. You see, I’ve no connection to the Trust –
Dogsborough Arturo Ui
The grocers? What business have they with you? I knew you’d say that too. So here’s the plan:
Get twenty, thirty guys, big guys with muscle,
Arturo Ui We put them on the payroll of the Trust –
I thought that you might ask. ’Tween you and me –
See, vegetables can be an ugly racket. Dogsborough
The threats, the competition, rivalries – I’m doubtful that the Cauliflower Trust
Would be inclined to trade their typewriters
Dogsborough For automatic weapons, but again,
I’ve heard no talk of threats against the grocers. I’ve absolutely no connection to –
Arturo Ui Arturo Ui (overriding Dogsborough’s objections)
And that’s the way that we’d all like to keep it. And here’s the way we keep it on the level:
Cuz who’s to say if our beloved police – If you got thirty guys all packing heat
For whom, as I have said, I’ve such respect – You gotta have some way to guarantee
Suppose they should surrender to temptation? That they don’t mutiny and turn against you.
A grocery register sits fulla cash . . . So how do you do that? Obviously
It only takes one underpaid patrolman With money. With the power of the purse.
Abusing his authority to slip And that’s where you come in: You’ll be the guy
And help himself to what should not be his. That’s writing out the paychecks to my men.
So would it not behoove your average grocer So even if I wanted to betray you –
To take a few precautionary measures Which I would never want to. God forbid!
Before that starts, to nip it in the bud? Cuz you’re a public figure! I’m more in
A service we’d provide at minimal cost. The private sector, small-time operations.
Dogsborough I got myself at most twenty employees
I hardly think – Or maybe less, since last time that I checked
And that is why – (Intimately.) May I speak man to man?
Arturo Ui I gotta be protected from my rivals.
I knew that’s what you’d say. And maybe from a couple of my friends!
That’s what the grocers say, but they can’t see Cuz I put fourteen years into this business
The bigger picture – for example, how And it’s too late to start another one.
The Cauiflower Trust protects their live- And that is why I come to you today
With this tremendous opportunity Your little stocks and bonds shenanigans.
For both of us – I say this man to man. They’re planning to investigate your ass.
And now from man to man, I’ll say to you, My friends at City Hall would never dare –
If you don’t leave? I’m calling the police.
Arturo Ui
Arturo Ui (beat) You got no friends, you moron. That’s the past.
Police? You mighta had some yesterday but come
Dogsborough Tomorrow enemies is all you got.
You heard me. You got one friend now. Wanna know his name?
Arturo Ui Roma
Wow. Ya hear that, Roma? Arturo Ui!
Roma Arturo Ui
I heard it, boss. I’m your best friend now!
Arturo Ui Dogsborough
Police? They won’t investigate an elderly man.
Dogsborough Arturo Ui
Correct. Your hair is white, but the roots are pretty dark.
Arturo Ui Grabs him.
I’m rather Why don’tcha use your goddamn brain for once?
Disappointed. So ya mean to say You got yourself in trouble. I can help.
The two of us can’t talk like human beings? Whoever says a fuckin’ word against you
Dogsborough Or touches one white hair on that fat head
I’m sorry, no. Of yours? I’ll ventilate the sonofabitch.
Arturo Ui Frustrated, changing tactics.
Well, gee, I’m sorry, too.
Just try to see it from my point of view –
Ui draws his gun, points directly in Dogsborough’s face, erupts. We got ourselves a mutual situation.
I’ll scratch your back, but if you don’t scratch mine
Arturo Ui I’m gonna lose my business. Don’t ya get it?
Cuz now I gotta talk to you like this. My boys are going over to Capone!
Like one crook to another fuckin’ crook,
You dirty underhanded piece of shit. Dogsborough
I got you by the balls, you motherfucker. I’d sooner let the devil take my soul
I know about your little shipyard scheme, Than ever help a common criminal.
Arturo Ui Butler
Ya fuckin’ dope – don’t you know who I am? Telegram?
I make my living crushing guys like you!
Dogsborough
Dogsborough Just read it to me, please. I’m far too weak.
I’ll never let you touch the vegetable trade. I think I’ve got a fever. I’m perspiring.
If I should live to be a hundred and twelve! I wonder where I put my liver pills . . . ?
Arturo Ui Butler unfolds, reads telegram.
Yeah, I don’t think you better hold your breath.
You’re twice my age, Pops. Whattya, eighty-two? Butler
I’m not a mathematician or a gambler Addressed ‘To Mister E.G. Dogsborough:
But even I can calculate the odds Attorney General’s Office, Illinois,
Which one of us is likely first to go. This notice from the City of Chicago
Is to inform you that you have been summoned – ’
Ui takes out a business card, slips it into Dogsborough’s breast
Dogsborough
pocket.
A subpoena!? No no no –
Arturo Ui
Butler
I might suggest ya rethink that position,
‘ – to offer tes-
Cuz, in the end, ya know who’s gonna win.
timony, City Hall, room seventeen,
He snaps his fingers. Roma releases Young Dogsborough, November fourteenth, nineteen thirty-one
follows Ui out the door. At ten-fifteen, and failure to appear
Can and may result in your arrest – ’
Dogsborough
Dear God. That man. Can’t breathe. Open a window! Dogsborough
I need some air. My God, what have I done? No no – Arrest?! My God, this is a nightmare!
I’ll sell the house. I’ll telephone the broker. They know about the loan! A felony!
I’ll liquidate the mortgage. Yes, that’s it! I’m not a felon!
And after that – I’ll go to California. Young Dogsborough (rationally)
My brother’s place! I’ll say I’m convalescing – Well, you took the money.
I think I’m going to hyperventilate –
Dogsborough
The Butler has entered with an envelope. I know this has to be O’Casey’s doing!
Butler The moment she became the Council Chairman
Excuse me, sir? I knew she had a personal vendetta
Against me – but I have seniority!
Dogsborough Well, I’m no fool. They’ll see. I’ll find a witness.
What is it? Some person who’ll defend my character –
48 The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui Act One, Five 49
Young Dogsborough Caruther

You need a lawyer. His what?
Dogsborough Flake
That would look defensive. He’s got some kinda legal expert
It needs to be somebody unconnected In contract and fiduciary law.
To the law, a relative outsider,
An unsophisticated type who has Butcher
No formal understanding of the system – He better get here soon, then.
Young Dogsborough Clark

An idiot, you mean. He’s with Sheet.
They’re working out a deal. Sheet’s gonna tes-
Dogsborough tify the shipyard’s his and his alone.
A simple man,
Someone like me, who has a vested interest Caruther
In rehabilitating his good name. He’s never gonna testify to that.
If I have such an individual Why should he?
Beside me when I’m facing that committee Clark
I’m sure I’ll be entirely absolved, Are you nuts? Of course he will.
But who – ?
Caruther
Young Dogsborough He incriminates himself, he’s doing five
Well, I don’t want to be involved. To ten in Joliet. So why’s he gonna
Take the fall for us?
Flake
Five I’ll tell ya why:
For money. If he cops a plea the Feds
A City Hall hearing room. Chairman O’Casey talking privately on
Won’t touch the dough we paid him for the Shipyard.
telephone. Butcher, Clark, Flake, Caruther behind deposition
Besides he’ll never even do the time.
tables with microphones. Dogsborough – pale, sweaty, nervous –
With Dogsborough to plead for leniency
sits with them. The members of the Trust confer.
He’ll do a couple years’ probation, tops.
Butcher
Ragg speaks into a radio microphone, finger to his ear.
He’s running late.
Ragg
Caruther
Ted Ragg, Chicago, WBBX.
Who is?
We’re coming to you live from City Hall
Flake With this ongoing special news report:
Dogsborough’s advisor. The shipyard scandal and investigation!
Committee chairman Evelyn O’Casey Clark

Is just about to open up the day’s Excuse me, Madam Chairman? If I may?
Proceedings, so we’ll take you to the hearing In light of these unfortunate events,
As the chairman makes her opening remarks: If Mister Sheet (and may he rest in peace)
Has now been rendered unavailable
O’Casey bangs her gavel.
To offer deposition in this matter,
O’Casey Then, should we not adjourn – ?
Members of the committee, other guests: O’Casey
Before we start today, it’s my sad duty No, Mister Clark,
To report a piece of news concerning council This hearing shall continue, notwithstanding.
Witness number one, Augustus Sheet.
Who, as I’ve been informed, within the last Caruther
Two hours was discovered dead – If I might save some time? I think you’ll find
The contract does reflect the loan was made
General commotion.
Directly to the shipyard – ?
Butcher
Sheet’s dead? O’Casey
That may be, but
O’Casey
The document in question can’t be found,
The death is being ruled a homicide –
Which means we cannot fully ascertain
Clark Which individual (or group thereof )
Ah Jesus. Does constitute the legal entity
We’ve hitherto referred to as ‘The Shipyard’ –
Caruther
He was murdered ?
Flake (sotto, to Clark)
Flake Ah, fuck me.
Now we’re screwed.
Clark (likewise to Flake)
O’Casey
I don’t like the sound of that.
And in the course of his examination
The coroner found on the victim’s body
O’Casey
A one-way ticket to San Francisco.
So Mister Dogsborough, I shall address
Dogsborough is squirming nervously. Caruther notices. The following question to yourself –
(Seeing Dogsborough squirm.) Is there
Caruther
A problem, sir?
Ya need some water?
Thank you, no. I’m fine. A problem? Not at all.
Dockdaisy enters discreetly, handing a slip of paper to Butcher, Ragg (into microphone)
who unfolds and reads it as O’Casey speaks, giving a nod to Flake Ted Ragg with breaking news from City Hall!
and Caruther. Arturo Ui, notorious gangland figure
Whose violent career was in decline
O’Casey
Has just been ushered into council chambers!
For Mister Sheet at least deserves the chance
We return you to the hearing now in progress:
To clear himself of all these dirty charges
Before we do consign him to the ground Ui and Roma settle in behind the table as members of the Trust
And heap more dirt upon him. whisper frantically with Dogsborough. O’Casey bangs her gavel.
Clark O’Casey
Madam Chairman: Quiet, please.
If any member of your fine committee,
Has evidence that implicates another Arturo Ui
Person sitting here behind this table, Alright. Who’s got the questions?
Let him present it now or else move on. O’Casey
I don’t appreciate the tone you’re taking. Is this the witness?
Butcher (to O’Casey) Clark
Excuse me, ma’am? Forgive the interruption? . . . Apparently it is.
But Mister Dogsborough, your friend and fel-
low Councilman has been so kind as to O’Casey (re Giri and Givola)
Provide us with a most distinguished expert And these men are?
Who’s just arrived and he’s prepared to offer Arturo Ui
His keen analysis and expertise . . . ? These are my business partners.
O’Casey O’Casey (re Roma)
Alright, let’s have your expert then, but be And this?
Forewarned, I’ll need him to confine remarks
To those that bear some semblance of the truth. Roma
Ernesto Roma. Tax advice.
Clark
You’ll be the judge of that, sir. O’Casey
They represent you, Mister Dogsborough?
O’Casey
Send him in. Dogborough starts to speak, stops.
Ui enters, flanked by Roma, Giri, and Givola. Commotion. The Butcher (whispers)
members of the Trust look stunned. Dogsborough. Say something.
Arturo Ui O’Casey
Hey, Clark! And Flake! And look, it’s Dogsborough! We will let
The record indicate that by his silence O’Casey

Mister Dogsborough has given his consent. I thought –
(To Ui.) Now, may we have the documents in question?
Arturo Ui
Arturo Ui And anybody says I did’s a liar!
The documents?
O’Casey (calmly)
O’Casey But Mister Ui, Mister Dogsborough
The paperwork. Has asked you here for your analysis.
So, can you say the substance of your findings?
Arturo Ui
The what? Arturo Ui
The substance? Oh yeah, trust me. It’s substantial.
O’Casey It wasn’t easy, either. Lemme tell ya.
The missing contracts which purport to show My friend here, Dogsborough, he comes to me.
Recipients’ intended dock expansion, He says Arturo, I am frankly shocked
Which we shall henceforth call Exhibit A. By what I’m hearing down at City Hall.
Arturo Ui And you’re the only one can figure out
That’s first I ever heard about a contract. Just what the hell is going on. I mean,
To think taxpayer dollars were misused –
O’Casey The blood and sweat of working men and women –
How’s that? Imagine how it feels to learn they’ve all
Clark Been going to a certain shady shipyard
No contracts? And straight into the pockets of embezzlers !
So Madam Chairman, that’s point number one.
Arturo Ui Which leads me, naturally, to number two.
Never. So what is number two, then, you might ask?
Aha! That is a most perceptive question!
O’Casey
You mean to say O’Casey
In conversation with this Mister Sheet – ? What is it, then?
Arturo Ui Arturo Ui
I never talked to Sheet. What’s what?
Clark O’Casey
You didn’t? Your second point?
Arturo Ui Arturo Ui
Nope. The second point! Oh yeah. The guy that did it.
I never even met the guy. The bum that’s ripping off the working man!
O’Casey Roma
And that would be . . . ? Peculiar, even.
Arturo Ui Arturo Ui
Be who? Cuz what that says to me now, Madam Chairman,
If Mister Sheet committed suicide ?
O’Casey
I think the evidence is pretty clear
The guilty party?
That this poor man was wrestling with his conscience –
Arturo Ui
O’Casey
It’s Sheet! Who else? He told me so himself.
It wasn’t suicide.
Enthusiastic agreement from the Trust.
Arturo Ui
O’Casey Not suicide?
But sir, you’ve only just now testified
Clark (quietly to Ui)
You never spoke to Mister Sheet. Which is it?
Not suicide.
Arturo Ui (irritated )
Arturo Ui
Don’t take my word. Ask him, ya don’t believe me!
Izzat right?
Clark (sotto, to Ui)
O’Casey
He’s dead.
Homicide.
Arturo Ui As stated in the Coroner’s report.
He’s what?
Arturo Ui
Butcher Oho. I see. Well, that’s a different matter.
Sheet’s dead. And like I say, we were in Cicero.
But this much I can tell ya: that guy Sheet’s
Arturo Ui A sniveling, worthless, two-faced little weasel –
He’s dead? My God.
Ernesto! Did you hear that? I’m in shock. Clark
(To O’Casey.) The two of us were outa town last night. (And May he Rest in peace.)
The first I’ve heard. We were in Cicero.
Arturo Ui
Ui looks at Roma, who catches on. – the dirty thief.
Roma O’Casey
Yeah, Cicero. That’s right. I’ll vouch for that. I think you’ve made your point sufficiently.
It’s strange, though – Now, Dogsborough, if I might turn to you –
Arturo Ui Dogsborough (to Caruther)
Very strange. What’s that she said? To me?
Butcher (defending Dogsborough) Flake

Now just a minute – How dare you, ma’am, accuse a man like this?
I say, Look at the record!
O’Casey
– For if I understand your ‘expert witness’, Caruther
The totality of all the missing funds Look at his hair!
Were confiscated by this Mister Sheet.
Roma
The truth of which we might have verified
And where’s your proof? You got no proof !
Had Mister Sheet not been abruptly silenced
During Mister Ui’s Cicero vacation. O’Casey
And I am therefore left to speculate I’ve all
Upon the likelihood the shipyard had The proof I need!
A secondary unnamed shadow partner –
Arturo Ui
Now, would you care to comment, Dogsborough?
ALRIGHT ALRIGHT! SHADDUP!
Dogsborough Silence. All turn to Ui.
A comment? Me?
Arturo Ui (calmly)
O’Casey If I might take a moment just to say . . . that
Someone anonymous I’m offended. I am personally offended
In some position of authority To watch us publicly humiliate
To oversee and thus legitimize A harmless senior citizen who walked
The signing of this nonexistent contract – The straight and narrow almost eighty years –
Clark (outraged) I ask you all – have we no decency?
Madam Chairman, what are you suggesting? (To O’Casey re Dogsborough.)
Look at that face. Look at that head of hair.
O’Casey (to Dogsborough) If this looks like a man who breaks the law
– When only three months prior, you yourself I think you better get your vision checked.
Brought legislation to the council floor
Announcing to us all how desperate Clark
Financial intervention was required I hope we’re not suggesting that this man
To save our grocers from insolvency. Would stoop so low as to accept a bribe –
Which leads to the unfortunate conclusion, O’Casey
’Twas you, sir, not the shipyard, stood to gain. That is precisely what I am suggesting.
Butcher (defending Dogsborough) To which I’d add a charge of felony fraud
Madam Chairman, now you’ve crossed the line! As well as defamation, for I suspect
The man is under medical attention! That Mister Sheet no longer owned the shipyard
When the loan went missing and the only
O’Casey bangs gavel. Beneficiary was Dogsborough!
General uproar. Ragg (quietly into microphone)

Ladies and gentlemen, we’re standing by
Caruther For further details of the situation . . .
A dirty lie!
Giri and Givola drag Bowl’s lifeless, bloody body into the room.
Clark The members of the Trust recoil.
That’s unsubstantiated!
O’Casey
Ragg reports as the room erupts. It would appear that Mister Bowl will not
Be offering testimony at this time.
Ragg (into microphone) We are in recess until further notice.
A stunning turnabout at City Hall
As venerated Alderman Dogsborough, O’Casey bangs gavel, bolts from the room. Pandemonium as the
The favorite son of this our Land of Lincoln, Trust flees the room, leaving Dogsborough behind. Ui and Roma
Has fallen under legal scrutiny! remain unruffled.
Caruther The following indented lines are spoken simultaneously:

You got no witnesses! You’ve got no case! Butcher
You crazy fucking bastards! You shot the guy! You
O’Casey wanna get us all sent to the gas chambers, you lunatics?
It’s witnesses you want? Very well, then – Jesus Christ!
O’Casey picks up her phone. A buzzer rings offstage. Flake
We gotta get outa here. Everybody take the back stairs!
O’Casey (into phone)
Don’t go out the front! There’s press out there. Move it!
Do we have council witness number two
Clark, let’s go!
Prepared to testify? Then send him in. (Hangs up.)
(To the room.) I’ve just now summoned witness E. F. Bowl, Caruther
The budgeting accountant for the shipyard Dogsborough, you idiot! Ya wanna get us killed? Why’d
Before he was unjustly terminated. you get involved with this maniac? I’m not getting the
I think you’ll find his version of events electric chair, ya hear me?
Is most enlightening.
Clark
An offstage Voice calls out. Madam Chairman? Madam Chairman? May I please
file a motion to adjourn since both witnesses are
Voice ( from off ) incapacitated? (To Flake.) Alright, Alright, I’m coming!
Bring in the witness!
Dogsborough
All turn expectantly to the door. From outside, a sustained barrage of Wait. Clark? Butcher? You have to believe me. I swear,
machine-gun fire, followed by silence. Giri and Givola quickly exit I had no knowledge of this man’s intentions! He promised
toward the sound. me he’d testify and nothing more . . .
62 The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui Act One, Six 63
Ragg But it’s all in how ya say ’em, right? So you’re gonna gimme
Tragedy strikes at City Hall! Stay tuned to WBBX for some pointers.
more details as they become available. And remember,
Chase and Sanborn coffee, for the very smoothest taste! Actor ( grandly) Your humble servant.
Givola Arturo Ui (to Bodyguard) Get the mirror. (To Actor.)

Does anybody got a mop? Alright, so start with the walk. Like, say I’m in the theater or
the opera or something. Show me how ya walk.
All flee, leaving Dogsborough flanked by Ui and Roma.
Bodyguard brings in a dressing-mirror.
Dogsborough
Caruther! Wait! You can’t just leave me here! Actor The formal carriage of the nobility? Your Caesar,
your Hamlet, Romeo – much of the canon, really, and one
Ui puts arm around Dogsborough. could devote a lifetime, but I will try to distill the essence –
Arturo Ui and, in point of fact, ’twas the Bard that proved my own
Hey, Dogsborough. You gotta get a grip, undoing –
Or you’ll fuck up our new relationship. Arturo Ui ’Zat right?
Actor – for had I not such reverence for the text, I’d have
surely made my way upon the Broadway stage – but I was
Six a tragedian by nature and ill-suited to light comedy –
A suite at the Mammoth Hotel. Givola and a Bodyguard present Arturo Ui Anyway –
a washed-up Actor to Ui.
Actor And these contemporary directors – Well, they’re
Bodyguard ( privately to Ui) Here’s the actor I told ya young, you know, they lack the necessary maturity to form an
about. I checked him out. He’s not armed. ensemble –
Givola ( privately to Ui) This guy can’t afford a gun. He can Arturo Ui I can see that.
barely afford to get smashed up at the Green Mill if the
customers didn’t throw him nickels when he starts with the Actor ‘Thank you, Mister Mahoney, we’ll not require your
speechifying bit. services this season, as we’ll be doing realism, for if you’d care
to note, the year is nineteen-hundred twelve.’
Arturo Ui But he’s an actor, right?
Arturo Ui Wow.
Bodyguard (shrugs) Says he’s classically trained.
Actor Disgraceful.
Arturo Ui (to Actor) How ya doin’?
Arturo Ui Assholes.
Actor Good evening.
Actor To which I say, an artist knows no calendar!
Arturo Ui So listen: it’s been brought to my attention I
express myself in certain ways – and I know words, ya know. Givola Hey, boss – lemme get a different guy.
Arturo Ui Nah, he’s alright. (To Actor.) So do the walk. I normally stand. (Stands with arms folded.) But, what if I wanna
Do the Shakespeare walk. make more of an impression?
The Actor assumes position, puffs out his chest. Givola Put two guys with guns behind ya.
Actor Very good. First positions. Find the breath. And: Arturo Ui Ya know what, smartass? I don’t want ’em
promenade. looking behind me I want ’em looking at me. (To Actor.)
He begins to walk formally, dramatically. Sorry –
Arturo Ui Oh yeah. Look at that. See that? That’s good. Actor Of course.
Givola If ya wanna look like a fucking nutjob. Arturo Ui So what’m I doing wrong?
Arturo Ui It’s called style, alright? The fuck d’you know Actor It’s effective but prosaic. We want to inspire, not to
about style, ya fuck? (To Actor.) ’Scuse me. sell them fish. Perhaps something like this, with the hands . . . ?
Actor Of course. The Actor demonstrates for Ui: arms folded, hands on biceps, palms
Arturo Ui Show me what to do. down, near shoulder-level. Ui copies him.
Actor After me. Head back. Release the tension. Centering Actor A small adjustment, but a world of difference, you
the pelvis. Toe first, followed by the heel. First right, then left, see?
then right – Arturo Ui (looking in mirror) Oh yeah. Look at that.
Ui tries to imitate the Actor’s walk.
Givola
Actor – then left – Very good. You’ve had conservatory But I don’t get what alla this is for?
training? You wanna impress the cauliflower snobs?
Arturo Ui Uh . . . a little, yeah. Arturo Ui
The Cauliflower Trust can kiss my ass.
Actor But as concerns the arms? We’re overcompensating
It’s not for them. It’s for the little guy.
just a bit and losing suppleness – might I recommend?
The average everyday working man.
Arturo Ui Yeah, yeah. A little guy needs someone to look up to.
Somebody with a little bit of class,
Actor Clasp them together before the groin area. Ah, you A certain kinda lifestyle. Like a leader.
see? Better, yes? You feel it? And this is how a leader looks.
Arturo Ui I feel that. (To the Actor.) Yeah, what?
Actor Casual, yet authoritative. And don’t forget the head. Actor ( privately) I understood that there might be a beverage – ?
Arturo Ui Alright. Now, say I gotta stand around, make Ui snaps his fingers. The Bodyguard hands the Actor a flask as
a speech or something. Public appearances. So this is how Givola and Ui continue.
Givola (Good riddance) and if you don’t want the job,

A leader’s s’poseta be approachable. Then why not set up Giri in his place?
Roll up your sleeves, ya know? The ‘common man’. He’s popular. He knows a million jokes.
He laughs it up like a goddamn hyena,
Arturo Ui Especially when you start that whole sob story
The common man is Dogsborough’s department. About your ‘tragic childhood in the Bronx’.
Givola Arturo Ui
But Dogsborough is looking kinda shabby. Ya sayin’ that he laughs at me?
Ever since that hearing put him on the spot.
And if I was those cauliflower guys? Givola
I’d ditch him for a more respectable type. Oh yeah.
I only got one piece of criticism:
Arturo Ui The hats he wears –
I’ll be the judge of who’s respectable.
(To the Actor.) Okay. Now, show me how I’m s’poseta sit. Arturo Ui
The hats?
Actor Ah. The Problem of the Chair. The downfall of many a
career. (To Bodyguard.) Might we have a stiff-backed chair? Givola
(To Ui.) Hazelton was our great walking actor, and Barrymore, The fuckin’ hats.
of course, excelled at standing, but the great seated actor is a The ones he snatches offa dead guys’ heads
rarity. If you would? Right after he – ya know – the guy’s still warm.
He grabs his hat, goes wearing it around.
The Actor gestures and Ui sits in the chair. It’s – (To Actor.) what’s the word –
Actor Ah! No reclining. Forward from the waist. Better. Yes. Actor Unseemly?
Hands on thighs. Elbows well away from the body. Using the
abdominals. There it is. Could you be comfortable maintaining Givola
this position? No.
Arturo Ui Actor
I can sit like this all day. Macabre?
Givola
Actor
It’s creepy. Ya gotta make him knock it off.
You have a gift.
Arturo Ui (to Actor) Can I get up now?
Givola
Okay, Actor Please.
So you don’t want to be an alderman.
Arturo Ui Okay, now show me how to speak. Gimme a
You’d like a more executive positon,
speech.
I get that – but we oughta have a plan.
Cuz pretty soon Dogsborough’s gonna croak Actor I shall consult the Folio . . .
68 The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui Act One, Seven 69
He pulls a small volume of Shakespeare from a pocket. But Brutus says he was ambitious,
And Brutus is an honourable man.
Actor . . . I’d say Antony’s oration, yes? Act Three, Scene
He hath brought many captives home to Rome
Two? Outside the Forum. Caesar’s body here. Brutus exits.
Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill.
The crowd is restless. Antony speaks! The quintessence of
Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?
rhetoric. I played Antony for two seasons at the Zenith in
When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept.
o-eight. The critics were underwhelmed. After me –
Ambition should be made of sterner stuff . . .
He hands the little book to Ui, assumes a grand position, begins to recite
As he recites, Givola, Roma, the Bodyguard, and Giri seat
as Ui reads along.
themselves behind Ui. Giri wears Bowl’s hat. A small group of
Actor and Ui Grocers form an audience in folding chairs. The scene changes as
Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears! Ui continues . . .
Ui’s delivery is staccato, awkward. The Actor coaches him between Arturo Ui
lines. . . . Yet Brutus says he was ambitious,
And Brutus is an honourable man.
Actor – Breath support.
I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke –
Actor and Ui
I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.
Actor – From the diaphragm. Seven
Actor and Ui
The offices of the Cauliflower Trust. Ui lectures the Grocers,
The evil that men do lives after them
employing some of his new-found techniques.
The good is oft interred with their bones.
Arturo Ui
Actor – Open vowels.
But here I am to speak what I do know:
Actor and Ui This is a moment of crisis for our city.
So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus Look out your windows. Violence in the streets!
Hath told you Caesar was ambitious. And we know why. It’s not a mystery:
If it were so, it was a grievous fault, This city’s overrun with immigrants!
And grievously hath Caesar answered it. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re
rapists.
Ui continues alone as the Actor drinks.
Homicide’s up seventeen percent.
Arturo Ui The largest increase, twenty-seven years.
Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest – Women, children, viciously mowed down.
For Brutus is an honourable man; Just yesterday, a man at City Hall,
So are they all, all honourable men – Goes there to testify on your behalf
Come I to speak in Caesar’s funeral. They murder him! Broad daylight! City Hall!
He was my friend, faithful and just to me. And what does law enforcement do about it?
I’ll tell ya: not a single goddamn thing. We have to bring back law and order, folks!
A government has only got one job: We gotta take the right defensive measures!
Defending all its citizens. And if I’ll tell you what we need: We need . . . a wall !
You fail at that most basic job? If all A human shield to keep the bad ones out
You do is wallow in corruption and ya Till we can figure out what’s going on.
Stuff taxpayer dollars in your pocket? And I’m the only one that can provide it.
In my opinion you’re unfit to lead. Cuz no one knows the system better than me.
To do it, though, I’m gonna need two things:
Roma, Givola, Giri and the Bodyguard applaud boisterously, Solidarity and sacrifice.
whistle. But you say, Mister Ui, sacrifice ?
How much ya think this sacrifice will cost ?
Givola Hear, hear!
You’re talking twenty, twenty-five percent?
Arturo Ui We can’t pay that! We’re barely scraping by.
Cuz lemme tellya something, folks: But everything has got a price, ya know?
If we don’t find some way to come together, Sometimes ya gotta stop and ask yourself
If everybody’s out for number one – ? How much ya wanna pay for peace of mind?
Cuz one divided by one equals zero, So I have brought some specialists along –
And zero equals chaos in my book. These gentlemen are experts in their field,
Like, say I’m sitting in my grocery store They’ll fill you in on the particulars –
Along comes some unpleasant kind of person,
He barges through the front door – ‘Stick ’em up’ – Roma, Givola, and Giri wave, smile.
Or shoots out all the tires on my truck – Arturo Ui
Do we just let him get away with that? And just to prove we’re on the up and up,
Cuz don’t forget – the world’s a dangerous place, I’d like to now bring up here Mister Clark,
And when that day inevitably comes A man with whom I know you’re all familiar:
When they come barging in and say ‘Hands up’ Vice President of Customer Relations,
To you? – You say, ‘But, sir? I need my hands The Cauliflower Trust, Retail Division.
I’m using them to fill my pickle jars’ – Mister Clark, sir!
You think you’re gonna reason with these people?
You think these guys will put away their guns The Grocers clap halfheartedly as Givola escorts Clark forward.
Because you ask them nicely? ‘Pretty please’?
Or cuz they shook some hands at City Hall? Clark
It’s dog eat dog and nice guys finish last. Thank you, Mister Ui.
So what is the solution? Well, for starters On behalf of CCT, I want to say:
Ya can’t go on pretending there’s no problem We feel your pain. We know the grocer’s life
And waiting in your shops like sitting ducks. Has lately been a losing proposition.
The problem isn’t gonna go away The business costs are getting out of hand.
Because ya stick your head under the sand. But what explains those costs? Well, several things –
Grocer 1’s hand timidly goes up. ‘Who is this guy to tell me ’bout my job?’
That’s understandable. To put your mind
Clark At ease, I’d like to bring to your attention
– Like long-term economic trends and such, A man who’s sitting here with us tonight
But mostly, it’s this atmosphere of panic. Whose honesty will never be in doubt;
The packers and the transportation workers, You don’t need me to tell ya what his name is –
They tell us that they’re paralyzed with fear. It’s Dogsborough!
And that is why the Trust has offered Mister
Ui its unqualified support. The Grocers applaud with more enthusiasm.
(Seeing Grocer 1.) A question. Yes?
Arturo Ui
Grocer 1 My personal friend and mentor.
Excuse me, Mister Clark? How can ever I thank this man enough
If everyone is paying for protection, For all he’s done for me? I won’t forget
And the further down you are the more you pay, The moment fate decreed our paths should cross,
Then how will those of us down at the bottom When me – a lonely orphan from the Bronx
Afford to buy your vegetables? Who never had a father to look up to –
When this good man embraced me as a brother.
Arturo Ui (before Clark can answer) Not brother – no – correction: as a son.
Good question.
And I intend to answer it, but first, Ui grabs Dogsborough’s limp hand and pumps it, an arm around
I wanna say to everybody here his shoulder as Roma takes a photo. Camera flash. Givola
Tonight that I respect the dignity applauds. Giri steps up to address the Grocers.
Of every single working man and woman.
. . . However, keep in mind, I did say ‘single’. Giri
Cuz when ya get together in a group Now, who’s got questions? Speak up. Anybody?
Start talking ’mongst yourselves ’bout complicated Now’s your chance.
Things you’ll never understand, like profits, Givola
Losses, worker’s compensation – ? Whoa. Don’t worry, we don’t bite!
Cuz how does that concern you? You’re a worker.
And when you stop your work, lay down your tools, Giri
Start marching down the street with picket signs, Just don’t start nitpicking and splitting hairs,
Then you are not a worker in my eyes. And keep the comments to a minimum.
You’re not my friend. You’re just a troublemaker. We don’t mind a little criticism
And that is where I gotta draw the line. As long as it’s constructive, understand?
At this, Clark applauds vigorously. None of the Grocers speak.
Arturo Ui Givola
I see that some of you have got your doubts – Nobody’s gotta question?
Giri Grocer 2
Don’t be shy! But how
Does that relate to grocery sales?
Givola
You know me! I’m Givola! You all know Roma (to Grocers)
My flower shop. So ask some goddamn questions. One moment –
Or else ya better not come crying to us
When thieves and murderers are at your door! Roma, Ui, Givola, Giri and the Bodyguard confer in a tight
huddle. Then Givola steps forward as Giri and Bodyguard exit.
Grocer 1’s hand goes up again.
Givola
Grocer 1 My friends, I’ve been informed that there’s a woman
It’s actually been sort of quiet lately. Who’s waiting in the vestibule outside;
I haven’t had those problems in my shop – She’d like to say a word or two of thanks
To Mister Ui. Here she is right now –
Grocer 2
Me either. Dockdaisy is ushered into the room, dressed in mourning clothes,
veil – but unmistakably still herself. She dabs her dry eyes with a hankie
Grocer 3 and holds a swaddled baby doll to her breast.
Yeah, and sales are picking up.
Givola (somberly)
Givola The Widow Sheet.
I find that strange. Dockdaisy (tragically)
Giri Thank you, sir.
Then you’re the lucky ones. Givola (compassionately)
Take your time.
Grocer 1
I did hear something from one apple vendor Dockdaisy takes a deep breath, recites her rehearsed statement.
About some trouble like you just described –
Some windows smashed, and kerosene got poured Dockdaisy Dear Mister Ui: I come here in my anguish
Around his shop – but nothing more than that. and despair to express my deep appreciation for everything
And thankfully no grocers paid protection you’ve done since the death of my beloved husband Augustus
Money. Otherwise it’s pretty calm. Sheet, most cruelly cut down in the prime of life while only
carrying out his civic duty, and also for the beautiful flowers
Other Grocers murmur agreement. you sent my poor infant daughter who must now live a tragic
fatherless existence. Without you, Mister Ui, I would be
Roma nothing but a prostitute –
Okay then – what about the massacres
Of Sheet and Bowl? You call that calm? Givola (quietly correcting) Des-titute.
Dockdaisy – a destitute and homeless single mother and Grocer 2 runs out the door in a panic. Others follow.
I will swear it in a court of law. We love you, Arturo!
Roma
Ui, Givola, Roma and Clark applaud. Ui steps up to embrace Stay there! Nobody move! (To Giri.) Ya think it’s arson?
Dockdaisy.
Giri
Givola That’s beautiful. I’m getting all choked up! What else? The place was fulla jerrycans.
Ui takes Dockdaisy’s hand, kisses the ‘baby’, waves. Roma takes Roma (to Grocers)
another photo. The Grocers start to rise. Givola stops them. Ya hear that?
Givola Grocer 3
Whoa whoa whoa – Wait, where d’ya think you’re going? But we just now sat and watched
We haven’t finished. We’re just getting started. As these two gentlemen walked through with cans
Cuz now we got the entertainment portion, Of gasoline –
And first up, our good friend here, Jimmy Greenwool
(Who has a lovely Irish baritone) Roma
Is going to sing a sentimental ballad Yeah, what are you implying?
To honor Miz Sheet and her infant daughter. The Bodyguard pulls his gun sticks it in Grocer 3’s ribs.
Take it away –
Bodyguard
Givola claps. Grocers barely do. The Bodyguard steps forward Did you see cans? I didn’t see no cans.
and begins to croon a schmaltzy ballad. The Gangsters grow
sentimentally tearful. As the song plays, Giri and Givola cross the Roma
stage carrying enormous gasoline cans, exiting out the side door. As the What other wiseass saw a can of gas?
song nears its end, Roma abruptly stands, looks out the window, which (To Grocer 1.) Did you?
has begun to glow red. Grocer 1
Roma Not me.
Hey, hey! Shut up a second! Grocer 2
Stop the music! Something’s going on! Me neither.
Sirens, fire alarms, shouts of ‘fire’ are heard in the distance. Giri and
Roma
Bodyguard return from outside.
That’s more like it.
Giri
Arturo Ui
’Zere anybody here that goes by ‘Hook’?
A man just stood before you on this spot
Grocer 2 And said how calm and safe his business was,
I’m Hook. Now look at this! A warehouse up in flames!
Giri Givola
I think your warehouse is on fire. Ya think you’re safe? You’re either blind or stupid!
78 The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui 79
Ui steps forward as the alarms grow louder. Act Two

Arturo Ui
My friends: I have a message for you all!
The crime and violence that plagues our city Before house lights out, the Announcer taps on, speaks into
Will soon come to an end, and you know who we microphone.
Have to thank for that? ARTURO UI!
Announcer
Fire alarms, sirens increase in volume. Testing, one, two? Ladies, gentlemen?
End of Act One. I trust that we’ve all found our seats again
And fortified ourselves with some caffeine
Or alcohol, perhaps? Or nicotine?
Or something stronger, if you’re so inclined?
And used the toilets? Now: a quick remind-
er where we were before our brief hiatus,
And a preview of the shit that still awaits us:
The Announcer gradually transforms into Ted Ragg as he rapidly

summarizes:
Announcer
When last we saw them, Ui and his men
Had set a raging warehouse fire, then,
Subjected grocers to intimidation
And subsequently offered them salvation
If only they’d submit to his extortion,
By which he can exact substantial portions
Of their earnings, which he’ll then employ
To subsidize his villainy and destroy
The opposition, and, with perfect timing,
Exactly as the body count is climbing,
Arturo Ui is about to make
A comeback in the City by the Lake!
And now: A motherfucker’s rendezvous
With destiny – in other words, ACT TWO!
80 The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui Act Two, Eight 81
Eight charge is felony arson in the second degree. How do you

plead?
A courtroom. Judge, District Attorney, Public Defender,
Public Defender
Giri, Givola, Dockdaisy, Bodyguard all present. Ragg,
My client pleads not guilty.
separately, reports via microphone.
Judge I see,
Ragg
And can’t your client answer for (himself/herself)?
Ted Ragg, Chicago WBBX,
Reporting to you live, Cook County Courthouse! Public Defender
With coverage of the Warehouse Fire Trial! My client is an unemployed, uned-
The trial of the year! Day seventeen! ucated, alcoholic, indigent,
And mentally unstable transient,
The Judge smacks his gavel.
Who tumbled from a boxcar just below
The Eighty-seventh railway overpass
* Upon the night in question, in the same
Judge We are convened. Let’s bring in the defendant. Disheveled state in which you see (him/her) here.
A Defendant is selected frim the audience, ushered onto the stage and Prosecutor stands.
placed at a table next to the Public Defender. Giri, on the witness Prosecutor
stand, points a finger at the Defendant. And I have here an affidavit, which
Giri Will certify this individual
Your Honor. I will swear it on that Bible Is feigning mental illness to avoid
And any other books ya got that this Examination.
Right here’s the crazy pyromaniac Public Defender
Who set the fire. I know this because Mister Giri, is it
I clocked (him/her) sneaking down the street and (he/she) Mere coincidence that you were in
Was toting jerry cans of kerosene. The very same location of this fire,
And so I did what any other man From which three city blocks have been reduced
Would do, I made a citizens’ arrest! To little more than heaps of dirt and ashes?
Just look at (him/her), the dirty rotten (creep/skank).
Ya ever seen a person look so guilty? Giri
(To the Defendant.) Get on yer feet, ya lousy arsonist! I often take a stroll for my digestion.
Judge (gavel ) Defendant, rise. Givola, Bodyguard both laugh.
Defendant stands. Public Defender (holds up photo)
And can you, sir, identify this vehicle?
Judge I will remind you (sir/ma’am) we’re in a court of
law. (Gavel.) You may be seated. (Gavel.) Defendant rise! (Gave.) Giri
Defendant be seated! (Gavel.) Defendant rise! (Gavel.) Now: the Where’s my glasses?
Public Defender *
Does your license plate
Read Illinois Three-Zero-Four-Dash-Five? Lights shift. Now Hook, aka Grocer 2 (the vegetable dealer) is on
the witness stand.
Giri
It’s possible. Public Defender
Public Defender Mister Hook, do you recognize this person?
This photo clearly shows Hook
That Mister Giri’s car was parked directly Who, (him/her)? I never seen (him/her) in my life.
Outside Dogsborough’s restaurant on Eighty-
Seventh Street, from which establishment Public Defender
My client was seen being carried in an Professionally? Socially?
Advanced state of intoxication, less
Than two hours before the fire began. Hook (to Judge)
Your honor,
Giri (cackles) I generally don’t socialize with drunks.
I wouldn’t know a thing about all that,
Cuz I was out in Cicero all day, Public Defender
And I got forty-seven witnesses Are you familiar with a Mister Giri?
Who’ll back me up.
Hook ( points)
Public Defender You mean, that guy that’s sitting over there?
But you just told us now
That you were taking your digestive stroll Public Defender
Nine miles away on the Chicago lakefront. Let the record show the witness has
So how could you be in two places at once? Identified Emanuele Giri.
Judge Hook
Mister Giri? I saw him at the cauliflower office
Right before it happened. We all saw it.
Giri A buncha guys had cans of kerosene –
I’m a very fast walker.
Unrest, murmuring among the Gangsters.
Laughter from the Gangsters. Lights shift. A jazzed-up Funeral
March plays. Ragg talks into his microphone. Hook
Ragg They burned my warehouse to the ground!
I’d like to just remind the listening audience Prosecutor Objection!
That this complete live trial coverage
Is only heard on WBBX, Judge
Chicago’s finest source for gangster news! Sustained.
Public Defender Prosecutor

And Mister Hook, what is the eastern Now Mister Hook, since last you testified,
Boundary of your warehouse property? I understand your health has taken an
Unexpected turn?
Hook
It borders on what used to be Sheet’s shipyard. Hook (unsure of who is asking)
There’s an alley from my place to their back door. Um, that’s correct.
Public Defender Prosecutor (pointing at Giri)
Are you aware that Mister Giri lists And can you now identify the man
That shipyard as his legal residence, I’m indicating?
With easy access to your property?
Hook (to no one in particular)
Hook Sorry, is he talking to me?
He said he was the ‘shipyard supervisor’.
Prosecutor
Commotion. The Gangsters hurl insults and abuse at Hook, The man to whom I’m pointing?
during which the Bodyguard slides in next to the Judge, slips him
a bulging envelope. Hook
Where’s he pointing?
Judge Order! Silence! The court will now observe a
fifteen-minute recess so I may I count my mon – (Correcting Prosecutor
himself.) take my medication. The man you implicated yesterday.
Do you still see that person in this courtroom?
Bangs gavel. Yes or no?
Ragg Hook
This live broadcast on WBBX I can’t see anything.
Is brought to you by Chase and Sanborn Coffee!
Now each and every sanitary package Prosecutor
Is factory-dated to protect your freshly- In fact, sir, you don’t see that man at all,
roasted coffee from rancidity! Now, do you?
Remember friends, that’s Chase and Sanborn Coffee!
Hook
The freshest pot of coffee every time!
They threw acid in my face.
The trial of the decade now continues:
Prosecutor
* Now Mister Hook, I strongly would advise
You carefully consider your next answer:
Gavel. Hook is back in the witness stand, now covered in bandages, Do you still maintain that your warehouse borders
both arms in casts. Both eyes are bandaged, leaving him blindfolded. Upon the shipyard?
Hook Givola in the witness stand. Bodyguard, ‘Jimmy Greenwool’,

I– nearby.
Prosecutor Prosecutor (to Givola)
Think carefully. Sir, it has been previously alleged
Hook (weakly) That certain individuals were seen
. . . No, sir. Conveying gallon cans of kerosene
In plain view at the cauliflower office
Prosecutor Nothing further. On the same night that these events transpired.
Lights shift. Music again. Judge’s gavel. Givola
They must mean Jimmy Greewool, I suppose.
*
Prosecutor
Dockdaisy in the witness stand as the Widow Bowl, her hand on And Mister Greenwool, there, is your employee?
a Bible.
Givola
Judge
He is.
Missus Bowl: do you now solemnly swear
To tell the truth and nothing but the truth Prosecutor
So help you God? And sir, what is your line of work?
Dockdaisy Givola
Yeah yeah. So anyway A florist, sir. They call me Joey Flowers.
The person was five-foot six (or actor’s real height) and had
(color) hair and smelled of kerosene and had a very sneaky Prosecutor
expression on (his/her) face that night, yeah just like that, And can you think of any reason that
when I saw (him/her) creeping down the street in fronta the A person in the floral business needs
warehouse and my sister-in-law said hey isn’t that the Excessive quantities of kersone?
(guy/lady) I saw in fronta City Hall the day that someone Givola
pulled out a submachine gun and shot your loving husband Oh sure. We use it for controlling aphids.
fulla holes and then my cousin Vera who lives in Streeterville,
she said I know that (creep/bitch), I saw (him/her) hanging Prosecutor
around the neighborhood the very day that Mr Sheet got And why was Mister Greenwool in the office?
killed! (He/She) did it all, your honor and I hope you give
(him/her) the electric chair, cuz I’m in goddamn mourning! Givola
To sing a song. He’s got a lovely voice.
Music. Lights. Judge’s Gavel.
Prosecutor
* You never saw him carrying these cans?
Givola The Bodyguard subtly hands the envelope to the Judge.

Hey, Jimmy G. is not an arsonist!
He’s not like that. The guy’s a baritone. Judge Thank you. (Gavel.)
Public Defender (standing, to Judge) Prosecutor stands, pointing to Defendant on the witness stand.
And I submit this musical diversion
Was a contrivance by this selfsame witness Prosecutor
To draw attention while the fire was set! Your honor, is it really the intention
Of counsel now to place upon the stand
Givola (standing) An individual that either has
Objection! A neurologic deficit – or worse,
Is feigning the infirmity?
Judge
Sir, you can’t object. Public Defender
If it
Givola Your honor
Please the court? My client wants to speak.
This is character assassination!
And all because a young man owns a pistol All metatheatrically consider the wisdom of having the Defendant
Which sometimes he discharges, in good fun? speak . . .
Is that a crime now? Jesus Christ, what’s next?
You’re gonna come and take away our guns? Judge (beat, re Defendant)
Outrageous! What’s this country coming to? You mean . . . this person?
Applause from other Gangsters. Music. Public Defender
Yes, I do, Your Honor.
Ragg
Keep tuned right here to WBBX, as Judge
The trial of the century drags on Uhh . . . I don’t know if that’s . . . advisable?
Into its twenty-eighth consecutive day!
Prosecutor
* You see, Judge? This is a nothing but a cheap
And obvious theatrical device
Gavel. All participants are exhausted. Defendant in the witness box. To pander to the jury’s sentiments,
Young Dogsborough by the Judge, holding another envelope. And I request we move to sentencing.
Judge Before continuing I’d like to read a statement: ‘The Public Defender
suggestion has been made in certain quarters, that this court’s Defendant, would you please now tell the court,
impartiality may have been compromised due to outside Did you or did you not, upon the evening
influence. The court does categorically deny these rumors Of the twenty-seventh of November,
and reassures the public that nothing of the sort will ever take Set fire to a vegetable warehouse
place as long as I remain upon this bench.’ On the lakefront, yes or no?
Prosecutor Giri
Objection! Another fuckin’ lie!
Public Defender Prosecutor
Or if not, can you say who did ? Objection!
Prosecutor Judge Order!

Objection! Pandemonium. Bodyguard and others heckle and abuse the
Public Defender Defendant, drawing their guns.
Or can you say when you arrived? The following indented lines are spoken simultaneously:
Prosecutor Giri (to Defendant) Keep on talking, ya little piece of shit.
Objection! Ya wanna be a hero? I’ll make ya a fucking martyr, ya snitch!
Giri Bodyguard (He’s/She’s) a fuckin’ liar! (He/she) couldn’tve
And I object to alla these proceedings! seen him cuz (he/she) was stinkin’ drunk the whole fucking time!
This whole thing is a fuckin’ travesty! (realizing) . . . at least, that’s what I heard.
Givola Public Defender (to Judge) My client has placed
Um, pardon me, your honor? The defendant this witness at the scene of the crime, and I now move
Is starting to show signs of dehydration. to re-call Eman-nuele Giri to the stand!
Might I give (him/her) a glass of water, please? Prosecutor Lack of foundation! I move to strike the
The Judge waves Givola up to the Defendant as the Public defendant’s last two responses from the record and may
Defender points at Giri. we speak privately in chambers, your honor?
Judge I will not tolerate these outbursts from anyone
Public Defender
who hasn’t made it worth my while!! Now –
Now (sir/ma’am), I’m going to ask you one last time:
Have you ever seen this man before? – Ragg A risky legal maneuver by the defense, and a
Just nod for yes, or shake your head for no. crucial set-back for the prosecution as Emannuele Giri
falls under suspicion! This –
The Defendant nods.
Ragg (continuing) – development could threaten to unravel
Giri Arturo Ui’s gangster syndicate!
He’s a liar!
Givola has offered the Defendant a suspiciously poisonous-looking
Public Defender (to Judge) glass of liquid, from which he/she drinks.
A positive ID!
And was this at Dogborough’s restaurant? Public Defender
Don’t drink that! Stop! Objection! I demand
Defendant nods again. That glass be taken into evidence!
Judge Judge
Overruled. I see no reason why we can’t continue –
Dockdaisy Bailiff, Public Defender and others swarm around the

The bastard killed my husband!!! Defendant, trying to revive him/her.
Public Defender Public Defender

Your honor! Have you lost all self-respect? Hello? Defendant? Can you hear my voice?
They’ve paid you to deliver a conviction, Is there a doctor here? We need a doctor!
And when that fails, they’ll stuff (his/her) mouth with dirt!
They’ve bought your verdict, sir! Have you no shame? Judge
I call for an immediate mistrial! Let’s take a recess.
Prosecutor Giri
Objection! Ah, well, look at that.
The defendant’s all deflated. What a pity.
Judge But now we know who runs this fuckin’ city.
Order!
*
Giri (to Public Defender)
Motherfucking bitch! The Defendant is dragged into a spotlight.
Just step across this line. C’mon, I dare ya!
I’ll cut your tits off and feed ’em to my dog! Judge Has the jury reached its verdict?
Public Defender (to Judge, re Giri) A verdict is handed to the Judge.
It’s this man that should be on trial!
Judge We find the defendant guilty of felony arson with
Giri malicious intent. The sentence is fifteen years’ hard labor.
Hey!
You better watch your mouth, you cunt! Gavel. The Defendant is hauled away as Ragg speaks and a
(To Judge.) You too! scratchy recorded rendition of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ begins to play.
I’ll dump you in the bottom of the lake!
Ragg (into microphone)
The Defendant has passed out. The management of WBBX
Reminds our listeners that all opinions
Public Defender Expressed in the preceding transmission
Your Honor, the defendant is unconscious! Do not reflect those of the management
My client has been drugged, or maybe poisoned! Of WBBX, its sponsors or affiliates.
They’re trying to suppress (his/her) testimony! And now we will conclude our broadcast day.
94 The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui Act Two, Ten 95
Nine And will confess it in a court of law.

And worst of all, to my embarrassment,
Dogsborough’s vacation home. Dawn. Dogsborough, unwell, The motive for allowing these misdeeds:
sits in a wheelchair in the dim light, next to a radio as the anthem A foolish old man’s vanity and greed.
concludes. He switches off the radio, reads a handwritten confession:
Dogsborough Ten
I, Dogsborough, your former Alderman
Who, having served the City of Chicago Ui’s hotel suite. Ui is sunk deeply in an overstuffed chair. Givola
For more than eighty winters – oh, my heart – reads his version of Dogsborough’s will for the Bodyguard’s
Do freely and wholeheartedly confess amusement.
That I myself did willingly enable
The crimes I will enumerate below. Givola
My friends will try to make excuses for me And therefore I, the fat-ass Dogsborough
And say he must have been oblivious Leave my saloon and all my business assets
Or else he would have never been involved. To that upstanding citizen Givola.
But that is not the case. I knew it all: And to his business partner Manny Giri
I know the ones who set the warehouse fire I leave my great big fancy country house.
And also engineered the false conviction. And to Ernesto Roma I will leave
I know Ernesto Roma was the man My little snot-nosed brat to do with as
That killed Augustus Sheet, and after placed He pleases. And I’d recommend that Mister
A railway ticket in his waistcoat pocket. Giri should be made Associate Justice,
I know Emanuele Giri is the one And Mister Roma made Chief of Police.
That gunned down the accountant known as Bowl As for Givola, I’d put him in charge
Upon the marble steps of City Hall Of housing, schools, and poverty relief.
(Ironically enough, for my protection). Bodyguard cracks up.
He also carried out the cruel assault
Upon the grocery owner known as Hook, Givola
And after which, I noticed Mister Giri As for my own position, I’d suggest
Would often wear the hat of that same man. The only man who’s capable enough
The one they call Giuseppe (or ‘Joe’) Givola To handle all the intricacies of
Is guilty of at least a dozen murders The job: my dearest friend, Arturo Ui.
Which I’ve included on a separate page Signed, the soon-to-be-late Dogsborough.
As to Arturo Ui . . . I attest
Hands the will to Bodyguard.
That he did oversee and organize
The murders and the arson, and was thus I typed it up, see? Sorta looks official.
The architect all of the above. And hopefully he’ll kick the bucket soon.
I know the crimes and all the guilty parties, And while we’re on the subject, boss, why’s Giri
Hanging round at Dogsborough’s country place? So be police chief, then. I tellya though,
There’s something funny ’bout it. I don’t trust Roma far as I can spit.
Arturo Ui Giri
Funny how? I don’t trust anybody. Here he comes.
Givola Roma enters with a young recruit, Inna.
Since when are he and Dogsborough so tight?
Givola
Arturo Ui (sotto) Hey Roma! Come and look at Dogsborough’s
Yeah, I don’t trust that guy. Last will and testament. Typed it myself.
Givola (sotto) Roma takes will from Giri.
You and me both.
Roma (reading)
Giri enters, wearing Hook’s hat. ‘I, Dogsborough, do hereby’ – yadda yadda.
What’s this? So how come Manny is a judge
Givola
And I get stuck with running the police?
So, how’s it hanging, Manny? How’s old Dogs-
borough recuperating from his stroke? Givola
Ya said that’s what you wanted! Christ Almighty.
Giri
As if I care. Ya wanna switch? So switch.
Dunno, cuz he won’t let the doctors touch him.
And plus, I gotta watch him like a hawk Roma
Or else he starts in squealing like a pig. What happened to the one Dogsborough wrote?
Givola Giri
Ya sure it’s not a rat that’s doin’ the squealing? I grabbed it, but he made some carbon copies.
He slips ’em to his kid to smuggle out –
Giri
Ya calling me a rat, ya fuckin’ snake? Roma
So hand it over, then.
Givola
Relax, already. Take a look at that. Giri
Hand over what?
Giri takes the ‘will’ from Bodyguard, reads.
Roma
Giri
You said ya had the will so wherezit at?
‘I, Dogsborough do hereby’ – blah blah blah.
Hang on a second – how come Roma’s the Giri
Police chief, while I’m just a fuckin’ judge? I threw it in the fire.
Givola Roma
He asked for it! You wanna be police chief? The fuck you did.
I know your little tricks. You’re hanging on Arturo Ui (to Roma)

To it because ya know it implicates ’Zat true? Your boys shot up Caruther’s trucks?
Me for bumping off that guy called Sheet.
Roma (dismissive)
Giri A couple of ’em got a little anxious,
It also says that I’m the one that bumped I never authorized it. I’m not dense.
Off Bowl. He wrote down both our names, ya dunce.
So why would I be using it ’gainst you? Givola
The CCT is getting quite unhappy.
Roma
Giri
Cuz I’m a man and you’re a coupla punks.
Just yesterday Clark says to me, if some-
Manny the Jester and little Joey Flowers –
Thing like this happens one more time
Limping all around, like he’s a cripple –
They’re gonna start to look for other partners.
I betcha that whole cripple bit’s an act.
(To Ui.) And why’re these two always hanging off ya Arturo Ui
Like a pair of crummy dime-store cufflinks? Ernesto, this is rather serious.
I swear to Christ, Arturo, I find out
That they been talking shit behind my back? Givola
I’ll crush them till there’s nothing but a stain. The CCT is quite unhappy, boss.
Giri Giri (to Ui)

Don’t threaten me, you fuckin’ garbage man. Ya better put your house in order, quick.
Or else the competition’s moving in.
Roma
Ooh! ’Zat the kind of names they’re calling me, Roma pulls out his submachine gun, aims it at Givola, Giri and
Your fancy friends down at the CCT? the Bodyguard.
Fingering the lapel of Giri’s shirt. Roma

You motherfuckers. Get ’em up. You, too.
Arturo – see these fancy shirts he wears? The three of you. Against the wall. And keep ’em
He gets them tailor-made from that guy Clark. In the air.
He’s in their pocket! You don’t even notice!
Arturo Ui (easily)
Arturo Ui Ernesto. What’s the problem?
Whaddaya talking about? You’re making everybody ill at ease.
Somebody shot a vegetable truck – Okay,
Givola (to Roma) We’ll sort it out. These things can be addressed,
And you’re the one But let’s not go and ruin a good thing.
That told your boys to shoot Caruther’s trucks! We got the grocers paying for protection,
He’s with the CCT, you imbecile! So let’s move on. There’s bigger fish to fry.
Givola And once ya lose your faith, then you got nothing.
What fish? You mean ya got another plan? Cuz why d’ya think we’re sitting here today?
It’s cuz I got that faith. And faith’s the thing
Giri That separates the winners from the losers
I’d like to put my arms down, if I might? Just look at me. I almost never lose.
Roma I won the fight against old Dogsborough.
You keep ’em just exactly where they are. I won the fight against the City Hall.
You wanna know how I did that? It’s simple.
Givola With my determination, my bare knuckles,
Suppose that Clark walked in right now and saw this? And my faith.
Roma (imitating Givola) Roma
‘Suppose that Clark walked in right now’? Fuck Clark. And your machine gun, too.
(To Ui.) They’ve sold you out to Clark and Dogsborough.
And may I ask, what happened to our cut Arturo Ui
Of all the money coming from the shipyard? Ernesto, any schmuck can buy a gun.
We haven’t seen a single fuckin’ dime – But faith’s not something you can buy with cash.
The boys think you’ve forgotten all about ’em. You’re either born with it or else you’re not.
You’re s’poseta be the captain of the ship Just have a little faith in me, all right?
But you’re asleep behind the wheel. Wake up! I promise you, I only want what’s best
For every one of us – (To Givola.) Now gimme that –
Giri
Yeah, time’s up, boss. Ya gotta pick a side. Takes Givola’s ‘will’, tears it in half.
Ui jumps up from his chair. Arturo Ui

Cuz if and when Dogsborough bites the dust
Arturo Ui I’ll be the one decides who gets what job.
Whoa whoa – I ‘gotta’ ? Whatzat mean, I ‘gotta’ ? Now beat it.
Don’t ever tell me what I gotta do
Unless you got the balls to back it up. Giri, Givola and the Bodyguard all exit with their hands up.
You know I don’t respond so well to pressure, As they pass Roma –
Particularly involving firearms. Givola
I like to be magnanimous and all, See ya, Roma.
But I’m the one that’s making the decisions.
It’s my way or the highway, Manny. Got it? Roma
And Roma? I don’t explain myself to you. Move.
I only got one rule, and that rule is: Giri
Shut up and do your job, no questions asked. Nice hat.
Whoever doesn’t like it can fuck off.
The problem with you guys . . . you got no faith. Giri cackles as the three exit.
Roma See, Cicero is kinda problematic,

And there they go. The Jester and the Gimp. Especially for me, cuz that’s the place
Make sure the door don’t hit ya in the ass. Where Dullfeet prints that Grocery Gazette
Where every Saturday he writes a column
Ui sinks back into his chair. Roma relaxes.
Calling for the cops to haul me in
Roma For killing Sheet –
So boss –
Arturo Ui
Arturo Ui Yeah, that could be a problem.
Not now. I need to be alone.
Roma
Roma We gotta shut him up. These journalists,
Just lemme say – the faith you’re talkin’ ’bout? They love to get the people all worked up
I got that faith in you. If not for you While they just hide behind their printing press.
I’d still be some nobody in the Bronx. You watch. I’ll sew his fuckin’ lips together.
But we can’t sit around while Manny Giri
Arturo Ui
Starts undermining your authority!
Okay, but better make it happen quick.
The fucker’s getting greedy –
The talk in Cicero is that the Trust
Arturo Ui And us have gotten too familiar.
Look, Ernesto. They wanna bring Chicago cauliflower
We’ve known each other nearly half our lives In as long they can keep us out.
And you’re the only guy I ever trusted. The grocers there are scared of us and worst
Who gives a shit what Giri does? Fuck him. Of all is Dullfeet’s wife. She owns some kinda
And we got bigger plans to talk about. Wholesale produce outfit – been around
For years – and now she tells the Trust that they’ll
Roma
Start working with them once they’re rid of us.
You’re right – forget him, then. So what’s the plan?
Roma
Arturo Ui
So wait a second – are you telling me
Chicago’s getting kinda . . . claustrophobic.
This whole entire plan for Cicero
I need a little breathing room, ya know?
Was dreamt up by the Trust?
There’s grocery stores in lotsa other places.
Arturo Ui
Roma
Yeah, what about it?
What sorta places didja have in mind?
Roma
Arturo Ui
Ah, Jesus Christ, Arturo – don’tcha see?
I’m thinking Cicero.
Those cauliflower bastards set us up.
Roma (reluctant) They planned this whole thing out right from the start:
Ah, Cicero. Those shipyard stocks they gave to Dogsborough,
That will with his confession – everything. Arturo Ui

And now they wanna sell to Cicero, And Givola?
But you’re the one thing standing in the way.
So how do they get rid of you? Here’s how: Roma
First they get Dogsborough to write a will, I’ll stop in at his flower shop and order
So when he croaks, they’ll have the funeral, A big fat wreath for Dogsborough and one
Then they’ll go marching straight off to the papers For Giri, too. (With a look to his machine gun.) I’ll pay for
To read aloud this ‘will and testament’ them in ‘cash’.
Where he confesses all the evil things
Arturo Ui
That we supposedly forced him to do.
Those motherfuckers – Clark and Dogsborough
Next day they’ll send the cops to round us up
And Dullfeet, too, conspiring behind
While they go back to business like before.
My back to keep me outa Cicero!
Ya see the game that everybody’s playing?
Ernesto – you’re the only one I trust
And your own boys have got a piece of it –
To put a stop to this.
Cuz Giri’s got that will inside his pocket
Which he’ll hand off to Clark, and now Givola’s Roma
Salivating at the rotten meat – I promise not
To disappoint ya, only – couldja maybe
Arturo Ui
Stop by tonight and give a little talk?
You mean the whole thing’s a conspiracy?
Cuz you know me, I’m not so good at making
And just to keep me outa Cicero?
Speeches, and my crew believes in you –
Roma
Arturo, listen. Lemme handle this. Arturo Ui
Just gimme time to get it organized. No problem. When?
Tomorrow I’ll drive out to Dogsborough’s. Roma
I’ll grab the old guy, shove him in the car Eleven? The garage?
And say I’m taking him to see the doctor,
Then drop him at the morgue. What’s done is done. Arturo Ui
I’ll be there.
Arturo Ui
Won’t Giri be there, at the country place? Roma
See Arturo? What’d I tellya?
Roma I never lost my faith, no matter what.
As far as I’m concerned, that’s where he stays. And now it’s gonna be the way it useta
They look at each other. Be. The two of us. Ui and Roma!
I knew you wouldn’t let me down. I swear,
Roma (shrugs) I’m finally feeling like myself again!
As long as we’re cleaning house. And now we’re gonna start to see some action.
Roma snaps his fingers at Inna. They exit together quickly. Ui goes Because of – well, primarily because
to his full-length mirror, rehearses the speech he will give to Roma’s Of our business relationship with you.
crew, correcting himself, rephrasing as he does. We’ve done our best to reassure them, but
Missus Dullfeet said –
Arturo Ui
(Okay, head back, stand straight and do the arms.) Betty Dullfeet
Good evening, boys – (No, wait.) My trusted friends! I thought it best
I come to you tonight at this gar – no – To meet with you directly, to clear up
(Rephrasing.) I come to you tonight to bring you news: Any lingering misunderstanding.
A most regrettable development, Because you see, my husband, Mister Dullfeet –
Involving members of my inner circle Ignatius, as he’s called – he publishes
Who, motivated by their own ambition A weekly broadsheet for the grocery trade
And, unbeknownst to me, have thought it fit (As you must know) with editorials
To enter into a conspiracy Denouncing the behavior of your em-
Together with the Cauliflower – wait – ployees, but never you yourself –
Together with the cops to take me down.
Arturo Ui
And that is why I’ve brought you here tonight
Which ones?
To muster you behind Ernesto Roma,
A man I’d trust as if he were – (Quickly turning.) Who’s that? Clark
Arturo, do you mind if I speak frankly?
Giri returns, bringing Clark and Betty Dullfeet.
The so-called ‘suicide’ of Mister Sheet
Giri Did not exactly make you popular
It’s just us, boss. In Cicero. The man came from a well-
respected family in the area.
Clark
And just last week somebody went and shot
Good evening Mister Ui.
Some trucks owned by our friend Mister Caruther.
I’d like to introduce Miz Betty Dullfeet.
And I suspect that you already know
Miz Dullfeet hails from Cicero – a town
The same man was responsible for both.
With which I know you’re rather well acquainted.
She thought it wise that we should get together Betty Dullfeet
To see if we could reach an understanding. Ask any schoolchild out in Cicero
If they would eat Chicago cauliflower?
Arturo Ui
They’ll tell you they don’t like the taste of blood.
Uh-huh.
Arturo Ui
Clark
They’re teaching kids to be afraid of me?
’Cause I don’t know if you’re aware
Of this, but CCT had planned a little Betty Dullfeet
Merger with the grocers of that town. It’s not you, Mister Ui, that they fear,
That merger, though, has had to be suspended Their main objection is to Mister Roma –
108 The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui Act Two, Eleven 109
Ui is about to explode. Clark

I apologize.
Clark (to Ui)
Now take it easy – Betty Dullfeet
Of course.
Giri
Think of Cicero. Clark
I’ll drive you back to Cicero.
Arturo Ui (blowing up) I really hoped that this would be productive.
Ya think I’m gonna listen to this shit? But I was wrong.
Ya think I’m gonna turn against Ernesto?
Clark and Mrs Dullfeet start to exit.
Ernesto Roma’s like my flesh and blood!
He’s like my brother. No. Nobody tells Clark ( privately, to Ui)
Me who I can and who I can’t employ. That wasn’t very smart.
You come into my home and you insult me?
How dare you – They exit. Ui and Giri are left alone, avoiding eye contact.
Giri Giri
Boss! Just let the lady talk! Ah Christ. We’re in for trouble now.
Arturo Ui
Betty Dullfeet
So what?
My husband will continue to speak out
Ya think that I’m afraid of trouble?
Against this Mister Roma.
Giri
Clark No.
As he should. I know you’re not afraid – and that’s the problem.
And we at CCT give him our full Cuz now we’re gonna have to go to war
And unconditional support. Arturo – Against the Trust, against the press, the cops
It’s lovely that you’re loyal to your friends, And Dogsborough and half the fuckin’ city.
But we’re a business, not a charity. And all cuz you refuse to just play nice.
You’ll have to choose –
Arturo Ui
Arturo Ui Go fuck yourself. And thanks for the advice.
I’m done with this discussion.
Clark
Miz Dullfeet – Eleven
Betty Dullfeet A garage. Roma and Inna stand smoking as rain beats down from
Betty. overhead. Other members of Roma’s gang in the shadows.
Inna Inna
It’s one a.m. I’m only seventeen.
Roma A Gunman calls out from the shadows.
He musta got held up.
Gunman
Inna Hey boss – want me to pass around a bottle?
Or maybe he’s got second thoughts? Roma
Roma Nah, not tonight. I needya to stay sharp.
Could be. Another Short Gunman runs in from outside.
He never likes to discipline his crew,
Even with rats like Giri and Givola, Roma
He’ll stay up all night agonizing over What’s up?
It and beating himself up. But then Short Gunman
He comes around. He’ll be here soon. Trust me. Two squad cars fulla cops just pulled
I know Arturo like I know myself. Out of the precinct house!
Pause. Roma
I tellya though, when I see Manny Giri Drop all the gates!
Lying face-down on the pavement with Inna and Short Gunman disappear into the dark as rolling metal
A bullet in his neck, then I am gonna blinds clang shut.
Have myself a little celebration.
Roma
Inna It’s probably just a robbery or something.
This rainy weather always makes me jumpy. But better safe than sorry.
Roma Inna returns.
I like it, cuz it keeps ya on your toes.
Roma
Pause. Coast is clear?
When I think back on alla those dark nights Inna nods, resumes his post.
That old six-cylinder Pontiac sedan.
He’s still the best friend that I ever had. Inna
Ya know the funny thing about tobacco?
Inna I used to think that smokers were so cool.
How long have you guys know each other? Then you start smoking and ya realize
It’s just the nicotine that calms your nerves.
Roma
Maybe Roma
Eighteen years? Let’s see your hands.
Inna (doing so) Inna (loud whisper)

I’m shaking like a leaf. We’re gonna take the gates up on my signal!
I’m sorry, boss. And check your magazines! We in position?
Roma Gunman
Nah, don’t apologize. Ready.
A guy who’s got no nerves has got no brains.
It’s natural to shake – It’s like the way Short Gunman
A compass needle, how it starts to quiver Ready.
Just before it finds the right direction.
Inna
First Gunman speaks up from the dark. Okay! Take ’em up!
Gunman The gates go up. Ui and Givola quickly enter with the Bodyguard.
Squad car offa Church Street!
Roma
Roma Arturo!
Are they stopping?
Inna (quietly)
Gunman (beat) And Givola.
Nah, it turned the corner. Roma
Short Gunman enters again. Where ya been?
You’re ’bout to give us all a heart attack!
Short Gunman Ya had me thinking something had gone wrong –
Chief, two cars
Just pulled up in the alley with their lights off! Arturo Ui
What could go wrong?
They wait. Then, a pounding at the door.
Ui approaches Roma, offering his hand. As Roma takes it,
Roma (sotto) Givola snaps open a stiletto, plunges it into Roma’s back. Roma
Ah shit. It’s them. It’s Giri and Givola. gasps, drops to the floor.
They got the drop on us and now Arturo’s
Gonna walk into their trap. We gotta Arturo Ui (to Bodyguard)
Take ’em out. You guys go left. You two Now them. Against the wall.
Go right – (Re Inna.) The two of us’ll take the door –
The Bodyguard herds Inna and others to a wall as Givola
Short Gunman (whispering) studies Roma, gasping for breath.
Jesus, Roma, are you suicidal?
Givola The guy’s still breathing, boss.
Roma
I’m not afraid of suicide. Not after Arturo Ui
Being friends with someone eighteen years! So finish him.
114 The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui Act Two, Twelve 115
Givola stabs Roma repeatedly. Ui speaks to the others, as Givola gestures to the Bodyguard, who begins dragging Roma to
Bodyguard disarms them. the wall with the others.
Arturo Ui Roma
I guess you thought you’d get away with it, You evil fucking prick. Ya killed my boys.
Your plan to keep me out of Cicero?
I guess you thought the old boss was too slow Givola ignores him. Roma tries to crawl, searching.
To see what’s going on? Here’s some advice:
Don’t ever underestimate Arturo. Roma
You’ll be found out and stopped, eventually, Arturo! Help me! Jesus, where’d he go?
Just like I stopped this fuckin’ treachery Givola
And better late than never. Now ya see He had to run.
What happens when ya fuck with me, ya lousy
Rat-fuck bastards? Roma
You motherfuckin’ –
Bodyguard has collected guns. Roma is still alive, gasping for
Givola
breath.
What?
Givola (to Ui, re Roma) Ya gonna call me ‘gimp’, now? Call me ‘cripple’?
Jesus. Still not dead. Make fun of my congenital condition?
I stuck the guy like seven times already. I gotta handicap, that’s true. But I’ve
Got news for you: at least I’m still alive.
Arturo Ui
Come see me at Dogborough’s place tomorrow. Givola exits, and the Bodyguard fires a final blast into Roma,
killing him.
Ui exits quickly.
Inna
You goddamn motherfucking dogs! Twelve
Givola (to Bodyguard)
Let’s do it. Givola’s flower shop. Ignatius Dullfeet and Mrs Dullfeet
wait among the flowers.
The Bodyguard opens fire on those lined against the wall. They drop
to the ground. Dullfeet
I don’t like this at all.
Roma (hoarse whisper)
Givola. What the fuck? What are you doing? Betty Dullfeet
Don’t be ridic-
Givola ulous. They did precisely what you wanted!
Eh, nothing much. Just taking out the trash. They severed ties with Mister Roma –
Dullfeet (sotto) Betty Dullfeet

Murdered I’d like to introduce you to my husband – ?
Him, you mean!
Arturo Ui
Betty Dullfeet (likewise) Mister Dullfeet! What an honor, sir.
You needn’t be emphatic, Dullfeet
Dear. We’re both aware of how they do Alright, so let’s not beat around the bush.
Their business. And the point is, now he’s gone. I know that you don’t care for me –
And Clark says Ui’s adolescent phase
Is coming to an end – that he’s begun Arturo Ui
To handle things with more maturity. Not true.
So taking this antagonistic tone I always like a man who speaks his mind.
Will only serve to further magnify
Givola kisses Mrs Dullfeet’s hand.
His anger, which he’ll then direct at you.
If I were you, I’d learn to hold my tongue. Givola
I like the company of lovely ladies.
Dullfeet
I’d better hold it, else they’ll cut it off. Dullfeet
But Mister Ui, as a journalist,
Betty Dullfeet It is my chief responsibility
We have to face up to reality. To always speak the truth –
Dogsborough’s dead, and everyone is saying
That Ui will take over his position. Arturo Ui
And if the grocers out in Cicero But you don’t know me.
Accept that, what’s the point in our resisting? And had we known each other from the start
Then all this ugliness could be avoided.
Dullfeet Because – believe me – no one more than me
The point is not to be intimidated! Would like to find a workable solution.
They took sledgehammers to my printing press – ! Dullfeet
Ui and Givola enter, all smiles, handshakes. But violence –
Arturo Ui
Arturo Ui – should never be the answer.
And there they are! And never will, if we cooperate.
Betty Dullfeet Dullfeet
Hello again. But my intention –
Arturo Ui Arturo Ui
Miz Dullfeet! – is the same as mine.
The two of us have got a lot in common: Dullfeet

We both want the economy to prosper Well, you know, it’s easy to refrain
To get this city back to where it was. From speaking out on things that never happen.
Small businessmen have got an uphill battle,
Especially in dangerous times like these. Arturo Ui
So shouldn’t grocery owners have protection That’s true – but look, I’m not a fortune-teller.
So they can sell their vegetables in peace? It’s possible that every now and then
A little something that I can’t predict
Dullfeet Might suddenly occur – like, say what if
But not if it’s unwillingly imposed. A gun should accidentally go off?
And that’s my main objection – Or let’s suppose that in the course of business
A grocer buys a deliveryman a beer
Arturo Ui To better guarantee the speedy shipment
– Mine, as well. Of cauliflower – now, is that a bribe?
Cuz freedom’s what this country’s all about. We’re only human beings, after all –
And if the grocers aren’t free to choose
It’s never gonna work. That’s why I wanna Betty Dullfeet
Give that choice to every single grocer. My husband is a human being, too.
Givola
Dullfeet And so am I! We’re just four human beings
But look: I want to be upfront with you – Making friends like human beings do.
If this intended cauliflower merger And now that we’ve accomplished that, I wonder
Brings to our town the type of criminals If anyone would like to see some flowers?
That plague Chicago’s streets, I won’t be silent.
Betty Dullfeet
Arturo Ui How lovely.
And since you’ve been upfront, I’ll do the same:
I’ll be the very first one to admit Dullfeet (grudgingly)
There’s been a few unfortunate events I suppose.
That don’t reflect my true philosophy. Arturo Ui (to Betty Dullfeet)
And all I’d ask of you and your newspaper No, after you.
Is that you keep an open mind, ya know?
Not judge me by what’s happened in the past They walk among the flowers, Givola with Dullfeet, Ui,
But by the positive impact I might have. separately, with Betty Dullfeet.
And if I might make one more small request? Givola
If you could, in the future, just refrain This rose is called Splendifora Pavlova.
From publishing these gruesome horror stories
That make your readership all turn against me? Dullfeet
I really think it’s not so much to ask – ? And what’s inside the tanks they’re growing over?
Givola Betty Dullfeet

They’re goldfish. And the droppings from the fish’ll Most violent men, I find, are insecure.
Fertilize them.
Arturo Ui
Dullfeet I wouldn’t know. I’m an entrepreneur.
Mutually beneficial? Betty Dullfeet
Givola Don’t you think dialogue is more effective?
The fish don’t know they’re helping out the roses – Arturo Ui
Dullfeet I guess it all depends on your objective.
A form of unintended symbiosis. Betty Dullfeet
Amazing. I could stroll in here for hours. But why resort to guns and dirty tricks?
Givola Arturo Ui
Of course ya could. What kinda guy hates flowers? That’s just a part of modern politics.
Dullfeet Betty Dullfeet
A flower’s life is utterly benign – I’m told that you don’t drink – you needn’t answer –
Givola Arturo Ui
That’s part of why I got into this line. I never drink. (And smoking gives you cancer.)

– Though it’s a rather taciturn existence. So would you say you’re a religious man?
Givola Arturo Ui (shrugs)

Begonias never give ya much resistance. I like to stop in churches when I can.
Betty Dullfeet
Dullfeet
And which commandments do you try to follow?
For you, it’s both a pastime and profession?
Arturo Ui
Givola To tell the truth, I find ’em hard to swallow.
I see it as a form of self-expression.
Betty Dullfeet
Dullfeet But you’ve accepted Jesus as your savior?
Well, I must say, I’m envious of your life.
Arturo Ui
Givola I have. It hasn’t altered my behavior.
Why, thank you – Hey, what happened to your wife?
Betty Dullfeet
Mrs Dullfeet and Ui emerge, walking apart, as Givola and And I don’t mean to overtax your patience,
Dullfeet disappear. But what’s your stance on current class relations?
Arturo Ui Ui and Mrs Dullfeet return, all smiles.

I think that inequality’s unhealthy –
And such an inconvenience for the wealthy. Betty Dullfeet
I’m very pleased we’ve found some common ground.
They walk behind the flowers as Givola and Dullfeet emerge again.
Arturo Ui
Dullfeet I’m grateful that you brought your husband round.
They live and die within these same four walls?
Betty Dullfeet
Givola
I’m certain it’ll come to some fruition.
These flowers? Nah, they go to funerals.
Dullfeet Arturo Ui ( flirtatious)
But also weddings, birthdays, holidays – ? And all it took was woman’s intuition.
Givola Dullfeet
And yet, it’s only death that really pays. Betty? Can we go now?
Dullfeet Arturo Ui
A rising death rate makes your sales grow faster? Mister Dullfeet,
You, sir, are a man of your convictions.
Givola
And folks in Cicero can sleep tonight
Especially epidemics and disasters.
Knowing you and I have shaken hands.
Dullfeet
When life is lost, you’re beneficiary? Ui pumps Dullfeet’s hand. Givola hands a rose to Mrs
Dullfeet.
Givola
I’m always reading the obituaries. Givola
Sweets to the sweet?
Dullfeet
You mean, you benefit from violence? Betty Dullfeet
Do try to smile, Ignatius.
Givola
(To Givola.) How nice.
But only in an economic sense –
(To Ui.) We’ll speak again. Until we do –
Is something wrong? You’re looking kinda sick.
Dullfeet Dullfeet
The fragrance. And the air is awfully thick. Goodbye.
Givola Arturo Ui
The smell, ya mean? That’s nature’s own perfume! And thanks.
Is there another exit from this room? My pleasure.
124 The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui Act Two, Thirteen 125
Givola Mourners
Toodle-oo. Amen.
The door closes behind the Dullfeets. Givola (to Giri)

Well that was nice. How come
Givola The Pastor didn’t mention cause of death?
Who knew that kissing ass was so much work?
Giri
Arturo Ui I told him if he did I’d fuck his wife.
Well, she’s a cunt and he’s a fuckin’ jerk.
Clark and Caruther exit the crypt. Clark sees Giri and
Givola.
Thirteen Clark
Jesus, what the hell is this? You two
Are standing watch so no one spills the beans?
Cicero. Before a mausoleum. Funeral bells. Pallbearers carry a coffin,
Mrs Dullfeet following behind in black dress, veil. Behind her are Givola
Clark and Ui, plus Giri and Givola who carry large black Oh hello, Clark. It’s nice to see you, too.
wreaths. Ui, Giri and Givola wait outside as a Pastor’s voice is I might suggest you wanna watch your language –
heard from within. We’re standing here on consecrated ground.
Pastor’s Voice Caruther
I am the resurrection and the life You motherfucking butchers! Why’d you kill him?
Sayeth the Lord; He that believeth in He kept his goddamn mouth shut like he promised.
Me shall have eternal life. Amen.
And now we lay to rest Ignatius Dullfeet. Givola
His life was never to be filled with riches Ya know, my mother always used to say, if
But lives cannot be measured by our earnings Ya can’t say something nice, then don’t say nothing.
But rather by the burdens that we carry. But what’s the point of saying nothing if
And now Ignatius stands at heaven’s threshold, Ya got a printing press? He couldn’t write
Where angels lay their hands upon him, saying A couple nice things every now and then?
The time has come to finally relinquish Caruther
The burden that you’ve carried for so long. He shoulda wrote the headline: ‘HOMICIDE’.
Your newspaper became a bully pulpit
From which you called our city to account. Givola
Your words rang out beyond these earthly boundaries, Yeah, shoulda woulda coulda. Now he’s gone.
And now reverberate eternally. See, Dullfeet – he was like a little sweat gland,
Ignatius Dullfeet, may you rest in peace. So anytime the grocers broke a sweat
Amen. He had to go and make a fuckin’ stink.
Giri (to Caruther) You to the harsh realities we face.

So what’s the future hold for CCT? These men, these cowards (mostly immigrants) –
You gonna sell some cauliflower here? They lie in ambush, waiting for your trucks,
They dowse your vegetables with kerosene,
Caruther
Destroying food. Depriving hungry children.
Not with your help, you murderers.
So, as you mourn, I do hope you’ll remember
Giri
That I’m still willing to negotiate –
Oh yeah?
In fact, I’ll even knock off ten percent
At least I’m not a fuckin’ hypocrite.
For our complete protection plan. Just say
You’re like those guys who love to order veal
The word.
But can’t abide the thought of slaughterhouses.
Just eat the meal you ordered and shut up. Betty Dullfeet
Caruther (to Clark) Oh God – And he’s not even in the ground –
I swear, that day you took that business card
Was the day I should’ve gotten out. Arturo Ui
I know you’re grieving. So am I.
Clark and Caruther exit. Organ music. Your husband shook my hand. He was my friend.
Giri (to Ui)
Betty Dullfeet
Ehh, fuck ’em, Boss. They’re jealous.
The hand that shook his was the hand that killed him.
Givola Here she comes! That hand is yours.
Betty Dullfeet emerges from the mausoleum, leaning on another Ui heaves a self-pitying sigh.
woman for support. Ui sees her, approaches.
Arturo Ui Arturo Ui (to Giri and Givola)
Missus Dullfeet? Oh boy oh boy oh boy.
I guess it’s really never gonna stop –
She quickly turns away from him. The way they denigrate me. All of this
Giri (to Mrs Dullfeet) Malicious, vicious, hateful, spiteful talk.
Hey! The man is talking! No matter where I go I’m vilified,
When all I wanna do is bring some peace
Arturo Ui And safety to communities – they spread
I merely wanted to express my deep This poison, killing any chance of hope
Condolences upon this sad occasion. Or trust. I come on bended knee, I bring
Your husband – may he rest in peace – is gone. My olive branch, which they just snap in half.
(Carefully.) And yet . . . I’m sure it’s not escaped your notice I offer them my hand, it’s slapped away –
That cauliflower still must be delivered.
The loss of life is always tragic, still Betty Dullfeet
I hope you’ll not allow these tears to blind Because it’s smeared with blood.
Arturo Ui (Disbelieving laugh.) Oh God, it’s almost inconceivable

And then when I And yet I think it’s true. It has to be –
Recoil from their attack, they spit on me! You actually believe these words you speak.
You’re actually sincere. It’s genuine.
Betty Dullfeet You’re deeply moved by acts of violence.
A snake will always coil before it strikes. For you, every betrayal is sublime.
Arturo Ui And you’re consistent in your contradictions –
Ah, jeez. Ya see this? See the way she treats me? No decent impulse can contaminate
This nasty woman. ’Zactly like her husband. The purity of your malevolence.
I tried to show him generosity Your lies are true, your honesty’s a sham,
I kissed his ass, I practically begged At bloodshed, you experience arousal
To be his friend – or even just his neighbor. And cruelty inspires admiration,
But do I get a single word of thanks, While kindness only fills you with disgust.
Or even one iota of support? In other words, you are the very textbook
No. He just gives me the silent treatment. Definition of a sociopath.
And after I respectfully suggest
That he might take it easy in the press Arturo Ui
(Which be begrudgingly agrees to do) Ya know, Miz Dullfeet, I’m a gentleman.
The moment that my back is turned he’s And I have taught myself not to respond
Back to writing little horror stories, With anger when I’m treated with abuse.
And publishing them everywhere. And I I know that all your friends look down on me,
Will tolerate a lot, but I don’t have Just like you do, cuz you don’t like my roots:
An inexhaustible supply of patience, An underprivileged youngster from the Bronx –
Alright? Don’t push me. ‘Oh, no, we can’t allow that sort of person!
He doesn’t know which one’s the salad fork!
Betty Dullfeet A scandal! He’s not one of the elite!
. . . I can’t even speak. So God forbid we’d let him run our business.
Arturo Ui Oh sure, he understands the facts and figures
I always try to say what’s in my heart. And how to turn a profit out of nothing –
But how do we know he won’t run amok
Betty Dullfeet And stick a switchblade in between our ribs?’
You think that it’s your heart that’s speaking now? So why don’t we just call a spade a spade:
Arturo Ui It’s prejudice. I get it. I’m not stupid.
I’m saying what I feel. I’m only worth as much to all of you
As far as I increase your bottom line.
Betty Dullfeet But since you’re in the cauliflower business
So then, you mean And so am I – albeit indirectly –
It’s possible to feel the things you say? That means that you and I have a connection.
130 The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui Act Two, Fourteen 131
Betty Dullfeet Demanding vengeance for the very deaths

The only thing connecting us is murder. Of those you’ve murdered –
Arturo Ui Arturo Ui
Alright, then. Let’s not make it personal. Okay. Are ya finished?
We’ll just approach it on a business level. The plan’s the same: I’m taking Cicero.
So lemme askya, then: how’s business going?
Cuz tragedies occur, but life goes on. Betty Dullfeet
You’ll never win.
Betty Dullfeet
It does go on. And I will use whatever Arturo Ui
Portion I have left to see to it I’ll win. I always win.
The world finds out the kind of man you are. Betty Dullfeet
I swear to you, before my husband’s grave: If there’s a God (and I suspect there’s not)
From this day forward, you will never hear I’d pray to him: ‘Protect us from all those
Me say good morning or good afternoon Who would protect us.’
Or thank you or hello or pass the salt –
The only sound to issue from my throat Arturo Ui
Will be this one repetitive request: Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever.
Can’t someone – please – assassinate this man? Can we be friends now?
Giri Betty Dullfeet
Hey, watch it, honey. Keep the volume down. Never. Ever. Ever.
Betty Dullfeet
Oh God, oh God, my husband. I need you to
Come back to me – Fourteen
Arturo Ui Ui’s bedroom suite at the Mammoth Hotel.
But that’s not how it works.
He’s gone and he’s not ever coming back. Ui tosses and turns in bed, having a nightmare. The Bodyguard
The world is cold, and I’m your only hope. drowses in a nearby chair, pistol at the ready.
Betty Dullfeet Arturo Ui (talking in his sleep)
Is that the speech you make to all the wives No, no! Ernesto, get away from me!
Of men you’ve slaughtered? Why are you still here, It’s not my fault, I swear it! (Etc.)
You repulsive and pathetic – ? Oh, of course – The ghost of Roma appears, bloodied from his knife wounds, a bullet
You need to cover up your bloody tracks; hole in his head.
Returning to the scene to lay the blame
Upon the innocent. ‘It wasn’t me,’ Roma
You’ll cry, the way that cowards always do, Poor Arturo.
132 The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui Act Two, Fifteen 133
You thought that you were totally secure. The Bodyguard opens fire wildly in the direction Ui points. Roma
You thought because of all the murders and begins to disappear.
The threats and blackmail you’re invincible –
Roma
But now it turns out to be meaningless
Sweet dreams, Arturo – See ya when you’re dead.
Because of something rotten in your heart.
This garden that you’ve planted, you can’t harvest,
Because you fertilized it with your shit.
Remember how I fought for your success Fifteen
’Gainst Clark and Dullfeet, even Dogsborough?
I thought that we were gonna rule the world, Chicago. A noisy meeting hall. A crowd of Grocers, huddled in fear
But then you had to go and fuck it up, and defiance, whispering among themselves.
You ignoramus. Bit that hand that feeds ya!
Grocer 1
You never shoulda turned on me, Arturo,
They’re murderers! They blackmail us, they rob us –
Cuz I was there for you when you were nothing,
Some two-bit punk from Tremont Avenue. Grocer 2
(Ominously.) So listen close to your old friend Ernesto. It’s our own fault! We don’t stand up to them!
Cuz he can tellya what the future holds,
Grocer 3
I see it clearly underneath this dirt
That’s bullshit. Just last April when those bastards
Where your disloyalty is nothing more
Came barging in my shop I said go fuck
To me than wind across a lonely grave.
Yourselves. Ya think I’m gonna empty out
And pretty soon there’s gonna come a day
My register because they’re holding guns?
When all the people that you double-crossed,
Are gonna all rise up from underground Grocer 4
And form a great big circle. We’ll surround you I never paid a goddamn cent to them,
And point our bloody fingers your direction, And neither did my wife, cuz we’re not cowards!
And you’ll be trapped, with no way to escape.
You’ll look around for help just like I did, Grocer 1
You’ll beg forgiveness, cry and plead for mercy Hey wait a sec – ya calling me a coward ?
And threaten us and shake your fist and curse – I only paid ’em once! They told me if
And in that moment, just remember there’s, I kept my mouth shut they’d pack up and leave!
Nobody listening. And nobody cares. Grocer 2
We brought it on ourselves. We didn’t fight.
Ui sits up in bed, panicked, half-asleep, pointing at Roma, waking
the Bodyguard. Grocer 3
Speak for yourself.
Arturo Ui Grocer 1
Shut up, you traitor! Shut up! Can’tcha see him? Well, I don’t wanna fight!
He’s in the corner! Shoot him in the head! They got machine guns! I got kids to feed!
Grocer 3 The following indented lines are spoken simultaneously:

The only way to stop a rabid dog
Is with another dog that’s even bigger. Grocer 1
If we fight back they’ll move their operation I’m trying to pay off my mortgage! If you guys wanna
Somewhere else – arm yourselves with automatic weapons, be my guest.
I’d prefer to stay alive, thank you very much, cuz I’m
Two Grocers from Cicero appear.
not suicidal! You’re all nuts!
Cicero 1
You mean, like Cicero? Grocer 2
Don’tcha see the problem? The problem is we got no
Grocer 1
plan. We gotta have a strategy. There’s ways to resist
’Zat where you guys are from?
that don’t involve violence! What about a strike? How
Cicero 2 ’bout we all just lock our shop doors for a week?
And Garfield Park.
Grocer 3
Grocer 1
Why cantcha take a stand? That’s the problem with you
What’s everybody doing in Chicago?
guys from Cicero – you got no balls! Sitting out there in
Cicero 1 your little stinkin’ podunk town – You guys dunno the
He forced us. Said we didn’t have a choice. way the real world works, and I tellya what – (Continues
below.)
Grocer 4
Who forced ya?
Grocer 4
Cicero 2 Listen to me – I know a guy who’s gotta firing range,
Who d’ya think? and he’s got connections to another guy who can get us
anything we need! I heard he’s even got grenades. We
Cicero 1
should have grenades!
The same as you.
Grocer 1 (to Grocers) Cicero 1
He’s running the same racket in the suburbs! They came to my store. They said that they’d protect
me. They seemed nice enough at first then they started
Grocer 4
saying I owed them money but I never borrowed any
We’ve gotta arm ourselves! We’ve gotta fight!
money from them – ?
Cicero 1
But what if I don’t want to fight? Cicero 2
I’m just trying to sell potatoes! I got a potato field. It’s a
Grocer 3
nice quiet business. I don’t want to get involved in any
Tough shit.
gangster war, okay? (To Grocer 3.) Ahh, shut the hell
The infighting escalates. up! You guys from Chicago think your shit don’t stink.
Grocer 3 (continuing) Giri, Givola, Bodyguard all applaud.

That bastard dog is someday gonna face
A bigger dog who’ll bite him in the ass! Clark
And with this merger CCT becomes
Fanfare. Ui enters, escorted by Clark, Giri, Givola, the A leading force in produce innovation,
Bodyguard and Betty Dullfeet – still in mourning. Ensuring safety and efficiency
Giri In modern vegetable deliveries.
We have the delegates from Cicero? Of course, these changes may necessitate
A small increase in prices, but ya know –
Cicero 2 We set the rates, so you don’t have to worry!
Here, sir. And I would like to be the first to welcome
Giri Miz Betty Dullfeet to the CCT. (Creepily paternal.)
And the Chicago delegation? Our newest – most attractive – junior partner.
Grocer 1 Applause. Clark and Betty Dullfeet shake hands, wave.

Here as well. Givola
Giri (to Ui) And now a message from our president –
They’re all accounted for.
Ui steps up the microphone. A hush comes over the room. Spotlight.
Givola steps up to a microphone.
Arturo Ui
Givola Chicagoans and Ciceronians!
Greetings, grocers, vegetable wholesalers! My friends and fellow citizens, you need
The CCT would like to welcome each Not hear the story yet again of how
And every one of you to this their first Our dear departed Dogsborough once gazed
Midwest Regional Membership Convention, At me through cloudy, tear-filled eyes and said,
And here’s Vice President Clark – ‘Chicago’s grocery stores must be protected.’
How moved I was that day, yet plagued by doubts
Clark steps up to the microphone.
That I could ever justify his trust.
Clark And now my benefactor is no more.
Thank you members. His will and testament are public record –
I’m pleased today to bring you an announcement You’ve read it all yourselves. He calls me ‘son’,
That, after several tense and sometimes in- Expresses thanks with simple eloquence;
auspicious weeks of tough negotiations, And since he wrote those words I’ve tried each day
I’m proud to say, effective as of now, To fulfill that responsibility.
The Cicero Cooperative (CPC) Today our grocery men can proudly say,
Under direction of Miz Betty Dullfeet Be it cauliflower, leeks, asparagus –
Shall now be a subsidiary partner Chicago’s vegetables have never been safer!
Fully incorporated in the Trust. And all because I took decisive action!
And then, when – much to my surprise – my friend Betty Dullfeet

Ignatius Dullfeet came to me and said, – and even though Ignatius is not here,
‘My dear Arturo, does not Cicero I know he’d want us all . . . to give our full
Deserve this same protective care?’ I said, Support to Mister Ui –
I can’t refuse you – only, one condition:
The shopkeepers must want it. Only then. Giri (cutting her off )
It must be by a democratic process. Thank you, Betty!
I told my people: Let them freely choose! Givola
If citizens of Cicero express All right! So now let’s have a show of hands!
Themselves collectively and give me their
Complete and unequivocal support – Giri
And no half-hearted, weak-willed, waffling – Whoever’s for Arturo, raise your hands!
Their voices must ring out in unison, And anyone against – ?
In optimistic affirmation: ‘Yes!’ Cicero Grocer 2 meekly raises a hand.
But how could I presume to know your answer?
And so I ask for your support once more. Cicero 2
And if there’s anyone still harbors doubts Excuse me, sir?
About me, ask your brethren from Chicago,
All turn to stare at Cicero Grocer 2.
Where I am held in very high regard.
So vote for me – and by the way remember, Cicero 2
I can’t be held responsible for any- . . . Is it alright if I . . . abstain?
thing that happens to ya if ya don’t.
Now, cast your vote! Givola (magnanimously)
Of course.
Givola You’re free to do exactly as you choose.
Before we do that, though,
Cicero 2
I’d like us to remember the example
Thank you. (Quietly.) Excuse me . . .
Of Missus Betty Dullfeet, whom you know
Is coping with a recent tragedy – Cicero Grocer 2 rises, silently makes his way out of the auditorium
as others calmly watch. After a moment, a machine gun blast is heard
Clark pushes Betty Dullfeet up to the microphone. She chokes out from outside.
the words . . .
Givola
Betty Dullfeet Any more abstentions?
My friends, I know how much you all admired
My late beloved husband – The Grocers don’t move.
Givola Okay. Now let’s all try that once again –
Clark
Rest in peace. The Grocers all quickly raise both hands.
Giri Givola
Whoa, not so fast! We gotta count – You wouldn’t wanna be the only one
Who didn’t exercise his civil rights!
Givola
Hang on – By this point, a portion of the audience will have risen to their feet. If all
I think we oughta simplify the process. are standing:
Cuz maybe we should stand – Giri
Well, look at that.
Giri
A fine idea. Givola Now, see? Was that so hard?
Givola – to clear up any ambiguity? If all are standing, proceed to Givola below the indented section. If not,
however, the Bodyguard points out someone seated.
Giri Bodyguard
Let’s all show Mister Ui our support Hey, boss –
By getting on our feet!
Givola
Bodyguard (to Grocers) What’s this?
You heard the man.
Giri
The Grocers all stand. Givola, Giri and the Bodyguard turn Uh-oh. Someone’s not standing?
to audience. Givola
Somebody doesn’t love democracy?
Givola
And now the rest of you. C’mon. Let’s go. Giri approaches a reluctant audience member.
Giri Giri
Everybody up! Hello there. What’s your name, hm? Don’t be shy –
Audience member gives name, hopefully.
Bodyguard
Ya think we’re kidding? Giri (repeats name)
Move. Well, isn’t that a (lovely/manly) name.
Givola
Giri
And anybody else still sitting down?
Stand up and let your votes be counted!
Remember: We got everybody’s name.
Bodyguard (to individual audience member) Giri
I’m waiting, (honey/mister). We don’t got all day. We got your names and we know where you live.
Giri (likewise) Givola (to Ui)
Let’s go. You too. What are ya, paraplegic? Congratulations, chief ! The votes are in:
142 The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui Act Two, Sixteen 143
Chicago’s grocers, Cicero’s as well, To New York fuckin’ City, then you’ll see,
Unite in giving you their full support! I’ll make my way to Washington, DC!
We’re going ‘cross the USA and then
Givola, Giri, Bodyguard applaud, forcing the Grocers to join
I’M GONNA MAKE THIS COUNTRY GREAT AGAIN!
in. Applause spreads through the room – recorded? Will an audience join
in? Ui soaks up the applause. Drums, fanfare, applause, chanting. Ui poses defiantly, arms folded as
Arturo Ui he was taught. Blackout.
I can’t believe it! Me? I’m flabbergasted!
Thank you so much. Thank you. Look at this crowd!
The biggest ever! Thank you all . . . Sixteen
Applause subsides.
A street. Dockdaisy on the ground, bruised, bloody, clothes torn,
My friends: half-naked, semi-incoherent.
When I think back, how fourteen years ago,
When I – your humble outcast from the Bronx – Dockdaisy
Was carried westward by the hand of fate Please help me. Can somebody help me, please?
Deposited upon Chicago’s shore, Don’t go away. Oh God. My arm is bleeding.
Where I said to myself, I HAVE A DREAM: It’s bleeding and I think the bone is broken.
To one day bring peace to the grocery trade. Can someone take me to the hospital?
I started small, and slowly worked my way (She cries.) He always used to say I was his favorite
Up from the bottom, with that dream in mind. But now he says I know too much – I swear
And now that dream is a reality, To God – I never talked to anyone!
And to defend that dream I’ve requisitioned They’ll kill me if I go to the police.
A hundred fifty Thompson submachine guns, They wanna crush us all like cockroaches.
Twelve armored cars, three cases of brass knuckles – You have to help. Oh God. You know who did this.
All bought and paid for just for your protection! You know the ones I mean. We all know who.
But lest we should neglect those still in need And I don’t give a shit no more –
Beyond Chicago, pretty soon we’ll be
In other cities: Madison, Beloit, She scrambles to her feet, screaming as she makes her way offstage.
Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Detroit, Fuck you,
Champaign, Fort Wayne, and up to Minnesota, Arturo Ui! Motherfucking monster!
Saint Paul, Duluth, to North and South Dakota, You worthless, piece of rat-shit from the sewer!
Or anyplace where there’s a grocery store: I wouldn’t even scrape you off my shoe!
Toledo, Austin, Boston, Baltimore! And you can’t shut me up no more, you fuck!
And further south, to Tulsa, Oklahoma! I’ll tell the world! I’m not afraid of you! We
And northwest to Seattle and Tacoma! All know who you are: ARTURO –
From Portland, Oregon, to Portland, Maine,
And when I’m done, I’m going home again From off, a blast of machine-gun fire silences her.
144 The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui
Epilogue
The actor portraying Ui steps forward.

Actor
The moral of the story, so to speak,
Is sometimes you can’t turn the other cheek.
We faced a fucker once like this before
We came together, fought a bloody war.
And yes, that time we won. But who can say
What we might do if he came back today?
Or . . . could it be that he’s already here?
Two thousand sixteen: what a shitty year.
We vote them into power, then we wonder
How we made such a catastrophic blunder.
It looks as if we’re fighting once again,
So fingers crossed, and hopefully we’ll win –
But even if we do, one thing’s for certain:
There’ll always be another.
Lights out.
Curtain.

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The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui

Bertolt Brecht was born in Augsburg on 10 February 1898

Bruce Norris is the author of Clybourne Park, which won the

Berliner Ensemble Adaptations

Bertolt Brecht Journals, 1934–55

The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui in this adaptation was first

Director Simon Evans

But might as well be happening today, Clark

Caruther All sigh, nod.

Clark Flake (reading business card )

Butcher (to Flake) That a city, which we serve so selflessly

A guy like that, who only yesterday Butcher

Flake (sarcastically) Butcher

Butcher Butcher, Flake and Caruther confer to one side as Sheet

Sheet (beat, appalled) Flake

Flake It’s nothing much – it’s frankly insufficient

Butcher (Which God knows we could use in times like these).

He exits, passing Giri, who enters with a nervous-looking Bowl. Giri

Arturo Ui Giri (laughing)

Dogsborough No no – It’s like a tavern owner offering

To enjoy the simple pleasures now and then – Dogsborough

Young Dogsborough Pause. Dogsborough freezes.

So Butcher’s sending mobsters to my home? Arturo Ui

Dogsborough lihood. That’s why they need protection, too.

Young Dogsborough Caruther

Young Dogsborough Clark

Committee chairman Evelyn O’Casey Clark

The record indicate that by his silence O’Casey

Butcher (defending Dogsborough) Flake

General uproar. Ragg (quietly into microphone)

Caruther The following indented lines are spoken simultaneously:

Givola Arturo Ui (to Bodyguard) Get the mirror. (To Actor.)

Givola (Good riddance) and if you don’t want the job,

Ui steps forward as the alarms grow louder. Act Two

The Announcer gradually transforms into Ted Ragg as he rapidly

Eight charge is felony arson in the second degree. How do you

Public Defender Prosecutor

Hook Givola in the witness stand. Bodyguard, ‘Jimmy Greenwool’,

Givola The Bodyguard subtly hands the envelope to the Judge.

Prosecutor Judge Order!

Dockdaisy Bailiff, Public Defender and others swarm around the

Public Defender Public Defender

Nine And will confess it in a court of law.

I know your little tricks. You’re hanging on Arturo Ui (to Roma)

Giri Giri (to Ui)

Fingering the lapel of Giri’s shirt. Roma

Ui jumps up from his chair. Arturo Ui

Roma See, Cicero is kinda problematic,

That will with his confession – everything. Arturo Ui

Ui is about to explode. Clark

Inna (doing so) Inna (loud whisper)

Dullfeet (sotto) Betty Dullfeet

The two of us have got a lot in common: Dullfeet

Givola Betty Dullfeet

Dullfeet Betty Dullfeet

Givola Arturo Ui (shrugs)

Arturo Ui Ui and Mrs Dullfeet return, all smiles.

The door closes behind the Dullfeets. Givola (to Giri)

Giri (to Caruther) You to the harsh realities we face.

Arturo Ui (Disbelieving laugh.) Oh God, it’s almost inconceivable

Betty Dullfeet Demanding vengeance for the very deaths

Grocer 3 The following indented lines are spoken simultaneously:

Grocer 3 (continuing) Giri, Givola, Bodyguard all applaud.