However, after a visit from the Watchdog, in which the gangster loyally champions Florence’s character and “lays down the law” to Blinker, the latter sees Florence again, realizing his own great fault in being too quick to judge—­and the reconciliation is made sweeter by his willingness to have Florence do her will with the remodeling of the tenement, while the Watchdog finds comfort in the smiles of Ella.

CAST OF CHARACTERS[37]

FLORENCE A sweet, innocent girl, whose environment
                    shapes her conduct;
                    sympathetic type.

BLINKER Rich, idle, careless of responsibility,
                    and as much a victim to his
                    own station as is Florence; slightly
                    affected; but must not lose sympathy
                    or create distaste.

ELLA Snappy, shop-girl type; keen contrast
                    to Florence, and used to build
                    up and emphasize the fine nature of
                    Florence.

BILL[38] A typical slums character—­gang
                    leader; generally living by his wits,
                    but possessed of a deep-rooted devotion
                    to anybody who is “square”
                    with him.

FRANK A typical street-flirt.

LAWYER OLDPORT A quizzical man of the “old school.”

Types of the tenement district.  Police, etc.

Typical crowds at Coney Island, and on boat.

[Footnote 37:  It will be observed that Mr. Powell uses now and then slightly different methods of type-arrangement and nomenclature from those used by Mr. Leeds.  These are all unimportant variations.]

[Footnote 38:  Bill is the interpolated character, whose purpose will be seen in script.]

SCENARIO, OR CONTINUITY OF SCENES

Leader—­

     THUS DOES FLORENCE COAX A FEW RELUCTANT DOLLARS INTO HER
     WEEKLY PURSE.

1—­Interior small hat-trimming shop.

The diaphragm opens to show Florence trimming a hat.  She is a pathetic figure as she looks down at the hat and realizes that such finery is beyond her owning.  She looks up and smiles gratefully as the owner of the place comes from paying others in view, and drops an envelope on table before her.[39]

[Footnote 39:  Nothing important happens here, but the scene is devised to gain sympathy for the girl at once.]

Leader—­

     THE SHOP GIRL’S CONSTANT PROBLEM—­MAKING ENDS MEET—­HELPS
     FLORENCE WEAR OUT MANY A PENCIL.

2—­Boarding house steps.

Florence is discovered sitting on step, figuring out her accounts with a stubby pencil on back of an old envelope.  She looks disconsolately at her figures.  Then as she glances up her eyes brighten and she waves a hand.[40]

[Footnote 40:  Continuing atmosphere of sympathy for Florence, and beginning story in leisurely manner in harmony with its lack of dramatic opening.]