DATE: June 6, 1876. The Indianapolis Primates are playing a home game against the Columbus Voyagers. The ballpark is packed again, with not one of the 3,000 seats empty nor a spot for anyone else to stand in the bullpen; that is, the area in foul territory where late arrivers gather for a discounted price. Late to the game again include SAMUEL, a railway worker who cheers on the Primates as long as they are winning; ABNER, a shoemaker who only goes to the bullpen for the discount; SALLY, ABNER's wife and a cigar-maker; CHESTER, a printer who took the fall when the Primates' one loss in 1875 made the front page; RALPH, a painter who helped paint the ballpark seats but has no choice but to stand in the bullpen because he is constantly late; and WILLIAM, a factory worker and heavy drinker who makes and loses his money gambling on games.
WILLIAM
Great day for a ballgame.
SALLY
Indeed. Think we’ll win?
WILLIAM
If we don’t, I’m out ten bucks.
SALLY
William, you know you don’t have that kind of money to throw away, why are you being foolish?
CHESTER
Settle down, Sally, the Primates will take this one.
SAMUEL [yelling to the center fielder]
LEARN HOW TO CATCH A BALL, WILL YA?
SALLY
Then why is Samuel yelling at our guys more than usual?
CHESTER
The Primates will come around.
SALLY
But what if they don’t, what happens to William?
ABNER
Enough, Sally.
SALLY goes quiet as WILLIAM nonchalantly watches the Primates continue to struggle on the field, on track to lose their second game of the season.
RALPH
Look at it this way: everyone’s real comfortable in those seats. Not a soul standing up to see what happens. Now, did I ever tell you—
ABNER
Yes Ralph, you told us you helped paint the seats.
RALPH
One day I’ll be early enough to sit in one of ‘em.
ABNER
One day I’ll get here so early I’ll get to pick out the best spot in the bullpen.
RALPH
Don’t you ever want to know what it’s like to experience baseball like the other half, Abner?
ABNER
I do plenty well for myself, thank you very much. I just prefer to allocate my money wisely.
ABNER [sensing SALLY’s urge to speak about this]
Not a peep, Sally.
SAMUEL
You know Abner, I wouldn’t get too comfortable. These shoes I have on now are machine-made. I bet Abner's Shoe Selections will be in trouble soon and then you'll REALLY need bullpen pricing.
WILLIAM
How much?
SAMUEL
What's that?
WILLIAM
How much are you willing to bet?
SAMUEL
William I was talking figuratively, I'm not a betting man.
WILLIAM
How's eleven bucks?
SAMUEL doesn't answer.
WILLIAM
Abner, you'd tell me if Abner's Shoe Selections was closing, right?
ABNER
Business is going fine enough, thank you very much.
WILLIAM sighs.
WILLIAM
These numbskulls on the field couldn't score a run to save their lives today. It's like they knew I had money riding on the game.
CHESTER
You have money riding on every game. I'm sure word's gotten around to someone by now.
WILLIAM
Like that doggone captain of ours. He heard about my bet and now he's making us lose on purpose.
RALPH
You don't really think that, do you?
WILLIAM
Look who we got pitching! Henry Ginkelston! We need a change hurler for this clown.
ABNER
You know that hardly ever happens. Ginkelston's not our best pitcher but we need Ol' Stivo out in left. You really want Ginkelston playing left field?
WILLIAM
Ten dollars is what I want.
The bullpen watches as the Primates give up another run. It is late in the game, and WILLIAM realizes he’s about to lose a ten dollar bet.
CHESTER
You’ll get ‘em next time, Willy.
WILLIAM
That no good son of a gun, I tell you he’s rigging it!
SALLY
That's nonsense William, I'm sorry but it had to be said.
WILLIAM
Captain knows I had ten bucks on the team winning, of course it was rigged!
RALPH
William...how on God's earth do you think the captain would know about YOUR bet?
WILLIAM
He heard me talking about it, I just know.
CHESTER
Respectfully William...I'd like my ten dollars.
WILLIAM looks down at the ground.
CHESTER
Oh come on William, you should know better than to think I'd actually bet ten dollars on the game like that! I just wanted to see how high you'd go after you bet a buck on the last one!
WILLIAM
Well, you've succeeded alright. You owe me a cigar.
CHESTER turns to SALLY.
SALLY
I just make them, I don't sell them.
RALPH
Why don't we all go out and get a smoke now that the game's over, shall we?
WILLIAM
Suits me fine.
ABNER, SALLY, WILLIAM, RALPH, CHESTER, and SAMUEL all leave.