ACT 1. SCENE III. Fishin’ on the Bank of a Pond Enter BUTCH and JOHN BOY JOHN BOY You look saddern usual. What’s the occasion this time, Butch. BUTCH Nuthin’ special. My sadness seems to be of the permanent nature. JOHN BOY Come on boss, you need to cheer up! BUTCH And if’n I cheer up, what’ll that do fer me? JOHN BOY Well, if not permanent like, then cheer up for just a short spell. BUTCH I must be sad when I have cause and smile at no man's jests, eat when I get hungry and sleep when I want to. I’m not a carin’ what other people thank. JOHN BOY Don’t be so obvious with yer feelin’s. Yer brother is finally a startin’ to come around, and you got to at least look like yer a tryin’ to change. BUTCH I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose to my dear ol’ brother, and it better fits my blood to be sad and angry than to pretend I’m happy in front o' him. I’ve ne’r been accused o' bein’ an honest man, it must not be denied that I am a plain-dealin' villain. I’ll not sing in my cage. If I had my mouth, I would bite; if I had my liberty, I would do what I want: in the meantime let me be what I am and quit tryin’ to change me. JOHN BOY Can you make no use of your discontent? BUTCH Bein’ discontent is what I do best.Who comes here? Enter OTIS What news, Otis? OTIS I came yonder from a great supper: yer brother the Cap’n is royally entertained by JEDEDIAH: and I can give you the head’s up of an intended marriage. BUTCH Very interestin’. Go on. Who’se the lucky couple? OTIS Why it’s none other than your brother's right hand man. BUTCH Who? the most exquisite Abner? OTIS Even he. BUTCH Well, I’ll be. Who’se the lucky girl? OTIS Why Daisy, JEDEDIAH’s daughter. BUTCH How’d you find out about this? OTIS I accidently overheard your brother, Cap’n Jethro and ABNER, agreed upon a secrit plan fer the Cap’n to woo Daisy fer himself, and having obtained her, give her to Mr. Abner at the masquerade shindig tonight. BUTCH Ha ha! Come, come! I have a plan. Will you two gentlemen be so kind to assist me? JOHN BOY To the death, boss man. BUTCH To the masquerade! Who’s with me! OTIS Lead on, Boss! Exit
Enter BUTCH and JOHN BOY
JOHN BOY
You look saddern usual. What’s the occasion this time, Butch.
BUTCH
Nuthin’ special. My sadness seems to be of the permanent nature.
JOHN BOY
Come on boss, you need to cheer up!
BUTCH
And if’n I cheer up, what’ll that do fer me?
JOHN BOY
Well, if not permanent like, then cheer up for just a short spell.
BUTCH
I must be sad when I have cause and smile at no man's jests, eat when I get hungry and sleep when I want to. I’m not a carin’ what other people thank.
JOHN BOY
Don’t be so obvious with yer feelin’s. Yer brother is finally a startin’ to come around, and you got to at least look like yer a tryin’ to change.
BUTCH
I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose to my dear ol’ brother, and it better fits my blood to be sad and angry than to pretend I’m happy in front o' him. I’ve ne’r been accused o' bein’ an honest man, it must not be denied that I am a plain-dealin' villain. I’ll not sing in my cage. If I had my mouth, I would bite; if I had my liberty, I would do what I want: in the meantime let me be what I am and quit tryin’ to change me.
JOHN BOY
Can you make no use of your discontent?
BUTCH
Bein’ discontent is what I do best.Who comes here?
Enter OTIS
What news, Otis?
OTIS
I came yonder from a great supper: yer brother the Cap’n is royally entertained by JEDEDIAH: and I can give you the head’s up of an intended marriage.
BUTCH
Very interestin’. Go on. Who’se the lucky couple?
OTIS
Why it’s none other than your brother's right hand man.
BUTCH
Who? the most exquisite Abner?
OTIS
Even he.
BUTCH
Well, I’ll be. Who’se the lucky girl?
OTIS
Why Daisy, JEDEDIAH’s daughter.
BUTCH
How’d you find out about this?
OTIS
I accidently overheard your brother, Cap’n Jethro and ABNER, agreed upon a secrit plan fer the Cap’n to woo Daisy fer himself, and having obtained her, give her to Mr. Abner at the masquerade shindig tonight.
BUTCH
Ha ha! Come, come! I have a plan. Will you two gentlemen be so kind to assist me?
JOHN BOY
To the death, boss man.
BUTCH
To the masquerade! Who’s with me!
OTIS
Lead on, Boss!
Exit