America 1929: John F. Kennedy, the Great Writer

The basement of the Brooklyn Pier is located beneath Warehouse No. 3, and the entrance is a rusty iron door.

Patrick led Arthur and Lawson down the narrow stairs.

The walls were bare bricks and stones, the floor was cement, and there was standing water in some places. Several abandoned wooden crates were piled up in the corner, and the air was filled with dampness and a musty smell.

The basement was larger than I had imagined, and the light was fairly abundant. Sunlight streamed down from the vents in the ceiling, casting several beams of light onto the floor.

Lawson walked around the basement, then turned to Arthur and said, "Not bad."

"Although it's simple, it's enough. We can build a simple stage here using wooden planks and bricks. For lighting, we can use a few incandescent bulbs. The sound system will rely on the actors' voices."

"Where are the audience?" Arthur asked.

"The audience can stand or sit on the ground," Lawson said, pointing to the open space.

"This place can accommodate fifty to sixty people. If we squeeze in, seventy people will be fine too."

Patrick, who was listening nearby, interjected, "If you need chairs, I can have the brothers bring some over from the warehouse. They're all old, but they still work."

"That's wonderful. Uncle Patrick, I don't know how to thank you enough." Arthur shook Patrick's hand.

"Don't be so polite," Patrick patted Arthur on the shoulder.

……

Over the next few days, the basement began to be renovated.

During their breaks, the dockworkers helped move planks, bricks, and chairs. Some, skilled in carpentry, helped build a makeshift stage. Others, skilled in electrical work, strung up some wires and connected a few light bulbs.

Although rudimentary, it already had the beginnings of a theater.

Lawson began recruiting actors. He contacted several young actors who were doing minor roles on Broadway, as well as some students from the Columbia University Drama Club.

These people were very excited when they heard it was Arthur's play and that the rehearsals were taking place in the basement of the docks.

"That's so cool," a young actor said.

"On Broadway, the audience is all rich people. But on the docks, the audience is real working people. That's what real theater is."

Rehearsals began. The actors' voices echoed in the basement.

Mayor Hack's bewilderment, Humphrey's bureaucratic language, Bernard's quiet additions—these conversations bounced off the brick walls of the basement, creating a peculiar echoing effect.

Lawson was very satisfied, feeling that it actually had a unique artistic feel to it.

Arthur sat in a corner, watching the actors rehearse. He held a notebook in his hand, noting down any necessary changes.

This was his first real involvement in theatrical creation, and watching these dialogues being spoken by the actors and having an effect in the space felt magical.

However, on the afternoon of the third day of rehearsals, the iron door to the basement was suddenly pushed open, heavy footsteps were heard, and a tall figure appeared on the stairs.

Arthur recognized the silhouette and the posture at a glance.

It was Hemingway.

He was wearing a heavy wool coat, a hat, and holding an envelope in his hand.

"Finding you wasn't easy." Hemingway walked up to Arthur.

"I went to the newspaper office first, and Isabella said you were at the dock. Then I went to the dock office, and Patrick said you were in the basement."

Arthur asked, somewhat puzzled, "Hemingway, is something urgent?"

Hemingway did not answer, but instead handed the envelope to Arthur.

"Take a look at this."

Arthur took the envelope and opened it. Inside was a telegram.

Sender: George Bernard Shaw

Recipient: Ernest Hemingway

Date: 1929/11/15

Contents:

[Received your letter and script. Very interesting. Mr. Kennedy clearly understands the absurdity of bureaucracy. His dialogue is concise and powerful, with precise satire.]

I heard that New York City Hall is using bureaucratic tactics to obstruct the performance. That's not surprising. Power is always afraid of being ridiculed.

Tell Mr. Kennedy he's doing a good job. Keep writing, keep acting. Don't be intimidated by those bureaucrats.

I will publish a commentary in The New York Times to express my support.

Wishing you a successful performance.

George

Arthur was stunned after reading the telegram. He looked up at Hemingway.

"You sent the script to George Bernard Shaw?"

"Yes." Hemingway lit a cigarette. "I think he should take a look. He's written a lot of satirical plays and is very interested in this kind of subject."

"This..." Arthur didn't know what to say.

George Bernard Shaw, also known as George Bernard Shaw, was an Irish playwright, Nobel laureate in literature, and one of the greatest playwrights of the twentieth century.

His works, including Joan of Arc, Pygmy Girl, and Mrs. Warren's Profession, are all classics.

Now, this master has actually read his own script and is even publicly supporting it. This is simply unbelievable.

Hemingway looked at Arthur's expression and smiled.

"You think I just came to New York for drinks? I knew a lot of writers when I was in Paris. George Bernard Shaw was one of them."

"After reading the script last time, I thought he would be interested. So I sent the script to him, along with several issues of the New York Herald, telling him what you were doing and what the city hall was doing."

"But I didn't expect him to reply so quickly, and even to publicly support me."

Arthur held the telegram, his hands trembling slightly, a mixture of excitement and apprehension.

Lawson walked over and saw the telegram in Arthur's hand. "What happened?"

Arthur handed him the telegram. Lawson read it and gasped.

"My God. George Bernard Shaw. Arthur, do you know what this means?"

"I know."

No, you don't know.

Lawson's voice was somewhat agitated.

"George Bernard Shaw is going to publish a statement in The New York Times. Once his statement is published, everyone will know about the play. Everyone will be watching you."

"Those critics who say you don't understand theater, those who say you're wasting resources, should shut up. Because George Bernard Shaw said you're doing a great job."

"Moreover, Walker wouldn't dare resort to those underhanded tactics anymore. Because if he banned the play, George Bernard Shaw would laugh at him in front of the whole world."

Lawson paused for a moment and took a deep breath.

"Arthur, you've won."

Arthur was delighted, but still shook his head: "Don't be too happy yet, the show hasn't even started."

"But you've already won half the battle. George Bernard Shaw's support is your shield. Now, all you need to do is rehearse and perform well," Hemingway said.

He glanced at the simple basement, then at the actors on stage, nodded, and continued:

"This place is nice. It's more real than those fancy theaters. George Bernard Shaw would love it. He always said that theater should go out of the theater and into the people. You're doing just that now."