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HAWKINS
They'll be here soon. Strolling around somewhere I suppose. But say, old friend, what's the business prospect?
SELLERS
Business prospects? [Simply immense,] simply glorious. A million a year's a small sum to make in this country, but we'll say a million the first year—
MRS. HAWKINS
[Why Colonel] Sellers, isn't that—isn't that—
SELLERS
Large? Yes, for Tennessee, but not for Missouri. A million, a paltry million. I'll tell you how to make it.
(MR. & MRS. H gather around him.)
HAWKINS
How?
SELLERS
Mules!
[MR. & MRS. HAWKINS]
Mules?
SELLERS
[(Tapping forehead)]Ah, it's the idea that's wanting, it's the idea! Now this is in strict confidence. We'll go into this thing together. We'll drive ten thousand mules into New Orleans the first year. [There's millions in it.]
HAWKINS
How much capitol will we [need]?
SELLERS
Nothing! A mere trifle. Ten thousand dollars. I'll fix that. [I've already invested a thousand of your money in mules.]
(MRS. HAWKINS begins to tremble.)
[I was going to put it all in when, by chance, I thought of a better thing.]
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