The Cycle of Adversity

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By day Robert Cummings, a struggling playwright, works over a linotype machine in a newspaper office, and at night he writes his play. In these dark days there is one bright spot. Her name is May, a waitress in a coffee house. He tells her of his dreams and she believes in him. Cummings finishes his play. Worn out by the strenuous labor, he falls asleep over the completed manuscript and is late for work. He is discharged. He takes his play to a theatrical producer. Without work and discouraged, he goes to the coffee house. Looking inside he sees a rough making advances toward May. Cummings enters and interferes. There is a fight and he is knocked over the head and rendered unconscious. He is removed to a hospital for an operation. In the meantime his play has been accepted, although the producer cannot find the author. After a lapse of eight weeks May takes up a paper and reads of the successful run of the drama. She goes to the theatrical manager, informs him of Cumming's whereabouts, and leads him to the hospital. Cummings is convalescent. He receives payment for his play and is invited to attend with the producer that night. May returns to the restaurant and finds that she is discharged. She hurries back to the hospital, but Cummings has left, and she does not know his address. With her last money she buys a ticket for the gallery. From his station of honor Cummings sees his sweetheart in the gallery. He goes to her and leads her into the box, and together they watch their play.