The Dyspeptic and His Double

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Scene I. Dobson, the Millionaire Dyspeptic. In the opening scene we find Dobson cross as a bear pacing up and down his garden suffering from an attack of dyspepsia. His valet enters and offers aid but Dobson refuses and finally dismisses him with a kick. Now Dr. Bunyon arrives. He forces the unwilling patient to show his tongue, then listens to his heart and finally writes a prescription saying all he needs is exercise. The doctor opens his valise and taking out a pair of dumb bells proceeds to give a practical illustration of what he wants Dobson to do. Now off comes his patient's coat and the dumb bells are in Dobson's hands and he is forced to clumsily follow the doctor's movements. Next the doctor forces his unwilling patient to indulge in a short Marathon. But Dobson, unused to such violent exercise, soon sinks down exhausted and the spry little doctor as he helps him up explains the wonder of his method of exercise. Scene II. Dobson Meets Hungry Hank, His Double. The next morning we see Hungry Hank just awakening from a night's rest in his luxuriant quarters in an old corn bin. He slowly stretches himself, puts on his coat and lighting his pipe starts out in search of the breakfast that he knows awaits him somewhere. At the millionaire's home we find Dobson out in the garden, his coat off, his book of instructions before him, trying awkwardly to follow the doctor's directions. His valet arrives with a delicious young chicken for his master's breakfast. He helps Dobson on with his coat and as soon as Dobson is seated starts to serve the breakfast. But Dobson orders him away crossly. Dobson takes a bite of chicken, then angry because he cannot enjoy it seizes the entire chicken and throws it on the ground. Just then Hungry Hank, who has come up the walk appears and seeing his breakfast sailing through the air to his feet, seizes it and begins to devour it. He and Dobson see each other and are amazed at the resemblance. Seeing Hank's enjoyment of the chicken puts a brilliant idea into Dobson's head. Why can't he change places with Hank for a short time and get an appetite like that? He proposes it to Hank. Hank agrees and into the house they go to make the change. Scene III. Dobson and Hank Change Places. Arrested. The valet returning and finding Dobson gone is busy clearing the table when Dobson's niece enters and asks where her uncle is. At that moment out of the house comes Dobson dressed in Hank's rags and closely following is Hank arrayed in Dobson's clothes. Dobson starts toward his niece when she screams in terror and the valet interferes. Dobson tries to tell of his plan and again goes to greet his niece, when much to his amazement and in spite of his protests he is seized by Hank and thrown down the path. Hank orders the valet to follow the supposed tramp while he consoles his niece (?) in her fright. At the gate Dobson and the valet are fighting when a policeman arrives. He hears the valet's story and leads Dobson away to the police station. Scene IV. On the Stone Pile. Discharged. This is a view of the stone pile where the city's vagrants are sent to work out their short prison sentences when arrested. Through the yard comes a gang of prisoners, Dobson at the head of the line. Ten days have elapsed since Dobson was arrested. With blistering hand and aching limbs he struggles to do the manual labor he is so unaccustomed to. Several times he stops only to be roughly ordered to work again by the guard. Another guard arrives with an order for the release of Prisoner No. 13. Dobson eagerly tells them that is his number and is led away. After changing his prison garb for his old tramp suit, he is led outside the walls and released. Stopping only to vow vengeance against Hungry Hank, he starts for his home. Scene V. Home Again, Cured. Meanwhile back at the millionaire's home Hungry Hank has been having the time of his life. The valet and the niece are both wondering how Dobson ever recovered such an appetite and also such a good disposition at the same time. And now they leave him to enjoy his meal. Scarcely has he taken one mouthful when vengeance arrives in the form of the outraged Dobson. Throwing Hank to the ground he is soon on top of him. The niece and valet come running at the noise. Dobson is pulled off the trembling Hank. Now Dobson tells his niece the truth and compels Hank to again change coats with him. Then he orders the valet to put Hank off the place. Just then his eyes fall on the delicious lunch set for Hank. In a second he is seated enjoying his first real meal for ten days. Now Dr. Bunyon arrives with more rules for exercise, but Dobson waves him away, and exclaims, "Never again."