Miss Civilization

ALICE: Hello, Central. Hello, Central. (Impatiently) Wake up! Wake up! Is that you, Central? Give me the station agent at Bedford Junction-quick. What? I CAN'T speak louder. Well, you MUST hear me. Give me the station agent at Bedford Junction. No, there's always a man there all night. Hurry, please, hurry. (There is a pause, during which the sound of the file grows louder. Alice listens apprehensively.) Hello, are you the station agent? Good! Listen! I am Miss Gardner, James K. Gardner's daughter. Yes, James K. Gardner, the president of the road. This is his house. My mother and I are here alone. There are three men trying to break in. Yes, burglars, of course. My mother is very ill. If they frighten her the shock might-might be very serious. Wake up the crew, and send the wrecking train here-at once. Send-the-crew-of-the- wrecking train here-quick. What? Then fire up an engine and get it here as fast as you can. VOICE: (calling from second story) Alice! ALICE: (at telephone) Yes, you have. The up-track's clear until "52" comes along. That's not until-