Prohibition Role Play Activity - Bergen County Technical

Scene 2—The Disbelieving Editors
This scene begins at the offices of Harper’s Weekly Magazine
in January of 1909. Henry Chambers, a middle-aged man and
self-proclaimed recovering alcoholic, is pitching his
manuscript, titled “A Story of an Alcohol Slave.” Chambers
describes his manuscript in detail, and talks about some
of his most harrowing experiences as an alcoholic. After
listening to his pitch the two editors, James Mallow and Arthur Newby,
openly question the story’s authenticity. Mallow is particularly disturbed
at Chambers’ negative portrayal of saloonkeepers, whom he regards
as legitimate businessmen. An angry debate follows between the two sides,
as each side uses the manuscript to make their points. The scene ends
with Chambers storming out of the meeting in tears.
Scene 3—Ratification Debate in the New Jersey Legislature
Here we are witness to a passionate debate, on the eve
of the ratification of the 18th Amendment, between two
members outside the main chamber of the New Jersey State
Assembly. An argument is underway between Assemblyman
(and Reverend) Clyde Hallow, an avowed prohibitionist
who believes that beer is the “Devil’s Brew,” and Assemblyman
Arthur Fenmore. Fenmore is also Vice President of
the Beerbrewers Guild. Both are using all of the statistics,
stories and sources they can muster in trying to convince the feckless,
confused Assemblyman James Barrow of Hackensack to vote for their
side. In the end, Barrow does decide to vote one way or the other...and
we’ll leave it up to the auditioning actors to decide. Just be sure to
have Barrow explain the reasons for his vote.
Scene 4 — A Meeting Between Three “South Hackensack” Toughs
This scene is set on a sweltering July night in the summer of
1920, in the back office of Otello’s Pool Hall in South Hackensack,
N.J. Sitting around the table are three local troublemakers.
“Fat Tony” Otello, who owns the place, has recently
been released from prison after serving a three year sentence
for bribery. James “Sweetface” Donohue is on the run from the
Bergen County Police for robbery. Jason “The Drill” Farrow is
wanted in three states for jailbreaks. James proposes turning
the pool hall into a speakeasy, but he needs the help, muscle and money
of the others. When Fat Tony and Jason doubt its profitability, James describes
how the “Iron Law of Prohibition” will turn their speakeasy into
a cash cow. The scene ends with James collecting $2000 each from the men,
and then dashing out the front door to a waiting car through a hail of
gunfire...never to be seen again!