The Face on the Bar-Room Floor
The Unexpected: A convivial group around the bar. Weary Willie blows in. A human wreck. Amuses the crowd. Gets free drink. Chance word awakens pride. A soul laid bare. His Life's Story: Dramatic recital. Vivid portrayal. Each scene described shown as in a vision on the mirror behind the bar. Each heart touched. Auditors held spell-bound. Studio Life: Tells of happy artist days. "In Bohemia." Boon companions. Free from care. Works hard. Wins success. Gains prizes. Becomes rich. Home, Sweet Home: How he meets beautiful model. Love at first sight. Happily married. Fine home. Life a dream. The Serpent Enters Eden: Paints friend's portrait, Wife and friend meet, Husband unsuspecting. Friend wins wife. The Awakening: Wife deserts home. Leaves note. Husband returns. Reads "Gone with a handsomer man." Heart broken. Ambition dies. Hope dies. Crushed. The Downward Path: Forsakes art. Seeks wife. Search fruitless. Sinks lower. Ever downward. Still drifting. A human "derelict." The Face on the Floor: Human sympathy arouses the "Man." Revives the "Artist." He calls for chalk. Sketches wife's face on floor, Falls across the picture. His life's story ended.
