 Within the context of the play , the number occurs early in the second act when the leading lady declares her love for the leading man . Her father is the wealthiest man in town , which poses obstacles to the match . The overall plot concerns a mayoral race in all @-@ black Jimtown where two dishonest grocery store owners vie for political office . One of the corrupt grocers wins the race shortly afterward and appoints the other chief of police . Harry leads the community protest that returns the two grocers to their store , and wins the girl . 
