The traveling salesmen, much like the vaudeville circuit, travel from town to town trying to make ends meet with their talents. Here, Harold Hill metaphorically and literally tap dances around River City, hypnotizing the town to lure them into his scheme. Marian isn’t buying it; even making him surrender his shoes on her turf in the quiet Library. As he falls in love, his weapon becomes a tool, infectiously spreading the joy of tap to the entire town.