The Pink Lady
A Musical Comedy in Three Acts
Book and Lyrics by C.M.S. McLellan
Music by Ivan Caryll
CHARACTERS
PHILIPPE DONDIDIER
LUCIEN GARIDEL
MAURICE D'UZAC
BEBE GUINDOLPH
BENEVOL (Detective.)
CRAPOTE
POCHET (Inkeeper.)
THE HUNGRY MAN
DOCTOR MAZOU
ROUGET
A PHOTOGRAPHER
THEODORE LEBEC
CLAUDINE
ANGELE
MADAME DONDIDIER
SERPOLETTE POCHET
LA COMTESSE
DESIREE
GILBERTE
GARRIELLE
RAYMONDE
MINETTE
SOPHIE
ANNETTE
JULIE
SUZANNE
NINI
SYNOPSIS OF SCENES.
ACT I
The Gardens of "LE JOLI COUCOU", a Restaurant in the forest
of Compiegne, France.
ACT II
Interior of an Antique Shop in the Rue St. Honore,
Paris.
ACT III
The Ball of the Nympths and the Satyrs.
ACT I
Scene:- A Restaurant in the Forest of Compiegne,
France, known as "Le Joli
Coucou".
The scene shows the pretty gardens of
all the restaurant, with the structure
itself at right opening on a terrace,
and the entrance to the gardens
at left, under an arched sign
among the trees. It is a picturesque
resort in a secluded part of the forest,
off the beaten track and little
frequented, but at the present moment
the scene of unprecedented excitement.
A gathering of people is
present such as never visited the
place before. The several handsome,
well-dressed girls are the members
of a Paris coteris known as "Les
Victimes du Satyrs" (The Victims of
the Satyr). And the young men are
some of them admirers of these ladies
who have accompanied them down
from town, while others are reporters
from the leading Paris newspapers.
There are an unusual number of
waitresses, and a photographer has
posed his camera in the centre of
the gardens to take a picture of
Madame Serpolette Pochet, the pretty
young wife of the proprietor of the
restaurant, as she poses on the
terrace at right with a little basket
on her arm, filled with fresh
mushrooms.
Discovered:- POCHET stands near the photographer,
regarding his wife with pride and
affection, and she is evidently the
heroine of the occasion. Sitting at
a table at left is a peevish, hungry-looking
man, who tries vainly to
get the attention of the waitresses
and who is the only person that
seems to take no interest in the
excitement over Madame Pochet, but
is merely anxious to obtain food.
OPENING CHORUS
Here's a lady who but yesterday was no one
In a neighborhood that's famous as a slow one,
She's now a fascinator
And the world will celebrate her
As the latest one to captivate the Satyr;
For the Satyr knows a beauty when he sees her,
And she has to be the best before he'll squeeze her.
If a girl can tempt the Satyr
Then you really have to rate her
As a proposition warm as the Equator.
(SERPOLETTE moves over to camera during interlude)
Serpolette
And I am the one,
the very latest one
Whose beauty managed to please
My only wish
Was to gather a dish
Of mushrooms under the trees,
I wand'red out
With never any doubt
As modest and meek as this.
(bus)
When I was seized
And violently squeezed
And given such a great big kiss
Like this!
(She kisses the photographer)
Oh, mercy! What an awful kiss!
All
Oh, she is the one
The very latest one
Whose beauty managed to please, etc.
(At this end, DESIREE, the leader of "Les Victimes du
Satyr", comes forward to Serpolette and hangs a gold
medal about her neck)
Recitative -
Desiree
And now because the Satyr felt for you emotions tender
His other favoured victims make you honorary member
Of their famous coterie;
For you must know that we
Have all been kissed by the same naughty Satyr!
(She comes to C., her companions drawing up behind her)
Desiree
You may be very sure
He is an epicure,
This fact is proved when you have seen us,
His taste is critical,
Most analytical,
He only bothers with a Venus,
Plain girls are left alone
He seeks the perfect tone,
Just purest beauty without mixture,
He never misses you,
Pops out and kiss you
If you're pretty as a picture.
All
(With smart business by "Les Victimes")
You may be very sure
He is an epicure,
This fact is proved when you have seen us;
This fact is plain enough between us,
Etc., Etc.
(At the finish, "Les Victimes" pose in a group about
Serpolette on the terrace with the photographer aiming
his camera at them)
Photo.
Now, then, ladies, this time don't move!
(Just as he snaps them, Serpolette discovers the POSTMAN
who enters at that moment through the entrance at L.)
Serpol.
(Dashing down the terrace)
Here's the postman!
All
(Turning to greet him)
Ah!
Pochet
(Joyfully)
At last!
(He seizes a lot of Paris newspapers from the Postman,
and everybody surrounds him as he hands them about to
Serpolette, Desiree and others)
Photo.
(Angrily)
I give up! That's the tenth one spoiled!
Hungry Man
(Gasping indignantly)
Once again, is this a restaurant or a photographic studio?
All
(Turning on him sharply)
Sh, sh, sh, sh, sh!
Hungry Man
(In a collapsed state)
Coffee and rolls, or I'm a dead man! Twenty times I've asked,
and nothing happens but snapshots and newspapers.
(Calling weakly)
Coffee and rolls - coffee and rolls!
Pochet
(As he hastily scans a paper)
Ah, here it is!
Pochet
(Reading)
The Satyr re-appears. This time in the Forest of Compiegne.
Last evening, near that well-known phenomenon, The Trembling
Rock, he shot forth from the leafy covers and affirmed one of
his penetrating kisses upon the lips of a certain Madame P..?
(Stopping, disappointed)
Oh, oh!
(Disgusted)
A certain Madame P...! What good is that to me! He should
have said Pochet!
Serpolette
(Joyfully)
Here it is in my paper - the name in full!
Desiree
(She is also eagerly scanning a newspaper)
And, oh, my dears, see what it says about us!
(Reads)
That the Satyr is a great critic of feminine beauty has
again been proved. Take a list of his former victims! Mademoiselle
Gilberte Leblanc, of La Seals!
Gilberte
(Stepping forward smartly)
Here!
Desiree
Mademoiselle Amandine Du Veryney of La Cigale.
Desiree
Mademoiselle Raymonde St. Just, Gaiete Rochechouart.
Desiree
Mademoiselle Minette Delatour, Parisian.
Desiree
Mademoiselle Sophie Joliette, Varietes.
Desiree
Mademoiselle Desiree Montmorillen St. Savory de Beauregard,
of the Moulin Rouge.
(She herself steps forward with a flourish)
Here!
Pochet
(Reading)
"These are the ladies who are giving the Ball of the Nymphs
and the Satyrs to-night, which promises to be the jolliest
event of the season. It's their contention that the Satyr
kisses only the great beauties, while plain women promenade
the woods in vain. But the Police are on the gentleman's
track."
Girl
(Alarmed)
The Police?
Pochet
"We understand that Monsieur Benevol, a detective of great
skill, has been put in charge of the case."
(BENEVOL, who has just entered by the path skirting
behind the restaurant, pushes his way through the crowd
and comes to C.)
Benevol
(Raising his hat)
Monsieurs, Madames, - permit me.
(Bowing)
I am the Monsieur Benevol referred to.
(As they start in surprise)
Don't be afraid, I am not dangerous to the young and beautiful.
(Turning to Serpol.)
From your personal apperance, madame, I take you to be the
heroine of the forest drama.
Serpol.
Yes, Monsieur.
(Raising her voice as if starting a recitation)
It was just before dusk, and with my little basket on my arm,
I had wandered into the forest to gather mushrooms, when
suddenly...
Benevol
(Interrupting)
Ah, if you please... I must learn everything in my own way. I
will ask you to accompany me to the neighborhood of The
Trembling Rock, where you and I will reconstitute the scene
together.
Pochet
(Suddenly)
Excuse me!
Benevol
In a strictly professional manner, Monsieur Pochet. I am
quite aware that this lady is your wife, but you must remember
that the law has higher claims on her than you.
(Taking Serpol. by the hand)
Madame, with your little basket on your pretty arm, we will
wander down to The Trembling Rock.
Pochet
(Quickly)
Wait! You'll have to take the photographer with you. I
want pictures of everything you're going to do.
Benevol
Quite so. Everything I do is worth a photo.
SONG & CHORUS - BENEVOL & CHORUS
Everything I do,
Everything I don't do,
Everything I will,
Everything I won't do.
What I do and don't do,
What I will and won't do,
Every single thing is worth a photo;
All my little kinks,
All my little capers,
Look and you will find
In the daily papers,
All the daily papers
Chronicle my capers,
Every single morning with a photo.
REFRAIN
Bring along the camera,
Fetch along the camera.
Don't have any doubt about it.
Hurry up the camera,
Got to have the camera,
Can't do anything without it,
When I think,
When I talk,
When I drink,
When I walk,
If you want to catch it all in toto,
You must be
On the spot,
And of me
Take a shot,
For everything I do is worth a photo.
(Cho. repeats refrain)
II
Take me when you please,
Take me when you don't please,
Take me if I sneeze,
Take me if I don't sneeze,
When you do or don't please,
If I do or don't sneeze,
Take me all the same, it's worth a photo;
Get my double teeth,
Get my single eyeglass,
Get me with a gun,
Get me with a spy-glass,
Take me with an eyeglass,
Looking through my spy-glass,
Then you'll have an interesting photo.
REFRAIN
Bring along the camera,
Fetch along the camera.
Get in front or else behind me,
Hurry up the camera,
Got to have the camera,
Hunt about until you find me.
Oh, my eyes,
And my nose,
And my ties,
And my toes.
And the fashion of my hat and coat, oh!
Make a hot
Little lot
Go begot
With a shot,
So come alone and take another photo.
Cho.
Bring along the camera,
Fetch along the camera,
Don't have any doubt about it,
Etc., Etc..
(At the finish, Benevol exits by the path that runs behind
the restaurant, followed by all the others, except
Pochet, the Hungry Man sitting at the table at L., and
three waitresses, Annette, Julie and Suzanne. The Hungry
Man rises to his feet and with difficulty, staggers
weakly across to Pochet and confronts him)
Hungry Man
(With as much threatening vigor as he can command)
Monsieur Pochet, once for all I demand coffee and rolls. If
I do not get these in five minutes' time, I will burn your
restaurant about your ears, kill all the chickens in the
coop, and eat the canary.
(Pochet is greatly exasperated, and, leaning near to the
Hungry Man, calls loudly into his ear)
Pochet
Listen to me! I told you before there were no rolls in the
house.
Hungry Man
(Placing his hand to his ear)
Eh?
Pochet
(Still louder)
I say the baker hasn't come with the bread yet.
Hungry Man
No coffee! Well, then, give me chocolate!
Pochet
(Getting angrier and angrier)
There's plenty of coffee - gallons of coffee, I tell you!
There's -- no --
(He stops short and turns to the girls)
Here, girls, help me! Now, when I say three, shout all together!
One - two - three!
Annette, Julie, Suz. & Pochet
(Shouting in unison)
There are no rolls in the house!
Hungry Man
Very well, chocolate, then - rolls and chocolate.
Pochet
(Giving up in despair)
Annette, take him inside and put the ham bone in front of
him - not this week's ham bone, mind, - last week's. If he
refuses to eat it - hit him with it.
(Urging the Hungry Man towards the restaurant)
Now, then, Monsieur, if you'll accompany my servant, she'll
give you the nearest thing to a roll that we've got.
Hungry Man
(With sudden elation, as he hurries after Annette)
At last - at last!
(At this moment, LUCIEN GARDIEL enters C., - a good-looking,
smartly dressed young fellow; enters briskly by
the path at L. He glances about and X'es to Pochet)
Garidel
(As Pochet turns toward him at last)
Well, well, things appar to be very gay here!
Pochet
No, things are very sad. Only last evening, while gathering
mushrooms in the forest, my wife was kissed by the Satyr.
Garidel
The devil you say!
Garidel
Well, I don't like to intrude my own affairs on you, but I
should like to know if anyone has been inquiring for me. My
name's Garidel - Lucien Garidel.
Pochet
(With sudden interest)
Ah, Monsieur Garidel, who lives up at the chateau and is
engaged to be married to the beautiful Mademoiselle de Verrier!
Garidel
(Sharply)
What's that to you? You'll please take an order for lunch!
Pochet
(Quickly taking a waiter's tablet and pencil from his
pocket)
Certainly, Monsieur. For two?
Pochet
Yourself and Mademoiselle de Verrier.
Garidel
(Sharply)
Who said anything about Mademoiselle de Verrier!
Pochet
But since she's your fiancee, Monsieur!
Garidel
What of that? Can't a man eat lunch with someone beside his
fiancee!
Pochet
Oh, yes, Monsieur - if he dares!
(Writing on the tablet)
Shall we say a trout meuniere to start with - some grilled
mushrooms to follow --
Garidel
(Quickly)
Ah, have you mushrooms?
Pochet
(Glancing up)
Have I mushrooms? Why, Monsieur, I told you my wife was
gathering mushrooms when the Satyr --
Garidel
(Impatiently)
Quite so, quite so! Grill your wife and follow with a filet
mignon, eh? Now, then, when does the next train arrive from Paris?
Garidel
Well, that's when my friend gets here. Have the lunch ready
to serve when she arrives.
Pochet
(Glancing up at him)
She?
Garidel
(Angrily)
She! Of course "she"! Why not?
Pochet
Oh, nothing, Monsieur, nothing!
(Reverting suddenly to his pet subject)
But speaking of satyrs --
Garidel
(In a sudden fury)
We weren't speaking of satyrs! Look here, I'm tired of you
and your satyr --
(Snatches pencil out of his hand and flings it to the
ground)
I'm here for lunch -- l-u-n-c-h - lunch!
(Snatches order tablet from Pochet's hand and slams it
down on the table)
Now, do you know what a lunch is, and will you let me have
one?
Pochet
(Escaping from his wrath)
Certainly, Monsieur - certainly! It'll be ready on the tick.
(Dashes into restaurant)
Garidel
(Shouting after him)
Well, see that it is!
(Turning and coming down)
By George, he's quite upset me with his confounded satyr
story. And I believe he was rebuking me for daring to lunch
with someone besides my fiancee. Why shouldn't I? I've
still got six more weeks of freedom!
(Expanding with a deep breath)
Six more weeks of the old gay life!
SONG: GARIDEL
I
I'm going to be married in June,
It's now the beginning of May,
And hence I'm still free to commence,
With the life that is single and gay:
I'm free, but it's almost a sin,
Already I ought to be true,
I ought to sit down and begin
To behave as sedate husbands do.
REFRAIN
But not just yet, just yet, just yet,
I've got about six weeks more,
Six weeks to coquet, coquet, coquet,
With the life that we all adore:
Of course at the end of my bachelorhood
I'm sure to reform and grow perfectly good,
But not just yet, just yet, just yet,
I'm single for six weeks more.
(Rings bell. MAID enters)
(He whirls joyously about to a gay waltz symphony between
his verses)
II
Before wedding dearest Angele,
I'm bidding good-bye to Claudine,
I'm taking a tender farewell
Of her and of all that we've been:
Claudine is a very old friend,
I've known her for nearly a year,
Alas, our sweet friendship must end,
For I'm doomed to a married career.
REFRAIN
But not just yet, just yet, just yet,
I've got about six weeks more,
Six weeks to forget, forget,
All the joys I have known before.
Claudine must become a mere dream of the past,
And I the conventional hubby at last,
But not just yet, just yet, just yet,
I'm single for six weeks more.
(As Garidel goes whirling about to the waltz symphony,
he exits L.)
(ANNETTE - a pretty waitress, enters from the restaurant,
sees hims, is caught by his gaeity and joins irresistibly
in his dance. He pirouettes about with her at an
irresponsible way and at the finish exit L.)
(Enter by the path at L., ANGELE DE VERRIER,
Maurice D'UZAC and BEBE GUINDOLPH. All three are in motoring
costume with goggles. Angele appears agitated and all
are evidently bent on a mission of discovery. At the
moment they enter, SUZANNE returns by the other path
with her dish of water cresses)
Angele
He's not here - I know he isn't.
Maurice
Don't be too sure.
(Calling to Suzanne as she is about to enter the
restaurant)
I say - young woman!
Suzanne
(Turning)
Yes, Monsieur.
(Angele dashes across and addresses her sharply)
Angele
Is my fiancee here?
Suzanne
Your fiancee, Mademoiselle?
Angele
He's awfully good-looking, medium height, hazel eyes, lovely
hair and a perfect nose. You couldn't mistake him. His
name is Lucien Garidel.
Suzanne
Well, there are a lot of people here to-day, Mademoiselle,
but I haven't seen anyone quite as handsome as that.
(Exit into restaurant)
Angele
(Turning to Maurice with an air of triumph)
There, now, you see your suspicions were absurd!
(C. to L.)
(They all take off their motoring goggles. Angele is
a charming and refined trpe of Parisienne, very pretty
and smart. Maurice D'Uzac is a dashing young philanderer
of the Boulevards, smiling, cynical, and dangerous,
and Bebe Guingolph is a droll type, very plain,
very honest-looking, quite foolish and fatuous, with
his thoughts wandering far away -- altogether a whimsical
character that one smiles at and likes on
sight)
Maurice
Angele, I've said I'd show Lucien up to you as a flirt, and
I'm going to. These visits that he's supposed to make every
Tuesday and Friday to his friend Dondidier are all rot.
Instead of going to Paris to-day, as he said he would, he
jumped on his bicycle and came over here.
Angele
(Impatiently)
I don't believe it. Your dislike of Lucien makes you utterly
unjust to him.
Maurice
I dislike him because he's false to you.
Angele
Nonsense! It's because I became engaged to him and refused
you.
Maurice
(Sharply, as he indicates Bebe, who is sitting at the
table at L.)
I say, please be careful!
Angele
Oh, I don't mind Bebe; he's my cousin, and there's nothing
I wouldn't tell him.
(Bebe bounds to his feets and runs to her)
Bebe
(Greatly moved)
Ah, my dear, dear relative, my favorite aunt's favorite
child - thank you for that kind word.
Angele
That's all right, Bebe. Go sit down.
(He tiptoes back to table and sits again)
Maurice
Very well, let's just be frank, then. It's true I adore you!
(With great fervor, seizing her hand)
Ah, Angele, all the great volcanoes of the earth are
packets of ice cream compared with my burning love for
you!
Angele
(Indicating Bebe)
Hush, please!
(Back of chair)
Maurice
(Returning to his natural manner)
Oh, I don't mind Bebe! I'd trust him as I would my right
arm.
Bebe
(Bounds to his feet and goes to him, seizing him by the
hand - greatly moved)
Ah - my friend - my sympathetic companion, my mentor and -
guide - thank you for that kind word!
Maurice
That's all right, Bebe. Go sit down.
(Bebe does as he is told, repeating: "Go and sit
down".)
Tell me, Angele, have you ever met Lucien's alleged friend,
Dondidier?
Angele
I never asked to. He lives like a hermit in a little
house at Auteuil, and isn't the sort of man a girl would
ever think of bothering about. Lately he's invented a
new kind of steerable balloon, and Lucien's getting the
capital for him to go on with. They've been intimate
friends for years.
(As she is speaking, Maurice picks up Pochet's writing
from the table R.)
Maurice
Excuse me, here's something interesting. Isn't Lucien
particularly fond of grilled mushrooms?
Angele
(Glancing quickly at him)
Yes. Why?
Maurice
I find here an order for lunch - evidently left here by a
waiter. It includes grilled mushrooms.
Angele
(With start)
Good heavens!
Bebe
(Suddenly troubled)
My dear Maurice, my more than dear Maurice - Lucien is not
the only person in the world who eats mushrooms. I myself
have a decided partiality for the edible fungus.
Maruice
(Dryly)
Very likely, but we find other items of interest in this
menu.
(Reading)
"Trout meuniere". I believe the only fish Lucien ever eats
is trout meuniere.
Angele
(Irritatedly)
It isn't true! He dotes on sardines!
(Bebe snatches the menu from Maurice's hand)
Bebe
I shall go to the maitre d'hotel and demand a description
of the man who ordered this.
Maurice
Do. And you'll find he's the imposter that Angele describes
as medium height, with hazel eyes, lovely hair and a perfect
nose.
(Up stage)
Angele
(Catching Bebe by the arm apprehensively)
Bebe! Do you think Lucien's deceiving me?
Bebe
(Troubled)
My favorite cousin, the Machiavellian reasoning of our
excelent Maurice fills me with certain disturbing doubts.
We must investigate.
(With sudden vehemence)
And, oh, if Lucien is deceiving you, how I shall hate him -
oh, how I shall hate him!
(He hurries into the restaurant)
(Angele, now thoroughly nervous and disturbed, Xes to
R.. Maurice, smiling to himself, goes over to her)
Maurice
Well, the dream's ending, eh? I'm sorry, but love is usually like that.
Angele
(Turning)
Love is not usually like that! You don't know what love
means!
Maurice
Don't I! Well, I know love isn't a bit careful of the
company he keeps.
Angele
(Indignantly)
I don't believe you!
DUET: ANGELE & D'UZAC
I
Angele
When love goes a-strayin', oh, where does he go?
Angele
No, no, among hearts with his arrows and bow.
D'Uzac
Pshaw! That's a subterfuge.
For love is a cynical chap;
And for archery don't care a rap,
He's a roystering, racketty, impious elf,
And only considers himself.
REFRAIN
Angele
Why, Love is a perfect baby,
A beautiful, innocent boy.
D'Uzac
In days that are past he was, maybe,
But being a baby will cloy
And love became bored by mere childhood,
Grew tired of being divine,
And leaving the sweet-scented wildwood,
He came up to Paris to dine.
Angele
I don't believe you, don't believe you.
Love, I know, is divine!
II
D'Uzac
When Love wants to nestle, oh, where does he nest?
Angele
Close in a maiden's heart.
D'Uzac
He may for a while, but he soon wants a rest.
Angele
You've never felt his dart,
You slander because you don't know,
But I have loved truly and so
I can tell you that here or in Heaven above,
There's nothing so lovely as Love.
REFRAIN
Why, Love is as sweet as the roses
As fragrant and warm to the soul.
D'Uzac
And yet the rogue's record discloses,
Of sins a most sorrowful roll.
And when temptation attacks him,
He drops all his habits divine,
And then every night up at Maxim's
He squanders his kisses and wine.
Angele
I don't believe you, don't believe you,
Love, I know, is divine!
(Angele hurries out agitatedly at the finish of song)
Maurice
(Calling gaily after her)
Don't go far! Lucien will be lunching here - remember!
(As he laughs to himself he turns and discovers Bebe,
who enters at that moment from the restaurant)
Ah, Bebe, what have you learned?
Bebe
(Who is much disturbed)
Don't ask!
Maurice
The truth, eh? The maitre d'hotel described Lucien as the
man who ordered lunch.
Bebe
(Reproachfully)
Maurice, you are not acting nicely - it grieves me to say
it, but you are not acting nicely. You shouldn't seek to
destroy a young girl's trust in her sweetheart.
Maurice
(Airily)
All's fair in love, my boy.
Maurice
That's because you don't understand. You see, you've never
loved.
Bebe
(With a sudden burst of emotional indignation)
Maurice, never say that again! Never say that again while
we both live!
Maurice
(Regarding him with astonishment)
Why, what's the matter? you don't mean to tell me that you,-
no, no, it's impossible!
(Bebe stands pressing his hand to his brow)
Bebe
(As if he were the only person who could really have
ever adequately known the passion)
I - I - never loved!
(Fixing Maurice with a look of reproach)
Maurice, sit down!
(He leads him to a chair at R. and taking position in
front of him, begins his tale in accents of the tenderest
emotion)
Gisele de Malpertule was 12 years of age, -I, 14. We met
at a fashionable seaside resort, and her great beauty
immediately subjugated me. One night, beneath the stars, we
swore to be true until death, to love each other through
eternity. Seven years later, I was 21, and then I asked her
hand in marriage. Her parents, who were on the point of
departing for Canada, gave their consent but required that
the wedding be postponed until their return. We kissed,
Gisele and I - we renewed our vows beneath the stars, and
then the exquisite child followed her parents.
(Sadly)
To-day I am 35, and Gisele, - Gisele has not yet returned.
Maurice
Good Heavens! Still in Canada!
Bebe
(Nodding)
Her father is in a large way of business as a lumber merchant
on the Saskatchewan.
Bebe
The Saskatchewan, - one of the great rivers of that distant
country. Gisele cannot leave him, as he is getting old.
Maurice
And do you mean to tell me you've kept your oath all this
time?
Bebe
I do. And I assure you it is very hard --
Maurice
I believe you.
(xes and slaps Bebe heartily on the back)
Bebe, take my advice. Give the Paris girls a chance. The
Saskatchewan is a long way off.
(Starting across)
Now, I'll order a little lunch - I won't be long.
(He exits into inn)
Bebe
(Sentimentally, as he is left alone)
The Saskatchewan is a long way off. True - true! Ah,
Gisele, I am still keeping my vow, but -
(With a heavy sigh)
in these days I'm finding it difficult.
SONG & CHORUS
BEBE, DESIREE AND OTHERS.
I.
Bebe
By the banks of the Seine
With girls so beautiful,
It gives one pain
To remain quite dutiful.
And yet I've sworn by the stars above
Throughout my life to reserve my love
For a girl by the Saskatchewan;
All come canoodling,
They're bold and vain,
With a taste for snoodling;
Their lips are red and their eyes are bright,
And they've got a style that removes from sight
A girl by the Sasketchewan.
Refrain
Flow, river, flow,
Down to the sea,
Bright sea, bring my loved one home to me,
True dear, one true,
I'm trying hard to be;
But hear me say
It's a very long, long way
From the banks of the Seine for a girl to go and stay
by the banks of the Saskatchewan.
(As Bebe finishes the refrain, an invisible chorus takes
it up outside and repeats it through. As it proceeds,
DESIREE and her seven companions steal softly in at the
back, and coming down to Bebe as he sits at the table
overcome by shyness, surround him with the playful
affectation of lovesick maidens; Desiree sits on the table
beside him and places her arm about his shoulder)
(He looks around for a means of escape, but finds himself
hemmed in and held by the charming group. It is
St. Anthony again, trying to resist the inevitable and
making a failure of it. Desiree sings the 2nd verse to
him in tempting accents)
II
Desiree
When you live by the Seine
You suffer awfully
If you refrain
From enjoying quite lawfully
The sweet gay life in a gay sweet way
And save your love till you're old and grey
For a girl on the Saskatchewan.
On the banks of the Seine
There's love awaiting you,
To quell the pain
That's exasperating you;
So skip with joy as you laugh ha ha,
And wire a quick little cool ta ta
To the girl on the Saskatchewan.
REFRAIN
Come, faithful one,
Come, stray with me,
this is springtime up in gay Paree;
You need a rest
From your fidelity,
For hear me say
It's a very wrong, wrong way
When you live on the Seine to sit grieving all the day
For a girl on the Sasketchewan.
(As Desiree finishes, Bebe makes a last despairing
effort to free himself. Springing to his feet, he
raises his hands aloft in a gesture of appeal, and
sings his own refrain ardently while the girls
address theirs seductively)
REFRAIN
BEBE
Flow, river, flow,
Down to the sea;
Bring, sea, bring
my loved one home
to me, etc., etc..
GIRLS
Come, faithful one,
Come stray with me
This is springtime up in
Gay Paree, etc.,
etc..
(Girls crown Bebe with a garland and imprison him with
daisy chains, and when he disappears at back with all
of them languishing about him, it begins to look very
bad for the girl on the Sasketchewan)
(LUCIEN enters briskly by the path at L. and Maurice
enters at the same instant from the inn. They come
face to face, and stop short)
Maurice
(With cool satisfaction)
Ah, good-morning, Garidel.
Garidel
(Alarmed and irritated)
What the -
(He pulls himself up)
How did you get here?
Maurice
Drove over in the auto. Fine morning.
Maurice
No, Bebe Guindolph's alone -
and
Angele.
Garidel
(Sharply)
Angele!
(At this instant, ANGELE enters by the path at R. and
confronts Lucien)
Angele
Good-morning, Lucien.
Garidel
(Nearly overcome by her sudden appearance)
Eh!
(This is as far as he can get)
Angele
I've been to the garage. Your bicycle's there. That
proves you're here, I think.
Angele
(Firmly)
Don't deny it! You're here!
(Lucien meets her angry gaze and then, by a great
effort, draws himself up and takes a defensive)
Garidel
Apparently!
(Looking from one to the other)
I see. This is a plot against me.
(He strides up to Maurice and confronts him threateningly)
Well, let me tell you, D'Uzac, I don't like the part you're
playing in it.
Angele
Wait! It was my idea to follow you. I asked Monsieur
D'Uzac to drive me over in his auto, and brought Bebe along
as a chaperon.
Garidel
(With his eyes still fixed on Maurice)
Well, I don't think we need M. D'Uzac any longer.
Maurice
(Smiling back at Lucien aggravatingly)
I quite agree, Garidel. I'll leave you.
Angele
(Quickly, as he starts)
Don't go far! I don't want you to go far!
Maurice
Only to find Bebe.
(Insolently, as he passes out)
If you need me, call.
(He exits at back)
Garidel
(Turning reproachfully)
Angele, I don't like what you've done - I don't like it at
all. Do you realize you're spying on me?
Angele
Yes, and it's because --
Garidel
(Interrupting strongly)
Oh, no excuse, please. While we're still engaged, you're
sprying on me. You might have left that until we were married.
Angele
Answer me this. Are you in Paris to-day, at the house of
your friend, Dondidier, or are you here?
Garidel
I didn't tell you I was going to see Dondidier in Paris. I
said I was going to pass the day with him.
Angele
(Sarcastically)
I see! Tell me, is your friend still in the balloon business?
Garidel
Certainly he is. He's soon going to startle the world
with a new balloon called "Laugh at Blizzards"... It's
a huge affair, and, naturally, I'm enormously interested.
Angele
So am I. Why have I never been permitted to meet this
wonderful inventor?
Garidel
There's never been an opportunity.
Angele
Very well, here's one now. Let me lunch with him when he
gets here to-day.
Garidel
That's impossible.
Garidel
(Confused)
Because - why, because -- Well, do you really wish to
know?
Garidel
Well, because while Dondidier's one of the most interesting
of men - for men to know - a genius, and all that
sort of thing, one would never introduce him to a lady.
(At this instant, POCHET appears from the restaurant)
Garidel
(At a loss)
Why, - he - he - he's a -
Pochet
(Interrupting)
May I ask, Monsieur, if you would like the mushrooms served
with --
Garidel
(Turning sharply with a nervous start)
Mushrooms!
(Then, with sudden inspiration)
Ah!
(To Angele)
He's a satyr!
Pochet
(Jumping)
What! Who's a satyr?
Garidel
(With great irritation)
Never mind, - get out!
Garidel
(Flying at him)
Get out, I say!
(Pochet escapes, panic-stricken, into restaurant)
(Returning to Angele)
That's what Dondidier is - a satyr.
Angele
(In a tone of deep reproach)
Lucien!
Garidel
(Desperately)
I tell you it's true!
Angele
Oh, please, please! I'm not an absolute dunce, you know.
Satyrs were demi-gods that lived in the Dark Ages. They
went about pursuing nymphs in the woods, and had hoofs.
Those times are passed, my dear boy.
Garidel
Are they? Well, perhaps satyrs nowadays don't have hoofs,
but they pursue nymphs in the woods all the same.
Angele
(Shaking her head)
Oh, no, it won't do. Try something else.
Garidel
Why, Angele, never, never have I told the truth to you with
such precision as I'm telling it now! Are you aware there
was a satyr prowling round this neighborhood only last
night, and that he attacked this Innkeeper's wife?
(BENEVOL & SERPOLETTE enter at back on his last speech,
and stop short and listen. Benevol motioning Serpolette
to keep silent)
Very well, I believe it was no other than my friend Dondidier.
He's simply appalling.
Angele
(Coolly)
Nevertheless, I wish to lunch with him when he gets here.
(At this, Benevol in the background makes an excited
gesture and draws Serpo. silently into the inn without
being seen)
Garidel
Don't be absurd! It's impossible!
Angele
(With great derision)
Lucien, if you don't consent, I shall know you're deceiving
me.
Garidel
(Angrily, as he sees himself beaten)
Oh, very well, very well! That settles it! In ten minutes'
time, you shall lunch with M. Dondidier!
Angele
(Eagerly, breaking into smiles)
Lucien! Truly?
Garidel
(Stiffly)
Since I'm not to be believed otherwise - yes.
Angele
(Flinging her arms suddenly about his neck)
Oh, you darling - how I love you!
Garidel
(Putting her away from him)
No, you've hurt my feelings, Angele.
Angele
(Embracing him again)
Kiss me! Kiss me, I say!
(She kisses him, in spite of his efforts to avoid her,
and then starts towards the restaurant)
Now I'll go and order lunch for five.
(She turns, then runs back and throws her arms about
him impulsively)
Ah, Lucien, I do believe you now!
(She exits quickly into restaurant)
Garidel
(Letting himself go when she has disappeared)
Good Lord, what a mean!
(HUNGRY MAN appears from restaurant, followed by
ANNETTE, who carries a tray with coffee service)
Hungry Man
In the summer-house - I'll have my coffee in the summer-house.
Garidel
(Sees Hungry Man)
Ah, an idea! A word with you! My name's Garidel. I'm in
an awful hole - the girl I'm engaged to is silly enough to
think I'm cheating her. I am. I've come her to meet
another girl named Claudine, and I told my fiancee it's
to meet a man named Dondidier. Well, there's no such person
as Dondidier. My fiancee has popped in her unexpectedly
and Claudine is going to arrive in ten minutes. Good
heavens, man, don't you see the situation! Claudine is a
living fact - and my fiancee mustn't meet Claudine. Dondidier
doesn't exist, and my fiancee has got to meet Dondidier.
Hungry Man
What did you say?
Garidel
Deaf! Oh, nothing!
Annette
Your coffee is ready in the summer-house.
Hungry Man
Well, you needn't shout about it.
(Exit)
Garidel
(To Annette)
When does the next train get in from Paris?
Annette
In about ten minutes, Monsieur.
(She exits into restaurant)
Garidel
(Turning up)
Good Lord, I must stop Claudine at the station!
(BENEVOL enters suddenly from restaurant)
Benevol
(Preemptorily)
Monsieur!
Garidel
(Stopping short)
What?
Benevol
(Coming down, sharply)
I'm a detective!
Garidel
Well, I'm in a hurry.
Benevol
So am I. I believe you're expecting a friend named Dondidier.
Do you think he'll come?
Garidel
He's got to come!
Benevol
What would you say if I told you Dondidier was seen here
late last evening?
Garidel
I should say you were talking in your sleep.
Benevol
(Severely)
No impertinence, Monsieur! Your friend is the satyr of the
forest of Compiegne.
Garidel
(Fervently)
I wish he were!
Benevol
I've posted my men about the neighborhood, and it will be
impossible for him to escape.
Garidel
Well, I ask only one favor, old chap. When you get him,
bring him to me. I'm offering a big reward for a satyr
named Dondidier.
Benevol
(Turning to go, with a grand air)
Within the house- in chains.
(Exits)
Garidel
First a deaf man, then a lunatic!
(He rushes off L.)
(Enter ANGELE from the restaurant, and at the same
time, D'UZAC and BEBE come on by the path at back)
Angele
(Discovering them)
Ah, now I hope you'll be satisfied! Monsieur Dondidier
will be here presently, and we're all to take lunch together.
I've arranged for a nice table for five, inside.
Maurice
Better make it for four. There'll be no Dondidier.
Angele
(Impatiently)
Oh, how stubborn you are! I tell you Lucien's promised I
shall lunch with him.
Maurice
What else could he do? All the same, he's expected a
young lady down from Paris.
Angele
(Indignantly)
Show her to me!
Maurice
I hope to!
(As he turns towards the right, he starts suddenly)
Ah, who's this?
(Enter CLAUDINE by the path at R. She is a dashing,
splendid girl, dressed with the last touch of Parisian
smartness, in pink)
Claudine
(Calling breezily as she enters)
Garcon! Garcon!
Bebe
(Alarmed)
A lady! A lady in pink!
(Angele staggered and clutching Maurice by the arm,
Claudine has Xed to the door of the restaurant)
Claudine
(Calling in)
Garcon! Garcon!
(POCHET enters briskly in answer to the call)
Claudine
Is there a young gentleman waiting here for me? Medium
height, hazel eyes, lovely hair, perfect nose -- you couldn't
mistake him. His name is Lucien Garidel.
Angele
(Gasping and clutching at her heart)
Ah!
Claudine
(Looking round at the sound)
What's the matter?
Pochet
(Hastening down)
The lady's fainted!
Angele
(Straightening up proudly)
I haven't fainted! I never felt better in my life!
Maurice
(Solicitously)
Get a glass of brandy!
Angele
(Firmly)
No. I loathe brandy. Let me alone - let me alone!
(She sweeps across and into the restaurant, throwing
her head high as she passes Claudine. Maurice hurries
after her)
Maurice
(Stopping as he passes Claudine and smilingly raising
his hat)
Thank you, Madame, thank you. You came at just the right
moment.
(He passes into restaurant, leaving Claudine staring
after him. Bebe Xes.)
Bebe
(With great indignation, as he steps in front of
Claudine)
I hate you, oh, how I hate you --
(Exits)
Claudine
(Glancing at Pochet)
Crazy?
Pochet
Yes, Madame. And the young gentleman you were asking for
was here and ordered lunch. I think he went to the station
to meet you.
Claudine
I didn't come to the station. I got down at Pierrefonds so
as to drive through the forest. It's very charming and so
secluded. I don't suppose you get many people here?
Pochet
All the world is here to-day, Madame. They're down by the
Trembling Rock, being photographed. I think I hear them
returning.
(Enter gaily at back DESIREE and all her companions,
with PHOTOGRAPHER. They are chattering as they come)
Photographer
One more picture, ladies, before I go.
Desiree
Not before dejeuner. I'm simply starving.
Pochet
(Briskly)
You'll find tables set in the garden at the back, Mdlle.
Pass right through the restaurant.
Desiree
Come, Photographer! I'll let you take me devouring the hors
d'oeurves.
(As she is Xing, she meets Claudine and stops short in
front of her)
Ah! Mlle. Claudine!
Claudine
(Smiling)
You recognize me, then!
Desiree
Naturally! All Paris knows the Pink Lady - who shows the
way to the rest of us.
Claudine
You flatter me. But -
(looking around)
of course I recognize all you famous young ladies, too. The
kiss of the satyr has given you your final cachet. Wouldn't
it be a lark if you could find him and get him to go to the
ball of the Nymphs and the Satyrs to-night!
Desiree
(Struck by this)
I never thought of it! What an idea! Girls, wouldn't our
ball be a success if we could only lead off with the real
Satyr?
Desiree
(Elated)
We must!
(To Claudine)
And, of course,
you'll
be with us, Mademoiselle?
Claudine
Naturally! I never miss the things I ought to.
Photographer
(Admiringly, to Claudine)
May I take you as you stand there, Mademoiselle? It will
make a charming picture.
Claudine
(Posing)
I don't mind. There are not many things that I do mind.
I believe in taking things quietly.
SONG AND CHORUS: CLAUDINE AND OTHERS
"GENTLY."
I
When Gustave proposed to me
He went down on bended knee
And he whispered, oh so gently
Oh so gently, oh so gently
And he whispered until I answered 'yes'
Gustave when that 'yes' he heard
Said I'll hold you to your word
And then he held me oh, so gently,
Oh so gently, oh so gently
And the rest you guess
II
We were wed, but no one knew,
No one knew but just we two,
Gustave broke the news so gently;
Oh so gently, oh so gently,
Asking might we wed,
Pa said, "No you'll not, I vow"
Gustave said, "It's too late now,"
Then Pa blessed us, oh so gently,
Oh so gently, oh so gently,
What he told us, oh so gently
I'd best leave unsaid.
III
When I wore a harem skirt,
Then Gustave was very pert,
And he touched it, oh, so gently,
Oh so gently, oh so gently,
Then he pulled it oh so gently,
Till I cried out "stop"!
See now what you've done, you goose,
You have made the right leg loose,
And I had to creep so gently
Oh so gently, oh so gently,
Till Gustave could land me gently
In the nearest shop.
IV
I've a handsome cousin Fred
Gustave said he'd shoot him dead,
I said Gustave shoot him gently,
Shoot him gently, shoot him gently,
I said Gustave shoot him gently,
Don't act like an ape!
When I told dear Freddie so,
Freddie thought he'd better go,
I said Freddie do go gently,
Do go gently, do go gently,
I said Freddie, do go gently,
Down the fire escape.
ENCORE!
Gustave when in New York town,
To the subway once went down
On the stairs was pushed so gently
Oh so gently, oh so gently,
On the platform landed gently
Like a sack of beans
Then the train came and a guard
Packed him in and packed him hard
Gustave thanked him oh so gently
Oh so gently, oh so gently,
For reminding him so gently
Of the French sardines.
ENCORE!
Gustave once remarked to me
Suffragettes I cannot see,
Women should be oh so gentle,
Oh so gentle, oh so gentle
Votes? Why you can buy me gently
For a dollar note
Then I introduced him to
Ten young suffragettes I know
They all kissed him, oh so gently,
Oh so gently, oh so gently
Gustave sighed, and whispered gently
Bless 'em let 'em vote.
(All repeat with bus: and exit into restaurant)
(Enter Angele from restaurant closely followed by
BEBE)
Angele
(As she enters)
I'm quite calm now, and my mind's made up.
Bebe
You have my fullest approval, cousin. It must be an eye for
an eye. And a tooth for a tooth. Give Lucien up without a
sigh, and marry Maurice. Besides, Maurice isn't a bad
catch, you know. He dresses very well indeed.
Angele
(Facing him)
No, Bebe. I shall throw Lucien over and marry someone else,
but not Monsieur D'Uzac.
Bebe
(Staggering backward and clutching for support)
What?!
Angele
Angele de Verrier is going to marry her cousin, Bebe
Bebe
(Gasping, horror-stricken)
No - no - don't say that. You don't love me!
Angele
Of all the men I know I love you the least.
Bebe
What do you think of that?
Angele
But my happiness is shattered forever, Bebe and I propose
to live and die a martyr. I shall take a husband towards
whom I can be cold, dictatorial and superior. Above all a
husband who is totally lacking in personal attractions. In
a word - you!
Bebe
(With great desperation, aside)
Give up my Gisele at last? No - no!
Angele
(With a start, as she looks off R)
Careful - here comes Lucien.
(Enter LUCIEN quickly by the path at L.)
Lucien
(Stopping sharply as he sees Angele)
Ah, there you are. I've been to the station.
Angele
(Icily)
Did you meet Monsieur Dondidier?
Angele
I fancy your friend didn't follow your instructions about
the train.
Lucien
(Turning sharply)
What do you mean?
Angele
I mean she's waiting for you inside the restaurant.
Lucien
(Quavering)
In pink?
Angele
Yes, Lucien have you any explanation to offer? If not then
of course everything is over between us.
Lucien
Do you really mean there's a lady here asking for me?
Lucien
Well I, that is, did she--
(Suddenly)
Tell me is she fair, with blue eyes, and rather a dashing
manner?
Lucien
Ah then I know. It's Madame Dondidier.
(She stops)
Lucien
Why to be sure! Something's kept Dondidier at Scissons'
and he's sent his wife to explain.
(Bell bus)
Angele
(Sarcastically)
Oh you think that's it, do you?
(Starts toward restaurant)
I'll go in and see.
Angele
(Sharply)
Wait!
(He stops)
Bebe go and tell M. Caridel's friend he's waiting in the
garden to present her to Mdlle. de Verrier.
Bebe
(Xing)
Yes my cousin.
(Aside)
Have no fear Gisele. I'll be true.
(He exits)
Lucien
I must say your confidence in me is very flattering.
Angele
Ah well, let us hope it will return.
Lucien
Yes, but there are things that can never return. Take
care, Angele, like all men who have nothing to reproach
themselves with, I am very proud. If you expect me to
forgive and forget you'll return home now without another
word and end this degrading detective work.
Angele
But if it's only Madame Dondidier?
Lucien
Do you think I want you to cross-examine her and let her
see that you suspect me, just as Bebe sees it, and this
wretced, D'Uzac. No you must take my simple word, and go
this instant.
Lucien
You will?
(Turning aside desperately)
The game's up.
(CLAUDINE enters from the restaurant followed by BEBE)
Claudine
(Hurrying across to Lucien)
Ah my dear friend here you are.
(Shaking hands cordially)
You didn't expect me did you?
Claudine
Ah it's quite a story. When my husband was leaving
Scissons this morning to join you here he suddenly got a
most dreadful attack of lumbago -- he's a great victim of
the lumbago you know-- and there was nothing for him to
do, but change his plans and go straight home to Paris.
Well, he knew a telegram would arrive too late, and so
I insisted on coming here to explain matters.
Lucien
(Foolishly)
Yes, yes....
Claudine
(Turning and regarding Angele with a sweet smile)
And this is--
Lucien
(Confusedly)
Ah yes-- I beg your pardon-- Mademoiselle de Verrier.
Claudine
(Holding out her hand)
It's a great pleasure to meet you, Mademoiselle. Monsieur
Garidel has sung your praises to us so often. I am
Madame Dondidier...
(Bus. for Bebe and Lucien)
wife of this very dear friend of that name. How many
times I wonder, have you heard M. Garidel say: "I must
spend tomorrow with my friend Dondidier.".... Well, there
was no trick about it, none I assure you.
Bebe
(Aside, giving her skirt a tug)
That'll do.
Claudine
Eh?
(To Angele)
Yes that'll do.
Lucien
(Aside)
Now what the--
Angele
(Giving her hand to Claudine)
I'm charmed Madame. When I return to Paris, I hope you'll
let me call on you with my mother. Will you give me your address?
Claudine
(Promptly)
Number 72 Rue St. Monroe. My husband is a dealer in
antiques.
Bebe
(Aside)
Good bye Gisele.
Angele
(Surprised)
What? Not a balloonist-- with a house at Auteuil?
Lucien
(Hastily)
Let me explain.
(To Claudine)
From motives that you and I will understand, but which
may seem a little mysterious to Mdlle. de Verrier, I had
hidden your husband's true vocation and address from her.
Claudine
That was a pity. But I hope, Mdlle...
Angele
(Interrupting)
Oh, as long as there's a Monsieur Dondidier I don't mind
what he deals in, antiques or balloons are all one to me.
(MAURICE enters from the restaurant)
Maurice
May I join you now?
Angele
Yes. I want you to meet Madame Dondidier.
Maurice
(Staring)
Madame?
Angele
(To Claudine)
Monsieur D'Uzac is a dear friend of ours.
Claudine
(Acknowledging him)
Monsieur.
Maurice
(With a knowing smile)
Madame it's a great honor to meet the wife of one of our
leading balloonists.
(Coat bus)
Angele
M. Dondidier is no longer a balloonist. He's a dealer
in antiques.
Claudine
Number 72 Rue St. Honore.
Maurice
Ah! And is M. Dondidier quite well?
Claudine
He has the lumbago.
Lucien
That's why Madame came in his place.
Maurice
Oh that's the reason?
(Enter POCHET from restaurant)
Pochet
(Announcing)
Lunch is served.
Maurice
(To Angele)
Might I make a suggestion? Since Madame Dondiidier has left
her husband in his suffering condition it must be that her
business with Lucien is very important.
Maurice
Precisely. And in that case you'd doubtless like to lunch
privately so as to talk it over with him.
Maurice
(In sharp aside to her)
Say yes and I'll trap him.
Claudine
Probably Mdlle would not find this desirable.
Angele
(Hesitating)
Oh yes, yes, I think it's quite right.
Lucien
Well, it's not such a bad idea.
Angele
(Reluctantly)
Very well, I'll return home.
(To Lucien)
And you'll follow soon?
Angele
I shall look for you at our house in that time.
(Going up to him, looking at him searchingly)
I'm doing my best to believe you, Lucien.
Lucien
But how could you have ever doubted me? Ah Angele, it will
be difficult to forget this.
Angele
It certainly will.
(To Maurice and Bebe)
Come!
(She goes out by the L. path followed by Maurice and
Bebe who raise their hats to Claudine as they go)
Bebe
(Hissing into Lucien's ear, as he passes him)
I hate you-- oh how I hate you!
Lucien
(Turning sharply when they have disappeared)
Look here Claudine what do you--
Claudine
(Flinging her arms about him and stopping him with a kiss)
Good morning darling.
Lucien
(Putting her off)
Take care, don't do that, they'll see you. Look here, how
did you come to tell that story?
Claudine
Monsieur asked me to.
Claudine
Yes. He explained the situation and said I'd got to pass myself
off as Madame Dondidier.
Lucien
(Nonplussed)
And he's been hissing in my ear all morning that he hated
me.
Claudine
Well he and I have been very clever.
Lucien
Yes, but you made a mistake giving that address. Suppose Angele
should go there to look for M. Dondidier.
Claudine
Well, she'll find him.
Lucien
(Staring him.)
What? Is there a man named that?
Lucien
(Excitedly)
But I thought you invented him.
Claudine
Not at all. when you wanted a name to use weeks ago I suggested
Dondidier, because I liked it. He's an old chap that I've
bought furniture of.
Lucien
(Thunderstruck)
Good heavens you don't know what you've done.
(Enter BEBE in a state of mind)
Bebe
(Rushing down)
All is lost.
Bebe
I made an excuse to come back for my dust glasses. Look here,
D'Uzac's rushing up to Paris in the auto. We're going to
the Rue St. Honors to find Dondidier.
(Benevol has entered from restaurant in time to overhear
this.)
(He stealthily passes up behind the hedge)
Lucien
(Excitedly)
I told you so. We've got to get there first. I must talk with
Dondidier.
Bebe
(Surprised)
What Dondidier?
Bebe
(To Claudine)
Is there a Dondidier at 72 Rue St. Honore?
Claudine
Of course there is. A dealer in antiques.
Bebe
Oh that's dreadful! - simply dreadful!
(Enter POCHET carrying a waiter's basket filled with
forks and knives.)
Lucien
What's the first train to Paris?
Lucien
Then I must have a special. And even then the auto will beat
us.
Bebe
(Resolutely)
No! You'll be there first.
(He takes a large fork from Pochet's basket)
There are tires that burst.
Lucien
Well for goodness sake Bebe, are you my friend or aren't you?
Bebe
(With violence)
I hate you, oh, how I hate you!
(He rushes out)
Claudine
So I go back to Paris at once. Perhaps you think I enjoy
spending my days in the railway carriages.
Lucien
Now be nice, Claudine and help me.
(To Pochet)
Have you a telephone?
Lucien
(To Claudine)
Come dear, and get a sandwich and a glass of wine before we
start so sorry but Lord what a mess!
(He rushes into restaurant)
Claudine
(Following)
If I didn't have to continually assist him in matter of
this kind--
(She exits.)
(BENEVEOL enters from behind the hedge)
Benevol
(Triumphantly)
Monsieur, Pochet I told you I should track the guilty one down.
I've done so.
Pochet
(Staggering with surprise.)
What? You've got him? Ah let me call my wife.
(Call into restaurant)
Serpolette! Serpolette come and bring everybody. Come
and hear what Monsieur Benevol has to tell us.
(SERPOLETTE enters followed by DESIREE and all the
other GIRLS, the garden filling rapidly in response to
Pchet's cries. Serpolette hurries in)
(Others bustle in eager to learn what the excitement is
about and asking etc.)
Pochet
The thing has happened.
Benevol
(Grandiloquently)
I've merely kept my promise. I have discoverd the secret retreat
of the Satyr.
Serpo.
(Xing to Benevol eagerly)
Where is he?
Benevol
Gently Madame, I have his address in Paris, and as quickly
as a train can take me there. I shall be at the gentleman's
door.
Desiree
Do you hear that, girls? To the rescue-- before the Satyr
goes to prison he must go to our ball.
Pochet
(Admiringly)
Ah Monsieur Benevol, you're a marvel!
FINALE
All
The game he hunts he'll never miss,
And ere he's many hours older
The man who gave the guilty kiss
Will find his hand upon his shoulder,
He'll turn, we think, a trifle pale,
This cheeky osculating satyr,
When he says Hist, hist!
A lady's just been kissed,
And if you resist,
You'll find that I'll insist
That bold and bonnie osculator
Will have to go with him to jail.
(Desiree approaches him indignantly)
Desiree
(Recitative)
No, no! For we shall make it our first duty
To save this connoisseur of female beauty
Come girls, hurry girls,
We have got to scurry girls,
We have got to find him ere the sun goes down,
Rush girls, hustle girls,
Get awake and bustle, girls
Let us take a train and rattle back to town;
We shall keep in sight of you,
Get to him in spite of you,
Rescue him and set upon his head a crown.
Girls
Come girls, hurry girls
We have got to scurry girls, etc. etc.
(Lucien and Claudine enter from restaurant during last
chorus, Lucien X'es to Benevol.)
Lucien
Well now my friend have you secured the chap
That soon, quite soon, would be in your trap?
Benveol
Not yet Monsieur but I'll soon get my prey
At this antique shop in the Rue St. Honore.
Lucien & Claudine
(Speaking excitedly)
Did you hear that? Oh poor Dondidier.
Benevol
Everything I do,
Everything I don't do
Everything I will
Everything I won't do,
What I do and don't do,
What I will and won't do,
Every single thing is worth a photo;
All my little capers,
Look and you will find
In the daily papers
All the daily papers
Chronicle my capers.
Every single moring with a photo.
Benveol and Cho.
Bring along the camera
Fetch along the camera
Don't have any doubt about it
Hurry up the camera
Got to have the camera
Can't do anything without it,
When he thinks,
When he talks,
When he drinks,
When he walks,
If you want to catch it all in tot,
You must be
On the spot
And of him
Take a shot
For everything he does is worth a photo.
(Claudine X'es to Benevol)
Claudine
(Recitative)
My gentle friend, you represent the law,
And of course I mustn't say "Oh pshaw,
And I'll say this: Remember if you can
That like all men you also are a man."
(She now sings to Benevol insinuatingly, making herself
very fascinating to him)
Claudine
Talking of men you would you trust.
Then a man's fair
Poor little men they simply must,
Constant love declare;
Look round and see on every side
What they must resist,
I know some girls who have to hide,
Else they're always kissed.
REFRAIN:
Man - man -poor little man
Let us pity him do
Try - try, try all he can
With love he cannot get through
The reason is that Nature had made
Girls on a wonderful plan
While Man, Man poor little fellow
Remember is only a man.
All
Man man, poor little man
Let us pity him do
Try, try, try all he can
With love he cannot get through
The reason is that nature has made
Girls on a wonderful plan
While Man, Man poor little fellow
Remember is only a man.
(Benevol throws off her spell with difficulty)
Benevol
(Recitative)
My mind's made up and he shall not go free.
Claudine
Well, as for that we'll see what we shall see.
(Claudine with great gaiety)
Oh what's the use of being serious,
For the world's all right,
If your heart is light,
Unbend you, officer imperious
And be just a rollicking boy
No use to bother so and muss about
For a thing like this
Just a stolen kiss
You've nothing here to make a fuss about,
So whoop! Come and dance with joy!
All
Oh what's the use of being serious,
For the world's all right,
If your heart is light,
Unbend you, officer imperious
And be just a rollicking boy
No use to bother so and muss about
For a thing like this
Just a stolen kiss
You've nothing here to make a fuss about,
So whoop! Come and dance with joy!
(During the last chorus Claudine whirls Benevol about
and then at the end transfer him to Desiree, and escapes
unobserved by him, taking Lucien with her up the
path at L.)
CURTAIN
ACT II
Scene :- One of the show rooms in Philippe
Dondidier's antique shop, Rue St.
Honore, Paris.
Through a door at back one gets a view into the outer shop which
opens to the street beyond. A
broad entrance at R. leads to
another sale room, and on the L. is
a door. A staircase at L. curves
up to a landing at back, from
which doors open to Dondidier's
private apartments. On the scene
are the objects and examples of
rare furniture to be found in an
art shop of the first class. There
are tapestries on the walls, with
old gilt mirrors and hanging cabinets
in antique styles. On tables
all of them belonging to a period,
are bronzes, candelabra and
bibelots. Here and there a sofa,
a chair, a table, a cabinet, an
escritoire, always of fine design.
There is a sedan chair, old and
beautifully painted. There are
also two handsome gilt screens.
At Rise: At the opening of the act a sale
is in progress. A group of fashionable
people and collectors are
present to inspect the collection
of MADAME LA COMTESSE DE MONTAN
VERT, which is being offered. The
ladies are very elegant, the men,
young and old, characteristic of
the artistic and dilettante world
of Paris. They walk about conversing
and one or two take tea, which
is being served from a small table
in the corner. CRAPOTE, the chief
clerk of the establishment, is
present.
OPENING CHORUS
To the cities European
Come American plebeian
Ev'ry year with dollars more than they have sense.
In Paree and Rome and Venice,
They to Europe are a menace,
For their interest in art is so intense.
It's considered a disaster
When they buy a rare old master,
Or the frescoes from an old cathedral dome.
So in every foreign nation
Rises wild denunciation,
For they say the pictures should remain at home.
Oh, won't you look at this wonderful thing?
It is Julius Caesar's gun.
And here may be seen the sewing machine,
Of the Duke of Wellington.
Just look! Over there is a genuine pair
Of Shakespeare's rubber shoes.
You've a chance now to own the same telephone,
That Washington used to use.
Here's the watch and chain that Adam gave Cain,
The piano from Noah's Ark.
And here in its place the cigarette case
Cleopatra gave her Marc.
Here's a poker chip from Columbus' ship,
And a pair of Napoleon's pants,
They are all guaranteed to be just as agreed,
So buy while you have a chance.
(At the finish most of the people go off into the
room at R. a few remaining to still examine the
objects of art on the scene, but all disappear
presently. As he is left alone, CRAPOTE, the chief
clerk, a small fair-haired, sentimental looking
chap, sits down in an excited way at a little table
L., and taking a pack of cards from his pocket,
begins reading his fortune. While he is thus engaged,
MADAME DONDIDIER comes down the staircase.
She is a good-looking Frenchwoman of the middle
class, buxom, energetic and with a simple naive
manner that renders her very droll)
Mme. D.
(L.C.)
Ah, Monsieur Crapote, reading the cards again. My husband
would be angry.
Crapote
(At table L. with emotion)
Madame! They give me hope at last.
Mme D.
(At once interested)
What do they say?
Crapote
(Dealing the cards)
Heart - heart - your daughter loves me.
(Deals)
Hearts still - you, her mother, favor my suit.
(Deals)
Spade - spade - the cruel father, the father as cold as a
cold potato ...
Mme. D.
(Interrupting)
Ah, Monsieur Crapote, if you were his wife you'd know how
you were slandering the potato.
Crapote
I apologize to the vegetable.
(Deals)
Spade...the cruel father kicks me -- well, you know where he
kicks me -- outside the door. But see, madame, this is new.
Since yesterday I see a college friend coming to my rescue.
Crapote
A college friend. I see him bursting in like a whirlwind --
he comes on a strange mission -- there's a lady with him --
in pink -- he does strange things -- Oh what strange things
he does -- and in the excitement I marry Jacqueline.
Mme. D.
And what becomes of the cold-potato?
Crapote
(Stuffing the cards in his pocket and rising)
He's lost in the shuffle.
Mme. D.
Ah, my young friend, remember you're only a clerk here.
(Confidentially, going C. Crapote follows)
Listen! Why has Madame la Comtesse do Montanvert sent her
rare collection of antiques to be sold here today? Because
she needs money to pay her debts. Well, our Jacqueline
with the dowry she'll have, is a good match for the son of
a countess who has already gone to the money lenders.
Crapote
(Grasping her convulsively by the wrist)
What do you mean?
Mme. D.
That the Countess has made a formal proposal through her
agent for my daughter to marry her son, Raoul de Montanvert.
Crapote
(Flinging her hand away violently)
Over my prostrate body, Madame!
(X R)
Madame D.
Listen again, Monsieur Crapote. Yesterday my husband sent
Jacqueline to her Uncle Benjamin's house, to get her away
from your influence. And she's to meet Raoul de Montanvert
for the first time this evening.
Crapote
Over my body, I say! Over my --
(X.L.)
Mme. D.
(Interrupting sharply)
Hush!! My husband!
(Enter DONDIDIER from the room at R. He is a humorous
looking man with a mild beaming face, the eyes trying
to look serious behind spectacles that ride at a slant,
on an unimportant nose. He is of middle age, clearly
settled, industrious, well-behaved man of business,
with his mind fixed upon his shop. He wears an old
frock suit and velvet waistcoat, and carries a magnifying
glass in his hand)
Dond.
(R. Stopping and regarding Crapote with as much
severity as he can muster)
Now then, now then! Didn't I tell you to go over to
Michard's and inquire about that snuff box?
Crapote
(L. Starting up)
Yes, Monsieur, I was just going.
Dond.
(R.)
Just going is one of your bad habits. Change it to just
gone.
Crapote
(Hurrying out at back)
Yes, Monsieur.
Dond.
(R. Beaming upon his wife)
My dear Margot, today promises to be a very warm twenty-four
hours in our lives. Speaking metaphorically, a tropical
breeze is moving in our direction.
Mme. D.
(C. with a sniff)
Well, considering that the weather has been freezing ever
since our honeymoon twenty years ago I ---
Dond.
(R.C. Interrupting)
There, there, that's another matter. Honeymoons were not
being mentioned when I last spoke. Go and put on your other gown.
Mme. D.
(L.C.)
Why should I?
Dondidier
(R.C.)
So as to look your best when Madame la Comtesse gets here.
Mme. D.
(L.C. Surprised)
What do you mean, Philippe?
Don.
(R.C.)
A surprise visit, Margot. Rouget has just sent word that
he's going to bring a lady here this afternoon apparently
to inspect some tapestries, but this lady will really be
no other than the Comtesse de Montanvert, who desires to
visit us incognito to see if we're worthy of becoming
the father and mother-in-law of her son.
Mme. D.
(L.C. Indignantly)
Worthy of becoming the ---
Dond.
(R.C. Interrupting)
Now then, now then, don't fly off. After all, the de Montanverts
are nobility, while we are only shopkeepers. Rich shop keepers, it is true -- and soon to
become richer by
400,000 francs.
Mme. D.
(L.C. Gasping)
Four hundred thousand fra --
(Her breath gives out)
Dond.
(R.C.)
Softly, Margot. As you know I've been for more than ten
years picking up the famous snuff boxes that belonged to
that prince of collectors, Cardinal de Retz. There are
twenty of them. I already have nineteen, and I believe
I'm about to put my hand on the twentieth -- a marvel.
Mme. D.
(L.C.)
Well, and what then?
Dond.
(R.C.)
What then? For the completed collection I have a standing
offer of 600,000 francs from Perkins, head of the American Soup Trust. Net profit to me, 400,000. In the face of that,
Margot, will you complain of the weather being cold?
(Enter CRAPOTE from back, puts hat on table up R.C.)
Crapote
(C.)
I've been across to Michard's Monsieur.
Crapote
(C.)
They've got a snuff box, but it isn't the one.
Dond.
(Explosively)
Don't say that -- don't say it.
Crapote
Nothing like it. German, red enamel, round, worth about
a hundred francs.
Dond.
(Greatly dejected)
And I'd have given 15,000 for the real one. Another disappointment.
Mme. D.
(Crossing to Dond. putting her arm about his shoulder -
Crapote goes L.)
Philippe, where love is, there's no such thing as disappointment.
What are snuff boxes to caresses?
Dond.
(Putting her away)
Go and change your gown.
(She turns and X'es L. and exits)
Crapote
(L. in her ear as she passes him)
A cold potato.
Dond.
(L.C. Sharply)
Did you say anything about a cold potato, Monsieur Crapote?
Crapote
(L.)
No, Monsieur. I was only observing that as I read the cards
last night I saw something like a snuff box.
(At this juncture, LUCIEN GARIDEN and CLAUDINE enter
with a breathless rush through the outer shop)
(Lucien gives a hurried look round and advances on
the two men)
Lucien
(Excitedly)
Which of you is Dondidier?
Lucien
(All in one breath)
Has there been a young lady here -- with two men -- come
from Compeigne!
Lucien
(Hilariously to Claudine)
Ha! Saved, Claudine.
(Whirling round on Dondidier again)
Stand where you are. I've got a lot to say to you.
(Immediately the song begins, Lucien in his excitement,
starts bobbing about absurdly, joined by Claudine,
and unable to resist the movement, Dondidier and
Crapote presently find themselves going the same way,
although rebelliously)
QUARTETTE
LUCIEN, CLAUDINE, DONDIDIER, & CHORUS
Lucien:
My name's Garidel, here Claudine,
Claud:
We'll explain to you what we mean,
Lucien:
Why we've tumbled in on the scene
Claud:
Without any kind of warning.
Lucien:
We were out on a sort of spree,
Claud:
I with Lucien, he with me,
Lucien:
We were two but there came in three
Claud:
And it all took place this morning.
Dond.
Well, I've no time to listen to a wheeze,
And I don't care a bit about a mystery,
So take a turn to the left if you please,
And go next door with your history.
(Goes R. gets small vase)
Crapote
It may be good to vocalize and hop
If you've complaints of a nature atrabiliar,
But when you do it in an antique shop
I don't know anything that's sillier.
(Goes R., makes a circle, comes to L. of line, 4 steps
up and down stage R.)
Lucien:
You'll have visitors all the day,
Claud:
There's a crowd of three bound this way,
Lucien:
First my beautiful fiancee,
Claud:
A girl that is most suspicious.
Lucien:
She thinks I am a bit untrue,
Lucien:
You're the one that's to pull him through,
Lucien:
When she comes I rely on you.
Both:
To be absolutely vicious.
(They all dance about absurdly throughout song)
(Umbrella bus)
2.
Lucien:
You don't know it but you're my chum,
(Back and forth)
Claud:
You're to say it when people come,
Lucien:
If you shouldn't then things will hum,
Claud:
And he'll be a man to pity.
Lucien:
You've been meeting you twice a week,
Claud:
You've a character quite unique,
Lucien:
You've lumbago till you can't speak,
Claud:
And your wife is young and pretty.
Dond.
(To Crapote - Xing to Crapote)
That both of these are dotty on the top
Has now been proved, there isn't any doubt of it,
They take up space that we need in the shop,
So ask them please to get out of it.
(Puts vase up stage L.)
Crapote
(To Lucien)
It's rumored here you're foolish in the head,
And this I take to be truthful on the face of it,
So lie a strong around the things you've said,
And home to mother, make a race of it.
Lucien:
Don't lose courage 'twill soon be clear,
Claud:
When we've suddenly popped in here,
Lucien:
You're a little bit dull, we fear,
(Jumping business)
Claud:
We'll try to be more explicit.
Lucien:
Soon you'll meet with a lot of strife,
Claud:
Sad result of your awful wife,
Lucien:
You're her husband and she's your wife,
Both:
Now there is the plot, don't miss it.
(DANCE. Claudine behind screen comes down next to
Lucien when Don falls in chair)
Lucien
(L. of chair R.) (As they finish)
Now then, Monsieur, you understand why we're here.
Dond.
(In chair, Gasping for breath)
I don't understand. I don't want to understand, and my
clerk will show you the door. Good morning.
(He exits into the room at R.)
Lucien
(Trying to stop him)
Monsieur -- Monsieur!
Crapote
(Suddenly and idiotically, after studying Lucien,
closely)
Ha, ha, ha! Ha, ha, ha! It's he! My college friend!
Lucien
(Turning surprised)
Eh? What's the matter?
Crapote
It's all coming true. The cards, the cards!
Lucien
(R.)
Now look here, my boy, you're dealing with a man of business.
Stop your sky rockets.
Crapote
(L.)
Your name's Garidel!
Lucien
Eh - what - who are you?
Crapote
Don't you remember your old schoolmate at the College Michelet?
Crapote - Louis Crapote!
Lucien
What, the silly little Crapote that was licked by every boy
in the school?
Lucien
Why, you look ten years older.
Claudine
(Who has been wandering about, looking at the antiques)
Oh, Lucien, I want you to buy me this sedan chair.
Crapote
(Whipping out his note book)
Quite so, Mademoiselle. One sedan chair! What address,
please?
Claud.
(R.)
Mademoiselle Claudine d'Espanoville, 50 Avenue du Bois de
Boulogne.
Crapote
(L. Smartly)
Right! Anything else today?
Lucien
(C. Sharply)
No! Claudine, let us take one thing at a time.
Claud.
Take one thing at a time -- all right. I'll make a tour of
the other rooms and see what I can find.
(Ecstatically)
Ah, this is where I breathe.
(Exits R.)
Lucien
(Calling after her)
Don't do it! The doctor said breathing was bad for you.
(To Crapote)
Now, Crapote, let's get to business. I need your help.
Crapote
And I, yours. I've got to elope with Dondidier's daughter.
Lucien
Not another word. You have my permission.
Crapote
I need more. If I elope with Jacqueline tonight, I'll have
everything to make me happy, but tomorrow I'll have nothing
to eat.
Lucien
(C.)
Come and lunch at my house.
Crapote
(L.)
Not enough. I'll want a new situation. Will you make me
your secretary?
Lucien
(C.)
But I don't do anything.
Crapote
(L.)
I'll help you do it.
Lucien
(C.)
All right, you're engaged. My position is this: Dondidier's
got to perform a great service for me whether he wants to or
not. How am I going to make him?
Crapote
What is it you want him to do?
Lucien
None of your business.
Crapote
Quite so. Well then, listen to me. Simply say this to
Monsieur Dondidier: Monsieur, I have got the twentieth
snuff box!
Lucien
What? 'I have got the twentieth snuff box?'
Crapote
Just that - nothing more. If you say 'I have got the
twentieth snuff box' - he'll do anything you ask.
Lucien
By George, is that so?
(Shaking his hand)
Thanks, Crapote, thanks.
Crapote
And I'm your secretary?
Lucien
If things come out as you say, yes.
(Gives him his card)
There's my card. Report for duty when you like.
(CLAUDINE enters from R.)
Claudine
Oh Lucien, I've just found the loveliest Louis XIV fan.
(Crapote Xes back R.)
Lucien
Don't take it -- it's the worst sort of fan. Gives no
breeze. Besides we didn't come here to fan ourselves.
(Xes L. looking at antiques)
Crapote
(With his note book down R.)
Sedan chair, 6,000 francs -- fan which may possibly have
belonged to Madame de Maintenon, 1100 francs.
(Enter DONDIDIER from R. Claudine and Lucien go up
L. examining curios)
Dond.
(Stiffly to Crapote)
Why are these people here still?
Crapote
(Aside to him)
They've just bought the sedan chair and the imitation Louis
XIV fan.
Dond.
(Brightening)
Oh, leave them to me.
(Xes to C.)
(Crapote runs briskly and disappears)
I can give you a few moments, Monsieur.
Lucien
(R.C. rapidly)
I knew you could. Now listen carefully. My fiancee is coming
here. She thinks you're an old friend of mine.
(Crapote goes up stairs L.)
Claud.
(R.C.)
You're not a balloonist any longer.
Lucien
And understand that while I used your name, I never knew
you existed at all.
Claud.
Don't forget you arrived from Scissons this morning with
the lumbago.
Lucien
This young lady is your wife.
Claud.
(R.)
Just come from Compeigne.
Lucien
(L.)
In advance of D'Uzac and Bebe Guindolph.
Claud.
Who burst their tires.
Lucien
Thanks to a table fork.
Dond.
(Walking away L.)
These are a couple of idiots.
Lucien
Don't you understand what we mean?
Lucien
(To Claud.)
His mind works rather slowly.
(Simplifying matters)
Now look here, Dondidier. When a man's done something he
shouldn't do, and wants to hide it, he has to set up an
alibi. You're my alibi. I've invented a friend named Dondidier,
but Heaven be my witness, I never knew there was
any Dondidier in the world.
Lucien
I was having lunch this morning in the forest of Compiegne.
Lucien
Bang! In came the young lady I'm engaged to! What was I
to do?
Dond.
(L.)
Introduce your companion.
Lucien
(C.)
Well, I did. I introduced her as your wife. My fiancee
demanded your address. Claudine gave it, and she rushed
away to find you. Luckily we're here ahead of her.
CLaud.
(R.)
Now, there's the whole story. Simple, isn't it?
Dond.
(Going L.)
I detect certain complications.
(With a growing frown, eyeing Lucien)
And in this little comedy, Monsieur, do you expect me to
play the leading part?
Lucien
(C.)
Certainly. Best part in the piece, my boy.
Dond.
(L. Emphatically)
Never in the world!
Dond.
The deception you have practiced upon your innocent fiancee
fills me with nothing but profound disgust.
Lucien
So it does me, but that's no good now. You forget the sedan
chair isn't paid for yet.
CLaud.
Nor the fan. And I hadn't half finished my purchases.
Lucien
Yes, you had, Claudine.
(Looking round R.)
Dond.
(L.)
Possibly I might reconsider. Morally speaking, your conduct
has been reprehensible, but - let me see, our bill amounts
to 7,100 francs. Shall we call it, in round numbers,
10,000?
Lucien
(C. up stage)
Agreed!
Dond.
(Sighing)
Ah, well, it'll be the first lie I ever told - at that price.
Claud.
(Coming down)
There's one other little point you'd better mention, Lucien.
Lucien
(Lightly)
Oh, that's nothing.
Dond.
(Interested)
I think I'd like to hear it.
Lucien
(C.)
Well, you see, Dondidier, there always comes a time when a
girl that's engaged to a chap wants to meet his friends.
Angele insisted on meeting you, and, to nip it in the bud, I
told her you were a satyr.
Lucien
A satyr. So, when she gets here, I want you to behave
rather awful.
Claud.
(R.C.)
Not like a gentleman, you understand. Be shocking.
Lucien
Sort of rude, you know. Try to - well, try to embrace her.
Dond.
(Stiffening)
Embrace your fiancee!
(Going L. to table, tears up order. Severely)
Monsieur, I am going to count to three - after which, if you
are not outside that door, I shall call Theodore Lebec, a
tall and muscular clerk, from the outer office, who will
eject you without ceremony.
Claud.
(R. Surprised)
Why, Lucien, he isn't going to do what you ask.
Lucien
(C. Calmly)
I expected this resistence. It does you credit, Monsieur Dondidier.
Lucien
(L.C.)
But I will now drop a few magical words into your ear.
(Claudine retires up stage off R.)
Lucien
I have got the twentieth snuff box!
Dond.
(Transfigured)
Eh? What's that?
Lucien
(Smiling)
And three! Well, Donny, old chap, call in Theodore.
Dond.
(L. Feverishly)
You don't mean -- you don't mean you've got the snuff box
formerly belonging to Cardinal de Retz!
Dond.
(On fire)
Describe it - describe it!
Lucien
Certainly. It's a beautiful snuff box - that is - oh, but
it's a beautiful snuff box!
Lucien
Yes - with twiddly-bits painted all over it.
Lucien
Precisely - the four seasons.
Lucien
Spring - Summer - Autumn - Winter.
(Goes up stage)
Dond.
(Exultantly)
'Tis it! 'Tis it!
(Going after him)
Wait! I'll give you ten thousand francs for that snuff box!
Lucien
But you can have it for nothing if you'll do what I want.
Dond.
(C. Beseechingly)
Oh, but Monsieur, consider! I've never played a satyr. Let
me play something else.
Lucien
(R.)
I'd let you play the harp if it would be any good to me, but
my fiancee expects a satyr.
(Claudine, who has gone up, comes down again anxiously)
Claud.
(Excitedly - coming down)
Here they are! A red automobile! Lady getting out!
(Enter THEODORE LEBEC, a clerk from the outer shop)
Lebec
(Coming R. of Dond.)
(To Dond.)
People to see you, Monsieur.
Dond.
Show them in!
(Exit Lebec)
(Nervously)
Oh, Monsieur, I don't like it at all!
Lucien
You don't like it now, but it'll grow on you, like a beard.
Dond.
Will it? Well, where do you have the lumbago? In the neck?
(Puts his hand on his hip)
Dond.
Absurd place. And your name's Taradiddle?
Lucien
No, Taradiddle --- I mean Garidel. Now then, cheer up.
(Claudine and Lucien exit at R)
Dond.
(With horror)
A satyr! What if Margot should come in and see me. Oh,
Lord!
(He exits at L.)
(Enter MADAME LA COMTESSE DE MONTANVERT R. at back,
followed by ROUGET, her agent. La Comtesse is a
handsome woman of forty, elegantly dressed and of
aristocratic dignity. Rouget is a pinched and pale
little old man, obsequious and fussy)
C'sse
(L. Inspecting the room through her lorgnette)
Where is this Monsieur Dondidier?
Rouget
(Bowing and scraping before her R)
No doubt, Madame la Comtesse he is in the adjoining room.
I'll call him. But have no fear, you will find him a very
superior gentleman. He has friends in the army, in the
Academy, even at the Elysee.
C'sse.
(L)
You've assured me he is a man of the highest morals. Can I
be sure of this, Monsieur Rouget? It's most important that
the father-in-law of my son should be beyond reporach.
Rouget
In morals, Madame la Comtesse, Dondidier is as pure as a
babe.
C'sse
Find him I'll study him myself.
Rouget
(Bowing low)
Yes, Madame la Comtesse.
(He exits at R)
(The Comtesse saunters to a table R and scrutinizes a
piece of sculpture through her lorgnette. DONDIDIER
enters from L. door)
Dond.
(Crying out as he limps across)
Oh my lumbago! Oh my lumbago!
C'sse
(R. regarding him)
I beg your pardon. Are you Monsieur Dondidier?
Dondidier
(R.C.)
Yes, beautiful lady. And did you ever have the lumbago? You
have it right there.
(Bus)
C'sse
(Edging away from him in alarm)
Monsieur I've been asked by a friend to come here and ---
Don
(C. Interrupting)
Yes, yes. I know that friend. He's having lunch in the
Forest of Compeigne with my wife. His name's Gildiddle-did-dle.
(Advancing upon her)
He's given me the lumbago, and beautiful lady, you're in the
hands of a satyr.
(He seizes her hands and pulls her C)
C'sse
(Terrified)
Monsieur - let me go -- Monsieur.
(Dond. embraces and kisses her on the cheek)
(The Comtesse screams and tears herself away from him)
C'sse
Help! Help! Rouget! Help!!!
(The Chorus hurry in excitedly from the R. also
LUCIEN, MME. DONDIDIER enters at L.)
Chorus
What's the matter, what's the matter
What's the cause of this alarm,
Such a clatter, such a clatter,
Tell us who have suffered harm.
C'sse
I will tell you what's the matter.
That base person over there,
Has insulted la Comtesse de Montanvert!
(X.U.R. up and down stage excited)
Dond.
(Aghast)
La Comtesse! La Comtesse!
Chorus
La Comtesse de Montanvert!
Mme. D.
(Rushing across)
Oh horror! Oh horror! What does she mean, Phillip?
Dond.
(Dazed)
I think I must be walking in my sleep.
Lucien
(Slapping him on the back)
Go easy! Go easy! It's just a slight mistake.
And natural for anyone to make.
Dond.
(Exploding at him)
Avaunt!!!
SONG: LA COMTESSE, DONDIDIER, MME. DOND. LUCIEN & OTHERS.
1.
C'sse: He kissed me on the cheek, did Dondidier.
C'sse:
Yes, he did,
Shocking language did he speak, did Dondidier.
C'sse:
Yes, he did
Though my temp'rament is cold
And my dignity is great,
My assailant he was bold
And he didn't hesitate
But he kissed me on the cheek, did Dondidier.
All:
Well, if Donny didn't do it,
What did Dinny Donny do?
C'sse:
Donny did it, and he did it,
Just as I have told you.
Lucien:
But he took a little skid.
All:
Well, if Donny says he didn't,
And the lady says she did.
Then the truth about the matter,
Must remain for ever hid.
2.
C'sse:
He gripped me like a vice, did Dondidier.
C'sse:
Yes, he did.
And he tried to kiss me twice, did Dondidier.
C'sse:
Yes, he did
But my morals are of steel.
They have weathered every test,
And I quickly made him feel,
He'd an iceberg on his chest,
But he tried to melt the ice, did Dondidier.
All:
Well, if Donny didn't do it,
What did Dinny Donny do?
C'sse:
Donny did it, and he did it,
Just as I have told you.
Lucien:
But he took a little skid.
All
Well, if Donny says he didn't,
And the lady says she did.
Then the truth about the matter,
Must remain for ever hid.
3
C'sse:
He clasped me round like this
Did Dondidier
Like a serpant did he hiss
Did Dondidier
To escape I tried my best
But he caught me on the ho-
And ground me to his chest,
'Til I heard my stays go pop
And then he gave me the Sappho kiss.
All
And there'll always be the mystery about Dondidier
Did he do or didn't do it, did he, eh?
C'sse
(After song)
Rouget! Stop the sale of my things. I'll remove them
elsewhere! Come!
(Lucien pats Dond. on the back reassuringly)
Mme. D.
(Excitedly)
Ah, tell me she's crazy, Philippe.
Dond.
(Xing R)
Of course I'm crazy. Go change your dress.
Mme. D.
(L.C.)
I've changed it.
Dond.
Change it again. I want to be alone with this young man.
Mme. D.
(Coaxing reproachfully at him)
Ah, Philippe - and since our honeymoon twenty years ago the
weather --
Mme. D.
(C. Indignantly)
Very well, I'll go over to Uncle Benjamin's to tell Jacqueline.
She'll at least be satisfied, for now she can
marry Monsieur Crapote.
(She exits upstairs)
Lucien
(C. Comes on L. of Dondidier. Slapping Dond. on the
shoulder)
Calm yourself, my boy. Everything will be all right. I'll
fix it.
Dond.
(R.)
You're a fixer.
(Turning on him threateningly)
Young man, now that we're alone I've something to say to
you. You're a villain.
(Enter CLAUDINE from R. carrying an old silver candle
stick)
Claudine
(R) (Gaily)
See, Lucien, what a duck of a candlestick, no sedan chair, no fan,
no anything. The door ...
Claud.
(Astonished)
What?
Lucien
Dondidier seems offended with us, Claudine. I offer him an
invaluable snuff box. I disentangle him from an unfortunate
alliance, and this is the thanks I get.
Claud.
Let me talk with him.
(Xing to Don.)
Dond.
(Extreme L. at table) (Firmly)
No, Mademoiselle, no.
Claudine
L. Advancing upon him with an alluring smile)
Why, you're not afraid of me, I hope, Monsieur Dondidier?
Dondidier
(Weaking as he meets her gaze)
No - no - not afraid.
(ENTER the CLERK LEBEC, FROM the outer shop)
Lebec
A customer to see you, Monsieur.
Lucien
(Starting)
I'll attend to him!
(He exits up C)
Dond.
(Going after him)
Come back! Come back!
(Claudine steps quickly in front of him and prevents
his advance)
Claud.
(With great charm)
Monsieur Dondidier.
(Seductively)
Is it really true you're not going to let me have the
beautiful sedan chair.
(She gently takes the candlestick from him and places
it on a table)
CLaud.
Look into my eyes, and now say you could be so cruel to
poor little me.....
Dond.
Mademoiselle...
(Shifting uncomfortably) (Claud. X's R puts candlesticks
on table R)
It isn't little you I want to be cruel to. It's that little
young man out there. Through him I've kissed my daughter's
prospective mother-in-law.
Claud.
(R. Beginning to laugh)
What? Ha, ha, ha, ha! You mistook a mother-in-law for
Lucien's fiancee? That's splendid.
(She laughs immoderately)
Dond.
(L.)
She screamed for help.
Claud.
(R. Growing sober)
Ah, then you must have kissed her badly. On the cheek,
perhaps.
Dond.
On the hat, perhaps. I can't remember.
Claudine
Well, you see when one is kissed on the cheek, one can cry
out but when one is kissed on the lips how can one cry out?
(Dond. growing very alarmed)
(Very near to him)
It is to the lips that a wise satyr will direct himself.
I could give you a valuable lesson.
(Bus)
KISS WALTZ SONG
I have kisses in plenty,
But if you please
I give various kisses
In different keys
Warm, sweet kisses that kindle
(Bus)
And cold that freeze.
I could give you all kinds with ease.
(Back of him)
If I decide you ever deserve much bliss,
(Bus)
I'll bend nearer and nearer to you, like this
(Bus)
(Around table)
And the world to eclipse all my love on my lips
I will give you my best and my warmest kiss.
(Pulls him off table)
(At the end when Dondidier is very close to Claudine,
with his arm about her waist, MADAME DONDIDIER appears
at the top of the stairs and discovers them. She
staggers and suppresses a cry. Then she steals down
and hides behind one of the screens. She has on bonnet
and gloves as she has prepared for her visit to
Jacqueline)
Claud.
(R. After song)
And now must Claudine beg Monsieur Dondidier to let her
have his sedan chair?
Dond.
(Spellbound)
No. Monsieur Dondidier will beg Claudine to accept his
sedan chair.
Claud.
That's better. Now you won't lie awake tonight and scold
yourself?
(Enter LUCIEN from outer shop - he strikes Don. on
side. Runs L. in dismay)
Claud.
It's all right, he's going to help us.
Lucien
Good. The automobile is coming. There's no mistake, this
time Dondidier, so pull yourself together.
(Catches him by the arm and leads him toward L)
Remember -- Gabriel - lumbago --- Scissons. Don't forget the
lumbago.
(All three hurry off L.)
(When they have disappeared MADAME DONDIDIER bobs from
behind the screen. At the same moment CRAPOTE comes
hurrying down from upstairs. He carries a traveling
bag in each hand, wears a cap and long alpaca coat,
and is evidently off on a journey)
Mme. D.
(Overcome and clasping her brow)
Crapote.
(He drops bags, falls, turns back summersalt.)
Crapote
(R. Dropping his bags and staring)
Madame?
Mme. D.
(L.)
The end of the world - the end of the world!
Crapote
(R.)
Is it? When?
Mme. D.
My husband has begun to make love.
Mme. D.
Not cold any longer, boiled.
Crapote
(Shaking her by the hand)
I congratulate you, Madam ---
Mme. D.
Go and congratulate perfect strangers. He kissed La Comtesse
de Montanvert. There was a fearful scene.
Crapote
(R.C.)
And the marriage?
Crapote
The cards - the cards!
Mme. D.
And that isn't all. I found him embracing a lady in pink.
And he always hated me in pink. What'll I do.
Crapote
Send for the doctor.
Crapote
Certainly. Your husband's ill. Go up the street and fetch
Doctor Mazou. I'd go myself but I've got an appointment.
Mme. D.
(Suddenly, regarding his get-up)
Ah! These bags, Monsieur Carpete. That traveling cap!
Who's your appointment with?
Crapote
(Triumphantly)
Jacqueline! Madame, when next we meet we shall we mother
and son.
(Kisses her, she staggers R)
Ha, ha.
(He catches up his bags and dashes out at back)
Mme. D.
(Reeling)
An elopement. Oh, what a day, what a day.
(She turns to rush out as ANGELE, MAURICE, and BEBE
enter)
Maurice
Excuse me. Is this --
Mme. D.
I've no time to talk now. Monsieur Dondidier's very ill.
Mme. D.
Going for the doctor.
(She dashes out nearly colliding with Bebe)
Angele
(R. Triumphantly)
Proof Number One. There is a Monsieur Dondidier, and it's
a fact that he's ill.
Bebe
(Coming down L.C.)
Yes. We've just seen his old housekeeper going for the
doctor.
Angele
(R. Clapping her hands)
Lucien told the truth, he told the truth!
Maurice
(Stifling his chagrin)
Did he? We'll see....
(Throwing off his motor coat as the others do)
Well, that was a fine journey.
Bebe
(L.)
Quite disastrous. The puncture kept us back over an hour.
Maurice
Yes, and did you notice the tire? Four little holes at a
perfectly equal distance from each other. I could swear that
they were made by a fork.
Bebe
(Forcing a silly laugh)
A fork! Now that's very droll. Where could he have picked
up a fork? We didn't run over a dinner table.
(Enter DONDIDIER at L.)
Dond.
(Groaning)
Oh my lumbago. Oh my lumbago.
Angele
(Jumping up and down with joy)
Ah, he's got the lumbago. Hurrah!
Maurice
(R. Dumbfounded)
By George.
Angele
(R.C. Cheerfully)
You're Monsieur Dondidier, I think.
Dond.
(L.C.)
Yes, and you Mademoiselle de Verrier this time, I hope.
Maurice
(R. Sharply)
Ah, you've been expecting her? Why should you think that
this was Mademoiselle de Verrier?
Dond.
Yes, intuition. And then there's the family resemblance.
Mademoiselle looks so much like her fiancee.
Maurice
(His confidence returning with a bound)
Oh, she does?
Angele
(R.C. Troubled by Dond's remark)
Will you allow me to speak?
(To Dond)
Monsieur, I've come to ask you a rather impertinent question.
Would you mind telling me who your wife is lunching with,
today?
Dond
(C)
With my friend Garidel in the forest of Compeigne.
Dond.
I've just come from Soissons. And I've got the lumbago.
(Bus. with Bebe)
Angele
My visit concerns a suspicion that I had - but which is
now practically dispelled - and I'm sure a few moments interview
alone with you will dispel it altogether.
Dond.
(L. Sprucing up)
If the gentleman will leave us.
(Indicating the door)
Maurice
(R. Appealingly to Angele)
But if you'd only give me a chance --
Maurice
(Aside to Bebe)
Bebe, I'm getting the worst of it again.
Bebe
Quite so. Another puncture.
(They exit at back)
Angele
(Aside, as they are left alone)
Oh, I hope he's a satyr, I hope he's a satyr --
Dond.
(Aside)
Now I've got to commence all over again.
(Approaching Angele)
Mademoiselle, I don't wish to alarm you too much, but the
fact is -- I love you.
Angele
(Jumping up and down with girlish glee and clapping
her hands joyfully)
Oh, I'm so glad, so glad, so glad!!
It's all true then! And are you fearfully, dreadfully,
obnoxiusly wicked?
Dond.
(Posing)
Gaze on me, Mademoiselle, don't I look a terrific type?
Angele
(R)
Well, not quite so ferocious as I expected. But I'm sure
you are when you start. Would you mind starting? I want
absolute proof. Satyrs, you know, pursue nymphs through
the woods.
Dond.
Yes, but this is an antique shop.
Angele
Never mind, we'll call it woods. Come along - pursue me.
(She dodges behind a screen, like a creature in
flight)
(Runs around chair R. runs across up L. then across L.
down stage)
Dond
(Caught by the cheerfulness of her mood)
All right, little girl, I'm after you.
(Follow her)
(The song is filled with pretty business. Angele
playing hide and seek with Dond. using the two
screens for the purpose. Dond. tries to catch her
during introduction)
DUET: ANGELE & DONDIDIER
1.
Dond:
Oh, I'm a wicked, awful man.
(C)
Angele:
That you are bad,
Be just as wicked, won't you, as you can
A terrifying spectacle to see;
If you were 'twould simply break my heart.
Dond:
Is that a fact?
Well I shall act
So awful you will have to make a start
And scamper like a deer away from me.
I'm after you before you've time to speak.
(Pillow business)
Angele:
Well then we'll have a game of Hide and Seek.
REFRAIN
(Angele behind chair, Don. behind Sedan chair)
Angele:
Hide and seek!
In and out round about!
Coo Coo! Peek-a-boo!
Dond:
Hide and seek!
Kitchy-catch and I'm your match
(Hits him on the head)
Angele:
Hide and seek!
(Around chair)
If you should and only could
Catch me, well what then?
What would you do?
(Tickles her ribs)
Peek-a-boo!
Dond:
I'd prove to you
Peek-a-boo
That I'm the wickedest,
(Around stage)
2
Dond:
I used to be as pious as a pie
Angele:
No doubt a mild
And honest child.
But now how very gratified am I
To find you such a monument of shame,
You are, no doubt, the worst man on the earth.
Dond:
Or in the air,
Or anywhere,
Cut off, I pray this tendency to mirth,
For you're the moth and I'm the deadly flame.
(Business. Angele behind table L. Don L.)
Dond:
To rapidly consume you is my plan
(C)
Angele:
Come catch me then, you wicked satyr man!
REFRAIN:
Angele:
Hide and seek!
In and out round about!
Coo Coo! Peek-a-boo!
(Don behind screen L.)
Dond:
Hide and seek!
Kitchy-catch and I'm your match
Coo-Coo! I see you!
Angele:
Hide and seek!
If you should and only could
Catch me, well what then?
What would you do?
Peek-a-boo!
Dond:
I'd prove to you
(Grabbing her)
Peek-a-boo
That I'm the wickedest,
(At the finish of the song, DOND. repeats the
business of the kiss waltz. Treating Angele
as Claudine treated him)
Angele:
Yes, but let me go. I believe now you're a satyr.
Dond.
But you might forget it.
Angele:
No, I shan't. And if you kiss me, I'll scream.
Dond.
(Knowingly)
Ah, but if I kiss you right here
(Pointing to her lips)
you
can't
scream.
Angele
But you won't kiss me right there, will you?
(MME. D. enters at back as Dondidier kisses Angele,
Angele and Mme. D. both scream)
(MME. D. is accompanied by DOCTOR MAZOU. The former
is throbbing with wifely apprehension, and the latter,
a serious, self-important physician, is ready to use
anything on DOND, from the hypodermic syringe to the
scalpel)
Mme. D.
(As she discovers Angele in her husband's embrace)
Number Three!!
(Runs behind chair)
Dond.
(Falling back stupefied)
Margot! Margot!
Angele
(Uttering a little frightened cry)
Ah!
(She flies in confusion into the door at R)
Mme. D.
(C)
You see, Doctor, what happens if I leave him a minute.
Dond.
(R. Excitedly)
Margot. I didn't do it because I liked it. It was the
snuff-box.
Doctor
(L.C. In his most professional manner)
There, there, Monsieur Dondidier - be calm - be calm!
Dond
(R. in chair)
Calm? There's nothing the matter with me.
Mme. D.
(R.C. Urging him into a chair and speaking soothingly)
Sit down Philippe, the doctor is going to prescribe for you.
Doctor
(Taking his prescription book from his pocket and not
heeding Dond. at all)
You say, Madame, this is the third lady he has attacked today?
Doctor
And has he ever treated females in this manner before?
Dond.
(Xing to Doctor. Growing more excited and pacing up
and down)
Send for Garidel! I've got to see Garidel Doctor Mazou,
you're a fool. I tell you I've got no lumbago at all.
See!
(Dances around R. goes to chair)
Doctor
(L.C. To Madame)
It's all very clear. We have here a pronounced case of
nervous satyriasis. The hyperasthesia of certain calls
dominating the seat of affection in the brain having fallen
into a complete disuse, have so suddenly become abnormally
agitated, and your husband is not responsible for his actions.
Dond.
Will you permit me ---
Doctor
(Going on)
During his ferocious outbursts you may expect his language to
be quite incoherent.
Dond.
(C X to Doctor) (Exploding wrathfully)
Enough! Now I'm going to tell you the truth. That man
Garidel - came in here this morning and startled me on the
downward path to suit his own ends. And the little woman in
pink - oh Doctor - there's a wicked woman. If it hadn't
been for her; I shouldn't have come from Soissons today at
all. I'd have stayed in Soissons if it hadn't been for her.
(Gets all tangled up after Soissons and gibbers)
(Xing to chair L.C.)
Doctor
(Writing)
As I said -- the language incoherent.
Mme. D.
But what remedy do you suggest doctor?
Doctor
Cold shower baths.
Mme. D.
Ah, yes, yes. We have all the facilities upstairs.
(She turns toward the staircase, goes up L.)
Doctor
(C)
I shall give him the first one myself.
Dond.
(R.C.) (Shaking finger under the Doctor's nose)
You'll not give me any cold shower bath, Doctor Mazou!
Doctor
(With sudden intimidation)
You'll take your shower bath, and you'll take it from me!
Dond
(Exasperated)
But there's nothing the matter with me!
Mme. D.
(L.C. Confront him)
Then did you kiss those women because you liked it?
Dond.
Now, Margot - now, Margot --
Mme. D.
Listen, Philippe! Either you're sick, and I'll cure you --
or you're not sick and I'll kill you.
(Goes upstairs and off. Doctor snaps fingers)
Dond.
(Caving in)
All right doctor, give me my bath.
(He walks docilely up the stairs)
Doctor
Ah, that's better.
(Exits)
(As Dond. is going upstairs, enter CLAUDINE from room L.)
Claudine
(Xing R.)
Hello Donny!
(Pokes him with parasol. He then rushes up stairs
and off in dismay)
(Enter LUCIEN L.)
Mademoiselle de Verrier has gone.
Lucien
(L. Nervously)
By George! I wonder if it came off all right. Where's Dondidier?
(Taking a cheque from his pocket)
I must make out his cheque.
Claud.
(R. Starting across)
Yes, and I'll make another tour of the rooms.
Lucien
(At table)
(Sharply)
No! Claudine, you've been very nice, but I shan't need you
any longer. Go home and take a nap.
(He sits at a little desk at L. and begins making out
the cheque)
Claudine
(Going near to him)
Well, you'll join me later then.
Lucien
(As he writes)
No, I shall take the next train back to Compeigne.
(At this instant MAURICE and BEBE enter at back. The
former discovers the two at the desk and catches
BEBE by the sleeve. Then he motions for him to
secret himself behind the screen at L. and he himself
hides behind the other screen at R.)
Claudine
(Imperiously)
What are you saying? Now only do we dine together but you're
going to take me to the ball tonight!
Lucien
(Rising and Xing to C.)
No!
Claud.
(Following him)
You're going to take me to the ball.
(X R.)
Claud.
(C. Her arms about his neck)
You're going to take me to the ball.
Claud.
(Playfully tapping his cheek)
Silly boy! Why pretend?
(Standing away from him)
Well then it's understood. And don't you forget my new address
Fifth Avenue ---
(She is suddenly interrupted by the screen behind which
Bebe is hiding softly planing itself between her and
Lucien)
Claud. &
Lucien
(Together as the phenomenon startles them)
Oh!!!
Bebe
(Turning the screen so that Lucien sees him)
Be careful. Someone's listening.
(The screen goes back to its former position)
Lucien
(C. Quickly catching the point)
Oh ho!
(Then to Claudine)
Yes, I shall take great pleasure in dining tonight at 50
Boulevard Malesherbes.
Claudine
(R. Not understanding)
Boulevard -- Mal--?
Lucien
(C. Admonishing her)
Sh-sh-sh-sh!!!
(ANGELE enters from R.)
Angele
(R. Coming to a flustered standstill as she sees
Lucien and Claudine)
Oh dear!
Lucien
(Regarding her with pretended surprise and disapproval)
Ah, you're here, Angele, still following me, eh? Do you
think that nice?
Angele
(L. With trembling humility)
Oh Lucien, I'm sorry! I've been so foolish - and - won't
you forgive me? I know now you're the most truthful man in the world.
Maurice
(Rushing from behind his screen with an indignant
bound)
No! No! No!! I won't let you believe that!
Lucien
(C. Whirling round on him)
Ah -ah! Unmasked at last!
Maurice
(R. Confronting him)
Yes. Unmasked at last!
Lucien
(C)
Well, don't waste words. Send your seconds to me?
Maurice
(R)
Not yet! You'd like to hush it up like that, but you can't.
(To Angele)
I've told you the truth from the start. This lady here is no
more Madame Dondidier than you are. It's all a trick. He
stole away from you today to lunch with her. When he gets rid
of you again he intends dining at her house. And later you
can find them at the Nymph and Satyrs' ball.
Lucien
(Coolly)
Your information is very startling. Perhaps you can tell me
the address of the lady's house where I propose dining.
Lucien
(C)
Then do, by all means.
Maurice
(Triumphantly)
Fifty Boulevard Malesherbes!
Angele
(R.C. With a start going to him)
Fifty Boulevard Malesherbes. Why, that's your mother's
house Lucien.
Lucien
(Smiling)
Quite so. And it's true I'm going to dine there.
Maurice
(Knocked flat)
His mother's...
(Suddenly his eye catches sight of the screen behind
which Bebe is all the time hiding, as it moves
mysteriously off and disappears into the salesroom
at R.)
(Awakening to the truth)
Ah! - I see! Betrayed - betrayed by my faithful right arm!
(Pulling himself together)
Now, Gariel, you must fight me.
Lucien
(L)
Name your time and place.
Maurice
(R)
If there were swords- now and here.
Lucien
(Glancing round)
(His eyes rest on a pair of rapiers that are attached
to the tapestry on the R. wall and he approaches them)
A pair that have been lying idle too long.
Angele
(In alarm, running L.)
No, no, Lucien, you won't ---
Lucien
It's too late now.
(Cutting her off)
Monsieur D'Uzac, I'm at your service.
(Spinning one of the swords in the air and catching it
again by the handle)
Another chapter added to the story of the sword in France.
(He X'es the handles and extends them to Maurice)
Maurice
(Choosing one)
And to the story of love.
(Lucien prepares for the duel by removing his coat and
waistcoat. Both men are dressed in soft shirts and
wear belts. Their preparations proceed during the
opening verse of the quartette)
QUARTETTE:
LUCIEN, CLAUDINE, DONDIDIER, & CHORUS
1
(Angele goes to Lucien, he throws her L.)
Lucien:
Since France was France
And man was man
And woman ruled them both,
Maurice:
In love's romance
'Twas win who can,
To fight be never loth,
Angele:
And maid or wife,
When blades flashed out
Took sides between the two.
Claud:
They caused the strife,
So 'twas, no doubt,
The least that they could do;
Lucien:
And now once more
(Ang. goes to L. he turns her up)
Upon the field
We meet in conflict fierce.
REFRAIN ALL
(With sword play between Lucien and Maurice)
For love, and the right to love,
In France, you must fight for love,
And open war declare,
Or lose your lady fair
To have with the right to hold,
Her love, like a knight of old,
Who fought with ready lance,
You still must fight in France:
(Throws her L.)
(A sharp little rally with the swords follows)
Lucien
(As he lunges and wounds Maurice in the hand)
Touche!
(This must be done in tune to music)
Maurice
(Dropping his sword. He quickly wraps his hand in his
handkerchief)
Yes, you've got my sword hand, but it doesn't end it,
Garidel. We shall have another go later.
Lucien
(Picking up the fallen sword)
When you give me cause, D'Uzac.
Maurice
(Up C.)
I'll give it.
(He put on his coat)
You've played your last card, and the truth's got to come
out.
(He hurries out at back)
Angele
(P. Abjectedly)
Lucien -- it's been all my fault-- and -- won't you forgive
me.
Lucien
Ah well, I'm very much hurt.
(Puts swords back goes up stage to C. door)
Claud.
(L)
(With the air of being in the way, xing R. to Angele)
Mademoiselle, I'm sorry you should have been so disturbed--
and hope we shall meet again on a more peaceful day.
Angele
(R)
(Weakly)
Thank you-- Madame Dondidier.
Claud.
Good afternoon - M'mselle.
(As she passes Lucien in going out)
Get rid of her.
(She exits up C.)
Angele
(Hanging her head)
What shall I do now?
Lucien
(With an air of deeply offended pride)
Return at once to Compeigne. First I must find Dondidier -
then I'll take you to the train. Wait here.
(He exits into the room at R.)
(Just as ANGELE is left alone, the door at the top of
the stairs opens and Mme. D. and Dr. Mazou appear, the
Dr. proceeds down the stairs while Mme. D. remains on
the landing)
Doctor
If your husband has another attack send for me at once,
Madame Dondidier.
Angele
(With a great start as she nears)
Madame Dondidier.
Mme. D.
And what about mustard plasters, Doctor?
Doctor
On back and chest when he retires, and don't let him have
anything for dinner but cold gruel, that's all for the present,
send for me if there's another outbreak. Good day,
Madame Dondidier.
(He passes out at back and MME. D. disappears into the
room upstairs, closing the door behind her)
Angele
(Overcome)
His wife!
(Enter BEBE from R.)
Bebe
(R. of chair anxiously looking about)
Has Maurice gone?
Angele
(L. of chair, Rushing upon him)
Bebe! there's another Madame Dondidier.
Angele
(Kneeling on chair R.)
I've seen her. A woman of 40. Tell me what it means.
Bebe
Perhaps Dondidier's been married before. The forty year
old one may be his first wife.
Angele
And would she be living under the same roof with number two?
Bebe
Well, remember we're in the house of a satyr.
Angele
(Turning away with exasperation)
Bosh!
(Maurice hurries in at back and Angele meets him
angrily)
Mosnieur D'Uzac, I owe you an apology. Lucien's deceiving
me after all.
Maurice
(Triumphantly)
Ah! Then you don't need the proof I'm bringing you.
Maurice
The Lady in pink is Mademoiselle Claudine D'Espanonville.
Maurice
The clerk outside.
Angele
(R.C. Starting towards R.)
I'll confront Lucien with this.
Maurice
(C)
(Stopping her)
No. He'll wriggle out of it again. Don't give him another
chance. He's going to dine with her tonight. Very well-
you dine with me. She's going to the Ball with him later.
All right you go with me. We'll confront them together, and
then you'll make him dance to your own tune. Come now, will
you follow me?
Angele
(With feverish eagerness)
Follow you? I'll go ahead of you.
(She flaunts out at back exit R.)
Maurice
(Turning on Bebe)
And now you, my faithful right arm-- Out!
(Shaking his fist at him)
Bebe
(R going to Maurice)
My dear Maurice, let me remain just long enough to tell Garidel
how I hate him.
Bebe
(Toddling away)
Quite so. I know my way.
(Exit up R.)
(The door at the head of the stairs opens softly and
Dondidier steps gingerly out on the landing. He wears
a suit of pink pyjamas, and his hair is tousled from
his bath. He looks about, and then descends the
stairs)
Dond.
(C. Sighing as he reaches the ground)
I've had my bath!
(Enter LUCIEN at R. He stops and looks round)
Lucien
(Sees Dond. going up stage)
Ah there you are, Dondidier; I left Mademoiselle de Verrier
here a moment ago.
Dond.
(C. advancing upon him ominously)
That doesn't interest me. I wish to have a settlement with
you, young man, and --
Lucien
(R)
Yes, of course; you mean the cheque.
(Hands it to him)
There it is, and let me thank you for not betraying my
confidence. The attitude of my fiancee shows plainly that
you--
Dond.
(C. Breaking in)
Stop!
(Holding out his hand)
Give me the snuff box.
Lucien
(R)
(Looking blank)
Snuff box? What snuff box?
Dond.
(C)
(Palpably jarred)
What snuff box?
Lucien
(Suddenly recollecting)
Ah! The twentieth snuff-- Dondidier, you're going to
laugh-- you're going to laugh very hard. I haven't got it.
Lucien
I don't know what you mean by the twentieth snuff box.
Dond.
(Staggering and making a wild clutch at the air goes L.)
Ha! Don't say that! Don't do it!
Lucien
(C)
You see, I had to gain your confidence some way--and--
well, as a matter of fact it as on the advice of your clerk,
Crapote...
Dond.
(Babbling at him breathlessly)
So!! I've grossly insulted the Countess de Montanvert...
spoiled the prospects of my only child...passed in the eyes
of my wife and family doctor for a licentious old reprobate...
received forty gallons of ice water over the top of my head...
and for what? To cover up the deplorable orgies of an individual
that I've known for less than half an hour.
(Collapses into a chair)
Lucien
It was on the advice of Crapote.
Dond.
(Leaping to his feet)
Very well!
(Shouting)
Crapote! Crapote!
(Enter THEODORE LEBEC)
Lebec
Crapote has gone, Monsieur.
Lebec
He left this letter for you.
(Lucien sits on stool up L.C.)
(Hands him a letter)
Dond.
(Tearing it open - and reading)
"Monsieur, it is impossible that Jacqueline should ever return
to live under the roof of a satyr. She is leaving her
Uncle Benjamin's this afternoon to join me, and our marriage
will be celebrated, despite any opposition from you.
Naturally I shall no longer be retained as an employee in
your establishment, but that doesn't matter as I'm engaged
as secretary to M. Garidel."
Lucien
That's quite right.
Dond.
(Crushing the letter in his hand- throws it at Lucien-
and going entirely crazy)
Ah!
(Clutching at the air)
Don't leave me to the jiggles --
(Lucien places chair C. for Dondidier - Dond. drops
into a chair overcome)
(MME. D. appers at the top of the landing)
Mme. D.
(Evidently searching for her husband)
Philippe! Philippe! Where are you?
(Discovering him)
What's happened?
Lucien
Your husband has the jiggles, Madame.
Mme. D.
Yes-yes- he's subject to them. Don't leave him, I'll go
fetch the salts and vinegar -
(She disappears up stairs)
Lucien
(Aimlessly patting Dond's head)
It's all right, old chap. The vinegar's coming.
(Enter suddenly from back in dazzling array, SERPOLETTE,
POCHET followed by DESIREE and all her companions)
Serp.
(As she dashes in)
Monsieur Dondidier. Where are you?
Lucien
(Turning)
Behold him!
Others
(In unison)
And mine!
(They throng around him, clustering about him on their
knees in an attitude of adoration)
Desiree
(She produces a crown of laurel and places it upon
Dond's head)
We crown thee-- Connoisseur!
Lucien
I think I've done everything I can for him, so, ladies, I'll
leave him to your tender care. Good afternoon.
(He exits hurriedly at back)
Dond.
(Stirring feebly)
Don't leave me.
(He opens his eyes and sees Serp. as she bends over
him)
How do you do?
Serp.
How do you do - my satyr?
Serp.
Don't you remember me? You kissed me yesterday down by
the Trembling Rock.
(He turns his head and sees Desiree)
Desiree
And you kissed me last week.
(As each speaks Dond. bobs his head about and discovers
himself surrounded)
Dond.
(Struggling)
No no.
Serp.
(Holding him back)
Don't say so... They're coming to arrest you.
Desiree
But we'll save you. For tonight you must dance at the
Hall of the Nymphs and the Satyrs - you the King of all
satyrs.
Dond.
(Rattled)
Why - I - it's a dream.
Desiree
See, we've crowned you. Connoisseur!
(Dond. reaches up and takes the wreath from his head,
and stares at it. Then he looks round at the pretty
faces near him, melts, smiles, and succumbs to the
luxury of the occasion)
(Mme. D. appears at the head of the stairs with the
salts and the vinegar)
Mme. D.
(Screaming as she discovers her husband surrounded)
Ah! Ah!
(In response to her screams the Crowd rushes in from
the room at R.)
FINALE
(Flunky removes arm chair R. another takes table off L.)
Chorus
We see a group
A comely troop
Your husband too,
Is there on view--
But why should these fair maids adore him?
Mme. D.
I'll put that question now before him.
(Mme. D. confronts her husband who is still held captive
by the girls)
Mme. D.
Phillippe! Our friends suggest it be enquired
Why you are being thus admired.
Dond.
(Helplessly)
Alas, Margot! I do not know!
Chorus
To that response we say: Oh ho!
DONDIDIER AND CHORUS
Dond.
In me you see an innocent man.
All
We've heard the claim before,
Dond.
I don't know how my troubles began
All
We've heard that said before:
Dond.
I've always been uncommonly strict,
And moral to the core,
But now I've been outrageously tricked.
All
We've heard all that before.
Chorus
And we must judge by appearances,
Appearances - appearances,
In all morality's clearances
You'll find that character's judged by appearances,
And you've been caught with the feminines,
Sweet feminines - eight feminines!
Dond.
It's all my enemy's dark designs,
All
We've heard all that before.
(ENTER BENEVOL & COUNTESS)
Ben.
Stand back, let no one leave the place
Until I've found the culprit in the case.
Countess
Behold the monster there at bay
In pink pyjamas is Dondidier.
(Enter BENEVOL & COUNTESS)
Ben.
Stand back, let no one leave the place
Until I've found the culprit in the case.
Countess
Behold the monster there at bay
In pink pyjamas is Dondidier.
(Enter a company of SERGEANTS-DE-VILLE, marching
pompously and humorously in Idian file, carrying their
white billies in their hands)
Benevol & Serge. de Ville
Readily, steadily,
Tramp, tramp, tramp,
Policeman always march so,
Clicketty, clacketty,
Clamp, clamp, clamp,
Our nicks as stiff as starch, oh,
Neither looking to left or right,
Yet always keeping our game in sight,
And turning malefactors pale and parched, oh,
Properly, copperly,
Tramp, tramp, tramp,
With clubs and darbies handy,
Solidly, stolidly,
Clamp, clamp, clamp,
We can't be bought with candy.
When we come to the man we seek,
His grows dim and his knees grow weak,
And off he walks to jail a trifle bandy.
(Repeat portion of "Dondidier" No. and
CURTAIN
ACT III
Scene: Ball of the nymphs and Satyrs, at
the Cafe "Les Satyres," Paris.
Three "FOUNTAIN GIRLS" discovered
at Fountain C. SATYR at window R.
Enter CHORUS, dancing from large
opening L.
Chorus
Hoop la lift your feet up high
Heel and toe off we go
Zim zam now then don't be shy,
We're out till gay cock crow
Hoop la hit that drum again
Tickle those cymbals too -
Wake up and stay bright
Till the day light-
Whoopee de dooden doo.
(Enter DONIDIER followed by BENEVOL)
Dond.
I repeat, Monsieur Benevol, there are moments when a gentleman
of modest tastes like myself would prefer to make his appearance
in public unaccompanied by a member of the police force.
Benevol
(Tartly)
No doubt. But I'm going to prove you're the satyr of the Forest
of Compiegne. Remember, you are only out on bail, and must
answer the charge tomorrow.
Dond.
You are a very disagreeable detective. Didn't the magistrate
say that even in pink pajamas respectability surrounded me like
a halo?
Benevol
He didn't follow you as I did when you left the court. He
didn't see you rush home, dash into your bridal robes, and
taxicab at the speed limit over here to the nymphs and satyrs'
ball.
Dond.
I didn't intend to come to this gay resort tonight at all.
A tornado blew me here.
Benevol
Of course it did. And now that you've arrived you intend to
have a high old time.
Dond.
You must put it coarsely but correctly.
(Looking around)
(At this moment DESIREE is coming down from the tables,
at back followed by GILBERTE, RAYMONDE, AMANDINE and
others)
Desiree
(Discovering Dond. as she comes down and hurrying to
him joyfully)
Why, it is - it is! It's the one, the only one!
Dond.
(With a nimble capering bow)
Count me again, my dear. I feel like two or three.
Desiree
(Turning and calling up)
Pan! Pan!
(Pan rises at a table far back, glass in hand)
Desiree
Drink to the health of your only rival, Monsieur Dondidier.
Pan
(Bowing low)
I take off my horns to you, Monsieur.
Dondidier
(Looking suddenly grave)
What's that? What did he say he'd take off?
Dond.
(Relieved)
Oh, you see I'm somehwat easily shocked, and --
(All the girls burst out laughing)
Desiree
Ha, ha, ha, ha! Shocked! How droll of him, girls. Think of
shocking the king of all shockers!
(Turning and calling loudly up)
Nymphs and satyrs, who is the naughtiest man in Paris?
All
(Shouting in chorus)
Dondidier!!!
Desiree
Who do you name as your leader in the dance?
Desiree
(To Dond)
Monsieur, choose your partners.
Dond.
(Dazzled)
One of you?
Desiree
The one that pleases you most. Choose!
(The girls press round him, anxiously awaiting his
choice)
Dond.
(Gazing about the group)
Well- being rather short-sighted--- and not having my glasses
with me --
(SONG AND CHORUS-- DONDIDIER AND OTHERS)
1
Dond.
At half past two this afternoon
I was a moral man.
Others
Clink, clink, clink!
(Clinking knives on glasses)
Life is a joy!
Pop goes the wine,
(Popping of corks, and sky effects)
Boom! Ah!
Dond.
At half past three a bold buffoon
Started a deadly plan
To wreck my life on the rocks of sin,
To break the door of my scruples in,
And push me over the brink,
Dond.
The brink where the glasses clink,
Dond.
(While others clink)
And the worst of it is I like, like it
Like it, yes I do.
My head goes round like a tee to tum.
My heart goes thump like a big bass drum,
Pip, pip, with a zip, come and make things hum,
I like it, yes I do.
(Dond. dancing)
Others
Life is a joy!
Tiddle-um, tiddle-um!
Life is a joy!
Tiddle-um, tiddle-um,
Life is a joy,
For a bold bad boy,
Pop goes the wine, boom, ah!!!
(Dance by all)
2
Dond.
At half past two this very day,
Girls were an awful bore,
Others
Clink, clink, clink!
Life is a joy!
Pop goes the wine,
Boom! Ah!
Dond.
At half past three a lady gay
Called and remained till four,
She wore light pink but she looked bright red,
And of the things that she did and said,
That bold young hussy in pink,
Dond.
The thought of it makes me blink,
Dond.
And the worst of it is I like, like it
Like it, yes I do.
A cyclone came and it whirled me round,
I lost my feet when I left the ground,
Pip, pip, with a zip, to the stars I'm bound,
I like it, yes I do.
Others
Life is a joy!
Tiddle-um, tiddle-um!
Life is a joy!
Tiddle-um, tiddle-um,
Life is a joy.
For a bold bad boy,
Pop goes the wine, boom, ah!!!
(Dance)
(During a Hands-All-Round Movement in the dance, MADAME
DONDIDIER, arrayed in an old fashioned, but striking ball
costume, with ostrich plumes in her hair, and looking
drolly handsome and dashing, appears on the steps at back
accompanied by BENEVOL, and stands looking down on Dondidier)
(She descends the steps and joins the dancers. As all
constantly change partners she and Dond. come together
and he whirls her about not noticing who she is)
(All exit, dancing at last except Dond. and Mme. D.
who finished sitting beside each other on a mossy bank
at R.)
(Dond. exits with one of the girls in dance. Benevol and
Madame Dond. pick up the dance - Dond. returns, joins in -
Benevol exits - bus a la Kiss Waltz)
Dond.
Give me another.
(Mme. D. takes off her mask. In consternation)
Margot! Margot!
(Xing to L. Dazed)
I can explain everything. Let us go home and I'll tell you
all about the tornado.
Dond.
Let us go back with the antiques, Margot.
Mme. D.
No more antiques for me. Only youth, life, pleasure! I've
been caught in the tornado as well as you!
Dond.
(With a fresh start of alarm)
What do you mean?
Mme. D.
If the wife of a mayor is a mayoress why shouldn't the wife
of a satyr be a satyress?
Dond.
Behave, Margot, behave! I don't like your costume. It's
a most rakish costume.
Mme. D.
(Flaunting about)
It will grow more rakish every day. Ah, you didn't know you
had a gay young wife, did you, Phillipe? Because you dealt in
antiques you thought I was a mummy.... I've always warned you
that the wings of the butterfly were beating beneath my bodice.
(Bus)
Dond.
(More and more shocked)
Margot! You will come home with me at once!
Mme. D.
(Airily)
I shall remain till they put the lights out. I shall dance
(Bus)
I shall flirt. Oh, you may be sure I'll do everything that's
expected of a satyr's wife.
(Pose against proscenium)
Dond.
(Following her about)
Restrain yourself, Margot. What will the neighbors say?
(Bus)
Consider our daughter - consier Jacqueline!
Mme. D.
Did you consider Jacqueline when you embraced La Comtesse
de Montanvert?
Dond.
It was the tornado.
Mme. D.
And the lady in pink. What about the lady in pink?
(Stopping short, and facing him)
Miserable man, you've gone here to meet her.
Dond.
(Pursuing her)
I shall never see her again!
Mme. D.
(With annihilating force)
I've been to her house. I learned from her maid that she was
coming here tonight. Then I knew where to find you. Was I
right? Did I find you? Now then, where's your pink partner?
Dond.
Nonsense. I shall never again see the Pink Lady.
(At this instant CLAUDINE, gorgeously gowned, and wearing
a cloak, as if she was just arriving at the ball, enters
through the supper room at back, accompanied by LUCIEN.
A waiter takes their wraps and Claudine descends the
steps just as Dond. finishes)
Claud
(Discovering Dond)
Why, it's my dear little Satyr.
(Pats his cheek playfully)
Ah, what would wifey say if she knew?
(Dond. collpases utterly)
Mme. D.
(In a freezing voice)
Wifey knows!
Claud
(Looking round and discovering her)
I beg your pardon!
Claud
(To Dond)
Is that wifey?
Dond.
(In a lost state)
That's wifey.
Claud
(Smiling)
Dear me, this is rather awkward!
Lucien
(Breaking in cheerfully)
Perhaps I can explain.
Dond.
(Bounding back into vigorous life with a jump)
No!!! Margot, don't listen to that man. He's a wrecker of
hearthstones. He dashes in from the street, picks up a hearthstone,
dashes it down and dashes it out again.
Mme. D.
I don't belive a word of it. He looks a very nice young man.
Hoo! Hoo!
(Flirting)
Lucien
Thank you, madame. I thought I might explain how your husband
earned the title of satyr.
Mme. D.
Don't trouble. I saw him earn it.
(Dancing a little measure)
But do I look heart broken? Am I neglected little wife sitting
at home, with a pocket handkerchief?
(Dance bus.)
Not likely. Find me a partner. I wish to dance.
(Enter BENEVOL)
Ben.
(Overhearing her)
That's just what I'm looking for. Will you accept me?
Dond.
(Interposing strenuously)
I should think not, Monsieur - I should think a very hard not.
Ben.
Oh come, old chap, you can expect to have them all.
Mme. D.
Stand aside, Philippe! I admire the gentleman.
(Flirting bus)
Monsieur, I am yours. Lead me forth!
(Both commence to dance to exit, singing "the Best of
It Is I like it, etc.")
Dond.
(Trying to stop her)
Margot! Margot!
Mme. D.
(Turning and waving a merry farewell)
Ta ta! See you at breakfast!
(Front and back kick and exit)
Dond.
(To Lucien)
What's she she said?
Lucien
Said she wouldn't see you till breakfast time. So you're all
right.
Dond.
(Confronting him)
Young man - this morning I was the head of a happy family.
Lucien
Well, the family continues, happy apparently.
Dond.
Since seeing you I have been haled before a judge.
Lucien
What does that mean?
Dond.
It means, Monsieur, that you are a deadly destroyer, a devestating
blight, a penetrating poison.
Claud
But no matter what others think, you know you're not a satyr.
Dond.
(Turning to her)
Do I?
Dond.
No, mademoiselle! I am one.
(He bounds forward and quickly kisses her on the cheek)
Claud
(Surprised, but smiling)
Oh!
Dond.
(To Lucien - removing his hat)
Monsieur, gaze on your handiwork!
Lucien
(Alarmed)
Why, you don't mean --
Dond.
I mean that you have transformed a gentle collector of curios
into a bounding bandit of the boulevards.
Lucien
Dondidier -- don't say that!
Dond.
I say it twice, and let it always haunt you. When you meet me
dancing along the primrose path a lady on either arm, then
turn to your friends and say: "I did it."
Lucien
No, no, Dondidier!
Dond.
Yes. And my wife--you've seen her.
(Imitates Mme's dance)
Your work!
Lucien
(Greatly upset)
But she'll reform if you will.
Dond.
I don't want to reform. That's the worst of it. I like it.
(Beginning to dance)
(Enter DESIREE down the steps from the supper room)
Desiree
(Running to Dond)
Ah, there you are! I've been looking everywhere for you.
Come and have your fortune told.
Desiree
There's the dearest little fortune teller here. Tells you the
most wonderful things. I want her to read your hand. I know
it will be so delightfully shocking. Come!
(Seizes him and drags him up)
Dond.
(Starting gaily up with her pausing to call back to
Lucien)
Remember! I am very happy!
(He runs gaily off, his arm about Desiree's waist)
Lucien
(Turning when Dond. has disappeared)
By George, Claudine, this is more than I bargained for. I've
destroyed the soul of a perfectly respectable dealer in
antiques.
Claud
Yes - poor Dondidier's been made to serve your ends like everybody
else must.
Lucien
(Glancing quickly at her)
What do you mean "like everybody else must?"
Claud.
Well, you're very selfish, you know.
Lucien
(As if surprised at the suggestion)
Do you think so?
Claudine
(Shrugging her shoulders)
Ever more than most men. When you brought me here tonight, I
think you said you couldn't stop because you must hurry
away to make peace with the girl you love better than you do me.
Lucien
Oh, I say, don't put it like that.
Claud.
We can't always dodge the truth; you know. Have you never
suspected this selfishness of yours?
Lucien
(Reflectively)
Well, now that you call my attention to it -
(He stops and starts on another tangent)
- but as for leaving you here, we'll find someone you know
first and--
Claud.
(Interrupting)
Oh, don't let that worry you.
Lucien
But you must see the necessity of my finding Angele. She's
disappeared utterly, probably suspects me again and has rushed
off home. Well, I've decided to go to her and confess everything
- that is, nearly everything. I'm going to throw myself
on her mercy, beg her to--
Claud.
(Turning away abruptly)
Oh, spare me the details, please.
Lucien
(With a quick glance at her)
But you're not offended, are you? You don't care.
Claud.
(Flashing round at him)
Don't care!!
(Then shrugging her shoulders and turning away lightly)
No - naturally I don't.
(Lightly)
That's what makes it so easy now.
Lucien
(Protesting)
Oh not easy.
Claud
And so I suppose to relive your conscience you expect me to
undo all the mischeif! Oh, well! I'll try.
(Exit L.1)
Lucien
(Looking after her L.)
I believe I have been a bit selfish. But I never knew Claudine
minded.
(Enter ANGELE at back. She is dressed with striking
picturesqueness as a fortune teller and sybil - in crimson
and is completely disguised, wearing a black mask, and
hair another color from her own. She comes down the
steps from the supper room and approaching Lucien)
Angele
(Speaking in a voice much bolder and gayer than her
natural one)
Have you had your fortune told, Monsieur?
Lucien
(speaking and regarding her)
No indeed. Why should I?
Angele
Because I tell them so well. The plain truth, Mosnieur.
When a young man's in love I don't paint a picture of
Paradise for him... I tell him of the trouble that's in
store for him.
Lucien
(Smiling)
Ah, yes. I heard your cleverness mentioned. You just
told my friend Dondidier's fortune, I think.
Angele
Is he that funny little thing they call the satyr?
Angele
Well, I took just one look at his hand and said: "Old
chap, you're not a satyr at all."
Lucien
(Amused)
You could see that?
Angele
Just as I'll see all the plain facts about you, Monsieur,
if you'll let me read your hand.
Lucien
(Holding his hands behind him)
I daren't.
Angele
Has your conduct been so shocking?
Lucien
It has been today.
Angele
Then let me tell you what the consequences are to be.
Lucien
(Hesitating, then pushing his hand out to her)
Ah well, go ahead.
(She takes his hand and gazes into his palm)
Angele
Oh, oh, oh! But you've been telling a lot of fibs. Ah,
this is interesting. Up till a few hours ago you were
engaged to be married.
Lucien
I'm still engaged.
Angele
(Closely, inspecting his hand)
I think not. Apparently your fiancee has discarded you.
Lucien
(With a great start)
What???
Angele
And betrothed herself to another.
Lucien
(Sharply)
Nonsense.
Angele
It's written very clearly, Monsieur. There are two men
hovering constantly near her.
Lucien
(Intensely interested)
D'Uzac and Bebe.
Angele
One of them is bold and unscrupulous, and would do anything to win her.
(Looks closer)
The unhappy girl won't marry him. It's the other.
Lucien
(Feverishly)
What other?
Angele
He looks rather a booby.
Lucien
A booby? That's Bebe?
Angele
She's already his affienced wife. The engagement will
be announced tomorrow.
Lucien
(Exploding)
Ridiculous! Why-why--should she marry Bebe?
Angele
She marries him in the same way that she would go into a
convent. Her heart is broken.
Lucien
(Turning sharply away)
By George!
(To Angele again)
Look here you can read the truth?
Angele
Naturally, Monsieur.
Lucien
What you've said is actually so... I've lost the
dearest girl in the world, the only one I shall ever care
a pin about -and all thru my stupid selfishness.
Angele
(Catching her breath)
Do you really care for her?
Lucien
(Warmly)
Care for her! Ah, I wish she were here so that you could
tell HER fortune. You'd tell her that in spite of everything
I love her little finger better than all the rest
of the world, and when she throws me over I'll - But of
course you'll never meet her, and I won't bother you
any more.
(Turns up)
Good night, and thanks awfully--you're tremendously
clever.
(Hurries quickly up by way of the supper room)
Angele
(Calling eagerly after him)
Monsieur!
Lucien
(Pausing and glancing back)
Yes?
Angele
If I should happen to run across the young lady at any
time--can I be perfectly sure about the line in her hand-
that says you- love her?
Lucien
If you don't find the strongest line there, then your
whole science is a failure. I love the very ground she
walks on.
(He exits L.U.E.)
(ANGELE turns down with a cry of joy, and snatches
the mask from her face)
Angele
(Exultantly)
Ah, now now I don't care any more. I've got the truth!
He doesn't love anyone but me!
(Exit L.U.E.)
(ENTER DONDIDIER dancing "The Best of it is I Like
it." Enter Claudine)
Dond.
I wonder if there's any girl left that I haven't kissed.
Claud.
(Smiling)
Dear me, you are coming on fast.
Claud.
(Avoiding him)
If you kiss me I'll scream.
Dond.
(Endeavoring to embrace her.)
If I kiss you there.
(Pointing to lips)
You can't scream. You taught me that.
Claud.
(Pressing him away firmly)
Yes, but you've got a lot more to learn.
Dond.
(Eagerly)
Teach me-teach me!
Claud.
Well, my little friend, if you really expect to make
conquests among the ladies you must be less impetuous, less
volcanic.
Dond.
You mean I mustn't punch.
(Enter VIOLINIST who goes from table to table, greeting
ladies.)
Claud.
Precisely. You must learn to approach us gracefully,
give us a chance to like or dislike you, to lead you on
or turn away from you, in a word, woo us.
Dond.
But I thought I was to be a satyr.
Claud.
Yes, but there are all sorts of satyrs. Wait! There's
a model for you.
(She draws his attention to the Leader of a string
orchestra. The Leader is a poetic looking young
man with long hair and the languid pose of the musical
lady-killer.)
Dond.
(Looking up to where Claudine is directing him)
You mean the fiddler with the chenille fringe?
Claudine
Yes. Presently you'll see him fix his attention on the
most beautiful woman here and try to charm her, as a snake
charms a bird.
Dond.
Really? I shall have to watch that.
Claud.
Do. It will give you a suggestion. The Satyr of the
Tornado no longer interests us, Monsieur. But it's
hard for us to resist the Satyr of the Waltz.
SONG.
CLAUDINE & OTHERS
1.
If I were a man I'd be
Not President, but just he
Who plays the violin in the band at the Cafe de Paris,
For then I should have a chance
By fiddling to entrance
And fill with ardor and romance all the prettiest girls in France
And while I'd play
My yearning eyes would say:
Refrain
To you beautiful lady I raise my eyes
My heart beautiful lady to your heart sighs,
Come, come, beautiful lady to Paradise,
Ere the sweet, sweet waltz dream dies,
Glide, glide beautiful lady on light bright wings
While the rapture of music around us sings,
Dream, dream, dream and forget,
Care, pain useless regret
Love, love, beautiful lady in my heart sings.
2.
Each night on a rippling tide
Of melody I would glide, And live
In the light of beauty's eyes,
With everything else outside,
I'd woo with a magic bow
Such melodies sweet and low,
The Ladies all would forget to eat
And champagne cease to flow;
And as I'd play
My yearning eyes would say:
Refrain
To you beautiful lady I raise my eyes
(Repeat refrain.)
(After she sings refrain, cho. repeat same. This is
followed by the Violinist playing refrain for one
of the Girls who waltzes with him. On their exit
Claudine appears plaing violin for business with
Dondidier)
(ENTER MAURICE & BEBE)
Maurice
If Angele, isn't here Bebe, then we've lost her altogether.
Bebe
Surely you don't think my favorite cousin would come here,
Maurice.
Maurice
But she promised to come and then gave me the slip.
Bebe
And undoubtedly went home, which is what I'm going to do by
the next train.
(ENTER LUCIEN down the path at R)
Lucien
(As he discovers them)
Ah, you're here!
Maurice
(Straightening)
At your service, Garidel.
Lucien
(Ignoring him, and striding up to Bebe)
I've nothing to say to you now. This is the young man I've
got to deal with.
Bebe
(Retiring before his threatening manner)
At your service, Lucien. Always ready, I'm sure.
Lucien
Always ready for what? To cut in behind a friend's back
when he isn't looking?
Bebe
(Timidly)
Cut in Lucien? I never cut into anything. Don't even
carry a pocket knife.
Lucien
Answer me this. Is there any truth in the report that
you've become engaged to Mademoiselle de Verrier?
Bebe
Well, that can be explained in two ways, and if you--
Lucien
(Breaking in sharply)
Answer yes or no; is your engagement to be announced
tomorrow?
Bebe
I believe that is the idea at present.
(Head bus)
(Head bus)
Well, my idea at present is this. Bing! Bang!
(He soundly boxes Bebe's ears on both sides of his
head)
Bebe
I hate you, oh how I hate you.
(Holding on to his ears)
Ooh! Ah!
Maurice
(Who has been knocked aghast at what he has heard)
So my trusted right arm has betrayed me again eh?
(Begins to stalk him)
Bebe
(Seeing him coming)
Now, my dear Maurice, my more than dear Maurice, do nothing
that you will regret.
Maurice
And what about the girl on the Sasketchewan?
Bebe
Faithful till death Maurice, faithful till death. My
engagement to Angele cannot shake me.
Maurice
No? Well perhaps this can. Bing bang!
(Boxes his ears)
Bebe
(Holding his ears)
I hate you, oh how I hate you.
Maurice
(L. with a sweeping ironical bow to Lucien)
My best regrets to you, Garidel. I lose her, and you
don't marry her. We're quits!
(Enter Angele quickly thru the supper room, closely
followed by Gilberte, Amandine, Gabrielle, Raymonde,
Minette- Sophie, Yvonne and Desiree. Angele is
still the fortune-teller, masked)
Desiree
Please tell my fortune.
All
You haven't told mine and I'm dying to know something.
Desiree
Tell me is my husband likely to lose me?
Angele
I rather think he is.
Desiree
Please tell my fortune again.
Angele
(Eluding them good-naturedly)
I've told all your fortunes once. No! It would bring
you bad luck.
(All immediately desisting)
All
(Going up stage)
Oh!!
Angele
(Turning to Lucien)
Monsieur, I met Mademoiselle de Verrier after all and read
her hand.
Lucien
(Smiling incredulously)
You're mistaken, I think. Mademoiselle de Verrier isn't
here tonight.
Angele
(Confidently)
You'll find she is.
(Starting up)
Angele
(Detaining him)
Oh, it's no use your looking for her. She's eluding you
for the present. But listen! Her hand was very interesting.
Strangely enough it contradicted nearly everything I read
in yours.
Angele
Well, in the first place she apparently has no intention
of marrying her cousin at all.
Lucien
(Breaking out gaily)
No intention of--
(Stops and dashes across to Bebe, grasping him by the
hand.)
My dear Bebe ten thousand pardons. If this is true, I withdraw
the box on the ears.
Bebe
(Returning his hand to shake warmly)
Don't mention it, Lucien, don't mention it, I beg.
(To the air)
Ah, Gisele, perhaps the danger is passed and I can still be true to thee--thou--
(To Lucien)
-is it thou or thee?
Bebe
Thanks.
(Again to the air)
Thus, Gisele.
Angele
Where Mademoiselle de Verrier's heart was first given there
it must always remain. She could never change.
Lucien
You don't mean she'll marry me after all?
Angele
If you'll take her, yes.
Lucien
(Elated)
D'Uzac, do you hear that?
Maurice
(Scornfully)
You believe a fortune teller, do you?
Lucien
Ah, but if you knew how this one always hits the truth!
(ENTER DOND. with Claudine on his arm, through the
supper room. Benevol is close to Dond's elbow)
Dond.
(With great irritation, to Benevol)
Go away I tell you, go away this minute.
Benveol
(To Claud. as he follows them down)
I am bound to inform you, Madame, that your partner is a
most dangerous person.
Claud
(Good humoredly)
Dangerous? In what way?
Benevol
He's nothing less than a satyr, madame.
Maurice
(With a scornful laugh)
Ha! Satyr! You silly fathead! That little man there
doesn't know the difference between a satyr and a soup tureen.
Dond.
(Facing him irately)
Oh, don't I, don't I? Mind your own business.
(MME. D. has entered thru the supper room on the
last speeches and stands on the steps listening. The
guests of the ball are re-entering and the orchestra
resumes its place)
Claud.
Wait--I'm going to set matters right. Monsieur Benevol,
you've made a mistake. Our friend here has been doing his
best to live up to a title he doesn't deserve and as
Monsieur D'Uzac has said he does not really know the difference
between a satyr and a soup tureen.
Mme. D.
(Bursting down upon the group)
Philippe! Is this true?
(All turn startled)
Dond.
(Shamefaced)
I'm afraid it is, Margot.
Mme. D.
(Scornfully)
Only a cold potato after all!
Dond.
(Crestfallen)
Mashed, Margot, mashed.
Mme. D.
(Imperiously)
Come back among the antiques. You have disappointed me.
Claud.
By the way, Lucien, here's the most fascinating little
imposter I've met in a long time.
(Indicating Angele)
Lucien
Imposter? I think she's clever.
Claud.
Decidely. She just read my hand. And told me you care nothing
whatever about me, but loved the very ground Mdlle.
de Verrier walks on. Now there's only one other in the
world as well as you and I who knows that to be true.
Claud.
Mademoiselle de Verrier herself. What have you to say to
that, Mademoiselle?
Angele
That men are blind, but all women know each other.
(With a curtesy to her)
I take off my mask to you, mademoiselle.
(She does so)
Lucien, Maurice & Bebe.
(In astonished unison)
Angele!!
(Sasketchewan Waltz "I Like it etc.")
CURTAIN.