He Who Gets Slapped - LightNovelsOnl.com
You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.
JACKSON
Not entirely, Count.
[TILLY _and_ POLLY _imitate the_ BARON _and_ CONSUELO _without moving from their places_.]
TILLY
[_Shrieking_]: Let me go!
POLLY
No, I'll not. Dance!
[_The music stops abruptly. General, too loud laughter; the clowns bark and roar. Papa_ BRIQUET _gesticulates, in order to re-establish silence_. _The_ BARON _is apparently as indifferent as before_.]
MANCINI
Really these vagabonds are becoming too impertinent. [_Shrugging his shoulders_] It smells of the stable. You cannot help it, Auguste!
BARON
Don't be upset, Count.
HE
[_Holding his gla.s.s, approaches the_ BARON]: Baron. Will you permit me to make a toast?
BARON
Make it.
HE
To your dance! [_Slight laughter in the crowd._]
BARON
I don't dance!
HE
Then another one, Baron. Let us drink to those who know how to wait longer, until they get it.
BARON
I do not accept any toasts which I do not understand. Say it more simply.
[_Voice of a woman: "Bravo, HE!_" _Slight laughter._
MANCINI _says something hastily to_ BRIQUET; _the latter spreads his arms in gesture of helplessness_. JACKSON _takes HE by the arm_.]
JACKSON
Beat it, HE! The Baron doesn't like jokes.
HE
But I want to drink with the Baron. What can be simpler? Simpler? Baron, let us drink to the very small distance which will always remain 'twixt the cup and the lip! [_Spills his wine, and laughs._]
[_The_ BARON _turns his back on him, indifferently_. _The music plays in the ring. The bell rings._]
BRIQUET
[_Relieved_]: There! To the ring, ladies and gentlemen, to the ring, to the ring!
[_The actresses run out. The crowd becomes smaller; laughter and voices._]
MANCINI
[_Much excited, whispers to the_ BARON]: "Auguste, Auguste----"
BRIQUET
[_To_ ZINIDA]: Thank heaven they're beginning. Ah, Mother, I asked you ... but you want a scandal by all means, and you always----
ZINIDA
Let me alone, Louis.
[_HE approaches Consuelo, who is alone._]
CONSUELO
HE, deary, how are you? I thought you didn't want even to come near me.
[_In a low voice_] Did you notice Bezano?
HE
I was waiting for my turn, Queen. It was so difficult to get through the crowd to approach you.
CONSUELO
Through the crowd? [_With a sad smile_] I am quite alone. What do you want, Father?
MANCINI
Child! Auguste....
