Chapter VIII: Act I

SCENE--_A roomy studio. Entrance door at the rear, left. Another door
at lower left to the bedroom. At centre, a platform for the model,
with a Spanish screen behind it, shielding it from the rear door,
and a Smyrna rug in front. Two easels at lower right. On the upper
one is the picture of a young girl’s head and shoulders. Against
the other leans a reversed canvas. Below these, toward centre, an
ottoman, with a tiger-skin on it. Two chairs along the left wall.
In the background, right, a step-ladder._

SCHÖN _sits on the foot of the ottoman, inspecting critically the
picture on the further easel_. SCHWARZ _stands behind the ottoman,
his palette and brushes in his hands_.

SCHÖN--Do you know, I’m getting acquainted with a brand-new side of the lady.

SCHWARZ--I have never painted anyone whose expression changed so continuously. I could hardly keep a single feature the same two days running.

SCHÖN--[_Pointing to the picture and observing him._] Do you find that in it?

SCHWARZ--I have done everything I could think of to induce at least some repose in her mood by my conversation during the sittings.

SCHÖN--Then I understand the difference. [SCHWARZ _dips his brush in the oil and draws it over the features of the face_.] Do you think that makes it look more like her?

SCHWARZ--We can do no more than take our art as scientifically as possible.

SCHÖN--Tell me----

SCHWARZ--[_Stepping back._] The color had sunk in pretty well, too.

SCHÖN--[_Looking at him._] Have you ever in your life loved a woman?

SCHWARZ--[_Goes to the easel, puts a color on it, and steps back on the other side._] The dress hasn’t been given relief enough yet. We don’t rightly perceive yet that a living body is under it.

SCHÖN--I make no doubt that the workmanship is good.

SCHWARZ--If you’ll step this way....

SCHÖN--[_Rising._] You must have told her regular ghost-stories.

SCHWARZ--As far back as you can.

SCHÖN--[_Stepping back, knocks down the canvas that was leaning against the lower easel._] Excuse me----

SCHWARZ--[_Picking it up._] That’s all right.

SCHÖN--[_Surprised._] What is that?

SCHWARZ--Do you know her?

SCHÖN--No. [SCHWARZ _sets the picture on the easel. It is of a lady dressed as Pierrot with a long shepherd’s crook in her hand._]

SCHWARZ--A costume-picture.

SCHÖN--But, really, you’ve succeeded with =her=.

SCHWARZ--You know her?

SCHÖN--No. And in that costume----

SCHWARZ--It isn’t nearly finished yet. [SCHÖN _nods_.] What would you have? While she is posing for me I have the pleasure of entertaining her husband.

SCHÖN--What?

SCHWARZ--We talk about art, of course,--to complete my good fortune!

SCHÖN--But how did you come to make such a charming acquaintance?

SCHWARZ--As they’re generally made. An ancient, tottering little man drops in on me here to know if I can paint his wife. Why, of course, were she as wrinkled as Mother Earth! Next day at ten prompt the doors fly open, and the fat-belly drives this little beauty in before him. I can feel even now how my knees shook. Then comes a sap-green lackey, stiff as a ramrod, with a package under his arm. Where is the dressing-room? Imagine my plight. I open the door there. [_Pointing left._] Just luck that everything was in order. The sweet thing vanishes into it, and the old fellow posts himself outside as a bastion. Two minutes later out she steps in this Pierrot. [_Shaking his head._] I never saw anything like it. [_He goes left and stares in at the bedroom._]

SCHÖN--[_Who has followed him with his eyes._] And the fat-belly stands guard?

SCHWARZ--[_Turning round._] The whole body in harmony with that impossible costume as if it had come into the world in it! Her way of burying her elbows in her pockets, of lifting her little feet from the rug,--the blood often shoots to my head....

SCHÖN--One can see that in the picture.

SCHWARZ--[_Shaking his head._] People like us, you know----

SCHÖN--Here the model is mistress of the conversation.

SCHWARZ--She has never yet opened her mouth.

SCHÖN--Is it possible?

SCHWARZ--Allow me to show you the costume. [_Goes out left._]

SCHÖN--[_Before the Pierrot._] A devilish beauty. [_Before the other picture._] There’s more depth here. [_Coming down-stage._] He is still rather young for his age. [SCHWARZ _comes back with a white satin costume_.]

SCHWARZ--What sort of material is that?

SCHÖN--[_Feeling it._] Satin.

SCHWARZ--And all in one piece.

SCHÖN--How does one get into it then?

SCHWARZ--That I can’t tell you.

SCHÖN--[_Taking the costume by the legs._] What enormous trouser-legs!

SCHWARZ--The left one she pulls up.

SCHÖN--[_Looking at the picture._] Above the knee!

SCHWARZ--She does that entrancingly!

SCHÖN--And transparent stockings?

SCHWARZ--Those have got to be painted, specially.

SCHÖN--Oh, you can do that.

SCHWARZ--And with it all a coquetry!

SCHÖN--What brought you to that horrible suspicion?

SCHWARZ--There are things never dreamt of in our school-philosophy. [_He takes the costume back into his bedroom._]

SCHÖN--[_Alone._] When one is asleep....

SCHWARZ--[_Comes back; looks at his watch._] If you’d like to make her acquaintance, moreover,----

SCHÖN--No.

SCHWARZ--They must be here in a moment.

SCHÖN--How much longer will the lady have to sit?

SCHWARZ--I shall probably have to bear the pains of Tantalus three months longer.

SCHÖN--I mean the other one.

SCHWARZ--I beg your pardon. Three times more at most. [_Going to the door with him._] If the lady will just leave me the upper part of the dress then....

SCHÖN--With pleasure. Let us see you at my house again soon. [_He collides in the doorway with_ DR. GOLL _and_ LULU.] For Heaven’s sake!

SCHWARZ--May I introduce....

DR. GOLL--[_To_ SCHÖN.] What are you doing here?

SCHÖN--[_Kissing_ LULU’S _hand_.] Mrs. Goll....

LULU--You’re not going already?

DR. GOLL--But what wind blows you here?

SCHÖN--I’ve been looking at the picture of my intended----

LULU--[_Coming forward._] Your--intended--is here?

DR. GOLL--So you’re having work done here, too?

LULU--[_Before the upper picture._] Look at it! Enchanting! Entrancing!

DR. GOLL--[_Looking round him._] Have you got her hidden somewhere round here?

LULU--So that is the sweet young prodigy who’s made a new person out of you....

SCHÖN--She sits in the afternoon mostly.

DR. GOLL--And you don’t tell anyone about it?

LULU--[_Turning round._] Is she really so solemn?

SCHÖN--Probably the after-effects of the seminary still, dear lady.

DR. GOLL--[_Before the picture._] One can see that you have been transformed profoundly.

LULU--But now you mustn’t let her wait any longer.

SCHÖN--In a fortnight I think our engagement will come out.

DR. GOLL--[_To_ LULU.] Let’s lose no time. Hop!

LULU--[_To_ SCHÖN.] Just think, we came at a trot over the new bridge. I was driving, myself.

DR. GOLL--[_As_ SCHÖN _prepares to leave_.] No, no. We two have more to talk about. Get along, Nellie. Hop!

LULU--Now it’s going to be about me!

DR. GOLL--Our Apelles is already wiping his brushes.

LULU--I had imagined this would be much more amusing.

SCHÖN--But you have always the satisfaction of preparing for us the greatest and rarest pleasure.

LULU--[_Going left._] Oh, just wait!

SCHWARZ--[_Before the bedroom door._] If madame will be so kind.... [_Shuts the door after her and stands in front of it._]

DR. GOLL--I christened her Nellie, you know, in our marriage-contract.

SCHÖN--Did you?--Yes.

DR. GOLL--What do you think of it?

SCHÖN--Why not call her rather Mignon?

DR. GOLL--That would have been good, too. I didn’t think of that.

SCHÖN--Do you consider the name so important?

DR. GOLL--Hm.... You know, I have no children.

SCHÖN--But you’ve only been married a couple of months.

DR. GOLL--Thanks, I don’t want any.

SCHÖN--[_Having taken out his cigarette-case._] Have a cigarette?

DR. GOLL--[_Helps himself._] I’ve plenty to do with this one. [_To_ SCHWARZ.] Say, what’s your little danseuse doing now?

SCHÖN--[_Turning round on_ SCHWARZ.] You and a danseuse?

SCHWARZ--The lady was sitting for me at that time only as a favor. I made her acquaintance on a flying trip of the Cecilia Society.

DR. GOLL--[_To_ SCHÖN.] Hm.... I think we’re getting a change of weather.

SCHÖN--The toilet isn’t going so quickly, is it?

DR. GOLL--It’s going like lightning! Woman has got to be a virtuoso in her job. So must we all, each in his job, if life isn’t to turn to beggary. [_Calls._] Hop, Nellie!

LULU--[_Inside._] Just a second!

DR. GOLL--[_To_ SCHÖN.] I can’t get onto these blockheads. [_Referring to_ SCHWARZ.]

SCHÖN--I can’t help envying them. These blockheads know of nothing holier than an altar-cloth, and feel richer than you and me with 30,000-mark incomes. Besides, you’re no person to judge a man who has lived since childhood from palette to mouth. Take it upon yourself to finance him: it’s an arithmetic example! I haven’t the moral courage, and one can easily burn one’s fingers, too.

LULU--[_As_ PIERROT, _steps out of the bedroom_.] Here I am!

SCHÖN--[_Turns; after a pause._] Superb!

LULU--[_Nearer._] Well?

SCHÖN--You shame the boldest fancy.

LULU--How do you like me?

SCHÖN--A picture before which art must despair.

DR. GOLL--Ah, you think so, too?

Schön--[_To_ LULU.] Have you any notion what you’re doing?

LULU--I’m perfectly aware of myself!

SCHÖN--Then you might be a little more discreet.

LULU--But I’m only doing what’s my duty.

SCHÖN--You are powdered?

LULU--What do you take me for!

DR. GOLL--I’ve never seen such a white skin as she’s got. I’ve told our Raphael here, too, to do just as little with the flesh tints as possible. I can’t get up any enthusiasm for this modern daubing.

SCHWARZ--[_By the easels, preparing his paints._] At any rate, it’s thanks to impressionism that present-day art can stand up beside the old masters without blushing.

DR. GOLL--Oh, it may be quite the thing for a brute being led to slaughter.

SCHÖN--For Heaven’s sake don’t get excited! [LULU _falls on_ GOLL’S _neck and kisses him_.]

DR. GOLL--They can see your undershirt. You must pull it lower.

LULU--I would soonest have left it off. It only bothers me.

DR. GOLL--He should be able to paint it out.

LULU--[_Taking the shepherd’s crook that leans against the Spanish screen, and mounting the platform, to_ SCHÖN.] What would you say now, if you had to stand at attention for two hours?

SCHÖN--I’d sell my soul to the devil for the chance to exchange with you.

DR. GOLL--[_Sitting, left._] Come over here. Here is my post of observation.

LULU--[_Plucking her left trouser-leg up to the knee, to_ SCHWARZ.] So?

SCHWARZ--Yes....

LULU--[_Plucking it a thought higher._] So?

SCHWARZ--Yes, yes....

DR. GOLL--[_To_ SCHÖN, _who has seated himself on the chair next him, with a gesture_.] I find that she shows up even better from here.

LULU--[_Without stirring._] I beg pardon! I show up equally well from every side.

SCHWARZ--[_To_ LULU.] The right knee further forward, please.

SCHÖN--[_With a gesture._] The body does show finer lines perhaps.

SCHWARZ--The lighting is at least half-way bearable to-day.

DR. GOLL--Oh, you must throw on lots of it! Hold your brush a bit longer.

SCHWARZ--Certainly, Dr. Goll.

DR. GOLL--Treat her as a piece of still-life.

SCHWARZ--Certainly, Doctor. [_To_ LULU.] You used to hold your head a wee mite higher, Mrs. Goll.

LULU--[_Raising her head._] Paint my lips a little open.

SCHÖN--Paint snow on ice. If you get warm doing that, then instantly your art gets inartistic!

SCHWARZ--Certainly, Doctor.

DR. GOLL--Art, you know, must so reproduce nature that one can get at least some =spiritual= enjoyment from it!

LULU--[_Opening her mouth a little, to_ SCHWARZ.] So--look. I’ll hold it half opened, so.

SCHWARZ--Every time the sun comes out, the wall opposite throws warm reflections in here.

DR. GOLL--[_To_ LULU.] You must keep your pose and behave as if our Velasquez here were nonexistent.

LULU--Well, a painter =isn’t= a man, anyway.

SCHÖN--I don’t think you ought to judge the whole craft from nothing more than one notable exception.

SCHWARZ--[_Stepping back from the easel._] However, I rather wish I had had to hire a different studio last fall.

SCHÖN--[_To_ GOLL.] What I wanted to ask you--have you seen the little Murphy girl yet as a Peruvian pearl-fisher?

DR. GOLL--I see her to-morrow for the fourth time. Prince Polossov took me. His hair has already got dark yellow again with delight.

SCHÖN--So you find her quite fabulous, too.

DR. GOLL--Who ever wants to judge of that beforehand?

LULU--I think someone knocked.

SCHWARZ--Pardon me a moment. [_Goes and opens the door._]

DR. GOLL--[_To_ LULU.] You can safely smile at him less bashfully!

SCHÖN--To him it means nothing at all.

DR. GOLL--And if it did!--What are we two sitting here for?

ALVA SCHÖN--[_Entering, still behind the Spanish screen._] May one come in?

SCHÖN--My son!

LULU--Oh! It’s Mr. Alva!

DR. GOLL--Don’t mind. Just come along in.

ALVA--[_Stepping forward, shakes hands with_ SCHÖN _and_ GOLL.] Glad to see you. [_Turning toward_ LULU.] Do I see aright? Oh, if only I could engage you for my title part!

LULU--I don’t think I could dance nearly well enough for your show!

ALVA--Ah, but you have a dancing-master whose like cannot be found on any stage in Europe.

SCHÖN--But what brings you here?

DR. GOLL--Maybe you’re having somebody or other painted here, too, in secret!

ALVA--[_To_ SCHÖN.] I wanted to take you to the dress rehearsal.

DR. GOLL--[_As_ SCHÖN _rises_.] Oho, do you have ’em dance to-day in full costume already?

ALVA--Of course. Come along, too. In five minutes I must be on the stage. [_To_ LULU.] Poor me!

DR. GOLL--I’ve forgotten--what’s the name of your ballet?

ALVA--Dalailama.

DR. GOLL--I thought =he= was in a madhouse.

SCHÖN--You’re thinking of Nietzsche, Doctor.

DR. GOLL--You’re right; I got ’em mixed up.

ALVA--I have helped Buddhism to its legs.

DR. GOLL--By his legs is the stage-poet known.

ALVA--Corticelli dances the youthful Buddha as tho she had seen the light of the world by the Ganges.

SCHÖN--So long as her mother lived, she danced with her legs.

ALVA--Then when she got free she danced with her intelligence.

DR. GOLL--Now she dances with her heart.

ALVA--If you’d like to see her----

DR. GOLL--Thank you.

ALVA--Come along with us!

DR. GOLL--Impossible.

SCHÖN--Anyway, we have no time to lose.

ALVA--Come with us, Doctor. In the third act you see Dalailama in his cloister, with his monks----

DR. GOLL--The only thing I care about is the young Buddha.

ALVA--Well, what’s hindering you?

DR. GOLL--I can’t. I can’t do it.

ALVA--We’re going to Peter’s, after it. There you can express your admiration.

DR. GOLL--Don’t press me any further, please.

ALVA--You’ll see the tame monkey, the two Brahmans, the little girls....

DR. GOLL--For heaven’s sake, keep away from me with your little girls!

LULU--Reserve us a proscenium box for Monday, Mr. Alva.

ALVA--How could you doubt that I would, dear lady!

DR. GOLL--When I come back this Hellebreugel will have messed up the whole picture on me.

ALVA--Well, it could be painted over.

DR. GOLL--If I don’t explain to this Caravacci every stroke of his brush----

SCHÖN--Your fears are unfounded, I think....

DR. GOLL--Next time, gentlemen!

ALVA--The Brahmans are getting impatient. The daughters of Nirvana are shivering in their tights.

DR. GOLL--Damned splotchiness!

SCHÖN--We’ll get jumped on if we don’t bring you with us.

DR. GOLL--In five minutes I’ll be back. [_Stands down right, behind_ SCHWARZ _and compares the picture with_ LULU.]

ALVA--[_To_ LULU, _regretfully_.] Duty calls me, gracious lady!

DR. GOLL--[_To_ SCHWARZ.] You must model it a bit more here. The hair is bad. You aren’t paying enough attention to your business!

ALVA--Come on.

DR. GOLL--Now, just hop it! Ten horses will not drag me to Peter’s.

SCHÖN--[_Following_ ALVA _and_ GOLL.] We’ll take my carriage. It’s waiting downstairs. [_Exeunt._]

SCHWARZ--[_Leans over to the right, and spits._] Pack!--If only life could end!--The bread-basket!--paunch and mug!--my artist’s pride has got its back up. [_After a look at_ LULU.] This company!--[_Gets up, goes up left, observes_ LULU _from all sides, and sits again at his easel_.] The choice would be a hard one to make. If I may request Mrs. Goll to raise the right hand a little higher.

LULU--[_Grasps the crook as high as she can reach; to herself._] Who would have thought that was possible!

SCHWARZ--I am quite ridiculous, you think?

LULU--He’s coming right back.

SCHWARZ--I can do no more than paint.

LULU--There he is!

SCHWARZ--[_Rising._] Well?

LULU--Don’t you hear?

SCHWARZ--Someone is coming....

LULU--I knew it.

SCHWARZ--It’s the janitor. He’s sweeping the stairs.

LULU--Thank Heaven!

SCHWARZ--Do you perhaps accompany the doctor to his patients?

LULU--Everything =but= that.

SCHWARZ--Because, you are not accustomed to being alone.

LULU--We have a housekeeper at home.

SCHWARZ--She keeps you company?

LULU--She has a lot of taste.

SCHWARZ--What for?

LULU--She dresses me.

SCHWARZ--Do you go much to balls?

LULU--Never.

SCHWARZ--Then what do you need the dresses for?

LULU--For dancing.

SCHWARZ--You really dance?

LULU--Czardas ... Samaqueca ... Skirt-dance.

SCHWARZ--Doesn’t--that--disgust you?

LULU--You find me ugly?

SCHWARZ--You don’t understand me. But who gives you lessons then?

LULU--Him.

SCHWARZ--Who?

LULU--Him.

SCHWARZ--He?

LULU--He plays the violin----

SCHWARZ--Every day one learns something new.

LULU--I learned in Paris. I took lessons from Eugénie Fougère. She let me copy her costumes, too.

SCHWARZ--What are =they= like?

LULU--A little green lace skirt to the knee, all in ruffles, low-necked, of course, very low-necked and awfully tight-laced. Bright green petticoat, then brighter and brighter. Snow-white underclothes with a hand’s-breadth of lace....

SCHWARZ--I can no longer----

LULU--Then paint!

SCHWARZ--[_Scraping the canvas._] Aren’t you cold at all?

LULU--God forbid! No. What made you ask? Are you so cold?

SCHWARZ--Not to-day. No.

LULU--Praise God, one can breathe!

SCHWARZ--How so?... [LULU _takes a deep breath_.] Don’t do that, please! [_Springs up, throws away his palette and brushes, walks up and down._] The bootblack has only her feet to attend to, at least! And his color doesn’t eat into his money, either. If I go without supper to-morrow, no little society lady will be asking me if I know anything about oyster-patties!

LULU--Is he going out of his head?

SCHWARZ--[_Takes up his work again._] What ever drove the fellow to this test?

LULU--I’d like it better, too, if he had stayed here.

SCHWARZ--We are truly the martyrs of our calling!

LULU--I didn’t wish to cause you pain.

SCHWARZ--[_Hesitating, to_ LULU.] If you--the left trouser-leg--a little higher----

LULU--Here?

SCHWARZ--[_Steps to the platform._] Permit me....

LULU--What do you want?

SCHWARZ--I’ll show you.

LULU--You mustn’t.

SCHWARZ--You are nervous.... [_Tries to seize her hand._]

LULU--[_Throws the crook in his face._] Let me alone! [_Hurries to the entrance door._] You’re a long way yet from getting me.

SCHWARZ--You can’t understand a joke.

LULU--Oh, yes, I can. I understand everything. Just you leave me be. You’ll get nothing at all from me by force. Go to your work. You have no right to molest me. [_Flees behind the ottoman._] Sit down behind your easel!

SCHWARZ--[_Trying to get around the ottoman._] As soon as I’ve punished you--you wayward, capricious----

LULU--But you must have me, first! Go away. You can’t catch me. In long clothes I’d have fallen into your clutches long ago--but in the Pierrot!

SCHWARZ--[_Throwing himself across the ottoman._] I’ve got you!

LULU--[_Hurls the tiger-skin over his head._] Good night! [_Jumps over the platform and climbs up the step-ladder._] I can see away over all the cities of the earth.

SCHWARZ--[_Unrolling himself from the rug._] This old skin!

LULU--I reach up into heaven, and stick the stars in my hair.

SCHWARZ--[_Clambering after her._] I’ll shake it till you fall off!

LULU--If you don’t stop, I’ll throw the ladder down. [_Climbing higher._] Will you let go of my legs? God save the Poles! [_Makes the ladder fall over, jumps onto the platform, and as_ SCHWARZ _picks himself up from the floor, throws the Spanish screen down on his head. Hastening down-stage, by the easels._] I told you that you weren’t going to get me.

SCHWARZ--[_Coming forward._] Let us make peace. [_Tries to embrace her._]

LULU--Keep away from me, or---- [_She throws the easel with the finished picture at him, so that both fall crashing to the floor._]

SCHWARZ--[_Screams._] Merciful Heaven!

LULU--[_Up-stage, right._] You knocked the hole in it yourself!

SCHWARZ--I am ruined! Ten weeks’ work, my journey, my exhibition! Now there is nothing more to lose! [_Plunges after her._]

LULU--[_Springs over the ottoman, over the fallen step-ladder, and over the platform, down-stage._] A grave! Don’t fall into it! [_She stamps thru the picture on the floor._] She made a new man out of him! [_Falls forward._]

SCHWARZ--[_Stumbling over the Spanish screen._] I am merciless now!

LULU--[_Up-stage._] Leave me in peace now. I’m getting dizzy. O Gott! O Gott!... [_Comes forward and sinks down on the ottoman._ SCHWARZ _locks the door; then seats himself next to her, grasps her hand, and covers it with kisses--then pauses, struggling with himself._ LULU _opens her eyes wide_.]

LULU--He may come back.

SCHWARZ--How d’you feel?

LULU--As if I had fallen into the water....

SCHWARZ--I love you.

LULU--One time, I loved a student.

SCHWARZ--Nellie----

LULU--With four-and-twenty scars----

SCHWARZ--I love you, Nellie.

LULU--My name isn’t Nellie. [SCHWARZ _kisses her_.] It’s Lulu.

SCHWARZ--I would call you Eve.

LULU--Do you know what time it is?

SCHWARZ--[_Looking at his watch._] Half past ten. [LULU _takes the watch and opens the case_.] You don’t love me.

LULU--Yes, I do.... It’s five minutes after half past ten.

SCHWARZ--Give me a kiss, Eve!

LULU--[_Takes him by the chin and kisses him. Throws the watch in the air and catches it._] You smell of tobacco.

SCHWARZ--Call me Walter.

LULU--It would be uncomfortable to----

SCHWARZ--You’re just making believe!

LULU--You’re making believe yourself, it seems to me. _I_ make believe? What makes you think that? I’ve =never needed to do that=.

SCHWARZ--[_Rises, disconcerted, passing his hand over his forehead._] God in Heaven! The world is strange to me----

LULU--[_Screams._] Only don’t kill me!

SCHWARZ--[_Instantly whirling round._] =Thou hast never yet loved!=

LULU--[_Half raising herself._] =You have never yet loved=...!

DR. GOLL--[_Outside._] Open the door!

LULU--[_Already sprung to her feet._] Hide me! O God, hide me!

DR. GOLL--[_Pounding on the door._] Open the door!

LULU--[_Holding back_ SCHWARZ _as he goes toward the door_.] He will strike me dead!

DR. GOLL--[_Hammering._] Open the door!

LULU--[_Sunk down before_ SCHWARZ, _gripping his knees._] He’ll beat me to death! He’ll beat me to death!

SCHWARZ--Stand up.... [_The door falls crashing into the studio._ DR. GOLL _with bloodshot eyes rushes upon_ SCHWARZ _and_ LULU, _brandishing his stick_.]

DR. GOLL--You dogs! You.... [_Pants, struggles for breath a few seconds, and falls headlong to the ground._ SCHWARZ’S _knees tremble_. LULU _has fled to the door. Pause._]

SCHWARZ--Mister--Doctor--Doc--Doctor Goll----

LULU--[_In the door._] Please, tho, first put the studio in order.

SCHWARZ--Dr. Goll! [_Leans over._] Doc--[_Steps back._] He’s cut his forehead. Help me to lay him on the ottoman.

LULU--[_Shudders backward in terror._] No. No....

SCHWARZ--[_Trying to turn him over._] Dr. Goll.

LULU--He doesn’t hear.

SCHWARZ--But you, help me, please.

LULU--The two of us together couldn’t lift him.

SCHWARZ--[_Straightening up._] We must send for a doctor.

LULU--He is fearfully heavy.

SCHWARZ--[_Getting his hat._] Please, tho, be so good as to put the place a little to rights while I’m away. [_He goes out._]

LULU--He’ll spring up all at once. [_Intensely._] Bussi!--He just won’t notice anything. [_Comes down-stage in a wide circle._] He sees my feet, and watches every step I take. He has his eye on me everywhere. [_Touches him with her toe._] Bussi! [_Flinching, backward._] It’s serious with him. The dance is over. He’ll send me to prison. What shall I do? [_Leans down to the floor._] A strange, wild face! [_Getting up._] And no one to do him the last services--isn’t that sad! [SCHWARZ _returns_.]

SCHWARZ--Still not come to himself?

LULU--[_Down right._] What shall I do?

SCHWARZ--[_Bending over_ GOLL.] Doctor Goll.

LULU--I almost think it’s serious.

SCHWARZ--Talk decently!

LULU--He wouldn’t say that to me. He makes me dance for him when he doesn’t feel well.

SCHWARZ--The doctor will be here in a moment.

LULU--Doctoring won’t help =him=.

SCHWARZ--But people do what they can, in such cases!

LULU--He doesn’t believe in it.

SCHWARZ--Don’t you want to--at any rate--put something on?

LULU--Yes,--right off.

SCHWARZ--What are you waiting for?

LULU--Please....

SCHWARZ--What is it?

LULU--Shut =his= eyes.

SCHWARZ--You make me shiver.

LULU--Not nearly so much as you make =me=!

SCHWARZ--I?

LULU--You’re a born criminal.

SCHWARZ--Aren’t you the least bit touched by this moment?

LULU--It hits me, too, some.

SCHWARZ--Please, just you keep still now!

LULU--It hits you some, too.

SCHWARZ--You really didn’t need to add that, at such a moment!

LULU--=Please=...!

SCHWARZ--Do what you think necessary. I don’t know how.

LULU--[_Left of_ GOLL.] He’s looking at me.

SCHWARZ--[_Right of_ GOLL.] And at me, too.

LULU--You’re a coward!

SCHWARZ--[_Shuts_ GOLL’S _eyes with his handkerchief_.] It’s the first time in my life I’ve ever been condemned to that.

LULU--Didn’t you do it to your mother?

SCHWARZ--[Nervously.] No.

LULU--You were away, perhaps.

SCHWARZ--No!

LULU--Or else you were afraid?

SCHWARZ--[_Violently._] No!

LULU--[_Shivering, backward._] I didn’t mean to insult you.

SCHWARZ--She’s still alive.

LULU--Then you still have somebody.

SCHWARZ--She’s as poor as a beggar.

LULU--I know what that is.

SCHWARZ--Don’t laugh at me!

LULU--Now I am rich----

SCHWARZ--It gives me cold shudders---- [_Goes right._] She can’t help it!

LULU--[_To herself._] What’ll I do?

SCHWARZ--[_To himself._] Absolutely uncivilized! [_They look at each other mistrustfully._ SCHWARZ _goes over to her and grips her hand_.] Look me in the eyes!

LULU--[_Apprehensively._] What do you want?

SCHWARZ--[_Takes her to the ottoman and makes her sit next to him._] Look me in the eyes.

LULU--I see myself in them as Pierrot.

SCHWARZ--[_Shoves her from him._] Confounded dancer-ing!

LULU--I must change my clothes----

SCHWARZ--[_Holds her back._] One question----

LULU--I can’t answer it.

SCHWARZ--Can you speak the truth?

LULU--I don’t know.

SCHWARZ--Do you believe in a Creator?

LULU--I don’t know.

SCHWARZ--Can you swear by anything?

LULU--I don’t know. Leave me alone. You’re mad.

SCHWARZ--What do you believe in, then?

LULU--I don’t know.

SCHWARZ--Have you no soul, then?

LULU--I don’t know.

SCHWARZ--Have you ever once loved----?

LULU--I don’t know.

SCHWARZ--[_Gets up, goes right, to himself._] She doesn’t know!

LULU--[_Without moving._] I don’t know.

SCHWARZ--[_Glancing at_ GOLL.] He knows.

LULU--[_Nearer him._] What do you want to know?

SCHWARZ--[_Angrily._] Go, get dressed! [LULU _goes into the bedroom_. _To_ GOLL.] Would I could change with you, you dead man! I give her back to you. I give my youth to you, too. I lack the courage and the faith. I’ve had to wait patiently too long. It’s too late for me. I haven’t grown up big enough for happiness. I have a hellish fear of it. Wake up! I didn’t touch her. He opens his mouth. Mouth open and eyes shut, like the children. With me it’s the other way round. Wake up, wake up! [_Kneels down and binds his handkerchief round the dead man’s head._] Here I beseech Heaven to make me =able= to be happy--to give me the strength and the freedom of soul to be just a weeny mite happy! For =her= sake, =only for her sake=. [LULU _comes out of the bedroom, completely dressed, her hat on, and her right hand under her left arm_.]

LULU--[_Raising her left arm, to_ SCHWARZ.] Would you hook me up here? My hand trembles.

CURTAIN