He Who Gets Slapped Part 10

And this morning he was looking for you to devour you. He thrusts out his muzzle and looks out, as if he sees only you. He is afraid of you, and he hates you. Or do you want me to lick your hands too, like a dog?

ZINIDA

No, Alfred, but I--I want to kiss _your_ hand. [_With pa.s.sion_]: Give it to me!

BEZANO

[_Severely_]: I am ashamed to listen to you when you speak like that.

ZINIDA

[_Controlling herself_]: One should not torture another as you torture me. Alfred, I love you. No, I do not command. Look into my eyes---- _I love you._ [_Silence._]

BEZANO

[_Turns to go_]: Good-bye.

ZINIDA

Alfred----

[HE _appears in the doorway, and stops_.]

BEZANO

Please never tell me any more that you love me. I don't want it.

Otherwise I will quit. You p.r.o.nounce the word love as if you were cracking me with your whip. You know it is disgusting----

[_He turns brusquely and goes. Both notice HE_; BEZANO, _frowning, pa.s.ses out quickly_. ZINIDA _returns to her place at the desk, with a proudly indifferent expression_.]

HE

[_Coming in_]: I beg your pardon, but I----

ZINIDA

There you are again, poking your nose into everything, HE. Do you really want a slap?

HE

[_Laughing_]: No. I simply forgot my overcoat. I didn't hear anything.

ZINIDA

I don't care whether you did or not.

HE

May I take my coat?

ZINIDA

Take it if it's yours. Sit down, HE.

HE

I am sitting down.

ZINIDA

Now tell me HE, could you love me?

HE

[_Laughing_]: I? I and Love! Look at me, Zinida. Did you ever see a lover with such a face?

ZINIDA

One can succeed with such a face----

HE

That's because I am happy--because I lost my hat--because I am drunk--or perhaps I am not drunk. But I feel as dizzy as a young girl at her first ball. It is so nice here--slap me, I want to play my part. Perhaps it will awaken love in my heart, too. Love--[_as if listening to his own heart with pretended terror_] do you know--I feel it!

[_In the circus the Tango is played again_.]

ZINIDA

[_Listening too_]: For me?

HE

No. I don't know. For everyone. [_Listens to the music._] Yes, they are dancing--how beautiful Consuelo is--and how beautiful is the youth. He has the body of a Greek G.o.d; he looks as if he had been modeled by Praxiteles. Love! Love! [_Silence, music._.]

ZINIDA

Tell me, HE----

HE

At your service, Queen!

ZINIDA

HE, what shall I do, to make my lions love me?

CURTAIN