He Who Gets Slapped Part 16

HE

[_Goes to him, touches his shoulder gently_]: What is the matter, Papa Briquet? Tell me!

BRIQUET

[_Groaning_]: Oh, oh, I can't ... I can't ... Ah----

HE

Something has happened? You are ill? Please speak.

BRIQUET

I can't look at it! [_Takes his hands from his eyes, opens them wide._]

Why does she do it? Ah, ah, why does she do it? She must be taken away; she is insane. I couldn't look at it. [_s.h.i.+vers._] They will tear her to pieces. HE--her lions--they will tear her--

MANCINI

Go on, Briquet. She is always like that. You act like a child. You ought to be ashamed.

BRIQUET

No---- To-day she is mad! And what is the matter with the crowd?

They are all like dead people--they're not even breathing. I couldn't stand it. Listen--what's that? [_All listen. There is the same silence._]

MANCINI

[_Disturbed_]: I'll go and see.

BRIQUET

[_Yelling_]: No! Don't! You can't look--d.a.m.ned profession! Don't go. You will scorch her--every pair of eyes that looks at her--at her lions--no, no. It is impossible--it is a sacrilege. I ran away.... HE, they will tear her----

HE

[_Tries to be cheerful_]: Keep cool, Papa Briquet--I had no idea you were such a coward. You ought to be ashamed. Have a drink. Mancini, give him some wine.

BRIQUET

I don't want any. Heavens, if it were only over---- [_All listen._] I have seen many things in my life, but this.... Oh, she is crazy. [_All still listen. Suddenly the silence breaks, like a huge stone wall cras.h.i.+ng. There is a thunder of applause, mixed with shouts, music, wild screams--half b.e.s.t.i.a.l, half human. The men give way, relieved. Briquet sinks to a seat._]

MANCINI

[_Nervous_]: You see--you see--you old fool!

BRIQUET

[_Sobs and laughs_]: I am not going to allow it any more!

HE

Here she is!

[_Zinida walks in, alone. She looks like a drunken bacchante, or like a mad woman. Her hair falls over her shoulders dishevelled, one shoulder is uncovered. She walks unseeing, though her eyes glow. She is like the living statue of a mad Victory. Behind her comes an actor, very pale, then two clowns, and a little later Consuelo and Bezano. All look at Zinida fearfully, as if they were afraid of a touch of her hand, or her great eyes._]

BRIQUET

[_Shouting_]: You are crazy--you're a mad woman!

ZINIDA

I? No. Did you see? Did you see? Well? [_She stands smiling, with the expression of a mad Victory._]

TILLY

[_Plaintively_]: Cut it out, Zinida. Go to the devil!

ZINIDA

You saw, too! And!... what----

BRIQUET

Come home--come home. [_To the others_] You can do what you like here.

Zinida, come home.

POLLY

You can't go, Papa. There's still your number.

ZINIDA

[_Her eyes meet those of Bezano_]: Ah! Bezano. [_Laughs long and happily_.] Bezano! Alfred! Did you see? My lions _do_ love me! [_Bezano, without answering, leaves the stage. Zinida seems to wither and grow dim, as a light being extinguished. Her smile fades, her eyes and face grow pale. Briquet anxiously bends over her._]

BRIQUET

[_In a slow voice_]: A chair! [_Zinida sits. Her head drops on her shoulder, her arms fall, she begins to s.h.i.+ver and tremble. Some one calls, "Cognac"--an actor runs to get it._]

BRIQUET

[_Helpless_]: What is the matter, Zinida darling?

MANCINI

[_Running about_]: She must quiet down. Get out, get out--vagabonds!

I'll fix everything, Papa Briquet. The wrap--where's the wrap? She's cold. [_A clown hands it to him; they cover her._]

TILLY