He Who Gets Slapped Part 5

GENTLEMAN

[_Enthusiastically_]: Great heavens--you! Allow me to shake hands with you heartily! You, with your genius, you have given me so much joy!

JACKSON

I'm glad indeed!

BRIQUET

[_Shrugs his shoulders; to Jackson_]: He wants to be a clown! Look him over, Jim.

[_Jackson makes a motion at which the gentleman hurriedly removes his coat and throws it on a chair. He is ready for the examination.

Jackson turns him round, looking him over critically._]

JACKSON

Clown? Hm! Turn round then. Clown? Yes? Now smile. Wider--broader--do you call that a smile? So--that's better. There is something, yes--but for full developments---- [_Sadly_]: Probably you can't even turn a somersault?

GENTLEMAN

[_Sighs_]: No.

JACKSON

How old are you?

GENTLEMAN

Thirty-nine. Too late? [_Jackson moves away with a whistle. There is a silence._]

ZINIDA

[_Softly_]: Take him.

BRIQUET

[_Indignant_]: What the h.e.l.l shall I do with him if he doesn't know a thing? He's drunk!

GENTLEMAN

Honestly I am not. Thank you for your support, Madame. Are you not the famous Zinida, the lion tamer, whose regal beauty and audacity----

ZINIDA

Yes. But I do not like flattery.

GENTLEMAN

It is not flattery.

MANCINI

You are evidently not accustomed to good society, my dear. Flattery?

This gentleman expresses his admiration in sincere and beautiful words--and you--you are not educated, Zinida. As for myself----

[_Enter CONSUELO and BEZANO in circus costume._]

CONSUELO

You here, Daddy?

MANCINI

Yes, my child, you are not tired? [_Kisses her on the forehead._] My daughter, sir, Countess Veronica. Known on the stage as Consuelo, The Bareback Tango Queen. Did you ever see her?

GENTLEMAN

I have enjoyed her work. It is marvellous!

MANCINI

Yes! Of course. Everyone admits it. And how do you like the name, Consuelo? I took it from the novel of George Sand. It means "Consolation."

GENTLEMAN

What a wonderful knowledge of books!

MANCINI

A small thing. Despite your strange intention, I can see, sir, that you are a gentleman. My peer! Let me explain to you, that only the strange and fatal misfortunes of our ancient family--"_sic transit gloria mundi_," sir.

CONSUELO

It's a bore, Daddy---- Where's my handkerchief, Alfred?

BEZANO

Here it is.

CONSUELO

[_Showing the handkerchief to the gentleman_]: Genuine Venetian. Do you like it?

GENTLEMAN

[_Again bowing_]: My eyes are dazzled, how beautiful! Papa Briquet, the more I look around me the more I want to stay with you. [_Makes the face of a simpleton._] On the one hand a count, on the other----

JACKSON