He Who Gets Slapped Part 6

[_Nods approval_]: That's not bad. Look here, think a bit--find something. Everyone here thinks for himself.

[_Silence. The gentleman stands with a finger on his forehead, thinking._]

GENTLEMAN

Find something--find something ... Eureka!

POLLY

That means _found_. Come!

GENTLEMAN

Eureka---- I shall be among you, he who gets slapped. [_General laughter. Even_ BRIQUET _smiles_.]

GENTLEMAN

[Looks at them smiling]: You see I made even you laugh--is that easy?

[_All grow serious. Polly sighs._]

TILLY

No, it's not easy. Did you laugh, Polly?

POLLY

Sure, a lot. Did you?

TILLY

I did. [_Imitating an instrument, he plays with his lips a melody at once sad and gay._]

JACKSON

"He Who Gets Slapped," that's not bad.

GENTLEMAN

It's not, is it? I rather like it myself. It suits my talent. And comrades, I have even found a name--you'll call me "HE." Is that all right?

JACKSON

[_Thinking_]: "HE"--Not bad.

CONSUELO

[_In a singing, melodic voice_]: "HE" is so funny--"HE"--like a dog.

Daddy, are there such dogs?

[_Jackson suddenly gives a circus slap to the gentleman. HE steps back and grows pale._]

GENTLEMAN

What!--[_General laughter covers his exclamation._]

JACKSON

HE Who Gets Slapped. Or didn't you get it?

POLLY

[_Comically_]: He says he wants more---- [_The gentleman smiles, rubbing his cheek._]

GENTLEMAN

So sudden.--Without waiting.--How funny--you didn't hurt me, and yet my cheek burns.

[_Again there is loud laughter. The clowns cackle like ducks, hens, c.o.c.ks; they bark._ ZINIDA _says something to_ BRIQUET, _casts a glance toward_ BEZANO, _and goes out_. MANCINI _a.s.sumes a bored air and looks at his watch_. _The two actresses go out._]

JACKSON

Take him, Papa Briquet--he will push us.

MANCINI

[_Again looking at his watch_]: But bear in mind, that Papa Briquet is as close as Harpagon. If you expect to get good money here you are mistaken. [_HE laughs._] A slap? What's a slap? Worth only small change, a franc and a half a dozen. Better go back to society; you will make more money there. Why for one slap, just a light tap, you might say, my friend, Marquis Justi, was paid fifty thousand lire!

BRIQUET

Shut up, Mancini. Will you take care of him, Jackson.

JACKSON

I can.

POLLY

Do you like music? A Beethoven sonata played on a broom, for instance, or Mozart on a bottle?

HE

Alas! No. But I will be exceedingly grateful if you will teach me. A clown! My childhood's dream. When all my school friends were thrilled by Plutarch's heroes, or the light of science--I dreamed of clowns.

Beethoven on a broom, Mozart on bottles! Just what I have sought all my life! Friends, I must have a costume!

JACKSON

I see you don't know much! A costume [_putting his finger on his forehead_] is a thing which calls for deep thought. Have you seen my Sun here? [_Strikes his posterior._] I looked for it two years.