He Who Gets Slapped Part 9

Yes, yes, please. I am so happy. At last you have taken me, haven't you?

It is true--you're not joking. The circus, the tan-bark, the ring in which I shall run getting my slaps. Yes, yes, Briquet, let's go. Until I feel the sawdust under my feet, I shall not believe it.

BRIQUET

All right then. [_Kisses_ ZINIDA.] Come on.

ZINIDA

Just a minute--HE! Answer me a question. I have a man who takes care of the cages, a plain fellow whom n.o.body knows. He just cleans the cages you know; he walks in and out whenever he wants to, without even looking at the lions, as if he were perfectly at home. Why is that so? n.o.body knows him, everybody knows me, everyone is afraid for me, while---- And he is such a silly man--you will see him. [_Laughs._] But don't you think of entering the cage yourself! My red one would give you such a slap!

BRIQUET

[_Displeased_]: There you are again, Zinida--stop it.

ZINIDA

[_Laughs_]: All right--go. Oh yes, Louis, send me Bezano. I have to settle an account with him.

[HE _and the director go out_. ZINIDA _looks at the card once more, then hides it. She gets up and walks quickly up and down the room.

She stops to listen to the Tango, which ends abruptly. Then she stands motionless, looking straight at the dark opening of the door through which_ BEZANO _comes_.]

BEZANO

[_Entering_]: You called me, Zinida? What do you want? Tell me quickly, I have no time----

[ZINIDA _looks at him silently_. BEZANO _flushes with anger, and knits his eyebrows. He turns to the door to go._]

ZINIDA

Bezano!

BEZANO

[_Stops, without looking up_]: What do you want? I have no time.

ZINIDA

Bezano! I keep hearing people say that you are in love with Consuelo. Is it true?

BEZANO

[_Shrugging his shoulders_]: We work well together.

ZINIDA

[_Takes a step forward_]: No---- Tell me, Alfred, do you love her?

BEZANO

[_Flushes like a boy, but looks straight into_ ZINIDA'S _eyes.

Proudly_]: I do not love anybody. No, I love n.o.body. How can I?

Consuelo? She is here to-day, gone to-morrow, if her father should take her away. And I? Who am I? An acrobat, the son of a Milanese shoemaker---- She! I cannot even talk about it. Like my horses I have no words. Who am I to love?

ZINIDA

Do you love me? A little?

BEZANO

No. I told you before.

ZINIDA

Still no? Not even a little?

BEZANO

[_After a silence_]: I am afraid of you.

ZINIDA

[_Wants to cry out, indignantly, but masters herself and lowers her eyes, as if in an effort to shut out their light; turns pale_]: Am I ...

so terrifying a woman----

BEZANO

You are beautiful, like a queen. You are almost as beautiful as Consuelo. But I don't like your eyes. Your eyes command me to love you--and I don't like to be commanded. I am afraid of you.

ZINIDA

Do I command, Bezano? No--only implore.

BEZANO

Then why not look at me straight? Now I have it. You know yourself that your eyes cannot implore. [_Laughs._] Your lions have spoiled you.

ZINIDA

My red lion loves me----

BEZANO

Never! If he loves you, why is he so sad?

ZINIDA

Yesterday he was licking my hands like a dog.

BEZANO