Fifty Contemporary One-Act Plays Part 250

a.n.a.lYTIKOS. If you had diverted yourself with a war or two you might have forgotten your troubles at home.

MENELAUS [_frightened_]. I detest dissension of any kind--my dream was perpetual peace in comfortable domesticity with a womanly woman to warm my sandals.

a.n.a.lYTIKOS. Is not the Queen--?

MENELAUS. No! No! The whole world is but her mirror. And I'm expected to face that woman every morning at breakfast for the rest of my life, and by Venus that's more than even a King can bear!

a.n.a.lYTIKOS. Even a King cannot alter destiny. I warn you, whom the G.o.ds have joined together--

MENELAUS [_in an outburst_]. Is for man to break asunder!

a.n.a.lYTIKOS [_deeply shocked_]. You talk like an atheist.

MENELAUS. I never allow religion to interfere with life. Go call the victim and see that he be left alone with the Queen.

[_Menelaus exits and a.n.a.lytikos goes over to the door of the library and summons Paris, who enters clad in a gorgeous robe._]

PARIS. I found this in there. It looks rather well, doesn't it? Ah! So you're alone. I suppose that stupid friend of yours has gone to tell the King. When do I see the Queen?

a.n.a.lYTIKOS. At once.

[_He goes to the door of the Queen's apartment and claps his hand.

Tsumu enters and at the sight of her Paris recoils the full length of the room._]

PARIS. I thought the Queen was a blonde!

a.n.a.lYTIKOS. Tell Her Majesty a stranger awaits her here.

[_Tsumu exits, her eyes wide on Paris._]

You should thank the G.o.ds for this moment.

PARIS [_his eyes on the door_]. You do it for me. I can never remember all their names.

[_Helena enters clad in her Sicily blue, crowned with a garland of golden flowers. She and Paris stand riveted, looking at each other. Their att.i.tude might be described as fantastic. a.n.a.lytikos watches them for a moment and then with hands and head lifted to heaven he goes into the library._]

PARIS [_quivering with emotion_]. I have the most strange sensation of having seen you before. Something I can't explain--

HELENA [_quite practically_]. Please don't bother about all sorts of fine distinctions. Under the influence of a.n.a.lytikos and my husband, life has become a mess of indecision. I'm a simple, direct woman and I expect you to say just what you think.

PARIS. Do you? Very well, then--[_He comes a step nearer to her._] Fate is impelling me toward you.

HELENA. Yes. That's much better. So you're a fatalist. It's very Greek.

I don't see what our dramatists would do without it.

PARIS. In my country there are no dramatists. We are too busy with reality.

HELENA. Your people must be uncivilized barbarians.

PARIS. My people are a genuine people. There is but one thing we wors.h.i.+p.

HELENA. Don't tell me it's money.

PARIS. It's--

HELENA. a.n.a.lytikos says if there weren't any money, there wouldn't be any of those ridiculous socialists.

PARIS. It isn't money. It's sincerity.

HELENA. I, too, believe in sincerity. It's the loveliest thing in the world.

PARIS. And the most dangerous.

HELENA. The truth is never dangerous.

PARIS. Except when told.

HELENA [_making room on the couch for him to sit next to her_]. You mustn't say wicked things to me.

PARIS. Can your theories survive a test?

HELENA [_beautifully_]. Truth is eternal and survives all tests.

PARIS. No. Perhaps, after all, your soul is not ready for the supremest heights.

HELENA. Do you mean to say I'm not religious? Religion teaches the meaning of love.

PARIS. Has it taught you to love your husband?

HELENA [_starting up and immediately sitting down again_]. How dare you speak to me like that?

PARIS. You see. I was right.

[_He goes toward the balcony._]

HELENA [_stopping him_]. Whatever made you think so?

PARIS. I've heard people talk of the King. You could never love a man like that.

HELENA [_beautifully_]. A woman's first duty is to love her husband.

PARIS. There is a higher right than duty.

HELENA [_with conviction_]. Right is right.

PARIS [_with admiration_]. The world has libeled you.

HELENA. Me! The Queen?