Erdgeist (Earth-Spirit) Part 24

LULU. I married you!

SCHoN. How does that alter anything?

LULU. I was always afraid it would alter a great deal.

SCHoN. It has, indeed, crushed a great deal underfoot.

LULU. But not one thing, praise G.o.d!

SCHoN. Of that I should be covetous.

LULU. Your love for me. (Schon's face twitches, he signs to her to go out in front of him. Both exeunt lower right. Countess Geschwitz cautiously opens the rear door, ventures forth, and listens. Hearing voices approaching in the gallery above her, she starts suddenly.)

GESCHWITZ. Oh dear, there's somebody-- (Hides behind the fire-screen.)

SCHIGOLCH. (Steps out from the curtains onto the stairs, turns back.) Has the youngster left his heart behind him in the "Nightlight" cafe?

RODRIGO. (Between the curtains.) He is still too small for the great world, and can't walk so far on foot yet. (He disappears.)

SCHIGOLCH. (Coming down the stairs.) G.o.d be thanked we're home again at last! What d.a.m.ned skunk has waxed the stairs again? If I have to have my joints set in plaster again before being called home, she can just present me between the palms here to her relations as the Venus de'

Medici. Nothing but steep rocks and stumbling blocks!

RODRIGO. (Comes down the stairs, carrying Hugenberg in his arms.) This thing has a royal police-captain for a father and not as much courage in his body as the raggedest hobo!

HUGENBERG. If there was nothing more to it than life and death, then you'd soon learn to know me!

RODRIGO. Even with his lover's woe, little brother don't weigh more than sixty kilos. I'll let myself be hung on that statement any time.

SCHIGOLCH. Throw him up to the ceiling and catch him by the feet.

That'll whip his young blood into the proper rhythm right from the start.

HUGENBERG. (Kicking his legs.) Hooray, hooray, I shall be expelled from school!

RODRIGO. (Setting him down at the foot of the stairs.) You've never been to any sensible school at all yet.

SCHIGOLCH. Here many a man has already won his spurs. Only, no timidity! First, I'll set before you a drop of what can't be had anywhere for money. (Opens a cupboard under the stairs.)

HUGENBERG. Now if she doesn't come dancing in on the instant, I'll wallop you two so you'll still rub your tails in the hereafter.

RODRIGO. (Seated left of the table.) The strongest man in the world little brother will wallop! Let mamma put long trowsers on you first.

(Hugenberg sits opposite him.)

HUGENBERG. I'd rather you lent me your mustache.

RODRIGO. Maybe you want her to throw you out of the door straight off?

HUGENBERG. If I only knew now what the devil I was going to say to her!

RODRIGO. That she knows best herself.

SCHIGOLCH. (Putting two bottles and three gla.s.ses on the table.) I started in on one of them yesterday. (Fills the gla.s.ses.)

RODRIGO. (Guarding Hugenberg's.) Don't give him too much, or we'll both have to pay for it.

SCHIGOLCH. (Supporting himself with both hands on the table-top.) Will the gentlemen smoke?

HUGENBERG. (Opening his cigarette case.) Havana-imported!

RODRIGO. (Helping himself.) From papa police-captain?

SCHIGOLCH. (Sitting.) Everything in the house is mine. You only need to ask.

HUGENBERG. I made a poem to her yesterday.

RODRIGO. What did you make to her?

SCHIGOLCH. What did he make to her?

HUGENBERG. A poem.

RODRIGO. (To Schigolch.) A poem.

SCHIGOLCH. He's promised me a dollar if I can spy out where he can meet her alone.

HUGENBERG. Just who does live here?

RODRIGO. Here =we= live!

SCHIGOLCH. Jour fix--every stock-market day! Our health. (They clink.)

HUGENBERG. Should I read it to her first, maybe?

SCHIGOLCH. (To Rodrigo.) What's he mean?

RODRIGO. His poem. He'd like to stretch her out and torture her a little first.

SCHIGOLCH. (Staring at Hugenberg.) His eyes! His eyes!

RODRIGO. His eyes, yes. They've robbed her of sleep for a week.

SCHIGOLCH. (To Rodrigo.) You can have yourself pickled.

RODRIGO. We can both have ourselves pickled! Our health, gossip Death!

SCHIGOLCH. (Clinking with him.) Health, jack-in-the-box! If it's still better later on, I'm ready for departure at any moment; but--but-- (Lulu enters right, in an elegant Parisian ball-dress, much decollete, with flowers in breast and hair.)

LULU. But children, children, I expect company!