Erdgeist (Earth-Spirit) Part 5

ALVA. (To Lulu.) Duty calls me, gracious lady!

DR. GOLL. (To Schwarz.) You must model it a bit more here. The hair is bad. You aren't paying enough attention to your business!

ALVA. Come on.

DR. GOLL. Now, just hop it! Ten horses will not drag me to Peter's.

SCHoN. (Following Alva and Goll.) We'll take my carriage. It's waiting downstairs. (Exeunt.)

SCHWARZ. (Leans over to the right, and spits.) Pack! If only that were life's end! The bread-basket!--paunch and mug! Now rears my artist's pride. (After a look at Lulu.) This company!-- (Gets up, goes up left, observes Lulu from all sides, and sits again at his easel.) The choice would be a hard one to make. If I may request Mrs. Goll to raise the right hand a little higher.

LULU. (Grasps the crook as high as she can reach; to herself.) Who would have thought that was possible!

SCHWARZ. I am quite ridiculous, you think?

LULU. He's coming right back.

SCHWARZ. I can do nothing but paint.

LULU. There he is!

SCHWARZ. (Rising.) Well?

LULU. Don't you hear?

SCHWARZ. Someone is coming....

LULU. I knew it.

SCHWARZ. It's the janitor. He's sweeping the stairs.

LULU. Thank heaven!

SCHWARZ. Do you perhaps accompany the doctor to his patients?

LULU. Everything =but= that.

SCHWARZ. Because, you are not accustomed to being alone.

LULU. We have a housekeeper at home.

SCHWARZ. She keeps you company?

LULU. She has a lot of taste.

SCHWARZ. What for?

LULU. She dresses me.

SCHWARZ. Do you go much to b.a.l.l.s?

LULU. Never.

SCHWARZ. Then what do you need the dresses for?

LULU. For dancing.

SCHWARZ. You really dance?

LULU. Czardas ... Samaqueca ... Skirt-dance.

SCHWARZ. Doesn't--that--disgust you, then?

LULU. You find me ugly?

SCHWARZ. You don't understand me. But who gives you lessons then?

LULU. Him.

SCHWARZ. Who?

LULU. Him.

SCHWARZ. He?

LULU. He plays the violin--

SCHWARZ. Every day one learns something new of the world!

LULU. I learned in Paris. I took lessons from Eugenie Fougere. She let me copy her costumes, too.

SCHWARZ. What are =they= like?

LULU. A little green lace skirt to the knee, all in ruffles, low-necked, of course, very low-necked and awfully tight-laced. Bright green petticoat, then brighter and brighter. Snow-white underclothes with a hand's-breadth of lace....

SCHWARZ. I can no longer--

LULU. Then paint!

SCHWARZ. (Sc.r.a.ping the canvas.) Aren't you cold at all?

LULU. G.o.d forbid! No. What made you ask? Are you so cold?

SCHWARZ. Not to-day. No.

LULU. Praise G.o.d, one can breathe!

SCHWARZ. How so?... (Lulu takes a deep breath.) Don't do that, please!