He Who Gets Slapped - novelonlinefull.com
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HE
[_Goes to him, touches his shoulder gently_]: What is the matter, Papa Briquet? Tell me!
BRIQUET
[_Groaning_]: Oh, oh, I can't ... I can't ... Ah----
HE
Something has happened? You are ill? Please speak.
BRIQUET
I can't look at it! [_Takes his hands from his eyes, opens them wide._]
Why does she do it? Ah, ah, why does she do it? She must be taken away; she is insane. I couldn't look at it. [_Shivers._] They will tear her to pieces. HE--her lions--they will tear her--
MANCINI
Go on, Briquet. She is always like that. You act like a child. You ought to be ashamed.
BRIQUET
No---- To-day she is mad! And what is the matter with the crowd?
They are all like dead people--they're not even breathing. I couldn't stand it. Listen--what's that? [_All listen. There is the same silence._]
MANCINI
[_Disturbed_]: I'll go and see.
BRIQUET
[_Yelling_]: No! Don't! You can't look--d.a.m.ned profession! Don't go. You will scorch her--every pair of eyes that looks at her--at her lions--no, no. It is impossible--it is a sacrilege. I ran away.... HE, they will tear her----
HE
[_Tries to be cheerful_]: Keep cool, Papa Briquet--I had no idea you were such a coward. You ought to be ashamed. Have a drink. Mancini, give him some wine.
BRIQUET
I don't want any. Heavens, if it were only over---- [_All listen._] I have seen many things in my life, but this.... Oh, she is crazy. [_All still listen. Suddenly the silence breaks, like a huge stone wall crashing. There is a thunder of applause, mixed with shouts, music, wild screams--half b.e.s.t.i.a.l, half human. The men give way, relieved. Briquet sinks to a seat._]
MANCINI
[_Nervous_]: You see--you see--you old fool!
BRIQUET
[_Sobs and laughs_]: I am not going to allow it any more!
HE
Here she is!
[_Zinida walks in, alone. She looks like a drunken bacchante, or like a mad woman. Her hair falls over her shoulders dishevelled, one shoulder is uncovered. She walks unseeing, though her eyes glow. She is like the living statue of a mad Victory. Behind her comes an actor, very pale, then two clowns, and a little later Consuelo and Bezano. All look at Zinida fearfully, as if they were afraid of a touch of her hand, or her great eyes._]
BRIQUET
[_Shouting_]: You are crazy--you're a mad woman!
ZINIDA
I? No. Did you see? Did you see? Well? [_She stands smiling, with the expression of a mad Victory._]
TILLY
[_Plaintively_]: Cut it out, Zinida. Go to the devil!
ZINIDA
You saw, too! And!... what----
BRIQUET
Come home--come home. [_To the others_] You can do what you like here.
Zinida, come home.
POLLY
You can't go, Papa. There's still your number.
ZINIDA
[_Her eyes meet those of Bezano_]: Ah! Bezano. [_Laughs long and happily_.] Bezano! Alfred! Did you see? My lions _do_ love me! [_Bezano, without answering, leaves the stage. Zinida seems to wither and grow dim, as a light being extinguished. Her smile fades, her eyes and face grow pale. Briquet anxiously bends over her._]
BRIQUET
[_In a slow voice_]: A chair! [_Zinida sits. Her head drops on her shoulder, her arms fall, she begins to shiver and tremble. Some one calls, "Cognac"--an actor runs to get it._]
BRIQUET
[_Helpless_]: What is the matter, Zinida darling?
MANCINI
[_Running about_]: She must quiet down. Get out, get out--vagabonds!
I'll fix everything, Papa Briquet. The wrap--where's the wrap? She's cold. [_A clown hands it to him; they cover her._]
TILLY
