Pandora's Box Part 7

LULU. What has it to do with you if he wastes his money with women or at cards?

RODRIGO. Do you absolutely *want*, then, to throw the last penny that his father earned by his paper into the jaws of this rapacious pack?

You'll make four people happy if you'll not take things too exactly and sacrifice yourself for a beneficent purpose! Has it got to be only Casti-Piani *forever*?

LULU. (_Lightly._) Shall I ask him perhaps to light you down the stairs?

RODRIGO. As you wish, countess! If I don't get the twenty thousand marks by to-morrow evening, I make a statement to the police and your court has an end. Auf Wiedersehen! (_Heilmann enters, breathless, upper right._)

LULU. You're looking for Miss Magelone? She's not here.

HEILMANN. No, I'm looking for something else--

RODRIGO. (_Taking him to the entry-door, opposite him._) Second door on the left.

LULU. (_To Rodrigo._) Did you learn that from your bride?

HEILMANN. (_b.u.mping into Puntschu in the doorway._) Excuse me, my angel!

PUNTSCHU. Ah, it's you. Miss Magelone's waiting for you in the lift.

HEILMANN. You go up with her, please. I'll be right back. (_He hurries out, left. Lulu goes out at lower left. Rodrigo follows her._)

PUNTSCHU. Some heat, that! If I don't cut off *your* ears, you'll cut 'em off me! If I can't hire out my Jehoshaphat, I've just got to help myself with my brains! Won't they get wrinkled, my brains! Won't they get indisposed! Won't they need to bathe in Eau de Cologne! (_Bob, a groom in a red jacket, tight leather breeches, and twinkling riding-boots, 15 years old, brings in a telegram._)

BOB. Mr. Puntschu, the banker!

PUNTSCHU. (_Breaks open the telegram and murmurs:_) "Jungfrau Funicular Stock fallen to--" Ay, ay, so goes the world! (_To Bob._) Wait! (_Gives him a tip._) Tell me--what's your name?

BOB. Well, it's really Freddy, but they call me Bob, because that's the fashion now.

PUNTSCHU. How old are you?

BOB. Fifteen.

KADIDIA. (_Enters hesitatingly from lower left._) I beg your pardon, can you tell me if mama is here?

PUNTSCHU. No, my dear. (_Aside._) Devil, she's got breeding!

KADIDIA. I'm hunting all over for her; I can't find her anywhere.

PUNTSCHU. Your mama will turn up again soon, as true as my name's Puntschu! (_Looking at Bob._) And that pair of breeches! G.o.d of Justice! It gets uncanny! (_He goes out, upper right._)

KADIDIA. Haven't *you* seen my mama, perhaps?

BOB. No, but you only need to come with me.

KADIDIA. Where is she then?

BOB. She's gone up in the lift. Come along.

KADIDIA. No, no, I can't go up with you.

BOB. We can hide up there in the corridor.

KADIDIA. No, no, I can't come, or I'll be scolded. (_Magelone, terribly excited, rushes in, upper left, and possesses herself of Kadidia._)

MAGELONE. Ha, there you are at last, you common creature!

KADIDIA. (_Crying._) O mama, mama, I was hunting for you!

MAGELONE. Hunting for me? Did I tell you to hunt for me? What have you had to do with this fellow? (_Heilmann, Alva, Ludmilla, Puntschu, Geschwitz, and Lulu enter, lower left. Bob has withdrawn._) Now don't bawl before all the people on me; look out, I tell you!

LULU. (_As they all surround Kadidia._) But you're crying, sweetheart! Why are you crying?

PUNTSCHU. By G.o.d, she's really been crying! Who's done anything to hurt you, little G.o.ddess?

LUDMILLA. (_Kneels before her and folds her in her arms._) Tell me, cherub, what bad thing has happened. Do you want a cookie? Do you want some chocolate?

MAGELONE. It's just nerves. The child's getting them much too soon.

It would be the best thing if no one paid any attention to her!

PUNTSCHU. That sounds like you! You're a pretty mother! The courts'll yet take the child away from you and appoint me her guardian!

(_Stroking Kadidia's cheeks._) Isn't that so, my little G.o.ddess?

GESCHWITZ. I should be glad if we started the baccarat again at last?

(_All go into the card-room. Lulu is held back at the door by Bob._)

LULU. (_When Bob has whispered to her._) Certainly! Let him come in!

(_Bob opens the door and lets Schigolch enter, in evening dress, his patent-leather shoes much worn, and keeping on his shabby opera hat._)

SCHIGOLCH. (_With a look at Bob._) Where d'd you get him from?

LULU. The circus.

SCHIGOLCH. How much does he get?

LULU. Ask him if it interests you. (_To Bob._) Shut the doors. (_Bob goes out lower left, shutting the door behind him._)

SCHIGOLCH. (_Sitting down._) The truth is, I'm in need of money. I've hired a flat for my mistress.

LULU. Have you taken another mistress here, too?

SCHIGOLCH. She's from Frankfort. In her youth she was mistress to the King of Naples. She tells me every day she was once very bewitching.

LULU. (_Outwardly with complete composure._) Does she need the money very badly?

SCHIGOLCH. She wants to fit up her own apartments. Such sums are of no account to *you*. (_Lulu is suddenly overcome with a fit of weeping._)