Read-Aloud Plays Part 6

Do you prefer poverty for its own sake?

RICHARD

Of course not. But I prefer it to hypocrisy and compromise.

UNCLE RICHARD

Well then. You will accept, Richard? For my sake, Richard?

RICHARD

Well....

UNCLE RICHARD

It is the only pleasure left to me, Richard, thinking of the old name going down honourably in you. And as for the past, my mistakes were due to not having a son of my own. You have no idea what a difference it makes.

It's my dream, Richard, don't destroy it!

RICHARD

If you really mean it that way--

UNCLE RICHARD

My dear Richard! My dear boy! Why--now I know why we have been quarreling, Richard!

RICHARD

Why?

UNCLE RICHARD

Because we are so much alike. At your age I was the same self-willed beggar you are. Richard, you are more like me than you are like your own father!

RICHARD

Le roi est morte, vive le roi. _But_ (_and he thumps the table with great emphasis_) but there's one thing understood--I'm going to paint _masterpieces_!

UNCLE RICHARD

Of course you are, my boy, of course you are! In fact, I always _knew_ you would, Richard!

THE INCOMPATIBLES

_A corner table in a Broadway restaurant, at evening. Between the man and woman who have just taken seats is a bouquet of red roses._

MARIAN

No, I don't want any oysters or clams. I ate enough sea food in Atlantic City to last a season. I want some--Oh, what gorgeous flowers! Umm! I love the smell of roses! Especially out of season. Why, the other tables haven't any! Fred, did you--?

FRED

Sure I did, Marian. I knew you'd like 'em.

MARIAN

I do. But you mustn't be a silly boy any longer, Fred!

FRED

I will, too. It isn't silly, to give _you_ flowers.

MARIAN

That's all right, Fred. Goodness knows I like the flowers. But I'm not a young idiot who expects her honeymoon to last forever. I've had one experience, you know.

FRED

Yes, but you mustn't judge all men by _him_.

MARIAN

I don't. I knew well enough you're different, or I'd never have married you. But at the same time--

FRED

Well, I'm going to show you that a _real_ man don't get over the fun of being married to a peach like you in just two weeks. You don't want me to, do you?

MARIAN

Course not, Fred! Didn't I say you were different? But I don't want you to set a pace you can't keep up. You'd hate me in no time if I did.

FRED

I couldn't hate _you_, girlie! Besides, isn't this our first night back in the old town? We shan't be having dinner out like this every day.

MARIAN

Well, only I don't want to have you flop all of a sudden, like _he_ did.

What'll you have, a c.o.c.ktail?

FRED

Let's see.... What's the matter, Marian?