The Lucky Man Part 2

Bendish: I'm here.

Cadwell: What time is it?

Bendish: Doesn't matter.

Cadwell: Scoundrel! Hasn't anyone come to ask for me?

Bendish: Arabella's valet is waiting for you to wake up.

Cadwell: Selina hasn't sent around?

Bendish: I protect you from gossip. (drawing a letter and a watch from his jacket and presenting them to Cadwell) Here's a letter and a watch Selina sent you. Her lackey is going to come for a reply.

Cadwell: Just put them there.

Bendish: Aren't you going to read her letter?

Cadwell: No. I know everything that will be in it.

Bendish: (hearing a noise) Someone's knocking on the door. Shall I open it?

Cadwell: See who it is!

(Bendish goes to open)

Ah, it's from Arabella.

(Enter Arabella's Lackey)

Lackey: (giving a clasp to Cadwell) Yes, sir. Here is what madam sends you. Will you send a reply?

Cadwell: A reply? No.

Lackey: Will you come to her, sir?

Cadwell: No.

Lackey: Tomorrow perhaps, sir?

Cadwell: Er--one of these days, certainly. (to Bendish) Hey, Bendish--haven't you got a watch? (Bendish gives Cadwell the watch which Cadwell in turn presents to the lackey) Take this to your mistress. (to Bendish) Well now--finish dressing me.

(The Lackey bows and exits)

Bendish: And what will Selina say when she doesn't see her watch anymore?

Cadwell: Didn't I tell you to dress me?

Bendish: Eh! You don't intend to go out?

Cadwell: I don't know what I will do. I'd like to spend the day here. No, I have to go out. (Thinking he hears a noise) Someone's knocking.

Another lackey, I'll bet.

Bendish: No, sir, n.o.body's knocking.-- Admit that it's a tiresome distinction to be a pretty fellow and not to be able to take a step without being run after by half the world. These are the perils one faces when one is made like you.

Cadwell: There are times when I wish not to be as I am--when I'd give anything in the world to be like you.

Bendish: I believe it.

Cadwell: Perhaps you have some secret to make me disliked?

Bendish: I do, sir. And it's very easy. You have only to continue to live the way you live and I guarantee you the hate and scorn of all mankind.

(hearing knocking) They're knocking.

Cadwell: Open.

Bendish: (after having opened the door) It's from Selina.

(Enter Selina's Lackey)

Lackey: Sir, I've brought a letter and a watch.

Cadwell: I know what it is. Here give her this. (giving the Lackey the clasp)

(Exit Lackey)

Bendish: He pipes with the flute and tunes with the drum.

Cadwell: You seem quite astonished?

Bendish: Me? No. I find this the best thing in the world. To love her today and betray her tomorrow. To take from one to give to the other. False confidences, slander, letters, sacrifices, flatteries, scandal--mere nothings! I am ready for everything. We won't be rich in the end but we'll have a good laugh, right sir?

Cadwell: Ah, I'm delighted to see you reasonable.

Bendish: Oh, sir, when a devil and a hermit live together, either the devil becomes a hermit or the hermit becomes a devil, I am absolutely convinced. Well, let's see who the unfortunate lady will be whose reputation you will ruin by some new perfidy? I can clearly see that your feelings are reserved for the Marquise.

Cadwell: Which one?

Bendish: Why the one you long ago swore to be faithful to.

Cadwell: No. I no longer love her.

Bendish: Your flames are not more vehement for this good lady to whom I carried your portrait that same day?

Cadwell: Ah, fie! I cannot suffer her. She paints!

Bendish: And the other one--her best friend?

Cadwell: She has no wit.