Fifty Contemporary One-Act Plays - BestLightNovel.com
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MADELEINE. Ah, men are very--I'll say the word after I leave. [_She goes out through the little door._]
MARCEL [_alone_]. "Men are very--!" If we were, the women would have a very stupid time of it!
[_He is about to follow Madeleine._]
[_Enter Francoise._]
FRANcOISE. Who was that stylish looking woman who just left, Marcel?
MARCEL [_embarra.s.sed_]. Madame Jackson, my American friend.
FRANcOISE. Well?
MARCEL. My picture? Sold!
FRANcOISE. Ten thousand? Splendid! Don't you think so? You don't seem very happy!
MARCEL. The idea!
[_He picks up his hat._]
FRANcOISE [_jealously_]. Are you going to leave me?
MARCEL. I am just going to Goupil's and tell him.
FRANcOISE. Then I'll have to lunch all by myself! [_Marcel stops an instant before the mirror._] You look lovely.
MARCEL [_turning round_]. I--
FRANcOISE. Oh, you'll succeed!
[_A pause._]
MARCEL [_enchanted, in spite of himself_]. What can you be thinking of!
[_Aside._] What if she were after all my happiness? [_Reproachfully._]
Now, Francoise--
FRANcOISE. I was only joking.
MARCEL [_ready to leave_]. No moping, remember? I can't have that!
FRANcOISE. I know!
MARCEL [_tenderly. He stands at the threshold. Aside_]. Poor child! Well I may fail!
[_He goes out, left._]
FRANcOISE [_sadly_]. Where is he going? Probably to a rendezvous. Oh, if he is! Will my luck fail me to-day? Soon he'll come back again, so well satisfied with himself! I talk to him so much about my resignation, I wonder whether he believes in it? Why must I be tormented this way forever?
[_Enter Jean, with a visiting-card._]
JEAN. Is Monsieur here?
FRANcOISE. Let me see!
[_She takes the card._]
JEAN. The gentleman is waiting, Madame.
FRANcOISE. Ask him to come in. Quick, now!
[_Jean goes out._]
[_Enter Guerin, at the back. As he sees Francoise he hesitates before coming to her._]
FRANcOISE [_cordially_]. Come in, Monsieur. I have never seen you, but I already know you very well.
GUeRIN [_a large, strong man, with grayish hair_]. Thank you, Madame. I thought I should find Monsieur Desroches at home. If you will excuse me--
FRANcOISE. I beg you!
GUeRIN. I fear I am intruding: it's so early.
FRANcOISE. You intruding in Marcel's home?
GUeRIN. Madame--
FRANcOISE. My husband will return soon, Monsieur.
GUeRIN [_brightening_]. Good!
FRANcOISE. Will you wait for him here in the studio?
GUeRIN [_advancing_]. Really, Madame, it would be most ungrateful of me to refuse your kindness.
FRANcOISE. Here are magazines and newspapers--I shall ask to be excused.
[_As she is about to leave._] It was rather difficult to make you stay!
GUeRIN. Forgive me, Madame. [_Aside ironically._] Too bad! She's decidedly charming!
[_Having gone up-stage, Francoise suddenly returns._]
FRANcOISE. It seems a little strange to you, Monsieur--doesn't it?--to see a woman in this bachelor studio--quite at home?
GUeRIN. Why, Madame--
FRANcOISE. Before leaving you--which I shall do in a moment--you must know that there is one woman who is very glad to know you have returned to Paris!
GUeRIN. We just arrived this week.
