A roomy studio. Entrance door at the rear, left. Another door at lower left to the bed-room. At centre, a platform for the model, with a Spanish screen behind it and a Smyrna rug in front. Two easels at lower right. On the upper one is the picture of a young girl's head and shoulders. Against the other leans a reversed canvas. Below these, toward centre, an ottoman, with a tiger-skin on it. Two chairs along the left wall. In the back-ground, right, a step-ladder.

SchÖn sits on the foot of the ottoman, inspecting critically the picture on the further easel. Schwarz stands behind the ottoman, his palette and brushes in his hands.

SCHÖN. Do you know, I'm getting acquainted with a brand new side of the lady.

SCHWARZ. I have never painted anyone whose expression changed so continuously. I could hardly keep a single feature the same two days running.

SCHÖN. (Pointing to the picture and observing him.) Do you find that in it?

SCHWARZ. I have done everything imaginable to call forth some sort of quiet in her mood by my conversation during the sittings.

SCHÖN. Then I understand the difference. (Schwarz dips his brush in the oil and draws it over the features of the face.) Do you think that makes it look more like her?

SCHWARZ. We can only work with art as scientifically as possible.

SCHÖN. Tell me— SCHWARZ. (Stepping back.) The color had sunk in pretty well, too.

SCHÖN. (Looking at him.) Have you ever loved a woman in your life?

SCHWARZ. (Goes to the easel, puts a color on it, and steps back on the other side.) The dress isn't made to stand out enough yet. We don't see the living body under it.

SCHÖN. I make no doubt that the workmanship is good.

SCHWARZ. If you'll step this way....

SCHÖN. (Rising.) You must have told her regular ghost-stories.

SCHWARZ. As far back as you can.

SCHÖN. (Stepping back, knocks down the canvas that was leaning against the lower easel.) Excuse me—

SCHWARZ. (Picking it up.) That's all right.

SCHÖN. (Surprised.) What is that?

SCHWARZ. Do you know her?

SCHÖN. No. (Schwarz sets the picture on the easel. It is of a lady dressed as Pierrot with a long shepherd's crook in her hand.)

SCHWARZ. A costume-picture.

SCHÖN. But, really, you've succeeded with her.

SCHWARZ. You know her?

SCHÖN. No. And in that costume—?

SCHWARZ. It isn't nearly finished yet. (SchÖn nods.) What would you have? While she is posing for me I have the pleasure of entertaining her husband.

SCHÖN. What?

SCHWARZ. We talk about art, of course,—to complete my good fortune! SCHÖN. But how did you make such a charming acquaintance?

SCHWARZ. As they're generally made. An ancient, tottering little man drops in on me here to know if I can paint his wife. Why, of course, were she as wrinkled as Mother Earth! Next day at ten prompt the doors fly open, and the fat-belly drives this little beauty in before him. I can feel even now how my knees shook. Then comes a sap-green lackey, stiff as a ramrod, with a package under his arm. Where is the dressing-room? Imagine my plight. I open the door there (pointing left). Just luck that everything was in order. The sweet thing vanishes into it, and the old fellow posts himself outside as a bastion. Two minutes later out she steps in this Pierrot. (Shaking his head.) I never saw anything like it. (He goes left and stares in at the bedroom.)

SCHÖN. (Who has followed him with his eyes.) And the fat-belly stands guard?

SCHWARZ. (Turning round.) The whole body in harmony with that impossible costume as if it had come into the world in it! Her way of burying her elbows in her pockets, of lifting her little feet from the rug,—the blood often shoots to my head....

SCHÖN. One can see that in the picture.

SCHWARZ. (Shaking his head.) People like us, you know—

SCHÖN. Here the model is mistress of the conversation.

SCHWARZ. She has never yet opened her mouth.

SCHÖN. Is it possible?

SCHWARZ. Allow me to show the costume to you. (Goes out left.)

SCHÖN. (Before the Pierrot.) A devilish beauty. (Before the other picture.) There's more depth here. (Coming down stage.) He is still rather young for his age. (Schwarz comes back with a white satin costume.)

SCHWARZ. What sort of material is that?

SCHÖN. (Feeling it.) Satin.

SCHWARZ. And all in one piece.

SCHÖN. How does one get into it then?

SCHWARZ. That I can't tell you.

SCHÖN. (Taking the costume by the legs.) What enormous trowser-legs!

SCHWARZ. The left one she pulls up.

SCHÖN. (Looking at the picture.) Above the knee!

SCHWARZ. She does that entrancingly!

SCHÖN. And transparent stockings?

SCHWARZ. Those have got to be painted, specially.

SCHÖN. Oh, you can do that.

SCHWARZ. And with it all a coquetry!

SCHÖN. What brought you to that horrible suspicion?

SCHWARZ. There are things that our school-philosophy lets itself never dream of. (He takes the costume back into his bedroom.)

SCHÖN. (Alone.) When we sleep....

SCHWARZ. (Comes back; looks at his watch.) If you wish to make her acquaintance too—

SCHÖN. No.

SCHWARZ. They must be here in a moment.

SCHÖN. How much longer will the lady have to sit?

SCHWARZ. I shall probably have to bear the pains of Tantalus three months longer.

SCHÖN. I mean the other one.

SCHWARZ. I beg your pardon. Three times more at most. (Going to the door with him.) If the lady will just leave me the upper part of the dress then....

SCHÖN. With pleasure. Let us see you at my house again soon. For Heaven's sake! (As he collides in the door-way with Dr.Goll and Lulu.)

SCHWARZ. May I introduce...

DR. GOLL. (To SchÖn.) What are you doing here?

LULU. (As SchÖn kisses her hand in greeting.) You're not going already?

DR. GOLL. But what wind blows you here?

SCHÖN. I've been looking at the picture of my bride.

LULU. (Coming forward.) Your bride is here?

DR. GOLL. So you're having work done here, too?

LULU. (Before the upper picture.) Look at it! Enchanting! Entrancing!

DR. GOLL. (Looking round him.) Have you got her hidden somewhere round here?

LULU. So that is the sweet young prodigy who's made a new person out of you....

SCHÖN. She sits in the afternoon mostly.

DR. GOLL. And you don't tell anyone about it?

LULU. (Turning round.) Is she really so solemn?

SCHÖN. Probably the after-effects of the seminary still, dear lady.

DR. GOLL. (Before the picture.) One can see that you have been transformed profoundly.

LULU. But now you mustn't let her wait any longer.

SCHÖN. In a fortnight I think the engagement will come out.

DR. GOLL. (To Lulu.) Let's lose no time. Hop!

LULU. (To SchÖn.) Just think, we came at a trot over the new bridge. I was driving, myself.

DR. GOLL. (As SchÖn prepares to leave.) No, no. We two will talk some more later. Get along, Nellie. Hop!

LULU. Now you're going to talk about me! DR. GOLL. Our Apelles is already wiping his brushes.

LULU. I had imagined it would be much more amusing.

SCHÖN. But you have always the satisfaction of preparing for us the greatest and rarest pleasure.

LULU. (Going left.) Oh, just wait!

SCHWARZ. (Before the bedroom door.) If madame will be so kind.... (Shuts the door after her and stands in front of it.)

DR. GOLL. I christened her Nellie, you know, in our marriage-contract.

SCHÖN. Did you?—Yes.

DR. GOLL. What do you think of it?

SCHÖN. Why not call her rather Mignon?

DR. GOLL. That would have been good, too. I didn't think of that.

SCHÖN. Do you consider the name so important?

DR. GOLL. Hm.... You know, I have no children.

SCHÖN. But you've only been married a couple of months.

DR. GOLL. Thanks, I don't want any.

SCHÖN. (Having taken out his cigarette-case.) Have a cigarette?

DR. GOLL. (Helps himself.) I've plenty to do with this one. (To Schwarz.) Say, what's your little danseuse doing now?

SCHÖN. (Turning round on Schwarz.) You and a danseuse?

SCHWARZ. The lady was sitting for me at that time only as a favor. I made her acquaintance on a flying trip of the Cecilia Society.

DR. GOLL. (To SchÖn.) Hm.... I think we're getting a change of weather. SCHÖN. The toilet isn't going so quickly, is it?

DR. GOLL. It's going like lightning! Woman has got to be a virtuoso in her job. So must we all, each in his job, if life isn't to turn to beggary. (Calls.) Hop, Nellie!

LULU. (Inside.) Just a second!

DR. GOLL. (To SchÖn.) I can't get onto these blockheads. (Referring to Schwarz.)

SCHÖN. I can't help envying them. These blockheads know nothing holier than an altar-cloth, and feel richer than you and me with 30,000-mark incomes. Besides, you can't be judge of a man who from childhood has lived from palette to mouth. Try to get at his finances: it's an arithmetic example! I haven't the moral courage, and one can easily burn one's fingers at it, too.

LULU. (As Pierrot, steps out of the bed-room.) Here I am!

SCHÖN. (Turns; after a pause.) Superb!

LULU. (Nearer.) Well?

SCHÖN. You put shame on the boldest fancy.

LULU. How do you like me?

SCHÖN. A picture before which art must despair.

DR. GOLL. Don't you think so, too?

SCHÖN. (To Lulu.) Have you any notion what you do?

LULU. I'm perfectly possessed of myself!

SCHÖN. Then you might be a little more discreet.

LULU. But I'm only doing what's my duty.

SCHÖN. You are powdered?

LULU. What do you take me for!

DR. GOLL. I've never seen such a white skin as she's got. I've told our Raphael here, too, to do just as little with the flesh tints as possible. For once, I can't get enthusiastic about the modern art-nonsense.

SCHWARZ. (By the easels, preparing his paints.) At any rate, it's thanks to impressionism that present-day art can stand up beside the old masters without blushing.

DR. GOLL. Oh, it can do quite well for a bit of butcher's work.

SCHÖN. For Heaven's sake don't get excited! (Lulu falls on Goll's neck and kisses him.)

DR. GOLL. They can see your undershirt. You must pull it lower.

LULU. I would soonest have left it off. It only bothers me.

DR. GOLL. He should be able to paint it out.

LULU. (Taking the shepherd's crook that leans against the Spanish screen, and mounting the platform, to SchÖn.) What would you say now, if you had to stand at attention for two hours?

SCHÖN. I'd sell my soul to the devil for the chance to exchange with you.

DR. GOLL. (Sitting, left.) Come over here. Here is my post of observation.

LULU. (Plucking her left trowser-leg up to the knee, to Schwarz.) So?

SCHWARZ. Yes....

LULU. (Plucking it a thought higher.) So?

SCHWARZ. Yes, yes....

DR. GOLL. (To SchÖn who has seated himself on the chair next him, with a gesture.) From this place I find her still more attractive.

LULU. (Without stirring.) I beg pardon! I am equally attractive on all sides. SCHWARZ. (To Lulu.) The right knee further forward, please.

SCHÖN. (With a gesture.) The body does show finer lines perhaps.

SCHWARZ. The light to-day can be borne at least half way.

DR. GOLL. Oh, you must throw on lots of it! Hold your brush a bit longer.

SCHWARZ. Certainly, Dr.Goll.

DR. GOLL. Treat her as a piece of still-life.

SCHWARZ. Certainly, Doctor. (To Lulu.) You used to hold your head a wee mite higher, Mrs. Goll.

LULU. (Raising her head.) Paint my lips a little open.

SCHÖN. Paint snow on ice. If you get warm doing that, then instantly your art gets inartistic!

SCHWARZ. Certainly, Doctor.

DR. GOLL. Art, you know, must so reproduce nature that one can find at least some spiritual enjoyment in it!

LULU. (Opening her mouth a little, to Schwarz.) So—look. I'll hold it half opened, so.

SCHWARZ. As soon as the sun comes, the wall opposite throws warm reflections in here.

DR. GOLL. (To Lulu.) You must keep your position just as if our Velasquez here didn't exist at all.

LULU. Well, a painter isn't a man at all, anyway.

SCHÖN. I don't think you ought to judge the whole profession by just one famous exception.

SCHWARZ. (Stepping back from the easel.) I should have liked to have had to hire a different studio last fall.

SCHÖN. (To Goll.) What I wanted to ask you—have you seen the little Murphy girl yet as a Peruvian pearl-fisher?

DR. GOLL. I see her to-morrow for the fourth time. Prince Polossov took me. His hair has already got dark yellow again with delight.

SCHÖN. So you find her quite fabulous too.

DR. GOLL. Who ever wants to judge of that beforehand?

LULU. I think someone knocked.

SCHWARZ. Pardon me a moment. (Goes and opens the door.)

DR. GOLL. (To Lulu.) You can safely smile at him with less bashfulness!

SCHÖN. He makes nothing of it.

DR. GOLL. And if he did!—What are we two sitting here for?

ALVA SCHÖN. (Entering, still behind the Spanish screen.) May one come in?

SCHÖN. My son!

LULU. Oh! It's Mr.Alva!

DR. GOLL. Don't mind. Just come along in.

ALVA. (Stepping forward, shakes hands with SchÖn and Goll.) Glad to see you. (Turning toward Lulu.) Do I see a-right? Oh, if only I could engage you for my title part!

LULU. I don't think I could dance nearly well enough for your show!

ALVA. But you do have a dancing-master such as cannot be found on any stage in Europe.

SCHÖN. But what brings you here?

DR. GOLL. Maybe you're having somebody or other painted here, too, in secret! ALVA. (To SchÖn.) I wanted to take you to the dress rehearsal.

DR. GOLL. (As SchÖn rises.) Do you have 'em dance to-day in full costume?

ALVA. Of course. Come along, too. In five minutes I must be on the stage. (To Lulu.) Unhappy!

DR. GOLL. I've forgotten—what's the name of your ballet?

ALVA. Dalailama.

DR. GOLL. I thought he was in a madhouse.

SCHÖN. You're thinking of Nietzsche, Doctor.

DR. GOLL. You're right; I got 'em mixed up.

ALVA. I have helped Buddhism to its legs.

DR. GOLL. By his legs is the stage-poet known.

ALVA. Corticelli dances the youthful Buddha as tho she had seen the light of the world by the Ganges.

SCHÖN. So long as her mother lived, she danced with her legs.

ALVA. Then when she got free she danced with her intelligence.

DR. GOLL. Now she dances with her heart.

ALVA. If you'd like to see her—?

DR. GOLL. Thank you.

ALVA. Come along with us!

DR. GOLL. Impossible.

SCHÖN. Anyway, we have no time to lose.

ALVA. Come with us, doctor. In the third act you see Dalailama in his cloister, with his monks—

DR. GOLL. The only thing I care about is the young Buddha.

ALVA. Well, what's hindering you?

DR. GOLL. I can't. I can't do it. ALVA. We're going to Peter's, after it. There you can express your admiration.

DR. GOLL. Don't press it on me, please.

ALVA. You'll see the tame monkey, the two Brahmans, the little girls....

DR. GOLL. For heaven's sake, just keep away from me with your little girls!

LULU. Reserve one of the proscenium boxes for us on Monday, Mr.Alva.

ALVA. How could you doubt that I would, dear lady!

DR. GOLL. When I come back the whole picture will be spoilt on me.

ALVA. Well, it could be painted over.

DR. GOLL. If I don't explain to this Caravacci every stroke of his brush—

SCHÖN. Your fears are unfounded, I think....

DR. GOLL. Next time, gentlemen!

ALVA. The Brahmans are getting impatient. The daughters of Nirvana are shivering in their tights.

DR. GOLL. Damned enchantment!

SCHÖN. They'll quarrel with us, if we don't bring you with us.

DR. GOLL. In five minutes I'll be back. (Stands down right, behind Schwarz and compares the picture with Lulu.)

ALVA. (To Lulu.) Duty calls me, gracious lady!

DR. GOLL. (To Schwarz.) You must model it a bit more here. The hair is bad. You aren't paying enough attention to your business!

ALVA. Come on.

DR. GOLL. Now, just hop it! Ten horses will not drag me to Peter's. SCHÖN. (Following Alva and Goll.) We'll take my carriage. It's waiting downstairs. (Exeunt.)

SCHWARZ. (Leans over to the right, and spits.) Pack! If only that were life's end! The bread-basket!—paunch and mug! Now rears my artist's pride. (After a look at Lulu.) This company!— (Gets up, goes up left, observes Lulu from all sides, and sits again at his easel.) The choice would be a hard one to make. If I may request Mrs. Goll to raise the right hand a little higher.

LULU. (Grasps the crook as high as she can reach; to herself.) Who would have thought that was possible!

SCHWARZ. I am quite ridiculous, you think?

LULU. He's coming right back.

SCHWARZ. I can do nothing but paint.

LULU. There he is!

SCHWARZ. (Rising.) Well?

LULU. Don't you hear?

SCHWARZ. Someone is coming....

LULU. I knew it.

SCHWARZ. It's the janitor. He's sweeping the stairs.

LULU. Thank heaven!

SCHWARZ. Do you perhaps accompany the doctor to his patients?

LULU. Everything but that.

SCHWARZ. Because, you are not accustomed to being alone.

LULU. We have a housekeeper at home.

SCHWARZ. She keeps you company?

LULU. She has a lot of taste.

SCHWARZ. What for?

LULU. She dresses me.

SCHWARZ. Do you go much to balls? LULU. Never.

SCHWARZ. Then what do you need the dresses for?

LULU. For dancing.

SCHWARZ. You really dance?

LULU. Czardas ... Samaqueca ... Skirt-dance.

SCHWARZ. Doesn't—that—disgust you, then?

LULU. You find me ugly?

SCHWARZ. You don't understand me. But who gives you lessons then?

LULU. Him.

SCHWARZ. Who?

LULU. Him.

SCHWARZ. He?

LULU. He plays the violin—

SCHWARZ. Every day one learns something new of the world!

LULU. I learned in Paris. I took lessons from Eugenie FougÈre. She let me copy her costumes, too.

SCHWARZ. What are they like?

LULU. A little green lace skirt to the knee, all in ruffles, low-necked, of course, very low-necked and awfully tight-laced. Bright green petticoat, then brighter and brighter. Snow-white underclothes with a hand's-breadth of lace....

SCHWARZ. I can no longer—

LULU. Then paint!

SCHWARZ. (Scraping the canvas.) Aren't you cold at all?

LULU. God forbid! No. What made you ask? Are you so cold?

SCHWARZ. Not to-day. No.

LULU. Praise God, one can breathe!

SCHWARZ. How so?... (Lulu takes a deep breath.) Don't do that, please! (Springs up, throws away his palette and brushes, walks up and down.) The boot-black only attends to her feet! His color doesn't eat into his money, either. If I go without supper to-morrow, no little society lady will ask me if I know anything about oyster-patties!

LULU. Is he going out of his head?

SCHWARZ. (Takes up his work again.) What ever drove the fellow to this test!

LULU. I'd like it better, too, if he had stayed here.

SCHWARZ. We are truly the martyrs of our calling!

LULU. I didn't wish to cause you pain.

SCHWARZ. (Hesitating, to Lulu.) If you—the left trowser-leg—a little higher—

LULU. Here?

SCHWARZ. (Steps to the platform.) Permit me....

LULU. What do you want?

SCHWARZ. I'll show you.

LULU. You mustn't.

SCHWARZ. You are nervous... (Tries to seize her hand.)

LULU. (Throws the crook in his face.) Let me alone! (Hurries to the entrance door.) You don't get me for a long time yet.

SCHWARZ. You can't understand a joke.

LULU. Oh, yes I can. I understand everything. Just you leave me be. You'll get nothing at all from me by force. Go to your work. You have no right to molest me. (Flees behind the ottoman.) Sit down behind your easel!

SCHWARZ. (Trying to get around the ottoman.) As soon as I've punished you—you wayward, capricious—

LULU. But you must have me, first! Go away. You can't catch me. In long clothes I'd have fallen into your clutches long ago—but in the Pierrot!

SCHWARZ. (Throwing himself across the ottoman.) I've got you!

LULU. (Hurls the tiger-skin over his head.) Good-night! (Jumps over the platform and climbs up the step-ladder.) I can see away over all the cities of the earth.

SCHWARZ. (Unrolling himself from the rug.) This old skin!!

LULU. I reach up into heaven, and stick the stars in my hair.

SCHWARZ. (Clambering after her.) I'll shake it till you fall off!

LULU. If you don't stop, I'll throw the ladder down. (Climbing higher.) Will you let go of my legs? God save the Poles! (Makes the ladder fall over, jumps onto the platform, and as Schwarz picks himself up from the floor, throws the Spanish screen down on his head. Hastening down-stage, by the easels.) I told you that you weren't going to get me.

SCHWARZ. (Coming forward.) Let us make peace. (Tries to embrace her.)

LULU. Keep away from me, or— (She throws the easel with the finished picture at him, so that both fall crashing to the floor.)

SCHWARZ. (Screams.) Merciful Heaven!

LULU. (Upstage, right.) You knocked the hole in it yourself!

SCHWARZ. I am ruined! Ten weeks' work, my journey, my exhibition! Now there is nothing more to lose! (Plunges after her.)

LULU. (Springs over the ottoman, over the fallen step-ladder, and over the platform, down-stage.) A grave! Don't fall into it! (She stamps thru the picture on the floor.) She made a new man out of him! (Falls forward.)

SCHWARZ. (Stumbling over the Spanish screen.) I am merciless now!

LULU. (Up-stage.) Leave me in peace now. I'm getting dizzy. O Gott! O Gott!... (Comes forward and sinks down on the ottoman. Schwarz locks the door; then seats himself next her, grasps her hand, and covers it with kisses—then pauses, struggling with himself. Lulu opens her eyes wide.)

LULU. He may come back.

SCHWARZ. How d'you feel?

LULU. As if I had fallen into the water....

SCHWARZ. I love you.

LULU. One time, I loved a student.

SCHWARZ. Nellie—

LULU. With four-and-twenty scars—

SCHWARZ. I love you, Nellie.

LULU. My name isn't Nellie. (Schwarz kisses her.) It's Lulu.

SCHWARZ. I would call you Eve.

LULU. Do you know what time it is?

SCHWARZ. (Looking at his watch.) Half past ten. (Lulu takes the watch and opens the case.) You don't love me.

LULU. Yes I do.... It's five minutes after half past ten.

SCHWARZ. Give me a kiss, Eve!

LULU. (Takes him by the chin and kisses him. Throws the watch in the air and catches it.) You smell of tobacco.

SCHWARZ. Why so distant? LULU. It would be uncomfortable to—

SCHWARZ. You're just making believe!

LULU. You're making believe yourself, it seems to me. I make believe? What makes you think that? I never needed to do that.

SCHWARZ. (Rises, disconcerted, passing his hand over his forehead.) God in Heaven! The world is strange to me—!

LULU. (Screams.) Only don't kill me!

SCHWARZ. (Instantly whirling round.) Thou hast never yet loved!

LULU. (Half raising herself.) You have never yet loved...!

DR. GOLL. (Outside.) Open the door!

LULU. (Already sprung to her feet.) Hide me! O God, hide me!

DR. GOLL. (Pounding on the door.) Open the door!

LULU. (Holding back Schwarz as he goes toward the door.) He will strike me dead!

DR. GOLL. (Hammering.) Open the door!

LULU. (Sunk down before Schwarz, gripping his knees.) He'll beat me to death! He'll beat me to death!

SCHWARZ. Stand up.... (The door falls crashing into the studio. Dr.Goll with blood-shot eyes rushes upon Schwarz and Lulu, brandishing his stick.)

DR. GOLL. You dogs! You...! (Pants, struggles for breath a few seconds, and falls headlong to the ground. Schwarz's knees tremble. Lulu has fled to the door. Pause.)

SCHWARZ. Mister—Doctor—Doc—Doctor Goll—

LULU. (In the door.) Please, though, first put the studio in order.

SCHWARZ. Dr.Goll! (Leans over.) Doc— (Steps back.) He's cut his forehead. Help me to lay him on the ottoman.

LULU. (Shudders backward in terror.) No. No...

SCHWARZ. (Trying to turn him over.) Dr.Goll.

LULU. He doesn't hear.

SCHWARZ. But you, help me, please.

LULU. The two of us together couldn't lift him.

SCHWARZ. (Straightening up.) We must send for a doctor.

LULU. He is fearfully heavy.

SCHWARZ. (Getting his hat.) Please, though, be so good as to put the place a little to rights while I'm away. (He goes out.)

LULU. He'll spring up all at once. (Intensely.) Bussi! He just won't notice anything. (Comes down-stage in a wide circle.) He sees my feet, and watches every step I take. He has his eye on me everywhere. (Touches him with her toe.) Bussi! (Flinching, backward.) It's serious with him. The dance is over. He'll send me to prison. What shall I do? (Leans over, to the floor.) A strange, wild face! (Getting up.) And no one to do him the last services—isn't that sad! (Schwarz returns.)

SCHWARZ. Still not come to himself?

LULU. (Down right.) What shall I do?

SCHWARZ. (Bending over Goll.) Doctor Goll.

LULU. I almost think it's serious.

SCHWARZ. Talk decently!

LULU. He wouldn't say that to me. He makes me dance for him when he doesn't feel well.

SCHWARZ. The doctor will be here in a moment.

LULU. Doctoring won't help him. SCHWARZ. But people do what they can, in such cases!

LULU. He doesn't think so.

SCHWARZ. Then won't you at least—get dressed?

LULU. Yes,—right off.

SCHWARZ. What are you waiting for?

LULU. Please...

SCHWARZ. What is it?

LULU. Shut his eyes.

SCHWARZ. You make me shiver.

LULU. Not nearly so much as you make me!

SCHWARZ. I?

LULU. You're a born criminal.

SCHWARZ. Doesn't this moment touch you at all, then?

LULU. It hits me, too, some.

SCHWARZ. Please, just you keep still now!

LULU. It hits you some, too.

SCHWARZ. You really didn't need to say that to a man, in such a moment.

LULU. Please...!

SCHWARZ. Do what you think necessary. I don't know how.

LULU. (Left of Goll.) He's looking at me.

SCHWARZ. (Right of Goll.) And at me, too.

LULU. You're a coward!

SCHWARZ. (Shuts Goll's eyes with his handkerchief.) It's the first time in my life that anyone has called me that.

LULU. Didn't you do it to your mother?

SCHWARZ. (Nervously.) No.

LULU. You were away, perhaps.

SCHWARZ. No! LULU. Or else you were afraid?

SCHWARZ. (Violently.) No!

LULU. (Shivering, backward.) I didn't mean to insult you.

SCHWARZ. She's still alive.

LULU. Then you still have somebody.

SCHWARZ. She's as poor as a beggar.

LULU. I know what that is.

SCHWARZ. Don't laugh at me!

LULU. Now I am rich—

SCHWARZ. It gives me cold shudders— (Goes right.) She can't help it!

LULU. (To herself.) What'll I do?

SCHWARZ. (To himself.) Absolutely depraved! (They look at each other mistrustfully. Schwarz goes over to her and grips her hand.) Look me in the eyes!

LULU. (Apprehensively.) What do you want?

SCHWARZ. (Takes her to the ottoman and makes her sit next to him.) Look me in the eyes.

LULU. I see myself in them as Pierrot.

SCHWARZ. (Shoves her from him.) Confounded dancer-ing!

LULU. I must change my clothes—

SCHWARZ. (Holds her back.) One question—

LULU. I can't answer it.

SCHWARZ. Can you speak the truth?

LULU. I don't know.

SCHWARZ. Do you believe in a Creator?

LULU. I don't know.

SCHWARZ. Can you swear on anything?

LULU. I don't know. Leave me alone. You're mad.

SCHWARZ. What do you believe in, then?

LULU. I don't know. SCHWARZ. Have you no soul, then?

LULU. I don't know.

SCHWARZ. Have you ever once loved—?

LULU. I don't know.

SCHWARZ. (Gets up, goes right, to himself.) She doesn't know!

LULU. (Without moving.) I don't know.

SCHWARZ. (Glancing at Goll.) He knows.

LULU. (Nearer him.) What do you want to know?

SCHWARZ. (Angrily.) Go, get dressed! (Lulu goes into the bed-room. To Goll.) Would I could change with you, you dead man! I give her back to you. I give my youth to you, too. I lack the courage and the faith. I've had to wait patiently too long. It's too late for me. I haven't grown up big enough for happiness. I have a hellish fear of it. Wake up! I didn't touch her. He opens his mouth. Mouth open and eyes shut, like the children. With me it's the other way round. Wake up, wake up! (Kneels down and binds his handkerchief round the dead man's head.) Here I beseech Heaven to make me able to be happy—to give me the strength and the freedom of soul to be just a weeny mite happy! For her sake, only for her sake. (Lulu comes out of the bed-room, completely dressed, her hat on, and her right hand under her left arm.)

LULU. (Raising her left arm, to Schwarz.) Would you hook me up here? My hand trembles.

CURTAIN