CHAMBERMAID: Pardon me, sir, did you ring?
YOUNG GENTLEMAN: Oh yes, Marie, Oh yes, I guess I did ring, didn't I? . . . Now what was it I wanted . . . Ah yes, of course, the blinds . . . let down the blinds, Marie . . . It's much cooler when the blinds are down . . . [CHAMBERMAID goes to window and lets down the blinds. YOUNG GENTLEMAN starts reading again.] What are you doing, Marie? Oh yes. But it's too dark to read now . . .
CHAMBERMAID: You're always so busy studying, sir.
YOUNG GENTLEMAN: [Loftily.] Yes . . . yes . . . [MARIE goes. YOUNG GENTLEMAN tries to read further, but soon lets the book fall and rings again. CHAMBERMAID appears.] By the way, Marie . . . now, what was I going to say . . . Oh yes, is there any Cognac in the house?
CHAMBERMAID: Yes, sir, but it's locked up, I guess.
YOUNG GENTLEMAN: Well, who has the keys?
CHAMBERMAID: Lini has them.
YOUNG GENTLEMAN: Who's Lini?
CHAMBERMAID: She's the cook, Mr. Alfred.
YOUNG GENTLEMAN: Well, go and tell Lini.
CHAMBERMAID: It's her day off, sir.
YOUNG GENTLEMAN: Oh--
CHAMBERMAID: Shall I go get some from the Café, sir?
YOUNG GENTLEMAN: No, don't bother . . . it's hot enough as it is. I don't need any Cognac. You might bring me a glass of water, though, Marie. But wait . . . let it run till it's good and cold. [CHAMBERMAID goes out. YOUNG GENTLEMAN looks at her. As she reaches the door, she turns around and looks at him. He promptly gazes into the air. The CHAMBERMAID turns on the water faucet, letting it run. Then she goes into her small room, washes her hands, tidies her hair in front of the mirror. Then she brings the glass of water to the YOUNG GENTLEMAN, approaching the sofa as she does so. The YOUNG GENTLEMAN half raises himself from the sofa, the CHAMBERMAID hands him the glass, and their fingers touch.] Thanks. What's the matter? Be careful, put the glass back on the tray . . . [He lies down again and stretches himself full length.] What time is it, anyway?
CHAMBERMAID: Five o'clock, sir.
YOUNG GENTLEMAN: Oh, five . . . Alright. [CHAMBERMAID goes, turns around as she reaches the door and smiles as she notices that the YOUNG GENTLEMAN has watched her. The YOUNG GENTLEMAN remains lying down for a while, then suddenly stands up. He walks to the door then back again and lies down on the sofa. Tries to read again. After a few moments, he rings again. CHAMBERMAID appears, with a smile that she does not attempt to conceal.] By the way, Marie, I've been wanting to ask you--wasn't Doctor Schueller here this morning?
CHAMBERMAID: No, nobody was here this morning.
YOUNG GENTLEMAN: That's strange. Doctor Schueller wasn't here at all? Do you know Doctor Schueller anyway?
CHAMBERMAID: Sure I do. He's the tall gentleman with the black beard.
YOUNG GENTLEMAN: Yes. You're sure he wasn't here, after all?
CHAMBERMAID: No, sir, nobody was here.
YOUNG GENTLEMAN: [With decision.] Come here, Marie.
CHAMBERMAID: [Coming nearer.] Yes, sir.
YOUNG GENTLEMAN: Closer . . . that's right . . . I was just wondering . . .
CHAMBERMAID: What were you wondering, sir?
YOUNG GENTLEMAN: Wondering . . . wondering--about your blouse . . . what kind of material . . . come on, come a little closer. I won't bite you.
CHAMBERMAID: [Coming closer.] What about my blouse? Don't you like it, sir?
YOUNG GENTLEMAN: [Touching the blouse and drawing her towards him.] Blue . . . and a very lovely blue. [Simply.] You dress very nicely, Marie.
CHAMBERMAID: But, sir . . .
YOUNG GENTLEMAN: Well, what's the matter? . . . [Opens her blouse. Matter of fact.] You have a beautiful white skin, Marie.
CHAMBERMAID: You're flattering me, sir.
YOUNG GENTLEMAN: [Kissing her breast.] That can't hurt you.
CHAMBERMAID: Oh no.
YOUNG GENTLEMAN: You sigh so. What are you sighing for?
CHAMBERMAID: Oh, Mr. Alfred . . .
YOUNG GENTLEMAN: What pretty slippers you have on . . .
CHAMBERMAID: But . . . sir . . . if somebody should ring--
YOUNG GENTLEMAN: Who'd be ringing now?
CHAMBERMAID: But, sir . . . it's so light here . . .
YOUNG GENTLEMAN: You don't have to be bashful before me. You don't have to before anyone, anyway . . . you're so pretty. I mean it, Marie, you're so . . . do you know, even your hair is fragrant.
CHAMBERMAID: Mr. Alfred . . .
YOUNG GENTLEMAN: Don't make such a fuss, Marie . . . I've seen you worse than this. When I came home the other night and went out to get some water, the door to your room was open . . . well . . .
CHAMBERMAID: [Hiding her face.] Oh my God, Mr. Alfred, I didn't think you could be so wicked.
YOUNG GENTLEMAN: I saw a lot, alright . . . that . . . and that . . . and that . . . and--
CHAMBERMAID: But, Mr. Alfred!
YOUNG GENTLEMAN: Come, come here . . . there, that's right . . .
CHAMBERMAID: But if someone should ring now--
YOUNG GENTLEMAN: Oh stop fussing, will you . . . just let them ring . . . [Bell rings.]
* * *
YOUNG GENTLEMAN: Hell . . . the fellow's making enough noise, alright . . . He probably rang before and we never noticed it.
CHAMBERMAID: Oh, I was listening all the time.
YOUNG GENTLEMAN: Well, you might go look anyhow . . . through the peep-hole.
CHAMBERMAID: Mr. Alfred . . . honest . . . you're so . . . so wicked . . .
YOUNG GENTLEMAN: Go and see who's there, will you?
[CHAMBERMAID goes. YOUNG GENTLEMAN raises the blinds quickly.]
CHAMBERMAID: [Appearing again.] He must have gone away again. No one's there now. Maybe it was Doctor Schueller.
YOUNG GENTLEMAN: [Annoyed.] Alright. [CHAMBERMAID comes close to him, but he draws away.] I'm going to the Café now, Marie--
CHAMBERMAID: [Affectionately.] So soon . . . Mr. Alfred.
YOUNG GENTLEMAN: [Sternly.] I'm going to the Café. If Doctor Schueller should come--
CHAMBERMAID: He won't come no more today.
YOUNG GENTLEMAN: [Sterner.] If Doctor Schueller should come--I--I--I'll be at the Café.
[He goes into the next room. The CHAMBERMAID picks up a cigar from the table, sticks it in her mouth and goes out.]
