The scene is the terrace of a hotel in France. There are two French windows at the back opening
onto two separate suites. The terrace space is divided by a line of small trees in tubs, and,
downstage, running parallel with the footlights, there is a low stone balustrade. Upon each
side of the line of tree tubs is a set of suitable terrace furniture, a swinging seat, two or
three chairs, and a table. There are orange and white awnings shading the windows, as it is summer.
When the curtain rises it is about eight o'clock in the evening. There is an orchestra playing
not very far off. SIBYLCHASE opens the windows on the Right, and steps out on to the terrace.
She is very pretty and blonde, and smartly dressed in travelling clothes. She comes downstage,
stretches her arms wide with a little sigh of satisfaction, and regards the view with an
ecstatic expression.
SIBYL [calling]: Elli, Elli dear, do come out. It's so lovely.
ELYOT [inside]: Just a minute.
[After a pause ELYOT comes out. He is about thirty, quite slim and pleasant looking, and also
in travelling clothes. He walks right down to the balustrade and looks thoughtfully at the
view. SIBYL stands beside him, and slips her arm through his.]
ELYOT: Not so bad.
SIBYL: It's heavenly. Look at the lights of that yacht reflected in the water. Oh dear, I'm so
happy.
ELYOT [smiling]: Are you?
SIBYL: Aren't you?
ELYOT: Of course I am. Tremendously happy.
SIBYL: Just to think, here we are, you and I, married...
ELYOT: Yes, things have come to a pretty pass.
SIBYL: Don't laugh at me, you mustn't be blasè about honeymoons just because this is your
second.
ELYOT [frowning]: That's silly.
SIBYL: Have I annoyed you by saying that?
ELYOT: Just a little.
SIBYL: Oh, darling, I'm so sorry. [She holds her face up to his] Kiss me.
ELYOT [doing so]: There.
SIBYL: Ummm, not so very enthusiastic.
ELYOT [kissing her again]: That better?
SIBYL: Three times, please, I'm superstitious.
ELYOT [kissing her]: You really are very sweet.
SIBYL: Are you glad you married me?
ELYOT: Of course I am.
SIBYL: How glad?
ELYOT: Incredibly, magnificently glad.
SIBYL: How lovely.
ELYOT: We ought to go in and dress.
SIBYL: Gladder than before?
ELYOT: Why do you keep harping on that?
SIBYL: It's on my mind, and yours too, I expect.
ELYOT: It isn't anything of the sort.
SIBYL: She was pretty, wasn't she? Amanda?
ELYOT: Very pretty.
SIBYL: Prettier than I am?
ELYOT: Much.
SIBYL: Elyot!
ELYOT: She was pretty and sleek, and her hands were long and slim, and her legs were
long and slim, and she danced like an angel. You dance very poorly, by the way.
SIBYL: Could she play the piano as well as I can?
ELYOT: She couldn't play the piano at all.
SIBYL [triumphantly]: Aha! Had she my talent for organization?
ELYOT: No, but she hadn't your mother either.
SIBYL: I don't believe you like Mother.
ELYOT: Like her! I can't bear her.
SIBYL: Elyot! She's a darling, underneath.
ELYOT: I never got underneath.
SIBYL: It makes me unhappy to think you don't like Mother.
ELYOT: Nonsense. I believe the only reason you married
me was to get away from her.
SIBYL: I married you because I loved you.
ELYOT: Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear!
SIBYL: I love you far more than Amanda loved you. I'd never make you miserable like she did.
ELYOT: We made each other miserable.
SIBYL: It was all her fault, you know it was.
ELYOT [with vehemence]: Yes, it was. Entirely her fault.
SIBYL: She was a fool to lose you.
ELYOT: We lost each other.
SIBYL: She lost you, with her violent tempers and carryings on.
ELYOT: Will you stop talking about Amanda?
SIBYL: But I'm very glad, because if she hadn't been uncontrolled, and wicked, and unfaithful,
we shouldn't be here now.
ELYOT: She wasn't unfaithful.
SIBYL: How do you know? I bet she was. I bet she was unfaithful every five minutes.
ELYOT: It would take a far more concentrated woman than Amanda to be unfaithful every five
minutes.
SIBYL [anxiously]: You do hate her, don't you?
ELYOT: No, I don't hate her. I think I despise her.
SIBYL [with satisfaction]: That's much worse.
ELYOT: And yet I'm sorry for her.
SIBYL: Why?
ELYOT: Because she's marked for tragedy; she's bound to make a mess of everything.
S113YL: If it's her fault, I don't see that it matters much.
ELYOT: She has some very good qualities.
SIBYL: Considering what a hell she made of your life, I think you are very nice about her. Most
men would be vindictive.
ELYOT: What's the use of that? It's all over now, such a long time ago.
SIBYL: Five years isn't very long.
ELYOT [seriously]: Yes it is.
SIBYL: Do you think you could ever love her again?
ELYOT: Now then, Sibyl.
SIBYL: But could you?
ELYOT: Of course not, I love you.
SIBYL: Yes, but you love me differently; I know that.
ELYOT: More wisely perhaps.
SIBYL: I'm glad. I'd rather have that sort of love.
ELYOT: You're right. Love is no use unless it's wise, and kind,
and undramatic. Something steady and sweet, to smooth out your
nerves when you're tired. Something tremendously cosy; and
unflurried by scenes and jealousies. That's what I want, what I've
always wanted really. Oh my dear, I do hope it's not going to be
dull for you.
SIBYL: Sweetheart, as tho' you could ever be dull.
ELYOT: I'm much older than you.
SIBYL: Not so very much.
ELYOT: Seven years.
SIBYL [snuggling up to him]: The music has stopped now and
you can hear the sea.
ELYOT: We'll bathe tomorrow morning.
SIBYL: I mustn't get sunburnt.
ELYOT: Why not?
SIBYL: I hate it on women.
ELYOT: Very well, you shan't then. I hope you don't hate it on men.
SIBYL: Of course I don't. It's suitable to men.
ELYOT: You're a completely feminine little creature, aren't you?
SIBYL: Why do you say that?
ELYOT: Everything in its place.
SIBYL: What do you mean?
ELYOT: If you feel you'd like me to smoke a pipe, I'll try and master
it.
SIBYL: I like a man to be a man, if that's what you mean.
ELYOT: Are you going to understand me, and manage me?
SIBYL: I'm going to try to understand you.
ELYOT: Run me without my knowing it?
SIBYL [withdrawing slightly]: I think you're being a little unkind.
ELYOT: No, I don't mean to be. I was only wondering.
SIBYL: Well?
ELYOT: I was wondering what was going on inside your mind, what
your plans are really?
SIBYL: Plans; Oh, Elli!
ELYOT: Apart from loving me and all that, you must have Plans.
SIBYL: I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about.
ELYOT: Perhaps it's subconscious then, age old instincts working
away deep down, mincing up little bits of experience for future
use, watching me carefully like a little sharp-eyed, blonde kitten.
SIBYL: How can you be so horrid.
ELYOT: I said Kitten, not Cat.
SIBYL: Kittens grow into cats.
ELYOT: Let that be a warning to you.
SIBYL [slipping her arm through his again]: What's the matter,
darling; are you hungry?
ELYOT: Not a bit.
SIBYL: You're very strange all of a sudden, and rather cruel. Just
because I'm feminine. It doesn't mean that I'm crafty and
calculating.
ELYOT: I didn't say you were either of those things.
SIBYL: I hate these half-masculine women who go banging about.
ELYOT: I hate anybody who goes banging about.
SIBYL: I should think you needed a little quiet womanliness after
Amanda.
ELYOT: Why will you keep on talking about her?
SIBYL: It's natural enough, isn't it?
ELYOT: What do you want to find out?
SIBYL: Why did you really let her divorce you?
ELYOT: She divorced me for cruelty, and flagrant infidelity. I spent
a whole weekend at Brighton with a lady called Vera Williams.
She had the nastiest-looking hairbrush I have ever seen.
SIBYL: Misplaced chivalry, I call it. Why didn't you divorce her?
ELYOT: It would not have been the action of a gentleman, whatever
that may mean.
SIBYL: I think she got off very lightly.
ELYOT: Once and for all will you stop talking about her?
SIBYL: Yes, Elli dear.
ELYOT: I don't wish to see her again or hear her name mentioned.
SIBYL: Very well, darling.
ELYOT: Is that understood?
SIBYL: Yes, darling. Where did you spend your honeymoon?
ELYOT: St.Moritz. Be quiet.
SIBYL: I hate St. Moritz.
ELYOT: So do I, bitterly.
SIBYL: Was she good on skis?
ELYOT: Do you want to dine downstairs here, or at the Casino?
SIBYL: I love you, I love you, I love you.
ELYOT: Good, let's go in and dress.
SIBYL: Kiss me first.
ELYOT [kissing her]: Casino?
SIBYL: Yes. Are you a gambler? You never told me.
ELYOT: Every now and then.
SIBYL: I shall come and sit just behind your chair and bring you luck.
ELYOT: That will be fatal.
[They go off into their suite. There is a slight pause and then VICTOR
PRYNNE enters from the Left suite. He is quite nice looking, about thirty
or thirty-five. He is dressed in a light travelling suit. He sniffs the air,
looks at the view, and then turns back to the window.]
VICTOR [calling]: Mandy.
AMANDA [inside]: What?
VICTOR: Come outside, the view is wonderful.
AMANDA: I'm still damp from the bath.Wait a minute --
[VICTOR lights a cigarette. Presently AMANDA comes out on
to the terrace. She is quite exquisite with a gay face and a perfect
figure. At the moment she is wearing a negligee] I shall catch
pneumonia, that's what I shall catch.
VICTOR [looking at her]: God!
AMANDA: I beg your pardon?
VICTOR: You look wonderful.
AMANDA: Thank you, darling.
VICTOR: Like a beautiful advertisement for something.
AMANDA: Nothing peculiar, I hope.
VICTOR: I can hardly believe it's true. You and I, here alone
together, married!
AMANDA[Tubbing her face on his shoulder]: That stuff's very rough.
VICTOR: Don't you like it?
AMANDA: A bit hearty, isn't it?
VICTOR: Do you love me?
AMANDA: Of course, that's why I'm here.
VICTOR: More than --
AMANDA: Now then, none of that.
VICTOR: No, but do you love me more than you loved Elyot?
AMANDA: I don't remember, it's such a long time ago.
VICTOR: Not so very long.
AMANDA [flinging out her arms]: All my life ago.
VICTOR: I'd like to break his damned neck.
AMANDA [laughing]: Why?
VICTOR: For making you unhappy.
AMANDA: It was mutual.
VICTOR: Rubbish! It was all his fault, you know it was.
AMANDA: Yes, it was, now I come to think about it.
VICTOR: Swine!
AMANDA: Don't be so vehement, darling.
VICTOR: I'll never treat you like that.
AMANDA: That's right.
VICTOR: I love you too much.
AMANDA: So did he.
VICTOR: Fine sort of love that is. He struck you once, didn't he?
AMANDA: More than once.
VICTOR: Where?
AMANDA: Several places.
VICTOR: What a cad.
AMANDA: I struck him too. Once I broke four gramophone
records over his head. It was very satisfying.
VICTOR: You must have been driven to distraction.
AMANDA: Yes, I was, but don't let's talk about it, please. After all,
it's a dreary subject for our honeymoon night.
VICTOR: He didn't know when he was well off.
AMANDA: Look at the lights of that yacht reflected in the water.
I wonder whose it is.
VICTOR: We must bathe tomorrow.
AMANDA: Yes. I want to get a nice sunburn.
VICTOR [reproachfully]: Mandy!
AMANDA: Why, what's the matter?
VICTOR: I hate sunburnt women.
AMANDA: Why?
VICTOR: It's somehow, well, unsuitable.
AMANDA: It's awfully suitable to me, darling.
VICTOR: Of course if you really want to.
AMANDA: I'm absolutely determined. I've got masses of lovely
oil to rub all over myself.
VICTOR: Your skin is so beautiful as it is.
AMANDA: Wait and see. When I'm done a nice crisp brown,
you'll fall in love with me all over again.
VICTOR: I couldn't love you more than I do now.
AMANDA: Oh, dear. I did so hope our honeymoon was going to be
progressive.
VICTOR: Where did you spend the last one?
AMANDA [warningly]: Victor.
VICTOR: I want to know.
AMANDA: St. Moritz. It was very attractive.
VICTOR: I hate St. Moritz.
AMANDA: So do I.
VICTOR: Did he start quarrelling with you right away?
AMANDA: Within the first few days. I put it down to the high altitudes.
VICTOR: And you loved him?
AMANDA: Yes, Victor.
VICTOR: You poor child.
AMANDA: You must try not to be pompous, dear. [She turns
away.]
VICTOR [hurt]: Mandy!
AMANDA: I don't believe I'm a bit like what you think I am.
VICTOR: How do you mean?
AMANDA: I was never a poor child.
VICTOR: Figure of speech, dear, that's all.
AMANDA: I suffered a good deal, and had my heart broken. But it
wasn't an innocent girlish heart. It was jagged with sophistication.
I've always been sophisticated, far too knowing. That caused
many of my rows with Elyot. I irritated him because he knew I
could see through him.
VICTOR: I don't mind how much you see through me.
AMANDA: Sweet.
[She kisses him.]
VICTOR: I'm going to make you happy.
AMANDA: Are you?
VICTOR: just by looking after you, and seeing that you're all right,
you know.
AMANDA [a trifle wistfully]: No, I don't know.
VICTOR: I think you love me quite differently from the way you
loved Elyot.
AMANDA: Do stop harping on Elyot.
VICTOR: It's true, though, isn't it?
AMANDA: I love you much more calmly, if that's what you mean.
VICTOR: More lastingly?
AMANDA: I expect so.
VICTOR: Do you remember when I first met you?
AMANDA: Yes. Distinctly.
VICTOR: At Marion Vale's party.
AMANDA: Yes.
VICTOR: Wasn't it wonderful?
AMANDA: Not really, dear. It was only redeemed from the
completely commonplace by the fact of my having hiccoughs.
VICTOR: I never noticed them.
AMANDA: Love at first sight.
VICTOR: Where did you first meet Elyot?
AMANDA: To hell with Elyot.
VICTOR: Mandy!
AMANDA: I forbid you to mention his name again. I'm sick of the
sound of it. You must be raving mad. Here we are
on the first night of our honeymoon, with the moon coming up, and
the music playing, and all you can do is to talk about my first
husband. It's downright sacrilegious.
VICTOR: Don't be angry.
AMANDA: Well, it's very annoying.
VICTOR: Will you forgive me?
AMANDA: Yes; only don't do it again.
VICTOR: I promise.
AMANDA: You'd better go and dress now, you haven't bathed yet.
VICTOR: Where shall we dine, downstairs here, or at the Casino?
AMANDA: The Casino is more fun, I think.
VICTOR: We can play boule afterwards.
AMANDA: No, we can't, dear.
VICTOR: Don't you like dear old boule?
AMANDA: No, I hate dear old boule. We'll play a nice game of
chemin de fer.
VICTOR [apprehensively]: Not at the big table?
AMANDA: Maybe at the biggest table.
VICROR: You're not a terrible gambler, are you?
AMANDA: Inveterate. Chance rules my life.
VICTOR: What nonsense.
AMANDA: How can you say it's nonsense. It was chance meeting
you. It was chance falling in love; it's chance that we're here,
particularly after your driving. Everything that happens is chance.
VICTOR: You know I feel rather scared of you at close quarters.
AMANDA: That promises to be very embarrassing.
VICTOR: You're somehow different now, wilder than I thought you
were, more strained.
AMANDA: Wilder! Oh Victor, I've never felt less wild in my life. A
little strained, I grant you, but that's the newly married
atmosphere; you can't expect anything else. Honeymooning is a
very overrated amusement.
VICTOR: You say that because you had a ghastly experience before.
AMANDA: There you go again.
VICTOR: It couldn't fail to embitter you a little.
AMANDA: The honeymoon wasn't such a ghastly experience really;
it was afterwards that was so awful.
VICTOR: I intend to make you forget it all entirely.
AMANDA: You won't succeed by making constant references to it.
VICTOR: I wish I knew you better.
AMANDA: It's just as well you don't. The "woman" -- in italics --should
always retain a certain amount of alluring feminine mystery for
the "man"--also in italics.
VICTOR: What about the man? Isn't he allowed to have any
mystery?
AMANDA: Absolutely none. Transparent as glass.
VICTOR: Oh, I see.
AMANDA: Never mind, darling; it doesn't necessarily work out like
that; it's only supposed to.
VICTOR: I'm glad I'm normal.
AMANDA: What an odd thing to be glad about. Why?
VICTOR: Well, aren't you?
AMANDA: I'm not so sure I'm normal.
VICTOR: Oh, Mandy, of course you are, sweetly, divinely normal.
AMANDA: I haven't any peculiar cravings for Chinamen or old boots,
if that's what you mean.
VICTOR [scandalized]: Mandy!
AMANDA: I think very few people are completely normal really,
deep down in their private lives. It all depends on a combination of
circumstances. If all the various cosmic thingummys fuse at the
same moment, and the right spark is struck, there's no knowing
what one mightn't do. That was the trouble with Elyot and me, we
were like two violent acids bubbling about in a nasty little
matrimonial bottle.
VICTOR: I don't believe you're nearly as complex as you think you
are.
AMANDA: I don't think I'm particularly complex, but I know I'm
unreliable.
VICTOR: You're frightening me horribly. In what way unreliable?
AMANDA: I'm so apt to see things the wrong way round.
VICTOR: What sort of things?
AMANDA: Morals. What one should do and what one shouldn't.
VICTOR [fondly]: Darling, you're so sweet.
AMANDA: Thank you, Victor, that's most encouraging. You really must
have your bath now. Come along.
VICTOR: Kiss me.
AMANDA [doing so]: There, dear, hurry now; I've only got to slip my dress
on and then I shall be ready.
VICTOR: Give me ten minutes.
AMANDA: I'll bring the cocktails out here when they come. VICTOR: All right.
AMANDA: Go along now, hurry.
[They both disappear into their suite. After a moment's pause ELYOT
steps carefully on to the terrace carrying a tray upon which are two
champagne cocktails. He puts the tray down on the table.]
ELYOT [calling]: Sibyl.
SIBYL [inside]: Yes.
ELYOT: I've brought the cocktails out here, hurry up. SIBYL: I can't find my
lipstick.
ELYOT: Never mind, send down to the kitchen for some cochineal.
SIBYL: Don't be so silly.
ELYOT: Hurry.
[ELYOT saunters down to the balustrade. He looks casually over on to the
next terrace, and then out at the view. He looks up at the moon and
sighs, then he sits down in a chair with his back towards the line of tubs,
and lights a cigarette. AMANDA steps gingerly on to her terrace carrying a
tray with two champagne cocktails on it. She is wearing a charmingly
simple evening gown, her cloak is flung over her right shoulder. She
places the tray carefully on the table, puts her cloak over the back of a
chair, and sits down with her back towards ELYOT. She takes a small
mirror from her handbag, and scrutinizes her face in it. The orchestra
downstairs strikes tip a new melody. Both ELYOT and AMANDA give a little
start. After a moment, ELYOT pensively
begins to hum the tune the band is playing. It is a sentimental, romantic
little tune. AMANDA hears him, and clutches at her throat suddenly as
though she were suffocating. Then she jumps up noiselessly, and peers
over the line of tubs. ELYOT, with his back to her, continues to sing
obliviously. She sits down again, relaxing with a gesture almost of
despair. Then she looks anxiously over her shoulder at the window in
case VICTOR should be listening, and then, with a little smile, she takes up
the melody herself, clearly. ELYOT stops dead and gives a gasp, then he
jumps up, and stands looking at her. She continues to sing, pretending
not to know that he is there. At the end of the song, she turns slowly,
and faces him.]
AMANDA: Thoughtful of them to play that, wasn' it?
ELYOT [in a stifled voice]: What are you doing here?
AMANDA: I'm on honeymoon.
ELYOT: How interesting, so am I.
AMANDA: I hope you're enjoying it.
ELYOT: It hasn't started yet.
AMANDA: Neither has mine.
ELYOT: Oh, my God!
AMANDA: I can't help feeling that this is a little unfortunate.
ELYOT: Are you happy?
AMANDA: Perfectly.
ELYOT: Good. That's all right, then, isn't it?
AMANDA: Are you?
ELYOT: Ecstatically.
AMANDA: I'm delighted to hear it. We shall probably meet again sometime.
Au revoir!
[She turns.]
ELYOT [firmly]: Good-bye.
[She goes indoors without looking back. He stands gazing after her with
an expression of horror on his face. SIBYL comes brightly on to the
terrace in a very pretty evening frock.]
SIBYL: Cocktail, please. [ELYOT doesn't answer] Elli, what's the matter?
ELYOT: I feel very odd.
SIBYL: Odd, what do you mean, ill?
ELYOT: Yes, ill.
SIBYL [alarmed]: What sort of ill?
ELYOT: We must leave at once.
SIBYL: Leave!
ELYOT: Yes, dear. Leave immediately.
SIBYL: Elli!
ELYOT: I have a strange foreboding.
SIBYL: You must be mad.
ELYOT: Listen, darling. I want you to be very sweet, and patient, and
understanding, and not be upset, or ask any questions, or anything. I
have an absolute conviction that our whole future happiness
depends upon our leaving here instantly.
SIBYL: Why?
ELYOT: I can't tell you why.
SIBYL: But we've only just come.
ELYOT: I know that, but it can't be helped.
SIBYL: What's happened, what has happened?
ELYOT: Nothing has happened.
SIBYL: You've gone out of your mind.
ELYOT: I haven't gone out of my mind, but I shall if we stay here
another hour.
SIBYL: You're not not drunk, are you?
ELYOT: Of course I'm not drunk. What time have I had to get drunk?
SIBYL: Come down and have some dinner, darling, and then you'll
feel ever so much better.
ELYOT: It's no use trying to humor me. I'm serious.
SIBYL: But darling, please be reasonable. We've only just arrived;
everything's unpacked. It's our first night together. We can't go
away now.
ELYOT: We can have our first night together in Paris.
SIBYL: We shouldn't get there until the small hours.
ELYOT [with a great effort at calmness]: Now please, Sibyl, I know
it sounds crazy to you, and utterly lacking in reason and sense, but
I've got second sight over certain things. I'm almost psychic. I've
got the most extraordinary sensation of impending disaster. If we
stay here something appalling will happen. I know it.
SIBYL [firmly]: Hysterical nonsense.
ELYOT: It isn't hysterical nonsense. Presentiments are far from being
nonsense. Look at the woman who cancelled her passage on the
Titanic. All because of a presentiment.
SIBYL: I don't see what that has to do with it.
ELYOT: It has everything to do with it. She obeyed her instincts, that's
what she did, and saved her life. All I ask is to be allowed to obey
my instincts.
SIBYL: Do you mean that there's going to be an earthquake or
something?
ELYOT: Very possibly, very possibly indeed, or perhaps a violent
explosion.
SIBYL: They don't have earthquakes in France.
ELYOT: On the contrary, only the other day they felt a distinct shock
at Toulon.
SIBYL: Yes, but that's in the South where it's hot.
ELYOT: Don't quibble, Sibyl.
SIBYL: And as for explosions, there's nothing here that can explode.
ELYOT: Oho, isn't there.
SIBYL: Yes, but Elli
ELYOT: Darling, be sweet. Bear with me. I beseech you to bear with
me.
SIBYL: I don't understand. It's horrid of you to do this.
ELYOT: I'm not doing anything. I'm only asking you, imploring you to
come away from this place.
SIBYL: But I love it here.
ELYOT: There are thousands of others places far nicer.
SIBYL: It's a pity we didn't go to one of them.
ELYOT: Now, listen, Sibyl
SIBYL: Yes, but why are you behaving like this, why, why, why?
ELYOT: Don't ask why. just give in to me. I swear I'll never ask you
to give into me over anything again.
SIBYL [with complete decision]: I won't think of going tonight. It's
utterly ridiculous. I've done quite enough travelling for one day, and
I'm tired.
ELYOT: You're as obstinate as a mule.
SIBYL: I like that, I must say.
ELYOT [hotly]: You've got your nasty little feet dug into the ground, and
you don't intend to budge an inch, do you?
SIBYL [with spirit]: No, I do not.
ELYOT: If there's one thing in the world that infuriates me, it's sheer
wanton stubbornness. I should like to cut off your head with a meat axe.
SIBYL: How dare you talk to me like that, on our honeymoon night.
[VICTOR Comes stamping out of the French windows on the left,
followed by AMANDA].
VICTOR: You were certainly right when you said you weren't normal.
You're behaving like a lunatic.
AMANDA: Not at all. All I have done is to ask you a little favor.
VICTOR: Little favor indeed.
AMANDA: If we left now we could be in Paris in a few hours.
VICTOR: If we crossed Siberia by train we could be in China in a fortnight,
but I don't see any reason to do it.
AMANDA: Oh, Victor darling -- please, please -- be sensible, just for my sake.
VICTOR: Sensible!
AMANDA: Yes, sensible. I shall be absolutely miserable if we
stay here. You don't want me to be absolutely miserable all
through my honeymon, do you?
VICTOR: But why on earth didn't you think of your
sister's tragedy before?
AMANDA: I forgot.
VICTOR: You couldn't forget a thing like that.
AMANDA: I got the places muddled. Then when I saw the
Casino there in the moonlight, it all came back to me.
VICTOR: When did all this happen?
AMANDA: Years ago, but it might just as well have been
yesterday. I can see her now lying dead, with that dreadful expression
on her face. Then all that awful business of taking the body home to
England. It was perfectly horrible.
VICTOR: I never knew you had a sister.
AMANDA: I haven't any more.
VICTOR: There's something behind all this.
AMANDA: Don't be silly. What could there be behind it?
VICTOR: Well, for one thing, I know you're lying.
AMANDA: Victor!
VICTOR: Be honest. Aren't you?
AMANDA: I can't think how you can be so mean and suspicious.
VICTOR [patiently]: You're lying, Amanda. Aren't you?
AMANDA: Yes, Victor.
VICTOR: You never had a sister, dead or alive?
AMANDA: I believe there was a stillborn one in 1902.
VICTOR: What is your reason for all this?
AMANDA: I told you I was unreliable.
VICTOR: Why do you want to leave so badly?
AMANDA: You'll be angry if I tell you the truth.
VICTOR: What is it?
AMANDA: I warn you.
VICTOR: Tell me. Please tell me.
AMANDA: Elyot's here.
VICTOR: What!
AMANDA: I saw him.
VICTOR: When?
AMANDA: just now, when you were in the bath.
VICTOR: Where was he?
AMANDA [hesitatingly]: Down there, in a white suit.
[She points over the balustrade.]
VICTOR [sceptically]: White suit?
AMANDA: Why not? It's summer, isn't it?
VICTOR: You're lying again.
AMANDA: I'm not. He's here. I swear he is.
VICTOR: Well, what of it?
AMANDA: I can't enjoy a honeymoon with you, with Elyot liable to
bounce in at any moment.
VICTOR: Really, Mandy.
AMANDA: Can't you see how awful it is? It's the most
embarrassing thing that ever happened to me in my whole life.
VICTOR: Did he see you?
AMANDA: No, he was running.
VICTOR: What was he running for?
AMANDA: How on earth do I know? Don't be so annoying.
VICTOR:Well, as long as he didn't see you it's all right, isn't it?
AMANDA: It
isn't all right at all. We must leave immediately.
VICTOR: But why?
AMANDA: How can you be so appallingly obstinate?
VICTOR: I'm not afraid of him.
AMANDA: Neither am I. It isn't a question of being afraid. It's just
a horrible awkward situation.
VICTOR: I'm damned if I can see why our whole honeymoon
should be upset by Elyot.
AMANDA: My last one was.
VICTOR: I don't believe he's here at all.
AMANDA: He is I tell you. I saw him.
VICTOR: It was probably an optical illusion. This half light is very
deceptive.
AMANDA: It was no such thing.
VICTOR: I absolutely refuse to change all our plans at the last
moment, just because you think you've seen Elyot. It's
unreasonable and ridiculous of you to demand it. Even if he is
here I can't see that it matters. He'll probably feel much more
embarrassed than you, and a damned good job too; and if be
annoys you in any way I'll knock him down.
AMANDA: That would be charming.
VICTOR: Now don't let's talk about it any more.
AMANDA: Do you mean to stand there seriously and imagine that
the whole thing can be glossed over as easily as that?
VICTOR: I'm not going to leave, Mandy. If I start giving into you as
early as this, our lives will be unbearable.
AMANDA [outraged]: Victor!
VICTOR [calmly]: You've worked yourself up into a state over a
situation which really only exists in your mind.
AMANDA [controlling herself with an effort]: Please, Victor,
please, for this last time I implore you. Let's go to Paris now,
tonight. I mean it with all my heart--please
VICTOR [with gentle firmness]: No, Mandy!
AMANDA: I see quite clearly that I have been foolish enough to
marry a fat old gentleman in a club armchair.
VICTOR: It's no use being cross.
AMANDA: You're a pompous ass.
VICTOR [horrified]: Mandy!
AMANDA [enraged]: Pompous ass, that's what I said, and that's
what I meant. Blown out with your own importance.
VICTOR: Mandy, control yourself.
AMANDA: Get away from me. I can't bear to think I'm married to
such rugged grandeur.
VICTOR [with great dignity]: I shall be in the bar. When you are
ready to come down and dine, let me know.
AMANDA [flinging herself into a chair]: Go away, go away.
[VICTOR stalks off, at the same moment that ELYOT stamps on,
on the other side, followed by SIBYL in tears.]
ELYOT: If you don't stop screaming, I'll murder you.
SIBYL: I wish to heaven I'd never seen you in my life, let alone
married you. I don't wonder Amanda left you, if you behaved to
her as you've behaved to me. I'm going down to have dinner by
myself and you can just do what you like about it.
ELYOT: Do, and I hope it chokes you.
SIBYL: Oh Elli, Elli
[She goes wailing indoors. Elyot stamps down to the
balustrade
and lights a cigarette, obviously trying to control his nerves.
Amanda sees him, and comes down too.]
AMANDA: Give me one for God's sake.
ELYOT [hands her his case laconically]: Here.
AMANDA [taking a cigarette]: I'm in such a rage.
ELYOT [lighting up]: So am I.
AMANDA: What are we to do?
ELYOT: I don't know.
AMANDA: Whose yacht is that?
ELYOT: The Duke of Westminster's I expect. It always is.
AMANDA: I wish I were on it.
ELYOT: I wish you were too.
AMANDA: There's no need to be nasty.
ELYOT: Yes there is, every need. I've never in my life felt a greater urge to
be nasty.
AMANDA: And you've had some urges in your time, haven't you?
ELYOT: If you start bickering with me, Amanda, I swear I'll throw you over
the edge.
AMANDA: Try it, that's all, just try it.
ELYOT: You've upset everything, as usual.
AMANDA: I've upset everything! What about you?
ELYOT: Ever since the first moment I was unlucky enough to set eyes on
you, my life has been insupportable.
AMANDA: Oh, do shut up, there's no sense in going on like that.
ELYOT: Nothing's any use. There's no escape, ever.
AMANDA: Don't be melodramatic.
ELYOT: Do you want a cocktail? There are two here.
AMANDA: There are two over here as well.
ELYOT: We'll have my two first.
[AMANDA crosses over into ELYOT's part of the terrace. He gives
her one, and keeps one himself.]
AMANDA: Shall we get roaring screaming drunk?
ELYOT: I don't think that would help, we did it once before and it was a
dismal failure.
AMANDA: It was lovely at the beginning.
ELYOT: You have an immoral memory, Amanda. Here's to you.
[They raise their glasses solemnly and drink.]
AMANDA: I tried to get away the moment after I'd seen you, but be
wouldn't budge.
ELYOT: What's his name.
AMANDA: Victor, Victor Prynne.
ELYOT [toasting]: Mr. and Mrs. Victor Prynne. [He drinks] Mine wouldn't
budge either.
AMANDA: What's her name?
ELYOT: Sibyl.
AMANDA [toasting]: Mr. and Mrs. Elyot Chase. [She drinks] God pity the
poor girl.
ELYOT: Are you in love with him?
AMANDA: Of course.
ELYOT: How funny.
AMANDA: I don't see anything particularly funny about it; you're in love
with yours aren't you?
ELYOT: Certainly.
AMANDA: There you are then.
ELYOT: There we both are then.
AMANDA: What's she like?
ELYOT: Fair, very pretty, plays the piano beautifully.
AMANDA: Very comforting.
ELYOT: How's yours?
AMANDA: I don't want to discuss him.
ELYOT: Well, it doesn't matter, he'll probably come popping out in a
minute and I shall see for myself. Does he know I'm here?
AMANDA: Yes, I told him.
ELYOT [with sarcasm]: That's going to make things a whole lot easier.
AMANDA: You needn't be frightened; he won't hurt you.
ELYOT: If he comes near me I'll scream the place down.
AMANDA: Does Sibyl know I'm here?
ELYOT: No, I pretended I'd had a presentiment. I tried terribly hard to
persuade her to leave for Paris.
AMANDA: I tried too; it's lucky we didn't both succeed, isn't it?
Otherwise we should probably all have joined up in Rouen or
somewhere.
ELYOT [laughing]: In some frowsy little hotel.
AMANDA [laughing too]: Oh dear, it would have been much,
much worse.
ELYOT: I can see us all sailing down in the morning for an early
start.
AMANDA [weakly]: Lovely, oh lovely.
ELYOT: Glorious!
[They both laugh helplessly.]
AMANDA: What's happened to yours?
ELYOT: Didn't you bear her screaming? She's downstairs in the
dining room I think.
AMANDA: Mine is being grand, in the bar.
ELYOT: It really is awfully difficult.
AMANDA: Have you known her long?
ELYOT: About four months, we met in a house party in Norfolk.
AMANDA: Very flat, Norfolk.
ELYOT: How old is dear Victor?
AMANDA: Thirty-four, or five; and Sibyl?
ELYOT: I blush to tell you; only twenty-three.
AMANDA: You've gone a mucker all right.
ELYOT: I shall reserve my opinion of your choice until I've met
dear Victor.
AMANDA: I wish you wouldn't go on calling him "Dear Victor." It's
extremely irritating.
ELYOT: That's how I see him. Dumpy, and fair, and very
considerate, with glasses. Dear Victor.
AMANDA: As I said before I would rather not discuss him. At
least I have good taste enough to refrain from making cheap
gibes at Sibyl.
ELYOT: You said Norfolk was flat.
AMANDA: That was no reflection on her, unless she made it
flatter.
ELYOT: Your voice takes on an acid quality whenever you
mention her name.
AMANDA: I'll never mention it again.
ELYOT: Good, and I'll keep off Victor.
AMANDA [with dignity]: Thank you.
[There is silence for a moment. The orchestra starts playing
the same tune that they were singing previously.]
ELYOT: That orchestra has a remarkably small repertoire.
AMANDA: They don't seem to know anything but this, do they?
[She sits down on the balustrade, and sings it, softly. Her
eyes are looking out to sea, and her mind is far away. ELYOT
watches her while she sings. When she turns to him at the
end, there are tears in her eyes. He looks away awkwardly
and lights another cigarette.]
ELYOT: You always had a sweet voice, Amanda.
AMANDA [a little huskily]: Thank you.
ELYOT: I'm awfully sorry about all this, really I am. I wouldn't
have bad it happen for the world.
AMANDA: I know. I'm sorry too. It's just rotten luck.
ELYOT: I'll go away tomorrow whatever happens, so don't you
worry.
AMANDA: That's nice of you.
ELYOT: I hope everything turns out splendidly for you, and that
you'll be very happy.
AMANDA: I hope the same for you, too.
[The music, which has been playing continually through this
little scene, returns persistently to the refrain. They both look
at one another and laugh.]
ELYOT: Nasty insistent little tune.
AMANDA: Extraordinary how potent cheap music is.
ELYOT: What exactly were you remembering at that moment? AMANDA: The Palace Hotel Skating Rink in the morning, bright
strong sunlight, and everybody whirling round in vivid colors, and
you kneeling down to put on my skates for me.
ELYOT: You'd fallen on your fanny a few moments before.
AMANDA: It was beastly of you to laugh like that, I felt so
humiliated.
ELYOT: Poor darling.
AMANDA: Do you remember waking up in the morning, and
standing on the balcony, looking out across the valley?
ELYOT: Blue shadows on white snow, cleanness beyond belief,
high above everything in the world. How beautiful it was.
AMANDA: It's nice to think we had a few marvellous moments. ELYOT: A few: We had heaps really, only they slip away into the
background, and one only remembers the bad ones.
AMANDA: Yes. What fools we were to ruin it all. What utter, utter
fools.
ELYOT: You feel like that too, do you?
AMANDA [wearily]: Of course.
ELYOT: Why did we?
AMANDA: The whole business was too much for us.
ELYOT: We were so ridiculously over in love.
AMANDA: Funny, wasn't it?
ELYOT [sadly]: Horribly funny.
AMANDA: Selfishness, cruelty, hatred, possessiveness, petty
jealousy. All those qualities came out in us just because we loved
each other.
ELYOT: Perhaps they were there anyhow.
AMANDA: No, it's love that does it. To hell with love.
ELYOT: To hell with love.
AMANDA: And yet here we are starting afresh with two quite
different people. In love all over again, aren't we? [ELYOT
doesn't answer] Aren't we?
ELYOT: No.
AMANDA: Elyot.
ELYOT: We're not in love all over again, and you know it. Good
night, Amanda.
[He turns abruptly, and goes towards the French windows.]
AMANDA: Elyot-don't be silly-come back.
ELYOT: I must go and find Sybil.
AMANDA: I must go and find Victor.
ELYOT [savagely]: Well, why don't you?
AMANDA: I don't want to.
ELYOT: It's shameful, shameful of us.
AMANDA: Don't: I feel terrible. Don't leave me for a minute, I shall
go mad if you do. We won't talk about ourselves any more; we'll
talk about outside things, anything you like, only just don't leave
me until I've pulled myself together.
ELYOT: Very well.
[There is a dead silence.]
AMANDA: What have you been doing lately? During these last
years?
ELYOT: Travelling about. I went round the world you know after
AMANDA [hurriedly]: Yes, yes, I know. How was it?
ELYOT: The world?
AMANDA: Yes.
ELYOT: Oh, highly enjoyable.
AMANDA: China must be very interesting.
ELYOT: Very big, China.
AMANDA: And Japan
ELYOT: Very small.
AMANDA: Did you eat sharks' fins, and take your shoes off, and use
chopsticks and everything?
ELYOT: Practically everything.
AMANDA: And India, the burning Ghars, or Ghats, or whatever they
are, and the Taj Mahal. How was the Taj Mahal?
ELYOT [looking at her]: Unbelievable, a sort of dream.
AMANDA: That was the moonlight, I expect; you must have seen it
in the moonlight.
ELYOT [never taking his eyes off her face]: Yes, moonlight is
cruelly deceptive.
AMANDA: And it didn't look like a biscuit box did it? I've always felt
that it might.
ELYOT [quietly]: Darling, darling, I love you so.
AMANDA: And I do hope you met a sacred elephant. They're lint
white I believe, and very, very sweet.
ELYOT: I've never loved anyone else for an instant.
AMANDA [raising her hand feebly in protest]: No, no, you
mustn't-Elyot-stop.
ELYOT: You love me, too, don't you? There's no doubt about it
anywhere, is there?
AMANDA: No, no doubt anywhere.
ELYOT: You're looking very lovely you know, in this damned
moonlight. Your skin is clear and cool, and your eyes are shining,
and you're growing lovelier and lovelier every second
as I look at you. You don't hold any mystery for me, darling, do you
mind? There isn't a particle of you that I don't know, remember, and
want.
AMANDA [softly]: I'm glad, my sweet.
ELYOT: More than any desire anywhere, deep down in my deepest
heart I want you back again-please
AMANDA [putting her hand over his mouth]: Don't say any more; you're
making me cry so dreadfully.
[He pulls her gently into his arms and they stand silently, completely
oblivious to everything but the moment, and each other. When finally,
they separate, they sit down, rather breathlessly, on the balustrade.]
AMANDA: What now? Oh darling, what now?
ELYOT: I don't know, I'm lost, utterly.
AMANDA: We must think quickly, oh quickly-
ELYOT: Escape?
AMANDA: Together?
ELYOT: Yes, of course, now, now.
AMANDA: We can't, we can't, you know we can't.
ELYOT: We must.
AMANDA: It would break Victor's heart.
ELYOT: And Sibyl's too probably, but they're bound to suffer anyhow.
Think of the hell we'd lead them into if we stayed. Infinitely worse than
any cruelty in the world, pretending to love them, and loving each other,
so desperately.
AMANDA: We must tell them.
ELYOT: What?
AMANDA: Call them, and tell them.
ELYOT: Oh no, no, that's impossible.
AMANDA: It's honest.
ELYOT: I can't help how honest it is, it's too horrible to think of. How
should we start? What should we say?
AMANDA: We should have to trust to the inspiration of the moment.
ELYOT: It would be a moment completely devoid of inspiration. The
most appalling moment imaginable. No, no, we can't, you must see that,
we simply can't.
AMANDA: What do you propose to do then? As it is they might appear at
any moment.
ELYOT: We've got to decide instantly one way or another.
Go away together now, or stay with them, and never see one another
again, ever.
AMANDA: Don't be silly, what choice is there?
ELYOT: No choice at all, come
[He takes her hand. ]
AMANDA: No, wait. This is sheer raving madness, something's happened
to us, we're not sane.
ELYOT: We never were.
AMANDA: Where can we go?
ELYOT: Paris first, my car's in the garage, all ready.
AMANDA: They'll follow us.
ELYOT: That doesn't matter, once the thing's done.
AMANDA: I've got a flat in Paris.
ELYOT: Good.
AMANDA: It's in the Avenue Montaigne. I let it to Freda Lawson,
but she's in Biarritz, so it's empty.
ELYOT: Does Victor know?
AMANDA: No, he knows I have one but he hasn't the faintest idea where.
ELYOT: Better and better.
AMANDA: We're being so bad, so terribly bad, we'll
suffer for this, I know we shall.
ELYOT: Can't be helped.
AMANDA: Starting all those awful rows all over again.
ELYOT: No, no, we're older and wiser now.
AMANDA: What difference does that make? The first
moment either of us gets a bit nervy, off we'll go again.
ELYOT: Stop shilly-shallying, Amanda.
AMANDA: I'm trying to be sensible.
ELYOT: You're only succeeding in being completely idiotic.
AMANDA: Idiotic indeed! What about you?
ELYOT: Now look here Amanda
AMANDA[stricken]: Oh my God!
ELYOT [rushing to her and kissing her]: Darling, darling, I didn't
mean it
AMANDA: I won't move from here unless we have a compact, a sacred,
sacred compact never to quarrel again.
ELYOT: Easy to make but difficult to keep.
AMANDA: No, no, it's the bickering that always starts it. The moment we
notice we're bickering, either of us, we must promise on our honor to
stop dead. We'll invent some phrase or catchword, which when either
of us says it, automatically cuts off all conversation for at least five
minutes.
ELYOT: Two minutes dear, with an option of renewal.
AMANDA: Very well, what shall it be?
ELYOT [hurriedly]: Solomon Isaacs.
AMANDA: All right, that'll do.
ELYOT: Come on, come on.
AMANDA: What shall we do if we meet either of them on the way
downstairs?
ELYOT: Run like stags.
AMANDA: What about clothes?
ELYOT: I've got a couple of bags I haven't unpacked yet.
AMANDA: I've got a small trunk.
ELYOT: Send the porter up for it.
AMANDA: Oh this is terrible-terrible-
ELYOT: Come on, come on, don't waste time.
AMANDA: Oughtn't we to leave notes or something?
ELYOT: No, no, no, we'll telegraph from somewhere on the road.
AMANDA: Darling, I daren't, it's too wicked of us, I simply daren't.
ELYOT [seizing her in his arms and kissing her violently]: Now will you
behave?
AMANDA: Yes, but Elyot darling-
ELYOT: Solomon Isaacs!
[They rush off together through ELYOT's suite. After a moment or so, VICTOR steps out on to the terrace and looks round anxiously. Then he
goes back indoors again, and can be heard calling "Mandy." Finally
he again comes out on to the terrace and comes despondently down to
the balustrade. He hears SIBYL's voice calling "Elli" and looks round
as she comes out of the French windows. She jumps slightly upon
seeing him.]
VICTOR: Good evening.
SIBYL [rather flustered]: Good evening- I was-er- looking for my husband.
VICTOR: Really, that's funny. I was looking for my wife.
SIBYL: Quite a coincidence. [She laughs nervously.]
VICTOR [after a pause]: It's very nice here isn't it?
SIBYL: Lovely.
VICTOR: Have you been here long?
SIBYL: No, we only arrived today.
VICTOR: Another coincidence. So did we.
SIBYL: How awfully funny.
VICTOR: Would you care for a cocktail?
SIBYL: Oh no, thank you-really --
VICTOR: There are two here on the table.
[SIBYL glances at the two empty glasses on the
balustrade, and tosses her head defiantly.]
SIBYL: Thanks very much, I'd love one.
VICTOR: Good, here you are.
[SIBYL comes over to VICTOR's side
of the terrace. He hands her one and takes one himself.]
SIBYL: Thank you.
VICTOR [with rather forced gaiety]: To absent friends.
[He raises his glass.]
SIBYL [raising hers]: To absent friends.
[They both laugh rather mirthlessly and then sit down on the balustrade,
pensively sipping their cocktails and looking at the view]
It's awfully pretty isn't it? The moonlight, and the lights of that yacht
reflected in the water
Alan Rickman as Elyot |
Рецензия DV |
Перевод на русский (М. Мишин)
