He Who Gets Slapped by Leonid Andreyev

Author:Leonid Andreyev [Andreyev, Leonid]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Tags: Triangles (Interpersonal relations) -- Drama, Russian drama -- Translations into English, Andreyev, Leonid, 1871-1919 -- Translations into English, Clowns -- Drama
Publisher: Standard Ebooks
Published: 2020-10-04T16:43:36+00:00

Act III

The same room. Morning, before the rehearsal. He is striding thoughtfully up and down the room. He wears a broad, particoloured coat, and a prismatic tie. His derby is on the back of his head, and his face is clean-shaven like that of an actor. His eyebrows are drawn, lips pressed together energetically, his whole appearance severe and sombre. After the entrance of the gentleman he changes. His face becomes clown-like, mobile—a living mask.

The gentleman comes in. He is dressed in black, and has an extremely well-bred appearance. His thin face is yellowish, like an invalid’s. When he is upset, his colourless, dull eyes often twitch. He does not notice him.

Gentleman Good morning, sir.

He Turning around and looking at him absentmindedly. Ah! It’s you.

Gentleman I am not late? You look as if you did not expect me. I hope I am not disturbing you? You fixed this time yourself however, and I took the liberty—

He No manners, please. What do you want? Tell me quickly, I have no time.

Gentleman Looking around with distaste. I expected you would invite me to some other place … to your home.

He I have no other home. This is my home.

Gentleman But people may disturb us here.

He So much the worse for you. Talk faster! Silence.

Gentleman Will you allow me to sit down?

He Sit down. Look out! That chair is broken.

The gentleman, afraid, pushes away the chair and looks helplessly around. Everything here seems to him dangerous and strange. He chooses an apparently solid little gilded divan, and sits down; puts his silk hat aside, slowly takes off his gloves, which stick to his fingers. He observes him indifferently.

Gentleman In this suit, and with this face, you make a still stranger impression. Yesterday it seemed to me that it was all a dream; today … you …

He You have forgotten my name again? My name is He.

Gentleman You are determined to continue talking to me like this?

He Decidedly! But you are squandering your time like a millionaire. Hurry up!

Gentleman I really don’t know. … Everything here strikes me so. … These posters, horses, animals, which I passed when I was looking for you. … And finally, you, a clown in a circus! With a slight, deprecating smile. Could I expect it? It is true, when everybody there decided that you were dead, I was the only man who did not agree with them. I felt that you were still alive. But to find you among such surroundings—I can’t understand it.

He You said you have a son, now. Doesn’t he look like me?

Gentleman I don’t understand?

He Don’t you know that widows or divorced women often have children by the new husband, which resemble the old one? This misfortune did not befall you? Laughs.

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