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ACT 2 Dialogue Re-enter, L.2.E., DOLLY, VASQUEZ, and COUNTESS RITA. DOLLY goes to GRIGG; VASQUEZ and RITA to INEZ. VASQUEZ:
I have news for you. The police are in possession of your husband's portrait. RITA: They say he is here in disguise. INEZ: I love him! and love can penetrate any
disguise. GRIGG has beckoned to VASQUEZ, who crosses to him. DOLLY: Yet they say love is blind! INEZ: No! only short-sighted; and,
generally speaking, very short-sighted. No disguise can avail him against the
loving instinct of a wife. RITA and DOLLY go up apart with INEZ. GRIGG comes down hurriedly with VASQUEZ. GRIGG: (anxiously to VASQUEZ)
You understand! VASQUEZ: Perfectly! She possesses the
photo that I took of you two in a compromising attitude. Will she part with it? GRIGG: For a hundred pounds. But - VASQUEZ: You haven't the money. I'll
arrange that. GRIGG: My dear Count! VASQUEZ: No thanks - peace at any price.
Come along. Enters Posada, turns and calls RITA. RITA: (to INEZ and DOLLY) Excuse me. Exit into Posada after VASQUEZ. GRIGG: Good fellow, the Count. What a position!
(Looking at DOLLY) My better half -
(looking at INEZ) and my worse half! DOLLY: Yes, Duchess, we really must return
to England. GRIGG: (aside) Bravo!
(aloud) It is an absolute necessity. DOLLY: I will pack at once. GRIGG: Do. We'll be off by the next train.
(Looking pointedly at INEZ) When I've settled
my debts. DOLLY inclines formally to INEZ, who returns it, and exit into Posada. INEZ: (holding up photograph)
Your note of hand. SANCHO: (coming down, bowing)
Going to leave us? JOSÉ: (same business)
No, the gentleman is coming back to "settle." GRIGG: Immediately. Cash forward. Exit into Posada, R.H. JUANITA and GOMEZ rush in hurriedly over bridge. JUANITA: Madame, one of our band - PEDRO: Has heard some one singing the
Captain's song, "Caballero Capitano." All start. INEZ: No one sings that, except the Captain! FERDINAND heard without, singing. INEZ: 'Tis he! 'Tis Ferdinand! All join sotto voce in the refrain and withdraw stealthily R. and L., as FERDINAND, his sleeves still tucked up, returns with the sieve and the bag filled. FERDINAND: Ha! ha! Bravo! Gold sand!
Tra la la - a first rate catch. (Pours it out)
La! la! la! la! As he sings, SANCHO, JOSÉ, and INEZ come down, GOMEZ at back. With the last note SANCHO twitches his right whisker, JOSÉ his left, GOMEZ seizes his wig, all are taken off at once and INEZ steps down. JUANITA returns. ALL: La! FERDINAND: (staggered) My wife! Gasps. FERDINAND struts up. The group breaks up simultaneously so as to block his passage at every possible exit with dagger and pistol, then finding that he is trapped and unarmed he stops, broken down. Business. INEZ speaks - INEZ: Ferdinand! Come to my arms! Gasps. FERDINAND feels for his knife, which has been removed by SANCHO. SANCHO & JOSÉ: (with pistols, politely)
Chieftain! Come to our arms! FERDINAND: (aside)
No escape! (Aloud, feigning boisterous delight.) Inez -- this moment of happiness repays
me for everything. (Embraces INEZ.) SANCHO: Then you'll kindly repay us. JOSÉ: The money belonging to the band,
noble Chieftain! GRIGG: (who has entered, followed by RITA and VASQUEZ. Aside)
Chieftain! RITA & VASQUEZ: Chieftain! INEZ: My dear husband! GRIGG: (puzzled, aside) But that costume? INEZ: (to GOMEZ, SANCHO, and JOSÉ)
See that my husband, your Chieftain, is attired as becomes his rank. They go up guarding him off. INEZ: (aside to GRIGG) And now - our bargain. GRIGG: (aside to her) The money.
(Hands note.) INEZ: (aside to him) The photo.
(Gives it to him.) GRIGG: Safe!
(to VASQUEZ) Burn it. (Gives it to VASQUEZ.)
DOLLY: (entering ready for travelling as the servants carry the luggage
across the bridge) Peter! Where's our courier?
(Looks about) RITA: He has gone to get some change. INEZ sounds her silver whistle. Ladrones crowd on. DOLLY: Why
(looking from one to the other)
who are these? INEZ: Our faithful followers welcoming home
my gallant, my long lost husband, (grandly)
Ferdinand, Duke di Roxas. FERDINAND, returning in a brigand's hat and mantle, takes C. - and all salute him - then he removes the hat and hand it to PEDRO. GRIGG: Count - friends all - au revoir!
I congratulate you on the return of your Chieftain - the Duke Ferdinand!
Page created 26 October 2003 |
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