The Lucky Man | Page 5

good. Passion has often led others farther than you have gone. Think of your reputation, and your peace of mind.
(Laura rises and walks off)
But madam where are you going?
Laura: I don't know. Is Cadwell awake yet? Go to him--question him--his actions, his remarks, and report to me his every word.
Jenny: Useless effort. I will always be misunderstood if I don't take constant pains. She's loyal and amorous--
(Exit Laura)
(Ender Bendish, from Cadwell's apartment)
Jenny: Ah, there you are. What are you looking for?
Bendish: (amiably) For a crazy lady, and I've found you. Now, I'm not looking any more as you see.
Jenny: And aren't you a nasty impertinent fellow! Can I see your master?
Bendish: No, it isn't wake up time for him yet. After having wasted all his time in an armchair at his toilet, he still has half an hour to sleep, my word.
Cadwell: (calling from his room) Hey, hey, Bendish!
Bendish: Sir.
Jenny: I will return in a moment.
Bendish: You don't like nudity, I can see that. Wait, help me, I beg you to carry the toilet here.
Jenny: Why?
Bendish: He says it reeks in his chamber.
Jenny: I'm afraid it reeks in his hair more than in his room.
(Bendish and Jenny take a toilet which is at the entrance to Cadwell's chamber and place it in a corner of the stage)
Cadwell: (calling again from his room) Come on then, hey!
Bendish: Coming! Yells like a devil. Don't people say he has a lot of business.
(Exit Jenny to Laura's apartment)
(Cadwell enters)
Cadwell: Will you ever come?
Bendish: I'm here.
Cadwell: What time is it?
Bendish: Doesn't matter.
Cadwell: Scoundrel! Hasn't anyone come to ask for me?
Bendish: Arabella's valet is waiting for you to wake up.
Cadwell: Selina hasn't sent around?
Bendish: I protect you from gossip. (drawing a letter and a watch from his jacket and presenting them to Cadwell) Here's a letter and a watch Selina sent you. Her lackey is going to come for a reply.
Cadwell: Just put them there.
Bendish: Aren't you going to read her letter?
Cadwell: No. I know everything that will be in it.
Bendish: (hearing a noise) Someone's knocking on the door. Shall I open it?
Cadwell: See who it is!
(Bendish goes to open)
Ah, it's from Arabella.
(Enter Arabella's Lackey)
Lackey: (giving a clasp to Cadwell) Yes, sir. Here is what madam sends you. Will you send a reply?
Cadwell: A reply? No.
Lackey: Will you come to her, sir?
Cadwell: No.
Lackey: Tomorrow perhaps, sir?
Cadwell: Er--one of these days, certainly. (to Bendish) Hey, Bendish--haven't you got a watch? (Bendish gives Cadwell the watch which Cadwell in turn presents to the lackey) Take this to your mistress. (to Bendish) Well now--finish dressing me.
(The Lackey bows and exits)
Bendish: And what will Selina say when she doesn't see her watch anymore?
Cadwell: Didn't I tell you to dress me?
Bendish: Eh! You don't intend to go out?
Cadwell: I don't know what I will do. I'd like to spend the day here. No, I have to go out. (Thinking he hears a noise) Someone's knocking. Another lackey, I'll bet.
Bendish: No, sir, nobody's knocking.-- Admit that it's a tiresome distinction to be a pretty fellow and not to be able to take a step without being run after by half the world. These are the perils one faces when one is made like you.
Cadwell: There are times when I wish not to be as I am--when I'd give anything in the world to be like you.
Bendish: I believe it.
Cadwell: Perhaps you have some secret to make me disliked?
Bendish: I do, sir. And it's very easy. You have only to continue to live the way you live and I guarantee you the hate and scorn of all mankind. (hearing knocking) They're knocking.
Cadwell: Open.
Bendish: (after having opened the door) It's from Selina.
(Enter Selina's Lackey)
Lackey: Sir, I've brought a letter and a watch.
Cadwell: I know what it is. Here give her this. (giving the Lackey the clasp)
(Exit Lackey)
Bendish: He pipes with the flute and tunes with the drum.
Cadwell: You seem quite astonished?
Bendish: Me? No. I find this the best thing in the world. To love her today and betray her tomorrow. To take from one to give to the other. False confidences, slander, letters, sacrifices, flatteries, scandal--mere nothings! I am ready for everything. We won't be rich in the end but we'll have a good laugh, right sir?
Cadwell: Ah, I'm delighted to see you reasonable.
Bendish: Oh, sir, when a devil and a hermit live together, either the devil becomes a hermit or the hermit becomes a devil, I am absolutely convinced. Well, let's see who the unfortunate lady will be whose reputation you will ruin by some new perfidy? I can clearly see that your feelings are reserved for the Marquise.
Cadwell: Which one?
Bendish: Why the one you long ago swore to be faithful to.
Cadwell: No. I no longer love her.
Bendish: Your flames are not more vehement for this good lady to whom I carried your