The Thirteenth Chair | Page 6

Yes, sir?
MASON. I know a man who saw Palladino lift a table just by putting her hands on it.
(ROSALIE points to a small console table R. end of settee--it has a lamp on it. MISS EASTWOOD is at the L. end of chesterfield.)
ROSALIE (putting hand-bag on chair above table R.). Will someone please take the lamp off that table? And will you bring it to me 'ere?
(MISS STANDISH moves to and takes the lamp and holds it. MASON brings console table to ROSALIE who comes down C.--the wide side of the table to audience. ROSALIE puts her hands on table with her thumbs under its edge and lifts the table and turns right and left.)
You mean like that?
MASON. Yes, I suppose that was it.
ROSALIE. In the dark you would not 'ave noticed my thumbs.
(All laugh. Miss ERSKINE is seated at the back of the table over R.)
But it can be done, it can be done. I do not say that I can do it in the light, but if you want I will try.
ALL. Oh, yes, yes, of course, please do--yes, yes!
MASON. You mean without any trickery?
ROSALIE (getting back of console table. Turning table around--narrow side to audience). I mean like this.
(She places the tips of the fingers of both hands on the C. of the table and stands rigid for a few moments. No one speaks. All watch her with breathless interest. Slowly the table tips a little to one side, and then tips in the opposite direction. Then it slowly rises about a foot from the floor, and then drops suddenly and falls over. There is a long pause.)
MASON (R. of small table). Good Lord!
WALES (L.C., quietly). What did I tell you?
(There is a long pause, all turn towards ROSALIE to see what she will do next. MASON takes console table back to its place to the R. end of the chesterfield. TRENT and MRS. TRENT are over L. STANDISH and CROSBY C.)
ROSALIE (C.). Now you all do know what I can do, but I can trick you too; so you will 'ave to take my word for it that I will not. I am not making to you any promises. I will go into the trance for you and it will be the real trance and not a fake. My spirit does control a little girl named Laughing Eyes.
CROSBY. Are you asking us to believe that the spirit of a dead child--
ROSALIE (C.). To them that believe there is no death. Your own religion teaches you that.
CROSBY. But not that the spirits of the dead can come back to earth.
ROSALIE (moves to chair upper end of table R. CROSBY crosses to R. end of chesterfield). Monsieur should go and read the Bible. I am not going to argue with any of you. I did not come 'ere for argument. Most of you do not believe. You are all of little faith; it is 'ard to get messages then. Perhaps it would be best if I did go. (Crosses to L.C. STANDISH has moved to the back of table R.)
MRS. CROSBY (at table R.). Oh, no, please stay.
ROSALIE (after hesitating). Madame, I will be glad to.
(WILLIAM and HELEN enter R.C.)
TRENT (down L. of arm-chair). And you're willing to submit to our conditions?
ROSALIE. Of course, anything in reason--I--
HELEN (coming down R.C.). Why!
(At the sound of a new voice ROSALIE turns. She gives a little start, and then moves quickly to HELEN C.)
ROSALIE. Wait! Something is coming to me. Please--not anyone to speak!
(All laugh.)
(She is close to HELEN and looks at her.) It is a message. Give me your 'and, mademoiselle.
(HELEN in a good deal of confusion gives ROSALIE her hand. ROSALIE stands and holds it. Her eyes are closed.)
There is nothing but 'appiness coming to you. The spirits tell me you are the favourite child of fortune.
(WILLIAM comes down to R.C.)
You will 'ave wealth and prosperity and 'appiness. You will marry the man you love, and you will be 'appy all your life,
(WALES goes up L. TRENT comes to ROSALIE a step. ROSALIE turns to the others.)
There is something I want to tell 'er just for 'erself. She is so young, we must spare her modesty.
(MRS. TRENT goes up L. TRENT, MISS EASTWOOD, and WALES go up L.C. ROSALIE brings HELEN down L. WILLIAM joins CROSBY and MRS. CROSBY R. MISS ERSKINE and STANDISH are at the back of table R.)
(The following lines are spoken by HELEN and ROSALIE in an undertone.)
HELEN. Mother!
ROSALIE. My darling, I did not know. They just brought me here. You know I would not 'ave come for anything in the world if I 'ad known.
(HELEN starts to break away. ROSALIE clutches her.)
Don't tell them, dear, don't 'ave me shame you before all your wonderful friends. I will go in one minute--I will get away