The Thirteenth Chair | Page 4

R. CROSBY talks with MISS EASTWOOD. MASON is the L. end of the chesterfield facing the audience.)
(Enter BUTLER from down L.)
BUTLER. Mrs. Crosby, the person you sent the car for has arrived.
(All turn eagerly toward him.)
WALES (rises and moves down L.C.). Can we see her now, Mrs. Crosby?
MRS. CROSBY. Certainly--Pollock, ask Madame la Grange if she will come in, please.
BUTLER. Yes, madame.
(He exits and closes the door after him.)
MISS EASTWOOD (coming down between the large table and the chesterfield). I'm perfectly thrilled. Do you suppose she expects to be taken seriously?
MISS ERSKINE. Of course.
MISS EASTWOOD (at table R.). How funny! If you don't laugh at her, we can have no end of fun. I'll guy her terribly and she'll never know it.
MRS. CROSBY (at table R.). Oh, I wouldn't do that, Mary. She may be quite in earnest.
MISS EASTWOOD. Oh, I can't believe that. Madame la Grange! I can see her now. Tall, black-haired creature, regular adventuress, see if she isn't. Isn't she, Mr. Wales?
WALES (in front of chesterfield). She's the most remarkable woman I have ever known.
(Enter BUTLER from door L., coming well on stage).
BUTLER. Madame la Grange.
(Enter MADAME ROSALIE LA GRANGE. She is a woman of about fifty. She speaks with a marked French accent.)
ROSALIE. Good evening everybody. (The men all rise.)
MRS. CROSBY. How do you do, Madame la Grange?
ROSALIE. I am well, I thank you, madame.
MRS. CROSBY. Do come in.
ROSALIE. Thank you, madame. (She sees WALES L.C., and goes to him.) Good evening, Mister Wales. It was kind of you to send the motor-car for me.
WALES. We wanted you to be comfortable.
ROSALIE. And I was. (She laughs and turns to MRS. CROSBY R.C.) Do you know, madame, when the gentleman in uniform come for me, I thought at first it was a policeman.
MRS. CROSBY. I hope you weren't frightened.
(The positions now are: ROSALIE C., CROSBY R. end of chesterfield C. MRS. TRENT and STANDISH have moved down L. TRENT comes to L. of arm-chair. Miss ERSKINE seated on chesterfield up C. MRS. CROSBY at table R. WALES L.C. and MASON L.C.)
ROSALIE. Oh, no, madame. I should like to see the policeman that could frighten me. They are nice boys, the policemen.
MISS EASTWOOD (on the R. side of ROSALIE). Mr. Wales tells us you are wonderful.
ROSALIE. All women are.
MISS EASTWOOD (with a meaning glance at the others). So you tell fortunes?
ROSALIE. No, mademoiselle, I do not. I get messages from those of us that 'ave passed on. I do not 'old at all with the cards nor tea-leaves nor any of those tricks.
(All laugh--MISS EASTWOOD loudest.)
Once in a while I give advice. (She turns to MISS EASTWOOD.) If I was you, mademoiselle, I would not meet Jimmy at the Ritz at three o'clock to-morrow.
(All laugh. MISS STANDISH crosses to chesterfield C. and sits. Miss ERSKINE rises and crosses to table R. and sits in arm-chair upper end. MASON moves up and sits on up stage chesterfield. TRENT goes to L. end of chesterfield. MISS EASTWOOD is in front of table R. ROSALIE goes to WALES L.C. CROSBY seats MRS. CROSBY down stage end of table R., then crosses back of MISS ERSKINE to upper end of table.)
Well, sir, and how are you?
WALES. We're expecting great things from you to-night, Madame la Grange.
ROSALIE. Bien! I hope you will not be disappointed.
CROSBY (above table R., coming C. a step). I suppose there are a lot of tricks that--
ROSALIE (interrupting him). I suppose mine is the only trade in the world in which there are tricks, eh, monsieur?
MISS EASTWOOD (coming to ROSALIE C.). Why shouldn't I meet Jimmy at the Ritz to-morrow?
ROSALIE. If you do, something awful may 'appen to 'im.
MISS EASTWOOD. What?
ROSALIE. If you keep meeting Jimmy 'e may marry you.
(MISS EASTWOOD moves up stage a step.)
CROSBY (upper end of table R.). Would you mind telling me how you know this young lady was going to meet Jimmy at the Ritz to-morrow afternoon?
ROSALIE. She did leave 'is letter in 'er bag in the 'all, and while I wait I 'ave read it.
MISS EASTWOOD (C.). How did you know it was my bag?
ROSALIE. The stuff of the bag matches the stuff of your dress.
MRS. CROSBY (seated below table R.). Then it is all trickery?
ROSALIE. It is, madame, and it is not. I tell you, madame, most of the time it is tricks, with even the best of us. But there 'ave been times in my life when it was not tricks. There 'ave been things I could not understand myself, messages from them that 'ave passed on, madame. There is a power--a wonderful power--that come to us. But you never can tell when it is coming. And if you waited for it you would starve to death. So when it is not there we use tricks.
MRS. CROSBY (seated at lower end