The Unforseen Return | Page 9

thought has occurred to me. Tell me, I beg you, have they been in the wine cellar?
Roger: Alas, sir, they forage everywhere.
Richly: I am lost. I buried fifty thousand pounds in that wine cellar.
Roger: Fifty thousand pounds! Sir, there are fifty thousand pounds in your house?
Richly: In the wine cellar.
Roger: In the wine cellar. That's exactly where they hold their Sabbath.-- Oh, if only we had known this. And where in the wine cellar if you please?
Richly: To the left as you enter. Under a big block of stone near the door.
Roger: Fifty thousand pounds under a big block of stone! You should have told us--we could have saved you from this unlucky pass. It's on the left as you go in, you say.
Richly: Yes. The place is easy to find.
Roger: I'll easily find it. But you know, sir, that it's worth your life-- you're risking your neck to go in there? And the whole sum is in gold?
Richly: All in pure gold.
Roger: (aside) Good. Easier to carry.
(Aloud) Oh, as to that, sir, since we know the cause of the evil it won't be hard to find a remedy. I believe we'll--manage. Leave it to me.
Richly: I have trouble believing all you tell me. You tell me so many stories about these matters that I don't know what to believe. I'll trust you for now, but I'll find out what's what. What reversals one sees in life! One can't make a little money without men or the devil trying to get it away from you. The devil is not going to have it!
(Exit Richly)
(Enter Lucy)
Lucy: Ah, my poor Roger. Is it true that Mr. Edward's father has returned?
Roger: Only too true, but to console us, I have found a treasure.
Lucy: A treasure?
Roger: In the wine cellar, as you enter--to the left under a large black stone--a sack which contains fifty thousand pounds.
Lucy: Fifty thousand pounds.
Roger: Yes, child, and I tell you that will be plenty--run find the sack, the sack--hurry!
Lucy: But--
Roger: The devil take you with your buts. Mr. Richly will return. Save yourself--hide, quickly. To the treasure. To the treasure.
(Exit Lucy)
We are about to have a nice explanation. Now to navigate your ship and bring it into port.
(Reenter Richly)
Richly: You see I wasn't long. I found my porters near here and I've told them to wait because it seems a good idea to store my goods in the house my son has bought.
Roger: A new fix!
Richly: I don't recognize the place too well, so you can take me there yourself.
Roger; I want to, sir, but--
Richly: But what! The Devil isn't master there, too, is he?
Roger: Mrs. Prim is still living there.
Richly: Still living there?
Roger: Yes, indeed. It's agreed that she will stay out her term, and--as her mind is weak--she gets in a furious state whenever anyone talks to her about vacating. She's really crazy, you see.
Richly: I'll talk to her in a way that will calm her down.
Roger: You!
(Aside) All is lost.
Richly: You're making me very impatient. I absolutely want to speak to her, I tell you.
Roger: Well, in that case--talk to her--because happily, here she comes. But remember she's a basket case.
Mrs. Prim: (entering) Well, here's Mr. Richly returned, it seems.
Roger: (low to Mrs. Prim) Yes, Madam, indeed it is he--but he's lost his wits. His ship was wrecked and he drank salt water. It turned his head.
Mrs. Prim: What a shame--the poor man!
Roger: If he happens by chance to accost you, he may say something odd. Don't pay any attention. We're going to have him locked up.
(To Richly) If you speak to her, have a little patience with her weakness. Think of her as a clock that's a bit cuckoo.
Richly: Leave her to me.
Mrs. Prim: There's something strange and distracted about his manner.
Richly: How her looks have changed. She has haggard eyes.
Mrs. Prim: Well--it's Mr. Richly. You've come back to England, eh?
Richly: Ready to render you my devoirs.
Mrs. Prim: I'm very distressed about the misfortune you've suffered.
Richly: I have to be patient. They say devils are occupying my house. But it will be all right after we kick them out. They'll be worn out staying there.
Mrs. Prim: (aside) Devils in his house! I'd better not contradict him, it might make him worse.
Richly: I'd like, madam, to store some packages that I brought back with me in your house.
Mrs. Prim: (aside) He doesn't realize that his ship was wrecked. What a pity.
(Aloud) I am at your service and my house is more yours than mine.
Richly: Oh, madam, I have no intention of abusing you of the condition you are in.
(To Roger) But really, Roger, this woman is not as crazy as you said she was.
Roger: She has a few good moments--but it won't last.
Richly: Tell me, Mrs. Prim, have you always been as wise and as reasonable