FISCHER
It may turn out to be an imitation of the new Arcadians, a sort of
Terkaleon.
MÜLLER
Now that wouldn't be bad, for I've been wishing this long while to see some time such a wonderful opera without music.
FISCHER
Without music it is absurd, for, my dear friend, we're beyond such childish nonsense, such superstition; enlightenment has borne its natural fruits.
MÜLLER
It may turn out to be a regular picture of domestic life, and the cat is only a joke, something like a jest, so to speak, a motive, if I may call it that.
SCHLOSS
To tell you my honest opinion, I take the whole thing to be a trick to spread sentiment among the people, give them suggestions. You'll see if I'm not right. A revolutionary play, as far as I can understand.
FISCHER
I agree with you, too, for otherwise the style would be horribly offensive. For my part I must admit I never could believe in witches or spirits, not to mention Puss in Boots.
SCHLOSS
The age of these phantoms is past. Why, there comes Leutner; perhaps he can tell us more.
[Leutner pushes himself through the crowd.]
LEUTNER
Good evening, good evening! Well, how are you?
MÜLLER
Do tell us, will you, what sort of play we're having tonight?
[The music begins.]
LEUTNER
So late already? Why, I've come in the nick of time. About the play? I have just been speaking with the author; he is at the theatre and helping dress the tom-cat.
MANY VOICES
Is helping?—The author?—The cat? So a cat will appear, after all?
LEUTNER
Yes, indeed, why his name is even on the bill.
FISCHER
I say, who's playing that part?
LEUTNER
The strange actor, of course, the great man.
MÜLLER
Indeed? But how can they possibly play such nonsense?
LEUTNER
For a change, the author thinks.
FISCHER
A fine change, why not Bluebeard too, and Prince Kobold? Indeed! Some excellent subjects for the drama!
MÜLLER
But how are they going to dress the cat?—And I wonder whether he wears real boots?
LEUTNER
I am just as impatient as all of you.
FISCHER
But shall we really have such stuff played to us? We've come here out of curiosity, to be sure, but still we have taste.
MÜLLER
I feel like making a noise.
LEUTNER
It's rather cold, too. I'll make a start. (He stamps with his feet, the others fall in.)
WIESENER (on the other side)
What does this pounding mean?
LEUTNER