PLAYWRIGHT (rushing forward).
Impudent fellow—
JACKPUD
Look, he is even jealous of the small part I am playing now.
PLAYWRIGHT (on the other side of the stage with a bow).
Worthy friends! I never should have dared to give this man a more important part since I know your taste—
JACKPUDDING (on the other side).
Your taste? Now you see his jealousy—and they have all just declared that my taste is the same as theirs.
PLAYWR
I wished, by means of the present play, only to prepare you for even more extravagant products of the imagination.
ALL IN THE PIT
How? What?
JACKPUD
Of course for plays in which I would have no part to act at all.
PLAYWR
For the development of this matter must advance step by step.
JACKPUD
Don't believe a word he says!
PLAYWR
Now I withdraw, not to interrupt the course of the play any longer.
[Exit.]
JACKPUD
Adieu, until we meet again. (Exit, returns again quickly.) Apropos—another thing—the discussion which has just taken place among us is not part of the play either.
[Exit.]
THE PIT (laughs).
JACKPUDDING (returns again quickly).
Let us finish the wretched play today; make believe you do not notice at all how bad it is; as soon as I get home I'll sit down and write one for you that you will certainly like.
[Exit, some applause.]
(Enter GOTTLIEB and HINZE)
GOTTLIEB
Dear Hinze, it is true you are doing much for me, but I still cannot understand what good it is going to do me.
HINZE
Upon my word, I want to make you happy.
GOTTLIEB
Happiness must come soon, very soon, otherwise it will be too late; it is already half past seven and the comedy ends at eight.
HINZE
Say, what the devil does that mean?
GOTTLIEB
Oh, I was lost in thought—See! I meant to say, how beautifully the sun has risen. The accursed prompter speaks so indistinctly; and then if you want to extemporize once in a while, it always goes wrong.
HINZE (quietly).
Do bethink yourself, otherwise the whole play will break in a thousand pieces.
SCHLOSS
I wish somebody would tell me why I can no longer understand anything.
FISCHER
My intelligence is at a standstill too.
GOTTLIEB
So my fortune is yet to be determined today?
HINZE
Yes, dear Gottlieb, even before the sun sets. See, I love you so much that I would run through fire for you—and you doubt my sincerity?
WIESENER