I played a melody from Traviata for him. And he sang with me. Wouldn't that be a good trick to stage, Papa Briquet?
[THOMAS _brings in the gentleman, points out the manager, and goes heavily away. The gentleman is not young, and he is ugly, but his rather strange face is bold and lively. He wears an expensive overcoat, with a fur collar, and holds his hat and gloves in his hand._]
[_Bowing and smiling_]: Have I the pleasure of addressing the manager?
Yes. Won't you sit down, please? Tilly, bring a chair.
Oh! Don't trouble. [_Looks around._] These are your artists? Very glad----
[_Straightening and bowing slightly_]: Count Mancini.
[_Indignantly_]: Yes, Count. And whom have I the honour of----
I don't quite know myself--yet. As a rule you choose your own names, don't you? I have not chosen yet. Later you might advise me about it. I have an idea already, but I am afraid it sounds too much like literature--you know.
Yes! Too sophisticated. [_They all look surprised._] I presume these two gentlemen are clowns? I am so glad. May I shake hands with them? [_Stands up and shakes hands with clowns, who make silly faces._]
[_With the same pleasant, confident smile_]: Oh. You do something for me? No. I want to do something for you, Papa Briquet.
_Papa_ Briquet? But you don't look like----
[_Reassuringly_]: It's all right. I shall become "like." These two gentlemen just made remarkable faces. Would you like to see me imitate them? Look! [_He makes the same silly faces as the clowns._]
Yes! [_Involuntarily_] You are not drunk, sir?
No. I don't drink as a rule. Do I look drunk?
No--I don't drink. It is a peculiarity of my talent.
[_Familiarly_]: Where did you work before? Juggler?
No. But I am glad you feel in me a comrade, Papa Briquet. Unfortunately I am not a juggler, and have worked nowhere--I am--just so.
Well, what do you want? You see I am obliged to tell you that everything is taken.
That's immaterial. I want to be a clown, if you will allow me. [_Some of the actors smile_, BRIQUET _begins to grow angry_.]
But what can you do? You're asking too much. What can you do?
Why! Nothing! Isn't that funny! I can't do a thing.
No, it's not funny. Any scoundrel knows that much.
[_Rather helpless, but still smiling and looking around_]: We can invent something----