HEILMANN. I've only one lone share of this Jungfrau-stock so far. I should like to have more, too.
PUNTSCHU. I'll try, Mr. Heilmann, to look after some for you. But I'll tell you beforehand you'll have to pay drug-store prices for them!
MAGELONE. My fortune-teller advised me to look about me in time. All my savings are in Jungfrau-shares now. If it doesn't turn out well, Mr. Puntschu, I'll scratch your eyes out!
PUNTSCHU. I am perfectly sure of my affairs, my dearie!
ALVA. (_Who has come back from the card-room, to Magelone._) I can guarantee your fears are absolutely unfounded. I paid very dear for my Jungfrau-stock and haven't regretted it a minute. They're going up steadily from day to day. There never was such a thing before.
MAGELONE. All the better, if you're right. (_Taking Puntschu's arm._) Come, my friend, let's try our luck now at baccarat. (_All go out, rear, except Geschwitz and Rodrigo who scribbles something on a piece of paper and folds it up, then notices Geschwitz._)
RODRIGO. Hm, madam countess--(_Geschwitz starts and shrinks._) Do I look as dangerous as that? (_To himself._) I must make a bon mot. (_Aloud._) May I perhaps make so bold--
CASTI-PIANI. (_As he leads Lulu in._) Permit me a word or two.
LULU. (_Not noticing Rodrigo who presses his note into her hand._) Oh, as many as you like. (_Rodrigo bows and goes out, rear._)
CASTI-PIANI. (_To Geschwitz._) Leave us alone!
LULU. (_To Casti-Piani._) Have I hurt you again in any way?
CASTI-PIANI. (_Since Geschwitz does not stir._) Are you deaf? (_Geschwitz, sighing deeply, goes out, rear._)
LULU. Just say straight out how much you want.
CASTI-PIANI. With money you can no longer serve me.
LULU. What makes you think that we have no more money?
CASTI-PIANI. You handed out the last bit of it to me yesterday.
LULU. If you're sure of that then I suppose it's so.
CASTI-PIANI. You're down on the bare ground, you and your writer.
LULU. Then why all the words?--If you want to have me for yourself you need not first threaten me with execution.
CASTI-PIANI. I know that. But I've told you more than once that you won't be my downfall. I haven't sucked you dry because you loved me, but loved you in order to suck you. Bianetta is more to my taste from top to bottom than you. You set out the choicest sweetmeats, and after one has frittered his time away at them he finds he's hungrier than before. You've loved too long, even for our present relations. With a healthy young man, you only ruin his nervous system. But you'll fit all the more perfectly in the position I have sought out for you.