|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 13
STRANGER. Are you trying to frighten me? Or does the dead man work
miracles? In that case I'd better explain that my nerves are good,
and that I don't believe in miracles. But I do find it strange that
the mourners wear brown. Why not black? It's cheap and suitable.
THIRD MOURNER. To us, in our simplicity, it looks black; but if
Your Honour wishes it, it shall look brown to you.
STRANGER. A queer company! They give me an uneasy feeling I'd like
to ascribe to the wine I drank yesterday. If I were to ask if that
were spruce, you'd probably say--well what?
FIRST MOURNER. Vine leaves.
STRANGER. I thought it would not be spruce! The caf�'s opening, at
last! (The Caf� opens, the STRANGER sits at a table and is served
with wine. The MOURNERS sit at the other tables.) They must have
been glad to be rid of him, if the mourners start drinking as soon
as the funeral's over.
FIRST MOURNER. He was a good-for-nothing, who couldn't take life
seriously.
STRANGER. And who probably drank?
SECOND MOURNER. Yes.
THIRD MOURNER. And let others support his wife and children.
STRANGER. He shouldn't have done so. Is that why his friends speak
so well of him now? Please don't shake my table when I'm drinking.
SECOND MOURNER. When I'm drinking, I don't mind.
STRANGER. Well, I do. There's a great difference between us! (The
MOURNERS whisper together. The BEGGAR comes back.) Here's the
beggar again!
BEGGAR (sitting down at a table). Wine. Moselle!
LANDLORD (consulting a police last). I can't serve you: you've not
paid your taxes. Here's your name, age and profession, and the
decision of the court.
BEGGAR. Omnia serviliter pro dominatione! I'm a free man with a
university education. I refused to pay taxes because I didn't want
to become a member of parliament. Moselle!
LANDLORD. You'll get free transport to the poor house, if you don't
get out.
STRANGER. Couldn't you gentlemen settle this somewhere else. You're
disturbing your patrons.
LANDLORD. You can witness I'm in the right.
STRANGER. No. The whole thing's too distressing. Even without
paying taxes he has the right to enjoy life's small pleasures.
LANDLORD. So you're the kind who'd absolve vagabonds from their
duties?
STRANGER. This is too much! I'd have you know that I'm a famous
man. (The LANDLORD and MOURNERS laugh.)
LANDLORD. Infamous, probably! Let me look at the police list, and
see if the description tallies: thirty-eight, brown hair,
moustache, blue eyes; no settled employment, means unknown;
married, but has deserted his wife and children; well known for
revolutionary views on social questions: gives impression he is not
in full possession of his faculties. ... It fits!
STRANGER (rising, pale and taken aback). What?
LANDLORD. Yes. It fits all right.
BEGGAR. Perhaps he's on the list. And not me!
LANDLORD. It looks like it. In any case, both of you had better
clear out.
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|