A Worker (super)

Lulu

Dr. Ludwig SCHöN, editor-in-chief

Walter Schwarz, painter

Dr. Goll, medical officer of the board of health

Alwa SCHöN, composer and dramatist (Dr. SCHöN's son)

Henriette, Walter Schwarz's chambermaid

Schigolch

Escherich, reporter

Prince Escerny, traveler-explorer

Countess Geschwitz, artist

Rodrigo Quast, strongman/acrobat

Alfred Hugenberg, high school student*

Ferdinand, servant in the SCHÖNhousehold Bianetta

***

Magelone

Kadidja, her daughter (probably 12 or 13 years)

Count Casti-Piani, procurer and spy for the police

Journalist Heilmann

Banker

Puntschu

Ludmilla Steinherz

Bob, a groom

Mr. Hunidei (pantomime)

Kungu Poti, heir to the throne of Uahubee (black actor)

Dr. Hilti

Jack

* The role of Alfred Hugenberg should be played by a young girl in travesti.

** All roles below *** appear only in Acts VI and VII.

Behind the bars here man and beast will clash,
Where that one cracks his whip with a sneering gloat,
And this one with a thunderstorm's mighty crash,
Leaps murderously at man's unguarded throat;
Where at one moment the clever, in the next the mighty dominate,
Now man then beast upon the dirt lie in a humbled state;
The creature prances upright, the man on all-fours will steal!
An icy cold and domineering stare--
Demeaned, the beast bends in despair
To permit upon its neck the human to rest his heel.

The times are bad!--All the ladies and gents
Who once assembled before my cage
Now honor with their esteemed presence Farces,
Ibsen, operas, dramas for the stage.
Food for my boarders I sorely lack,
So on themselves they mutually snack.

How well off a thespian is in the theater!
The meat on his ribs remains in an unharmed state,
Though the hunger may be frighteningly great
And the stomachs of his colleagues so much emptier.
Yet one in art who wants to strive for lofty acclamation,
Dares not compare the merits with the slim remuneration.
What do you see in comedy and tragedy?!
Household pets, so well-behaved and quiet,
Tempers soothed by a bland vegetarian diet
Indulging themselves in contented bleating,
As these others--below in the orchestra seating:
Liquor is the substance that one hero cannot swallow,
To know if he is loving truly, another is at a loss,
A third whose despair in the world you each may closely follow,
For five long acts in sorry laments you will hear him wallow,
And no one to administer a merciful coup de grace.--

The true beast, the animal wild and carefree,
For this--my ladies!--you must follow me.
You'll see the savage tiger, in his customary fashion
Gobble up whatever he can capture with a leap;
The bear who, since birth, for food has had a passion,
Will later, after supper, collapse dead into a heap.
You'll view an amusing little monkey at length,
Out of sheer boredom, wasting all his strength.
He has talent, yet is eluded by all fame,
For that he flirts brazenly without a sense of shame.

My friends, inside my tent, you'll see, restricted by a trammel,
Behind the curtain, at this moment, silently stands a camel!
--And gently at my feet the creature will genuflect,
If--(he fires into the audience)--my revolver has thunderously fired.
The frightened creature trembles; I remain uninspired.
--The people are unmoved--It will greet you with respect.
Step right up!--Won't you dare to come inside?!
Come now, be the judge ... for yourselves decide!

You'll see an array of reptiles, a collection nonpareil:
Chameleons, snakes and crocodile,
Dragons and monsters that in deep chasms dwell.
Certainly, I know, in silence you smile
And won't believe another promise I make-- (He opens the curtain and calls into the tent.) Hey! Eddie! Bring me out our snake!
(A burly WORKER comes out of the tent carrying LULU, who is attired in a Pierrot costume. She is deposited on the stage slightly in front of the ANIMAL-TAMER.)
She was spawned to bring about destruction,
To tempt, to poison--a master at seduction--
And to murder so that one cannot detect it.
(He scratches LULU gently under the chin.) My sweet creature, don't be so affected!

No oddness or artificiality--no silliness,
Even if the critics praise you less.
You have no right to degrade the status
Of the prototypical woman by meowing or hissing at us,
Or to spoil depravity's childish insanities
By making fools of us, making faces, or other inanities!
You're not supposed--and I'm speaking in detail--
To speak out so unnaturally. Let your spirit sail!
The foregone conclusion from the very start
Was a certain spontaneity in every single art!
(to the audience)
Now there is nothing so special to admire,
Yet just wait and see what later will transpire:
Around the tiger she will coil like a boa constrictor;
He will howl and groan! Who, in the end, will be the victor?!
--Move it, Eddie! Hurry! Get her back to her position--
(The WORKER picks up LULU in his arms; the ANIMAL-TAMER pats her on the behind.) The sweet innocent--my greatest prize and acquisition!
(The WORKER carries LULU back into the tent.)
And now, the best is on its way: My head between the teeth of a beast of prey.
Come on in! This act is nothing new,
But if it’s thrills you want, youl11 prob'ly get a few.
The beast's jaws I try to open wide,
And the predator will not dare to bite.
It is so wild and beautiful, so colorfully flecked.
For my skull, this creature shows respect!
Between the jaws I place my head with confidence and tact.
One false move--and both my temples may be cracked!
For a split second, and for the sake
Of a single stunt, my life on the line I’11 stake;
I’11 toss away my whip and gun, you'll see,
And offer myself defenseless, as God created me.
--The name of this savage beast--do you know?
My adoring audience!-- --Step right up and see the show!!
(As the cymbals crash and the drums sound, the ANIMAL-TAMER disappears into the tent.)

(A spacious studio.--At the right rear is an entrance door. At the right front is a door in the side wall leading to the private bedroom. In the center is a podium. Behind the podium, stands a Spanish screen. In front of the podium lies a Turkish carpet. At the left front are two painting easels. On the rear one sits a half-length portrait of a young girl. Against the front one leans a canvas, turned away from the audience. In front of the easels and toward the center is an ottoman. Beyond it, a tiger's skin. To the right of the screen, two armchairs. In the background is a stepladder.)

SCHÖN (sits in a chair with his feet on the ottoman, examining the portrait of the young lady on the rear easel) Do you know, I'm getting to know the lady from a completely new perspective?

SCHWARZ (brush and palette in hand, standing behind the ottoman) I have never painted anyone whose facial expressions varied so constantly. It was barely possible for me to capture a single lasting expression.

SCHÖN (pointing at the picture while staring at it) Is this really the way you see her?

SCHWARZ I’ve done everything imaginable through my conversation during the sittings to calm her down.

SCHÖN Then I understand the difference.

SCHWARZ (dips the brush into a cup of oil and applies it to the canvas to correct some of the features)

SCHÖN Do you think it will look more like her?

SCHWARZ With art, you cannot do more than be as conscientious as possible.

SCHÖN Tell me ...

SCHWARZ (stepping back) Even the color has sunk in again.

SCHÖN(watching him) In your whole life, have you ever loved a woman?

SCHWARZ (goes to the easel, adds a color and walks back to the other side of the room) The subject does not yet stand out satisfactorily. You still cannot see the essence of the living body that lies underneath.

SCHÖN I don't doubt that the work is good.

SCHWARZ If you would care to look at it from over here ...

SCHÖN(rising) You must have told her a really horrifying tale.

SCHWARZ As far back as possible.

SCHÖN(moving back until he bumps into the front easel and the canvas leaning against it) Pardon.

SCHWARZ (lifting the frame) 0 please.

SCHÖN(surprised) Who is this?

SCHWARZ Do you know her?

SCHÖN No.

SCHWARZ (puts the painting on the easel. One can see a woman dressed as Pierrot with a long shepherd's crook in her hand) A costume picture.

SCHÖN This turned out quite well.

SCHWARZ You know her?

SCHÖN No. And in that costume?

SCHWARZ It's still not quite complete.

SCHÖN But of course.

SCHWARZ What do you expect from me? During my sessions with her I had the pleasure of conversing with her husband.

SCHÖN Tell me ...

SCHWARZ About art, naturally, in order to replenish my inspiration.

SCHÖN How did you come by this charming acquaintance?

SCHWARZ As it happens to anyone. A wobbly dwarf as old as the hills drops by to see if I could paint his wife. Well, of course, I'm thinking she'll be as old and wrinkled as Mother Earth. The other day at ten on the dot, the doors fly open and this pot-bellied guy pushes in this angelic child. I can still feel now, how my knees shook. Then their lackey as stiff as a poker comes in delivering a package. Where might the dressing room be?· Put yourself in my place. I opened the door there. (pointing to the right) It was only luck that everything was tidy. That sweet creature flitted inside, and the old man stationed himself outside like a suit of armor. Two minutes later, she came out in this Pierrot costume. (He shakes his head.) I've never seen anything like it. (moves toward the right and stares at the bedroom door)

SCHÖN (following SCHWARZ with his eyes) And the old guy stood sentry?

SCHWARZ (turning around) The whole body in harmony with that impossible costume, as if she were born in it. The way she moved, the elbows hidden in the pockets, those little feet rising over the carpet--I could feel the blood pounding in my head ...

SCHÖN It comes across in the picture.

SCHWARZ (shaking his head) One of us, you know ...

SCHÖN At this point the model starts a conversation.

SCHWARZ She had not yet said a word.

SCHÖN Is it possible!?

SCHWARZ Let me show you the costume. (exits to the right)

SCHÖN (alone, standing before the Pierrot picture) A devil's beauty. (movin before the other Portrait) There's more to this one. He is still a little immature for his age.

SCHWARZ (returns with a white satin costume) What material might this be?

SCHÖN (touching the material) Satin.

SCHWARZ And all in one piece.

SCHÖN How does one get into it?

SCHWARZ I can't tell you.

SCHÖN (grabbing the leqs of the costume) These are gigantic trouser legs!

SCHWARZ The left hand gathers them up.

SCHÖN (looking at the portrait) To just over the knee!

SCHWARZ She does it in a provocative way.

SCHÖNAnd transparent hose?

SCHWARZ Just the same they have to be painted.

SCHÖN Oh, you can do that.

SCHWARZ And get a little flirting on the side!

SCHÖN What led you to that horrible suspicion?

SCHWARZ There are things which men of our sophistication never dream about. (carries the costume back into the bedroom.)

SCHÖN (alone) When one sleeps ...

SCHWARZ (returning and looking at his watch) Incidentally, if you would like to meet her ...

SCHÖN No.

SCHWARZ They have to be here in a moment.

SCHÖN How often must the lady still come to pose?

SCHWARZ I will still have to endure the torments of Tantalus for three months.

SCHÖN I mean the other one.

SCHWARZ Excuse me. Three times at the most. (escorting SCHÖN to the door) Only if the lady wants to leave her vest with me!

SCHÖN With pleasure. Come by and visit soon. (running into DR. GOLL and LULU in the doorway) In heaven's name!

GOLL (to SCH&OUMLN) SO what brings you here?

SCHÖN (kissing LULU's hand) Frau Goll.

LULU You don't want to leave just yet.

GOLL So what wind carried you here?

SCHÖN I wanted to look in on the painting of my fiancee.

LULU (stepping around him) Your fiancee is here?

GOLL Even you are having some work done here?

LULU (before the portrait) Look at this! Bewitching! Charming!

GOLL (looking around the studio) You've hidden her somewhere around here?

LULU So that is the sweet prodigy that made you into a human being.

SCHÖN As a rule, she poses in the afternoon.

GOLL Aren't you going to tell us more?

LULU (turning around) Is she really so serious?

SCHÖN It's just the result of her years in boarding school, dear lady.

GOLL (also looking at the portrait) One can see that you've gone through a profound change.

LULU Now you shouldn't let her wait much longer. SCHÖN In two weeks I think I will announce our engagement.

GOLL (to LULU) Let's not lose any more time. Hop to it!

LULU (to SCHÖN) Imagine, we galloped over the new bridge by the wharf. I drove myself.

SCHÖN(starts to say good-bye)

GOLL No, no. We both can talk more later. Go on, Nelli! Hurry!

LULU Now you're going to talk about me!

GOLL Our Apelles is already licking the brush.

LULU I imagined this would be much more amusing.

SCHÖN For all that, you have the satisfaction of giving us the rarest of pleasures.

LULU (exiting at the right) Now just you wait.

SCHWARZ (in front of the bedroom door) If Frau Goll would be so kind. (closes the door after she leaves and stands in front of it)

GOLL In our wedding contract, I had her christened Nelli.

SCHÖN(absentmindedly) Really?--Hmm.

GOLL What do you think about that?

SCHÖN Why wouldn't you rather call her Mignon?

GOLL That would be all right. I hadn't thought about it.

SCHÖN Do you think a name amounts to so much.

GOLL Hmmm--You know, I have no children.

SCHÖN (removing a cigarette case from his pocket) Yet you have only been married a few months.

GOLL Thanks, but I don't want any.

SCHÖN Would you like a cigarette?

GOLL (helping himself) I have enough on my hands with that one. (to SCHWARZ) Tell me, what are you really doing with your little dancer?

SCHÖN (turning to SCHWARZ) You and a dancer?

SCHWARZ At the time, the lady only posed as a favor. I knew her from a tour here by the Friends of Cecilia.

GOLL (to SCHÖN) Hmm--I think the weather's changing.

SCHÖN Shouldn't her changing go more quickly?

GOLL It goes like lightning! The wife must be an expert in her specialty. Each of us has to be in our specialties if life should not be reduced to garbage. (calling out) Hurry, Nelli!

SCHWARZ (at the door) Frau Goll.

LULU (from within) Coming, coming.

GOLL (to SCHÖN) I don't understand such sticks-in-the-mud.

SCHÖN I envy them. These sticks in the mud know nothing more sacred than poverty. They feel richer than us with our thirty thousand Mark incomes. You can't criticize a man who has made his living with brushes and a palette. You should take it upon yourself to finance him. It's a matter of simple arithmetic. I lack the moral courage. One's fingers scorch so easily ...

LULU (coming out of the bedroom in the Pierrot costume) Here I am.

SCHÖN (turning around and pausing) Superb!

LULU (approaching nearer) And now?

SCHÖN You put the most daring fantasy to shame.

LULU How do you like it?

SCHÖN A picture before which all art must lose hope.

GOLL Isn't it true!

SCHÖN (to LULU) You really don't know what you're doing.

LULU I'm completely aware of what I'm doing.

SCHÖN Then you should be a bit more level-headed.

LULU I'm only doing what's expected.

SCHÖN Are you powdered?

LULU How dare you!

GOLL I have never seen skin so white as hers. I told our Raphael to concern himself even less with the flesh tones. I can't once be enthusiastic about this modern "scrawling."

SCHWARZ (at the easel, preparing his colors) At least we can thank the Impressionists for the present state of art, that they dare to place themselves beside the old masters without embarrassment.

GOLL It might be quite the style for depicting an animal for slaughter.

SCHÖN For God's sake, don't get excited!

LULU (hugs GOLL around the neck and kisses him)

GOLL You can see your negligee. You must tuck it in.

LULU I should have left it off. It only gets in the way.

GOLL He would be capable of painting it in.

LULU (taking the shepherd's staff that leans aqainst the Spanish screen and stepping onto the podium; to SCHÖN) What would you say if you had to stand on display for two hours?

SCHÖN I would sell my soul to the Devil to trade places with you.

GOLL (seating himself at the right) Come here. Here is my observation post.

LULU (pulling up the left leg of the costume to just over the knee; to SCHWARZ) Well?

SCHWARZ Yes ...

LULU (moving it UP a little higher) How's that?

SCHWARZ yes, yes ...

GOLL (gesturing with his hand to SCHÖN, who has taken a seat on the armchair) I think the view is even more flattering from here.

LULU (without moving) I beg your pardon! I look flattering from all angles.

SCHWARZ (to LULU) The right knee farther forward, please.

SCHÖN(with a gesture) The body could perhaps display finer lines ...

SCHWARZ At least the light today is half-way decent.

GOLL You have to dash it off a bit more casually. Hold your brush a little higher!

SCHWARZ Certainly, mein Herr.

SCHÖN Treat her like a still life! SCHWARZ Of course, Dr. SCHöN. (to LULU) You used to hold your head a little higher, Madame.

LULU (raising her head slightly) Paint my lips slightly open.

SCHÖN Paint snow upon ice. If you get too excited, your art Will suffer badly.

SCHWARZ Yes, Herr SCHÖN!

GOLL Art, you know, must reproduce nature in such a way that one can at least be nourished by it spiritually!

LULU (her mouth slightly open; to SCHWARZ) So? Look, I'm holding them half open.

SCHWARZ As soon as the sun comes around, the opposite wall will cast in warm reflections.

GOLL (to LULU) You really must behave as if our Velasquez here were non-existent.

LULU Yet a painter isn't really a man.

SCHÖN I don't think that on the grounds of one notable exception you can close the book on the whole fraternity.

SCHWARZ (stepping back from the easel) Last autumn I would rather have rented another studio.

SCHÖN (to GOLL) What I wanted to ask--Have you already seen the little O'Morphi girl as the Peruvian pearl fisher?

GOLL I'm seeing her for the fourth time tomorrow. Prince Possolow is taking me. His hair is getting dark blond again out of delight.

SCHÖN Do you find her to be so fantastic?

GOLL Who can judge in advance?

LULU I think someone knocked.

SCHWARZ Excuse me a moment. (goes to the door and opens it)

GOLL You may smile at him with a little less inhibition.

SCHÖN It doesn't affect him at all.

GOLL And if it did!--Then why are we both sitting here!

ALWA (still behind the Spanish screen) May I come in?

SCHÖN My son.

LULU That's Alwa.

GOLL Don't be shy; come in!

ALWA (enters and shakes hands wlth SCHÖN and GOLL) Herr Medical Officer ... (turning to LULU) Can it be?--If only I could engage you as my leading lady!

LULU I hardly dance well enough for your piece.

ALWA Yet you have a dancing teacher of the sort one doesn't find on any European stage!

SCHÖN What brings you here?

GOLL Maybe you're having someone's portrait painted in secret?

ALWA (to SCHÖN) I stopped by to take you to the dress rehearsal.

SCHÖN (stands up)

GOLL They will be dancing in full costume?

ALWA As I understand it. Let's go. I must be backstage in five minutes. (to LULU) I'm so unhappy!

GOLL I've completely forgotten--what do you call your ballet?

ALWA Dalai-Lama.

GOLL I thought he was in a lunatic asylum.

SCHÖN You mean Nietzsche, Herr Goll.

GOLL You're right; I've confused the two.

ALWA I've given the Buddhists a leg up.

GOLL One can recognize a playwright by his legs.

ALWA Corticelli dances the part of the youthful Buddha as if she had first glimpsed the light of day on the banks of the Ganges.

SCHÖN As long as the mother still lived, she danced with the 'legs ...

ALWA Then when she became more spontaneous, she danced with the mind ...

GOLL Now she dances with the heart!

ALWA When do you want to see her?

GOLL Thank you.

ALWA Do come with us!

GOLL Impossible!

SCHÖN By the way, we have no time to lose.

ALWA Come, dear Doctor. In the third act you can see the DalaiLama in his cloister, with his monks ...

GOLL I would go merely to see the portrayal of the young Buddha.

ALWA Then what is preventing you?

GOLL I can't go; I really can't.

ALWA Afterward we're going to Peter's. You can express your admiration there.

GOLL Don't nag me further, I beg you.

ALWA You can see the tamed monkeys, the two Brahmins, the little girls ...

GOLL Stop pestering me with your talk of little girls!

LULU Did you reserve a proscenium box for Monday, Alwa?

ALWA How could you doubt it?

GOLL When I return, this Dutch Breughel will have spoiled the whole painting!

ALWA That’s not a problem. It could be painted over.

GOLL Not if you have to explain every brush stroke to Caravacci here.

SCHÖN I feel your fears are groundless.

GOLL Next time, gentlemen, I'll accept your invitation.

ALWA The Brahmins are getting impatient! The daughters of Nirvana are trembling in their tights!

GOLL Damned lousy painting!

SCHÖN They'll be upset with us if we don't bring you along.

GOLL In five minutes, I'll be back. (moves toward the left front behind SCHWARZ and compares the portrait to LULU)

ALWA Duty calls me, Madame.

GOLL (to SCHWARZ) You must work here a little more. The hair is terrible. You're really not up to the task ...

ALWA Come.

GOLL Off we go! Ten horses can't bring me to Peter's.

SCHÖN (ALWA and GOLL following) We’ll take my carriage; it's waiting below. (They exit.)

SCHWARZ (leaning to the left, spitting out the words) Scum!-I wish life would end!--The purse strings! Purse strings and muzzle! Now that offends my pride as an artist. (after a qlance at LULU) This society!--(rises, walks toward the right rear, examining LULU from all sides. Then he sits back at the easel) The choice would be difficult.-- --If I could request, Frau Goll, the right hand ... a little higher.

LULU (lifting the shepherd's staff as high as she can reach) Who would have thought it possible?

SCHWARZ Am I really that ridiculous?

LULU He's coming right back.

SCHWARZ I can no longer do anything but paint.

LULU There he is.

SCHWARZ (turning around) So what?

LULU Don't you hear him?

SCHWARZ Someone's coming ...

LULU I knew it.

SCHWARZ It's the caretaker. He's sweeping the stairs.

LULU Thank God. SCHWARZ Do you accompany Dr. Goll on his rounds?

LULU That's all I need!

SCHWARZ Since you're not accustomed to being alone.

LULU We have a housekeeper at home.

SCHWARZ She keeps you company?

LULU She has terrific taste.

SCHWARZ For what?

LULU She dresses me.

SCHWARZ Do you go to many balls?

LULU Never.

SCHWARZ Then why do you need all the outfits?

LULU For dancing.

SCHWARZ You really dance?

LULU Csardas--Samaqueca--Skirtdance ...

SCHWARZ Then you aren't repulsed by it?

LULU Do you think I'm ugly?

SCHWARZ You misunderstand. Who gives you lessons?

LULU He.

SCHWARZ Who?

LULU He.

SCHWARZ He?

LULU He plays violin.

SCHWARZ You learn about a new bit of the world every day.

LULU I learned in Paris. I took lessons from Eugenie Fougere. She even let me copy her costumes.

SCHWARZ What sorts?

LULU A green lace skirt tapered to the knee, complete with flounces, low-cut of course, very low-cut, and with terrible tight laces. A bright green petticoat, that gets brighter and brighter. A snow-white blouse with pleats as wide as your hand.

SCHWARZ I can't stand it any ...

LULU Keep painting!

SCHWARZ (scraping with the spatula) Aren't you cold?

LULU God forbid! No. Why do you ask? You're cold, then?

SCHWARZ Not today. No.

LULU Thank God I can breathe!

SCHWARZ How so ...

LULU (inhales deeply, thrusting out her chest)

SCHWARZ Stop it, please!--(jumps up, throws down his brush and palette, paces up and down) The bootblack at least only deals with their feet. His colors don't eat up his money either. If I miss my evening meal tomorrow, no little lady of the world will ask me afterward if I know how to suck up oysters.

LULU This is a fiend!

SCHWARZ (picking up his tools aqain) What made the old man run off to the rehearsal?

LULU It would be better if he had stayed.

SCHWARZ We are truly martyrs of our calling.

LULU I didn't want to hurt you.

SCHWARZ (hesitating to LULU) If you could ... the left trouser leg--a bit higher ...

LULU Here?

SCHWARZ (stepping to the podium) Permit me…

LULU What do you want?

SCHWARZ I'm showing you.

LULU No thank you.

SCHWARZ You're nervous ... (tries to grasp her hand)

LULU (tossing the shepherd's staff at him) Leave me alone…......, (hurrying to the entrance door) You won't get me for awhile.

SCHWARZ You can't take a joke.

LULU Of course I can. Let me be. You won't get what you want by force. Go back to your painting. You have no right to bother me. (escaping behind the ottoman) Sit down behind your easel.

SCHWARZ (starting to move around the ottoman) As soon as I've punished you for your capriciousness.

LULU (evading him) But first you'll have to hold onto me. Get away, you can't catch me.--In a long dress I would already have been in your clutches.--but in this Pierrot!

SCHWARZ (leaping the length of the ottoman) I've got you!

LULU (throwing the tiger's skin over his head) Good night! (leaps over the podium and climbs the stepladder) I can see all the cities of the world from here ...

SCHWARZ (wriggling out from under the skin) This damned skin!

LULU I can reach into the heavens and sprinkle my hair with stars.

SCHWARZ (clambering to her) I'll shake until you fall down.

LULU (climbing higher) If you don't stop, I'll upset the ladder. Let go of my legs! God save Poland! (causes the ladder to fall, jumps onto the podium, and as SCHWARZ is trying to pick himself up off the ground, she tips the screen onto him. She runs over and stands by the easel.) I told you you're not going to get me.

SCHWARZ (moving forward) Let's call a truce. (starts to reach for her)

LULU Don't touch me, or ... (throws the easel holding the portrait of Schon's fiancée at him. Everything including SCHWARZ crashes to the ground.)

SCHWARZ (crying out) For the love of God!

LULU (to the left and behind) You punched a hole in your painting yourself.

SCHWARZ 11m ruined! Ten weeks' work, my trip, my exhibition.-It's all lost. (pushes her aside)

LULU (jumps over the ottoman, over the toppled stepladder, and steps onto the podium) A ditch!--Don't fall in! (he stamps through the falling painting) She has made a new man out of him! (falls forward)

SCHWARZ (tripping over the Spanish screen) I have no more mercy.

LULU (in the background) Leave me alone ... I'm getting dizzy-o God, o God ... (steps forward and sinks onto the ottoman)

SCHWARZ (locks the door. He sits down by LULU, seizes her hand and passionately covers it with kisses. He stops and stares into space as though he is struggling with his emotions.) LULU (closing her eyes) He might come back.

SCHWARZ How do you feel?

LULU As though I had fallen into an ocean ...

SCHWARZ I love you.

LULU I once loved a student.

SCHWARZ Nelli ... LULU Who had twenty-four dueling scars ...

SCHWARZ I love you, Nelli.

LULU My name isn't Nelli.

SCHWARZ (kissing her)

LULU My name is Lulu.

SCHWARZ I will call you Eve.

LULU Do you know what time it is?

SCHWARZ (looking at his watch) Ten-thirty.

LULU (takes the watch and opens the case)

SCHWARZ You don't love me.

LULU Actually ... it is five minutes after ten-thirty.

SCHWARZ Kiss me once, Eve.

LULU (kisses him on the chin, throws his watch into the air and catches it) You reek of tobacco.

SCHWARZ Why don't you call me Walter?

LULU It would be uncomfortable.

SCHWARZ You're playing games.

LULU It seems to me that you're playing games yourself.--Am I playing a game? How did you get that idea?--I have no need for that.

SCHWARZ (rising up, out of his senses, walking with his hand over his face) Almighty! I know nothing of the world ...

LULU (crying out) Please don't kill me!

SCHWARZ (turning around quickly) You have never loved before-

LULU It is you, sir, who have never loved!

GOLL (off staqe) Open the door!

LULU (leaping away) Hide me, o God! Hide me!

GOLL (pounding on the door) Open the door!

SCHWARZ (starting to move toward the door)

LULU (standing behind him) He'll strike me dead!

GOLL (pounding furiously on the door) Open up!

LULU (sinking down by SCHWARZ and clasping his knees) He'll kill me! He'll kill me!

SCHWARZ Stand up ... (the door falls crashing into the studio)

SCHWARZ (looks weak in the knees)

LULU (moves quickly to the door)--(pause)

SCHWARZ (leans toward GOLL) Herr, D, D, Doctor--Doc-tor-Doctor Goll?

LULU (in the doorway) First you'd better put everything in the studio back in order.

SCHWARZ Doctor, can you hear me? (bending down to him) Herr-(stepping back) He scratched his forehead. Help me to lay him on the ottoman.

LULU (moving back timidly) No, no ...

SCHWARZ (pleading with the corpse) Doctor Goll.

LULU He doesn't hear you.

SCHWARZ Just help me, please.

LULU Even two of us can't lift him.

SCHWARZ (rising slowly) We have to send for a doctor.

LULU He is terribly heavy.

SCHWARZ (picking up his hat) Would you be so kind as to straighten things up a little before I return? (exits)

LULU Suddenly he will jump up.--(imploringly) Bussi!--He's only pretending.--(circles around him in a wide arc) He's looking at my feet and watching every step I take. At all times he has me in his sight. (She nudges him with the tip of her toe.) Bussi!--(backing away) He's in a bad way.--The dance is over.--He's going to leave me.--What shall I do?-(bends to the ground) A totally strange face!--(standing up) And there's no one to give him the last rites.--It's hopeless.

SCHWARZ Still no sign of recovery?

LULU (at the left front) What shall 1 do ... ?

SCHWARZ (bending over GOLL) Doctor Goll?

LULU 1 almost think he's serious.

SCHWARZ Do speak with a little respect!

LULU He wouldn't do the same for me. He used to have me dance for him when he didn't feel well.

SCHWARZ The doctor will be here in a moment.

LULU Medicine isn't going to help him.

SCHWARZ But in such a situation, you must do what you can.

LULU He doesn't believe in it.

SCHWARZ Don't you at least want to change your clothes?

LULU Yes.--Shortly.

SCHWARZ What are you waiting for?

LULU 1 beg you ...

SCHWARZ What then?

LULU Close his eyes.

SCHWARZ You're dreadful.

LULU Still not so dreadful as you!

SCHWARZ As I?

LULU You have the makings of a criminal.

SCHWARZ Are you unmoved by what has happened here?

LULU I'll get mine.

SCHWARZ Please, be silent now, for one final time!

LULU And you'll get yours.

SCHWARZ In a moment such as this, you don't really need to say that.

LULU I beg you ...

SCHWARZ You do what seems necessary. I don't know what to do.

LULU (to the right of GOLL) He's looking at me.

SCHWARZ Me, too.

LULU You coward!

SCHWARZ (closes GOLL's eyes with a handkerchief) It's the first time in my life I've been condemned to do this.

LULU Didn't you do this for your mother?

SCHWARZ (nervous) No.

LULU You were away from home?

SCHWARZ No!

LULU Or were you afraid?

SCHWARZ (violently) No!

LULU (moving back) I didn't mean to insult you.

SCHWARZ My mother is still alive.

LULU Then you still have someone.

SCHWARZ She is quite destitute.

LULU I know that.

SCHWARZ Don't make fun of me!

LULU Now I am rich ...

SCHWARZ That's revolting. (moves to the left) It's not her fault!

LULU (to herself) What will I do?

SCHWARZ (to himself) She's completely depraved! (He stands on the left; LULU on the right. They eye each other with great mistrust. After a moment, he goes to her and grasps her hand.) Look me in the eye!

LULU (fearfully) What do you want?

SCHWARZ (moves her to the ottoman, urges her to sit, then takes his place next to her) Look me in the eyes!

LULU I see me as Pierrot reflected in them.

SCHWARZ (pushing her away from him) Damned play-acting! LULU I have to change clothes ...

SCHWARZ (holding her back) One question ...

LULU I'm not allowed to answer.

SCHWARZ (again on the ottoman) Can you speak the truth?

LULU I don't know.

SCHWARZ Do you believe in a Creator?

LULU I don't know.

SCHWARZ By what can you swear an oath?

LULU I don't know. Stop it! You're insane!

SCHWARZ What do you believe in?

LULU I don't know.

SCHWARZ Then don't you have a soul?

LULU I don't know.

SCHWARZ Have you ever loved anyone?

LULU I don't know.

SCHWARZ (rises and moves toward the left--commenting to himself) She doesn't know!

LULU (lost in thought) I don't know.

SCHWARZ (with a glance at GOLL) He knows ...

LULU (moving closer to SCHWARZ) What do you want to know?

SCHWARZ (indignantly) Go! Change!

LULU (goes into the bedroom)

SCHWARZ I would like to trade places with you, dead man! I would give her back to you. I would even give you my youth. I've lost my courage and my beliefs. For too long, I have had to be patient. My luck has run out. I have a hellish fear about it. Wake up! I haven't touched her. He's opening his mouth.--Mouth open and eyes shut, like a child. With me, it's the opposite. Wake up! Wake up! (kneels and ties his handkerchief around GOLL's head) I pray to God now, that he may give me the ability to be happy. That he may give me the strength and my soul the freedom to be at least a little happy. For her sake, only for her sake.

LULU (walks out of the bedroom, fully dressed, her hat off, her right hand reaches under her left shoulder. As she speaks to SCHWARZ, she raises her left arm.) Would you hook me up? My hand is shaking.