TSUMU [busily pounding the QUEEN]. An inspiration of the Gods!
HELENA. The Gods have nothing to do with it. I copied it from a
low woman I saw at the circus. I can't understand how these bad
women have such good ideas. [HELENA twists about.]
TSUMU. If your majesty doesn't sit still, I may pinch you.
HELENA [boxing her ears]. None of your tricks, you ebony fiend!
TSUMU [crouching]. Descendant of paradise, forgive me.
HELENA. If you bruise my perfect flesh, the King will kill you.
My beauty is his religion. He can sit for hours, as if at prayer,
just examining the arch of my foot. Tsumu, you may kiss my foot.
TSUMU [prostrate]. May the Gods make me worthy of your kindness!
HELENA. That's enough. Tsumu, are you married?
TSUMU [getting up]. I've been so busy having babies I never had
time to get married.
HELENA. It's a great disillusionment.
TSUMU [aghast]. What!
HELENA. I'm not complaining. Moo Moo is the best of husbands, but
sometimes being adored too much is trying. [She sighs deeply.] I
think I'll wear my heliotrope this afternoon.
[A trumpet sounds below in the courtyard.
Pages:
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105