MADEMOISELLE FIFI, A one act play by Oscar Metenier

Dramatized from the novel of Guy de Maupassant

Etext by Dagny
This Etext is for private use only. No republication for profit in 
print or other media may be made without the express consent of the 
Copyright Holder. The Copyright Holder is especially concerned about 
performance rights in any media on stage, cinema, or television, or 
audio or any other media, including readings for which an entrance fee 
or the like is charge. Permissions should be addressed to: Frank 
Morlock, 6006 Greenbelt Rd, #312, Greenbelt, MD 20770, USA or 
frankmorlock@msn.com. Other works by this author may be found at 
http://www.cadytech.com/dumas/personnage.asp?key=130
1905
Translated and adapted by FRANK J. MORLOCK C 2003 

++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHARACTERS

CURE CHANTOVOINE

SUB-LIEUTENANT WILHELM D'EYRIK (Mademoiselle Fifi)

MAJOR VON FALSBERG

CAPTAIN VON KELWEINGSTEIN

LIEUTENANT: OTTO VON GROSSLING

LIEUTENANT FRITZ SCHENAUBOURG

SACRISTAN

DUTY OFFICER

RACHEL

EVA THE TOMATO

BLONDINE

PAMELA

AMANDA

TWO SOLDIERS

++++++++++++++++++++++++

The action takes place in 1871 in the Chateau d'Ulville, near Rouen.

************************

The great hall of the Chateau d'Ulville on the street level. In the back a large bay window opening on the park and the horizon. Some houses of the town dominated by the church clock tower rise up like an amphitheatre on the flank of a hill. Doors right and left. Near the audience to the left, a chimney, in which a large fire is burning. Near the chimney, a circular table bearing a coffee service and bottles of liquors; above it, hanging by the mirror, a rack of porcelain smoking pipes. On the walls, Flemish tapestries slashed by saber blows, and, hanging edgewise, crystal mirrors, old star-shaped cartridges and four large family portraits in disordered piles. A warrior dressed in armor, a cardinal, a president with obscene designs around his mouth, long porcelain pipes, and a lady in costume of the Louis XV period, to which has been added, in charcoal, an enormous mustache. Arm chairs, and chairs torn up.

The Major is seated at the table and signs different papers presented to him by the Captain while the two lieutenants remain standing in a military posture. The Major is in undress and the lieutenants are under arms.

MAJOR: That's all?

CAPTAIN: That's all Commandant!

MAJOR: Very good. (gaily) You will willingly take a cup of coffee, gentlemen? (rings and an orderly appears) Coffee!

(The orderly leaves, then the Captain moves his arm chair toward the chimney, places his long porcelain pipe on the circular table and stirs the fire.)

FRITZ: (low to Captain) Go on, will you! Speak to him.

CAPTAIN: (a finger on his lips) Easy! Let's not do it abruptly! Without that we will get nowhere.

(The two lieutenants sit down and light their pipes which they remove from the rack and begin to smoke gravely. A silence. Outside the rain can be heard whipping the square. The Captain strolls for a minute into the hall, while the orderly returns with a platter, pours the coffee in cups, then he stops before the bay window and drums nervously on the window — a Rhenish waltz, finally he turns.)

CAPTAIN: It's always raining!

OTTO: Since yesterday it's the same thing. A real deluge!

CAPTAIN: Since yesterday; you are being modest! For the last three months that we've been exiled to the bottom of this abominable trench known as Ulville we haven't stopped splashing in the mud up to our ass!

MAJOR: (gaily) What's astonishing about that, gentleman, in a place geographers have disrespectfully named the chamber pot of France?

CAPTAIN: Never mind! We had no luck to be assigned to camp in a lost country where it is not possible to procure a single distraction. — If they'd just left us at Rouen.

MAJOR: Eh! gentlemen — war isn't waged to be amusing! My opinion is we ought to judge ourselves very lucky to have been detailed to occupy Ulville. For my part, I am enchanted to enjoy a well earned rest here after a rough enough campaign. We are living freely, independent, peacefully in the midst of a peaceful populace, cut off from the strict discipline of general quarters. What more do you want? As for me, I have only one wish — that's to remain here until the day on which peace is definitely concluded, and we will be permitted to return to Germany.

CAPTAIN: Commandant, you are speaking as a good father of a family, a married man, well disciplined, coming back from the vanities of this world, aspiring only to the joys of the hearth.

MAJOR: While you are a bachelor — and a confirmed one! I know your reputation, Captain. Oh! My God! if you must have distractions why not imitate Lieutenant Eyrik? Now there's someone who's never bored for a minute!

CAPTAIN: (disdainfully) Mademoiselle Fifi! He's not a man — he's a child! A trifle amuses him!

MAJOR: Still, it's he who finds a new diversion every day. If it rains as it does today, and the weather doesn't permit him to mount his horse, he paints. (pointing to the pictures) Judge his talent! He's very ingenious. It's he who invented the mine.

CAPTAIN: The mine! That never works.

MAJOR: I beg your pardon, Captain! This morning while you were presiding at the formation he created a new experience which succeeded perfectly. Isn't that true, Lieutenant Schenaubourg?

FRITZ: Admirably. He obtained an unhoped-for result.

CAPTAIN: (suddenly interested) How's that? In what way?

MAJOR: You know quite well — the other end of the castle, in the great gallery, filled with pictures and glass cases containing a bunch of antiques, statuettes, Japanese vases, porcelains from Saxony, Chinese figurines, ivories and Venetian cups — ?

CAPTAIN: He made all that jump?

MAJOR: Why, yes!

CAPTAIN: My God! How I regret not finding myself there.

OTTO: The fact is it was charming!

CAPTAIN: How the devil does he do it, this satanic Fifi?

FRITZ: Here's how! He filled a little China tea pot with cannon powder and into the snout he introduced a long strip of inflammable material — then he placed the engine in the adjoining room.

CAPTAIN: And then?

FRITZ: Then the device exploded, and when we entered the place there was nothing to be found. Everything was in shreds.

OTTO: You know the terracotta Venus that was in the corner to the left. Reduced to dust! Nothing remains of it except the nose! It was delicious! Ah! we had a laugh!

(All break out in laughter.)

MAJOR: But you are not telling the most curious thing about the affair! Imagine that the explosion blew a big hole in the wall and do you know what we discovered? A hiding place in which the proprietor of the castle had secreted all his silver!

CAPTAIN: Superb! And now those are indeed the feats of Mademoiselle Fifi. But still, these are but the amusements of a little girl! It's comical . . and unfortunately lasts only for a minute! Afterwards, it's necessary to seek some other thing and it always starts all over again!

MAJOR: Ah, my word, captain, you are too difficult. And I ask myself what it would take to satisfy you.

CAPTAIN: Ah! what would it take? — Tell me, commandant, doesn't this weigh on you?

MAJOR: What?

CAPTAIN: The obligatory chastity in which we've been placed for the last three months?

MAJOR: What debauch are you planning, captain?

CAPTAIN: Well, as for me, I admit that it weighs on me, and harshly! Eh! what the devil! To be a soldier, one is none the less a man! Ah, commandant, if you would permit us to organize a little party!

MAJOR: What party, captain?

CAPTAIN: I'll answer for everything, commandant! I will send the Duty Officer to Rouen, who will bring us ladies. I know where to find them — they'll prepare a supper here. . . Nothing besides will be lacking, at least, we will spend a pleasant evening.

MAJOR: You are mad, my friend!

FRITZ: Allow the captain to do it, commandant! It's so sad here!

MAJOR: (after a moment's hesitation) Finally! So be it! I allow it!

CAPTAIN: Ah! bravo! thanks, commandant!

MAJOR: Then — when will this little orgy take place?

CAPTAIN: (triumphantly) Tonight, commandant!

MAJOR: What do you mean, tonight? You will never have the time, captain — Rouen is far from here.

CAPTAIN: I had foreseen, commandant, that you would grant us the authorization necessary, and my measures have been taken.

MAJOR: Ah! captain, you are going to make me regret —

CAPTAIN: You cannot go back on your word, commandant! A soldier's word is sacred! This morning after roll call I gave the order to the Duty Officer to hitch up a carriage, which I had covered over because of the rain, with a with a long tarpaulin, and I entrusted him with a letter to Captain Schwartz — a gallant fellow who knows some pretty girls. This evening, we will have the best of Rouen — at our service — I instructed the Duty Officer to return at six o'clock. It will soon be five — so there's a hour to wait. As for the dinner which is being prepared, you will tell me news of it, commandant!

MAJOR: Go on, I pardon you for this time, captain, but for the future, begin by warning me — without which, I will refuse. Gentlemen, I am counting that you will not make me repent of acquiescing in your desires. Remember that you are officers, and that, as such, indeed, in an enemy country, you must not depart from the courtesy one owes to ladies — regardless of the condition to which they belong.

CAPTAIN: Have no fear, commandant! (the two lieutenants bow) We know the laws of chivalry!

(The noise of a violent altercation can be heard outside.)

MAJOR: What's that again?

OTTO: Mademoiselle Fifi who's up to his tricks again, I bet!

(The bay door opens abruptly and sub-lieutenant Wilhelm d'Eyrik appears, booted and spurred, a tie in his hand, brutally pushing before him a man supported by two soldiers.)

WILHELM: Commandant, I am bringing to you this lout who has permitted himself to insult me.

SACRISTAN: (protesting) Oh! major —

WILHELM: (the tie aloft) Fie! Fie! Shut up! I was passing through the big square of the town when I met this rustic — in front of the church — to which he had the keys. It is the time that in the country they are accustomed to sounding the Angelus. I intimated to him the order to sound it —

SACRISTAN: Major, sir!

WILHELM: (threatening) Fie, I tell you!

MAJOR: Get to the point, what did he respond to you?

WILHELM: He had the audacity to refuse to do it. So I had him taken by the collar and led before you.

SACRISTAN: But not without having me mistreated — major!

WILHELM: Not as much as you deserved, lout!

MAJOR: (very calm) Let it go, let it go, Lieutenant! (to sacristan) Why did you refuse to obey?

SACRISTAN: Major, I am only a poor man paid to do the service of the church. I've received a formal order from the cure not to ring for any ceremony. I have a family, major, I have only my salary and my position to keep my children alive.

MAJOR: But still, as to the motive of the cure of Ulville in forbidding the ringing of the clock?

SACRISTAN: (embarrassed) I don't know — major!

WILHELM: He must be obliged to do it, commandant!

MAJOR: Fine! Fine! Lieutenant. I will see the cure of Ulville.

(The Cure enters at the back of the stage.)

CURE: Major, I've just learned that my sacristan has been arrested at the door of the church, that he was beaten for no reason, dragged here between two soldiers — I demand justice of you.

MAJOR: You are arriving apropos, Mr. Cure, your sacristan pretends to have received from you a formal prohibition against sounding the clock.

CURE: This man is speaking the truth, Major! And that is why I demand that you set him at liberty immediately.

MAJOR: Sir, I am happy that an opportunity permits me to demand an explanation from you — For the last three months that I've been entrusted by my superiors with guarding this region, I have never abused the rights that victory gives and I have, on the contrary, given proof, as you know better than anyone, in my dealings with the local authorities of being moderate to a degree that could be haled to the most strict account. I intend, Mr. Cure, and take careful note of it, that nothing be changed in the morals and customs of the country, and since I really don't wish to bring any impediment to the acts of public life, I insist that this life resume its normal course. (to soldiers) Release that man! (to Cure) And tomorrow that the clock shall be heard at its accustomed time.

CURE: Major, I thank you for the generous thought which places you on the side of the innocent — but the clock of my church will not sound any more tomorrow, than today or yesterday.

MAJOR: What does this resistance to my orders signify? Take care, sir!

CURE: Major, when at the head of your squadron, you first set foot on the territory of this parish, you found yourself face to face with a population calm and resigned, bowing its head under the yoke of the conqueror without saying a word, but perhaps you did not feel the secret despair that this apparent resignation hides, that desires for vengeance cover the depths of these injured souls. This moderation, on which you pride yourself, was dictated by the submission that you encountered, submission that, in the ignorance you were in of the events preceding your coming, you have perhaps taken for cowardice!

WILHELM: (ironic) Indeed!

CURE: Listen to me in that case! I swear to you, that in my breast, as in those of all the inhabitants of this hamlet, beat patriotic hearts! One moment, it is not a question of repressing force with force — Convinced in advance of the sterility of an effort, as vain as heroic, I have choked back these awakenings of resistance, and it is thus that I have been happy to spare this flock that God has confided to my care and solicitude, from the horror of terrible reprisals. Major, it's to me that you owe it for having entered into a pacific country without any resistance.

WILHELM: (in a sneering tone) Praisable prudence, and your flock must know your taste!

CURE: (severely) Excuse me, sir! this priestly robe, which from its color seems to wear mourning for the agony of its country, you would have found at Belfort, or at Strasbourg in the front ranks of the defenders of those noble citadels. (a silence) But here, in this humble village, without bastions or ramparts, my role changes. I am condemned to be only a man of softness — not of blood! And there remains to me only one manner of protesting against the invasion, in the name of this population whose pastor I am — this peaceful protest — the last refuge of our honor — the protest of silence! That's why Major, for the last three months, the sound of the clock has not echoed; that's why it won't resound so long as a foreign foot soils the soil of this parish!

MAJOR: I don't understand very well —

CURE: Then I will explain! (pointing to the clocktower on the horizon) The obstinate silence of this church, is for the rest of us, conquered without having had the opportunity to fight, the proclamation of public mourning! If the clock is an instrument of prayer, its airy voice is also a song of frivolity and it must only sound to celebrate a happy event! Since we are not allowed to put it in motion to hurl at the flights of birds on all corners of the horizon to announce a French victory, it will remain mute!

MAJOR: Still, I could force you —

CURE: No, Major! The Church is the house of God, a sacred asylum, whose Lord has confided it to my care, and whose entry I forbid! The day that you wish to violate it, you will find the whole village grouped around its pastor at the foot of the altar —

WILHELM: Do you think that the whole village can prevent you from being executed by firing squad?

CURE: Execute me! I am ready! You will sound the clock after that! That will be another song of victory — since it will announce the entry of a new martyr to glory — who died for his country!

(A huge silence.)

MAJOR: That's fine, Cure. You are a brave man — we are soldiers and we salute bravery. Keep the keys of your church. And do as you intend — in the future your patriotic scruples will be respected.

CURE: Thanks, major; I did not expect less from your honesty and your justice!

(He bows and leaves with the sacristan.)

CAPTAIN: Well! On my oath, that Cure is a man and you did the right thing, commandant, by showing yourself generous.

MAJOR: If all the French were like him we would have had lots of trouble!

WILHELM: (sullen) Never mind, commandant, I'm mad at you for having put me in the wrong. Ah! to endure this Paternoster merchant you are losing your head. Fi! Fi! (he pronounces it Fee, fee)

MAJOR: (smiling) Eh! who told you, lieutenant, that I did not act purely form pure political motives — Even though I am a soldier, I am a peaceful and prudent man and I have a horror of useless complications —

WILHELM: It would have been so amusing to make him ring a ding ding his clock — Oh, just once, one single time — just for a laugh — you get so bored here!

MAJOR: Go on! go on! Mademoiselle Fifi! This is childishness! And if it's distractions you want, the captain is here to procure them for you.

WILHELM: The Captain? What distractions?

FRITZ: It's true — you weren't here! The Captain has asked the Commandant for permission to bring women from Rouen here, and tonight there will be a big party at the castle.

WILHELM: (jumping with joy) Women! It's true, commandant? Women! Then, we are going to laugh?

CAPTAIN: Indeed, I hope so.

WILHELM: And when will they be here?

CAPTAIN: (consulting his watch) They are on the point of arriving. (night falls) But day is falling — You will excuse me? (calling) Natzi! (an orderly appears) Some lights! And a big fire! These ladies are going to arrive frozen!

FRITZ: (going to the bay window) The fact is these ladies will not have decidedly fine weather for their stroll.

OTTO: Still, it seems the shower is less violent.

(The orderly reappears, places a candelabra with several branches on the chimney, and throws an armful of wood on the fire.)

CAPTAIN: Commandant, you will allow me to perform the functions of a maitre d'hotel?

MAJOR: Do, do, Captain! you will acquit yourself very well!

CAPTAIN: We said we will be ten table companions. Rid me of all that and bring the table.

(The orderly takes out the round table and then with the assistance of another soldier brings in a long table all set and bearing rich vessels and dishes of fruits. It is lit by two candelabras.)

WILHELM: (lighting a cigarette) And the dinner, Captain? Will it be good, at least, the dinner?

CAPTAIN: You will be licking your fingers.

WILHELM: With champagne, I hope?

CAPTAIN: Champagne — in floods!

WILHELM: And where the devil were you able to procure it in this nation of pirates?

CAPTAIN: Why, the proprietor hereabouts thought of everything. And he left us a wine cellar marvelously equipped.

WILHELM: Hurrah! Hurrah! Ah! how we are going to amuse ourselves. (stopping before the portrait of the wife of Louis XV) Hold on! As for you, you will never see all this.

(Wilhelm steps back a few paces, pulls a pistol from his pocket and successively, with two shots, puts out the eyes of the portrait.)

OTTO: Well aimed, Fifi!

MAJOR: Lieutenant, it's inconceivable, the need to ravage wherever you have worked.

WILHELM: Why, it's really necessary to laugh a little, commandant!

(The noise of a carriage arriving is heard.)

FRITZ: There's the carriage! And the Duty Officer is getting out!

(They open the bay window through which all the officers rush out and five women are led in by the Duty Officer.)

MAJOR: Ladies, be welcome!

CAPTAIN: Your clothes must be drenched!

PAMELA: No, only our cloaks are wet.

CAPTAIN: Ladies, come closer to the fire! (on a sign from the Captain the orderlies relieve the women of their cloaks and hats) Eh, why — my friend Schwartz doesn't have bad taste.

BLONDINE: You think so?

CAPTAIN: I am simply paying homage to your beauty. And I beg you to believe that I am aware of it — but the trip has given you appetite — dinner is ready, we will, if you wish it, put ourselves all at the table.

ALL: At the table!

(Otto and Fritz place their swords in a corner of the room while the Captain fusses about the women.)

CAPTAIN: Allow me! Allow me! I'm the one who arranges the order of battle! The Commandant has appointed me master of ceremonies. If you like, I am therefore going to apportion everything fairly, according to rank, so as not to disturb the hierarchy. You approve, commandant?

MAJOR: Entirely!

CAPTAIN: (to the ladies) Then come this way! (he leads them forward then dresses them in order of height Pamela, Blondine, Amanda, Eva and Rachel) This way we will avoid all discussion, all bickering and all suspicion of partiality. (to Pamela) Your name?

PAMELA: Pamela!

CAPTAIN: Number one, named Pamela, adjudged to the Commandant. (to Blondine) And you?

BLONDINE: Blondine!

CAPTAIN: I get little Blondine! (hugs her) And you?

AMANDA: Amanda.

CAPTAIN: Amanda goes to Lieutenant Fritz Schenaubourg! (to Eva) And you?

EVA THE TOMATO: Eva the Tomato. CAPTAIN: Eva the Tomato to Lieutenant Otto von Grossling. (to Rachel) And the last?

RACHEL: Rachel!

CAPTAIN: Rachel to Lieutenant Wilhelm d'Eyrik (pulling Rachel) and I have a presentiment that Mademoiselle Fifi won't be bored.

(Each officer offers an arm to the one who is designated as his, and embraces her. Wilhelm pulls Rachel forward. He takes her head as if to kiss her, and sarcastically, he blows a whiff of tobacco into her mouth. Then he starts to laugh.)

RACHEL: (choking and coughing) Say! you are not polite little boy! Don't let it happen again — I don't like jokes of that sort.

CAPTAIN: Hey! She's not easy, Miss Rachel! Then pay no attention. He's a child! He adores to be annoying! (to Wilhelm) Mademoiselle Fifi try to act your age, without that! Come on gentlemen, arms to the ladies and let's be seated! Pay attention, each chevalier between two ladies as much as possible.! Anyway— the places are marked.

(Captain Blondine Major Pamela Fritz Otto Wilhelm Rachel)

OTTO: (before sitting down) We might, before beginning, escort these ladies to their rooms where they will find brushes and soap, for after such a trip.

CAPTAIN: Not at all! Not at all! These ladies are very well as they are.

EVA THE TOMATO: (with dignity) We are clean!

CAPTAIN: I know that — You will end by not coming down — Afterwards you will want to change and that will trouble everybody.

MAJOR: The captain is right.

CAPTAIN: Always right! I am an old hand! You may serve, Natzi!

(Natzi and two other orderlies, impassive behind their officers, begin to serve.)

MAJOR: (unfolding his napkin) Captain, you had a charming notion.

CAPTAIN: I was sure that you would thank me, commandant.

MAJOR: I am much more happy in the success of your plan since I was afraid at first that it was impracticable —

CAPTAIN: Why's that?

MAJOR: These ladies, obedient to certain scruples, might have refused.

BLONDINE: Refuse to come? Why? Because you are Prussians? (shrugging her shoulders) What can that be to us? Prussians are men like the rest — provided they pay —

AMANDA: Men in helmets must fork over!

PAMELA: Oh! first of all. It's the profession that insists upon it.

EVA THE TOMATO: And we do not have the right to be difficult, not even to choose our clients!

AMANDA: Don't we have to eat every day?

CAPTAIN: (gaily) Then eat, ladies — that's all we are asking of you — for the moment! (laughter)

PAMELA: For all that it didn't prevent madame for not wanting to let us leave.

MAJOR: Why's that?

BLONDINE: It's forbidden by the rules. We only have the right to leave once a month — to get some rest.

EVA THE TOMATO: And she agreed to it only to please Captain Schwartz who is an excellent client.

CAPTAIN: Oh! I recognize him plainly in that, that satanic Schwartz! I really knew what I was doing by addressing myself to him!

RACHEL: (roughly pushing Wilhelm away) And then, enough of that you know — you!

MAJOR: What's the matter?

RACHEL: If he keeps it up, I am going to screw off. I didn't come here to be annoyed.

CAPTAIN: Look, explain yourself?

WILHELM: Fi! Fi! naughty girl! Can't we have some fun.

RACHEL: You call that fun, do you? You've been stepping on my feet all this time and you are jostling me — and now you just pinched me with all your might — I must have a terrible bruise.

(Exclamations by the women.)

AMANDA: Ah! now really! that's not funny for goodness sake!

EVA LA TOMATO: They didn't invite ladies — in that case!

BLONDINE: For sure!

RACHEL: I warn you if it continues this is going to turn out badly.

WILHELM: (sarcastically) I would really like to see that —

RACHEL: It won't be long. You know, as for me, I have no fear.

FRITZ: Look, Wilhelm, be a little gallant — do like us.

(Fritz kisses his girl full on the mouth and the other officers imitate him — general laughter.)

CAPTAIN: Mademoiselle Fifi I am warning you; if you are not good I am going to send you to dine alone in your room. You will be calm? That's good, pour the champagne.

(Captain makes a sign. The orderlies pop the corks of several bottles. All drink.)

EVA THE TOMATO: (like a connoisseur) Ah! it is good!

PAMELA: There's nothing like it in the house!

RACHEL: And they make the clients pay most dearly for that, you know—

AMANDA: There's nothing to be said! It's stunning! Is nothing lacking here?

RACHEL: (raging) For what this costs them!

WILHELM: Eh! eh! you see the insolent little thing! well! — it's all the same to me — for I love these things. (Wilhelm seizes her and sits her on his knees; but instead of kissing her, he gnaws her cheek; blood appears and spreads down the woman's corsage, she lets out a scream. All rise. Shouts of indignation from the women.)

RACHEL: (with a contained rage) This time it's over!

MAJOR: Lieutenant, I don't understand you — you are needlessly disturbing this charming party.

(They bring some water for Rachel; she wets her napkin and stanches the blood then looks fixedly with a stony expression at Lieutenant Wilhelm.)

RACHEL: You know, that's got to be paid for!

WILHELM: I will pay.

(They all sit back down.)

CAPTAIN: (slightly drunk) Ladies, gentlemen, the incident is closed — there — since he will pay! So now, let's all be for pleasure, and since the wine's been poured, it must be drunk! (he sings) Long live wine, love and tobacco, That's it, that's it, that's it! That's the refrain of the bivouac! And let's kiss our beauties without gnawing on them!

(All resume the refrain and embrace their girls except Wilhelm who is brutally pushed away by Rachel.)

WILHELM: (resuming the refrain) Long live wine, love and tobacco —

MAJOR: (interrupting Wilhelm with a gesture) Gentlemen, I think the moment has come to thank our lovable guests for having responded to our call with urgency and for having really been willing to come share our exile for an evening. Gentlemen, I drink to our ladies!

ALL: Bravo! Bravo! to our ladies!

(They click their cups.)

CAPTAIN: (emphatically) To our victories over their hearts! (new applause, bursts of laughter, general kissing) And let each pronounce his toast! You first, Otto!

OTTO: (rising heroically, his cup in his hand) To our victories over France!

(A great silence. The women, swiftly offended, rest their cups without saying a word.)

RACHEL: (to Otto) You know, I know some Frenchmen before whom you won't say that!

WILHELM: Ah! ah! ah! I've never seen them myself. As soon as we appear they screw off!

RACHEL: (exasperated) You lie, swine!

(The two of them look at each other fixedly, as if they were provoking each other, eye to eye.)

WILHELM: Ah! yes, tell us about it, beautiful! Would we be here if they were brave? (rising) We are their masters, France belongs to us! France and the French belong to us, the woods, the fields, and the houses of France!

THE OFFICERS: (rising electrified, while the women remain seated silent, in consternation) Hoch! Hoch! Dreimal hoch! Long live The Fatherland!

(They empty their cups in a single gulp.)

WILHELM: (refilling his cup and placing it on Rachel's head) The women of France belong to us, too!

RACHEL: (rising with a furious gesture and causing the cup to fall and break) Indeed! indeed! that's not true, for goodness sake! You won't have the women of France!

WILHELM: She is so nice, this one, she is so nice! Then what did you come to do here, little one?

RACHEL: Me! Me! I am not a woman! I am a whore! Indeed, that's all the Prussians need!

(Wilhelm gives Rachel a backhanded slap; the woman seizes a knife from the table and plunges it into the officer's throat who falls giving a death rattle. Then she overturns a candelabra and runs out the bay window and disappears into the obscurity of the park while the other terrified women don't know where to hide. General uproar. The Captain rushes to Wilhelm and seeks to revive him.)

MAJOR: (shouting) Duty Officer! Duty Officer! Help! (stopping Otto and Fritz who are rushing towards the women) Let it go, gentlemen! Let it go! Justice will be done!

DUTY OFFICER: (rushing in and saluting) At your orders, Commandant!

MAJOR: Let the castle be searched! Let the park be closed off! Let them bring me dead or alive the woman who just left here and who just assassinated the lieutenant! And fire on whoever flees! Go (The Duty Officer leaves. To the orderlies, pointing to the door at the left) Let these women be locked in there under careful guard! (The orderlies push the women into the room at the left; they lock the door. Turning towards the Captain) And the lieutenant?

CAPTAIN: Dead! Poor Fifi.

(They raise the body of Lieutenant Wilhelm and stretch it out all bloody on the table amidst the cups and broken bottles.)

MAJOR: (roughly) This is your fault, too, Captain! If you had not had the stupid idea of bringing this fury from Rouen here!

CAPTAIN: Could I have foreseen, Commandant?

MAJOR: One doesn't make war to amuse oneself, sir, nor to caress public women!

(Shots can be heard at unequal intervals in the park. The bay is wide open. The officers go out and attempt to see despite the darkness. They can be seen through the glass. The room is empty. The Cure enters rapidly by the door at the right; at the sight of the cadaver extended on the table he stops and removes his hat, making a sign of the cross, and begins a prayer in a low voice. Suddenly the bell tolls in the silence and continues to do so until the end of the play.)

CURE: The clock! they are ringing the church bell! (noticing the sacristan who enters from the right) What's it mean?

SACRISTAN: Sir, it means that I just met the poor girl who killed this blackguard, and that they were pursuing with rifle fire. I hid her in the bell tower to turn away suspicion. I told her to toll the bell! They won't ever think of going to search up there.

CURE: That's good! You did well!

SACRISTAN: I was very sure that the Cure would approve. (aside) And as for me, it gives me pleasure to play a trick on these Prussian swine who so willingly massacred me this morning!

MAJOR: (returning followed by officers, noticing the Cure) You are here, sir! You let it ring, now! Is it a provocation? I warn you that I am in no mood to joke!

CURE: Major, death has the privilege of appeasing rancor. I am granting that by making it ring. (pointing to the cadaver) the last wish of a dying man!

(A great silence.)

MAJOR: (to the Duty Officer who enters) Well?

DUTY OFFICER: Commandant, we've search the castle high and low — we've searched in every recess of the park — we've found nothing.

MAJOR: We will be luckier tomorrow morning, no question! Set up a cordon of sentinels around the park and shoot anything that attempts to leave. Go!

(The Duty Officer salutes and leaves. The Cure kneels as does the Sacristan, and while all the officers remove their hats and remain motionless in a respectful attitude, he begins the prayers for the dead, as the bell continues to toll.)

CURE: De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine, Domine exaudi vocam meam.

SACRISTAN: Fiant aures tuae intendentes, in vocem deprecationis meae —

CURTAIN