Tuesday, September 1:
A Comedy in 1 Act
Dramatis personae: Barnabas Coolwind, prompter Hermine, his daughter Caspar Scribely, student gone to seed and novice actor Lorenz Pimper, stage doorman David Bubes, stage manager Napoleon Baldachin, lead actor
Room at Coolwind’s. Alcove at rear with bed. Morning. Coolwind in bed asleep and dreaming restlessly. Hermine concerned about her father. Scribely sticks his head in: Hermine draws bed curtain. It is new year’s day: the new year’s eve performance was ruinous for the old prompter; in spite of all warnings he again took a great deal of snuff and had a sneezing fit just as Baldachin, playing the hero, needed him most: Coolwind came on, irreparable misunderstanding accompanied by audience’s laughter which, in consequence of Coolwind’s resounding sneezes, grew into uproar. Actor’s fury: C.’s dismissal imminent. Great despondency. — Conversation frequently interrupted by sleeping man’s snores. — Fresh sneezing fits. — Stage doorman Pimper comes about the new year’s booklet, wanting the latest theatre anecdote slipped in. Scribely promises to deliver. — Dreadful explosion of sneezing from bed, whereupon Coolwind collapses through it. Help from all sides to free him. They extricate him. Minimum of dressing behind bed curtain: during which, editing of sneeze-anecdote which Scribely sets up for Pimper. — Then breakfast coffee. Consultation how to avert impending misfortune. Coolwind very downcast: his grievances. Scribely, looking forward to his own great future, seeks to comfort: if C. will only give him Hermine to be his wife, he will take care of the family. C. does not prophesy well for S.; he has no talent as an actor. His memory, certainly, is remarkable: wonders in this respect — anything he has read he remembers by heart. But that is the ruin of him: for in speaking lines he makes absolutely no pauses, says it all in one go. Only through pauses is the actor effective: what is said, be it by Schiller, Goethe or Shakespeare, not a soul heeds or understands, but pauses, meaningful hesitation — those are what excite attention. Application of maxims to recent events. Ingratitude of this Baldachin whom Coolwind, as scrupulous prompter, has helped to many a profound effect. But now, occasionally, there were also cases, etc. (Frequent interruption.) Pimper with proof of anecdote. Reports of movement against Coolwind — accompanied by coffee: snuff; no smoking! — Growing concern about how this day will be decided: fear of dismissal. Imminent family penury. Scribely’s past. (All mixed up.) Hermine resolves to go and see secretary of Court Theatre who is on friendly terms with Cabinet Secretary. All she hopes for is a good pension for her father.) Main dialogue between Scribely and Coolwind continues. Pimper announces stage manager Bubes. Extraordinarily solemn behaviour. Dismissal inevitable: argument about it. Scribely inquires about being given an engagement. Prospects poor. Baldachin said to be threatening to resign: he, it seems, is afraid of Scribely’s being engaged on account of the latter’s absurd memory which enables him to learn any part between morning and evening, and consequently whenever Baldachin is not yet ready, will, by swiftly stepping in, make it possible for the management to put on the desired plays and by-pass the real lead-actor completely. Discussions about Baldachin. Yesterday evening he is said to have been urging Coolwind’s dismissal. — Pimper announces aside to Scribely that Baldachin is prowling around the house and seems to be awaiting Bubes’ return. Scribely calls down to Baldachin out of the window and invites him to a conference. The latter appears unwillingly and out of countenance. Extraordinarily tense meeting with Scribely: incomprehensible discussions, with Baldachin solemnly reticent. Question of finding out what’s wanted by powers-that-be. Baldachin scheming to make Scribely prompter, thereby diverting him from acting career he has opted for. — Pimper interrupts, bringing revised proof of anecdote as booklet now has to be published. Letter from Secretary to Coolwind: latter is kindly to apply for release. Scribely left by Bubes and Baldachin to consider whether he ought not to take the post of prompter. They go. — Deliberation between Coolwind and Scribely. (Enter note of pathos). Underground revenge vowed against Baldachin and whole hollow business of theatrical leads. — -Hermine comes from Cabinet Secretary himself. Full pension for father against Scribely’s pledge to take over position as prompter for which he enjoys general confidence of cast — growing pathos. Added to efficient prompting, success of a theatrical journal: reviewer, even writer, poet — Scribely’s real vocation. Henceforth he will regard the prompt box as the position required by Archimedes for lifting the earth from its axis. A bottle of new year’s wine is brought by Pimper for the anecdote: booklet rapidly bought up at street corners. Even Coolwind tries to enthuse: in clinking glasses to the enormous success of the future activity of the new prompter, he, in consequence of too much snuff, is forced to sneeze so violently that he spills his glass: this praised by Scribely as auspicious omen for his future plans. On top of which — a betrothal.
(To counter grave depression)