La Ronde

LA RONDE
 
 
 
"La Ronde" from Plays and Stories, by Arthur
 
Schnitzler. Copyright 1982 by the Continuum
 
Publishing Company
 
Reprinted with permission.

CHARACTERS
 
THE WHORE
THE SOLDIER
THE PARLOR MAID
THE YOUNG GENTLEMAN
THE YOUNG WIFE
THE HUSBAND
THE LITTLE MISS
THE POET
THE ACTRESS
THE COUNT
 
THE TIME: The 1890s. THE PLACE: Vienna.
 
1 The Whore andthe Soldier
 
Late in the evening. On the Augarten Bridge. Soldier on his way home, whistling.
WHORE: Want to come with me, Angel Face?
(Soldier turns round, then walks on.)
Wouldn't you like to come with me? SOLDIER: You mean me? Angel Face?!
WHORE: Who do you think? Come on. Come with me. I live near here.
SOLDIER: No time. Have to get back to the barracks.
WHORE: You'll getback to the barracks all right. But it's nicer with me.
SOLDIER (near her now): Yeah. Could be.
WHORE: Uh, ub! A cop might come.
SOLDIER: Nonsense! What's a cop? I got my sword on.
WHORE: Come on with me!
SOLDIER: Leave me alone. I got no money anyhow.
WHORE: I don't need any money.
SOLDIER (Stops. They are under a street lamp.): You don't need any money? Who are you for God's sake?WHORE: Civilians have to pay, sure. A guy like you can get it from me for nothing.
SOLDIER: So you're the one Huher told me about…
WHORE: I don't know any Huber.
SOLDIER: Yes, you're the one. That's right. The cafe in the Schiff Gasse. Then he went home with you.
 
 
 

 
 
WHORE: The cafe' in the Schiff Gasse! I've taken plenty of guys home from there. Eh! (Her eyes tellhow many.)
SOLDIER: Let's go then, let's go.
WHORE: What? You're in a hurry now?
SOLDIER: Well, what are we waiting for? I gotta be back in the barracks at ten.
WHORE: How long you been in the army?
SOLDIER: What business is that of yours? Live far from here?
WHORE: Ten minutes' walk.
SOLDIER: Too far. How about a little kiss?
WHORE (kisses him): I like that part the best. WhenI like a guy.
SOLDIER: I don't. No. I can't go with you. Too far.
WHORE: Tell you what. Come tomorrow. In the afternoon.
Soldier: Okay. Give me the address.
WHORE: Only-I bet you won't come.
SOLDIER: I told you I would, didn't I?
WHORE: Tell you what-if it's too far tonight-how about over there? (She points toward the Danube.)
SOLDIER: What's over there?
WHORE: Lovely and quiet there,too. No one around this late.
SOLDIER: Aw, that's no good.
WHORE: It's always good-with me. Come on, stay with me. Who knows if we'll still be around tomorrow?
SOLDIER: Okay, then. But let's make it snappy.
WHORE: Easy. It's so dark there. One slip, and you're in the Danube.
SOLDIER: Might be the best thing.
WHORE: Pst! Hey, wait a second. We're lust coming to a bench.
SOLDIER: You knowyour way around.
WHORE: Wish I had a guy like you for a boyfriend.
SOLDIER: I'd make you jealous too much.
WHORE: I'd know how to take care of that.
SOLDIER: Think so?
WHORE: Not so loud. Could be a cop around at that-he might be lost. Who'd think we were right in the middle of Vienna?
SOLDIER: Over here. Come on over here!
WHORE: What's got into you? If we slip, we're in the river!
SOLDIER(has grabbed hold of her): Ah! now
WHORE: Hold on tight now. SOLDIER: Don't worry…
* * * * *
WHORE: It'd have been a lot better on the bench.
SOLDIER: On the bench, off the bench . . . Well, you getting up?
WHORE: Where are you rushing off-
SOLDIER: Got to get back to the barracks. I'm late anyhow.
WHORE: Tell me, soldier-what's your name?
SOLDIER: What's my name got to do with you?WHORE: Mine's-Leocadia.
SOLDIER: Ha! That's a new one!
WHORE: Soldier
SOLDIER: Well, what do you want?
WHORE: How about a dime for the janitor?
SOLDIER: Ha! . . . What do you think I am? 'Bye now! Leocadia
WHORE: You crook! You son of a bitch!
(He is gone.)
 
 
 
2 The Soldier and the Parlor Maid
 
The Prater. Sunday evening. A path leading from the Wursteiprater-...