The Makropoulos Secret/Act 2
ACT II
[The stage of a big theater, somewhat in disorder after the previous night’s performance. Properties, scenery, rolled drops and lighting apparatus are left about the stage. In the front is a theatrical throne on a dais.]
Scrubwoman
[Pausing in her work]
I tell you that was glory. Did you see the flowers?
Mechanic
I should say I did.
Scrubwoman
As long as I’ve lived I never seen such glories. The people yelled. I thought they’d tear down the theater. And Marty had to go about fifty times to bow. The people wouldn’t stop. Just as if they was crazy.
Mechanic
Listen. She must have a lot of money.
Scrubwoman
I should say so, Kudrana. Only think of the money them flowers cost. Look! Look! [She points to a heap of flowers carelessly tossed into a corner] There’s another heap. She couldn’t take them all away with her.
Mechanic
Well, I came to listen a little while behind the stage, but you know I just tremble all over when she sings.
Scrubwoman
I tell you this, Kudrana, I just cries. I listened, and all at once I wondered what was running down my cheeks, and there I was, crying.
Scrubwoman
[Getting up]
Do you want to see someone?
Prus
Isn’t Mademoiselle Marty here? They told me at the hotel she’d gone to the theater.
Scrubwoman
She’s with the manager now, but she’ll be back here. She left her things in her dressing room.
Prus
Good. I’ll wait.
[He steps aside]
Scrubwoman
That’s the fifth one. There’s a whole string of ’em waiting for her.
Mechanic
I can’t get it into my head that such a woman can be bothered with men.
Scrubwoman
[With a knowing wag of the head]
Oh, yes, there’s no doubt about it, Kudrana.
Mechanic
You don’t say.
Scrubwoman
What what are you staring at?
Mechanic
I can’t get it into my head.
Scrubwoman
Of course she has! But you’re too stupid to understand.
Krisitina
[Entering from the left]
Janek, come here. Janek, there’s no one here.
Janek
[Timidly following her]
Won’t somebody throw me out?
Kristina
No one rehearses today. Oh, dear! Janek, I’m so unhappy!
Janek
Why?
[He tries to kiss her]
Kristina
No, Janek, don’t kiss me—please—I have other cares now. I mustn’t think of you any more.
Janek
But, Krista!
Kristina
Be sensible, Janek. If I’m to get anywhere, I must change my whole life. [Very seriously] Janek, if one thinks all the time about some one thing, and only about the same thing, it must come true, mustn’t it?
Janek
Of course.
Kristina
So, you see. I have to think only about my art. [She mounts the throne and sits down] Marty is marvelous, isn’t she, Janek?
Janek
She is, but
Kristina
You don’t understand. It’s her marvelous technique. I didn’t sleep the whole night. I lay on my back and wondered and wondered whether I should leave the theater or not. If I could know only just a little bit.
Janek
But you do.
Kristina
Do you really think so? Do you think I ought to go on singing? Then everything would have to end between us. You understand. I should have to give all my time to the stage.
Janek
But, Krista, a few minutes every day—twice a day—with me.
Kristina
That’s just it. It isn’t only a few minutes. Oh, it’s terrible! You know, Janek, I think about you the whole day. Oh, what a nuisance you are! How can I do anything I ought to when I think about you all the time?
Janek
And if you want to know, Krista, I—I—can think of nothing but you.
Kristina
It’s all right for you. You don’t have to sing, and, oh, listen, Janek, I’ve dreamed of triumphs and glories—so you mustn’t hope.
Janek
I will hope! I won’t agree to this—I
Kristina
Please, Janek, don’t make it more difficult. Be sensible, dear. I’d have to give up any serious study, and then, oh, I don’t want to be a poor girl always—for your sake—and then, my voice is only being formed. I ought not to use it too much.
Janek
Then I’ll do the talking.
Kristina
No, wait! I have decided. It is all over between us, Janek. All over! [Janek jumps up and is halfway off the stage before she continues] . . . We’re going to see each other only once a day.
[He stops and turns round]
Janek
But
Kristina
Between times, we must be perfect strangers. I’m going to work terribly hard, Janek. To sing, to think, to learn and everything. You know, I’d love to be a great lady like Marty. Come here, you silly. There’s room enough for you beside me. Nobody’s looking. Do you think she loves someone?
Janek
[On the throne beside her]
Who?
Kristina
She—Marty.
Janek
Marty? Of course.
Kristina
You know, I don’t understand. Why does she have to love someone when she’s so great and famous? You don’t know what it is when a woman loves. It is so degrading!
Janek
It is not!
Kristina
You don’t know anything about it! A woman doesn’t think of herself any more. She follows him like a slave. She can’t belong to herself. Oh, I could beat myself sometimes.
Janek
But
Kristina
And then everybody’s crazy about Marty—everyone she looks at. But it doesn’t mean anything to her.
Janek
Not everyone.
Kristina
I’m afraid of her.
Janek
Krista!
[He tries to steal a kiss]
Kristina
But, Janek, if somebody should see us!
[He kisses her. Prus enters and watches them]
Prus
I’m not looking.
Janek
[Jumping up]
Father!
Prus
You don’t have to run away. [He comes nearer] Miss Kristina, I am very pleased to meet you. I am sorry to say I haven’t known you before. The boy might at least have boasted to me about you.
Kristina
Please, Mr. Prus just came to—to
Prus
Mr. Prus?
Kristina
Mr.—Mr.
Prus
He’s only Janek, and not Mr. Prus. How long has he been running after you?
Kristina
For a year.
Prus
Well, well! But you mustn’t take him too seriously. I know him. And you, young man—I don’t want to disturb you, but this is really a little—a little public, isn’t it?
Janek
[Bravely stepping up to his father]
Father, if you think you’ll embarrass me—you’re mistaken.
Prus
That’s right. A man should never be embarrassed.
Janek
And I never thought that you would spy on me this way.
Prus
Bravo, Janek—only don’t give in.
Janek
I mean what I say. There are matters into which I forbid—which—are no one’s
Prus
Quite so, my friend. Shake hands.
[His tone is harsh]
Janek
[Hiding his hands behind his back]
No, Father.
Prus
[Stretching out his hand]
Well?
Janek
Father?
[He stretches out his hand timidly]
Prus
[Shaking hands]
That’s the way.
Janek
Oh!
Prus
[Letting him go]
Well, hello. [He laughs] He can stand a lot.
Kristina
[Almost crying]
That is brutal.
Prus
[Takes her hands lightly]
Those golden hands.
[Vitek runs in]
Vitek
Kristina! Aha! here you are. [He stops] Baron Prus!
Prus
Don’t let me disturb you.
Kristina
What is it, Papa?
Vitek
You’re in the newspapers, Kristina! They’ve written about you in the newspapers! In the write-up along with Marty. Imagine, along with Marty!
Kristina
Show it to me!
Vitek
Here. “The part of Celia was sung for the first time by Miss Vitek.” That’s pretty nice, isn’t it?
Kristina
And what’s all the rest?
Vitek
You can just imagine nothing but Marty. As if there were no one else in this world except Marty.
Kristina
Look, Janek! Here is my name.
Vitek
Krista, who is that?
Kristina
Mr. Prus.
Janek
Janek Prus.
Vitek
How did you happen to meet him?
Janek
Your daughter was kind enough
Vitek
My daughter will tell me herself, thank you. Come, Krista.
[He stalks off with Kristina]
Emilia
[She speaks off-stage]
Thank you. Thank you, gentlemen. Please let me go. [She enters and sweeps down the stage to the throne. Seeing Prus] What, another one?
Prus
Oh, no, Mademoiselle Marty. I don’t dare to congratulate you. I came for something else.
Emilia
But you were in the theater last night?
Prus
To be sure.
Emilia
Well. [She sits on the throne] I don’t want to see anyone else. I’ve had enough of it. Is that your son?
Prus
Yes. Come here, Janek.
Emilia
Come here, Janek, I want to see you. [He steps up shyly] You were in the theater last night?
Janek
Yes.
Emilia
Did you like me?
Janek
Yes.
Emilia
[Sharply]
Do you know how to say anything else but “Yes”?
Janek
Yes.
Emilia
Your son is stupid.
Prus
I fear for him.
[Gregor comes in with flowers]
Emilia
Oh, Berti, bring them here.
Gregor
For last night.
Emilia
Let me see. [She takes the flowers and finds a jewel box hidden in them] Take this back. It’s nice of you to come. Thank you for the flowers. [She takes a sniff of them and throws them carelessly on the pile with the others] Did you like me?
Gregor
No. Your singing hurts me. It is too perfect. And, at the same time
Emilia
Well?
Gregor
You seem bored when you sing. It is superhuman. It carries one away. But you remain cold—as if you were frozen.
Emilia
Did you feel that way? Perhaps you are right. Well, I’ve sent the document to your old fool of a lawyer—the one about Ellian. How is the case getting on?
Gregor
I don’t know. I don’t care about the case.
Emilia
But you’re already buying ridiculous things of the jewelers. You idiot! Take it back, right away—how did you manage to get it?
Gregor
It’s no business of yours.
Emilia
You borrowed, didn’t you? You spent the whole forenoon running from one money lender to another, eh? [She puts her hand in her handbag and pulls out a handful of money] Here, take it. Quick!
Gregor
What! Are you offering me money? What do you think I am?
Emilia
Behave yourself or I shall pull your ears.
Gregor
I hope you dare!
Emilia
Will you only listen! Don’t try to give me orders. Berti, don’t make me cross. I’ll teach you to run up debts. [She boxes his ears] Are you going to take it?
Prus
[To Gregor]
In Heaven’s name, put an end to this.
Gregor
[Pulling the money away from her]
You have funny whims. [He gives the money to Vitek] Hand it over to the office—Mademoiselle Marty’s account.
Vitek
Yes, certainly.
Emilia
Certainly not! That is for him. Do you understand?
Vitek
Yes, certainly.
Emilia
Were you in the theater last night? Did you like me?
Vitek
Of course, my lady. [Attempting a compliment] Quite a Strada.
Emilia
Did you ever hear Strada sing? Listen. Strada shrieked. She had no voice.
Vitek
Well, Strada died a hundred years ago.
Emilia
All the worse. You should have heard her. Strada! Why do people talk of Strada?
Vitek
I beg your pardon, I—of course I didn’t hear her, but as history relates
Emilia
[Imperiously]
Listen. History lies. I will tell you something. Strada shrieked and Carrona had a frog in her throat. Agajari was a goose and Faustina breathed like a balloon. That is history for you.
Vitek
You know best—in these matters concerning music.
Prus
But you mustn’t insult the French Revolution before Mr. Vitek.
Emilia
Why?
Prus
The French Revolution is his hobby.
Emilia
What does he know about it?
Prus
I don’t know. Try asking him about Citizen Marat.
Vitek
[Trying to bow himself away]
Oh, no, please.
Emilia
Marat—wasn’t he a deputy?—Hands perspired—terribly.
Vitek
[Greatly incensed]
That’s not true!
Emilia
Oh, as I remember, he had hands like a frog. Br-r-r!
Vitek
Oh, no. That’s a lie. It’s not written anywhere.—I beg your pardon.
Emilia
Well, I know. And what was the name of the big fellow with the pockmarks?
Vitek
Which one, please?
Emilia
The one who had his head cut off.
Vitek
Danton?
Emilia
Exactly! He was still worse.
Prus
Why?
Emilia
Oh, his teeth were completely decayed. Disgusting man!
[Everyone except Vitek laughs]
Vitek
Wait. Don’t talk that way, please. That isn’t historical. Danton—Danton did not have decayed teeth. That cannot be proved. And it doesn’t matter the least—not the least bit.
Emilia
Why doesn’t it matter? It is disgusting.
Vitek
Now, please. You mustn’t speak this way of Danton—I beg your pardon—but if you talk like that nothing noble will be left in history.
Emilia
There was nothing noble in history.
Vitek
What?
Emilia
There never was anything very noble. I know.
Vitek
But Danton?
Emilia
Just look at that—this man wants to quarrel with me.
Prus
Insolent!
Emilia
Oh, no. He’s quite harmless.
[Vitek draws back, muttering to himself]
Gregor
Shall I bring in some more people so you can be rude to them?
Emilia
Not necessary. They will come of their own accord—on all fours.
Kristina
Janek, let’s go.
Emilia
[Yawning]
Aren’t they a pair, those two? I wonder if they’ve reached paradise?
Vitek
I beg your pardon?
Emilia
I wonder if they have
Vitek
Certainly not!
Emilia
[Calmly]
But why not? Who’d grudge them the pleasure?
Vitek
[Piteously]
Krista, it isn’t true, is it?
Kristina
[In confusion]
But, Papa, how can you?
Emilia
Stop it, you fools. What wasn’t will be. [A weary tone creeps into her voice] And then you’ll find it wasn’t worth it—at all.
Prus
What is worth it, then?
Emilia
Nothing—nothing at all.
Hauk-Sendorf
[Offering Emilia the flowers]
Allow me, allow me.
Emilia
[Rousing herself]
Now who is it?
Hauk-Sendorf
Lady, dear lady, allow me to—[He kneels before the throne] Dear lady, you look—you look—[He sobs] Will you excuse
Emilia
[To the others]
What’s happened to him?
Hauk-Sendorf
You—you look—so—so much like her.
Emilia
Like whom?
Hauk-Sendorf
Eugenie. Eugenie Montez.
Emilia
[She starts and gets up]
What?
Hauk-Sendorf
Eugenie. I—I knew her—lady—it is—it is fifty years ago.
Emilia
[Trying to cover her confusion]
Who is this great fool?
Prus
Hauk-Sendorf.
Emilia
[To herself]
Hauk-Sendorf—Max? [She descends from the throne] Oh, yes, won’t you get up?
Hauk-Sendorf
[Rising]
May I—may I call you Eugenie?
Emilia
[In the kind tone one uses to children]
You may call me anything you like. So I look like her?
Hauk-Sendorf
Look like her? Dear lady, yesterday—yesterday in the theater I thought—I thought that it was she—my Eugenie—the voice—the eyes—she used to be so beautiful—Good God! And the forehead—it startled me. [He pauses and stands back to look at her] But you are taller.
Emilia
Taller? Perhaps not.
Hauk-Sendorf
A good deal taller—Allow me. Eugenie reached me—here. I used to kiss her on her forehead.
Emilia
And that was all?
Hauk-Sendorf
Eh? Oh—You are quite like her! Dear lady, may I give you these flowers?
Emilia
Thanks.
Hauk-Sendorf
I could look at you forever.
Emilia
But sit down now, dear. Berti, a chair.
[She sits down on the throne]
Janek
I will get one.
[He runs after a chair]
Kristina
Not there!
[She runs after him]
Prus
[To Hauk-Sendorf]
Cher comte.
Hauk-Sendorf
[Steps across to him]
Well, well, well! Baron Prus! Pardon me—I didn’t see you. How pleased I am. How are you?
Prus
How are you?
Hauk-Sendorf
And how is your case? Did you get rid of that fellow?
Prus
Oh, no. Allow me, Gregor, to introduce you.
Hauk-Sendorf
Is that Mr. Gregor? I am so pleased to meet you. How are you?
Gregor
Well, thank you.
[Janek and Kristina bring chairs]
Emilia
Sit down, Max.
Hauk-Sendorf
Thank you very much.
Emilia
You sit down, too, Baron. Berti can sit on my lap.
Gregor
Too kind of you.
Emilia
If you don’t want to, you can stand up.
Hauk-Sendorf
Beautiful, divine lady. On my knees I beg your pardon.
Emilia
Why?
Hauk-Sendorf
I’m an old fool. How could a woman long since dead concern you?
Emilia
Is she dead?
Hauk-Sendorf
Yes.
Emilia
Now, that’s too bad.
Hauk-Sendorf
She has been dead for fifty years. I used to love her then—fifty years ago.
Emilia
Yes?
Hauk-Sendorf
They used to call her Gitana. You know—a gypsy. And she was a gypsy. They used to call her la chula negra. That is, down there in Andalusia. At that time I was in the Embassy at Madrid. Fifty years ago—eighteen seventy.
Emilia
Yes?
Hauk-Sendorf
Do you know, she sang and danced in the market places. [The old man loses himself in his memories] Alza! Ola! Lord! How the whole world used to go crazy about her! Vaya. Gitana there with the castanets, you see. I was young then, and she was
Emilia
a gypsy.
Hauk-Sendorf
Quite so. A gypsy. Nothing but fire. Ah, God! One cannot forget. Would you believe that a man never comes to his senses? I’ve been a fool ever since.
Emilia
Oh.
Hauk-Sendorf
I’m an idiot, lady. I am Hauk the idiot—No!—What’s the word?
Prus
Feeble-minded?
Hauk-Sendorf
Quite so. [He nods a thanks to the Baron] Feeble-minded. I left everything there with her. I didn’t live afterwards. It was just half without her. But come! [He rises unsteadily and, posturing as for a dance, plays imaginary castanets] Salero. Dios mio. How much you look like her. Eugenie, Eugenie!
[He cries]
Prus
Hauk, be careful.
Hauk-Sendorf
[Coming to himself]
I beg your pardon. I ought to be leaving.
Emilia
I shall see you again, Max?
Hauk-Sendorf
Quite so. I shall see you again? Allow me to present my compliments. Oh, when I look at you like this
Emilia
Kiss me.
Hauk-Sendorf
What, eh?
Emilia
Besa me, bobo, bobazo!
(Kiss me. You big simpleton!)
Hauk-Sendorf
Jesús mil veces, Eugenia.
(By a thousand heavens, Eugenia!)
EMILIA
Animal, un besito!
(Stupid! Just a tiny kiss!)
Hauk-Sendorf
[Kissing her]
Eugenia, moza negra—niña—querida—carísima
(Eugenia, my little black-eyed girl—dearie—beloved—darling.)
EMILIA
Chite, tonto! Quita! Fuera!
(Hush, fool—let go, please—go! Silly.)
Hauk-Sendorf
Es ella, es ella! Gitana endiablada, ven conmigo, pronto!
(It is she, it is she! My fiery gypsy. Come with me now!)
Emilia
Ya no soy. Loco! Ahora callate! Vaya! Hasta mañana, entiendes?
(Not yet, idiot! Now keep quiet. [Trying to get him to go] Go! Tomorrow, do you understand, tomorrow?)
Hauk-Sendorf
Vendré, vendré, mis amores!
(I shall come, my love, I shall come.)
Emilia
Vaya!
(Be gone.)
Hauk-Sendorf
Ay por Dios! Cielo de Dios, es ella! Si es ella! Eugenia
(Good Lord! By all that's holy, it is she! Yes, it is she—Eugenia)
Emilia
[Pushing him]
Caramba, vaya! Fuera!
(Caramba! Go! Get out!)
Hauk-Sendorf
Vendré! Madre de Dios, ella misma!
(I shall come. Mother of God, it’s she and no mistake!)
[Goes out]
Emilia
[Gayly]
The next one. Who wants anything from me?
Vitek
I beg your pardon, would you sign your photograph for me—that is, for Kristina?
Emilia
Nonense! will do it for Kristina. A pen! [She signs] So good-by.
Vitek
[Bows]
A thousand thanks.
[He goes away with Kristina]
Emilia
The next one. Anyone else?
Gregor
I wait till you’re alone.
Emilia
Another fool. Well, I am going.
Prus
[Stepping up]
Just one minute, please.
Emilia
Do you want something?
Prus
[With a slight bow]
It would seem so.
Emilia
[Yawning]
All right, out with it.
Prus
I wanted only to ask you—you seem to know so many things about Joseph Prus.
Emilia
Perhaps.
Prus
Do you happen to have heard a certain name?
Emilia
What name?
Prus
Let’s say—Makropoulos.
Emilia
[Jumping up]
What?
Prus
[Rising]
Do you know anything about Makropoulos?
Emilia
[Trying to compose herself]
No—no. It is the first time I have heard it. Oh, go away. Go! Let me alone.
Prus
[Bowing]
I am extremely sorry.
Emilia
[To Prus]
Not you. You wait. Where’s Janek? Let him go. [Janek leaves. To Gregor] What do you want?
Gregor
I want to talk with you.
Emilia
I’ve no time for you just now.
Gregor
I must talk to you.
Emilia
Please, Berti, let me alone. Go, dear—now. You can come back later if you want to.
Gregor
I will come back.
[With a slight bow to Prus, he leaves]
Emilia
At last.
Prus
Excuse me, Madam. I didn’t know that name would touch you so.
Emilia
What do you know about the Makropoulos paper?
Prus
That’s what I’m asking you.
Emilia
What do you know about the Makropoulos paper?
Prus
Dear lady, won’t you please sit down. Perhaps it will be a rather long story. [They both sit down] First of all, may I ask a very intimate question—perhaps too intimate a question? [Emilia nods slightly] Have you any—particular personal interest in Mr. Gregor?
Emilia
No.
Prus
Are you very anxious to have him win the case?
Emilia
No.
Prus
Thank you. [He leans back a moment] I don’t want to inquire further. How do you know what is in the locked closets of my house? It is apparently your secret.
Emilia
Yes. Well?
Prus
You knew that there were certain letters. You knew that there was Prus’s last will. Even that it was sealed. By the way, did you know that there was something else, besides?
Emilia
[Excitedly getting up]
You found something there? What was it?
Prus
I don’t know. That is what I’m asking you.
Emilia
You don’t know what it is?
Prus
Do you?
Emilia
No.
Prus
I thought that Kolonaty told you. Or Gregor.
Emilia
Not a word.
Prus
Well, there was a sealed letter, and on it, in the handwriting of Joseph Prus, “For the hands of my son Ferdinand.” Nothing more. That was with the last will.
Emilia
And you didn’t open it?
Prus
No. It doesn’t belong to me.
Emilia
Then give it to me.
Prus
[Rising]
To you! Why to you?
Emilia
Because I want it. Because—because
Prus
Well?
EMILIA
Because I have a certain right to it.
Prus
May I ask what right?
Emilia
No.
[She walks away]
Prus
Hm! It appears—another secret of yours.
Emilia
[She turns and comes back]
Yes—Will you give it to me?
Prus
No.
Emilia
Very well. Then Berti shall give it to me. It belongs to him, anyway.
Prus
We’ll see. Tell me, what’s in the envelope?
Emilia
No. What do you know about the Makropoulos paper?
Prus
Another question—What do you know about Ellian MacGregor?
Emilia
You have her letters.
Prus
Perhaps you know more about it. Do you know anything else about that—courtesan?
Emilia
[In a cold fury]
I beg your pardon!
Prus
But, dear lady
Emilia
How do you dare? How dare you talk that way?
Prus
What’s the matter? How can a woman of that sort, who lived a hundred years ago, concern you?
Emilia
That’s so—She doesn’t. [She sits down] She was a courtesan, then?
Prus
I read her letters. She was a remarkable type of woman.
Emilia
Oh, you shouldn’t have read them.
Prus
There are certain allusions to extraordinary intimacies—I am not a lad, but I must confess—that her experiences in certain things
Emilia
Give me those letters.
Prus
Perhaps you are interested—in those intimate relations.
Emilia
Perhaps.
Prus
[Following her]
You know what I should like to know?
Emilia
Well?
Prus
What you are like in love.
Emilia
You mean things of—intimate relations?
Prus
Perhaps.
Emilia
Perhaps I remind you of Ellian.
Prus
God forbid!
[He turns and steps quickly off the dais]
Emilia
[Lightly]
Prus
What was her real name?
Emilia
Ellian MacGregor. You have it on those letters.
Prus
I beg your pardon, there is only E. M. Nothing more.
Emilia
That, of course, means Ellian MacGregor.
Prus
Oh no. [Watching her closely] It might serve just as well for other names; for instance, Emilia Marty, Eugenie Montez or a thousand other names.
Emilia
But it is Ellian MacGregor, the Scotch singer.
Prus
[Slowly with emphasis on each word]
Or, more probably—Ellina Makropoulos, the Greek from Crete.
Emilia
Aha! Damnation!
Prus
Ah, hah! You knew about it, then?
Emilia
Please; leave me in peace. [She comes down the steps to him] In God’s name, how do you know all this?
Prus
Very simple. In the last letter something is said about a Ferdinand Gregor, born in Loukov, November twentieth, eighteen hundred and sixteen. I found out yesterday, and at three o’clock this morning the Dean of Loukov led me with a candle to the birth records. Poor man, he had to go in his nightshirt. And there I found it.
Emilia
Found what?
Prus
A birth record. This. [He takes out a note book and reads] “Nomen infantis Ferdinand Makropoulos dies nativitatis, November twentieth, eighteen hundred and sixteen, thorus illegitimate. Father left out. Mother, Ellina Makropoulos, born in Crete.”
Emilia
You don’t know anything more?
Prus
Nothing. But that is enough.
Emilia
Poor Gregor! You will keep Loukov now, won’t you?
Prus
At least, so long as Mr. Makropoulos doesn’t come to claim it.
Emilia
And the sealed envelope?
Prus
Oh, that will be put aside for him safely.
Emilia
And if Mr. Makropoulos does not come?
Prus
Then it will remain sealed and no one will get it.
Emilia
Then he will come. Do you understand? And you will lose Loukov.
Prus
As it will please God.
Emilia
How can you be so stupid? [Pause] Come, give me the envelope.
Prus
Why do you keep asking me for the envelope?
Emilia
Makropoulos will come and get it.
Prus
Hm! Who is he? Where do you keep him hidden?
Emilia
Do you really want to know? It is Berti Gregor.
Prus
What! He again?
Emilia
Yes. Ellina Makropoulos and Ellian MacGregor were one and the same person. MacGregor was her stage name. Do you understand?
Prus
Perfectly. And Ferdinand Gregor was her son?
Emilia
Yes.
Prus
Why wasn’t his name Makropoulos, then?
Emilia
Because Ellian wanted that name to disappear from the world.
Prus
[With an unbelieving smile]
Well, let it be so.
[He sits down]
Emilia
You don’t believe me?
Prus
I didn’t say that. I don’t even ask how you know all this.
Emilia
Oh, good Lord! I’ve kept it a secret. I will tell you, Prus, but you must keep it to yourself. Ellina—Ellina Makropoulos—is my aunt.
Prus
[In astonishment]
Your aunt?
Emilia
Yes. My mother’s sister. Now you know everything.
Prus
[Ironically]
Of course, that explains it very nicely.
Emilia
You understand?
Prus
[Getting up]
It’s too bad it isn’t true, Mademoiselle Marty.
Emilia
Do you mean to say I am lying?
Prus
I am sorry to say—yes. Had you said that she was a great-grandmother of yours, it would have been better proof.
Emilia
Yes, you are right. [She goes up to the throne and sits. She extends her hand to Prus.] Good-by.
Prus
May I express my deep admiration for you?
Emilia
Thank you.
[Prus starts to leave]
Wait a moment. What would you sell that sealed envelope to me for?
Prus
[Turning round] Pardon?
Emilia
I’ll buy those letters. I’ll give you as much as you want.
Prus
I beg your pardon, I cannot consider it here—and with you. Will you please send somebody else to me?
Emilia
Why?
Prus
So that I may kick him downstairs.
Emilia
[After a while]
Is it you, Berti?
Gregor
Why do you keep your eyes closed? You look as if you were suffering. What is the matter?
Emilia
I am tired. Speak softly.
Gregor
Softly? I warn you, if I speak softly I won’t know what I am saying—I shall say foolish things. Do you hear, Emilia? I love you. I am mad. I love you—you don’t laugh? I wanted you to get up and box my ears. I would have loved you the more for it. I love you. What—what is the matter?
Emilia
It is cold, Berti. Everyone—everything—is cold.
Gregor
Yes. You are cold to me but it makes me happy. Even that—I would like to strangle you when you torture me. I would like Ah, I am a fool, Emilia. Some day I will kill you. In you there is something awful. You are bad, low.
Emilia
No, Berti.
Gregor
Yes. Nothing means anything to you. Cruel, cold—as cold as the dead. [Softly] Listen—it is hell to love you. But I do. I love you so much I could tear the flesh from my body!
Emilia
Do you like the name Makropoulos?
Gregor
Stop. Don’t play with me. I would give my life if I could, for you. [He sinks down on the bottom step of the dais] You can do with me whatever you want—whatever you want. I am lost, Emilia.
Emilia
Then listen to me. Go to your lawyer and tell him to give you the document I sent him.
Gregor
It is false?
Emilia
No, Berti. I swear on my soul it isn’t. But we must have another one with the name Makropoulos. Wait. I will explain to you. Ellian
Gregor
Never mind. I’ve had enough of your tricks.
Emilia
No. Wait. You want to be rich, Berti. I want you to be rich.
Gregor
And will you love me?
Emilia
Now, stop that! Berti, you promised to get the Greek papers for me. Prus has them. Do you hear? But first you must get the inheritance.
Gregor
Will you love me?
Emilia
Never. Do you understand? Never.
Gregor
[Collapsing at her feet]
I will kill you, Emilia.
Emilia
Nonsense! I could say four words to you and it would all be over. Look! Look! [She rises] You’d like to kill me. Do you see the scar on my shoulder? [She bares her shoulder] Another one wanted to kill me. Am I made only for your killing?
Gregor
I love you.
Emilia
Then kill yourself, you fool! But what will it come to? Your love? Oh, if you knew. If you knew how funny you are, you child. [Her voice drops] If you knew how tired I am. If you knew how it’s all the same to me. Oh, if you knew!
[She falls back in the throne]
Gregor
What is the matter with you?
Emilia
Unhappy Ellina!
Gregor
Come here, Emilia. We are going away. No one ever loved you so much as I—I know There is something desperate in you—something terrible, Emilia. But I am young and strong and I can bring love to you. Then you can forget and throw me away. Do you hear, Emilia? [Emilia has fallen asleep—she breathes heavily. Gregor rises in excitement] What is it? She’s asleep. Are you fooling? [He stretches out his hands] Emilia.
Gregor
Who is it? Oh! The lady fell asleep. Don’t wake her.
[He kisses Emilia’s hand and hurries off]
Scrubwoman
I am kind of sorry for her.
Emilia
Ah! Is it you, Berti?
Janek
No, please. It is just Janek.
Emilia
[Sitting up]
Janek! Come here, Janek. Would you like to do something for me?
Janek
Yes, I would.
Emilia
Anything I want you to?
Janek
Yes.
Emilia
Something big, Janek? An heroic deed?
Janek
Yes.
Emilia
And will you ask for something as a reward?
Janek
Oh, no!
Emilia
Come nearer. You know, you are very nice. Listen. Your father has a sealed envelope and on it is written, “For the hands of my son Ferdinand.” It’s either in his desk or in his safe or—I don’t know where.
Janek
Yes?
Emilia
Will you bring it to me?
Janek
Will Father give it to me?
Emilia
No, he won’t. You’ll have to take it.
Janek
That isn’t possible.
Emilia
Oh! Are you afraid of your father?
Janek
I’m not afraid, but
Emilia
But, Janek, on my honor, it is just a remembrance—a matter of sentiment—without any value—I’d like so much to have it.
Janek
I—I will try.
Emilia
You promise?
[Prus enters from a shadow]
Prus
You needn’t trouble yourself, Janek. It is in the safe.
Janek
Father, again.
Prus
Go! [Janek hurries out. To Emilia] Purely by accident, I swear. I thought he was hanging round the theater because of Kristina, but
Emilia
And why are you hanging round the theater?
Prus
I was waiting—for you.
Emilia
[Stepping nearer to him]
To give me that envelope?
Prus
It isn’t mine to give.
Emilia
But—you will bring it to me?
Prus
Ah! When?
Emilia
Tonight?
Prus
Tonight.
[He bows over her hand]
End of Act II