_The_ PLAYWRIGHT. _The_ MACHINIST.

MACHIN.

Then do you really think that will do any good?

PLAYWR.

I beg, I entreat you, do not refuse my request; my only hope
depends on it.

LEUTNER.

Why, what's this again? How did these people ever get into
Gottlieb's room?

SCHLOSS.

I won't rack my brains about anything more.

MACHIN.

But, dear friend, you certainly do ask too much, to have all
this done in such a hurry, entirely on the spur of the moment.

PLAYWR.

I believe you are against me, too; you also rejoice in my
misfortune.

MACHIN.

Not in the least.

PLAYWRIGHT (_falls down before him_).

Then prove it to me by yielding
to my request; if the disapproval of the audience breaks out so loudly
again, then at a motion from me let all the machines play; as it is,
the second act has already closed quite differently from the way it
reads in my manuscript.

MACHIN.

What's this now? Why, who raised the curtain?

PLAYWR.

It never rains but it pours! I am lost! (_He rushes in
embarrassment behind the scenes._)

MACHIN.

There never has been such a confusion on any evening.

[_Exit. A pause._]

WIESENER.

I say, does that belong to the play?

NEIGHBOR.

Of course--why that motivates the transformation to follow.

FISCHER.

This evening ought certainly to be described in the theatre
almanac.

KING (_behind the scenes_).

No, I will not appear, on no condition; I
cannot bear to have any one laugh at me.

PLAYWR.

But you--dearest friend--it can't be changed now.

JACKPUD.

Well, I will try my luck. (_He steps forward and bows
comically to the audience._)

MUeLLER.

Why, what is Jackpudding doing in the peasant's room now?

SCHLOSS.

I suppose he wants to deliver a ridiculous monologue.

JACKPUD.

Pardon me if I make bold to say a few words which do not
exactly belong to the play.

FISCHER.

Oh, you should keep perfectly quiet, we're tired of you even
in the play; moreover, now so very--

SCHLOSS.

A Jackpudding dares to talk to us?

JACKPUD.

Why not? For if people laugh at me, I am not hurt at all;
why, it would be my warmest wish to have you laugh at me. So do not
hesitate.

LEUTNER.

That is pretty funny!

JACKPUD.

Naturally, what scarcely befits the king is all the more
fitting for me; hence he would not appear, but left this important
announcement to me.

MUeLLER.

But we do not wish to hear an