r--

SCHOEN. You are not yourself.

LULU. It serves you right. (Bell rings in the corridor. Schoen and Lulu
stare at each other. Then Schoen slips up-stage and stands in the
doorway.)

SCHOEN. I mustn't let myself be seen here.

LULU. Perhaps it's the art-dealer. (The bell rings again.)

SCHOEN. But if we don't answer it--

LULU. (Steals toward the door; but Schoen holds her.) --

SCHOEN. Stop. It sometimes happens that one is not just at hand-- (He
goes out on tip-toes. Lulu turns back to the locked door and listens.
Schoen returns with Alva.) Please be quiet.

ALVA. (Very excited.) A revolution has broken out in Paris!

SCHOEN. Be quiet.

ALVA. (To Lulu.) You're as pale as death.

SCHOEN. (Rattling at the door.) Walter! Walter! (A death-rattle heard
behind the door.)

LULU. God pity you.

SCHOEN. Haven't you brought an ax?

LULU. If there's one there-- (Goes slowly out, upper left.)

ALVA. He's just keeping us in suspense.

SCHOEN. A revolution has broken out in Paris?

ALVA. In the editors' room they're beating their heads against the
wall. No one knows what he ought to write. (The bell rings in the
corridor.)

SCHOEN. (Kicking against the door.) Walter!

ALVA. Shall I force it in?

SCHOEN. I can do that. Who is it coming now? (Standing up.) To enjoy
life and let others be responsible for it--

LULU. (Coming back with a kitchen ax.) Henriette has come home.

SCHOEN. Shut the door behind you.

ALVA. Give it here. (Takes the ax and pounds with it between the jamb
and the lock.)

SCHOEN. You must hold it nearer the end.

ALVA. It's cracking-- (The lock gives; Alva lets the ax fall and
staggers back.) (Pause.)

LULU. (To Schoen, pointing to the door.) After you. (Schoen flinches,
drops back.) Are you getting--dizzy? (Schoen wipes the sweat from his
forehead and goes in.)

ALVA. (From the couch.) Ghastly!

LULU. (Stopping in the door-way, finger on lips, cries out sharply.)
Oh! Oh! (Hurries to Alva.) I can't stay here.

ALVA. Horrible!

LULU. (Taking his hand.) Come.

ALVA. Where to?

LULU. I can't be alone. (Goes out with Alva, right.)

(Schoen comes back, a bunch of keys in his hand, which shows blood. He
pulls the door to, behind him, goes to the writing-table, opens it, and
writes two notes.)

ALVA. (Coming back, right.) She's changing her clothes.

SCHOEN. She has gone?

ALVA. To her room. She's changing her clothes. (Schoen rings. Henriette
comes in.)

SCHOEN. You