The Marriage

An One-act Play
by Yi, Kang-baek

Translated by the students of SCU English Drama Research Association, Department of English Language and Literature, Seoul City University, Seoul, Korea under the guidance of Prof. Ryu, Yung-kyun and Prof. Richard McSweeney

This English version of [The Marriage] was first performed in March, 1988 in Seoul, Korea by the members of SCU English Drama Research Association at the Small Auditorium of Seoul City University as the fifth of their annual workshop productions.

All inquiries concerning performing rights, professional

or amateur, readings or any other use of this material

should be directed to:

Ryu, Yung-kyun

Dept. of English Language & Literature

Seoul City University

90 Jeonnong-dong, Dongdaemun-gu,

Seoul, Korea Zip Code:130-743

phone: 210-2466/243-4857 fax: 243-4855

CHARACTERS :

Man

Woman

Servant

NOTES FROM THE PLAYWRIGHT

This play has been written in such a way that in order to be played properly it would need to be performed in an ordinary livingroom or in a cozy little theater. If it were to be compared to music, it would be like a piece of chamber music.

There's no need for any scenery or even for any particular lighting and other special stage effects. However, an audience of a moderate size is essential for this play to be properly presented.

Servant, one of the three characters in the play, has to borrow from members of the audience a hat, a pair of shoes, a necktie, and other personal items for Man to use as props. However, these borrowed items are meant to enhance the play more than just as being mere stage props. A close examination of the text will reveal that there is also a profound significance in the fact that Man uses these borrowed items only for a short while and returns them to the audience. Servant dresses Man up with the items he has borrowed from the audience. Man ends up looking rather clumsy and funny although he may look seemingly 'decent' and rich.

Man , sitting in a chair, begins to read a fairytale book large enough to cover his whole face.

Servant stands at attention by Man. He is holding a clock as large as a tray. Sometimes, he actually uses it as a tray. He is checking the time very carefully. For the role of Servant, a gruff and stout actor would be preferable although this is not a must.

Man: ( He reads the book aloud.) Once upon a time, there lived a swindler. He was young and handsome but he was practically penniless. One day he became so lonely that he wanted very much to get married. It is quite natural that a young man of his age would become lonesome sometimes. Perhaps, that's why everybody else gets married. But this swindler had a big problem. His problem was this: "Who would want to marry a penniless man like me?" "No, nobody would," he thought. So he felt very depressed. But depression is no good. It only makes you sigh. It's harmful both to mind and body. You must take a deep breath and snap out of it. So the young swindler took a deep breath and then jumped to his feet.

Man: Let's not regret!

Let's not worry!

Let's leave to destiny whatever problems I may have.

Let's enjoy the present moment as one pleases and let's not dwell on the past.

Whatever sadness I might have will somehow be a blessing in disguise.

Everything is God's design.

Let's follow His design and try whatever I can.

So he wandered about all day long. He wanted to borrow a house with garden, a decent suit and several other items which might make him appear to be rich.

Blessed be the beauty of youth!

Hurray for God's will!

Finally, the young swindler had his wish realized. He managed to borrow a mansion with a garden, a hat, and a necktie, luxury clothes and even a robust man Servant. But there was a condition imposed on each of the items he borrowed. He could keep them only for a limited time. The mansion is in his possession only for forty five minutes, after that period, it should be returned to its rightful owner.

A necktie for twenty eight minutes, a hat for nineteen minutes and fifty seconds, and each of the other items also have some predetermined time limit. Nevertheless, the young swindler was greatly satisfied. So instantly he rummaged in a ladies' magazine and sent a telegram to a girl who put her address in the society column and in no time he received a reply. It said that she would be inclined to have

a face-to-face sizing up session with him. It was what he also wanted.

Man: (To himself) Why is she not here yet? (He reads the book aloud again.) The time when she promised to come has passed already.

(Servant looks at his clock and unfolds five fingers.)

Exactly five minutes have passed. He begins to fret. He tries to divert his attention to the book he is reading. But he only becomes more and more anxious.

(Without a word, Servant takes the book away from Man in a mechanical manner. His manner is the same throughout the play. Servant thrusts his clock in front of Man's face who is about to protest. He abruptly turns away from Man and goes out with the item he confiscated. He doesn't even wait for Man to nod as a sign of giving in to him. After a few moments, Servant returns and stands at attention near Man.)

Man: Look here, don't you have any compassion or mercy?

(Servant does not answer.)

Man: Do you? Oh, yes. You don't speak, do you? So I heard. I remember your master said something to that effect. "I will let you borrow him. But don't ask him anything. This Servant will not answer under any circumstances." I almost forgot it. Well, anyway, what went wrong? (He looks at Servant's clock.) Now ten minutes have passed. To pass my golden life vainly in this plight without having anything done. How pitiful it is!

(Man, with an exasperated look, loiters about between the audience's seats without knowing what to do. He speaks to a Woman in the audience. He smiles as if he was suddenly struck with a certain idea.)

Man: Well... Perhaps, it is true. Are women all like that by nature? To play 'hard to get', she shows up deliberately late at least five minutes after the promised time? But this is too much. Is she some sort of extraordinary beauty? So she should waste twice as much of my precious time, is that it? If the Woman who is supposed to come is as lovely as you, then, it's a rather different story. I say I could without any problem wait for twenty minutes or more, not just ten.

(Man goes back to the stage and sits on his chair. He gets so impatient that he idly smoothes his suit, puts his hat on and off several times. Finally, he takes his hat off, puts it down on the table, and jumps up from his chair.)

Man: I'm getting so impatient. Give me a cigarette,will you? I don't mean I would have it free, of course. I just want to borrow one. Thank you. Oh, it's [Pine Tree]. (To another spectator) Do you have

[Omar Sharif]? May I borrow one? (He fishes from his pocket an empty pack which is pressed flat, and fills it with cigarettes he has just borrowed from the audience.) Anybody has Malboro or Kent? These days, all of those foreign brands are quite good. But of course [Omar Sharif] is good, too. If anybody has [Sol], I'd like to borrow one of that, too. It appears as if I were collecting cigarettes, but really it's only a habit. I must do something when I'm fretful. ( He lights a cigarette.) Lighter! This item is of the best quality. It is made of gold and inlaid with a pearl for no good reason. ( To Servant) How much time for this one? ( Servant unfolds one finger of his right hand,and four fingers of his left hand.) Yes, yes. I see. Ten minutes have already passed.

So four minutes later... But right now at this moment, it belongs to me completely and only to me. That is, it's mine. Golden and set with a pearl. It's obvious that I am rich. This luxurious lighter proves it. By the way, thank you for the cigarettes. We must help each other in situations like this, might we? So maybe you wouldn't mind letting me borrow one more cigarette, perhaps?

(There's someone knocking at the door.)

Man: You heard it, didn't you?

(Servant does not answer.)

Man: Hey, somebody is knocking at the door.

(Servant doesn't even look at him.)

Man: You'd better go and get the door.

(Servant keeps silence.)

Man: Well, then, I'll have to get it myself.

(Man opens the door. Woman enters.)

Man: That's my Servant. I am the master of the house.

(Woman runs to Servant and bows to him.)

Man: It's me! I am the man! Not him!

(Woman comes back to Man quite embarrassed. He stares at her as if he were appreciating a work of art, and circles around her two or three times.)

Man: I have already guessed it.

Woman: Guessed what?

Man: Yes, I already knew that you would be beautiful. I have a way of finding things out. The more time I waste waiting for my lady, the more beautiful she becomes, you might say. Yes, that's true. In that respect, time is a very precise measuring instrument. Of course, when the result is no good, it is a useless instrument. Well, perhaps, you don't mind if I smoke?

(Man, putting a cigarette in his mouth, takes out the lighter. He feels it like showing it up to her in a round-about way. He throws it into the air and catches it as if he was playing marbles.)

Man: This lighter is of the best quality. Golden, and inlaid with a pearl.

(Servant snatches away the lighter which is up in the air.)

Man: Give it back to me.

(Servant indicates to his clock.)

Man: Is it time already? Four minutes have already passed?

Time really flies. ( To Woman) Where's my lighter?

Woman: What?

Man: My lighter.

Woman: Lighter?

Man: Oh, oh. I mean lighter wings.

Woman: Lighter wings... lighter wings?

Man: Yes, wings. You must have left them at home, might you? These days, the angels are so humble that when they go out, they leave their graceful wings at home. Maybe you, too, did the same?

(Before she says anything, he continues to speak in a rushing Manner.)

Man: What I mean to say is that you are an angel although you don't have any wings with you. When it comes to the matter of ownership, you are my angel. You are mine. That's what I mean.

Woman: You've come to that conclusion already, have you?

Man: (Decisively) Yes, all mine. Just as you have heard it.

Woman: It's far too hasty.

Man: Why? Perhaps, you don't like my assertion?

Woman: Well, it's not that I don't like it but we haven't even said hello to each other yet. How do you do?

Man: (More quickly with emphasis) How much more do you do?

Woman: How are you?

Man: How much more are you?

Woman: My name is...

Man: We'll introduce ourselves to each other later. These days, conclusions come first. Introductions are put off till the end. That's a new custom in the modern world.

Woman: Well, that's certainly new to me.

Man: Yes, that is a way often utilized by a man who has not much to boast of when he encounters a charming Woman and instantly falls in love with her. If he were to introduce himself as he really is -- that is, as a good-for-nothing bum, the Woman would naturally be disappointed with him. Then what'll become of their relationship? It'll be the end of it right then and there.

So I intend to avoid such a regretable situation. We could introduce ourselves to each other after we manage to establish a workable and enriching relationship. It' better that way, isn't it?

Woman: (In spite of himself) I guess so.

( Man and Woman sit down. At the same time, Man proposes to Woman.)

Man: Well, then, let's.... get married.

Woman: Get married? Who will get married? To whom?

Man: Well, you to me, of course. Is there anybody else here?

Woman: We met only a few minutes ago. Are you out of your mind?

Man: Speaking of a few minutes ago, I have much to say about this matter of time. Do you have any idea about how long I have been waiting here for you? In case you have no idea, ask these people here. I wasted one third of my golden time and then......

(Servant makes a sudden dash at Man and takes off Man's shoes. Woman is very puzzled. Man tries to stop Servant but Servant points to his clock as if he would show off the 'legitimacy' of his action. Man fails to stop Servant and lets Servant take his shoes away.)

Man: Please forgive my Servant for his rude behavior.

Woman: What's going on?

Man: The shoes left my feet because time is up.

Woman: I don't understand what you're talking about.

Man: How could you possibly understand what life is all about!

Woman: What do you mean?

Man: No, nothing. Don't you try to learn anything about life. A Woman loves a man when she doesn't know anything about life. A man loves a Woman when he knows something about it.

Woman: (Feeling giddy) I don't know what you're talking about.

Man: Please don't try to understand.

Woman: Would you give me a glass of water, please?

Man: Yes. ( To Servant) Get her a glass of water.

(Servant doesn't move.)

Man: Well, then. Will you lend me a glass of water?

( Servant brings him a glass of water.)

Man: When I told him to get her a glass of water, he just stood there like a rock and didn't even stir, but when I aksed him to lend me a glass of water, he brings it to me. (To Woman) Here you are.

Woman: Thanks.

Man: Don't even mention it. It's not mine. I've just borrowed it from him.

(Woman drinks water.)

Man: Feel any better now?

Woman: No, I feel more or less the same actually.

Man: (Smiling) When you get used to it, you'll feel better.

Woman: Frankly speaking, I ... I had no idea you could be so rich. I just followed the instruction you gave in the telegram to get here. And this is such a gorgeous mansion that I... I hesitated at the gate for quite a while before I came in.

Man: You should have come right in without hesitating.

Woman: No, I hesitated because I was fascinated.

Man: (Smiling) Oh, were you?

Woman: Yes, when I received your telegram, my mother said:

"My sweetie pie, go and meet him righ away.

But if he doesn't seem to be rich, come right back.

If he seems to be rich, you must hang on to him firmly."

Man: Well, what did you say?

Woman: I said, "Yes, mom, I'll do as you say." And I swore with my right hand up.

Man: Did you really? You mean you actually raised your right hand and took an oath?

Woman: That's right.

Man: Do you have any water left in your glass?

Woman: No, I drank it all.

Man: It's a pity you didn't leave any for me.

(Again, Servant dashes to Man and deprives Man of his necktie. Man tries to stop Servant but he is too strong for him. Finally, he allows Servant to take his necktie. Servant carries the necktie out in a mechanical Manner. Woman is surprised at their struggle.)

Woman: What's the matter?

Man: (Smiling, yet gasping for breath) This time, the necktie left my neck.

Woman: (She does not fully understand.) What?

Man: Well, there's nothing to be surprised about. It just means that time has passed. Don't you worry about that. If my neck left instead of the necktie...... (He tries to divert her attention to something else.) Your mother is a very funny Woman. I'm deeply interested in her. I'd like you to tell me some more about this mother of yours who made you swear with your hand up. What's she like? Is she generous and...? Why do you stare at me like that?

Woman: Your necktie...

Man: Well, I don't care about it anymore.

Woman: Why did you let him take it away, (Glaring at Servant who stands at attention near her.) and in such a violent manner?

Man: You're right. I don't like a violent Servant who attacks his master like that. I would much prefer a warm-hearted and generous mother-in-law. What's my mother-in-law like? I mean your mother-in-law? No, I didn't mean... I mean your mother. What's she like?

Woman: But, I...... (She cuts herself short.)

Man: All right. I guess you're worried about the things he took away from me, but I can easily get them back. (In a loud voice, to Servant) Hey, bring it back to me. (Servant does not respond. Man stands up and tiptoes towards Servant. He whispers in Servant's ear.) Then please may I keep it just for five more minutes?

(Servant does not respond.)

Man: Just for five more minutes, please? I implore you.

(Servant shows no reaction.)

Man: Well, all right.

Woman: What did he say?

Man: Oh, he wished me good luck.

(Man plods around between the audience's seats, and sits down in front of a man in full dress with a tie.)

Man: Well. (Smoking as he feels distressed, he offers a cigarette to the Man.) That Servant of mine is heartless. To tell you the truth, he didn't wish me anything, not even "Good Luck." But do I have to be moped to death by the likes of him, do I? What on earth is he anyway? Nothing but a Servant. It hurts my pride. But what am I talking about? You too would probably have the same attitude if you were in my shoes..... Well, I like your necktie. It's very nice. The color is beautiful. And it has a wonderful design. Please let me borrow it just for five minutes. Five minutes and no more. Would you be kind enough to lend it to me? (He borrows the necktie from the man in the audience and wears it.) Thank you. I will take good care of it while it is in my possession. Because this is not mine but yours..... Who knows? Maybe you, too, have borrowed this from someone else! Anyway, thank you. I'll return it to you when its time's up. Well, you keep the time. And you'll have to excuse me.

(Man goes back to Woman in a hurry.)

Man: How do I look now?

Woman: Well, you look gorgeous.

Man: (Smiling) Really?

Woman: Yes, I mean it.

Man: (To the Man who lent him his necktie.) I extend this compliment to you. (To Woman) Anyway, let's go back to where we left off.

Woman: What was it that we were talking about anyway?

Man: About your mother. We didn't get to you, yet.

Woman: (With a little sigh) Then, it's a long way to go before we'll ever talk about me.

Man: Of course, we'll talk about you. But we'll talk about mother first and then about daughter. That should be the proper order, don't you think? So let's continue. Let me ask you about your mother. What's your mother like? Is she rough or gentle?

Woman: Well......

Man: You must answer this one.

Woman: (Thinking for a while) Rough but also gentle.

Man: (He puts his hand on his forehead.)

Woman: What's the matter?

Man: Oh, nothing. I could say I feel like I bumped my head against the wall. I find it all very difficult. I should have realized that it wouldn't be that easy to win you. People say that even those who fall in love with each other at the first sight have to go through a hard and complex process before they actually get married. But I think we are only dawdling at the very beginning. We've just started talking about your mother.

Woman: You must take courage.

Man: All right. I guess I'll have to pull myself together and muster up all the strength I have.

Woman: You'll be surprised if I tell you this all of a sudden.

Man: Speak up. You can tell me anything.

Woman: I was born.

Man: I am really surprised!

Woman: Yes. A birth is always so sudden. So, I don't know what my feeling was like when I was born. Anyway, I came into the world that way. And do you know what my nickname was when I was young? It was Extra. Extra.

Man: Extra?

Woman: Yes, you know a throw-in. A little extra that merchants throw into your shopping basket when you go shopping in the marketplace. That was me. Father gave love to mother and he also gave me to her as a throw-in. That's why I am Extra, right? Extra, this word has something that I miss. Extra, Extra, Extra...... My father ran away when I was born. He just took off. Later, he turned out to be a swindler. The enormous amount of property which he had shown my mother had all been borrowed to win over my mother.

Man: Extra, Extra, Extra.

Woman: But, I don't hate my father. He has something that I miss. It's like that good old name Extra. Extra. Maybe he was born the same way...... may he not?

Man: Extra, Extra, Extra......

Woman: I'm sorry for my mother, but I like it that way. Extra. That makes me free and easy. Whenever I told her about it, my mother would get angry. Well, so much for that. She has a hard life. She gave birth to Extra and brought her up all by herself.... Shall I stop my story?

Man: Extra. Go on, please.

Woman: So, she is determined not to give this Extra to a swindler when Extra grows up. I understand my mother.

Man: I think I do, too.

Woman: Thank you.

Man: Don't mention it.

Woman: It's my first time telling this story to anyone. I think you are very kind.

Man: Extra.

Woman: Why?

Man: No! Nothing! I just want to try your nickname.

Woman: You don't sound like it.

Man: Well, nothing!

(Man stands up and loosens his tie, goes to the Man from whom he borrowed it, and returns it to him. his eyes are wet.)

Man: I return it to you. I've kept precisely to the time limit I had made. But I don't know why I am sad. (He murmurs to himself as he moves about among the audience.) Extra, Extra, Extra, I love you. Extra, Extra, Extra, I love you.....

Woman: What are you doing there?

Man: (Still murmuring) Extra, I love you....

(Woman approaches Man.)

Woman: What are you doing?

Man: Extra... I, I am just... I... I am... How much fortune I possess. That's what I am thinking about. I was trying to figure out how rich I actually am.

Woman: Why on earth do you have to figure it out now?

Man: It's a bad habit of the rich. But I've just decided that I will not think about it any more because my fortune is too tremendous to think about anyway. Now, will that answer your question all right?

(Woman leans on his shoulder. Pause. Servant approaches Man. Becoming more fearful, he doesn't wish to show this emotion to Woman.)

Man: Close your eyes.

Woman: I've already done so.

Man: I am happy, now.

Woman: I am happy, too.

(Servant rummages through Man's pockets and takes away the things that he has in them.)

Man: This time, many small items are leaving me, and yet I am getting more and more happy.

Woman: (Smiles with her eyes still closed.)

Man: Yes, they did, Extra. Many small things, innumerable things have left me. Well, you don't have to be surprised by it, though. It's only because time has passed. In the autumn, a tree returns thousands of its leaves back to the earth. And yet it stays silent. Extra, I had once a tamed cat. As time passed, she grew old. When the time came, she returned her life. And yet she stayed calm and silent. Extra, Extra, Extra...... Now I think I've become aware of a truth. Extra, Extra, Yes, I have. Now I have one and only thing that I should feel very proud of. The fact that I've realized such a truth will be the one and only thing that makes me real proud.

Woman: You are too modest.

Man: Not at all. By the way, Extra, don't you have anything to be proud of?

Woman: Sure I do. Do you want to see?

Man: Yes, let me see what it is.

(Woman returns to the sofa with Man. She picks up her handbag from the sofa, takes three photographs from it. Servant looks at the clock and picks up Man's hat sitting on the table.)

Man: This time, the hat has left the table. How fortunate it is that the hat is small and the table is big. If the table had left the hat, how tremendous the loss would have been.

Woman: Look here.

Man: What are they?

Woman: Photographs of my grandmother, mother, and me. These photos prove that all the women in my family are beautiful for generations back.

(Man looks at the photographs. Servant is about to take the hat and stops. His eyes are lowered to look at the pictures. Man pushes Servant away.)

Man: What are you looking at? (To Woman) You are the most beautiful.

Woman: That's because I am the youngest.

(Man lifts the photo of Woman herself next to her face and cross-examines the photo and her face for a long time.)

Man: Well, I see it's you now, isn't it?

Woman: Yes, it's me.

Man: How old are you, if I may ask?

Woman: Twenty-two.

Man: Twenty-two, it's a charming age.

(Then, Man compares her mother's picture with her.)

Man: Some time has passed. Then what will happen?

Woman: I will be no doubt older than now.

Man: Now, this face is yours. How old are you now?

Woman: (With a husky voice) Forty-five years old.

Man: Forty-five. You are a middle aged Woman.

(Man compares her grandmother's picture with her features.)

Man: Time has passed. So this face is yours. How old are you?

Woman: (With a really husky voice) Over seventy.

Man: Over seventy.... My, you are an old Woman.

(Man puts the photos down on the table)

Man: What an interesting game!

Woman: Yes, it was interesting.

Man: It was interesting because the focus was on the passage of time. Perhaps, you've guessed it already.

Woman: (Indicating to the photos) Yet, they are all so beautiful. A true beauty maintains her beauty regardless of her age.

Man: Yes, I agree with you. The real pleasure of life begins when you transcend the limits of time. Time? Ha! Well, let it pass. Who cares? I don't care as long as we have fun together. Ah, Extra! You are beautiful. And you know what true pleasure is. Extra, I am fascinated by you completely. Ah, I am out of my mind now.

Woman: Me, too.

Man: I am enchanted.

Woman: Me, too.

Man: This is it! This is what life really is like. By the way, Extra, if...... this moment, this very moment...... (Indicating to Servant who keeps the time.) If that stout Servant takes off my clothes......

Woman: Why would he do such a thing?

Man: If, just if......

Woman: I think he shouldn't do that under whatever circumstances.

Man: If...... he does do that, what would you do? Would you break away from this true pleasure, true happiness, true ecstasy?

Woman: (Confused)...... Well.

Man: Well, we'll see what happens.

(Man is already having his jacket taken off by Servant. In a confused state, Woman keeps saying "Well..." Servant goes out with the jacket.)

Man: How lucky I am! I still have my trousers on.

Woman: The trousers......

Man: Yes. Although I have bare feet and no jacket, I feel no shame. I should rather say I am still quite sightly and decent enough to love you. I will propose to you formally. Will you marry me?

Woman: Why do you put up with this rude Servant? I suggest you fire him right away.

Man: My Servant is not to blame.

Woman: It's all because you let him loose and spoiled him. That's why he is depriving you of all those things.

Man: He is not depriving me of anything. I am simply returning these things back to him.

Woman: You are much too kind-hearted!

Man: Well, I am not so sure about that. But I am sure that my attitude is a fine one. Although my material possessions diminish as I return these things one after another, my love for you doesn't diminish at all. No, far from diminishing, it is getting wider and wider. Oh! My angel, my Extra! The shoes, the tie, the hat, and all the trivial belongings, and clothes! Till now my love has been tightly tied up with all these material things. But do you know what? Now that I don't have all those trivial things around me, I realize that I am able to concentrate my love on you alone. Will you accept my marriage proposal?

(Servant comes back to stand in front of them.)

Woman: Oh, no, he's back!

Man: Do not be afraid of him. I'll not prevent him from doing his duty.

Woman: His duty? What do you mean by duty?

Man: This Servant is trying to collect the items I borrowed from his master.

(Servant shows Man an envelope. Man takes from the envelope a message, reads it, and hands it over to Woman without saying anything.)

Woman: "Get out!" What does that mean, "Get out!"

Man: It's a warning from the owner. It means time is completly up, so I have to vacate this place.

Woman: Get out.... You mean it wasn't yours?

Man: I own nothing.

Woman: (She is shocked.)

Man: Everything is just borrowed. That moon floating gently in the sky, the silver-colored clouds, this gentle breeze and perhaps even you and I...... (Smiling) They are all borrowed only for a while.

Woman: Borrowed for a while?

Man: Yes, that's right.

(Servant brings an enormously large shoes, sits down and begins to put it on his foot. Servant becomes a threat as he is about to kick Man with the large shoe.)

Man: You marry me right now. While I have you borrowed, I will do nothing but love you.

Woman: ......Oh, what shall I do?

(Servant nearly finishes putting his shoe on.)

Woman: What about my promise? I promised my mother with my right hand up to......

Man: Well, let me see...... (Gathering the photos together which are on the table and gives them to Woman.) Let's show her these pictures. As time passes away, one thing that remains with man is love. But what is left for Woman? I think a Woman ends up with three photos. A photo of herself as a young girl, another one as a middle aged Woman, and finally the one as an old Woman. I hope your mother would understand this.

Woman: She wouldn't. My mother wouldn't. (Slowly, in a depressed mood, she puts the photographs back into her handbag.) I was very happy today. Really... Well, goodbye.

(Servant nearly finishes putting his shoe on.)

Man: Wait a minute, Extra...

Woman: (Stops abruptly, but keeps her face away from Man.)

Man: How can you go away, leaving me here alone like this?

Woman: (Silence)

Man: Please stay one more minute and listen to me.

Woman: (Without any malicious overtone) You are a swindler.

Man: Yes, I am a swindler, that's true! I borrowed many things only for a moment. And when time was up, I had to return them back one after the other. Now I am myself again with practically nothing at all. Extra, ask these people here. Who could claim anything on earth in a confident manner saying "This is mine.",well? Perhaps nobody would. I'm sure there's not a single soul who has the nerve to say that. All of us simply have borrowed what they now have. Our eyes, our noses, our lips, and everything else we now have are not really our own. We borrowed them in order to possess them only for a short moment.

(Holding a certain spectator by the arm and pointing at something that he has.)

Is this yours? What is the time limit for this? Please take good care of it and give it back without fail when time is up. Extra, can't you see now what I am trying to say?

(Woman walks out with her face turned away from him. Servant approaches Man slowly, dragging his heavy shoe. Man steps backward. He calls to Woman once and for all almost screaming.)

Man: Extra, I've got nothing. Everything I had was borrowed. But Extra, how about you? What do you have? Is there anything you now have that really and truly belongs to you for ever?

(To the male spectator from whom he had borrowed the necktie.)

Please listen to me and you will understand me. How did I handle your necktie when I borrowed it from you? Did I handle it roughly or carelessly? Did I ruin it? No, I didn't. On the contrary, I handled it very carefully and returned it back to you because I knew I had borrowed it from you. Extra, did you hear what I said? Here is a witness. In the presence of this witness, I promise you that while I have you as my wife in this world, I'll prize and love you. I solemly swear that I'll return you intact when the time comes. Extra, you'll be the most valuable addition to my life. Extra! Extra! Extra!

(Man is kicked by Servant. Woman,as if she could stand no more, comes back in a hurry, raises Man up and embraces him.)

Woman: That's enough!

Man: After all this time, do you love me now?

Woman: Yes, how could I love anyone else but you?

Man: Let's get out of here and get married quick before we get kicked out of here.

Woman: Just like this! My mother told me that she had married a perfect swindler...... Just like this!

Man: Come on, hurry up!

Woman: Yes, I'm coming.

THE END OF THE PLAY