Gaslight act 3

I dreamed... I dreamed...

(fire poker)

No. What do I remind you of?

A somnambulist, Bella. have you ever seen such a person?

You asked me what you said would happen if I did not find that bill.

Admirable my dear Bella! Admirable! We shall make a great logician of you yet- a Socrates- a John Stuart Mill! You shall go down in history as the shinning mind of your day. That is if your present history does not altogether submerge you- take you away from your fellow creatures. And there is a danger of that, you know, in more ways than one. Well- what did I say I would do if you did not find that bill?

You said you had the dog. Have you hurt it? Let me have it. Where is it? Have you hurt it again?

Again? This is strange talk, Bella- from you- after what you did to the dog a few weeks ago. Come and sit down there.

She's coming. it's done the trick all right.

Ah- so I thought. Very well, Nancy, Now I shall be obliged if you will go to bed at once.

Not that I care for her. I'd like to kiss you under her very nose. That's what I'd like to do.

All right, Nancy. Now you had better go. I have some work to do.

Dream? Are you saying I have dreamed... Dreamed all that has happened?

All that happened when, Bella? Tonight? of course you dreamed all that happened- or rather all that didn't happen.

Ah- and admirable idea. I could have thought of nothing better myself. Yes, fetch a policeman, Manningham, and have me turned out... Why do you wait?

Alternatively, sir, I can turn you out myself.

Certainly, sir.

And before you do that, Nancy, will you go upstairs and tell Mrs Manningham that I wish to see her down here.

Yes. Where? I'll meet you when you like, You're mine now- ain't you?- 'cos you want me. You want me- don't you?

And what of you, Nancy? Do you want me?

Well, who I am seems a little doubtful. Apparently I am a mere figment of Mrs Manningham's imagination. As for how I got in: I came in, or rather I came back- or better still, I effected an entrance a few minutes before you, and I have been hidden away ever since.

And would you be kind enough to tell me what you are doing here?

Oh, no, sir. Not with me. I can look after myself.

Are you always so anxious to look after yourself?

I have no name, Manningham, in my present capacity. I am, as I have pointed out, a mere spirit. Perhaps a spirit of something you have evaded all your life- but in any case, only a spirit. Will you have a cigar with a spirit? We may have to wait some time.

Are you going to explain your business, sir, or am I going to fetch a policeman and have you turned out?

Oh, around the room...

Around the room. Where around the room? In my desk for instance?

Well, as a mere figment, as a mere ghost existing only in your wife's mind, I can hardly be said to have any business. (Words words) Perhaps if she goes to her room I will vanish, and you won't be bothered by me any more.

Bella, go to your room. I shall find out the meaning of this and deal with you in due course. I have not finished with you yet, madam.

Ta-ta. Perhaps you will let me pass madam.

Come and sit down in this chair, please, Bella.

No. I want to go.

Come and sit down where I told you!

I am not lying.

Come here, Bella.

Yes, sir. Is there anything else you want, sir?

Did you ever know a time when Mrs Manningham did not have a headache, Nancy?

No. I don't know what you mean.

Did you find that bill I told you to find?

No.

Did you look for it?

Your desk is locked.

Do you imagine you can lie to me?

Yes.

Do you know what you remind me of, Bella, as you walk across the room?

No, sir. Hardly ever, sir.

Do you usually perform your domestic tasks in outdoor costumes, Nancy?

Where is the dog? Where have you got the dog?

Dog? What dog?

Waiting for some friends, Mr Manningham, waiting for some friends. Don't you think you had better go up to bed, Mrs Manningham? You look very tired.

Don't you think you had better explain your business, sir?

You know, I believe you're wrong there, Manningham. I believe that is just what you have done.

Done what?

You're a rum beggar, ain't you? Can't I look?

Go on, Nancy.

All right, I'm going. Goodnight, old dear. Give her what-for, won't you?

Goodnight, Nancy

Oh, very well, sir. You shall be master for a little more. Goodnight, your lordship.

Goodnight.

Dream... Tonight.. Are you saying I have dreamed?... Oh, God- have I dreamed? Have I dreamed again...?

Have I not told you?

Did you, sir?

Have you ever reflected, Nancy, that you are given a great deal of latitude in this house?

No, I have never seen one.

Haven't you? Not that funny, glazed, dazed look of the wandering mind- the body that acts without the soul to guide it? I have often thought you had that look, but it's never been so strong as tonight.

What do you want me to say?

I asked you if you remembered something. Bella- what was it I asked you if you remembered?

Say what you have to say.

I have to say that you are not sitting in the chair that I indicated. Are you afraid of me that you desire to get so near the door?

I dreamed a man came in here.

I know you dreamed it, you gibbering wretch! I want to know more about this man of whom you dreamed. Do you hear! Do you hear me!

No, I am not afraid of you.

Indeed. Then you have a good deal of courage, my dear. However, will you now sit down where I told you?

I don't understand your words. You talk round and round. My head is going round and round.

It is not necessary for you to tell me that, Bella. I am just wondering if I might interrupt its gyratory motion for a fraction of a second, and concentrate upon the present conversation. Now please, what was it I a moment ago asked you if you remembered.

Yes? What?

Just go down to the basement and bring the little dog here, will you?

Just like that, sir?

Just like that, Nancy.

I don't know, sir. I don't know what latitude means.

Latitude, Nancy, means considerable liberty- liberty to the extent of two nights off a week.

Was I any part of this curious dream of yours, Mrs Manningham? Perhaps my presence here will help you to recall it.

May I ask who the devil you are, and how you got in?

Go on. What's the game? What's the row about?

Nancy, will you please go to bed.

(comes back) Yes. What is it now?

Nancy, will you please go upstairs and take a message for me to Mrs Manningham.

Yes, sir. We must. (turns to leave)

Nancy.

Yes. I'll do that. What are you going to write?

Never mind what I am going to write. I'll tell you what you can do though, Nancy.

What's the game? What's the idea with the dog?

Never mind. Just go and get it, will you?

She won't let you in. I can tell by her voice, She's got it locked and she won't open it. Are you going to batter it in?

No- perhaps you are right, Nancy... Let us try more a delicate means of attaining our ends... Perhaps you will take a note to this wretched imbecile and slip it under her door.

No.

No? (milk) no? Am I married to a dumb women, Bella, in addition to all else? The array of your physical and mental deficiencies is growing almost overwhelming. (sip) I advise you to answer me.

My mind is not wandering.

No? When I came in, Bella, I was told that you had gone to bed.

What's the idea? What have you written in this?

Nothing very much. Just a little smoke for getting rats out of holes. There. Run along.

What do you want?

Now listen to me. Your dark, confused, rambling mind has led you into playing some pretty tricks tonight- has it not?

Finished with your wife my friend.

Now, sir- will you have the goodness to tell me your name, and business, if any?

How'll you let you know, when she's about?

Oh, I'll find a way.

Work? What are you going to work at? What are you going to do?

Oh- I'm going to write some letters. Go along, Nancy, that's a good girl.

She won't let you in. The door is locked. I tried it.

Oh- really- the door is locked is it? Very well...

Yes, sir, she says she has a headache, sir, and is trying to sleep.

Oh- she still has a headache, has she?

Oh, yes! I always wanted you, ever since I first clapped eyes on you. I wanted you more than all of them.

Oh- there are plenty of others?

Yes, sir. I thought I saw you, sir.

Oh- you thought you saw me. Well, I certainly saw you.

All right.

Or on second thoughts perhaps you need not get the dog. We will just let it be supposed that we have the dog. That will be even more delicate still. Here you are, Nancy. Please go and put this under the door.

A man. A man that came to see me. Let me rest! Let me rest!

Pull yourself together, Bella. What man are you talking about?

Yes... Yes... What do you want?

Quite a good deal Bella. Sit down and make yourself comfortable we have plenty of time.

Oh, I'm sorry, sir. They're only just outside. I'll bring them in. Mrs Manningham usually gets them, doesn't she, sir? Cook's in bed, you see, and I've only Just come in.

Quite, Nancy. Then perhaps you will deputize for Mrs Manningham, and bring them into the room.

Where can we meet? Where do you want us to meet?

Really, Nancy, you have taken me a little by surprise. I'll let you know tomorrow.

I haven't dreamed. I haven't dreamed. In the name of god don't tell me that!

Sit down and be quiet. Sit down!

I want to go. You cannot keep me here. I want to go.

Sit down and make yourself comfortable, Bella. We have plenty of time.

Oh, yes- there's plenty of others.

So I rather imagined. And only nineteen.

She said she won't come- She's not well enough. She's just shamming, if you ask me.

Than she forces me to be undignified. All right Nancy leave it to me.

I do not want to speak to you. I am not well. I thought you had the dog and were going to hurt it. That is why I came down.

The dog, my dear Bella, was merely a ruse to compel you to pay me a visit quietly. Come and sit down where I told you.

The dog?

The dog, yes.

Yes. I had gone to bed.

Then may I ask why you are still fully dressed? Did you hear what I said?

Yes, I heard what you said.

Then will you tell me why, since you had gone to bed, you are still fully dressed?

Go? I don't want to go.

There, run along. I have some work to do.

Yes, sir.

Well that's all very well. It is not so well, however, when you return as late as the master of the house. We ought to keep up some pretences, you know.

Yes, sir. Certainly, sir. (leaves than comes back)

Well. Nancy, did you go upstairs?

With the greatest of pleasure, sir. (leaves and returns) She won't come sir. She doesn't mean to come.

What do you mean, Nancy- she won't come?

Yes, certainly. Where was I? Yes. Excuse me, Mr Manningham, but do you get the same impression as myself?

What impression?

(She is in pain in the chair)

What was this dream of yours, Bella? You interest me.

When shall you let me know tomorrow?

When I find time, Nancy, when I find time. Goodnight. (Leaves)

Yes.

Where did you look for it?

Yes, sir?

Where the devil have you been tonight, anyway?

Yes, sir... Is there anything you want, sir...? What do you want? Eh? What do you want? There! Can she do that for you? Can she do that?

Who can you be talking about, Nancy?

(she looks at me)

Why do you look at me Bella? I said I am a man of some power and determination, and fully capable in one direction as the other... I will leave your imagination to work on what I mean... However, we are really digressing... You did not find the bill I told you to find.

No- not in your desk.

Why not in my desk?

She? She's a poor thing. There's no need to be jealous of her. You want to kiss me again, don't you. Don't you want to kiss me? There That's better than a sick headache- ain't it?- a sick headache and a pale face all the day.

Why yes, Nancy, I believe it is. I think, however, don't you, that it would be better if you and I met one evening in different surroundings.

How do you mean, sir?

Will you be so good as to come closer, Nancy, where I can see you. Have you any idea the time of the day, or rather night, Nancy?

Yes. What do you want me to say?

Will you please tell her that she is to come down here this instant, whether she is suffering from a sick headache or any other form of ailment.

Yes, sir. Did you ring, sir?

Yes, Nancy, I did ring. It seems that the entire household has gone to bed, without leaving me my milk and without leaving me my biscuits.

I told you , sir. I've only just come in, and I heard the bell chance.

Yes, that's just the point.

You said you would lock me up.

Yes. And do you believe me to be a man of my word?

Very good, sir. It comes off easy enough. There... Is there anything more you want, sir?

Yes. Possibly. Come here, will you, Nancy?

I don't know.

You don't know? Do you know anything about anything you do?

I dreamt of a man- I dreamt of a man-

You dreamed of a man, Bella? What man did you dream of, pray?

I don't know. I forgot to undress.

You forgot to undress. A curious oversight if I may say so, Bella. You know, you give me the appearance of having had a rather exciting time since last I saw you. Almost as though you have been up to something. Have you been up to something?

Yes. But why not fetch a policeman?

You give me the impression, sir, that you have something up your sleeve. Will you go on with what you were saying?

No, sir, not always, perhaps.

You know, Nancy, pretty as your bonnet is it is not anything near so pretty as your hair beneath it. Won't you take it off and let me see it?

You know who I mean all right.

You know, Nancy, you are a very remarkable girl. I believe you are jealous of your mistress.

Only with some friends, sir.

You know, gentleman friends have been known to take decided liberties with young ladies like yourself. Are you alive to such a possibility?

(no answer)

You see, Bella, in a life of considerable and varied experience I have hammered out a few principles of action. In fact I actually fancy I know how to deal with my fellow men. I learned it quite early, actually- at school, in fact. There, you know, there were two ways of getting at what you wanted. One was along an intellectual plane, the other along the physical. If one failed one used the other I took that lesson into life with me. Hitherto, with you, I have worked, with what forbearance and patience I leave you to judge, along the intellectual plane. The time has come now, I believe to work along the other as well... You will understand that I am a man of some power...

My mind is tired. I want to go to bed.

Your mind is indeed tired. Your mind is so tired that it can no longer work at all. You do not think, You dream. Dream all day long. Dream everything. Dream maliciously and incessantly. Don't you know that by now? You sleep-walking imbecile, what have you been dreaming tonight- where has your mind wandered- that you have split open my desk? What strange diseased dream have you had tonight- eh?