GERARDO, valet, later the elevator Boy.
GERARDO. What, aren't you through with packing yet?--How long does it
take you to pack?
VALET. I'll be through in a minute, Sir.
GERARDO. Be quick about it. I have some work left to do before I go.
Come, let me have a look at things. (He reaches into one of the
trunks.) Great Heavens, man! Don't you know how to fold a pair of
trousers? (Takes out the garment in question.) Do you call that
packing? Well I _do_ believe, I might teach you a thing or two, though,
surely, you ought to be better at this than I! Look here, that's the
way to take hold of a pair of trousers. Then hook them here. Next, turn
to these two buttons. Watch closely now, it all depends on these two
buttons; and then--pull--the trousers straight. There you are! Now
finish up by folding them once--like this. That's the way. They won't
lose their shape now in a hundred years!
VALET (quite reverent, with eyes cast down). Perhaps Mr. Gerardo used
to be a tailor once.
GERARDO. What? A tailor, I? Not quite. Simpleton! (Handing the trousers
to him.) There, put them back, but be quick about it.
VALET (bending down over the trunk). There's another batch of letters
for you, Sir.
GERARDO (walking over to the left). Yes, I've seen them.
VALET. And flowers!
GERARDO. Yes, yes. (Takes the letters from the tray and throws himself
into an armchair in front of the piano.) Now, for pity's sake, hurry up
and get through. (Valet disappears in adjoining room. Gerardo
opens the letters, glances through them with a radiant smile, crumples
them up and throws them under his chair. From one of them he reads as
follows:) "... To belong to you who to me are a god! To make me
infinitely happy for the rest of my life, how little that would cost
you! Consider, please, ..." (To himself.) Great Heavens! Here I am
to sing Tristan in Brussels tomorrow night and don't remember a
single note!--Not a single note! (Looking at his watch.) Half-past
three.--Forty-five minutes left. (A knock.) Come i--n!
BOY (lugging in a basket of champagne). I was told to put this in
Mr....
GERARDO. _Who_ told you?--Who is downstairs?
BOY. I was told to put this in Mr. Gerardo's room.
GERARDO (rising). What is it? (Relieves him of the basket.) Thank you.
(Exit elevator boy. GERARDO lugs basket forward.) For mercy's sake! Now
what am I to do with this! (Reads the name on the giver's card and
calls out.) George!
VALET (enters from the adjoining room with another armful of clothes).
It's the last lot. Sir. (Distributes them among the various trunks
which he then closes.)
GERARDO. Very well.--I am at home to no one!
VALET. I know. Sir.
GERARDO. To no one, I say!
VALET. You may depend on me, Sir. (Handing him the trunk keys.) Here
are the keys, Mr. Gerardo.
GERARDO (putting the keys in his pocket). To _no one!_
VALET. The trunks will be taken down at once. (Starts to leave the
room.)
GERARDO. Wait a moment ...
VALET (returning). Yes, Sir?
GERARDO (gives him a tip). What I said was: to _no one!_
VALET. Thank you very much indeed. Sir. [Exit.]