Scene 5

In one, downstage right is a table and two chairs at which ADELINE and ARMANDO sit. It is the end of their luncheon, and they are both sipping the last of their wine. ADELINE is trying desperately to conceal her nervousness. ADELINE You do?

ARMANDO

Detest it. Dancing is not a profession for a man. But what could I do? There was no money to send me to medical school…not after my sister's accident.

ADELINE

Automobile?

ARMANDO

Motor boat. Piloting her own. Hit by a freighter. Almost drowned. Paralyzed from the waist down.

ADELINE

How dreadful.

ARMANDO

It consumed the family fortune. All the Swiss doctors could do nothing. (WAITER appears with the check. HE is about to place it before Armando, but takes a long look from one to the other, sets it in front of Adeline, then exits.) ARMANDO She still cannot walk. And me? I had no choice but…dancing.

ADELINE

Pity. (Seeing his tale has made no impression upon her, HE takes her hand.) ARMANDO What beautiful fingers! Surely everyone tells you that.

ADELINE

Not in many years.

ARMANDO

But that cannot be so! Such grace. Such sensitivity.
                    Beautiful fingers,
                    Beautiful hands---
                    Like those of a princess
                    Not a soul understands.
                    A princess so delicate,
                    She lives all alone
                    Way up in a tower
                    Renouncing her throne.
                    Beautiful fingers,
                    But very sad eyes,
                    Like those of an angel
                    Come to earth in disguise.
                    To earth she descended,
                    To earth she was compelled,
                    For beautiful fingers
                    And beautiful hands
                    Were meant to be held.   (HE presses her hand to his mouth, then runs his lips softly over it. ADELINE, who has been resisting up to that moment, begins to melt. As she does, HE places her hand back on the table.) ARMANDO It is time to go. I must rehearse with Inez for tonight's performance. (ADELINE obediently rises and dons her wrap. ARMANDO waits for her to pick up the check. HE stares at it, teeth clenched, then at Adeline, then back to the check. ADELINE nods vaguely.) ARMANDO The check.

ADELINE

Oh.

                                                            (SHE picks it up in confusion, glances at the total and panics.
                                                            SHE opens and shuts her purse with a look of dread.)

ARMANDO

What is the matter?

ADELINE

It's so much more than I… I didn't bring enough.

ARMANDO

You did not what?

ADELINE

I didn't realize this place was so expensive…

ARMANDO

You have no traveler's checks? No Bank of England checks?

ADELINE

I have some money in my steamer trunk.

ARMANDO

What kind of fool are you?

ADELINE

Oh, please. I didn't know.

ARMANDO

You think I am to take myself to lunch…and you, too?

ADELINE

Well, if you only advance it. I swear I'll pay you back at the hotel…

ARMANDO

                                                           (reaching into his pocket)
This is humiliating! Are you that stupid…that naïve?

ADELINE

                                                           (beginning to cry)
No. I'm stupid and naïve, but not that stupid and naïve. I know what you want of me. But I've cheated you.

ARMANDO

What are you talking about?

ADELINE

My grandfather isn't Thomas Cook. And my father isn't "And Son". I'm not wealthy, and I didn't come here from England. I haven't lived in England in years. I came here from Ft. Lauderdale. That mink wasn't mine. It belonged to a woman named Bonita Coleman. I just sat in front of it so you'd think it was mine, because…

ARMANDO

Don't tell me it was love at first sight?

ADELINE

No. I can't tell you that, because it isn't true.

ARMANDO

Then why did you want me? Just as a companion to a lonely old woman?

ADELINE

No, nothing like that.

ARMANDO

Then what? I ask you!

ADELINE

I can't tell you. I just can't.

ARMANDO

If you don't tell me, I will walk out of here and leave you to pay the bill. You understand that? If you have to do dishes until the dawn comes up over Guantanamo Bay...

ADELINE

You'll only laugh at me.

ARMANDO

I cannot laugh at you any more than I am doing right now.

ADELINE

My father is an old man. He'll die soon. I'll be all alone. I'm going through what they call change of life. And I thought…this was my last opportunity to…

ARMANDO

To have an affair with a handsome Cuban?

ADELINE

Oh, no! Not that.

ARMANDO

Then what, goddamn it!?

ADELINE

A baby.

ARMANDO

A what???!!!

ADELINE

I know it sounds absurd…

ARMANDO

You chose me to be the father of your child?

ADELINE

Yes.

ARMANDO

The father of your child? (HE collapses back onto the chair, staring at her in awe. Then all at once HE begins to laugh. He doubles up, holding his sides, unable to stop. ADELINE looks about her, embarrassed that the diners we cannot see are staring and crushed at his reaction.) BLACKOUT