Act 2 - 1 Joanna Flashcards
I can’t tell you how relieved I am that you’re in. I’ve done the most idiotic thing.
Why, what’s happened?
I’ve forgotten my latchkey!
Oh, Joanna!
It’s no good looking at me like that — I’m not in the least In efficient as a rule, this is the first time I’ve ever done such a thing in my life. I’m in an absolute fury. I had to dress in the most awful rush to dine with Freda and get to the Tuscany concert and I left it in my other bag.
And I suppose the servants sleep at the top of the house?
They do more than sleep, they apparently go off into a coma. I’ve been battling on the door for nearly a half hour.
Would you like a drink?
Very much indeed — I’m exhausted.
We must decide what’s best to be done.
I went to a telephone booth just now and rang up Liz but she must be out because there wasn’t any reply.
You rang up Liz and there wasn’t any reply!
Yes, I hadn’t any more change in the taxi man hadn’t either, I came straight here.
Here you are.
Thank you.
Cigarette?
No – thank you – you’re looking very whimsical, don’t you believe me?
Of course I believe you, Joanna, why on earth shouldn’t I?
I don’t know, you always look at me as though you didn’t trust me an inch. It’s a shame because I’m so nice really.
I’m sure you are, Joanna.
I know that voice, Gary, you used it in every play you’ve ever been in.
Complete natural Ness on the stage is my strong suit.
You’ve never liked me really, have you?
No, not particularly.
I wonder why
I always had a feeling you were rather tiresome.
In what way tiresome?
Oh, I don’t know. There’s a certain arrogance about you, a little too much self-assurance.
You don’t care for competition, I see.
You’re lovely looking, of course, I’ve always thought that.
Thank you.
If perhaps a little too aware of it.
You’re being conventionally odious but somehow it doesn’t quite ring true. But then you never do quite ring true, do you? I expect its because you’re an actor, they are always apt to be a bit papier-mâché.
Just puppets, Joanna Deere, creatures of tinsel and sawdust, how clever of you to have noticed it.
I wish you’d stop being suave, just for a minute.
What would you like me to do, fly into a tantrum? Burst into tears?
I think I should like you to be kind.
Kind?
Yes. At least kind enough to make an effort to overcome your perfectly obvious prejudice against me.
I’m sorry it’s so obvious.
I’m not quite an idiot… My reward has been rather meager, from you particularly, nothing but artificial politeness and slightly frigid tolerance.
Poor Joanna.
I see my appeal has fallen on stony ground. I’m so sorry.
What is all this? What are you up to?
I’m not up to anything.
Then sit down again.
I’d like you to call me a taxi.
Nonsense, there’s nothing you’d hate more. You came here for a purpose, didn’t you?
Of course I did. I lost my key, I knew you had a spare room and —
Well?
I wanted to get to know you a little better.
I see.
Oh no you don’t.… I’m sure for instance that you don’t believe for a moment that I’ve lost my latchkey!
Your good — my God, you’re good!
What’s the number of the taxi rank — I’ll ring up myself.
Sloan 2664.
Hello — hello — is that Sloan 2664? — oh! It’s the wrong number. Oh! The lines in gauge! What are you laughing at?
You, Joanna.