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- Male: 1
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Context
The General is not a general, but a regular client of the Grand Balcony, an upmarket brothel. He has arrived for his usual session and is irritated that his prostitute, the Girl, is late. The General is a character he assumes during role play and the prostitute plays his horse. She is used to his predilections and knows how to play her part well. Occasionally, the General’s concentration is broken by concerns over the revolution that is taking place outside on the streets.
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START: THE GENERAL (irritated) : I'll be left in peace, I hope. And you're late. Where the hell were you? Didn't they give you your feed-bag? You're smiling, are you? Smiling at your rider? You recognize his hand, gentle but firm? (He strokes her.) My proud steed! My handsome mare, we've had many a spirited gallop together!
[... …]
END: THE GENERAL (starting) : Dove!
THE GIRL (turning around, in tears) : Sir?
THE GENERAL : Add that I died with my boots on!
(He then resumes his pose.)
THE GIRL: My hero died with his boots on! The procession continues. Your aides-de-camp precede me. . . . Then come I, Dove, your war-horse. . . . The military band plays a funeral march. . .
Jean Genet, The Balcony. Grove Press (electronic edition), pp.31-36.
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