The scene is a candle-lit living room set in the 1878. Electricity has just been introduced.

There is a small light bulb covered by a sheet on a small table in the center of the stage.

A cord leads down from it and disappears off stage.

A candle is burning on the small table. It is evening.

(Music begins and William enters stage left. He appears flustered as he tries to put on his tie.)

William: I’m just an inventor | Who’d like to be help-ing the world

With my clever inventions. | Did I mention, I’ll be helping the world?

(Anne walks in).

Anne: Please don’t sing dear. It’s another thing you’re not very good at. Here, hold this. You know, for a so called genius, you really are rather… useless.

William: It’s just that… I mean…

Anne: …You can’t talk like that if you expect these