Start: JACK. Who is that? LULU. That'...

Start: JACK. Who is that?

LULU. That's my sister. She's crazy. I don't know how to get rid of her.

JACK. Your mouth looks beautiful.

LULU. It's my mother's.

JACK. Looks like it. How much do you want? I haven't got much money.

LULU. Won't you spend the night with me here?

JACK. No, haven't got the time. I must get home.

LULU. You can tell them at home to-morrow that you missed the last 'bus and spent the night with a friend.

JACK. How much do you want?

LULU. I'm not after lumps of gold, but, well, a little something.

JACK. (Turning.) Good night! Good night!

LULU. (Holds him back.) No, no! Stay, for God's sake!

JACK. (Goes past Geschwitz and opens the cubicle.) Why should I stay here till morning? Sounds suspicious! When I'm asleep they'll turn my pockets out.

LULU. No, I won't do that! No one will! Don't go away again for that! I beg you!

JACK. How much do you want?

LULU. Then give me the half of what I said!

JACK. No, that's too much. You don't seem to have been at this long?

LULU. To-day is the first time. (She jerks back Geschwitz, on her knees still, half turned toward Jack, by the straps around her neck.) Lie down and be quiet!

JACK. Let her alone! She isn't your sister. She is in love with you. (Strokes Geschwitz's head like a dog's.) Poor beast!

LULU. Why do you stare at me so all at once?

JACK. I got your measure by the way you walked. I said to myself: That girl must have a well-built body.

LULU. How can you see things like that?

JACK. I even saw that you had a pretty mouth. But I've only got a florin on me.

LULU. Well, what difference does that make! Just give that to me!

JACK. But you'll have to give me half back, so I can take the 'bus to-morrow morning.

LULU. I have nothing on me.

JACK. Just look, thoh. Hunt thru your pockets!—Well, what's that? Let's see it!

LULU. (Showing him.) That's all I have.

JACK. Give it to me!

LULU. I'll change it to-morrow, and then give you half.

JACK. No, give it all to me.

LULU. (Giving it.) In God's name! But now you come! (Takes up the lamp.)

JACK. We need no light. The moon's out.

LULU. (Puts the lamp down.) As you say. (She falls on his neck.) I won't harm you at all! I love you so! Don't let me beg you any longer!

JACK. Alright; I'm with you. (Follows her into the cubby-hole. The lamp goes out. On the floor under the two sky-lights appear two vivid squares of moonlight. Everything in the room is clearly seen.)

GESCHWITZ. (As in a dream.) This is the last evening I shall spend with these people. I'm going back to Germany. My mother'll send me the money. I'll go to a university. I must fight for woman's rights; study law.... (Lulu shrieks, and tears open the door.)

LULU. (Barefoot, in chemise and petticoat, holding the door shut behind her.) Help!

GESCHWITZ. (Rushes to the door, draws her revolver, and pushing Lulu aside, aims it at the door. As Lulu again cries “Help!”) Let go! (Jack, bent double, tears open the door from inside, and runs a knife into Geschwitz's body. She fires one shot, at the roof, and falls with suppressed crying, crumpling up. Jack tears her revolver from her and throws himself against the exit-door.)

JACK. God damn! I never saw a prettier mouth! (Sweat drips from his hairy face. His hands are bloody. He pants, gasping violently, and stares at the floor with eyes popping out of his head. Lulu, trembling in every limb, looks wildly round. Suddenly she seizes the bottle, smashes it on the table, and with the broken neck in her hand rushes upon Jack. He swings up his right foot and throws her onto her back. Then he lifts her up.)

LULU. No, no!—Mercy!—Murder!—Police! Police!

JACK. Be still. You'll never get away from me again. (Carries her in.)

LULU. (Within, right.) No!—No!—No!— —Ah!—Ah!...

(After a pause, Jack re-enters. He puts the bowl on the table.)

JACK. That was a piece of work! (Washing his hands.) I am a damned lucky chap! (Looks round for a towel.) Not even a towel, these folks here! Hell of a wretched hole! (He dries his hands on Geschwitz's petticoat.) This invert is safe enough from me! (To her.) It'll soon be all up with you, too. (Exit.)

GESCHWITZ. (Alone.) Lulu!—My angel!—Let me see thee once more! I am near thee—stay near thee—forever! (Her elbows give way.) O cursed—!! (Dies.)

Wedekind, Frank, Pandora’s Box, Project Gutenberg, 2010, pp. 76-79. http://www.gutenberg.org/files/33415/33415-h/33415-h.htm

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