Read Online The Skin of Our Teeth by Thornton Wilder - Free Book Online Page B

he’s . . . Mama, he’s talking to the lady in the red dress.
    MRS. ANTROBUS:
    Is that so?
    Pause.
    We’ll wait till he’s through. Sit down here beside me and stop fidgeting . . . what are you crying about?
    Distant thunder. She covers GLADYS’ stockings with a raincoat.
    GLADYS:
    You don’t like my stockings.
    Two CONVEENERS rush in with a microphone on a standard and various paraphernalia. The FORTUNE TELLER appears at the door of her shop. Other characters gradually gather.
    BROADCAST OFFICIAL:
    Mrs. Antrobus! Thank God we’ve found you at last. Where’s Mr. Antrobus? We’ve been hunting everywhere for him. It’s about time for the broadcast to the conventions of the world.
    MRS. ANTROBUS:
    Calm.
    I expect he’ll be here in a minute.
    BROADCAST OFFICIAL:
    Mrs. Antrobus, if he doesn’t show up in time, I hope you will consent to broadcast in his place. It’s the most important broadcast of the year.
    SABINA enters from cabana followed by ANTROBUS .
    MRS. ANTROBUS:
    No, I shan’t. I haven’t one single thing to say.
    BROADCAST OFFICIAL:
    Then won’t you help us find him, Mrs. Antrobus? A storm’s coming up. A hurricane. A deluge!
    SECOND CONVEENER:
    Who has sighted ANTROBUS over the rail.
    Joe! Joe! Here he is.
    BROADCAST OFFICIAL:
    In the name of God, Mr. Antrobus, you’re on the air in five minutes. Will you kindly please come and test the instrument? That’s all we ask. If you just please begin the alphabet slowly.
    ANTROBUS , with set face, comes ponderously up the ramp. He stops at the point where his waist is level with the stage and speaks authoritatively to the OFFICIALS .
    ANTROBUS:
    I’ll be ready when the time comes. Until then, move away. Go away. I have something I wish to say to my wife.
    BROADCASTING OFFICIAL:
    Whimpering.
    Mr. Antrobus! This is the most important broadcast of the year.
    The OFFICIALS withdraw to the edge of the stage. SABINA glides up the ramp behind ANTROBUS .
    SABINA:
    Whispering.
    Don’t let her argue. Remember arguments have nothing to do with it.
    ANTROBUS:
    Maggie, I’m moving out of the hotel. In fact, I’m moving out of everything. For good. I’m going to marry Miss Fair-weather. I shall provide generously for you and the children. In a few years you’ll be able to see that it’s all for the best. That’s all I have to say.
BROADCAST OFFICAL:
BINGO ANNOUNCER:
Mr. Antrobus! I hope you’ll be ready. This is the most important broadcast of the year.
A—nine; A—nine. D—forty-two; D—forty-two. C—thirty; C-thirty. B—seventeen; B—seventeen. C—forty; C-forty.
GLADYS:
CHORUS:
What did Papa say, Mama? I didn’t hear what papa said.
Bingo!
    BROADCAST OFFICIAL:
    Mr. Antrobus. All we want to do is test your voice with the alphabet.
    ANTROBUS:
    Go away. Clear out.
    MRS. ANTROBUS:
    Composedly with lowered eyes.
    George, I can’t talk to you until you wipe those silly red marks off your face.
    ANTROBUS:
    I think there’s nothing to talk about. I’ve said what I have to say.
    SABINA:
    Splendid!
    ANTROBUS:
    You’re a fine woman, Maggie, but . . . but a man has his own life to lead in the world.
    MRS. ANTROBUS:
    Well, after living with you for five thousand years I guess I have a right to a word or two, haven’t I?
    ANTROBUS:
    To SABINA .
    What can I answer to that?
    SABINA:
    Tell her that conversation would only hurt her feelings. It’s-kinder-in-the-long-run-to-do-it-short-and-quick.
    ANTROBUS:
    I want to spare your feelings in every way I can, Maggie.
    BROADCAST OFFICIAL:
    Mr. Antrobus, the hurricane signal’s gone up. We could begin right now.
    MRS. ANTROBUS:
    Calmly, almost dreamily.
    I didn’t marry you because you were perfect. I didn’t even marry you because I loved you. I married you because you gave me a promise.
    She takes off her ring and looks at it.
    That promise made up for your faults. And the