They stand, preparing to read from their scripts.

DOUG: Oh, everyone, you’ll notice I am going outside to urinate. Does that satisfy you all?

CHERRY: I hope you’ll get arrested for indecent exposure only there’s probably nothing to expose.

DOUG exits.

LEWIS: You can sit down, Cherry.

CHERRY: But I’m in scene two.

LEWIS: I’ve only had time to translate to your entrance.

CHERRY: You’ll have it done by tomorrow?

LEWIS: If I have time.

CHERRY: You’ll make time, won’t you?

LEWIS: Yes. [To RUTH and JULIE] You’re in the garden by the seashore.

RUTH: An illusion again. Patently, we are in a theatre.

LEWIS: An illusion, yes. And you’re both gazing at miniatures of your lovers.

RUTH: Miniature what?

LEWIS: Paintings. Tiny ones.

RUTH: Not real ones?

LEWIS: We’ll get the real ones later.

RUTH: Another illusion.

LEWIS nods.

Do you want me to give an illusionary performance too?

ROY: [half to himself] Someone strangle her.

LEWIS: What do you mean?

RUTH: We’re in an illusion of a garden, carrying an illusion of tiny paintings, so shall I sit down and pretend I am acting?

LEWIS: Ruth, just pretend!

RUTH: You’re doing a fine job of messing with my head.

JULIE: Ruth, it’ll be fine. Let’s act out the words. All right?

RUTH nods. LEWIS indicates for JULIE to start.

Tell me sister
if one could ever find
a sweeter mouth
or a more noble face.

RUTH:

Look, see what fire—

Now, am I pretending to be looking at the miniature of my lover here?

LEWIS nods grimly.

I just wanted to be certain.

See what fire is in his eye.
This is the face
of a soldier and a lover.

LEWIS: You can walk if you like. Like you’re strolling in the garden, staring at the miniatures, talking about them.

RUTH: What if we trip?

LEWIS: All the rocks are an illusion, so you won’t.

RUTH: Of course.

This is the face
both charming and dangerous.

LEWIS: Why aren’t you strolling, Ruth?

RUTH: I was wondering where you wanted me to walk and how many steps?

LEWIS: Wherever you want to walk and as many steps as you like. Just try to make it natural.

RUTH: Real?

LEWIS: No, natural, like anyone walking. Yes, yes, like in real life. If you walk and talk, as you would in real life, then the steps and the direction will take care of themselves.

ROY: No it won’t, Jerry. Direction means to direct. You direct an actor somewhere. Ruth has a good point. I must also point out that in my theatre days the director would come in and block out the whole play in the morning and over the next couple of weeks we’d fill in the emotion and gestures. That’s what you want, isn’t it, Ruth? I’m not trying to teach you to suck eggs, Jerry, but that woman is crying out for direction.

RUTH: [to LEWIS] How many steps do you want me to take?

LEWIS feels like giving in but grits his teeth and continues.