SOLDIER. Don’t you like me calling you darling? Come on, it’s just an expression . . .

MAID. Bit soon for that, isn’t it? Now then, Franz . . .

SOLDIER. You remember my name, then?

MAID. Course I do, Franz . . .

SOLDIER. The lads call me Franzi. And the girls, too . . .

MAID. Steady on. What if someone was to come out?

SOLDIER. So what if they do? They’ll never see us.

MAID. Where are you taking me?

SOLDIER. Hey, look, a couple over there, just like us.

MAID. Where? I can’t see a thing.

SOLDIER. There. Straight ahead.

MAID. What do you mean, just like us?

SOLDIER. Well, they’re just being friendly too.

MAID. Careful, what’s this? I nearly fell over it.

SOLDIER. Just the railings round the grass.

MAID. Stop that pushing, will you, or you’ll have me on the ground.

SOLDIER. Sshh. Not so loud.

MAID. Look, I’m going to shout at you in a minute . . . What are you up to? Hey?

SOLDIER. We’ve got the place to ourselves.

MAID. Let’s go back and join the others.

SOLDIER. We don’t need them, Marie, all we need is . . . uh . . .

MAID. But Franz, please, Jesus, look, if I’d known . . . oh . . . yes.

SOLDIER (in bliss). Christ almighty . . . ah . . .

MAID. I can’t see your face.

SOLDIER. Never mind my face . . .

SOLDIER. Come on, Marie, you can’t just lie there.

MAID. Well, give us a hand then, Franzi.

SOLDIER. There you go.

MAID. Oh God. Franzi.

SOLDIER. What have I done now?

MAID. You’re a bad man . . . Franzi.

SOLDIER. Yeah. Hang on a sec.

MAID. Why d’you let go of me?

SOLDIER. Let me get this thing (the cigar) lit, can’t you?

MAID. It’s so dark.

SOLDIER. Be light again in the morning.

MAID. Just tell me, do you . . . like me?

SOLDIER. What’d it feel like?

Laughs.

MAID. Where’re we going now?

SOLDIER. Back inside, where d’you think?

MAID. In a minute. Please.

SOLDIER. What’s up now? I ain’t hanging about in the dark all night.

MAID. Come on, Franzi, tell me if you like me.

SOLDIER. I just said, didn’t I?

MAID. Will you give me a kiss?

SOLDIER (gracious). There. Listen. There’s the music again.

MAID. Do you just want to go on dancing now?

SOLDIER. Sure. What’s wrong with that?

MAID. Look, Franzi, it’s just that I’ve got to get back. My missus will give me hell, she’s such a . . . She’d rather I never went out at all.

SOLDIER. All right. Go home, then.

MAID. I just thought you might walk me home.

SOLDIER. Walk you home, eh?

MAID. It’s just a bit lonely, walking home at night all on your own. Go on.

SOLDIER. Where is it you live, then?

MAID. Not far. Porzellangasse.