RICHARD [who has settled down on the sofa]: She’s in that new show at the American.

PAUL: Oh, that new Behrman play?

ANNABELLE: Yes. I have a small part.

PAUL: You’re Annabelle that wore the leopard-skin coat at the artist’s reception!

ANNABELLE: Right! I spoke two lines!

PAUL: The cleverest lines in the play!

ANNABELLE: Thanks! I appreciate your saying that so much! It’s a very small part but it’s strange how many people seem to remember it a long time afterwards. I met an old gentleman on the train last week and he said aren’t you Annabelle that wore the leopard-skin coat in a play I saw in New York last winter? I think it’s extraordinary that he should have remembered it all that time!

PAUL: I don’t think it’s so extraordinary. I mean I would have remembered it quite easily myself. Have you acted in anything else?

ANNABELLE: Loads of things.

PAUL: Like it?

ANNABELLE: Terribly. You meet so many different people. [She glances at Richard who has risen and goes out rear door.]

PAUL: How much longer will you be in town?

ANNABELLE: We’re leaving for Memphis tomorrow. And then New Orleans. And then— Oh, it’s like being tied to the tail of a run-away horse!

PAUL: I wish you were playing a longer engagement here in St. Louis.

ANNABELLE: Do you?

PAUL: Yes.

ANNABELLE: That’s sweet of you, Paul. [She touches his arm. She rises and goes over to window and raises the curtain.] Acetylene torches. They’re repairing the tracks.

PAUL: Yes. I know. It makes a frightful noise.

ANNABELLE: Hideous. It reminds me of the life that I’ve been leading. Loud and glaring and crazy and restless. One town and the next and the next. It’s been going on like that for nearly eight years, and, oh, I’m dreadfully tired of it, Paul! Excuse me. My nerves are on edge. I feel as though I were— [She touches her forehead]

PAUL [going to her solicitously]: Annabelle!

ANNABELLE: I’m sorry. Sometimes I get a little hysterical. Especially when I feel that I’m with somebody who’s able to understand.

PAUL: I’ll get you a drink.

ANNABELLE: No, don’t! Don’t leave me right now! I— [She smiles at him bravely.] I’ll be all right! Do you mind if I—if I rest on you for a while? [She leans against him.]

PAUL: Annabelle, I—

ANNABELLE: Don’t say anything. It’s funny how things happen. We were strangers five minutes ago. And now I— No, I mustn’t say anything!

PAUL: Annabelle! What were you going to say?

ANNABELLE: Nothing.

PAUL: I want to know, Annabelle!

ANNABELLE: Because I’m an actress people don’t think I’m sincere. Richard thinks I’m not. But he’s wrong. Terribly wrong. People in my profession have to catch at things very quickly. Show business forces you to lead such a transitory existence. Even your emotions are accelerated. Speeded up. But that doesn’t keep them from being completely sincere.

PAUL: No, of course not.

ANNABELLE: Paul—

PAUL: Annabelle!

ANNABELLE: Don’t let go of me: IT’s all going by so terribly fast. I’m like a bird in a storm! Hold me, Paul! Don’t let me go!