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the lives of many men. Relations with her
seriously endanger the great work upon which
Tokeramo is engaged. Tokeramo listens
respectfully, but incredulously, simply re-
peating that he has given
his oath to complete his
work. Only half satisfied,
Joshikawa is turning to
leave when Lindner is an-
nounced. Joshikawa stays.

Lindner I must apolo-
gize. I came right up.
(Seeing Joshikawa) Oh, I'd
hoped to find you alone,
I'm always unfortunate;
but now that we are to-
gether in company, in good-
fellowship, as man
to man, you'll par-
don me if I ask
you a rather deli-
cate question, but
have you at present
an affair with an
European woman?
Tokeramo - No.
I have my work and
I have my friends
among my people.
Lindner-Well, it
is of consequence no
longer, for I am go-
ing to marry the lady
in question. You see,
through her feminin-
ity she planned this
satanic scheme to
make me jealous. She
told me that she had
a particular Japanese
friend whom she ad-
mired, ha, ha; that's
what brought me
here this afternoon
and I fear that I
acted badly, out-
rageously-forgive
me. I find every-

thing that is Japanese to be absolute perfection-Japanese women, Japanese men,

their honor, their manners, their art, their cognac-especially their cognac-and I am glad my beloved tried to make me jealous. Joshikawa-You seem to enjoy such an

emotion.

Lindner Why not? It's a sensation, and

Lindner -Kill you? No, no, you shall expiate your crime!
Tokeramo-God of my people! Anything!

keep us alive. With hate, the spirit is
tense; the mind is clear and alert with sus-
picion. With remorse, flat-stale; with
love, the whole being unites and uplifts

itself in ecstasy, and in my life that ecstasy is summed up in one, one word, the keynote of my existence (rises), Illona! (Tokeramo stares forward as if dreaming. Joshikawa

it through a woman; and his damnation, let him always reach that through a woman. (Pauses for a moment, then draws himself together) You'll pardon me, I must

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Lindner Your people! We will offer up a sacrifice to the gods of Japan. A sacrifice, your work-your brain-and

all Japan shall sacrifice with you. (He strikes a match and lights the manuscript, lifting it into the air as it flares)

watches him intently) Illona! incomparable among women. Alluring, lovely woman. Woman, the all and all of man's existence. If he would reach heaven, let him reach

be going. (Staggers toward the center of the room)

Joshikawa-You don't lay this great sorrow at the door of any of our people?

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Lindner (after a pause) No-only at the door of a woman.
The woman who has robbed me of my peace.
Woman-woman-God bless them all! (Goes out)
Tokeramo (after a pause) Thank you.

Joshikawa - It was best that you

should know. Fate brought him

here to bear me out.

Tokeramo-You were right.

Now I realize. At home

they work, they struggle, and I-I

Joshikawa-It is nothing, now that you know the danger, the

awful risk.

Tokeramo-Finish it, yes.

Joshikawa Arrange everything gently.
Withdraw from the affair quietly. and
calmly. All will go smoothly, will it not?
Tokeramo-It must-it must.
Joshikawa-Heaven be with you!
Tokeramo Heaven be with you, myfriend!

(Joshikawa stands looking Tokeramo straight in the face-then goes out. After a pause, Tokeramo goes to the salon door and calls)

Tokeramo (calling) Illona! Illona!
Illona-(off stage) Yes, what is it?
Tokeramo Come here, please.
(A pause, and then Illona enters)

Illona-My love, why did you lock the door? Was your business so very impor

must not bother you. I'll go, but I'll come back. (Gets hat and wrap) Later, at midnight, and I'll creep in, oh, so quietly and we will be together.

Tokeramo - You will go away and never

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Illona-Never return? What do you

Tokeramo-We will never meet

Illona-But you must tell

Tokeramo I can say

no more.

Illona-But you

must! You can't say

find the records in the safe. (He appoints to each some immediate duty, then reading, while Omayi telephones to the coroner)

tant? But I will not be inquisitive, for at
last the evening is ours. (Goes to the curtains
of the bedroom)

Tokeramo-You cannot remain here.
Illona-(playfully) You are not going to

turn me out?

Tokeramo-You must leave at once.

Illona-Very well, I shall go. I can see that something disturbs you. Perhaps you must go to work again. You are right, I

such things and not tell
me why.

Tokeramo-It is best so. It is enough.

Illona-(flaring up for a moment) Do you think I will be cast off like this, like a rag? (Softly) Oh, no! Tell me why! Tell me what has happened! Tell me what is wrong! Am I not your Illona? Have I not been your quiet, complacent slave in everything, helping you as best I could? And

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