the lives of many men. Relations with her Lindner I must apolo- 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! keep us alive. With hate, the spirit is 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 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? Lindner (after a pause) No-only at the door of a woman. 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. (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-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 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 Tokeramo-You cannot remain here. 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 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 |