the maids scene

claire: those gloves! those eternal gloves! i’ve told you time and again to leave them in the kitchen. you probably hope to seduce the milkman with them. no, no, don’t lie; that wont get you anywhere! hang them over the sink. when will you understand that this room is not to be sullied. everything, yes, everything that comes out of the kitchen is spit! so stop it! make yourself quite at home. prim like a peacock. and above all, don’t hurry, we’ve plenty of time. go! quick! time presses. are you there? claire! claire!

solange: i beg madames pardon, i was preparing her tea. (TAY)

claire: lay out my things. the white spangled dress. the fan. the emeralds.

solance: very well, madame. all madame’s jewels?

claire: pull them out and i shall choose. and of course, my patent leather slippers. the ones you’ve had your eye on for years. for your wedding. no doubt. …… do you think i find it pleasant to know that my foot is shrouded by the veils of your saliva? by the mists of your swamps?

solange: i wish madame to be lovely

claire: i shall be… ridiculous young milkman despises us, and if we’re going to have a kid by him—

solange: oh! i’ve never—

claire: be quiet, you fool. my dress!

solange: the red dress. madame will wear the red dress.

claire: i said the white dress. the one with spangles.

solange: i’m sorry. madame will wear the scarlet velvet dress this evening.

claire: ah? why?

solange: it’s impossible to forget madame’s bosom under the velvet folds. and the jet brooch, when madame was sighing and telling monsieur of my devotion! your widowhood really requires that you be entirely in black.

claire: eh?

solange: need i say more? a word to the wise—

claire: ah! so you want to talk…..you’re smiling? do you doubt it?

solange: the time is not yet ripe to unearth—

claire: what a word! my infamy? my infamy! to unearth!

solange: madame!

claire: am i to be at your mercy for having denounced…..you’re unaware of that, claire—

solange: madame will wear the red dress.

claire: quite. hand me the dress….. you don’t care what happens to me.

solange: i’ll follow you everywhere. i love you.