DIRECTOR (D)

HIS FEMALE ASSISTANT (A)

PROTAGONIST (P)

LUKE, IN CHARGE OF THE LIGHTING, OFFSTAGE (L)

Rehearsal. Final touches to the last scene. Bare stage. A and L have just set the lighting. D has just arrived.

D in an armchair downstage audience left. Fur coat. Fur toque to match. Age and physique unimportant.

A standing beside him. White coverall. Bare head. Pencil on ear. Age and physique unimportant.

P midstage standing on a black block 18″ high. Black wide-brimmed hat. Black dressing gown to ankles. Barefoot. Head bowed. Hands in pockets. Age and physique unimportant.

D and A contemplate P.

Long pause.

A (finally): Like the look of him?

D: So-so. (Pause.) Why the plinth?

A: To let the stalls see the feet.

(Pause.)

D: Why the hat?

A: To help hide the face.

(Pause.)

D: Why the gown...