(All the scenes are laid in Paris)

THERE ARE CRIMES AND CRIMES

ACT I FIRST SCENE

(The upper avenue of cypresses in the Montparnasse Cemetery at Paris.  The background shows mortuary chapels, stone crosses on which are inscribed “O Crux!  Ave Spes Unica!” and the ruins of a wind-mill covered with ivy.)

(A well-dressed woman in widow’s weeds is kneeling and muttering prayers in front of a grave decorated with flowers.)

(Jeanne is walking back and forth as if expecting somebody.)

(Marion is playing with some withered flowers picked from a rubbish heap on the ground.)

(The Abbe is reading his breviary while walking along the further end of the avenue.)

Watchman. [Enters and goes up to Jeanne] Look here, this is no playground.

Jeanne. [Submissively] I am only waiting for somebody who’ll soon be here—­

Watchman.  All right, but you’re not allowed to pick any flowers.

Jeanne. [To Marion] Drop the flowers, dear.

Abbe. [Comes forward and is saluted by the Watchman] Can’t the child play with the flowers that have been thrown away?

Watchman.  The regulations don’t permit anybody to touch even the flowers that have been thrown away, because it’s believed they may spread infection—­which I don’t know if it’s true.

Abbe. [To Marion] In that case we have to obey, of course.  What’s your name, my little girl?

Marion.  My name is Marion.

Abbe.  And who is your father?

(Marion begins to bite one of her fingers and does not answer.)

Abbe.  Pardon my question, madame.  I had no intention—­I was just talking to keep the little one quiet.

(The Watchman has gone out.)

Jeanne.  I understood it, Reverend Father, and I wish you would say something to quiet me also.  I feel very much disturbed after having waited here two hours.

Abbe.  Two hours—­for him!  How these human beings torture each other!  O Crux!  Ave spes unica!

Jeanne.  What do they mean, those words you read all around here?

Abbe.  They mean:  O cross, our only hope!

Jeanne.  Is it the only one?

Abbe.  The only certain one.

Jeanne.  I shall soon believe that you are right, Father.

Abbe.  May I ask why?

Jeanne.  You have already guessed it.  When he lets the woman and the child wait two hours in a cemetery, then the end is not far off.

Abbe.  And when he has left you, what then?

Jeanne.  Then we have to go into the river.

Abbe.  Oh, no, no!

Jeanne.  Yes, yes!