Belasco: Olive, doll, come back here.
Olive: You think you're in control of me?
Belasco: Hey, you said it, not me.
Olive: There's a lot that I'm willing to put up with, David. My requests aren't difficult. The only legs you get to grab at are mine.
Belasco: Then get over here-
Olive: No. I mean it. You go about your way and I'll go mine.
Belasco: Look, toots, we both know how this goes. You'll get all huffy and I'll be lonely and then you'll miss me and we're right back where we started.
Olive: Is that what you think this is? Some silly game for us to spend eternity playing?
Belasco: Oh, no, babe. If this was a game, I would have won by now. No, this is a sick dance. The band is stuck in eternity with us, and the song is getting old.
Macbeth: What task, exactly, have you been assigned?
I don't recall an argument on list,
Perhaps my mind forgets unpleasant things.
Natalie: Nope, I absolutely did not put "fight center stage" on the assignments.
Belasco: Fight? Who's fighting? This is just the overture, right, toots? (Belasco aggressively kisses Olive, she shoves him off. Macbeth steps between, Belasco exits, whistling.)
Macbeth: My dear, are you-
Olive: I'm not your dear. (exit)
Macbeth: These two exhaust me.
Natalie: I know. I wish we could work without them.
Macbeth: No. They are here for a purpose, just like the rest of us.
Natalie: Oh, I know that. But it would be so nice to lock them up in a broom closet for a couple of shows.
Macbeth: I fear they would emerge worse than before.
(Rhetta enters)
Rhetta: Hello friends!
Macbeth: My child, your smile can cheer the darkest space.
Your temperance is welcome every hour.
Rhetta: Thank you, old friend. Nothing fills me with joy quite like knowing that we have an opportunity to assist the Fates in their masterpiece. I do have a matter to discuss with you, both of you.
Natalie: Sure, what's up?
Rhetta: Our newest member, Alicia.
Macbeth: Yes, she is a charming spirit.
Rhetta: I am not sure of the best way to proceed with her adjustment.
Natalie: We could explain to her how-
Macbeth: No, that really would not be a good option.
Rhetta: Under normal circumstances, we could possibly try to state the cause of death-
Macbeth: Even under natural circumstances, the resulting panic could lead to chaos.
Natalie: Sir, everyone dies. I am under the impression that everyone is aware of this. Maybe if the cause is natural, like with Clyde, we could just put it all out there.
Macbeth: No. Our company members will come to conclusions on their own terms. I will not be responsible for a rift in this community due to a lack of delicacy with natural causes.
Rhetta: And when the cause is... not natural?
Macbeth: Then caution is of primary -even solitary- importance.
Natalie: With respect, sir, pain and panic will always accompany any new member. Full disclosure might be a scary route, but it will allow them an opportunity-
Macbeth: -to tear our company apart.
Rhetta: Macbeth,
May I suggest to you a thought, a deal?
This path of ease and tenderness is true,
Pursue it to its end with our new soul.
I wish it well, both for your sake and hers.
Yet, pain and fear may follow close at hand,
And if they may leave wreckage in their midst,
The path of open knowledge we'll try next.
Macbeth: I cannot argue with one who communicates so clearly.
Natalie: Wait, what? What's happening?
Rhetta: We're going to ease Alicia into understanding on her own terms. If things go wrong, or the transition is too difficult, the next time someone joins our company, you are free to explain everything up front.
Macbeth: Are we agreed?
Natalie: Yes, sir.
Rhetta: Agreement looks well on both of you.
Macbeth: And your smile has returned to its former glory.
Natalie: Well, one mater is resolved, but we still have the trouble with Belasco and Olive.
Macbeth: My friend, there will always be trouble with Belasco and Olive.
Rhetta: Perhaps I can try to reason with them, on behalf of a unified company.
Macbeth: Try to reason with them? You might as well try speaking in Italian.
Natalie: It's worth a try.
Rhetta: Thank you for the vote of confidence, Natalie.
Natalie: No, I meant the Italian.
NEXT SCENE
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