Mercadet You breathe the cynical atmosphere of wits and journalists, the atmosphere of the theatre and of the ministry. It is a vast sea in which thousands are casting their nets! You must either continue this existence, or blow your brains out!
De la Brive
No! For it is impossible to think that it can continue without me.
Mercadet Do you feel that you have the genius to maintain yourself in style at the height to which you aspire? To dominate men of mind by the power of capital and superiority of intellect? Do you think that you will always have skill enough to keep afloat between the two capes, which have seen the life of elegance so often founder between the cheap restaurant and the debtors' prison?
De la Brive Why! You are breaking into my conscience like a burglar—you echo my very thought! What do you want with me?
Mercadet
I wish to rescue you, by launching you into the world of business.
De la Brive
By what entrance?
Mercadet
Let me choose the door.
De la Brive
The devil!
Mercadet
Show yourself a man who will compromise himself for me—
De la Brive
But men of straw may be burnt.