(The stage setting represents a public square. In the centre stands a sheriff's officer on an auctioneer's block, around the base of which are the various pieces for the machine. A crowd is gathered on each side of the platform. To the left of the spectator are grouped together Coppolus, Carpano, the landlord of the Golden Sun, Esteban, Girone, Mathieu Magis, Don Ramon and Lothundiaz. To the right are Fontanares and Monipodio; Quinola conceals himself in a cloak behind Monipodio.)
Fontanares, Monipodio, Quinola, Coppolus, the landlord of the Golden
Sun, Esteban, Girone, Mathieu Magis, Don Ramon, Lothundiaz, Sheriff's
Officer, a crowd of people.
Sheriff's Officer Gentlemen, show a little more warmth. Here we have a boiler, big enough to cook a dinner for a regiment of the guards.
The Landlord
Four maravedis.
Sheriff's Office
Do I hear more? Come and look at it, examine it!
Mathieu Magis
Six maravedis.
Quinola (to Fontanares)
Senor, they will not fetch a hundred ducats.
Fontanares
We must try to be resigned.
Quinola Resignation seems to me to be the fourth theological virtue omitted from the list out of consideration for women!
Monipodio Hold your tongue! Justice is on your track and you would have been arrested before this if they had not taken you for one of my people.