Signora Fantastici (A Dramatic Proverb)

by Madame de Staël

SIGNORA FANTASTICI:
For what?

COMMISSIONER:
To order you—

SIGNORA FANTASTICI:
To order me! And you are trembling. That tone is not used to command.

COMMISSIONER:
To leave town immediately.

SIGNORA FANTASTICI:
Me? And by what right, I beg you?

COMMISSIONER:
Wha-what right? Am I not the Commissioner of this suburb?

SIGNORA FANTASTICI: Yes, but only a judge can grant or refuse a travel visa. And the judge will do me justice. He loves the arts, he loves poetry. Beware he doesn't dismiss you for having infringed on his rights.

COMMISSIONER: It's true wha-what she says, The Signora. It's a sad thing being a subaltern! I was hoping to be a judge in the last election, but a cabal p-p-prevented me.

SIGNORA FANTASTICI:
Do you know the cause of your not being named?

COMMISSIONER:
No. But it appeared to me the public was sh-shocked.