Alma. Didn’t you say the booking after the first night would be a caution?
Dick. So it is. Two stalls.
Ned. I heard it wasn’t a success.
Dick. (producing a sheaf of newspaper cuttings) Morning News: “It is not often that we have to chronicle so signal a fiasco.” Daily Post: “Seldom of late years has a first night audience been so emphatic in its condemnation.” Evening Mail: “The play is absolutely destitute of merit.” Sunday Slogger: “A striking instance of the ineptitude, incompetence, and imbecility of our native playwrights.” What do you think of that?
Ned. I’m very sorry for poor Sparkle’s sake. (Alma crosses to sofa)
Dick. Hang Sparkle! I’m sorry for my own sake. Very annoying. I particularly wanted this to be a go.
Alma. Because I wasn’t in it. (leaning on back of sofa)
Dick. Miss Blake has a notion we can’t do without her.
Ned. It appears you can’t.