Not part of the play? Then how does it get in there?
JACKPUD.
The curtain was raised too soon. It was a private discussion which would not have taken place on the stage at all if it were not so horribly crowded behind the scenes. Now if you were deceived, it is of course so much the worse; then just be kind enough to eradicate this delusion again; for from now on, do you understand me, only after I have gone away, will the act really begin. Between you and me, all the preceding has nothing to do with it at all. But you are to be compensated; much is coming soon which is very essential to the plot. I have spoken to the playwright myself and he has assured me of it.
FISCHER.
Yes, your playwright is just the fellow.
JACKPUD.
He's good for nothing, isn't it so? Well, I am glad after all, that there is still some one else who has the same taste as I—
THE PIT.
All of us, all of us!