Dunn monologue (Act 1) — Niobe, All Smiles: A Farcical Comedy in Three Acts

(_goes to Statue again, softly humming a tune_) A pretty thing for our Company if that idiot had damaged his Statue with those infernal wires. Just like my beautiful sister-in-law, to give permission to wrap them round the figure, just to show that _my_ wishes were of no account. I'll get a staple and padlock to-morrow; and fasten that screen up like a packing case. (_sits on sofa_) I suppose the Electricity can't affect the marble; ha! it's such a mysterious agent, one never knows _what_ it may do. P'raps I'd better light up. I wonder what's the matter with the Electric lamps in the street? (_crosses at front of table L. C. and looks out of window_) They're generally making the gas look sickly before this--must be something wrong this evening. Ah! There it goes! (_flash on electric light outside window, flooding stage, DUNN sits L. of table L. C._) Well! That's light enough to think by. (_low moan; weird music begins_) What's that? (_moan_) Some Psychological phenomenon! An omen of some kind! (_rising, towards window; NIOBE extending her arms, pushes open screen and is seen moving, as if awakening to life; DUNN slowly turns_) Great Heavens! The Statue's alive!