The Scene
The elegant drawing room of a large, well-appointed manor house in the English countryside. The year is 1815. Edwin paces furiously, his heels clacking loudly on the polished wood floor. Marguerite, seated at the piano, watches him silently for a few moments. She opens her mouth to speak, but thinks better of it.
EDWIN
Oh! I cannot abide this insult! That…that…miscreant has exceeded the bounds of decency. He has gone too far, and I swear I will have satisfaction!
MARGUERITE
Edwin, please! No harm was done, I assure you.
EDWIN
No harm, you say? He has committed a most unforgivable affront! He calls himself a gentleman. Gentleman… hah! No true gentleman would behave as he has.
MARGUERITE
Oh Edwin, be reasonable. Geoffrey meant no affront. He was merely feeling… high-spirited.
EDWIN
I invite this…person into my home, offer him my hospitality. And this is how he repays me? He takes advantage of my fiancee!
MARGUERITE
No advantage was taken.
EDWIN
My dear, sweet Marguerite. So innocent, so unworldly. Believe me, my darling, you have no idea of the perfidy such men can sink to.
MARGUERITE
I cannot believe Geoffrey to be capable of any perfidious act.
EDWIN
That is because you have no experience in the world of men. He has besmirched your honor and your good name. I cannot and I shall not accept it.
MARGUERITE
Must you be so hard-headed and resolute? What is to be gained by calling him out? He is a bit reckless perhaps, and could certainly benefit from practicing some restraint, but for pity’s sake, Edwin, he is no monster. Let it be. Prove yourself to be the bigger man.
EDWIN
No. No. It is insuperable. How am I to hold my head up in society, when half the county saw him kiss you?
Marguerite bangs her hands down loudly on the piano keys and stands.
MARGUERITE
Your head? I thought it was my honor and my good name you were worried about.
EDWIN
But, of course it is…
MARGUERITE
Let me tell you something, buster, that one little kiss you saw? Well, there were plenty more you didn’t see. Long, slow, deep ones that curled my toes. You’re just pissed ‘cause he got there before you did. And I can guarantee you he did a better job than you could ever hope to. You want to talk satisfaction? Ohhhh baby! What’s the matter? You look a little pale there, Eddie.
Marguerite pats Edwin on the cheek as she glides past him toward the door.
MARGUERITE
Men! Clueless. Absolutely fucking clueless. (she turns to him) Get a life, would you?
She exits.
END OF SCENE