Pygmalion(ByGeorgeBernardShaw)
ACTI
CoventGardenat11.15p.m.Torrentsofheavysummerrain.Cabwhistlelowingfranticallyinalldirectio.PedestriaruingforshelterintothemarketandundertheporticoofSt.Paul\'sChurch,wheretherearealreadyseveralpeople,amongthemaladyandherdaughterineveningdre.Theyareallpeeringoutgloomilyattherain,exceptonemanwithhiacktu
rnedtotherest,whoseemswhollypreoccupiedwithanotebookinwhichheiswritingbusily.Thechurchclockstrikesthefirstquarter.
THEDAUGHTER
[intheacebetweenthecentralpillars,closetotheoneonherleft]I\'mgettingchilledtothebone.WhatcanFreddybedoingallthistime?Heeengonetwentyminutes.
THEMOTHER
[Onherdaughter\'sright]Notsolong.Butheoughttohavegotusacaythis.
ABYSTANDER
[onthelady\'sright]Hewontgetnocaotuntilhalf-pasteleven,mius,whentheycomebackafterdroingtheirtheatrefares.
THEMOTHER
Butwemusthaveacab.Wecantstandhereuntilhalf-pasteleven.It\'stoobad.
THEBYSTANDER
Well,itaintmyfault,mius.
THEDAUGHTER
IfFreddyhadabitofgumption,hewouldhavegotoneatthetheatredoor.
THEMOTHER
Whatcouldhehavedone,poorboy?
THEDAUGHTER
Otherpeoplegotca.Whycouldnthe?
FreddyrushesinoutoftherainfromtheSouthamptotreetside,andcomeetweenthemclosingadriingumbrella.Heisayoungmanoftwenty,ineveningdre,verywetaroundtheankles.
THEDAUGHTER
Well,havntyougotacab?
FREDDY
Thereotonetobehadforloveormoney.
THEMOTHER
Oh,Freddy,theremustbeone.Youcanthavetried.
THEDAUGHTER
It\'stootiresome.Doyouexpectustogoandgetoneourselves?
FREDDY
Itellyoutheyreallengaged.Therainwaosudden:nobodywarepared;andeverybodyhadtotakeacab.IvebeentoCharingCroonewayandnearlytoLudgateCircustheother;andtheywereallengaged.
THEMOTHER
DidyoutryTrafalgarSquare?
FREDDY
TherewatoneatTrafalgarSquare.
THEDAUGHTER
Didyoutry?
FREDDY
ItriedasfarasCharingCrotation.DidyouexpectmetowalktoHammersmith?
THEDAUGHTER
Youhavnttriedatall.
THEMOTHER
Youreallyareveryhelple,Freddy.Goagaianddontcomebackuntilyouhavefoundacab.
FREDDY
Ishallsimplygetsoakedfornothing.
THEDAUGHTER
Andwhataboutus?Arewetostayhereallnightinthisdraught,withnexttonothingon.Youselfishpig--
FREDDY
Oh,verywell:I\'llgo,I\'llgo.[Heopehisumbrellaanddasheso
