ONE OF THE CURIOUS (timidly). It is my opinion that it is absolutely necessary to save him. TALL TOURIST. That's right. Exactly. Why, that's what I have been saying for the last two hours. Policeman, do you hear? It is scandalous. ONE OF THE CURIOUS (a little bolder). It is my opinion that an appeal should be made to the highest authority. THE REST (in chorus). Yes, yes, a complaint should be made. It is scandalous. The government ought not to leave any of its citizens in danger. We all pay taxes. He must be saved. TALL TOURIST. Didn't I say so? Of course we must put up a complaint. Young man! Listen, young man. Do you pay taxes? What? I can't hear. TOURIST. Jimmie, Katie, listen! What a tragedy! Ah, the poor young man! He is soon to fall and they ask him to pay a domiciliary tax. KATE (the girl with glasses, pedantically). That can hardly be called a domicile, father. The meaning of domicile is-- JAMES (pinching her). Lickspittle. MARY (wearily). Papa, children, look! He's again beginning to fall. (There is excitement in the crowd, and again a bustling and shouting among the photographers.) TALL TOURIST. We must hurry, ladies and gentlemen. He must be saved at any cost. Who's going with me? THE CURIOUS (in chorus). We are all going! We are all going? TALL TOURIST. Policeman, did you hear? Come, ladies and gentlemen! (They depart, fiercely gesticulating. The café grows more lively. The sound of clinking beer glasses and the clatter of steins is heard, and the beginning of a loud German song. The bartender, who has forgotten himself while talking to somebody, starts suddenly and runs off, looks up to the sky with a hopeless air and wipes the perspiration from his face with his napkin. Angry calls of Waiter! Waiter!) UNKNOWN MAN (rather loudly). Can you let me have some soda water? (The waiter is startled, looks at the sky, glances at the man on the rock, and pretending not to have heard him, walks away.) MANY VOICES. Waiter! Beer! WAITER. One moment, one moment! (Two drunken men come out from the café.) LADY. Ah, there is my husband. Come here quick. MILITARY WOMAN. A downright brute. DRUNKEN MAN (waving his hand to the unknown man). Say, is it very bad up there? Hey? UNKNOWN MAN (rather loudly). Yes, it's bad. I am sick and tired of it. DRUNKEN MAN. Can't you get a drink? UNKNOWN MAN. No, how can I? SECOND DRUNKEN MAN. Say, what are you talking about? How can he get a drink? The man is about to die and you tempt him and try to get him excited. Listen, up there, we have been drinking your health right along. It won't hurt you, will it? FIRST DRUNKEN MAN. Ah, go on! What are you talking about? How can it hurt him? Why, it will only do him good. It will encourage him. Listen, honest to God, we are very sorry for you, but don't mind us. We are going to the café to have another drink. Good-bye. SECOND DRUNKEN MAN. Look, what a crowd. FIRST DRUNKEN MAN. Come, or he'll fall and then they'll close the café.