THE FATHER. Well, to make seem true that which isn't true ... without any need ... for a joke as it were.... Isn't that your mission, gentlemen: to give life to fantastic characters on the stage? THE MANAGER (_interpreting the rising anger of the Company_). But I would beg you to believe, my dear sir, that the profession of the comedian is a noble one. If today, as things go, the playwrights give us stupid comedies to play and puppets to represent instead of men, remember we are proud to have given life to immortal works here on these very boards! (_The actors, satisfied, applaud their Manager_). THE FATHER (_interrupting furiously_). Exactly, perfectly, to living beings more alive than those who breathe and wear clothes: beings less real perhaps, but truer! I agree with you entirely. (_The actors look at one another in amazement_). THE MANAGER. But what do you mean? Before, you said.... THE FATHER. No, excuse me, I meant it for you, sir, who were crying out that you had no time to lose with madmen, while no one better than yourself knows that nature uses the instrument of human fantasy in order to pursue her high creative purpose. THE MANAGER. Very well,--but where does all this take us? THE FATHER. Nowhere! It is merely to show you that one is born to life in many forms, in many shapes, as tree, or as stone, as water, as butterfly, or as woman. So one may also be born a character in a play. THE MANAGER (_with feigned comic dismay_). So you and these other friends of yours have been born characters? THE FATHER. Exactly, and alive as you see! (_Manager and actors burst out laughing_). THE FATHER (_hurt_). I am sorry you laugh, because we carry in us a drama, as you can guess from this woman here veiled in black. THE MANAGER (_losing patience at last and almost indignant_). Oh, chuck it! Get away please! Clear out of here! (_to Property Man_). For Heaven's sake, turn them out! THE FATHER (_resisting_). No, no, look here, we.... THE MANAGER (_roaring_). We come here to work, you know. LEADING ACTOR. One cannot let oneself be made such a fool of. THE FATHER (_determined, coming forward_). I marvel at your incredulity, gentlemen. Are you not accustomed to see the characters created by an author spring to life in yourselves and face each other? Just because there is no "book" (_pointing to the Prompter's box_) which contains us, you refuse to believe.... THE STEP-DAUGHTER (_advances towards Manager, smiling and coquettish_). Believe me, we are really six most interesting characters, sir; side-tracked however.