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ROSEMARY Alice, you can go now. Tell Roland to come up to me. (Alice curtseys and goes out.) That girl is becoming a nuisance; I must get rid of her. What will happen to her? How should I know and what do I care? Ah … come in and sit down, Roland; I want to talk to you.
ROLAND What do you want?
ROSEMARY I don't want you to get into bed with me, if that's what you are thinking. You once seemed to think that because I was a servant I would be honoured by your dishonourable intentions. What I want to talk about is Alice – I am not satisfied with her. I won't trouble you with the reasons, nor why I do not want her to suffer more than she has to. She does not realize what danger she is in. When I dismiss her – as I am going to – she will be without means of support. I can do nothing for her. Do you understand?
ROLAND She is nothing to do with me. You are thinking she is still my wife.
ROSEMARY I was not thinking any such thing. It is a long time since I thought she was your wife, or even concubine. (Roland makes a sudden impatient gesture.) Roland, this automatic is not loaded with chocolate, nor am I loaded with sweet feelings for you. I should regret it, but I shall shoot without hesitation.
ROLAND I know you have no feelings of concern for me, but –
ROSEMARY You are hopeless. I was about to tell you I have no feelings for Alice. You may go.
(Roland goes out.)
ROSEMARY It's getting lighter. Light or dark – what does it matter to me? Am I such a fool that I do not know Man's name? Menelaus, Cupid, Hector, Astyanax … But what of the night, the void, the infinite? And now, the marriage feast begun, will Poverty be
the bride? I saw the world when it was young and beautiful. I have only to close my eyes to see it again. And Man loves me, dotes on me. I am part of the spoils of war. Alice is part of the spoils of my war. Am I to mourn Adonis? Or Alice, or Roland – that bastard who thought he could get his skivvy cheap as spoils of the war waged by the upper classes of Britain? Gr