ACT I
Time: 1884. A white stage. George, an artist, is sketching.

GOSSIP
Another Sunday in the park. Afternoon. The two Celestes sit on a bench; the Old Lady and her Nurse are on the grass in the shade of a tree; George is sketching the Boatmen, who lounges near the water.

CELESTE #1
They say that George has another woman.

CELESTE #2
I'm not surprised.

CELESTE #1
They say that George only lives with tramps.

CELESTE #2
I'm not surprised.

CELESTE #1
They say he prowls through the streets
In his top hat after midnight-

CELESTE #2
No!

CELESTE #1
-And stands there staring up at the lamps.

CELESTE #2
I'm not surprised.

BOTH
Artists are so crazy...

OLD LADY
Those girls are noisy.

NURSE
Yes, madame.

OLD LADY
(referring to Jules, who strolls by with Yvonne)
That man is famous.

NURSE
Yes, madame.

OLD LADY
(referring to Boatman)
That man is filthy.

NURSE
Your son seems to find him interesting.

OLD LADY
That man's deluded.

CELESTE #1, CELESTE #2
Artists are so crazy.

OLD LADY, NURSE
Artists are so peculiar.

CELESTE #1
Slouching...

BOATMAN
Overprivileged woman
Complaining.
Silly little simpering
Shopgirls.
Condescending artists,
"Observing;"
"Perceiving"...
Well, screw them!

ALL
Artists ere so-

CELESTE #2
Crazy.

CELESTE #1
Secretive.

BOATMAN
High and mighty

NURSE I
Interesting.

OLD LADY
Unfeeling.