A heated debate will unfold in the following scene. The protagonists are Mr. Charles van Buren (‘The Funny Man’) and his passionate attendant, Mr. Alistair Winterbottom. A grand soirée is being held by Mr. van Buren, and he is about to address the rapturous masses in his usual charming manner.
ALISTAIR WINTERBOTTOM: Welcome, citizens!
The audience bowed.
THE FUNNY MAN (yelling): Run for your lives!
ALISTAIR WINTERBOTTOM (suprised): Why?
ALISTAIR WINTERBOTTOM begins tugging his eyeball.
CHARLES VAN BUREN (conclusive): Why, why, why indeed …
THE FUNNY MAN, suddenly looking fugitive, races for the teapot.
The audience gasps.
ALISTAIR WINTERBOTTOM (unimpressed): Who are you to tell me why? Am I not your king?
CHARLES VAN BUREN: Me? Me? Who am I to tell you why indeed …
ALISTAIR WINTERBOTTOM (still unimpressed): What is it with you, always nagging, always … just what is it with you?
THE FUNNY MAN (yelling again): I just …
THE FUNNY MAN, visibly shaken, is clenching the teapot.
ALISTAIR WINTERBOTTOM (squealing): I just don’t understand!
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by
Nils Steinert