DE PINNA, Grandpa, Kolenkhov, Olga, Penny, Paul
De Pinna:
[upon entering the room]—Knocked the olive oil right out of my hand. I’m going to
smell kind of fishy.
Grandpa:
How’re you feeling, Mr. De Pinna? Hand still hurting you?
De Pinna:
No, it’s better.
Paul:
Everything burnt up, huh? Downstairs?
De Pinna:
[sadly]—Everything. And my Roman costume, too.
Grandpa:
[to Penny]—I told you there was a bright side to everything. All except my twenty-two
years back income tax. I get another letter everyday.
De Pinna:
Say, what are you going to do about that Grandpa?
Grandpa:
Well, I had a kind of idea yesterday. It may not work, but I’m trying it, anyhow.
De Pinna:
What is it? [Suddenly, Kolenkhov appears]
Kolenkhov:
Good evening, everybody!
Grandpa:
Hello, Kolenkhov
Kolenkhov:
Forgive me. The door was open.
Penny:
That’s all right, Mr. Kolenkhov
Kolenkhov:
Thank you…Now, I wonder if I know you well enough to ask of you a great favor.
Penny:
Why, of course, Mr. Kolenkhov. What is it?
Kolenkhov:
You have heard me talk of my friend the Grand Duchess Olga Katrina? I tell you. The
Grand Duchess Olga Katrina has not had a good meal since before the Revolution.
Penny:
Mr. Kolenkhov, if you mean you’d like the Grand Duchess to come to dinner, why, we’d
be honored.
Kolenkhov:
In the name of the Grand Duchess, I thank you. [With a great bow, he exits]
[He returns, Booming]
The Grand Duchess Olga Katrina!!
Grandpa:
Madame.
Kolenkhov:
Mr. Sycamore, Mr. Carmichael, and Mr. De Pinna.
[Paul and Ed content themselves with cute little bows, but not the so social De Pinna. He
bows to the floor….and stays there a moment]
Grandpa:
All right now, Mr. De Pinna. [De Pinna gets to his feet]
Olga:
Thank you. You are most kind.
Penny:
We are honored to receive you, Your Highness.
De Pinna:
You know, Highness, I think you waited on me in Childs’ once. The Seventy-Second
Street place?
Olga:
No, no. That was my sister.
De Pinna:
[the dramatic historian…]—Tell me, Grand Duchess, is it true what they say about Rasputin?
Olga:
Everyone wants to know about Rasputin…Yes, my dear sir, it is true. In spades.
De Pinna:
You don’t say?