SETTING:

MIKLOS' tent.

AT RISE:

MIKLOS is sleeping in the bed. LAURA sits on a chair beside the bed. SHE is dozing. MIKLOS starts talking in HIS sleep.

MIKLOS

(not clearly) Leo, Salazar. Up. Up. Kom mit. Kom. No, no Sarah. Back. Allez!

(Laura is startled awake by the sound of MIKLOS' voice.)

LAURA

Miklos? What is it?

MIKLOS

(mumbling in HIS sleep) Now Salazar. Good boy. Jump! Allez!

LAURA

Miklos?

(SHE sees that HE is talking in HIS sleep. SHE check HIS covers and straightens them then sits back down. MIKLOS is quiet. TIM enters, uncertainly glancing at MIKLOS.)

TIM

Mom?

LAURA

Shh. Miklos is sleeping.

TIM

Have you been here all night?

(LAURA realizes that it is morning.)

LAURA

I guess I have been.

TIM

Is he going to die?

LAURA

No.--- Not now. Miklos is very old Tim. I'm sorry, I didn't know I was here so long. Where did you sleep?

TIM

With Grandpa Beans.

LAURA

Did you get any breakfast?

TIM

Grandpa Beans made breakfast. Grandpa Roberto has been playing with me. He wouldn't let me on the trapeze so you don't have to worry.

(MIKLOS wakes up. HE thinks that HE is late for a show.)

MIKLOS

My music. That is my music. I have to go out. Where is my whip?

(LAURA and TIM are startled by MIKLOS. MIKLOS tries to get up.)

LAURA

Miklos. No. You can't get up.

MIKLOS

But my music. How could you let me sleep? I have to go out now. Where did you put my whip?

LAURA

You're not well.

MIKLOS

I am fine. I never felt better. Bobby? What are you doing here? You should be on the trapeze.

TIM

I can't. Mom won't let me.

MIKLOS

What will Roberto do without you? My whip. Where is my whip? And my boots. I have to go out.

LAURA

No Miklos.

(LAURA holds HIM down.)

MIKLOS

Bobby, tell her I have to go out.

TIM

I'm not Bobby. I'm Tim.

MIKLOS

Have you seen my whip? Jaspar, where is my whip?

LAURA

Calm down Miklos. It's all right. There's no show today.

MIKLOS

The music is almost over. I have to get ready.

LAURA

There's no show today.

MIKLOS

What?

LAURA

No show today.

MIKLOS

No show? What is wrong?

LAURA

Nothing's wrong. We had to get special permission to put up the tents. Somebody in city hall misplaced the papers. But it's all right. It's all straightened out. We open tomorrow.

MIKLOS

Tomorrow?

(HE is disappointed.)

LAURA

We have a day off. You can sleep all you want. Lie down. Try to rest.

MIKLOS

I have had enough rest. Why am I so tired?

TIM

You danced too much at the wedding.

MIKLOS

Danced too much? There is no such thing. I will dance a mazurka the day I die. Do you want me to teach you the mazurka Bobby?

TIM

I'm Tim.

MIKLOS

What wedding?

TIM

David and Angela's.

MIKLOS

You look like Bobby to me.

TIM

I wish I was.

(Fatigue is catching up to MIKLOS.)

MIKLOS

Maybe I will go back to sleep. I am so tired. Don't stay here too long Bobby, Roberto will be angry if you do not practice.

(MIKLOS closes HIS eyes. TIM speaks quietly.)

TIM

Mom?

(LAURA gets up and crosses to TIM.)

LAURA

What Tim?

TIM

Grandpa Roberto said he'd take me on the trapeze if you said it was all right.

LAURA

Not now Tim.

TIM

Why not now?

LAURA

Miklos is sick.

TIM

If I don't go now I'll never get to.

LAURA

I don't want you up there.

TIM

I just want to be like my dad. I don't think you loved him at all!

(TIM runs off. LAURA is about to follow HIM when MIKLOS turns over and calls out to HER.)

MIKLOS

Laura?

(LAURA turns back to MIKLOS. SHE goes to the bed.)

Bobby is upset today. You should talk to him. He likes you.

LAURA

Miklos. Look at me. How old am I?

MIKLOS

Very young, and pretty, as always. You will marry Bobby and have many children.

LAURA

(desperate and helpless) Miklos.

MIKLOS

It will be such a wonderful wedding. I will dance all night long.

(MIKLOS sighs and closes HIS eyes. HE opens them and tries to sit up. LAURA gently restrains HIM.)

Jaspar?

(MIKLOS sees JASPAR.)

You brought all the lions. They have all come to see me. They are all here.

(MIKLOS drifts into sleep. LAURA pulls HIS cover up. SHE strokes HIS hair then stands and looks at HIM sleeping. SHE sings.

LAURA

SHAKE THE SAWDUST FROM MY SHOES,

SHAKE IT BACK ONTO THE GROUND,

LOOK STRAIGHT AHEAD. DON'T TURN AROUND.

LET GO OF WHAT YOU LEFT HERE.

I DON'T WANT TO LOSE EVERYTHING ALL OVER AGAIN...

(SHE is interrupted when ANGELA enters.)

ANGELA

Laura? Let me sit with him. You get some rest.

(LAURA bends down to straighten MIKLOS' hair on HIS forehead. SHE exits.)

(BLACKOUT)

End of Scene 4