Last Act In Palmyra

Chapter LXXII

Congrio had climbed up on a model of a rock for a better view. 'Hello down there! You look glum. Would you like cheering up? Here's one I bet you haven't heard.' Philocrates, still on the mule, looked furious. He liked to know where he was with a script, and hated minions anyway. Congrio was unstoppable.

'A Roman tourist comes to a village and sees a farmer with a beautiful sister.'

I noticed that Grumio, who had been about to tug the mule's reins, abruptly stopped, as if he recognised the joke. Congrio was revelling in his new power to hold an audience.

' "Ho there, peasant! How much for a night with your sister?"

' "Fifty drachmas."

'"That's ridiculous! Tell you what, you let me spend a night with the girl and I'll show you something that will amaze you. I bet I can make your animals talk: If not, I'll pay you the fifty drachmas."

'Well the farmer thinks, "This man is crazy. I'll string him along and agree to it."

'What he doesn't know is that the Roman has been trained as a ventriloquist.'

'The Roman reckons at least he can have a bit of fun here. "Let me talk to your horse, peasant. Hello, horse. Tell me, how does your master treat you then?" '

' "Pretty well," answers the horse, "though his hands are rather cold when he strokes my flanks:" '

As Congrio rambled on, I could just make out through the mask that Philocrates looked stunned, while Grumio was seething furiously.

' "That's wonderful," agrees the farmer, though he isn't convinced entirely. "I could have sworn I actually heard my horse speak. Show me again." '

'The Roman chuckles quietly to himself. "Let's try your nice sheep then. Hello, sheep! How's your master?" '

' "Not too bad," says the sheep, "though I do find his hands rather cold on the udder when he milks me:" '

Philocrates had assumed a fixed grin, wondering when this unplanned torture was going to end. Grumio still stood like bedrock, listening as if he could not believe it. Congrio had never been so happy in his life.

' "You're convincing me," ' says the farmer.

'The Roman is really enjoying himself now. "I knew I would. I'll do one more, then your sister's mine for the evening. Hello, camel. You're a lovely-looking creature. Tell me – " '

'Before he can go any further, the farmer jumps up furiously. "Don't listen to him! The camel's a liar!" he shrieks.'

Someone else was jumping up.

With a cry of rage, Grumio flung himself at Congrio. 'Who gave it to you?' He meant his scroll of jokes. Helena must have lent it to Congrio.

'It's mine!' The bill-poster was taunting Grumio. He sprang down from the rock and leapt about the stage, just out of reach. 'I've got it and I'm keeping it!'

I had to act fast. Still wearing the ghost's costume, I entered the ring. In the vain hope of making the audience believe my appearance was intentional, I waved my arms above my head and ran with a weird loping gait, pretending to be Moschion's paternal phantom.

Grumio knew the game was up. He abandoned Congrio. Spinning around, he suddenly grabbed Philocrates by one smart boot, gave a wrench of his leg and pulled him off the mule. Not expecting the assault, Philocrates crashed to the ground horribly.

The crows roared with appreciation. It was not funny. Philocrates had fallen on his face. His handsome visage would be ruined. If only his nose was broken, he would be fortunate. Congrio stopped cavorting and ran to him, then pulled him towards the side niche, from which Tranio now emerged, also looking shocked. Together they carried the unconscious actor from the ring. The crowd were thrilled. The fewer cast members left still upright, the more delighted they would be.

Ignoring the rescue of Philocrates, Grumio was trying to mount the mule. I was still stumbling over the long hem of my costume, half blind in the mask. I struggled on, hearing the crowd's bursts of laughter, not only at my antics. Grumio had not reckoned with the mule. As he swung one leg to mount, the animal skittered sideways. The more he tried to reach the saddle, the more it veered away from him.

Amusement soared. It looked like a deliberate trick. Even I slowed up to watch. Hopping in frustration, Grumio followed the mule until they actually came face to face. Grumio turned to approach the saddle again, then the mule twisted, shoved him in the back with its long nose, and knocked him flat. Whinnying with delight at this feat, the mule then galloped from the scene.

Grumio was an acrobat. He had landed better than Philocrates and was on his feet straight away. He turned to follow the mule and escape on foot – just as Thalia had the far gate swung closed against him. Designed for keeping in wild beasts, it was far too tall to climb. He spun back – and met me. Still dressed as the ghost, I tried to fill enough space to block his exit the other way. The gateway behind me gaped open at least twelve feet wide, but members of the company were pressing into it, eager to see the action. They would not let him through.

It was him and me now.

Or rather, it was more than that, for two other figures had emerged. For that last scene in the arena it would be him and me – plus Musa and the sacrificial kid.

Ensemble playing of the finest quality.