Chanakya Thotakura Light Opera

UTOPIA LIMITED OR THE FLOWERS OF PROGRESS

ACT II

(Enter Scaphio and Phantis, now dressed as judges in red and ermine robes and undress wigs. They come down stage melodramatically — working together.)

DUET — Scaphio and Phantis.

SCA

With fury deep we burn.

PHAN

We do—

SCA

We fume with smothered rage—

PHAN

We do—

SCA

These Englishmen who rule supreme, Their undertaking they redeem By stifling every harmless scheme In which we both engage—

PHAN

They do—

SCA

In which we both engage—

PHAN

We think it is our turn—

SCA

We do.

PHAN

These Englishmen, they must prepare To seek at once their native air. The King as heretofore, we swear, Shall be beneath our thumb—

SCA

He shall—

PHAN

Shall be beneath out thumb—

SCA

He shall.

(with great energy)

BOTH

For this mustn't be, and this won't do. If you'll back me, then I'll back you, No, this won't do, No, this mustn't be. With fury deep we burn...

Enter the King.

KIN

Gentlemen, gentlemen—really! This unseemly display of energy within the Royal precincts is altogether unpardon-able. Pray, what do you complain of?

SCA

(furiously)

What do we complain of? Why, through the innovations introduced by the Flowers of Progress all our harmless schemes for making a provision for our old age are ruined. Our Matrimonial Agency is at a standstill, our Cheap Sherry business is in bankruptcy, our Army Clothing contracts are paralyzed, and even our Society paper, the Palace Peeper, is practically defunct!

KIN

Defunct? Is that so? Dear, dear, I am truly sorry.

SCA

Are you aware that Sir Bailey Barre has introduced a law of libel by which all editors of scurrilous newspapers are pub-licly flogged—as in England? And six of our editors have resigned in succession! Now, the editor of a scurrilous paper can stand a good deal—he takes a private thrashing as a matter of course—it's considered in his salary—but no gentleman likes to be publicly flogged.

KIN

Naturally. I shouldn't like it myself.

PHAN

Then our Burlesque Theater is absolutely ruined!

KIN

Dear me. Well, theatrical property is not what it was.

Continue to Part II »