FRITZ and EVE emerge from the trees and take a dip in the lake,
represented by a sheet of blue silk, which the GIRLS ripple. They dry
themselves off with towels, then cover themselves with separate blankets and
lay on the ground, a few feet apart. The GIRLS lie nearby and watch. FRITZ
makes bird calls.
FRITZ
Doesn’t the night sky look beautiful?
EVANGELINE
I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many stars.
FRITZ
At Himmelheim, a man and a woman can admire the beautiful canopy
of sky without the distraction of sexual desire.
EVANGELINE
Are you suggesting that the entire nudist colony is chaste?
FRITZ
Completely. It is a scientific fact that the more naked the
people, the more moral and strict they are in sexual matters.
EVANGELINE
Is that so?
FRITZ
Here, everyone lives a natural life, without alcohol, without
tobacco, without meat—
EVANGELINE
--and without clothes.
FRITZ
Precisely. It promotes the purity of the soul.
EVANGELINE
What does everyone do for fun?
FRITZ
We read. Gesunde Nacktheit by Dr. Kirchwasser is a favorite, and
for lighter reading, there’s always Krafft-Ebing’s Psychopathia Sexualis.
EVANGELINE
I did quite enough reading at Pension Belle-Vue, thank you. Are
there other entertainments?
FRITZ
Lectures.
EVANGELINE
On what topic--or need I ask?
FRITZ
The historic struggle for nudity in all its phases. The lectures
are accompanied by slides of primitive peoples, as well as slides of civilized
degenerates like Madame de Pompadour and Queen Elizabeth.
EVANGELINE
Oh, dear. I’ve always rather admired Queen Elizabeth.
FRITZ
Group exercise is also popular.
EVANGELINE
I find exercise rather Prussian.
FRITZ
And there are artistic endeavors. I paint, as you know, and would
be eager to do your portrait.
EVANGELINE
I don’t think I’m quite ready to be immortalized in that manner,
Fritz.
In the distance, the sound of choral singing is heard. A group of
NUDISTS enters, hidden by trees.
FRITZ
And in the evenings, there is choral singing, at which we Germans
excel!
FRITZ and NUDISTS
Oh, nudity, sweet nudity
Its humble reverence we sing
to thee,
Far from a world of care and
strife
Thy hand has led us to the
simple life.
FRITZ sits up to listen. He is deeply moved.
WOMEN
No hats to choose, no frocks
to tear
MEN
No studs to lose and no stiff
shirts to wear
WOMEN
No ladders running up and
down our hose
MEN
No drawers to open and no
drawers to close
WOMEN
No powder puffs, no further
frills
MEN
No fights with laundries and
no tailor bills
ALL
So nudity, sweet nudity
No wonder, in return, we sing
to thee!
The NUDISTS reprise the song, in sotto voice, and FRITZ moves
closer to EVE, whose eyes are closed.
NUDISTS
Oh, nudity, sweet nudity
Its humble reverence we sing
to thee,
Far from a world of care and
strife
Thy hand has led us to the
simple life.
On the word ‘hand,’ FRITZ reaches out and rests his hand on EVE’s
breast. Her eyes dart open, but she doesn’t move. The NUDISTS lean forward to
watch.
EVANGELINE
(politely) Did you lose something?
WOMEN
No hats to choose, no frocks
to tear
MEN
No studs to lose and no stiff
shirts to wear.
FRITZ
(not removing his hand) No.
WOMEN
No ladders running up and
down our hose
MEN
No drawers to open and no
drawers to close
EVANGELINE
Then what are you doing?
WOMEN
No powder puffs, no further
frills
MEN
No fights with laundries and
no tailor bills
FRITZ
Something has come over me.
ALL
So nudity, sweet nudity
No wonder, in return, we sing
to thee!
EVANGELINE
Kindly remove your hand.
The NUDISTS exit.
FRITZ
(removing his hand) I apologize, Eve. It will not happen again. It
was merely the sight of your pale, lithe body in the moonlight…
Suddenly, FRITZ pounces on top of EVE. She escapes and runs behind
a tree.
EVANGELINE
Stay away from me! Have you gone mad!?
FRITZ
(running after her) I must have you, Eve!
From out of nowhere, COUNT FERDINAND appears, in full uniform,
with a riding crop. He stands between EVE and FRITZ, who also hides behind a
tree.
COUNT
Permit me to introduce myself. I am Joseph Ferdinand Leopold von
Holhendelborn-Mantalini, Principe della Bocca Grande del Po, Count of the Holy
Roman Empire, Chevalier of the Order of the Golden Fleece, Knight of the Order
of the Crown of Tuscany and the Golden Eagle of Bohemia. Count Ferdinand—or
Fergy, for short. May I be of assistance?
EVANGELINE
Yes, please.
COUNT
Are you fond of horses?
EVANGELINE
Not in the least. Why do you ask?
COUNT
It is very simple, dear lady. Have you heard of chivalry?
EVANGELINE
Of course.
COUNT
Chivalry was born of the horse, and will die with the horse. Some
say it is already dead.
EVANGELINE
I certainly hope not.
COUNT
If you will permit me, I will take you from these woods on my
horse.
EVANGELINE
Where are we going?
COUNT
To Venice.
EVANGELINE
How lovely!
As the GIRLS comment, they set up Venice.
JOYCE
Are you sure you’re ready for another experiment?
HENRIETTA
I know all the hot spots in Venice. I’ll show you around!
BERTHA
I don’t trust this one.
MADELINE
But he’s a count!
Who cares?
COUNT
There is an important matter I must discuss with my friend,
Constantine Koumoudouropolos.
EVANGLELINE
I read about him. The shipping magnate?
COUNT
The very one. I am to meet him at my palazzo, which I’ve rented to
a nouveau riche American family.
EVANGELINE
But I’ve nothing to wear! And this time, I mean it!
COUNT
Come, my Godiva. (he lifts EVE into his arms) Avanti! (to FRITZ)
Good evening, sir.
THE COUNT carries EVE off.
