_) Can I tempt you. Sir? They are playing a new piece at
Chicago. It is excellent, I am told--a domestic comedy. Next week, if
it's successful, we shall produce it with scenery and effects on the
kinetograph. Try it, Sir?
_Intelligent Stranger_. I don't mind if I do, (_Raising receivers._)
Call this a domestic comedy? Why I can hear firing!
_Lect._ Very strange, Sir. Nothing in the plot to account for it,
_Intell. Stran._ Stay, you say it's in Chicago! I know what the firing
means! They don't like the piece, and they are shooting the Author!
_Lect._ Of course, Sir! (_To Small Boy._) And now my little man, what
do _you_ want?
_Small Boy_. Please, Sir, I have got a shilling to spend in hearing
something from somewhere all the world over.
_Lect._ (_producing programme_). Here is a list of our stations. You
see we have wires laid on to all parts of Europe, Africa, Asia, and
America. Next Tuesday we shall be in communication with Australia. And
now, what will you have?
_Small Boy_. I don't know. Something exciting, please.
_Lect._ Well, you can hear, by taking these, a number of Astronomers
discussing in Committee the transit of Venus. Or, if you listen to
these, you will hear a chat about the floating of the next Russian
loan, held in one of the centres of speculation, to wit, the Bourse at
Vienna.
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