Life, 1923-06-07 · page 25 of 44
Life — June 7, 1923 — page 25: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a satirical dialogue mocking wealthy passengers aboard an ocean liner (S.S. Luxuria) who claim to seek peaceful solitude at sea, yet remain trapped in their own social whirlwind. The humor lies in the contradiction: as they wax poetic about ocean voyages being peaceful and isolated, they simultaneously catalog an exhausting schedule of dinner parties, dances, lunches, bridge games, and Mah-Jongg—all happening aboard the same ship. The characters express love for "nautical things" while actually admiring lamp shades and silk curtains, revealing their focus is entirely on luxury trappings rather than genuine nautical experience. The repeated refrain "There's nothing like an ocean voyage, is there?" becomes ironic—the voyage provides no escape from their relentless social obligations. The humor targets upper-class pretension and the inability of the wealthy to actually disconnect or experience authenticity, even when removed from ordinary society.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
At Sea CENE:. B deck of the S. S. Luxuria. Time: The first day out. Characters: Two gentlemen. and two ladies. First GENTLEMAN There’s nothing like an ocean voyage, is there? SEcoND GENTLEMAN It’s so peaceful. First Lapy Isn't it. Are you going to the Prinmintons’ dinner this evening? Seconp Lapy Yes. Just a small party of about forty, I believe. First GENTLEMAN And the Featherbys are having a dance in the palm garden later. First Lapy I know. That's before another little affair the Claybuttons are giving ir the grill. Seconp Lapy T suppose we'll all be at their bridge party to-morrow. First Lavy Of course. That’s after Dolly Sparkleigh’s lunch. First GENTLEMAN And then tea with the Piffkins. Seconp GENTLEMAN I'm playing Mah-Jongg them on Tuesday. First GENTLEMAN The sea does get one, doesn’t it? Seconp GENTLEMAN Oh, it’s a glorious life. First Lapy One feels so alone, so isolated. First GENTLEMAN I love nautical things. First Lapy So do I. I simply worship those lamp shades in the lounge. Seconp Lapy And the silk curtains in stateroom. I adore the sea. with my LIFE First GENTLEMAN I actually feel like a real sailor already. SEeconD GENTLEMAN Oh, we're all old sea-dogs by now. Let’s go upstairs and watch the captain steer the boat. First Lapy Then we'll play roulette. First GENTLEMAN Let’s. There's nothing like an ocean voyage, is there? Seconp GENTLEMAN It’s so peaceful. Charles G. Shaw. “CAN you support me in the style to which I am accustomed?” asked the stocking of the new garter. Taxi Driver (to fare who neglected to tip): for a transfer. Ws Hey, boss! You forgot to ask Three Old Men E three old men by the river's brim Watching the waters flow, Wraiths of the golden-hearted lads Who played here long ago. Youth has passed through our an- cient bodies Soon we'll be deep in the mold; Yet age were not half so bitter If the heart, too, would grow old. J. M. Kerrigan. Lire is a tragedy for those who can laugh at another’s misfortunes, and a comedy for those who can laugh at their own. ——— He inhaled it but it wouldn’t stay down. * comicbooks.com