Life, 1925-05-28 · page 25 of 36
Life — May 28, 1925 — page 25: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a humorous one-act play satirizing scientific observation. Two moths, George and Minnie, exhibit distinctly human domestic conflict: George obsessively circles a light bulb (claiming it's "scientific"), while Minnie tries to distract him with questions about a mysterious box. When George burns himself, Minnie fusses over him maternally—demonstrating exactly the mysterious attraction between moths that scientists cannot explain. Two bewildered researchers witness this, still baffled. The satire mocks both domestic squabbling and scientific pretension: George's "work" is merely compulsive behavior he rationalizes as science, while the scientists' inability to explain moth behavior reflects real gaps in early 20th-century entomology. The joke is that human behavior—nagging spouses, obsessive hobbies, nurturing instincts—mirrors animal behavior, suggesting we're not as elevated as we believe.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
oths Human? moths have the ¢ power of being able to their mates from miles around. — Scientists have never yet obtained a satisfactory expla- nation of this mystery. English Paper.) Scene: Considerable distance, punctu- ated at either end by a moth, } INNIE MOTH (calling): George... Georce. Motu: Wha-a-at? Minnie Motu: Come here, willya? Georce Moti: What for? Mixste Moti: What's in this box ? Grokce. Motu: What box? Minnie Motu: This box. Groxce Motn: Gosh, I don't know. What box? Mixste Motu: Well, come here and Grorce Motu: I can't. Oh, I'm busy. Minste Motu: Oh, come here a Groxce Moti: I can’t, [tell you I'm I'm flying around this ole light. Mot: Oh, sake—you're always flying around that busy. Minsie for goodness’ ole light. Georce Motu: Well, I have to have some diversion, don’t 1? Work hard all week eating holes in suits. This is scientific. 1 wish you'd take more in terest in my science, Mixxte Moti: Oh, pooh, you and your ole science. Up half the night with it. Can't you come here a minute? Kindly Caller: 1 surrose 17 WAS FINANCIAL AND DOMESTIC TROUBLES THAT STARTED YOU DRINKING? Old Soak: NO—IT WAS THIS WAY—DOWN TO THE CHURCH AT A LECTURE I SAW A MICROSCOPE PICTURE OF A DROW 0" WATER. Georcr Motu: No, I can't. I'm busy Minnie Morn: Well, I just want to know what's in this box. Grorce Motu: You leave that ole box alone. And you leave me alone, I'm busy. Mixnte Motu: Oh, very well, then. (Ensues several moments of comp and unbroken silence.) He: WF 1 PO SAY IT, YOU ARE THE ONLY GIRL [ EVER LOVED, She: iF t po say it, You ARE THE ONLY FELLOW WHO EVFR MADE ME BRLIFVE THAT LIF. Grorce Motu Ouch! Ow! Minnie Motu: George...what is it? _ Grorce Mot: Ow—I burned myseli on that ole light! Minnie Motu: I knew you would. You come here right this minute and let me put some butter on it. Grorce Motu (tho, after all, is only a little boy moth grown up): Ow—all right. I'm coming. Darned ole light! (As he flutters his singed way to the female moth, two pith-helmeted scien- tists appear.) Tur First Scientist: There, you see, Doctor? It invariably happens, T have never been able to find a satis- factory explanation of it. Curtain, (suddenly) : Henry William Hanemann. Fairy Story “YOUR skin is quite perfect,” said the beauty specialist, “and you'll ruin it if you begin using our iamous Clear Complexion Cream.” only NEW YORK American editorial declares that a man must be tire- less to suceced in business and one won- ders what the tired business man has to say about that. comicbooks.com