The Wasp, 1921 · page 14 of 44
The Wasp — 1921 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents a dramatic stage play script titled "THE WASP," depicting a tense domestic scene. A General character sits reading when he notices an open kitchen door—suggesting an intruder. He retrieves a revolver and investigates cautiously, finding only a defective latch causing the door to swing open on its own. The satire appears to mock either paranoia or domestic anxieties of the era. The General's escalating alarm over what proves to be mechanical malfunction—complete with revolver drawn—suggests commentary on masculine overreaction or misplaced vigilance. The reference to "brutes" and concern about what has "been done with him" remains unclear without additional context, but the resolution (a mere faulty latch) indicates the humor lies in deflated expectations and overwrought masculine concern.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE WASP ing his eyes off the book. Then gets out his ciga- rette case, lights one, and lays case and matches down on upper end of table. As he does it, his eyes come in line with the wide-open kitchen door. He stops dead, his mouth open, and stares at the door. For a second he keeps his position, then he rises, nervously.) I thought I shut that door! (He goes toward door. Half-way, he stops, stands look- ing toward it, thinking.) I did shut that door. (Quickly he takes owt revolver, and goes over to door, stepping softly. He goes off into kitchen. The bright light from the kitchen sends his shadow, sharply defined, behind him, on the floor of the room, although he is out of sight. He calls sharply.) Who’s there? (He waits; no answer; he comes back into room.) Queer! (He then ea- amines the latch of the kitchen door, closes door, and watches it. Nothing happens. Then he stamps once or twice on the flooring, when the door slowly swings open, as before. The GENERAL gives a relieved grunt.) H’m! That’s all. Defective latch. (He closes door, puts his revolver back in his pocket, then wipes his forehead with his handker- chief. He crosses to the stove, glances up at the picture with its face to the wall, and says.) Won- der what the brutes have done with him—“ it”! (He shivers slightly. As he returns to table, u. c., there is a sound of sleigh-bells a long distance away. Stops and listens.) There’s a sleigh somewhere out on the road. (He picks up his book and stands lis- tening to the bells.) Wind’s in the direction of Finsk. (He tries to read, one hand in his revolver pocket, but his mind is evidently not on his book as [ 49 ] comichooks.com