- 181 - Voice: The editor and publisher of the American International magazine Blank. Mr. Edward Morris, is expected to arrive in Bombay shortly for a three-week tour of India. The purpose of his visit is to promote his magazine in India and to meet Indian writers and journalists. Mr. Morris will be accompanied by his wife. (Mr. Morris appears at the top of the ramp^ with his wife behind him. They are both in masks. Mr. Morris: Hi, folks. Call me Ed. Mrs. Morris: Hurry up, darling. I'm just dying to see India. (They run briskly down the ramp and are greeted by Mr. and Mrs. West. Their voices are heard but not their words. Lights come on in the drawing room^ the Indian guests turn round to face the audience^ showing their masks. After a few seconds ^ they break up to make informal groups^ husbands and wives pairing off. The audience now sees the two American couples advancing front centre. They are wearing masks. As they leave the airport area and enter the drawing room^ the lights at the back of the stage go off. ) Mr. West: You'll be glad to meet our guests, Ed. This is Professor Shaho And MrSo Shah. Professor Shah writes poetry in Gujarati. Mr. Morris: (Stumbling over the word} Guj -- e -- ra -- t1. You write poetry in Guj " e -- ra -- ti? Prof. Shah: I used to. Now I write criticism. Mrs. Morris: (To Mrs. Shah) You write poetry too, Mrs. Shah? (Mrs. Shah^ who is short and fat^ shakes her head but does not reply. She remains silent throughout the play^ but persistently shakes her head ambiguously. Her mask gives her a fixed^ broad smile.) Mr. West: Ed, meet Mr. Raman. And Mrs. Raman. Mr. Raman is a journalistc Mr. Morris: You write in Guj -- e " ra " ti, Mr. Raman? Mr. Raman: No, in English. I studied journalism in New Yorkc Mrs. Morris: How sweet of himi How are you, Mrs. Raman. Did you go with your husband to New York? Mrs. Raman: No, our marriage was arranged after he came back. Mr. West: Ed, this is Mr. Kapur. And Mrs. Kapur. Mr. Kapur is an editor, like you, Edo Mr, Morris: How delightful. We sail in the same boat, Mr. Kapur. Have you been to the States?