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Opening scene: Jewelled dresses and glittered eyes speak wildly to the walls, who answer—discreetly, for
this is the lenten season—with phrases of gray and blue. The costumes suggest a g entler time; France,
perhaps, when Bal de la Mi-Careme eased the lenten sacrifice. The French club is hosting the masked ball,
and the guests startle and shine. The walls hold fast their confidence.
Closing scene: The Spanish Club collects about the tables, the people close to one another, their eyes
smiling the dark away and touching the room with warmth. Dinner conversation is muted, easy: the club is
together. (The dinner is beautiful.)
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