Black-Hooded Costume

A hammock! says Belle. That might work.

Ever tried to get into a hammock? asks Vello. 

Not really, says Belle.

And you'll be in eighteenth century costume, says David. 

She'll be in the hammock when the curtain rises, says Iris.

What curtain? asks Vello.

No curtain? says Iris. There must be some way we can do this. Let's think.

Don't bother, says Vello. We'll continue to look for a couch.

We could put two office chairs together, says David.

Unconvincing, says Vello.

 I still like the idea of a hammock, says Belle. I could wear trousers.

There's a thought, says Iris. If we're both wearing trousers, there's no problem.

A Marchioness in trousers, says Vello. And what about the garter?

Everyone thinks about the garter.

Katherine comes in, with a bundle of netting, and two rings dangling.

I've brought you the hammock, says Katherine. These are the rings. You just need two hooks the right distance apart to hook them onto.

That is the least of our problems, says Vello.

What are the other ones? asks Katherine.

Iris and I will both be wearing trousers, says Belle. 

And? asks Katherine.

I'm supposed to drop my garter, says Belle.

Is that all? says Katherine.

Initially, says Belle. It IS a seduction.

Oh, ha ha! laughs Katherine. You are naughty.

The garter, snaps Vello.

Wear it over the trousers, says Katherine.

Not happening, says Belle.

On your ankle, says Katherine. As though it's slipped down. 

The audience might think it's a sock, says Iris.

You see our dilemma, says Vello. And of course there is the problem of them getting in.

Getting in? says Katherine.

To the hammock, without mishap, says David.

Someone could steady it, says Katherine.  

No one else is on stage, says Vello.

Someone in a black-hooded costume, says Katherine. I'll do it.

You don't have a black-hooded costume, mother, says David.

I do, actually, says Katherine.

David is shocked that he didn't know this about his mother.