Act 4 Scene 1

Setting:

Time : Around noon. 4 months after Jack and Gwendolen and Algernon and Cecily get married.

Place: In Jack and Gwendolen’s living room.

Gwendolen: I’m going out to see Cecily, will you do the shopping for me?

Jack: Yes dear, I will. But before you go I just have to make you aware that I won’t be home for supper. I’m meeting with an old friend of mine.

Gwendolen. Who is this friend you speak of?

Jack: Oh, you don’t know him… The last time I saw him was almost two decades ago. I recently saw his name in the newspaper and thought of the old days. I decided to send him a letter and now he has invited me to his house.

Gwendolen: Ok, but don’t come back too late. All that talk about thieves scare me.

*Jack grabs his coat, walks over to Gwendolen, kisses her cheek and leaves*

End of Scene

Act 4, Scene 2

Setting:

Time: 2 in the afternoon.

Place: In Jack’s old friend’s (Jasper Brantley) house.

*Jack knocks on Jasper’s door, a few seconds later an old man opens the door*

Servant: Good Afternoon, *pauses to think* Jack I presume?

Jack: Yes, I’m here to- *The servant interrupts*.

Servant: *Irritated* Yes, yes. I know why you’re here. Just hurry yourself in and remember to brush your shoes on the mat.

*Jack walks in, brushes his shoes and waits. Without saying anything the servant walks into the main room and disappears through another door. Jack waits for a few minutes, until Jasper arrives.*

Jasper: Jack! It’s so good to see you! How are you my friend?

Jack: I’m fine, very fine indeed. What about you? *Jack looks around and examines the large house*

Jasper: Well, my wife divorced me two weeks ago, but as you probably saw in the newspaper I just sold three villas to three couples.

Jack: I’m sorry to hear about your previous wife. But congratulations on the trade. I read that you are quite new to being an architect.

Jasper: Yes, I guess I have some beginners luck. Oh pardon me. I haven’t offered you anything to drink. Would you care for a glass of sherry?

Jack: Certainly!

Jasper: *Jasper rings a bell and the servant enters* A bottle of sherry, and two glasses.