Winning the Heart of the Beauty
Who is More Outstanding
John and Robby are the two most outstanding comedians in town, and they both fall in love with the most charming actress in the troupe, Miss Mary.
John and Robby don’t want this to affect their friendship, so they decide to let Miss Mary choose. No matter who she chooses, they will bless each other as friends. Unexpectedly, Miss Mary likes both John and Robby equally. She helplessly says, “You are both equally excellent, I really don’t know who to choose. How about this, you both perform a play, and let the audience judge your performance. Whoever performs better, I’ll marry.”
John and Robby are both very frustrated because everyone knows their performances are equally matched. It seems that determining who will marry Miss Mary requires another plan.
After leaving, John and Robby go to a bar. They rack their brains, and finally, John says, “Buddy, we can’t outdo each other in comedy. How about we perform a tragedy? Whoever performs better can marry Mary!”
Robby hesitates a bit because they are undoubtedly extremely outstanding comedians. But to perform in a tragedy, to stand out in a serious role, is no easy task! After thinking for a while, Robby says, “This is a good idea, but the troupe will never give us a chance to perform a tragedy.
Our troupe is like this: once someone succeeds in a certain role, he is destined to play that role for life. We happened to become sensational comedians from the beginning, and now no one believes we can do anything other than comedy.”
“Absolutely agree!” John echoes, “So, how do we decide the winner?”
Robby thinks for a moment and says, “Since we can’t compete on stage, we have to find an opportunity offstage.”
John is very excited, “A private performance? Great! But if it’s a private performance, how will there be an audience to judge?” They drink gloomily again.
At this moment, someone in the bar recognizes John and Robby. This person excitedly walks up to them and says, “Gentlemen, my name is Yale. Please forgive my intrusion—I can’t help but want to hear your professional opinion! I’ve been playing bit parts for twenty years, and this time the troupe wants me to play an executioner. I’m performing in a small town tomorrow, but I feel very nervous. Luckily, I met you two. Can you give me some professional guidance?”
Upon hearing this, Robby suddenly lights up. He says to Yale, “Listen, do you know anyone in that town?” Yale looks at him, puzzled, and shakes his head, “No.”
Robby continues, “No one will recognize you there?”
Yale nods, “Yes, in such a small town, likely no one will.”
Robby smiles and asks, “How much do you expect to be paid?”
Yale honestly tells him, “It’s just a small hall, very low pay, maybe two hundred fifty dollars.”
Robby gives a strange smile, “You’re very nervous, and you want to postpone your performance, right?”
Yale awkwardly admits, “I admit, I’m useless, and I do want to postpone the performance to prepare fully… but why do you ask?”
Robby excitedly says, “I’ll tell you why and I’ll pay you five hundred dollars if you agree to let me take your place in the performance. Will you?”
Yale is confused, “I don’t understand!”
Robby tells him, “I long to play a serious role. Tomorrow you just pretend not to know I’m impersonating you—all the responsibility is mine. What do you say?”
Yale thinks: getting paid five hundred dollars without performing is great! So Yale agrees. Robby is thrilled, but John is panicked. Yes, Robby has found a great opportunity to perform. He will certainly give his all in a stunning performance. If he achieves his goal, John won’t stand a chance.
Back at the troupe, Robby proudly tells Miss Mary about this plan. Mary says she will attend the performance in person, and John agrees to go. Robby prepares all night for the next day’s performance.
Admitting Defeat
Sure enough, the next day, Robby’s performance, after meticulous preparation, is a huge success. Robby is immersed in Miss Mary’s sweet praise, and John generously congratulates him. Additionally, Robby receives a congratulatory gift—a postcard from Count Gibson, requesting Robby to visit his residence.
Robby is overjoyed and loudly boasts, “A noble inviting me, proving my success!”
John curiously asks, “Who is he? I’ve never heard of Count Gibson!”
Robby proudly says, “It doesn’t matter if you’ve heard of him. I only know he is a count and wants to meet me! This honor must be accepted!” Robby, a bit obsequious, hires a carriage and heads there full of energy.
The journey is short. When the carriage stops, Robby sees that the noble’s residence is unimpressive. He is shocked; it looks just like an ordinary apartment. A countryman leads Robby into a room, saying, “Mr. Robby, after seeing your performance, the count felt unwell and is seeing a doctor. He asks you to wait for a moment.”
Robby waits in the room for a long time. Finally, the door opens, and Count Gibson, trembling, walks in. His skin is dark and wrinkled, his lips dry and thin, his hair sparse and white, and his face peculiar, with odd eyes…
Count Gibson, gasping, says, “Sir, sorry to keep you waiting. I rarely go out, and tonight I got tired, so I had to see a doctor. Your performance was brilliant, unforgettable for me.”
Robby smiles and bows in thanks. Count Gibson shakily takes out a bottle of wine, “Sit down, Mr. Robby, don’t stand! Let me pour you some wine. I can’t drink on doctor’s orders. I’m a poor host, but I admire you so much, so I boldly invited you.” Robby respectfully says, “Being the guest of a count is a privilege, an honor…”
“Alas,” the count sighs, “I won’t live long. I invited you to talk about the man named Victor you executed in your performance. Do you sympathize with him?”
Robby tastes the wine and says, “Oh no, he was a murderer. How could he be sympathized with?” The count looks at Robby and asks excitedly, “Can’t you understand the emotions of an innocent man sentenced to death?” Robby shrugs dismissively, “Innocent? Who believes that? Claiming innocence to escape the law? Then all criminals can claim innocence!”
The count glares at Robby and says fiercely, “I believe Victor was telling the truth. He was my son.”
“Your son?” Robby is stunned.
The count says each word clearly, “My only son—the only person I love in the world. Yes, he was innocent, Mr. Robby. It was you who killed him. He died at your hands.”
Robby stammers, “I… I was just acting, only performing his story… I didn’t really kill him… You should blame the real killer…”
The count, deep in thought, says, “Your excellent performance convinced everyone in the town that my son was a guilty murderer, and even I was forced to believe it… Mr. Robby, I hope you like the wine, don’t leave any.”
“Wine?” Robby says breathlessly. He stands up, trembling. The count calmly says, “The wine is poisoned. You will die within an hour.”
“Oh my God!” Robby exclaims in despair. He already feels strange—blood turning cold, limbs heavy, vision darkening. As Robby slowly collapses, the count suddenly supports him, laughing, “Hey buddy, did I scare you?” As he speaks, he slowly removes the rubber prosthetics from his teeth, the makeup from his face, and the wig… The count is actually John in disguise, and the residence is rented by him.
A few days later, Miss Mary marries John because although Robby’s performance conquered the audience, John’s performance conquered Robby himself. Robby indeed admits defeat wholeheartedly and sincerely congratulates his friend on John’s and Mary’s wedding day.
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
