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Joseph makes a gesture of dismissal, and the slave, with a bow, goes out. Joseph rises, and walking around the table, holds up ‘his hand to look at his ring.

JOSEPH.
Freedom!

Madam Potiphar strolls in.

MADAM POTIPHAR.
( familiarly )

They have gone. . . .

Joseph picks up a scroll from the table.

MADAM POTIPHAR.
( sharply )

Joseph!

JOSEPH.
( respectfully )

Yes, madam.

MADAM POTIPHAR.
I understood you to say a while ago that your work was quite finished?

JOSEPH.
Yes, madam.

MADAM POTIPHAR.
Then you have plenty of time now….

JOSEPH.
Yes, plenty of time for more work.

MADAM POTIPHAR.
Well, you need not begin immediately.
I want a little of your time just now.

JOSEPH.
If it is an errand, I will call one of the slaves.

MADAM POTIPHAR.
Do you mean–one of the other slaves?

JOSEPH.
I, madam, am no longer a slave.

He holds up his hand, and looks at the ring.

MADAM POTIPHAR.
( incredulous )

How did this happen? Did you buy your freedom, perchance?

JOSEPH.
No. Your husband gave it to me a moment ago.

MADAM POTIPHAR.
Gave it to you? You mean that you swindled him out of it in some way!

JOSEPH.
As you please, madam.

MADAM POTIPHAR.
Well, it is his own affair if he wishes to give away such valuable property.
Only–it is difficult to adjust oneself to a change like that.

JOSEPH.
Do not, I pray, let the change disturb you.

MADAM POTIPHAR.
No, I insist. It is both a duty and a pleasure. Since you are now a free man, Joseph, I propose that we treat each other as equals and friends.

JOSEPH.
That will be very considerate of us both.

MADAM POTIPHAR.
Sir, you are insolent. No, no–I mean, my friend, you are very rude.

JOSEPH.
Thank you for making the distinction. And now, since we are to treat each other as equals and friends, I beg you

–( he takes some small objects from

his wallet and holds them out in his hand )

–to take these hairpins, which are the mementos of your various visits to my room. As a slave, no suspicion, of course, could attach to me in connection with a lady of your rank. But as equals and friends, we both have our reputations to preserve.

MADAM POTIPHAR.
( taking them )

Thank you.

( She restores them to her hair.)

I lose them everywhere I go.
They fall out every time I speak. They mean nothing whatever.

JOSEPH.
It is unnecessary to explain that to me. I am perfectly aware of the fact.

MADAM POTIPHAR.
You are perfectly aware of everything, aren’t you, Joseph?

JOSEPH.
Everything that it is to my interest to be aware of, madam.

MADAM POTIPHAR.
No–there is one thing you don’t know, and I am going to tell you.

JOSEPH.
Proceed, madam.

He takes the coin from the table.

MADAM POTIPHAR.
( coming close to him and looking boldly into his eyes )