Scene IV: The Hotel Lobby. The couch at stage right now faces the audience and has been made to balance the couch at stage left.
Comm: (Enters with one small suitcase, rings bell. Liechtenstein and two bellboys scurry out)
Herr: Entschuldingung, mein Herr. I did not hear you come in.
Comm: This is the Liechtenstein Hotel, I presume?
Herr: Ja, the vun and only Liechtenstein Hotel!
Comm: (Looks around and says aside) I can see why.
Herr: May I help you?
Comm: Yes, I’ll be staying here a few days. I’d like to have a room.
Herr: How many are there in your Party?
Comm: Three too many, but I’m the only one staying here.
Herr: Of course, of course.
Comm: By the way, are there any parties of three staying here?
Herr: You are lonesome? Would you like a Buch?
Comm: Have you any sociological novels?
Herr: Ja, Uncle Tom’s Cabin – in English.
Comm: In English? I didn’t know it was translated.
Herr: (Handing him the book) und tomorrow night – I tell you vat – ve vill have unser Vunce a Year Day!
Comm: Once a Year Day?
Herr: Ja, all mein patrons und I, ve get together for a big, how do you say in America? Riot?
Comm: RIOT?
Herr: Ja, you know, an eat und trink und sing riot – a party.
Comm: Ah, yes! (He doesn’t quite appreciate the full meaning of riot) And you say all your customers will be there?
Herr: Ganz bestimmt! None of my customers would miss my Vunce a Year Day.
Comm: Very interesting… Yes, I’ll be there.
“In The Cool, Cool, Cool Of The Evening”
Comm. and Herr.
[lyrics omitted]
Herr: Now you vill sign the register und you vill be all set. (Turns the register around) “Michael Petronov, New York City, New York!” (While he is signing register, Ivan enters stage left; walks partway in with bird, sees Commissar, and exits quickly) (Neither Herr or Comm notice him) Franz! Show Herr Petronov to his room. (Herr exits) (Enter three spies)
Ivan: I saw him, I saw him. He was standing right here.
Andre: Don’t get so emotional!
Vlad: How do you know what he looks like?
Ivan: He had it! He had it!
Andre: What’d he have?
Ivan: That….that… you know (Makes circle on lapel for carnation)
Vlad: The boutonniere.
Ivan: (Shakes head vigorously in affirmation)
Andre: We’d better check on this. (Rings bell for Herr)
Vlad: You don’t think it could be Petronov yet do you?
Ivan: (To himself and audience) Execution…execution…
Herr: Ja?
Andre: Herr Liechtenstein, did a man check in a while ago wearing a white boutonniere?
Herr: A man just checked in. But his buttons were blue.
Ivan: (Runs over to desk makes circle on lapel)
Andre: A flower, a carnation.
Herr: Ja. Ich glaube. He was wearing a…a…flower.
Andre: Thank you.
Herr: Is he a friend of yours? He would like the company of some friends so tsk…tsk…
Andre: Well…uh…no–no! He’s no friend of ours. (Three spies walk away from desk)
Ivan: execution…execution…
Vlad: Shut up!
Andre: You know what that means. We’ve gotta get those singers on the string in a hurry.
CURTAIN