Sylvaine faints at the sight of Countess Erzsébet Báthory, a medieval serial killer. Her boss/boyfriend Brand protests:
“This is intolerable, Vance! The limits of good taste and decency have been crossed. Some of the people you have terrorized tonight are journalists.”
“It seemed to me that the German journalist from Der Spiegel was particularly pleased with our show.”
“She's a psycho! But what will the others write in their newspapers?”
“Is that what you fear, my friend? It takes much more than that to shock a journalist. Perhaps some of them will pretend to be shocked, and paint our show in dark colors. Better that way. Horror fans will flock to us.”
“No, Vance. This is not right. I do not want to go into the merits of the artistic result, which is undoubtedly remarkable, but many things will have to change.”
“Things have already changed, Brand. You have no idea how much…”
“I do not understand you, but we will discuss it tomorrow morning. Now I must go to Sylvaine. I do not want to leave her alone, after what has happened.”
“That's right, a girl like that should never be left alone.”
(Radu is in Sylvaine's bedchamber) “Now, are you feeling better, Miss Sylvaine? Why don't you try to sleep now? Mister Vance and your fiancé are talking business and may be talking for a long time to come.”
“You are very kind, Mister Radu. How come I didn't see you at the dinner tonight or at that… show?”
“Oh, I… I wasn't feeling so well. And as for the show, well… There's always a need for someone to act behind the scenes, so to speak. Sweet dreams, Miss Sylvaine. And take my advice: Lock the door.”
“But… I'm waiting for Mister Brand… for… business matters.”
“Open the door for him – but only for him, do you understand? Only for him! And lock the door!”
“All right.”
