The Temperamental Journey

About the show

The play was never published; this synopsis is compiled from contemporaneous newspaper and magazine reviews. Act I (Front patio of the Italian Inn, late afternoon.) Jacques Dupont is discouraged when Dorval, who has purchased some of his prior works at very low prices, decides not to buy any more. His supposed friend Vernon Neil urges him to paint in a more popular style, but Jacques refuses to compromise. Maria Tamburri momentarily lifts his spirits when she gives him $285 from "a gentleman in a motor car" who bought two of his paintings. But Billy Shepherd accidentally reveals there was no sale; Maria gave Jacques her savings and the two paintings are in her room. Jacques gives Maria her money back but tells her to keep the pictures. Hungry, he goes to eat his supper at the inn, but finds that Delphine has already eaten both dinners. She nags him about his inability to sell canvases, comparing him unfavorably to Neil. Depressed, with evening dark approaching, Jacques wanders down to the pier where he leaves his hat and coat, the latter with a suicide note in it. He walks off the pier into the water. (Curtain) Act II (The Greenwich Village studio shared by Dupont and Shepherd, two weeks later.) A body having been found, Delphine has identified it as her husband. Now that he is dead, public opinion on Jacques Dupont's work has reversed. His paintings are esteemed and command high prices. Dorval now regrets not buying the last two works offered him, but Maria refuses to sell them. Billy Shepherd is too sorrowful to attend the funeral, so Fanny Lamont will go instead. The funeral cortège includes an art museum director and other notables. A wreath with the message "Rest in Peace" is in the studio. Delphine asks Fanny to have the florist add a postscript: "Until I Come". Left alone in the studio at last, Billy is surprised to hear someone come in from the bath: It is Jacques! Dupont explains that once in the water he started swimming and couldn't stop. A passing yacht rescued him on its way to Halifax, Nova Scotia. It took Jacques two weeks to make his return to Manhattan. As Billy and Jacques watch the funeral from the studio window, Jacques wants to reveal himself. But when he sees his widow embracing Neil, he decides to stay "dead". He leaves for France instead. (Curtain) Act III (The drawing room of the Shepherd's new home, three years later.) Billy having made a success with composing music, he and Fanny have married and bought a house in Manhattan. Wearing a disguise and calling himself "M. Lenoire", an art collector, Jacques has brought thirty original Dupont canvases to America. He visits the Shepherds, who previously alerted, have assembled some wealthy art patrons to view them, and invited Maria. However, Delphine and her new husband Neil crash the private showing. She has six of Neil's paintings upon which she has forged Dupont's signature. Outraged, Jacques reveals himself, and chaos ensues. The practical Fanny and calm Billy broker a peace agreement: Jacques and Delphine will get a quiet divorce, he will give her some money, then he and Maria will marry and return to France. (Curtain)