The Red Light of Mars; or, A Day in the Life of the Devil

The Red Light of Mars; Or, A Day in the Life of the Devil by Bronson Howard is a philosophical comedy about professor Vanillity and his studies regarding the disastrous situation of Mars. Excerpt: «VANILLITY (evidently astounded at the unlocked door) Well: upon my word—upon my word! (Picks up hat, umbrella, etc., which have fallen, and straightens himself) I wonder if he's in? (A slight explosion4 from laboratory; he drops articles again) Yes, he's in! (Picks up articles a second time; straightens tie, etc., in glass; twirls mustache; then goes to fire; stretches out hands) A-a-ah! [A second knocking on the garden door. VANILLITY (going to folding doors and calling into laboratory) Oh, Addington, Addington, my boy! (A second explosion from the laboratory. Vanillity goes to door, admitting Judge Hippolyte Critty: grossly but respectably fat, with an unctuous smile and a walrus-tusk mustache).»