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Girl
Shh! Don't make so much noise.
(The knocking grows more insistent.)
Girl
Are you trying to ruin us? The police will come here.
(The girl opens the door and the Man rushes into the doorway.)
Man
Where are they, where are they?
Girl
What do you want? Are you sure you've go the right place?
Man
This is Madame Sophie's, isn't it?
Girl
Yes, but it's late. All the other girls have gone to bed.
Man
Look here, where are they?
Girl
Well, come in, will you? It's cold with the door open.
Man (coming in)
I beg you not to play games with me, I must find them.
Girl
Look, this is ridiculous—who is it you want?
Man
Zerkov and the others.
Girl
A tall man with a mustache?
Man (eagerly)
Yes, yes.
Girl (matter of factly)
They all left long ago.
Man
They can't have left. Don't lie.
Girl
You wanted to know, and I'm not lying.
Man
They have no right. They can't do this to me—they have no right!!
Girl
Why is it so important that you see them tonight—won't it wait
until morning?
Man
No, it will not wait until morning. Mind your own business.
Girl
What did they do to you then? Are you sure you're feeling well?
Why don't you sit down?
Man
Yes, yes, I will sit down—thank you. (pause) When did you say
they left?
Girl
At least two hours ago—it's after three now.
Man (urgently)
Did they say where they were going?
Girl
No.
Man (insultingly)
Have they paid you not to tell me? Well, I will pay you to tell
me. Here, look, I have money. I had to borrow it—but, here it is. You
mustn't think me as shabby as I appear. Once I—well, I was as grand
as Zerkov— Now, then, where did they go?
Girl
I've already told you, I haven't the slightest idea. I would tell
you for nothing if I knew—it's nothing to me.
Man
But they've warned you I was following them—eh? What did they say
about me? Did they tell you I was after them? Did they tell you how
they disgraced me, and that I wouldn't stand for it? Did they tell
you, did they?
Girl (rather frightened)
They didn't say a word about you, so far as I know. You might ask
the other girls—the ones they went upstairs with. But you'll have to
wait until morning.
Man
Wake them up— I'll ask them now.
Girl
That's out of the question—the girls have earned their sleep.
Some of them have gentlemen with them.
Man
I'll pay, I tell you.
Girl
Look, mister, you're really carrying on in a disgraceful way. This
is a very respectable house—we never have any trouble with the
police— and Madame won't put up with nonsense like this. Men who come
here— patrons—are expected to behave like gentlemen. If you don't
behave yourself, you'll have to leave.
Man
Ha, ha, ha!
Girl
What's so funny?
Man
To be lectured on manners by a little whore. Well, it's a fitting
conclusion for this night.
Girl
You needn't have said that. It seems to me I've been very patient
with you, and treated you as a gentleman. Now, if—
Man
Forgive me, forgive me. You have been more than patient, you have
been kind. You are a saint, a Madonna. You rebuke me very justly.
(wildly) Let me fall at your feet, sinner that I am. (he kneels) Bless
me!!
Girl (furious)
Get out!! Get out!! Do you make fun of me, too? Get out!!
Man
I am not making fun of you. Madonna, bless me, for I have sinned;
I am abject; I am worthless; I am not worth your little finger.
Girl
Do you enjoy mocking me? What have I done to you? Why do you come
here to make me miserable?
Man
No, no. Don't misunderstand, I am sincere.
Girl (shaken)
Please, please, get up. Stop talking like that. You are delirious,
you poor Man. Here, sit on the couch.
Man (letting her lead him)
Thank you, thank you.
Girl
Would you like some brandy?
Man
I think so—yes. It might help.
Girl
It's two and a half roubles.
Man (fingering a large roll of bills)
Here, here.
Girl
This is almost fifty—it's much too much.
Man
I don't want it—keep it.
Girl
Really, you can't just throw your money away. (she forces it back
on him) You must be careful what you do, brother, or you won't have
any money to your name.
Man
What does it matter?
Girl (giving him some brandy)
Are you feeling better?
Man
Yes, thank you.
Girl (quickly, but not really concerned)
Would you like to go upstairs with me?
Man
How much does that cost?
Girl
Fifty roubles. I'll give you a discount at this hour. You can have
me and the brandy for fifty roubles, how's that?
Man (preoccupied with other thoughts)
Later, perhaps.
Girl
But, it's late already. What else is there to do? I won't go below
forty-five, no matter what. I never sell myself short.
Man
Sit here, and talk to me.
Girl (cheerfully)
I'm much better at what I do upstairs than I am at talking, you
know.
Man (rather desperate)
Please, I want to talk just now. It's extremely important to me to
have contact with another human being.
Girl (yawning)
As you wish. But, I'm very tired, and I don't know what I should
charge you for talking. You're keeping me awake. Maybe I should charge
you extra for that, I can make love in my sleep.
Man
Why do you talk like that?
Girl
Like what? I was just making a joke.
Man
So cynically.
Girl
Was it cynical? Well, I suppose you're right.
Man
You're a nice girl.
Girl (faintly amused)
Am I? Then what am I doing in a place like this?
Man
That's what I wanted to know.
Girl
Well, you see, it all started when I was a little girl—my
stepfather was always making eyes at me, and then one night—
(laughing) How do you like that? Or, would you prefer the one that
goes— I was a sweet little country girl and I fell in love with a
soldier. And, you see, there was, well, a child, and my father, pious
man, threw me out. Do you like that better?
Man
Can't you see that I'm being sincere?
Girl
Can't you see that I'm not?
Man
On the contrary, you strike me as being totally sincere.
Girl
I wish you hadn't said that.
Man
Why?
Girl
Because you understand me. I'm afraid I may tell you the
truth—and that might be very—unpleasant. Why must you be so serious?
Man
I want to help you.
Girl
What makes you think I need help? I do quite well here.
Man
We all need help.
(A silence descends upon them. The Man goes to the window.)
Man
The weather is beastly. (the girl does not respond to this remark)
What's your name?
Girl
Lisa.
Man
Were you born in these parts?
Lisa
No.
Man
Where do you come from?
Lisa
Riga.
Man
Have you been here long?
Lisa
Been where long?
Man
In this house.
Lisa
A couple of months.
Man
Are your parents alive?
Lisa
Yes, I mean, no.
Man
Where are they?
Lisa
In Riga.
Man
And what do they do?
Lisa
Nothing.
Man
What do you mean, nothing?
Lisa
They're tradespeople.
Man
Have you always lived with them?
Lisa
Yes.
Man
Why did you leave them?
Lisa
Is that any business of yours? No reason.
(They are both silent, then the Man tries a new trick.)
Man
I saw them carrying a coffin yesterday, and they nearly dropped
it.
Lisa
A coffin?
Man
Yes, in the Haymarket. They were carrying it out of a cellar, you
know, from the basement of a—a place like this.
Lisa
I don't understand.
Man
A whore house. It was filthy all around. Eggshells, litter, a
stench. It was loathsome. (the girl makes no response) A nasty day to
be buried.
Lisa
Why?
Man
The snow, the mud, the dampness.
Lisa
It makes no difference.
Man
No, it was horrid. There must have been water in the grave.
Lisa
Why should there be?
Man
Because the place was waterlogged. It's a regular marsh. I've seen
it myself—many times.
Lisa
I still don't see what it matters. You're dead, you're dead. You
don't care.
Man (increasingly nettled)
Do you meant to say you don't care how you die?
Lisa
Not much. But, why should I die?
Man
Well, someday, you must.
Lisa
I suppose so. But, why think about it?
Man
You will die just like that girl. She was young, like you. She
died of consumption.
Lisa
So. You have to die of something. Anyway, we don't have Camilles
in Russia. Here, she would have died in a hospital.
Man
You seem to think you know all about it. In the first place she
was in debt to her Madame. She had to work right up to the end.
Lisa
You seem to know her so well. Were you a regular of hers?
Man
No!! I heard some soldiers talking. They were going to a tavern to
drink her health.
Lisa
Well, she had that, anyway.
Man (irritated)
And, is it better if she died in a hospital?
Lisa
I don't see what difference it makes, really. One place is as good
as another to me.
Man
We'll see, we'll see. Your time is not far off—
Lisa
What do you mean by that? Why should I die?
Man
If not now, then a little later.
Lisa
Why are you so morbid? Why a little later? Why not after a long
time?
Man
Why? Now, you are young and fetch a high price— (the girl laughs)
But, in a year or so, you will be different—and then— Well, too
bad—
Lisa
In a year? (touching her hair) I don't think it shall be as soon
as that— (laughing) This life is not as hard as some people think it
is—
Man
Anyway, in a year or so, you will be worth less. And then you will
go into a cheaper house. Then to another—and keep going—until you
wind up in a Haymarket basement. That is, if you're lucky, and don't
catch some disease.
Lisa
Oh well, then I shall die.
Man
But one is—sorry.
Lisa
For whom?
Man
For life.
Lisa
I think you read too many sob stories.
(They are both silent, then the Man tries again.)
Man
Have you been engaged or married?
Lisa (flaring)
What's that to you?
Man
I'm not prying. It's nothing to me. Why are you so cross? Of
course, you may have had your troubles. What is it to me? I simply
felt sorry—
Lisa (mocking)
For life?
Man
For you.
Lisa
You needn't trouble yourself.
Man
I don't see any reason for you to be so rude. I've been very
polite.
Lisa
Condescending.
Man
Do you really think you're on the right road?
Lisa
I never think anything.
Man
That's your trouble: you refuse to think. Realize, while there's
still time. There still is time. You are young—good-looking. You
might still love, be married, be happy.
Lisa
Being married won't necessarily make you happy.
Man
So, that's it. But it's much better than the life here.
Lisa
No. It's not.
Man
With love, you can live, even without happiness. Even in sorrow,
life is sweet. But here! What is there but filth?
Lisa (archly)
Then, what are you doing here?
Man
Never mind my being here. I was drunk when I came here.
Lisa
You still are.
Man
Maybe I'm worse than you are—but with a man it's different.
Whatever I do, I'm nobody's slave. I shake it off in the morning and
start all over again.
Lisa
And what makes you think I can't shake it off?
Man
Because, a whore is a man's slave.
Lisa
But, many men are slaves to their whores.
Man (savagely)
A whore is every man's slave.
Lisa
Only if he has the price.
Man
And, do you have the price to get out of here? Admit it—you're in
debt to your Madame.
(Lisa says nothing.)
Man
There, you see! And, don't think you'll ever get free of her.
She'll see to that. But, don't misunderstand me, I'm not trying to
annoy you. (maudlin) Perhaps I, too, am just as unfortunate—how do
you know? With me, it's like drink. (grabs her) Tell me, is this
loving? Is this how one human being should meet another? (kissing her)
It's hideous, isn't it?
Lisa (slowly)
Yes—it's hideous.
Man
So, so—you, too, are capable of certain refinements. I knew there
was a point of likeness between us. (holding her face in his hands)
Yes, you have an innocent look. And so young. It's difficult for you
to understand what it means to a man like me to have someone who—
Lisa
Who——?
Man
It's hard to explain. Someone to talk to, to explain things to. To
make her understand life. Yes, it's interesting (pause—then with a
note of authority) Why did you come here?
Lisa
Oh, I don't know.
Man
But, wasn't it much nicer at home?
Lisa
It's really much nicer here in every way.
Man
So, that's it. You are not sentimental. If it were better at home,
you surely would have stayed there. It's not likely a girl like you
would come here of your own inclination.
Lisa (ironic)
A girl like me?
Man
So, you think I'm flattering you? Well, perhaps I am. Anyhow, I'm
convinced someone has wronged you. (Lisa is silent) You see, if you
had a proper childhood, you shouldn't be so unfeeling. However bad it
may be, a home is a home. (Lisa is silent) I grew up without a home.
(her continued silence angers him; his maudlin appeal for sympathy has
been rejected) If I had a daughter, I believe I should love her more
than my sons,—really.
Lisa
Why so?
Man
I almost thought you weren't listening. Well, to be honest, I
don't know. But, I used to know a very hard man once who would
practically go down on his knees to his daughter. He was mad about
her. He would go about in rags, but he would spend his last penny on
her.
Lisa
It would be nice to have such a father.
Man
Fathers always love their daughters more than mothers do. As for
me, I don't think I'd ever let my daughter marry.
Lisa (laughing)
What next?
Man
I should be too jealous—really, I would. To think that she would
kiss anyone else. To think she should love a stranger more than her
father.
Lisa
You're funny.
Man
I amuse you, do I?
Lisa
You don't know anything of life.
Man
For example?
Lisa
Some fathers are happy enough to sell their daughters, rather than
marry them.
Man
That's terrible. Such things happen only in families without
either love or respect for God. Such families exist—but, I am not
thinking of them.
Lisa
Have you come here for nothing else but to torture me?
Man
I am sorry—perhaps I am torturing myself.
Lisa
Now, let me ask some questions—why are you so insistent on
finding your friends?
Man
Insistent—I?
Lisa
Yes, why were you so insistent?
Man
I refuse to be cross-examined by you!! If I was excited, it's only
natural, after all, I'd been insulted— I have a natural right to show
my indignation. It's none of your business.
Lisa
You didn't come here to engage my services. Surely, you didn't
come here to hold my hand. Why did you come here?
Man
I came here— None of your business why I came here.
Lisa
Then, what makes it your business why I came here?
Man
I'm not trying to pry into your life. I saw you, and I took pity
on you—that's all.
Lisa
How dare you come here and pity me?
Man
Well, what do you want? Do you want me to call you whore and throw
stones at you? Is that what you want?
Lisa
Stop it. I just want you to mind your own business and respect my
privacy.
Man
What has the world come to? Little whores are now insisting on
their right to privacy? What will be next? Pretty soon they'll want to
vote.
Lisa
Please don't call me whore. Please.
Man
Lisa, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. What can I say to you? I
came here for reasons of my own. Perhaps, I should mind my own
business. But, I like you, and you looked as though you wanted help.
Lisa
I—
Man
Yes, you look as though your eyes are crying out for help. With
your tongue, you may frighten help away—but your eyes seem to—scream
for it. And, even if I am mistaken, you certainly need help anyway.
Lisa
Not from you. I've seen your kind before. You can't help anybody.
Man
Oh, Lisa, can't you see where this kind of life is leading you?
You're still young and pretty. You can laugh now and enjoy it—but how
will you feel in a few years?
Lisa
Let me ask you one thing— If I weren't young and pretty, would
you care what happened to me at all?
Man
I honestly don't know, Lisa. But, my heart goes out to you.
Perhaps, if you were old and ugly, it wouldn't. I should like to think
it would—
Lisa
That's honest, anyway. I'm sorry if I'm being rude.
Man
You're shy and sensitive, aren't you? And you try to hide it under
irony. Only it doesn't work too well, does it?
Lisa
Not with you.
Man
Perhaps there are compensations. Perhaps the management allows you
to have a lover to comfort you. Do they let you have a lover, Lisa? Do
they? (Lisa turns away) But, what good is he, if he takes you back
after other men have touched you? If he lets you go from his arms to
other men—?
Lisa
I think the Devil must have sent you here.
Man
Do you think he will marry you? Why not ask him? Or, are you
afraid to hear his answer? (Lisa is increasingly uncomfortable)
Worthless, as he is, he would only laugh at you. And beat you, too,
for asking. Does he beat you, Lisa?
Lisa
What must I do to make you stop? Have I done you any harm. Why
won't you leave me alone?
Man
Lisa, please, I'm only trying to help you, to make you
think about your situation.
Lisa
Don't you see, that the only reason my situation is bearable is
that I manage not to think about it?
Man
Lisa. Lisa, that's just the point. As long as you deceive
yourself, life will be bearable. That is precisely what I must prevent
by making you think.
Lisa
Why don't you want me to be able to bear my life?
Man
Because it's bad for you; it's an evil life.
Lisa
It's worse to think about it. Nothing is bad, if you don't think
about it.
Man
But, you can stop. Unless you realize where it is leading you,
you'll continue down this road.
Lisa
But, if there's no way back—?
Man
Lisa, there's always a way back. Take me, for example: I
came here tonight in a drunken state because my friends insulted me. I
wanted revenge. If only I could hold my liquor. I came here because
they came here. I was proud—I wanted to create a scene. Then, I saw
you, and a nobler thought came to my mind—
Lisa
You talk like—like a book.
Man (furious, but controlling himself)
Perhaps my way of expressing myself is slightly academic. I am a
writer and a student. Maybe I don't know how to use the language of
the people of everyday life. But I am sincere, Lisa. Certainly, if you
had the least understanding of goodness and decency, you would
appreciate what I have been trying to do. I have been trying to
improve your mind with my culture. Oh, Lisa, if you would not harden
your heart, what friends we could be. All sorts of things might
happen.
Lisa
Like what?
Man
I can see I've been wasting my time on you. You're beneath my
notice— beneath the notice of any decent man. You're beyond
redemption. Go and wallow in the filth you love.
(He picks up his coat and jacket and makes a big fuss of getting
ready to go, just like a parent threatening to leave a child to
terrify it. His tactics have finally proven successful: Lisa is
sobbing violently.)
Lisa
Don't go, please don't go. I have so much to say to you. I want to
leave here. I need your help. I want it. I'm sorry for the dreadful
things I said.
Man
Lisa, I'm sorry, don't cry. I didn't mean it, really, Lisa,
I didn't mean to hurt you. I was wrong. Forgive me, my dear.
Lisa
You're so kind.
Man
But, I really must go now. Here. (he scribbles his address) This
is my address. Come to see me.
Lisa
Oh, I will, I will.
Man
I've got to go now.
Lisa
Wait a minute. (she rushes to a small desk and removes a letter)
Here, you see.
(Lisa gives him the letter and he reads it.)
Man
It's a very lovely love letter. Who is he?
Lisa
He's a medical student in Riga. He knew me when I lived there. I
met him a few weeks ago here. Of course, he has no idea what I'm doing
now. Isn't it wonderful?
Man (listlessly)
Yes, it's very nice.
Lisa
But, what shall I do? Can I marry him, as he asks me to? I mean,
would it be right, without telling him? And, how can I tell him? I'd
rather die than have him know—and—and—well, that's all, I guess.
Man
I think you should postpone your decision until after you have
left here.
Lisa
Yes,—of course—you're entirely right—but—
Man
It's up to you, Lisa. I shall be waiting to help you. Now, I am
going, Lisa. (he puts on his hat and leaves)
Lisa (paces up and down a bit after he leaves, clutching her
letter)
But, what if I haven't the courage?
BLACKOUT
Man
Why can't you clean this place up? It would be horrible if a
certain person that I'm expecting should see the way you force me to
live.
Apollon
You've been expecting a certain person to come for the last two
weeks —and you know very well this certain persons is the last person
you want to see.
Man
I order you to clean this place up; it's what I pay you for.
Apollon
Pay!! Ha.
(Apollon now simply stares at the Man. The latter becomes nervous.)
Man
Ah—so you're up to your old tricks of staring again. Stop looking
at me like that. For ten roubles a month—a good wage—you consent to
do absolutely nothing for me and scorn me in the bargain. For seven
years you have tormented me and you simply will not go away. Well, I
won't pay you your wages if you won't work, and you can stare at me
all you like. You haven't earned them and you shan't have them, do you
hear?
(Apollon continues to stare at the Man for a while and then walks
out. The Man breathes a sigh of relief. Apollon reappears.)
Man
What do you want now?
Apollon
Nothing. (he looks at the Man and sighs)
Man
I won't do it, I tell you, I won't pay you. Because—because I
don't wish to, and I'm the master. If you were respectful—I
might—but otherwise you can wait till Doomsday for all I care.
(There is a knock at the door.)
Man
Wait—see who that is. I must straighten up.
(Apollon shrugs and goes to the door. The Man races about
frantically trying to put the room in order but only succeeds in
making it more messed.)
(Zerkov and Trudolyubov enter.)
Man
It can't be.
Trudolyubov
We came to apologize for the other night. We are very sorry about
the whole thing.
Zerkov
It was an oversight—a misunderstanding.
Man
Your apologies are a little late coming.
Zerkov
But, you see, it isn't our fault. We were going out of
town—that's what the party was for. We were dreadfully sorry that you
got the wrong address. It was all the fault of that stupid waiter. One
should never have trusted things to him. He forgot entirely to tell
you, and he forgot to tell us until it was too late to tell you we had
changed the place of our meeting.
Man
I hunted all around for you. It had the appearance of a deliberate
insult.
Trudolyubov
Can you think we would do such a thing to an old friend? That's
uncharitable.
Zerkov (ironically)
Certainly we would not want to lose the favor of your wit. We
could not be guilty of such baseness to one we value so highly.
Trudolyubov
Did you wait long?
Man
For almost three hours. Then I went around to your usual haunts
and eventually found you had adjourned to Madame Sophie's. I went
there, but when I got there, I found you had left.
Zerkov (sniggering)
So you scented us out. Bravo! But I hope you did not find your
evening altogether wasted. There's a real nice little piece there
named Lisa. Just your type, I should imagine.
Man
Never met her. If you mean to insult me further— (they make signs
of protestation) It wasn't at all funny. It was—it was
simply—absurd.
Trudolyubov
Absurd, and something else as well. It was rude. Unintentional, of
course. And see, we didn't know your address, and there was no way to
tell you there'd been a change in plans, so we had to leave a message
with the waiter, and he, of course, forgot. Then we had to track you
to this place. And so, here we are.
Zerkov
Tell me, what are you doing now?
Man
I work for the Naval Department.
Zerkov
Is it a good position? What made you leave your job with the
Treasury? (Zerkov speaks with a slight drawl)
Man (imitating the drawl)
I quit because—ah wanted to.
Zerkov
And the remuneration?
Man
What remuneration?
Zerkov
I mean your salary?
Man
Are you cross examining me?
Zerkov (teasing)
Do you want a lawyer?
Man
Five hundred roubles a year, if you must know.
Zerkov
It must be hard to make ends meet.
Trudolyubov
Slave wages.
Zerkov
You've lost a lot of weight. You've really changed a lot.
Trudolyubov
Don't embarrass him.
Man
I'm not embarrassed. Let's talk of something more intelligent.
Zerkov
So you can show off your culture?
Trudolyubov
This is really stupid. Here we are, old friends and classmates,
squabbling like children.
Zerkov
He thinks he's better than I am, because he got better marks than
I did when we were in school. Could anything be more ridiculous? I may
have envied him his grades, but never as much as he envied me my
money. Now for a display of wit.
Man
Sir, let me tell you, I hate phrasemongers and fops. That's the
first point—and there's a second one to follow it. The second point
is I hate smut and smutty talkers. The third point is I love justice,
truth, and honesty. I love thought, sir. And I love friendship without
condescension. Equality—that's it, I love equality. I should throw a
bottle at your heads—but instead, I will simply tell you that I
regard you as so many inanimate pawns.
Zerkov
I am very much obliged to you.
Trudolyubov
He wants a punch in the face for that. He's drunk.
Zerkov
So there you have it, ladies and gentlemen. We have seen a display
of wit by a man of breeding. An intellectual of our times. An unsocial
socialist.
(The Man starts to employ Apollon's tactics on them. He walks up
and down without looking at them, whistling.)
Zerkov
There he is thinking if only we knew what a fine fellow he is, how
we would hug him to us. Only the fact is, we do know. Come along,
we've wasted enough time here.
Man (barring their way)
Don't go. I beg your pardon—I've insulted you. And you, too.
Trudolyubov
Ah, you don't care for duelling, is that it?
Man
I'm not trying to avoid a duel. I'm sorry, I want to be
reconciled. I'll fight you, if you wish. You will fire first, and I
will fire into the air.
Trudolyubov
He is comforting himself—
Zerkov
He's simply raving. But, let us pass. Why are you barring our way?
Man
I ask for your friendship. I insulted you, but—
Zerkov
Insulted? You insulted me? Understand, sir, that you never, under
any circumstances, could insult me.
Trudolyubov
That's enough for you. Out of the way.
(They brush him aside and go out. The Man stands momentarily in
shock, and then screams for Apollon.)
Man
You brutes, you brutes. Either you will go down on your knees to
me and beg me for my friendship, or I will slap you in the face. So,
this is it, this is it at last—real life. Apollon!! Get me my coat—
Hurry up, I've got to slap that man in the face.
Apollon
They will beat you.
Man
I will slap him, I say. Get me my coat. The blockheads will be
forced to see the shame of it. We shall fight at day break—that's
certain.
Apollon
But, where will you get pistols?
Man
I shall borrow them from—no, I'll ask for an advance on my salary
to buy them.
Apollon
The boss won't give it to you.
Man
He must, I say, he must.
Apollon
And, where will you get a second?
Man
I'll ask my boss. He's bound to consent as a matter of chivalry.
Apollon
Ask a bureaucrat to be chivalrous? Don't be absurd.
Man
Then, I'll get the first person I meet in the street.
Apollon
You're dreaming. What if they have you put in custody?
Man
In that case, I'll show them. When I get out, I'll—I'll pull his
leg and bite him. I will tell everyone that he has driven me to this,
because he refuses to fight.
Apollon
People will only laugh at you. You know that's right out of
Pushkin.
Man (furious)
Do you want me to kill you, too? Oh, it's disgusting—disgusting.
It's all the fault of that little bitch. If it hadn't been for her,
none of this would have happened. (perceiving that Apollon is staring
at him) Well, what are you staring at me for? (Apollon shakes his head
slowly) You fiend, you torturer. You want your wages, but you are too
proud to beg me for them. So you come here to worry me with your
stupid stares. As if I haven't gone through enough. You don't have any
idea how stupid you are—stupid, stupid——stupid!! (Apollon turns
away from him) Listen, here's the money. See, look at it all. All
there, but you're not going to have it. Not until you beg my pardon.
Apollon
That cannot be.
Man
It must be. I give you my word of honor, it must be.
Apollon
There's nothing for me to beg your pardon for. Besides, you called
me a fiend and a torturer, for which I can have you arrested—it's
insulting behaviour.
Man
You are a torturer. Go, summon me. Go at once, and get a police
officer. (Apollon laughs at him) Go on—or just imagine what will
happen.
Apollon
Whoever heard of a man having himself arrested?
Man (shrieking)
Go! (there is a knock at the door) They've come back to apologize,
I knew it. They've realized what a shame it is, what a tragedy. Go let
them in. I will forgive them—
(Apollon admits Lisa.)
Apollon
Lady to see you.
Man
You!! (collecting himself) Won't you sit down?
(The girl who is well-dressed, sits and looks around her. The Man
winces as he realizes she is aware of his poverty.)
Man
You have found me in a strange position, Lisa. (speaking
hurriedly) No, no, don't imagine that I am ashamed of my poverty. No,
in fact, I'm rather proud of it. I am poor, but honorable. It is
possible to be poor, but honorable. Let me offer you some tea—
Lisa
No, thank you.
Man
Apollon, here are your wages. You see, I give them to you,
but for that, you must come to my rescue. You must go down stairs,
this instant, and buy some tea. You don't understand who this woman
is. This means—everything.
Apollon (pays no attention at first, then just as the Man is
about to go to pieces completely, says) Shall I get a whole portion?
(at a nod from the Man, he leaves)
Man
I'll kill him.
Lisa
What are you talking about?
Man
I will kill him, kill him. You don't know what that torturer is to
me. What he does— He is my torturer, he—
Lisa
What's wrong?
Man
Give me some water—over there—
Lisa (fetching some water and giving it to him)
There—are you better?
Man
Yes. Lisa, do you despise me? (Lisa does not know what to say and
does not answer) Lisa, why have you come here? Tell me—please.
Lisa
I—I want to get away from there altogether. (a long silence)
Perhaps, I am disturbing you?
Man
Not at all. But, that's not the reason you came here. I'll tell
you why you've come.
Lisa
I'd better go. I can see something's wrong.
Man
Oh no, you're not going to get away so easily. Why have you come?
Answer! Answer! Then—I'll tell you. You've come because I talked
sentimental slop to you. So now you're soft as butter and longing to
hear it again. Well, I'm not in the mood. I was laughing at you then,
and I'm laughing at you now. (Lisa starts to cry) Why are you crying?
Yes, I was laughing at you. I had been insulted by the brutes who came
there before me. I was going to challenge them, but they were gone.
So, I vented my spleen on you. I had been humiliated, and I wanted to
humiliate someone on my turn. You were the lucky person.
Lisa
I can't believe you are so cruel—so cynical.
Man
Yes, it is possible, my girl. I mean, do you really think I am a
wandering missionary to the whores, come on purpose to save your dirty
little soul? You really thought that? I only wanted to hear the sound
of my own voice.
Lisa
But, you told me to come.
Man
Save you? Redeem you? From what? Power was what I wanted, then a
little sport, to see the little whore squirm under my artfully
delivered words. Why? Because I like playing with words. What I really
want is for you to go to Hell. Do you have any idea how I cursed
myself for giving you my address? It was a necessary part of the game
that I give you an address. But, it didn't have to be a correct
address. What a fool I was. The world can go to Hell, as long as I
have my tea. What do I care whether you go to ruin or not? You have no
idea how much I hate you for letting you see me like this.
Lisa
But, why should you hate me, why?
Man
Why? Because, I posed as such a noble saviour to you. And now you
see the real me. I said I'm not ashamed of my poverty. Well—the truth
is that I am shamed of it—more than anything else in the world. And
then, you walk in and find me squabbling with my servant just like an
old peasant. And my servant jeers at me. Surely, you must realize I
will never forgive you as long as I live for witnessing this. Yes, you
must answer for it because I am a scoundrel—because I am the nastiest
worm on earth and you have found me out. Others are no better, but
they are never put to confusion the way I am. It's my doom to be
insulted wherever I go. Well, why don't you go?
Lisa
How unhappy you are.
Man (sobbing)
People won't let me—I can't be decent. And now, you are the
heroine, and I am a loathsome villain. Not pretty, is it?
Lisa (kindly)
Why won't you look at me? (he looks at her) Darling, can't you see
it's all right, and that I love you?
Man
Yes, I understand your feelings. (He embraces her cruelly, and
pulls her down to the bed in frantic lust. She is shocked at first,
but then returns his embrace.) But, can you understand my feelings?
BLACKOUT
(When the lights go up, Lisa is lying on the bed, crying. She is
half clothed, and hasn't the energy to rise. The Man is pacing up and
down.)
Man
I can't even say I'm sorry, Lisa, though I should be, for you're
really a fine girl. You see, all you did was add a personal hatred to
the senseless hatred I felt for you. Because, I know you are better
than I am, I had to degrade you. In doing so, I've degraded myself
even more. And so, you see, the only way your presence will be
tolerable to me is when I'm degrading you—to get you back down to my
level. It's not a one time thing, Lisa. You will always rise above me,
afterwards. So, hadn't you better go? (Lisa begins to dress) Real life
is terrible, you know. I love books and the peace they bring. Why
should life be so cruel? Won't you please go away, Lisa? Can't you see
there's no hope for either of us together. After all, the whorehouse
isn't such a bad place. Contrary to what I said, I've known many a
girl to lead a long and pleasant life in one. I was just prosing, you
understand. And really, a woman who is as good in bed as you are—her
future is assured.
Lisa (still sobbing)
Goodbye. (she rushes out)
Man
Here—wait. You forgot your wages. Well, well, we've finally got
rid of her—now we can be at peace. (Looks at the money and then
covers his face. Suddenly, he rushes to the window and calls out.)
Lisa, Lisa, wait. I want you to forgive me. I want to apologize. I'll
marry you.— She's gone—didn't even look back. Gone forever.
(Enter Apollon. Apollon stares about the room and takes in what has
happened. Then he stares reproachfully at the Man.)
Man
Well, back at last!! Well, stare away, you—you've got your work
cut out for a time.
CURTAIN