Sartre Jean Paul Altona Men Without Shadows the Flies

The novels of Jean-Paul Sartre, such as The Age of Reason, tend to stress the meaningless aspect of modern life. His plays, on the other hand, deal more with human freedom. The

Flies (1942) presents Sartre's interpretation of the Greek legend of Orestes. Men Wi/hout Shadows (1946) is a brutal study of Ihe effects of torture on captured members of the Maquis. Altona (1959, previously published as Loser Wins) comments on the acquisitive aspects of capitalism as seen in a family 01 rich German industrialists. Among his other ptays are In Camera (1944). Crime Passionel (1948), La Diable elle Bon Oieu (1951), and Nekra.�sov (1957).

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Altona Men Without Shadows The Flies

PENGUIN PL.\ YS

ALTONA MEN WITHOUT SHADOW S THE FLIES jean.Paul Sanre - pOSIiibly the best-known and m�t discussed modern French writ er and

thinker _ was born in Paris in 1905. He was educa ted in Paris and later taught in schools at Lc Havr e and Laon. In 1934 he spent a year in the French Institute in Berlin

where he became acqulinted wilh mode rn Germ an philosophy. He then tlught at the Lyerc Condoreet in Paris. He played an attive role i n the Res istanc e during the war, and arter_ wards left the teaching profc ssion. Since 1946 he has spent his rillle writing, and editing the magazine us Temps modemrs. Sartre is a Marxist and the foun der of French existen_ tialism. His phi!Nophical work s such as L'Erre el Ie 11/enme circubloed

withoul the publ....r·. . prio< OCHlvot in any form 01 hlndinS or co�er olbe. tlLall Ih.t i1 l ..hieh it is I'ublislloed .od witboul a timilu OIIedition InelOOi", thil OIInditloo boin, iolposotJd 00 Ihe .uhleQue'" p�

CONTENTS ALTONA Trallslated by Sylvia aud Georgt Ueson

7

MEN WITI-IOUT SHADOWS Ttamlntl'd by Killy Blnck

THEFLIES TrnlUlnfl'd by Stllarl Gilhrrt

'l'

ALTONA

CHARACTERS LENI JO HANNA WERNER THE FATHER FRANZ S.5. MAN AMERICAN OFFICER THE WOMAN LIEUTENANT KLAGES THE SERGEANT-MAJOR

Note hy the AI/thor I thought thai r haa illllemea the Ilmlle Ccr/rlch. I 1I1as Illi5takel/. It was hiddclI ill my mcmory. I regret my mistake eve" more bemrlSe /I,e lIallle is tllilt of Ofte of Ihe brm,es( alld beSI klloum opponents of IVrlli(Jtw!-Socialisw. HeilmruiJ VOII Cer/ach devoted ilis life (0 Ihe struggle for ral 'prodlcllle'lt betwee" France and German),. al/d for peace. Itl 1933 his I/awe /llrI$ high up ill Ihe list of those proscribed by the Nazis. His prol1fT!Y !I'M sei:ud, together wilh that of Iris family. He dil'd ill exile, two ycars later, IJall)·lIg derlored his hm ej}nrlS to jJrOl'idillg help for Ilis r�{llga compatriols. It is tQ() late to c/tallge the "ames of my characters, bllll btg Iris fricllds ami relatirles to accept this as all eamcst of Illy apology and Illy fl'gret.

ACT ONE

A large room crowded with prettl/liolls uglyjim/ilufe, most ojwhidl is ill the German stylt of the elld of the tlilltleellill century. All itUide staircase leads to a smoUlalld;ng. On tlze landing. a closed door. Two fretuh windows, right, lead to a thickly wooded park; the light filterillg in throllg/l the trees lIas a greenisll Iwe. Upstage, right al/d left, two doors. On the wall lips/age, three enormolls photos oj Franz, mOllrtlillg crepe draped all the Jrnmes of lIlt bottom alia on the right. [LENI is stlllld;ng. WERNER is seated ill all armchai" while JOHANNA is lealcd all II settee. They are silellt. Then, after a momcnt, the large German {lock strikes three. WE11.NUljumps IIp. LBNI blmfs i1110 Infighter.] LENr: Attention! [Pallse.] At thirty-three! [AIII/oyed.] Oh. sit down!

JOHANNA: Why? Isn't it time? LENI: Time? Now we start waiting, that's all. [WERNBR shrugs his shoulders. To Werner] You know very well we shall have to wait.

JOHANNA: How should he know? LENI: Because it's the rule. At all family conferences . JOHANNA: Have tbere been many? LENt: They were our big occasions. JOHANNA: I hope you enjoyed them. LBN! [continuing] : Werner was always early, and old Hjnden� .

.

burg always late.

WERNER [to Johanna]:

Don't believe a word of it. Father has

always done things with military precision.

LENt:

Absolutely! We used to wait here while he smoked a

cigar in his office and looked at his watch. At three ten he

'3

.... LTON ....

would make his entry, military fashion. Ten minutes; not a minute more, not a minute less. Twelve at staff meetings. eight w hen he presided at mcct ings of the directors. JOHANN A: Why go to all th:lt trouble? LENI: To give us time to be afraid. JOHANNA: And down at the shipyard? LEN!: The boss arrives last. JOHANNA [amazedJ: What? Who says that? [She laughs.] No olle believes that any m ore. LEN!: Old Hindenburg believ�d it for fifty years of hi s life. JOHANNA: Pe rha ps so, but now ... LENI: Now he no longer believes in anything. [Pallse.] Never­ theless. he'll be ten minutes late. Principles may go, habitS remain. Bisma rck was still alive when our poor father acquir ed his habits. [To Wuuerl Don't you remember how

we waited? [ToJohatma] He used to tremble and wonder who was g oing to be punished. WEllNER: Didn't you tremble, Lclli? LEN! [laughing dryly]: Me? I used to die of fright, but I used to say to myse lf : he'll pay for it. JOHANNA [irollicallyJ: Has he paid? LENI [smi/illg, but very IUlTSIIJ: He is paying. [She tlITIIS to Werner.) Wh o's going to bl' punished, Werner? Which of us (wo? How it makes us young again! [Suddenly fierce] I hate victims who respect their executioners. JOIl ANN A: Werner is not a victim. LENI: Look at him! JOHANNA [poimillg to the mirror): Look at your self ! L Ii NI

[s'Jrprised]: Me?

JOB'" NN A: YOli don't look so good. A nd yo u're talking a lot. tENI: That's just to distract you. 1t'5:1 lon g tilIle since I've been

afraid oHather.Anyway, this time wc know what he's going to Sly. WIlRNEIl:

1 haven't the sliglucs t idea. '4

(

ACT

ONE

L£NI: Not the slightest? Hypocritc! Phlri�C! You do� your

eyes to everything unpleaS3.nt! IToJohannaJ Old Hindenburg'

is going to die, Jo hann a. Didn't yon know?

JOHANNA: Yes, 1 did.

WERNER: It's IlOt true.

[He staTts to tremble.] J lell

true. LENI: Stop t r embling!

I SlIddellly violentJ Die

,

yOll it's not

yes, die! Like a

do g! And you were told. The proof of that is that you told

everything to Joh anna . JOHANNA: You're wrong, Leni. LENI: Go on! He has 110 secrets f r om you.

JOHANNA: Oh, yes, he has somc. LENI: Then who told you? JOHANNA: You. LENI [stlllllled]: Me?

JOHANNA: Three weeks ago, ont' of the doc tors came to see

,

you in the Blue Room ..ftrT the consultation. LENI: Hilber t yes. What of it?

JOHANNA: llllet you in the corri dor. He had just gone. LENI: well? JOHANN A: Nothing.

[p(lust'.1 Your face gives you away, Lelll.

LENI: 1 didn't know that. Thlnk you. Did I look el ated ? J ° H A NN A : YOll looked terrified. LENl

Ishouts]: That's not true! [Sile Tegains control of herself)

JOHANNA [gelllly): Go and look at your face in the glass. The terror is still there.

[curtly]: I'll leave the looking-glasses to you. (lrm of Iris ellair] : That' s eno ugh ! IHc looks IIIth�m allgrily.] If it's true that f.1ther is going to die, have the decency to kecp qu iet . [To Leni] What's tile mattcr with ng you what's the matter him? [She does Ilor reply.J I'm aski

LEN I

WE R NER lstrikirlg thc

with him. LEN): You know.

WERNER: That's not nue. "

ALTONA

LENt: You knew twenty minutes before I did. JOHANNA: Lcni, wh:1t are you trying to ... ? LENI: Before going to the Blue Room, Hilbert went through the Rose Room. He met my brother and told him every­ thing. JOHANN A [amazed]: Werner! [He slumpsdoUi/l i,,(o ti,e amullair without replying.] I ... I don't under5und. LENI: You still don't know the Gerlachs, Johanna. JOHANNA [pointing to Wemer]: I knew one in Hamburg three years ago, and I fell in love with him right away. He was free, he was open and he was gay. How you have changed him! LBNI: Was he afraid of words in Hamburg, your Gerlach? JOHANNA: No, he wasn't. LENI: It's here that he's really himself. JOHANNA [lI/ming to WeTlJer sadly): You lied to me! WIlRNER [sharply]: Not another word.!Pointi,lg to Leni] Look at her smile. She's preparing the ground. JOHANNA: For whom? WERNER: For father. We arc the chosen victims, and their first aim is to separate us. Whatever you may think, don't re­ proach me. You would be playing their game. j °H ANNA [tender, bUI serious]: 1 have nothing to reproach you with. WIlRN. ER [wildly]: That's all right, then! That's aU right, then! JOHANNA: What do they want of us? WBRNER: Don't worry, they'll tell us. [PmBe.] JOHANNA: What's wrong with him? LENI: Who? JOHANNA: Father. LENI: Cancer of the throat. JOHANNA: Does olle die of it? LENI: UsuaIly. rPause.] He may drag all. [Qlrjelly] You used to like him, didn't you? JOHANNA: I still do.

ACT ONE

LENt: He was a1ways attractive to women.

[Pallse.] What a retribution! That mouth which was so loved. ... [She- sets" tlltltjo/wllla does not tmderstlmd.] Perhaps you don't know, but cancer of the throat has this great disadvantage ... j 0HANNA [she- understands]: Be quiet! LENI: You are becoming a Gerlach. Bravo! [She goes to gt:1 the Bible, a thick, ht:aIlY, slXletlllh-tellfllry vol'lme, and tarries il with diJIitllfly oller 10 the pe-destaf lable.) JOHANNA: What's that? LENI: The Bible. We put it on the table when we hold a family conference. [JOHANNA looks at iI, astollished. LENI adds, a trifle impatielllfy] Yes, in case we have to take an oath. JOHANNA: There's no oach to takc. LE Nt : You never know. JOHANN A I/aughillg 10 reassllre he-rse-If]:You believe neither in God nor the Devil. LENI: That's true. But we go to church, and we swear on the �ib�e. I' �e already .told you - this family has 110 longer any Just16catIOn for livlllg, but it has kept its good habits.IShe looks at the clotk.] Ten past three, Werner. You can stand up. [At that mometlt the- FA TfI ER filters by the french windows. WERNER hears the door opt:n alld tllrns rOlmd. JOHANNA hesitlltes bifore standing, bllt at last deddes to do so with bad grau. The FATHER, hower/er, walks qllickly across the room mui places his hal/ds on her silO/riders to make III:r sit dowu agaill.] FATHEil.: Please, my child. (She sils dVlvn agairl; he borvs, kisses her hand, straightens lip rather qUickly atld looks at Wemt:r alld uni.] Well, I don't need to tell you, do I? Very good! Let's get to the point, and without ceremony, ch? [Briif silence.] So, I am condemned. [w ERNE II. takes his arm, bllt ile pI/lis away almost omtally.] I said - without ceremony. [WE HNER, hurt tlrms I1l/1ay and sits dowlI again. Pal/st:. The FA THEH/ooks at all three Q/ld speaks i'l a sUg/Illy harsh vOice.J How unconcernedly '7

ALTONA

you all take my death! {Keepi/Ig his f!yes on them, as though to cOl/vince them} I am going to die. I am going to die. There's

no doubt about it. [He rCCOIler5 himselj: flllI/osl pfayfi'!.] My children, Nature is playing me a shabby trick. Whatever my wonh, this body of mine never harmed anyone.In six months I shall have all the disadvantages of a corpse witham any of its advantag es. [At a gesture j'''111 WERNER, l,e laughs.] Sit down! I shall go decently. LENI {politely if//uested}: You arc going ... ? fATHEM: Do you think I shall submit to the extravagance of a few cells, 1 who set Steel aRoat on the seas? [Short plll/se.] Six months is more than I need to put my affairs in order. WERNER: And after the six months? fATHER:

After? What do yOll think? Nothing.

LENI: Nothing at all?

FA THE R: An indllstrial casualty. N atme finally redressed.

[ill a c/Joked voicel: Redresse d by whom? FATHER: Dy you, if yOll arc capable of it. lw ERNER starts. Tire FATHER Illughs.l Don' t worry, I'll take care of everything.

WERNER

You will only have to worry about the fUlleral arrangements. [Pal/se.l Enollgh of that. [Lollg pallst. To )oha",/(/, pleasmltly] My child, I ask you to be patient just a little longer.[To Lelli

alld IVemer, challgillg his tOIle] You will h a ve to swear an oath.

one after the other. JOHANNA lanxious}: What ceremony ! And you said you didn't want any. What is there to swear? FATHER [good-/wIIJollfl.'d/y}: Nothi ng much. daughter-in-law. In any case. in-laws 3re exempt from the oath . IHI.' tUfIIS towards/lis SOil with II solenmity which {OII/J be taken as irollic or sit/ure.} Werner, stand up! You were a lawyer, my son. When Franz died. I called on yOll for help, and you left the Bar witllOut hesitation.That de se rves a reward. You will be master of this house aud head of the firm. I To johatJlJa] You sec, n othi ng to worry about. I am making him one of the ,8

ACT ONE

kings of th.is world. [] 0 HANN A remaillS !ifem.J Dou't you agree? J 0 HANNA: I t's nOt for me to answer you . FATHER: Werner! [ImpntielltlyJ You refuse? WERNER [gloomy

Illld troubledJ: I shall do what you wish. [He looks at hilll.1 But you are

FATHER: Of course you will.

reluctant to do it?

WERNER: Yes. PATHIlII: The largest shipbuilding firm is handed to you and

that breaks your heart. Why? WERNER: I .. . Let's say I'm n ot worthy of it .

FATUBR: That' s q ui te probabl e.But I can't help it. You are my

sale male heir.

WERNIlR: Franz had

aU th e necessary qualities.

fATHER: Except one, since he is dead.

WERNER: You see, I was a good lawyer. I shall find it hard to

resign

lf to being a bad employer.

myse

fATHER: Perhaps YOll won't be such a bad one.

WERNEn: When I look a man ill the eyes, I become i ncapable

of giving him orders.

FATHER: Why?

WERNER: I feel that he is my equal.

him above the e ye s. [Touches There, for example. That's only bone. WERNER: I shouJd need your pride. fATU ER: Haven't YOll got it?

fATilE R: Look at

his fore/wad.1

WERNER: Where c uld I have got it from? You spared nothing

�

mould Franz IJl your own image. Is it my fault that you taught me nothing but passive obedience? FAT HER: It's the same thing. to

WBRNI!R: What? What's the same thing? fA THIlR: To obey and to COmnL11ld. In both cases you transmit

orders you have received.

WERNER: You recei ve orders?

'9

ALTONA

ACT ONE

FATitER: Up to quite reccntly, I did. WERNER: From whom? fA THER:I don't know.Myself, perhaps.(Smili'lg]I'll give you

WERNER: Perfect. IfI find time hangs heavily, I'll go back to

the formula.If you want to command, think of yourself as someone else. WERNER:I can't think of myself 25 anyone else. fATHER: Wait till I die. At the end ofa week you will think you arc me.

WERNER: To decidc! To decide! To be responsible for every­ thing. Alone. On behalf of a hundred thousand men. And you have managed to live! fATHER: It's a long time sinceI have decided anything. I sign the correspondence.Next year, you will sign it. WERNER: Don't you do anything else? FATllEa: Nothing, for nearly ten years. WERNER: Why are you needed? Wouldn't anyone do? FATHER: Yes, anyone.

WERNER: Me, for example. FATHER: You, for example. WERNER: Nothing is perfect.

the Bar. And we shall travel too.

fATHER; No. WERNER [astonishetfJ:It's the best tltingI could do. fA THER (imperitms and crushing]: Out ofthequcstion.[He laoks at Werner GIld utli.] Now listen to me. The estate is to remain

intact.You are strictly forbidden to sell ar hand over your share to anyone whatsoever. You are forbidden to sell this house. You are forbidden to leave it. You will live in it until you die. Swear! [To Leni] You first. LENT [smiling]: To be honcst, r must remind you that ( am not bound by oaths. fATHER[also smiling]: Go on, uni,I rely on you.Be an example to your brother.

LENT [approaches the Bible GIld rdses her IW/Jd. Shefights against a" oIJtnIJhelmillg desire to lallgh]: I ... Oh, what docs it matter! Excuse me. father, but I can't help laughing. [Aside toJahanlla] It happens every time.

There are so many cogs in the machine. Suppose one of thcm were to jam.... FATHER: For repairs, Gelber will be thcre.A remarkable man, you know, who has been with us for twenty-five years. WERNER: I'm lucky, in fact. He will give the orders. FATHER: Gelber? You're mad! He is your employee.You pay him to let you know what orders to give.

WERNER [afitr a pallse]: Oh, father, not once in your life have you trusted me. You thrust me at the head of the firm because I am your sole male heir, but you first made sure of turning me into an ornament. FATHER [laughing sadly]: An ornament! And I? What am I? A hat on a flagpole. {Witll a sad atld gentle: air, almost selli/e] The greatest enterprise in Europe....It's quite an organi:z.ation, isn't it? Quite an organization. 20

FATHER[good-llUnJolludlyJ: Laugh, my child.I only ask you to swear.

LEN � [smiling]: I swear on the Holy Bible to obey your last Wishes. [The FATHER looks at her laughiugly, then ItlfllS 10 Werner.) Your turn, head of the family. [WERNER appears fost in thotlght.] fATHER: Well, Werner? [WERNER raises his htad sharply andJacts hisJalher with a hallnted look.) LENT [seriolls]: Deliver us, brother. Swear, and all will be over. [WERNER ttlms tOl/lards the Bible.] JOHANNA (collfteollSly and quietly]: One moment please. [The fATHER looks at her,foiglling amazement in order to intimidate her. She refilms his gaze withollt rmotian.] Lcni's oath was a farce. Everyone laughed. When Werner's tum comes' no one laughs any morc. Why? u

ALTONA

ACT ONE

LENI: Because your husband takes everything seriously. JOHANNA: One moce reason to laup:h.

IPlIl/st.)

YOli were

watching him, Leni. fATHER

(willi authority): JohaIUla

.. .

JOHANNA: You too, father, you were watching him. LEi'll: Well, you were watching me also. JOHANNA: Father, I wish we were frank with each other. fATIiBIl: You and I?

JOHANNA: You and 1. [ The fATHER

smiles, JOHANNA tllkes the Bible (lJld wrries it !pith d!ffiwlty to aI/other tavIe, farther away.1 First, let's talk. thell whoever wants to swear may

do so. LENI: Werner! Arc you going to let your wife defend you?

WERNER: Am I being :l.tt.'lcked, then? JOlt ANNA lta

rile FatIUTJ:

pose of my life. FAT IIER [pail1tillg /0

I should like to kllow why you dis.

WemCT1: I dispose of his bCGllIse It belongs

to me, but I have no power over yOllrs.

JOHANNA

lsmilill.' O CLOCK. HesitsdolVtlagaitlalldnlbsrhe shells

FRANZ: Very well. I'm going to the thirtieth.

70

�

togetrer,] You're looking at me. I can feel my neck burning. I forbid you to look at me! If you stay, keep working. [LENl does lIot move.] Will you take your eyes offme! LENI: I will ifyou speak to me. FRANZ: You're driving me mad! Mad! Mad! LBNI [with a mirzhfess iallgh] : You'd like me to. fRAN z : You want to look at me? Then do so! [He stallds lip, and does tire goose-step.) Left, right, left, right ! LENt: StOp ! fRANZ: left, right, left, right ! LENI: Please, stop ! fRANZ; What's the matter, my beauty? Afraid of a soldier? LBNI: I'm afraid of despising you.

lShe takes offlrer apron,

throlVs it 011 the bed, alldgoes fOUlards stops abmptly.J FRAN Z : Leni ! [She is at the door. He speaks with a Tatlrer bewildered gelltle/less] Don't leave me alone ! LENI [sire tlims, speakillg passionately]: Do you want me to the door.

FRANZ

scay?

(in t're same gentle voice1 : I need you, Leni. [she goes towards him, overcome1 : My dear ! [Sire is close to him. She raises frer hand hesitantly and caresses hisjace. He aUows her to do sofor a moment, theIrjrll/rps back.1

FRAN Z

fRANZ: They do, up there. It's very unpleasant. [To the ceiling]

LBNt: I haven't finished dearing up.

A C T TWO

LENI

FRANZ: Keep your distance ! Keep 110

emotion.

a

respectfUl distance ! And

[smiling] : Puriun ! fRANZ: Puritan? [ParISe.] You think so? [He comes dose to her, and caresses her slrorllders alld Ileek. III at ease, she aUolvs him to do so.J Puritans don't know how to caress. [He caresses Irer breasts. Sire slmdders alld closes /Jer eyes.] But I do. [She lets herselfgo agaill5t Irim. He srrddrnly breaksfree.] Get away ! You LEN!

disgust me! LENI

[IVith icy calm, takillg a step backwards]: Not always !

FRAN z: Always ! Always ! From the very first day !

7'

.

A C T TWO

ALTONA LENI: Down on your knees ! Why aren't you begging their

pardon?

FRANZ: Pardon for what? Nothing has happened? LEN!: What about yesterday? FRANZ: Nothing, I tell you! Nothing at all! LENI: Nothing except incest. FRANZ: You always exaggerate. LENI: Aren't you my brother? FRANZ: Yes, of course. LENI: Haven't you slept with me? fRANZ: Not very often.

LENI: Even

words?

ifyou only did it once. . . . Are you so afraid of

[shmgging his shoulders]: Words ! [Pause.] If we had to fmd words for all the tribulations of this rotting flesh I [He lal/glls.] Are you trying to say that I make love? Oh, little

FRANZ

sister! You are there, and I clasp you. Kind sleeps with kind - as it does a thousand million times every night upon this earth. [To the ceiling1 But I swear to you that Franz. the eldest son of the Gerlachs, has never desired his younger sister. leni. LEN!: Coward ! [To the ceiling1 Masked inhabitants of the ceiling, the witness of the centuries is a false witness. I. leni, incestuous sister, love Franz, and I love him because he is my brother. No matter how little you care for family ties, you will condemn us olltright, but I don't care a rap. [To Franz] That's the way to talk to them, you poor lost sheep. [To the Crabs] He desires me, but he doesn't love me. He dies of shame, and he sleeps with me in the dark . . . . So? 1 win. I wanted to have rum, and I have him. FRANZ [to the Crabs1: She's mad. [He winks at them.] I'll explain to you, when we're alone. LENI: I forbid you! I shall die; I am already dead, and 1 forbid you to plead my cause. I have only onejudge - myself-and 72

I acquit myself. Oh, witness for the dcfencc, testify before yourself. You will be invuinerable jf you dare to state: 'I have done what I wanted, and I want what r have done.'

[his face suddenly petrified, cold, filled with hatred alld threatening. He speaks harsldy and defialltly] : Whathave I done,

FRANZ

Leni?

[crying Ollt] : FralIz! They'll have the hide off you if you don't defend yourself. FRAN Z : uni, what have I done? LENI [worried, glvillg groundJ : Well . . . I've already told you. FRANZ: Incest? No, Leni, it wasn't the incest you were talking about. [Pause.1 What have r done? LEN!

[A long silellce. They 1001.: at each other. LENI tllfllS awayfirst.]

LENt: All right; I've lost. Forget it. I'll protect you without

your help. I'm used to it. [Pause.] Ifyou don't obey, I'll go on a silence strike. You know I can hold out for two months. LENI: I know. [Pallse.] I can't. [Shegots to the door, lifts the bar and draws Ihe bolt.1 I'll bring your dinner this evening. FRANZ: No use. I shan't open the door. LENI: That's your business. M.ine is to bring your dinner. [He does flot reply. Going out, she speaks to the Crabs.] In case he doesn't open the door; good night, my pretty ones ! fRAN Z : Get out!

[Shegoes Olltat/dcloses the door. FRAN Z II/filS, waits a moment, then lowers the bar and draws the bolt, hisface set. He relaxes as soon as hefeels safe, and appears reassllred and almost gay. bllt it is now that he seems most mad. Dllfing the followlng speech. he sptaks to the Crabs. It is not a motwloglle, but a dialogue carried on with invisible persons.] FRAN z : Doubtful witness. To be examined in my presence and

according to my instructions. [Pause. ReasSllred, weary. very Eh? Tiresome? In a way, yes - rather tiresome. But what a fuss! [He yawns.] Her mainjob is to keep me awake. It has been midnight for twenty years this century. It's not

softly]

73

ACT TWO

ALTONA

very easy to keep your eyes open at midnight. No, no;just dozing, that's all. It comes over me when I'm alone. [He becomes increasingly sleepy.] I shouldn't have sent her away.

[He sways, thell quickly straightens up alld marc/,es in military style to the table. He bombards the portrait ojHitler with oyster4 shells, SIIOJitillg] Sieg! Hell ! Sieg! Heil ! Sieg ! [Stallding to attention mId dickillg his heels] Fuhrer, I am a soldier. If I fall asleep, it's serious, very serious. Abandoning my pOSt. I swear to remain awake. Put on the searchlights, you ! Full in my face, right in the eyes. That wakes you up. [He waits.] You lousy scum! [He goes to his chair, atld speaks in a soft aud (orlciliato,y VOice.] Well, I'll sit down a while. . . . (He sits dOIU'I, his head 1I0ddillg, his eyes blinkillg.] Roses. . . . Oh, rHejumps up so ql4ickly that lIe knocks over the isn't it lovely chair.] Roses? And if I take the bouquet, they will make me the highlight of their Carnival. [To the Crabs] A brazen Carnival! Help me, friends ! I know too much; they want to get me out of the way. That's the Great Temptation. [He . . .

goes to the bedside table, takes softie tabletsJrom a tube and chews them.] Ugh! Listeners, take note of my new call4sign: De profimdis damavi. O. P. C. Listen, everyone! Grind ! Grind away ! Ifyou don't listen to me, I'U full asleep. (HepOllrs IJim4 self some champaglle, drillks, spills half oj it over liis tIInic, then Jets his hatld Jail to his side, the glass hangillgJrom Ids fingers.] Meanwhile the century gallops on. . . . They've put cotton­ wool in my head. Fog. It's white. [Hjuyes blink.] It's spread­ ing over the fields . . . giving them cover. They're creeping up. There'll be bloodshed tonight.

[Tiresoundojdistarl!5hots, noises,gal/oping. Hedozes off, arIdhis eyesclose. SEaGBA NT-MAJ OR HERM AN Nopens thedooroJthe lavalory and comes towards FRAN Z, who isJacing the alldienet, with his eyes dosed. SERMANN sailites, standing to attention.] FRAN Z (itl a thick, dull voice, wUlrout opening his eyes] : Partisans? SBRGBANT4MAJOR: About twenty.

74

FRANZ: Anyone killed? SERGEANT-MAJOR: No. Two wounded. FRANZ: Ours? SERGEANT4MAJOR: Theirs. We put them in the bam. FRAN z : You know my orders, Dismiss!

[The SERGEANT4MAJOR looks at Franz, besjumt, brlt angry.]

SERGEANT-MAJOR: Very good, lieutenant.

[Salute. Abollt4tllrtJ. He goes alit tltforlgh the lavatory door, dosing it behind him. Pal/se. FRANZ' S head Jails all to his chest. He litters a terrible uy, aud wake5 lip with a start,Jadl'g the audience.] FRANZ: No! Heinrich ! Heinrich! I said no! [He risespainJlIlIy, takes a fillerJrom tlle table al/(i strikes himself011 thefingers oJhis left halld, as thollgh /rammerillg ill a lessoll.] Of course I did! [Blows with tire ruler] I take full ttsponsibility. What was it she said? (Taking lip Letli's words ill Iris OWII terms] I do what I like, and I like what I do. [HarriedJ Hearing of May 20th, 3059, Franz Von Gerlach, lieutenant. Don't throw my i to h e dustbin. Not without hearing me. Evil, your century n lordships, Evil was the only material we had. We worked on i our refineries, and the finished product became Good. it ll Result: the Good turned bad. And don't CWl away with the idea that the Evil turned out well. [He smiles, debo/lair; Iris head droops.] Eh? [Shollts.] Falling asleep? Come on! Senile decay. They want to get at my head. Take care, youjudges ; if I rOt, my century will be engulfed. The flock of the cen4 turies needs a black sheep. What will the fortieth say, Arthropods, if the twentieth has wandered nom the fold? [Pause.] No help? Never? Thy will be done. (He relllfllS to thefrOllt ojthe stage, alldgoes to sit down.] Ah! I should never have let her go. [Solllld oJkllockillg at the door. He listells, and straightens rip. It is the agreed sigllal. He cries Ollt in joy] Leni !

�

[He nms to the door, raises the bar, and draws the bolt with strong and decisive movements. He is suddenly wide-arllake. Speaking 7'

A C T TWO

ALTONA

as lie ope/Is tile door] Come in quickly! [He takes a step back to allow her topass. J 0 H AN NA appears in the doorway, looking very beau/ifill, made lip and wearillg a long dress. FRA N Z takes a step backwards.] FRANZ [with a /Joarst cry] : Ha! [He draws back.] What's this? [She is about to reply, b'lt lIe stops her.1 Nota word ! [He retreats and sits dowli. He looks at Iler,josdnated, sitting astride his choir. He tlods agreelllttll, alld speaks with a restroilled voice.] Yes. [Briif'pause.] She will come n i . . . [As lit! says this, she comes ill.] . and I shall still be alone. [To the Crabs] Thank you, comrades; [ needed your help. [bl a kind 0J/ra/lce1 She will "

say nothing, and it will only be a vision. I shall look at her.

[J O H A N N A has also appeared to be Jascinated by this. She recovers, mId SI1riles as she speaks in order to overcome herJear·1 J O H A N N A : Nevertheless, I have to talk to you. fRAN z [retreati/Igfrom I,er slowly,

without toki/Ig lu's eyes off/ler] : [He strikes the table.] I knew she would spoil everything. [ParISe.] It's someone now. In my room. Get out! [She does lIot move.] I'll have you thrown out like a tramp. No!

J O H A N N A : By whom? fRAN z [shollting1 : uni!

[Porlse.1 You're a shrewd one, you've found the weak spot ; I'm alone. [He IIIms rOlllld suddenly. Pause.1 Who are you?

J O H A N N A : Werner's wife.

fRANZ: Werner's wife? [He stell/dsllp alld looks at her.] Wcrner's

wife? [He looks at I,er ill amazement.] Who sent you?

laughs.]

Laugh ! Laugh ! I could have had a seizure. What would you have done? I've been ordered not to have visitors - bcc�use of my heart. .It's liable to conk out without any warnmg. As luck would have it, you are beautiful. Oh! One moment. It's over now. I took you for God knows what p�rhaps a vision. Take advantage of that salutary error to disappear before you commit a crime. JOHANNA: No. . . •

� . . (Hegoes towards her, threatetl­ mgly, thetl stops. He slllmps illto his chair mId feels his pulse.]

fR N Z [SIlOlltS] : I'm going to

.

A hundred and forty at Icast. For God's sake, if you don't dear out you'll cert.1inly see me pass out.

JOHANNA: That would be the best solution.

[,ffe takes his handfrom his chest al/d looks at Johal/lla itl mrprise.] She was right. You'rc in their pay! [He stal/ds "p olld walks easily.J They won't get me 50 quickly. . . Take It easy! Take It easy! [He films qllickly back to Ilu.1 The

fRANZ: What?

. best soiutlon? For whom? For all the false wimesses of this earth? JOHANNA: For Werner and me. [She looks at him.] fRANZ [dumbfo'lllded) : Am I in your way? JOHANNA: You tyrannize over us. fRANZ: I don't even know you. JOHANNA: You know Werner. fRANZ: I have even forgotten what he looks like. JOHANNA: They are keeping us here by force. Because ofyou.

fRANZ :Who?

JOHANNA: No one. fRANZ: How did you know the signal! JOHANNA: From Uni.

fRAN Z (with a short laJ�II]: From uni? I can well believe that !

JOHANNA: Father and uni. fRANZ [omllsed): Do they beat you? Do they chain you up?

JOHANNA: Oh, no.

J O H A N N A : She was knocking. I . . . surprised her at it and

FRANZ: Well?

counted the knocks. fRANZ: I was warned that yOll have your nose in everything. [Parlse.1 Well, madam, you have risked kiUing me. [She

JOHANNA: Bla.ckmail.

76

(Dry laugh. His astotlislt­ metlt retllms.] Because of me? \Vhae do they want?

fRANZ: That, yes. That is like them.

77

ALTONA

A C T TWO

JOHANNA: To keep us in reserve. We will take over in case of

JOHANNA: Yes.

everytbjng. Doctor's orders. You could be strangled before my very eyes, and I would not lift a finger. [Complatently] Do I disgust you? JOHANNA: Intensely. FRANZ [rubbing Itis Ita/Ids] : Very good. JOHANNA: But not enough to make me go. FRANZ: Good. [He takes the revolver alld aims it at her.] I shall count three. [She smiles.] Onel [POlUC.] Two! [PallSt'.] Phut ! No one here. Vanished ! [To the Crabs] What calm ! She is quiet. It's all there, comrades : 'Be beautiful and keep quiet l' A vision. Is it inscribed onyourwindow? Ohno! Whatcould he inscribed on it? Nothing has changed; nothing has hap­ pened. The trick brought nothing into the room, that's all. Nothing. a diamond which cuts no glass, a vision. Beauty. You'll see nothing but the blaze there, poor Crustaceans. You took our eyes toexamine what exists, while we, living in Illan's epoch, have seen with those same eyes what docs not exist. JOHANNA [qljietly] : Father is going to die. [Pallse. fRANZ

FRANZ: Well, what shall I do? JOHANNA : The best thing would be to do away with you.

FRANZ: Not a chance l leDi hasjust told me that he is as strong

accident.

FRANZ [gaily} : Your husband will make my soup and you will

sweep out my room? Do you know bow to darn?

JOHANNA [poi/lting to tile unifoml in rags]: The needlework will

not be very interesting.

FRANZ: Don't fool yourself! These holes are consolidated.

If

[Sllddenly it weren't that my sister has fairy fingers serious] No changes. Take Werner to the devil and don't let me see you allY more ! [He goes to his chair. Just as lie (s abollt to sit dow", lie IIIms.] Still there? . . .

JOHANNA: Yes.

FRANZ: You didn't undetstand me. I give you your freedom.

JOHANNA: You give me nothing at all. FRANZ: I

tell you, you are free. air!

JOHANNA: Wordsl Hot

FRANZ: You waIlt deeds?

FRANZ: Again 1

[Lallglls sllortly.] Don't bank on it.

Out of the

question.

[after a pallse] : Then help us. fRANZ [choked) : Eh? JOHANNA [Iuith warmth] : You must help us, Franz 1 [PmlSt.] FRANZ: No 1 [Pm/se.] I don't belong to this century. I will save the world as a whole but I will not help any one in patticular. [He paces agitatedly.] I forbid you to draw me into your affairs. I am ill, do you understand? They take advantage of it to force me to live in the most abject dependence and you JOHANNA

ought to be ashamed, you who are young and healthy, to ask someone who is weak and oppressed to help you. [Pallse.] I am delicate, Madam, and my peace of mind comes before

78

tllrows tile revolver 011 to the table and qUicklygets lip .]

as an oak.

JOHANNA: She lies. fRANZ [with assllrallce]: To everybody except me. It's the rule

ofthe game. [Qllickly] Go and hide yourself, you ought to die ofshame. A ruse so vulgar and so quickly exposed 1 Eh? Two wonderful opportunities in less than an hour - and you cannot even take advantage of such unheard-of luck 1 You are a common type, my young sister-in-law, and I am no longer surprised that Werner marriedyou.

IHe turns his back ot! her. sits dowll, alld kflocks tlVO shells against cacll otber. Hisface gloomy OIld withdrOllm, he igllow JolIO/ma.] JOHANNA [discollcertedfor ti,e firSt time] : Franz 1 rSilcllce.] . . . He will die in six months 1 [Sile'lce. Overcoming berfear, she 79

ALTONA approaches him and touclles IJim on the sholllder. No reaction. Her IlandJails back. She looks at ',im in silmet.] You are right, I did not know how to take advantage of my luck. Good-bye! [She is about to leave.] fRA N Z [qrlickly] : Wait! {She trmrs slowly. He still has his back to her.] The tablets, over there, in the tube. On the bedside table. Hand them to me! JOHANNA: [Slle goes to the bedside table.] Benzedrine, is that it? (He 1I0ds. SI,e throws the wbe to him aud Ire latches it inflight.] Why are you taking benzedrine? fRAN z : To put up with you. [He swallowsJolir tablets.] JOHANNA: Four at a time? FRANZ: And four in a little while, whieh makes eight. [He drinks.] They have designs on my life, Madam, I know it. You arc the tool of a murderer. This is the moment to think clearly, elt? And to the point? [He takes another tablet.] There were mists . . . [Fillger on hisJorellead] . . . there. I'm letting some sunshine in. [He dr{lIks, makes a vio/ellt effort to lotl/rol himselfalld tuTtIS rOllnd, hisJace hard and set.] This dress, these jewels, these gold chains, who advised you to put them on? To put them on today? Father sent you. JOHANNA: No. FRANZ: But he gave you his advice. [She tries to speak.] Useless! I know himjust as iff had made him. To tell youthe truth, I am no longer sure which ofus made the other. When I want to know what trick he is up to, I begin by emptying my brain and it always works - the first thoughts which are born are his. Do you know why? He created me in his image -that is, unless he has become the image of what he created. [He lar/glls.] You don't understand a thing? (Sweeping everythillg away with a tiredgesture] Tricks with a mirror. (Imitati'� his Father] 'And be sure to make yourself beautiful !' I can hear it from here. He loves Beauty, mad old fool: therefore he knows that I set it above everyth.ing. Except my own 80

A C T TWO madness. Are you his mistress? [She shakes her head.] He must have aged! His accomplice, then? JOHANNA: Until DOW, I was his enemy. FRAN z : Switching sides? He loves that. (AbTllptly serious] Six months? JOHANNA: Not more. fRANZ: The heart? JOHANNA: The throat. fRANZ: Cancer? [JOHANNA /IOds.] Thirty cigars a day ! The idiot! (A pause.] Cancer? Then he will kill himself. (Pause. Hegets lip, takes some shells alld bombards tire portrait ojHitler.] He will kill himself, the old FUhrer, be will kill himself! [Sileuu. JOBANN A locks at him.] What's the matter? JOHANNA: Nothing. [Pause.] You love him. fRAN Z: As much as I do myselfand less than cholera.What does he want? To see me? JOHANNA: No. FRANZ: It's just as well he doesn't. rSfJOuting] I don't care whether he lives or dies ! Look at what he has made of me! [He takes the tube oJtabfets alld begins to unStfew the cap.] JOHANNA(gently] : Give me that tube. fRANZ: Why are you meddling? JOHANNA (hofding 011/ her hand]: Give it to me! . FRAN z: I have to dope myself. I hate baving my habitschanged. [She still holds ollt fler frond.] I'll give it to you but you're not to mention this stupid business any more. Agreed?{JOHANNA //lakes a vague Sigll whith(auldpassfora nod ojagreemeut.J Good. [He gives Irer tIle fIIbe.] As for me, I am going to forget the whole thing. Atonce. I forget what I want to forget. An asset, eh? [Pause.] There, Reqllies(at ill pale. [Parue.] Well? Talk to me! JOHANNA: About whom? About what? fRANZ: About anythi.ng, except the family. About yourself. JOHANNA: There is nothing to tell. 8I

ALTONA

A C T TWO

That's for me to decide. [He looks at Iler closely.1 A beauty snare, that's what you are. [He nms his eyes over her,) It's so good, it's professional. [Pause.] Actress? JOHANNA: I was. FRANZ: And then? JOHANNA: I married Werner. FRANZ: You didn't succeed? JOHANNA: Not enough. fRANZ: An extra? Starlet? JO HANN A [with agesture whieh dtllits tTle past] : Pooh ! FRANZ: Star?

JOHANN A: It's one or the other. FRANZ [with a sneeriug lauglt] : It's all becoming dear ! [Pallse:]

FRANZ:

JOHANNA: If you like. FRANZ [with irollie admiflTtioll] : What did you want?

Star ! And you didn't succeed?

JOHANNA: What does one want? Everything, fRANZ [slowly] : Everything, yes. Nothing else. All or nothing. {Lmlghillg] Turned out badly, eh? JOHANNA: Always does. FRAN z : And Werner? Does he wanteverythillg? JOHANNA: No. FRAN z : Why clid you marry him? JOHANNA: Because I loved him. fRAN Z [gelltly] : You didn't. JOHANNA [bristllllg] : What? FRANZ: Those who want everything . , . JOHANN A [still bristlillg] : Well? FRANZ: can't love, JOHANNA: I don't want anything now. FRAN z : Except his happi.ness, I hope! JOHANNA: Except that. [PtIIlSe.] Help us! FRANZ: What do you expect me to do? JOHANNA: Come back to life. FRAN Z: Well, I'm damned ! [Ltllgflillg) You are proposing my .

.

•

suicide.

82

I am charged with murder and it was the announcement of my death which put an end to the proceedings. You knew that, didn't you? JOHANNA: I knew it.

FRAN z: And you want me to come back to life? JOHANNA: Yes, FRANZ: I see. {Pause.] Ifthe brother-in-law can't be killed, then he must be put into safe custody. [SI,e shmgs her shoulders.] Must 1 wait here for the police or should I give myself up?

JOHANNA [on edge]: You will not go to prison. FRANZ: No? JOHANNA: Ofcourse not. fRANZ: Then it's because he'll fix it up for me. [JOHANNA tlods,] He hasn't given up then? (Witll all irollY filii ofreset/t­ me'lt] What hasn't he done for me, the good man! [Gesture poil/tillg to the room and to himselfJ And here s i the result. [Fiercely1 You c.m all go to the devil! JOHANNA [overwhelmed with disappoimmellt] : Oh Franz ! You're a coward !

FRAN Z [bridlillg lip] : What? [He recovers himself, and speaks with deliberate eym·dsll/,J Yes, I am. So what? JOHANNA: What about those? [Slte.flieks his medals with her fingers.] fRANZ: Those? [He takes offa medal, and removes its silver-paper IVrappillg, It s i made ofchocolate. He eats it.] Oh, I won them alL They're all mine, so I have the right co eat them. Heroism is my business. But heroes. . . . Do you know what they are?

JOHANNA: No. FRANZ: Well, there

are all kinds, Policemen and thieves, soldiers and civilians - not many civilians -cowards, and even brave men ; the whole caboodle. They've one thing in common -medals. I'm a cowardly hero, andI wear chocolate 83

ALTONA

A C T TWO

medals. It's more decent. Do you want one? Don't be shy; I've got over a hundred in my dr:'lwer. JOHANNA: Gladly. IHe lears offa medal alldgives it to IIer. SIIe

FRANZ: First of all, I'm not hiding. If I had wanted to escape . prosecutioll, I would have gone to the Argentine long ago. [Poilltillg to the wa/� There was a window. Here. It over­

eats il.] fRA N Z till slldden violence} : No! JOHANNA: What's thc matter? . FRANZ: I won't allow myself to be judged by the wife of my younger brother. [Emplrafically] I'm not a coward, Mada�,

JOHANNA: Was? FRAN z : Yes. [They look at each otlrerJor a 1II0Illellt.] r had it walled up. [Pause.] Something is Ilappening. Outside. Something I

and I'm not afraid of prison. I live in one. You wouldn t stand three days ofthe life which I have to endure. JOllA NNA: What does that prove? lt'sofyourown choosing. FRANZ: Minc? But I never choose. my dear girl ! I am chosen. Nine months before my birth, they had chosen my name, my career, my character and my fate. I tell you that this prison routine has been forced upon me, and you should understand that I would not submit myself to it unless it were vitally ncccsS:lry.

JOHANNA: Why is it so vital? FRANZ: [He steps back a pace. Short silence.]

Your eyes are shining. No, Madam. I shall make 110 confessions. JOHANNA: You are cornered, Franz. Either your reaso�s are va1id, or youryounger brother's wife willjudge you Without mercy. [She (Ollles up to Mm, in/eliding to pllll offa medal.] FBAN z : Are you death? No, take a cross. They're made ofSwiss chocolate. JOliA NN A [taking a cross} : Thanks. [She draws slightly awayfrom

Ilim.] Death? Do I look like it? FRANZ: At times. J 0 HA NN A[glancing i/lto the m;rror] : You t1mtlze m; . W�en? fRANZ: When yOLi arc beautiful. [Pause.] They re usmg you, Madam. You're a tool in their hands, to get me to talk, and

if! tell you anything, I risk my neck. [Ptluse.] I don't care. I'll risk everything. Carry on!

JO HANNA [after aptluse} : Why areyou hiding here? 84

i

looked what was our park.

don't want to sec.

JOHANNA: What? FRANZ [Iookil� at her chal/eugingly] : The murder of Germany. [He is still iookillg at her, halfpleadingly, halfthreatellillgly, as though to prelJe/lt her from speaking. They have reached the dtlnger-poi/lt.] Be quiet ! I've seen the ruins. JOHANNA: When? FRANZ: Coming back from Russia. JOHANNA: That was fourtecn years ago. fRANZ: Yes. JOHANNA: And you believe nothing has changed? FRA Nz : I kuow that everything is getting worse every hour. JOHANNA: Is it Lcni who tells you? FRANZ: Yes. JOHANNA: Do you read the papers? fRANZ: She reads them for mc. The razed towns, the smashed machines, the looted industry, the steep rise in unemploy­ ment and tuberculosis and the sharp fall in the birth-rate. Nothing escapes me. My sister copies out all the statistics. [Pointing to the drawer oj the table} They are all filed ill tlus drawer. The fillest murder in History. I have all the proofs. If not in twenty years, then in fifty at the mOst, the last German will be dead. Don't think I am complaining. We were defcated, and they are strangling us. It's impeccable. Perhaps you can understand that I have no desire to witness the butchery. I shall not make a tour ofthe destroyed cathe­ drals and the burnt-out factories. I shan't visit the families 85

ALTONA

huddled in the cellars. I shan't wander among the invalids, the slaves, tbe traitors, and tbe prostitutes. I imagine you are used to the sight, but I tell you frankly, I couldn't stand it. And the cowards, in my opinion, are those who can stand it. We should have won the war. By any means. I mean any, or vanish. Believe me, I would have bad enough military courage to blow my brains out, but since the German people accepts the abject agony imposed on it, I have decided that one voice shall remain to cry No. [He mddel/ly becomes excited.] No! Not grlilty! [Shouting] No! [Pause.] That's it. J ° H ANN A Is/owly, rmdccided] : The abjectagonyimposedonit . . . fRAN Z [without takirrg Iris eyes offher] : I said, that's it, that's all. JO HAN N A [bewildered] : Yes, that's it. That's all. [Pal/se.] Is that the only reason why you shut yourself up? fRAN z : The only reason. [ParISe. She is lost j,r thorrgflt.] What's the matter? Finish your work? Have I frightened you? JOHANNA: Yes. FRANZ: Why, my dear? JOHANNA : Because you are afraid. FRANZ: Of you? JOHANNA: Of what I am going to tell you. [Pal/se.) I would rather not know what I know. FRANZ [defiarrtly, masterillg his mortal 17Jrguis/r] : What do you know? [She hesitates, and they look at each other searchingly.] Well? What do you know? [She does Ilot reply. Pallse. They

look at each other, aud are both afraid. There is a knock at the door: five, Jorlr, thell twice three. FRANZ smiles vaguely. He stallds up andgoes to open one ofthe doors upstage, reveaU,Ig tire batl/room. He speaks in a low voice.] It won't be for long. JO H A N NA [speakillg normally] : I won't hide. FRANZ [Pllttillg afil1ger to his Ups]: Ssh! (III a 101V voice] If you stand on your dignity, you'll lose the benefit of your little scheme. [She hesitates, thet! decides to ellter the bathroom. The

kIJock is repeated.] 86

ACT TWO

[He opens the door and lENI ellterscarryillg a tray.)

LBNI [strllllled] : Didn't you bolt the door? FRANZ: No.

LENI: Why?

[curtly] : Are you questioning me? that tray and stay there.

FRANZ

[Qrlickly] Give me

[He takestire trayJrolll her al/dstarts to carry it to tire table.] LEN I [drlllrbJollllded) : What's come over you? FRAN z: It's too heavy. [He tllrns roulJd aud looks at her.] Are you

reproaching me for my good deeds?

LENI: No, but I am afraid ofthem. When you are good, I expect

the worst. FRAN Z (Iaughil/g] : Ha! Ha!

[Sire ellters and closes the door behr'nd her.] I did not tell you to come in. [Pallse. He takes a wing oj chickel/alldeats.] Well, Iam gomgtohave my dinner. See you

tomorrow.

LENI: Wait. I want to ask you to forgive me. It was I who

picked the quarrel.

FRA N Z [Iris 1II0utirfilU] : Quarrel? LENI; Yes, when I was here before.

[vaguely]: Oh yes! When you were here WeU, I forgive you. There !

FRANZ

.

..

{Qllickly]

L BN I ; 1toldyou tharl wasafraid ofdespisingyou. I didn'tmeanit. FRAN z : Perfect ! Perfect ! Everything is perfect. [He eats.]

LENI: I accept your Crabs. I submit to their judgement. Shall I

tell them? I To tire Crabs] Crustaceans, I worship you.

FRAN z : What's come over you?

LENI: I don't know.

[Pause.] There is something else I want to tel! you. I need you, you, the heir to our name, the only one whose cacesses stir me without humiliating me. (Pause.) I don't amount to anything, but I was born a Gerlach, which means I am mad with pride - and I cannot make love to any­ . one but a Gerlach. Incest is my law and my f 1te. [Lmglrillg] In a word, it's my way of strengthening the family ties. 87

ALTONA FRANZ [imperioldy] : Enough. Psychology tomorrow. [She starts. She is defiant agaill, alld observes him closely.] We are reconciled, I give you my word. [Pallse.] Tell me, the hunch­ back . . . LENI[takeu by sllrprise) : What hunchback? FRANZ: Werner's wife. Is she pretty at least? LENI: Ordillary. FRANZ: I sec. [Parm�. Seriollsly.] Thank you, little sister. You have dOlle what you could. Everything you cou1d. [He leads ber back to Ille door. She al/olVs herself to be led bllt remai"s anxiolls.] I have not been a very easy patient, eh? Good-bye ! LENI [Irying to lauglr]: How solemn you are! I'll see you tomorrow, you know. FRANZ [soflly, al",ost tellderly] : I hope so with all my heart. [He opells tire door. He bends and kisses Irerforehead. She raises Irer Irend alld quickly kisses him 011 tire mOllth andgoes Ollt. He doses tire door, bolts it, takes om his halldkerdliefalld wipes lzis lips. Hegoes back to tire table.] FRANZ: Don't be taken in, comrades, Leni cannot lie. [Pointing to the bathroom} The liar is in there. I am going to tie her up in knots, eh? Don't worry, t know more than one trick. This evening you will see the downfall of a false witness. [He lIotices that his hands are trembling, and makes a violent effort to cOlltro/ himselfas he cOlltinlles 10 gaze at his hands.] Come on, boys, come on! There ! There! (His hands gradually YOp trembling. With a qllick glance in tire mirror, he straightellS his tlmic alld adjusts his Sam Brortme belt. He l,as challged. For the first lime si/lce t',e begitmillg of lire scelle, he is fully master of Mlllself. He goes to tire bathroom Joor, opem it, alld bows.} To work, Madam! [j 0 HAN N A ellters. He clo�s tire Joor alldfollows Iler, Irard. 011 the alert. TllrDlIglrollt tirefolloluillg scelle, it is obviolls Ihat he is Iryillg to domi"ale Irer. He goes alld places himselfill frOllt of Jolla,ma, who has lake a step towards the ellirallce. She stops.] 88

A C T TWO FRANZ: Don't move. Leni hasn't left the drawing-room. JOBA NN A: What is she doing there? fRANZ: Tidying up. [She takes another step.1 Your heels. [He I'milates tlte lIoile ofa 1V0man's heels with litt/e blows agaillsl the door. As he speaks, his eyes never leave herface. Ollefeels tlrat he is measl"illg tire risk l,e is rWlt/il/g, alld tlrat his IvoTds are ca/culated.} You wanted to leave, but wasn't there something you wanted to tell me? JOBANNA [sire �ems j1f at ease Sillce sire has cOllie Ollt oftire bathroom] : No, there wasn't. FRANZ: Oh. [Pause.] Haven't you anything to say? JOHANNA: No. I haven't. fRAN Z [gets lip abTllptly} : No, my dear sister-in-law, that would be too easy. She was going to set me free, and now she has changed her mind and is going away for ever, leaving behind her carefully planted doubts to poison me. I'l! have none of that ! [He goes to the table, takes two champagne glasses at/d a bottle. As he pOIiTS the champagt/e illto tireglasses1 Is it Germany? Has she recovered? Are we swimming on the tide of prosperity? JOHANNA [exasperated): Germany . . . fRAN Z [very quick, coverillg Iris ears] : Useless ! Useless ! I will not believe you. lJ OHA NNA looks at him, shTllgs her s/touiJers at/d issilent. Hewalksaboutairily andquite at ease.] In factit has failed. JOHANNA: What has? FRANZ: Your escapade. JOHANNA: Yes. [ParISe. In agloemy voice] It was kill or cure. fRANZ: Oh yes! [AmiablY1 You will find something else. [Pallse.] At any rate, you have given me the pleasure of loolcing at you, and I must thank you for your generosity. JOHANNA: I am not generous. FRAN z : What would you call all the trouble you have taken? All that work in front ofthe mirror? That must have uken you several hours. What a lot ofpreparation for one man I 89

ALTONA

ACT TWO

JOHANNA: I do it every evening.

FRANZ: Not yet.

FRAN Z : For Werner.

JOHANNA [witlt a quickglatlct at her wrist watc1I] :Werner will be·

JOHANN A: For Werner. and sometimes for his friends. FRAN Z [he sllakes his head alldsmiles] : No.

JOHANNA: Do I drag arotUld like a sbttern in my room? Do I

neglect myself? FRAN Z : Not that either. [He stops lookjllg at llerand turns his eyes

to the wall. describing what he imagines.)

back.. It's cight o'clock.. [violently] : No! [She looks at Mm in surprise.] Never mention the time here - Eternity. [He calms dowu.] Patience. You will soon be free. [Pause.) JOHANNA [With a mixture of de.fiatlce and CIIriosl'ty) : So I lock myself up? fRANZ: Yes, JOHANNA: Through pride? FRANZ: Cenainly ! JOHANNA: What's missing? FRANZ: You were not beautiful enough. JOHANNA [smilillg ): Flatterer! fRANZ: lam sayillg what you dunk. JOHANNA: And you? What doyou think? FRANZ: Ofmyself? JOHANNA: Of me. FRANZ: That you are possessed. JOHANNA; Mad? FRANZ: Raving. fRANZ

You stand very

straight. Very straight. To keep your head above water. Hair drawn back. I:.ips tUlpainted. Not a grain ofpowder. Werner has the right to be looked after. to tenderness. to kisses - to smiles. never. You do not smile any more. JOHANNA [smiling}: Visionary! FRAN z: A recluse has special powers ofvision which enable him to recognize his kind.

JOHANNA: They cannot meet each other very often. FRANZ: Well. you see, it does happensometimes. JOHANNA: You recognize me? FRAN Z : We recognize each other.

JOHANNA: Am I a recluse? {She gets up and looks at herselfin the

glass, tllen turns round. very beamifill, provocative for the first time.] 1 would not have believed it. (Sbegoes to him.] FRANZ [quickly) : Your heels ! f [JOHANNA takes of her shoes, smiling as she does so, and Illrows them, one after another, at tlle portrait ofHider.] JOHANNA [near Franz] : I saw the daughter ofone of Wemer's clients - chained up, weighing about eighty potUlds, covered in lice. Do I look like her? FRANZ: Like a sister. She wanted evecything, I suppose. That's a losing game. She lost everything. and locked herself up in her room so that it would look as ifshe refused everything. JOHANNA [irritated]: Are we going to ulk. about me for long? (Slle steps back andpoints to thejloor.] Leni must have left the drawing-room.

JOHANNA: What are you telling me? Your life--story, or mine? fRANZ: Ours. JOHANNA: Whatpossessed you?

Has it aname? Emptiness. [Parise.] Let's sa.y- grandeur . . . [He ItlIlghs.] It possessed me, but I didn't possess it.

FRANZ:

JOHANNA: So that's it!

fRANZ: You watched yourself, eh? You tried to surprise your­

[

self? JOHANNA tlods.) Did you catch yourself? What do you think? [She glances at the mirror un­ easily.) I saw that. [She poims to her refiedion. Pause.J I used to go to the local cinemas. When the starJohanna Thies slid on to the end wall, I used to hear a little murmur. They were moved, each one by the other's emotion. I would look

JOHANNA:

. • .

91

A C T TWO

ALTONA FRANz: Andthen? JOHANN A: Then nothing. 1 nevet saw what they saw. [Pause.] What about you? fRANZ: I w3sthe same as you. 1 was a failure. I was decor3ted in front ofthewhole army. Docs Werner find you beautiful? JOHANNA: I certainly hope not. Just think ! One man. Does that count? fRAN z [slowly]: I find you beautiful. JOHANN A : Well, I hope you cnjoy it, but don't talk about it. No one, you understand, no one, since the public rejected me . . . [She calms down a little and /mlg1Js.] You take yourself for :l whole army corps. fRANZ: Why not? [He does not take his eyesJrom her.] You must believe me. It's your cbance. If you believe me, I become invulncrable. JOHANN A [/arlghing nerllously] : It's 3 bargain. 'Sh3rc my mad­ ness, and I will share yours.' fRANZ: Why not? You have nothing marc to lose. As for my madness, you have been sharing that for a long time. [Point­ ing to the door oJllle room] When I opened the door to you, it wasn't me that you saw; it was a reflection in the depths of my eyes. JOHANNA: Because they are empty. FRAN Z : For tbatvery reason. JOHANNA: I no longer remember wbat the photo of a faded star was like. Everything disappeared when you spoke. fRAN z: You spoke first. JOHANNA: I couldn't stand it. I h3d to break the silence. fRANZ: To break the spell. JOHANNA: In any case, it tunled out till right. [Pause.] What's the matter with you? [She laug/IS ,rervollsly.] It's like the lens ofa camera. Stop ! You're dead. FRANZ: At your service. Death mirrors death. My grandeur reflects your beauty.

JOHANNA: I wanted to please the living. fRANZ: The downtrodden mob that dreams of dying?

You showed them the pure 3nd tranquil face of Etcrnal Rest. The cinemas are cemeteries, my de3r. What is your namc? JOHANNA: Johanna.

FRAN z : Johanna, I do not desire you, I do not love you. 1 am

your witness and that vf all mankind. r bear witness bcfore the centuries, and I say - you arc beautiful. J OH A NN A [as thol/gil spelibormd1 : Yes.

[He strikes the table lIio/Wlly.] FRANZ [ill a hard VOice] : Confess

that you have lied. $3y that

Germany is on its deathbed.

}O H AN N A [she slarts almost pailfully] : Ha! [She slmddm. her face tensed. She sllddenly becomes almosl llgly.] You have spoilt

I

I

I

I

everything. Everything - I have shattered the image. [Abmptly] And you would like to bring me back to life? You would smash the mirror for nothing. l would go down among you. r would have my meals with the family, and you would go to Hamburg with your Werner. Where will that lead liS? JOHANNA [she has gailiEd (o"lr(l1 (lJ herself. Smiling]: To Hamburg. FRANZ: You will never be beautiful again there. JOIIANNA: No. Never 3gain. fRANZ: Hcre you will be beautiful every d:lY. JOHANNA: Yes, ifI come to see you every d3Y. FRAN Z: You will come. JOHANNA: Will you open the door? FRA N z : I shall open it. JOHANNA [imitatillg him] : Where will that lead us? fRAN Z: Here. to Eternity.

FRANZ:

JOHANNA [smilillg]: Folie a dell:' . . . [She is thillkillg. The spell liaS gOlle. Qlle feels that she has refilmed /0 her origillal plmu.] Good. 1 Sh31l come back. 93

ACT TWO

ALTONA FRANZ: And then? JOHANNA: Then nothing. I never saw what they saw. [Parlst.]

JOHANNA: I wanted to please Ihe living. fRANZ: The downtrodden mob mat dreams

What about you? FRAN z: I was the same as you. I wasa failure. I was decorated in front ofthe whole army. Does Werner find you beautiful? JOHANNA: I certainly hope not. Just think! One man. Does tbat count? FRAN Z [slowly] : I find you beautiful.

JOHANNA:Johanna. FRAN z : Johanna, I do not desire you, I do not love you. I am

JOHANNA: Well, I hope you enjoy it, but don't talk about it. No one, you understand. no one, since the public rejected me . . . [She calms doum a little alld lal/glls.] You take yourself for a whole army corps.

fRANZ: Why not? [He does not take J.istyesJrom her.] You must

believe me. It's your challce. If you believe me, I become invulnerable. JOHANNA (faughillg tlervously] : It's a bargain. 'Share my mad­ ness, and I will share yours.' fRANZ: Why llot? You have nothing more to lose. As for my madness, you have been sharing that for a long time. [Poillt­ ing to the door ojthe room] When I opened the door to you, it wasn't me that you saw; it was a reRcction in the depths of my eyes. JOHANNA: Because they are empty. FRANZ: For that very reason. JOHANNA: I no longer remember what the photo of a faded star was like. Everything disappeared when you spoke. fRAN Z: You spoke first. JOHANNA: I couldn't stand it. Ihad to break the silence. FRAN Z: To break tbe spell. JOHANNA: In any case, it turned out all right. [ParIse.] What's the matter with you? [SIie lal/ghs uervoruly.] It's like the lens of a camera. Stop ! You're dead. FRANZ: At your service. Death mirrors death. My grandeur reflects your beauty.

of dying? You showed them the pure and tranquil face ofEternal Rest. The cinemas are cemcteries, my dear. What is your Il:lntc?

your witness :lnd that \.Of aU mankind. J bear wiOless before the centuries, and I say - you arc beautiful. JOHANNA [as tlrougil spellboulld] : Yes.

[He slrikes lire table lIiO[l:lllly.) FRAN z (ill r! Iwd voice) : Confess that you have lied. S:lY that Germ:lny is Oll its deathbed.

JOHANNA [she starts almost pai,iful/y] : Hal [Sht shudders, her Jace tensed. Sire suddenly becomes almost IIgly.] You have spoilt

everything. Everything - I have sllJttered the image. [Abruplly] And yOll would like to bring me back to Ijfe? You would smash the mirror for nothing. I would go down among you. I would have my meals with the family, and you would go to Hamburg with your Werncr. Where will that lead us? JOHANNA [she has gained cOlllrol oj herself. Smiling]: To Ham-

FRANZ:

burg.

FRAN z : You will never bc beautiful again there. JOHANNA: No. Neveragaill. fRAN Z: Here you will be beautiful every day. JOHANNA: Yes, ifI come to sec you every day. FRAN Z: You will come. JOHANNA: Will youopcn thedoor? FRAN Z: I shall open it. JOHANN A[il/Jitatillg him] : Where willthat lead us? FRA N z : Here, to Eternity. JOHANNA [s/Ililillg] : Fo/ie a deux . . . (She is tl!i"killg. Tile spell has gOlle. 0111.' foe/s that she hilS feillmed to her origillrll platH.] Good. I shaH come back.

93

ALTONA

FRANZ: Tomorrow? jOBANNA: Perhaps tomorrow. FRANZ (softly. johamla is silent] :

Say that Germany is on its deathbed. Say it, or else the mirror is in pieces. [He gets excited, I,is hands begit, to tremble llgr7in.] Say it! Say it! Say it! JOHANNA [slowly] : Folie a deux - very well. [Pause.] Germany is on its deathbed. FRA N z : Is it really true? JOHANNA: Yes. FRAN z: They are strangling us?

JOHANNA: Yes. FRAN z: Right. [Hecocbhisear.) She has gone. {Hegot'stopick up JohatmQ's shot's, kneels dOIll" in front ojIrer and puts thelll 011 her Jeet. Sire stmrds up. Hegets rip again a/l(/ borus, clickillg Iris heefs.] See you tomorrow ! [J 0 HAN N A goes as Jar as the door. He Jollollls her, drallls tire bolt mrd opellS the door. Sire nods to him, witlr tl,e him oja smile oll irer lips. SI,e is about to leave, wlren Ire stops Irer.] Wait! [She tums rOlmd, and he looks at Irer witll sJ/ddet' defiance.] Who has WOll? JOHANNA: Won what? fRANZ: The first round. JOBANNA: Guess. (She goes out. He closes the door, bolts Q/Jd bars it. He seems rtUeved. Hegoes back to lI,e middle oftire roolll alldstops.] fRA N z : Ah! [Tire slllile rellJaitrs a mOlllellt, tlren hisJeawres become tense. He is afraid.] Deprofrmdis clallrllvi ! [He is overwhelmed by sufferillg.] Grind ! Grind! Grind away ! [He begins to tremble.] CURTAIN

94

ACT THREE

Wemer's sWdy. ModemJllflliftlfe. A mirror. Two doors. [There is a knock at the door. The stage is empty. Allother knock, then the FATHER ellters. He is carrying a briefcase ill his left hand, alld Iris raincoat isJolded over his right arlll. He doses the door, places his rainco(/( and briefcase all al/ armchair, then, as an afterthought, goes back to the door alld reopetlS it.J FA THER [calling offitage]: I can see you. [A short siletlce.] Lew! [LENI appears after a mOllletrt.J LENt [Illith a tOllch ojdefiallcc] : Here I am! FATHER [stroking her hair] : Hallo. You were hiding? LENI [drawing back slightly]: Hallo, father. Yes, I was hiding. (She looks at him.J Look at you! fA THER: Thejoumey has made me flushed. [He coughs. A short dry cough IIIhich hurts.J LENt: Is there flu in Leipzig? FATHER [llot ulldersttmditJgJ : Flu? [He Jmderslatlds.J No. I'm coughing. [She looks at him ill a kind oJJear.] What's that to do with you?

LENt [tllmitlg alld looking illto space]: Nothing at all, I hope. [Pause.] fATHERUovially] : So, you were spying on me? LENI [amiablyJ : Yes, I was spying onyou. It's my turn. FATHER: You don't lose any time. I've onlyjust arrived. LENI: I wanted to know what you'd do when you arrived. FA THER: You call see, I'm visiting Werner. LENt IglatICillg at her IIIrist-watch]: You know very well that Werner is down at the yard. FATHER: I'll wait for him. LENI (pretendillg amazemetlt] : You? 95

ALTONA

f AT HER.: Why not?[He sits dOli/II.) L EN I: Ofcourse, why not? [She sits dowlI also.] Shall I wait with you? fATHER: I'll wait alone. LENl: All right. [SisI' stands lip.] What have you been up to? fATHER

[astonislsed] : In Leipzig?

A C T THREE

FATHER[smifjllg] : What ofthem? LENI [poil/tedly]: You' ll sec. [Pallse.

With a short (mlgh] Ah, you'

WOll't recognize anyone. Werner talks in a loud voice, and he eats and drinks enough for four men. PATHER: It's not I who have changed you all. LENI: Who else?

LENI: Here. fATHER [astonished agaill]: What have I becn up to?

FATHER: No one. The vagaries of this old windpipe of mine.

LEN!: That's what I'm asking you.

ing about? I've given you six months' warning. You'll have time to make the best of it, and you ought to thank me. LENI: Thank you. lPallse. III a ,hallged VOice) On Sunday evening you planted a time-bomb in our midst. Where is it? [The FATH ER shrugs l!is sholilders (llldswill's.] ,'II find it. fA TUER: A bomb ! Why should you . . . ? LE N I : The great olles oftbis world can't bear to die alone. fA THER: Am I going to blow up the whole family? LENI: The family - no. YOIl don't love it enough for that. [Pause.] Franz. FATHER: Poor Franz ! Would [ carry just him with me to my grave when the whole universe will survive me? Lcni, r hope that you will stop me. LENI: You can count all me. [She lakes a step tOUiards Mm.] If

fA TilER: I've been away for six days, my child. LEN!: What did you doon Sunday evening? FATHER: You get on my nerves. [Pal/se.) Nothing. I had dinner and I well[ to bcd. LEN I : Everything has changed. Why? fATIIER: What has changcd? LEN!: You know. FATHER: I've just come from the plane. I know nothing, and I've seen nothing . LENI : You can see me. fATIIER: Exactly. [Pause.] You'll never change, Leni, no matter what happens.

[pOilltillg to the mirror] : Father! I can sec myself too. [She goes Iwer 10 tl/e mirror.] Of course, you've spoilt my hair. [She smoothes back her hair.] When I see myself. . .

UN!

fATIIIlR: You don't recognize yourselfany more? LENl: Not any more.

[Sin' lets her (frillSf(fl/, sllrprised as she: looks

at herselfwilllOlIt iIIusiolls.] How futile! [WitllOllt tumillg from Ihemirror] At dinner lastnightJoh:mna was wearing make-up.

fA T H E n : Ah? [His eyesglitterfora momem, bllt Ire recovers.] Well? LENI: That'sall.

PATIIER: All women me make-up these days. LENI: But she never does.

FATIIER: She probably wants to win her husband back. LEN I : Her husband! [ With a meer] You didn't sec her eyes.

06

Well, when a £:'lther departs . . . But what arc you complain­

anyone attempts to go near him you'll depart rightaway, and

aloue. PATHER: Good. [PailsI'. He sits dollm.] Have you noth ing more

[Slle shakes her head. He speaks with mlthoritr, bllt wilhoJ/l changiug his tOIl