Максим Горький - The Lower Depths стр 3.

SATINE. Oh my bones ache!

THE ACTOR [sits, nursing his knees] Education is all rot. Talent is the thing. I knew an actor who read his parts by heart, syllable by syllable but he played heroes in a way that.. why the whole theatre would rock with ecstasy!

SATINE. Bubnoff, give me five kopecks.

BUBNOFF. I only have two

THE ACTOR. I say talent, thats what you need to play heroes. And talent is nothing but faith in yourself, in your own powers

SATINE. Give me five kopecks and Ill have faith that youre a hero, a crocodile, or a police inspector Kleshtch, give me five kopecks.

KLESHTCH. Go to hell! All of you!

SATINE. What are you cursing for? I know you havent a kopeck in the world!

ANNA. Andrei Mitritch Im suffocating I cant breathe

KLESHTCH. What shall I do?

BUBNOFF. Open the door into the hall.

KLESHTCH. All right. Youre sitting on the bunk, I on the floor. You change places with me, and Ill let you open the door. I have a cold as it is.

BUBNOFF [unconcernedly] I dont care if you open the door its your wife whos asking

KLESHTCH [morosely] I dont care whos asking

SATINE. My head buzzes ah why do people have to hit each other over the heads?

BUBNOFF. They dont only hit you over the head, but over the rest of the body as well. [Rises] I must go and buy some thread our bosses are late to-day seems as if theyve croaked. [Exit]

[Anna coughs; Satine is lying down motionless, his hands folded behind his head.]

THE ACTOR [looks about him morosely, then goes to Anna] Feeling bad, eh?

ANNA. Im choking

THE ACTOR. If you wish, Ill take you into the hallway. Get up, then, come! [He helps her to rise, wraps some sort of a rag about her shoulders, and supports her toward the hall] It isnt easy. Im sick myself poisoned with alcohol.

[Kostilyoff appears in the doorway.]

KOSTILYOFF. Going for a stroll? What a nice couple the gallant cavalier and the lady fair!

THE ACTOR. Step aside, you dont you see that were invalids?

KOSTILYOFF. Pass on, please! [Hums a religious tune, glances about him suspiciously, and bends his head to the left as if listening to what is happening in Pepels room. Kleshtch is jangling his keys and scraping away with his file, and looks askance at the other] Filing?

KLESHTCH. What?

KOSTILYOFF. I say, are you filing? [Pause] What did I want to ask? [Quick and low] Hasnt my wife been here?

KLESHTCH. I didnt see her.

KOSTILYOFF [carefully moving toward Pepels room] You take up a whole lot of room for your two rubles a month. The bed and your bench yes you take up five rubles worth of space, so help me God! Ill have to put another half ruble to your rent

KLESHTCH. Youll put a noose around my neck and choke me.. youll croak soon enough, and still all you think of is half rubles

KOSTILYOFF. Why should I choke you? What would be the use? God be with you live and prosper! But Ill have to raise you half a ruble Ill buy oil for the ikon lamp, and my offering will atone for my sins, and for yours as well. You dont think much of your sins not much! Oh, Andrushka, youre a wicked man! Your wife is dying because of your wickedness no one loves you, no one respects you your work is squeaky, jarring on every one.

KLESHTCH [shouts] What do you come here for just to annoy me?

[Satine grunts loudly.]

KOSTILYOFF [with a start] God, what a noise!

[The Actor enters.]

THE ACTOR. Ive put her down in the hall and wrapped her up.

KOSTILYOFF. Youre a kindly fellow. Thats good. Some day youll be rewarded for it.

THE ACTOR. When?

KOSTILYOFF. In the Beyond, little brother there all our deeds will be reckoned up.

THE ACTOR. Suppose you reward me right now?

KOSTILYOFF. How can I do that?

THE ACTOR. Wipe out half my debt.

KOSTILYOFF. He-ho! Youre always jesting, darling always poking fun.. can kindliness of heart be repaid with gold? Kindliness its above all other qualities. But your debt to me remains a debt. And so youll have to pay me back. You ought to be kind to me, an old man, without seeking for reward!

THE ACTOR. Youre a swindler, old man! [Goes into kitchen]

[Kleshtch rises and goes into the hall.]

KOSTILYOFF [to Satine] See that squeaker ? He ran away he doesnt like me!

SATINE. Does anybody like you besides the Devil?

KOSTILYOFF [laughing] Oh youre so quarrelsome! But I like you all I understand you all, my unfortunate down-trodden, useless brethren.. [Suddenly, rapidly] Is Vaska home?

SATINE. See for yourself

KOSTILYOFF [goes to the door and knocks] Vaska!

[The Actor appears at the kitchen door, chewing something.]

PEPEL. Who is it?

KOSTILYOFF. Its I I, Vaska!

PEPEL. What do you want?

KOSTILYOFF [stepping aside] Open!

SATINE [without looking at Kostilyoff] Hell open and shes there

[The Actor makes a grimace.]

KOSTILYOFF [in a low, anxious tone] Eh? Whos there? What?

SATINE. Speaking to me?

KOSTILYOFF. What did you say?

SATINE. Oh nothing I was just talking to myself

KOSTILYOFF. Take care, brother. Dont carry your joking too far! [Knocks loudly at door] Vassily!

PEPEL [opening door] Well? What are you disturbing me for?

KOSTILYOFF [peering into room] I you see

PEPEL. Did you bring the money?

KOSTILYOFF. Ive something to tell you

PEPEL. Did you bring the money?

KOSTILYOFF. What money? Wait

PEPEL. Why the seven rubles for the watch well?

KOSTILYOFF. What watch, Vaska? Oh, you

PEPEL. Look here. Yesterday, before witnesses, I sold you a watch for ten rubles, you gave me three now let me have the other seven. What are you blinking for? You hang around here you disturb people and dont seem to know yourself what youre after.

KOSTILYOFF. Sh-sh! Dont be angry, Vaska. The watch it is

SATINE. Stolen!

KOSTILYOFF [sternly] I do not accept stolen goods how can you imagine

PEPEL [taking him by the shoulder] What did you disturb me for? What do you want?

KOSTILYOFF. I dont want anything. Ill go if youre in such a state

PEPEL. Be off, and bring the money!

KOSTILYOFF. What ruffians! I I [Exit]

THE ACTOR. What a farce!

SATINE. Thats fine I like it.

PEPEL. What did he come here for?

SATINE [laughing] Dont you understand? Hes looking for his wife. Why dont you beat him up once and for all, Vaska?

PEPEL. Why should I let such trash interfere with my life?

SATINE. Show some brains! And then you can marry Vassilisa and become our boss

PEPEL. Heavenly bliss! And youd smash up my household and, because Im a soft-hearted fool, youll drink up everything I possess. [Sits on a bunk] Old devil woke me up I was having such a pleasant dream. I dreamed I was fishing and I caught an enormous trout such a trout as you only see in dreams! I was playing him and I was so afraid the line would snap. I had just got out the gaff and I thought to myself in a moment