Gycklarnas afton Page #3

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I'm too old for the circus.

I want to stay quietly here with you

and watch my boys grow up.

I could help out in your shops.

I have a pleasant manner when I try.

Let me stay. You won't regret it.

- I won't let you down.

- Don't act like a beggar.

I am one.

But it's not because of the money.

I'll sell the tent and horses

and put the money into the shop.

- You talk a lot.

- You say nothing.

- What am I to say?

- That I can stay.

- No, you can't stay.

- Is there someone else?

And what if there were?

I can't live alone forever.

But no one is going to take away

my peace and my freedom.

Do you hear? No one.

Yes.

- Where have you been?

- Why do you ask?

- Can't I ask a question?

- You said it so strangely.

Not at all.

- I went for a walk in town.

- Alone?

- Why not?

- Was that all you did?

And what about you?

Mind your own business.

You know already.

I don't know the details.

- We were discussing you.

- Do you have a guilty conscience?

- You should.

- I was just window shopping.

At the goldsmith's?

- Have you been spying on me?

- No.

But I saw you leave the theatre

and go into the goldsmith's.

So what if I did?

Why the theatre?

I was watching a rehearsal.

Why make such a fuss?

- Who was there?

- I don't know them.

- Frans?

- Maybe.

- You spoke to him?

- No.

- Are you sure?

- We didn't utter a word.

Why did you look so dishevelled

when you left?

I fell on the stairs.

Why this interrogation?!

- Have you been unfaithful?

- You're mad! You've no right to...

- Frightened?

- Don't hit me.

- Not if you tell the truth.

- I did talk to Frans.

- Were you in his dressing room?

- I had a quick look.

- You slept with him.

- No! I Swear!

The truth!

Or I'll smash your face in.

- You force me to tell lies!

- I can see in your eyes you're lying!

He gave me an amulet,

and said that I could sell it.

- Where is it?

- It was worthless.

And you slept with him?

You're lying!

Don't yell! No one will help you.

I wasn't unfaithful! I wasn't!

I could beat the life out of you.

Lie, if it suits you.

I did sleep with Frans.

He forced me to.

He locked me in

and I was afraid I'd be late for the show.

He promised me the amulet,

and I was scared of him.

I didn't dare refuse.

Say something!

You want me to say you're lying?

I overhead him this morning

proposing to you.

I think you went to see him...

because you're as sick of the circus and me...

as I am of the circus and you.

Stop laughing!

Now we're stuck! Stuck fast as hell.

The show tonight will be a sensation.

I'll make "no groans" about it.

With horn music, for horned cattle...

- Your health, brother!

- Cheers!

Now that I come to think of it,

I don't hate a soul.

Not even the policeman

on the square today.

Not even Anne,

though she is unfaithful.

You despise me, you despise everybody,

most of all yourself!

But I like people, I want to cuddle them.

I'm not afraid of them.

I don't want to trail around

with this lousy circus.

I want to be an honest citizen

with a bank account

and a respectable wife.

Anne, you'll never be a respectable wife.

I'll never marry you,

because you have been unfaithful, you wretch!

Isn't it nice to be maudlin and sentimental?

Poor Anne, poor Agda, my poor boys.

And you, you poor devil,

and your wretched wife.

A pity people must live.

I feel sorry for them.

Everyone is so frightened.

- It's a shame.

- Yes, it's a shame to be Albert!

It's a shame! Shame, shame!

But now I'm going to do something

worthy of a human being.

- Not kill yourself?

- I didn't say that!

I got it from the tiger trainer.

You ought to shoot the bear,

he's in a bad way.

- I ought to shoot the bear...

- Don't forget to shoot my wife, too.

It would be merciful.

Shoot everyone you feel sorry for,

five or six of them.

- I should shoot you, Frost!

- I have my old father to care for!

- Are you afraid?

- No.

- Afraid to die?

- Yes.

- I'm not afraid.

- Then kill yourself.

No!

- It's hot in here.

- Open the door!

Look at the life all around us!

I love it! Love it!

Why try to squeeze the truth out of Anne?

I wouldn't mind being a cuckold

if I didn't know!

- And now you're jealous.

- I'll strangle her.

I'll beg her forgiveness.

Ask her to tell me everything.

Every detail of what they did.

Isn't that mad? Do you understand?

No, but what the hell?

Anne! Sweet little Anne!

My sweet girl!

Why should that b*tch leave me?

I'll do likewise!

- Get it off your chest!

- You're cold as an icicle.

Let's get up!

Quiet, everyone!

We must start getting ready!

Albert's drunk!

Get ready for the performance!

The show starts in an hour!

- Have the lamps been filled?

- We're nearly out of oil.

We'll shorten the programme!

Hurry up! Don't dawdle!

And you, you damned midget,

I'll sack you or else kill you!

Off with you, and be funny!

We start in one hour!

But no lewdness,

this is a respectable town!

You got a kick in the backside.

I think I'll leave them.

The actors are coming!

The actors are here!

Silence!

Now for the highlight of the evening!

A fiery Spanish rider

on an Andalusian thoroughbred!

An act you'll never forget!

Our escapade didn't tire you?

Shall we ride tonight?

That settles it. The gentlemen

have insulted each other.

Let us judge the duel.

Lay aside your whip, sir.

Alfredo, fetch!

No snuffboxes and knives allowed.

Begin.

That's it, Albert!

I'll get him!

Where is he?

I'll get him!

The show's over.

Thank you all for coming.

Look what I brought you, Dorothy.

Albert, open the door!

Let me in!

Are you dead?

Won't you open up?

Go to hell!

To hell? Right, OK.

- Can we strike the tent?

- Do as you like.

- Good takings.

- Split them between you!

Shoe Prince before we leave.

- We're leaving?

- Of course.

This afternoon,

when I was sleeping off the booze,

I dreamt that Alma said to me,

"Poor Frost, you look tired and sad,

how about a rest?"

"Yes," I said.

"I'll make you tiny as a foetus."

"You can sleep in peace in my womb."

So I crept inside,

and I slept soundly there

as though rocked in a cradle.

I got smaller and smaller,

till I was only a seed.

- And then I was gone.

- Stop trudging along. Come inside!

She can't sleep if I'm not beside her.

- Good night!

- Good night.

SAWDUST AND TINSEL

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