The Door Page #2

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which I wore round my neck on a string.

I just got there when the storm broke.

Never in my life

have I seen a storm break so fast.

The sky didn't turn black like it did

at other times, but it was purple

as if someone had made a fire

up in the clouds.

The thunder split my ears.

I started running back,

because I couldn't see the twins

but instead I saw that the lightning

had struck the tree above them.

Everything was smoking.

I was just standing there bewildered,

wondering where the twins had gone

because those two black stumps

couldn't be my sisters.

So I yelled so loud

that it could be heard at our house.

My mother ran out barefoot in her shirt,

she fell upon me, she beat me all over.

She didn't know what she was doing.

And then she saw the children. Then she

tore away from me in the rain

her hair was dragging along

the ground behind her as it came loose.

She ran like an arrow,

and she screamed.

Birds screech like that sometimes.

I saw her jump into the well

but I couldn't move.

If I'd run for help right then,

they could have saved her.

But I just stood there,

wondering what my mother was doing for so long

at the bottom of the well.

Afterwards my grandfather came for me,

a young couple came from Budapest

looking for a maid,

...and he gave me to them.

They took me away

right after the funeral.

Do you know

what I'm saving up for?

A crypt.

As big as the Taj Mahal.

In every window there will be

a different coloured glass

and on every shelf there'll be a coffin,

my father's, my mother's, mine, the twins'.

Do you believe me?

I believe you.

Were you worried that I'd go?

No.

Emerenc said that no glass had cracked

and the dogs didn't howl, so nothing would happen

Don't let there be storm!

That brings the reaper.

Don't let there be a storm

Storm, lightning, a well.

How are the intellectuals today?

Oh, thank you.

We're much better!

- You see, hm?

- We are very well!

Great!

Welcome home, Master.

Good Morning.

I wish the Master a speedy recovery!

Thank you.

Are you admiring my tureen?

One of my employers,

Mrs Grossmann gave it to me

in the time of the anti-Jewish Laws,

in 1944.

That woman had

the most beautiful china and glass.

The chalice I brought the other day,

that was hers as well.

That's for the Master.

Thank you!

What strange stuffs Emerenc brings.

It's the Grossmanns' inheritance.

Maybe she didn't know

where they were being taken.

- It seems I was lucky during the war.

- Lucky?

I mean, I was among decent people

and I knew everything.

What did you know?

I knew who the wagons were transporting,

and for what purpose.

And you call that lucky?

Is that the right word?

It may not be the right word.

It isn't.

And all we've got are words.

So what should the word be?

I don't know.

Perhaps the Grossmanns left these things

with Emerenc for safe keeping.

Or she thought,

like so many others

that if she didn't take them away

someone else would.

Maybe the handyman's suspicions

are justified.

Perhaps there are valuables

behind the locked door,

confiscated treasures belonging

to people taken away.

Things that shouldn't be put on show.

How obscene - the Grossmanns in

the gas chamber, without even a grave

while she is saving up

for a Taj Mahal!

She keeps a captive animal as a cover.

Not a bad idea.

Are you writing a novel?

Didn't the master like it?

It was too much for him.

Oh poor little puppy,

come here!

Let me warm you up.

Give me your scarf!

Let's cover him.

Give me your scarf!

Emerenc, look!

You are home

You will have a good place, don't worry!

That's great!

You don't feel cold any more.

- Good evening!

- Good evening!

Emerenc, come straight away!

We've got a burst pipe!

I've already phoned the plumber.

Hurry and turn off the mains.

I hope he likes the 18th century.

We're lucky dogs only chew everything

for the first two years.

A few months later

You can jump up at your mistress,

you can sleep beside her on the sofa.

Your mistress allows that

because she loves you.

The master is quiet, like water,

you never know what's at the bottom of water.

You mustn't annoy the master

because hell get rid of you

Come!

You should hear this.

But this is a good place for you.

Sit, sit Viola!

- Sit!

- Viola? But he's a boy!

Sit. If you don't sit you won't get any sugar.

Sit.

I told you to sit!

The vet said it was forbidden

to give the dog sugar.

The vet's an idiot!

Sit, Viola, sit. You'll get a treat.

Sit. Sit. Sit.

Lay down!

Can I take him for the day?

He can guard the house while I'm out.

Aren't you worried about your cat?

Why should I be?

I will teach him he has to like other animals,

not hurt them.

Viola! Come with me!

Come with your mistress.

Let's leave Emerenc in peace!

Behave yourself! Viola!

It's Magda now, come on,

come on, you'll get a sugar lump!

Come here!

Let's leave Emerenc in peace.

It's Magda now, not Emerence.

Behave yourself!

Viola, come back!

Who do you think you are?

Charging over here and making a row.

Go back home!

I'll see you later on tonight.

Sit!

You scamp!

apologize!

Don't worry about him,

he will have lunch with me today.

Go home, your leg's bleeding.

I'll see you later!

May I ask you something?

Go ahead.

Sit!

Emerenc, wouldn't you like

to keep the dog?

We only wanted to give him

shelter anyway.

Well, I'd have got a dog long time ago,

but I'm only allowed one animal in my flat.

But if you're offended that Viola likes me,

well I can solve that out.

It is possible

to alienate an animal.

Now, what I

what I wanted

to say was, I'm expecting a guest

in a few days time.

Would you allow me to meet

with my guest here, in your home?

You want to receive a guest here?

All you have to do is make my guest believe

that I live here with you.

We'll be gone before the master gets home.

It's Wednesday, at 4 o'clock.

Just say yes!

If this is a secret dinner,

why are you lugging your stuff down the street?

You can use our plates.

Take out anything you like from the sideboard,

use my mother's silver cutlery!

Or do you think I am too mean

to lend them to you?

Thank you.

I never forget a gesture

be it good or bad.

But this dinner service is very important to me

to make my guest remember.

I just don't want the person in question

to know I've no family around me

and I have no wish to explain why

I don't open my door.

Can I have this?

It was made for my mother's figure.

I wouldn't be alone.

Why are you alone?

Why do you lock everyone out of your flat?

Keep your nose out of my business!

I don't harm anyone

by living like I do.

I don't like it when you preach.

If you give something to me, give it

without a lecture or don't give it at all.

Fine.

If anybody calls,

I'll be back in the evening.

Hello.

Yes.

Good.

I'll tell her.

You ungrateful, b*tch!

Drop dead!

Drop dead!

Ungrateful!

Disloyal!

Lousy capitalist!

Eat!

Get off, Viola!

My mother's Murano!

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