The Horror of Frankenstein Page #5

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My mind has the unfortunate habit

of wandering off at times.

Oh, it was the same

when I was engaged on a project.

Nothing mattered except the work in hand.

What exactly is the project

you're working on, Victor?

It's complicated, my dear.

Too complicated to try to explain.

Well, maybe we could come

and see it sometime?

I'm afraid you'd find it terribly dull

and ordinary.

Oh, I'm terribly sorry, sir.

It's all right, alys.

I'll finish pouring.

Er, not for me, thanks.

It plays hell with my gout.

How about a cognac?

I'd like that.

Tell me, when do you think your work

will be in a condition to publish?

Not for some time yet, I'm afraid.

- Will you publish preliminary notes?

- No, I don't think so.

Hmm. Quite right.

That kind of thing is only for men

who don't think they'll ever finish their work.

Not for men like you and me, Victor.

Fit and healthy men

with years ahead of us, eh?

And now, what shall we drink to?

Let's drink to the success

of your work, Victor.

And may it bring you everything you deserve.

- To you, Victor.

- Thank you, both.

And if my work is eventually crowned

with success,

you, my friends, will have had

no little part in it.

- Thank you, Victor. Splendid evening.

- My pleasure, professor.

Goodnight my boy.

Is anything the matter?

Oh, indigestion.

I've suffered from it for more years

than I care to remember.

- I trust it was nothing you ate?

- No, no. Excellent meal.

Excellent. Oh, it'll be all right in the morning.

- Goodnight, Victor.

- Goodnight, sir. Sleep well.

Don't you ever get lonely here, Victor?

Lonely?

It's a big place.

You need someone to run it for you.

You don't approve of the way alys runs it?

That's not what I meant.

Someone to look after you.

- Someone who cares.

- You think alys doesn't?

Don't tease me, Victor.

I'm not in the habit of proposing to men.

- Proposing?

- Think about it.

I'm considered quite a catch

in some quarters.

Goodnight, Victor.

"L'm considered quite a catch

in some quarters."

It's true.

It may be true for everyone else in lngstadt.

Ls it for you?

Eavesdropping

is a very unpleasant habit, alys.

One day it might get you into serious trouble.

Perhaps.

Meanwhile, let's consider it

as a kind of insurance.

- Against what?

- My dismissal.

I have no intention

of dismissing you.

At the moment.

But my position here

can hardly be described as secure.

Secure or not, you've hardly been

the loser by it.

Oh, I don't deny you've been generous.

So generous that I'm beginning

to develop expensive tastes.

Suppose I consider them too expensive?

Suppose you tell me what happened

to herr kassner.

He went back to Vienna.

In the middle of the night?

Leaving all his things?

He's eccentric.

Don't worry. It's none of my business.

Any more than what you're doing

upstairs is my business. Yet.

But if I do decide

to take an interest in these things

then people may start making enquiries.

You're becoming obtuse, alys.

It doesn't suit you.

Oh, I just wanted

you to understand the position

before you entered into any arrangement

with fraulein heiss.

I'm not going to enter

into any arrangement with her.

She means nothing to me.

Besides, she has her father to look after.

For as much as it hath pleased

almighty god of his great mercy

to take unto himself the soul

of our dear brother here departed,

we therefore commit his body to the ground.

Earth to earth. Ashes to ashes.

Try not to grieve too much, my dear.

His work will live after him.

What will you do now, Elizabeth?

I've plenty to do.

My poor father left his affairs

in a terrible state.

It will take weeks for me to sort them out.

Then, after that, I...

I don't know.

Can we give you a lift home, Elizabeth?

Thank you, Maggie.

Goodbye, Victor.

Goodbye, my dear.

- Frulein heiss?

- Yes, but how...

- Your maid let us in.

- Why?

We represent your father's creditors.

Creditors?

The Franz Josef publishing company.

The baden house of finance.

Manufacturers at eckdorf.

Various local businesses and individuals.

Total amount

is quite considerable.

How much?

In all, just over 12,000 marks.

But that's impossible.

I have all the accounts here, frulein.

I had no idea!

I knew my father's affairs were in a mess,

but 12,000 marks...

Are you able to meet these accounts?

If what you say is true then...

I haven't a penny.

Then it is my painful duty to inform you

that all your late father's goods and chattels

are hereby forfeit.

You will please collect

your personal belongings

and leave this house by this evening.

Leave the house?

Believe me, frulein, I regret this very much.

But my instructions are quite clear.

No one is allowed to stay here. Even you.

Frulein heiss.

- Is the baron at home, please?

- Yes, frulein, he is, but...

Elizabeth?

- Victor.

- Well, come in.

Whatever's the matter? Are you ill?

It's my father's house.

They've taken everything, Victor.

And how long's she staying?

- A few days.

- You'll be lucky.

You don't imagine that now

she's got herself past the front door

she's going to leave, do you?

Not unless she's forced to.

She's welcome to stay here

until she's found somewhere to live.

And when do you suppose that will be?

Next year? The year after?

No, I tell you. It'll take a crowbar

to prise her loose now that she's here.

You're beginning to bore me, alys.

Please, Victor.

What do we want her here for?

For no other reason

than common hospitality and good manners.

Perhaps the latter are

beyond your comprehension, alys.

Now go to bed before I get angry.

Evening, your lordship.

- Have you got it?

- Right here.

Bit of a Barney getting it out, it was.

Tricky thing, a brain.

Bring it upstairs, would you?

Right. Can't hang about too long though.

My dear wife, bless her,

well, she's pregnant again.

- Congratulations.

- Nothing like creating a new life, I always say.

In here.

My goodness me.

Set it down on that bench over there,

will you?

Oh, my god!

Idiot!

I'm sorry, he gave me a bit of a shock.

Where on earth did you dig him up?

Fetch me that jar over there.

lluh?

Oh, cut yourself, have you?

It was the broken glass.

Yes, I can see. Sticking out there in the front.

- Where?

- Well, right there.

It won't make any difference though, will it?

I hope not.

I shall have to take it out though.

Er, no harm done then.

Now, if you'd like to settle up,

i think I'll be on my way.

Before you go...

There's something here

that you might be interested in.

Oh, I doubt it. What is it?

Over there, in that tank.

Up there.

I can't see anything.

Hell and damnation!

How do you do?

I'm Victor Frankenstein.

Victor, is that you?

- Victor.

- Stephan.

What on earth have

you been up to?

It wasn't me Victor. It was a...

A monster.

Come, Stephan,

what sort of nonsense is this?

It's true!

It was huge, covered with scars.

He had no clothes on.

Just bandages.

Just remember all that

when the police come.

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