The Lower Depths Page #3

But no matter, Baron.

You are free to go, dear sir.

Thank you, Baron.

- Coming, Pepel?

- Yes.

Cigarette?

- You're welcome.

- Good-bye, lnspector.

Your humble servant, Baron.

Your tie and shoelaces.

Is everything in order?

That was kind of you, Baron.

Not so kind, really.

Maybe you'll return the favor.

How could I ever?

We may meet again,

sooner than you think.

- Where?

- Let's let that be a surprise.

Farewell, Pepel.

Good-bye, Baron.

The bronze, and you have

the cigarette case already?

Sign here, please.

- Where?

There.

Give that back, you dirty thief!

You're the thief,

charging so much for this rubbish.

Look.

Here you go, little man.

And if someday someone

tells you PepeIs a thief,

you'll set them straight.

Who starts?

- Here's my spade.

- You didn't have a spade before!

I can't play with a cheater!

Get out of here!

He's not here.

- Who?

- Who do you think?

Mind your own business.

I came to check on things.

The floor hasn't been swept.

It's the actor's turn.

I don't care. lf the police

come to inspect, Ill be fined.

And if that happens,

Ill throw you all out.

- What will you live on?

- Lodgers are easy to come by.

Why don't you sweep

instead of reading all the time?

Have you seen my sister?

No, I haven't.

- Doomed Love.

- Give it back!

Stop squabbling and sweep the floor.

Look how filthy it is. A real pigsty.

Give me my book!

You're nuts with your book.

You believe all that nonsense?

This isn't nonsense!

You're all too stupid to understand!

Let her read.

If she believes it, it's true.

Stupid novel.

A pack of lies.

Have pity.

See? She's crying.

She enjoys it. Leave her alone.

Go ahead. lt's your turn.

No. I can't breathe in all that dust.

It's harmful to my health.

Your organism is poisoned by alcohol.

So the doctor told me yesterday.

Your organism is poisoned by alcohol.

Your organo!

Not organo.

Organism.

Your organism is -

Sicambrian!

Sicambrian.

Im very serious.

My organism is poisoned.

I can't breathe dust.

- Microbiatic!

- What?

- lt's a very learned word.

I know tons of others like it.

I read a lot when I was a telegraphist.

And in Hamlet -

In Hamlet the poet says -

Words, words and more words.

There's a great play.

I played the gravedigger.

You'd better start

playing the sweeper.

You make so much noise.

You bang and bang.

It's killing my ears.

- Has my wife been in?

- I don't know.

You're a nuisance.

You've got your spot, your bed,

your workbench, yourself -

and all that for two rubles a month.

Ill have to charge you

half a ruble extra.

Charge me extra for a rope

and strangle me.

Why should l?

What good would that do me?

On the contrary, may God keep you.

Live as you like,

and with that

half ruble you give me

Ill light a candle to the Holy Virgin.

It will atone for my sins...

and yours as well.

Don't you worry about your sins?

You're a wicked man.

No one likes you or respects you.

You're a nuisance.

Let me work.

You're not like the actor.

At least he's a good man.

He doesn't make noise.

He's an educated man.

Kostylyov, I don't have any money.

Will you give me credit?

As a reward for my goodness.

Goodness is not rewarded

with gold, my friend.

Goodness is

the most precious of treasures.

That has nothing to do

with what you owe me.

You owe me your goodness

free of charge, poor fool.

Wretched old crook!

What a lout.

If you don't pay me tomorrow,

you're out on the street!

There are lots of others

to take your place.

Give me the broom.

You can get back to your dreams,

and I don't mind sweeping.

My organism...

is poisoned by alcohol.

I understand you, my children.

You are poor lost lambs.

Black sheep! Good-for-nothings!

Day after day

Night after night

Always the same hopelessness

Always waiting

Hurry up, Natasha, you lazy girl!

There's work upstairs.

Why aren't you in school?

Resting, Pepel?

- Yes, I am.

Lucky you, with nothing to do.

What business is it of yours?

Beat it.

Watch how you speak to me!

You forget Im the boss around here.

You owe me respect.

Why take that tone

with your fellow man?

- Have you got my money?

- What money?

- For the watch.

- What watch, my son?

Don't play games with me.

Yesterday, you promised me

You gave me three.

You owe me seven.

Hand it over!

Stop blinking like an old owl.

Don't get mad! That watch was -

Stolen. You knew that yesterday.

I don't buy stolen goods.

No kidding, holy man.

Hurry up and give me my money.

All in good time, Pepel.

What crude people!

Well, well.

So it's all gone?

Your house, clothes, cognac?

Gone, even the memory.

- So you'll stay here?

- Yes.

- lt isn't so bad.

- You'd leave if it was.

That's another story.

Come on, Ill find you a bed.

Good old baron.

Here's a new lodger.

Who is he?

Just passing through.

- For the night or longer?

- We'll see.

You have any papers?

Lots, but they're all worthless.

You have any money?

Ill vouch for him. He's a friend.

Come on.

- King.

- You always get that one.

It's an old habit.

I can't help it.

- Queen.

- Ive got another, nice and fresh.

This one is free.

The owner's in jail.

Must have wanted a fresh bed.

Don't worry, Ill get you a mattress.

Nothing to fret over.

Don't you want to know why Im here?

No one asks questions around here.

You're one of us now.

It doesn't matter anyway.

What do you call yourself now?

Afraid Baron would sound

ridiculous here?

Not at all.

- Are you a real baron?

- As real as can be.

We had a count here once.

A good guy, but he put on airs.

Nobility is like the pox -

you never get rid of it entirely.

If you're a baron, stay one.

We're all free men here.

See, he knows everything.

- What are they playing?

- Manille. Know how to play?

- I know them all.

- Go ahead.

- Your turn.

- Diamonds.

- Play.

- There.

Baron, Ill leave you

with these gentlemen.

Have fun. See you later.

Is there room for one more?

- Got money to lose?

- Fifty kopecks.

- Sit right down.

- Give him your seat.

Whose deal is it?

Yours.

Mine? Perfect.

If I only had five kopecks.

- What for?

- To drink.

Don't drink. lt's bad for you.

Take this and let us play in peace.

- Thanks.

- Go on, deal.

Grandfather.

What is it, my child?

Tell me something.

Talk to me.

l;m afraid.

Ive always been afraid.

Ive been beaten so much.

Ive always been hungry,

yet Ive always been afraid

of taking more than my share.

Does one suffer there as here?

You'll want for nothing.

You won't be afraid.

Death brings peace.

Death is kind to us poor.

You are so good.

You won't suffer anymore.

It will all disappear.

I tell you, Anna,

death is like a mother to us.

- Where'd you hear that?

- I didn't hear it.

It's my own idea.

Faith in something makes it real!

Maybe it does, maybe it doesn't.

What difference does it make anyway?

Thank you, lnspector.

God will reward your kindness

to a poor old man.

Next Sunday

Ill light a candle for your soul.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes