The Lower Depths Page #4

Your sister-in-law is a hard worker.

Pretty, as well.

I know whereof I speak.

- You think?

- We worry about her.

That's normal, at her age.

At her age,

I was a real live wire,

completely wild.

A real prankster!

Even now I enjoy a good laugh.

But all in good taste, of course.

When one has my position,

dignity must be upheld.

Miss, a pleasure.

Madame, Ill visit again very soon.

I really like this house.

- Good-bye, lnspector.

- My respects, lnspector.

Don't bother to show me out.

I know the way.

As you wish, lnspector.

Why are you just standing around?

Go finish your curtain.

Listen,

did you see how the inspector

looked at Natasha?

What do you think?

- I don't understand.

You never do.

You need that man.

The just man is always vulnerable.

It's a cruel world.

And with PepeIs carelessness -

What?

Not to mention all the others.

And all the merchandise

Ive got in stock.

- Stolen merchandise.

- Not all of it.

You knew the risks in being a fence.

A fence did you say?

B*tch! Tramp!

I picked you out of the gutter.

Come in.

What is it?

Anna just died.

Well, now. What a life!

I must go to the police station

and make a statement.

The police will come.

Go downstairs. Anna died.

Lay her out as best as you can.

Hurry up, lazybones!

lmagine her coming here to die.

Wasn't there anywhere else?

Pepel, aren't you -

God have mercy on her soul.

- Running off?

- Im going for a walk.

Ive had enough of all this.

- Had enough of me, too?

- You, too.

Im not the clinging type.

You can't force love, can you?

Thanks for the truth.

What truth?

It's over between us.

You look at me

like you didn't know me.

But I do.

You're a pretty woman, Vassilissa.

You've got what it takes...

but my heart never beat for you.

It wasn't always like that.

Even then, it wasn't love.

Any regrets?

Yes, in a way.

You're heartless.

Do you regret everything?

Not everything.

But pleasure isn't enough in itself.

What I really wanted

was someone to tame me,

gently, tenderly,

like you would a wild animal.

Someone who'd try

to make me into another man.

There's someone else.

It's obvious.

I won't be humiliated.

When I get ahold of your sweetheart,

she'll pay for it.

This is a slap in the face, Pepel,

and I won't take it sitting down.

Don't be mad.

Let's make it a clean break.

You ever think maybe

I wanted something else, too?

Think you're the only one

who wants to escape this mess?

I can't stand it.

Im suffocating here.

I was counting on you

to get me out of here.

You were my only hope.

Get rid of my husband for me.

He's old and evil.

It would be a good deed.

That's a nice combination:

a husband in the ground

and a lover in the joint.

Why in the joint?

Kostylyov could have an accident.

He's always exploited you.

Remember last year?

You went to jail because of him!

You disgust me.

You refuse to help me?

Watch out, Pepel.

It's dangerous to cross me!

You're all bark and no bite.

Not one word of pity.

From anyone!

- Don't be shocked.

How can we pity the dead

when we have no pity for the living?

We don't even pity ourselves.

Come on.

This is no place for you.

- I don't like the dead.

- Why should you? Love the living.

What incredible luck!

Magnificent round.

But the one time I finally win,

it's for a pittance a point.

- Buying the drinks?

- Of course.

- Keep it down.

- lt doesn;t matter.

Neither words nor noise

can bother the dead.

Anyway, she's better off dead.

Lord, why did she even live?

We're born, we live, we die.

It's nothing to cry over.

Ill die in a flophouse too, someday.

Nonsense.

Your life is just beginning.

It might be different.

Why kid myself?

No, try to understand.

No man ever loved Anna.

Perhaps a bit of love

would've changed everything.

What man is there here to love me?

Drunks and thieves?

Drunks aren't always drunk,

nor thieves always in prison.

Everyone gets a break sometime.

Listen, Natasha.

You ought to come away with me.

Why? You have to love a man

to do that.

There are days when I hate you

with all my heart!

I think real love should be blind to faults,

and I see yours clear as day.

What's the difference

if you beat me or my sister does?

Id sooner break my own arm

than harm you.

No, Pepel.

The man Ill love

won't be from here.

He'll have a job and he'll work.

He'll walk down the street

without worrying about the police.

It's Pepel.

And I never suspected.

I see.

You want the same breed,

just younger.

Get out, you little hypocrite!

- Calm down!

- This is my man!

His clothes are mine!

Ill have you beaten and thrown out!

Little slut!

- Will you calm down?

Go ahead, hit me. lnsult me.

Go upstairs.

You're acting like a fool!

And over nothing.

You'll never have her, Pepel.

Not her.

I just want peace.

Keep it up and you'll get your peace

the same way Anna did.

Every night he came to the garden.

I trembled with fear and sadness.

He was pale, too,

clutching his revolver.

Such hotheads, these students!

My tender love, he murmured.

My tender love!

- Don't stop her from lying.

- Go on, Nastia.

He called me his boundless love.

My parents oppose this marriage

and threaten to disown me,

so Ive decided to end it all.

He raised his pistol,

loaded with 10 bullets.

Farewell, he said.

l can't live without you.

I answered,

My unforgettable Villiam -

William.

It was Gaston the other day.

Stop teasing the poor girl.

Show some respect.

It's not what she says that matters,

but why she says it.

- Go on.

- We're listening.

They're just jealous

because they have nothing to tell.

No, Ill say no more.

I said to him, Light of my life,

nor can I live without you

on this earth.

Ill love you as long as I live,

but don't sacrifice

your young life for me.

Go, leave me.

Ill spend all my days weeping for you.

- Don't cry.

- What an idiot!

And it's all from Doomed Love.

Shut up!

You're so low, nothing moves you.

I believe you, dear.

You had a great love.

You're telling the truth.

He was a student, you know.

His name was Gaston.

He had a black goatee

and patent-leather shoes.

God strike me dead if Im lying!

He loved me like I loved him!

Patent-leather shoes, of course.

A real student.

A search?

Lord, spare me such a trial!

But what am I accused of?

Am I not a good citizen?

I pay my taxes,

though God knows they're high.

I respect the authorities.

Kostylyov, this is not my doing.

I just came to give you

a friendly warning.

Someone high up

has their eye on you.

I can't risk my position.

Can't we work something out?

If it's a question of money,

in spite of my poverty,

I could make a sacrifice.

It's a touchy situation.

You're in a bind,

and I don't want to be dragged into it.

It's so hot today!

May I offer you some tea?

Please don't bother.

I insist. Ill call Natasha.

She makes wonderful tea.

Excellent idea.

But is your sister really here?

I thought she was out.

Oh, no. She just -

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