The Visit Page #2

be restored, if necessary.

Isn't there some sort of provision

in the constitution? - Yes, there is.

In case of an emergency

we can always change the constitution.

Come, we're wasting a lovely day!

- Dobrik! The car. Hurry up!

We've arranged a little tour.

The old palace... - No, no, no.

First I want to go with Serge to the

places we knew so well. Remember?

Hm? Oh, yes.

Oh, what a pretty girl.

What are you doing in Guellen?

I... I work at the Golden Apostle.

I used to work at the

Golden Apostle myself.

Then, one day, I lost my job.

Haven't I seen you gentlemen

somewhere before? - It's possible.

We've been to many places. - Ah.

I know, I've seen them somewhere before.

Waiter? Four glasses.

I'm a conservative man, gentlemen.

But I'd say, our troubles are over.

First thing we do is restore

the church and get a new bell.

Look at those bags. Look at that staff.

She's come for a nice long stay.

Yes, but I still want to know why.

She was born here.

She spent her youth here.

Two good reasons not to come back.

Doctors... They cut up corpses and

they think they know about people.

The human heart, my dear doctor...

That's where you must look.

I have.

And I hate to tell you what I found.

Our heart, Serge.

It's grown...

The tree has gotten older.

No, it's still young.

Young and strong.

And the hut hasn't changed, either.

But it was already old,

the first time we came here.

- The first time.

Gypsies! No, but that's not possible.

Oh, they're always around here.

But it's almost exactly like...

like the first time.

Or don't you remember? - Yes.

Yes, I remember. - I didn't have

much of a chance, did I Serge?

I mean the day... like today...

Oh, so warm and lovely.

So soft.

With a gentle wind...

We'd been swimming.

And then your kisses, like butterflies,

playing around my cheeks...

my lips...

And then, of course, when

those gypsies decided to play...

Oh, you know, girls are so funny.

You know, what I thought

when I was in your arms?

In a man's arms for

the first time in my life?

I thought, I'd better pretend

not to enjoy this so much,

or he'll never believe he's the first.

It was important for me

that you knew you were the first.

We were both... both so young.

I don't know whether

you believed me or not.

It was hard for me to pretend.

I was too much in love with you.

I think I screamed.

I remember how surprised I was that

those damn gypsies were still playing.

And then you married Mathilda Kovach.

Her father owned the general store.

- Lucky for you I did, Karla.

You would have been stuck in Guellen,

living a miserable life with me.

Instead I went to Trieste,

where I met Mr. Zachanassian.

In a whorehouse! Oh...

it was my hair he loved.

Oh, Mr. Zachanassian was very strange

about women's hair.

So Mathilda hasn't made you happy?

- Happy?

I've hardly been out of Guellen.

Five days at the lake.

Our honeymoon.

It rained four days.

Well... The world's the same everywhere.

At least you have seen it.

- Seen it? I own it!

It was better you went away, Karla.

What am I?

A small shopkeeper in a dying town.

Look at it.

The mine closed down, like...

like everything else.

- Maybe things will get better now?

You mean...

You mean, you'll help us?

Karla! Karla.

If only you knew

how it is with us here...

A few hundred thousand...

- A few hundred thousand? That's nothing.

I knew you wouldn't forget us.

I'd like to wipe out the years...

go back.

Is that what you would really want?

Yes... Yes, I would.

Maybe we can.

In our own way. Who knows?

She once worked here as a maid.

Did you know?

Did you know her when she was a girl?

They say, she used to swim naked

in the river. Did you ever see her?

Yes.

- She must have been beautiful.

She was.

Were you ever with her? Like this...

with me?

No... No, never.

How did she get away from Guellen?

Did somebody help her?

Where did she get the money? - Anya,

I must leave soon. I can't stay too long.

You always have to leave!

When will you take me away?

Don't say soon.

I want to know when?

When? - Soon. Soon, Anya. Soon.

Soon. - Soon...

Anya, I'll take you away. I swear it.

Men... Men.

It's her! Madame Zachanassian.

The young look for tonight, George.

- As you wish, Madame.

Anya! That's your name, isn't it?

I see you've done your hair differently.

- Yes, Madame.

What does your father do, Anya?

- He used to work in the mine. But he died.

My mother too. - Then you're alone?

No, I have a brother,

but he left Guellen.

The minute someone's over 18 he leaves.

- You're over 18. You didn't leave.

Try this one, George.

- Yes, Madame. - Who is he?

He... We are so wonderful together.

You'd never think it to look at him,

but when we're alone...

Just to let you know I have arrived,

if you should need me. - Tonight.

Everything is ready. I am ready.

It only lasts a moment, Anya.

I don't know who he is, but don't

waste it on him. You can go now.

Thank you, Madame.

Mayor... I have in mind

a public works program.

You know... Aid to small business,

encouragement of tourism...

Did she actually say she'd give us the money?

- And if so, what are the exact figures?

Well, doctor... Now, maybe I haven't

been to university like some people...

True, I began as a humble factory worker,

but I can confidently say,

the size of the loan will be

adjusted to our needs. - Loan?

Did she actually use the word 'loan'?

- Well, of course it's a loan.

What are we asking for? Charity?

Mathilda Kovach. - Miller. Mathilda Miller.

...now.

- I always think of you as Kovach.

Well, life hasn't been so bad for you.

But I see what you mean.

My wife.

My wife.

My wife. - My wife.

If you intend to make a speech, Mr. Mayor,

now is as good a time as any.

Dear lady... Fellow Guelleners...

A long time has passed,

since you left our little town.

Almost two decades. A long time.

It has gone sadly with the world...

it has gone sadly with us.

And yet, the roots

of Guellen are so deep,

that never have we forgotten our Karla.

Our gracious lady.

Will it surprise you, if we

remember so much about you?

Your father, the well-known

architect and builder.

Your mother...

who, with any imagination did not know,

you were destined for higher things.

Even today your schoolroom achievements

are held up as an example

by our wise professor here.

And... your generosity...

Do we not know, dear lady,

that you, although a mere child,

brought a sack of potatoes

to a starving widow?

And so let us say, gracious Karla:

Welcome, dear Karla Zachanassian!

God bless dear Karla Zachanassian!

Your honor... Distinguished guests!

Fellow Guellenites!

How beautifully our mayor

spoke about me.

And yet, there was not one

word of truth in all he said.

Everybody knows that my father was

not an architect. He was a bricklayer.

And always so drunk that he refused to

work on any building too high to fall from.

And I was not really the kind of

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