The Visit Page #3

child our mayor described.

There was hardly a day that our poor

overworked professor didn't have to beat me.

I remember always being surprised

that a man, who looked so weak,

could have so strong a right arm.

As for my generosity: it is true that

I once brought a bag of potatoes

to old widow Bolaz. I'd stolen them.

But it was so that she would let

Serge and me use her bedroom.

The barn was romantic,

but the bed was much more comfortable.

More comfortable it was.

Much, much more comfortable.

But let us go from

gracious lies to brutal truth.

Guellen is in trouble,

Guellen needs money.

I have money

and I'm ready to help Guellen.

I am ready to give

two million to Guellen.

Did you say two million, dear lady?

One million for the township, and one million

to be divided equally among the citizens.

On one condition!

- an incredible woman!

There's one condition,

there's one condition!

What? - There's one condition.

- One condition. Quiet! Quiet everybody!

There's one condition!

Tell us your one condition, Karla.

I want justice.

Does anyone here

recognize this gentleman?

Why, it's Bardrick! Justice Bardrick!

Chief Magistrate Bardrick.

When Madame Zachanassian was a girl,

I was presiding judge of

the criminal court of Guellen.

I'm of course now in the private

employ of Madame Zachanassian.

Legal counselor.

- Get to the point, Bardrick.

Madame Zachanassian will pay two million,

when you, the people of Guellen,

have undone the injustice

she suffered here as a girl.

Serge Miller, please.

Me? - Would you mind

standing up? - If you wish.

Some 20 years ago... - 20 years,

three months and two days ago.

A paternity case was being heard

here in Guellen. I was the judge.

Karla Zachanassian,

at that time Karla Wechsler,

claimed that you, Serge Miller, were the

father of the child she was then carrying.

At that time, Mr. Miller, you denied

that you were the father of the child.

You alleged in fact that the aforesaid Karla

Wechsler was of such low moral character...

That was a long time ago.

We were practically children.

Who remembers what happened

or did not happen?

Who remembers the truth?

- They remember the truth, Mr. Miller!

State your names, please.

- Joseph Cadek. - Ludwig Darvis.

I knew I'd seen them before.

- Do you recognize that man?

Yes, I do. - He is Serge Miller.

Do you remember the trial? - Yes.

Case of a girl who claimed Serge Miller

had gotten her in a family way.

Pregnant, that is.

You remember it clearly then?

- We were witnesses.

Please tell us what you

testified on that occasion.

We said we had slept with Karla.

Both of us, many times. - And had you

slept with Karla Wechsler many times?

No. - Had you slept

with her at all? - Never.

Hardly knew her. - And what was

the purpose of this false testimony?

To show that Karla had been promiscuous.

So you couldn't really tell

who the father was.

And also to prove she was no good.

That she would let

anybody sleep with her.

And why did you do this?

Why did you swear false oath?

Why did you destroy the

character of a young girl? - Miller...

promised us each

a bottle of brandy, if we did.

Nothing more? - No.

Does the defendant have anything to add?

- What good could it do to bring this up now?

Plaintiff!

There was a child born,

Madame Zachanassian? - Yes.

It was taken away from me.

It lived less than a year.

- And what happened to you?

I went to Trieste,

where I became a whore.

And why did you enter a life of prostitution?

- I didn't have much choice.

The record of the trial

was stamped on my papers.

Besides, after that I didn't care

what happened to me.

And now you desire justice,

Madame Zachanassian? - I do.

What is the nature of the justice you desire?

- I want Serge Miller put to death!

Killed? You want Serge Miller killed?

Yes. I want his life.

Serge! Serge, serge"-

it's alright. My life...

it's just her sense of humor.

That all happened a long time ago.

It's dead and buried! It's forgotten!

No Serge, you're wrong!

Only our child is dead and buried.

Nothing is forgotten!

Madame Zachanassian,

you forget we're not in a jungle!

We are in Europe!

In the name of everyone of us in Guellen!

In the name of every citizen of this

township I reject this outrageous offer!

Would you like to think it over, Mr. Mayor?

- Never in a million years!

Never! No, never!

Two million! Two million!

One for the township,

and one to be equally divided

among the citizens of Guellen.

We may be poor, we may be bankrupt,

but Madame, we prefer misery to blood!

Never, Madame! Never!

I can wait.

Something must happen to people

when they get too much money.

It makes you think you can get away

with anything, even with...

Who does she think she is?

What does she take us for?

Oh, Serge... Serge.

Mathilda. Whatever I did, I...

I did only so that I could marry you.

I know... I know.

Yes, I know...

Imagine! To think she can get

decent people to agree to...

Let's say it! Murder!

You've already washed your face, dear.

- I just thought I'd wash it again.

Just once in my life

I'd like to sit in such a car.

Even to go around the corner.

- That's like asking for a million.

What do you mean?

What are you talking about?

It's only a joke. - A bad joke.

I still would like to take a ride

just once in such a car.

Good morning, Mr. Miller.

Dobrik, any idea why this

meeting's been called?

Not at all. You? - Not the slightest.

It's a long time since we've been

hunting together. - Too long.

Hello Miller. - Hello.

Hey, doctor. - Hello Serge. - Hi.

Valli...

Hear ye! Hear ye! Town Council meeting.

Oh mayor, before we're called

to order I'd like to know. Are we...

Are we meeting because

of last night? - Of course.

Then I like to say something. -You're out of

order, Miller. - No, I'm perfectly in order.

How can you be, when the meeting's

not yet been officially called to order?

Let him speak unofficially. - I happen

to think this meeting must not be called!

The fact that we're meeting can only mean

we're considering that offer seriously.

There should be no meeting.

- But Serge, there is a meeting.

And it's that we're about to discuss.

- But there must be no discussion.

The minute you discuss it

it means that there's something in it.

Miller! Open discussion is the

heart and soul of democracy.

I think we should ignore this whole

disgraceful affair in dignified silence.

If you'll forgive an old warhorse...

That dignified silence business

never works with the people.

- He knows what he's talking about, Serge.

I think we've had enough discussion on

this point. I move we put this to a vote.

Fellow counselors, there must be no vote.

- The right to vote is basic, Miller.

But this is not fair to me. The minute

you vote, even against, you're voting!

Then I take it, you vote against, Miller?

- I'm not voting, I'm just opposing!

You're not being very logical, Miller.

How can you oppose without voting?

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