Hands Around [Reigen]: A Cycle of Ten Dialogues

Yes, I am.

Actress

(Seriously) It is really a splendid play!

Poet

Well, then!

Actress

You are a great genius, Robert!

Poet

And you might also tell me now why you didn’t turn up the day before yesterday. There was absolutely nothing the matter with you.

Actress

Well, I wanted to annoy you.

Poet

But why? What have I done to you?—

Actress

You were over-bearing.

Poet

In what way?

Actress

Everybody at the theater thinks you are.

Poet

Really.

Actress

But I told them, he has a perfect right to be over-bearing.

Poet

And what did they say?

Actress

What could they say? I am not on speaking-terms with any of them.

Poet

Oh, I see.

Actress

They would like nothing better than to poison me, every one of them. But they won’t succeed.

Poet

Don’t think now of others. Let’s be happy that we are here together, and tell me that you love me.

Actress

What further proof can you want?

Poet

It’s a thing that can’t be proven anyway.

Actress

I like that! What else do you want?

Poet

How many are there that you have tried to convince in this way … did you love all of them?

Actress

No, I have loved only one.

Poet

(Embraces her) My…

Actress

Dick.

Poet

My name is Robert. What can I mean to you, if you are thinking of Dick, now?

Actress

You are a mood of mine.

Poet

I am pleased to know it.

Actress

Well, tell me, aren’t you proud?

Poet

Why should I be proud?

Actress

It seems to me that you have good reason to be.

Poet

Oh, because of that.

Actress

Yes, because of that, my little cricket!—What about the chirping? Are they still chirping?

Poet

All the time. Don’t you hear them?

Actress

Of course, I hear them. But, child, those are frogs.

Poet

You are wrong. Frogs croak.

Actress

Of course, they croak.

Poet

But this is not croaking, child, this is chirping.

Actress

You are about the most stubborn person I have ever met. Kiss me, froggie.

Poet

Please don’t call me that. It gets on my nerves.

Actress

Well, what shall I call you?

Poet

My name is Robert.

Actress

Oh, but that’s stupid.

Poet

But won’t you please call me simply by my own name?

Actress

Well, then, Robert, give me a kiss… Ah! (She kisses him) Now, are you satisfied, froggie?

Poet

May I light a cigarette?

Actress

Give me one too. (He takes his cigarette-case from the dressing-table; takes two cigarettes out; lights both, and gives her one) By the way, you haven’t said a word about my performance yesterday.

Poet

What performance?

Actress

Well.

Poet

Oh, yes. I wasn’t at the theater.

Actress

You are joking.

Poet

Not in the least. When you didn’t turn up the day before, I assumed you hadn’t fully recovered yesterday, and so I decided not to go.

Actress

You missed something wonderful.

Poet

Yes.

Actress

It was a sensation. The people actually grew pale.

Poet

You saw that?

Actress

Benno said: Child, you acted divinely.

Poet

Hm!… And so ill the day before.

Actress

Indeed I was. And do you know why? Because I felt such a longing for you.

Poet

A little while ago you said that you stayed away just to annoy me.

Actress

But what do you know about my love for you? Everything leaves you cold. And I have been delirious for nights. In a high fever—hundred and four degrees.

Poet

Rather high for a mood.

Actress

You call that a mood? I am dying for love of you, and you call it a mood—?

Poet

And Dick…?

Actress

Dick?… Don’t talk to me about that galley-slave!—

THE ACTRESS AND THE COUNT

The bedroom of the Actress, luxuriously furnished. It is midday. The curtains are still down; a candle is burning on the dressing-table. The Actress is disclosed in her four-poster bed. Many newspapers are strewn about on the cover. The Count in the uniform of a captain of the Dragoons enters. He remains standing at the door.

Actress

Ah, Count.

Count

Your mother said I might, otherwise I would not—

Actress

Please, come closer.

Count

I kiss your hand. Pardon me—when you come in from the street … I can’t see a thing yet. So … here we are (at her bed). I kiss your hand.

Actress

Please sit down, Count.

Count

Your mother said, My daughter isn’t well… Nothing serious, I hope.

Actress

Nothing serious? I was on the verge of death.

Count

Oh, dear, oh, dear, is it possible?

Actress

It is very good of you to have taken the trouble to call.

Count

On the verge of death! And only last night you acted divinely.

Actress

It was a great triumph, wasn’t it?

Count

Tremendous!… The audience was carried away. I won’t say anything about myself.

Actress

Thanks, for the beautiful flowers.

Count

Nothing at all, Mademoiselle.

Actress

(Indicating with her eyes a large flower-basket, which stands on a little table near the window) There they are.

Count

You were literally overwhelmed with flowers and wreaths yesterday.

Actress

They are still in my dressing-room. All I brought home was your flowers.

Count

(Kissing her hand) How sweet of you.

Actress

(Suddenly seizes his hand, and kisses it)

Count

But, Mademoiselle.

Actress

Don’t be frightened, Count, it doesn’t put you under any obligations.

Count

You are a strange being … a sort of a problem almost—

(Pause)

Actress

Miss Birken, I suppose, is much less of a problem.

Count

That little lady isn’t a problem at all, although … I really know her only very slightly.

Actress

Oh!

Count

That’s the actual truth. But you are a problem. I’ve always had a yearning for a problem. It’s really been a deep personal loss to me, that until yesterday… I never saw you act.

Actress

Really?

Count

Yes! You see, going to the theater is so complicated. I am used to dining late … then when I get there, the best part of the play is over. Isn’t that true?

Actress

From now on, I suppose, you will dine earlier.

Count

I’ve thought of that too. Or maybe I won’t dine at all. Dining isn’t a special pleasure anyhow.

Actress

Are there any pleasures left to an old man like you?

Count

That’s a question I often ask myself. But I am not an old man. There must be some other reason.

Actress

Do you think so?

Count

Yes. Bobby, for instance, says, that I am a philosopher. You know he means that I do too much thinking.

Actress

Yes … thinking is a misfortune.

Count

I have too much time, that’s why I reflect. You see, I’ve often thought if they would transfer me to Vienna, things would be better. There’s diversion here, stimulation. But at the bottom, it’s not really very different from up there.

Actress

What do you mean by “up there”?

Count

Well, down there, you know, in Hungary, in the God forsaken country towns, where I’ve been stationed most of the time.

Actress

And what did you do in Hungary?

Count

Well, as I am telling you, military service.

Actress

Yes, but why did you stay in Hungary so long?

Count

Oh, things happen that way.

Actress

But it must be enough to drive one mad.

Count

But why? You have a lot more work there, than here. You know, drilling recruits, breaking in mounts … and the country really isn’t as bad as they say. They are really quite beautiful, the lowlands—and marvelous sunsets. Too bad I’m not a painter, I’ve often thought if I were, I would paint them. We had a young chap, Splany, in our regiment, who could do it.—But, dear me, what dull stories I am telling you.

Actress

Please go on; they are delightful!

Count

Do you know, the nice thing about you is the way one can chat with you, Bobby told me all about it. And it’s so seldom one can find any one like that.

Actress

Down there in Hungary, I suppose.

Count

But it’s quite the same in Vienna! People are always the same. Where there are more of them, the crowd is larger. That’s the whole difference. Tell me, do you really like people?

Actress

Like them—? I hate them! I hate to look at them. I never see any one. I’m always alone. Nobody enters my house.

Count

You see, I sort of thought that you hated people. It must often be the case with artists. If one lives in the higher regions… Well, you are lucky, you know at least why you live!

Actress

Who told you that? I haven’t the slightest notion what I’m living for!

Count

But really—to be famous—to be fêted—

Actress

Does that mean happiness?

Count

Happiness? There really is no such thing as happiness. All the things that people talk about most, don’t exist … for instance, love. That’s one of them.

Actress

I suppose you are right.

Count

Enjoyment … intoxication … very good, nobody can deny them … they are something real. Now, when I am enjoying myself … very good, I am aware that I am enjoying myself. Or I am intoxicated, good. That also is something real. And when it’s over, well then it’s over.

Actress

(Grandly) It is over.

Count

But as soon as one does not, how shall I express it, as soon as one does not give oneself up to the moment, I mean, if one thinks of the future or the past … well, everything is over in a moment… Afterwards … there is sadness … before … there is uncertainty … in a word, one only becomes confused. Isn’t that so?

Actress

(Nods with wide open eyes) It seems, you have grasped the essence of things.

Count

And, you see, when you have once clearly grasped this, it really doesn’t matter whether you live in Vienna or in the Puszta[3] or in Steinamanger.[4] You see, for instance … where may I put my cap? Yes, thank you … what were we talking about?

Actress

About the Puszta.

Count

Of course. Well, as I said, there isn’t much difference, whether I spend the evening in the officers’ mess or at the club. It’s all the same.

Actress

And what about love?

Count

If you believe in it, some one will always be there who will love you.

Actress

Like Miss Birken, for example.

Count

I really don’t see why you always have to come back to that little lady.

Actress

But she’s your mistress, isn’t she?

Count

Who says so?

Actress

Everybody knows it.

Count

Except myself, strange to say.

Actress

But you fought a duel on her account!

Count

Maybe. I was even killed without my knowing it.

Actress

You are a gentleman, won’t you sit closer to me?

Count

With pleasure.

Actress

Here. (She draws him to her, and passes her hand through his hair) I knew you would come to-day.

Count

How did you know?

Actress

I knew it last night in the theater.

Count

You saw me from the stage, then?

Actress

But man alive! Didn’t you notice that I acted for you alone?

Count

No, really?

Actress

I was as on wings, when I saw you sitting in the first row.

Count

As on wings? On my account? I hadn’t the slightest suspicion that you noticed me!

Actress

Your aristocratic reserve is enough to drive one to despair.

Count

But…

Actress

“But”!… At least, take your saber off!

Count

If you permit.

(Takes it off, and leans it against the bed)

Actress

And now give me a kiss.

Count

(Kisses her, she clings to him)

Actress

It would have been better if I had never seen you.

Count

But this seems better to me.

Actress

Count, you are a poseur!

Count

I—why?

Actress

Can’t you imagine how happy many a man would be if he were in your place!

Count

I’m perfectly happy.

Actress

Well, I thought happiness didn’t exist. Why do you look at me that way? I believe you are afraid of me, Count!

Count

I told you, Mademoiselle, you are a problem.

Actress

Oh, don’t bother me with your philosophy … come to me. And ask me for anything at all … you can have whatever you want. You are so handsome.

Count

Well then, may I ask (kissing her hand) that I may call again this evening?

Actress

This evening … but I have to act then.

Count

After the play.

Actress

And you ask for nothing else?

Count

I shall ask for everything else after the play.

Actress

(Hurt) You can beg a long while then, you abominable poseur.

Count

But, see, we’ve been perfectly frank with each other so far … it seems to me it would be so much more beautiful after the play … much cozier than now, when … I have a sort of feeling the door might open any moment…

Actress

It does not open from the outside.

Count

Well, you see, I have an idea one shouldn’t lightly spoil in advance something which may be very beautiful.

Actress

Possibly!…

Count

To tell the truth, love in the morning seems rather horrible to me.

Actress

Well—you are about the worst case of lunacy I have ever met!

Count

I am not talking about women in general … because in general it doesn’t make any difference anyway. But women like you … no, you may call me a fool a hundred times over. But women like you … one doesn’t take them before breakfast. And so … you know … so…

Actress

Oh, but you are a darling!

Count

You understand, what I have said, don’t you? I sort of imagine it like…

Actress

How do you imagine it?

Count

Like this… I wait for you in a carriage after the play, then we drive somewhere for supper—

Actress

I am not Miss Birken.

Count

I didn’t mean to say you were. Only, it seems to me, you have to be in the right sort of mood for everything. In my case the mood doesn’t come until supper. The most beautiful thing of all is when we drive home together, and then…

Actress

And then?

Count

And then … well, that depends upon circumstances.

Actress

Do sit closer. Closer.

Count

(Sitting down on the bed) Seems to me, that out of the pillows comes a fragrance … mignonette—isn’t it?

Actress

It’s very warm in here, don’t you think so?

Count

(Bends down, and kisses her neck)

Actress

Oh, Count, that is contrary to your program.

Count

Who said anything about “program.” I never have any program.

Actress

(Drawing him close to her)

Count

It really is very warm.

Actress

Do you think so? And so dark, just as if it were evening… (Draws him toward her) It is evening … it is night… Close your eyes, if there is too much light for you. Come!… Come!…

Count

(Offers no further resistance)

Actress

And what about atmosphere now, you poseur?

Count

You are a little devil.

Actress

What a thing to say!

Count

Well, then an angel.

Actress

You should have been an actor! Really! You understand women! And do you know, what I shall do now?

Count

Well?

Actress

I shall tell you that I shall never see you again.

Count

But why?

Actress

Never, never. You are too dangerous! You would drive a woman mad. Here you are standing before me, as though nothing had happened.

Count

But…

Actress

Please remember, Count, I have just given you everything.

Count

I shall never forget it!

Actress

And what about to-night?

Count

What do you mean?

Actress

Well—you wanted to wait for me after the theater?

Count

Oh, yes, let’s say, the day after to-morrow.

Actress

What do you mean by “the day after to-morrow”? We were talking about to-day.

Count

There wouldn’t be much sense in that.

Actress

Old man!

Count

You don’t quite understand me. What I mean has rather to do, how shall I express myself, rather concerns the soul.

Actress

What concern of mine is your soul?

Count

Believe me, it has much to do with it. It seems all wrong to me, this notion, that you can separate the two.

Actress

Don’t bother me with your philosophy. If I want any of that, I can read books.

Count

One never learns from books.

Actress

Very true! And that’s why you ought to wait for me to-night. As to the soul, we will come to some sort of an understanding, you villain!

Count

Well, then, if I may, I shall wait in my carriage…

Actress

You shall wait for me here in my home—

Count

… After the play.

Actress

Of course.

(He buckles on his sword)

Actress

What are you doing?

Count

It seems to me it is time for me to go. For a formal call I have stayed a bit too long as it is.

Actress

Well, this evening it shall be a formal call.

Count

Do you think so?

Actress

I’ll take care of that. And now give me a last kiss, you darling little philosopher. Here, you seducer, you … sweet child, you seller of souls, you … panther. (After she has ardently kissed him several times, she thrusts him violently away) Count, you have done me a great honor.

Count

Not at all, mademoiselle! (At the door) Au revoir.

Actress

Good-by, and love to Steinamanger.

THE COUNT AND THE GIRL OF THE STREETS

It is morning toward six o’clock. A poorly furnished room with one window. The dirty yellowish blinds are down. Tattered, greenish curtains. On the dresser are several photographs, and beside them a cheap woman’s hat of conspicuously bad taste. Behind the mirror are cheap Japanese fans. On the table over which is drawn a reddish cover is an oil-lamp. It is burning low with a disagreeable odor, and has a shade of yellow paper. Beside it is a pitcher with remains of beer, and a half-empty glass.—On the floor beside the bed a woman’s clothes are lying in disorder. They look as though they had just been quickly thrown off. The Girl lies sleeping in the bed, breathing quietly. The Count is lying on the sofa fully dressed with his light overcoat on. His hat lies on the floor at the head of the sofa.

Count

(Stirs, rubs his eyes, sits up suddenly, remains seated, and looks around) Where am I?… Oh, yes … I actually went home with the woman, it seems… (He rises quickly, notices her bed) Oh, there she is… Queer, what sort of things can happen, even at my age. I haven’t the faintest notion, did they carry me up here? No… I remember—coming into the room… I was still awake then, or waked up … or … or maybe it’s only the room that reminds of something?… ’Pon my soul, yes, of course … it was yesterday I saw it… (Looks at his watch) What! yesterday, a couple of hours ago!—But, I knew, that something had to happen… I felt it in my bones … when I began to drink yesterday, I felt that … and what has happened?… Nothing… Or did there…? ’Pon my soul … for … for ten years it hasn’t happened to me that I don’t know… Well, let’s be honest at any rate, I was drunk… If I only knew since when… I remember perfectly when Bobby and I went into the all-night café, and … no, no… We left together … and then on the way… Yes, that’s it, Bobby and I rode in my carriage… But, why do I worry my brains about it? It doesn’t really matter. Let’s see that we get out of here. (Rises. The lamp shakes) Oh! (Looks at the sleeping Girl) Well, she sleeps the sleep of the just. I don’t remember anything—but I’ll put the money on the table … and then, good-by… (He stands in front of her, and looks at her for a considerable time) If I didn’t know what she is! (Studies her) I’ve known many who didn’t look as virtuous even in their sleep. ’Pon my soul… Bobby would say again, I’m philosophizing, but the truth is, sleep makes all equal, so it seems to me—like its brother, death… Hm, I should like to know, whether… No, I’d remember that… No, no, I dropped like a log on the sofa right away … and nothing happened… It is unbelievable how much alike all women sometimes look… Well, let’s go (He is about to go) Oh, of course.

(He takes his wallet, and is about to take out a banknote)

Girl

(Awakening) Well … who’s there so early in the morning—? (Recognizing him) Good morning, sonny!

Count

Good morning. Have a good sleep?

Girl

(Stretching) Oh, come here. Give me a little kiss.

Count

(Bends down to her, considers, and draws back) I was just going…

Girl

Going?

Count

It’s really about time.

Girl

You want to go away?

Count

(Half-embarrassed) Well…

Girl

Well, good-by, you’ll come some other time.

Count

Yes, good-by. But, won’t you give me your hand?

Girl

(Reaches out her hand from under the cover)

Count

(Takes her hand, and kisses it mechanically, and becoming aware of it, he smiles) Just as with a princess. Besides, if one only…

Girl

Why do you look at me that way?

Count

If one only sees the head, as now … anyway, each and every one looks innocent when she first awakes … ’pon my soul, one might imagine almost anything, if the kerosene didn’t smell so…

Girl

Yes, the lamps are always a nuisance.

Count

How old are you really?

Girl

Well, what would you guess?

Count

Twenty-four.

Girl

Oh, of course!

Count

Older?

Girl

I’m not yet twenty.

Count

And how long have you been…

Girl

A year.

Count

You began early.

Girl

Better too early, than too late.

Count

(Sits down upon her bed) Tell me, are you really happy?

Girl

Am I, what?

Count

I mean, are things going well with you?

Girl

Oh, things always go well with me.

Count

Yes… Well, did it never occur to you that you might become something else?

Girl

What might I become?

Count

Well… You are a very pretty girl. You might take a lover, for example.

Girl

Do you imagine I haven’t any?

Count

Yes, I know that—But I mean just one single one, who would take care of you, so that you wouldn’t have to go with everybody.

Girl

I don’t go with everybody. Thank heaven, I don’t have to. I pick those I want.

Count

(Looks around the room)

Girl

(Noticing it) We move downtown next month, to the Spiegelgasse.

Count

We? Who?

Girl

Well, the Madam, and the couple of other girls who live here.

Count

There are others—

Girl

Next door … don’t you hear?… that is Milly. She was in the café too.

Count

I hear some one snoring.

Girl

That’s Milly. She will snore the whole day long until ten o’clock to-night. Then she gets up, and goes to the café.

Count

What an awful life!

Girl

Of course it is. It annoys the Madam a lot. I’m always on the streets by noon.

Count

What do you do on the streets at noon?

Girl

What do you suppose I do? I’m going on my beat then.

Count

Oh, yes … of course… (Rises, takes out his wallet, and puts a banknote on the table) Good-by!

Girl

Going already… Good-by… Call again soon.

(Turns on her side)

Count

(Stands still) Tell me, is everything a matter of indifference to you already?

Girl

What?

Count

I mean, don’t you get pleasure out of anything any more?

Girl

(Yawning) I want to sleep.

Count

It’s all the same to you whether he is young or old or whether he…

Girl

Why do you ask?

Count

… Well (Suddenly hitting upon a thought) ’pon my soul, now I know of whom you remind me, it’s…

Girl

Do I look like some one?

Count

Unbelievable, unbelievable. Now please, don’t talk, at least not for a minute… (Looking at her) The very same features. (He kisses her suddenly on the eyes), the very image.

Girl

Well…

Count

’Pon my soul, it’s too bad that you … aren’t something different… You could make your fortune!

Girl

You talk just like Frank.

Count

Who is Frank?

Girl

The waiter in our café.

Count

In what way am I just like Frank?

Girl

He is also always telling me I might make my fortune, and wanting me to marry him.

Count

Why don’t you?

Girl

No thank you… I don’t want to marry, no, not for any price… Later on, perhaps.

Count

The eyes … the very same eyes… Bobby would surely call me a fool.—But I must kiss your eyes once more … so … and now God bless you, now I must go.

Girl

Good-by…

Count

(At the door) Tell me … aren’t you a bit surprised?…

Girl

At what?

Count

That I don’t want anything of you.

Girl

There are many men who aren’t in the mood in the morning.

Count

Of course… (To himself) Absurd, that I expect to be surprised… Well, good-by… (He is near the door) But really, I’m disappointed. I ought to know that women like her care only about money … what am I saying … it is beautiful, that at least she doesn’t pretend; should make one glad… (Aloud) Do you know, I shall come to see you again soon?

Girl

(With closed eyes) All right.

Count

When are you at home?

Girl

I’m always at home. You only have to ask for Leocadia.

Count

Leocadia… All right—Well, God bless you. (At the door) The wine is still in my head. But after all it is sublime… I am with a woman like her and haven’t done anything but kiss her eyes, because she reminded me of some one… (Turns toward her) Tell me, Leocadia, does it often happen that any one leaves you in this way?

Girl

What way?

Count

As I do.

Girl

In the morning?

Count

No … have you ever had any one with you,—who didn’t want anything of you?

Girl

No, that has never happened to me.

Count

Well, what do you think then? Do you think I didn’t like you?

Girl

Why shouldn’t you like me? You liked me well enough by night.

Count

I like you now, too.

Girl

But you liked me better last night.

Count

What makes you think that?

Girl

Why ask such foolish questions?

Count

Last night … well, tell me, didn’t I drop right down on the sofa?

Girl

Certainly … with me.

Count

With you?

Girl

Yes, don’t you remember?

Count

I did … both of us…

Girl

But you fell asleep right away.

Count

Right away… So … that’s what happened?…

Girl

Yes, sonny. But you must have been terribly drunk, that you don’t remember.

Count

So… And yet … there is a faint resemblance… Good-by… (Listens) … What is the matter?

Girl

The servant is up. Give her a tip as you go out. The outside door is open, so you won’t have to give anything to the janitor.

Count

(In the anteroom) Well… It would have been beautiful, if I had kissed her only on the eyes. It would have been almost an adventure… But it wasn’t my destiny. (The servant opens the door) Ah—here… Good-night.—

Servant

Good morning!

Count

Of course … good morning … good morning.

FOOTNOTES