"The Beaver Coat A Thieves' Comedy by Gerhart Hauptmann" "# the worst man in the whole country # remains the denunciant" "I protest!" " Shoo!" " Herr Motes..." " Shoo!" "Since I have an eviction order against you... there's nothing I can do what eviction order?" "Shoo!" "Eviction order?" "Herr Mitteldorf, don't you know who I am?" "to me you're just:" "III B 189/04" "Judicial execution re. pensioner Krüger v. Motes" "I'm not afraid of that gentleman, even if he files a thousand official complaints against me what is right, must remain right!" "here you are, 80 marks thank you, Doctor, thank you" "I'd like to unpack right now, Herr Krüger unpack, certainly, I'll "unpack" (reveal everything) against that Herr Motes, I'll "unpack"!" "allow me, Doctor, don't trouble yourself, this is my maid's job" "Adelheid!" "Adelheid, the master has been ringing for ages and I have my headache again, I can't bear it anymore" "I wish I knew what's more urgent, the master's order or your medicine then I could dispose accordingly but like that ..." "this job is beginning to get on my nerves" "I wish we'd get rid of that animal tamer" " now get a move, Herr Motes - one moment" "Herr Krüger, you have no right to take in a new lodger you have a one-year contract with me!" "and you haven't paid the rent for six months here are my other things, perhaps you could unload the boxes now certainly, Doctor" "I hope they don't contain any bricks!" "get a move on, I've other business to attend to that's very interesting luggage" "Krüger, let me tell you one thing you won't get rid of me that easily even if I have to apply to the the very Highest Ears so those would be the ceremonies arranged for Your Highness' birthday" "boring, my dear Theerbrügge, very boring if it were up to me, I'd like to celebrate the day in a less official manner anything else?" "yes, the appointment of the new District Administrator for Köckeritz let me see, I heard that he's a very energetic man, that Wehrhahn* (martial cock) he should take drastic measures and all that poaching in the district must stop" "Julius oh, it's you, mother?" "you fool, switch off the light!" "I'm telling you, a capital roebuck is crossing along this path from the princely hunting grounds that buck or nothing, I'm telling myself" "I don't want to have anything to do with princely bucks, mother let the Prince shoot his bucks himself by the way, that Motes, I don't trust him at all" "I feel all queasy, mother and when I'm feeling queasy, the coup won't work, mother, you can bet on it rubbish!" "what's there not to work" "it'll work alright and all that shooting will stop now all that Motes business will stop now, my dear whether you catch the animal in a noose or shoot it that doesn't make any difference, once it's dead anyway" "not a princely roe, mother, not a princely one!" "this is high treason, I won't help you run along then what a coward!" "he would have been in the poorhouse long ago if it weren't for me nobody ever got rich by being poor" "# the Can Can from Paris # turns your whole world into a paradise right away # because no other dance has so much swerve and temperament # this is the dance which burns you, body and soul # with this unheard-of step the most beautiful waltz cannot compete" "# yes, a dream fulfilled promising us happiness, that is the Can Can from Paris # each man may have worries # and each man asks himself:" "what am I to do?" "# how do I get rid of them?" "# kids, listen to me # and imitate me, how to chase away your worries # that's the Can Can from Paris # it turns your whole world into a paradise right away # because no other dance has so much swerve and temperament" "# this is the dance which burns you, body and soul # with this unheard-of step the most beautiful waltz cannot compete # yes, a dream fulfilled promising us happiness, that is the Can Can from Paris" "# everybody:" "that's the Can Can from Paris # it turns your whole world into a paradise right away # because no other dance has so much swerve and temperament # this is the dance which burns you, body and soul" "# with this unheard-of step the most beautiful waltz cannot compete # yes, a dream fulfilled promising us happiness, that is the Can Can from Paris" "when you've had six bottles it's not easy to count the seventh" "May I remind the Baron that he has to assume his new post tomorrow post?" "rubbish!" "that's my affair" "Duty means duty, and ... then if you allow me, my delicate health ... chickening out, eh?" "total chicken!" "what luck that one's birthday is only once a year the consequences would be disastrous what was that, sir?" "allow me another toast to His Highness' health if you please!" "thank you, I don't feel like drinking anymore you don't feel like it?" "look at that, he doesn't feel like it!" "you wimp!" "there's no excuse when a toast to His Highness' health is proposed!" "I think His Highness will remain in good health even if I don't drink anymore he must be a Republican!" "A Republican, right?" "an unheard-of scandal!" "not raising your glass to the health of your sovereign" "I'll do away with this because I know His Highness* personally (*Durchlaucht) through and through (durch und durch)" "His Highness, a conservative ... even looks a bit like His Highnes, the scoundrel!" "I'll inform His Highness" "His Highness will take strict measures* (*durchgreifen) who knows you dare doubt it?" "allow me, Wehrhahn, Baron Wehrhahn" "I expect you to call on me tomorrow, Herr ... here you are!" "here you are!" "our sovereign can sleep peacefully when he has vassals like myself here you are" "I like blue blood, but not that "blue" (drunk)" "Wolf?" "Did you catch anybody?" "by the way, I won't work with you any longer, Motes" " why?" " my wife said ..." " halt!" "stand still!" "yes?" "Ah, look at the Wulkow coming along again." "Wanting to cheat a woman some more, ain't you." "I've given up trying that long ago!" "Maybe, but that's the way it's going to be anyhow." "The other way round, you mean." "one moment, pretty lady, pay attention now, look at this here that's the main thing, isn't it with 13 marks the roebuck is paid what?" "you know, I don't even earn 10 pfennigs by that you keep talking about roebucks?" "what roebuck?" "don't pretend, you ... you're still here?" "haven't you noticed?" "then I wish you a happy voyage listen to me, Frau Wolff, I can't pay more than 13 then forget about it" "I've no idea what you're talking about but I'm telling you ..." "I can't pay you more" "I'm only doing it not to lose the customer, and if I'm telling you" "Frau Wolff, if I'm telling you, 14 and I would be paying out of my own pocket too don't laugh so funny" "I recently sold a buck for 15 marks and he didn't even weigh 40 pounds" "now I need a schnapps" "I'm no racing horse after all what?" "is the buck so light that you could carry him and run?" "have you got the buck outside?" "yes, outside, in the forest" " what?" " the adjutant forester has been after us because of that Motes, the silly fool, he fired five rounds after us whistling round about our ears then we took off and the buck?" "he took off too took off too?" "then there's no schnapps for you neither till the buck apologizes" "it's a hard life for a poor wretch not even the game trusts one anymore, as to the humans ... they cheat you all the time but you can't complain, mother Wolff since your two daughters are so nicely established with the Krügers' household" "Adelheid, yes, she ain't dumb either" " what about Leontine?" " forget about Leontine!" "she's nothing to be proud of if she only took a bit after myself" "yes sweetie, that has to be done" " we'll play boaties again tomorrow - yes, if you're a good child and don't struggle" "Leontine, that new lodger .... sweet!" "I could fall for him." "Adelheid!" "don't make such a fuss about that girl, she isn't even your own child just you wait, when I'm as old as you, I'll have at least half a dozen of the sort nice weather today, isn't it" "it could be a bit sunnier though but apart from that, it's just right it would be great to go for a walk in the woods today but it seems you don't care for nature you're wearing pants!" "in bed!" "what a waste you know, Herr Krüger always wears nightshirts, with a slit here at the side right and left, and so does my father disgusting stuff!" "don't say that a nightshirt has its charms too go now, I have to get dressed in a bad mood this morning, are you this comes from working too long" " say, what is it?" "a can-opener?" " give it to me, you don't understand about such things" " calm down - and get out now, I don't have time anymore don't forget you're speaking to a lady!" "Leontine!" "yes Madame the books from the lending library, there's one missing again" " perhaps this one, Madame - but of course" ""The Wild Duck"" "by Ibsen a hunting tale?" "what an uncultured person you are" "Baron?" "eh?" "are you sweating?" "no neither am I" "Baron?" "eh?" "do you really want to fight that duel?" "a duel?" "why?" "why a duel?" "don't you know whom you challenged to a duel last night in the "Ressource"?" "I challenged someone to a duel?" "in the Ressource?" "last night?" "why?" "whom?" "I must have had a reason for it and I'll answer for the consequences whom did I challenge?" "His Highness, our august sovereign, Prince August Sigismund" "Ipplitz now I'm sweating" "in such a wire noose the poor beast has to struggle till it's dead a pity I didn't manage to shoot one of those guys don't be so strict, Heines" "I'm no friend of such violent measures after all, the fence is always worse than the thief the District Administrator knows best oh well, I don't care the gentlemen my superiors always thought I wasn't strict enough" "my successor will set it right" "can't you salute?" "where did you "serve"?" "(do your military service) with the "soup clowns" probably" "Baron Wehrhahn, announce me!" "yes Baron you stink of drink that must stop yes Baron everything prepared, and most of it done already" "I'm a bit late" " Hegeler - von Wehrhahn we'll postpone the handing-over ceremony till tomorrow" "I'm having lunch at this hour" "Herr Glasenapp, our efficient head clerk till tomorrow then, Mr. Successor" "lunch?" "lunch?" "seems to be the A  O for my predecessor (*alpha and omega)" " your name?" " Glasenapp take it" "I'll introduce a bit of pizzazz into this shop sit down write" "to His most august Highness" "I'll dictate a draft first to our most gracious sovereign personally did you get "personally"?" "yes Baron the joyous festivities on the occasion of Your most august Highness' birthday make it excusable ... what's the matter with you?" "you're trembling?" "are you ill?" "a toothache, Baron a toothache look at this, a toothache pull yourself together, my good man, pull yourself together duty comes first" "when the social conventions get loosened up even in those circles loosened up" "did you get "loosened up"?" "yes Baron new line ..." "but your cheek isn't swollen any longer!" "you don't have a toothache any longer you see, I knew it, things like that pass, just pull yourself together, my good man eh ... those circles ... counting among the most faithful of His princely Highness' flag-bearers" "of His princely Highness ... just between ourselves, my dear just between ourselves" "I acted with my best conscience yesterday" "I threw myself mightily into action for our most august sovereign" "I might have been a bit harsh very harsh!" "it was ... it was His Highness himself" "well, the dressing down was out of place the formalities must be preserved of course" " certainly, Baron, the formalities ..." " sit down and write by Jove, get going, Glasenapp!" "after all ... after all Baron Wehrhahn deigns to apologize seems to be a bit conceited, that Baron Wehrhahn in a public restaurant such behaviour is outrageous we must hold the Baron responsible for this kid, when I listen to you I'm beginning to feel young again, progressive even" "why shouldn't the good Wehrhahn have a drink too much once in a while?" "especially on my birthday still, he probably likes me, doesn't he our esteemed new District Administrator long may he live" "thank you" "Mr. Mayor ladies esteemed gentlemen present" "I'm resolved to turn Köckeritz into a jewel on His Highness' august head the times are perilous they are shaking at the foundation of matters which ought to be sacred to all of us." "There are certain reckless elements who call everything into question, not even stopping before the sceptre and the crown." "To those scandalmongers" "I'll put a stop." "good evening, Herr Rolf and with God's help" "I shall ... under my rule Köckeritz, will become a place of discipline and order" "I beg your pardon, Baron he who kicks against the pricks as it is written" "I'll chastise him with scorpions!" "therefore, His most august Highness our most gracious sovereign long may he live what swinish business what?" "a thing like this could only happen in this place" "did the Baron hear that?" "I beg your pardon with whom do I have the honour of speaking allow me, Motes, forester adjutant rtrd." "retired?" "well, that might have happened to anyone that's one of those "questioners"" "the Baron has just been mentioning he ought to be very careful observe and report of course, Baron he's a certain Dr. Fleischer a very dangerous fellow" "oh, you snotty brat what do you know about life!" "don't you meddle in things that are no business of yours!" "Good God, mother, I'm only meaning well he could earn his pay in an honest way no!" "no!" "well, this is ..." "my own child talking to me like that!" "that my work isn't honest" "I who am honoured and respected in the whole county" "I who is working for the finest people around here do you know what was the first official act of our new District Administrator?" "he asked me to do his washing for him and you're coming here, telling me I'm doing crooked things!" "no!" "no, no, if that isn't ungratefulness people always say, "the call of one's blood" but with you, oh... with you, I haven't even heard my own blood squeak!" "no no mother" "I know that I'm right" "I'd feel better myself if things were different then go to the police and file a complaint against me!" "go to that District Administrator of yours, go to him you can endear yourself to him too, as a woman, go to him!" "I don't want to see you anymore!" "you're not your mother's child!" "I don't know what that thing is I've given birth to." "# Heinrich slept with his newly wedded wife # a rich mistress from the Rhine # the clock struck 12, then through the curtains ... # suddenly a tiny melody floated in hallo, Leontine!" " did you go out?" " I've been at my mother's and you're looking so sad?" "why?" "I'd like to stay away from home forever but Leontine!" "what's the matter!" "nothing ... nothing this makes you fall flat on your face!" "and now they're kissing" "Adelheid!" "Adelheid!" "Adelheid!" "Adelheid, the master has a cold, we need some firewood we need some wood, Adelheid the old wood is used up the new wood lies outside in the street the wood out in the street in such weather, this is unheard of!" "bring it inside at once before it gets soaked through or are we to heat with wet wood tomorrow?" "I'm to do what?" "I'm to carry wood inside?" "in such weather?" "in the middle of the night when you wouldn't even let a dog outside" "Madame, don't forget, I'm still almost a child and you mustn't ask hard labours of a child otherwise I'll seek for protection with the law" " Adelheid!" " let Leontine do the job!" "and perhaps Dr. Fleischer will help her too" " yes yes yes - you shouldn't have sent her outside in this weather don't you start too those servants!" "well, Frau Wolff, now I don't care anymore come here so that you can see my good will" "I'll pay 14 marks for the roebuck no. don't bother, we'll get rid of the roe alright and we won't wait till tomorrow morning either is that so?" "what if anybody sees it hanging there?" "that couldn't be atoned with just a fine we found the roe dead already is that so?" "inside the wire noose, I gather come here, let's close the door come here, I'll show you ... don't you dare use that trick with me!" "with me you won't get very far with that!" "you expect everything to be free and easy, do you?" "how we've toiled, that wasn't fun you know one cannot throw a thing like that away for nothing" " alright, 16 marks - no, 18!" " 16 marks - no, 18!" "my husband will beat me to death" "Julius, will you beat me to death?" "yes or no?" "15 marks when that guy has had one too many, he cannot count till 3." "well, 18 and that's final alright" "then the deal's off do you imagine I want to make a big deal with you?" "no no no" "I've been toiling around here for 40 years, and what have I got?" "rheumatism, that's what I got yes mam, it's been 10 years now that I'm wanting to buy myself a fur coat all the doctors prescribed a fur coat to me because I'm such a passionate man" "don't a laugh at a sick man!" "I cannot afford a fur coat, this is as true as I'm just walking here right now now Frau Wolff, be reasonable, come around and make it 17 marks, and not a penny more" "18 marks and not a penny less" "mama!" "open up!" "my feet are freezing but this is unheard of!" "that brat!" "what do you want here in the middle of the night?" "am I not allowed to visit you anymore?" "excuse me, don't you know the time?" "I won't go back to those people anymore, mama" "I have my pride too" "I see" "you're not going to them anymore?" "this is news" "I won't let them mistreat me anymore" "I see, they mistreat you at Krügers, you poor child don't you dare use those false excuses with me!" "you won't find any help with me, and I won't let you idle around here either what's that, mama?" "that's a "clattering stork" (who's supposed to bring the human babies) a clattering stork?" "does he have horns too?" "that's a roebuck, I know my facts of life that much here you are, 18 marks, Frau Wolff" "15 now and I'll bring the rest tomorrow night you're dreaming!" "then get the roebuck tomorrow night as well no, it's better he takes him along right now there's no joking about such a clattering stork what if they come for it tonight?" "give me the money away with you, away" "did you do something wrong, you no I didn't do anything wrong" "I was to bring in firewood from the street two meters of logs in that lovely weather in the middle of the night at half past nine, and work doesn't agree with me anyway firewood here we go don't you forget to bring the taler tomorrow!" " well, good-bye - good-bye and be quiet" "firewood" "I suppose the wood's still lying outside in the street, huh?" "it lies outside the garden gate, that's all I know" "I hope it won't get stolen what's the matter?" " I don't trust my eyes!" " yes, little Adelheid has come they harassed her at Krügers and she ran away run away?" "it seems her fur's itching again knocking up up our last firewood on the poor child, who do you think you are?" "are you crazy?" "come and sit here, little Adelheid, my child" "so, you'll go over now to "The Oxen", right?" "to the Oxen?" "what for?" "there's a dance tonight, you may look on a bit again the way I look?" "you may put on your Sunday dress, yes mam because they harassed you you should have some fun too here you are" "and here's a Mark" "mama, that's a genuine Mark yes, a genuine Mark" "I'd like to know what for?" "the girl's right: what for?" "that's what I'm asking myself too no no no, oh Jule, you're such a slow person by God, I've got quite a different temperature if you beat my child, I'll take that wood" "fiddlesticks!" "because of such a trifle the rich won't get any poorer because of those 2 meters of logs alright but why must she go to the Oxen I'd like to know" "but the child must have an alibi" "I must have what?" "an alibibi yes what's that?" "well ... well if you want to know exactly an alibi is, when you've done it but it wasn't you then you might have done it and feel easy about it" ""ladies' choice"" "may I ask you to dance" "I beg your pardon, I'm a waiter here" "ah, Miss Adelheid what a pleasure have you already made your choice?" "no Herr Motes, you see, it's not that easy for me because I'm very choosy may I ask you to dance?" "with pleasure, Miss Adelheid" "# dawn ... sunset # shining to me so ..." "good evening, mother Wolff good evening, Herr Mitteldorf well, the drink has been tasty again tonight, hasn't it our new District Administrator's speech pleased me extraordinarily shall I help you a bit?" "yes, give us a hand always busy working, you people, always busy working mother # the dawn hallo, is anybody there?" "it's you, Miss Leontine?" "you're still up that late?" "I couldn't go to bed yet" "and finally I ran out waiter!" "another wurst and a beer" "I'll pay for it myself 2 ... 5 ... my Mark won't quite make it allow me to invite you, eh, Miss Adelheid, ja?" "why, sure" "say, Miss Adelheid, you were going to tell me about that Dr. Fleischer" ""with patience and spit one catches a mosquito"" "that new one, there's something fishy about him" "I'm telling you, that man leads an active nightlife till dawn he keeps fiddling with those things made from iron and copper and they look like ..." "like ... cannon balls what?" "cannon balls?" "and each Thursday, late at night, the grave diggers arrive three of them, straight from Berlin he locks himself up with them, they pull the curtains and then it's all silent like a grave" "I see but I can see the light still burning the whole night curfew, ladies and gentlemen ladies and gentlemen, curfew nonsense, get me two beer we're leaving presently that's very interesting then I'd better take you back to Krügers right away" "huh?" "I'd rather die than be a slave!" "we've already learned that at school hold on very tight to me, then nothing can happen" "better keep your eyes shut compose yourself, Miss Adelheid" "I'd rather die than be a slave we've already learned that at school" "I won't go back to those people, to the Krügers this is the limit!" "she's dragging the monkey in here but my dear Frau Wolff, I must ask you to..." "I don't mean you, I mean the monkey in her head" " where do you come from?" " from the Oxen, mama from the Oxen?" "who sent you to the Oxen?" "you must have run away from Krügers what do you say to that, Herr Motes you'll go straight back to those good people" "I won't go back to those good people" "I'd rather drown myself be careful you don't catch a cold" "I'll drown myself but not now, in the middle of the night if that Herr Krüger exploits Adelheid as much as your daughter just told us then it would be high time to notify the authorities yes yes yes we'd better refrain from that, Herr Motes" "I think you need some sleep too now so good night, and I thank you kindly" "I beg of you, Christian love of thy neighbor yes yes alright, good night and good-bye" "where did you pick up that guy?" "beware of that one, I'm telling you he's a denunciator" "I can see that by the tip of his nose what's a denunciator?" "something indecent?" "go away!" "that's an informer he's on intimate terms with our District Administrator didn't you learn this with your education?" ""the worst in the whole shop are always the denunciators"" "yessir, regular visitors, at night each Thursday and ... eh and from Berlin!" "from Berlin?" "very interesting from Berlin say, Glasenapp have you ever ... you've been to the hairdresser?" "suits you, looks great you're looking twice as intelligent now tell me, Glasenapp don't you know a certain Dr. Fleischer?" "Fleischer, yes, he lives at the villa Krüger" "I don't care where he lives!" "I want to know if he's known to you" "I mean, what does he do?" "who is he?" "a private scholar a private scholar pri- not pro- probate scholar he calls himself private scholar he calls himself private scholar let's check which newspapers the man is reading summon the postman what rubbish has been collecting here under my predecessor's protection!" "dark existences dark existences banned from politics, the empire and the crown, hostile existences, but... let them moan under my rule!" "my duty is examination and cleansing!" "Mr. District Administrator I beg your pardon, Baron" "Herr Krüger is outside" "Krüger?" "I see that's very convenient that's the man who gives shelter to that Dr. Fleischer yes?" "what is it?" "move aside" "I've been stolen from, Mr. District Administrator outright stolen they stole two meters of wood two meters of wood at a cold like this" "I'm freezing but you don't look like it allow me to be my own judge whether I'm freezing or not there's no need to use that tone what's your name" " I beg your pardon?" " what's your name?" "what my name is?" "what's your name?" "my name's Krüger" "Krüger?" "identify yourself every child on the street knows me am I a child?" "are we on the street?" "I'm not interested in the fact for how long you've been living here" "I want to establish your identity" "I can identify Herr Krüger that's sufficient." "I didn't ask you who else beside you lives at your residence?" "I not any longer, fortunately a certain Dr. Fleischer" "Dr. Fleischer?" "is that so?" " the man is what?" " a scholar, yessir you must be on very intimate terms with him with whom I'm on intimate terms, that's my affair" " is that so?" " yes!" "I've come to file a complaint in fact, two complaints because my maid has run away too" " Adelheid" " Adelheid?" "the washerwoman Wolff's daughter a deeply honest person" "I see and you're suspecting that deeply honest person to be involved in the theft of your wood?" "I'm suspecting nobody" " I only want my right!" " I see!" "mummy, I always say, "found" wood burns twice as good" "oh Herr Mitteldorf, what are you bringing?" "you're to come to the District Administrator" "at once?" "hmm alright that suits me very well, I was going to complain anyway" " did I steal your wood?" " don't speak to me like a sergeant!" " don't shout!" " but you're shouting yourself!" " you shouting so I'm almost deaf" " I must shout" " but you're always shouting, you're shouting at everyone!" " I never shout, be silent!" "you're just giving yourself the airs of a great man from your frog's perspective, I am indeed you're just putting on an act of being important as if you were the king himself but I am the king here!" "in my eyes, you're nothing at all you're just an ordinary District Administrator no, you must first learn to be one if you don't keep silent at once ... then you'll have me arrested, or what?" "I won't advise you to try that that could be dangerous for you you see, here I am how can I help?" "good morning Herr Krüger, how's the dear family?" " everything alright?" " yes yes you'll compensate me for the wood, Frau Wolff your daughter ran away from me, she left the wood lying outside, in the middle of the night and it was stolen" " stolen?" " yes!" " you don't say, Herr Krüger" "I'm so sorry you know, Mr. District Administrator, they way those thieves behave in our town phooey, by the devil!" "yes, and you'll compensate me, down to the last penny sure, this seems to be the latest fashion, so I stole your wood, did I?" "let the man calm down first but your daughter must return to her service at once no no she won't, if Herr Krüger tries those tricks on my, like compensation for his wood, he won't have any luck with me" "you know, Mr. District Administrator, I'm polite to everybody no no nobody may slander me like that, I'm doing my duty and that's it but I won't let anybody trample on my head!" "don't get exited, Frau Wolff there's no reason for it you're not unknown to me, you see nobody can deny that you're an industrious and honest woman you know, Mr. District Administrator" "I worked for those people, I did their laundry for 10 years the l... oh ... oh well and now he pulls that trick on me" "I won't come and do your laundry any longer you'll see nothing doing, Frau Krüger when my wife doesn't want to, she doesn't want to and when she doesn't want to, there's nothing one can want" "good day Herr Krüger, and good-bye that new District Administrator is a scurrilous fellow" "I'll complain, I'll have the guy chased out of office" "what's the matter again?" "there you have it, that we're without a washerwomen excuse me, was it I who gave Adelheid notice?" "or did she run away?" " she ran away - you see" " but you could have called her back - called her back?" "am I to take up her position at the washing tub?" "little Elsie!" "pay attention, Leontine perhaps, if Herr Krüger could speak to my mother, Madame" "I'm sure Adelheid didn't mean it" "Willy!" "Willy, you'll speak to Frau Wolff at once" "Adelheid can have 3 marks more on one condition:" "Frau Wolff comes and does our laundry tomorrow out of the question!" "you cannot ask that of me!" "oh God!" "The doctor!" "the train schedule" "I'm leaving on a voyage no no, I'm going, Rosie, don't be hasty your last trip to the spa cost me enough money then I'd rather have that Wolff woman" "1 2 3 marks good day good day, dear Frau Wolff well, no harm done I hope oh, the Herr Krüger" "Herr Krüger, don't look around, it looks terrible in here don't worry, you're out working the whole week, then your home might look untidy your an honest woman, mother Wolff and let's forget about the incident between us" "but I never had anything against you, Herr Krüger" "I've always liked working for you but you know, if you suddenly get angry with me before the District Administrator then one might lose one's countenance too so you'll come back and do our laundry again and the good Adelheid will come with you too" "she'll get a taler more per month and carry in the wood again when it's pouring outside?" "Herr Krüger, forget about it" "I won't have my night's rest endangered anymore of course not we'll have the wood brought into the barn right away now" "yes but here, here, look at it!" "wood just like that has been stolen from me what do you say to this?" "I'm not saying anything" "That Herr Wehrhahn shall get to know me even if it costs me 1000 talers" "I'll catch the thief that would be a blessing, Herr Krüger good God, dear Frau Wolff, tomorrow is Thursday washing day we bought a roebuck from Herr Wulkow he got it from town" "Herr Krüger, how much did you pay for the roebuck?" "it was cheap, Herr Krüger, wasn't it well, good-bye my dear good-bye Herr Krüger good-bye and greetings to your wife good-bye Herr Krüger" "there were three marks here just now" " really?" " just now they lay here damned, just now they lay there did they fall into the water?" " you took them" " I?" "no, nothing doing, I'm an honest woman you just heard it, you you ... alright, one taler doesn't matter take them you know, for a fur coat like the one Krüger just wore" "I'd pay 50 for it marks" "I would then you'd better ask Krüger perhaps he'll sell it don't babble such nonsense, don't act stupid with me" "I mean, since the doctors prescribed it to me because of my rheumatism go away!" "rheumatism and since it's washing day tomorrow at the Krügers" "Baron!" "Baron!" "If I may make a remark but I'm in a hurry something must have escaped the Baron's attention what is it?" "shoot!" "today is Thursday" "I see march!" "get in!" "you can go to bed now allow me to show you the way, gentlemen thank you" "gentlemen" "I'm ready now" "but if somebody learns anything about it ... what is it?" "do the gentlemen want some coffee or anything else?" "get out oh no!" "Adelheid!" "what's going on here?" "nothing you know, that thing here got stuck" "I must hurry, mother it'll be soon 11 o'clock, and at 11 o'clock I'll go and get my fur coat but you can't leave me alone now but little mother, come here" "I'll be back soon that good fur mustn't stay at the Wolff's house for one hour they're capable to sell the beautiful fur further on to somebody else aren't they?" "and our August can wait another day, can't he and tomorrow we're off to town but remember, he'll be called August will he?" "you see don't you give birth to a girl!" "well mother, good-bye" "I adore a roast of roebuck haven't you finished the laundry yet, mother?" "you've no idea!" "if I'd finish the laundry I'd have to spend the whole night here you don't understand such things mother, let me tell you something" "I've kept my mouth shut again and again because I know that you're working hard and because I don't want to be ungrateful, but... if anything happens in this house, if you two are up to something crooked in here, then ... what do you mean, crooked?" "what a way to talk to your own family!" "what do you mean by that?" "nothing at all" "I've said enough already oh well, said enough that's right, that's just like Leontine with her we're betrayed and sold, I'm telling you you know what you owe your mother, my child" "look out!" "the three are leaving already that early?" "this must mean something well gentlemen, let's keep strict secrecy, everything depends on it" "I can guarantee you a break-through effect the explosion won't go off too early a failure is ruled out" "follow them, Motes." "the affair is beginning to get interesting dangerous things are happening around here off you go, follow them, I'll answer for everything your expenses will be reimbursed" "Baron, I'm a born criminalist run along, I'll enter the lion's cave myself" "evening, Doctor yes please?" "I've heard so much about you, my esteemed Dr. Fleischer what a late honour, Mr. District Administrator well, I just saw you show some visitors out, so I thought ... perhaps a little cognac is left over ... it's cold outside tonight" "as you wish thank you, thank you too kind you're receiving plenty of visitors, it seems if you please, I'm not in the habit of receiving my visitors outside" "I wonder, where do your visitors come from?" "from different places, Africa, America, Australia once I even had a visitor from Berlin seriously?" "now to the left, sir" "you're very much occupied, are you may one ask, eh ... how?" "that's steel, isn't it?" "indeed, that's ..." " handmade - careful, please, District Administrator it dropped ... dropped an ashtray" "I see the District Administrator seems to be fond of detective stories" "tell me, my young friend couldn't you tell me ... eh what's going on here?" "that's out of the question you'll learn about it soon enough" "I demand of you a truthful account of the things which are going on in this house!" "May I show you out now, Mr. District Administrator nothing is left of my cognac anyway" "be careful, Herr Dr. Fleischer, be very careful the eye of the law is watchful, and the arm of justice reaches a long way" "well, Frau Pfeiffer well, always busy working, are you yes. good evening, Mr. District Administrator what am I to do if the day's not long enough, I'll make do with the night too that's right, little mother" "if only everybody were like you, you could be an example to some people yes, couldn't I?" "well, good night come here get in, we'll give your tired bones a bit of rest mount, I'll drive you home" " no!" " come on, give me your basket no District Administrator, I couldn't!" "that basket and your beautiful carriage" " come up now - alright then I'll take the liberty here you are. thank you" "Mr. District Administrator alright, little mother?" "I'll remember this as long as I live" "my congratulations, a strapping girl" "little mother well, a girl?" "don't be sad, it's alright our August turned into Augusta, didn't he is that child pretty!" "come here why did we take that "brain-warmer" with us, if we return it now?" "don't ask so stupid questions!" "the cap is an "indiz" (a piece of evidence) you don't understand that" "I see, an "indiz"" "must be something like an alibi may I go to the Oxen again?" "no, I've had enough of your Oxen we'll take this to the District Administrator tomorrow and you'll tell him that you found the bundle while shopping on your way to the train station what will you tell him?" "I'll tell him I found the alibi on the train while doing my shopping while shopping on your way to the train station and you won't mention anything about an alibi!" "since I know the District Administrator and his sharp intellect he'll surely say that the thief left by train" "young man, where do you think you're going?" "one moment, I must follow those gentlemen, you don't know what's at stake!" "my own position move on but tell me at least who those three gentlemen were who just went inside that's none of your business" "Your Highness, those gentlemen have come to ask for a favour shoot. don't be so formal you can make one afraid with your serious faces if Your Highness would do us the great favour, on the occasion of the annual autumn hunt" "a small lunch in Köckeritz" "Köckeritz, one second, this is weird am I to drink to my own health again with Herr von Wehrhahn?" "a little surprise, Your Highness but it would be wise not to mention it now really?" "with pleasure if it will please the gentlemen of course" "Mitteldorf, file this!" " yessir - you're smelling of drink again that must stop yes Baron what do you mean, you didn't go to bed the whole night?" "if I may ask for a glass of water you always have Schnapps around, Mitteldorf, give him a drink no, no alcohol but that's home-brewed booze!" "dismissed!" " Glasenapp!" " Baron?" " take a dictation for a report" " certainly - write appearing at the summons:" "forester adjutant rtrd." "Motes shoot, my dear Herr Motes so, what have you to report?" "terrible things, Mr. District Administrator" "I've lain in wait the whole night" "I've waited and waited" "I've made friend with His Highness' adjutants" "finally I managed to be admitted into those fine circles" "and I stumbled upon a downright conspiracy unfortunately I couldn't hear what they were talking about" "I'm only saying this: highly suspicious more than suspicious one wouldn't go too far if one suspected ... eh ... that ... eh an assassination attempt" "an assassination attempt that Fleischer!" "I suspect the worst of him one knows them, those wolves wearing sheepskins they can't hurt a fly but suddenly, if necessary they blow up whole quarters well, here in this town the ground shall be too hot for his feet." "here in this town, there's a rock standing in the ocean on which every dirty little wave must break." "you wanted a glass of water here you are thank you that will cause a sensation, my dear Glasenapp that will cause an uproar my dear Glasenapp that Wehrhahn, he's meddling with everything, thank God!" "Thank God!" "I'm prepared for that not for nothing, and not for my own pleasure" "I am standing at my post at my fore post" "His Highness knows the deeply serious conception I have of my duty and values it highly." "Glasenapp!" "report at once to the Public Prosecutor tomorrow we'll have his warrant for arrest" "I demand my right!" "my ... my right!" "my fur coat and my right!" "the right I have to be assisted by the local authorities to recover my stolen goods" " excuse me - you're welcome thank you have your silver spoons been stolen this time?" "no, but a fur coat a beaver fur coat it cost me 500 marks is that so?" "and the local authorities refused assistance?" "not that, no no no that couldn't be, that would be too outrageous but I can see that nothing's happening my wood hasn't been found yet either do you imagine that I'll have it searched for?" "I don't imagine anything, Mr. District Administrator" "I can only observe that you don't look after my affairs with the proper diligence..." "Sir!" "Compose yourself!" "but I am composed" "I'm a composed person, but ... once my property is involved all composure is gone stop it stop it" "no no that shouldn't have happened" "I should have taken better care" "I don't understand, nobody suspects you!" "we all know that everything's topsy turvy around here since that notorious Herr Wehrhahn is trying to establish discipline and order don't take that damned fur coat business so serious" "Glasenapp!" "in God's name write!" "appearing:" "Herr Krüger pensioner that's right, isn't it, Herr ..." "Herr ..." "Köckeritz, District Administrator's office" "His Highness' private line!" "hallo?" "yes?" "Herr Baron Wehrhahn?" "huh?" "one moment, I can't hear you very well hand it to me, Teerbrügge, I'd like to speak to Herr von Wehrhahn myself hallo?" "yes?" "Your Highness ceremonial preparations aren't necessary, Baron, since we're old acquaintances we might act out our little dispute from the Ressource here in Köckeritz do you prefer swords or pistols?" "Your Highness, charming, pardon me, eh ... a joke, of course, but the situation ... very serious" "I must humbly ask Your Highness to await my report perhaps a little postponement a postponement is out of the question" "I thank you, Baron. good-bye" "Your Highness!" "most gracious Highness!" "a refusal" "Glasenapp!" "have my carriage drive up at once!" "terrible things must be prevented!" "you're still here?" "have you any idea whom I've been talking to right now?" "by God, higher things are at stake now than your trifles!" "trifles!" "trifles!" "trifles!" "the fur coat cost me 500 marks, it was as good as new have you any idea of the price of a Prince, even if he's an old one!" "and what kind of an investigation is this anyway?" "I protest!" "I won't leave here till everything's in order you protest?" "look at that!" "I see, you protest let me tell you something as long as an honourable citizen ... of our town... unintentionally... let's hope it is, unintentionally ... gives shelter to enemies of the state and high-traitors ... as long as he gives shelter to them ..." "we're not leaving till the child is registered, and her name's Augusta, got it!" "of course they might catch me for all I care and my beautiful fur with it" "I thought the fur has been bought honestly?" "but it has been bought honestly, Almine, how else should it have been bought?" "but why must everybody know that the old Wulkow can afford a fur like this you mustn't blab everything out, Almine little mother, do you hear?" "tomorrow we'll be in town, and when we're back, we just tell them:" "the Wulkows got themselves a nice fur cheap, wasn't it?" "a kind of bargain buy, you see you can deal with it as you like but as long as Augusta's name isn't Augusta, we're not leaving!" "look there, Miss Leontine on that barge stands a man in a fur coat" " how merciless you are!" " but the child doesn't live till it's registered is that so?" "it makes enough noise already well, come here little mother, I'll take that off hand me my jacket for the authorities, one needn't be dressed too well" "farewell my greetings to Augusta" "hallo?" "yes please wasn't there just now a man in a fur coat?" "with a fur coat?" "no only my husband was here he doesn't wear a fur coat there he goes" "eh, Mittel, hasn't my carriage driven up yet?" "you're not going to leave, you're not going to leave this office till I got my right!" "man!" "His Highness himself needs me personally one horse needs to be shod, but there's a Spree river-barge if the District Administrator would go by barge ..." "Wulkow, August Wulkow, Mr. District Administrator, 53 years, married, no previous criminal record what do you want, man?" "have a girl registered, Mr. District Administrator, she arrived yesterday moved in here from another district not from another district, Mr. District Administrator from within the district, Mr. Administrator yessir, and my wife is terribly particular about such things" "her name shall be Augusta, right, Herr von Wehrhahn?" "if it's only a birth, couldn't she wait till tomorrow" "I was surprised myself, but since by now ..." "Herr ..." "Dr. Fleischer!" "look at this!" "Do you want to file a complaint too?" "if you permit, I do a complaint regarding Herr Krüger's fur coat but my time is very limited, Herr ... my time is limited too, but I felt obliged to" "I see, you felt obliged, look at this you felt obliged alright, till my carriage has driven up, we might ... shoot!" "what were you obliged to do?" "I've just been out on a boating with Miss Leontine Wolff and Herr Krüger's little daughter did you enjoy it?" "I must say, the way you ..." "I've come here on my own account to do the administration a service come to the point, come to the point so we rowed near the sluices where a Spree river barge had docked how fascinating!" "on that barge stood a man in a fur coat which looked like beaver from afar" "I would have taken it for ermine perhaps go on, go on you want me to go on?" "that's all." " but you were going to file a complaint?" " I've said all there's to say but this is unheard-of!" "did you ever hear such a story!" "have you gone crazy or what!" "telling me such stories!" "I won't let you throw sand into my eyes a skipper owns a fur coat" "I own one myself as you can see." "Am I a thief because of that?" "What?" "this is unheard-of!" "but ..." "I won't do it" "I won't do you the favour, my dear" "I'll force myself to stay calm, I won't get excited because of you there's something in the air what it is, I don't know yet, but ..." "I know that it's something mother Wolff, it'll explode soon and once it's exploded ... then it has exploded mama, then let's go before it explodes don't bother this is just so-called politics, it has nothing to do with us" "Mitteldorf!" "what's keeping you?" "something is bound to happen the whole place must be cleansed" "Mitteldorf" "The Baron needs me." "mother Wolff, it'll explode, trust me you're a skipper?" "for 30 years, Mr. District Administrator your face is twitching so, what's the matter with you?" "are you nervous?" "right now I really got frightened a bit, Mr. District Administrator come here, tell me ... do skippers often wear fur coats?" "that man claims that he saw a skipper in a fur coat on the boat's deck but this really isn't anything suspicious, Mr. District Administrator there are many who own very beautiful furs" "I myself even own one you see, he himself owns one!" "well?" "but not a beaver fur one moment." "I thought you didn't see it very clearly?" "what kind of an investigation is this anyway?" "who's conducting the inquest?" " Mr. District Administrator..." " there you are at last, where the hell have you been?" "where's my carriage?" "are you deaf or what?" "no, but it takes time, the horses just arrived a quarter of an hour ago and you're telling me this now, you rascal" "I see through your tactics to lead us off our tracks, sir you'll explain yourself at once!" "I won't let you insult me!" "I forbid you to ... you insulted ..." "Mr. District Administrator come, tell the District Administrator where you found it on my way to the train station, when I was shopping, Herr Krüger's fur cap spare me that Herr Krüger, he's capable to keep the gendarmerie of the whole county busy" "my good woman, come back tomorrow, I'll deposit this here tomorrow?" "tomorrow?" "deposit my fur cap?" "this is a piece of evidence" " leave that piece of evidence alone - you'll examine it at once!" "I've no time to examine it, I must be off" "Glasenapp will enter it in the protocol protocol, protocol, I know all about it, that's nothing at all" "Mr. District Administrator" "I think the thieves left by train that's right, mother Wolff, you're a great help there are some people here who should leave by train too and who don't belong here at all" " I forbid you - you've nothing to forbid around here before I forget it, her name shall be Augusta" "I have a right to a proper investigation this is subordination" "I'll complain against you in writing yes yes, we'll hear all about it" "have a nice journey and he wants to be a civil servant!" "well, that gentleman's time will be over soon too and, mother Wolff ... your Adelheid must be god-mother to our Augusta, yes?" "since everything's turned out so well but Leontine!" "what's the matter with you?" "it's all so difficult you must be reasonable, Leontine you must be reasonable and trust me" "you know more about that fur business than you admit" "I?" "I know nothing!" "what makes you think so?" "is Adelheid behind this?" "oh, Adelheid leave my sister out of this!" "what are the Krügers' affairs to you anyway?" "as you wish" "I only wanted to help you don't be angry, but I ... you don't understand all this" "I do" "I understand very well" "I understand that you want to protect somebody close to you but that you don't even want to open yourself to me ... but I can't!" "I can't bear all this anymore!" "what's the matter with you?" " proof?" " of course, proof!" "I'm sure you have some facts supporting your, I admit, well-meant warning if I had proof, Your Highness might already be dead" "I have grounds for suspicion, grounds for suspicion but which are sufficient evidence indeed" "I even applied for a warrant of arrest well, have a seat, my dear Baron after you, Your Highness please" "I can understand your excitement, my dear Baron and I must confess an assassination attempt on my person would be very disagreeable to me it would be terrible!" "but it would be also disagreeable if I had to renounce to my trip to Köckeritz because I've been promised a surprise there surprise?" "but that's just it, Your Highness!" "that surprise those three guys, those hole-digging rats those moles" "Your Highness, not everybody in Your Highness' circles deserves the trust Your Highness bestows upon him" "My Prince!" "postpone this journey by a day by tomorrow that subject calling himself Dr. Fleischer, will be under lock and key" "I'm grateful for your interest in my welfare, my dear Baron, but ... as long as you don't provide me with conclusive evidence ... it almost intrigues me to drive over to Köckeritz allow me to offer a little fortification before leaving on such a dangerous trip" "an excellent idea, my dear Teerbrügge" "Baron, you were going to drink to my health already in the Ressource" "Esteemed Highness, unfortunately I'm not used to this at all to have a drink during the day, and then, Your Highness, consider ... the seriousness of the situation!" "but Baron!" "An assassination attempt in your own district, that's out of the question!" "I'm convinced, discipline and order rule there." "discipline and order do take off your fur coat, it's far too hot for it no no little mother, let me, it's not too hot and it's fun too and it's good for my rheumatism" "and why shouldn't a simple skipper wear a beautiful fur?" "the Baron Wehrhahn said so himself" "30 40 50 60" "Mama!" "Mama!" "Leontine!" "what's the matter with Leontine?" "all I hear is Leontine!" "I don't want to hear that anymore she's gone totally crazy." "she kissed me oh well, you're crazy yourself." "she must have realized what wrong she did me no!" "I think she'll do herself some harm!" "I myself saw her run towards the water" "Mama!" "Leontine!" "quick. call father quick quick" "Leontine" "Leontine" "Leontine" "Leontine another one father!" "father!" "father, Leontine went into the water" "I'll never do it again!" "I'll undo all the harm I've done" "I'll never do a wrong again if only she would come back day and night, I'll work on my knees my child, my child doctor, help us, mama..." " what's the matter?" " Leontine!" "down there, in the water" "look, there's something drifting in the water where?" "golly!" "and there's Julius in a boat" "Wulkow!" "Wulkow!" "what's the matter?" " there!" " where?" "Good God!" "come closer to the right there you go" "mama!" "mama!" "Frau Wolff, what's the matter with Leontine?" "help me take mama home mama, papa has already gone out with the boat here, drink this" "the fur!" "the fur!" "I see very well you'll wrap the poor girl in it now and then you'll take her home what?" "in the fur?" "but why?" "bought means bought!" "yessir. bought means bought right!" "and stolen means stolen got it?" "Alvine" "doctor, my child mustn't ... father" "no no, mother she's alive." "but she made it hard for us she's alive oh good God" "I thank you" "ah, the fur!" "the fur comes back to me" "you silly girl you silly girl" "he said I am to take the fur back to Wulkow no you'll take the fur back to Krüger" "Wulkow gets his money back and if something's missing I'll work for it, even if I have scratch it out of the earth with my own hands so, now I'll look after my girl first" "hadn't I better call a doctor?" "no, that's not necessary" "I'll manage to look after my child by myself" "Adelheid put on the kettle with water what are you doing?" "pack my things for prison" "you don't have to do this if there's anybody going to the District Administrator, it is I there's no need, Frau Wolff" "I'll talk to Krüger first" "I'm so grateful, Herr Krüger, that you withdrew your complaint let's not mention it, that main thing is that tomorrow everything will work out as planned" "I would have placed the honorary virgins behind the fountain, but ... it's none of my business anymore you see, Wulkow, every good deed brings interest if I hadn't brought you back the money we wouldn't sit here" "and couldn't have another round of drinks yessir, you old fool if you hadn't ... if your wife hadn't stolen the fur, you wouldn't have brought me the money and we wouldn't have a swig here now" "cheerio, Julemopps thus, one thing leads to another so you're perfectly sure of your act?" "absolutely on the condition that His Highness drives in the correct manner are all the other preparations seen to?" "don't worry, Your Excellency everything's prepared for the reception" "Your Highness, I've especially driven over here to transmit a last warning to Your Highness but you'll join us at Hubertushof castle, because we'll start out for the hunt early tomorrow morning, Baron but please don't come near Köckeritz" "we'll see" "Herr Wolff" "I love that fellow neither do I did you discover another plot?" "not with me anymore in your own interests, Herr Wolff one doesn't know where the princely hunt will start so what?" "the wire nooses are still lying out there let them lie there, it's none of my business anymore" "I'm another person now and that other person wants to have a drink too thus, one thing leads to another" "Good God, are you hit?" "excuse me, my good man" "Motes!" "how did you get here?" "by accident, I was just taking a walk what a strange catch, Baron" " Motes" " I think a quite good one, eh?" "nooses?" "a noose?" "Motes!" "the world is getting worse every day, Your Highness because as the youngest of all virgins, well-known for demure modesty well-known for demure modesty with clear conscience I am so bold ... to welcome My Highness myself" " here - here" "His ... here doesn't matter you've spoilt my mood" "now I've spilled the salt" "I hope there won't be a row at your engagement party, Leontine if you please, Your Highness now I'm really curious how Dr. Fleischer's improvements work" "Your Highness will be surprised" "Your Highness!" "Your Highness!" "Your Highness!" "Halt!" "wonderful" "Baron Wehrhahn will have to make an effort now" "what's that?" "it's going to be a wet reception in Köckeritz" "Welcome" "because as the youngest of all virgins, well-known for demure modesty with clear conscience I am so bold to welcome My Highness myself" "His ... here to welcome His Highness here very pretty, I'm so pleased good-bye, my child now let me drive too" "Herr Krüger, did you hear that?" "the Prince said to my Adelheid:" ""Good-bye, my child"" "that's what I always say:" ""Honesty is the best policy."" "it is" "bombs!" "Your Highness!" "God God!" " has anything happened?" " I hope not step back at 50 km/h you must hold the driving wheel pretty tight with my invention, I certainly didn't intend that!" "my I present to Your Highness the inventor of the new carburetor, Dr. Fleischer delighted. that new invention, my dear Doctor, my respects my respects halt!" "you're under arrest!" "but why, Baron?" "unfortunately it was I who caused the wreck may I present the gentlemen of the Daimler Motor Works to you" "I hope you've supported the efforts of our chief engineer, Dr. Fleischer extraordinarily come here for a little star there's room yet on here" "well, like I said our noble co-citizen, the genius inventor and his new patents and his patent young wife long may they live" "mama, what's the matter?" "you're not eating anything" "I can't help it" "I don't like roast of roebuck anymore the end subtitles: serdar202"