"And me?" "What part do I play in this story of la ronde?" "The author?" "An accomplice?" "A passer-by?" "I am you." "That is, any one of you." "I'm the personification of your desire to know everything." "People never know more than one side of reality." "Why?" "Because they only see one side of things." "But I see all sides... because I see..." ""in the round."" "That allows me to be everywhere at once." "Everywhere." "But just where are we?" "On a stage?" "A film set?" "One doesn't know anymore." "On a street." "We're in Vienna." "It's 1900." "Let's change our costume." "1900." "We're in the past." "I adore the past." "It's so much more peaceful than the present... and so much more certain than the future." "The sun is out." "It's spring." "You can tell from the scent in the air that love is just around the corner, can't you?" "What's still missing for love to start its rounds?" "A waltz... and here it is." "The waltz turns... the carousel turns... and the merry-go-round of love can begin turning too." "They turn and turn, my characters turn" "As night turns to day and joy to pain" "Rain, once fallen, rises to heaven" "Turns into clouds and falls again" "Working girl or woman of breeding" "Aristocrat or proud dragoon" "Love comes calling, sudden and fleeting" "And they all dance to love's same tune" "The hour has come when daylight yields" "To evening calm and twilight sounds" "Look, the girl steps forth from the wings" "And love begins to make its rounds" "Love makes its rounds" "How about it, handsome?" "There must be some mistake, madame." "Madame?" "You making fun of me?" "I make fun of no one." "Are you coming or not?" " I'm not part of the game." " The game?" "I lead la ronde." "Understand?" "And it will start with you." "Stand over there on the corner, will you?" "Hear that?" "Yes." "Soldiers." "More soldiers." "There are always soldiers." "Yours is the sixth one." "He'll be like all the others." "Yes, but he'll be with you in a moment." "Good evening, madame." "The Girl and the Soldier." "One... two... three..." "How about it, handsome?" "Want to come with me?" " You calling me handsome?" " Who else?" "I live nearby." "Come and warm up." "The spring air is cool." "I have to get back to the barracks." "It's still early." "My place is cozier." "I'm sure it is." "Not so loud." "There are cops around." "Don't worry." "I'll cut their throats." " You like a fight, eh?" " Now and then." " Come on." " I have no money." " I don't need money." " Your daddy a Rothschild?" "No, I charge civilians, but it's free for boys like you." "Free?" "Michel told me about you." " I don't know any Michel." "The bar on the Schiffgasse." "You took him home." "I've taken home quite a few from that bar." "All right, but let's hurry." "You're in a rush now that it's free!" "At least kiss me." "It's nicer when there's a little feeling." " Come on." "Been in the service long?" "You want my life story too?" "Where's your place?" "It's a ten-minute walk." "You said it was nearby." "It's not far when you like each other." "I like you, but it's still too far." "Come by tomorrow then, after you leave the barracks." "All right." "Give me your address." " No, you won't come." " I will, I tell you." "Listen... since my place is too far, let's go down there." "Down there?" "You've got a few tricks up your sleeve!" "Where are we?" "Don't worry." "There's never anyone here." "I don't like it here." "I like it everywhere." "Come on." "We're losing time." "Don't fall in." "The water's deep here." "It's "suicide corner."" " You're an odd one." " We'll find a bench over there." "No bench needed." "We're not out in high society." " Well, well!" " Am I right?" "I've always wanted a guy like you." "Don't be so sure." "I'm the jealous type." "Sorry." "This is my first disguise." "Enough with the music!" "You've played it 20 times!" "Who is that guy?" "A re-enlistee for sure." "Have you seen Franz?" "He's got my spurs." "No sign of him yet." "Must be busy." "Yes, he's busy, and it's taking a little too long." "Don't just run off!" "Can't you hear?" "I'll get four days for this." " At least tell me your name." " What's it matter?" " I'm Léocadie." " Strange name!" "You at least got a farewell cigarette?" "I'm all out." "Gotta run." "Good night." "That beats all!" "Some time I'd have if everyone was a bum like you!" "Beat it, cheapskate!" "Look at the bastard running off!" "The filthy swine!" "Not even a cigarette!" "That's men for you!" "Another minute and la ronde would have come to a halt." "Hurry up, son, or you'll be in trouble." "What the hell do you care?" "You don't want to lose your pass for Saturday night." "Go on now." "Okay, okay." "Move it!" "The soldier returns to the barracks, but Saturday night he'll again be free." "He'll go dancing beneath the bright lights, where he'll meet Miss Marie." "And to think I didn't want to at first!" "You remember?" "It's not my fault that you're so pretty." "I tell you, Miss Marie, none of those girls had curves like you." "So you felt them all?" "When you dance, you can compare." "Yes, I think you like comparing." "You asked that ugly blonde to dance more often than me." " You think so?" " Five times." "I counted." "I thought to myself..." ""Strange how he loves dancing with that ugly girl."" "She's a friend of a friend." "The brigadier with the handlebar moustache?" "No, the civilian with the husky voice." "That doesn't prove anything." "Those things matter to me." "How about that bench, Miss Marie?" "No, Monsieur Franz." "It's too dark here." " Don't be afraid." "I'm here." " That's just it." "Let's drop the "Miss" and "Mr." Feels more intimate that way." "We haven't known each other long enough." "We know each other better than some old married couples." "There's a bench." " Beat you!" " So sorry." "No, it's all yours." "Don't be afraid." " No, I don't want to!" "Here's another bench." "Let's sit here a while." "All right, but behave yourself." "Promise?" "Wait a minute." "Hey, pal." " Sorry, Brigadier." " What is it?" "I think I left my sword on that bench." "Your sword?" "Here it is." "Remember that a soldier must never part with his sword." " It was just a few minutes." " Even a few minutes!" "Your sword is your sword!" "Now go, my friend." "And don't let me catch you again!" "You're so commanding!" "That's how you handle men." "As for beautiful women..." "Oh, this sword!" "What's the matter?" "Just buckling my sword." " Franz." " What did Franz do now?" "You're a naughty boy." "Do you love me?" " Yes, of course." " Where are you running off to?" " We're going back." " Back where?" " Back there." "No point hanging around in the park now." "Franz, do you really love me?" "You can hear the music." " You want to keep dancing." " Why not?" "I can't." "I have to get back." "I'll get scolded as it is." "The lady I work for doesn't like us going out." "Then you better get back." "I thought you'd see me home." "You want me to?" "It's dreary going back alone." "Yes, of course." "Where do your employers live?" "On the Porzellangasse." "It's right on my way." "Only not just yet." "I want to have some more fun." "I'm on leave until midnight, you see." "I see very well." "Now it's the ugly blonde's turn." "I don't think she's all that ugly." "Men are disgusting." "Franz, please don't dance anymore tonight." "Monsieur Franz, stay with me a little longer." "If you want to wait, sit here." "I'll come get you later." "Thirsty?" "Waiter, a beer for the lady." "Boy, a beer for the lady." "Thank you, but I'm done dancing for the evening." "I don't know you." "Who are you?" " Nobody." "That is... anybody." "What do you want?" "I want to invite you on a little stroll." "I have to get back!" "Sadly, you'll be fired for sneaking out this evening." "I'll have to find another position, won't I?" "You'll find one." "Trust me." "A position like any other." "No better, no worse." "I happen to know that in two months, fate will be very kind to you." "Where have you brought me?" "Where are we?" "We're taking a little stroll through time." "Two months." "July's so far off." "No, it's not." "You're already there." "Look at yourself." "It's true." "Here's the house." "Go up the stairs." "Go ahead." "This is your new position." "Go on." "Monsieur, are you sure?" "Really?" "Yes, I'm sure." "Go now." "Be brave." " You're not leaving me alone!" " I have to." "But don't be afraid." "Your soldier will be much nicer to you." "Let's hope it's not too late." "Turn and turn, my characters turn" "The soldier's now your lover true" "But your heart, inconstant and fickle" "Will prefer somebody new" "Somebody new" "The Chambermaid and the Young Man." ""Dear Miss Marie, thank you for sending your new address." "I'm glad your new employers are nice people." "But how old is their son?" "I saw you yesterday on my way back from the training ground." "I waved, but you didn't wave back." "Was that on purpose, or didn't you see me?"" ""Dear Monsieur Franzz..." "I have time to write this afternoon because my employers have gone to the country." "I was very pleased to receive your letter."" "But how old is their son?" "Come in." "Did Monsieur Alfred ring?" "Yes, Marie." "What did I want?" "Oh yes." "Would you pull down the blinds, please?" "That way it won't be so hot." "Monsieur Alfred is certainly determined, working in such nice weather." "Yes?" "Bring me a big glass of water." "Yes, Monsieur Alfred." "Let it run so it'll be nice and cool." "Very good." "Why are you trembling?" "Careful!" "What time would it be?" "Almost 5:00." "Already?" "That's all." "Thank you." "Marie, didn't the doorbell ring?" "No, sir." "Are you expecting someone?" "Yes." "Professor Schüller." "You know him?" "The man with the beard who was here two days ago?" "Yes." "He comes twice a week at 5:00." "He's tutoring me for my French exams." "What time is it?" "A quarter to 5:00." "Mind you, he's always a little late." "Come here." "Closer." "Never mind." "I thought..." "What did Monsieur Alfred think?" "It's just... your blouse." "What's wrong with my blouse?" "Doesn't Monsieur Alfred like it?" " Oh, I do!" "It's a..." "It's blue, isn't it?" "It's a blue blouse." " Yes, it's a blue blouse." "You know, you dress very nicely." "Aren't you warm?" "It's too bright in here." "You're right." "It's too bright." "Mind you, you needn't be embarrassed on my account, or anyone else's either, as pretty as you are." "Your hair smells so nice." "You know, I saw you once." "I came home late one night." "I went in the kitchen for some water." "The door to your room was open, and I saw... lots of things." "You have such pale skin." "What if someone rings?" "We won't answer." "Where are you going, sir?" "The fourth floor, my friend." "Monsieur and madame left for the country." "Yes, but I've come to see their son." "He's not in, sir." "You're mistaken." "He said he wouldn't be joining his parents." "He must have changed his mind." "Certainly not." "He's waiting for me." "You think so?" "Who are you anyway?" "You wouldn't know me." "I'm new here." "New?" "And I tell you, sir, there's no one up there." "How odd." "You can see yourself that the blinds are closed." "Thank you for saving me three flights of stairs." "Don't thank me." "It's to keep it going round." "Going round?" "What?" "La ronde, Professor." "La ronde?" "That's right, Professor." "I'm sure the doorbell rang!" "Go see." "I mean..." "would you please go see?" "Well?" "No one's there." "He must not have come." "That's providence for you." "I'm going for a stroll." "I feel like walking and getting some air." "I feel ten years older." "Have a nice stroll, Monsieur Alfred." "You're not annoyed?" "I know I'll see you again." "Of course." "Why do you say that?" "No reason." "See you tonight." "Some time after that red-letter day" "He felt the sting of Cupid's dart" "Beautiful love, passionate love" "A respectable woman won his heart" "Turn, turn, my characters turn" "The young man pursues her night and day" "She, alas, is prim and proper" "Each time he speaks, she runs away" "Are flowers what it takes to convince her?" "Send her the summer's floral balm" "Still it's not enough to allay" "Our virtuous lady's nagging qualms" "With just a drop of potent liquor" "She'd surrender all her cares" "But a woman of her charm" "Doesn't drink just anywhere" "Wait!" "There's that discreet apartment" "Find the landlady Will she agree?" "Cross her palm with just a few coins" "The apartment is yours Here's the key" "One fine day, aflame with impatience" "In his new hat" "O hour sweet!" "He awaits her Certain and happy" "She promised to meet" "She promised to meet" "Wait for me." "Five minutes." "The Young Man and the Married Woman." "Emma, you came!" "Quick, close the door." "Were you followed?" "I hope not." "I changed cabs three times." "This is madness." "My heart's pounding." "Come sit down." "What time is it?" "A quarter to 6:00." "You're not late." " You have a nice place." " Yes, don't I?" "It's cozy." "Is it really your place?" "Yes... for the time being." " Since when?" " A while now." "Won't you sit down?" "My legs are trembling." "It must be the emotion." "Take off your cape." "You'll feel better." "You think so?" "And your veil." "There's two." "One." "Two." "Take off your hat." "You'll feel better." "You think so?" "You're so beautiful." "More beautiful every day." "You're sweet." "Do you love me?" "I hope you don't doubt it." "Then prove it and let me leave." "I came as you asked." " Don't be cruel." " You promised to behave." " I will." " Good-bye." " Don't torture me." " Five minutes are up." " It's hardly been five seconds!" " What time is it?" " I don't know." "Five to 6:00." "I was due at my sister's." "Let her wait." "You see her every day." "Alfred, why did I listen to you?" "I've thought so much about you." "I know you're unhappy." "Life is so banal... and so empty." "And so short, so terribly short." "The only real happiness is meeting someone you love." "If someone had predicted this a week ago!" "Why, even yesterday..." "You promised two days ago that you'd come." "You'd charmed me that day, but yesterday I thought it over and decided never to see you again." "I wrote you a long letter." " I never got it." " I tore it up." "I should have sent it." "Good-bye, Alfred." "We mustn't see each other again." "What's behind that door?" "A room." "Yes, but what sort of room?" "A drawing room." "Another one." "You have two?" "It's a large apartment." "Alfred, I'm going to ask you something." "You swear to answer truthfully?" "Have other women been here?" "Well, the building's at least 50 years old." "I wasn't asking that." "You know what I mean." "Emma, never!" "I already told you..." "So it was in order to receive me that you..." " Is there any harm in that?" " No." "My veils." "What are you doing to me?" "What time is it?" " I don't know." "I thought it was later." "Give me something to drink." "A glass of water." "You'd like water?" "I'm thirsty." "Wouldn't you prefer..." "I bought some..." "Anything." "The cork was damaged, but I'll manage." "I wanted to tell you... the next room is..." "Go on." "You frighten me." "That's strange." "Don't torture yourself, darling." "I was so sure." "I've been like a madman all day." "Have you read Stendhal?" "Stendhal's book On Love." "There's something quite illuminating in it." "Some cavalry officers are discussing their romantic exploits." "You follow me?" "Their romantic exploits." "And?" "And they all say that it was with the woman they desired the most that the same thing happened to them that happened to me." "It's quite typical." "Quite." "What's more... only one of them claims it never happened to him." "Claims?" "Maybe it was true." "No, Stendhal made clear that he was a braggart." "I see." "Still, I don't see why there couldn't be one..." "Wait, you haven't heard the best part:" "One of those cavalry officers... tells how he and the woman he so desired... spent three nights..." "or maybe it was six..." " Probably three." " Why?" "You don't know the rest." "Still, it must've been three." "Anyway, this officer and the woman he truly loved... spent three nights together... and all they did was weep." "Weep?" "Both of them?" "Tears of joy at just being together." "Can you understand that?" "I think it's only natural when you're in love." "But there must be some who don't weep." "Of course." "Oh... because I thought Stendhal was saying that all cavalry officers wept in such situations." " Now you're making fun of me." " Not at all." " Yes, you are." " Darling, don't be upset." " That makes it worse." " You'll make yourself ill." "No, on the contrary..." "I think it's nice to just be good friends." " That takes the cake!" " I don't know what else to say." "Then let's not speak." "It'll be symbolic." "Darling Alfred, what time is it?" "You hadn't asked that in a while." "Where's your watch?" "In my waistcoat." "Where's your waistcoat?" "Over there somewhere." "I have to go." "It must be terribly late." "It was so nice just being good friends." "There, that's better." "8:00!" "This is awful!" "I'm lucky the driver waited." " You told him to." "I said five minutes." "Didn't I?" "He knows human nature." "I know the building." "Tomorrow night then?" "At the Lobheimer's party?" "We'll dance the first waltz." " I wouldn't dare." "Then here the day after tomorrow." "You're mad, darling." "You don't want to come back?" "We'll talk about it tomorrow... dancing the first waltz." "I'm the lover of a married woman now!" "The Young Woman and Her Husband." "What are you doing?" "850 plus 30..." " Reading Stendhal." " Is it good?" "Very instructive." "Payable on the 15th, plus a credit of 4, 100 for September." "What is it?" "I should be asking you that." "Why?" "You look lovely at the moment." "You've been transformed." "Was I so ugly before?" "You were very young." "Now you're in full bloom." "You're very gallant tonight." "Business is going well." "I can tell." "You know, husbands have a lot on their minds." "Are you working or talking?" "Working, of course." "I see." "I'm going to sleep." "I see." "Good night then, darling." "Good night, Charles." "4,346 net profit, plus expenses..." "Emma?" "You remember Venice?" "Venice?" "Our honeymoon." "Yes." "It was nice." "Turn on the light." "Were you asleep?" "I'd like to explain something." "You know, husbands..." "No, that's not it." "Husbands can't always be lovers." "There's a time for everything." "There are calm periods when you live like good friends, and other periods... that are less calm." "We've had several periods of both types." "And it works out well, right?" " Is that so?" " No?" "I didn't say no." "I said, "Is that so?"" "Is that so?" "Mind you..." "No, I already said that." "It works out well because... if we didn't have calm periods," "we wouldn't have periods that are less calm." "Understand?" "It's quite clear." "Alternation is the basic principle of life." "Marital love is..." "How shall I put it?" "Marriage... is a disconcerting mystery." "You well-bred young ladies come to us ignorant and pure." "You haven't lived." "You couldn't know." "But we know." "And what a price we paid!" "Who wouldn't be disgusted with love after the women we're condemned to start out with?" "But we have no choice." "Tell me about it." "Tell me about... those creatures." "I find it fascinating." "I trust you're joking!" "I've always asked you about your youth with those... creatures." "You don't understand." "It'd be a sort of... defilement." "Oh, it was all so long ago." "Have you ever had a married woman for a lover?" "What do you mean?" " I think the question's clear enough." " Indeed... but what made you think of such a thing?" "Do you know a woman who's..." " Married?" "Yes..." "I mean, guilty." "I don't know." "How could I know?" "One of your friends, perhaps?" "I don't know." "Has one of them confided in you?" "No." "Do you suspect one of them?" "No, even if I try, no one comes to mind." "Really?" "Emma, you must swear to me... that you'll never befriend a woman you think is less than irreproachable." "I know you wouldn't seek out such friendships, but these women of dubious reputation often seek out the company of respectable women out of a sort of nostalgia for virtue." "What I just said is very profound:" "It's a nostalgia for virtue." "Their own unworthiness pains them." " You think so?" " I'm absolutely positive." "Think of their dreadful lives:" "Trickery, lies, and constant danger." "They pay dearly for the tiny bit of happiness... not even happiness..." "Pleasure?" "How can you call that pleasure?" "I'm just guessing." "Otherwise they wouldn't..." " It's intoxication." " Intoxication?" "Yes, intoxication." "But you enjoyed the benefit of it." "Yes, once." "Who was she?" "Was it long ago?" "Very long ago." "She's dead." "Dead?" "Women like that all die young." "Are you sure?" "It's a fact." "It's justice." "Did you love her?" "Darling, you don't love women like that." "True love is only possible... where there's truth and purity." "It's true." "Yes, it is." "What time is it?" "What does it matter?" "We have the rest of our lives." "How reassuring." "Think of Venice." "Venice..." "Give me your hand." "The Husband... and the Little..." "How shall I put it?" "How shall I put it?" "The little shopgirl?" "No, she's not a shopgirl." "She doesn't work." "The little tart?" "No, that girl's no tart." "She's very sweet." "You don't understand these things." "I'm new, sir." "I lack your professional experience." "A bit of life experience is enough." " Certainly, Mr. Breitkopf." " How do you know my name?" "Me?" "I had the honor of waiting on you at Wachtl's in Mayerling." "In that case, you know my tastes... in food." "Count on me, Mr. Breitkopf." "What will you drink?" "Champagne, of course." "Sliced prawns... pineapple." "Why not?" "She's young." "Thirsty?" " What must Monsieur think of me?" " Why so formal?" "Formal or not, I still wonder what you must think of me." "Why?" "For joining you so quickly in a private dining room." "It's a restaurant." "What's so unusual about that?" "The waiter can walk in at any moment." " I adore prawns." " Then eat, sweetie." "That's good." "It tickles." "It's very nice here." "It's posh." "FIRST COURSE" "Tell me... have you ever been in a private dining room before?" "Do you really want to know?" "Well... yes." "But it's not what you think!" "It was with a girlfriend and her fiancé." "I wouldn't think worse of you if you'd come... with a boyfriend." "I don't have a boyfriend." "I swear." "You don't expect me to believe..." " What?" " I mean..." "Oh!" "No, I haven't had one in six months." "Who was it?" "He looked like you, sir." "Don't be so formal." "He looked like you." "Otherwise..." "Otherwise what?" "You mean that's why you returned my gaze on the Singergasse?" "He was so charming." "You have the same way of speaking, the same look." "Really?" "And what did he do for a living?" "What did he do for a living?" "For a living?" "Oh, those eyes!" "You remind me of someone too." "Oh?" "Who?" "My youth." "My glass is empty." "Wait, there must be a drop left." " A drop?" " Yes, right here." " How old are you?" " That's not important." "But what about you?" "Eighteen?" "Nineteen." "Ah!" "That's different!" "And you?" "Thirty?" "Yes... give or take a few years." "There must be something in the champagne." "My head is spinning." "What will happen if I can't get up?" "I adore you." "You do?" " What's that?" " The bill, sir." "Tell me... did you see the young lady?" "I noticed Mademoiselle when you arrived." " You know her?" " No, it's the first time I've seen her." "I wonder whether..." "I mean, I know nothing about her." "I got carried away." "It's silly." "You mustn't have any regrets, sir." " You think so?" " I see it all the time." "Thank you, sir." "Good night." "May I?" "Are you ready?" "Oh, that naughty champagne!" "The things it made me do." "What you must think of me!" "I think you like me." "Yes, but that champagne!" "What about it?" "When two young people like each other, there's no need to drug the champagne, I assure you." "I was only saying that." "We all have our pride." "I'm a bit ashamed." " Why?" "I remind you of your first love." " Of course." "And what about his profession?" "Was he a lieutenant?" "He was discharged." "His father runs a café." "My bag and gloves..." "Sweetie, look at the time." "It's 11:30." " So?" " What about your mother?" "I see." "You're tired of me already." "No, but you yourself said earlier..." " I don't even know your name." " Charles." "Charles, you've changed." "My umbrella." "Will I see you soon?" "I don't live in Vienna." "I just visit from time to time." "I bet you're married." "Why?" "When a man says he doesn't live in Vienna, he's usually married." "And you wouldn't feel guilty about seducing a married man?" "Not at all." "I imagine his wife would be off doing the same." "I forbid you to talk like that." "I don't like it." "You are married." "Whether I am or not," "I find such banter in very poor taste." "Coming?" " Yes." " Come on!" " I'm coming." "In all seriousness, I'd like to see you again." "Really?" "And often." "Of course, I'd have to be sure of you." "I can't watch you every minute." "One doesn't meet men like you every day." "Of course." "And though you're not naive, you're very young." "There are unscrupulous individuals around, and a young lady might be tempted." "Even though I don't live in Vienna... we could work something out." "If you wish to love me... and only me..." "Only you." "...we could find a little nest where I'd come see you when I'm in town." "I can afford that." "A rental, of course." "It'd be in a nice part of town." "A lovely building with a nice lobby, shining parquet floors, polished brass, and an immaculate stairway." "WELCOME" ""Welcome, welcome," reads the young lady" "For her the word adorns the mat" "Of the poet she has run after" "The husband's charms have all gone flat" "But the poet is complicated." "He's the first we meet of those people so blasé that they can't love like ordinary folk." "Are all poets like you?" "The great ones, but there aren't many of us." " I'm a bit scared." " Do I intimidate you?" "Yes." "Won't you light the rest of the candles?" "Too early, my angel." "All day we bathe in a sea of light and emerge to cover ourselves with darkness like a bathrobe." "No, "bathrobe" is too banal." "What do you think?" "Me?" "Nothing." "Marvelous!" "Sublime incomprehension!" "Let's see now." "Bathrobe, dressing gown..." "A "cape of stars"!" "That's it!" " Why stars?" " Quiet!" "Don't say a word." "Let's see now." "Can you write in the dark?" "My thoughts illumine the page." "Ocean..." "light..." " wave..." " You write it all down?" "Inspiration is a good memory." "Sadly, I have no memory myself." "Our drama is the constant coupling of frenzy and order." "Yes, that's it." "Frenzy and order." "Are you thirsty?" " No, I'm hungry." " I'd prefer you were thirsty." "Why?" "I'm hungry." "I have drinks, but no food." "Shall I get some cold meats?" "No, no cold meats." "Would you rather dine in a private room?" "Again?" "It's an obsession with you men." "Have you dined in a private room before?" "With a Don Juan?" "No, with a girlfriend and her fiancé, so you see..." "No, I don't see at all." "I can't even see if you're blushing, though I suspect you're lying." "In fact, I can't see you at all." "Are you blonde or brunette?" "You should have written it down." "That's incredibly profound!" "In one phrase you sum up the whole tragedy of desire!" "Couldn't you talk like everyone else?" "I've never tried." "First tell me you love me." " I love you." " Why?" " Because you're different." " Is that easy to see?" "It's easy to hear." "For you I think love must be something..." " Yes?" " Something..." "Intangible." "Take off your dress." " Robert!" "Take it off!" "Night envelops us in her veil of stars." "She's spread the Milky Way at our feet." "A thousand stars sparkle before us." "Take it all off!" "But I'm cold." "Night reveals 20, 30, 50 suns hidden by the light of day." "Imagine we're in the Indies, in a mysterious palace." "Take off your slip." "The nights are hot." "The humid night air surrounds us." "Take off your slip." "Do you love me?" "Come in." "Here you are, sir." "The bill." "Thank you, sir." " What time is it?" " Just past 11:00." " I have five before midnight." " So do I." "Something must have kept her." "Yes, but it's nothing serious." " You think so?" " I'm sure of it." "Monsieur isn't thirsty?" ""Let the wind be gust or breeze." "In its embrace let us burn or freeze." "It matters not, for bright branches of frost frolic above us in the trees."" "And now I'll dazzle you with the gift of my name:" "Kuhlenkampf." "Astounded, right?" "No." "Why?" "It's a name like any other." "You don't know who Kuhlenkampf is?" "Do you really write plays?" "Like you see at the theater?" "My child, you are beauty, simplicity, life!" "So you'd really have loved me if I'd been a grocery boy?" "Of course." "Swear you didn't know I was Kuhlenkampf." "I already said I didn't." "Tears flood my eyes!" "Forget everything!" "I'm not Kuhlenkampf." "I'm just Robert, nothing more." "I'm not a writer." "I'm a lawyer's clerk." "And at night I play piano in a café." "My angel, we shall never part." "We'll love each other with grandiose simplicity." "You play piano in a café?" "Which one?" "No questions!" "Let's go away, shall we?" " Go away?" " For three months... or three weeks." "What about your lawyer?" "And my mother?" "They'll console each other." "We'll live naked in the forest, drink from babbling brooks, eat nature's golden fruit, and then say farewell." "Why?" "I thought..." "There is no true love without farewells." "Kiss me." "And next Sunday, go see Kulhenkampf's play." " Him again?" " He's a friend." "You'll attend the 50th performance and tell me afterward your opinion of his admirable work." "Bravo!" "A triumph!" "Bravo for you!" "What an audience!" "The Poet... and the Actress." " Why do you always drop the last line?" " It feels wrong." ""My angel, we shall never part." "We'll love each other with grandiose simplicity."" "No one says that!" "Just a minute, Charlotte." " Why'd you send Carlotta away?" " I wanted to kiss you." "But we have all night, don't we?" "Must we really go?" "Two hours by sleigh at night." "If only we didn't perform tomorrow." "You're the one who wanted to go." "You asked me to reserve rooms." "Two, in fact." "I have no idea why." " Never know what turn things may take." " Turn?" " Then how about my place?" " Your place?" "It'll be cold." "You let the fire go out." "Your place, then." "Are you kidding?" "What about my mother?" "Then let's go to the inn after all." "Excuse me, sir." "What time is it?" "Just past 11:00, miss." "For you." " I have five before midnight." " So do I, miss." "Why do you toy with me?" "You are beauty, talent, life!" "Because I'm an actress." "Can't you forget the theater for a moment?" "Why?" "You write plays." "I act in plays." "Without that, who would we be?" "A man and a woman." "You think a man and a woman would go away, as we plan to, if they weren't theater people?" "You just don't love me anymore." "What about you?" "You're right." "Ah, the theater is an incredible thing." "We always know our next line in advance." "You chose that inn because it reminds you of an ex-lover, didn't you?" "You like comparing the present and the past." "You'll be stirring up old memories all evening." "Think it's pleasant for me?" "You'll send me away 20 times." "But you also know that the 21st time, I won't, don't you?" "Yes, I know." "That's why I love you." "And those who don't know that..." "you love them too?" "All of them." "Turn and turn, my characters turn" "As night turns to day and joy to pain" "Rain, once fallen, rises to heaven" "Turns into clouds and falls again" "The Actress and the Count." "Is that you, Count?" "Will you excuse me a moment?" "Certainly, miss." "Your mother gave me permission..." "Otherwise I'd never have..." "Sit down, my dear count." "I've come to pay my respects." "To think I saw you perform for the first time last night..." "Just last night?" "Yes." "We're always dining when the theater begins, so..." "Do you mind if I lie down again?" "Please do." "Pardon me." "Sit down, dear count." "What were we saying?" "That we sup late." "In the future, you'll sup earlier." "I'd thought of that." "Or not sup at all." "Eating is no pleasure." "Exactly what pleasures do you enjoy at your age?" "My friend Count Bobby and I often discuss that." "Love?" "They who believe in love will always find a woman." "And is that happiness?" "Pardon me, but happiness doesn't exist." "It's the things one speaks of most that are the least real." "Too true." "Drunkenness and pleasure exist." "Let's say I feel pleasure." "I know I feel it." "Or let's say I'm drunk." "Fine, it's a fact." "When it's over... it's over!" "The future is unknown." "The past is melancholy." "We only have the present." "It's hard to get one's bearings." "You understand?" "Come sit closer." "Where may I put my helmet?" "I knew you'd come today." "I knew it last night onstage." " Last night?" "Didn't you realize I was performing for you alone?" "You saw me in the audience?" "Unbuckle your sword." "Certainly." "Give it to me." "Certainly." "Well, ask me something." "I ask permission to come back tonight." "Why put off to the evening what can be done in the morning?" "I'll tell you why:" "Love in the morning?" "No." "I see things differently." "How do you see them?" "I'll wait for you at the stage door in my carriage." "We'll dine together." " And then?" " We'll go home." "And then?" "And then matters will follow their natural course." "You're so sweet!" "Don't you find it warm in here?" "You're right." "Quick, unbutton this." "It's so dark that we can pretend it's night." "And no one can see us... but ourselves." "Censored..." "Do you mind if I lie down again?" "Please do." "Pardon me." "Shall we say the day after tomorrow?" "Why?" "You said tonight." "It wouldn't mean anything anymore." "I mean... morally speaking." "Morally speaking, I absolutely must see you tonight." "I'd like to discuss the state of our souls." "Then I'll wait for you at the stage door." "No, you'll wait for me here." " In your home?" " In my bedroom." "No supper at L'Impérial?" "It would be meaningless, philosophically speaking." "Very well." "I must take my leave." "For a courtesy call," "I've stayed a bit too long." "Charmed to have made your acquaintance." "Please give my regards to your mother." "Come, Harras." "I've seen you somewhere before." "It's possible, sir." "I move around a lot." "Have you worked here long?" "I don't work here, Count." "I'm here for the love of art." "I see." "Which art?" " Love." " Excuse me?" "For love of the art... of love." "Very amusing." "Good-bye." "What love are you heading off to now, Count?" "Where did I go last night?" "I didn't go to her house." "I was alone." "No, I was with Count Bobby." "I was in a pitiful state." "I didn't go to the stage door." "I dined alone..." "with Harras, of course." "It was a lively dinner, I believe." "A merry group came along with me." "Katie, Doudou, and Harras, of course." "And that woman?" "No, I didn't go with her." "I wanted to be alone." "Absolutely not." "What's done is done." "It's hard to get one's bearings." "Good morning, handsome." "Sleep well?" "Tell me." "Do you really not care whether a man's young or old or..." "I'm sleepy." "That's it." "Now I know who you remind me of." "Ah!" "So I remind you of someone." "It's amazing." "The same eyes." "It's incredible." "Allow me to kiss your eyes before I go." "Bye." "Tell me... you're not annoyed... that we didn't..." "That we didn't..." "A lot of men are like that." "It's just not your best time." "Besides, I already know you like me." "Good-bye, soldier." "How do you know I like you?" "Well..." "last night." "Last night?" "Didn't I collapse on the couch?" "Yes, you did... with me." "You don't remember?" "Ah, yes." "You were very drunk." "Well, well..." "Do I look more like her than before?" "Less." "Less than before." "It's hard to get one's bearings." "You understand what I'm saying?" "Good-bye." "What?" "Doesn't one salute officers anymore?" "It'd be a pity if those two hadn't exchanged a salute." "La ronde has come full circle." "Love has finished making its rounds" "This story that we've seen and heard" "Is much the same the whole world over" "And I won't say another word"