""Dreaming and waking, truth and lie flow into one another." "Security exists nowhere." Schnitzler, "Paracelsus"" "Twenty-four brown slaves rowed the splendid galleree..." " Galley!" " ...galley, that would bring Prince Amgiad to the Caliph's palace." "But the Prince, wrapped in his... rup... pur... purple coat, lay alone on the deck and his gaze wandered across the deep blue..." " star-speckled... - spangled!" " ...spangled night sky." "Would he get to see the golden Princess Imbra?" " Would her beauty..." " Elsbeth..." "I want to read one more page!" "It's nine o'clock!" "Time for bed!" "Good night, mum!" " Are you coming?" " Of course!" " Good night, dad!" " Good night, dear." "DREAM STORY" "So...?" "What?" "So who was that melancholy dancer with the monocle?" "Are you jealous?" "I want to know what's going on inside you." "Don't you know?" " I love you." " Thank you." "But on evenings like that when you're brimming over with life, when you're really indescribably beautiful," "I'm no longer entirely certain of you." "Tell me what happened!" "I don't know him." "He paid attention to me." "After you had disappeared with those two masked dominoes in red he courted me most charmingly." "That was all!" "A whiff of adventure, dangerous freedom." "So this is what one's looking for at a carnival ball." "Sad thing." "Anyway, shortly afterwards we played a cheerful love couple among others," " with oysters, champagne..." " "Played"?" "We were a couple!" "That soon went home fairly quickly." "I haven't felt for quite some time how much we belong together." "And yet you found him charming." "I said he was courting me charmingly." "But you're right!" "I was well aware of the delusiveness of his compliments at any moment," " and yet..." " ...you wanted to hear them!" "How come... that one's thoughts and wishes sometimes slip from one's grasp." "Yes, it's true." "For a moment I found him appealing." "For a moment..." "I perhaps even toyed with the sadness over a missed opportunity." "Have things come to that..." "Do your thoughts, do your wishes never go on a journey?" " I was never unfaithful to you!" " And I...?" " I know." "Maybe the realisation of a desire is not as dangerous as a desire, that remains a dream." "I'm scared, darling." "Don't worry." "One should be able to talk frankly and honestly to one another!" "Can't we?" "You can tell me everything!" "It hasn't been like last night for a long time!" "This past year you were so far away from me!" "Only the young think that love's excite- ment remains the same every day forever." "No, I do not love you less than nine years ago!" "Rather more!" "That's just the point!" "You withhold something from me?" "Last summer in Denmark..." "Well?" "Do you remember the young man who was sitting at the table next to us?" "With the two officers!" "Oh, I'm scared to talk of things one hardly ever admits even to oneself." " What was it with that young man?" " Nothing real." "Maybe it was all just my imagination." "What exactly?" "I met him for the first time on that morning as he was walking up the stairs with his yellow briefcase." "A few steps further up he stopped ...and our eyes met." "And...?" "Calmly, without smiling, just like that." "The whole day I lay on the beach, lost in dreams." "I believed if he would call me..." "I wouldn't be able to resist." "I would give up everything." "You... and the child..." "and my future." "And yet at the same time I loved you more than ever." "You can't understand this." "What happened then?" "During dinner they brought a telegram to his table." "He went pale..." "With an enigmatic look in my direction he left the dining room." "And I heaved a sigh of relief when he remained absent." "Don't question me further, I've told you the whole truth." "But you too had some experience on that beach – I know it." " You're right." " What?" "Nearly every morning, often very early before you got up," "I would wander along the shore." "I seldom encountered anybody - one morning, however," "I suddenly became aware of a figure on the terrace of one of those bathing-huts, who was, cautiously putting one foot in front of the other, moving slowly along the wooden wall." "It was a very young naked girl," "who considered herself to be alone." "Then she saw me... at first she seemed startled and embarrassed... but all at once she turned into a little woman." "She suddenly was conscious of her body." "She smiled marvellously, we stood opposite each other, finally... she shook her head and indicated to me that I should go, and I obeyed." "But I was moved like hardly ever before." "And how often did you later walk that same path?" "It was the day of our departure." "In the future, we should always tell each other things like this at once." "Promise me." "Do you really doubt that?" "What are you thinking of now?" "Of the little countess you loved before me?" "Of Vera?" "In every girl – even though it may sound trite – it was always you that I was searching for." "I know this better than you can understand, Albertine." "And what if I too had went exploring first?" "What do you all know..." "What do you mean by that?" "More or less what you think, my dear." "Do you withhold something from me?" "I don't quite understand... you were scarcely 17, when we became engaged!" " A little over 16...!" "But it was not my fault that you married me still in that state in which you married me." "Albertine...!" "One beautiful summer evening shortly before our engagement a very handsome young man stood at my window and chatted with me." "And in the course of our conversation I thought to myself, - just listen!" " what a sweet delightful young person he is." "He would only have to say one word now - though of course it would have to be the right one - and I would go out and join him and follow him wherever he desired." "Maybe into the wood?" "Or it would be even lovelier to go out on to the lake together in a boat – and that night he could have everything he desired of me." "Yes, that's what I thought to myself." "But he didn't say the word." "He just tenderly kissed my hand, and the next morning he asked me whether I would be his wife." "And I said yes." "And if that evening someone else had stood outside your window, and had said the right word?" "It would have been to no avail." "If it hadn't been you to stand before my window, then the summer evening wouldn't have been so lovely either." "That's what you say now..." "Excuse me sir, the porter's wife from the Schreyvogelgasse is here, the Court Counsellor is again feeling very ill and..." " Tell her I will come at once." " You're leaving?" "It seems that I have to." "I'm sorry, madam." "It shouldn't be too bad, I hope." "Three grams of morphine have usually helped him over the attack." "Where to, Your Grace?" "Where shall we go?" "To the Prater?" "To Grinzing?" "No, to the Café Dommayer!" "Well..." "My dear Miss Marianne, you were scarcely unprepared for it." "Certainly not, but still..." "Yes, I know..." "Especially because in the last days, when you haven't seen him, he was doing relatively well again." "Thank you!" "If necessary, take one more in an hour, but not more." "One always expects it somehow, but when it suddenly happens..." "At least it's certain that your father didn't have to suffer in his last hours." "I'm sorry to have bothered you at this late hour..." " Are the relatives notified?" " The housekeeper takes care of this." "And Dr Roediger should also be here soon." " Dr Roediger?" " Yes... my fiancé." "Oh, right..." "He was only 54." "But the many worries and disappoint- ments, mother forever ailing, and my brother had given him a great deal of trouble too..." "You have never met him in person." "He's now living abroad somewhere." "If... if only someone would come." "[ Marianne talks of her brother ]" "Dr Roediger... a historian, I think..." "She certainly does not love him, she's not his mistress either, otherwise she'd look more cheerful." "She's grown thin, the sorrows..." "Probably acute bronchitis." "What sort of marriage will it turn out to be?" "A marriage like a thousand others." "He can't have much money either, but a scholar... an academic, after all." "I preferred a more comfortable existence, clinic and private practice." "Maybe he's the one who's better off after all." "In any case... it's good that you won't have to remain in this apartment much longer." "We'll be moving in the autumn, my fiancé has received an offer from Göttingen." "Oh, allow me to..." "The fresh air will do you good." "It's become almost warm outside." "Foehn..." "I don't want to leave here!" "Even if you'd never come again, and I were never to see you any more," "I still have to live close by you." "Calm yourself, Marianne!" "Please!" "Doctor..." " You've already heard...?" " Yes... of course." "My poor Marianne, I am so sorry." "She wants to live close by me." "And he?" "Acts as if he doesn't notice." "Women are all the same." "The Dane with the yellow briefcase..." "Albertine probably wants to live close by him as well." "Always one close by the other." "And all end up under a brown blanket, just like the Court Counsellor now." "[ Death Certificate ]" "CourtCounsellor,retired..." "...ailing for 15 years." "He'll be surprised." "Maybe he can still hear them, maybe one's only seemingly dead for those first few hours." "You'll see... everything is going to be all right again... for sure." "Excuse me!" " Enchanté, dear aunt!" " My dear Viktor!" " Good evening!" " Our poor Marianne..." "I love you." "Marianne." "Good evening Doctor!" " Doctor..." " Oh my poor Marianne!" " If you'll excuse me, I still have an urgent..." " Why certainly!" "We're most obliged to you indeed!" "That's all so ghostly and unreal up there..." "She loves me." "I will never see her again." "Others were closer to me and I never saw them again either." "Who can help someone?" "Blue Alemannians..." "I should challenge the fellow - right now!" "Cowardice?" "Am I a coward?" "Father of a family." "I could be on my way to a patient." "There's enough risk of infection." "I am not a coward!" "If it would have been the one with the yellow briefcase, Albertine's..." "It's really no different to her having been his mistress." "Christ!" "..." "I'd really love to aim a pistol at his blond forehead." " What's this street I'm in now?" " You come along?" "Where am I?" "Well beyond my destination?" "Don't you hear, Doctor?" "Are you coming along?" "How do you know me?" "I don't know you, but in this district everyone's a doctor." "What's your name?" "Mizzi, of course, what else?" "Come!" "Am I mad?" "Since my high school days I haven't..." "Sit down!" " It's nice in here." " You must be tired with all the things men have to see to all day long..." "We've got it easier." "Your lips aren't made up at all!" "The color's natural!" "Why should I use make-up?" "How old do you think I am?" "Twenty?" "Seventeen!" " Is that better?" " I'm really tired." "Just sitting here and listening to you is so pleasant." "Tell me something!" "You're afraid." "What a pity." "But no." "I trust you." "I'm sorry." "Forgive me, please come to me." "Please come, I'm longing for you - really!" "As if you were my... as if we knew each other for a long..." "You're quite right to be afraid, sooner or later it must happen, and if anything happens and you catch something..." " ...you'd curse me." " Mizzi!" "No." "I'll take you downstairs." "I'm going to stay at home tonight." "Just like a proper lady..." "Tomorrow I'll send her wine and some sweets." "Where to go?" "Another night without sleep?" "I have no home." "Outcast." "Since the encounter with that nasty student." "Marianne's confession?" "Ever since that conversation with Albertine." "Since the Dane." "Away... into some other remote and unfamiliar world." "Evening, Doctor!" "[ Voices of three men playing cards ]" " Everything fine, Doctor?" " A coffee with milk please." "Coffee with milk, you're welcome, very well!" "NEWS OF THE DAY" "Masquerade Ball of the German- Austrian Writer's Association" "New Record Flight by Engineer Warchalowski" "The Austrian Anti-Duel-League and the Duel Widerhofer-Mayer" "Conquest of the Skies" "Tram Workers' Strike in Philadelphia" "Mayor Dr Karl Lueger is Dying" "Nachtigall!" "You're in Vienna?" "Nachtigall!" "Come, sit down!" "You didn't know?" "Considering how famous I am?" " Didn't you hear me just now?" " How do you mean, hear you?" " So that was you?" " Who else?" "Down there in the basement..." "didn't you recognise my touch?" "Your coffee, Doctor." "So you resorted entirely to music." "Would I have gotten anywhere if I had finished my studies?" "No." "So I am a famous musician, even though most people are too dumb to realise it." " I finally can pay off my debts." " Oh come on ..." "You can take it, don't be shy." " So you're doing all right." " Can't complain." "But what brings you here in the middle of the night?" " A late consultation." " I see..." " ...and I wanted a cup of coffee." "Beneath my activity at the polyclinic, I have a private practice." "I'm happily married and father of a seven-year-old girl." "So, no academic career?" " No." " I thought this would mean everything to you?" " I'm happy with it." " Well, I congratulate you." "Well and you, my man?" "Well, I scratched along as a pianist in Serbian and Polish towns." "Properly speaking, also in villages." "I have a wife and four children in Lemberg." " You?" " Yes, me." "Four children!" "Imagine, all by one and the same woman!" "For the past six months I'm back in Vienna, playing here and there..." "This place is hardly an elegant establishment... but sometimes I also do some private work." " Private?" " In all sorts of circles." "Some bigger as well..." "some open and some secret." "Secret?" "A coach will pick me up shortly..." "they begin not until two o'clock." " That sounds splendid!" " Yes and no." "Yes and no?" "I'm playing at a private house tonight, but I don't know whose." " You're there for the first time?" " No, for the third time." "But it will probably be yet another house." "I don't understand." "Neither do I. Better not ask questions." "It's not what you think." "The coach is not here yet." "I'm always picked up by a coach, and it's a different one each time." "Always a different one?" "Listen, if there's anyone in the world I'd do a favour for... but how would we go about it..." " Do you have the courage?" " What a question." "Ah... impossible, it won't work, too dangerous." "What's so special about this that requires such courage?" " What could happen to one?" " Nothing could happen to me." "At worst this might be my last engagement." "But that may be the case regardless." "Well then?" " How do you mean?" " Tell me more!" "Secret event, invited guests, private circle?" "I don't know... the other day there were thirty people, the first time only sixteen." " A ball!" " A ball, of course." "You play music for it?" "How d'you mean: for it?" "I don't know what it's for." "I'm playing - with my eyes blindfolded." "But one can see some things anyway." " Naked females?" " Don't call them females." "You've never seen such women!" "And how high is the entrance fee?" "You mean tickets?" "What are you thinking of." "Well, how does one get admittance, then?" "You have to know the password, and it's different each time." " And today's?" " I don't know it yet." "I get it from the coachman." " Take me with you, Nachtigall." " Impossible." "Too dangerous." "The way you are now – under no circum- stances." "Do you happen to have a mask?" "Next time, perhaps." "I'll think of something." "There's the coach." " Adieu!" " You can't go like this." "You will take me with you." "But, colleague..." "I know it's dangerous, but perhaps it's that what attracts me." "But I've already told you, without a costume and a mask..." " There are places one can hire a mask." " At one in the morning!" "There's one on the corner of Rothenburggasse." "Let fate decide, if they open up I'll come along." "There's also a café." "Tell the coachman you've forgotten something," "I'll be waiting near the door, you give me the password," "I'll take a cab and follow you." "The rest will take care of itself." "In 15 minutes at the latest!" "Like a hearse - am I mad?" "[ Costume  Masks Rental ]" " Good evening." " Good evening!" " The costumier doesn't live here, I suppose?" " Yes of course, Your Grace." " ...at this time?" " Do come in, Your Grace." "Never mind, leave it to me." "Would be the first time if he wouldn't answer the door." "Carnival comes but once a year!" "As he's dependent on it, the Herr von Gibiser!" "Good evening, I need a costume." "The price is of no consequence." "I ask what's owing to me, nothing more." " I didn't want to..." " This way, Your Grace." "Any particular preference, sir?" "Louis Quatorze?" "Directoire?" "Old Germanic?" "No, a dark monk's habit and a mask, that's all." " Ah...!" " Pardon?" " Oh, nothing." "Sir, stop that girl!" "Gentlemen, you will remain here until I hand you over to the police!" "My apologies for this little incident, sir." "So you want a cowl, a pilgrim's hat and a mask?" "You must give this gentleman an ermine mantle and a red silk jerkin!" "Monsieur Ghibisier, you must let us out at once!" "There can be no question of that." "This should be your size..." "We were just following an invitation from demoiselle, Monsieur Ghibisier!" "But you must have noticed that you're dealing with a madwoman!" "Go straight to bed, you depraved creature!" "I'll deal with you after I've settled matters with the gentlemen upstairs." "Your mask, sir!" " What do I owe you?" " Don't worry..." "you can pay when you return it." " I trust you." " You will not do the poor child any harm?" "What do you care, sir?" " You called her depraved and before..." " [...]not depraved in the eyes of God." "I'm a doctor." "We'll talk tomorrow about the matter." "Password?" " So you insist?" " Absolutely." ""Denmark"." " Are you mad?" " Me?" "Follow that hearse!" "..." "I mean that coach, it was just a joke." "Your Grace just have to command." "I shouldn't have left that girl." "Medical rounds, diagnoses, going and then the brown blanket." "Unnaturally warm night, as if spring was coming." "Is the coach still ahead of us?" "Perhaps we lose track of it." "No..." "Also behind us now..." "females!" "The mask!" "Nobody must see..." ""Denmark"?" "Could as well end badly." "What if I don't get off at all and drive back at once?" "Back?" "Where to, to whom?" "To the little Pierrette, to the little trollop... ...to Marianne?" "Definitely not home, that's furthest away." "Albertine... why?" "No, I can't go back, my way lies forward even if it were my death." "Drive to that corner and wait for me, no matter how long it takes." "As you order, Your Grace, I will wait." " Password?" " Denmark." "I am glad!" "Are you surprised?" "Don't turn around!" "There's still time!" "You still can leave!" "You don't belong here!" "If they were to discover you - I'd be sorry for you." "I stay!" "Who are these people?" "In any case no criminals." "Aristocrats?" "Whores?" "They say that even at court..." "Why so lonely?" "Won't you join the dance?" "Where is she?" "Leave?" "I can't." "I must have her, I can't live without her." "Maybe it's all a trial, a test of courage?" "The last chance to leave." "No, I'm not going!" "There can't be more at stake than my life, and to me you're worth it." "Why always risk one's life for duty, why not sacrifice it for passion!" "Simply defying one's fate!" "That would be in this night's vein." "The only way to end it after all this stupid, unresolved adventures!" "I take up the fight, face the challenge." "For once not to fail." "Password?" "Password!" "Denmark..." "Quite right, sir, that is the password for the entrance." "The password to the house, if you wouldn't mind?" "You wouldn't be so kind as to give us the password to the house?" "The password, sir!" " I've forgotten it." " That's unfortunate, for it makes no difference whether you've forgotten or never knew it." " Take off your mask!" " Down with it!" " Take off the mask!" "If any of you gentlemen should feel his honour stained by my appearance," "I'm quite ready to give him satisfaction in the usual way." "But my mask..." "I'll remove it only if all of you do likewise." " It's not a question of satisfaction, but of expiation." " Down with the mask!" "You shall be told what awaits you to your face!" "I will not take it off." "And woe to him who dares lay hands on me." "Release him." "I'm willing to redeem him." "You're free." "Leave this house immediately, but beware of making inquiries." "You'd be lost." "In what way is this woman to redeem me?" "You will not alter anything of this woman's fate." "Once a pledge has been given in this house, there's no going back." "Go!" "No!" "For me this is not a comedy!" "I found a destiny which no longer has anything to do with this mummery!" "I will tell you my name, I'll remove my mask" " and take all the consequences upon myself." " Don't." "Go." "You can't save me." "Here I am." "Here you have me." "All of you." "No...!" "NO!" "I have my own coach!" "Who is she?" "A whore?" "She was so familiar with their rituals, what else could she..." "No... she's not." "Her face..." "Why in the hearse?" "It's not over yet, I want out!" "Perhaps..." "Perhaps finding her again in another place this marvellous woman." "It's not over!" "Where are they taking me?" "No longer put on an act, never again!" "I want to be myself!" "Albertine, Albertine!" "Not any further, stop!" "Albertine..." "Albertine, what's the matter?" "It's me, Albertine!" " Is it morning already?" " Almost... it's past four." "Four o'clock?" "The Court Counsellor's dead." "He was dying when I got there and I couldn't leave the relatives alone right away." " What's the matter?" " I was dreaming..." "Tell me!" "I can't remember." "It was all so confused..." "Tell me your dream." "All right, then." "I'm on the North Sea... on a big ancient ship." "It reminds me of my grandmother's linen closet - huge, with many drawers." "It's a women's ship, only women at the oars." "All are naked." "One single man is on board." " It's my father's stable lad." " Why him of all people?" "As a little girl I was secretly in love with him." "I'm in command on that ship." "The sea's rough..." "Suddenly I notice another man amongst my women." "He had smuggled himself in." "I only notice him because he's the only one to be dressed up." " Dressed up?" " Yes, very preciously, like a prince." "I'm angry of him being dressed up." "I order to have him tied to the mast." "He's too weak to defend himself." "I dance in front of him." "Laughing, naked and without shame." "And while my women beat him until he bleeds" "I give myself to the other." "To the stable lad?" "A crazy dream, isn't it?" "Suddenly my lover has disappeared." "And I hear someone calling my name from the mast!" ""Albertine, Albertine!"" "I cry: "Untie his bonds!"" "The crucified one falls down upon me." "I want to love you!" "I want to be good to you..." "But you're dead." " Me?" " What did you say?" "Nothing." "Go on." "The dead man on me becomes heavier and heavier." "I gasp for breath, I pant with horror." "Suddenly a storm gust lifts up the ship." "A lightning..." "I can see the coast of Denmark." "We roll overboard, the dead man is sinking." "I'm swimming with my hair loose." "The towering sea bends over me, it has a terrible face..." "Where have you been tonight?" "Sleep now." "Forgive me!" "Good night." " Morning!" " How was the redoubt?" " What redoubt?" "Medical Doctor's Ball, two days ago... weren't you there?" "Oh, right... that was only two days ago?" "Cough!" "Two days ago... and yesterday?" "Last night?" "Albertine, things can never be the same again." " Thank you..." "I feel quite well again, Doctor." "You've been lucky." "Everything must be brought to an end." "Maybe you can help me, I need Mr Nachtigall's address." " Who's that?" " The piano player..." " His name's Nachtigall?" " Yes." " Do you know his address?" " Wait..." "I think, he stays at the Drei Mohren hotel in Leopoldstadt." "Thank you." " What's with bed 11...?" " Transferred to the surgical ward." " Who has ordered this?" " The Professor!" "Please have the report from Histopathology sent over here..." " Yes, he was staying here." " Why, what's with him?" " Well, he's gone..." " Departed?" " Certainly, why not?" " But when?" "It was at night..." "no, early morning." " That came quite suddenly!" " You might say that." "Very strange." " Did someone call, leave a message?" " No, nothing, Doctor." " Hello!" " Good morning, Albertine!" " I was so fast asleep - why didn't you wake me?" " God, I..." " You've heard from Bertram?" "He's much better today." " Fine." " Are you going to see Mrs Winkler?" " I don't think so." "Elsbeth, come and say Good Morning to dad!" " She doesn't want to!" " Let her... anything else?" "Mail?" "Only a letter from your sister - should I open it?" " As you like." " Are you tired?" " No." " Will you come for supper?" " Unlikely." "Have to go, consultation-hour." "Excuse me, I'm in a hurry." "Cheery as if nothing had happened." "No dream, no Dane, no crucifixion..." "I have to finish these adventures, carry them through, clarify, betray, take revenge, only then I might find her again." "Yesterday you said your daughter wasn't quite normal mentally." "I don't know what you're talking about, sir." "Incidentally, I witnessed that little scene up there." "What scene?" "You must have dreamt it." "I want to advise you, Mr Gibiser, to consult a doctor." "And might you, Doctor, be so gracious as to take on her treatment?" "I would ask you not to put words into my mouth." "Pardon!" " I see..." " How do you mean, sir?" "So you refrained from informing the police." "We have come to a different understanding." "If you should need anything again, Doctor..." "It wouldn't have to be specifically a monk's habit." "In any case they will give some information!" "This has to be clarified." "Maybe the house even belongs to her, who sacrificed herself for me." "A child?" "Bourgeois double life?" "What can this mean?" "From her?" "For me?" "Give up your investigations, which are completely futile, and consider this a second warning." "We hope, for your sake, that a further one will not be necessary." "'Second' warning - not 'the last'?" "Another trial?" "In any case, she's alive." "Why... yes...!" "It's up to me to find her, sure!" "She's alive!" " Have you heard?" " What?" "The new head of the Eye Department will be decided on tomorrow." "Who do you think will it be?" " Hügelmann, most likely." " Not Fuchstaler?" " Come on..." "I'm usually out of the competition before even being considered." " Too bad..." " What?" "We should start doing research again." "When you have a private practice..." " And start all over again." " Oh, come on..." "Could you take charge of the evening round for me?" "I've a few things to..." "Yes" " I've plenty of time today." "Doctor!" "The funeral will be at three o'clock tomorrow." " The relatives are still with her?" " No, not any more." "I'm sure she'll be pleased to see you again." "Tomorrow I'll take her to Mödling, my parents have a little house there." "Thank you very much again for everything, Doctor." " You keep me waiting a long time!" " My apologies... it's been an unusually busy day." "I just talked with Dr Roediger..." "So you're off to the country tomorrow already?" "I think that's very sensible." "The fresh air, the change of scene will do you good." "As sorry as I am, Marianne..." "Your wedding will surely be quite soon - may I... express my congratulations?" "Let me know how you're doing." "Marianne!" "Yes?" " Is Miss Mizzi..." " Here's no Miss Mizzi." "But excuse me, I'm definitely not wrong!" "Whom does the gentleman want to see?" "Miss Mizzi?" "She won't be home any time soon." " She's in hospital, isn't she?" " Well, if you already know..." "But we're healthy, thank God!" "I just came by to give something to Mizzi..." "You can give me the parcels, I'll bring them her tomorrow." "You can trust me not to nibble." "And I'll send her your greetings and tell her you've been true to her." "The doctor said she'll be home again in six to eight weeks." "Tell my wife I won't be home for dinner, I'm still at the hospital." "Then I'll have to make a few rounds, it will be late." "Thank you - good evening." "Suicide Attempt in Vienna City Hotel ...a lady, checked in under the name of Baroness D. has taken poison this morning." "...she had returned at 4 a.m., accom- panied by two gentlemen, and was found unconscious around noon." "For me!" "In place of me!" "But she... most certainly was rescued?" "There surely was no time lost!" " When was she found?" " After 11, and rushed to hospital immediately." " But I already told the police...!" " I know... and the two gentlemen?" "They insisted on seeing her." "I didn't see them afterwards." " Did she stay at your hotel in the past?" " No, this was the first time." "Perhaps... our general manager thinks..." "What?" "He thinks, maybe she isn't really a Baroness but rather someone higher!" "Thank you!" "Delivered to the second in-patients' clinic at 11:27 - as you already know." "11:27" "Died at 5 that afternoon without regaining consciousness." " Is there anything I can do for you, Doctor?" " No, thank you." "Do you know whether there's still someone at the Pathology Institute?" "Dr Adler still got his light on." "Thank you." "Yes?" "Oh, my dear colleague - to what do I owe the honour?" " Sorry to disturb you, you're in the middle of something?" " I am indeed." "What else would I be doing in these hallowed halls at this time?" "But you're not disturbing me in the least." "How can I be of service?" "Addison, whom you sent us today, is still lying over there, untouched." "Post-mortem tomorrow morning at eight thirty." "Or do you mean the lung tumour?" "Sarkoma!" "Indisputable." "So no need to go grey over that one." "It's not an official matter." "So much the better!" "I almost thought a guilty conscience might be driving you down here." "In a way it does have to do with a guilty conscience." "I want information about a woman who died of morphine poisoning this evening." "A certain Baroness Dubieski." " She's probably lying here." " Suicidium?" " Yes." "Unrequited love for your lordship?" "This Baroness Dubieski's suicide has nothing to do with me personally." "Sorry, I don't want to be indiscreet." "Let's go downstairs!" "I just suspect this alleged Baroness Dubieski might be a person I knew, briefly, many years ago." "And I'd like to know whether my suspicion is correct." "We'll find out immediately." "I guess she doesn't have a beard." "Between sixty and seventy, that wouldn't be her either..." "Also out of the question...." "Is she blonde?" "And she didn't have an accident?" "What are you doing?" "We use a new colour-contrastive method." "Want to have a look at the culture?" "Can you interpret it?" "A splendid colour picture, really, most interesting!" "Maybe I come again tomorrow or the next day to find out more about it." "Always pleased to be of service!" " You're staying on?" " But of course, this is the best time to work, at least one's reasonably safe from interruptions." " Thank you very much!" " Tell me... was it her?" " Where to, Your Grace?" " Home." "Laudongasse." "I don't know whether it was her, Albertine." "I really don't know." "I only know what this dead woman means to me." "What?" "That last night is dead for me as well." "Irrevocable." "Do you understand me?" "Is it possible, that the adventures of one night, strange adventures one hardly understands, perhaps hint at the truth of a person's entire life?" "When I told you my dream I wanted to ask you more or less the same." "No dream is entirely a dream." "What should we do now, Albertine?" "I think we should be grateful to fate for getting away safely from all these adventures." "From the real ones and from those we dreamed about." "Have we?" "We're awake." "For a good while." " For good?" " Never inquire into the future." "Subtitles:" "Kurosuke@KG"