(An office at Police Headquarters. To rear on the left stands the
Assessor's desk. To the right against the wall, the desk of Reisacher,
the police clerk. Left front is a sofa with two chairs. On the right
wall is a telephone. Side entrance left. Another entrance in the middle.
Stroebel and Reisacher are seated with their backs to one another.
Stroebel is reading a newspaper; Reisacher is writing. Short pause.)
STROEBEL [half turning]. Reisacher!
REISACHER [also turning]. Yes, Herr Assessor.[Footnote: An assessor is a
petty police official.]
STROEBEL. Are you familiar with the expression "those higher up"?
REISACHER. Yes, Herr Assessor.
STROEBEL. What do you understand by it?
REISACHER. Those are the folks who are something and have money
somewhere.
STROEBEL. Is it used to express contempt or class hatred?
REISACHER [eagerly]. Well ... well! "The higher ups" are respected.
STROEBEL. Are you certain?
REISACHER. Absolutely.
[They both turn around to their former positions; Stroebel continues to
read, and Reisacher to write. Short pause.]
STROEBEL [half turning]. Reisacher!
REISACHER [does likewise]. Yes, Herr Assessor.
STROEBEL. After all, it means class hatred.
REISACHER. No, no.
STROEBEL. Pay attention. Here it says [he reads]: "Of course, for those
higher up there are no laws." That means, I take it, that the rich are
beyond the control of the law. By "control of the law," I wish you to
understand I am attacking the humiliating and anarchistic notion that
the law does not apply equally to rich and poor. Also I want to besmirch
the rich, by designating them by a slang expression.
REISACHER. Yes, Herr Assessor.
STROEBEL. Then how can you say it does not express class hatred and
contempt?
REISACHER. Because, then again, you see, people who have money are
respected anyway.
STROEBEL. You will never learn to think precisely, Reisacher.
REISACHER. Yes, Herr Assessor.
[Both resume their former positions. Short pause. Police Commissioner,
Freiherr van Simbach, enters left. Stroebel lays aside his paper, rises
and salutes. Reisacher writes hurriedly.]
COMMISSIONER [Footnote: President of Police, in original.] 'Morning,
Herr Assessor. [To Reisacher.] Take your work outside, Reisacher, until
I have finished. [Reisacher exit through middle door.] I want to ask you
a few questions, Herr Stroebel. [Stroebel bows. The Commissioner during
the conversation takes center of stage and speaks nonchalantly and
somewhat drawingly.] I read your report. Day before yesterday, that was
on Saturday, you ordered the arrest of a certain woman.
STROEBEL. Yes, Commissioner.
COMMISSIONER. Well, what about her?
STROEBEL. According to the report of Lieutenant Schmuttermaier, we have
in our hands a very dangerous person.
COMMISSIONER. Is that so!
STROEBEL. Within a short time she has almost demoralized our city.
COMMISSIONER. She has been in the city about three or four years....
STROEBEL. She has, according to the report.
COMMISSIONER. In what way has she been dangerous? Did bald headed
gentlemen loosen up a bit in her house or are there special charges
against her?
STROEBEL. No special ones, but her whole behavior. She had a beautiful
apartment in the best residential district. According to the report,
the neighbors began to talk about her. She dressed in a rather fast and
fashionable manner....
COMMISSIONER. Then because she did not cater to the common people, you
consider her so terrible?
STROEBEL. No, Commissioner.
COMMISSIONER. I thought not. Remember, please, I don't want you to get
any of the popular ideas about the corruption of our best society. Slit
skirts cause as much harm. [Stroebel bows.] What is her name?
STROEBEL. Ninon De Hauteville. But her real name is Therese Hochstetter.
COMMISSIONER. H-a-u-t-e V-i-l-l-e?
STROEBEL. She comes of a good family. Her father was a Peruvian consul.
When he lost his money, she married a consular secretary. He divorced
her four years ago.
COMMISSIONER. Indeed. So she is a person of refinement.
STROEBEL. But she has ...
COMMISSIONER.... A demoralizing influence. I know all about that. Tell
me, what made you arrest her?
STROEBEL [with importance]. Eight days ago, I received a letter severely
rebuking the police because her place was tolerated....
COMMISSIONER. Who was the letter from?
STROEBEL [hesitatingly']. It was ... really ... anonymous.
COMMISSIONER. I hope that you are very careful about anonymous
communications.
STROEBEL. Generally, I pay little attention to them. But this letter was
so full of details, I simply had to consider it. Of course, only as a
hint and I intended to get proof. I gave it to Schmuttermaier and told
him to keep the Hochstetter woman under strict surveillance. Saturday at
noon we obtained positive evidence,
COMMISSIONER. Then?
STROEBEL. Then I ordered Schmuttermaier to raid the place ...
COMMISSIONER.... During which you found a diary in her apartments?
STROEBEL. Yes, Commissioner; a diary with the names of her visitors. The
dates and their social standing. Everything.
COMMISSIONER. Have you finished reading it?
STROEBEL. No, sir. I just glanced at it. I only got it from
Schmuttermaier an hour ago. I was not in the office yesterday.
COMMISSIONER [thoughtfully]. It's too late to do anything to-day.
[Consulting his watch.] Let me see. Bring me an exact report of all
important names contained in the diary ... at ten to-morrow morning.
STROEBEL. Yes, Commissioner, at ten o'clock.
COMMISSIONER. And remember, it's very important that you make this
report personally. Don't let the clerk see the diary. It has not yet
been in his hands?
STROEBEL [going to his desk]. No. It's locked up in my desk.
COMMISSIONER. Time enough to bring it to me tomorrow morning when you
make your report.
STROEBEL. How do you want me to get my data, Commissioner? Shall I
summon the important people involved?
COMMISSIONER [with emphasis]. Only ... the important ... names ...
that's all. By the way, how far have you gone in the case? Have you
taken any further steps?
STROEBEL. No. I will examine the Hochstetter woman in a little
while....
COMMISSIONER. And Schmuttermaier? Has he orders to make any further
raids?
STROEBEL. Not yet. I want to read the diary first.
COMMISSIONER. Above all, I do not want him to act without instructions.
People of no importance like to do important things.
STROEBEL. Yes, Commissioner. Your orders will be carried out.
COMMISSIONER. Orders? I never give orders. You have your duties to
perform. I don't care to tell you what to do.... But there must be no
further raids until I have seen the diary.
STROEBEL. Certainly, Commissioner.
COMMISSIONER. At the same time, don't neglect your duty.
STROEBEL. I will do everything necessary for the promotion of public
decency.
COMMISSIONER [who has been pacing the room, turns suddenly.] Public
decency? Very well, very well.... [Short pause.] We occupy a most
peculiar position Do we not, Herr Stroebel? [Stroebel bows.] We know
fully the existing difference between official ... and let me say ...
personal sensitiveness, do we not? [Stroebel bows in accord.] I mention
this merely because you spoke of public decency. There is a decency
about which you and I privately might have most interesting discussions.
As far as I am concerned, such decency can be without limits. But there
is another--the public decency--which it is our business to police.
This has its very precise limits. For example, a scandal. Scandal of any
description. Am I right, Herr Assessor?
STROEBEL [clicks his heels together]. Certainly, Commissioner.
COMMISSIONER. That brings me to another matter. For the past few weeks,
there has been in the city, a so-called Society for the Suppression of
Vice. Have you any sympathy with these people?
STROEBEL. I know of their aims ...
COMMISSIONER. Their aims do not interest me a bit. I mean, do you
personally cooperate with them?
STROEBEL. Not ... yet.
COMMISSIONER. Not yet? ... Hem! ... This Society is likely to interest
itself in this case. If someone comes to see me, Herr Stroebel, I will
refer him to you. [Stroebel bows.] Kindly bear this one thing in mind.
These men have political ambition, and are playing to the press. On the
whole the thing shows conservative tendencies.
STROEBEL. Certainly, Commissioner.
COMMISSIONER. Welcome them with open arms. Agree gratefully to every
suggestion for the betterment of the people, et cetera. Listen with
respectful appreciation but do nothing further.
STROEBEL [uncertain]. Nothing further? ...
COMMISSIONER. No ... nothing further.
STROEBEL. Yes, Commissioner.
COMMISSIONER. These people must remain assured that they wield a great
influence. As a matter of fact, they have none at all and it's a good
thing they haven't.
STROEBEL. So, I may ...
COMMISSIONER.... Do everything you can be responsible for. As a matter
of principle, I do not like to give orders. You will submit that report
then [consulting his watch] at ten to-morrow? Good morning! [Goes toward
the door left, remains standing a moment, then turns around.] You have
been rather zealous in your work, I must say. [Stroebel bows slightly.]
To arrest a woman on the strength of an anonymous letter shows excessive
zeal. [Stroebel bows slightly.] I like to see my men energetic but
[clears his throat] bear in mind what I just said. Careful of a scandal!
Good morning! [Exit.]
(Stroebel sits down and stares at ceiling. He swings his chair around,
then whistles. Reisacher comes in through middle door and seats himself
at his desk. He coughs.)
STROEBEL [half turning]. Reisacher.
REISACHER [does likewise]. Yes, Herr Assessor.
STROEBEL. How long have you been in the police department?
REISACHER. It will be eighteen years this fall.
STROEBEL. You have seen many a change, no doubt?
REISACHER. Surely.
STROEBEL. Tell me, how long has our Commissioner been in office?
REISACHER. The Commissioner? Oh ... it's seven. No, let me see, it's
eight years....
STROEBEL. Hem ... do you really suppose he wants us to keep our eyes
wide open all the time?
REISACHER [eagerly]. Certainly. That's what he wants.
STROEBEL. Does he? ... [Short pause.] I had an idea he didn't want us to
be too strict for fear of notoriety.
REISACHER [eagerly]. No, no. He certainly would not like that.
STROEBEL [turns around completely]. Listen, Reisacher, you contradict
yourself all the time.
REISACHER [turns around likewise]. I beg your pardon, Herr Stroebel. May
I suggest ...
STROEBEL. But you are always contradicting yourself. First you say yes,
and then you say no.
REISACHER. I beg your pardon, Herr Assessor Stroebel. I wanted to say
that in the Police Department it is like this: Everything you do is all
right, if it turns out all right.
STROEBEL [turns back to his desk]. You will never learn to formulate a
thought precisely.
REISACHER [also turns]. All right, Herr Stroebel.
(Short pause. Stroebel reads. Reisacher writes. A commotion is heard
through the middle door, which, is thrown open and Ninon De Hauteville
enters. Behind her a policeman, who holds her tightly by the arm. She
tries to free herself.)
HAUTEVILLE. [she wears a large picture hat, and is highly perfumed].
Keep your hands off me. I haven't killed anyone. Please, let me go.
STROEBEL [he has risen]. What's the matter?
POLICE OFFICER. [releasing her, stands at attention]. Have the honor
sir, to report this disreputable woman--the Hochstetter person.
HAUTEVILLE. Please, help me, sir. I am being handled like the commonest
criminal.
STROEBEL. Why do you keep that hat on? You are not paying us a visit?
HAUTEVILLE. Indeed not! I am not paying a visit. If I lived to be a
hundred, it would never occur to me to pay you a visit.
STROEBEL. Don't talk so much. Do you understand? [To Reisacher.] Get
your report book ready.
HAUTEVILLE. Is this the complaint office? I demand to know at least why
I was arrested.
STROEBEL. Oh, here you'll find that out soon enough. [To the officer.]
You can go now. [Officer exit through middle door.]
HAUTEVILLE. Oh, Monsieur, what shameful treatment. I was locked up in a
cell with two ordinary street walkers. You will help me, won't you?
STROEBEL [who has crossed over to Reisacher]. Please don't be so
familiar.
HAUTEVILLE. I am so helpless. No one will listen to me. No one answers
me. An awful looking woman brought me a cup of yellow broth and a rusty
spoon--[indicating with her hand] so big. "Eat!" she said, and threw it
down and left. You will see to it, sir, that my friends are notified,
won't you?
STROEBEL [glancing over Reisacher's shoulder]. Your friends cannot help
you here. [To Reisacher.] Don't make the margin so wide. You are wasting
good paper. [To Hauteville.] Your friends can do nothing at all for you.
HAUTEVILLE. You think so, do you? One single word and I'll be set free.
STROEBEL [contemptuously]. Indeed!
HAUTEVILLE. Before the day is over everyone of you will have to
apologize to me. Yes, before this day is over.
STROEBEL. Certainly. [To Reisacher.] The word "Assessor" has two "s" in
all cases.
HAUTEVILLE. If you people had the least idea whom you disturbed. If you
knew whom you compelled to hide in the wardrobe.
STROEBEL [turning quickly to Hauteville]. In the wardrobe? So! [To
Reisacher.] Make a note of that, Reisacher. [With emphasis.] So someone
escaped us by hiding in the wardrobe.
HAUTEVILLE. Yes, someone escaped you by hiding in the wardrobe.
STROEBEL [suddenly very friendly.] Upon my word, Madame, I believe that
we understand each other fully. You are a clever woman. You will not try
to deny the facts.
HAUTEVILLE. Not one solitary thing. I am most anxious that you should
try to find out all.
STROEBEL. Bravo! I came near saying that I respect you for that.
[Benevolently.] You know, Hochstetter, every man is liable to make a
fool of himself now and then.
HAUTEVILLE. Indeed they are! I know best what fools men do make of
themselves.
STROEBEL. Now and then people violate the law. But they ought not to
deny it afterwards. That's the sad part of it, because we always find
out the truth in the end.
HAUTEVILLE. I wish you had it now.
STROEBEL. We have a clue. But you are a woman of character, I admit. I
take off my hat to you.
HAUTEVILLE. Indeed!
STROEBEL. I certainly do.
HAUTEVILLE. I was afraid I had lost all refinement after spending the
last two nights in such company.
STROEBEL [benevolently]. No doubt, it was a trifle hard.
HAUTEVILLE. It was terrible. They really do make me pay for
discreetness.
STROEBEL. Your patrons are the very men who make it so hard for you.
They get you into trouble and then expect you to protect them. Isn't it
so?
HAUTEVILLE. What an experience for me! To have my apartment raided at
night and be simply dragged away myself.
STROEBEL. That is too much.
HAUTEVILLE. I was not even allowed to take along a change of underwear.
Then I am locked up with women who have every known variety of vermin.
STROEBEL. And with all that they expect you to remain silent!
HAUTEVILLE. When I want to comb my hair, the matron gives me a comb
which these women have been using a whole week.
STROEBEL. That simply can't go on,
HAUTEVILLE. And the air! I never knew that such odors existed on this
earth.
STROEBEL. Still you are to shield the others! After all, you know, I
think that discreetness is just talk.
HAUTEVILLE. Talk?
STROEBEL. I mean if anybody ever had a moral right to give things away,
fully and freely, you are that person; ... after all you have suffered.
HAUTEVILLE. That's right. I am that person.
STROEBEL. Well then; did somebody escape into that wardrobe?
HAUTEVILLE. Yes, somebody did escape into that wardrobe.
STROEBEL [eagerly]. Who? [Short pause.]
HAUTEVILLE. [laughs curtly]. Who?
STROEBEL [more sharply]. Who on Saturday night at 10 o'clock escaped the
search of the police by hiding in the wardrobe?
HAUTEVILLE. [laughs curtly]. It is quite unnecessary for me to tell you
that.
STROEBEL [sharply]. Why?
HAUTEVILLE. You are certain to find it out ultimately.
STROEBEL. Ultimately?
HAUTEVILLE. Even if I wanted to I could not tell! Lord, when a person
gets strictly accustomed to never mentioning any name, it is almost
impossible to do it. I, believe that I would have to learn how first.
STROEBEL [shouting]. And you will learn it; I promise you that. You ...
HAUTEVILLE. Mais Monsieure!
STROEBEL [shouting]. No "Monsieur" about it. Here you'll talk good plain
English.
HAUTEVILLE. But why are you getting so excited?
STROEBEL [to Reisacher]. I am nice to this person. I reason with her,
and she says that she will first have to learn how to expose her crowd.
[Shouts.] Decency is what you'll have to learn and I'll teach it to you.
HAUTEVILLE. Oh, not this very minute.
STROEBEL. I know you. I know your sort! You want to gain time so that
you can concoct the blackest lies.
HAUTEVILLE. [calmly]. That would be entirely superfluous. The cleverest
lie could not help me half as much as the simple truth.
STROEBEL. Out with it!
HAUTEVILLE. It's better if you find it out through someone else.
STROEBEL. That's your opinion.
HAUTEVILLE. You would only be embarrassed and I would be guilty of a
breach of confidence.
STROEBEL [with contempt]. As though people confided in such as you.
HAUTEVILLE. I think that they rely upon the fact that our loyalty is not
"just talk."
STROEBEL [again calm]. Listen to me. I do not think that you entirely
understand your position. [Hauteville shrugs her shoulders.] No, I don't
think that you know at all what is involved.
HAUTEVILLE. On the contrary it is far worse that you don't seem to
realize who is involved.
STROEBEL [quickly]. In what?
HAUTEVILLE. In the wardrobe.
STROEBEL. Have you lost your senses? You are a prisoner here. Do you
want to poke fun at us?
HAUTEVILLE. No.
STROEBEL. Then don't consider yourself so important with those meaning
insinuations.
HAUTEVILLE. If I did, I'd soon lose my importance after eating that
yellow broth from those rusty tin plates.
STROEBEL. And that will continue for some time.
HAUTEVILLE. [energetically]. No, it will not. I tell you right now
that I will not spend another night in that dirty hole. I will not be
mistreated any longer.
STROEBEL [with sarcasm]. Of course we are going to ask you for your kind
permission.
HAUTEVILLE. I will not remain here. If they think I will let them ruin
me, they're very much mistaken. This is an outrage and here fair play
stops.
STROEBEL. The likes of you and fair play!
HAUTEVILLE. [bitterly]. Yes, the likes of me. Every day we hear the
confessions of those very people who publicly show contempt for us. We
know how false are all virtuous words with which they condemn us, but we
remain silent.
STROEBEL. Of course, you do all this out of pure sense of fair play? [He
imitates the motion of counting money.]
HAUTEVILLE. Money? ... My dear fellow, with money our patrons pay well
for that very thing which they later on call indecent. You get as much
decency from us for money as you get from other people, but believe me,
we could shatter many illusions.
STROEBEL. Well, make a beginning right here.
HAUTEVILLE. It ought to be impossible here. The police have as few
illusions as we. That is, provided they are properly instructed.
STROEBEL. That's right now, put us in the same class with yourself.
HAUTEVILLE, Why not? We and the police could easily ruin the credit of
virtue, but neither of us do it. You--you because you regard that credit
as a good substitute for the principal, and we,--Lord, because we need
this credit as well.
STROEBEL. Both of us?
HAUTEVILLE. The very moment that public virtue loses its credit, the
secret vices will drop in market value.
STROEBEL. What are you talking about anyway?
HAUTEVILLE. I'm telling you why both of us must hush things up.
STROEBEL. Then you are not convinced that there is a real public
morality?
HAUTEVILLE. You mean that morality which you put on with your street
clothes? I know it well. Gentlemen take it off in my apartment and hang
it up in my wardrobe, and there I can inspect it very thoroughly. It is
truly remarkable how our respected gentlemen still make formal social
visits in costumes which have so often been patched.
REISACHER [who up to this point apparently--without paying any
attention, has been sitting with his back toward them, turns half way
round]. Pardon me, Herr Assessor.
STROEBEL [impatiently]. Now what do you want?
REISACHER. Pardon me, Herr Assessor, shall I put all this talk into the
minutes?
STROEBEL. No, I will dictate to you later. [To Hauteville.] You know
that you are not here to amuse yourself.
HAUTEVILLE. I know that.
STROEBEL. Listen to me quietly. You hinted before that if we kept you
here another night you would confess everything. Well I tell you here
and now that we will not keep you here one, but a number of nights. You
can ease your conscience at once.
HAUTEVILLE. I would only make yours the heavier for it.
STROEBEL. My conscience?
HAUTEVILLE. Yes, if I tell you here, there will be no possibility of a
mistake, but everything must remain a mistake.
STROEBEL. I have patience with you, but I will not let you fool me.
Now get yourself together and consider every word. What must remain a
mistake?
HAUTEVILLE. Everything that has happened since Saturday night.
STROEBEL. All that must remain a mistake?
HAUTEVILLE. It simply must not have happened. No one broke into my
apartment. No one arrested me. No one compelled anyone to hide in the
wardrobe.
STROEBEL [shouts.] And no one ever saw such an insolent female.
HAUTEVILLE. This browbeating.
STROEBEL. It is meant for such as you.
HAUTEVILLE. [indignantly stopping her ears]. It reminds one so much of
the tin plates and the comb.
STROEBEL [angrily pacing the room]. I never heard anything like it.
Picture it! She makes insinuations as though we had something to be
afraid of. [He stops pacing and faces her.] You evidently imagine that
the whole government would run away from you.
HAUTEVILLE. No, but it ran away from your Lieutenant.
STROEBEL. Where?
HAUTEVILLE. Into the wardrobe.
STROEBEL [pacing up and down]. I will bring that fellow out of your
wardrobe. I will bring him to light. Into bright daylight! [Remains
standing in front of Hauteville.] What did you say?
HAUTEVILE. Non.
STROEBEL [resuming his pacing']. One of those fine fellows who wallow
in the mire and then expect us to make exceptions. [Stops pacing, facing
Hauteville.] What were you saying?
HAUTEVILLE. Nothing.
STROEBEL. Sad enough that now and again a halfway decent person strays
into your place.
HAUTEVILLE. He can only regret that he was disturbed.
STROEBEL [goes quickly to desk and unlocks a drawer]. Besides, do not
deceive yourself. We do not need your disclosures. [He takes out a
rather bulky paper, a school composition book, and holds it triumphantly
in the air.] There; do you recognize this?
HAUTEVILLE. [quietly, without a single trace of surprise]. It looks like
my diary.
STROEBEL. It is your book. It was found in your desk.
HAUTEVILLE. [very calm]. The desk was locked,
STROEBEL. It was broken open. Well? What about your loyalty now?
HAUTEVILLE. [shrugs her shoulders]. I kept it. I haven't a fire-proof
safe.
STROEBEL [contemptuously]. Would you by chance like to show me the name?
HAUTEVILLE. What name?
STROEBEL. Of the gentleman in the wardrobe.
HAUTEVILLE. [laughs]. His name really is not in it.
STROEBEL. Do not evade but show me.
HAUTEVILLE. Oh, there are parties whose names are not in the Hotel
Register. They travel incognito.
STROEBEL [persuadingly]. Hochstetter, I have an impression that you are
not such a stupid girl, and I believe that you would like to [pointing
to the diary] take good care of your--patrons. If you do not immediately
reveal the name of that man, I will summon the whole bunch.
HAUTEVILLE. [shrugs her shoulders]. That's something I cannot stop you
from doing.
STROEBEL. What then is your belief in fair play?
HAUTEVILLE. I never submitted that diary to you. You could not have
gotten it from me voluntarily, but it quite suits me that the officer
found it in my desk.
STROEBEL. Why?
HAUTEVILLE. Because he might have searched for it in the wardrobe.
STROEBEL. Now my patience is at an end. [Presses the button on his
desk.] I will have no consideration for anyone.
HAUTEVILLE. After all, perhaps you will. For yourself.
[Police officer enters.]
STROEBEL. Take this woman downstairs, [The officer leaves with
Hauteville. Stroebel sits down, pushes the chair angrily to the desk,
then gets up and throws the diary and several other books on the desk,
saying to himself:] Never heard anything like it! Such impudence!
[Reisacher looks at him with amusement. A knock at the door.]
STROEBEL [formally]. Come in!
BEERMANN [enters hastily from the left. He breathes heavily. He has a
handkerchief in his hand, with which he frequently mops his brow].
Is this the proper department at last? I am being sent all around the
building. [Breathing heavily.] I hope I am finally in the proper bureau.
STROEBEL. What do you want?
BEERMANN. Pardon me for a moment while I catch my breath. I climbed
twice to the third floor and again down to the ground floor. The
Commissioner sent me to room 147 and there they told me to go to room
174.
STROEBEL. Who sent you?
BEERMANN [taking a deep breath]. The Commissioner. I really wanted to
speak to him personally, but he told me I should go to the gentleman who
has "Morality." Are you the gentleman who has all the morality?
STROEBEL. Certainly.
BEERMANN. At last. [Mopping his braze.] Good God? when a matter is so
urgent and so much depends on it they ought not to chase one all over
the building. I must rest a bit. All this excitement and running up and
down stairs.... So you are the gentleman who has the matter in hand.
STROEBEL. What matter?
BEERMANN. On Saturday night a lady was arrested. A Madam de Hauteville,
and certain papers were taken from her. Have you those papers here?
STROEBEL. What business is that of yours?
BEERMANN. My name is Beermann; Fritz Beermann, the banker. I am the
Chairman of the Society for the Suppression of Vice.
STROEBEL [very politely]. Oh, indeed! Pardon me! I didn't recall your
name immediately, but I was expecting you.
BEERMANN [startled]. You--were expecting--me?
STROEBEL. The Commissioner said that you would undoubtedly call on us.
BEERMANN. He said that I undoubtedly would call? But he never mentioned
a word to me about that, and I saw him just a moment ago. Perhaps after
all it will be better if I go down to see him again?
STROEBEL. That is not necessary. I have full charge of the matter.
BEERMANN. Oh, yes, quite right; you have charge of the matter. And you
have those writings here too?
STROEBEL. The diary? [He indicates the desk.] Here it is.
BEERMANN [peeps anxiously over]. Then it is a regular diary?
STROEBEL. Quite correctly kept. Gives date and names. Even little
jesting remarks about the people concerned.
BEERMANN [shouts]. But that is an unheard of insolence!
STROEBEL. Yes.
BEERMANN. Why does she write such things? To what purpose? Can't she
herself realize how dangerous it is? Fancy, a woman whose whole stock in
trade is secrecy, keeping an address hook of her patrons. Confound her!
STROEBEL. But to us as evidence it is priceless.
BEERMANN. I ask you--why does she record such things?
STROEBEL. We can only be glad of it, Herr Beermann.
BEERMANN. We?
STROEBEL. She'd lie. I tell you she'd deny everything, and that puts an
end to the case. [Holding the diary in the air.] But here we have the
whole bunch.
BEERMANN. As though she wanted to turn State's evidence ...
STROEBEL. Let her just come to court with her confounded fine talk.
[Imitating Hauteville's manners.] "It simply must not have happened." I
will drive her to the wall with what happened. We will simply bring up
those fellows, one after the other.
BEERMANN [dismayed]. To court!
STROEBEL. Certainly, and that means; hand on the Bible and swear. Then
we shall see if "no one compelled anyone to hide in the wardrobe."
BEERMANN. How?
STROEBEL. They will not commit perjury.
BEERMANN. That's utterly impossible!
STROEBEL. I will make it quite warm for that man, in any event.
BEERMANN. But, Counselor!
STROEBEL [clinking heels]. Assessor Stroebel.
BEERMANN. But, Assessor, that is simply impossible. You do not want to
ruin the family life of the entire city, do you?
STROEBEL. In what way?
BEERMANN. Do you expect a respectable gentleman to appear in court and
in the presence of all people to say, yes; it is true that I ... and so
forth?
STROEBEL. Why not?
BEERMANN [shouting]. But they are all respectable fathers of families!
STROEBEL. But, my dear Herr Beermann, what difference does that make to
me?
BEERMANN. It must make a difference. It makes a difference to everybody
at all times.
STROEBEL. I assure you that I am not a bit sentimental.
BEERMANN [glancing over to Reisacher]. Could we have a few words
together, alone?
STROEBEL. If you wish it. Reisacher, finish your police report in the
outer office.
REISACHER. Certainly, Herr Assessor.
(Takes several sheets of paper and goes out through the middle door.)
STROEBEL. Do have a seat, Herr Beermann.
(Beermann sits down on the sofa. Stroebel does likewise.)
BEERMANN [mopping his brow]. A personal question, Herr Assessor, are you
married?
STROEBEL. No.
BEERMANN. I thought not. If you had a family you would not speak in that
fashion of sentimentality.
STROEBEL. If I had a family, I would not, to begin with, be involved in
this.
BEERMANN. But ...
STROEBEL. My name would not appear in the diary of Hauteville.
BEERMANN. You never can tell.
STROEBEL. Excuse me. What is there left of family life when such things
happen?
BEERMANN. What do you mean? If nobody finds it out?
STROEBEL. But such a man must live constantly under a deception.
BEERMANN. My dear Assessor. If the white lie ceases in married life, the
couple drifts apart.
STROEBEL. I cannot believe that!
BEERMANN [persuadingly]. Take my word for it. In every happy marriage
the parties lie to each other to keep their affection from cooling.
STROEBEL. But both of them remain faithful.
BEERMANN. Not in the least.
STROEBEL. Don't say that!
BEERMANN. Not in the least; anyhow not to the very letter. A husband is
true to his wife even if he ... and so forth.
STROEBEL. Your views surprise me.
BEERMANN. This is what I mean. He is true in his own fashion. He remains
kind to his wife, takes a good care of his family, and that is the
principal thing. That other which you have in mind is only an ideal.
STROEBEL. Ideals are lived up to.
BEERMANN. Well, yes. But if we don't live up to them, we at least
respect them.
STROEBEL. Herr Beermann, I am astounded. You are the President of the
Society for the Suppression of Vice?
BEERMANN. Can I help it that I was elected?
STROEBEL. But at least you represent the views of your Society. I
thought you came here for that reason.
BEERMANN. For what reason?
STROEBEL. To express your satisfaction at our discovery of the business
of this person.
BEERMANN. You thought I came here on that account?
STROEBEL. Didn't you?
BEERMANN [mopping his brow with his handkerchief]. You'll have to pardon
me, Herr Assessor; I am still affected by that running up and down
stairs.
STROEBEL. Perhaps our conversation tires you?
BEERMANN. Don't mention it. I simply cannot follow you so quickly, A
moment ago you mentioned a diary, didn't you?
STROEBEL. Of this Hauteville woman.--Yes.
BEERMANN. Have you been through this diary?
STROEBEL. No. I have not had time yet.
BEERMANN. But you just spoke about some jesting comments in it.
STROEBEL. Only those I noticed in glancing through it.
BEERMANN [relieved]. Ah!
STROEBEL. Besides, I must tell you, Herr Beermann, that the contents of
this book must remain a secret to you. My orders are not to show it to
anyone.
BEERMANN. No, no. I don't want to know anything about it.
STROEBEL. You will find out everything later when the matter comes up in
court.
BEERMANN [dismayed]. Will it be read there?
STROEBEL. Certainly. To-day I can only tell you that we will proceed
vigorously. You can satisfy your society on that point.
BEERMANN [rising]. But that doesn't satisfy me at all. Think of the
consequences.
STROEBEL [rising also]. What do you care about the consequences. Your
society has its very high aims. Your propaganda states that you will
prosecute the outcast of society with iron energy and now you see your
ideals realized.
BEERMANN. Our propaganda states that we will intervene from national,
moral and social viewpoints, to protect the marriage vows. If this
scandal becomes public the marriage relationship will be undermined.
STROEBEL. What sort of moral viewpoint do you call that?
BEERMANN. It is the Society's. Don't you understand that the influential
class of society will be involved!
STROEBEL. Then that class will have only itself to blame.
BEERMANN. That's out of the question. We must find a loop-hole.
STROEBEL. Within the scope of the law there are no loop-holes.
BEERMANN. Don't tell ME that. Well then, go around the law.
STROEBEL [surprised]. Herr Beermann!
BEERMANN. Of course! I have lived long enough to know that.
STROEBEL. I shall do my duty.
BEERMANN. Am I interfering with your duty? I belong to that class of
people who respect the police only because the police respect our social
position.
STROEBEL. I appreciate that.
BEERMANN. I also take part in political life. I am a candidate for the
Reichstag and as such I have a decided opinion about these matters.
STROEBEL. Without doubt, Herr Beermann.
BEERMANN. Well then, there are, in extreme cases, ways around the law,
and there must be.
STROEBEL. I am of a different opinion.
BEERMANN. God knows, it is not the business of the police to provoke
this enormous scandal. All authority will be destroyed. It will shatter
the respect of the masses for the people higher up.
STROEBEL. But this scandal was provoked--[knocking on the diary with his
finger]--by these very people.
BEERMANN. If a man once in a while goes into a certain room--that is no
scandal. It only becomes a scandal when the story is made known to every
Tom, Dick and Harry. That's what must be prevented!
STROEBEL. I value the humane motive which evidently is prompting you,
Herr Beermann. But you must admit that we are acting entirely in accord
with the views of the classes you mention.
BEERMANN. You are not!
STROEBEL. Yes, we are. Two weeks ago the good people here founded a
Society because they felt it was necessary to proceed more severely
against public immorality ...
BEERMANN.... Against immorality in the lower strata where it easily
degenerates into licentiousness. As the President of this Society, I, at
least ought to know what was intended.
STROEBEL. Even Frau Hochstetter belongs to the lower strata. If we are
now stepping on anybody's corns, I am very sorry....
BEERMANN. The police have no business to do anything they will be sorry
for later on. Good Lord, had the Commissioner only listened to me. An
affair like this should not be treated in such a purely business-like
way.
STROEBEL. The Commissioner can only tell you the same thing. He cannot
change the law.
BEERMANN. Anything can be done.
STROEBEL. Not at this stage. We could probably have prevented it had we
known that this case would have such far-reaching consequences, but now
here are the proofs. [Pointing to the diary.] No one in the world can
destroy them, not even the Commissioner.
BEERMANN. Then what do you propose to do with them?
STROEBEL. They are going down to the District Attorney's office. The
avalanche is on its way.
BEERMANN. And we have simply to wait and watch what it hits? (Telephone
bell rings.)
STROEBEL. Pardon me a moment.
(Goes to the right to the telephone. While Stroebel is answering the
telephone, and has his back to Beermann the latter crosses to the desk
and tries to look into the diary. Timidly he opens it several times but
shuts it again quickly, when he fears that Stroebel will turn around.)
STROEBEL [answering the telephone]. Police Department.... Assessor
Stroebel speaking. Who is this please ... yes, this is Assessor
Stroebel.... Yes, Commissioner ... [pause] I understand you, I will
remain in the office ... Yes, I examined the Hochstetter woman.... Yes,
this Madame Hauteville [pause] I will remain in the office until you
call.... Yes, Commissioner. Good-bye. [He hangs up the receiver.]
BEERMANN [Energetically closes the book and tries to appear
indifferent.]
STROEBEL. Now you can convince yourself, Herr Beermann, the Commissioner
himself is following up this matter. He wants to have another conference
with me about it to-day.
BEERMANN. Am I to wait helplessly until the catastrophe happens?
STROEBEL. You must be consistent....
BEERMANN. It is possible that my best friends, acquaintances or
relatives are involved ...
STROEBEL. You must remain consistent. Doesn't this splendidly justify
the founding of your Society?
BEERMANN [in a rage]. Oh, leave me alone with your stupid Vice Society.
Are we not all human, after all!
STROEBEL. I do not understand you.
BEERMANN. Do you realize what severe pangs of conscience I suffer? Last
night as I pictured to myself all that is about to happen, all these
family misfortunes, I asked myself this question: What really is
morality? And ... I could not find the answer.
STROEBEL. Although you are ...
BEERMANN. Although I am Chairman of the Society for the Suppression of
Vice, yes, sir. Then I asked myself this: which is the more important:
that we are moral, or that we seem moral?
STROEBEL. Have you found the answer?
BEERMANN. I have. I have become fully convinced that it is far more
important for the people to believe in our morality.
STROEBEL. But you didn't need a Society for that.
BEERMANN. Yes, we did. Just to be moral is something that I can
accomplish in my room by myself, but that has no educational value. The
important thing is to ally one's self publicly with moral issues. This
has a beneficial effect on the family and state.
STROEBEL. I daresay that this side of the question has not occurred to
me.
BEERMANN. Just consider. Morality holds exactly the same position as
religion. We must always create the impression that there is such a
thing and we must make each other believe that each of us have it. Do
you suppose for one moment that religion would last if the church dealt
publicly with our sins? But she forgives them quietly. The State ought
to be just as shrewd.
STROEBEL. Many a thing you say seems quite true.
BEERMANN. It is true, you can depend upon it.
STROEBEL. Theoretically perhaps. But that does not change it one bit.
As long as the law prescribes it, these offenses [pointing to the diary]
must be dealt with publicly.
BEERMANN. Although you know that thus public decency will be undermined.
[Stroebel shrugs his shoulders.] Although the State will suffer by it?
STROEBEL [again shrugs his shoulders]. Well ...
BEERMANN. The Administration knows very well the sort of conservative
element there is in the Society for the Suppression of Vice.
STROEBEL. Yes, and values it highly.
BEERMANN. Let us suppose--I do not know if it be so--but let us just
suppose that only one member of the Society once had a weak little
moment and his name were in this book ...
STROEBEL [energetically]. Then he would be summoned to court without
regard or mercy.
BEERMANN. And the whole Society would be made ridiculous and would go up
in the air.
STROEBEL [shrugs his shoulders]. Well ...
BEERMANN [shouts]. That is the height of folly, I tell you!
STROEBEL [instructively]. It is the fulfilment of our duty. You are a
layman. With you sentiments play an important part. We, the police, on
the other hand are compelled to sacrifice our feelings to our duty.
BEERMANN [holding his hands to his ears]. Oh, stop that!
STROEBEL. Official duty blocks our way.
BEERMANN [angrily]. But even a jackass can jump over blocks.
STROEBEL [offended]. Her? Beermann, I did not hear that remark.
BEERMANN. Let me tell you something! Do you know what we have been doing
for the past three weeks? ... Talking ourselves hoarse in order to bring
about an election friendly to the present administration. For the
past three weeks it has been nothing but Fatherland, and the state and
religion! And this is your gratitude! In the devil's own name--just
picture it to yourself--a man who has been fighting the opposition in
thirty different political meetings might be involved in this.
STROEBEL [shrugs his shoulders]. What can I do?
BEERMANN. Is the Administration going to deliver him over to his
opponents?
STROEBEL. We would be very sorry for him, but we would have to summon
him to court.
BEERMANN. Without regard or mercy--? [Telephone bell rings loudly.]
STROEBEL. Pardon me for a moment. [Stroebel goes to the telephone
and this time he turns completely around so that his back is toward
Beermann.] Police Department ... yes ... Commissioner; this is Stroebel
at the telephone.... [Short pause.] When she was arrested? ... When
she was arrested there was Lieutenant Schmuttermaier and an officer....
[Short pause.] Just one policeman ... [Pause.] ... Yes, Commissioner
[short pause] I should tell that Lieutenant [short interruption] jackass
Schmuttermaier to come over to the office immediately.... [Short
pause.] I shall wait for you until you come.... Yes, Commissioner.
(During this telephone conversation Beermann steps near to the desk.
With a shaking hand he takes up the diary but quickly puts it down
again. Then he picks it up again and with a rapid and energetic movement
puts it into his breast pocket. Stroebel with a rebuked demeanor goes
from the telephone to the desk. Beermann turns around so that Stroebel
cannot see his face. He is disturbed and coughs in order to hide his
embarrassment. Stroebel presses a button on Reisacher's desk.)
BEERMANN [while coughing]. I realize now that nothing more can be done.
I shan't take up your time.
STROEBEL [anxiously]. No, no, please remain. The Commissioner himself
will be here in a moment. Then you may talk to him.
BEERMANN. But you just told me that there was no use waiting....
[Reisacher enters through center door.]
STROEBEL [urgently to Reisacher]. Reisacher, go and look for Lieutenant
Schmuttermaier immediately. If he is not in the building, send to
his home or telephone for him. Leave word that he must come over
immediately.
REISACHER. Yes, Herr Assessor.
[Goes out quickly through center door.]
BEERMANN. You said yourself that there would be no use. I guess I'd
better go.
STROEBEL [perturbed]. But do wait for the Commissioner.
BEERMANN. There is no use in my waiting. I ... I did all I could ...
there seems to be no use ... well then.... Good-bye!
[About to go through door on left but the door is quickly opened and
the Commissioner appears with Baron Schmettau. The former holds the door
open for the Baron. After they have come in, he shuts the door.]
COMMISSIONER [to the Baron]. If you please, Herr Baron.... [To
Beermann]. Ah ... here is our President of the Society for the
Suppression of Vice. [Beermann bows slightly--Commissioner continuing
contemptuously.] Well, have you accomplished your mission? [Beermann
nods.] Are you satisfied with this arrest or would you like to have us
do more? [Angrily.] Once for all, Sir, I forbid you to meddle with the
affairs of this office. You can preach your principles wherever else
you like, but here I will stand for no interference. [Beermann timidly
creeps along the wall, and bows himself out.] [Commissioner to Baron
Schmettau.] Whenever the police bungle anything, look for reformers.
SCHMETTAU. [with a glance at Stroebel]. Will you introduce me?
COMMISSIONER. Assessor Stroebel,--Freiherr von Schmettau, Adjutant to
his Highness, Prince Emil. [Stroebel clicks his heels together and bows
deeply. Schmettau thanks him curtly.]
COMMISSIONER [sharply]. Herr Assessor, I have asked Herr Baron Schmettau
to come with me in order that in his presence I might correct a pitiable
lack of tact, which to my regret, and contrary to all my intentions, was
perpetrated by Lieutenant Schmuttermaier.
SCHMETTAU. It was abominable.
COMMISSIONER. What orders did that man have?
STROEBEL [nervously]. Do you mean in the case of Hochstetter,
Commissioner?
COMMISSIONER. Yes, sir, Madame de Hauteville, Who made the raid on her
apartment?
STROEBEL. The raid?
COMMISSIONER. I hope before you arrested her you informed yourself
exactly with whom you were dealing.
STROEBEL. Certainly ...
COMMISSIONER.... And the result?
STROEBEL. I ascertained that this woman was violating public decency.
COMMISSIONER. I am going to ask you, Assessor, as my inferior in
office, to confine yourself to more direct answers, PLEASE. What did the
investigation disclose?
STROEBEL. That she received questionable visits from gentlemen.
COMMISSIONER. Questionable? Then does Schmuttermaier know who these
gentlemen were?
STROEBEL. He does not ...
COMMISSIONER. No? Didn't he investigate a matter which seemed so
questionable to him?
STROEBEL. He just wanted to ascertain that these visits were meant for
Hauteville.
COMMISSIONER. So--? I have some truly competent officials. And who and
what it was did not bother the man at all?
STROEBEL. I myself thought that that would be found out later.
COMMISSIONER. There are certain things in the world you would not be
likely to look for and less likely to find. You have been treating this
thing as though you were dealing with a common ordinary pickpocket. [To
Baron Sckmettau.] You see it is just as I told you ... the man did
not have the slightest idea.... [To Stroebel.] Did this fellow,
Schmuttermaier, see anyone in the flat or did he hear if anyone was
there?
STROEBEL. No, Commissioner.
COMMISSIONER [to Baron Schmettau]. It is just as I told you....
STROEBEL. Furthermore, I have heard since that there was somebody in the
apartment.
COMMISSIONER [quickly]. Who?
STROEBEL. That, I have been unable to find out yet, but Hauteville made
several insinuations as though someone had been hidden in a wardrobe.
COMMISSIONER.[to Baron Schmettau]. To be sure--someone--was--To my
profoundest regret, His Highness, our beloved Hereditary Prince Emil.
STROEBEL [crushed]. I ... didn't have the slightest idea ...
COMMISSIONER. You people ought to have an idea once in a while. If this
Schmuttermaier had any ability, it would not have happened. But it is
the old story, not a trace of independent ability and tact.
STROEBEL. I don't know what apology I can offer.
COMMISSIONER. Neither do I. Besides Herr Baron Schmettau himself was
obliged to go through this very unpleasant incident.
SCHMETTAU. [Schmettau speaks very precisely but puts a slight emphasis
on his s.] I was completely dumfounded. I cannot understand how it could
happen. Just picture it ... Lord knows ... I was and am of the opinion
that our young Highness must learn to know life. Faith, it is not my
business to act as his pastor....
COMMISSIONER. If you please, Herr Baron, that goes without saying....
SCHMETTAU. That of course is merely my opinion. I am a man of the world
and of affairs. I consider it fitting that his Highness should learn to
know life....
COMMISSIONER. But I entirely share your opinion.
SCHMETTAU. A moment ago the word "decency" was used. In my position I
can listen to such words from the pulpit, but outside of the church I
deem them entirely out of place.
COMMISSIONER [to Assessor]. You used that expression.
SCHMETTAU. If anyone wants to claim that my bearing is not a proper one,
he will have to prove it with a revolver in his hand.
STROEBEL. I did not think that the word would offend you.
SCHMETTAU. It did offend me. Such expressions are fitting in an asylum
for feeble-minded people. They should never be used to characterize the
recreation of Cavaliers.
COMMISSIONER. May I put in a good word for my Assessor? It certainly was
not his intention to offend you.
SCHMETTAU. It was not his intention. [To the Assessor.] Then I will
assume that it was never said. [The Assessor clicks his heels.] I am
somewhat nettled but you cannot be surprised at that. You can imagine
with what care I undertook this task. This Madame de Hauteville was
recommended to me by reliable parties. She has good manners and does not
talk.
COMMISSIONER. In her way, she certainly seems a very decent person.
SCHMETTAU. Absolutely. Since it was my belief that His Highness
must learn to know life, I could not find a better place. [To the
Commissioner.] We understand each other?
COMMISSIONER. Certainly.
SCHMETTAU. Every guarantee against vulgarity; everything tip-top.
Now picture it to yourself. I do all a man possibly can and this
inconceivably awful scandal happens.
COMMISSIONER. It is the old story. These people have no tact.
SCHMETTAU. That doesn't help me any. I am not trying to mix in your
business. That never occurred to me. But this does not help me one bit.
The whole blame attaches to me. I simply will be told that such things
should not have happened. That is an unheard of business.
COMMISSIONER [to Assessor]. For which you are to blame.
SCHMETTAU. Had I a suspicion that this was contemplated, I would have
informed you.
COMMISSIONER. If you only had!
SCHMETTAU. Who would think of such things? We all take it for granted
that the police first of all respect protection!
STROEBEL. On my word of honor Herr Baron. Not even in my dreams did I
think of an occurrence like this.
SCHMETTAU. [squares his shoulders]. Is it so difficult for you to think?
COMMISSIONER. That's just what I say. If a man knows his work thoroughly
these things come to him. But people who are interested in the uplift
movements are always in the clouds.
SCHMETTAU. This Lieutenant or whatever that fellow was, behaved as
though he was collecting material for a socialist newspaper. His
Highness was hardly in the house five minutes when there was a loud
ringing. Then, someone in heavy shoes ran up against the door like a
drunken sailor. Madame de Hauteville breaks into the room and cries,
"Your Highness, how unfortunate I am. The police are here," she says.
"Leave them alone," I say, "they will go away presently." "Impossible,"
she says, "I can never permit His Highness to be found by the police in
my place. I will take the blame upon myself entirely." Fancy the tact of
that woman! "Impossible," she says, "that His Highness should be caught
in my place."
COMMISSIONER. Really, very decent!
SCHMETTAU. Indeed it is. Immediately it dawns on me that she is right.
The situation is getting terrible. That policeman is likely to demand
His Highness' identification. What shall we do? Madame says, "For
Heaven's sake hide in the wardrobe!" Outside, that fool is making
quite a rumpus. He knocks, rings, shouts and barks. The neighborhood is
getting aroused and heads are popping out from right and left and in the
midst of this terrible commotion, there we stand--Highness and I. What
shall we do? A few moments later, His Highness is cramped beside me in
the wardrobe, in between different pieces of woman's apparel. With great
difficulty we are able to draw our breath.
STROEBEL. If I had only had an inkling about it.
COMMISSIONER [angrily]. The police are expected to grasp conditions.
SCHMETTAU. Then what followed? In heavy-nailed shoes the men go from
room to room. Doors are opened and slammed. The fellows use loud and
coarse language, and three or four times they stand in front of the
wardrobe. Upon my word, I actually feel how His Highness is perspiring.
Just picture to yourself the situation if that brute had opened the
closet! Just picture that and you can realize how much courage I had!
COMMISSIONER. You must have suffered terribly.
SCHMETTAU. What I suffered does not matter. In such moments one does not
think of anything else but Highness. What an outrage! Finally the steps
disappear. Madame Hauteville, who throughout behaved most decently and
whose conduct was above reproach, is led away and Highness and I can
leave the wardrobe where we spent an entire twenty minutes. And now I
ask again, "How can such mistakes happen?"
COMMISSIONER [to Assessor]. You shall find the answer to this.
SCHMETTAU. Upstairs the woman is still in her cell. The newspapers are
full of the scandal, and Highness suffers agonies when he realizes the
possibilities which can develop at any moment.
COMMISSIONER. Herr Baron, you need not worry any longer. Now I am taking
the matter entirely into my hands. [Consulting his watch, he speaks with
affected calmness.] It is now a quarter to one. This evening at eight
o'clock Madame de Hauteville will be set free and everything will be so
arranged that her discharge will arouse no suspicion.
STROEBEL. But how are you going to do it ...?
COMMISSIONER. The details of this arrangement are your affair.
CURTAIN