FÜCHSL Aha! (writes) The artiste can today look back on her ordeal with a certain ironical detachment.
ELFRIEDE RITTER Yes, but really — I really must say — no, no, gentlemen, I’m shocked—
FÜCHSL (writes) But when one jogs her memory, the state of shock once again returns. Frau Ritter movingly describes how she was deprived of any possibility of complaining about the treatment she suffered.
ELFRIEDE RITTER But gentlemen, what are you trying to do — I really can’t say—
FÜCHSL She is simply unable to say what—
ELFRIEDE RITTER But really — I really can’t say—
HALBERSTAM Oh go on, you’ve no idea of all the things you can say! Look, my dear, the public wants something to read, geddit? I’m telling you, you can say — here, you can, though perhaps not in Russia, here we have freedom of speech, thank God, not like in Russia — here, praise be, one can say whatever one wants about conditions in Russia! Did any of the Russian newspapers pay you the attention we’re paying you here? Well then!
FEIGL Be reasonable, Ritter; do you think a little bit of publicity will do you any harm, now you’re about to tread the boards again? Well then!
ELFRIEDE RITTER But gentlemen — I can’t just — the way you’ve twisted it is hair-raising — if you’d seen it with your own eyes — on the streets or in meetings with officials — if I’d had occasion for the slightest complaint — of being harassed or whatever — do you think I would remain silent?
FÜCHSL (writes) Still trembling with emotion, Frau Ritter gives an account of the mob pulling and twisting her hair, how she was harassed by officials for making the slightest complaint and obliged to remain silent throughout.
ELFRIEDE RITTER But my dear sir, are you pulling my leg? I’m telling you the police officers, on the contrary, were very approachable, they received me with open arms and provided support at every opportunity. I could go out wherever I wanted and come home whenever I wanted. I assure you, if I had felt for a moment like a prisoner—
FÜCHSL (writes) The artiste tells of once attempting to go out, when the police immediately approached her and, seizing her by the arms, dragged her home, so that she literally led the life of a prisoner—
ELFRIEDE RITTER Now you’re making me really angry — it’s not true, gentlemen, I protest—
FÜCHSL (writes) She becomes really angry when reminded of these experiences and her unavailing protests—
ELFRIEDE RITTER It’s not true, gentlemen!
FÜCHSL (looks up) Not — true? What do you mean, not true, when I’ve written down your every word?
FEIGL When we publish something, are you saying it isn’t true?
HALBERSTAM You know, I’ve never come across that before. Interesting!
FEIGL She’ll be sending in a correction next!
FÜCHSL Listen, don’t start inventing fairytales! You’ll regret it!
FEIGL You’ll only do yourself harm!
HALBERSTAM What’s her next role going to be?
FÜCHSL If I tell the director at the casting meeting on Saturday, Berger will get to play Gretchen, that I can guarantee!
FEIGL That’s the thanks you get, when Fuchs always treated you so well? You don’t know Fuchs! If he finds out, look out when you’ve your next première!
HALBERSTAM And in any case, Wolf has it in for you since that time you acted in his play, just so you know. In addition, Wolf is very anti-Russian, if he were now to hear you’ve no complaints about Russia — he would tear you to shreds on the spot!
FÜCHSL That’s nothing, what about Löw? For heaven’s sake, don’t take on Löw, an actress simply has to make concessions, no two ways about it!
FEIGL On the other hand I can tell you, in confidence, that it would be hugely beneficial to you, not only with the public but even with the press itself, if you had been ill-treated in Russia.
HALBERSTAM Think it over. You’re from Berlin and you’ve quickly adapted to Viennese conditions. You’ve been well received from the start, with open arms—
FÜCHSL I can only say, this is no joking matter. Someone who’s been in Russia and has no tales to tell of the suffering endured, that’s laughable, and you a first-class artiste! I tell you, your whole career is at stake!
ELFRIEDE RITTER (wrings her hands) But — but — but — my dear sir — I, thought I was — please, my dear sir — I only wanted to — to tell the truth — forgive me — please, please—
FEIGL (enraged) You call that the truth? So we are lying?
ELFRIEDE RITTER I mean — forgive me — I, I, I believed it was the truth — but if you — gentlemen — believe that it — wasn’t the truth — After all — you — gentlemen of the press — must have a — better grasp. I can see that — as a woman — I can’t really have a proper — understanding, can I? For heaven’s sake — you understand, don’t you — after all, we are at war — we women are panic-stricken — I’m so happy simply to have escaped from enemy territory in one piece—
HALBERSTAM There you are! Now it’s all coming back to you—
ELFRIEDE RITTER Ah, dear sir, of course. You understand, don’t you — that first flush of joy at being back in your beloved Vienna — you see everything you’ve escaped from and survived in a more rosy light — just for a moment, of course — but then you’re seized again with rage and resentment—
HALBERSTAM What did I tell you? We knew from the start that you would see—
FÜCHSL (writes) The artiste is still seized with rage and resentment when she remembers the torments she endured, and as soon as the first flush of joy at being back in the metropolis has given way to her gruesome memories — (turns to her) So, is that the truth now?
ELFRIEDE RITTER Yes, gentlemen, that’s the truth — look, I was still overcome by — one is so panic-stricken, so—
FÜCHSL Wait — (writes) Still feeling panic-stricken, she doesn’t dare speak of it. In the land of freedom she is at times still prey to the notion she is back in Russia, experiencing its shameful disregard for individual human rights, freedom of opinion and free speech. (Turns to her.) So, is that the truth now?
ELFRIEDE RITTER Really, my dear sir, I don’t know how you can plumb the deepest—
FÜCHSL Well, there you are!
HALBERSTAM What did I tell you? She admits she suffered—
FEIGL Endured!
FÜCHSL Endured? Was literally tormented!
HALBERSTAM Well then, that’s all we need. Let’s go, after all, we’re not just here for the fun of it—
FÜCHSL Obviously. I’ll finish it off in the office. So — we need not fear a correction? That would be the last straw!
ELFRIEDE RITTER Oh, but dear sir! — It was really charming of you to come. Do come again soon — Adieu, adieu. (Calls upstairs) Grete! Gre — te!
FEIGL She is a very sensible woman. Grüss Gott, Fräulein. (Leaving, to the others) She has survived the ordeal and is too panic-stricken to say what she has undergone — big deal!
(Elfriede Ritter sinks into a chair, then gets up to finish unpacking.)
(Change of scene.)
Scene 15
Optimist and Grumbler in conversation.
OPTIMIST It’s both uplifting and touching the way even trade names bring out the importance of patriotism at this time, it could even reconcile you to the rise in prices.