The Rat Trap of Hemlin by Stefan Zicher

The Rat Trap of Hemlin - Stefan Zicher - translated by Luiza CarolLast Updated Wednesday, 04 August 2010

Stefan Zicher Translation: Luiza Carol

The Rat Trap of Hemlin

- a three actsplay - 1975 Characters

The first traveler The second traveler - later Bernard Myers The mayor- later Konrad Calpero The first senator The second senator The third senator Master Rudolf - the blacksmith

The tall guy The short guy Master Schilknapp - the storekeeper The first watchman The second watchman The girl The boy

The copyright of this play remains to the author's family. Nobody is

allowed to use this text in any way without the family's approval. You

can contact the author's family at the address: ..................

Act I Winding road along the field. On the right, an open penthouse with a painted board on which it iswritten "FORGE". The blacksmith – Master Rudi - lies outside, near the penthouse, a hat over hisface, a leaf of grass in his mouth. Two guys (a slim tall guy and a fat short one) lie inside thepenthouse, reclining to the walls with crossed arms, boredom on their faces. A little farther, therelies a traveler on the grass, eating with his bag near him. From the left side, another traveler comesslowly, looking tired. Greets the others aloud, trying to seem merry.

THE SECOND TRAVELER: Hello everybody! Is this the forge?

Nobody answers, nobody moves. The traveler who is eating turns to him slowly.

THE SECOND TRAVELER: (goes up to the penthouse, but still nobody answers. A little more impatient): Hello!

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THE TALL GUY: (after a pause, very bored): What do you want? THE SECOND TRAVELER: Is this the forge? THE TALL GUY: Can't you see it? What do you want? THE SECOND TRAVELER: I got stuck on the road. My cart has a broken wheel spindle. It's about halfa mile farther. I'm lucky to have met you, otherwise I could have walked another eight miles up to Hamelin. Can you mend it? THE TALL GUY: Yes. THE SECOND TRAVELER: I'm lucky to have found you. Let's go. I'm in a hurry. I'll pay well. THE TALL GUY: We haven't opened the forge yet. THE SECOND TRAVELER: What do you mean you haven't opened? You are here and I can see youhave nothing to do! (nobody answers. He addresses the lying man): Are you the blacksmith?

Everybody continues to ignore him.

THE SECOND TRAVELER: But, for God's sake, what kind of a forge is this? THE FIRST TRAVELER: Don't get angry, neighbour. Here, take this sausage. I give it to you with agood heart. THE SECOND TRAVELER: (approaches him) Who are you? THE FIRST TRAVELER: A traveler. Like you. Would you sit down near me? We have plenty of time.You'll see. THE SECOND TRAVELER: (sits down near him, wipes his forehead) No, I have no time at all. I want to reach Hamelin just today. THE FIRST TRAVELER: You cannot do it with a broken wheel spindle. And these people (points to the penthouse) are not in a hurry. Where are you from? THE SECOND TRAVELER: (after a short pause) From Munster. THE FIRST TRAVELER: What business do you have? THE SECOND TRAVELER: I am a merchant. THE FIRST TRAVELER: And what made you go just to Hamelin? THE SECOND TRAVELER: I don't know... That is a place I've never been yet. I thought I should try. THE FIRST TRAVELER: What do you sell? THE SECOND TRAVELER: Cloth. THE FIRST TRAVELER: It seems to me you didn't find the most suitable place. THE SECOND TRAVELER: Everywhere there is a need for cloth... Are you traveling to Hamelin too? THE FIRST TRAVELER: No, I'm traveling from Hamelin. I'm going home, to Erlangen, near Nurenberg. Would you eat with me?

The second traveler opens his bag, eats. Suddenly he gets up and goes back to the penthouse.

THE SECOND TRAVELER: (irritated) Haven't you opened yet? THE SHORT GUY: (doesn't look to him) We have. THE SECOND TRAVELER: Then, be so kind and come with me. My cart is about half a mile from here. It has a broken wheel spindle... THE SHORT GUY: We can't. THE SECOND TRAVELER: What do you mean you can't? You have nothing else to do! THE SHORT GUY: We don't have anything to work with. THE SECOND TRAVELER: What do you mean you don't have anything to work with? THE SHORT GUY: The tools are locked in the case. With a padlock. THE SECOND TRAVELER: Open the case.

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THE SHORT GUY: We have no key. THE SECOND TRAVELER: Where is the key? THE SHORT GUY: At Seppl's. THE SECOND TRAVELER: And where is Seppl? THE SHORT GUY: He comes every day from Hamelin. THE SECOND TRAVELER: And at what time does Seppl arrive from Hamelin? THE SHORT GUY: At what time, at what time… He usually is here about this time. THE SECOND TRAVELER: (addresses the blacksmith) Can't you do something yet? I would pay... (no answer. Shouting) I am talking to you! THE FIRST TRAVELER: Don't get angry. No use. THE SECOND TRAVELER: (comes back near the first traveler) Please, be so kind and explain me what's the matter here. I have never seen such a thing! THE FIRST TRAVELER: When you also leave after two months spent in Hamelin as I leave now, you won't be so impatient. Time is measured differently here than in Munster or in my Bavaria. Look here, I have sit here since yesterday, although I don't need anything more than to have my horse shod. THE SECOND TRAVELER: Since yesterday? But how is it possible? THE FIRST TRAVELER: This is the way things are going on here. THE SECOND TRAVELER: …Seppl? THE FIRST TRAVELER: No. Yesterday they didn't even open the forge. In fact, they seemed to open it nevertheless, they were here all of them. But they didn't start working. Days are shorter here then in our place, in Bavaria. And people are not in a hurry. And time flows, flows... You'll get used to it, you'll see. THE SECOND TRAVELER: I came here to sell cloth, not to get used to wasting time. Look on my cart, full with unsold cloth. I want to arrive in Hamelin just today. If these people don't want to work, I'm going to look for another forge. THE FIRST TRAVELER: Where? You can find another one only on the other side of the town, in the East... THE SECOND TRAVELER: So what the hell I have to do? Should I wait for Seppl? THE FIRST TRAVELER: Have you any choice?

The second traveler sits down reluctantly near the first traveler. The girl appears in a rush, with her hair unbound, barefooted, with a wide skirt and a very low-necked white blouse.

THE GIRL: I'm here! Catch me if you can!

She runs everywhere, humming a tune. From the other part of the stage, the boy comes running too, barefooted too.

THE BOY: I've caught you! THE GIRL: Not yet! Not yet! Catch me if you can!

The game continues frenziedly, noisy, they jump over the blacksmith who keeps sleeping, they run between the two travelers, etc. The second traveler stares at them, rising up slowly, while the first traveler – very calm - tidies up all around, raises up a bottle that was overthrown.

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THE GIRL: You don't catch me! THE BOY: Yes, I do! THE GIRL: No, you don't! THE BOY: Yes, I do!

He reaches her. The girl sits down on the grass, the boy lies down with his head in the girl's lap - they take that position instantly, the moment the boy reaches the girl.

THE BOY: (talks with a meaningless tone, without any modulation in his voice, as if he was talking this way for a long time) I must have been seven years old, or rather eight, or maybe still seven? - wait a little, that happened when aunt Jutta died, so I was six or seven, when my uncle took me with him at his land. It was the first time I left without my mother, you can imagine how frightened I was, although it was all right there, it was the first time I saw a village, with everything a town child might enjoy, the chicken and the duck and the goose and the cow, I was falling from one ecstasy into another. I was going everywhere I wanted to, I enjoyed the freedom to be able to get as dirty as I wanted to, and in the evening all of us were sitting down at the border of a precipice - there was a precipice just behind the house - and we were looking at the sunset. I remember one evening, the wind blew a little ember from my uncle's tobacco pipe towards my face, you can imagine what a noise I made, I couldn't miss such an occasion. THE GIRL: (impassive until now, suddenly whith the most intensive emotion) My poor little child! (Impassive again) THE SECOND TRAVELER: (amazed, he speaks at the same time with the boy who goes on talking) Who are they? THE FIRST TRAVELER: As you can see... lovers... THE SECOND TRAVELER: How do they get here? THE FIRST TRAVELER: (indulgent) They are young... you can find them everywhere... THE SECOND TRAVELER: What do you mean everywhere? THE BOY: I was sure he had burnt my eye and I was pressing my face so hardly that the old man could not by any means remove my hand and the poor one didn't know what to do with me. Then he promised me some sweets, immediately stopped crying and said: nonsense, the shops are already closed! THE GIRL: (the same game): I would have liked to know you when you were a child! THE BOY: Then, the neighbour's sister and another girl who was her friend came from the town. They were young and beautiful and Andreas and me fell in love with them, head over heels. They were enjoying it. They called us their suitors, while we were blushing and could not help gazing at them. We dreamed about them each night, Andreas and me... THE GIRL: (the same game) You! Little devil! THE FIRST TRAVELER: How should I make you understand... Is there any theater in Munster? THE SECOND TRAVELER: Of course it is. THE FIRST TRAVELER: And have you ever been at the theater? THE SECOND TRAVELER: Yes, I have, several times. THE FIRST TRAVELER: What kinds of plays have you seen? THE SECOND TRAVELER: All kinds. Dramas and comedies and philosophical plays and God knows what - all kinds of plays.

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THE FIRST TRAVELER: And have you ever seen a play with no love in it at all? THE SECOND TRAVELER: Of course I have. THE FIRST TRAVELER: But I suppose there was at least a pair of lovers in it, wasn't there? THE SECOND TRAVELER: Well, there was... THE FIRST TRAVELER: So, you see... THE SECOND TRAVELER: I can't understand. In fact what's the use... THE FIRST TRAVELER: Well now! What's the use of a pair of lovers?! THE BOY: I wasn't courageous, not at all: I was longing for my mother so much and days on end I didn't dare tell my uncle that I wanted to go home. Although the old man was so kind! In the end I took heart and went to him. He was just cutting wood, but how clumsy he looked with the see-saw in his hand! He looked at me over his spectacles: you stay quietly where you are. So, in the evening, I wrote a letter to my mother in which... THE GIRL: (pulls his hair with a sudden hysterical laughter and jumps, letting him fall down) Catch me if you can!

They run again, follow each other with a great fuss. The second traveler stands up and looks at them in amazement, the first traveler makes him a sign to sit down.

THE SECOND TRAVELER: And did you stay in Hamelin for two full months? THE FIRST TRAVELER: Yes, at my daughter. THE SECOND TRAVELER: You came from far away. THE FIRST TRAVELER: From very far. You know, there came bad news from Hamelin to us, in Erlangen. I thought it was better to see the truth with my own eyes. THE SECOND TRAVELER: What kind of bad news? THE FIRST TRAVELER:...bad ones. THE SECOND TRAVELER: And what did you find there? THE FIRST TRAVELER: (after a pause) One can get used with anything. THE SECOND TRAVELER: With anything? Even with the evil? THE FIRST TRAVELER: It depends on... THE SECOND TRAVELER: Don't tell me if you don't like to. THE FIRST TRAVELER: (after a pause) You see, it is true there is a great poverty, but... THE SECOND TRAVELER: There is a great poverty? THE FIRST TRAVELER: Yes and no, it depends on the way you look at it... THE SECOND TRAVELER: You are contradicting yourself. THE FIRST TRAVELER: Why does it bother you? THE SECOND TRAVELER: I am a merchant. THE FIRST TRAVELER: Of course, they don't live as well as people do in Munster or in my place. But nobody dies from starvation… THE SECOND TRAVELER: Thank you very much. But I knew these lands were rich. Has the soil got dry? THE FIRST TRAVELER: No, it hasn't. THE SECOND TRAVELER: And there was a blooming industry here. Lots of workshops, factories. Have they closed them? THE FIRST TRAVELER: No, they haven't. THE SECOND TRAVELER: The handicraft workshops were famous. THE FIRST TRAVELER: Yes, they were. THE SECOND TRAVELER: Or maybe people don't work the soil any more? THE FIRST TRAVELER: They do, but...

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THE SECOND TRAVELER: Don't they work in factories, workshops... THE FIRST TRAVELER: They do, but... THE SECOND TRAVELER: But...but… What do you want to say? THE FIRST TRAVELER: There's no use to it. THE SECOND TRAVELER: There's no use to it? THE FIRST TRAVELER: There isn't.

The pair of lovers turn up, they make a big noise, they run, they disappear.

THE FIRST TRAVELER: Nobody dies from starvation… THE SECOND TRAVELER: Yes, you've already said it. THE FIRST TRAVELER: When I came here I was thinking like you. I was looking at people: they were weak, depressed. As for the children (makes a sign with his hand) better not talk about them! It was as if an epidemic had haunted this place. When I saw my grandchildren, tears came into my eyes. I told my daughter: let's pack, direction Erlangen! It's a small village, not like Hamelin, but it is a prosperous place, the shops are full and people are diligent, you will find your place too and make these little ones so fat, you won't recognize them. Yes father, she said, we'll leave. Well, let's pack then! We are born in Bavaria, aren't we? Yes father, she said, we'll leave. At the end of the week, or next week. You should go ahead of us. Not at all, I said, I won't move without you. If you cannot come immediately, I can wait a few days. And I started walking through the town. In the beginning I couldn't get used to it: everything was so poor, worn out, dry, so different from our place - the homeland of beer and sausages. And those people, those people without any occupation, no special direction, the street was full of them, although each of them said they have some job, if they were asked. A few days passed, a week passed, then another week, I rushed again at my daughter. Let's leave. Yes father, she said. We leave. But do you think it's so easy? You know what a house means. Wait for about two weeks and then we'll go. I accepted, she was right and I went again walking on the street. It is there that one may get contact with life and people. I walked and walked, and suddenly somebody called me. I looked at him, where did I know him from? From the street of course. Believe me or not, I talked to him until evening. I didn't know when time flew away. Then I felt as if I knew everybody and days passed quicker and quicker, although in the beginning I thought I could get crazy of boredom. But you see, little by little I got used to it... THE SECOND TRAVELER: You got used to it... THE FIRST TRAVELER: One day, I got the idea to make my horse walk, it becames too lazy. So said, so done. I bridled it and took it for a walk. A policeman made me a sign to stop. Well, this is a trouble, I thought. It's usual at home too, in Bavaria. I stopped. He came to me. Look at that man, he said and showed me one who stood and gazed on the street. He has the same way as you have. Won't you be so kind and take him with you? The man already stood near me, how do you do, how do you do – in half an hour I knew everything about him, from his first disillusion in love up to the most recent mark his child got from school. And I found myself telling him everything about me too. When we parted, he gave me the address of his brother-in-law. He said I should look for him, as he had a barrel of

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wonderful sour cabbage. He would be pleased to offer me some. Something like that cannot happen in our place in Bavaria. There, everybody is busy and industrious. THE SECOND TRAVELER: And you buy from the shop what you need, you don't wait for the brother-in-law to offer it to you. THE FIRST TRAVELER: Yes, there is cabbage in the shops. But a brother-in-law's cabbage seems to taste differently... I can't explain that to you... THE SECOND TRAVELER: Did you get used to it? THE FIRST TRAVELER: Don't laugh at me. THE SECOND TRAVELER: And now, why are you traveling alone? THE FIRST TRAVELER: When I talked with my daughter for the third time and ask her when we were going to leave, she told me directly: we don't go with you, father. We have no strength to start everything from the beginning. You should come to us. Isn't it the same thing if you live in Bavaria or in Hanover? It's the same country. Come here if you want to. She was right, wasn't she? THE SECOND TRAVELER: It's the same country... THE FIRST TRAVELER: Isn't it? There is no shame to be poor. People get bound by a strange friendship. They help each other. Of course, there are bad wolfs too in Hamelin, don't believe I don't know that. But still, there springs a solidarity in poverty. You cannot eat indifferently, when you know there is a hungry child in the neighbourhood. And people become modest. Pretensions are decreasing… THE SECOND TRAVELER: (with a sudden anger) But let the pretensions not diminish, for God's sake!! Let people not be modest!! THE FIRST TRAVELER: What's the matter with you? THE SECOND TRAVELER: (his anger disappears as quickly as it came out) I'm a merchant. I saw a lot of things in my life. (Very sad) Let the pretensions not diminish. Let people not be modest. Don't let poverty be the basis of the solidarity. THE FIRST TRAVELER: What do you mean? THE SECOND TRAVELER: I cannot express myself more clearly. I am a merchant, not a man of words. I can say only one thing: let people not be modest! (The girl comes in, running; she stops, looks back standing on tiptoe) My goodness! They came again!

The boy comes in too, they make great noise, etc. After a while, as in the first time, they take "the stories positions": the boy's head in the girl's lap.

THE BOY: Have I ever told you how much I was in love when I was fourteen? THE GIRL: (suddenly becomes vivid, clapping her hands) Oh, tell me, tell me! (the second traveler looks desperately to the first one, who shrugs in a powerless way) THE BOY: We were both of us in high-school, in the same year of study, but in different schools of course. We knew each other by chance, during a mathematics competition when the girls took part together with the boys and we happened to sit at the same desk. I seem to see her in front of my eyes even now, she had a thick chestnut hair and clear blue eyes, as light as the sky in spring. I even told her: your eyes are so weightless and your hair is so heavy… but she laughed at me.

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THE GIRL: (same game) You! You are a poet! THE BOY: They gave us a very difficult problem, it seemed to be impossible to solve it. After a short trial, Kathrin abandoned the problem, she was looking over the window humming a stupid little song. She had beautiful lips and on her neck there was a golden down like that of a peach. I let down my pen too and reclined on the bench. She smiled at me. It doesn't work? - she asked me. It doesn't, I answered. Should we look over the window? - she asked me. Let's look, I answered. We were merry and heedless like the spring outside. We sat together, giving up the competition without fight and without regret and we felt very close to each other. THE GIRL: (same game) You! Seducer! THE BOY: We were closer and closer to each other, Kathrin and me, while the other pupils were working. And I don't know how, I suddenly felt: something was not all right. I was still very young and could not realize what was going on, but still... I felt that situation was somehow immoral. Surely, I saw Kathrin felt better and better with me too, but she was the first one who abandoned the fight and I followed her. And suddenly I realized I was working again to solve the problem. She looked at me coldly, as only a girl can look, from such a distance, with those eyes of hers so blue... You know, all that had happened exactly one year before the rats came... I don't know why I remember now all that. Maybe you aren't even interested in that. THE GIRL: (same game) Of course I am! Tell me! Don't stop! THE SECOND TRAVELER: (to the first traveler, while his voice is covered by the girl's comments) Rats? What kind of rats?

The first traveler looks at him with wonder, nods.

THE BOY: I was more and more involved in solving the problem. I felt like a man who came from heat into a cool room. Not only Katherin was getting farther from me, but I was getting farther from her too and felt there was more air in the place I was. It was a very difficult problem, even the teacher confessed to us later that he could hardly solve it, but I had my head clear, more clear than ever. The other ones were only in the beginning when I was ready. For the last hour I had forgotten about her existence, but now I was seeing her again: a lock of hair on the forehead, a thin vein throbbing on her neck and she didn't even look at me. Kathrin, I whispered, feeling how hot the air was, my mouth was burning - Kathrin, I did it for you, only look at it. And I pushed the paper with figures in front of her. She smiled at me with no word and copied the solving. THE FIRST TRAVELER: (surprized): Well, you see, the rats! THE BOY: Then a sudden idea came to me and I wrote a wrong solution on my own paper. That way she came out the first one in the competition. She didn't share the success with anybody. When we happened to meet again on the street - weeks on end I watched her in order to find such an occasion - she didn't even recognize me. I didn't understand anything. Then, she left Hamelin, when the rats came.

Suddenly both of them jump up, running one after the other.

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THE SECOND TRAVELER: (he hardly makes himself heard) What kind of rats?!

THE FIRST TRAVELER: (shouting too) But I told you! For years on end the town is full of rats. You cannot get rid of them! They lick the soup from the cooks' own ladles and bit the babies in the cradles before your eyes if you are careless. Didn't I tell you?! THE SECOND TRAVELER: No! (the pair of lovers leave chuckling, running one after the other on the stage. The second traveler doesn't notice the deep silence and continues to shout as loudly as he can, getting away from the first traveler, in horror) You didn't tell me! You didn't tell me! Miserable, you got used to the rats!!

The stage gets dark. Same place, a few hours later. The second traveler, alone, walks up and down. He loses his patience, goes to the penthouse.

THE SECOND TRAVELER: Seppl hasn't come yet? THE TALL GUY: (unfriendly) As you can see. THE SECOND TRAVELER: I have to leave. I don't want to spend the night here.

Nobody answers him. He shrugs in a powerless way, goes to the same place. The girl appears for a second from the left side, disappears. Short pause. Suddenly, the stage becomes vivid: intense activity - the blacksmith jumps nimbly and takes a hammer, the tall guy produces a hot iron as if by magic and puts it on the anvil. Frenetic activity. The second traveler looks at them in wonder. After a while, the senator comes from the right side. He is tall, well dressed, self-contended.

THE SENATOR: Hello, master! THE BLACKSMITH: Hello, Mr. Senator! (he wipes the sweat from his face) THE SENATOR: I can see you are busy. THE BLACKSMITH: What can we do? Work is everything for people like us. Can you believe me, yesterday when I reached home it was more than five o'clock? The day before yesterday, when I came home it was more than eight. Even my wife said: Rudi, if I didn't know you for thirty years, I would say you come from the pub! (He pushes the senator in a respectful way).Think of it, me and the pub! (Both of them laugh) I work so hard, I am good for nothing, when I arrive at home at last I don't even want to eat something, only to be in my bed as quick as possible! And at dawn, you have to start everything from the beginning. One can't even breathe because of so much work. People come for shoeing horses or fixing wheel spindles, and Rudi has to rush and fix everything, who else is there to do it? A traveler sees only what is in front of his eyes, each of them thinks he is the only one I care for. There is no one who thinks that it isn't so simple, one must also organize one's working place, as you have frequently said. I've also told these guys: what do you think, you may rub your hands and are ready to work? You have to plan, to ponder about everything... Many times I'm busy head over ears! (whispering, confidentially) And these guys, if they are not under control, they do nothing. I have to go to town to get the working material, when I come back - do you think they did anything during my absence? I don't know what it will happen when I am not here any more. (Speaking aloud again) All right boys, very good, keep working, keep

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working! (to the Senator) By the way, the working material. If the supply keeps going on this way, we might as well close the workshop! THE SENATOR: Why, master Rudolf? RUDOLF: Why, why, you know better then me why, Mr. Senator! I wouldn't like you to think I am blaming somebody, but really I don't know what master Schilknapp does in the storehouse, the materials are never enough for us and never come in time. You see, just a little time ago, we were on the point to stop working because we lacked materials. And in such a case, what would the travelers do? And the material that does come, is thinner and thinner, I would be sorry if you misunderstand me, I know Schilknapp for about fifteen years and I am not the man to backbite somebody, but something goes wrong there. (The second traveler gets up and goes to them) I've even told Schilknapp recently: you know, something keeps disappearing from the material somewhere, if I only knew where... THE SENATOR: (smiling) He also says he doesn't understand what happens to the material that goes from him. In his opinion, somewhere they deduct more than they use... THE BLACKSMITH: (suddenly very worried, addressing the second traveler) Please be patient sir, only for half an hour, you may sit down there in the shadow, the wheel spindle is ready in a moment, excuse us Mr. Senator, we have to go, you see, that gentleman comes from Munster – can we let him wait? Excuse us, we have to run...

He makes a sign to the other two, all the three of them disappear in a hurry. One may still hear the protesting grumble of the Short guy: what the hell, people steal only in our workshop? The Tall guy pushes him and he shuts up. The Senator looks at them with a tender, understanding smile.

THE SENATOR: (smiling) I heard you are from Munster... THE SECOND TRAVELER: Yes, I am. THE SENATOR: You traveled a long way. Do you have relatives in Hamelin? THE SECOND TRAVELER: No, I'm a merchant. THE SENATOR: Wonderful! And what do you sell, if I may ask? THE SECOND TRAVELER: Cloths. THE SENATOR: You know... I think you didn't find the best place... THE SECOND TRAVELER: Yes, I was told by somebody else too... He said the town is full of... THE SENATOR: But who knows, maybe you can manage. One should always try. Well, good bye, all the best. (leaves) THE SECOND TRAVELER: Just a moment! Forgive me Mr. Senator if I interfere where I shouldn't, but the truth is that those people (he points at the penthouse) didn't do anything all the day long... THE SENATOR: (laughs) Master Rudi, master Rudi, what an old fox you are! (cold) Excuse me, I must leave. I am busy head over ears.

He leaves walking slowly. The second traveler looks after him in wonder, then he shrugs. From the right side of the stage, the girl and the boy rush in. The second traveler looks at them in despair, sits down slowly, tired on the grass. After a short time, Calpero enters. He is tall and thin, with swarthy skin, with light loose hair, very blond, wearing a strange suit with a whimsical mixture of yellow and red. Does it look

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like a uniform? A magician attire? Both of them. His queer long coat from heel to head is also half of yellow and half of red. At his hip, at the scarf's end hangs a pipe as long as a dagger. The two lovers stop for a moment, look at him stupefied while he ignores them crossing the stage nimbly from left to right, then they resume their eternal game. Now they run after each other round him, while he tries more and more impatiently to avoid them, but with no results. Suddenly, he takes the pipe to his lips, produces a few sounds, after a few uncertain steps they fall down in a quiet movement and go asleep. Calpero laughs and continues his way.

THE SECOND TRAVELER: How on earth could you do that? CALPERO: (laughing) Perhaps they became sleepy… THE SECOND TRAVELER: Did you do it, indeed? CALPERO: Guess!

He goes to the second traveler, who makes a gesture of fear.

CALPERO: Don't be afraid. I won't do you any harm. THE SECOND TRAVELER: I'm not afraid any more. I saw a lot of things in my life. I traveled a lot. CALPERO: (sits down near him) What's your job? THE SECOND TRAVELER: I am a merchant. Of cloths. CALPERO: You are going to Hamelin, if I'm not mistaken? THE SECOND TRAVELER: Yes, I am. CALPERO: You know... I have a feeling you didn't find the most suitable place... THE SECOND TRAVELER: (laughing) You are not the first one who predicts it to me... Are you also going to Hamelin? CALPERO: Yes, I am. THE SECOND TRAVELER: Where are you coming from? CALPERO: From far away. THE SECOND TRAVELER: Don't tell me if you don't feel like... CALPERO: You wouldn't believe me anyhow... THE SECOND TRAVELER: Come with me! My cart is ready in a minute. A wheel spindle has been broken. They are already mending it. CALPERO: I will arrive faster if I go on foot... THE SECOND TRAVELER: Nonsense! Come with me. CALPERO: Why do you want me to come with you? THE SECOND TRAVELER: I don't know either. I always preferred to travel alone. But now everything has become so queer. These people, that stupid pair, the long and useless waiting, and now, above all, you... I am a simple merchant from Munster, but now I cannot say if I am awake or I am dreaming... CALPERO: Are you afraid? THE SECOND TRAVELER: I don't know. Maybe. (He points to the sleeping pair) How did you do it? CALPERO: But you saw it, didn't you? THE SECOND TRAVELER: (pointing to the pipe) I think you did it with this... CALPERO: You've guessed. THE SECOND TRAVELER: But how is it possible? CALPERO: Haven't you ever heard of Calpero? THE SECOND TRAVELER: No. I'm ashamed, but I haven't. CALPERO: You shouldn't feel embarrassed. The truth is, people don't

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speak much about me. (Extremely simply) Can you imagine, there is magic power in this pipe. THE SECOND TRAVELER: (distrustful) Magic power? CALPERO: In fact in any pipe, or flute, or pan flute, or anything else in which I blow there is magic power. Strange, isn't it? If you or anyone else blow - nothing happens. If I blow, anything alive, either animal or insect or human being does what I want. THE SECOND TRAVELER: It's strange, indeed... CALPERO: Yes. Frankly speaking, I also keep wondering. THE SECOND TRAVELER: And since when? CALPERO: (with his thought rambling) Since when, what? THE SECOND TRAVELER: Since when do you know that... well! How shall I say... You possess supernatural powers? CALPERO: Oh, yes. Since a long time. Since my childhood. (Dreamily) You know, when I was a child, I used to dream I could fly. Just like that, to spread my arms and fly, like the birds. It would be wonderful, wouldn't it? THE SECOND TRAVELER: (laughing) I hope you aren't going to tell me how unhappy you are because you can't fly? CALPERO: (excusing himself) You know, one can get used with anything… You wonder at what I can do with a pipe, and I wonder how you or anybody else cannot do it too... THE SECOND TRAVELER: And how do you manage to do it? CALPERO: I don't know. There was a time when I tried to realize how, but I was almost on the point to lose my power... let us call it magic if you called it so... or talent... THE SECOND TRAVELER: I said supernatural... CALPERO: Yes indeed... (again his thoughts are rambling) THE SECOND TRAVELER: And why are you talking with me about all that? CALPERO: I don't know. Believe me, it's not in my habit. But sometimes one has to talk with somebody. And when such an occasion comes, it is easier to talk to a stranger whom you are not going to meet again. THE SECOND TRAVELER: Let us talk if it makes you good. CALPERO: Let us talk.

A longer pause.

CALPERO: It seems it doesn't work. (Excusing himself) One may lose completely the usage of conversation. THE SECOND TRAVELER: Never mind. Take it easy. CALPERO: You know, now I got used to it. But in the beginning, when I realized how many things one can make with a pipe, I was somehow overwhelmed. Think of it, I was the third child of a poor weaver in Hessen... THE SECOND TRAVELER: Were you born in this land? With such a name? CALPERO: Yes, I was born here. Calpero is only a nick-name... THE SECOND TRAVELER: And how do you live? CALPERO: Nothing special. More or less, like everybody else. I travel everywhere. I do my job. THE SECOND TRAVELER: And what is your job? CALPERO: You mean you don't know? I play the pipe. THE SECOND TRAVELER: Did you turn this vocation into a job? But this cannot be a job! CALPERO: Oh yes, it can, and what a job! What else was I supposed to do? When I grew up, my father remained penniless. The only job he could

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teach me was that of a weaver. I didn't feel any talent for weaving... I preferred the pipe... THE SECOND TRAVELER: With the pipe you could obtain anything, for you and for others. But what kind of a job is that, to earn your living by means of magic? CALPERO: It's a very honest job, you can believe me! THE SECOND TRAVELER: And yet, how do you manage to do it? CALPERO: Do you know where I am coming from? THE SECOND TRAVELER: No. Where from? CALPERO: Yesterday, I was at the Tartary's Cham. Have you ever seen a cloud of gnats? Well, such a cloud was haunting their country for weeks. Please, make an enormous stake on the plain - I told them. The moment I took the pipe to my lips, the gnats rushed into the fire! What a sight to be seen! I received a bag of gold, as big as myself! Yes, poor piper as I am, in Tartary I freed the Cham! Before that event, I dealt with a monstrous brood of vampire-bats in North Africa... Oh, I surely cannot complain of lacking work! THE SECOND TRAVELER: Did you say yesterday you were at the Tartary's Cham? How can you be here now? CALPERO: You know, I travel very fast... THE SECOND TRAVELER: So this is your job? To make magic for other people, with your pipe, and receive money for that? You do anything they ask you to? CALPERO: Well, not anything. As you can see, I became an expert in exterminating pests. THE SECOND TRAVELER: But why do you need it? You could obtain anything you want. Haven't you done any magic for yourself too? CALPERO: Never. I don't know why, but I feel it won't be fair. THE SECOND TRAVELER: But think of it... anyhow, it is unheard of... You make magic for people that pay you, when you could have limitless powers! Have you ever thought that your gift is also an obligation? CALPERO: I don't understand. What do you want from me? (With a sudden anger) You should understand I have a talent and I earn my living in a decent way! I begin to feel the same as when I was on the point of losing my power because of vain meditations. Don't bother me please! THE SECOND TRAVELER: As you wish! In fact, it is not me who began this conversation. CALPERO: (after a pause) Are you a cloths merchant? THE SECOND TRAVELER: Yes, I am. CALPERO: Don't you need any talent for trade? THE SECOND TRAVELER: I need a lot of talent! Only I don't need a supernatural one. If I had such a thing, I would live in a different way. I would be bolder. More independent. I would have initiatives. What a day I am living today! Look at me, with my white hair and my immaculate reputation, I sit here and teach a magician to lead a more bohemian life... Yet, this can't be true! CALPERO: (stubbornly) I look around me and see that everybody earn his living from something. What do you want from me? THE SECOND TRAVELER: (tired) Nothing. (After a pause) Where are you going now? CALPERO: To Hamelin. Haven't you heard that the town is invaded by rats for years? For me it's nothing to make the people get rid of them...(dreamily) You'll see how they will acclaim me! THE SECOND TRAVELER: Did the people ask you to come?

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CALPERO: I cannot be asked to come. I go where I feel I am needed. THE SECOND TRAVELER: It took you quite a long time to feel... There was so much need of your presence during the last years... CALPERO: Better too late than never. Tomorrow I finish these rats in two seconds. If I am paid, of course. THE SECOND TRAVELER: And what if people don't want it? CALPERO: (amazed) How could they not want it? Aren't you thinking in a too complicated manner? THE SECOND TRAVELER: Perhaps. You might be right. But look, my cart seems to be ready.

The smith appears with the two guys. The Second Traveler goes to them, talks with them, pays them, while Calpero wakes up the pair who immediately begin to run one after the other. The second traveler says good-bye to Calpero while the smith and the workers look in amazement at Calpero's strange clothes.

CALPERO: (suddenly turns from the border of the stage towards the smith and the two apprentices.) Do you know who I am?! (To the second traveler) Just pay attention, clever boy! (Shouting, to cover the noise made by the two lovers) I came to make you get rid of your rats!

As they don't understand him, he turns to them. They look with their mouths open in a stupid way. He begins to give them explanations with wide dramatic gestures. His voice is covered by the noise. He shows the pipe, takes it to his lips, etc. Finally he is understood, they acclaim him, throw their hats in the air, bend their knees in front of him, kiss his hands. Calpero takes their shoulders with his wide arms in a dramatic gesture, while he shouts to the second traveler, covering the noise:

CALPERO: Well, can you see it? Clever boy you are!

The second traveler leaves the stage without a word. Calpero leaves after him, merry, waving his arms.

ACT II

Square in Hamelin. On the left side, the front of the Town Hall, a large gate with a balcony above. On the right side, a few tables belonging to a beer pub. There is a small stool in front of each chair, for the clients, to be able to protect their feet from the rats. The squeaks of the rats accompany the following scene. Enter the two night watchmen, each with a lantern in one hand (the only light source on the stage) and a stick in the other hand, in order to scare away the rats.

THE FIRST WATCHMAN: I stepped on one of them again... THE SECOND WATCHMAN: Never mind... one of them less... THE FIRST WATCHMAN: It didn't even feel it... as if nothing happened...it ran away... THE SECOND WATCHMAN: Then why are you sorry for it? THE FIRST WATCHMAN: I'm not sorry. I'm sick of it. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: You could get accustumed. You had plenty of time to.

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THE FIRST WATCHMAN: Yes, I had. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: Anyhow, it's better here than at home. THE FIRST WATCHMAN: Yes, it's better. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: Who is going to pay now? THE FIRST WATCHMAN: It's just what I was thinking about. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: You began to talk about them. You have to pay. THE FIRST WATCHMAN: You have. You began. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: How can you say such a thing? It's you who began. THE FIRST WATCHMAN: Forget it. No use to quarrel. We'll pay next time. The most important is not to speak about them any more. The last thing we need, is to speak all the time about them. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: This is the last thing we need. THE FIRST WATCHMAN: But no matter what we talk about, in the end we come to speak about them. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: It's natural. And what's the situation now? THE FIRST WATCHMAN: You owe me more than three thousand mugs of beer and I owe you more than two thousand nine hundred... THE SECOND WATCHMAN: Not bad. And since when we play this nonsense? Is it half a year? THE FIRST WATCHMAN: So much we talk about them! THE SECOND WATCHMAN: What else could we do... THE FIRST WATCHMAN: Let's drop the game... THE SECOND WATCHMAN: Let's drop it... It needs an entire bookkeeping, indeed... THE FIRST WATCHMAN: How lucky we are to have found a night job! They are unbearable during the night, if you are at home… THE SECOND WATCHMAN: During the day they are as unbearable as during the night. THE FIRST WATCHMAN: Yet during the day it's better. At least you can see them. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: It's better not to see them. THE FIRST WATCHMAN: And what if you don't see them. They are still there. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: They are everywhere. THE FIRST WATCHMAN: Tomorrow will be a hot day. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: It's July. THE FIRST WATCHMAN: It's not what I was thinking about. Tomorrow there will be three months from the election of the Mayor... THE SECOND WATCHMAN: Indeed. I forgot it... THE FIRST WATCHMAN: There will be a scandal! THE SECOND WATCHMAN: And what a scandal! THE FIRST WATCHMAN: They will dismiss him too, as they did with the others. Shameful. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: He also could not find out what's best to rid us of our vermines. And how much he had promised, before the elections! THE MAYOR'S VOICE: And would you have voted for me, neighbour, if I hadn't promised? THE FIRST WATCHMAN: Who's there?

Both of them throw light towards the beer pub. The Mayor sits at one of the table. Only his profile is seen. He is covered by an ermine gown, whose high collar covers his face. He doesn't move, keeping this position during the whole first part of the scene.

THE MAYOR: It's me, boys, don't be afraid.

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THE FIRST WATCHMAN: Mister Mayor! I'm ashamed of my words. I didn't know you were here. THE MAYOR: Hadn't I promised, would you have voted for me, neighbour?

The watchmen keep silent, ashamed.

THE SECOND WATCHMAN: There are five years since the dwellers of this town have never voted for somebody who hadn't promised to make them get rid of the rats in maximum three months. THE MAYOR: There are six years. Six years, neighbour. My little boy is six. Yesterday evening I told him about a town without rats. He laughed at me. He laughed in my face. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: My daughter is nine, but she wouldn't believe it either. She has forgotten it. THE FIRST WATCHMAN: I think this is the most horrible thing: how the children are thinking… THE MAYOR: You may sit down near me if you want to. THE FIRST WATCHMAN: With pleasure.

They sit down at the Mayor's table, put the lanterns on the table. The lanterns are still the only light source on the stage.

THE SECOND WATCHMAN: What are you doing here at this late hour? THE MAYOR: I couldn't get asleep. One cannot bear already to be closed in the same room with them. This stink. This perpetual noise. Can you hear it? THE FIRST WATCHMAN: One cannot help hearing them. THE MAYOR: (after a little pause) I failed too... THE FIRST WATCHMAN: Don't get sorry about it! THE MAYOR: But I meant it when I promised you! THE SECOND WATCHMAN: The others… didn't they? THE MAYOR: (smiling) You could not believe it, isn't it? THE SECOND WATCHMAN: Frankly... it wouldn't be impossible... THE MAYOR: You see? But I talked seriously. THE FIRST WATCHMAN: Nobody can accuse you, mister Mayor. THE MAYOR: And me, neighbour, even I cannot accuse anybody?

The girl and the boy appear in a hurry, dressed up like in the first act. Their noise, together with the noise of the rats cover any other sounds. The three people continue their conversation, heedless. The part of the stage where the two youngs are running one after the other is in the dark. Now and then, the sparkle of a lantern casts a ray of light upon them. After a while, Calpero and the second traveler appear. When the pair see Calpero, they stop their game, hesitate, then leave the stage.

THE SECOND TRAVELER: They seem to have felt something... CALPERO: (laughs too) I think they don't like my music... But listen, what's this noise? Could it be the rats? THE SECOND TRAVELER: I don't believe it's possible... (he observs the people at the table, heads towards them) Excuse me for the intrusion, is it the rats who are making such a deafening noise? THE MAYOR: You can hardly believe it... Yes, it's them, unfortunately. THE SECOND TRAVELER: I would never believe it... THE MAYOR: Sit down near us, if you want. Are you coming from far away?

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THE SECOND TRAVELER: (sits down at the table near them, while Calpero listens to the noise of the rats in a professional way, nods, claps his fingers, he is very satisfied.) I come from Munster. I am a cloths merchant. THE MAYOR: You know... THE SECOND TRAVELER: Yes, I know it, I know it, don't take any trouble to tell me: you have the impression I didn't find the best place for my business. THE MAYOR: (smiling) I see you are quite well informed... THE SECOND TRAVELER: I had quite enough time for it: this morning I had a wheel spindle broken at my cart. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: And how could you reach this place? THE SECOND TRAVELER: And you seem to be very informed with the smith's habits... THE SECOND WATCHMAN: I don't even know him. THE MAYOR: But he knows other people. Other industrious people of our town. THE FIRST WATCHMAN: Mister Mayor! (the second traveler tries to get up and make a reverence to the Mayor, who stops him with a friendly gesture) What did you mean a few minutes ago, when you said you could also be the accuser, not only the accused one? THE MAYOR: Forget it neighbour, we better don't speak about it. It's such a mild night. (to the second traveler) Whom are you traveling with?

THE FIRST WATCHMAN: (stubborn) I would be curious to know. THE MAYOR: (while the second traveler is calling Calpero, the Mayor's voice suddenly becomes very severe) How many rat holes did you block up during the last year, neighbour?

The first watchman doesn't find any words. He is so offended that he gets up, but during that time Calpero turns up, getting out of the shadow. All of them look shocked at his strange suit. Calpero reaches their table, the noise of the rats becomes most intense, with a wailing tinge. The people's words on the stage are not heard. The second traveler introduces Calpero to the Mayor, Calpero makes a big reverence and then he begins to explain with wide gestures (as he had done when he talked to the smith and his apprentices) the way he was going to make the town get rid of the rats. When the two watchmen finally understand what it was all about, they react exactly like the smith's workers; but the Mayor bursts in a huge laughter, louder and louder and endless (although he makes several attempts to stop it). His laughter covers now all the other sounds. The two watchmen look at him in amazement, Calpero is sulky in a childish way, the second traveler looks at him with a mild, understanding smile.

THE MAYOR: (wiping his tears) You mean, you'll stand in the middle of the square, you'll begin to play the pipe, and all the rats will gather round you and follow you to the river. You will stop at the border of the river, and the rats with their ears full of your music will go farther and drown themselves. All of them. Do I understand well? CALPERO: Yes, you do. You'll see. And if this will not happen, you are free not to pay me. Although I feel it's my obligation to warn you that one or two rats, among the big and strong ones who have the strength to swim across the river might escape. But it doesn't matter: I can assure

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you they will never come back. You pay me one thousand guilders. THE MAYOR: (chuckling again) And what are you going to play for them? CALPERO: What do you mean? THE MAYOR: What will the rats understand from your music? What will tempt them to the water? CALPERO: (explains meticulously): If one ot them could talk, this is what it would say: "At the first shrill notes of the pipe, I heard a sound as of scraping tripe, and putting apples, wondrous ripe, into a cider-press's gripe: and a moving away of pickle-tub-boards, and a leaving ajar of conserve-cupboards, and a drawing the corks of train-oil-flasks, and a breaking the hoops of butter-casks: and it seemed as if a voice sweeter far than by harp or…" (he bursts out nervously) But what's so funny for God's sake? THE MAYOR: (suddenly extremely serious, while the others - except the second traveler - are wondering at his sudden changes of mood) I have to put you one condition, can you hear me, magician? Tomorrow, at noon, the citizens of this town are going to come in front of the Town Hall in order to dismiss me in a shameful way. The three months have passed. I see you don't understand. Never mind. Other people will explain it to you. Now you have to go to an inn, pay for a room and disappear until tomorrow at noon. Nobody has to know about you! At one o'clock sharp we are going to meet here again. Do you understand? CALPERO: I don't understand what's the use of... THE MAYOR: Otherwise, no deal. CALPERO: But still, why? THE MAYOR: You are a very curious man. CALPERO: (stubbornly) I want to know. THE MAYOR: (jokingly and seriously at the same time) Because, as I've already told you, tomorrow at noon the citizens of this town are going to come here and call me to account. And I would try to justify myself, and me and the Corporation, we will be quaking in a mighty consternation, the way it's written in the legend. And this is one of the things - oh no, it's the only good thing that remains for us. Well, do you understand? CALPERO: No. Which legend? THE MAYOR: Is it a deal? CALPERO: It's a deal. (They shake hands, the Mayor leaves) Just a moment, mister Mayor! And what about the one thousand guilders? THE MAYOR'S VOICE: (from behind the scenery) One?! Fifty thousand!! It's you we need! You are our savior! You know it... (the same unbridled laughter, full of sadness, getting farther)

Calpero and the second traveler get up and go away from the tables, while the two watchmen remain talking and making gestures, pointing to their forehead in a way that signifies that the Mayor is out of his mind.

CALPERO: You see, now I am like you: I can't discern the real from the unreal. THE SECOND TRAVELER: And still, the unclear begins to seem clear... CALPERO: I hate everything that is not clear... THE SECOND TRAVELER: (takes him by the shoulders affectionately) You, you, honest magician you are... (Calpero groans unsatisfied) The Creator

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should have made one single man from the two of you...

Calpero, with a gesture of dissatisfaction, makes an attempt to leave, the second traveler follows him laughing quietly. The girl and the boy appear, jumping nimbly. They observe Calpero in the last moment, get terribly frightened and try to run away bumping into him. There is a great mess, the three people cannot get rid from one another, the second traveler looks at them laughing louder and louder. Finally they get detached from one another, the two lovers run away while Calpero aims at them with his pipe as if he would shoot at them.

CALPERO: (shouts in falsetto) Wretched youngsters! Idiots! I'll turn you into frogs! Into rats!

The two youngsters run away in despair, the second traveler keeps from moving and drags Calpero after him, while he laughs with the same enormous laughter the Mayor laughed. The laughter gets farther and farther and faints away. The two watchmen, after they recover, take the lanterns and leave the stage in a panic. The stage gets dark.

Next day, at noon, same place.

The Mayor walks nervously up and down. The three senators sit at one of the tables. Among them, one can recognize our acquaintance from Act I. After a while, the second traveler appears.

THE SECOND TRAVELER: (to the Mayor) I have to apologize, but I was not able to wait for one o'clock. You see, I am not a magician. I hope my presence doesn't disturb anybody. THE MAYOR: Come in peace, sir. You're welcome. THE SECOND TRAVELER: (amazed) Isn't anybody here? THE MAYOR: (nervously) Not yet. They are late. We have still time, there is only half past noon. THE FIRST SENATOR: Nobody comes, mister Mayor. THE SECOND SENATOR: On other occasions, at ten o'clock the whole town used to be already crowding here. THE THIRD SENATOR: (the one that appeared in Act I) The citizens are satisfied with you, mister Mayor! THE MAYOR: No! They will come! All of them will come! What a noise will be here! Just like on similar occasions. Mouths opened to shout, angry fists! And I will get up there in the balcony, you will stand a little behind me - that's tradition - and people will shout at me: how did you use your power?! - as they did on similar occasions. And I will look for pretexts and will stammer with pale forehead, as other mayors did on the same balcony. And people will shout: hey you, get down from there! Get down, you, who do not deserve the ermine gown we have bestowed on you! I'll stay in the balcony, take away the gown in humiliation, and only then I'll raise my voice: just a moment, citizens of Hamelin! It's fair to listen to me now, when I'm not your Mayor any more! And the noise of the crowd will faint slowly, little by little, as the wind dies away in the wheat field. Silence will come as fresh as snow, and in that silence I'll ask: "Who among you have blocked up one single rat hole during the last year?" And there will be a great shame in the square of Hamelin

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center. The people will leave one by one, until the square will be empty. And when the magician comes, I'll tell him: We don't need you, Calpero. Here are the money you asked for, all the money, as we don't want you to suffer any damage. God bless you... THE SECOND TRAVELER: Maybe I should go to him and tell him to wait a little more? THE SECOND SENATOR: They won't come, mister Mayor. You'll see: nobody comes. THE THIRD SENATOR: Magician? What kind of magician? THE MAYOR: Oh yes, they'll come! All of them will! THE FIRST SENATOR: By the way, what kind of magician? THE MAYOR: Have I said magician? THE THIRD SENATOR: All of us have heard... or are we mistaken? THE MAYOR: Who knows... But, what's the use of a magician here? You say everything is all right. What's the use of a magician then? Why, is there any poverty here? Any hunger? Do the citizens work without enthusiasm and only when they cannot avoid working? THE THIRD SENATOR: But the rats, mister Mayor! THE MAYOR: Yes, indeed, the rats. How many rat holes did you block up during the last year, mister Senator? THE THIRD SENATOR: Rat holes? Me?! THE MAYOR: That wasn't your job, not indeed! But how many times did you thwart me when I could have done something? It's my fault. I was weak. And the time was too short for me to find my whereabouts. THE FIRST SENATOR: (ironically) After six years, you are the first mayor who keeps his job for more than three months! You see, nobody came to call you to account. THE MAYOR: (again very nervously) But they will come! All of them! It's impossible, they wouldn't! Thay are only late. With whom could my successor work, if I am not dismissed ?! THE SECOND SENATOR: Please allow us to leave, mister Mayor! There is no use to stay here... THE MAYOR: You may leave...

The three senators leave.

THE MAYOR: (to the second traveler) I see you understand what's going on here, although you are from other places... THE SECOND TRAVELER: I'm from Munster and I'm a cloths merchant... THE MAYOR: (smiling) A common merchant, but one who brings magicians in his cart ... THE SECOND TRAVELER: I meditated a lot last night, mister Mayor. It seems the absurd is not outside the law. And its law is no different to that of the common everyday life. THE MAYOR: He who reaches such an understanding has the right to deny the absurd. (jokingly) But you see, in the legend, the Mayor is pitiful and ridiculous. You see, I'm not at all modest. What shall we do with the legend? THE SECOND TRAVELER: The legend doesn't bear as much as reality does. THE MAYOR: Yes, indeed, reality bears everything. But let us remember: the real tragedy is that of people overwhelmed by reality, as if drowning in water… But we are playing with words. Don't they come already? THE SECOND TRAVELER: No. I'm sorry, they don't come.

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THE MAYOR: (takes his arm) Yes, they do! They still do! Have a look there! THE SECOND TRAVELER: It's only a man, a single man. THE MAYOR: Yes, he is the fastest one. But all the others are coming after him! They will arrive! Run my friend, look for Calpero - tell him we don't need him any more... THE SECOND TRAVELER: There is only a man, a single man, sir! THE MAYOR: (disappointed) Yes. I can see it too, now. (Enters master Schilknapp who greets the Mayor with a deep reverence. The Mayor's face is brightened by a sudden hope) Welcome master Schilknapp! The citizens have delegated you to come to me, haven't they? SCHILKNAPP: Why should they delegate me? Who should? THE MAYOR: How couldn't I realize? They are busy all of them, aren't they? They are destroying the rats! Who would have time for me now? They have delegated you to dismiss me in their name! SCHILKNAPP: Mister Mayor! What are you speaking, for God's sake! THE MAYOR: (feverishly) Wait, wait a little sir, let us do everything in a proper way. Oh, I've lost my head, you can't imagine how excited I am! I'm going to get up in the balcony and after you call me to account and take my ermine gown, let me speak a few words please… SCHILKNAPP: (weeping voice) Mister Mayor! For God's sake! THE SECOND TRAVELER: You are frightening poor master Schilknapp. THE MAYOR: (recovers slowly) Forgive me, master Schilknapp. I didn't want to frighten you.. SCHILKNAPP: (wipes his forehead) You did frighten me, indeed! (with a forced laughter) I didn't know you were so fond of joking... you seem such a serious man... THE MAYOR: (absentmindedly, while arranging his clothes) This is the way people are, neighbour. People are joking, when they are extremely happy... But now, tell me, what do you want from me? SCHILKNAPP: (points to the Town Hall with the hat in his hand) What? Here in the square? Not there? THE MAYOR: Isn't it the same thing? SCHILKNAPP: (amazed) How can it be the same thing?! THE MAYR: (more kindly) You're right. That's not the same thing, indeed. You see, a thing loses its value when it doesn't have its proper form... (keeps silent) SCHILKNAPP: What loses its value? THE SECOND TRAVELER: Mister Mayor wants to say that there is no use to have valuable goods if the package isn't attractive enough. THE MAYOR: You know terribly well what I intend to say! THE SECOND TRAVELER: I'm a merchant, sir. THE MAYOR: Again, we play with words... (to Schilknapp) So, nobody has sent you to me. SCHILKNAPP: Nobody has, mister Mayor. THE MAYOR: And the thing you want to discuss with me has no connection with the fact that today there are three months since I've been elected Mayor. SCHILKNAPP: (in despair) Are you going to begin all that again? THE MAYOR: Calm down, master. You have to excuse me, but I'm going to talk to you just here. CALPERO: (comes in, gasping) Mister Mayor! Excuse me for being late! I got lost... THE MAYOR: You've still come too early. Today not only you, but all the citizens of Hamelin are late...

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THE SECOND TRAVELER: (with regret) You have to face reality. THE MAYOR: Are you sure they are not going to come at all? CALPERO: (impatiently) I should begin to work, we are losing too much time mister Mayor! Had you let me begin this morning, I should have been almost ready by now. Do you think it's so easy, do you think the moment I take the pipe to my lips everything is already done? I have a lot of work to do for that thousand guilders! Don't forget there is one mile and a half from the square down to the brink of the river Weser. If I have to go on foot and piping, it will take me at least half an hour, so the magic cannot be interrupted at all during half an hour. If we take into account the coefficient of illusion dissolution at the impact of time, also known as Calpero's second law... THE MAYOR: (contemptuously) Aren't one thousand guilders enough for you?

CALPERO: (offended) That's not the problem. For me a deal is a deal. THE MAYOR: Are you in a hurry? CALPERO: Yes, I am. THE MAYOR: What's the time? SCHILKNAPP: Almost two o'clock, mister Mayor. THE MAYOR: Let's wait a little longer. Only for half an hour. THE SECOND TRAVELER: There's no use. Believe me. THE MAYOR: Then, only until master Schilknapp tells me about his business.

He takes Schilknapp by the arm, they go to a table, sit down and talk.

CALPERO: I've traveled all around the world many times, but I've never seen such a thing. THE SECOND TRAVELER: You're right, Calpero. The greatest surprises are to be found at home. CALPERO: It seems the things get settled. Soon I'll be able to start working. THE SECOND TRAVELER: It seems so. Things get settled. And what do you intend to do after you finish your work here? CALPERO: You know, I've saved some money... Now I'm going to add one thousand guilders from those people... I don't think I'll need to continue... (shows the pipe) THE SECOND TRAVELER: Of course, why would you go on playing if your are assured for your old age... And what are you going to do? CALPERO: (mysteriously) I know a woman... once I played for her and... she has a beautiful little house, a garden... THE SECOND TRAVELER: So you'll be a settled man, you are going to have a family. CALPERO: Well... after so many years of traveling... THE SECOND TRAVELER: You shouldn't be ashamed, Calpero. You are going to do a good thing. CALPERO: (suddenly radiant) Isn't it so? THE SECOND TRAVELER: And why are you in such a hurry now? CALPERO: I have a friend in India. He is a cook. Recently, a scorpion made its home just under the stove he is working on. Since then, the poor man cooks frightened. This is the last thing I have to arrange, but I'll do it for free. Or, in case he gets offended because I don't want to be paid, I'll tell him: you know what? Just bring me a bowl with that famous soup

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of yours, it's more precious than gold... He will be as proud as a pea-cock! He's such a good boy! THE SECOND TRAVELER: (with much warmth) You won't rest when you're old, Calpero! CALPERO: Oh yes, I will! I'll have a lot of children. I'll get rid of the pipe.

The conversation at the table gets more and more tense, the Mayor talks with contempt and anger, Schilknapp listens to him downcast. The Mayor dismisses him with a gesture of disdain. Schilknapp disappears. The Mayor sits down at the table in the same position we got acquainted with him, immobile, his face hidden in the collar. The second traveler (who was watching attentively what was going on at the table while talking with Calpero) takes Calpero's arm and slowly gets close to the Mayor.

THE SECOND TRAVELER: (with warmth) You'll get rid of the pipe, but the pipe won't get rid of you... I wish you Calpero to succeed in everything the way you want to.

They stop near the table. The Mayor doesn't move.

THE SECOND TRAVELER: Mister Mayor... Calpero is in a hurry... THE MAYOR: Do you know what Schilknapp wanted? THE SECOND TRAVELER: I can imagine... He must have complained of master Rudolf... THE MAYOR: Go on, magician. Do your job. Here, take this bag: you'll find one thousand guilders in it. When you're ready, don't come back – I don't tell you that in order to offend you, but I know you're in a hurry. God be with you, Calpero. CALPERO: God be with you too. THE SECOND TRAVELER: Good luck, Calpero. THE MAYOR: Just a moment! (Calpero comes back) How can you be called, if there is any need of you? CALPERO: There is no way to call me... (getting farther) But I feel where there is any need of me...

The second traveler sits down near the Mayor, who changes his position and looks at him.

THE MAYOR: (smiling) I don't believe we will see him again. He's a good boy. THE SECOND TRAVELER: (meditatively) Yes, he is... THE MAYOR: I imagined otherwise this day. THE SECOND TRAVELER: I know.

They don't move. The girl enters slowly, cautiously. She looks around, gets quiet, makes a sign to the boy to come in. They run one after the other again, this time their game is not noisy. The squeaking of the rats (which have been heard during the whole act II until now) suddenly stops. The Mayor shivers, as if he got a hit. In the deep silence, one can hear only the rustle made by the barren feet of the boy and the girl who run one after the other.

THE SECOND TRAVELER: (disdainfully) They can't hear the silence...

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THE MAYOR: (he has covered his ears when the noise ceased and now he gets down his hands) So Calpero did succeed. THE SECOND TRAVELER: I didn't doubt it... THE MAYOR: I don't know if I would have preferred him to fail than to succeed. After six years, it's the first time I can hear the silence. THE SECOND TRAVELER: There is no use for you to stay here any longer. THE MAYOR: (tired) I'm leaving immediately.

They don't move, remaining in the same position.

THE BOY: Have I ever told you how much I was in love when I was fourteen? THE GIRL: (same game as in Act I) Oh, tell me, tell me! THE BOY: We were both of us in high-school, in the same year of study, but in different schools of course. We knew each other by chance, during a mathematics competition when the girls took part together with the boys and we happened to sit at the same desk. I seem to see her in front of my eyes even now, she had a thick chestnut hair and clear blue eyes, as light as the sky in spring. I even told her: your eyes are so weightless and your hair is so heavy… but she laughed at me. THE GIRL: (same game) You! You are a poet! THE BOY: They gave us a very difficult problem, it seemed to be impossible to solve it. After a short trial, Kathrin abandoned the problem and she was looking over the window humming a stupid little song. She had beautiful lips and on her neck there was a golden down like that of a peach. I let down my pen too and reclined on the bench. She smiled at me. It doesn't work? - she asked me. It doesn't, I answered. Should we look over the window? - she asked me. Let's look, I answered. We were merry and heedless like the spring outside. We sat together, giving up the competition without fight and without regret and we felt very close to each other. THE GIRL: You! Seducer! THE BOY: We were closer and closer to each other, Kathrin and me, while the other pupils were working. And I don't know how, I suddenly felt: something was not all right. I was still very young and could not realize what was going on, but still... I felt that situation was somehow immoral. Surely, I saw Kathrin feels better and better with me too, but she was the first one who abandoned the fight and I followed her. And suddenly I realized I was working again to solve the problem. She looked at me coldly, as only a girl can look, from such a distance, with those eyes of hers so blue... You know, that happened exactly one year before the rats came... I don't know why I remember now all that. Maybe you aren't even interested in that. THE GIRL: (same game) Of course I am! Tell me! Don't stop! THE BOY: I was more and more involved in solving the problem. I felt like a man who came from heat into a cool room. Not only Katherin was getting farther from me, but I was getting farther from her too and felt there was more air in the place I was. It was a very difficult problem, even the teacher confessed to us later that he could hardly solve it, but I had my head clear, more clear than ever. The other ones were only in the beginning when I was ready. For the last hour I had forgotten about her existence,

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but now I was seeing her again: a lock of hair on the forehead, a thin vein throbbing on her neck and she didn't even look at me. Kathrin, I whispered, feeling how hot the air was, my mouth was burning - Kathrin, I did it for you, only look at it. And I pushed the paper with figures in front of her. She smiled at me with no word and copied the solving.Then a sudden idea came to me and I wrote a wrong solution on my own paper. That way she came out the first one in the competition. She didn't share the success with anybody. When we happened to meet again on the street - weeks on end I watched her in order to find such an occasion - she didn't even recognize me. I didn't understand anything. Then, she left Hamelin, when the rats came.

The second traveler and the Mayor still don't move. The girl keeps in her lap the boy's head.

THE GIRL: (dreaming) Are we ever going to get rid of the rats? THE BOY: (very wise)This is impossible!

They both jump up and run one after the other, then leave the stage after a while. The second traveler and the Mayor look to one another.

THE MAYOR: How long are you going to remain in Hamelin? THE SECOND TRAVELER: I have no more business here. THE MAYOR: I'd be pleased if you be my guest. THE SECOND TRAVELER: I'd be pleased too.

They slowly move towards the exit of the stage.

THE MAYOR: What's your name? THE SECOND TRAVELER: Bernard Myers. THE MAYOR: Be my friend, Bernard Myers. THE SECOND TRAVELER: I am, mister Mayor. THE MAYOR: My name is Konrad. THE SECOND TRAVELER: I'm your friend, Konrad.

ACT III

Same scenery as in Act I. The blacksmith and the two guys. The blacksmith lies on the grass, his head leaning against the wall, the two guys are inside the forge, leaning against the wall too. After a while, observing some people coming along, they get up lazily and begin to feign working, without any enthusiasm. Then, seeing that the blacksmith doesn't move, they stop and lean again against the wall. From the right side, the second traveler (Bernard Myers from now on) rushes in, followed by the Mayor (Konrad from now on).

BERNARD MYERS: (passionately) ...I tell you: this town of yours deserves to be crushed by the plough! KONRAD: (hardly keeping his temper) My town?! Crushed by the plough? BERNARD MYERS: (less loud) I'm sorry, Konrad. I didn't mean to hurt you.

KONRAD: You don't know what you're saying! What do you know about these people? How many of them do you know by name? If you hear a name, do you see the face it belongs to? If you see a face, do you imagine the faces

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of his relatives and friends? If you meet somebody, do you see the road on which he journeyed until he met you? (Pause, then smiling) It seems you have hurt me very deeply if I could become so pathetic! But what do you know about these people? BERNARD MYERS: What could I know? I haven't even heard of them before coming here. I am your guest since three months. But what can you know in three months? I meditated a lot during these days, Konrad. I'm sure the citizens of Hamelin are exactly the same like other people in other lands. But there is one only difference: in this town the rats reigned for six years. These people cannot be as they used to. KONRAD: Oh yes, they can. BERNARD MYERS: You must know better... KONRAD: You're a strange man, Bernard. BERNARD MYERS: No, I'm not. I'm a simple... KONRAD: (teasing him warmly) merchant of cloths... coming from Munster. Is this what you wanted to say? BERNARD MYERS: How could you guess? (they both laugh) But seriously... KONRAD: You are the witness. BERNARD MYERS: The witness? KONRAD: Yes. BERNARD MYERS: What do you mean? KONRAD: How should I explain it... The events, the passions are swarming around you and you keep away from them... And still, in your presence, everything seems to get a sense. That's very important. You, trustworthy and well-intentioned witnesses of your time, are far too few. BERNARD MYERS: I'm traveling since my youth. I've seen so many things...

KONRAD: But you, witnesses, have a shortcoming... BERNARD MYERS: What is it? KONRAD: You don't take part in the events. BERNARD MYERS: Is it a shortcoming? Is it a virtue? Who knows... I try to imagine what it would be if even the witnesses got involved in the events. Look, what did I say a minute ago? That the town deserved to be crushed by the plough? Was that the witness' voice? KONRAD: You were just furious. BERNARD MYERS: Since three months I look how you try to wake up the town. And the result? How could I be not furious! What is changed here since Calpero has destroyed the rats? KONRAD: It's us who had to destroy them, not him. From the beginning I knew that wasn't the right way to get rid of the rats. But anyhow, even this way, we succeeded. You'll see everything will be all right. Of course, there is still a great deal of poverty, but... BERNARD MYERS: (suddenly) Is there a great deal of poverty? KONRAD: Yes and no, it depends on the way you look at it... but nobody dies from starvation... BERNARD MYERS: Thank you very much. But it seemed to me these lands were rich. Or have they got dry? KONRAD: No, they haven't. BERNARD MYERS: Have the factories been closed? KONRAD: No, they haven't. BERNARD MYERS: Or is it the people who don't work the soil any more, don't work in factories, in workshops? KONRAD: But they do... (suddenly he looks at him) Do they?! (Bernard sighs with release) What has happened? BERNARD MYERS: I have already lived this conversation before. In the

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same place. One thousand years have passed since. Had you spoken the same as that other man, I really don't know what would have happened... KONRAD: Why? How had he spoken? BERNARD MYERS: I don't remember any more... So long, Konrad. I'm leaving. KONRAD: Are you really going to quit me? BERNARD MYERS: I'm leaving. I don't have any more patience. And I have already abused of your invitation. KONRAD: Don't leave. There will be still a need for a true witness here.

Schilknapp comes to Master Rudolf, who gets up to receive his guest without any enthusiasm. In a short time, their conversation becomes animated.

BERNARD MYERS: And my cart is full of unsold cloth. In fact all of you did warn me... I didn't do any business in Hamelin! But what about you going with me? KONRAD: Where should I go? BERNARD MYERS: Come with me! Now, immediately! Don't even get back to Hamelin. You'll help me with my business. I have already told you: I have plenty of goods. And when you get bored, you'll come back home. Or maybe I'll bring you back. KONRAD: It's nice of you to invite me, Bernard. But I can't leave with you. I'm busy. BERNARD MYERS: What can you still do here? KONRAD: This town is going to bloom up, you'll see. BERNARD MYERS: No, it isn't. KONRAD: Yes, it is. Even if it will require ten years to remedy one single year of the rats' period. BERNARD MYERS: You won't live up to that time... KONRAD: Another generation is growing. They will live up to that time. BERNARD MYERS: I wish you were right... But you see, you have plenty of time if you count it in decades. KONRAD: I haven't any time. Just because I do count it in decades.

Master Rudolf and Schilknapp begin to push one another. Their quarrel gets stronger.

BERNARD MYERS: (smiling) You can't even get a rest. You have plenty of work to do, indeed... KONRAD: Plenty. But not with them. The people I have to deal with have just been born. Or they haven't been born yet. BERNARD MYERS: I'm leaving. So long, Konrad. KONRAD: All the best, Bernard. Kind regards to Calpero, in case you happen to see him. BERNARD MYERS: I don't think I'll ever see him again. Well, I'm leaving.

He leaves the stage to the left side. Konrad looks at him for a long while, then he goes to the forge, unwillingly. Rudolf and Schilknapp shut up suddenly when they see him. The short guy and the tall guy feign working without any enthusiasm.

KONRAD: The eternal enemies. What's the matter, again? RUDOLF: (angry) We were just talking. KONRAD: I'm neither deaf, nor blind.

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RUDOLF: (stubbornly) We were talking. KONRAD: You're like children facing the schoolmaster. What about you, Master Schilknapp? SCHILKNAPP: We were talking. KONRAD: Of course. (he stops near the penthouse, tired. The girl and the boy cross the stage running, then disappear) Nothing has changed in Hamelin, indeed... Bernard was right. (to Rudolf) And what are you doing all day? (ironically) Are you busy? RUDOLF: (without any enthusiasm) What else can we do? Work is everything for people like us. Can you believe me yesterday when I reached home it was more than five o'clock? Even my wife said... (pause) KONRAD: You aren't able even to lie any more. All of you are hanging around, neighbour, sad, without any purpose. It seems the town is stricken by a mourning. When are you going to recover? You have so many things to do! Master Schilknapp. What are you doing here? SCHILKNAPP: I had important problems to discuss with Master Rudolf. Official problems. I have already left. (doesn't move) KONRAD: Official problems... but you don't do anything all day long! Why don't you want to work? Why neither you, nor the others do? RUDOLF: (suddenly) There's no use of it. KONRAD: There's no use of it? Why? RUDOLF: There's a great deal of poverty. KONRAD: And why is there a great deal of poverty, please? How is it possible you don't realise in what a narrow circle we are going arround?

RUDOLF: (stubbornly) Poverty is not a shame. KONRAD: (the same sudden blind anger like Bernard's anger in Act I) It is a shame!! For all of us!! SCHILKNAPP: (in a flattering way) Now, that Mister Mayor has made us get rid of the rats... THE TALL GUY AND THE SHORT GUY: (suddenly get vivid) Long live Mister Mayor! (they lean against the wall again) KONRAD: (whispering) That's it. Long live. Hooray. Here, in the middle of the field. Where four people are the crowd. There are three months since I've not heard anything else, but I can't see any change in Hamelin. It's easy to shout. It's less easy to do something. The whole town acclaims me. But is it any single person who has asked me: in fact, who gave you the permission to get rid of the rats by means of magic? Did you think we were unable to get rid of them alone? You see, that's a thing nobody has said... (Suddenly shouting) And the rats, who did tolerate the rats for six long years?! (Whispering again) I'm looking at you. Do you know what your power is based upon? Tolerance. Each of you forgives the other one's weaknesses and his own weaknesses are forgiven too. Can this be the basis of life? Is there anybody here who works? Who is there that won't throw away the burden of talent for an easy profit? Who is there that knows his profession well enough? (Shouting) And the rats, the rats, who did tolerate the rats for six years?!

He stops, tired. The tall guy and the short guy look at Rudolf who exchanges significant looks with Schilknapp, then makes a discrete sign to the two guys, who disappear on the right side of the stage. For a moment, the two lovers cross the stage running, then they disappear.

KONRAD: (disgusted) And those idiots... not better than me, who am

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delivering such a speech to you...

He leaves through the right side of the stage, with a gesture of disappointment. Rudolf and Schilknapp make a deep reverence for him. The pair of lovers turns up again, run one after the other in silence during the following scene.

SCHILKNAPP: (after a pause, dreamingly) How beautiful is the field at this hour... RUDOLF: (same game) ...wonderful... SCHILKNAPP: ...the flowers... RUDOLF: ...and this fragrance... last time a saw a deer... SCHILKNAPP: (clapping his hands) What do you say... Really?

During their talk, they seem to be waiting for something from the direction where Konrad and the two guys left.

RUDOLF: (looking down) You don't know how much I love nature... SCHILKNAPP: In fact, we two... we are kindred souls. RUDOLF: It's a long time since I've felt that, dear Master Schilknapp...

SCHILKNAPP: It seems I'm the elder one... RUDOLF: Just a moment! One moment! I come immediately!

He enters the forge, after a while he appears with white gloves on his hands, bringing crystal glasses on a silver tray. He pours the wine with elegance.

RUDOLF: Well then... (looks at Schilknapp) SCHILKNAPP: Well then... why don't you call me Sheely? RUDOLF: (blushing) Oh... SCHILKNAPP: Well, don't be so shy, Rudi! (they clink the glasses together) Cheers! RUDOLF: Cheers!

They drink together. From the left side, Bernard crosses the stage in a rush and disappears on the right side.

BERNARD: Konrad!! Attention!! SCHILKNAPP: (after a pause) And how is your lady?

>From the distance, a painful shout is heard.

RUDOLF: Oh, my wife... There are a few weeks since she doesn't feel well. Her heart aches, and you know how the physicians are, they say everything is because of the nerves... It's ridiculous... SCHILKNAPP: It's ridiculous! The nerves, indeed!

The two guys rush on the stage from the right side and disappear behind the penthouse.

SCHILKNAPP: (shivers delicately) Don't you think it's somehow cool? RUDOLF: (contemplates the sky) It's getting dark... it's time for us to go home...

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He enters the penthouse, after a moment he comes back without the gloves and the tray. Suddenly he starts running with Schilknapp, they disappear behind the penthouse, pushing each other. The pair of lovers run after each other in a complete silence during the whole following scene. After a while appears Konrad, gravely wounded, helped by Bernard. Konrad falls down.

BERNARD: Help! Help! Somebody... anybody... KONRAD: Bernard... the children... the children... there comes a new generation, you'll see... (he dies)

Bernard puts him down, with tenderness. After a long pause, he speaks slowly, with growing intensity:

BERNARD: The children... The new generation... What can turn out from the rat holes? Some other rats? (he comes slowly, up to the front of the stage. Speaks very clearly, as intensively as possible, but not shouting) The generation that has tolerated the rats must be sacrified!

Again a long, long pause. He turns his back to the spectators and continues to keep silent as much as possible, an unbearable long time.

BERNARD: Calpero! Calpero! Come, wizard!

Appears Calpero.

CALPERO (consternated): What is going on here? BERNARD: Calpero! You gather all the children of Hamelin with your pipe. You will take them from here. CALPERO: The children? No! BERNARD: Be very careful! Don't touch a single thread of their hair.Don't frighten them. (points to Konrad) He would call us responsible of that. Tell them: we're going "to a joyous land, joining the town and just at hand, where waters gushed and fruit-trees grew, and flowers put forth a fairer hue, where everything is strange and new, the sparrows are brighter than pea-cocks here, dogs outrun our fallow deer, honey-bees have lost their stings, horses are born with eagles' wings, and..." (his voice faints away) CALPERO: I don't take the children! BERNARD: (very slowly) You'll take them. You must take them.

They leave the stage on the right side, taking away Konrad's corpse.

BERNARD: (his voice faints away as he gets farther, leaving the stage) You were wrong, Konrad...

Little by little the stage gets darker. The running pair of lovers leaves the stage, which remains in the dark. After a while, the two night watchmen enter with their lanterns (the only light source during the following scene) and with sticks, driving away imaginary rats.

THE FIRST WATCHMAN: It's a good place. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: Yes, it is. But it's forsaken. THE FIRST WATCHMAN: At least at this time.

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THE SECOND WATCHMAN: There is nobody here during the night. THE FIRST WATCHMAN: We can walk freely. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: As we used to. THE FIRST WATCHMAN: As we've got used to. So many years. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: Yes, we have. Since the time of the rats... THE FIRST WATCHMAN: You started talking about them! You owe me a mug of beer! THE SECOND WATCHMAN: Put it on my account. THE FIRST WATCHMAN: I put it. Don't worry. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: How many mugs I owe you? THE FIRST WATCHMAN: About five thousand three hundred. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: And how many you owe me? THE FIRST WATCHMAN: Almost as many. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: You know what? THE FIRST WATCHMAN: What? THE SECOND WATCHMAN: Let's drop the game. It's stupid. THE FIRST WATCHMAN: Let's drop it. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: There's no use of it. THE FIRST WATCHMAN: Absolutely no use. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: There aren't even any rats left. THE FIRST WATCHMAN: There aren't. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: You said it. THE FIRST WATCHMAN: That's not true. You said it first. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: No, I didn't. You did. THE FIRST WATCHMAN: You did. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: You did. THE FIRST WATCHMAN: You know what? Let's drop it. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: Let's drop it. THE FIRST WATCHMAN: I can't understand why there isn't any need of night watchmen. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: That's unbelievable. THE FIRST WATCHMAN: After so many years of honest work. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: There was no complain against us. THE FIRST WATCHMAN: We were not lazy. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: Our bosses were satisfied with us. THE FIRST WATCHMAN: And now, there is no need of us. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: We're supposed to find another job. THE FIRST WATCHMAN: As if we knew any other thing to do. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: We were good as long as the rats were here. THE FIRST WATCHMAN: Should we learn for a new profession? At our age? THE SECOND WATCHMAN: As if it was our fault that the rats... THE FIRST WATCHMAN: It is always the watchman's fault... THE SECOND WATCHMAN: You said it. THE FIRST WATCHMAN: It's you who said it. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: It's you. THE FIRST WATCHMAN: Let's drop it. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: Let's drop it. THE FIRST WATCHMAN: We're still lucky to have found this forsaken field.

THE SECOND WATCHMAN: We can walk here. THE FIRST WATCHMAN: As we used to. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: Freely. THE FIRST WATCHMAN: Everything will be all right. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: Everything is always all right in one way or another.

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THE FIRST WATCHMAN: I stepped on a rat again...

They get farther.

THE SECOND WATCHMAN: No you didn't... You imagine you did... THE FIRST WATCHMAN: Yes, I'm sure I did. THE SECOND WATCHMAN: In fact... who knows...

They disappear. The stage remains empty, dark, then the light comes little by little. Same scene as in Act I, the penthouse, the blacksmith, the Tall Guy and the Short Guy in their usual position: the blacksmith lying down, the two guys leaning against the wall. Suddenly the scene gets vivid. The Short Guy rushes at the bellows, the Tall Guy produces a hot iron as if by magic and puts it on the anvil, all of them are very industrious. In a few seconds the third senator appears from the right side. He is clothed in the ermine gown, he is the new Mayor.

THE MAYOR: Hello, master! RUDOLF: Hello, Mr. Senator! (he wipes the sweat from his face) THE MAYOR: I can see you are busy. RUDOLF: What can we do? Work is everything for people like us. (he speaks radiantly, happy) Can you believe me, yesterday when I reached home it was more than five o'clock? The day before yesterday, when I came home it was more than eight. Even my wife said: Rudi, if I didn't know you for thirty years, I would say you come from the pub! (Both of them laugh) I work so hard, I am good for nothing when I arrive at home at last, I don't want even to eat anything, only to be in my bed as quick as possible! And at dawn, you have to start everything from the beginning. One can't even breathe because of so much work. People come for shoeing horses or fixing wheel spindles, and Rudi has to rush and to fix everything, who else is there to do it? A traveler sees only what is in front of his eyes, each of them thinks he is the only one I care for. There is no one who thinks that it is not so simple, one must also organize one's working place, as you have frequently said. I've also told these guys: what do you think, you may rub your hands and are ready to work? You have to plan, to ponder about everything... Many times I'm busy head over ears! (whispering, confidentially) And these guys, if they are not under control, they do nothing. I have to go to town to get the working material, when I come back - do you think they did anything during my absence? I don't know what it will happen when I am not here any more. (Speaking aloud again) All right boys, very good, keep working, keep working! (to the Mayor) By the way, the working material. If the supply keeps going on this way, we might as well close the workshop! THE MAYOR: Why, master Rudolf? RUDOLF: Why, why, you know better then me why, Mr. Mayor! I wouldn't like you to think I am blaming somebody, but really I don't know what master Schilknapp does in the storehouse, the materials are never enough for us and never come in time. You see, just a little time ago, we were on the point to stop working because we lacked materials. And in such a case, what would the travelers do? And the material that does come, is thinner and thinner, I would be sorry if you misunderstand me, I know Schilknapp for

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about fifteen years and I am not the man to backbite somebody, but something goes wrong there. (Bernard Myers enters slowly and sad) I've even told Schilknapp recently: you know, something keeps disappearing from the material somewhere, if I only knew where... THE MAYOR: (smiling) I've spoken to master Schilknapp... But look here! (points to Bernard) Whom do I see! Are you going to leave our beautiful little town? (Bernard would say something, but the Mayor covers his voice) I hope you spent a good time with us, although (looks outside, laughing) I can see you didn't sell anything. I'd told you before you came, do you remember it? I hope you'll speak nicely about us everywhere you are going to travel, although you might have been shocked by some details, but people are numerous, customs differ, you certainly don't need to be told such a thing, you saw so many things in your life, didn't you? You should know, of course, that there are always little stupid misfortunes, like that unfortunate accident that happened to my predecessor. Now the children, imagine, they have hidden some place (covers again Bernard's voice) who knows why, they'll come when they are hungry, they deserve to be snapped on their asses, no matter what the pedagogues say... (laughs) Well, I think you're in a hurry, farewell, come again some other time. It's a pity you don't wait to see the inauguration of Konrad's monument. It will be splendid. As the benefactor of our town deserves... (leaves)

Bernard looks after him for a long time and shrugs. He lies down in the grass, on his back.

BERNARD MYERS: Same sky, same clouds. Only the tiredness is another. RUDOLF: (grinning) Did you hear what happened? BERNARD MYERS: (doesn't move) What? RUDOLF: All the children disappeared from the town. As if the earth swallowed them. You should hear their parents crying! BERNARD MYERS: I heard them, master! (shivering) Yes, I did. RUDOLF: I even said to my wife: woman, I'm lucky I don't work in town. I don't have to listen to them. BERNARD MYERS: (contemptuously) You see, life is good for you. RUDOLF: I can't complain... BERNARD MYERS: Have you ever had any remorse? RUDOLF: Why should I?... (suddenly he looks at him) Are you coming from the...

He goes back, near the wall of the forge. From the left side of the stage, the first traveler comes eating and merry.

THE FIRST TRAVELER: Hello everybody! BERNARD MYERS: (looks at him, covers his eyes with his arms) That's too much! Calpero, even you couldn't arrange things in such a way! THE FIRST TRAVELER: (now he recognizes him) Look here! It's a small world, neighbour! BERNARD MYERS: Welcome, neighbour! The world is really smaller than we think. (He gets up, they shake hands.) Sit down near me. You must be tired. THE FIRST TRAVELER: Yes, I am. (sits down near him, opens his peasant

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bag) Have some sausage too. It's tasteful. From home. BERNARD MYERS: No, thank you, I'm not hungry. THE FIRST TRAVELER: What's the matter with you? Are you ill? BERNARD MYERS: No, I'm not. I'm not hungry. Do you come from Bavaria? THE FIRST TRAVELER: Directly from Erlangen. Imagine, I sold out everything. Everything I earned in thirty years. Even the mill. (with a childish proud) I haven't come with empty hands! I was longing for Hamelin. (shy) I got used to it, what can I do? It's not all right from many points of view, surely, but these nice people... Of course, there are the rats... But you can get used to... (stops suddenly) I've already said that. Last time, when we met just like now. You didn't like it at all if I remember well. That's your business. Each of us have our own taste. But tell me, now that you've lived in Hamelin for a while, do you understand what I meant last time, when I said that time is measured differently in Hamelin? BERNARD MYERS: You were right. It's measured differently. THE FIRST TRAVELER: And? BERNARD MYERS: Well? THE FIRST TRAVELER: (embarrassed) Wasn't I right? You can get... BERNARD MYERS: What? THE FIRST TRAVELER: You know what... you can get used... BERNARD MYERS: (very seriously, with warmth) You can get used to everything. Everything except remorse. THE FIRST TRAVELER: (after a pause) I can hardly wait seeing my grandchildren. (Bernard startles and looks at him in despair) You know, I wasn't right... BERNARD MYERS: When? THE FIRST TRAVELER: When I said there's no use to it... you know... I'm thinking at my grandchildren and I realize better and better that on the contrary… it's not senseless…

Bernard Myers gets up, takes up his peasant bag and leaves the stage slowly, downcast, speechless. The first traveler looks at him in wonder.

THE FIRST TRAVELER: What's the matter with him?

He shrugs, goes on eating. The girl rushes in.

THE GIRL: I'm here! Catch me if you can!

The boy appears.

THE BOY: I've caught you! THE GIRL: Not yet! Not yet! Catch me if you can!

The same old game. Nobody reacts.

THE GIRL: You don't catch me!

The boy reaches her. In a twinkling of an eye they take the "stories" position: the boy's head in the girl's lap.

THE BOY: I must have been seven years old, or rather eight, or maybe

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still seven? - wait a little, that happened when aunt Jutta died, so I was six or seven, when my uncle took me with him at his land. It was the first time I left without my mother, you can imagine how frightened I was, although it was all right there, it was the first time I saw a village, with everything a town child might enjoy, the chicken and the duck and the goose and the cow, I was falling from one ecstasy into another. I was going everywhere I wanted to, I enjoyed the freedom to be able to get as dirty as I wanted to, and in the evening all of us were sitting down at the border of a precipice - there was a precipice just behind the house - and we were looking at the sunset. I remember one evening, the wind blew a little ember from my uncle's tobacco pipe towards my face, you can imagine what a noise I made, I couldn't miss such an occasion. THE GIRL: (impassive until now, suddenly with the most intense emotion) My poor little child!

She caresses his hair. The boy looks at her.

THE BOY: (his voice gets color little by little, it's more and more meaningful) I was sure he had burnt my eye and I was pressing my face so hardly that the old man could not by any means remove my hand and the poor one didn't know what to do with me. Then he promised me some sweets, I immediately stopped crying and said: nonsense, the shops are already closed! THE GIRL: (deeply bending over him, very meaningful, warm) I would like to know you when you were a child!

They kiss each other. The boy gets up, now they are on their knees, face to face and seem to see each other for the first time.

THE GIRL: (whispering meaningfully) I'd like to have a child from you.

She gets up, comes slowly in front of the stage, the boy remains on his knees.

THE GIRL: (laughing and crying at the same time, suddenly unfettered, overwhelmed by amazement) I feel I could populate a whole town! The whole world!

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Documents

The Rat Trap of Hemlin by Stefan Zicher