tion>
BORGO PRESS BOOKS BY WILLIAM BUSNACH
L’Assommoir (with Émile Zola)
Mathias Sandorf (with Jules Verne)
COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
Copyright © 2002, 2013 by Frank J. Morlock
Published by Wildside Press LLC
www.wildsidebooks.com
DEDICATION
For Bea Aaronson and Dagny,
who don’t know each other,
but are Zola enthusiasts
CAST OF CHARACTERS
COUPEAU
LANTIER
MES-BOTTES
GOUGET
POISSON, former soldier
BIBI LA GRILLADE
BEC-SALE
LORILLEUX
BAZOUGE
MADINIER
PÈRE COLOMBE
ADOLPH, waiter in a restaurant
CHARLES
ZIDORE
UGENE, a kid
GERVAISE
VIRGINIA
MADAME GOUGET
MADAME LORILLEUX
MADAME BOCHE
ADULT NANA
AUGUSTINE
CLEMENCE
MADAME PUTOIS
JULIETTE
CATHERINE
LOUISE
YOUNG NANA
A LITTLE GIRL
ACT I, SCENE 1 (1851)
The Hotel Boncoeur. A furnished room in the hotel. To the left a window. In the back a bed, then a door. To the right a chimney, further back a commode. Washing furniture.
Gervaise is alone.
At rise, she looks through the window, then turns back.
GERVAISE
No! It’s still not him. Where can he be? All night I’ve waited for him without budging from this place. Oh! I’ve got a fever! Yesterday evening, he left telling me he was going to look for work. And it seemed to me, I saw him entering the dance at the Grand Balcony. Behind him, I thought I noticed Virginia, the hat maker, walking five or six steps, hands balled up, as if she’d just let his arm go, so as not to pass together in front of my door. Perhaps I didn’t see right. (she again looks through the window) Still nothing!
MADAME BOCHE (entering)
Hello, Madame Lantier.
GERVAISE (turning)
Ah! It’s you, Madame Boche!
MADAME BOCHE
You’re taking the air at a fine hour. It’s still a little brisk this morning. And Mr. Lantier, has he already left?
GERVAISE (embarrassed)
Yes. He had a meeting with a master—about some business.
MADAME BOCHE (aside)
That’s just as I thought. He hasn’t returned.
(aloud)
Ah! Hell! When you’re in business, you are not master of your time. That’s what I always say to Boche who wants to thrust himself into industry. I say to him, “Let’s remain concierges. We have a nice lodging and the tips bring us enough to offer us comforts.” The only disagreeable thing is that we can’t go out together in company: one of the two of us must always be on duty. And I’m the one who goes out. (seeing Gervaise still looking out the window) But what are you looking like that for in the street? Has something happened?
GERVAISE
No, Madame Boche.
MADAME BOCHE (aside)
For sure, she’s hiding her problem! (aloud) This is the morning that you are going to wash, right?
GERVAISE
Yes, indeed.
MADAME BOCHE
Me, too. I will keep a place by my side and we will jaw a little.
GERVAISE
Certainly, with pleasure, Madame Boche.
MADAME BOCHE (seeing Gervaise go back to the window)
Say there, my little friend, you’d do better not to stay there. You’ll catch cold.
COUPEAU (putting his head through the door)
Can I come in?
GERVAISE
Come in, of course, Mr. Coupeau.
COUPEAU
I’m not disturbing you, neighbor—coming down the stairway to go to work—I saw your key in your door. Then, I said to myself: I’m going to say good day to my neighbor as a friend. Huh! This morning is brisk.
MADAME BOCHE
Isn’t it? That’s what I was telling, Madame Lantier. Shut your window. (to Coupeau) And what’s new in the neighborhood?
COUPEAU
My word, you’re asking in the wrong place! In the morning I go to my bosses’ place, I come back at night—my day’s over at once. Then, after having eaten I go to bed and stay there until the next day.
GERVAISE
That’s true, Mr. Coupeau. You are a fine worker, indeed! You work!
COUPEAU
Hell! I’ve got arms. They’re to be put to use! Work doesn’t frighten me. I don’t get melancholy, and I haven’t time to be bored.
MADAME
