Brecht Collected Plays: 1: Baal; Drums in the Night; In the Jungle of Cities; Life of Edward II of England; & 5 One Act Plays: "Baal", "Drums in the Night", "In the Jungle of Ci (World Classics) by Bertolt Brecht Read Free Book Online

And good-bye to you, my friends!
Emilie has thrown herself sobbing down on the bench. Baal touches her forehead with the back of his hand
. Emmi! You can calm down now. The worst is over.
He raises her head and brushes her hair from her tear-stained face
. Just forget it!
He throws himself heavily on her and kisses her
.
Baal’s Attic
    Sunrise
.
    Baal and Johanna sitting on the edge of the bed
.
    JOHANNA : Oh, what have I done! I’m wicked.
    BAAL : Wash yourself instead.
    JOHANNA : I still don’t know how it happened.
    BAAL : Johannes is to blame for everything. Drags you up here and behaves like a clown when he sees why your knees are shaking.
    JOHANNA
gets up, lowers her voice
: When he comes back …
    BAAL : Time for a bit of literature.
He lies down again
. First light over Mount Ararat.
    JOHANNA : Shall I get up?
    BAAL : After the flood. Stay in bed.
    JOHANNA : Won’t you open the window?
    BAAL : I like the smell. – What about another helping? What’s gone’s gone.
    JOHANNA : How can you be so vile?
    BAAL
lazily on the bed
: White and washed clean by the flood, Baal lets his thoughts fly like doves over the dark waters.
    JOHANNA : Where’s my petticoat… I can’t … like this …
    BAAL
handing it to her
: Here! What can’t you … like this, darling?
    JOHANNA : Go home.
She drops it, but then she dresses
.
    BAAL
whistling
: God, what a girl! I can feel every bone in my body. Give me a kiss!
    JOHANNA
by the table in the middle of the room
: Say something!
Baal is silent
. Do you still love me? Say it.
Baal whistles
. Can’t you say it?
    BAAL
looking up at the ceiling
: I’m fed to the teeth!
    JOHANNA : Then what was it last night? And before?
    BAAL : Johannes could make things awkward. And Emilie’s staggering around like a rammed schooner. I could die of starvation here! None of you would lift a finger for me. There’s only one thing you’re out for.
    JOHANNA
confused, clearing the table
: And you – didn’t you ever feel differently about me?
    BAAL : Have you washed? Not an ounce of sense. Did you get nothing out of it? Go home! You can tell Johannes I took you home last night and spew gall at him. It’s been raining.
Rolls himself up in his blanket
.
    JOHANNA : Johannes?
She walks wearily to the door and goes
.
    BAAL
suddenly turning
: Johanna!
Goes from his bed to the door
. Johanna!
At the window
. There she goes. There she goes.
    2
Noon
.
    Baal lies on his bed
.
    BAAL
humming
:
    The evening sky grows dark as pitch
    With drink; or often fiery red.
    Naked I’ll have you in a ditch …
    The two sisters come into the room arm in arm
.
    THE OLDER SISTER : You said we were to come and visit you again.
    BAAL
still humming
:
    Or on a white and spacious bed.
    THE OLDER SISTER : Well, we came, Mr Baal.
    BAAL : Now they come fluttering in pairs to the dove-cot. Take off your clothes.
    THE OLDER SISTER : Mother heard the stairs creak last week.
She undoes her sister’s blouse
.
    THE YOUNGER SISTER : It was getting light on the landing when we got to our room.
    BAAL : One day I’ll be stuck with you.
    THE YOUNGER SISTER : I’d drown myself, Mr Baal.
    THE OLDER SISTER : We came together …
    THE YOUNGER SISTER : I feel ashamed.
    THE OLDER SISTER : It isn’t the first time …
    THE YOUNGER SISTER : But it was never so light. It’s broad daylight outside.
    THE OLDER SISTER : And it isn’t the second time.
    THE YOUNGER SISTER : You get undressed as well.
    THE OLDER SISTER : I will.
    BAAL : When you’ve done, come on in! It’ll be dark all righ
    THE YOUNGER SISTER : You go first today.
    THE OLDER SISTER : I was first last time …
    THE YOUNGER SISTER : No, it was me …
    BAAL : You’ll both get it at once.
    THE OLDER SISTER
standing with her arms round the younger
    one
: We’re ready. It’s so light in here!
    BAAL : Is it warm outside?
    THE OLDER SISTER : It’s only April.
    THE YOUNGER SISTER : But the sun’s warm today.
    BAAL : Did you enjoy yourselves last time?
    The sisters do not