Kovács Ferenc: Olvasópróba előtt (Skenotheke 1. Budapest, 1996)

Felhasznált irodalom

is a second door which leads to the interior of the house. On the right in the front, there is an open fire and an armchair for reading. 1-1-1 On the first floor Mrs Borkman is sitting on the couch, crocheting in the dark and she barely, if at all, notices the creaking of the wooden floor above her head. Sounds of wind and snow flurries. In the rear, behind the glass door, the window of the winter garden is blown open. Mrs. Borkman is freezing, she rings a bell. The maid knows from her mistress's nod that it is again the bad window that has to be closed. At the same time, the maid lights a single candle and places it above the couch. This doesn't improve the lighting in the room-, the Borkmans are economizing. Tea and a single biscuit are placed on the table: this is dinner. It is apparent that Mrs Borkman hears Borkman pacing restlessly on the second floor, yet she does not react. This has been the state of affairs for eight years. During this time, their lives have been uneventful and this evening promises to be no different. 1-2-1 After the audience is fully seated: On the second floor Borkman is pacing in an apparently aimless, yet in fact very much purposeful manner. He expects someone, perhaps several people. He rummages among his books, makes notes, then stands behind his desk, assuming ^Napoleonic pose, ready to address his much-awaited visitors. Then he resumes pacing. 1-1-2 Mrs Borkman becomes more visible as the maid moves the lamp from the winter garden to the wall. The maid exits. 1-1-3 Mrs Borkman notices the bells of an approaching sleigh. She expects Erhart, her son. I-2-2 Borkman too is aware of noise outside. He puts on a jacket, gathers up a batch of notes and stands behind his desk in a rigid pose. He awaits the arrival of the visitor. This is a great moment in his life. 1-1-4 The maid brings in a card and announces the unexpected arrival of Ella Bentheim, Mrs Borkman's twin sister. 1-1-5 Ella enters, the maid exits. It was eight years ago that the twins last met and talked with each other. Ella's present visit is prompted by an emergency, her terminal illness and her desire to have her adoptive son, Erhart Borkman, by her side during the final days of her life. Ella took charge of Erhart 16 years agq when Borkman, the bank manager, was sent to jail because of embezzlement All of their fortune was lost except Ella's account, which remained intact. Thus she was able to buy 53