THE FATHER

by
August Strindberg

adapted by Pam Gems

Copyright © Pam Gems
Pam Gems is hereby identified as author of this work in accordance with section 77 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. The author has asserted her moral rights. 

All rights whatsoever in this play are strictly reserved and application for performance etc. should be made before rehearsal to Rose Cobbe, United Agents, 12-26 Lexington Street, London W1F 0LE, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 20 3214 0800.
http://unitedagents.co.uk/agents/rose-cobbe/. Assistant: Dan Usztan. Email: dusztan@unitedagents.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 20 3214 0873. No performance may be given unless a licence has been obtained.

THE FATHER

CAST

		THE CAPTAIN

		LAURA
		The Captain's wife

		BERTHA
		The Captain's daughter

		DOCTOR ÖSTERMARK

		THE PASTOR (JONAS)
		Laura's brother

		MARGRET
		The Captain's old Nurse

		NÖJD (pronounced NOYD)
		The Captain's batman

		SVÄRD
		An orderly

		Setting.  Swedish army quarters in the 1880s.

THE FATHER

ACT ONE

A living room in the Captain's army quarters.  A large round table with books and magazines, another table, a leather sofa.  A concealed door.  A bureau with a clock.  On the wall, guns and gamebags.  By the door military greatcoats are hanging.  A lamp on the round table.

SCENE 1

The CAPTAIN and the PASTOR sit side by side on the sofa, the CAPTAIN in his undress uniform, booted and spurred.  The PASTOR is in black, with white neckcloth but without his clerical collar.  He smokes a pipe.  The CAPTAIN leans over, rings a bell.  An ORDERLY, SVÄRD, appears.

			SVÄRD
		Sir?

			CAPTAIN
		Where's Nöjd - is he out there?

			SVÄRD
		He's in the kitchen, sir.

			CAPTAIN
		I'll bet he is, what's he doing down there?

			SVÄRD
		Waiting for orders, sir.

			CAPTAIN
		Send him up.

			SVÄRD
		Sir.  (He goes.)

			PASTOR
		What is it this time?

			CAPTAIN
		The same as last time.

			PASTOR
		The kitchen-maid.

			CAPTAIN
		Again.  I've given him a kicking but it doesn't seem to work - have a go at him, perhaps he'll listen to a parson.

			PASTOR
		I doubt if the word of God will persuade a cavalryman.
			CAPTAIN
		Wouldn't cut any ice with me.

			PASTOR
		Precisely.

			CAPTAIN
		Worth a try.  (A knock.)  Come in!

			NÖJD
		(Enters)  Sir.

			CAPTAIN
		Stand easy.  So, what is it this time?

			NÖJD
		(All innocence)  Sir?

			CAPTAIN
		What have you been up to?

			NÖJD
		Nothing, sir.

			CAPTAIN
		(Roars)  Nothing?

			NÖJD
		Well, not in front of the Pastor, sir.

			PASTOR
		Don't mind me, lad.

			CAPTAIN
		Come on, out with it.

			NÖJD
		Well sir, it was like this, sir.  There was this dance over at Gabriel's.  Me and Ludwig goes, then he says -

			CAPTAIN
		What's he got to do with it, stick to the point.

			NÖJD
		Yessir.  So Emma says let's go out to the barn.

			CAPTAIN
		Seduced you, did she?

			NÖJD
		Put it this way, sir, it don't happen if the girl ain't willing.  Sir.

			CAPTAIN
		Come to the point.  Are you the father or not?

			NÖJD
		Don't know, sir.
			CAPTAIN
		What do you mean, you don't know?

			NÖJD
		Hard to say, sir.

			CAPTAIN
		You mean you weren't the only one?  That what you're saying?

			NÖJD
		That night I was, sir.

			CAPTAIN
		But you're saying Ludwig was up her?  (NÖJD shrugs.)  She says you said you'd marry her.

			NÖJD
		Well you have to say that, sir.

			CAPTAIN
		(To the PASTOR)  Bloody hell.

			PASTOR
		Happens all the time, I'm afraid.  (To NÖJD)  Now look here, my boy, you must know if you're the father or not.  If you were man enough to go with her -

			NÖJD
		It don't necessarily follow though, does it?

			PASTOR
		Are you trying to decamp?  Leave the girl to have the child on her own?  (NÖJD does not reply.)  We can't force you to marry her, but you'll have to make provision.

			NÖJD
		Then Ludwig ought to pay his share.

			CAPTAIN
		I can't be bothered with this.  Let the Court decide - shove off.

			PASTOR
		Just a minute.  Nöjd, do you really want to leave this girl penniless, with a baby - your baby to support -

			NÖJD
		But is it my baby, sir?  If I was sure...(he fidgets)...no man wants to work his ass off for another man's child all his life, begging your pardon.  You do see that, Pastor?

			CAPTAIN
		Get out.

			NÖJD
		Thank you, sir.  (Goes.)

			CAPTAIN
		(Calls)  And stay out of the kitchen!  (To the PASTOR)  I thought you were going to talk to him!

			PASTOR
		I did - didn't I?

			CAPTAIN
		No, you didn't.

			PASTOR
		To be honest I never know what to say.  It's hard luck on the girl, of course, but what if he isn't the father?  The girl can be sent to the orphanage to suckle the child then leave it to the parish to support while she gets a job as a well-paid wet nurse in a decent home.  What about him?  If he's thrown out of his regiment he's finished.

			CAPTAIN
		I'm not the judge.  We do know she's guilty.

			PASTOR
		Do we?  Who's to say?  What were we discussing before all this - ah, Bertha's confirmation.

			CAPTAIN
		Not just that.  Her whole future.  Every woman in this household, apparently, wants something different for my daughter.

			PASTOR
		Hah...trouble?

			CAPTAIN
		My mother-in-law fills her with rubbish about spiritualism, Laura says she must be an artist, her governess a Methodist, Margret a Baptist, and the maids plead the virtues of the Salvation Army.

			PASTOR
		Too many women in charge.

			CAPTAIN
		I must get her away.  It's like a cage of tigers in there.

The PASTOR laughs.

			CAPTAIN
		You can laugh.  I take your sister off your hands and as a wedding present you land me with your old stepmother.

			PASTOR
		As a Pastor I can hardly share my house with my own stepmother.

			CAPTAIN
		Why not?  I'm allowed to have my mother-in-law under my roof.

			PASTOR
		We all have our cross to bear.

			CAPTAIN
		Some more than others.  My old nurse still wanders about treating me like a babe in arms.

			PASTOR
		Keep your women in place, that's my advice.

			CAPTAIN
		How?

The PASTOR nods in agreement.

			PASTOR
		Laura's never been the easiest.  As her brother, I should know.

			CAPTAIN
		She's not so bad.

			PASTOR
		Come on - I grew up with her.

			CAPTAIN
		Why did they have to fill her head with romantic nonsense?  Well...she is my wife.

			PASTOR
		So naturally above reproach, never mind that she causes more trouble than the rest of the house put together.

			CAPTAIN
		We're at an impasse, that's for certain.  She won't let the child go and I can't let her stay, not in this mad-house.

			PASTOR
		When we were children she would scream for one of your toys and lie on her back till you gave it to her.  The moment you did she threw it back at you.  Had to have her own way.

			CAPTAIN
		Even then?  Sometimes her moods are so violent I think she's ill.

			PASTOR
		What do you want for Bertha?  Can't you compromise?

			CAPTAIN
		What I want is not to stand by like a pimp while they choose the right husband for her.  Suppose, in spite of all their efforts, she doesn't find a man, ends up an old maid?  On the other hand she can't train for years like a man and then drop it all for wedding bells.

			PASTOR
		Then what do you want for her?

			CAPTAIN
		I'd like her to be a teacher so that if she doesn't marry she can support herself - better even than a man who has to maintain a wife and family.  If she does marry, a training will be useful for the children.

			PASTOR
		What about her painting?   If she's talented shouldn't that be encouraged?

			CAPTAIN
		(Shakes his head)  I took her work to a well-known artist for an appraisal.

			PASTOR
		No good?

			CAPTAIN
		No more than school-girl standard, he said.  Which would have been fine, until some young idiot came here last summer, telling her she was a genius.

			PASTOR
		In love, I suppose.

			CAPTAIN
		Apparently.

			PASTOR
		Doesn't help.  So, there's a crisis?

			CAPTAIN
		They won't give me a fair fight!

			PASTOR
		(Rising)  Oh I know about that.  (The CAPTAIN looks up)  Believe me.

			CAPTAIN
		It's all so vindictive.  Is that the way to choose her future?  They set themselves up all the time "women should have this - we should have that" - you'll stay for supper?  The new doctor's joining us, have you met him?

			PASTOR
		I overtook him just now.  He looks a decent sort.

			CAPTAIN
		Good.  Who knows, maybe an ally.

			PASTOR
		Possibly.  If he knows women well enough.

			CAPTAIN
		So you'll stay?

			PASTOR
		I'm sorry, I promised to be home for supper.  Don't want to keep my good lady waiting, she gets anxious.

			CAPTAIN
		Annoyed, you mean.  Well, as you wish -

He rises, helps the PASTOR on with his coat.

			PASTOR
		Thank you.  Cold night.  (The CAPTAIN nods goodbye.)  Look after yourself.  You're not off colour, you seem a little -

			CAPTAIN
		Been on to you, has she?  Take no notice.  Laura's had me in my grave for the last twenty years.

			PASTOR
		Take care none-the-less.  Goodbye.  Oh - did you want to talk about Bertha's confirmation?

			CAPTAIN
		No, that's your department.  Leave me out of it, you know where I stand on religion.  My regards to your wife.

			PASTOR
		Say goodbye to Laura for me.

He goes.  The CAPTAIN sits at his desk, gets out his accounts and pick up a pen.

			CAPTAIN
		Thirty-four - nine, forty-three - sixty-one - seventy -

			LAURA
		(Off stage)  Are you in there?

			CAPTAIN
		-eighty-three - ninety-four - what is it?
			LAURA
		(Enters)  Am I interrupting?

			CAPTAIN
		No.  You want the housekeeping, is that it?

			LAURA
		Yes.

			CAPTAIN
		Leave the accounts and I'll go through them.

			LAURA
		What?

			CAPTAIN
		The bills.

			LAURA
		He wants to go through the bills now!

			CAPTAIN
		We're in a bad way.  If I don't keep accounts I'll be accused of mismanagement in the bankruptcy court.

			LAURA
		Am I to blame if we're insolvent?

			CAPTAIN
		If I can see the bills I shall be able to find out.

			LAURA
		It's not my fault if the tenant doesn't pay his rent.

			CAPTAIN
		Who recommended him?  Some lazy, good-for-nothing wants to rent the farm -

			LAURA
		You agreed!

			CAPTAIN
		Only because I wasn't allowed to eat or sleep until I did.  You wanted the man so that your brother could get shot of him, your mother wanted him because I didn't, the governess because he's Methodist and old Margret because she knew his grandmother's sister at school.  I took on that man because if I hadn't I'd be in the madhouse or my grave by now.  Here you are.  The housekeeping.  And your allowance.  Let me have the bills.

			LAURA
		(Curtseys)  Thank you, kind sir.  Do you keep an account of what you spend?

			CAPTAIN
		What I spend has nothing to do with you.
			LAURA
		Any more than my child's education!  Did you and my sainted brother come to a decision tonight?

			CAPTAIN
		I had already made my choice.  Bertha will be moving on from this house and lodge in town two weeks from now.  I was merely informing Jonas of my decision.

			LAURA
		And with whom is she to live, if I am allowed to ask?

			CAPTAIN
		I have arranged for her to stay with Mr Särberg, the lawyer.

			LAURA
		Not that Freethinker!

			CAPTAIN
		As the law stands, a child must be brought up in its father's faith.

			LAURA
		Do you mean to tell me that a mother has no say at all in the matter?

			CAPTAIN
		None at all.  She surrenders those claims by legal contract when she accepts her husband's offer to protect and provide for her and her children for the rest of his life.

			LAURA
		So a woman has no rights over the child of her own body?

			CAPTAIN
		None whatsoever.  When you make a contract you can't keep the goods and ask for your money back.

			LAURA
		Surely there can be compromise between a father and mother -

			CAPTAIN
		Not in this case.  You want Bertha here, I want her in town.  To compromise would mean installing her at the railway station, halfway between the two of us.  It's not a situation you can resolve by compromise.

			LAURA
		Then, as you must know, being a solider - it's war.
Silence.

			LAURA
		Why was Nöjd here?

			CAPTAIN
		That's a military matter -

			LAURA
		- that the whole kitchen knows about.

			CAPTAIN
		Then why ask?

LAURA shrugs.

			CAPTAIN
		No doubt you've already passed judgement.

			LAURA
		The law is quite explicit about these things.

			CAPTAIN
		Not as to the paternity.

			LAURA
		It's usually known.

			CAPTAIN
		Can one be sure?

			LAURA
		One can never be absolutely sure who is a child's father.

			CAPTAIN
		No.

			LAURA
		But the man still has total rights over the woman's child.

			CAPTAIN
		If he accepts responsibility.  Or has it forced upon him.  In marriage, of course, the question doesn't arise.

			LAURA
		No?

			CAPTAIN
		Of course not.

			LAURA
		Never?  What if the wife is unfaithful?

			CAPTAIN
		Not relevant in Nöjd's case.  Anything else you need to know?

			LAURA
		Nothing whatsoever.

			CAPTAIN
		(Rising)  I shall be in my room.  Let me know when the Doctor arrives, I don't want to keep him waiting.

			LAURA
		Of course.

He goes.  LAURA counts the money he has given her.

			MOTHER
		(Off stage)  Laura?  Is my tea ready?

			LAURA
		 I'm coming, Mother.

As she turns, the door is opened by SVÄRD.

			SVÄRD
		Dr Östermark, ma'am.

			DOCTOR
		(Entering)  Mrs Lassen?

LAURA extends her hand.

			LAURA
		Doctor - come in, you're most welcome.  The Captain's not at home, but I'm sure he won't be long.

			DOCTOR
		(Gives SVÄRD his coat)  I'm sorry to be so late, I looked in on a patient.  (SVÄRD hangs up the coat and goes.)

			LAURA
		Come and sit down.

			DOCTOR
		Thank you.

			LAURA
		We so hope you'll settle here.  There's a lot of illness about and it's so good to have a doctor who takes a real interest in his patients.  We look forward to seeing a great deal of you.
			DOCTOR
		No professionally I trust - but I gather you're all in very good health.

			LAURA
		Ye-es.  We've been spared.  Perhaps not totally.

			DOCTOR
		Indeed?

			LAURA
		In fact, not at all as we'd wish.

			DOCTOR
		I'm sorry to hear that.

He waits for her to speak further.

			LAURA
		It's very hard to speak of family matters publicly.

			DOCTOR
		Except, perhaps to your doctor?

			LAURA
		Exactly.  However painful it may be, I do feel able to confide in you - completely, frankly and openly from the start.

			DOCTOR
		Perhaps we should postpone this conversation until I've had the pleasure of meeting the Captain.

			LAURA
		No, it must be before you see him!

			DOCTOR
		So it concerns your husband?

			LAURA
		Sadly, yes, it does.

			DOCTOR
		I am alarmed to hear you say so.  My sympathies.

			LAURA
		(Takes out a handkerchief)  My husband is -it's so very hard to - I'm afraid, Doctor, that my husband is mentally unbalanced.

			DOCTOR
		Fru Lassen, you amaze me.  I've had the pleasure of reading the Captain's papers on mineralogy - he appears to have a most intelligent and orderly mind.

			LAURA
		Oh, I shall be so happy if we are all mistaken!

			DOCTOR
		Possibly his mind is disturbed in other areas.

			LAURA
		Exactly what we fear.  Scholars, of course, do have - unusual ideas.  If only it didn't affect the whole family...his latest mania for collecting, for example.

			DOCTOR
		Collecting?

			LAURA
		Whole crates of books!  Which he never reads!

			DOCTOR
		Scholars do buy books, you know.

			LAURA
		So you don't take me seriously.

			DOCTOR
		Dear lady, of course I do.

			LAURA
		It is reasonable when a man says he can see the planets through a microscope?

			DOCTOR
		He says that?

			LAURA
		Yes.

			DOCTOR
		In a microscope?

			LAURA
		In a microscope.

			DOCTOR
		If that is so, it could be worrying.

			LAURA
		It is so - I tell you this in confidence and you don't believe a word I say.

			DOCTOR
		On the contrary, I'm honoured that you feel you can talk to me.  But you must understand that, as a medical practitioner, I shall need to make a thorough investigation before diagnosis.  Does the Captain show signs of lowness, irritability - changes of mood?

			LAURA
		In the twenty years since our marriage I have never, ever, known him to make a single decision without immediately seeking to reverse it.

			DOCTOR
		Would you say that he was stubborn - obstinate?

			LAURA
		Always.  But - the moment he triumphs and gets his own way, no matter what the situation, he loses interest and hands over the reins to me.

			DOCTOR
		Does he?  Very significant.  You see, Fru Lassen, we might think of the will as the backbone of the mind.  Without the function of the will, the mind collapses.

			LAURA
		If you knew what I've had to endure over the years, Doctor.

			DOCTOR
		You have my deepest sympathies.  And my promise.  I shall see what can be done.  In the meantime I must ask you to refrain from exciting the patient.  Avoid any topic that might affect the Captain in any way.  Thoughts in a disordered mind can so easily develop into obsession or monomania.  You do understand?

			LAURA
		I mustn't arouse his suspicions.

			DOCTOR
		Precisely.  A man who is mentally impaired and in danger of losing his wits is extremely suggestible to an excited imaginative state.

			LAURA
		I see.  Yes, I understand, I understand.  Ah - here's my husband!

The CAPTAIN enters by the concealed door.

			CAPTAIN
		Ah, Doctor.  You're here.  Delighted to see you.

			DOCTOR
		My dear Captain - I'm honoured to meet such a distinguished man of science.

			CAPTAIN
		No, really, my military duties leave me little enough time for research.  Though I think I am onto something very interesting just now.

			DOCTOR
		Oh?

			CAPTAIN
		I've been subjecting meteorites to spectrum analysis and found carbon - traces of organic life - interesting, wouldn't you say?

			DOCTOR
		You can see that under a microscope?

			CAPTAIN
		A microscope?  Good God, no.  A spectroscope.

			DOCTOR
		Ah, a spectroscope!  I meant a spectroscope of course.  You'll be able to tell us what's happening on Jupiter soon.

			CAPTAIN
		Not what is happening.  What has happened.  If only the damned bookseller in Paris would send me the books I need - every bookseller in the world seems to be conspiring against me, I haven't even had my orders acknowledged.  If you telegraph they don't reply - drives one mad.

			DOCTOR
		Laziness, I'm afraid.  Don't let it upset you.

			CAPTAIN
		Yes, but dammit, I can't finish my thesis and there are others working on the same lines in Berlin.  Still, we're not here to discuss all that.  Tell me, do you want to take over an apartment here, in the wing, or live in the old doctor's quarters?

			DOCTOR
		Whatever you please.

			CAPTAIN
		Your decision.

			DOCTOR
		It's for you to say.

			CAPTAIN
		Makes no difference to me.

			DOCTOR
		Surely the decision must be yours -

			CAPTAIN
		Oh for God's sakes, man, make up your mind!

			DOCTOR
		Very well.  I should be most grateful for an apartment here.
			CAPTAIN
		Good - thank you, nothing worse than a man who can't make decisions.

He rings.  MARGRET, the old family nurse, enters.

			CAPTAIN
		Ah - Margret.  Is there an apartment ready for the Doctor?

			MARGRET
		Oh yes, it's all clean and dusted.

			CAPTAIN
		Good, then I won't keep you, Doctor, you'll be tired.  Goodnight, I look forward to seeing you in the morning.

			DOCTOR
		Good night, Captain.

			CAPTAIN
		My wife will have put you in the picture about our life here.

			DOCTOR
		She did mention one or two matters that might be useful for me to know.  Good night, Captain.

He goes.  MARGRET hovers.

			CAPTAIN
		What is it, Margret?

			MARGRET
		Listen to me, my love.

			CAPTAIN
		You're the only one in this house I can listen to without exploding.

			MARGRET
		Why can't you go half-way with Fru Laura?  Think how she feels.  She is the child's mother.

			CAPTAIN
		And I am her father!

			MARGRET
		I know, I know.  But a man has all sorts of other things in his life.  Women don't.

			CAPTAIN
		He has more worry and responsibilities, you mean.  Would I have stayed a soldier all my life if I hadn't a family to support?

			MARGRET
		I didn't mean to upset you, love.  That's not what I'm here for.

			CAPTAIN
		I know you didn't.  But you are here to try and make me give in.

			MARGRET
		I only want what's best.

			CAPTAIN
		I know - I know you do.  But you're wrong.  It's not enough to give a child life.  Her mind, her soul must be developed, nurtured.

			MARGRET
		I don't know about all that.  Why not come to some agreement.

			CAPTAIN
		You're no friend to me, Margret.

			MARGRET
		(Gasps)  How can you say such a thing!  You're my baby, you were mine, I nursed you for the first three years of your life!

			CAPTAIN
		I haven't forgotten.  You've been my mother, you've always stood up for me.  Till now.  Just when I need you most you switch flags and go over to the enemy.

			MARGRET
		The enemy!

			CAPTAIN
		Yes, enemy.  You know how things stand in this house, you should do, you've seen it all from the start.

			MARGRET
		I have.  Why in the name of Jesus must two people torment each other day in, day out?  Two people who are so good and kind - Fru Laura is never like that with me or anybody else -

			CAPTAIN
		- only with me.  And if you desert me now, Margret, you must answer to God.  You know very well what they're up to, plotting against me - that Doctor is no friend of mine, I can see that already.
			MARGRET
		You think the worst of everybody.  You know why, my boy - lack of faith.  You don't follow the true path.

			CAPTAIN
		And you do, you and the Baptists.  I wish you luck.

			MARGRET
		There's no need for that.  I feel loved and blessed and so would you if you followed the Lord.

			CAPTAIN
		Blessed?  You should hear your voice when you mention your Lord.  Like a scythe being sharpened.  Not much love there.

			MARGRET
		That's the voice of pride talking.  Never mind all those books you fill yourself up with, you'll be humbled on the Day of Judgement.

			CAPTAIN
		Not too humble to keep your judgements to yourself, I note.  Oh, why should I expect books to mean anything to cattle?

			MARGRET
		Shame on you!  Come here.  My big boy - I still love him best of all.  Don't worry, Margret won't leave you.  She'll be here when it all gets - and you'll be my good little boy.

			CAPTAIN
		Margret, I need support.  You're the only one I can depend on.  (A scream offstage.)   Who's that, who's screaming?

BERTHA runs on.

			BERTHA
		Father, help me - help me!

			CAPTAIN
		Bertha!  What is it, what's the matter?

			BERTHA
		She's going to hurt me, she'll hurt me!

			CAPTAIN
		Who?  Who wants to hurt you?

			BERTHA
		Grandmama!  (She stifles a sob)  It's my fault.  I played a trick on her.

The CAPTAIN disguises a smile.

			CAPTAIN
		What did you do?

			BERTHA
		You won't say anything?  Promise?

			CAPTAIN
		All right, but what did you do?

He gestures for MARGRET to leave.  She goes.

			BERTHA
		Well - Grandmama likes to turn down the lamp and sit me at the table with pen and paper.  Then she tells the spirits to write.

			CAPTAIN
		What?  Why haven't you told me about this before?

			BERTHA
		I couldn't.  She says the spirits will take their revenge if I do.  The pen does write, but I can't tell if it's me that's doing it, anyway it won't if I'm tired and I have to put something so tonight I wrote a poem and Grandmama recognised it and she got really angry - she says I'm a cheat!

			CAPTAIN
		Do you believe in spirits?

			BERTHA
		I don't know.

			CAPTAIN
		They don't exist, Bertha.

			BERTHA
		Grandmama says they do.  She says you can look at other planets.

			CAPTAIN
		What else does she say?

			BERTHA
		She says even if you say you can, you can't, you can't do magic.

			CAPTAIN
		I never said that I could!  Bertha, you know what meteorites are - stones that fall from other planets.  I examine them under a spectroscope, that's all - try to see if they're composed of the same elements as earth.

			BERTHA
		Grandmama says she can see things that you can't.

			CAPTAIN
		That's a lie.
			BERTHA
		(Shakes her head)  Grandmama doesn't tell lies.

			CAPTAIN
		How do you know?

			BERTHA
		Because Mother says it too - that would mean she tells lies.

			CAPTAIN
		Hmm.

			BERTHA
		If you say Mother tells lies I'll never believe another word you say as long as I live!

			CAPTAIN
		I think you'd be much happier away from this house.  Would you like to go and live in town - learn something useful?

			BERTHA
		I'd love it! - anywhere to get away, so long as I can see you sometimes - a lot!  It's so dark and horrible here except when you come home, then it's like taking down the storm windows and letting the sun in!

			CAPTAIN
		Oh my darling girl.

			BERTHA
		Father...be nice to Mother.  She cries all the time.

			CAPTAIN
		Mmm.  So you want to go and live in town?

			BERTHA
		Yes please!

			CAPTAIN
		Suppose she doesn't want you to go?

			BERTHA
		Mother?  Oh she will, she must.

			CAPTAIN
		But what if she doesn't?

			BERTHA
		She must!

			CAPTAIN
		You'd better ask her.
			BERTHA
		She won't listen to me.  You ask her.  But nicely.

			CAPTAIN
		Hmm.  And if you want it, and I want it, and your mother doesn't - what then?

			BERTHA
		Everything will be miserable again.  Papa, why can't you two -

			LAURA
		(Enters)  There you are, Bertha.  Now perhaps we can hear what you think since it's your future that's being decided.

			CAPTAIN
		How can she decide, she's a child.  At least we've had some experience of life.

			LAURA
		But since we can't agree, why don't we give Bertha the casting vote.

			CAPTAIN
		No.  There will be no encroachment on my rights and responsibilities in this house.  Bertha, could you leave us?

BERTHA goes.

			LAURA
		You send her out because she agrees with me!

			CAPTAIN
		I happen to know that Bertha wants to go.  But I also know that you're going to put so much pressure on her that she'll be forced to change her mind.

			LAURA
		Really?  Am I as powerful as that?

			CAPTAIN
		Yes, when it comes to getting your own way.  Look at Nördling!

			LAURA
		Nördling?

			CAPTAIN
		You insulted an excellent doctor until he could stand no more and left the district.  Hey presto, what a surprise, you have a suggestion for a replacement - surprise again, you make your brother vote him in.

			LAURA
		What's wrong with that - perfectly legal.  Is she leaving?

			CAPTAIN
		Bertha?  In two weeks time.

			LAURA
		And that's your final decision?

			CAPTAIN
		Yes.

			LAURA
		Does she know?

			CAPTAIN
		She does.

			LAURA
		Then I'll have to stop it.

			CAPTAIN
		You can't.

			LAURA
		I can't?  Do you think that I will allow my daughter to go to people who'll teach her that everything she knows from me is wrong?  Make her despise me for the rest of my life?

			CAPTAIN
		And do you think that I am prepared to leave my daughter, my only child, in the hands of women so conceited in their ignorance that they'll persuade her to dismiss her own father as a charlatan!

			LAURA
		You're the father.  It's not important for you.

			CAPTAIN
		Why not?!

			LAURA
		A mother is closer to her child.

			CAPTAIN
		Not at all.

			LAURA
		Especially now that science has proved that nobody can be one hundred per cent sure.

			CAPTAIN
		Sure of what?

			LAURA
		Who is the father.

Silence.

			CAPTAIN
		And what is that supposed to mean?

			LAURA
		Can you be sure that you are Bertha's father?

			CAPTAIN
		Of course I'm sure.

			LAURA
		Science says not.

			CAPTAIN
		Is this supposed to be a joke?

			LAURA
		I'm simply talking science, like you.  How do you know I haven't been unfaithful?

			CAPTAIN
		You're capable of a lot, but not that.  If it were true, you certainly wouldn't tell me.

			LAURA
		Unless I was prepared to do anything rather than lose my child.  Suppose when I say she's mine but not yours it's the truth.  Suppose -

			CAPTAIN
		Stop it.

			LAURA
		If it's true, you have no power over her.

			CAPTAIN
		Can you prove I'm not the father?

			LAURA
		That wouldn't be difficult.  Do you want me to?

			CAPTAIN
		Just stop it.

			LAURA
		I'd need to name her real father, state time and place...for instance...when was Bertha born?  We'd been married for at least three years before -

			CAPTAIN
		Stop it or I -

			LAURA
		Or what?  Yes, I'll stop.  But I'd think carefully before sending my daughter away.  You don't want to look ridiculous.

			CAPTAIN
		Oh my God...I could weep...

			LAURA
		Then you will look ridiculous.

			CAPTAIN
		Me?  What about you?

			LAURA
		Oh, women know how to survive.

			CAPTAIN
		We can't win.

			LAURA
		So why fight us?  The day I find a man who's stronger than me -

			CAPTAIN
		No.  This time you've met your match.  Battle orders.

			LAURA
		I look forward to it.

MARGRET enters.

			MARGRET
		Dinner - will you come through?

			LAURA
		Thank you.

MARGRET goes.  The CAPTAIN slumps down in an armchair.

			LAURA
		Aren't you coming?

			CAPTAIN
		I don't want anything, I'm not hungry.

			LAURA
		You mean you're in a sulk.

			CAPTAIN
		I mean I'm not hungry.

			LAURA
		You must, they'll think something's up.  Oh, suit yourself, stay where you are.

She goes.  A pause.  MARGRET enters.

			MARGRET
		Now what's all this?

			CAPTAIN
		Tell me something.  Am I, or am I not, a grown man?

			MARGRET
		Of course you are.

			CAPTAIN
		Then why do you treat me like a child?

			MARGRET
		I don't know, my dear.  Perhaps it's because man is born of woman -

			CAPTAIN
		- but no woman is born of man, is that what you're saying?  Well?  Am I not Bertha's father?  You believe that, don't you?  That she's mine?  That I'm her father?

			MARGRET
		Dear Lord, of course you are, don't be so silly, who else is her father, now come and eat your dinner, come on..

The CAPTAIN rises.

			CAPTAIN
		Get out, woman!  Houseful of witches...Get Out!!

He goes to the door and calls.

			CAPTAIN
		(Calls)  Svärd!

The ORDERLY enters.

			SVÄRD
		Yessir?

The CAPTAIN crosses for his greatcoat, turning to MARGRET.

			CAPTAIN
		Don't expect me back before midnight.

The ORDERLY helps him on with his coat.

			CAPTAIN
		(To SVÄRD)  Harness up for me.

They go.

			MARGRET
		God help us, now what!  Dear Lord, how is it all going to end?

She goes.  Fade to black.  Lights up on night-time.  The lamp is lit.  The DOCTOR and LAURA are talking.

			DOCTOR
		After talking to your husband I am by no means convinced as to his state of health.  I'm afraid you were mistaken about his claims to study the planets with a microscope.  It was, in fact, a spectroscope, which, far from implying derangement, suggests that your husband is making a considerable contribution to science.

			LAURA
		I never said that.

			DOCTOR
		Madam, I made notes of our conversation, and questioning you on the point, I thought I must have misheard.  Fru Lassen, accusations such as this, which could lead to a man's being certified, must be treated with extreme care.

			LAURA
		Certified?

			DOCTOR
		You must know, surely - a person who is declared insane loses all his rights, both civic and family.

			LAURA
		No, I didn't know that.

			DOCTOR
		There is another matter on which I feel uneasy.  He spoke of his correspondence with booksellers going unanswered.  Did you perhaps, with the best of motives, hold back his letters?

			LAURA
		Yes I did.  I felt it was in the interests of the family.  I can't stand by and watch him ruin us.

			DOCTOR
		Forgive me, but I don't think you understand the consequences of such an action.  If your husband discovers what you have done, all of his suspicions will not only be confirmed, but are almost certainly likely to increase.  Blocking his wishes will disturb him even more - you must know how infuriating it can be to have one's dearest desires obstructed.

			LAURA
		Who knows better?

			DOCTOR
		Then you will understand his feelings.

			LAURA
		(Rises)  It's midnight and he's not back yet.  I'm so afraid something's happened.

			DOCTOR
		Did something occur to upset him after I left?  Fru Lassen, I must know.

			LAURA
		He's going off his head!  He was saying the most extraordinary things!

			DOCTOR
		What things?

			LAURA
		Was he Bertha's father?  Was he the father of his own child?

			DOCTOR
		Whatever gave him that idea?

			LAURA
		I don't know.  Unless it was about one of his men who has got our maid into trouble.  When I stood up for her he lost his temper and said the case couldn't be proved, that nobody could say for sure who was a child's father.  I tried to calm him but I think he's past help.  (She weeps.)

			DOCTOR
		Something must be done - without alarming him, of course.  Tell me Fru Lassen, has the Captain ever expressed any such ideas before?

			LAURA
		Six years ago the same thing happened.  He even wrote to his doctor saying he was afraid that he was going out of his mind.

			DOCTOR
		Oh dear.  Yes, I see.  There seems to be a history here.  I am not anxious to intrude into the privacies of your family life, but there do seem to be symptoms that need attention.  It should have been seen to earlier.  Where do you think your husband might have gone?
			LAURA
		I haven't the faintest clue, he has such wild ideas these days.

			DOCTOR
		Would you like me to wait up for him?  I could say I'd looked in to see your mother.

			LAURA
		That would be so kind.  Please don't leave us, I'm so worried.  You don't think it would be better to tell him the truth right away?

			DOCTOR
		Never a good idea with the deranged, unless they bring it up themselves, and not always then.  Perhaps I should wait in the next room rather than have him see us here together.

			LAURA
		Oh that is such good thinking.  Margret can sit in here, she always waits up for him and he trusts her.  (She calls)  Margret!  Margret!

			MARGRET
		(Enters)  What is it, madam, is the Master back?

			LAURA
		No but sit here and wait for him.  When he comes in, tell him the Doctor's in the next room, you can say Mother wasn't feeling well.

			MARGRET
		Leave him to me.

LAURA opens a door, ushers the DOCTOR through and follows him off.

MARGRET sits, puts on her glasses, takes out her book of religious poems and homilies.

			MARGRET
		(Reads) `A vale of misery our life,
		Full of sorrow, fear and gloom,
		Above the Avenging Angel cry,
		"All is vanity, all is doom."'

		Ah yes.

		`Every creature on this earth
		Crushed with sorrow, strife and pain - '

		Ah yes.

BERTHA enters with a coffee-pot and her embroidery.

			BERTHA
		Can I come and sit with you, Margret?

			MARGRET
		You should be in bed.

			BERTHA
		I want to finish Father's Christmas present.

			MARGRET
		But it's gone twelve o'clock -

			BERTHA
		I'm making something for you, too.  I can't stay up there, it's haunted.

			MARGRET
		Haunted?

			BERTHA
		I heard something.

			MARGRET
		What did I say!  There's evil in this house.  What did you hear, my love?

			BERTHA
		Somebody was singing, up in the attic.

			MARGRET
		Singing?  At this time of night?

			BERTHA
		I think it was coming from the room where we keep the cradle.

			MARGRET
		Oh dear.  And what a night! - those chimney-pots will be down, you'll see.

		`What is life but pain and woe
		Till to the sepulchre we go' - well, Happy Christmas dear.

BERTHA sews.

			BERTHA
		Is it true that Father's ill?

			MARGRET
		Yes, my love, I'm afraid it is.

			BERTHA
		Then how can we have a happy Christmas?  And if he's ill, why isn't he in bed?

			MARGRET
		It's not that sort of illness, dear.  Ssh!  (She listens)  Someone's come in.  Go on, off you go.  Take the coffee-pot, your father will be cross if he sees it left about.
			BERTHA
		(Takes the tray.)  Good night, Margret.

			MARGRET
		Good night.  God bless.

BERTHA goes.  Pause.  Then the CAPTAIN enters noisily, taking off his greatcoat.

			CAPTAIN
		What are you doing here?

			MARGRET
		Waiting for you.

			CAPTAIN
		Go to bed.  (He lights a candle, sits at his desk.)

			MARGRET
		Captain, sir.

			CAPTAIN
		What?

			MARGRET
		The doctor's here.  The old lady's not well.

			CAPTAIN
		What's the matter with her?

			MARGRET
		A chill I think.

The CAPTAIN rises and detains MARGRET as she turns to go.

			CAPTAIN
		Margret...who was the father of your child?
			MARGRET
		(Surprised)  You know who.  That rogue Johansson.

			CAPTAIN
		And you are sure it was him?

			MARGRET
		Don't be silly, of course I'm sure.  He was the only one.

			CAPTAIN
		But was he sure?  He couldn't be, could he?  You could be, but he couldn't.  You see, that's the difference.

			MARGRET
		I don't see any difference.

			CAPTAIN
		You may not see it, but the difference is there just the same.

He turns the pages of a photograph album on the table.

			CAPTAIN
		Do you think she looks like me?  Bertha?

			MARGRET
		You're as like as two peas.

			CAPTAIN
		Did he admit it, Johansson?  That he was the father of your child?

			MARGRET
		He had to.

			CAPTAIN
		(As he enters)  Ah - good evening Doctor.  How is my mother-in-law?

			DOCTOR
		Nothing serious - a slight sprain of the left ankle.

			CAPTAIN
		There seems to be a difference of opinion.  Margret says it's a cold.  (To MARGRET)  Go to bed.

MARGRET leaves.  Pause.

			CAPTAIN
		Do sit down.

			DOCTOR
		(Sits)  Thank you.

			CAPTAIN
		Tell me - if you cross a zebra with a mare, is it true that you get striped foals?

			DOCTOR
		(Surprised)  Perfectly true.

			CAPTAIN
		And that subsequent foals of that mare, even when she's served by an ordinary stallion - they may be striped too?

			DOCTOR
		That's also true.

			CAPTAIN
		A black stallion could throw a striped foal?

			DOCTOR
		Apparently.

			CAPTAIN
		So likeness to the father is meaningless?

			DOCTOR
		Oh...

			CAPTAIN
		Paternity can never be proved.

			DOCTOR
		Well...mmm...

			CAPTAIN
		You're a widower I believe.

			DOCTOR
		I am.

			CAPTAIN
		Children?

The DOCTOR inclines his head.

			CAPTAIN
		Didn't you ever feel ridiculous?

			DOCTOR
		I'm sorry?

			CAPTAIN
		Walking along the street with your children - "here they are - `my' children" - when you should be saying "my wife's children" to be accurate.  You've never doubted - I won't say suspected, naturally as a gentleman I honour your wife as above suspicion.

			DOCTOR
		Of course not.  You take it on trust as Goethe said - I think it was Goethe.

			CAPTAIN
		On trust?  Where a woman's concerned?

			DOCTOR
		There's more than one sort of woman.

			CAPTAIN
		Not according to recent research.  I'll give you two examples.  When I was young and, I flatter myself, good-looking, some friends and I were travelling on a steamer when the young waitress sat down with us and started to cry.  She said that her fiancé had been lost at sea.  I got her some champagne.  After the second glass I touched her foot, after the fourth her knee and before morning I'd consoled her completely.

			DOCTOR
		A unique occurrence.  The girl was bereft.

			CAPTAIN
		The second time I was at Lysekil.  I met a woman, staying there with her children, her husband was in town.  Very religious girl, high-principled, even lectured me.  Totally virtuous.  Or so I thought.  I lent her some books which she returned just before I left.  Three months later I found a calling card in one of them.  With a declaration of love.  Innocent enough -

			CAPTAIN  (Cont'd)
		as innocent as it could be from a married woman to a complete stranger.  You can't trust women.

			DOCTOR
		I wouldn't say that.

			CAPTAIN
		Only so far.  That woman was so blind to her own deceit that she told her husband!  Confessed!  The talent for mischief!  That they don't fully realise it is no excuse.

			DOCTOR
		No, no, no - these are morbid thoughts.

			CAPTAIN
		Morbid?  Let me tell you something, Östermark.  All boilers have a bursting point.  You're here to keep an eye on me, aren't you?

			DOCTOR
		Oh, please -

			CAPTAIN
		If I were a woman I could complain, point the finger, put the case, assign the blame.  Unfortunately I am a man, so - arms across the chest like a Roman, silence till death.  Good night.

			DOCTOR
		Captain, if you are ill, I must have the full story.  I need to hear your side, it won't reflect on your honour.

			CAPTAIN
		One side not good enough for you?

			DOCTOR
		No.  When I watched Ghosts in the theatre the other night and heard Mrs Alving slander her dead husband - well it seemed an injustice that the man wasn't there to defend himself.

			CAPTAIN
		Would he have done so if he had been alive?  If a dead man did rise from his grave, would he be believed any the more?  Good night, Doctor.  As you see I am perfectly calm so you can go to bed.

			DOCTOR
		Let's leave it for now.  Good night.

			CAPTAIN
		Are we on opposite sides?

			DOCTOR
		Far from it.  I hope we can be friends.

He goes.  The CAPTAIN sees him out, then crosses immediately, opens the other door.

			CAPTAIN
		You might as well come in, I know you're there.

LAURA, out of face, walks past him as he holds the door open.  He sits at his desk.

			CAPTAIN
		Sit down.  I went to the post office for my letters.  I gather you've been intercepting my mail -

			LAURA
		You were neglecting your duties.

			CAPTAIN
		- thereby ruining the results of my research.

			LAURA
		I was acting in your interest.

			CAPTAIN
		No you weren't.  You were seeking to deny me scientific honours that would diminish your importance even further.

			LAURA
		Rubbish.

			CAPTAIN
		You've stolen my letters.  Well, now I have some of yours.

			LAURA
		Oh, very noble!

			CAPTAIN
		I gather from what you have written that I am insane.  Friends - staff - servants - all been advised and warned.  I am not insane!  There is nothing wrong with me.  I am perfectly capable of performing my duties as a soldier and my obligations as a father.  My emotions are under control, my will-power intact - up to now - despite your gnawing away at them.  There have been times when I began to sense - however, I shall not appeal to your feelings since you have none.  Rather to your self-interest.

			LAURA
		Go on.

			CAPTAIN
		If I should have a nervous collapse, thanks to your continual and increasing onslaught, consider the consequences.  I shall lose my job and, thereby, my income.  If I die you will receive my life insurance.  However, if I kill myself you will get nothing.  Note that it is in your interest that I stay alive.

			LAURA
		Are you trying to trap me?

			CAPTAIN
		You must decide whether to stick your head in the noose or walk round it.

			LAURA
		Kill yourself!  You won't.

			CAPTAIN
		Are you sure?  Do you think a man wants to survive when there's no-one and nothing to live for?

			LAURA
		Then surrender.

			CAPTAIN
		No.

Pause.

			CAPTAIN
I propose an armistice.

			LAURA
		On what terms?

			CAPTAIN
		That I be allowed to keep my sanity.

		And there must be no doubts.  I want no doubts about -

			LAURA
		About what?

Silence.

			CAPTAIN
		Bertha.

Silence.
			CAPTAIN
		Who is her father?

			LAURA
		You know who.

			CAPTAIN
		Do I?

			LAURA
		Of course you do.

			CAPTAIN
		Then why are you putting these ideas in my head?!

			LAURA
		What ideas?

			CAPTAIN
		(Roars)  That she is Not Mine!!

Silence.

			LAURA
		I said that?

			CAPTAIN
		You've been dripping poison into my ear until I've begun to believe it.  Venom works!

		Tell me.  I must know.  If it's true, if she's another man's child - I forgive you - I have already.

			LAURA
		Why should I plead guilty to something I haven't done?

			CAPTAIN
		You have my word.  No-one will know of it.  I'm hardly likely to broadcast the humiliation.

			LAURA
		If I say it isn't true, will you believe me?  If I say it is true, you'll believe that.  So you'd rather it was true.

			CAPTAIN
		You're saying that if it isn't true, that can't be proved.  Only that if you say it is.

			LAURA
		Do you have grounds for suspicion?

			CAPTAIN
		Yes and no.

			LAURA
		You want me to be guilty.  If I'm guilty then you can turn me out of doors and keep Bertha for yourself.  You won't catch me that way.

			CAPTAIN
		Would I want to keep another man's child?

			LAURA
		Of course you wouldn't.  Forgive me?  I knew that was a lie.

			CAPTAIN
		Laura.  I am asking you to save my sanity.  If you say the child isn't mine, then you are saying that I have no rights over her.  Yes - of course - that is what you want.  Or is it that you want both power over the child and me for support?

			LAURA
		(Shrugs)  What else is this all about?

			CAPTAIN
		(Pause)  I don't believe in an after life.  That child is my only hope of immortality.  Take that away, I'm destroyed.

Silence.

			LAURA
		We should have separated.  Why didn't we, while there was still time?

			CAPTAIN
		Because of the child, we had the child.  And now, after all these years...

		It wasn't the fever.  I wasn't delirious.  The door was open - I heard you! - when I was ill.  You were asking who would inherit, I had money then - I can hear his voice -

		"Not you, Fru Lassen, you have no children."

		And why was that?

		A year later we had a daughter.

		Who is the father?

			LAURA
		You are.

			CAPTAIN
		No.  Not me.  There's been a crime and it's coming to light.  Women!  Oh, so soft-hearted "The poor must be clothed, the hungry fed - slaves must be freed!"  Yes - so long as they are black.  I have slaved for you, your child, your family, sacrificed my life, my career, undergone every torment and anxiety known to man to keep you secure for the rest of your life and for what?  Why?

		For one reason.

		Because I thought I was the father of our child.

			CAPTAIN  (Cont'd)
		Sixteen years of hard labour.  And now, how do you propose to repay me?

			LAURA
		You're mad.

			CAPTAIN
		(Sits)  That is your fervent hope.

		I've even sympathised with you - listening to you crying in your sleep, only last night I heard you shout "Go away - go away!" - I had to knock on the wall.

		Suspicions.  All these years pushing them down, not allowing myself to believe that you - when I think of it!  Years!

			LAURA
		What am I supposed to say?  All I can do is swear by Almighty God on the Holy Bible that you are Bertha's father.

			CAPTAIN
		What use is that?  You've already admitted that a woman will commit any crime to hold on to her child.  Please - I beg you - look, forget that I am a man, a soldier in charge of men.  I am asking you to take pity on me as one human being to another.

LAURA approaches, touches him.

			LAURA
		You're crying.

			CAPTAIN
		Yes.  I'm a man, and I'm crying.  Doesn't a man have a heart, the same as a woman?  Live under the same stars, the same sun?  Why is it unmanly for a man to weep?

He looks up at her and she takes him in her arms.

			LAURA
		Don't stop.  Mama's here.  I was your Mama before, remember? - When we were first together and I held your big, strong body, and you held on to me like some lost, unwanted child.

			CAPTAIN
		I was unwanted.  An unwanted child.  Not knowing what, or why, or where...until you.  I thought "Now I'm whole - now I'm complete!"  I let you take me over - me a soldier, used to leading men.  You were a goddess from another world, and I was your child.

			LAURA
		But you weren't.  You were my lover and it felt like incest.  Like sleeping with my own son.

			CAPTAIN
		And when you held back I was even rougher, not to disappoint, to prove I was a man.

			LAURA
		Wrong.  The mother was your friend - the woman? - oh no.  Friendship?  Between a man and a woman?  I didn't give myself to you.  I took what I wanted.  But you're still the man, so you have the upper hand.

			CAPTAIN
		No, you always had that.  You always hypnotised me till I could neither hear nor see nor think, only obey.  You could make me believe a raw potato was a peach, your stupid ideas brilliant - I'd have committed crimes for you.  I didn't understand that you lacked intelligence - reason - that everything depended on your whim, your mood of the moment.  When I woke up, and saw the damage, honour had to be restored, by action, some noble cause - even a heroic suicide.  That didn't happen, so I turned to science.  Now, when I'm about to receive recognition for all my work, reap the fruits, you chop off my arm.  I am without honour.  A man cannot live without honour.

			LAURA
		But a woman -

			CAPTAIN
		She has children.  He doesn't.  We live in illusion.  Till we wake up with our feet on the pillow.  Who wakes us?  Another sleepwalker.  When women grow old and cease to be women they grow beards.  What about men?  No longer cocks but capons - useless to the hens sitting in the moonlight among the ruins.  Nothing but fantasy.  All a dream with no awakening.

			LAURA
		You should have been a poet.
			CAPTAIN
		Who knows.

			LAURA
		I'm tired.  You'll have to save the rest of these fantasies for tomorrow.

			CAPTAIN
		No.  No more fantasies.  Do you hate me?

			LAURA
		Sometimes.  When you behave like a man.

			CAPTAIN
		That is racial prejudice.  If we are descended from the apes it must be from two different species.

			LAURA
		What are you trying to say?

			CAPTAIN
		That this is a war.  A war that one of us must lose.

			LAURA
		Which one?

			CAPTAIN
		The weaker, of course.

			LAURA
		So the stronger is always in the right?

			CAPTAIN
		He has the power.

			LAURA
		Might means right?

			CAPTAIN
		De facto.

			LAURA
		Then I win.

			CAPTAIN
		You have the power do you?

			LAURA
		(Suddenly vicious)  Yes and I'll have the law on my side tomorrow when I have you certified and placed under restraint!

			CAPTAIN
		Restraint?

			LAURA
		When you are safely in the asylum I shall be free to bring up my own child in my own way without any interference from you!
			CAPTAIN
		And how will you pay for it all if I am not here to support you?

			LAURA
		With your pension.

			CAPTAIN
		(Stands over her threateningly)  And how are you going to have me put under restraint?

			LAURA
		With this letter, a copy of which I've had signed by witnesses and lodged with the authorities.

			CAPTAIN
		What letter?

			LAURA
		(Moving to the door)  Your letter to the doctor saying you were insane!

He stands, transfixed.

			LAURA
		Your job is over.  You are no longer needed.  Your responsibilities as father and breadwinner - unfortunately necessary - are now fulfilled.  Since you won't accept that my will and my intelligence are more than equal to yours, then you must go!

She leaves.  The CAPTAIN picks up the lamp and throws it after her.
Fade to black.
Lights up on the same scene.  The lamp has been replaced by another, and the concealed door is now barricaded by a chair.  The sound of heavy steps above.  LAURA enters with MARGRET.

			LAURA
		Did he give you the keys?

			MARGRET
		I took them from his clothes when I left them out for Nöjd to brush.

			LAURA
		Nöjd's on duty today?

			MARGRET
		Yes.

			LAURA
		Give me the keys.

			MARGRET
		Oh dear.  (She hands over the keys.)  I feel like a thief.  Is that him up there?  (She looks up at the ceiling.)  Back and forth...back and forth.
			LAURA
		Is the door locked?

			MARGRET
		Oh, it's locked all right!

LAURA opens the desk and sits at it.

			LAURA
		Calm down.  If we stay calm, everything will be all right - (a knock - she screams)  Who's that?

MARGARET looks outside.

			NÖJD
		(Head around the door)  It's me, ma'am.

			LAURA
		Let him in.

			NÖJD
		(Holding out a letter)  Dispatch from the Colonel.

			LAURA
		I'll take care of it.  (She holds out her hand, so he gives it to her.  She reads and nods.)  Yes.  Nöjd, have you emptied all the rifles and cartridge bags?

			NÖJD
		Like you said, ma'am.

			LAURA
		Very good.  Wait outside while I answer the Colonel's letter.

NÖJD goes.  LAURA begins to write.
The sound of sawing.

			MARGRET
		Oh, my Lord, what's he doing now?

			LAURA
		Quiet, I'm trying to write.

			MARGRET
		(To herself)  God have mercy on us, how is it going to end?

			LAURA
		Ssh.  Give this to Nöjd and don't say a word to my mother.

MARGRET takes the letter and goes.  LAURA rifles the desk, pulling out papers.  She looks up as the PASTOR enters.  He takes a chair and sits beside her.

			PASTOR
		My dear sister, what on earth's wrong, I've been out all day, they've just told me.

			LAURA
		I have just been through the worst twenty-four hours of my life.

			PASTOR
		You seem well enough.

			LAURA
		I've survived.  When I think what could have happened.

			PASTOR
		What's up?  I've been hearing all sorts of stories -

			LAURA
		It began with his ludicrous idea that he's not Bertha's father.  It ended when he threw a burning lamp in my face!

			PASTOR
		But that's dreadful.  He's lost his mind.  What on earth are we to do?

			LAURA
		The doctor has sent to the asylum for a straitjacket.  I've written to the Colonel, now I'm trying to sort out all these - (she indicates the papers) - you've never seen such a mess.

			PASTOR
		I've always been afraid of this.  Fire and water - they don't mix.  What's in there?  (As LAURA opens a drawer.)

			LAURA
		Look at all that rubbish.

			PASTOR
		Good heavens!  This is the doll you had as a child.  That's your christening cap.  Bertha's rattle - all your letters - and this locket.  (He blows his nose.)  He must have loved you Laura, to keep all these things.  I haven't.

			LAURA
		I daresay he loved me once.  Times change.

			PASTOR
		(He picks up a large paper.)  The receipt for a funeral plot!  Well, better that than the asylum.  What's your part in all this?

			LAURA
		How do you mean?
			PASTOR
		(Looks her straight in the face)  Well?

			LAURA
		(She stares back)  It's not my fault if he's going mad.

He continues to stare into her face, then suddenly turns away.

			PASTOR
		(Shrugs)  I suppose blood is thicker than water.

			LAURA
		What is that supposed to mean?

			PASTOR
		Simply that you're going to be free to do what you want.

			LAURA
		I don't understand.

			PASTOR
		Leaving me as guardian to your afflicted, free-thinking spouse, no doubt.

			LAURA
		Would you be good enough not to insult my husband?

			PASTOR
		Oh you are so good at it, Laura - too much for me!  You'd bite off your own leg in a trap - no accomplices for you, oh no, not your brother, not even your own conscience.  Look at yourself.  Go on, take a look.

			LAURA
		I never look at myself.

			PASTOR
		I'm not surprised.  (He takes her hand, scrutinises it.)

			LAURA
		What?

			PASTOR
		Not one speck - (he sniffs her hand) not one whiff of blood.  An innocent little murder beyond the arm of the law.  Brilliant, absolutely brilliant - a crime of innocence.  Brilliant.  Just watch out.  If that man ever gets loose he'll saw you into pieces.

			LAURA
		You talk a lot - bad conscience?  If you've any proof - prove it.

			PASTOR
		I can't.

			LAURA
		Of course not, so why don't you go and look after your flock, including my husband, and leave me to attend to my own affairs - oh, Doctor.

The DOCTOR enters.

			LAURA
		Good evening - you'll help me won't you?  Not that there's much we can do - listen!  (They listen to the knocking.)  D'you hear it?

			DOCTOR
		Indeed yes.  I gather there has been violence here.

			PASTOR
		(Together)  I'm afraid so.

			LAURA
		Ohh!

			DOCTOR
		What must be decided is whether it was an outbreak of anger - or insanity.

			PASTOR
		Apart from tonight, you must admit he has some very odd ideas.

			DOCTOR
		Like yourself, Pastor.

			PASTOR
		My spiritual convictions -

			DOCTOR
		Are of no interest to me.  Fru Lassen.  It is your responsibility.  Do you want your husband imprisoned and fined for assault or do you want him put away as a madman?  (Pause)  How would you describe the Captain's behaviour?

			LAURA
		I can't say.

			DOCTOR
		You have no strong feelings either way?  Pastor?

			PASTOR
		There'll be a scandal whatever we choose.

			LAURA
		If he's just ordered to pay a fine he'll do it again!

			DOCTOR
		If he is sent to prison he'll be out soon enough.  So do we agree that it is best for all concerned if we have him certified?  Where is the Nurse?

			LAURA
		Why?

			DOCTOR
		She must put on the straitjacket, but not until I give the nod.  One moment.

He goes out, returns with a bundle under his arm.

			DOCTOR
		Please ask the Nurse to come in.

LAURA rings.

			PASTOR
		This is awful.

MARGRET enters.  The DOCTOR produces the straitjacket.

			DOCTOR
		I want you to put this on the Captain when I give you the sign.  Approach him from behind to avoid any struggle - fasten the sleeves behind his back, put the straps through these buckles and harness him to the chair.  Can you do that?

			MARGRET
		Oh I couldn't Doctor, I couldn't!

			LAURA
		Why don't you do it yourself?

			DOCTOR
		He doesn't trust me.  Normally you would be the one to do it but alas he doesn't trust you.  Pastor?

			PASTOR
		Me?  No, I couldn't possibly!

LAURA rings.  NÖJD enters.

			LAURA
		Did you deliver the letter?

			NÖJD
		Yes, ma'am.

			DOCTOR
		Ah, Nöjd.  As you know, the Captain's been taken ill - his mind has given way.  We need you to help us look after him.
			NÖJD
		If it's for the Captain sir, nothing's too much to ask, he knows that.

			DOCTOR
		We need you to put this jacket on him -

			MARGRET
		No!  He can't - he'll be too rough!  I'll do it.  Tell him to wait outside in case I need him.

There is loud knocking on the concealed door.

			DOCTOR
		It's him!  Hide the jacket under a shawl - good, now outside everyone please...Pastor, you stay.

			MARGRET
		(Going)  Lord in Heaven help us.

LAURA closes the desk.  She and NÖJD leave.

The door bursts open, the chair is overturned and the CAPTAIN appears, his arms full of books.  He topples them onto the table, picking them out in turn as he speaks.

			CAPTAIN
		You see, it's all here!  I'm not mad - it's all here!  (Picks up a book, waves the marker.)  The Odyssey, Book 1, line 215 - (looks at cover) - Uppsala translation.  Telemachus to Athene: "My mother claims that the man known as Odysseus is my father.  Can I be sure?  Can any man know for certain by whom he is sired?"  And he says this of the virtuous Penelope - telling, wouldn't you say?  And here - look - (he picks up a bible, throws away the marker)  The prophet Ezekiel "The fool saith: `Lo, here is my father!' but who can say truly from whose loins he is sprung?"  Well, that's clear enough.  And what do we have here?  Merslekon's History of Russian Literature.  (He furrows for the place.)  Ah.  "Aleksander Pushkin, Russia's greatest poet, died more from the agony of suspecting his wife of infidelity than from the bullet he took in the fatal duel.  On his deathbed he asserted her innocence.  Idiot - fool!  Jonas - you here?  And the Doctor of course.  Have I told you what I said to the Englishwoman - when she complained that the Irish throw burning lamps at their wives?  "Well, when a woman goads a man - "

			PASTOR
		Then?

			CAPTAIN
		Then what?  Who knows?  Who knows anything for sure.  You believe, you take it on trust - you are saved.  Or destroyed.

			DOCTOR
		Captain -

			CAPTAIN
		Shut up, I am not talking to you, you are the enemy.  Tell me Jonas, you're the father of your children, aren't you?  Are you?  Are you sure?  Remember the tutor you had at one time.  The young, good-looking one?  The one they all gossiped about?

			PASTOR
		Mind what you say.

			CAPTAIN
		Put your hand here - (touches his own head) can you feel two bumps - oh!  (As the PASTOR does so uncertainly.)  You've lost colour, I wonder why.

		We're laughing stocks, every married man on this earth, isn't that so, Doctor?  How was your marriage?  Wasn't there a young subaltern billeted with you?  Let me see, wasn't he called - (he leans, whispers in the Doctor's ear) now He's as white as a sheet.  Never mind, yours is dead and buried, what's done is - I knew him, by the way, major in the Dragoons...by God, another pair of horns!

			DOCTOR
		(Upset)  Captain, could we please change the subject?

			CAPTAIN
		You see?  I use the word horns, he wants to change the subject.

			PASTOR
		 My dear man...you are out of your mind.

			CAPTAIN
		And so would you be, both of you...if I had the time...cuckolds!  Yes, I am mad.  But how - why?  Do you want to know? - of course you don't, let's talk of something else.  (He picks up the photograph album.)  Dear God there she is.  My daughter.  Mine?  Who knows?  There's only one way to be sure.  Get married to placate society, divorce, live together in sin and adopt your own children.  At least then if you're the father and she's your adopted child, well that's

			CAPTAIN  (Cont'd)
		something you can be sure of, am I right?  Doesn't help me now of course, now you've taken it from me.

			PASTOR
		Taken what?

			CAPTAIN
		My immortality.

		What is the good of science - philosophy - life itself - without honour?  I grafted my right arm, half my brain, half my spine onto another stem to make a more perfect tree.  A woman, with a knife, sliced under the graft leaving half a man.  She grows, thrives, using the best of me given to her in love, what's left withers and dies.

		I want to die.  Do what you will with me.  I don't exist any more.

The DOCTOR whispers to the PASTOR.  The PASTOR nods in agreement and they exit.

The CAPTAIN sits, slumped in his chair.  BERTHA runs in.

			BERTHA
		Father?

He looks up and she approaches, and stands before him, gazing down at him.

			BERTHA
		Are you ill?

He gazes up at her.

			BERTHA
		Do you know what you did?  You threw a lamp at Mama!

			CAPTAIN
		Did I?

			BERTHA
		Yes you did.  Suppose you'd hurt her?

			CAPTAIN
		Suppose I had!

			BERTHA
		You're not my father when you speak like that.

Silence.

			CAPTAIN
		What did you say?  I'm not your father?  Who said that?  Who is your father?

			BERTHA
		Not you, anyway.
			CAPTAIN
		Who then, you seem to know.  Still at it are they?  I never thought to hear my own child tell me to my face that she wasn't my daughter.  If I'm not your father, what does that make your mother?

			BERTHA
		Stop it.

			CAPTAIN
		A whore.

Silence.

			BERTHA
		You are not to say things about Mother.

			CAPTAIN
		Yes, stick together, as you've done all along.

			BERTHA
		Father!

			CAPTAIN
		Don't use that word.

			BERTHA
		Father - Papa, Papa!

			CAPTAIN
		(Draws her close)  Bertha - oh my love, of course you're mine.  Let me look at you, look at me, let me see my own soul in your eyes.  But she's there to!  Two souls - with mine you love me, with hers - No!  You must love only me, be mine, the offshoot of me, my thoughts, my will -

			BERTHA
		I don't want that, I want to be myself.

			CAPTAIN
		(Shakes his head)  I won't let you.  I'm a cannibal - I want to eat you.  She wants to eat me but she can't.  I am Saturn who ate his own children when he was told they would devour him.  Eat or be eaten!  If I don't eat you, you will eat me, you've already shown me your teeth.  Don't be afraid, my darling, I'm not going to hurt you.

He goes to the guns on the wall and takes down a revolver.

			BERTHA
		(Trying to evade him)  Mother!  Help me - he's trying to murder me!

			MARGRET
		(Enters)  What is it?  What are you doing?  (BERTHA slips out.)

			CAPTAIN
		(Inspecting the revolver)  Have you taken the cartridges?

			MARGRET
		Oh, I tidied them away, you just sit down, I'll get them for you.

She takes him by the arm and persuades him over to the chair.  He sits, his energy gone.  She goes behind him and brings out the straitjacket.

			MARGRET
		Now dear, remember when you were a little boy and I used to tuck you up at night and we'd say prayers?  Remember how I'd get up in the night and fetch you a drink?  How I'd light a candle and tell you fairy stories when you had a bad dream and couldn't sleep?  Remember?

			CAPTAIN
		(Relaxing)  Go on.

			MARGRET
		All right, but you must sit quiet and listen.  Do you remember when you were little you took the big carving knife to make a boat and I had to coax it back by telling you a story so's you wouldn't hurt yourself - "Give me that snake" I said "before it bites" and you let go.  And the times you wouldn't get dressed, so I'd say you'd be a prince in a golden coat and I'd take your little jacket and I'd say "In we go - both arms" and then I'd say "Sit still now - be a good boy while I do you up."  (She has the straitjacket on him.)  And then I'd say "Stand up and we'll see how you look" and then "Bedtime!"

			CAPTAIN
		Bedtime?  What are you talking about?  Damnation! - what have you done to me?  (He tries to free himself)  Goddammit, woman - you as well?  Out-manoeuvred!  I can't even kill myself!

			MARGRET
		Oh my dear, forgive me.  I couldn't let you hurt the child.

			CAPTAIN
		Why not?  Life is Hell, children belong in Heaven!

			MARGRET
		What do you know about Heaven?

			CAPTAIN
		It can't be less than I know about life.

			MARGRET
		You must humble your heart and pray for mercy.  It's not too late - it wasn't too late for the thief on the Cross.  Didn't Jesus say "Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise."

			CAPTAIN
		Croaking over my corpse already are you, you old crow?  (MARGRET affronted, takes out her prayer book.)

		(Calls)  Nöjd?  Nöjd, are you there?

NÖJD enters.

			CAPTAIN
		Throw her out - trying to shove her prayer book down my throat - shove her out the window - up the chimney - anywhere you want!

			NÖJD
		(Looks towards MARGRET)  God help you, Captain, how can I?  I'd take on half a dozen hussars, but a woman?

			CAPTAIN
		Can't you get the better of her?

			NÖJD
		Of course I can, sir, but I couldn't raise my hand to a woman.

			CAPTAIN
		They've been laying their hands on me, God dammit!

			NÖJD
		I can't do it, Captain, any more than if you was to ask me to strike down the Pastor.  It goes against the blood.

LAURA enters, gestures for NÖJD to go.  He exits quickly.

			CAPTAIN
		Omphale!  Omphale!  She enters bearing the club while Hercules winds the wool.

			LAURA
		My dear.  Look at you.  Ohh!  You don't really take me for your enemy, do you?

			CAPTAIN
		You're my enemies, all of you...my mother who starved me in the womb, my bully of a sister, my first love who diseased me for ten years - my nurse, my turncoat daughter - most of all, you.

			LAURA
		Me?

			CAPTAIN
		For bleeding me white and throwing away the bones.

			LAURA
		Nonsense.  I never planned all this, it never entered my head - if it did I wasn't aware of it.  True, I have had feelings - I've wanted to be free, but if I've hurt you, I'm sorry.  It wasn't on purpose.

			CAPTAIN
		What use is that to me, even if it's true?

		Whose fault is it?  Yours?  Mine?  Marriage?  In the old days a man married a wife.  Now he enters a partnership with a businesswoman, rapes and seduces other women on the side.

		What happened to love?

		Killed in the process.

		And what of the issue of this limited company?  Who pays when the crash comes?  Who honours the cheques?

		Who is the father of our child?

			LAURA
		You know who.

			CAPTAIN
		That's what is so terrible.  Nothing real, definite, nothing to fight but shadows.  If I knew it to be true I could fight - it's not knowing!  My brain races on and on till it goes on fire!  I'm cold.

LAURA spreads her shawl over him.  MARGRET goes off to fetch a pillow.

			LAURA
		Give me your hand, dear.

			CAPTAIN
		My hand?  You've tied it behind my back!  Omphale - omphale...ohh, I can feel your shawl on my mouth, it's soft and warm and smells of vanilla like your hair when you were young and we used to walk in the birch woods with the primroses and the thrushes...so lovely...  Did you want it to come to this?  I didn't.  Somebody...
		Who?

			LAURA
		God.

MARGRET enters with a pillow.

			CAPTAIN
		The god of war then.  Or the goddess.  Take this cat off me...(MARGRET removes the shawl, puts a pillow behind his neck.)  Get my tunic, put that over me.  (MARGRET takes down his tunic and lays it over him.)  Omphale - that's better - my skin that you'd have off me - cunning women, preaching peace and disarmament.  Wake up, Hercules!  They'll trick us out of our armour, tell us it's tinsel.  Off with the armourer - omphale - now it's to be the seamstress.  Force gives way to weakness.  Damn you.  I could curse the lot of you.  What's this pillow, Margret, it's hard.  Let me put my head on your lap.  Ah, that's better.  Lean over so that I can feel your breast - oh, it's warm - so good to sleep on a woman's breast - the mother or the mistress - the mother most of all.

			LAURA
		Do you want to see her - your child?

			CAPTAIN
		A man doesn't have children.  Women have children.  We die childless, the future's theirs, not ours.  Dear Lord, thou who lovest the meek...

			MARGRET
		(Whispers)  He's praying!

			CAPTAIN
		No.  I just, want to go to sleep.  Put me to sleep, I'm tired...so tired.  Good night, Margret, blessed among women -

He raises himself up, but falls back with a cry into her lap.  LAURA runs to the door.

			LAURA
		Doctor!

The DOCTOR runs on, followed by the PASTOR.

			LAURA
		Help me - is it too late?  He's not breathing.

			DOCTOR
		(Feeling a pulse)  He's had a stroke.

			PASTOR
		Is he dead?

			DOCTOR
		No.  He may recover consciousness.  What sort of consciousness I can't say.

			PASTOR
		Death - and judgement.

			DOCTOR
		Shall we leave the judgement to God?

			MARGRET
		Pastor, in his last moment he was praying!

			PASTOR
		(To LAURA)  Is that true?

			LAURA
		Yes.

			DOCTOR
		(Examines the CAPTAIN)  My part is over.  You must try your skills now.  (To the PASTOR.)

			LAURA
		Is that all you can say?  On his death-bed?

			DOCTOR
		If any man knows more, let him speak.

			BERTHA
		(Runs in to her MOTHER)  Mama! - oh Mother!

			LAURA
		My child - my own child!

			PASTOR
		Amen.

THE END.