Scene

  1 Ded|           Mr Vurko - a journalist~Zeneli - an employee at the Salonica
  2 1  |                           Scene 1~Zeneli, Adham-Uti~(The characters
  3 1  |     presently waiting for him?...~Zeneli (with a smirk): Doctor Efendi,
  4 1  |     Adham-Uti: What the devil!...~Zeneli: What? Oh, please don’t
  5 2  |         Scene 2~Adham-Uti, Vurko, Zeneli~Vurko (in a huff): Zeneli,
  6 2  |         Zeneli~Vurko (in a huff): Zeneli, has Skëndo Bey arrived
  7 2  |           Skëndo Bey arrived yet?~Zeneli: No, Vurko, and I don’t
  8 2  |            Vurko (whispering into Zeneli’s ear): Who is he?~Zeneli (
  9 2  |         Zeneli’s ear): Who is he?~Zeneli (in a loud voice): What?
 10 2  |         all. Don’t talk nonsense!~Zeneli (with a smirk): Oh, I am
 11 2  |     snickering): Crocodile tears, Zeneli? What kind of name is that
 12 2  |       Odysseus of Homeric fame...~Zeneli (surprised): Oh, you have
 13 2  |       have always lived up to it!~Zeneli (looking at Vurko): Oh,
 14 2  |           the girls’ school only?~Zeneli: Yes, why indeed?~Adham-Uti (
 15 2  |       Vurko: No, I swear I don’t.~Zeneli (triumphantly): I know!
 16 2  |    Therefore what?... Keep going!~Zeneli: Well, they are cleverer
 17 2  |       mother took it...~Vurko and Zeneli (together): She was cured!~
 18 2  |         her sleep, as I told you!~Zeneli: What a wondrous drug! One
 19 3  |                Scene 3~Adham-Uti, Zeneli~Adham-Uti (tapping his watch):
 20 3  |       does not seem to be coming! Zeneli, has Miss Lulushe not arrived
 21 3  |          Lulushe not arrived yet?~Zeneli: Not yet, sir! I haven’t
 22 3  |         poor Haxhi Aliu has died.~Zeneli: No, milord! He is not dead.
 23 3  |           has passed away"... (to Zeneli): What a dreadful loss!
 24 3  |           lost a good man indeed!~Zeneli: But he is fine. A newspaper
 25 3  |     flattering obituary. Tell me, Zeneli, how many days ago was this
 26 3  |        ago was this text written?~Zeneli: Oh, quite a while ago,
 27 3  |       Figures of renown, you say?~Zeneli: Yes, of course. A renowned
 28 3  |         to be a figure of renown?~Zeneli: What do you mean? Are you
 29 3  |          me to be a great figure?~Zeneli: With a long life?~Adham-Uti (
 30 3  |        Adham-Uti (patiently): No, Zeneli, I want you to tell me if
 31 3  |          am known as a writer?...~Zeneli: Well, that’s what you,
 32 3  |         figure of renown, or not?~Zeneli: A what?~Adham-Uti: A great
 33 3  |           Adham-Uti: A great man!~Zeneli: Why do you even bother
 34 3  |           fun of me now, are you?~Zeneli: Not at all, I swear it.
 35 3  |       Adham-Uti: How do you know?~Zeneli: Because you are not short.~
 36 3  |       short.~Adham-Uti: Why else?~Zeneli: Because you have a beard
 37 3  |           learn things like that?~Zeneli: It’s what my grandmother
 38 3  |           too! Tell me the truth, Zeneli, don’t keep anything from
 39 3  |          t keep anything from me!~Zeneli: I’m sure he must have,
 40 3  |      Adham-Uti: Alright, alright, Zeneli. Can you give me your word?~
 41 3  |        Can you give me your word?~Zeneli: About what?~Adham-Uti:
 42 3  |            Can you keep a secret?~Zeneli: No need to worry about
 43 3  |            Take this silver coin.~Zeneli: A real coin? For me?~Adham-Uti:
 44 3  |           me?~Adham-Uti: For you.~Zeneli: I may be a Moslem, but
 45 3  |           Adham-Uti: Why is that?~Zeneli: They say you are a bit
 46 3  |          Don’t listen to rumours.~Zeneli: A coin, all for me?~Adham-Uti:
 47 3  |          two others for you, too, Zeneli, if you tell me...~Zeneli:
 48 3  |         Zeneli, if you tell me...~Zeneli: Oh, damn, now I understand.
 49 3  |          will tell me, won’t you?~Zeneli: Damn it! But then... why
 50 3  |           you want of me, my boy?~Zeneli: You can’t make money here.
 51 3  |       survive on.~Adham-Uti: And?~Zeneli: I was thinking to going
 52 3  |         Adham-Uti: And then what?~Zeneli: To put it short, milord,
 53 3  |  Adham-Uti: Do you know his name?~Zeneli: No, I don’t. I can’t remember,
 54 3  |           of course he has money?~Zeneli: Yes, sir. He has income
 55 3  |   president of the Bashkimi Club?~Zeneli: I would like him to get
 56 3  |          you know how to do that?~Zeneli: Of course I do. I have
 57 3  |        your family, I don’t know, Zeneli.~Zeneli: I have no family,
 58 3  |     family, I don’t know, Zeneli.~Zeneli: I have no family, Doctor
 59 3  |          proper life in the open.~Zeneli: Everyone thinks I’m married
 60 3  |     Kuvendi’ newspaper have lied.~Zeneli: milord, a lie is the salt
 61 3  |         Adham-Uti: What the hell?~Zeneli: Oh, don’t use that word.
 62 3  |       book on that tonic of mine.~Zeneli: I’ve got it, doctor. I
 63 3  |        You sound like Archimedes?~Zeneli: No, no, not Archimedes,
 64 3  |          have to say for himself?~Zeneli: He said that all the Albanians
 65 3  |           this Mr Machi of yours, Zeneli, is the same as the rest
 66 3  |        worse. Lord preserve us...~Zeneli: What a fool I must then
 67 3  |        clothes, I said to myself, Zeneli, I said to myself, this
 68 3  |       What were we talking about?~Zeneli: What were we talking about?~
 69 3  |           silver coin, after all.~Zeneli: And you promised me two
 70 3  |           to get him to help you.~Zeneli: You promise?~Adham-Uti:
 71 3  |         Bey has written about me.~Zeneli: Why not. Except that I
 72 3  |           Well, look for it then!~Zeneli: You’ll have to come back
 73 3  |        later.~Adham-Uti: Alright.~Zeneli: Fine. And the day I find
 74 3  |          you fool? I want it now.~Zeneli: Right away? (The telephone
 75 3  |           The telephone rings and Zeneli rushes to answer it): Hello.
 76 3  |           answer it): Hello. It’s Zeneli speaking. Who? Yes, of course.
 77 3  |          very much. All the best.~Zeneli: Who has the eye infection,
 78 3  |           You don’t know? Mehdiu.~Zeneli: The governor?~Adham-Uti:
 79 3  |         has asked me to heal him.~Zeneli: And you want to remove
 80 3  |          can even see at night...~Zeneli (dumbfounded): Good Lord.
 81 3  |   Adham-Uti: Don’t talk nonsense, Zeneli. These are serious and profound
 82 3  |    promised me, for the obituary.~Zeneli: Well, don’t forget the
 83 3  |         put and wait for me here.~Zeneli: Very well, doctor. Have
 84 4  |                           Scene 4~Zeneli~Zeneli (to himself): Two
 85 4  |                    Scene 4~Zeneli~Zeneli (to himself): Two coins
 86 5  |                           Scene 5~Zeneli, Vurko~Vurko: What do you
 87 5  |          Vurko: What do you want, Zeneli?~Zeneli: Could you do me
 88 5  |         What do you want, Zeneli?~Zeneli: Could you do me a favour?~
 89 5  |            What can I do for you?~Zeneli: I would like you to write
 90 5  |         prepare the text for you.~Zeneli: Well, he’s not exactly
 91 5  |          until he dies, at least?~Zeneli: I can wait, but he can’
 92 5  |           dead.~Vurko: Who is it?~Zeneli: I gave him my word of honour
 93 5  |          would ever tell, do you?~Zeneli: Well, just between the
 94 5  |        and is not seeking praise. Zeneli, is this Adham-Uti going
 95 5  |        going to pay you anything?~Zeneli: How could you possibly
 96 5  |       write the article you want.~Zeneli: Thank you. I am much obliged.
 97 5  |          between the two of us...~Zeneli: Listen, I have an idea...~
 98 5  |            Vurko: What is it now?~Zeneli: I think he would be even
 99 5  |      press and see what I can do.~Zeneli: Thank you so much!~Vurko:
100 6  |                           Scene 6~Zeneli, then Miss Lulushe~Zeneli (
101 6  |         Zeneli, then Miss Lulushe~Zeneli (to himself): Adham-Uti
102 6  |    Lulushe enters saying): Hello, Zeneli.~Zeneli: How are you? My
103 6  |           saying): Hello, Zeneli.~Zeneli: How are you? My boss hasn’
104 6  |          I feel so sorry for him.~Zeneli: Don’t feel too sorry for
105 6  |           him back to life again?~Zeneli: If only they could.~Miss
106 6  |            what do you mean then?~Zeneli: Haxhi Aliu hasn’t exactly
107 6  |         you written his obituary?~Zeneli: Because he is at death’
108 6  |           happens if he survives?~Zeneli: We store the obituary with
109 6  |             A fine custom indeed.~Zeneli: We are not doing anything
110 6  |              kicking, as you say.~Zeneli: Oh, I cannot imagine for
111 6  |         has written about me too?~Zeneli: I have no doubt about it.
112 6  |          about me when I die? (To Zeneli): Zeneli, do you really
113 6  |          when I die? (To Zeneli): Zeneli, do you really think he’
114 6  |          written a text about me?~Zeneli: I quite sure of it, and
115 6  |        Miss Lulushe: Listen then!~Zeneli: I am listening, Miss. What
116 6  |          Could you show it to me?~Zeneli (pretending not to understand):
117 6  |       Miss Lulushe: The obituary.~Zeneli (shaking his head): I’m
118 6  |            Miss Lulushe: Why not?~Zeneli: Because you would be quite
119 6  |   insulted!~Miss Lulushe: Please, Zeneli, do it for me.~Zeneli: Ask
120 6  |     Please, Zeneli, do it for me.~Zeneli: Ask me for something else,
121 6  |       give you five silver coins.~Zeneli: Five silver coins, you
122 6  |          time. Thank you so much, Zeneli! (she departs)~
123 7  |                           Scene 7~Zeneli, alone~Zeneli: One plus
124 7  |             Scene 7~Zeneli, alone~Zeneli: One plus two make three,
125 8  |                           Scene 8~Zeneli, Vurko~Vurko: (enters with
126 8  |   anything else I can do for you?~Zeneli: I am very grateful to you,
127 8  |           obituary for Adham-Uti?~Zeneli: No, my good friend, not
128 8  |           re going a bit too far, Zeneli, if you ask me.~Zeneli:
129 8  |            Zeneli, if you ask me.~Zeneli: Please, Vurko, do me the
130 8  |  something else I can do for you?~Zeneli: I can pay you, if you want...
131 8  |         doing! I have work to do.~Zeneli: Listen, Vurko! This time
132 8  |      Vurko: For a lady? For whom, Zeneli?~Zeneli: For Miss Lulushe.~
133 8  |           lady? For whom, Zeneli?~Zeneli: For Miss Lulushe.~Vurko:
134 8  |           she going to come here?~Zeneli: She just left and is going
135 8  |        quite a beauty, isn’t she?~Zeneli: That’s for sure.~Vurko:
136 8  |        sure.~Vurko: Red cheeks...~Zeneli: As red as pomegranates!~
137 8  | light-skinned nape of her neck...~Zeneli: Superb!~Vurko: Listen,
138 8  |            Superb!~Vurko: Listen, Zeneli, I have been after her for
139 8  |           her for two months now.~Zeneli: And you are getting nowhere.~
140 8  |           have written about her.~Zeneli: Well, what do you think?~
141 8  |           it. I give you my word, Zeneli, that I’ll sit down and
142 8  |          when do you want it for?~Zeneli: As soon as possible this
143 8  |       rewards!~Vurko: Not at all, Zeneli. Keep everything for yourself.
144 9  |                           Scene 9~Zeneli, alone~Zeneli (satisfied
145 9  |             Scene 9~Zeneli, alone~Zeneli (satisfied with himself):
146 10 |                          Scene 10~Zeneli, Lulushe~Lulushe: Haven’
147 10 |         Haven’t you found it yet?~Zeneli: Not yet, but it will be
148 10 |            We’ll search together.~Zeneli: No, no! I looked through
149 10 |        Bey’s office.~Lulushe: Oh.~Zeneli: Wait. I’ll go and see.
150 12 |           was true. And from what Zeneli told me...~Adham-Uti: Let
151 12 |       throw mud at me! Oh, Oh... (Zeneli enters)~
152 13 |      Scene 13~Adham-Uti, Lulushe, Zeneli~Adham-Uti: Why in God’s
153 13 |         obituary to Miss Lulushe, Zeneli?~Zeneli: I’m very sorry.
154 13 |          to Miss Lulushe, Zeneli?~Zeneli: I’m very sorry. I forgot
155 13 |          that I was about to die?~Zeneli (surprised): I, I don’t
156 13 |   personally think I will suffer?~Zeneli: I imagine, Doctor Efendi,
157 13 |        not intend to go climbing.~Zeneli: That is probably a good
158 13 |           say I died of a stroke?~Zeneli: Well, perhaps because you
159 13 |       tears it angrily to pieces)~Zeneli: Don’t do it, Doctor Efendi!
160 13 |     Adham-Uti: Promised you what?~Zeneli: Two more silver coins.~
161 13 |         Are you out of your mind?~Zeneli: What? You mean that Doctor
162 13 |         Did you find my obituary, Zeneli?~Zeneli: I was about to
163 13 |         find my obituary, Zeneli?~Zeneli: I was about to look around
164 13 |           coins, like the doctor.~Zeneli: No, woman, more than that!~
165 13 |           Lulushe: We poor women!~Zeneli: And are you willing to
166 13 |         about us when we pass on.~Zeneli: Are you going to tear up
167 13 |     article?~Lulushe: Not at all!~Zeneli: Do you swear you won’t?~
168 13 |      Lulushe: I give you my word.~Zeneli: Alright, I’ll go and get
169 15 |      Scene 15~Adham-Uti, Lulushe, Zeneli~Zeneli (approaches Lulushe
170 15 |        Adham-Uti, Lulushe, Zeneli~Zeneli (approaches Lulushe and
171 15 |           Lulushe: Oh, thank you, Zeneli. Here are the silver coins.~
172 15 |        Here are the silver coins.~Zeneli: I am much obliged to you. (
173 15 |        fire?~Adham-Uti: Why not? (Zeneli lights the fire and departs)~
174 17 |                    Scene 17~First Zeneli, then Vurko~Zeneli (angrily
175 17 |          First Zeneli, then Vurko~Zeneli (angrily to Adham-Uti):
176 17 |          of Albania catches fire.~Zeneli: And what will the Young
177 17 |      satisfaction): Here you are, Zeneli. Thank you. (she hands it
178 17 |        you. (she hands it to him)~Zeneli: Thank you. I am going to
179 17 |         huff, stroking his beard. Zeneli then departs too and bumps