L'Assommoir: A Play in Five Acts. Emile Zola

      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 BOCHE

      That’s just like me. But I am late. Till later, Madame Lantier. Your servant, Mr. Coupeau. (she leaves)

      COUPEAU (seeing Gervaise is sad)

      What’s wrong with you this morning, Madame Gervaise? The boss isn’t here?

      GERVAISE (somber)

      No.

      COUPEAU

      He went out before daybreak?

      GERVAISE

      Yes. (bursts into tears) Ah, I am indeed wretched!

      COUPEAU

      Look, look, what’s the matter?

      GERVAISE

      It’s that—Lantier didn’t come home last night. I spent the night at this window waiting for him and crying.

      COUPEAU

      My God, you mustn’t be desolated. You know, Lantier’s very busy with politics. Indeed, perhaps he remained with friends—to speak ill of the government—that distracts him! A wife must be indulgent with her husband.

      GERVAISE (exploding)

      My husband! Would he dare to behave in this way if I were his wife?

      COUPEAU

      What, you aren’t?

      GERVAISE

      Listen, Mr. Coupeau, I am going to tell you everything. Perhaps you will give me some good advice. No—I am not his wife. My God! This happens, this happens