 |
 |
 |
 |
| Courtesy of Iliriapress |
 |
| Anton Zako �ajupi |
| Scene XIII Adham-Uti, Lulushe, Zeneli Adham-Uti: Why in God�s name did you show my obituary to Miss Lulushe, Zeneli? Zeneli: I�m very sorry. I forgot it was on the table. Adham-Uti: That was a big mistake. Listen here! What possibly made you think that I was about to die? Zeneli (surprised): I, I don�t really know. Adham-Uti: And what kind of death do you personally think I will suffer? Zeneli: I imagine, Doctor Efendi, that you might slip and fall off a cliff. Adham-Uti: Very good, but I do not intend to go climbing. Zeneli: That is probably a good idea. Adham-Uti: But why does the obituary say I died of a stroke? Zeneli: Well, perhaps because you have a thick neck, and anyway, you seem to lose your temper quite often. Adham-Uti: That is quite true, but I�m not insane. Why all the effort for an obituary which has not been published in the newspaper? And it never will be, because, I swear to God, I do not intend to die, ever! May the devil take that journalist and the obituary he wrote! (He seizes the text and tears it angrily to pieces) Zeneli: Don�t do it, Doctor Efendi! Don�t upset yourself because you might have a stroke. What are you doing? Why are you tearing up the obituary? How am I going to piece it back together? What is my boss going to say? What about all the work? At least.. Damn, you promised me... Adham-Uti: Promised you what? Zeneli: Two more silver coins. |
| Faqja Page 17 |
| Adham-Uti: What? You insult me and you want me to pay you for it? Are you out of your mind? Zeneli: What? You mean that Doctor Adham-Uti is breaking his word of honour? Next time I�ll ask for payment in advance. Lulushe: Did you find my obituary, Zeneli? Zeneli: I was about to look around for it, when all this uproar began and I rushed back to see what was going on. But you will have to pay me five silver coins in advance. Otherwise... Lulushe: Two coins, like the doctor. Zeneli: No, woman, more than that! Lulushe: We poor women! Zeneli: And are you willing to pay me even if they insult you? Lulushe: Don�t worry. Let them insult me! I�ll pay you whatever they say. (To Adham-Uti): We only want to know what they say about us when we pass on. Zeneli: Are you going to tear up the article? Lulushe: Not at all! Zeneli: Do you swear you won�t? Lulushe: I give you my word. Zeneli: Alright, I�ll go and get it. (He departs) |
| Scene XIV Miss Lulushe, Adham-Uti Adham-Uti: Isn�t what I have suffered enough? Do you really want to suffer too? Lulushe: Yes, I must know what they say about me. Oh, I am well aware of how they flatter women as long as we are alive. But after death, the truth always comes out. Nothing is sacred anymore. Adham-Uti: Truth? So you believe what they wrote about me is the truth? Lulushe: I beg your pardon, sir. No one is without fault, and newspapers certainly make mistakes. But, who knows? One day, in a hundred years, in two hundred years, the truth will come out. Adham-Uti: In two hundred years! I want them to know who I really am right now. Lulushe: When a man is dead, what do a hundred, two hundred or a thousand years mean? |
| Scene XV Adham-Uti, Lulushe, Zeneli Zeneli (approaches Lulushe and says): It was a struggle, but I found it. Lulushe: Oh, thank you, Zeneli. Here are the silver coins. Zeneli: I am much obliged to you. (To himself): At least you kept your word. (In a loud voice): Splendid weather today, don�t you think, although it is a bit chilly. Would you like me to light the fire? Adham-Uti: Why not? (Zeneli lights the fire and departs) |
| Scene XVI Adham-Uti, Lulushe Adham-Uti: Let us see what they have to say about you. Lulushe: Yes, let�s have a look. Why is my hand trembling? Adham-Uti: You are not afraid, are you? Lulushe: Afraid? By no means. You will see. (She sits down and reads the obituary): "Miss Lulushe passed away..." (Her hand falls). But I don�t even know what I have! What did I die of? I do feel a bit queasy. I have the feeling I am beginning to faint. I think I am dying. Adham-Uti (taking the article from her): Let me read it. (He reads) "It is with great affliction that we learned that Miss Lulushe has passed away suddenly and quite unexpectedly. In tomorrow�s edition we will publish more details about this angel, about this fair flower, fairer than anyone else in the country." Lulushe (satisfied): Angel! Flower! Adham-Uti (furious): Damn! Praise for a woman and nothing but ridicule for a healer like myself. Lulushe: Please, sir, do not allow yourself to become upset. Adham-Uti (furious): No, no. You are quite right. Read on for yourself. |
 |
 |