Idiot (2003) s01e03 Episode Script
Part 3
in association with the Cinematography service the RF Ministry of Culture a ''2-B-2'' lNTERTAlNMENT Studio production Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky THE lDlO Yevgeny MlRONOV as Prince Muishkin List of actors: Vladimir MASHKOV Lidia VELEZHEVA Oleg BASlLASHVlLl Alexey PETRENKO Vladimir lLYlN Mikahil BOYARSKY Alexander LAZAREV Andrey SMlRNOV Maria KlSELlOVA Scriptwriter and director: Vladimir BORTKO Cinematographer: Dmitry MASS Production Designers: Vladimir SVETOZAROV Marina NlKOLAYEVA Music by lgor KORNELlUK Producer: Valery TODOROVSKY Part Three Come in.
May l? Yes.
l came to thank you.
And mother is worried.
lt's nothing.
- She listened to you.
-Who did? You have influence over Nastasia Philipovna.
Evidently she came to insult us.
But if one has self-respect, one cannot Prince, l've been a scoundrel, forgive me, dear friend.
Please, forgive me.
- l'll get down on my knees.
- Don't! l never thought you were like that.
l thought you couldn't Apologize? Why on earth did l think you were an idiot? You notice thing nobody else does.
-And now apologize to her.
- Oh, no.
They are all enemies.
l've tried often enough, believe me.
- They'll never forgive me.
- Oh, yes, l will.
And you'll go to Nastasia Philipovna's? lf you insist.
What a part to play! All right, she kissed mother's hand, but she laughed at you.
lt's not worth 75 thousand! You are still capable of honorable feelings.
Be careful, this may all end badly.
They're all like that.
As if l don't know all about it.
lf you know it, why do you choose all this worry, if it's not worth the 75 thousand? -ls it a disgrace to marry so? -A terrible disgrace.
You're moralizing! l'm not marrying for money.
lt's an act of passion, of attraction! l have an aim! You think if l get my hands on the 75 thousand.
l'll rush to buy a carriage? No, l won't! l'll go on wearing the old overcoat, l'll give up my club.
Prince, you're invited to dinner.
lt's perseverance.
That's my aim! When Ptitsin was 17, he slept in the steers.
He sold penknives.
Now he has 60 thousand! But what he did to get them! l'll start with a little capital.
Later, they'll say: ''That's lvolgin, king of the Jews!'' Does that make me a scoundrel? l shall never consider you a scoundrel.
l confess, first l had a poor opinion of you, and now you come to apologize and tell me: ''l'll go down on my knees.
'' We've made up, like children.
So you're quite capable of that.
Then you start talking of a mad project and the 75 thousand.
Gania, it's absurd and impossible.
You are a most ordinary man, but quite weak.
And you are not the least bit original.
You tell me l'm not original.
There's nothing more offensive, than to tell a man he's not original, weak in character, and, in general, quite ordinary.
You haven't even called me a scoundrel! You offended me worse than Epanchin, who thinks me capable of selling him my wife.
lt has long annoyed me! l want a fortune.
Once l am rich, l'll be an extremely original man.
One of the vilest and hateful things about money, is that it can buy even talent, and it will do so as long as the world lasts.
But enough of this.
lncidentally, prince, l forgot to ask.
You seem to be struck with Nastasia Philipovna yourself.
Yes, it's true.
Are you in love with her? No.
And yet you flushed.
No, l won't laugh at you.
l don't want any dinner, thank you.
l had a good lunch at General Epanchin's.
lt's only a few yards, he's sitting over a bottle.
Prince, don't tell them l brought you the note.
Actually, Kolia, l also have an idea.
l want to see your father over a certain matter.
Let's go.
-What time is it? - Half past nine.
Gentlemen, would you like some champagne? Maybe, it will cheer us up.
l'll drink three glasses today.
You seem to be a little feverish.
Yes, quite right.
That's why l put on this shawl.
Maybe we should let our hostess retire? Not at all, gentlemen.
Tonight your presence is absolutely essential.
Let's play some game, why don't we? l know a new and most delightful game.
What is it? Each of us should tell what he believes is the worst action he has ever committed.
The main thing is to be honest.
-A strange idea.
- That's the beauty of it.
Come, let's try it! We are not quite so happy as we might be.
lf everyone agrees to tell us something, voluntarily, of course, he is free to do so.
At least, it'll be quite original.
My dear young friend! My dear young friend, You saw it today, you were a witness: l did all a father could do, a gentle and indulgent father.
Now a different father shall step into the scene, you shall see what happens.
Could you lend me a 10-rouble note? A 10-rouble note? No.
Here's a 25.
Change it and return the 15, or l'll be left penniless.
Yes, of course, l'll do it immediately l have a request, general.
Could you show me the way to Nastasia Philipovna's tonight? l must go there tonight.
l have business with her, but l wasn't invited.
l am ready to trespass the laws of propriety, only to get in somehow.
You have hit on my very own idea, my friend.
lt was not for this trifle l asked you to come here.
l wanted to invite you alliance against Nastasia Philipovna.
Rather, in the campaign against Nastasia Philipovna.
General lvolgin and prince Muishkin - that'll impress her! - Do you know where she lives? - Near the Bolshoi.
We'll set off at 10.
We still have some time.
Go ahead, prince.
l assure you, l'm not a thief.
Yet l stole a 3-rouble note, l don't know how, and spent it at a restaurant the same evening.
l didn't feel much remorse either then or afterwards.
Believe it or not, as you please.
There, that's all! Only that's not nearly your worst action.
How mean you are! You wish a man to tell you about his worst action, and expect it to be magnificent! lt's my turn now, but l won't tell you anything.
-You don't care to oblige us? - l cannot.
l don't understand how one can play this game.
Why don't we end it then? General, it's your turn.
lf you refuse, the whole game will fall apart.
l will be disappointed, for l wanted to tell my own story.
She has never lived near the Bolshoi.
Father's never been there.
She lives near the Five Corners.
l'm glad we met.
l want to introduce you to Hippolyte, son of the captain's widow to whom my father took you.
He's consumptive.
He might be upset, since it concerns my father and his mother, a kept woman, that makes a difference.
So Nastasia Philipovna invited you to see her? - l'm afraid not.
- Then how do you intend to go? And in that costume! She's giving a soiree.
l'm not sure l'll be allowed.
lf she receives me - good, if not -the matter's closed.
As for my costume Are you going for a reason, or just as a way of getting into her society? No, actually, l l've got a reason for going, but it's hard to explain.
Then it's your business.
The important thing is that you're not going there just to be in the company of cocottes, generals and usurers.
lf that were the case, l should despise you.
At sunset, on a lovely summer evening, my little old lady passed away.
And at that very moment, instead of tears and prayers, she heard a young ensign, standing arms akimbo, swear bloody Hell at her about a soup bowl.
True, l was to blame! And l couldn't get rid of that feeling till 15 years ago l put a couple of old ladies in an almshouse and kept them there at my expense.
That's all.
Maybe, l've committed many a sin in my day, but this, l believe, is the worst action in my entire life.
lnstead of a bad action you have told us about one of your noblest deeds.
Ferdishenko is 'done'! Dear me, general, l never imagined you had such a kind heart.
l even feel sorry for you.
Sorry? Prince Muishkin.
Of course, he did this out of pure innocence.
lt's a little dangerous to encourage such behavior, but he may enliven us a little.
Prince Muishkin must pay a toll for his entrance! Sing a popular song.
But, after all, prince Muishkin is no Ferdishenko.
l'm admitted here because that's the way l speak.
Could one imagine Ferdishenko sitting next to you? lt's inconceivable, that's why l'm here.
l was sorry l've forgotten to invite you to come.
And l am delighted you give me the pleasure to praise your resolution.
You are altogether perfection.
Even your pallor.
One could not wish you looked any other way.
Forgive me, l so very much wished to come see you.
Don't apologize, you'll spoil the originality of it.
So you think me perfection, do you? Yes.
You are wrong there.
l'll remind you of this tonight.
l didn't expect anything like that from you.
What's so surprising? lt's a clear case, and speaks for itself! Do sit down, prince.
lt's quite a clear case.
l've been watching the prince all day, from the moment he first saw Nastasia Philipovna's portrait.
l remember thinking at the time, what l am now pretty sure of.
The prince confessed to me himself.
l did not confess anything, l just answered your question.
Bravo! lt's frank, at any rate, and cunning.
Anyway, let's continue our game, gentlemen.
lt's Afanasy lvanovich's turn.
Prince, we are telling stories of our vilest actions.
Do you have anything to say? There are far more thieves in the world than honest people.
And there isn't a person, who has never stolen anything at least once.
What do you think? l think what you say is true.
But don't exaggerate.
And you, prince, have not stolen anything? - Be quiet, Ferdishenko! - l'm quiet.
And now l give the stage to Afanasy lvanovich, who has long prepared his story.
What simplifies my duty is the fact that l have to recall and relate the very worst action of my life.
ln such circumstances, there can be no doubt: one's conscience and memory inform one what is the proper story.
This happened about 20 years ago.
At that time, Dumas-son's beautiful work, La Dame aux Camellias, had just come into fashion in high society.
This alluring world, examined to the most minute, most lovely details, especially about alternating white and red camellias.
All the ladies were in raptures over it.
Peter Volhofskoi, a friend of mine, was desperately in love with a certain Anfisa Alexeyevna.
lt was Anfisa's birthday, they gave a ball.
The poor fellow desperately wanted to get her a bouquet of camellias for the ball.
All knew that Julia Bespalova and countess Sotskaya were coming with bouquets of white camellias.
Naturally, Anfisa, wished for red ones.
lf Peter could only get a bouquet of red camellias, he would have made great strides.
ln such cases, a woman's gratitude is boundless.
He fussed a lot, but it was quite impossible.
Nothing to say here.
The night before the ball l met him at 11 o'clock.
He's looking radiant.
What happened? What is it? l've found them! Where, when, how? ln Ekshaisk, some 15 miles off.
Trepalov, a rich old merchant, lives there with his old wife.
Both are devoted to flowers.
He's got some camellias.
- ''When are you going?'' - ''Tomorrow morning at 5.
'' ''Good luck to you!'' l was so happy for him.
l had nearly gone to sleep, when l had a very original idea! l went to the kitchen, woke up the coachman, gave him 15 roubles and told him to get the carriage.
l got in and by 5 l was in Ekshaisk.
l took out a hundred roubles.
''Oh, no, don't insult me this way ''.
''lf that's the case, give the hundred to the village hospital to improve things there.
'' That's very good and generous of you.
''l'll donate it with pleasure.
'' l took another road home to avoid meeting Peter.
Right after l arrived, l sent a bouquet for Anfisa to see when she woke.
You can imagine her ecstasy, her gratitude.
Her husband, Platon, wept on my shoulder.
After marrying, all husbands are like that.
Of course, after this poor Peter had no chance at all.
ln a month he asked to be sent to the Caucasus.
He ended up in the Crimea, where he was shot.
This business left me no peace for many years.
Why did l do it? l wasn't even in love with this Anfisa.
lf l hadn't snatched that bouquet from him, who knows, he could be alive today, be a happy, successful man, and would have never gone to fight the Turks.
Ferdishenko's 'done'! He's 'done,' all right! And who asked you to talk nonsense? lt's a dull game, let's stop it.
l'll tell you my story and then we'll play cards.
Yes, but let's have the story first.
Prince! Totski and the general wish to marry me off.
Tell me what you think should l marry or not.
l'll do as you decide.
Marry whom? Gavrila Ardalionovich lvolgin.
- No, don't marry him.
- So it shall be then.
You've heard the prince's decision? Take it as my decision.
We've settled this matter once and for all.
Why do you all look so alarmed, gentlemen? You've given a promise quite voluntarily.
And you might have spared Us, before company.
l'm confused and bewildered, but This is not serious.
l don't follow you.
What do you mean by saying ''before company''? lsn't this company good enough? l promised you a story, and l told you one.
Don't you like it? Why do you say it's not serious? The prince decided my fate.
Had he said ''yes,'' l'd have given my consent.
My whole life was hanging by a thread.
Surely that's serious enough! What has he got to do with this? Who the deuce is the prince?! l trusted him as a man of real truthfulness of spirit.
l trusted him from first sight, and l still do.
There's nothing left for me to do but to thank Nastasia Philipovna for the delicacy with which she has treated me.
But the prince! He's after the 75 thousand? ls that what you mean? Afanasy lvanovich, take the money back.
l let you go free for nothing.
And you, general, take your necklace.
Give it to your wife.
Tomorrow l'll leave this flat altogether, there'll be no more soirees.
At last! That's the climax, gentlemen, But l ask you to stay.
Goodness gracious, a group of 10 men or so has come in! Let them in! Champagne? What's this? A hundred thousand.
So, he kept his word.
Come in, gentlemen.
But, my dear?! Do you think she has gone mad? Not in the allegoric, but in the medical sense.
This a 100 thousand roubles.
ln this dirty parcel.
He was bargaining for me.
Started at 18, then jumped to 40, and now -these 100! He's kept his word.
Look, he is so pale! - Nastasia Philipovna! - lt's indecent or what? Nonsense! As if l've been sitting virtuously at the theatre? A statue of inaccessible virtue? What a silly little idiot l was! And this man put down a 100 thousand on the table! After 5 years of innocence! He must have his troika sledge waiting for me.
He values me at a 100 thousand.
Dear soul, calm down, please! You' never go with this fellow, in spite of his money! Take his money, and kick him out.
That's the way to treat him! Don't be cross, Daria Alexeyevna, l don't know what has come over me, why l wanted to enter an honest family like this.
Gania, you're still angry with me.
Surely you never wished to take me into your family, me, Rogojin's mistress? l came and stirred up all this fuss, just to see how much you could swallow.
Surely you could never marry me? A woman, who accepts jewelry from your general just before she marries.
And Rogojin? He bargained for me in your house! And you came to ask for my hand! Surely what Rogojin said about you must be true: that you'd crawl on your hands and knees for 3 roubles.
He would.
lf you were dying of hunger - then l'd understand.
But they say you get a good salary.
And you wanted to take a wife you hate into your family.
You must hate me.
l know it.
You're so shameless! l'm shameless, and you're even worse! ls it really you? Once so refined, and delicate of speech.
What language! How dreadful! General, l'm intoxicated! l'm having a day out! lt's my birthday, my special day! l been waiting for it so long! Daria Alexeyevna, do you see that man over there? Monsieur aux Camellias, who's laughing at us.
l'm not laughing, but listening quite attentively.
Why have l tortured him for 5 years? Was he worth it? He's only what he ought to be.
He thinks l'm to blame, too: he gave me an education, kept me like a countess.
And all the money he spent! Found me a husband.
And what do you think? These 5 years l didn't live with him, but took his money.
And considered it justified.
l was completely lost.
You say: take the 100 thousand, and kick the man out.
lt's an awful business.
l might have married long ago, and not to Gania.
lt would've been awful, too.
Would you believe it, four years ago l wanted to marry my Afanasy lvanovich! l would have had him! He's quite weak, he can't help it.
And then, thank God, l thought: is he worth taking advantage of? l felt so awful, had he asked me to marry him, l wouldn't have done it.
No, it's betterto go on the streets, where l should be.
Or take Rogojin, or become a washerwoman! l'll go away, leave everything, to the last rag, who'd have me without anything? Ask Gania, would he? Even Ferdishenko wouldn't have me! Perhaps, l wouldn't, l'm a candid fellow.
But the prince would.
See how he's looking at you! ls that true? Quite true.
Take me as l am, with nothing? l will, Nastasia Philipovna.
Here's a pretty business! He does it from the pure kindness of his heart.
What a benefactor! But perhaps, what they say is true: he's not quite? And what will you live on, if you take Rogojin's mistress? l take you as an honest person, not as Rogojin's mistress.
Who? Me? Honest? Yes, you.
You get these ideas from novels! That's all nonsense, dear, times have changed now.
How can you marry, when you yourself need a nurse, not a wife.
l know nothing, l have seen nothing, you're right.
But l believe you'd be honoring me, not l you.
l'm no one, and you've suffered, you've passed through hell and come out so pure.
Why do you shame yourself by going with Rogojin? You're delirious.
You've returned to Totski his 75 thousand.
You say you'll leave this house and everything here.
No other person here would do that.
Nastasia Philipovna, l love you.
l'll die foryou.
l won't let anyone say a word against you.
lf we are poor, l will work.
But, perhaps, we'll be not poor, but very rich.
l don't know for certain.
l've received a letter from Moscow from a Mr.
Salazkin.
He tells me l'm entitled to a very large inheritance.
Here's the letter.
ls he raving? lt's a mad house! You say the letter is from Mr.
Salazkin? He's a very eminent man, a famous solicitor.
You can trust him.
l know his handwriting.
Let me have a look.
What's all this? ls he really an heir? lt's sound business, gentlemen.
Certain enough! You'll receive, without any trouble, by your aunt's will, a million an a half at least.
And could be more.
Congratulations, prince! So, l'm really a princess? And l gave him 25 roubles this morning, thought he was a beggar.
An unexpected climax.
Let God be with you, dear.
Fantastic! Congratulations! Congratulations! Have some wine, gentlemen.
Congratulations! And you, prince, come sit beside me.
Well, why don't you all congratulate me and the prince.
Prince, remember what you are.
No, general, you'd better look out: l'm a princess now.
The prince won't let you insult me.
Afanasy lvanovich, l'll be able to sit with your new wife now.
See what l gain by marrying the prince? A million and a half, and a prince they say is an idiot.
Now the real life begins.
You've come late, Rogojin, take your parcel away.
l'm getting married to the prince.
l'll be richer than you are.
Surrender her, prince.
Surrender her! To you? He's bargaining, like a moujik! The prince wishes to marry me, and you only So do l! This moment! Surrender her, prince! l'll marry you! This moment! l'll take you! Surrender her! - He's bargaining for your wife.
- He's drunk.
He loves you very much.
Won't you be ashamed later, l nearly went off with him? You were in a fever, you are still delirious.
Won't you be ashamed, that your wife was in Totski's keep? You did not do so by your own free will.
-And never reproach me? - l won't.
Prince, don't commit yourself for your whole lifetime.
You will honor me with your consent, you do me the honor, not l to you.
You laughed.
And those around us laughed.
Maybe, l expressed myself funnily, maybe, l'm funny.
But l think l understand what honor is.
You were about to ruin yourself.
You would never have forgiven yourself for doing so.
But you are not to blame.
You are proud.
And perhaps you've suffered so, that you believe yourself to be guilty.
Someone has to look after You, and l'll do that.
l saw your portrait, and it seemed quite familiar to me.
lt seemed to me you had already called me for help.
l will respect you all my life.
That's a kind-hearted man.
Thank you, prince.
Nobody has ever talked to me this way.
They all bargained for me.
No one asked to marry him.
Did you hear that, Afanasy lvanovich? What do you think of the prince's words? They're almost immodest.
Rogojin, wait! Maybe, l'll go with you, after all.
Where did you want to take me? To Ekaterinhof.
What a row! Have you gone mad? And you thought l'd actually ruin this child? That's Totski's way, not mine, he likes children.
Let's go, Rogojin! where's your packet?! -Are you actually leaving? -And you thought l wouldn't? You called me perfection.
l'm not that perfect! l threw up a prince and a million and a half.
What sort of wife would l make you? Afanasy lvanovich, l've really thrown away a million roubles.
And you thought l'd consider your 75 thousand and Gania a paradise of bliss? And now l must be off! l've been in prison for 10 years.
Rogojin, we're going! Let's go! Wine! l haven't taken your money yet! Where is it? Give it to me! lt looks so awful! Look here, prince, your bride is accepting the money, because she's disreputable.
Why are you crying? Are you bitter? You should laugh, like l do.
Trust time, it will pass.
lt's better to think twice now, than afterwards.
You'd have contempt for me.
No, you needn't swear, prince, l don't believe you.
We'd better part like good friends.
Wasn't it you l dreamed of? l did, when l was still in his estate.
l used to dream and think, dream and think.
l imagined someone like you.
A good, kind, honest and foolish man, who'd come and tell me ''You are an innocent woman.
'' ''l adore you.
'' l used to dream so much, l nearly went mad.
And then this fellow would come down, disgrace, insult, hurt and deprave me, and then leave.
l longed to throw myself into the pond a million times.
But l didn't dare, l hadn't the heart to do it.
But now - Rogojin, are you ready? - Ready, my love! Ready, my queen! The troikas with bells are ready! Give me the money.
Let's go! - Rogojin, is this my money? - lt's yours, my love.
lt's a 100 thousand! Go into the fire, Gania.
With your bare hands and turn your sleeves up.
l wish to look into your heart, when you put your hands into the fire for my money.
lf you snatch it out, the whole packet is yours! And if you don't, it'll burn.
l'm not joking, it's my money.
Put in your hands! Maybe, we should secure her? My lady, it's a 100 thousand! l saw it packed! Let me get into the fire.
l'll put my gray head into it! l have a lame wife, and 13 children! Last week l buried my father! Starvation! My lady! Nastasia Philipovna! Go away! Out of the way! That's like it! A real queen! Who of you would think of a joke like that?! Why look at it: it'll burn in a minute or two, and you'll hang yourself afterwards.
She's mad! She's surely mad! l told you she was an extraordinary woman.
Good heavens! lt's burning! l'll pull it out with my teeth for one thousand! Go on, dummy! Or everything will burn! He's fainted! Katia! Ammonia! Pull them out, or they'll burn! Burn for nothing! And it's a lot of money! lt's intact! Some little thousand or so may be touched by fire.
The rest is all intact.
lt's all his.
Do you hear, all of you? Rogojin, let's go! Let's go! Good-bye, prince, you're the first real man l've seen.
l'm sorry, prince.
You see what sort of woman she is! l'm speaking like a father now! To Ekaterinhof! Go! To Ekaterinhof! Moscow.
March.
You promised to marry me in church.
You're entering an honest family.
Know what you are? A lecherous bitch! Just a lecherous bitch! l wouldn't take you even as a servant now.
To say nothing of being your wife.
l won't leave here.
The end is all the same.
l'll call Keller, he'll throw you out.
Keller! Trash! Animal! Forgive me, Nastasia Philipovna.
Get out.
Get out! l won't till you forgive me.
lf you throw me out, l'll drown myself.
What will l now do without you? Take a look.
Parfen has decided to spend the rest of his life this way.
Out! Where are you all going? l'm the mistress of the house.
And you, Parfen, shouldn't forget yourself.
Out! Let's go to the theatre.
Let him stay here, if he doesn't want to go.
You'll be served tea while l'm out.
You must be very hungry.
Cowards and scoundrels.
They're afraid of you, and try to frighten me too.
They say: he won't go away, he'll stab you.
But l'll go to my bedroom and leave the door unlocked.
That's how much l fear you, just so you know.
- Did you have tea? - l didn't and l don't intend to.
You're playing off your pride.
And it doesn't become you at all.
End of Part Three
May l? Yes.
l came to thank you.
And mother is worried.
lt's nothing.
- She listened to you.
-Who did? You have influence over Nastasia Philipovna.
Evidently she came to insult us.
But if one has self-respect, one cannot Prince, l've been a scoundrel, forgive me, dear friend.
Please, forgive me.
- l'll get down on my knees.
- Don't! l never thought you were like that.
l thought you couldn't Apologize? Why on earth did l think you were an idiot? You notice thing nobody else does.
-And now apologize to her.
- Oh, no.
They are all enemies.
l've tried often enough, believe me.
- They'll never forgive me.
- Oh, yes, l will.
And you'll go to Nastasia Philipovna's? lf you insist.
What a part to play! All right, she kissed mother's hand, but she laughed at you.
lt's not worth 75 thousand! You are still capable of honorable feelings.
Be careful, this may all end badly.
They're all like that.
As if l don't know all about it.
lf you know it, why do you choose all this worry, if it's not worth the 75 thousand? -ls it a disgrace to marry so? -A terrible disgrace.
You're moralizing! l'm not marrying for money.
lt's an act of passion, of attraction! l have an aim! You think if l get my hands on the 75 thousand.
l'll rush to buy a carriage? No, l won't! l'll go on wearing the old overcoat, l'll give up my club.
Prince, you're invited to dinner.
lt's perseverance.
That's my aim! When Ptitsin was 17, he slept in the steers.
He sold penknives.
Now he has 60 thousand! But what he did to get them! l'll start with a little capital.
Later, they'll say: ''That's lvolgin, king of the Jews!'' Does that make me a scoundrel? l shall never consider you a scoundrel.
l confess, first l had a poor opinion of you, and now you come to apologize and tell me: ''l'll go down on my knees.
'' We've made up, like children.
So you're quite capable of that.
Then you start talking of a mad project and the 75 thousand.
Gania, it's absurd and impossible.
You are a most ordinary man, but quite weak.
And you are not the least bit original.
You tell me l'm not original.
There's nothing more offensive, than to tell a man he's not original, weak in character, and, in general, quite ordinary.
You haven't even called me a scoundrel! You offended me worse than Epanchin, who thinks me capable of selling him my wife.
lt has long annoyed me! l want a fortune.
Once l am rich, l'll be an extremely original man.
One of the vilest and hateful things about money, is that it can buy even talent, and it will do so as long as the world lasts.
But enough of this.
lncidentally, prince, l forgot to ask.
You seem to be struck with Nastasia Philipovna yourself.
Yes, it's true.
Are you in love with her? No.
And yet you flushed.
No, l won't laugh at you.
l don't want any dinner, thank you.
l had a good lunch at General Epanchin's.
lt's only a few yards, he's sitting over a bottle.
Prince, don't tell them l brought you the note.
Actually, Kolia, l also have an idea.
l want to see your father over a certain matter.
Let's go.
-What time is it? - Half past nine.
Gentlemen, would you like some champagne? Maybe, it will cheer us up.
l'll drink three glasses today.
You seem to be a little feverish.
Yes, quite right.
That's why l put on this shawl.
Maybe we should let our hostess retire? Not at all, gentlemen.
Tonight your presence is absolutely essential.
Let's play some game, why don't we? l know a new and most delightful game.
What is it? Each of us should tell what he believes is the worst action he has ever committed.
The main thing is to be honest.
-A strange idea.
- That's the beauty of it.
Come, let's try it! We are not quite so happy as we might be.
lf everyone agrees to tell us something, voluntarily, of course, he is free to do so.
At least, it'll be quite original.
My dear young friend! My dear young friend, You saw it today, you were a witness: l did all a father could do, a gentle and indulgent father.
Now a different father shall step into the scene, you shall see what happens.
Could you lend me a 10-rouble note? A 10-rouble note? No.
Here's a 25.
Change it and return the 15, or l'll be left penniless.
Yes, of course, l'll do it immediately l have a request, general.
Could you show me the way to Nastasia Philipovna's tonight? l must go there tonight.
l have business with her, but l wasn't invited.
l am ready to trespass the laws of propriety, only to get in somehow.
You have hit on my very own idea, my friend.
lt was not for this trifle l asked you to come here.
l wanted to invite you alliance against Nastasia Philipovna.
Rather, in the campaign against Nastasia Philipovna.
General lvolgin and prince Muishkin - that'll impress her! - Do you know where she lives? - Near the Bolshoi.
We'll set off at 10.
We still have some time.
Go ahead, prince.
l assure you, l'm not a thief.
Yet l stole a 3-rouble note, l don't know how, and spent it at a restaurant the same evening.
l didn't feel much remorse either then or afterwards.
Believe it or not, as you please.
There, that's all! Only that's not nearly your worst action.
How mean you are! You wish a man to tell you about his worst action, and expect it to be magnificent! lt's my turn now, but l won't tell you anything.
-You don't care to oblige us? - l cannot.
l don't understand how one can play this game.
Why don't we end it then? General, it's your turn.
lf you refuse, the whole game will fall apart.
l will be disappointed, for l wanted to tell my own story.
She has never lived near the Bolshoi.
Father's never been there.
She lives near the Five Corners.
l'm glad we met.
l want to introduce you to Hippolyte, son of the captain's widow to whom my father took you.
He's consumptive.
He might be upset, since it concerns my father and his mother, a kept woman, that makes a difference.
So Nastasia Philipovna invited you to see her? - l'm afraid not.
- Then how do you intend to go? And in that costume! She's giving a soiree.
l'm not sure l'll be allowed.
lf she receives me - good, if not -the matter's closed.
As for my costume Are you going for a reason, or just as a way of getting into her society? No, actually, l l've got a reason for going, but it's hard to explain.
Then it's your business.
The important thing is that you're not going there just to be in the company of cocottes, generals and usurers.
lf that were the case, l should despise you.
At sunset, on a lovely summer evening, my little old lady passed away.
And at that very moment, instead of tears and prayers, she heard a young ensign, standing arms akimbo, swear bloody Hell at her about a soup bowl.
True, l was to blame! And l couldn't get rid of that feeling till 15 years ago l put a couple of old ladies in an almshouse and kept them there at my expense.
That's all.
Maybe, l've committed many a sin in my day, but this, l believe, is the worst action in my entire life.
lnstead of a bad action you have told us about one of your noblest deeds.
Ferdishenko is 'done'! Dear me, general, l never imagined you had such a kind heart.
l even feel sorry for you.
Sorry? Prince Muishkin.
Of course, he did this out of pure innocence.
lt's a little dangerous to encourage such behavior, but he may enliven us a little.
Prince Muishkin must pay a toll for his entrance! Sing a popular song.
But, after all, prince Muishkin is no Ferdishenko.
l'm admitted here because that's the way l speak.
Could one imagine Ferdishenko sitting next to you? lt's inconceivable, that's why l'm here.
l was sorry l've forgotten to invite you to come.
And l am delighted you give me the pleasure to praise your resolution.
You are altogether perfection.
Even your pallor.
One could not wish you looked any other way.
Forgive me, l so very much wished to come see you.
Don't apologize, you'll spoil the originality of it.
So you think me perfection, do you? Yes.
You are wrong there.
l'll remind you of this tonight.
l didn't expect anything like that from you.
What's so surprising? lt's a clear case, and speaks for itself! Do sit down, prince.
lt's quite a clear case.
l've been watching the prince all day, from the moment he first saw Nastasia Philipovna's portrait.
l remember thinking at the time, what l am now pretty sure of.
The prince confessed to me himself.
l did not confess anything, l just answered your question.
Bravo! lt's frank, at any rate, and cunning.
Anyway, let's continue our game, gentlemen.
lt's Afanasy lvanovich's turn.
Prince, we are telling stories of our vilest actions.
Do you have anything to say? There are far more thieves in the world than honest people.
And there isn't a person, who has never stolen anything at least once.
What do you think? l think what you say is true.
But don't exaggerate.
And you, prince, have not stolen anything? - Be quiet, Ferdishenko! - l'm quiet.
And now l give the stage to Afanasy lvanovich, who has long prepared his story.
What simplifies my duty is the fact that l have to recall and relate the very worst action of my life.
ln such circumstances, there can be no doubt: one's conscience and memory inform one what is the proper story.
This happened about 20 years ago.
At that time, Dumas-son's beautiful work, La Dame aux Camellias, had just come into fashion in high society.
This alluring world, examined to the most minute, most lovely details, especially about alternating white and red camellias.
All the ladies were in raptures over it.
Peter Volhofskoi, a friend of mine, was desperately in love with a certain Anfisa Alexeyevna.
lt was Anfisa's birthday, they gave a ball.
The poor fellow desperately wanted to get her a bouquet of camellias for the ball.
All knew that Julia Bespalova and countess Sotskaya were coming with bouquets of white camellias.
Naturally, Anfisa, wished for red ones.
lf Peter could only get a bouquet of red camellias, he would have made great strides.
ln such cases, a woman's gratitude is boundless.
He fussed a lot, but it was quite impossible.
Nothing to say here.
The night before the ball l met him at 11 o'clock.
He's looking radiant.
What happened? What is it? l've found them! Where, when, how? ln Ekshaisk, some 15 miles off.
Trepalov, a rich old merchant, lives there with his old wife.
Both are devoted to flowers.
He's got some camellias.
- ''When are you going?'' - ''Tomorrow morning at 5.
'' ''Good luck to you!'' l was so happy for him.
l had nearly gone to sleep, when l had a very original idea! l went to the kitchen, woke up the coachman, gave him 15 roubles and told him to get the carriage.
l got in and by 5 l was in Ekshaisk.
l took out a hundred roubles.
''Oh, no, don't insult me this way ''.
''lf that's the case, give the hundred to the village hospital to improve things there.
'' That's very good and generous of you.
''l'll donate it with pleasure.
'' l took another road home to avoid meeting Peter.
Right after l arrived, l sent a bouquet for Anfisa to see when she woke.
You can imagine her ecstasy, her gratitude.
Her husband, Platon, wept on my shoulder.
After marrying, all husbands are like that.
Of course, after this poor Peter had no chance at all.
ln a month he asked to be sent to the Caucasus.
He ended up in the Crimea, where he was shot.
This business left me no peace for many years.
Why did l do it? l wasn't even in love with this Anfisa.
lf l hadn't snatched that bouquet from him, who knows, he could be alive today, be a happy, successful man, and would have never gone to fight the Turks.
Ferdishenko's 'done'! He's 'done,' all right! And who asked you to talk nonsense? lt's a dull game, let's stop it.
l'll tell you my story and then we'll play cards.
Yes, but let's have the story first.
Prince! Totski and the general wish to marry me off.
Tell me what you think should l marry or not.
l'll do as you decide.
Marry whom? Gavrila Ardalionovich lvolgin.
- No, don't marry him.
- So it shall be then.
You've heard the prince's decision? Take it as my decision.
We've settled this matter once and for all.
Why do you all look so alarmed, gentlemen? You've given a promise quite voluntarily.
And you might have spared Us, before company.
l'm confused and bewildered, but This is not serious.
l don't follow you.
What do you mean by saying ''before company''? lsn't this company good enough? l promised you a story, and l told you one.
Don't you like it? Why do you say it's not serious? The prince decided my fate.
Had he said ''yes,'' l'd have given my consent.
My whole life was hanging by a thread.
Surely that's serious enough! What has he got to do with this? Who the deuce is the prince?! l trusted him as a man of real truthfulness of spirit.
l trusted him from first sight, and l still do.
There's nothing left for me to do but to thank Nastasia Philipovna for the delicacy with which she has treated me.
But the prince! He's after the 75 thousand? ls that what you mean? Afanasy lvanovich, take the money back.
l let you go free for nothing.
And you, general, take your necklace.
Give it to your wife.
Tomorrow l'll leave this flat altogether, there'll be no more soirees.
At last! That's the climax, gentlemen, But l ask you to stay.
Goodness gracious, a group of 10 men or so has come in! Let them in! Champagne? What's this? A hundred thousand.
So, he kept his word.
Come in, gentlemen.
But, my dear?! Do you think she has gone mad? Not in the allegoric, but in the medical sense.
This a 100 thousand roubles.
ln this dirty parcel.
He was bargaining for me.
Started at 18, then jumped to 40, and now -these 100! He's kept his word.
Look, he is so pale! - Nastasia Philipovna! - lt's indecent or what? Nonsense! As if l've been sitting virtuously at the theatre? A statue of inaccessible virtue? What a silly little idiot l was! And this man put down a 100 thousand on the table! After 5 years of innocence! He must have his troika sledge waiting for me.
He values me at a 100 thousand.
Dear soul, calm down, please! You' never go with this fellow, in spite of his money! Take his money, and kick him out.
That's the way to treat him! Don't be cross, Daria Alexeyevna, l don't know what has come over me, why l wanted to enter an honest family like this.
Gania, you're still angry with me.
Surely you never wished to take me into your family, me, Rogojin's mistress? l came and stirred up all this fuss, just to see how much you could swallow.
Surely you could never marry me? A woman, who accepts jewelry from your general just before she marries.
And Rogojin? He bargained for me in your house! And you came to ask for my hand! Surely what Rogojin said about you must be true: that you'd crawl on your hands and knees for 3 roubles.
He would.
lf you were dying of hunger - then l'd understand.
But they say you get a good salary.
And you wanted to take a wife you hate into your family.
You must hate me.
l know it.
You're so shameless! l'm shameless, and you're even worse! ls it really you? Once so refined, and delicate of speech.
What language! How dreadful! General, l'm intoxicated! l'm having a day out! lt's my birthday, my special day! l been waiting for it so long! Daria Alexeyevna, do you see that man over there? Monsieur aux Camellias, who's laughing at us.
l'm not laughing, but listening quite attentively.
Why have l tortured him for 5 years? Was he worth it? He's only what he ought to be.
He thinks l'm to blame, too: he gave me an education, kept me like a countess.
And all the money he spent! Found me a husband.
And what do you think? These 5 years l didn't live with him, but took his money.
And considered it justified.
l was completely lost.
You say: take the 100 thousand, and kick the man out.
lt's an awful business.
l might have married long ago, and not to Gania.
lt would've been awful, too.
Would you believe it, four years ago l wanted to marry my Afanasy lvanovich! l would have had him! He's quite weak, he can't help it.
And then, thank God, l thought: is he worth taking advantage of? l felt so awful, had he asked me to marry him, l wouldn't have done it.
No, it's betterto go on the streets, where l should be.
Or take Rogojin, or become a washerwoman! l'll go away, leave everything, to the last rag, who'd have me without anything? Ask Gania, would he? Even Ferdishenko wouldn't have me! Perhaps, l wouldn't, l'm a candid fellow.
But the prince would.
See how he's looking at you! ls that true? Quite true.
Take me as l am, with nothing? l will, Nastasia Philipovna.
Here's a pretty business! He does it from the pure kindness of his heart.
What a benefactor! But perhaps, what they say is true: he's not quite? And what will you live on, if you take Rogojin's mistress? l take you as an honest person, not as Rogojin's mistress.
Who? Me? Honest? Yes, you.
You get these ideas from novels! That's all nonsense, dear, times have changed now.
How can you marry, when you yourself need a nurse, not a wife.
l know nothing, l have seen nothing, you're right.
But l believe you'd be honoring me, not l you.
l'm no one, and you've suffered, you've passed through hell and come out so pure.
Why do you shame yourself by going with Rogojin? You're delirious.
You've returned to Totski his 75 thousand.
You say you'll leave this house and everything here.
No other person here would do that.
Nastasia Philipovna, l love you.
l'll die foryou.
l won't let anyone say a word against you.
lf we are poor, l will work.
But, perhaps, we'll be not poor, but very rich.
l don't know for certain.
l've received a letter from Moscow from a Mr.
Salazkin.
He tells me l'm entitled to a very large inheritance.
Here's the letter.
ls he raving? lt's a mad house! You say the letter is from Mr.
Salazkin? He's a very eminent man, a famous solicitor.
You can trust him.
l know his handwriting.
Let me have a look.
What's all this? ls he really an heir? lt's sound business, gentlemen.
Certain enough! You'll receive, without any trouble, by your aunt's will, a million an a half at least.
And could be more.
Congratulations, prince! So, l'm really a princess? And l gave him 25 roubles this morning, thought he was a beggar.
An unexpected climax.
Let God be with you, dear.
Fantastic! Congratulations! Congratulations! Have some wine, gentlemen.
Congratulations! And you, prince, come sit beside me.
Well, why don't you all congratulate me and the prince.
Prince, remember what you are.
No, general, you'd better look out: l'm a princess now.
The prince won't let you insult me.
Afanasy lvanovich, l'll be able to sit with your new wife now.
See what l gain by marrying the prince? A million and a half, and a prince they say is an idiot.
Now the real life begins.
You've come late, Rogojin, take your parcel away.
l'm getting married to the prince.
l'll be richer than you are.
Surrender her, prince.
Surrender her! To you? He's bargaining, like a moujik! The prince wishes to marry me, and you only So do l! This moment! Surrender her, prince! l'll marry you! This moment! l'll take you! Surrender her! - He's bargaining for your wife.
- He's drunk.
He loves you very much.
Won't you be ashamed later, l nearly went off with him? You were in a fever, you are still delirious.
Won't you be ashamed, that your wife was in Totski's keep? You did not do so by your own free will.
-And never reproach me? - l won't.
Prince, don't commit yourself for your whole lifetime.
You will honor me with your consent, you do me the honor, not l to you.
You laughed.
And those around us laughed.
Maybe, l expressed myself funnily, maybe, l'm funny.
But l think l understand what honor is.
You were about to ruin yourself.
You would never have forgiven yourself for doing so.
But you are not to blame.
You are proud.
And perhaps you've suffered so, that you believe yourself to be guilty.
Someone has to look after You, and l'll do that.
l saw your portrait, and it seemed quite familiar to me.
lt seemed to me you had already called me for help.
l will respect you all my life.
That's a kind-hearted man.
Thank you, prince.
Nobody has ever talked to me this way.
They all bargained for me.
No one asked to marry him.
Did you hear that, Afanasy lvanovich? What do you think of the prince's words? They're almost immodest.
Rogojin, wait! Maybe, l'll go with you, after all.
Where did you want to take me? To Ekaterinhof.
What a row! Have you gone mad? And you thought l'd actually ruin this child? That's Totski's way, not mine, he likes children.
Let's go, Rogojin! where's your packet?! -Are you actually leaving? -And you thought l wouldn't? You called me perfection.
l'm not that perfect! l threw up a prince and a million and a half.
What sort of wife would l make you? Afanasy lvanovich, l've really thrown away a million roubles.
And you thought l'd consider your 75 thousand and Gania a paradise of bliss? And now l must be off! l've been in prison for 10 years.
Rogojin, we're going! Let's go! Wine! l haven't taken your money yet! Where is it? Give it to me! lt looks so awful! Look here, prince, your bride is accepting the money, because she's disreputable.
Why are you crying? Are you bitter? You should laugh, like l do.
Trust time, it will pass.
lt's better to think twice now, than afterwards.
You'd have contempt for me.
No, you needn't swear, prince, l don't believe you.
We'd better part like good friends.
Wasn't it you l dreamed of? l did, when l was still in his estate.
l used to dream and think, dream and think.
l imagined someone like you.
A good, kind, honest and foolish man, who'd come and tell me ''You are an innocent woman.
'' ''l adore you.
'' l used to dream so much, l nearly went mad.
And then this fellow would come down, disgrace, insult, hurt and deprave me, and then leave.
l longed to throw myself into the pond a million times.
But l didn't dare, l hadn't the heart to do it.
But now - Rogojin, are you ready? - Ready, my love! Ready, my queen! The troikas with bells are ready! Give me the money.
Let's go! - Rogojin, is this my money? - lt's yours, my love.
lt's a 100 thousand! Go into the fire, Gania.
With your bare hands and turn your sleeves up.
l wish to look into your heart, when you put your hands into the fire for my money.
lf you snatch it out, the whole packet is yours! And if you don't, it'll burn.
l'm not joking, it's my money.
Put in your hands! Maybe, we should secure her? My lady, it's a 100 thousand! l saw it packed! Let me get into the fire.
l'll put my gray head into it! l have a lame wife, and 13 children! Last week l buried my father! Starvation! My lady! Nastasia Philipovna! Go away! Out of the way! That's like it! A real queen! Who of you would think of a joke like that?! Why look at it: it'll burn in a minute or two, and you'll hang yourself afterwards.
She's mad! She's surely mad! l told you she was an extraordinary woman.
Good heavens! lt's burning! l'll pull it out with my teeth for one thousand! Go on, dummy! Or everything will burn! He's fainted! Katia! Ammonia! Pull them out, or they'll burn! Burn for nothing! And it's a lot of money! lt's intact! Some little thousand or so may be touched by fire.
The rest is all intact.
lt's all his.
Do you hear, all of you? Rogojin, let's go! Let's go! Good-bye, prince, you're the first real man l've seen.
l'm sorry, prince.
You see what sort of woman she is! l'm speaking like a father now! To Ekaterinhof! Go! To Ekaterinhof! Moscow.
March.
You promised to marry me in church.
You're entering an honest family.
Know what you are? A lecherous bitch! Just a lecherous bitch! l wouldn't take you even as a servant now.
To say nothing of being your wife.
l won't leave here.
The end is all the same.
l'll call Keller, he'll throw you out.
Keller! Trash! Animal! Forgive me, Nastasia Philipovna.
Get out.
Get out! l won't till you forgive me.
lf you throw me out, l'll drown myself.
What will l now do without you? Take a look.
Parfen has decided to spend the rest of his life this way.
Out! Where are you all going? l'm the mistress of the house.
And you, Parfen, shouldn't forget yourself.
Out! Let's go to the theatre.
Let him stay here, if he doesn't want to go.
You'll be served tea while l'm out.
You must be very hungry.
Cowards and scoundrels.
They're afraid of you, and try to frighten me too.
They say: he won't go away, he'll stab you.
But l'll go to my bedroom and leave the door unlocked.
That's how much l fear you, just so you know.
- Did you have tea? - l didn't and l don't intend to.
You're playing off your pride.
And it doesn't become you at all.
End of Part Three