HAUTEVILLE. Is this the complaint office? I demand to know at
least why I was arrested.
STROEBEL. Oh, here you'll find that out soon enough. [To the
officer.] You can go now. [Officer exit through middle door.]
HAUTEVILLE. Oh, Monsieur, what shameful treatment. I was locked up
in a cell with two ordinary street walkers. You will help me,
won't you?
STROEBEL [who has crossed over to Reisacher]. Please don't be so
familiar.
HAUTEVILLE. I am so helpless. No one will listen to me. No one
answers me. An awful looking woman brought me a cup of yellow
broth and a rusty spoon--[indicating with her hand] so big. "Eat!"
she said, and threw it down and left. You will see to it, sir,
that my friends are notified, won't you?
STROEBEL [glancing over Reisacher's shoulder]. Your friends cannot
help you here. [To Reisacher.] Don't make the margin so wide. You
are wasting good paper. [To Hauteville.] Your friends can do
nothing at all for you.
HAUTEVILLE. You think so, do you? One single word and I'll be set
free.
STROEBEL [contemptuously]. Indeed!
HAUTEVILLE. Before the day is over everyone of you will have to
apologize to me. Yes, before this day is over.
STROEBEL. Certainly. [To Reisacher.] The word "Assessor" has two
"s" in all cases.
HAUTEVILLE. If you people had the least idea whom you disturbed.
If you knew whom you compelled to hide in the wardrobe.
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