Act One — the opening
Maxim Gorky, 1902 · Jenny Covan translation, 1922 · from The Lower Depths (Annotated), Blacksmith & Witches Classics, Volume 12
A cellar resembling a cave. The ceiling, which merges into stone walls, is low and grimy, and the plaster and paint are peeling off. There is a window, high up on the right wall, from which comes the light. The right corner, which constitutes Pepel’s room, is partitioned off by thin boards. Close to the corner of this room is Bubnoff’s wooden bunk. In the left corner stands a large Russian stove. In the stone wall, left, is a door leading to the kitchen where live Kvashnya, the Baron, and Nastya. Against the wall, between the stove and the door, is a large bed covered with dirty chintz. Bunks line the walls. In the foreground, by the left wall, is a block of wood with a vise and a small anvil fastened to it, and another smaller block of wood somewhat further towards the back. Kleshtch is seated on the smaller block, trying keys into old locks. At his feet are two large bundles of various keys, wired together, also a battered tin samovar, a hammer, and pincers. In the centre are a large table, two benches, and a stool, all of which are of dirty, unpainted wood. Behind the table Kvashnya is busying herself with the samovar. The Baron sits chewing a piece of black bread, and Nastya occupies the stool, leans her elbows on the table, and reads a tattered book. In the bed, behind curtains, Anna lies coughing. Bubnoff is seated on his bunk, attempting to shape a pair of old trousers with the help of an ancient hat shape which he holds between his knees. Scattered about him are pieces of buckram, oilcloth, and rags. Satine, just awakened, lies in his bunk, grunting. On top of the stove, the Actor, invisible to the audience, tosses about and coughs.
It is an early spring morning.
THE BARON
And then?
KVASHNYA
No, my dear, said I, keep away from me with such proposals. I’ve been through it all, you see—and not for a hundred baked lobsters would I marry again!
BUBNOFF [to Satine]
What are you grunting about? [Satine keeps on grunting]
KVASHNYA
Why should I, said I, a free woman, my own mistress, enter my name into somebody else’s passport and sell myself into slavery—no! Why—I wouldn’t marry a man even if he were an American prince!
KLESHTCH
You lie!
KVASHNYA
Wha-at?
KLESHTCH
You lie! You’re going to marry Abramka. . . .
THE BARON [snatching the book out of Nastya’s hand and reading the title]
“Fatal Love” . . . [Laughs]
NASTYA [stretching out her hand]
Give it back—give it back! Stop fooling!
The Baron looks at her and waves the book in the air.
KVASHNYA [to Kleshtch]
You crimson goat, you—calling me a liar! How dare you be so rude to me?
THE BARON [hitting Nastya on the head with the book]
Nastya, you little fool!
NASTYA [reaching for the book]
Give it back!
KLESHTCH
Oh—what a great lady . . . but you’ll marry Abramka just the same—that’s all you’re waiting for . . .
KVASHNYA
Sure! Anything else? You nearly beat your wife to death!
KLESHTCH
Shut up, you old bitch! It’s none of your business!
KVASHNYA
Ho-ho! can’t stand the truth, can you?
THE BARON
They’re off again! Nastya, where are you?
NASTYA [without lifting her head]
Hey—go away!
ANNA [putting her head through the curtains]
The day has started. For God’s sake, don’t row!