Kafka Page #3

GABRIELA:

Why would you suppose so?

KAFKA:

Oh -- well, I thought he once

mentioned --

GABRIELA:

(shuts file cabinet)

One of you must be mistaken.

He follows her to a counter where someone stamps the document

she thrusts forward without even glancing at her or it.

KAFKA:

I'm sorry, but I just wondered --

GABRIELA:

(brushing past him)

Excuse me, I have to copy this for

Central Docketing by 2:30.

Kafka watches her go -- then notices some smarmy young clerks

giggling over what they suppose was a romantic rebuff.

CUT:

KAFKA'S DEPARTMENT

Burgel sees Kafka coming back in toward his desk, immediately

walks to intersect him.

BURGEL:

You're late -- I knew it would

happen one day.

Kafka ignores him utterly, leaving Burgel standing clutching

his files with a sour expression.

Kafka pauses at Eduard's desk, still untouched, then

continues on to his own.

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF CLERK

Partitioned off from the rest, but commanding a full view of

all. Through the glass windows the CHIEF CLERK, a stern-

Looking fellow, notices Kafka and takes his watch out of his

pocket for a look.

CUT:

THE OFFICE BELL - EVENING

RINGS, signalling the end of the work day. The office

workers clear their desks, start to leave.

OFFICE STAIRWELL

The office workers stream down the stairs that wind around a

central elevator shaft, the gated elevator grinding upwards

at the same time.

When Kafka reaches the ground floor he passes a pair of

SENIOR PARTNERS conferring together -- and does a double-take

when he hears his name mentioned -- then sees the two men

shake hands conclusively and turn away. Kafka continues

walking away himself, worried about his future.

OUTSIDE:

The office workers pour out of the building, all going in

different directions. Three of them get jammed in the

doorway, untangle themselves, and Kafka is the next to

emerge.

CUT:

THE CONTINENTAL COFFEE HOUSE - NIGHT

A lively place, crowded with chattering, smoking, arguing

students, poets, painters ...

Kafka joins a group of friends. It's clear that this is a

regular gathering and, from their warm reception, considered

incomplete without him.

MARGARETE:

-- This is our friend Anna who

works with us on the magazine.

KAFKA:

Hello.

ANNA:

I've been hearing all about you.

Kafka cringes.

ERNST:

Don't worry, Kafka -- I championed

your virtues.

KAFKA:

I'd like to hear them.

JULIUS:

Anna's new to the city -- we

wouldn't frighten her needlessly.

KAFKA:

I've lived all my life in this city

-- it frightens me. As it draws me

closer into its web.

STELLA:

-- This is an ancient lament.

KAFKA:

No, but do you realize why? -- it

has no present.

ANNA:

-- I'm hoping to live in the Old

Quarter.

KAFKA:

Even the so-called New Town isn't

so new. Only the people. People

of the future living in buildings

of the past.

(abruptly)

Has anyone seen Eduard?

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