Kafka Page #7

SECOND MAN:

(still behind Kafka

at the door)

You know him?

KAFKA:

... Yes.

FIRST MAN:

His name is Eduard Raban?

KAFKA:

... Yes.

And now he hears a stirring in a dark corner. He looks up

again.

A third man steps out of the shadows where he's been quietly

standing and walks over to Kafka. He is a severe man,

stolid, dedicated, and never smiles. He reminds Kafka of his

father.

MAN:

(with an introductory

nod)

Inspector Grubach.

CUT:

INSPECTOR'S OFFICE - NIGHT

The Inspector behind his big desk. Kafka in front of it.

INSPECTOR:

Kafka -- is that your real name?

KAFKA:

Yes. Yes, of course -- why

wouldn't it be?

INSPECTOR:

When was the last time you saw

Mr. Raban?

KAFKA:

Wednesday. We left the office

together.

INSPECTOR:

Did you go anywhere afterwards --

to have a drink perhaps?

KAFKA:

No, we said goodbye outside the

building. He went off, as usual,

toward his house.

INSPECTOR:

(consulting papers)

Your office is the Workmen's --

KAFKA:

-- Accident and Compensation

Association.

INSPECTOR:

Where you've been employed for

seven years.

KAFKA:

Eight -- and seven months.

INSPECTOR:

Engaged in the manufacture and

distribution of ... pills and so

forth.

KAFKA:

Well -- other departments are, yes.

INSPECTOR:

Would you describe your relationship

with the dead man as close?

KAFKA:

Yes. Since he came to the office,

almost three years ago, we've

been quite good friends.

(pause)

How was Eduard ...

INSPECTOR:

He was found in the River. Could

he swim?

KAFKA:

I don't know.

INSPECTOR:

Was he depressed?

KAFKA:

No. He didn't seem to be. Do

you think he drowned himself?

INSPECTOR:

Grown men don't normally fall

into the river, do they?

KAFKA:

No, I suppose not.

INSPECTOR:

(closing the file)

He might have had a drink or two,

despite what you think.

KAFKA:

(as the interview

seems to be over)

Can I ask -- how you found me?

INSPECTOR:

His landlady knew of no other

friends to refer us to.

KAFKA:

I don't think he really had any.

He had no family either.

INSPECTOR:

We know that.

Pause.

KAFKA:

He wasn't a lonely man, though.

INSPECTOR:

What makes you think so?

KAFKA:

... Just a perception.

CUT:

HALLWAY:

Kafka comes out of a door that closes behind him. He stands

and waits. At a high desk a POLICEMAN is reading a

newspaper. Without even looking up from it he extends his

arm and pushes Kafka slightly to one side so he's no longer

blocking the light.

Two other MEN are here waiting, sitting on a bench, sharing a

private joke. Kafka glances down at himself, wondering if

his appearance could in any way inspire ridicule.

The door opens again and the Inspector is back.

INSPECTOR:

I don't usually involve myself

with you people in the Old Quarter

-- but the River runs its own course.

It won't be the last time it

deposits its unwanted debris on my

doorstep.

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