"THE DOUBLE" is a short story by Fyodor Dostoevsky. The story, as translated by Constance Garnett, has been adapted for the stage.
CLOCK TOWERS STRIKE MIDNIGHT. GOLYADKIN STANDS BY ISMAILOVSKY BRIDGE, LEANING OVER A RAILING. HE LOOKS AROUND AS IF SOMEONE IS NEAR. previous
GOLYADKIN: Am I imagining things?
GOLYADKIN’S THOUGHTS: Where am I? … Ech, ech.
GOLYADKIN: Well, it doesn't matter. Maybe it doesn't matter at all, and there’s no stain on anyone’s honor. Maybe it'll all be for the best in the end, and there will be nothing to complain about, and everyone will be justified.
GOLYADKIN’S THOUGHTS: Ach, what weather! Achoo! Is there going to be a flood? It seems like the water has risen so violently.
GOLYADKIN SEES SOMEONE WALKING TOWARD HIM, CLEARLY IN A RUSH.
GOLYADKIN’S THOUGHTS (cont.): Maybe... after all, who knows. He's late for something. Maybe it's just that. Maybe he's just late, and that's the main thing, and he isn’t here for nothing, but has some reason to be here, crossing my path and provoking me.
THE STRANGER WALKS RIGHT PAST GOLYADKIN. GOLYADKIN TURNS AROUND TO WATCH THE STRANGER.
GOLYADKIN: (whispering) What—what is it?
GOLYADKIN’S THOUGHTS: Why, what’s the meaning of it? Why, have I really gone out of my mind, or what?
GOLYADKIN STARTS FOLLOWING THE STRANGER.
GOLYADKIN: (to STRANGER) Stop!
THE STRANGER STOPS NEAR A LAMPPOST.
GOLYADKIN: Excuse me, possibly I’m mistaken.
ANNOYED, THE STRANGER RUSHES PAST GOLYADKIN. GOLYADKIN STANDS STUNNED FOR A MOMENT, THEN SPRINTS TOWARD NEVSKY PROSPECT.
GOLYADKIN (cont.): (whispering) Ech, that horrid little dog!
THE STRANGER WALKS INTO GOLYADKIN’S APARTMENT BUILDING. GOLYADKIN CHASES HIM INSIDE. THE STRANGER NAVIGATES THE MESSY HALLWAYS WITH EASE. GOLYADKIN FINALLY MAKES IT TO HIS BEDROOM AND FINDS THE STRANGER SITTING ON HIS BED. HE SMILES AT GOLYADKIN, REVEALING THAT HE IS ANOTHER GOLYADKIN, A DOUBLE IN EVERY RESPECT.
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