"THE DOUBLE" is a short story by Fyodor Dostoevsky. The story, as translated by Constance Garnett, has been adapted for the stage.

scene six

GOLYADKIN WAKES UP. previous

GOLYADKIN’S THOUGHTS: They're just trying to scare me, maybe, and when they see that I don’t care, that I make no protest, but keep perfectly quiet and put up with it meekly, they’ll give it up, they’ll give it up on their own, give it up of their own accord.

PETRUSHKA FIDDLES WITH THE TEA KETTLE.

GOLYADKIN’S THOUGHTS (cont.): Why, goodness knows, goodness knows how that rascal sees the whole thing. He keeps on saying nothing, but he has his own ideas.

PETRUSHKA ENTERS GOLYADKIN’S ROOM, SEEMING GLUM. HE SETS A TRAY ON THE TABLE AND LEAVES WITHOUT SAYING ANYTHING.

GOLYADKIN: He knows, he knows, he knows all about it, the scoundrel!

GOLYADKIN’S THOUGHTS: To go to the office or not? You can be sure that as soon as you go to the office, you'll run into some trouble! Isn’t it better to wait a bit now? Let them do what they like there; but I’d better stay here a bit today, recover my strength, get better, and think over the whole thing more thoroughly, then afterwards I could seize the right moment, fall upon them like snow from the sky, and get off scot-free myself.

GOLYADKIN SITS AROUND SMOKING A PIPE.

GOLYADKIN’S THOUGHTS: Why, it’s half past nine already. It’s late for me to make my appearance. Besides, I’m ill, of course I’m ill, I’m certainly ill; who denies it? What’s the matter with me? If someone comes to ask why I haven't come, let it be the executive clerk. (beat) What is the matter with me, really? My back aches, I have a cough, and a cold in my head; and, in fact, it’s out of the question for me to go out, utterly out of the question in this weather. I might get sick and, very likely, die; nowadays especially the death-rate is so high...

GOLYADKIN BEGINS TO SMOKE ANOTHER PIPE, THEN SUDDENLY JUMPS UP, FLINGS THE PIPE AWAY, QUICKLY WASHES AND SHAVES, DRESSES, AND RUNS TO THE OFFICE. HE SETTLES IN AT HIS DESK. THE DOUBLE ENTERS AND BOWS TO ANDREY FLIPPOVICH.

ANDREY: (to the DOUBLE) Take a seat here. Here, opposite Mr. Golyadkin, and we’ll soon give you something to do.

GOLYADKIN’S THOUGHTS: What does it mean? Is it a dream? Is it reality or the continuation of what happened yesterday? And besides, how is this all being done? Who hired him? Who authorized this? Am I asleep, am I in a waking dream?

GOLYADKIN LOOKS AT ANTON ANTONOVICH.

ANTON: (sympathetically) How’s your health?

GOLYADKIN: I’m very well, thank God, Anton Antonovich. I am perfectly well, Anton Antonovich. I am all right now, Anton Antonovich.

ANTON: I thought you weren’t quite well, though that’s no surprise. No, indeed! Nowadays especially there’s so much illness going around. You know?...

GOLYADKIN: Yes, Anton Antonovich, I know there is a lot of illness... I did not mean that, Anton Antonovich. You see, Anton Antonovich, I don’t even know you, that is, I mean to say, how to approach this matter, Anton Antonovich...

GOLYADKIN’S EYES WELL UP WITH TEARS.

ANTON: How so? I really... you know... I must confess I don’t quite understand; you must... you must explain, you know, in what way you are in difficulties.

GOLYADKIN: Really, Anton Antonovich... I... here... there’s a clerk here, Anton Antonovich.

ANTON: Well! I still don’t understand.

GOLYADKIN: I mean to say, Anton Antonovich, there’s a new clerk here.

ANTON: Yes, there is; namesake of yours.

GOLYADKIN: What?!

ANTON: I say a namesake of yours; his name’s Golyadkin too. Isn’t he your brother?

GOLYADKIN: No, Anton Antonovich, I...

ANTON: H’m! You don’t say so! Why, I thought he must be related to you. You know, there’s a sort of family likeness. (beat) You know what I think you should do, Yakov Petrovich? Go see a doctor. You know, you look somehow quite unwell. Your eyes look peculiar... you know, there’s a peculiar expression in them.

GOLYADKIN: No, Anton Antonovich, I feel, of course... that is, I keep wanting to ask about this clerk.

ANTON: Well?

GOLYADKIN: That is, haven’t you noticed, Anton Antonovich, something peculiar about him, something very distinct?

ANTON: That is...?

GOLYADKIN: That is, I mean, Anton Antonovich, a striking likeness with somebody, for instance; with me, for instance? You spoke just now, you see, Anton Antonovich, of a family resemblance. You let the remark slip.... You know, there really are sometimes twins exactly alike, like two drops of water, so alike that they can’t be told apart. Well, that's what I mean.

ANTON: To be sure, yes, indeed! You’re right, there is a striking resemblance, and you are quite right in what you say. You really might be mistaken for one another. And, you know, Yakov Petrovich, it’s a positively marvelous resemblance, fantastic, in fact, as the saying goes; that is, just like you... Have you noticed, Yakov Petrovich? I wanted to ask you to explain it; yes, I must confess I didn’t take particular notice at first. It’s wonderful, it’s really wonderful! And, you know, you are not a native of these parts, are you, Yakov Petrovich?

GOLYADKIN: No.

ANTON: He is not from these parts, you know, either. Maybe he comes from the same part of the country as you do. Where, may I be so bold as to ask, did your mother live for the most part?

GOLYADKIN: You said... you say, Anton Antonovich, that he is not a native of these parts?

ANTON: No, he is not. And indeed, how strange it is! It may well arouse curiosity; and yet, you know, you might pass him by, brush against him, without noticing anything. But you shouldn’t be upset about it. It’s a thing that happens. Do you know, the same thing, I should tell you, happened to my aunt on my mother’s side; she saw her own double before her death...

GOLYADKIN: No, I—excuse me for interrupting you, Anton Antonovich—I wanted to find out, Anton Antonovich, how that clerk... that is, on what grounds is he here?

ANTON: In the place of Semyon Ivanovich, to fill the vacancy left by his death; the post was vacant, so he was hired. You know, I’m told poor Semyon Ivanovich left three children, all tiny tots. The widow fell at the feet of his Excellency. They do say she’s hiding something; she’s got a bit of money, but she’s hiding it.

GOLYADKIN: No, Anton Antonovich. I was still referring to that circumstance.

ANTON: You mean...? To be sure! But why are you so interested in that? I tell you not to upset yourself. All this is temporary to some extent. Why, after all, you know, you have nothing to do with it. So it has been ordained by God Almighty, it’s His will, and it is sinful to fret. His wisdom is apparent in it. And as far as I can tell, Yakov Petrovich, you are not to blame in any way. There are all sorts of strange things in the world! Mother Nature is generous with her gifts, and you are not called upon to answer for it, you won’t be responsible. Here, for instance, you have heard, I expect, of those—what’s their name?—oh, the Siamese twins who are joined together at the back, live and eat and sleep together. I’m told they get a lot of money.

GOLYADKIN: Allow me, Anton Antonovich...

ANTON: I understand, I understand! Yes! But what of it? It’s no matter, I tell you, as far as I can see there’s nothing for you to upset yourself about. After all, he’s a clerk—as a clerk, he seems to be a capable man. He says his name is Golyadkin, that he’s not a native of this district, and that he’s a titular councillor. He had a personal interview with his Excellency.

GOLYADKIN: And how did his Excellency...?

ANTON: It was all right; I’m told he gave a satisfactory account of himself, gave his reasons, said ‘It’s like this, your Excellency,’ and that he didn't have any money and was anxious to enter the service, and would be particularly flattered to be serving under his Excellency... all that was proper, you know; he expressed himself neatly. He must be a sensible man. But of course he came with a recommendation; he couldn’t have got in without that...

GOLYADKIN: Oh, from whom... that is, I mean, who has had a hand in this shameful business?

ANTON: Yes, a good recommendation, I’m told; his Excellency, I’m told, laughed with Andrey Flippovich.

GOLYADKIN: Laughed with Andrey Flippovich?

ANTON: Yes, he only just smiled and said that it was all right, and that he had nothing against it, so long as he did his duty...

GOLYADKIN: Well, and what more? You relieve me to some extent, Anton Antonovich; go on, I beg you.

ANTON: Excuse me, I have to tell you again... Well, then, come on, it’s nothing, it’s a very simple matter; you shouldn’t upset yourself, I tell you, and there’s nothing suspicious about it.

GOLYADKIN: No. I... that is, Anton Antonovich, I want to ask you, didn’t his Excellency say anything more... about me, for instance?

ANTON: Well! To be sure! No, nothing of the sort; you can set your mind quite at rest. You know it is, of course, a rather striking circumstance, and at first... why, here, I, for instance, I hardly noticed it. I really don’t know why I didn’t notice it till you mentioned it. But you can set your mind at ease entirely. He said nothing particular, absolutely nothing.

ANTON GETS UP FROM HIS CHAIR.

GOLYADKIN: So then, Anton Antonovich, I...

ANTON: Oh, you must excuse me. Here I’ve been gossiping about these trivial matters, and I have business that’s important and urgent. I must inquire about it.

ANDREY: (offstage) Anton Antonovich! His Excellency has been asking for you.

ANTON: This minute, I’m coming this instant, Andrey Flippovitch.

ANTON EXITS.

GOLYADKIN’S THOUGHTS: Then what is the meaning of it? Is there some sort of game going on? So that's the way the wind blows now... That’s just as well; so things have taken a much pleasanter turn. So our position is an ordinary thing. So it turns out to be all nonsense, it comes to nothing at all. No one has done antyhing really, and they are not budging, the rascals, they are sitting busy over their work; that’s splendid, splendid! I like the good-natured fellow, I’ve always liked him, and I’m always ready to respect him... though it must be said one doesn’t know what to think; this Anton Antonovich... I’m afraid to trust him; his hair’s grey, and he’s getting shaky. It’s an immense and glorious thing that his Excellency said nothing, and let it pass! It’s a good thing! I approve! Only why does Andrey Flippovich interfere with his grins? What’s he got to do with it? The old rogue. Always on my track, always, like a black cat, on the watch to run across a man’s path, always thwarting and annoying a man, always annoying and thwarting a man...

GOLYADKIN: (to himself) That’s your temperament.

GOLYADKIN TAPS HIMSELF ON HIS FOREHEAD.

GOLYADKIN (cont.): As soon as you gain anything you’re delighted! You’re a simple soul! No, you and I had better be patient, Yakov Petrovoich; let us wait and be patient!

GOLYADKIN’S THOUGHTS: No matter. It’s like a hundred tons has been lifted off my chest! Here is a circumstance, to be sure! The box has been opened by the lid. Krylov is right, a clever chap, a rogue, that Krylov, and a great fable-write! And as for him, let him work in the office, and good luck to him so long as he doesn’t meddle or interfere with anyone; let him work in the office—I consent and approve!

THE DAY GOES BY, AND THE OFFICE CLOSES. ANDREY FLIPPOVICH TAKES HIS HAT, AND EVERYONE FOLLOWS SUIT. GOLYADKIN DAWDLES UNTIL HE IS THE LAST TO LEAVE. HE FINALLY LEAVES AND WALKS ALONG NEVSKY PROSPECT.

GOLYADKIN’S THOUGHTS: To be sure this is destiny, this unexpected turn of events. And the weather’s more cheerful, and the frost and the little sleds. And the frost suits the Russian, the Russian gets on capitally with the frost. I like the Russian. And the dear little snow, and the first few flakes in autumn; the sportsman would say, ‘It would be nice to go shooting hares in the first snow.’ Well, there, it doesn’t matter.

GOLYADKIN: Let’s wait for the day, though, and then we'll celebrate. And, after all, you know, what does it matter? Come on, let’s think it over, let’s look at it. Come on, let’s consider it, my young friend, let’s consider it. Why, a man’s exactly like you in the first place, absolutely the same. Well, what is there in that? If there is such a man, why should I weep over it? What is it to me? I stand aside, I whistle to myself, and that’s all! That’s what I laid myself open to, and that’s all about it! Let him work in the office! Well, it’s strange and marvelous, they say, that the Siamese twins... But why bring in Siamese twins? They are twins, of course, but even great men, you know, sometimes look like odd creatures. In fact, we know from history that the famous Suvorov used to crow like a cock... But there, he did all that with political motives; and he was a great general... but what are generals, after all? But I keep myself to myself, that’s all, and I don’t care about anyone else, and, secure in my innocence, I scorn my enemies. I am not one to intrigue, and I’m proud of it. Gentle, straightforward, neat and nice, meek and mild.

GOLYADKIN STARTS TREMBLING. HE LOOKS TO HIS RIGHT AND NOTICES THAT THE DOUBLE HAD BEEN WALKING NEXT TO HIM. THEY WALK IN SILENCE.

GOLYADKIN (cont.): Sir, we are going different ways, I believe... I’m convinced of it, in fact. I’m convinced, indeed, that you understand what I mean.

DOUBLE: I could have wished... I could have wished... no doubt you will be magnanimous and pardon me... I don’t know to whom to address myself here... my circumstances... I trust you will pardon my intrusiveness. I thought, indeed, that, moved by compassion, you showed some interest in me this morning. On my side, I felt drawn to you from the first moment. I... If I might venture to hope that you would accord me an indulgent hearing, Yakov Petrovich...

GOLYADKIN: We—here, we—we... you’d better come home with me. Let’s cross to the other side of Nevsky Prospect. It will be more convenient for us there, and then by the little back street... we’d better go by the back street.

DOUBLE: (timidly) Very well, by all means, let’s go by the back street.