MRS. STOCKMANN: I wish you’d go out of your way and share the honors with him. Couldn’t we say that he put you on the right track or something?
DR. STOCKMANN: Oh, I don’t mind—as long as it makes everybody happy.
Morten Kiil sticks his head through the doorway. He looks around searchingly and chuckles. He will continue chuckling until he leaves the house. He is the archetype of the little twinkle-eyed man who sneaks into so much of Ibsen’s work. He will chuckle you right over the precipice. He is the dealer, the man with the rat’s finely tuned brain. But he is sometimes likable because he is without morals and announces the fact by laughing.
KIIL, slyly: Is it really true?
MRS. STOCKMANN, walking toward him: Father!
DR. STOCKMANN: Well, good morning!
MRS. STOCKMANN: Come on in.
KIIL: It better be true or I’m going.
DR. STOCKMANN: What had better be true?
KIIL: This crazy story about the water system. Is it true?
MRS. STOCKMANN: Of course it’s true! How did you find out about it?
KIIL: Petra came flying by on her way to school this morning.
DR. STOCKMANN: Oh, she did?
KIIL: Ya. I thought she was trying to make a fool out of me—
MRS. STOCKMANN: Now why would she do that?
KIIL: Nothing gives more pleasure to young people than to make fools out of old people. But this is true, eh?
DR. STOCKMANN: Of course it’s true. Sit down here. It’s pretty lucky for the town, eh?
KIIL, fighting his laughter: Lucky for the town!
DR. STOCKMANN: I mean, that I made the discovery before it was too late.
KIIL: Tom, I never thought you had the imagination to pull your own brother’s leg like this.
DR. STOCKMANN: Pull his leg?
MRS. STOCKMANN: But, Father, he’s not—
KIIL: How does it go now, let me get it straight. There’s some kind of—like cockroaches in the waterpipes—
DR. STOCKMANN, laughing: No, not cockroaches.
KIIL: Well, some kind of little animals.
MRS. STOCKMANN: Bacteria, Father.
KIIL, who can barely speak through his laughter: Ah, but a whole mess of them, eh?
DR. STOCKMANN: Oh, there’d be millions and millions.
KIIL: And nobody can see them but you, is that it?
DR. STOCKMANN: Yes, that’s—well, of course anybody with a micro— He breaks off. What are you laughing at?
MRS. STOCKMANN, smiling at Kiil: You don’t understand, Father. Nobody can actually see bacteria, but that doesn’t mean they’re not there.
KIIL: Good girl, you stick with him! By God, this is the best thing I ever heard in my life!
DR. STOCKMANN, smiling: What do you mean?
KIIL: But tell me, you think you are actually going to get your brother to believe this?
DR. STOCKMANN: Well, we’ll see soon enough!
KIIL: You really think he’s that crazy?
DR. STOCKMANN: I hope the whole town will be that crazy, Morten.
KIIL: Ya, they probably are, and it’ll serve them right too—they think they’re so much smarter than us old-timers. Your good brother ordered them to bounce me out of the council, so they chased me out like a dog! Make jackasses out of all of them, Stockmann!
DR. STOCKMANN: Yes, but, Morten—
KIIL: Long-eared, short-tailed jackasses! He gets up. Stockmann, if you can make the Mayor and his elegant friends grab at this bait, I will give a couple of hundred crowns to charity, and right now, right on the spot.
DR. STOCKMANN: Well, that would be very kind of you, but I’m—
KIIL: I haven’t got much to play around with, but if you can pull the rug out from under him with this cockroach business, I’ll give at least fifty crowns to some poor people on Christmas Eve. Maybe this’ll teach them to put some brains back in Town Hall!
Hovstad enters from the hall.
HOVSTAD: Good morning! Oh, pardon me . . .
KIIL, enjoying this proof immensely: Oh, this one is in on it too?
HOVSTAD: What’s that, sir?
DR. STOCKMANN: Of course he’s in on it.
KIIL: Couldn’t I have guessed that! And it’s going to be in the papers, I suppose. You’re sure tying down the corners, aren’t you? Well, lay it on thick. I’ve got to go.
DR. STOCKMANN: Oh, no, stay awhile, let me explain it to you!
KIIL: Oh, I get it, don’t worry! Only you can see them, heh? That’s the best idea I’ve ever—damn it, you shouldn’t do this for nothing! He goes toward the hall.
MRS. STOCKMANN, following him out, laughing: But, Father, you don’t understand about bacteria.
DR. STOCKMANN, laughing: The old badger doesn’t believe a word of it.
HOVSTAD: What does he think you’re doing?
DR. STOCKMANN: Making an idiot out of my brother—imagine that?
HOVSTAD: You got a few minutes?
DR. STOCKMANN: Sure, as long as you like.
HOVSTAD: Have you heard from the Mayor?
DR. STOCKMANN: Only that he’s coming over later.
HOVSTAD: I’ve been thinking about this since last night—
DR. STOCKMANN: Don’t say?
HOVSTAD: For you as a medical man, a scientist, this is a really rare opportunity. But I’ve been wondering if you realize that it ties in with a lot of other things.
DR. STOCKMANN: How do you mean? Sit down. They sit at the right. What are you driving at?
HOVSTAD: You said last night that the pollution comes from impurities in the ground—
DR. STOCKMANN: It comes from the poisonous dump up in Windmill Valley.
HOVSTAD: Doctor, I think it comes from an entirely different dump.
DR. STOCKMANN: What do you mean?
HOVSTAD, with growing zeal: The same dump that is poisoning and polluting our whole social life in this town.
DR. STOCKMANN: For God’s sake, Hovstad, what are you babbling about?
HOVSTAD: Everything that matters in this town has fallen into the hands of a few bureaucrats.
DR. STOCKMANN: Well, they’re not all bureaucrats—
HOVSTAD: They’re all rich, all with old reputable names, and they’ve got everything in the palm of their hands.
DR. STOCKMANN: Yes, but they happen to have ability and knowledge.
HOVSTAD: Did they show ability and knowledge when they built the water system where they did?
DR. STOCKMANN: No, of course not, but that happened to be a blunder, and we’ll clear it up now.
HOVSTAD: You really imagine it’s going to be as easy as all that?
DR. STOCKMANN: Easy or not easy, it’s got to be done.
HOVSTAD: Doctor, I’ve made up my mind to give this whole scandal very special treatment.
DR. STOCKMANN: Now wait. You can’t call it a scandal yet.
HOVSTAD: Doctor, when I took over the People’s Messenger I swore I’d blow that smug cabal of old, stubborn, self-satisfied fogies to bits. This is the story that can do it.
DR. STOCKMANN: But I still think we owe them a deep debt of gratitude for building the springs.
HOVSTAD: The Mayor being your brother, I wouldn’t ordinarily want to touch it, but I know you’d never let that kind of thing obstruct the truth.
DR. STOCKMANN: Of course not, but . . .
HOVSTAD: I want you to understand me. I don’t have to tell you I come from a simple family. I know in my bones what the underdog needs—he’s got to have a say in the government of society. That’s what brings out ability, intelligence, and self-respect in people.
DR. STOCKMANN: I understand that, but . . .
HOVSTAD: I think a newspaperman who turns down any chance to give the underdog a lift is taking on a re
sponsibility that I don’t want. I know perfectly well that in fancy circles they call it agitation, and they can call it anything they like if it makes them happy, but I have my own conscience—
DR. STOCKMANN, interrupting: I agree with you, Hovstad, but this is just the water supply and— There is a knock on the door. Damn it! Come in!
Mr. Aslaksen, the publisher, enters from the hall. He is simply but neatly dressed. He wears gloves and carries a hat and an umbrella in his hand. He is so utterly drawn it is unnecessary to say anything at all about him.
ASLAKSEN: I beg your pardon, Doctor, if I intrude . . .
HOVSTAD, standing up: Are you looking for me, Aslaksen?
ASLAKSEN: No, I didn’t know you were here. I want to see the Doctor.
DR. STOCKMANN: What can I do for you?
ASLAKSEN: Is it true, Doctor, what I hear from Mr. Billing, that you intend to campaign for a better water system?
DR. STOCKMANN: Yes, for the Institute. But it’s not a campaign.
ASLAKSEN: I just wanted to call and tell you that we are behind you a hundred per cent.
HOVSTAD, to Dr. Stockmann: There, you see!
DR. STOCKMANN: Mr. Aslaksen, I thank you with all my heart. But you see—
ASLAKSEN: We can be important, Doctor. When the little businessman wants to push something through, he turns out to be the majority, you know, and it’s always good to have the majority on your side.
DR. STOCKMANN: That’s certainly true, but I don’t understand what this is all about. It seems to me it’s a simple, straightforward business. The water—
ASLAKSEN: Of course we intend to behave with moderation, Doctor. I always try to be a moderate and careful man.
DR. STOCKMANN: You are known for that, Mr. Aslaksen, but—
ASLAKSEN: The water system is very important to us little businessmen, Doctor. Kirsten Springs are becoming a gold mine for this town, especially for the property owners, and that is why, in my capacity as chairman of the Property Owners Association—
DR. STOCKMANN: Yes.
ASLAKSEN: And furthermore, as a representative of the Temperance Society— You probably know, Doctor, that I am active for prohibition.
DR. STOCKMANN: So I have heard.
ASLAKSEN: As a result, I come into contact with all kinds of people, and since I am known to be a law-abiding and solid citizen, I have a certain influence in this town—you might even call it a little power.
DR. STOCKMANN: I know that very well, Mr. Aslaksen.
ASLAKSEN: That’s why you can see that it would be practically nothing for me to arrange a demonstration.
DR. STOCKMANN: Demonstration! What are you going to demonstrate about?
ASLAKSEN: The citizens of the town complimenting you for bringing this important matter to everybody’s attention. Obviously it would have to be done with the utmost moderation so as not to hurt the authorities.
HOVSTAD: This could knock the big-bellies right into the garbage can!
ASLAKSEN: No indiscretion or extreme aggressiveness toward the authorities, Mr. Hovstad! I don’t want any wild-eyed radicalism on this thing. I’ve had enough of that in my time, and no good ever comes of it. But for a good solid citizen to express his calm, frank, and free opinion is something nobody can deny.
DR. STOCKMANN, shaking the publisher’s hand: My dear Aslaksen, I can’t tell you how it heartens me to hear this kind of support. I am happy—I really am—I’m happy. Listen! Wouldn’t you like a glass of sherry?
ASLAKSEN: I am a member of the Temperance Society. I—
DR. STOCKMANN: Well, how about a glass of beer?
ASLAKSEN, considers, then: I don’t think I can go quite that far, Doctor. I never take anything. Well, good day, and I want you to remember that the little man is behind you like a wall.
DR. STOCKMANN: Thank you.
ASLAKSEN: You have the solid majority on your side, because when the little—
DR. STOCKMANN, trying to stop Aslaksen’s talk: Thanks for that, Mr. Aslaksen, and good day.
ASLAKSEN: Are you going back to the printing shop, Mr. Hovstad?
HOVSTAD: I just have a thing or two to attend to here.
ASLAKSEN: Very well. He leaves.
HOVSTAD: Well, what do you say to a little hypodermic for these fence-sitting deadheads?
DR. STOCKMANN, surprised: Why? I think Aslaksen is a very sincere man.
HOVSTAD: Isn’t it time we pumped some guts into these well-intentioned men of good will? Under all their liberal talk they still idolize authority, and that’s got to be rooted out of this town. This blunder of the water system has to be made clear to every voter. Let me print your report.
DR. STOCKMANN: Not until I talk to my brother.
HOVSTAD: I’ll write an editorial in the meantime, and if the Mayor won’t go along with us—
DR. STOCKMANN: I don’t see how you can imagine such a thing!
HOVSTAD: Believe me, Doctor, it’s possible, and then—
DR. STOCKMANN: Listen, I promise you: he will go along, and then you can print my report, every word of it.
HOVSTAD: On your word of honor?
DR. STOCKMANN, giving Hovstad the manuscript: Here it is. Take it. It can’t do any harm for you to read it. Return it to me later.
HOVSTAD: Good day, Doctor.
DR. STOCKMANN: Good day. You’ll see, it’s going to be easier than you think, Hovstad!
HOVSTAD: I hope so, Doctor. Sincerely. Let me know as soon as you hear from His Honor. He leaves.
DR. STOCKMANN, goes to dining room and looks in: Catherine! Oh, you’re home already, Petra!
PETRA, coming in: I just got back from school.
MRS. STOCKMANN, entering: Hasn’t he been here yet?
DR. STOCKMANN: Peter? No, but I just had a long chat with Hovstad. He’s really fascinated with my discovery, and you know, it has more implications than I thought at first. Do you know what I have backing me up?
MRS. STOCKMANN: What in heaven’s name have you got backing you up?
DR. STOCKMANN: The solid majority.
MRS. STOCKMANN: Is that good?
DR. STOCKMANN: Good? It’s wonderful. You can’t imagine the feeling, Catherine, to know that your own town feels like a brother to you. I have never felt so at home in this town since I was a boy. A noise is heard.
MRS. STOCKMANN: That must be the front door.
DR. STOCKMANN: Oh, it’s Peter then. Come in.
PETER STOCKMANN, entering from the hall: Good morning!
DR. STOCKMANN: It’s nice to see you, Peter.
MRS. STOCKMANN: Good morning. How are you today?
PETER STOCKMANN: Well, so so. To Dr. Stockmann: I received your thesis about the condition of the springs yesterday.
DR. STOCKMANN: I got your note. Did you read it?
PETER STOCKMANN: I read it.
DR. STOCKMANN: Well, what do you have to say?
Peter Stockmann clears his throat and glances at the women.
MRS. STOCKMANN: Come on, Petra. She and Petra leave the room at the left.
PETER STOCKMANN, after a moment: Thomas, was it really necessary to go into this investigation behind my back?
DR. STOCKMANN: Yes. Until I was convinced myself, there was no point in—
PETER STOCKMANN: And now you are convinced?
DR. STOCKMANN: Well, certainly. Aren’t you too, Peter? Pause. The University chemists corroborated . . .
PETER STOCKMANN: You intend to present this document to the Board of Directors, officially, as the medical officer of the springs?
DR. STOCKMANN: Of course, something’s got to be done, and quick.
PETER STOCKMANN: You always use such strong expressions, Thomas. Among other things, in your report you say that we guarantee our guests and visitors a permanent case of poisoning.
DR. STOCKMANN: But Peter, how can you describe it any other way? Imagine! Poisoned internally and externally!
PETER STOCKMANN: So you merrily conclude that we must build a waste-disposal plant—and reconstruct a brand-new water system from the bottom up!
DR. STOCKMANN: Well, do you know some other way out? I don’t.
PETER STOCKMANN: I took a little walk over to the city engineer this morning and in the course of conversation I sort of jokingly mentioned these changes—as something we might consider for the future, you know.
DR. STOCKMANN: The future won’t be soon enough, Peter.
PETER STOCKMANN: The engineer kind of smiled at my extravagance and gave me a few facts. I don’t suppose you have taken the trouble to consider what your proposed changes would cost?
DR. STOCKMANN: No, I never thought of that.
PETER STOCKMANN: Naturally. Your little project would come to at least three hundred thousand crowns.
DR. STOCKMANN, astonished: That expensive!
PETER STOCKMANN: Oh, don’t look so upset—it’s only money. The worst thing is that it would take some two years.
DR. STOCKMANN: Two years?
PETER STOCKMANN: At the least. And what do you propose we do about the springs in the meantime? Shut them up, no doubt! Because we would have to, you know. As soon as the rumor gets around that the water is dangerous, we won’t have a visitor left. So that’s the picture, Thomas. You have it in your power literally to ruin your own town.
DR. STOCKMANN: Now look, Peter! I don’t want to ruin anything.
PETER STOCKMANN: Kirsten Springs are the blood supply of this town, Thomas—the only future we’ve got here. Now will you stop and think?
DR. STOCKMANN: Good God! Well, what do you think we ought to do?
PETER STOCKMANN: Your report has not convinced me that the conditions are as dangerous as you try to make them.
DR. STOCKMANN: Now listen; they are even worse than the report makes them out to be. Remember, summer is coming, and the warm weather!
PETER STOCKMANN: I think you’re exaggerating. A capable physician ought to know what precautions to take.
DR. STOCKMANN: And what then?
PETER STOCKMANN: The existing water supply for the springs is a fact, Thomas, and has got to be treated as a fact. If you are reasonable and act with discretion, the directors of the Institute will be inclined to take under consideration any means to make possible improvements, reasonably and without financial sacrifices.
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