Original subtitles

What ya doing in here?

Get out.

- Teresa, Teresa, please don't be angry with me.

I had to see you.

I love you.

- How many times do I have to tell you, Anton?

I'm gonna do better for myself than marry a stable hand.

Now, get out.

- How well do you think you're going to do, Teresa?

You are just a house maid, after all.

- You'd be surprised.

For your information, the tutor is expected to be here soon,

And he's expected to stay the whole summer for young Marco.

- Who's coming soon?

- Oh my God, the tutor, the professor.

Use your head.

You are an idiot.

He'll be so old.

- Better an old gentleman than a yokel

Who's idiotic and boorish.

I have to finish my bath, so go.

- All right, Teresa, I'll go,

But one day you'll come looking for me.

I'll be waiting.

- Excuse me, Sir? - What is it?

- There are two gentlemen outside.

What the devil do they want?

I don't know, Sir.

They're from an institute or a bank.

I think that's what they said.

- Any news from my nephew?

- Well, no Sir, but I'm positive he'll arrive soon.

The train pulled in 10 minutes ago

And after that an hour's drive.

- I imagine the rooms are ready?

- Young Marco is sure to find everything pleasing, Sir.

- Mr. Raininger.

Remember it.

He's been in school, not petting farming.

- Ah, of course, Sir.

Mr. Raininger.

Of course, Sir.

- You're not very enthusiastic

About seeing your uncle, are you Marco?

What?

No, I am, really.

- You should try to relax a bit.

You're no longer at the university.

You graduated, remember?

And also this uncle paid for your education

And he's your father's only brother.

- I don't even know what he looks like, Sir.

He never came to visit me.

- And he was in frequent contact with the rector

Throughout all your years in school.

I think you should be grateful to him, Marco.

- Yes Sir, I am.

My name is Maximilian.

- Yes, Sir, Maximilian.

That's better.

- Nobody must offend the old

And noble name of Raininger in any way, is that clear?

- No one wants to offend you

Or your family. - Nobody.

- And yet, you refuse to lend me the pittance I need.

There's all my land, all my holdings.

- Sir, I have too, to remind you of your mortgages

To the value of the entire property.

- I don't like what that implies.

Yes, I think I must remind you how important our name is.

We always pay our debts.

The whole zone owes its prosperity to us.

- Well Sir, we have I think, a possible solution.

- I must think. - Fine.

Now, certain stockholders of ours, for example,

You know Dr. Gideon and Mr. Gruber and others,

They have expressed a certain amount

Of interest in purchasing your estate.

As for the price, you will be reasonable.

- There'll be no purchase.

This property has been in the Raininger family estate

For over 400 years and will go on being so for the next 400.

Now, please be so kind as to take back

To your generous stockholders

My considered reply to their kind offer, be damned.

That includes everyone

From the newly elected head director on downwards.

I trust I've made myself sufficiently clear.

Now, get out.

- Excuse me, Sir.

- Yes, what is it?

- Excuse me Sir, but your nephew is here.

The coach is coming up the lane.

- Show these two vultures to the door.

Come.

Welcome, Sir. Thank you.

- Welcome home, Young master.

- Is Mr. Raininger here?

- He's waiting for you inside, Sir.

- Thank you.

- Not bad for an 80-year-old, don't you think?

- You're just a housemate, Teresa.

Remember that.

Go after him.

He'll just use you.

- Good morning, Sir.

- That's a portrait of your aunt.

She was beautiful.

She had an incredible fascination for anyone who met her.

Somehow I can never convince myself that she's left us.

No one can.

I'm delighted to see

You take after the family, Marco.

You're going to be handsome and tall.

A true Raininger.

Welcome to this house, Marco.

I hope your stay will be a blessed one, and a long one.

I imagine you are my nephew's tutor?

- Maximilian Kender, Sir.

- The rector of the university admires you

And speaks very highly of you.

I'm sure you'll take proper care of my nephew.

- I'll do my very best, Sir.

- Fine.

- Now, I imagine you're both tired

After such a long trip.

Teresa will show you to your rooms.

We dine at 7:30.

- Thank you, Sir.

- You're very kind, Sir.

- May I come in, Sir?

- Yes, of course.

- Thank you, Sir.

Would you like me to help you unpack your bag, Sir?

- No thanks, I can manage.

There isn't really all that much left to do.

I see you're an artist, a painter.

Not really.

I'm just an amateur.

I wish I were an artist,

But all I can paint is what I see with my eyes.

- Would it help you to have somebody as a model?

You know, I hear that good ones are hard to come by, Sir.

Would you like to see me without any clothes on?

Not just now.

Another time, thanks.

All right, if you're sure?

- Yes, of course.

Some other time will be fine.

Look, please, I sent some other time, Miss.

You're a lovely girl, but there's no time.

I'm late for dinner and they're expecting me.

- If you insist, Sir, all right.

- Since you've been so very kind,

Could I know your name?

- Teresa, Sir. - Huh, Teresa.

- Do you really want me to go?

- Out, young lady.

- I'm sure you're wondering

Why I haven't had gas installed in the house, Mister-

- Kender, Sir.

- I'm not a believer in this so-called progress.

I prefer the old simple things.

I find them so much more tasteful.

Oh, for instance, a glow cast by a candle

Is so much more ethereal,

So much more beautiful than a harsh gas flame is.

The train, the telephone, all these things,

The attempts at flying in God's domain.

I'm firmly convinced

That they're all hastening men's end.

What do you think Mister-

- Kender, Sir.

Ah, yes, Bender.

I'm hopeless with names.

Please excuse me.

Now, what's your opinion?

- I think that all things should be examined

To see what you think and be to mankind,

Then judged as fit or unfit on that basis.

- Come in my dear.

Please join us.

Please, there's no need to stand.

Sit down, Marco.

This is Charlotte, your aunt's sister.

You notice the family resemblance?

This is Marco, my nephew.

- And this is, uh- Maximilian Kender.

Honored.

- Now, sit down for heaven's sake.

Charlotte?

- Sorry to be so late.

- Charlotte's quite shy.

It just adds to her extraordinary beauty.

Always begging pardon,

As though she were guilty of something unspeakable.

- No, thank you.

I'm not hungry just now.

- You absolutely must get some food in you.

I don't think I could bear to see you wasting away.

Well, Marco, truly, you have a great many wonderful stories

To tell us from university?

It was very uneventful, Sir.

Truly.

- Mr. Raininger, Marco's always been a quiet type of boy.

Keeps his own counsel.

He's a good boy.

- That's one way of looking at it.

In my opinion, such silence is simply an attempt

To hide one's feelings,

And it's not greatly to be admired.

Would you like some wine?

Yes, I- No.

Charlotte never touches a drop.

Women who drink are by nature unable to control themselves.

- Liking something is not the same

As being dominated by it, don't you think?

I believe this talk of weakness and passions

Is proving to be a bit embarrassing for my sister-in-law.

- Of course, Sir.

I'm sorry.

- You're new here.

I'm sure that in time we'll get

To know each other much better

And won't have any embarrassing moments in the future.

Teresa, serve the coffee.

Excuse me, Sir,

I believe I forgot to change your pillow cases.

May I come in?

- Yes, of course.

Teresa, as long as you're here,

Tell me what you know of Miss Charlotte.

- Well, she's a strange person, Sir, I can tell you that.

She's the master sister-in-law, of course,

And I think she's always lived here,

At least since I was here.

- I had the impression that Mr. Raininger lived here alone.

It was quite a surprise when she appeared at dinner.

- It's rare that she appears, Sir.

We hardly ever see her.

She locks herself up in her room for hours

And hours on end just looking out of her window.

I feel sorry for her, I suppose.

- Doesn't she have any friends, someone to talk to?

- Friends, Sir?

But she never sees anybody,

And you get the idea that she's not much interested

In the opposite sex.

Is there anything else you'd like to know, Sir?

- Please get dressed, Teresa.

- You'd like to hear more about Miss Charlotte, I imagine.

- Yes, but not here.

- I think I'm going to cry.

- Why, Teresa?

- It makes me so sad to have you send me off like this.

Am I really that ugly?

You know you're a pretty girl.

I'm sorry, please go.

- Hello.

- I didn't see you.

I saw you though.

My, did I see you.

I was just passing, I-

- Passing what?

- You were spying, you-

- Oh, no.

I was just quietly gathering flowers

For a bouquet for my mother.

It's not my fault if a boy comes

And whips out his- - Shh!

- What's wrong?

I've seen others before yours,

And much bigger and better at that.

Lemme think now.

I've seen a 12, a 13.

And yes, even a size 14.

- Is that all you can find to talk about?

- You mustn't go.

Please, wait for me.

You're mad at me, aren't you?

- No. - Yes you are.

My name's Lilli.

That's a pretty name.

- Aren't you gonna tell me your name?

I'm waiting.

It's Marco.

- Do you live in the cave?

- What cave? - The ogre's cave?

- No, he's my uncle.

- I know that.

- Why do you call him an ogre?

- It's just to get you angry.

Marco, can we be friends?

You're acting foolishly.

You're angry and sulking just because I've seen your thing.

Well, now you'll see mine and we'll be even.

All right?

And now we're friends, aren't we?

Do you really mean that?

Of course, I want us to be friends.

There just aren't any nice boys in these parts.

Really, Marco.

And I like boys.

So we can see each other every now and then, can't we?

Yes, I suppose we can.

- I live in a little house on the other side of the church.

Do you know how to whistle?

- What do you mean whistle?

- You know?

You whistle and I'll come out,

And we can take a walk or something.

And now I think we should seal

Our friendship with a kiss, don't you?

Go ahead.

Hey, you better begin taking kissing lessons!

- Good morning. - Oh.

I'm sorry if I startled you.

- No, really, it's all right.

I'll be staying here for several months.

I hope by the end of that time

You'll be used to seeing me around.

- I'm sorry if I'm so rude.

I'm just not used to seeing anybody.

We very seldom have visitors,

And when we do, I'm uneasy.

If you'd allow it,

I'd like to try to put you at your ease with people.

It's a shame if you can't let yourself feel good

When you're in company.

Others form an important part of life,

Or at least they should.

- All I can say, Mr. Kender is that's kind of you.

Not at all.

I hope we can become good friends.

Charlotte?

Come here, would you, please?

The papers on my desk need to be organized.

Would you attend to it now?

Thank you, dear.

Mister?

Kender, Sir.

- Ah, yes, Mr. Kendall,

I have a favor to ask you,

Which is not to disrupt our household.

- I'm very sorry.

My apologies, Sir.

- Gratefully accepted.

Let me tell you about Charlotte.

She's two things.

She is extremely old fashioned and very sensitive.

She finds it difficult to speak

To anyone at all except for me, of course.

And an unexpected change in her habits

Could very well make her rather unstable emotionally.

- I understand, but how should I behave?

What should I do?

- You should simply avoid conversing

With her whenever possible.

- It's not going to be easy.

We live under the same roof, Sir.

It'll be easier than you imagine.

You won't be seeing a great deal of Charlotte in the future.

Bluntly, you won't be seeing her.

I wish you a very pleasant day.

You're acting foolishly.

You're angry and sulking

Just because I've seen your thing.

Well, now you'll see mine and we'll be even, all right?

What's wrong?

I've seen others before yours,

And much bigger and better at that.

Let me think now, I've seen a 12, a 13 and,

Oh yes, once even a size 14.

Like this.

You whistle, I'll come out

And we'll go walking or something.

Now, let's seal our friendship with a kiss.

I'm waiting.

- Good morning, Sir.

Good morning, Teresa.

- Oh, you've painted the former lady of the house.

- Well, actually, I was trying to get a likeness of...

Of Miss Charlotte.

- No, Lady Mary was much lovelier than her sister.

She was two years younger than Miss Charlotte, Sir,

Who was considered plain next to her.

- Teresa, I'm sorry about last night.

- Don't even think about it, Sir, please.

It was entirely my fault.

Would you like me to model for you, Sir?

- All right, pose.

Tell me something, Teresa.

Why do you think Mr. Raininger

Keeps Miss Charlotte prisoner in the house?

Is he in love with her?

In love? Absolutely not.

He's mean to her, treats her like a slave,

Though he was mad about his wife.

Poor Lady Mary.

You should see how he stares at her picture,

For hours sometimes.

He doesn't know the world exists.

- Turn over will you, Teresa?

No, not that way.

Not to your left, to your right.

How can someone go about getting close

To Miss Charlotte without Raininger finding out?

It'd be almost impossible.

I've told you once about her.

She's locked up in her room for hours and hours

While he plays that ridiculous gramophone.

- You mean while that gramophone is going,

Mr. Raininger is not around the house?

- That's absolutely right.

You are a beautiful girl, you know?

- Well, finally a kind word.

- Teresa?

Teresa?

Teresa, where are you?

- What do you want?

- Where have you been?

Everyone's been looking for you, even Miss Charlotte.

Get dressed.

You should be ashamed of yourself.

Lilli!

- Shh!

Come on, I wanna show you something.

Now, follow me.

Come on, slow poke.

You mean I should climb the ladder?

- Really, Marco, how else are you gonna get up here?

Do you have a pair of wings?

What are you afraid of?

I'm not afraid of anything,

But if you don't get outta the way, how can I climb up?

- Hm, you have a point there.

At least I hope you do.

This is my secret hiding place.

I come here every single day.

What do you think of it?

- Nice. Who's this gentleman?

- A friend of mine named Marco.

I know it doesn't look much like you,

But every time I take a look at him, I think of you.

- You've either a fine imagination

Or a very poor memory, that's all I know.

- Oh, you're right, of course.

I have to admit it.

Something's missing.

We want all of you.

No.

Well, I may have exaggerated.

That's more like it, don't you think?

Well, when I saw it, it wasn't exactly imposing, you know?

You're not angry at me again, Marco, are you?

- What you saw was no carrot.

- What have you got against carrots?

They're delicious and good for your skin and your eyesight.

I eat them every day.

Want one?

- No thanks, I'm not hungry.

I am famished.

- Good morning, Teresa. - Good morning, Sir.

Did you sleep well?

- Yes, very well, thank you.

Where are the others?

- Master Marco out an hour ago

And Mr. Raininger has already breakfasted.

Would you like some cream, Sir?

- No, no, thank you.

Tell me, Teresa,

Has Miss Charlotte already had her breakfast?

- Yes, Sir.

She always has it brought to her room.

- No, no, thank you.

That'll be all.

Thank you, Teresa.

- Nothing else you'd like, Sir?

- No, I have everything I need.

Thank you very much.

Very well, Sir.

Yes, who is this?

Good morning, Ms. Charlotte.

It's Maximilian, may I speak to you?

- Oh, please, Mr. Kender, I don't-

- It's such a lovely day.

I was thinking it would be very pleasant

To take a little stroll with you.

- No, I'm terribly sorry.

I can't give any explanations.

You must believe me.

It isn't anything at all personal, I assure you that.

So, if you truly wish me well, please leave now.

It'd be better for you too.

- Do you promise to explain everything soon?

- Yes, I swear I will, but please go now.

Hurry, I hear his footsteps.

Marco, please,

You've got to tell me what happened.

You've admitted you were standing outside the door.

- Would you have stood there and watched?

Well, of course I would've watched idiot.

Anyone in his right mind would have.

- Well, I did too.

Well, what are you waiting for?

Tell me what you saw.

Please, Marco, start talking.

All right, only you mustn't look at me.

- I'm turning around right now.

I'm closing my eyes.

- She was naked.

- I hope that that's the beginning and not the end.

It's nothing special.

- It's not finished yet.

- Oh, that's wonderful.

I'll close my eyes again.

- Anyway, she was naked and she began touching over.

Over?

- Every place, her whole body.

So much moving around, and she began to moan too.

- Listen, Marco, did you really think it was Miss Charlotte?

- No, the other one.

I'd swear to it.

- Marco, the next time it happens, I wanna be there.

- We might get caught and the door might not be open.

You don't trust me.

I know another place, a gorgeous lookout place,

A window over looking a bedroom.

We can watch it there.

- How will you know to come over?

- Just pass a lighted candle across your window.

I'll stand by my bedroom window and look out.

I don't know.

It doesn't seem like the right thing to do.

- I'm not exactly noted for doing

The right thing all the time.

I've noticed that.

- So then, there isn't really any problem, is there?

Signal me.

Don't forget.

Don't worry.

It's Miss Charlotte.

I knew it, I knew it.

That's impossible.

Miss Charlotte simply isn't that beautiful.

- Your eyesight's no better

Than something else of yours I've seen.

Take another look.

Are you convinced yet?

All right, it's Charlotte.

But why should she be acting like that?

- What's the difference why?

She's doing it, isn't she?

Just watch.

Just a trifle to the northwest, thank you.

Excuse me.

- Where are you going?

Come back, Marco.

Oh.

Marco, there's a clasp at the back

Of my dress that I can't reach.

- I'd like a word with you, Charlotte.

You've been very different since they arrived.

What's wrong with you?

It might be that I'm starting

To feel hemmed in here Oswald.

There is a world outside and I've never seen any of it.

- I need you here, Charlotte.

You're lovely.

Every bit as lovely as she was.

Charlotte, you're the only link to my past with Maria.

- I'm afraid I can't go on anymore like before, Oswald.

- Charlotte, you mustn't go away.

- You can't keep me here.

- I know it isn't easy, especially for a beautiful woman

To live a life apart from the world.

I do understand,

But let me see if I can't change a little for you.

It won't be enough change, Oswald.

I know you. - Wait and see.

I'm quite aware that this house is too big and lonely.

I'm going to give a great ball in your honor.

The finest names will attend.

Charlotte, you will be envied for your beauty

And I because you're mine.

- You mustn't say that, Oswald.

You have no right to.

- Oh, yes, I do.

I do have the right.

You've been mine ever since the death of my wife.

My prized possession.

- Teresa asked Mr. Raininger if I could go too next Sunday

And he gave his permission.

Isn't that exciting?

Will you dance with me, Marco?

As far as I'm concerned,

It's all gonna be a waste of time.

People always just laugh too much and drink too much.

Lilli, what's wrong?

Is anything the matter?

- I haven't got the right kind of gown

For a fancy evening like that.

- Oh, Lilli, you're still beautiful.

- Thank you.

That's the very first compliment you ever paid me.

Did you know that, Marco?

It is, isn't it?

- Yes.

Oh, Marco, look.

That's the very first time I've seen

Him go anywhere at all,

Or at least since I was a child.

I've got a good idea.

What?

He left to go to town.

It'll be at least two hours before he comes back.

- And?

- Teresa told me about something a long time ago, listen.

There's an old steamer trunk

That Mr. Raininger keeps in his room,

And in it, his wife's beautiful clothes.

- Oh, we can be caught.

- Nobody will be there to do it.

Mr. Raininger is out.

Ms. Charlotte's upstairs and Teresa doesn't count.

Come on, Marco.

You're very lucky to live

In such a nice house and it's so big.

Teresa sneaks me in every now and then.

- Quiet, someone might hear us.

Hurry, will you?

- All right.

Make sure the door shut tight, Marco.

- Oh, I never would've thought of that.

I don't think we should be doing this.

- Don't be such a baby.

You only six years old?

Get those books off there.

I hope it's not locked.

Oh!

Oh look, these are more gorgeous than I expected.

Well, this one isn't really so wonderful.

Here, these will look fine on your little feet.

I never wear white.

- Hm.

Hm.

Is that a book you found?

Let's see.

Hey!

Oh can't read it.

After all, Marco, we're here to find me a gown.

All right.

Oh!

It's wonderful.

Marco, look!

And it seems made for me.

They'll all say, who's the beauty

Over there dressed in pink?

- It's the truth, I swear it.

- No, you can tell me.

Really, you can.

- It's not so easy, actually.

- Yes? - It's all in the beginning.

- What do you think?

- From the northwest slope, unquestionably.

- Everything to your liking?

- Everything's splendid.

- Yeah.

- They had a big harvest that year as I remember.

- I mean every word.

Hello, Uncle Oswald. - Take some wine to Charlotte.

- Of course.

- The best way of accomplishing it, of course,

Is with the writ of habeas corpus.

- Oh, yeah.

Would you like some wine, Aunt?

- Yes, Marco, that's very kind.

Is there anything else I can get to you?

- No, but I'll let you know.

- That's yours.

- You could help there.

- Teresa, do you know where Lilli is?

- She said she'd be late, Sir.

- Thank you.

Maximilian, have you seen Lilli?

- No, I haven't seen her, but she'll be here soon.

You can count on it. - Oh, Your Honor, how are you?

- Would you care to waltz?

Miss Charlotte?

I don't know.

I must ask-

- Oswald's permission to dance?

- He wanted me to keep both two next dances for him.

He has no intention of dancing.

That excuse is not very good.

- |- - Come, dance.

Won't you?

Please.

It's not a fate worse than death, believe me.

Dance.

You might even find you enjoy it.

You might like being in a man's arms.

It's lovely, Charlotte.

- Now please, Maximilian, let me go.

You were meant to be held close.

You were meant for embraces.

The things that are happening to you now are right.

And the things that are going to happen

To you soon will be right too.

You're going to learn how to kiss,

How to be in love and make love.

No!

No, no!

- What did all that mean?

- You know what

A strange type Raininger is. - I'm curious.

Marco?

Are you in there?

Marco, what's wrong?

Is the ball over?

Marco, nobody's downstairs at all

And it isn't even very late.

It's only 11.

- I know my uncle threw them out.

- What happened to make him do it?

- Oh, I don't know.

He has a terrible temper, you know that.

Look at me in this gown.

Isn't it wonderful and elegant, isn't it?

Don't I look like her?

You know, Maria.

- You're better than the original.

The hand was like this.

- Marco, why all this noise so late at night?

- Sir, I- - What are you doing here?

Don't I look pretty, Sir?

- That...

That gown is Maria's.

How did you get it?

I asked you a question, young lady.

Uh...

Do you have any idea what you've done?

- I'm terribly sorry, Sir. - We didn't know.

- Answer me, why did you do it?

I just wanted a gown for the ball, Sir.

- This is Maria's gown, you criminal!

- Don't talk to her like that.

You're just as bad.

If you ever dare touch anything else of hers again,

I'll have you thrown in jail.

- Wait, Lilli!

Maria!

Maria.

- Teresa, please don't.

I'm busy now.

- I need to speak to you.

Don't worry, Maximilian.

Oswald's sleeping.

He won't even know I've gone.

- I'm not worried Charlotte, except for you.

- I felt from the very beginning that I could trust you.

Oh, please forgive me.

I'm acting like a fool.

- Tell me what's upsetting you.

- It's terribly late,

And I really didn't mean to bother you.

You're not angry with me, tell me you're not.

- Of course not.

Never.

I'm sure you know that.

- I've been in your room for too long.

I've got to go.

- No, now that you're here, you've got to talk to me.

What's Oswald to you?

I'm his sister-in-law, you know that.

- Yes, only I think that there's more than that.

- No, nothing, absolutely nothing.

I suppose you've assumed that Oswald and I are lovers?

- Yes, that's just what I thought.

- It's not true.

There's never been anything between the two of us.

I've never been with a man.

Not any man.

That's the truth.

Oh.

Oh, no!

No.

- What are you reading, Lilli?

- It's that book of Charlotte's, her diary.

I'm loving every word.

There aren't any details missing.

It's all about love making,

All the positions there are, and all the variations.

- Where did you get it?

- Oh, Marco, your memory must be as short as your...

The book in your uncle's trunk.

- Ah, of course.

But what makes you think that Charlotte wrote that?

- Because her name is inside the cover, imbecile.

- Read some of it to me.

- All right, listen.

"She was lying on the couch all alone."

- Who was?

- She was, the girl, the heroine.

Now, "The girl found herself alone on the couch.

She lay still for a short while as if in a trance.

A shudder started coursing through her body,

Carrying languorous warmth from her toes

To her secret parts."

All right, you're the mirror.

Not one move, Marco.

"She stood before the mirror

Observing her nakedness, her opulent forms.

Unable to control herself,

She guided her fingers down her legs

To caress her already overflowing mustard pot.

She felt an intense increase in her want and her passion.

Oh, is that passion?

She probes even more as she remembers her lovers caresses,

Until they brought her to ecstasy,

Brought her to the very focal center of the universe,

Now slow, now fast until she felt herself

About to die from her passion."

Go on.

- Don't interrupt the performance, please.

"Flashes of lust went through her waiting quivering body

As she reached the very heights of joy.

The pinnacle of ecstasy!"

- Lilli, what's wrong?

Don't you feel well?

- Oh Lord, I just wanna give it a little realism.

You wouldn't understand.

Oh.

"Robert knelt in front of her

And looked up at her pleadingly.

Almost by their own volition,

Her hands reached out to fondle his turgid organ.

You never know.

Oh, well.

Now his unbridled lust knew no obstacles or boundaries.

With a sudden savage thrust,

He opened her unresisting thighs ,

Which had been frantically anticipating this masterful..."

What are you doing?

- Just trying to catch up to page 10.

Aren't I supposed to?

- No, of course you're not supposed to.

The stage is mine, not yours.

Where was I?

"Robert made out a moan

As her questing imploring tongue beseeched him for access

To ever more intimate parts of his adored body.

His rock that magnificent stunned her.

She felt unworthy even to be kneeling at his feet.

With meekness in her heart and tears joy in her eyes,

She finally dared raise her lips to his pulsating manhood!"

- What is going on? - Oh!

Let me see it.

Where did you get this book?

How dare you.

You shouldn't have done it.

You should never have done it.

- Charlotte, I have to talk to you.

- No, not now, please.

- No, not this time.

I'm not gonna let you go on running away

From me and from yourself.

- Oh, no, you mustn't.

Somebody could see us.

Let them look.

- Down by the lake at dawn.

Will you really be there?

- Yes, I promise I'll be there.

Please, let me go now.

Charlotte?

No, not yet. - Tomorrow, the lake.

I've never been of any importance

In anyone's life until now.

Maria was different.

She had everything most women desire,

Beauty, wealth, wit, and lovers.

Oswald always knew about them.

Only she cast a spell on him.

It tortured him to think of her with others,

But there was nothing he could do about it.

He simply couldn't live without her, and then it happened.

Maria died.

He's been in insane since that moment.

He became obsessed with me.

I was his link with her.

I've been cursed by looking like her.

Once she was buried, he became like a hermit.

He broke all ties with the outside world.

Then one night he came to me weeping.

He begged me to put on his wife's clothes,

To do my hair the way she used to, to move as she did.

He wanted me to become Maria.

As I looked at him, I could feel the strength

And intensity of his obsession.

I knew I wouldn't be able to fight him.

I knew that I'd end up obeying him.

And that's just how it happened.

He's too strong.

He's become my master.

He would stand with me for hours in front

Of his wife's portrait that he keeps in the hall,

Making sure that every detail

Of my clothing was absolutely perfect

And there was no slightest sign of difference.

It started out as a masquerade to help him in his grief,

But has become the only thing in his life

That has meaning for him.

But soon, my wearing Maria's gowns wasn't enough.

I had to take off my clothes,

And then I had to put on her under things.

That first time was torture.

Oh.

Every night for many years now,

I've had to try

To emulate Maria's intense passion and sensuality.

I loathe every minute of it, but I have no choice.

He dominates me.

I'm completely unable to oppose him.

I do this performance

And he watches me through a hole in the wall.

It's on a shelf behind some books

In the study in the next room.

And as much as I feel defiled, I can't stop it.

I just can't.

I've had to read hundreds of erotic books

And memorize their best passages

So that I could recite them to him.

He said that it would make the illusion more realistic,

But it's only served to make him more insane than ever.

I've done it hundreds and hundreds of times,

Never having experienced the reality

Of the feelings I imitate.

Now that you know my whole history, why are you still here?

- The easiest answer I've ever given.

I love you, Charlotte.

- Oh my darling, my own Maximilian.

Oh!

- You were with him now.

Don't try to deny it.

I saw you coming back to the house together.

I'm not going to deny it at all.

I'm proud that it happened and grateful to him.

- You what?

- You've seen the last of me.

I'm leaving.

You mustn't do that.

You mustn't do that, Charlotte.

- Can't you see?

I love him, Oswald.

- No, it's hopeless.

You'll do nothing but drive him to despair.

He won't find the truth terribly satisfying.

- He knows everything.

He knows I pose for you.

- He won't be too glad to hear about you,

And the nights you spent in Maria's bed.

- Not even you could tell him that.

- You think not?

No.

No, he couldn't stand it if he heard that.

- So, you have me in the right mood now.

Begin your performance immediately and make it last.

I've got to kill her!

I've got to kill Maria.

Oh!

Again?

- Are you sure you want to stay, Marco?

- This has been the Raininger estate for centuries,

And I am a Raininger.

- You're speaking the same as your uncle.

He would never be persuaded to leave this house either.

I wish you all of the best and all the possible happiness.

- I'll miss you, Charlotte.

- Maximilian. - Stay well, Marco.

- Goodbye, Sir.

Don't look so sad, Teresa.

We'll be back next summer.

All right, we can go.

- I am very sorry, Mr. Raininger,

But your uncle was a stubborn man

And he forced us to take measures,

Which I must say we would've been happy to avoid.

- Could I ask you to explain that a little further?

I'll try to be more specific.

We have deposited the endorsed deeds

And in the distribution of the property,

The courts will fight for us, Mr. Raininger.

The hearing is set for the 18th.

- Gentlemen, you will not be present in that courtroom.

- Mr. Raininger, I don't think

That you understand the complete situation I-

- Oh, I do, I do, I assure you.

I must tell you gentlemen

That I have something else in mind.

I would say in fact,

That the hearing is likely to be canceled by both parties.

- I'm convinced that we haven't made our point clear enough.

- On the contrary, Sir,

Your whole exposition was admirably lucid.

I was only thinking how irritating

And interfering the process of bureaucracy

Is between a legal sentence and its execution later.

You're aware I could take it to the appeals court,

And besides think of the time I know

You bankers are always in a hurry,

And the paperwork and the lawyers, not to mention the money.

- I confess I fail to follow you, Sir.

- This new solution is perfect.

It'll appeal to both parties.

I want an offer from your board of directors

To buy the holdings, the grounds,

The bricks, the pasture lands.

In other words, the entire estate.

I'm sure they'll be delighted.

Then I can pay dear Uncle's many debts and leave this house.

- This is very, very interesting news, Sir.

- I shall use what's left to make some investigations

And to satisfy my curiosity on certain phenomena.

Sirs, have you ever seen

A live can-can at the Folies Bergere?

Have you?

Never.

- My condolences.

Gentlemen, that's why I'm selling everything,

For the can-can and the best type

Of champagne drunk with the best female company.

Last but not least,

A Moroccan strip tease artist.

Reports say her act was simply indecent.

- Mr. Raininger!