Scene 1 Majorin, A Railway Official, Travelers, Porters
Majorin. (Walking about impatiently.) Still this Perrichon doesn’t come! Already I’ve waited an hour.... Certainly it is today that he is to set out for Switzerland with his wife and daughter. (Bitterly.) Carriage builders who go to Switzerland! Carriage builders who have forty thousand pounds a year income! Carriage builders who keep their carriages! What times these are! While I,—I am earning two thousand four hundred francs... a clerk, hard-working, intelligent, always bent over his desk.... Today I asked for leave... I said it was my day for guard duty.... It is absolutely necessary that I see Perrichon before his departure.... I want to ask him to advance me my quarter’s salary.... Six hundred francs! He is going to put on his patronizing air... make himself important... a carriage builder! It’s a shame! Still he doesn’t come! One would say that he did it on purpose! (Addressing a porter who passes, followed by travelers.) Monsieur, at what time does the train start for Lyons?
Porter. (Brusquely.) Ask the official. (He goes out at the left.)
Majorin. Thanks... clodhopper! (Addressing the official who is near the ticket window.) Monsieur, at what time does the through train start for Lyons?
The Official. (Brusquely.) That doesn’t concern me! Look at the poster. (He points to a poster in the left wings.)
Majorin. Thanks.... (Aside.) The politeness of these corporations! If ever you come to my office, you...! Let’s have a look at the poster.... (He goes out at the left.)