—He's asleep, the drunken fool. It's dreadful to sleep, and yet he sleeps. He might die in his sleep.
—Hey, there, wake him up!
—Do you remember how it used to beat when it was young and strong?
[A low laugh is heard.
—Who's laughing? There are some here who have no business to be here.
—It just seems so to you. We are all alone, only we drunkards.
—I'll go out on the street and start a fight. I've been robbed. I'm stark naked, and my skin is green.
—Good evening.
—The wheel is rumbling again. Oh, Lord, they'll crush me! Help!
[No one responds.