ANDRES asleep on his bunk—WOYZECK standing over him, his knife in one hand. Silence.
After a moment, WOYZECK puts the knife away and lies down on his own cot. Tossing and turning. Finally he gets up and shakes ANDRES awake. ANDRES sits up, groggy.
ANDRES … it’s late.
WOYZECK Early.
ANDRES Well, whatever it is, it’s that.
WOYZECK Yes.
WOYZECK pulls a battered box out from beneath his bed. Opens it. Holds up a vest.
WOYZECK A waistcoat. Not standard issue, but you might find some use for it …
ANDRES Yes.
WOYZECK Here … (Produces jewelry.) This cross was my sister’s. (Kisses it.) And this ring. Take them.
WOYZECK hands them over and keeps rummaging. ANDRES turns the items over in the darkness.
ANDRES Fine. (Beat.) Franz …?
WOYZECK holds up a finger to quiet him. Produces a small picture.
WOYZECK Shhhh … we don’t want to wake the others. (Beat.) I’ve got this, too. A holy picture, with two hearts on It. And real gold. See the legend? “Oh Lord, as your wounds were red with blood, so let mine own be.” (Smiles.) My mother won’t miss it. She’s got no feeling left in her hands to hold it with … only when the sun shines on them.
ANDRES Alright.
WOYZECK Ahh. (Reads from paper.) “Friedrich Johann Franz Woyzeck. A rifleman. Fourth company, Second Battalion. Second Regiment. Born on the feast of the Annunciation.” I am thirty years old. Seven months and twelve days.
ANDRES … you read well, Franz.
WOYZECK Yes … and write, too. But they do not want to know that! See?
WOYZECK looks around, then pulls his little notebook out of one pocket. Puts on his glasses. Leans in and whispers a passage to ANDRES.
WOYZECK “… the relationship between rich and poor is … the only revolutionary element in the world. Hunger alone can become the … goddess of freedom. Give us one square meal and the revolution would soon die of apoplexy …”
ANDRES … dangerous thoughts, Franz.
WOYZECK Yes. (Hands over the bundle.) Read it some time. When you’re ready.
ANDRES Subversive thoughts! It’s … (He feels WOYZECK’s head.) You should report sick, Franz. You need some schnapps with a powder in it. That might break your fever …
WOYZECK Yes. You never know …
ANDRES What? Know what?
WOYZECK … about the carpenter …
ANDRES I don’t understand. You’re not at all well, Franz …
WOYZECK … when he collects his shavings to put in the coffin. You never know whose head will lie on them. Maybe even his own …
WOYZECK smiles sadly at his friend—then disappears into the darkness. Exits.
ANDRES sits back down on his bed with the loot. Looks around, then slowly opens the notebook. Begins to read.
Blackout.