Enemy of the People

By
Doug Grissom

Copyright 2013 by Doug Grissom

LDG2h@virginia.edu
 Cast of Characters
Doctor Thomas Stockma: Medical Officer, Kittery
Springs
Katherine: His wife

Petra: His daughter

Peter: His brother, the mayor
Morton Kiil: Katherine’s father

Anna Hovstad: Editor of the local Paper

Judy Billings: Assistant Editor of the paper

George Ackleberg: The printer at the paper

Captain Horster: A young sea captain
Drunken Man: a drunk man

Scene

Kittery, Maine. The set is the living room, dining room of

the Stockman home for scenes 1, 2 and 5; the office of the
Kittery Tribune for Scene 3 and a room in a warehouse used
for a town meeting in Scene 4.

Time
Spring, 1963
 ACT I
Scene One
The Stockman’s Home. Living room,
but you can also see a dining room
connected to it. KATHERINE STOCKMAN
is leading JUDY BILLINGSS into the
dining room.
KATHERINE
If you come late, you get cold meat - sorry.
BILLINGS
No, it’s spectacular - I don’t eat like this at home.
KATHERINE
Oh, I’m sure you’re a fine cook, Miss Billings.
BILLINGS
Again - please - call me Judy. And no, I don’t cook at all.
KATHERINE
You working girls have very different lives, I know.
BILLINGS
I prefer the much more dignified "career girls."
KATHERINE
Thomas said you might be coming, but he insists on the
family eating precisely at 6. That’s why we already--
BILLINGS
I like it better this way, without a lot of people - I can
concentrate on the food. I’m starving - I never have food
in my house.
KATHERINE
Why not?

BILLINGS
I hate spending money on food - going to supermarkets? -
have you seen the people in there?
KATHERINE
Yes, I see them every day.

BILLING
Oh, I didn’t mean --
KATHERINE
--oh, I’m sure you didn’t.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 2.

BILLINGS
Is that fresh corn?--I adore fresh corn.
KATHERINE
Do you? - well you just sit down and eat up.

(PETER STOCKMAN enters.)

PETER
Knock knock! Oh - you’re entertaining.

KATHERINE
No--she just -- do you know each other?
BILLINGS
You’re the Mayor, I know that.

PETER
Yes; and you’re...
KATHERINE
This is Miss Billings--from the paper--

PETER
Ah, the venerable Kittery Tribune.
BILLINGS
Yes, and call me Judy.

PETER
And what is it that you do there, "Judy"...?
BILLINGS
I’m the assistant editor.

PETER
Well, isn’t that something?
Awkward beat.
KATHERINE
Miss Billings adores fresh corn - she was just going to have
some--
(to Billing)
--go have some - please. I’ll be right in.

BILLINGS
And pot roast too?
KATHERINE
Pot roast too.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 3.

BILLINGS
Yum!
Billing goes into dining area.
Katherine turns to Peter.

KATHERINE
Oh, do you want something--?
PETER
It’s almost 7:30.

KATHERINE
Yes...?
PETER
Do you know what eating this late does to the digestion?

KATHERINE
Well, not really--what?
PETER
You don’t want to know.

KATHERINE
I just thought if you were hungry--
PETER
Carrots and bread. That’s all I ever have after 4:30.
Healthy, and economical too.
KATHERINE
Oh, now we’re not extravagant --
PETER
I know you aren’t. As for my brother - is he home?
KATHERINE
No, he went out for a walk with the boys.

PETER
This time of night?
KATHERINE
Is it too late to walk too?

PETER
After a big meal, I would say so -- you see the digestive
system--
A knock at the door.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 4.

KATHERINE
Oh good - I mean - who could that be? Come in!
ANNA HOVSTAD comes in from the
hall.
Miss Hovstad - what a surprise!

HOVSTAD
Really? You knew I was coming.
PETER
Ah, the other lady newspaperman.
HOVSTAD
Oh hello.
PETER
Here on business?
HOVSTAD
Partially...to discuss an article for the paper - that your
brother wrote.

PETER
An article for your paper?
HOVSTAD
Yes - something wrong with that?

PETER
Not necessarily. In fact, you’ve done a fine job in
promoting the town lately. Especially the Springs.
HOVSTAD
I know.

PETER
"The fine, new Kittery Municipal Hot Springs, featuring
healthful waters for rest, rejuvenation and healing" - as my
press release says, and which you were good enough to print.

HOVSTAD
Yes, well, it’s the talk of the town.
PETER
Why not? - the Springs have been a gold mine for this city.
Money flowing in, businesses booming, property values
rising--
HOVSTAD
Unemployment dropping--

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 5.

PETER
Yes, that too. Your paper does a vital service in
highlighting it.
HOVSTAD
This article may help.
PETER
Really?
HOVSTAD
Something he wrote in the winter, about the various health
benefits out there. I wanted to hold it over till now.
PETER
Why?

HOVSTAD
It made more sense to run it this spring, when people are
thinking about their summer plans.
PETER
Smart thinking, Miss Hovstad.

HOVSTAD
You sound surprised I had a good idea.
KATHERINE
It’s remarkable, isn’t it? The Springs - and how wonderful
it’s been for Kittery - and to think Thomas was
responsible...
PETER
Thomas is responsible?

KATHERINE
Oh, I didn’t mean--
HOVSTAD
It was his idea - he’s the one who thought of turning that
area into a therapeutic spa.
PETER
Forgive me for imagining that I may have taken a small part
in creating it.

KATHERINE
Of course! -Thomas is always saying that!
PETER
Thomas says I took a small part?

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 6.

KATHERINE
No--I mean--
HOVSTAD
Nobody denies that you spearheaded the construction, oversee
the operation, all that stuff--
PETER
Stuff?
KATHERINE
Cobbler! There’s fresh cobbler!
BILLINGS
(from dinning area)
Amazing cobbler--I’m gobbling it up!

KATHERINE
She’s gobbling it up! -
(to Hovstad)
--better go in and get some before it’s all gobbled up.

HOVSTAD
What about the Mayor - doesn’t he want to gobble?
KATHERINEH
His digestion...

HOVSTAD
What’s wrong with it?
PETER
I will not discuss my digestive system with you.

HOVSTAD
I’ll have some cobbler.
Hovstad goes into dining area.
PETER
These modern women have lost all sense of tact. Thank God
for women like you.
Noise in the outer hall.
DR.STOCKMAN
Boys! Stop that! Stay outside if you’re going to do that!
KATHERINE
I think he’s here --

CAPTAIN HORSTER enters.

Oh! Hello!

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 7.

CAPTAIN HORSTER
You must be the little woman! - hope you don’t mind me
barging in!
DR. THOMAS STOCKMAN enters.

DR.STOCKMAN
Nonsense! She loves it!
KATHERINE
Um...and you are--?

DR.STOCKMAN
Peter! I didn’t know you were here!
CAPTAIN HORSTER
You’re the mayor - I’ve seen your picture.

PETER
Who are you?
DR.STOCKMAN
This is Captain Horster - he’s a Captain!

KATHERINE
And you met him...?
DR.STOCKMAN
At that bar by the post office - I just stopped in for a
coke, but he corrupted me. I had a Margarita!
CAPTAIN HORSTER
You had three!
DR. STOCKMAN
And you had seven! And you can’t even tell--what stamina!
CAPTAIN HORSTER
Your husband kept buying me drinks--

KATHERINE
Oh, I believe that.
DR.STOCKMAN
And now he needs pot roast! - Go on in, Captain, I’ll be in
shortly.

CAPTAIN HORSTER
Join me, Mayor?
PETER
No.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 8.

CAPTAIN HORSTER
Already had your beef! I can tell!
PETER
No--what?

KATHERINE
Go on, Captain - you look hungry.
CAPTAIN HORSTER
Hungry as a Hungarian. Just point the way.
(she points to dining room - as he walks
in and sees Billings and Hovstad)
Oh ho! Ladies!
Captain Horster goes to the dining
area.

DR.STOCKMAN
Have a seat, Peter.
PETER
Unfortunately I must go in a moment.

DR.STOCKMAN
Rubbish! You’re going nowhere - have some cobbler.
PETER
I do not eat--

DR.STOCKMAN
And toddy! We’re all getting ready to have a toddy. You
haven’t forgotten the toddy, Katherine!?
KATHERINE
No--where are the boys?
DR.STOCKMAN
But I don’t see a toddy--

KATHERINE
Thomas dear, where are the boys?
DR.STOCKMAN
Outside - can’t you hear them yelling -- I don’t see a
toddy, Katherine.

KATHERINE
I’m getting it now.
She exits to get the toddy stuff.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 9.

PETER
Toddy too?
DR.STOCKMAN
Yes, sit down, we can have it here.

PETER
I don’t care for drinking at night.
DR.STOCKMAN
This isn’t drinking, it’s having a toddy.

Sound of crash from outside.

PETER
Good God what was that!?

DR.STOCKMAN
The boys, I imagine. Playing with that contraption I built.
PETER
What contraption?

DR.STOCKMAN
Oh, the time machine, probably.
PETER
Time Machine!

DR.STOCKMAN
Calm down - it’s not real. It doesn’t work. Yet.
Peter looks out window at boys.
PETER
They’re fighting.
DR.STOCKMAN
Just roughhousing. Don’t let him pin you, Jacob! Use that
spin move!

Scream from outside.

There you go! Look at them. Fantastic. Don’t be alarmed -
they’re brothers - that’s what brothers do.
PETER
We never did.
DR.STOCKMAN
I know. Peter! Have a seat!

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 10.

PETER
You’re in an awfully good mood.
DR.STOCKMAN
Why not? Feel better than I have in years. Back here in
Kittery, after living in the boondocks the last few years.
Trying to do medical research, which never amounted to
anything. Now I feel like I’m living in Nirvana. And to
have a nice house. And plenty of food. Pot roast four nights
a week! You sure you don’t want some?

PETER
Quite sure--
Thomas points to TV.
DR. STOCKMAN
And do you know what that is?
PETER
I’m assuming it’s a television.
DR.STOCKMAN
Not just a television - a color television. Even you don’t
have a color television.
PETER
Why would anyone need to see TV in color? It’s absurd.

Katherine enters, with liquor,

glasses, etc.
DR. STOCKMAN
And we have a maid! I always wanted a maid. Her name’s Helga
or something -

KATHERINE
Kirsten.
DR. STOCKMAN
Kirsten or something - she lives here - I never seem to see
her, but we have a maid!
Katherine goes back to the dining
area.

PETER
Well, as long as you can afford it...
DR.STOCKMAN
Oh we can - Katherine tells me that now I earn almost as
much as we spend.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 11.

PETER
For you, that’s fiscal responsibility. So tell me about your
article.
DR.STOCKMAN
What article?
PETER
The one they’re going to publish - about the health
benefits. Now that’s fine, that’s very good in fact - but
you should have told me about it.

DR.STOCKMAN
Oh that. No, I don’t want that to come out yet.
PETER
Why not?

DR.STOCKMAN
I can’t talk about it.
PETER
Peter, remember that since I’m the Chairman of the Kittery
Springs Board--
DR.STOCKMAN
--and I’m the medical officer! Oh come on, Peter, let’s not
go at each other again.

PETER
I’m not going at anybody. But if anything concerns the
Springs, you need to tell me.
DR.STOCKMAN
It’s nothing...probably. I’ll tell you if there’s something
to tell.
Katherine, Hovstad, Billings and
Captain Horster enter from the
dining room.

CAPTAIN HORSTER
Remarkable appetite you have there, Miss Billings.
BILLINGS
Thank you - and call me Judy.

CAPTAIN HORSTER
You remind me of certain Norwegian women I’ve known.
BILLINGS
Really? In what way?

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 12.

CAPTAIN HORSTER
I better not say. Well, Mayor, it looks like you’re ready to
make a speech.
PETER
Not at all.
CAPTAIN HORSTER
Good.
PETER
I have to go anyway.
DR.STOCKMAN
Now wait a minute - have a toddy and we’ll--
PETER
No, must go. Goodnight, everyone.
Peter exits.
DR.STOCKMAN
He’s in a bad mood. As usual.

KATHERINE
What did you say to him this time?
DR.STOCKMAN
Nothing! I couldn’t even follow what he was talking about,
really. The mail still hasn’t come?
KATHERINE
No.
HOVSTAD
Oh, about your article -
DR. STOCKMAN
Are we EVER going to have a toddy?

KATHERINE
It’s all right there.
DR. STOCKMAN
Oh yes - everyone, help themselves! No wait - maybe Helga
can serve.

KATHERINE
That’s not really her job - and it’s Kirsten.
DR. STOCKMAN
Then...help yourselves!

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 13.

They do.
HOVSTAD
But about your article-
DR.STOCKMAN
Do you sail soon, Captain?
CAPTAIN HORSTER
Next week. California.

BILLINGS
How can you sail from Maine to California?
CAPTAIN HORSTER
They built a handy little canal in Panama.

BILLINGS
Yes, but why? I mean, take a plane.
CAPTAIN HORSTER
I don’t get paid to take a plane.

KATHERINE
What kind of ship do you...drive, or--
DR.STOCKMAN
This is fascinating - Tell her, Captain.

CAPTAIN HORSTER
I captain Caesar’s Pelican.
DR.STOCKMAN
That’s the ship Mr. Flagstaff owns.

KATHERINE
That huge yacht in the harbor?
CAPTAIN HORSTER
Yep, that’s mine. Well, it’s his, but I’m in charge of it. I
take it anywhere he wants me to.

DR.STOCKMAN
The Captain goes all around the world -- Australia,
Switzerland--

CAPTAIN HORSTER
Well, not Switzerland--
DR. STOCKMAN
And you say the owner is never on board?

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 14.

CAPTAIN HORSTER
Hardly ever - usually it’s just me and my crew.
BILLINGS
Why does Flagstaff want you to sail without him?

CAPTAIN HORSTER
Oh, he might fly to Barcelona and he wants his ship to meet
him there so he can cruise the Mediterranean. Next week his
niece in San Diego wants to have a birthday party on it.

HOVSTAD
I think that defines obscene wealth.
CAPTAIN HORSTER
Okay.

DR.STOCKMAN
Captain, did you know Miss Billing and Hovstad are from the
Kittery Tribune?--the local paper?
CAPTAIN HORSTER
Are they? Then I have a lot of respect for you gals. I know
how hard secretaries work.
HOVSTAD
We’re not secretaries. I’m the editor, and Judy is the
Assistant Editor.

CAPTAIN HORSTER
Get out! They let you do that?
HOVSTAD
They don’t let us do that. We earned the right--

CAPTAIN HORSTER
Pull in your claws missy - just teasing - I’ve seen crazier
things. In some places I’ve been, women run the town, run
everything.

BILLINGS
Really?
CAPTAIN HORSTER
In Borneo the women are cannibals - when they get tired of a
husband, they eat him.

BILLINGS
Are you serious?
CAPTAIN HORSTER
No of course not. But you kinda like the idea, don’t you?

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 15.

HOVSTAD
Have you ever read our paper?
CAPTAIN HORSTER
Don’t think so. Watch the news on Channel 4 sometimes. I
like the weather girl.

HOVSTAD
That’s not news - and those people on there only read what
they’re given - no reporting at all - that has nothing to do
with journalism.

BILLINGS
I should say not.
CAPTAIN HORSTER
I like the weather girl.

PETRA STOCKMAN enters, with books.

Surprised at seeing so many people.
PETRA
Oh!

HOVSTAD
Petra!
DR.STOCKMAN
Perfect - come in and have a toddy with us.

PETRA
So, you all have a party while I slave away.
CAPTAIN HORSTER
Then you need a toddy!

DR.STOCKMAN
My daughter Petra, Captain. This is Captain Horster.
PETRA
--hello--
(looking to her mother for explanation)
--and he’s here because....?
KATHERINE
Your father brought him home.

PETRA
Of course he did. Well, I already like him better than the
ventriloquist he brought home last week.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 16.

KATHERINE
Oh yes.
CAPTAIN HORSTER
Nice to meet you, but don’t call me Captain--

DR.STOCKMAN
But we like calling you Captain - I’ve never known a
captain. You’re our Captain!
PETRA
I’ll have that toddy now.
HOVSTAD
Relax; I’ll mix one for you.
PETRA
No; you make it too strong. I’ll mix myself. Oh, here.
Petra hands Dr. Stockmann a letter.
DR.STOCKMAN
When did this come?

PETRA
This morning as I was leaving - the mailman just gave it to
me at the street so he wouldn’t have to come up to the box.
DR.STOCKMAN
And you’re just giving it to me now?
PETRA
I didn’t have time to come all the way back up here. This is
the first spare second I’ve had all--

KATHERINE
Is that the one you’ve been waiting for?
DR.STOCKMAN
Yes--

HOVSTAD
What is it--
KATHERINE
Well read it--

DR.STOCKMAN
I’m going up to my office. Is there light up there?
KATHERINE
Yes, if you turn it on.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 17.

DR.STOCKMAN
The light bulb was burned out last night - I couldn’t see a
thing.
KATHERINE
I changed the light bulb today.
DR.STOCKMAN
Are you sure? Because sometimes you forget.
KATHERINE
There’s a working light in your office, Thomas!
DR.STOCKMAN
Alright alright I was just asking--
He’s gone.

PETRA
What’s that about?
MRS.STOCKMAN
God knows. He’s been waiting for some letter and of course
won’t tell me anything about it.
Petra sips her drink.
PETRA
Ahh. First time all day I’ve been able to relax.

HOVSTAD
You taught at the night school again?
PETRA
Two hours.

HOVSTAD
And today at the elementary?
PETRA
All day.
KATHERINE
And still have work to do I bet.
PETRA
Oh yes. Tests and essays and - I don’t want to think about
it.
BILLINGS
You work harder than anyone I know.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 18.

PETRA
I like it. I like how tired I get by the end of the day. I
sleep beautifully.
HOVSTAD
You slave all day to sleep beautifully at night?
PETRA
It’s not a bad deal. It’s one I’m willing to make.
CAPTAIN HORSTER
We all make deals that we’re willing to make, don’t we?
They look at him.
PETRA
I’m not sure what that means.

HOVSTAD
I understand you, Petra. You lead an evil life.
PETRA
I do?

HOVSTAD
You work so hard in order to atone for your many sins.
PETRA
What sins do I have time to commit?

HOVSTAD
That’s what I’m curious about.
PETRA
I wouldn’t think other people’s sins would bother you.

HOVSTAD
Oh they don’t. I’m a pagan.
KATHERINE
Oh you are not - don’t be ridiculous.
BILLINGS
Pagan! What a great idea - I wanna be one too!
CAPTAIN HORSTER
I almost married a pagan once.
KATHERINE
Really? From a Pacific Island or something?

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 19.

CAPTAIN HORSTER
No, Utah.
BILLINGS
Let’s start a pagan club - or a church! Can you have a pagan
church?

KATHERINE
We don’t have pagans in Kittery - we barely have Catholics.
BILLINGS
We could even have a pagan school!
KATHERINE
Oh, to tell them a lot of lies?
PETRA
We tell children lies all the time.
KATHERINE
Like what?
PETRA
If I had the money, I’d start my own school. Teach children
the way they should be taught.
KATHERINE
And what way is that?

PETRA
Oh...forget it. I’ll never be able to do it. Why talk about
it.
CAPTAIN HORSTER
If you need a schoolroom, you can use my warehouse right
behind the dock. Make a fine school, and I don’t use that
space any more - you could move right in.
PETRA
Who are you??

Dr. Stockmann enters the room,

waving the letter.
DR.STOCKMAN
Well now Kittery has something to talk about!

KATHERINE
What?
DR.STOCKMAN
Nothing but a great discovery I made, that’s all.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 20.

BILLINGS
Really?
DR.STOCKMAN
Yes, and just let them say, as usual, that it’s just a crazy
man’s imagination - let them try to say that now.

PETRA
Well tell us!
DR.STOCKMAN
You all think Kittery Springs is a healthy place -
"therapeutic waters" - all that - don’t you?
HOVSTAD
Of course -

DR. STOCKMAN
You know what Kittery Springs really is?
KATHERINE
What?

DR.STOCKMAN
A sewer! An open sewer of filth and decay! The most toxic
threat to public health you can imagine.
HOVSTAD
What are you talking about?

DR.STOCKMAN
All that pollution up in Sebago Valley--
CAPTAIN HORSTER
Sebago - that is a dirty place.

DR.STOCKMAN
Exactly - and it’s infecting the water in the conduit pipes
leading right into Kittery Springs.

BILLINGS
How did you find out--?
DR.STOCKMAN
Last year we had some very strange cases of illness in the
visitors. Even that typhoid case.

PETRA
Yes, I remember--
HOVSTAD
But they were invalids--

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 21.

DR.STOCKMAN
Yes, and we all assumed, I did too, that they were infected
before they ever came here. But later, in the winter, I
started to wonder a bit. And so I decided to examine the
water, as best I could.
KATHERINE
So that’s what you’ve been working on.

DR.STOCKMAN
I didn’t have the right equipment to truly test anything, so
I gathered samples of the water and sent them up to the
university, to have an accurate analysis made by a chemist.
PETRA
And that’s what was in the letter you received.
DR.STOCKMAN
It proves the presence of dangerous bacteria in the water.
CAPTAIN HORSTER
That’s not good.
KATHERINE
What a blessing you discovered it.
BILLINGS
Yes, absolutely.
DR. STOCKMAN
That’s why I didn’t want you to print my article yet -
talking about how healthy the place was.

HOVSTAD
Now what are you going to do?
DR.STOCKMAN
See that the problem is corrected, of course.

BILLING
Can that be done?
DR.STOCKMAN
It has to be done. Otherwise the Springs will be completely
useless - in fact the whole area will have to be condemned.
But it can be fixed.
KATHERINE
I don’t understand why you kept this secret for so long--

DR.STOCKMAN
You think I’m going to run around the town babbling without
absolute proof? No thank you - I don’t need to be called a
crazy fool. Again.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 22.

PETRA
Still, you could have told us--
DR.STOCKMAN
I didn’t want to say anything until I had proof. Anyway, now
I can tell the world. Katherine, you can even run to the old
Badger--
KATHERINE
Don’t use that name--

DR.STOCKMAN
Your father, then, the honorable Morton Kiil. He already
thinks I’m nuts--and other people do too, I know that. But
now they’ll see - they’ll just see! All the conduit-pipes
will have to be relaid.

HOVSTAD
ALL the conduit-pipes?
DR.STOCKMAN
Of course; the intake is too low down, it will have to be
lifted to a position much higher - that will solve the
problem.
PETRA
Then you were right after all. That’s what you wanted to do
originally.

DR.STOCKMAN
Exactly, Petra - you remember! I said that - I spoke at
every meeting, public and private - saying the intake had to
be built higher, despite the expense and the extra time it
would take, and no one would listen to me. Well, I’m going
to let them have it now. I’ve already prepared a report for
the Springs Committee; right here; I’ve had it ready for a
week, and was only waiting for this to come. In fact give
this envelope to that maid - Kristan?
KATHERINE
--Kirsten--
DR.STOCKMAN
--have her take it straight to my brother - immediately.
Katherine takes the envelope and
goes out through the dining room.
PETRA
And what do you think Uncle Peter will say about that?

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 23.

DR.STOCKMAN
He’ll thank me of course - that I discovered this before
more damage was done.
HOVSTAD
You know what this means?
DR.STOCKMAN
Of course I know what it means - I know exactly what it
means - what do you mean?

HOVSTAD
You’ve saved our town.
BILLING
You really have.

Katherine comes back in sometime

around now.
PETRA
You should be rewarded for this.

BILLINGS
Exactly - a big dinner at the Moose Lodge!
HOVSTAD
The Moose Lodge?

BILLINGS
Well, I can get a deal there--
DR.STOCKMAN
No, no - friends - I won’t hear of it. I don’t want any
fuss to be made over me at all! I’m a humble doctor, just
doing my duty. My reward is knowing I was right all along.
Captain Horster lifts his glass.
CAPTAIN HORSTER
I think we should at least toast our Doctor Stockman!
PETRA
Yes!
BILLINGS
Absolutely!
KATHERINE
I’m so proud of you, Thomas.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 24.

DR.STOCKMAN
Thank you. How gratifying - to know that one has done his
duty, even though it’s nothing more than his duty, still it
is his duty to do and he’s done it. And to also be
surrounded by loving family and loyal friends. Could my life
get any better?
Lights out.
Scene Two
The same. The next day. Mrs.
Stockmann comes in with a sealed
letter.
MRS. STOCKMANN
Thomas! Are you here?

DR. STOCKMANN
Yes.
(comes into room)
What is it?

KATHERINE
From your brother.
Gives him the envelope; he opens
it.

DR. STOCKMAN
"I return the report you sent me." Hmmm.
KATHERINE
Is that all he says?

DR. STOCKMAN
And he’s coming to see me around noon. So in a few minutes.
KATHERINE
You think he’s upset?

DR. STOCKMAN
Why should he be? Oh, he won’t like that I made the
discovery and not him. He hates anybody else to get credit
for anything.

KATHERINE
Look. Couldn’t you...be generous enough to share it with him
somehow? Couldn’t you imply that...he gave you the idea to
investigate or something?

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 25.

DR. STOCKMAN
I’m willing to do anything to keep piece with that man.
Rocket goes off outside.
KIIL
(offstage)
Good God!
Another rocket.
Katherine!

Katherine goes to window.

KATHERINE
Father!

KIIL
Call them off!
KATHERINE
Jacob, do not light that!

KIIL
They’re trying to kill me!
Thomas goes to window.
DR. STOCKMAN
It’s fine! They’re just testing their new rockets! But don’t
do it there, fellas!
KIIL
It almost took my head off!

DR. STOCKMAN
They built it all by themselves - isn’t that something?

Katherine rushes towards door, as

KIIL enters, panting and red faced.

KATHERINE
Father, I’m sorry--
From outside: BOOM!

KIIL
Good God!
DR. STOCKMAN
That’s your best yet - what’d you use for fuel?

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 26.

KATHERINE
Thomas!
DR. STOCKMAN
And don’t do it again!

KIIL
Feral beasts! That’s what they are - feral beasts!
DR. STOCKMAN
They’re high spirited--
KIIL
They’re feral beasts! What do you do at dinner, toss ’em
some raw meat?

KATHERINE
I’m sorry - sit down.
KIIL
No, I’m in too good a mood to sit down.

DR. STOCKMAN
This is your good mood?
KIIL
Well it depends on whether it’s true or not.

KATHERINE
Is what true?
KIIL
Saw Petra on the street. Good God - why do you let her dress
like that?

KATHERINE
Like what?
KIIL
Looks like a beatnik.

KATHERINE
Oh, she does not.
KIIL
And that hair! Good God!
KATHERINE
What’s wrong with it?

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 27.

KIIL
How’s she ever going to get a respectable husband with that
hair? Jesus Mary Christ!

DR. STOCKMAN
---whether what’s true or not?
KIIL
About the water supply being polluted.

DR. STOCKMAN
Oh, so Petra told you?
KIIL
That’s what I’ve been saying! So is it true?

DR. STOCKMAN
Yes.
KIIL
And there’s little animals running around in the water?

DR. STOCKMAN
Bacterial organisms.
KIIL
--oh, I like that - even more frightening -organisms-- and
these organisms kill people?
DR. STOCKMAN
Make them very ill, and yes they could possibly die.
KIIL
Fantastic.
KATHERINE
Why is it fantastic?

KIIL
When this word gets out, the Springs will be worthless -
that whole goddam Kittery Springs will go belly up - all
those people in power - your goddam brother - the City
Council - all will be in disgrace and run out of office,
please God.

KATHERINE
--and that’s a good thing--?
KIIL
I was on the City Council at one time, you know -a leader in
this city-- I was in line to be Mayor! And those scheming
bastards took it from me - ran me from office - made me a
laughingstock.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 28.

KATHERINE
Father, you’re exaggerating--
KIIL
It was my life - don’t tell me it’s exaggeration! - I never
told you or your mother the half of it - what those sons of
bitches did. And that’s why this is fantastic.
KATHERINE
But if all that happens, Thomas will lose his job.

KIIL
He can go back to private practice! - He’s a goddam doctor -
best racket there is. Yes, this is tremendous - all the way
around. Good work, Thomas - first thing you’ve ever done
that I approve of. And if you pull this off, I’ll give one
thousand dollars to your favorite charity!

DR. STOCKMAN
Now wait, Mr. Kiil, I don’t think you understand--
KIIL
And I don’t have money to throw around, you know - but if
you can pull this off, I’ll give five hundred dollars to
your favorite charity. Count on it! Close to five hundred,
at any rate.
DR. STOCKMAN
Well that’s kind, but--

Knock on door
Come in!
Hovstad enters.

HOVSTAD
Good morning! - oh, I beg your pardon -
KIIL
What’s she doing here?

DR. STOCKMAN
She’s a friend of ours -
KIIL
Don’t trust her! The press did me no favors in my time of
trouble. Watch your back with her around - I know what I’m
talking about. Good God, woman - why do you wear shoes like
that?
HOVSTAD
Like what?

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 29.

KIIL
What are you, a lumberjack? If the press is here I won’t be.
Katherine, walk me out - you can shield me from another bomb
if need be.

Kiil exits. Mrs. Stockmann follows

him out.
HOVSTAD
What was that about?

DR. STOCKMAN
I’m not sure.
HOVSTAD
Have you heard from your brother yet?

DR. STOCKMANN
Not exactly. He sent my report back; he’s coming to see me
in a few minutes.
HOVSTAD
Listen; I’ve been thinking all night. I want to print your
report in our paper.
DR. STOCKMAN
Really? Why?
HOVSTAD
Your report proves that the conduit pipes should have been
elevated, right?
DR. STOCKMAN
Yes--

HOVSTAD
And why weren’t they built that way to begin with?
DR. STOCKMAN
Well, I was overruled--

HOVSTAD
--by your brother, and the other men than run the Springs,
and run the town for that matter--and why did they overrule
it?

DR. STOCKMAN
They thought it was too expensive and would take too long--
HOVSTAD
Yes, they wanted it done as soon as possible. And why?
Because the wealthy businessmen, and bond holders, wanted to
make their money as soon as possible, and your brother and
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 30.

HOVSTAD (cont’d)
the city council did their bidding. They decided that their
agenda was more important than public health.
DR. STOCKMAN
In a manner of speaking--
HOVSTAD
In reality. This is what I’ve been thinking about all
night--and not just this--but the ramifications.

DR. STOCKMAN
What ramifications--
HOVSTAD
Isn’t this typical? This is the way our city is run - not
with forward thinking vision but by outdated bureaucrats -
making decisions about things they know nothing about, for a
self-serving political reason. I want to print your report
to show people the truth about these men. You say your
brother returned it - give it to me - I’ll have it set and
it’ll be the lead story in tomorrow’s paper.

DR. STOCKMAN
Now wait--
HOVSTAD
This is the first step - not just saving the Springs, but
saving our city. This will be the beginning of my paper
exposing the truth about our city government and leaders.
This will prick their bubble of infallibility! - oh, that’s
a good phrase, I need to remember that...
DR. STOCKMAN
Wait a minute-wait a minute! I haven’t even talked to Peter
yet--I’m sure he realizes that the problem has to be fixed,
and that’ll be the end of it.
HOVSTAD
He sent your report back--what do you think that means?

DR. STOCKMAN
I don’t know. But I’m going to find out. So no, I can’t
allow you to print the report without finding out what
Peter’s going to say.

HOVSTAD
You have to understand - being a woman in a man’s world - I
see things others don’t - I know how important it is for
everybody, even the poor, the minorities - all need to have
some say in how a city or country is run.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 31.

DR. STOCKMAN
Well I agree and--

HOVSTAD
And the first step is to expose them to the way things
really are!
DR. STOCKMAN
I know, but--
(Knock on the door)
Dammit! Come in!
GEORGE ACKLEBERG enters the room.
ACKLEBERG
Excuse me, Doctor.
DR. STOCKMAN
Yes...?
ACKLEBERG
I’m George Ackleberg--
DR. STOCKMAN
Yes, I know - you’re the printing manager at the paper.
HOVSTAD
What are you doing here?
ACKLEBERG
I’m not here as your printer, Miss Hovstad. Doctor, I heard
that you want to improve the water supply at the Springs.

DR. STOCKMAN
How did you hear--
ACKLEBERG
I’m here to say that I will back you with every means in my
power.
DR. STOCKMAN
Well...thank you. What power...?
ACKLEBERG
I not ashamed to say I am one of the leaders of the small
tradesmen in Kittery. And I’m the President of the Kittery
Homeowners Association; and I’m secretary of the Kittery
Temperance Society. So you might say I speak for the
compact majority in this town.

DR. STOCKMAN
That’s very impressive - but I’m not sure why I need your
backing...

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 32.

ACKLEBERG
This matter is of great importance to us tradesmen and
homeowners. The Springs are becoming the major industry for
this town - one that will benefit all of us. And any problem
there has to be fixed immediately.

DR. STOCKMAN
Of course--
ACKLEBERG
So if you need our support, we will be there, hammer and
tong. Oh, that sounds a bit Russian - I didn’t mean that -
I’m no socialist Doctor, please don’t think that of me!
DR. STOCKMAN
No, I don’t think-

ACKLEBERG
Because I’m a reasonable and moderate and patriotic man -
Miss Hovstad can vouch for me! Vouch for me, Miss Hovstad!
HOVSTAD
Mr. Ackleberg is extremely moderate--

ACKLEBERG
I’m not extreme anything! I’m moderate in all things.
Including moderation.
HOVSTAD
You’re moderate in moderation?
ACKLEBERG
Indeed I am, and boldly so.
(to Stockmann)
We will back you, but we will do it rationally and carefully
- so as not to offend any authorities.
HOVSTAD
It wouldn’t hurt to offend some authorities.

ACKLEBERG
No, no -- Not worth angering those who still hold power -
I’ve tried that before, and paid for it. But no one can can
take exception to a reasonable expression of citizens’
views. And when the people in charge see that the majority
is clearly behind you, that will persuade them to go along
with your plan.
DR. STOCKMAN
But this isn’t necessary--

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 33.

ACKLEBERG
Don’t be too sure - powerful people don’t like to do things
suggested by others - I know that to be true. I also want to
say, if you’ll permit me, how much the majority appreciates
what you’ve done for this town. You are a true hero of the
community.
HOVSTAD
That I totally agree with.
DR. STOCKMAN
Well, that’s very flattering - gratifying, really. Thank
you. Please, have a seat - can I offer you a toddy?
ACKLEBERG
Well, Doctor; as secretary of the temperance society--

DR. STOCKMAN
Of course!--what was I thinking-- A little beer?
Petra enters.
HOVSTAD
Hello.
PETRA
Oh; another party?
DR. STOCKMANN
Not at all - this is Mr. Ackleberg, from the paper, and the
Homeowners Society--
ACKLEBERG
--Association--

DR. STOCKMAN
And the president of the Temperance Club--
ACKLEBERG
--secretary of the temperance society--

Katherine enters.
DR. STOCKMAN
Katherine - meet Mr. Ackleburg - he’s a treasurer, I
think--of, which one?

KATHERINE
Very nice to meet you -
(to Doctor Stockman)
Your brother’s coming up the walk.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 34.

DR. STOCKMAN
Oh. He may want to talk privately....

HOVSTAD
We should go anyway.
(to Petra)
Come by the office when you can. You know, we have that
translation to discuss.

PETRA
Sure.
HOVSTAD
(to Stockman)
I’ll get a leading article and editorial ready, fully
backing your position.
DR. STOCKMAN
Now wait a minute - I need-
HOVSTAD
I know, I know - but just in case. May I take your report
with me?
DR. STOCKMAN
I guess; it’s right here.

Peter Stockmann enters the room.

PETER STOCKMANN
Knock knock. Oh.

HOVSTAD
Nice to see you, too - we’re just leaving.
PETER
Oh, what a shame.

ACKLEBERG
Mayor Stockmann, hello!
PETER
Oh, hello.

ACKLEBERG
George Ackleburg. We’ve met. Several times, I think.
PETER
Oh yes, of course.

ACKLEBERG
At the Homeowners Association, where you gave that speech
last August.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 35.

PETER
Ah yes, Mr. Ackle...
ACKLEBERG
...berg. It was a fascinating speech; all about tax rates on
the westside - remember?
PETER
I always remember my fascinating speeches.
HOVSTAD
Come along, Mr. Ackleberg - need you back at the paper.
ACKLEBERG
Yes, yes - goodbye all!
Hovstad and Ackleberg exit.

KATHERINE
Peter - sit down-- would you like some...what do you usually
eat at this time of day? I think we have a carrot.

PETER
No carrots before lunch.
PETRA
?...Why?

PETER
You’re in education. Read a nutrition book. May I talk to
you, Thomas?
KATHERINE
Come on, Petra.

PETRA
I’d like to stay.
DR. STOCKMAN
You better go.

Mrs. Stockmann and Petra exit.

DR. STOCKMAN
So what did you think?

PETER
Thomas, was it really necessary to make that investigation
behind my back?
DR. STOCKMAN
I didn’t want to alarm anybody before I was absolutely
certain.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 36.

PETER
And you’re absolutely certain now?
DR. STOCKMAN
Yes - didn’t you read my report?

PETER
You say we offer our visitors a "permanent supply of
poison."
DR. STOCKMAN
It’s true -
PETER
And your conclusion is that we need to build a whole new
system and relay all the conduit pipes?

DR. STOCKMAN
Do you see any other solution?
PETER
I went down to see the chief engineer today, and -
hypothetically - asked him what something like this would
cost - if we needed to do it sometime.
DR. STOCKMAN
--Sometime?--
PETER
According to him, conservatively - around two million
dollars.
DR. STOCKMAN
That much?

PETER
At least! And not only that, it would take over two years.
So of course we’d have to close the Springs for all that
time. And even after we corrected what you think is a
problem, we would still be known as the place that closed
for two years because of toxic pollution - who would ever
come back here?
DR. STOCKMAN
Well...but...for all that...it has to be done!

PETER
After a careful study of your report with my
engineers......I’ve concluded this problem is nowhere near
as serious as you say it is.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 37.

DR. STOCKMAN
It’s even worse! - or will be in the summer with the heat.
PETER
I believe you exaggerate. And if there are problems, a
capable medical professional, such as yourself, should be
able to diagnose and treat them as they occur. That is your
job as a doctor isn’t it?
DR. STOCKMAN
As a doctor I also need to prevent--

PETER
The water supply at the Springs is an established fact, and
in consequence has to be treated as such. That is not
negotiable. But - now listen Thomas - our committee will be
open to making certain improvements, in the future, to
address these concerns, but in a fiscally responsible
manner. And quietly.
DR. STOCKMAN
That’s criminal.

PETER
There’s no imminent danger.
DR. STOCKMAN
It’s impossible you could read my report and have any
doubts. You just refuse to admit it. And I know why. It was
because of you that the water conduits were built where they
are - because you were rushing to get it done fast.
PETER
I was saving the people’s money!

DR. STOCKMAN
So you say.
PETER
Here’s the point. The report you showed me will go no
further. Not to the Board of the Corporation, nor to anyone
else.
DR. STOCKMAN
It’s too late to prevent that now.

PETER
No, it will be prevented.
DR. STOCKMAN
Too many people already know about it.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 38.

PETER
Those hysterical women from the Tribune?

DR. STOCKMAN
Yes. And the liberal-minded independent press is going to
see that you do your duty.
PETER
Thomas, goddammit! The moment any crazy thought comes into
your head you need to tell the world.
DR. STOCKMAN
Of course - I’m not going to hide new ideas--
PETER
The public doesn’t need new ideas! The old ideas work,
that’s why we still have them.
DR. STOCKMAN
As Medical Officer of the Springs--

PETER
If it wasn’t for me, you wouldn’t be medical officer of the
Springs.
DR. STOCKMAN
I was entitled to it! I was the person who first saw the
possibility of the Springs - in fact it took years to
convince people, including you.
PETER
But it wasn’t practical then. When certain things were in
place - ways to acquire the land, sections rezoned - then I
- and a few others - took the matter in hand and we made it
happen.
DR. STOCKMAN
Yeah, and then destroyed my beautiful plan by not listening
to me about the pipes - yeah, you’re all so damn clever!
PETER
Your beautiful plan. I know what this is about. You want to
prove that you were right and I was wrong. This is nothing
but sibling malice and jealousy. But I don’t care about that
now. I only want you to understand what you have to do.
DR. STOCKMAN
What?
PETER
Since you’ve been talking about it to the press and probably
others, now it’s impossible to hush it up. So you have to
refute it publicly.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 39.

DR. STOCKMAN
How could I even do that--?
PETER
You say that after making further investigations, you’ve
come to the conclusion that the situation is nowhere near as
dangerous as you initially thought, and that the problem is
minor and can be easily managed.
DR. STOCKMAN
But I don’t believe that.

PETER
As an officer in the Kittery Springs Organization, you have
no right to an individual opinion.
DR. STOCKMAN
It’s not an opinion - it’s fact!
PETER
And that’s your opinion.
DR. STOCKMAN
You’re right. This is sibling rivalry and malice - it’s you
that’s jealous of me. Peter - you saw my boys wrestling, and
you were shocked, because we never did that - and that’s our
problem! Jacob and Luke are going to be best friends their
whole life, because they beat the crap out of each other
now!

PETER
What are you talking about?
DR. STOCKMAN
Let’s make up for lost time!

Dr. Stockman flings off his coat,

or takes off his shoes or
something; assumes a wrestling
pose.

PETER
Are you insane?!
Dr. Stockmann goes for his brother,
Peter fends him off; it gets
vicious for a flash, and then
Katherine and Petra rush in.
KATHERINE
Stop it! Stop it right now!

They do.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 40.

KATHERINE (cont’d)
This is unbelievable. How can you treat each other this
way?
PETER
(To Katherine)
Make him understand that if he doesn’t do what I ask, what I
demand, he’ll be dismissed.
KATHERINE
You’ll fire him?

PETRA
That’s outrageous! Your own brother!
PETER
My own brother doesn’t give me any choice. Katherine. You’re
the rational one. Make him see. And it has to be done
quickly. Today.
Peter exits.
DR. STOCKMAN
Why didn’t you let me throw him, just once?
KATHERINE
Let’s think...let’s just think...
PETRA
There’s nothing to think about! Dad can’t give in to that
son-of-a-bitch.
KATHERINE
Petra! That is your uncle!

PETRA
And that’s my father.
KATHERINE
Thomas listen. Your brother does have the power to--

DR. STOCKMAN
I have the compact majority behind me.
KATHERINE
Are they going to feed your family if you don’t have a job?
Remember the days up north, you thought you would love doing
pure research, even though it paid almost nothing. And
remember how miserable we all were - how miserable you were?
PETRA
This is bigger than our personal problems!--

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 41.

KATHERINE
(to Petra)
It’s easy for you to talk - you at least have a job - and
never mind about me - but we have two young boys, Thomas.
Look, I’m not saying what Peter is asking is right. But
don’t do something rash without thinking--
DR. STOCKMAN
--I am thinking--
KATHERINE
No you’re not! Not about...the way things really are. Try
to talk to your brother calmly...there could be some
compromise--
DR. STOCKMAN
I’ll never compromise on the truth.

Doctor Stockmann stalks off.

KATHERINE
Then...God help us.

PETRA
I’ve never been prouder to be his daughter.
KATHERINE
Well, good for you.

Lights out.
Scene Three
The editorial office of The Kittery
Tribune. Hovstad is sitting at
desk, Billings is reading
Stockmann’s manuscript.
HOVSTAD
What do you think of it?

BILLINGS
It’s good - clear, alarming.
HOVSTAD
He’s a bit too tactful, though - cut and dried scientific
facts.

BILLINGS
But we can do an article that emphasizes the almost criminal
way this city does business.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 42.

HOVSTAD
Well, of course - you think I haven’t already started one?
BILLINGS
But will you actually print it?

HOVSTAD
What do you mean?
BILLINGS
You’ve written strong articles before that end up in the
trashcan.
HOVSTAD
Well, I have to be smart too. The timing wasn’t right other
times. But now --

A knock on the door.

Come in!
Dr. Stockmann enters.
DR. STOCKMANN
Print it, Miss Hovstad! Print my entire manuscript!
BILLINGS
Yes!
DR. STOCKMAN
Now, they’ll see what they get. There’s going to be a
battle in this town.
BILLINGS
I’m ready for it! We’ll put the knives to their throats.

DR. STOCKMAN
Well, I don’t know about that - but this article will wake
up the town.
HOVSTAD
And the town needs it.
Ackleberg enters.
DR. STOCKMAN
Mr. Ackleberg! The man who will turn my thoughts into
bold-face type!
ACKLEBERG
? Excuse me?

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 43.

HOVSTAD
We’re printing the Doctor’s report.
BILLINGS
And crushing the ruling class.

ACKLEBERG
Crushing who--what?
HOVSTAD
Read it yourself - It’s clear, convincing, and frightening
-- and all true.
(to Stockmann)
You’ll have every intelligent person your side.
ACKLEBERG
And every moderate person too, I hope?

BILLINGS
The moderate and the bold. The whole town.
ACKLEBERG
In that case, I think we can print it.

DR. STOCKMAN
I should think so.
HOVSTAD
It’ll be the lead story tomorrow morning.

DR. STOCKMAN
I can’t tell you how eager I am to see it in print, and then
see it burst on the public--
BILLINGS
--like a flash of lightning!
DR. STOCKMAN
I can’t tell you what I’ve gone through today - He tried to
take away my most fundamental rights as a man. You can
guess who I’m talking about.
HOVSTAD
Yes.
DR. STOCKMAN
Well, he’ll end up paying, him and the whole Council. I’ll
smite them! Haven’t you always wanted to smite somebody?
ACKLEBERG
Yes, that’s fine, but in moderation, Doctor -

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 44.

DR. STOCKMAN
You can’t smite in moderation, Mr. Ackleberg--
HOVSTAD
We’re completely behind you - aren’t we, Mr. Ackleberg?

ACKLEBERG
Well...yes...as long as we proceed with--
BILLINGS
If you say "moderation" again I’ll throw my typewriter at
you.
DR. STOCKMAN
Thank you. Listen, I have to go now, but I’ll be back - and
take care of my manuscript - oh, and don’t leave out any of
my exclamation points! In fact, put a few more
in! Goodbye. Thank you again.
Dr. Stockmann exits.
ACKLEBERG
I hope this article doesn’t go too far.

BILLINGS
You’re so damn timid, Ackleberg.
ACKLEBERG
Timid! You’re damn right I am. I know what people in power
can do.
HOVSTAD
But what about educating the citizens so they chose the
right people to have power?

ACKLEBERG
Who has time for that? You have to look out for your own
interest.
BILLINGS
How can you put your personal interests above the society
you live in?
ACKLEBERG
We all have personal interests.

BILLINGS
None that I would put above the work we’re doing at this
newspaper.
ACKLEBERG
Oh really? Then why have you applied for a job at Channel 4?

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 45.

HOVSTAD
Channel 4?
BILLINGS
Who told you that?

ACKLEBERG
To be the Weather Girl.
HOVSTAD
The Weather Girl?

BILLINGS
That’s nobody’s business - that’s my...business.
ACKLEBERG
Exactly my point.

Ackleberg exits.
HOVSTAD
Weather Girl?

BILLINGS
I was just exploring options, it’s not like I would--
HOVSTAD
Weather Girl???

BILLINGS
I took classes in meteorology!
HOVSTAD
They’re not going to hire you --they want girls that are
perky and pretty and--

BILLINGS
I know - they don’t want a strong independent woman - I only
applied because I knew they would turn me down, which will
fuel my indignation, and make me even more passionate about
the work we’re doing here.

HOVSTAD
Yes. They’re falling right into your trap.

Petra enters. Hovstand stands up.

Oh! Hello.
PETRA
Sorry to disturb you.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 46.

HOVSTAD
No, no - come in, sit down. Judy, tell Ackleberg I’ll bring
him the Doctor’s report in a few minutes, so he can start
setting it.

BILLINGS
Of course. I love to run errands.
Billing exits.
PETRA
I can only stay a minute.
HOVSTAD
Sit down anyway. Come on.
Petra sits, tentatively.
I can make some tea.
PETRA
No, I just...here.
(gives Hovstad a manuscript)
Here’s that French story.

HOVSTAD
Why are you giving it back?
PETRA
Because I’m not going to translate it for you.

HOVSTAD
But you said you would.
PETRA
Yes, before I read it. Now I’ve read it. And now I won’t
translate it.
HOVSTAD
Well, why--

PETRA
Have you read it?
HOVSTAD
It’s in French!

PETRA
You should have found out about it, first.
HOVSTAD
All I know is that it’s a popular story, and it was
recommended to me--

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 47.

PETRA
It contradicts everything you believe in.

HOVSTAD
It does? How?
PETRA
It’s a silly story about a guardian angel flitting through a
town doing good deeds for everyone.

HOVSTAD
Well..it’s just a story...
PETRA
But it’s not reality. Isn’t this a newspaper? Aren’t you
supposed to deal in reality? It’s outrageous to me that you
have horoscopes.
HOVSTADI
I can’t always do---. Look, Petra. An editor can’t only
print what she believes in. Yes, we give the public what it
wants - in trivial matters, and that’s the key here. You
have to look at the whole thrust of the paper - see how we
cover the big issues. That’s where we can shape opinion,
influence events. And...if I’m going to carry the public on
those issues, I have to make sure they’re already on my
side...comfort them a bit. So if they find a cute little
story at the bottom of the page, they’re more likely to read
the headline at the top of the page.
PETRA
Kind of like a spider and its web.

HOVSTAD
It’s not like that. Don’t you give in on trivial things,so
that you can get something greater?
PETRA
No!
HOVSTAD
Oh come on; you’re a teacher. You complain about the silly
rules you have to follow all the time.

PETRA
That’s not...the same...
Maybe Hovstand sits next to Petra,
or goes closer to her.

HOVSTAD
Petra. I think you’re so focused on...staying busy that you
don’t think about how things really are.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 48.

PETRA
What do you mean?
HOVSTAD
To be a single woman, with a career, in this town, maybe in
any town. Dealing with men that don’t see you as anything
but a woman. To get by, to claw out some kind of life for
yourself...you can’t always do what you want, Petra.
PETRA
Yes, I suppose I...I don’t know...

HOVSTAD
And now see what we do with a real issue...watch how we
cover your father’s discovery...we’re printing his report
tomorrow - with an editorial backing his position.

PETRA
Yes. Of course. I guess I haven’t been very fair to you,
Anna.
HOVSTAD
You’re a bold woman, Petra; you want things to be different
in the world; so do I.
PETRA
No, but you’re right - look what you’re doing for my father.
I mean, not because he’s my father, but because it’s
important.

HOVSTAD
Well, I’ll admit, it does give me a special, personal
pleasure.
PETRA
What does?
HOVSTAD
To help a person who happens to be your father.

PETRA
Why does that make a difference?
HOVSTAD
Because it’s important to me. To be able to do
something...that means something to you.

Pause as Petra takes it in.

PETRA
For me? What does this have to do with me?

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 49.

HOVSTAD
Petra...you’re a very perceptive person...you must have
noticed that I...well...
PETRA
That’s it?
HOVSTAD
What’s it--?
PETRA
So it’s not...because it’s the right thing to do?
HOVSTAD
Well sure that too!
PETRA
Too? There’s no that too - that should be all!
HOVSTAD
But..Petra...
PETRA
What...?
HOVSTAD
I always felt there was a certain....sympathy between us.
PETRA
Sympathy....?
HOVSTAD
A certain...bond...two independent women, making their way
in the world...without a man at their side....

PETRA
Oh my God...
HOVSTAD
No, now wait--

PETRA
Talking to my father as if you believed in him and him alone
- when all the while your real motivation is...well, I’m not
sure what it is, exactly, but I know I don’t like it!

HOVSTAD
Don’t talk to me like that.
PETRA
I’ll talk any way I want.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 50.

HOVSTAD
Oh, and you think that’s wise!?
PETRA
What?

HOVSTAD
You think you don’t need me? You think your father can do
this without my help?
Pause.

PETRA
O-kay. So it’s come to that.
HOVSTAD
No, no! No....Petra. I’m sorry. I just...I’m dealing with so
many things, I...
PETRA
So am I.
Ackleberg enters hurriedly, very
flustered.
ACKLEBERG
Miss Hovstad, I---! Oh. I didn’t know--Miss Hovstad! I
mean--Oh dear...

PETRA
Don’t worry, I’m going.
HOVSTAD
No, wait Petra, just a minute, I’ll make some tea.

PETRA
I don’t like tea! I’ve told you that like 20 times! I don’t
even think you like tea! I mean, this is America! Who drinks
tea!?

ACKLEBERG
I have coffee in my office if--
Petra’s gone.
HOVSTAD
Well what do you want?
ACKLEBERG
The mayor’s in the printing room.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 51.

HOVSTAD
The mayor?
ACKLEBERG
He came in the back door, like he didn’t want to be seen.

HOVSTAD
Christ. Okay, bring him in.
Ackleberg exits; Hovstad nervously
straightens up desk or something;
Peter Stockmann enters.
PETER
Now this is very snug.
HOVSTAD
Well it’s small.
PETER
I’m sorry to take up your time; I’m sure you’re very busy.
HOVSTAD
No, it’s - fine. Have a seat, I--
PETER
After you, Miss Hovstad.
They sit.
And how are you, this sunny day?
HOVSTAD
Oh, I’m fine, I’ve been--
PETER
I’ve had a pretty annoying day so far, I don’t mind saying.
HOVSTAD
Oh? Well, I’m sure, as Mayor, you have one thing after
another--

PETER
It’s a very particular problem today, with a certain Medical
Officer at the Kittery Springs; a certain Medical Officer
who happens to be rather closely related to me.

HOVSTAD
Oh really?
PETER
Seems he has a kind of report about alleged defects at the
Springs.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 52.

HOVSTAD
He does?
PETER
Are you surprised? See, I thought he talked about it with
you.

HOVSTAD
Well yes, yes...he did mention something...
Ackleberg enters.

ACKLEBERG
I need the manuscript.
HOVSTAD
Manuscript?

ACKLEBERG
Yes, the - oh, there it is.
Ackleberg reaches to Hovstad’s
desk.

PETER
Is that it? Is that the Doctor’s report?
ACKLEBERG
Yes.

HOVSTAD
Oh! Is THAT what you were talking about?
PETER
That’s the very thing. How about that? Are you printing it?

HOVSTAD
Well--
PETER
So you believe it?

HOVSTAD
Well, I’m...just a layman, not a scientist; I’ve only taken
a cursory glance at it.

PETER
But you’re still going to print it?
HOVSTAD
I can’t refuse to take something from such a distinguished
man.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 53.

ACKLEBERG
I don’t have anything to do with editing the paper, Mr.
Mayor.
PETER
Yes, I know--
ACKLEBERG
--I just print whatever’s put into my hands--
PETER
I understand; now Miss Hovstad--
ACKLEBERG
I’m a printer, not an editor, a mere tradesman, making an
honest living--

PETER
I know, Mr. Ackleberg--
ACKLEBERG
Last year I typeset a Christmas message from the Pope and
I’m Presbyterian!

PETER
Yes, I quite appreciate your position, Ackleberg!
ACKLEBERG
I’ll be going now.

Ackleberg starts off.

PETER
No wait, actually.

ACKLEBERG
Yes?
PETER
You’re a discreet and thoughtful man.

ACKLEBERG
Thank you. I try to be--
PETER
And a man of considerable influence.

ACKLEBERG
Well, among the tradesmen, the homeowners, the temperance
society - a little bit of a slightly major influence--

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 54.

PETER
That’s almost the majority of the town, seems to me.
ACKLEBERG
You know I believe you’re right.

PETER
Well then let me say that I congratulate you, and all the
small tax-payers.
ACKLEBERG
Thank you sir!...why?
PETER
Such a spirit of civic pride. Willing to sacrifice for the
town, whatever it costs.

ASLAKSEN
Um...whatever what costs?
PETER
To make the alterations at the Springs, which I’ve heard
you’re in favor of. Because it may cost as much as two
million dollars. Maybe more. I don’t think it’s necessary,
but if you’re all willing to pay for it...
HOVSTAD
What do you mean? How would the people pay?

PETER
We’ll have to secure a municipal loan, and property taxes
will have to be raised to fund it.
ACKLEBERG
The money’s going to come from us? The taxpayers?

PETER
Where else could it come from?
HOVSTAD
Sell more municipal bonds. That’s how you raised the money
in the first place.
PETER
Investors are going to buy bonds for a toxic waste dump?
Since that’s what you believe it is - and that’s what you’re
going to tell everyone in your paper.
ACKLEBERG
(to Hovstad)
This is a whole new thing.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 55.

PETER
Oh, but that’s okay, isn’t it Miss Hovstad? The power of the
press will solve all problems. The Kittery Tribune will be
out there loud and clear calling for these exorbitant new
taxes. Why, I’ll bet your circulation and advertising rates
will skyrocket.
Pause. Hovstad considers her
position.
HOVSTAD
Why do you think I’d do that? Higher taxes will burdon the
people that can least afford it - the common, working class
people of Kittery.
PETER
Exactly. And even if we had the money, we’d have to close
the Springs for two years.
HOVSTAD
Why?
PETER
It’ll take that long for the construction - it’s a huge
project. So no money coming in for two years, to even start
allowing us to lower these raised taxes.
HOVSTAD
But still, this report....

PETER
Is radical and extreme. Look: I’ve talked to engineers at
the Springs; they’re convinced the water supply is fine, and
raising the pipes wouldn’t make any difference anyway. This
is all overblown paranoia.
HOVSTAD
But why would he write it - if he wasn’t sure?
PETER
He has some personal agenda, I think. It may even have
something to do with getting back at me. He’s always been
jealous of me. Now be honest. You’ve heard him make
disparaging remarks about me before.
ACKLEBERG
Good Lord!!
HOVSTAD
What?

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 56.

ACKLEBERG
Your brother - he’s coming up the walk!
PETER
I don’t want to meet him here, but we should talk more.

HOVSTAD
Go in this room - Judy’s in there - tell her what you told
us.
PETER
Try to get rid of him quickly.
Peter exits into another room.
HOVSTAD
Well! Pretend to be doing something!

They both do. Doctor Stockmann

bursts into the room.
DR. STOCKMAN
Here I am again!

HOVSTAD
Oh, you’re back! As you can see, we’re very busy right now.
Mr. Ackleberg, hurry up with that...thing you’re doing.
DR. STOCKMAN
No proof for me to see yet?
HOVSTAD
We haven’t had time, Doctor.
DR. STOCKMAN
No, I know - but I’m impatient, sorry. I won’t rest until I
see it in print.
HOVSTAD
Well...this might take a while.

ACKLEBERG
Oh yes, a while...a very...a while...
DR. STOCKMAN
All right, sorry to bother you - I’ll leave you to your
work. I don’t mind coming back. Again and again. Because
after all, the welfare of the town is at stake, isn’t it?
Goodbye.
HOVSTAD
Thank you for coming by--

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 57.

DR. STOCKMAN
One more thing!
HOVSTAD
Oh, what!? I mean, we’re really very busy--

DR. STOCKMAN
Oh this won’t take any time at all - 6 words, maybe 7 -
Look, when my article is read tomorrow, and people realize
I’ve been quietly working all winter for the welfare of the
town--

HOVSTAD
Doctor, please--
DR. STOCKMAN
I know what you’re going to say! You don’t see how it was
any more than my duty as a citizen - and you’re right. You
understand - but my fellow citizens, you know - all those
good people who look up to me --
ACKLEBERG
Sir, we have work to do--

DR. STOCKMAN
Just 6 words, maybe 7 - when they read this, and they
realize that my fixing the problem will save the town, they
may not be able to help themselves from getting together to
do something for me--

HOVSTAD
I should tell you--
DR. STOCKMAN
I knew it! They are planning something, aren’t they?--well
whatever it is - a banquet, a collection for some gift to
me, a trophy, say - whatever, you must promise to put a stop
to it. I’m only doing my duty and I deserve no such special
reward. Will you promise me that?

HOVSTAD
Yes, but--
DR. STOCKMAN
I realize they may not take no for an answer so I wouldn’t
be totally opposed to a small banquet, at a quiet
restaurant--that new Italian one I’ve been hearing about--
Mrs. Stockmann suddenly enters.
MRS. STOCKMANN
Here you are.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 58.

DR. STOCKMAN
What are you doing here?
KATHERINE
I’m here to fetch you--

ACKLEBERG
Oh good -
KATHERINE
(to Ackleburg)
I’m the mother of three children, you know!
ACKLEBERG
Yes, I think I hear one of them screaming--
KATHERINE
He’s not screaming, he’s yelling - he’s a boy, he yells, so
what?
DR. STOCKMAN
Where are they?

KATHERINE
They didn’t want to come in - they’re playing in the
street--
DR. STOCKMAN
Playing in the street?

KATHERINE
Oh, now you’re concerned - I thought you forgot you’re the
father of three children--
Ackleburg is looking out the
window.
ACKLEBERG
One of them seems to be torturing a cat.

DR. STOCKMAN
Because a man has wife and children he’s not allowed to to
serve his home town--
KATHERINE
Yes, within reason.

ACKLEBERG
Is he allowed to do that?
Mrs. Stockmann goes to the window.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 59.

KATHERINE
Luke! Put that cat down! You’ve already got one warning from
the SPCA!
(turns to Hovstad)
And you - stop filling his head with crazy ideas.

HOVSTAD
--Me--?
KATHERINE
If you print his report he loses his job at the Springs.

DR. STOCKMAN
Let them try! I’ve got the compact majority behind me, right
Mr. Ackleberg?
KATHERINE
Oh, a lot of good that stupid thing will do you.
DR. STOCKMAN
How can you be afraid when I’m so confident and
happy? Truth and the People will win the fight!
(Notices something on chair or desk)
Well, well, well.
He picks up a hat.
KATHERINE
Is that Peter’s?

DR. STOCKMAN
So. He’s been here.
HOVSTAD
Yes.

DR. STOCKMAN
Trying to win you over with his fancy rhetoric? I’ll bet as
soon as he saw me coming he ran away - right?. Oh, I like
this hat.

He puts it on.
Fits me well, doesn’t it? A good hat for a mayor, I admit.
Maybe I should just keep it. As a certain symbol.
Peter Stockmann comes in, Billings
right behind him.
PETER
Give me my hat.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 60.

DR. STOCKMAN
Not so fast; I’m the authority in town now.
He strides around the room.
KATHERINE
Thomas, please--
DR. STOCKMAN
This is the new frontier, Katherine! New leaders for a new
age! We’re going to change everything. You think this is
just about water supply?! You’ll see - Mr. Ackleberg will
march at the head of the homeowners, raining down bolts of
lightning!
ACKLEBERG
I will not.

DR. STOCKMAN
Of course you will-- every day Miss Hovstad and Billings
will thunder in the People’s Messenger!
PETER
Is that true, Miss Hovstad? Will you thunder?
Pause.
HOVSTAD
No.

DR. STOCKMAN
What are you talking about? Tell him - tell him what you
told me.
ACKLEBERG
She’s not a fool - neither am I. We’re not going to ruin the
paper and ourselves.
BILLINGS
Absolutely not. The Mayor’s just told me the real story.

Pause.
DR. STOCKMAN
What...are you saying...?

HOVSTAD
We’ve found out you haven’t fairly represented all the
facts. It would be irresponsible to print your report at
this time.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 61.

DR. STOCKMAN
The facts! - of course I’ve stated the facts! Print it! I’ll
defend it - you don’t have to!
HOVSTAD
It’s not feasible at this time. That’s what I’ve been
trying to tell you.
DR. STOCKMANN
You have? Since when?

KATHERINE
(to Hovstad)
But this was all your idea.
HOVSTAD
I didn’t understand the broader ramifications.

BILLINGS
Exactly. Your husband’s been playing us for fools.
KATHERINE
My husband doesn’t know how to "play" anybody.

Pause
DR. STOCKMAN
You’re all...against me now?

HOVSTAD
It’s not like that - and as Katherine says - look how it
would hurt your family--
KATHERINE
Don’t you use me to make your point. I’m not on your side;
and it’s not your job to worry about our family.
DR. STOCKMAN
Mr. Ackleberg. Your printing operation takes on private
projects. I would like to hire your services to print this
report at my expense.
ACKLEBERG
Not if you offered me a million dollars. Nobody in town will
print it - no one in the state. We’re all brothers in the
same union.

DR. STOCKMAN
Then give it back to me.
BILLINGS
Here it is.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 62.

DR. STOCKMAN
The public will read this, one way or another. Or hear it!
I’ll read it at a mass meeting of citizens.
PETER
No organization in town will give you space for something
like this.
BILLINGS
Of course not.

KATHERINE
This is amazing! - You all supported him - you were his
friends -
(to Hovstad)
You goaded him into all this!
(to Billings)
-you stuff yourself with my pot roast every Tuesday!
(to all of them)
Why are you acting like this?
PETER
Katherine, now wait - you’re the reasonable one--

KATHERINE
Stop calling me reasonable! I married him, didn’t I? How
reasonable was that?! I love him. I can call him a fool, but
you have no right.

DR. STOCKMAN
Yes, she calls me a fool because she loves me - not because
she’s a coward, like all of you.
KATHERINE
You should be ashamed of yourselves.
DR. STOCKMAN
I won’t be silenced. I’ll yell from the steps of City Hall -
I’ll march up and down the street - with drums!

KATHERINE
Our boys can play the drums!
BILLINGS
You won’t find a single person to listen to you. Not a
single one!

KATHERINE
(to Billings)
Oh, shut up.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 63.

DR. STOCKMAN
Come on, Katherine - we’re going to bring truth to this
town, whether they like it or not.
Dr. Stockmann and Mrs. Stockmann
exit.
PETER
He’s succeeded in turning his wife crazy. Maybe he’s more
dangerous than I thought.

BILLINGS
Damn him! And his wife! And she had no call to talk about me
eating pot roast!
HOVSTAD
Oh, shut up.
 64.

ACT II
Scene Four
Captain Horster’s warehouse, set up
for a town meeting - maybe a
podium, chairs, etc. As the lights
come up, Captain Horster is alone,
making final preparations:
adjusting placement of podium,
chairs, things like that. The
audience (for the play) becomes the
audience for the town meeting, but
they are not called on to
interact).
CAPTAIN HORSTER
(to the audience)
We’ll be starting shortly - just sit tight.
Captain Horster goes to the back of
the stage, or offstage. A DRUNKEN
MAN semi-stumbles down the house
aisle.
DRUNKEN MAN
(To an audience member)
This is the place, right?
(to another)
Where that Doctor Stockmann is gonna speak?
(to another)
He’s crazy! Have you heard about him? I hear he tried to
grow a beard! We can’t have that!
(to another)
Would you trust a doctor with a beard? Well would you?
(to another)
I was gonna watch The Beverly Hillbillies tonight so this
better be good.
Captain Horster comes back to the
front of the stage.
CAPTAIN HORSTER
Can I help you?
DRUNKEN MAN
Where’s the bar?
CAPTAIN HORSTER
Excuse me?

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 65.

DRUNKEN MAN
I don’t see a bar anywhere.

CAPTAIN HORSTER
This isn’t a bar, it’s my warehouse. We’re having a town
meeting.
DRUNKEN MAN
All I want to know is - where do we buy the drinks?

CAPTAIN HORSTER
We don’t sell drinks here.
DRUNKEN MAN
You’re not going to stay in business long, friend.

CAPTAIN HORSTER
Looks like you’ve had a few already.
DRUNKEN MAN
A few? You think all I need is a few? Tonight? Do you know
what happened to me tonight?
CAPTAIN HORSTER
What?
DRUNKEN MAN
None of your damn business. You think I’m gonna tell you -
I don’t even know you!
Dr. Stockmann, Mrs. Stockmann and
Petra enter.

CAPTAIN HORSTER
We’re getting ready to start. Take a seat or get out.
DRUNKEN MAN
(to audience member)
Guy acts like a captain. I hate captains!
Drunken Man sits in aisle or
something.
DOCTOR STOCKMAN
I can’t tell you how grateful I am that you let us use your
building.
CAPTAIN HORSTER
Glad to do it.

MRS. STOCKMANN
No, you’re very brave. A lot of people will be angry with
you.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 66.

CAPTAIN HORSTER
It’s my property, I can do what I want with it.
DR. STOCKMAN
Now I can talk to the people directly. They’ll understand.

CAPTAIN HORSTER
We have a great turnout. How’d you get the word out?
DR. STOCKMAN
Damned if I know.

PETRA
It shows how respected you are. They all want to hear what
you have to say.
Ackleburg, Hovstad and Billing
enter.
KATHERINE
What are you doing here?
BILLINGS
Not eating pot roast, I’ll have you know!
HOVSTAD
Oh, Shhh!
(to the Stockmanns)
We’re journalists. This is a public meeting - don’t you
want what you say to be in the paper?
DR. STOCKMAN
Fine. Grab a seat.
Peter enters.
Oh, and you too?
PETER
I’m the mayor, I think I have an obligation to be here.

DR. STOCKMAN
There’s a seat in the back, I believe.
Peter moves away, maybe near the
reporters, maybe not. Thomas moves
to his wife and Petra, who have
seats in the back of the stage.
DR. STOCKMAN
Where are the boys? I want them to hear this.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 67.

KATHERINE
Oh, they were in the emergency room all day.

DR. STOCKMAN
Again?
KATHERINE
It’s fine, they’re home now - I’ll tell you later.

PETRA
You know - just flesh wounds.
KATHERINE
But they’re still sedated - thought they should rest.

DR. STOCKMAN
They’re getting used to that hospital! -- Maybe they’ll grow
up to be doctors.
PETRA
But they’re so good at being patients.

DR. STOCKMAN
Here I go.
KATHERINE
Now don’t lose your temper.

PETRA
Give ’em hell.
KATHERINE
No, do not give them hell.
She kisses him; he turns to face
the audience.
DR. STOCKMAN
Hello! Welcome, citizens of Kittery! Thank you for coming on
such short notice. I think you all know me. Doctor Thomas
Stockmann, physician and medical officer at Kittery Springs.
DRUNKEN MAN
And local crackpot!

CAPTAIN HORSTER
Be quiet or I’ll throw you out--
DR. STOCKMAN
No - I’m glad to take questions and comments from the
people. Local crackpot? Yes, that’s what some
say. Especially those who don’t want to hear the truth -
that the Spring are polluted and immediate steps must be
taken to save them--

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 68.

PETER
I object to this!
DR. STOCKMAN
Since you are one of the causes of the pollution, I’m sure
you do object--

PETER
I will not allow my brother to defame the town--
DR. STOCKMAN
I’m defaming you! -- that’s your real objection--
PETER
Yes and to defame the mayor of a town without just cause is
libelous--

DR. STOCKMAN
I have just cause and you know I do - you don’t want the
people of Kittery to hear the truth about their Springs--
PETER
Truth --all right -- tell them the truth about what this
project of yours will cost!
DR. STOCKMAN
I don’t know the exact--
PETER
At least two million dollars - and tell them where that
money will come from!
DR. STOCKMAN
Well, now we can talk about that--it’s up to every citizen--

ACKLEBERG
The Homeowners! The taxpayers! That’s who will pay!
PETER
Of course - that’s the truth you’re not too eager to share -

DR. STOCKMAN
Now wait a minute--
ACKLEBERG
That’s downright communist!

DRUNKEN MAN
He’s a communist?
DR. STOCKMAN
I am not a communist!

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 69.

ACKLEBERG
Revolutionary then - do you deny that you have revolutionary
ideas?
DR. STOCKMAN
Is it revolutionary to bring truth to a corrupt society?
DRUNKEN MAN
He’s a revolutionary too?!
DR. STOCKMAN
No! - now listen--
DRUNKEN MAN
I won’t listen to a traitor!
DR. STOCKMAN
Please!
PETER
To allow my brother to make inflammatory statements in a
public meeting is unacceptable! I call on Doctor Stockmann
to step down immediately!

DR. STOCKMAN
I will not!
DRUNKEN MAN
Then I’ll stop you myself!

HORSTER
No you won’t!
PETER
To avoid violence, I use my authority as mayor to end this
meeting immediately!
ACKLEBERG
I second that!

BILLINGS
It’s unanimous!
DRUNKEN MAN
Yes! Now let’s get a drink!

DR. STOCKMAN
But I will not leave!
PETER
Then you will be removed!

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 70.

DRUNKEN MAN
I’ll do it!
Peter, Ackleburg, Hovstad, Billing
and the Drunken Man all start to
converge on Doctor Stockmann.
Horster calmly pulls out a gun and
fires it into the air. Of course,
everything stops.
CAPTAIN HORSTER
No! This is my building goddammit and he will speak!
ACKLEBERG
Did you hear that public obscenity!
CAPTAIN HORSTER
Fuck you!
PETER
As mayor of this town--
CAPTAIN HORSTER
(to Peter)
As the owner of this property I decide who is permitted to
speak - are you saying that the mayor has the right to
dictate what happens on private property? Maybe you’re the
communist.

DRUNKEN MAN
The mayor’s a communist too?
PETER
I cannot allow the reputation of the Springs to be--

DR. STOCKMAN
All right! I won’t talk about the springs! I won’t mention
them, I promise!
This surprises Peter, not sure what
to do at first.
CAPTAIN HORSTER
See? He’s going to play by your rules, even though he
doesn’t need to.

PETER
What do you want to talk about?
Pause as Stockmann collects
himself.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 71.

DR. STOCKMAN
Another great discovery I’ve made. Not that the water is
polluted, but we’re all polluted. Our entire city is rotten
with corruption and decay.

ACKLEBURG
Sir, moderate your language or you will be silenced!
PETRA
Let him speak!

DR. STOCKMAN
I’m not going to attack the mayor, the other people that run
the Springs - I’m not going to attack the press or the
Homeowners or even the Temperance boys - those people are
irrelvant - they’ll die out and be replaced by others - so
those people don’t pose any lasting threat. There’s a far
bigger danger that I want to alert all of you to. The real
source of toxins and disease that’s among us right now.
DRUNKEN MAN
Then what is it?--where!?

DR. STOCKMAN
You! All of you! The compact majority!
BILLINGS
The majority is the voice of the people!

DR. STOCKMAN
Who constitutes a majority - in this town or anywhere? Is it
the enlightened, the educated? No - it’s the ignorant, the
mediocre - we all know that! Stupid people are the
overwhelming majority the whole world over.

ACKLEBERG
The majority is always right!
DR. STOCKMAN
The majority is never right!- it’s the minority that’s
always right!
ACKLEBERG
This is communism!
HOVSTAD
No, it’s fascism!
DRUNKEN MAN
Is he calling me stupid?

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 72.

BILLINGS
You’re a radical!
DR. STOCKMAN
I want a revolution against the idea that the majority has
the monopoly on truth. That the common people, the
uneducated people, have the right to decide issues, to
govern - instead of those that are actually equipped.
HOVSTAD
And who’s equipped?

DR. STOCKMAN
The intellectually superior! Because the rest of you acting
together always make the wrong decisions!
BILLINGS
Do you hear him!?
DRUNKEN MAN
That’s blasphemy - isn’t it?
DR. STOCKMAN
I have the courage to tell you the truth! Do you have the
courage to hear it!? Think scientifically! Look at
evolution - aren’t some animals more intelligent than
others? Isn’t a poodle smarter than a cockroach!?
DRUNKEN MAN
Are you calling me a poodle! I’m no poodle!
Laughs of dirision.
DR. STOCKMAN
But even among men some are more evolved than others--

BILLINGS
Oh, you’re more evolved than the rest of us?
HOVSTAD
What’s next - breeding a master race of Doctor Stockmans?
DR. STOCKMAN
If that’s what it takes.-It’s criminal for your paper to
proclaim that it’s the common people that have morality and
wisdom-- when in fact it’s the superior mind that can see
what needs to be done for the future.
BILLINGS
And what makes you superior?

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 73.

DR. STOCKMAN
Because I’m the only one that knows that our Springs are
polluted, and are going to bring death and destruction on
this city!

BILLINGS
He’s talking about the Springs - he’s not supposed to talk
about the Springs.
ACKLEBURG
Yes! I forbid you--

DR. STOCKMAN
You can’t forbid me anything! I’m a free man and I can say
what I want!
PETER
A free man is worth more than a whole community?
DR. STOCKMAN
Of course!
DRUNKEN MAN
Selfish bastard!
BILLINGS
The drunk’s right again!
DRUNKEN MAN
I get it now! You hate the people! You’re an enemy of the
People!
ACKLEBERG
That’s it! Enemy of the People!

HOVSTAD
Enemy of the people!
Ackleberg, Billing, Hovstad and
Drunken Man are all shouting, if
not Enemy of the People! - then
similar things (I don’t think Peter
is) building to a roar, but not an
overwhelming one at this point.
KATHERINE
Thomas, let’s go.
DR. STOCKMAN
They don’t understand, why don’t they understand?

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 74.

KATHERINE
I know, I know - let’s just go--
DR. STOCKMAN
But..but...

PETRA
Dad, come on--
Doctor Stockman suddenly wheels on
the people.

DR. STOCKMAN
GODDAM YOU! I try to help and you attack me? I can save the
town and you want to destroy me! Now those polluted Springs
will destroy you! Go to the Springs-bathe in it, drink
it--I’ll laugh as your bodies corrode and your organs fail!
I’m better than all of you! You don’t deserve democracy -
you need a dictator! Die, and let worthy people rule the
earth! If I could I would choke every one of you with my
bare hands - no, that’s too good for you -- you’re
vermin!---I would exterminate all of you like vermin!

During the speech, gradually

everybody stops their shouting and
movement and watch him, stunned.
All of them have the same
expression - Hovstad, Billing,
Peter, Ackleberg, Captain Horster,
Katherine, Petra, even the Drunken
Man - all are horrfied, profoundly
disturbed and even saddened. When
Stockmann finishes, nobody moves or
responds - an eerie silence.
Stockmann looks around, as if
coming out of a daze. He sees the
audience and the others on stage as
if for the first time. He is very
scared. His gaze finally settles on
Katherine.

DR. STOCKMAN
Katherine...
KATHERINE
(holding him)
Shhh...it’s okay, it’s okay.
Petra turns to Captain Horster.
PETRA
Get us out of this.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 75.

CAPTAIN HORSTER
Doctor, come this way.
Captain Horster starts to lead
Stockmann out (upstage, as through
the backdoor). The Drunken Man is
the first to recover.
DRUNKEN MAN
Throw him out of town! Break his windows! Break his neck!
Enemy of the People - Enemy of the People!

The others on stage - Ackleberg,

Hovstad, Billing and Peter - all
start talking and shouting
- shouts, as before of "Enemy of
the People" and other things. As
Stockmann becomes conscious of
this, he turns and watches them.
Now he recovers. Captain again
tries to lead him out the back way.
DR. STOCKMAN
No. We’re going out the front.
Stockman, with Katherine, Peter,
Petra and Captain Horster, exit
through the auditorium. As they do,
the sound builds into an almost
surreal cacaphony of shouts. As
Stockman strides through the
audience, he smiles. The ones left
on stage, with the possible
exception of Peter, stand at the
lip of the stage, again shouting
"Enemy of the People!" at Stockman
as he exits. The sound is
deafening. Lights out.
Scene Five

Stockman’s living room. Windows

broken, rocks everywhere. "Surfin’
Safari" by the Beach Boys, is
playing loudly on the record
player.

DR. STOCKMAN
Found another one!
Mrs. Stockmann enters, turns off
record player.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 76.

KATHERINE
(as she’s turning it off)
What is this?
DR. STOCKMAN
It’s California music. To get us in the mood for our new
life there.
KATHERINE
You’re serious about that?

DR. STOCKMAN
I’m serious about everything. Captain Horster said he can
sail the whole family there.
KATHERINE
I know, but--

DR. STOCKMAN
Found another one!
MRS. STOCKMANN
How’d it get under there?

DR. STOCKMAN
Ricochet, I suspect. Probably hit that wall, bounced over
here. Tremendous force in that throw. Hope he plays
baseball - crackerjack pitching prospect.

KATHERINE
So glad you can make jokes.
DR. STOCKMAN
We’re keeping every rock. One day Jacob and Luke will
inherit them. Heirlooms symbolizing courage in the face of
ignorance. Did you call the window-fixer-place?
KATHERINE
I called three of them. Amazingly enough, they’re all
swamped - they can’t get out here within a month. Do you
think everybody had their windows broken last night? Oh
here’s a thought - this is nothing personal, there was just
a gang of random rock throwers that swept through the town,
breaking everybody’s windows.
DR. STOCKMAN
Glad you can make jokes too.
KATHERINE
Oh, and Kristen gave me this.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 77.

DR. STOCKMAN
Who’s Kristen?
KATHERINE
Our maid.

DR. STOCKMAN
I thought it was Kirsten.
KATHERINE
Maybe it is. I don’t care anymore. Here.

Stockmann takes the envelope.

DR. STOCKMAN
Oh wonderful. From our landlord. Have to be out by the end
of the week.

KATHERINE
Mr. Randall? But he’s so nice.
DR. STOCKMAN
Oh yes, his letter is very nice. Apologizes
profusely. Really hates to do it, tried to find a way not
to do it, but says he has no choice. No choice. What to do
with his own property - no choice!?
KATHERINE
Calm down.

DR. STOCKMAN
Why!?
KATHERINE
I don’t know. Just do.

DR. STOCKMAN
Doesn’t matter.
Stockmann turns on record player -
"Surfin’ Safari" - they have to
shout over the music.
We’re going to California!
KATHERINE
Not so loud!

DR. STOCKMAN
Hear that! It’s a new sound, for a new age, and it’s all
happening out there! - that’s where new life is - we can be
part of it!

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 78.

KATHERINE
But I hate this music!
DR. STOCKMAN
I do too - but when we get to California, we’ll understand
it!

Mrs. Stockmann rips the needle from

the record player, turning it off.
KATHERINE
I don’t want to go to California.
DR. STOCKMAN
Why not?
KATHERINE
I don’t know. I read the palm trees have these bugs on them,
and they drop off into your hair and lay thousands of eggs
that burrow into your skull.
DR. STOCKMAN
Where did you read that?

KATHERINE
In a magazine.
DR. STOCKMAN
What magazine?

KATHERINE
I don’t know--Good Housekeeping...Better Homes and Gardens.
Seventeen.
Stockmann sits down next to her.

DR. STOCKMAN
Oh. One of your educational journals.
She smiles. They hold each other.
Katherine. We can’t stay here. They smashed our windows. And
they tore my pants!
KATHERINE
Oh, and they were your good pants.

DR. STOCKMAN
When you fight for freedom and truth, you should never wear
your best pants.
KATHERINE
I can probably sew them up.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 79.

DR. STOCKMAN
No, I need new pants - new pants for a new age!
KATHERINE
If we can afford them...

DR. STOCKMAN
What right did they have to tear my pants?
KATHERINE
Well you did provoke them--

DR. STOCKMAN
Wasn’t everything I said true?
KATHERINE
No. Not everything.

Pause.
DR. STOCKMAN
Well...but...they tore my pants.

KATHERINE
And now to leave our home....?
DR. STOCKMAN
I’m not staying here one more day. Oh, I’m sure in
California they have a compact majority too. But they’re
bolder out there. They’ll probably kill us straight off -
none of this civilized slow torture. Maybe we should go
farther than California. Out in the middle of the
ocean. Where’s Tahiti?
KATHERINE
Thomas, we have two young boys to raise -
DR. STOCKMAN
Yes, exactly! Better they grow up in a grass hut somewhere,
climbing trees for coconuts. I need to read up on deserted
islands - I wonder if we could buy one...
KATHERINE
We can’t buy you new pants! What are you talking about?
(gently)
Thomas, you’re the smartest person I know, so why are you
such an idiot?
Sound of crashing glass from
outside.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 80.

DR. STOCKMAN
Good God!

KATHERINE
Are they coming back?
Stockmann goes to the window.
DR. STOCKMAN
Luke! Jacob! Stop that! Don’t throw rocks through your own
window!
(beat)
I don’t care if all the other boys are doing it!
(beat)
What?
(beat - he turns to Mrs. Stockmann)
They asked if they could throw rocks at Uncle Peter’s house.
(turning back to window)
Absolutely!
KATHERINE
No!
DR. STOCKMAN
Absolutely not!
(turning back to his wife.)
Great spirit, those boys.

Petra enters.
KATHERINE
What are you doing home from school?

PETRA
I was fired.
DR. STOCKMAN
Of course.

PETRA
Mrs. Kelly said I’d have to leave on Friday. But I just
walked out.
KATHERINE
I wouldn’t think Mrs. Kelly would be like that.
PETRA
She didn’t want to - she was really upset. I ended up
comforting her. She felt she had no choice.

DR. STOCKMAN
Nobody in town has a choice anymore. It’s like magic.
Everybody’s free will suddenly vanished.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 81.

PETRA
Mrs. Kelly got seven phone calls, just this morning,
demanding she get rid of me.
KATHERINE
Who were they from?
PETRA
Anonymous.
DR. STOCKMAN
Naturally.
KATHERINE
But how could they complain about you?
PETRA
Besides the crime of being Dr. Stockman’s daughter, they
accused me of being a "new women" - a "feminist."
DR. STOCKMAN
What’s wrong with that?

KATHERINE
Oh please, Thomas - feminism is next to communism.
PETRA
Mother!

KATHERINE
I’m not saying I believe that - don’t jump down my throat.
But we live in the world - we better know what these words
mean in the real world.

Knock on the door.

DR. STOCKMAN
Come in!
Captain Horster enters the room.

CAPTAIN HORSTER
Morning. Sorry to barge in, but I just wanted to see how you
all were doing.
DR. STOCKMAN
Thank you. I appreciate that.
KATHERINE
And thank you too for helping us last night. At your own
risk.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 82.

PETRA
Yes, that was brave. I was worried about you going home
alone.
CAPTAIN HORSTER
Oh, there was no real danger with those people. They bark a
lot; no teeth.
DR. STOCKMAN
True - look what they had the courage to do - throw rocks
through our windows. And look at the rocks. Puny little
things! A real man should have bigger stones than that.
CAPTAIN HORSTER
(laughing)
Good one!

DR. STOCKMAN
What is?
CAPTAIN HORSTER
Uh-- I’m glad you’re all safe and sound.

DR. STOCKMAN
We’re all right. Looking towards the future - to
California! When do we sail, Captain?
CAPTAIN HORSTER
Well, that’s the other thing I came to talk to you about.

PETRA
You’ve been fired.
CAPTAIN HORSTER
How’d you know?
PETRA
I’m psychic.
KATHERINE
Why?
CAPTAIN HORSTER
Mr. Flagstaff has a reputation to think of. Knew I let you
use my warehouse last night. He’s actually a pretty decent
guy. Said he hated to do it.

DR. STOCKMAN
But he had no choice.
CAPTAIN HORSTER
Yes - exactly what he said. You must be psychic too.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 83.

DR. STOCKMAN
I’m sorry. If you hadn’t helped us, you’d still have your
ship.
CAPTAIN HORSTER
Doesn’t matter - there’s always another ship. I’ve got a
secret weapon.
KATHERINE
What?

CAPTAIN HORSTER
I’m good at what I do. You’re right about idiots ruling the
world. But they need competent people to actually do things.
Knocking at the door.

DR. STOCKMAN
Come in.
Peter Stockmann enters.
PETER STOCKMANN
Oh. You’re all here.
PETRA
Yes, it’s a family party, and our dear Uncle comes to help
us celebrate. How jolly.

PETER
There’s the sweet Petra I know.
KATHERINE
Stop it! We are family. That should count for something.

PETER
Yes, one would think so.
DR. STOCKMAN
So what do you want?

PETER
Can we speak alone?
CAPTAIN HORSTER
I need to go anyway--

PETRA
No, please stay. It’s nice to have a friend in the house.
KATHERINE
Yes, come have some coffee.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 84.

CAPTAIN HORSTER
There’s quite a mess out back - broken glass; I’ll help you
clean up.
PETRA
Thank you. Again.
Petra, Mrs. Stockmann and Captain
Horster exit.
PETER
I’m really very sorry last night...ended up like that.
DR. STOCKMAN
Is that all you came to say?
PETER
I have to officially give you this.
Peter gives him an envelope; Thomas
doesn’t even open it.
DR. STOCKMAN
Notice of dismissal from the post of Medical Officer.
PETER
We really had no choice.
(Doctor Stockmann laughs.)
What?

DR. STOCKMAN
Have you ever thought of changing the name of the town? I
think "No Choice, Maine" has a really nice ring.
PETER
What are you talking about?
DR. STOCKMAN
Never mind.

PETER
You should also realize that you probably won’t be able to
work as a family doctor in private practice.
DR. STOCKMAN
Oh, the City Council controls that too?

PETER
No, of course not. But you won’t have any patients. There
are already several petitions circulating to have your
license revoked.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 85.

DR. STOCKMAN
That too.
PETER
Can I talk to you as a brother?

DR. STOCKMAN
Don’t you always?
PETER
I think it would be a good idea to leave the area for a
while.
DR. STOCKMAN
That’s exactly what I plan to do.
PETER
Good. And then, after a few months, when you’ve had a time
to think all this over, maybe you’ll come to another
conclusion. That maybe you aren’t quite as sure of things as
you thought. That maybe you could even write a letter
explaining your change of thinking.

DR. STOCKMAN
And my position might be restored?
PETER
I think it could.

DR. STOCKMAN
What would the public say? Re-hiring an enemy of the people?
PETER
Public opinion is fluid. And malleable. I could bring them
around.

DR. STOCKMAN
And why would you want to do that?

PETER
For one thing, it’s important, to the Board of the
Springs,to have an admission from you, in writing, that you
were mistaken.
DR. STOCKMAN
Of course. It’s for your own benefit - nothing to do with
helping your brother.
PETER
Goddam it, Thomas! I’ve tried all my life to help you! Do
you know how hard it is to have a brother like you? Who
couldn’t dress himself in the morning, who couldn’t function
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 86.

PETER (cont’d)
in the world, without a practical wife at his side? A
brother who’s also self-rightous and stubborn and annoying
as hell!?
(beat)
But you don’t trust me, you never have. So if I said I’d
like to change public opinion because I’m looking for a way
to help you and your family - you’d never believe me. Even
if it was true.
DR. STOCKMAN
But I know the Springs are polluted - and you know it too.
PETER
I believe no such thing! Do you think I want people to get
sick and die? I’m trying to find a way to work with you, but
you’re so goddam inflexible!

DR. STOCKMAN
Because this isn’t anything that can be fixed with political
compromise, Peter!
PETER
So you’re going to starve your family? Without work, without
prospects--
DR. STOCKMAN
Don’t worry about my family.

PETER
I guess you’re right. Why should I worry about them, when
you don’t?
Morton Kiil enters.

KIIL
Well, if it’s not my lamebrain son-in-law and his bastard
brother.
PETER
Hello Kiil.
KIIL
Is that your Buick out front?
PETER
Yes.
KIIL
Good. I took a piss on it.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 87.

PETER
You’re a disgusting old man.
KIIL
And you’re a disgusting somewhat younger one. What’s your
point?

PETER
I have nothing to say to you. And I guess not to you either,
Thomas.

DR. STOCKMAN
Peter...
Peter exits.
KIIL
Let him go; you don’t need him. You never have.
(patting his chest)
You know what I have here?
DR. STOCKMAN
A pure heart?

KIIL
Oh, better.
Kiil takes out a packet of papers
and gives them to Stockmann, who
looks them over.
DR. STOCKMAN
These are...municipal bonds...for the Springs.
KIIL
Easy to get today. Got ’em for a rock bottom price. Lower
than rock bottom.
DR. STOCKMAN
How many do you have here?

KIIL
Many as I could get. Seventy-four percent of them, actually.
DR. STOCKMAN
But...why? If they’re worthless...

KIIL
Oh, but you can fix all that.
DR. STOCKMAN
How? I have no power...they threw rocks through my window.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 88.

KIIL
Why would they bother throwing rocks at someone who has no
power?
(Stockmann has no answer to this)
They don’t like you, that’s true - who would? - but they
threw rocks because you scare them. They believe you - or
they at least believe the possibility that you’re right.
DR. STOCKMAN
And that’s why Peter and the board want me to retract my
statements - they’re afraid people believe me.

KIIL
And why do you think the shares were so cheap? All the
stockholders are scared to death.
DR. STOCKMAN
So I don’t understand - if the shares are worthless - why
did you buy them?
KIIL
They won’t be worthless after you fix the problem.

DR. STOCKMAN
You want me to fix it?
KIIL
Goddam right I do!

DR. STOCKMAN
But---....oh....OH! I think I understand. You bought these
shares with your own money in order to get controlling
interest in the Springs. Now you can force them to rehire me
as Medical Officer and I can force them to make the changes
needed, and damn the expense! You’ve saved me! All of us,
really. People call you an old bastard but they’re wrong!
KIIL
They call me an old badger, not bastard.

DR. STOCKMAN
They actually call you both.
KIIL
And I can’t have controlling interest in a municipal
project, you lamebrain; no matter how many shares I own.

DR. STOCKMAN
Then...I don’t understand how you can force them to rehire
me.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 89.

KIIL
You’re not going to be rehired. You’re going make a
statement that you were wrong - that the Springs are not
polluted at all.

DR. STOCKMAN
I don’t understand.
KIIL
Of course you don’t. So listen tight. You’re going to say
that you were mistaken, that the springs are fine. After
that, our bonds will regain their full value, and more.
We’ll make a fat pile of money, at the expense of all those
other sons of bitches that used to own the bonds. And
control the town. And that we both hate.
DR. STOCKMAN
I won’t do that.
KIIL
Of course I knew you’d say that. Your nobility is noted. Up
to now you could afford it.

DR. STOCKMAN
What do you mean?
KIIL
You haven’t had to worry about money, not really. Because
you knew my money would go to Katherine when I die. And
because you supplement your income now from her trust fund.
DR. STOCKMAN
We don’t...use that much of it.

KIIL
I see the books, Stockmann. But I’ve changed my will, you
see. And changed the rules for the trust. It’s all there.
DR. STOCKMAN
Where?

KIIL
Those shares. That’s about half of the shares that I bought.
That’s Katherine’s inheritance, as well as the funding for
her trust.

DR. STOCKMAN
Why did you do that?
KIIL
Try to understand, you absurd egghead: if you continue to
say there are little organisms running around in the water,
your family’s future is destroyed. But if you retract your
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 90.

KIIL (cont’d)
statements, the Springs will again grow and prosper, and
these shares will also grow - you’ll be a rich man. And I’ll
be richer.

DR. STOCKMAN
Are you threatening me?
KIIL
No, I’m helping you.

DR. STOCKMAN
I can’t do that!
KIIL
You put yourself above your family’s future?

DR. STOCKMAN
It’s not myself I’m putting above them - it’s the truth -
it’s principle!
KIIL
Really? You seemed pretty happy about being able to ram it
down the throat of your brother and the other people that
run the Springs. In fact, isn’t that how all this started?
You wanted to prove they were wrong years ago when they laid
the pipes over your objections.

DR. STOCKMAN
Well...even if that’s true...
KIIL
You know it’s true!

DR. STOCKMAN
And it’s also true that the Springs are polluted!
KIIL
Are you sure? You’re not a research scientist.

DR. STOCKMAN
I collected water samples--
KIIL
You’re a family doctor - you treat runny noses. Are you
trained in taking environmental samples? Are you sure you
did it precisely, objectively, with no bias?
DR. STOCKMAN
(not as sure)
Of course!...

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 91.

KIIL
How many hundreds of tourists were at the Springs last year?
And practically the whole town as well. And you had now many
cases of illness? Three, four...? If the water’s so bad, why
weren’t more people sick?
DR. STOCKMAN
I have an answer for that...

KIIL
Do you really want to destroy your family’s future for an
idea that you can’t be completely sure of?
DR. STOCKMAN
(a little doubt)
But I am sure.
KIIL
So that’s it. Your family’s ruined. You’re a different sort
of person, aren’t you. Sacrificing your family--

DR. STOCKMAN
I would die for my family!
KIIL
Oh it’s easy to die. But you don’t have the courage to say
you’re wrong. Not even to save Katherine. Petra. Luke.
Jacob.
Long pause.
DR. STOCKMAN
...possibly I could find something that could kill the
organisms after the pipes pump the water into the
springs...they’re making great advancements in water
purification...I read a paper just last week...
KIIL
There you go.
DR. STOCKMAN
I’ll talk this over with Katherine...
KIIL
Yes, and listen to her for a change. You never listen to
anybody, you know that?
DR. STOCKMAN
That’s...true...

KIIL
You can secure your family’s future. Provide for your
children, and grandchildren. But you need to put out a
statement soon, before more damage is done.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 92.

DR. STOCKMAN
It would be nice to have money...real money. There’s so many
things Katherine would probably...like to have...and to
really provide for the boys...

Knock on the door.

Oh, now what-- Come in!
Hovstad, Billing and Ackleberg come
in.
What the hell are you doing here?

HOVSTAD
We’d just like to talk.
KIIL
Time for me to go. My asthma can’t tolerate cheap perfume.

HOVSTAD
I’m not wearing perfume.
KIIL
That must be it.
(to Thomas)
I want to know today what your answer is.
Kiil exits.
HOVSTAD
We certainly understand how you must be annoyed with us.
DR. STOCKMAN
Annoyed. Yes. I’m slightly annoyed.
ACKLEBERG
We’re coming here hat-in-hand, Doctor. See, here’s my hat.
BILLINGSS
We were wrong.

HOVSTAD
Horribly wrong. We see that, now.
ACKLEBERG
We were fools to doubt you. You, of all people.

HOVSTAD
We’ve known you for years. I don’t know how we could think
such terrible things about you.
BILLINGS
We’re truly ashamed.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 93.

DR. STOCKMAN
Really?
HOVSTAD
Yes. And though we understand if you want to have nothing to
do with us anymore, we want you to know that from now on,
the paper is at your disposal.
DR. STOCKMAN
What do you mean?

HOVSTAD
Anything you want to write - anything at all, on any topic -
we would be proud to print.
DR. STOCKMAN
Are you serious?

BILLINGS
Absolutely.
DR. STOCKMAN
I’m really overwhelmed. This is wonderful...thank you.

ACKLEBERG
So you might really write articles for our paper again?
DR. STOCKMAN
Why yes - yes of course.

BILLINGS
Thank you, Doctor, thank you!
HORSTER
(to Billing and Ackleburg)
You see? I told you he would see it was all just a
misunderstanding!
DR. STOCKMAN
What misunderstanding?

ACKLEBURG
Well, really Doctor, you have to admit - it’s partially
your fault - you could have given us a hint beforehand.
DR. STOCKMAN
A hint of what?
ACKLEBURG
Of what your real plan was.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 94.

BILLINGS
Brilliant plan - but you could have told us.
DR. STOCKMAN
I don’t know what you’re talking about.

ACKLEBURG
Oh, come on, Doctor.
HOVSTAD
We know why Mr. Kiil was here.

BILLINGS
But it would have been smarter to have someone else buy the
bonds - someone not related to you.
BILLINGS
And in fact the whole attack on the Springs - that should
have come from somebody else--
ACKLEBERG
But despite that, still a brilliant plan.

DR. STOCKMAN
Remind me what that brilliant plan was.
BILLINGS
The doctor jokes.

ACKLEBERG
What a sense of humor!
HOVSTAD
I’ll play along - just to make sure we’ve got it right. You
make up this report about bacteria, ruin the reputation of
the Springs, drive down the value, Kiil and you buy up all
the bonds, and you’re in control.
BILLINGS
Now you can run the Springs the way you want to run them,
with forward thinking, progressive vision!
DR. STOCKMAN
That’s a plan, all right. How did you find out?
HOVSTAD
We’re journalists.
DR. STOCKMAN
So this is what prompted your change of heart?

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 95.

HOVSTAD
Well...
BILLINGS
Of course.

ACKLEBERG
Now we know your real agenda. All that revolutionary talk -
a smokescreen.
DR. STOCKMAN
Yes. You’ve figured me all out. But I still don’t see how
you can you publish anything of mine - the town is mobilized
against me - the Homeowners Association!
ACKLEBURG
I’ll take care of them.

DR. STOCKMAN
And the Temperance Society! - they know that I like my
toddy.
ACKLEBURG
Oh, truth be told - everyone likes a small toddy.
Pause.
DR. STOCKMAN
Such good and true friends. The paper at my disposal.

HOVSTAD
You can always count on us.
DR. STOCKMAN
How could I ever...repay you?

HOVSTAD
Oh, there’s no need--
BILLINGS
None at all--
ACKLEBURG
Well truthfully...
HOVSTAD
No! We don’t want anything in return. It’s enough that we’re
doing our duty as journalists, that’s our only reward.
ACKLEBURG
That’s very true. But I can’t help thinking...

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 96.

HOVSTAD
No! I won’t talk about it - Dr. Stockmann owes nothing to
us. It’s true, of course, that the Tribune isn’t quite as
solvent as we would like. Admittingly, we got some sobering
news last week that our financial situation is...somewhat
precarious. But we’ll soldier on!
DR. STOCKMAN
Wait - you don’t mean to tell me that the reverered Kittery
Tribune is actually in financial trouble?

HOVSTAD
Quite dire trouble, to be perfectly honest.
BILLINGS
You don’t know the half of it.

HOVSTAD
And what’s really troubling to us, most of all, is that this
is happening right now, when there is so much work to be
done - and now that you’re on board as a major voice;it
breaks my heart.

DR. STOCKMAN
Let me think...wait...just hear me out...with my bonds in
the Springs, after their reputation is restored...I’ll be
coming into quite a bit of money.
HOVSTAD
Doctor, now I’m overwhelmed. Are you implying that you might
use some of your resources to help out the Tribune?
BILLINGS
Oh my God, we didn’t expect this!

ACKLEBERG
Thank you, sir!
HOVSTAD
And to think, just last night, we thought you were on the
other side.
ACKLEBERG
And the other side is not where you want to be.
BILLINGS
Because it’s lonely over there.
ACKLEBERG
Very lonely.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 97.

HOVSTAD
So now we can welcome you back in - not that you ever really
left - but now we can truly embrace you as one of us.
DR. STOCKMAN
One of you. To truly be one of you. What that would mean for
me. What that would do to me.
BILLINGS
I can almost taste your wife’s pot roast again!

They all laugh - Dr. Stockmann a

little too loudly.
DR. STOCKMAN
One thing does trouble me. Since I’ll be a rich man...That
might change me.

BILLINGS
Oh, not you - you’re a rock!
DR. STOCKMAN
I don’t know. I might grow to love my money too much. And
rich people don’t like to be parted from their money, you
know. Especially not to help puny little newspapers.
HOVSTAD
Oh, that’s...very funny, Doctor.

DR. STOCKMAN
You think I’m joking? You think this is funny? If I’m going
to be as rich as you think, I won’t need to write articles
for your stupid little paper! I won’t need any of you!

Pause as they’re all a little

stunned by this.
HOVSTAD
I would ask you to remember that this story of the Springs
and buying the shares can be represented in two ways.

BILLINGS
Two very different ways.
HOVSTAD
If the public gets the idea that this has all been a plot,
to enrich yourself personally...
DR. STOCKMAN
So you’re saying that if I don’t help you, the paper will
once again try to destroy me.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 98.

HOVSTAD
We won’t just try.
ACKLEBURG
Please understand: every animal must fight for its own
living.

DR. STOCKMAN
Yes, we’re all animals; that’s a scientific fact. Survival
of the fittest. Well let’s see who’s the fittest among us!

HOVSTAD
What do you mean?
DR. STOCKMAN
(almost too quietly)
Get out.

HOVSTAD
What? I couldn’t quite hear.
DR. STOCKMAN
Get out. Get out. GET OUT!

Stockmann grabs a broom or

something and chases them out.
Perhaps he throws things at them,
etc. He’s enraged, but also
exhillerated. Petra, Horster and
Katherine enter.
KATHERINE
What in the world--?

DR. STOCKMAN
Where’s that maid? - that Kristen or whatever -- I want her
to take something to your father!
KATHERINE
Her name is--

DR. STOCKMAN
I obviously don’t care what her name is!--or I’d remember
it! - anyway, where is she? I never see her! Have I even met
her?? Bring her here, right now!

Pause.
KATHERINE
We don’t have a maid.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 99.

DR. STOCKMAN
What?
KATHERINE
Well we never needed one, but you wanted one so badly, I
just told you we had one.

PETRA
We knew you’d never notice.
DR. STOCKMAN
But she’s delivered things around town for me!
KATHERINE
We just have one of the boys do it.
DR. STOCKMAN
That’s brilliant! That’s absolutely brilliant! I have a
brilliant family!
He writes furiously on a paper.
Here! - Have the boys take this to Mr. Morton Kiil, your
esteemed father!

He gives the note to Katherine; but

she never actually leaves the room
with it.
KATHERINE
It just says "no, no, no"--
DR. STOCKMAN
Not exactly - what it says is NO NO NO!!
HORSTER
A bit cryptic, isn’t it?
Stockmann becomes sober as
everything sinks in.
DR. STOCKMAN
I’m who I am. I will always be who I am. And that has to be
enough.
Katherine goes to him, holds him.

PETRA
What are you going to do?
DR. STOCKMAN
I don’t know.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 100.

HORSTER
You’re going to start over in California! By God, I’ll get
another ship and sail us all there!
DR. STOCKMAN
Damn California. That’s no answer.
PETRA
Good!
MRS. STOCKMANN
Thank you!
DR. STOCKMAN
But we have no place to live.
Pause.

HORSTER
You can all live in my house.
KATHERINE
What? You’re not serious.

HORSTER
Why not? I have plenty of room. Never needed that much space
to begin with. Damn stupid of me to buy it. But now I’m
glad.

PETRA
Thank you. Yet again.
KATHERINE
No! We couldn’t take advantage of you--

DR. STOCKMAN
Absolutely not - you’ve done too much--
HORSTER
I don’t do anything I don’t want to do. That’s why I piss
everybody off - oh, excuse me, ladies--
PETRA
Don’t apologize - I piss everyone off too!
HORSTER
You see? I think we’re all meant for each other. You’re
moving in. Or I’ll draw my gun again.

DR. STOCKMAN
Thank you.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 101.

KATHERINE
Thomas, now you can go back to private practice.
DR. STOCKMAN
Peter says I won’t have a private practice, since nobody
wants an enemy of the people as their family doctor.

PETRA
I can get a job! Somewhere...
HORSTER
Start your own school.
PETRA
What?
HORSTER
You’ve been wanting to anyway - I told you I have that
warehouse - where we had the town meeting - plenty of room
for a school.
PETRA
Where would I get students?

KATHERINE
I know two right away!
(goes to window)
Boys! Luke, put down that ax! And untie your
brother! Listen to me: You never have to go back to your
school!
(Shouts of joy)
You’re going to a new school!--taught by your sister!
(Shouts of pain)
Yes, it’s exciting, isn’t it?

PETRA
--but what other students would I get?
HORSTER
Those are just details! Like they say, the angel’s in the
details!
PETRA
Well, actually--
HORSTER
Okay, they don’t say that - but it’s what I say. And you
better start saying it too.
KATHERINE
And I can get a job! I’d actually like that.

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 102.

PETRA
A job? What would you do?
KATHERINE
I’ve lived with Thomas 25 years - I can do anything.

PETRA
But would people in this town hire you?
KATHERINE
Of course. Everybody likes me. They hate you and Thomas, but
they like me.
PETRA
See? Everything will be fine. We’ll all be fine.
KATHERINE
We will, Thomas. We’re okay.
Pause. Stockmann picks up a rock.
DR. STOCKMAN
I’m the strongest man in the world.

KATHERINE
What?
DR. STOCKMAN
When you hold on - true to your beliefs - and have nothing
left. When your family has to find their own way. When you
have nothing but your own truth to claim and believe in.
You’re alone. The strongest man in the world is the man that
stands alone.
He looks at his rock. The others
look at him.
End of Play.