- 6/24/2025
'It was on the third day, I think, of his being with me, that I abruptly called to Bartleby to examine a small paper with me. Imagine my consternation, when Bartleby in a singularly mild, firm voice, replied, “I would prefer not to.”'
Alex Jennings reads Herman Melville's classic tale of a lawyer's attempts to make sense of the perplexing defiance of his mild-mannered office clerk. Beloved of Kafka and Camus, and widely regarded as one of the greatest short stories ever written, Bartleby the Scrivener was first published in 1853.
Produced by Mary Ward-Lowery for BBC Audio
Editing and Sound Design by Mair Bosworth
Abridged by Sara Davies
Studio Engineering by Mike Etherden
Mixed by Ilse Lademann
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Alex Jennings reads Herman Melville's classic tale of a lawyer's attempts to make sense of the perplexing defiance of his mild-mannered office clerk. Beloved of Kafka and Camus, and widely regarded as one of the greatest short stories ever written, Bartleby the Scrivener was first published in 1853.
Produced by Mary Ward-Lowery for BBC Audio
Editing and Sound Design by Mair Bosworth
Abridged by Sara Davies
Studio Engineering by Mike Etherden
Mixed by Ilse Lademann
Do you enjoy the variety on Oldtuberadio?
Like, Share and Subscribe to be notified of our new shows
#radio #crime #thriller #drama
To Support this channel please visit
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/oldtuberadio
https://ko-fi.com/oldtuberadio98
https://www.patreon.com/oldtuberadio
https://locals.com/Oldtuberadio
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FunTranscript
00:00Bartleby the Scrivener
00:16The short story by Herman Melville
00:19Dramatised for radio by Martin Wade
00:21With Ian Holm as the lawyer
00:23And Adrian Scarborough as Bartleby
00:26For the last 30 years
00:30I have been a practitioner of the law
00:33One of those practitioners I mean
00:35Whose work is done in private
00:37And who avoids the public gaze
00:39For it has always been my profound conviction
00:42That the quietest way of life is the best
00:45My work, therefore, has been with mortgages
00:49And title deeds and so on
00:51And I have been brought into more than ordinary contact
00:54With a class of men known as Scriveners
00:56That is, legal scribes or copyists
01:00Scriveners, I find, are interesting
01:03Indeed, somewhat singular people
01:05And I could recount many a story of their exploits
01:08But of all the Scriveners I have ever encountered
01:11A man named Bartleby
01:14Was the strangest by far
01:17In order to tell you what I know of Bartleby
01:21I must allow you to eavesdrop on a conversation
01:23Between myself and a Scrivener of mine
01:26Who was colloquially
01:27Though perhaps not affectionately
01:29Known as Turkey
01:31Turkey
01:33Turkey?
01:35Turkey?
01:36Yes, sir?
01:38A very good morning, sir
01:40And to you
01:41Is Nippers here yet?
01:42With submission, sir
01:44Nippers, as so often is, um, late, sir
01:47Ah, well
01:48Perhaps you could pass on my news to him when he arrives
01:51As you wish, sir
01:52Well, sir?
01:55Turkey
01:55It is my intention to employ a new copyist
01:58Oh
01:59Is it?
02:01Yes
02:01There's a fellow coming to see me on Monday
02:03On Monday?
02:05So soon?
02:07I suppose
02:08With submission, sir
02:10That this is on account of the piece of ginger cake
02:12Ginger cake?
02:14Yes, sir
02:14Last week, sir
02:16I, uh
02:16I affixed it to a mortgage document
02:19In
02:19In lieu of a seal
02:21Ah, yes
02:22That is
02:24No
02:24It's nothing to do with the ginger cake
02:26Then
02:26With submission, sir
02:28It's the blots
02:29Is it?
02:30Well, of course
02:31There are blots upon your work
02:33Rather too many blots, I'd hear
02:35But they do tend to occur
02:37Almost exclusively in the afternoon
02:39That's true
02:40Along with incidents such as the ginger cake
02:42In the morning
02:43You work with commendable efficiency
02:45Oh, thank you, sir
02:46Your post-meridian endeavours, on the other hand
02:49Are, if we are honest, seriously flawed
02:51It's not that you become idle
02:53Oh, far from it
02:54Far from it, indeed
02:55Rather, you are somewhat too energetic
02:56Inflamed
02:57Flighty
02:58Reckless
02:59With submission, sir
03:00Yes, Turkey?
03:01The blots on my work
03:03Are marks of my devotion to the cause
03:05With submission, sir
03:07You
03:07You can't dismiss a man
03:09Because he's demonstrated
03:10An excess of zeal
03:11Turkey
03:12I have no intention
03:14Of dismissing you
03:16Oh
03:17Oh, have you not, sir
03:19Oh, thank you, sir
03:21Oh, so it's Nippers
03:23Who's being told to go
03:25Well, with submission, sir
03:27Quite right, sir
03:28Quite right
03:29No, no
03:30You misunderstand
03:32The new copyist will be an addition to our staff
03:36Not a replacement
03:37The fact is, Turkey
03:38Business is good
03:39Very good
03:40Conveyancing work is on the increase
03:43And there is more copying than you and Nippers can manage
03:46The work is expanding
03:47And the team, therefore, must do likewise
03:50I must advise you, before we progress any further
03:58That he who bore the subriquet Nippers
04:01Was as unsatisfactory a scrivener as was his colleague
04:05He was a younger man than Turkey
04:07And no great friend of his
04:09He suffered from chronic indigestion
04:14As a result of which he would be profoundly irritable
04:17Oh, damn it
04:19Damn it
04:21And would utter startling maledictions in the heat of his labours
04:24Damn it, I held fire
04:26And would also waste many hours in a desperate attempt to get his desk to a height
04:30That absolutely agreed with him
04:32But these difficulties were a mourning phenomenon only
04:35And they were remedied, along with the indigestion
04:37By the time Turkey was beginning to blot his copies
04:40Thus it was, aside from the fact of my forbearing disposition
04:44That I found I could endure the two sets of scrivening eccentricities
04:48Since, obligingly, they never coincided
04:51The temperamental fits of Nippers and Turkey
04:54Relieved each other like guards at a sentry post
04:57Sir, I can't go on
05:00When the desk is like this
05:02My back
05:03Indescribable agony
05:05But if I raise the height
05:07Then the blood stops circulating in my arms
05:11Nippers, you are not having a new desk
05:13Oh, but...
05:14You have tried three different desks in as many months
05:17There is no desk in the world, I think, at which you could sit comfortably
05:20Even Plato's ideal desk
05:22From which all other desks may be supposed to derive their being
05:25Even this would disappoint you
05:27Sir, with submission, sir
05:29Yes, Turkey
05:30There's a man waiting outside
05:32He says his name is Bartleby
05:33Ah
05:34Indeed
05:36Send him in
05:37Bartleby was sent in
05:39I can see the poor fellow now
05:42Pale and lean
05:43Pitiably neat and respectable
05:45Incurably forlorn
05:47Well
05:49So you are Bartleby?
05:53Yes
05:53Very pleased to meet you
05:55You have experience as a scrivener, I take it?
06:00Do you, I wonder, have any letters of reference from previous employers?
06:07No
06:08None
06:09Ah
06:10Well
06:12We'll be able to discover soon enough whether the work will suit you
06:16And indeed whether you'll suit us
06:18I'll give you some copying to do
06:20Just a little
06:21And we'll see how you manage
06:22Over here, if you will
06:24I sat Bartleby at a table
06:29In the corner of the office
06:30Next to a small window
06:32Which looked out onto the brick wall of a neighbouring building
06:34Just three feet away
06:36For several moments
06:38He stared out through the window
06:39And then he slowly turned his gaze upon the work that lay before him
06:44He completed the copying conscientiously
06:47And silently
06:48A marked contrast, I couldn't help but think
06:51To the paroxysms of turkey and nippers
06:54Hmm
06:56This is first-rate, Bartleby
06:59Well done
07:00Now, as to terms of employment
07:02I accept them
07:03You might wish to be apprised of them before giving your consent
07:07I accept them
07:10Very well
07:12In that case, you may commence your employment here immediately
07:16If you're willing
07:17Are you willing?
07:20Yes
07:21I'm willing
07:22Splendid
07:23We're in business
07:24I see no reason why you shouldn't work
07:27Just there, where you are
07:29The window affords a little light
07:30And you'll be with an easy call
07:31Is that agreeable?
07:33It's agreeable
07:34Good
07:34Good
07:35But
07:38We each need to achieve a degree of privacy
07:41Do we not?
07:42As well as proximity
07:43So
07:43What we'll do
07:44There's a screen in the adjacent room
07:46A blue oriental thing
07:47Which turkey and nippers like to use
07:49We'll borrow that
07:50And we'll place it around your little area
07:52That will serve, I think
07:53Agreed?
07:55Good
07:55Excellent
07:56Bartleby
08:02Bartleby, you may stop writing
08:06Bartleby
08:10What is wanted?
08:14I would like you to stop your writing for a while
08:16And bring out what you've done
08:17A day or two had passed
08:21Bartleby, working away in his little partitioned hermitage
08:25Had already proved himself to be a most diligent scrivener
08:29He seemed to gaunch himself on my documents
08:32As if he were famished for something to copy
08:35I ought, I think, to have been delighted
08:38But he made me uneasy
08:40He rose in such a silent, mechanical fashion
08:44It seemed to me that he was not cheerfully industrious
08:47Here
08:51This is what I've done
08:52Thank you
08:54My, what a vast amount
08:56Did you stay late last night?
08:58A little
08:59There's no need for that, Bartleby
09:01No need at all
09:02Very neat
09:06Very legible
09:07And I have to say
09:09You manage your labour so quietly and sedately
09:12I can't, of course, comment yet upon the accuracy of this work
09:16For that we must enlist the help of our friends in the other room
09:19You see, Bartleby
09:21You've made three copies of the title deeds as requested
09:24So
09:24I will read out the original
09:26And Turkey and Nippers
09:28And your good self
09:29Will each be given one of the copies
09:31Turkey
09:32Nippers
09:33And each of you will be able to see as I read
09:37If any errors or omissions have occurred
09:39Yes
09:40Yes, what is it?
09:42Come in, Turkey
09:43With submission, sir
09:45You called, did you, sir?
09:47Yes, Nippers, I did
09:48Please, both of you
09:49Come in
09:50It's copy-checking time
09:52You will have noticed, I trust
09:56The respective moods of these two scriveners
09:59The sun was past its zenith
10:01Turkey's comative streak, therefore
10:03Was in the ascendancy
10:04While that of his colleague was in decline
10:07With submission, sir
10:10Before we start, sir
10:11Yes?
10:12Turkey and I
10:13We'd like our screen back
10:15With submission, sir
10:16We just can't work well without it
10:18It's impossible
10:18We seem to be something of an annoyance
10:21And a distraction to each other, sir
10:23Always have been, I'm afraid
10:26Therefore, sir
10:27If the screen is required for you and Bartleby, sir
10:30Perhaps you might think about procuring another one for us
10:34I might
10:35You'll think about it very, very soon, I hope
10:38Yes, Turkey, I might
10:40It needn't be blue
10:41Or oriental
10:43Oh, indeed
10:44In the meantime
10:46Copies in triplicate of the deeds to the property at number 10 Church Street
10:51Set for you, Turkey
10:54Set for nippers
10:56Thank you
10:57And one for Bartleby
10:58Bartleby, this set is for you, so you can check it
11:03I would prefer not to
11:05I'm sorry, what did you say?
11:07I said I would prefer not to
11:10Forgive me, Bartleby, but you have no choice in the matter
11:13Even so, I would prefer not to
11:16But why?
11:18What possible objection can you have?
11:20Bartleby, this is your own work we are about to look at
11:26To do the checking this way is labour-saving for you
11:28We can deal with all the copies simultaneously
11:31It's standard practice here
11:32Am I not right, Nippers?
11:33With submission, sir, yes, sir
11:35Turkey?
11:36Well, of course you're right
11:37Each scrivener may be asked to check another's work
11:40And he is always obliged to check his own
11:42Always
11:42Without fail
11:43It's the way we do it, Bartleby
11:46Common usage, common sense
11:48Surely you can see that
11:49Yes
11:50You can?
11:52Yes
11:52Good
11:53So you'll cooperate, will you?
11:57I would prefer not to
11:58I would prefer not to do any checking at all
12:01But...
12:02This is absurd
12:04Turkey, is this not absurd?
12:06It's worse than absurd
12:07It's selfishness and it's insolence
12:09That's what it is
12:10What's your view, Nippers?
12:12With submission, sir
12:13I'm inclined to think that Bartleby is being somewhat less than helpful
12:17If he won't do the checking
12:19Then he should be kicked out of the office
12:20And then kicked down the stairs
12:22And kicked into the street
12:23And then, when he's gone
12:25We can have our screen back
12:26Bartleby seemed impervious
12:32Either to threats or to reason
12:34He said nothing
12:35But retreated behind the contentious screen
12:38And then, to the accompaniment of frequent noises of angry complaint from Turkey
12:43Selfishness, insolence, sheer bloody mind
12:46And restrained murmurs from Nippers
12:48No, it isn't right, really
12:51The copies were checked without Bartleby's assistance
12:54Well, have we finished?
12:56We have, Turkey
12:57Thank you so much, both of you
12:59With submission, sir
13:01Yes, Nippers?
13:02I think, at the very least, that Bartleby ought to be severely reprimanded
13:06I agree
13:07You should get angry with him
13:08You should shout in his face
13:10That's what I'd do if I wasn't pinging him down the stairs
13:12Yes, I'm sure
13:13But you see, Turkey, such a response isn't possible
13:16Not for me
13:17Bartleby intends no mischief or disrespect
13:20His conduct, though curious
13:22Is in its way as involuntary
13:24If you'll forgive me, as your own is
13:26When you create your blots
13:27Or as that of Nippers here
13:29When he has a contretemps with his desk
13:31We can all get along with each other if we try
13:34Towards the end of Bartleby's second week, however
13:39The sweet sense of approval that I had won for my conscience
13:42Had begun to disappear
13:44I find myself being impatient towards Bartleby the Scrivener
13:48And growing tired of that pallid haughtiness of his
13:51Which had somehow bullied me into accepting his idiosyncrasies
13:55On Friday morning, an evil impulse came upon me
13:58And I decided that Bartleby's passive resistance must be defeated
14:02Bartleby, the document that I gave you this morning
14:05The mortgage agreement
14:06Is it copied yet?
14:08Almost
14:08Good
14:09When you've finished, tell me, please
14:10You can help me check it
14:11I would prefer not to
14:14Bartleby, you surely don't intend to persist in this mulishness
14:20All right
14:23If you're not keen to assist with the checking
14:25Perhaps you'd care to take some letters to the post office for me
14:27It isn't far from here
14:28I would prefer not to
14:30You mean you won't?
14:32I mean
14:32I would prefer not to
14:35Damn it, Bartleby, damn it
14:37Very well
14:39If that's your game
14:41On your own head be it
14:44I had, I suppose, been impetuous
14:53I had dashed thoughtlessly from one useless request to another
14:57Bartleby, from what I could tell, was not fond of leaving the building
15:01He never chose, for instance, to go out for his lunch
15:05I should never have expected him, therefore, to take my letters for me
15:09Indeed, it might be said that by asking him
15:13I had been deliberately inviting rebelliousness
15:16I went into the other room and talked with Nippers and Turkey
15:19It being not yet known, the former was in fractious mood
15:23The latter placid
15:24Gentlemen
15:28Yes?
15:29A word with you both, if I may
15:31With submission, sir
15:32Certainly, sir
15:33Is there anything the matter, sir?
15:35Yes, Turkey, there is
15:37Concerning Bartleby
15:40Oh, Bartleby
15:41I'm afraid that he's declined to check his copy again
15:44That's an outrage
15:46An absolute outrage
15:48Also, he's been asked to go to the post office and has refused
15:51Good God
15:52A double outrage, Nippers
15:53So, you see, the situation isn't quite resolved
15:57Any further thoughts on the Bartleby problem?
16:02Oh, yes
16:03I've got a thought, all right
16:04I'm thinking about giving that exasperating creature a couple of black eyes
16:08No, Nippers, please
16:09Physical violence won't solve anything
16:11I didn't say it would
16:12But I'd get great satisfaction from it
16:14I suppose that other employers in similar circumstances might have dismissed Bartleby on the spot
16:20Other employers, in my opinion, would never have engaged him in the first place
16:25Turkey, what's your view of our new recruit?
16:29Well, sir, with submission, sir
16:31It seems to me that there are aspects of his conduct which are not only unconventional
16:36But also rather inconvenient for Nippers and myself
16:39I'll black his eyes, I promise you
16:41But it may also be the case, perhaps, that his unwillingness to cooperate is only a passing whim
16:46Yes, it may
16:48Of course, with submission, sir
16:50The final decision about him must rest with you
16:54Of course
16:55So, what's to be done?
16:58The fellow's useful?
16:59Up to a point
17:00Works hard?
17:01At what he chooses
17:02I think, taking all in all, that I can get along with him
17:05I can't
17:06Oh, come now, Nippers
17:07He has some agreeable qualities, surely
17:09He's very steady, quiet
17:13He seems to be honest and trustworthy
17:14Most particularly, he's never late
17:17He never leaves early
17:19He's always here, is he not?
17:21And aside from all that
17:22What will happen if I decide to dismiss him?
17:25Well, sir, with submission, sir
17:27What will happen is that our screen
17:29Which, with submission, sir, you have not yet replaced
17:33Will be given back to us
17:34And life will return to a blissful normality
17:37Yes, indeed
17:38What I meant was that Bartleby will need to seek employment elsewhere
17:43And if by chance he should succeed in obtaining it
17:46How will he be treated?
17:48As he deserves, I hope
17:49I'd hope so, too, Nippers
17:51But my fear is that he won't receive a great deal of indulgence
17:55My fear is that he'll be driven out again
17:57In time, he'll become destitute
17:59He'll starve
18:01But if he stays, what then?
18:03Hmm?
18:04He's to sit behind the screen
18:06Our screen with submission, sir?
18:08He's to be excused for all time from checking his work
18:12And Turkey and I must do the checking for him
18:14Oh, he is never, ever to go on an errand
18:16But Turkey and I must be sent instead
18:19He's to be granted permanent exemptions and special privileges
18:22For no other reason than that he's too damn lazy and stubborn
18:25It isn't right
18:27It isn't fair
18:28Why should we do Bartleby's work just because Bartleby prefers not to?
18:34Thank you, Nippers
18:35That having been said
18:38My letters still need to be taken to the post office
18:42Turkey?
18:45Hmm?
18:46One Sunday morning
18:54I should advise you, by the way
18:56Before I progress with my tale
18:58That I am not a regular churchgoer
19:00My faith in God, I think, is not quite as deep as it ought to be
19:05Not deep enough, in truth, to be a consolation for life's various ills
19:09But to return
19:10One Sunday morning, a number of weeks after Bartleby commenced his term of employment with me
19:15I decided that I would attend the church in King Street
19:18I found, however, that I was a little early for the service
19:22And as my office was nearby, I decided that I would go there
19:26And use up the intervening minutes in a comfortable chair
19:29Rather than upon an unforgiving pew
19:32Oh
19:35Won't turn
19:38That's very curious
19:39Something is obstructing it
19:45Now it's turning
19:46Good Lord
19:48Bartleby!
19:50It is I, yes
19:52I am very sorry
19:54But I am engaged at the present moment
19:56And I would therefore prefer not to admit you
19:59What?
20:01Bartleby!
20:01What are you doing here?
20:03And why aren't you closed?
20:05As I have already stated
20:07I am very sorry
20:08Perhaps you could return later?
20:11Later?
20:11If you were to walk slowly round the block
20:15By then I may have concluded my affairs
20:18I see
20:20Very well
20:21Good Lord
20:26Feebly I slunk away
20:31I was utterly unnerved and confused
20:35Anxious at the same time to discover what Bartleby was up to
20:39And aware that once I had recovered my composure
20:41I ought to make a stand against the quiet effrontery of this strange man
20:46I did as I had been instructed
20:49I walked round the block slowly
20:52I walked round a second time
20:55Then full of apprehension
20:58I returned to the door of my office
21:01Bartleby?
21:09Bartleby?
21:14What has he been doing here?
21:17Why was he in such an unfortunate state of undress?
21:21He wasn't, I trust, taking part in some shameful act of moral turpitude
21:26No
21:26Not Bartleby, surely
21:28On the other hand
21:31It is equally unlikely, is it not
21:33That he was here on the Lord's Day
21:36For the purpose of doing extra work
21:37Bartleby is a man of rather decorous habits
21:41The last person I would have thought to violate proprieties
21:43By sitting half-naked at his desk on a Sunday
21:47Bartleby?
21:49Are you behind your screen?
21:52If so, are you fully clothed?
21:56He's gone
21:57He's concluded his affairs
22:00Whatever they were
22:01One doesn't like to invade his privacy
22:06But perhaps if I were to look inside his desk
22:10I'd find something which
22:11I don't know
22:12Might help me understand the fellow a little
22:15What have we here?
22:18A page of newspaper containing a few crumbs of ginger cake
22:24An old bandana handkerchief containing Bartleby's life savings, I suppose
22:30A towel
22:31That is, the ragged remnants thereof
22:34A sliver of soap
22:36Well, the conclusion one has to come to is that he's living here
22:42If it can be called living
22:44He's made this place his home
22:47Every night he's here
22:50And every day of rest
22:51Unless his employer disturbs him
22:53Here
22:54Alone
22:55Hiding away
22:56As miserable creatures prefer to do
22:59While their happier brethren are attracted to the light
23:02And want to make themselves seen
23:04Poor Bartleby
23:06Poor, sad, friendless
23:10Lonely Bartleby
23:12I returned his pathetic belongings to his desk
23:21And went out into the street
23:22A fierce, stinging melancholy assailed me
23:26More powerful than I had ever experienced before
23:29I felt a bond of humanity with the wretched scrivener
23:34And resolved that on the following day
23:36I would question him in a quiet, calm manner
23:40And try to discover if there was any way in which he might be helped
23:44Bartleby
23:46Come here, please
23:48I'm not about to give you a disagreeable assignment
23:52I wish to speak with you, that's all
23:55He made no response
23:58I went towards Bartleby's corner and peered around the screen
24:01He was standing up, looking out through the little window
24:05Looking out, motionless, at the brick wall that was just a few feet away
24:08Well
24:10I simply wondered whether you would be willing
24:14Just very briefly
24:16To talk about yourself
24:19To tell me where you were born, for instance
24:22And where you've lived
24:23And who your parents are
24:25I would prefer not to
24:27Why can't you tell me anything about yourself?
24:31I would prefer not to
24:33But why?
24:36I'm not being unfriendly towards you
24:38Quite the contrary
24:39What reasonable objection can you have to obliging me?
24:42At present, I prefer not to offer a reply to that question
24:46There are some people, Bartleby
24:51Some people less patient, accommodating, or indulgent than myself
24:55Who might deem you to be unnecessarily reserved and uncooperative
24:58Haughty, even
24:59Disdainful
25:01Listen
25:03If you won't respond to my inquiries
25:06Could you at least reconsider your attitude with regard to certain aspects of your job?
25:11Could you not find it in yourself to be a little reasonable?
25:14I would prefer not to be a little reasonable
25:17Well now, we shall see about that
25:20Show me what you've copied so far today and we shall check it together
25:24I have done no copying today
25:27None?
25:29Why?
25:30I preferred not to
25:32Of course you did, but why?
25:35I would have thought you knew the answer to that
25:38I'm afraid I don't, Bartleby
25:40Tell me
25:42He said nothing more
25:45And I, for my part, was speechless too
25:48I went back to my desk
25:50I sat and brooded
25:52The pity and sincere sympathy I had felt for poor, forlorn Bartleby
25:57Was rapidly yielding to an awareness that I could do nothing for this man
26:01Since it was his soul that suffered
26:04And his soul
26:06I could not reach
26:07I began to think that I could no longer pity him
26:12That I was repelled by him
26:15And even feared him
26:18With submission, sir?
26:24Yes, Nippers?
26:25My view about the present situation is this
26:28My view is that he should be kicked out
26:30It's the only way
26:31Turkey, please
26:33I'd very much prefer it, you know, if you could calm yourself
26:37Oh!
26:39Continue, Nippers, if you will
26:40I was simply going to say, sir, that if Bartleby is reluctant to do any work at all
26:46Then his continued presence here has very little, if any, justification
26:50You might therefore prefer to wish him farewell and to send him peacefully on his way
26:57Yes, thank you, Nippers
26:59It's becoming rather a popular word, is it not?
27:03With submission, sir, what is?
27:05Prefer
27:05You used it just now
27:07Did I, sir?
27:09Yes, Nippers, so did I
27:11Bartleby seems to be exercising an influence over us
27:15Well, if that's the case, we should kick him out this minute
27:17That's my preference
27:19Er, I wonder, Bartleby, could you come here, just for a moment?
27:29I require your help in tying up some documents
27:32It won't be a great inconvenience, your finger pressed down on a piece of string
27:37That's all that's required
27:38Bartleby, I'm a reasonable man
27:43And I very much want to be reasonable with you and fair
27:45But your attitude, you know, makes it extremely hard
27:49If I am to be reasonable, then you, I think, must be so too
27:53You must cease to be perverse, you must begin to be cooperative
27:57Don't tell me that you would prefer not to
28:00I would ask you, Bartleby, to sit down and do your copying
28:04I have given up copying
28:06I have given it up permanently
28:09But, Bartleby, that's impossible
28:13By which I mean, you can't expect to stay here as my employee
28:17If you have decided to withdraw your labour altogether
28:19Such a situation would be absurd, would it not?
28:25Why won't you work?
28:27Why?
28:28Bartleby
28:29Imagine our roles reversed
28:32You the employer
28:33And me the recalcitrant scrivener
28:35For heaven's sake, you wouldn't retain the services of someone who refused to work, now would you?
28:40Think again
28:42Please
28:43Tell me you'll resume your copying
28:46I can't
28:47I have abandoned it entirely
28:51Well then, you allow me no choice
28:54A week from now, Bartleby, you must leave this office
28:57You will be paid in full, even for your days of inactivity
29:00And I will give you money over and above what you are actually owed
29:03You see how I wish to be of assistance to you
29:06But before the week is over, Bartleby
29:07I urge you to think very seriously about your future employment
29:11And your future accommodation
29:13Do you promise me that you will?
29:17Or
29:17If you are willing to provide me with the name of a relative of yours
29:22Or a friend
29:24Someone from your hometown, perhaps
29:26What is your hometown?
29:28If I had the appropriate information, you see
29:31I could make inquiries on your behalf
29:33So that you might be helped if you need help
29:35And if you can't help yourself
29:37But if you won't oblige me, then
29:39What am I to do?
29:43So, as I say, you have one week, Bartleby
29:46One week
29:47I was certain in my mind that what I was doing was right
29:55Indeed, it seemed to me that I was acting with great kindness and tolerance
29:59Of course, I felt some regret that Bartleby must leave
30:02But I told myself that he had presumed upon my hospitality long enough
30:06That my office was a place of business, not a refuge for the unemployed
30:10The week's grace elapsed
30:13On the evening of the final day, as I buttoned up my coat and prepared to leave
30:16Nippers and turkey were in celebratory mood
30:20He's leaving!
30:21Oh!
30:21He can't be ready!
30:23No!
30:23Turkey cock!
30:25Him in for me!
30:26Him in for me!
30:27Well, Bartleby
30:30Yes?
30:32Time, I think, to express my gratitude for all that you've done
30:36And to offer you my best wishes for the future
30:39Inside this envelope is the money I promised you
30:43I'll leave it on the desk
30:47As you wish
30:47Ah, Bartleby!
30:50Yes!
30:51We can't in all honesty say that it's been a pleasure
30:54Good luck, though!
30:55To your next employer, I mean!
30:57Thank you!
30:58Thank you!
31:01So, the money's here
31:04Make sure you don't forget it
31:05Or, indeed, any of your personal effects
31:08And please, when you leave the office
31:11If you would lock the door and then slip the key underneath the mat
31:14I'd be most grateful
31:15Right, then, Bartleby
31:19Goodbye
31:23Taking everything into consideration
31:29I think I've dealt with the Bartleby business as properly and decently as anyone could
31:34No vulgar bullying
31:37No bravado or hectoring
31:39No unpleasantness
31:40Oh!
31:42Another fellow in my position might have read him the riot act
31:44Might have been very loud and ordered him off the premises
31:47But I've managed things differently
31:50I've simply taken it for granted in a mature, civilized fashion
31:54That Bartleby will leave
31:56I've made a quiet assumption
31:58Yes
31:59Good
32:00But to assume that Bartleby will leave is easy enough
32:05The question is
32:08Will he prefer to?
32:14I can't hear him
32:15Of course, he was never a noisy fellow
32:19But I do believe
32:21Yes!
32:23See?
32:25The door's locked
32:26He's gone
32:28Deep down, I knew it
32:30He's gone
32:31And the key, I trust, is under the...
32:34I'm sorry
32:35One moment, if you will
32:38Bartleby!
32:41Yes
32:42It is I
32:44For an instant, I stood there, unable to move
32:50I was like the man whose death I read of recently
32:54Who was leaning out of his window one warm, dreamy, cloudless afternoon
32:58And who was killed by summer lightning
33:00But the man remained at the open window
33:03His pipe in his mouth
33:04Until someone came and touched him
33:06And he fell
33:06For an instant, as I say
33:10I was transfixed
33:11Then, managing to regain some semblance of control
33:15I entered the office and went to my desk
33:18Bartleby, I would prefer not to
33:22Bartleby, listen
33:23I'm seriously displeased and pained
33:26Indeed I am
33:26I thought better of you
33:28I thought you were a gentleman
33:29That would repay my courteous treatment of you in equal measure
33:31But it appears that I was mistaken
33:33Also, you've not taken your money
33:35Bartleby, are you or are you not intending to leave this place?
33:42I would prefer not to
33:44But you have no right to stay here
33:47You don't pay any rent
33:49You don't pay my taxes
33:50This property isn't yours
33:52If you can't leave
33:54Will you at least do some work?
33:56Will you copy out a few lines?
33:58He said nothing
34:04He stood impassive
34:07There was a powerful urge in me
34:10To throw myself at Bartleby's throat
34:12And throttle him
34:13Squeeze out from his sallow flesh
34:15Whatever life remained there
34:16But then, I like to think
34:18I must have remembered the Lord's words
34:21A new commandment I give unto you
34:23That you love one another
34:24Oh, Bartleby
34:26Poor Bartleby
34:28Nippers, Turkey
34:33You may have become aware
34:38As you entered the office this morning
34:40It's an outrage
34:40An absolute outrage
34:42You should never, never have allowed him back
34:45I'm not at all sure, Nippers
34:46That he ever left
34:48With submission, sir
34:49Perhaps you should call the police
34:51Yes
34:52The police, Turkey
34:53No, no
34:54On what grounds would he be arrested?
34:56He's not aggressive or dangerous
34:57He's not a vagrant
34:58Indeed, he has a very fixed abode
35:01Look, the answer's perfectly simple
35:03Let me commit an act of extreme violence on the fellow
35:06I'd rather you didn't
35:08Aside from anything else
35:10Just think how you'd repent of your action by the afternoon
35:12Perhaps
35:15I don't know
35:17Perhaps Bartleby must be tolerated
35:21Oh, with submission, sir
35:23Why?
35:25Because perhaps there is nothing that can be done
35:28Or nothing at least that ought to be done
35:31Perhaps even all these events have somehow been predestined
35:36Predestined?
35:38Perhaps the Almighty in his wisdom has billeted Bartleby on us
35:43For some mysterious purpose which it is not for us to try and fathom
35:47Oh, with submission, sir
35:49And anyway, why should we throw the fellow out?
35:51He's hurt no one
35:52He's harmed no one
35:53He was a trouble to us
35:55Only when we expected him to work
35:57But if we permit him to remain
35:59And we place no conditions upon his doing so
36:01He'll make no fuss, I'm certain
36:03He'll cause no disturbance
36:05He'll be as quiet and unobtrusive as an item of furniture
36:10But for heaven's sake
36:12With submission, sir
36:14No
36:14No, I've decided
36:16Bartleby is to stay
36:19I truly believe that I would have continued in this wise and blessed frame of mind
36:32And that the arrangement would, in its somewhat curious and limited way, have been successful
36:36Had it not been for the intolerant attitude shown by others
36:41By visitors to my office, such as fellow lawyer Mr Huff
36:45Morning, Huff
36:47Good morning to you
36:48Do take a seat, thank you
36:50Oh, this is Bartleby, whom you may not have met
36:54Morning, Bartleby
36:55Now, I won't impose upon you too long, I trust
37:01But I wanted to talk about the property in Gutter Lane
37:04Number 11, you know
37:05In the sale of which we are, each of us, professionally involved
37:09Yes, indeed
37:09There are one or two minor difficulties
37:12And, uh
37:13Excuse me for asking, but this gentleman
37:18Yes
37:19What is he doing here?
37:22To be truthful, Huff, very little
37:24But what is he meant to be doing?
37:26To be truthful still, he's meant to be doing nothing at all
37:29Is he an employee of yours?
37:31He is
37:32That is, he was
37:34You were mentioning some difficulties with Gutter Lane
37:39Yes
37:40You see, I've been informed by my, my client that, uh
37:45I'm sorry, but must the fellow stand just here?
37:49I find his presence something of a distraction
37:51Bartleby, perhaps you could sit down at your desk
37:54I would prefer not to
37:57Further unfortunate scenes occurred
38:02A client arrived one morning while I was out of the office
38:05And was visibly distressed when I returned
38:07That man over there
38:09Ah, yes, Bartleby
38:10Is he deaf?
38:11Is he mute?
38:12Is he foreign?
38:13No, no, none of those
38:15Then whatever is the matter with him?
38:17I ask him a question or two and he refuses to answer
38:19He doesn't speak
38:21He doesn't even move
38:22On another occasion, a lawyer came to see me
38:25And discovered that he had left some papers behind
38:28Perhaps your chap here could go and get them for me
38:31Ah, well
38:32What's his name?
38:33Bartleby, but, uh
38:34Bartleby, my office is just a few minutes' walk away
38:37On Suffolk Lane
38:38You will not, I think, need me to tell you how Bartleby responded to the lawyer's request
38:45You will readily understand, too, that after incidents such as these
38:50There were unpleasant, illiberal whisperings
38:53References to a sinister creature that I kept at my office
38:57With the result that I began to have serious doubts about the decision I had made
39:01What if this apparition continued to perplex my visitors
39:06Scandalise my reputation
39:08And cast a general pull over the premises?
39:12What if he should be intent upon perpetual occupancy?
39:14I resolved, at last, that I must change my plan
39:19I must somehow rid myself of this ill-fated incubus
39:24Of course, I wouldn't throw him out of doors
39:27I wouldn't dishonour myself by such an act of cruelty
39:29But get rid of him, I must
39:32Afternoon, Bartleby
39:34Did you eat well?
39:36Good
39:36Right then, away from the window, please
39:38I would prefer me not
39:40I know, but there is something I wish to tell you
39:42And Nippers and Turkey must hear this, too
39:44They've returned from luncheon, I take it
39:47Nippers!
39:49Turkey!
39:50Yes?
39:51What is it?
39:52You called, sir?
39:53Come in, come in
39:54I wish to speak to all three of you
39:58I have an important announcement
40:00Yes, sir
40:00Well?
40:01I intend that we should go to new premises
40:03Oh, yes
40:04With submission, sir, where?
40:07I've not arranged that quite yet
40:09The move will be done as soon as is feasible
40:11And I thought I would advise you now
40:13So that the whole process wasn't too much of a shock to any of you
40:16Will he be joining us at this new place?
40:21If by he you mean Bartleby here
40:24He fully understands, I'm sure
40:26That we are not expecting, when we have moved
40:29That we should benefit from his services
40:31Benefit from his services?
40:34It's a while since we were expecting to do that
40:36Yes, Turkey, you're right
40:37And for that reason he will not be coming with us
40:40That's clear, Bartleby, is it not?
40:42If it isn't, I'll impress the fact upon him very firmly
40:45He won't be in the slightest doubt about it, I promise you
40:48I duly found another set of rooms
40:51And on the appointed day, the office files and furniture were removed
40:56I requested that the screen be left till the last
41:00In case Bartleby wished to avail himself of it
41:02And indeed, he was hidden from view during the best part of the removal process
41:07Then, when everything else had gone
41:09With submission, sir
41:12We'll take the screen now, shall we?
41:14Er, yes, very well
41:16You know, sir, with submission, sir
41:19This screen's like an old friend
41:21It's good to have it back
41:23We should never have been deprived of it in the first place
41:25Altogether, I shall be very glad when things return to how they ought to be
41:28With submission, sir
41:30We've been treated very badly
41:31This way
41:34The two men swiftly folded up the screen
41:37And there was Bartleby, the redundant scrivener
41:41Motionless and pale
41:43We're off now, Bartleby
41:45So, um, farewell
41:47A second time
41:49We won't see you again
41:50Which is for the best, I think
41:53Don't you?
41:54I just told you
41:55Right then
42:00Bartleby
42:01Yes
42:03Shall we shake hands?
42:07As you wish
42:08Goodbye
42:12And may God bless you
42:14Somehow
42:16Goodbye
42:25We settled quickly into our new quarters
42:32But for the first week or two
42:35I was greatly apprehensive
42:36Since the possibility had not escaped me
42:39That Bartleby might discover the address
42:41And pursue us there
42:43Yes?
42:46Who is it?
42:47Mr. Norton
42:48Who?
42:49Norton, your former landlord
42:51Oh, Mr. Norton, indeed
42:53Come in
42:54You look a little troubled
43:00Is there something wrong?
43:02Yes, sir
43:03I'm afraid there is
43:04What is it?
43:06Did I not settle up with you, satisfactorily?
43:08Of course you did, sir
43:09Well, did you not find that your rooms were in good order?
43:12They were in excellent order
43:14Ah
43:14Except for the fact that you left behind one of your employees
43:18A man named Bartleby
43:20Ah
43:21Well, to be truthful, Mr. Norton
43:24Bartleby is no longer in my employment
43:27Nor was he at the time we moved
43:28But when you moved
43:30He remained in the office
43:31And he was still there
43:33When the new tenant moved in
43:34I see
43:35Unfortunate
43:37The new tenant is a lawyer, sir
43:38Like yourself
43:39And when he had been given to understand
43:41That this Bartleby was a copyist
43:43He gave him work to do
43:44That was civil of him
43:46But Bartleby, I suppose, refused
43:47He refused to work
43:49He refused to leave the office
43:50And then?
43:52He was thrown out
43:53Ah
43:54Very unfortunate
43:56The problem is, sir
43:57He hasn't left the building
44:00He sits on the stairs during the daytime
44:03And sleeps in the entrance hall at night
44:05It can't go on
44:06No
44:07My tenants are becoming very agitated
44:09And some of them are threatening
44:10To find new premises
44:11If this continues
44:13I shall have to inform the police
44:15About your former employee
44:16And get him taken away
44:18But I've come to you
44:21In the first instance, sir
44:22In case you'd care to speak to him
44:25And try and persuade him
44:27To move of his own volition
44:28The situation can't be tolerated, you see
44:31That's what he needs to learn
44:33Yes
44:33As I say
44:35He's not an employee of mine
44:37Well, he was
44:38True enough
44:39But I can't be regarded
44:40As responsible for the fellow, surely
44:42Well, forgive me, sir
44:43But if you're not
44:44Who is?
44:52Bartleby
44:52What are you doing here?
44:54Sitting on the stairs
44:55You are the cause of great tribulation to me
44:58Are you aware of that?
45:03Bartleby
45:03Bartleby, the fact of the matter is this
45:05You must shift yourself from here
45:07You must obtain some employment
45:09And a place to live
45:10What kind of occupation might you be interested in?
45:19Hmm?
45:20Would you like to be employed as a scrivener again?
45:23Someone surely would be willing to hire you
45:25Or you could be a clerk, perhaps
45:27In an office or a store
45:28No
45:29No?
45:31No
45:31Though I'm not particular
45:34What about work as a travelling salesman?
45:40Or you could offer your services as a young gentleman's companion
45:44On a continental tour
45:45Entertaining him with conversation
45:48No
45:50Neither of those?
45:53No
45:53I would prefer to be stationary
45:56But I'm not particular
45:58But Bartleby
45:59You must be particular about something
46:01Indeed you must
46:03At the very least
46:04You must be particular about leaving this building
46:06And leaving it very soon
46:07The tenants, so I'm told
46:09Are becoming exceedingly upset about your presence here
46:12I suppose if you have nowhere to go to
46:17And no hope of finding a place
46:18Then I must ask you to come with me now
46:20And to stay with me
46:21Not at my office, I mean
46:23But at my home
46:24And you can continue there
46:26Until some suitable arrangement has been made for you
46:29I can do no more than that
46:30I think you'll agree
46:31Let us go
46:34Come, Bartleby
46:34Bartleby
46:36I would prefer not to
46:38I would much prefer to remain here
46:41I left the building
46:44I left it to be truthful in some haste
46:48Anxious as I was that none of Mr. Norton's tenants would accost me
46:51And demand to know why Bartleby was not departing with me
46:54For several days I preferred not to go to work
46:57But to stay at home
46:58To lie low
47:00Then, one afternoon
47:02Nippers appeared at my front door
47:04With submission, sir
47:08I've brought you some news
47:10Is it a Bartleby by any chance?
47:12Yes, sir, it is
47:13Our former landlord was at the office just now
47:17Came to inform you of action that he's taken
47:20Ah
47:21He's been in touch with the police, I suppose
47:23With submission, sir
47:24Yes, sir
47:25Two constables came for Bartleby this morning
47:28Mr. Norton says
47:30And they took him away
47:31He offered no resistance, it seems
47:35He went very quietly
47:36And where, pray, is Bartleby now?
47:39With submission, sir
47:40He's in jail
47:41He was brought here this morning
47:45Oh, yes, sir
47:47Bartleby
47:48Only got a word out of him
47:50Strange creature
47:51Yes, he is
47:53But a perfectly honest creature
47:56Despite his peculiarities
47:58One who is much deserving, I think
48:00Of our compassion
48:01Compassion?
48:02I mean
48:03He's not a murderer
48:04Or a thief
48:05He's not really a criminal at all
48:08Well, trespassing, I believe
48:09Is an offence against the law, sir
48:11Yes, but Bartleby
48:12He's eccentric
48:14That's all
48:15He needs to be treated with kindness
48:18Oh, right
48:19You're his father, are you, sir?
48:21No
48:22I was his employer for a while
48:24May I visit him?
48:27Certainly, sir
48:28Thank you
48:29I'll take you to him now
48:31Since the charge against the prisoner
48:38Was in no way serious or disgraceful
48:41Bartleby had been given the freedom
48:43To wander around within the prison confines
48:45It was in one of the yards
48:48That we came upon him
48:49He was all alone
48:51And the yard was entirely quiet
48:54For the monumental walls
48:56Which surrounded it
48:57Weighing down upon us with their gloom
48:58Were of amazing thickness
49:01And muffled all extraneous noise
49:04Bartleby
49:06May we speak?
49:10He was standing with his face
49:11Towards the wall
49:12While all around
49:14From the narrow slits
49:15Of the prison windows
49:16I thought I saw the eyes
49:18Of thieves and murderers
49:20Peering out at him
49:20He didn't move
49:23He stared at the wall
49:25Bartleby
49:27I recognise your voice
49:30But I have nothing to say to you
49:33Your being here, you know
49:37Is none of my doing
49:38I made every effort
49:41To prevent such an outcome
49:42But anyway
49:45No shame attaches to you
49:47I can assure you of that
49:48Nor do I think
49:51That you should regard
49:52This place as abhorrent
49:53You like to be stationary
49:57Do you not?
49:59And it is very peaceful here
50:01You have the earth below you
50:03And the sky above
50:04I know where I am
50:07I know where I am
50:11Well
50:16Thank you, officer
50:18For allowing me to see him
50:19My pleasure, sir
50:20You will be able to agree with me
50:23I hope that he is
50:24Extremely sensitive and fragile
50:25I trust, at the very least
50:28That he'll be treated with politeness
50:30Politeness?
50:31Heavens, yes
50:32We're always polite to our guests
50:34One final thing
50:36I rather fear for Bartleby's health
50:38He has no appetite
50:40Eats very sparingly
50:41So it is with many of the inmates
50:43At first
50:43But he'll learn to accommodate himself
50:46Hmm
50:46I rather doubt that
50:49Perhaps you could arrange for someone
50:52To keep an eye on him
50:53And if he asks for any food
50:56In particular
50:57Ginger cake, for example
50:59You could ensure that his wants are supplied
51:02I'll do my best, sir
51:06I can do no more
51:08Ah, what help could be found
51:16For poor Bartleby
51:17Prison, it was clear
51:20Would be of no benefit to him
51:21And yet, if he were to be set free
51:24I could hardly hope for a significant
51:26Increase in his happiness
51:27If Bartleby were willing to speak to me
51:32To unburden himself
51:34To place his trust in me
51:36Then perhaps some progress might be made
51:38A mere three days after my previous visit
51:43I returned to the prison
51:45I'm afraid, sir
51:52That he just won't eat, sir
51:54Oh, dear
51:56Says he'd prefer not to
51:58He prefers
52:00It seems
52:01To be staring at the wall
52:02Shall I tell you what I think?
52:05Please
52:06I think the man's deranged
52:08Where is he?
52:15There
52:15On the other side
52:17We had entered the same yard
52:24Where I had seen Bartleby
52:25A few days before
52:26His gaunt figure was strangely huddled
52:30At the base of the wall
52:31His knees drawn up
52:33His head touching the coal stones
52:34Bartleby
52:39Bartleby
52:42I paused
52:44Then went up to him
52:46And stooped over him
52:47I saw that his dim, dull eyes were open
52:52He's asleep
52:53Is he, sir?
52:55Something prompted me to touch
52:57Bartleby's hand
52:58And it was stiff and cold
53:01I closed his eyes
53:05Yes, he's asleep
53:10Asleep with kings and counsellors
53:15I can tell you very little more
53:22About Bartleby
53:23It would appear that he'd be
53:26No more communicative while in prison
53:28Than during the weeks he spent in my office
53:30And after he died
53:31No one came forward to claim a family connection with him
53:35Or a knowledge of him from former times
53:37But a little while after his death
53:41I discovered something about Bartleby
53:42Which, though not perhaps important in itself
53:45I nevertheless imagined to be of some significance
53:48Come in
53:50Sorry to disturb you, sir
53:54Good morning
53:56I've come from the prison, sir
53:58Yes
54:00The prison governor requested that I bring you this parcel
54:03It contains the belongings of the fellow who died
54:06Ah
54:06There's no one else for them to go to
54:09If you don't want them, they'll be thrown away
54:12Well then, I must take them
54:14Thank you
54:17We did our very, very best for him, sir
54:21Yes
54:22I'm sure you did
54:23He left
54:27With solemn reverence
54:30I placed the parcel on my desk
54:32And slowly opened it
54:33And laid out the familiar contents
54:35The ragged towel
54:37The bandana handkerchief
54:39Which no longer contained Bartleby's life savings
54:41The ancient suit
54:44Thin and shiny
54:45With so much wear
54:46I searched through the pockets of the suit
54:49And found
54:51A single piece of folded notepaper
54:54Dead letter office
54:59Post office
55:00London
55:01February the 1st
55:031853
55:05Dear sir
55:07We regret that due to a change in our administration
55:10We are obliged to terminate your position here
55:14Ah
55:15The dead letter office
55:18This was where he had worked then
55:21Shortly before he came to me
55:22Yes
55:24And what could have been more suitable
55:26For a man of such hopelessness as Bartleby
55:29What occupation could have been more appropriate
55:32Than that of consigning undelivered letters to the flames
55:36Letters which offered futile news of hope
55:40To those already laid low by unrelieved calamities
55:43All which contained money intended
55:47Too late
55:47For relatives worn down by poverty
55:50The dead letter office
55:54Where messages of useless salvation
55:57Speed to their doom
55:58It was surely his perfect place of employment
56:05Oh Bartleby
56:09Alas
56:11Alas
56:14Bartleby the Scrivener
56:29Bartleby the Scrivener
56:29was dramatised by Martin Wade
56:30from the short story by Herman Melville
56:32The lawyer was played by Ian Holm
56:35and Bartleby by Adrian Scarborough
56:38Turkey was played by David Collings
56:41Nippers by Jonathan Keeble
56:44Huff by Philip Fox
56:46Norton by John Rowe
56:49and The Prison Officer by Stephen Hogan
56:52The play was directed by Cherry Cookson
57:08The Prison Officer by Stephen Hogan
Recommended
56:18
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