Hans Fallada - Little Man, What Now?

Little ManWhat Now?
First published as Kleiner Mannwas nun?
by Rowohlt, Berlin, 1932
Aufbau-Verlagsgruppe GmbH, Berlin 1994
(Published with Aufbau; Aufbau is a trademark of Aufbau
Verlagsgruppe GmbH)

Negotiated by Aufbau Media GmbH, Berlin

This edition 2009 Melville House Publishing

Translation Susan Bennett, 1996

This unabridged translation first published by Libris, 1996

Afterword Philip Brady, 1996

Melville House Publishing
145 Plymouth Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
www.mhpbooks.com

eISBN: 978-1-61219-064-8

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available

v3.1

CONTENTS
LITTLE MANWHAT NOW?

TRANSLATORS NOTE

In the German original Johannes Pinneberg generally calls Emma Morschel (later his wife) Lmmchen (lambkin) as a term of affection. This has been lightly anglicized here by omission of the umlaut. Lammchen in turn often calls Johannes Junge (laddie). This somewhat old-fashioned term of endearment is translated as Sonny. German place-names have been preserved except where relevant English equivalents existlike Market Place for Marktplatz.

I would like to thank Dr Jenny Williams, of Dublin City University, whose specialized knowledge of Hans Fallada and his times and close familiarity with the original Kleiner Mann have contributed greatly to this translation. Thanks alsoposthumouslyto Eric Sutton whose racy, albeit abbreviated, thirties translation was often a helpful and sometimes a conclusive point of reference if I was stuck for a word.

LITTLE MANWHAT NOW?
PROLOGUE
BLITHE SPIRITS

PINNEBERG LEARNS SOMETHING NEW ABOUT LAMMCHEN AND TAKES A BIG DECISION

It was five past four. Pinneberg had just checked his watch. He stood, a fair-haired, neatly-dressed young man, outside number 24 Rothenbaumstrasse, and waited.

Five past four; and he and Lammchen had agreed to meet at quarter to. Pinneberg had put away his watch and was staring earnestly at a nameplate on the entrance to number 24. He read:

DR SESAME
Gynaecologist,
Consulting hours 912 and 46

Exactly! And its five past four. Now if I light another cigarette, Lammchens going to come round the corner for certain. So I wont. Its going to cost enough today as it is.

His eyes wandered away from the nameplate. Rothenbaumstrasse had only one row of houses. Across the road, and the strip of green, was the embankment, and beyond that was the Strela, flowing fine and broad here as it neared the Baltic. A fresh wind was blowing towards him which gently bowed the bushes and set the trees lightly rustling.

Thats the way to live, thought Pinneberg. Im sure that Dr Sesame there has seven rooms. He must earn a packet. What sort of rent would he pay? Two hundred marks, three hundred? Uh. How would I know?Ten past four!

Pinneberg fished in his pocket, took a cigarette out of his case and lit it.

Round the corner wafted Lammchen, in pleated white skirt and art-silk blouse, hatless, with her blonde hair all blown about. Hello, Sonny. I really couldnt make it any earlier. Are you cross?

Not really. But well have ages to wait. At least thirty people have gone in since Ive been here.

They wont all have been going to the doctors. Anyway weve got an appointment.

You see. It was right to make an appointment.

Of course it was right. Youre always right, Sonny. And there on the doorstep, she took his face in her hands and covered it with a storm of kisses. Oh God, Sonny, Im so glad to see you again. Its been nearly a fortnight. Can you believe it?

I know, Lammchen, he replied. Im not cross any more now.

The door opened, and a white shape stood before them in the dim hallway and barked: Medical cards!

Let us in first if you dont mind, said Pinneberg and pushed Lammchen in front of him. And were private. I have an appointment. My name is Pinneberg.

At the word private the apparition raised a hand and switched on the light in the hall. The doctors just coming. Please wait a moment. In there please.

As they went towards the door they passed another which was half open. That must be the ordinary waiting-room, and all the thirty people who Pinneberg had seen coming in past him seemed to be sitting in it. They all looked at the two of them, and a buzz of voices arose:

Thats not fair.

Weve been waiting longer!

What do we pay into the public health scheme for?

Id like to know what makes that stuck-up pair any better than us.

The nurse appeared in the doorway: Can we have a bit of quiet, please? Youre disturbing the doctor! Its not what you think. This is the doctors son-in-law and his wife. Isnt that so?

Pinneberg smiled, flattered. Lammchen hurried towards the other door. There was a moments quiet.

Oh, do hurry up, whispered the nurse, pushing Pinneberg from behind. Those medical-card patients are so common. What on earth do they think theyre entitled to for the pittance we get from the public scheme?

The door swung shut, and Sonny and Lammchen found themselves surrounded by red plush.

This must be his lounge, said Pinneberg. How dyou like it? I think its dreadfully old-fashioned.

I call that disgusting, said Lammchen. Were usually medical-card patients. Now we know how those women at the doctors really talk about us.

What are you getting so worked up for? he asked. Thats how it is. If youre a nobody, they can treat you as they like.

But it does get me worked up

The door opened and another nurse came in. Mr and Mrs Pinneberg, please? The doctor says he wont keep you a minute. May I take the particulars while were waiting?

By all means, said Pinneberg. Age? asked the nurse briskly.

Twenty-three.

First name: Johannes.

After a moments hesitation: Book-keeper.

Then, more smoothly: Ive never had any health problemsapart from the usual childhood illnesses. So far as I know, both in good health.

Another hesitation. Yes, my mothers still alive. My fathers not. Cant say what he died of.

Now it was Lammchens turn

Twenty-two, Emma.

This time she was the one to hesitate: Maiden name Morschel. No serious illnesses. Both parents alive. Both in good health.

All right. It wont be long now. The doctor will be with you in a minute.

I dont know what all thats for, he growled, as the door swung shut. When all we want

You werent too keen to say book-keeper.

And what about your maiden name? He laughed. Emma Pinneberg. Known as Lammchen. Maiden name Morschel. Emma Pinne

Shut up, you. Oh God, Sonny, Ive simply got to go again. Have you any idea where it is?

Not again: Why ever didnt you

I did, Sonny. Really. Just now in the Rathaus Square. It cost a whole groschen. But it always happens when Im nervous.

Lammchen, do please make an effort. If youve really only just been

But I have to

This way please, said a voice. In the door stood Dr Sesame, the famous Dr Sesame, whose reputation as a sympathetic and, according to some, also a kind-hearted man had spread throughout the town and beyond. He had also written a popular pamphlet on sexual problems, which had given Pinneberg the courage to write making an appointment for Lammchen and himself.

This, then, was the Dr Sesame at present standing in the doorway, and saying This way, please.

Dr Sesame searched on his desk for the letter. You wrote to me, Mr Pinneberg saying you couldnt have any children just yet because you couldnt afford it?

Yes, said Pinneberg, dreadfully embarrassed.

You can start undressing, said the doctor to Lammchen, and carried on: And you want to know an entirely reliable means of prevention. Hm, an entirely reliable means He smiled sceptically behind his gold-rimmed spectacles.