The White Plague [Volume: 7(1988), pp. 431-504]

472
KAREL CAPEK
GALEN
I'm sorry, I can't... Really... I've only time for the poor. The poor are
completely without resources, while the rich...
FATHER
I'll pay you anything you ask... Money is no object...
GALEN
That isn't what I meant. I meant that the rich have the resources to...
well, stop war. When the rich speak, the powerful listen... If the rich
used their influence to...
FATHER
Yes, but how can I do anything? By myself, I mean.
GALEN
That's what they all say... No, wait a second! If you went to Krug himself,
the Baron himself, and told him to give up manufacturing guns and ammunition... If you won over Krug...
FATHER
But that would never work, Doctor. I couldn't possibly presume to...
No, it's out of the question.
GALEN
There, you see? You can't expect me to... when you won't even..I'm
sorry. There's nothing I can do for you.
FATHER
But your duty to your fellowman...
GALEN
That's just it, you see. I've taken it upon myself to save my fellowman
from war... It's not easy, you know... Tell me, supposing you resigned
from Krug's and told the Baron you refused to earn your living my making
ar s...
FATHER
Then how would I earn my living?
GALEN
There are industries besides the war industry.
FATHER
Well, if I could find a chief accountant's position somewhere else... I've
been working up to this all my life, Doctor... Really, it's too much to
ask.