The Trial Quotes

Joseph K.: I'm sorry.

Miss Burstner: You're sorry, you're sorry, you're sorry. You always keep saying that. Who gives a damn?

Joseph K.: I know. I'm s...

[Joseph K. catches himself and then laughs]

Miss Burstner: What's the big joke?

Joseph K.: I almost said it again. You're right, of course. You're perfectly right.

Miss Burstner: Yeah?

Joseph K.: Nobody gives a damn. I know you don't.

Bloch: You're supposed to be able to tell from a man's face and from the line of his lips, especially, how his case is going to turn out.

Joseph K.: So?

Bloch: So the people are saying that from the expression on your lips, they could tell that you'll be found guilty, yes, in the very near future.

Titorelli: You see, in definite acquittal, all the documents are annulled. But with ostensible acquittal, your whole dossier continues to circulate. Up to the higher courts, down to the lower ones, up again, down. These oscillations and peregrinations, you just can't figure 'em.

Joseph K.: No use in trying either, I suppose.

Titorelli: Not a hope. Why, I've known cases of an acquitted man coming home from the court and finding the cops waiting there to arrest him all over again. But then, of course, theoretically it's always possible to get another ostensible acquittal.

Joseph K.: The second acquittal wouldn't be final either.

Titorelli: It's automatically followed by the third arrest. The third acquittal, by the fourth arrest. The fourth...

Joseph K.: I don't pretend to be a martyr, no.

Hastler: Not even a victim of society?

Joseph K.: I am a member of society.

Hastler: Do you think you can persuade the court that you're not responsible by reason of lunacy?

Joseph K.: I think that's what the court wants me to believe. Yes, that's the conspiracy: to persuade us all that the whole world is crazy, formless, meaningless, absurd. That's the dirty game. So I've lost my case. What of it? You, you're losing too. It's all lost, lost. So what? Does that sentence the entire universe to lunacy?

[first lines]

Narrator: Before the law, there stands a guard. A man comes from the country, begging admittance to the law. But the guard cannot admit him. May he hope to enter at a later time? That is possible, said the guard. The man tries to peer through the entrance. He'd been taught that the law was to be accessible to every man. "Do not attempt to enter without my permission", says the guard. I am very powerful. Yet I am the least of all the guards. From hall to hall, door after door, each guard is more powerful than the last. By the guard's permission, the man sits by the side of the door, and there he waits. For years, he waits. Everything he has, he gives away in the hope of bribing the guard, who never fails to say to him "I take what you give me only so that you will not feel that you left something undone." Keeping his watch during the long years, the man has come to know even the fleas on the guard's fur collar. Growing childish in old age, he begs the fleas to persuade the guard to change his mind and allow him to enter. His sight has dimmed, but in the darkness he perceives a radiance streaming immortally from the door of the law. And now, before he dies, all he's experienced condenses into one question, a question he's never asked. He beckons the guard. Says the guard, "You are insatiable! What is it now?" Says the man, "Every man strives to attain the law. How is it then that in all these years, no one else has ever come here, seeking admittance?" His hearing has failed, so the guard yells into his ear. "Nobody else but you could ever have obtained admittance. No one else could enter this door! This door was intended only for you! And now, I'm going to close it." This tale is told during the story called "The Trial". It's been said that the logic of this story is the logic of a dream... a nightmare.

Joseph K.: Miss Burstner?

Inspector A: You were expecting Miss Burstner?

Joseph K.: Why, no. N-No! What an idea! Of course not.

Inspector A: You spoke her name just now.

Joseph K.: When?

Inspector A: When I came in. You addressed me as Miss Burstner.

Joseph K.: Well, that's her room, you know. What, what, what are you doing in there? W-Who are you? What are you doing in here?

Inspector A: Miss Burstner frequently comes through that door in the night?

Joseph K.: No, never! That door is kept permanently locked. Mrs Grubach keeps the key. Just ask her. Where is she? Does she know about you? Mrs Grubach?

Inspector A: You were expecting Mrs Grubach?

Joseph K.: No. No. I'm not expecting anybody, least of all you, whoever the hell you are!

Inspector A: That's Miss Burstner's room. Isn't that what you told me?

Joseph K.: Yes, it is and I'd very much like to know what's going on in there.

Inspector A: She isn't there now.

Joseph K.: Well, that's not so very surprising. She - she gets in late sometimes. Very late. Very late, indeed! You - you are the police?

Inspector A: She gets in very late?

Joseph K.: Look. Don't go - don't go jumping to conclusions.

Inspector A: What conclusions?

Joseph K.: Well, the hours they keep in her nightclub are no fault of Miss Burstner's. Look. She'll be home any minute now and I'm sure she'll be able to answer your questions for herself. You are the police?

Inspector A: What makes you think we want her?

Joseph K.: Oh, I have - I have no opinion of it, one way or another. It's - it's nothing to do with me. I - I scarcely know Miss Burstner. Of course, we are - we are fellow lodgers, but that's obvious. ls, um - she in some kind of trouble?

Inspector A: What kind of trouble? Do you imagine we came here to see Miss Burstner?

Joseph K.: Well, you certainly didn't come here to see me - did you?

Inspector A: Where are you going?

Joseph K.: I take a bath in the morning, if you must know. Why?

Inspector A: If you're reluctant to dress in front of me...

Joseph K.: And I dress in the bathroom.

Inspector A: Oh?

Joseph K.: Yes.

Inspector A: Why?

Joseph K.: Well, it's warm in the bathroom and it's cold in the hall. Any more questions?

First Assistant Inspector: Why would you want to dress in the hall?

Inspector A: Stay here.

First Assistant Inspector: Why would you want to get dressed out in the hall?

Joseph K.: I don't, I don't. But, if I did not get dressed in the bathroom after I finished my bath, I'd be obliged to walk down the drafty hall in my silk dressing robe right after getting after - out of a warm tub. I hope you understand.

First Assistant Inspector: You said you wanted to get dressed in the hall.

Joseph K.: No, no, no, no, no.

First Assistant Inspector: Didn't you?

Joseph K.: No.

First Assistant Inspector: Well, have it your way, mister. What do you want to get all dressed up for anyway? You're not going nowhere. You're under arrest.

First Assistant Inspector: You've got a lot of real nice shirts.

Joseph K.: You leave those shirts alone!

Second Assistant Inspector: Know something? You'd do a whole lot better to give them things to us. After they're impounded officially, and carted off to headquarters, you won't know what happens to them shirts.

First Assistant Inspector: There's every kind of crookedness and bribery in them public auctions.

Second Assistant Inspector: Now, we're your friends.

First Assistant Inspector: Sure, we are. You ought to give us some of them shirts at least.

Joseph K.: How can I go to the office if I'm under arrest?

First Assistant Inspector: That don't need to keep you from working. Not at this stage.

Joseph K.: He - he said I'd stay in my room.

First Assistant Inspector: He was reading the wrong page.

Joseph K.: Well, this obviously isn't anything of any importance. Quite honestly, I can't remember a single offense that could be charged against me. It's obviously a mistake. Something very trivial. But the real question is: who accuses me? Well?

First Assistant Inspector: What do you mean?

Joseph K.: What authority is...

First Assistant Inspector: Don't you worry about that, mister!

Joseph K.: I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I'm afraid you won't find any subversive literature or pornography. Don't touch those record albums!

First Assistant Inspector: What's this thing?

Joseph K.: That's my pornograph - my phonograph.

Second Assistant Inspector: What's this?

Joseph K.: What's what?

Second Assistant Inspector: A circular line with four holes.

First Assistant Inspector: A circular line...

Second Assistant Inspector: No, it's not really circular. It's more ovular.

Joseph K.: Don't write that down...

Second Assistant Inspector: Ovular!

Joseph K.: For Pete's sake.

Second Assistant Inspector: Why not?

Joseph K.: Ovular?

First Assistant Inspector: We can't not write it down just because you say we shouldn't.

Joseph K.: Ovular isn't even a word.

Second Assistant Inspector: Do you deny there's an ovular shape concealed under this rug?

First Assistant Inspector: He denies everything!

First Assistant Inspector: Do you want some good advice, mister? I wouldn't want the others to hear about it.

Joseph K.: Well, now you'll want money, I suppose. Well, you've got the wrong man.

First Assistant Inspector: That's what they all say.

Joseph K.: I mean - bribery. I don't believe in it.

First Assistant Inspector: Wait a minute, have I asked you to give me anything, sir? Mister?

Second Assistant Inspector: We're leaving, mister.

First Assistant Inspector: You're not going to be one of them troublemakers, now, are you?

Mrs. Grubach: It seems you are under arrest, Mr K.

Joseph K.: Yes, I know that.

Mrs. Grubach: But not the way a thief's put under arrest. No, with your arrest, I get the feeling of something abstract, if you see what I mean.

Joseph K.: It's so abstract, I can't even consider that it applies to me!

Joseph K.: I'd appreciate the return of my identification papers, please.

Inspector A: You seriously think that we don't know who you are? Really, Mr K. You're not doing your case any good, you know.

Joseph K.: Exactly what is this case you've been talking about?

Inspector A: I'm not talking about it.

Joseph K.: Well, why not? Why don't you talk about it? What am I charged with?

Inspector A: It's not for me to talk about your case.

Joseph K.: What's the charge?

Inspector A: Mr K, you aren't claiming innocence, are you?

Joseph K.: Naturally.

Inspector A: What's this? What's this pornograph?

Joseph K.: Oh, don't try to make anything from that!

Inspector A: No?

Joseph K.: Not unless you have a dirty mind.

Inspector A: None of this is going to show up very well in the record, Mr. K. My men say you even tried to stop them from putting this down.

Joseph K.: Well, I tried to stop one from making a fool of himself.

[reading the record book]

Joseph K.: Yes. Yes. Ovular.

Inspector A: What's that?

Joseph K.: Ovular?

Inspector A: There's no such word.

Joseph K.: What time does she go to work?

Mrs. Grubach: I believe she has to be dressed or undressed for that first performance at midnight.

Mrs. Grubach: You may have wondered why I continue to rent my second best room to a woman of that sort.

Joseph K.: What do you mean?

Mrs. Grubach: Why, theatricals, Mr K! This isn't really the place for them as I'm sure you'll agree.

Miss Burstner: If you're stuck for something to say, try, "Happy birthday".

Joseph K.: Oh, is it your birthday? Is that why you're coming home so much later than usual.?

Miss Burstner: I didn't - I didn't know you kept track of my hours, Mr. ?

Miss Burstner: You're not getting any funny ideas, are you?

Joseph K.: Of course not.

Miss Burstner: Just because I knocked on your door.

Joseph K.: Well, that's what I mean. You did, didn't you? So why don't you?

Miss Burstner: You're a nice boy, but I'm not in the mood for it. It's been a long, hard night.

Joseph K.: Yes, hasn't it.

Miss Burstner: What do you know about it?

Joseph K.: I was talking about myself.

Miss Burstner: That's what they all do. What else do they ever talk about?

Miss Burstner: I forgot what I wanted to ask you.

Joseph K.: Maybe it'll come back to you.

Miss Burstner: Nothing ever comes back to me.

Miss Burstner: Oh, Jesus, all that lousy national champagne! You know what they make it of?

Joseph K.: No.

Miss Burstner: Neither does anybody else. No switching with the cold tea either. Not tonight. The customer knew all about that one. He kept taking cute little sips out of my glass just to make sure I was getting myself putrefied.

Miss Burstner: What's your problem?

Joseph K.: I'm under arrest.

Miss Burstner: Yeah?

Joseph K.: Unbelievable, isn't it?

Miss Burstner: Well, it happens.

Examining Magistrate: You are a housepainter?

Joseph K.: No.

[addressing the crowd after their uproar in laughter]

Joseph K.: The question from the Examining Magistrate about my being a housepainter seems typical of this so-called Trial that's being foisted upon me. Why, the very notebook of the Examining Magistrate confirms what I say! These - are the Examining Magistrate's records! What's happening to me is of no great importance, but I think it is representative of what is happening to a great many other people, as well. And it is for these others that I take my stand here, not for myself alone.

First Assistant Inspector: You accused us of corruption. You lodged a complaint.

Joseph K.: I only mentioned - I only mentioned it to the Inspector.

Second Assistant Inspector: And to the Examining Magistrate. Accused us of soliciting for bribes.

Joseph K.: Well, you're not exactly innocent...

First Assistant Inspector: If you knew what kind of money we're expected to live on, you wouldn't be so hard on us!

Second Assistant Inspector: I've got a family to feed. Frank, here, wants to get married.

First Assistant Inspector: It's custom for the arresting officers to get the prisoner's body linen.

Second Assistant Inspector: Yeah, well, what difference can a few shirts make to anybody?

First Assistant Inspector: Nothing!

Second Assistant Inspector: Nothing at all! But still you had to denounce us.

Joseph K.: Well, it wasn't anything personal. I was defending a principle.

Uncle Max: What's that up there?

Joseph K.: The computer.

Uncle Max: Oh? One of those electronic gimmicks?

Joseph K.: Yes.

Uncle Max: That can give you the answer to anything?

Joseph K.: Yes.

Uncle Max: Well?

Joseph K.: Well what?

Uncle Max: You want to know about your case, don't you? Ask the machine!

Leni: I know you don't really like me, but I'm going to make love to you and then you won't be able to go.

Joseph K.: Yeah, but what will they say back there?

Leni: You don't like me at all.

Joseph K.: Well, "like" is a very feeble word.

Leni: Has she got any physical defect?

Joseph K.: Why, no, of course not.

Leni: If you don't know where she's gone, I guess she doesn't mean much to you or you'd find out.

Joseph K.: I'll find Out.

Leni: I've got a physical defect. I'll show you. Come on.

Joseph K.: Why isn't the court in session?

Hilda: It'll be sitting tomorrow.

Joseph K.: Are you sure?

Hilda: Sure. My husband's a guard here.

Joseph K.: A guard? The man who was kissing you?

Hilda: That wasn't my husband who was kissing me! That was a law student. He's just a law student but even so he's got influence.

Joseph K.: Influence, huh?

Hilda: He's kind of important.

Joseph K.: He must be! You were making love right there in the middle of the damn crowd.

Hilda: Yeah, I guess we ruined your speech you were making. But what could I do about it? Once he gets started, it's...

Hilda: I want to help you. That's why I came in here. Even though - it's forbidden.

Joseph K.: That's very nice of you; but, I wouldn't want you to get in trouble.

Hilda: No, you mustn't go away like that. Not yet. You've got the wrong ideas about me. Am I such a nothing in your eyes that you won't stay just a little longer when I ask you?

Hilda: He's starting to take an interest in me. So, maybe I could do you some good, eh? This morning he sent me a pair of stockings for the law student. Want to see them? I've got them on now.

[pulls up her dress]

Hilda: It's Bert.

Joseph K.: Bert?

Hilda: I know. He's ugly. Did you get a look at those legs of his? All the same, I gotta go and be with him. I'll come back soon. Then I'll go with you wherever you like and you can do with me whatever you want. What's wrong? Don't you believe me?

Joseph K.: Why should I? This could be a trap.

Hilda: Are you afraid?

Joseph K.: Don't they check up on you at school?

Irmie: They try to.

Joseph K.: You sneak out after hours?

Irmie: You're not the only crook in the family.

Joseph K.: This is where I leave you, Irmie.

Irmie: You're not going to work now, are you?

Joseph K.: Things keep piling up. This case is taking such a lot of my time. I've really got to finish my work somehow. I don't like to leave you alone. I really ought to walk you back to your school.

Irmie: That's all I need - to be seen with a man!

Joseph K.: But I'm your cousin.

Irmie: Cousins get married.

Joseph K.: You wouldn't want to marry a criminal.

Irmie: Crooks get married, too.

Leni: You're going to spend the night with me?

Joseph K.: The eggs are burning.

Leni: It's just as well. Eggs are bad for you.

Hastler: Leave him alone, Leni! Has she been pestering you again?

Joseph K.: Pestering me?

Hastler: She finds all accused men attractive. It's a - peculiarity of hers. She makes up to all of them, makes love to all of them. And when I allow her to, she tells me about these affairs to amuse me. *All* about them.

Hastler: Did he understand what he was reading?

Leni: Well, he was following the lines with his fingers. All I could tell was he never goes past the same page the whole day. I guess the book is very hard to understand.

Hastler: Yes. The scriptures are very difficult.

Joseph K.: There are several possibilities I haven't explored yet.

Priest: You expect too much from outside help, especially from women.

Joseph K.: Women have influence! Take that Examining Magistrate. If he sees a woman, he'll climb over the bench and knock down the defendant just to get his hands on her. Yeah, that's an aspect of the courts you probably don't know about.