The Inspector-General

Khlestakov, Osip, and a Servant.

Servant. The landlord sent me up to ask what you want.

Khlestakov. Ah, how do you do, brother! How are you? How are you?

Servant. All right, thank you.

Khlestakov. And how are you getting on in the inn? Is business good?

Servant. Yes, business is all right, thank you.

Khlestakov. Many guests?

Servant. Plenty.

Khlestakov. See here, good friend. They haven't sent me dinner yet. Please hurry them up! See that I get it as soon as possible. I have some business to attend to immediately after dinner.

Servant. The landlord said he won't let you have anything any more. He was all for going to the Governor to-day and making a complaint against you.

Khlestakov. What's there to complain about? Judge for yourself, friend. Why, I've got to eat. If I go on like this I'll turn into a skeleton. I'm hungry, I'm not joking.

Servant. Yes, sir, that's what he said. "I won't let him have no dinner," he said, "till he pays for what he has already had." That was his answer.

Khlestakov. Try to persuade him.

Servant. But what shall I tell him?

Khlestakov. Explain that it's a serious matter, I've got to eat. As for the money, of course--He thinks that because a muzhik like him can go without food a whole day others can too. The idea!

Servant. Well, all right. I'll tell him.

The Servant and Osip go out.