As he remembered that his loyal servant had gone to the town, so he welcomed the guest himself. In front of the house stood a well-groomed and richly dressed man. His eyes were dark, his hair was thick and black, silvered only slightly. His collared full-length coat was bright, he put a top hat on his head. He tried to smile friendly and although he had a huge pot, he stood rather straight.

At the foot of the hill two-horse carriage shone in the early winter sunlight.

JOSEPH ROTTENSHIELD: “I am looking for Tristan Ruffe.”

TRISTAN RUFFE: “What is this regarding?”

JOSEPH ROTTENSHIELD: “Passage the message on to him that Joseph Rottenshield is looking for him.”

A smile brightened the man’s pale and swollen face. He bowed his head.

TRISTAN RUFFE: “It is nice to see you, Joseph. I did not recognize you at first.”

The nobleman looked outraged.

JOSEPH ROTTENSHIELD: (whispering at first, in disbelief) “I do not believe that. I have travelled here a couple of days and I expected…”

TRISTAN RUFFE: (hissing) “Yes? What did you expect?”

JOSEPH ROTTENSHIELD: “Everything but this! Look at you, what would your father say?”

TRISTAN RUFFE:  (barked: “Actually, my father is dead. Why exactly are you here?”

JOSEPH ROTTENSHIELD: “What do you think?”

TRISTAN RUFFE: “A thousand Florins…”

JOSEPH ROTTENSHIELD: “And thirteen percent of profit by year”

TRISTAN RUFFE: “I do not even have a half of penny.”

JOSEPH ROTTENSHIELD; “An average family with three children and a horde of servants would not be able to spend that much in two years! Have you revelled it all away or what?”

Tristan kept his peace staring at his creditor.

JOSEPH ROTTENSHIELD: “Well, that is not my problem. I will turn to your family or take your possession”

TRISTAN RUFFE: “My so-called family has nothing to do with me. They deny me, as I have already taken my part of the father’s will. Therefore, the only possession you can take away from me is this hovel”

JOSEPH ROTTENSHIELD: “And there will not be a single stone of it left standing. Are you going to gather the money?”

TRISTAN RUFFE: “I am.”

JOSEPH ROTTENSHIELD: “When? And how?”

TRISTAN RUFFE: “I am heading to the docks soon. To the tavern, Joseph. There are many sea rats who dream to squander their money playing cards or dice.”

JOSEPH ROTTENSHIELD: “Gambling! Is that how you spent all my money?! And you intend to spend even mo..”

Suddenly, he grabbed Tristan’s bony right hand, gazing at the signet Ruffe had on his finger. It presented the family crest: a lizard standing on the open book.

JOSEPH ROTTENSHIELD: “Unbelievable…You haven’t lost your ring yet!”

Tristan tore his thin hand from Rottenshield’s grip with disgust.

TRISTAN RUFFE: (thundering) “I am not out of my mind yet! Get out of here, you greedy scoundrel!”

JOSEPH ROTTENSHIELD: “You will be when your life is at stake"