Bartleby (II) (1970)
John McEnery: Bartleby
Photos
Quotes
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The Accountant : Now, Bartleby, sit down. I want to check procedures for the Prebble Account and verify our results so far. With the three of us, it will be faster.
Bartleby : I don't feel I can. Just at the moment.
[he exits]
The Accountant : [the Accountant and Tucker have followed Bartleby to his office] What on Earth do you mean by this?
Bartleby : I would prefer not to say.
The Accountant : Prefer not to. What do you do mean, you prefer not to? Are you refusing to cooperate?
Bartleby : I prefer not to.
The Accountant : But. look here; this is normal practice, it's an excellent way to save work for both of you. You verify your work with the same stroke; kill two birds with one stone, as it were. Don't you?
Bartleby : I would not like to kill two birds with one stone.
The Accountant : It's simply common practice here. It's not unreasonable. Well?
The Accountant : [to Tucker] What do you think of it?
Tucker : I think he should do what you ask him to.
The Accountant : But am I unreasonable?
Tucker : No, Sir. Not at all. I think he's a bit round the bend.
The Accountant : You see, Bartleby, my demands are reasonable. This office isn't exactly a slave labour camp, is it?
[he chuckles hollowly]
The Accountant : .
The Accountant : Go and have lunch. Think about it.
