ABSTRACT
Centuries of the future, here is my century, solitary and deformed—the accused.… This century is a woman in labor. Will you condemn your mother? Eh? Answer! (Pause) The thirtieth century no longer replies. Perhaps there will be no more centuries after ours. Perhaps a bomb will blow out all the lights. Everything will be dead—eyes, judges, time. Night. Oh tribunal of the night—you who were, who will be, and who are—I have been! I, Franz von Gerlach, here in this room, have taken the century upon my shoulders and have said: “I will answer for it. This day and forever.” What do you say? … Eh? Answer! (voice of Franz from a tape recorder).
