La Boheme

Excerpt

Rudolph and Marcel are sitting in the latter’s attic-studio in the Quartier Latin, in Paris.  Marcel is absorbed in his painting.  The day is cold.  They have no money to buy coal.  Marcel takes a chair to burn it, when Rudolph remembers that he has a manuscript which has been rejected by the publishers and lights a fire with that instead.  Colline enters, looking abject and miserable.  He had gone out to pawn his books, but nobody wanted them.  Their friend, Schaunard, however, had better luck.  He comes bringing fuel and provisions.  They all prepare their meal, when the landlord enters and demands the payment of his rent.  The friends offer him a glass of wine and turn him out amidst joking and laughter.  After their gay repast they separate and Rudolph remains alone writing.