STROEBEL. I will do everything necessary for the promotion of
public decency.

COMMISSIONER [who has been pacing the room, turns suddenly.]
Public decency? Very well, very well. ... [Short pause.] We occupy
a most peculiar position Do we not, Herr Stroebel? [Stroebel
bows.] We know fully the existing difference between official ...
and let me say ... personal sensitiveness, do we not? [Stroebel
bows in accord.] I mention this merely because you spoke of public
decency. There is a decency about which you and I privately might
have most interesting discussions. As far as I am concerned, such
decency can be without limits. But there is another--the public
decency--which it is our business to police. This has its very
precise limits. For example, a scandal. Scandal of any
description. Am I right, Herr Assessor?

STROEBEL [clicks his heels together]. Certainly, Commissioner.

COMMISSIONER. That brings me to another matter. For the past few
weeks, there has been in the city, a so-called Society for the
Suppression of Vice. Have you any sympathy with these people?

STROEBEL. I know of their aims ...

COMMISSIONER. Their aims do not interest me a bit. I mean, do you
personally cooperate with them?

STROEBEL. Not ... yet.

COMMISSIONER. Not yet? ... Hem! ... This Society is likely to