TWO PLAYS. MAIDEN FOREST. THE ADVENTURES OF YUMI

Fyodor. There’s a million and 200K in there. You will get another million and 800K in three days.

Pause.

Chopper. What will I have to do?

Fyodor. I want you to kill Artyom today. He is in Moray’s house now.

Chopper. How can I be sure that you won’t turn me in?

Fyodor. We are not savages. You will have to take my word for it.

The front door opens. Venya goes out on the porch, wearing his jacket. He looks rough. A rope is wrapped around his arm, he grasps his head every now and then and writhes in pain.

Venya. Fyodor. Ouch… Where is everybody? My head is splitting. Ah, it hurts.

Fyodor. [Aside.] That’s all we need now. Out of the blue! [To Venya.] Venya! You are alive. Thank goodness.

Venya totters to the gazebo.

Venya. Fyodor. What happened here? Why were my hands tied?

Fyodor. You should drink less, mate. Here, I’ll help you.

Venya. [Pointing at Slav.] And this one? Blind drunk too? You could at least bring him inside, he’s gonna freeze to death.

Venya heavily walks up to Fyodor who is sitting on his chair. Fyodor unwraps the rope on Venya’s arm.

Fyodor. Where is Alexey?

Venya. Inside, with Tatyana.

At this moment, Venya moves around Fyodor’s back, nimbly puts the rope around Fyodor’s neck, and starts choking him. Chopper quickly gets on his feet and runs up to Fyodor. Slav opens his eyes, watches them, and tries to get free of the handcuffs.

Venya. Chopper, hold him tight!

Chopper holds Fyodor tight with one hand and hits him several times in the stomach with another. Fyodor cannot fight back any longer. He loses consciousness from strangulation and slumps in the chair.

Venya. I’ve heard everything.

Chopper. Frost! What the hell took you so long?

Venya and Chopper tie Fyodor’s hands and legs with the cable ties.

Venya. Be grateful that he didn’t wipe you out at once. You couldn’t even cope with a skirt! Give me the money!

Chopper gives the bundle of money to Venya, the latter puts it into the pocket of his jacket. Venya approaches Slav and removes the gag.

Slav. Frost, you son of a bitch! Did you want to blow us off? The icons are fake!

Venya kicks Slav, Slav falls quiet. Venya takes the rifle, makes sure it is loaded, flips the bolt, and points the rifle at Slav. Slav flattens himself against the ground cowardly.

Venya. Chopper, clean it up here. And bring the petrol can to the banya. I will go and get Artyom.

Venya leaves, holding the rifle.

Scene 11

Dawn. Banya of Fyodor Kolosov’s summer cottage.

Slav and Chopper take Alexey inside, holding him by his arms. Alexey’s hands are tied, his mouth is taped. Alexey fights his way free, gives Slav a blow with his tied hands. Chopper hits Alexey. Alexey crumples to the floor and stops fighting back. Chopper and Slav dump him into the corner.

Chopper. Tie him tight, Slav.

Slav. Uh-huh. [He ties Alexey up tight.]

Fyodor enters. His hands are tied behind his back. He is followed by Venya who pushes Fyodor on with the rifle. Slav goes outside.

Venya. Sit down!

Fyodor. That is some rubbish you started, Venya. You will regret this.

Venya. Apr?s nous, le dеluge.

Fyodor sits down in the chair. Chopper tapes Fyodor down to it, ties his legs.

Chopper. Done.

Venya. Bring in the other one!

Chopper leaves. He is almost immediately back together with Slav. They drag Moray who is beaten. Moray gives no signs of life.

Slav. Looks like we overdid it a bit.

Chopper. He will have enough time in afterlife to come to his senses.

Slav and Chopper throw Moray to Alexey.

Chopper. Frost, it’s time!

Venya. We have enough time.

Slav and Chopper leave.

Fyodor. That is how you repay kindness, Veniamin. I thought we were friends.

Venya. He that bewares of the sting should steal honey.

Fyodor. It’s your revenge on me for Lyudmila.