The Conformist. City life scenes in four acts

Orlov. Pardon?

Veselov. I have noticed the way Inna has been looking at you lately.

Orlov. We keep it quiet about our relationships.

Veselov. Now I understand it: she received the first prize for a script of a one-woman show whose heroine dreams of being a muse for a talented artist…

Orlov. See, our relationship’s already bringing its fruit.

Veselov. Do you love her?

Orlov. In a way, I do.

Her mother owns one of the largest art galleries in the country and can introduce me to some useful people in Europe, China and Americas, so I have an opportunity to make my business international shortly.

Veselov. Is your devotion to painting a disguise then?

Orlov. It’s rather a tribute to my father and revenge to my mother for leaving him and making me sweat all my life, training to fulfill her far-reaching designs. Actually, her dream will soon come true, I’ll be a rich and powerful man.

Veselov. Have you thought that Victoria Pavlovna might not be happy about your thwarting her daughter’s wedding with Mitya Gromov whose father, by the way, is one of her best clients?

Orlov. It was Mitya who thwarted everything. He’s to blame for his problems. I just happened to in the right place at the right time.

I have a way to reach Lebedeva, too: she loves her younger daughter a lot. And she knows perfectly well the position my beloved mamma has in the government.

Soon Victoria Pavlovna will realise that there’s nothing good for Inna about that dope. When this happens, she’ll hook onto my figure because I’ll show the best of myself, letting everybody see clearly that I’m not going to be a poor unknown painter.

My mother’s administrative power plus Victoria Lebedeva’s money, connections and reputation will open the doors to all structures I’m interested in. That’s my plan.

Veselov. That’s a serious claim. (Puts his cigarette out)

Orlov. (to himself) I’d love to see your face when all Lebedeva’s business is in my hands. Just wait and see.

Veselov. What about Mitya?

Orlov. Don’t worry about him. Our romantic poet is in mixed feelings now and he’ll soon find comfort on the first wench’s bosom. Mitya is a douchebag. Eve now he gave up without a fight, letting me have Inna.

Veselov. Was Katya’s breakup also your work?

Orlov. Knowing that horny ape’s ways it was easy to organize the match-up. (Laughs)

Mitya and Katya are alone in Veselov’s office.

Mitya. I’m at unrest. I’m like a person after a heart attack and whose limbs are numb.

Katya. Why should it happen so?

Mitya. I’m sick at heart.

Katya kisses Mitya, he kisses her back.

Mitya. Let’s go away.

Katya. All right.

Mitya and Katya leave. Enter Veselov and Orlov.

Veselov. They took a French leave.

Orlov. I told you not to worry about Mitya Gromov.

Aglaya comes in. She’s carrying a file and a phone.

Veselov. Aglaya, I’m glad to see you. Come in, please.

Aglaya. Hi! I won’t be long. I dropped in my office. Somebody’s lost a phone, it’s out of charge. I found it near your door. (Shows the phone).

Veselov. That’s Mitya’s, I’ll give it to him when he comes back.

Aglaya. I saw him and Katya downstairs, they told me you were here. Why were they in such hurry?

Veselov. I don’t know. Would you like a drink?

Aglaya. No, thank you. I’m driving. I’d like a tea, though.

Veselov. And you, Nikolay?

Orlov. I think I’ve had enough today. I’ll go home. I was glad to see you. Bye, Aglaya. Sasha, I’ll phone you.

Aglaya. Bye.

Veselov. (Pouring her tea) Keep in touch!

Aglaya. I’ve known him for so long and I’ve never been able to get rid of the feeling that he’s constantly concealing something.

Veselov. Never mind. To each their own.

Aglaya. Inna and Mitya split up. It seems, this time for good.

Veselov. I know. When he came Mitya was very depressed, but he tried not to show it. Victoria Pavlovna will be disappointed.

Aglaya. We’ve gone a bit too far with the senior Gromov, got stuck to our own interests. The children have made their choices.

Veselov. Time is the best judge.

Aglaya. You know, Sasha, Orlov isn’t as simple as he tries to seem.

Veselov. What do you mean?