Fleur de Lys

Sergey. You have Terpsichore’s eyes. You are my muse. I will catch a beam of sunlight and give it the shape of the royal golden lily. Fleur de Lys!

Anna. Good luck, Sergey.

Sergey. Goodbye, Anna. [He heads for the door.]

Anna. Sergey!

Pause.

Anna. I still owe you a kiss.

Anna approaches Sergey and kisses him. Frolov appears.

Frolov. Sorry for interrupting.

Anna. It’s alright, we are done already.

Frolov. Hi, Sergey.

Sergey. Hi yourself. Goodbye, Anna.

Sergey heads for the door. Frolov opens the door for him, and at this very moment, Anna faints and falls. Sergey rushes to her.

Sergey. Anna!

Anna. Sergey…

Frolov. [He opens the door and shouts.] We need a doctor! Someone call an ambulance, now! It’s an emergency!

Sergey. I love you, Anna. I always did, since I first met her. I want you to remember, always, that I love you!

Anna dies in Sergey’s arms.

Sergey. [To Frolov.] It’s you. You and Marina killed her! I always knew you were lovers! I hate you both!

Frolov. What the hell are you talking about? Are you mad? You have no right… You have no proof! [He shouts.] You’re a madman!

Scene 10

Seven months later. July. Late in the evening. Fleur de Lys Art Studio.

Frolov is switching radio channels.

…the heat in the city will be replaced by squalls and hailstorms… the authorities have announced a storm advisory…

Another channel.

…thousands of pilgrims from all over the country will take part in the Cross Procession… after serving the Divine Liturgy, the believers will begin their journey to the monastery…

Another channel.

…the US dollar exchange rate strengthened by 69 kopecks and now amounts to 90 rubles 75 kopecks…

Another channel.

Music is playing.

Marina comes out of the study.

Marina. Where did you see my ex again?

Frolov. Sergey is tending the winter garden in the city park. The beat cop said that he struggled to find a job after the nervous breakdown but there are some good people in this world.

Marina. A gardener then. I wish he’d go to hell.

Frolov takes a bottle of champagne out of an ice bucket, pops it open, and fills the glasses.

Marina. Let’s drink to our engagement, Igor.

Frolov. To our bright future!

Outside the windows, there is a flash of lightning, the thunder rumbles in the distance, and it starts to pour.

Frolov. It’s Kupala Night. You aren’t a witch, are you?

Marina. Maybe. [She kisses Frolov.]

Frolov. You stole my heart and now you’re taking my soul.

Marina. I always get what I want. Take what you can. Give nothing back. That’s a rule of thumb.

Frolov. I am yours, and you are mine.

FINALE

Late in the evening. Sergey is standing in the pouring rain in front of the Fleur de Lys Art Studio. There is a light in the windows. Sergey is clasping an object wrapped in fabric.

Sergey. I will catch a beam of sunlight and give it the shape of the royal golden lily. Fleur de Lys. «I see a golden lily in my sleep, the golden lily longs for me and weeps…»

Sergey unfolds the fabric. He is now holding his Benelli M4 shotgun. He loads a magazine and goes inside.

Curtain.

Le lys d’or

Le lys d’or

Maxim Titovets