The Story of the Lost Castle

Vera, dissatisfied, goes to her place at the table. But before she can reach it, Polycarp grabs her playfully and pulls her to him. Vera squeals in surprise. The daughter turns around, smiles, understanding what's what.

Vera (playfully, through resentment). Let go, crazy! Polycarp, let go, the tea has decided the wrong moment!

Polycarp (cheerfully). Don't puff, you're Vera. All is well! Look at how my daughter was raised! The hostess! Hooch soup folder pour, hooch…

Vera (interrupts). She can do everything! My school!

Vera breaks out of the embrace and sits down at her place, starts eating.

Maina brings her father a bowl.

Everyone sits down at the table, dinner continues, as, apparently, before that, before the lights go out.

They eat quietly for five to ten seconds, without excesses. Suddenly Vera throws up her hands, groans, takes off, runs into the hall.

Vera (wailing and running into the pantry). Ugh! I almost forgot!

Father and daughter calmly watch Vera, exchange glances, are silent.

Vera returns with a flask in her hands, carries this flask to her backpack, and puts it inside there.

Vera (pointing to the flask). That's it! I prepared it in advance, but I almost forgot. It seems that she prepared everything, provided for everything, and almost left the flask in the hallway.

Vera returns to the table.

Polycarp (daughters). So what, you say, for a hike you have? Where are you going?

Myna (indifferently). Into the woods, Dad!

Polycarp (daughters). Heh, it's clear that in the forest. We have a forest here and there is nothing. And why did you suddenly get carried away with the guys?

Vera (with understanding, to her husband). Well, what are you, Father, don't you understand? The case is young. Hiking, bonfires, romance. While young – we need to move! We must live to the fullest. And then there will be no time to walk. Now he will stay at home – then there will be nothing to remember.

Polycarp (to his wife). I'm not forbidding it at all. I understand everything. Of course, you have to live your life, and not sit by the stove. I'm just worried about making sure everything is on the mind. (Daughters) Which of the guys is coming with you?

Myna (unconvincingly). Yes, our guys won't be there almost, they will be from a neighboring village, but we know them well with Callista. Do you remember Miron, Vadka with bangs like that… Andrey and his brother, well, and their rural girls will also be there… They are good guys, we have been friends with them for several years …, so to speak …

Polycarp (wary, daughters). How is that, friends? What else does it mean, so to speak?

Vera (with understanding, to her husband). Why are you attached to a girl? She's not a child, tea! It's high time to show your nose to the light from under your mother's hem. Let him go, they'll figure out what's what. Ali weren't we like that?

Polycarp calms down, nods his head condescendingly, concealing a certain trick of memories.

Polycarp (daughters). Well, good-good. So, on the road in the morning? At dawn? Come on, I'm spending a little time…

Myna (unconvincingly). No, Dad, thanks. Callista will come for me in the morning, and together we will go to the guys. Don't worry about me, everything will be fine!

Polycarp looks at his mother, and his mother nods approvingly at him. Polycarp discreetly nods approvingly to his daughter.

ZTM.

Scene 2. Barrack

Morning. No one in the house is visible. There is a knock on the door.

Polycarp's voice (you can't see him yet, you can only hear him). Who else is there with urban habits? Come in, why are you knocking? We don't have locked doors! Callista

enters with a backpack on her shoulders, her clothes are hiking. Polycarp comes out to meet her, girds himself.

Callista (cheerfully). Hello, Uncle Polycarp. And what about the Lane? Still sleeping?

Polycarp (kindly). Hello, hello. No, I'm up already. (Calling her daughter, loudly) Maina! Callista has spoiled me, come on!

A swarming Lane minces into the room for a few seconds, it's almost ready.

Maina (to a friend). Hello. I am now.

Myna runs away again. Vera enters the room.

Callista (cheerfully). Aunt Ver, hello!

Vera (kindly). Hello, Callista. So what? Are you ready?

Callista (quite). Gathered.

Vera (kindly). Well done. Maybe a cup of tea on the path?

Callista (with warmth). Oh, no, thanks, I'm just from the table. So, if you give me some water to drink– I won't refuse.

Polycarp is busy at the stove at this time, he has a kettle at hand. He pours for himself and Callista. He gives the girl a glass of water.

Callista drinks, hands over the glass.

Callista (with warmth). Thanks.

The Lane comes out. She's completely ready. He approaches his girlfriend, stands facing his parents (both are facing their parents), waiting for some kind of blessing.

Vera (kindly). Well…, come on, girls, with God!

Maina hugs her father goodbye, who is passing by her at this moment on some business of his own. He is not very fond of tenderness.

Myna throws her backpack on her shoulders, the girls approach the exit (to the door, if there is one on the stage), once again look at Myna's parents.

Polycarp looks at the girls with restraint. He is not very happy about this idea.

Maina (to her father, ingratiatingly, a little as if guiltily). Dad?

Polycarp (kindly, "stepping over himself"). Yes, go already, go …