The Idol

The Idol
Вадим Иванович Кучеренко

“The Idol” play tells about representatives of a dangerous and romantic profession – mountain climbers. Who are they? Are they heroes haloed with fame or quite ordinary people of flesh and blood? In the easy and understandable form the play challenges a viewer with eternal questions of conscience and fame passion, marriage-bed and misconduct. Also it challenges a viewer to mediate about searching of true vocation despite of the price he has to pay.

Вадим Кучеренко

The Idol

Characters:

Victor Mancev – a mountaineer

Oleg Tomov – a mountaineer

Vasil Korobko – a mountaineer

Anna Korobko, Vasil’s wife – a mountaineer.

Cyrill Sumyatov – a journalist

Alla Bjokova – a tourist

Levan – a bartender

Mikhalych – a postman.

The action is taking place at a mountain tourist camp.

ACT 1

There is a canteen at a mountain tourist camp. It is evening. Levan is standing behind a bar counter, Alla Bokova is sitting at one of the tables. Cyril Sumyatov comes in.

Sumyatov. Good evening!

Levan. (speaking with a Georgian accent) You are welcome, dear, come in, be my guest!

Sumyatov. Thanks for your kind invitation..

Levan. What would you like? We have salad, cutlets…

Sumyatov. Nothing. I was wandering about in search of a living soul.

Levan. Are you a newcomer?

Sumyatov. Almost. Is it always so lonely here?

Levan. Hey, listen, are you bearing ill will to me?! Everybody has gone to the mountains. I wonder, what allures them there?

Sumyatov. Scientists know nothing about it. And what about you, aren’t you allured there?

Levan. Everybody should know his own place in this life.

Sumyatov. You think so?

Levan. My grandfather used to say so. And he was the wisest in our village – anyone will tell you. Do you believe me or not?

Sumyatov. Oh, let’s ask the lady, maybe she is going to judge between us. Do you have the same point of view?

Alla. I don’t care.

Sumyatov. It’s not possible.

Alla. Don’t argue with a woman. You’d better pay a compliment to her.

Sumyatov. I am sorry. Don’t you mind? (sitting next to her)

Alla. Please, take a seat. Are you hanging around doing nothing?

Sumyatov. Vice versa. I am here on business.

Alla. I am really surprised to hear that! Then if it’s not a secret what brought you to this mountain camp in the middle of nowhere?

Sumyatov. What secrets can I have from such a charming lady?

Alla. You are not so bad. Keep going.

Sumyatov. Thank you.

Alla. Go on, I am looking forward to your answer.

Sumyatov. I have to meet with the four famous mountaineers.

Alla. Oh, I think I know who you are talking about. One of them is such a morose guy, isn’t he?

Sumyatov. Most likely this is Voctor Mancev.

Alla. The other one is quite the opposite – a cherry fellow

Sumyatov. This is Oleg Tomov.

Alla. And a together couple of sweet-hearts.

Sumyatov. They are Vasil and Anna Korobko, the just-married.

Alla. Oh, I see then. And what are they famous for?

Sumyatov. Recently they have conquered the Devil’s Fang? Have you heard about this peak before?

Alla. For the first time from you.