The Idol

Tomov. Anna, Vasil, what are you arguing about?

Anna. I want him to put on my skirt, but he wouldn’t agree.

Tomov. Lovely idea! But you have little time for changing, come up with something easier. And you, why are you standing as pillar of salt like Lot’s wife?

Sumyatov. I can seat down.

Tomov. Everybody has changed? Vityok, come in!

Victor Mancev enters.

Tomov. Vityok, be watchful!

Mancev. Levan, why have you put on a cap? Are you cold?

Levan. My friend, your eyes are as sharp as eagle’s!

Mancev. Vasil, give Anna her beads back. They don’t look good at you.

Vasil. That’s what I told her!

Anna. Oh, just look at this dandy!

Mancev. I see a flower bloomed in your hear.

Alla. Isn’t it charming?

Mancev. I think so. Oleg, get out a handkerchief out of your pocket. Since when do you wear a handkerchief?

Tomov. You, the sharp-eyed monster!

Mancev. What has changed to you, Cyril? I can’t remember.

Sumyatov. The same as to everybody.

Mancev. Did you have mustaches?

Sumyatov. Don’t you think that I have just shaved them away?

Mancev. You are a mysterious person to me. I give up.

Sumyatov. It’s a pity. You forgot that I was holding a pipe when you went out of the door.

Levan. Oh, buddy!

Alla. Take a forfeit, take a forfeit!

Tomov. How’s that, Vityok?

Alla. An immediate retribution! Don’t even think to sneak away.

Mancev. One should be able to lose with dignity. I am at your service.

Tomov. I announce a contest for the best forfeit for him!

Levan. Let him eat five cakes.

Tomov. Levan, don’t be so mercenary. It’s not good, is it, Allochka?

Levan. Hey, what special did I say?!

Аnna. Let’s forgive him for the first time.

Alla. No way! Playing means playing. I want him to tell us some story.

Mancev. I am a terrible story-teller, I worn you.

Alla. A scary story so that blood would freeze!

Tomov. Allochka, you are irresistible! Any other ideas? So, Vityok, you have to accept this.

Mancev. Well, if you insist.

Alla. Will you begin like an adventurous novel. It happened one dark night. It was lightning and the thunder was growling… Go on!

Mancev. Keep in mind that I was just an oblique participant of those events. I witnessed myself just a part of the things, a great deal I have to guess only…

Alla. Listen, the door has creaked. Who is there?!

Levan. It’s just wind, believe me. Let me close the door.

Mancev. Well, it happened by the end of winter. We were climbing a peak of eight thousand height using the Alpine style.

Alla. Uff, I am trembling with fear already!

Tomov. Just wait, there is worse to come, Allochka! Mountaineers are risky people.

Alla. But I didn’t understand what is the eight thousand height peak?

Tomov. A small tumor on the mother Earth which is located eight thousand meters above the sea level.

Sumyatov. According to statistics, each conquering of such tumors involves death accidents.

Alla. Wow, it’s so interesting! And what means this… how is it called?…

Tomov. Alpine style?

Alla. Exactly!