The Idol

Tomov. Climbing up with all your provisions and outfit. In some cases the rucksack behind your shoulders is as heavy as you are.

Alla. Is it possible to climb some other way?

Tomov. In some cases there are special transit camps along all the route where you can pick up the necessary stuff placed there before. So, the climbers can enjoy walking with light baggage like fops in the downtown.

Sumyatov. It is really easier. Why to complicate things?

Аnna. By the way, why to take such risks climbing the mountains at all? You can get there by plan after all.

Sumyatov. Seriously, why to take such risks?

Аnna. Vasil, just listen!

Vasil. He thinks so, so what?

Levan. Hey, are we listening to the story or what?

Alla. Okay, I am silent. And all of you too! Go on, Victor!

Mancev. We were having devil’s own luck during the most part of the route. It was a sunny day, a little frosty. We had not a trifling injury.

Alla. And when does the most scaring begin?

Tomov. It’s coming soon, just wait.

Mancev. Several days were left before we reach the top of the mountain. Suddenly, the temperature got low, and a strong contrary wind started blowing. Our eyes got blind, it was difficult to breathe.

Alla. How terrible! Don’t say a word more!

Mancev. It was too risky to climb further. But the aim seemed to be so close… Two friends, the young obsessed guys were annoyed most of all. And then an expedition guide told them: «Go, check it out and get back» warning: «It is dangerous». But the friends just laughed: «While we are together, nothing is dangerous for us. We will follow each other through fire and water». «And to abyss», – one of them added. So, they were gone.

Alla. Tell me just one thing: did they die?

Mancev. The worst thing happened to them.

Alla. What can be worse than death? I can’t imagine!

Levan. To lose one’s dignity as we say at our mountain area.

Anna. Let him finish the story after all!

Alla. Tell us what happened! Don’t tire us out!

Mancev. Nothing special. Everybody who climb the mountains should be ready for this. One of the two friends fell down to the abyss.

Sumyatov. You are telling this so calmly!

Mancev. That guy was so much striving to the top as if he left something extremely important there. But he was hurrying too much. His foot slide down, he hardly had a second to scream or even realize what happened.

Sumyatov. But where was another one? He could see it and get help.

Mancev. Could he? I doubt it. They were climbing rope-tied. He fell down from a sharp jerk but was lucky to catch on a rock. While the one in front of him was hanging over the abyss.

Alla. I can imagine: a little man over big abyss. Scary picture! I saw this in some movie.

Mancev. It was exactly like this. One man is over the abyss, another one is gripping the rock like grim death. And there is only a thin rope between them. It was thin, but firm, a assure you.

Alla. I guess he immediately rushed to save his friend?

Mancev. Like I said it was sunny and warm day before the accident. But suddenly it got bitter cold.

Vasil. The surface got ice-crusted, got it?

Mancev. He was afraid to make an accidental movement and slide down to the abyss. And his friend… When falling he was about to cut his head open and was hanging without any life signs. Do you know what despair means? There were not cowards at all. But all they had is to wait without any hope for rescue…

Sumyatov. Early or later they were to be searched and rescued anyway.

Mancev. Or later… you are right. That was exactly what he must be thinking at the moment, holding his friend by the skin of his teeth and waiting for the moment when he gets exhausted and they fall down together.

Anna. Vitya, maybe that’s enough for today.

Alla. Are you going to stop at the most absorbing moment?!

Mancev. Well, my throat got dry.

Levan. Just a second, dear. Here you go, drink it! It’s free.

Mancev. Thank you… So, what I was talking about?

Sumyatov. About the tragic fate common for both.

Mancev. Yeah… But you know one of them could escape it if he cut off the rope.

Sumyatov. But who?

Mancev. What do you think?

Sumyatov. I have no idea. I have never been in such a scrape.

Mancev. The one who is above the abyss? Usually, there is a slight hope up to the last moment. However, when the self-preservation instinct dies it’s too late already.

Sumyatov. And the one who was holding him? Do you think he could?

Mancev. Why not? How many suiciders have you met in your life?

Sumyatov. Not a single one fortunately.

Mancev. So, he was also young and wanted to live.