The Idol

Mikhalych. Excuse me guys for interrupting you. I heard you are going to the city, am I right?

Аnna. Actually we haven’t decided yet. Of course we’d like to go, but I am afraid our guys would leave without us.

Mikhalych. What do you need at the city? Maybe I could be of some service to you.

Аnna. We read a classified at the newspaper yesterday: a house for sale, five rooms and a garden… We’ve been dreaming of such a house for a long time.

Vasil. So, let’s return form the mountains and then go to the city.

Аnna. You think such house is going to wait for you? It’s not a house – a palace!

Mikhalych. I would advise you not to postpone it for later. You might get nothing later, I know!

Vasil. Are you serious, daddy?

Mikhalych. I wish I were wrong! But unfortunately this is bitter truth. So, go immediately! I can see you off if you don’t mind.

Аnna. We really appreciate your help. However… we need to go to the mountains.

Mikhalych. That’s what my son always used to tell me: «Dad, the mountains are waiting for me». And he was gone as if I were not waiting for him. One day he left and never came back…

Levan. Oh, why haven’t you told us before, dear?

Mikhalych. He was the same age as you are. So, as a person who is as old as your fathers I have a right to warn you. Don’t try to live only for high ideals. Live for a person next to you. You know, this is the only chance to be happy in our earthy world.

Аnna. What do you think, Vasil?

Vasil. As you say.

Аnna. And I will say! We are going to the city. Levan!

Levan. Don’t shout so loudly, I beg you!

Аnna. Tell the guys that we left for the city. Let them wait for us!

Levan. I will, I will…

Аnna. So, are you going to join us?

Mikhalych. With great pleasure!

Аnna. Sorry, I don’t know your name.

Mikhalych. You can call me Mikhalych. My son used to call me like this. I am okay with it.

Levan. I am going to see you off to the bus, okay?

Vasil. Let’s go Levan. It’s more fun together.

Everybody is gone. Cyril Sumyatov and Alla Bokova come in.

Alla. So, you don’t agree?

Sumyatov. Yes. You have to take another companion.

Alla. Here they are, our modern men!

Sumyatov. You forgot that I came here not for entertaining.

Alla. And I am just the other way around.

Sumyatov. Oh, poor your husband!

Алла. Come on… It’s poor me. And him… Just be sure he lives to his own pleasure.

Sumyatov. Does he?

Alla. No doubt. Why do you think he sent off me here?

Sumyatov. Hopefully there was no violence.

Alla. I bet now he has been sitting at his favorite radio station day and night. It replaces him his home and wife.

Sumyatov. He doesn’t love you?

Alla. You mean Pavel? He is crazy about me! Sure, I have no idea how to conquer a mountain but in conquering a man’s heart I have no superior.

Sumyatov. Then I don’t understand why he prefers some radio station instead of you.

Alla. Men are tired of monotony. Haven’t you noticed it yourself?

Sumyatov. Perhaps.

Alla. And what can be more boring than a marriage-bed? That’s why while a wife is cooking, washing, ironing, and nursing children a husband sneaks from home in search of adventures.

Sumyatov. You have a wired view on family life. And especially on man’s role in it.

Alla. Yet my poor mother warned me about it. Oh, she has had bitter experience!

Sumyatov. Then why did you get married if you knew all that?

Alla. I can’t say it now. But at that time… You know, men have one weak point and I was going to use it freely.

Sumyatov. You think only one?

Alla. Don’t catch me on words. Each man has a whole bunch of weak points. But all without any exception are terribly jealous. The most scary thing for them is to lose something that belongs to them. Do you agree?

Sumyatov. I wouldn’t take a risk to argue.