The Idol

Mancev. Everybody but not all…

Levan. One person more, one person less – what does it change?

Mancev. Maybe nothing, but might be a lot… Was there any radio broadcasts?

Levan. Oh, I absolutely forgot about the radio believe it or not.

Levan turns on the radio. An anchor is talking: «The urgent message is to be repeated right after a music break”. Music is playing.

Mancev. It looks like the message is going to be about them!

Levan. Oh, we missed it! Me, holey head…

Sumyatov. They are going to repeat it. Turn on the volume please!

Levan. It’s on maximum.

Sumyatov. I can’t believe that in this very moment people are dying somewhere.

Mancev. The weather today is not suitable for saying good-bye to life.

Sumyatov. Is there the suitable weather?

Mancev. It’s up to ones mood. If might be for example raining heavily or snowing wet.

Sumyatov. To my mind, dying is always frightening at any weather.

Mancev. You must be an avid atheist.

Sumyatov. What about you? Do you believe in afterlife?

Mancev. It depends on what you mean by that.

Sumyatov. I mean the pastures of Heaven crowded with the righteous men playing harps. Or does the hellfire appeal to you more?

Mancev. Nether the first one nor the second. This all is not for me.

Sumyatov. Unfortunately we are not offered any other variant. There is either traditional concept of afterlife or a corpse being eaten by the wombs. Dust and ashes…

Mancev. That’s enough for me in case I am to be a stone in my future life.

Sumyatov. Why not a bird?

Mancev. If I had a chance to make my choice…

Sumyatov. Let’s assume that it’s up to you.

Mancev. Then I prefer to be an eagle. When I see how these proud birds are soaring above the tops of the mountains I have a heart longing. Could it be a presentment?

Sumyatov. I would say a reflection of what used to be. It means that it’s not your first life in this world.

Mancev. That’s a pity. If it is so, I don’t remember anything.

A radio anchor speaking: «And now we repeat the urgent message!»

Levan. Hey, listen everybody!

Alla Bokova enters.

Alla. Just imagine, the bus has left right from under my nose…

Mancev. Quiet!

Alla. I am not talking to you, by the way.

Sumyatov. Please, be quiet!

Alla. What’s the matter?

An anchor’s voice: «Despite the desperate efforts of the rescuing crews the missing group of mountaineers has not been found yet. The connection failed after the avalanche fell down the top of the Devil’s Fang. The last message which was broadcasted by Pavel Bokov the group radio operator was that they were hearing a strong roar».

Alla. What did he say?

Levan. God, will this woman ever keep her mouth shut or not?!

Alla. What did he say, I ask you!?

Mancev. Not found yet.

Alla. I don’t men that. The name! Did you hear the name?

Mancev. You mean the radio operator?

Alla. Yes!

Mancev. I think Pavel.

Levan. Bokov?

Sumyatov. Exactly. Pavel Bokov.

Alla. It’s impossible. You misunderstood!

Sumyatov. I have professional memory for names.

Alla. But he is at home now. Do you hear me? Or he might be at his radio station.

Sumyatov. Isn’t he your…