The Idol

Tomov. My father had a high rank position at that time. He was well known and respected in out town. Do you imagine what a scandal could be out of it?

Аllа. So, you preferred to have mercy on your father

Tomov. Exactly.

Аllа. Are you sure that your father, not yourself?

Tomov. Why do you hate me so much, Allochka?

Аllа. Why on earth should I love you? Look at him, such a man!

Tomov. Anyone can love for something… Why don’t you try to love just for nothing?

Аllа. Only real men are loved just for nothing. And those like you are loved either out of compassion or convenience.

Tomov. Out of compassion… Am I a wacky?

Аllа. Bite on that while I am here. Who would ever tell you the truth?

Tomov. Hey you, a truth seeker! That is why your husband ran away from you to the mountains! He just couldn’t stand it any more.

Аllа. It’s not your business!

Tomov. Who knows who are you now? Might be a widow. With such a tongue you might remain alone in poverty working at your museum. Well, I am a bachelor and do have all necessary stuff, you know.

Аllа. I’d better jump into the abyss than live with you!

Tomov. So go ahead, jump!

Аllа. I will! Nothing matters for me now. (running away).

Tomov. Hey, where are you going? Wait! Wait, you, the foolish woman, I tell you! There is a crack there! (running after her).

At the camp canteen. Anna and Vasil Korobko are drinking tea. Victor Mancev is speaking with Levan. Cyrill Sumyatov is making notes at his notebook. Oleg Tomov enters holding Alla Bokova unconscious in his arms.

Levan. Listen, dear, why did you come here?

Tomov. She almost fell down into the crack. Come on, help me!

Аnnа. What’s the matter with her? Put her cautiously here.

Tomov. She got unconscious. I grabbed her at the very edge of the crack. She just looked down and got unconscious right away.

Аnnа. Oh, please be quiet! Get some water for her.

Tomov. Water! Levan, get some water!

Levan. I am carrying. Hey, why are you drinking yourself?

Sumyatov. It’s better for her to smell ammonia. She would come to herself immediately.

Levan. Where should I get it? There is some vodka, will it do?

Mancev. Unbutton her collar. Let her breathe with full breast.

Аnnа. Come on, give me a way! Hide your blushless eyes! Don’t look like that!

Tomov. Is there anything I haven’t seen before?

Mancev. How did it happen, Oleg?

Tomov. Some shit got into her head. Oh, those women… Look, while I was holding her she was trying to bite my hand. Here is a teeth print. She was crying like a crazy that her husband is dead and she doesn’t want to live either.

Mancev. Who told her that her husband is dead?

Tomov. I told you some shit got into her head. Do you have a smoke?

Аnnа. Smoke outside please! Aren’t you going to kill her with your smoke?

Sumyatov. What are we going to do with her?

Аnnа. I’ll make it all right without you… She has come to herself finally!

Аllа. Where am I?

Аnnа. Hold on, it’s all right. Hey, guys, aren’t you going to leave?

Mancev. Let’s go folks, let’s have a smoke.

Tomov. Give me a cigarette.

Men leave.

Аllа. What’s happened to me?

Аnnа. It’s all over already. Next time don’t look down at the edge of abyss. You are afraid of height.

Аllа. Terribly!

Аnnа. Thanks to Oleg you are here. He has grabbed you.

Аllа. Oh, this is him my noble rescuer…

Аnnа. So you decided to jump into the abyss because of your husband?

Аllа. I don’t know. I don’t remember. Something got over my head.

Аnnа. You shouldn’t do that. Don’t bury a man beforehand. Just imagine what he would say when he comes back.