The Idol

Sumyatov. Oh, that’s it… Do you have children?

Mancev. Two little daughters. I adored them but always left remaining them alone. I thought there is something more important in life. I have recovered my sight but it’s too late. Now I have nothing for what to climb down the mountains.

Light fades out. When it is switched on again an action takes place in front of the tourist camp building.

Аllа. You don’t have to see me off further.

Аnnа. Okay, you just don’t be sad! Everything will be fine!

Аllа. Thank you for all.

Аnnа. Come to see us with your husband. To our house-warming party, right Vasil?

Vasil. We are always glad to our guests. .

Аllа. I’d like to give you a piece of advice Vasil: don’t let Anna get used to you. A habit kills everything in family life, remember it.

Vasil. I will.

Аllа. Get her exited, surprised! Oh, my God, even terrified… as often as possible. Got me?

Vasil. Yes.

Аllа. For the sake of your future children. Good-bye! (Leaving).

Аnnа. Good-bye Alla! Oh, Vasil, I really feel sorry for her. She is blaming herself in death of her husband.

Vasil. What death? Don’t say this bullshit!

Аnnа. That’s true! Oh, where is some wooden thing here to knock three times? (Knocking a wooden bench). You think everything will be all right?

Vasil. Let’s see… Let’s go back?

Аnnа. Let’s sit here for a while? Look, what a beautiful view here!

Vasil. Just mountains… What is special about them? I can’t understand.

Аnnа. You, the old grumbler! I bet you’d prefer to be in the middle of heath.

Vasil. That’s right. Heath is real thing. There is so much space!

Аnnа. However, one can’t live without mountains.

Vasil. What is useful about your mountains?

Аnnа. Just imagine: a man lives his life full of worries and troubles. Suddenly he sees a mountain in front of him. He can neither cross it nor drive through it. There is only one way – to climb it and pass above it. The man looks up at the top of the mountain. His eyes are following higher and higher until they reach the sky! The sky is so bright and huge that he feels choky! And here is no more worries and sorrows.

Vasil. You are so swift to imagine, Annushka!

Аnnа. Then why do people need mountains you think?

Vasil. There is only death from them. Mikhalych is right.

Аnnа. Hey, you! What a husband you are to me?!

Oleg Tomov comes up.

Vasil. Well, when we buy a house we’ll never go to the mountains.

Аnnа. Not even once?

Vasil. No way! That’s it!

Аnnа. Vasilyok, and how about saying good-bye to the mountains?

Vasil. No way! Don’t look at me like that, my sweetheart. Am I an enemy to you?

Tomov. Hi the Korobkos! How are you?

Аnnа. Well, well…

Tomov. I was passing across the bus stop and saw Alla. Do you know where she is going?

Аnnа. Home.

Tomov. I waved her a hand but she turned from me as if we don’t know each other. Here you go: I’ve saved her risking my life!

Аnnа. She might not notice you. I guess her thoughts are far away from here.

Tomov. Ha-ha, so she says. Didn’t notice… In fact she just can’t forgive me that I didn’t let her jump into the abyss. Crazy woman!

Аnnа. Shame on you Oleg!

Tomov. Why on earth should I be ashamed?

Аnnа. Alla told me everything.

Tomov. What do you mean “everything”? Come on, tell me!

Аnnа. The reason why she was going to jump into the abyss. Should I remind you?

Tomov. She told you lies and you believe this psyche!

Аnnа. By the way, she didn’t tell a single bad word about you but she could.

Tomov. Look at them! These birds are singing together! I see you, chicks quickly find a common language between each other.

Аnnа. Hey you!