The Idol

Tomov. Oh, didn’t she teach you some other things also? For example, how to flirt around not to get bored while husband is away, huh?

Аnnа. No she didn’t.

Tomov. I guess you know it yourself. All chicks are alike!

Vasil. Oleg!

Tomov. What?

Vasil. Listen, you, stop insulting my wife.

Tomov. So what? Are you going to wipe my nose?

Vasil. Yes I am! And no matter that we have eaten from one pot.

Аnnа. Vasilyok, please don’t!

Tomov. I don’t care about her…

Vasil. Shut up then.

Tomov. Come on, easy cowboy! I am also a bold guy… Do you have a cigarette?

Vasil. No.

Tomov. Oh, Anka, Anka! You are a good woman, but too wicked. How is Vasil going to live with you?

Аnnа. Go away, Oleg. I don’t want to talk to you.

Tomov. You should listen! It will be useful for you.

Аnnа. Why have you stuck to me like a limpet?

Tomov. I can’t stand that you are making a heroin out of yourself.

Аnnа. I am not.

Tomov. That’s lie! Just yesterday you were jumping like a nanny calling everyone to the mountains to save those guys! So, where are you today?

Аnnа. And today I will say the same.

Tomov. You say words too easily. But what’s the use of it?

Аnnа. You think I won’t go there?

Tomov. You will if Vasil lets you. But he doesn’t need it.

Аnnа. How do you know?

Tomov. He will neither let you go nor will go himself. Am I right, Vasil?

Vasil. We will go if it’s necessary.

Tomov. For whom is it necessary? Nobody needs it except your dear Allochka. She willingly will finish a dozen of men for the sake of her husband. She doesn’t care that their wives and children are waiting for them at homes. There is no someone else’s sorrow, right?

Аnnа. You are saying nonsense. You, the jerk!

Tomov. Well… Perhaps, you might go. But tomorrow morning you are hurrying to purchase a house. And the day after tomorrow you have to celebrate a house-warming party. Then, you are going to have kids… When will you climb the mountains then? It’s so nice that this psyche Alla left. I am so tired of her that had insomnia last night.

Аnnа. My grandmother used to say that only people with clear conscience have good sleep at night.

Tomov. Oh conscience! I wish I knew what conscience is like. Do you know Anna? And you Vasil?

Vasil. I didn’t see it.

Tomov. Neither did I. I never saw it and don’t know how it looks like. Maybe it doesn’t exist at all?

Light goes off. Then early morning comes. Light is switched on. Levan is laying tables at the canteen. Cyrill Sumyatov comes in.

Sumyatov. Good morning Levan!

Levan. Oh, dear, why did you get up so early? It’s not ready yet.

Sumyatov. I wonder, do you have the bedbugs here at the camp?

Levan. Are you kidding me?!

Sumyatov. Well, it must be my nerves then… I’d rather have a cup of coffee now.

Levan. That’s true. Otherwise you will feel sleepy the whole day like a chicken!

Sumyatov. Please make it double, okay? I’ll be your debtor forever then.

Levan. Oh, don’t forget it! (Leaving).

Sumyatov. Well, I came here like an eagle and now leaving like a chicken! Damn it!

Victor Mancev dressed in a traveling suit comes in.

Mancev. Here you are again!

Sumyatov. I guess our fortune makes us meet again and again. Where are you going at such an early hour? All decent people are still sleeping.

Mancev. Oh, this night has been lasting for a whole century.

Sumyatov. So, you didn’t sleep either? I wish I knew that. We could have played chess together.

Mancev. I had a lot to think about… Where is Levan?