# Orpheus and Dormitory

Людмила Николаевна Ансельм

the ex- husband returns to his wife in communal apartment. This is a play about life in a closed society. How such a society affects the psychology and relations of people.

Orpheus and the Dormitory

Ludmila Anselm

Translation by Jim Clinton


Cast of Characters


1. Larisa - an attractive woman in her thirties.

2. Volodya - Larisa"s ex-husband, about 35.

Neighbors of Larisa in the "communal apartment":

3. Vera - a single woman of about 30.

4. Zoya - a single woman of about 45 (must be very thin).

5. Kleopatra Ivanovna - a single woman of about 55.

6. Anna Mikhailovna - a single woman of about 60.

Other characters:

6. Policeman

7. Maria Gavrilovna -- a stranger, about 50.


Scene: The play takes place in the Soviet Union in the 1970s. The action takes place in the kitchen of "the communal apartment" and in Larisa"s room. ("A communal" apartment" is where a kitchen and a toilet are shared by all tenants).

ACT I

Scene I

I Kitchen in the communal flat. Anna Mikhailovna, Zoya are in the kitchen. Vera runs in.


Vera.

Girls, have you heard Larisa"s husband has come back to her!

Zoya.

Well, Verka, don"t make it up, you"ve always been the same; he was passing by, stopped by for a minute, and you"ve already decided that he"s come back.

Vera.

No, not stopped by, he"s really come back. He"s going to live at her room. "I, -- he says, -- have been looking for you the whole day, can"t live without you, and can"t forget you"... "I, -- he says, -- have made up my mind to return to you".

Anna Mikhailovna.

Vera, something is wrong here. You are mistaken, as usual.

Vera.

I am not mistaken at all. This is the real truth, I"ve heard it myself - the partition is so-o-o thin. "I, -- he says, -- as soon as I see a woman who looks like you I immediately remember you".

Anna Mikhailovna.

Well, O.K., probably Larisa"s husband came back, but you, Vera, why are you so happy?

Vera.

Well, if they come back, so, may be mine will come back to me, too.

Zoya.

And who is it that has to return to you?

Vera.

My husband.

Zoya.

Oh, hold me tight she has a husband.

Vera.

Yes, I have.

Zoya.

I wonder what"s your husband"s name?

Vera.

Zhmayev.

Zoya.

Zhmayev? Is he really your husband?

Vera.

Of course, he is, I have a child by him.

Zoya.

Well, you queer-fish, how do you know whom you have a child by?

Vera.

Every woman knows whom she has a child by.

Zoya.

You say that you know, but you couldn"t prove it in the court.

Vera.

But they didn"t listen to me.

Zoya.

You say that they didn"t listen! They were listening for a good hour.

Vera.

Yes, the judge inquired me of all there was to know in all detail. He was interested in everything. "And when, --he says, -- did you get intimate, the same evening?" "No, --I say, -- wrong guess. Exactly in a week."

Zoya.

That"s right. Zhmayev said the same. "In a week after their meeting, --he said, -- she came to my hostel and talked me into going with her"

Vera.

And then he took me to his parents who live in the country. Oh, girls, how nice it was there! There was dew on the grass in the morning; his parents have hens, a pig, a cow and a hayloft. And I slept with him every night in the hayloft.

Zoya.

Zhmayev didn"t want to take her to his parents she thrust herself upon this. I was in the court, and I heard everything

Vera.

He took me there eventually.

Zoya.

Don"t listen to her she"s lying. She wanted to deceive the judge but couldn"t. The judge says to her: "Well, did Zhmayev leave his things with you? Did you wash his clothes, mend them?" It is due to the law to ask all this. And she says: " Yes, he left them". -- " Did you cook him any food?" - the judge asks. "Yes, I cooked, -- she says, -- I bought sausage, cheese". - "No, dear, -- the judge says, -- it"s not called food, it"s snack" So he is none of your husband, my dear.

Vera (crying).

And am I to be blamed that he doesn"t have any things? If he had had them I"d have washed and mended them. He used to be short of money, he had it just for drinks and snacks.

Anna Mikhailovna.

Zoya, why are you so sharp, rude?

Zoya.

Because I don"t like when people make it up: my husband, the father of my child. Here am I, for instance, I have the long line of this kind of husbands at the beer booth. I say it straight and clearly, and don"t make up anything. Or else...

Anna Mikhailovna.

You don"t even give her a chance to dream. That"s bad, Zoya...


Scene 2

Larisa"s room. Larisa and Volodya.

Larisa.

I can"t grasp so far how you could see me in such a crowd.

Volodya.

May be because I"ve been looking for you the whole morning. And then I had the premonition that I"d meet you. By the way, what were you doing in that shop?

Larisa.

I was standing in line for a suitcase. I"m going south in a week. Suitcases are best, with clasps.

Volodya.

Yes, the suitcases, with clasps. And who was standing next to you? That short one?

Larisa.

One of my acquaintances.

Volodya.

The suitcase is suitable, nothing to say about that. But...

Larisa.

What? Didn"t you like him?

Volodya.

No, I didn"t. He is kind of untidy, then those ears.

Larisa.

Kirill had his hair cut today. You know, it"s hot in the south, and long hair...

Volodya.

You"d better give him a tip not to do this.

Larisa.

His hair grows fast.

Volodya.

I don"t need these details. Are you going to tell me that you"re going south together?

Larisa.

Yes, together. Why, can"t we?

Volodya.

Well, why not? You"re a free woman. "The court has listened to the divorce case of the two citizens..."

Larisa.

Please, stop it. I thought at that moment that I"d die. I went back to our room...

Volodya.

Yes, the room was good, square and light. Where is it now?

Larisa.

I had no choice. I wished to exchange my room as soon as possible... not to hear or know anything, not even to think.

Volodya.

I"ve exchanged mine to Novosibirsk. (Novo-si-birsk)

Larisa.

Ah! Novosibirsk the "science city"! Are you married?

Volodya.

No, you"re my first and last wife.

Larisa.

Don"t you have a girl- friend?

Volodya.

You may consider me single.

Larisa.

How come?

Volodya.

You know everything yourself. For two years we lived not badly; but then - the everyday routine... The time was flying away; there was a dreadful sensation of the lost time... And I was hinting at a divorce several times, but you didn"t want even to listen.

Larisa.

I loved you then.

Volodya.

Loved me?

Larisa.

Yes. Go on.

Volodya.

Then I said to myself: if she loves you so and is ready to forgive you everything, O.K., you"ll become her husband, but the rest will belong to you. As soon as I made up my mind, the following started: acquaintance after acquaintance, date after date: one, a second, a third... All alone, unhappy, needed to be warmed, caressed... At first I loved all this it flattered my male pride. But then it occurred to me... There"s nothing special about me I am like everybody else. They don"t even love me, it"s important for them to feel some concern about somebody: let it be the scantiest, tiniest interest. Well, in general, while we were divorcing, you pestered me with the divorce; I had already understood that I didn"t want those acquaintances, someone else"s love. I needed to find my own love, to love myself, to suffer in the end... The more changes I have, the more I am drawn back to our past. Didn"t we feel happy together? We lived a year or two, I loved you, and I didn"t need anybody then. It feels like nostalgia. So I"ve gone on a business trip...


Scene 3

The same people are in the communal kitchen. Enter Kleopatra Ivanovna.

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

Much ado about nothing. What"s up?

Anna Mikhailovna.

Here, Zoya and Vera are cleaning up their relations.

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

Do they have any relations?

Zoya.

We sure do. We are human beings, aren"t we?

Vera.

Kleopatra Ivanovna, do you know that Larisa"s husband has come back to her. He is going to stay with her tonight; he"ll probably live here.

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

How long will he stay?

Vera.

He lives in another city, has come here on a business trip and met Larisa...

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

Accidentally?

Vera.

No, that"s just the point. He wandered about the town looking for her...

Anna Mikhailovna.

If they get along, may be he will move into her room, or, probably, he will take her to his city.

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

How come, did you speak to him?

Zoya.

Not likely that we spoke. Verka eavesdropped it all.

Vera.

I"d like to have a look at him, just with half an eye. Judging by his voice he is an attractive man.

Zoya.

Where have you seen this kind of men, in the movies?

Vera.

No, not only in the movies you may come across them in the street.


Zoya.

Lots of luck, Charlie!


Kleopatra Ivanovna begins de-frosting her refrigerator

Kleopatra Ivanovna, what the hell are you doing? What"s up with you, are you in your right mind?

Anna Mikhailovna.

Kleopatra Ivanovna, Zoya is right, Bunchuk will soon come and there"s trouble brewing.

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

I know what I"m doing. The refrigerator has frozen through, why can"t I de-frost it?

Anna Mikhailovna.

Well, but not towards the evening.

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

Let Bunchuk come back.

Zoya.

You know that she doesn"t bear anybody in the kitchen but herself.

Vera.

Have you forgotten how she struck your leg with a pail?

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

I haven"t really forgotten it. She will pay me for this leg. Here you"re sitting afraid of coming in sight, and Bunchuk does anything she likes.

Zoya.

As for me let her do what she wishes. Yes, I am afraid of her and I don"t hide it.

Anna Mikhailovna.

Kleopatra Ivanovna, we are all tired here. Don"t do this, may be you"ll wait a bit. Besides, there"s a stranger in the flat.

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

But what if I"ve been waiting for this stranger for a long time. Have you forgotten what the chairman of the Comrades Court said? He said that we"re of the same ilk. " I don"t believe you. If there"s an outsider as witness, then we might be able to talk".

Zoya.

Yes, we need a witness that is not one of us.

Anna Mikhailovna.

But if he may not act as witness?

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

Everybody may be a witness. He needn"t have much to be a witness: just eyes, ears and a little bit of conscience. I do hope that he has all this.


Scene 4

Larisa"s room. Larisa and Volodya.

Larisa.

How long will you stay here?

Volodya.

I am here on a long business trip. And you, as far as I can see, have set pretty well.


Turns over Hemingway"s portrait and reads the inscription.

"To dear Larisa from the laboratory staff".

Larisa.

Turn it back.

Volodya.

I won"t, I feel ashamed. He is staring at me, but I ... maybe am going to embrace you...

Larisa.

Not now.

Volodya.

Why?

Larisa.

Please, don"t.

Volodya.

Not now so not now... Who plays the guitar?

Larisa.

It"s me, so what?

Volodya.

Nothing. I have also learned something during these years. (Takes the guitar.)

Larisa.

Kirill presented me with this guitar. He plays it well and teaches me to play...

Volodya.

You say he plays well. (Touches the strings.) What a great sound. But I haven"t yet told you about myself. I am a leader of a rock band.

Larisa.

I hope you"ve defended your thesis.

Volodya.

I haven"t.

Larisa.

Why? Your dissertation was almost ready.

Volodya.

When I moved to Novosibirsk, I decided to study a new field and decided to travel, to participate in expeditions...

Larisa.

Well, then it"s also interesting. But I just don"t understand one thing: how can you lead a band when you don"t have any musical education?

Volodya.

Nowadays such education isn"t required.

Larisa.

It"s been always required...

Volodya.

Do you know what "rock music" means?

Larisa.

I heard something...

Volodya.

Rock music is the greatest discovery of our time. None of the art forms can capture the audience like rock, even cinema... Rock hypnotizes crowds of people and can bring these crowds to collective ecstasy. "The dream will come true, and our people will take their knocks. Under the fear of losing arms and legs - everybody will listen only to rock!"

Larisa.

As for me, I prefer classical music.

Volodya.

Your classical music is for the elite, but rock is a real folk art, it enters your body and beats inside you in sync with your heart, in time with your pulse; on the whole, it works directly and doesn"t require either any special knowledge or efforts...

Larisa.

Or musical education.

Volodya.

The classical music, with its inner logics and regularity, convinces us that the surrounding world"s been settled reasonably; and can be understood by intellect and feelings. Rock, for example, gives a new idea about the world. Rock brings relaxation, freedom, an element of unpredictability and uncertainty to our senses...

Larisa.

Now, after your lecture, would you play something, please?

Volodya.

I"ll play our "Overture" for you. The piece we start our performances with.


Volodya starts playing. He sings a song from the movie "The Black Orpheus". Suddenly electricity has gone. There"s noise, voices, banging of doors in the corridor. Knock on the door.

Zoya"s voice.

Larisa, the fuse has burnt out. Could your visitor help us screw in the fuse?

Volodya.

Sure, but I can"t see anything.

Larisa.

The fuses are in the kitchen. Give me your hand I"ll lead you.


Scene 5

The communal kitchen. All the neighbors, Volodya and Larisa.

Zoya.

Yes, we put the ladder in the corner where the fuses are.

Volodya.

Where are the fuses?

Chorus.

On the wall, in the right corner.

Volodya.

Aha, I"ve found them. Both are cold. May be, they didn"t burn out, just unscrewed a bit.


Electricity lights up. Volodya stands on the top of the ladder. The rest -- down around the ladder.

Volodya.

There are lots of you here. Are all of you living in this flat? How many of you?

Chorus.

There are six tenants here.

Volodya.

How are you getting along?

Chorus.

We"re getting along, there"s a lot of room here.

Zoya.

We heard somebody singing. Will you sing for us?

Volodya.

I can"t now. I"ll sing for you next time.

Vera.

A very nice song. I"ve never heard it before.

Volodya.

The song is from the French movie "The Black Orpheus".

Vera.

Who is Orpheus?

Volodya.

There was such a singer, in ancient Greece.

Vera.

Was it he who composed this song?

Volodya.

No, he died long ago.

Larisa"s voice.

Volodya, come up here!

Volodya.

Excuse me I must be off.

Chorus.

Come back again, you"re welcome. It was a pleasure to have met you.


Exit Volodya.

Zoya.

Yes, he is an imposing man...(sings chastushka)

" Hey my dear, dear friend, what I"ll do with that?

I have lost my former beauty, I have lost my fat?"


Scene 6

Larisa"s room. Volodya and Larisa.

Larisa.

I want to ask you, where are you going to stay?

Volodya.

I"m going to stay in your room.

Larisa.

You can"t! I"m going south one of these days, besides, there"s no room here. You can see it yourself.

Volodya.

I can"t see anything. I"m just looking at you and can"t believe my eyes whether I"ve really found you at last, and you"re turning me out...

Larisa.

Have you forgotten the divorce?

Volodya.

No, I haven"t. But during these two years I"ve realized something...


Larisa.

Well, and what is it that you"ve realized?

Volodya.

That I shouldn"t have divorced you.

Larisa.

Really? I wonder why?

Volodya.

Because you are the woman of my dreams.

Larisa.

What does " the woman of your dreams" mean?

Volodya.

You see it is a woman... here I"m looking at you, and my throat is drying out, my breath is being taken away. After we parted, I had a lot of affairs... and one beautiful morning I made a small discovery. The women who thrilled me mostly were all like you. And then I said to myself: "Why are you looking for your wife"s features among other women? You need to find your own wife" And here I am. I have found you, and you"re greeting me this way. Not all has been lost yet... why are you silent? Well, say "yes". I beg of you.

Larisa.

Do you know what is strange? I"ve always known that you"ll return to me. When I saw you in the shop, I understood that you had come back...

Volodya.

Larisa, let me remember... I really didn"t love anyone but you. I"m tired. I"m begging of you... I haven"t asked anybody, even forgotten how to do that. You can really...

(Darkness, a pause)

How very good. A dog is barking somewhere as if it were in the country.


Heavy steps are heard in the corridor, then - the noise of thrown metallic objects.

Volodya.

What"s up there?

Larisa.

It is our neighbor Bunchuk. She can"t stand Anna Mikhailovna"s dog, that "s why she throws out our basins and pails that we keep in the bathroom.

Volodya.

And why is she throwing them out?

Larisa.

To drown the dog"s barking.

Volodya.

How can you bear such an outrage?

Larisa.

What"s to be done? Wait a little it"ll soon stop.

Volodya.

I can"t understand why I should wait? Something should be done.


Larisa.

But what? Give me a tip.

Volodya.

Why don"t you move out? Why not put an ad about room exchange?

Larisa.

Who will move in here? The room is just eleven square meters, a big communal flat and without a water-heater.

Volodya.

May be, somebody will really come, you should be up and doing. No pains, no gains. I will prove you the opposite.

Larisa.

How?

Volodya.

I"ll put ads around the city. I"ll put them up on all telephone poles.

Larisa.

A waste of time.

Volodya.

We"ll see. Why don"t you send ads to other cities? For instance, to Novosibirsk? Wait... that"s a good idea.

Larisa.

Why on earth should I go to Novosibirsk? I have a job here... friends...

Volodya.

You"ll have a friend in Novosibirsk.

Larisa.

What friend?

Volodya.

Have a guess. I"ll be with you in Novosibirsk. Why are you looking at me in this way?


The screams "help, help!" are heard in the corridor.

Volodya.

What"s going on out there?

Larisa.

Don"t go there.

Volodya.

I have to. I can"t stay here when somebody is calling for help.


Scene 7

The communal kitchen. Kleopatra Ivanovna lies at the wall and groans in a low voice. Rush in Volodya and Larisa. Kleopatra Ivanovna slowly rises.

Volodya.

What"s going on here?

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

Nothing. All has already happened.

Larisa.

Kleopatra Ivanovna, you look awful, your cheek is red.

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

Bunchuk grabbed my cheek and struck my head on the wall.

Volodya.

Where is she?

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

Slipped away. I was de-frosting my refrigerator here and couldn"t finish before her arrival. She came and started frying her sausage. There was such smoke that I opened the door to the corridor; then she opened the window, but I shut it, and then she came up to me and raised her fist at me and then grabbed my cheek and struck my head against the wall. (Vladimir touches it.) Do you feel a bump?

Volodya.

Yes, I do.

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

Vladimir, give us a tip, what should we do? The situation is such that we can"t appear in the kitchen. We hide in our rooms and sit there quietly. And in case a dog barks, she does perform the end of the world. This is a hell.

Volodya.

You have to sue her. Did you do anything about that?


Kleopatra Ivanovna.

Nothing. Because it"s a real red tape: to call police, to draw up a report...

Volodya.

What about the police? You come up to the phone dial the number the police arrive... Are you really afraid of the police?

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

I am not afraid-the neighbors are afraid.

Volodya.

Do you want me to call?

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

Well, all right, call the police. The telephone number is written on the wall, just below the telephone receiver.


Volodya goes to the corridor to the telephone, dials the number and comes back.

Volodya.

They promised to arrive within fifteen minutes. A policeman will draw up a record and the case will be sent to the court.

(The doorbell).


Scene 8

The communal kitchen. All the neighbors are in it. Enter the policeman.


Policemen.

Young man, did you call the police?

Volodya.

Yes, I did.

Policemen.

Well, what is going on here?

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

Rows and fights.

Policemen.

And why are all these basins and pails scattered all about the corridor?

Anna Mikhailovna.

It was she who scattered them.

Policemen.

Who is she?

Vera.

She is Bunchuk, our neighbor...

Zoya.

She is such a hooligan...

Larisa.

She makes life here impossible.

Volodya.

I"ve called you to draw up a record - the case will be sent to the court.

Policeman.

Well, then I"ll draw it up. What"s today"s date?

Chorus.

Tenth.


Policeman.

Wouldn"t you speak in chorus?

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

Bunchuk grabbed my cheek and struck my head on the wall.

Policeman.

Was there anybody in the kitchen? I need witnesses.

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

No, there were two of us and I was crying: "Help, help!"

Policeman.

So, well, none of those present saw it? Has anybody seen what was on in the kitchen?

A pause.

Volodya.

I saw. I was in the bathroom at that time. I heard the cries for help, opened the door and saw Bunchuk push Kleopatra Ivanovna against the door and rush headlong out of the kitchen. I ran to the kitchen and saw Kleopatra Ivanovna lying on the floor.

Policeman.

In the least, one witness has turned up. By the way, who are you?

Volodya.

I am here en route, just paid a visit...

Policeman.

And what were you doing in the bathroom?

Volodya.

I was going to take a shower.

Policeman.

Is there anybody who saw you leaving the bathroom?

Volodya.

No, nobody saw me.

Policemen.

Why are you so sure?

Volodya.

There was nobody in the corridor.

Policeman.

So, well, nobody saw. Call Bunchuk here.

Chorus.

She is not at home.

Policeman.

And where is she?

Chorus.

Left to have a walk. She always acts in this way: throws the pails around and goes for a walk, and we have to pick them up.


Scene 9

After a few days. The communal kitchen. Zoya, Vera, Anna Mikhailovna, Kleopatra Ivanovna. Enter Volodya.

Volodya.

Good afternoon! How are you?

Chorus.

Good afternoon.

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

Vladimir, we are filing the papers to the court and sending a new application to the Comrades" Court. Would you sign it, please, as an outside witness? Over there in the corner.

Volodya.

Here you are, may be somewhere else?

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

All set so far. Thank you very much. We don"t know how to express our gratitude. If not for you we would never decide to sue Bunchuk.

Volodya.

Not at all. Never mind! Hasn"t Larisa come yet?

Anna Mikhailovna.

We haven"t seen her, may be she was delayed at work.

Vera.

Don"t worry she will soon come. In general, she rarely stays long. Would you stay with us, please, we feel bored...

Volodya.

What are you doing?

Anna Mikhailovna.

We"re cooking...

Zoya.

Discussing different issues...

Vera.

Have you never, ever argued with Larisa?

Volodya.

Once we did, not now.

Vera.

But Zhmayev and I - we started arguing as soon as we met.

Volodya.

Who is Zhmayev?

Vera.

He is my husband.

Zoya.

You"d better not believe her. I can bring home this kind of husbands by the dozen. The whole line to the beer booth is my husbands. Since I started standing in line there"s no getting rid of them, and I don"t feel alone. But before I feel quite ashamed, especially on holidays: in the street I met people walking in couples, all in couples. If you go to the Zoo - even there all animals sit in cages in couples. But recently my liver has let me down, and I also have gotten a bit thinner. But nevertheless I am merry, like singing: "Oh, my dear, dear friend what I"ll do with that, I have lost my beauty, I have lost my fat?" I am not dejected.

Anna Mikhailovna.

Zoya, if you can"t sing - don"t.

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

Vladimir, you"d better sing some song for us.

Vera.

What was the name, I mean, of that singer?

Volodya.

His name was Orpheus.

Vera.

And who was he?

Volodya.

A singer lived in Greece long ago. He had a girl friend - Eurydice. Well, once this Eurydice was walking and stepped on a snake. The snake bit her, and Eurydice died. Orpheus grieved badly for her, could not live without her at all and went down into the underworld kingdom. There he met Eurydice"s shadow. Orpheus convinced the king of the underworld kingdom to let go Eurydice back. The king agreed, on condition that Orpheus should go out of the underworld kingdom first, and Eurydice should follow him at a distance. Orpheus should go all the way without looking back even once. If he looked back, Eurydice would stay in the underworld kingdom forever.

Vera.

How interesting.

Volodya.

And they started off. They walked for a long time. At last they could see the surface... And here Orpheus could not help looking back. He saw Eurydice next to him for a second, and then she disappeared forever.

Vera.

But why did he look back?

Volodya.

I don"t know.

Vera.

He really loved her, could not live without her and suddenly looked back...

Volodya.

May be, he wanted to check whether she was following him or not. It"s very hard to walk without looking back... You walk and don"t feel any support, as if you were quite alone...

Vera.

That"s not true; it seems to me, when you love, you"re not alone...


Scene 10

Volodya in Larisa"s room. Enter Larisa.

Volodya.

Well, at last.

Larisa.

Have you been waiting for me?

Volodya.

I didn"t know what to think.

Larisa.

We were given an urgent assignment at the end of the working day.

Volodya.

Are you tired?

Larisa.

Yes, I"m dead-beat. And what have you done today?

Volodya.

I put up ads about the exchange all over the city. And I gave an ad to the information bureau about apartment exchange with Novosibirsk. I thought you would come and we"d go out somewhere - to a café or restaurant.

Larisa.

It"s already late now.

Volodya.

Are you hungry? I have boiled water in the teapot. I"ll bring it right away.

Larisa.

O.K., then I"ll change my clothes.


Volodya leaves. Larisa quickly brings a suitcase from the corridor, puts a chair, and tries to throw the suitcase on the top of the wardrobe, but the suitcase bangs down.

Enter Volodya.

Volodya.

Can I help you?

Larisa (embarrassed).

Yes, you can. I cannot put the suitcase in the place.


Volodya (puts the suitcase on the top of the wardrobe).

It"s a good suitcase. When did you buy it? Were they on sale again?

Larisa.

It was Kirill who bought it for me; on the same day you saw me in line.

Volodya.

And when did he give it to you? Today?

Larisa.

Yes.

Volodya.

After work?

Larisa.

Yes.

Volodya.

Well, so you were spending time with him after work. And where were you?

Larisa.

We went to a café.

Volodya.

What café?

Larisa.

The "Friendship" café.

Volodya.

Are you sure that the café"s name was "Friendship"? May be it was different? "Love", for instance? How do you like this name?

Larisa.

I can"t understand what you want from me.

Volodya.

I don"t want you to meet him any longer.

Larisa.

It is impossible. He saved me.

Volodya.

But I gave up everything: the job, the apartment, came here. Every spare minute I think of you... and at the same time you...

Larisa.

He feels bad now. I must help him. Otherwise something wrong will happen to him.

Volodya.

And how about me?

Larisa.

Kirill is a man with complexes, and you...

Volodya.

And I"m without complexes - that"s something at last. Did you tell him about me?

Larisa.

I mentioned in passing...

Volodya.

Give him a call and tell him that you broke up with him.


Larisa.

Give a call? Right away?

Volodya.

Yes, right now...

Larisa.

I"ll do this, but not now.

Volodya.

Why?

Larisa.

It"ll be hard for him to hear this. He isn"t ready yet.

Volodya.

So, he isn"t ready, and you"re preparing him. Well, is this your urgent assignment?

Larisa.

He is very lonely, I"m his only friend...Volodya, I"ll tell him, but not now. Please.

Volodya.

Well, as you like. That"s your own business. Where are my things?

Larisa.

Volodya?

Volodya.

I"m asking you, where are my papers and files?

Larisa.

Don"t do this, please. I understand that you feel annoying.

Volodya.

Annoying... choose better phrases, please. Didn"t you yourself have the sense to do this? Annoying! Where"s my file?

Larisa.

It"s on the top of the wardrobe...

Volodya.

Next to his suitcase? Great! You couldn"t have thought of anything better. I"m asking where"re my things?

A pause.

Larisa.

All right, I agree....


Volodya.

Dial his number.

Larisa (dials the telephone number).

Busy...

Volodya.

Never mind. We"ll wait. Is he living alone?

Larisa.

Yes, in a studio.

Volodya.

I don"t care how many rooms he has. Dial again. Have you dialed? Well, speak.

Larisa.

Kirill, it"s Larisa. Good evening. What"re you doing? Have you come back recently? Where have you been?

Volodya.

I don"t care where he has been. Say: "We"re over".

Larisa.

Just a minute... What are you saying? Kirill, I"m calling on business, I need to tell you something.

Volodya.

"We cannot meet any longer".

Larisa.

Kirill, I need to tell you something. So, you know it"s happened so that we can"t meet any longer. Don"t seek meeting me and don"t give me calls. I can"t make out what you"re saying.

Volodya.

"And I won"t go south with you".

Larisa.

And I won"t go south with you. I"ve made up my mind. Why are you silent? Are you with me? Kirill!

Volodya.

"We"re over".

Larisa.

Say something... (Buzzing.) He hung up... Did you want this?

Volodya.

And now throw away this suitcase.

Larisa.

Where shall I throw it away?

Volodya.

Anywhere, I don"t care.

Larisa.

The suitcase isn"t guilty it is an inanimate object.

Volodya.

But I"m animate. I can"t see it any more. It"s hanging over my head.

Larisa.

But I don"t know where to put it, there"s no room here.

Volodya.

I don"t care.

Grabs the suitcase and throws it away into the corridor.

Let it stay there, may be somebody will pick it up.


Larisa runs out into the corridor. Soon she comes back without the suitcase, with tear - stained eyes.

Volodya.

What"s wrong with your face? Did anybody hurt you over there?


Scene 11

A few weeks later. Larisa"s is in her room. A doorbell. Larisa runs to open the door. There"s Maria Gavrilovna at the door.

Larisa.

Can I help you?

Maria Gavrilovna.

I"m looking for those who want to exchange rooms. I was passing by I thought, let me drop in.


Enter Volodya.

Larisa.

This is about the exchange...

Volodya.

Well, why are you standing, showing nothing? Come in, please. Have a look: the room is eleven square meters, light, quiet. Look at the ceiling! What do you think how high it is?

Maria Gavrilovna.

I don"t know.

Volodya.

Three and a half meters. The window looks out on the yard that"s why it"s quiet in the room, comfortable. I can open the window if you wish.

Maria Gavrilovna.

Oh, no, it isn"t necessary.

Volodya.

And what do you have?

Maria Gavrilovna.

I have a room in the communal, twelve meters. The room is good, just like yours.

Volodya.

Larisa, show the kitchen to the person. I see that you agree in general?

Maria Gavrilovna.

Yes, the room"s good, suitable.

Larisa.

Here is my table, right at the window.

Volodya.

And we have a big kitchen. To tell the truth, there are many neighbors, but each has its own place in it.

Maria Gavrilovna.

I have just two neighbors.

Larisa.

Two? I can"t believe.


Scene 12

The communal kitchen. All the neighbors are in it. Enter Volodya, Larisa and Maria Gavrilovna.

Volodya.

Good evening, everybody.

Chorus.

Evening"s good.

Larisa.

Almost everyone is here. Let me introduce our neighbors. And she"s come to discuss the apartment exchange.

Maria Gavrilovna.

Good evening. My name is Maria Gavrilovna.

Anna Mikhailovna.

Aren"t you scared that there are a lot of us?

Maria Gavrilovna.

No, I am not scared this is what suits me.

Zoya.

It"s very interesting! Everybody"s looking for a smaller communal, and you are -- the other way round.

Maria Gavrilovna.

Yes, for my domestic reasons.

Anna Mikhailovna.

What domestic reasons do you have?

Maria Gavrilovna.

I don"t live alone: I have also a son. My neighbors and I work all day long. I"m afraid to leave my son in the flat alone. But in the large communal there"ll be always somebody who stays at home. I see, all the folks here are elderly, pensioners...

Zoya.

Well, is he a little boy? I mean your son?

Maria Gavrilovna.

No, he isn"t little...

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

How old is he?

Maria Gavrilovna.

Approaching to thirty.

Zoya.

So an eligible bachelor. Verka, do you want to be married?

Maria Gavrilovna.

Yes, he probably a bachelor but not quite.

Zoya.

Why, is he sick? We"ll cure him?

Maria Gavrilovna.

No, you won"t cure him nobody will cure him.

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

Is there anything with his head?

Maria Gavrilovna.

Yes, with his head.

Zoya.

Oh, we don"t need such a man.

Maria Gavrilovna.

What, won"t we have the exchange?

Volodya.

Yes, we certainly will. Don"t pay attention...

Maria Gavrilovna.

That"s good. I like it very much when the table is at the window.

Anna Mikhailovna.

Larisa, have you told Maria Gavrilovna that we don"t have a water-heater?

Maria Gavrilovna.

Never mind. I don"t have it in my flat either. In general, I like everything here.

Volodya.

You haven"t yet seen the bathroom.


Larisa, Volodya, and Maria Gavrilovna went away.

Zoya.

Look at him giving orders, "Don"t pay attention". All right, you"ll have to pay attention.

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

Zoya, what have you planned?

Zoya.

Kleopatra Ivanovna, we don"t need any lunatics - all of us are lunatics.


Scene 13

Larisa"s room. Volodya, Larisa, and Maria Gavrilovna.

Volodya.

Maria Gavrilovna, take a seat in the armchair. Feel comfortable. Tell us in details what you have.

Maria Gavrilovna.

I"ve already told you that my room is like yours. There"s only one window too, but it looks out on the street, and therefore it"s noisier. It"s so quiet in yours... Oh, who"s barking? Do you have dogs in the flat?

Volodya.

What, don"t you like dogs?

Maria Gavrilovna.

Why, I like them, and my son... he is just mad about them. What breed?

Larisa.

Dwarf poodle.

Maria Gavrilovna.

Just think - a dwarf dog, but is barking so loud. What kind of people are your neighbors, are they nice?

Volodya.

Yes, nice, too nice.


Heard are Bunchuk"s steps, and then the noise of the flying basins.

Maria Gavrilovna.

Oh, what"s going on there? End of the world, my Gosh! When will it stop? How can I get out of here?

Larisa.

Maria Gavrilovna, where are you going? Wait a little it"ll soon stop.

Volodya.

Where are you hurrying?

Maria Gavrilovna.

Home, where else?

Volodya.

And what about the exchange?

Maria Gavrilovna.

You know, I"m not a lunatic. One has to have a bundle of nerves to live in such conditions. Who"s playing around here?

Larisa.

Our neighbor, you know.

Maria Gavrilovna.

Just think.

A crash is heard.

And she"s also shooting.

Volodya.

You"re wrong.

Maria Gavrilovna (crossing her chest).

Oh, yes, I"m wrong, but I"m not deaf, you know. Real shells. And look at me, old fool, decided to exchange flats in my old age. Just think how I"ve gotten into a mess. Why didn"t you warn me at once? And do you have this frequently?

Volodya.

Well, it all depends...

Maria Gavrilovna.

"It all depends..." and you consider yourselves intelligentsia. In these cases you shouldn"t put up ads. It seems to me, that one of your neighbors winked at me, not without reason. It"s quiet now. May I go?

Knock on the door Enter Kleopatra Ivanovna

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

Vladimir, I"ve come to ask you to call for the police. I was told in court that the more reports - the better.

Volodya.

No, I"ve already called... You yourself started this and you yourself disentangle.

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

O.K., I"ll call for the police myself.


Goes to the telephone in the corridor. Her conversation is heard in the room.

Police, I"m making a phone call. What is up? As usual: a row in the flat.

Maria Gavrilovna.

Why, do you fight here? Right they say: measure three times, and exchange apartment once. And I, old fool...

Enter Kleopatra Ivanovna.

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

They promised to come in fifteen minutes. Maria Gavrilovna, all our neighbors are asking you to do us a favor.

Maria Gavrilovna.

What favor?

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

Couldn"t you testify in the court as an outside witness? We have a lot of our own witnesses, but we don"t have enough outside ones.

Maria Gavrilovna.

What, did it already come to a court case?

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

There will be a trial soon. You saw what was going here...

Maria Gavrilovna.

Oh, yes, I saw. When all this started, I was about to leave. Peeped out from behind the curtain that is hanging on the door and saw pails and basins flying past me - well, real shells. I backed to the room - fast. Sitting and shaking with fear. Just like at the war.

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

Well, can we rely on you?

Maria Gavrilovna.

Well, if you need me...

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

Will you come to the court?

Maria Gavrilovna.

Just warn me ahead of time.


Scene 14

Larisa"s room. Larisa, Volodya, Maria Gavrilovna, Kleopatra Ivanovna, and policeman are in the room.

Policeman.

Have you called the police?

Chorus.

We called.

Policeman.

Well, what"s happened here? Did you again scatter basins and pails? Shall we draw up a record? Ah, old friend! What are you doing here?

Volodya.

How come? I"m living here...

Policeman.

I wonder how you"ve been living here without residence permit? You are breaking the routine!

Volodya.

I"ve come to see my... friend.

Policeman.

What friend did you come to, what"s the name?

Larisa.

He lives with me.

Policeman.

What grounds have you been living here on?

Larisa.

He lives with me, because he"s my husband.

Policemen

Suppose he"s your husband. Show your passport, please, right away, and we"ll check your stamp. If all is in order, then I"m sorry-s.

Larisa.

Yesterday we applied for marriage in the registry office... We haven"t had time...

Volodya.

Larisa, stop it...

Policeman.

Ah, you haven"t had time... I see: in short, I have to give him a serious warning. If I find him here again and you don"t have stamps in your passports, then - no argument, within twenty-four hours... and good-bye.

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

We"ve called you, strictly speaking, for something else. And instead you"re rushing at honest and decent people.

Policeman.

You say, honest and decent. Wait and see. They"ll make it out in the court. Don"t you know that false evidence is punished?

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

What false evidence?

Policeman.

Do you know what is false evidence?

Chorus.

No.

Policeman.

False evidence is when a person didn"t see anything, but says that he saw.

Volodya.

How do you know that I didn"t see anything?

Policeman.

I won"t say how I know - it"s a secret. We get signals about your flat from different sources. At first I ignored them, but now I can see that I did this in vain: the signals were correct. I"ll be having control over your flat; I"ll check it myself. You"ll answer for false evidence at the trial...


Kleopatra Ivanovna.

But we"ve invited you...

Policeman.

Dear citizens, try to understand me correctly. I get signals, and I must react. This is my duty. But I couldn"t deal with both cases at the same time. And you dear friend get it clear: if I see you here again, then within twenty-four hours - good-buy!

The policeman went away.


Scene 15

The communal kitchen. Anna Mikhailovna and Zoya are in the kitchen. Enter Kleopatra Ivanovna

Anna Mikhailovna.

Well, what did the judge say?

Zoya.

Imposing man, isn"t he?

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

Imposing, but what of it?

Anna Mikhailovna.

Is something wrong?

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

The judge made it clear that there"s no such law according to which Bunchuk could be evicted from our flat.

Zoya.

Why not?

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

The judge explained if the person pays her rent and works, no court could evict her.

Zoya.

So, won"t there be any trial?

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

There will be a trial all the same. Bunchuk laid counter-claims. She insists on evicting the dog. The judge advised not to take away our claim, thus both cases will be heard at the same time.

Runs in Vera.

Vera.

Girls, have you heard? He"s flying away today.

Chorus.

Who?

Vera.

Volodya, Vladimir. He said he had an urgent call from their Central Directorate; he needed to go...

Anna Mikhailovna.

And what about us? He is our only witness, isn"t he?

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

We have still Maria Gavrilovna.

Zoya.

There was one man among us...

Anna Mikhailovna.

Yes, but they don"t stay here long.

Vera.

May be the conditions aren"t proper here.

Kleopatra Ivanovna..

And how do we live here?


Vera.

Well, we"re different. I hoped that Larisa would be lucky.

Anna Mikhailovna.

Lucky, unlucky. What does it matter to you?

Vera.

It"s necessary somebody be lucky in our conditions.

Zoya.

Our conditions are still not bad. But after trial... Bunchuk will give it us heat.


Scene 16

Larisa"s room. Volodya gets out his suitcase without a handle. He tries to lift it, to walk with it in the room. The suitcase drops from his hands. Larisa is already at her work Volodya comes up to the phone, dials the number.


Volodya.

Larisa, you see, I had a call from the Novosibirsk institute. The Central Directorate wants me. You know, the thing is that the expedition is in danger; they"ll never make it out without me. So, I must immediately fly away. Here I"ve started packing things... don"t you have any case? My suitcase... its handle... To ask Vera? Thank you... As soon as I have packed things I"ll go to the airport. To say good-buy? You may come to the airport. But don"t worry, as soon as I arrive, I"ll give you a call. Well, till then, at the airport.


Puts the telephone. Vera stands at the door.

Vera, what are doing here?

Vera.

Just nothing...

Volodya.

Well, then, I"m leaving. I have to fly to Novosibirsk. Business. Yes, Vera, Larisa has said that you must have her suitcase. I need it very much, would you fetch it, please.

Vera (hands in Larisa"s suitcase).

Here it is.

Volodya.

Oh, this? Don"t you have another?

Vera.

Why, don"t you like it? It"s suitable with locks it won"t open.

Volodya.

And what is it that is rolling inside?

Vera.

It"s my gift for you.

Volodya.

Vera, why? I feel uncomfortable to get a gift from you. I haven"t given you anything.

Vera.

Never mind, it"s unimportant, I just wanted to.

Volodya.

Thank you. You know, one feels uncomfortable when a woman gives gifts to a man. What is it?

Vera.

It"s a gift for men, a deodorant. It"s called "Orpheus". Do you want me to try it on you? The smell is nice, isn"t it? I"m giving it to you not because of its smell, but for its name; you"re like Orpheus for me.

Volodya.

Do I look like?

Vera.

For me, you do. Besides, I don"t have anybody else, but sometimes I"d like to give somebody something. When I was married to Zhmayev, I even gave him flowers sometimes.

Volodya.

And what about him, did he give you presents?


Packing his things in the suitcase.

Vera.

No...

Volodya.

Where is he now, your Zhmayev?

Vera.

I don"t know. We parted when my daughter wasn"t yet born. But I don"t regret all the same that I have a daughter. And then it seems to me, that he will appear all of a sudden. I still do hope. I think he is not such a man.

Volodya.

Not such a man - you, crank! By the way, remember you asked me why Orpheus looked back? Here I thought about this and understood something. In general, I understood why he looked back.

Vera.

Why?

Volodya.

He looked back on purpose.

Vera.

How come, on purpose?

Volodya.

He looked back on purpose for Eurydice to disappear.

Vera.

It"s impossible!

Volodya.

Why? Explain.

Vera.

I feel that"s not true but I cannot explain.

Volodya.

Orpheus like any talented and creative person had feelings and difficulties of his own. When Eurydice died he missed her badly, and he thought that if Eurydice returned all his difficulties would be solved and eliminated... We, men, always rely upon women; they"ll help, save us. We believe in love... but love saves in case you are not loved but you love. And if you can"t love...

Vera.

You wanted to tell again about Orpheus, don"t you?

Volodya.

Well, if you want. He went down to hell together with his doubts and feelings, got over unimaginable difficulties. He went down to hell and met his Eurydice there, to be more exact, her shadow. And they went... Imagine: there is stink, stench, darkness around; it is not pleasant at all to travel in hell. You see, what is hell? It"s an impasse, like here in your communal apartment. There"s no way out... Orpheus was walking and thinking all the way. And they were walking and walking... The man who lost hope is quite a different person

Vera.

Why did Orpheus lose hope?


Volodya.

What do we know about Orpheus? Just that he looked back. And if Orpheus thought that he would never get out of this hell while Eurydice was following him? That he would walk here and there circling about hell; while she was behind... he could think so, couldn"t he? I"m asking you, couldn"t he? And Orpheus just looked back, and Eurydice disappeared.

Vera.

No, that"s not true.

Volodya.

Well, stop repeating. When I lived here I thought about this and made up something... Yes, the suitcase is big enough. Well, it"s time to go.

Larisa runs in. Exit Vera.


Scene 17

Larisa and Volodya in Larisa"s room.

Larisa.

Uff, I"ve nearly missed you. Have you taken any food with you?

Volodya.

No, I haven"t.

Larisa.

I"ll make a few sandwiches.

Volodya.

What for?

Larisa.

Just to be on the safe side.

Volodya.

Don"t make any sandwiches; you know that they give food on board the plane.

Larisa.

Not always.

Volodya.

At such distances - always.

Larisa.

You see all is so unexpected. I"ll see you off.

Volodya.

It"s quite unnecessary.

Larisa.

I want to see you off.

Volodya.

You want to be sure that I flew away?

Larisa.

Why are talking in this way?

Volodya.

You know very well that I don"t like when anybody sees me off.

Larisa.

Then give me a call when you arrive, on the same day, otherwise I"ll be worried.

Volodya.

I"ll arrive in Novosibirsk at night. It"ll take long to get the luggage, to find a taxi...

Larisa.

What do you need a taxi for? You have just one suitcase.

Volodya.

And a bag.

Larisa.

Why do you need a bag?

Volodya.

Otherwise I won"t be able to place all my things.

Larisa.

Did you take all your things?

Volodya.

I don"t know all or not all... I"ve taken those at hand.

Larisa.

I can see that you"ve taken even all the books. Volodya, take me with you from here.

Volodya.

Where shall I take you?

Larisa.

To Novosibirsk, to the expedition. You know, I"m an engineer. I can be helpful.


Volodya.

What are we going to do there?

Larisa.

We"ll live together, may be, we"ll have a child...

Volodya.

I"ve already told you, I"ll come back. I"ll organize the expedition and...

Larisa.

You"ve made up everything! You don"t have any expedition. And you"ve never had it. Why are you silent? It already happened once, it happened. You left me once when I was pregnant. You knew that I was expecting. What did you do? You didn"t come home for weeks, and I was shaking with fear and jealousy. I had an abortion, and then I said to myself that I"d rather be alone. Now you appear again and leave me again. What did you come to me for?

Volodya.

Why do you need me, if you don"t trust me, don"t have respect for me? I"ll be late for the plane... Let me go...

Larisa.

I won"t let you go! I"ll be standing at the door. I know you"ll not push away a woman!

Volodya.

Larisa, pull yourself together.

Larisa.

Is that all you can tell me? I didn"t ask you to return to me! You did this yourself! I have the only wish: to forget all!

Volodya.

You"re hysterical.

Larisa.

Yes, hysterical. I have hysterics, but you have nothing, neither expedition nor ensemble! You have never had anything.

Volodya.

You"re wrong. I had an ensemble. I myself gathered and bought some instruments, and my guys and I played rock music in the basement. We became popular in the city, and people came to listen to us. But it was over one wonderful morning. Now bunches of pop-ensembles appeared, my guys ran out and joined different groups. They sing about pink roses on the snow, about girls they love or don"t love. They yell about this so loud that I stop up my ears. In a word, it isn"t my music. Or may be it was my fault let them go...

Larisa.

Of course it"s your fault. You have never done anything.

Volodya.

May be. I lacked character, talent, whatever...

Larisa.

You"re a talent less, incapable type. As soon as there"s slightest difficulty, you leave and run away...

Volodya.

May be you are right, but your fault is you haven"t understood what a man expects from a woman. Woman should respect a man and believe...

Larisa.

What should I respect you for? You"ve been here for a month, what have you been doing? Loafing about the city and drinking beer in the beer booths. Zoya saw you...

Volodya.

So you have been spying on me; what I do in the city, in the flat, in the room. Vera eavesdrops all the time, the others screw out fuses, and some bark like a dog. And you believe Zoya! You are crazy!

Larisa.

It"s you who are crazy!

Volodya.

Why do you think that I don"t understand who gives signals about me to the police?

Larisa.

Who does?

Volodya.

Can"t you have a guess?

Larisa.

No.

Volodya.

All is made up very smart! You are the interested party.

Larisa.

Why?

Volodya.

You played a good performance by all. Kleopatra needed to defrost the fridge on the day of my arrival, then you started a small fight, meddled me with the police, thus checking my arrival. And then you decided to lead me to the registry office under the police control. You yourself go to the police station. You, You! Don"t stop up your ears!

Larisa.

What makes you think so?

Volodya.

I"ll tell you if you insist. Only you knew that I wasn"t in the bathroom. I was with you. Why was the policeman so sure that I had deceived him? That I "m a false witness? Who could tell him? Nobody but you.

Larisa.

You"re insane! You are crazy!

Volodya.

Then why do you want me to stay? Do you need crazy people?

Larisa.

Go away! Take your suitcases and bags and go away! I don"t want to listen to you!


Larisa stops up her ears, leaves her position at the door, goes up to the window.

I don"t want! I don"t want! You"ve gone off your head. You have to be treated!


Volodya takes his things and quietly exits.

I don"t want to see you! Shut up! Get out of here! Go wherever you came from!


Larisa looks around; there is nobody in the room. She listens: there is silence in the flat. Dog"s barking is heard from a distance.


Scene 18

Larisa"s room. The telephone rings in the corridor. Vera comes up to the telephone.

Vera.

Hello! Hello! Long-distance? Novosibirsk? Right away, just a minute, wait a little Larisa! Larisa! You"re wanted on the phone from Novosibirsk.

Larisa (comes up to the telephone).

Hello! Speaking. Hello! Volo... Oh, you are calling about the ad. What ad? About the exchange? I can"t do this now. Give me a call in a week or two. Then I"ll know for sure... good-buy. (To Vera). The call is from Novosibirsk. Volodya advertised the exchange. They want me to decide as soon as possible, but... Volodya promised to give a call but he hasn"t...

Vera.

May be he forgot?

Larisa.

How come - forgot? His call is very important for me.

Vera.

Is it because of your pregnancy?

Larisa.

How do you know this?

Vera.

One can read in your face. What are you going to do?

Larisa.

I don"t know yet, but probably - abortion.

Vera.

Don"t, especially at your age. You"ll be sorry later. I didn"t do it and I"m happy. Zhmayev was even giving me money for the abortion. But I was afraid.

Larisa.

There"s nothing to be afraid of. Everybody does it.

Vera.

No, it"s something awful.

Larisa.

Well, just think, what shall I do with a child, if I have one, in such a flat, alone?

Vera.

Well, and how do I live? It"s hard, sure, but when my daughter smiles at me, I"m so happy. In fact nothing really happened, just the child smiled.

Larisa.

It smiles now, and then it"ll grow up and leave you.

Vera.

You know, that won"t happen soon. I can still live and be alive - at least I"m not alone, the two of us together. And you"ll be having somebody too, and there"ll be the two of you together.

Larisa.

Yes, together in the eleven-meters room...

Vera.

Well, yes! You"ll be immediately put on the list and then you"ll be given an apartment. Time flies. You need only to wait and hope. You see, I gave my daughter the name of Nadezhda, which means hope... that is not accidental. And you, if you have a daughter, call her Eurydice. The name is so beautiful and rare. Nadezhda and Eurydice. They will run together in the corridor. The corridor is huge, even one can ride a bicycle. And then, when they grow up a little, we"ll buy tricycles for them and they"ll be riding their tricycles along the corridor. From one end to the other. Nadezhda and Eurydice... Larisa, do you hear?

Larisa.

No.

Vera.

But listen: tara-ra-tara-ra. Well, this is the song that Volodya used to sing. Where does it sound from?

Larisa.

I think it is broadcast.


Larisa increases the volume of the radio; the song from the movie "Black Orpheus" is heard. A knock on the door. Kleopatra Ivanovna"s voice: "May I come in?"

Larisa.

Yes, you may.

Enter Kleopatra Ivanovna.

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

And where is...


Vera grabs her hand and points to the radio. A knock on the door. Enter Anna Mikhailovna.

Anna Mikhailovna.

But where is Volodya?

Kleopatra Ivanovna.

That"s the radio.

Anna Mikhailovna (disappointed).

Ah... Zoya runs up to me and says: "You"re sitting here alone, hear nothing, and Larisa"s husband"s come back to her".

Runs in the dressed-up, made-up, smiling Zoya.

Zoya.And where is...

Anna Mikhailovna silently points to the radio. Everybody stands and listens to the radio.


END