Nikolay Fedorovich POGODIN
KREMLIN CHIMES
A play in four acts, eleven scenes
Table of contents:
Characters
Act one
Scene one
Scene two
Scene three
Scene four
Scene five
Act two
Scene one
Scene two
Act three
Scene one
Scene two
Act four
Scene one
Scene two
________________________________________________________________
Characters
Lenin.
Dzerzhinsky.
Rybakov - sailor.
Zabelin is an old engineer.
Zabelina is his wife.
Masha is their daughter.
Chudnov is a peasant.
Anna is Chudnov’s wife.
R oman is their son.
Liza is their daughter-in-law.
M a r u s i ,
Stepka are their children.
Kazanok is a village bell ringer.
Senior,
Bearded,
Handy - workers.
I'm old and old.
An old woman with her child.
D a m a connection
D a m a and frightened
SKEPTIK,
O p t i m i s t - guests of the Zabelins.
K u k h a r k a Z a b e l i n y h.
CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE.
Military.
Lenin's secretary.
G lagolev is an expert.
M a sh i n i s t k a.
C h a s o v s h i k.
A n g l i s k i y p i s a t e l.
T o r g o v k a k u l a m i.
Krasnoarmets.
P about h o z i y.
Spiritual face.
S p e c u l i n t.
T o r g o v k a s a l o m.
Woman.
T o r g o vka.
H u m e k in boots.
F irst b e s p r i z o r n i k.
The second b e with the prizornik.
T h i r d b e s p r i z o r n i k.
Pedestrians, sellers, cadets.
Act one
Scene one
Iversky Gate in Moscow. Chapel with unquenchable lamps. April evening. A fat, red-faced woman sells dolls. Here a man in a bekesh is running back and forth - with speculative intent. They pass
M o s k v i h i. They are dressed colorfully and poorly. They live on starvation rations.
T o r g o v k a k u l a m i. Dolls are satin, silk, brocade. The best gift for children. Any doll - seven hundred and fifty thousand. An irreplaceable gift for children!
A spiritual person passes by. Walks slowly, eyes downcast.
Spiritual (quietly, but clearly.) I exchange gold, cast, antique crosses for flour.
P about h o z i y. Don't you change the bells?
Spiritual. So, is there a buyer?
P about h o z i y. You will sell the Iberian Mother of God, Herod!
T o r g o vka. Lace, Brussels, Chantilly... Lace, Brussels, Chantilly...
Speculator (cold and drunk voice). Shrapnel... shrapnel, decent grain, foreign, the best, pleasant, aromatic... Only for things, only for things...
PASSING WOMAN. Will you take the scarf?
S p e c u l i a n t. It depends.
Woman. Orenburg, not worn.
S p e c u l i n t. Where is your handkerchief?
Woman. Where's your cereal?
S p e c u l i a n t. Not far. Don't be afraid. I won't deceive you. I'm an honest trader.
The woman and the speculator leave.
Trader of lard. Lard, lard, who needs Poltava lard! I brought lard from Poltava. Let's exchange lard for gold.
V o l o s a:
- Belts, belts!
- Saccharin, academic tablets, completely replace sugar, aromatic sensations. No expenses!
T o r g o vka. Lace, Brussels, Chantilly. Lace, Brussels, Chantilly!
A man of unknown age appears. It's lacquered
pipe boots, a checkered winter jacket and an English cap.
H u m e k in boots. Who is interested in new anti-religious literature? Dostoevsky's posthumous work: "What does a wife do when her husband is not at home"! One hundred jokes and anecdotes from the sex life of Count Sologub with illustrations!
F irst b e s p r i z o r n i k. Stop! You have an ace from another deck.
The second b e with the prizornik. I swear by freedom!..
Homeless children fight.
F irst b e s p r i z o r n i k. Put the money in its place!
The second one is a ghost. Don’t fight, I’ll put it down.
F irst bes prizornik. Will you play without cheating?
The second b e with the prizornik. I swear by freedom!
Card game.
T o r g o vka. Lace, Brussels, Chantilly!
The second one is with a ghost. I go to any half of the lemon.
First homeless person. I hear a voice, but I don’t see money. Show the answer.
The second b e c o r n i k. There is an answer.
The third beggar. Boys, look, the engineer is coming, who sells matches.
Zabelin's voice: "Sulfur matches, safe, made by Lapshin."
First homeless child. Now we will take money from his pocket, take cigarettes, and he will cry for us.
Zabelin appears. He is clean shaven. His graying temples and mustache are carefully trimmed. He is wearing a cap and a uniform jacket under an old coat. Zabelin wears starched collars and expensive antique ties.
Hello engineer.
Zabelin. Hello!
F irst b e s p r i z o r n i k. How are you living?
Zabelin. Like you, bad.
F irst b e s p r i z o r n i k. So you live at home, and I live in an asphalt boiler.
Zabelin. And I will soon move into the boiler.
F irst b e s p r i z o r n i k. When you move, then speak up. Did you sell a lot?
Zabelin. Don't know. I didn't count.
F irst b e s p r i z o r n i k. We'll count now!
Zabelin. How do you calculate?
F irst p rizornik. I was the first student in arithmetic at the gymnasium. Wow!.. Look! Trade, engineer, we will come to you again! Let's run, boys, to Tverskaya to the dining room to ask for porridge.
The homeless children leave singing:
"There's a steamer on the Don,
Water rings
Let's feed the fish
Volunteers."
Zabelin. Pre-war matches, sulfur, Lapshin factories.
T o r g o v k a k u l a m i. The best gift for children. Satin, silk, brocade dolls... Dolls, dolls...
A red-haired man stops near the doll seller.
Krasnoarmets. How much are these dolls?
T o r g o v k a k u l a m i. Seven hundred fifty thousand.
Krasnoarmets. Ruin!.. What are you taking money for? For the doll. Is this a thing?
T o r g o v k a k u l a m i. You don’t need it, so don’t be interested.
Krasnoarmets. Why is it not necessary? Need to. Speak in action, how much will you pay for?
T o r g o v k a k u l a m i. Seven hundred fifty.
Krasnoarmets. Would you like any half?
T o r g o v k a k u l a m i. If you want to joke, then go somewhere else.
Krasnoarmets. Take half a million... Well, think about it, this is not a horse, but a doll... a toy!
T o r g o v k a k u l a m i. If you don't understand anything, don't speak! Why are you pawing them? (Getting angry.) Why are you pawing them?
Krasnoarmets (peacefully). OK. Choose which one is bigger.
Zabelin. Well... do you buy them by weight?
Krasnoarmets. Eka... And you won’t understand what you paid the money for... (He watches the doll seller.) You, godfather, don’t give me that crooked line!
T o r g o v k a k u l a m i. You are stupid. She is not crooked, but with an expression on her face.
Krasnoarmets. Since you sell without a discount, then serve the goods first grade. (To Zabelin.) Am I right?
Zabelin. Why do you need a doll?
Krasnoarmets. They will tell me too. I'm taking the girl, my daughter. I'm leaving the front on indefinite leave. I'm bringing a gift. How much are matches?
Zabelin. I trade at regular prices.
Krasnoarmets. Do they light up?
Zabelin. I have never deceived people.
Krasnoarmets. You never know... I bought a loaf of bread yesterday. I took a bite, but it was bitter. He threw it to the dog, and it refused to eat. If you are trading with a guarantee, then with this yard of money I will take some serniki in reserve. Otherwise, in the village there is also a hunger for fire. Oh, now I'm hungry for everything. (Unwinds the ribbon of cash coupons.) But we live richly... in the hundreds, thousands, we swim like cheese in butter!
Zabelin. How long did you fight?
Krasnoarmets. I went from imperialist to civilian.
Zabelin. So... You've won a little, soldier! A doll and a pack of matches!
Krasnoarmets. Whatever it is, it’s a gift. I'll start talking to you, and the train will leave. Don't know the time?
Zabelin. Don't know. The clock in the Kremlin no longer chimes.
Krasnoarmets. What are they? Are you spoiled?
Zabelin. Yes, brother, the main clock in the state has been damaged. The Kremlin chimes are silent. Bon voyage, soldier. Take the doll home.
Krasnoarmets. You can't knock me down. I'm grated. And for such hints they can push you against the wall.
Zabelin. Do you think it will be better? It won't be better.
Krasnoarmets. I don’t know - it’s better, I don’t know - no, but it wouldn’t hurt to put you up against the wall. Well, goodbye. I am busy.
Zabelin. Sulfur matches, pre-war, safe, made by Lapshin! (To the merchant.) The Kremlin chimes are silent... What do you think about this, madam?
T o r g o v k a k u l a m i. My alarm clock also fell off my dresser and stopped. I don’t know who can fix it.
Zabelin. Sorry, you said something stupid.
T o r g o v k a k u l a m i. If you are smart, then don't interfere with stupid people... The best gift for children, the best gift for children!
Zabelin. Sulfur matches, pre-war, Lapshin factories!
Returns with a speculative note.
S p e c u l i a n t. Shrapnel... shrapnel, the most nutritious cereal! Only on things, only on things!
Zabelin. Listen up, cereal merchant!
Speculator. I’m listening, Your Excellency.
Zabelin. If the chimes fell silent at Westminster Abbey in London, what would an Englishman say?
Speculator. I can’t know, your Excellency!
Zabelin. An Englishman would say that England is over.
Speculator. Free business, free business!
Zabelin. This, cereal merchant, is a paroxysm of the heart.
Speculator: You, Your Excellency, would rather talk about this at home with your wife, but it’s not worth it with us.
T o r g o v k a k u l a m i. If you want to go to Lubyanka, then that’s the way to go, but we don’t want to go at all! Why are you pretending to be a cadet on the street? Why are you allowing my customers to campaign against the Kremlin? If you stand up against the regime, then go to Wrangel in Crimea. You are not an honest Soviet speculator! I shave you, and you are silent, showing pride. Jesus was also found without apostles! (Goes.) The best gift for children! (Leaves.)
Zabelin. I tell everyone only what I think, but you are afraid.
S p e c u l i n t. Of course, I'm afraid. For such conversations, Your Excellency, they can force, excuse me, to take out the outhouses. So much for the abbey. (Leaves.)
Dukhovny (who observed this whole conversation from the side). I look at you and think - carry a great fire in your heart!
Zabelin. Sorry, I never entered into relations with priests.
Spiritual. This is due to error, my friend! Well, they threw the priests into dust... and what happened?
Zabelin. And even more so, talking to you must be very disgusting.
Spiritual. You don’t have your own shore. You will drown, dear sir.
Zabelin. I repeat, I do not enter into relations with priests and swindlers.
Spiritual. You are a demon... a demon!
Zabelin. Get out of here, you old rascal!
Spiritual. I hear from a scammer!
Zabelin. I'll hit you in the neck.
Spiritual. You are possessed by the devil, your habits are crazy, I assure you!
While the spiritual person leaves, Zabelina appears. This is a woman of about forty. Looks younger. She was once very pretty and now she has not withered or fallen at all. Dressed well
in winter. On the head is a white woolen scarf.
Zabelina. Anton Ivanovich, you should go home.
Zabelin. I live on the street.
Zabelina. Who forces you to live on the street? Who is driving you out into the street? Nobody.
Zabelin. Soviet authority. This does not fit into your concepts. We will talk to you at the moment when your concepts expand. In general, I would advise you to watch your daughter more closely. And I don’t need care.
Zabelina. Well, Masha is not our child. She starts independent life.
Zabelin. Yes it's true. If she turns into a streetwalker tomorrow, I won't be surprised.
Zabelina. Anton Ivanovich, fear God. You said this about Masha, about our daughter.
Zabelin. Do you know that an hour ago your daughter went to the Metropol Hotel alone with a man?
Zabelina. "Metropol" is not a hotel. The second House of Soviets was set up there.
Zabelin. I don’t know what the House of Soviets is. "Metropol" hotel. Your daughter goes to a hotel. I saw it myself.
Zabelina. You are my husband, divorce me, but don’t you dare say such things!
Zabelin. If this gentleman is not with us within three days, then I will take my measures...
Zabelina. Good, good... It's been hard for us to live, Anton Ivanovich... It's bitter!
Zabelin. Now all of Russia lives hard and bitterly.
H u m e k in boots. Count Cagliostro, there is half a glass of moonshine, would you like to join in? Sorry.
Zabelina. Anton Ivanovich, your hands are frozen. Go home. You haven't eaten anything since morning. Let's go to.
Zabelin. I don't eat anything in the morning every day. Go where you were going.
Zabelina. Oh, how hard our life has become, how bitter. (Leaves.)
Zabelin. Sulfur matches, pre-war...
General revival of traders. Red Army soldiers are singing behind the stage.
T o r g o v k a l o m. Get the mene, women!.. The mene has lard in her skirt... There is lard all around. (Runs away.)
The students pass by singing.
Scene two
A room in the Metropol Hotel. This room has long lost its hotel appearance. There are a great many newspapers and books laid out in disarray. On the table is a spirit lamp, black bread, a teapot, a glass and packs of cartridges. Above the bed on the wall there is a carbine, a saber, and a revolver in a holster. Masha Z abelina in a coat and hat is standing at the door. Rybakov is leafing through a book in the back of the room. Masha smiles for a long time
is watching him.
M asha. Why did you lock the door?
Rybakov. Then, so that no one comes here.
M asha. Not true...
Rybakov is silent.
Open the door. I'll leave.
Rybakov. I won't open it.
M asha. In general, are you trying to imagine what you are doing?
Rybakov is silent.
That's disgusting! Like a swindler, they locked the door and hid the key. You smile, and you smile disgustingly, I assure you... I want to leave. You hear?
Rybakov. I hear you.
M asha. So what?
Rybakov. I won't open the door.
M asha. I'll jump out of the window.
Rybakov. Jump.
M asha. This insignificant act is all of you. If a girl you know comes to see you, then, according to your ideas, first of all you need to lock the door.
Rybakov. This is not an insignificant act.
M asha. Disgusting!
Rybakov. Vice versa!
M asha. A vile act.
Rybakov. I decided to talk to you.
M asha. Behind closed doors?
Rybakov. What should I do?
M asha. And you dare to say that you love me?
Rybakov. No, you tell me what should I do? How many times have I been about to speak to you, and you have bowed to me mockingly and left. Now try to bow and leave. It won't work.
M asha. So this is a trap?
Rybakov. That's right, it's a trap. Sit down.
M asha. Where does this tone come from? Are you trying to order me around?
Rybakov. Sit down.
M asha. I won't sit down.
Rybakov. Well, I don’t care, just wait until the morning.
M asha. That is, how is it - until the morning?
Rybakov. Until the morning, that means until the morning.
M asha. Rybakov, are you drunk?
Rybakov. I've had enough of your tricks, Maria Antonovna. I'm not your toy. And a person just like you! You are better educated than me, and your upbringing is in no way equal to mine, but for some reason you behave terribly rudely with me. Fine. Like you and me! Until I get an answer from you, these doors will not open and you will not leave here!
M asha. Fine! You say...
Rybakov. What can I say... you know everything very well.
M asha. You were going to talk. Speak, I'm listening!
Rybakov. All this is not good, Maria Antonovna!
M asha. For the hundredth time I ask you - do not call me Maria Antonovna. I gave you permission to call me Masha a long time ago.
Rybakov. Masha! There's nothing for me to talk about. Everything has been said a long time ago.
M asha. Dear Rybakov, I will not be your wife.
Rybakov. Why?
M asha. I won't, that's all. Calm down. Goodbye. Open the door.
Rybakov. This is not an answer. This is not the way to say it.
M asha. This is the exact and final answer.
Rybakov (suddenly, with despair). But why isn't your face someone else's? When a person is refused, he can’t have such kind, such cheerful eyes? Or are there really girls for whom their tenderness and beauty do not prove anything? "Beautiful, like a heavenly angel, like a demon, treacherous and evil!"
M asha. My God! And you didn’t know? Well, of course, I'm a demon... I'm cunning and evil!
Rybakov. Why are you having so much fun?
M asha. You are a hero civil war...Funny...Shameful...
Rybakov. Ah, I understand! In your opinion, the hero of the civil war is not human?
M asha. That's not what I said.
Phone call.
Rybakov (on the phone). Rybakov is listening... Yes... From the Council of People's Commissars? Rybakov is listening... Tell Vladimir Ilyich that the task is completed... Yes... Okay...
M asha. Just think about the times we live in! You visit Lenin...
Rybakov. You say it wrong, Maria... You say it wrong, Masha! We are not puritans...
M asha. How do you know about the Puritans?
Rybakov. Why do I read all night long?
M asha. What did you read last night?
Rybakov. "Hero of our time."
M asha. But yesterday?
Rybakov. "Letters from Afar"
M asha. Would you like me to guide your reading?
Rybakov. Masha, sit down for a minute!
M asha. Open the door.
Rybakov. I won't open it.
M asha. This is not appropriate. You are humiliating me.
Rybakov. Is it polite to laugh at a person?
M asha. I'm not laughing at you.
Rybakov. You will sit here for three days and three nights: until you answer me seriously, sincerely, I will not let you go.
M asha. I said.
Rybakov. This is not an answer.
M asha. Because you don't like him?
Rybakov. Not because.
M asha. There will be no other.
Rybakov. You will sit.
M asha. Okay, I'll sit.
Rybakov. Great.
M asha. Please smoke less and open the window.
Rybakov. Sorry.
M asha. Why don't you use your weapons? Take a Mauser... scare me!
Rybakov. I don't want to scare anyone.
M asha. My friend was ordered by her boss to marry him within three days. And if not, he said that she and her parents, as former bourgeois, would be exiled.
Rybakov. Such a scoundrel should be shot.
M asha. But how are you different from him?
Rybakov. I'm different.
M asha. With what?
Rybakov. I love you.
M asha. What?
Rybakov. I love you. You know.
M asha. Don't you dare tell me about your love. I hate listening to you.
Rybakov. Disgusting?
M asha. Yes.
Rybakov (opened the door and swung it open). This is the real answer... sincere and honest.
Masha (confused). Why be offended?
Rybakov. At least it's humane... Go away.
Zabelina appears at the door.
Zabelina. Can I come in?
M asha. This is mom. How are you here?
Zabelina. At the entrance to the House of Soviets, I found out where citizen Rybakov lives.
M asha. Why did you come? What's happened?
Zabelina. Let me come in...
Rybakov. Yes, yes, yes!.. Please!..
Z abelina (entering Rybakov). Hello Young man. Do you see what kind of mother-in-law you will have?
M asha. Mom, where did you get this?
Zabelina. I know everything. Otherwise, would my visit here be possible? How bad it is for you, young man, how much garbage! Then - why so many newspapers? Read it and throw it away. You live poorly. I know that your name is Alexander. What about your middle name?
Rybakov. Mikhailovich.
Zabelina. Me too Mikhailovna. Lydia Mikhailovna. I know everything, Alexander Mikhailovich.
Rybakov. But I don't know anything.
M asha. Mom, I beg you, don't say anything!
Zabelina. I won't say anything. It’s high time for you, young man, to come to us.
Rybakov. I wasn't invited.
Zabelina. I do not know that. He should have insisted and introduced himself in our house a long time ago. (To Masha.) Anton Ivanovich saw you with Alexander Mikhailovich and knows that you come here.
M asha. This can't be...
Zabelina. How did I know that you were here?
M asha. My God! What did he say?
Zabelina. We, Mashenka, need to hurry home. I'll tell you on the way what he insists on. And you, young man, we invite you to be with us on Saturday at seven o’clock in the evening. (Looked around again.) The room is good, but how did you let it go! You live badly! Goodbye! Masha, let's go.
Rybakov. Maria Antonovna, what should I do?
M asha. Do what you want.
Zabelina and Masha leave.
Rybakov. I've never been so tired. This is what it means to fall in love with a girl from a different class. Oh, when will it be, a classless society!
Scene three
Forest. On the edge of the lake. Hunting hut. The beginning of spring. The night before dawn. There is a lantern hanging at the entrance to the hut. Water in a kettle is heating on the fire nearby. A peasant, huntsman Chudnov, is fiddling around the fire. Relying on
An old gun, there is a village bell ringer Kazan.
Chu dnov. Dawn, mother, look nice for us. Lord, I will pray to you. By God, I'll pray.
K a z a n o k Chudnov, there will be fog at dawn. My signs are spotless.
Chu dnov. But the sky is clear, the weather is clear... I don’t understand where this fog comes from. Again, Comrade Lenin and I will not be able to hunt.
K a z a n o k. It won’t work. Do you remember, in the winter, when Ilyich came to hunt a fox, the hunt didn’t work out because of the blizzard either. Then we went skiing into the forest with him. I will never forget those conversations in the forest.
Chu dnov. During my life I have seen a lot of all sorts of people, my brother, famous people came to hunt with me, but why Lenin surpasses them all - I don’t know.
Kazanok. He is simple...
Chu dnov. “Simple”... And we saw simple ones! This, but not that.
KAZANOK: What time is it now? Must be the fifth?
Chu dnov. Fifth. Well, Kazanok, you look, and I’ll see where Vladimir Ilyich is. Take a look. (Leaves.)
K a z a n o k. Not small, I know.
A song is heard, then Rybakov appears.
Who's there?
Rybakov. Their.
KAZANOK: No, not ours.
Rybakov. I say ours, that means ours.
K a z a n o k. Stop!
Rybakov. I'm standing.
KAZANOK: You are not ours.
Rybakov. Whose?
K a z a n o k. Alien.
Rybakov. Old man, turn away the gun, maybe it will fire.
Kazan. Shoots.
Rybakov. Why are you aiming at my bowler?
KAZANOK: Who are you?
Rybakov. Mainly human.
KAZANOK: Where did he come from?
Rybakov. From Moscow.
KAZANOK: You are under arrest.
Rybakov. What next?
K a z a n o k. Hands up!
Chudnov appears.
Chu dnov. This is your... comrade Rybakov. Hey, how did you go wrong, Kazanok? He's a naval sailor, he came with Ilyich...
Rybakov. The driver and I were fiddling around the car...
Chu dnov. And you put him under arrest...
Rybakov. Moreover, I have a Mauser, and he has a simple Berdan. But a sentry is a sentry, and not a timid one at that.
KAZANOK: Your own, your own. My job is to find out. Do not be offended.
Rybakov. And I'm not offended by you.
KAZANOK: You’re not offended, but snorted at me.
Rybakov. How can you not snort if you grab their breasts?
KAZANOK: Such a thing. Whatever you grab, hold on to. I am now a sentry, a government man. Forgive me. I took a detour, and look here... (Leaves.)
Rybakov. Where is Ilyich?
Chu dnov. He went to the lake.
Rybakov. One?
Chu dnov. Don't worry, we've posted security around. Sit down. The tea will be ripe now. Only I have carrot tea, you can’t understand what it smells like. Oh, little time, there is nothing: no tea, no sugar, no kerosene.
Rybakov. Why are you complaining? Don't I know?
Chu dnov. Rybakov, nothing like this happened in Moscow?
Rybakov. What is it?
Chu dnov. Something special...
Rybakov. Don't know. In my opinion, nothing special happened. Why are you asking?
Chu dnov. So... (Thinking.) For some reason, Comrade Lenin arrived thoughtful... We came here with him - he is silent. I lit the flashlight, he fiddled with the cartridges and threw it away. He got up, walked around, and then said: “I’ll go to the lake, don’t look for me. I’ll call you myself,” and left. I understand when he is thoughtful.
Rybakov. I don’t know... All the way he told us about the village, about Russia. To tell the truth, I have never heard anything like this.
Chu dnov. How long have you lived in the world?
Rybakov. Still twenty-six years old. Don't laugh, father, I fought, I walked through Russia from Orel to the Caucasus! Why is Ilyich thoughtful? You go there, to the lake, and carefully hint to him that the tea is ready.
Chu dnov. But in my opinion, there is no need.
Rybakov. But in my opinion, it is necessary. He forgot and will be left without tea. It will chill. We arrived early.
Chu dnov. On a spoon. Stir the tea so that the carrots spread through it, and I think I’ll go. (Leaves.)
Rybakov (hums some song, then remembers the poems to himself). “The mermaid sits on the branches; there on unknown paths...” What is Ilyich thinking about now? Why did I send the huntsman? There was no need to send it! Of course, there’s no need... (Calls quietly.) Chudnov, Chudnov! And if it was not for nothing that he painted Russia for us all the way. “And on unknown paths there are traces of unprecedented animals. There is a hut there...” Tea made from carrots is just a nonsense.
Chudnov returns.
Did you call?
Chu dnov. If you need it, go call yourself. I didn't make up my mind. I saw him from afar. He’s sitting there on something, whether on a stump or on a stone, I don’t understand, he’s leaning on his elbows, looking at the other shore... Maybe at that moment he’s making some plans, but we, fools, don’t understand this and are dragging drink his tea.
Rybakov. Fine. Let's wait.
Locomotive whistles are heard.
The locomotive is straining.
Chu dnov. I'm hungry.
Rybakov. It's a serious situation - they won't let me in. Listen to the rustling and whispering on the lake... Eh, night!.. Chudnov, don’t you have mermaids here?
Chu dnov. Mermaids? Mermaids sleep in their huts at this time.
Rybakov. I’m asking you about those mermaids who sit on the branches.
Chu dnov. There are no such people in our province.
Rybakov. It's a pity.
Chu dnov. The richer you are, the happier you are.
Rybakov. I think, Tikhon Ivanovich, how much we have done to everyone during the revolution, but the stars were as they were. An incomprehensible thing - eternity.
Chudnov (from the threshold of the hut). And I think, Lexandra, it’s time for you to get married.
Rybakov. Perhaps it's time...
Chu dnov. Now you ask for mermaids, now you look at the sky... Come after Easter, we will marry you a little mermaid.
Rybakov. I have my own.
Chu dnov. There is, but you walk without rest.
Rybakov. I got love, Tikhon Ivanovich.
Chu dnov. Sorry. Such a heroic sailor, and that means he got caught. Look, I know these Moscow ones! You can’t deal with them anyhow!
Rybakov. I don’t feel like cutting down a tree.
Chu dnov. I will also say that there is nothing to be afraid of them. In this case, fear is like in war - you will perish! Let her be afraid of you, and you walk like a gogol in front of her.
Rybakov. No, Comrade Chudnov, I’m serious... Look... Ilyich doesn’t need to talk about this...
Chu dnov. What are you afraid of?
Rybakov. Well, be afraid...
Chu dnov. You're afraid.
Rybakov. So what are we going to do? Our tea is getting cold.
Chu dnov. Hush, Rybakov. I hear his steps. He's coming here himself...
Chudnov is moving forward towards Lenin. Rybakov rises.
Scene four
In the Chudnovs' hut. Clean half of the hut with three windows. In the passage, near the entrance, there is a Russian stove. Benches, a table, a shrine, and on the wall, between popular prints and family photographs, a portrait of Lenin, a cheap and bad lithograph. Old woman Chudnova Anna and her daughter-in-law Liza are cleaning the hut. Children
Lisa, Marusya and Stepka whisper enthusiastically.
Anna (to Liza). Lisa, Lisa, take out your boots. Why do you have boots sitting on the bench and stinking of tar? The hunters are about to come, but we have a mess. (To children.) I’ll whisper to you! Go to your places, to the stove!
Liza takes away her boots, Kazanok enters.
Kazan. Happy holiday to you, Anna Vlasevna.
Anna. And you too.
Kazan: I came to warn you: Vladimir Ilyich will be here this minute.
Anna. Oh you, fathers! Kazanok! Run to the bell tower.
K a z a n o k. Here's to you! For what?
Anna. “Why”, “why”... What a memory! Don't know.
LISA enters.
Lisa! She went and disappeared. Lisa, tell me, why does Kazank need to be in the bell tower?
Lisa. Roman ordered the big bell to be rung in case of a rally.
K a z a n o k. Let's hit! (Went to the door.)
Lisa. Wait... Oh, he's going to make a noise!
Anna. Wait, Kazanok!
KAZANOK: What do you want?
Anna. In the bell tower you have to be quiet and noble. You always look out into the alley from there. We will send Styopka to you. Styopka will wave a pole at you from the alley - then you ring the big bell. Wait! You don’t strike often, but rarely, like at Matins.
KAZANOC: It’s not for you to teach me. Kazanok knows how to ring the bell for Comrade Lenin. (Leaves.)
Anna. March to the stove!
Lisa. Why are you hiding children?
Anna. Think about it: should we expose our anchoots to such a guest? On keys. Take the tablecloth out of the chest, take mine, with fringe...
Lisa. Don’t be afraid, for Christ’s sake, why were you afraid?
Anna. Bring a tablecloth, because the table is bare!
Lisa leaves.
(To children.) And you - to the stove!
S t e p k a. Grandma, we know...
Anna. On the stove! And don’t look out, don’t laugh, don’t groan!
S t e p k a. Grandma, is it possible to look at him when he won’t see us?
LISA enters.
Anna. I'll hit your ass with a belt!
Lisa. Lord, I wanted to put clean shirts on them, I looked, they couldn’t be repaired.
Anna. Lizaveta, why are you slacking off? Shouldn't we hang icons? Otherwise, why bother with this pretense?
Liza went out, but returned.
Lisa. They're coming!
Anna. Who and who?
Lisa. Lenin and dad!
Anna. Alone?
Lisa. Alone.
Anna. This means that our villagers did not recognize him. Stand at the door. Look what to give and accept. Cover yourself with a scarf, it's not good!
Lenin and Chudnov enter.
Chudnov (to Lenin). This is my old woman, Anna Vlasyevna.
Lenin. Hello.
Chudnov (to Lenin). And then the daughter-in-law is Lisa.
Lenin. Good morning.
Anna. What did you come back from your hunt with?
Lenin. With nothing, imagine. We are such famous hunters that for a pound of game we need a pound of gunpowder.
Chu dnov. Why blame yourself in vain? The fog was in pure trouble. I have never seen such a stupid fog... It was like a blanket covered the lake.
Lenin (undressing, at the door). Whose heel is this? (I noticed the children on the stove.)
Anna. Well... we were embarrassed.
Lenin. Who's there? Come on, comrade, come here! Excuse me, are there two of you here? Come here two!
S t e p k a. Grandma, should you get off?
Anna. Get off... (To Lenin.) They are grimy, like anchutki.
Lenin. Nothing. (To Stepka.) What is your name?
S t e p k a. Styopka.
Lenin. Stepka... Why not Stepan?
S t e p k a. And Stepan and Styopka.
Lenin (Marus). And you?
S t e p k a. And hers is Maruska.
Lenin (Stepke). Why are you responsible for her?
S t e p k a. She's a fearful person.
Lenin (Marus). Are you afraid of me?
MARUSYA (cheerfully). Not.
Lenin. Aren't you afraid, but did you climb onto the stove?
S t e p k a. They hid us from Lenin.
Lenin. Well? And then Lenin came.
S t e p k a. Where?
Lenin. Here he is.
S t e p k a. Well, yes... You are not Lenin.
Lenin. Really? And who am I?
M a r u s i. You're just a stranger... came to visit!
S t e p k a. Lenin is just not like that.
Lenin. Which one then?
S t e p k a. Look at his portrait, then you will see.
Lenin (walked up to his portrait). This important, pompous gentleman doesn’t look a bit like Lenin.
Stepka (with irony). Maybe you look similar?
Lenin. But I look like that!
Anna. Stepka!
Lenin. No, don't stop us from bringing the dispute to an end. (To Stepka.) I claim that I am similar.
S t e p k a. You don't look a bit like him, but it's real, since it was printed by machine.
Lenin. No, I'm real and he's not.
S t e p k a. No he.
Lenin. No, I am.
S t e p k a. Let's argue.
Lenin. Let's.
S t e p k a. For what?
Lenin. Whatever you want.
S t e p k a. For a lump of sugar.
Lenin. Fine. (He took off his hat.) Well, now tell me, who is real?
Styopka looks at Lenin, then at his portrait, retreats to the adults.
Marusya was surprised.
And now? (Put on his hat.)
M a r u s i. And now it doesn’t look like it again.
Lenin (taking off his hat). And again?
S t e p k a. The real Lenin! Where can I get him sugar? (Suddenly, with great determination.) Grandma, run to the bell tower? (Runs away.)
Lenin. Why go to the bell tower?
Anna. So he's drilling.
Lenin. Smart boy.
Chu dnov. Darling, trouble.
Lenin. I, too, in his time, was nimble, it seems, and spoiled. Boys are a mysterious people, but we still don’t know how to deal with them. There is little skill. And now we need to be able to do a lot. We can’t help but be able to... (Saw the light.) The light, the real old light?
Chu dnov. Do you really know, Vladimir Ilyich, how to burn a torch?
Lenin. I know... But do you really have to light this thing?
Anna. It's cracking. It’s even more fun with her than in the dark.
Lenin. Yes, of course it's more fun.
R oman enters. In his hands is a bag half filled with some
easy things. Roman did not expect to find Lenin at home at that moment.
Chu dnov. And this is my son Roman. Chairman of the Council and more... In general.
Lenin. Hello, Chairman! What's in your bag?
Novel. Props.
Lenin. I wonder what the props are. Can I have a look?
R oman (stammering). Can.
Lenin. Cylinder... (Took it, turned it over, snapped the cylinder with his fingers.) Atlas... A wonderful thing. So you have your own theater?
Novel. Proletkult.
Lenin. What is Proletkult?
Novel. I don't know very well myself. This is, as it were, proletarian culture.
Lenin. Where did you get the cylinder from?
Novel. Bought it in Moscow on Sukhareva.
Lenin. Who will play in it?
Novel. I.
Lenin. Who will you represent?
Novel. Banker.
Lenin. Banker? Is it difficult to imagine a banker?
Novel. No.
Lenin. I wouldn't do anything.
Chudnov (hotly). Pure disaster, Vladimir Ilyich.
Lenin. Why is it a problem?
Chu dnov. A man-man came from the army - and suddenly began to imagine! The children are growing up, and the father is an artist!
Lenin. And it’s wonderful that he’s an artist. For example, I can’t imagine a banker, but he can. You and I, Comrade Chudnov, are old-fashioned people.
Chu dnov. Except... old-fashioned.
Kazan runs in.
KAZANOK. In the name of father and son and the holy spirit...
Lenin. What-oh?
Kazanok. Oh, what have I suffered... It’s me, Panteley Kazanok, the local bell ringer and public fireman. Do you remember when I went skiing with you into the forest during a snowstorm in winter?
Lenin. Of course... of course I remember!
KAZANK: He remembers... He came to show himself! I'm alive... (To those around me.) I'll be in my place, don't hesitate! (To Lenin.) We are glad... all the people! Now I will call not according to the regulations, but with all my heart... That’s the whole Kazanok, what’s on it is in it - all out. Goodbye, excuse me, I'm hurrying to get there. (Runs away.)
Lenin. Why did he run away?
Anna. He is simple... unsophisticated...
Novel. Allow me, Vladimir Ilyich... let me, Comrade Lenin, ask you to speak at our rally. And also ask you to have some tea at Proletkult.
Anna. No, Vladimir Ilyich, don’t go to Proletkult to drink tea. They don't even have a decent samovar there.
Lenin. And what? Maybe you shouldn’t go to Proletkult? We'll have some tea here too, huh? Let me stay here. And it would be nice for us to do without a rally.
Rybakov runs in.
Rybakov. Shot! I shot three birds... (Shows ducks.) I waited for the breeze from the field and was not deceived... all the waters opened under the wind. (To Chudnov.) So much for the fog.
Lenin (confused). Tikhon Ivanovich...
Chu dnov. I understand, Vladimir Ilyich...
Lenin. Ducks... Real wild ducks. You and I were philosophizing about the causes of fogs, bad weather and other elements, and he shot...
Anna. What are you doing, huntsman! I disgraced myself.
Chu dnov. Don't talk, mother! And you, Vladimir Ilyich, as far as I can understand, have not been involved in hunting at all these days.
Lenin (surprised). Really?
Chu dnov. That's how it seemed to me.
Lenin. Did it really seem like it? And maybe it's true. I was a very bad hunter today, Comrade Chudnov, but... (I didn’t finish speaking to Rybakov.) But you’re doing great! But it’s not a hunter - a sailor.
Rybakov. So, did I upset everyone?
Lenin. Of course I was upset. What hunter wouldn't be upset? Veterok waited from the field and mended the old hunters. Appreciate, Tikhon Ivanovich, beautiful ducks! You hide them so that the cat doesn’t drag them away.
A bell is heard ringing.
Alarm? Alarm...
Anna. Kazanok couldn’t stand it.
Chu dnov. Oh, the goblin, the goblin!
R oman (at the window). Well, nothing can be done now. The whole village rose up.
Lenin. If so, then we will go too. Ah, bell ringer, the bell ringer rang for me. That's why he's a bell ringer, of course. Comrade Chudnov... (Stopped at the door.)
Chu dnov. Ass?
Lenin. But isn’t it worrying to live with the Bolsheviks?
Chu dnov. Restless, Vladimir Ilyich.
Lenin. Who knows what they will come up with tomorrow.
Chu dnov. You're right, Vladimir Ilyich.
Lenin. We must, Comrade Chudnov, worry and disturb, otherwise we will be lost, they will eat us. Let's go, comrades, into the street, otherwise he will destroy the entire bell tower with delight.
Alarm.
Scene five
Kremlin embankment and boulevard. Night. Rarely weak light from lanterns. Rybakov is sitting on a bench under a tree. First he whistles, then
starts to sing.
Rybakov (sings diligently).
Spring will not come for me
And the nightingale will pour into the gardens,
And the poor heart will beat
Not for me... Not for me...
(Thinks, gets up.) If I find Mars without a trumpet, then yes... If I don’t find it, then no... (Looks at the sky for a long time and hums.)
An old beggar appears.
Nishcha I. Gentleman, treat this poor, sick old woman to a cigarette.
Rybakov. Please.
Nishcha I. Thank you, young gentleman. (Leaves.)
Lenin appears. Recognizes Rybakov.
Rybakov. Vladimir Ilyich?
Lenin. Sasha Rybakov, what are you doing here?
Rybakov (woke up). Why are you alone, without security?
Lenin. And I ran away from them.
Rybakov. How do you run away from them?
Lenin. I won't tell you this. The secret of an old conspirator. You see, I had a very long meeting, and now I disappeared to take a little walk. I forgot my watch on the table. My appearance here is, so to speak, legitimate. And yours? Why are you alone at midnight... Counting the stars?
Rybakov. I think... I won’t deny it.
Lenin. Have you fallen in love, Comrade Rybakov?
Rybakov. Fell in love.
Lenin. Let's go for a walk together, Comrade Rybakov.
They walk slowly.
Our times are cruel, terrible, now there seems to be no time for love, but don’t be afraid... Love for your health, since it happened. I just want to give you one piece of advice. Don't try to love in a new way. Love in the old way, Comrade Rybakov. I heard about this new relationship. So far, nothing has come of it except ugliness and debauchery.
Rybakov. I saw the outrage myself.
Lenin (suddenly stopped, took Rybakov by the elbow, and asked quietly, intimately). Isn't it good to love? Is it an amazing feeling?
Rybakov. Yes, Vladimir Ilyich, amazing.
Lenin and Rybakov leave. Three tram workers appear with
cart: bearded, handy and eldest.
Senior. Shine it on! Let's see what we're doing here. Everything is fine... Let's move on.
Handy. Have you seen it? Lenin.
Bearded. We saw without you. Find out and shut up. You need to be more careful.
Lenin and Rybakov are returning.
Lenin. Comrades, tell us what time it is?
Elder (to the assistant). Shine it on. (Took out his watch and chain.) Quarter past two.
Lenin. Thank you.
Senior. Before, it happened that the Kremlin beat us. And now they are silent.
Lenin. This is very bad. The clock on the Kremlin should never be silent. Sasha, find a watchmaker. Only here we need a master who understands ancient mechanics.
Rybakov. We'll find it, Vladimir Ilyich!
Lenin. Difficult to find. Many watchmakers decided to sound the chimes and gave up.
Rybakov. It is impossible that such a master could not be found.
Bearded. Stay with the working class, Comrade Lenin. Chat with us.
Senior. He's the only joker we have.
Lenin. Do you care about jokes?
Bearded. Why bother? We have defeated capitalism.
Lenin. You won't be satisfied with broken capitalism.
Bearded. Now let's start building socialism.
Lenin. Do you know how to build it?
Bearded. The world is not without good people. Someone will tell.
Lenin. good people a lot of. You don't believe everyone.
Bearded. We are analyzing. Whoever you believe, we will.
Lenin. But didn’t Lenin ever make mistakes about people? I was wrong too.
Bearded. But we were not mistaken in Lenin.
Lenin. It is much easier to destroy capitalism than to build socialism!
Bearded. Really, Vladimir Ilyich?
Lenin. We are the first to start, there is no one to learn from. Besides, we are still poor people.
Bearded. What's true is true. Impoverished.
Lenin. We will have to build... no one will help.
Bearded. What can’t the Soviet government do? Anything can happen. The biblical people wanted to build a tower to the heavens in the city of Babylon, but it didn't work out. Why? They write a mixture of languages. And I’m telling you because there was no Soviet power then.
Lenin. This is good.
Bearded. No joke, Vladimir Ilyich, the Soviet government can do whatever it wants.
Lenin. Why do you believe so much in the power of Soviet power?
Bearded. Let me outline one parable for you. Are you in a hurry?
Lenin. I'm not in a hurry. Have a seat.
Bearded. Here are three people in front of you. Moscow tram drivers, night workers. Proletariat. Neither saints nor sinners... people. Under what other government will these people work all night for a miserable loaf of bread? (Took out the bread.) No way. And now we’ll fall, lie down, get up and fight again... That’s why I believe in the power of Soviet power.
Senior. We talked - and you need to know the honor. It's time. Let's move on, otherwise there's no time.
Bearded. Sorry for the long conversation. As best I can.
Senior. Good night, Comrade Lenin.
Lenin. Good night.
The workers are leaving.
Do you love Russian people, Comrade Rybakov?
Rybakov. I love you, of course.
Lenin. Live with me, then you will love! If Tolstoy had not invented Tolstoyism, then no one could have presented us with a Russian person better than him. But the old man didn’t understand the workers. I don't want to go home. You are in love... why don’t I want to? Do not know? Well, I’ll tell you a secret... sometimes I dream... I walk around alone and picture unprecedented things in front of me. We won’t build a tower to the sky, but with our people you can dare, you can dream... (To the side.) Someone is coming...
Rybakov. Who goes?
The old beggar returns.
Nishcha I. I'm coming.
Lenin. Who are you, excuse me?
Nishcha I. Beggar. Give it, master, to the sad old woman for food.
Lenin. Sasha, do you have anything?
Rybakov. I have nothing.
Lenin. And I have nothing either. (Beggar.) Sorry.
Nishcha I. And also wear a good coat... you yourself are worse than beggars.
Rybakov. Well, grandma, go to bed!
Nishcha I. I don’t sleep at night... I work at night... I go to tea shops and train stations.
Lenin. Do you call this work?
Nishcha I. My job is as good as any other. Now everyone is walking around hungry like dogs. You are obviously a man of mental work, but have you bitten much today?
Lenin. What do you mean - bitten?
Nishcha I. Ate.
Rybakov. Let's move on, Vladimir Ilyich...
Lenin (to Rybakov). Wait! (Beggar.) What did you do before the revolution?
Nishcha I. She was also a beggar.
Lenin. Why are you angry? You haven't lost anything,
Nishcha I. No, my dear, our poor class has lost the most.
Lenin. Why did your class lose?
Nishcha I. Before the revolution, I lived as godfather to the king. At that time I was a holy fool. I had three and a half thousand in gold in the bank.
Lenin. Where did you get them from?
Nishcha I. I had my own regular clients. I didn’t go below the merchant houses of the first guild! Now what is my profit? Who's serving it to us now? Lenin let all of Russia go down the drain, and he himself, they say, lives from hand to mouth in the Kremlin. He does not live himself and does not give to others. Move on, and I’ll go about my business. (Leaves.)
Lenin. What do you say, young man?
Rybakov. A sassy old woman, and nothing more.
Lenin. The point is not the old woman, Comrade Rybakov, but she is right in some ways. If we now board an aeronautic apparatus and rise above our land, then below us there will be a black space without lights, like a huge desert. How ruined Russia is! The village has returned to the beginning of the nineteenth century, to the torch. At factories in the Urals, in Zlatoust, for example, people are forced to manually set mechanisms in motion. Donbass is flooded by the White Guards. (Long pause.) Can you dream, Comrade Rybakov?
Rybakov (inaudible at first). Me?.. Dreaming?
Lenin. We must dream... We must. But does a Bolshevik, a Marxist, have the right to dream? A? In my opinion, he has this wonderful right, and he should dream if he understands the dream as the growth of new tasks for his party, his people... And also, Sasha Rybakov, there is no need to be afraid of the discord between dreams and reality if you seriously believe into your dream, you look closely at life and work tirelessly, scary, hellishly working to make your dream come true. Back in the nine hundred years, we in our party dreamed about the future of Russia and made plans for electrification... We have to cut rations, carry out cruel savings in everything, live poorly, stingily, hard, but we will carry out the electrification of Russia. It's impossible otherwise. They will crush, crush, there will be a hundred years of slavery, a foreign yoke, a shameful life, oppression. How do you think, Sasha Rybakov, will electrification proceed in our country now?
Rybakov. Vladimir Ilyich, you can see a thousand miles ahead, but what can I say?
Lenin. With our people you can dream, you can dare!
A curtain.
Act two
Scene one
Boulevard near the monument to Gogol. Sitting on a bench with T arushka, next to
baby carriage.
S t a rushka. So my boy fell asleep. Sleep, sleep, darling, sleep, my angel! (Calmed down and dozed off.)
Rybakov runs in. He looks around and wilts.
Rybakov. Gone! So much for Gogol! (Took out his watch.) Gogol remains Gogol, and I was a full fifteen minutes late. Given her character, this is a disaster. (Quickly, to the old lady.) Comrade nanny!
Old lady (offended). Young man, why do you think I'm a nanny?
Rybakov. Sorry, I don't care.
S t a rushka. You don't care, but I don't.
Rybakov. Well, I see - a cradle, a baby... I wanted to ask you...
S t a rushka. Don't make any noise, you see, he's sleeping.
Rybakov. Sorry, I won't. I wanted to ask you: before I came, was there a young lady walking here?
S t a rushka. Go, go, I can’t hear anything you’re muttering there.
Rybakov (takes the old woman by the hand). I beg you to give me an answer.
S t a rushka. Where are you taking me? I'll raise a cry.
Rybakov (pulls the old woman away from the stroller). There is no use in shouting. I'm a detective. I ask you: have you seen the young lady here at the monument just now?
S t a rushka. A young lady? Yes, yes... A girl sat next to me and admired my grandson.
Rybakov. For Christ's sake, what is she like? She must be very pleasant, simply beautiful... Were there black gloves?
S t a rushka. There were, I swear to you! Black.
Rybakov. How long has she been gone?
S t a rushka. Now, this minute.
Rybakov. Which way?
S t a rushka. In that direction.
Rybakov. If I find it, I will remember you all my life. Thank you (Runs away.)
Old lady (trying to wake up). Detective! And in a crazy state. This is how, out of our weakness, out of fear, you will destroy someone else’s soul. What a terrible person! He swooped in like a kite. (Caught up, mentally said a prayer, crossed herself, sat down in her place. Looks in the direction where Rybakov ran away.) He caught up... leads here... Away from sin... Save, Lord, and have mercy! (Leaves with the stroller.)
Masha and Rybakov appear. They go separately.
Rybakov. It's my fault, but at least pay attention to me, I'm falling off my feet. I scared an old lady to death here.
M asha. Enough, Rybakov, I know all your manners. This Cyclops style can get boring. (Sits down.)
Rybakov. Cyclops... Let me be a Cyclops. And who are you?
M asha. I really don’t know who I am in your mind. I've thought about this a lot. From the day they found out about you in our house, I lost my balance in life, I lost my strength. It doesn’t matter whether you understand or not, but I have to tell you that my hope is giving way to despair, I was waiting for your help, I didn’t sleep a wink that night, but you don’t care! A great thing - a date with a young lady! And the young lady seems to have lost her temper: she’s asking for a date. During these fifteen minutes I began to hate this monument. It was to me that they put it in ridicule.
Rybakov. Masha, you don’t let me say a word.
M asha. I tell you, but you don’t understand anything.
Rybakov. If I am an oak tree, then there is no point in talking to me.
M asha. How could you not come on a day like this?!
Rybakov. How come I didn’t come when I came!
M asha. Understand that this is not an ordinary date. There, at our house, is father, and you must come to him, introduce yourself, talk to him. You don't know what this means. He is a terrible person, he can kick you out - and then it’s the end.
Rybakov. And I won't leave.
M asha. So how?
Rybakov. I won't leave, that's all.
M asha. So much for you! All the horrors really fall apart with you. Everything is easy and joyful for you. Nothing is pulling you back. I haven't told you everything about my father. He sells matches to spite everyone! Engineer Zabelin walks around Moscow and sells matches!
Rybakov. Oddball!
M asha. But he is dear to me, he is my father, I love him. And if you knew him like I did, you would love him too.
Rybakov. What's the matter? Let's love him together and bring him to the Christian faith.
M asha. The trouble is that it is terribly difficult to influence him. What am I saying - influence?! He may make fun of you evilly, insultingly, and in general I don’t know what will happen. I thought that since you didn’t come, it means fate...
Rybakov. This is my third day on my feet. I was looking for a watchmaker.
M asha. So. Found the reason! It would be better to come up with something else. You had one concern - fixing the clock!
Rybakov. That's right, alone.
M asha. Thank you.
Rybakov. Masha, you will be angry with me. I rushed here through wild obstacles. I get on the tram - stop. Why? Toku no. I jump on the truck - they are going to Kotly. I get on the cab, the whistle blows as I drive around the block. What's happened? A cab driver without a license plate. Not registered in Tramot.
M asha. What are you saying? "Tramot", "cabin"...
Rybakov. Tramot is the transport department, droshka is transport. Understand, Masha, that I have been tasked with finding a watchmaker to set the Kremlin chimes in motion...
M asha. Rybakov, you are an eccentric. Do you really imagine that all people should know about this? I don't know anything!
Rybakov. You don’t know anything, but you’re offended. Why be offended here?
M asha. Okay, have you found the master?
Rybakov. Found. But if you knew what it cost me. If you don’t tell anyone which watch needs repair, everyone gets scared... One ancient watchmaker of unheard-of antiquity in a cap sat on the floor, covered his head with his hands and said: “Shoot, but I won’t go!” From Maryina Roshcha to Presnya, I probed old Moscow and finally found such a watchmaker that I myself am perplexed. He will be in the Kremlin today, but I’m afraid, I’m worried...
M asha. Why?
Rybakov. I hid from him which watches needed repair. He thinks, this is this, and this is... and there is a tower, hundred-pound weights... chains... If you knew, Masha, under what impression I walk! By chance at night, when Moscow was sleeping, I met Ilyich. I cannot comprehend where this man's thoughts come from. I walk around in a strange way, as if I had flown somewhere far ahead, where no one had ever been before. And I'm embarrassed. This is not me at all, but Lenin. Now I know for the rest of my life that there are people for whom nothing is far, nothing is scary, nothing is surprising.
M asha. Sasha! Darling... it's very easy with you. Why, I don’t know, but all my drama completely blurred. What do you remember, today is Saturday? We are waiting for you. Will you come?
Rybakov. Necessarily.
M asha. And if your father attacks you, will you be there?
Rybakov. I'll find you!
M asha. I pounced, but you weren’t found right away.
Rybakov. With you... with you I am tame.
M asha. Is not it?
Rybakov. I love you. I write letters to you at night, and in the morning I tear them apart!
M asha. And you don't tear them. You would send them to the address.
Rybakov. Words are not enough. I think about love, I feel that I truly love you... You see, truly, without a single extraneous thought... But I can’t express it all in real words! Words are not enough...
M asha. That's what you expressed. I believe - and that's enough. Today for some reason I especially believe you. But it's time to go home.
Rybakov. Masha, may I accompany you?
M asha. I would be glad, but I’m afraid that my father will meet us.
Rybakov. What kind of father is you? Is this really such an impregnable stronghold?
M asha. Wait and see for yourself. Well, come what may! I don't want to think. Take my hand.
Rybakov. Mercy.
Masha (laughs). Rybakov, no need. Be as you are, without "mercy".
Rybakov. Fine. With pleasure. I will always be as I am. Without "mercy".
Scene two
In the Zabelins' house. Anton Ivanovich’s office, where no one has worked for a long time. Evening. Zabelina and her guests are sitting in the office: a lady with a relationship and her husband - about optimist, lady and spug a n a i
and her husband - s k e p t i k.
Z abelina (continuing the conversation). Anton Ivanovich is becoming more and more impossible. The other day I saw him arguing with some monk, and yesterday, I’m ashamed to say, he got into a fight with a gentleman he knew.
SKEPTIC: Did you fight in the house or in public?
Zabelina. At the Maly Theater at seven o'clock in the evening.
SKEPTICK: And who will win?
Zabelina. Anton Ivanovich won, of course. But if you think about the basis of the fight. This gentleman was subordinate to Anton Ivanovich, and now, on his way to the theater, he allowed himself an indecent act. He patted Anton Ivanovich on the shoulder and adopted a patronizing tone towards him.
D a m a and frightened. Isn’t this gentleman a Bolshevik?
Zabelina. Not a Bolshevik, but modern-minded.
D a m a and frightened. Anton Ivanovich risks being imprisoned in the Cheka.
SKEPTICK: Who wasn’t sitting now? Everyone was sitting!
D a m a and frightened. But you weren’t sitting?!
SKEPTICK: I didn’t sit, so I will.
D a m a and frightened. Shut up, for God's sake! At least stop scaring me here.
Zabelina. And I, looking at Anton Ivanovich, hold a bundle of linen. I'm starting to believe that he will be imprisoned.
O p t i m i s t. Anton Ivanovich expresses his moods emotionally, but they don’t imprison you for emotion.
D a m a and frightened. But he beat the Bolshevik-minded gentleman. This is terror!
O p t i m i s t. In any regime, they hit you in the face if necessary.
SKEPTICK: They'll put Anton in prison anyway. You'll see.
D a m a and frightened. This man can bring you to tears...
SKEPTICK: Half of Moscow says: it was Zabelin who went to sell matches! Do you think the Bolsheviks are idiots and don’t understand anything?
D a m a connection. And our Volodka became a futurist. Now he spends his days reading some terrible "Cloud in Pants."
Zabelina. What-oh? Cloud and... in pants? Can such poems really exist?
D a m a connection. They call it a poem. Volodka assures everyone that this is the greatest work. I can’t tell you how indecent it is! There, the author offers impossible things to a woman in the first person.
O p t i m i s t. Doesn’t Pushkin offer? He also offered.
D a m a connection. Pushkin proposed within the framework of secular decency, and Mayakovsky - tactlessly.
O p t i m i s t. They are all smeared with the same world. Let Volodka be a futurist. Still bread!
Zabelina. Do the Bolsheviks really give rations for poetry?
D a m a connection. I didn’t believe it myself, but, really, they give.
SKEPTICK: They'll put Anton in prison anyway, you'll see.
Zabelina. Dmitry Dmitrievich, even as a relative, croaking is bad and indecent.
D a m a and frightened. He brings me to tears. Morally he is worse than the inquisitor. He promises everyone prisons and executions.
Masha enters.
Z abelina (Masha). Has it worked until now?
M asha. She worked.
Zabelina. Go eat quickly.
M asha. Don't want.
Zabelina. You don't look good. We need to refresh ourselves.
M asha. No need. I'll refresh myself later. (He greets the guests.)
O p t i m i s t. Where do you work, Masha?
M asha. In Pomgol.
O p t i m i s t. What is this - Pomgol?
M asha. We provide assistance to the hungry.
O p t i m i s t. Are things really as sad with us as they say?
M asha. Very sad. Hunger is developing like a global flood!
SKEPTICK: Not worldwide, but all-Russian. Abroad, white rolls are used to feed livestock, but in our country, famine reduces the population by half. Prove that I'm exaggerating.
Zabelin enters.
Zabelina. Forgive me, Anton Ivanovich, that we are located in your office. It's warmer here.
Zabelin. I see. (He says hello.) There was an office, but it became a crypt. Well, sir, what were they talking about?
O p t i m i s t. What are they talking about now? Hunger, mortality, arrests... Native topics.
Zabelin. The savages captured a civilized ship, killed all the white people, threw the crew overboard, gobbled up all the supplies... Well, sir, what next? You have to know how to steer a ship, but they don’t know how. They promised socialism, but no one knows where to start. (To the skeptic.) Do you know, Dmitry Dmitrievich?
SKEPTICK: I don’t know and I don’t want to know!
Zabelin. In my youth I flew to the moon... theoretically, of course, in my dreams. But my daughter is ready for fire and water for the Bolsheviks. All her sympathies are not on our side. For her, we are a counter-revolution, bourbons...
He quickly enters the room.
K u h a r k a. The sailor has come... Zabelinykh asks.
D a m a and frightened. Sailor? Why a sailor?
SKEPTICK: Don’t you know why the sailors come?
Zabelina. Oh, don't be scared, please! This is probably not a sailor.
K u h a r k a. I'm not blind... the sailor is... angry...
SKEPTICK: I don’t have any documents with me. Shouldn't my wife and I leave through the back door?
D a m a and frightened. I'm afraid to leave. The sailors might catch us and suspect us of escaping.
Zabelina. Don't be scared, please... He's not a sailor, in our sense. (Masha.) What are you doing? Come meet me!
Masha leaves. Silent bewilderment.
O p t i m i s t. Anton Ivanovich, what is this, my dear?
Zabelin. In all likelihood, it was a suitor of our daughter who came. Hero of Aurora.
SKEPTIC: But why do you allow the heroes of Aurora to become admirers of your daughter?
Zabelin. Why did you, my dear cousin, want to run away from my house this minute?
SKEPTICK: Run away?
Zabelin. Yes, run away. Just recently, you wouldn’t have allowed such a stupid idea that you had to run away from the Zabelins’ house. We need to cry, but you are being ironic!
Enter Masha and Rybakov.
M asha. Gentlemen... (Stumbled.)
Zabelin. Why are you silent? Were you afraid that you called us gentlemen in front of your guest? Wait, I'll teach you how to speak. You say “comrades”... and your guest will not be shocked.
Masha (to Rybakov). I told you... dad always makes fun of me. (To others.) Here is my friend, Alexander Mikhailovich Rybakov... He fought... saw a lot of interesting things...
SKEPTIC (greeting Rybakov). Immensely happy!
D a m a i frightened (looking at Rybakov). I don't understand, are you a sailor or a civilian?
Rybakov. He was a sailor, but fought on the mainland. Now demobilized
D a m a and frightened. Why are you wearing a sailor suit? We thought we were being searched, but you came to visit us.
Rybakov. Why the search? I will never think that I will be searched.
SKEPTICK: This is understandable. You have conquered the mainland.
Rybakov. Complete conquest is still very far away.
Zabelin. When will the complete conquest come?
Rybakov. Obviously, under socialism.
Zabelin. At what year?
Rybakov. Sorry, I can't tell you that.
Zabelin. Can't reveal your secret?
Rybakov. I just do not know.
Zabelin. Yeah.
Zabelina. Sit down, Alexander Mikhailovich... Here is the ashtray, would you like to see our family album? Look!
D a m a and frightened. Why are you giving out a family album? The people there are boring... (to Rybakov.) Look: these are views of Italy... Rome, the Colosseum, Vesuvius...
Zabelin. Have you been, sir, to the Italian seas?
Rybakov. No, I didn’t see anything except the Baltic.
Zabelin. Would you like to be a member of the Communist Party, sir?
Rybakov. I am a member. And what?
Zabelin. It is interesting to know what a communist might think when he finds himself among us?
Rybakov. What is there to think? There is nothing to think about here.
Zabelin. Certainly. What should you think? We are bourgeois and scoundrels for you. And these bourgeois worked all their lives like convicts. Capitalism gave us wealth and comfort for our work, the remnants of which you see in my office. And communism can offer me a pound of dog porridge. Good!.. I am ready to receive food for the yard dogs, but they refuse me that too!.. The new society doesn’t need me, because I know how to build power plants, and now they are closing them, my dear! I am unemployed. We have no time for electricity now. Bullish steam has replaced electrical energy. And I, like Prometheus, distribute fire to people. From morning to night I stand at Iverskaya and sell matches.
SKEPTICK: And you, like Prometheus, will be imprisoned for this.
Zabelin (to Rybakov). What do you say, sir?
Rybakov. I also don’t understand why you haven’t been jailed yet.
SKEPTIK (enthusiastically). Did you hear? Listen.
Zabelin. Go to the phone and report.
Rybakov. They don't need my instructions. But that's not the point. You are irritated against us... but in vain! If I were you, I would have worked for a long time. Between you and me, you’re not Prometheus, you’re just a saboteur!
Zabelin. What's it like? The person who visited my house for the first time is surprised that I wasn’t imprisoned, calls me the devil knows what and doesn’t give a damn. He's pleased with himself. What kind of people come into our houses?
O p t i m i s t. Our Volodka talks exactly the same way. He calls me a half-baked bourgeois every day. I tolerate.
Zabelin. Volodka is your son. And who is this? (To Rybakov.) Do you have the slightest idea of ​​politeness?
Rybakov. Amazing thing! You did not speak very politely about the Soviet system, but I did not spare my life for it. I didn't scream or lose my temper. I just said that you are a saboteur.
Zabelin. I told you the truth, sir!
Rybakov. Nonsense, not the truth! It was I who told you the truth, not you.
Zabelin. Wait! Is it not true that I am unemployed?
Rybakov. Not true!
Zabelin. Is it not true that you have thrown me away like an old shoe?
Rybakov. Not true!
Zabelin. Then that's it... then, sir, get away from here! I didn’t know you and I don’t want to know you.
Rybakov. And I won't leave.
Zabelin. Oh, that's it... I forgot that you can commandeer my apartment!
Rybakov. I didn't come to requisition...
Zabelin. Stay! I'll leave!
Rybakov. But I won't let you in. It's funny to me that you're angry. In my opinion, you are a wild man!
Zabelin. Savage?
Rybakov. Savage.
Zabelin. And you came to enlighten me?
Rybakov. What did you think? Certainly!
Zabelin (laughs). Trouble... Gentlemen, he conquered me with his naive arrogance! No, what a goose!.. He wants to educate. I’m listening to you, comrade missionary! Educate!
Enters the uharka.
K u h a r k a. The chairman of the house committee came.
Zabelin. One?
K u h a r k a. No, not alone.
Zabelin. Not alone?
K u h a r k a. There's some military man with him... angry!
The chairman of the house committee often knocked on the open door. His voice:
"Can't I come in?"
Zabelin. It's possible, it's possible...
The chairman of the house committee enters, followed by a military man
form of those times.
CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE. Citizen Zabelin, they came for you personally!
Zabelin. I've been waiting for a long time.
Military. If it's not difficult, hurry up!
Zabelin. Long ready.
Military. Please.
Zabelin. No more than one minute... (Makes a general bow.) Your wife called you together at the wrong time... Forgive me... (To his wife.) Farewell!
Zabelina (gives her husband a bundle). May God rise again...
Zabelin. Thank you. Well, I'm off...
Military. The car is parked in the yard.
Zabelin. Understand.
Zabelina. Anton, you can’t do this!
CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE, MILITARY AND ZABELIN
leaving.
Anton! I won’t let him in!.. Take us too! Lead me! (Suddenly he screams.) And the warrant? Bring back the chairman! Chairman!
The chairman of the house returns:
Did they give you a warrant?
CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE. Do not doubt. Everything is clean and correct... A mosquito won’t hurt your nose! (Leaves.)
Zabelina. Well, Mashenka, we are orphaned...
Masha (to Rybakov). Did you know that your father would be arrested?
Rybakov. I didn't know anything. I have the impression that this is not an arrest.
A curtain.
Act three
Scene one
Lenin's office in the Kremlin. Lenin, Dzerzhinsky. Lenin some
works at the table for a while, then calls. The secretary enters.
Lenin (to the secretary). Ask engineer Zabelin to come to me. And find our expert engineer Glagolev... he is nearby, in the Council of People's Commissars.
The secretary leaves, Zabelin enters.
Engineer Zabelin?
Zabelin. Yes.
Lenin. Anton Ivanovich!
Zabelin. Yes.
Lenin. Hello. Please, sit down! Sit down!
Zabelin sits down. Silence.
So what, sabotage or work?
Zabelin. I did not imagine that my personal problems could interest anyone.
Lenin. Imagine, they are interested. So we wanted to consult with you one by one extremely big question.
Zabelin. I don't know, can my advice matter?
Lenin. Who do you want to doubt: us or yourself?
Zabelin. For some time now people have stopped asking me for advice.
Lenin. This means that people were occupied with other interests. What do you think?
Zabelin. Yes. This is true. People had other interests.
Lenin. And now I need your advice. What surprises you?
Zabelin. I'm a little, so to speak... puzzled.
Dzerzhinsky. The knot is bothering you. Put it somewhere.
Lenin. Today is Saturday, bath time. You're probably getting ready to go to the bathhouse?
Zabelin. Yes, of course... I was going to go to the bathhouse.
Lenin. You will still have time. We won't keep you long.
Engineer Glagolev enters.
G l a g o l e v. Hello.
Lenin (to Glagolev). Georgy Ivanovich, do you personally know engineer Zabelin?
G l a g o l e v. We have never met before.
Lenin (to Zabelin). Meet Georgy Ivanovich Glagolev - our expert.
Zabelin. Yes. Until now we have not met him.
G l a g o l e v. Is engineer Zabelin aware of the matter?
Lenin. No, not at all. In my opinion, engineer Zabelin has no idea why we bothered him. Well, let's not waste time. This is your area, dear comrade, please report.
G l a g o l e v. It is difficult to report in this case, because people like engineer Zabelin do not need agitation regarding the energy development of Russia... (To Zabelin.) Isn’t that right?
Zabelin. Well, sir!
G l a g o l e v. But, however, you should know that we, the Bolshevik revolutionaries, have always been concerned with issues of radical technical restructuring of the entire Russian economy.
Zabelin. But you... forgive me for interrupting you... you are an engineer... and an old engineer, aren't you?
Lenin (smiling slyly). What?.. Do you want to say that an old engineer cannot be a revolutionary? You see, it can. (To Glagolev.) Continue, please.
G l a g o l e v. As an engineer and as a revolutionary at the same time, I am ready with all my energy to implement the idea of ​​electrification of Russia.
Lenin. And not in the distant future, but now... This is how the Central Committee of our Party poses the question.
Zabelin. Well, sir... So what?
Lenin. Let me turn this question to you.
Zabelin. To me? Why to me?
Lenin. But because you, as a specialist in the matter, can help us. But experts in the field, alas, have different views. Please continue.
G l a g o l e v. There is an old version that Russia has no future for the development of electrification based on its natural resources. Just yesterday, just like now, we were talking with one of the greatest scientists... I won’t mention his name. And what does he claim?! “The topography of the country is flat... The flow of the rivers is slow... In winter the rivers freeze... We don’t have Niagara Falls, like in America. This means that we cannot build a single decent hydroelectric power station.
Zabelin. Only an ignoramus could say that.
Lenin. No, excuse me, he is an authoritative scientist... A shareholder of an electric company.
Zabelin. Or a scammer.
Dzerzhinsky. This is another matter.
Lenin. Why is he a fraudster? You prove it.
Zabelin. Can I ask for a map of Russia?
Lenin. Yes, sure.
Glagolev lays out a card on the table.
Zabelin. I undertake to show you a dozen places where we can now, under natural conditions, build power plants using white coal... So here we go... but isn’t it possible here?
Lenin. What is this?
Zabelin. Dnieper rapids.
Lenin. Where can we build here?
Zabelin. I believe that somewhere in the lower reaches, but not by the sea, of course.
Lenin. It would be nice to erect a huge electric castle here, right by the sea... Know our people!
Zabelin. Take these peat areas... Angara in the east... Elbrus in the Caucasus... What if we build a dam on the Volga?
Lenin. Where on the Volga? It is very interesting. I'm a Volgar.
Zabelin. Well, at the Zhiguli... I’m speaking from memory, but according to my old calculations, Volga energy will replace half of the Donbass coal.
Lenin. Can you write us a general note on this topic?
Zabelin. I find it difficult. I haven't dealt with issues like this for a long time.
Lenin. What were you doing?
Zabelin. Nothing.
Dzerzhinsky. You are not telling the truth. Engineer Zabelin sells matches.
Lenin. How - with matches?
Dzerzhinsky. An engineer stands on the street and trades with his hands.
Lenin. Do you sell wholesale or retail? In a box?.. Listen, this is a misfortune! This is a shame and disgrace, my friend! Nowadays, selling matches... You should be shot for such things... As you wish!
Zabelin. I've been preparing for a long time.
Lenin. What are you prepared for? To accept the crown of martyrdom?.. Who forces you to sell matches?
Zabelin. I have nowhere to put my hands.
Lenin. How is it - there is nowhere to put your hands? What are you telling me?
Zabelin. Nobody called me.
Lenin. Why should we call you? Before us, did you sit and wait to be called? However, if you are not inspired by the idea of ​​electrifying Russia, then you can sell matches. You can.
Zabelin. I don't know... Am I capable...
Lenin walked away angrily and did not answer.
Dzerzhinsky. Are you behind the times, or what?
Zabelin. I won't be a Bolshevik.
Dzerzhinsky. But we are not inviting you to the party.
Zabelin. It is supposed to build socialism in Russia, but I don’t believe in socialism.
Lenin. And I believe. Which one of us is right? You think that you are, and I think that I am. Who will judge us? Well, let's ask Dzerzhinsky. He will most likely say that I am right and you are wrong. Is this enough for you?
Zabelin. I understand. My words for you are baby talk.
Lenin. Are you a Menshevik Social Democratic Party? Eser? Have you read Marx's Capital or studied the Communist Manifesto?
Zabelin. Yes, of course, I don't understand well.
Lenin. How can you believe or not believe in socialism if you don’t understand it well?
G l a g o l e v. Do you know Comrade Krzhizhanovsky?
Zabelin. Yes I know.
G l a g o l e v. And have you heard anything about his work on our electrification plans?
Zabelin. I heard... I heard...
Lenin. He told me that you have enormous experience as an electrician, that you know how to solve brilliant projects, and that you sell matches. What a wild thing!
Zabelin. I'll quit. I won't.
Dzerzhinsky. God bless!
Lenin. What did you say, Felix?
Dzerzhinsky. I said thank God.
Zabelin. Apparently, I'm being asked to take up the case?
Dzerzhinsky. And the sooner you get down to business, the better.
Zabelin. But you don't know me well.
Lenin. We know a little.
Zabelin. No one from the Communist Party can recommend me.
Lenin. Imagine, maybe.
Zabelin. I do not know who?
Dzerzhinsky. I.
Zabelin. How do you know me?
Dzerzhinsky. Line of duty.
Zabelin. Oh yeah... I forgot.
Dzerzhinsky. And who doesn’t know the engineer Zabelin? And since I recommend you to the government, let me offer you advice. Now you are confused...
Zabelin. Completely knocked down.
Dzerzhinsky. Excited. All this is understandable. You need to collect your thoughts. Go home, think about what happened, and then give an answer.
Lenin. Will you give me an answer tomorrow?
Zabelin. Yes.
Lenin. Goodbye.
Zabelin bows and goes to the door.
Dzerzhinsky. They forgot the bundle.
Zabelin. Damn it, not a knot!
Lenin. Bathhouse, bathhouse... you'll still have time.
Zabelin. No, I didn't go to the bathhouse. Everyone decided that they were taking me to the Cheka... and so my wife stuck the damn bundle.
Lenin. Ah, that's how it is! This is another matter. Wait! (Calls the secretary.) Our times are harsh. Now you have grief and tears at home.
The secretary enters.
(To the secretary.) Send engineer Zabelin home in a car... Send him immediately.
The white secretaries leave.
Hundreds, and thousands, and millions are still sitting idle with us. What a saboteur he is. I just went wild from idleness and went crazy. What do you think, Georgy Ivanovich, will engineer Zabelin come to work for us?
G l a g o l e v. I think it will do, Vladimir Ilyich.
Lenin. He will, but it will be difficult for him to get used to it, very difficult.
G l a g o l e v. Do you no longer need me, Vladimir Ilyich?
Lenin. No, Georgy Ivanovich, thank you.
G l a g o l e v leaves. The secretary enters.
I'm listening to you.
Secretary. The watchmaker has arrived... Rybakov sent him on your instructions.
Lenin. Enter it here.
Secretary. This minute. (Leaves.)
Lenin. The chimes don't let me sleep... They're silent! We definitely need to let them in!
An hour comes in.
Hello, comrade! Will you be a watchmaker?
C h a s o v s h i k. Lone craftsman.
Lenin. Sorry, I don’t understand why - single?
C h a s o v s h i k. Nowadays such craftsmen, which I have the honor to be, are called “a lone craftsman without a motor.”
Lenin. What is it like to be alone without a motor?
Dzerzhinsky. Apparently the watchmaker was offended? Tell me, who offended you?
C h a s o v s h i k. I do not take the opportunity to personally complain to Comrade Lenin. I never complain. I was invited to work.
Dzerzhinsky (intimately, cheerfully, nodding to the watchmaker). And you complain, complain openly.
Lenin. Now I’ll ask for some hot tea. (At the door.) Please tell us to give us some tea. (To the watchmaker.) Is it difficult to live? Hunger, devastation, chaos? Tired? Are you hungry?
C h a s o v s h i k. Like everyone else.
Lenin (pointing to Dzerzhinsky). And our friend says that you were offended. Is he wrong?
Chasovschik: I could not expect such questions. I was happy that they remembered me. After all, once upon a time, in the old days, I repaired the watch of Count Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy.
Lenin. Wow... this is no joke!
Dzerzhinsky. Tolstoy would not have gone to a bad master.
Lenin. What was Tolstoy like?
C h a s o v s h i k. In boots... Very interesting person. Are his portraits worth anything?
Lenin. What did he talk to you about?
C h a s o v s h i k. Now I hardly remember what he was talking about. He loved to ask questions. He knew a lot about watches.
Dzerzhinsky. And of course he paid well?
C h a s o v s h i k. No. I, as Count Tolstoy, gave him a big discount.
Lenin. And did he notice this?
C h a s o v s h i k. I don’t think I noticed.
Lenin. Why are you offended? We also suffer from this weakness of asking questions.
C h a s o v s h i k. I don’t know how to tell you. Of course, I understand that “the connection of times has broken down,” as Prince Hamlet says.
Lenin. "To be or not to be?"
C h a s o v s h i k. Exactly! A thousand times - exactly. They won't let me work!
Dzerzhinsky. We have cooperative workshops... But things are probably poorly organized there.
Chasovschik. I was ordered to work there, I went and took on a job that no one could do. I came across an amazing example of an English clock. This is the real Norton. They are at least three hundred years old. They were made by a master with his own hands... even before the invention of railroads. I worked for a month and did it. For this they held a general meeting for me and told me that I was eating bread for nothing. And in response I had the imprudence to give them Aesop’s fable.
Lenin. Aesop? What did you tell them from Aesop?
C h a s o v s h i k. I told them about that fox who reproached the lioness for the fact that the unfortunate lioness gave birth to one cub. And the lioness answered her: “But I am giving birth to a lion.” Aesop says - it's not about quantity, but about quality.
Lenin. What did they tell you about this?
Chasovschik. The chairman of the meeting said that Aesop is a counter-revolutionary and an agent of the Entente, and I am an agent of Aesop. And I was kicked out of there.
Lenin, leaning over the table, begins to laugh. Dzerzhinsky laughs,
The watchmaker himself laughs.
Lenin. And you say that you were not offended. Of course they offended me. Let's forgive them for not knowing Aesop's fables. Besides, they have no time for unique watches now. All this, as Tolstoy said, is formed. And I have an order for you.
Hourly. Right this minute. I'm ready. (Takes and opens his bag, hastily puts on a magnifying glass.)
Lenin. You see, your tools won't work here.
C h a s o v s h i k. My instruments?
Lenin. You will need different size keys...
Dzerzhinsky. There, in my opinion, there are pounds, hundreds of pounds, in the mechanism.
C h a s o v s h i k. I am a watchmaker.
Lenin. So you will have to repair the Kremlin chimes.
Clock in the Kremlin clock on the Spasskaya Tower?!
Lenin. Yes, my friend, the Kremlin clock on the Spasskaya Tower. Will you take it?
C h a c k . People made them, people broke them, people must make them walk.
Lenin. But when people made them, there was no “International” song. Now we need to teach the chimes to play "Internationale". Will you teach me?
C h a s o v s h i k. Let's try to force him.
Lenin. Get to work tomorrow.
C h a s o v s h i k. And now I can’t go there? I don't want to wait any longer.
Dzerzhinsky. And if you are bothered, if you have any difficulties, call this number.
C h a s o v s h i k. Whom should I ask?
Dzerzhinsky. Dzerzhinsky.
C h a s o v s h i k. And he himself will help me?
Lenin. Yes, we will ask him about it. And agree on the conditions with our commandant.
C h a s o v s h i k. What are the conditions? I am the first watchmaker in the world who will teach the Kremlin chimes to play “Internationale”!
Lenin. But a ration won't hurt you?
H a c o v s h i k. Oh yes, rations, of course, won’t hurt me. Thank you for this order, for your trust. Excuse me, I'm upset. I'll go to the tower. (Leaves.)
Lenin. The matter has also been moved forward. I believe that the chimes will start playing. But still, what do you think, Felix Edmundovich, will Zabelin come to work for us?
Dzerzhinsky. I think it will do.
Lenin. It would be better to raise such bears, hundreds of them hid. We need to do it faster, more quickly.
Dzerzhinsky leaves. Lenin bent over his writing
table
Scene two
In Zabelin's office that same evening. The same person, except Zabelin,
Masha and Rybakova.
SKEPTIC: And I'm telling you that we were obliged to check the arrest warrant.
Zabelina. Check or check - the result is the same.
D a m a and frightened. I will never, even on my deathbed, forget this terrible evening. If I had dreamed all this, I would have jumped up and started screaming. And then in reality they came, didn’t say a word and took me away.
SKEPTICK: Now she will suffer from insomnia for a whole month. Even patented American pills won't help. Go home. You're shaking.
Zabelina. Wait, Masha will be back now.
Enters the uharka.
K u h a r k a. Lidia Mikhailovna, the house has not been cordoned off. From those windows I look out - soldiers. Of these - again soldiers.
O p t i m i s t. Soldiers...
D a m a and frightened. Turn out the lights.
O p t i m i s t (looks out the window). These are ordinary soldiers.
SKEPTIC: Do you think they will send extraordinary soldiers for you?
O p t i m i s t. They stand and wait for something.
D a m a and frightened. I beg you, turn out the lights!
SKEPTICK: But in the dark you will become even scarier!
D a m a connection. But I’m not afraid of anything, in my opinion, it’s also better to turn off the light and light the oil smoker. Lidia Mikhailovna, do you have lotto?
Zabelina. Lotto? For what?
Let's get in touch. In case they come and check, and we're playing lotto!
O p t i m i s t. Just don’t lose heart. Lotto is just lotto. Bring the lotto.
D a m a and frightened. But turn out the light!
Z abelina (to the cook). Praskovya, bring a jar with a wick. (Puts out the light.) Now I’ll get the lotto. (Leaves.)
Dark. Silence.
D a m a n i n g. I think we should play for money.
D a m a and frightened. As much as possible with money... as much as possible, because it’s excitement!
D a m a connection. Well, to the nuts!
SKEPTICK: Where can we get nuts?
Zabelina will have some connections.
Zabelina enters. In the hands of a smokehouse and lotto.
Sort out the cards. Who will call out the numbers? Lidia Mikhailovna, do you have any nuts?
Zabelina. Oh, honey, I have no time for nuts!
D a m a and frightened. Give me the bag. I will announce.
Zabelina. Masha should come now. I think she'll find out something.
D a m a and frightened. Twenty two... six... ninety one.
Enters the uharka.
K u h a r k a. Now they stand opposite. They must be angry... They are looking at our windows.
Zabelina. Praskovya, look from the dining room windows... If they come, say that we have guests.
V s e. No need!
Zabelina. No, you better not say anything.
D a m a and frightened. Forty four... twenty six.
O p t i m i s t. And I have an apartment.
D a m a and frightened. Thirteen... sixty-one... eighty-one...
K u h a r k a. Let's just go away. (Goes to the window.) No... They're here on the corner.
SKEPTICK: With guns?
K u h a r k a. With guns.
The skeptic blew out the smoker.
D a m a and frightened. Twelve, thirteen, fifteen... Someone is coming... I can't take it anymore! Someone is coming this way! Turn on the light!
The light comes on. Zabelin is standing at the door.
Zabelina. Anton!
In s e. Anton Ivanovich?!
Zabelina. You?!
Zabelin. I.
Zabelina. Anton... Why are you standing there? Please sit down, my dear Anton Ivanovich! Masha! Where is she? Oh, I forgot everything!.. Why are you standing there, Anton? Let me kiss you! My dear Anton Ivanovich... (Hugs. Cries.)
Zabelin. Do not Cry.
Zabelina. Sorry. I thought you were dead... And my hands completely gave up. What a cloud has passed over us, Lord! This is... What happened? Error?
Zabelin (with its own meaning). I must answer this question tomorrow.
ZABELINA (peers at him). Your face is strange. You are strangely excited, Anton Ivanovich. Where have you been?
Zabelin. I do not remember.
Zabelina. And excited and again your manner: “I don’t remember.” You don’t remember anything, you didn’t see anything.
Zabelin. I saw the ground disappear from under my feet. (To a skeptic.) Who has been sapping the soul out of me for a whole year? Well? Have you been imprisoned? They know Zabelin! They thought they would shoot him, but they didn’t because Anton Zabelin was alone. What are you watching? Don't I look like myself? What does it mean to be like yourself?
Zabelina. Anton, no one understands your allegories.
Zabelin. Don't be afraid, he understands me perfectly.
Zabelina. Tell me, where have you been?
SKEPTICK: Where did they take you?
O p t i m i s t. You were away for exactly three hours.
Zabelin. Not three hours, but three years.
Zabelina. Again... allegories, riddles!
Zabelin. I was made a field marshal and ordered to conquer India.
Masha runs in.
M asha. Dad! (She clung to him.)
Zabelin. Don't cry either... And my heart is beating... Do you feel sorry for the quarrelsome father? Do you love?
M asha. I love... I ran headlong. Nowhere could they tell me... I stood at the front door and was afraid to step outside the threshold... I thought... My folder!
SKEPTICK: But where have you been?
Zabelin. In the Kremlin.
SKEPTICK: Is that all?
Zabelin. That's all.
Zabelina. Tell me the details.
Zabelin. There were no details.
D a m a connection. I understand Anton Ivanovich. He appeared in the house so romantically that I was the only one who saw everything. Anton Ivanovich... you are mysterious... you are romantically inclined... I bow to you, Anton Ivanovich. No need to question him.
Zabelin. Lidia Mikhailovna, I haven’t eaten anything since morning. Look, we have guests, but the table is not set. From our supplies you can make an antique Moscow table. Get our student wine, which we bought for fifty dollars a bottle.
Zabelina. I'll do everything. Follow me.
SKEPTIC: But why did he attack me, as if I were to blame for this incident?
O p t i m i s t. If it ends with a glass of student wine, then how can you be indignant, my most respected friend?
Everyone except Zabelin and Masha leaves.
Zabelin. Masha, sit down... I won’t let you go anywhere. (Picking up a book.) Anton Zabelin. "Electrical engineering". Masha, you were still very young when I wrote this work. It used to be that you would come here and say: “Dad, are you writing? Well, I’ll sit here...” You’ll sit here, and then you’ll climb on my backside, and you and I will rush around the office. And now I have you big, smart, and my father is shy in front of you. What kind of dress are you wearing? Dressed up for your fan?
M asha. I wear this dress to work every day. But she never captivated her fans with her outfits. You said something stupid.
Zabelin. Stupid old man! By the way, where is Romeo?
M asha. Which Romeo?
Zabelin. Modern, Soviet. Where is the sailor?
M asha. Why do you need it?
Zabelin. I would like to talk to him now.
M asha. Dad, if you knew what happened... what I did. You see, when you were arrested, I thought it was him, and I told him so. It's over now.
Zabelin. You are a fool, you didn’t marry Captain Aleysky... Now you would live in Paris.
M asha. They told me that Captain Aleysky plays the balalaika in Paris.
Zabelin. It’s better to play the balalaika in Paris than to sell matches at Iverskaya in Moscow.
M asha. Why didn't you go to Paris? They called you.
Zabelin. Because I'm Russian.
M asha. And who am I?
Zabelin. You women are chameleons. Helen the Fair lived quite comfortably among the Trojans, Salambo fell in love with a barbarian, and you fell in love with a sailor. But I can’t live without turnips! There, in Paris, they feed them frogs... (Suddenly.) Has life really passed? My daughter, Mashenka, look at me - has life passed?
M asha. My dear, tell me, what are you thinking about? Can not be so. Why did life pass?
Zabelin. Everything I said here is useless. You understand, right? You see, I was in the Kremlin... Why are you silent? Do you know what happened right now? I considered myself learned man, builder, creator. All my life I've been working hard, going crazy, putting forward problems, but it all goes to hell!
M asha. Dad, tell me what happened?
Zabelin. They killed your Zabelin, defeated... I did not immediately, but only along the way, understand the full scope of their ideas.
M asha. Tell me calmly, I don’t know anything, I can’t understand you.
Zabelin. Don't rush, Masha. Until tomorrow, you and I will think everything over until everything is completely clear. I have to give an answer tomorrow...
Masha (deep joy). Are you being offered a job?
Zabelin (in a whisper). They tell you, and they tell you seriously. Now I won't sell matches. Gave his word.
M asha. God bless!
Zabelin. And you - thank God! I, Masha, need to know a secret from you, only from you: am I fit for today, or am I out of the picture?
M asha. Are you... are you asking? Of course you are! I give you my word of honor... Would they really invite you to the Kremlin?
Zabelin. Not the same again. They know Zabelin, you know your father.
M asha. Do you remember on what grounds we almost came to a complete break with you?
Zabelin. Again, you don't understand my question. Put a sailor next to me and think: will I get along with him? I ask you seriously. I'm not in the mood for jokes right now. Is it possible for a sailor and me on one wheel? A? Can you imagine such a combination?
Masha (suddenly). Can. I have no words. I don't know what I would give for you to believe me.
Zabelin. Masha, but Russia... samovar, steam-powered... They want Russia on the side? What!
M asha. So what are you thinking about?.. Why are you looking around? Why are you sorry?.. Go... Trade matches. (Teases.) “Sulfur, pre-war... safe...”
Zabelin. Don't you dare mock me!
M asha. Tell me, my dear, what are you thinking about?
Zabelin. Shh... I'll tell you.
M asha. I'm listening, dad.
Zabelin. I just saw a man of genius in the Kremlin.
A curtain.
Act four
Scene one
A huge, ancient hall that spans the entire stage. In the corner by the door there is a broom and a pile of garbage. Somewhere against the wall there is a market table, a black chair and a simple stool. There is a telephone on the table. Zabelin walks around the room, whistling. He moved the stool to the window and sat under the window for a second. He jumped up, took a broom and removed the cobwebs from the corner. Threw the broom. He started walking around the room again and whistling. Masha enters. This is her first time here. He looks around in surprise.
Zabelin. Watchman Watchman, damned soul! Dear citizen, watchman!.. There was, and there was no trace. I'll take it and call... who? At least to Dzerzhinsky himself... in the Cheka. Great... And what will I tell him? Why doesn't the watchman recognize me? Stupid! Or that I'm hungry for the simplest working calculations with a slide rule? Also stupid... No, even I could not imagine such a situation. (Noticing Masha.) Ah! Have you come? Admire, applaud me. I was appointed head of an all-Russian institution, given a mansion, but the watchman ran away, doesn’t want to sweep out the trash, because no one pays him, and he goes off to sell junk.
M asha. Where does this strange chair come from?
Zabelin. Now I've removed it from the attic. Purely gothic style. Old rubbish. There is a carriage with a coat of arms in the barn. In this house I feel like an exhibit myself. There are rats running around here, fat and arrogant, like the speculators at Iverskaya. They despise me.
M asha. Just don't be angry.
Zabelin. I am neither an angel nor a simpleton who accepts existence as the greatest favor. Go home, there's nothing new to say.
M asha. Okay, I'll leave, what are you going to do?
Zabelin. What can be done in these conditions? Play King Lear, scene of madness. Amazing scene.
M asha. I really don't like you.
Zabelin. But I adore you.
M asha. How evil you are!
Zabelin. How kind you are.
M asha. I know you, in this state you are capable of quitting, leaving, writing a terrible statement. Difficulties must be overcome.
Zabelin. What an aphorism! Never heard of it.
MASHA (suddenly in her father’s tone). I am ashamed of you.
Zabelin. How, sir?
M asha. Bitter, shameful, disgusting! You gave your word...
Zabelin. Well yes... I gave my word...
M asha. And wait, wait, I know what to say too. You were glad that you agreed, you came to life before our eyes, your energy returned to you.
Zabelin. You talk to me about what happened yesterday, and I talk about what is happening today...
Masha is trying to say something.
Don't you dare interrupt me! Don’t you understand that I’m bursting with anger because I can’t immediately, as Lenin suggested to me, immediately, literally, get to work. Yes, I gave my word and I’m ready to keep it... I want to, you know? I dream of doing it. But I can do this through people, that is, in live communication with living beings, but they are not around me... Aw! Do you hear? Echo... and nothing more.
Rybakov appears at the door, holding a typewriter in his hands.
Zabelin. Look, it's him! Of course, it’s him!.. Excuse me, have you agreed? Why are you silent? Agreed? Answer that way. At least say hello, sir. What do I owe to the joy of seeing you again?
Rybakov. I was sent here to work for you.
Zabelin. Are you sent here to work? Please sit down, here is my chair, give your orders.
Rybakov. In vain, honestly, you are so ironic. I was sent to help you.
Zabelin. What kind of item did you bring? Typewriter?
Rybakov. Along the way, in one place I took it... that is, I borrowed it...
Zabelin. Maybe he took it away?
Rybakov. Not without it...
Zabelin. Put it somewhere.
Rybakov. Now we'll come up with something. That's it for now. You understand.
Zabelin. Not an old car... Remington. Excuse me, who will work on it?
Rybakov. I borrowed it along with the typist. He'll come now.
Zabelin. Masha, look. It’s already starting to look like some kind of office... (After thinking.) No, it doesn’t look like anything.
M asha. I think it's time to leave.
Rybakov. There's trash here! (To Zabelin.) Let me take out the trash. Ugly.
Zabelin. Holy naivety! Who are you thinking of outsmarting?
Rybakov. Why - outsmart? You can't let the room run.
Zabelin (strictly). Young man, why do you make faces in front of me that you don’t see each other and hide from me like thieves?
M asha. Not true. I told you. You know... I'm not hiding. I didn’t think about it and I don’t want anything at all. Farewell.
Rybakov. Can you tell me about this?
Zabelin. As much as you like.
Rybakov. You can't cut down a tree if you don't feel like it. I’m not offended that Maria Antonovna said that I was tracking you down under the guise of love for her. What was there to track?
Zabelin. Yes... Well, sir?
Rybakov. I am not talking about that. There is a big difference between us in education and upbringing. So I decided. Well, I'll take care of this little operation, otherwise it's not good. (Goes to the door.)
M asha. Rybakov...
Rybakov turns around.
You are right... There is a whole abyss between us. You were very smart. I undeservedly offended you and I don’t want to ask for forgiveness. But you have always been amazingly noble towards me. Now I will ask you for the last time - leave here, leave completely. I should never hear about you. (She rushed away.)
Zabelin. And he’s standing... Run after him, ask for forgiveness...
Rybakov. That is, I will really run.
Zabelin. What the hell is “that is”? Go now...
Rybakov runs away.
What can you do?.. Life... You are spicy, Mother Life, with pepper, with wormwood, but you have to take it. Poor Masha loves it. Who's there?
Zabelina enters. In the hands of the boat.
Be healthy.
Zabelina. I brought you breakfast.
Zabelin. I'm incredibly happy. Thank you.
Zabelina. Sit down and eat! Take a napkin and eat as before at the service.
Zabelin. Don't want.
Zabelina. I'm tired of your pirouettes. Sit down and eat.
Zabelin. Lida, don't make any noise... I'm sitting down.
Zabelina. Be quiet and eat.
Zabelin. Eat.
Zabelina. Better chew it.
Zabelin. I'm chewing... Didn't you meet anyone on the street?
Zabelina. There are a lot of people on the street.
Zabelin. Certainly...
Zabelina. Anton Ivanovich, work, for God’s sake, and don’t fight with anyone.
Zabelin. I won't.
Zabelina. Come to your senses. Calm down. And imagine that all this... the situation... things... will look different.
Zabelin. I'll imagine, I'll imagine.
Zabelina. If you only knew how much I want you to throw yourself headlong into your business again.
Zabelin. Enough of babysitting me! I'm not a baby! She wants it! And I'm a bag of sawdust?! A blank without a soul? Thank you for the treat. Full.
Masha enters.
Why are you doing it again?
M asha. To get my mother... to see her off.
Zabelin. For mom...
Rybakov enters.
Here's the whole holy family! But instead of Christ - a sailor!
Rybakov (offended, angry, flared up). After all, I'm not in the mood for jokes. And I came here to work. Please, here is my assignment, read it. I was given strict instructions not to waste time. Let's discuss what and how.
Zabelin. Let's discuss. Are you a power engineer, an electrician, or at least an electrician?
Rybakov. I know how to fix electrical plugs.
Zabelin. This is too little to work on the electrification of Russia.
Rybakov. I'll find something to do.
Zabelin. However, this is even more situational - then one idiot whistled in an empty hall, now there will be two.
Rybakov. I won’t whistle, and most importantly, I won’t let you. First of all, what are you up against here?
Zabelin. With nothing.
Rybakov (embarrassed). So... so what?
Zabelin. Well, nothing! Got it? This is how the bible begins.
Z abelina (with signs she called Masha aside). Masha, we can’t leave... Let’s go to the rooms...
Zabelina and Masha leave unnoticed.
Rybakov (looks around thoughtfully). As far as I can understand, you, me, and this whole environment make up our organization. There is a telephone. Did they give you any means of transportation?
Zabelin. Dali. There is a carriage in the barn. No horses.
Rybakov. A carriage is no good without horses. There is no need to be surprised by anything... One day I took the city, came to the city government and confiscated the cash register. And in the city cash register there were two copper kopecks. I started with two kopecks Soviet power.
Zabelin. Curious... how did you get started?
Rybakov. I called the petty, middle and big bourgeoisie to the theater and put a machine gun and an alarm clock on the stage... And three hours later, when the alarm clock rang, they put three million on the table.
Zabelin. Well, are you going to call here the rest of the bourgeoisie in Moscow?
Rybakov. No... Tell me what you urgently need right now?
Zabelin. I urgently need engineers, technicians, draftsmen, theorists, scientists...
Rybakov. Well, let's attract them.
Zabelin. So, will you travel around Moscow with a machine gun and an alarm clock?
Rybakov. No, in this case you can’t do anything with a machine gun. I will give a message to all newspapers that Anton Ivanovich Zabelin has started work.
Zabelin. A very simple idea.
Rybakov. I will now call journalists here.
Zabelin. Do they really exist? Yes, yes, of course... I just forgot what kind of journalists there are. But we have nowhere to receive them or plant them.
Rybakov. It's okay, they'll wait. So, I will call the journalists, and you sit down to prepare for the report. You and I... that is, you... you personally... no later than three days later we must submit the promised report to Comrade Lenin.
Zabelin. How - in three days?
Rybakov. That's it... usually.
Zabelin. How do you know this?
Rybakov. I know very precisely.
Zabelin. No, are you serious, my dear?
Rybakov. Very seriously.
Zabelin. Why were you silent, sir?
Rybakov (calls the phone number). You attacked me and stunned me.
Zabelin. You'll be stunned!
Rybakov (on the phone). Twenty-two - twenty-three... The editors of Izvestia?.. The scientific secretary of the special commission is speaking to you. We are doing a lot of work to prepare for electrification... But you didn’t know?! You work poorly, yes... yes... Send us an employee. Sivtsev Vrazhek, seventeen.
Zabelin (takes out a notebook). Here is the phone number of engineer Vostretsov. I had a paradox with this gentleman... in other words, I got into a fight with him at the Maly Theater. I need to get a copy of my report to the Academy of Sciences from him. Call him.
Rybakov. Fourteen - forty-five.
Zabelin. Has your wife left? Who asked to leave?.. Lydia Mikhailovna! Bring them back...
Rybakov. Fourteen - forty-five?.. Engineer Vostretsov at home?.. How - you don’t know, but who are you, wife?.. Where do you work?.. A special commission says... Thank you.
Zabelina and Masha run in.
Zabelina. Sorry... we forgot the boats.
Zabelin. Sudki... what sudki! Go home this minute and send me my London pigskin suitcase; my best works are hidden there. Marya, you find the driver yourself and take him. They are waiting again. Isn't it clear?
ZABELINA (approaches her husband, quietly). And that briefcase... you know what I'm talking about... isn't needed?
Zabelin. He's here with me.
Zabelina. After all, I understand... I understand everything... My whole life is in the palm of my hand. Let's go, Masha. (Leaves.)
Masha (at the door). Folder, how I love you! I love you too, Rybakov... (Kisses Rybakov, leaves.)
Zabelin. Have you found Vostretsov? Excuse me, you're excited...
Rybakov. Of course, I’m excited... But I’ll get this Vostretsov from the bottom of the sea.
A machine enters.
Here, Anton Ivanovich, is the typist I told you about.
Zabelin (typist). You have been seconded to work with us... I am sincerely glad. Zabelin. And don’t be surprised if we start working urgently now. Take a seat. (Walks around, thinks out loud.) An idea... an idea... No, we'll start like this, sir. Electrification of Russia is the greatest idea of ​​our time in for a long time... (To the typist.) Is it possible?
M a sh i n i s t k a. All is ready.
Zabelin. I usually dictate and walk around while doing it. So please let's begin. "To the Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars..."
Scene two
Lenin's office in the Kremlin. There is an English scribe and a secretary in the office. They are sitting each other
against a friend.
A n g l i c h a n i n. May I see the illustrations in this magazine?
Secretary. Please.
Lenin enters.
Lenin. Did I keep you waiting? (Extends his hand.) Ulyanov-Lenin. Welcome!
The English writer ritually bows. Lenin invites him
sit down. We sat down. The secretary leaves.
I'm hearing you.
A n g l i c h a n i n. Of course, I don’t believe the stories that you are a Freemason.
Lenin. Are there still Masons in London? My God, what a game!
A n g l i c h a n i n (without losing his dignity). But it seems to me that you don’t know Russian life well. It is very difficult to penetrate you. There are so many sentries here. How can you have a connection with your people?
Lenin. Communication with the people does not depend on the sentries.
A n g l i c h a n i n. I am going to write an extensive book against Marx.
Lenin (smiled). This is interesting.
A n g l i c h a n i n. I'm tired of him.
Lenin. Who?
A n g l i c h a n i n. I said who. I said Marx.
Lenin. Well, go ahead!
A n g l i c h a n i n. What is this - go ahead?
Lenin. Take action... work!
A n g l i c h a n i n. I don’t understand how you, Mr. Lenin, can divide the world into rich and poor. It's primitive, rude. There are honest people among the rich, just as there are honest people among the poor. These honest people from rich and poor must unite and build reasonable socialism. I can see in your eyes that you don't believe in this idea.
Lenin. I don't believe it one bit.
A n g l i c h a n i n. I'm willing to bet.
Lenin. I value your time too much to argue about such things.
A n g l i c h a n i n. Oh... It's fanaticism to believe in only one idea of ​​Bolshevik socialism!
Lenin. Your government has spent a lot of money using guns to prove the inconsistency of our ideas.
A n g l i c h a n i n. I was one of those who protested.
Lenin. Yes, yes, I know, you are one of those honest ones, and it didn’t help!
A n g l i c h a n i n. Did not help.
Lenin. Why didn't it help?
A n g l i c h a n i n. Because they have power.
Lenin. They have banks, they have guns... And you have honesty. What is your honesty compared to the worst gun? As soon as you are about to start your reasonable socialism, they will put one of the worst guns, and bam on your dear socialists! Listen, this is a completely possible thing... what should you do then? Shoot back? But this is Bolshevism. Run? What about socialism?
A n g l i c h a n i n. Mr. Lenin, this is ordinary red propaganda.
Lenin. But I'm a real red one!
A n g l i c h a n i n. Mr. Lenin, I'm surprised...
At this moment the sound of chimes is heard - two or three notes from
"Internationale".
Lenin (listening). How?
A n g l i c h a n i n. You find humor in yourself, and yet it is easy for any impartial observer coming from the West to notice that you are on the verge of death.
Lenin (seriously). Please tell us what you noticed about us?
A n g l i c h a n i n. I noticed that people in Russia are very poorly shaved.
Lenin. Yes, it doesn't matter if they're shaved.
A n g l i c h a n i n. Besides, they are all terribly ragged... Maybe this topic is unpleasant for you?
Lenin. Please continue. I'm very interested in what you saw here!
A n g l i c h a n i n. All people walk around with some kind of packages. At first I couldn't understand what was going on. And then they told me... This is their food, rations... They bring home boiled porridge from their institutions in newspapers. No one is walking the streets. Everyone is running somewhere. Maxim Gorky has only one suit.
Lenin. Really? Did he tell you?
A n g l i c h a n i n. His relatives told me.
Lenin (as if to himself, thoughtfully). It's difficult for everyone. It’s also difficult for Gorky. (Suddenly, squinting.) How many suits do you have?
A n g l i c h a n i n. I don’t remember... like any decent person... ten... twelve...
Lenin. You have twelve, and Gorky has one... See what a difference! But please continue!
A n g l i c h a n i n. When I caught a cold, there was no medicine at the pharmacy.
Lenin (bitterly). This is terrible... I know, this is terrible!
A n g l i c h a n i n. I ate bread that is not suitable for food, but I heard that somewhere around the Volga River Russians eat each other. Is it true?
Lenin. Is it true.
A n g l i c h a n i n (pathetically). Human powers are unable to stop this catastrophe! There will soon be no one left in Russia except the village peasants. Railways will rust as your cities cease to exist. I see Russia in the darkness, in the terrible darkness of its end... catastrophe, death...
Lenin (simply, thoughtfully). We probably make a terrible impression... “In the darkness”... There is probably darkness. No, no, I don’t argue, this is probably how it all seems.
A n g l i c h a n i n. I heard that you are proposing a plan for the electrification of Russia.
Lenin (suddenly, surprised). How have you heard?
A n g l i c h a n i n. I had a conversation with one gentleman who...
Lenin. I know who you had a conversation with. What is this gentleman saying?
A n g l i c h a n i n. He is a witty person, he jokes, he says - not “electrification”, but “electrification”.
Lenin. Yes, he is a witty gentleman.
A n g l i c h a n i n. You are a dreamer, Mr. Lenin. Before you is a huge, flat, freezing country, with an Asian rather than European population, a country emitting a death cry... and you dream of giving it electricity. You are a strange dreamer, Mr. Lenin!
Lenin. Come visit us in ten years.
A n g l i c h a n i n. But will you be in ten years?
Lenin (cheerfully). We will. Don't believe me? Come and see what we'll have. I'm a dreamer. It seems to me that in general we are forever.
A n g l i c h a n i n. If you believe so, then you have secrets that we do not know.
Lenin. Oh, on the contrary, we are very frank... too frank!
A n g l i c h a n i n. If so, then tell me why you believe and dream?
Lenin. So you will get angry. You will say that this is ordinary red propaganda. I believe in the working class, you don't. I believe in the Russian people, they terrify you. You believe in the honesty of capitalists, but I don’t. You came up with clean, sweet, Christmas socialism, and I stand for the dictatorship of the proletariat. "Dictatorship" is a cruel, difficult, bloody, painful word. Such words are not thrown into the wind, but otherwise one cannot dream of electrification, socialism, communism... History will show which of us is right.
A n g l i c h a n i n. Your faith can shake you... or drive you crazy! It's impossible to understand! Before you is an abyss of misfortunes and horrors, and over the abyss you are talking about electrification... I refuse to understand!
The chimes strike again - again two or three notes of the Internationale.
Lenin. Come visit us in ten years...
A n g l i c h a n i n. No, you're hiding something. You know something that we in the West don’t know, but don’t say it!
Lenin. I give you my word of honor that we speak openly to the end.
A n g l i c h a n i n. You are tired. I noticed this when you came in... Goodbye, Mr. Lenin! Thank you for the conversation. Maybe you're right and I'm wrong. Future will tell. Goodbye!
Lenin. Goodbye! But still, come to us in ten years.
A n g l i s k i s a t e l leaves.
Lenin (thought and suddenly laughed). What a bourgeois!! A?! What a hopeless philistine!
The secretary enters.
Engineer Zabelin is waiting?
Secretary. Yes, Vladimir Ilyich.
Lenin. Ask.
The secretary leaves. Zabelin enters.
Zabelin. Hello, Vladimir Ilyich.
Lenin. Hello, Anton Ivanovich. How is your health and mood?
Zabelin. Thank you. My mood... is progressing.
Lenin. It’s wonderful if it progresses... But, by the way, have you ever met philistines in your life?
Zabelin. Bourgeois?.. Which ones?
Lenin. Ordinary, real, the very ones whom the writer Maxim Gorky so vividly portrays...
Zabelin. Perhaps... yes... I have.
Lenin. You see... We are all sure that the tradesman is a fossil creature. Lives in Kolomna, behind muslin curtains and wears a silver chain on his vest. This is the greatest misconception. The tradesman is a global category. I now saw an exemplary tradesman in the person of a world-famous writer. And he is like two peas in a pod like our Russian petty bourgeois, of whom there are a great many in all strata of our society.
Zabelin. Yes, they are present in all layers, but I would not want to be one of them. And I don't wear chains.
Lenin. Don't wear it?
Zabelin. And I would have been killed... if I had been like them.
Lenin. Oh no, no... We all have our flaws, but you are not the same. Sit down. Where is your report?.. I read it with a pencil in my hands. The most difficult work. How long did you work?
Zabelin. The time was short. But I don’t know how to work slowly if I’ve already started working.
Lenin. This is taking its toll.
Zabelin. How does it affect?.. Excuse me... negatively?
Lenin. Why is it necessarily negative?
Zabelin. You see, Vladimir Ilyich, for me this is like an exam... in my old age.
Lenin. If there is an exam, then we will assume that you passed it with an A. Excellent work... superb, and passionately presented.
Zabelin. I am happy, I am grateful... This is my calling, which I, therefore, have regained. And in general, every energy scientist, if only he loves Russia, must admit that since the time of Peter the Great, no one’s mind has been possessed by such bold, such majestic ideas. Still, can I ask you one very important question?
Lenin. Ask, ask... You are a beginner and in this sense a young worker.
Zabelin. My colleagues and I, who honestly come to work for us, have no doubt about the victorious future of electrification... but we still have a “but”.
Lenin. Which one?.. Very curious.
Zabelin. I'll be brief - isn't it too early?
Lenin. Is it too early to start electrification? I understood you.
Zabelin. Frankly speaking, this question torments me terribly.
Lenin. And it pains me terribly. But I’m incredibly tormented because things are moving so slowly for us. This is a huge, fundamental issue of our development. Today we are, to say the least, three hundred years behind the civilized world. And all of us, young and old, are in the grip of this monstrous backwardness. As soon as any bold thought arises, then the ferment of minds begins. Is not it too early? No, my friend, it’s not too early. If we had come to power in 1905, we would have immediately started electrification. Imagine where Soviet Russia would be now?
Zabelin. Of course I understand. I'm starting to get involved in politics.
Lenin. What is politics? This is a concentrated expression of economics. And our economy is such that it will require gigantic efforts, the sacrifices of entire generations, to make an unprecedented revolution in all areas of life. By the way, does it offend you, Anton Ivanovich, that you were given the sailor Rybakov as an assistant? A famous engineer, a professor, and here you are - a sailor-commissar?
Zabelin. Imagine, Vladimir Ilyich - not at all. Smart guy... I liked him the first time.
Lenin. I am glad.
Zabelin. I understand your question, but, of course, some Marxist theorist would be more suitable for me.
Lenin. Why do you need a theorist?.. Why?..
Zabelin. You talk so cheerfully that I can take your questions for a joke.
Lenin. I am not kidding. Why do you need a theorist?
Zabelin. I am, as they say now, a bourgeois specialist. In all likelihood, I need to go to school, huh?
Lenin. But we did not invite you to take courses in Marxism. We need you to work, and work as hard as you can, and this will be the best Marxism for both you and us. Sasha Rybakov is an unimportant theorist, but a brilliant performer. And I sent him to you so that he would exercise the dictatorship of the proletariat under you. For without the dictatorship of the proletariat we will not carry out any electrification, and all your work will be in vain. Take your report, read the notes and get ready for the meeting of the Council of Labor and Defense. Goodbye, Comrade Zabelin.
Zabelin. Goodbye, Vladimir Ilyich.
Enter the secretary, Dzerzhinsky, Rybakov
h a s o v sh i k.
Lenin. Just a minute... Just a minute!.. This is very important... very joyful...
Secretary. Comrade Lenin, you ordered the watchmaker to be invited at the moment when the Kremlin chimes...
H a s o v s h i k. Shh... I beg you.
Dzerzhinsky. Sorry, Vladimir Ilyich, for this rapid intrusion, but... an exciting thing... a watch...
Chasovschik (Dzerzhinsky). Please... one second left.
Lenin. Did the clock start?.. Sasha...
Rybakov. As if... Now... now...
The clock begins to strike.
Zabelin. What is this? A clock on the Kremlin?.. Well, yes, they are.
Dzerzhinsky. And you probably scolded us... that the Bolsheviks and the clock on the Kremlin fell silent?
Zabelin. Was.
Dzerzhinsky. Were you harshly scolded?
Zabelin. In every way.
Lenin. Do you hear... huh? They are playing... This is a great thing. When everything we now only dream about, about which we argue and suffer, comes true, they will count down a new time, and that time will witness new plans for electrification, new dreams, new aspirations.
A curtain.

“The Kremlin Chimes” is the second part of Nikolai Pogodin’s famous dramatic trilogy dedicated to Lenin. The action of this play takes place in 1920 in Moscow - at a time when a plan for the electrification of the country (the same GOELRO) was being developed. Naturally, the greatest need at such a moment is for specialists, for energy engineers. And one of them, Zabelin, instead of working in his direct specialty, demonstratively sells matches almost right next to the Kremlin. He quite openly expresses his dissatisfaction with the existing order, the devastation that has engulfed the country, and, as a result, more than once says that there is very little life left for such a country. In his speeches, he most often mentions the main clock of the country - the Kremlin chimes, which stopped, as if symbolizing the stop of time for the entire state. And so, they grab him and take him straight to Lenin. The ending is more than idealistic - life gets better, Zabelin gets a job that is needed not only for him, but also for the country, the young heroes (the love story of the play) find each other, and the ill-fated Kremlin chimes begin to tick, counting down a new era of the great country...

For the first time, the Moscow Art Theater showed its performance based on this play (director of the production - V.I. Nemirovich Danchenko, directors - L. Leonidov, M. Knebel) on January 22, 1942, during the evacuation in Saratov. In the same year, the production was awarded the Stalin Prize. And so, fifteen years later they decided to resume it, inviting Maria Osipovna Knebel for this. “Chimes” had to be restored with a new cast, and most importantly, with a new performer in the role of Lenin.

It was decided to restore the scenery created in the 40s by V. Dmitriev, and much could be done only from memory, since not only the scenery itself, but the materials had not been preserved.

Lenin was now played by Boris Smirnov, and in his performance, unlike the first version, the main emphasis was no longer on “similarity”. The director and actor sought to “feel the special nature of Lenin’s thought,” as Maria Knebel wrote. As a result, Smirnov succeeded so much that he subsequently embodied this image in two more theatrical productions and several films, receiving the Lenin Prize for it.

As many noted, the most interesting “new performer,” besides Smirnov, turned out to be Boris Livanov, who was to play Zabelin after Khmelev himself. He played, first of all, a scientist, and a practical scientist, for whom the profession is incessant work. He needed the consciousness that even now, for some reason having found himself thrown out of normal working life, he continued to work. And, selling matches, he did not act like a fool, did not philosophize, but worked. A huge internal struggle was played by Livanov in the scene where Lenin offers his hero cooperation. Not wanting to follow the lead of the Bolsheviks, he, at the same time, like a real scientist, is more and more carried away by the specific questions proposed to him. “I don’t know if I’m capable,” he says hesitantly, but it is already quite obvious that he will not return to trading matches.

Actor Boris Petker, who played a very small role in all versions of a watchmaker, became a kind of mascot of the Kremlin Chimes. Perhaps this was one of the most brilliant episodes of the entire performance. This image of an eccentric old man, created by Petker, was at the same time deeply romantic. He, like Shakespeare’s Hamlet, sees that “the connection of times has fallen apart,” and, in the case of Petker, he sees this clearly. But it is in his power to restore this connection.

The restored performance ran for many more years. He has been represented abroad several times. And now, it can be seen not on the old television tape.

Russian playwright, author of the play “Kremlin Chimes”

The first letter is "p"

Second letter "o"

Third letter "g"

The last letter of the letter is "n"

Alternative questions in crossword puzzles for the word pogodin

Soviet playwright, play "Man with a Gun"

Russian historian (1800-1875)

Definition of the word pogodin in dictionaries

Wikipedia Meaning of the word in the Wikipedia dictionary
Pogodin - surname; has the female form of Pogodin. Famous speakers: Pogodin, Alexander Lvovich (1872-1947) - Russian historian and Slavic philologist. Pogodin, Alexey Ivanovich (1857-after 1919) - head of the Naval Engineering School, Lieutenant General of the Corps...

encyclopedic Dictionary, 1998 The meaning of the word in the dictionary Encyclopedic Dictionary, 1998
POGODIN Mikhail Petrovich (1800-75) Russian historian, writer, academician of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences (1841). Published the magazines "Moskovsky Vestnik", "Moskvityanin". Supporter of the Norman theory of the origin of the Russian state. In his views he is close to the Slavophiles. Promoted...

Examples of the use of the word pogodin in literature.

Godfather Ivan Nikitich also visited the Moscow house, on Devichye Pole, at Weather, who fell in love with him for some reason and caressed him, - saw the famous ancient repository that after death Weather dragged by the hands of the servants, with my own eyes I saw Gogol’s bedraggled vest, I saw Pushkin’s frock coat, shot through in a duel, carefully kept by Pogodin in a glass case.

Pogodin and Kachenovsky were brought up on the learned methods of Schlozer and under his influence, which had a particularly strong effect on Pogodin e.

In their belvedere - they lived in rooms right under the roof - at the table, in the office Weather, where they sometimes managed to look together with his children, they felt like strangers, hangers-on, freeloaders, and the nervous state of their brother, who suffered even more, was reflected in their state.

His colleague Radky, who became a professor at Moscow University, or Pogodin they bring him together with T.

Finally, there is also a circle of Polevoy’s enemies, a circle formed from young scientists, like Pogodin and Shevyrev, among the aristocrats who stood out for their seriousness of ferment, like Khomyakov, then only a poet, and Kireevsky.

Characters

Lenin.
Dzerzhinsky.
Rybakov - sailor.
Zabelin is an old engineer.
Zabelina is his wife.
Masha is their daughter.
Chudnov is a peasant.
Anna is Chudnov’s wife.
R oman is their son.
Liza is their daughter-in-law.
M a r u s i ,
Stepka are their children.
Kazanok is a village bell ringer.
Senior,
Bearded,
Handy - workers.
Nishcha I. s t a r u h a.
S t a rushka. With. child
D a m a. With. v i z a n e m,
D a m a. and I'm scared,
SKEPTIK,
O p t i m i s t - guests of the Zabelins.
K u h a r k a. Zabelinykh.
CHAIRMAN. house
Military.
Secretary. u. Lenina.
G lagolev is an expert.
M a sh i n i s t k a.
C h a s o v s h i k.
English. writer.
T o r g o vka. k u k l a m i.
Krasnoarmets.
P about h o z i y.
Spiritual face.
S p e c u l i n t.
T o r g o vka. s a l o m.
Woman.
T o r g o vka.
Man in boots.
The first b e s p r i z o r n i k.
The second b e s p r i z o r n i k.
The third b e s p rizornik.
Pedestrians, sellers, cadets.

Plot

Despite the fact that the play shows many horrific realities of that time - hunger (by the way, even the content of the ration of civil servants was reported - boiled porridge), devastation, people thrown overboard from life, it is even shown how security officers take people without any arrest warrant, the play left a surprisingly bright overall impression of an optimistic, life-affirming, fatherly image of the leader - V.I. Lenin, the all-awareness of F. Dzerzhinsky, the balance of his decisions, the naive purity and charge for the creation of the sailor Rybakov, the fact that life is getting better, the engineer Zabelin finds a job that is very necessary for the country and for him, young people - Masha and the sailor Rybakov - each other, even the Kremlin The chimes are starting to tick!

Even after reworking in the 1950s, the play had clearly ideological scenes: Zabelin scolds a priest, judging by his speeches, the words butts And crooks synonyms for it.

Story

The play was written in 1939 (1st edition), the 2nd edition was prepared in 1941, the 3rd - 1955 and the 4th - 1956 (without Stalin).

First staged by the Leningrad Bolshoi Drama Theater in 1940, the director and performer of the role of Lenin is Efim Altus.

On January 22, 1942, the play was shown by the Moscow Art Theater in evacuation in Saratov (director of the production V. I. Nemirovich-Danchenko, directors Leonidov, M. O. Knebel, artist Dmitriev; Main characters and performers: Lenin - A. N. Gribov, Rybakov - B.N. Livanov, Zabelin - N.P. Khmelev, Masha - S. Pilyavskaya, Chudnov - Cheban). The production was awarded the Stalin Prize in 1942.

Then the play was performed in many theaters across the country (by 1942 it was in the repertoire of 300 theaters).

Some performances of roles in the play have become classic: Watchmaker - Petker at the Moscow Art Theater.

In 1959, the performer of the role of Lenin in the production of the 3rd edition at the Moscow Art Theater (1956) B.A. Smirnov was awarded the Lenin Prize.

The Lenin Prize in 1959 for the trilogy “Man with a Gun”, “Kremlin Chimes”, “The Third Pathetic” was awarded to the author N. Pogodin

Editions

First publication “Kremlin chimes” M.-L., 1941.

Pogodin N., Collected dramatic works, vol. 2, M., 1960.

Film adaptations

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• Kremlin wall (disambiguation)
• Clock on the Spasskaya Tower

See what “Kremlin chimes (play)” is in other dictionaries:

Kremlin chimes- a term that can have several meanings: Kremlin Chimes (play) play by Nikolai Pogodin Kremlin Chimes (film) Kremlin Clocks ... Wikipedia