Mancev. A verdict made by me wife… Sorry, my ex-wife now. A verdict over me.
Sumyatov. Oh, that’s it… Do you have children?
Mancev. Two little daughters. I adored them but always left remaining them alone. I thought there is something more important in life. I have recovered my sight but it’s too late. Now I have nothing for what to climb down the mountains.
Light fades out. When it is switched on again an action takes place in front of the tourist camp building.
Аllа. You don’t have to see me off further.
Аnnа. Okay, you just don’t be sad! Everything will be fine!
Аllа. Thank you for all.
Аnnа. Come to see us with your husband. To our house-warming party, right Vasil?
Vasil. We are always glad to our guests. .
Аllа. I’d like to give you a piece of advice Vasiclass="underline" don’t let Anna get used to you. A habit kills everything in family life, remember it.
Vasil. I will.
Аllа. Get her exited, surprised! Oh, my God, even terrified… as often as possible. Got me?
Vasil. Yes.
Аllа. For the sake of your future children. Good-bye! (Leaving).
Аnnа. Good-bye Alla! Oh, Vasil, I really feel sorry for her. She is blaming herself in death of her husband.
Vasil. What death? Don’t say this bullshit!
Аnnа. That’s true! Oh, where is some wooden thing here to knock three times? (Knocking a wooden bench). You think everything will be all right?
Vasil. Let’s see… Let’s go back?
Аnnа. Let’s sit here for a while? Look, what a beautiful view here!
Vasil. Just mountains… What is special about them? I can’t understand.
Аnnа. You, the old grumbler! I bet you’d prefer to be in the middle of heath.
Vasil. That’s right. Heath is real thing. There is so much space!
Аnnа. However, one can’t live without mountains.
Vasil. What is useful about your mountains?
Аnnа. Just imagine: a man lives his life full of worries and troubles. Suddenly he sees a mountain in front of him. He can neither cross it nor drive through it. There is only one way – to climb it and pass above it. The man looks up at the top of the mountain. His eyes are following higher and higher until they reach the sky! The sky is so bright and huge that he feels choky! And here is no more worries and sorrows.
Vasil. You are so swift to imagine, Annushka!
Аnnа. Then why do people need mountains you think?
Vasil. There is only death from them. Mikhalych is right.
Аnnа. Hey, you! What a husband you are to me?!
Oleg Tomov comes up.
Vasil. Well, when we buy a house we’ll never go to the mountains.
Аnnа. Not even once?
Vasil. No way! That’s it!
Аnnа. Vasilyok, and how about saying good-bye to the mountains?
Vasil. No way! Don’t look at me like that, my sweetheart. Am I an enemy to you?
Tomov. Hi the Korobkos! How are you?
Аnnа. Well, well…
Tomov. I was passing across the bus stop and saw Alla. Do you know where she is going?
Аnnа. Home.
Tomov. I waved her a hand but she turned from me as if we don’t know each other. Here you go: I’ve saved her risking my life!
Аnnа. She might not notice you. I guess her thoughts are far away from here.
Tomov. Ha-ha, so she says. Didn’t notice… In fact she just can’t forgive me that I didn’t let her jump into the abyss. Crazy woman!
Аnnа. Shame on you Oleg!
Tomov. Why on earth should I be ashamed?
Аnnа. Alla told me everything.
Tomov. What do you mean “everything”? Come on, tell me!
Аnnа. The reason why she was going to jump into the abyss. Should I remind you?
Tomov. She told you lies and you believe this psyche!
Аnnа. By the way, she didn’t tell a single bad word about you but she could.
Tomov. Look at them! These birds are singing together! I see you, chicks quickly find a common language between each other.
Аnnа. Hey you!
Tomov. Oh, didn’t she teach you some other things also? For example, how to flirt around not to get bored while husband is away, huh?
Аnnа. No she didn’t.
Tomov. I guess you know it yourself. All chicks are alike!
Vasil. Oleg!
Tomov. What?
Vasil. Listen, you, stop insulting my wife.
Tomov. So what? Are you going to wipe my nose?
Vasil. Yes I am! And no matter that we have eaten from one pot.
Аnnа. Vasilyok, please don’t!
Tomov. I don’t care about her…
Vasil. Shut up then.
Tomov. Come on, easy cowboy! I am also a bold guy… Do you have a cigarette?
Vasil. No.
Tomov. Oh, Anka, Anka! You are a good woman, but too wicked. How is Vasil going to live with you?
Аnnа. Go away, Oleg. I don’t want to talk to you.
Tomov. You should listen! It will be useful for you.
Аnnа. Why have you stuck to me like a limpet?
Tomov. I can’t stand that you are making a heroin out of yourself.
Аnnа. I am not.
Tomov. That’s lie! Just yesterday you were jumping like a nanny calling everyone to the mountains to save those guys! So, where are you today?
Аnnа. And today I will say the same.
Tomov. You say words too easily. But what’s the use of it?
Аnnа. You think I won’t go there?
Tomov. You will if Vasil lets you. But he doesn’t need it.
Аnnа. How do you know?
Tomov. He will neither let you go nor will go himself. Am I right, Vasil?
Vasil. We will go if it’s necessary.
Tomov. For whom is it necessary? Nobody needs it except your dear Allochka. She willingly will finish a dozen of men for the sake of her husband. She doesn’t care that their wives and children are waiting for them at homes. There is no someone else’s sorrow, right?
Аnnа. You are saying nonsense. You, the jerk!
Tomov. Well… Perhaps, you might go. But tomorrow morning you are hurrying to purchase a house. And the day after tomorrow you have to celebrate a house-warming party. Then, you are going to have kids… When will you climb the mountains then? It’s so nice that this psyche Alla left. I am so tired of her that had insomnia last night.
Аnnа. My grandmother used to say that only people with clear conscience have good sleep at night.
Tomov. Oh conscience! I wish I knew what conscience is like. Do you know Anna? And you Vasil?
Vasil. I didn’t see it.
Tomov. Neither did I. I never saw it and don’t know how it looks like. Maybe it doesn’t exist at all?
Light goes off. Then early morning comes. Light is switched on. Levan is laying tables at the canteen. Cyrill Sumyatov comes in.
Sumyatov. Good morning Levan!
Levan. Oh, dear, why did you get up so early? It’s not ready yet.
Sumyatov. I wonder, do you have the bedbugs here at the camp?
Levan. Are you kidding me?!
Sumyatov. Well, it must be my nerves then… I’d rather have a cup of coffee now.
Levan. That’s true. Otherwise you will feel sleepy the whole day like a chicken!
Sumyatov. Please make it double, okay? I’ll be your debtor forever then.
Levan. Oh, don’t forget it! (Leaving).
Sumyatov. Well, I came here like an eagle and now leaving like a chicken! Damn it!
Victor Mancev dressed in a traveling suit comes in.
Mancev. Here you are again!
Sumyatov. I guess our fortune makes us meet again and again. Where are you going at such an early hour? All decent people are still sleeping.
Mancev. Oh, this night has been lasting for a whole century.
Sumyatov. So, you didn’t sleep either? I wish I knew that. We could have played chess together.
Mancev. I had a lot to think about… Where is Levan?
Sumyatov. He is making coffee. He is sure that it’s the best remedy not to turn into a chicken after a sleepless night. Wouldn’t you try?
Mancev. No. I prefer to walk breathing fresh air. It awakes you better than coffee.
Sumyatov. Up to the bus station?
Mancev. You are a penetrative person. Yesterday I told you so much bullshit… I hope you didn’t take it serious?