Sumyatov. Of course not.
Mancev. Thank you for your understanding.
Sumyatov. Where are going now? You are not coming back, right?
Mancev. That’s right. My way is calling me to the Devil’s Fang.
Sumyatov. Really?!
Mancev. But please don’t tell a word to the guys. I just left. That’s it.
Sumyatov. But why?
Mancev. Because everyone has to make his own decisions.
Sumyatov. Then… Only one thing is left for me – to wish you good luck!
Mancev. Thank you. I do need luck. See you!
Sumyatov. Wait a second! Please take it. (Giving him a pipe).
Mancev. Your pipe? This is very generous gift.
Sumyatov. Keep it! You will really need it at the mountains. And I don’t need it.
Mancev. I hope we will meet again. And I will have a chance to thank you.
Sumyatov. Okay, I take you up on that. When you come back you are going to answer all my questions frankly. And I will write about you.
Mancev. That’s a deal. But only when I come back not earlier. (Leaving).
Sumyatov. I think I also have to go back home.
Levan enters.
Levan. Here is your coffee, dear! Aren’t you sleeping?
Sumyatov. I didn’t have a chance to get asleep… Your coffee is wonderful!
Levan. It sure is. Did you have doubts?
Oleg Tomov enters.
Tomov. Hi there!
Levan. Good morning dear! Would you like coffee?
Tomov. I’d rather have some brine.
Levan. Oh, there is no brine, dear. But coffee is fresh and hot !
Tomov. I have a disgusting taste in the mouth. The same is in my soul. (Sipping coffee). Oh, what a nasty thing!
Levan. Youuu! What a nasty man!
Anna and Vasil come in.
Аnnа. Good morning everybody! Has Mikhalych come?
Levan. No he hasn’t.
Vasil. I told you it’s too early.
Аnnа. It’s better to wait here rather than slugging in bed. Levan, is that coffee?
Levan. It is absolutely fresh. Would you like some?
Аnnа. Two cups please. Vasil, should I take something to eat?
Vasil. No, I don’t need it.
Аnnа. Neither do I. Let’s drink bitter coffee.
Levan. Why bitter, huh? Take sugar as much as you like. It’s my treat!
Mikhalych comes in hurrying.
Аnna. Mikhalych, dear! We have been waiting for you.
Mikhalych. Sorry, daughter, I am a little late. I was waiting for the newspapers. There was an urgent message and they were printing the newspapers at night.
Аnnа. One more urgent message?! What has happened?!
Mikhalych. Don’t worry, daughter – it’s harmful for you. They have been found!
Tomov. Hey, old man, who has been found? Speak clearly.
Mikhalych. Those missing have been found.
Tomov. Oh, shit, who were missing? God damn you, old man!
Аnnа. You mean those guys!?
Mikhalych. Yes, exactly.
Аnnа. They didn’t perish, right?
Mikhalych. All are alive! There were some problems with their communication devices and they couldn’t report about themselves.
Levan. Wow, dear, such a good news! Would you like some coffee?
Tomov. What are you talking about, Levan? Give us champagne!
Levan. Oh, my poor head! There is no champagne, believe it or not.
Sumyatov. Mikhalych, aren’t you mistaken?
Mikhalych. Here is a newspaper story.
Sumyatov. What about Mancev then?
Аnnа. Where is he? We should tell him!
Sumyatov. He is away.
Аnnа. Where is he?
Тоmov. Hey, you, the journalist, stop shadowboxing! Answer when being asked.
Sumyatov. He left for the Devil’s Fang.
Levan. Listen, we should turn him back. Now there is no need to go there.
Vasil. I’ll go and search for him!
Mikhalych. It’s too late, the bus has left already.
Аnnа. Oh my God!
Tomov. Hey, why have you got the hump? He will come back. There is no reason to worry!
Sumyatov. He won’t come back.
Levan. How do you know?
Sumyatov. He won’t come back I tell you! Now he left for the Devil’s Fang, then for some other place. There are many peaks in the world.
Аnnа. How about us then? How about us, I ask you?!
Sumyatov. As usual. Has anything changed?