Tomov. You are telling lies. We sure have been there!
Sumyatov. That’s what I’m saying. In what way he is better than you?
Tomov. Hey, listen, aren’t you a psyche? You look like!
Sumyatov. So, you are not bitter about?
Tomov. Me? About Victor?! Do you know what he means for me? He saved my life. Why would I be bitter about him?
Sumyatov. Sorry, I didn’t know.
Tomov. So, you ask me, in what way he is better? In all ways. Victor is a real man!
Sumyatov. Who is not real? Point with you finger, don’t be shy!
Tomov. He cares not a snap on the fame and chicks. If he only wanted all this… Oh, shit, this headache!
Sumyatov. So, if he really wanted? And you, aren’t you a man? Wouldn’t you save him if there was a danger…
Tomov. Me? Don’t know. Maybe not…
Sumyatov. Please think before you say something I would recommend you.
Tomov. You, shut up! Why didn’t he cut the rope with the knife? I would’ have blamed him. But he didn’t do that.
Sumyatov. Anybody in his shoes…
Tomov. Hey, listen didn’t you by any chance injure your head in your childhood?
Sumyatov. Don’t worry, I am all right. Okay, he has saved you and you thank him very much. But are you going to prey for him till the end of your life?
Tomov. Actually, I should always kiss his hands which he frostbit while was holding the rope with me. And I should definitely strike you down as a mad dog. That is how I see it.
Sumyatov. So, Mancev is a hero, the only of all?
Tomov. I don’t know, maybe there is somebody else. But I swear you: there are very few guys like him in the world.
Sumyatov. So, should we make an idol out of him?
Tomov. I would advice to set monuments and devote books to such people so that young boys followed their example and dreamed about them. And you don’t mess up his name and don’t get me into troubles, got it?
Alla rushes in.
Alla. This is him, him! Did you hear – he is there! What should I do?
Sumyatov. Did you get in touch?
Alla. Yes. At his radio station I was told that Pavel planned to return earlier before my arrival. Why did he do that?
Sumyatov. Perhaps not to worry you.
Alla. I am not an enemy to him. Why? Why was he silent?
Sumyatov. Ask him when you see him.
Alla. Don’t calm me down. He won’t come back!
Sumyatov. They will be saved, believe me.
Alla. You don’t believe in it! Don’t tell me lies. You do it not professionally.
Tomov. Hey, what are you talking about?
Alla. Oh, this is you…
Tomov. Finally, you deigned to notice me!
Alla. Sorry, I am busy now.
Tomov. (Singing). «We live in a city of brothers love. We are noticed until we interfere».
Alla. Why are you here?
Tomov. Where should I be?
Alla. In the mountains! You are a mountaineer.
Tomov. So what? Mountaineers dwell not only in the mountains.
Alla. You must save him!
Томов. Who?
Alla. My husband!
Tomov. Oh, don’t tell me about it. “Husband” sounds disgusting…
Alla. But yesterday you were going to go!
Tomov. Where? You mean to wipe nose to this guy? I am always ready!
Alla. To the mountains!
Tomov. I was dead drunk.
Alla. You are drunk now!
Tomov. But now I think better. Go to the mountains yourself if you need it so much. I am fed up with this romantic stuff.
Sumyatov. And you, what do you need?
Томов. Vodka! Chicks!! Seaside!!! I do have all this, don’t worry.
Alla. You are a coward!
Tomov. Last night you had different opinion. Should I remind you what exactly?
Sumyatov. But this is your real chance, do you understand it?
Tomov. Chance… What chance?
Sumyatov. To become equal to Mancev. He saved you – you will save many.
Tomov. There are enough volunteers without me there. I am giving way!
Sumyatov. And what about fame passion? Doesn’t it rankle in you?
Tomov. And in you?
Sumyatov. I am an average person. I don’t conquer the mountain peaks, don’t cross the oceans, don’t fly to the stars. So, I am ensured from this.
Tomov. You pretend to be such a mediocrity! As for me I don’t need this fame at all. This is absolutely useless thing. .
Sumyatov. One can neither sleep with it nor freshen the nip, right?
Tomov. Exactly! There are only troubles with this fame.
Алла. You are such a rascal!
Tomov. It’s better to be a rascal rather than a corpse. Remember it baby.
Sumyatov. I got you now. You would rather share the fame with Mancev but with a certain condition.
Tomov. Are you gonna shut up yourself or would I help you?
Sumyatov. And this condition is that fame wouldn’t require any effort from you. You have spent all your physical and spiritual energy on uncorking bottles.
Tomov. You said all? Come on, you asshole! Let’s see all energy or not!
Alla. Oleg! (Grabbing him).
Tomov. Come on I told you!
Sumyatov. Don’t shout! You are going to tear your vocal cords. How will you scare people then?
Alla. Oh, keep your mouth shut!
Tomov. I will screw you up!..
Victor Mancev and Levan come in.
Levan. His things are in the room. Hey, where did he go?
Mancev. Here he is!
Levan. Hey, dear! Why are you fighting with a woman? Aren’t you a man?
Mancev. Oleg, don’t be a fool!
Sumyatov. Let him go!
Mancev. Keep silent, you Anika the Warrior.
Tomov. Vitya, I wish you heard how they were screwing me up!
Mancev. You’d better sleep for a while, Oleg.
Tomov. You know that I am not a coward!
Mancev. I know.
Tomov. Then why are they saying that? I am ready to go to the mountains right away!
Mancev. Okay, but get some sleep at first.
Tomov. Just give me a wink and I will go through fire and water for you!
Sumyatov. And through the abyss?
Mancev. One more word and you will have to deal with me this time!
Levan. Let’s go dear.
Tomov. Levan, my throat is burning. I’d rather take a glass to drink out the offense.
Levan. Let’s go, let’s go dear, it’s all right, believe me.
Tomov. I do believe you, Levan, only you!
Levan and Oleg Tomov leave.
Mancev. You shouldn’t have said that.
Sumyatov. Sorry, I got exited.
Alla. But he is a coward. Shameless and mean coward!
Mancev. It’s not a reason for insulting him. Especially if you are mistaken.
Sumyatov. I also have such impression of him. He is afraid of mountains.
Mancev. You think that only heroes climb the mountains? There are a number of normal people there.
Sumyatov. You are speaking enigmatically again.
Манцев. No enigmas! He is a person just like any of us. He is neither worse nor better.
Sumyatov. You have a pretty unflattering opinion about people.
Mancev. My opinion of them is the one they deserve. Like it or not.
Alla. In that case I don’t see any abnormal person around me. All are disgracefully normal.
Mancev. Are you sure?
Alla. All of you are cowards and babbles. People are perishing in the mountains! And you are gabbing like scolds here instead of rushing to rescue them.
Mancev. You are right.
Sumyatov. Don’t blame her. Her husband is among them.
Mancev. I’ve figured it out.
Alla. I am going to the mountains myself. And I wish you to be in good relationship with your conscious!
Аlla Bokova leaves. Levan enters.
Levan. He got asleep as soon as his head touched the pillow.
Mancev. That’s good. One trouble less.
Sumyatov. It’s a crazy day today. Is it going to finish or not?
Mancev. At least half a day has passed already.
Levan. Hey, are you going to have lunch or not?