Вадим Иванович Кучеренко
The Idol
Levan. Starting what?
Аnna. To save those guys at the mountains. Didn’t you forget?
Levan. Oh, how can I forget?…
Аnna. Then what’s the matter with you? Hey, look into my eyes!
Levan. My wife wouldn’t let me go. She swore that if I go to the mountains she would grab a son and a daughter and leave for her parents. So, no way I can join you.
Аnna. Here we go! Did you hear that, Vasil?
Vasil. Sure I did.
Levan. One person more, one person less – what a big deal!
Vasil. You are right actually…
Аnna. And we shall go!
Levan. I would also go believe me! But I can’t!
Vasil. Don’t get upset, Levan. I understand you.
Mikhalych. Excuse me guys for interrupting you. I heard you are going to the city, am I right?
Аnna. Actually we haven’t decided yet. Of course we’d like to go, but I am afraid our guys would leave without us.
Mikhalych. What do you need at the city? Maybe I could be of some service to you.
Аnna. We read a classified at the newspaper yesterday: a house for sale, five rooms and a garden… We’ve been dreaming of such a house for a long time.
Vasil. So, let’s return form the mountains and then go to the city.
Аnna. You think such house is going to wait for you? It’s not a house – a palace!
Mikhalych. I would advise you not to postpone it for later. You might get nothing later, I know!
Vasil. Are you serious, daddy?
Mikhalych. I wish I were wrong! But unfortunately this is bitter truth. So, go immediately! I can see you off if you don’t mind.
Аnna. We really appreciate your help. However… we need to go to the mountains.
Mikhalych. That’s what my son always used to tell me: «Dad, the mountains are waiting for me». And he was gone as if I were not waiting for him. One day he left and never came back…
Levan. Oh, why haven’t you told us before, dear?
Mikhalych. He was the same age as you are. So, as a person who is as old as your fathers I have a right to warn you. Don’t try to live only for high ideals. Live for a person next to you. You know, this is the only chance to be happy in our earthy world.
Аnna. What do you think, Vasil?
Vasil. As you say.
Аnna. And I will say! We are going to the city. Levan!
Levan. Don’t shout so loudly, I beg you!
Аnna. Tell the guys that we left for the city. Let them wait for us!
Levan. I will, I will…
Аnna. So, are you going to join us?
Mikhalych. With great pleasure!
Аnna. Sorry, I don’t know your name.
Mikhalych. You can call me Mikhalych. My son used to call me like this. I am okay with it.
Levan. I am going to see you off to the bus, okay?
Vasil. Let’s go Levan. It’s more fun together.
Everybody is gone. Cyril Sumyatov and Alla Bokova come in.
Alla. So, you don’t agree?
Sumyatov. Yes. You have to take another companion.
Alla. Here they are, our modern men!
Sumyatov. You forgot that I came here not for entertaining.
Alla. And I am just the other way around.
Sumyatov. Oh, poor your husband!
Алла. Come on… It’s poor me. And him… Just be sure he lives to his own pleasure.
Sumyatov. Does he?
Alla. No doubt. Why do you think he sent off me here?
Sumyatov. Hopefully there was no violence.
Alla. I bet now he has been sitting at his favorite radio station day and night. It replaces him his home and wife.
Sumyatov. He doesn’t love you?
Alla. You mean Pavel? He is crazy about me! Sure, I have no idea how to conquer a mountain but in conquering a man’s heart I have no superior.
Sumyatov. Then I don’t understand why he prefers some radio station instead of you.
Alla. Men are tired of monotony. Haven’t you noticed it yourself?
Sumyatov. Perhaps.
Alla. And what can be more boring than a marriage-bed? That’s why while a wife is cooking, washing, ironing, and nursing children a husband sneaks from home in search of adventures.
Sumyatov. You have a wired view on family life. And especially on man’s role in it.
Alla. Yet my poor mother warned me about it. Oh, she has had bitter experience!
Sumyatov. Then why did you get married if you knew all that?
Alla. I can’t say it now. But at that time… You know, men have one weak point and I was going to use it freely.
Sumyatov. You think only one?
Alla. Don’t catch me on words. Each man has a whole bunch of weak points. But all without any exception are terribly jealous. The most scary thing for them is to lose something that belongs to them. Do you agree?
Sumyatov. I wouldn’t take a risk to argue.
Alla. Good job. As soon as a man suspect his wife of cheating… he starts flying over her like a bumblebee over a flower drinking a nectar from her lips even if he refused from it just yesterday.
Sumyatov. Oh, I guess I got you! You came here to provoke a jealous instinct in your husband, right?
Alla. What else can I do?
Sumyatov. Indeed! A goal shall be reached by all means, right?
Alla. I want to get my husband back to the family and for this sake I am ready for all.
Sumyatov. Has he run away from you? It seems to me you’ve done this.
Alla. This is just seemingly. Should I consider a man who shows up at home late at night, has dinner and the next moment disappears at the bedroom terribly snoring to be my husband!? Oh, he gets so tired at his work!
Sumyatov. But if it has been always like that…
Alla. Oh, God what are you talking about?
Sumyatov. Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you.
Alla. It started when Pavel was appointed a chief of the radio station. He has changed drastically since that. He became reserved and silent.
Levan enters.
Sumyatov. Good morning Levan!
Levan. Hi dear! Aren’t you hungry, eh? Would you like some cakes?
Sumyatov. No, thanks for nothing … Alla, I am sorry, but I really have no time.
Alla. Oh, really?! I wonder, why I got so expansive with you?
Sumyatov. I have no idea.
Alla. You seem to be trustworthy. Such men are dangerous.
Sumyatov. Don’t worry, I won’t get you any harm.
Alla. I don’t care. Hey there, what’s your name?
Levan. Levan.
Alla. Listen, Levan, I’d like to get to the city. What is a shuttle schedule?
Levan. It leaves in five minutes.
Alla. What about the next one?
Levan. Only in the evening.
Alla. What should I do? I am going to get bored to death here.
Levan. You still can get there in time. It’s quite close. Want me to see you off?
Alla. No, thanks, I know where it is. Okay, I really might get in time. Oh, whatever… Bye!
Sumyatov. Have fun there!
Alla Bokova leaves. She runs into Victor Mancev at the doorway.
Mancev. Excuse me… What’s the matter with her, Levan?
Levan. Why are you asking me?!
Mancev. You might be the reason. Good morning!
Sumyatov. Morning.
Mancev. Have you got the mail today?
Levan. No, dear.
Mancev. Didn’t you forget? I am expecting.
Levan. Sure I remember.
Mancev. So, there wasn’t. And it is not going to be… Oh, no, it can’t be so..
Levan. What are you talking about my friend?
Mancev. Oh, just nothing. The weather is fine since early morning, isn’t it?
Sumyatov. You are a nice observer as usual.
Mancev. Please, don’t exaggerate. Aren’t you get offended on me yesterday?
Sumyatov. Not at all. Why should I?
Mancev. I really was too bally sleepy.
Sumyatov. I hope you had good sleep.
Mancev. Not bad, thanks. Do you want to get back own?
Sumyatov. How?
Mancev. To play chess. I suggest a shotgun game. Just ten minutes.
Sumyatov. To take a victory over Victor Mancev himself! It’s temping.
Mancev. First catch your hare, as our Vasil would say. Levan, could you please give us chess and a watch. Where do you hide them?
Levan. Just a second, dear. I don’t hide them at all. (Carrying out a chess box and a watch)
Sumyatov. Do you prefer defense or offense?
Mancev. And what about you?
Sumyatov. I don’t care. What matters is the final result. Left hand, please!
Mancev. Well, I have evil luck as always. Go rush!
Sumyatov. As they used to say in good old times I have an honor to attack you.
Mancev. You are a risky guy.
Sumyatov. Isn’t a right to risk a priority of mountaineers only?
Mancev. Many people take risk. But few of them win.
Sumyatov. Is it an aphorism of your own?
Mancev. It is a mountain law.
Sumyatov. I wouldn’t like to experience it on my own.
Mancev. Aren’t you going to climb the mountains?
Sumyatov. No.
Mancev. Right. Run away from them.
Sumyatov. Is that you who tells me that!?
Mancev. Run away from them I tell you, until they drink you down as you drink your morning cup of coffee.
Sumyatov. Why don’t you flee from the mountains?
Mancev. It’s impossible to flee from yourself. The same thing will happen anywhere.
Sumyatov. What thing?
Mancev. A man comes into the world and passes away.
Sumyatov. Are you talking about the meaning of life?
Mancev. He is strong, healthy and ambitious at the beginning. But as time passes he turns into a decrepit gummer. And he realizes that all is vanity of vanities. But it is too late.
Sumyatov. But not all feel like this!
Mancev. This is an everybody’s destiny. There are ambitious dreams at the beginning and then there is a bitter frustration.
Sumyatov. But what if not to dream of becoming heroes and idols? Just live quiet and modest life. Many people live like that.
Mancev. They are already just ashes remained from the big fires.
Sumyatov. You think so?
Mancev. I am not mentioning the presents.
Sumyatov. Tell me, what drives you?
Mancev. Hazard.
Sumyatov. And that’s it?!
Mancev. What do you know about hazard?
Sumyatov. This feeling is familiar to everyone.
Mancev. But not everyone knows the truth about it.
Sumyatov. So, what is bad about hazard?
Mancev. It creeps up on you insensibly and just of a sudden grabs your throat.
Sumyatov. Just like robber!
Mancev. Even worse… A robber would grab your purse only while hazard deprives you of your brain and conscience.
Sumyatov. So, it’s impossible to avoid?
Mancev. Why impossible? If you overcome yourself.
Sumyatov. To overcome your passion of adventure-seeking?
Mancev. You are reading my mind.
Sumyatov. But how to do it?
Mancev. You could for example climb down the mountain and stick to the bar stand.
Sumyatov. Just like that guy isn’t it?
Mancev. Yes, he used to be a brave mountaineer. Hey, Levan, how many times have you tried to climb up the Devil’s Fang? Three?
Levan. Why three?! Two.
Mancev. And you failed both times.
Levan. Hey, for the third time I would have won it, believe me!
Mancev. I remember I was sure that you would do it before me.
Levan. My wife used to say: “you will never have a son, I am not going to bring up the orphans”. Am I an enemy to my children?
Sumyatov. Why did she say that?
Levan. Twice I broke my legs and arms, once I hardly survived. She is a human being after all, isn’t she?
Mancev. Strong passions are harmful, Levan. Your wife is right.
Sumyatov. So, you deprive hazard of any merits of humanity?
Mancev. Of all merits except one.
Levan. Don’t tell me about it. God damn it!
Sumyatov. Which one?
Mancev. Hazard is like Pygmalion.
Sumyatov. You mean that fabulous artist of Ancient Greece? In what way?
Mancev. It can turn an ordinary person into a hero able to climb any mountains.
Sumyatov. Here you go, you admit that!
Mancev. But the person has to pay for it too much.
Sumyatov. If you mean life then it’s not excessive price. A person pays it for any trifle.
Mancev. You are right. Life is not worth regretting.
Sumyatov. Then what are you talking about?
Mancev. Here you go: mate four moves.
Sumyatov. You are kidding!
Mancev. Look!
Sumyatov. Damn it! (Sweep off the chess from the desk).
Mancev. Do you always take losses so impulsively?
Sumyatov. Sorry. I am going to get everything back, don’t worry.
Mancev. I don’t mean that. You see, you are impassioned with hazard too!
Sumyatov. I agree, I do have such a weakness.
Mancev. You think just weakness and that’s it?
Sumyatov. What else?
Mancev. You find such behavior absolutely normal?
Sumyatov. I don’t see what is unnatural about it.
Mancev. Don’t you see with how wild passion you were longing to win?
Sumyatov. Oh, it’s too emphatic. Don’t you write poems by any chance?
Mancev. I hope nobody has ever called you a hypo maniac?
Sumyatov. Fortunately, no. Who is that?
Mancev. It’s a manic at liberty, not yet locked in a felt-lined cell.
Sumyatov. You think that a little impatience during a game is the first sign of gravy madness?
Mancev. It’s a delusion of victory.
Sumyatov. You are driving me mad really. What’s the hell is that?
Mancev. It’s a price for hazard.
Sumyatov. I see, but could you please be more concrete?
Mancev. Are you afraid of psychological disorders?
Sumyatov. As any normal person.
Mancev. And you know, there is certain charm about them. There is a feeling like some drafts are blowing through your empty skull or like rats dwell there.
Sumyatov. How disgusting! Hey, what do you mean by that?
Mancev. Nothing except I’ve just said. Levan, is there any news about the lost expedition?
Levan. There are no newspapers… How could I know?
Mancev. I wonder, what is going on there?
Levan. They will find them, don’t worry, dear!
Mancev. You think so?
Levan. There are so many rescuers involved. Everybody is searching. I bet they will find them.
Mancev. Everybody but not all…
Levan. One person more, one person less – what does it change?
Mancev. Maybe nothing, but might be a lot… Was there any radio broadcasts?
Levan. Oh, I absolutely forgot about the radio believe it or not.
Levan turns on the radio. An anchor is talking: «The urgent message is to be repeated right after a music break”. Music is playing.
Mancev. It looks like the message is going to be about them!
Levan. Oh, we missed it! Me, holey head…
Sumyatov. They are going to repeat it. Turn on the volume please!
Levan. It’s on maximum.
Sumyatov. I can’t believe that in this very moment people are dying somewhere.
Mancev. The weather today is not suitable for saying good-bye to life.
Sumyatov. Is there the suitable weather?
Mancev. It’s up to ones mood. If might be for example raining heavily or snowing wet.
Sumyatov. To my mind, dying is always frightening at any weather.
Mancev. You must be an avid atheist.
Sumyatov. What about you? Do you believe in afterlife?
Mancev. It depends on what you mean by that.
Sumyatov. I mean the pastures of Heaven crowded with the righteous men playing harps. Or does the hellfire appeal to you more?
Mancev. Nether the first one nor the second. This all is not for me.
Sumyatov. Unfortunately we are not offered any other variant. There is either traditional concept of afterlife or a corpse being eaten by the wombs. Dust and ashes…
Mancev. That’s enough for me in case I am to be a stone in my future life.
Sumyatov. Why not a bird?
Mancev. If I had a chance to make my choice…
Sumyatov. Let’s assume that it’s up to you.
Mancev. Then I prefer to be an eagle. When I see how these proud birds are soaring above the tops of the mountains I have a heart longing. Could it be a presentment?
Sumyatov. I would say a reflection of what used to be. It means that it’s not your first life in this world.
Mancev. That’s a pity. If it is so, I don’t remember anything.
A radio anchor speaking: «And now we repeat the urgent message!»
Levan. Hey, listen everybody!
Alla Bokova enters.
Alla. Just imagine, the bus has left right from under my nose…
Mancev. Quiet!
Alla. I am not talking to you, by the way.
Sumyatov. Please, be quiet!
Alla. What’s the matter?
An anchor’s voice: «Despite the desperate efforts of the rescuing crews the missing group of mountaineers has not been found yet. The connection failed after the avalanche fell down the top of the Devil’s Fang. The last message which was broadcasted by Pavel Bokov the group radio operator was that they were hearing a strong roar».
Alla. What did he say?
Levan. God, will this woman ever keep her mouth shut or not?!
Alla. What did he say, I ask you!?
Mancev. Not found yet.
Alla. I don’t men that. The name! Did you hear the name?
Mancev. You mean the radio operator?
Alla. Yes!
Mancev. I think Pavel.
Levan. Bokov?
Sumyatov. Exactly. Pavel Bokov.
Alla. It’s impossible. You misunderstood!
Sumyatov. I have professional memory for names.
Alla. But he is at home now. Do you hear me? Or he might be at his radio station.
Sumyatov. Isn’t he your…
Alla. My husband!
Sumyatov. Calm down. It might be some mistake. I am not so sure now.
Alla. No, it’s not a mistake. I felt it. My heart has been hurting me for three days. That was the reason why he sent me here. I couldn’t understand his unusual patience and later why his mobile phone was silent…
Mancev. Levan, bring some water please!
Levan. Your husband is alive, believe me or not!
Alla. How do you know?! Oh, leave me alone. This is terrible! What has he done? I will never forgive him this! He used to go mountain climbing before our wedding, but he quitted it. He never even said a word about it since that…
Mancev. Make a phone call home.
Alla. What did you say?
Mancev. Do you have a home phone?
Alla. Yes, I do.
Mancev. So, make a call! If nobody answers, call the neighbors or his office. Anyway somebody should know where he is and what happened to him.
Alla. How can I make a phone call here? My mobile is out of service. What a damned place!
Levan. Please don’t curse, ok! Follow me. And don’t cry, I beg you.
Levan and Alla Bokova leave.
Mancev. Are you sure that you heard it right?
Sumyatov. Absolutely. Pavel Bokov. Who could ever think that!
Mancev. One surprise after another.
Sumyatov. I hope no more surprises are following. It’s more than enough.
Mancev. Never is a long day.
Levan enters.
Levan. The line is busy. She said she is going to wait till night.
Mancev. She will, Levan, be sure.
Levan. But why would she cry, hey? I can’t stand woman’s tears believe me or not?
Mancev. Neither do I.
Sumyatov. Women cry in any case. The reason is not needed.
Mancev. By the way, where are our guys? I haven’t seen none of them for a long time.
Levan. The just married left for the city.
Mancev. What about Oleg?
Levan. I haven’t seen him today.
Mancev. And you?
Sumyatov. Neither have I.
Mancev. It’s almost afternoon… Didn’t he say anything yesterday?
Levan. Just sang. Then went to bed. They left together with that lady.
Sumyatov. So, you assume…
Mancev. Do you have another guess?
Sumyatov. But why did he leave to save the missing expedition alone?
Mancev. Maybe because I didn’t do that.
Sumyatov. But why? I can’t understand!
Mancev. In order to prove.
Sumyatov. To whom?! To you? Or maybe to me? Or him?
Mancev. To all of us. And first of all – to himself.
