Stavl Zosimov
Yesterday's Future

CHAPTER ONE

TATIANA wakes up in the morning in her bedroom. She reaches for the bedside table and grabs her smartphone. With her other hand, she rubs her eyes and looks at the phone screen. Suddenly, her expression changes to one of hysterical astonishment.

TATIANA

Darn, it's dead even though it's plugged in.

She looks at the wall clock and stands up in horror. She bends down to the bedside table.

TATIANA

Ye gods! Overslept again… The boss will definitely fire me. I need to change the battery… Or maybe he'll just fine me?

TATIANA fiddles the plug of the adapter into the socket, which is lying on the bedside table, and stops when her smartphone emits the charging ringtone and the icon indicating that the device is charging appears. TATIANA slowly places the smartphone on the table and straightens up, but the smartphone emits the ringtone indicating that the charging has been disconnected.

TATIANA

What's going on?

TATIANA looks at the wall clock, sits on the edge of the bed, and tries again to plug in the charging device.

TATIANA

Will definitely get fired…

TATIANA rushes into the office and sits at her desk. An elderly woman approaches her.

MADONNA LOUISE

Late again?

TATIANA

Да у меня смартфон заглючил.

MADONNA LOUISE

And for what time is this? But, oh well, you will have to explain it to my husband… Go. He's already waiting for you.

TATIANA stands in the office of the boss, a small firm in New York City.

BOSS FREDDY KRUEGER

(Strictly)

It looks like you have definitely made lateness a norm?!

TATIANA

No, BOSS FREDDY KRUEGER. My alarm simply didn't go off… The battery died.

BOSS FREDDY KRUEGER

I am not going to listen to your false excuses. And you have also messed up again with purchasing materials for manufacturing our products in bulk.

TATIANA

What do you mean?

BOSS FREDDY KRUEGER

You mixed up debit with credit yesterday, withdrew cash from the company's credit card and paid for the order, and now my company is suffering losses due to the high interest rate.

TATIANA

But the client himself set such a condition that cash payment would suit him. Otherwise, our products would not have hit the store shelves.

BOSS FREDDY KRUEGER

Couldn't you have consulted with me or with my wife Glafira Akakievna and the company's chief accountant?.

TATIANA

So I turned to her. And she didn't inform me about what kind of card it was, and I thought it was a debit card… That's all. I asked, and she said it was as usual.

BOSS FREDDY KRUEGER

I am not going to figure out who is to blame, but all the interest from the unauthorized transaction will be deducted from your salary.

TATIANA stands dejected.

TATIANA

Perhaps the reason is not at all what I did? And personal animosity is to blame?

BOSS FREDDY KRUEGER

Perhaps so. All pretty blondes are dumb. And you shouldn't have turned down my invitation to a business lunch.

TATIANA

And what would Mars, your son, say? After all, we have already set a date for the engagement with him?!

BOSS FREDDY KRUEGER

Stop making excuses. If you are guilty, admit it. Stop wriggling like a snake.

TATIANA

Moreover, you are married, and I didn't want to deal with the chief accountant's problems either.

BOSS FREDDY KRUEGER

Just so you know, we have a family business, and you haven't been fitting into it lately.

TATIANA

Alright, I agree to compensate for all the damage, but I would like to ask you to give me tomorrow off.

BOSS FREDDY KRUEGER

Why is that?

TATIANA

I have a birthday tomorrow. A milestone, 30 years.

BOSS FREDDY KRUEGER

Are you kidding? Absolutely not.

TATIANA

But why?

BOSS FREDDY KRUEGER

I have no one to replace you… But if you are so keen for the celebration, write on your own will… That's it… Go to your workplace.

TATIANA sits at the festive table in her apartment, looking slightly teary-eyed. She gazes at the clock. The smartphone rings.

TATIANA

Yes?!

MOTHER OF TATIANA

Hi, sweetheart!

TATIANA

Mom! Hi, how are you? How's dad, is he feeling better?

MOTHER OF TATIANA

Sweetheart. Everything is fine here. Dad was discharged from the hospital. Happy birthday to you, my darling! I wish for all your dreams to come true…

TATIANA

Thank you.

MOTHER OF TATIANA

Are you not planning to visit home? Dad is asking. And anyway, what is there to do in this capital city?! You could have found a simple job here as well. There's an opening in the sales department at Dad's factory.

TATIANA

No, Mom. Thank you, but I'd rather try my luck here after all. Besides, in the summer, I will risk applying to the Moscow Art Theatre again.

MOTHER OF TATIANA

I don't know, but you excelled in history so much that you could have already defended your doctoral thesis. After all, you found ancient burials in our little town.

TATIANA

Sweetheart. That's all in the past. Don't even try to convince me. I'm already used to it here. And MARS won't want to move to the provinces either.

MOTHER OF TATIANA

But besides MARS, you, my daughter, don't have anyone else in this strange city, do you?! And I think the reason for that is your indescribable beauty like that of a model.

Another ringtone from the smartphone is heard.

TATIANA

Okay, Mom, I have a call waiting on the other line. Say hi to Dad and give him a kiss for me.

TATIANA plays the voice and video message she received. The screen shows the face of her fiancé MARS.

(SUBTITLE)

Hello, TATIANA . I'm sorry, but I can't make it to your birthday. My dad loaded me with work up to my neck. He doesn't let me get away from work, and I've been thinking about it and suggest we part ways amicably.

TATIANA presses the call button. Someone picks up the phone on the other end.

MARS

(hysterically)

What do you mean, breaking up? Are you just going to abandon me like that? What are you doing? It's all because of your parents. They never liked me from the start.

MARS

It's not about them at all.

TATIANA

What is the reason then? I've noticed for a while now that you've been distancing yourself from me?

MARS

It's not about them at all. I just found a new muse.

TATIANA

(crying)

And who is this new muse?

MARS

(hysterically)

Don't you dare call her that, and I don't want to see you anymore. Goodbye…

TATIANA cries and throws her smartphone against the wall. The smartphone hits the wall and the screen cracks, but it doesn't shatter.

CHAPTER TWO

TATIANA sits alone at a festive table, pouring herself a glass of wine. She looks at photos from her last high school class trip displayed on the cracked screen of her smartphone and reminisces.

Thirteen years ago

At the bonfire, young guys and girls sit around in a circle. Among them sits a young TATIANA .

LUSYA

TATIANA , tell us something about history. You tell stories so nicely?

TATIANA

Well, I don't know.

GESHA

Come on, tell us. Everyone is asking you. Come on, guys?

EGOR

Of course.

TATIANA

Listen then… Michel de Nostredame (1503-1566), a French physician, astrologer, and reputed seer, deeply believed that it was his destiny to scientifically unveil the

curtain that conceals the future from humanity. Starting in 1550, he began publishing almanacs, annual publications containing predictions for each month. Five years later, the first part of his book "Les Propheties" was released. It was intended to consist of ten sections ("Centuries"), each containing 100 quatrains—four-line verses with prophecies.

EGOR

What came true of his predictions then? After all, he did not specify dates and times. Is this worth considering as a prediction?

TATIANA

Nostradamus often warned that he deliberately presents his prophecies in the most vague and enigmatic terms "due to the possibility of harm to the present and especially to the future." There are very few specific dates and names in his book, and the material is almost devoid of any chronological order. Perhaps this is what allows numerous admirers of Nostradamus for over four centuries to interpret his prophecies, adapting them to their own time, and reorienting them according to their personal sympathies or antipathies.

LUSYA

"Wow, TATIANA , you tell everything so smoothly and sweetly. You absolutely must apply to the history department… By the way, how are your excavations going?

TATIANA

Too bad. The administration banned me from conducting them and assigned this activity to archaeologists. And they transferred my finds to the local history museum.

GESHA

But did they somehow thank you?

TATIANA

Yes… They offered me to enroll in YUUGU, at the history faculty without taking exams. Only an interview.

LUSYA

And what about you?

TATIANA

I'm not sure yet. Since childhood, I have dreamed of becoming a film actress. I want to try first to apply to the Moscow Art Theatre. If that doesn't work out, then maybe I will consider studying history.

EGOR

Are you sure you will succeed in acting? Especially now, when vulgar scenes are so popular. Are you ready to undress in front of the camera?

LUSYA

EGOR, what are you talking about?

EGOR

And what? Without it, there is no popularity.

GESHA

What will happen to history? After all, even the professors always praised

you for your curiosity and passion for history and predicted a successful career. Surely you didn't spend hours on the computer or smartphone reading books and studying historical facts in vain?

TATIANA

I have always dreamed of experiencing the eras I have learned so much about. In Italy, Poland, China, and of course in France. But it may only be possible by becoming a famous actress. And history will be more like a passion, a hobby, in simpler terms.

END OF MEMORY

TATIANA looks at the cat, who is rubbing against her leg.

TATIANA

Well, Nostradamus, do you also think that I'm a fool for not listening to my friends back then?

CAT

Purr.

TATIANA

And now, here I am, sitting alone like a drunkard and celebrating my birthday. My friends and family were always captivated by my imagination. And I regret, Nostradamus, not going into teaching and instead coming here, to this damn capital, to study acting for theater and cinema… I dreamed of dramatic roles and universal recognition…

TATIANA picks up the cat and starts petting it. The cat purrs even louder.

TATIANA

But everything fell apart when I failed the entrance exams. It was shameful to return home… And I also thought that my friendship with MARS, a guy from a wealthy family, would immerse me in a happy family life.

TATIANA sits and looks at photos from her youth. Suddenly, her smartphone shows that it needs to be charged.

TATIANA

Died again…

TATIANA , slightly tipsy, releases the cat, gets up from the table with a glass of wine, approaches her bed, swaying slightly.

TATIANA

Oh, am I already a bit tipsy? And I'm not even a heavy drinker. Right, Nostradamus? And not alone.

TATIANA places the glass on the table and plugs her smartphone into the socket, fiddling with it and accidentally knocking over the glass, spilling it.

TATIANA

Darn it… Oh, damn… Hands like hooks.

The liquid gets into the socket. She picks up the glass and gets electrocuted.

TATIANA

Ouch!

TATIANA jumps back and falls to the floor, hitting her head on the corner of the bed's headboard, and loses consciousness. She regains consciousness, stands up, and gently strokes her forehead.

TATIANA

She really hit herself hard… Now she'll have a bump. Just in time for the

(CONTINUED)

TATIANA

interview… Oh dear, was I actually born on a Monday? Nothing seems to go right, no matter what I do.

TATIANA undresses and lies down to sleep on the bed.

TATIANA

Well, the morning is wiser than the evening.

TATIANA lies on her side and gazes into space.

TATIANA

Why is my fate so cruel to me? Why do I never have any luck in life? My loved one left me, I was fired from my job, and to top it all off, I got electrocuted. And now I might even get evicted from my apartment…

TATIANA falls asleep and dreams.

CHAPTER THREE

Italy, mid-18th century

TATIANA , in space, wearing a black space suit, exits the open airlock of the space shuttle and slowly floats into weightlessness towards planet Earth. She lands on the ground not far from the Rich Castle and takes off her space suit. She inspects herself and realizes she is dressed in maid attire.

TATIANA

What is this? Where am I?

A woman in an 18th-century dress screams at her from the window.

MADONNA LOUISE

TATIANA ! TATIANA ! Have you gone deaf?

TATIANA looks in the direction of the outgoing scream and sees a woman in an 18th-century rich outfit up to her chest in the window, with a face strikingly similar to her former chief accountant.

TATIANA

(Surprised)

MADONNA LOUISE?

MADONNA LOUISE

TATIANA ! You naughty girl. When will you stop wandering and get back to your duties?

TATIANA

(to herself)

I don't understand anything?!

MADONNA LOUISE

If you don't appear this minute, I will demand the Baron to throw you out of the castle! There are plenty of chambermaids in Italy.

TATIANA obediently runs to the castle. She rushes into the castle and bumps into the Baroness, who is already standing at the black entrance.

MADONNA LOUISE

Listen carefully. Take a broom and sweep the floor in the living room. After that, dust off the furniture and bring out my night vase. Oh, and also clean the chamber pot. The Baron from Rome is expected to arrive soon, and he won't be happy if there's a mess. Have you understood everything, you scoundrel?

TATIANA

Yes.

MADONNA LOUISE

Что, да? Ты что, не видишь, кто перед тобой стоит? Какая тебя муха укусила? Ваша Светлость, миледи, нужно обращаться ко мне. И приседать для приличия. Тысячу раз вам деревенщинам вдалбливаю этику и все в пустую. Что гости подумают?

TATIANA squats down, lowering her gaze and fingers pulling the edges of her dress.

TATIANA

Yes, Your Grace, milady. I will do everything.

MADONNA LOUISE

Go.

TATIANA sweeps the floor with a broom and notices a closed door in one of the rooms of the castle.

TATIANA (OC)

I don't understand anything?! Am I dreaming, or was I in a dream? Where is reality, here or there? But the cosmos?! I see… This must be after being shocked by electricity. But then I am dreaming now and can do nothing, or I can take advantage of the situation and explore the premises. Let's see what's behind this door?

TATIANA opens the door and peeks inside. She sees a long corridor. She enters the door and walks through the long hallways, filled with antique furniture and portraits of long-gone aristocrats.

TATIANA

Wow! I feel like something mysterious is happening here.

TATIANA reaches the end of the corridor and slowly opens the door. Before her is a cozy room filled with stacks of old books.

TATIANA

Wow?! My heart skipped a beat with joy.

TATIANA takes one of the books and opens it.

TATIANA

This is simply heavenly. I have always dreamt of education and knowledge, and now priceless artifacts of the past lay before me.

TATIANA picks up several more books and sits down at the reading table. She begins to passionately flip through the pages of the books.

TATIANA

Apparently, I have found myself in the middle of the 18th century. Here, there is history, philosophy, science, and art. And all in their original form. This particular book is even considered lost. I must read it. Perhaps, there are mentions of the meaning of life and how to change the world for the better?

TATIANA , deeply engrossed in the book, continues to sit at the table.

AGATA

You can read?

TATIANA jumps and turns around. She sees an elderly woman in maid attire with expressive eyes full of knowledge looking at her with a surprised expression.

TATIANA

Yes. And what about it? Can't do it?

AGATA

Actually, no. Senor and Senorita do not like smart and enlightened maids.

TATIANA

You are AGATA?!

AGATA

Why do you ask, TATIANA , are you not sick?

TATIANA

I don't know?!

AGATA

Knowledge is good and interesting, but it's best to keep it a secret.

TATIANA

Why is that so?

AGATA

It is said that they are difficult to control. They become surly, and thoughtfully lazy. So if you don't want to get a spanking, drop this idea and go clean up the owners' rooms. I've taken out the chamber pot. It's your turn tomorrow.

TATIANA

Oh, is it so urgent?

AGATA

I understand you because I myself spend time reading here in secret at night. It's just not the right moment now.

TATIANA closes the book and stands up from the table.

TATIANA

Why didn't I become a baroness instead of a maid?

AGATA

What are you talking about?

TATIANA

Ah? Just… thinking out loud.

AGATA

In the evening, if you don't mind, let's talk about equality, freedom, and the rights of every individual. I have long noticed how the society of our time lives in a shell of prejudices and inequality.

TATIANA

Let's do it right now, let's tackle the task that will help bring about change?

AGATA

Aren't you afraid of losing your head?

TATIANA

But I am in a dream, so what is there to fear?!

AGATA

Go rest, I'll manage on my own. I'll tell the baroness that you're feeling unwell. We'll talk later in the evening.

A guy walks into the library, looking agitated and wearing sooty clothes. TATIANA looks at him with surprise because he is the spitting image of Mars from her future..

MARS

Are you here? I've been looking all over for you.

She looks at the table where the books are lying.

MARS

Have you lost your mind? Did you take the books? Are you nostalgic for spankings? And why are you looking at me like that, TATIANA , as if I rose from the grave?

AGATA

Calm down, Mars. We were just dusting off the books.

MARS

Oh, really… Tell me a bedtime story.

AGATA

You'd better escort Venus to your room. She doesn't look well.

MARS

Really? But who will work then?

AGATA

Today, I'll cover for her, and tomorrow she'll cover for me. Right, TATIANA ?

TATIANA

Yes.

MARS

Okay… Let's go while the baroness is in the garden.

The next morning, TATIANA wakes up feeling relieved and lies there, not opening her eyes.

TATIANA

What a dream! I visited the 18th century. It's a good thing it was all just a dream, and I'm back home again.

TATIANA sits up and opens her eyes, but they widen in astonishment – before her is a completely different interior of her bedroom.

TATIANA

What's this? Where am I?

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