PYOTR IVANOVICH ( starting to eat ). I’d advise it again: it doesn’t hurt to beware… If the person proves to be a scoundrel, you won’t be deceived, but if he’s a decent fellow, you’ll be pleased to have made a mistake.
ALEXANDER ( contemptuously ). Show me where there are any decent people!
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Why, take you and me, for example. The Count, since we’ve already mentioned him, is a decent person too. Isn’t that enough… Not everyone’s bad.
ALEXANDER. Everyone, everyone!
PYOTR IVANOVICH. And you?
ALEXANDER. I? At least I shall take through life a heart free of meanness.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Well, good, let’s see. But what has the Count done to you?
ALEXANDER. What has he done? He’s robbed me of everything.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Be more precise. Under the word “everything” one can mean Heaven knows what, say, money. But the Count wouldn’t do that…
ALEXANDER. Everything! Life!
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Look, you’re alive!
ALEXANDER. Unfortunately, yes!
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Ah! He’s taken your girl, hasn’t he, this… what’s her name? Yes, he’s good at that; it’s hard for you to compete with him. A charmer! A charmer!
ALEXANDER. He’ll pay dearly for his mastery… I won’t yield without a fight!
PYOTR IVANOVICH. How provincial!
ALEXANDER. I’ll destroy this wretched womanizer!
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Don’t act like a barbarian!
ALEXANDER. I’ll wipe him off the face of the earth!
PYOTR IVANOVICH ( continuing to ea t). By the way, did he say whether he’d received a china dinner service from abroad?
ALEXANDER ( threateningly ). We’re not talking about china, Uncle! Did you hear what I said?
PYOTR IVANOVICH ( grunts affirmatively ). Mm-m!
ALEXANDER. Listen attentively at least once in your life. I came on business. Will you agree to be my second?
PYOTR IVANOVICH. The cutlets are quite cold!
ALEXANDER. Are you laughing at me, Uncle?
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Judge for yourself; how can one listen seriously to such nonsense, asking someone to be his second in a duel!
ALEXANDER. What do you mean?
PYOTR IVANOVICH. It’s obvious–I won’t do it.
ALEXANDER. Good. I’ll find someone else.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Listen, Alexander. The Count is not going to fight with you, I know him.
ALEXANDER ( flying into a rage ). Refuse to fight! I didn’t suppose he was so base!
PYOTR IVANOVICH. He isn’t base, only intelligent.
ALEXANDER. So that makes me stupid in your view?
PYOTR IVANOVICH. N… no, in love. Tell me, now, whom are you especially angry at–the Count or her… what’s her name… Anyuta is it?
ALEXANDER. I hate him, disdain her.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Let’s begin with the Count. Let’s assume he accepts your challenge. Let’s even assume that you find some fool of a second–what will be the result? The Count will kill you like a fly.
ALEXANDER. It’s not certain who will kill whom.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Probably he’ll kill you.
ALEXANDER. Divine judgment will decide the matter.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Well, as you like–but God will decide in his favor. It’s said that the Count puts bullet after bullet on the mark at fifteen paces, and you don’t even know how to shoot. Suppose even that divine judgment permits such an injustice and you somehow accidentally even kill him. What’s the sense in that? Do you think you’d get your beauty’s love back that way? She’d begin to hate you, while you’d be conscripted into the army…
ALEXANDER. What am I to do in my situation?
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Nothing! Leave it as it is–it’s already ruined.
ALEXANDER. Leave it as is! Milk flows in your veins, not blood!
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Stop talking nonsense, Alexander! Don’t you think there are lots of girls in the world like your… Marya or Sofiya, what’s her name?
ALEXANDER. Her name is Nadezhda.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Nadezhda? And who was Sofiya then?
ALEXANDER ( grudgingly ). Sofiya… That was in the country
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Do you see? There Sofiya, here Nadezhda, somewhere else Marya. The heart is a deep well; you probe for a long while to reach bottom. The heart keeps on loving till old age…
ALEXANDER. The heart loves once!
PYOTR IVANOVICH. The heart keeps on loving until it loses its strength. If one love fails, the heart is only quiescent, it is silent until the next love. If the next love is thwarted, the capacity to love remains unfulfilled until the third or fourth time. Some people love happily the first time, they’re the ones who shout that it’s possible to love only once. As long as a person is healthy…
ALEXANDER. You keep talking about physical, material love, Uncle…
PYOTR IVANOVICH. What sort of thing is material love? There is no such love, just as there isn’t any uniquely ideal love. Both soul and body play equal parts in love; if not, love is incomplete. We are not spirits and not beasts… Where did I leave of f? Oh, yes! You’ll be drafted into the army… Besides, after this scandal your girl won’t let you come near her… And why do you want to wipe the Count off the face of the earth? Do you think he was obliged to inquire whether your girl was taken by someone else? He fell in love too; was he at fault in that? At fault for enjoying himsel f? And you, did you contend for her?
ALEXANDER. That’s what I want to do now.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. With an oak club in your hands? You should have fought a duel of a different kind with the Count.
ALEXANDER. Cunning is contemptible!
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Is resorting to blows better? Awaken love by whatever means, but maintain it by intelligence. Cunning is but one part of intelligence; there’s nothing contemptible in that.
ALEXANDER. I prefer to suffer rather than resort to cunning!
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Well, then, suffer, if you enjoy it… Oh, the provinces! Oh, Asia! No, to be happy with a woman requires a lot. You must know how to make a woman of a girl according to a well-thought-out plan, a method, if you will… You must cunningly take possession of her heart, mind, and will; you must subordinate her taste and habits to yours, so that she sees things through you, is of the same mind as you… A complete schooling is necessary…
(The door opens. On the threshold Elizaveta Alexandrovna appears. )
ELIZAVETA ALEXANDROVNA ( calmly ). And the wife must not show that she understands this great schooling of her husband’s and must institute a little of her own, but not gossip about it over a bottle of wine… ( She changes the candles on the table and exits. )
PYOTR IVANOVICH. I boasted too soon. Let that be a lesson!
ALEXANDER. Are you afraid?
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Why should I be afraid? I made a mistake, so I must find a way to redeem it… What were we talking about? Oh yes, it seems you wanted to kill her… what’s her name?
ALEXANDER. I despise her too deeply.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. But tell me, why do you despise her?
ALEXANDER. To pay me back with ingratitude…
PYOTR IVANOVICH. What had she to be grateful for? Do you mean you loved her to be nice to her? You wanted to do her a favor perhaps? You shouldn’t have shown her the depth of your feelings. A woman cools when a man completely declares himself. Was it her fault she began to love the Count? Why does a certain man die, a certain woman go crazy? How can we answer such questions? Love must end some time; it can’t last a century.
ALEXANDER ( begins to sob ). How she changed! How she began to dress up for the Count! If only I had the comfort that I lost her because of circumstances; if she had been forced… or if she had even died… then it would be easier to endure… But this way, no, no… another man! I don’t want to live, I don’t want to live, I don’t want to live…
PYOTR IVANOVICH ( walking around his study, lost in thought,
calls out ). Liza! (Elizaveta Alexandrovna enters. They stand at a distance from Alexander speaking in whispers. )What am I to do with Alexander? I’ve quite worn myself out with him. He’s begun to bawl… ( Whispers something in her ear. )
ELIZAVETA ALEXANDROVNA. Poor fellow… Let me try, I’ll go to him.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. You won’t get anywhere, it’s his nature. He quite takes after his aunt. I’ve been reasoning with him for some time.
ELIZAVETA ALEXANDROVNA. You only reasoned?
PYOTR IVANOVICH. And convinced him. He agreed with me.
ELIZAVETA ALEXANDROVNA. I don’t doubt it. You’re very reasonable and… cunning!
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Thank Heaven, if that’s so. Well, it seems I’ve done all that can be done.
ELIZAVETA ALEXANDROVNA. It seems you have, but he’s still crying.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. I’m not to blame, I’ve done everything to comfort him.
ELIZAVETA ALEXANDROVNA. What have you done?
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Talked a whole hour… my throat’s even gone dry…
ELIZAVETA ALEXANDROVNA. And he’s still crying? Amazing! Let me try. And you meanwhile think over your new method…
PYOTR IVANOVICH. What, what do you mean?
(Elizaveta Alexandrovna does not answer, but goes over to Alexander. Pyotr Ivanovich exits. Elizaveta Alexandrovna strokes Alexander on the head. Alexander raises his head, and seeing his aunt, takes hold of her hand and presses it to his cheek. )
ALEXANDER. Dear Aunt, I don’t want to live, I don’t want to live.
ELIZAVETA ALEXANDROVNA ( giving Alexander time to regain his calm ). She’s a bad woman, Alexander. The Count is an immoral, sly person. Fate has guided you correctly, separating you from everything filthy and false…
ALEXANDER. But I love her and can’t live without her!
ELIZAVETA ALEXANDROVNA. Alexander, you can be a very great and famous person. You have talent. Your poetry, the story you’ve been writing is so touching… Put your sufferings down on paper, let others weep through your tears and feel the joy and beauty of your suffering… Don’t surrender to grief, Alexander, however great… You’re a strong person, stand taller than others…
(She goes on stroking his head. Alexander has become quiet. The tears are gone from his eyes; he shows only quiet sorrow. He gets up, bows farewell to his aunt and starts toward the door. )(Elizaveta Alexandrovna calls after him. )Write, Alexander, write. I believe in your star…
SCENE 10
Nevsky Prospect. This scene can be set in front of the curtain and the sound design might be a recording of the sound of passing vehicles, hoofbeats, the roar of the crowd, the ringing of distant bells. The shadows of people walking to and fro are reflected.
ALEXANDER ( in a Byronic mood stands leaning against the wings on one side as Pospelov enters from the other. Alexander rushes to his friend and embraces him ). Pospelov!
POSPELOV ( wearing the ribbon of a government award around his neck, rather coldly ). Hello, Aduyev.
ALEXANDER. Have you been here long?
POSPELOV. Long enough. And, as you can see, I’ve gotten ahead. And you?
ALEXANDER. I–no… Oh, how glad I am to see you! A kindred soul!
POSPELOV ( laughing ). Enough! You’re still the same old dreamer… But why are you so gloomy?
ALEXANDER. Listen to what people have done to me!
POSPELOV ( worried ). Have you been robbed?
ALEXANDER. No, worse!
POSPELOV. Do you need help? Can I be of help to you in your government job?
ALEXANDER. People have robbed me of my soul. Let me tell you how I was treated…
POSPELOV. Excuse me, Aduyev, I’ve been invited to a formal dinner; persons who can be helpful to me will be there…
ALEXANDER. Dinner? Important persons? But you’re my first friend, and I am yours…Remember how we swore an oath!
POSPELOV. The empty enthusiasm of youth… When you get on in years, you begin to understand…
ALEXANDER. Understand what? What? How vile life is!
POSPELOV. On the contrary–how pleasant… No, undoubtedly you’ve had some trouble at work… Come to see me… ( He gets out his card and gives it to Alexander, who doesn’t take it. )We’ll talk. Word of honor, I’m ready to help you.
ALEXANDER. Yes, but listen! I’m talking about love…
POSPELOV. About love? Love is a wonderful thing! I’ll tell you later a lot of funny things on that score… Right now I can’t. Come to see me, we’ll talk. (Stuffs the card into Alexander’s hand. )I look forward to it. (Exits. )
ALEXANDER ( flabbergasted ). He didn’t want to hear me out… dinner invitation… important people… Friendship! Sacred friendship! What is there in this world? (Tears Pospelov’s card into little pieces. )Everything is a lie, a lie, a lie! And perhaps I’m supposed to become like everyone? Perhaps I’m really stupid? Everyone is this way! I don’t want to be, can’t be, shan’t be!
(The stage darkens. )
SCENE 11
Pyotr Ivanovich’s study. He is sitting at his desk.
ELIZAVETA ALEXANDROVNA ( entering ). I’ve come to ask a favor of you. (Pyotr Ivanovich gets out his wallet. )No, don’t worry, put your money away.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Not to take money when it’s offered! It’s unbelievable!
ELIZAVETA ALEXANDROVNA. Alexander came to see me the day before yesterday.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Has he been betrayed in love again perhaps?
ELIZAVETA ALEXANDROVNA. This time in friendship.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Oh, I heard about his meeting with Pospelov…
ELIZAVETA ALEXANDROVNA. Let’s talk with him… more gently.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. You’re not demanding that I cry, are you?
ELIZAVETA ALEXANDROVNA. It wouldn’t hurt.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. What’s the good of that for him?
ELIZAVETA ALEXANDROVNA. A lot… and not only for him…
PYOTR IVANOVICH. What? (Elizaveta Alexandrovna does not answer. )I’ve been fussing over him for six years.
ELIZAVETA ALEXANDROVNA. Of course, how are we to find time for trivial matters?… We women spin people’s fates. If a single feeling man turns up among them, capable of loving…
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Don’t be angry. I did all I could. It was you who encouraged him to write a story.
ELIZAVETA ALEXANDROVNA. Why say it was I? He himself feels inclined to literary creativity.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Enough, Liza! Inclination’s neither here nor there–who isn’t so inclined at his age? But to write a story, inclination alone is not enough…
ELIZAVETA ALEXANDROVNA. You’re cruel to Alexander, Pyotr Ivanovich!
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Why cruel? I took his story, sent it to an editor I know over my signature, and pretending I wanted to achieve fame in my old age, asked him to print it, please. See, now I’ve received an answer from him.
ELIZAVETA ALEXANDROVNA. What does he say?
PYOTR IVANOVICH. I haven’t opened it. I’ve invited Alexander. I need him for a job. Let him read it, he’ll be glad to. Well, what do you want me to do with him?
ELIZAVETA ALEXANDROVNA. Give him an easy lesson…
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Scold him? Fine, I’m good at that.
ELIZAVETA ALEXANDROVNA. Don’t scold him!
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Does he have money?
ELIZAVETA ALEXANDROVNA. You have only money on your mind! He’d be ready to give all his money for one kind word from his friend.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. We’ll see what good will come of it…
ALEXANDER ( entering, bows ). You asked me to come, Uncle?
PYOTR IVANOVICH. I did. (Alexander sits down in silence. )You’re complaining about your friend? But tell me, what did you want from him? A sacrifice of some sort? Was he supposed to climb up the wall?
ALEXANDER. People are incapable of rising to a conception of friendship as it ought to be…
PYOTR IVANOVICH. If they are incapable of it, then there ought not to be such friendship. (Pause.
)So, what are you doing now?
ALEXANDER. Why, nothing…
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Too little… Well, do you read at least?
ALEXANDER. Yes.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. What?
ALEXANDER. Krylov’s fables.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. A good book. But surely not just that?
ALEXANDER. Only that now. Heavens, what portraits of people, how true to life!
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Why do you dislike people so?
ALEXANDER. Why? For their baseness, their smallness of spirit.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. You’re disheartened, that’s all! You need to keep busy with something, then you won’t inveigh against people for nothing! In what way are your friends bad? There are always decent people.
ALEXANDER. Yes! Whomever you take, you’ve got hold of some animal out of Krylov’s fables.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. The Khozarovs, for example?
ALEXANDER. A whole family of animals!
PYOTR IVANOVICH. And the Lunins?
ALEXANDER. He is the very image of the ass. And she looks at you like the kind fox.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. What would you say about the Sonins?
ALEXANDER. Well, there’s nothing good to say.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. And you don’t like Volochkov?
ALEXANDER. A contemptible and, in addition, mean animal… ( Alexander even spits. )
PYOTR IVANOVICH. So, now finish this gallery of portraits with ours. What kind of beasts are my wife and I? (Alexander says nothing, only smiles ironically. )Well, and what kind of beast are you yourself?
ALEXANDER. I haven’t done harm to people!
PYOTR IVANOVICH. So you’re right in everything? You came out of the water quite dry? Wait, I’ll take you out into fresh water…
ELIZAVETA ALEXANDROVNA. Pyotr Ivanovich! Stop…
PYOTR IVANOVICH. No, let him listen to the truth. Tell me, please, Alexander, when you slandered your friends just now as donkeys, and foxes, and other animals, was there no slight ripple in your heart of something like a pang of conscience?
ALEXANDER. For what, Uncle?
PYOTR IVANOVICH. For the reason that you were cordially welcomed for several years running at the houses of these beasts. Let’s assume that they acted slyly and planned intrigues against those from whom they could get something, but they had nothing to gain from you. It’s not kind of you, Alexander! Let’s go on. You say you have no friends, but I’ve always thought you have three.
An Ordinary Story Page 43
