Sasha(runs to meet him) Papa – Oh, God – he came bursting in here like a lunatic, torturing the life out of me! He wants me to break it off – he says he doesn’t want to ruin me. Tell him I don’t want his selfless gestures! I know what I’m doing.
Ivanov puts the gun back into his pocket.
LebedevI don’t understand anything . . . What selfless gestures?
IvanovThere isn’t going to be any wedding!
SashaYes, there is! Tell him, Papa!
LebedevWait a moment, wait . . . Why don’t you want there to be a wedding?
IvanovI’ve told her why. She refuses to understand me.
LebedevNo, don’t tell her, tell me. And explain it so I can understand it. Honestly, Nikolay, you turn life into a sort of modern art gallery – I look at things and don’t know what to make of them . . . It’s a punishment for something. Well, what’s an old fellow like me supposed to do about you? Challenge you to a duel or what?
IvanovA duel won’t be necessary.
Sasha(walks up and down the stage in agitation) Oh, it’s all so dreadful! – He’s like a child.
LebedevI’m throwing in my hand. Listen Nikolay, to you this is all very ‘psychological’ and intellectual, but to me it’s just bad behaviour and you’re causing a scandal, so for the last time, listen to an old man. I’ve got one thing to say, which is this: calm down and see things as others see them. In this world, things are very simple. The ceiling is white, boots are black, sugar is sweet, you love Sasha, Sasha loves you. If you love her, marry her. If you don’t, don’t, and no hard feelings. See how simple? You’ve both got your health, you’re intelligent, decent people, you’re not starving, you’ve got clothes on your back. What more do you need? Money? Money doesn’t make you happy. Of course, your estate is mortgaged and you can’t keep up the payments, but – well, I’m her father and I’m on your side – her mother can do as she likes, if she won’t give you the money that’s up to her – Sasha says she doesn’t want a dowry – it’s all about principles and Schopenhauer – rubbish if you ask me – but I’ve got my own private ten thousand in the bank from Granny. (Looks round.) Not a soul knows about it . . . so it’s yours. Take it. Only one thing, promise to give Matvey a thousand or two . . .
IvanovPasha, you talk far too much. I’m doing what I think is right.
SashaSo am I! I don’t care what you say, I’m not letting you go. Papa – it’s time for the blessing! – I’m going to get Mama.
She leaves the room.
LebedevModern art again.
IvanovListen, my old friend . . . I’m not going to try to explain myself to you – whether I’m straight or devious, sick or sane, you wouldn’t take it in. But once I was young, up for anything, sincere, intelligent.
LebedevYes, you said.
IvanovI loved, hated, believed – not along with the crowd, I was my own man, and I worked like ten men with enough optimism for all of them, tilting at windmills, knocking through walls with my head –
LebedevYou said, Nicky.
Ivanov –and I did it all unmindful of my strength or –
Lebedev– weakness.
Ivanov –weakness, not thinking, knowing nothing about life, I took the weight. And it wasn’t long before my back gave way –
LebedevIt’s me, Nick!
Ivanov –my spine just broke. I’d used up my youth in a rush, got drunk, over-excited, and worked without knowing my limits. But how could I have done otherwise?
LebedevYou couldn’t.
IvanovThere are so few of us and so much to be done! My God, so much to be done! And life got its own back.
LebedevIt’s Pasha.
IvanovI’d defied life and life avenged itself without mercy. At my age I’m like an old man in a dressing gown nursing a hangover. My head feels like lead, my spirit is crushed, I’m tired out and broken down –
LebedevI’ll be back.
Lebedev leaves.
Ivanov(not noticing) – with no beliefs, or love in my heart, or aim in life. I hang around people like a shadow, not knowing who I am, or why, or what I’m doing there. I’ve arrived early at the knowledge that love is a joke, love-making is ridiculous, work is meaningless, speech-making and tub-thumping are vulgar and out of date. My woeful countenance of discontent and self-disgust goes with me wherever I go.
Lebedev returns.
I’m a ruin of a man –
Lebedev leaves.
– before his time – worn out, disillusioned, flattened by his feeble efforts, burning with –
Lebedev returns.
– shame at his –
Lebedev –weakness.
Ivanov –weakness – and yet what’s left of my pride revolts, suffocating me with my rage! And to add to that –
Lebedev(shouts) Shut up, for God’s sake!
Ivanov(swaying) I’ve overdone it. I can’t even stand up.
Lebedev, contrite, holds Ivanov up.
LebedevI’m sorry, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it – my angel, my cabbage – You’re all right –
IvanovWhere’s Matvey? Tell him to take me home.
Shabelsky(entering) Here I am – in a borrowed second-hand tailcoat . . . no gloves . . . putting up with sneers and smirks from those country bumpkins.
Voices(off) The best man’s arrived!
Borkin enters quickly with a bouquet. He wears a tailcoat and the best man’s boutonnière.
BorkinUgh! Where is he? (To Ivanov.) They’ve been waiting ages at the church and here you are philosophising, it’s a joke. You’re not supposed to be with the bride, I have to drive you separately and then come back to fetch her. Did no one ever tell you?
Lvov(enters, to Ivanov) So you’re here? (Loudly.) Nikolay Alekseevich Ivanov, I hereby publicly declare to your face that you are a swine!
Ivanov(calmly) Thank you very much.
General confusion among the gathering onlookers.
Borkin(to Lvov) Sir, you are a contemptible cad and I am calling you out.
LvovMr Borkin, I’d find it degrading to fight you or even notice your existence. As for Monsieur Ivanov, he may demand satisfaction from me whenever he likes.
ShabelskyIn that case, I will fight you, my dear sir!
But Shabelsky clutches his heart, staggers, collapses; unnoticed.
Sasha(to Lvov) What did you do that for? What do you mean by insulting him? Excuse me, gentlemen, but please let him answer me!
LvovAlexandra Pavlovna, I had my reasons. I came here as an honest man to open your eyes and I ask you to hear what I have to say.