MARKO. A tip to buy tea78. . . A good five miles I walked, sir . . .
PLATONOV. A tip? Skip it . . . Though, what am I saying? All right, my dear fellow! I won’t give you a tip to buy tea, but I’ll give you some tea instead . . . It’ll be a better deal for me, and more likely to keep you sober . . . (Takes a tea canister out of the cupboard.) Come over here . . . It’s good, strong tea . . . Maybe not forty-proof, but strong . . . What shall I put it in?
MARKO (holds out his pocket). Pour it in here, sir . . .
PLATONOV. Right in your pocket? Won’t it stink?
MARKO. Pour it in, sir, pour it in, sir . . . Don’t worry about it . . .
PLATONOV (pours in the tea). Enough?
MARKO. Thank you kindly . . .
PLATONOV. What an old duffer you are . . . I like you old vets! . . . You’ve got heart! . . . But even your bunch sometimes turns up some holy terrors . . .
MARKO. It takes all kinds, sir . . . Only the Lord is without sin . . . Cheers!
PLATONOV. Hold on . . . Just a minute . . . (Sits and writes on the summons.) “I kissed you that time, because . . . because I was annoyed and didn’t know what I was after, now, though, I would kiss you like a holy relic. I acted despicably to you, I admit. I am despicable to everybody. In court, unfortunately, we will not meet. Tomorrow I go away forever. Be happy and at least do me justice! Don’t forgive me!” (To Marko.) You know where Miss Grekova lives?
MARKO. I know, sir. About nine miles from here, if you cross the river at the ford, sir.
PLATONOV. That’s right . . . At Zhilkovo . . . Take her this letter, and you’ll get a three-spot. Give it right to the lady herself . . . No reply is expected . . . If she gives it back, don’t take it . . . Deliver it today . . . Right away . . . Deliver it, and then hand out your subpoenas. (Walks up and down the stage.)
MARKO. I understand.
PLATONOV. What else? Oh, yes! Tell everybody that I asked Grekova’s pardon and she refused.
MARKO. I understand. Cheers!
PLATONOV. Good-bye, friend! Look after yourself!
MARKO exits.
SCENE I V
PLATONOV (alone).
PLATONOV. Which means, I’ve settled my account with Grekova . . . She’ll blacken my name through the whole district . . . Just what I deserve . . . First time in my life a woman’s punished me . . . (Lies on the sofa.) You do them dirt, and they throw themselves into your arms . . . Sofya, for instance . . . (Covers his face with a handkerchief.) I was free as the wind, and I just lie here and dream . . . Love . . . Amo, amas, amat. . .79 Got all involved . . . Ruined her, and flattered my vanity . . . (Sighs.) Those poor Voinitsevs! What about Sasha? Poor little kid! How will she go on living without me? She’ll pine away, she’ll die . . . She walked out, learned the truth, walked out with our child, without a single word . . . Walked out right after that night. If I could only say good-bye to her . . .
ANNA PETROVNA (in the window). May I come in? Hey! Is there anybody there?
PLATONOV. Anna Petrovna! (Leaps up.) The General’s lady! What am I to tell her! Why has she come here, I wonder? (Tidies himself up.)
ANNA PETROVNA (in the window). May I come in? I’m coming in! You hear me?
PLATONOV. She’s here! What excuse have I got not to let her in? (Combs his hair.) How can I show her the door? I’ll have a drink, before she comes in . . . (Quickly opens the cupboard.) And why the hell . . . I don’t understand! (Has a quick drink.) It’s all right if she doesn’t know about this, but what if she does? I’ll go red in the face . . .
SCENE V
PLATONOV and ANNA PETROVNA.
ANNA PETROVNA enters.
PLATONOV slowly shuts up the cupboard.
ANNA PETROVNA. My respects! Good to see you!
PLATONOV. It won’t shut . . .
Pause.
ANNA PETROVNA. You there! Good afternoon!
PLATONOV. Ah . . . Is that you, Anna Petrovna? Pardon, I didn’t notice . . . Only it won’t shut . . . That’s odd . . . (Drops the key and picks it up again.)
ANNA PETROVNA. Come over here to me! Leave the cupboard alone! Leave it!
PLATONOV (walks over to her). Good afternoon . . .
ANNA PETROVNA. Why won’t you look at me?
PLATONOV. I’m ashamed. (Kisses her hand.)
ANNA PETROVNA. Ashamed of what?
PLATONOV. Everything . . .
ANNA PETROVNA. Hm . . . Have you been seducing somebody?
PLATONOV. Yes, sort of . . .
ANNA PETROVNA. Let’s hear it for Platonov! Who is she?
PLATONOV. I won’t say . . .
ANNA PETROVNA. Let’s sit down . . .
They sit on the sofa.
We’ll find out, young man, we’ll find out . . . Why be ashamed on my account? After all, I’m an old acquaintance of your sinful soul . . .
PLATONOV. Don’t ask, Anna Petrovna! I’m in no mood today to attend my own cross-examination. Talk if you feel like it, but don’t ask any questions.
ANNA PETROVNA. All right. Did you get the letters?
PLATONOV. Yes.
ANNA PETROVNA. Then why didn’t you show up?
PLATONOV. I can’t take this.
ANNA PETROVNA. Why can’t you?
PLATONOV. I can’t.
ANNA PETROVNA. Pouting?
PLATONOV. No. What should I be pouting for? Don’t ask questions, for heaven’s sake!
ANNA PETROVNA. Please give me an answer, Mikhail Vasilich! Sit down and behave! Why haven’t you been to see us for the last three weeks?
PLATONOV. I was sick.
ANNA PETROVNA. That’s a lie!
PLATONOV. It’s a lie. Don’t ask questions, Anna Petrovna!
ANNA PETROVNA. How you reek of drink! Platonov, what’s the meaning of all this? What’s wrong with you? Do you know what you look like? Your eyes are red, your face is bestial . . . You’re filthy, the room is covered in filth . . . Look around, what’s the reason for all this mess? What’s wrong with you? Have you been drinking?
PLATONOV. I’ve been drinking abominably!
ANNA PETROVNA. Hm . . . Same story as last year . . . Last year you seduced somebody and went around like a wet hen until the fall, same as now . . . Don Juan and a craven coward rolled into one. Don’t you dare drink!
PLATONOV. I won’t . . .
ANNA PETROVNA. Word of honor? Still, why plague you with words of honor? (Gets up.) Where is your wine?
PLATONOV indicates the cupboard.
It’s disgraceful, Misha, to be so chicken-hearted! Where is your strength of character? (Unlocks the cupboard.) And the disorder in this cupboard! Aleksandra Ivanovna’s going to give it to you, when she gets back! Do you want your wife to come back?