IVAN IVANOVICH. Let’s go, most noble . . . most just! You say two words to her, and she’ll be saved! Drugs are no use, when it’s the mental psychiatrics that’re suffering!
TRILETSKY. Come out of here, Father, for just a minute! (Takes his father by the arm.) Who told you that she’s dying? Where did you get that idea? She’s quite out of danger! You wait in that room. We’ll go with him to see her right away. You should be ashamed to barge into somebody else’s house like this!
IVAN IVANOVICH (to Anna Petrovna). You did a bad thing, Diana! God won’t forgive you! He’s a young man, inexperienced . . .
TRILETSKY (shoves him into the next room). Wait in there! (To Platonov.) Are you ready to go?
PLATONOV. I’m awfully sick . . . I’m sick, Nikolay!
TRILETSKY. Are you ready to go, I’m asking you, yes or no?
PLATONOV (gets up). Not so many words . . . What can I do so my mouth won’t be so dry? Let’s go . . . I think I came here without a cap . . . (Sits down.) Look for my cap!
SOFYA YEGOROVNA. He should have foreseen this. I gave myself to him, without a second thought . . . I knew that I was killing my husband, but I . . . for his sake I stopped at nothing! (Rises and walks over to Platonov.) What have you done to me? (Sobs.)
TRILETSKY (clutches his head). Call an inquest! (Walks up and down the stage.)
ANNA PETROVNA. Calm down, Sophie! It’s not the time . . . He’s sick.
SOFYA YEGOROVNA. Is it possible, is it humane to turn a human life into a joke this way? (Sits next to Platonov.) After all my whole life is ruined now . . . I’m no longer alive . . . Save me, Platonov! It’s not too late! Platonov, it’s not too late!
Pause.
ANNA PETROVNA (weeps). Sophie . . . What do you want? There’ll be a time for this . . . What can he say to you now? Didn’t you hear . . . didn’t you hear?
SOFYA YEGOROVNA. Platonov . . . I beg of you one more time . . . (Sobs.) No?
PLATONOV moves away from her.
Never mind . . . That’s all right . . . (Falls to her knees.) Platonov!
ANNA PETROVNA. This is going too far, Sophie! Don’t you dare do this! Nobody’s worth . . . kneeling to . . . (Raises her up and seats her.) You are . . . a woman!
SOFYA YEGOROVNA (sobs). Tell him . . . Explain . . .
ANNA PETROVNA. Summon up all your strength of character . . . You have to be . . . firm . . . You’re a woman! There . . . that’s enough! Go to your room!
Pause.
Go on, go to bed . . . (to Triletsky.) Nikolay Ivanovich! What’s to be done?
TRILETSKY. You’d better ask dear little Mishenka about that! (Walks up and down the stage.)
ANNA PETROVNA. Put her to bed! Sergey! Nikolay Ivanovich! Please help me, at last!
VOINITSEV rises and walks over to Sofya Yegorovna.
TRILETSKY. Let’s take her there. I’ll have to give her a sedative.
ANNA PETROVNA. At this moment I could take chloroform myself . . . (To Triletsky.) Be a man, Sergey! Don’t you lose your head at least! I don’t feel any better than you, but even so . . . I’m standing on my two feet . . . Let’s go, Sophie! What a day this turned out to be . . .
They lead out SOFYA YEGOROVNA.
Brace up, Serzhel! Let’s behave like real people!
VOINITSEV. I’ll make an effort, maman. I’ll take heart . . .
TRILETSKY. Don’t fret, Sergey old pal! One way or another we’ll pull you through! You’re not the first, and you won’t be the last!
VOINITSEV. I’ll make an effort . . . Yes, I’ll make an effort . . .
They leave.
SCENE XI
PLATONOV, then GREKOVA.
PLATONOV (alone). A cigarette, Nikolay, and some water! (Looks around.) They’re not here? I’d better leave . . .
Pause.
I’ve destroyed, snuffed out weak women, who weren’t to blame for anything . . . It wouldn’t have been so pathetic, if I’d killed them some other way, driven by monstrous passions, sort of Spanish style, but I killed them just like that . . . any stupid old way, Russian style . . . (Waves his hand in front of his eyes.) Mouches volantes . . .89 Little clouds . . . I suppose I’m getting delirious . . . Crushed, squashed, flattened . . . When was the last time I put up a bold front? (Hides his face in his hands.) Shame, stinging shame . . . I’m sick with shame! (Gets up.) I was hungry, cold, worn out, dead beat, a phony in everything I did, when I came to this house . . . They gave me a warm corner, clothed me, lavished affection on me . . . Quite a nice payback I’ve given them! But then I’m sick . . . I feel bad . . . I should kill myself . . . (Walks over to the desk.) Take your pick, there’s a whole arsenal . . . (Picks up a revolver.) Hamlet was afraid to dream . . . I’m afraid to . . . live! What’s next if I go on living? Shame would devour me . . . (Puts the revolver to his temple.) Finita la commedia!90 One less learnèd pig! Christ, forgive me my sins!
Pause.
Well? Instant death, in other words . . . Hurt, arm, as much as you like now . . .
Pause.
Not up to it!! (Puts the pistol on the desk.) I want to live . . . (Sits on the sofa.) I want to live . . . (GREKOVA enters.) Should have some water . . . Where is Triletsky? (On seeing Grekova.) Who’s that? Ha, ha, ha . . . (Laughs.) My worst enemy . . . Shall we go to court tomorrow?
Pause.
GREKOVA. But, naturally, after that letter we are no longer enemies.
PLATONOV. It doesn’t matter. Any water?
GREKOVA. You want water? What’s wrong with you?
PLATONOV. I’m sick . . . I’m about to have a temperature . . . I liked it. Clever. But it would have been even cleverer, if you had stayed away from me entirely . . . I wanted to shoot myself . . . (Laughs.) Didn’t manage it . . . Instinct . . . Your mind goes one way, your nature another . . . Sharp eyes! Are you a clever girl? (Kisses her hand.) Your hand’s cold . . . Listen . . . You want to help me out?
GREKOVA. Yes, yes, yes . . .
PLATONOV. Take me to your place! I’m sick, I want a drink, I’m in horrible, unbearable pain! I want to sleep, but there’s nowhere to lie down . . . Even if I’ve only got a shed, just a corner, water and . . . a bit of quinine. For pity’s sake! (Holds out his hand.)
GREKOVA. Let’s go! I’ll be glad to! . . . You can live with me, as long as you like . . . You still don’t know what I’ve done! Let’s go!