Rodion. Where are you taking me? Tell me!
Olga. Don't make your guest think that we were listening.
Rodion. But we were not listening! Well, we heard a few words, but those are some nonsense!
Olga. Aren’t you stupid, boy?! Of course, I didn't get it all either. But I understood the main thing.
Rodion. And what is it?
Olga. The fact that our visitor is a very rich man.
Rodion. So, what?
Olga. He desperately needs Stalver Udarpyatovich. And if you offer him your help… Then you can demand something else in return.
Rodion. What else do you mean?
Olga. Oh, how stupid you are! Whatever you want! Job, money, recommendation…
Rodion. To shake the guy down for some cash? It's cool! But there is one weak point.
Olga. And what is it?
Rodion. My father. He's stubborn like a donkey's tail. And if he says “du hast nicht”, do not hesitate – it will be so.
Olga. But his guest doesn't know that, does he?
Rodion. Definitely not!
Olga. So, take this advantage! Promise him your help. After all, to promise does not mean to marry. But make sure to take a prepay from him.
Rodion. Well, you're right!
Olga. Of course, my boy!
Rodion. But what about later then? If the father jumps off the topic though?
Olga. We will see then. Live for now, my boy, and don't think about the future. Like a bird of God. And God will send you food for your next day.
Myshevskiy comes out of the office. Olga pushes Rodion towards him, stepping aside to stay unnoticed.
Rodion. Your chatting has been so long…
Myshevskiy. Really? I didn't notice.
Rodion. Were you messing up something important?
Myshevskiy. Maybe.
Rodion. Have you anchored my dad for your deal?
Myshevskiy. Philosophers do think long before making a decision. This is their weakness.
Rodion. That's for sure! Also, when you leave, he will call me and ask for advice.
Myshevskiy. Really?
Rodion. It's always like that in our family. My opinion means a lot.
Myshevskiy. This is quite interesting. And I think I can guess what you're driving at.
Rodion. I immediately realized that you are not a sucker.
Myshevskiy. As I see, you are a clever guy, Rodion.
Rodion. I wish my dad could hear that. He would like that!
Myshevskiy. And how much is your vote worth?
Rodion. My vote is in exchange for yours. It's fair, isn't it?
Myshevskiy. What are you talking about?
Rodion. I need a bank loan. But it is not issued without a reliable guarantor. If such a pricy guy like you vouches for me, the problem would be easily solved.
Myshevskiy. I'm sure of it. I am the chairman of a local bank board of directors.
Rodion. So, I hit the spot!
Myshevskiy. Here's my business card, Rodion. Come over by this afternoon. And we'll make a good deal.
Rodion. Without a preliminary call?
Myshevskiy. Security will be informed. Is four p.m. okay with you?
Rodion. Any time you want! But I warn you, the sum is big.
Myshevskiy. This’s fine. I don’t bargain in trifles.
Rodion and Myshevskiy leave. Olga follows them with her eyes, then she comes up to the office door, knocks and enters.
Golyshkin. Oh, what a pleasant surprise, Olenka!
Olga. We have been meeting with you every day, Stalver Udarpyatovich, for the past two weeks. I give you injections, measure your blood pressure. Besides, you knew about my visit yesterday. What is surprising about it? Or do you think that instead of regular procedures, I will offer you something new?
Golyshkin. But what if you will?! Hope dies the last, Olenka. Why shouldn't I, an old man, dream? As long as I'm alive, albeit not quite healthy.
Olga. Any young man can envy your health, Stalver Udarpyatovich. I don’t understand why you need these injections? They are so painful!
Golyshkin. The only pleasure for me is to see you, Olenka. And, yes, you are absolutely right. I'm still not as bad! There is still life in the old dog yet.
Olga. I am sure there is! I’m going to inform my supervising doctor that you don’t need the nurse care any more. You are just pretending, professor! And I am a stupid girl, so worried about you.
Golyshkin. Olenka! Of course, if you don't like these visits…
Olga. What are you talking about, Stalver Udarpyatovich! After all, you know…
Golyshkin. What do you mean? Go on, Olenka!
Olga. Oh, nothing, just never mind!
Golyshkin. Oh, don't argue with me, otherwise my blood pressure will rise. And it will be your fault, Olenka.
Olga. Then take off your pants! (takes out a syringe.) And don't try to convince me. I won't believe you anymore. Not a single word!
Golyshkin. Oh, really, Olenka… Oh!
Olga. I hope it doesn’t hurt you, Stalver Udarpyatovich?
Golyshkin. Oh, no, Olenka, your hands are so tender, like angel’s ones! I am feeling pleasure.
Olga. That's wonderful. Now let me measure your blood pressure.
Golyshkin. Sure! I confess, this procedure is more pleasant for me than injections.
Olga. Your pressure is also perfect, Stalver Udarpyatovich. No, definitely, you don't need me any more. If only just to talk to…
Golyshkin. That’s so nice to talk to you, Olenka! By the way, have you read my book? The one I gave you last week.
Olga. Of course, Stalver Udarpyatovich.
Golyshkin. And..?
Olga. And I understood almost nothing.
Golyshkin. What a pity!
Olga. You are too smart, professor! How can I, a stupid girl, understand this philosophy? I have too many questions. And there was no one to answer them. I was reading your book at nights. Alone, lying in a cold bed under the blanket. The room was lit only by a dim table lamp. A strong wind was howling sadly outside the dark window. It was so scary!
Golyshkin. Poor girl! So what's the problem? Ask me now and I will answer.
Olga. Okay. So, you wrote about necromancy…
Golyshkin. Oh, my God, Olenka, and you too!
Olga. Have I said something stupid? Oh, I really have! Not a single word about your book any more! I don't want to seem funny to you. After all, you, Stalver Udarpyatovich, are a professor of Philosophy, and who am I? Ordinary nurse from a local district clinic.
Golyshkin. Please, forgive me, Olenka! And don't take my remark personally. The reason is my today’s guest. You might have seen him.
Olga. You mean that mysteriously looking man? He passed by me and didn’t even notice me, as if I were invisible.
Golyshkin. It’s just impossible! No man in the world can behave like that. You are perfection, Olenka!
Olga. Therefore, he is not a man. It's a comforting statement. But what did you want to tell about him, Stalver Udarpyatovich?
Golyshkin. Nothing special. I mean that this man was torturing me with his talk about spiritual séances. So, when you suddenly started talking about necromancy… about the art of communicating with the dead people’ spirits… I couldn't help exclaiming emotionally. Once again, please forgive me, Olenka!
Olga. Do not apologize, Stalver Udarpyatovich. I understand you. But, in fact, this necromancy gets me interested very much. You write so exiting about it! Especially the chapter, where you say, that the dead can show the future to the living. You can’t imagine how much I would like…
Golyshkin. Why are you silent, Olenka? Go on! What would you like?
Olga. To know my future. Isn't that clear, professor? Or does it seem strange? Any woman would give a lot to know what awaits her in the future. And not in some distant future, but in the nearest. Will she get married and when? Will she have children and how many?…
Golyshkin. But it's so dangerous!
Olga. Dangerous? Why?
Golyshkin. Knowledge about the future is not given without loss. Communication with the spirits of the dead suggests some unpredictable consequences.
Olga. So what?
Golyshkin. Well, don't you understand, Olenka?
Olga. I don't think you understand, professor. Life is short. Especially for women. After all, they live only while they are young and beautiful. When youth passes and beauty fades the life ends for us. Instead, existence begins. Just existence – boring, tedious, which nobody needs, including themselves. But if only a woman could know her future! Oh! It would change a lot.