bad sex – unhappy life. That's all. Is your sex life good?
WIFE. No.
PROFESSOR. And the rest of your life?
WIFE. No.
PROFESSOR. Q.E.D.
WIFE. That’s why I want to run away. Away from this life.
PROFESSOR. To tell the truth, so do I. Who will you run away with?
WIFE. Alone.... But it would be better with somebody.
PROFESSOR. Together is certainly better.
WIFE. Why don’t we run away together?
PROFESSOR. I am asking myself the same question.
WIFE. And what is your answer?
PROFESSOR. Let’s do it. That’s what I offered to do when I first got here.
WIFE. You offered to have sex when you first got here.
PROFESSOR. Sex is just an escape from life.
WIFE. I thought it was life itself.
PROFESSOR. Let’s not argue. We don’t have much time.
WIFE. So you’ll take me with you?
PROFESSOR. I’ll abduct you, steal you, take you away, carry you away in my arms.
WIFE. Where to?
PROFESSOR. Nowhere.
WIFE. That’s the problem.
PROFESSOR. But we have to run away all the same.
WIFE. Where to?
PROFESSOR. That’s not important. The main thing is not to stop. Not to think. Not to look back. Give me your hand.
WIFE. Right now?
PROFESSOR. Otherwise someone will come and it will be too late.
WIFE. Then wait here, I’ll just get some things to take with me.
WIFE leaves. Pause. GIRL enters.
GIRL. Let’s have sex.
PROFESSOR. So it was you who called me?
GIRL. Me? Called you? What for?
PROFESSOR. To have sex, I believe.
GIRL. No, it wasn’t me. But I’m ready.
PROFESSOR. So who called me?
GIRL. If someone wanted to have sex, just presume it was me that called. A very urgent call. Let's start immediately.
PROFESSOR. That’s just what I wanted to suggest. Who are you, by the way?
GIRL. I work with the husband.
PROFESSOR. It’s a pleasure to meet you.
GIRL. Whether it’s a pleasure or not, we’ll soon find out, I hope. (Starts to unbutton her dress.)
PROFESSOR. And why don’t you have sex with the husband?
GIRL. With whose husband?
PROFESSOR. With yours, for a change.
GIRL. I don’t have a husband.
PROFESSOR. But you work with him!
GIRL. I work with him, but he is not my husband.
PROFESSOR. That changes things completely. If he isn’t your husband, it is simply your duty to have unlimited sex with him. Especially since you work together. It’s very convenient and saves time.
GIRL. Unfortunately, he’s terribly busy.
PROFESSOR. Busy? At work!? With what? Impossible! What can keep a person busy at work?
GIRL. Sex, of course.
PROFESSOR. That’s different.
GIRL. I make out his daily schedule for him and keep a record of his work: the beginning of sex, the end of it, with whom, when, on whose recommendation, who’s next. It’s a lot of work.
PROFESSOR. If he’s so busy, you should have sex with someone else.
GIRL. That’s just what I proposed to you.
PROFESSOR. My pleasure.
GIRL. I want to make sure of that.
PROFESSOR. You are in luck: you’ve found the right person.
GIRL. Prove it.
PROFESSOR. My reputation does not require any proof. My name speaks for itself.
GIRL. And who are you?
PROFESSOR. I am a world-famous professor of psychiatry, psychology and sociology. A sex consultant. I get rid of complexes, inspire self-confidence, free people of their inhibitions. I cure frigidity and impotence. I satisfy the unsatisfied. I teach, give advice, help to solve problems. I cure all illnesses.
GIRL. I would like to become such a consultant, too.
PROFESSOR. Then I’ll teach you. Do you know who said the famous words: "I have taken all knowledge…."
GIRL. “…to be my province.”
PROFESSOR. Exactly right. It is me who said it.
GIRL. I didn’t know that.
PROFESSOR. There are still many things you don’t know.
GIRL. So let's study. I’m very curious. Let’s start right now.
PROFESSOR. Good. We shall begin by checking your sexuality.
The GIRL starts to undress.
No, don’t undress! It’s not necessary.
GIRL. (Disappointedly). Not necessary? Then how will you check me?
PROFESSOR. I have a special system of tests. Sit down facing me and concentrate.
They sit down opposite each other.
Are you ready?
GIRL. Yes.
PROFESSOR. (Takes out a pen.) Tell me, what does this pen remind you of?
GIRL. Sex.
PROFESSOR. Very interesting. Well, what does this armchair remind you of?
GIRL. Sex.
PROFESSOR. What? Sex again? But why?!
GIRL. Everything reminds me of sex.
PROFESSOR. But tell me what an armchair has to do with
