Mikhail Ignatych. Same to you.
Fyodor. Hi, Ignatych. How’s retired life treating you?
Ignatych. Everything is fine, but it’s not something to envy. Have you heard the news? The word is that they want to raise the retirement age. To sixty-five years old for men. And to the gills for women.
Venya. Codswallop, I say! People don’t even live this long.
Alexey. They want to raise it and they will. And we will live a European life.
Ignatych. Uh-huh. A European life. And those who don’t make it to retirement will be cremated and continue working inside hourglasses.
Venya steps aside towards the house, paces out the distance from the gazebo to the house, then from the porch to the directional signpost. Fyodor takes the beer bottle and pours the beer into a clean mug.
Fyodor. Help yourself, Ignatych. Fresh and cold.
Ignatych takes the mug and drinks.
Fyodor. [To Tatyana.] I remembered: Buy a loaf of dark rye bread, please, would you?
Tatyana. Alright. I’ll get it here tonight.
Ignatych puts the empty mug on the table.
Ignatych. Here’s what I’ve come to tell you, Fyodor. I went to get some water from the well this morning. And as I was going back, I saw three men standing in the next street. One of them was Ivan Moray. He got out of jail this spring. Another one was someone with a false gold tooth capping. And the third one… I’ve immediately recognized him: It was Artyom, your stepson.
Fyodor. Artyom? That’s odd.
Alexey. What a surprise!
Ignatych. I’m sure it was him. I have a good memory for faces.
Fyodor. He must have got parole.
Tatyana. Fyodor, isn’t it dangerous? You told me that Artyom threatened you.
Fyodor. Let’s see them try to come here. I have enough bullets for all of them.
Alexey. You can’t shoot down all the fools.
Ignatych. I’ve deliberately walked past Moray’s house now. All clear.
Fyodor. Thank you, Ignatych.
Tatyana. Maybe they left?
Ignatych. Maybe they did. Who knows what these junkies are up to. Fyodor, just keep in mind that your stepson is roaming free with some crooks in tow. Take care!
Ignatych leaves.
Scene 4
Twilight. Moray’s house.
Natalia, Khlora.
Khlora. I’m scared, Natasha. I am so scared…
Natalia. Khlora, it’s too late to change your mind.
Khlora. I didn’t sign up for murder!
Natalia fetches a slap across Khlora’s face.
Natalia. Shut up, you fool of a woman. Are you suicidal? Chopper won’t just let us go.
Khlora. Chopper, this god damned cop, did schmooze you too. Are you fearing for your daughter’s life?
Natalia. I’ll go to any lengths for the sake of my Svetlana. Any.
Khlora. Oh please, Natasha, let me go. Honest to God, I won’t tell anyone!
Natalia. God can hardly help us now.
Khlora. What should we do then?
Natalia. Listen, Khlora. Just do what you should do.
Khlora. It’s terrifying.
Natalia. You will get some money, find a good hospital for your father. Think of yourself too. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance!
Khlora. It’s like jumping into the deep end.
Natalia. Here, take it. You are going to add one tablet to Veniamin’s drink. He stared at you so longingly this morning.
Khlora. A funny old chap. [She takes the tablets and puts them in her pocket.]
Natalia. I will handle Alexey. We will get the job done and make enough money for years ahead. Chopper delivers on his promises.
Khlora. Chopper is a douchebag. A werewolf! Why did Ivan even consort with him?
Natalia. Don’t be afraid. Chopper is dancing to someone else’s pipe too.
Khlora. If only I knew who is the boss.
Natalia. The less you know, the longer you live. We’ll put those old men to sleep and you and Moray will get your fair share. You will be able to skip this town forever. And I will get my daughter back.
Khlora. Easier said than done. And what if those old guys die? This would make me a sinner.
Natalia. There is no repentance without a sin.
Khlora. And if we repent, will we be saved?
Pause.
Natalia. Have you already told Moray?
Khlora. [She lays her hands upon her belly but quickly takes them off.] No. Ivan doesn’t know anything.
Natalia. It’s for the best. You will tell him the good news when it’s all over.
Khlora. He swears by God that he loves me. A funny little fellow.
Natalia. Think about your future, Khlora.
Khlora. No one ever loved me.
Natalia. You’ve got a chance to hit the jackpot.
Khlora. They all just used me.
Natalia. Soon you will take everything you ever wanted from life and even more!
Khlora. But Ivan loves me.
Natalia. He does, he does. And he will love your baby too.
Khlora.
