The Rubicon. A play in two acts. Maxim Titovets

approaches the cash register, opens the cash till, grabs several banknotes, then closes the till, and steps away from the bar counter. Polina appears in the stairway. She goes downstairs carrying the tray full of broken glass.

      Polina. A client smashed a jug to pieces, it’s a hoot! The Gorgon’s gonna make him dip into his pocket.

      Pause.

      Makar. Is it hard for you here?

      Polina. I’m a robust girl.

      Makar. Life goes on. Even if we don’t really live.

      Polina. Anyway, it’s better than walking the track.

      Makar. Walking the track?

      Polina. I’ve heard a lot of stuff from my sister.

      Makar. But they have a whole new level of earnings.

      Polina. Tell these tales to someone else, Makar Sergeevich. I know myself.

      Makar glances back and then pulls Polina towards him. Polina breaks loose and, without taking a swing, slaps Makar across his face.

      Makar. Oh, please, dolly girl. It’s gonna end up like this anyway, why playing Madame Butterfly?

      Polina. Next time I’ll hit you on the head with this tray. It’ll cost you four grand according to our price list.

      Makar. Come on, I was just kidding.

      Polina. Just kidding. This ain’t my first rodeo.

      Pause.

      Makar. Do you want to leave this place for good? Come to Moscow with me.

      Polina. Moscow?

      Makar. I mean it. Say yes.

      Polina. For real?

      Makar. [Looking over his shoulder at the kitchen door.] I’ll get my share of the hotel stock from Sea Lion and then we can get going!

      Polina. Your share? From Sea Lion?

      Makar. Easy peasy.

      Polina. Ha!

      Makar. I’ve had my fill with him! Just don’t tell anyone.

      Polina. My lips are sealed. [She goes to the kitchen.]

      Scene 6

      The Rubicon Roadside Inn & Diner.

      Sea Lion’s study.

      Sea Lion. To Moscow? For good?

      Agap. For good.

      Sea Lion. A share of the hotel stock?

      Agap. Yep.

      Sea Lion. Agap! I’d really like to clean your clock…

      Agap. Why?

      Sea Lion. You’re saying these unpleasantries with too much relish.

      Agap. I’m just…

      Sea Lion. What else did they talk about?

      Agap. I told you all I’ve got.

      Sea Lion. That’s too bad!

      Agap. It was too noisy in the kitchen.

      Sea Lion. And what about the key-hole? Have you forgotten what I taught you?

      Agap. Makar was way too far from the door.

      Sea Lion. Watch it, Agap. If I find out that you’re in cahoots with him, I’ll skin you alive.

      Agap. Boss!

      Sea Lion. You can go now.

      Agap leaves

      Sea Lion. What are you up to, Makar?

      Nadya enters carrying a tray with a glass of red berry juice.

      Nadya. Cranberry, just like you like it, my sweet sailor.

      Sea Lion. [Drinking the juice]. Thank you.

      Nadya. We have to send money to Katya.

      Sea Lion. Money?

      Nadya. To pay for the second semester.

      Sea Lion. Does anyone really need this education?

      Nadya. We do.

      Sea Lion. Paying to the help while having our own worker!

      Nadya. Katya won’t be scrubbing floors for the rest of her life, will she? Enough’s enough.

      Sea Lion. Enough?

      Nadya. Eighty three thousand for the second semester.

      Sea Lion opens a drawer of the desk, counts out the money, and hands it over to Nadya.

      Sea Lion. Call Makar.

      Nadya leaves

      Sea Lion. There are many honest people but there are fewer and fewer decent ones.

      Makar enters the study.

      Makar. Nadya is angry at me again.

      Sea Lion. No, Makar. It’s me who’s angry at you. Nadya just doesn’t want you.

      Makar. Just spare me your lectures, I’m out of sorts today!

      Sea Lion. Fine.

      Pause.

      Makar. Do you have something to drink? [Without waiting for a response, he opens the mini-bar fridge and pours himself a glass of whiskey.]

      Sea Lion. How much did you lose to the swindlers in yesterday’s game of Bura?

      Makar. So, somebody’s already ratted. I was just about to cut out but they dragged me back in.

      Sea Lion. A freaking Al Capone.

      Makar. Around hundred grand, maybe more.

      Sea Lion. A gambling debt is a debt of honor.

      Makar. You want me to get stabbed?

      Sea Lion. You’re used to it, aren’t you?

      Makar. It’s not funny, Oleg. Give me the money.

      Sea Lion. Perhaps you’d also like a share of the hotel stock?

      Makar. Ha-ha-ha! I saw this creep ambushing in the kitchen, so I faked him out.

      Sea Lion. Right, you’re a real master of lurking. While Agap still has a lot to learn.

      Sea Lion opens the drawer again, gets a wad of banknotes out, and offers it to Makar.

      Sea Lion. One hundred and fifty. It’s the last time I give you money this month.

      Makar. Thank you, my boy.

      Sea Lion. Pour me this whiskey too.

      Makar. How much?

      Sea Lion. You don’t see the edges?

      Makar.