The Conformist. City life scenes in four acts. Maxim Titovets

rather a tribute to my father and revenge to my mother for leaving him and making me sweat all my life, training to fulfill her far-reaching designs. Actually, her dream will soon come true, I’ll be a rich and powerful man.

      Veselov. Have you thought that Victoria Pavlovna might not be happy about your thwarting her daughter’s wedding with Mitya Gromov whose father, by the way, is one of her best clients?

      Orlov. It was Mitya who thwarted everything. He’s to blame for his problems. I just happened to in the right place at the right time.

      I have a way to reach Lebedeva, too: she loves her younger daughter a lot. And she knows perfectly well the position my beloved mamma has in the government.

      Soon Victoria Pavlovna will realise that there’s nothing good for Inna about that dope. When this happens, she’ll hook onto my figure because I’ll show the best of myself, letting everybody see clearly that I’m not going to be a poor unknown painter.

      My mother’s administrative power plus Victoria Lebedeva’s money, connections and reputation will open the doors to all structures I’m interested in. That’s my plan.

      Veselov. That’s a serious claim. (Puts his cigarette out)

      Orlov. (to himself) I’d love to see your face when all Lebedeva’s business is in my hands. Just wait and see.

      Veselov. What about Mitya?

      Orlov. Don’t worry about him. Our romantic poet is in mixed feelings now and he’ll soon find comfort on the first wench’s bosom. Mitya is a douchebag. Eve now he gave up without a fight, letting me have Inna.

      Veselov. Was Katya’s breakup also your work?

      Orlov. Knowing that horny ape’s ways it was easy to organize the match-up. (Laughs)

      Mitya and Katya are alone in Veselov’s office.

      Mitya. I’m at unrest. I’m like a person after a heart attack and whose limbs are numb.

      Katya. Why should it happen so?

      Mitya. I’m sick at heart.

      Katya kisses Mitya, he kisses her back.

      Mitya. Let’s go away.

      Katya. All right.

      Mitya and Katya leave. Enter Veselov and Orlov.

      Veselov. They took a French leave.

      Orlov. I told you not to worry about Mitya Gromov.

      Aglaya comes in. She’s carrying a file and a phone.

      Veselov. Aglaya, I’m glad to see you. Come in, please.

      Aglaya. Hi! I won’t be long. I dropped in my office. Somebody’s lost a phone, it’s out of charge. I found it near your door. (Shows the phone).

      Veselov. That’s Mitya’s, I’ll give it to him when he comes back.

      Aglaya. I saw him and Katya downstairs, they told me you were here. Why were they in such hurry?

      Veselov. I don’t know. Would you like a drink?

      Aglaya. No, thank you. I’m driving. I’d like a tea, though.

      Veselov. And you, Nikolay?

      Orlov. I think I’ve had enough today. I’ll go home. I was glad to see you. Bye, Aglaya. Sasha, I’ll phone you.

      Aglaya. Bye.

      Veselov. (Pouring her tea) Keep in touch!

      Aglaya. I’ve known him for so long and I’ve never been able to get rid of the feeling that he’s constantly concealing something.

      Veselov. Never mind. To each their own.

      Aglaya. Inna and Mitya split up. It seems, this time for good.

      Veselov. I know. When he came Mitya was very depressed, but he tried not to show it. Victoria Pavlovna will be disappointed.

      Aglaya. We’ve gone a bit too far with the senior Gromov, got stuck to our own interests. The children have made their choices.

      Veselov. Time is the best judge.

      Aglaya. You know, Sasha, Orlov isn’t as simple as he tries to seem.

      Veselov. What do you mean?

      Aglaya. Mother was interested in buying some more venues for the restoration workshop in the new office building on the site of the former flour mill in the centre. I did some research. (Nods at the file)

      One of the owners of the spot where the building is situated is Nikolay Orlov’s company. He also controls four organizations which regularly get state agreements for reparation and maintenance of buildings and premises of the education ministry. So, Nikolay seems to be using his family’s administrative forces to develop his own business.

      Veselov. One should expect this, considering who his mother is. From each as he can, to each as he wants, so to say. That’s modern socialism at its most typical.

      Aglaya. Yes, I agree, it’s not new. Every household earns as they can. But why does he put on such acts, refusing the job in diplomacy, truly neglecting his mother’s connections in the government and her money… A real nihilist! I feel he leads a double-game. It’s his business anyway.

      Veselov. Can he be involved in the recent prosecutor’s investigation at the library?

      Aglaya. That’s unlikely. Our lawyer says the thread leads to Moscow – that’s for sure. We’ve already activated the necessary people. Now this issue is solved.

      Veselov. What do you recommend me to do in the future?

      Aglaya. Take it under your control. You and mother should be alert in any law and financial issues when doing business with the city administration, new contracting parties and especially with the monitoring organizations. If they are gunning for us from there, this is where they’ll fight from.

      But you know, Sasha, this is not why I came. There’s one more important question that I’d like to discuss with you.

      She is interrupted by a phone ringing. Veselov picks up the phone.

      Veselov. Yes… I’m in… He left not long ago. (He pauses) Nikolay Orlov has been killed!!!

      Curtain falls.

      ACT 2

      Scene 4

      General Gromov’s countryhouse. It’s Monday, early morning. Leonid Fyodorovich and his wife are in the living room.

      Gromov. Where could he be?

      Lilia Vasilievna. Take your medicine, Lyonya. (She hands him some pills and a glass of water).

      Gromov. My heart’s clenched. (Drinks) Dial him again.

      Lilia Vasilievna. (Calls on her mobile) His phone’s turned off.

      Gromov. Bastard! I’ll strangle him with my own hands!

      Lilia Vasilievna. Will you stop your tantrum, sir?

      Gromov. I’m sorry, darling. My nerves are frayed. Oh, Mitya, my Mitya…

      Lilia