Theater Plays. Valentin Krasnogorov

Now do it again.

      MAN and WOMAN embrace again, trying to imitate what they’ve been shown. DIRECTOR frowns.

      DIRECTOR: Better already, though far from perfect. Try it one more time.

      CONSULTANT’s phone rings. She steps aside to take the call. MAN and WOMAN embrace again.

      DIRECTOR: So… Once more… OK, there’s no more time for this now. Practice it between now and tomorrow morning.

      CONSULTANT has finished her conversation.

      CONSULTANT: Ladies and gentlemen! I regret that I have some sad news for you. A respected member of the opposition has just passed away.

      A pause.

      WOMAN: How’s that? He just up and passed away?

      CONSULTANT: He died in a traffic accident. The police have launched an investigation.

      DIRECTOR: But is he dead for sure?

      CONSULTANT: Absolutely.

      DIRECTOR: So there is going to be a funeral tomorrow?

      CONSULTANT: Has anyone canceled it?

      DIRECTOR: And will I receive the promised fee tomorrow evening?

      MAN: (cheerfully) Of course! I said that he’d die, but you didn’t believe me. I’m a decent person and never mislead my friends.

      WOMAN: You don’t mislead your friends because you don’t have any.

      MAN: There’s a time and a place for jokes, and this isn’t it.

      DIRECTOR: What do we do now?

      CONSULTANT: Continue the rehearsal. And be quick about it. The ceremony is to begin tomorrow at three o’clock sharp, right on schedule.

      DIRECTOR: Yes, ma’am.

      CONSULTANT: But first I have to borrow the prime minister for a moment. In connection with this late-breaking news, we have several arrangements to make. Meanwhile, rehearse with his partner.

      CONSULTANT and MAN exit.

      DIRECTOR: Well, shall we go on with the rehearsal?

      WOMAN: To hell with it! (in a low voice) Now do you understand why I want to lie low in Costa Rica?

      DIRECTOR: No, I don’t.

      WOMAN: What’s not to understand? I’m scared! Aren’t you?

      DIRECTOR: Don’t be silly. What do we have to be afraid of?

      WOMAN: (softly, with a frightened look around) Hush!

      DIRECTOR: (also looks around; he can’t help himself) There’s no one here.

      WOMAN: Did you just fall off a cabbage truck? What about the twelve cameras? And the bugs?

      DIRECTOR: How do you know?

      WOMAN: This isn’t the first time I’ve been in this studio.

      DIRECTOR: (peers about uncertainly) You think…

      WOMAN: (interrupting) Yes, I think – go figure. I’m a ditz in your mind, but you’re acting even more stupid. You’re glad that you’ll get your fee, but you don’t understand that the astrologer’s Jupiter and Capricorn prediction might concern you too.

      DIRECTOR: Why on earth would it? Who am I bothering?

      WOMAN: Have you forgotten the old chestnut about the man who knew too much?

      DIRECTOR: (worried) I’m assuming I’ll get my fee tomorrow, and then I’ll bug out to the Congo or your beloved Costa Rica.

      WOMAN: Do you want to hop a plane together? Right now?

      DIRECTOR: And abandon everything? Before my show?

      WOMAN: Let it all go to blue blazes.

      DIRECTOR: No, I can’t. To have such a superb spectacle all at the ready and then not see it?

      WOMAN: It’s your call. Just don’t regret it afterward.

      DIRECTOR: You think it’s as serious as all that?

      WOMAN: Quiet! (lowers her voice to a whisper) If anybody calls later and questions you on what we‘re talking about now – Costa Rica and all the rest of it – tell them that we were rehearsing.

      DIRECTOR: (clearly scared) Maybe we really should make a run for it?

      WOMAN: You seemed all set to fly off to somewhere in Africa. Do you have your passport with you?

      DIRECTOR: Yes. What about it?

      WOMAN: So let’s slip away right now, while she’s not here. Sneak out and head straight for the airport.

      DIRECTOR: You like living dangerously.

      WOMAN: You’re just seeing my female intuition in action. Are we making a getaway or not?

      DIRECTOR: (hesitates; then, with determination) We are!

      Grabbing up their belongings (bag, jacket, etc.), DIRECTOR AND WOMAN dash toward the door. CONSULTANT and MAN enter.

      CONSULTANT: Where are you going?

      WOMAN: (embarrassed) To the powder room.

      CONSULTANT: Together?

      WOMAN: Why not?

      CONSULTANT: Stay and finish the rehearsal. We’re running out of time.

      DIRECTOR: I’m actually not feeling very well. Anyway… They’re expecting me on the square, It’s time to start the full rehearsal there. These two can finish up on their own.

      CONSULTANT: So go.

      DIRECTOR tries to open the door, but it doesn’t budge. He comes back.

      Why didn’t you leave? Changed your mind?

      DIRECTOR: The door won’t open.

      CONSULTANT: Maybe there’s something wrong with the lock.

      DIRECTOR: Can’t it be fixed?

      CONSULTANT: I don’t know. I’m no expert on locks.

      DIRECTOR: But I have to go.

      CONSULTANT: Do you know what happens to a passenger who decides to jump off a speeding train?

      DIRECTOR: (depressed) Very well. Let’s continue with the rehearsal. Where did we stop?

      WOMAN: He and I were hugging.

      DIRECTOR: Yes, right… I’ll read the set-up again. The woman says “I’m sorry, I can’t hold back my tears,” and hides her face in the prime minister’s shoulder. He consoles her. Then he eases her away and swears to work for the good of the people and yadda-yadda-yadda. All yours.

      WOMAN: I’m sorry. I can’t hold back my tears. (hides her face in MAN’s shoulder)

      MAN: Our grief is infinite, but we swear to you…

      DIRECTOR: Stop. You’re talking about infinite grief, but you’re glowing like a well-polished boot.

      MAN: Excuse me. I didn’t mean to.

      DIRECTOR: I understand how you feel.

      MAN: Tomorrow I’ll mourn like nobody’s business, you’ll see.

      WOMAN: Besides, we’re tired. We’ve had no sleep. Why don’t we learn our lines for tomorrow, practice a little, and at the ceremony we’ll be such good mourners that we’ll have everyone in tears. But right now we’re just worn out.

      A phone rings. CONSULTANT looks at her screen. Her face immediately becomes very serious.

      CONSULTANT: (standing up, speaking into the phone) Yes… Yes… This is she…

      МAN and WOMAN freeze at attention.

      DIRECTOR: What happened?

      WOMAN: (whispers) Quiet!

      DIRECTOR: Who’s calling?

      WOMAN: