Sumyatov. Please, tell me the truth, do you have a feeling that our world has gone mad?

Alla. Oh yeah! And everybody would agree with that. All you can hear at every corner is “oh, this crazy crazy, crazy world”!

Sumyatov. Are you feeling good in such a world?

Alla. Yes, I can tell you. I must be also crazy?

Sumyatov. As for me to be honest I am not quite myself in this world…

Alla. Are you married?

Sumyatov. Yes. But what’s the matter?

Alla. What makes you feel uneasy then?

Sumyatov. A loss of self-esteem, I would say.

Alla. It is nonsense!

Sumyatov. Just look around!

Alla. Okay…

Sumyatov. What do you see?

Alla. Frankly speaking, nothing interesting.

Sumyatov. That’s it! However, they try to persuade us – you and me in the opposite.

Alla. Who tries? Persuade of what? It’s bullshit!

Sumyatov. Bullshit?! Just switch on the radio. I am sure at this moment some feeble-voiced pop diva is trying to imitate a nightingale or maybe they are talking about some boxing champion. And let’s take TV….

Alla. So, what do you have against TV?

Sumyatov. It is flooded with show-business stars and politicians of various types. I am not even mentioning newspapers!

Alla. Are you afraid to find an inferiority complex in yourself?

Sumyatov. I feel offended for my country. It looks like we really can not live without either God, tsar, or hero. And it would be better to have three of them at once.

Alla. What are you talking about? A Tsar was overthrown a long time ago, the God is terribly far from people, only a hero has remained. Please, don’t deprive us of our last consolation!

Sumyatov. I can’t understand, what are you driving at?

Mikhalych enters.

Mikhalych. All bon appetit!

Levan. \speaking with a Georgian accent\ Come in dear! We’ve been waiting for you for a long time. Do you believe me or not?

Mikhalych. I am like a clock – precise and inevitable.

Levan. What’s new in the world, eh?

Mikhalych. Every minute something is happening in the world. How can I know about all?

Levan. But you know something anyway…

Mikhalych. The less we know, the more quiet we sleep. I advise you to learn this simple truth.

Levan. Thanks for advice, dear. Have you brought some mail or not?

Mikhalych. Here you go, if you really can’t live without it. But please, don’t blame me in case the news is bad.

Levan. I won’t, don’t worry.

Mikhalych. Hey guys, you see, I’ve warned him!

Sumyatov. Sure. You can refer to us as witnesses just in case.

Mikhalych. Absolutely! Can I learn your names?

Sumyatov. Cyrill Sumyatov.

Alla. Alla Bokova.

Mikhalych. You can call me Мikhalych. You have done me a favor I won’t forget it. (Leaves).

Levan. What a man he is, I can’t understand…

Sumyatov. An odd fellow, I would say.

Alla. Or maybe another madman?

Sumyatov. It looks like. I am afraid I could go crazy here myself. The ambience and the landscape are quite suitable.

Alla. Do not worry, it’s not going to happen with you.

Sumyatov. Then what is going to happen?

Alla. It’s a secret. However, if you kindly ask me maybe I am going to open it.

Sumyatov. Please do me a favor. You have really intrigued me!

Alla. Okay, listen. And don’t say that you haven’t heard. For example, you, men, desperately need beauty contests…

Sumyatov. What for?

Alla. Come on, you are not a kid… Take a guess. Well, don’t interrupt me!

Сумятов. Okay, I am as dumb as a fish.

Alla. However we, women, also need some kind of consolation in our lives, don’t you think so?

Sumyatov. It’s up to you.

Alla. Believe me, this is true.

Sumyatov. So, what can console you? I have no idea.

Alla. A mere trifle.

Sumyatov. So, what is it?

Alla. It is enough for us to know there real men still exist in this world, and they haven’t died out like mammoths.

Sumyatov. You are talking about the tamers of mammoths?!

Alla. Let it be your way. And don’t look at me so ironically.

Sumyatov. Not at all, I assure you!

Alla. I would say more. If such men don’t exist they should be invented.