Grisha. Girl, you'll excuse me, but any knot here will withstand you, and I will have more weight. It's impossible to do that with a kondachka! The second time you already understand – it's not the mood at all, if anything …

Lida. Listen, you're my thorough. You go ahead… somewhere. I came first! I have to hang out here. That's it! The conversation is over!

Lida continues her attempts to throw a rope on a branch.

Grisha looks at it skeptically, steps aside – ironically observes.

Lida tries everything, but nothing comes out.

Grisha. Well, how long will I be here watching this one… creepy?

Lida turns wearily.

Lida (indignantly). Is there something else here? What are you waiting for? This isn't a theater for you! And there's nothing to see… He's watching here, you know…

Grisha. No, I just thought that since we can't come to a consensus on the choice of a place, then let everyone stay with their opinion… that's all.

Lida looks at the man as "a ram on a new gate."

Lida. Didn't you understand?

Grisha. If you're going to hang yourself, hang yourself! I'll wait. And then right there… side by side. The branch is strong, it will easily withstand the two of us.

Lida. What? Look what he wanted! I don't want to hang next to you! Come on…, get out of here! Businesslike, what was found.

Grisha. Well… you never know what you want… Here you want – you don't want, but you have to!

Lida (indignantly). Hey, what? (Lost in words and explanations) I… and… it's not enough that you and I are like two jerks swaying here!!! You never know what people will think!

Grisha. And don't you care who thinks what then?

Lida (indignantly). No! I just don't care! I have to hang alone, pathetic, misunderstood and unheard… and not companionable, and as someone might think – vicious!

Grisha. Curious… And why are you so unheard and misunderstood? Tell me, maybe I will understand and hear? So you look, and there will be no reason for the event …

Lida thinks. He glances furtively at Grisha.

Lida (with a sly smile). Aaaaaah. Have you decided to eliminate a competitor technically?

Grisha (evading a direct answer). How can I tell you… this may be a pleasant side effect, but in general, to be honest, I didn't think about it. Whether you hang out on this tree or not, it doesn't matter to me. I have decided to put my plan into execution, and I will do it! And nothing will stop me!

Lida puts aside the rope, sits down on the ground/stage.

Lida (with interest). Well, then you first.

Grisha. What am I?

Lida. What's that? First, you tell me what pushes such men in suits to commit suicide, and then I will. I'm the first one… (timidly) I'm shy.

Grisha looks at Lida with doubt.

Grisha (cheerfully, busily). Listen, maybe I'd better help you? Give me a string here, now I'll quickly bait it…

Grisha approaches Lida busily. But she removes the rope, it turns out a kind of cat-and-mouse game. Lida has a playful mood. Grisha is in full earnest, but he still fails to take the "tool of labor" from Lida.

A hysterical whistle signal is heard, which distracts the attention of Grisha and Lida.

An alarmed policeman runs in, in uniform with a shining flashlight in his hand. He looks intricately pleased.

The policeman (in the commanding voice of the whistleblower). So! What's going on here?

Grisha and Lida look at each other, think what to say, while both hold on to the rope, unable to divide it.

The policeman (with a satisfied voice of the winner, knowing what's what). Yeah. Well, well. Yes, I, as I look, warned the rape? (Grisha, strictly) Citizen, documents!

Grisha takes a moderately calm look, does not hurry to present documents.

Lida (to the policeman, calmly, with irony). Yes, whatever… Will you wait for him?

The policeman (in confusion). I didn't understand. And then what? What kind of string do you have in your hands here? Fighting, I saw. Noise. (Savoring the new version of what is happening) And … (Grisha) To decide, have you decided to divchin? Strangle, right? Your documents, please!

Grisha just opens his mouth to say something, but Lida is already speaking.

Lida (to the policeman, calmly, with irony). Yes, who else will decide who, if anything …

a policeman (in confusion, Lida). I didn't understand. In the sense of the opposite, or what? Are you his, citizen? I'll ask for your documents then!