Summary Days of the Turbins M. A. Bulgakov
MA Bulgakov
Days of Turbins
The first, second and third actions occur in the winter of 1918, the fourth action – in early 1919. The scene of action is the city of Kiev.
Actors
Turbin Aleksey Vasilievich – colonel-artilleryman, 30 years old.
Nikolai Turbin is his brother, 18 years old.
Talberg Elena Vasilievna – their sister, 24 years old.
Talberg Vladimir Robertovich – General Staff Colonel, her husband, 38 years old.
Myshlaevsky Viktor Viktorovich – Staff Captain, artilleryman, 38 years old.
Shervinsky Leonid Yuryevich – Lieutenant, personal adjutant of the hetman.
Studzinsky Alexander Bronislavovich – captain, 29 years old.
Lariosik is Zhytomyr cousin, 21 years old.
And also: the Hetman of all Ukraine, Von Shratt – the German general, Von Dust – the German major, Bolbotun – the commander of the 1st steed Petlyura division, Galanba – the
Act
One Painting the First
Evening. Apartment Turbins. In the fireplace fire, the clock strikes nine times. Alexei Turbin bent over the papers, Nikolka plays the guitar and sings: “The rumors are worse every hour.” Petliura goes to us! ” Alexei asks Nikolka not to sing “cookies of the song”. Nikolka replies:
– Complete breakdown of nerves in the Turbin House and generally pessimism. Alyosha, I’m starting to worry. Talberg said that he would come in the morning, nine already, but he was not there…
Electricity suddenly goes out, behind the windows with the song is the military unit and a distant cannon blow is heard. Electricity flares up again. Elena begins to seriously worry about her husband, Alexei and Nikolka calm her: “You know that the Germans are guarding the line to the west, and it’s going on for a long time, because they are stationed at every station.” Revolutionary driving: you’re going two
The bell rang and Myshlaevsky came in, completely frozen, almost frostbitten, in the pocket of his greatcoat, a bottle of vodka. Myshlaevsky said that he had come from under the Red Inn, all the peasants who had crossed Petlyura’s side. Myshlaevsky himself almost miraculously got into the city – the transfer was organized by the staff officers, whom Myshlaevsky arranged a terrible scandal. Alexei happily takes Myshlaevsky to his unit, housed in the Alexandrovskaya Gymnasium.
Myshlaevsky warms himself by the fireplace and drinks vodka, Nikolka rubs his frostbitten feet, Elena is preparing a hot bath. When Myshlaevsky leaves for the bathroom, a continuous bell rings (the bell button is on). Lariosik enters with a suitcase and knot. Lariosik joyfully greets those present, not noticing at all that no one will recognize him (despite my mother’s telegram in 63 words!). Only after Lariosik is represented (“Larion Larionovich Surzhansky”), a misunderstanding is resolved. It turns out that Lariosik is a cousin from Zhytomyr, who came to enter Kiev University.
Lariosik – mama’s son, an absurd, unadapted young man, “a terrible loser” who lives in his own world and time. He rode from Zhitomir for 11 days, on his way he was robbed of a knot with linen, left only books and manuscripts (however, the shirt Lariosik left wrapping Chekhov’s collection of works). Elena decides to settle the cousin in the library.
When Lariosik leaves, a bell rings – Thalberg, Elena’s long-awaited husband, has come. Elena joyfully tells about the arrival of Myshlaevsky, Lariosik. Talberg is not happy. He tells of the nasty situation: the city is surrounded by Petlyura, the Germans leave the hetman to the mercy of fate, and no one yet knows about it, even the hetman himself. Thalberg, a person too prominent and famous (still an assistant to the War Minister), is going to flee to Germany. One, because the Germans do not take women. The train leaves in an hour and a half, Thalberg seems to be consulting with his wife, but in fact puts it before the fact of his “business trip” (the colonels of the General Staff do not run). Talberg beautifully argues that he is going only for two months, the hetman will certainly return, and then he will return, and Elena, meanwhile, will save their rooms.
Elena leaves to collect a suitcase for her husband, and Alexei enters the room. Talberg briefly informs him of his departure. Alexei in cold anger, he does not accept the hand of Thalberg. Talberg declares that Alexei will have to answer for his words when… when Thalberg returns. Nikola goes in, he also condemns the cowardly and petty Thalberg (“the bargainer is bargaining”), calls him “a rat.” Talberg leaves…
Second painting
Some time later. The table is set for dinner, Elena sits at the piano and takes the same chord. Suddenly Shervinsky enters with a huge bouquet and presents it to Elena. Shervinsky delicately takes care of her, says compliments.
Elena told Shervinsky about the departure of Thalberg, Sherwinsky is glad to hear, since he now has the opportunity to look after the open. Shervinsky boasts of how he once sang in Zhmerinka (he has a beautiful operatic voice): “…” for “nine… seven bars held.”
Enter Alexei Turbin, Studzinsky and Myshlaevsky, Lariosik and Nikolka; Shervinsky and Lariosik represent each other. Elena invites everyone to the table – this is the last dinner before the performance of the division Alexei Turbin. The guests together eat, drink for Elena’s health, scatter compliments before her. Shervinsky says that everything is all right with the hetman, and one should not believe rumors that the Germans are leaving him to the mercy of fate.
Everybody drinks for the health of Alexei Turbin. The drunken Lariosik suddenly says: “… the cream curtains… you have a rest for them… you forget about all the horrors of the civil war.” But our wounded souls long for peace… “, calling this statement a friendly banter. Nikolka sits down at the piano and sings a patriotic soldier’s song, and here Shervinsky announces a toast in honor of the hetman. The toast was not supported, Studzinsky announces that “this toast will not drink and does not advise other officers.” An unpleasant situation is beginning, against which suddenly Lariosik with a toast “in the honor of Elena Vasilievna and her husband, who left for Berlin,” appears inappropriately. The officers enter into a fierce discussion about the hetman and his actions, Alexei very sharply condemns the policy of the hetman:
– If your hetman, instead of breaking this bloody comedy with Ukrainization, would have begun the formation of officer corps, because Petlyura would not have smelled of spirit in Little Russia. But this is not enough: we would have slapped the Bolsheviks in Moscow like flies.
“The Germans would not be allowed to form an army,” Sherwinsky protests, “they are afraid of her.”
“No,” replies Alexei, “they had to explain that we are not dangerous to them.” And now it’s too late, now our officers have become habitues of cafes. The coffee army! So he will go to war. He has a scoundrel, a currency in his pocket, which he speculates… They gave the division: go, Petlyura goes! … And I looked yesterday at the cadets-a hundred cadets-one hundred and twenty students, and they keep a rifle like a shovel. And yesterday, on the parade ground… The snow is coming, the fog… The coffin has disappeared… You know, in Russia, gentlemen, there are two forces: the Bolsheviks and we. Yes, we will not keep Petlyura. But he will come for a little while. But the Bolsheviks will follow him. And when we meet with them, things will go more fun. Or we will bury them, or, rather, they are us.
Lariosik, meanwhile, sits down at the piano and sings, all the chaotic pick up. Drunk Myshlaevsky snatches the Mauser and is about to go shoot the commissars, he is calmed down. Shervinsky continues to defend the hetman:
– The hetman will do as you propose. That’s when we manage to fight off Petliura and the allies help us break up the Bolsheviks, then the hetman will put Ukraine in the footsteps of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor Nicholas Alexandrovich…
“” The emperor is killed… “Nikolka notices.
– No, – Sherwinsky objected, – this was invented by the Bolsheviks.
And he tells the legendary story of Nicholas II, allegedly located now at the court of the German Emperor Wilhelm. Other officers object to him. Myshlaevsky cries:
“Is this the people?” After all, these are bandits. A professional union of regicides! He recalls the Emperor Peter III, Paul I and Alexander I, who were killed by their subjects. Then Myshlaevsky becomes ill, Studzinsky, Nikolka and Alexei take him to the bathroom.
Shervinsky and Elena remain alone. Helena is restless, she tells Sherwin dream: “It’s like we all went on a ship to America and sit in the hold, and here’s the storm… The water rises to the very feet… We climb on some bunks and suddenly the rats… Such disgusting, such huge… “
Shervinsky suddenly declares to Elena that her husband will not return, and confesses his love. Elena does not believe Shervinsky, reproaches him for insolence, “adventures” with a mezzo-soprano with painted lips; then admits that her husband does not like and does not respect, but she likes Shervinsky very much. Shervinsky begs Elena to divorce Thalberg and marry him. They are kissing.
Action second
Painting the first
Night. Hetman’s office in the palace. There is a huge desk in the room, telephone sets on it. The door opens, and the servant Fedor admits Shervinsky. Shervinsky is surprised that there is no one in the office, no duty officers, no adjutants. Fyodor tells him that the second personal adjutant of the hetman, Prince Novozhiltsev, “was pleased to receive unpleasant news” by phone and “changed very much in the person”, and then “left the palace altogether,” and “left in civilian clothes.” Shervinsky in perplexity, furious. He rushes to the phone and calls Novozhiltsev, but on the phone with the voice of Novozhiltsev answer that he is not. Chief of Staff of the Svyatoshinsky Regiment, his assistants are also absent. Shervinsky writes a note and asks Fedor to give it to the newsman, who must receive a package from this note.
The hetman enters. He is in the richest Circassian coat, crimson trousers and boots without heels of the Caucasian type. Brilliant general’s epaulettes. A short-cropped graying mustache, a smoothly shaved head, about forty-five years old.
The hetman appointed a quarter to twelve meeting, to which the higher command of the Russian and German armies should arrive. Shervinsky reports that no one has arrived. He is trying to tell the hetman about the unworthy behavior of Novozhiltsev in the broken Ukrainian language, the hetman breaks down on Shervinsky. Shervinsky, referring already to the Russian language, reports that he was called from the headquarters and informed that the commander of the volunteer army fell ill and left with the whole staff in the German train to Germany. Hetman is amazed:
– Are you sane? Do you think about what you reported? Did they run? A catastrophe, or what?
“Yes, it’s a disaster,” answers Shervinsky. “At ten o’clock in the evening the Petlyura units broke through the front and Bolbotun’s cavalry went into a breakthrough…
There is a knock at the door, the representatives of the German command enter: gray-haired, long-faced general von Shratt and purple-faced major von Dust. The hetman joyfully meets them, talks about the betrayal of the headquarters of the Russian command and the breakthrough of the front by the cavalry of Petlyura. He asked the German command to immediately give troops to repel the gangs and “restore order in Ukraine, so friendly to Germany.”
The generals refuse to help, declaring that the whole of Ukraine is on the side of Petliura, and therefore the German command takes its divisions back to Germany, and suggests an immediate “evacuation” of the hetman in the same direction. The hetman begins to get nervous and get angry (“I protest… I still have the opportunity to build an army and defend Kiev with my own means… Responsibility will lie with the German command…”). The Germans in reply hint that if the hetman suddenly falls into captivity, he will immediately be hanged. The hetman is broken.
Dust shoots a revolver at the ceiling, Shratt hides in the next room. Rushing to the noise, Dust explains that everything is in order with the hetman, General von Schratt caught the revolver with his trousers and “mistakenly fell on his head”. The doctor of the German army with a medical bag enters into the room. Shratt hastily disguises the hetman in German uniform, “as if you are me, and I am a wounded, we secretly take you out of the city.”
There is a ringing over the field phone, Shervinsky reports to the hetman that two regiments of the hearts went to Petlyura’s side, an enemy cavalry appeared on the naked sector. The hetman asks to convey that they have detained the cavalry for at least half an hour (“I must leave!”). Shervinsky turns to Shrutta with a request to take him and his bride to Germany. Shratt refuses, he informs that there are no seats in the evacuation train, and there already is an aide-de-camp – Prince Novozhiltsev. Meanwhile, the bewildered hetman will disguise himself as a German general. The doctor tightly bandages his head and puts it on a stretcher. Hetman is taken out, and Shrut goes unnoticed through the black door.
Shervinsky notices the golden cigarette case that the hetman forgot. A little hesitant, Shervinsky hides a cigarette case in his pocket (“Historical value”). Then he calls Turbin and talks about the betrayal of the hetman, disguises himself in civilian clothes, which he delivered at the request of the hetman, and disappears.
Picture the second
Evening. Empty, gloomy room. The inscription: “Headquarters of the 1st Kinovaya Division”. Standard blue with yellow, kerosene lantern at the entrance. Outside, the sound of horses’ hooves is heard occasionally, the harmonica plays softly.
A desecration-sechevik with a bloody face is hugging the headquarters. Galanka, cold, black, brutally interrogates a deserter, who in fact turns out to be a Petlyura with frost-bitten feet, making his way into the infirmary. Galanba orders to take the sychevik to the infirmary, and after the doctor has bandaged his legs, bring him back to the headquarters and give fifteen ramrods “knowing how to run without documents from his regiment.”
Outside the window there are alarming voices: “Hold them!” – these Jews fled from Slobodka directly on the ice. Afterwards, the Petlyuraites rush out.
A man with a basket leads to the headquarters. He is a shoemaker, he works at home, and he puts the finished goods in the city, in the owner’s shop. Petliurists are happy – they have something to profit from, they snatch up their boots, despite the timid objections of the shoemaker (“I’m without these boots to die… Here for two thousand rubles…”). Bolbotun says that the shoemaker will get a receipt, and Galanba gives the shoemaker an ear. The cobbler is running away.
At this time, announce the offensive. Outside the window, whines, whistles, everyone runs out, the harmonica thunders, flying…
Act III. The
picture is the first
Dawn. The lobby of the Alexandrovskaya Gymnasium. Guns in the box, boxes, machine guns. Giant staircase, a portrait of Alexander I above. The division marches along the corridors of the gymnasium, Nikolka sings romances to the ridiculous motif of the soldier’s song, the cadets take a deafening grip.
An officer approaches Myshlaevsky and Studzinsky and says that five junkers escaped from his platoon at night. Myshlaevsky answers that Turbin left to find out the situation, and then orders the cadets to go to the classes “to break the desks, to stove the stoves!” Maxim comes out of the closet and says in horror that it is impossible to heat the school desks (“What’s going on, Tatars, pure Tatars”), but we must fire wood; but there is no firewood, and the officers dismiss it.
Very close to the ruptures of shells. Alexei Turbin enters. He urgently orders to return the outpost at Demievka, and then turns to the officers and division:
“I order the officers and divisions to listen carefully to what I tell them.” Listen, remember. Remembering, performing. During the night, sharp and sudden changes occurred in our situation… Therefore, I declare that our division I dismiss. The struggle with Petlyura is over. I order everyone, including officers, to immediately take off their shoulder straps, all the insignia and run home. Be silent! Do not argue! Follow the order! Quickly!
The dead silence explodes with shouts: “Arrest him!”, “What does this mean?”, “Junker, take him!”, “Junker, back!”. There is confusion, officers swing their revolvers, the cadets do not understand what is happening, and refuse to obey the order. Myshlaevsky and Studzinsky stand up for Turbin, who again takes the floor:
“I thought that each of you would understand that it was a misfortune that the commander of your language does not turn to tell shameful things.” But you are stupid. Who do you want to protect? (In response, silence.) Tonight the hetman, having left his army to the mercy of fate, fled, disguising himself as a German officer in Germany. At the same time, another canal was running along the same direction: the army commander, Prince Belorukov. So, my friends, not only there is nobody to protect, but even there is no one to command us, because the prince’s staff let him go with him. (Гул.) I was at the headquarters now and checked the information. So, gentlemen! Here we are, there are two hundred of us. A two hundred-thousand-strong Petliura army on the outskirts of the city! In a word, I will not lead you into a fight, because I’m not participating in a booth, especially since it’s completely pointless for you to pay for this booth! (The roar and roar. ) And if you are thinking of going to the Don, then there you will meet the same generals and the same staff crowd. They will force you to fight with their own people. And when he disassembles your head, they will flee abroad… I know that in Rostov is the same thing as in Kiev. There divisions without shells, cadets without boots, and the officers are sitting in coffee shops… I was instructed to push you into a fight. I declare that I will not lead you and will not let you go! I’m telling you: the White movement in Ukraine is over. To him the end is everywhere! The people are not with us. He’s against us. And so I, the personnel officer Aleksei Turbin, who took the war against the Germans, I accept everything to my conscience and responsibility, I warn you, and, loving you, I send home. (Roar of voices, sudden break.) Tear off epaulets, throw rifles and immediately to your homes! They will force you to fight with their own people. And when he disassembles your head, they will flee abroad… I know that in Rostov is the same thing as in Kiev. There divisions without shells, cadets without boots, and the officers are sitting in coffee shops… I was instructed to push you into a fight. I declare that I will not lead you and will not let you go! I’m telling you: the White movement in Ukraine is over. To him the end is everywhere! The people are not with us. He’s against us. And so I, the personnel officer Aleksei Turbin, who took the war against the Germans, I accept everything to my conscience and responsibility, I warn you, and, loving you, I send home. (Roar of voices, sudden break.) Tear off epaulets, throw rifles and immediately to your homes! They will force you to fight with their own people. And when he disassembles your head, they will flee abroad… I know that in Rostov is the same thing as in Kiev. There divisions without shells, cadets without boots, and the officers are sitting in coffee shops… I was instructed to push you into a fight. I declare that I will not lead you and will not let you go! I’m telling you: the White movement in Ukraine is over. To him the end is everywhere! The people are not with us. He’s against us. And so I, the personnel officer Aleksei Turbin, who took the war against the Germans, I accept everything to my conscience and responsibility, I warn you, and, loving you, I send home. (Roar of voices, sudden break.) Tear off epaulets, throw rifles and immediately to your homes! I was instructed to push you into a fight. I declare that I will not lead you and will not let you go! I’m telling you: the White movement in Ukraine is over. To him the end is everywhere! The people are not with us. He’s against us. And so I, the personnel officer Aleksei Turbin, who took the war against the Germans, I accept everything to my conscience and responsibility, I warn you, and, loving you, I send home. (Roar of voices, sudden break.) Tear off epaulets, throw rifles and immediately to your homes! I was instructed to push you into a fight. I declare that I will not lead you and will not let you go! I’m telling you: the White movement in Ukraine is over. To him the end is everywhere! The people are not with us. He’s against us. And so I, the personnel officer Aleksei Turbin, who took the war against the Germans, I accept everything to my conscience and responsibility, I warn you, and, loving you, I send home. (Roar of voices, sudden break.) Tear off epaulets, throw rifles and immediately to your homes!
In the hall a terrible commotion rises, the cadets and officers scatter. Nikolka strikes with a rifle in a box with switches and runs away. The light goes out. Alexey is tearing the stove and burning the papers. Maxim enters, Turbin sends him home. Maxim complains pityingly:
“Your Honor, where will I go?” I can not leave state property. The parties have broken, such a loss has been made… Who will answer? Maxim for all answer. Any – for the king and against the king were, the soldiers are frantic, but in order to break the desks… – baptized and leaves.
A glow breaks through the windows of the gymnasium, Myshlaevsky appears at the top and screams that he has lit the storehouse, now two more bombs will roll into the hay – and go. But when he finds out that Turbin remains in the gymnasium to wait for the outpost, he decides to stay with him. Turbin against, he orders Myshlaevsky immediately to go to Elena and watch her. Myshlaevsky disappears.
Nikolka appears at the top of the stairs and declares that he will not leave without Alexis. Alexi snatches the revolver, to somehow make Nikola run. At this time there are cadets who were at the outpost. They report that the cavalry of Petlyura is following. Alexei orders them to flee, but he himself remains to cover the departure of the cadets.
There is a close gap, the glasses burst, Alexei falls. Of the last forces, he orders Nicholka to throw heroism and flee. At that moment the haidamaks break into the hall and shoot at Nikolka. Nikolka crawls up the stairs (“Hangman, do not give!”), Rushes from the railing and disappears.
Harmonica rustles and hums, the sound of the trumpet sounds, the banners float up the stairs. A deafening march.
Second picture
Dawn. Apartment Turbins. There is no electricity, a candle is burning on the ledge table. In the room Lariosik and Elena, who is very worried about the brothers, Myshlaevsky, Studzinsky and Shervinsky. Lariosik is called to go on a quest, but Elena discourages him. She herself is going to meet the brothers (“I am a woman, they will not touch me”). Lariosik is talking about Talberg, but Elena severely cuts him off: “Do not mention the name of my spouse in the house.”
There is a knock at the door – Shervinsky has come. He brought bad news: the hetman, the prince Belorukov fled, Petlyura took the city. Shervinsky tries to calm Elena, explaining that he warned Alexei, and he will soon come.
Again a knock at the door – Myshlaevsky and Studzinsky enter. Elena rushes to them with a question: “And where are Alyosha and Nikolai?” She is reassured.
Myshlaevsky begins to mock at Shervinsky, reproaching his love for the hetman. Shervinsky is furious (“What does this far-away tone mean?”). Studzinsky is trying to stop the quarrel. Myshlaevsky softens, asks:
– Well, then he gave you a move?
“With me,” answers Shervinsky. – I hugged and thanked for the faithful service. And he shed a tear… And a gold cigarette case he gave, with a monogram.
Myshlaevsky does not believe, hints at Shervinsky’s “rich imagination,” he silently shows the stolen cigarette case. Everyone is amazed.
There is a knock on the window. Studzinsky and Myshlaevsky approach the window and, gently pulling back the curtain, peep out and run out. A few minutes later Nikolka is brought into the room, his head is broken, his blood is in his boot. Lariosik wants to inform Elena, but Myshlaevsky clamps his mouth: “Lenka, Lenka must be removed somewhere…”.
Shervinsky resorts with iodine and bandages, Studzinsky bandages the head of Nikolka. Suddenly Nikolka comes to himself, he is immediately asked: “Where is Alyosha?”, But Nikolka only mumbles incoherently in response.
Elena enters swiftly into the room, and she is immediately reassured: “He fell and hit his head.” There is nothing terrible. ” Elena anxiously interrogates Nikolka: “Where is Alexei?” – Myshlyaevsky makes a sign to Nikolka – “be silent.” Elena is hysterical, she realizes that terrible things have happened to Alexei, and she reproaches the survivors:
– And you?! Senior officers! Everything came home, and the commander was killed? …
– Lena, – says Myshlaevsky, – pity us, what are you saying?! We all obeyed his orders. All!
But the hysterics spreads, here already Студзинский grasps for a revolver:
– Is not present, it is absolutely right! I’m all to blame. You could not leave him! I’m a senior officer, and I’ll correct my mistake!
Shervinsky and Myshlaevsky are trying to reason with Studzinsky, take his revolver from him. Elena tries to soften her reproach: “I said grief from the grief… I got confused in my head… I was distraught…” And then Nikolka opens his eyes and confirms Elena’s terrible guess: “They killed the commander.” Elena faints.
Action first
Two months have passed. The Epiphany Christmas Eve of 1919 arrived. Elena and Lariosik decorate the Christmas tree. Lariosik spends compliments to Elena, reads her poems and admits that she is in love with her. Elena calls Lariosik “a terrible poet” and “a touching person,” asks to read poems, kisses him friendlyly on the forehead. And then admits that she has long been in love with one person, moreover, she has an affair with him; and Lariosik knows this man very well… Desperate Lariosik goes for vodka to “get drunk to feeling numb”, and in the door collides with the incoming Shervinsky. He in a filthy hat, tattered overcoat and blue spectacles. Shervinsky tells the news:
“Congratulations, Petliura!” Tonight will be red. And I took the coat from the janitor. This is a nonparty little coat – he takes off his coat, hat, galoshes, glasses, and stays in a gorgeous costume suit. – Here, congratulate, just from the opening. Sang and accepted… Lena, that’s all over. Nicholca is recovering… Now a new life begins. It is impossible for us to languish anymore. He will not come. They cut him off, Lena!
“Leonid, I will be your wife, if you change.” Above all, stop lying! Although no, you are not a liar, but God knows you, some kind of empty, like a nut… It is important that you stop bragging and lying. The only time he told the truth when he was talking about a cigarette case, and then no one believed, the evidence had to be presented. Phew! … Shame…
“I lied about all that cigarette case.” The hetman did not give it to me, did not hold me or shed a tear. He just forgot it on the table, and I hid it. This is a historical value.
Elena takes the cigarette case from Shervinsky and hides it, then turns back to Shervinsky:
– What are we going to do with Tallberg?
– Divorce. Do you know his address? A telegram to him and a letter saying that it’s all over!
– Oh well! I feel bored and lonely. It’s sad. Good! I agree!
Shervinsky tears off Talberg from the wall and throws him into the fireplace. They go to Elena’s room. The piano is heard, Shervinsky sings.
Nikolka enters, pale and weak, in a black cap and student’s jacket, on crutches. He notices the torn frame (“I knocked out. I understand, I guessed long…”) and lies down on the sofa. Lariosik comes, he just got a bottle of vodka on his own, and, moreover, brought her unscathed to the apartment, which is extremely proud:
“I’m walking along the street now-carts, carts, and these are with tails. It is evident that the Bolsheviks beat them up very well. But, nevertheless, I got vodka! The only time in my life I was lucky! Let Myshlaevsky know what I’m capable of. Two times I fell, I hit my head, but I held the bottle in my hands.
Nikolka points to the empty frame from the portrait:
“Great news!” Elena is at variance with her husband. She will leave for Shervinsky. Dumbfounded Lariosik drops the bottle, which is smashed to smithereens. The bell rings, Lariosik admits Myshlaevsky and Studzinsky (both in civilian clothes). Those vying with the news report:
– The Reds broke Petlyura! Petlyura’s troops leave the city!
– The Reds are already in Slobodka. In half an hour they will be here.
– Quietly, politely go. And without any fight!
“And most importantly,” adds Lariosik, “everyone is happy, even the bourgeois are not cut.” Before that Petlyura was bored!
“The best thing,” thinks Studzinsky, “is to get settled in the baggage train and follow Petlyura to Galicia!” And there on the Don, to Denikin, and fight with the Bolsheviks.
“Again, then, to the generals under the command?” – comes into dispute Myshlaevsky. “It’s a pity that Alyoshka lies in the ground, otherwise he could tell a lot about the generals.”
Nikolka cries, remembering his brother.
– Enough! – continues Myshlaevsky. “I have been fighting for my fatherland since 1914 … And where is the fatherland, when they threw me to shame?! And I again go to these lordships? Oh no. Shish! Yes, if I like, I’m for the Bolsheviks, but only against the Communists… And if it’s the same thing, well, then for the Communists… And if the Bolsheviks mobilize, then I’ll go and serve. Yes! Because Petliura has two hundred thousand, but they have greased the heels with fat and blow with one word “Bolsheviks”. Because behind the Bolsheviks peasants are a cloud… And what can I oppose? Trousers with edging? And they can not see this canth… Front of the Red Guards, behind speculators and all sorts of duds with the hetman, and I’m in the middle? No, I’m sick of portraying manure in an ice hole. Let them mobilize! At least I will know that I will serve in the Russian army. The people are not with us. The people are against us. Alyoshka was right!
“What the hell is the Russian army when they’ve finished off Russia?!” They’ll shoot us anyway! I’ll fight with them!
– You are welcome! Go ahead! Shout to the Bolsheviks: I will not let you go! Nicholas head from the stairs have already dropped! And you will be torn off. And right. Now things are not ours!
– We had Russia – a great power! …
– And it will be! … The former will not be, the new one will be. And when you are slapped on the Don – and that they will slap you, I predict, – and when Denikin gives the game abroad – and I also predict it – then where? Also abroad? You need there! Wherever you come, they spit in a hare from Singapore to Paris. I will be here in Russia. And be with her what will happen! …
In the heat of the dispute Shervinsky runs in and announces that Elena is getting divorced from Tallberg and marries Shervinsky. All congratulate them. Suddenly the front door opens, Talberg enters in a civilian overcoat, with a suitcase.
Elena asks everyone to leave them alone with Thalberg. Everyone leaves, and Lariosik for some reason tiptoes. Elena briefly informs Tallberg that Alexei was killed, and Nikolka is a cripple. Talberg claims that the hetman was “a stupid operetta,” the Germans deceived them, but in Berlin he managed to get a business trip to the Don, to General Krasnov, and now he has come for his wife. Elena dryly replies to Thalberg that he is getting divorced from him and marries Shervinsky. Talberg tries to arrange a scene, but Myshlaevsky goes out and with the words: “Well? Vaughn!” Talberg strikes his face. Thalberg is confused,
Everyone enters the room with the Christmas tree, Lariosik extinguishes the light and lights the electric lights on the tree, then brings the guitar and hands it to Nicholka. Nikolka sings, and everyone, except Studzinsky, picks up the refrain:
So for the Council of People’s Commissars…
We’re going to burst a loud “Hurray! Hooray! Hooray!”
Everyone is asking Lariosik to say a speech. Lariosik is embarrassed, refuses, but nevertheless says:
– We met at the most difficult and terrible time, and we all experienced very much… and I including. My fragile ship longed for the waves of civil war… Until he was beaten in this harbor with cream curtains, to people who I liked so much… However, I had a drama from them… The time has turned. Here Petlyura has disappeared… We are all together again… And even more: here is Elena Vasilievna, she, too, has experienced very, very much and deserves happiness, because she is a wonderful woman.
There were distant cannon blows. But this is not a fight, it’s a salute. On the street play “Internationale” – go red. Everyone approaches the window.
“Gentlemen,” says Nikolka, “this evening is a great prologue to a new historical play.
“To whom is the prologue,” replied Studzinsky, “and to whom is the epilogue.”
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