Well, I have to go now. Are we good?
Anna. We are good.
Marina hugs Anna
Marina. Well, that’s a relief.
Anna. It’s true. I feel at ease and light-hearted. Thank you.
Marina. Alright, I’m out of here. See you later at dinner.
Anna. See you there.
Marina leaves. Anna comes up to the table, pours herself some water from a pitcher, and drinks it. She’s clearly unwell. There’s a knock at the door.
Anna. Come in.
Sergey appears
Sergey. Hello, Anna.
Anna. Hello, Sergey. I got your note.
Sergey. I was waiting around the corner. I saw Marina and I didn’t want to get near her. Are you unwell? You are so pale.
Anna. I’m fine, just a bit hot.
Pause.
Sergey. I came to say goodbye.
Anna. Are you leaving?
Sergey. There is nothing to keep me here. Marina left me nothing after the divorce. Thanks to our lawyer!
Anna. Igor is not a bad person…
Sergey. I know, it’s his job. He’s the best man in his field.
Anna. Where are you going?
Sergey. To the backcountry, to the wilderness! Just saying, no worries. I’m going to France, to my brother. One of my students offered me a job there.
Anna. [Approaches the coffee table and takes the card from the flower basket.] «I see a golden lily in my sleep, the golden lily longs for me and weeps…»
Sergey. I wrote this poem while staying in a psychiatric hospital.
Pause.
Anna. Don’t look at me this way.
Sergey. Don’t be so beautiful then!
Anna and Sergey laugh.
Sergey. You have Terpsichore’s eyes. You are my muse. I will catch a beam of sunlight and give it the shape of the royal golden lily. Fleur de Lys!
Anna. Good luck, Sergey.
Sergey. Goodbye, Anna. [He heads for the door.]
Anna. Sergey!
Pause.
Anna. I still owe you a kiss.
Anna approaches Sergey and kisses him. Frolov appears.
Frolov. Sorry for interrupting.
Anna. It’s alright, we are done already.
Frolov. Hi, Sergey.
Sergey. Hi yourself. Goodbye, Anna.
Sergey heads for the door. Frolov opens the door for him, and at this very moment, Anna faints and falls. Sergey rushes to her.
Sergey. Anna!
Anna. Sergey…
Frolov. [He opens the door and shouts.] We need a doctor! Someone call an ambulance, now! It’s an emergency!
Sergey. I love you, Anna. I always did, since I first met her. I want you to remember, always, that I love you!
Anna dies in Sergey’s arms.
Sergey. [To Frolov.] It’s you. You and Marina killed her! I always knew you were lovers! I hate you both!
Frolov. What the hell are you talking about? Are you mad? You have no right… You have no proof! [He shouts.] You’re a madman!
Scene 10
Seven months later. July. Late in the evening. Fleur de Lys Art Studio.
Frolov is switching radio channels.
…the heat in the city will be replaced by squalls and hailstorms… the authorities have announced a storm advisory…
Another channel.
…thousands of pilgrims from all over the country will take part in the Cross Procession… after serving the Divine Liturgy, the believers will begin their journey to the monastery…
Another channel.
…the US dollar exchange rate strengthened by 69 kopecks and now amounts to 90 rubles 75 kopecks…
Another channel.
Music is playing.
Marina comes out of the study.
Marina. Where did you see my ex again?
Frolov. Sergey is tending the winter garden in the city park. The beat cop said that he struggled to find a job after the nervous breakdown but there are some good people in this world.
Marina. A gardener then. I wish he’d go to hell.
