Victoria Pavlovna, Aglaya and Veselov come in.
Aglaya. Here you are, besties. Did you cry a lot yesterday? (The girls smile back)
Veselov. Mitya gave his testimony, today it has been confirmed, he’s cleaned of all suspicions. Nikolay Orlov is safe, tomorrow he’s going to be released from the hospital.
Victoria Pavlovna. But who shot him?
Aglaya. The investigators will find out. One thing is clear: the attacker knew the place which is not seen by cameras, and he was waiting there.
Victoria Pavlovna. Let God be with him! I can imagine what his mother, Olga Vladimirovna, has been through.
Veselov. Every cloud has its silver lining. The hype around this event has warmed up some interest to tomorrow’s exhibition, there were reports on us on all national TV channels. The name of the young painter Nikolay Orlov has become known to the whole country! I suggest moving his works to the first hall, next to the modern art collection.
Victoria Pavlovna. I support your decision, Mr Veselov.
Veselov. I’m calling the gallery now and give all the necessary orders. Aglaya, do you mind my using your office?
Aglaya. Not at all, Sasha.
Victoria Pavlovna. What is that story of some important agreements with state structures that are being attributed to the Orlovs? I heard it on TV that he might have been shot because of them.
Aglaya. It’s all legal. It is really his own business which he is keeping a secret. That is no wonder considering his mother. It’s a matter of a few dozens of millions a year. The media nosed this out, put two and two together and made their conclusions.
Victoria Pavlovna. A talented man is talented in every respect! Inna, I’m so happy you and Nikolay are friends! I think I felt it from the start that you, lovey-doves, are hiding something from me. (Smiling) Surely, Mitya Gromov is a nice man, but, as it goes, love cannot be forced.
Inna. I haven’t fallen in love with Nikolay for his money. (Embarrased) Katya and I would better go to my room.
Inna and Katya leave.
Aglaya. It was hard for Inna. Nobody knew they were so close with Orlov. She almost fainted when she heard he was wounded.
Victoria Pavlovna. You tell me. Then this idiot, Mitya! I got stuck with him. Of course, I also thought he shot Nikolay because of jealousy. Who knows what this dope has in mind!
Aglaya. Weren’t you dreaming of his marriage with Inna just a couple of days ago, mum?
Victoria Pavlovna. It’s water under the bridge. Be it not for the senior Gromov, I’d never let him in my house again! Then there’s this whore, Katya. I’ve never liked her. Her mother’s the same, three children from three different men. She and the junior Gromov make a pair.
Aglaya. I’m very sad to hear those words from you. I don’t want to argue, though, so let it be your personal opinion.
Victoria Pavlovna. Tell me what, my little wise head, if you are so clever, why aren’t you still married? You are already twenty-eight, Aglaya!
Aglaya. Oh, mum, not that again, please.
Victoria Pavlovna. You need a man who you can rely on.
Aglaya. I know, I know, with an account in the cantonal bank of Zurich, a villa in Spain and so on and so forth.
Victoria Pavlovna. If you don’t like Pyotr Alekseevich, then Innokentiy Yakovlevich likes you a lot, and he’s got a chain of hotels in Bulgaria.
Aglaya. Mum, this Innokentiy Yakovlevich is sixty-seven years old.
