Читать книгу For big and small people - Роман Акимов - Страница 10

Victoria’s husband is lighting the home fireplace. A heavy snowfall begins, turning into a blizzard. Tesya is drawing something, and Versachka sits nearby.

Versachka – Is that a person?

Tesya – Woof! Woof!

Versachka – It’s good that we understand each other…

In the distance, outside the window, the silhouette of a person appears. They peer into the windows, getting closer and closer. There’s a knocking at the window.

Versachka – Who’s that?

Tesya – Don’t worry, my dear, it’s probably the wind that blew a twig against our window!

Victoria’s Husband (peering out) – Did you knock?

Tesya – No, Daddy!

Victoria’s Husband – Curse this blizzard! *Knocking at the window.*

Versachka – Who is it? Who is it?

Victoria’s Husband – Sit! Tesya, step away from the window.

Tesya hides in the doorway of the adjacent room and listens attentively. Victoria’s husband opens the window.

Victoria’s Husband – What do you want?

Beggar – If you could be so kind…

Victoria’s Husband – Kind to what?

Beggar – For God’s sake, my children haven’t eaten for several days… This knocking on the window is out of desperation… Please help…

Victoria’s Husband (after a pause) – Times are tough for everyone now! I’m sorry, it’s very cold! *Closes the window.* There are all sorts of people around here!

The thin and fragile silhouette of the Beggar is caught by the blizzard and carried away in an unknown direction.

Tesya – Dad, what if he perishes?

Victoria’s Husband – Remember, Tesya, today you helped him, tomorrow he’ll bring someone else. Hope is not about this place! There’s no poverty in our kingdom… He’s definitely a fraud… *Looks out the window and barely articulates, breaking the words into syllables.* Def-in-ite-ly a fraud!

Tesya covers her face with her hands and starts crying.

Victoria’s Husband (very composed) – Once, in a similar situation, my father did the same, only I was walking through the forest at night… Seven hours. Growing up is not easy! It’s time to realize that!

Victoria’s Husband goes to the kitchen.

Victoria’s Husband – Most likely, he’s a fraud…

Versachka – Everything will be fine with him! Everything will be fine with him!

Victoria enters, covered in snow.

Victoria – Barely made it! Did you bring it?

Victoria’s Husband – She pities the beggars!

Victoria (a bit theatrical) – She doesn’t pity me, that’s the main thing… Remember, dear, no one will pity you in this world!

*Knocking at the window.*

Versachka – Who’s that?

Tesya – Dad!

Victoria’s Husband (approaching the window) – I thought I made myself clear! Guard – Turn off the lights! Dismissed!

Victoria – Why aren’t they all staying home in such weather?

Victoria’s Husband – Come on, you go to the kitchen… And you, off to bed! Meanwhile, the blizzard outside is getting even stronger.