Frolov. We must thank the doctors. They put you back to your feet.

They drink champagne. Marina kisses Frolov.

Marina. Pour me some more.

Frolov. [Filling the glasses.] We’re gonna get chubby!

Marina. Are you kidding?!

Frolov. To our success.

Marina. We drink to those who love us, we drink to those who don’t. We drink to those who fuck us, and fuck those who don’t!

They drink

Frolov. Speaking of… Your husband… Are you sure you want to go all the way?

Marina. I’ll bury him. And you will help me do it.

Frolov. I admire your ability to defend your interests. As for Sergey… He never learns from his experience.

Marina. I want this drunkard to drop dead!

Frolov. There, there, my love. You are going to take away everything he has, turn him into the street. Isn’t it enough?

Marina. I don’t know what «enough» means! Take what you can. Give nothing back. That’s a rule of thumb. When are you filing for divorce?

Frolov. It’s out of the question.

Marina. Igor, look me in the eye. You are mine, and I am yours.

Pause.

Frolov. Anna is still not quite recovered after giving birth…

Marina. You will do exactly as I say.

Frolov. Why do you hate her so much? I thought you were friends.

Marina. It’s personal.

Frolov. Alright, let your psychiatrist deal with it.

Scene 9

Five months later. December. Daytime.

New Year’s concert in the variety theater.

Anna Sokolova’s Dancing Group performance.

A dressing room. Anna and Frolov appear. Anna is wearing a gala dress, and Frolov is holding a large bouquet.

Frolov. Anna! What a great performance! You were fantastic! [He takes a card out of the bouquet, looks at it, and then hands it over to Anna.] Congratulations from the governor himself.

Anna takes the card and puts it on a coffee table without looking.

Anna. Thank you, Igor.

Pause.

Anna. I’m tired.

Frolov. You alright?

Anna. I’m fine.

Frolov. The governor invited us to dinner.

Anna. Let’s go home, darling, and have a family dinner with the children.

Frolov. Anna, we agreed to spend this evening together.

Anna. As you wish.

Frolov. I need to settle something important with the governor. And to run our relocation to Moscow by him, among other things.

Anna. Did you actually resolve to do it?

Frolov. Yes, I’m ready.

Anna. We’ll be better off in Moscow, Igor.

Frolov. Yes, it’s settled. We are moving to Moscow.

Anna. Thank you, honey.

Frolov. I’ll be back soon, darling. Get some rest. We are going to drop in at our place to change. Dinner at eight.

Frolov leaves. Anna walks up to the coffee table. There is a lovely flower basket on it. She spots a card, takes it, and reads it. There is a knock on the door. Marina comes in. She is holding a bottle of champagne and a pretty wrapped parcel.

Marina. May I? Hi, Anna!

Anna. Hi, Marina! I didn’t expect to see you.

Marina. Happy upcoming New Year! Here you are. [She hands out the parcel.]

Anna. Thank you so much, Marina. But I don’t have anything for you.

Marina. It’s fine, my dear friend. What a show! Bellissimo! Your girls were fantastic but you are a real goddess!

Anna. I feel awkward. Thank you.

Marina. We must celebrate! Champagne!

Anna. With pleasure. I’ve got glasses somewhere in here… Where are they? Here, found them! Marina, could you wait a few minutes? I need to change and freshen up a bit.

Marina. Take your time, darling.

Anna leaves. There is a sound of running water coming from the bathroom. Marina sets the glasses on the table and drops a white powder into one of them. Then she pops the champagne open and fills the glasses. Anna comes back. She looks fresh and beautiful.