Marina. You look lovely, Anna. There was this deputy – Lenka’s ex-boyfriend, by the way… He was risking his neck during your performance, gawking at you!

Anna. How’s Lenka? I’ve heard the rumors about her man.

Marina. He got caught when taking a bribe, poor fish. Such a storyteller! He promised her the world, promised to marry her! He was caught in the act in a restaurant in Moscow. But Lenka already found another one. Take the glass, my dear friend. Drink up.

Anna. May everything go well! Happy New Year, Marina.

Marina. Happy new us. Here is to staying positive and testing negative!

They clink glasses and drink.

Marina. Bottoms up, bottoms up, to our success!

Anna. I feel dizzy.

Marina. Word on the street is that you are going to play the leading lady in a Moscow musical theater.

Anna. It’s true. Igor and I are moving to Moscow after the holidays.

Marina. So your flat in Moscow came useful after all. What about the kids? The dancing school?

Anna. We are bringing the kids with us, clearly. A branch of my school will still be here. As for Frolov’s business, he’s going to do better in Moscow.

Marina. Right. Good lawyers are in demand everywhere, and good men are all the more.

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.