Maxim Titovets - The Conformist. City life scenes in four acts

Now I’ll feel okay in any regime, be it capitalism, communism or even Queen Catherine. I’ve even started going to church… It’s fashionable now. By the way, I met the governor there, all cats are grey.

Everyone only cares about their belly, willing to stuff it fuller, to snatch a better share, and settle one’s children comfy and nice, as if it were our mission to gourmandize and grow capital.

Just look who’s at the wheel now! Grandchildren of those who managed to snatch a bite.

I’m not the hero of my time, but its product.

If my environment is criminal, then my obedience to it becomes a crime, too. That’s the price of conformism.

Silence

Katya.I split up with Nikita yesterday. Do you remember the cheerleaders you introduced us to a week ago? He cheated on me with one of them, the red-haired one. I think her name’s Sveta.

Orlov.Congratulations, it was high time. ( Sits on a chair)

Katya.Do you think so?

Orlov.We’re old acquaintances, and I can see very well that you’re tired of his cheating and binging.

Katya.At least he didn’t use his fists.

Orlov.Katya! Why do you estimate yourself so low? You aren’t stupid.

Katya.I’m afraid I’ll always be single. I’m already twenty-three.

Veselov.Oh, the young today! Most girls only pay attention to a man’s appearance, his money and his sweet words… All of this is rubbish! What really matters is how a man treats you, what he does for you and to what extent you can rely on him.

And if he’s a good-looking douche, who behaves like a homeless cat – today he’s here, tomorrow he has another girl, and the next day – yet another… Let him go to hell and make space for a normal adequate reliable guy!

Orlov.Amen.

Katya.And how do I recognise that adequate and reliable one? At first they all say the same. They’re all generous and nice. One offers to move to Italy together, another one promises to divorce his wife… but no one proposes.

Veselov.If you can’t choose one of two men, it means either is bad. Not in their own right, they could be wonderful people, but they don’t suit you and you don’t need them.

When you really are in love with a man, you don’t think and don’t choose. There’s only him – the hero of your love. He’s like a light in your life! He’s your only purpose! And you think he’s the best man in the world even if he’s a complete loser, bastard or scoundrel. You are dizzy and you drop things. You are ready to run away with him anywhere, be it snow, heat, rain – you don’t care…

That’s why the sooner you stop choosing the earlier you can find a man who’s your match.

Mitya comes in. Katya drops the glass.

Mitya.Guess why psychiatrists are so polite with their patients?

Veselov.So why?

Mitya.They know that their patients are not subject to criminal responsibility and consequently have nothing to lose.

Orlov laughs.

Katya.Mitya, I’m glad you are here. Why are you in such disorder? Where’s Inna?

Mitya.We parted friends.

Orlov stands up and pours himself another drink.

Veselov.That’s the news. Does Aglaya know? It might get alright.

Katya.Now we’re fellows in misery. Nikita dumped me… let’s drink. ( She hands Mitya a glass).

Orlov.Everything happens for the best. Acorns were good till bread was found. Keep your chin up, Mitya!

Mitya.That’s easy for you to say, Nikolay. You’ve always chosen what to do. I remember when your mother insisted on your training as a diplomat. You agreed to make her calm. But after the studies you refused the job. You paint pictures. But my father’s a general. So I have to march all my life.

Orlov.Mitya, my dear fellow! My father was a talented alcoholic! And my mother worries I’ll follow his example, but in vain. I loved my father and he’s the best anti-model in my life. But I’ll never become a poor drunken artist, because I have learnt to survive in this society and its harsh climate.

The success in life most often comes to people who are determined, able to make decisions and carry responsibility for them. It concerns both work and private life.

I can’t help feeling amazed at such douches as you, who have never lifted a finger but keep moaning about how their life’s bad, their little money and bad relationships with parents, their unhappy love.

But who’s to blame? Parents? School? Government? School friends? Nobody’s to blame but you. That’s because you do nothing… just start, Mitya, and something will necessarily change.

Mitya.Do you love her?

Orlov. Who?

Mitya.Inna Lebedeva.

Orlov.I don’t want to discuss it with you. Veselov, let’s have a smoke.

Veselov and Orlov go out to the balcomy. Orlov shuts the door firmly.

Veselov.I wasn’t mistaken then. ( He lights a cigarette)

Orlov.Pardon?

Veselov.I have noticed the way Inna has been looking at you lately.

Orlov.We keep it quiet about our relationships.

Veselov.Now I understand it: she received the first prize for a script of a one-woman show whose heroine dreams of being a muse for a talented artist…

Orlov.See, our relationship’s already bringing its fruit.

Veselov.Do you love her?

Orlov.In a way, I do.

Her mother owns one of the largest art galleries in the country and can introduce me to some useful people in Europe, China and Americas, so I have an opportunity to make my business international shortly.

Veselov.Is your devotion to painting a disguise then?

Orlov.It’s rather a tribute to my father and revenge to my mother for leaving him and making me sweat all my life, training to fulfill her far-reaching designs. Actually, her dream will soon come true, I’ll be a rich and powerful man.

Veselov.Have you thought that Victoria Pavlovna might not be happy about your thwarting her daughter’s wedding with Mitya Gromov whose father, by the way, is one of her best clients?

Orlov.It was Mitya who thwarted everything. He’s to blame for his problems. I just happened to in the right place at the right time.

I have a way to reach Lebedeva, too: she loves her younger daughter a lot. And she knows perfectly well the position my beloved mamma has in the government.

Soon Victoria Pavlovna will realise that there’s nothing good for Inna about that dope. When this happens, she’ll hook onto my figure because I’ll show the best of myself, letting everybody see clearly that I’m not going to be a poor unknown painter.

My mother’s administrative power plus Victoria Lebedeva’s money, connections and reputation will open the doors to all structures I’m interested in. That’s my plan.

Veselov.That’s a serious claim. ( Puts his cigarette out)

Orlov. (to himself) I’d love to see your face when all Lebedeva’s business is in my hands. Just wait and see.

Veselov.What about Mitya?

Orlov.Don’t worry about him. Our romantic poet is in mixed feelings now and he’ll soon find comfort on the first wench’s bosom. Mitya is a douchebag. Eve now he gave up without a fight, letting me have Inna.

Veselov.Was Katya’s breakup also your work?

Orlov.Knowing that horny ape’s ways it was easy to organize the match-up. ( Laughs)

Mitya and Katya are alone in Veselov’s office.

Mitya.I’m at unrest. I’m like a person after a heart attack and whose limbs are numb.

Katya.Why should it happen so?

Mitya.I’m sick at heart.

Katya kisses Mitya, he kisses her back.

Mitya.Let’s go away.

Katya.All right.

Mitya and Katya leave. Enter Veselov and Orlov.

Veselov.They took a French leave.

Orlov.I told you not to worry about Mitya Gromov.

Aglaya comes in. She’s carrying a file and a phone.

Veselov.Aglaya, I’m glad to see you. Come in, please.

Aglaya.Hi! I won’t be long. I dropped in my office. Somebody’s lost a phone, it’s out of charge. I found it near your door. ( Shows the phone).

Veselov.That’s Mitya’s, I’ll give it to him when he comes back.

Aglaya.I saw him and Katya downstairs, they told me you were here. Why were they in such hurry?

Veselov.I don’t know. Would you like a drink?

Aglaya.No, thank you. I’m driving. I’d like a tea, though.

Veselov.And you, Nikolay?

Orlov.I think I’ve had enough today. I’ll go home. I was glad to see you. Bye, Aglaya. Sasha, I’ll phone you.

Aglaya. Bye.

Veselov. (Pouring her tea) Keep in touch!

Aglaya.I’ve known him for so long and I’ve never been able to get rid of the feeling that he’s constantly concealing something.

Veselov.Never mind. To each their own.

Aglaya.Inna and Mitya split up. It seems, this time for good.

Veselov.I know. When he came Mitya was very depressed, but he tried not to show it. Victoria Pavlovna will be disappointed.

Aglaya.We’ve gone a bit too far with the senior Gromov, got stuck to our own interests. The children have made their choices.

Veselov.Time is the best judge.

Aglaya.You know, Sasha, Orlov isn’t as simple as he tries to seem.

Veselov.What do you mean?

Aglaya.Mother was interested in buying some more venues for the restoration workshop in the new office building on the site of the former flour mill in the centre. I did some research. ( Nods at the file)

One of the owners of the spot where the building is situated is Nikolay Orlov’s company. He also controls four organizations which regularly get state agreements for reparation and maintenance of buildings and premises of the education ministry. So, Nikolay seems to be using his family’s administrative forces to develop his own business.

Veselov.One should expect this, considering who his mother is. From each as he can, to each as he wants, so to say. That’s modern socialism at its most typical.

Aglaya.Yes, I agree, it’s not new. Every household earns as they can. But why does he put on such acts, refusing the job in diplomacy, truly neglecting his mother’s connections in the government and her money… A real nihilist! I feel he leads a double-game. It’s his business anyway.

Veselov.Can he be involved in the recent prosecutor’s investigation at the library?

Aglaya.That’s unlikely. Our lawyer says the thread leads to Moscow – that’s for sure. We’ve already activated the necessary people. Now this issue is solved.