BBC Play of the Month (1965–1983): Season 6, Episode 9 - Platonov - full transcript

What do women want? Any man? Plotanov was a distinguished academic, now a village schoolteacher married to the simple but cheerful and loving Sasha. Plotanov is a witty if temperamental guest, sought after at the dinner parties of Anna, a general's widow, who lives on her estate, deeply in debt, flirting with him. To the season's first dinner, Anna's aged stepson brings his new wife, Sofia, whom Plotanov knew when he was a professor. She's still in his thrall and he presses his suit. He also behaves badly at the party toward Maria Grekova, a young single woman. By the night's end, he has stirred up enough passion to overwhelm the neighborhood. Will anyone take any action, or will it be all talk?

Oh, ah.

Quarter past two.
My guests must be starving.

- I'm ravenous.
- You're always ravenous.

Eat, eat, eat. It's disgusting.

You've moved already.

Feeling my pulse, Doctor?

- I'm qulte well.
- Non, votre excellence.

Don't. Don't.
You're stopping me from thinking.

Why thlnlCP Watch your knight.

That's a sllly move.

Why ls Platonov so long coming?
It's bad manners.



I passed hls school on my way here.
The shutters were closed.

- We haven't seen each other for slx months.
- Perhaps he's asleep.

- Is he all right?
- He's all right. He's as strong as a horse.

My dear Sergei,
In my day we believed In woman.

Loved her, worshipped her.

- Who put this pawn here?
- You put It there yourself.

Oh, yes.

Pardon.

It's so hot.

And friendship wasn't a superfldal thlng.

We were expected
to go through fire for a friend.

Yes, fine tlmes they must have been.

Nowadays we keep firemen to go through fire.

5% It!



H m, check.

I feel qulte llL

Anyway, I want to listen to Glagolyev.

I've had enough dless. I'm tired of It.

And we'll note It down, my dear woman.

Deblt the General's Lady with three rubles.

Total owing... Ten.

Glve this wretched mendicant ten rubles.

Ah, certainly, dear stepmother.

Well, Glagolyev,
you have a hlgh regard for women.

Yes, madam, I have.

- I respect and adore them.
- (Tuneless vloUn)

- Do they deserve your adoration?
- They do.

Knowing you alone ls enough to convince me.

- He's a romantic
- (Glagolyev) Yes.

You've banished romantldsm,

but together with it
I fear you've banished something else.

Oh, do stop scraping that vlolln, Nicolas.

Put It down!

(Tuneless scratching)

A fine Instrument.

Platonov once put It very well.

'Nowadays,' he sald, 'our attitude
towards women ls mud! more lntelllgent.

'But when one's attitude towards women
ls mud! more lntelllgent,

'It simply means one drags oneself
and them In the mlre.'

He sald that?

He must have been celebrating hls birthday.

- Is he well?
- They say he ls.

- A nlce man.
- I called on hlm several tlmes In the winter.

I shall never forget those hours
I was fortunate to spend with hlm.

He ought to be here.

Nicolas, run and send Yakov to fetch hlm.

Can I tell. them to serve lunch?

I will. tell. them myself.

Oh, here comes the grocery man,
pufflng llke a steam engine.

(laughs)

Ya kov?

It's terrible, this heat.

It's going to raln, to be sure.

I'm afraid our cook celebrated our arrival
by getting drunk.

Have you come from the garden?
Was Sofie there?

- What Sofie?
- My wife, Sofia.

S°fl e?

We'll. have lunch soon, I hope.

(Bell)

Platonov.

There, after you, 701111913117-

Here we are at last,

your Excellency.

Ooh, you Ill-mannered bmte
to make me Walt so long.

Ah, at long last.
We slept through the winter llke bears.

Ah: Sergei!

Ah, very nlce to see you.

- Ah'.
- (Anna) Haw an you, my deaf? Do s“. dawn.

Slt down, everyone, please.
I want to hear all your news.

Do s“. down.

Ah, Sasha, can you smell It?

- (Sasha) What?
- It's the smell of human flesh.

What a marvelous smell It ls.

- Well? How has It been, Mikhail?
- Oh, as nasty as ever.

I slept through the winter,
didn't see the sky for slx months.

Drank, ate, slept,
and how I yearned for you.

But now just to see you, your Excellency,
In unforgivable luxury.

My dear MlkhalL

You arrived yesterday evening?

Yes, at nlne o'clock. Why didn't you come In?

Your lights were on.
We thought you'd be tlred.

No, no, no, we sat up talking tlll two.

Who knows It?

Oh, hell, what a memory! Sergei?

What?

Doesn't say a word. Goes and gets married
and he doesn't say a word.

Congratulations, Sergei,
I wish you everything.

Oh, my dear fellow, permit me.

Oh, yes, It's a mlrade.

- So soon, so qulck.
- I was that. So soon, so qulck.

The deal was done In a bwlnkllng.
Fell In love...

- Got married.
- Have you got any work yet?

Well, I have been offered a post
at a village sduool, but I'm not very keen.

They don't pay very well, do they?

Oh.

I didn't mean...

Sergei, I...

Ah, Bugmv.

Oh, It's so hot.

Sasha, why were you so long coming over?

I went to order a requiem for Mikhail's father.

Today would have been hls name day.

How long ls It
slnoe your father dled, Platonov?

- Oh, three or four years.
- (Sasha) Three years and elght months.

(Glagolyev) Heavens, how time flles.
He had a klnd heart

Not klnd, he was just careless.

(Glagolyev) He was a good man
In hls own way. We were good friends.

I didn't respect hlm.

He thought I was a shallow, frivolous fellow.
We were both right.

So, so, so, my son-In-law and daughter,

luminaries from the constellation
of Colonel Trlletskl.

How are you, my darflngs?

I glve you a salute from a Krupp gun.

OW. boom!

Ah.

Mon colonel Are you well?

I'm always well. The Lord ls patient
and withholds hls punishments.

Sasha!

Oh, my darflng Ivan, come and slt down.

We're going to shoot quall with hlm
on St Peter's Day.

I will. go campaigning against the snipe.

We'll try out
that English double-barreled gun of yours.

Yes, we'll try It out, divine Artemis.

The Lord smlte me down
but I llke sud! women.

Take a snlff of her shoulder
and Its gunpowder.

Hannlbals and Hamllrars she smells of.

Alexander the Great of Macedon.

You've had a drop already, mon colonel

Sans doute. Her Excellency and I
polished off a bottle of Madeira.

She had three glasses and I had the rest.

(Chuckling)

I've been waiting here all day.

Thls heat reminds
an old Abraham llke me of Palestine.

They say It's very hot there.

(Anna) Silence. A fool's been born.

A very good day to my honored relations.

Excellent, good-for-nothing medical offlcer.
Argentum nltricum, aquae dlstlllatae.

It's nlce to see you, Nlcolal,
healthy, radiant, sdntlllatlng and...

oh, fragrant!

My dear sister.

Oh, how you smell of scent!

An Important artlde of mlne has just appeared
In the Russian Courier.

Have you read It, Mr. Vengemvldu?

- I have.
- First-rate, wasn't It?

What a cannibal I made of you,
Mr. Vengerovldu.

What I wrote about you
ls enough to horrify the whole of Europe.

(Laughs) So that's who It's about, eh?
That's who V ls. Then who's B?

You.

(Vengerovlch) Very praiseworthy.

Only It wasn't you, Doctor,
who wrote the artlde.

It was Glagolyev here.

How did you know?

I just know.

Strange. I did write It.
But how did you come to know?

You can find out anything
If you really want to.

A post of floe dark has a good memory.

Don't be afraid. I shan't seek revenge.

I am not afraid.

Still, It's rather punllng.

And what would you say, Mr. Grocery Man,
regarding sudr a conjuring trick

as our hostess feeding us, hm?

Oh, I'm so slck of you.
Hls lmperflnenoe ls disgusting.

All right. Walt there, you horrible man.

I'll get you something to eat.

About time, too.

Mikhail, you haven't met my wife yet

I must Introduce you. I'll go and fetch her.

Er, Sergei...

- What?
- Don't Introduce me.

I want to see If she recognizes me.
I used to know her.

Knew her? You knew Sofie?

- Yes, I coached her at the university.
- How...?

Don't Introduce me, please,
and don't say anything about me to her.

Thls man knows absolutely everybody.

(Bell)

- (Snoring)
- Father, wake up. Have you no shame?

Maria! Well, how very nloe. What a surprise.

How do you do, Nloolal?

How do you do?

- And what Is she up to now?
- She studies chemistry.

Are you well?

Isn't It Maria Grekova?
I hardly recognized you.

- Very happy to see you Indeed.
- How do you do, colonel

Please don't klss my hand.
I don't llke It. It embarrasses me.

My humble respects.

Well, glve me your hand.

Oh, am I unworthy?

I don't know whether you're worthy or not
but It's not sincere.

Not sincere? How do you know?

You wouldn't have wanted to klss my hand
If I hadn't sald I don't care for It.

You always llke dolng what I dlsllke.

Swift conduslon.

- Go away.
- No, Walt a minute.

- How ls your famous ether, Maria?
- What ether?

I heard you were dlstllllng an ether
from bed bugs.

Oh, don't be angry. When will. you stop
losing your temper with me?

I don't know what I do to annoy you and
I do my best to avold you as mud! as possible.

Nlcolal gave me hls word
you wouldn't be here or I...

I certainly shouldn't have come.

- I warn you, If you go on llke this...
- What's It got to do with you?

- Suppose I love her? What then?
- Oh, go on, love her. Do us a favor.

(Anna) My dear glri, how happy I am.

I'm so happy.
You come to see me so rarely.

Never mlnd, you're here new.
New, tell me, hew are you, my dear?

(5015)

Maria? Maria, what's the matter?

Say you're sorry or I'll leave.

(Slghs)

Mademoiselle.

- What do you want now?
- I apologize.

In front of all these people,
I ask your forgiveness.

Glve me your hand.
On my honor, this ls sincere.

Peace. Let's make peace.

(5015)

- Not very nlce, MlkhalL Not at all nloe.
- Oh.

I was a fool to have spoken to her.

She's coming.

She's coming.

She's coming, she's coming, she's coming.

(Sings) She's coming.

(Anna) Oh, do come In, Sofia.

God In heaven, how she's changed!

I was In raptures over our garden, Sergei.

I simply didn't notice the heat.

Oh, woman, woman!

So sald Shakespeare, but he was wrong.
He should have sald, 'Oh, women, women!'

Who Is this next to me?

He's our neighbor. Sergei?

You and your wife must come
out to my estate on Thursday.

- Wlth pleasure.
- Is It far from here?

No, no, not far at a“.

It's straight through the old Platonov estate.

Platonov? Oh, I used to know a Platonov.

Long ago.
He coached me at university.

I wonder what's become of hlm.

Well, why are you all laughing?

I can't see anything funny
In what I'm saying.

Well, reoognlme hlm, for goodness' sake,
or he'll burst.

Oh, yes, It ls.

It's Platonov.

Is It really you?

So you didn't recognize me, Sofia?

I'm not surprised. It's a long time.
The rats have been at my face.

How you've changed.

H ls wife, Sasha.

Sister to that witty man,
Dr. Nicolas Tflletskl.

- How do you do?
- How do you do?

So you're married now, too?

Bravo, Platonov.
Never goes anywhere, knows everyone.

I commend hlm to you, Sofia.
He's our dear friend.

(Sofia) What are you dolng now?

I'm a village schoolmaster. just... just that.

But why, with a doctorate?

Well, It would take more than one sentence
to answer that question.

I gave It all up.

(Sofia) I see. Still, that doesn't prevent you
from belng a man.

A man? I don't qulte understand.

I mean, It doesn't prevent you
from working for some cause.

For Instance, for freedom,
for the emandpaflon of women?

(Tliletskl) What stuff!

No, I don't suppose It does.

Qslp!

Not In here. Get out!

It's an honor and a pleasure
to welcome your Excellency back home.

I wlsh you everything that you wlsh of God.

Well, that completes the party.

It's a long time slnoe I saw you last,
murderer.

May I have your hand to klss?

There. Klss It.

Ooh, look at those bestial eyes.

All right, dear out Get down to the kitchen.
They'll glve you something to eat

I'm very grateful to your Excellency
for all your kindness towards me.

What are you holding on to me for?

I don't want you to go.
I llke you, my dear fellow.

(Chuckles) You great brute.

Here, ladles and gentlemen,
ls the most bloodthirsty spedmen

of our contemporary zoological museum.

Born, bred, stole, murdered
and bound to perish In Volnltsevka.

What's your job, my good man?

(Qslp) Thieving.

Is It a pleasant occupation?

Oh, look, he's smlllng. Look at that face.

There's a ton of Iron In that face.

Look at yourself, monster. What do you see?

Just an ordinary man, even less.

Yes, and the strength of hlm.

These aren't muscles, they're steel cables.

Have you ever been In prison, Oslp?

I go every winter.

So you should. It gets cold In the forest.

But I mean real punishment. Siberia,
for Instance. Have you ever been there?

- No.
- Why not? Are you Immune from the law?

Now, look here, Mr. Platonov,

the law says you can only be sent to Slbefla
when there's drcumstantlal evidence

or If you are caught committing the crime.

'Yell?

You're an Intelligent man.
Work It out for yourself.

All. the peasants round here,
they know that I'm a thlef and a brigand.

They could have had me
sent to Siberia years ago.

None of them's ever tried
to prove anything against me

because they're all too stupid.

You see? He's got It all worked out.

Don't thlnk he's stupid. No, he knows
how to profit by other people's Ignorance.

And you're proud of It, you great oaf.

I'm not the only one who thinks llke that.

There are lots of people.

Mr. Vengemvldu, for example.

- Oh, oh. Mr. Vengerovldu.
- Platonov?

Yes.

Both made In the same Image.

I thlnk perhaps It would be better
If you left me out of your conversation.

But Mr. Vengerovld! ls, shall we say,
more fortunate than you, my poor Oslp,

because Mr. Vengemvld!
ls a highly respected person.

And he's deverer than you are.

Look at all the estates
he's always buying up.

Not that he ever appears In person. No, no.

He gets our friend Bugrov
to do all the dlrty work.

If anyone's going to lecture me
on morality and honesty, my friend,

It's not going to be you,
a penniless landowner

who lost hls property
because he didn't know how to look after It.

A useless spendthflft, a sponger,
that's what you are.

In the old days he could amuse himself
by scolding hls servants.

But new he has to take It out
on respectable people.

Listen to that. Respectable? If he's respectable,
then respectable ls a rude word.

- Platonov!
- Honest people turn silent before this man.

They llve In fear and trembling.

They bow and scrape and kowtow
to this fattened, gilded parvenu.

WIII you calm down?

You're starting last year's business
all over agaln and I'll not put up with It.

Oh, all right

All right.

All. honor's been thrown In the dust heap.
People bowing and scraping!

- For heaven's sake, Platonov.
- You're putting me to shame.

Go on, get out!

God, I'm hungry.

Le Cont: Glagolyev.

Why all this ceremony?

Show hlm In, Yakov. It's your son, Glagolyev.

My son? How can that be? He's abroad.

KIflL HOW klnd.

KIflI, when did you arrive?

Bonjour mesdames, Volnltsev.

Ah, Platonov.

Bonjour Vengemvldu, Tflletskl.

Ooh. Oh.

How terribly hot It ls In Russia.

I've just come straight from Paris.

- Paris, that's a dty.
- (Anna) Do slt down.

No, no, no.
It's just my father I've come to see.

Look here, what ls all this?
Why didn't you send me the money as I asked?

- We will. talk about that at home.
- Why didn't you send the money? ls It a joke?

Ladles and gentlemen,
how can one llve abroad without money?

Do slt down, KlriL Tell us about Paris.

Thanks to hlm, I've come back
with only a toothbrush.

35 telegrams I sent hlm from Paris.

- Why didn't you send me the money?
- Don't make a scene.

I thought that 6,000 would be enough.

Lunch ls on the table.

Ah.

- Yahoo!
- Let me go, you ldlot!

Stop It. I can't stand horseplay.

Oh, allow me.

Come, Monsieur le Parislen.
Why worry over trifles? Now, go on In.

Come along, gentlemen, please.

He wants to drive me out of the house,

but he won't succeed.

Colonel, lunch.

You look amend.

Strange to you this Uttle world,
this world of hopeless fools?

- Do me the honor of escorting my wife.
- Delighted. What an unexpected pleasure.

- Aren't you coming, Mikhail?
- Hm?

- Lunch, my dear fellow.
- Forgive me, I was just admiring your wife.

- You're a lucky man.
- I know.

I know.

Ah, there's my little moody Sasha.

So indignant with me,
furious at my behavior.

Are you happy with her?

It's a family. Take It away
and It would be the end of me, unless...

It's a perfect match.
She's stupid and I'm good for nothing.

- It couldn't be better.
- Let's drink to our eternal friendship.

Eternal friendship?

And everything ls arranged.

But If you marry her and buy the estate,
It will. be all. the better.

We'll get our money and you'll have a wife.

- Shall I put In a good word?
- Certainly not.

I am perfectly capable of getting married
without any help from you.

Come along, you two.
Don't keep us waiting now.

There you are, MlkhalL
Well? Recovered your temper?

Oh, If only you knew how mud! I'd llke to drive
them out of here, the whole pack of them.

My dear, do you thlnk
I don't want to throw them out myself?

But they're our creditors,
our benefactors, all of them.

Without them I could be thrown off the estate.

So you see, my dear chatterbox, we mustn't
allow honor to have anything to do with It.

If you don't want me to be evicted
from these delightful halls,

leave me gaggle of geese alone.

Come on.

Come and eat.

Oh, don't stand there frowning, MlkhalL

Come and drink to our friendship.

To our eternal friendship?

Yes, If you llke. Why not?

Because I afraid, my dearest Anna,
one day my friendship mlght bring you tears.

(Lillghi) Well, then,

let's drink to the happy outcome
of all friendships, lndudlng ours.

Come along, Mikhail,
they're toasting the happy couple.

The happy COUPE?

A toast, ladles and gentlemen.

- Thank you.
- Ladles and gentlemen, a toast.

I glve you the latest member
to our happy little community,

Sofia Yegorovna.

(All) Sofia.

(lhlnks) Sofia. How pretty she still ls.

And Mat hall:
Haw alien have I kissed Mat hall:

Have I reached the age
when the only joy left ls In memories?

No, I must Uve, Uve.

Ah, MlkhalL
Have a seat. And some wlne.

Ah.

Too bad.

Sergei? Sergei?

Madam, may I drop a hlnt?

Yes, If you're qulck.

You couldn't let me have
a bit of money, could you?

You call that a hlnt?

How mud! do you want?
One ruble? Two?

No, It's these IOUs, your Excellency.

Are you still talking about that 16,000?
Why do you want It?

Because It's mlne, dear lady.

You swindled those IOUs out of my husband
just before he dled. Remember?

I've no money. I've certainly none for you.

- Now you leave me alone.
- just one moment, dear lady.

Do you “he Ghgowev?

What's that got to do with you?

What's It got to do with me?

BOOM .l

BOOM .l

Boom, boom, boom, boom!

Ah, my little grocer.

- I need a loan.
- Oh, no.

Come on. It's nothing to you.
I promise, you won't get It back.

There, you see.
You've let the cat out of the bag.

Glve, you great man.

Oh, all right, Doctor.

It's the last time.

Right, one... slx... 12...

Good Lord!

20.

Er...

When It comes to curing the slck,
you're not up to mud!

But you're very clever
at squeezing money out of people.

(laughs)

50. It's the last time.

What about that one there?

Glve me that one, too.
It's looking at me so tenderly.

Oh, and that one.

Nothing but one-ruble notes.
Have you been begging or what?

It smells of peasants.

Now look... Oh.

Oh, I'll just go over to the summer house
to have a little nap.

Call. me, will. you, at suppertime?

Lovely, lovely. Go to sleep.

If they're not going to glve us any supper,

call me at half past ten.

“W. Yakov'.!

You're In talls, damn It.

You look llke a guest.
There's a ruble for you.

- Thank you, Doctor.
- You bow.

- Thank you, Doctor.
- Mend, merd.

How do you manage to be happy here
with this business hanging over your head?

What business? Oh, you mean the estate?
You've heard about the sale?

Yes, I read It In the newspaper.

Anna, your stepmother,
ls going to sell. the estate?

No, no, no, the estate's safe enough.

Maman and old Glagolyev
have worked out some flnandal dodge.

There's three rubles for you. Say thank you.

At the sale old Glagolyev will. buy It

and then we pay the mortgage to hlm
and sell It to the bank.

Ask Maman. She'll explain It to you.

Sofle, Walt for me.

(Sasha) Oh, Papa.

When Is this going to end? You're drunk.

Nloolal's drunk and Mlsha, too,
you shameless creatures.

If I'd served another five years,
I'd be a general

Generals don't drink llke that.

If I'd been a general..
Everyone drinks for joy.

(Chuckles) Your Lordship!

- There's 100 kopeks for you.
- I accept It, my son. Merd.

Here, some for you too, Sasha.
Three rubles.

Glve me two more.

I'll buy some material for Mikhail's
summer trousers. He's only got one palr.

I wouldn't glve hlm trousers,
summer or winter.

What was I saying? Ah, yes, I remember.

I was at HQ.

I used my head against the enemy.

Vane... Baum'.!

I shed Turkish blood with my brains.

I never held a bayonet. No, never.

That's enough, Papa. Come along now.

You've got hls cap, Nlcolal. Glve It to hlm.

He'll catch a dullL

- Quick march!
- Left, rlght. Left Incline.

(Laughter)

Come along, Sasha. Here, let me carry you.

Straighten your cap!

Don't pay any attention to my moods.

Let's go away from here, Sergei.

- When? Why?
- Because I want to. Shall. we?

I llke It here.

It's gay and everythlnys going very well, but...

We must go. Abroad even.

Promise not to ask me why.

We have tomorrow.

Oh, why are women always so melancholy?

Cheer up.

Llve whlle you have llfe,
as Platonov would say.

That's It. Have a heart-to-heart talk with hlm.

He'll cheer you up.

Can't sleep here.

Oh! Why, thank you.

Sergei? Sergei?

Hey, there.

What can I do for you, maman?

- Come In here a minute.
- Coming.

We leave tomormnw,
unless you change your mlnd. Hm?

It's tragic.

For hours on end I've been incapable
of thinking of my husband.

Or of paying any attention to what he says.

What am I to do?

It's Platonov. I haven't
the strength of mlnd to withstand hlm.

He pursues me everywhere.

He has only to take one step

and anything might happen.

S°fl a?

- All alone?
- Yes.

May I?

There. I'm glad we can talk at last.

You avold me, you walk the other way,
you don't look at me. Why? Do I repel you?

I admlt, I have been avoiding you a little.

Oh, so you do admlt It?

Why do you avold me? Why? Why?

Don't shout! I mean, don't talk so loudly.

I don't llke people shouting at me.
Strictly speaking,

It's not you I've been avoiding,

but conversations with you.

Something strange In the way you look,
the way you lose your temper, shout,

selme me by the hand, pursue me.

You exaggerate our past relationship.

Is that all?

Well, merd for belng so frank.

Mikhail, why take of fence? I didn't...

Oh, so It's not that you dlsllke me.
It's because you're afraid of me.

Are you afraid of me, Sofia?

Stop It, Platonov. I'm not afraid of you.

I don't intend to be, either.

Where's that sober Intellect of yours?

Every man you meet who happens to be
the slightest degree above banal

seems to constitute
a danger for your husband.

I wanted to talk to you because I oonslder you
to be an understanding, Intelligent woman.

- What pmfound depravity!
- You've no right to say things llke that.

Pursued, sought, grabbed by the hands.

Oh, poor thlng! Does he want
to take you away from your husband?

Is he In love with you?

Platonov? In love with you?

Ce fou de Platonov!

What luck! What absolute bllss!

You're rude and impertinent, Platonov.
You've gone mad.

He wanted to sweep me off my feet.

I won't put up with It. I'll go and tell hlm.

Sofie, dearest. Here I am.

Psst.

Vengerovldu. You go and call hlm.

- Mr. Vengemvldfl
- Quietly!

Tell hlm It's Important

Tell hlm it's...someone.

537 "1537 "1 my pretty one.

I'm not a pretty one. I'm altogether plaln.
Don't you agree?

I'll tell you about that afterwards.

Well, either you're completely
above the ordinary

or you're a scoundrel,
one or the other.

You laugh? It's funny. I agree.

Oh, what a little nlnny.

She phllosophlzes, she does chemistry
and she comes out with such pronouncements.

- You're a deep one, my little rogue.
- I didn't... Why do you klss me?

Oh, she's In a panlc. A panlc, ho, ho!

Do you... Do you love me? Yes?

Not a jot, my little one,
wicked scoundrel that I am.

- Turns pale, eyes flash.
- You're mocking me.

I'm going to get a smack In the face.

You're not only an extremely unusual man
and a scoundrel

but an extremely unusual scoundrel

(Shrieking)

- Who ls calling for me?
- Me.

Your Honor.
I was told you wanted to see me.

Yes.

- Nlcolal! Nloolal?
- Let's move away.

Nlcolal, If you have any respect for me,
have nothing whatsoever to do with that man.

Over here.

Look as though you're not talking to me.

That's It, that's It.

You're an evll fellow.

Worse than anyone.

Don't talk so loud.

You know Platonov?

How much do you want to...cripple hlm?

What do you mean, cripple?

Not kllL That's murder.

Just beat hlm up
so he'll remember It all hls llfe.

Break something.

Mess hls face up.

How mud! do you want?

Someone's coming.

It's about tlme you left her alone.
You ought to be ashamed of yourself.

- What do you see In that little fool?
- She's not a fooL

No, she's a victim, that's alL

Oh, I know.

There are tlmes when we all feel
we must hate someone.

(Sqllawklng)

Cranes flying.

Where from? So soon?

- Don't keep me waiting for the rest.
- Not so loud. Off with you.

We"!

It's Abram Abramyd! Vengerovldu.

Are you going to glve me some money?

Already you owe me 245 rubles,
I thlnk, Doctor.

You do me a favor
and one day I'll do you a favor.

Be generous and brave.

The bravest Jew ls the one who glves alone

without an IOU.

There's a lot you young people
could learn from old Jews.

We lend you money wllllngly

and you laugh at us.

That's not good.

At least consider me a human belng.

That's why you went to university.

NOW...

How mudl? 50 rubles?

Abramydu, you're a great man.

- Doctor?
- Hm?

You're wearing my hat.

Yours? Hm.

You know, It sults you.

A real baron.

- Why did you have to take money from hlm?
- Are you sorry for hlm?

If only you could llve for a week,
or just for a day,

aanrdlng to some pflndple, however flimsy.

It ls not for us here, brother,
to remodel our flesh.

- Come on, let's go and get drunk.
- No, It's dose inside.

Oh, hls Illustrious Highness,

the homemade count.

Here, three rubles for you.

What an extraordinary person.

I can glve you three rubles myself, you ldlot.

(Laughs) He's stupid.

He's hideously stupid.

How stale the alr ls In Russia. It's so dank.

Oh, I can't stand Russia -
the Ignorance, the stendl,

all those ugly people putting on their alrs.

- Have you ever been to Paris?
- Never.

Oh, plty. When you dedde to go, you tell me
and I'll glve you 300 letters of Introduction.

No, thank you very mudu.
I've no wlsh to go to Paris.

Have you noticed that mon pére ls paying court
to the GeneraPs widow?

The old badger wants to get married agaln
and she ls diamante.

And shapely. Hm.

Lucky man. Does she lace herself?

- I'm not there when she dresses.
- Oh? But I was told...

Oh... Count, you're a fooL

I was only joking.

Why be so angry? (Laughs)

Oh, really! You're an extraordinary man!

And tell me, ls It true that you...

Thls ls rather delicate
but It's just between ourselves.

Is It true that she's ready
to take off everything for money?

Why don't you ask her?
Go on, ask her yourself.

Ask her myself? What an Idea!

Damn It, but I will, Platonov,
and I bet you she wllL

I'll do It straightaway.

MN: pardons, madame.

What are you dolng out here?

Oh, It's stuffy Indoors.
I prefer this fine sky to your oelUngs.

Wonderful the weather -
stars In the sky, moon.

When I was a little glfl. I always used
to spend summer nights In the garden.

- Is that a new tle?
- Yes, It ls.

I'm In a peculiar klnd of mood
this evening.

Everything pleases me.

Say something.
I came out here to listen to you.

What Wonk! you “he me to say?

Say something that's nlce and new,
nlce and pretty, nlce and sharp.

Do you knew, I think this evening
I'm more deeply in love with you than ever.

And you look very beautiful this evening.
But then, you're always beautlfuL

- Platonov?
- Hm?

Are we friends?

Yes, I should say so, In all probability.

So we're friends, eh?

Yes, I'd say we were great friends.

Great friends?

What's the matter with you?
Friends, friends.

Good, we're friends,

but do you know
that between a man and a woman

the step between friendship and love
ls very short?

Ah, so that's It.

However short, It's a step
that Intelligent friends shouldn't take.

Oh, I must have a proper talk with you.

It's hlgh time.

- No, Anna, let's go and dance.
- You can't dance. Come over here.

Come on, over here.

Oh, the trouble ls,
I don't know qulte how to begln.

Look, Anna, let me begln.

- Is It worth It?
- Why not?

Oh, you don't understand.

Look, If you were free,
I'd become your wife

but slnoe you're not, well...

'Yell?

Platonov, at a moment llke this
It's Indecent to remain silent.

Let's forget this conversation.
Let's pretend It never happened.

You're a strange man. Why?

- Because I respect you.
- (Laughs)

I'm broad-minded. I've no objection
to liaisons with women, but...

to have a tflvlal affair with you,

to spend a sllly month together
and then part bitterly, no.

We were talking about love.

Do you thlnk I don't love you?

If you want, I lay down my llfe for you.

I love you as a woman, as a human belng.

But my love for you ls a thousand tlmes more
predous than the one you are talking about.

Go and sleep It off, my dear.

We'll. talk about this some other time.

Oh, I don't know. Let's forget about It.

Let's just be friends and that's alL

After all, I am a little bit married.
Let everything be as It was.

You love me, don't you?
Why bring your wife Into It?

Oh, go on. Qulck march.
We'll talk about this later.

At the moment
you're just deoelvlng yourself, and me.

I wouldn't know how to deceive you, Anna.

If I had known how to deceive you,

- I'd have been your lover years ago.
- Go away!

Oh, you're not angry. You're pretending.
You're just saying that.

Extraordinary creature.
He's no Idea what he's talking about

If I can't take hlm by falr means,
I'll take hlm by form.

Tonight

There you are. I was looking for you.

There ls something I would llke to discuss.

Oh? Oh, yes, yes, about buying the estate.

No, no, not that, dear lady.

As you know,
your husband and I were great friends

and I mud! admired hlm.

But now you and I are bothmalone.

Well, In short,
I would oonslder It a great honor...

Oh... Oh, my dear Glagolyev...

Of course I would renounce
all husband's rights.

I am no longer Interested In sud! things.

I'd want a friend
and my house needs an Intelligent mistress.

My house ls a paradise

but In It there are no angels.

I often wonder what I would do In paradise,
If ever I get there.

Oh, Glagolyev, It's no business of mlne,

but why do you want to many?

I'd have thought that at your age

with your money
and your Intelligence, your Integrity,

I'd try to devote myself to my neighbors,

the common good.

I don't know how to do that.

Won't you come to me?

No. No, please don't talk about It any more.

Look, Glagolyev,

don't pay any slgnlflcanoe to my refusal

- (Commotion)
- What's that nolse?

Oh, Platonov starting a row.

Character.

There you are,
and they're looking for you everywhere.

Come on, then. They're calling you.

- Who ls calling me?
- People.

Well, of course It's people.

I shan't let you alone, Anna.
When you've understood me...

The old badger, the ass!

Nobody was calling hlm. I was just fooling.

When you're a little older,
I feel ashamed of that.

Now listen...

this ls why I've come.

Just two words.

Yes or no?

Hm? What do you mean?

Would you care for love

to sllp your hand Into my pocket
and pull out a wallet full of Papa's money?

Well, that's frank enough.

Do you know that lntelllgent people get
thelr faces slapped for saying things llke that?

Nobody mlnds
their face belng slapped by a nlce lady.

Flrst she slaps your face
but a little later she says yes.

Get out of my house
and don't dare show your face here agaln.

You are so angry.
I didn't say anything particular.

There's no need to be so angry.

I shan't go.

(Hysterical) I couldn't have been
insulted more abominably.

(5015)

Well, say something.
Only a depraved creature would remain silent.

Yes, yes, but what ls It to do with me?
Do you want me to take a dub to hlm?

You're a coward. Leave me.
We don't need each other.

I'm slck of this.
I find the whole thlng Infinitely repulsive.

Tears, tears, tears!

- Maria! Oh, look, don't cry.
- (5015)

Most women have to put up with all klnds
of unpleasantness at the hands of men.

But not me. (Sniffs) I'll have hlm dlsduarged.
He's no right to be a sduoolmaster.

- I'll go tomorrow to the director of education.
- Marta, what did he do?

Well, he kissed me In front of everybody,
then he called me a fool and then...

he shoved me onto a table.

Oh.

Either he's a madman or...
I'll show hlm.

I'll show hlm.

Ya kov !

Oh, Platonov, always brawling.

Madam?

Oh, Yakov,

fetch Maria Grekova's carriage.

So I remain In a post
which ls entirely unsuited to me.

EV". swarms around me and here I stay.

A llfe wasted.

How can I rise up, Sofia?

You're silent. You don't know?

But how should you know?
You've changed. What's happened to you?

Oh, how splendid you were, Sofia.

Maybe It's not too late.
Maybe you can rise up agaln.

Oh, tell. me, my darUng Sofia,
for the sake of our common past,

what forced you to marry such a man,
what tempted you to such a marriage?

- He's an excellent man.
- Don't say what you don't thlnk.

- He's my husband.
- Let hlm be whatever he llkes.

Why couldn't you many someone
who worked, who suffered,

not this pygmy with hls stupidity
and debts and Ignorance?

Leave me alone.

You won't leave, will. you?

You won't go away.

We're going to have another talk, yes?

Yes. Oh, yes, yes.

Yakov, down to the river.

Ah, there they are,
the two most Important ones.

Come, let's set the fireworks off.

Sofie, have you changed your mlnd?

- Yes, she won't be leaving. She'll stay.
- Yes.

Oh, In that case, hurray.

Mikhail, glve me your hand.
I always had falth In your eloquence.

Come, let's set off the fireworks.

Yes, that's how It ls, Sofia.

(Sergei) Maman, where are you?

- Mikhail, come along.
- Oh, to hell with It. All right.

- I'm coming.
- Sergei, Sergei!

Walt, they're not all here yet.

Oh, come, Sofia.

- Thls way, my Lady.
- Coming, mon dler.

- Ask her yourself If you don't believe me.
- You're lying.

I just whispered In her ear,
gave her a hug and a nlce blg julq klss.

Disgusting!

Flrst she asked for 3,000 rubles
but I bld her down to 1,000.

It ls the honor of a woman
you are talking about.

So just glve me 1,000 rubles.

The honor of a woman!

Take It.

She'll even have you for 2,000.

Oh, my God, I adore her. God forgive her.

Come on, you old fooL

My God, the depravity!

Where are you? Where are you?

To go or not to go?

Coming, coming!

- What do you want?
- Nothing.

I don't want to talk to you.

Well, who do you want to talk to?

I can guess.

Oh, go away, you fooL

Yes, I am a fooL

And It's for my foolery that I get my food from
the General's widow and my pocket money.

To our next witty meeting.

- You futile little man.
- Ah.

I qualL

I'm routed.

(fireworks)

Triletskl, get on top of the summer house.

Right. Maman, we're ready.

My enemies fear me.

Shed blood with my brains.

Hall the left!

I never held a bayonet, no, never.

Matches. Who's got the matches?

- There they are, you fooL
- Thank you, Maman.

Who's coming on the river with me?

What's to be cannot be escaped.

Either he'll destroy me or bring a new llfe.

My new “h.

I m coming.

(Traln approaching)

AWbWy at home?

Oh, Oslp, I thought It was MlkhalL

Waiting up for your husband, eh?

He's still. chatting with
some pretty young lady.

He's got the glft of the gab all right.

- Have you got anything to eat?
- He's a good man.

- There's some cabbage soup.
- And you're a good woman.

No malloe In you.

Platonov must have looked for ten years
before he found a wife llke you.

He must have burnt many candles
to the saints.

He makes up to the general's widow
all. the time.

Oh, well, she'll tweak hls nose for you.

She won't glve a hang
about hlm belng handsome.

That's enough.

Oh, I daresay he'd be wllllng.

But she...

I'd do anything for that lady.

When I thlnk of her, I don't eat,

I don't sleep.

As soon as I dose my eyes,
there she ls In front of me.

Take your cap off.
It's sinful to eat wearing your cap.

Well, don't you say grace?

I haven't gone In for plety
for some little whlle now.

I worship that lady.

Ah, I even thought of kllllng
the General, her husband.

And then when he dled
I started running errands for her.

It all began here In the forest
when I was walking not far from here.

There she was In front of me,

standing In a stream, scooping up water.

I crept up real dose, staring at her.

'What are you staring at me for?' she sald.

'Have you never seen a human belng before
or have you taken a fancy to me?'

And she gave me a good straight look.

'Oh, Indeed I have,' I sald.

'I never seen anybody so beauHfuL'

And I began to feeL.. feel hot all over.

'Come on, then,' she says.

'You can klss me If you want to.'

So I takes her very gently by the shoulders

and I kisses her as hard as I could.

Hi!

Then she says,
'Right, new make yourself scarce.

'Wash more often
and dean your flngemalls.'

And ever slnoe that tlme
I've been qulte off my head.

I know how It was
when I fell In love with Platonov.

Tenderness - nothing you can do about It.

Why don't you go to dlllfdl, Oslp?

Oh, I would go, but... I'm even afraid
to walk near the dlurth In the daytime.

- Why?
- WeU, there's too many people there.

- They mlght try and klll me.
- Well, why do you terrorize people?

They will. klll. you.
Do you want some more soup?

No, thanks, I'm full up.

(Singing)

- Listen.
- Mikhail's coming.

One, two, one, two. Left right, left right

just to splte you - right, right (Laughs)

Come and s“. here.

My “file sot.

Aren't you In bed?
Has the express gone yet?

No, not yet.
A goods traln passed a little whlle ago.

Oh, It's not two yet, then? No. No.

_ Dld you enjoy yourself?
" (Slghs)

What a nloe person Sofia ls.

I don't often see such pretty ladles.
There's something really spedal about her.

- Stupid, vlle.
- What?

When do I ever do anything
that I'm not ashamed of afterwards?

Oh, come on, let's go to bed.

No, no, no, I was more disgusting than usuaL

There's nothing positive In me at all,
nothing to respect or love.

But you love me. I don't understand.

You find something In me to love?

Do you love me?

- Of course I do.
- Why do you?

What a funny creature you are.
I can't help loving you.

- You're my husband.
- So you love me because I'm your husband.

- Oh, yes.
- I don't understand.

She doesn't understand.
What a little fat-head you are.

Why weren't you bum a “H: Ry?

Wlth your brains, you'd have been
the wisest little fly that ever was.

No, no, no, don't try to understand.

By the grace of your Ignorance
I am happy, too.

I have a family.

Oh, I want to keep you on a table
In a little glass case.

How we ever contrived
to bring Kolya Into this wodd.

You shouldn't be having babies,
you should be making gingerbread men.

What nonsense you're talking.

Where would we flnd faithful wlves
If It weren't for women llke you, Sasha?

Why did you many me If I'm so stupid?
You should have got yourself a clever wife.

- Oh, she can lose her temper as well.
- Go on, off to bed, you drunkard.

You're no schoolmaster.

Go to bed.

Am I really drunk?

I don't know. I didn't drink that mud...

There's something very, very funny
going on In my head.

Oh.

When I was talking to Sofia, was I...?

Was I drunk?

No, no. Unfortunately I wasn't

Ah.

Ah, what wrong
had her wretched husband done me?

Why should I run hlm down?

I posed, I boasted.

She went all llmp and soft, poor wretch.

Oh, how absurd.

Repulsive.

I must get away from here.

I'll. ask the Inspector to change my post.

I'll write to hlm at once.

To mo rmw.

Madame le GénéraL

Hi!

I knew you wouldn't be In bed yet.

God gave us the winter to sleep In.

Good evening, you great handsome brute.

What's the matter with you?
Glve me your hand.

- You're not drunk, are you?
- Oh, God, no.

What are you dolng here?

(Hums)

Ooh, what blg wondering eyes.

Don't worry, there's nothing to be afraid of.

So you've dedded to be foolish?

Yes, It's terrible how young I feeL

It's gone cold.

(Platonov) Oh, don't do that.
Don't look at me llke that.

Justmthlnk.

I've already thought.

(Platonov) Now, just thlnk, you come to me,

you come to conquer me,
to stonn the fortress.

I'm no fortress.
There's nothing to conquer here.

I'm more a weakness,
a terrible weakness.

There's no man
I could love as I love you.

There's no woman
you could love as you love me.

Let's take hold of this love.

If only I could make you happy, but...

Llke the others that have thrown
themselves at me, I'll. make you miserable.

(laughs)

WIII you stop haggling with me?

You've found me. What more do you want?

Smoke me to the end llke a dgarette,
wring me out tlll I'm dry.

- Be a man.
- No.

Oh, dearest,
go to another more worthy of you.

Oh, you stop talking nonsense.

Look, It's so simple.

A woman comes to you.
She loves you, you love her.

The weather ls dellghtfuL
What could be simpler?

(Platonov) Leave. For the last time,
I'm asking you as a honest man.

- Leave.
- I shan't leave you.

I won't let you go no matter what happens.

Destroy me, perish yourself, you're mlne.

# Peals of victory ring forth

# Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah #

Oh, you'll regret this.

I told you It would end In tears.

Now, shall we go?

- Allons.
- Walt.

- (Singing)
- Someone's coming.

Yes. Here.

- Sasha?
- Who's there?

Sister?

Oh, It's you, Nlcolal. What do you want?

(Clears throat)

- Let me stay the nlght, sweetheart.
- If you llke.

You can put me In the classroom.
Oh, my head's spinning.

I'm seeing everything double.

I'm standing In front of one window
and It seems as If there are two of them.

Now, which one am I going to cljmb through?

It's a good thlng I'm not married.
Otherwise I'd thlnk I was a bigamist.

Walt. Oh, I nearly forgot.

The shopkeepefs wife came In.

It's urgent Her husband's been taken llL
He's had a klnd of a stroke.

You'd better go. Quickly.

- Well, God help hlm. I'm not up to It.
- Oh, Nlcolal!

Oh, I've got shooting palns myself
In my head and...

In my stomach.

(Vomits)

(Anna) Have they gone?
(Platonov) I thlnk so.

Come on.

I'm coming, but If only you knew
how mud! I didn't wlsh to.

It's not me coming to you
but the devll inside me.

Slug!

If you want to, come.
If you don't, I don't glve a damn.

I'm not going to beg you on my bended knees.

Too late to stop the devll now.

- (Sasha) Mikhail, where are you?
- Oh, hell!

Ha! I can see you. Who's that you're with?

Good evening, Sasha.

- Are you out riding?
- No, I'm on my way home.

Mikhail, do come In. Nlcolal ls llL
He must have had a lot to drink.

- You come In too, Anna.
- No, thank you, Sasha.

I'd completely forgotten about her.

I'll put her to bed and then come.

Be qulck.

It's cmeL

StlU, It's not the first time
he's had to bamboozle the poor glrL.

And If you're going to sln, you might as well
do It properly. Only God wlll know.

Oh, damn! New I'll have to Walt tlll he puts her
to bed and that'll take an hour If not more.

(Twig breaking)

WelL Oslp!

Ar! you spying on me?

- Dld you see everything?
- Everything.

And why are you so pale, eh?

Are you In love with me?

I don't understand you.

I worship you llke a salnt.

If you'd asked me to go through fire,
I'd have gone through It.

Oh, all right, Oslp. Come on, get up.

Listen, come to me tomomm
and I'll glve you some money, all right?

And don't you dare touch Platonov,
do you hear?

I'm not taking any more orders from you.

Oh, really? Perhaps you'd Uke me to become
a nun? As though It's any of your business.

There, there. Poor little baby. Is he crying?

Oh, come on, Oslp.

Listen, when Platonov leaves the house,
fire a shot Into the alr.

A good loud shot so I can hear.
Would you do that?

- Yes, I wllL
- That's my good boy.

Only he won't come.
He's with hls wife now.

What do you know about It, eh?

Goodbye, murderer.

It's all over now.

May the earth swallow me up.

How can I do anything else now but klll hlm?

I want to tear hlm up
Into little pieces and eat hlm.

(Platonov) Go back to your patient.

What If he's dead already?

Well, If he ls dead,
hls ls the kingdom of heaven.

I'm not going. I want to sleep.

No. All. you do ls scoff and swlU.
Why don't you do your work?

Why don't you read
your medical books, you animal?

Listen.

No one gave you the right to go thrusting
your great cold paws Into other people's hearts.

We're a lost people, not worth a kopek.
A rash on the face of the earth.

All right, I'll go.

I'll go to the shopkeeper.

Here. I'll go.

Oh, do whatever you llke.

I'll go.

I'll go.

- I'm going.
- Oh, go on, get out.

Go to bed, MIdleL

It Isn't worth worrying about.

Any of It.

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

Anna's waiting.

Shall I go?

The woman's only got to say the word
and It's llke a hurricane let loose inside me.

It Isn't that I don't struggle.

I do struggle but I'm weak, terribly weak.

I'll go.

- Mikhail, are you there?
- Er, yes, my treasure.

Come inside.

I'd rather stay In the alr.
I've got a splitting headadue.

- You go to bed, dearest.
- Good night.

It's hard to deceive somebody
who believes In you completely.

It makes you sweat and blush.

I'm off.

On, Katya.

- What are you dolng here?
- I was looking for you.

From the lady of the house to
the duambennald, you're all nlght blrds.

What ls It you want?

I have a letter from the mistress.

- Whlch mistress?
- Madame Sofia.

Are you mad?

- Here It ls.
- Why couldn't you bring It In the momlng?

Madame Sofla wants a reply
as quickly as possible.

Oh, to hell Wlth It!

'Mikhail,

'I'm taking the first step.

'Come, let's fly together.

'I'm belng resurrected. Come and take me.

'I am yours.'

It's llke a telegram.

'Shall Walt tlll four In the summer house
near the four posts.

'Husband drunk. Gone off hunting.

'AH. yours, S.'

We“.

That's the last straw.

Are you sure this ls for me, this lefter?

Quite sure, slr. What shall I tell her, slr?

- Oh, tell her whatever you llke.
- Very good, slr.

We“.

You're In It now, my boy.

I must get away from here.

Get away from the four corners of the earth.

Subject myself to the Iron rule
of poverty and labor.

Is It possible that Sofia loves me?

It's Incredible.

A new Ufe, new characters, new scenery.

Yes, I'll go to the summer house
by the four posts.

Just you Walt, Sofla.

No, no, I shan't go.

No, Anna's waiting.

Break up my family?

I'm coming In to...

Anna, Sofia, Sasha.

I shan't go.

I shan't go.

I shan't go.

I will. go. I'll. go to Sofia.
I'm so bloody weak.

Aha, there he ls!

There he ls.
How about coming to the hunt with me?

No, no, no,
why do you tear yourself away from me?

I'm drunk. I'm drunk.

For the first time In my llfe I'm drunk.

Oh, my God, how happy I am.

Shall we go?
She wanted me to hunt some game for her.

- It's neafly light already.
- Let go!

Oh, he's drunk, too.

It's this way, slr.

What's that?

It's all over. He's gone to her.

To whom?

To the General's wldow.
She was here, calling hlm.

You're I-YWS-

May God punish me
If I'm not telling the tmth.

I heard and saw everything.

They were hugging and kissing.

You're telling lles.

May my mother and father
never see the kingdom of heaven If I IJe.

Mlsha!

He's gone off to her. He's left you.

You and me's the unlucky ones.

He's gone.

- I'll cut hls throat.
- He's deoelved me.

Don't you worry.
I'll. cut hls throat, make no mistake.

KILL me, Lord.

I don't want to llve. He's deoelved me.

KILL me, mother of God.

Lord, forgive me. There's Kolya.

My... My son.

You must save hlm, save hlm!

(5015)

I'll. cut hls throat, don't you worry.

Platonov?

Mikhail?

Oh, wake up.

How can you cover your face
with sud! a dlrty old hat?

Oh, the filth!

Sleeping on the floor
with your shlrt wlde open!

- Mikhail! I am speaking to you. Get up.
- (Grunts)

- Wake up!
- Later.

Oh, come on.

Come on!

- Get up, will. you?
- Who ls It?

Oh, oh, It's you, Sofia.

Look at the time.

(Slurring) Oh, flghtv Yes-

- Platonov!
- Mmm, what ls It?

Oh, yes... 7:30.

7:30. Well, have you forgotten
our arrangement?

- What arrangement?
- You have forgotten.

It's three weeks slnoe that nlght,

and never once have you arrived on time
for a single one of our meetings.

What's the matter with you?

Your eyes are red.

You're all crumpled.

_ Avg 'M “b
' um!

Wewerebothtobeatflue hut
at slx o'clock this momlng. Have you forgotten?

It's long past slx. You gave me your word.
Now, why didn't you come?

I would have come If I hadn't been asleep.
You saw I was asleep.

That's not clever, Platonov.
You ought to be ashamed.

Why ls It when I am with you
you lose all your sense of nobllltfl

You, to whom I we the salvation of my spirit

And not even a single word of love.

Here I come to see you,
and you smell of spirits.

Your dnthes are a disgrace,

your halr hasn't been brushed, you're rude,
your answers are all disjointed...

- She's off!
- Are you drunk?

- What's It got to do with you?
- Oh!

Oh, really! Women!

Oh, what are you dolng to me?

Thanks to you, I am a slck woman.

Day and nlght, I have a paln here In my chest,
thanks to you.

Can't you see all this?

Oh, you don't even want to.

You hate me. If you loved me,
you wouldn't dare treat me llke this.

I am not some simple peasant.
I will. not allow...

Oh, for God's sake!

Oh, new, why can't people leave me alone?

Where's the happiness
you promised me, hmm?

How's It all going to end?

Thlnk, Platonov.

Put everything else out of your head and just
thlnk of one thlng, what are you dolng to me?

Well, you see, I don't know how to thlnk.
You thlnk.

Thlnk. I've deprived you of your family,
your future, your happiness.

What can I glve you In return?

It's your downfall,
this sordid relationship of ours.

You weak and see what happens
when your husband finds out.

- He knows already.
- What?

I told hlm all about It this momlng.

- You're joking.
- He knows everything.

My God. What did he say?

Well, flrst he thought I was joking.

When he saw I wasn't,
he turned qulte pale and began to sway.

He burst Into tears
and started crawling around on hls knees,

with exactly the same repulsive expression
as you have new.

Oh, you loathsome woman,
what have you done?

Dld you ennmtell hlm It was me?

Well, I was bound to. I'm an honest woman.

You know what you've done?
You've lost your husband forever.

- Yes, forever. How else could...
- Forever!

And what would happen when we part,
as part we wlll?

You'll soon see the error of your ways
and leave me.

Oh, well, resurrect me If you can,
llft me on my feet agaln.

- Quickly, for God's sake, or I'll go away...
- Let's leave tomor...

- Yes, leave.
- I've written to my mother. We'll go to her.

Oh, really?

Oh, Mikhail, this wlll be our new llfe.
Believe me, my dearest.

I'll ralse you to your feet agaln. I'll take you
where there Isn't any of this squalor, this dlrt.

I'll make a new man of you.
I'll bring you happiness.

Oh, we'll be real people, MlkhalL

We'll eat our own bread,

and work and sweat.

I shall work.

You don't know how to work.
What sort of work would you do?

Well, you'll see, believe me, yes.

I'll go and get packed new,
and you get ready too.

And be at the hut at...at ten o'clock
this evening, and bring your things with you.

- You will. come?
- Oh, yes, I'll. come.

- Glve me your word of honor.
- I sald I'd come.

- Your word of honor.
- My word of honor, as God's my witness.

I believe you.

We'll drive off by nlght.
Tomomm you'll be a different man.

Fresh, new. Take my hand.

- Shake It.
- Enn... Yes.

- Goodbye for the present
- Goodbye.

Enn... Dld you say ten or eleven?

Ten, or earfler. I have money,
we'll have supper on the way.

Cheer up, then. I expect you at ten.

Oh, that's not a new tune.
I've heard It a hundred tlmes before.

Oh, farewell, Anna. Farewell, Sasha.

Tomomm I'll be a new man.

Terflbly new.

Oh, what about my dnthes?
I haven't got a bag.

Dld I have a drink just then?

No, I'm not going to drink any more.
That's the lot.

I must write to Sasha.

Laugh, Madam Le general

I had a letter from her somewhere.
I wonder where that's gone.

Oh, yes. Here's the hundredth, two hundredth,
slnoe that savage nlght.

'You, Platonov, who have not answered
my letters, stupid ignoramus,

'one would thlnk
you were ashamed of that nlght.

'If you're not going to pay any attention to this
letter too, I'll have to come to you myself.

'Damn you. Au rwolr.'

What handwriting!
Neat, bold, commas, full stops.

A woman who can spell and punctuate's
a very rare phenomenon.

I I'd better write to her, I thlnk,
In case she comes here.

(Knock at door)

Oh. Who are you looking for?

I've come to see Your Lordship.
I've a summons here for Your Grace.

- Oh, yes? A summons? Who ls It from?
- From the just-Joe of the Peace.

Oh. Excuse me.

'You are accused of assault and battery
upon the person of Marla Grekova.'

Well, I'll be damned! Bravo!

Let's see when the case ls to be heard.

It's the day after tomomm.
Yes, tell her I'll come, I'll come.

Good for her. By God, good for her.

Would you slgn for It, slr?

Ah, yes, yes.

Oh, you look llke a wounded duck.

Begging your pardon, slr,
I look nothing of the sort.

- Oh? What do you look llke, then?
- The Image and likeness of God, slr.

Nlcolalskl regiment, slr.

Oh. Oh, the artillery, eh?

That's correct, slr.

I was discharged
after the Sebastopol campaign, slr.

Spent four years In hospital
over and above the ordinary run of service.

- I was a sergeant, slr.
- Oh, really? Cannon all. right, were they?

The usual ones. Round bore.

Yes. Well, I've signed It flve tlmes. There.

Oh, my goodness!
Good for her, I didn't thlnk she had It In her.

Would Your Lordship llke to glve me something
for a cup of tea?

Enn...?

Something for a cup of tea.
I've had to walk a long way.

Well, no, I can't glve you anything
for a cup of tea, but I can glve you some tea.

I can afford that, and It'll keep you sober.

- Ah. New... Where can I put It?
- just put It In there.

What, In your pocket? Won't It smell?

Put It In, put It In.
Don't you worry about that.

- There, Is that enough?
- Thank you kindly, slr.

Walt a minute. Oops.

Here, excuse me, would you?

That nlght I kissed you,
It was because I was Irritated.

New I klss you
as though you were some sacred shrine.

Don't forgive me.

There. New, then,
do you know where she llves?

I do, slr. It's qulte a way.
You have to cross the river at the ford.

Well, you go there and you'll get three rubles.
Glve It to the young lady personally.

I understand, slr.

Tell everyone you see
that I begged for Maria's forgiveness

but she refused to forgive me.

I understand. Good day to you, slr.

“W hey'. Keep we“.

Ah! The first time
I've been punished by a woman.

Oh, amo, amas, amat.

Poor Volnltsev. And Sasha.

Yes. Left with the dulld that very nlght
without saying a word.

Oh! I must go and say goodbye to her.

Hello?

- It's Anna.
- Anyone there?

I must have a drink before she comes.

- Can I come In?
- If she knows, I'll blush.

I'm coming In, do you hear?

My compliments, sduoolmaster.

Oh, hello. I didn't notice.

- Yes, It's this cupboard, by God.
- Come here and leave the cupboard alone.

Leave It.

Enn... Oh, hello.

Why won't you look at me?

- Enn... I was going to.
- Hmm.

Have you seduced somebody?

- Yes, something llke that.
- Bravo, Platonov. Who was It?

- I can't tell. you.
- Let's slt down. We'll. find out.

You can't be ashamed with me.
I've known your sinful soul for a long tlme.

Don't ask me, Anna. I'm not In the mood.

Very well. Dld you get my bum?

- Yes.
- Then why haven't you come?

- Because I can't.
- Sulking!

Why should I be sulking, Anna?
No, don't ask me.

Come and s“. down. Come on.

New, why haven't you come to see me
these past three weeks?

- I've been llL
- You're lying.

Yes, I'm lylng. Don't ask me, Anna.

Drinking. Last year's business all over agaln.

You seduced somebody or other, and the whole
summer you went round looking llke a wet hen.

And new It's the same story all over agaln.
Why do you drink so mudl? Where ls It?

Where's your willpower'!

God, what a mess!
What will. Sasha say when she comes bad