real man, even without a snack.
Ogranovich. But why should I mix the taste?
Vykhuholev. And how can one drink at work? I can’t understand that! Andrey Sigizmundovich wouldn’t like that.
Ogranovich. I don’t like this story either, but I keep silence. So, he will cope with that too.
Vykhuholev. So, what do you dislike, buddy?
Ogranovich. So much effort – and all down the drain! And if the professor goes nuts, what then?
Vykhuholev. How should I know?
Ogranovich. Don't tell me lies, you know Myshevsky as well, as I do. He will do anything to get what he wants. After all, they offered this freak to sell his apartment. But he refused from such big money!
Vykhuholev. You should definitely drink less, Elena Pavlovna. That’s what I know for sure.
Ogranovich. But keep in mind, pleasе, that my role in this adventure is to register the deal, and nothing more. If there is a dead body, there is no deal. I have nothing to do with wet work.
Vykhuholev. Oh, God! What a jargon, Elena Pavlovna! It doesn’t suit an intelligent woman.
Ogranovich. I’ve picked it up from my third husband. Or fourth?! Anyway, it doesn't matter. He was an investigator for the prosecutor's office. So, that’s it.
Vykhuholev. I wonder, Elena Pavlovna, how many husbands have you had in total? There were so many of them…
Ogranovich. The most important is that I do remember. So, don’t worry.
Vykhuholev. I am just wondering: you don't look like a young chick, who would change her husbands like purses, as soon as they get out of fashion. So, did your husbands leave you?
Ogranovich. Take it easy, shrink. I didn’t make an appointment with a psychiatrist.
Vykhuholev. Anyway, would you please satisfy my curiosity for the sake of our old friendship?
Ogranovich. Okay, I’ll tell you as my old friend. You know, psychiatrist, every husband has his own limit. Position, salary, connections – everyone has a different one. But as soon as a man reaches his limit, he is no longer interesting to a woman, as a husband. She starts looking for another one whose limit is wider. And it’s so on… As long as she is still interesting to anyone, as a woman.
Vykhuholev. And besides, you are also a cynic, Elena Pavlovna.
Ogranovich. We, women, have this cynicism by nature. At the genetic level. Since we have to think about procreation. And any random male is not suitable for this purpose. You always want the best variant for your children.
Vykhuholev. And may I ask you, how many children do you have, Elena Pavlovna?
Ogranovich. So what? Not every woman is able to. But the instinct itself has remained! And what about you? Why are you still single, psychiatrist?
Vykhuholev. I haven’t met the perfect life partner yet.
Ogranovich. Oh, you are a romantic guy! Then find a way, how we can get out of this pile of shit we've got in without getting dirty up to the ears.
Vykhuholev. The question is not by my salary. Let Myshevsky think about it.
Ogranovich. No way! He always suggests such things that you will never wash them off in life … Oh, by the way, he’s right there!
Myshevsky enters.
Vykhuholev. So, what ‘s news, Andrey Sigizmundovich?
Myshevsky. The professor came to his senses. But he fell asleep immediately after the injection. Now he is sleeping peacefully like a baby. A nurse is on duty next to him. And his son is hanging around nearby, like a moth over a lamp. So we have time to think.
Ogranovich. About what?!
Myshevsky. About this situation. Don’t you think, my dear, that I’ve invited you here to drink vodka for free?
Ogranovich. I’ve just drunk a couple of short glasses! (drinking). Uff! Professor's vodka is such a rubbish.
Myshevsky. Quiet! Someone is coming.
Rodion enters.
Ogranovich. Would you like some vodka, Rodik? It's scary to look at you.
Vykhuholev. That’s because Rodion Stalverovich resembles the rider of the apocalypse on a white horse. But here, the horse is missing to complete the whole picture.
Rodion. Don’t you have no one else to hang out on?
Ogranovich. What an angry raisin! Come here, I'm going to eat you!
Myshevsky. Don't worry so much, Rodion! Olga Alekseevna assures that there is no danger to his life. She is a good nurse. We can trust her.
Rodion. But she also says that the father has just experienced a strong emotional shock and its consequences are unpredictable.
Myshevsky. Indeed, Stalver Udarpyatovich needs a good rest at the good sanatorium. He needs smart doctors, caring medical staff, and the best medicines.
Rodion. All these little things require money. And where can I get them?
Myshevsky. Wait a second, Rodion! You ‘ve just recently received a big loan from my bank. You haven’t spent it all, have you?
Rodion. Actually, I have. I’ve spent almost everything. I don't know for sure… What if I ask for some more?
Myshevsky. They will not give you until you pay off the previous debt.
Rodion. And you?
Myshevsky. What about me?
Rodion. My father has made you outrageously rich. Can't you pay for his treatment?
Myshevsky. Did you say outrageously rich? Well, let’s see… this still needs to be tested.
Rodion. And how long will this testing take?
Myshevsky. I think, only Hermes Trismegistus knows that.
Rodion. What a bullshit!
Myshevsky. Just think, Rodion. Even if the correction in the recipe is right, you need to get the philosopher's stone first. After that you should try to turn metal into gold. Besides, it will take time to start a production process. I think it will take a few years… As I see, my words have upset you, haven’t they?
Rodion. Upset? I'm totally killed! It is too long.
Myshevsky. Too long for what, may I ask you?
Rodion. For me… I mean for my father.
Myshevsky. And I think you’ve just said exactly what you wanted to. Is that right, Sergey Yurievich?
Vykhuholev. Sure! You don’t need to study Freud to say that.
Ogranovich. Even I understood it right. After three short glasses of vodka.
Rodion. You misunderstood me, I told you! What a nasty manner to focus on certain words!
Myshevsky. Well, let it be your way, Rodion. But tell me the truth: have you really believed all
