this nonsense?
Rodion. I don't quite understand you.
Myshevsky. Well, I quite understand your father: he is an elderly person, crazy with philosophy and loneliness. But you are a young and reasonable man. Alchemy, transmutation, spirits – how can you believe all these fairy tales for the feeble-minded?
Rodion. But you do believe that!
Myshevsky. Well, I said that, but didn’t really mean that! Perhaps, I had my own reasons.
Rodion. First, you hooked my father on this topic, and now you claim that all this is rubbish? No, I'm not a sucker, as you may think! Medieval alchemists were able to turn metal into gold.
Myshevsky. Most of them were charlatans, if not to say worse. I can reveal you one of their tricks how they used to deceive people. They just took a piece of copper, then they melted it in front of the crowd, uttering mysterious spells and waving a magic wand. When the metal got solid, it appeared to look the color of gold. But it only appeared! It was all about the magic wand.
Rodion. I don’t believe you!
Myshevsky. You’d better do! You see, that magic stick made of wood was empty inside. It used to be stuffed with pieces of tin and covered with wax. And when the false alchemist used to touch the molten metal with that stick, the wax was also melting. As a result, some tin fell into boiling copper. And probably, you know, Rodion, that the alloy of copper and tin has a specific color and luster that could be easily taken for gold. If a person doesn’t have knowledge of chemistry, it is easy for him to make a mistake. The magic stick itself used to be burnt out, leaving no evidence. Everything in this process seemed to be true, having nothing to do with fraud. So, the audience was happy, so as the alchemists.
Rodion. Holy cow! Is that really true?
Myshevsky. Well, time will tell, of course… But why wait? After all, you need money now, as far as I understand. And you can get them immediately. Is it interesting for you?
Rodion. Of course, Andrey Sigizmundovich. What should I do for this? To rob your bank?
Myshevsky. Oh, you haven’t lost your sense of humor, Rodion. That’s great! No, you won’t have to rob a bank. It will be enough just to talk to your father.
Rodion. About what?
Myshevsky. What can a beloved son talk about to his adored father? Inheritance, of course!
Rodion. About inheritance? But my father is an ordinary Soviet man! Everything he has earned during his life is on these bookshelves.
Myshevsky. You are mistaken, Rodion. Your father has something for which you can get good money.
Rodion. And what is it?
Myshevsky. This apartment.
Rodion. Oh, forget it!
Myshevsky. Why?
Rodion. Not long ago, my father has been already contacted about this topic. They offered him good money for the apartment. But he refused. And he even threatened anyone who would ever say a word about it. So, that’s it.
Myshevsky. I know about that.
Rodion. Then why are you talking about it?
Myshevsky. Times change, circumstances also change…
Rodion. It reminds me of a phrase something like “you cannot enter the same river twice” and other philosophical bullshit. Anyway, you should know my father better. If he has made a decision, he really means that. After all, he is a true philosopher, he can be happy with little.
Myshevsky. If so, go on… keep on living expecting his death. But I can't promise that my offer will be in effect then. This apartment interests me purely as a relic. But there are other architectural relics in this city. And their owners are more open-minded.
Rodion. But why am I to blame?
Myshevsky. Only because you don’t want to look for the problem solutions. You are like an ostrich, that just hides its head in the sand and doesn't think about anything.
Rodion. I do want!
Myshevsky. I guess so… The question is what do you want? Money? I’ve already said that you won't get them from me just like that. And, by the way, a term of the bank loan return is coming one of these days. Are you ready for this?
Rodion. But I was hoping…
Myshevsky. Hoping that I will forgive your debt? Or will pay it myself?
Rodion. Why not? After all, I’ve persuaded my father …
Myshevsky. Don't tell me lies, boy! I know for sure, you didn't even talk to your father about the seance. You were not up to it. You were in a hurry to spend my money. So, you’ve deceived me, saying that your father discusses everything with you before making a decision. In fact, your father thinks you are too young and foolish to listen to your opinion.
Rodion. Rubbish!
Myshevsky. Are you offended? And you want me to apologize to you?
Rodion. Actually, yes.
Myshevsky. There is nothing easier. Give me my money back. And I will apologize. I, Myshevsky will apologize to you, Rodion Golyshkin. Because I really respect people who pay their bills.
Rodion. Could it be some other way?
Myshevsky. How?
Rodion. You don't apologize. And I don't pay. Well, it's not like I don't pay at all, of course. But you give me some period of time.
Myshevsky. And for how long?
Rodion. Well… Let’s see…
Ogranovich. So, these are the words of a truly loving son! He cannot admit that all his hopes for the future are connected with his father’s death.
Myshevsky. Be silent, when I speak, please!.. So I am waiting, Rodion.
Rodion. I don’t know! Dam it! I pledge you!
Myshevsky. That’s something different, my boy. Anyone who asks me for mercy can hope for my forgiveness. Whoever resists me will be destroyed. Remember it!
Rodion. I'll remember! I promise! But what should I do now? Give me some advice!
Myshevsky. It’s very simple. Can you see these two lovely people?
Rodion. These?! They don't seem nice to me.
Myshevsky. Who do they seem to you?
Rodion. They are more like rats. Fed up and arrogant.
Myshevsky. Maybe you are right. But these are my rats. And I’ve fed them. So they will do whatever I tell them to.
Rodion. There is no doubt
