patients at his home. He treated them in this very apartment, in one of the rooms. One day, a quiet and modest man visited him complaining of terrible pains in his liver. My grandfather had cured him. But in gratitude, he had issued a warrant for his arrest. It turned out that the grandfather's new patient, whom he’d saved life, served at the People’s Commissariate of Internal Affairs.
Olga. Did your grandfather say something that wasn’t politically correct?
Myshevsky. My grandfather understood quite well what kind of time he was living in. He was silent and careful. But there was his apartment… It spoke for itself, being too eloquent.
Olga. Really?
Myshevsky. Shortly after my grandfather had been sent to the camps, new tenants moved in his empty apartment. So, who do you think they were? I can see it in your eyes, that you’ve already guessed. Yes, it was his recent patient with his family. Do you think it’s a coincidence?
Olga. I don’t think so.
Myshevsky. Now you understand it, don't you? That employee of the mighty political department liked his apartment. He arrested its owner and quickly made up a case for high treason. It was espionage or conspiracy, I don't know for sure… It was described by the standard code, article fifty-eight, part four. That article suggested twenty-five years without the right to correspond. It actually meant a death sentence. And the apartment became free. Come on, move in legally!
Olga. But your grandfather had a family, didn’t he?
Myshevsky. Yes, he had got a son and a wife. They were given an hour to get out of the apartment. After all, it belonged to the "people’s enemy"! But before that, they were forced to publicly renounce the husband and father. They had a right not to do it, though. And in that case they would also go to camps. But they renounced. The betrayal of Judas is nothing compared to this betrayal. But that was the only way they managed to survive.
Olga. How scary!
Myshevsky. Are you really scared, girl? Or are these just empty meaningless words?
Olga. Don’t be so cruel! I really feel sorry for your grandfather… and his wife and a son…and you too.
Myshevsky. My dad lived a very long life. When dying, he bequeathed to me not a recipe for the philosopher's stone. I’ve made it up, girl, for our eccentric professor. My dad bequeathed his dream to me. During all his life he had been dreaming to return this ill-fated apartment to our family. And do you know why?
Olga. No, I don’t.
Myshevsky. He thought that he could earn his father's forgiveness by doing so. Forgiveness for having once renounced him, albeit not by his own will. People say, that after the death of a person who has not been inscribed in the church, his soul wanders around the world. If this is true… My grandfather was buried in a common grave. There was no funeral, nor communion. His spirit was supposed to return to a place where he was happy in life. To this very apartment. And now he is somewhere around here. I feel it! I can feel how he is suffering! Girl, you think it’s funny, right?
Olga. No, I swear. I'm not laughing!
Myshevsky. I think so. I think you won't be laughing for a long time. Maybe you'll never laugh again. So, as I will, if my dream doesn't come true. You understood me?
Olga. Yeah…
Myshevsky. Did you understand me well?
Olga. As well, as it gets.
Myshevsky. Good for you. And now you will go and fix everything that you’ve screwed up with your loving character.
Olga. But how?!
Myshevsky. To begin with, you will tell Rodion that you don’t love him and it's all over between you.
Olga. Okay.
Myshevsky. Then you will tell the professor that you are crazily in love with him and you adore his philosophy.
Olga. Good.
Myshevsky. And don't ever regret it! Rodion is a dummy. He has nothing but a handsome face. Another case is his father! Oh, this is a horse you can safely bet on.
Olga. Can I see the Iguazu Falls with him?
Myshevsky. With him you will see the whole world. You will travel until he runs out of money. Those money that I will pay him for the apartment.
Olga. And what then?
Myshevsky. And then… You can get back to his son, if you want.
Olga. But if Rodion does not want to?
Myshevsky. These are your problems, my girl. But I trust you!
Olga. Thank you, Andrey Sgizmundovich. May I go?
Myshevsky. Sure. Oh, wait a second! If I am not mistaken, at this very moment the professor and Rodion are having a lively conversation together.
Olga. Yes, these are their voices. They seem to be arguing.
Myshevsky. There is no need to interfere with relatives to sort things out. Wait outside the door. You can come in, when they're done. And tell Golyshkin, the father, that I want to tell him something very important.
Olga. Yes, unless his own son takes him to the grave first. After all, the professor should not worry now!
Myshevsky. And as it was said: “I did not bring peace to you, but a sword. For I have come to separate a man from his father." Well, girl, go now! And don't look at me with such ungrateful eyes. Indeed, no prophet is accepted in his own country.
Olga. I promise that I will pray for you.
Olga leaves.
Myshevsky. And for me too… It seems that this is what Hamlet asked Ophelia for… just shortly before she committed a suicide. Let's hope that modern girls are more reasonable. And by the way, speaking of ghosts!
He stands up in the middle of the room, listening to something.
Myshevsky. Grandpa, are you here? If you can hear me, answer me! Or give me a sign! This is very important to me.
He walks over to the table, from which neither the alphabet circle nor the saucer has yet been taken away.
Myshevsky. How did the professor say there, calling Hermes Trismegistus? The spirit of my grandfather, Aaron Samuilovich Myshevsky, please appear!
There is a creak of
