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. Its 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, Ill be a rich and powerful man.
Veselov. Have you thought that Victoria Pavlovna might not be happy about your thwarting her daughters wedding with Mitya Gromov whose father, by the way, is one of her best clients?
Orlov. It was Mitya who thwarted everything. Hes 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 theres nothing good for Inna about that dope. When this happens, shell hook onto my figure because Ill show the best of myself, letting everybody see clearly that Im not going to be a poor unknown painter.
My mothers administrative power plus Victoria Lebedevas money, connections and reputation will open the doors to all structures Im interested in. Thats my plan.
Veselov. Thats a serious claim. (Puts his cigarette out)
Orlov.(to himself) Id love to see your face when all Lebedevas business is in my hands. Just wait and see.
Veselov. What about Mitya?
Orlov. Dont worry about him. Our romantic poet is in mixed feelings now and hell soon find comfort on the first wenchs bosom. Mitya is a douchebag. Eve now he gave up without a fight, letting me have Inna.
Veselov. Was Katyas breakup also your work?
Orlov. Knowing that horny apes ways it was easy to organize the match-up. (Laughs)
Mitya and Katya are alone in Veselovs office.
Mitya. Im at unrest. Im like a person after a heart attack and whose limbs are numb.
Katya. Why should it happen so?
Mitya. Im sick at heart.
Katya kisses Mitya, he kisses her back.
Mitya. Lets 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. Shes carrying a file and a phone.
Veselov. Aglaya, Im glad to see you. Come in, please.
Aglaya. Hi! I wont be long. I dropped in my office. Somebodys lost a phone, its out of charge. I found it near your door. (Shows the phone).
Veselov. Thats Mityas, Ill 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 dont know. Would you like a drink?
Aglaya. No, thank you. Im driving. Id like a tea, though.
Veselov. And you, Nikolay?
Orlov. I think Ive had enough today. Ill go home. I was glad to see you. Bye, Aglaya. Sasha, Ill phone you.
Aglaya. Bye.
Veselov.(Pouring her tea) Keep in touch!
Aglaya. Ive known him for so long and Ive never been able to get rid of the feeling that hes 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. Weve 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 isnt 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 Orlovs 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 familys 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. Thats modern socialism at its most typical.
Aglaya. Yes, I agree, its not new. Every household earns as they can. But why does he put on such acts, refusing the job in diplomacy, truly neglecting his mothers connections in the government and her money A real nihilist! I feel he leads a double-game. Its his business anyway.
Veselov. Can he be involved in the recent prosecutors investigation at the library?
Aglaya. Thats unlikely. Our lawyer says the thread leads to Moscow thats for sure. Weve already activated the necessary people. Now this issue is solved.
Veselov. What do you recommend me to do in the future?
Aglaya. Take it under your control. You and mother should be alert in any law and financial issues when doing business with the city administration, new contracting parties and especially with the monitoring organizations. If they are gunning for us from there, this is where theyll fight from.
But you know, Sasha, this is not why I came. Theres one more important question that Id like to discuss with you.
She is interrupted by a phone ringing. Veselov picks up the phone.
Veselov. Yes Im in He left not long ago. (He pauses) Nikolay Orlov has been killed!!!
Curtain falls.
ACT 2
Scene 4
General Gromovs countryhouse. Its Monday, early morning. Leonid Fyodorovich and his wife are in the living room.
Gromov. Where could he be?
Lilia Vasilievna. Take your medicine, Lyonya. (She hands him some pills and a glass of water).
Gromov. My hearts clenched. (Drinks) Dial him again.
Lilia Vasilievna. (Calls on her mobile) His phones turned off.
Gromov. Bastard! Ill strangle him with my own hands!
Lilia Vasilievna. Will you stop your tantrum, sir?