Anna. Very witty!
Tomov. The most watchful and attentive will be a winner.
Alla. And a looser what is going to do?
Tomov. He has to sing or dance or at least tell a story if he is so mediocre.
Alla. Who is going to wait behind the door? Not me!
Tomov. А lot will tell us. Levan, a box of matches please!
Levan. One dollar!
Alla. Catch it! (Throwing him a box of matches).
Tomov. Okay… Now I am breaking one mach. Who pulls it out will wait behind the door. Let’s start, Allochka!
Alla. Why would I be the first?
Tomov. Because you are the most beautiful!
Alla. Well, if it is so… then (Pulling out a match). A long one!
Tomov. Levan, take your chance!
Levan. It’s going to be a long one, believe me! (pulling out). I told you, eh!
Tomov. Anna take your chance now.
Anna. I wonder, when will you grow up? (pulling out). A long one! You see, Vasil?
Vasil. I do. (pulling out).
Tomov. What do you have there?
Vasil. The same as Annushka.
Cyril Sumyatov enters.
Alla. Hey, you, a journalist – what’s your name – come and join us!
Tomov. Pull it out. Don’t get out!
Sumyatov. Well, whatever… (pulling out).
Tomov. A long one again! Well, it looks like I am to hang around behind the door.
Victor Mancev enters.
Tomov. Vitya, join the company!
Mancev. (Pulling out). A short one.
Tomov. It’s your fate Vityok! Go out of the door.
Mancev. For how long?
Tomov. I guess five minutes will be enough for everybody to make drastic changes.
Mancev. Okay, time is running! (gets out of the door).