Mom's apartment.
A cozy, modest home of the average Russian pensioner.
Aurora Moiseevna is busy with the housework, a little nervous. The small table has been set for a long time, there are no guests, she alone puts the room in order, puts the final touches so that everything is decorous and noble.
Yakov enters the apartment.
YAKOV (not too festive, more businesslike): Hey, Mom. Happy Birthday to you.
Aurora Moiseevna turns at her son's voice.
AURORA MOISEEVNA (delighted, but a little nervous): Hello, my son. Thanks. Why didn't we go for so long? Why one? Where is Susanna?
YAKOV (calmly): We had a fight…, a little.
AURORA MOISEEVNA (restrained): Because of what?
YAKOV (undressing): Because of whom!
AURORA MOISEEVNA (restrained): Because of me?
YAKOV (passing by, passing a package with a gift): Well… in a way. Here's a gift, here, and there's something for the table. Happy holidays, Mom!
He kisses his mother on the cheek, hugs her, goes to the table.
Mom is upset, she is not up to a gift, she puts the package aside without looking at it.
AURORA MOISEEVNA (in frustration): Thank you, of course, but… Wait a minute. Like in some way? What happened, Yasha?
YAKOV (carefully examining the table, taking aim at what is tastier): Mom, what are you doing?.. like a little girl, by God. You don't like her yourself, and it shows. What is not the reason for the quarrel?
AURORA MOISEEVNA (busily): I'm your mother! My status is supposed to dislike your chosen one, no matter what she is. But this does not give me the right not to respect your choice! And mind you, I have never allowed myself to reproach you for your choice. Yes, I don't like Susanna. I don't like a lot of things about her, but I am aware that she lived in a completely different family, she had completely different ways of life and established views on life. I don't understand how a woman can sleep until eight in the morning, I was taught that you need to get up at six and prepare everything for breakfast for your husband and child. I do not understand why, with a living and healthy hostess, the house is constantly in a mess, dust and dirty dishes. I basically do not understand the passion for entertainment in clubs and restaurants. For me, the age of dancing and a light, reckless, carefree life should end on the same day when a marriage stamp is put in the passport! Your chosen one likes to go to clubs. For corporate parties or there, for a friend's birthday. In fairness, I must say that now I seem to have settled down, and before I often walked and had fun. I didn't like a lot of things and I don't like them, and I'm sorry, but I can't force myself to love your Susanna. And I don't want to!