Marina. Igor, look me in the eye. You are mine, and I am yours.
Pause.
Frolov. Anna is still not quite recovered after giving birth…
Marina. You will do exactly as I say.
Frolov. Why do you hate her so much? I thought you were friends.
Marina. It’s personal.
Frolov. Alright, let your psychiatrist deal with it.
Scene 9
Five months later. December. Daytime.
New Year’s concert in the variety theater.
Anna Sokolova’s Dancing Group performance.
A dressing room. Anna and Frolov appear. Anna is wearing a gala dress, and Frolov is holding a large bouquet.
Frolov. Anna! What a great performance! You were fantastic! [He takes a card out of the bouquet, looks at it, and then hands it over to Anna.] Congratulations from the governor himself.
Anna takes the card and puts it on a coffee table without looking.
Anna. Thank you, Igor.
Pause.
Anna. I’m tired.
Frolov. You alright?
Anna. I’m fine.
Frolov. The governor invited us to dinner.
Anna. Let’s go home, darling, and have a family dinner with the children.
Frolov. Anna, we agreed to spend this evening together.
Anna. As you wish.
Frolov. I need to settle something important with the governor. And to run our relocation to Moscow by him, among other things.
Anna. Did you actually resolve to do it?
Frolov. Yes, I’m ready.
Anna. We’ll be better off in Moscow, Igor.
Frolov. Yes, it’s settled. We are moving to Moscow.
Anna. Thank you, honey.
Frolov. I’ll be back soon, darling. Get some rest. We are going to drop in at our place to change. Dinner at eight.
Frolov leaves. Anna walks up to the coffee table. There is a lovely flower basket on it. She spots a card, takes it, and reads it. There is a knock on the door. Marina comes in. She is holding a bottle of champagne and a pretty wrapped parcel.
Marina. May I? Hi, Anna!
Anna. Hi, Marina! I didn’t expect to see you.
Marina. Happy upcoming New Year! Here you are. [She hands out the parcel.]
Anna. Thank you so much, Marina. But I don’t have anything for you.
Marina. It’s fine, my dear friend. What a show! Bellissimo! Your girls were fantastic but you are a real goddess!
Anna. I feel awkward. Thank you.
Marina. We must celebrate! Champagne!
Anna. With pleasure. I’ve got glasses somewhere in here… Where are they? Here, found them! Marina, could you wait a few minutes? I need to change and freshen up a bit.