Sergey. My name’s Sergey Arkhipov.
Marina. Who?
Sergey. Igor Frolov, a friend of mine, gave me your card.
Marina. Frolov?
Sergey. He said you were looking for a designer for your new art studio.
Marina. And what does it have to do with you? (Pause).
Sergey. I’m an architectural designer.
Pause.
Marina. What’s your name again?
Sergey. Arkhipov. Sergey Arkhipov.
Marina. Never heard of you.
Sergey. I used to work… still work only by referral. Last week I came back from Sofia. Planning to open an architectural bureau here.
Marina. Oh, right, that rings a bell. Frolov told me about you. Was it your wife who took your seaside villa and yacht in the divorce?
Sergey. Apartment and motor boat, actually. Well, that’s history.
Marina. [Aside.] Well, aren’t women smart?
Sergey. What did you say?
Marina. I said you can come today, anytime. Fleur de Lys Studio. 40 Lenina Street. Left of the entrance to the Grand Avenue Hotel. There is no sign yet.
Sergey. I’ll be there in around an hour. See you.
Scene 3
Fleur de Lys Art Studio.
Marina sets up the canvas on an easel and starts putting the room in order. The front door opens and Anna comes inside, holding a garment cover.
Anna. Phew, what a scorcher. Hi, Marina.
Marina. Hi, lady. I was just about to call you. Is my dress ready?
Anna. The final fitting.
Marina. Anna, not this again. Don’t say «final»! It’s bad luck.
Anna. The last fitting then.
Marina. I can’t wait to see it. Ah! … Aren’t you a sewing fairy? It’s so beautiful.
Marina disappears behind a folding screen and then comes out in a new dress.
Marina. Voilà!
Anna. I’m gonna cut off a bit here. Don’t move. Alright… Well, I’ve got all I wanted, take it off.
Marina. Lenka Ivanova will burst with envy when she sees me in this dress. Want some tea?
Anna. Just lemon water, please.
Marina. Here you are.
Anna. Thanks.
Marina. You look good, Anna. I envy you. I spend so much money on fitness, massage, detox…
Anna. Just stop stuffing your face.
Marina. Hum… My nerves are frayed!
Anna. Yeah, I get it. You’re an emotional eater.
Marina. Exactly.
Anna. You can join our new dance group. The enrollment is ongoing. Come, have some fun.
Marina. You only have old folks coming.
Anna. Ha! Mark my words. Some day I will open my own dancing school and the youngsters will beat a path to my door.