The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov

Author:Anton Chekhov
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Grove/Atlantic, Inc.

ACT THREE

The drawing room, with an arch leading to the ballroom. The chandelier is lit. The Jewish orchestra, the same one that has been mentioned in the second act, can be heard playing in the entrance hall. Evening. In the ballroom they are dancing the grand rond. The voice of Simeonov-Pishchik: ‘Promenade à une paire!’ Couples dance through the drawing room: Pishchik and Charlotta Ivanovna, Trofimov and Liubov Andreevna, Anya and the POST OFFICE CLERK, Varya and the STATION MASTER, and others. Varya is crying quietly, wiping away tears as she dances. In the final pair is Dunyasha. They circle the drawing room, and dance out.

PISHCHIK (calls out)Grand rond, balancez! Les cavaliers à genoux et remerciez vos dames!

Firs, in tails, brings seltzer water on a tray. Pishchik and Trofimov come into the drawing room.

PISHCHIK (cont.)High blood pressure. I’ve already had a couple of scares. Dancing is a strain for me, but as they say, if you run with the pack—them as don’t bark, wag your tails! I’m strong as a horse really. My dear late father, may he rest in peace, used to joke the Simeonov-Pishchiks were descended from Caligula’s horse, the one he made consul. (sitting down) But my problem is I’ve got no money. A hungry dog can’t think of anything but meat . . . (snores, and then straight away wakes up) And it’s the same with me and money.

TROFIMOVCome to think of it, there’s something horsey about your hindquarters.

PISHCHIKWell, nothing wrong with that. A horse is all right. You can get a price for a horse.

People can be heard playing billiards in the next room. Varya appears in the archway into the ballroom.

TROFIMOV (teasing)It’s Madame Lopakhina!

VARYA (snaps)Mangy young gentleman!

TROFIMOVMangy and proud of it!

VARYA (bitterly)So we’ve gone and hired a band, and how are we supposed to pay for it?

Varya goes out.

TROFIMOVWhen I think of the effort you’ve put into chasing money all your life, if you’d put that energy to better use you could have changed the world by now.

PISHCHIKNietzsche, the philosopher, a great and famous man, a man of enormous intellect, says somewhere that it’s all right to forge banknotes.

TROFIMOV (incredulous)You’ve read Nietzsche?

PISHCHIKNot exactly, but my Dashenka’s told me. And at this moment my situation is so desperate, I’d forge a few banknotes myself. The day after tomorrow I have to pay three hundred and ten roubles. I’ve got together a hundred and thirty. (feels in his pockets, alarmed) It’s gone! I’ve lost my money! (almost bursting into tears) Where’s it gone? (joyfully) Oh—it’s here, in the lining. I’ve come out in a cold sweat.

Liubov and Charlotta enter. Liubov is humming a Caucasian dance melody.

LIUBOVWhat’s keeping Leonid? What can he be doing in town? (to Dunyasha) See if the musicians want some tea, Dunyasha.

TROFIMOVThe auction was probably cancelled.

LIUBOVIt wasn’t the best moment to have a band and throw a party. Well, let’s not worry about that.

Liubov sits down and softly hums. Charlotta hands Pishchik a pack of cards.

CHARLOTTAThink of a card, any card.

PISHCHIKAll right, I’ve thought of one.

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