Translated by Max Nemtsov

While They Wait at the Door

1

A small kitchen-dining room. Zhenya sits on a sofa with Katya close to him on the floor. Someone insistently rings the doorbell, and Katya flips her middle finger in the general direction of the door. When the ringing stops, Zhenya cautiously approaches the door, looks through the peephole, and recoils from it.

ZHENYA. Kapooey, how long have they been sticking around there? An hour and a half?

KATYA. Something like that.

ZHENYA. What do they say in chats? When are they going to leave?

KATYA. Like, ne-vah. They’ll take up their residence right on the stairs. Then they’ll get hungry, call for reinforcements, and their bros will bring them sandwiches, sleeping bags, and warm things. Like you did for me a week ago. Speaking of sandwiches…

ZHENYA. You only think about food.

Katya takes Zhenya’s knapsack and finds some sandwiches in it. She unwraps one quickly and peeks under a slice of bread.

KATYA. Oh, is that salmon there?

ZHENYA. Yes, it is. But instead, tell me what our plan is.

KATYA. To relax and just enjoy it. (She reaches for a thermal mug.) Is there coffee there?

ZHENYA. Yep. Some Kenyan pour-through.

KATYA. That’s super cool!

ZHENYA. Katya, for fuck’s sake, could you not think about the food for one minute! Shouldn’t you, I don’t know, call the lawyer or someone?

KATYA. Nope. I’ve already reported it in the chat. The lawyer knows.

ZHENYA. So, what does he say?

KATYA. He says, to relax and enjoy it.

ZHENYA. Won’t they kick your door out while we’re relaxing in here

KATYA. They shouldn’t.

Zhenya sighs, and Katya sips her coffee, and puts her hand on Zhenya’s knee.

KATYA. Zhenya, really, don’t push yourself so hard, will you? That’s all right, we’re not in a hurry. Did Polina let you go to the rally? She did. So, she shouldn’t expect you before evening. Will you have some coffee?

Katya offers the mug to him, and stares at Zhenya while he takes a sip.

ZHENYA. So?

KATYA. I won’t say.

ZHENYA. Why not?