other way to describe them). And who are they? Three students from the Royal University! Bring them out! Guards bring out three students.
Town Crier – What were they doing in their free time from studies? They, in a strange and unacceptable manner, insulting our feelings, distorted the image of our king! They allowed us, the people, to be depicted as hungry, angry, uncivilized savages! They apparently thought it was a harmless joke! But we know where the tentacles grow from and who commissioned these images!
Indistinct disapproval is heard from the windows.
Town Crier – All of us absorbed with our mother’s milk that the neighboring kingdoms are trying to sow discord in our minds and in the minds of our children, distorting meanings, spreading false information about a better life! But we know it’s a lie! These three drank a different milk, and we see the result!
Words are heard from the windows: “Punish them! Punish them!!!”
Town Crier – But our king is merciful! Instead of the desired and deserved execution for these traitors, he has ordered that they be paraded through the streets in the near future so that everyone they offended with their pictures can speak their minds while looking them in the eye! Take them away! Hail to the merciful king!
Amid loud applause, Victoria’s husband silently closes the window.
Victoria (not hiding her irritation) – Let’s go to the room, I’ll change you…
Tesya – Mommy, what happened?
Victoria – Nothing…
Victoria and Tesya leave for the adjoining room.
Versachka – While I was sleeping, something happened?
Victoria’s Husband – I’m so tired of these constant missing socks, every morning it’s the same… (starts burying himself in a pile of clothes)
Victoria (from the room) – Can you raise your hands?! Can’t you see that it’s difficult for me to put this on?! And in general, it’s time to learn to do everything yourself… Well, okay!
Victoria’s Husband (demonstratively) – How I’m tired of all this…
Versachka – What happened here?
Victoria’s Husband leaves. Victoria and Tesya, dressed, come out. Tesya runs up to Versachka.
Tesya – Dear friend, see you later!
Versachka – See you later!
Victoria (sarcastically) – And don’t bark at me! As usual, you’ll endure it! I hope you heard me?
Tesya – Mommy, let’s go!
Victoria and Tesya leave. Versachka approaches the window, watching the quickly diminishing silhouettes. The clamor of people grows as the loud steps of soldiers’ boots are heard. The house begins to shake, and in fear, Versachka hides and closes his eyes. Meanwhile, students pass by the window, accompanied by a large number of guards. Street sweepers follow, clearing the path behind the students with brooms. The sun passes across the sky. Time speeds up.
The second day…
The key turns in the lock. Victoria enters and immediately approaches Versachka.
Victoria (hugging the dog) – I’m very ashamed, come on, wag your tail! You’re trembling… because of me? I didn’t want to… Where’s our leash? Let’s go, I’ll take you for a walk!
Versachka – Really?!
Victoria – I promise to do better…
Versachka and Victoria go outside. In the window, a silhouette of Victoria’s husband and Tesya approaching from a distance is visible. Before entering the house, Victoria’s husband suspiciously peeks into the window.
Victoria’s Husband – Tesya, you know what to do: warm clothes in one, shoes in the other!
Victoria’s Husband clumsily moves around the room.
Tesya – Dad, did you lose something?
Victoria’s Husband – No, no! Never mind!
Tesya – Can I help?
Victoria’s Husband – No need! Mind your own business!
Victoria enters with Versachka.
Victoria (to Victoria’s Husband) – Peace?
Victoria’s Husband – That hair you found on my clothes…
Victoria – Which one?
Victoria’s Husband – The ominous one…
Victoria – I already forgot! I scold myself for my suspicions! Are we children?
Victoria’s Husband – Well… peace!
Victoria’s Husband and Victoria hug.
Versachka – Maybe I had a prophetic dream last night?
Victoria (lightly hopping on one foot) – This needs to be celebrated urgently!
Victoria’s Husband – But what am I… Go, go.
Joyful, Victoria skips away.
Victoria’s Husband sighs heavily and leaves for the adjacent room.
Tesya (hugging the dog) – Versachka, you’re a good boy!
Versachka – You know, it seems I had a real prophetic dream! You were there, they were there, your big drawn tree, and everyone was smiling!
Tesya (laughs) – Woof! Woof!
Versachka – Seriously! Seriously!
Meanwhile, outside the windows, guards march in a steady, precise step.
Town Crier – Due to deteriorating weather conditions, our gracious king has decreed that tomorrow shall be a day off! That’s the first announcement. Second: the king’s ministers have reported on the six-month results! Poverty has been eradicated in the kingdom! Thanks to smart reforms, there are no more poor in the country! The kingdom’s defense has been strengthened! In the past month alone, a large number of men have joined the ranks of the honorable guard, and most of them are currently digging the great trench around our kingdom! A trench that will certainly ensnare the enemy! All of this is happening while the tentacles of neighboring kingdoms attempt to infiltrate our territory, taking away everything we’ve worked hard to create! In light of these achievements, the king has decreed a ministerial ball! Hail the king! Hail his faithful ministers!
Evening falls, and lanterns are lit.
The second evening…
Victoria’s husband is lighting the home fireplace. A heavy snowfall begins, turning into a blizzard. Tesya is drawing something, and Versachka sits nearby.
Versachka – Is that a person?
Tesya – Woof! Woof!
Versachka – It’s good that we understand each other…
In the distance, outside the window, the silhouette of a person appears. They peer into the windows, getting closer and closer. There’s a knocking at the window.
Versachka –