data from the CCTV. My honorary weapon is in the safe, I’ve checked it. But it’s not a problem to find a piece in the city.
Lilia Vasilievna. Mitya couldn’t have done it. They’ve been friends with Nikolay since the third school year. They went to a language camp in London together. You know this well.
Gromov. Did you speak to Olga Vladimirovna?
Lilia Vasilievna. Yes, she’s shocked. She was on a business trip, but she came back at once and she’s now with him in the hospital.
Gromov. And this should happen right before the governor elections! I’ve been contacted by the central executive party committee. Take my car and go see her right now. Talk to her. I think Olga understands how serious this is. Nobody needs this fuss. We’ll deal with the media. Don’t give any comments or interviews. I’ll go to my office and make a few calls.
Gromov and Lilia Vasilievna leave.
Mitya and Katya come in. Both are cheerful.
Mitya. Mum, Dad, I’m home!
Katya. Don’t shout.
Mitya. Are they asleep? It’s still Monday morning and we haven’t slept a wink! We’ll wake them up. (He pulls Katya to him and kisses her)
Katya. You’re crazy! (She tries to release herself, laughing)
Mitya. I’m as hungry as a hawk.
Katya. Me too.
Mitya. My head’s splitting apart. I think I drank too much. What was that sour stuff you gave me?
Katya. It’s Spanish dry wine.
Mitya. Ugh!
They take out sandwiches, sweets, biscuits, pour some juice.
Mitya. Now I know what I really want!
Katya. What do you want, Mitya?
Mitya. Orlov told the truth yesterday. I’m the one to blame for my problems. As a child I never dreamt of becoming a loser, drug addict and a parasite. But I turned one when I was twenty-five. I’ve always blamed father for not being able to choose my own way, but in fact I did nothing to find that way.
Of course, my ex-girlfriends are at fault for deserting me just because I cheated on them, drank booze and took drugs… I’m not to be blamed! (He grins)
Now things are going to be different. I know exactly what I want! I want to change myself and change my life. I will work. Can you imagine, I’ve always been afraid that father will stop giving me money and will cross me out of his will. That’s such nonsense!
I am capable of providing for myself. I’ve graduated from a language gymnasium, so I can easily become a tutor or a translator from English and German. When Aglaya Lebedeva was presenting her thesis, I did translate a few of her articles into English.
I can start working for my father… but no, I’d be better on my own… There’s a lot I can do!
I want to live so much! (Excited)
And you? Katya?
Will you stay with me? I need you so much!
Katya. I’ll stay with you, Mitya.
Mitya. Remember this day! Today a new life was born in us! Let us live, Katya! Let us live!
Katya. Somebody’s coming.
Gromov enters.
Mitya. Hello, dad! This is Katherine.
Katya. Hello, Leonid Fyodorovich.
Gromov. Hello, Katherine. (Turns to Mitya, threatens him) What have you done?
Mitya. What’s happened?
Gromov. He dares to ask! Mother’s been on edge all night long! Where have you been?
Mitya. I was relaxing. (Cringing)
Gromov. Why don’t you answer calls?
Mitya. I’ve lost my phone somewhere. (almost hopelessly)
Gromov. Nikolay Orlov was shot yesterday. (Katya groans)
Gromov. There’s an idea that it was you.
Mitya. (He can’t say a word, because he’s amazed).
Silence.
Gromov. Mind you! If you did it, I’m not going to cover up for you. This time you’ll go to prison!
Mitya. Is Nikolay alive?
Gromov. At first there was a leak he was dead. The man who found him in the street, covered with blood, notified the security of the building. They called Victoria Lebedeva’s office which he had left short before that, and then the police. Now Nikolay is in hospital. He has an exit wound in his shoulder, the bullet went through and through.
Mitya. It wasn’t me.
Gromov. In the morning Colonel Surganov, my ex-colleague, called me. He knows the investigation officer in charge and he says the situation is really serious. The elections are pending… everything’s been turned upside down, the affair is under personal control of the director of the Head Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Mitya. I didn’t do it.
Katya. We were at my place together.
Gromov. I wish I believed that.
Mitya. Dad, don’t you believe me?
Gromov. I don’t know, Mitya.
Mitya. Do you believe me?!
Gromov. I couldn’t believe you gave up studying in London. I could never believe you gambled your new car away. I couldn’t imagine you were taking drugs until I saw you lying in the bathroom with foam at the mouth. How can I believe you now?
Mitya. You don’t believe me, then.
Gromov. Listen to this. You’ll go to the police right now and give testimony. Katherine, can you confirm he has been with you all this time?
Katya. Yes. We’ve been together. The whole night.
Mitya. I didn’t do it! Father!
Gromov. Stay here and wait. I’ll call our lawyer. (Leaves)
Katya. Listen to your father. He’ll settle everything out.
Mitya. He doesn’t believe me.
Katya. I believe you, Mitya! I love you! Everything will be fine!
Mitya. I am sorry, Katya. I must go. I’ll do it myself. Please, go home now.
Katya. Mitya, no! Stay.
Mitya. I’ll come to you soon. Thank you, sweetheart. (Kisses Katya) I love you very much. It seems, for the first time in my life I really love. (Runs out)
Scene 5
Tuesday. It’s one day before the opening of the exhibition. Professor Lebedev’s house. Inna and Katya are talking with animation.
Katya. I’ll never forget