ACT ONE

[I-1]

[Chekhov]

(Masha and Medvedenko enter after a walk along the lake.)

MED: Masha, tell me - why do you always wear black?

MASHA: Because I'm in mourning and miserable.

MED: I don't understand why. You have your health. You father's well off. If anyone should be unhappy, it's me. I don't earn enough to support my family - yet you don't see me in mourning.

MASHA: Money has nothing to do with it. Poor people can be happy.

MED: Only in theory. Look at my situation - I have to support my mother, two sisters and my little brother on my salary. How do we afford to eat and drink? By cutting corners! You don't buy as much tea, sugar or tobacco as you'd like.

(MASHA looks back at the stage built near the lake.)

MASHA: The play starts soon.

MED: Ah, yes - Treplev's play for Nina. They're so much in love, and tonight their play will give witness to the union of their souls. But look at us - we're as far apart as we can be. Masha, I love you so much. I can't stand to stay at home alone, so I walk six miles to get here and all you give me is indifference. But I don't blame you. How can I support a wife on my salary?

MASHA: It's not about money.

(She takes some snuff.)

MASHA: I'm touched by your love, I really am. I just can't return it.

(She offers him the snuff.)

MED: No, thanks.

MASHA: It's so humid. I think we'll have a thunderstorm tonight. Semyou, you worry too much about money. You think being poor is the worst thing in the world. Happiness has nothing to do with wealth. It's easier to wear rags than to-- . . . oh, you wouldn't understand.

(Sorin and Treplev enter.)

[continue]