[Deemer]
(Treplev at the boat house. He stares out over the lake. Masha arrives.)
MASHA: Let's not fight.
(Treplev ignores her.)
MASHA: It was my fault before.
(Still no response.)
MASHA: A penny for your thoughts.
TREPLEV: Masha, Masha, Masha.
MASHA: You're thinking of me? I don't think so! You're always thinking of the same one, aren't you?
TREPLEV: She's fallen in love with Trigorin.
MASHA: I know.
(A pause.)
TREPLEV: I shot the dog.
MASHA: What?
TREPLEV: The other night. And no one noticed.
MASHA: I don't understand.
TREPLEV: If it was tied up, it would bark all night and bother mother. If it wasn't tied up, it would get into the garbage and make a mess. It was a hopeless situation. So I shot it. I buried it right over there. Only now I'm sorry.
MASHA: Oh Kostya ... what's wrong with you?
(Ignoring her.)
TREPLEV: I actually liked the dog. It was always following me when I went on a walk. I have no idea why I shot it.
MASHA: It was an old dog. It was about to die anyway.
TREPLEV: I suppose.
(A pause.)
TREPLEV: Why do you always make excuses for me?
MASHA: I'm trying to make you feel better.
TREPLEV: I feel fine.
MASHA: But when you were talking about the dog--
TREPLEV: I feel fine!
(A pause.)
TREPLEV: You're getting married.
MASHA: (bitterly) Yes, I've heard the same thing.
TREPLEV: I should congratulate you. Semyou will make you very happy.
MASHA: I've given up on happiness. I wish only to be less miserable.
TREPLEV: I'm sorry I couldn't ...
MASHA: I know.
TREPLEV: How long have you loved me?
MASHA: As long as I can remember. Longer than you've loved Nina.
TREPLEV: God must have a nasty sense of humor, to play such games with us.
MASHA: I haven't thought about God in a long time.
TREPLEV: When is the wedding?
MASHA: We haven't set a date. Semyou's still trying to get the nerve to talk to father. He believes in doing everything by tradition.
TREPLEV: Yes, he would. You'll stay here?
MASHA: Of course. He has his obligations.
TREPLEV: Maybe he'll surprise you and make you happy.
MASHA: I can't remember the last time I was surprised.
(A pause.)
MASHA: I'd be surprised if you held me.
(Treplev embraces her. They break it.)
MASHA: Thank you.
TREPLEV: Masha, we'll always be friends.
MASHA: I know.
TREPLEV: You're one of my few fans.
MASHA: I think you'll become a famous writer.
TREPLEV: I don't need to be famous. Just more skilled than I am now.
MASHA: Everything is going to work out for you. I know it is.
TREPLEV: I want you to be happy, Masha. Give your marriage a chance.
MASHA: I'll try.
TREPLEV: Good.
(A pause.)
TREPLEV: Has mother left?
MASHA: They're about to. Will you see her off?
TREPLEV: I think not.
MASHA: She's worried about you.
TREPLEV: And you?
MASHA: I don't understand many of the things you do, but I have faith that everything will work out. You're an artist. Artists are not easy to understand.
TREPLEV: Faith. You think about God more than you think.
(A pause.)
MASHA: Let's take out a boat.
TREPLEV: I don't know ...
MASHA: As friends.
TREPLEV: I know how much I've hurt you. I don't know how to apologize. It wasn't intentional.
MASHA: Kostya, you don't have to apologize for anything.
TREPLEV: You're so understanding. Semyou is a lucky man.
(Masha turns away, close to tears.)
TREPLEV: I'm sorry. I've hurt you again.
MASHA: You are right. God has a cruel sense of humor.
TREPLEV: Help me get the boat.
MASHA: Let's row all the way to the other side.
TREPLEV: I hope I have the strength.
MASHA: I have the strength.
TREPLEV: Masha, the strong one.
MASHA: You are strong, too. You haven't even discovered how strong you are yet.
TREPLEV: I wonder.
MASHA: I know you are.
(They start into the boat house to get a boat. Masha turns to the audience.)
MASHA: Act III is over.