[Deemer]
(Sitting at the dining room table over tea are Irina, Trigorin, Polina and Dorn.)
IRINA: I think he's looking very well, all things considered. He's not getting any younger.
DORN: Sorin will be the first to agree with you. How he loves to complain!
POLINA: I'll be complaining at his age myself, I expect.
DORN: Then shame on you. Life must be faced squarely.
IRINA: None of us are perfect.
DORN: All of us have the capacity to be better than we are. Don't you think so, Trigorin?
TRIGORIN: I believe all of us have the capacity to be worse than we ever imagined.
IRINA: He's pulling your leg.
DORN: Maybe he's not. Are you?
TRIGORIN: I'm serious. She likes to pretend I'm not as cynical as I am.
IRINA: You just like people to think you're cynical. People think cynics are smarter than other people.
DORN: They are!
IRINA: That is a myth. Happiness and intelligence are not incompatible.
DORN: What says the writer to that?
TRIGORIN: The writer has learned never to disagree with a beautiful woman. Especially this one.
IRINA: I hope that's a compliment.
TRIGORIN: I compliment you as often as I can.
IRINA: You do. And what kind of a cynic is that?
DORN: A cynic who appreciates beautiful women.
(Ilya enters.)