ACT TWO

[G-II-1]

[Deemer]

(In the garden are Sorin, Nina and Medvedenko. A wheelchair sits nearby.)

SORIN: I don't want to spend my life in a goddamn wheelchair. As long as I can take your arm, I'm fine.

NINA: There's nothing wrong with being in a wheelchair.

SORIN: Will you speak to her about getting old?

MED.: He wants to keep his independence.

SORIN: Of course I do.

NINA: I don't understand what this has to do with whether or not you use the wheelchair.

SORIN: You're too young to understand.

NINA: I'm sure that's true. Here, take my arm. We'll do as you wish.

SORIN: That's the spirit.

(He takes Nina's arm. Nina gets Medvedenko's eye and gestures to the wheelchair. He picks up the message and will wheel it behind them as they leave.)

SORIN: Besides, being with you makes me feel much younger.

NINA: I'm glad.

SORIN: How about you, you aging coot, you feel younger in the presence of youth?

MED.: I am often in the presence of my students, and they just remind me how old I am.

(They continue on to join the others at the bench on the lawn.)

[follow them]