[Deemer]
(Masha enters the kitchen. She goes straight to the vodka bottle. She speaks to the audience.)
MASHA: Of course I drink. What would you do?
Would you marry Semyou? I don't love him - but what does it matter? My parents aren't in love, and they've been married forever.
At least it would be a change. At least it would be a distraction.
I can't spend the rest of my life longing for Kostya. He will never want me. He wants Nina. He wants only what is bad for him, what will destroy him.
Semyou wants to marry me. What if I said yes? What would life be like for me, married to a school teacher?
He says he's so poor. He says he's not worthy of me. He knows nothing about love.
If I married him, maybe then I could kill this longing in my heart. Maybe I can use Semyou to crucify my love for Kostya.
Why must life be so complicated?
I can't imagine a world without vodka. Vodka makes life bearable.
(Ilya enters.)