[Deemer]
(Masha enters.)
MASHA: Hello.
NINA: I was just leaving.
MASHA: Don't go. I think we should talk.
NINA: I'm not sure that's a good idea.
MASHA: It's not your fault if he's in love with you.
(Dorn stands in the doorway but is not noticed.)
NINA: I'm glad you realize that.
MASHA: I'm jealous, of course.
NINA: Masha, I never encouraged him.
MASHA: I believe you.
NINA: Thank you.
(They notice Dorn.)
DORN: Don't stop on my account.
NINA: Why should we let you judge us?
DORN: Is that what I do?
NINA: You hold me responsible for what Kostya did.
DORN: That's not true. Neither of you are responsible for what he did.
MASHA: Who would blame me?
DORN: No one with just cause.
MASHA: I wish he would shoot himself over me.
DORN: Would you really?
MASHA: I don't want to talk about this. If you'll excuse me ...
(She exits. Follow her.)
NINA: She's so hopelessly in love with him.
DORN: Too bad. He's really not available to anyone, is he?
NINA: Why do you say that?
DORN: An artist is married to his art.
NINA: You don't think an artist can be in love?
DORN: An artist can love the way a man loves a mistress. But his soul belongs to his work.
NINA: I think the artistic soul is bigger than that -- it can love on many levels at the same time.
DORN: The true artist has a one-track mind ultimately -- his final allegiance is to his work.
NINA: Another soul can inspire an artist's work.
DORN: Of course. The lover as Muse. This doesn't contradict what I mean.
NINA: I guess I don't understand.
DORN: Two artists can inspire one another. But this doesn't mean they communicate in the same way that an artist communicates with his work.
NINA: You don't believe two artists can be in deep spiritual love?
(Dorn laughs.)
DORN: No, Nina, I don't.
NINA: Then I'm more optimistic than you.
DORN: Or more naive.
NINA: You can be wrong, you know.
DORN: Nina, I don't mean to upset you but--
NINA: Well, you have upset me!
DORN: Then I'm sorry. Let's talk about something else.
NINA: If I ask you a question, will you tell me the truth?
DORN: Of course.
NINA: Do you think I'm an artist?
(Dorn hesitates.)
NINA: You said you'd be truthful.
DORN: I think you want to be. Whether or not you actually become one remains to be seen.
NINA: Why don't you think I'm an artist now?
DORN: You are an actress with considerable talent, considerable potential. But being an artist requires considerable study in what is often called the school of hard knocks. I don't see you studying that curriculum.
NINA: I will be. I'm moving to Moscow.
DORN: Really?
NINA: Yes. Right away, in fact.
DORN: Have you told Konstantin?
NINA: You don't think he'll follow me?
DORN: No. But you'll upset him.
NINA: That can't be helped.
DORN: Now you're sounding like an artist. Artists are necessarily selfish.
NINA: I'm do whatever it takes to be an actress in Moscow.
DORN: And that's the only reason you're going?
NINA: What do you mean?
DORN: You wouldn't be going because a particular famous writer lives in Moscow?
(Nina looks away.)
NINA: Is it that obvious?
DORN: I'm afraid it is, dear.
NINA: Irina knows?
DORN: I doubt it. Irina is too infatuated with herself to pay attention to what others around her are up to.
NINA: Thank God.
DORN: Your motives worry me, Nina. You say you want to become an actress.
NINA: I do!
DORN: But also a mistress.
NINA: They don't have to be incompatible desires.
DORN: I think they are.
NINA: Then you're wrong.
(Dorn doesn't reply.)
NINA: You've never been wrong before?
DORN (half-heartedly): Then I could be wrong.
NINA: Everything's going to happen just as I've planned it!
DORN: Then you are a very lucky young lady.
NINA: I am. I've always been lucky.
DORN: I look forward to reading your reviews.
NINA: You don't believe me.
DORN: I think it's time to change the subject again.
NINA: Is your life so tidy? Everyone knows about you and Polina.
DORN: I suppose they do.
NINA: Why don't you run off with her?
DORN: Because that would solve nothing.
NINA: Then you aren't as smart as you think you are. You can't even solve your own situation.
(She exits.)