Free Man From the USSR & Other Plays by Vladimir Nabokov Page B

enormous map crudely depicting Russia. Smiles and examines it. Taubendorf comes in from the right. Beneath his coat are visible jackboots. He is carrying a valise.)
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    TAUBENDORF
    Oh, you’re already here, Alyosha. How did you get in?
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    KUZNETSOFF
    Very simple. Said I was the bosom buddy of somebody called Moser. The Crimea came out as a perfect rhomboid here.
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    TAUBENDORF
    Russia.... Yes. My colleagues are probably already getting made up. But that’s all right. Everything goes at a snail’s pace here.... Alyosha, I carried out all your orders. Werner is already on his way.
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    KUZNETSOFF
    Jesus, it’s dusty in here.
(Tosses the map into a corner. It rolls up by itself. Claps his hands to get the dust off them.)
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    TAUBENDORF
    Alyosha, when will you arrange a passport for me too?
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    KUZNETSOFF
    Later. Here’s why I wanted to see you: Saturday I’m going back to Russia; in about three weeks Demidov will get here. I’ll ask you to.... This isn’t a very good place to talk, though.
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    TAUBENDORF
    Let’s go over there—there’s an empty room in back. In the meantime I can get my makeup on.
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    KUZNETSOFF
    Aha! You’re in jackboots....
    (Both exeunt left. Assistant Director scurries across the stage and darts behind the scenery. Stagehands pass carrying painted flats. Made-up extras, the men in Russian shirts and the women in kerchiefs, enter from right and left and gradually disappear behind the scenery. Assistant Director runs out again, holding a huge megaphone.)
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    ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
    Hurry up, people, hurry up! Everybody on the set! We’re starting as soon as Harry and Marianna are ready.
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    LYULYA
(with a kerchief on her head)

Harry’s been ready for a long time. He’s drinking beer in the canteen,
(leaves with the others)
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    ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
(to Marianna)

Finally!...
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    MARIANNA
    Did you see where.... There was a gentleman here.... The one I came with....
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    ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
    What’s the matter with you? We’re here for serious work, not tomfoolery. On the set please!
(He runs off. Kuznetsoff enters from the left.)
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    MARIANNA
    Alec, it’s such a madhouse here.... We’ll never settle anything. Alec, have you changed your mind?
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    KUZNETSOFF
    I didn’t recognize you right away. Look at you, all yellow and purple.
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    MARIANNA
    I’m supposed to look like this. It comes out quite differently on the screen.... Alec!
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    KUZNETSOFF
    And that astrakhan hat with the star on it. Who are you supposed to be?
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    MARIANNA
    You’re driving me insane!
    (Assistant Director runs in.)
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    ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
    We’re starting! Let’s go, for God’s sake! The rushes have to be ready by Saturday. Marianna!
(yells right at her through the megaphone)
Places!!
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    MARIANNA
    You’re abominably rude. Alec, I implore you, wait for me....I’ll only be a minute....
(Marianna and Assistant Director leave. From the left appears Taubendorf with a false beard and a Russian peasant shirt and cap.)
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    TAUBENDORF
    There. I’m ready too.
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    KUZNETSOFF
    Lovely, lovely. I think they’ve already started in there. Your commander is very excited.
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    TAUBENDORF
    That’s normal. First there’ll be endless rehearsals of this uprising scene. The actual shooting will start much later.
(lights a cigarette)
Alyosha, have we covered everything? There’s nothing else?
    (As he speaks, he leans against a wall on which there is a large
“nicht rauchen”
sign. He continues to smoke.)
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    KUZNETSOFF
    Nothing else. The rest you know yourself.
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    TAUBENDORF
    The rest?
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    KUZNETSOFF
    Yes. About Olga Pavlovna. Take care of her as you did before. Look in on her now and then, and help her out if necessary.
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    TAUBENDORF
    Alyosha, I...
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    KUZNETSOFF
    What’s the matter with you?
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    TAUBENDORF
(very