by Nick Dear
ALEXEI ARBUZOV
The Promise
a new version by
Nick Dear
based on the translation by
Ariadne Nicolaeff
Contents
Title Page
First Performance
Characters
Act One
Scene One
Scene Two
Scene Three
Scene Four
Scene Five
Scene Six
Act Two
Scene Seven
Scene Eight
Scene Nine
Scene Ten
Act Three
Scene Eleven
Scene Twelve
Scene Thirteen
Scene Fourteen
About the Author
By the Same Author
Copyright
The Promise in this version was commissioned by and premièred at the Tricycle Theatre, London, on 25 February 2002. The cast in order of appearance was as follows:
Lika Jenny Jules
Marat Paul Nicholls
Leonidik Gyuri Sarossy
Director Nicolas Kent
Designer Bunny Christie
Lighting Designer Matthew Eagland
Sound Designer Greg Fisher
Characters
Marat
Lika
Leonidik
Act One: March to May 1942
Act Two: March to May 1946
Act Three: December 1959
The action takes place in Leningrad
Act One
SCENE ONE
30 March 1942. One of the few habitable apartments in a semi-derelict house on Fontanka. The room is almost bare; the furniture’s been used for firewood. Only a double bed and a large sideboard remain. There is a stove in one corner. It’s out. Lika lies on the bed, wrapped in a blanket. It will soon be evening. The door opens slowly and Marat stands on the threshold. He looks around the room in surprise. He sees Lika. She looks at him with frightened eyes.
Lika Who are you?
Marat Well, who are you? (Pause.) I mean – what are you doing here?
Lika Living.
Marat How’d you get in?
Lika Caretaker. There were no dead bodies in this room. And the glass was still in the windows. It was a miracle. You won’t kick me out, will you?
Marat doesn’t answer.
Don’t. Please. I’ve been living here for nearly a month. I’ve got used to it.
Marat (looking round the room) There were some things here … some furniture, you know, personal stuff … Where is everything?
Lika I burnt it.
Marat All of it?
Lika All of it.
Marat sits on the window sill. Pause.
Who are you?
Marat I used to live here. It’s our room.
Lika … So where have you been?
Marat That’s my business. – Listen, there was a photo on the wall, here, between the windows … a picture of a naval officer. Have you seen it?
Lika I burnt it.
Marat (viciously) Oh, terrific. I hope it kept you nice and warm.
Lika It wasn’t the only one. There were loads of photographs; I burnt them all. It was a pretty good fire. Picture frames burn well.
Marat You’ve made a right mess of the sideboard.
Lika What’s wrong with it? It’s still there. I only took a few bits off it.
Marat Highly efficient, aren’t you? (quietly) That was my childhood you burnt.
Lika (cheerfully) Oh, I recognise you now! It was you! The boy in the rowing boat, the boy on the bicycle! And in the launch, with the officer … I didn’t burn them straight away, you know. I had a good look first.
Marat How did I do? Did I burn well?
Lika Why are you making fun of me?
Marat … I could cry. Want me to cry?
Lika … I’m sorry.
Marat Why are you lying there? Have you given up?
Lika No, I just came in. I wanted to get warm, that’s all.
Marat (laughs) Well, that’s one way of doing it. (seriously) Why didn’t you burn the sideboard?
Lika Too big. Couldn’t move it. Couldn’t smash it up.
Marat … Are you alone?
Lika Yes, I’m alone.
Marat You’re not afraid?
Lika Of course I’m afraid. I’m not stupid. (Pause.) It’s not so bad when there’s gunfire. At least it means someone’s alive … But when there’s suddenly a silence … then I’m afraid. (puzzled) What am I afraid of? No one’s going to break in. This building is classed as derelict. The stairs look dangerous. No stranger would risk it. – They’re all right, actually, the stairs. Just look bad. On this landing there’s only one other apartment with people in it. And they’ve stopped going out. I bring them their bread ration. In return they said I can have their furniture when they don’t … need it any more. (Pause.)
Marat What about on the next landing? Anyone?
Lika Empty. Friends of yours?
Marat There was a girl who lived there. Lelya. She was supposed to have gone to Tbilisi in the autumn.
Lika She must have, then.
Marat Where did you live?
Lika Number 6, down the road.
Marat I don’t remember you.
Lika I was just a little girl before the war.
Marat Number 6. (remembering) Well, that was rotten luck.
Lika Nothing left.
Marat Was anyone in when –?
Lika Nanny. My mother’s an army doctor, she’s at the front. I stayed with Nanny. She was part of the family, been with us for years … The building was hit when I went to get our bread. I ran back. But there was nothing left. Only this one was standing. That was on the first of March. It’ll be a month, the day after tomorrow.
Marat What about you? Are you weak?
Lika Not too bad, really. I got three parcels from mother in the winter. Soldiers brought them … But I suppose there won’t be any more parcels. Because they won’t know where I am.
Marat They’ll find you. You look like a lucky one. (He says it with distaste.)
Lika Thanks a lot.
Marat How old are you?
Lika I could be sixteen in a fortnight.
Marat Why only could?
Lika Anything might happen.
Marat Come off it – that’s too pessimistic! I’m going to be eighteen next year. And you won’t catch me having a nervous breakdown about it. I am definitely going to be eighteen.
Lika When I was little, I used to dream about being sixteen, and all the things I’d do. You know what it’s like at the cinema? – ‘Under-sixteens not permitted.’ All the films worth seeing: ‘Under-sixteens not permitted’! It’s pathetic. Didn’t stop me getting in, naturally –
Marat Naturally.
Lika – but it might be a pity not to live till I’m legally allowed to.
Marat You’ll make it. Now.
Lika I suppose I will. I’ve had two lots of food coupons for a whole month! Because Nanny was killed on the first.
Marat Oh, there’s nothing like having your family killed on the first of the month, is there?
Lika … Why do you say these things?
Marat I have what is technically known as a sense of humour. But I’m not a lucky one, like you. (He takes two ration cards from his pocket.) I’ve got two lots of food coupons, see? But only for the thirty-first. Only for tomorrow. Trust my people to die on the wrong day. (He turns away.)
Lika Don’t cry.
Marat I’m not crying. You can get used to anything, can’t you?
Lika (indicates the ration card) Your mother?
Marat My sister.
Lika Oh.
Marat (quietly) See thi
s button? (It’s on his jacket.) She sewed it on this morning. (Pause.) I went to live with her on Kammeny Island when the Germans invaded. Small house, timber, only a couple of storeys. What the hell did they want to bomb it for? (Pause.) Her husband joined the militia, back in August, and she was alone there, bloody fool. I kept saying, ‘Let’s go home, let’s go back to the apartment.’ But she wouldn’t. ‘Suppose Kolenka comes back?’ she said. ‘No, I must stay on the island.’ (Pause.) If only she’d listened to me, she’d be sitting here now.
Lika But nobody knows, do they? – And your parents? Where are they?
Marat My dad’s in the navy. It’s five months since I had a letter … And now there’s nothing left of him. Not a single photo. I wish I’d taken one with me.
He stares at Lika.
Lika I didn’t know, did I?
A shell explodes nearby. They both jump slightly, but quickly regain their composure.
Pretty close.
Marat Yup.
Lika Should I go?
Marat Where?
Lika (cautiously) You haven’t got anywhere to go either.
Marat That’s a blindingly skilful deduction.
Lika There used to be a little sofa over there.
Marat (sarcastically) Did there really?
Lika I didn’t know, did I?
Marat … What’s your name?
Lika Lidya Vasilyevna. Lika. You?
Marat Marat Yevstigneyev. Known as Marik.
Lika If only we had another mattress …
Marat No cause for alarm. It’s a good big bed.
Lika You’re not suggesting we –
Marat Oh, don’t panic, we’ll fit. Your feet that end, my feet this end.
Lika We can’t do that.
Marat Why not?
Lika Well, you know …
Marat What’s the problem? You’re only a girl.
Lika (doubtfully) I suppose … (thinking) We could saw it in half.
Marat Solid steel frame, you dolt. And we haven’t a saw.
Lika Well, we’ll sort it out tomorrow.
Marat We’ll have a root through the other apartments. Might find something.
Lika People have done that already.
Marat (perching on the corner of the bed) Not people like me. We’ll be fine.
Lika It’s a bit of luck there are two pillows. (She gives him one.) But you keep your distance.
Marat Oh, give up, will you?
They both lie down.
Are you laughing?
Lika (giggles) You’re breathing.
Marat Of course I’m breathing. Bloody hell.
Lika No more silence …
Marat Oh, belt up.
SCENE TWO
4 April. An old mattress has appeared. Marat is asleep on it. Lika is on the bed. A neat pile of firewood in the corner is all that’s left of the sideboard. It’s just after five in the morning. Distant gunfire. The sound of an air-raid siren.
Lika (waking up) Marik! Marik!
Marat (waking up) What?
Lika It’s an air raid!
Marat Thickhead … What’s the time?
Lika Just after five.
Marat (cross) And you woke me up just because of an air raid?
Lika You’ve only been here five days. I don’t know how you feel about air raids.
Marat Oh, for goodness’ sake … I hate them.
Lika … So what shall we do?
Marat We could go on the roof.
Lika No one’s been on duty on the roof for ages.
Marat Why not?
Lika We’re derelict. That’s how we’re classed.
Marat Well, if we’re derelict, why the hell did you wake me up?
A landmine explodes close by.
Go down to the basement.
Lika I don’t want to. I’m warm.
Marat I still haven’t the slightest idea why you woke me up.
Lika Oh, stop complaining and go back to sleep.
Marat Fat chance of that now. (Sighs.) And I was having such a dream …!
Lika What was it?
Marat Sugar-loaf … with raisins … and honey! Then the music started, and I was kissing a girl I know …
Lika I wish I hadn’t asked you now.
A landmine explodes close by. Marat gets up.
Marat Right, we’re going to the basement.
Lika You’re very brave all of a sudden. Not a coward, are you?
Marat Come off it – I spent six months on that roof. Do you know how many incendiaries I threw off that roof?
Lika No, I don’t. Was she in your form at school?
Marat Who?
Lika The girl you were kissing?
Marat What’s that to you?
Lika The girl from the next landing? Lelya?
Marat Maybe.
Lika I expect she’s kissed everyone in Tbilisi by now.
Marat Look, if you don’t –
The sound of small-arms fire, not far away.
Damn, it’s started.
Lika There are loads of empty apartments. You can move out tomorrow. And there’s an end to it.
Marat I’m not going anywhere.
Lika Oh aren’t you? Why not?
Marat You’ll never survive without me.
Lika I’ll survive, all right. Like you said: I’m a lucky one.
Marat (cross) Why, because you had Mummy’s little parcels? Nanny’s bread ration? Well that’s all over and done with, isn’t it? Unless I cop it and you get my coupons! But I wouldn’t count on it if I were you, because I’m a lucky one, all right? – I’m just as lucky as you are! As a matter of fact the way you live is disgraceful. You’ve cut yourself off, backed into a hole, curled up in your lair like an animal!
Lika (indignant) What are you talking about?
Marat I’ve hit the nail on the head, haven’t I? You’ve retreated into yourself, cut yourself off from society! You’re a child of the Soviet Union! Do you think that is worthy of you?
Another landmine explodes, even closer than before.
Lika I don’t know what you mean, Marik!
Lika bursts into tears. Marik looks out of the window.
Marat Nearly got the bridge. Bastards. – Why are you snivelling?
Lika You treat me like a child! You’re stupid! I’m not a child!
Marat Fine, all right, you’re a young lady – as if that made a difference! Your way of life is wrong! Don’t you see that? Wrong! You think you’re aloof, you remove yourself, the people are in struggle against the fascist menace, and you spend your days in bed! Isolation causes starvation, you know!
Lika Gosh, you’re good at making up slogans, aren’t you?
Marat As a matter of fact, young lady, I’ve only had half of what you’ve had to eat, in spite of which my morale remains excellent! And that’s because I’m a citizen of Leningrad, and I know my civic duty, and I do it, and yes, more besides!
Lika Now you’re showing off.
Marat I am not showing off.
Lika (wiping her eyes) Then you’re telling lies.
Marat That’s different.
Lika You’ve been telling lies for five days non-stop. Am I right?
Marat Of course.
Lika (interested) Why do you tell lies?
Marat It’s more fun.
Lika Ah.
Marat (sternly) I’m taking you out of your shell. I’m taking you down to the Komsomol Centre, and we’re going to find you some work. You should start being useful. You’re perfectly fit. It’s embarrassing just looking at you. You have to help people who aren’t.
Lika I have been helping.
Marat Who? The neighbours? Not enough. Not enough! You have to be of service to others, all the time! Understand?
Lika All right.
Marat You don’t sound very convinced.
Lika I said all right!
Marat But you sit and read Turgenev all day! Turgenev! Christ! You burnt the entire library, and kept Turgenev!
Lika I like him!
Marat You like him? All that pointless soul-searching in grand country houses? You like it? It doesn’t mobilise anyone!
Lika It mobilises me.
Marat Terrific! In that case we’ll go to the Centre today and put your name down.
Lika I said all right, didn’t I? (Pause.) What are we going to do now?
Marat (viciously) Who knows?
Lika Marik …
Marat What?
Lika Let’s light the stove.
Marat Can’t. Got to keep the sideboard.
Lika There’s loads of it left …
Marat No there isn’t.
Lika Perhaps we’ll get the furniture from next door …?
Marat You should be ashamed! Waiting for people to starve to death, so you can get their furniture!
Lika It’s awful … It’s awful! (Bursts into tears.)
Marat goes and sits next to her.
Marat (gently) Hey. That’s enough. Come on. You can’t do this. I mean, you’re always crying.
Lika I never cried when I was alone.
Marat I suppose that’s my fault, as usual.
Lika No … but don’t think … don’t think I want them to die. That’s the last thing I want. I just thought that if … then we … no, it’s awful! (She cries.)
Marat You’re a silly fool, Lika.
He strokes her hair, tentatively.
Lika (scared) What are you doing?
Marat Nothing. Calming you down.
Lika Oh.
Marat You don’t want me to?
Lika … I don’t mind.
Marat Don’t cry. The neighbours will go on living, and we’ll find some more wood.
Lika Promise?
Marat Absolutely.
Lika Then let’s light the fire. (Whispers, fondly.) Let’s light the fire. It’ll soon be spring.
Marat strokes her hair.
(Smiling) You hear me, Marik? Light it. (suddenly anxious) I think you ought to stop calming me down now.