[L-II-3]

[Deemer]

(Ilya enters the living room.)

ILYA: I need my wages.

SORIN: You need nothing of the kind.

ILYA: I'm owed them.

MED.: Gentlemen, please . . .

(Medvedenko has everyone's attention.)

MED.: Perhaps there's no need for anyone to quit.

MASHA: Father isn't quitting.

ILYA: Shut up. Where's your mother?

MASHA: I don't know.

ILYA: With the doctor, no doubt. I don't even get the support of my own wife.

IRINA: You are a rude ruffian!

ILYA: I have my work to do, that's all. I can't bow to your every whim and fancy.

SORIN: Why are the carriage horses in the field?

ILYA: Because I'm short-handed and the barley needs to get in before a storm comes up.

MASHA: What storm? We've had beautiful weather.

ILYA: See what I put up with? My own daughter contradicts me.

SORIN: We have carriage horses, and we have field horses. They should not be confused.

ILYA: I did not know madam would have a sudden urge to go shopping.

IRINA: You can't stop insulting me!

ILYA: I thought you and my wife wanted to go to town.

IRINA: We do.

ILYA: I assume when women go to town, it is to go shopping. Pardon me if I'm wrong.

TRIGORIN: May I make a suggestion?

IRINA: Yes, that we pack right away.

TRIGORIN: There's no need for this. I think, now that he understands the problem, certainly a couple of carriage horses can be taken out of the field.

ILYA: They'd never been in the field in the first place if anyone bothered to tell me what was going on. I don't read minds. Especially of a woman.

TRIGORIN: I suggest you all stop bickering and find an agreement. Excuse me.

IRINA: (after him) Boris?

(He leaves.)

[follow him]

SORIN: He's right. But we don't have a solution if you quit.

MASHA: Father, tell them you didn't quit.

ILYA: All I ask for is a little respect.

(Polina enters.)

[continue]