[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.)
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]