[St-IV-1]

[Deemer]

(The carriage stops near the abandoned stage outside. Ilya helps Irina down and lets Trigorin fend for himself.)

IRINA: Look at that! Why on earth haven't you taken it down?

ILYA: I tried to, believe me. I think it's a complete eyesore. But Kostya saw what I was doing and had a fit. I thought he was going to do something crazy. He made me promise never to tear it down.

IRINA: It's a disgrace.

ILYA: I hope you can convince him so.

TRIGORIN: I can understand why he wants to keep it. It's like saving an old manuscript.

IRINA: Old manuscripts aren't a public eyesore. You hide them in a dark drawer.

TRIGORIN: For a playwright, the stage is his manuscript.

IRINA: It was a dreadful play. You know it was. Why be reminded of it?

ILYA: I won't go near it now, to be honest. I thought he was going to do something crazy.

IRINA: I'll try to talk to him.

(Trigorin laughs. Irina stares at him.)

TRIGORIN: When have you ever changed his mind?

IRINA: I've changed yours, and you're a better artist than he is.

TRIGORIN: I'll try not to see that as an insult.

IRINA: You know what I mean.

TRIGORIN: You change my mind, dear, when I let you change it.

(They start toward the house by way of the garden.)

[follow them]