[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.)