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Everyone turns their attention to Tesya.
Tesya (under the influence of the moonlight, not fully awake) – Mom!
The Pillow, Clock, and Socks disappear, returning to their places.
Versachka – Sweet Tesya, quietly, don’t stumble… I’ll take you to your crib, and I’ll guard your room!
Versachka and Tesya leave. The image of Victoria and her husband slightly comes to life, their faces change. Due to a slight movement, the picture falls off one of the two nails. When Versachka returns, she carefully walks around the room, chooses her spot, makes a few circles, lies down, and falls asleep.
Versachka’s Dream
The space transforms into summer: the sounds of trees rustling flood through the wide-open windows, the sun rises, and a large drawn tree grows up from the floor. Perched on a branch is a smiling Tesya. She waves to her parents, who are standing, embracing each other. Beneath the tree is Versachka, rejoicing and trying to jump onto the tree towards Tesya.
The second morning…
Victoria and Victoria’s Husband, dressed inappropriately for the weather, stand by the window awaiting a royal message. Tesya stands nearby, wrapped in a blanket.
Town Crier – In times of growing prosperity in our kingdom, when every family works tirelessly for the prosperity of our lands, the lands where our ancestors once lived, those who believed in a bright future for the next generations and knew that the kingdom is blessed not by us, but from above… In all this grandeur, it turns out not everyone is pleased! Yesterday, the king’s guards captured conspirators, true traitors (because there’s no other way to describe them). And who are they? Three students from the Royal University! Bring them out! Guards bring out three students.
Town Crier – What were they doing in their free time from studies? They, in a strange and unacceptable manner, insulting our feelings, distorted the image of our king! They allowed us, the people, to be depicted as hungry, angry, uncivilized savages! They apparently thought it was a harmless joke! But we know where the tentacles grow from and who commissioned these images!
Indistinct disapproval is heard from the windows.
Town Crier – All of us absorbed with our mother’s milk that the neighboring kingdoms are trying to sow discord in our minds and in the minds of our children, distorting meanings, spreading false information about a better life! But we know it’s a lie! These three drank a different milk, and we see the result!
Words are heard from the windows: “Punish them! Punish them!!!”
Town Crier – But our king is merciful! Instead of the desired and deserved execution for these traitors, he has ordered that they be paraded through the streets in the near future so that everyone they offended with their pictures can speak their minds while looking them in the eye! Take them away! Hail to the merciful king!
Amid loud applause, Victoria’s husband silently closes the window.
Victoria (not hiding her irritation) – Let’s go to the room, I’ll change you…
Tesya – Mommy, what happened?
Victoria – Nothing…
Victoria and Tesya leave for the adjoining room.
Versachka – While I was sleeping, something happened?
Victoria’s Husband – I’m so tired of these constant missing socks, every morning it’s the same… (starts burying himself in a pile of clothes)
Victoria (from the room) – Can you raise your hands?! Can’t you see that it’s difficult for me to put this on?! And in general, it’s time to learn to do everything yourself… Well, okay!
Victoria’s Husband (demonstratively) – How I’m tired of all this…
Versachka – What happened here?
Victoria’s Husband leaves. Victoria and Tesya, dressed, come out. Tesya runs up to Versachka.
Tesya – Dear friend, see you later!
Versachka – See you later!
Victoria (sarcastically) – And don’t bark at me! As usual, you’ll endure it! I hope you heard me?
Tesya – Mommy, let’s go!
Victoria and Tesya leave. Versachka approaches the window, watching the quickly diminishing silhouettes. The clamor of people grows as the loud steps of soldiers’ boots are heard. The house begins to shake, and in fear, Versachka hides and closes his eyes. Meanwhile, students pass by the window, accompanied by a large number of guards. Street sweepers follow, clearing the path behind the students with brooms. The sun passes across the sky. Time speeds up.
The second day…
The key turns in the lock. Victoria enters and immediately approaches Versachka.
Victoria (hugging the dog) – I’m very ashamed, come on, wag your tail! You’re trembling… because of me? I didn’t want to… Where’s our leash? Let’s go, I’ll take you for a walk!
Versachka – Really?!
Victoria – I promise to do better…
Versachka and Victoria go outside. In the window, a silhouette of Victoria’s husband and Tesya approaching from a distance is visible. Before entering the house, Victoria’s husband suspiciously peeks into the window.
Victoria’s Husband – Tesya, you know what to do: warm clothes in one, shoes in the other!
Victoria’s Husband clumsily moves around the room.
Tesya – Dad, did you lose something?
Victoria’s Husband – No, no! Never mind!
Tesya – Can I help?
Victoria’s Husband – No need! Mind your own business!
Victoria enters with Versachka.
Victoria (to Victoria’s Husband) – Peace?
Victoria’s Husband – That hair you found on my clothes…
Victoria – Which one?
Victoria’s Husband – The ominous one…
Victoria – I already forgot! I scold myself for my suspicions! Are we children?
Victoria’s Husband – Well… peace!
Victoria’s Husband and Victoria hug.
Versachka – Maybe I had a prophetic dream last night?
Victoria (lightly hopping on one foot) – This needs to be celebrated urgently!
Victoria’s Husband – But what am I… Go, go.
Joyful, Victoria skips away.
Victoria’s Husband sighs heavily and leaves for the adjacent room.
Tesya (hugging the dog) – Versachka, you’re a good boy!
Versachka – You know, it seems I had a real prophetic dream! You were there, they were there, your big drawn tree, and everyone was smiling!
Tesya (laughs) – Woof! Woof!
Versachka – Seriously! Seriously!
Meanwhile, outside the windows, guards march in a steady, precise step.
Town Crier – Due to deteriorating weather conditions, our gracious king has decreed that tomorrow shall be a day off! That’s the first announcement. Second: the king’s ministers have reported on the six-month results! Poverty has been eradicated in the kingdom! Thanks to smart reforms, there are no more poor in the country! The kingdom’s defense has been strengthened! In the past month alone, a large number of men have joined the ranks of the honorable guard, and most of them are currently digging the great trench around our kingdom! A trench that will certainly ensnare the enemy! All of this is happening while the tentacles of neighboring kingdoms attempt to infiltrate our territory, taking away everything we’ve worked hard to create! In light of these achievements, the king has decreed a ministerial ball! Hail the king! Hail his faithful ministers!
Evening falls, and lanterns are lit.
The second evening…
Victoria’s husband is lighting the home fireplace. A heavy snowfall begins, turning into a blizzard. Tesya is drawing something, and Versachka sits nearby.
Versachka – Is that a person?
Tesya – Woof! Woof!
Versachka – It’s good that we understand each other…
In the distance, outside the window, the silhouette of a person appears. They peer into the windows, getting closer and closer. There’s a knocking at the window.
Versachka – Who’s that?
Tesya – Don’t worry, my dear, it’s probably the wind that blew a twig against our window!
Victoria’s Husband (peering out) – Did you knock?
Tesya – No, Daddy!
Victoria’s Husband – Curse this blizzard! *Knocking at the window.*
Versachka – Who is it? Who is it?
Victoria’s Husband – Sit! Tesya, step away from the window.
Tesya hides in the doorway of the adjacent room and listens attentively. Victoria’s husband opens the window.
Victoria’s Husband – What do you want?
Beggar – If you could be so kind…
Victoria’s Husband – Kind to what?
Beggar – For God’s sake, my children haven’t eaten for several days… This knocking on the window is out of desperation… Please help…
Victoria’s Husband (after a pause) – Times are tough for everyone now! I’m sorry, it’s very cold! *Closes the window.* There are all sorts of people around here!
The thin and fragile silhouette of the Beggar is caught by the blizzard and carried away in an unknown direction.
Tesya – Dad, what if he perishes?
Victoria’s Husband – Remember, Tesya, today you helped him, tomorrow he’ll bring someone else. Hope is not about this place! There’s no poverty in our kingdom… He’s definitely a fraud… *Looks out the window and barely articulates, breaking the words into syllables.* Def-in-ite-ly a fraud!
Tesya covers her face with her hands and starts crying.
Victoria’s Husband (very composed) – Once, in a similar situation, my father did the same, only I was walking through the forest at night… Seven hours. Growing up is not easy! It’s time to realize that!
Victoria’s Husband goes to the kitchen.
Victoria’s Husband – Most likely, he’s a fraud…
Versachka – Everything will be fine with him! Everything will be fine with him!
Victoria enters, covered in snow.
Victoria – Barely made it! Did you bring it?
Victoria’s Husband – She pities the beggars!
Victoria (a bit theatrical) – She doesn’t pity me, that’s the main thing… Remember, dear, no one will pity you in this world!
*Knocking at the window.*
Versachka – Who’s that?
Tesya – Dad!
Victoria’s Husband (approaching the window) – I thought I made myself clear! Guard – Turn off the lights! Dismissed!
Victoria – Why aren’t they all staying home in such weather?
Victoria’s Husband – Come on, you go to the kitchen… And you, off to bed! Meanwhile, the blizzard outside is getting even stronger.
