TWO RUSSIANS OVER VODKA

A play in one act

By Kyle Matthew Tuchay

CHARACTERS:

VASILY KALASHNIKOV

IGOR CHUISKY, his friend

[KALASHNIKOV’s apartment sits above the city of Omsk, Russia, it is snowing outside. It is lit dimly, by candles, which are flickering. The windows are frosted as the two Russians sit across a round table, both reading identical newspapers, and sipping vodka.]

KALASHNIKOV: (reading from newspaper with a sneer tone) “The only way to save the country is to reestablish discipline and restore capital punishment in the army and navy. Restore capital punishment! (His face turns red with outrage) They’ll kill us Russians for enjoying our Водочка! It’s the last thing I have. (He takes a sip)

CHUISKY: You care too much Vasily. You are not in the army no more. You care too –

KALASHNIKOV: (Screaming) I care too much!? Ostav’te menja v pokoe! (A phrase that means leave me alone)

[KALASHNIKOV finishes his glass with a triumphant swig slams it on the table and looks at CHUISKY.]

KALASHNIKOV: Pour!

[CHUISKY fills up the glass once again]

CHUISKY: (mumbling ever so audibly, just catching KALASHNIKOV’s ear) Once a drunk, always a drunk.

[KALASHNIKOV snatches the glass from the table. He heads to the window of the room. Looking out, and savoring his glass. CHUISKY looks at him, concerned]

KALASHNIKOV: The year is growing, Igor.

CHUISKY: What are you talking about?

KALASHNIKOV: We are out of the war.

CHUISKY: You are drunk; you have no idea what you’re talking about. The war will never be over. We’re always fighting.

[CHUISKY looks weak under the power of the vodka. He finishes his glass, and then pours more. KALASHNIKOV looks at him, and looks back out the window.]

KALASHNIKOV: You know now?

[CHUISKY walks away from the table to KALASHNIKOV, who is still at the window. He stands the same way, huddled to his vodka, and looks out into Omsk.]

CHUISKY: The war is over.

CURTAIN.