Czytaj książkę: «For big and small people»

Roman Akimov

Czcionka:

Editor Veronika Varentsova

Illustrator Roman Akimov

Translator Veronica Varentsova

ISBN 978-5-0064-3247-5

Created with Ridero smart publishing system

“A planet of jesters”
Roman Akimov

Characters

– Victoria

– Victoria’s Husband

– Tesya (Victoria’s Daughter)

– Versachka (Dog)

– Pillow

– Clock

– Guard

– Town Crier

– Beggar

– Mimodo! (From the future, a man from another planet)

– Gray Sock

– Spider

– Friend 1

– Friend 2

– Intruder

Setting: Medieval Europe

A brief introduction

Winter. A spacious house. Inside the house, there are piles of stacked items and objects. Against the far central wall stands a large antique wardrobe. Near the right wall, there is a chest. On the left side, there is a large double-door window. Opposite the window, there are hanging clocks. The walls are adorned with various drawings and family photographs. Outside the window, you can see the street and the corners of the houses. In the distance, on a hill, there is a podium with a flagpole, where the kingdom’s flag is waving

The first morning…

The entire family, dressed warmly, stands in front of the open window, awaiting the daily message to the kingdom. The Town Crier (from a podium) – Our kingdom is surrounded by entirely unfriendly neighbors, waiting for us to weaken so they can take advantage! From our tower, we increasingly hear calls, or rather, demands, to pay attention to resolving internal pressing issues! Know this – these are hostile elements; this is said only to lull your vigilance and divert your attention from what truly matters! The guards have learned to identify troublemakers. Be assured! Everyone will be held accountable under the law! That’s the first point! Second! Our wise king has consolidated all the kingdom’s hard-earned gold reserves exclusively in the royal treasury. Trusted ministers of the Crown are responsible for its safety. What does this mean? It means that thoughtful, wise decisions are the key to a prosperous future! After the Town Crier’s last words, joyful shouts and children’s crying can be heard from all the houses: “Hail the king!” Following the shouts and cries, windows begin to close one by one.

Victoria – Hail to the king! Hail to the king! (to her husband, half-whispering) Close the window! (loudly) Hail to the king! Hail to the king!

The room is lit up. Victoria’s Husband (taking off his coat) – That’s it, I can’t take it anymore! I’m getting too hot! (looks at the wall clock) Oh no, it’s time for work!

Tesya (very sleepy, falls to the floor) – Mom, I want to sleep…

Victoria (somewhat condescendingly) – Please, without this performance. I’ve wanted to sleep since the moment you were born! So, logically, I should be the one going to sleep, not you… But I can’t, why?

Tesya – I have to study…

Victoria – Go grab something from the table, or you’ll be hungry all day again!

Victoria’s Husband (clearing the clutter) – Where does my second sock always disappear to? The chest spits out some items into the room.

Victoria – Where you left it, that’s where you should look!!!

Victoria’s Husband – All my things are always neatly folded (pointing to separate piles of scattered items), right here and here, I folded them myself… But for some reason, what I’m looking for isn’t here… (to himself) How tired I am of all this… Fine, I’ll go look elsewhere! (tidies up suspiciously)

Victoria – You’d better not upset me! I can handle things without you…

Victoria wraps Tesya in a warm scarf, making her unable to speak clearly, turning her into something resembling a woolly ball.

Victoria (to Tesya) – Stop fidgeting! Stop, I said!

Victoria’s Husband (to Tesya) – Sweetie, you’d better not upset mom, you know what she’s like in the morning!

Victoria – What’s she like?

Victoria’s Husband – Absolutely magnificent!

Victoria – Alright, did we forget anything?

Tesya tries to say something important but only produces a prolonged murmur.

Victoria’s Husband – Seems like we didn’t!

Victoria – Then let’s go! (to Tesya) Stop mumbling!

The door slams shut and locks. From the pile of items, a drowsy dog, Versachka, slowly crawls out.

Versachka – They’ve chilled the room again! You can catch a cold like this! It seems I need to go outside! I need to go outside… They forgot about me again. (to himself) Can I do anything about it? Is it up to me? This is quite a complex question for a simple dog! On the other hand, if I sniff around seriously, I do everything I can, and I have a home… Can I dream of anything more? And this isn’t just a pile of items, it’s a real fortress! A real castle next to a large wooden hanger, a solid roof made of shawls, scarves, hats, gloves, and pants. Expensive hat! Good morning! Respectable pair of shoes, good morning to you too! Dear yellow scarf, I must say you resemble the real sun… and not just because you’re higher than me and in the blue clouds of pants! But the biggest and warmest good morning to the one who witnessed cleanliness and was there from the very beginning! Good morning, invisible old gray sock…

Versachka digs up a homemade musical instrument made of strings and starts to sing, causing the entire room to come alive as it sways in rhythm.

The Earth will turn upside down, and leaves will scatter into the sky

My little sock will hold my home, sturdy and strong as years go by

No one ever thought at once, this planet’s the universe’s core

No one will write stories, of a gray-colored sock and its lore

I believe it’s not just a word, what once was there at the start

I believe it was the foundation, of a grand universal chart

And the little thread in it, it’s also my home

One day it’ll save from discord, as the thread’s purpose is known

Spider (to Versachka) – Well, good morning, little doggy! Did you forget to walk with you again? Come on, I’ll crawl around you a bit so you won’t be so sad!

Versachka – Good morning! Thanks for the offer, but I have a lot to do!

Spider – I won’t offer twice!

Versachka – Thanks, but I’ll probably pass!

Spider – Lots to do… Well, you know, I’m always somewhere nearby! I’m off!

Outside, the sound of the royal guard’s boots approaching becomes audible. Small squads pass through the streets. Versachka rushes to the window!

Voice (to the recruits) – Stand in formation, offspring! You are now in the elite ranks of the Order of the Iron Shield and Sword; His Majesty the King’s! Step, more precisely! One, Two!

Meanwhile, the sun slowly rises above the hill…

The first day…

The key turns in the lock, the door opens. Victoria enters.

Versachka (jumping with joy) – Who’s there! Who’s there!? I’m so happy! Please, take me outside! I really need it!

Victoria – Don’t bark at me! And stop getting underfoot! Wait, didn’t we just go for a walk?

Victoria tosses some new items onto the common pile, except for one.

Victoria (trying it on) – Not bad! Not bad!

Versachka – Please, take me outside!

Victoria – Stop barking! What do you need? (to herself) Not bad! Right on time! (to Versachka) Where’s the leash? Let’s find it!

Versachka – Hooray!

Victoria and Versachka search for the leash in the clutter.

Versachka – Found it, here!

Hastily, Victoria puts on the leash.

Victoria (putting it on) – Don’t squirm, don’t squirm, I said, don’t yelp! Let’s go!

Victoria and Versachka go outside.

Town Crier (on the hill) – Henceforth, in the kingdom, valor and order prevail! For the tranquility of His Majesty’s subjects, a royal decree has added a new generation of unformed and fresh-faced youth to the king’s guard! Patriotic education of the youth is paramount! With sword and shield! With sword and shield! Hail to the king!

Tesya and Victoria’s Husband enter.

Victoria’s Husband – We’re home! She went out again and didn’t lock the door…

Tesya mumbles indistinctly.

Victoria’s Husband (takes off his scarf) – Take the rest off yourself! You’re grown up now. Put it somewhere, Mom will come and sort it all out herself.

Tesya – Where’s Mom?

Victoria’s Husband (takes off extra clothes) – I’m wondering the same thing!

Versachka and Victoria return from their walk.

Tesya – Versachka!!! Versachka!!!

Victoria – Hold on! Versachka wriggles out of Victoria’s grasp and jumps into Tesya’s arms.

Tesya – Versachka’s good! Versachka’s good!!!

Versachka – I missed you so much!!!

Victoria – Can’t you see that his paws are dirty!? (to Versachka) Sit!

Victoria approaches Versachka in her outdoor shoes.

Victoria – What are you looking at? Give me a cloth!

Victoria wipes Versachka’s paws.

Victoria – Stop squirming, for goodness’ sake!

Tesya – But Dad said…

Victoria’s Husband – Weren’t you taught to lock the doors when you leave the house?

Victoria – And where’s the “hello, my beloved”?

Victoria’s Husband – I’m tired of you never thinking about anything!

Victoria – Calm down!

Victoria’s Husband – You know very well that thefts and looting have increased… You know what time it is!

Victoria – Say it louder! Our neighbors are deaf! (loudly) Thanks to our king for order and tranquility!

To her husband: See how smart your wife is! That’s right!

She takes one of the items from the fresh pile.

Victoria’s Husband – Not bad! What’s the occasion?

Victoria – It’s time to pay attention to that photo in the corner!

Victoria’s Husband – Oh, I completely forgot! What can I do…

Victoria – Give me the money; I haven’t paid for it yet!

Victoria’s Husband – Aren’t we drowning in debt? Look around, there’s no space left… Is it really necessary right now? Fine, dear! (hands over the money) Don’t be surprised later…

Victoria – Alright, I’m going! Wait until evening!

Victoria leaves.

Victoria’s Husband (trying it on) – I wonder, why do I need this?… Well, never mind.

He tosses the new item onto the common pile and goes into another room.

Versachka – How was your day, Tesya!?

Tesya – I’ll share with you how my day went!

Versachka – How’s your schooling?

Tesya – It’s boring to study, of course… If only you could come with me, it would be much more fun! Only you understand me, Versachka! Come here, I’ll hug you! I feel like I’m not needed by anyone…

Versachka – Sweet, sweet Tesya! Don’t be sad! It’s just tough right now, but everything will get better, you’ll see… I need you! I love you very much!

Tesya (laughs) – Don’t wiggle, don’t wiggle, Versachka! You know I’m scared of tickles!

Meanwhile, outside, the windows and small lanterns on the walls of the kingdom’s houses light up.

Town Crier (on the hill) – Royal decree! Due to the challenging situation on our borders, a curfew is imposed! Violators will be detained by our valiant guards for further investigation of all circumstances and will be punished in accordance with the laws of our kingdom! Hail to the king!

The First Evening…

Tesya is drawing with colored pencils on white paper, and Versachka sits nearby. Victoria’s husband comes out of the neighboring room.

Tesya – Daddy, daddy, look!

Victoria’s Husband – Oh my, what’s this?

Tesya – I drew it myself!

Victoria’s Husband – But it’s winter… And your tree is green, and these… colorful leaves?

Tesya – I just thought…

Victoria’s Husband (weary, almost indifferent) – Haven’t they told you that an artist shouldn’t think? They, my dear, should reflect the truth and the reality that uplifts fundamental things in the eyes of the beholder, like love for the kingdom, respect for the law, labor… the ability to endure hardships for the common bright future!

Tesya – I just…

Victoria’s Husband (annoyed) – How much is three pieces of bread plus three pieces of bread? Hasn’t your mother taught you to add? Show with your fingers!

Tesya (shows with fingers) – Probably like this!

Victoria’s Husband (shows the correct answer) – Not probably, like this! Learn to understand bread first, and then draw green trees and these… leaves in winter!

Tesya – Okay, Daddy…

Victoria’s Husband goes into another room, and Tesya freezes in place.

Versachka – Let me see! Oh, what a magnificent and majestic tree! How much we all miss summer… Let me close my eyes right now! Ah, Tesya! I can hear the rustle of its leaves in the evening’s summer breeze!

Tesya – It seems like you understand me!

She hugs Versachka.

Versachka – Of course, I do, but I just can’t express it like a human!

Victoria enters with large bags.

Guard (outside the window) – Turn off the lights! Lights out! Turn off the lights!

Victoria – Just in time! A step the length of a lifetime! But what did I bring, my dear! Yes, yes, you understand it correctly! Soda! Is it a celebration or not? Take it and bring it to the kitchen!

Victoria actively takes off extra clothes.

Tesya – Mom, look at what I drew!

Victoria – Hm… (pause) A tree… (pause) And why aren’t you in bed yet? Don’t you want Uncle Guard to take you to the guardhouse? There’s no paint there, only soot and dampness…

Tesya – No, Mom!

Victoria – Then hurry! (to her husband) My dear, wonderful, long-haired, and curly husband, today marks six years since we’ve been together!

Victoria’s Husband – Oh, really?

Victoria – That’s right! This occasion calls for celebration!

Guard (knocking on the window) – Turn off the lights!

Victoria – Yes, yes!

Victoria’s Husband and Victoria go to the kitchen, closing the kitchen door with a familiar sound. Through the glass of the kitchen door, only silhouettes can be seen. Later, faint voices and some household noise can be heard from the kitchen. Outside, the guards march in formation. The sound of boots is audible.

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