(He tries to kiss Olga’s hand)
OLGA. Misha, not now… not the right place…
MICHAEL. Galochka, try to understand… This paper is the biggest chance in my life… I have to grovel before… The Party Committee didn’t want to give me permission to go to Paris. For a little professional recognition… I had to be stubborn humiliated and have Dima follow me all the time… But… They added a special condition about you and me… I can’t come to you after Paris (Pause) Please, forgive me… Galochka.. I hope you will understand… I don’t want to give up this chance… Do you understand? (Pause) Galochka! What do you say? Why are you silent? Say something… Galochka! Where are you?
OLGA. (own voice) Papa! What are you saying?
MICHAEL. Where is Galochka?
OLGA. She went away…
MICHAEL. Where? Why?
OLGA. To get your shoes…
MICHAEL. Call her back… I have to explain all and to ask her forgiveness…
OLGA. Why… do you have to ask Galya’s forgiveness?
MICHAEL. She and I had an agreement…
OLGA. Agreement? What about?
MICHAEL. I was to go to her with one suitcase… You and Mama would stay in the apartment with all the furniture the paintings, money, everything…
OLGA. How could you? Did Mama know anything about you and Galya?
MICHAEL. I think she knew something…
OLGA. But you never left us, Papa…
MICHAEL. The Party Committee said I could only go to Paris if I completely ended my relationship with Galya… Galya never forgave me my trip to Paris… Now I have missed another chance to ask her forgiveness…
(MICHAEL jumps up)
I have to try to find her…
(He puts feet on the floor. All the tubes have fallen off… He starts to walk gasps and falters… OLGA forces him back to bed)
OLGA. Papa, lie down again! I’ll call the nurse…
MICHAEL. (weakly) You don’t need to call anybody but Galochka.
OLGA. Listen to me! You are now in… the hospital! Do you understand? You are in Memorial Hospital
MICHAEL. Where?
OLGA. In the hospital… Not Leningrad… Papa, you are in America… In Boston Ame-ri-ca!!
MICHAEL. How could I be in America?
OLGA. After Perestroika we came to Boston… Five years ago on your 80th birthday… Remember?
MICHAEL. Where is Mama?
OLGA. Mama died…
MICHAEL. She died? (Pause) When?
OLGA. We came to America after she died…
(Beat)
MICHAEL (suddenly jumping up again shouting). Galochra! Galochka! Here I am!
OLGA. Papa, she isn’t here…
MICHAEL. I saw Galochka in the crowd…I’m calling to her…. There! She has on her blue knitted cap… She knitted it during lunch breaks… Then she knitted my scarf…
