BORIS (BORIA): A Russian. He has lived in Boston for 15 years. Age 75-80
RAECHKA: She came to Boston with Boris. Age 75-80
Boris and Raechka are sitting at a table and listening Russian song “My dearest”. A cane leans against the table. Flowers in their store wrapping, a box of candy and a coffee pot and cups are on the table.
BORIS (reading over soft CD music to a stone faced Raechka):
“Dear, dear my Sunshine of my view
Tell me when again
I will meet with you”…
RAECHKA: So?
BORIS: Memories come flashing back… Huddled against the cold, singing with friends…The cold Fall night… The firelight made your eyes sparkle. And so we met… and married on June 1971.
RAECHKA: Boris, you haven’t called me for over two years, and now you invite yourself here to read this old song… Why couldn’t we have talked by phone?
BORIS: It’s not phone “talk”.
RAECHKA: Why, Boris?
BORIS: Raechka, why are you so cold? You always called me Boria…
RAECHKA: So what is on your mind, Boris?
BORIS: More and more I realize that our divorce was a mistake…
RAECHKA: Broken unspoken… and spoken understandings I thought we had. No children to worry over… disregard for each others feelings.
BORIS: My life has changed. I’ve had a life threatening operation…
RAECHKA: Operation? Nobody told me anything about it.
BORIS: I had a quadruple heart bypass. I had a terrible two weeks in the hospital. Then “complications”…. Over a year to recover.
RAECHKA: I have several friends who are more optimistic than you. Don’t be so dramatic.
BORIS: And that’s all, you can say? Just “I’m sorry Boria” would have been enough. I should think you would try to understand how one feels when they realize that they will soon die…
RAECHKA: You want my pity… Nothing comes out. You still only think of yourself… You have not changed… If we can’t find another topic may be you should leave.
BORIS: You’re not interested in my inner thoughts.
RAECHKA: G’Bye, Boris…
BORIS (slowly standing): All right. I’ll go.
RAECHKA: G’Bye
BORIS(slowly going toward the door): Good bye.
RAECHKA (shouts): Boris, you forgot your cane!
(Boris returns, and sits)
RAECHKA: Take your candy and flowers too.
BORIS: My gifts? Today is your Birthday!
RAECHKA (taken aback, recovering): Well, well! You remembered! All those birthdays you completely forget! I used to get my migraine. Each put another poisoned arrow in my memory.
BORIS: Raechka, I’m sorry. I’d like another try…
