Myshevskiy. Because he didn’t feel that frustration that I did. I tried to prepare the elixir-stone.
Golyshkin. And you failed, as far as I understand.
Myshevskiy. After my experiment I received very beautiful crystals of deep-ruby color. It turned out to be Argentum Chloraurate with a high concentration of gold – forty four percent! During a fusing process the crystals got golden color. However, it wasn’t pure gold as we hoped.
Golyshkin. Perhaps, the alchemists called these crystals the elixir stone.
Myshevskiy. Only quacks and losers did so. I guess Hermes Tricemegistus wrote this recipe especially for them. In order to confuse them, the Egyptian made the recipe look quite naturally, but had changed some ingredient. Perhaps, only one ingredient, but it resulted in just forty four percent of gold in the substance. So, if we manage to open this little secret of the old alchemist we would become fantastically rich, professor!
Golyshkin. You said “we”? Are you sure?
Myshevskiy. Of course we. I can’t deal with this spirit-rapping stuff. All my attempts in it failed. You are an expert in spiritualism. So, I offer you to open a joint venture. My contribution to the authorized fund is the recipe of the elixir-stone willed to me by my dad. And you…
Golyshkin. Yes, what about me?
Myshevskiy. Sincere confession of Hermes Tricemegistus.
Golyshkin. It’s nonsense! Don’t you understand it?
Myshevskiy. Will you believe me if I show you the parchment
Myshevskiy takes something covered with soft cloth out of his briefcase. He unfolds it carefully and shows the manuscript to Golyshkin. He shows it at a distance not letting touch it.
Golyshkin. My God! So it's true!
Myshevskiy. What is the reason for me deceiving you? You can check the veracity of my words yourself.
Golyshkin. Are you going to give me..?
Myshevskiy wraps the manuscript in cloth and hides the package back in his briefcase.
Myshevskiy. Of course, it's not that easy. Only after you promise me to get the spirit of Hermes Trismegistus. So… Deal?
Golyshkin. Give me some time to think. I can't make a decision out of the blue like this. After all, I am a philosopher, not an adventurer.
Myshevskiy. I understand, professor. How much time do you need?
Golyshkin. I'll call you. In a week. Or by the end of the month.
Myshevskiy. I'll call you myself. If you don’t mind.
Golyshkin. But I don't promise anything!
Myshevsky. Negative answer is also an answer.
