Golyshkin. Actually, well-behaved children say “hello” when they enter a room full of adult guests.
Rodion. My father still can not get used to a fact, that I’ve grown up. But he is definitely right about one thing. At any age, you have to be polite. I apologize! Greetings to all who have gathered here today to celebrate the Bastille Day. It’s the same day as the one of the faceted glass or the day of the beeps, or…
Olga comes in.
Olga. Haven’t you forgotten about me?
Rodion. Hello Olya!
Golyshkin. Why do you call her Olya, you, boy?!
Olga. Stalver Udarpyatovich, will you introduce me to your guests? I feel really embarrassed.
Golyshkin. I am sorry, Olga Alekseevna, you are absolutely right. No one is interested in our family disputes. Let me introduce you my guests. Mr. Myshevsky. He is a mastermind of our today’s event.
Myshevsky. Mr. Myshevsky is too official for our tight circle of friends. You may call me Andrey Sigizmundovich. Or it’s better just Аndrey. My patronymic name is too complex to pronounce. Thanks to my father.
Olga. I am just Olya then.
Golyshkin. They are Mr. Myshevsky’s friends…
Vykhuholev. Sergey.
Olga. Nice to meet you – Olya!
Golyshkin. This is Elena Pavlovna.
Ogranovich. Yes, and please, keep in mind, that I am not Lena! I dislike this trend of calling everyone by their short names with no regard to age and rank. Lena, Lena! It sounds like one is calling a dog. I differ from a yard dog by that fact that I do know who my father was.
Olga. Olga Alekseevna.
Rodion. And you can call me Rodion Stalverovich. I am the son of Professor Golyshkin. Please, love and favor.
Myshevsky. Dear Rodion Stalverovich, I think we’d prefer to love Olga Alekseevna, but as for you, we are ready just to favor you.
Rodion. Sure! I love her myself.
Golyshkin. Rodion! Don’t forget that you are in a decent society!
Rodion. So, why is it indecent for a man to talk about his love for a woman?
Vykhuholev. Probably, it started since it has become decent in our society to talk about his love to a man. It's such a psychological paradox.
Rodion. I would call it a stupid perversion.
Vykhuholev. The voice of a child is the voice of God.
Rodion. Do you call me a child?!
Vykhuholev. Would you like to play a game of chess with me, Rodion Stalverovich?
Rodion. Not at all.
Ogranovich. And you are right, since you will lose anyway.
Rodion. I wonder, why?!
Ogranovich. I will reveal you a secret, but just don’t breath a word!
