Olga. Even if…
Golyshkin. Not a single sound, no matter what you might see or hear! Otherwise, the spirit will leave without answering any question. Or even worse, will get angry.
Olga. So what?
Golyshkin. Then he will take cruel revenge.
Ogranovich. I beg you, professor! My nerves are tensed like strings now!
Golyshkin. I thought Mr. Myshevsky has warned his friends about all the possible consequences of a seance.
Myshevsky. That’s right, professor. But anyway, I think we’d better not to delay the prelude. The expectation of death is worse than the death itself, this is a well-known truth.
Ogranovich. What death are you talking about?
Myshevsky. About spiritual one, and nothing more.
Vykhuholev. Therefore, you have nothing to fear of, Elena Pavlovna. From this point of view, you don’t live any longer in this world.
Ogranovich. Oh, stop your jokes, please!
Golyshkin. Dear guests! Silence please! I am starting the session. Mr. Myshevsky, get ready, please. When I show you a sign, you should give me the recipe of the philosopher's stone.
Myshevsky. Why is that?
Golyshkin. I will have to read it to the spirit of Hermes Trismegistus. Otherwise, how will he be able to answer where there is an error in it or not? After all, he needs to know what recipe we are asking about. But the spirit should hear only me.
Myshevsky. Yes, you're right, professor.
Golyshkin. Do you have the recipe with you? As I said, it needs to be handwritten with a pencil on a sheet of paper.
Myshevsky. I did everything as you asked.
Golyshkin. Then let's start!
Everyone keeps silent. Golyshkin takes the saucer, heats it from the inside over the candle, and places it on edge in the middle of the table, in the center of the alphabetical circle.
Golyshkin. Spirit of Hermes Trismegistus, I appeal to you! Please, come to us! Spirit of Hermes Thrice Greatest, I appeal to you! Spirit of Hermes Trismegistus! Appear to us!
With each new phrase, the rustles and creaks in the room get louder. The wind is howling. Somewhere in the apartment, a door banged.
Olga. Look, the saucer is alive!
Golyshkin. Keep silence!
Ogranovich. I am going to faint now! Somebody has touched me with the icy hand. Hey, shrink, is that your stupid joke again?
Golyshkin. Be quiet, otherwise you will scare him off! I am in the contact with the spirit of Hermes Trismegistus – I feel that. Hermes Thrice Greatest, I appeal to you! Answer just one of my question: where is the mistake in your recipe of the philosopher's stone?
