The Curse of Hermes Trismegistus | страница 31



Vykhuholev. That’s because Rodion Stalverovich resembles the rider of the apocalypse on a white horse. But here, the horse is missing to complete the whole picture.

Rodion. Don’t you have no one else to hang out on?

Ogranovich. What an angry raisin! Come here, I'm going to eat you!

Myshevsky. Don't worry so much, Rodion! Olga Alekseevna assures that there is no danger to his life. She is a good nurse. We can trust her.

Rodion. But she also says that the father has just experienced a strong emotional shock and its consequences are unpredictable.

Myshevsky. Indeed, Stalver Udarpyatovich needs a good rest at the good sanatorium. He needs smart doctors, caring medical staff, and the best medicines.

Rodion. All these little things require money. And where can I get them?

Myshevsky. Wait a second, Rodion! You ‘ve just recently received a big loan from my bank. You haven’t spent it all, have you?

Rodion. Actually, I have. I’ve spent almost everything. I don't know for sure… What if I ask for some more?

Myshevsky. They will not give you until you pay off the previous debt.

Rodion. And you?

Myshevsky. What about me?

Rodion. My father has made you outrageously rich. Can't you pay for his treatment?

Myshevsky. Did you say outrageously rich? Well, let’s see… this still needs to be tested.

Rodion. And how long will this testing take?

Myshevsky. I think, only Hermes Trismegistus knows that.

Rodion. What a bullshit!

Myshevsky. Just think, Rodion. Even if the correction in the recipe is right, you need to get the philosopher's stone first. After that you should try to turn metal into gold. Besides, it will take time to start a production process. I think it will take a few years… As I see, my words have upset you, haven’t they?

Rodion. Upset? I'm totally killed! It is too long.

Myshevsky. Too long for what, may I ask you?

Rodion. For me… I mean for my father.

Myshevsky. And I think you’ve just said exactly what you wanted to. Is that right, Sergey Yurievich?

Vykhuholev. Sure! You don’t need to study Freud to say that.

Ogranovich. Even I understood it right. After three short glasses of vodka.

Rodion. You misunderstood me, I told you! What a nasty manner to focus on certain words!

Myshevsky. Well, let it be your way, Rodion. But tell me the truth: have you really believed all this nonsense?

Rodion. I don't quite understand you.

Myshevsky. Well, I quite understand your father: he is an elderly person, crazy with philosophy and loneliness. But you are a young and reasonable man. Alchemy, transmutation, spirits – how can you believe all these fairy tales for the feeble-minded?