Brian: A
29-year-old single father.
Ivana Romanov:
A Serbian prostitute of
Russian heritage, living in a college town in the Midwest.
Professor Romanov: Her
father, a famous wheelchair-bound harpist from Serbia, who was a
professor at State, where he taught Brian. He now suffers from
Alzheimer's Syndrome, but he has brief periods of lucidity, mostly in
the mornings.
Jeff: A middle-aged client of Ivana's.
Jeff: A middle-aged client of Ivana's.
Scene: The Romanovs house, 12:00 PM
on Sunday. 10% of the stage is taken up by the front door (left), 60%
of the stage is taken up by the living room (center), and 30% of the
stage is taken up by Ivanas bedroom (right). Ivana's bedroom is dark,
and the font door and the living room are lit. The living room has a
sofa against the wall, forward of the front door, a table with two
chairs in the back right of the room, a mirror next to it, a broken
television in the far right of the room, forward of the door to
Ivanas room, and a harp in the center of the room. Ivana and
Professor Romanov are sitting at the table. Ivana is wearing a
cut-off shirt and jeans. Professor Romanov is wearing flannel
pajamas, and is wrapped up in a blanket. Ivana has her back to the
wall, the Professor is opposite her, in his wheelchair, and the two
are silently playing cards. Brian steps up to the front door and
rings the doorbell. He is wearing a short-sleeved collared shirt, and
khaki pants.
IVANA: Hello?
BRIAN: I'm here to see Professor Romanov.
IVANA: Stands up, pauses briefly to check her makeup and fix her hair in the mirror, walks to the front door, steps out of the front door, leans to the side and sticks out her hip. Hi, I'm Ivana. I guess you've heard of me.
BRIAN: Oh, sure. Professor Romanov used to talk about you all the time. He said that you got a scholarship to some school out West. Are you on break?
IVANA: Suddenly stands upright. Oh, no. I live here.
BRIAN: Great! So, hows the professor doing?
IVANA: Hes hes fine. Do you want to see him?
BRIAN: Sure.
IVANA: Come in. Nervously ushers him in.
BRIAN: Professor Romanov!
PROFESSOR ROMANOV: Shuffling the cards.
IVANA: My father hasn't been well. Hes been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Syndrome.
BRIAN: I'm so sorry. I wish Id known.
IVANA: Its okay. The doctor says that its good for him to have visitors. Walks over to Professor Romanov. Papa? One of your students is here. She gets behind him and turns his wheelchair to face Brian.
PROFESSOR ROMANOV: Brian? Is that you?
BRIAN: Yes, Professor. I'm back at State again.
PROFESSOR ROMANOV: Do you still play your harp?
BRIAN: I had to stop for a couple of years, when I was overseas, but I've started again.
PROFESSOR ROMANOV: Thats great. You always had such a great kinesthetic memory. I know you'll be back in top form right away.
BRIAN: What are you doing now? Retired?
PROFESSOR ROMANOV: Oh, no. Well, yes. I'm pursuing new musical interests.
BRIAN: Really!
PROFESSOR ROMANOV: I'm in a group that combines the music one folk genre with the instruments of another.
BRIAN: Really!
PROFESSOR ROMANOV: Do you want to hear some?
BRIAN: Of course!
PROFESSOR ROMANOV: Takes a cowboy hat out of a pocket in the back of his wheelchair, puts it on, wheels up to his harp, puts his wheelchair brakes on, reclines the harp and begins to play an oom-chuck pattern.
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you're mine, I walk the line
I find it very, very easy to be true
I find myself alone when each day is through
Yes, I'll admit that I'm a fool for you
Because you're mine, I walk the line
As sure as night is dark and day is light
I keep you on my mind both day and night
And happiness I've known proves that it's right
Because you're mine, I walk the line
You've got a way to keep me on your side
You give me cause for love that I can't hide
For you I know I'd even try to turn the tide
Because you're mine, I walk the line
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you're mine, I walk the line
BRIAN and IVANA: Clapping, standing to the right and left of the Professor, respectively.
BRIAN: That was wonderful! How long have you been working on this project?
PROFESSOR ROMANOV: Stares blankly ahead.
IVANA: He cannot hear you.
BRIAN: Huh?
IVANA: He cannot hear you. He goes catatonic like this sometimes. The doctors don't know whats causing it. Walks to her father, returns the harp to its original position, and wheels the Professor to the table.
BRIAN: I hope that he wakes up. Will he?
IVANA: No, probably not. Some days, he's not lucid at all. Sit down. Motions to the sofa.
BRIAN: Sits down.
IVANA: He tunes his harp every morning, but he rarely plays it anymore. Sits down very close to Brian. Its been months since Ive seen him like that. He hardly ever talks like that, like a conversation. He usually goes off in a monologue, and when he does play the harp, he almost never finishes the song he starts.
BRIAN: He was talking about some group he was in, mixing the music of one folk genre with the instruments of another?
IVANA: That was true. In his last semester of teaching, he had this class. He started to get sick about halfway into it. No one else could teach it, so everyone left with an A, and it was canceled.
BRIAN: I remember hearing about that class, right before I left.
IVANA: Where did you go?
BRIAN: Uzbekistan. I was in the Peace Corps.
IVANA: Do you speak any Russian?
BRIAN: No, I learned the local language. Its like Turkish. You're from Russia, right?
IVANA: Kind of. My father was born in Russia, but he moved to Yugoslavia when he was a young man. My mother was Yugoslavian.
BRIAN: Croatian? Bosnian? Serbian? Which part?
IVANA: My father never told me. We moved to America when I was a little girl.
BRIAN: Your mother?
IVANA: Shrugs. The two sit in silence for a little while. Why don't we go into the other room, so we won't disturb my father?
BRIAN: Okay.
IVANA: Walks through the door to her bedroom. The small bedroom has a double bed on the wall opposite the door. On the far side of the bed is a table with a computer. On the near side is an end table with a lamp. Ivana walks in and turns the lamp on. Come in.
BRIAN: Walks hesitantly through the door.
IVANA: We'd better close the door so as not to disturb Papa. Closes the door and motions to the bed. Sit.
BRIAN: Sits on the bed. It must be rough taking care of your father.
IVANA: Lounges on the bed behind BRIAN. Runs her right hand up his spine and onto his shoulder. Sits on her knees behind him and caresses his stomach and chest with her left hand. Presses up against him, and holds him about the waist, from behind, with her left hand. Runs her right hand up through his hair - kissing his neck - and down his face. Her eyes closed, she studies his features with her fingers. She puts her right hand on his right cheek, and draws his lips toward her lips. They kiss.
BRIAN: Turns toward her and embraces her as they continue to kiss.
IVANA: Pulls BRIAN towards the bed, and turns out the light. The stage lights go out.
Scene: IVANA's bedroom remains dark, but a window-shaped light moves across the living room, indicating the passage of around three hours. The clock spins quickly to 3:00 PM, to match the motion of the light. PROFESSOR ROMANOV has carefully been placed so that the light does not hit him. He remains catatonic.
BRIAN: Turning on the light. Its so dark. Why do you keep the blinds closed?
IVANA: I like my privacy. Sliding off to the far side of the bed, putting on her pants. Once I caught some boys looking at me.
BRIAN: Covering himself with a sheet and putting his pants back on. That's not so bad.
IVANA: Standing up with jeans on, but no shirt. I know. I just like to keep them closed.
BRIAN: Putting his pants on, and then his shoes. I see.
IVANA: Breasts exposed, walking into the living room. Lets check on Papa.
BRIAN: Standing up. Shouldn't you-
IVANA: Walking up to her father. He can't tell. Not this late in the day. I have to take care of him.
BRIAN: Can I see you again?
IVANA: I was hoping you'd say that. Busying herself with PROFESSOR ROMANOV.
BRIAN: Tomorrow night? Puts on his shirt.
IVANA: Mornings are better. I have to take care of Papa. Do you see my shirt in there?
BRIAN: Rummaging around under the sheets. Here it is.
IVANA: Bring it to me, please.
BRIAN: Walks into the living room and hands the shirt to IVANA. Here.
IVANA: Puts the shirt on, presses up against Brian and kisses him. Thank-you. Grabs his left hand in her left hand and turns towards her father.
BRIAN: You're welcome.
IVANA: Bends over, clutching Brians left hand to her stomach, creating the appropriate position. Checks on her father. What are you doing tomorrow?
BRIAN: I teach an eight A.M. class, and then I have a meeting with my professor. I could...
IVANA: Tuesday?
BRIAN: Sure. I'm free all morning. What time?
IVANA: Ten was good today. It will be good in two days. Stands up, holding Brians left hand against her stomach, rubs Brians hip with her right hand.
BRIAN: Nervously. That sounds great.
IVANA: Leads him to the door by the hand. She puts his left arm behind her neck, so that her elbow points straight up, and kisses him.
BRIAN: I love you.
IVANA: Embraces him, and they begin to kiss passionately. Its strange, but I think I love you, too.
BRIAN: I remember seeing your pig-tailed picture on your fathers desk.
IVANA: I remember my father talking about you. He was displeased when you went off to
BRIAN: Uzbekistan.
IVANA: Saving the world, eh?
BRIAN: Teaching kids math, really.
IVANA: Well, I have things to do. Papa must be taken care of. Guides him out the door. Good-bye, Brian.
BRIAN: Good-bye, Ivana. Brian exits.
IVANA: Skips towards the harp, plays a glissando, skips to the mirror, and begins fixing her hair.
JEFF: Walks up to the door and rings the doorbell.
IVANA: Im coming! Rushes to the door, and opens it. Shes surprised to see Jeff. Oh! You're early.
Jeff: Any problem with that?
IVANA: Of course there is. Never come before four P.M.. My father...
JEFF: You told me that he hasn't been awake after one in six months.
IVANA: Crossing her arms. The rules are the rules, and if you cannot follow them
JEFF: Wait, I mean...
IVANA: Well, in this case, its okay. I happen to have a little time.
JEFF: Can I come in?
IVANA: I guess. Marches across the living room to the bedroom, leading Jeff by the hand. Aren't you forgetting something?
JEFF: Oh, right. Hands IVANA an envelope.
IVANA: Puts the envelope in the drawer of her computer desk. Jumps onto the bed, landing on her knees. Come on.
JEFF: Taking off his shirt. Wow, youre in a good mood.
IVANA: Rolls to the other side of the bed and turns out the light. Like always. The room lights fade.
Scene: The window-shaped light moves only an inch or two, and the clock moves a mere seven minutes.
IVANA: Already with her pants on, turns on the light and puts her shirt on.
JEFF: Getting dressed. I think I'm going to have to take a nap after that one.
IVANA: Just remember the rules. Only come when you're scheduled to come. Slaps his beltline with the back of her hand.
JEFF: Finishing dressing. Trust me. Ive learned my lesson.
IVANA: Then out you go! Waves him away with both hands.
JEFF: Silently walks out of IVANA's room, walks across the living room, looks back, smiles, and leaves out the door, exiting.
IVANA: As Jeff is leaving, she gets the envelope out of the desk drawer and begins counting the money.
Scene: The whole stage turns dark.
End of Play
IVANA: Hello?
BRIAN: I'm here to see Professor Romanov.
IVANA: Stands up, pauses briefly to check her makeup and fix her hair in the mirror, walks to the front door, steps out of the front door, leans to the side and sticks out her hip. Hi, I'm Ivana. I guess you've heard of me.
BRIAN: Oh, sure. Professor Romanov used to talk about you all the time. He said that you got a scholarship to some school out West. Are you on break?
IVANA: Suddenly stands upright. Oh, no. I live here.
BRIAN: Great! So, hows the professor doing?
IVANA: Hes hes fine. Do you want to see him?
BRIAN: Sure.
IVANA: Come in. Nervously ushers him in.
BRIAN: Professor Romanov!
PROFESSOR ROMANOV: Shuffling the cards.
IVANA: My father hasn't been well. Hes been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Syndrome.
BRIAN: I'm so sorry. I wish Id known.
IVANA: Its okay. The doctor says that its good for him to have visitors. Walks over to Professor Romanov. Papa? One of your students is here. She gets behind him and turns his wheelchair to face Brian.
PROFESSOR ROMANOV: Brian? Is that you?
BRIAN: Yes, Professor. I'm back at State again.
PROFESSOR ROMANOV: Do you still play your harp?
BRIAN: I had to stop for a couple of years, when I was overseas, but I've started again.
PROFESSOR ROMANOV: Thats great. You always had such a great kinesthetic memory. I know you'll be back in top form right away.
BRIAN: What are you doing now? Retired?
PROFESSOR ROMANOV: Oh, no. Well, yes. I'm pursuing new musical interests.
BRIAN: Really!
PROFESSOR ROMANOV: I'm in a group that combines the music one folk genre with the instruments of another.
BRIAN: Really!
PROFESSOR ROMANOV: Do you want to hear some?
BRIAN: Of course!
PROFESSOR ROMANOV: Takes a cowboy hat out of a pocket in the back of his wheelchair, puts it on, wheels up to his harp, puts his wheelchair brakes on, reclines the harp and begins to play an oom-chuck pattern.
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you're mine, I walk the line
I find it very, very easy to be true
I find myself alone when each day is through
Yes, I'll admit that I'm a fool for you
Because you're mine, I walk the line
As sure as night is dark and day is light
I keep you on my mind both day and night
And happiness I've known proves that it's right
Because you're mine, I walk the line
You've got a way to keep me on your side
You give me cause for love that I can't hide
For you I know I'd even try to turn the tide
Because you're mine, I walk the line
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you're mine, I walk the line
BRIAN and IVANA: Clapping, standing to the right and left of the Professor, respectively.
BRIAN: That was wonderful! How long have you been working on this project?
PROFESSOR ROMANOV: Stares blankly ahead.
IVANA: He cannot hear you.
BRIAN: Huh?
IVANA: He cannot hear you. He goes catatonic like this sometimes. The doctors don't know whats causing it. Walks to her father, returns the harp to its original position, and wheels the Professor to the table.
BRIAN: I hope that he wakes up. Will he?
IVANA: No, probably not. Some days, he's not lucid at all. Sit down. Motions to the sofa.
BRIAN: Sits down.
IVANA: He tunes his harp every morning, but he rarely plays it anymore. Sits down very close to Brian. Its been months since Ive seen him like that. He hardly ever talks like that, like a conversation. He usually goes off in a monologue, and when he does play the harp, he almost never finishes the song he starts.
BRIAN: He was talking about some group he was in, mixing the music of one folk genre with the instruments of another?
IVANA: That was true. In his last semester of teaching, he had this class. He started to get sick about halfway into it. No one else could teach it, so everyone left with an A, and it was canceled.
BRIAN: I remember hearing about that class, right before I left.
IVANA: Where did you go?
BRIAN: Uzbekistan. I was in the Peace Corps.
IVANA: Do you speak any Russian?
BRIAN: No, I learned the local language. Its like Turkish. You're from Russia, right?
IVANA: Kind of. My father was born in Russia, but he moved to Yugoslavia when he was a young man. My mother was Yugoslavian.
BRIAN: Croatian? Bosnian? Serbian? Which part?
IVANA: My father never told me. We moved to America when I was a little girl.
BRIAN: Your mother?
IVANA: Shrugs. The two sit in silence for a little while. Why don't we go into the other room, so we won't disturb my father?
BRIAN: Okay.
IVANA: Walks through the door to her bedroom. The small bedroom has a double bed on the wall opposite the door. On the far side of the bed is a table with a computer. On the near side is an end table with a lamp. Ivana walks in and turns the lamp on. Come in.
BRIAN: Walks hesitantly through the door.
IVANA: We'd better close the door so as not to disturb Papa. Closes the door and motions to the bed. Sit.
BRIAN: Sits on the bed. It must be rough taking care of your father.
IVANA: Lounges on the bed behind BRIAN. Runs her right hand up his spine and onto his shoulder. Sits on her knees behind him and caresses his stomach and chest with her left hand. Presses up against him, and holds him about the waist, from behind, with her left hand. Runs her right hand up through his hair - kissing his neck - and down his face. Her eyes closed, she studies his features with her fingers. She puts her right hand on his right cheek, and draws his lips toward her lips. They kiss.
BRIAN: Turns toward her and embraces her as they continue to kiss.
IVANA: Pulls BRIAN towards the bed, and turns out the light. The stage lights go out.
Scene: IVANA's bedroom remains dark, but a window-shaped light moves across the living room, indicating the passage of around three hours. The clock spins quickly to 3:00 PM, to match the motion of the light. PROFESSOR ROMANOV has carefully been placed so that the light does not hit him. He remains catatonic.
BRIAN: Turning on the light. Its so dark. Why do you keep the blinds closed?
IVANA: I like my privacy. Sliding off to the far side of the bed, putting on her pants. Once I caught some boys looking at me.
BRIAN: Covering himself with a sheet and putting his pants back on. That's not so bad.
IVANA: Standing up with jeans on, but no shirt. I know. I just like to keep them closed.
BRIAN: Putting his pants on, and then his shoes. I see.
IVANA: Breasts exposed, walking into the living room. Lets check on Papa.
BRIAN: Standing up. Shouldn't you-
IVANA: Walking up to her father. He can't tell. Not this late in the day. I have to take care of him.
BRIAN: Can I see you again?
IVANA: I was hoping you'd say that. Busying herself with PROFESSOR ROMANOV.
BRIAN: Tomorrow night? Puts on his shirt.
IVANA: Mornings are better. I have to take care of Papa. Do you see my shirt in there?
BRIAN: Rummaging around under the sheets. Here it is.
IVANA: Bring it to me, please.
BRIAN: Walks into the living room and hands the shirt to IVANA. Here.
IVANA: Puts the shirt on, presses up against Brian and kisses him. Thank-you. Grabs his left hand in her left hand and turns towards her father.
BRIAN: You're welcome.
IVANA: Bends over, clutching Brians left hand to her stomach, creating the appropriate position. Checks on her father. What are you doing tomorrow?
BRIAN: I teach an eight A.M. class, and then I have a meeting with my professor. I could...
IVANA: Tuesday?
BRIAN: Sure. I'm free all morning. What time?
IVANA: Ten was good today. It will be good in two days. Stands up, holding Brians left hand against her stomach, rubs Brians hip with her right hand.
BRIAN: Nervously. That sounds great.
IVANA: Leads him to the door by the hand. She puts his left arm behind her neck, so that her elbow points straight up, and kisses him.
BRIAN: I love you.
IVANA: Embraces him, and they begin to kiss passionately. Its strange, but I think I love you, too.
BRIAN: I remember seeing your pig-tailed picture on your fathers desk.
IVANA: I remember my father talking about you. He was displeased when you went off to
BRIAN: Uzbekistan.
IVANA: Saving the world, eh?
BRIAN: Teaching kids math, really.
IVANA: Well, I have things to do. Papa must be taken care of. Guides him out the door. Good-bye, Brian.
BRIAN: Good-bye, Ivana. Brian exits.
IVANA: Skips towards the harp, plays a glissando, skips to the mirror, and begins fixing her hair.
JEFF: Walks up to the door and rings the doorbell.
IVANA: Im coming! Rushes to the door, and opens it. Shes surprised to see Jeff. Oh! You're early.
Jeff: Any problem with that?
IVANA: Of course there is. Never come before four P.M.. My father...
JEFF: You told me that he hasn't been awake after one in six months.
IVANA: Crossing her arms. The rules are the rules, and if you cannot follow them
JEFF: Wait, I mean...
IVANA: Well, in this case, its okay. I happen to have a little time.
JEFF: Can I come in?
IVANA: I guess. Marches across the living room to the bedroom, leading Jeff by the hand. Aren't you forgetting something?
JEFF: Oh, right. Hands IVANA an envelope.
IVANA: Puts the envelope in the drawer of her computer desk. Jumps onto the bed, landing on her knees. Come on.
JEFF: Taking off his shirt. Wow, youre in a good mood.
IVANA: Rolls to the other side of the bed and turns out the light. Like always. The room lights fade.
Scene: The window-shaped light moves only an inch or two, and the clock moves a mere seven minutes.
IVANA: Already with her pants on, turns on the light and puts her shirt on.
JEFF: Getting dressed. I think I'm going to have to take a nap after that one.
IVANA: Just remember the rules. Only come when you're scheduled to come. Slaps his beltline with the back of her hand.
JEFF: Finishing dressing. Trust me. Ive learned my lesson.
IVANA: Then out you go! Waves him away with both hands.
JEFF: Silently walks out of IVANA's room, walks across the living room, looks back, smiles, and leaves out the door, exiting.
IVANA: As Jeff is leaving, she gets the envelope out of the desk drawer and begins counting the money.
Scene: The whole stage turns dark.
End of Play
