SERGEI DOVLATOV
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recommended by the cultural section of the Department of Internal
Affairs. The events take place at the beginning of the twenties.
There are four characters: Lenin, Dzerzhinsky, a Chekist named
Timofey, and his fiancee, Polina. The young Chekist Timofey is
yielding to the bourgeois manner of thinking. A merchant's daugh–
ter, Polina, is dragging him down into the maelstrom of the petit
bourgeoisie. Dzerzhinsky engages in educational work with them.
He himself is incurably ill . Lenin insistently urges him to take care
of his health. 'Iron Felix' refuses, which makes a strong impression
on Timofey . In the end, Timofey throws off the bonds of revision–
ism . The merchant's daughter, Polina, shyly follows after him. In
the closing scene, Lenin addresses the public." Here Khuriev again
rustled his papers. "'Who is this? Whose are these happy, young
faces? Whose are these cheerful, sparkling eyes? Can this really be
the youth of the seventies? I envy you, messengers of the future! It
was for you that we lit the first lights of the housing structures! For
your sake that we rooted out the dark forces of the bourgeosie! So
then let your way be lighted, children of the future, by our Kremlin
stars.' And so on. And then afterwards, everyone will sing the
'Internationale.' In one outburst, as the expression goes. What do
you say to all this?"
"Nothing," I said. "What can I say? A serious play."
"You're a cultured person, educated. We decided to draw you
into this undertaking."
"I have nothing to do with the theater."
"Do you think I do? But a Communist should always demon–
strate his social commitment."
"I'm not a Party member."
"All the more reason to take part. Your indifference goes too
far. You put yourself outside the collective. Political awareness is not
for you, social activity is not for you. Don't think you're so much
cleverer than everyone else."
"I don't think that."
"Good. You will help with this cultural initiative. I'm manag–
ing, casting is done and I've already given out scripts, but without an
assistant it's hard. Our actors - well, you know yourself ... Lenin
is being played by a thief from the Ropcha Transit Camp . An in–
veterate pickpocket, high up in the Thieves' Law . It's the opinion of
some here that he's actively planning to escape."
I kept quiet. How could I tell the P.I. what happened in the
forest?
