1 Dale Andersen 27702 Crown Valley Pkwy Suite 117, D-4 Ladera Ranc , CA !2"!

4 andersen#dale$%&ail#co& '"2-'0(-'(20

)*+ *,-DR+D ./LL/0- D0LLAR S01enre2 Dra&a 3or&at2 0ne-Act

C aracter 4reakdown Dad 5 A&erican, '', a 6illionaire oil &an Son 5 A&erican, 17 7to&orrow 9aiter 5 Russian, :0 Syno;sis 9 en in Ro&e, you do as t e Ro&ans, 6ut w at do you do i< t e =Ro&e> you?re in a;;ens to 6e ,@6ekistanA e will 6e 1(8

2 (At rise. Interior of a dingy restaurant, not a soul in sight. On wall, weathered maps and pictures of Rome and Italy. Theres a bar and three tables, one at the window, one in the center of the room, one far away from the window. Big cloc on wall says !"#$. %A% enters with holstered pistol and laptop bag& DAD2 7'alls out the door& Bou co&in% in or stayin% outA S0-CS V0/C+2 Co&in% in, / %uess# (%A% sets laptop bag on bar& -eed a %ood &eal# *elloD DAD2 Any6ody in ereAD

((O) enters, glass of wine in hand& DAD2 1ood &eal steadies t e nerEes# S0-2 Sure# DAD2 3ocuses t e &ind, too# ((O) sniffs the air, ma es a face& DAD2 *elloD *elloD Any6odyA (They listen. )ot a sound& S0-2 -o oneCs 6ack t ere# RelaF# 1o wit t e <low# so&ew ere in an our# DAD2 /tCs not like we %ot to 6e

S0-2 ) is is cra@y# /talian <ood in ,@6ekistanA ) e <act t at t is ;lace is e&;ty tells you it canCt 6e %ood# DAD2 9 ereCs your sense o< adEentureA S0-2 0utside wit t e crew# Say, / %ot an idea# *ow a6out you wait ere and you order <or us w ile / %o 6ack out to t e RoEer, ook u; to t e dis and c eck &y e&ails# ((O) reaches for the laptop bag. hand on bag& %A% puts

3 S0-2 1iEe &e t e la;to;#

Co&e on, &an#

DAD2 / Gust decided on a new rule# -o &ore /nternet# S0-2 9 atA DAD2 -o &ore /nternet until weCre out o< ere# ) atCs two days# DonCt tell &e you canCt do wit out <or <orty-ei% t ours# S0-2 Are you includin% yoursel< in t isA 1oes wit out sayin%# DAD2 Bou know &e# / walk t e walk#

((O) sha es his head, ta es a sip from his glass of wine& DAD2 And donCt %o ;issy drunk on &e a%ain# Hust %ettin% a 6u@@# ere# S0-2 .i% t as well# -ot in% else %oin% on

DAD2 Look# /< you %oin% to %et one, ow a6out doin% it wit so&e %enuine <irewater <or a c an%eA /nstead o< t at &erlot and ca6ernet t at your - S0-2 ) at &y &ot er drinksA DAD2 Bea , t ereCs t at# S0-2 Hust so a;;ens, / like red wine# Huice o< t e %ra;e# 3ruit o< t e Eine# -ot in% wron% wit t at# .atter o< ;ers;ectiEe# Bou leaEe DAD2 Co&in% <ro& a &a&aCs 6oy - S0-2 er out o< t isD DAD2 )ouc ed a nerEe t ere, did /A Suddenly youCre an%ry# / like it w en youCre an%ry# /tCs t e only ti&e / see you co&e aliEe# And re%ardin% your &ot er, you see& to aEe ;icked u; any nu&6er o< 6ad a6its <ro& er# / &ean it# LeaEe S0-2 er out o< t is#

4 ((udden sound of crea ing floorboards. (omeones wal ing somewhere. They both fall silent. Then...& .ake you a deal# /Cll leaEe DAD2 er out i< you leaEe er out#

/C& not &akin% deals#

S0-2 /C& Gust warnin% you#

(%A% flashes (O) an *Im so scared+ face, then blows him a contemptuous air iss. They both turn to loo at the ser,ice door as -AIT.R, un empt / unsha,en, enters, donning a dirty apron. On seeing them, he pushes button on tapedec . A 0atsy 'line song plays at low ,olume. -AIT.R smiles, bows& 9A/)+R2 ((pea s .nglish with a Russian accent& 9elco&e to Pal&iroCs# 9elco&e# 9elco&e# DAD2 Saw your si%n and we said, =/talian <ood in ,@6ekistanA &ust %iEe it a try#> S0-2 *e said# / didnCt# 9A/)+R2 Pal&iroCs is 6est /talian in all ,@6ekistan# DAD2 1ot no dou6t it is# 9A/)+R2 Bou are A&ericans# / can tell# ,@6ek ;eo;le loEe A&ericans# +s;ecially we loEe DiFie C icks# Bou are to see our 6eauti<ul countryA Part o< it# DAD2 9eCre on our way to t e 3er% ana Valley# 9e

ere

9A/)+R2 3er% anaA ) at is dan%erous ;lace# .any 6ad ;eo;le t ere# ,@6ek tri6es run wild# Bou need ;rotection# / %et you relia6le security ;erson# .y uncle D&itri# *e is Eery reasona6le# DAD2 Look out t e window# (The song ends. -AIT.R, not 1uite comprehending, doesnt mo,e& DAD2 9ell, %o on# Look on out t ere# (-AIT.R goes to window, loo s through glass&

5 DAD2 See out t ereA ,@6ek tri6es&en# *ired and ;aid <or# Hust to let you know / donCt %o to restaurants in searc o< security# 3or%iEe &e, Sir# 0 yes# ) anks# DAD2 VictorD -o# (To -AIT.R& )a6le away <ro& t e windowCd 6e &ore - -o, Dad# .y 6oy# A D 9indow ta6leD S0-2 9e can watc t e ca&els ;ass 6y# 9A/)+R2 Let &e s ow you to window ta6le# S0-2

DAD2 -eEer listens, neEer ;ays attention# -ow / see rese&6lance#

9A/)+R2 Bou are <at er and son# Bes# DAD2 (Bemused&

Do you# 9A/)+R2 Bou are traEelin% to%et erA DAD2 0n Eacation, seein% interestin%, o<<-t e-6eaten-;at 4een to t e 1ala;a%os /slands# 9A/)+R2 (0retends he nows where that is& A D DAD2 )o Pitcairn /sland# Bou know, .utiny on t e 4ounty, 3letc er C ristian and all t at# 9A/)+R2 (%oes a bad hula dance& /slandsD Dancin% %irlsD ;laces#

A , yesD

DAD2 )o -ew 1uinea, to Sikki&, and now ere# -ow letCs %et t at ta6le# (%A% gi,es (O) a meaningful loo & Away <ro& t e window# 9A/)+R2 Bes, Sir# As you wis # (-AIT.R seats them&

9A/)+R2 S;ecial today, ;asta ;ri&aEera# Pal&iroCs as 6y <ar t e 6est /talian cuisine# Bou can %o to )as kent, you can %o to Dus a&6e, %o all t e way to Ia6ul or Iat&andu, you will <ind no 6etter /talian t an - DAD2 +Fcuse &e# 9A/)+R2 Bes, SirA DAD2 9 at did you say your na&e wasA 9A/)+R2 .y na&eA DAD2 Bea # Bour na&e# 9A/)+R2 (2umbles for something in his poc et& .y na&e#

.y na&e#

S0-2 (Through gritted teeth& Dad, canCt you see youCre e&6arrassin%

i&A

A D

.arcoD

9A/)+R2 (0roduces small card. Reads it aloud& .y na&e is .arco# (-AIT.R triumphantly pins card to 3ac et poc et li e a name tag&

) ank you, .arco# / 6rin% EodkaA

DAD2 9eCll study t e &enu# 9A/)+R2 DAD2

9eCll call you#

Vodka %oes wit

/talianA 9A/)+R2 Very %ood 6rand# 3ro& Iorea#

/t is eFcellent Eodka# -o c iantiA

DAD2 -o &erlotA -o ca6ernetA (Another meaningful loo at (O)& -o red ta6le wineA Red wineA -o# Sorry# 9A/)+R2 All out# Vodka only# DAD2 4rin% it on, .arco#

/ %uess Eodka it is#

7 (-AIT.R loo s perple4ed, does not mo,e& DAD2 (A little louder& 4rin% it on, .arco# 9A/)+R2 0< course, &y na&e# .arco# (0oints to his *name tag+& 9 at you need, you ask <or .arco# .arco is on t e &ark# 0 D .arcoD (-AIT.R e4its through ser,ice door. (ilence. (O) gi,es %A% the silent treatment. 2inally555& DAD2 9 atA S0-2 Bou always &ake &e look like a <ool in <ront o< ;eo;le# DAD2 Do /A S0-2 ) e window ta6le# DAD2 9 at a6out t e window ta6leA S0-2 / want to know w at was wron% wit 1ot a DAD2 air u; your ass a6out t atA /tCs like sittin% at t e window#

S0-2 +Eery ti&e / &ake a decision, you counter&and it# not in% / do is ri% t# DAD2 9ron%# S0-2 Bou do# DAD2 / do not# S0-2 Bou <uckin% enGoy it#

DAD2 DonCt say <uck to &e# / ste; in w en youCre wron%# Bou donCt see t atA S0-2 -o#

8 DAD2 Let &e ask you# 9 y would a window ta6le 6e a 6ad ideaA 1iEe u;A .akes you a tar%et# )ar%etA 3or w atA S0-2 3or w o&A

DAD2 .an a lot wiser t an &e once said, =Let &e tell you a6out t e Eery ric # ) eyCre di<<erent#> *e was talkin% a6out you# And &e# S0-2 / donCt <eel di<<erent# DAD2 4ut you are# And t at &eans youCre 6ein% watc ed twenty<our ours a day# S0-2 9atc edA Peo;le# S0-2 9 at kind o< ;eo;leA DAD2 All kinds o< ;eo;le# S&art ;eo;le# Stu;id ;eo;le# ;eo;le# Peo;le ;eo;le# All kee;in% an eye on you# S0-2 1uess t ere?s no law a%ainst watc in%# DAD2 +Fce;t so&e aEe &ore t an watc in% on t eir &inds# ) eyCre t e ones you aEe to %uard a%ainst# ) eyCre t e reason you donCt sit 6y windows# (-AIT.R enters with ,od a bottle and two glasses. 2AT6.R signals (O) to be silent& DAD2 So t is is t e <a&ous Iorean Eodka# 9A/)+R2 Sorry# -o Iorean# All out# ) is is .on%olian# .y 6est custo&ers say t is &uc 6etter Eodka# And /C& so sure o< you, / &ade 6et wit &ysel< t at youCll like it# DAD2 /Cll %o alon% wit t e 6et# (Indicates posters on wall& / always say, w en in Ro&e, do as t e Ro&ans# / 6elieEe weCll aEe t e ;asta ;ri&aEera# Cra@y 4y w o&A DAD2

9 9A/)+R2 (0ours a glass for each, filling them to the brim, Russian7style& Very %ood c oice, Sir# Bou will loEe it# And you 6e sure to tell all your A&erican <riends a6out Pal&iroCs# (-AIT.R e4its, table. %A% ta signals (O) to glass, ma es a lea,ing the bottle on the es sip, lic s his lips, nods, drin . (O) sniffs at the face, sets glass down& aEe to learn to drink t e aEe to learn to old your

DAD2 Sooner or later, youCre %oin% to ard stu<<# And youCre %oin% to liJuor like - Like &y &ot erA S e told &e andle liJuor and - -

S0-2 ow you knew s e couldnCt

(%A% holds up hand for silence& DAD2 And / was a6out to sayD Bou &i% t as well start now# 6uildin% u; a tolerance <or - Start

S0-2 S e said you ;oured it down er t roat until s e was el;less and didnCt know w at s e was doin%# ) en you - (%A% slams fist down on the table. (uddenly, dead silence. A long moment. Then5& DAD2 Do you 6elieEe eEeryt in% t at wo&an saysA S eCs 6een t ere <or &e# to &e# S0-2 Bou aEenCt# And s eCs 6een %ood

DAD2 0 , yes, %ood# 1ood <or %oodness# 1oodness, kindness and c arity# *er t ree <aEorite words# 4i6le words# Hesus words# )oo 6ad t eyCre not co&&odities wit Ealue in t e &arket;lace# Bou canCt 6uy oil wit %oodness# Did you know t atA ((ilence. Co&e on, 6oy# Down t e %A% drums fingers& DAD2 atc # )ry t e Eodka#

((ilence, resistance. %rumming gets louder. Then abruptly it stops& 1o on, Victor# )ry it# DAD2 Please# /C& sayin% ;lease#

10 ((O) ta es the glass with a sha y hand, raises it slowly to his lips. Blac out. (ound of cloc chiming, signaling time marching on. 8ights up. (O) sits alone, but now hes sitting at the table by the window. 6is ,od a glass is down a bit from the brim. Big cloc on the wall says #"9$& S0-2 ((ings, a little drun & A-C /C. -0 0-+ SP+C/AL /C. H,S) L/I+ B0, B+A*, /C. -0 0-+ SP+C/AL H,S) A L0-+ 4,CIAR00 D00-D00-D00 ((O) hums tune, slaps hand on table to mar the beat. 6e ta es a sip of ,od a, laughs to himself& S0-2 Bee- awD Lone 6uckaroo# ((O) gets up, goes o,er to the bar, pic s up the laptop bag, turns it upside down. .:0T;& S0-2 3uckD ((O) goes to window, loo s out 3ust as -AIT.R enters through ser,ice door with two heaping plates of pasta prima,era& 9A/)+R2 A D (-AIT.R screeches to a halt, loo s around& 4ut your <at erCs not ere# S0-2 *eCs so&ew ere outside orderin% t e 6ody%uards around# %ot t is <antasy eCs a )eFas trail 6oss in a &oEie# *eCs

((O) sits bac down as -AIT.R starts to set plates down away from window& S0-2 9 at do you t ink youCre doin%A 9A/)+R2 SerEin% ;asta, Sir# S0-2 4ut /C& sittin% oEer ere# 9A/)+R2 3or%iEe &e, Sir, 6ut your <at er was Eery strict a6out serEin% ta6le <ar away <ro& win - -

11 ((O) slams his fist down. -AIT.R 3umps& /s &y <at er roo&A Please, Sir# ereA S0-2 Do you see t at &an anyw ere in t is

9A/)+R2 /C& Gust a little ;erson#

/ donCt want - -

S0-2 DonCt worry, little ;erson, you wonCt %et in trou6le# ((O) ta es a sip of ,od a, smac s lips& .on%olianCs ;retty %ood# (-AIT.R sets plates down at window table& Very stron%, Sir# 9A/)+R2 Bou &ust 6e care<ul#

S0-2 ((O) smac s his lips& 0 /C& care<ul# Care<ulCs &y &iddle na&e# )yler# Bee- aw# ) atCs &e# 9A/)+R2 Pasta ;ri&aEera will soon 6e cold#

Victor Care<ul

S0-2 1uess / 6etter di% ri% t in t en# ((O) starts eating& ) is is %ood# 9 y donCt you sit down and Goin &e, .arco# -o no# 9A/)+R2 .arco &ust stand, Sir# S0-2 DoesnCt see& <air, t ou% #

Suit yoursel<#

9A/)+R2 /t is rule# /t would 6e 6i% s a&e <or waiter to sit wit custo&er# S0-2 Bou know w at &y DadCs %oin% to do, donCt youA *eCs %oin% to raise oly ell a6out is ;asta 6ein% cold and &ake you take it 6ack and do it a%ain# /tCs Gust is way# ) at is is ri% t, Sir# 9A/)+R2 Custo&er is always - -

S0-2 Iey is donCt take it ;ersonally# *e treats eEeryone t e sa&e, &e, &y &ot er, t e ;a;er 6oy, t e nei% 6orCs cat, you na&e it# )o i&, eEeryoneCs an o6Gect, a 6it ;layer in t e &oEie o< is li<e# And t ereCs no u;side <or loyalty# So i< / were you, /Cd %o <or t e %usto, %ra6 anyt in% not nailed down w ile t e %ra66in%Cs %ood# /Cd ;lay it to t e ilt# (Raises glass to punctuate his point& /< / were you#

12 ((O) ta es another sip as -AIT.R edges up to the chair, as if getting his courage up& 1o on# Bou# *aEe a seat# S0-2 )ake a load o<<#

9A/)+R2 Bou ;ro&ise you take &y side i< your <at er - -

S0-2 Sure t in%, .arco# / %ot your 6ack# )en t ousand ;er cent# (-AIT.R gingerly sits, as if intruding on forbidden territory, settles in by degrees& 9A/)+R2 1ood, <eels %ood, <eels Eery %ood# S0-2 ) ere you %o# S;end your li<e takin% orders, cleanin% u; a<ter ;eo;le, e&;tyin% as trays# 3eels %ood <or once to sit at t e ead o< t e ta6le# *ere, let &e <ill your %lass# ((O) reaches for bottle. -AIT.R, sudden panic on his face, reaches for it as well& 0 no, no, no, Sir# 9A/)+R2 Let .arco ;our#

((O) slaps -AIT.Rs hand away& S0-2 9 at you %ot to learn is, w en so&eone o<<ers to ;our, let t e&# *old t e %lass out and say, =3ill it, &ot er<ucker#> (-AIT.R loo s shoc ed& S0-2 1o on, say it# 3ill it# A # 9A/)+R2 / canCt say t at, Sir# /tCs - -

((O) holds bottle, ready to pour& S0-2 3ill it, &ot er<uckerD 3ill it# .ot er# A # 9A/)+R2 3ucker# ate#

S0-2 Say it like youCre sayin% it to so&eone you .y uncle D&itriD 9A/)+R2 3ill it, you &ot er<uckerD

((O) pours -AIT.R a tall one&

13 S0-2 3elt %ood, didnCt itA 9A/)+R2 )o say trut , it would <eel 6est wit ,ncle D&itri in roo&# / know it is sin to say <ucker, 6ut e is suc 6ad &an, ;riest would <or%iEe &e# 3ill it u;, &ot er<uckerD (-AIT.R laughs, ta es a big gulp, belches. (O)s demeanor suddenly changes& S0-2 So w atCs your real na&eA 9A/)+R2 (0oints to *name tag+& Bou see ereA .arco is on t e &ark# S0-2 ad an ,ncle D&itri# (8ong silence. -AIT.R slowly unpins *name tag,+ tosses it, ta es gulp of ,od a& 9A/)+R2 Bou are ri% t# -a&e is Buri# / a& Russian# / a& not Co&&unist, 6ut &y <at er was 6i% Co&&unist s ot# *e ad&ired <a&ous Co&&unist <ro& /taly, Pal&iro )o%liatti# *e o;ened restaurant, called it Pal&iroCs# 9 en / was s&all, Pal&iroCs was Eery 6usy, Eery ;ro<ita6le# -ow, wit ,@6eks and Gi ad, so&eti&es / a&# *ow do you sayA Down in du&;s# S0-2 / ear you# So&eti&es /C& down in t e du&;s, too, Buri# 9 at wit &y <at er and all is 4S, 6ut you know w at / sayA 3or%et a6out it# Hust <uck itD Bes# BesD 9A/)+R2 Bou see eEeryt in%# Bou are ri% tD S0-2 3uck &y <at erD 9A/)+R2 3uck Gi ad, <uck ,@6eksD (6is demeanor 1uic ly changes to sadness& / &ust tell you, &y <at er is dead# S0-2 /C& sorry# 9A/)+R: A<ter 1or6ac eE and, a - (6e struggles to find the words& And t e, a , %lastnost and t e, a , trou6les, t e &uGa ideen ca&e and killed i& and t ree ot er Russians# S0-2 /C& sorry# 3uck itD

/t is .arco# -o .arco eEer

14 9A/)+R: / &iss i&# *e was s&all &an, 6ut Eery <unny# Very tou% # 3irst e was &erc ant, 6uyin% <ro& ,@6eks, sellin% to Russians in )as kent# Very <ew Russians out ere# .ost liEe in 6i% ouses in city# 9 en Co&&unists co&e, t ey said to i& sto; 6ein% &erc ant and we &ake you Co&&issar# *e said okay# ) en e o;ened Pal&iroCs# ,@6ek &a<ia sent &an to co&&and i& to use ,@6ek ;in6alls# *u%e &an, seEen <eet tall# S&elled o< %arlic and ca&el rectu&# Said e would kill <a&ily and ra;e &y &ot er i< <at er re<used# *e s&iled, ;icked u; clu6 and s&as ed it on ,@6ekCs knee# ) e &an 6ent oEer# .y <at er 6roke is nose and Gaw, 6eat i& 6loody# ) en e ;oured ot <at <ro& <ryer on i&, dra%%ed i& to street# *e ;icked u; ; one, called Co&&issars in )as kent to send %ar6a%e truck to &oEe s it o<< t e road# 0 &anD Sounds like S0-2 e was a %reat %uy#

9A/)+R2 (Tears well up in his eye& *e was at eist# 4ut is eart was %ood# *e loEed ;eo;le# / &iss i&# ) is is &y secret# / neEer say it to anyone 6ut you# S0-2 -ow let &e tell you a secret a6out &e# 0kay# 9A/)+R2 *ow do you A&ercans say itA S ootD ad a eart attack

S0-2 /< &y <at er was walkin% to t at door and and died, / would not <eel a t in%#

9A/)+R2 ) at is terri6le# /t is 6i% sin# *e is your <at er# /s one t in% to say you donCt like i&, 6ut to <eel not in% - /tCs true# /< so&eone s ot S0-2 i& dead, / wouldnCt care#

9A/)+R2 / will say ;rayer <or you# (:a es Russian sign of cross& /t is eFact o;;osite <or &e# / aEe na&es o< ones w o killed &y <at er# 0ne day w en t e Russian ar&y returns, t ey will ;ay# 1od will ;unis t e&# S0-2 Bou canCt %o t rou% li<e tryin% to 6rin% 6ack t e dead# DriEe you cra@y# Like / say, <uck it# -o no no# 0 D 9A/)+R2 /t is a t in% / cannot <or%et# So&e t in%s - (<lances out window, sudden panic ed loo & Bour <at er is co&in%# (-AIT.R stands. In a sudden whirl of acti,ity, he begins clearing table&

15 S0-2 *eyD / t ou% t we were 6ackin% eac say - / a& sorry, Sir#

ot er u;#

DidnCt you

9A/)+R2 /t is a t in% / cannot do# a;;ened to <uck itA

S0-2 4ut weCre co&;adres# Paisanos# 9 at /t is i&;ossi6le#

9A/)+R2 / a& sorry# Very sorry, Sir#

(-AIT.R lea,es the bottle and glass on table. (ound of footsteps on wal way outside. (O) gi,es -aiter a contemptuous glare, props feet on table and, glass in hand, leans bac , nonchalant7wise. -AIT.R e4its through bac as %A% enters through front. %A% has laptop in his hand. 6e goes to bar, slides laptop into bag as (O) sings& S0-2 A-C /C. -0 0-+ SP+C/AL /C. H,S) L/I+ B0, B+A*, /C. -0 0-+ SP+C/AL H,S) A L0-+ 4,CIAR00 D00-D00-D00 ((O) hums to himself, eeping the beat by lightly tapping his thigh. %A% glares at (O), silently mouths *Oh =esus 'hrist>+ 6e paces, clenching and unclenching his fists. (O) pretends to be obli,ious to this but watches out of the corner of his eye& S0-2 )ook your ti&e out t ere, didnCt youA Put t e <ear o< 1od into all t e 6ody%uard dudes, did youA And / %uess you c ecked all your e&ails, too, .ister 9alk ) e 9alk# 9eCEe neEer ad a DAD2 eart-to- eart, yu;# aEe weA

) atCs a 6i% yu; u - u

S0-2 Pretty da&n accurate#

(%A% ta es bottle from table, sets it on floor& DAD2 -ot drunk, are youA S0-2 .an, not in% %ets 6y you# ((O) emits a big noisy belch& Hust as well i< you are# DAD2 So&e t in%s are 6est eard drunk#

16 (%A% ta es a pac age from his inside coat poc et, hands it to (O)& *a;;y 6irt day# 9 at is itA (%A% ta es a chair, slides it up to the window table, props his feet up and leans bac , 3ust li e (O). 6e watches as (O) opens pac age and ta es out a pistol. 6e holds it up, aims it at ob3ects on wall, clic s the trigger& DAD2 /Cll say it strai% t out# ) ere were a nu&6er o< t e years %one 6y w en / t ou% t you werenCt &y son# (This gets (O)s attention. 6e stops pointing and clic ing& S0-2 9 atA DAD2 / t ou% t t ereCd 6een a switc # S0-2 Switc A *owA DAD2 Bou were s&all# ) ere was a &an wit &eans and o;;ortunity# And it &ade sense to &e e would# 4ut science ca&e alon% and / was a6le to run so&e D-A tests to con<ir& - S0-2 0 Hesus C ristD DAD2 Con<ir& you were t e real deal# S0-2 *i;- i;- ooray <or science# DAD2 Bou were a year old# / ad &ade t e 3ortune '00 <or t e <irst ti&e# Suddenly / was so&e6ody, so&e6ody ;eo;le were startin% to kee; an eye on# 9eek a<ter your 6irt day ;arty, a &an a;;eared at &y door# /ntroduced i&sel< as Ant ony 1erEolino# Very ;olite, Eery de<erential# *e said, =/ aEe your son# / a& ere to collect one undred &illion dollars cas <or is sa<e return# ) e a&ount is not ne%otia6le# / 6elieEe /Cll wait ere at your o&e until t e &oney is collected#> )alk a6out 6allsD (An admiring smile& KCourse / ;aid# And you were ;ro&;tly returned# And / &ust say it was a ;leasure dealin% wit .r# 1erEolino# *e was DAD2 *a;;y ei% teent # S0-2

17 DAD ('ont&2 witty, knowled%e6le, well-read, treated t e serEants wit res;ect# / liked i&# Very cool under ;ressure# ((ha es his head& ,nder any ot er circu&stances, / would aEe ired i&# 9 y did you t ink S0-2 eCd do a switc A

DAD2 *e was darin%, i&a%inatiEe, <earless# .en like t at see& to always aEe one &ore trick u; t eir sleeEe, one &ore ace in t e ole# )ell you true, e was a lot like# 9ell# .e# So youCre t inkin% you would *ad our roles / could S0-2 aEe done t at to / &i% t aEe# i&A

DAD2 ad 6een reEersedA S0-2

aEe 6een killed# +Een

DAD2 -ot in%Cs %uaranteed# -ot in%Cs dead solid ;er<ect# so, /C& %lad you werenCt# S0-2 9ere you really# DAD2 CanCt do serious 6usiness out ere wit out a son# out t ereA ) eir tri6e controls t e land on w ic oil and %as sits# ) ey only do 6usiness wit &en# youCre not a real &an unless you aEe a son#

) ose &en a lot o< And

S0-2 9ell %os # So t is is w at it <eels like aEin% a = eartto- eart> wit dear old dad# So w at co&es neFtA DAD2 -eFt de;ends on you# ((O) waits for the other shoe to drop& DAD2 Bou know ow it is wit ;ri&itiEe tri6es, like w at we saw in -ew 1uineaA ) ereCs a &a%ic day w en a 6oyCs initiated into &an ood# 4oy ;er<or&s a s;eci<ied <eat# ) en t ereCs a ritual 6lessin%, or &ay6e t e elders &ark t e 6oy wit a tattoo or a kni<e cut# 9 ateEer, ;ur;ose is to si%ni<y ;assa%e# *eCs a &an now# CanCt %o 6ack to 6ein% a 6oy# ) e o<< ra&; to -eEer -eEer Land is 6locked# 9 ereEer weCre %oin% wit cuts# S0-2 t is, i< / aEe a c oice, no kni<e

18 DAD2 Deal# -o cuts# 9it S0-2 you, always a catc #

4ut t ereCs a catc #

Sto; 6ein% so wound u;#

DAD2 / want you cal& and relaFed#

(%A% reaches bac , pic s up bottle from floor, tops off (O)s glass& DAD2 3er% ana ValleyCs our last sto; 6e<ore o&e# /tCs all tri6al, all a6out w o you know, w ose ;al& you %rease# BouCre %oin% to &eet so&e ;eo;le# ) eyCll 6e watc in% you, kee;in% an eye on you, Gud%in% you, takin% &ental notes# 4ecause youCre s;ecial# Very s;ecial# BouCre t e ric &anCs son, eir to t e t rone# So&eday, w en /C& %one, youCll 6e t e one t eyCll 6e dealin% wit # Bou need to act t e ;art# S0-2 *ow s ould / actA DAD2 Like a &an, o< course# (%A% stands, stretches. 6e ma es ready as if to lea,e, starts wal ing toward the door. At the last minute, he stops and turns& DAD2 Al&ost <or%ot, weCll 6e seein% .ister 1erEolino out t ere# ) e kidna;;erA Doin%A 9 atCs S0-2 e doin% t ereA *eCs not t ere 6y c oice#

DAD2 *eCs not doin% anyt in%#

(A long moment as (O) absorbs this. An *oh shit>+ loo crosses his face. 6e springs up& 0 &ot er <uckD t in% is a6outD -o# S0-2 0 <uckin% s itD So t atCs w at t is w ole Bou# BouCre %oin% to kill i&D DAD2 i&#

BouCre %oin% to kill

(%A% e4its. (O) hurls ,od a glass at door. It smashes. 6e aims pistol at door, pulls trigger. It goes clic clic clic clic . Blac out. (ound of a cloc chiming, signaling time marching on. 8ights up. At the window table" a bro en chair, a smashed bottle, the laptop with its monitor crac ed. %A% sits at center table, playing solitaire, his ,od a glass half full. Big cloc on the

19 wall says ?"?$. -AIT.R enters from ser,ice door with wiping cloth, broom and trash can. 6e silently pads by %A%, begins cleaning the mess. (ound of gunshot from outside. -AIT.R glances out window. %A% doesnt react& DAD2 Do you 1od aEe any sonsA 9A/)+R: as not yet 6lessed &e wit wi<e and c ild, sir# .y adEiceA DAD: Ado;t . 9A/)+R: Bes sir# (:ore silence. -AIT.R pic s up bro en laptop, inspects it, sha es head, tosses it in trash can, continues cleaning. (ound of another gunshot& 9A/)+R: S all / 6rin% ;asta, sirA DAD: *old o<< a w ile# (:ore silence. Then5& Let &e ask you# BouCre kind o< an eF;ert on 0 no no no, sir# 9A/)+R: / a& not eF;ert#

1ood <or 1od#

u&an nature#

(%A% sets cards down, gi,es -AIT.R his full attention& DAD: 9ell, / t ink you are# 9aiters and 6artenders see& to aEe t eir <in%er on t e ;ulse o< t in%s# ) atCs &y Eiew, at least# .y son# /tCs is 1(t 6irt day to&orrow# 9 at do you t ink o< i&A (Another gunshot. -AIT.R glances out window& 9A/)+R: Bour sonA DAD: Bes# / see e re6els# / see e 9A/)+R: as con<lict# And an%er#

((ound of a fi,e shot burst" B8A: B8A: B8A: B8A: B8A:& An%er# Con<lict# DAD: Bou see t atA

20 9A/)+R: / see you are tryin% to &ake i& res;ect you# DAD: Bes# +FactlyD 9A/)+R: i& to o6ey you#

And / see you want

DAD: 9ell, t at %oes wit out sayin%# (-AIT.R sits down across from %A% without being in,ited& 9A/)+R: Bou are 6ein% <at er# /t is natural# Bou want res;ect and o6edience# 4ut you are tryin% to# *ow do you sayA Pus it down is t roat# DAD: 9ell, / donCt know a6out t at# ((ound of another gunshot& 9A/)+R: Let &e tell you, in old Russia 6e<ore Co&&unists ca&e and destroyed <a&ily, <at er was kin%# 3at er ad ;ower o< li<e and deat # *e was like A6ra a& or DaEid or Solo&on# And like DaEid, <at er %aEe oldest son &aFi&u& <reedo&# /t is ow son learns# /t is ow <at er learns a6out son# DaEidCs son tried to kill -ot in% is a %uarantee# / was ri% t# 0 no no no# DAD: i&# undred ;er cent#

9A/)+R: -ot in% is one

DAD: Bou are Eery wise# 9A/)+R: /t is only w at / a&# DAD: BouCre Eery, Eery wise# 9A/)+R:

-o, really#

And you are Eery kind# (The door to the outside opens, (O) enters. 6es dressed in traditional @Abe robe and turban. 6e does a twirl li e a model. 6e poses, arms outstretched& S0-2 Do you like itA

21 DAD: /tCs %oin% to take so&e %ettin% used to# S0-2 /tCs called a ca<tan# DAD: / know w at itCs called# /CEe only 6een doin% 6usiness <or twenty years# S0-2 /CEe 6een aEin% an aweso&e ti&e# ) ey &ade &e a 6lood 6rot er# /C& one o< t e& now# DAD: BouCre not one o< t e&, Victor# S0-2 ) ey o;ened u;, s owed &e t eir world# /tCs like a &oEie# 9it warriors, coura%e, Gourneys and Juests# ) ey donCt aEe kin%s or rulers 6ecause eac &an is a kin%# +ac &an is <ree to de<ine i&sel<# And t ereCs a code t ey liEe 6y w ic transcends &oney or ;ower or seF# /tCs all a6out ar&ony wit t e enEiron&ent, wit eac ot er, wit t e r yt &s o< li<e and t e +art and# And stu<< like t at# ) ereCs no DAD: ar&ony# ) ereCs no r yt &# -o stu<< like t at# (-AIT.R sha es his head in disbelief& 9A/)+R: +Fcuse &e# ) ere is Eery &uc %ar6a%e in t is roo&# take it outside# / will leaEe you <or now# / &ust ere

/ donCt know#

(-AIT.R e4its through ser,ice door dragging the trash can behind him and mumbling to himself. %A% waits until -AIT.R is gone& DAD: All t atCs a;;enin% is, t ose %uys outside are takin% us to t eir tri6al leaders w o are in t e 6usiness o< sellin% %as and oil leases to t e i% est 6idder# 9ake u; and s&ell t e co<<ee, Victor# / a& no lon%er Victor# na&e# .alik# Victor, listen to &e# S0-2 .y 6lood 6rot ers %aEe &e a new DAD: Bou are - -

((O) draws Bu haran (abre from under his robe, points it menacingly at %A%Bs throat& .y na&e is .alikD S0-2 Bou will call &e .alikD

22 (A long moment. Then (O), with a flourish, returns sword to its scabbard and e4its thru door to outside. Blac out. (ound of a cloc chiming, signaling time marching on. 8ights up. (O) sits alone at the table furthest from window, still in his @Abe tribal garb. 6e has the pistol bro en down into parts. 6es in the process of cleaning and oiling it. -AIT.R gaAes forelornly out window. Big cloc on the wall says C"D?& 9A/)+R: A D /t is too 6adD -o custo&ers today# +Fce;t <or you and your <at er# )ourist season is terri6le# 9orse t an terri6le# ,@6ek Gi ad scares all %ood ;eo;le away# (.yes (O) in his @Abe garb& +Fcuse &e# / <or%ot t at you are now %reat ,@6ek warrior# Please <or%iEe &e <or insult# ((O) ignores him& 9A/)+R: /t was not like t is w en t e Russians were ere# -one o< t is Gi ad <oolis ness# 4ut now Russia is ;unis ed 6ecause Co&&unist leaders were at eists# 4ut we are re;entin%# And soon we will 6e stron% a%ain# (-AIT.R wal s o,er to where (O) sits& Bou are cleEer wit %uns# your <at er teac youA 9A/)+R: )ake a;art, ;ut to%et er# Did

S0-: /CEe learned not in% <ro& t at &an# ) en eEen 6etter# 9A/)+R: Bou tau% t yoursel<, yesA

((O) begins reassembling the pistol& 9ron% a%ain# Bour &ot erA S0-: 9 en s e was at colle%e, studyin% 6allet, s e was walkin% o&e one day and - 9A/)+R: Bour &ot er was 6allet dancerA 9e Russians loEe 6allet# S0-: 0ne day s e was walkin% o&e and a &an ;ointed a %un at er and ro66ed er# S e swore neEer a%ain# S e 6ou% t a %un# S0-: /t was &y &ot er# 9A/)+R:

23 9A/)+R: 4ut it does not sound like w at 6allerina does# are not Eiolent ;eo;le#

4allerinas

S0-: -eEert eless# S e as t e tiniest ands wit lon%, 6eauti<ul <in%ers# S e would aEe &ade a wonder<ul sur%eon# S e does Eery <ine needlework, wonder<ul &iniature ;encil drawin%s# ) e ;istol s e 6ou% t was a s&all one, twenty<iEe cali6er# S e was curious ow it worked# S e %ot out er sewin% &ac ine tools and took it a;art# ) en s e <or%ot w at went w ere, so / ;ut it 6ack to%et er <or er# ) atCs ow / learned# 4ut t is is wonder<ulD -o# *eCd ate 9A/)+R: Bou s ould tell your <at erD .e alon% wit er#

S0-: er all t e &ore#

9A/)+R: 4ut t at does not &ake sense# /t is not lo%ical# S0-: -ot in% a6out t at &an is lo%ical# ((O) holds up pistol, now reassembled. 6e points it at the window, pulls the trigger. A big loud '8I'E> 3ust as %A% enters through outside door. (O) / -AIT.R loo away. %A% gi,es them an *I smell a conspiracy+ glare. 6e goes to window table, turns chair around, sits, straddling it, cowboy style& DAD: /Cll 6et Victor t inks all t at s ootin% is a6out, is ;ullin% a tri%%er and 6an%-6an%-6an%# 4ut t ereCs &ore# ) ereCs skill, trainin%, knowled%e# Care and <eedin% o< t e instru&ent# And sa<ety# Care<ul w ere you ;oint it, e A (:a es a pistol with his finger, points it at (O)s head& Ri% t, VictorA S0-: Ri% t# DAD: Victor doesnCt want to talk ri% t now# BouCre t e talker# S0-: BouCre t e &an wit t e ;lan#

DAD: (To -AIT.R& 1unCs a 6irt day ;resent# *is &ot er wouldnCt a;;roEe# S0-: LeaEe er out o< t isD

24 DAD: VictorCs c ild ood was# Stran%e, to say t e least# *is &ot er ad unort odoF ideas on raisin% a 6oy# Did you know s e was a ;ri&a 6allerinaA 9A/)+R: Bes yes# *e told &e# DAD: 9as# S eCs ;ast <orty now# Still as er ;er<ect 6allerina 6ody# 4ut you know ow a%e ;lays aEoc wit oneCs at leticis&# ) ese days, s e teac es# DonCt <or%et to tell S0-: i& a6out - -

(%A% holds up hand for silence& / was a6out to sayD &ont <ro& &e# 0 # / see# DAD: S e receiEes a si@ea6le c eck eac

9A/)+R: Bou and is &ot er are# (:a es a aput gesture with his hands& ) at is sad# / a& sorry# DAD: /C& not# 9e ended u; a%reein% to disa%ree a6out# t in%s# A6out Gust a6out# +Eeryt in%# A6out

S0-: 0 Hesus, listen to i&D *e &akes it sound like it was ciEili@edD *e &akes it sould like it was - DAD: S e %ot it into VictorCs ead t at e was# SensitiEeD DelicateD *ad t e soul o< an artist# 0r so&e suc rot# S0-: S e tau% t &e to 6e &y own ;erson, to 6e &e and not youD DAD: And / ad&it / wasnCt t inkin%# .y own stu;idity# / saw t at ;er<ect 6ody and / t ou% t to &ysel<, it &ust co&e wit a &atc in% ;er<ect &ind# *ow could it 6e ot erwiseA S0-: (To -AIT.R& Ask yoursel<, w y is e tellin% you t isA 9 at is ;ointA 9 y is e &akin% t is your 6usinessA

is

DAD: 3ro& t e Eery start, s e &ade it er 6usiness to set t e 6oy a%ainst &e# S e ;ut unsound notions in is ead# -otions a6out =o;enin% u;,> a6out =eF;ressin%> oneCs sel<# Bes, s e didD S0-: S e tau% t &e trut D S e tau% t &e 6eautyD

25 DAD: A6out 6ein% =<ree#> ) ereCs no trut S0-: or 6eauty wit out 6ein% <reeD DAD: 9 ateEer =<ree> &eans# ((O) stands up, goes to wall, presses head against wall& DAD: 9 at else is t ere to sayA /tCs &y ;unis &ent# .y cross# / adEise you to ado;t# S0-: 9*B D0 B0, *A)+ .+A (%A% stands, goes to (O), pats his shoulder& DAD: / donCt# ) ere are too &any ot er t in%s to le<t <or t e likes o< you# ate# -o roo& .y 6urdon# *er words#

(%A% e4its through door to outside. Blac out. (ound of a cloc chiming, signaling time marching on. 8ights up. (O), in his @Abe tribal garb, sits alone at the window table, eating from a plate of spaghetti and meatballs. %A% sits at the table furthest from window, also eating spaghetti. -AIT.R sits at middle table silently reading from a large, hea,y boo . Big cloc on the wall says C"??& ) atCs an i&;ressiEe 6ook# /t was &y &ot erCs# DAD: /t does look old# ((O) loo s up, watches / listens as %A% and -AIT.R con,erse& 9A/)+R: /s <ro& ti&e o< C@ars# .y &ot er %ot it <ro& er &ot er# And er &ot er <ro& er &ot er# /t is 4i6le# /n ti&e o< Lenin, i< C ekas cau% t you wit 4i6le, you would 6e s ot# DAD: (A side glance at (O)& And now itCs t e Gi adis# 9A/)+R: / do not know w ic is worse, t e C ekas or t e &uGa ideen# At least wit C ekas, you were s;eakin% to Russians# DAD: .ust wei% 9A/)+R: a ton#

26 DAD: 4ut you were Gust as dead# /t is# *ow do you sayA 9A/)+R: 4i% ;aradoF#

DAD: So, ow do you Russians read your 4i6leA Do you start at t e 6e%innin% and work your way t rou% it to t e endA 9A/)+R: A true Russian closes eyes# (6e demonstrates& And o;ens 6ook to rando& ;a%e, ;uts <in%er on ;a%e and )*+-# ) en e o;ens eyes# 1od s ows i& t e words# 0 no no no# DAD: 9 ere did you o;en it toA 9A/)+R: / &ust translate Russian to +n%lis # (Reads haltingly& And e ca&e to# )o ;lace w ic 1od s owed to i&# 9 ere A6ra a& 6uilt altar wit stone# ) en e 6ound /saac is son wit ro;e# ) en e took sword to sacri<ice son# Let &e see# DAD: Bes, / know t is story# *ey Victor, t is oneCs a6out usD 4ut e doesnCt kill t e son, does eA -o no# 1od says <or 9A/)+R: i& to sto;# At last &inute#

DAD: Bes, t atCs ri% t# / re&e&6er# And / always wondered, w at i< e adnCt sto;;edA 9 at i< e ad killed i& anywayA 9 at was t e 6oyCs na&e a%ainA S0-: /saacD *is na&e was /saacD 9 at DAD: /saac# ) ank you, Victor# Bour &ot er tau% t you well# i< A6ra a& ad taken is sword and killed /saac, Gust snu<<ed t e little 6u%%er outA *e couldCEe done it, couldCEe told 1od to Ga& it# *e ad <ree will# ) atCs Gust cra@y# /s itA S0-: ) e story is a6out 1odCs coEenant# ) e coEenant %oes <ro& A6ra a& to /saac to Haco6 and on t rou% DaEid to Hesus# 9it out /saac, t ereCd 6e no coEenant# /t would 6e cut o<<# /t would sto;# S0-: /tCs a crack;ot idea# DAD:

27 DAD: 9ron%D S0-: 9ron%A 9ron%, owA DAD: /t wouldnCt sto;# /tCd Gust %o t rou% so&e6ody else# /tCd 6e like <oot6all# Player %ets inGured, itCs neFt &an u;# S0-: 0 HesusD Bou are so - DAD: Are you sayin% 1odCs ;lan is so <ra%ile, so tenuous, it would co&e screec in% to a alt i< one &an <ell o<< t e 6usA (%A% draws pistol, points it at (O)& /< you %et killed, do you t ink all &y &oney would dry u; and 6low awayA -o# All t at would a;;en is, so&eone else would %et it instead o< you# S0-: 9 oA DAD: / donCt know# So&eone# /< youCre dead, w y would you careA (<rins, points gun up, blows on muAAle & 9ould t at 6ot er youA So&eone else cas in% your c ecksA S0-: -o# DAD: 0 ;lease# BouCEe 6een sittin% t ere knowin% t at so&eday, youCre %oin% to 6e t e &an# Bou donCt eEen aEe to 6e nice a6out it# /tCs %oin% to a;;en# /tCs auto&atic# /C& not like you# S0-: / donCt t ink a6out it#

DAD: All t at &oney# All t ose lawyers and accountants and 6ankers cowtowin% to you# And all t at ;ri&e ;ussy# All you aEe to do is sna; your <in%ers# S0-: / said, /C& not like you# ((O) turns his bac to %A%&

DAD: ) e ;ussyCs real, you know# And it co&es at you <ro& eEery an%le# /< youCre not care<ul, it can ;lay ell wit your &ind# ) ose wo&en will say and do all kinds o< t in%s <or your 6ene<it# And so&ew ere dee; wit in, you know itCs a setu;, 6ut you donCt want it to sto;# (8ong silence. Then %A% grins and...& /t was t at way wit your &ot er#

28 ((O) stiffens. 6is hands grip the table tight. If he were an animal, the hair on his bac would be standing on end& DAD: (To -AIT.R& /t was a 6y-inEitation-only rece;tion <or &aGor donors <ollowin% a ;er<or&ance# S e knew /Cd 6e t ere# S e knew w o / was and ow &uc / was wort # And s e ca&e at &e wit eEeryt in% s e ad# S0-: (To -AIT.R& S e couldnCt old alco ol# *e could see t at ri% t away# *e %ot er into a side roo&, ;oured 6oo@e into er until s e couldnCt stand u;# ) en e and so&e o< is <riends - DAD: S e ad no 6usiness %oin% t ere# eat, stay out o< t e - /< you canCt stand t e

S0-: S e was twenty, <or 1odCs sakeD S e was a dancer# All s e cared a6out was er art# All s e knew ow to do was danceD DAD: And s e %ot to danceD Bour ;ro6le& is, you t ink s eCs so&e kind o< Vir%in .ary in a tutu# So isnCt it ard w en you <ind out s eCs Gust like all t e restA ((O) springs to feet, pistol pointed at %A%& S0-: / s ould kill you ri% t nowD (%A% points pistol at (O). :e4ican standoff& DAD: Put t at away# ((O) mo,es along wall, pistol pointed at %A%. %A% eeps his pistol trained on (O)& / &ean it, Victor# -o# Listen to &e# Look at &e# DAD: DonCt# /tCs not wort it# DAD: Put it away# S0-: (uddenly, its a

((O) eeps mo,ing slowly along the wall toward the door to the outside, his gun hand starting to sha e. 6e steadies his aim by gripping his wrist with his free hand. Abruptly, -AIT.R stands, mo,es between %A% / (O), bloc ing the line of fire&

29 9A/)+R: i&, sir# DAD: 1et out o< t e way# 9A/)+R: -o, sir# / will not# Sit downD *e DAD: as to learnD

Sto; t isD

LeaEe

Da&n it, &anD / will notD

9A/)+R: ((O) reaches door and screened by -AIT.R, e4its. The door slams. %A% lowers pistol& DAD: Da&n youD 9A/)+R: ) at was Eery 6ad t in%, sir# Very 6ad# you# And <or Victor as well# / will ;ray <or

(%A% sits, slumps down in chair& Bea # Bou do t at# DAD: Bou %o ;ray#

(-AIT.R gets tray, silently begins clearing tables. %A% and -AIT.R a,oid eye contact& 9A/)+R: 9ill t ere 6e anyt in% else, sirA (%A% sha es head. -AIT.R bows, e4its through ser,ice door with tray full of with dirty dishes. Blac out. (ound of cloc chiming. (ound of drumming and men whooping it up somewhere outside. 8ights up. %A% stands, staring out window. -AIT.R stands behind bar, Bible open. Big cloc says F"D?& 9A/)+R: (Reads haltingly, translating from Russian& 1o to lost s ee;# Preac and say to t e&# Iin%do& o< eaEen is near# *eal sick# (:a es a heal the sic hand mo,ement& Cleanse le;ers# (:a es a cleanse the lepers hand mo,ement& Raise dead# (:a es a raise the dead hand mo,ement& Cast out deEils# (:a es a cast out de,ils hand mo,ement& A&en#

30 DAD: Sounds like t eyCre castin% out a trainload o< deEils out t ere toni% t# 9A/)+R: 9 en / was s&all, w en we ear ,@6ek dru&s, &y &ot er would lock door, ;ull curtains down, ide us under 6ed# DAD: ,@6eks arenCt so 6ad# Bou Gust aEe to %et to know t e&# / know ,@6eks# 9A/)+R: / say not in% &ore a6out ,@6eks# ((ound of men cheering as drumming builds to a crescendo. Then silence& 9A/)+R: *e is out t ere wit Bes# 9A/)+R: /s t at %ood ideaA (Another cheer. silence again& / donCt know# 1uess 6rot ers> to ours# :ore drumming. Then t e&# DAD:

DAD: e ;re<ers t e co&;any o<

is =6lood

9A/)+R2 *e is youn%# *e &ust learn a6out ;eo;le, 6ot %ood ;eo;le and t ese 6ad ones# Sir, a%ain / wis to a;olo%i@e <or - (%A% turns aways from window& DAD: -o need# Bou did t e ri% t t in%# / ad no 6usiness ;ointin% t e %un at Victor# 1ot to ad&it, you aEe 6alls# 9A/)+R2 4allsA DAD: (<estures to his crotch& 4alls# .ore 6alls t an Victor# ) ank you# 9A/)+R2 Bou are Eery kind#

Coura%e# A D Bes#

(8ong silence. -AIT.R putters around. :ore drumming and cheering. Then silence again& DAD: Bou know, not in% eEer turns out t e way you ;lan#

31 9A/)+R2 is own ;lans#

So&eti&es 1od

as

DAD: 1uess t atCs ri% t# / aEe one son w o ates &e# / s;ent one undred &illion dollars on i& and e doesnCt care# Hust sits on is 6utt waitin% <or &e to die# Bears a%o, / was youn% and on t e &ake# / ;lanned to aEe <iEe sons# 3iEeD /n &y &ind, / ad eac sonCs education and career %oals outlined# ) ey were %oin% to 6e &y c a&;ions, &y eroes# / Eisuali@ed &y 6usiness riEals ;ointin% t e& out and enEyin% &e# ) en a c ild arriEed# A %irl# ) en a second %irl# ) en a t ird %irl# ) en###well, you %et t e ;icture# ) ese dau% ters# 9A/)+R2 9 at are t eir a%esA

DAD2 .y <our ran%e <ro& twenty-two to twenty-ei% t# 9 en %irls %row u;, t eyCre not in% 6ut trou6le# 9 en you aEe c ildren, youCll see# Re&e&6er w at / told you# Ado;t# Bes# 9A/)+R2 A%ain t ank you <or t is ti;#

DAD2 ) e wo&an was %iEin% &e not in% 6ut %irls, so / &ade a c an%e# And you aEe to urry on t ese t in%s# CanCt wait <oreEer# 0nly so &any rounds in t e cli;# So / &arried t e 6allerina and / %ot &y son# 4ut you know w at t ey say a6out %ettin% w at you ask <or# / aEe a son w o does t e o;;osite o< w ateEer / ask# Dau% ters, o< course, donCt count# Bou can aEe twenty %irls and it doesnCt &ean a t in%# /C& 6ein% ;unis ed# 3or w at, / aEe no idea# 9A/)+R2 ) is story is &akin% &e Eery sad# / a& Gust a little &an wit a little 6rain, 6ut / a& t inkin% i< Victor is not &akin% you a;;y, w y not let t e dau% ters - DAD2 9 y not let t e dau% tersA 9 y not let t e dau% tersA /< t is was 6ack in t e States and / was runnin% a Silicon Valley dot co& enter;rise or a <ast <ood e&;ire, t at would work# 4ack t ere, you aEe all t ese 6reak-t rou% -t e%lass-ceilin% ;in eads and t ey crea& in t eir Geans w en a <e&ale takes oEer a 6oardroo&# Bou <ollow &eA 9A/)+R2 +FactlyD /s like in RussiaD 1reatest c@ar was wo&an w o - DAD2 4ut t is isnCt t e States# /tCs not Russia, eit er# / do &y 6usiness in t e oil and %as <ields o< .yan&ar, I a@akstan and ere, w ere t in%s aEenCt &uc c an%ed since t e days o< 1en% is I an# / deal wit &en w o kidna; t eir wiEes, <or 1odCs sake# /tCs true# 9 en itCs ti&e <or a &an to %et &arried, e &ounts is orse and %oes and %ets i&sel< a wo&an at %un;oint# Bou can only i&a%ine &y dau% ters - -

32 9A/)+R2 /t is insult to ani&als to call t e& ani&als# (-AIT.R spits on floor. A shot rings out. A window pane is smashed. Blac out. (ound of loc chiming. 8ights up. Ominous drumming. 'enter table and window table ha,e been turned on their sides, table tops facing door. %A% crouches behind tables, pistol in hand. Big cloc on the wall says 99"D?& 9A/)+R2 /t is like t is once, &ay6e twice, eEery year, Sir# ,@6eks are Eery unsta6le ;eo;le# Anyt in% sets t e& o<<# ) e %oEern&ent s ould send t e& to liEe in caEes# DAD: 4ut will t ey attackA 9A/)+R2 9 o can sayA ) e ,@6ek 6rain is# 9 at is t e wordA cannot <oretell# DAD: ,n;redicta6leA 9A/)+R2 Bes# ) at is t e word# ) ey are like 6oF o< c ocolates# Bou neEer know w at you %et# DAD: Can we call <or el;A 9A/)+R2 /< we ad co&;uter and dis , we could, yes# 4ut you 6roke co&;uter to ;unis your son and t e dis is outside wit ,@6eks# As <or &e# / a& Eery ;oor# 9 en / &ust call )as kent, / %o to ,ncle D&itriCs ouse and use is ; one# DAD: So weCre <ucked# 9A/)+R2 ) at is Eery 6ad word# DAD: 9 y are you so cool a6out t isA 9A/)+R2 / a& Russian# Russians 6elieEe, i< you i%nore 6ad news, &ay6e it %oes away# (Another shot. Another pane in the window is smashed& DAD: (A despondent tone& .y own sonD Bou

,@6eksD

33 9A/)+R2 4ut you donCt like i&# DAD: *e didnCt not like &e <irstD 9A/)+R2 4ut e &ust aEe liked you w en e was Eery s&all# C ildren like eEeryone# DAD: C ildren donCt count# 4ut c ildren %row u; and t en - (<estures toward the window& ) e little 6astardD *eCs out t ere, %ettin% t ose %uys ready to kill &e# 9 i;;in% t e& u; wit war dances and <ire water# 9A/)+R2 ,@6eks are y;ocrites# All week, t ey drink like t e <is es 6ut on 3riday t ey %o to &ulla to 6e% i& to say sorry to alla # -o Russian eEer said sorry <or Eodka# /t would 6e sacrile%e# Vodka is %i<t <ro& 1od# ((ilence as -AIT.R slides bar across floor and positions it in front of door as a barricade. :ore silence. Then %A% emits a loud sigh of self7pity& DAD: .ay6e / s ould kill &ysel<# 9A/)+R2 9 at is it you saidA (0uts pistol to head, but carefully watches -AIT.Rs reaction out of corner of eye& DAD: Iill &ysel<# +nd it all# / donCt see any way out# And it would 6e a lot less &essy <or eEeryone concerned# And t ose %uys ;ro6a6ly wouldnCt 6urn down Pal&iroCs# BouCd %et to kee; your restaurant# /tCs win-win# Bou see t at, donCt youA 9A/)+R2 Bou are cra@y# Bou - DAD: PlusD Plus, you could cas in# -ot in% wron% wit cas in% in as lon% as itCs taste<ul and youCre takin% t e i% road# Bou could adEertise t is is t e ;lace w ere t e noted 6illionaire and ; ilant o;ist, 9illard Randall )yler, killed i&sel<# Bou could eEen do a c alk outline ri% t ere on t e <loor# Bou 6uild it, ;eo;le will co&e# Put t e %un down# 9A/)+R2 Please ;ut %un down#

34 DAD: /tCs a no-6rainer# *eCs %oin% to kill &e anyway# Si%ns are un&istaka6le# Bou know w at t ey say2 w en you %otta %o, you %otta %o# 9A/)+R2 ) at is not a6out dyin%# ) at is a6out 6odily <unction# Co&;letely di<<erent t in%# Please# Put it down# Let &e %o out and talk to your son# (-ith a sigh, %A% lowers pistol& DAD: BouCre %oin% to %o out t ereA 9A/)+R2 *e will talk to &e# DAD: / donCt know i< e will# DonCt <or%et, eCs an ,@6ek 6lood 6rot er now# And you donCt like ,@6eks# *e will talk to &e# 9A/)+R2 / a& sure o< it# DAD: e ca&e in ere instead o< you

.ay6e it would 6e 6etter i< %oin% out t ere#

9A/)+R2 9 en you two are in sa&e roo&, t ere is an%er and <i% t# Last ti&e you ;ointed %uns and / ad to ste; in &iddle to kee; you <ro& ;ullin% tri%%er# DAD: Bea okay, no ar%u&ent t ere# 1ood ;oint# %o on out t ere and you talk to Victor# 0kay, yes# Bou

9A/)+R2 0ne last t in%# / donCt want to %o out, talk to son and co&e 6ack and <ind you (0oints finger gun at head& dead <ro& %uns ot# /t would 6e# *ow do you sayA 4eatin% t e orse to deat # So ;lease# 1iEe &e t e %un# DAD: Bou donCt trust &eA 9A/)+R2 / trust 1od and .ot er Russia# (%A% shrugs, hands -AIT.R his pistol. -AIT.R poc ets it, goes to door to the outside, crosses himself and e4its. Blac out. 8ong silence. A single sic ening -6@:000 sound. :ore silence. Then sound of funereal drumming. 8ights up. The three tables ha,e been pushed together in the center of room. -AIT.R enters carrying body of (O), wrapped for burial in the linens and

35 bindings of a -arrior of the (teppes. 6e lays him re,erently on the table and steps bac . Big cloc on the wall says 9! midnight. %A% enters through ser,ice door. 8ong silence as he regards the body& DAD: So Bes# DAD: A tra%edy# 9A/)+R2 ) e deat o< one so youn% is tra%ic# /t was like t at in Russia w en AleFander -eEsky died# A &an asks, =9 yA> DAD: 9 at a6out VictorCs 6lood 6rot ersA Drunk# All drunk# / 9 ere were t eyA eCs dead# 9A/)+R2

9A/)+R2 ad to wake t e dru&&er# Then...&

(8ong silence. *ard to 6elieEe, 6ut 0 no no no, Sir# -o#

DAD: e was ai&in% to kill &e# 9A/)+R2 *e would not do t at#

DAD: / tell you, e would# 9 en e ;ointed t e 6lade at &e, / saw ;ure, unadulterated ate# / &ust say, it <ri% tened &e# 9A/)+R2 A%ain / &ust disa%ree, Sir# ) is 6oy was %entle# *e t e soul o< an artist in i&# *is &ot er was a - (%A% pounds fist on table. DAD: / I-09 9*A) S*+ 9ASD S*+ 9AS .B 9/3+D you ;ersist in contradictin% &eA ad

-AIT.R 3umps& 9 y do

R+.+.4+RA

9A/)+R2 /t is not contradiction, Sir# / only say Bou saw ow

ow / see

i&#

DAD: e wanted you to see i&D As <or aEin% t e (:a es air 1uotes& =soul> o< an artist# *e ad t e s ell, t e <aLade, 6ut not t e soul# *e was a cunnin% actor# *e <ooled you, ad you eatin% <ro& is and# 4ut e was all ;ride# And a&6ition# And e <ailed, <ailed &e in t e one t in% t at &attered# (Rounds on -AIT.R, grasps him by collar& DonCt you <ail &e#

36 9A/)+R2 ((uddenly ,ery frightened& / wonCt <ail you# (Blac out. (ound of horses galloping. 8ights up. The room is deserted. )ear the door, two suitcases. Big cloc on the wall says F am. .nter -AIT.R in tra,eling clothes. 6e loo s around, as if saying good bye to the room& 9A/)+R2 A , Pal&iroCs# / s all &iss you# /t was an eF;eri&ent# 4ut wit ,@6eks, it is like t rowin% ric ;earls to ;i%s# (.nter %A%& DAD: A D Bou are ready# 1ood# 9A/)+R2 (Indicates suitcases& / aEe not &uc to take# .y li<e is# *ow do you sayA (0oints to brain& All u; ere# DAD: )raEellin% li% t# / like t atD -ot in% wei% in% you down# 3ootloose and <ancy <ree# .y kind o< %uy# ((uddenly turns serious& Re%ardin% Victor, all is in orderA 9A/)+R2 Bes, Sir# )wo tri6es&en are takin% i& to ;lace in i% &ountain# ) ere is ,@6ek na&e <or it# /n +n%lis , it is +a%le -est# DAD: +a%le -est# 9A/)+R2 /t is old tradition <ro& ti&e o< 1en% is I an# A warrior, w en e dies, t ey take i& to +a%le -est and lay t e cor;se on a &at on i% ;oles# +a%les co&e down <ro& sky and tear skin <ro& 6one# ) ey say it is ow warrior 6eco&es ea%le# /t is dis%ustin% to see, 6ut old ,@6ek custo&# *un D DAD: So VictorCs turnin% into an ea%le# 9A/)+R2 Bes, Sir# (-AIT.R pic s up suitcases. They start toward door. %A% suddenly stops& DAD: ) ereCll 6e a re;ort t atCll aEe to 6e <iled# ) ereCs always a re;ort# 9e neEer actually <les ed out t e details a6out Victor, a6out w at a;;ened#

-o, Sir#

37 9A/)+R2 a train# *is &en were drunk and aslee; in tents and was wide awake 6ut is soul was &uc trou6led# *e to t e railroad track and sat t ere# ) e train it at is ow e died# / aEe seen ot ers die t at way#

/t was Victor walked i&# )

DAD: 4ut t e closest train track is <i<ty &iles away# 9A/)+R2 ) at is true# / &iss;oke# Victor died in anot er way# *e was oEerco&e 6y %rie< and %uilt# *e cli&6ed to to; o< tall tree to con<ess to 1od <ace-to-<ace and is <oot sli;;ed and e <ell to +art # / aEe seen ot ers die in Gust t at way# Pro6le& is, ow to 6roac DAD: it to t e ;eo;le 6ack o&e#

9A/)+R2 Bes# /t is a di<<icult t in% to 6e 6earer o< sad tidin%s# )o 6e cause o< &uc wee;in% and wailin% and# *ow do you say itA 1nas in% o< teet A DAD: /< only it were t at si&;le# Bou know /C& ric # 9 ic &akes &e a tar%et and <air %a&e <or eEery news ack and ;a;ara@@o in t e country# And t eyCll do t eir da&nedest to ;lay Gud%e and Gury and conEict &e in t e &edia# Bears 6ack, w en / c an%ed &y wo&an, t ey literally tarred and <eat ered &e# Count on it t at t ey will discoEer so&et in% to <ind <ault wit in VictorCs deat # 9A/)+R2 /n Russia, we cut t eir t roatsD DAD: 4ut in A&erica, you canCt eEen sue t e ;ress# /t will 6e like t is# /< we say it was a train, t ey will ask, w o ;us ed i&A /< we say it was a tree, t ey will ask, w o %aEe i& dru%s to disorient i& and &ake i& <allA 4ut t ese are liesD 9A/)+R2 ) is is not trut # ) is is eEil - -

DAD: )rut &eans not in% to t e&# ) e way / see it, si&;lest is 6est# Victor killed i&sel<# 4ut t at is not eFactly 9A/)+R2 ow - -

DAD: *ear &e outD All t e ;ieces o< t e ;u@@le are t ere# *e was drinkin%, 6eco&in% increasin%ly &oody and unsta6le# *e 6e%an <antasi@in% a6out 6ein% an ,@6ek warrior# 9A/)+R2 4ut t at was a %a&e# /t was not serious# /t is like 6oy ;layin%# *ow do you sayA Cow6oy and /ndian#

38

DAD: ) e key was w en is <antasy crossed oEer and inEaded is reality# Suddenly t ere e was, standin% in warrior dress, sword ;ointed at &y t roat, co&&andin% &e to call i& .alik# /n is &ind, it was all <les -and-6lood real# 9A/)+R2 -o no, /t was t e drink# So&eti&es w en / drink Eodka, / t ink /C& t e C@ar o< - DAD: And / t ink it wasnCt a drunken interludeD / ;lannin% to killD ) e dru&&in%, t e s ots, t windows# ) ese werenCt acts o< a 6oy under t 4elieEe it, e was ;re;arin% an assault on us 0n us 6ot A 0n &eA would e kill &eA t ink e was e 6roken e in<luence# 6ot # 9 y

9A/)+R2 -o no no# *e would not kill &eD

DAD: Bou wouldCEe 6een an inconEenient witness# /n is state, eCd aEe killed eEen is 6est <riend# /C& conEinced o< it# 4ut at t e last &inute, w en is 6lood 6rot ers deserted i&, e was suddenly alone and e c ose to end it all# (8ong moment. -AIT.R shi,ers in fear. Then a big nod as if finally coming to a conclusion& 9A/)+R2 Bes# 0ne t in% / now recall# *e told &e secret a6out i&sel<# *e said, =/< &y <at er dies, / would <eel not in%#> -ot in%D / said it was 6i% sin to <eel not in%# DAD: -ot in%# 9ords o< a cold-6looded killer# /C& not sur;rised e said it# At t at ;oint, Victor was o;eratin% wit out any &oral restraint# )otally 6eyond t e ;ale o< any acce;ta6le u&an conduct# 0< course, we canCt say any o< t is# Peo;le wouldnCt understand# 9A/)+R2 Bes, sir# Bes, / see t at now# /< a ;erson was not t at ;erson would not see w at we saw# +Factly# unknown# Bes Sir# ere,

DAD: So we s ould say t at e killed i&sel<, reasons LeaEe it unsolEed# /tCs <or t e 6est# 9A/)+R2 / can see it is <or 6est#

DAD: Lots o< youn% ;eo;le kill t e&selEes# Pressure o< %rowin% u; is too &uc <or t e&# Plus t ereCs t e dru%s and t e sel<-a6sor6ed ;arents w o a6andon t eir res;onsi6ilities#

39 9A/)+R2 /t is sad <act, Sir# DAD: Bes# Sad# 9A/)+R2 Bes, Sir# So w at DAD: aEe we learned <ro& t isA 9A/)+R2 9ra;;ed in eni%&a#

/t is &ystery, Sir#

(Blac out. Twenty seconds of absolute silence. Then one long BO)<<<>>>> 8ights up. The cloc is no longer on the wall. Also, the posters are gone. The furniture is gone, e4cept for one lone water cooler. %A% / -AIT.R sit on folding chairs at a ric ety card table. Theres a laptop / printer / a fa4 machine on the table. The printer is busy ic ing out page after page of printed matter. -AIT.R, pen in hand, ner,ously reads a thic document as %A% drums fingers& 9A/)+R2 / do not understand any o< t is, Sir# (The drumming stops& DAD: )o 6e onest, neit er do /# /C& Gust a si&;le %uy at eart# 4ut &y lawyers say we need t is# ) eyCre t e ones %ettin% ;aid to write t e words, cross t e tCs and dot t e iCs# 9A/)+R2 9it t is ;a;er, you are ado;tin% &e# ) is / co&;re end, 6ecause t is is w at you tell &e# 4ut w ere does it say t isA / a& readin% ;a%es and ;a%es and it is con<usin%# DAD: / ear you, ;al# So&eti&es it can see& like a <orei%n lan%ua%e# Actually, in your case, / %uess it is# 4ut ey, w y not Gust %o a ead and si%n, so we can %et out o< ereA (The printer stops& 9A/)+R2 / would like not in% &ore 6ut to do t at, 6ut - DAD: 4ut w atA 9A/)+R2 4ut / aEe serious Juestions a6out# A6out <ull <ait and credit# 9 at is t e wordA

40 DAD: ((uddenly ,ery wary& BouCre sayin% /C& not %ood <or itA Look at &eD %old 3ortune '00# So w atCs t e ;ro6le&A

/C& solid

9A/)+R2 /t is t at / a& a little ;erson and you are like a kin%# 9 en you leaEe and %o 6ack to your &ansions and your stocks and 6onds, &ay6e you <or%et a6out &e# And t en / will 6e# *ow s all / sayA Le<t oldin% 6a%# -o way# DAD: Si%n and youCll 6e like a son to &e# 9A/)+R2 Like VictorA

Like your last sonA

(-hoa> This hits %A% li e a bric in the face. %A% loo s at -AIT.R with sudden admiration and amaAement. A long moment& / was ri% t a6out you# DAD: Bou are wise#

9A/)+R: /t is only t at / a& w at / a&# DAD: BouCre Eery wise# And not run-o<-t e-&ill wise# BouCre a wise &an ;retendin% to 6e a si&;# 0kay, w at do you wantA 9A/)+R: Bou and /# 9e know t e t in% t at a;;ened ere# ) is t in% we saw wit our eyes# And we a%reed to take t is knowled%e wit us to t e %raEe# 4ut on t e Gourney to t e %raEe, you to yours and / to &ine, t ere &ust 6e trust# 3or &e to 6e a one undred ;er cent co&&itted ;arty to t is trust, t ere &ust 6e a link &ore su6stantial (<estures toward the document on the table& ) an t is ea; o< ;a;ers# Suddenly your +n%lis %ot a DAD: ell o< a lot 6etter#

(-AIT.R smiles, shrugs& *eyD Iee; talkin%# DAD: DonCt sto;# 1ot to <eed t e &onkey#

9A/)+R: Per&it &e to cut to c ase# /< / were truly in your <a&ily# A true <a&ily ;erson to you# ) ere would 6e no Juestion - (%A% is frowning& 0< undyin% loyalty# (%A% is still frowning& ,ntil deat # And 6eyond# (2inally...&

41 DAD: 3a&ily# (-AIT.R, big smile, nods& DAD: So youCre sayin% to &e ado;tion doesnCt do it# 9A/)+R: /t is a &ost %enerous act on your ;art, 6ut it lacks t e eart and soul and sinew o< a tie t at truly 6inds# DAD: 0kay# / t ink / %et t e %ist# Per&it &e, t en, to cut to t e c ase, as / see it# 9 ere youCre %oin% wit t is is, you want &e to &arry you to one o< &y dau% ters# 9A/)+R: Bou are 6ein% &ost 6lunt, Sir# DAD: Bou are a <uckin% ;iece o< work# Bou know t at, donCt youA

(-AIT.R loses the big smile, stares down into his lap, hoping the storm will blow past& DAD: /< t is were any ot er ti&e, any ot er ;lace, and a turd like you ca&e out o< t e sewer and asked &e t at, /Cd <eed you your dick on a ;late# /Cd cut you u; and toss you in a tank <ull o< s arks# 4ut / canCt 6ecause /C& in t e ere and now# And you %ot &e 6y t e 6alls# So <uck it# (%A% stands, pic s up a length of two7by7four from the pile of debris. 6e starts smashing up the water cooler, cursing as he does& 3uck itD 3uck itD 3uck itD DAD: 3uck itD 3uck itD 3uck itD

(%A% does this until hes out of breath and theres nothing left of the water cooler& 9A/)+R: /t is &ost instructiEe w at you A&ericans say w en you are an%ry# Victor tau% t &e ow to say, =Hust <uck it#> /t was# *ow do you sayA Re<res in%# DAD: /C& sure it was# (%rops two7by7four. It hits floor with a bang& All ri% t, you win# 4ut / %et to ;ick t e dau% ter# And i< youCre not a;;y wit er, <uck it# 9A/)+R: /t is okay, Sir# /t is like t at in Russia# ) ere as neEer 6een a a;;y &arria%e in all our istory# -ot one# /t is cross we 6ear# /t is w y we are sad# /t is w y we drink#

42 DAD: And itCs ;ro6a6ly w y you###a # / wonCt eEen say it# 9A/)+R: /< you were %oin% to say Russian Goke, Sir, it is okay# ) ere are &any Gokes a6out Russians# / aEe eard t e& all# / wonCt# 0ne t in% t ou% # DAD: Sto; callin% &e Sir#

9A/)+R: 9 at do you want &e to call youA DAD: 1iEe it ti&e# BouCll t ink o< so&et in%# Ask your new wi<e# 1ot no dou6t s eCll aEe all kinds o< na&es to su%%est# (%A% pulls -AIT.R close, grins. Theres something sinister, almost e,il, in this& DAD: 9elco&e to t e <a&ily# (%A% ta es a small pac age from his inside coat poc et, hands it to -AIT.R& DAD2 3or you# 9A/)+R2 9 at is itA DAD: 0;en and see# (%A% watches as -AIT.R opens pac age and ta es out a pistol. -AIT.R closes eyes and clic s trigger once, flinches at the clic & DAD: Like itA 9A/)+R2 /t will take, as you say, %ettin% used to# DAD: DonCt take too lon%# (%A% ta es pistol bac , sits down, ta es out a bo4 of bullets, begins loading it. -AIT.R stands watching, waiting for the other shoe to drop. %A% tal s as he loads pistol& DAD2 Victor was one year old# / ad &ade t e 3ortune '00# Suddenly / was so&e6ody ;eo;le were startin% to notice# ) at is not always %ood, <or a week a<ter VictorCs 6irt day ;arty, a &an a;;eared at &y door, said e ad Gust kidna;;ed Victor# /t cost one undred &illion dollars to %et i& 6ack#

43 9A/)+R2 ) at is a terri6le t in% to - DAD: ) in% was, 6oy / %ot 6ack wasnCt Victor# -ot VictorA -ot your sonA /t was a switc #

9A/)+R2 *ow did you knowA DAD:

So&e t in%s you Gust know# 9A/)+R2 9 o was e t enA DAD: So&eone else# 9A/)+R: Did you tell i&A DAD: -ow w at %ood would t at doA 4ut as <or t e kidna;;er, / <ound i&# )ook years, and lots o< &oney, 6ut / <ound i&# -ow / ;ut a Juestion to you# 9 at s ould a;;en to i&A /n Russia, 9A/)+R: e would 6e killed slowly# *e would 6e% to die#

DAD: Bes# Bou ad t e C ekas, t e -IVD, t e 1P,, t e I14 and all t e rest# 4ut t at stu<< is &essy# Personally, / ;re<er t e C inese &et od# 9A/)+R: C inese &et od# DAD: Sin%le 6ullet to t e 6ack o< t e ead#

(%A% gi,es -AIT.R a meaningful loo and hands loaded pistol bac to him. -AIT.R stares at pistol and nods slowly. Blac out. 8ights up. The pieces of the smashed water cooler still lie in a heap. Also theres a pile of debris on the floor in the middle of the room. (ound of wor man somewhere outside tearing down a wall. %A% on his nees fills the bac pac with laptop, fa4 and printer. (ound of a pistol shot. %A% smiles, begins whistling to himself as he pac s. (ound of another shot. Then another. %A% finishes pac ing, stands, pic s up bac pac , wa,es good7bye to the room and e4its through the door to the outside& ) e +nd