Original subtitles

Excuse me.

Wait.

Excuse me sincerily, but investigation calls for dreadful questions of this kind.

Was dead young man your son?

About twenty years ago, after having served in artillery in Caucasus there had gathered so much bloody horror

that my head went spinning and eyes refused to look at the world.

I was suddenly transferred to Moscow and almost instantly I noticed a woman...

with face and manners...of an angel.

Sure, I was astonished, overwhelmed, shaken by this love suddenly fallen upon me.

But, to my surprise, I was rewarded with an answering love.

Will you be having spirits or maybe infusion? Better give me infusion.

I got used to spirits in Caucasus.

With your permission...

Let us not touch the glasses.

Well then, I retired and settled in my estate with my wife.

????? Anyway, state of my estate hardly has connection with the case.

But that my tooth began aching, with what everything started...

will probably be not uninteresting for you as an investigator.

Spit.

Me and Olga... for some reasong instantly got liking of the doctor.

And, although he did not quite stay near to our place due to trips on account of his practice,

doctor visited us often, sometimes staying with us for a day or two.

Once, in Christmas time, he even spent a whole week with us.

Me and my wife were expecting a baby, which, by the way, didn't hamper us to feel like happy, careless kids.

Anyway, such devout and immense feeling of friendship like I had for the doctor

I can not recall from my very...

very gentle...

childhood.

When Volodya was born, gladness only got bigger.

It is necessary to say that our house was quite wonderful house at the time.

In summers it was filled with flowers, beetles, butterflies...

Olya liked flowers. Well, those which were cut.

From their heavy smell little Volodya got headache.

With time, sure, flowers withered, beetles died, butterflies beat against windows,

dropped on windowsill like ???

But our house still lived.

And we had fun in evenings by the card table

where Volodya expressed observation uncharasteristic for his age

once secretly letting me know that the doctor

as if had concluded a secret agreement with mom against me.

Exchanging certain signs, they usually got the best of me.

Railroad was built near the country estate.

To amuse Volodya we began playing trains.

I lit a cigarette...

There was smoke and I made sound....

....imitating train whistle, and doctor skillfully mimicked train cars...

Volodya, with utmost pleasure, drove on us, sometimes on train cars, sometimes on locomotive.

We all felt carefree and happy.

Once doctor brough latest technical novelty as a present for Volodya.

Magic lantern. And a heap of diapositives along with it.

They were called "Divine beauty of woman"

I told you that Volodya suffered from migraines since young age.

Pain usuallydid not last long and ceased as suddenly as it began.

Once, when boy started feeling pain again, we didn't pay extra attention to it.

This time pain didn't let him go a day, two days, a week...

Volodya, does your head hurt much? It does. Very.

I always see in my dreams. What do you see in your dreams?

Remember, last summer, ???? I was running on a shore

with two girls, english girls... I see all this

in my dream...for some reason.

That day I wiped before going and upon returning, and one more time I returned with fresh portion of medicine, entered the house

and, brushing the dirt off boots, suddenly noticed miserable and preposterous hole.

My heart suddenly started beating bad.

Somewhere here in the throat.

It seemed like in some huge orchestra suddenly there was played on trumpet

threatening and inevitable movement.

Movement of doom.

Terrible unhappiness. Can't think about that.

You know, the life of this boy is priceless to me.

Yes, I know that.

He is everything to me. My joy. My happiness. My treasure.

If, as you say, I am to cease being a mother, if he dies...

there would be left just a shadow of myself. Only a shadow.

I don't want to know anything more.

There is an abyss between now and then.

You keep silent. But I still don't lose hope.

I'd be as glad as you, Olga, to have hope,

but there is none.

You must look the beast right in the eye.

The boy has brain fever and you must prepare yourself for his death, because there is almost no recovery from this illness.

Almost... Count it as never.

Nikolay, are you sure that you're not mistaken?

Such questions do not lead anywhere.

I am ready to answer as much as you like but it wouldn't make things easier for us.

Lend me a minute of your attention.

I have to ask you something.

Go on, ask.

Anyway...

I'm not on your mind now. I will....later...after.

Olga?

In the name of your sorrow, with which I sympathize, now, when lie is illicit,

I beg you to

tell me the truth.

You always asserted that his boy was my son.

Is that true?

You were the only affection in my life.

And you can not imagine how deeply my feelings were offended by lies.

I'm begging you, Olga, to tell me the truth just once in your life!

Tell me...

that Volodya is not my son.

I'm waiting.

He is yours.

You dare to tell lies in such moment.

Nothing is sacred for you. Listen, understand me.

You were the only affection in my life. Yes, it was incorrect and trite, but I have loved nobody, except you!

And this small love now, when I'm getting old, makes the only light spot in my memories!

Why do you cloud all this with lies? What for?

I do not understand you...

You're lying. You are lying to me. You understand it perfectly well.

Or have you forgotten?

I will remind you.

Fatherly rights to this boy together with his real father, your husband, is divided equally ???????

I know all that quite well. But I forgive you former lies, darn it!

But now, when you're getting older...

In these minutes when your boy is dying...

Your lies simply suffocate me!

What a pity that I cannot talk...what a pity.

???? woman. Even such ??? don't affect her, and now...

she's lying with such ease as she did five years ago in "Hermitage" restaurant.

She thinks if she ????? I wouldn't love this boy.

You're lying.

This low ??? is detestable.

Crippled and nasty mind. You should be despised.

???? ashamed of feelings.

Your lies from all these years are sticking in my throat.

Yes, I bore it, but now it is enough.

What a pity that I can't talk.

I don't possess a gift of convincing and persuading.

????????????

How should I explain it to her?

But I am not lying.

Volodya is your son. Oh, dear God!

I'm gonna tell you even more. I have kept your letter to Petrov

in which you name him as Volodya's father. Olga, I know the truth.

But I want to hear it from you.

If he's suffering why does he keep silent?

?????? He never complains or cries.

I know that God will take the boy away from me because I don't know how to value him.

Is there really nothing to be done?

Nikolay...

Doctor...

You must know how to help him!

Understand it, I wouldn't survive such a loss.

I will not survive it.

I will come tomorrow.

You go to bed earlier today.

Olga, I will come tomorrow. Can you hear?

I don't know whether doctor held his promise, because that day I found strenght and words

to part with my wife forever.

That night I left for the city and for almost a year tossed about in hotels until a miracle happened.

The boy got better.

Enduring fever in winter, he got completely well in spring.

Fetch!

Fetch!

Fetch I tell you!

Fool, fetch it.

Fetch.

Lie.

Lie!

Lie!

Lie.

Go on, lie down.

Lie. Lie. Lie. Lie, I tell you.

Sometimes there was such unbearable grief/boredom that I got scared.

I even...called upon my death.

But it didn't come.

And I couldn't imagine...

anything else Christian.

Well...where did we stop?

Once, early morning in late autumn, I accidentally stumbled upon a sheet of paper I had already forgotten.

Owes me...

Gruzdev, five hundred rubles.

Chicken, six hundred sixty five.

General Popov...late general. Thousand two hundred for oats.

Missed.

....and wouldn't listen. Nikolay Mikhailovich died.

So it goes.

Mourned for some time. We have to know honor.

We live, pardon me, like spiders. Without seeing the world.

??????????

There is a regiment stationed. Officers - like piece of candy.

It just seems to you that I am alive.

It just seems so to you.

After long contemplation I got on the road. But, sure, not because I needed money.

On the contrary. In my remote corner they made my life heavier.

I called for horses, put a coat on my shoulders...

And rode...rode...rode...

If you ordered to harness Tobby or Velikan...

And - to visit neighbors.

What's up with you?

He loved Tobby so much. You remember?

Tell to give him extra oats today.

Who's that?

I have the honor to introduce myself. Retired poruchik or artillery,

landowner Grigory Stepanovich Smirnov. I trouble you on account of very important matter.

What would you like? The thing is that your late husband (may God rest his soul),

whom I had the pleasure to know, owed me twelve hundred rubles in two promissory notes.

Since I have to make payment in the bank tomorrow, I'd like you, madam, to return me money this day.

Twelve hundred? If Nikolai Mikhailovich owed you, I will surely pay.

But, excuse me, please, I don't have any cash today.

My stewards returns from city the day after tomorrow and I will tell him to pay you the due.

But there is no way I could fulfill your wish today.

Furthermore, today is exactly seven month since my husband died. And I'm in such a mood

that I don't want to settle monetary matters. Well, I am in such a mood that, if I don't pay tomorrow,

I am going down headfirst and my property will be arrested.

You will get your money the day after tomorrow. I don't need it the day after tomorrow. I need it today.

What to do if I don't have it on me?

So, you are not going to pay? I can not.

This is your last word?

The last.

Surely last?

Surely.

Well then, many thanks... Let us write it down.

And they want me to be cool-headed...

I think I made it clear: steward arrives the day after tomorrow and then you will get it.

I came to see her, not the steward. For what damn reason, pardon me, I would need your steward?

Excuse me, dear sir, I am not used to such odd expressions. I am not listening to you anymore.

Farewell.

Her husband died seven moths ago... What's that to me?

Do I have to pay interest or not?

Water...

Just a moment...

I'm asking you: do I have to pay interest or not?

I go to Gruzdev. He's not at home. ???????????

....had such a quarrel that almost threw out of the window.

???????? And this one here - mood...

Lord, what's up with you?

None of the scum is paying money.

And everything because I have spoilt them, because I am pansy, softie, chicken.

But I will not let to poke fun at me anymore. I will not let.

Madam, he does not want to believe.

He says all this is ?????

He's asking you to come back at once.

He's not in his right mind!

Lady asked to say that she's sick and is not receiving visitors.

Get out. I am staying here!

If she's sick for a week...

I stay here for a week.

A year... And I'm gonna sit here a year!

But I will achieve my goal!

You will not fool me with your conspiracies! I know your conspiracies.

Stepan! Come on!

Are you deaf or what? Stepan!

Unharness [the horses]! We're not leaving anytime soon. I am staying here.

Dear sir, because of my solitude I am not used to human voice and do not tolerate yelling.

I am asking you not to disturb my peace. Pay me and I will leave.

I told you in plain Russian: I have no cash at the moment. Wait until the day after tomorrow.

I told you in plain Russian as well: I need the money today and not the day after tomorrow,

and, if you pay money the day after tomorrow, I'm gonna be hanged.

But what to do if I don't have the money? So you're not gonna pay?

I can not.

Well, then I am staying here.

And I am gonna sit here until...

I get the money.

So, you will pay the day after tomorrow? Excellent. I will sit here until the day after tomorrow.

I am asking you: do I have to pay interest or not?

You don't know how to behave yourself in front of women. You are rude and ill-manered man.

Decent pepole don't talk to women like that.

I don't know how to behave in front of women? Madam, I have seen more women in my life than you have seen sparrows!

I fought three duels because of women.

I walked out on thirteen women, nine walked out one me.

I am not talking about people present, but all women, from little to big,

are ????, gossip-tellers, liars...

Fidgety, nit-picking, unmerciful... Pardon me being so frank. Well, you look at some creature:

ether, ????... And when you accidentally look inside:

the most common crocodile.

Yes. Where man scarifices, suffers, all of her love is expressed just by waving train [of her dress]

and trying to get tighter clasp on his nose.

You have the ill fortune to be a woman so you must know woman's nature on your own example.

Tell me have you ever seen a woman who was truly faithful and constant?

Men! Men are faithful and constant?

If it's come so far, I will tell you: of all men that I knew

the best was

my late husband.

Dear Lord, what is that? Outline. I ordered this for his tombstone.

I loved him passionately with all my being the way only a young woman can love.

I gave him my youth, happiness, life and property.

I breathed him, I prayed him like ???? And what of that?

This best of all men deceived me on every step in the most shameful manner.

After his death I found a chest full of love letters in his desk.

Despite this I was still faithful to him and loved him.

As if it was not enough, he is dead but I am still faithful to him.

And constantly. And I won't take this mourning dress off until the brink of my grave.

Mourning...

Mourning. I really don't know why do you wear this black domino.

Burying yourself inside four walls. That is so mysterous, romantic.

What if some younker rides past the house...

Or a poet looks at the windows and thinks: Mysterous Tamar lives there,

she who has buried herself inside four walls out of love towards her husband...

You know, I am not a woman and I am used to speaking frankly.

Give me back my money and I will leave! I am not gonna give you money...

Yes, you are! Out of spite I won't give you a thing!

And anyway, leave me alone!

I don't have the pleasure to be your husband... or your groom, so don't make any scenes.

Don't make any scenes, I do not like it.

Please, leave. Give me back my money!

I am not inclined to speak with cads. Be so kind and get out.

Give me back the money!

You aren't gonna leave? No!

Very well...

Luka, escort this gentleman out of here.

Sir, be so kind and leave!

When lady says so there's no need to...

Whom are you talking to?

Water! [Give me] water!

Sir, be so kind and leave! Be nicer, you!

You man, you're a rough bear! Bourbon! Monster!

Who has given you the right to offend me? So I'm offending you. Do you think I'm afraid of you?

And do you think that, since you're a poetic being, you have got the right to offend without being punished?

Duel!

Water, water, please... What whater? Shooting, I said!

You think that I'm afraid of you because you got bull's throat?

Duel! Duel! I won't let to offend me.

I won't pay attention to the fact that you're a woman! Bear! Bear! BEAR!

You want to do it? So be it! Husband left me pistols, I'll get them right away.

With what pleasure I will put a bullet in your copper forehead!

I'm gonna shoot you down like a chicken!

You want to have a shoot-out? Very much so! So be it.

See, it's raining?

We were kind of expecting snow...

Didn't they make renovations?

Where did she go? To get the pistols, probably.

What is this? You fallen off the Moon? That's a CD-player.

What is a CD-player? A player is a player. You put this in your ear...

This here in other ear. Push the buttons and listen to the whole world.

Goddamn! I'll put a bullet in your copper forehead... She blushed, eyes burning...

Word of honor, I see something like this for the first time.

Go away.

No, no, no. What a woman!

What a woman.

???????? Fire. Gunpowder.

Here they are.

But, before we fight, you show me how to shoot. I have never in my life held a pistol.

You see, there are several kind of pistols. There are one specially made for duels...

But this here is a Colt revolver. Six bullets, ????????

Nice pistol. I think they cost at least ninety rubles a pair.

Pistol should be held like this.

Then we carefully aim...

and cock the gun...

You need to hold head higher up.

Fully stretch out your arm.

Then we push this think with our this here finger. And that's all.

The most impotant rule is not to be worried while aiming.

Try not to make your hand shake. But I warn you that I'm gonna shoot in air.

Chickened out, yea? Chickened out.

Liar. Why do you suddenly refuse to shoot? Because I like you.

How nice! It turns out that he likes me.

Don't be angry with me. What can I do if I like you?

I like you. I have almost fallen in love with you.

What a woman.

I have never seen anything like this in my life. Get out or I will shoot.

Go on, shoot. You can't know what luck it would be to die in front of these wonderful eyes.

To die from a bullet of this revolver. Yes, I have lost my mind. Think, decide now.

Because, if I leave now, we will never see each other again. I am a nobleman, I have yearly income of ten thousand,

I can shoot a tossed coind, I own wonderful horses. Do you want to be my wife?

Caballero...

I have lost my mind.

But I love you like I have loved never before.

I left thirteen women, nine women left me. But I loved none of them like I love you,

and I stand on my knees like a fool and offer you my hand.

For five years I did not fall in love, but now I am like fallen in a trap.

I...offer...

you...

my hand.

Yes or no?

It has started to snow.

Go away. I hate you.

Hands ???? Anyway, wait, don't go.

Why are you standing? Go.

Don't come closer to me.

It was like eclipse of the sun or being hit by a ball lightning.

Elena Ivanonva on me moving in with her.

Surely, wedding took place soon.

I fell down at pries't feet and he allowed me second marriage.

God's slaves Grigory and Elena are getting married. Let as pray the Lord.

About a year after the wedding...

Olga Ivanovna sent a word.

She managed to presuade me that living in the city was not healthy for Volodya.

And she asked to give them a chance to live in my estate.

Some time later Olga Ivanovna urged that Volodya was growing up and he needed communication with his father.

Without specifying who he was.

Why are you going to visit them again, Mom?

Don't you realize that they consider us poor relatives and idlers?

That we are not respected and probably laughed upon when we are not there?

Stop talking nonsense.

Don't you see that father ???? his soul for you? No, I don't see it.

I have heard what's been told about you.

That you never pay the losses and have a passion for tobacco of others.

Do you really like spreading this nonsense? And I have heard that you always strive for high society,

and have frittered away two fortunes - yours and that of your husband.

And you're gonna tell me something about lawyer Kurovsky. About whom?

It doesn't matter. I'm begging you, Mom, let us not visit them.

You know I have to take exam in math. If I don't succeed in solving written task, I'm gonna be expeled.

You can study there. If you need help you will be able to ask father.

He's an artillerist. But artillerist without math, you know...

They began visiting us on holidays, on Sundays.

Sometimes on school holidays.

We always tried to invite somebody else for they time they were visiting.

My friend architect with his young wife Nyuta came and strangely these visit often coincided.

What are you doing here? Thinking?

How can one always think?

That way one can go mad...

Why are you keeping silent?

It's improper to keep silent when dame is speaking with you.

What an oaf you are, Volodya. You just sit here, silent, thinking...like some philosopher.

There is no life and fire in you.

But I've just been swimming.

Smell it. The hand still smells of river.

Does it? It does.

Look, my husband, for example.

He's twice as old as you, serious architect. But he giggles from morning until evening.

Though this giggling looks foolish sometimes, but it is life.

But you are distasteful. In your age one is supposed to live, jump, chat...

Court women, fall in love...

He's silent. That is weird.

Listen up. Be a man.

One smile, at least.

Volodya, do you know why are you such oaf?

Because you don't court women.

Why don't you? Sure, there are no maidens here.

But nothing's holding you from courting dames. Why don't you court, for example, me?

Only very proud people keep silent and love solitude.

You are like ????, Volodya. Look me straight in the eye.

Oaf...

Damn! I think cigarettes are wet.

You smoke? Sometimes.

Why?

I don't know. When I was a kind we often used to play trains with my father.

What trains? Ordinary trains.

He took a cigarette, put it in his mouth, lit it...

And then? Then he turned it around and put backwards in his mouth.

And after? After that he did like this...

And then? Then our doctor, Nikolay Trofimovich, played train-cars.

Train-cars? Train-cars. He did like this....

You know, Volodya, when you put a cigarette in your mouth

you look very much like Lermontov.

Lermontov? Did he smoke?

I don't know.

But when you put it in your mouth...

you look very much like him.

And, anyway, there is something of Cherkess [Adyghe people] in your glumness and silence.

Have you been in Caucasus?

Father kind of fought wars there once...

Exactly. Exactly...

"Do not say a thing, I am looking at you, why and for what reason did I fall in love with you?"

"Why and for what reason did I fall in love with you?"

Why aren't you singing with me? Do sing. Look, he's silent again.

"I drowned my heart in your beautiful eyes. And I will be loving only you for all of my life."

"And I will be loving only you for all of my life."

"I can not stop loving, I know suffering is terrible, it was a fate to meet you, my friend."

"It was a fate to meet you, my fiend."

It beautiful, isn't it? And the day is so nice. In two or three hundred years life on Earth will be even nicer.

I did not make this up. I went to a theatre and saw a play.

"Uncle Vanya", I think. Or, no, "Three sisters".

I don't remember exactly, but it is not important. Well then, it was said there:

"In two or three hundred years life of Earth will be even nicer."

"And we will see sky in diamonds."

Do you believe it, Volodya? I don't know.

And I saw the writer himself. Tall, handsome, with a hat and long cane.

Wife, well known artiste, was holding his hand. The first snow was falling.

And it was falling right on his hat, and it was wonderful.

But in two or three hundred years...

What's wrong with you, Volodya?

I love you!

What did you say? Repeat. Repeat it.

I love you! Bravo! Why do you fall silent? Why don't you tell more?

I want you to talk.

Volodya, you need to be clever, attentive, nice... One can attain these qualities only by communicating with women.

What a bad, evil face you have got...

I love you. You need to talk, laugh.

Yes, Volodya, don't be a bogey. You are young and you will have time to be philosophical. Let me go!

I didn't believe my eyes. When he began confessing his love, imagine, grabbed my waist, I simply didn't know him.

You know, when he said that he was in love with me, there was something beastly in his eyes. Like Cherkess [Adyghe people] have.

Why are you late for dinner, young man?

Broth has been served. They will be having tea soon.

I'm sorry.

It's six o'clock. Time for us to go, maman. You can go. I, if nobody's opposed, will spend the night here.

Have something to eat first, then you can go.

Why didn't you leave?

I was late. But don't worry. I will present medical testimony.

What testimony?

To whom will you present it? Gimnasium.

Volodyenka...

what are you talking?

Why are you ???? That is unduly in your age.

You don't pay for the losse, you smoke the tobacco of other people, it's disgusting to me, I don't love you!

Quiet, someone could hear.. I don't love this....

??????? Come to your senses, Volodyenka.

This detestable mosquito-net under which you hide your wrinkles! What wrinkles?

Just don't make so much noise, quiet, they could hear you.

What are you saying? That's a shame!

Shame? Where is my father's fortune? Where is your money? You wasted all of it.

I am not ashamed of my poverty. I am ashamed to have such mother!

When my comrades ask about you, I always blush.

When others offend me, it's painful. It's painful, but I bear it and I'm almost used to it.

But when you dare to talk things like that... You...to whom I gave all my life...

There was no Kurovsky, there was no Petrov. I hardly knew him and nobody wrote any letters.

What Kurovsky?

Why do you always remind me about him? It does not matter. Only thing that matters...

you...me...I never loved anybody as much as I love you. Nobody ever.

You were everything to me. My hopes, my joy, my happiness...

And you, bastard, dare to say me such things! You're a bastard, simply scoundrel and bastard!

What is this thing, if I may ask? This is amazing device. A phonograph.

Americans made it. To record these and those human voices for eternity. Wouldn't you try?

If you let me. Be my guest.

We must lift this up and....

You see the cylinders turning?

You must speak in here.

If you let me. Go on.

What should I say? Anything that comes in your mind.

Architect Drikolyev and his lawful wife were here.

Come on, say something.

I don't know what to say.

I think that is sufficient.

Now...we pull it down...

"What should I say? Anything that comes in your mind."

"Architect Drikolyev and his lawful wife were here."

People say they have invented marvellous wings in America. They operate with special kind of engine.

It is called swing-fly. Some say that, if you learn to swing correctly, you can cross the ocean.

New age.

...he needs only morphine. There must be label in Latin. Wake Volodya up. He will find it.

You're not sleeping?

It'll take just one moment.

I'll just take the drops.

Poor ????? has got spasms again.

Have some sleep, Volodya boy. You have an exam tomorrow. Goodnight.

Those are not the right drops. This is may-lily but he asks for morphine.

Is your son sleeping? Let ask him to find them.

Volodya is not sleeping.

Volodya, dear, search for morphine in the cabinet.

Search, why are you standing there?

How much longer?

Let me...

I love you.

Go, see if there is somebody in the hallway.

I think your maman has not left yet.

Nobody's there. She's left.

Nobody's there for sure.

There is nobody there. Do you have the key from the door?

Here it is.

Lock them. The door.

Take off the uniform coat.

Uniform coat...here you go.

Well...have some smoke.

Give me the cigarette.

Like that? Yes.

You now. Go on. What?

Come here.

What did you do this for?

I don't know. It's hot.

What are you waiting for?

I love you.

How ugly you are, Volodya. Pitiful.

Just like ugly duckling.

No, this is not love. Just a small affair. Affair...affair...

"No, this is not love. Just a small affair. Affair...affair..."

"Everything that was I loved unselfishly, Everything that I believed in."

"These caresses and nice words were just dreams."

"Autumn leaves are whirling slowly, wind tapping against the window."

"Memories about those happy moments are picking on my soul."