CLOUDLET

VALKO: That was easy with me, now go found how to show the “G” if you are that smarty pants. But show it so that the Old Mac to get it and without cheating! Show your colors you all teachers! Go ahead, “G” like what? (goes to the blackboard and writes a big letter “Г”.)

TSVETAN: Gutta-percha? (Valko moves his head in adamant “No”, OldMac shows he is not getting it.) Grozde? (incomprehension) Pass me the dictionary, there is no way I cannot find something.

(From under the counter Enyo comes out with a wrench and some rags in his hands. He looks at the blackboard, takes the chalk and draws a hangman under the letter. )

ENYO: "Gallows." Gallows. First it is similar in shape, second it is easy to remember. And if you put two of a kind facing each other and attach them to the base (draws), you get "D" for "door" which is a door in his language. Which brings us right to the "E", "eternity". Shall I continue?

OLDMAC: (dissolve in smiles) The gentleman speaks the noble tongue of Shakespeare? What a pleasant surprise!

ENYO: The gentleman had to.

OLDMAC: If the gentleman does not consider my invitation uncomfortable, I would be pleased to have an educated talk over some issues whose formulations escape me at the moment. We could find a common ground, especially with someone who knows the meaning of the word "gallows" and the word "door" to infinity, metaphorically speaking.

KOSTA: Entcho, but why did you stay silent that you talk his language, sonny! After Stavri died, I was like a ventilator with this dictionary trying to explain something.

VALKO: You have as much wits as that ventilator, honest! Remember Entcho wasn’t here then, he went away to bury his mother! It should be springtime but it is hot, the people are dying like the Black Death had come, darn it, like it is wartime, as the war is also starting with a similar letter!

TSVETAN: Well, well, you and the war are two of a kind, merciless ones! Only when you are dancing you are somewhat bearable as you are silent! I long for the old days: your wife would come in, invite you to dance, you would get up and follow! We would get a respite, and enjoy the scene, as she was a beauty that perished early.

(The door opens. Enters a young woman dressed as in the early fifties who like Grandma Tsona is covered with white powder. She holds in her hand a handkerchief and dances to music that probably only she hears. From the people in the pub only Tsranka and Valko can see her. Tsranka puts a hand on her mouth and makes the sign of the cross. Valko stands up and dances against the woman. At first his movements are stiff, but gradually he seems to shed years off and smiles. Kosta, Tzvetan, Enyo and OldMac are staring at Valko mesmerized. Gradually he follows the young woman dancing away)

Картина четвърта

OldMac’s parlor, in the style of a poor village house.