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MP3 8.9 MB • 80 kbps • 15:34
Story behind the song
Night. The waiting room, in the Radiology Department, at the Cancer Ward in Tashkent, Kazakhstan, USSR.
Two janitors are completing their job responsibilities at the Ward, and are just finishing their last task, mopping the ward floor. The young janitor says he is happy to be going home. The older janitor says he will go home later -- he has a second job. The young janitor says that he is glad he is not married with family -- less worries. But the older janitor wonders why not, after all, the young janitor is a very sociable person. The young janitor says he is too shy to meet girls, and then asks the older janitor how he met his wife. The older Janitor tells the younger janitor that it was a typical boy meets girl story. He rings the desk bell, at the nurses station, to inform the floor ward, Zhenya, that they are done. She is needed to sign off their work. Asking the janitors to place the floor mats back in place before they leave, she notes that there is a place in the work order for comments. She writes that the work is satisfactory, and that the attitude of the janitors is excellent. Zhenya and the janitors sing about the importance of having a good attitude in the work place. The janitors go to retrieve the floor mats, and Zhenya returns to the nurse station.
Oleg bursts in from outside. It has been raining, and he has been walking all day in great pain. The janitors come back with the floor mats, and note the wet mess left by Oleg at the entrance. Hurriedly, they place the mats right over the wet place at the door, and quickly leave. Oleg flops down on the floor, against the wall of the nurse station. Zhenya comes out, notices the wet floor, and then sees Oleg. They squabble, and Zhenya leaves to fetch the Doctor on Duty, Doctor Gangart. Oleg sings about his pain, and his fears of dying this night.
Led by Zhenya, Dr. Vera Gangart comes to Oleg, and questions him. She finds Oleg has a temperature, does have papers for being at the ward, and quickly makes arrangements for Oleg to stay, and to be examined by the morning staff.
Lyrics
(9:00 at night. The waiting room, in the Radiology Department).
Two benches – an old woman lying on one of them, and a young Uzbek woman in a coloful scarf on the other, sitting beside her child.
A pair of orderlies are finishing-up, mopping the floor.
They are working as a team, one orderly working just after the other, both with damp mops.
(First orderly to second):That’s good. (Looking at the floor): If you were a diamond you would shine in the dark.
Second orderly: Yes, it is good to finish work, and go home.
First orderly: I go home to the wife later. I have a second job waiting for me.
Second orderly: A second job?
First orderly: For a few hours, cleaning the passenger wagons at the rail yard. Mouths to feed, my friend.
Second orderly: I think it is good to be single. Only myself to take care of.
First orderly: But, why? You seem to be a sociable person.
Second orderly: I am shy around girls.
First orderly: That is no reason not to marry.
Second orderly: Oh yes? And how did you meet your wife?
First orderly: A typical boy meets girl story
Second orderly: Is there such a thing?
First orderly: Of course. It is all very simple.
boy meets girl
girl likes boy
pretty girl marries the nice boy
pretty soon, a family
she is my joy.
she is the ground, upon which I stand
Light of my eyes, the mother of my children
She makes the pleasant home atmosphere.
She is my comfort, and my joy.
She is my good morning and hello!
She is my good night, and goodbye!
(First orderly goes to nurses window, and rings bell, twice).
Main-floor Orderly, Zhenya Starovna:
Well, then! And are you done for the night?
Second orderly: Hello Zhenya Starovna.
First orderly: Hello, Zhenya. You asked to be rung when we were finished.
Zhenya: Yes. Thank you. I am deeply appreciative.
First orderly: No problem. It makes it easier to have you sign us off, rather than looking for you somewhere upstairs.
Zhenya: Would you please place the floor mats back, before you leave?
First orderly: Of course. No trouble at all.
Zhenya: Yes. Good. (Looking at work order). What have we here? Comments on work quality. (Writing). Well, here you are. All in good order. Satisfactory work, Outstanding attitude.
Second orderly: Thank you, so much!
First orderly: Thank you, Zhenya! I only do what I am told, like the good soldier I am.
Zhenya: A good attitude is so important to work
Second orderly: ...and work is so important to a good attitude
First orderly: …as you sow, so shall you reap.
Zhenya: Attitude is so important
Second orderly:...politeness to one’s superiors
First orderly: ...a smile for one’s peers
Zhenya: When work is finished...
First orderly:...job well done
Zhenya: So much brighter for those you work under...
Second orderly:...and for those that work under you
Zhenya: I believe in the power of a smile
good will to those we see and meet and
good words can transform the workplace
All: Good words well spoken
will always lighten the burden of work
and daily chores
If you wonder what keeps our country great
a smile keeps the sun up
First and Second Orderly: Good night, Zhenya!
Zhenya: Good night!
The orderlies exit stage right to retrieve the mats for the floor. Vera exits back into the Nurses station.
The janitors exit stage right to retrieve the floor mats. Vera goes back into the nurses station.
The door flies open, and Oleg comes in from outside, carrying a duffel bag. He is pale, weak, and tired. He is also in deathly pain, and soaking wet from the rains outside. He looks around. The young Uzbek woman, hesitates, and begins to reach for her child, to move off the bench, to offer their place to Oleg, who is obviously sick. He motions her to stay put.
Oleg: Please. Don’t trouble yourself.
He moves away from the benches, and says aloud, in an aside to himself,
Oleg: It is just as easy to die on the floor…
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