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MP3 8.8 MB • 64 kbps • 19:19
Story behind the song
Synopsis of Scene 4: Pavel makes his way slowly to his bed in the Men’s Ward. Efrem pronounces judgement and pessimism over Pavel, every step of the way, saying that once Cancer has its pincers on you, it will never let go. Oleg praises a book, and suggests that Efrem read it. Efrem scoffs, saying he is not interested in reading, when he is on the verge of dying. Oleg tosses the book on Efrem’s bed, and leaves the ward. Efrem sits on the bed, picks up the book, lies down, and begins to read. Pavel declares he has made a mistake in coming to the ward. The voice of nurse Zoya brightens the ward, as she checks on patients, and their charts. Pavel asks her about whether treatment has been prescribed for him, and after being told that it hasn’t, because the doctors are finished with their work day, asks where an outside phone is, and how he can get to it. Explaining that it is locked in Bahramovich’s office, Zoya leaves the men’s ward. Dyomka asks why life is so cruel, and declares a bit of his history. Oleg returns to his bed. Pavel blames Dr. Dontsova for duping him into coming to this hospital. Dyomka is talking with Oleg about his plans for school. Mursalimov begins a prayer, and both Oleg and Dyomka listen for a moment. Oleg quietly asks Dyomka to bring him his geometry text book. Pavel yells at Mursalimov to quit making noise, and then orders Azovkin to turn off the light. Oleg rebukes Pavel for his selfish and self-centered attitude. As Oleg talks to Dyomka about geometry and his past life, Efrem begins to tell Ahmadan the story about how Man was able to live a hundred years.
Lyrics
Scene 4, Pavel’s First Night
(Pavel enters the Men’s Ward. He makes his way slowly to his bed, to unpack his things).
Efrem
Well, well, well…another “cancer”….listen, brother, what kind of cancer do you have?
Pavel
Nothing…I don’t have cancer
Efrem
That’s it, professor. You are never returning home, understand?
Pavel
I don’t understand, comrade, what it is you want from me. Why are you trying to intimidate me? I haven’t troubled you.
Efrem
Trouble or no trouble, you’re not returning home. You might as well hand over your glasses. And your new pajamas. If you are allowed to go home, it won’t be long, before you come back. Cancer loves people. It grabs you in its pincers, and never let’s go.
Pavel
I’ve had enough of your gloomy predictions!
Efrem
There was an older patient, to be operated on tomorrow. They had cut out a little cancer from him, told him he was free to go, free to live….understand? It’s a sad position we are in…very sad…..
Oleg
If Dyomka hadn’t brought this from the bookshelf, I would have sworn it was specially sent our way.
Dyomka, (looking up from reading his own book)
What about Dyomka?...What book?
Oleg
You wouldn’t find one like it, not if you turned the whole town upside down. Efrem! Than’s enough of your whining! Here, read this book!
Yefrem
Why should I read. We’ll all kick the bucket soon.
Oleg
That’s the point! If you don’t hurry you’ll have kicked the bucket before you’ve read it. Here you are, quick.
Yefrem
There’s too much reading here. I don’t want to read.
Oleg
Are you illiterate or something?
Yefrem
What do you mean? I am very literate. When I’ve got to be, I’m very literate.
Oleg
Don’t be afraid, they’re nice short little stories. Here, just these few here – try them. I’m fed up with your whining, do you hear? Read a book.
Pavel
I made a mistake in agreeing to come to this clinic.
Zoya
Time for your temperature! Azovkin….ah…Azovkin, bring yourself together. Here, you have the strength, take the thermometer yourself.
Azovkin
Zoya! Give me a hot water bottle!
Zoya
You are your own worst enemy. You were given a hot water bottle, but you used it for your stomach, not your injection.
Azovkin
It helped ease my pain.
Zoya
It helps your tumour grow, you were told! The oncology department isn’t allowed hot water bottles – it was obtained for you specially.
Azovkin
I won’t take injections then.
Zoya
Where’s Kostoglotov?
Dyomka
He’s out for a smoke.
Zoya
I’ll give him smoke!
Pavel
Hasn’t treatment been prescribed for me?
Zoya
Not yet
Pavel
Why? Where are the doctors?
Zoya
Their work day is done.
Pavel
Where is a telephone with an outside line? How do I get to it?
Zoya
98.6….in the registrar. But right now you can’t go there, it is in the other entrance.
Pavel
Well, excuse me, young lady, but how can there be no telephone in the clinic. What if something were to happen…to me, for instance?
Zoya
We would run over and call for you.
Pavel
Well, if there was a storm, or if it was raining heavily.
Zoya
During the day we go there directly, but it is locked right now.
Pavel
There must be another phone….it isn’t possible there isn’t.
Zoya
There is….it is in the office of the head doctor.
Pavel
Well, then?
Zoya
Dyoma…..98.6….the office is locked. Nizamutdin Bahromovich doesn’t like….(leaves)
Pavel
There is logic in this. It isn’t pleasant to have someone use your office when you are not there. But a hospital should have made arrangements.
Dyomka
Why is it there is such rank injustice in fortune itself? There are people whose lives run smooth as silt from beginning to end, I know there are, while others' are a complete louse-up. And they say a man's life depends on himself. It doesn't depend on him a bit.
I was two years old when my father was killed in the war. Then I had a stepfather, not affectionate, but just, and quite po
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