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mean?
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    TAUBENDORF
    At night I’m a waiter here, and during the day I’m a film extra. Right now they’re shooting an idiotic picture about Russia.
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    KUZNETSOFF
    Now let’s get down to business. Everything is going fine. Comrade Gromov, whom by the way I’ll see at the Soviet Mission, has been hinting to me about a promotion, which, naturally, is very gratifying. But, as before, I am short of cash. This must be remedied: I have to meet with a whole lot of people here. Now listen—day after tomorrow Werner is coming in from London. You will give him this ... and this....
(hands him two letters)
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    TAUBENDORF
    Alyosha, remember what you promised me last time?
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    KUZNETSOFF
    I do. But that’s not necessary for now.
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    TAUBENDORF
    But I’m only a pawn. My job consists of such trifles. I’m not kept informed of anything. You refuse to tell me anything. I don’t want to be a pawn. I don’t want to play postman. You promised, Alyosha, that you would take me to Russia with you....
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    KUZNETSOFF
    Don’t be a fool. So, you’ll give this to Werner, and also tell him—
(Oshivenski and Fyodor Fyodorovich return with bottles.)
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    TAUBENDORF
    Alyosha, they’re coming back....
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    KUZNETSOFF
    ...that the price of nails is stable.... And be at my place tomorrow at eight. I’m at the Hotel Elysium.
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    TAUBENDORF
    What’s tomorrow, Tuesday? Yes—fortunately tomorrow is my night off.
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    KUZNETSOFF
    Splendid. We’ll have a chat, and then we’ll go look for some chicks.
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    OSHIVENSKI
    Baron, give us a hand here. Soon people will start coming.
(to Kuznetsoff)
May I offer you some cognac?
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    KUZNETSOFF
    Many thanks. I won’t refuse. How does one get to Hegel Street from here?
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    OSHIVENSKI
    It’s right nearby: turn right, go three blocks, and you’re there.
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    FYODOR FYODOROVICH
(pouring the cognac)

Hegelkinsky....
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    TAUBENDORF
    Victor Ivanovich, I think you’re acquainted with Mr. Kuznetsoff's wife.
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    KUZNETSOFF
    Allow me to introduce myself.
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    OSHIVENSKI
    Oshivenski.
(They shake hands.)
Ouch! Excuse me, but I just hit my thumb with a hammer.
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    KUZNETSOFF
    Oh, so you’re left-handed?
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    OSHIVENSKI
    Yes, of course I know her. We met at Easter. My wife, Yevghenia Vasilyevna, and she are great friends.
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    TAUBENDORF
    Listen, how did you guess that Victor Ivanovich was left-handed?
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    KUZNETSOFF
    Which hand do you usually hold a nail with? You’re a real whiz kid....
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    OSHIVENSKI
    So you’ve been out of town?
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    KUZNETSOFF
    Yes, out of town.
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    OSHIVENSKI
    Warsaw, wasn’t it? I think that’s what Olga Pavlovna said....
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    KUZNETSOFF
    Yes, I visited Warsaw too. To your health.
(Marianna enters. She is wearing a light-gray tailored dress, and has short hair. Her legs and lips immediately identify her as a Russian. She walks with a loose gait.)
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    TAUBENDORF
    Your obedient servant, Marianna Sergeyevna.
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    MARIANNA
    You’re an awful stinker, Baron. How come you didn’t wait for me? Moser gave me a lift back in his car, and there was room for you, too.
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    TAUBENDORF
    Marianna dear, I was a wreck after the shooting—what with the klieg lights and the yelling and everything. And I was hungry.
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    MARIANNA
    You could have warned me. I looked all over for you.
    TAUBENDORF
    I beg your forgiveness. The humble extra begs the forgiveness of the film star.
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    MARIANNA
    No, I’m very hurt. And please don’t think the only reason I dropped in here was to tell you that. I need to make a phone call.
Guten abend,
Victor Ivanovich.
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    OSHIVENSKI
    It’s time you stopped getting lovelier, Marianna Sergeyevna: the thing could assume monstrous proportions. Mr. Kuznetsoff, this famous film starlet lives in the same modest boardinghouse as your wife.
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    MARIANNA
    How do you do.
(nods to Kuznetsoff)
Victor